All in God's Perfect Timing

This is something that I have had to remind myself of several times this week. Even though this adoption has been "in the works" for months now, in reality, we are still in the very beginning stages of a really LONG waiting game. I was expecting our home study approval last week, which didn't come. So , surely we would have it by Monday right?? Nope. Tuesday?? Nope. Wednesday?? Nope. Thursday?? Nope. See the theme here? I really wanted to get started with the next part of this process this week. Why is it so easy to get so down and discouraged when I know that we will have our daughter at exactly the perfect time?

My sweet husband had to gently remind me that we are on a journey of faith. That we have so much faith in God's perfect plan for our family, that we are adding to our family through adoption. He was right. ( Take note.... it's not all too often that I admit this:)) Why was I getting so impatient over just a couple of days? I guess the imperfect person that I am was trying to get ahead of the game... to stay on my own time line. So I admit it, despite God's immeasurable blessings on my family, I was feeling a little down and out.

And what did our awesome God do? He renewed my faith, lifted my spirits, and has shown me once again that His plan is perfect. Guess what happened today? Our home study was approved and ready to be picked up!!!! Praise the Lord!!! And, I had everything ready to go for our 1800 A application, and it was mailed today at the last second!! And as if that wasn't enough, we were blessed with another picture of our girl. God is good, all the time!!

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31

First Day of Preschool

My sweet boy Grayden has gone to daycare since he was 13 weeks old. But today.... today he started big boy, big time, 4 year old preschool.... like going to Kindergarten next year... gotta have a book bag..... and a lunch box kinda preschool. I would say I was a bit apprehensive (I don't really like to admit that he's not a baby anymore), but he did great!! In his words, "it was totally awesome"!!!!

I love you Grayden Michael Hatley!!! And I think you're totally awesome!! You're gonna have a GREAT year!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Averie!!!!

We spent this weekend celebrating my neice, Averie, who turned 2 yesterday!! She is such a sweet and beautiful girl and we love her to pieces! She is just 3 months older than our precious "LuLu". I am so excited that they will be such close cousins and I know they will be the best of friends!! I cannot wait until they get to meet each other!

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep......

Being able to tuck my babies in at night is such a precious gift. I have always loved this time of the day... not only because I know some much needed quiet time is ahead (can't lie.... that is part of it!), but because of the sweet moment I get to share with each of them. Zoee gives the biggest, best hugs and her love just explodes out of her. Grayden has the sweetest little lips and gives the best goodnight kiss ever! Not to mention it is the ONLY time of the day that he smells absolutely divine (after his bath of course!) and he lets you snuggle with him just a little.

Despite these wonderful moments, my heart lately is heavy at night. You see, I have another baby that I can't kiss goodnight yet. I can't tuck her in yet. I can't hug her yet and tell her that I love her more than anything; just as much as if I have had her with me her entire life. I can't say her nite nite prayers with her yet. And that just breaks this mama's heart. I just want to get to her and love on her. I pray every night that her carers are loving on her for me and tucking her in, and giving her all the hugs and kisses that I just am not able to do right now.

I recently received this most precious picture, and my heart is at peace knowing that those prayers are being answered.

"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet"
Proverbs 3:24

Tulah's Story: The Very Beginning

I don’t know why it happened. I don’t know why one day in late March I got the most longing, heartsick feeling in my stomach. Before this day, I had total satisfaction with the completeness of my family. We had one beautiful, smart and talented daughter, and one totally handsome, mischievous, awesome little boy. THE PERFECT FAMILY. Life was EASY. Life was COMFORTABLE. Life was GOOD. So, why all the sudden did I have a dire longing to add to our family through adoption? Why couldn’t I just be satisfied with what I had? These are all questions that ran through my head for the days and weeks to come. Surely, if I try my best to ignore it, it will go away. Right? Surely, if I focus all my energy on work, and school, and my perfectly lovely family, it will go away. Right? Surely, this is just a phase, it will go away. Right? I could not have been any more WRONG. Isn’t it funny that we, as imperfect as we know we are, always think we know the best plan for our life? What makes us think for one silly little second that we can control our world? More and more everyday God reminds me that I am not the one in control.

And I am SO glad!!!!

" 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

Oh our sweet Tulah, we are absolutely over the moon in love with you already! We cannot wait for you to join our family, and we thank God everyday that you will be a part of our future.... FOREVER.