Luke and I went yesterday to Harrison to meet our little sibling group- ages 6 & 7. We left around 8- so we were in Harrison WAY earlier than we were supposed to be. We ended up going to Branson to eat lunch at Joe's Crab Shack. Neither one of us were very hungry- but that didn't stop us from eating. As the time drew nearer to 2, we began to get more nervous. We really had no idea what to expect, say, or do!
We got to the office in Harrison a little before 2. We took time to pray with each other before we walked in. I wanted to know right off the bat if these were our kids- and if not, for the Lord to shut this door. We met with their adoption specialist, their attorney, the therapist, and their foster mom. They told us a few more things about the kiddos. We had the best time visiting. When the kids arrived, the therapist came in the room and told us they were there. Then, she looked at all of us and said, "What do we do now?" "Are ya'll as nervous as I am?" I was thinking, "Ummm....YES!"
The kids walked in with their foster Mom, and were so shy. The moment they walked in the door, I instantly knew they were ours. It was like love at first sight. They sat very close to their foster Mom. I brought in my adoption scrapbook and they were able to see all the doggies. Of course, the little girl looked at a picture of my Madison- and said, I really like her. It about broke my heart!
After a few minutes of trying to get them to open up, we broke out my Old Maid cards. These were the set of cards I played at Grandma and PaPa's house. Since Grandma was legally blind, she had us play with a big set of cards- so she could see the characters. I still remember to this day, Chris sticking up the old maid card higher than any of the other ones. He would say, "Here PaPa, pick this one!" And, of course, PaPa always picked that one! How cool to think the first game we ever played with our kids was one I loved playing with Grandma and PaPa.
The card game really seemed to break the ice. After that, we pulled out coloring books and had a blast coloring and visiting. The little boys favorite color is blue, or really any "boy color" he said. The little girl loves pink and purple.
We still have several more visits to go before they can officially come here to stay. It is looking very hopeful, especially since the foster Mom told Luke and I that the little boy opened up more to us yesterday than she's ever seen before.
Luke and I talked all the way home. We are so excited that the Lord led us here for a reason. We can't wait to see what the future holds!!!
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Sunday, November 3, 2013
My Sweet Angel
Luke and I had the pleasure of taking care of Madison for 7 1/2 years. She was given a ham bone by her previous owner and sent to the pound after coming down with pancreatitis. She was one day before being put to sleep when Mrs. Nancy, Christylee's Mom, took her home. Christylee called me and asked if we wanted her. She told me she looked just like Mollie Margaret (my previous Cocker Spaniel we had lost in 2005). I told her we just wasn't sure- it would mean 5 dogs. Who has 5 dogs??? Deep down inside, I really wanted her. I never got over losing my sweet Mollie.
Well, on Valentine's Day, I happened to call Christylee and broke the news to her that we just didn't think we could handle 5 dogs. I was heart broken, but she told me- "Well, don't worry about it, she found a home." Come to find out, Luke brought her to me on Valentine's Day in 2006. She was wearing a pink collar and scared to death. I sat in the floor and cried and from that point on, she was my dog! I called Christylee- and all she could do was laugh- what a friend! 8)
Madison has been my shadow for 7 years. Luke and I have loved her more than anything. She hated going on car rides, was terrified at Dr. Mike's, but loved her Lean Treats. She loved George that cat as if he were hers. She had many names: My angel, puddnin's, Silly Nilly, Fuzzy Wuzzy, and Sugar Plum. She wasn't much of a cuddle bug, but loved just being in the room with you. Her favorite thing to eat was chocolate-although we didn't let her have any. She did get into it one time while I was out of town. Luke had to handle it all on his own. Come to find out, she hid chocolate all over the house. She sure was a mess.
We couldn't have asked for a better dog.
Luke and I spent many an evening after parties and entertaining to clean up the floors and make sure there was nothing she could get into. We didn't want her having any kind of food she couldn't eat.
A month ago, she came down with coughing. Dr. Mike was able to give me one more wonderful week with her. I introduced her to canned dog food- which she loved so much- she even growled at George over. Last night, I woke up around 2am. We were able to have a special time together in my recliner. We cuddled and talked. I was able to tell her things I never got the chance to tell Mollie Margaret. I slept on the couch beside her, and this morning Dr. Mike helped us help her into heaven.
It was a sad day for me and Luke. I'm so glad to have him with me, he loved her as much as I did. It will be an adjustment here in the Williams household. I think she wouldn't have handled kids as well as she did Kingston. I'm thinking the Lord just thought it best for her to be in Heaven. I'll miss her, but I know I'll see her again!
Well, on Valentine's Day, I happened to call Christylee and broke the news to her that we just didn't think we could handle 5 dogs. I was heart broken, but she told me- "Well, don't worry about it, she found a home." Come to find out, Luke brought her to me on Valentine's Day in 2006. She was wearing a pink collar and scared to death. I sat in the floor and cried and from that point on, she was my dog! I called Christylee- and all she could do was laugh- what a friend! 8)
Madison has been my shadow for 7 years. Luke and I have loved her more than anything. She hated going on car rides, was terrified at Dr. Mike's, but loved her Lean Treats. She loved George that cat as if he were hers. She had many names: My angel, puddnin's, Silly Nilly, Fuzzy Wuzzy, and Sugar Plum. She wasn't much of a cuddle bug, but loved just being in the room with you. Her favorite thing to eat was chocolate-although we didn't let her have any. She did get into it one time while I was out of town. Luke had to handle it all on his own. Come to find out, she hid chocolate all over the house. She sure was a mess.
We couldn't have asked for a better dog.
Luke and I spent many an evening after parties and entertaining to clean up the floors and make sure there was nothing she could get into. We didn't want her having any kind of food she couldn't eat.
A month ago, she came down with coughing. Dr. Mike was able to give me one more wonderful week with her. I introduced her to canned dog food- which she loved so much- she even growled at George over. Last night, I woke up around 2am. We were able to have a special time together in my recliner. We cuddled and talked. I was able to tell her things I never got the chance to tell Mollie Margaret. I slept on the couch beside her, and this morning Dr. Mike helped us help her into heaven.
It was a sad day for me and Luke. I'm so glad to have him with me, he loved her as much as I did. It will be an adjustment here in the Williams household. I think she wouldn't have handled kids as well as she did Kingston. I'm thinking the Lord just thought it best for her to be in Heaven. I'll miss her, but I know I'll see her again!
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Ch Ch Ch Changes
Luke and I have had a crazy last 48 hours. We were on board with the two kiddos we met at the picnic. We prayed about it all weekend. I even prayed about it on my morning walk. I asked God to please close this door if they were not the children for us. Well, as of about an hour ago- He did.
We found out more information that Luke and I both didn't think we were strong enough to handle. We both went into this knowing that this road to adoption wouldn't be easy, and we hit the nail on the head. What these poor kiddos have to endure to no fault of their own is so sad.
Will we ever know why these sweet kiddos were brought into our lives? Why were there so many similarities in their information that were special to us? I will never know or understand. However, I can say this. If the Lord only brought these two into our lives to pray for them- well, then that's what we'll do.
Am I heart broken and sad over the possibility that these two weren't the children for us? I can honestly say that I am not. The Lord has guarded my heart in this process and I'm really OK with the outcome. The bottom line is that Luke and I want the kids that the Lord wants for us. They are out there somewhere. For now, we'll just continue to pray for these two as well as our future kids.
Their rooms are waiting- and so are we!
We found out more information that Luke and I both didn't think we were strong enough to handle. We both went into this knowing that this road to adoption wouldn't be easy, and we hit the nail on the head. What these poor kiddos have to endure to no fault of their own is so sad.
Will we ever know why these sweet kiddos were brought into our lives? Why were there so many similarities in their information that were special to us? I will never know or understand. However, I can say this. If the Lord only brought these two into our lives to pray for them- well, then that's what we'll do.
Am I heart broken and sad over the possibility that these two weren't the children for us? I can honestly say that I am not. The Lord has guarded my heart in this process and I'm really OK with the outcome. The bottom line is that Luke and I want the kids that the Lord wants for us. They are out there somewhere. For now, we'll just continue to pray for these two as well as our future kids.
Their rooms are waiting- and so are we!
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Moving Forward
Yesterday, Luke and I were able to get our full disclosure on the kiddos we've been looking at since the Adoption Picnic. It's about 5 inches thick. We couldn't wait to sit down and read it. We volunteered last night at a Project Zero event and had a blast. Even though we got home late last night, we still stayed up and read all 5 inches.
So far, we see no red flags at all that we are concerned about. We both keep praying that the Lord would point us in the right direction. We would love if He would put it in writing. Well, in a way, He did. All this time, I've been wondering what their full names are. Well, as it turns out, the little girl's middle name matches my Mom's. On another note, our family has always had this set of numbers we have used in the past. It's been a joke in our family, because when Luke came along, he used the same set of numbers. Well, Luke asked me yesterday morning if I saw the little boy's patient number in one of the files. I told him I didn't know what he was talking about. Well, that little boy's patient number matches our families special numbers.
We are praying about it this weekend, just to make sure. We are both at peace with everything, and really feel like the Lord is leading us in this direction. If we do make the decision that these kids are meant for us, we will have a staffing with everyone involved. After that, we can start the visits. I'm not sure how many we will have to do. For now, we're getting rooms ready and deep cleaning. We're so excited!!
So far, we see no red flags at all that we are concerned about. We both keep praying that the Lord would point us in the right direction. We would love if He would put it in writing. Well, in a way, He did. All this time, I've been wondering what their full names are. Well, as it turns out, the little girl's middle name matches my Mom's. On another note, our family has always had this set of numbers we have used in the past. It's been a joke in our family, because when Luke came along, he used the same set of numbers. Well, Luke asked me yesterday morning if I saw the little boy's patient number in one of the files. I told him I didn't know what he was talking about. Well, that little boy's patient number matches our families special numbers.
We are praying about it this weekend, just to make sure. We are both at peace with everything, and really feel like the Lord is leading us in this direction. If we do make the decision that these kids are meant for us, we will have a staffing with everyone involved. After that, we can start the visits. I'm not sure how many we will have to do. For now, we're getting rooms ready and deep cleaning. We're so excited!!
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Kingston at SDC!
Last weekend, Luke and I took Kingston to Silver Dollar City for the first time. He had an absolute blast with "Isis" and "Gook." We left out about 7:30 and stopped at McDonalds for breakfast. He ate an entire order of biscuits and gravy. We then drove on to Silver Dollar City. He liked the tram ride to get into the park. For lunch, he ate some of the succotash out of their big skillets. We went to look at the rides- and he was an inch to short to ride with an adult. So, pushed him around in the stroller. He played at Guyser Gulch with Luke. We took him into the toy store where he picked out a yellow car.
Afterwards, we headed on over to ride "Thomas" the train. He didn't know what to think. While waiting in line, he kept himself busy playing with the nail holes in one of the columns. He thought it was hilarious to put his finger over it- and then to put Luke's over it too. As soon as we were on the train, he started to get sleepy. He loved the ride though. We stopped at the Old Mill for some Saspirilla and Cream Soda and then rode some more. By the time we got to the tram to leave, he fell asleep. It was a long day!
We left Silver Dollar City and stopped at Pizza by the Chef in Hollister. He LOVED their pizza. We ordered the Chicken Alfredo pizza and he ate an entire slice and a half by himself. He even loved their garlic bread.
He chatted and jabbered on the way home. We stopped in Marshall for a diaper change and some ice cream. That boy loved his hot fudge sundae he shared with me!
It was a great day. He's such a joy to be around. Love that little guy!
Afterwards, we headed on over to ride "Thomas" the train. He didn't know what to think. While waiting in line, he kept himself busy playing with the nail holes in one of the columns. He thought it was hilarious to put his finger over it- and then to put Luke's over it too. As soon as we were on the train, he started to get sleepy. He loved the ride though. We stopped at the Old Mill for some Saspirilla and Cream Soda and then rode some more. By the time we got to the tram to leave, he fell asleep. It was a long day!
We left Silver Dollar City and stopped at Pizza by the Chef in Hollister. He LOVED their pizza. We ordered the Chicken Alfredo pizza and he ate an entire slice and a half by himself. He even loved their garlic bread.
He chatted and jabbered on the way home. We stopped in Marshall for a diaper change and some ice cream. That boy loved his hot fudge sundae he shared with me!
It was a great day. He's such a joy to be around. Love that little guy!
Someone took a nap on the way up...
Going to see if he could ride the rides...
Shooting water at Geyser Gulch
Riding Thomas!!!
Trying the Saspirilla
Trying the cream soda
Saturday, October 5, 2013
The Picnic
Luke and I got to the picnic this morning unsure of what to do. At first, we sat in the car and just people watched- feeling VERY overwhelmed. Eventually we got up the nerve to walk down the hill and check it out. You could spot the "adoptive" parents as they were just standing around in twos not knowing what to do. We spotted a couple about our age, and broke the ice with them. I even met one of my scrapbook ladies- which we helped to meet the child she was looking for.
Luke and I ran into our first adoption specialist- whom we have always liked. She was able to talk us through how things would go. We were in line waiting to get some food when a little girl and boy passed by us. I saw their red arm bands, and couldn't take my eyes off them. Luke and I felt like stalkers watching them eat, go on the bouncy thing, etc. We ended up back in the metal building- which was hot- and sat two tables down, trying not to stare. I told Luke that I had never been intimidated by a kid before- but how the heck did you break the ice here?
Their social worker must have noticed us, because she got up and walked away from them. They were both looking at magazines from their goodie bags. Luke and I took that time to go and visit. The boy is 12 and the girl is 8 with blond hair and blue eyes. We visited a while- asking what their favorite colors were. His was blue and hers was purple. They each won a toy and Luke and I helped them get it out of the package. His was a dinosaur toy and hers a mermaid. She likes dogs too- which is a good thing!
They were playing out by a table and she squealed, ran up to me and said Mommy. My heart dropped. I didn't know what to say. I'm sure she's called lots of people Mommy before. We visited with their social worker. I was completely at peace with everything she told us. They are very close to each other- which Luke and I picked up on right away.
After what didn't seem like near long enough, they left. Luke and I walked to the car talking non stop. When we got in the car, I told him what the little girl and boy had said about their favorite colors. Luke just looked over at me and said- look what we're wearing. He had on a blue polo- and I have on a purple shirt. I got chills.
I've emailed their adoption specialist, so now we're just being cautiously optimistic. I don't know if these are our kids or not- but, we want God to get all the glory!
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Lily Turns 5
Yesterday, we went to Lily's 5th birthday party. It was a My Little Pony Theme. Lily picked all the food- we had chicken nuggets, apples, carrots, popcorn, and cupcakes. They decorated birthday hats and put stickers on a pony. She loved opening all her presents. It cracked me up when Christylee told Lily to look at Aunt Melissa and Uncle Luke- she automatically looked our way and said "Cheese." She knows us too well! She loved her Disney shirt and hair bow we got her. It was good to see Lily- as it's been a long time since we've seen her! It was a fun party!
Mr. Jerry, Carlie, and Laiken
Lily, Me, and Madalyn
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