Week 2

We had a GREAT weekend fixing Laura's room up and spoiling her like crazy!!! She seemed to like it, but didn't get overly excited...I think its just all so overwhelming for her at this point. We started counseling last week and that went better than expected. Its much harder to tell a 6yr old that she is being adopted than I expected. She is definitely not ready to call us mom & dad, but I think eventually she will get there. Our families including our church family and friends have all been SO great. We feel so encouraged and blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives. Laura loves to swim...she is a little fish and is now jumping off the top of the deck...it doesn't take her long to follow what other kids are doing. She sleeps really well through the night and most mornings I have to wake her up. She has made lots of new friends and keeps asking why everyone brings her gifts...haha!!! She is definitely a girly girl...she loves her bows and headbands. She also is obsessed with Hello Kitty and anything that sparkles. We are celebrating the 4th with my family in Destin for a week...she is SO excited to go back to the beach. I can't wait for her to meet all her cousins!!! We will begin the school selection process after we get back from the beach...we are going to have her tested and hopefully that will help make our decision easier. It all still seems surreal...I am not quite sure it has hit us that we are parents. My aunt bought her a bible with her new name on it and I can't wait to give it to her!!! We decided to wait till the next counseling appointment to explain to her that she will have a new last name. Tonight, Gary is taking her on a special shopping trip...she will be so surprised :-) I love this little girl!!!

Our Story

This is my first attempt at blogging...I have a lot to learn, but wanted to share our story. About two weeks ago, Gary and I went on a mission trip to Honduras. We stayed in a village about two hours from the airport at The Good Shepherds Childrens Home. It was by far the best experience of our lives. We fell in love with some beautiful children. It was very eye opening and humbling. Words cannot begin to express the grief we felt leaving. Something happened to us that week that really changed our lives...we decided that God was preparing us for adoption. We went to our first meeting at Bethany last Tuesday night. We left there a little discouraged due to the costs and fees associated with adoption....it was a lot more expensive than we anticipated. See, we haven't been able to have kids on our own yet. So, we thought maybe God had a different plan. We prayed that night after the adoption meeting for God just to please show us what he wanted for us-we prayed for direction. Well, the VERY next day, we received a phone call that would forever change our lives. Gary got a call from a family member who explained that she could no longer care for her 6yr old little girl. She asked us to adopt her...we were stunned!!! This family member has been out of the picture for a long time and has not been able to get her life on track. She had NO idea we couldn't have kids, no idea we went on this mission trip and no idea we went to an adoption meeting the night before. We said ok God, we hear ya...thx for that clear answer. We went and picked her up a week ago today-we headed straight to the beach for a vacation. She jumped in our car and said "let's go". It was amazing...we had the best trip. It was so fun to watch her play in the sand and jump the waves. We were blown away that she never cried and was so well behaved. She has adjusted well to living with us and even keeps asking if it's forever. She is smart, beautiful, sassy and the most precious child ever. We already love her like she was our own. Today is a big day for us, we are due to sign all the papers. Although I am scared and nervous like crazy, I know God has it ALL worked out. This is his plan for us and so far, this is our story. What a mighty one we serve!!! Love to ALL our friends and family who have supported and encouraged us this week, we are SO blessed!!!