Thoughts....

 I have been thinking about why I have this blog, and what the main purpose of the blog is.
  1) Let of Family and Friends know what was happening on our Adoption Journey.
  2) Share our Faith of Jesus Christ to others.
  3) Help others who are being nudged by the Holy Spirit to adopt!
  4) Prayer Requests
 
Our journey has been none of simple, quick or easy.. It has been emotional right from the beginning.  One would think that when God brings it to you, all will go easy!! Not true.... although we see God's hand through our journey yet today. Our Family had quite a time with our agency at the very beginning and today have left us in a boat wondering if we should paddle or just float.  Some of our family members thought we were crazy, and where not supportive and today....they have a new love for adoptions and other cultures.

 Watching other  journeys of other adoptions who buzz through the system with no problems. (How does that happen?) Although, I am so happy and praise God when some couples who long for being a parent happens quickly brings so much joy to my heart!!
If we never started our journey 4 1/2 years ago, we would of never had the blessing of Brody.  Brody has brought so much joy, love and awareness of the need in our country.  Traveling to  MS and meeting Ms R, and learning about open adoption has opened our eyes.

Watching the older boys with Brody has been so wonderful, and the way they love Brody is the coolest part of being a parent!!!  When Beau or Benjamin drive up, his expressions are so funny!  What would we do with out our little brown eyed boy?  Watching our children grow up during the these past years not only in their faith, but the awareness of needs all over the world...adoption is part of their lives. Our Journey to Marcus is confusing, frustrating, and is left with so many unanswered questions.  Marcus is part of our Family even in Liberia!  We love him, pray for him and when we have an opportunity we send him stuff.  There are family's who are is the same boat as us.  Waiting for Liberia.....as of now adoptions of special needs children are proceeding.  Our hearts break, knowing Marcus is thinking we are coming to get him any day. Our paper work has expired.....and most of the fees that have been paid are somewhere.  It is in God's hands....I do find myself wondering "why God and what is the plan.?"  I find the hardest part is telling your children, it is all in God's hands, and let it be there!

Our Family has met amazing, christian Family's through Katelyn's Fund.  Their prayer support was a huge blessing!

We are not alone, there is a special Family who has been waiting for over 6 years for 2 beautiful children, who continue to need prayers, for the Guatemalan government to please let them be united with their forever family!

This past week a young couple from our area traveled to the east coast to meet their Baby Girl! God is good!

Most likely this will be the last post, and I am going to close up this blog.
Thank You for the prayers, and maybe God's will be to start up when/if Liberia!!




“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 

A Year Ago

I can hardly believe a year ago, we where down in Mississippi!

A year ago we met a courageous young lady!

A year ago, we felt the coast hot, humid air.

A year ago..we slept in the hotel!

A year has passed, and we are so thankful for our little brown eyes. Who wakes up waves his hand bye, bye and points to the outside. Brody loves going outside and riding the 4 wheeler!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

God is so good!

Brody's officially part of our Family!

Praise God for the gift of Adoption, the courage, strength and love of a special Aunt in Mississippi, who placed Brody into our Family!

The joys of Brody

Loving brother Benjamin!

                                                            Enoying Brynn's chair!

                                                         Are you looking at me?

                                                       Yes, I love attention!

                     “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”Psalm 118:24

Brody.....

 I think I finally got this all private for a while! If you know of someone who would like to catch up on our craziness, just have them email me!

  Heidi did call and set up a time for our last home study appointment! WooHoo! Since we did not get the last signature from Mississippi until Brody was over a month old, we can not finalize until April!  Brody is learning and growing.
   This is what is he is up too this past week:
~just about sits by himself
~loves baby food
~rolls side to side
~gets on all 4-crawling is not far away
~knows when he is going to get a bottle
~moved into his crib, and does know how to get Mom and Dad out of bed, cry loud enough for Brynn to come down and tell us, to "get Brody, he is keeping me awake with his crying. I think he should just stay ~down by you because he is keeping me awake!"
~is constantly looking around to see who is around
~loves Zoey(the dog)
~giggles

going private for a bit....

Oh good grief, I can not seem to figure this out!! Our dear SW called and said I am not post any pictures of Brody, and I bet Marcus too!! Since we have not finalized Brody's adoption here in Iowa, we can no longer post pictures of him! :( Legally he is ours in the state of MS, but here in Iowa we can not finalize until 6 months after the last signature. Rather than take all his pictures off!  I am trying to find the correct way to go private so I do not have to delete the blog and looks everything!  So I will not be having anything on here until...April...Hopefully I will be able to keep blogging, so Brody will be able to have this journal of the journey of bringing him home to a family who loves him so much!! A journey where his "Aunt" loved him so much, she did what she felt was right for her!
The last few days have been snow days...it was a high of zero today, that is not the wind chill!
I am gearing up for graduation for Beau, we are having so much fun looking at pictures!

So until April... I leave you with these prayer requests:

Marcus in Liberia.....pray for God to open the doors that we can show Christ's love for us, and for all those in Liberia.
R & J who are waiting, and waiting for the Guatemalan Government to let them come home to a family who have been waiting for 5 years...
Adoptive Parents who are waiting for the call!

God Bless You All!

5 Months Old

Brody is 5 months old!! We are so in love with our little boy!

God has blessed us so much!

I have written your name on my hand. Isaiah 49:16

I praise you because you made me in am amazing and wonderful way! Psalm 139:14

The Spirit himself bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God. Romans 8:16

Baby its cold outside!

It has been a cold week here in Northwest Iowa! Blow zero wind chills! I am so thankful school is good at having activities indoors for recess! This picture is for the big game tomorrow! Needless to say, Brody is going to be a Chicago Bears fan, because his brothers, Dad, and Grandpa are all crazy, obsessed, football fans! Go Bears!

Brody is just a growing! It is so fun and such a blessing to see Brody learn, and understand what is what! Now he sees a bottle and his arms and legs just move and he makes the cutest grunts for the bottle! While you feed him you can not look at him, or you will never finish the bottle b/c he smiles and just talks! Although if he is beyond hungry, that is when you hear his loudest cry! When we rock a by, he is now starting to look over the lazy boy for one of the kids! He loves our little dog Zoey, I have a feeling, Zoey is not going to appreciate all the hair being pulled! Brody is starting to grab, and put everything in his mouth! He is not sleeping the night yet! He has mastered to rolling in the crib, and he wakes himself up! By the time you get to him, he is crying until he sees you than you see the biggest smile! He is so strong and has to stand and look around! On the floor he'll roll over, and when on his tummy he can scoot forward! On his back he can do a scoot and he will be facing another direction! He has the cutest voice, and his giggles are contagious! It is crazy how you forget all the fun little things babies learn to do! Wow, are we all in love with Brody! Over vacation he melted all the Auntie's hearts, not to mention the cousins! Brody loves his baby food, here is sweet potatoes on his face!!

Brynn ready to show what she learned at the Cheer Clinic!

Brynn had so much fun!


“The Lord says, ’I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.’” Psalm 91:14-16

Family

Brody with Grandpa L & Grandma K

My Parents

My Sisters

Mark's Parents

Baptism Pictures!

Here we are with our "Adopted" Grandma Edna!

Edna made the beautiful blue blanket for Brody! Mark and I both do not have living Grandparents and Edna has filled our grandparent void perfectly!

Standing in front with Pastor Mark!

Brody all snuggled in the baby blanket from Edna, and Grandpa C always buys the baptism outfit for each grandchild! Brody looked so handsome!

Our Precious Brody!

Bradyn, Beau and Brynn singing!

Safe and Sound, by Matthew West! If you got time,

check on you tube the words are absolutely perfect!

Iowa in the Fall

The weather here in NW Iowa has been beautiful! The colors of fall are gorgeous all the trees are turning bright orange, yellow and reds.

Here is the combine, with the wagon loads ready to bring to town or a bin!

All full of corn!

The farmers are all busy in the fields, trying to finish up before the rain/snow set in! Hard to believe last year we h

ad snow already! Our house has fields surrounding us and Brynn was fortunate to get to ride in the combine while taking the corn out! She said it was awesome!

The manure is in the wagon!

The worst part of when the corn and beans are out, the farmers apply manure from the hog buildings! Here is a picture of a manure spreader, knifing in the manure!

Yes, you should smell it out here! You do not want to have a bon fire or grill! While in MS, we tried to explain to Ms. R exactly how this is all done! I still can see her face!

We have a baptism date is place!! We are so excited to have him baptized! We only(haha) have a week left and than we only have to finalize in Iowa!! God is good! Mark talked to our Director of New Horizon's at the beginning of the week, the conversation was, if Marcus would of come home, we would of never have been blessed to have Brody in our Family! We are so Blessed! Thank You Lord, and as we wait for the day we can (Lord willing!) take Marcus home, we continue to pray that God will be with him and Bless him with what his daily needs are!!
Praising God for a wonderful Blogger Family who is welcoming home their son from Liberia today!! Welcome home Daniel!! I am so happy for the S Family!

Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD. Psalm 150

7 weeks....

Happy 7 Weeks together Brody!

I can hardly believe Brody is 7 weeks old today! I(our family) can not imagine life without him! Although we are still in the, "waiting period," since we have not got the signature of the man(birth father). We have learned the agency will be putting the add in the paper, to see if he will come forward and admit and sign! We are just waiting now for the judge to sign papers to terminate his rights!

This little Baby Boy, that God hand picked for our family, I look into to his amazing eyes and I see a little miracle. His bright eyes, hazey blue/brown eyes, a fuzzy curl on the top of his head, his rolls on his legs, long fingers, and his sweet, kissable cheeks....Brody is our son, brother, grandchild and nephew. A child of God! Thank you Lord! Brody is starting to recognize our voices and faces. His smile lights up the room, and he is so close to cooing! He is a mover and is so strong. Did I mention how cute he is! Brody is so handsome!

I received a text last night from Ms. R. Her strength and love for our family is such a blessing! She has to ask how Brody and all of us are. What we have been doing, how football games are going, and how Grandpaw is! Ms. R never had a Grandpaw, so meeting my Dad was so good for her to see how a love of a Grandpaw is. Ms. R is a blessing, I never thought I would be able to talk/text to her after the baby was born. Yet, God had another plan!

This adoption experience was one of the best/heart breaking experiences I have had in my life!Life is not fair, and we know God has a reason for all circumstances.

Waiting for Marcus is still a struggle, but we are so thankful that Marcus has a "family" in the Orphanage! Marcus does not realize what is beyond the Orphanage! Still that bothers me to think, he would have so much more here, but now he is still receiving tons of prayers! I am not sure what is going on over there with our case, if anything. God is working and there has been some progress of children getting their cases moved and united with their forever family's! It would just be so reassuring to know that our case will continue and that with in the year Marcus will be with us, and our family will be complete! :)

When we started the process and told family about the possibility of our family adopting we where questioned,
"do you realize what you are doing?"
"You have 4 beautiful Children, why would you want more?"

Now seeing those people who have said this to us, and seeing their love for Brody is so worth all the questions.
Mark and I knew God had a plan for our family, and to see our family bond and love Brody is such a blessing! God has taught us all something and we are still learning!
Loving others, loving strangers, loving each other, loving God's will, leaning on others, asking for help, reaching out and asking for prayers!
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Matthew 5:7



Brody sleeping on big brother Beau!

Brody spending time with Brynn and Bradyn before the bus comes!

Beau holding Brody after the game!

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding."Colossians 1:9

Our First Family Picture

Yesterday was my birthday, and we had a funeral for Mark's Uncle who passed away suddenly from a heart attack, he was only 57! Family is so important, make sure you tell others how much you love them. Mark and I got back from the funeral and my 2 good friends where at our house, cleaned my kitchen up for me and had birthday cake!! Took a nap with Brody! Than when the guys where home from football, we went out for a spaghetti dinner at the Fruited Plan in SCenter. It was wonderful.

I have been so blessed this past year! Family, Friends and God's love for Me, and answered prayers...Brody Josiah!

Many Blessings to All of You!

Brody..4 Weeks Old

This past week included:
-chasing our horse Joe, who decided to some how manage to get the electric fence down, and go for a little a trot!! Well the trot took about 3 hours of chasing, trying to stop him from going into the corn field. UGH! Benjamin stayed over by a friend, and by the time we found Joe, and cornered him, Benjamin called his name and here Joe stopped and Benjamin walked up to him and caught him!!

Went to 3 football games....

Here is Benjamin #54.... Benjamin has been dizzy for a couple weeks, and Mark just took him to the DR, and he has a slight concussion...so he will skip his next game!
Bradyn #51....
Beau #68.....

Brody is 4 weeks old!! He is still getting up every 2 to 2 1/2 hours a night for a bottle! I have the best husband to help and take a shift! Usually around 4 it is a cup of coffee for Mark, and a bottle for Brody and ESPN!
We have come to the 30 days, and we pray that Ms. Danita our SW in MS will get in contact with the fella who helped bring our amazing little miracle into our life to and try to get him to sign. Most likely he will not sign, and let the paper work go to court to terminate his rights. So, Lord willing in 10 - 15 days we should know more!
Last night I talked to Ms. R, and she sounds great! She has found a job, and has another interview to a full time job! I never thought I could have a relationship with a Birth Mom.
I have to fully admit, I am not sure what is better,
Closed adoption, not knowing where or how your precious gift came into this world.
Semi-open, which ours will be like since we will be going through our agency in MS, for cards, pictures, and gifts.
Open, where you are close and will be occasionally.

At the beginning of Ms. R and us, she told us she wanted no contact after the baby was born. Being in the hospital and texts over the last 6 months, our relationship is more friends. I admire Ms. R strength, love and courage she has for our little man! My family is/has really questioned the contact, being a a mom, I can not imagine not knowing how the life I brought into this world is doing, and I have peace about Ms. R getting updates, and hearing about this beautiful little boy we have come to love!!
I have a stack of pictures to send south. Ms. R just giggles when she hears about how much love Brody is getting, and "how spoiled" he is with all the beautiful gifts he has received! I am not sure if we will ever meet again, or how long we will keep in contact. I have a feeling that in time, our communication will become less. It was over a week that we went with out contact! God is healing her heart!! I continue to pray that God will fill her heart and that she kind find the the true love that God can only provide!




We are getting in a good schedule, Mark put Brynn to bed, and Brody helped out!



I know a few family's who are waiting, and we still are praying for a special little man in Liberia!!
Many Blessing's to you all!
"Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62:8

Precious Memories...

I finally got time to sit by a good computer, reflect on the past week! You can see God's gentle hands around all involved!

I flew to Jackson, MS on Wednesday! Flight went great! I overheard ladies talking about Ben Afflect on the plane with them in the Dallas airport! I would of tracked that man down, but I was on a "Let's Go Meet Brody" mission!

Thursday morning at 5:00(yawn) I got picked up and went to help Ms. R get registered! The nurses gave us some strange looks as we checked in! The hospital Ms. R was at was not so "adoption" friendly or should I say adoption aware.
It was such a blessing to hear the Dr talk to Ms. R and the procedure. I got this great gown to put on, and shoe covers!

The nurse was so wonderful and than I got to go to the surgery room! My thoughts were wild as I prayed that God would be with the Dr's, Ms.R, Baby Brody and the whole situation!
I was expecting the "Baby Story" with the csection..Than the most beautiful little baby appeared and won my heart!
Brody Josiah was born at 7:21am, August 26, 2010! What a beautiful moment between Ms. R and myself!

 

The days in the hospital where beautiful, emotional, and every word that decibels ones feelings. I got to spend all the time with Ms. R, Baby Brody, the Social Worker and myself! Ms. R and I talked so much about how our life is here at home. We did lots of giggling, and as the days grew closer the tears came also. I know Ms. R loved Brody, so much that she sacrificed her own heart.
Here is Ms.Danita and Brody!

This verse really puts a perspective on this past week....

"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3
God, has blessed us with so many wonderful gifts...the gift of His own son, and I think of Ms. R, placing this beautiful baby boy in our hands to raise, knowing we will love, nurture, and tell him of God's great love for him!

Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6

 

"Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

There where times of desperate crying out to God. We are waiting for the birth father to sign his relinquishment of Brody. Brody is now in our care, knowing this guy could come forward and want to try to parent. Scary...my heart broke! Mark did not get to MS until the afternoon of last Saturday! My wonderful dad took the week off of work to ride with Mark and spend time with us! I was never so glad to see these 2!
I want to thank Sheila and all those on the prayer team at Katelyn's Fund! Mark and I know you have been fervently praying for our adoption(s) process. To pray when I was so uncertain of the birth father! Scared and unsure!
God is amazing and I can't wait to show the precious pictures of our little Brody!!

Staying in South Haven, MS

It has been a crazy week. I would love to post more but we are just hanging out with Brody Josiah. I will post more later, just asking for prayers for the birth father to relinquish his rights, as we are approaching the adoption of Brody as a "Foster" Baby until the legal paper work is done!
We are going to enjoy South Haven/Memphis as we dink around, shop(hopefully) and maybe we will get lucky and see Elvis in the mall!
Brody is a healthy beautiful baby boy! We are so excited to share pictures, and information on the arrival of our beautiful "foster" boy! :)
Pray for the interstate papers to move quickly so we can get home to the kids, Mark to work, and My Dad to my Mom!
Thanks so much for the prayers!! God is good!
Pray for Ms. R as she is missing her little one, and knows in her heart we will love him and raise him as our own!
God Bless!

Blessing's and Prayers...

Made it down to Hattiesburg, MS last Wednesday. The social worker and Ms. R picked me up at the Jackson, MS airport! I am in awe of Ms. R's bravery and courage. They dropped me off at the hotel and got settled and Ms. R and her Mom picked me up and we went and had dinner! It was delightful to get to talk about Holiday's, Celebrations and days that what is important to they're family. Tomorrow morning we check in and prepare for Baby B!

1st Day of School....

It is hard to believe it is that time again!! School started today! Beau's last 1st day of High School! Beau is a Sr, Benjamin a freshman, Bradyn in 7th grade and Brynn is in 1st! All 3 guys are in the same school while Brynn travels to the neighboring town.

Brynn and Bradyn getting on the bus!

Beau and Benjamin leaving together!



To complete my morning to make it even more exciting!! Joni had a chance to go bring Marcus his Birthday wishes from his American Family!! Could this boy be any cuter!!!
How can you describe or even put in words the blessing Joni is to our family but to see Marcus' smile, God is so amazing! Thank YOU God for blessing us with Joni!! The pictures she sent to our family, is unbelievable, and to know, with the Lord's help, Marcus will be home, and to think, he will have a baby brother to come home to!
"Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."
Matthew 6:21



"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3

I booked my flight to Jackson, MS yesterday! I will fly out next Wednesday and Lord willing(which I seen on the schedule myself)Baby B will be born on Thursday am!! Mark will than drive out after Beau's football game Friday night! I feel bad for missing Beau's first football game being a SR, but holding his baby brother will be worth it!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him…" Proverbs 3:5
Thanks again for all the prayers! Today I am so thankful for the 4 great kids we have been blessed with! Than to see how great Marcus is doing, and to think God has a little baby planned out in MS! God is good!!!
I am so excited to think about the possibility of having a house full of boys!! Brynn is has realized, "this is just a boys life in our house, Mom!" She is so excited to e a big sister! Lord willing...

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? … But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:27, 33