Help Catching Up

My two boy cats (Brother (sitting) & Biker (standing)), who helped me "read" blogs today ... all the while scooting them away from the computer screen, so I could actually "see" it ... nevermind being able to type and comment on the keyboard.  :-)  

I love me some kitties!!!

Congrats to Matching Moonheads!!!

Congrats to Alison @ Matching Moonheads on the birth of her baby boy, Samuel!

Please head over to congratulate her!!!

Alison, I am SO happy for you!

Congratulations to Isaiah 55!!!

Can I just say that I am THRILLED for Isaiah 55:8-9?!?!?!??

While I was "out to lunch" and MIA, I missed out on the news that a birth mom picked her and her hubby ... and they have a NEW BABY SON through the gift of adoption!!!!

Please head over to her blog to congratulate her!  I am over the MOON that she is a mom!  I hope that their wait for papers to be signed goes smoothly and we can see pictures of her adorable little man soon!!!

Praise be to God for this miracle!

One Year Blog-o-versary!!!

April 10, 2011 was the day I started my blog.

Who would have thought that a year (and a few weeks) could bring about so much change?

It was my hope that by starting a blog, I would find out I was pregnant ... or find out in a few months that I was pregnant.  That wasn't quite the case.  Looking back, I know I didn't wait long after starting a blog to become a mom.  There are still some of you who have started blogs before me that are still waiting to become a mom and it breaks my heart.  I continually lift you up to the Lord and pray that a child will soon be in your lives.

I know without the gift of Adoption, I would still be waiting and hoping to be a mother.  I know that my body is broken and have doubt that it will eventually be repaired to carry a child, even with all the knowledge of the doctors at the Pope Paul VI Institute and all the surgeries I've had.  That's not the way to have faith ... to doubt in God's ability ... but I do know that if God doesn't bless me with biological children, I am beyond blessed and humbled without a doubt to be the mother of a child (and hopefully, children) born to others.

Throughout the adoption process, I worried that I wouldn't love another's child quickly, easily or completely.  I would also worry that I wouldn't feel like they were "mine."  Although we only met Luke's birth mom at our initial meeting and then a second time at his birth, we didn't build a relationship.  He was still "abstract" to me in the womb.  Not that I didn't try to love him and pray for him, or that the seeds of love weren't planted, but after waiting for so long, my heart was still guarded that this wasn't happening ... this couldn't happen ... this might not happen.  I hadn't "seen" him.

Holding Luke for the first time, it was amazing!  He felt "mine."  Yes, he felt a part of me, even though I didn't birth him or carry him in my body for nine months.  It was scary being alone with him (and my hubby) in our room for the first time in the hospital, realizing that I don't have a clue what I'm doing here.  Adoption?  Are we really doing this?  Do his birth parents really think we can be good parents?  Are we going to be trusted with a baby?  Regardless of the fear, I've always been "my son" from the first day I met him.  And my love for him has not faltered, it has only grown.

To those of you out there considering and pursuing Adoption, let me confirm to you:  It is SO worth it!!!  Every CRAZY experience you go through.  I wouldn't be a mom without it.  I wouldn't be blessed with my amazing son.

My blog is called  "All in His Perfect Timing."  At times over the last few years, I honestly doubted God's timing.  I was impatient.  I was frustrated.  I wasn't sure that that I picked the right name for my blog ... that it didn't fit my life and my journey well.  In hindsight, my blog title is just another perfect God-incidence in bringing Luke home.

Now that you've read my testimony to Adoption ... I'd like to announce a give-a-way to celebrate one year of blogging!!!  :-)  Let me know who's reading by leaving a comment saying hi or anything else (nice) you'd like to say and I'll draw a name on May 2nd (in honor of Luke being one month old!) for either a Target or Walmart gift card!  Thanks to all of you who are faithful readers!!!  I'm honored to share my journey with you.

Three Weeks Old Already! (Picture Post)

You'd think with the time off from work, I'd have an abundance of time to be at the computer, but its just not the case.  It probably would happen more if the computer were still upstairs instead of the basement, so I'd have a better vantage point of Luke, but its too chilly yet to take him downstairs and lug the swing or play pen down at this point.

To make up for my 10 day absence, here are a host of pictures.  I do plan to have a few other posts in the next week with more substance, but picture posts will just have to do for now.

2 week old pic

3 week old pic

Some cross-eye action goin' on

Luke and Biker ... just chillin'

Aunt N, my sister, meeting Luke for the first time

My mom, Luke and my sister, N

We like to sleep with our arms up ... perhaps Luke is conducting music in his sleep?!?

Posing with the bear we also gave his Birth Mom ... we have one too so we can take weekly & monthly pics so she can see how big he is getting

With hubby's grandma ... Luke's Great Grandma E ... who adopted his mom and sister.  

She wasn't able to have kids, but by God's grace & the gift of adoption, was able to be a mom.  She's so proud of her great-grandson!

She has been my inspiration through it all.

Another cute sleeping position

Sleeping with Mom

My brother-in-law, my sister (see above)'s hubby ... Uncle B

We like to stick out our tongue a lot!

Here's a tongue shot with eyes wide open ... something we're seeing more of now!

Action shot ... or kung-fu fighting!

Pensive look ... Mom, you're taking too many pics!

How are the cats doing?  They know no different.  :-)

We have had no trouble with them and Luke ... even at night.

 Just to prove he's not always smiley ... a series of shots taken while hungry and trying to change his diaper before feeding him ...

Photo Update

I'll bet you all thought I pulled your leg with that baby stuff, huh?  I kind of fell off the face of the earth for awhile.  My apologies!  We've been getting used to no sleep and a whole different routine now ... where I go to bed about 5 am after staying up all night (while Daddy sleeps) and then getting up about 11-ish.  So that kind of ruins my day a little, 'cause I think I should be tired about 9 pm.  We're all getting used to things still.

Here are a few photos that I wanted to share with you all ...

At the Hospital

Josh's Cousin (far right) and her two girls with the new boy cousins

Proud Uncle J (Josh's oldest brother)

L, My Sister-in-Law, her son (2 months old), Luke & me

Snuggly in the swing!

Wide awake at night!

Easter loot from all the Grandparents!

Loving to sleep with his arms up like this!

Here's that swing again!  Our fave!

Grandma F (Hubby's mom)

Grandpa F (Hubby's dad)

Hubby, Luke & Grandpa F ... three generations!

Grandma R (My mom)

Grandpa R (My dad)

J, my brother (he's 17 ... what a fun age to be an uncle!)

More arms back ... just chillaxin' ... in our Easter outfit

Uncle C (Josh's younger brother), his son J, Luke & Hubby

Our sons are two months apart ... Feb. 1st, 2012 & April 2, 2012

Lenten Prayer Buddy Reveal

I had the honor and privilege to pray for Laura at "Watts Up in the Tundra" (http://wattsupinthetundra.blogspot.com/) this Lent!

Laura and her hubby live up in Alaska and after reading her blog, it makes me appreciate the nice temps and grocery store prices we take for granted here in the lower 48 states. However, I am missing out on the scenery, wildlife and experiences Alaska offers. Such a beautiful place!!!

Laura, it was great to read your blog and pray for you and your hubby daily for your intentions! I will continue to do so.

Stop by Laura's blog and say "hi"!

Thank you to Rebecca at "The Road Home" for praying for me this Lent. She did an amazing job, especially during Holy Week. Thank you, Rebecca! You have my undying gratitude!

(P.S. Luke's birth mom's name is Rebecca/Becca. How fitting!)

Papers are Signed! He is Ours!!!

Ladies, you have given me a miracle today through your constant prayers! Thank you for imploring God, the Saints in heaven and ST. JOSEPH!!! (I KNOW there was a reason I chose your name!)

At a little after 4 pm, we met all together in our room so we could hash things out with the father, his mom and his sister.

On Becca's side was her mom, mom's boyfriend, her sister and her 17 month old son (who is super cute by the way).

It started out with the dad asking a few questions and we think we put them at ease. The dad and Becca left to talk, the he and his mom left to talk. Then he and his mom came back into the room with such somber faces that I could sense that wasn't happening. But I was wrong. They said they wanted us to adopt Luke, they both felt we were the right people, etc. we all four hugged. And cried. Even my hubby. :-). We got right to work calling a notary up to our room. It was 5:05 pm at the point they said ok. I think we had papers signed by 5:30 pm.

The last few hours were spent talking to everyone, letting them see and hold Luke and of course taking photos with him that he will have forever.

It was a glorious occasion for us. We were so happy we were able to proceed! But we were both sad for the birth parents and the extended families. I couldn't imagine.

Things ended the way they did because of EACH one of you that prayed. Without your help and intercession, I know I would not be the mother of a beautiful baby boy tonight.

Thank you to each and every one of you. Words are not enough to convey my gratitude. I did not think I would have to go through such turmoil to complete this adoption. Not even close. Sue (our caseworker) says this is one for her record book!

Now, I think I'll have something to eat today and enjoy baby Luke!!!

Waiting ... and Waiting ...

Still waiting for the birth father to sign. He is holding everything up. Ugh!!!!
This is either going to be the greatest miracle if everyone signs papers or the worst thing to happen if they don't. I'm trying to keep the faith.
Will keep you all updated as we know more. Thanks for the prayers so far!

Still Waiting to Have Papers Signed

Signing moved back to 1 pm instead of 10 - 11 am, due to the birth father not going in until then to sign. Mom won't sign until he does. I guess to make sure he doesn't try and do something sneaky. I don't think she is backing out on the adoption. The ladies have come in with "Luke Ethan Joseph" on the birth certificate, and they talked to her first, so I am hopeful in that area. Unfortunately we won't know anything until later. I will keep you updated. St. Joseph and St. Luke, pray for us!

Staying over another night in the hospital to make sure Luke feeds better. He likes to sleep in the middle of feeding and burping. :-).

The first pic is not me choking him, but me burping him. Look at those cheeks!!!!!

A Few Pics

We are in our own room now. Birthmom and her boyfriend are resting. We are in a separate non-hospital-bed room with Luke. He's sleeping.
We have our first feeding at 2:15 pm.
He's such a peaceful baby, oblivious to all the crazy stuff going on around him.
Update on the birth father ... he is sounding more and more like he will sign papers, and I hope he means it.
Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU for all the prayers offered!!!!!
St. Joseph, pray for us!

And now, without further ado ... BABY PICTURES!!!!! :-)

The frogs are a gift from Becca and her boyfriend. They are sweet. His first gift (after being born). :-)

The Name

Luke Ethan Joseph
7 lbs 6 oz.
19-1/2 inches long
Born at 9:42 am
Pics to follow

Prayers that the birth father will sign. It's been a hairy morning do far.