Last Friday morning as I typed my last post I was preparing for Joe's mom and dad to come for a visit. As I wrote about the roller coaster ride of adoption I was so excited for our upcoming house guests. The roller coaster didn't stop but we did take a break from the ups and downs to really relax and enjoy our time together.
Joe's parents came in on Saturday afternoon and stayed until Wednesday morning with us. We had such a great time, we laughed, we talked, we visited, we ate at some great places, we watched movies, we played cards, the boys went to the casino to play some poker and they played golf and us girls went shopping. Most of all we were together, and we were a family!
Brent and Marie are such an amazing example for Joe and I. They are Godly people who love each other, love their family and have a ton of friends. I loved hearing stories about their lives and all their wonderful life experiences. They are such an awesome example for how I want our family to be.
As Joe and I shared our adoption journey with them you could feel their excitement for us.
Joe and I both know that God has a plan and even though we aren't privileged to know that plan yet, we know that all things will work out in His time.
We tell stories all the time about when we were kids and the things we want to share and do with our children. Marie told me something about her childhood that immediately went on the list of amazing things to do with our children. She shared that when she was growing up, if they were studying a place or event in school, her family would try to go and actually see the that place. So one Christmas vacation they had been studying Mexico in school so during break, they drove to Mexico City. What a GREAT way to get a child to really see and experience what they are learning! I told Joe that I wanted to try to do that. What a great example of a true family!
In a little more than a week, my mom is coming to visit and I can't be more excited. How luck can I get, 2 visits from our parents in the same month within a couple of weeks! We know we are loved and are truly blessed!
I know that as Joe and I prepare for family to come visit and for our future family our hearts grow and get bigger with every experience. We love having people come to visit, we love spending time with everyone and sharing our hearts and home with them. We really feel like this is apart of our nesting process. This allows us to really share our roller coaster ride with them, share our thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams and allows us to grow with each visit.
Thank you for our wonderful support system we call family...some of you are family by blood, some are family by choice. We love you all and we know that there isn't anything more important that family!
The one thing that doesn't stop is our need for raising money for our journey....if you could possibly help...every dollar helps us to reach our goal!
http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/karen-joe-s-adoption-journey/62934
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Roller Coaster Ride!
If you know anything about the adoption process you know there are a few hard and fast rules:
In our very short time since we were Home Study approved and Family Profile ready we have been presented with several potential situations, some that we have asked to be shown to the birth families and some we have decided not to be shown and no matter if we ask to be shown or not, all I can think about is that baby...and all I can do is pray. I ask God to be with that birth family and that baby as they move forward in their journey just like I pray and ask God to be with Joe and I on our journey.
The roller coaster ride is very odd, no matter how detached I tell myself I'm going to be, no matter how much I tell myself that I am going to stay at arms length, there is always a piece that slips out and starts to wonder and what if. That is why the: I'm sorry, the birth families picked another couple is so hard. We know that is always a possibility, but its that hope that lives inside of me that always makes that so hard. The strange thing is it is such a mixed emotion, sad that Joe and I weren't matched but so happy for the family that was and always following each "ride" I thank God for the opportunity, thank God for the birth mother and her difficult journey, thank God for the baby, and thank God for the family that has been blessed.
Our faith is what has brought us to this place in our life and our journey. Joe and I believe that we are called to be parents and called to adopt. We know that God has already picked our child/children out, that it is only a matter of time before we are brought together. We have great faith knowing that we are following the calling of God in our lives. The one thing I know for sure is that knowing you are following your call from God doesn't always mean the journey is easy but it does mean that we aren't alone. The people that God has put in our life to help us with this journey just amaze me. The blessings that come with knowing that others who have walked this journey before us or who are on this journey at the same time as us gives us the strength to get through the hard and rough parts of this ride.
God is Good!
Peace and Blessings!
http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/karen-joe-s-adoption-journey/62934
- It is HARD! Hard because of the paperwork & hard because of the extreme emotions that go along with the process.
- It is a ROLLER COASTER RIDE! I like things to be smooth, predictable, and drama free....this is anything but! Its hurry, hurry, hurry, then you hear nothing, then yes or no.....hurry, hurry, hurry....I guess this is preparing me for being a parent!
- You do not adoption accidentally! You must be committed, intentional and very in touch with who you are and what you know you can and can not handle.
- You must have a GREAT FAITH!
In our very short time since we were Home Study approved and Family Profile ready we have been presented with several potential situations, some that we have asked to be shown to the birth families and some we have decided not to be shown and no matter if we ask to be shown or not, all I can think about is that baby...and all I can do is pray. I ask God to be with that birth family and that baby as they move forward in their journey just like I pray and ask God to be with Joe and I on our journey.
The roller coaster ride is very odd, no matter how detached I tell myself I'm going to be, no matter how much I tell myself that I am going to stay at arms length, there is always a piece that slips out and starts to wonder and what if. That is why the: I'm sorry, the birth families picked another couple is so hard. We know that is always a possibility, but its that hope that lives inside of me that always makes that so hard. The strange thing is it is such a mixed emotion, sad that Joe and I weren't matched but so happy for the family that was and always following each "ride" I thank God for the opportunity, thank God for the birth mother and her difficult journey, thank God for the baby, and thank God for the family that has been blessed.
Our faith is what has brought us to this place in our life and our journey. Joe and I believe that we are called to be parents and called to adopt. We know that God has already picked our child/children out, that it is only a matter of time before we are brought together. We have great faith knowing that we are following the calling of God in our lives. The one thing I know for sure is that knowing you are following your call from God doesn't always mean the journey is easy but it does mean that we aren't alone. The people that God has put in our life to help us with this journey just amaze me. The blessings that come with knowing that others who have walked this journey before us or who are on this journey at the same time as us gives us the strength to get through the hard and rough parts of this ride.
God is Good!
Peace and Blessings!
http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/karen-joe-s-adoption-journey/62934
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