Little Gangster!

Abram saw me wearing this "hat" yesterday and wanted to try it for himself. Too stinkin' cute!He is checking himself out in the mirror.It has been awhile since Abram's girlfriend, Jaida, has made a blog appearance. Here they are eating snacks together last Friday. I swear if we took them out in public together people might think they are twins!

Womanhood - A Stamp of Approval

While infertility is not a regular struggle in my life anymore, I will always have a heart for those in the midst of this struggle and a desire to help fertile people understand and love those going through the painful struggle of infertility.

It is for that reason that I am posting this great quote I recently came across:

(Regarding adopting their daughter) . . . "Yes, her arrival filled the void we felt in our family and we were so grateful for the gift of adoption, however, a successful adoption does not erase the pain of infertility. When a woman is pregnant it is like a great confirmation of her womanhood - a stamp of approval that she is worthy to create life. I still had that lingering feeling of being passed over, of somehow not being worthy of that gift (that may sound severe, but I am sure I am not alone in this feeling).

No, the woman who wrote this is certainly not alone in this feeling. I almost felt a huge sigh of relief after I first read this quote. It explained something I've never been able to put words to. From time-to-time I still get a pit-in-my-stomach feeling when I see pregnant women or hear a pregnancy announcement. And it doesn't make sense to me because I am totally fine not ever being pregnant (I am quite happy to adopt any other kids God wants to give us). But this quote explains my feelings exactly - and the feelings of several other women who can't get pregnant that I have sent it to!

I also recently read this great article for friends of family of people who are struggling with infertility.

Adoption Update

I should have combined this post with the picture of Abram in his Africa shirt but I guess I was too excited about the shirt!

We finally received the first of many adoption documents we have been waiting for since December. It took our friends six weeks to get these same documents for their boys and it has taken us three months. BUT, you will hear no complaining from me! It seems God orchestrated this to allow time for Him to provide us with a bigger house. If we would have gotten the documents in six weeks, we would not have had time to buy a house and move before the kids come.

I'm waiting for the documents to be translated to English. Once we get the English translations (in a week) I can send everything in with the I-600. From there, it should take about three months (or so) for the kids to arrive. If it weren't for us needing time to buy and move into a new house I would be getting very antsy waiting. Fortunately, I have plenty to do to keep me busy until then!

We also received Isaiah's birth certificate and finally know his birth date. I have been looking forward to finding out his birth date (even though it is probably not accurate) to know how far apart in age he and Abram are. His birthday is in October 2008, which makes Abram and Isaiah only six months apart! And in the same grade (potentially). LOVE IT! It also means Isaiah is just one month older than my nephew, Greysen. Fun!