Three Little Birds

On this blog, I have often talked about using my & Justin's sufferings (with fertility, surgeries, heartbreak, pain, & the building up of patience through adoption) as a way to glorify the Lord.  That is the ultimate goal of this blog & the reason it was started.  Sometimes I do post my decorating ideas & more superficial things, but ultimately, my heart is that someone will see Christ in my pain... to see that there's more to this pain than hurting.  That there's a God-Man who came & suffered even more than I have to set this pain free.  And to use this pain and suffering as a testimony to others.  And that he still works miracles and wonders.  I am in no way a perfect Christian!!!  But I can honestly say that God has already (and I hope will continue to) use this broken, beat up "mess" of a person & her blog to draw others to Him, to help others in their own struggle. Our church's middle school pastor posted this on his Face...

Hi guys, I've been honored as one of the featured bloggers this week on Bella Before & After !  Yay!!  Three Little Birds was featured for the No-Sew Crib Skirt project ... which really was not too hard honestly.  Go check out Bella's blog if you get the chance.  And if you're doing any projects (doesn't have to be remodeling or crafts, it can be anything) - enter her Party!  Thanks for the feature and the super sweet write-up Bella! :)

We talked a little bit today with our birthmom.  She says she is doing great, no contractions yet, just being uncomfortable, which seems understandable at almost 35 weeks! :)  She reminded us how she has never made it beyond 36 weeks without delivering , which put us into fast-forward mode with preparing the nursery, making more packing & traveling plans, etc!!!  This means that we could potentially have our little Zane with us by next week.  But we'd be ok if he decided to stay a little longer, because we want him to be healthy as can be!!  :) I get a weekly email from babycenter.com, which goes into how far along our baby is.  I just love their witty little posts, which compare the baby's size to everyday objects like a squash.  HA! :)  This past week, our 34-weeker update said:  " Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers – which he'll need to regulate his body...

Not too much going on here... Just getting the nursery ready & waiting for "the call"!  Girls who are waiting for your birthmom match -- YOU have been on my heart really heavy today.  I have been in prayer for you.  I know how hard it is to wait on God's timing.  It's really hard.  I know, we only had to wait 3 months before getting matched, but I also endured 8 years of infertility, difficult surgeries, and heartbreak, so I know the pain and impatience that waiting can bring.  Hang in there.  God has a child with your name on it.  Quite literally. :)  He knows this child's name, his/her birthday, his/her hairs on their head!  Claim your promise today from the Lord and hold on to it.  You will use this story as a testimony.  And this baby will come home to you.  It's just a matter of time. On another note, we have been working on the nursery and the dresser that I posted about forever ago is STILL a work in progress....

Worthy of the Prize is a faith-driven company that started out (and still does) selling fit bands for sports enthusiasts with a Christian emphasis.  Somewhere along the way, Erin Vick, the company's founder, got a burden and a heart for couples going through the adoption process.  And we were blessed to become one of the first few couples to be a part of her Adoption Campaign!   For every Chosen Child fit band or lanyard, Chosen Child necklace from Caps Creations, or Adoption t-shirt sold under the McLamb's name, we will receive a certain percentage of those sales! So what could make that even better?!?  An Adoption Auction!  Check it out!  And help a sista out! :)

Just wanted to update you all really quick.  Our birthmom, T., had a doctor's appointment yesterday, and Justin talked to T. afterwards.  She said they measured her belly and that she was measuring "right on time" according to how big she's supposed to be... not sure if that's something they routinely do... I'm not an L&D nurse and of course, never had maternity appointments.  But anyways, they still have not checked her to see if she's dilated at all, so we're not sure.  But the biggest bit of news is that she said she feels like he's "dropped" quite a bit!  Anyone know how long it takes once the baby "drops"?? Tomorrow I'm off and will be the day I make sure we are 100% ready - all necessary bags packed, all last minute loose ends tied - like getting a game plan for flights.  Getting more and more ready to meet him!!

Preparing for the adoption of a newborn baby across the country takes a lot of patience, faith (that we can & will make it before the birthmom [BM] delivers & that she won't change her mind), and a strange sense of understanding that even if she does change her mind, that is ultimately her decision and this is ultimately God's child.  We would be ever so honored and humbled if God will allow us to be this little guy's mom & dad.  But it takes total trust in Him that He "makes all things work together for our good" and that what He knows is best.  So preparation for this adoption is kind of like getting ready for a dance that you are pretty sure you've been invited to, but not really sure until you show up & your date has a corsage for you.... We sure hope and pray that the Lord's will is for little Z. to be with us.  But we also pray for His will regardless.  And that's hard.  Really hard to realize that God may be bringing us down th...

PS/Update:  I'm linking up to Bella Before & After's Amaze Me August #3 Party! Hey my bloggin' buddies!  :)  First of all, I am very stoked to announce that today I passed my Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam!!  This marks the end of studying out of necessity and the beginning of a rewarding career that I am passionate about.  I could not have done this without my hubby, my mom, my job (allowing flexibility of scheduling), and my insanely awesome friends & family.  WOO HOO. Ok on to the no-sew crib skirt redo! :) You may or not know that we are adopting a baby boy from Oklahoma in November.  Well, I bought the awesome crib bedding before I even knew if it was a boy or girl, so the bedding is gender-neutral for the most part.  However, the crib skirt that came with it was more ruffly and girly than I wanted for little Z.  Plus it was too short for my liking. So, I decided I would just make my own!  This is quite ...

Update:  I am linking up to Trash to Treasure's Blog Hop for September on this post! :)  Welcome to my blog and hope you enjoy this & other projects as we prepare for our baby on the way! **Disclaimer:  I do not have any problems with little people, sometimes referred to as "midgets".  I use this term loosely and as a joke, and is not meant to offend anyone.  Somehow the name got appropriated to this fan, and it just stuck.  I love little people.  Promise.  I almost am one...seriously. **Disclaimer #2:  Please cut off your electricity to the area in which you'll be working.  I am not responsible for zaps you receive while trying to follow my pitiful attempt at a step-by-step tutorial. Well, I promised that I would start showing you some bits & pieces from our catch-all/work-out/dog-crate room transformation that is now becoming (slowly) our nursery for baby Z.  Sooo, we did paint and other fun stuff, but one of the big...