tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711322763256775782024-02-07T00:29:26.110-06:00Whatever My Lotit.is.well.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-32744762972724418902022-01-09T18:58:00.000-06:002022-01-09T18:58:08.072-06:00Oh!<p><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp9wK_EB637rqwRnNqIU6z4zrW3eaGHoan4iph1xcFlj38CIUKVkQ1ZWFvs0K6ONu0rLGVQZHVp5NgTjmUjEQHhPNw35MSJ1nacqC2uHihRrP3cdrPyha-Dpl4PjJgS6C0Qkvnb6IFvW97_jzLncxcky2ySqgCAkwTZ2VTPjHpEG_xUgxlPEq4QdhM=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp9wK_EB637rqwRnNqIU6z4zrW3eaGHoan4iph1xcFlj38CIUKVkQ1ZWFvs0K6ONu0rLGVQZHVp5NgTjmUjEQHhPNw35MSJ1nacqC2uHihRrP3cdrPyha-Dpl4PjJgS6C0Qkvnb6IFvW97_jzLncxcky2ySqgCAkwTZ2VTPjHpEG_xUgxlPEq4QdhM=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>{after a few years hiatus, I decided to just write when inspiration strikes, so here ya go!}</i></span></p><p><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our pastor preached on these verses this morning (with my picture above) and it was such a good reminder of who God is - and what our response in worship should be! </span><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The illustrations of an iceberg and the Grand Canyon were used in the sermon, but Hampton leaned over to me and said, “more like Mammoth cave”. And it was like a "mic drop" in my brain! Perfect.</span></p><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Mammoth cave system has over 400 miles of excavated, explores caves & tunnels. It’s the largest cave system in the world. AND YET - experts estimate that there are 600+ more miles of undiscovered, uncharted caves & tunnels in that system alone! There's SO much more than meets the eye, so much that is completely unsearchable, unknowable.</span><div><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the same way, the depth of the riches & wisdom & knowledge of God are SO MUCH MORE than what we see. What comfort! What joy! What peace!! </span></div><div><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Knowing what I know about God, what He's done & who He has revealed Himself to be - then, reflecting on how much I don't know leads me to AWE and worship and faith. HE IS SO MUCH BIGGER. HIS WAYS ARE SO MUCH HIGHER. He is infinitely MORE than what we can even imagine.</span></div><div><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Segoe UI Historic, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>For further study: (from our pastor) Daniel 2:20-22, Job, Revelation 5:11-14; also Isaiah 55:8-9, Ephesians 3:20-21</b></i></span></span></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-38352969726950754812018-10-12T22:18:00.001-05:002018-10-12T22:18:40.076-05:00say her name<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Part of our morning routine is changing the date on our menu planning calendar board...this morning as Luke moved the slider over, I casually mentioned that it was his biggest sister's birthday in heaven and she was celebrating with Jesus today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">He asked, "what's her name?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was such a simple and profound question. We've talked about our girls before, but Luke is finally getting to the age of starting to understand these more complex matters of life and death. And it makes <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">my heart swell with joy to hear him say her name.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Her name is Joanna...she lives with Jesus now."<br />"my sister, Joanna" (and some more complicated conversation followed...)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Saying her name out loud and hearing others say it reminds me that she LIVED. She had a short, abundant, beautiful life and then was swept away for eternity with her King.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Birthday, sweet Joanna!</span></div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-61805460201963383952018-02-09T16:51:00.000-06:002018-02-09T16:51:19.104-06:00emotional days...<div style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans;">Feeling emotional today for a number of reasons, so I decided to write about it. Certain times of the year can be more sentimental or emotional than others and sometimes those emotions sneak up on me and hit me hard. </span></div>
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This morning I read Isaiah 10:5-34. Check it out for yourself. Not exactly the most inspirational passage. But it does teach us something incredible about God. He is sovereign and He is powerful and He is in control. Nothing happens without God moving or approving. And this gives me comfort on an emotional day when this broken, sinful world and the consequences of that sin are affecting everyone - big or small, black or white, young or old. </div>
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Everyone feels the effects of sin in the world. Sickness, natural disasters, drought, famine, war, oppression, the list goes on and on...and it can be frustrating and lead to bitter, angry thoughts. Or it can remind us of our own personal sin (the list is long here, as well) and draw us closer to the God who forgives, the God who created, the God who loves, the God who gives. </div>
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God gives us so much in this broken world. The beauty that we see around us in nature, the blessings of parenthood and marriage, so many gifts and talents for service and worship. We are infinitely blessed with His wisdom and love and grace and mercy.</div>
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Today is an emotional day, maybe you’ve had those too. Don’t let it take over who you are. Don’t let it define you. Remember your identity in Christ. Remember who He is.</div>
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<b>Because this world is broken, find your peace, your rest, your joy, your satisfaction, in Christ alone. </b></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-20330812440239607042015-07-26T21:33:00.001-05:002015-07-26T21:33:23.184-05:00Saying YES to #3Did you guess by the title<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">??</span><br />
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We are amazed and surprised and so blessed to announce that we are adopting a baby girl<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span> Yes, another baby. Yes, another newborn. Yes, a girl. Yes, yes, yes.<br />
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In Part 2 of <a href="http://www.whatever-my-lot.com/2015/07/seths-story-part-2.html">Seth's story</a>, I mentioned being obedient to God and saying yes when we felt His peace. That's what we are doing here. It's an absolute step of faith and desire to be obedient in response to God's amazing grace and mercy in our lives.<br />
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Let me answer the big question:<br />
**WHY NOW<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">?</span> Why would we adopt another newborn baby at this time, right after adopting Seth<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">?</span><br />
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We are saying YES to this baby girl because that's what we feel led by God to do. We don't feel obligated, we feel peace. We don't feel like we are "rescuing her", we feel like she is part of God's plan to rescue us from ourselves, from our natural bent towards selfishness and self-centered living. God knew about this baby, just like He knew <a href="http://www.whatever-my-lot.com/2011/01/my-story_23.html">Joanna, Rita</a>, <a href="http://www.whatever-my-lot.com/2013/05/adopted.html">Luke</a>, and <a href="http://www.whatever-my-lot.com/2015/07/seths-adoption-story-part-1.html">Seth</a> - before they were born, when they were being fearfully and wonderfully made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth (Psalm 139).<br />
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Baby girl's birthmother requested us specifically. Her birthmother is Luke's birthmother. Yep, Baby Girl is Luke's birthsister. And that's an amazing reason for us to say yes - to give Luke a link to his birth family, to provide opportunities to minister to this birthmother, to give another baby a loving home with her very own brother.<br />
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Some facts about adoption #3<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">:</span><br />
*Baby Girl was born on July 13 (Hampton's birthday, so cool<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span>), don't know birth weight yet<br />
*Our social worker told us about Baby Girl on Friday, July 17<br />
*We prayed and talked to a couple of advisors/mentors in our lives, then we said YES on Saturday<br />
*Baby Girl is currently staying with the same foster family that had Luke for a few weeks before we adopted him (such a great connection with their family<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!!</span>)<br />
*We are waiting on paperwork and hoping placement will happen this week<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span><br />
*If you haven't figured it out by all of the "Baby Girl" references, we do NOT have a name yet :)<br />
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You may be thinking<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">:</span> those McClendons are CRAZY. Nope, just normal people following Jesus.<br />
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You may be thinking<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">:</span> how are they going to handle three kids under three years old<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">?</span> With lots of prayer, and many humble calls to family and friends.<br />
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You may be thinking<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">:</span> Wow, they are going to have their hands full<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span> Yep, hands full of AWESOME.<br />
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Seriously, guys. We are so BLESSED. We have always wanted a big family, and we have always wanted to adopt. God is doing such a work in our lives through these "crazy" circumstances. However, we pray that when the world sees our family, they don't see "crazy" - they see the gospel.<br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>To truly understand what God has done for us is to understand </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>the heart of adoption. As believers in Christ, as followers of Jesus, </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>we are adopted into His family.</b></span> </div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For 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!' The spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and 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." ~Romans 8:14-17</span></i><br />
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-28777345936187702852015-07-24T22:06:00.000-05:002015-07-24T22:08:01.252-05:00Picture StoryGod really does amaze me all the time. Not just in the big stuff, but in the everyday-look-at-My-sovereignty-and-LOVE-and-GRACE stuff. He is so good.<br />
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Here are some pictures of Seth<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fdacsMUVifGhyphenhyphenD0_LvH_EOOgA0MUtK-5X1GZ6VRPULb2bgnfQrsmhILsIy06Ui_r4ezvQD0_9xkpFmV-HUhLaIp-_VY06gaapKwct8VC1itWSWxWSTeYV1GfIFC2OY0JU1x0CTY7dZM/s1600/IMG_2718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fdacsMUVifGhyphenhyphenD0_LvH_EOOgA0MUtK-5X1GZ6VRPULb2bgnfQrsmhILsIy06Ui_r4ezvQD0_9xkpFmV-HUhLaIp-_VY06gaapKwct8VC1itWSWxWSTeYV1GfIFC2OY0JU1x0CTY7dZM/s320/IMG_2718.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first meeting<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzbfuEixj8WL9k5w2XvXSpijMHqWdUJ5PkeZZELKYRWLvQq66oPN_vfuS2obb36BosHMWQyCj5QYfEYxghPnayn64VZ3Nvf42l0IkeUJAUwKdEqQ5Eouxe0nZNMeaP0TYKWBT3xO-fGQ/s1600/IMG_2723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzbfuEixj8WL9k5w2XvXSpijMHqWdUJ5PkeZZELKYRWLvQq66oPN_vfuS2obb36BosHMWQyCj5QYfEYxghPnayn64VZ3Nvf42l0IkeUJAUwKdEqQ5Eouxe0nZNMeaP0TYKWBT3xO-fGQ/s320/IMG_2723.JPG" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting to know Daddy<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgMTQdy3-CeHqZT2Bk_sTluO5TgDruqr_4bZm7iVEMjuKpSA9UfCQekjl1n9TcD5DqID-pJK4rFNZC0xs-8idReeaIQSSbXLjRlb2CxhE9zv9-ssx4kPCB1FwDuB-u28WVwl1LXDbz2E/s1600/IMG_2737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgMTQdy3-CeHqZT2Bk_sTluO5TgDruqr_4bZm7iVEMjuKpSA9UfCQekjl1n9TcD5DqID-pJK4rFNZC0xs-8idReeaIQSSbXLjRlb2CxhE9zv9-ssx4kPCB1FwDuB-u28WVwl1LXDbz2E/s320/IMG_2737.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Cute as a Bug!" Even with an ng tube and monitors<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHQGMpHgrv3SIMY6mz4-GQqe9NrOgyYfv8twRJVbkblp90mx_YgikD6M7Ddk9DVO_Ys8cHGxqcucJRTCX4ehKnOrEE7FvBIqpRRl_r_0uYL-o3qhNCBUz5sr2ewpBQQ1QhSuk1TQxG5s/s1600/IMG_2741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHQGMpHgrv3SIMY6mz4-GQqe9NrOgyYfv8twRJVbkblp90mx_YgikD6M7Ddk9DVO_Ys8cHGxqcucJRTCX4ehKnOrEE7FvBIqpRRl_r_0uYL-o3qhNCBUz5sr2ewpBQQ1QhSuk1TQxG5s/s320/IMG_2741.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing in his sleep</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju798DsJA2U6SroffLsGN4y76w_mYlY_F-r3INsvdSZRXWkU2biT9l7zID7wa2LIPFvYqRM_kbVsWIhveA2K7C6ZQiBUH-eL8Wt00Bkym2oyBYFhB6GjFTYwJUfYB7Z3_s4srbfWb7pRk/s1600/IMG_2743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju798DsJA2U6SroffLsGN4y76w_mYlY_F-r3INsvdSZRXWkU2biT9l7zID7wa2LIPFvYqRM_kbVsWIhveA2K7C6ZQiBUH-eL8Wt00Bkym2oyBYFhB6GjFTYwJUfYB7Z3_s4srbfWb7pRk/s320/IMG_2743.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day without ng tube (first day WITH g-tube)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYdzHkg3fVGQCCPFoNVimWud8q1CDzhyU8mZctbABTHrQBWJbvgsg3rXiT8nZFjBIdCw4eHCrypgQxEMLy2vbZXt15k7HOgs8FXcoMpROJlrZtg-ghKgYQOM0wL721BF3E5ENgXoS9no/s1600/IMG_2750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYdzHkg3fVGQCCPFoNVimWud8q1CDzhyU8mZctbABTHrQBWJbvgsg3rXiT8nZFjBIdCw4eHCrypgQxEMLy2vbZXt15k7HOgs8FXcoMpROJlrZtg-ghKgYQOM0wL721BF3E5ENgXoS9no/s320/IMG_2750.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Discharge Day<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span> Thanks T family for driving us from the hospital<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD560zj19LNokpkFc_tYQIyyxr2oUHRZ61GiflJCQd_XuuKKRbckRbtKNK1yoNzAxvjff3QePZKTIgXvCoEI9Ix9eH5M-uDaeLj1X1a1oQ-o-beMEIEhibhEC4NanM19Cfp-v1S5GRlV0/s1600/IMG_2768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD560zj19LNokpkFc_tYQIyyxr2oUHRZ61GiflJCQd_XuuKKRbckRbtKNK1yoNzAxvjff3QePZKTIgXvCoEI9Ix9eH5M-uDaeLj1X1a1oQ-o-beMEIEhibhEC4NanM19Cfp-v1S5GRlV0/s320/IMG_2768.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big brother, meet little bother<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVLdgk8pBnBFbBGQFY3msx6GbETQHYHVIQxIDT7Yoyie300InpGVHlWgy0Ufz6O350wyNurCivONeP5Ik1ZRWFnAfxbQTAGjeCy81AvElSN7hJYxq4FAmPtd00Aj3GwKb0gIK-WuhDyE/s1600/IMG_2798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVLdgk8pBnBFbBGQFY3msx6GbETQHYHVIQxIDT7Yoyie300InpGVHlWgy0Ufz6O350wyNurCivONeP5Ik1ZRWFnAfxbQTAGjeCy81AvElSN7hJYxq4FAmPtd00Aj3GwKb0gIK-WuhDyE/s320/IMG_2798.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm going to be an awesome, awesome, awesome big brother<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span>"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdE9ZALYgktmQGneDfBkE7oNv7OVM7S9ecUDbR51gNmJ-qvFgMew_EmbDgoScZge88DUwu26762vcUgan0Bh7xEAxKtaNx_Da67xMnXDGLdkKcCrlvtKwvi9QFcXVZ31OnWdeXcpCHoA/s1600/IMG_2877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdE9ZALYgktmQGneDfBkE7oNv7OVM7S9ecUDbR51gNmJ-qvFgMew_EmbDgoScZge88DUwu26762vcUgan0Bh7xEAxKtaNx_Da67xMnXDGLdkKcCrlvtKwvi9QFcXVZ31OnWdeXcpCHoA/s320/IMG_2877.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"What<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">??</span> I can't get in the swimming pool with my big brother<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">??!!</span>"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIrpL2U2h_IrltRmmT2kQ87JjFkkUU6LnjDf3efM0UiI1yu95ojiUdxnSiLu7xcYF8Iz9M8v4CdXOaUBtlerUfiNIPxkBAQahPjZO7nkCZSxUVccMNuUn8alj7EYzrHeHd1K4vO1Bvbg/s1600/IMG_2856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIrpL2U2h_IrltRmmT2kQ87JjFkkUU6LnjDf3efM0UiI1yu95ojiUdxnSiLu7xcYF8Iz9M8v4CdXOaUBtlerUfiNIPxkBAQahPjZO7nkCZSxUVccMNuUn8alj7EYzrHeHd1K4vO1Bvbg/s320/IMG_2856.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm thinking about becoming a doctor, just like Daddy."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IsMRQgMDAXdu16eHnL2dymmiFcKJIg-TWKvO_4-99A_d_xKN7u__gvw0nn_wG6KnsQKcYylWz9Fwxna00KmVFXyEtYAprsLScPGOzdesmZ5aSxfTHxmAaISySYuiwmlll67nssfKj_8/s1600/IMG_2853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IsMRQgMDAXdu16eHnL2dymmiFcKJIg-TWKvO_4-99A_d_xKN7u__gvw0nn_wG6KnsQKcYylWz9Fwxna00KmVFXyEtYAprsLScPGOzdesmZ5aSxfTHxmAaISySYuiwmlll67nssfKj_8/s320/IMG_2853.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe not.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHokyYQeop4E5NRg1cbMU8gTux-5Y8_tOXU0a7PA2SLaLLjYw_bKx0gNqqqrtn2zULaTv6osAXTEpTI3GfIq-1wp7qG8wc0CB10Vsjr-pSSFY8qJfNY2j0Nv4eU_bkrA1sooDsh93xZ3I/s1600/IMG_2811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHokyYQeop4E5NRg1cbMU8gTux-5Y8_tOXU0a7PA2SLaLLjYw_bKx0gNqqqrtn2zULaTv6osAXTEpTI3GfIq-1wp7qG8wc0CB10Vsjr-pSSFY8qJfNY2j0Nv4eU_bkrA1sooDsh93xZ3I/s320/IMG_2811.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swinging outdoors<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlz_wRoiqKby0M55dL1in8ioQv0H3nPZjFnANuxMR2E1V7XF1PoV3zXemQHLY213WTeuCG193VK6Qy1A4qyXNGe4SVmyvuPy8ezeuDb5ULE2qzoC-grH152Ypc5QBbwmpbRA5WD6qANQ/s1600/IMG_2862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlz_wRoiqKby0M55dL1in8ioQv0H3nPZjFnANuxMR2E1V7XF1PoV3zXemQHLY213WTeuCG193VK6Qy1A4qyXNGe4SVmyvuPy8ezeuDb5ULE2qzoC-grH152Ypc5QBbwmpbRA5WD6qANQ/s320/IMG_2862.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Oh Hi mom<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span> Just having a little tummy time here."</td></tr>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-9012024019766174442015-07-20T22:50:00.002-05:002015-07-20T22:50:27.820-05:00Seth's Story - Part 2<span style="font-family: inherit;">People that have been around us during this adoption have said many things to us. Good things, mostly. A lot of questions, a few strange comments, and plenty of praise for Hampton and me. Fortunately, this always gives us a chance to give glory where glory belongs - to God. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One particular comment that many people have said is that they "could never do what we're doing". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">They're wrong. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">YOU'RE wrong, if you're thinking that. Because what we're doing is <b>simply being obedient</b> to the call that God has on our lives - as parents, as husband & wife, as believers, as <span style="color: #0b5394;"><u>adopted</u></span> children of God. You CAN do it, because God works through you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Only</b> by God working in me and through me and around me was I able to endure the next part of Seth's adoption story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So there I was in CA alone, visiting Seth as much as I could, learning as much as I could about him, helping as much as I could with his care, asking the questions of the doctors and nurses, telling our story to anyone who would listen. But I wasn't really alone. Not only was my prayer and quiet time ever more "tangible" (more on that in another post), but God was sending real live people to be a blessing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">First, while Hampton was still in CA with me, God sent an amazing godly couple that we had known in MS to minister to us and encourage us and truly CARE for us while we were there. It was such a blessing to be able to talk to someone face-to-face who knew us personally and who shared in our joy. And they continued to bless me and Seth after Hampton went home. Praise be to God for B & T. (The Navy didn't know they were sending you to CA just so you could be a blessing to us</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then, time after time, God sent strangers to speak truth into my life. Nurses, other families at the Ronald McDonald House, blog posts, even songs on the radio. I love how God can orchestrate people around a situation just so. Amazing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After a week or so of being in CA, a family came to stay at the Ronald McDonald House who had an accent that I pegged pretty quickly as Southern. They were from New Orleans</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> We bonded instantly, over discussions of sweet tea, college life in Mobile, and all of the sights to see in the Big Easy. They helped me with several practical things while I was there, but mostly they provided a sense of family in a situation that could have been very lonely. And they did this while still dealing with their own situation, their own reason for being there at the children's hospital, thousands of miles away from home. Amazing. Thanks T family</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Love you guys</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!!</span></div>
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As you can see, Seth's story is made up of so many more people than just Seth and his parents. It's important to me to recognize these people because we don't live life alone. We are not in a bubble. We cannot pretend that what is happening to someone else doesn't affect us. We must SEE people. And that's what these people did. They SAW me. And Seth. And Hampton back in FL (<span style="color: #3d85c6;">for the love of RBBC, thank you thank you thank you</span>). And Luke staying with grandparents. We were all SEEN and that matters so so much. Thanks to everyone for letting God use you as a blessing in Seth's story.</div>
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Some practical matters at this point: the hospital days went by SUUUUPER SLOW. I lost track of time and what day it was, and being in a different time zone did not help. At the hospital, I was in the Seth-zone. Outside of it, I was trying to help Hampton navigate the house-closing business. (We are NOT writing about that mess. We closed. We have a wonderful new house. End of that story.) </div>
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Seth was feeding better and better each day, and we thought he might improve enough to be released without any feeding help. However, as the days turned into weeks and his progress plateaued, the decision was made to give Seth a feeding tube. He had surgery and was eating again the next day by mouth. This step in Seth's care was a pivotal one, because it meant that he would be able to be discharged as soon as I was comfortable caring for and using the g-tube.</div>
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After 6 weeks in the NICU, Seth was finally discharged on June 15. I had been there for 3 weeks and 3 days at that point. We received our final paper for the interstate adoption process and we were cleared to fly home<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span> </div>
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<br />Tuesday, June 16 we flew home and began our new life as a family of four. We are all adjusting to this new life, with feeding tubes and bags and pumps and syringes, with stairs in our two-story house, with big brother learning how to be Big, with our new extended family in China, and with new adventures just around the corner. </div>
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Seth is doing well, still struggling to eat by mouth as much as we want him to, but so healthy in every other aspect. We are so blessed and are excited to see how God is going to use Seth for His kingdom and for His glory.</div>
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New baby, new house, new family, new normal. Amazing<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;"><b>"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;"><b>~2 Corinthians 12:9-10</b></span></div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-75003991021082134792015-07-20T14:10:00.000-05:002015-07-20T14:10:05.315-05:00Seth's Adoption Story - Part 1<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Sometimes I can't believe my life. It's amazing to see God working through our family in such miraculous and distinct ways. Praise the Lord</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Seth's adoption story begins with a simple message on our online adoption portal asking if we wanted our profile to be shown to the birthparents of a Chinese newborn baby boy with Down Syndrome born in California. At that point, we knew a few things: (1) we had previously decided to say YES to all showings unless we felt unrest about an adoption inquiry, (2) interstate placement requires at least one parent to stay in state until the paperwork is complete, (3) we felt prepared to parent a baby with special needs. With these in mind, we messaged back and said yes, show our profile. It was scanned and sent to CA. This was a Friday afternoon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Sunday, I received confirmation from our adoption social worker that our profile was in CA and being reviewed by the birthparents. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Monday, May 18, I received a phone call from our social worker with the news that we had been chosen by the birthparents. </span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">We were matched</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">!!</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I talked with her for a few minutes, she passed along contact information for the social worker in CA and laid out the logistics for me - we would have to travel across the country later that week. Of course, my brain went into overdrive at that moment</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hampton's schedule, flight prices, someone to watch Luke, closing on our house (oh, did I forget to mention we were buying a new house?), what to pack, what to buy here or there, who to tell first.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I called Hampton and gave him the great news; then we started planning - and packing - and TELLING.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The TELLING is my favorite part. I love sharing the amazing news that God has created a new little human being and has orchestrated HIS plan for our lives in such a way that we get to be parents again</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">!!</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> SO.AMAZING.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We booked a flight for CA and made all the appropriate arrangements for Luke and Hampton's schedule. It all worked out, of course, and we flew to CA on Friday, May 22.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Friday afternoon we met the birthparents at the Bethany office. Those details are so precious and so private that I cannot possibly post them here for the world to see. Just know that these birthparents love their son dearly and wanted the best life for him possible, which meant choosing adoption. Meeting them and sharing our lives with them has already been such a blessing to me. I am forever thankful for their gift of life for their son and there are no words that could adequately express our emotions or theirs. (I'm also very thankful for the translator who did such an amazing job helping us communicate</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After our meeting, we all signed a bunch of paperwork. There is a very practical side to adoption, amidst the emotions and the feelings and the JOY - there is a ton of paperwork. I'm so very thankful that we have worked with an organization that takes adoption seriously and works with all parties involved to insure the best outcome possible for the child. I would sign a million pages. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We decided to wait until Saturday to go to the hospital to visit our new baby boy. We navigated the check-in process, security, and finding the right room...and there he was. Our precious little baby boy, wrapped up like a burrito in a hospital blanket, hooked up to several monitors, but doing so well and sleeping so soundly. The nurses welcomed us and let us hold him. The birthparents came later and we awkwardly passed baby boy around. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We sat down with the doctors and talked about baby's diagnoses and health issues. He had surgery and was recovering well, but not feeding completely on his own. That was our major hurdle to getting him out of the NICU and home with us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">SO, the days passed. The birthparents flew back to China. Hampton flew back to FL. And I moved into the Ronald McDonald House - settling in for the long haul, not really knowing what I was in for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">MORE TO COME</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Stay tuned for the rest of Seth's adoption story. I promise it will only be two parts. :)</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-33305119026093166202015-03-25T20:47:00.004-05:002015-03-25T20:48:05.678-05:00No idea...So, I haven't blogged for 21 months.<br />
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Luke turned two today (!!) and I have been very reflective the last couple of weeks of how God works in such mysterious ways. Here are some of my thoughts.<br />
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On March 25, 2013, as my precious son was being born to his first mother, I was sleeping. Recovering from a week-long trip to Canada to see our new-missionary friends in their new-mission setting. It was an exciting trip, a great vacation, and some terrific bonding time with my husband. I celebrated my 31st birthday, visited with friends, drove through mountain ranges, rode ferries, hiked on snow for the first time, and zip-lined across amazing vistas. We arrived home from that vacation the day before our son was born.<br />
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And I had no idea.<br />
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No idea that my little boy had been growing inside his birthmother's womb for the same amount of time as we had been in the adoption process (go ahead and do the math from the time we submitted our preliminary application to his birth date).<br />
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No idea that as we were completing paperwork and interviews and fingerprints, our little baby boy was seeing light and hearing sounds for the first time, kicking his birthmother, hiccupping, and growing and growing in that precious womb.<br />
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No idea that we were already Luke's parents in God's eyes.<br />
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Long before we knew, He knew.<br />
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And He KNOWS. He knows exactly who our 4th child will be (read about <a href="http://www.whatever-my-lot.com/p/my-girls.html">our girls here</a>). He knows exactly how long we will wait to receive this incredible blessing. He knows all about the waiting and the heartache and the pressure and the stress and the longing and the hoping and the disappointment and the bitterness and the joy and the peace and the comfort and the faith.<br />
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God knows.<br />
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And what a comfort that is! Many people in our world, in our society, cringe at the thought of a Sovereign God. I relish it! I cherish it! To God be the glory for His Sovereignty!! I'm so thankful that He is in control and that HE KNOWS.<br />
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So, we are waiting. Adoption #2 is in progress. And once again, we don't know what will happen or when it will happen or how it will happen. But God does.<br />
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God knows. And that's all I need to know.<br />
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"But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases." </div>
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~Psalm 115:3 </div>
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"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, </div>
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according to the power at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church </div>
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and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever, amen."</div>
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~Ephesians 3:20-21</div>
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"And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, </div>
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for those who are called according to His purpose." </div>
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~Romans 8:28</div>
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-17405066171602914862013-06-28T05:00:00.000-05:002013-06-28T05:00:07.045-05:00Luke is 3 months old!So, I know I promised an "All About Luke" post right after we brought him home, and I totally dropped that ball, sorry! But I am making up for it by posting this update. :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu60ZCHifP4ry1Y8tBBaUoknkOpaGh2IWMsDG4pxMzK1Cxbq6xt0_lS1dFHi-f1slab2HtmmtH1lRxlvPY_eFOrhk7O3THyX4B2H1zpODZmqapzDFJceUVKHpUkmIMuOi2VFxNfeHqj3E/s1600/Luke_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu60ZCHifP4ry1Y8tBBaUoknkOpaGh2IWMsDG4pxMzK1Cxbq6xt0_lS1dFHi-f1slab2HtmmtH1lRxlvPY_eFOrhk7O3THyX4B2H1zpODZmqapzDFJceUVKHpUkmIMuOi2VFxNfeHqj3E/s320/Luke_23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Luke at about two months old. He was just holding his head up well for a minute then.</td></tr>
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Luke is now three months old, as of June 25. He has quite a personality already and LOVES to smile. He is just beginning to laugh - a little cackle that blesses my heart so much. Luke rolls over accidentally sometimes from his stomach to his back.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ybdbWNw_ZeCpHEcBF5bPEwy0sdu3Gzp15KolBrPzl03OT5A0fnyhecVCwL6IOG-yg6zqOXQlPL7cvW1FtaNfFYNDHyNLS6dOLlT-6dgBfl_TrH_PFyN2fcmCfmAunZob2zLSjLLYm5U/s1600/luke+in+stroller.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ybdbWNw_ZeCpHEcBF5bPEwy0sdu3Gzp15KolBrPzl03OT5A0fnyhecVCwL6IOG-yg6zqOXQlPL7cvW1FtaNfFYNDHyNLS6dOLlT-6dgBfl_TrH_PFyN2fcmCfmAunZob2zLSjLLYm5U/s320/luke+in+stroller.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was smiling big at his Mimi!</td></tr>
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Everyone always asks how he is sleeping . . . Luke prefers to sleep on his stomach and is sleeping about 5 or 6 hours in a row at night. This is great, considering when we first brought him home, he was only sleeping 2 hours at a time!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLsYV9DftVGko4Q1yx3V3UEPAel82DjWJkRsUq1o6HE8Z9qa3gvmU-grsTbrzQep17xP6RjlF5GGwpHW9iWw6_YRLnZn5W1hJjCryAeQjUJjfS-iVxbLINvKmVhr309VZS-5mRntcAcc/s1280/luke+sleeping+in+carseat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLsYV9DftVGko4Q1yx3V3UEPAel82DjWJkRsUq1o6HE8Z9qa3gvmU-grsTbrzQep17xP6RjlF5GGwpHW9iWw6_YRLnZn5W1hJjCryAeQjUJjfS-iVxbLINvKmVhr309VZS-5mRntcAcc/s320/luke+sleeping+in+carseat.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeping in the carseat, which is the only time he'll sleep on his back! :)</td></tr>
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Luke likes to sit in his bouncy reclining seat and he loves to watch me do whatever I'm doing. If I'm not talking directly to him, he usually makes sounds to get my attention. He loves to "talk", ranging from the traditional goos and gahs to more eccentric squealing and interesting gurgling sounds.<br />
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Luke eats formula. Hampton keeps threatening to give him a "taste of sweet tea" or a "little bit of this french fry" - but I'm making him wait to taste real food until he's 4 months old. We'll see how he does with some healthy mashed carrots or oatmeal or cereal in a few weeks!<br />
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One major event that many of you saw on facebook was Luke's first time in the swimming pool. He was really apathetic about the whole thing - didn't smile even once, just let me hold him in the water. Hampton even swam around with him some and he didn't bat an eye. I think he was kind of sleepy, so we'll have to try again when he's more alert. Good to know that he didn't hate it though!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0M1zLuupdtfobQytE9QzLfXb0Mvlpd6gEBYX6dkNIiiGhHTmRMbSEdwxylQa6OC0Yqn1LV37QaZoLcRkuNsVnrEJEg5MLcEIwyYzKVglZ40XdS1unneWi8JE1jFNqnMDO2KqWJHH9MGk/s1280/first+time+in+the+pool.+june26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0M1zLuupdtfobQytE9QzLfXb0Mvlpd6gEBYX6dkNIiiGhHTmRMbSEdwxylQa6OC0Yqn1LV37QaZoLcRkuNsVnrEJEg5MLcEIwyYzKVglZ40XdS1unneWi8JE1jFNqnMDO2KqWJHH9MGk/s320/first+time+in+the+pool.+june26.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just barely a twitch of a smile here. I think he liked it.</td></tr>
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Hope you have enjoyed this update! I will try to keep these going and blog about some other stuff again too! :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlBcilZX_vzEExAvG_jNUnQGZh21gi3zGApj84Uw0XXDPYfEUP8ekcmouxl6WgK5bo_WzB4zgLuY0kPk3SwCF3sLYK9QcMAL-2tz2YdH9OSpwMyNhiqlmi_Ib9Iv7JXA2qh8iOYZBVZk/s1600/Luke_31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlBcilZX_vzEExAvG_jNUnQGZh21gi3zGApj84Uw0XXDPYfEUP8ekcmouxl6WgK5bo_WzB4zgLuY0kPk3SwCF3sLYK9QcMAL-2tz2YdH9OSpwMyNhiqlmi_Ib9Iv7JXA2qh8iOYZBVZk/s320/Luke_31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-61386657097379264052013-06-26T22:16:00.000-05:002013-06-26T22:16:11.227-05:00God's Timing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkPa8iWQ78axG432ODozuB181yTlPAnkYVGrOiOzF9OFvILs35FszNt9mUAqwoMDo02ERV4fbZDGxdfJq8r-i8VkfZA6BSudfUYeKFry2zMOu9nhPIHHGHeFMuR_8oqJlkxp-EgFMc1Q/s1600/first+time+in+the+pool.+june26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkPa8iWQ78axG432ODozuB181yTlPAnkYVGrOiOzF9OFvILs35FszNt9mUAqwoMDo02ERV4fbZDGxdfJq8r-i8VkfZA6BSudfUYeKFry2zMOu9nhPIHHGHeFMuR_8oqJlkxp-EgFMc1Q/s320/first+time+in+the+pool.+june26.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right after getting in the pool for the first time!!</td></tr>
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As I was pondering my precious boy being 3 months old yesterday (wow!), I started thinking about God's timing of our adoption. </div>
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We have been so blessed to only have waited 5 months for a placement, while many families wait years for a child. And we were blessed to be matched and placed with Luke before our move to FL, which turns out to be a big relief - saving us a bunch of additional paperwork and a good amount of money. But another timing thing occurred to me last night that had me praising my great God for His higher ways.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Check it out . . .</span></div>
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Luke was born on March 25, at 38 weeks into the pregnancy. </div>
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Somebody go ahead and do the math. You know you want to. </div>
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The first week of July 2012, God was knitting our little Luke together in his birthmother's womb. </div>
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So, why is that significant? </div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>July 3, 2012 - we submitted our preliminary application to the adoption agency.</b></span></div>
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That's right. Let it sink in . . .</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>GOD WAS FORMING LUKE'S BODY </b></span><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>AS WE WERE APPLYING </b></span><b style="color: #20124d;">TO BE HIS PARENTS!</b></span></span></div>
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<b>Mind. Blown.</b></div>
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As my husband would say: You're welcome.</div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-65732817699659822562013-05-09T10:28:00.001-05:002013-05-09T15:38:56.185-05:00Adoption Day!As our sweet little Luke snoozes away in his swing, I'm so excited to share with you about our Adoption Day. Before I go into the details that I can share, please understand that there is a lot I cannot share here. <div><br></div><div>Our little boy was loved from the moment of his birth and his birthmom chose adoption for him in love. We are incredibly thankful to her and to God for this amazing gift!</div><div><br></div><div>Monday evening I was able to talk to the foster mom who had been caring for Luke. She told me all about his little personality, his schedule, and how he likes to sleep. Luke was 6 weeks old exactly on Monday, and he had even visited the pediatrician. Healthy little man! It was so helpful to talk with the foster mom and I will cherish her part in Luke's life forever.</div><div><br></div><div>Tuesday morning, Hampton and I drove to our adoption agency office to complete the final paperwork that would make us legal parents of Luke. We had a great conversation with our case worker and signed all the papers in just a matter of minutes. We were excited and nervous and anxious, yet God reminded us of his perfect peace that surpasses all understanding. He also gave us a special blessing right there in the agency office that morning. A group of ladies from a local church were volunteering there and asked to pray for us before we drove the rest of the way to get Luke. It was such a special time of prayer and fellowship with ladies we had never met before, but we KNEW because of our common bond in Christ.</div><div><br></div><div>After many well-wishes and loving thoughts, our case worker sent us to the other office another 2 hours away to meet our little boy. </div><div><br></div><div>We arrived at the office before the foster family, so we sat and talked with the pregnancy counselor there who had worked with the birthmom. She gave us medical records and all kinds of information that brought us a little closer to knowing our little boy.</div><div><br></div><div>Finally, they were here! The foster mom walked in with Luke and with tears all around, she placed him in my arms.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRV56t6gwT6QK8rltcOAT5yiYy6Wvj-K9Zzu5-ooUGB93qGLon9oY1dQZ8yHW3g3BjIeYogrgEQxKJ6UXgs84uJJAFLyvGXbJv-Rs_oLCvAn7teSqK29CBtezElK8vsllQWF2sNK1f6D4/s640/blogger-image-102491311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRV56t6gwT6QK8rltcOAT5yiYy6Wvj-K9Zzu5-ooUGB93qGLon9oY1dQZ8yHW3g3BjIeYogrgEQxKJ6UXgs84uJJAFLyvGXbJv-Rs_oLCvAn7teSqK29CBtezElK8vsllQWF2sNK1f6D4/s640/blogger-image-102491311.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was overcome. We have a son! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There were many pictures and more tears (not as many as I thought there would be), and we were left alone with our little boy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkstDG2e-pu7XkCEqKtkoEbAwLZXCw6LhvsAwNSdFmM0UhKZLjon2UhftDbJl2amsaF4rfKnrixBBPkprM24kH4tPB90RUnBoDwuCg5MULU-PgMKemwAeC1G3xYT7NadLpqWycw5aDzU/s640/blogger-image--2051272947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkstDG2e-pu7XkCEqKtkoEbAwLZXCw6LhvsAwNSdFmM0UhKZLjon2UhftDbJl2amsaF4rfKnrixBBPkprM24kH4tPB90RUnBoDwuCg5MULU-PgMKemwAeC1G3xYT7NadLpqWycw5aDzU/s640/blogger-image--2051272947.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><br></div>The next few minutes were spent oohing and gooing at Luke, as he opened his eyes and saw his new parents for the first time. The foster mom and her son prayed for us and said goodbye. We gathered our things and then, just like that, it was time to go. Time to take Luke home!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4JNjnqMdu3CHPnRyeLXNc4Ibrj4u6-wKjAv0UqfhU1ZxSQzIRDvO9x24NgWMe8A-HJ8PclY6A2dY7lfPj9ASl6EMr5MGQKbzPi5j6_Yqro4ARnXYQfiWQFfacnb7hUn1Qcrtsdgyjsw/s640/blogger-image--379938674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4JNjnqMdu3CHPnRyeLXNc4Ibrj4u6-wKjAv0UqfhU1ZxSQzIRDvO9x24NgWMe8A-HJ8PclY6A2dY7lfPj9ASl6EMr5MGQKbzPi5j6_Yqro4ARnXYQfiWQFfacnb7hUn1Qcrtsdgyjsw/s640/blogger-image--379938674.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9Su4ob9omx4_Pi0l_V-rkF8Ui9Lim30hGcrq5M87hcfbr8VpMSD1DP98aPqenY8gfWChlYt3rOvoHOiqkfoHXpwzonkLQvRHMGa-fFQWsp8JwyN3WVAdQmZ2jICkYoYqviyb9Vx5Bfc/s640/blogger-image--511390400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9Su4ob9omx4_Pi0l_V-rkF8Ui9Lim30hGcrq5M87hcfbr8VpMSD1DP98aPqenY8gfWChlYt3rOvoHOiqkfoHXpwzonkLQvRHMGa-fFQWsp8JwyN3WVAdQmZ2jICkYoYqviyb9Vx5Bfc/s640/blogger-image--511390400.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>As we loaded him the the carseat and into the backseat, I was still in shock. We are going home with our son!!! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzI4rXPC_tE1qtviBXgDedL3Qt1JhJvjcLLkGlyweEv-yIYrP1W76feb-hCR_ePYrZcDEQG06ypC8JD7ieBJshYdocYzzJDlREhftEer6h2YoHe3tuWGFORek_BThavAP20ofDZ8_ls1g/s640/blogger-image--1332838876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzI4rXPC_tE1qtviBXgDedL3Qt1JhJvjcLLkGlyweEv-yIYrP1W76feb-hCR_ePYrZcDEQG06ypC8JD7ieBJshYdocYzzJDlREhftEer6h2YoHe3tuWGFORek_BThavAP20ofDZ8_ls1g/s640/blogger-image--1332838876.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>We had decided that I would ride in back in case Luke needed anything. The 3-hour trip home was mostly uneventful. Luke slept for most of it, we stooped once to change him, he gulped down a bottle, and then got antsy the last 30 minutes from home.</div><div><br></div><div>We finally pulled into the driveway and unloaded all of our stuff. I carried Luke inside in his carseat and he was finally home!</div><div><br></div><div>We are incredibly blessed to be a three person family! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_Xz2D608qHiiKbi8JcoiIJDYvF4YRK7M2fe_YUH1D1HxV6jqTheJMLDRR4uh9Qjhn_XVlrBC3deXSYTSipoeJ4ZFhaDz0yh7XDYgZX1zKOzt9i4pxnyCAPqA19oUT5QPZw3t-QSCF6M/s640/blogger-image-1697578310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_Xz2D608qHiiKbi8JcoiIJDYvF4YRK7M2fe_YUH1D1HxV6jqTheJMLDRR4uh9Qjhn_XVlrBC3deXSYTSipoeJ4ZFhaDz0yh7XDYgZX1zKOzt9i4pxnyCAPqA19oUT5QPZw3t-QSCF6M/s640/blogger-image-1697578310.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I'm looking forward to sharing some of what we have learned about our Luke in the next post! </div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-43594059318037990212013-05-07T21:49:00.001-05:002013-05-07T21:49:28.263-05:00Adopted!Wow! The last 36 hours have been a whirlwind. It all started Monday morning at 9:50am when our adoption case worker called my cell phone. I knew something was up. And the kind of questions she was asking made me more suspicious: Is your husband there with you? (No, he was at work out of town, of course) What is your work schedule like this week? (Mine, flexible as usual...Hampton's, crazy busy as usual) Is this a good time to talk? (Yes, yes, yes, of course!)<div><br></div><div>After the evasive questioning, she finally got to the point: we had been selected! And then the surprise twist: our baby was already born - over a month ago actually! And then the big shock: we want to place your baby with you tomorrow!</div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow. As in, Tuesday? Like the next day? Oh my gosh.</div><div><br></div><div>So, after some details about our precious boy, the case worker told me to call Hampton and then call her back if we would be able to go to get our baby on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Yeah. I lost it with emotion at this point. I mean, wow. We had a baby waiting for us! </div><div><br></div><div>So, I pulled myself slightly together and called Hampton. He had his usual work voice on and could spare a few minutes he said. I told him the news and he was floored of course. We talked through the details and he got off the phone to straighten things out with work. He called back 30 minutes later and was on his way home! I called our case worker and confirmed that we could pick up our baby boy the next day. I got a bunch more details and then ended that conversation just to start an epic phone marathon for the next 3 hours.</div><div><br></div><div>"Hi, beloved member of my family or dear friend, yeah whatcha doin? Not much here, just found out I'm gonna be a mom tomorrow."</div><div><br></div><div>So, that's not exactly how most of the conversations went, but you get the idea. Lots of excitement and emotion, and plenty of surprise! </div><div><br></div><div>The rest of my Monday was a blur of preparation, including a BIG shopping trip, assembling a pack n play, and several loads of laundry. Oh, and a little bit of sleep before the big day.</div><div><br></div><div>So, as I sit here typing this, I'm listening to the precious sounds of my baby boy sleeping on the other side of the room. Oh, he is so precious!!!</div><div><br></div><div>I will be sure to recount the details of our Adoption Day in another post. </div><div><br></div><div>For now, introducing Luke Thomas McClendon...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8mSF1G3TEx8kqqachkXYM2Urdw5Zez7CKdtuPHDV5R_m35NsqQ5f-ITahHPUPOZxE60NZ8FNLBfhiUNqMHwmKBE2Zm_wXtfp1mwyWvwKrl6yphD8HVBXEiEBn7FKGRQApDibiIxb5Rc/s640/blogger-image--874873932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8mSF1G3TEx8kqqachkXYM2Urdw5Zez7CKdtuPHDV5R_m35NsqQ5f-ITahHPUPOZxE60NZ8FNLBfhiUNqMHwmKBE2Zm_wXtfp1mwyWvwKrl6yphD8HVBXEiEBn7FKGRQApDibiIxb5Rc/s640/blogger-image--874873932.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Love. Pure love.</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-68874580322474611822013-01-14T15:24:00.002-06:002013-01-15T18:56:03.445-06:00Web Profile . . .Our adoption web profile is up on the Bethany website! I sent it in last week and have been checking the site every day to see when it would be up. Our profile books are also AT the agency, which means we could be shown to a birthmother any day now. Woohoo! <br />
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Here's the link: (feel free to share)<br />
http://waitingfamilies.bethany.org/home/mississippi/hampton-and-nicole<br />
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In related news, I'm mobile blogging today, which is weird because I can't seem to change that link above into just words! It's also fun, cause I'm learning how to do more stuff on my Christmas gift, an iPad. :)<br />
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Speaking of Christmas, I know I haven't really said...errr, written much about the holidays. I'm not purposefully avoiding the topic, but I really just didn't have time to write about it and now it seems too late. Suffice to say that we had a great Christmas, was able to see almost all of both of our families, and rung in the new year quietly, just the hubby and me.<br />
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So, while blogging mobile-ly is convenient, I really miss all of my formatting buttons, so this probably won't happen much. Anyone else blog via tablet or phone? Suggestions are welcome!<br />
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I CAN add a picture, though. So, here ya go! You know I love flashbacks! This is Hampton and his brothers when they were obviously much younger!<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Qi9P6b47v8HhFTSMvp1NsDv1B0eTanuyXYquDXwQnAzPn89RXikikc2hNxhYwwN5CyjF2VrnOgtByl9F5gA0mHFCv97APSyd43Im_z0pZMrm3Z16Lw7AGzgxYQhfj_S7jwwinD9TquI/s640/blogger-image-512051368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Qi9P6b47v8HhFTSMvp1NsDv1B0eTanuyXYquDXwQnAzPn89RXikikc2hNxhYwwN5CyjF2VrnOgtByl9F5gA0mHFCv97APSyd43Im_z0pZMrm3Z16Lw7AGzgxYQhfj_S7jwwinD9TquI/s640/blogger-image-512051368.jpg" /></a></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-59304974882251613802013-01-05T00:40:00.001-06:002013-01-05T00:43:08.240-06:00Approved!!!Adoption Update:<br />
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WE ARE APPROVED!!!<br />
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We got our official approval letter from the agency . . .<br />
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AND . . . we've finished our profile book. It is being processed right now and should be at our agency by Wednesday, the 9th. <br />
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So, what does all this mean?<br />
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We are officially a waiting family. At this point, our profile will be available for viewing by birthparents and we will be eligible to be matched with a baby (or at least their birthmom). As you can read in the letter, there isn't a specific time frame given, but we are trusting God with that as with everything else!<br />
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We are so excited to be at this point finally! We are eager to grow our family and are super-excited about God's plan for the future. We are asking for your prayers of course, but specifically that we will stay focused on what we are called to RIGHT NOW. We know that God has each of us exactly where He wants us and we want to be faithful to that calling.<br />
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In conclusion, we want to share our profile book here, which we feel is part of our testimony and part of God's story in our lives. We are excited to share our story with as many people as possible, so feel free to share with others, as well.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/family/hampton-and-nicole-adoption-profile-8666935?vk=8nkv1hts5f">Adoption Profile Book </a><br />
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(It uses Flash player, so if you're viewing on your phone, it probably won't work.)<br />
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Hope everyone is having a great 2013 so far! I know I'm late in posting about resolutions and such, but that is coming. I'm taking a different approach this year. :)<br />
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-24097618362978441292012-12-25T00:00:00.000-06:002012-12-25T00:00:11.866-06:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-62160302294504265352012-12-24T05:00:00.000-06:002012-12-24T05:00:07.092-06:00More Shopping Fun . . . <span style="font-size: large;">So, after my </span><a href="http://www.whatever-my-lot.com/2012/12/new-christmas-tradition.html"><span style="font-size: large;">early morning shopping adventure</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, Saturday afternoon, I created another method for avoiding the craziness of shopping on the eve of the eve of Christmas Eve. <strike>Strategically,</strike> Fortunately, I have a dear friend who is a manager at LifeWay (shout out!!) and I gave her a call to see if she had a certain gift I was looking for. She was TOO kind to actually go look on the shelf and pick out several things I asked for . . . then, she even took my credit card info over the phone and made my purchase for me! To top it off as one of the greatest friends of all time, she brought my purchase to me at church the next day! WOW. Talk about personal customer service!! Love you, girl!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday evening, I couldn't avoid an actual in-person store visit. (It'd be hard to order a veggie tray online!) So, I went to a local grocery store that actually wasn't very busy at all. I picked up my veggie tray and some extra carrots (gotta have plenty of those!), then my eye caught sight of a HUGE gift card display. I perused my choices and actually got a couple more gifts off my list! Woohoo. Then, I asked a store employee if they carried batteries, and she was actually standing right in front of some - perfect! THEN, she pointed out an ad in their sales paper that gave me some free batteries along with the ones I was already planning to buy. Double (A) woohoo! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, overall, it's been a great shopping experience this Christmas season. I've got to make a quick stop today for giant gift bags (for giant gifts that I don't want to wrap, of course), drinks and bread for Christmas dinner with the in-laws, and ONE more gift. Nothing like Christmas Eve for last minute shopping! Ahhh, procrastination . . .</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2G1fM7uwfTeJQMCbGfM8ZRsJCCNywS_5jMWbT-9LBGfookgdsJt8uuVM4bVmjMRcPD_1UVsbl9PKV58qGmLZjJ8Dra7BeuoBV9aXoWNoqvb3MNUgMeBWfa63q_DbzqPpMxuY_Rhtq4KQ/s1600/100_0624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2G1fM7uwfTeJQMCbGfM8ZRsJCCNywS_5jMWbT-9LBGfookgdsJt8uuVM4bVmjMRcPD_1UVsbl9PKV58qGmLZjJ8Dra7BeuoBV9aXoWNoqvb3MNUgMeBWfa63q_DbzqPpMxuY_Rhtq4KQ/s400/100_0624.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I couldn't find another Christmas flashback, so here's a summer flashback from Sandestin!</span></td></tr>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-80729890535381293632012-12-23T05:00:00.000-06:002012-12-23T05:00:06.862-06:00New Christmas Tradition . . .<span style="font-size: large;">This year I procrastinated as usual and did my shopping at the last minute. However, instead of fighting the crowds on one of the busiest shopping days of the year (Saturday before Christmas), I went REALLY early Saturday morning to avoid the crowds.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm talking super early . . . </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So early, it seemed like Friday night still . . .</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In fact, I never went to bed Friday night . . . </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I just left a Christmas party around 12:30am and went shopping!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of disclaimers: For this to work, of course, I had to go to a store that was open 24 hours a day. AND . . . I didn't find everything I was looking for. So, I'll have to go out on another day to find a couple of leftover items. AND . . . I probably don't have to shop for as many people as others do, so that makes it easier to do most of it in one night in one store. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Overall, my shopping experience was GREAT! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">--I didn't have to fight any crazy moms (or dads or grandmas or whoevers) who just have to have THAT new toy for their kid.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">--I didn't have to squeeze through crowded aisles or maneuver around thousands of other shoppers that all seem to need something in exactly the same spot at the same time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">--I didn't have to wait in any black-friday-esque lines outside OR inside the store.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">--I walked right up to a register and actually was blessed to be able to let someone go in front of me that only had one item. (I had a buggy-full.) Otherwise, no waiting! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">--The store employees were actually kind and courteous and helpful!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">SO, shopping from approximately 1am-3am on the Saturday morning before Christmas will be a new tradition for me! I absolutely loved it.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsogWql5g2oUlnkpzys0oQUHjntjemfdifU5nQa174DroUEb0Qg_ecu8eTbyzgoODWOoI57k_IkVxQOA7UgIFPpmDR1gVH_V9IWhbr3EMYoHF2AbBLVZAB9kjwbcHwLscDIYYQNJf1DvU/s1600/hampton.nicole.christmas07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsogWql5g2oUlnkpzys0oQUHjntjemfdifU5nQa174DroUEb0Qg_ecu8eTbyzgoODWOoI57k_IkVxQOA7UgIFPpmDR1gVH_V9IWhbr3EMYoHF2AbBLVZAB9kjwbcHwLscDIYYQNJf1DvU/s400/hampton.nicole.christmas07.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christmas Eve 2007 - our first Married Christmas!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day or both?</span><br />
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-73210126810627750722012-12-22T03:13:00.002-06:002012-12-22T03:13:55.321-06:00Update and Christmas flashback . . .<span style="font-size: large;">For the last two weeks, I've had Friday, the 21st in my head. Not because of the Mayan calendar or because the world was supposed to end, but because that was the deadline our case worker gave us for completing our home study - on her end. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">By Tuesday of this week, we had everything turned in and it was just a matter of waiting. Friday morning arrives and I receive a phone call from our case worker with a couple of last minute questions. Then, I ask what will happen next. She explains that although she will have our home study completed, it has to pass through the director of our agency office first . . . THEN, it can be approved. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, we are still a couple of steps away from being ready for placement. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> 1. Home Study Approval</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> 2. Complete our Profile Book</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I've started working on the profile book using </span><a href="http://www.mixbook.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">MixBook</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. It's really easy and makes the whole thing look very professional. I am looking forward to visiting all of our family over the Christmas break to get up-to-date pictures! Be forewarned, family members, I need your best smiles! :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8tBqB2vl-EFLEYp3Cj-ESFDEIuoEq9N92PAZ0lmlufG7M4ouc-2cCgMQ0cqWj4J5qBR2v9CsZRbkAqLKYDaxaECSPMpMd1hQYGKhOWIomDcKNuWMZTmBn4uvdqUtOp1-FeVF7-c4ar8/s1600/hampton.nicole.christmas2009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8tBqB2vl-EFLEYp3Cj-ESFDEIuoEq9N92PAZ0lmlufG7M4ouc-2cCgMQ0cqWj4J5qBR2v9CsZRbkAqLKYDaxaECSPMpMd1hQYGKhOWIomDcKNuWMZTmBn4uvdqUtOp1-FeVF7-c4ar8/s400/hampton.nicole.christmas2009.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christmas Flashback! 2009, Black and White Party</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 2009, we had a black and white party. Everyone wore black and white clothes, we ate black and white foods, and we watched "It's a Wonderful Life" (best Christmas movie ever) in - you guessed it - black and white! It was a lot of fun and something I would definitely do again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">ShareTime: Do you have a favorite "grown-up" Christmas memory?</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-12701083557463638162012-12-21T05:00:00.000-06:002012-12-21T05:00:15.592-06:00Remembrance...This morning I will be walking with some friends and praying for the families of the children and teachers who lost their lives in Connecticut last Friday. If you're reading this, please take a few minutes and pray for those families and the friends of those who were killed. <br />
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-3195962216663949772012-12-19T05:00:00.000-06:002012-12-19T05:00:04.028-06:00Baby RoomWe've started the baby room! Technically, it was started when we first moved in (4 years ago). We painted the walls green then and had the idea that one day we would decorate when we knew we were having a baby. When I was pregnant with the girls, we didn't get very far in decorating, so the room pretty much stayed an office and still has a bunch of junk in it. <br />
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I wanted to do something different for our third child...something that allows him or her to be unique. We haven't gotten very far, just paint colors and fuzzy ideas. All I know right now is there will be yellow and white, and we are repurposing some old furniture to use. I saw a really classic looking nursery on Pinterest that was yellow, white, and gray. We might go that route. It would work for both girls and boys.<br />
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Saturday, I started painting the largest piece of furniture - this beautiful wood bookcase that was given to me for free back in college. It will serve wonderfully for baby books and baskets of toys. Here's a before and after: (still have to paint the bottom two inches and two more shelves)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtOX-ar4kDTupoqUqcBgaNEpqzRRUAVvr8tpbkKiNpJMAqKAT511zv_fUBxADGg4v7ABS4D2CjB_kKdxAX1UDNFgah4B7rTFv6e-tpI9mDCu2hXRsIpibRqtrP_fFAZks-z2kXGww0xg/s1600/bookcase+before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtOX-ar4kDTupoqUqcBgaNEpqzRRUAVvr8tpbkKiNpJMAqKAT511zv_fUBxADGg4v7ABS4D2CjB_kKdxAX1UDNFgah4B7rTFv6e-tpI9mDCu2hXRsIpibRqtrP_fFAZks-z2kXGww0xg/s320/bookcase+before.JPG" width="154" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzl5ajz-cqjYgxy60UyR0XjFCtWKulGf2SDLJSTmHzXP74_tTZeElNerl7fsmDZyZ_WKRObh2ADrbO4iGChuBaL-LoJkFrXY5pYjBsMdVXL4HqFdNHV9QD-4Rs4NNud-QTIViERsJP6M/s1600/bookcase+white.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzl5ajz-cqjYgxy60UyR0XjFCtWKulGf2SDLJSTmHzXP74_tTZeElNerl7fsmDZyZ_WKRObh2ADrbO4iGChuBaL-LoJkFrXY5pYjBsMdVXL4HqFdNHV9QD-4Rs4NNud-QTIViERsJP6M/s320/bookcase+white.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We are moving slowly with the buying of baby items. There are some things that we could easily buy now and hold on to for months and years, if needed, but we are trying to be realistic about what we should buy right now. I've started a registry, but it's slow-going. There are so many choices!<br />
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If you are an eager family member or friend, we will welcome practical baby gifts, if you just can't help it. :) A friend of mine wants to throw us a shower, so that might be in the plans for a few months away. It's exciting to think about!<br />
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Small adoption update: all of our paperwork is in and we are simply waiting for approval. yippee!<br />
<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-59600672914877459322012-12-15T09:52:00.001-06:002012-12-15T09:52:47.216-06:00Few Words on tragedy...<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After a tragedy, many people will say there are no words to express the sadness, the pain, the anger, the confusion, the despair. I agree.<br /><br />There are a few Words, though, that I believe can help. Having been through a personal tragedy and loss of my children, these Words have given comfort and peace when nothing else would.<br /><br /><em>Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. (Psalms 42:11 NASB)</em><br /><br /><em>These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NASB)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /><em>Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. </em></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em>(2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV)</em><br /><br /><br />People, pray for one another. Pray for those who have lost their children, those who have lost a loved one, those who are dealing with tragedy. The God of all comfort will send comfort to them.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #0c343d;"><em>*in memory of Joanna and Rita, and those who lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary school</em></span> </span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-45882019593643580372012-12-14T05:00:00.000-06:002012-12-14T05:00:15.402-06:00My Hope is in You...<span style="font-size: large;">There's a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RRZgr7wNDs">song by Aaron Shust</a> that is played on the radio all the time and I thought about it tonight as I was thinking about the adoption process and life in general. So perfect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>My hope is in You, Lord<br />All the day long<br />I won’t be shaken by drought or storm<br />A peace that passes understanding is my song<br />And I sing<br />My hope is in You, Lord</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These lyrics can apply to so much of my life and I know my hope for our adoption is in God alone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our last home visit was great. We talked about familiar subjects . . .</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> . . . the early days of our childhood (where we went to school, etc.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> . . . how Hampton and I met and when we started dating (always a fun topic, since Hampton once proclaimed to a friend of his: "I'll never date that Nicole Hughes girl" - HAHA)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoviRP8wp227V_AMeBYRBOHE6lXmFphur0iD38g_06tIyV-HVow1gnnrSMWU4Tbf_KmJzghED6Bm6htrl3VEJw4jumhXQBwPYqDzB0mdTB8CcBh4M6RCnCEadPU66JbUmpRBUtAgazoyI/s1600/Tragic+Nicole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoviRP8wp227V_AMeBYRBOHE6lXmFphur0iD38g_06tIyV-HVow1gnnrSMWU4Tbf_KmJzghED6Bm6htrl3VEJw4jumhXQBwPYqDzB0mdTB8CcBh4M6RCnCEadPU66JbUmpRBUtAgazoyI/s1600/Tragic+Nicole.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maybe that comment was based on such behavior as exhibited in this pic? HAHA.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other topics included . . .</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> . . . when we graduated college, what our degrees are in, graduate school and medical school, when Hampton joined the Air Force</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> . . . Hampton's schedule and how that might affect our parenting (I'm honestly looking forward to staying home, although I L.O.V.E. my current job)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We also talked about the next step in the process (after turning in more paperwork, of course), which is to make our profile books. These are books that contain our pictures and some brief info about us. Birthmothers will look at these via the agency and use the profiles to help choose an adoptive family for their baby. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I CANNOT WAIT TO GET STARTED ON THIS. lol. I'm seriously way too excited about it. But really, how many chances do you get to tell someone else all about yourself and your brilliant husband (seriously, he's brilliant . . . if you know him, you know I'm right).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5bJsyWtz1PIj8Bzx8lYzBxmifNqAtt5-YoNbhzTu1H_2hNyyrTRyPGtvu5T3_Qbg4VHkYad8wh8lXQc0BTbF4XvIHdM4y7RI8wPXCCtQpN2-vbZsQVnsPL7nXYK52m5s7sFKjXyflJg/s1600/Hampton_Wedding_037+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5bJsyWtz1PIj8Bzx8lYzBxmifNqAtt5-YoNbhzTu1H_2hNyyrTRyPGtvu5T3_Qbg4VHkYad8wh8lXQc0BTbF4XvIHdM4y7RI8wPXCCtQpN2-vbZsQVnsPL7nXYK52m5s7sFKjXyflJg/s320/Hampton_Wedding_037+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">See how brilliant he is?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, our case worker should have all of our paperwork in by Tuesday and will hopefully have us approved by Friday!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Later in the song, these lyrics are sung, which represent another part of the adoption process and something we are very familiar with - waiting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>I will wait on You<br />You are my refuge<br />I will wait on You<br />You are my refuge</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="color: purple;">I wait for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, my <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-16146H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup>soul does wait,<br /><span class="text Ps-130-5">And in His word do I hope.</span></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="color: purple;"><span class="text Ps-130-5">~Psalm 130:5</span></span></em></span></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-1360552262386826492012-12-13T10:04:00.001-06:002012-12-13T10:04:25.123-06:00Today!<span style="font-size: large;">Today's a big day here at the McClendon house! Our last home visit! I'm looking forward to writing all about it later and posting tomorrow morning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In other news, I've been helping plan a children's musical for our church over the last couple of months and it's been a lot of fun! The performance is this Sunday night and the kids have been working hard to memorize their lines and the song lyrics. We have a lot of solos, too! The musical is called "The Best Christmas Present Ever!" and if you haven't heard of it, you should look it up and check out the songs. The story presents the gospel and the story of Christmas in a unique way. I'm excited for the kids - they get to be witnesses this Sunday night!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And just for fun . . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been reminiscing a lot lately about the early years of my relationship with my now husband. One of my favorite memories from college is represented in the following photo:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8zlOPr1lk7difYr5EjoVz-d8UoyeIDaAjfyUBN0RoulxaqvXgK_lDfxOqG5UKnzU799iet_oM3UwBIY5oiwiCE_psMZngm8yL5zeAOF-WXKC8zIcQQDzvgMZjssb4TO3PAdbz5XyHFg/s1600/IMGP0320cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8zlOPr1lk7difYr5EjoVz-d8UoyeIDaAjfyUBN0RoulxaqvXgK_lDfxOqG5UKnzU799iet_oM3UwBIY5oiwiCE_psMZngm8yL5zeAOF-WXKC8zIcQQDzvgMZjssb4TO3PAdbz5XyHFg/s320/IMGP0320cropped.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope our college minister doesn't mind the cameo here!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This picture was taken in Guatemala, when Hampton and I joined over 40 other college students to take the Gospel to the people there. It was an amazing trip and it basically marks the point when my friendship with Hampton became something more. The reason I love this picture so much is that our college minister has legitimate claims to have helped the matchmaking process. Hampton and I were in a drama group together throughout the first two years of college and we were actually cast as girlfriend and boyfriend in one particular ongoing sketch. It was all College Minister's idea. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">By the way, can any of my college friends name that skit we did every week for a while? BONUS POINTS FOR YOU!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, now you've seen various stages of our friendship/relationship/marriage. Congrats! Hampton loves to talk about the earliest days, so maybe you'll get a story or two out of him sometime soon. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"See" you all tommorrow with a summary of our last home visit!</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-51560740626118658642012-12-12T05:00:00.000-06:002012-12-12T05:00:04.381-06:00Adoption Timeline Recap...<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">Here's where we've been . . .</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">May 19, 2012 - completed online application</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">June 29 - preliminary paperwork mailed to adoption agency</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">mid-July - confirmed reservations at informational meeting</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;">I went to London in late July/early August! This is one of my fave pics . . .</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990000;">RED DOUBLEDECKER BUS</span>!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">August 24 - attended informational meeting</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">August 31 - mailed more paperwork (and some money) to the agency</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">September 5 - received offical confirmation from the agency and online login</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">September 7 - completed formal application online</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">September 15 - received massive packet of paperwork from agency</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">September 16-October 8 - fingerprinting, local, state, and FBI background checks, personal surveys, drug screen, and other paperwork</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">October 9 - mailed in all paperwork to agency</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">October 17 - confirmed receipt of paperwork and learned that our case was being reviewed by the director of the agency office</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">October 25 - talked to our case worker on the phone for the first time</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2V_BL4mfJ-qawcovmgbDcSHxPIgTHccb7NzGPhdRz8-yyL-4ffzGWn45iWo7M-BY_y37fO8uYYk3_RB6BR4LJWGaLcU0a8BFQtNDSkmrb6-X0IegYmo1VkDXu4MiMdzUwiaaamIDGtyc/s1600/IMG_0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2V_BL4mfJ-qawcovmgbDcSHxPIgTHccb7NzGPhdRz8-yyL-4ffzGWn45iWo7M-BY_y37fO8uYYk3_RB6BR4LJWGaLcU0a8BFQtNDSkmrb6-X0IegYmo1VkDXu4MiMdzUwiaaamIDGtyc/s400/IMG_0347.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: small;">Meanwhile, Hampton went to Africa!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6H_JA6zpxrylGHXhbYX9zsGZ6q5cL6zYoWuvMRaLjCTtZB-JOl8ndCBV5GYgFr8Qr_SDENPPFMMCbgppIQLk6oOuEgr-3KneJPcRSkn74X8EGQvyouFc4T9NsQyCMgk-WAWFgmV2Zfs/s1600/IMG_0383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6H_JA6zpxrylGHXhbYX9zsGZ6q5cL6zYoWuvMRaLjCTtZB-JOl8ndCBV5GYgFr8Qr_SDENPPFMMCbgppIQLk6oOuEgr-3KneJPcRSkn74X8EGQvyouFc4T9NsQyCMgk-WAWFgmV2Zfs/s400/IMG_0383.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">November 15 - first home study visit</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">December 7 - educational meeting and individual interviews</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">December 11 - talked to case worker on the phone again and confirmed last home visit for Thursday, December 13</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">And here we are this week, with our last home visit coming up on Thursday. I LOVE this list of dates - it makes the process look so concise and simple, haha! But it also represents a lot of prayer and support for our friends and family over the last 6 months (and more and more and more). <span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>We love you all so much!</strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"></span><br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-571132276325677578.post-43041089322960343952012-12-11T05:00:00.000-06:002012-12-11T05:00:04.612-06:00Interviews and lingo...<span style="font-size: large;">After our education meeting last Friday, we went to our agency's office and had our individual interviews. Before we split up, we had to complete this survey without looking at or talking to each other. Fun stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hampton did his interview first and it lasted about 45 minutes. Mine was about the same. I'm not going to give any details on these because they were very personal - but suffice it to say we think they went well. Our adoption case worker is wonderful and she makes me feel comfortable talking to her about anything.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After the interviews, we attempted to schedule our final home visit, which was difficult because Hampton had to check his schedule at work. We are tentatively on for this coming Thursday, December 13. So excited!! I cannot believe how quickly the process has gone at this point. The beginning was all slow and waiting and "when are we going to get to the next part." Now, it's here - we should have an approved home study before Christmas!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZo41MGOjxOe7ydj9pRKrtbk5DDTjfToDBMn_QSR4rWz_cy01nL7VOOlNDBhH_FqyebvSiFRvcYt9bc0UXcbl3Z3asV70-04ZucP0JN6UmhIth3WoMQMviJQj2e81zASosIMqSAEA-gPA/s1600/november.december+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZo41MGOjxOe7ydj9pRKrtbk5DDTjfToDBMn_QSR4rWz_cy01nL7VOOlNDBhH_FqyebvSiFRvcYt9bc0UXcbl3Z3asV70-04ZucP0JN6UmhIth3WoMQMviJQj2e81zASosIMqSAEA-gPA/s320/november.december+033.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another flashback picture:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">A few years ago at the Biltmore in Asheville, NC.</span> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I will conclude with some adoption lingo. There are certain phrases the adoption world chooses to use to appropriately and accurately express the process and the people involved. Here are some commonly used words and phrases and some appropriate alternatives:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of "real or natural parent" . . . say "birthparent" or "biological mom or dad"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of "real child" . . . say "birth child"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of "put up or give up for adoption" . . . say "choosing adoption" or "making an adoption plan"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of "keep the child" . . . say "parent the child"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of "unwanted pregnancy" . . . say "unplanned, unintended, or untimely pregnancy"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of "find real parents" . . . say "search for birthparents"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of "foreign adoption" . . . say "intercountry or international adoption"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of "adoptee" . . . say "someone who was adopted"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure there will be more as we go through the matching and placement process and as we talk with more adoptive families. I will say this: Don't be afraid to ask questions and talk to us about our adoption. WE ARE EXCITED. And we want to talk to you and share that excitement!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06323295304856035778noreply@blogger.com2