Sunday Snapshot

In my last post I mentioned there were a few new pictures of our precious girl. Thought I'd share one with you for today's Sunday Snapshot! I fall in love even more every time I see her face.

Want to learn more about Sunday Snapshot?? Click the button below to check it out!!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

OK... so, my birthday isn't until Saturday, but yesterday I got the best birthday present EVER!!!!!

Every day, I hop over to An Orphan's Wish blog, so I can check out all the wonderful things happening there. If you aren't familiar with AOW, it is an AMAZING organization, with AMAZING staff, helping to make the futures brighter for some AMAZING kids. AOW works to obtain sponsorships for the kiddos they care for on a daily basis, including children with clubfoot, complicated medical issues, and Cerebral Palsy. AOW does a great job updating their blog daily, and yesterday.......... the featured child was none other than our Tulah!!!!!! Talk about a heart that was just about to burst with joy!! There were several precious photos and updates about our daughter and I just can't explain it, but it was a gift straight from God. It is SO unusual for adoptive parents to have so many opportunities to get a glimpse of their child, and we have been so incredibly blessed.

Please go over and take a look at the AOW website and read about the wonderful things they are doing. You will be greatly moved by the love and care that these precious children receive there, and maybe feel moved to sponsor a child to help them receive the love and care that they so desperately need. You can find more information on AOW here, and see a few new pics of sweet Tulah too!!

My Tough Guy

It's not very often that I get pics of my boy. But not for lack of trying. Oh.... I try! The harder I try, the less I get. But yesterday.... I managed to get him outside for a little photo shoot. And.... after 742 pictures of this tough guy with his sword....

I finally managed to get a handful of GREAT ones! I just wanted to share a few of them here.

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