A Special Day

Today was a very special day. We got to babysit Olivia's brother, Jayden. He is 25 mos. We spent the morning at the zoo (luckily it quit raining just so we could do that), then went to McDonald's for lunch, and finally ended up at the playground at church. We all had a great time. Jayden didn't want Andy to leave him at home when it was over. The best part, we get to do it again in the morning--then he is going back to his Grandma's until his Mom gets her daycare assistance back.


You can't tell from the pictures, but they actually look a lot alike! We hope someday these pictures and times like these will mean a lot to both of them.






































Jayden at the top of the McDonald's playground

Tickers are Bad Luck?

I am beginning to think that those baby tickers are bad luck. Every time we post one about a new baby something bad happens. I don't think I will do that again!

We just got the word today that our new birth mother gave birth this weekend and has decided to parent her baby. Apparently she didn't even call the agency until this morning and then was only seeking to find out if they will continue to support her financially for six weeks even though she has changed her mind. This was devastating news. We had just gotten comfortable with the idea of a new baby, had packed his bag for the hospital and were getting really excited about a little brother for Olivia.

There is still a chance that the agency will match us again with a birth mother who is expecting or gives birth during our time frame. We have heard stories of Mom's who give birth and then call the agency to place, etc. So, anything is possible. We aren't holding our breath, but we remain hopeful that something else will work out if is God's will for our lives. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue this process and hope that God grants the desires of our hearts with another baby.

First Fourth of July...Special Update

Olivia's first Fourth of July was spent doing not much of anything. We started off the day with a sleep-in, watched a new Doris Day movie, and then decided to do a little shopping around. We ate lunch at the neighborhood Chinese buffet, which included mac and cheese for Olivia. But she didn't want any soft serve ice cream--a trait I wish she could share with us. Then we headed over to the party supply store to pick up invitations and a few decorations for her First Birthday party! Which is now less than one month away--can you believe it?

We thought that was the end of our leisurely day until we remembered a picnic connected to our small group. On Tuesday nights we attend a small group for the Community Bible Church West (?) campus that is hosted at my sister's house. We love this group of people and so look forward to opportunities to fellowship. The picnic was out a lovely hill country home in Helotes.

As you can see, Daddy spent some time teaching Olivia how to see-saw. Doesn't she look like a big girl? It was a fun filled afternoon complete with barbecue and swimming for the kiddos (and Uncle Lance). We had a great time. I think Andy even got to beat Kelsey at pool.

This lovely day was followed with me throwing my back out Saturday morning. But luckily I was at home and immediately lay down in the floor and then spent the rest of the day in bed with heat and ice. I was able to get up this morning and go to church, but came home and spent the rest of the day in bed again. I feel better now and am so grateful. The funny thing is this happened this same week last year and I spent a week in bed while we were here visiting from Florida. UGH!!! I can remember many a time when my Mom's back would go out and I would find her lying on her back in the kitchen. I guess it is a bit genetic, among other things.

So what is this special update? Well, last week we decided to go ahead with the new adoption. We spoke with the birth mother and felt as if this is something we can do. She was a very nice young woman (age 27). She has three older children ages 5, 2, and 1. The two older kids live with her parents. The father (age 29) of the 1 year old is also the father of this baby. They do not live together. Our birth mother was very honest with us and admitted she had gone in to terminate the pregnancy, but found out it was too late (this happened about 3 weeks ago). We think she must not of known how far along she was. As miracles happen, the crisis pregnancy center recommended the Methodist Mission home to her and the social workers went there to meet her immediately. Two days later we found out about our loss and the director matched us with our new birth mother. This new baby is a boy (we are calling him Ian Nolan) and according to the sonogram he is already about 7.5 lbs. He is due July 30, but her last baby was early and so he could come any time.

The birth father has already signed his paperwork and we don't anticipate any problems with this adoption. The birth mother was very clear in her determination that she cannot handle any more children at this time and we are hoping she has not bonded with this baby considering she was going to terminate the pregnancy. She had read our profile and said that she really liked us. We are hoping to meet her next week. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we await the birth of Ian. We are concerned about the staff and nurses at the hospital. We were given such a hard time last year and Olivia's birth mother is white. We are worried that the attitudes will be worse with a black birth mother and white adoptive parents. So, we are praying the God will soften the hearts of all of those involved and prepare them now for this special time in our lives.

Happy Fourth of July everyone! We have added a counter for Ian Nolan. Please remember to keep him and his birth mother/father in your prayers. We feel hopeful that this adoption will go ahead, but we need lots of prayers to carry us through!

The Greatest Show On Earth

Tonight, Olivia attended her first circus. Not just any circus, either, but the GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH! The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus with Bello the clown. It was awesome!

We were sitting way up high, but still close enough to see the faces of everyone and every thing in the ring. We got our tickets through the Crockett's homeschool group and so only paid $5 each. Which was good considering two cotton candies, one program and this photo cost $49! Yikes! Unfortunately, Daddy couldn't go because he had to be at church, but Tia went with us and we had such a great time. Olivia stayed awake the whole time and as you can see (this picture was taken as we were leaving 9:50 pm) she was still in a great mood when we left.

So, if you haven't been to the circus in a while we highly recommend it! I can honestly say it just doesn't get much better than this! Check it out at the Ringling Bros. website.

Olivia and Honey

Well, it's happened. Honey and Olivia have become the best of friends. Olivia has never been afraid of the dogs, but now she is actually playing with the dogs. Honey (as many of you know) takes a while to warm up to people. She has finally decided that she loves the baby and wants to play with her. We took this short video after Honey and Olivia had already been playing for a few minutes. Olivia crawled all over the floor chasing her, putting her hand right into Honey's mouth, and she never once got scared about the play chasing/growling that dogs do. In fact, she growled at Honey herself. Too funny!

By-the-way, we have an appointment next Monday to have some new family photos done. So we hope to have some pretty new pictures to share shortly!

In the Light

Many of you who read this blog will already know what has been happening over the last few weeks with our new adoption. It has been a roller coaster of a ride and I, for one, hate roller coasters. We got the news last night, after I called our birth mother, that she has lost the baby. We have suspected this to be the case for several weeks now, but have remained hopeful as she recently restored contact with us and our social workers.

This news was very sad, but not entirely surprising. I can't say that it feels as bad as it did last year when our first adoption failed. Somehow knowing that baby was born and was no longer ours was harder. Of course a few weeks ago when we first suspected our birth mother might have lost the baby I felt as empty as I have ever felt. I don't know many women who have never been pregnant or given birth to a child, but not being able to get pregnant and then to lose a baby this way is an extraordinarily empty feeling. I don't talk about this much, but I did miscarry a baby once. While I have grieved over the years for that child I knew that I was not in any position to be a mother then and I also believe that child is with Jesus. Now I have feel as if I have two children with Jesus. [If you haven't read THE SHACK do so--those of you who have will understand that it gives me great comfort to think of my babies with Papa.]

Today has been a long day with lots of sleeping. We did get up in time to go to church and had a nice lunch with Granny. All I have thought all day is "stay in the light." Last Thursday we heard a great message at our casual Thursday night worship from 1 John and our pastor talked about Jesus being in the light. It occurred to me that when I feel as if I am in the dark and separated from God that all I have to do is to choose to be in the light. So today, for the most part, I have chosen to be in the light with Jesus.

This has been an extraordinarily difficult 13 months and also an extraordinarily blessed 13 months. We have lost two babies through failed adoption or miscarriage, but gained a precious daughter! We are really so grateful. Please continue to pray for us as we travel the road of life. We are likely meeting with our social worker tomorrow and/or the agency director to discuss the possibility of another baby. There is an African American mother who has just come "into the program" and is not matched, she is due right away. We don't know any other details and we don't know if this is where God is leading us, but we are open to discuss it and pray about it.

With much love you all...

Moving and Shaking

Well, this week has been incredibly busy! Andy is away at school and will return tomorrow (yay!). Mom and I have been making Moses baskets and will (hopefully) get those done Monday and Tuesday (pictures will be up next week--we are selling these to raise funds for the new adoption). I spent today cleaning house and rearranging furniture so that Olivia has room to move around in the living room. She is crawling, pulling up, and walking with support. She is basically becoming a toddler as we speak. She has gained almost 3 lbs in the last three weeks and has grown 2 inches. She has two teeth on the bottom. Olivia kept coming over to me in hopes of getting the camera. She was slightly distracted because her favorite movie (Grumpier Old Men) was playing. Olivia is a mover and a shaker!



Here is some video of Olivia doing just that...

More of Olivia--not talking

Olivia Crawling

Olivia Growling