the invites are waiting to go out

This weekend we took a photographer with us to the museum to get some family pictures and some Catie pictures.  I was so excited I ordered invitations the same night as well as two family canvas pictures (it was bogo at easycanvasprints). 

Augie & Catie were a bit miserable, so I am really blessed we got some good ones.  Our favorite one, we were tying to keep the babies from screaming and were just throwing sticks in the stream.  Our photographer got us from across the stream.  I wrote the post and am dying to share that one!  A few more weeks and you can see our full family picture.

Six weeks, to be exact.  Six weeks until the adoption, baptism, party and pictures!

our timelines collide

While we became foster parents, your parents were becoming better acquainted

While we were becoming acquainted with our foster son, you were conceived

While we celebrated Holy Week, you began to grow in your mother's womb

and about the same time, we were presented with an adoption opportunity...but it wasn't right for us...that little girl was meant for friends....as we prayed about her...you were nestling warm in your mother's womb, your tiny beating heart, God knew then we would hold you one day

While our case was transferring to the adoption unit, your mother was entering her third trimester

While we were celebrating a first birthday, you were preparing for birth

the day you were born, we were just steps away at a doctor's appointment

While we were completing our adoption home study, you were fighting with the new world around you

While we were counting the days until Termination of Parental Rights was finalized, you were leaving the hospital for the first time

as our case moved closer to finalization, God drew you closer to us

While I prayed for intercession to St Gianna, you were right around the corner

7 days later I saw your beautiful smile for the first time and fell in love

While I was calling our social worker about you, your foster mom was calling the same social worker about us

While we waiting anxiously for an adoption date, we began learning to care for you

Then we learned that you would be going to live with your relatives...and then we learned you were not

While we were waiting, you continued to find your way back into our home

While we were waiting, your foster sibling got sick and your foster mom needed you to stay with us

When we found out we had an adoption date, we also found out your aunt was going to fight for you

Moments before we were standing outside the court room preparing to adopt our son, I was dropping you off for a visit and meeting your parents for the first time

Moments after we officially became a family of four, I was picking you up and going to our adoption party as a family of five

As we were leaving for vacation, we said goodbye, unsure you would be in our life again

As we were returning from vacation, we were nervously waiting news from the judge...and the verdict

You became our second placement that same day

And now, we wait.

In two weeks we should know if you will remain in our lives a bit longer

While we are waiting, we will pray

"I will move ahead bold and confident, taking every step in obedience"
"..I will serve you, ...I will worship, ...I will not fail, ...I'll be running the race, even while I wait."
"I am peaceful, though it's not easy, faithfully I will wait"

Welcome 2007

What changes will this year bring? We are optimistic about 2007.
With regards to fertility - it is has been a long journey; here is the rundown:
10/2002 - married
10/2003 - began infertility testing
3/2004 - first surgery
6/2005 - second surgery
9/2005 - third & major surgery
12/2005 - began adoption research
3/2006 - choose an agency; started our wait
10/2006 - officially approved

As 2006 has been mostly "adoption focused" for us - we have been able to toss out the charts (temporarily) and forget about "trying to conceive." This has been a blessing. But, moving on from the dream of conceiving to the dream of adopting was interesting, to say the least. There are so many different emotions wrapped up with the adoption process. Having our parenting ability questioned, going through interviews, doctor's visits, background checks - all this to welcome a child into our house. One of the great lessons we have learned from others is that when we receive this great gift (and finalize the adoption), unquestionably, that will be our child. A child we have long awaited.

We are optimistic about 2007. That is not to say we will be blessed with a child by the close of the year, though hopefully that is the case. We are optimistic because, for the first time, we have no additional testing/poking/prodding/interrogating/interviewing to endure. We are as far as we can come on our journey to parenthood. The rest is completely out of our hands. Although I long to look into the future and see our family with a bustling house full of children, again, out of our hands. For the first time we look forward to our future, the one God has planned for us. We look forward not in expectation of the house full - but we look forward, one child at a time. Thank you all for your continued prayers and love. Happy New Year!

Chrismas Wishes

First, please let me extend our wishes to you for a very Merry Christmas. We hope the birthday of our savior brings renewed joy into your homes. This year, Paul and I wanted to wait to celebrate the liturgical Christmas season. We waited to purchase a tree, set up decorations, do baking, etc. And now, today is the first day of Christmas! This was, of course, preluded by wonderful family gatherings and meals. But we look forward to the days ahead to celebrate and reflect on our blessings.

What a year. And hopefully one year closer to the blessing of a child. We recieved several wonderful baby-wishes this year. Especially in the breaking of Oplatek. Every year we follow the polish custom of breaking bread (chrismas wafers pronounced oh-pwah-tek). This is a custom where those gathered have a chance to express well wishes to one another. The theme for us this year was "may all your baby dreams come true." In addition to oplatek, this was expressed in gifts received. Thank you for all that have us in their thoughts and prayers. It means so much!

I am very tempted to do a "year in review" type blog...but we will wait until next week for that!! Love you all!

no news is no news

So, yup, posts have been much less frequent lately. There is not much going on in the adoption front. We are still approved, we are still waiting. Generally, we don't hear anything unless we ask...and we have been too busy to ask these days.

Dec 1st I started my new position as the Campus Minister at the catholic high school. It has been a very busy week (two weeks) trying to learn the ropes and learn the inner workings of high school life. I think once it starts rolling things will pick up. It is just these darn ropes that are so tricky. Someone told me they thought the new job would be a good distraction for us in this wait. It is certainly a distraction...but it also adds a new dimension in our road to parenthood. To daycare or not to daycare. We have always discussed that I would be a stay-at-home-mom. God knows (and hopefully He will let us in on the secret soon) - what will happen. Perhaps a modified version of staying home & working. Perhaps job sharing? Perhaps in-home care? A whole 'nother world of discussion to discuss!