I don't really like calling it Easter - that conjures up images of bunnies, chocolate eggs, and baby chicks (real or marshmallow). Sort of like Christmas and Santa Claus. Easter is so much more - it's the Resurrection of my Lord and King!
We spent Easter rejoicing at church (Joshua slept through it!) and eating a wonderful dinner with family and friends. Now I'm back at school with 8 more weeks to go
He Lives! He is Risen! The grave is not the end!
Do you know my Jesus?
Monday, April 13, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Growth
Josh went back to the dr on Thursday to have a flu shot and weight check. If you remember, he only gained 2 oz. from 4 to 6 months. I was praying for at least 1 pound of weight gain, and that's exactly what we got. At 7 months 1 week he weighed 18 lbs. 13 oz. He's healthy and doing great.
We've started trying the baby puffs cereal. He likes them, but isn't great at picking them up quite yet. He uses his whole hand instead of fingers. He also had his first haircut. The comb-over he had on the left side of his head was starting to not look so cute, so mama cut it off. We still continue to deal with some skin sensitivity, but it's manageable.
Our last visit with Bethany went well. Our next step is getting Chris' fingerprints accepted by the Justice Dept. They rejected the first set, so we had to have them done again. If the second set is rejected, then they will do his records check manually, but I'm told that could take longer. It doesn't change anything as far as Joshua's adoption, just delays things. We'd like to have all the legal work taken care of and over with as soon as possible. Pray for the fingerprints to be accepted!
We have a meeting with Joshua's birthmom tomorrow. She saw him just before Christmas. I'm not sure how he'll do, as he does get a little nervous around people he doesn't know well. Pray that our visit is uneventful.
Here's a new favorite picture - yes, he's standing, no, he did not pull himself up! I'm not quite ready for that!
We've started trying the baby puffs cereal. He likes them, but isn't great at picking them up quite yet. He uses his whole hand instead of fingers. He also had his first haircut. The comb-over he had on the left side of his head was starting to not look so cute, so mama cut it off. We still continue to deal with some skin sensitivity, but it's manageable.
Our last visit with Bethany went well. Our next step is getting Chris' fingerprints accepted by the Justice Dept. They rejected the first set, so we had to have them done again. If the second set is rejected, then they will do his records check manually, but I'm told that could take longer. It doesn't change anything as far as Joshua's adoption, just delays things. We'd like to have all the legal work taken care of and over with as soon as possible. Pray for the fingerprints to be accepted!
We have a meeting with Joshua's birthmom tomorrow. She saw him just before Christmas. I'm not sure how he'll do, as he does get a little nervous around people he doesn't know well. Pray that our visit is uneventful.
Here's a new favorite picture - yes, he's standing, no, he did not pull himself up! I'm not quite ready for that!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Final Visit
Tomorrow is a big day for us. We are taking a trip down to Waukesha to Bethany Christian Services, the agency that has worked with us throughout our adoption process. It is our final visit with them. It's a chance for them to see Joshua, and for us to fill out all the paperwork involved with the upcoming court date.
On top of that, it's my 32nd birthday tomorrow...and we both have the day off. We're planning on a nice leisurely day, marking a milestone in the creation of our family.
Joshua is 7 months old now, and doing so well. He's started babbling a lot, and while we know he isn't saying actual words, hearing "da-da-da-da" sure melts Chris's heart! He goes back in on March 12 for a flu shot and weight check. He loves his food, enjoys playing, and practicing standing. He is a great sleeper. We have yet to see any teeth, but he shows all the signs of teething.
We are blessed. I am supremely blessed, as my mom reminded me tonight, to be a wife, sister, daughter, granddaughter, niece, friend, teacher, and most of all, a mama and a child of God.
Friday, February 6, 2009
6 months old
Joshua is now 6 months old, and is a joy and a delight. He can sit up, roll from tummy to back, roll from back to side, and regularly ends up waking up in a different position then he fell asleep in. He is eating "solid" foods well, and LOVE, LOVE, LOVES them! He's 27 inches long, and 17 lbs. 13 oz. He didn't gain much from his weight at his 4 month appt, so the doctor will see him again in 1 month for a weight check. She thinks that the 4 month weight was a mistake, because he appears completely healthy and whole. He's got an ear infection right now, and a little eczema, but otherwise, he's great!
We can hardly believe that half a year has gone by! Life has changed in so many ways. I wasn't a social butterfly before, but I think I'm even more of a homebody now, since I work full time and want to be with him in the evenings as much as possible.
Here is his "official" 6 month picture....
We can hardly believe that half a year has gone by! Life has changed in so many ways. I wasn't a social butterfly before, but I think I'm even more of a homebody now, since I work full time and want to be with him in the evenings as much as possible.
Here is his "official" 6 month picture....
Monday, January 26, 2009
25 Random Things About Me
Mandy tagged me, so here goes:
25 Random Things Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
1. I stop for fast food breakfast about once a week.
2. I'm crazy about my son.
3. My car tends to be messy.
4. I remember every phone number I've ever had.
5. I hate doing laundry.
6. I was born at 2:06 on 3/06.
7. I used to ask Jesus not to return until I'd...whatever my current wish was.
8. I know almost the entire script to The Princess Bride.
9. I strongly dislike Anne of Green Gables 3, but LOVE the other 2.
10. It bugs me when movies based on books are nothing like the book.
11. I'm afraid to get sunburned.
12. I drive like a little old lady on snow and ice covered roads.
13. I can't stand tomatoes.
14. Strange textures in food bother me.
15. I sometimes avoid someone I know so I don't have to stop and chat.
16. I like some of my students better than others.
17. I want to get National Board Certification someday, but I'm not sure I want to work as hard as I'd have to to get it.
18. I'm reading through the Bible in a year.
19. I use "taking care of the baby" as an excuse not to do things that I'd rather not.
20. I'm a picker...nails, baby's cradle cap, etc.
21. I'm 31 and cover my gray hair with highlights.
22. I want an i-pod for my birthday, but I'm afraid it's frivolous when there are so many other things to use the money for.
23. I worry about money a lot.
24. I'm not good at teaching writing.
25. I miss my grandma often.
Now, I tag....
Kimberly
Sarah F
Tracey
25 Random Things Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
1. I stop for fast food breakfast about once a week.
2. I'm crazy about my son.
3. My car tends to be messy.
4. I remember every phone number I've ever had.
5. I hate doing laundry.
6. I was born at 2:06 on 3/06.
7. I used to ask Jesus not to return until I'd...whatever my current wish was.
8. I know almost the entire script to The Princess Bride.
9. I strongly dislike Anne of Green Gables 3, but LOVE the other 2.
10. It bugs me when movies based on books are nothing like the book.
11. I'm afraid to get sunburned.
12. I drive like a little old lady on snow and ice covered roads.
13. I can't stand tomatoes.
14. Strange textures in food bother me.
15. I sometimes avoid someone I know so I don't have to stop and chat.
16. I like some of my students better than others.
17. I want to get National Board Certification someday, but I'm not sure I want to work as hard as I'd have to to get it.
18. I'm reading through the Bible in a year.
19. I use "taking care of the baby" as an excuse not to do things that I'd rather not.
20. I'm a picker...nails, baby's cradle cap, etc.
21. I'm 31 and cover my gray hair with highlights.
22. I want an i-pod for my birthday, but I'm afraid it's frivolous when there are so many other things to use the money for.
23. I worry about money a lot.
24. I'm not good at teaching writing.
25. I miss my grandma often.
Now, I tag....
Kimberly
Sarah F
Tracey
Friday, January 9, 2009
Post-placement visit
Our Social Worker visited last night for her 2nd post placement visit. Joshua was great, as usual. We talked for quite a bit about how things are going, what to expect next, and our next steps with Bethany.
We have an appointment on March 6 (my birthday) to drive to the agency in Waukesha, with Joshua, and fill out all the paperwork for court. That will be our final post placement visit, and pretty much the end of our formal relationship with Bethany Christian Services, although they will be available for questions or other things that come up. On March 17, they will file the paperwork here in Columbia County. They have to wait until the 17th, since Joshua came home on Sept. 17 and it has to be 6 months. Once they file, the court will let them know the date of our hearing, and they'll pass the info on to us. Joshua's "Gotcha Day" will likely be sometime in April. I'm hoping for a glorious spring day. I was surprised to learn that the SW doesn't come to the hearing, it's just for us and our families. I'm told that family court judges love adoption hearings, as it's one of the more positive aspects of their job.
In other news, Joshua is doing well. We haven't seen any teeth yet, but we've seen all the symptoms! He is reaching out for us a little and likes to watch Sadie walk around the room. He smiles and laughs, and "talks" to us quite a bit. He can roll on to his side from his back, but hasn't made it all the way over yet. On his tummy, he lays in crawling position, but doesn't really start to creep, and doesn't quite roll over yet. He loves his baby food, especially fruit.
We have an appointment on March 6 (my birthday) to drive to the agency in Waukesha, with Joshua, and fill out all the paperwork for court. That will be our final post placement visit, and pretty much the end of our formal relationship with Bethany Christian Services, although they will be available for questions or other things that come up. On March 17, they will file the paperwork here in Columbia County. They have to wait until the 17th, since Joshua came home on Sept. 17 and it has to be 6 months. Once they file, the court will let them know the date of our hearing, and they'll pass the info on to us. Joshua's "Gotcha Day" will likely be sometime in April. I'm hoping for a glorious spring day. I was surprised to learn that the SW doesn't come to the hearing, it's just for us and our families. I'm told that family court judges love adoption hearings, as it's one of the more positive aspects of their job.
In other news, Joshua is doing well. We haven't seen any teeth yet, but we've seen all the symptoms! He is reaching out for us a little and likes to watch Sadie walk around the room. He smiles and laughs, and "talks" to us quite a bit. He can roll on to his side from his back, but hasn't made it all the way over yet. On his tummy, he lays in crawling position, but doesn't really start to creep, and doesn't quite roll over yet. He loves his baby food, especially fruit.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Poem
I found this poem today in a magazine, and wanted to share it with you.
Wait
by Russell Kelfer
Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried:
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate...
And the Master so gently said, "Wait."
"Wait? You say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers. I need to know why!
Is Your hand shortened? Or have You not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming Your word.
"My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and You tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.
"You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I've been asking; and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply."
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
As my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?"
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine...
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.
"I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.
"You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.
"You'd never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
"The glow of My comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.
"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you.
"So, be silent, My child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know Me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still...Wait."
Wait
by Russell Kelfer
Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried:
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate...
And the Master so gently said, "Wait."
"Wait? You say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers. I need to know why!
Is Your hand shortened? Or have You not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming Your word.
"My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and You tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.
"You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I've been asking; and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply."
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
As my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?"
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine...
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.
"I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.
"You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.
"You'd never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
"The glow of My comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.
"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you.
"So, be silent, My child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know Me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still...Wait."
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