Up till now, I been hurry up and waiting......
That's how I feel about it anyway! We have our orientation this Friday!! I am SO looking forward to going to this thing. I am not sure exactly what it will be about, but it is an all day thing. I have a funny feeling some of the stuff they cover will be an eye opener for DH. I have done so much reading and educating myself on the adoption process, I don't think I will be very surprised.
I took Chey to meet her dad in Northern, KY this weekend. That is the 1/2 way point between my house and his house in Michigan. She was excited to see him, but she has a hard time being away from home. She is such a little homebody, and I love it! She likes her space, her things, her bed, etc. Even when she goes to stay overnight at a friends house, she is calling me early the next morning to see when I will be coming to pick her up. She text me several times a day and also calls me. She is a Mama's girl, no doubt about it. I struggle watching her growing up and being more and more independent. My heart swells with such pride at the young lady she is becoming. But then it hurts too because I never want her to leave me.
DH and I worked on moving some new furniture into our bedroom this weekend, and moving the old stuff out. I am already feeling the urge to start getting ready for the homestudy. I feel several lists coming on....! I get my list making skills from my mama. We make lists for our lists...lol...My DH is gonna probably flip out when he sees the lists I am going to make. Right now, they are just kind of rambling around in my head, but they will be in black and white soon enough! Oh Joy!! :)
I have been continuing to pray for birthmothers. It is so near and dear to my heart that sometimes I think about them and I just get all teary eyed. There are many things about this adoption that I am not sure of. But the one thing I am positive of is that I want an open adoption. DH says he doesn't mind, but I think he is a little nervous about it. I have joined an adoption forum website, and the forums about birthparents makes me realize how strong of a bond adoptive parents have with them. The adoptive parents on this website are SO protective of their children's birthparents. The birth mom especially! I look forward to having that bond one day!
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Tuesday
Friday
This is my Mama....
The Virtuous Wife
10 Who[b] can find a virtuous[c] wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
Wednesday
Working on our Service Plan
I am feeling pretty excited today....Our reference letters have all gone out for personal and employment.
I am anxiously awaiting the Orientation next week. I think once we finish that I will really feel like we are moving forward on a more consistent basis.
We started working on our service plan this week, which is basically a questionarre to help us start thinking about what we do/do not want in a child/birthparents. I am finding that my husband and I are having a little trouble navigating these difficult discussions. We have been able to mediate our ownarguments discussions by listening to what the other person has to say and not discrediting the value of their input. The problem is that I am extremely passionate and quick to my feet when it comes time for decisions. I lead with my heart and run full steam ahead into things that I am passionate about. My darling Roger?....He needs more passion......
*Sigh*
I have so much love and respect for my husband. He is logical, loving and firm. He does not make decisions without careful consideration. His voice of reason is an important part of my decision making.
I do appreciate his insight, and I will continue to pray that God will have his way through out this entire process. What we have is a partnership and we have to be united on our decisions for this adoption.
They are BIG ones.
I am anxiously awaiting the Orientation next week. I think once we finish that I will really feel like we are moving forward on a more consistent basis.
We started working on our service plan this week, which is basically a questionarre to help us start thinking about what we do/do not want in a child/birthparents. I am finding that my husband and I are having a little trouble navigating these difficult discussions. We have been able to mediate our own
*Sigh*
I have so much love and respect for my husband. He is logical, loving and firm. He does not make decisions without careful consideration. His voice of reason is an important part of my decision making.
I do appreciate his insight, and I will continue to pray that God will have his way through out this entire process. What we have is a partnership and we have to be united on our decisions for this adoption.
They are BIG ones.
Thursday
Waiting and waiting some more
I hate WAITING! Roger told me last night, "You can be SO impatient sometimes!" And I know this. For the most part, I am patient, however, right now.......not so much. I want to go to the orientation and start the homestudy so that we can get on the waiting list. 2 weeks and 1 day, thats how long until we have the orientation. It seems like forever....!!! I remember being 13 years old and thinking about how I would be 30 years old in 17 years. THAT seemed like FOREVER. Unfortunately that was not the case....30 came and went pretty quickly. I know that this time shall pass quickly as well.....I just wish it would hurry UP!
We have so much excitement in our house right now. We are talking about baby names, what if it's a boy, what if it's a girl.....Good stuff. We just can't wait to have that precious baby in our arms.
We have told most people in our families now. Roger's dad and mom were so excited! My mother in law said....how long before you have a baby. I was explaining to her that the wait AFTER approval was apx 18 months to 4 years. She said,"We can't wait that long, I'll be old!" Bless her heart, she so excited to be a grandma again. It feels so amazing to be surrounded by the loving family that we have, and to know that they support us.
We are abundantly blessed and highly favored!!
“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26
We have so much excitement in our house right now. We are talking about baby names, what if it's a boy, what if it's a girl.....Good stuff. We just can't wait to have that precious baby in our arms.
We have told most people in our families now. Roger's dad and mom were so excited! My mother in law said....how long before you have a baby. I was explaining to her that the wait AFTER approval was apx 18 months to 4 years. She said,"We can't wait that long, I'll be old!" Bless her heart, she so excited to be a grandma again. It feels so amazing to be surrounded by the loving family that we have, and to know that they support us.
We are abundantly blessed and highly favored!!
“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26
Wednesday
This is IT!!
While waiting for the formal application to be approved, I was nervous and anxious. My dad asked me, "If your application is rejected, would that kill you?" I said, , "Well no...." and he reminded me of this story..........
When I found out I was pregnant with Cheyenne, I was in the middle of Chemo for Lymphoma. I was literally, just finishing up my 6th cycle, and I needed to have 12. The morning I found out I was devastated, the doctors where telling me there was NO WAY that this baby could be normal, and even if I didn't abort, my body would more than likely reject the pregnancy anyway. I finally told them they needed to leave, and I just prayed. I remember putting my hands on my still flat belly ( I was only 3-4 weeks along) and praying to God. Please let this baby live and please give me the peace that only you can give me.....and there it was. It was all still in that moment and I knew that she would be OK.
I had peace, but because of the cancer, the rest of the family was terrified. I had already decided to stop chemo and continue with my pregnancy. Daddy came to the hospital that afternoon and he was worried and scared. He asked me, "What if having this baby kills you?" Without hesitation, my response was, "Then I die." Daddy said it hurt him to hear me say that because I was his baby, and he didn't want to lose me anymore than I wanted to lose my baby. But my faith at that moment in God showed, and I was rewarded with a beautiful, PERFECT baby girl.
So was being rejected going to kill me....No! And I was not going to be rejected!
This whole process is such an emotional roller coaster. It is a daily struggle for me because I like to be in control. I am reminded quite frequently that I am not the one in control. I find myself apologizing to God on a daily basis for my lack of faith at times.
So....Yesterday we got the WONDERFUL news that our formal application had been approved!!! I was so nervous, I could not even call the agency. Roger came home and he was like, "Well, I am calling!" He was nervous and excited too, and he just couldn't wait! He talk to Ms. "C" and she said we are approved! This means that they will begin our criminal background checks and contacting our references. We will also be formally invited to orientation on February 3. It is an all day thing, and the following Tuesday we will start classes. We are over the moon, and so excited that our journey is really beginning now. We still have quite a ways to go, but as we follow God's plan for us, we have faith that it will only get better.
5 I called on the LORD in distress; The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:5-6
When I found out I was pregnant with Cheyenne, I was in the middle of Chemo for Lymphoma. I was literally, just finishing up my 6th cycle, and I needed to have 12. The morning I found out I was devastated, the doctors where telling me there was NO WAY that this baby could be normal, and even if I didn't abort, my body would more than likely reject the pregnancy anyway. I finally told them they needed to leave, and I just prayed. I remember putting my hands on my still flat belly ( I was only 3-4 weeks along) and praying to God. Please let this baby live and please give me the peace that only you can give me.....and there it was. It was all still in that moment and I knew that she would be OK.
I had peace, but because of the cancer, the rest of the family was terrified. I had already decided to stop chemo and continue with my pregnancy. Daddy came to the hospital that afternoon and he was worried and scared. He asked me, "What if having this baby kills you?" Without hesitation, my response was, "Then I die." Daddy said it hurt him to hear me say that because I was his baby, and he didn't want to lose me anymore than I wanted to lose my baby. But my faith at that moment in God showed, and I was rewarded with a beautiful, PERFECT baby girl.
So was being rejected going to kill me....No! And I was not going to be rejected!
This whole process is such an emotional roller coaster. It is a daily struggle for me because I like to be in control. I am reminded quite frequently that I am not the one in control. I find myself apologizing to God on a daily basis for my lack of faith at times.
So....Yesterday we got the WONDERFUL news that our formal application had been approved!!! I was so nervous, I could not even call the agency. Roger came home and he was like, "Well, I am calling!" He was nervous and excited too, and he just couldn't wait! He talk to Ms. "C" and she said we are approved! This means that they will begin our criminal background checks and contacting our references. We will also be formally invited to orientation on February 3. It is an all day thing, and the following Tuesday we will start classes. We are over the moon, and so excited that our journey is really beginning now. We still have quite a ways to go, but as we follow God's plan for us, we have faith that it will only get better.
5 I called on the LORD in distress; The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:5-6
Friday
Happy New Year!
Well, the new year is upon us and I am very excited to see what this year will bring us! We received approval on our initial application in December...YAY!!! Praise the Lord! We were confident we would be approved, it was just the waiting that was hard. However, keeping busy helped us not dwell on what we were waiting for!
We celebrated Chey's 13th birthday and she had a good time. We had cake and ice cream with her friends from church and she had a couple of friends stay overnight. They had fun playing her new Wii Just Dance game. It was quite entertaining to watch actually.
Anyhow, when we originally talked about adoption we really just wanted a son. Now my heart is heavy because I know I would be happy with a son or a daughter. If we were pregnant we wouldn't be able to decide anyway, so I am just feeling like we should open our hearts to either sex. Roger and I have been talking about it, and even though we would love to have a son...we agreed to submit our formal application for either sex! AAAHHHH.....whew....I had to get that out! We submitted our formal application today too. We should know if it is approved within 24 hours.
We also decided that we definitely want to adopt more than one child. Not all at one time, but over the course of a few years. I can't help but think...am I crazy!? I am 37 and Roger is 44.....but it feels so right. God's sweet whispers have been ever present encouraging us to keep going with his plan. I am not going to say that it doesn't ever seem intimidating, or scary, but I just remember all of the amazing things that God has done and continues to do in our lives. He has been faithful, and he will be faithful again. I felt a little anxious/overwhelmed when we submitted our formal application. Not sure why....I think it is because you have to tell all your financial info, family info(our parents/siblings/kids), previous marriages, past employment.....It was a little intimidating. So I called upon my father....
We celebrated Chey's 13th birthday and she had a good time. We had cake and ice cream with her friends from church and she had a couple of friends stay overnight. They had fun playing her new Wii Just Dance game. It was quite entertaining to watch actually.
Anyhow, when we originally talked about adoption we really just wanted a son. Now my heart is heavy because I know I would be happy with a son or a daughter. If we were pregnant we wouldn't be able to decide anyway, so I am just feeling like we should open our hearts to either sex. Roger and I have been talking about it, and even though we would love to have a son...we agreed to submit our formal application for either sex! AAAHHHH.....whew....I had to get that out! We submitted our formal application today too. We should know if it is approved within 24 hours.
We also decided that we definitely want to adopt more than one child. Not all at one time, but over the course of a few years. I can't help but think...am I crazy!? I am 37 and Roger is 44.....but it feels so right. God's sweet whispers have been ever present encouraging us to keep going with his plan. I am not going to say that it doesn't ever seem intimidating, or scary, but I just remember all of the amazing things that God has done and continues to do in our lives. He has been faithful, and he will be faithful again. I felt a little anxious/overwhelmed when we submitted our formal application. Not sure why....I think it is because you have to tell all your financial info, family info(our parents/siblings/kids), previous marriages, past employment.....It was a little intimidating. So I called upon my father....
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13
Dear Heavenly Father, your word reassures me of your presence and confirms that you are always by my side. Your perfect love casts out my fear. I thank you for the peace that only you can give. In Jesus precious name, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)