One of those weeks.....

that I wish I lived in Lbg. :( Samuel started getting sick on Monday and by Monday night he would not go to sleep. (Not like him AT ALL) Justin and I took turns trying to comfort him.... long night! I took him to the Dr. on Tuesday but he said he did not have an ear infection...yet. He has refused to take naps and pretty much cried/screamed for 4 hours straight yesterday. I called his baby sitter several times asking for advice and then I called my wonderful friend Sharon who has two little girls. Leslie wasn't home and Mom was in church. (Yes, I like to call several people during a crisis :) ) I hate when he is sick. I cannot stand the thought that he is hurting and I can't figure out exactly what is going on. :( Now I realize how stressed my parents were when I was young and suffering with asthma. Please help us pray that Samuel does not get another ear infection! I am very thankful that overall Samuel is a very healthy little boy.

He seemed to be feeling a little better this afternoon so Justin asked him if he wanted to go for a ride. He says, "Broom Broom" So cute! Check out his hat. Ha! He has other hats that are cuter but this one snaps under his chin so he can't pull it off. Justin fell asleep on the living room floor while I put Samuel to bed. We are TIRED!

Almost Friday!

My Favorite Room

Samuel's room is my favorite. I think he like his nursery too :)

He has the best view in the house. From his window you can see the pond and the mountains. His ribbon board is beside the window. When we go get him after naps or in the morning he is standing at the end of his crib pointing to the pictures. He likes to look at every picture and talk about everyone.

He has TONS of books and he loves to read. I found these book shelves at Hobby Lobby.

After I change his diaper he turns around to kiss all the animals in his quilt. :)

Goodnight!

Home Tour

I was going to participate in Kelly's Korner Show Us Your Life but Fridays can be crazy for me so I am going to do a quick home tour post. I love our new house and I know I am very blessed to be married to a very talented General Contractor.

Welcome to our home!

Guest bedroom

Samuel's bathroom

Master bathroom.

My laundry room is black and white. Mom made all the window treatments for me.

My four favorite pictures of Samuel are in the office.

I just realized... I forgot to upload my favorite room! Samuel's nursery- I will add his room tomorrow.

Adoption Poem

"Two Women"

Two women cry into the night,

their eyes are filled with tears.

Oh God why is this happening?

I need to feel you near.

One woman sits alone in the darkness,

Decisions she must make.

She wants to do what's best for the child,

It's life she cannot take.

The other woman clings to her mate

And she doesn't understand

why they can't have a child of their own

as so many others can.

These women come from different worlds.

Their lives are miles apart.

But God would deliver the pain they felt

and heal their broken hearts.

And then one precious morning

their lives became intertwined.

Both women's prayers were answered

as they felt God's plan unwind.

One woman touched her newborn's cheek

and whispered to the babe,

"Because I love you little one,

sacrifices I've made."

With the strength she felt from heaven,

to the other woman she gave

the miracle of a baby

for her to love and raise.

The other woman looked down

at her precious baby's eyes

and thanked God for the woman

who had helped fulfill her life.

Two women pray into the night

and thank the Lord above

for the opportunity he's given them both

to feel a Mother's love.

by Lori Coleman

By line eight of this poem I was crying. I am so thankful that Samuel's birthmother gave him life. I am so thankful that she chose me to be his mother. I am so thankful that Justin let me cling to him during those long, dark nights. I am so thankful that God answers prayer. I am so thankful that he healed my very broken heart. I am so thankful that my tears were not wasted- they became part of a wonderful tapestry only God could design. I am so thankful for infertility.

If you are suffering with infertility tonight. Take heart. God is writing your story!

We Love Daddy!

Justin did not go on a ATV trip with his brothers/friends on Sat. (his birthday) so he could stay home with us and build Samuel a swing set. I knew that Justin would be a wonderful father! Today Daddy and Uncle Ben came home early to build Samuel a sandbox. I had in mind a small one maybe big enough for two or three children.....Justin built a 12x12!

Samuel wanted to help the whole time :)

Do we have a future carpenter?

He loves dirt!

Saturday night we celebrated Justin's birthday at his parents house. Notice the candles on the cake. Lauren made them and they were the three of us. She is hilarious!

Big smile for Mommy :)

Us

Lauren and Elijah

Happy Birthday

JUSTIN

We Love You So Much!!!!

We started off our morning at IHOP. Justin helped Samuel color and trace his hand.

Samuel was saying dust, dust, dust and singing his Kindermusik songs with wipes.

Then we decided to take him to the park where he LOVES this tunnel slide.

Although Justin is 31 today, he is still a kid at heart. I told him that Samuel likes the big slides and when I turned around Justin was coming down with him. :)

Then we headed over to the Farmer's Market where we bought some cinnamon rolls from our great friend.

By the end of our morning Samuel was exhausted! He rested his head on his puppy.

Farm Fun

Justin and I decided to take Samuel to Owen Farm yesterday. The weather was beautiful and we had a great time watching Samuel with the animals. He likes to make animal sounds now :)

We took a hay ride to the pumpkin patch.

We were letting Samuel walk around and he decided to sit down on a little pumpkin :)

I can't get enough of these brown eyes!

He was VERY tired when we left. We all took a nice nap. Perfect day!