Awesome Weekend

As you all know I was kidnapped on Friday after work. Minde picked me up around 5 and we headed south 2 hours. I had no idea where we were going. After checking into the hotel and going up to our room for the first time (lots of stuff to carry for scrapbooking), we stepped off the elevator to get the 2nd load and there was my friend Amanda! I couldn't believe it. What a surprise!

We ate lots of good food, talked and scrapbooked the weekend away. I got a total of 42 pages done which I was pretty pumped about. I look forward to these type of weekends when I can get a lot done!

Thanks so much to my awesome hubby and wonderful sister-in-law Minde and best friend Amanda for making this weekend great!!

P.S. No baby news to report yet. Don't worry you'll know when something happens:)

Weekend Plans

Well, I'm sitting in my chair last night drifting off to sleep like always. Mind you it was only 9:30 if that! Stan hands me a piece of paper. I recover from the groggy state I was in to read it. It was a poem from my sister in law. The end of the poem reads like this:

"Your cutters, paper, pictures and tape runner are a must.
So pack those black bags and the rest you will have to trust.

I'll see you after work,
I hope the anticipation will be a perk."

And let me tell you the anticipation level is high! So last night I packed up all my scrapbooking stuff and off to bed. I could barely sleep!! I woke up this morning but Stan didn't reveal any more information. When I returned home from work this afternoon he informed me to pack my overnight bag. I said How many nights. He said I don't know but figure on more than 1. I said what time do I have to be ready. He said don't worry, you'll have plenty of time.

So here I am packed and ready to go and extremely excited for what the weekend holds!

P.S I turn 30 in 10 days! and No I'm not having a hard time with it:)

Meeting

Thanks to everyone for your prayers today! Stan and I felt the meetings went well. We were comfortable, felt at peace, and felt that we connected with the birthparents. During the meetings I felt so at peace and I knew God was calming my nerves! In talking with the social worker afterwards she said that the birthmom said she was comfortable with us as well. I'm glad we got the opportunity to meet them. No news from the doctor's appointment. Now we wait as everything is a go. Please pray for the health and well being of the birthmom and the baby. We covet your prayers as we continue on this journey and wait for the baby to join our family.

Prayer

We found out today that the birthmom has requested to me with us. So tomorrow we get to meet her for the first time at 4:30 p.m. After that we will meet separately with the birthfather at 6:30 p.m. They are not on speaking terms so better to keep them separate. The birthmom has a doctor's appointment prior to our meeting so we may find out more news then. Please pray that the meeting goes well and that we can connect with the birthparents as we continue on this journey. It is all in God's hands!

Perspective from a 3 year old

Nothing new to report since our last post but I wanted to share Aiden's thoughts on the adoption. As a family we talk about the adoption so the boys kind of know what is going on, so it isn't a total shock when this all happens. We pray for the baby at night and will randomly discuss where the baby will come from. To keep things as simple as possible we tell the boys that God will be bring us our baby. Many times the question arises, "Where is God?". The answer usually is God is in the clouds up in Heaven.

A week or so ago we were riding in the car. From the back seat I hear Keegan and Aiden talking about the new baby. Keegan's usual line is that, "It sure is taking a long time to get our baby."

This time Aiden had quite the story to tell: "God is going to come down from the clouds with our new baby and walk on the sidewalk. He's going to come to the back door and come in the house and give us our new baby." So interesting to see how toddlers process things:)

We'll keep you posted of any happenings. Thanks again for all your prayers and support.

Adoption Update

I'm sure many of you have been checking in for any updates:) We met today with the director of our agency. We learned on Wednesday that the birthparents were interested in and had picked our profile. The director wanted to meet with us today to go over all the information the agency had gathered. We had received bits and pieces throughout the week. We met with Kim at 11:30 today and after looking at all the information decided to move forward in the process. There are many details I would love to share but we have chosen to keeps those within our immediate families. We covet your prayers as we continue on this journey. The birthmom is due within the next 2 weeks so it could be any time! I am excited, nervous, anxious, along with so many other emotions. God's plan is perfect. God has brought us to this place and God will guide us through!

American Cancer Society

Who: Anyone!

What: Tip Night

When: May 20, 2009 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Sheldon Pizza Ranch

Why: All tips and a % of sales go to the American Cancer Society

Phone Call...

As I returned home from work today after picking up the boys the phone ring. Stan was coming around the corner to tell me their was a message on the machine. I picked up the phone and it was the director of our agency (who had also left a message earlier). She started by asking if I had time to talk. My heart began to flutter as I knew she was calling about something. They had a unique situation with a birthmother she wanted to run past Stan and I. It was nice Stan was also home so we could hear the same story. The birthmom had come to Bethany just a week before. The director proceeded to tell us about the situation and by the end I was like Wow, information overload. I won't go into details but lets just say this mom has been through a lot. The details of the situation did not match our profile; however, because of the uniqueness of the situation Bethany was calling all families who were waiting to get a feel if they wanted their profile shown.

We did elect to have our profile shown. The last week has been up and down. "Be still and know that I am God." Yesterday I had this urge to go through the baby clothes and items I do have to find anything neutral which was tough because we knew we were having boys so didn't buy anything other than blue. Why I had this urge I don't know. I washed the clothes and got a diaper bag together. "Be still and know that I am God." I felt so at peace after talking to the director. Having our profile shown is no guarantee of placement, however, this is more than we have had in the past. The situation is unique. Stan and I both feel if it is meant to be, it will. If not we move on to the next situation. The profiles are being shown to the mom tomorrow.

I ask for prayers for this birthmom as she has a tough decision to make. I ask for prayers for peace, guidance, and understanding for our family as we continue on our journey. I'll keep you posted.

Keegan's Birthday Party

We celebrated Keegan's birthday last night with a party. Keegan woke up in the morning and said, "Is it my birthday?" I had to break his heart and tell him we were just having a party and it wasn't his actual birthday. So hard for a little one to understand:) The theme for the party was Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Grandpa's, Grandma's, aunts, uncles and cousins were all able to make it. We have a lot of fun. We had yummy food, played Bingo, opened presents, and ate cake. Here are a few pictures.

Here's the birthday boy!

Playing Thomas the Train Bingo

Our guests.

A new baseball helmet.

Aiden waitng patiently as Keegan opens his presents.
Rockets!
Time for cake!

Be still and know....

that I am God." Psalm 46.10. I don't know if this is irony or the good Lord working but on my way to work this morning I was listening to Life 96.5. The life verse for today was "Be still and now that I am God." I'm pretty sure it is the Lord working:) He knew I needed that this morning!

A not so adoption update.....

Well many have asked how things are coming with the adoption lately. And the answer is nothing new has happened. Within the last month we were assigned a more permanent social worker and she has given us 2 updates. In my accounting terms I would say the last update was, "A lot of demand, with little supply." Bethany in Orange City also works with the offices in Mason City, Fort Dodge, and Council Bluffs. Many of the birthmom's have chosen to parent and others have chosen other families.

So we continue to wait for that phone call. Every time the phone rings, I wonder if that could be "the call". It's all in God's time. A song/phrase that has constantly been in my head lately is, "Be still and know that I am God." I know God is trying to tell me something so I'm going to listen, be patient and wait. The wait some days is extremely hard. We know many family and friends who are expecting and that makes me desire this even more! "Be still and know that I am God." I find the words continually in my head and on my tongue.

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in who, whose thoughts are fixed on you." Isaiah 26:3.

Happy Birthday Keegan!

Wow, it is hard to believe Keegan is 5 years old today. He has grown and changed so much this last year. I guess that's what preschool does to you. You have learned how to color, cut and write your name. You have learned how to write your numbers even if we get a few backwards:) You have made new friends and really enjoy breakfast at school with Grandma DZ. You are a very special little boy!

1 month old

3 months old

8 months old

15 months old

2 1/2 years old

almost 3

almost 4

4 years old.

We love you very much!!

New Bike

For doing fairly well for the whole wedding ordeal, we had promised Keegan a new bike which is also doubling as a Birthday present:) We went to Sioux Falls the Saturday after the wedding and Keegan got to pick out his own bike. He was pretty excited.

We've also been enjoying the beautiful weather we have been having. The boys love to play outside and unfortunately are finding the dandelions in the neighbors yard. The boys think they are "flowers" however dad is not thrilled:)