Our Adoption Video

We are finally done with our video from Ethiopia...enjoy. :)

God commands us to care for ophans and widows...

As many of you know, God has given me a crazy, uncomfortable, bigger than life, sad, wonderful heart for the orphans of the world. I am still processing all of this, our trip to Ethiopia and all that we saw while there.

One thing that is very clear is that God COMMANDS us to care for widows and ORPHANS in the bible. He doesn't say it would be nice, or we should consider it if we don't have anything else going on...we MUST do it. There are lots of way, adoption is not the only one.

Check out this video...orphan Sunday is right around the corner. Won't you consider helping one of the 147 million kids without a forever family (or clean water, or food, or clothes, or safety)?

Orphan Sunday from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

12 weeks!!

I can't believe we have had our sweet little boy for 12 weeks! It is so amazing how much God has changed him and us in that time. First for the changes in David...

First week we were home...

Now....

Isn't it amazing??



This was David when we brought him home, he was about 14 months:

• Wearing size 2 diapers and 9 month clothes which were still too big in the waist.
• Would not let you cradle him and cuddle.
• Had to stay in the room/bed with him until he was totally asleep or he would get very scared.
• Could only crawl, could not pull himself up.
• Terrified of baths
• Ate TONS of food, that is not an exaggeration, he ate more than Nicky.
• Had many melt downs concerning food. Would go into a total tail spin if he was the slightest bit hungry.
• Wanted to be around us always, would only play with toys if we were sitting there with him.
• Totally terrified of our dogs...would get physically scared and shake when they came near.
• Very reserved and would not let new people hold him.

David now:

• Has gained over 3 pounds and is wearing size 3 diapers and 12 month clothes
• Loves to be rocked to sleep at night, cuddles in for lots of body contact
• Lays down in bed now and goes right to sleep, no crying or fear
• Walking and running everywhere
• Loves bath time, runs to the tub as soon as he hears the water running
• Eats much less food now, appetite is like an average toddler now
• Less meltdowns about food, now it is only when we are traveling or away from our normal schedule
• Will play with the other kids for long periods of time without Simon or I sitting with them. Nicky and him wrestle together and both LOVE playing cars.
• Loves the dogs, hugs and kisses them along with telling them no!
• Staying at the church daycare during services and not crying when we leave him

Wow, it is pretty amazing when I list it all out! God has blessed us with this little boy.

Some of the time it is hard, most of the time it is rewarding, but ALL of this time we are thankful for David.

Soon I will share more about how my life has changed in the last 12 weeks...I am getting closer to being able to articulate it all...

Wonderful Sunday...

I made it through my first week back at work...amazing. We are enjoying a relaxing weekend at home and while Bella and Simon went to play tennis, I got the boys to myself. Here are some cute as ever pics....

And yes, they are wearing matching shirts!! They are going to hate me when they grow up but it is the cutest thing!!!

It is time...

It is time...tomorrow I am returning to work after 6 weeks leave. I was scheduled for 9 weeks, but things happen.

I have not blogged much about our trip...as many of you who have been on this journey know, it is just something that is hard to put out there for the world to read. God has done so many things in the last 6 weeks in my life, I will forever be thankful for this.

Simon and I feel we are at a cross roads in our family's journey and feel God is about to make some amazing changes, but need prayer for patience while this happens. Of course we want something to happen NOW, but we all know that is not His way, it is our way.

I was hoping our long trip back to Montana would provide some clarity, but we both feel it just muddied the waters more. Although, we can rest knowing that our lives are in Gods hands, not our own.

Until we have some direction, life continues for us and we are thankful for His blessings...

Week 3...how fun is this?

2 weeks home

Today marks the two week anniversary of being home with David. Bella is back as of last week and I am so enjoying her company. She is growing into a young lady and has seen the value (finally) of good behavior, for now at least. She started 5th grade on Thursday...it is amazing, every year I say, "I can't believe I am the mom of a ___ grader!". Before I know it I will be the mom of a high school graduate then a college grad and so on.

David is adjusting well, he is part of our family and it feels like he has always been with us. Gods design for adoption is amazing. It is interesting having two toddlers in the house...a little crazy to tell you the truth. We went shopping at my favorite store...Sam's Club last night with all of the kids. I decided then that I really do love having a big family. It is so fun and you never feel lonely. :)

We are waiting and praying for Simon's next move with his career. Although it has been nice being home together, he said he is ready to go back to work. Will you please consider praying for him? He is working on a pretty significant change, but has had some delays which are frustrating. We must remain strong knowing that God has a plan for our family and He will reveal it at the right time.

Until next time...here are some pictures...