Thanking God for Our Blessings

A dear friend from high school told me she had read our entire adoption blog the other day. We have just gotten back in touch and learned that she too has an adopted daughter. So, tonight, with nothing much to do (after babies are in bed of course) I decided to go back and read the blog myself. Wow! We have been so blessed over the last 19 mos--it is almost unbelievable. We have had our share of suffering as well, but overall the blessings far out weigh any suffering we have done.

It was only November of 2006 when we started the adoption process. At that point we had been married three years and were still dreaming of being parents someday. We had no idea how we would pay for one adoption and no way to imagine where God would lead us in the years to come. God blessed us with many friends who helped us raise funds, as well as, our families. In less than six months we had been matched for the first time. Of course, that didn't work out and as devastating as that loss was we continued to believe God had something greater in store for us. Then in August 2007 Olivia Grace was born and life will never be the same.

For many people, more women than men I imagine, having children is something you dream about all of your life. When that dream does not come true you begin to wonder what you have done wrong, is God punishing you, and you start to believe that maybe you are just unfit or unworthy to be parents. Opening our hearts to adoption and choosing to focus our financial efforts in that area, as opposed to fertility treatments, we felt we would also be helping a child who needed a home. We were amazed that not once, but twice our adoption social workers found us fit to be parents. That is an honorable achievement and we strive to meet that achievement everyday.

Now that we have Ian Nolan as well we feel as if God has blessed us more than we could have ever imagined, and certainly more than we ever deserved. Two years ago we were happy in Florida with our three dogs, but longing for a family. Now we are settled, happy, and assured as we start our lives in New Zealand with our two children. We have endured some hardship through two failed adoptions and the loss of one child (Olivia's half-sibling), but we have learned so much. Being parents is learning to be patient, to think about your children before yourselves, and to allow your heart to expand in many new ways.

So, we thank God for our blessings...Olivia and Ian, our families, our friends, and our church home. It is our sincerest hope that we can continue to serve God in the days ahead in our new community as we enjoy our blessings. More hard days will surely come, they always do, but we know that God will see us through. Thank you to all of you for your prayers, encouragement, and support. Please continue to pray for our immigration applications (Bonnie, Olivia, and Ian) as we settle in our new home, lift up our families are we are separated one from another, and please continue to pray for our children's birth mothers as they struggle with life.

Bonnie, Andy, Olivia & Ian

Boxing Day at the Beach

We set-off today looking for a beach. We finally ended up at Patua by Whangarei Heads about 29 km from our house. We first came to a little protected harbour where we were able to wade-in through the pepe shells and splash around. Then we walked the rest of the way to other side of the harbour where the ocean is. It was simply beautiful and a good walk by the time we walked back it was 7 km. Olivia splashed around, fell in, made a sand castle with Dad and decided she wasn't so sure about the waves. Ian had a great time too, but since he sat in the shade with Nana and Papa this is mostly an Olivia story today.

Olivia playing in the water...and falling in

Our First Christmas in New Zealand

This was our first Christmas in New Zealand. What a special day! Nana and Papa Payne are here. We had a big feast for lunch and Olivia opened her first presents by herself (last year she needed help). It was a very special day!

Christmas Eve morning--Olivia loves to have a hat on...

even if her hat is her shorts.

A New Zealand wine bottle holder.

Ian with his new dump truck with blocks.

Olivia opening her presents...

She's wearing my new necklace from the Myhills.

A Wiggles dvd from Auntie Gill and Uncle Peter.

Ian got a DVD too from Auntie Gill and Uncle Peter.

Olivia Opening Her Present

I just have to mention there were a few things we missed this Christmas...

Granny White and Papaw, Aunt Lee Ann, Uncle Lance, Kelsey, Mary Kate, Colleen, and Tia. There is no EGG NOG in New Zealand (it's a crime, really), no "It's a Wonderful Life," no "Christmas Vacation," and no 24 hours of "A Christmas Story." We didn't even have any "White Christmas," but did find "Meet Me In St. Louis" (but then we have that on DVD). There is no corn syrup to make a proper Pecan Pie (had to use golden syrup--not quite the same) and of course I must gripe about this one more time--our 8 lb turkey cost $42. All-in-all still overwhelmingly happy to be here! We love New Zealand, just adjusting to our new life. Merry Christmas everyone...

Ian laughing and laughing...

This was too cute not to share!

Hopefully they will be good friends one day!

Olivia has started sitting on her Lion--

she's not quite up to pushing/riding it yet.

Ian was sitting in this little basket--

preview to the kissing video.

Olivia and Ian are interacting more now that

he is more mobile and almost able to sit-up on his own.

Wait for it...Olivia finally kisses Ian. It's too sweet!

Ian is Six Months old TODAY!

Olivia walking in the park

Ian sitting up

Cuter By the Minute

Last Saturday we went to a BBQ at the home of a lovely young family from church. This was for all of the adults involved in the search process for the new pastor (Andy). The hosts are a young South African doctor and his wife (maybe our age--35 ish). They have three children ages 7, 4, and 15 mos. Well, the kids adopted "baby Olivia" and she just loved them! She walked all over the property, swung, played on the trampoline, played in the duck and chicken houses (no ducks or chickens yet), and slid of the slide.

After returning home Olivia decided that Ian's hat is her new favorite toy. So she has taken to modeling it in every possible configuration, in front of our oven where she can see herself. This child desperately needs a mirror and a dress-up box! Enjoy the pictures...

Olivia and Peter in the chicken house

Olivia saying "get me off this bouncy thing"

Olivia in Ian's hat

Olivia and Ian kissing

Olivia swinging

Olivia and her favorite hat!