Moving Time

I'm in it...last minute! I can't believe the moment is finally approaching. We move this weekend! Although I'm sad to be leaving, I'm ready to get the move out of the way. I feel like we've been living in limbo for a month. Our bags are packed, but the house isn't quite ready for the moving company (who arrives tomorrow morning to pack our stuff). So much to do, so little time! Please pray for strength, stamina, guidance and joy as we make this transition.

Blessings to you!

That's Random

Good thing God is in control when life seems out of control. I'm definitely feelin' the chaos these days. Today I'm fighting a migraine...so it looks like we're going to worship from home and miss our last Sunday at Covenant. I was looking forward to one last day with our church family. Bummer.

Liliana is a riot. She just called to me from her Noggin (TV) time and said, "Mama. I'm watching a new show about Halloween. It doesn't have any bad guys in it, and it is propiate for kids." I laughed out loud.

Here's one of my new faves, Francesca Battistelli...especially "Time in Between," "I'm Letting Go" and "Beautiful, Beautiful." A powerful voice and even more powerful message...

Leila's Big Day

Sunday was very special for us. We celebrated Leila Madeline's baptism and adoption placement ceremonies, and it was such a delight to share the blessed day with our moms, Leila's birth family and a few of our closest friends. (A magnifying glass may be required to locate individuals on the group shot.) Thank you to each and every one who joined us, and especially those who helped behind the scenes to make the event a success. With the exception of poor little Leila's sleep deprivation, the day was absolutely perfect! Thanks be to God!

Finally!

It's official! Leila Madeline is home to stay!! We are thrilled and oh-so-thankful for this precious blessing. The hearing went beautifully, and the entire courtroom rejoiced at its conclusion. The judge even gave Leila a little gift...a not-so-infant-friendly cherry Tootsie Pop. I told him that I'd save it for her--it'll be her very first sweet treat. For those interested in the legal mumbo jumbo, we now have six months of post-placement supervision until finalization (and a new birth certificate), but it's all a formality. The legal risk is over. Praise God! Let's all celebrate!

Counting Down!

Tomorrow is the big day! In less than 12 hours Leila Madeline will be our adoptive daughter. She is already much more than that in our hearts, but it will be a wonderful relief to make it legal! I feel giddy, nervous and exhausted, all at the same time...kind of like a bride-to-be. I'm going to try to sleep. Try.

Thank you for your support, encouragement and prayers! Thank you, Lord, for this child!

Neighborhood Night Out

Wade and I had an opportunity to go out with neighbors on Friday night--just the big kids. It was only our 2nd evening apart from the girls in over three months...and it was wonderful to be reminded of how much fun we have together! After hanging out with our friends at O'Charley's for a couple hours, we ventured out to Brunswick for some side-splitting bowling antics.

Left: here we are in classic bowling attire.

Below is a pic of the whole gang. The lighting wasn't fantastic, but I think each person is recognizable (with a magnifying glass). Thanks for a super send-off! We are going to miss our neighborhood family like it's nobody's business!

Family Portrait

Here we are--one big happy family! Below is the photo I mentioned a few weeks ago. It didn't scan so well, but you get the picture (pun intended) of our love for Leila Madeline!

Less than one business day 'til we break free from the ranks of foster care and becomes an adoptive family! Our hearing is Tuesday morning--and, since Monday is a holiday--this is the last day that the adoption could be disrupted. We hope and pray for an uneventful afternoon!

This weekend is an exciting one for us. Tonight, we will be "celebrating" our new adventure by going out with neighbors. And Sunday afternoon is our big celebration (notice I have decided to celebrate instead of saying "good-bye"). We are so grateful to those hosting and all who plan to partay with us! We are going to miss our STL friends so much!

Three Months Down, Six Business Days to Go!

Leila Madeline is three months old today! The time has gone by so fast--and so slow--at the same time. Our court hearing is October 14th, first thing in the morning. Only six business days to go! That's how we measure it, by the number of business days, because the courts are only open for business Mon-Fri. We heart weekends!

This is one time I'm thankful for crazy busy lives. Hopefully the days will cruise right along. This Friday, our sweet neighbors are gathering to send us off in style. And Sunday is a big farewell party (thanks, Dave & Kate!) where we'll have the opportunity to see most of our STL friends in one place. We're really looking forward to it!

Leila's baptism and placement ceremony are scheduled for the 19th, and I couldn't be more stoked! We are thrilled to share this blessed day with Leila's birth family, our family and our dear friends. It's going to be such an amazing testimony of God's grace and provision. We know that this adoption is something very rare & special, and everyone will get to see just how beautiful it can be!

Here's to the high points!

Here Am I, Send Me

Whew--it's been a wild week! We've been preparing to move, planning a birthday party (which was wonderful, by the way) and getting ready for Leila's baptism & placement ceremony. In the midst of this controlled chaos, we received word that a spot opened up for Liliana at the PCA school in Mississippi. As a result, we will be moving three weeks earlier than originally thought (we were going to stick around St. Louis so that she could stay in school). So, our crazy lives just got a little crazier. In less than a month--we'll be 600 miles away. I can't believe it!

I have a peace about relocating, but it's more bitter than sweet right now. I'm so sad to be leaving our treasured friends and twelve years of connections to the St. Louis area. We have created a lovely little nest here--in a neighborhood with many of our best friends, and our church has become like family to us. It's hard to leave that behind.

Then again, I know that God is leading us to Mississippi...and I look forward to seeing what he has planned for us. I was driving home from the hospital today (more health concerns--I'll elaborate later), I heard a song that perfectly articulated the way I feel about this time in our lives. Here are the touching lyrics and a link:



Downhere - "Here I Am"
From the album Ending Is Beginning

Sometimes Your calling, comes in dream
Sometimes in comes in the Spirit's breeze
You reach for the deepest hope in me
And call out for the things of eternity
But I'm a man, of dust and stains,
You move in me, so I can say

Here I am, Lord send me
All of my life, I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan,
Here I am.

When setbacks and failures, and upset plans
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands
Are You not the closest when it's hardest to stand
I know that You will finish what You began
And these broken parts You will redeem
Become the song that I can sing

Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness
And the fear that I'll fail You in the end
In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces,
I can't put this together, but You can

Here I Am, all my life an offering to You,
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan--
Here I am.


"...here am I, send me." Isaiah 6:8