This and That

Long time no blog!  I know!  Things have been busy, sad, busy, now happy again!  School, Easter, Spring, new yardwork, spring cleaning, filling out 2nd adoption agency paperwork, school, etc... Earlier this week when I thought I'd be able to blog again, Scott and I learned of the sad news about the momma eagle who was struck and killed by a plane Tuesday.  We had been watching this eagle family and their 3 eaglets for 2 months, non stop now.  *see previous post* Well, who ever would've thought you could get so attached to these amazing creatures? Goodness!  We watched as the dad eagle came back to feed them and look for the momma eagle.  It was so sad.  Then, the experts determined the eaglets would have the best chance of survival at the Virgina Wildlife Center, where they would be cared for and provided an environment closest to nature.  The eaglets were removed from the nest and taken to their new location Wednesday.  Well, I could ramble on about these eagles forever.  It was a distraction though.  It certainly took my mind off the adoption for a little bit.  We've been hoping to hear from the new agency we applied with last week.  If they are open to new adoptive parents in the program, we will be increasing our chances of being matched with a birth mom. The counties they serve are more populated than the one we are currently with.  Plus, the statistics of this agency are very impressive!  They have placed 35 infants per year the last 2 years!  They get birthmoms from all over the state too.  So, we are prayerful and hopeful we hear good news early next week!  Thank you friends and family who continue to pray for and with us!  We appreciate your continued support in our journey. 

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Adoption Support Group

Yesterday was a rough day.  It rained, it poured, it was just a gloomy, blah kind of day.  Scott and I went to Panera for breakfast and our conversation turned into the same gloomy grey as the weather.  Of course we were talking about our adoption and how frustrating it is to have to wait.  Some days are definitely easier than others, but lately, it's no fun.  You'd think we'd be used to it by now.  Waiting is our middle name.  4 1/2 years of fertility treatments, waiting... no problem, right?  Wrong!  We try so very hard to be positive and not go down this road, but we've been feeling so down lately. 

I received an invite to an adoption support group at a local church.  The event was for families who've adopted, foster to adopt parents, or those in the process of adoption.  Another teacher and I decided we would go last week.  Although yesterday, I wanted to change my mind.  I didn't want to go.   But then, sitting in church today, I felt that God was calling me to attend.  He wanted me there.  So, we went.  The gathering was an Easter Egg hunt, combined with an animal entertainer, and a flag raising in front of the church, to honor the country where their most recent adoption came from.  My teacher friend and I saw some parents we knew and immediately were introduced to some new faces.  We watched in awe the many beautiful faces of children from around the world.  We had the opportunity to listen to testimonies of so many successful and unsuccessful adoptions, foster situations.   The families were very supportive and open about their journeys.  One thing was clear, it was all worth it.  They'd do it all over again.  I appreciated their honesty and letting us know, adoption and waiting is not an easy thing.  God's message was clear though.  He's with us, he has been all along.  It reminded me of the Footprints story.  http://llerrah.com/footprints.htm  I believe God's purpose for me being there was another way of saying, "Hang in there, you will be blessed beyond imagination, if you continue to believe."  So we are praying for the many other couples and families out there who are continuing to wait and having a difficult time. God be with you.

Sweet, Sweet Baby

Scott and I are contemplating expanding our search with adoption.  We are looking into additional agencies and thinking it might increase our chances for placement quicker.  I know so many other couples have waited a lot longer than we have.  It has only been 6 months "officially".  It's coming up on almost a year though since we began all the paperwork last May.  But, I also take into consideration the 4 1/2 years of fertility treatments and procedures and the fact that we're a little older than most couples.  It is incredibly hard to be patient.  We have faith and know it will happen in God's time, not ours.  That was by far, the hardest part to surrender to.  So, we are praying for our birthmother, wherever she may be, whoever she is.  We pray first of all, she chooses life.  We pray for her to get the support and care she needs during her pregnancy.  We pray for her in the hardest decision of her life and the greatest sacrifice.   And we pray for our little one.  We can't imagine the indescribable joy we will feel the day we finally get to meet him or her!   This sweet, sweet video is from Christian Adoption Consultants.  I actually didn't cry watching this, I just felt a sense of peace.  I think it was God's way of saying, "Here, watch this, it will be you soon.  Have faith.  I am with you."  Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6odB5WNPQ0
 

Cribs

We did some serious crib hunting over break and I have to say, we both agree on the same styles and  darker finishes!  Amazing!  Now, if only we could do the same on a new vehicle. (but, that's a whole other post I won't even get into now!)   Some of our favorites are:

We love the 4 in 1 cribs and how they will grow with our child, (from crib, to toddler bed, to day bed, to full size bed).   As I was once again reading and perusing other adoption blogs, I found the most precious painting in a nursery .  Above the crib read "For this child I have prayed. - 1 Samuel 1:27" I saw this and instantly cried.  I just thought, "How incredibly perfect is that?!" One thing is for sure, no matter what crib we buy, boy or girl, that quote will grace our little one's room. 

Each day we pray for our little one, until our time of waiting is done,
We pray the Lord keep you safe from harm, until the child of our dreams, becomes the child in our arms. 

"Wait" Training

Tomorrow is April 1st already!  Where did March go?  I just updated our "registry" at Babies R Us.  It's more of a "wish list" though really.  The only thing I updated, or changed rather, is our "due date".  Initially when we registered back in the fall, I set the "due date" of Jan. 1st.  Well, that day came and went, so I made the new "due date" April 1.  Only now, did I realize it is also April Fool's Day! That wasn't so smart!  So, I've now changed our "due date" for the third time to June 8th. (the last day of school)  How ironic would that be?!  I feel kind of depressed to be changing it YET again, but am trying so hard to continue to be patient.  In my daily readings of other couples, who are also waiting and blogging about their journey, I came across Alison, from "Lovin' Much" ,and her take on waiting:
(http://lovinmuch.blogspot.com/)

Psalm 40, for those of you who are waiting patiently for something, or who are living in despair for whatever reason, this psalm and verses 1-3 are especially for you (and me!): “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.”  Patient waiting. It’s so hard to do. But God does something in waiting like no other time. "Lovin' Much"  affectionately calls it “wait training.” Just like with our physical bodies, we need “weight” resistance to build our muscles, God needs times of “wait training” that cause resistance to our faith. But its purpose is to build our spiritual muscles. During these times our faith is made stronger like no other time.

I totally connected with this!  Not only do I need to go to the Y and do my weight training here soon, but I have some serious spiritual muscles to continue building as well.

What are you waiting on in your life?

Eagle Cam

A teacher at school gave me a link to a live feed of an eagle's nest with newborn eaglets.  I immediately thought of Scott because he LOVES all things eagles!!!  I sent the link to our home email and what do I come home and see?  Scott logging on to our laptop and anxiously awaiting the streaming video.  I didn't even take off my coat, I plopped right down next to him and we watched the momma eagle roosting atop her 6ft. wide, 4ft. deep nest.  The tall pine tree in which she was perched, swayed back and forth in the wind as her feathers ruffled.  We literally sat for almost an hour watching, reading the live chat on the side of the screen, awaiting a view of her little ones.  Then, the minute Scott said, "O.K., I need to go work out" and he left the room, that's when the eagle stood up we saw them!  Of course I yelled, "She up, she's up! I see her babies!!!"  We watched momma eagle in her mammoth nest as she carefully tucked her talons in to walk over to the fish that the daddy eagle caught and brought earlier.  The three eaglets are furry, fuzzy white little things, cute as can be.  I couldn' t help but think, look at us with these birds!  If we are this "ga ga" over them, we are going to be this way times TEN with a newborn!!! Oh my goodness!! It was addicting to say the least!  Here is the link:
http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html .  I dare you not to let yourself get caught up in watching the beauty of a family of birds!  These little eaglets will capture your heart!

Petunia Picklebottom

I am looking forward to Spring Break in a week!  It will be good to reboot and recharge my battery and gear up for the last nine weeks of school.  Scott is taking off too, so we can maybe golf, do some yard work if the weather is nice, take a bike ride, and just have some down time together.  I'm most looking forward to shopping for nursery furniture believe it or not!  Recently, I've been infatuated with diaper bags. SO, so many to choose from! I remember a couple years back, one in particular caught my eye.  I was walking behind a mom pushing a stroller in a store, trying not to be so obvious, to get a close up look at her diaper bag.  I didn't want her to think I was stalking her or her baby.  She stopped for a few minutes in an isle and I pretended to look on the bottom shelf right next to her.  I spotted the name brand of the bag... Petunia Picklebottom!  Oooo, what a snazzy, cool name I thought!  Well, little did I know, it's the Cadillac, the Rodeo Drive, the Ritz Carlton, the Coach of all diaper bags!  Translation - EXPENSIVE!  Adorable though, nonetheless!  I don't spend that much on a regular purse, let alone a diaper bag.  This is a similar to the one I saw:

So, I have found some cute alternatives that I'm keeping my eye on!  Like this little number from JJ Cole - very chic and could be for a boy or girl!  Plus, I think Scott wouldn't mind carrying this too!                     

Then of course, there is always a Vera Bradley baby bag like this one, but it is not cheap either.  I suppose I've got some time before I need one.  But hopefully not too much longer!  For now, it's fun to look and browse!  Of course, Scott just asked, what about me?  Do I have a say?  I did see some awesome "Diaper Dudes" at Babies R Us too!  I have a feeling we'll be shopping for more than just furniture in a couple weeks!