Already our 2nd adoption was completely different than the 1st. With Liliana we had no idea she existed until she was 6 months old and we got the phone call about adopting her. We waited almost 3 years to be chosen to adopt and thought it was a closed door. We did all of our waiting on the front end, so when the time came to adopt her, things moved quickly.
Now, we were waiting and anticipating the pregnancy with J. The idea of being there when the baby arrived in the world was a new anticipation. The idea of Liliana playing with her sibling and their dynamic was another new dimension. But mostly was the fact that we had the full term of the pregnancy to pray for this child. I felt like that was going to be important in this child’s story.
I prayed the normal stuff any mom would pray- the child would be developing in a healthy way, safe delivery, and even over the formation of the baby’s personality and spiritual calling even in the womb. But there were moments the prayers would turn into something more.
I remember one afternoon in particular. I was folding laundry and felt this overwhelming sense to pray. Soon tears came and the next thing I knew I was weeping for this baby. I had no idea what was going on, but just allowed the prayers and tears to flow and knew I was doing something on a spiritual level that I couldn’t see with my own eyes.
I had actually learned that from our adoption with Liliana. Even though we had no idea that she existed, God did. At key times in her life, our prayers would intensify for her, even though we had no idea why. Once we met J and heard their story, I went back to my journal and saw the parallels of what I was praying and what was happening.
Liliana’s story also began with a time of prayer and fasting in our church. We were observing Lent and had 40 days for prayer and fasting in 2007. I very much wanted a baby and so that was my personal prayer focus. Later I found out that during that time is when Liliana was conceived. The time of her birth along with a few other intense moments of her life, God had her new mom praying.
I knew baby #2 needed extra prayers due to her unstable situation.
D and J had gotten back together and J couldn’t bring up adoption because D didn’t want that. She called our social worker about a month before delivery not knowing what to do. Carol assured her we were waiting and ready, but that she needed to talk to D. In the mean time Carol told us to go ahead and get our new home study done and start the paper work on our end. We stepped out in faith, trusting that soon this baby would be with us.
Monday, February 7, 2011
SOPHIE'S JOURNEY- PART 1
We are getting ready to leave today to get our new daughter and I wanted to blog about her. I will be adding parts as I have time to sit and write.
SOPHIE’S JOURNEY PART 1
For the past few years our church has engaged in times of prayer and fasting for an extended period of time. Each time we encourage people to have a certain personal focus and to ask God for something meaningful to you personally.
October 2009 we had a 21 day time of prayer and fasting. When I considered what I wanted my focus to be, immediately I thought I wanted to begin praying for a second child to adopt.
The 3rd day into my fast, I woke up in the middle of the night and I knew I needed to get up and pray and journal. All I could pray for was a sibling for Liliana. It was overwhelming. Later that afternoon I was out running errands when our social worker, Carol, called. Carol handled our first adoption with Liliana and she calls from time to time to check in. I remember sitting in the parking lot of Woodmans when she told me about J being pregnant again with Liliana’s full blooded sibling. She was scared and seriously considering abortion as her only option in this point of her life. Her boyfriend was in and out of jail and couldn’t offer support and she also had a son she was raising. She was overwhelmed and called Carol to ask if we would consider adopting this child too.
Normally the agency doesn’t call adoptive parents until the 3rd trimester because the girls have a lot to process and can change their minds. But Carol felt it was urgent to call us and that the only way J was going to go through with the pregnancy is if she had the assurance we would be there.
Of course I was blown away by the timing of it all. Not only would we have an opportunity to adopt again, but it would actually be her full blooded sibling. What are the odds of that happening.
Of course we said YES. Our journey of prayer and love began.
SOPHIE’S JOURNEY PART 1
For the past few years our church has engaged in times of prayer and fasting for an extended period of time. Each time we encourage people to have a certain personal focus and to ask God for something meaningful to you personally.
October 2009 we had a 21 day time of prayer and fasting. When I considered what I wanted my focus to be, immediately I thought I wanted to begin praying for a second child to adopt.
The 3rd day into my fast, I woke up in the middle of the night and I knew I needed to get up and pray and journal. All I could pray for was a sibling for Liliana. It was overwhelming. Later that afternoon I was out running errands when our social worker, Carol, called. Carol handled our first adoption with Liliana and she calls from time to time to check in. I remember sitting in the parking lot of Woodmans when she told me about J being pregnant again with Liliana’s full blooded sibling. She was scared and seriously considering abortion as her only option in this point of her life. Her boyfriend was in and out of jail and couldn’t offer support and she also had a son she was raising. She was overwhelmed and called Carol to ask if we would consider adopting this child too.
Normally the agency doesn’t call adoptive parents until the 3rd trimester because the girls have a lot to process and can change their minds. But Carol felt it was urgent to call us and that the only way J was going to go through with the pregnancy is if she had the assurance we would be there.
Of course I was blown away by the timing of it all. Not only would we have an opportunity to adopt again, but it would actually be her full blooded sibling. What are the odds of that happening.
Of course we said YES. Our journey of prayer and love began.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Catching up from last week...
Last week was Chris' birthday. He said it was a great birthday.. in the morning he took Liliana on a Daddy-Daughter date and then in the afternoon the two of us went on a date. Chris' love language is gifts. (from the book 5 Love Languages). I know that about him, but I forget how much it means to him until I actually see him with a gift. I bought him a special coffee machine that brews individual cups and he was the most excited person ever. He loved it and has been talking about it non stop for days. Seriously, he might have been more excited about it than Liliana was about her birthday gifts last month. It was fun to see.
We also went to our first family movie last week for a matinee. I don't think I have seen a movie at the theater for about 3 years. I had my bag loaded down with snacks to keep passing on to Liliana since she had never sat through a movie like that before. She was loving life. It was a fun family outing.
We had a conference in Milwaukee area over the weekend and then a very jam packed Sunday and Monday, so we are ready for our day off today.
We are about ready to have a blizzard hit Madison. I am excited! I love the snow and it is so fun when we get a large amount.
At this point in life we don't have to shovel driveways, due to where we live, and we have a hill outside our back door, so we can go snow shoeing. I'm excited to do some baking today, read, and hang out with my family. Here's to a relaxing day!
We also went to our first family movie last week for a matinee. I don't think I have seen a movie at the theater for about 3 years. I had my bag loaded down with snacks to keep passing on to Liliana since she had never sat through a movie like that before. She was loving life. It was a fun family outing.
We had a conference in Milwaukee area over the weekend and then a very jam packed Sunday and Monday, so we are ready for our day off today.
We are about ready to have a blizzard hit Madison. I am excited! I love the snow and it is so fun when we get a large amount.
At this point in life we don't have to shovel driveways, due to where we live, and we have a hill outside our back door, so we can go snow shoeing. I'm excited to do some baking today, read, and hang out with my family. Here's to a relaxing day!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Let's Go on An Adventure
As a mom, I am quite thankful for fun words. You can make any ordinary event special with some creative vocabulary.
This past week was our week of "adventures". We pretended like we were on adventures each day. A trip to Woodmans grocery store takes on a whole new meaning when you add the word adventure to it. Liliana got to bring a little back pack to the store and help scope out things to buy. We even had a stop at the treat aisle to make the adventure complete.
I was feeling pretty good about my made up adventures and then we went on a tour of Epic software company with a friend of ours who works there. Talk about an adventure- the place was great. Each building is decorated in a different theme- Asia, Western, an Indiana Jones hallway, Safari,... it was an interior designers dream. The owners of Epic have a huge budget dedicated to cool decorations to make the work environment fun. We pretended to run away from the dragons and were going in the conference rooms trying to shoot them with our bow and arrow. Very fun.
I also converted half of our walk in closet into a little play area for Liliana. She loves going in there to play, so I decided to move our excess stuff out of the corner so she could set up a little area for her. She absolutely loves it and the adventures have continued.
Here's to a week of ordinary, but fun adventures. Dora would be proud!
This past week was our week of "adventures". We pretended like we were on adventures each day. A trip to Woodmans grocery store takes on a whole new meaning when you add the word adventure to it. Liliana got to bring a little back pack to the store and help scope out things to buy. We even had a stop at the treat aisle to make the adventure complete.
I was feeling pretty good about my made up adventures and then we went on a tour of Epic software company with a friend of ours who works there. Talk about an adventure- the place was great. Each building is decorated in a different theme- Asia, Western, an Indiana Jones hallway, Safari,... it was an interior designers dream. The owners of Epic have a huge budget dedicated to cool decorations to make the work environment fun. We pretended to run away from the dragons and were going in the conference rooms trying to shoot them with our bow and arrow. Very fun.
I also converted half of our walk in closet into a little play area for Liliana. She loves going in there to play, so I decided to move our excess stuff out of the corner so she could set up a little area for her. She absolutely loves it and the adventures have continued.
Here's to a week of ordinary, but fun adventures. Dora would be proud!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Inner Fire Yoga
Our church is located next to a yoga studio and last weekend I finally ventured over with a friend to check it out. I was a little intimidated because it is a hot yoga studio and I had visions of walking into a sauna type atmosphere, barely able to breathe, sweating and holding funny poses.
It turned out not to be quite as intimidating as I thought. (although I did sweat and have to hold funny poses)
We have a 2 week pass for unlimited yoga, so my friend and I are trying out as many classes as we can. I'm interested in learning more about yoga and how to even incorporate some of the stretches at home.
Last night we were in this yin yoga class, which focuses on deep stretches. You hold poses for 1-2 minutes. Wow. I stretched muscles in my hip that have probably never been stretched in my entire life.
The instructor was great as he walked us through the poses. At the very end he encouraged us to come back for more classes. Then he made the statement, "Yoga three times a week is a lifestyle".
That statement struck me. Over the new year, I've been thinking about things in my life that I want to become more of a lifestyle.
The definition of a lifestyle is
a manner of living that reflects the person's values and attitudes.
Lifestyle changes come at different paces. In fact, most of my lifestyle changes have just been one small step in a direction. That step went well, so then came the next step. Before I knew it, my lifestyle was different in that area. It is really exciting to see change and growth happen at different paces. I think with that attitude, change is fun and freeing.
I don't know if yoga will be a lifestyle, but for now I am going to enjoy my unlimited pass and stretch in funny poses as much as I can!
It turned out not to be quite as intimidating as I thought. (although I did sweat and have to hold funny poses)
We have a 2 week pass for unlimited yoga, so my friend and I are trying out as many classes as we can. I'm interested in learning more about yoga and how to even incorporate some of the stretches at home.
Last night we were in this yin yoga class, which focuses on deep stretches. You hold poses for 1-2 minutes. Wow. I stretched muscles in my hip that have probably never been stretched in my entire life.
The instructor was great as he walked us through the poses. At the very end he encouraged us to come back for more classes. Then he made the statement, "Yoga three times a week is a lifestyle".
That statement struck me. Over the new year, I've been thinking about things in my life that I want to become more of a lifestyle.
The definition of a lifestyle is
a manner of living that reflects the person's values and attitudes.
Lifestyle changes come at different paces. In fact, most of my lifestyle changes have just been one small step in a direction. That step went well, so then came the next step. Before I knew it, my lifestyle was different in that area. It is really exciting to see change and growth happen at different paces. I think with that attitude, change is fun and freeing.
I don't know if yoga will be a lifestyle, but for now I am going to enjoy my unlimited pass and stretch in funny poses as much as I can!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Party Time
This past week was filled with CELEBRATION!
Tuesday Liilana turned 3. It is hard to believe she is that old already. I remember when I was younger people would say how much time flies and I thought it was a goofy phrase. Now I find myself feeling that way.
We had a fun time at the Kid's Museum, out to lunch and then snow shoeing. We bought Liliana some snow shoes for her b-day and she loved them. I'm so glad. I think snow shoeing is so fun. It's my new activity I have been getting into lately.
Then New Years Day we hosted an open house to watch the Rose Bowl. The Badgers were in the game. They lost, but it was still fun.
The next day we went to our friend Lily's birthday party at the bowling alley. Lily and Liliana share the exact same birthday. We just love Lily's family and always have a great time with them. It was the first time either girl bowled and they had a good time.
Tuesday Liilana turned 3. It is hard to believe she is that old already. I remember when I was younger people would say how much time flies and I thought it was a goofy phrase. Now I find myself feeling that way.
We had a fun time at the Kid's Museum, out to lunch and then snow shoeing. We bought Liliana some snow shoes for her b-day and she loved them. I'm so glad. I think snow shoeing is so fun. It's my new activity I have been getting into lately.
Then New Years Day we hosted an open house to watch the Rose Bowl. The Badgers were in the game. They lost, but it was still fun.
The next day we went to our friend Lily's birthday party at the bowling alley. Lily and Liliana share the exact same birthday. We just love Lily's family and always have a great time with them. It was the first time either girl bowled and they had a good time.
Christmas Morning
This was our first year to spend Christmas morning with just our family and we loved it. Don't get me wrong, we also enjoy being with our extended families, but it was great to have our own traditions and stay in our pajamas extra long.
We watched a video about Jesus being born, which of course led to acting out the story. All month Liliana puts her blanket over her head and pretends to be Mary and we take turns switching off as shepherds and angels. It's cute.
We opened gifts and then skyped Nana and Papa in TX to open gifts they sent.
One gift in particular was a Dora microphone that sings and glamour shoes. Oh my.. Liliana loved it!
We played, made a birthday cake for Jesus and had such a fun day.
We also started to make an igloo. We went out in the back yard area and started a mound of snow. We were going to let it freeze and then build on top of it a few more days before digging our entrance. So sad that the weather got warm for several days and our snow is all gone. I hope it snows again soon so we can try again!
We watched a video about Jesus being born, which of course led to acting out the story. All month Liliana puts her blanket over her head and pretends to be Mary and we take turns switching off as shepherds and angels. It's cute.
We opened gifts and then skyped Nana and Papa in TX to open gifts they sent.
One gift in particular was a Dora microphone that sings and glamour shoes. Oh my.. Liliana loved it!
We played, made a birthday cake for Jesus and had such a fun day.
We also started to make an igloo. We went out in the back yard area and started a mound of snow. We were going to let it freeze and then build on top of it a few more days before digging our entrance. So sad that the weather got warm for several days and our snow is all gone. I hope it snows again soon so we can try again!
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