This year I opted for simple decor since there is an addition this Christmas! One that can be very destructive! He has actually been very good and after the first tree "lighting" he hasn't touched it!
Merry Christmas!!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Once upon a Dream
I love my dad! He reminded me of this dream I had years ago, on Friday night! Then he sent this email out...this is now a story I will be telling my little Isaiah! Thanks daddy for giving me a sweet memory to pass on to my son!
Teammate – Years ago when Heather my oldest daughter was about 5 years old she was taking a car ride with her grandfather. She starting sharing a dream that she had, a dream that one day she would have a baby Jesus. She shared with great conviction that she, like Mother of Jesus, (Mary), would have a baby Jesus one day. Her Grandfather tried to reason with her that Baby Jesus had already been born and there was no way that this could happen again. 5 year old Heather would not be persuaded and told her Grandfather that God told her and so it was as good as done.
Almost 20 years later Heather and Daniel tried to have their first child and lost the child through miscarriage and the child awaits them heaven. Heather and Daniel turned to adoption and a few months later they adopted baby Isaiah (you can read her blog…story and journey of their miracle adoption). A few days ago Heather and Daniel played the part of Mary and Joseph at the Nativity scene at their church (Burnt Hickory Baptist) and guess who Baby Jesus was? You got it! It was Isaiah!
God had spoken truth to Heather when she was 5 years old, and I am not even sure if Heather recalled the dream. But her Father (me) did…and so did her Heavenly Father! God speaks to all generations…mysteries…plans…and a purpose for your life…and a purpose for others in your life (Isaiah).
Merry Christmas
Friday, December 9, 2011
Not this time
Daniel and I mentioned a while back that we were trying to adopt Isaiah's biological sibling due in February. I realized last night I haven't wrote any updates because people were asking if we still were. Well our answer is not this time. After much prayer we really felt the Lord telling us not this time. He called us to be available and my heart struggled with this when we first found out about baby #2. It was overwhelming for me, I wasn't ready for another baby and the fears continued...I felt like I was in constant turmoil over what to do. Then I remembered the Lord calling us to be available...the details didn't matter...if He wanted us to adopt again then He alone would work out all the details.
Well, this time...it wasn't our time. He wasn't calling us to adopt baby #2 but instead I feel that He wanted to know that we would be available and willing to jump when He calls. A lesson I'm still (and will always) be trying to learn! It's tough for me...more than Daniel because I fret, worry and stress.
All that said Daniel and I are not adopting baby #2 BUT we are SO VERY THANKFUL because the Lord works everything out according this His perfect plan! You see Deb and Harvey (birth parents) were given several profile books to look at, one family being a client of our consultants...of all the profiles they choose this family! A family who I'm told was very bold and outright about their faith and love for our Savior! This overjoyed my heart to know that God hand picked this family for Deb and Harvey but secretly let them think they did the picking :)! The best part of all is they live near us and we prayerfully will have the opportunity to meet them and their soon to be new comer!
Well, this time...it wasn't our time. He wasn't calling us to adopt baby #2 but instead I feel that He wanted to know that we would be available and willing to jump when He calls. A lesson I'm still (and will always) be trying to learn! It's tough for me...more than Daniel because I fret, worry and stress.
All that said Daniel and I are not adopting baby #2 BUT we are SO VERY THANKFUL because the Lord works everything out according this His perfect plan! You see Deb and Harvey (birth parents) were given several profile books to look at, one family being a client of our consultants...of all the profiles they choose this family! A family who I'm told was very bold and outright about their faith and love for our Savior! This overjoyed my heart to know that God hand picked this family for Deb and Harvey but secretly let them think they did the picking :)! The best part of all is they live near us and we prayerfully will have the opportunity to meet them and their soon to be new comer!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Then and Now
It's hard to believe how fast the year has flown by. This time last year Daniel and I were on staff with FCA and wrapping up our winter leadership retreat. This time last year we were approaching what was suppose to be our Due Date. This time last year we were in the middle our adoption process wondering how in the world it was all going to work out. This time last year my hubby asked what I wanted for Christmas and my response...a baby.
Now, I'm putting up a Christmas tree anticipating broken ornaments from an almost one year old little boy. Now, I'm gearing up for a Isaiah's first Christmas and first Birthday. It's hard to believe that this time last year we were begging the Lord for a child and in His perfect time he brought us the most amazing little boy. My heart fills with joy when I think about where we were then and where we are now.
I'm overwhelmed by the Lord's faithfulness to us. We are so undeserving of such an incredible son but we are so blessed to call him our child. I wouldn't change the journey we went on for anything. I wouldn't trade it for having a perfect pregnancy. I wouldn't trade it for having had all the money we needed before we started our adoption. I wouldn't trade it for a perfect adoption journey. I wouldn't trade it for one less drive to FL in a week's time. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
The Lord had a plan. He used that journey to grow me, to grow Daniel and to grow us together. We never thought we could be joyful over a trail but we are now. We pray that we can joyful during our next trial and not just after it.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Thanksgiving Wish
I love Thanksgiving! I love the time with family! I've always had this wish that one day I could host Thanksgiving at my house but if you saw my house you would know that's not possible! We have a large family on both sides! My family spends Thanksgiving day together at memaw and pawpaw's with about 40 family members! Food galore, football on and lively entertainment with so many people in one place!
We start the morning with the Gobble Jog. It started out with my, momma and Daniel. Then last year we added dad, gremaw, Jake the dog, Choo Choo and my sister! This year we get to add my little mister and Paisley Jane! I love the start to our turkey day! We finish it with the lighting of the tree at lenox! It's by far one of my most favorite times of the year!
Back to my wish to host Thanksgiving...Maybe I'm a dreamer but I want to look down my Thanksgiving table and see my hubby sitting at the other end, my sis and her family sitting side by side, my parent's, my grandparent's, my in-laws and hopefully my large bundle of kids that we pray to have! Oh the sight dancing around in my head puts a smile on my face! So loud that you can't hear the person next to you, full of giggles from little ones, smiles on each face and a room full of so much love that no one can deny the Lord's presence in our families.
Of course this all comes complete with a super cute table! My inspiration for the future...I got these from the blog The 36th Avenue! Too cute!
I love the simplicity, the colors and that I can do it all myself without spending much!! It can go with any color scheme and I already have the white dishes! So maybe just maybe one day I will host Thanksgiving at my house and get to decorate my table in such a festive fashion!
We start the morning with the Gobble Jog. It started out with my, momma and Daniel. Then last year we added dad, gremaw, Jake the dog, Choo Choo and my sister! This year we get to add my little mister and Paisley Jane! I love the start to our turkey day! We finish it with the lighting of the tree at lenox! It's by far one of my most favorite times of the year!
Back to my wish to host Thanksgiving...Maybe I'm a dreamer but I want to look down my Thanksgiving table and see my hubby sitting at the other end, my sis and her family sitting side by side, my parent's, my grandparent's, my in-laws and hopefully my large bundle of kids that we pray to have! Oh the sight dancing around in my head puts a smile on my face! So loud that you can't hear the person next to you, full of giggles from little ones, smiles on each face and a room full of so much love that no one can deny the Lord's presence in our families.
Of course this all comes complete with a super cute table! My inspiration for the future...I got these from the blog The 36th Avenue! Too cute!
I love the simplicity, the colors and that I can do it all myself without spending much!! It can go with any color scheme and I already have the white dishes! So maybe just maybe one day I will host Thanksgiving at my house and get to decorate my table in such a festive fashion!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Run Forest
This past weekend my little running team set out for another adventure together in Savannah...our little team includes me, my momma and my hubs! (my sis tagged along for a weekend of fun)! Mom and I ran our second half marathon and hubs ran his very first marathon! We had a great time and enjoyed the company! This was also the very first weekend away from our little booger but thankfully he has wonderful grandparents that watched him while we were away! I sure missed my little guy but it was also a nice weekend to relax and refresh! He sure can wear me out! :)
Daniel set his personal record as he likes to say running his first marathon in 4 hours and 35 minutes! I must say I was very proud of him for running because he didn't get to train like he should! He threw his back out and was sick twice during his training season so before he ran his progression went from 8 miles, 15 miles, 18 miles, 22 miles to race day running 26.2!! He is a stud!
Mom, can I just say that she is awesome!! She loves to run even if it involves self inflicted pain! She never stops, never quits! She is a rockstar! She was my main training buddy for this race and I must say she beat her last half marathon time by 12 minutes coming in at 2 hours and 34 minutes but I do have to tell you this includes her stopping to remove her shoes...yep she runs barefoot some of the time because her feet fall asleep! So I know if we could get that corrected she will beat her time again whenever we pick another race! She is awesome and I'm so proud to run with her!
Daniel set his personal record as he likes to say running his first marathon in 4 hours and 35 minutes! I must say I was very proud of him for running because he didn't get to train like he should! He threw his back out and was sick twice during his training season so before he ran his progression went from 8 miles, 15 miles, 18 miles, 22 miles to race day running 26.2!! He is a stud!
Mom, can I just say that she is awesome!! She loves to run even if it involves self inflicted pain! She never stops, never quits! She is a rockstar! She was my main training buddy for this race and I must say she beat her last half marathon time by 12 minutes coming in at 2 hours and 34 minutes but I do have to tell you this includes her stopping to remove her shoes...yep she runs barefoot some of the time because her feet fall asleep! So I know if we could get that corrected she will beat her time again whenever we pick another race! She is awesome and I'm so proud to run with her!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Rejoice Always
The Lord has been at work on my heart pretty diligently lately. I'm the kind of person who likes plans, to be organized and prepared for the next step but just as with Isaiah we had no idea when that next step would come. We didn't have 9 months of preparation, planning, expecting! We had no clue when the Lord would bring us a child.
Our current adoption situation seems to be on that same path. We received a call from the agency that they needed a firm decision by Friday and the matching fee if we chose to do this. Something we aren't in the least bit prepared for! I texted close friends asking for prayer and guidance. Before I could send it to one of them, I received a text from her with this verse: Phil 4:19 - "God will supply all your needs." I stood frozen and tears began streaming down my face. I'm not one to cry either.
We have no idea what this situation will bring, how it will play out but I went on to read the full chapter in Philippians. You see, the Lord has been reminding me through this process that He called us to adoption and we committed to be available whatever decision He made for our family. Whether that is another child or not. We are called to be obedient through this process. I started to get frantic when I thought of coming up with the full adoption fee by Friday. Then I was reminded the Lord would supply all our needs but that doesn't always mean in the manner at which we think.
Philippians 4:4-7 says "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice! Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your request to the Lord. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ!"
So this is our prayer. We know that should God choose us to be parent's of this child that He is bigger than any amount of money and any agency. He will supply all our needs but no matter what the outcome we will Rejoice in His plans!
Our current adoption situation seems to be on that same path. We received a call from the agency that they needed a firm decision by Friday and the matching fee if we chose to do this. Something we aren't in the least bit prepared for! I texted close friends asking for prayer and guidance. Before I could send it to one of them, I received a text from her with this verse: Phil 4:19 - "God will supply all your needs." I stood frozen and tears began streaming down my face. I'm not one to cry either.
We have no idea what this situation will bring, how it will play out but I went on to read the full chapter in Philippians. You see, the Lord has been reminding me through this process that He called us to adoption and we committed to be available whatever decision He made for our family. Whether that is another child or not. We are called to be obedient through this process. I started to get frantic when I thought of coming up with the full adoption fee by Friday. Then I was reminded the Lord would supply all our needs but that doesn't always mean in the manner at which we think.
Philippians 4:4-7 says "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice! Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your request to the Lord. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ!"
So this is our prayer. We know that should God choose us to be parent's of this child that He is bigger than any amount of money and any agency. He will supply all our needs but no matter what the outcome we will Rejoice in His plans!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Save a life to end a life
I know writing this blog today will anger some people but it's not intended to do so. It's to raise awareness of a very heart breaking and serious problem occurring.
What baffles me is that the number one breast cancer foundation Susan G. Komen financially supports Planned Parenthood. How does that even make sense? A foundation based upon finding a cure for breast cancer to save the lives of women yet they give money to end the life of a child? Now, I know many people who would refute this statement including the Susan G. Komen foundation but after doing much research I have found it to be very true. It may not be intended to help fund abortions but that's the number one business for Planned Parenthood who banked a whopping $155 million on abortions last year! That is 38.4% of their total revenue.
**Please note this is not the only foundation that gives to Planned Parenthood (ie) United Way.**
The president of Planned Parenthood made this comment: "We always counsel women on all their options if they have an unintended pregnancy." No pregnancy is unintended. God intended that life to be. Whether it was for a short time in the womb or for a full life here on earth. That was a life that He created. It wasn't by mistake, it wasn't by accident
Before I became a mom I was against abortion because I believe the Word of God to be true and living - Isaiah 40:8, "The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the Word of our God remains forever."
God talks about His creation, His children. How He knew us before we were born, how he knit us together in our mother's womb. He knows the numbers of hairs on us, every single one of day's was ordained for us. - Psalm 139. What a beautiful passage!
I am the mom of an unborn child. A child that grew for 11 weeks before the Lord choose to take him home. My child's life had purpose, meaning and the Lord ordained those 11 weeks perfectly.
I am also the mom of a little boy. My son, that didn't grow inside my belly. Rather, the Lord used someone else to carry my child until he was born. He was brought into our lives through the beauty of a selfless act. A women, who chose life for my child, Isaiah's birth mom.
Lastly I am the women that struggles with fertility. So it enrages my heart to read such things from a women. “Legislators, most of whom will never be pregnant..."- president of Planned Parenthood proceeds in attacking pro-life men in our legislative offices. Apparently she is forgetting about the millions of women who may also never carry a child but yet would give anything to have a child. There is always another way!
Think twice about who and what you are helping to fund. Every life deserves a chance. As believers in Christ we need to fight against foundations like this who are trying to take the power of life into their own hands! We need to love and embrace those who may have a so called "unintended" pregnancy and direct them towards another option - adoption.
There are many foundations out there that fund cancer research that don't support abortion. Do your research and become informed about where your dollars are going.
Watch this video: it will change your life - 180movie.com
What baffles me is that the number one breast cancer foundation Susan G. Komen financially supports Planned Parenthood. How does that even make sense? A foundation based upon finding a cure for breast cancer to save the lives of women yet they give money to end the life of a child? Now, I know many people who would refute this statement including the Susan G. Komen foundation but after doing much research I have found it to be very true. It may not be intended to help fund abortions but that's the number one business for Planned Parenthood who banked a whopping $155 million on abortions last year! That is 38.4% of their total revenue.
**Please note this is not the only foundation that gives to Planned Parenthood (ie) United Way.**
The president of Planned Parenthood made this comment: "We always counsel women on all their options if they have an unintended pregnancy." No pregnancy is unintended. God intended that life to be. Whether it was for a short time in the womb or for a full life here on earth. That was a life that He created. It wasn't by mistake, it wasn't by accident
Before I became a mom I was against abortion because I believe the Word of God to be true and living - Isaiah 40:8, "The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the Word of our God remains forever."
God talks about His creation, His children. How He knew us before we were born, how he knit us together in our mother's womb. He knows the numbers of hairs on us, every single one of day's was ordained for us. - Psalm 139. What a beautiful passage!
I am the mom of an unborn child. A child that grew for 11 weeks before the Lord choose to take him home. My child's life had purpose, meaning and the Lord ordained those 11 weeks perfectly.
I am also the mom of a little boy. My son, that didn't grow inside my belly. Rather, the Lord used someone else to carry my child until he was born. He was brought into our lives through the beauty of a selfless act. A women, who chose life for my child, Isaiah's birth mom.
Lastly I am the women that struggles with fertility. So it enrages my heart to read such things from a women. “Legislators, most of whom will never be pregnant..."- president of Planned Parenthood proceeds in attacking pro-life men in our legislative offices. Apparently she is forgetting about the millions of women who may also never carry a child but yet would give anything to have a child. There is always another way!
Think twice about who and what you are helping to fund. Every life deserves a chance. As believers in Christ we need to fight against foundations like this who are trying to take the power of life into their own hands! We need to love and embrace those who may have a so called "unintended" pregnancy and direct them towards another option - adoption.
There are many foundations out there that fund cancer research that don't support abortion. Do your research and become informed about where your dollars are going.
Watch this video: it will change your life - 180movie.com
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Decorating Help!
So recently we re-did our living room! I'm working a little at a time on our kitchen! We bought a new kitchen table to accommodate more adults and also bought an armoire we will be using to store our pretty dishes to allow more room in the cupboards! Next I plan to sand down and re-paint the cupboards but not yet! That's going to be a big project! Here is where I need help...I can't decide on a color to paint the armoire!!! I need some suggestions!! I want to antique it but I can't come up with a color for the base!
So here is the new table...it's a sage green with white chairs. The armoire is going on the wall where the shelf is and that is coming down! Any ideas?!!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Living Room Makeover
So we recently re-did our living room...it started with me flipping through my beloved Country Living. It was the issue with Sarah Richardson's cottage! I love her decorating style and I loved the colors she had going on in the home so I decided I had enough of those same colors I could re-do my living room for cheap!
First was the paint...my hubs spotted a gallon on the clearance at Lowes and so it began! I did have to buy another one but that was enough to repaint! The rest of the projects I will explain from the pictures!!
First was the paint...my hubs spotted a gallon on the clearance at Lowes and so it began! I did have to buy another one but that was enough to repaint! The rest of the projects I will explain from the pictures!!
I love Pottery Barn but don't love their prices so I ripped out a ledge from the catalog that inspired the ledge above the couch! Gave it to my hubby and wah lah - my PB knock-off! We already had the wood so all we had to get was a trim piece! Total spent was $15! I had all the other decor on the ledge I just collected from other rooms and used. I spray painted the candle holders with an almond color to update!
The lamp shades I did have to buy from Target after searching thrift stores for over a month. The lamp bases were found on the side of the road on our way home from Florida. One re-wire kit later they both work! That was $5! I spray painted them in the same almond color to update!
My other project was my picture wall...I took the idea from a home makeover magazine and used what I already had! I bought 2 pieces - the silver mirror and the gold framed picture next to it from the thrift store! The sconces I had previously and I spray painted them in the same almond color to update.
Thanks to pinterest I had the urge to get an old trunk but after searching on craigslist I realized they were pretty pricey! So I kept looking and came across this one for a steal!! The shelf I found at the thrift store and the rest I already had!
So there is my living room make-over! Glad it is done and I love the bright and airy feel to it! With our huge window letting light in all day long it is one of my favorite rooms in the house!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
9 months
It's so hard to believe that Isaiah is 9 months old already! It feels like just yesterday we were yet again making a trip to Florida praying it would be our final and we would be bringing home our baby boy!! Praise the Lord for blessing us with a little boy that has brought more joy to our lives than we ever imagined! He is so much fun and full of life!
My little bug has changed so much over the last 9 months it's unbelievable!
Weight and Height: He is now 16lbs oz which is right below the 3% for his age...I'm thinking we might have a little wrestler on our hands...that sure would make his daddy happy! 27in which is the 12%. He is a squirt!
Eating Habits: He will try just about anything but he has developed this gag reflex when he doesn't like something. At first we thought he was choking but no, it's his way of saying "gross"!!
Sleeping: Still sleeps all night with the occasional wake up and rock me cry. It doesn't happen often but when it does I don't mind snuggling him up and rocking him back to sleep.
Pacy or Thumb: Praise the Lord we have made progress!!! He only uses his paci when he is going to sleep!!
Clothes: He wears 9 to 12 month clothes
Favorite Activities: Still going for runs!, crawling, getting into everything, being outside anytime!!
Baby First: He is crawling, pulling up (sometimes), banging, tearing up tupperware, throwing temper tantrums, slept with mom and dad (never again!!) and hiked on the AT!
My little bug has changed so much over the last 9 months it's unbelievable!
Weight and Height: He is now 16lbs oz which is right below the 3% for his age...I'm thinking we might have a little wrestler on our hands...that sure would make his daddy happy! 27in which is the 12%. He is a squirt!
Eating Habits: He will try just about anything but he has developed this gag reflex when he doesn't like something. At first we thought he was choking but no, it's his way of saying "gross"!!
Sleeping: Still sleeps all night with the occasional wake up and rock me cry. It doesn't happen often but when it does I don't mind snuggling him up and rocking him back to sleep.
Pacy or Thumb: Praise the Lord we have made progress!!! He only uses his paci when he is going to sleep!!
Clothes: He wears 9 to 12 month clothes
Favorite Activities: Still going for runs!, crawling, getting into everything, being outside anytime!!
Baby First: He is crawling, pulling up (sometimes), banging, tearing up tupperware, throwing temper tantrums, slept with mom and dad (never again!!) and hiked on the AT!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Busy Bee's
The past two weekend's we went out of town...first weekend we went to Aunt Sherry's marvelous cabin up in Suchess, GA! It was right on the AT which made for a very happy hubs! On our way home we did get to hit up the outlet's which made for a very happy wifey! Isaiah did a great job all weekend! He really is such a good little man and we are so very very blessed!
Much to our mistake we did forget the pack n' play so little man slept with us for the very first time! This made for possibly the longest night ever! He kept getting up on all four's and slapping us in the face, then rolling from daddy to mommy! Oh boy that was fun and won't be happening again!
Much to our mistake we did forget the pack n' play so little man slept with us for the very first time! This made for possibly the longest night ever! He kept getting up on all four's and slapping us in the face, then rolling from daddy to mommy! Oh boy that was fun and won't be happening again!
The following weekend we headed to Bear Creek, AL for a family reunion! I must admit that Friday I was not looking forward to heading out of town again but once we got there it was a great weekend! Something about being there is just very relaxing, life slows down and we get to really enjoy family time without any interruptions! We spent time with the Poe family and with some of the Turner family but my most favorite part is spending time with Pawpaw! I love watching Daniel and him interact, cut up and goof off together! They stayed up together watching the Bama game while Isaiah and I conked out! It was a great weekend and I felt really refreshed when we got home! I did forget my camera so no pictures!
Our next few weekends we are taking pictures for friends, going to the apple orchards and come November we are running our half and full marathon! Hubs is running the full...I'm not that dedicated!
Happy Fall!!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Adoption Update
I've been asked by many how the adoption process is going for baby #2! Well...there isn't much to update on! We have filled out endless amounts of paperwork for adoption grants and matching grants and are waiting to hear from them. We need to get our finger prints updated, physicals updated, get one for Isaiah, update our homestudy in December and I know there is more I am forgetting. We don't know the gender of baby #2 and I'm honestly not sure if we will until baby is born. We have been brainstorming and talking about other ways to raise adoption funds other than relying solely on grants because let's face it...they only have so much money to give and SO many families applying for them! So we have decided to use some of the talents we have been blessed with to build our adoption fund!
Daniel and I both enjoy projects...you should see the list for our house! So we are featuring a Shop with some goodies made custom by us :) and some Photo Sessions taken custom by us :) to help raise funds for our adoption! Some of the items featured are custom built wood ledges, paintings and my personal favorites...Tutu's!! If baby #2 is a girl you will most likely see her dressed in tutu's and hairbows at all occasions! Photo sessions are for families, littles ones and ones with little ones in the tummy! Check out our pages and let us know if you see something you like! You can email me at poe.heather@yahoo.com with any questions!!
As we proceed through this process we will keep you posted on baby #2!! We ask that you continue to pray for us on this journey and for Isaiah and his siblings birth parents as they face this decision again. We are so thankful to them that they have chosen life for our children and that the Lord is using them to build our family!
Daniel and I both enjoy projects...you should see the list for our house! So we are featuring a Shop with some goodies made custom by us :) and some Photo Sessions taken custom by us :) to help raise funds for our adoption! Some of the items featured are custom built wood ledges, paintings and my personal favorites...Tutu's!! If baby #2 is a girl you will most likely see her dressed in tutu's and hairbows at all occasions! Photo sessions are for families, littles ones and ones with little ones in the tummy! Check out our pages and let us know if you see something you like! You can email me at poe.heather@yahoo.com with any questions!!
As we proceed through this process we will keep you posted on baby #2!! We ask that you continue to pray for us on this journey and for Isaiah and his siblings birth parents as they face this decision again. We are so thankful to them that they have chosen life for our children and that the Lord is using them to build our family!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Thankful Thursday
G-maw and I took my little man to his first Brave's game yesterday! He had a blast people watching, dancing to the music and taking in all the sights around him!
I'm thankful the Lord has entrusted Daniel and I with the life of this precious child during our time here on earth! Praying that his little life is nothing but a reflection of the Lord!
I'm thankful for the joy has brought to our lives through his love, his smiles, his impatience, his giggles, his hugs. He is a constant reminder of the Lord's unfailing love and faithfulness.
I'm am thankful that he has been blessed with grandparent's who make it priority to show him the love of the Christ through their lives, want him to spend the night every night with them, who try to steal him every chance they get, who show him off to anyone and everyone they see, who love him more than word's will ever describe. He will never be short on love.
I am thankful for my little man! Thank you Lord for this little boy!
First Braves game - September 14, 2011
I'm thankful the Lord has entrusted Daniel and I with the life of this precious child during our time here on earth! Praying that his little life is nothing but a reflection of the Lord!
I'm thankful for the joy has brought to our lives through his love, his smiles, his impatience, his giggles, his hugs. He is a constant reminder of the Lord's unfailing love and faithfulness.
I'm am thankful that he has been blessed with grandparent's who make it priority to show him the love of the Christ through their lives, want him to spend the night every night with them, who try to steal him every chance they get, who show him off to anyone and everyone they see, who love him more than word's will ever describe. He will never be short on love.
I am thankful for my little man! Thank you Lord for this little boy!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Photo Challenge: Remember
This photo is for the Paper Mama's Photo Challenge: Remember - a moment you always want to remember
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This is the photo I decided to use! Our first family vacation which included Isaiah's adoption finalization and his first beach trip!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Rockstar Hubby
My hubby is a rockstar! I asked him to build this PB shelf for me since the $400 price tag on the legit PB one is umm...WAY out of my budget!
So here is the Pottery Barn ledge
AND here is our ledge!
So here is the Pottery Barn ledge
AND here is our ledge!
Now, I chose not to distress our's as much as the PB one but that can be changed later if I choose to!! Didn't my hubby do an awesome job!! I'm so proud of him!! He has an incredible talent!! He is willing to remake if anyone is interested in purchasing one!!
furry little friend
So yes, I am writing a post about my furry little friend. I can't help it! I miss him! His name was Tarzan...I called him Tar Tar. He was my little buddy. He wasn't the smartest dog, he was stubborn but he was adorable! I had Tarzan for six short years. Before I got married he slept with me every night. He curled up under the covers at my feet and stayed until morning. When I got married, we got a boxer. Tarzan hated...I mean literally hated Paisley when we first brought her home. Paisley chased him around everywhere trying to get Tarzan to play. Eventually they became best friends. They snuggled together every night. Tarzan's favorite activity was fetching golf balls...in fact they are still all over our front and back yard. He also had a habit of sneaking out every time we opened the door. He never came when we called him unless we offered up a cookie. He did whatever he wanted but boy did we love this little dog! Isaiah had just started discovering him, he would smile every time he saw him. So cute!
We sure are missing our little Tarzan, especially Paisley! Here are a few pictures of his cuteness!
We sure are missing our little Tarzan, especially Paisley! Here are a few pictures of his cuteness!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Wilderness
There are and will be many times in our lives when we feel like we are in the wilderness. We feel lost and confused and unsure of what God is trying to teach us. Daniel and I both have felt like we have had wilderness experiences over the past year from losing our baby to being unsure of how to financially fund our adoption and so forth. Deuteronomy 8:2-6 talks about how God led the Israelites through the desert for 40 years, supplying them with food, not allowing their clothes to wear down and feet to swell. He provided for them, he was with them and he took care of them. If you haven't experienced the wilderness yet then you will...it's inevitable. You can't run from you, you can't hide, you have to embrace it. Every moment of it and open your hearts to what the Lord is trying to teach you during it. God never promised being a Christian was easy but He does promise to never leave us. Next time you walk through the wilderness remember that you are not alone. The Lord your God is there with you.
Hosea 2:14 Therefore I am going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her
Hosea 2:14 Therefore I am going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
3 years
Five years ago on August 29 I was getting ready, frantically trying to pick out an outfit, making sure my hair and make-up were perfect and pacing back and forth as I waited for the arrival of my date! For a moment I thought I had been stood up...my date was late but I soon learned that would never change! He is always late! :) He came to the door and he was wearing it...that belt...that Alabama belt buckle! Oh boy! With I might add a red lacoste polo, seer sucker shorts and loafers...what a combination but that's my husband! That night, in his unconventional Daniel Poe fashion, he swept me off my feet and stole my heart!
Five years later I love him now more than ever. He is the best husband I could have ever dreamed of! He loves the Lord above everything else this world could offer. He is a man of character and honor. He is patient, kind, understanding. He loves our son with everything in him. He is committed to raising our children to know the Lord and praying for their salvation daily. He treats me with the utmost respect and makes me feel like a princess! He values his family and the time we spend together. The Lord has blessed me beyond words being married to my best friend! I can't wait for many many more years with him!
Five years later I love him now more than ever. He is the best husband I could have ever dreamed of! He loves the Lord above everything else this world could offer. He is a man of character and honor. He is patient, kind, understanding. He loves our son with everything in him. He is committed to raising our children to know the Lord and praying for their salvation daily. He treats me with the utmost respect and makes me feel like a princess! He values his family and the time we spend together. The Lord has blessed me beyond words being married to my best friend! I can't wait for many many more years with him!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
6 and 7 Months
Oops! I am a little behind on these post!! So we will just do them together since September 9 he will be 8 months!! Since our last post we finalized Isaiah's adoption! He has his official birth certificate with Poe on it!! Praise the Lord for our precious little gift!!
Month 6:
Weight and Height: 13lbs 13oz and around 26 1/2ish!
Eating Habits: He has cut back on the bottles he takes and he eats veggies, fruits and some rice a couple servings a day! So far he has had peas, carrots, green beans, avocado, bananas, apples, pears, butternut squash, mango, broccoli and sweet potatoes. He is not a fan of sweet potatoes!
Sleeping: He is sleeping through the night and sleeping later in the mornings. He was getting us at 6:30am but is now sleeping until about 7:15am.
Pacy or Thumb: The boy loves his paci. He sticks his thumb through the hole in the middle sometimes while he is sleeping.
Clothes: We are officially in 6-9 month clothes! He is growing up!
Favorite Activities: He loves his stroller, being outside, bike rides and now he sits in the floor and plays with a basket full of toys. He likes the toys that make music and he rocks back and forth to them. He never became a fan of the Johnny Jumper!
Baby First: He starteddancing rocking back and forth to music and he grins while he is!
Month 7:
Weight and Height: About 14lbs 5oz according to the scale at G-maw's house and around 26 3/4in. Hard to tell with a squirmy baby!!
Eating Habits: He has around 3 to 5 bottles a day and mushy food 2 to 3 times a day! He is banana lover! He will eat an entire banana at a time! Working on the sippy cup skills! Most of the water ends up on his clothes.
Sleeping: He is sleeping through the night and sleeping later in the mornings. He gets up between 7:15am and sometimes as late as 9:00am.
Pacy or Thumb: The boy loves his paci. He sticks his thumb through the hole in the middle sometimes while he is sleeping.
Clothes: Growing out of his 6 month clothes and wearing 9 to 12 months!
Favorite Activities: He loves his stroller, being outside, bike rides and now he sits in the floor and plays with a basket full of toys. He likes the toys that make music and he rocks back and forth to them. He never became a fan of the Johnny Jumper!
Baby First: He claps now! Whenever his music plays he starts clapping or when he does something he is proud of! It is so adorable!
Month 6:
Weight and Height: 13lbs 13oz and around 26 1/2ish!
Eating Habits: He has cut back on the bottles he takes and he eats veggies, fruits and some rice a couple servings a day! So far he has had peas, carrots, green beans, avocado, bananas, apples, pears, butternut squash, mango, broccoli and sweet potatoes. He is not a fan of sweet potatoes!
Sleeping: He is sleeping through the night and sleeping later in the mornings. He was getting us at 6:30am but is now sleeping until about 7:15am.
Pacy or Thumb: The boy loves his paci. He sticks his thumb through the hole in the middle sometimes while he is sleeping.
Clothes: We are officially in 6-9 month clothes! He is growing up!
Favorite Activities: He loves his stroller, being outside, bike rides and now he sits in the floor and plays with a basket full of toys. He likes the toys that make music and he rocks back and forth to them. He never became a fan of the Johnny Jumper!
Baby First: He started
Month 7:
Weight and Height: About 14lbs 5oz according to the scale at G-maw's house and around 26 3/4in. Hard to tell with a squirmy baby!!
Eating Habits: He has around 3 to 5 bottles a day and mushy food 2 to 3 times a day! He is banana lover! He will eat an entire banana at a time! Working on the sippy cup skills! Most of the water ends up on his clothes.
Sleeping: He is sleeping through the night and sleeping later in the mornings. He gets up between 7:15am and sometimes as late as 9:00am.
Pacy or Thumb: The boy loves his paci. He sticks his thumb through the hole in the middle sometimes while he is sleeping.
Clothes: Growing out of his 6 month clothes and wearing 9 to 12 months!
Favorite Activities: He loves his stroller, being outside, bike rides and now he sits in the floor and plays with a basket full of toys. He likes the toys that make music and he rocks back and forth to them. He never became a fan of the Johnny Jumper!
Baby First: He claps now! Whenever his music plays he starts clapping or when he does something he is proud of! It is so adorable!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Oh Baby
Just when we thought life settled into some normalcy we got a call. A call that made us stop in our tracks and wonder which step was next. What should we do, what do we think, is this the right move for our family, are we ready for this and so forth. At first we thought no way, we can't, we aren't ready but then we were reminded it's not about us...it doesn't matter if we are ready, if we can handle it. If this is what we should do then the Lord will work out all the what if's and how to's and what next's.
The call was from our agency. The agency we adopted Isaiah through. Isaiah's birth mom is pregnant. She is about 3 months or so which would put our kiddo's about 10 months apart! Yes, I said our kiddos, plural. If the Lord wills it then in February we will be adopting again...this will be Isaiah's biological sibling.
There are many obstacles standing in our way. We will never have enough money in the bank, enough time for it all, all the right answers, etc but we want to give this child a life full of love, family and a Savior. We want Isaiah to grow up with his biological sibling. We want this child to be our child. We are praying for many many things through our next adoption journey and the Lord's hand to be present every step of the way. We can't do this but the Lord can. He can provide a way, the means to make it possible and remove every obstacle standing between us and our child. We are trusting that He will.
We would love your prayers as we journey through this next adoption!
The call was from our agency. The agency we adopted Isaiah through. Isaiah's birth mom is pregnant. She is about 3 months or so which would put our kiddo's about 10 months apart! Yes, I said our kiddos, plural. If the Lord wills it then in February we will be adopting again...this will be Isaiah's biological sibling.
There are many obstacles standing in our way. We will never have enough money in the bank, enough time for it all, all the right answers, etc but we want to give this child a life full of love, family and a Savior. We want Isaiah to grow up with his biological sibling. We want this child to be our child. We are praying for many many things through our next adoption journey and the Lord's hand to be present every step of the way. We can't do this but the Lord can. He can provide a way, the means to make it possible and remove every obstacle standing between us and our child. We are trusting that He will.
We would love your prayers as we journey through this next adoption!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Clapper
Isaiah has recently learned how to clap! I just started noticing him randomly doing this and now when his music plays he starts clapping to it! Love our little monkey!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Belly Swimmer
Isaiah has been attempting to crawl for over a month now. It started with pulling his knees up while on his belly however he hates being on his belly. Then he decided to forget it and just roll over every time I tried to put him on his belly! Now he is flipping himself onto his belly and swimming...legs and arms go up and he starts kicking! He will be sure to get it soon! I am enjoying the last little bit of time I have before he becomes mobile and is all over the house and into everything!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Sounds of a baby
Oh the joy that a child brings to the family! The giggles, the coo's, the smiles, the tears. Each and every part of Isaiah's little life have brought even more joy to the Poe House! We adore our little son!
Available
Being available when the Lord calls upon us to be available it is often very difficult. It's usually not "our" timing, "we" aren't ready, it doesn't work into "our" schedule and so on! When Daniel and I started the adoption process with Isaiah we kept telling the Lord we were available and we wanted Him to use us...however that may look, feel, be, etc. Many moments have come along since then when the Lord has tapped us on the shoulder and said, "Remember when you told me you were available? Well...now it's time to show me!" Oh boy...can that be tough. We are feeling that tap again and aren't sure how it's going to play out at this moment....but praying for wisdom and clear understanding of the Lord's desire for our lives! We both feel like the Lord has kept us on our toes ready to spring into action since March of last year. When life seems to settle back to some sort of "normalcy" whatever that may look like is when things tend to get flipped upside down again. It can seem overwhelming at times and a bit stressful :) because I have no control and sometimes I dig my feet into the ground and try not budge...but that never seems to work! Obviously because it's not my plans...it's the Lord's plans that will prevail and to be honest...I like it much better that way! So now we are trying in our pitiful human attempts to be faithful, trusting that the Lord will remove all obstacles, jumping both feet in and awaiting the outcome!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Cheater Cheater
We had some friends over for dinner last night and after we ate the boys got to chatting about different pastors, sermons and podcast while the girls played with Isaiah and talked about girly things.
I did overhear them discussing Andy Stanley and how much they both enjoy his sermons so I decided this morning at the gym to listen to ole' Andy. I only have two of his sermon's on my device so I just clicked on the first one. I don't listen to podcast often because I have to be doing something to really pay attention (ie) driving on a trip, working out, walking, etc.
The message was entitled Choosing to Cheat and the main driving point was what do we choose to cheat on. It could be your family, the job, the kids, exercise, etc. I'm sure if you are like me you have said more than once "there just isn't enough hours in a day". Right?! I know I have....but there would never be enough because we are always busy with something or someone. Andy began talking about how we often cheat our family of our time because work needs us more or our kids because there is a meal to cook and a house to clean. Our thoughts usually are that our family is understanding, the wife gets I must work these long hours, the kids know that I have to clean instead of play, I need to workout instead of spending family time, or whatever your's may be. Mine tends to be cheating Isaiah of play time because I need to clean the house before Daniel comes home and dinner needs to be done or almost done. Learning to balance this can be tough! Daniel never sat me down and said these things MUST be done or I'm a terrible wife...it's just innate in my being as a woman, a wife and a mother that those things take precedence over playtime because if they aren't then I have failed. I also struggle with cheating God of time because there seems to always be something else to do. Andy made a point that no matter what we have to let someone down in some area because there simply isn't enough time.
So my goal is to make more time for playtime with my buddy and get to the house during nap time! To make my devotion priority and shut my eyes to the clutter, the to-do list running wild in my head and close my ears to the world happening around me. Be still, listen and discover more about my Savior. He has taught me so much over the past year but sometimes I can quickly forget those lesson's!
I did overhear them discussing Andy Stanley and how much they both enjoy his sermons so I decided this morning at the gym to listen to ole' Andy. I only have two of his sermon's on my device so I just clicked on the first one. I don't listen to podcast often because I have to be doing something to really pay attention (ie) driving on a trip, working out, walking, etc.
The message was entitled Choosing to Cheat and the main driving point was what do we choose to cheat on. It could be your family, the job, the kids, exercise, etc. I'm sure if you are like me you have said more than once "there just isn't enough hours in a day". Right?! I know I have....but there would never be enough because we are always busy with something or someone. Andy began talking about how we often cheat our family of our time because work needs us more or our kids because there is a meal to cook and a house to clean. Our thoughts usually are that our family is understanding, the wife gets I must work these long hours, the kids know that I have to clean instead of play, I need to workout instead of spending family time, or whatever your's may be. Mine tends to be cheating Isaiah of play time because I need to clean the house before Daniel comes home and dinner needs to be done or almost done. Learning to balance this can be tough! Daniel never sat me down and said these things MUST be done or I'm a terrible wife...it's just innate in my being as a woman, a wife and a mother that those things take precedence over playtime because if they aren't then I have failed. I also struggle with cheating God of time because there seems to always be something else to do. Andy made a point that no matter what we have to let someone down in some area because there simply isn't enough time.
So my goal is to make more time for playtime with my buddy and get to the house during nap time! To make my devotion priority and shut my eyes to the clutter, the to-do list running wild in my head and close my ears to the world happening around me. Be still, listen and discover more about my Savior. He has taught me so much over the past year but sometimes I can quickly forget those lesson's!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Home Improvements
Daniel and I have been in our home together for almost 3 years now which also means we have been married almost 3 years! Yipee! We have been working on the house since he bought it back in November 2007! Everytime we cross one thing off the list we add something else in it's place! Currently I am re-doing our living room! We painted the kitchen and the living room the same color when we were renovating for economical purposes! Cheaper to buy a huge bucket of paint :) but not necessarily the most fun!
While on vacation I was flipping through Southern Living and Country Living and I was noticing the theme of white...I like white so I went with it. I painted to living room a creamy white...it doesn't have a paint name because we scored a $5 bucket of paint in the clearance at Lowes! I already had sage, light turquoise pillows so those were my colors. Plus I saw it in Country Living and adored it! I have carefully decided what I wanted on each wall and each spot so I didn't make mistakes or get ahead of myself. I finished my picture wall and thankfully had 99% of the frames. I got a few from the thrift store to complete the look. Hubs is also building me a pottery barn shelf that I tore out of their magazine a while ago! It retails for close to $400...not exactly what I had in mind....scrap wood for the project works great for me because that means free!!
Here is some of my inspirational finds:
While on vacation I was flipping through Southern Living and Country Living and I was noticing the theme of white...I like white so I went with it. I painted to living room a creamy white...it doesn't have a paint name because we scored a $5 bucket of paint in the clearance at Lowes! I already had sage, light turquoise pillows so those were my colors. Plus I saw it in Country Living and adored it! I have carefully decided what I wanted on each wall and each spot so I didn't make mistakes or get ahead of myself. I finished my picture wall and thankfully had 99% of the frames. I got a few from the thrift store to complete the look. Hubs is also building me a pottery barn shelf that I tore out of their magazine a while ago! It retails for close to $400...not exactly what I had in mind....scrap wood for the project works great for me because that means free!!
Here is some of my inspirational finds:
From Sarah Richardson's (HGTV) Cottage courtesy of Country Living
Picture wall - Love the different frames and pictures all together
PB Shelf hubs is building for me! Can't wait until it's finished!
Once my room is done I will put some update pictures!! Happy Decorating!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Orphans
According to the dictionary the definition of the word Orphan is this:
Orphan (n): a child deprived by death of one or usually both parents; one deprived of some protection or advantage
I've had the privilege of spending some time with three precious children who have the status of orphan (but prayerfully not for long)! No one really knows their story other than a few bits and pieces. No one knows the exact reason why they are orphans, their exact birthdays, their medical history, etc. A child doesn't necessarily become an orphan because their parent's have passed away. Sometimes they become an orphan because their parent's have no money to take care of them or because they don't want to take care of them and for many other possible reasons but the fact still remains that they are indeed orphans just like at one point we (as believers) were orphans.
There are approximately 132 million orphans world wide and 95% of them are over the age of 5 years old. It used to be when I thought of an orphan I always thought of them being light years away. It was out of sight and basically out of mind. Every now and again I would hear of orphans and be sad but quickly move on with life as usual. In all reality I never knew of an orphan or so I thought. We don't use that term per say here in the US. We use words like foster child but in other countries they have orphanages for the orphans but in all reality they are the same thing. They are children who don't have parent's to love on them, kiss them, hug them when they cry, teach them about life and tell them of their worth!
I listened to a sermon called Adopted for Life by Dr. Russell Moore. The sermon was based out of Romans 8:12-17: 12So then, brothers,[a] we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons[b] of God. 15For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry,"Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Orphan (n): a child deprived by death of one or usually both parents; one deprived of some protection or advantage
I've had the privilege of spending some time with three precious children who have the status of orphan (but prayerfully not for long)! No one really knows their story other than a few bits and pieces. No one knows the exact reason why they are orphans, their exact birthdays, their medical history, etc. A child doesn't necessarily become an orphan because their parent's have passed away. Sometimes they become an orphan because their parent's have no money to take care of them or because they don't want to take care of them and for many other possible reasons but the fact still remains that they are indeed orphans just like at one point we (as believers) were orphans.
There are approximately 132 million orphans world wide and 95% of them are over the age of 5 years old. It used to be when I thought of an orphan I always thought of them being light years away. It was out of sight and basically out of mind. Every now and again I would hear of orphans and be sad but quickly move on with life as usual. In all reality I never knew of an orphan or so I thought. We don't use that term per say here in the US. We use words like foster child but in other countries they have orphanages for the orphans but in all reality they are the same thing. They are children who don't have parent's to love on them, kiss them, hug them when they cry, teach them about life and tell them of their worth!
I listened to a sermon called Adopted for Life by Dr. Russell Moore. The sermon was based out of Romans 8:12-17: 12So then, brothers,[a] we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons[b] of God. 15For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry,"Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
He talks about the orphanage in which he adopted two of his sons. He talks about the eerie silence upon entering the orphanage. Babies (if you have/had one you know this) cry out because they want something; they want to be held, they are hungry, they need a diaper change, etc. but after a while (could be a long while for some) they stop if no one comes to their aid. They learn to comfort themselves. Many of us never had to learn this technique of soothing. We have a mom and dad that ran to our side the moment we made a sound. They came to wrap us up in their arms and tell us it's all ok. I do this often with Isaiah. He is relentless when it comes to crying it out...he won't have it. He will work himself into such a frenzy that I can't take it, I have to go get him. I pick him up, I wrap him tightly in my arms and I tell him that it's ok because momma is here now. I whisper over and over that I am here until he calms down and eventually falls asleep snuggled in my arms. Orphans don't get this luxury but as Believers in Christ we do this very same thing. As stated in Romans we cry out Abba! Father! because the spirit of Christ is crying out through us and we scream out because we know we will be heard and we do so because of our adoption through Christ.
As believers we have become adopted through Christ. We have become His children. He loves us, he comforts us and he never leaves us. I often hear people say or comment to adoptive parent's, "Good for you" or "Those children are so lucky to be with you" and one thing rings the same in every comment and that is "you"...like we as adoptive parent's have done this noble act worthy of praise. I have to say in the beginning I thought part of my responsibility was to rescue these children but I too missed the boat on this one. In Dr. Moore's sermon he says this...and I may not quote it exactly but you get the jist. He say's, "Adoption is not a charity, a program or another initiative; we (believers) care for orphans because we were orphaned, we love the fatherless because we were fatherless and we care about adoption because we were adopted." This should be our motivation behind adoption.
The moment you become/became a believer in Christ you were adopted. We are now His children, we have a Father, we are no longer orphans. Many people often say, "I'm not called to that" whether it's to adopt, to be a full-time missionary or whatever it is that stretches us beyond our comforts and forces us to fully rely on Christ. I have to ask myself and others when we say this as believers....are we really believers, do we get it, have we missed the boat or are we just that selfish? We are clearly called to certain task once we become fellow heirs with Christ but often (including me) we run from these things because they aren't what we envisioned for our lives, they stretch us, scare us and make us rely solely and dependently on Christ and Him alone.
But here's the deal...we weren't promised when we became believers that life would all of sudden become easy. I hear the words "I'm blessed" used to the point that it has no true meaning anymore. We respond like robots when someone ask us how life is..."I'm blessed." Well great but what do you mean by that. Do you mean you are blessed because you are no longer an orphan or because you lost your job or your child or your home? I can tell you honestly when we lost our first child I didn't walk around saying "I'm blessed" because I had the wrong idea of what being blessed really meant! Being a Christian didn't mean I was no longer going to suffer but instead it means the Spirit prompts us to see and recognize our own dependence and desperation and to cry out and scream out knowing we will be heard (Dr. Russel Moore).
We are here because God pursued us, he went looking for us and he found us. We have been given a new identity in Christ as children and fellow heirs with Christ. Because of this we should be the first people above anyone else that welcomes fatherless children into our homes, to allow them to know a real love for the first time in their lives, to allow them to know their worth as a child, to bring them to the foot of the cross and allow them to find a new life in and through our Savior.
I encourage you to listen to the sermon Adopted for Life by Dr. Russell Moore. Here is a link to it: http://sermons.summitrdu.com/sermons/?sermon_id=84 - it helped reshape my whole idea on adoption and our call as believers to care for the orphans.
James 1:27Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Vacation, Finalization and Half Birthday
Daniel, Isaiah and I set off to Florida right after we ran the Peachtree! We stopped at my cousins house to clean up so we wouldn't stink the entire trip! Vacation was awesome! First we made a pit stop in Leesburg to visit our dear friends Alicyn and Jonathan Holiday! We had a wonderful time visiting with them and always do! I wish we lived closer!
Then Tuesday evening we drove down to Clearwater where our little man was born and stayed with some other friends Sam and Brittany and their newest adorable addition Ryen! She was just beautiful!
The morning arrived and it was time to make Isaiah legally our SON!!! Praise the Lord! We were so excited about this moment! Neither of us have ever been in a court room so we didn't know what to expect! I was exceptionally nervous because I had to utter a few words in front of a judge, court reporter, attorney, etc. Yikes! Thankfully Isaiah came to my rescue and squealed the entire few minutes I had to talk...I'm not even sure what the court reporter wrote down other than....ahhh...lalala...and giggles from the judge, attorney and herself! Here is how it all went down. We met the attorney at 8:15am, went over the questions he would be asking us, we gave our answers for practice, went into the court room, he asked the questions and then they ordered the finalization! That's it...it was over and done! Then the judge gave Isaiah a CareBear with his name on it, took a picture with us and Isaiah tried to rip off her necklace and yanked on her robe. She kept a picture of him for her adoption wall! It was such an exciting moment to hear them all officially call us mom and dad!!
Then Tuesday evening we drove down to Clearwater where our little man was born and stayed with some other friends Sam and Brittany and their newest adorable addition Ryen! She was just beautiful!
The morning arrived and it was time to make Isaiah legally our SON!!! Praise the Lord! We were so excited about this moment! Neither of us have ever been in a court room so we didn't know what to expect! I was exceptionally nervous because I had to utter a few words in front of a judge, court reporter, attorney, etc. Yikes! Thankfully Isaiah came to my rescue and squealed the entire few minutes I had to talk...I'm not even sure what the court reporter wrote down other than....ahhh...lalala...and giggles from the judge, attorney and herself! Here is how it all went down. We met the attorney at 8:15am, went over the questions he would be asking us, we gave our answers for practice, went into the court room, he asked the questions and then they ordered the finalization! That's it...it was over and done! Then the judge gave Isaiah a CareBear with his name on it, took a picture with us and Isaiah tried to rip off her necklace and yanked on her robe. She kept a picture of him for her adoption wall! It was such an exciting moment to hear them all officially call us mom and dad!!
Our Family with the Judge!!
Isaiah making friends
and grabbing hold of her robe
After our finalization we went to the beach in Clearwater with Sam, Brittany and Ryen for the day. Then that evening we took off again to Port Charlotte and finished out our vacation at my grandparent's house! We had a wonderful time! They turn the cable and internet off while they are home in GA so I spent tons of time reading through Southern Living and hanging out with my boys! We thrift store shopped one day while it was raining and found some fun little treasures including Pretty Woman for $.50 for the VCR! One of my favorites! The last two days we hit the beach at Gasparilla Island! Isaiah loved the water but slept most of the day! More pictures of that to come!
Lastly, while we were there our little man turned 6 months old!! I will do a post on that soon with all the changes he has made! I love watching him grow and discover the world around him!
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