A little over two weeks ago, just a couple of days after I published this post telling you all our plans to adopt again I got a very exciting phone call from our case worker at our adoption agency. She told me we had been chosen by an expectant mother to parent her child!
Wow!
Trust me when I tell you I was just as shocked as you are right now as you read this!

We we’re blessed with the opportunity to meet her a couple weeks ago and instantly felt a deep bond with her. We love her and this little baby with all our hearts and thank God for His blessings in our lives. We don’t feel worthy of such a gift but are so thankful He’s entrusting us to care for another one of His children. What an amazing gift He has given to all of us who are blessed to be parents.

We are overjoyed and bursting with excitement but we also know there are risks involved and we’re nervous at the same time. I thank you in advance for your prayers! I’ll be posting lots of specific prayer requests over the next 2-3 weeks!

{This post took me days to write. I’m extremely sensitive to those of you still waiting to grow your families, I remember how painful it was to hear these kind of announcements when we were longing for a child and I hate the thought that this might bring you some painful feelings. I mean this with my whole heart: I believe your time is coming, don’t lose hope and know that I pray for you so often. Hugs to you all!}

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Jenni! You won the necklace giveaway! Congrats girl! Email me your address :)

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Its been about a year and a half since I hosted my first freezer meal cooking party with 5 of my girlfriends! It went so well that we’ve been having them every couple of months ever since! I think we’ve done it 7 times now.

We all set a date that works for everyone (usually a Friday night). Each girl plans a meal and brings enough ingredients/supplies for each girl to make her own pan of that meal to be frozen and enjoyed at a later date. So with 6 of us we each take home 6 different meals! (I think 6 is a great number, its enough meals to keep you busy for awhile but not too long and its nice having an even number for halving ingredients or something. Like a lot of times we’ll buy a large bag of cheese or something and split it between two people instead of buying 2 smaller bags, saves money!)

 

Its been so much fun being able to try new recipes and be able to pull a dish out of the freezer at any given time! So handy!

We always have so much fun doing it and it usually ends up being a pretty late night, we all like to chat! This past Friday we had our most recent party and it lasted until after 2am!

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If I had to say just one thing I’ve learned over the past 3 years I would say that God’s taught me that “everything happens for a reason”. I’m sure many of you have heard that saying before. I’ve heard it plenty of times during our grief walk but it really never makes sense until you’re at a place where you can look back and see how God has worked in your life despite the hardships. In fact, I used to hate it when people would tell me that, can anyone relate? I would think what reason would ever be good enough for God to choose to take my baby before I ever had the chance to know him?

I still have times when I question God’s plan but its been so amazing to see the ways God’s worked and continues to work in our lives. I may not know the answers to all my questions but I DO know that God has a GREAT plan for us, better than we could ever understand.

I LOVE both of these verse:

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

“ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

I saw this necklace one day while perusing around on etsy from the r house and they have graciously offered to give one away to YOU!

Don’t you just LoVe?

I think its an awesome reminder of how God sometimes works in mysterious ways but He has a plan and its a good one!

I love the r house, if you’re not familiar with them you should be! I love their work and the way they advocate for adoption! They have an amazing selection of jewelry for everyone! You will love it!

 

I own the “miracle'” piece and get so many compliments on it! Its a fave of mine! So pretty and delicate! I wore it today, actually!

now to win the necklace:

You have 3 chances to win!

1. Check out there etsy shop here and leave a comment telling me YOUR favorite piece, (i bet you can’t pick just one;)

2. Become a fan of the r house on facebook and leave a separate comment telling me you did so!

3. Blog or tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link in another comment.

Giveaway is open until the 31st! Good Luck!

*disclosure* i was not paid with merchandise or money to do this review/giveaway

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Robb and I set Grayden’s big boy bed up on a whim last night! We were just thinking we would set it up and have it ready for him whenever WE were ready to move him upstairs, well Grayden thought he was big stuff and was so excited we caved and let him sleep in his bed for the first time last night!

It started out a little rocky but he did fall asleep and slept soundly (even through a storm) all night long! We are SO proud him, it was an exciting day around here!

 

We’ll see what today brings!

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I'm linking up with Jamie for "What I'm Loving Wednesday"!

I’m loving this beautiful Michigan weather we’re having today! It’s Spring! (at least for today!)
I’m loving Shaklee cleaning products, its so natural that I sprayed and wiped down the inside of my refrigerator today without even emptying out anything!

I’m loving all the stuff this adoptive family is auctioning off to raise funds for their Ethiopian adoption! Go check it out here.

I’m loving this yummy mixed berry smoothie I made today!

I’m loving this new buffet I just got for our dining room to replace our old hutch!

new:

old:

I’m loving this precious smile from my niece who is currently staying her 3rd day in the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital for a bad cough and low oxygen levels :( Please pray for her!

I’m loving that my friend Lyndsie offered me the awesome opportunity to share our adoption story on her blog, go check it our here!

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sorry about the video overload lately but Grayden has just been full of it lately, we can’t help but record this fun stage he’s in!

 

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What do you think of the new look? Patrice gave my blog a much needed update! If anyone is looking for a bloggy makeover lady Patrice is SO easy to work with and does a great job!

Thanks Patrice!

A trip down memory lane:

Look #1

September 2008-June 2009

Look #2

June 2009-March 2011 (look how tiny Gray was)

 

Hoping the next time this blog needs another makeover there will be another little baby to feature! :)

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We started thinking about adoption #2 shortly after Grayden’s adoption was finalized in Dec. of 2009. Adoption has blessed our lives so tremendously we knew we wanted to do it again! We spent the following year praying about it and waiting for the right timing to begin our journey to add to our family. Well, God has made it clear to us that that time is here!

I contacted our case worker at Bethany Christian Services on December 9 and we submitted our application for Domestic Adoption on December 21 (the one year anniversary of Grayden's Adoption Day).

We started our home study process right away and completed everything on February 22. Since then we’ve been in the waiting game…waiting and praying for God to place that precious child into our lives.

We covet your prayers as patience has never been my strongest virtue. Our case worker estimated a 12-18 month wait but there is really no way in knowing when we’ll be matched with that special birth mom. We have comfort knowing that God’s plan is perfect and in His perfect timing we’ll welcome another addition!

I’ll be sure to keep you posted when that day comes! Thank you for sharing in our joy and excitement; it was so much fun reading your comments!

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Big Brother to be:

We are adopting again!

Baby L #3 we are waiting and praying for you!

Details to come!

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first of all let me just say that this visit to the Children’s Museum reminded me of the first time we took Grayden to a children’s museum in Florida almost exactly a year ago. My how much has changed!
This museum was great, he’s at such a fun age to do these things with! He knows where he wants to go and what he wants to do!











 
a spot for Gray to see the fish

and a spot for mom to see the fish :)








at the hair salon with mom :)


i always had a crush on Ken ;) he’s not quite as cute 20 years later!
sadly, we didn’t spend much time in the Barbie exhibit!

the train exhibit was a huge hit!

After we left the museum we dropped my mom and dad off at the airport for their flight to California for another convention and then we hit the road for home!
It was a nice little getaway!

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We just got home last night from a business trip to Indianapolis for Robb, my Dad and brother-in-law Kyle. Us wives and the kiddos (me, my Mom, Mindy, Grayden and Makenna) tagged along.
The drive down there went fine, Grayden only slept for 30 minutes but he did great! The most exciting part of the 4.5 hour drive was that we drove past a Panera Bread with a drive-thru!!  Can I just tell you that I have been wanting a drive-thru at our Panera here FOREVER! I’m so jealous.
Starting Monday morning the guys went to their classes and meetings

and the girls and Gray spent lots of time bonding in the hotel room and we did a lot of shopping!

our hotel

grayden and cousin makenna, look at that smile!

enjoying breakfast at Panera!


watching Boz on the DVD player (thank you Jippings:)

loved spending so much time with my niece, she just turned 1 month old on the 8th, getting so big!

Robb took Grayden swimming in the hotel pool Tuesday night, at first he had a pretty tight grip around Daddy’s neck but he loosened up after a bit!



The guys finished up their meetings early Wednesday afternoon but we couldn’t head for home until we took a trip to the Children’s Museum!
That deserves a post all its own! Coming soon!

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