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!!!