Tuesday, April 27, 2010

A glorious day!

Late last week we got "the call" we had been waiting for...a birth mom had chosen us! We were over flowing with joy to say the least. And to top it off, she invited us to her doctors appointments today! So we've been keeping it a secret until TODAY!!!
And boy was today a super special day.....We spent nearly the entire day with "M". She is a doll and has such a sweet spirit about her...much wiser than her age! We are so excited to meet the rest of her family in the near future and get to know her better. She wants us to experience all the things she is experiencing such as going to doctor appointments and even being there when our baby BOY is born! Yes you read that right, Turner is going to have a brother!!!! And we could not be more excited! "M" is due mid July, so that gives us a little time to prep Turner and get ready ourselves.
Please keep our newest family member "M" in your prayers. I cannot imagine how difficult this decision was for her..but what respect I have for her that she chose life for this sweet little baby! She is an extraordinary women...it's amazing how you can instantly love someone you've never met before so deeply...it's hard to put into words, but I know all my adoption buddies can understand. Birth mothers are pretty special.
"Everyone needs compassion, love that’s never failing, let mercy fall on me. Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a Savior, the hope of nations. My Savior, He can move the mountains, my God is mighty to save, mighty to save…."

Every time, I hear these song lyrics, my heart fills with joy as I’m reminded of Turner’s precious birth mother. Over the past 18 months, we’ve had the honor and privilege of spending quality time with “C”. What a surprise and blessing this relationship has been to all of us. She is so full of life and love for not only Turner, but for John & me. The love and gratitude we have for her is nearly impossible to put into words. How do you say thank you to a person who chooses you to be her son’s “Forever Mommy & Daddy?”

It seems like only weeks ago that we met this incredible woman, just hours after our son was born. There was such a mix of emotions we never dreamed we’d experience. We were filled with such joy and gratitude for her decision to give us her baby; but, at the same time, we felt such deep pain in imagining how difficult it was for her. We know her decision wasn’t easy, but her love for our little boy has been a constant reminder of God’s love for us. Despite the enormous pain it caused Him, He gave up His only Son so that we might have everlasting life. Turner’s birth mother put aside her great pain and grief to do what was best for her son, and made a very similar sacrifice. We never want Turner to forget the unconditional love she had for him at that moment.

Though Turner’s birth mother knows he is loved and has total peace with her decision, she will always have emptiness in her heart. So will countless other birthmothers who choose adoption. To honor these women’s courage and sacrifice, and to celebrate just how special these kinds of mothers are, our adoption agency will host a Birthmother’s Retreat this weekend. This special weekend will be a celebration of their decision, a time of ministry, healing, and well-deserved pampering. So please keep these women and the retreat in your prayers!


Turner playing with his new "baby"

Turner reading his favorite book "Brown bear, Brown bear"
Turner is going to be mommy's little helper I think!!!




Monday, April 19, 2010

NT40

At Church we have been challenged with reading the New Testament in 40 days starting Easter until Memorial Day...well if I am being completely honest, I wasn't real excited to start this challenge... work has been crazy, I am doing a Beth Moore bible study with daily homework, then the day to day "chores" of life....so I didn't start on Easter as planned....but I did find the motivation to start last night! And I'm so glad I did...as a matter of fact, I've enjoyed it so much I did 5 days worth of reading in one night! They have broken it out so it's like reading a book instead of verse by verse! And I'm LOVING IT!! I am loving reading about all the miracles our mighty savor performed. One parable I loved re-reading was about the seeds being dropped by the farmer...some seeds were dropped on the path, some fell on rock, and some fell among thorns and then some fell on good soil. Lesson of the parable: Seeds are the word of God. The ones that fall on the rocks are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it , but they have no root. They believe for a while but when times of testing come, they fall away. The seeds among the thorns stand for those who hear but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures and do not mature! OUCH!!! The seeds on good soil stands for those with a noble and good hearts who hear the word & retain it! Please Lord help me be the seeds on good soil!!
Well we had another family filled weekend! My parents, Grandma Rose and Crystal came down again this weekend to work on wedding invitations and Crystal got fitted in her wedding dress....She looks STUNNING! Eric is going to be crying like a baby when he sees her!! We had such a good time! Grams is feeling really good and we put her to work!!
Here are a few pictures from the weekend and the zoo last week!

The birds in the new Children's Zoo...I LOVE the new addition to the zoo!
Turner wasn't quiet as excited about the pretty birds!

But he did LOVE the goats...he pet every single one...I think he thought they were dogs!
Too cool for school!
His favorite part was the "river" He loved taking off his shoes and playing in the water!
His 1st Jamba Juice!
I tell you, Turner is the most considerate little kiddo! Look how he is loving on Mercy and shared his blanket to cover up Lexus!
Turner telling Grandma Rose a BIG story!!
Turner playing the drums for Grandma and Grandma dancin to the beat!












Wednesday, April 14, 2010

18 months of pure joy!

I'm only 8 days over due on Turner's 18 month update! He's growing like a weed and each and every day he does something magical that makes his mommy and papa grin from ear to ear!
He weighs 25 lbs and 8 oz (50%)
He's 34 inches tall (90%) ...so still long and lean!!
He has 16 teeth! 8 on top and 8 on bottom
His favorite foods are chicken, cheese, and fruit..lately he's been lovin' him some pears and strawberries. He is also a big fan of meat balls! He loves to sing and dance and is still my little snuggle bug. He is such a lover...he gives more slobbery kisses and hugs than I can count in a day. He love to blow kisses too! He's talking up a storm...and if I listen really hard, I can understand a lot of it. He loves to play chase with his sissies, jump like a frog, and stack blocks. He's still a little swimmer boy who, if I would let him, he'd spend hours in the bath tub. He's started turning the water on himself and taking his clothes off when I say it's bath time...he runs to the bathroom singing "Bath time, bath time, every boy loves bath time" It's adorable! He loves to sing Jesus Loves Me & Itsy bitsy spider too ....he does ALL the hand motions with that song!

We are almost done with his big boy room! John has worked his fanny off on this room...I'm so proud of him and how it turned out! Over the weekend, John & Turner fell asleep in his big boy room...I have to admit, that melted my heart! Thank you John for making this room so very special! You're an amazing honey and papa!! I am so blessed you put up with my "visions" and then you get stuck doing all the work!~ You ROCK!
John had painted all weekend on the room, but when Turner was napping we put all the animals and flowers on the wall...oh I wish I would have taken video of it when we showed him the walls...he ran in circles, screaming, jumping and put his sweet little hand on his face and smiled! I guess that means he is proud of his new room too!

Turner loves smelling all the "flowers" in our backyard! Especially when Pops is around...they go exploring!
His new favorite toy is his bubble making lawn mower! He's serious about yard work!
Soaking up the sun!! His skin is turning such a beautiful shade of brown!! He's got the permanent tan for sure! Makes his mommy jealous!
Think Chesapeake needs a baby model?
We've been spending lots and lots of time outside enjoying this gorgeous spring weather....Turner absolutely loves eating outside!
Special prayer request for my AMAZING, SUPER SWEET, WONDERFUL
father in law...his cancer has come back....He started his chemo yesterday. Grandpa we love you and pray you get better real soon!!!
That's it for this update! Have a great rest of the week and weekend!







Monday, April 5, 2010

Easter Blessings

What a glorious Easter weekend! It was perfect- from the weather, to being surrounded by our wonderful family, to an incredible church service, and celebrating that Jesus died on the cross for you and me then rose again to bring us salvation!

I love this tree especially this time of year when the white buds appear...only for a few days...usually around Easter...can't help but believe God planned it that way!
Our little Easter bunny
Papa and Turner playing the staring game
Enjoying this beautiful weather. Nothing beats pulling the wagon with Papa!
FRESH AIR!
We crack up that Turner isn't much on sweets, this was his face after trying a piece of a chocolate marshmallow bunny from Grandma and Grandpa
Turner really got into hunting Easter eggs on Sunday after lunch...he knew exactly what to do!
We were SO blessed that Grandma Rose got to spend Easter with us....we made such special memories this weekend. On Friday, we went shopping, Saturday went to eat out and Sunday spent with family praising God for all the many blessings he has given us...we are certainly not worthy of his grace, but he gave it to us anyway! How awesome is our God!
Turner loves his Grandma Rose...he was grabbing her hand so she could go walk with him...he loves her!
Lolly & Pops
Turner, Grandma & Grandpa!
Grams and John enjoying the sun!
Lolly opening the Easter eggs with Turner
A basket full of eggs!


Quick adoption update: We had our homestudy on Monday afternoon with our adoption agency. It was perfect...Turner was his usual precious self and the doggies (and John) behaved too! Now we just wait "for the call".