Our God is Greater

When Brad and I first started talking about the idea of fostering-adopt the 3 kids, we were still not even engaged! It was something that he brought up first, and I thought he was crazy. The more we thought about it, prayed about it, and spent time with the kids- the more our hearts felt pulled that direction.
Our hearts were telling us one thing, but the world was telling us another. When consulting with others and sometimes just getting caught up in what if's we would hear:
"don't you need a ring first before you decide to adopt kids..." (which i agreed with)
"you need your honeymoon time" "You don't know how to be parents..."
"you are acting out of emotion" "It would be too stressful" "The kids have too many issues"
"kids cost too much money" "you don't even have an appropriate house for them..."
"you can't save the world..." " their biological families are too crazy"
So then came along the awesome day that we got engaged. Without taking away from the exciting time that was, we both knew- we needed to make a decision about the kids.
I knew in my heart what I wanted to do, but it was all so unknown and scary and above all- I wanted my husband to be to make the final decision.
So we decided to not adopt. We emailed friends and family and told them our decision. We got emails back saying it was the right decision. Everyone seemed relieved.

Except us. The week that followed was the worst of our lives. We just could not imagine these 3 little ones with any other family than us. We knew that they were meant to be our forever family.
So after praying more- we both knew that these kids were to be ours! We then spread the word to friends and family... it then looked like we were even more crazy.
To this day we still have people that aren't 100% supportive of our decision, but to me-

I see E's smile when he saw me come and surprise him at his school party.

I see N's bright eyes begging for one more song before bed.

I see L with all of his new cousins at Brad's family Christmas party, looking so content and at peace.

And I KNOW all is right.

One of the songs that inspired me during this decision time and still does is Chris Tomlin's Our God is Greater..... "and if our God is for us, than who can ever stop us, and if our God is for us- than what can stand against us." These Bible inspired lyrics remind me that God's plan's our MUCH greater than our own.

In 2 days we will have our first Christmas all together. I bet God will bring us moments that will confirm our decision again!

Blessings.

Who do you sleep with?

We have created some "rituals" in our family for bedtime. There is the obvious get your jam jams on, brush your teeth, go to bed routine- all of which it seems no matter how many times we repeat the instructions during this time- nobody follows them! It is always - can't we stay up just a little longer! Or someone all of the sudden comes down with a condition that requires mom's attention in the living room- nowhere close to the bedrooms.

Once the routine is done, it's time to get in bed. Usually it is prayers with mommy and daddy, a back scratch and a song. Sometimes it involves a creative story from daddy or a recap of the days "roses and thorns". Then always followed with a kiss goodnight and an I love you.

I remember when the 3 little kiddos moved in with my parents (my parents were their first foster placement). Bedtime was not fun. Bedtime seemed to bring back troubling memories or trigger something for them. How far they have come....

Yet they all have their "Thing" to sleep with. For my stubborn mighty man- it is usually the wish that the dog will stay cuddled up next to him. If he gets his wish, his thumb is in his mouth and he is asleep in seconds. For my wise leader man, it is usually a flashlight and a good book.

Then there is the wildflower girl. She is a different story. She usually has about 20 toys in bed with her- all tucked into some kind of cover. They all need sung to and prayed with. The girl sure does like her company in bed!!

Tonight it was her own makeshift nativity set in bed with her- a fabric stable, a plastic sheep, a dog ornament, a fairy doll, and a plastic cow- all under the stable, tucked under the covers

We sang Silent Night together to her friends as she fell drifted into her dream.

What 3 little sleeping angels we are blessed with...I know parents say they grow up so fast- and we didn't even get their first years with them- so I have to remember to cherish these nights!

I just had to do it!!

For those of you who know me, you know that I have blogged in the past. I have been wanting to start this blog up for awhile now- but honestly, I debated over how to do it appropriately. I want to protect our kids and anyone that may stumble upon this blog. Until our adoption is final, I am going to refrain from using names and posting pictures. I hope the blog is still interesting! Because with our kids, the pictures truly do tell their story! :)

Anyways- I just have a lot of thoughts on the foster-adoption process, getting married, being a newlywed, transitioning into parenthood, pop culture and life in general!