Chicago Cubs

We spent the day in Wisc. at the Brewers vs. Cubs game. I surprised josh with the tickets on tuesday. They were actually a gift to "dad" from Malachi. I found 19th row on the 3rd base side for a resonable amout. We had lots of fun even though the Cubs lost. We got to do a little tailgating before the game too. It was a very long day, but we enjoyed it. I know when Malachi comes our lives will change, so we are doing as much as we can before that day comes. Don't get me wrong, I CANNOT wait to welcome Malachi home, but a little part of me will miss the freedom. Josh gets to go to a playoff game on thursday with his best friend! He is excited and believes this will be the year they win the WS! Go Cubbies!

Our next visit with Malachi is not till next weekend. Its going to be a very long week. Tonight we will be relaxing, finally!

Hearing test...Check

When we got to hold little Malachi, we instantly fell in love! His sweet little hands and big brown eyes, who wouldn't fall in love. I looked at him an saw endless possibilities. I also saw a little baby who would have MANY challanges ahead of him. This just breaks my heart! When he is out in public people will look at him differently and place sterotypes on him. My prayer and hope is that one day we will live in a world where different is considered beautiful. I am grateful that Malachi will grow up in a family where he will be loved and taught that different is beautiful! Malachi might look different on the outside, but inside he looks the same as you and me! Are you teaching you children to love everyone? That we are all special and God made us all different? I challange you to start early and bring your children up to love as Christ loves!!! It will be a glorious day when Malachi will be looked at and people will only see his heart!! This is my lifes mission and I can't wait to see the lives changed by the joy this little boy brings!! Thank you God for choosing us to be Malachi's parents!

We learned a little more medical information about Malachi. On wed. the told us that he has failed his hearing test. That was a HUGE dissappointment to josh and I. We talked about what kind of challanges that would bring to us and to his development. We decided that this was not an issue for us and we would continue on. This morning I got a phone call from his case worker, and they decided to give him another hearing test. Guess what? HE PASSED!!!! Yet another HUGE mountian that God choose to move. I don't know why God chose us, but I am beyond thankful!!!

I thought I would post the Down syndrome Creed online for you all to read! It is wonderfully written and something that I think the world needs to read!!

My face may be different
But my feelings the same
I laugh and I cry
And I take pride in my gains
I was sent here among you
To teach you to love
As God in the heavens
Looks down from above
To Him I'm no different
His love knows no bounds
It's those here among you
In cities and towns
That judge me by standards
That man has imparted
But this family I've chosen
Will help me get started
For I'm one of the children
So special and few
That came here to learn
The same lessons as you
That love is acceptance
It must come from the heart
We all have the same purpose
Though not the same start
The Lord gave me life
To live and embrace
And I'll do it as you do
But at my own pace

The First Meeting

WE GOT TO MEET MALACHI!!! The case worker finally called back and we were able to start our trip to Chicago!! The firt momment we saw him, he was being held by a nurse and all wrapped up in a blanket. They brought us into a bedroom and gave little Malachi to me! He is perfect, just they way God wanted him to be. He was bigger than I thought and even cuter. I heal him for a while and just looked at him. He has a mini afro (i love it). Everything is perfect about him. He has some repitory issues that the nurses are working on with him. He was a month and a half premie, and because he has a hole in his heart, he really works hard to do anything. The nurse came in after a while and gave him his bottle! Man can that kid eat!!!! But they have to do it slow. His little tummy can't take all that food at once. So she fed him 1 oz and then left him with us. About 20 mins later she came back in and let me feed him the 2nd ounce!!!! Josh got to hold him too, though not as much as me. He was a little more scared to hold him because he has an apniea moniter on, and josh didnt want to mess it up.

We both fell in love and can't wait to go back next weekend. My Mom and dad are comming with. I am excited to let everyone meet him!!! We were not supposed to take pictures, but we did anyway. I will not be posting any online yet. I have to get clearence and I wont get that till he is placed in our home. Sorry...call me and we can arrange a time so you all can see him!!! Thank you for all the prayers, and support!

This game is not fun...and I dont want to play!

Thats right, I am TIRED of leaving voice mails. Don't they know that we REALLY want to see our son? Grrrrrrr.

We were told some wrong information. Little Malachi has 2 case workers. Barb is with CHAA and Steph is with CPA. Barb told us that once Malachi was released from the hospital, we could visit as we wish. However we were informed last night that we need to coordinate each visit with Stephanie, his case worker at CPA. We called Stephanie last night and left a voice mail. We never heard back from her. Today (at 9:07 exactly) we call CPA and found out that she has been sick and might not be in today. Ugh. Josh and I both took today off to see the little man, and we might not be able to see him at all. Huge disappointment. We got a number for the supervisor there and left him, yet another, voice mail.

That is why I am tired of playing the voice mail game. How about you people be in your office when we call and answer the phone!!! PLEASE, for my sanity, I really need you to do this. Its not like I am asking a lot...just answer your phone...just today,then you can go back to not answering. I want to meet my son...thats all. Is that to much to ask? Answer the dang phone!!

Okay, I feel better now. So now we wait for a return call. We are only 15 mins into the wait and it seems like it is taking a Lifetime!!!!! We are trying to find things to keep us busy. I might wash the floor...vacuum or even clean windows. You know its bad when I am cleaning to keep busy! I HATE cleaning (even more than I hate people not being in their office and voice mail!). I am off. I will try to keep you all updated!

Please pray that someone calls soon...I think God is trying to teach us patience...and I don't want to learn that right now. haha

Tears of Joy!

I talked to baby Malachi's case worker today! And I cried tears of joy for the 1 millionth time...our backround checks are in and either today or tomorrow Malachi will be realeased from the hospital. Once he is released we are free to visit him!!!!! Josh and I will get to meet our son THIS WEEK!!!!!! We are beyond excited.

This little baby has been through so much in his 2 short months here on earth. I can't wait to hold him in my arms and kiss his little head!! God will use him to do AMAZING things. Lives will be changed for the better just because this little boy is in the world!! I can't wait to meet our little man!

Most of our family and friends have been beyond supportive. There are still a few people who question our decision. This is a fact of life, but Josh and I KNOW this is the right thing for us. We are ready and willing to face the challanges ahead of us. And I know that God will provide our every need, so we dont worry about the "what ifs?" And I know that once those people meet this little guy, their questions will be answered and they too will fall in love!

We get to meet our son on Wed!! Please pray that his transition from the Hospital to the Childrens Place Association will be smooth. Pray that he continues to gorw big and strong. Pray for Josh and I as we prepare to welcome home the little man. And remember to praise God for our son!!

We went shopping!!

Yes, it was time to spend some of those wonderful gift cards!!! I went to target the other day and got our moniter and changing pad cover (actually 2) and a bunch of other little things we needed. It was so much fun! Tonight Josh and I (my mom too) went to the grand opening of Babies R Us in Rockford! My mom bought us a few outfits, I got a diaper bag and a few other things. We also got the bottles we decided to us. We chose the Dr. Browns glass one. I wanted BPA free and I really liked the Dr. Brown ones. I did a lot of research online and decided that those were the best decision!! I am so excited to make the first bottle to give him! Tomorrow we are going back to get our pack and play (I forgot the 10% off, woops). I am going to finish his room tomorrow and post some pictures!!!

"So guys when is he comming?"

The answer is..... most likely 6-8 weeks. That is all dependant on his surgery when he can have it, his recovery...But most likely he will be around for thanksgiving!! What a wonderful gift for the holiday season!!!!

I am off to work, I will post more later!

Extra, Extra...Read all about it!!!

WE HAVE AN UPDATE!!!!

I FINALLY talked to baby Aurthur's case worker! I have some wonderful news to share with you all! He is doing wonderful. He is off oxygen and feeding well. He will be discharged from the hospital either the end of this week or the beginning of next week! After he gets out of the hospital he will be placed in a specialized home where they can monitor him and have nurses available to help if an issue arises. He is going to need heart surgery. He has a hole in the wall of his heart that separates both ventricles. This is a major surgery and a common surgery in child who have Down Syndrome. He will have this surgery once he reaches 8.8lbs!! Josh and I are so excited and busy getting the house ready for our home visits!!!YIKES, this is happening all so fast. By Christmas we will be parents!!

Keep Praying!

Mountains

What do you see when you look at this picture? The snow topped mountains? The beautiful lake reflecting back? Do you want to know what I see? I see a struggle. Last night at re:group we sang a song, this is one of my favorite worship songs because I can apply it to my life. (not sure what its called, but I will figure it out for you) At one point in the song it says "My Savior, He can move the mountains..." And last night this phrase really hit home.

Josh and I have been on the incredible journey. We feel that God as called us to become foster parents. Faithfully, we have followed Gods plan. Recently God has brought a child into our live. His name is Aurthur. Many of you have read about baby Aurthur over the last few weeks, but I wanted to tell the story for some of our new readers. Aurthur was born July 6 and at one month old only weighed 4lbs. He was born in Chicago and due to unfortunate circumstances his mom was not able to care for him and his dad is no where to be found. God chose this little boy to be special, he has Down syndrome. Aurthur was left in the hospital, alone, to get strong and hopfully his case worker would be able to find a loving family for him to go home to. Josh and I felt like sweet baby Aurthur was suppposed to come home to us. So we began getting all the information we could about Down syndrome. We wanted to be prepared and provide this little guy with every resource avaliable. A few weeks later we found out that Aurthur was not strong enough to come home from the hospital. He was and is suffering from heart failure and will need major surgery. Like many children with DS, he was not strong enough to have surgery right away. They need to get him stronger and healthier. This is not an easy task and his case worker didnt seem to have a positive outcome for this little man. Okay, now you are caught up.

Josh and I have tried calling Aurthur's case worker, but she is on vacation till monday. We have questions and want answers. Josh and I are committed to brining this child home with us is possible. I think of Aurthur struggleing in the hospital, with no family there to hold him, or give him a bottle. This is when I think of the verse in the song. This is a HUGE mountain we have to overcome, and if there is anyone who can move that mountain, its God. He is mighty and if Baby Aurthur is supposed to come home with us, he will. But we need to remember that it is in Gods timing. I am joyful when I think about the mighty power of Christ. I think about all the amazing things he has done in my own life, the mountains he has moved for me and I am confident that he will move those for aurthur too.

I am not sure who gave him his name. Josh and I have been talking about changing it if we do get the opportunity to adopt. Malichi means "His messanger" and we think it is a perfect name for this child. I think of all the people whose lives will be changed by meeting him,and I am overjoyed. I know he has changed my life, and I have never even seen a picture of him. God is good...

"My Savior, he can move the mountains...My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save."

Say what?

Well...baby Aurthur's case worker is on vacation till the 15th. Josh tried calling today, and that is the only new we got. It is soooo frustrating. I have a million questions, and I am not a patient person. So...we wait...again.

This weekend my good friends and sister in law are throwing josh and I a baby shower. Its more of an Foster/Adoption shower. It is to help us get some of the stuff we will need to adopt/forster parent. I am really excited to spend time with family and friends and share the process with them. I am sure it will be a great time and a time to celebrate familes, no matter how they come together.

Keep praying for baby Arthur and for Josh and I.

Fall

We came home from vacation to be greeted by fall! I LOVE fall, it is my most favorite season. I can't wait to make the firt trip to Edwards. Maybe this weekend.

We have no news on baby Arthur. I am planning on calling the case worker tomorrow. I will write again when I get more info. Have a great rest of the week. Tomorrow Josh welcomes his students for the first time this year!! Be praying that he has a wonderful class!!!