Part II

Hopefully one day it won’t take me a week + to finish a blog post…key word here being hopefully. I filled you in on the kiddos but so many of you have been asking what we’ve been up to. So, at the risk of boring you to tears, here goes…

I’ll start off with the most requested. There has been little movement in our adoption world. I’m not going to lie, It’s been really hard. For so long we were “balls to the wall” busy, working hard to get every bit of paperwork done in record time. Now we wait, with little to no information. We are hoping to soon receive a letter from my oncologist. He will state that in the cancer world I am considered cured and my future prognosis is promising. Our agency said this “may” help. AWAA assures us they are doing their best to advocate for us and educate Ethiopia.

With all this being said, they want us to make a decision to move forward or not. Documents are time sensitive and we risk having to re-do everything if we wait. Also, we have 6 months after completion of our Home Study to submit with USCIS. After this 6 month period our home study will be void.

To submit with USCIS will cost $900 and dossier submission to Ethiopia around $8200. There is no assurance that in spite of time and much money invested, Ethiopia will approve us. If we decide to change direction we lose all the money we have paid up to this point. While the money is God’s, we still have to be good stewards and make wise decisions. But, still, we must decide.

This is where we step out of the boat and onto the water. Keeping our eyes ever fixed on Jesus is the goal but our tendency to look around at the circumstances is our demise. We. sink. every. time. Our family would be most appreciative of prayer for clear answers. For doors to be opened and shut, for God to lead the way. We really do trust Him and His perfect timing, if only we could live out what we know. Little Krause, we are praying you home<3

Part III

Ryan has been working hard lately. He comes home late most days and for a while, worked on his days off. He gets a high off this though because he sees the dollar signs. I, on the other hand, start to get a little pouty cause I just miss my man;)

I am always amazed that he can work a hard, laborious job all day, come home and immediately, plug into his family. Just yesterday he was called into work at 3AM and didn’t get home until 8PM. That’s 17 HOURS, people! As soon as he walked through the door, the kids were at his feet, begging him for a walk around the neighborhood. Without hesitation he granted their request. I could totally picture myself begrudgingly saying yes and exhaling dramatically so that everyone could hear. I so admire my husband’s character, he is truly a rock star father.

A couple of months ago, Ryan was chosen out of his PEC office for a unique leadership program. He’s had to attend classes and write papers but he loves the content and what he’s learning. One of his long term goals at PEC is to promote servant leadership and I can see God putting that into play for him.

Next week he will be competing in the 2012 Texas Lineman’s Rodeo. The rodeo is a weekend affair and is becoming a fun and anticipated Krause Family tradition. He will compete in (too complicated to explain), hot work events and also the really fun things like, the speed climb, hurt-man rescue, etc. The rodeo takes place in Seguin, TX and starts bright and early Saturday, July 21. Come out and cheer for him if you get a wild hair! Ryan is a rock star father but he’s also a rock star lineman!

My world has been topsy-turvy with all sorts of ventures. In addition to my (very part time)event consulting business, I recently took a job with a special events facility in Dripping Springs. Camp Lucy is the most enchanting, beautiful venue I have ever seen. I’ve got some pretty awesome co-workers and I absolutely love working with brides in love and their expectant families. Bridezillas, yes they are for real, but few and far between. I have been feeling God pulling me away from the wedding business but I’m enjoying it in the meantime. Who knows where He will lead me next.

Today marks the 4th day we’ve been home from our Dallas vacation and we are STILL recovering! We had planned to go to Orange Beach but it flooded. *SIGH* oh the well. We started it off right with a visit to my Nana & Papa’s house. I love being with them and my kids love it even more. We went to LEGOLAND, Rainforest Café, Bass Pro Shop (Cabelas is way mo betta!), the movies to see Madagascar 3 and to two TX Ranger games.

OMAGOONDESS, I love being in that ballpark! I have so many memories there and at Arlington Stadium. Great, exciting, family, memories. When they were showing clips of Nolan Ryan’s 7th No Hitter, it was so cool to tell my kids their mommy was there. In my world, fewer things are better than taking in a good ball game with the family!

We have a busy July-August and are doing our best to make every moment count. I’ll let you know how my rock star lineman does in the rodeo:)

XOXO,

Brit

 

Daddy wants a new boat…a man can dream.

4D movie at LEGOLAND

Rainforest Café

Shark Attack!

Fireworks at Rangers Stadium

Respect the ‘Hawk

The Crazy Krauses

Where have you been?

The House of Krause has been caught in the middle of a whirlwind! I’m sure you are nodding right now, thinking, “preach it, sister!”. You too, huh?

So why, you ask, have I been so quiet for WEEKS…

Dylan’s Texas Rangers finished first place in the regular season and he was selected to play on the Blue All Star team. This, my friends, (in the 8 year old, Hays, little leaguer world) was a real big deal! It was the first year mom and dad allowed him to participate in All Stars so he was super excited.

Of course this took over our entire lives as he practiced every evening and played tournaments every weekend. If ever I suggested or tried to manipulate him into staying home, he would promptly begin whining and begging to let him go to practice. He just couldn’t get enough of it. 

My man child is a rock star on the baseball field, (side note: Yes, I gave birth to him. Yes, I play favorites), and he is so much fun to watch! Dylan played first base and left field all season so I was frustrated when the coach began playing him in positions he was new to. I soon had to shut my mouth as he became a great utility player for the team. My favorite position to watch him play was catcher. Napoli has nothing on Big D;)

The McArthur-Krauses are baseball fools so we were truly in heaven. We were blessed with a great team, fabulous coaches and super, awesome parents! However, we were all a little relieved when they finished out their season last weekend. Free is a great word to describe how momma felt! Yesterday, I saw Dylan was swinging his trusty imaginary bat. The poor boy looked at me, dropped his shoulders and presented me with the most pathetic pouty face. “Are you missing baseball, son?” He just nodded his head. It had only been a week since the boy’s cleats hit the field. He has the bug for sure.

Ella Bella is now an official graduate of the Hays Hills Baptist Church, Christian Learning Center. It’s so very hard to wrap my mind around. She was so proud to receive her Bible and certificate and looked fab-u-lous in her cap and gown. She is very ready for kindergarten and cannot understand why she has to wait alllll summer for that first day.

I love that she’s ready and excited but I’m discovering it’s me who’s not quite ready to let her go…Who in the world woulda thunk it!?! Of course, I’ve been doing the usual “Mommy Guilt” routine, thinking of all the wasted time, missed opportunities and minutes I wished away. All those sweet grannies I figured had just been blessed with the veil of forgetfulness, knew what they were talking about after all. I would love to have those days back…or at least a few of them!

Ryan coached Ella’s tball team this year. He was determined that his little girl would not be subjected to any harsh, crazy coaching and this was the one way to prevent that from happening. T-Ball 1 is the cutest thing you ever did see! I mean, preciousnes! The little cuties field their own balls, play in the dirt and force you from your seats with surprise home runs. Ella has announced that she will not be returning to the game which is sort of a bummer because the chic was really good! She could field great and played some awesome first base! (see previous side note) But, nope, she is certain the gymnastics world will suit her better…we shall see.

TO BE CONTINUED…

 

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