Our babies are growing up so fast!

I can't believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone. As I mentioned before, it's hard being away from Aidan during his first holiday season, but we've been so busy lately that it's really making the time fly. Speaking of our little guy (that was a subtle segway, as if there is ever a time that I'm not talking about or thinking about or dreaming about our little boy), Aidan is 4 months old today! He was 17 weeks on Saturday. How can that be? I still marvel at the fact that we've known who he is for over 6 weeks and I have still been able to somewhat effectively function in my daily routine. Little Ava Rose is also growing fast. She is 1 month old today (she was 4 weeks old on Black Friday). Whew...Black Friday. That's a whole other entry! Hope everyone's Thanksgiving was joyous and filled with good food, memories and family.

6 Weeks!

That's how long it's been since our referral for our oh-so-sweet and cuddly baby boy. How is it possible that we've managed to go about our daily lives without him with us? The first week, though we were so excited, the time seemed to be standing still as I would find myself looking at his picture hundreds of times throughout the day. It really has been a blessing having the Holidays to focus on, though it's very difficult to think that we are missing our son's first Thanksgiving and Christmas. I just wish we had a court date assignment...something tangible to look forward to. I've decided that that's how the adoption process goes. You get exciting news and then you WWWWWWAAAAAAIIIIIITTTTTTT, and without something to keep you busy, it's easy to become depressed and a bit crazy :). Usually, I opt for shopping for Aidan to keep me busy and so far Liam has been surprisingly understanding. That brings me to my second point.....

We've picked out Aidan's bedding for his nursery!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(I know the suspense is killing you)

AFRICAN DREAMS

I had seen it over a year ago and just couldn't get it out of my head. I LOVE the colors and even though I liked some of the other choices, I kept coming back to the color scheme. The good news is that it's been discontinued, so I was able to purchase the 6 piece set for very cheap (I had bought the blanket a bit ago). The bad news is, IT'S BEEN DISCONTINUED! What was I thinking? I have looked all over, but with the exception of the blanket, 6 piece bedding set (includes comforter, sheets, bed skirt, bumper, valance and diaper stacker) and mobile (which I still have to purchase); I haven't been able to find any of the other accessories. BUMMER! I'm still looking for the rug, hamper, lamp and (*sniff*) canvas wall art. So, if you come across them anywhere, let me know and I will swoop down on them. I know that I can always substitute, and will probably have to, but I would love to have the complete set.

Some disappointing news...

I read on the yahoo forum that a fellow adoptive parent had emailed Stephanie (Assistant Director for the Ethiopian Program) yesterday because her husband has to travel overseas for 2 weeks at the beginning of January. She hadn't received a court date either (her referral was the day before ours) and asked if it would be safe for him to go. Unfortunately, she was told that the last of the court dates have been assigned and that they don't expect more court date assignments until sometime in December (making our court date probably sometime in February). This is because there are so many families traveling in the next few weeks and the Ethiopia staff is going to be so busy. She said the paperwork is being processed as usual but the reporting of the information may be delayed due to so many traveling families right now.

Bummer! We were really hoping to hear something soon and have a court date in January. Okay, change of plans! So, let's pray now that we have a court date assignment before Liam's birthday on December 14th (still secretly holding out for a late January court date~ please, oh please). It's hard to wait, but I keep reminding myself that God's timing is perfect. He has a plan in all the frustration and madness.

Health Update!

We just got another health report on Baby Aidan (no pictures, though. RATS!). It was dated October 3, so about 6 weeks ago. He weighs 9.7lbs (that’s up from 8.2 pounds at 6 weeks old). He’s also 22 inches long (up from 21.7 at 6 weeks). He was 16 weeks on Saturday, so he would have been 9 weeks when the health update was done. Our litte boy is growing. In all other ways he is a perfectly healthy little guy. Praise God! Can't wait to finally see him and kiss his beautiful face.

Fun Surprises!

So this weekend was full of fun surprises! First, we met some friends for dinner on Saturday night that we had not seen in over 10 years from when we all lived in Texas... and it's all because of Facebook. Liam had looked them up on Facebook and coincidentally they were traveling through our area the very next day! Here's a picture below (Jill W. you should get a kick out of this):




Secondly, my parents took us shopping for a new nursery set Sunday afternoon. I'm the most indecisive person in the world, but I love this set! Thanks Mom and Dad. Aidan will be so lucky to have you as his grandparents.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...

I posted this video on my facebook the Sunday before last, because it was Orphan Sunday and (as I find myself doing more and more lately) because a friend posted it on theirs and it touched me. I love the song but had never heard the story behind it. Funny how one person can impact another.



So, after I posted it, another friend sent me a message that I HAD to check out the documentary that inspired the song. I went to Amazon.com that very day and bought a used copy. It arrived last night.

I watched it from beginning to end and it moved me so much. It's a call-to-arms to go out into the world and show God's love by serving other's in their time of need. The story follows Sara Groves, a Christian singer and songwriter, as she aids victims displaced in the days following Hurricane Katrina, as well as to Rwanda where she meets survivors of the genocide that occurred there more than 15 years ago. I'm telling you, buy, rent or borrow (you can have mine) this. I've even included the link here. Watch it. It will bring you to tears and leave you questioning what your purpose on Earth is and whether you have been fulfilling it. As one of the people that she meets along the way, says, "During autrocities, I used to ask where is God. I've ceased asking that question. Now I ask, 'Where are God's people?'"

Another wonderful and moving documentary that I bought a bit back is The Invisible Children. This is the story of Ugandan children who walk miles each night to the city center where they huddle together to avoid being kidnapped and forced to be child soldiers by the sectarian Lord's Resistance Army. It was because of this documentary and the work that Charity Gray and Watota are doing, that I was inspired to give, even if it is only a small amount each month.

As Sara Groves quotes Mother Teresa as saying, "In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love."

Another Adoption Video...

Well, since I don't have anything new to report, I thought I'd share one of my favorite adoption videos with you. I especially LOVE the second song, though I haven't been able to learn either the name of it or the artist. Enjoy!

What's New?

Nada, Zilch, Nothing.

Still waiting for a court date and still TRYING to be patient and remember that it is all in God's timing.

Happy Veteran's Day!

To my amazing husband, father and all the other men and women who have served or are serving our great nation. We owe you a debt that we can never repay.

My brother's wedding

My brother, Andy, and his fiance, Megan, were married this past weekend. It was a gorgeous day and the ceremony was so beautiful. They wrote their own vows, which not only made their wedding unique, but I don't think there was a dry eye in the church. Jake was one of three ring bearers. He carried a bouquet of flowers down the aisle to Mom (another little boy carried one to the mother of the bride), and Ella was a flower girl. Ava made her social debut and since our aunts, uncles, and cousins had traveled in from St.Louis, it was a fun time to show off the newest addition to our family. I brought several referral pictures of Aidan, so he wasn't forgotten on such a special day. My Aunt Mary bought Nichole and I these cute baby baskets with lots of goodies for our little ones, and my cousin Terri and her daughter bought me a Hallmark ornament to commemorate our little bundle. Everyone can't wait to meet you, Little A. We all love you so!

I will post pictures as soon as I get some!




As promised, here they are:

My beautiful new sister-in-law, Megan

Megan and Andy

Ella

Megan with her flower girls

Jake and Ella

Andy with Mom and Dad

Andy with our grandma

My entire family (minus my hubby, who had military drill)

Exchanging Vows

My brother, Kirk, and sister, Lindsey

My two brothers



Unity Candle, that kept blowing out :)




The ring bearers (Jake is on the left)

Flower Girls

The first dance

Ethiopia Adoptions with Holt International

As promised, here is another video from Holt International. This video was filmed in Ethiopia and was one of the catalysts (amongst other things) for our decision to adopt from this beautiful country. November is National Adoption Month. If you feel that God is calling you to adopt or just feel a pull on your heart leading you to question whether adoption is in your future, please pray about it and ask for God's guidance. Yes, the waiting is hard, but every time I look at the face of my little boy, I know without a doubt that this is the child God has made for Liam and me. If you would like any information about adoption or Holt International, please email or Facebook me. I would LOVE to help another on this wonderful journey.

However motherhood comes to you, it's a miracle.
-Valerie Harper
Adoptive parent



'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.'
Matthew 25:40

Patience...what's that?

There have been two couples that have received court dates for January 12th. One couple received their referral on the day before & the other on the same day that we received ours. There’s really no “rhyme or reason” to how they assign court dates (we could hear news today or two months from now), but please say a prayer that we hear news soon and that our court date will be as soon as possible (I know, it’s all in God’s timing). Aidan was 3 months on Friday, and even though we’re still in the early stages of the process now to bring him home, the wait is KILLING me. I want to hold our sweet baby boy and kiss his little face.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! We had my nephew and niece for the weekend while my sister was in the hospital with baby Ava. Since my sister has always had scheduled c-sections, Jason stays with her to help with the baby and for some extra family bonding time.

We had so much fun! On Sunday, we took the kids by the hospital so that their mommy and daddy could see them in their costumes and they could spend some time together. Then we took them to "Trunk or Treat" at our church. Below are some pictures of the day:

I have to tell you, Ella loves her baby sister. Here are some cute poses:

I guess Auntie thinks she's pretty special too!

I try not to think about the fact that this was also Aidan's first Halloween and his daddy and mommy weren't there to dress him up and take TONS of pictures like all first-time parents. I'm sad, yet I know that we'll be together next Halloween. We miss you little guy! There's not a moment of the day that we don't thank God for the wonderful gift of being your Mommy and Daddy.