Soccer

This spring Liam played soccer for the first time. He had a blast with his team, "The Mighty Minions". His Grandparents enjoyed coming to watch him on the weekends. Even when some of them were SUPER cold. 

 Little brother loved going to watch him too. Although at that time he might have spent most of the games asleep in the carrier. Mama is already missing all that snuggle time now that he is growing up WAY too fast.

Liam turns 5!

On March 16, Liam turned 5! 

I couldn't and still can't believe he is a whole hand. 

He started his day with caramel rolls for breakfast and presents before preschool.

 After preschool we headed out to the bank to see some of Liam's favorite people who had a surprise waiting for him. A spider man balloon and a yummy cookie! After our stop at the bank we went for lunch at his favorite restaurant in Parker. (We sure do miss TJ Kerners!)

 The Saturday after his birthday we got to celebrate with family and friends. We had a knight party this year. His cousin has a birthday a week later, so we got to celebrate Presley turning 3 too!

 For his birthday Liam wanted to go and watch State Boys Basketball. Especially since cousin Jake was playing for the Chamberlain Cubs. He had the best time watching basketball with the family. And he got to see his buddy Hudson from Minnesota too!

We love you SO much Liam Wayne! We are SO lucky to be your mama & daddy!

JP 3 Month Pictures

Photos by the talented Anna Weinstein of Studio W Photography.

Jeremiah Patrick

Just before Christmas last year, we were busy hosting 2 sweet babes that had grown to be a part of our family. Life was crazy and although Liam continued to pray EVERY SINGLE DAY to be a big brother, after so many years of waiting; it wasn't at the front of our minds. We were out to eat with all of the kids one day during lunch when our social worker called. She was supposed to be coming out to do a home study renewal visit, so I figured she was just checking in about that. So when I listened to her message, that a birth mom wanted to meet with us, I was shocked and in tears. I tried to hide my emotions so that I didn't get Liam too excited. Instead when I told him who had called, he told us he was going to get a baby brother. And it turned out he knew exactly what he was talking about. 

 We spent the next month prepping and getting ready for this baby we had prayed over for many, many years. Liam was beyond excited to be a big brother. We tried to keep ourselves busy as we waited and prayed over this little baby and his birth mama. As many of you know we didn't end up bringing our baby boy home like we had planned in January. And as our hearts ached and we grieved and helped Liam to grieve; I felt God continually telling me to "wait". And to trust Him and His love for us and our family. It was some of the hardest days our little family has ever gone through and yet the way it drew us to Him was truly a blessing. At the time I had no idea what it was I was waiting for. But I continued to move forward through the pain. All the while praying over the sweet baby and his birth mama, who continued to be on my heart every single day.

This is exactly how adoption has felt for us every time. 

In February we got a call that Jeremiah was possibly still going to be part of our family. I can't tell you the emotions that came with that call. I am honored and humbled that not once, but twice someone has considered us worthy to be Mama & Daddy to a little that they love and adore with all of their heart. I can't begin to put into words how that feels. It is a privilege I don't take for granted. 

This was the first picture we got of our little man with his blue eyes and red hair.

 On March 22nd, we got to meet him for the first time. It was exactly 5 years from the day we first heard about our sweet Liam.

 And then on March 29th, we brought our little guy home. Exactly 5 years to do the day from when we brought his big brother Liam home. God is always in the details. And He made it very clear that He always has a plan and will take care of us.

We are forever grateful to Jeremiah's birth mom. Her unconditional love and sacrifice for him will be something he always knows about and cherishes. Just as we have always told Liam, "you have been so unbelievably loved from the very minute you came to exist. First by your birth mom, then by your family, and most importantly by God whose love for you is greater than any of us could ever imagine." We prayed for our boys long before our hearts or minds ever knew of them. And I can't begin to explain the incredible love that grows in your heart as you wait on meeting your precious baby. Every adoption is so very different, but for us this has been true each time.

The Gift of Life

I didn't give you the gift of life,

But in my heart I know.

The love I feel is deep and real,

As if it had been so.

For us to have each other

Is like a dream come true!

No, I didn’t give you

The gift of life,

Life gave me the gift of you.

--- Unknown

Out of the Struggle

A lot has happened in the last year. So much I wanted to share and be able to look back on. There was a lot of joy over the last 12 months. SO much joy! But we also had our share of heartache. And every time I was going to write, I just couldn't do it. I thought about posting only the ordinary or joyful things, but the truth is the two aren't exclusive. Our lives aren't and shouldn't be, happy or sad. Joy or pain. 

When we adopted Liam over 5 years ago, I learned that joy doesn't always come without sadness. Sometimes the two are a packaged deal. The world will tell you to avoid any discomfort, sadness, or anything that is a struggle. But I have learned that in the struggle is where I find God the easiest. It is where I am reminded that more than anything He is all we need. That no matter what is going on in my life, He knows, He sees, He cares, and He is working ALL things for good. The most beautiful things in this life come out of the struggle. 

In the last year we have loved on babies that we had to let go, not knowing if or when we would see them again. We have grieved for hopes and dreams that were not meant to be. And rejoiced when God revealed new hopes and dreams for us. I wouldn't trade any of the joy to not have to go through the pain. 

As 2016 ended, I prayed that in the new year God would be magnified in my life in the year to come. As this year has gone on I have learned a new trust in Him. One that prays for His will over my own wants and dreams. One that chooses compassion over my own hurts, frustrations, and feelings. I am slowly learning to believe that He truly uses all things for His good. As Katie Davis states in her new book Daring To Hope, "And I did not know that in the middle of much pain and grief and loss, I would experience a joy and a peace that far surpassed human understanding. Reality would shatter my optimism, but I would realize that it was only a cheap substitute for true hope anyway. The Lord would take the darkness and make it my secret place, the place where I knew Him more intimately and deeply than I had ever fathomed possible. In the middle of the hurricane that surrounded me, I would experience a true Comfort so deep, so clear, that it simply could not be denied. It was Jesus. He was near." 

April 2017

Life looks a lot different than it did in September of 2016. My preschooler is off to kindergarten and is now a big brother. We have a 7 month old crawling all over the house. Max is busier than ever running the business, being fire chief, and ministering at the jail each week. My heart is more full than I ever could have imagined it to be. I am excited to share a little more about the joys and struggles of the last year and what life is like now. 

I hope that if you find yourself reading this blog, you would see Jesus. That you would be encouraged to find joy IN your struggle. That you would be reminded that the joy of the Lord isn't based on circumstances. What a blessing! It is my prayer that we would all be more willing to get uncomfortable this year. That we would be willing to take embrace the struggle and accept the joy with it.