sam's quilt

May it cover you with warmth and bring you comfort during the night.  May your dreams be sweet when you're snuggled under it.  May the love and prayers that hold the stitches together wrap around you and hold you always.

~love you, sweet boy

"It spoke of comfort and rest.  It soothed with the gentleness of a mother's kiss."  The Quilt, T.Davis Bunn

FINAL APPROVAL!!!!!!

We've been waiting to receive "the call" since the first time we saw Sam's picture.  That was 618 days ago.

 It's been an incredibly long journey.  A journey filled with unexpected twists and turns.  A journey that stretched our faith and tested our beliefs.  A journey that drove us to our knees and pushed us closer to the Father.  It's a journey we never could have imagined.

To all of you who have traveled with us, thank you!  You made the difficult times bearable and the good times even better.

And, to our Heavenly Father, who called us and who is leading us every step of the way, may this all point back to You!!

Sam,
I absolutely cannot wait to see you again.  To hold you in my arms and call you mine.  Love you, sweet boy!!

30??? When did that happen??

The time warp in my mind makes it seem impossible that you are turning 30, but the calendar tells me it's true.  So, Happy Birthday, my love!  I'm so thankful God saw fit to put us together because life is much sweeter experiencing it with you!  Here's to many more birthdays and the adventures in between :).

showers of blessing

What a busy week it's been!  We were blessed with two showers for Sam, so our house has officially been overtaken with all things little boy.  Jeremy and I have spent the past week trying to finish his room and put away all of the newly acquired toys, clothes, books, dishes, diapers, snacks, and the list goes on....

To our church family and the wonderful group of people I work with, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!  Your kindness and generosity leaves our hearts overwhelmed and amazed at the amount of support we're so freely given.  I can't wait for Sam to know you and love you, too.

on purpose

Sam,

Before you were born, God formed you and knew you.  He created you intentionally and purposefully.  No matter the circumstances under which you came to be, you were no mistake.  No matter how it may seem, you were no accident.  Your arrival was no surprise to God; He created you for this time and for this place.  There's a plan for your life, sweet boy, and it's better than any of us can imagine!  Love you & see you soon...

"I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born..."  Isaiah 44:2

(PK, thank you for the beautiful reminder today that we are all created for a purpose and that our sweet Sam was no accident.  You are such a blessing to us all, and we're thankful for you!)

pre-approval granted!!

The adoption agency called us this morning....we received pre-approval from the courts today!!!!  This means that we are one GIANT step closer to bringing Sam home!

Adoption is very much a "hurry up and wait" process.  And, this part of the process is no different because now we wait for final approval--which, hopefully, we'll receive at the end of this month.

Once we receive final approval, we'll be cleared for travel and will be able to bring him home!

It won't be long, Sam, before we'll see you again.  Love you, sweet boy...