Hmmmm...

There really is nothing new to report as we go through the process. Nothing as far as the process or paperwork that is, but I feel myself thinking about all the things that have to be done and the glorious prize at the end. We have talked to the kids about the adoption and how it is going to take a long time and how we need to start praying for the baby that God has designed for our family. Ava is all about this! She has decided she not only wants a girl baby, she wants a boy baby too. I am not sure she fully understands :). She also thinks we need to hurry up and get this baby so that we can take him/her to Disneyland. I love her sweet spirit. Ryan really doesn't get it. He really has no response whatsoever, but I know that he will love the baby once he/she is home. He has really attached to one of the babies in the nursery and gets excited to read her stories. I love praying with them about their new sibling, it's precious.

I have also been thinking about how excited we all are about this new addition to our family. We (Jayson and myself) are also excited about God's leading, there is just something so peaceful about being right where you are supposed to be and knowing it. But God has been reminding me that for our joy, there is great pain on the other side of the situation. Whether we end up adopting an infant from a birth momma who cannot care for the baby herself, or whether we adopt through foster care (yes we are looking at different options thanks to some friends who have offered some tips and advice :) ), there is sadness and pain for them. I have found myself spending more of my prayer time asking God to be with those people. Whether their child is up for adoption by choice or not, it will hurt. It will hurt badly. Please pray for them with me.

Another thing I have noticed about the process thus far is that there is no real wrong way to adopt. There are so many different avenues, I feel a little slow that I am not figuring them out more quickly. I am thankful for all of my friends and family who have offered advice and insight, PLEASE KEEP IT COMING!!

I see busy times ahead for this family with all of the trainings and home studies we will be doing. Please continue to pray for us, for our new little one, and for their birth family.

-Andrea