akers of love: 06.2012

6.29.2012

Thankful {adoption update}

Today, I am thankful that God has everything...and I mean everything...under control.

Including our second adoption journey.

I promised I would give you an update...

Remember how I asked you to pray for the birth mom and baby that we were matched with? Well, thanks for praying for her and her baby, but we are no longer matched with her.

I believe with all of my heart that there was a reason God brought her into our life. If it was simply for us to lift her up in prayer, I hope she felt comforted and at peace.

Like I said before, she is part of the journey to the child God has for us.

While this situation was falling through, we were told of another birthmom {K} who was interested in us. She had narrowed it down to us and another couple {That we know! How crazy is that?!?!} They were blessed with a sweet bundle of joy a little over a month ago, which left us to be her choice.

Now you have a new birthmom and baby that I would love for you to start praying for.

She's due September 16 and she's having a boy. If this is the child God has for us, we will be super excited to give Max a little brother!

We met K and her mom on May 17. She was nervous. We were nervous.

Despite all of the nerves, it went really well. She's a sweet girl and we're looking forward to getting to know her better over the next couple of months.

I find myself letting my mind wander to worst case scenarios and worry sets in {a sin I struggle with way too often}. I'm so thankful for Wes and his reminders that if this would fall through, we can trust God and his plan for our family.

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So, today I am thankful for this journey that will lead us to our child and draw me closer to my God.

Linking up with one of my favorite girls, Carina.

6.27.2012

Max is 2!

I woke up this morning to a little birthday boy right in my face saying, "Hi, Mommy."

For the past couple of weeks, Max has been saying, "Birthday coming!". We'll see if he keeps saying it after today.

Oh, how I love this boy.

Max, from the very first moment I held you, I have been blown away at the gift you have been to us. You made me a mom, which has been my dream since I was a little girl.

At 2 you...

are starting to sing songs, love any kind of ball, still eat fruit like it's going out of style, jump from things that are way higher than you should be attempting, drink from a cup, get upset when unfamiliar people say hi to you, sleep in a big-boy bed, recognize Target, the mall, Meijer and "the carwash", share things, are super interested in using the potty {just haven't been successful yet}, love to dance in the kitchen with Mommy and Daddy, climb on everything, still take your shoes off in the car, come running when you see Mommy and Daddy kiss, say Papa about 10,000 times a day, have miracle ears and love golf.

We think that you...

will remember everything we tell you...so we better mean what we say. {Which is a good thing to do anyway. Max will just hold us accountable.}

We call you....

Little guy, Max-man, big boy, Max, Maximilian, mister, Maxwell and Buddy

I'm pretty sure that's a booger on the end of his nose. Awesome.

We hope you...

use your great memory to do great things, keep sharing and don't make us want to pull our hair out when we start potty training you next week.

Happy birthday, Max!

We love you and thank God for you every day!

6.21.2012

Thankful {grace}

The other day, we went to story time at the library. We were so excited to go. We hadn't been in over a month.

Look at the excitement...

Five minutes into story time, we had to leave because Mr. Maxwell tested his limits.

Look at the disappointment...

Disciplining your children is hard work. I don't like it, but I know it's necessary.

I'm so thankful for God's word that guides us as we make even the littlest parenting decisions. Do any of us really know what we're doing when it comes to parenting?

Unfortunately, there are many times when I try to do parenting in my own strength. That's when it really gets messy.

Despite all of my messiness and all of Max's messiness, God's grace will always be enough. How can I not be thankful for that?

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We'll try story time again and hopefully Max will remember that one horrible ride home.

Linking up with Emily and Carina.

6.20.2012

Where's the Love? Wednesday {6.20.2012}

What I'm loving this week...

Lunch with friends.

A dirty and sweaty boy taking a break with a cold glass of water.

Wes working hard to make our new walkway.

Picture poses that give me a glimpse into what Max's kindergarten picture will look like.

New {to us} toys from friends.

I hope you take time to find the lovely in your life today.

6.19.2012

Growing

My boy is growing up.

Now he can put on his sandals without any help.

Kind of.

He's going to be a great big brother {we hope}. He's very sweet around babies - kissing them and sharing his toys {meaning laying the toy on top of the baby or putting it in the baby's face}. Hopefully, the sweetness will stay around when he realizes that the baby isn't going anywhere.

We have some adoption news that we are really excited about. I'll update you soon. I promise.