I wasn't given the ability to conceive a child in my womb, but God blessed me with love for children and that love grows in my heart just like a child grows in his/her mothers womb.
On Christmas Day as we were returning to Catoosa from my grandparents house we got the call we had been waiting ten months to receive. A birth mom had chosen us to parent her daughter that she had given birth to that morning. The roads were terrible from all the snow and ice, but we sped up anyway to get to the hospital to see our precious new daughter. After spending an hour at a standstill on the turnpike because of wrecks we finally made it. We spent two days with birthmom and the sweetest baby girl. On Sunday the 27th we were discharged and spent the next two nights at my parents. On Monday we took birthmom out to lunch to spend some time with her and so she could see the baby. Tuesday we headed home. Mom, Dad and Jen came with us since we had all of our Christmas things plus a new baby. Once we got home we continued to love and spoil that baby rotten. We painted her room, put up the crib and all kinds of nesting things you do when you add a new baby to the family.
Yesterday afternoon I got the phone call that every adoptive mother hopes and prays will never come. Birthmom wanted her baby back after she had been in our home for ten days. I had known it was coming - even before we left the hospital with sweet baby girl. You know when you know something in your gut and all you can do is just pray it doesn't and chalk it up to worrying. I hadn't had my quiet time in a few days since we were in the hospital and such. When I started reading my Bible again the next weeks lessons were on forgiveness. I know that God was preparing me to let go. I knew in my gut what was going to happen. Every time my phone would ring my heart would sink into my stomach. Birthmom told the adoption agency people that she knew that sweet baby girl would be better off in our home. At least she knows that.
Birthmoms have always been my hero. I know that has to be the hardest decision to deny themselves the ability to raise that child and see them daily. All of my children will know that their birthmom loved them so much - that they chose to give them life and that they chose to give them the best life possible, even if that means allowing someone else to raise them.
All of our family loves sweet baby girl so very much. My arms are just aching this morning missing cuddling with her. She was a very cuddly baby - and I am definitely a cuddler. Even after feeling used and taken advantage of by birthmom I would do it again in a heartbeat. I was able to be mommy to sweet baby girl for ten days. I know that she won't remember it, but I'm thankful that we were able to love and provide for her for those ten days. I was finally able to be a girl mommy for those ten days! :)
I know that God has another baby out there for our family. Please pray for us, for our future birthmom and child, and most of all for sweet baby girl.
Here's one of the scriptures that was in my Bible study this week - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28
Stay tuned - God has big things planned for our family.
Next post won't be so depressing... I promise :)
What is that?
1 hour ago
They turned out pretty cute!
Luke had a blast playing with this pink Barbie guitar at Granny's house. Don't tell anyone, but I think he's getting his own for Christmas! :)
Here is Luke and Ryan playing Ryan's bass guitar.
The cousins playing tag! 
We got home late on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but we HAD to get the tree up that night too! We had fun even though it was rushed.
We went to the Christmas Parade at the beginning of the month with Luke's friend Silas. The low was 7 that night! It was very cold. We had debated taking Luke since he was on antibiotic for double ear infections. We took him and he had a good time. 
Luke's friend Presley came over last week. They had a great time playing and wanted to pose for a picture.
Last weekend we took some of our girls to The Revolve conference. This was the first time we had to take Luke with us. Our babysitters - Nana, Papa and Jen - were busy that weekend. He did great and had a great time dancing to the music. 
Last night was Luke's preschool program. I didn't get a good pic of him on the stage, but he did a great job. Another proud mommy moment - The kids answered questions about Christmas at school. On the question about why we celebrated Christmas Luke answered Jesus! Mommy and Daddy were both very proud.
Santa came to visit since the kids did so good. The 2nd question on the questionnaire was who did they want to visit at Christmas. Luke's answer was Santa because he brings him presents.
Papa came to Luke's program last night! Luke was really excited that he got to come.
This is what happens when you get your child completely off of his schedule! :)
We took Luke's pic on the stairs to heaven. He did so good. On the last night he waved so big to the audience. We had been trying to get him to do that all week. I think the real reason that he did that is because since he was elevated in "heaven" he could see in the audience and saw a friend. His bribery was going to see the movie Astro Boy so we did that Friday night. 
He got to wear his Halloween costume to school on Friday and they went to a nursing home. He was Bumblebee this year. He is in love with Transformers right now.
On Halloween night our church had a Harvest Party. He won a huge water gun and got some candy so he was one happy Bumblebee.
He got to wear a birthday crown and got a present. His teacher took his picture with me and Daniel for the book they make of the years events. He had a really good time.
On Friday night Nana, Papa, Aunt Jen and Granny came to our house. Luke "read" Granny his Transformers book. His memory amazes me. I can read him a book a few times and he has the thing memorized. The Transformers book isn't a short book either.
Friday night he opened up a present from Aunt Jen's boyfriend. He had been wanting that Chick Hicks Hauler.
We had a Thomas Party on Saturday! I didn't get too many pictures since things were kind of crazy and the pics I did get had other kids in them. I didn't want to post them without their parents permission - but here are a few! :)
Getting ready for our friends to come! Luke is really into big scary pumpkin heads this year. He loves the book called The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything. If you haven't read it you should check it out!
He had a great day and ended up with lots of fun stuff! He has really enjoyed playing with all his new things.
I haven't updated since Luke's 1st day of school, so honestly I can't remember everything that has gone on.
My boy loves his trains. His room is generally a train lovers paradise. Occasionally he gets creative and will take his track apart to make a different track which generally results in his track being torn apart. It irritates daddy when this happens since he's the track builder at our house.
We celebrated Grandparents Day with Nana and Papa. Luke was learning about tadpoles and frogs at school. He had learned a tadpole song so we made a tadpole for their present. Then after we got home I discovered that I had already bought their present so I guess I have both of their birthdays covered. :)
We got to make a pennant for school. It was a lot of fun!
Luke also was learning about catepillars and cocoons/chrysalis at school. We went to mom's class and they had a chrysalis. Luke wanted one too! Nana was happy to oblige. She brought Luke a chrysalis. (It was already spun by the time she got to our house) We watched it for about a week and then one day Luke ran out of his bedroom and said "It hatched! It hatched!" The boy was so excited and Silas was here playing so that made it even more fun. 
Daddy was home for lunch so he helped us let it go. I was afraid that Luke was going to be upset so we talked about how the butterfly was going to go explore the world. It hung out for a few hours and then left. That evening Daniel and I were sitting on the back porch watching Luke play when we found a butterfly wing. Daniel was trying to hide it from Luke so he wouldn't see it and see that his butterfly died. For another full week Luke talked about his butterfly and how it was a catepillar. He'd say that the catepillar ate and ate and ate. Then it pooped and pooped and pooped. Then spun his chrysalis and then the chrysalis hatched. We let it go and it went to explore the world. This went on for about a week. One morning he started the story again but kept going. He ended the story with saying that he stepped on a butterfly on his slide. That little stinker had known for a week that his butterfly was dead. :) 
Luke had tons of fun helping Daddy fill in holes in the backyard.
Here's Daddy and Lukas watching the homecoming parade last Friday.
We celebrated tonight by going out to dinner and with cupcakes and ice cream!
Luke's present this year was a t-shirt from Ha Long Bay. He is anxious to wear it.
Luke had an eventful morning - He cut his hair. Aunt Jen says every kid needs to cut their hair at least once. I'm not so sure about that. I ended up laughing though instead of getting on to him too hard. He is grounded from his scissors for a week though.
Here's a cute pic of Luke playing his banjo that we made. He thinks he is a rock star!