Yeah... what he said...

Below is an exert from a blog post by http://berzenji.blogspot.com/

I'm not blogging about this to judge others. Adoption isn't for everyone. I know that.

I just thought is was a good post about what drives me a wee bit crazy...

That people think WE are crazy.

You'll see what I mean...

"I see families go out and spend thousands of dollars on a new car... when they already have two fine cars.

I see families go out and spend more money on their home theaters than we spent on our first home!

I see families add extensions on to their homes, adding bedrooms for children they will never have.

I see families do all sorts of "crazy things" which for some reason seem culturally acceptable. In fact these things are deemed normal!

But adopting a child?

Well... that's just... CRAZY!

When did it become crazy to help a child?

When did it become crazy to open up your family to someone who is lost, and alone in this world without someone to love them?

When did WE become the crazies who decide to welcome a child into our lives instead of buying that new motor boat? big screen TV and sound system? BMW? etc..."

Yeah... what he said.

LOI!

Our Letter of Intent (LOI) was just sent to China for our BEAUTIFUL little girl that we're still not allowed to share details about on the blog.

OH.... I just can't wait to be able to post her picture and show you all! :)

Aching heart

Today, my heart is aching for a mother I have, and will never, meet. The mother that carried our Grace in her womb for 9 months. The mother that suffered the pains of child birth and was likely the first to hold her as she took her first few breaths on earth. The mother that held her, comforted her and loved her for two days… and then made a decision I cannot bare to even think about.

We don’t and we will never know the reasons for the decisions Grace’s biological mother had to make. When Grace is older and she asks “Why?” I will have no answer to give her. This pains me more than you can even possibly imagine.

Today, I have been in deep prayer for Grace and her biological mother. I pray that on the day Grace is placed in our arms that somewhere deep in her mother’s soul there is a sense of peace. Peace that comes not from understanding or knowledge but peace that only God can provide.

And, from one mother to another, from the very depths of my soul, I thank her.

Dear Loyal Blog Followers...

Please be patient.

I may not write anything about the adoption for a little bit because a particular foreign country asks that we don't until things are official.

That's all I'll say.

Oh, just one more thing...

I'm in love. Again.

Don't forget Hip Mom!

If you haven't gone and bought yourself or someone else a beautiful necklace from Hip Mom Jewelry yet...Now is the time! Our fundraiser ends on September 30th.

Beautiful hand-crafted necklaces... there is something for everyone!

Hip Mom Jewelry - Adoption Fundraiser

Don't forget to use our family code - MIGNAUG10 when you place your order. Hip Mom is donating 30% of the retail value to us for our adoption.

Read more about this fundraiser here!

Thank you everyone for your support!

Almost Monday

I never thought I would look forward to Monday's and the start of a new work week.

But I do.

Because referrals don't come on the weekends.

My heart feels especially empty today.

Every time I see the three kids playing, every time we drive somewhere in the car, every time we sit down for dinner, every time I make a lunch, give a bath, read a book... it becomes MORE AND MORE utterly apparent that our family is not yet complete.

In His time. I know.

But, is it Monday yet?

Labor Day Weekend

Some say the end of summer. I say the beginning of fall.

We spent Labor Day weekend in Vermont. If you've never been to Vermont...

Go!

Uncle D and Aunt N live on a dirt road in a small Vermont town, population approximately 1,500. From the pouring of the foundation to the nails on the roof... they have built their beautiful home with their own hands. It started as a weekend retreat many years ago and now, in their retirement, they live there year-round.

It's a joke to say they are retired. They have acres of land to maintain. They have multiple gardens to harvest (50+ tomato plants!) and wood to chop.

They have a stream that runs through their property, they have a pond, and they have a pine grove perfect for campfires and hammocks.

AHH....

It is our Labor Day retreat. And it is gloriously beautiful.

All weekend, Uncle D had a fire going in their stone fireplace in the living room. Perfect to come in and warm up your chilled body from the fall like temperatures.

All weekend... and I mean ALL weekend. Four boys fished (B plus his three cousins).

One little girl sat in a paddle boat and watched four boys fish. There were only a few screams when fish landed in her lap.

And one little boy followed the big boys around from fishing hole to fishing hole.

There were tromps through streams, meadows and beaver ponds.

There were hay rides up and down hills on dirt roads.

There were cider donuts eaten. Maple syrup tasted. Marshmallows roasted.

And spring water sipped right from the spring.

K cried when we got home, "I miss Vermont already".

I do too, Sweetie. I do too.

195

CCAI matched 35 children with their families in the month of August.

195 since April.

195 precious children have families.

One. hundred. and. ninety. five.

That just makes my heart leap for joy.

Blink of an eye

How does a little baby girl...

in just a blink of an eye, grow into this...

How does a Momma not get a little teary when this happens...

But, when her baby girl comes off the bus from her first day of Kindergarten looking like this...

You just know that the time has come for her Momma to let go of her grip just a little and let her angel test out her tiny wings.

As long as Momma can grab back on three hours later.