Seventeen weeks!

There are so many pieces of adoption. It's not just about "having a baby" or "adding a child". It's about joining lives that God ordained to be united. The reason for the need of adoption to happen is a sobering one. It is heart-breaking ... it is not "happily-ever-after". Some have symbolized the adoption process with pregnancy. While there are SO many similarities and symbolisms that can be made ...... there is one vast difference and from a momma's perspective, it's one of the most difficult during this time of unknown and waiting. When I was pregnant and "expecting" my first three children .... no matter all the unknowns or complications (I experienced several) ... I would always feel my tummy and know that all was well. I had something I could put my hand on, literally ... and "check-in" a thousand times a day or night, as only a mother would. During this "waiting" with adoption, there is nothing I can feel with my hand to know all is well. A child that is already so very much a part of my heart is out of my grasp ... a half world away ... surrounded by so many unknowns. They have already experienced loss in their little life that I have never known. While adoption is a miraculous thing, a beautiful thing, an absolutely wonderful thing ....... that's not all that it is. There's something in us as a parent that just wants to make everything better for our children. We want to soothe them, comfort them, give them a place to heal.

This verse in Habuakkuk brings much comfort during the season of waiting.

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day." Habakkuk 2:3

I have NO control over anything that is about to happen in our lives. But I know the ONE who does. It is there I must find refuge ... it is the ONLY place I will find peace. If I do not rest there, I will lose my mind. The "what ifs" on this journey alone could cause you to need a major dose of prescriptions! :) When I find my mind drifting in a sea of unknowns, thrashing wildly about in the waves of fear .... I must, by mere obedience, let God take control of my thoughts. I must submit everything in me to His loving care.

So while we are thrilled beyond belief of the changes coming in our lives ..... we are also very much aware of the other sides of adoption. I believe this is what creates such an urgency in my spirit as a mom ..... to see my child with my own eyes and to know that with God's great love and healing .... all will be well.

You may not be facing the journey of adoption ... perhaps your life is on a far different journey all of it's own. No matter where you are, or what you're going through ... I encourage you to look to the ONE who has all things under His control. He can truly be our firm foundation and longs to lead us, if we'll only follow.

Pictures from the past

As promised, here's a few pics of Naomi's homecoming .... hard to believe it's been 3 years already! This is not the pic I was looking for, but the ones David found for me. oh well, they'll do. :) The first one is of when she first came home. The other two are Valentine's a month later ... wonder what I was telling the boys to get them to giggle. Guess it worked!

A Peek at Progress

Okay, I promised a peek at what we've been working on for our project. I say WE, because me spending time getting these designs done means that some special "others" have to pitch in above and beyond or we'd all go hungry and not have clean underwear! This journey is truly a family endeavor ... and goes far beyond our family. Anyway, these special cards, along with many more will be shipped out in the near future ... destination Illinois! (sorry for the poor lighting, that's what you get when you take photos in the evening in this room!)

And I said yesterday I'd try to find a pic of our homecoming with Naomi. Well, David will have to help me on that one, as I do not have a clue where the old pictures are saved. We'll eventually get them on here. :)

Week Sweet 16!

Here we are at week Sweet 16! Nothing new .... just workin' every spare moment on a special order for a friend in IL! A peek coming soon. Tomorrow marks a special day in our family .... 3 years ago tomorrow sweet and spunky Naomi came HOME! I'll see if I can dig up a pic of that as well. Until then, this momma needs some sleep! Take Care.

Seasons Change

At times it dawns on us that our lives are about to really change ... again! Someone asked the other day how many kids we have .... I had to stop and think. It seems just like yesterday I was grasping the number turned from 3 to 4! .... now Naomi was been with us for three years. Yeah, maybe I'm a little slow to catch on. :) As busy as life gets .... sometimes we get caught up in survival mode, instead of being intentional. While I am ready like yesterday!, to get that call of news of our new little one ...... I most certainly don't want to miss out on TODAY and what all God is doing right NOW. I cannot imagine walking through this journey with anyone but my David. He is strong and steady, yet gentle and compassionate. I am so incredibly blessed. We're moving into yet another season of our lives. Our boys are growing up, both in height, age and maturity. What a joy it is to watch them grow and stand on their own convictions about things they believe strongly in. They each are so unique. Now soon we'll have both a babe AND a toddler/pre-schooler on our hands! Let the fun begin!

Some years back, a friend gave me a little glass stone that has the the verse of 2 Corinthians 5:7 inside. "For we walk by faith, not by sight." That has been so true of our lives. I have always kept it on my keyboard. It reminds me often that while I may not know the details of where we're going ..... God does!! I have to walk by faith knowing HE has everything in His control. It's my job to trust Him and obey what He's told me to do ..... and I must leave the rest up to Him.

We appreciate all of you fellow adoptive families that have shared your journeys with us. It's been such a tremendous blessing to have your encouragement and support. May you find comfort today in knowing God IS in control and He has a wonderful plan for your lives.

We've Made it Through 15 Weeks Waiting!

What a better way to spend the start of another week than with a friend ... and one of my sons, of course. It was a welcomed break from designing cards and cleaning. As an added bonus, I even got to share in some special company over lunch. Another wonderful highlight was stopping in to see our social worker and "talk adoption". We have been so blessed by her through both of our adoptions.

This Heart's For You!

Okay Aunt Rosie ..... here's the heart card you requested. As I told you, I can do any kind of sentiment in the lower right.

More Milestones!

Just a quick update today. What a busy week it's been. We enjoyed a wonderful visit from David's folks. I had already scheduled my open house before we knew they were coming, so we had that this weekend too. It was a special day. Today marks week 14 for us. What an exciting year it's gonna be!

We'll we're at week thirteen and very happy to be here! It means there can't be too many more weeks to wait! We have some grant paperwork being reviewed right now ... would appreciate your prayers about that.

Also have a little detail concerning a vehicle to be worked out yet. Okay .... so "little detail" is a bit of an exaggeration! .... but in God's perspective, it is a mere detail.

Happy New Year!

Well, our day had to take on a Plan B, as the man of the house has the flu. Ishy. Thankfully the worst was yesterday for him though. So instead of going out to friends ... we stayed home and had a little birthday fun in our jammies! As you can see by the photos the dolls and furniture were a HUGE HIT with the birthday girl! Nathaniel had a blast assembling everything. We also made butterfly cookies. The pink cake will wait til later in the week when all tummies are well. Sssshhhh ..... the kids don't know it, but we are anticipating a visit from a set of grandparents this weekend! As we were decorating cookies Nathaniel & I decided this is much more fun than last year sitting in a hospital room with him in horrid pain with a broken leg!

May you have a wonderful 2008!