"So promise me you'll never forget...that you aren't an accident or an incident...you are a gift to the world, a divine work of art, signed by God. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth...Flooded by emotion, overcome by pride, the Starmaker turns to us, one by one, and says, 'You are my child. I love you dearly.'" Max Lucado, God Thinks You're Wonderful







Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Being honest...

Today has been a good day. We have no updates as far as the adoption goes. We haven't heard any news.



We completed our homestudy today.



That was quite an accomplishment.



We knew they weren't concerned about the safety of our home.



This agency knows us well.



We were more concerned about keeping our kids under control and in line enough to say, "Hey, we can handle another one!"



Now, we know most of you are in shock (still) that we are ready again.



So please, picture with me what this 1.5 hour visit was like for us.



I was sweating bullets that we could avoid serious meltdowns or tantrums in front of our sweet social worker.



The boys ended up doing great, only had one meltdown that led to time alone for Cooper.



Owen kept begging to watch a movie.



I was like, "Come on honey, don't act like we always watch TV here."




Owen later looked out the back door and gasped, "The swing set fell down."




Now any of you that have been here lately know we need a new swing set.




So I about died.




No way that just happened while we were having our homestudy!




Little booger, it was fine...




Nothing happened, I am not sure what he saw, but thank God it's still hanging in there!



I think we passed.





My title of being honest was about Blake and I's feelings after the homestudy.



We were reminded that some adoptions fall through.



Of course, we know that...



We've experienced it.



How could we forget?



We don't want to be fearful. We want to enjoy this time and celebrate what God is blessing us with.



But, inside, in all honesty...we wonder if this will really happen.



Will Sadie come home to us?



Please continue to pray for Brittanie. I cannot imagine the emotions she is feeling.




This is not about us!!!



Please pray for us, that we can trust God through this.



That His plan will be known and that we will glorify Him regardless of what happens.



Thank you all for my birthday wishes...it's been a great day.



My mom came down and brought tons of baby stuff from my sister. Thank you Aunt Becki!



We've got the clothes ready, bassinet out...still need to collect somethings here and there!



But I am feeling good!



Here's a picture that my sister sent, I loved it minus the rolls/wrinkles around my chin.



More than anything, I love these boys that God has blessed us with.



I love this man that God has given me to walk through life with.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

She's got a name!




How bad is it that I put this silly bow on my son???

I told the boys we had to practice because girls wear bows.

Owen then began trying to put one on our dog Bella.

This is going to be fun!

The last picture is Cooper smiling. He has the funniest camera smile I have ever seen!

So, Blake and I had picked a name for a girl if we ever had one. We picked it over a year ago.

We wanted to make sure it was right, so we looked again and talked it over last night.

We talked with Owen about it, Cooper really could care less about her name right now.

Owen suggested we call her, "I love you baby sister". Now I am sorry, but that is adorable.

It won't work. But it's the cutest, sweetest, most precious name to come out of a almost 3 year old.

But, despite Owen's suggestion, we've decided we LOVE the name...drumroll please

Sadie Kate Shockley!

We are telling you over our blog because we don't really want to hear if you don't like it. We do!

We can't wait to meet her and we can't wait for you to as well.

Thanks for all of your love and support and sweet emails and prayers.

Please continue to keep Brittanie in your prayers as well.

I am adding a link for those close to us. There is a post about us bonding with Sadie in the first months she's home with us. It was written by another soon to be adoptive mother (they have used a different agency, but ours gives the same guidelines).

Hope you enjoy!

http://allthingshendrick.blogspot.com/

In case she posts again before you get a chance to read, it's titled "Can I hold your baby?"

Monday, July 7, 2008

Growing...

Our family that is!

We hope you can see the sign!

Cooper's shirt also reads: "I am a Big Brother"!

Thats right! We've been "picked" by a sweet birthmom named Brittanie.

She wants to meet us next week and we are so excited that she is wanting us to parent her precious baby girl!

We know that the baby is due at the end of July, so that gives us some time to get some GIRL things together.

Please pray for Brittanie as she does not have a lot of support in her choosing adoption. She has always had her heart set on it, but it's difficult enough and to not have a support system behind you in the decision. You all know there are risks involved here, just pray that God will carry us all through these next few months, regardless of the outcome. Please pray for God to surround Brittanie with His presence. We love her already, but we can never imagine what she is going through right now. Also pray that God will prepare Owen and Cooper. They are excited about having a little sister, but they really don't know what's about to happen!

We will let you know as soon as we know more!

No, we haven't picked a name yet! We just found out at 9:30 this morning!


The newest Big Brother in our house! And yes, he can say "sissy"! It's adorable!

Saturday, July 5, 2008

America, Cups and Junk Food




We hope you had a wonderful 4th of July. As you can see we were in a parade.

Gigi (Blake's mom) got lots of things for the boys for the celebration!

We spent all day in Norman with Blake's parents and when we had to leave I told Owen we were going to a party.

As we were driving to this event, Owen piped up from the back seat, "Are we going to my party? Will you sing Happy Birthday to me?"

Owen knows his birthday is getting close. But, we've still got 6 weeks.

As I was explaining that this was not HIS party, but our Sunday school party to celebrate the 4th of July he wanted to know who the party was for.

"Well, it's for America"

Owen said, "Where is America?"

Gosh, I wasn't ready for all of this. But he kept pleading with me to sing him happy birthday at his party!!!!

As I am fumbling to explain what America is to my not yet 3 year old, his 19 month old brother belts out,

"Haby bitdy TO YOU! Haby bitdy TO YOU!"

Blake and I started laughing.

Owen was so pleased that someone was finally recognizing his birthday.

It's gonna be a long 6 weeks!


So, I have tried lately to be more laid back with the boys and what they eat...

On holidays I let them eat things they don't normally have.

I've yet to learn that when all you eat is poo all day long...it comes back up.

That's right, you'd think that I would have learned it by now.

I mean come on, I am a nurse. Blake's a doctor...we should know better!

I think I have some good common sense.

Was I just not paying enough attention?

My sweet husband woke me up at midnight telling me he needed help.

Blake cuts into people and handles tons of blood and guts regularly.

But he doesn't do vomit.

That's okay, we make a great team. I can have someone pee, poop or up-chuck ON ME and not lose it.

But you squirt blood at, around, or on this nurse and I will be on the floor in seconds. Don't test me!

So, my precious Cooper learned that junk food in large amounts typically shows itself again.

Hopefully, his mom will remember this too!

Cups.

You might want to bring your own drinking cup to my house.

Why?

Yesterday Owen ran to me and said, "Mom, can I pee in this cup?"

He asked it as if he knew I would be just as excited as he was about his brilliant idea.

"No, sweetie. You are standing next to the potty. Use the potty to go pee, pee!"

"Why?"

I didn't know what else to say, but that we humans go in the potty unless its an absolute emergency.

Now we just need to teach him what an emergency is!

Thursday, July 3, 2008

The things kids say...


We love to cuddle and watch cartoons in the morning. This was Cooper yesterday when we got up. He wakes up ready to go! Where as Owen likes to just take it easy and not really be bothered by anyone. I love to see how their little personalities are different, but sometimes they are so much alike.

We struggle to diaper Cooper. Owen was the same way. Lately, Cooper's response when we tell him we need to put on a new diaper is, "I be naked boy!" So this is where I found him, naked as could be. I just had to take a picture. He explained, "I unna watch the movie." I love little bare bottoms!















Well, this sweet guy can say some of the funniest things. Last night he called Blake into his room (which he shares with his brother). He said to Blake, "Dad can you do me a favorites?" Blake chuckled and replied, "Sure buddy, what's up?" I guess it was upsetting him that his brother was still awake and he said, "Could you put Cooper in the pack 'n play?" I love it! A "favorites"!














The other day when I was getting dressed Owen asked me if I was going to wear my boobies today. I tried to hide my laughter. It's just hilarious how he's so interested in body parts. Later that same day, he followed me to the restroom. While I was sitting there, trying to remember that privacy is just something you sometimes lose as a mom...Owen came in and asked me if I had a penis. When I replied, "No buddy I don't. Remember girls don't have a penis." He looked at me again and said, "Did you lost it mom?" I was just glad we were at home and not in public!