Check out this awesome picture of Fuzhou

This is a picture that I found of Fuzhou, Phoebe's birth city.  I can't wait to see it for myself!

More glimpses of Phoebe

I was surprised to get more pics and info on Phoebe this week!  Isn't she adorable?!  It has been neat to watch her grow and change through all of the pictures that we have received. There have been so many more updates during her process than during Levi's.  I had emailed the agency to ask if she was indeed in foster care, because our last update indicated that she was even though we had not been told that.  So we did get confirmation this week that she is in the care of an older couple who has raised a son, and now fosters children who are awaiting international adoption.  Phoebe is the 6th child that they have fostered, and from what we understand she is the only child in the home.  Her foster Mom stays home and her foster Dad works as a security guard.  This is great news!  I am so glad that she is getting one on one attention from a couple, who I pray is loving her up!  Her foster Mom and Dad took all of these pictures for us and they were emailed to us.  Such a treat.

We were told about a week ago that we probably travel on March 16th or April 6th.  I am really really ready to go but I am reminding myself that the Lords timing is perfect.  For me to get irritated about the timing is just me telling God that his timing is not good enough for me, that his plan is not good enough for me, and that I know better.  Hmm.  Ok.  That puts things in perspective.  I just have to remind myself that a hundred times a day.

Thank you all for your love, prayers, and words of encouragement!

Update on Phoebe!

We got four new pics of little miss Phoebe yesterday!  The information said that she is healthy and she has 4 teeth, she is crawling but likes to stand and hold on to things, and she weighs 17 pounds.  We can't wait to meet our newest blessing and welcome her home!  The kids are really looking forward to meeting her.  Levi says almost daily "I can't wait until Phoebe can come home."  How sweet is that?  We are still hoping to travel in March but we are waiting on immigration approval.  Every day I approach the mailbox with great expectation! :)  I know that the Lords timing is perfect!

2011 Year In Pictures Video

The 2011 Year in Pictures Video has been posted.  

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Watch on YouTube

Family Christmas Pic 2011

 

Dubuque Steele Christmas 2011

A week of firsts

Isaiah started school a little while after we moved to the new house. It was time. Time for him and time for me. I must say that the Lord provided a very smooth transition. His timing is always perfect. Isaiah has been delighted at his new adventure and the littler ones and I are enjoying each other at home (and preparing for the next little one!). The bus stops at the corner of our lot and there are 4 other kids at our bus stop. Lots of the kids in the neighborhood go to our church so he already had friends on the bus. There are so many kids in our new neighborhood that there are TWO elementary busses that cover it! I love that.  And at our bus stop the Moms and Dads wait at the bus stop with the kids.  We all wave and blow kisses as the bus pulls away.  Ok, it's kinda nerdy, but I still really love it.  I'm gonna be out there participating in the nerdiness until he asks me not to do it anymore.  :)