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

Girls In White Dresses

Eva's been talking a lot these days about princesses and brides. "When you grow up, Mommy, are you going to be a princess?" "Is Daddy a princess?" "When you and Daddy did your marry where you a princess?" "When I get married, I'm going to be a bride and marry a prince." "Is God a prince?" "Mommy, are you still a bride?"

So, for fun, Mummzie surprised Eva and got out her "bride/princess" dress. Oh the squeals. ... and she hasn't looked at me the same since.  : ) Daddy (or The Prince) came home the next minute and joined in our ball dance.

 

 Eva: "When I get big, I will wear your beil (veil) and be a bride." Mummzie: "Sniffle!"

No More "Baby Girl" (sniff!)

It's finally happened. My baby is gone. I knew it was happening, with potty training, big-girl bed, and all that, but now it's official. Our home is a diaper-free zone. My little girl sleeps through the night dry. I'm so proud of her, but, ::SNIFF!:: the diapers were the last reminder of her "babyhood," and part of me misses them. Here's the part where my mother says, "Well, dear, I guess you're just ready for another one then!"

"Pull it together, Ma, I'm three after all." (she didn't really say that, just looks like it.)

"Bye, Ma, I'm off to grow up now..."

Favorite 6ft 4in Uncles And A Fake Battle

Last week Alan (my brother Adam) came! And of course he taught us a new trick...

So proud.

We went to the Spotsylvania re-enactment battle that weekend too.

I think blue won, but I didn't have a good seat.

My friend Jimmy was in this thing somewhere. He's kinda cool like that.