Samuel's First Christmas....

was wonderful! Justin and I were so excited to spend our first Christmas as a family of three. I remember last Christmas wishing for a baby more than anything and this Christmas I tried to cherish each moment with Samuel. He got tons of toys, books and attention! We were very busy and we spent time in Laurinburg and Danville. We left on the 23rd for Lbg and we came back to Justin's parents on Christmas day. We have been celebrating with Justin's extended family for the last several days but things are starting to calm down now. Justin and I are working to take down some of the Christmas decorations but we decided to leave our tree up for a little longer. I hope you enjoy pictures of Samuel's first Christmas.

Samuel with his new shades and Papa Christmas night.

Our niece Lauren playing Santa.

Justin with Holly and Kaleigh

Rocking Finley

How Sweet! Creighton giving Samuel a Christmas kiss.

Finley, Creighton and Samuel in their pajamas Christmas Eve night.

Us

Samuel in his new seat :)

Robin and Samuel - breakfast in Lbg

My Cute Cookie :)

Robin, Leslie, Amanda and me

Dad did NOT like Samuel's spike. ha!

Getting ready for the 23rd party in Lbg.

Cute cousins- Samuel, Creighton and Finley

My favorite Christmas song this year. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D-DH9aT3bs

A Winter Wonderland!

We have had a wonderful snowy weekend! It started snowing here Friday around 1:00 p.m. and did not stop until sometime yesterday afternoon. I think we got around 8 or 9 inches. Justin worked all day pushing snow so Samuel and I spent the day with family and friends building snowmen, sledding, and eating :) Samuel has had a few "firsts" this week too. On Tuesday morning around 4:00 a.m. he rolled from his stomach to his back. I was so excited I could not go back to sleep. Then he laughed out loud at Olivia yesterday. :)

Samuel standing in the snow.

Samuel with the baby snowman that Justin made for him.

With the big snowman!

My baby and me :)

Justin getting ready to go push snow.

Our house getting covered!

Mommy's cute cookie. (Check out his shoes)

Hope all you of have had a wonderful weekend. Enjoy your Sunday night! We are going to eat chicken pot pie, wrap presents, and listen to Christmas music, and hold Samuel. :)

Christmas Fun!

O.k. I know.... I have not posted in forever! Sorry! I have been out of work since Thanksgiving and have been busier than ever taking care of Samuel. I love staying home! Samuel is growing so fast. He just turned three months Dec. 8th. I can't believe time passes so quickly.

Justin told him he was our Christmas present and put him in a box. It was really cute :)

Having "tummy time"

This is us in front of our 1st Christmas tree. Justin and I are crazy and decided last night to go buy a new tree because this one died (lack of H20 our fault) The new tree is huge because I did not go with him to help pick it out. This tree had white lights and our new tree has TONS of colored and white lights. We decided to try something new since we were doing something crazy anyway. I will post a picture of our new tree later. Thankfully, it is alive and healthy (for now)!

Samuel @ 3 months. Check out his hair. My dad would be disappointed.... I spiked it! How cute!

We have a date....

On January 20th 2010 Samuel's placement should become secure. The social worker told me it would be earlier but she said because of the holidays it had to be pushed back. Please continue to pray for our family. Uugghhhhhh..... it feels like forever :(

O Christmas Tree

Justin and I took Samuel on Sat. to pick out our tree. Every year Justin and I spend hours trying to find the perfect one......not this year Ha! Samuel did not like the sun in his eyes so the second one Justin "displayed" I decided looked great. We maybe spent a total of 10 minutes getting our tree. :) I will post a picture tonight of Justin and Samuel with the tree.

I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving. I DREAD packing and the car ride but I cannot wait to see everyone. Hope you have a great day!

A Sweet Surprise

This is my niece, Lauren, holding Samuel last night. Frances (sister-in-law) and Lauren came to stay with us because I did not get home until after 10:00 p.m. (ACE match) and Samuel has had a rough week sleeping. Anyway, when I got home I started complaining to Frances about how I felt stressed and our bedroom was a disaster and I had not had any time to clean. About 15 minutes later Lauren came in the room and said, "Aunt Beth close your eyes and hold my hand." She led me down the hall and to our bedroom. She CLEANED OUR BEDROOM! She made the bed, lined up my shoes, and folded some clothes. It was SO SWEET and I started crying. To think that an 8 year old heard that I felt stressed and decided to do something about it was very touching. She gave me such a sweet ending to a very stressful day! She is also GREAT with Samuel. Thank you Lauren- We love you!

Not much happened yesterday at our meeting with the social worker. She told us that she would email me with a final date next week and that it would probably be the week after Christmas or the first week of January. She gave us a complement and said that a person working with Bethany (the adoption agency) requested that they keep a copy of our scrapbook to use as an example for other families. To everyone that helped with the scrapbook- THANKS- our hard work paid off!

The song "You're Still God" (that most of you have heard a thousand times) was released right before my surgery in April of 07. I would never be able to count the times I have played this song and let the words minister to my heart and soul. It has been on my mind for the past several days because I have been thinking about Samuel and how God made a way where there seemed to be no way. I know the placement is still not secure but I do not want to fail in praising God for what he has already done. In the chorus the song says "... and I know he'll make a way somehow. He's still God and he is holding me right now" There were times when I thought that God would never make a way but I am so thankful that He held on to me when I did not have the strength to hold on to Him.
Are you carrying a heavy burden that you never dreamed you would carry? Have your eyes cried a million tears? Can you not find an answer or the reason for the trial? Remember God's ways are perfect and he has been watching all the while!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX1745UaC-A (WARNING-very southern gospel! :) )

Have a good Thursday-

My Little Man

Thankfully, Samuel LOVES to take a bath!

I cannot believe he is already 2 months old! Time is flying by and I feel like he is changing everyday. We are going to meet the social worker tomorrow morning so I will post any updates. Pray for us as we travel. Have a great night!

Hey

I did not forget about the blog- I just have not had time to upload pictures. Last week we took Samuel for his two month shots :( I could not even look- Justin had to hold him. The Dr. said he is great. He now weighs 12 pounds! People still tell me that he looks tiny but to us he is huge! (When we got him he was only 6 pounds) He is sleeping much better at night. On Saturday night he slept for 51/2 hours without making a sound. We were shocked and excited. :) The Dr. said we should start the cry-it-out method and I did try.....but I could not stand it. I know... I know.....when I pick him up it only makes it worse. But really- he was crying so much the sheet was wet under him :( Do any moms out there have suggestions? The Dr. said that we should go on and do it because if not it will just become harder the older he gets. Justin was going to try last night and even he gave in! Our church is in revival this week but I will try to get a couple of pictures up tonight or tomorrow. Hope you have a good Monday!

Weekend Pictures

We had a big weekend in Lbg . My Dad cooked a pig and all "The Grubbs" came over Sat. afternoon. We had a great time but unfortunately Samuel was not a happy boy the whole way there and back. He does NOT like the carseat! We stopped a couple of times and as soon as we would take him out he would smile. ....So cute but frustrating :) Samuel also had his first trip to one of my favorite places on this earth.. Pages Chapel. We forgot our camera so I will have to take a picture there next time. Justin gave me a Canon Rebel for my birthday and I am debating on whether or not I should keep it or get a new computer. Any suggestions? Hope you had a good weekend.

This was my 2nd birthday cake. Thanks to Robin

Samuel and Mommy

"....and what are ya'll eating" Miss Finley was watching us taste test!

Robin and Creighton in front of their "turkey"

Taste testing

We met Leslie and crew for breakfast and Samuel and Finley had on the same boots. Sisters think alike :)

Justin's family had a birthday party for me Thurs. night. His mom cooked breakfast and we had a doughnut cake.

Happy Birthday To....

Me :) Yes, today is my 28th birthday. I still feel like I should be... um... maybe 23! Life happens so quickly and I am so thankful for the past 28 years.

It feels like yesterday when.....

Mom rocked me to sleep

All that mattered was being in Rebecca's elementary school class

I ate around my parents dinner table every night

Rebekah and Meredith came to swing, drink MD, eat Godiva and help mend my broken heart

God's amazing grace saved me

I spent my first night on the 7th floor of Lee at NCSU

Justin held my hand for the first time

I said "I Do"

Samuel was placed in my arms :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lddv5ssloo&feature=related

We are going to Lbg for the weekend so I will try to post pictures Sunday night. Hope everyone has a great Friday!

HAPPY......

BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY

AMANDA FAULK, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

I hope you have a wonderful 28th birthday. I love you and I can't wait to see you Thanksgiving!

Pictures

Justin informed me that they were not playing "Airplane" they were playing "Super Sonic Jet" ha!
Holding his head up.

Trying on Creighton's camo hat

Samuel and Gam
Have a great night :)

Special Times

This is how I feel about the moments that are happening in my life.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5D-jX58Huo&feature=related
By the way- this is a great Christmas CD! I have been listening to it all year :)


I have thought about canceling the blog....I am using the blog as a "journal" to keep for myself and to share pictures of Samuel. If you find spelling, grammar, etc problems -forgive me or stop reading the blog. I do not want to have to proofread everything I write. I don't have time and if I start then I will not want to write anymore. Thanks!

I will try to post pictures tonight.

Saturday Pictures

mommy's little pumpkin :)
our sat. morning

me & mine

Hope all of you have a great weekend!

"A Greater Yes"

This song came to my mind this morning and I wanted to share it with everyone. Many months ago my dear friend, Sharon, who has counseled me through infertility and the adoption process told me to listen to this song. The words of this song are so true and powerful. If you are "waiting" on something to happen in your life "trust God if he says no, you're still blessed, there must be a greater yes!" I am so thankful that we can trust God and know without a doubt that HIS plan is always best. Listen to what the singer says before she starts the song. I am still holding on to these promises.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s27AJK67K_w

Samuel had the best night ever last night. He went to sleep around 10:00, woke up at 2:00 and then again at 5:45. Each time he went right back to sleep and hardly cried. Justin and I were very excited this morning! :) He is feeling much better. I will try to post some pictures tonight.

A special "hello" to Rebekah McKay- thank you for your comment and I hope to see you soon!

Help Please

O.k. I need some advice. Samuel has been up since 4:00 a.m. and I just talked to Rebecca, the babysitter, around 9:30 and she said he has been fussy since she got to our house. She said he only went to sleep for about 15 minutes and when she put him down he immediately woke up. Rebecca and I agreed on the phone that we think he is "overly tired" and just needs to sleep. Ugghhh what should we do??? Leslie, I have been reading the Healthy Sleep book like crazy but I am not sure if we should try the "cry it out" approach. The doctor told me he is not too young to let him cry but I don't know.... I want to do whatever is best for him but at this point we (Justin, Rebecca, & me) are all confused on what we should do. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Yes, I love the Graco System!

Riding In Style @ Pics

Justin's 30th Birthday Party

Introducing.... Samuel and the Graco Stylus Travel System (his new carseat/stroller)

STRESS

Working with a sick baby at home is NOT fun! Samuel was up most of the night last night and he is still coughing. He does not have a temperature and he is still eating good but if the congestion/coughing is not better today we are going to take him to the Dr. in the morning. I will try to post a couple more pictures tonight. He is changing so fast!

Adoption Update

Samuel slept through our two hour meeting with our social worker, Valerie.
We met with the social worker today and did not find out anything substantial. She did tell us that it will probably be around three more months before the adoption will be secure. I know... I know..... that seems like FOREVER but there is nothing we can do but pray and wait. I have been through four years of infertility (which is praying and waiting) and during that time there was absolutely NOTHING I could do. That is exactly how I feel in this situation. If I could change the circumstances I would but I am glad to be serving a great God who has every situation in the palm of his hand. He knows the future just as if it were the past. Yes, I am still very scared but God has brought me so far in the past four years and He has promised that he will carry me all the way. I know that He loves Samuel more than I could ever imagine (and I love him dearly :) )! Please continue to help us pray and if I hear anything before the three months I will let all of you know.

Sick Baby :(

Samuel is sick with what we think is a bad cold. He was very fussy last night and we could not figure out what was wrong with him. During the night his nose started running and he coughed throughout the night. He can now only breathe through his mouth. I am going to call the doctor and try to get him in tomorrow. If you have any suggestions about what we should do to take care of him and you cannot make a comment then send me an email. Also, please pray that he feels better and we have a safe trip to meet the social worker this afternoon. I will try to post tonight if the social worker provides us with any significant updates.

Weekend Recap

I just got him this "stocking hat" (as Justin would call it) yesterday at Old Navy. Shopping for baby clothes is fun!

How cute are these?! My uncle John sent them to Samuel and we love them!

Where did the weekend go? I can't believe tomorrow is Monday and I have to go back to work. :( We had a great weekend in Virginia. Justin and his brother Ben finished painting Samuel's room and the color is beautiful. Now if I could just get them to paint our bedroom.... Justin's mom came over yesterday and kept Samuel while we went to my favorite lunch spot, Reubens. Today Samuel has been very fussy and we cannot figure out why but he did sleep through church. My father-in-law preached a great message on grace. I am so glad that God has promised that His grace will be sufficient no matter the trial we may face.

SMILE :)

I am so excited!!! Samuel just smiled at me for the first time. (around 8:45) It was soooooooo cute! Of course I started yelling for Justin to come see and he then smiled again for Justin. :) :) :) Goodnight.

Shirts and Nursery Paint

How cute is this? Justin just got him a shirt and he took him to work today. I had to find mine so I would fit in with the rest of the crowd. :)
Here are the nursery colors. What do you think of the paint? Justin is already starting on the second coat so if you don't like it ummmm try not to tell me. I love it!