Our family just returned home from a lovely beach vacation. The boys had a blast and enjoyed living in the same sq. footage as MeeMaw and Poppy. Going on vacation with them is nice for many reasons, but one in particular is that it allows for Mom and Dad to sneak away from little boys. Chris and I enjoyed a couple of times out by ourselves, even if it was just out in the ocean bobbing around and chatting.
On one evening we were out after the boys went to bed and we were shopping/returning at the outlet mall. We passed a store window full of cutie-patootie little girl clothes and I said "Do you think we'll ever have a little girl?" To which Chris responded without hesitation "Yes, I do." That may not mean a lot to anyone else, but to me who knows my husband and knows that he doesn't just "say" things because I open the door for them to be said. He doesn't say something unless he BELIEVES it.
On the journey home I brought up the subject of "timeline" and we both sort of agreed that beginning paperwork in the summer of 2010 would be good. That would get us to the end of 2010 before everything was ready to go and then give us another year or so to wait for the rest of the process. That would make Levi almost 4 by the time Aliyah came home. (Still wondering how to spell that...Alia, Alea, Aleah, Aliyah...thoughts??)
None of this is breaking news, but I thought it was nice that we seem to be on a path again and though it may be off in the distance, we have a goal. I believe God has this for us and He will bring it to pass.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Conversations with Deacon
This child is hilarious and at the same time could worry the fuzz off of a peach with all the questions. In one of our many conversations in a day, we somehow got onto how God is in charge. (He's big on this one right now.) I told him that one reason that Mommy and Daddy try to teach him to obey us is so that when he hears God tell him something, that he will be in the habit of obeying and will do what God says. I gave him the example that God had told Mommy and Daddy to adopt a baby a couple of years ago. I told him that if we had just ignored God or said no, then we wouldn't have Levi with us now. He didn't like that option. A little more discussion occurs about Levi and about his own "coming into the family" and how both were from God. Then silence. Then..."Did God tell us to get a sister?" I answered him as honestly as I knew how. I told him that I believed that God had given us a definate "not now", but that I didn't know what God would say about that in the future. We'd have to wait and see.
I like to think it's a matter of "when" and not "if", but I know God is in charge and if my family is complete, he will help us see that. If it is not, then He will bring the right person in at the right time and He'll provide for all the details that surround adding another to the group.
I like to think it's a matter of "when" and not "if", but I know God is in charge and if my family is complete, he will help us see that. If it is not, then He will bring the right person in at the right time and He'll provide for all the details that surround adding another to the group.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Seaons of Change
Right now I find myself in a somewhat "content" state as I look at my family. I am enjoying the boys and having them is feeling normal. It's a still hard some days and on those days I wonder why I would ever consider adding another one. On the days when it's been especially good, I think "why not share this"? I know God is giving this contentment and I will wait for him to move again.
I still feel that it is "likely" that we will adopt again, but at this point I don't know. If there is one thing I have learned it is not to make too many plans. God has HIS plan for us and it's better than whatever I can come up with anyway.
I have all my "concerns" about adopting again and things that make it irrational (cost, child care, raising 3...COLLEGE) and I don't know yet how all those things work. I do know that God has us doing other things right now and those things may lead to solutions to our "concerns" and open the door wide for us to add Aliyah Joy to our family. Until then, we wait and enjoy life as it is right now.
I still feel that it is "likely" that we will adopt again, but at this point I don't know. If there is one thing I have learned it is not to make too many plans. God has HIS plan for us and it's better than whatever I can come up with anyway.
I have all my "concerns" about adopting again and things that make it irrational (cost, child care, raising 3...COLLEGE) and I don't know yet how all those things work. I do know that God has us doing other things right now and those things may lead to solutions to our "concerns" and open the door wide for us to add Aliyah Joy to our family. Until then, we wait and enjoy life as it is right now.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Where are you Baby Girl???
I titled this post a while ago, but didn't have the words to begin to write it. I was hoping to journal some about the decision making process of picking a country to adopt from. I have told others that for me, since we've already adopted from Ethiopia it sort of feels like we would be "cheating" on her if we adopted from somewhere else. The people are wonderful and anyone would be blessed to have a child from Ethiopia.
All through our adoption process and even before it was a real consideration, my husband and I have had a pull towards Cambodia. We have a friend that is a missionary there and started the ministry Remeber Nhu, which saves young girls from the sex-trade that is so prominent there. (Check out the link and if you have an extra $50 a month, you can save a girl!!) But, Cambodia has been closed to the USA for adoptions since 2001. Chris and I have made the statement numerous times that "As soon as Cambodia opens up, we'll be the first in line."
Today, Chris talked to our missionary friend, Carl, and he told us that he is hearing rumors that it may not be long before Cambodia reopens to US citizens for adoptions from their country. Now, these are just "rumors" and I read of the same rumor circulating in January of 2008 on the internet. But, my heart did a leap inside my chest when I heard that it may be possible!
We have sort of set our sights on August of 2010 as a good starting point for an adoption. We'll hit the one year mark with Levi this August and another year of age difference would be nice. And, as I've mentioned before, we've got lots of details to have fall into place before we move forward.
But, all of this is a testimony to the sovereignty of our God!! When we are obedient He orders our steps and everything works out how and when it should. So, we wait. (We're getting better at it.) I have a renewed passion to pray Cambodia open. Will you join me? How awesome would it be for God to have laid a place and a girl on our hearts more than 6 years ago and then for Him to swing open the doors so that we can be united in His time?? So AWESOME!!
If all of this is only for me to give glory to God right now, that's fine. If we adopt from Ethiopia again...Praise the Lord! If we adopt from the US...praise the Lord! If we never adopt again...Praise the Lord! (That one will be tougher...I'll admit...but possible.) In all things we will praise Him, for our purpose is to glorify God our Father...the author of our salvation and the perfect adoptive parent!!
All through our adoption process and even before it was a real consideration, my husband and I have had a pull towards Cambodia. We have a friend that is a missionary there and started the ministry Remeber Nhu, which saves young girls from the sex-trade that is so prominent there. (Check out the link and if you have an extra $50 a month, you can save a girl!!) But, Cambodia has been closed to the USA for adoptions since 2001. Chris and I have made the statement numerous times that "As soon as Cambodia opens up, we'll be the first in line."
Today, Chris talked to our missionary friend, Carl, and he told us that he is hearing rumors that it may not be long before Cambodia reopens to US citizens for adoptions from their country. Now, these are just "rumors" and I read of the same rumor circulating in January of 2008 on the internet. But, my heart did a leap inside my chest when I heard that it may be possible!
We have sort of set our sights on August of 2010 as a good starting point for an adoption. We'll hit the one year mark with Levi this August and another year of age difference would be nice. And, as I've mentioned before, we've got lots of details to have fall into place before we move forward.
But, all of this is a testimony to the sovereignty of our God!! When we are obedient He orders our steps and everything works out how and when it should. So, we wait. (We're getting better at it.) I have a renewed passion to pray Cambodia open. Will you join me? How awesome would it be for God to have laid a place and a girl on our hearts more than 6 years ago and then for Him to swing open the doors so that we can be united in His time?? So AWESOME!!
If all of this is only for me to give glory to God right now, that's fine. If we adopt from Ethiopia again...Praise the Lord! If we adopt from the US...praise the Lord! If we never adopt again...Praise the Lord! (That one will be tougher...I'll admit...but possible.) In all things we will praise Him, for our purpose is to glorify God our Father...the author of our salvation and the perfect adoptive parent!!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Rising Joy
God gives me a child's name long before he gives me the child. This seems to be a trend in my life. Before we were even attempting pregnancy with Deacon we knew his name. We had a girl name picked out too, but it was not one that I am or was crazy about. With Levi, his name came to me and you can see this post from Levi's blog to read more about how his name was used to confirm that he was OURS and only ours. It was amazing. We had trouble picking a girl name for his adoption but since we were pretty sure that our "either" request was going to bring a boy, we didn't stress on it too much. We had talked about one a lot though.
Well, now I find myself with a name and a great story behind the name, but I do not know who this person is or will be or if she will ever be part of our family. Here's the story.
As I mentioned, girl names have always been a struggle. We really want to focus on the meaning of a name as well as to like how it sounds. The only name we had agreed on if Levi had been a boy was "Aliyah". I wasn't really nuts about the meaning as it just means "rising". Not all that spectacular in my opinion.
While we were in Addis picking up Levi, we met a sweet girl named Meti. She is now home with her family and they gave this precious girl the middle name of "Joy". Boy is she!! She just oozed joy. I was so impressed by this little girl that if she had not already been spoken for, I would have begun the paperwork as soon as the plane touched down in the US. I also have a friend from college who's middle name is "Joy" and she too is a blessing from above. She has always been that friend to me that could tell me the straight truth and I would not take offense. She was edifying and full of grace. She too, oozed JOY! Because of her, I have always thought about using the middle name "Joy" for a girl, but then when I heard that Meti was also being given the middle name "Joy" it was like God said..."Here's your sign!" :) I'm a little slow, so sometimes He has to talk LOUD.
So, if you couple the name Aliyah with Joy you get "Rising Joy". That is a meaning I can relate to and one that I would be excited to pass on to our little girl.
If you are reading this, please pray with us that we would have clear direction about if and when a daughter will enter our family. Our hearts are open, but there are a few things in our way.
Here's how to pray...
1. That IF we are to adopt again, we would know from WHERE and WHEN? Our hearts are in Ethiopia, but I am becoming more and more open to domestic. We've also always considered China, but with the way things go there I don't know if that is wise.
2. That our personal finances would fall into place. We are still recovering from this adoption and so another international adoption would be a year or two off. If China were the place though, it would be wise to get moving NOW as the wait is close to 5 years.
3. That IF we are to adopt, that either I would be able to quit my job and be home full-time (this means Chris needs to make more money and have insurance) or that we would find alternate child-care (Like the in-laws moving home...). I don't want to ask my parents to keep children all through their retirement (and they've said that 2 is their limit). They need time to be together and do the things they so deserve to do. I will save them for overnights and conference trips. :)
If you are reading this right now, it's because I let you know about it and consider you a friend and confidant. This is not something that I want to get "obsessed" over right now. There is too much to enjoy in the life I have now to wish it away for another. But, it is something that I think about and wonder. So, this blog will be my outlet and if you want to keep up with it, find info here.
Well, now I find myself with a name and a great story behind the name, but I do not know who this person is or will be or if she will ever be part of our family. Here's the story.
As I mentioned, girl names have always been a struggle. We really want to focus on the meaning of a name as well as to like how it sounds. The only name we had agreed on if Levi had been a boy was "Aliyah". I wasn't really nuts about the meaning as it just means "rising". Not all that spectacular in my opinion.
While we were in Addis picking up Levi, we met a sweet girl named Meti. She is now home with her family and they gave this precious girl the middle name of "Joy". Boy is she!! She just oozed joy. I was so impressed by this little girl that if she had not already been spoken for, I would have begun the paperwork as soon as the plane touched down in the US. I also have a friend from college who's middle name is "Joy" and she too is a blessing from above. She has always been that friend to me that could tell me the straight truth and I would not take offense. She was edifying and full of grace. She too, oozed JOY! Because of her, I have always thought about using the middle name "Joy" for a girl, but then when I heard that Meti was also being given the middle name "Joy" it was like God said..."Here's your sign!" :) I'm a little slow, so sometimes He has to talk LOUD.
So, if you couple the name Aliyah with Joy you get "Rising Joy". That is a meaning I can relate to and one that I would be excited to pass on to our little girl.
If you are reading this, please pray with us that we would have clear direction about if and when a daughter will enter our family. Our hearts are open, but there are a few things in our way.
Here's how to pray...
1. That IF we are to adopt again, we would know from WHERE and WHEN? Our hearts are in Ethiopia, but I am becoming more and more open to domestic. We've also always considered China, but with the way things go there I don't know if that is wise.
2. That our personal finances would fall into place. We are still recovering from this adoption and so another international adoption would be a year or two off. If China were the place though, it would be wise to get moving NOW as the wait is close to 5 years.
3. That IF we are to adopt, that either I would be able to quit my job and be home full-time (this means Chris needs to make more money and have insurance) or that we would find alternate child-care (Like the in-laws moving home...). I don't want to ask my parents to keep children all through their retirement (and they've said that 2 is their limit). They need time to be together and do the things they so deserve to do. I will save them for overnights and conference trips. :)
If you are reading this right now, it's because I let you know about it and consider you a friend and confidant. This is not something that I want to get "obsessed" over right now. There is too much to enjoy in the life I have now to wish it away for another. But, it is something that I think about and wonder. So, this blog will be my outlet and if you want to keep up with it, find info here.
Not sure why I feel the need to do this...
I don't know why I feel lead to start this blog, but I do. Perhaps it is because we are now "eligible" to begin another adoption and because I would love to shout that from the rooftops, but fear people will look at me like I am crazy. Or, maybe it is because my heart still longs for a daughter and I don't know yet if that longing is to be realized or if it is something that will prepare me to be a great MIL.
Just in case this "feeling" is a nudge towards our baby girl, I want to document it just as well as I did with the first one. I so wish I had had a blog for Deacon's pregnancy, but alas, I didn't know such things at the time.
So, we'll see where this blog leads us and if any of the dates along the way end up significant in the journey to bring us together.
Just in case this "feeling" is a nudge towards our baby girl, I want to document it just as well as I did with the first one. I so wish I had had a blog for Deacon's pregnancy, but alas, I didn't know such things at the time.
So, we'll see where this blog leads us and if any of the dates along the way end up significant in the journey to bring us together.
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