E turns 3!

A very merry birthday it has been! Despite it all, E woke up to singing us all serenading him with "Happy Birthday" and our little boy repeated over and over that he was now 5 - not 3. Um, wait a minute son. Don't grow up too fast!

Cupcakes at preschool and more singing, takeout for dinner, and a trip to Toys R Us - and of course, more Lightning McQueen birthday cake - and this little 3 year old was one happy camper! Oh, and lest we forget the Geo Trax that he finally got for his birthday! :) Funny how even when we went to check out at Toys R Us the cashier knew all about our story and our home. But for a little while it was nice to forget about the mess and just let a kid be a kid in a toy store!

He wanted to bounce balls, push buttons, play the video game, ride the power wheels - oh yes, we still have to replace that! He decided to try out Lightning McQueen again, then a John Deer tractor (no baby, you will NOT go to Rustburg) and then finally upgraded to a Cadillac!

We also took a trip back to the house to take his picture in front of his tree that Pap planted when he was adopted. We get his picture in front of it every year - this year the scenery in the background isn't quite as nice to look at. But it's a reminder of the growing thriving tree that represents our growing thriving boy. Soon the house will be gone. But I was stand in front of that tree to make sure it's still standing!

Thanks for joining with us as we celebrated. This has been a wonderful distraction to everything else that's been going on. Tomorrow reality may (or may not) sink back in. Either way, for today, May 9, Happy Birthday Elijah! You are one loved and special little boy! I do not know what the future holds. I do know that in your short little life thus far, I've seen a story unfolding that I would never have believed. I pray for God's hand to be upon you. I pray for His blessings to be yours. I pray for you to know Him and walk in His wisdom. I pray for you to love him with that "happy heart" that's inside your body! I pray for your mind to grow in the riches of His promises. I pray for your hands to serve, your feet to go. I pray for your life to always be a testimony of Him and His goodness. I love you with all of my heart!

(There's a few pictures from Mother's Day too.)

Mother's Day

Today we stood in church to be recognized. The first time was to be recognized as mothers across the congregation. From my vantage point on stage, I watched and clapped as I pridefully joined the ranks of those, young and old, who have bore the title "mom." And just as quickly as the smile filled my face, so did the memory of mother's day 3 years ago come rushing back to me.

You see, the day was May 10, 2008. I was not standing in church. I was not recognized as a mom. I was grieving at the thought of not being able to have the right to stand. For years, I wanted that title. But it was not yet mine. It was a desire of my heart that I surrendered to the Lord - either take away the desire to have a child or bless me with one. Little did I know that the day before that mother's day, a little boy had been born.

His name was Riley Jamieson, as Sara his birthmother called him. And he was 4lb 11oz and only 18" long. He was several weeks early and she had not yet had a chance to choose his adoptive parents. On May 23, we would get that invitation to become his adoptive parents and on May 31, he would be placed in our arms.

Please know that Mother's Day is a special day to me for a number of reasons. First, I honor the legacy of my Nanny who has lead our family as a strong Christian woman, passing that down to my mom who has devoted her life to being a prayer warrior and a giant of faith. Their Godly examples have lead me to the place where I can stand, looking at a house burned and destroyed, tested by broken dreams and heartbreaks, and yet not shaken. No, their faith isn't my faith. Their faith has helped me develop and accomplish my faith. I honor those who are birthmothers who've given the right to life and the most sacrificial act of love. I honor those who are not yet mothers, but in their heart of hearts, they struggle with that desire and dream.

The scriptures and songs I cling to in these times - when facing infertility and then the road to adoption - and now facing a burnt down house and such an uncertain future - those are things that were inbred in me from the time I was born, much in part by the Godly influence of my mother. These are the same songs and scriptures I'm teaching my son.

So today, I stood. I stood to be recognized. as a mother. Probably the proudest title I bear. And then I stood beside my sister, watching her and her husband dedicate the little life of my niece to the Lord. Four generations of faith standing on stage today. Thank you, Lord, for such a heritage.

Happy Birthday E!

In all the whirlwind of the week, one thing we had already been anticipating - Elijah's 3rd birthday (technically Monday, May 9). We had been planning a backyard grill out with a bounce house and outdoor activities and some neighbors and other friends. Obviously, plans changed. But in this case - it was for the better. For a few hours, we got to be "normal" again - enjoying a the thrill of a little boy surrounded by family and friends, having a BLAST outside tubing at Snowflex, and absolutely overwhelmed with glee at all the excitement, presents, and - let's not forget - the lightning Macqueen cake!

Needless to say, it was a great birthday celebration. We are thankful to family and friends who rallied around us at the last minute to put this together in just a matter of days. It was certainly a memorable time for us all! Of course, better than me telling you...the pictures say it all!

Happy Easter!