Thankful.

To say that this post is overdue is quite the understatement.  So much has happened, and there is much to tell...and still so little time.  Josiah entered this world October 2, healthy and reminding us once again what a special miracle life really is.  His big brothers have shown nothing but love, tenderness, admiration, and delight over him.  He has plumped up rather nicely, and we cannot get enough of his big toothless grin and giggles.  We are enjoying the wonder of his new discoveries such as...his hands, the ceiling fan, and his funny brothers.  Josiah really is a treasure to each of us; we are so thankful for this little surprise the Lord planned for us.

Daniel Isaac's brain still baffles us, and he makes us...and just about everyone he comes into contact with laugh.  Like.it's.his.job.  We celebrated his 6th birthday Army style, and he continues to enjoy activities such as sword fighting, wrestling, fighting, paper airplane making and flying, ninja fighting, cops and robbers fighting, word play, jokes, beat boxing, and break dancing.  He's really good at all of the above.  We're just trying to direct the love for action in the right direction.  Daniel Isaac loves people- he is out-going and friendly.  He is a precious, bright gift that we continue to thank the Lord for.

Noah David's tender heart continues to shine through.  He is tender and compassionate.  He loves his family something fierce.  He randomly tells each of us all the time, "I love you,"...and he usually flashes the sign language sign for it.  He shares hugs, snuggles, and kisses with Josiah and the rest of us so generously.  He "reads" the Bible to Josiah because he wants to "teach him about God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit."  Noah David is strong and holds his own really well with the aforementioned fighting practice.  His imagination is brilliant and takes us on all types of trips and adventures each day.  Noah David thinks and talks about heaven a lot...he's got a depth to his soul beyond his years.  We praise the Lord for giving us our shining Noah David.

Daniel continues to work extremely hard here in Birmingham's Lifeline Children's Services office.  He loves what he does, and although I'm very partial, he is extremely gifted and good at all he does.  Daniel is our patient, loving, caring rock.  The boys have grand admiration for him, and my respect for him runs deep.  We love him and are so thankful the Lord gave him to this family as our leader.

Me?  Ha.  We don't have near the time to stretch out on the psychiatrists lounge chair to cover what my past few months have looked like.  But I'll sum it up.  I've been sick a lot.  I've gotten discouraged more than I've remembered Who I really serve.  I've worried more than I've remembered my True Provider.  And you know what?  The joy of the Lord really IS my strength.  He is worthy...and He restores.  He has filled my heart with peace, and He has lovingly held me in His arms and never ever turns His loving bright shining face from me no.matter.what.  Grace, I love the taste of His Grace.  Oh how thankful I am to serve this Father!

Our adoption....I wish so deeply within my heart that I had any news.  We have remained #8 on the Uganda waiting list going on 4 months now.  And I could go into all the reasons for this and how Uganda adoptions have slowed down and the reasons for that, but really, ultimately, the Master of the universe and His timing and planning are perfect, and we are trusting Him in that.  We are actively, passionately seeking Him and His plan for our family, and we would really love your prayers for guidance and wisdom on this.  We started this process two years ago this month, thinking we would've been home for several months already with our precious Uganda child in arms.  Obviously, this is not the case.  Our hearts long for the child the Lord has planned for us, and our main desire is to simply remain open to what He has in store and to always be ready and willing to say "yes" to whoever and whatever that may be.

We are giving thanks.

Josiah's story (pre-birth)

Josiah was quite the little surprise to us to begin with, and I love that he already has such a powerful story before even making his grand entrance into this world.  

I went for my regular check up (38 weeks) week before last and assumed it would be in and out as usual.  After being there all day...an ultrasound, concerning results, heart monitoring for Josiah, seeing a high risk specialist, another ultrasound with no concerns except him being breech, two OBs offering to go ahead and do a c-section....I finally got to come home.  The good news was that Josiah's heart rate was healthy, my amniotic fluid was normal...the bad news was that Josiah was breech, and at 38 weeks, it's extremely unlikely for him to turn on his own.  I asked the high-risk OB if he could turn him (the other two OBs had already told me "no, it's going to have to be a c-section"), and he confidently said, "Sure.  I have a 3 out of 4 success rate with this procedure."  I was already so thankful to have been sent to him and that he was willing to try the version to turn this fella.  We scheduled it for 7:00 a.m. Monday morning, which meant I went home determined to try every single googled at-home method for getting a breech baby to turn.  So all weekend....I'll let you look up all the methods and leave the details off the blog, but I sure tried.  Sunday night as I was sitting on Noah David's bed while he was falling asleep, I still felt Josiah's head pushing into my right rib cage.  I was anxious and dreading the possibility of having a c-section and these two other energetic boys to care for along with a newborn.  But by Sunday evening, the Lord had sent people all weekend...through facebook messages and conversations who had either been through the same thing or had medical experience...and I was encouraged.  Not encouraged that it would definitely work and I'd get my way but that He really was in control and really does care and really is going to take care of me and take care of our family.  Why do I ever forget that?  

I slept well that night, and I was completely unaware that my Daniel had stayed up praying with his hands on my belly much later.  

Monday morning came, and sweet Noah David crawled in bed with us in the wee hours...and there's nothing the Lord knew my heart would enjoy more than starting off that pivotal morning with this sweetness breathing deep in dreamland right there next to me.  We got to the hospital before seven, and I was greeted by a wonderful nurse.  She did all the prep...an IV (yes, in case of an emergency, which wasn't likely but a definite possibility), drew blood, and got all of my information into their system.  The high risk OB and his nurse practitioner came in later to get this baby flipped.  As he was getting the ultrasound machine plugged in, the nurse gave me an injection of some medicine to relax my uterus to prevent the procedure from sending me into labor (and it's main side effect is to make you feel very jittery and anxious and heart beat increase...nice).  Dr. Gonzalez did the ultrasound, laughed, and said, "Yep, this is why we always check, he is already head down."  And sure enough, his head, clear as day on that screen was no longer in my rib cage but down where it needed to be.  I was so extremely excited and thankful.  This was absolute best case scenario!!  

Later that Monday evening (the medicine made me feel like I had been hit by a train, but I'll take that any day over the other options!), Daniel shared with the boys and me....

"Boys, I want to tell you about what God did for Josiah and Mommy.  Last night when Mama was sleeping, I held my hands on her belly, and I prayed and prayed.  I asked God to turn Josiah.  I asked him to then use Josiah to turn the hearts of people to Himself, the same way that God used King Josiah to turn people to Him.  And He did!"  

Wow, seriously?  How amazing.  I had no idea.  I mean, we were all praying.  Our wonderful new church family were calling and praying with me over the phone, texting their prayers, assuring us with their prayers.  Our family and friends were doing the same.  I was begging the Lord.  But I knew when I went to bed Sunday night, there was still a baby head in my rib cage.  And I just didn't know what His plan was.  And then He did something even more amazing then I would've thought to ask.  Apparently, a baby that's almost 8 pounds in the womb would be a very obvious feeling for him to turn.  And I never felt him turn...perhaps because I was sound asleep, fully relaxed and resting while Daniel asked the Lord to turn him.  

I love that the ruler of the universe is knitting together Josiah in my womb...that His hands are literally on him.  I love that the King of Kings knows and loves my boy and turned him.  I love that the Almighty Father is going to use this precious life for His Names' Sake and that his story began before he even knew it. I pray Josiah and all of our children will not go a day without knowing Who to turn to and Who to live for.  

(And a side note:  Noah David demonstrated for Josiah several times what he needed to do.  ND would stick his bottom up in the air, head down, and talk loudly to my belly saying, "Look, Josiah!  Turn!  Put your booty up and your head down like this!  Just do what I'm doing, Josiah, okay?!"  So ND, while he appreciated Daddy's story, definitely believes that he played a key role in helping Josiah figure out what to do.  I love him.)

(Another side note:  Apparently because of all the baby positioning talk and prayers, it's been on the minds of both of our boys.  When I went to Daniel Isaac's school for his parent-teacher conference last week, which happened to be awesome and I'm super proud of my kindergartener, DI repeatedly patted my very lower belly declaring to his friends, "See?  Right here!  This is where his head is!  Waaaay down here!  Isn't that funny? He's head down with his booty way up here!"  Thank you, DI, and to any of the parents of kindergarteners in his class who weren't quite ready to answer baby positioning/delivery questions, my apologies.)

Update

As usual, I have about a million blog posts brewing in my head, complete with pictures, but they just have not made it out.  We have celebrated, Daniel Isaac's preschool graduation, Noah David's 3rd birthday, the discovering we are having our third son, and moving all since the last post!

We are getting settled in Birmingham, and so far we love it!  I'm learning my way around, and Daniel already loved his work with Lifeline and just gets to do more that we are here.  The boys are still trying to figure out that we can't just "go see" grandparents down the road, but overall, they are doing really well and enjoying it here.

We hope and pray we find a church home quickly, and we have loved seeing our Birmingham friends and look forward to many more gatherings and play dates.

Basically, we are extremely thankful.  Overwhelmed with gratitude for all of the help we received packing and moving here from church family, friends, and family.  Overwhelmed with gratitude for our friends who came in 106 degree heat to help us unload our very large pile of belongings down the steep driveway into our new home.  Overwhelmed with gratitude for the journey the Lord is leading us through.

With every kick in my womb from Josiah, I am reminded of the child waiting for us in Africa.  And I am deeply thankful for the Lord's Hand and planning in every step of this adoption journey.  I couldn't do it without knowing He cares and He has a plan.

Daniel Isaac and Noah David tell EVERYone who comments on Josiah and them being a big brother, "Yes, that is Josiah AAAANNNNNDDD we have ANOTHER baby!  In Africa!"  I love that our baby in Africa is a constant in their thought process.  I love that they are proud big brothers of both siblings...and hopefully more to come.  :)  It's so sweet, and the Lord uses it every single time to bless my heart.

Please pray for us as we are getting settled here in Birmingham.  As we unpack and prepare for life in a new city, finding a new church, starting a new school, and bringing home new babies.  Pray that our eyes will stay fixed and focused on the Author of it all, and that He will continue to keep gratitude at the forefront of our hearts and minds.

Giving thanks,
Sarah

Baby in my tummy

We had the miraculous experience of having our ultrasound yesterday.  Both boys played hooky from preschool and came with us.  Noah David snuggled up next to me in the dimly lit room on the stretcher, and Daniel Isaac eagerly sat at my feet.  Daniel stood right there, eyes on the screen.  My eyes shifted from screen, to ultrasound tech (I always tend to look at her face because I think I can read her if something were wrong), to my boys, to Daniel.  The boys were fascinated and had lots of questions.  Daniel was so joyful, and being the outstanding father that he is...he easily juggled (literally...Noah David was hanging upside down from his shoulders for half of the time) being interested and tuned in to each of us, including baby on the screen.  He loves us so well.  DI and ND were most eager to find out if we were having a brother or sister, and we were all excited to hear we are having another brother!  We know just what to do...baby super hero capes will be sewn soon.  Josiah Solomon Taylor is due to arrive October 3.  We love our son's name.  Josiah means "God saves" or "Yahweh hears".  And Solomon was Daniel's great grandfather's name, on top of being a wise king in the Bible, and means, "peaceful."  We really love Josiah's story...to read the full account, go to 2 Kings 21 & 22, but here's my favorite to sum him up from 2 Kings 22:1-2...

"Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.  And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left."

We hope and pray for each of our children that they will always focus on what is right in the eyes of the Lord, not man...and that they will walk with Him, unwavering.  That their confidence will be found in the only real consistent, True Being...the Lord God.  The one who hears, saves, loves, protects, gives.  We are thankful; we are excited.  Everything looks healthy and growing well.  And now we get to pray for Josiah by name.  

Tonight as I was praying with the boys and got to, "Father, please be with our baby in Africa..." I trailed off and could barely speak with the lump swelling in my throat and tears flowing.  Daniel Isaac said, "Mama, why does your voice sound like that?"  Noah David went from his wiggling 2 year old bottom up-to-avoid-settling position to still and snuggle right on my shoulder.  I replied, "Mommy is sad that we don't know our baby in Africa.  I'm sad that we don't know them by name yet and that we don't know how they are doing."  Daniel Isaac's precious self said softly, "It's ok, Mama.  God will take care of our baby in Africa."  And those were some of the wisest, reassuring words I could've ever heard, and they struck me to my core.  

Mommy is sad.  I'm sad that our baby sometimes feels forgotten...never by us, but that he/she seem so far away.  So out of reach...     That we don't know if he/she is healthy....  That we don't know what pregnancy was like for birth mother......   That we don't know how scared and alone he/she has been.  

We are asked often if "we are still planning on going through with the adoption."  And while I believe this question is innocent and means no harm, it feels like being asked, "will you still parent your child or will you leave them abandoned and fatherless and hopeless?"  It feels the same as if someone asked us, "So will you still go through with this pregnancy?"  Of course!  Our baby in Africa has been sought after and prayed over for over a year now and is not an idea or a nice thing we're doing.  It's our child.  It is a humbling, beautiful calling that the Lord has strongly placed on our hearts.  This child is our own.  

I'm thankful to have such joy and such grief all at once.  And since I am pregnant, I have even more excuse to cry "for no reason".  But there is such reason.  Josiah will have been celebrated by us, family and friends his whole life just as our other boys have been.  Our child in Uganda may or may not have had any type of earthly celebration over his/her life before we meet him/her.  It's heart breaking to me.  And our baby in Uganda is worth our grief and so much more.  And we are going to party like it's 1999 when we receive that first picture.  And when we meet him/her.  And when we finally embrace him/her and bring them home!

THERE IS HOPE.  

Deuteronomy 10:18..."He executes justice for the fatherless......."

Psalm 68:5..."Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in His holy habitation..."

Psalm 82:3...."Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute..."

Psalm 146:9...."...He upholds the widow and the fatherless...."

Isaiah 1:17...."...bring justice to the fatherless..."

John 14:18, from the mouth of Jesus Himself to us...."I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."

(above from the ESV Bible)

And we will come to you sweet baby.  Daddy, Mommy, big brothers Daniel Isaac and Noah David, and baby brother Josiah.  We will come to you and celebrate you and love you.  We've been praying and hoping and trusting and celebrating your wonderful life.  

In Him, we have hope.  I have hope that He will see through to completion what He has called us to.  I have hope that little Josiah will grow into a Christ-loving passionate follower of Him alone.  I have hope that His grace really is sufficient for all of my insufficiencies and that His power really is made perfect in my weakness.  

There you have it.  Baby in my tummy.  Baby in Africa.  And we are all in His hands, His care, under His watch.  And that feels so good and safe and reassuring that no matter what...He is.  

Two

It's a lot of words....and no pictures...but please hear our hearts and share.

I just received a phone call from Kelly Brown with Heart of the Bride Ministries (www.heartofthebride.org) letting us know that they are giving us a $3000 grant towards our adoption.  I am more overwhelmed with emotion than normal over this, as I'm not normally "a crier" and tend to see things rationally and more "black and white".  And the thing is, the rationale of this wonderful gift is that our Heavenly Father sees and has not forgotten our little one in Uganda.  He is still providing, still caring, and still preparing.  

The baby He gave us in my womb as a big surprise from Above around 16 weeks ago (we're still not sure of an accurate due date until two weeks from now when we have our ultrasound) is easy to see as my middle is quickly growing.  It's easy for others to relate and celebrate.  No one questions "why?", and no one shows disdain or disapproval.  Yet, when we pray, our hearts still cry out for two babies...the one here and the one there...all the way in Africa.  It's been incredibly emotional thinking about the difference in the two lives' beginnings, and to be really honest, it's been a struggle to have our sweet one in Uganda on my heart at least as much if not more than the one wiggling within yet him/her seeming so forgotten at times.  Mommy, Daddy and brothers haven't forgotten...the boys still ask about Africa daily and are currently really hoping to see a King Cobra while we're there.  The truth is, the Lord placed a desire and a child on our hearts years ago, and when we applied to adopt in January of 2011, that seed that had been planted began to really grow.  And it's a hard thing to describe that we have a child somewhere across the ocean and half a continent who has experienced only the Father knows what who could be waiting...or could still be in his/her family and the tragedy has yet to occur.  It's hard to think about our child having to experience such pain.  His/her mother may not have even had food during her pregnancy.  I get to eat whatever I crave, and she probably struggled to survive...likely without even clean water.  Baby could've been born on a dirt floor or in a jungle, not a sterile hospital with multiple professionals and eager family and friends eagerly awaiting his/her arrival.  And then....he/she became or will become an orphan.  Motherless.  Fatherless.  Family-less.  Sadness is the most accurate description for what my heart feels for our baby.  Paired with the sadness comes great hope and comfort in knowing that we serve an Almighty God who doesn't let pain go to waste...He uses it, and He molds and shapes us from every good and bad experience.  He makes all things beautiful.  How deeply thankful I am for Him.  We take great comfort in our Sovereign God knowing each detail, it's still hard.

Then we get a phone call like today.  And it's so much more than a monetary amount that's going to help out.  It's $3000 closer to being able to bring him/her home...forever.  And even more than that, it was a gentle, loving reminder from the Good Shepherd that He has not forgotten.  He knows and He cares and He is still providing and caring and loving each of us.  He's done it over the past couple of weeks as donations for our adoption have filed into Lifesong (www.lifesong.org).  $100.  $3000.  $25.  Every cent He uses to show us that those around us care, and that He cares.  I couldn't do this without him...not motherhood, not adoption, not life.  He's my Everything, and I am so deeply thankful today.  Rejoicing in His tender care.

{Please check out Heart of the Bride Ministries at www.heartofthebride.org.  They are a wonderful organization who ministers to orphans in many ways.  If you are an adoptive family or know an adoptive family in need of grant money, you can email Kelly Brown for their grant application at kelly@heartofthebride.org}

{We currently have an adoption account with Lifesong, a wonderful orphan care who does many things, one being help adoptive families raise money.  They are giving us a $3000 matching grant.  Your gift to them is tax-deductible and then goes towards our adoption.  Visit their website at www.lifesong.org.  We are Taylor/#2456 for donations.}

And it sounds so cliche to say, but it's the deep honest truth...your prayers for our precious baby are appreciated more than anything.  To know that you have not forgotten our wee one and all that he/she will face means the world to us.  Thank you.

You know you're a mama of boys when...

You know superhero names and their secret identities....and what super powers they posses.

You say, "Please stop wrestling...not so rough....be careful," at least 427 times a day.

Their "love language" is watching them play games on cell phones....and they're cute enough and convincing enough to get their 94 year old great grandmother to watch.

It's perfectly normal for them to use the bushes more than the toilet...

It becomes second nature to instantly think of dramatic bad-guy/good-guy situations that provide opportunity for them to be the heroes that they are.

Your heart melts over gifts like little dirty feathers, shells, flower petals, sticks, twigs, berries and rocks....and a super hero item causes heart explosion.

Your toy box, house and car resemble mini arsenals with neon-tipped guns, knives and swords.

Sending them on laps and random exercises through the house to burn energy is an every-evening activity.

You recognize the importance of calling them by their self-given and decided super hero name of the day.

You become accustomed to the smell of little wet puppy dog when they come inside from playing.

You wish and hope and dream that they will always want to snuggle, hold hands and hug and share kisses all the time but know deep down inside that a time is coming when that will fade and they will become very cool...

They are boys. They are strong. They are brave. They are wild with energy and imagination and passion. They are hilarious. They are fun. They are so very smart. They are handsome. They are creative. They are delightful. They are sensitive. They are tender. They are aware. They are so loving. They are compassionate. They are thoughtful. They are arrows....and I will enjoy them, soak them up, breathe them in while they are in my quiver. I will do everything I can to sharpen them and shape them so that when it is time to release them to the wild and crazy world, they will be ready, equipped and fierce with love for their Father and others.

Dear Baby,

Dear Baby,

You are so far away yet so close in our hearts.  We don't know you, your birth family, your caregivers...  We don't know what you've experienced or will experience before we meet you.  We don't know if you're fed, clothed, or held.  We don't know if anyone hears you or answers you when you cry.  We miss you, though.  There's a very obvious hole in our family where you belong.  We talk about you all the time.  We pray for you all the time.  Your big brothers love you so much.  They ask to come to Africa to get you regularly.  Right now we are just waiting.  Waiting on the Lord to show us who you are and when we will be able to come get you.  We're getting ready for you.  We're moving to a new house in Columbus where Daddy works soon and will have your spot all ready for you.  We're raising money to be able to come get you when it's time.  So many friends and family who already love you are sharing money with us to be able to come get you!  We think about you constantly.  Mommy wears a necklace with a picture of Africa and a heart over Uganda on it.  It has your brother's birth stones and a pearl for you since Uganda is called the "Pearl of Africa", and you will certainly be our pearl.  Mommy rubs her necklace with her thumb and pointer finger so many times a day thinking about you and wishing I could touch you, hold you, kiss you, rock you, feed you.  Everyone at Lifeline, the agency who will help us get you and the place where Daddy works, is working really hard to find you and many many others who don't have a mommy and daddy come home to their forever family.  I just want you to know that the same Father who assures us with peace is holding you and watching over you.  He knows when we will get to come hold you and bring you home forever with us.  He loves you.  He loves you so very much.  We adore you and can't wait to have you home.  Our love for you is bursting in our hearts and we can't wait to share it with you!

Love always and forever and ever,
Mommy

Adoption News Update

We have so much to be thankful for...and that is such an understatement.  Happy, healthy children.  A warm, wonderful home.  A daddy and husband who goes above and beyond to provide for us and works tirelessly to help bring orphans home to their forever families.  Wonderful family and friends.  And an opportunity to journey in, what is starting to feel pretty long, adoption. 

{I interrupt this part of the story to say that I finally cut off Noah David's beautiful, long blond curls.  He was starting to get a few "girl" comments here and there, and because he's so aware and offended, I knew it was time.  My face dramatic you say?  Perhaps, but I really did have to fight back tears for this, people! His curls were one last thing that I was holding onto in his "babyhood".  And while he's long been declaring that he's "BIG", I still know as his mama, he's got lots of good baby left.  The cheeks, the chubby legs and belly, the nursing, "hold me", the co-sleeping, the voice....the curls.  Ah, but the curls had to go, and he looks so old now.  And so adorable.}

There is an excellent "system" we've established for hair cuts.  Each boy gets to pick his color lollipop and his favorite cartoon to watch.  It buys me a good 20 minutes of stillness.  Until hair gets stuck on the lollipop.  Then Daddy is called in for emergency washing.  Then stillness resumes for a brief moment.

His big blue eyes are even more visible and shine right out of his precious round face.  He seriously captivates me.

{BUT!  And I declare, BUT!  God is SO good to me.  Just after cutting this baby/big boy's beautiful curls off (and yes, I did save all of them in a zip loc) and I was sad, Daniel checked the mail, to low and behold discover that our USCIS APPROVAL WAS HERE!}

 Last January we officially applied to adopt and started the whole process.  After waiting 5 long months for fingerprints to return, our home study was approved.  The USCIS approval is basically the United States Government giving us approval to bring in 1-2 children under 15 months of age into the US.  So NOW, we're officially on the waiting list for our baby or babies.  This waiting period could be a few months, 6 months, 12 months or longer.  We have no idea, but we do know Who knows, and we're down with that.  He doesn't just have the whole world in His hands...He's got His big hands holding our baby and holding the birth family and orphanage workers, too.

 One of Daniel Isaac's favorite things to talk about is how God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the only "real" superheroes.  (No fear, we're still really into the pretend ones, too, but let's be honest, they don't hold a candle to the REAL Ones.)  He'll say, "Mommy, God...He's so strong, He can walk right through walls without anyone even knowing it!  And Jesus...He's so powerful, He can dig a huge hole right down in the ground just with his pinkie finger.  And they have all the other super powers, too, like flying and mind-reading, and force fields and super strength and speed.  And they don't even ever have to sleep!"  And I'm all like, "Uh, yeah; you're so right.  How awesome is it that we're on HIS team??"  And he's all, "Yeah, Mommy, because God's team ALWAYS wins!  And we're gonna kick Satan and beat him up!"  For real and amen, DI!  And when Mama is feeling all sad inside because she wishes our baby could just hurry up and be with us, what a fantastic reminder it is that God's timing in the whole entire formation of our family is essential and perfect and wonderful.  And when the boys talk about how they're going to rock and feed and hold and play with and teach and snuggle with and care for their new baby brother and sister, it's such a sweet reminder of the preparation that is taking place...the very necessary preparation.  And when Daniel Isaac explains to us that his favorite pillow pet "Sushi" wasn't actually a birthday gift but was adopted from an orphanage and that's how he became his son, we smile deep within our beings, because he's getting it.  So please continue in prayer with and for us.  We need it, we feel it, and we value it.

Adoption Story...

Adoption Story

Our relationship started in high school as friends and prayer partners in our church youth group.  It eventually grew to more as we spent time with our group of friends.  By college, we knew we wanted to be married and serve the Lord together forever.  We went on a mission trip to and orphanage in Honduras several times throughout college and became passionate about children...especially children who did not have mothers and fathers to care for them.  We wished we could have adopted several from Honduras while we were there, and we were broken-hearted when one little boy drew a picture of a home, his older brother and younger sister and Daniel and I saying, “Mommy, Daddy, Family.”  Two years into our marriage, the Lord led us to work with an at-risk children’s ministry where we served for a couple of years ministering to hundreds of children in low-income areas...almost all of them living in poverty and broken homes.  We became foster parents for a short time, desperately trying to help children in need. Upon leaving this ministry, the Lord planted us at Lifeline Children’s Services, where we truly found our passion connected to our gifts and ability to serve.  We were able to see that children with no hope and future could be placed into loving, two-parent, Christian homes and suddenly have a bright, wonderful future and home.  Finally, we felt effective in our outreach to children, and while difficult at times, we have had the wonderful privilege of seeing loving, Christian couples and families welcome precious gifts from Above into their hearts and homes.  We have seen birth mothers make the most loving sacrifices in the world and choose adoption for their babies.  We have seen adoptive families endure challenges and trials and finally be united with their children through adoption.  It has been a wonderful gift to see the Lord make and create these beautiful families through adoption.  And we count it a special blessing to get to experience this before becoming an adoptive family ourselves.    

We knew from early in our marriage that we wanted to adopt children and that we would love to have a large family.  I had a desire to travel to Uganda since college and was unable to do so, and then Daniel’s first trip with Lifeline was to Uganda where he immediately connected and loved the people and culture there.  Two months after his return from Uganda, we applied to begin our adoption process!  Many times we are confronted with questions of, “How could you love another child?  Why Uganda?  Why adoption when you can keep having ‘your own‘ children?  What if they aren’t healthy?”

And honestly, our heart explodes with love for our child (or children...we are approved to adopt twins) that we do not yet know.  We answer, “How could we not?”  “We love Uganda and have been drawn there for years...the Lord has led and initiated this whole process in our hearts for years.”  “This child will be ‘our own’.”  “If they aren’t healthy, we will consider it a blessing that they were placed in our care so that we can love and care for them to get them the medical help they need.  Same as our biological children.”  We consider adoption an opportunity, a gift, a blessing.  Yes, we are “rescuing an orphan”, but it is so much more than that.  It is our family who is receiving a gift.  It’s we who are being blessed.  We are extremely thankful that the Lord has led us down this path and that He is creating our unique, precious family in this beautiful way.  Our boys are excited and regularly asking to “go to Africa right now.”  We cannot wait to meet our baby or babies for the first time and become a family.  Our hearts, arms and home are so open and excited and ready!  To God be the glory, great things He has done!

ADOPTION UPDATE:

• This Friday Daniel and I have our biometric finger print appointment in Atlanta- this is the last step to getting our immigration approval, which is basically getting permission from US immigration to bring a foreign child (or two) into the country
• Once we get immigration approval (could be a few weeks after Friday), we are then eligible to be officially matched with a child (which could take a week or over 6 months)
• Once we are matched, we send our dossier (a big ole bunch of paperwork) to Uganda for their approval, which could take several months
• Uganda courts then assign us a court date, and we make plans to travel based on that date!

IN THE MEANTIME:

• I am doing research on Ugandan orphanages and possible adoptable babies.  We can find our own referral, so I'm looking!
• Get the boys' passports and mine updated.
• Continue raising money and applying for grants (we have about $20,000 left to raise)
• PRAY PRAY PRAY for our child (children...we are approved to adopt twins, but still may get one), birth family and orphanage caring for him/her...also praying the Lord continue to prepare our hearts and home for the blessings He has planned!

FROM THE LIPS OF CHILDREN AND INFANTS....

Noah David is hilarious and hard-headed and chubby and cute and determined and hilarious...did I mention hilarious?  BUT, among all of those, he is so tender-hearted and loving and kind.  He loves to help and serve.  And he thinks about "his baby in Africa" all the time.  This morning he said something he rarely says..."Mommy, I don't want to go to school today."  So I said, "You don't?  Well, where do you want to go?"  And he said quite matter-of-factly, "To Africa."  He tells his teacher and random strangers that we're going to Africa to get our baby.  He pretends to go on trips to Africa.  He sits on his 3 inch boat in the bath tub and says, "Look out!  I'm going to Africa in my boat!"  He is maintaing his preference for a boy baby, yet she we talk about God possibly giving us a girl baby, he giggles and joins in talking about pink clothes and girl toys and hair bows.  He is such a blessing, and I love that our God is big enough to keep an entire universe going, yet intimate enough to prepare the heart of a 2 year old for adoption.  

These four little feet are ready.

Jump, Pops, Jump!

We did something we don't do nearly often enough...Nana, Pops and Grandmother came over to our house for Sunday lunch... (perhaps because I haven't gotten the whole "house keeping" thing down just yet....or perhaps because Pops and Nana are such fantastic cooks and invite us over every Sunday for lunch...or both.)  To say the boys were elated to have them here is quite the understatement.  Showing off random toys, tricks, house hold items....and then the grand finale.  The trampoline.  What you see below is only a portion of Jumping Pops.  Before this, DI kept saying, "Jump, Pops, jump!"  Amazing what a grandparents' love will do.  Without further hesitation....I present to you, "Jump, Pops, Jump!" (The video below is the only one I've posted...YouTube may prompt you to view more after this one.  Caution and view at your own risk!  I've received word some of them are inappropriate!)

We are here; we are here!

I feel much like the little people on the clover in Horton Hears a Who.  We are here!  We are here!  Oh so small in a world so big but still very much here.  I am doing the kind of floating that's bumpy and rough and earthquake-ish.  Definitely flying by the seat of my pants and ready to settle into some type of routine.  Yearning for stillness and quietness and "p.j. days" as my DI calls them.  

A "real" post is coming soon.  But for now, I leave you with a few precious pictures.

Inspired by none other than Nacho Libre himself.  ND has one, too.  Don't worry.

He's funny.

Not much beats puddle splashing.

DI=joy.

Close up profile shot of DI's rockstar hair.  This is a regular occurrence in our home.  First the hair, then the blaring music and us dancing around and singing and playing air guitar and drums.  

Rock on!

Irresistible. 

He captivates me.

"Enjoy today. Just today. Tomorrow will be another favorite day when it comes...but don't be done with today until you have squeezed the last juice 

from its rind." -Poppa Rik 

Stella & Dot • An invitation to style and benefit our adoption

Don't you love a great pair of earrings?  Stella & Dot • An invitation to style

Or a beautiful necklace that also holds sentimental meaning?  Stella & Dot • An invitation to style

Awesome "statement" ring?  Yes, please...  Stella & Dot • An invitation to style

There's something so beautiful and classic about a little girl in jewelry... Stella & Dot • An invitation to style

My dear friend Ginny Gaberlavage has generously asked to hold a Stella & Dot show where all of the proceeds go straight to benefit our adoption.  Yet another gift from Above, another member of our "village" helping us bring a cherished little one home into our arms from Uganda.

So if you like jewelry or want to get some early Christmas shopping done or buy a "just because" gift AND help us bring our precious baby (or babies) home from Uganda, please come by this Thursday night...

Girls Night Out Stella & Dot Adoption Benefit Trunk Show

Thursday, August 11, 2011

6:30-9:00 p.m.

Kathy Beams' home

2013 Evans Drive

Opelika, Alabama 


We can't wait to see you there and enjoys some eats and beautiful jewelry...and adding another memory to our scrapbook of preparation and "look how many people loved you before they knew you and helped us get you home" for baby.  


Spread the word!  The more the merrier!

Can't stop by on Thursday but still want to be involved in getting some great jewelry and helping us raise money for the adoption of our sweet baby?  You can shop online!

www.stelladot.com/ginnygab

Thank you.

Stella & Dot • An invitation to style

Stella & Dot • An invitation to style

Adoption Update

We announced back in January 2011 that we were officially beginning the process to adopt a baby from Uganda.  Since then, we found a home study agency (we can't use Lifeline for our home study since Daniel works there), began all of the paperwork, and have been working on raising the $30,000.00 needed to bring our baby home.  Seven months later, we are nearing the end of our home study process after waiting 4 months for our CANs to come back, 4 months for my fingerprint clearances to return, 5 months for Daniel's fingerprint clearances to return, reading and researching adoption, attachment, Uganda, etc., and gathering lots of paperwork for our social worker.  While it seems like a really long time already that we have been on this adoption journey, we honestly rest in the assurance that every single perceived delay and every piece of paper and task are all actually a very intentional part of the Lord's plan to unite us with the child He has created for us. 

We are very eager and excited about meeting our baby, holding him/her, introducing him/her to our family and friends, and we continue to be touched by the outpouring of love and generosity that has been shared with us on the journey thus far.  Love in the form of pouring time and hard work volunteering at our yard sale, donations for us to sell there, customers at Daniel Isaac's lemonade stand, friends baking cookies for him to sell, monetary donations given via this blog, checks in the mail with priceless letters, prayers, inquiries about our process.  It's all a part of the big, unique picture of adoption and of our baby coming home.  His/her story won't have the details of me feeling flutters and kicks within my belly or my "last" meal before delivery, or naps with his/her brothers along the way with them talking through my bellybutton to him/her.  No details of labor and delivery...of visitors in the hospital. We may never know what our baby's first days, weeks and months entailed.  But what we do know is how we were being prepared and loved on while we waited.  We will have stories of how our church, family, and friends prayed.  Stories of how everyone eagerly anticipated his/her presence in all of our lives.  Stories of how loved he/she has been before we even knew him/her.  Stories of how he/she was created for a purpose and has a beautiful, bright future.  Stories of big brothers finding pennies on the BK playground in the midst of playing and running them over to us to be sure to keep safe to save for our adoption.  Stories of Noah David telling everyone, "my baby A-fa-ta...plane...go get it."  Stories of mommy overhearing Daniel Isaac telling a newly made friend at the park, "Yeah, we are adopting a baby from Africa.  So I'm gonna be a big brother again and I'm gonna teach my little brother Noah David how to be a big brother."  Stories that tell our baby's beginnings from this end of the world.

Please remember our baby and his/her birth mother and family in your prayers. 

Once our home study is officially complete (hopefully by August), we can move forward with additional paperwork and grant applications.  We hope to have a more specific timeline and time estimates for when we will know WHO we are adopting and when we will get to travel later in the journey.  We will continue to post updates on Facebook and here. 

Thank you so much for your prayers and for being a part of this special journey. 

Noah David is 2.

It really does seem like moments ago that I took my last nap with Daniel Isaac as an only child.  Snuggled in his twin bed, we dozed for a couple hours, which was a fabulous pre-labor treat.  After which,  Daniel and I dropped him off at Grandmama and Papa's home with lots of hugs and kisses and knowing I would miss him like crazy...and anticipating a second child...and what all that would entail for him.  Daniel and I went to Provino's for my "last meal" before labor, and as usual, I devoured every bite of salad, drippy garlic butter rolls and ravioli.  Then on to the hospital...I was a week late, and I was about to meet my second son.  We'd talked to him for months (through my bellybutton of course...thank you Daddy and DI) and dreamed a lot of what it would be like, but much like never having Daniel Isaac and imagining it, I never could have fathomed all that Noah David's little life would bring.  Holding him, kissing him and never wanting to let him go as soon as I delivered him will forever stay etched in my mind.  The eternally long wait in my mind while he was in the nursery getting cleaned up and having his first pediatric check up made it hard for me to relax.  But then once he was back in my arms...oh, that feeling.  It took a lot for nurses or anyone to pry him from me for, well, for almost a year-ha!  I'd be lying if I didn't say I had tons of fear about my second born feeling overshadowed by his big, very outgoing amazing brother.  And I'd be lying if I didn't admit my fear how Daniel Isaac would feel sharing us.  But the beauty of their relationship...from the moment DI met ND helped soothe and nearly completely dissipate those fears.  I'll never forget Daniel Isaac cradling Noah David in the hospital and whispering, "I love you, Baby Noah," with that priceless trademark twinkle in his eye.  And today, it's laughable that any of those thoughts ever even entertained entering my mind.  As Noah David is quite clear...sometimes overboard clear...on what he does and doesn't like.  He won't be overshadowed.  And as the brothers love each other dearly and play together amazingly well...Noah David adoringly calls DI "Bubber", and DI has taken him under his big brother wing.  The occasional "it's MINE!"  or "he took that from ME!" breaks out, but overall, they are best friends, and Daniel and I get to marvel in wonder as our boys grow together and love each other.  With that being said, we have so much to celebrate in Noah David's life.  He brings us to belly-laughs on a regular basis....and then he melts our hearts sharing his sweet kisses, hand holds, hugs and big batty blue eyes.  He is independent and feisty.  He is walking that fine line between baby and boy, and we are getting to hear the beautiful harmony his exploration.  Many of our dear family members and friends gathered last Saturday to celebrate his life...the light he exudes...the precious man-in-the-making he is.  I've grappled all week trying to find words to describe how I felt when I saw him being loved on and celebrated in such a magnificent way.  Seeing his face light up and his dimples permanently decorate those squishy cheeks for his whole party was oh so joyful for this mama.  The Opelika Fire Department is my hero for more than the reason of risking their lives to keep us safe...they made my boy's day.  Even Sparky the fire dog (and to say that ND ADORES Sparky is a grand understatement) braved the heat and came...graciously allowing multitudes of children to pull on his jacket, step on his fire boots, and play with his hat.  The firemen let all the children climb on their shiny red truck, making each kiddo feel so special and big.  Cameras flashed, children squealed with delight, and parents smiled at all of our littles enjoying the fun.  And the most precious moment of the whole party...when everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to Noah David, and he stood, all grins and eyes shining and very proud and thankful for his personal birthday serenade. My baby is 2, and he knows he is loved, celebrated and special.  Below is the picture recount....  

Grandmother, our oldest party member, ND's great grandmother...almost 94. 

Our youngest party member...Charlie...almost 4 weeks.