Staycation Week Part 1

This past week was our little family "stay-cation" week - I didn't want it to end! Staycation meant movie marathons, stayin' up late and sleepin' in (all of us), playin' games together....

hmm, not sure.

and eating pretty much whatever we wanted.

This was supper one night.

We loaded up the "Snasket" and watched a movie every night. (not always eva)

Daddy took his mini girl on a date.

We made "happy" cakes, as Eva called them.

Her face says it... they didn't turn out quite as pretty as they started.

Hard to tell if that's excitement or fear...

To be continued...

Adoption Update: The Meeting

So we're back from our meeting this morning with the birthmama. It was easier than we thought and we even had fun. When we got there, we sat down first with our social worker to get "briefed" for the discussion. She told us what to emphasize ("We really respect you!") and what to steer-clear of ("So tell me about Baby's father."). This was very helpful. Then it was time, and Baby's mama came in. Instantly my heart melted. Here was this sweet 16 year old girl with a beautiful smile and quiet presence, gracefully shaking my hand like she was 25.

We learned that these past two weeks have been difficult ones for her, with the first family she chose not working out, and another option falling through. BUT she was really glad to meet us and ask us about our marriage and family life. We went through our family profile book together and laughed about our Campbell made-up holidays and how I can't work math (something she loves). She told us that at the beginning she chose us, but then other circumstances came up and so she didn't move forward with meeting us until now. When we asked her what drew her to our book she said, we seemed like a happy family and that she liked how creative I was (photos of my hobbies were in the book). In the end though what she really wanted to know was, where we happily married? From what our social worker told us, this is not something she has seen in her own family- a happy marriage. We told her about what we respect about each other and how our differences bring perspective and lots of laughs. This was where we were able to talk about how, because of God's love for us, we are able to love each other and forgive when we wrong one another... and we each think the other is smokin' hot. (Actually, as true as it is, we elected to leave that part out for today.)

We know she's planning to meet with another couple (who are friends of a friend) on Saturday, and we encouraged her to take the time she needs with making her choice and that we respect her decision. We know Who is ultimately making the decision, so we're not anxious. :-) I don't know for sure, but I do think that he might be our baby... in the meantime, I can't stop lovin' him... and why should I? (got a Phil Collins song stuck in your head there? You're welcome.)

Adoption Update: Oh my goodness, we've been selected! Maybe, maybe baby!

This picture is how we feel right now.... oh, my goodness! Our social worker called a couple hours ago to say that a birth mom that had been viewing our profile these past two weeks (waiting, waiting) would like to meet us - tomorrow. Hold on one minute before you pass out the bubble gum cigars though.... she's also going to meet with another family on Saturday and choose between our two families over the weekend. That's right folks.... more waiting.

So we meet tomorrow morning and get to ask her questions and talk with the social worker about how things would work if we are chosen to parent. We're not worried about it all though. We know that if he (yes, it's a boy!) is going to be our little son, no amount of 'saying the wrong thing' or 'messing up' at the interview can stop God's plan. And if he's not ours, there's nothing we can do differently that will 'changed her mind.' Those things help us chill in the midst of being totally nervous/excited.

It's completely awesome to think though that we might be a family of four next week. (oh my!) The baby boy was born last month and is healthy and has healthy parents. His mom, I think, really cares about him and it's been a hard road for her deciding where to place him. We hope tomorrow we can really communicate to her how much we respect and support her. We wanna be a good "face" for adoption and of course for the gospel even if she doesn't select us.

Please pray for us as we go tomorrow....  that we would have compassionate hearts, that we would be ourselves, and that we would rest in God's plan. And if you're in my city, and you have baby boy clothes, you might be getting a phone call this week...

Hopefully I'll have an update sooner, but don't expect one before Tuesday (when we'll likely hear). Maybe, maybe baby!

Silliness, Sittin' a Spell, and Ceiling Slicing : The Hawkcrew Visits (yay!)

My parents and sibs decided to use their precious few vaca days with us Campbells this month, and we're SO glad they did! Here we are "sittin' a spell" in the evening air testing the coffee and weight limits of our deck. (no offence, y'all)

My darling sis (along with her boyfriend Ian, he's the one above relaxing on the table) was able to stop in for 24hrs and get some "face-time" with e. My little girl has been asking for "auntie Eli coming back" ever since.

On Sunday Grandma took us all out to a delicious lunch and Geo and Sue (my dad's bro, obviously) were along for the fun as well. As Gma says, "It is good to get the family together." She's so right.

Eva's latest obsession is Where's Waldo books, so everyone took a turn helping her find him.

The real attention grabber of the week was the ceiling peeing leaking down in the den. (Our own dear Taylor was sleeping a mere 6in from the stream when it started. Of course he slept on through the running and towel throwing.) This is the cooler that was used to catch the water.

I say, if you're gonna have one, the best time to have a water leak (God knew), is when your handy dad is in town. And since he was going to cut a hole in the ceiling, naturally, a crowd gathered.

After the first incision...

"Confirmed. We have cut a hole in the ceiling... there." "Where?" "There." "Where?" "There." "Ah, there." "Yes, there." (Okay, I'll stop.)

Since that hole just wasn't big enough, we sliced some more.

Hmmm...

Confirmed: hole in ceiling is too small. Solution: Make it bigger.

Please raise your hand if you have any questions.

Commensing Test 1a ...

of a six part test confirming that, indeed....

We needed a bigger chunk out of the ceiling.

For real.

Sometime during Test 2c the crowd grew restless: Painting nails.

Suspicion confirmed: We have a leak.

Cracked grout in the shower upstairs allowed a steady stream of water to fall through the sub floor under the tub (yikes) if the shower head was aimed at the wall. (something we hadn't done before so we hadn't noticed any problems - we use that bathroom for bathes for Eva) As much as I'm making fun of the process, we really were relieved to figure this one out. Thanks, Dad, for helping us discover the source of the problem! We're going to have a contractor replace the tile and patch the (ahem) little "spot" on the den ceiling.

With that issue resolved...

...we all headed outside for the next event...

Watching Dad fix the gutters.

This time he actually patched a hole. Thanks again, Pops. Hope you enjoyed your vacation!

We heart you all.



Happy Hot July

 Playdates

Playtime

Moo. (Cow Day at Chickfila)

At the zoo, my little lamb feeds a little lamb.

For the bigger Campbell clan eatin' pie together is true patriotism.

Sweet summer.



Adoption Update: Mothers Come and Go

o Bebe, where art tho?

It's been about two months since our home study wrapped up and we haven't gotten our training yet (that's in September, remember?), but we've been encouraged by having two mothers already view our family profile book. We weren't selected these times because one of the moms decided to parent her baby and the other wanted a Latin American family if possible (which she later found). We know that we weren't selected truly because the babe that God has for us wasn't those babes, and we're cool with that. We honestly didn't expect to see any "action" before September, so these instances have been uplifting and kinda exciting - both moms were having their kiddos in a matter of weeks or days when we got the call! So we keep waiting, but we know it won't be long.

Happy 4th!

Summer is... fireflies

Adoption Update: Signed Up For Pre-Adopt Class

This week we just got our letter of registration (and parking pass) for the September Pre-Adopt class! This is the class our agency does twice a year to train adopting couples about multiple areas of adoption including: how to care for birth parents, work with open/semi-open adoptions, raise children with special needs, raise children of a different race, prepare your family and extended family for the new child, what to expect, etc. This invite is a big deal because these training classes are small and we get to be included in the one that's coming up next. After this course we will be in the small parent "pool" that they pull from for all their birth mothers - this also means we may get our wish of "Baby before Christmas." There still is a chance as well that a baby that fits our profile best may become available before September, in which case we would still go through the class. Either way it will be fun to learn and get all our questions and wonderings out.

We've really been grateful for the knowledgeable-ness of the staff at our agency, they really know their stuff and have helped us to have a whole different view of the world - especially from the point of view of the birth parents. This class, I hope, will help us to further understand and respect this woman (and maybe man with her) who is/are making this sacrifice that will enable our family's growth. We've been praying for her/them now for a while and would ask you, our friends and family, to pray along with us - especially that the hope of the Gospel would capture her/their heart through this process or through the years we may share together watching our little one grow. This is a deeply painful and often life-changing time for a birth mother. How wonderful would it be to be able to encourage and come along side her during this season? To tell her of the Source of Joy and comfort that could be hers? This is what I pray we will be able to do as we head into this coming new life with baby and birthmother.

“Let God come to His child, let Him lift up his countenance, and the mourner’s eyes glisten with hope. … You could not have cheered him: but the Lord has done it; “He is the God of all comfort.” C.H. Spurgeon “Morning & Evening” Feb. 20^th Morning