Sunday, January 13, 2013

a fresh start...

So, good news!!!  The little girl I mentioned that we were not able to move forward with is now living with her grandmother and is no longer in the orphanage. 

Good news you ask?   Let me explain... I hoped and prayed that God would bless this precious little girl and that if she was meant to be in our family that the adoption would still move forward.  I literally prayed no less than 10 times a day.  I read my bible more than ever just to feel closer to our Father.  No, my wishes did not exactly come true but God was definitely working in the background.  I love how he intertwines our lives and brings out some amazing miracles out of some of our most sorrow filled moments.  His ways are so much better than ours and I am feeling so blessed to be able to witness such a miracle.

I was hoping to hear more good news after the long break.  But, instead I received an email and had to make a decision on another referral very quickly.  It broke my heart but we had to turn the second referral down bc we didn't feel right leaving this sweet girl to grow up in the orphanage.  I was a mess.  I wasn't sure if we should have moved forward with the second little girl and I didn't know how we would make the first referral work.  But, we felt like we needed to fight harder for her.  I put her pictures back on my phone and just prayed.  Hubby and I finally felt like this was the right move regardless of where it lead. 

Literally, the next day I received another email letting me know that people went out to try and find this little girls birth mom once again.  Although, they were unable to locate her they did come across the little girl's grandmother AND she accepted custody of the little girl.  This was like music to my ears... hard and sad to come to the realization that this road was over and our sweet girl was not going to come home to us.  But, adoption always needs to be the last resort and I am finally at peace with the situation knowing that my persistence may have helped reunite this sweet one to her biological family.  And, although I will never hold her in my arms... she will remain in my heart forever!

Here are some fun shots from this weekend of my other blessings!
 My big guy looking so cool!
 My middle monsters... so fun having them on the same team this year!
How can you not smile when you see this crazy girl's face :)

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Happy 2013!!!

New Year's is one of those holidays in my book that typically passes by without much fuss.  Maybe its because I had kids so young and don't really remember one prior to them being part of it?  Or maybe its because staying up until midnight with toddlers or trying to find a sitter on New Year's isn't easy.

But, something about this year has me excited.  I feel like it is going to be a GREAT year for us.  I also feel like there is so much that could happen within this year and I am just waiting for His Plan to unfold.  

So, what did we do to celebrate?  We dressed up (again in our Christmas clothes bc this momma didn't get a family picture last time), went out to all you can eat sushi (YUM) and partied at home watching the Back to the Future trilogy.  May not sound like a fun filled night but honestly it was!  We were also joined by my parents, sister and one friend whose like family to us.  We are so blessed to be surrounded always by so much love & laughter!!!

Here are some photos from the night:

 Looking good in their Christmas outfits!!!
 The whole gang
 Me with the BEST husband in the world
 Can't get closer to family with this girl... We LOVE her!!!
 My mom and sister amusing me by wearing funny tiara's ;)
 A handsome little guy
 Mr. Cool
Watching the Countdown
 My New Year's Kiss
What's a New Year's without banging on some pots and pans.

I hope you had a fun filled & safe New Year's as well!!