Welcome Book

Every country and agency have a little different rules of what is acceptable to send to your waiting child.  With Aaron, I made a quilt with pictures of most of the major family members.  This is Anthony's version I can't find a picture of Aaron's and it is now well woren. Quilt

With Andrew we had such little time I sent a little book with pictures of us slid in the sleeves and handwritten notes about us.  With our little girl we were to make a welcome book.  So I went to Walmart online and made a book.  I had never attempted that before but it turned out really well.  I hope that it stayed within the guidelines.  But I want to share a couple of pictures because I got to go thru some to decide what to put in the book.  After it was made, I realized I didn't tell her much about Perry and me.  But the boys and cousins got lots of face time.  So here are a couple of pictures.

 Grandpop taking the kids on a tractor ride.

 The official silly kids picture from picture today for the family.

 Some great extended family pictures.

 Andrew took this picture of Aaron and I love it.

Andrew wearing the sombrero at Azteca.  We are so excited to send her this book and can't wait until she gets to know us in person.

The flashing Neon sign

We thought that a door was opening for the adoption of waiting child.  But after gathering some information we felt we needed some more data to move forward.  When we spoke with our caseworker she was not sure how easy it would be to get this data.  I spent a sleepless night and tears.  I was asking God for a neon sign.  Were we to move forward or just be patient and wait. This wait could be over a year.  I had to go to West Virginia for a church meeting.  As I drove I came to peace with the idea of waiting and trusting God's timing.  Later that day, I called home and Perry said I got my sign.  He had seen a sign with the words Be Patient.  It was a reassurance to trust God's timing.  Needless to say we came to terms with being patient and trusting God's timing.

Fast forward a few days.  We got a telephone call from our caseworker.  She said that we had been matched.  We couldn't believe our ears.  Was this happening, we were supposed to have another year of waiting - yes it was.  Here it was without question our Neon sign and it was flashing.

We have been matched with a beautiful little girl that is a little over 2 and1/2 years old.  We hope to be flying to the Philippines to pick her up in 6 months or less.  We think that we have decided on a name but we are waiting a little while to tell.

We are completing government forms and other paperwork.  We are putting together a welcome book.  This is a picture book to help her learn about us.

Aaron is absolutely thrilled he wanted a sister.  Andrew has decided that she'll be okay.  He wanted a brother.

Our family very excited to add a girl to the mix.

It's a...

It's a girl and we will be welcoming her home in about 6 months.  When I have plowed through the paperwork, I will testify to how it was a total God in control thing.

But what if...

I  am going to share something about my infertility journey and if is TMI(too much information) I apologize but maybe it will help someone.  I took a pregnancy test a few weeks ago - NO I AM NOT PREGNANT.  But I thought I would share why and try to explain why.

For most of my adult I have not been normal and every 3 to 4 months for many years I would take a pregnancy test before I took some medication.  I never really thought I would be pregnant when I took these tests they were simply a way of confirming it was okay to take the medication.

Fast forward, we are in the middle of our 3rd adoption and we are beginning to see the end in sight and for the last year I have been relatively normal.  I have not had to take the periodic pregnancy tests or the medication.  I realized that things were not normal a few weeks ago.

That is when my head began to spin and all the possibilities began to swirl.  The question became is this possible and am I crazy. On a side note for those who are not familiar with my story, I have under gone infertility treatments but have never been pregnant.  But on the other side of it was what if it is possible.  They will stop the adoption - and that part of me want to scream NO - NO they can't stop it. But what if...

These are the conclusions I came to because of this recent experience.  Everyone conclusions will be different.

-I still desperately want to adopt my unknown child for which we are waiting.  The thought of someone having us stop the process because of the prospective of a birth child frustrates me.  I know why this is in place and every agency that we have worked with, and there have been 3, this is standing policy.  For me the prospect of a birth child doesn't change my desire for my child that is waiting.  For some it does and that is okay.  If something would happen I hope there are exceptions.

-There is fear involved.  What if I get pregnant and then miscarry.  What if we have told everybody and we all must journey through the pain.  Also when do you tell everybody and is deceptive not to tell the adoption agency till you are 3 months along.

-Hope that the impossible could happen but not obsession.  And a realization that my psyche can handle the unknown.

-Confidence that if it does happen that it is 100% a God thing and I will shout it to the mountain top.

-Finally that I am still okay with a No answer.

So here is where I stand and I know who stands with me.  What will happen in the future I do not know.  But as the song writer puts it -

 I don't know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me
And I'm covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

I know who holds my hand and more than that He saved me and He will carry me if need be.

Simple Strawberry Creation

I was going to make shortbread cookies from a box. I read the directions butter only or it is not as good.  With no butter in the house this was plan B.

I took refrigerator crescent rolls cut them into six squares.  I put them in the little custard cups.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.  Bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes.  When golden brown put strawberries in the cups top with cool whip.

The boys loved it.

More Summer

Dad wanted to go to Hershey Park with the family for his birthday. So six months after his birthday this was his birthday fun.  The kids had a bunch of firsts and we enjoyed a picnic lunch.

 Here are four of them on the twirly ride.  They thought it was great.  There is not a picture but the 3 A's tried out a mini drop ride and they thought that was great,  They also enjoyed the water show and checked out the little zoo.  But I think that their absolute favorite was the mini and grownup log ride.

A good time was had by all.  And the day ended with a stop at Hoss' which is one of Andrew's most favorite places to eat because they have all different kinds of soup and ice cream.

Summer adventures

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 I am so far behind that I am just now sharing some of our summer adventures.  The boys and their cousins enjoyed a trip to the local ballpark.  This is diesel dog.  Grandpop introduced them to the play section.

 To tired boys from too much fun at the grandparents in NC.

 Uncle Gabe creating a rocket.

Aaron cheesing it up.
As it has been snowing and cold.  It is fun to remember when it was warm and they wanted to be outside more then inside and played hours in the water.  I will be bringing you some more warm summer fun.