I think I just fell in love all over again

Be still my heart

What is a Momma to say about these two?  

They are such a special gift to their Daddy and me.  

After Q was born, we wanted to adopt again right away.

We knew we were meant to be adoptive parents.

We knew we were meant to love their birth families.

We knew we were meant to raise these precious boys.

There is no question.

I love seeing them together.

I am so grateful that they have each other.

Thank you God for blessing us with them and for blessing them with each other.

This season of Marriage

EJ and I rarely go out for a date night.

 

We are plenty happy to put our little blessings to bed and watch a movie together at home.   One of the fantastic benefits of a consistent bedtime for children is time alone for Mom and Dad.

 

When I was growing up, I noticed that as a rule my folks went to bed at the same time.  Sure there were exceptions to that rule but for the most part they made it a priority.  I took note of this routine somewhere along the way and it has become a priority to us.  Something is lost when one spouse is spending the precious "no kid hours" watching TV while the other spouse is off to bed.  I'm not just talking about time for every married couples favorite activity.  Although that is a major benefit of the same bed time.  It is also the time when I am finally able to really talk.  No distractions.  I can share my heart with my man and hear what is going on with him.  That also seems to be the best opportunity for us to spend time in prayer together.  We don't have to wait for a traditional date night to connect in a real way.

 

We try to make the most out of our weekly schedule.  For example, as we prepare for baby E's birth, we go to the doctor a lot.  EJ has always attended those appointments with me.  (He never wanted me to go alone after the first time we heard the words, "I'm sorry but the baby has no heartbeat.")  His career allows him to make his own schedule and he carves out time for these appointments.  We make them into a quick mid day date.  We go to the appointment and then out to lunch.  I look forward to these little times together.  In his life, lunch with grown ups is a regular occurrence.  Not so much for me.  I even put on make up for those dates!

 

Every once in a while, we make a plan for a fancy "just us" date night.

 

We decided it was time to sneak in one of those before baby E's arrival.  We consulted with the grandparents and made reservations.

 

We got all dressed up.

(no small task for a woman who is 9 months pregnant)

 

The food was amazing.

 

My date was incredibly handsome. 

 

There will come a time when this kind of date night will be common.

 

A time when our babies are grown and it is just us again.

 

We both hope they don't grow up too fast.

 

We want to treasure our privileged role as Mommy and Daddy to our blessings.

 

For now, we will sneak in the occasional date night and view it as a special treat.

 

I am so glad we thought to have the waitress take our picture.

 

When I look at this, I am reminded of the two of us.

 

The two college sweethearts who fell in love and couldn't wait to get married.

 

The two imperfect people who have hurt each other, forgiven each other and grown deeper in love over the last 11 plus years of marriage than I ever thought possible.

Thank you God for the gift of marriage.

(I can't end this blog post without a big thank you to our folks.  Our children have grandparents who love them so much.  There would be no date nights or extra outings without the grandparents.  Thank you Papa, Grandma, Pop and Grammy.  We promise to do the same thing for our kids when they are in this season.  You are all a blessing!  Thank you for investing in our lives.)

Adoption Update {and one other little piece of news}

It was May 15th when we got the call that Hope had chosen our family.

 

For the past three months we have been getting to know each other.

 

We have been to 6 doctors appointments together.

 

We have gone through 3 hospitalizations.

 

We have even had Hope and her older children in our home for a three day stay.

 

We are building something special for all of us.

 

We have 3 doctor's appointments left.

 

Then we will have a baby.

 

A BABY.

 

The little man will be here before we know it.

 

Hope is more than ready to deliver him.  She has been extremely sick this pregnancy.  It seems unfair.

 

I am so glad for her that it is almost over.

 

Even though the time is near, I have been hesitant to prepare a hospital bag for our little man.

 

I just kept thinking it was because I was busy.

 

When I pulled out the tubs of newborn baby boy items it hit me...

 

I was a little scared.

 

The last time I packed a hospital bag for a baby boy, we never got to meet him.

 

Once again, I turned my fears over to the Lord.

 

He is in control.

 

His plan is perfect.

 

It is all going to be okay.

 

No matter what happens.

 

Now these precious items are all washed up and ready.

 

He is going to look so cute in his coming home outfit!

 

He will be the 5th baby to sleep sweetly in this bassinet next to Mommy and Daddy.

 

His sonogram pictures have graced our mantel for the past three months.

 

They remind us that someone is missing from the picture.

 

We love you little man!

 

We can't wait to see your face for the first time.

 

You are the answer to our prayers.

 

Until we meet,

Mommy, Daddy and your entire fan club.

 

P.S. Little man...you better be ready for this loving bunch! 

They are excited to be your big brothers and big sister. 

 

Guess what? 

 

You are going to be a big brother too! 

 

Mommy has been working on this little one for awhile now and you will get to meet him or her in February. 

 

I hope you are ready.  It is going to be fun!

 

God is so good!

 

"Momma, this flower for you!"

I

LOVE

HIM.

Triple chocolate covered almonds with gray sea salt

Why are you so delicious?

 

My man hates coffee. 

 

That means he really has no use for Starbucks.

 

He also thinks my delicious snack of chocolate covered almonds is ridiculously overpriced.

 

But...

 

he loves me.

 

So...

 

when I look into my coffee drawer and find these little beauties my heart soars.

 

And my sweet tooth is satisfied.

 

Thanks, babe.

 

These are a perfect pick me up for a Momma who has spent the last 7 days cleaning up explosive diarrhea pull ups and diapers. 

 

I hate you Rotavirus.  You are not a nice house guest.

 

P.S. I am sorry I just wrote a blog post that included both tasty food and the mention of nasty bodily functions.