Well hello again, its been a while. Life around our house has been full of squealies, giggles and excitement over the past 3 months and I'm just now getting around to giving an update...actually I snuck off for a few minutes before I have to start school with Madie.
Before I get off and running and telling you about life with three little girls, I thought I'd start by thanking you all for the part that you played in our lives and the life of our newest little girl Leah. We have felt earnest prayers and have been so encouraged by so many of you. Adjusting to life with a new family member has felt so easy with the blessing of such a huge support system! Our hearts will forever remember the body of Christ's hands and feet at work in our lives during this time.
Arriving home on Thanksgiving with Leah was nothing short of miraculous and an added blessing to our story of adoption; not to mention getting to introduce her to our family, church family and extended family over the next few days and holidays. We didn't know exactly what to expect and how exactly people would respond to our family; but God went before us and prepared our hearts and paved a road for us to walk. The warm welcomes and open arms made her entry into our family a graceful one showered with much love and sweetness.
Often people want to know how Madie and Hannah have adjusted to Leah; and honestly you'd never know they knew life apart from her. They adore her to her very core and are wonderful big sisters. They proudly own their responsibilities in helping take care of her and we often have to encourage them to give her a break from their affections because they are always loving on her. Their responses to her has made transitioning from two to three a breeze...and I am THANKFUL!
Leah has been a calm, laid back, and peaceful baby. She sleeps wonderfully and naps often. She just recently (12 weeks) started sleeping through the night (10:30-7:30). She is a very happy and content baby. She smiles, squeals, coos, and studies her surroundings when she's awake and gives it her best shot to get to a sitting position if assisted. She is a healthy 15 lbs at 3 months...I know I know!!!
We have a great relationship with her birth family and have continued with an open relationship with them. I continue to be so encouraged by their love for her and the sacrifice they made to do what was best for her. I can't even put into words the ache in my heart as I imagine all her birth mother has gone through since the adoption and I pray God's mercy and grace over her. I wish I could tell you all about them to paint a picture of them to you. Often, people have preconceived ideas about birth families (which sometimes are correct) however, I have a new love and respect for many of them and the hard road they walk to give life to the little ones they carry. I am thankful they are choosing life!
I've been pondering salvation and how it looks to those who haven't received it...maybe, just maybe our family will be a billboard for how God takes something broken and makes it brand new and gives it a new beginning. God made a way through Christ for us to have a family...and not just any family...HIS family. To Him be all the Glory!
It's funny how, just a little over three months ago, we heard about a baby girl who needed a family, yet we did not know her, she had not grown in my womb, it was not likely she would look anything like anyone I knew, she wouldn't know or recognize my voice as her mother when she was born, I wasn't even in the hospital when she came into the world...and now, in three short months she is as much a part of our family as any of us, I forget that I didn't carry or birth her for 9 months, I love that her looks remind me to pray for her birth family, and when we're in the same room and she hears my voice, she looks for me...I don't even remember life without her!
Before I get off and running and telling you about life with three little girls, I thought I'd start by thanking you all for the part that you played in our lives and the life of our newest little girl Leah. We have felt earnest prayers and have been so encouraged by so many of you. Adjusting to life with a new family member has felt so easy with the blessing of such a huge support system! Our hearts will forever remember the body of Christ's hands and feet at work in our lives during this time.
Arriving home on Thanksgiving with Leah was nothing short of miraculous and an added blessing to our story of adoption; not to mention getting to introduce her to our family, church family and extended family over the next few days and holidays. We didn't know exactly what to expect and how exactly people would respond to our family; but God went before us and prepared our hearts and paved a road for us to walk. The warm welcomes and open arms made her entry into our family a graceful one showered with much love and sweetness.
Often people want to know how Madie and Hannah have adjusted to Leah; and honestly you'd never know they knew life apart from her. They adore her to her very core and are wonderful big sisters. They proudly own their responsibilities in helping take care of her and we often have to encourage them to give her a break from their affections because they are always loving on her. Their responses to her has made transitioning from two to three a breeze...and I am THANKFUL!
Leah has been a calm, laid back, and peaceful baby. She sleeps wonderfully and naps often. She just recently (12 weeks) started sleeping through the night (10:30-7:30). She is a very happy and content baby. She smiles, squeals, coos, and studies her surroundings when she's awake and gives it her best shot to get to a sitting position if assisted. She is a healthy 15 lbs at 3 months...I know I know!!!
We have a great relationship with her birth family and have continued with an open relationship with them. I continue to be so encouraged by their love for her and the sacrifice they made to do what was best for her. I can't even put into words the ache in my heart as I imagine all her birth mother has gone through since the adoption and I pray God's mercy and grace over her. I wish I could tell you all about them to paint a picture of them to you. Often, people have preconceived ideas about birth families (which sometimes are correct) however, I have a new love and respect for many of them and the hard road they walk to give life to the little ones they carry. I am thankful they are choosing life!
I've been pondering salvation and how it looks to those who haven't received it...maybe, just maybe our family will be a billboard for how God takes something broken and makes it brand new and gives it a new beginning. God made a way through Christ for us to have a family...and not just any family...HIS family. To Him be all the Glory!
It's funny how, just a little over three months ago, we heard about a baby girl who needed a family, yet we did not know her, she had not grown in my womb, it was not likely she would look anything like anyone I knew, she wouldn't know or recognize my voice as her mother when she was born, I wasn't even in the hospital when she came into the world...and now, in three short months she is as much a part of our family as any of us, I forget that I didn't carry or birth her for 9 months, I love that her looks remind me to pray for her birth family, and when we're in the same room and she hears my voice, she looks for me...I don't even remember life without her!
