We're Back!

So - we did survive. Our power came back on Saturday afternoon. I was in Tyler baking cookies and thought I would try our home number for the thousandth time to see if it was ringing. And oh my goodness - it rang! I called Brian back in Houston (he stayed for work) and told him the good news, I also confirmed with a neighbor. I high-tailed it back home on Sunday morning - how good it is to be home! Brian was so great and cleaned out our fridge, bathrooms, and floors, and all the debris outside! He is the best husband! Today the trash people finally came and took it all away! The only thing now is our fence. We don't have a back fence, so we have to either take Dakota out on a leash, tie her to our back porch, or take her for a walk. I will definitely take this small inconvenience compared to no power!

Interesting fact - we were supposed to have gone to Galveston the 18-21st (last Thursday-Sunday for a long weekend with my parents and Brian's parents). This obviously did not happen. Our condo is a wreck and Galveston in uninhabitable at the moment! Bummer!

Things to remember for next hurricane:
1. Buy trash sacks for yard clean up before it happens (we had none and had to stand in a 30 minute line at Home Depot and be escorted one by one into the store for supplies) :)

Thanks so much to Brandon, Katy, Lexie, and Emily for letting us stay for a week. We had fun hanging out with you guys - ya'll are so generous! Thanks mom and dad for a fun weekend - Lilly enjoyed the fair!

Hurricane Ike

Hello from Houston! We survived the hurricane with minimal damage, but still no POWER!! We lost power Friday night when the storm was starting around 11 pm. It was crazy to hear the power behing the storm and the wind. Lilly slept right throught it all! In the morning, we found we had lost our fence and had a little water in Lilly's room from the window. Other than that, just a lot of limbs and trees down and of course power. It is day 6 without electricity and boy, that is so something we have always taken for granted! We have been spending the night at Brian's brother's house since Saturday. They are so gracious to give us a room to sleep in, food to eat, hot showers, washing our clothes, and letting Dakota stay too. Pray we get power soon! More to come....

Update

This week we found out the due date for the baby has been pushed back to November 12th. We have not met the mom and expect to meet her some time in October. Please pray for all the details to work out and for the birthmom and baby to stay healthy.

So, nothing too much to report. For now, I have to Rest in Him. I need to be still, and reflect on the greater purpose of our lives and yield to our Creator. I am so not in control, and that is okay.

First Day of Mother's Day Out

Yesterday was Lilly's first day of Mother's Day Out! I have to say I was so nervous for her - she obviously did not know what was coming - so I was the one with the nerves. I packed her little lunch the night before and got all her things together. I tried to take a first day of school picture before we left, but she was not into that as you can see, she is constantly on the move and so hard to take a picture of! I did get one of her back and her lunch box. She also has a cute backpack and princess nap mat. Yes, they eat lunch there and take a nap. Her MDO is from 9:15 to 2:15, which is a very long time when you are not used to it.

She did cry when I left her and I did get teary walking to the car without her. I spent my time going to the bank, grocery store, and working on my school lessons. When I went to pick her up, I peeked in and she was not being held or crying - which I was so glad! She was actually playing and when she saw me, she was so excited! We got a little report card and she ate all her lunch, liked the playground, and took a 40 minute nap! All in all, I think a good first day!

I know this is going to be so good for her and me. She will get to play with other kids her age and learn, too! She is at a church, so I know they will pray there and teach her something about Jesus as well! My little Lilly is growing up and gaining some independence. She is very special!

Just some highlights

This week was a week of celebration and new beginnings. My wonderful husband passed a big test for certification for his job! Yeah! We are so excited! My niece, Lexie, accepted Jesus into her heart! How wonderful! I started back to school teaching with 34 students and 30 chairs (first come first serve) and we met Lilly's teacher for MDO which starts this Tuesday. Brian also got to go to Waco to Baylor's first at home football game (we did not win, but he enjoyed the crazy adventure with the guys). Fun stuff!

Working on the nursery and Lilly 20 months

This weekend we put it in high gear getting ready for our soon coming new little boy. We hung new blinds and curtains and put the bedding on the crib. We have a primary color theme - the bedding is Alphabet Soup with lots of animals and letters. Lilly was our little helper and loved being in the middle of things! We also washed a few things my sister has given me from Drew (her son). How different is all the blue, yellow and red from pink, pink, and pink. Some days it does not seem real that we are going to be having a baby boy in two months. Brian commented on our walk the other night how we should treasure our last few months as a family of three, before welcoming our newest to make four!

Lilly is 20 months old now. She has quite a personality and such a treasure. We love it when she smiles and starts laughing. I love it when she runs a full speed saying mommy and then gives a big hug! She loves to be a helper in whatever we are doing. She likes to color and play play dough and still enjoys the library for story time and her tumbling class. She will be starting a mother's day out in September and I just can't believe it. We have a meet the teacher on August 28th!

Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

We are getting a.....

So, we got THE call yesterday. Our adoption social worker told us she would never call us unless we got a baby - and we have! Yeah! We are getting a baby BOY!!! We do not know a lot of details yet, but we do know he is due October 23rd. We will get to meet the birthmom the first week of September.

We have been busy making lists of things that have to be done - with all the pink in the house, we definitely have to get this new one some blue. Lilly does not really understand yet what is going on, but I think she could sense the excitement yesterday, because she did not take a nap! I know she will be a wonderful big sister!

We have been praying about this so much, and God's timing is just so perfect. Knowing the due date, and it being a couple of months away, is great to coordinate Brian's work schedule and get all the little details in place. I think Priscilla Shirer really says it great that "events are designed to bring Him glory and also the seasons in which those events occur. We mustn't attempt to rush God. To rush spoils the very reason God initially desired the event for us and cheats us of the joy that comes when we experience God's will." I know through out infertility and now adoption, sometimes we just want to rush ahead and know the end or the outcome, but God slows us down, sets our sights on Him (and not on us) and we just wait to see what a majestic God He is.

Thank you Jesus for our blessing. We continue to pray for the birthmom and the baby - that they will remain safe and healthy.