The Latest Update
Been too long since I last blogged! Isn't that what I always say?! Anyway, got the blogging bug again today after sharing with my new coworkers our story about how we met Z's birthmother. They have not heard about our month in Oklahoma yet. But I can't wait to share it with them! It's so funny how I remember that looooonnnggg month in OKC (waiting and then worrying if T would actually change her mind about giving us the gift of a lifetime) and often forget about the amazing miracle of how it came to be. After telling that part of the story today, it reminded me how, without God's miraculous provision we would have never even gotten the opportunity to get to that month in OKC. Isn't that the way life goes sometimes? We forget the miraculous steps that got us to the end point? I know I do anyway. When we look back on our amazing journey toward becoming parents, I am in awe of how God met the financial miracle - we did not have the money, but had to have SO MUCH (all of it to be exact) up front in order to even be considered for the adoption. We had no idea how we would do it, and in the end, we did not do it. God did. I am so thankful for his hand in it all because it makes it that much sweeter when I look at this little kid standing in front of me kissing other babies on our iPad right now!
Z is now 2 years, 3 months old and a little fiesty, funny fireball. We like to say he retained some of the Latino fiestiness in his genes, and most days, we love it :) Some days, it's quite a challenge, as his temper can be exhausting. We have been told, several times by several different daycare workers, nursery workers, and the like, that he's strong-willed. I prefer "independent" and that he knows what he wants and goes for it. ;) I hope he is always that way.
He loves to dance and especially loves to sing! His favorite songs to sing include "Happy Birthday" (it's a constant in our house), "Wheels on the Bus", "1-2-Buckle my shoe", "Old McDonald", and "Itsy Bitsy Spider". He reminds us to say the blessing before our meals. He's trying to potty train and I swear I don't know how parents don't end up in the looney bin after potty training! HAHA! He loves fruit of any kind, but hates pretty much any veggie (but strangely loves field peas??). He prefers meat over carbs, and water over milk (he's getting really good at drinking out of a water bottle). He adores trains, fire trucks, tractors, "big trucks", anything construction-related, and his iPad. :) He has started reading to himself too (not really, just making up stories as he turns the page but he is hilarious!).
Some of you may know, but most of you don't, that Z's birthmom got pregnant again... several times. She lost 2 of the babies by miscarriage, but to our knowledge has remained pregnant and healthy and is due any day now. Many were angered by this information, and made kind of hurtful remarks like, "Doesn't she know what's causing it?" or "Can't she keep her legs closed?" or "Why is she not on birth control?". These questions I can't answer. But I do know that she has told us she wanted to be a mom, and wants to do it right. I pray for her and for the baby, and trust that God is in control of the situation. I say that those questions are hurtful, because I have a lot of love in my heart for this woman who gave me & J such a wonderful gift in our son Z. I guess I just wish people could be more sensitive. I haven't heard from her in several months - would you please pray with us for her health and the health and well-being of the baby?
On another note, I am loving my new job at a local gastroenterology practice and am learning every single day! GI has not always been my strong suit, but I am totally digging this challenge! In addition to my many roles there, I am taking over the care of our Hepatitis C patients. For me that is very rewarding because a lot of these patients made poor choices earlier in their lives and even though many have changed their ways and are trying to make a good life for themselves, are now paying the consequences of those earlier poor decisions. Most people, if they found out someone did IV drugs or snorted coke in their remote past, would shun them or have nothing to do with them. I love showing them the love of Jesus! It really sounds cliche, but it's the truth. I really love my new job!
I am excited about building a home in June! We've narrowed it down to about 4 house plans. I've discovered there is no perfect plan out there. How annoying! This is what I'm hoping the exterior will look like!
Many have asked us what our plans are for growing the family in the future. I have asked God to give me a peace about having a hysterectomy. I can't get a feeling for anything, but certainly don't feel uneasy or "not" at peace with having it done. So I think that will be occurring this year sometimes. Unless it's a true miracle, our hopes of pregnancy are zero. Which is okay. Sometimes I get a little annoyed with the same comment: "Well, you know I knew so-and-so, who were told they couldn't get pregnant and did!" I wish people knew how much I loathe hearing that comment. :) I love that people are trying to be encouraging but infertility is such a difficult thing, and it would be nice if folks would be more supportive of the fact that I CAN'T have children. But, God has given us the gift to be able to adopt children! And for this I am so thankful. We are hoping to adopt 1 or 2 more within the next year or two.
So that's an update on the Mc's. Feels great to be able to update my family & friends that we don't see very often! Love you and miss you guys!
Z is now 2 years, 3 months old and a little fiesty, funny fireball. We like to say he retained some of the Latino fiestiness in his genes, and most days, we love it :) Some days, it's quite a challenge, as his temper can be exhausting. We have been told, several times by several different daycare workers, nursery workers, and the like, that he's strong-willed. I prefer "independent" and that he knows what he wants and goes for it. ;) I hope he is always that way.
He loves to dance and especially loves to sing! His favorite songs to sing include "Happy Birthday" (it's a constant in our house), "Wheels on the Bus", "1-2-Buckle my shoe", "Old McDonald", and "Itsy Bitsy Spider". He reminds us to say the blessing before our meals. He's trying to potty train and I swear I don't know how parents don't end up in the looney bin after potty training! HAHA! He loves fruit of any kind, but hates pretty much any veggie (but strangely loves field peas??). He prefers meat over carbs, and water over milk (he's getting really good at drinking out of a water bottle). He adores trains, fire trucks, tractors, "big trucks", anything construction-related, and his iPad. :) He has started reading to himself too (not really, just making up stories as he turns the page but he is hilarious!).
Some of you may know, but most of you don't, that Z's birthmom got pregnant again... several times. She lost 2 of the babies by miscarriage, but to our knowledge has remained pregnant and healthy and is due any day now. Many were angered by this information, and made kind of hurtful remarks like, "Doesn't she know what's causing it?" or "Can't she keep her legs closed?" or "Why is she not on birth control?". These questions I can't answer. But I do know that she has told us she wanted to be a mom, and wants to do it right. I pray for her and for the baby, and trust that God is in control of the situation. I say that those questions are hurtful, because I have a lot of love in my heart for this woman who gave me & J such a wonderful gift in our son Z. I guess I just wish people could be more sensitive. I haven't heard from her in several months - would you please pray with us for her health and the health and well-being of the baby?
On another note, I am loving my new job at a local gastroenterology practice and am learning every single day! GI has not always been my strong suit, but I am totally digging this challenge! In addition to my many roles there, I am taking over the care of our Hepatitis C patients. For me that is very rewarding because a lot of these patients made poor choices earlier in their lives and even though many have changed their ways and are trying to make a good life for themselves, are now paying the consequences of those earlier poor decisions. Most people, if they found out someone did IV drugs or snorted coke in their remote past, would shun them or have nothing to do with them. I love showing them the love of Jesus! It really sounds cliche, but it's the truth. I really love my new job!
I am excited about building a home in June! We've narrowed it down to about 4 house plans. I've discovered there is no perfect plan out there. How annoying! This is what I'm hoping the exterior will look like!
Many have asked us what our plans are for growing the family in the future. I have asked God to give me a peace about having a hysterectomy. I can't get a feeling for anything, but certainly don't feel uneasy or "not" at peace with having it done. So I think that will be occurring this year sometimes. Unless it's a true miracle, our hopes of pregnancy are zero. Which is okay. Sometimes I get a little annoyed with the same comment: "Well, you know I knew so-and-so, who were told they couldn't get pregnant and did!" I wish people knew how much I loathe hearing that comment. :) I love that people are trying to be encouraging but infertility is such a difficult thing, and it would be nice if folks would be more supportive of the fact that I CAN'T have children. But, God has given us the gift to be able to adopt children! And for this I am so thankful. We are hoping to adopt 1 or 2 more within the next year or two.
So that's an update on the Mc's. Feels great to be able to update my family & friends that we don't see very often! Love you and miss you guys!
Tara - I loved reading this!! I so appreciate your love for birthmom. Most people don't understand how you can have positive feelings for birth parents. As an adoptive mom I can understand those feelings. I could not get pregnant either. I will tell you that having a hysterectomy was absolutely the right decision! God gave me my two babies and I love them more than if I had given birth to them! Thank you for sharing your story, your love of Jesus and everything you do to help others! Good luck with your decision over the next few years! Kim Butts
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