Carissa Nicole is 3!!!!

Happy 3rd birthday to our sweet, fun, smiley Carissa!

Carissa- Grace; Nicole- Victorious people

You bring so much laughter to our family! You've always made people smile and your eyes light up with joy. Ethan is your pal. Andrew helps you get into trouble. You are Tabitha's best friend. Seth is your "Sethy or buddy" and you take care of him. You love to hang out or help your sissy, Taylor. Daddy claims that you're "His girl," but we know that's debatable. 

It is so fun to watch you grow and learn. We pray that God would grow you up to know Him, trust Him, love Him, and show others the JOY that you know only comes from Him. 

We love you so much sweet girl! I hope this day is extra special!

Home Study Day!

We met with our social worker this afternoon at 2:30. Martie and I were both very excited. We've waited two years for this appointment. I was super nervous. I didn't really know what to expect of this first in home meeting. I had been comforted by so many. Friends called, prayed, and sent me scriptures that I could read. I was most encouraged by my husband who literally stopped me in my tracks one afternoon, hugged me, and immediately began to pray. I thank God for his guidance and leadership in our family. We also recited together:

Phil. 4:6-7 "Be anxous for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

It was a very nice meeting. She didn't look through our house at all. Jokes on me! However, she did tell us some of the things she'll look at during her next visit. I don't expect we'll have any problems. She updated all our paper work, asked us more questions, and gave us some other things to do. We have to go downtown and get fingerprinted and we both need to get physicals. I made the appointment today with our family doctor. We'll go downtown soon to get fingerprinting done. She said the home study should be complete in about 60 days.

I was very encouraged! Please continue to pray for us. Our prayer is that God would be glorified in this process, in our parenting, and through adoption.

We love you and covet your prayers!
The Mangums

Taylor's protocol

Saturday, April 27th, we had the pleasure of escorting Taylor to her Spring Protocol. In Classical Conversations the high school students take part in this event. It's a time when the kids get all dressed up, go out to dinner, and then to some event. They get the chance to practice all the etiquette rules.

Taylor is having such a great ninth grade year. She loves her Challenge class that she meets with each Friday. They are a great group of young adults. For their protocol we went to Sullivans in Raleigh for dinner, where I must say I had the best mashed potatoes....EVER! We then went to Raleigh Little Theatre and watched the play, The Importance of Being Earnest. The night ended with a trip to Krispy Kreme where things didn't go according to protocol, that is unless doughnut eating contests count.

We are so glad we were able to go and share this special night. We are so proud of Taylor and the beautiful young lady she is becoming. I can't wait to see all that God has in store for her.

Home sweet home!

I arrived home safely late Tuesday night. My children were surprised when I came home 2 hours early.  Martie and I thought it would be a fun surprise, but my children prove to be more like me everyday. Carissa was the only one to run into my arms. Ethan and Tabitha were stressed because they hadn't finished a picture they were making for me. Taylor had to do something to a cake that she made. (7 layer chocolate cake; all homemade) Andrew had a meltdown because he was organizing his pants drawer for me. Seth was in bed already. Even he was a little confused when he woke up the next day.

By Wednesday afternoon, everything was completely back to normal. We took the whole week off from school. I needed to get ready for our CC end of the year ceremony and take care of other household things. Martie did an amazing job while I was gone. However, he couldn't believe he didn't get the "extra" things around the house done. There were no serious injuries, but there were a few strange ones. (Like Andrew putting the needle from my sewing machine through the tip of his finger) We still can't figure out how he did that.

We celebrated the end of the year with our CC friends. It turned out to be a beautiful day and of course I forgot my camera. The next few weeks are going to be very busy.

Martie finally got "THE PHONE CALL" last Monday. A social worker will be coming to visit us next Weds., May 1st. We are hopeful the homestudy will be completed in about 60 days. Pray for us as we prepare for whatever the Lord has called us to. We are literally putting one foot in front of the other, out of obedience to our convictions.

The first two pictures below are from my plane ride home. The other pictures are some that Taylor took this afternoon.