Here's Carly

We Have A Girl!

BUT.... not from China! It all started with a phone call on a Sunday evening, April 20th! A phone call we never expected in a million years! When I looked at the caller ID, I saw that it was a mom from Connor's school. I thought this mom was calling to ask me if I could help with a classroom party...perhaps! HA! Well, after a few minutes of small talk, she got right to the reason of her call. She had told me of a family at her church who has daughter that is pregnant, ready to deliver at any day and giving her baby up for adoption. She asked...."are you interested in a baby girl?" Wow!! That was all I could say at the time. Of course every part of me wanted to say yes immediately, but I thought it would probably be a good idea to run this by Erik. Now let me just add by saying that we were not at all thinking about or considering domestic adoption since we are in the process with China. So, after talking and praying about it that night, we decided to move ahead with this. We knew we had to take it one step at a time and not jump ahead because we knew things could change at any moment.

The first step of course was to talk to the birth mom. I finally spoke with her on the phone that Thursday! We made arrangements to meet the next evening at Starbucks. We were all nervous going into this and really had no idea what to expect. We had no idea where we stood in her (birth mom) mind. So, I asked her if she was going to pursue other families as well. Her reply....."No. I really like you guys!" At that moment I wanted to run through the parking lot doing cart-wheels....but I knew it was best I stayed calm (besides, I never was able to do a cart-wheel before in my life). So just like that.....we were it!

Next step.....babies arrival. Her due date...May 5th. The due date came.....and went. Every day I had my cell phone glued to me and at night I slept with it just inches from my face. Then on May 12th, the birth mom was admitted! She was delivering at the hospital where Erik works so since he was already there working, I came and hung out with him. By evening time we sat in the waiting room and watched time go by ever so slowly. Then at 2:00 AM it was time for me to go in her room. Carly was born at 2:21 AM. I was so honored that I was able to be there for her birth! Erik came in just minutes later. I was the first to hold Carly and Erik was the first to feed her! What a special time!

We took her home on Wednesday and have been loving on her ever since!

Every day I look at her and am in awe! I am so thankful for this precious gift from the Lord.

Now what does this mean for China? Well, we continue to wait. China has a policy that requires us to wait 12 months from placement of one child (which would be Carly) to placement of second child (Claire). Since the wait time for China is still at least a year (hard to believe), then nothing will change for us.

God is good!

Finally 2006!

Wow! China has finally reached 2006! What does this mean? They just placed children with families who have a log-in-date (LID) up thru 1/4/06. Our LID is 11/06 so we still have a long wait but it is nice to see that they are done with 2005 and in to our year!

Another Birthday!

Wow! Where does the time go? Sunday we celebrated Carter's 9th birthday. Every year as we celebrate I can't help but take myself back to the moment Carter was born. The memory is still so clear in my mind, as if it were just yesterday. Our journey of the unknown started the very moment he entered this world in silence. I knew immediately, within the first few minutes of his life, we needed to pray. That was all I could do as I laid there watching the medical staff work on Carter. The next 6 days were an emotional roller coaster but through it all I knew GOD was in control, for HE created Carter and HE knew! Even when the Dr.s had no answer, I had complete peace that Carter was in the hands of the greatest physician, our Lord!

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:1-18

Now onto February 24, 2008......After church we met family for dinner. We told Carter we would go where he wanted and I have to say his choice of restaurant surprised us...but that's what we love about Carter. It doesn't matter what others think, if he likes it, then that's all that counts. We ate at the Elephant Bar and then came to the house for cake and presents. Once again, he picked out his cake, and was it something that any of us would pick? Probably not. Did it fit the occasion?? Not really. (unless your birthday was in July maybe) But that is okay! Carter wanted the American flag on his cake and that is what he got. He was thrilled!! He then opened presents and I think his favorite was the human body book. He loves learning about the body.

Looking back on this day I really learned something from Carter. I admire him for being able to do what he wants no matter how different it may be or knowing others may think it's odd. How I wish I had more of that in me. I thank the Lord for him every day and am so grateful to see how far Carter has come.

Oh...one more thing. Why did I type in green?? It's Carter's favorite color!

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Go Team!

Today Connor had his first tackle game...and they won! The score was 14 to 2. This was a tough game for most of the team players since it was their first time playing tackle. But now that they got their first game under their belt, I'm sure they have much more confidence. Connor picked up a fumble and ran 75 yards for a touchdown! Way to go!! Each team member played so hard and all their hard work at practice really paid off! Go Team!

Go Rattlers!

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The Day After Christmas

Merry Christmas...

Well, I'm finally getting some pictures on here of Christmas day. We had a nice time in the morning here at our house opening gifts then later we headed over to Tim and Tanya's to be with family. Every year the guys (and Kailey) jump in the pool! Us gals think they are nuts but we always get a big a laugh out of it. Erik even dressed up for the occasion. We also did our gift exchange with the poem and then the white elephant gift! It's hard to believe the year is coming to an end. We hope and pray that 2008 will be the year we bring Claire home and that she will be with us to celebrate next Christmas!

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I thought this would be easy...

I took pictures of the boys for our Christmas cards (see below) and you would think it would be an easy task now that they are older! Wrong! The older they get...the more silly they are! I'm not sure how many pictures I took...but it was a lot! We even tried to get Cooper in there but he was way too hyper!! I'm still deciding if I will use one of these pics or try again??!!
(Before you view the pics, go to the bottom of the page to turn off other music)

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