How to Honor My Husband: Acts of Service

The past two weekends I have posted ways in which I can improve my marriage.  I firmly believe that a better marriage starts with me.  I say this because it's the way people in any type of relationship should think!  Want a better friendship?  Relationship with your parents?  It starts with you!  The first week I wrote about looking better for my handsome hubby.  The second week I wrote about using my words to improve our marriage.  This past week I added on to that acts of service. 

 Acts of service was a bit harder for me.  For a few reasons, I am a stay at home mom with a two month old.  I don't spend my days chasing him around & he still takes nice long naps.  So our house is clean.  I am also an early bird.  I love waking up early.  So by the time my husband wakes up for work the dishes from the night before have been put away, the living room/dining room has been tidied up, his lunch is made and coffee is fresh.  (It also helps that we live in a small apartment so cleaning up never takes too long!)  I am also OCD, a neat-freak an excellent house-wife and I have always enjoyed my time alone cleaning.  It's where I do my best thinking.  I usually have dinner made or at least a plan of attack on feeding my ravenous hubby after a long day of work.  So, those things were not a challenge.  I consider them my job as long as I am staying at home.  Also, those things don't really matter to Matthew.  I have talked to him about this in length a few weeks ago & he actually asked me to stop cleaning up so much!  He says I need to take more time to relax and he rarely notices a hand print on the table top or dust on the dresser & when he does he says it doesn't bother him at all...Whatta guy, right!?

So, all those things, yes, I think are great ways to serve my husband but they weren't speaking to his heart and letting him feel my love.  For some husbands I think that would make them feel sooo loved and would mean so much!  I had to figure out a different way to serve Matthew & it was easy.  I simply asked him.  On Sunday nights he gets home earlier than normal from lack of traffic so we usually have more time to sit down, relax & catch-up.  About three weeks ago I told him I wanted to be a better helper to him and since I still find him so enigmatic most of the time I needed his help.  He, of course, happily obliged.  I have been asking him every Sunday night what his goals for the week are & how I can help him achieve them.  I was actually surprised how simple & easy his goals were.  They usually involved him having a full nights sleep or being able to go and play basketball one or two nights of the week.  But it helped knowing his expectations for the week.  Why?  There was no lack of communication anymore.  I knew he wanted to hit the hay early.  So I would spend some extra time relaxing that day so if the baby woke up during the night I could get up with him.  Or, if it was a basketball week for Matt, I would see if any of my friends would want to come over to hang out so I wouldn't be missing my hubby & he'd have more time to stay out late and play.  It also helped because when I was helping him do the things he wanted he was a happier, sweeter & better husband.  He was also willing, without even noticing, I think, to do more to help me which made me a happier, sweeter & better wife!

Win-Win.  I like that.  Give it a try & please let me know how you serve your husband!  I would love to find more ways to be a better wife in this department! =)

P.S. As I have been working on these things to improve my role as wife I have noticed that Matthew & I have that newlywed-bliss thing going on again.  It's awesome!  I can feel it, Matt can feel it & John can, too! 

 

Hello, marital bliss!

A Lovely Day

I woke up thinking yesterday would be filled with laundry & toilet scrubbing.  Instead it was a beautiful day spent with my momma and my baby in Old Town Orange.  For those who aren't local, Old Towne Orange is a historic part of Orange County filled with at least a dozen legit antique stores, boutiques and about a bazillion great places to eat.  I could have spent all day there....instead I settled for a few hours.  I didn't take too many photos but here is what I did manage to immortalize:

 

Lunch at Watson's Drug Store

A new toy giraffe from the children's boutique!

Some awesome wooden blocks I scored from one of the many antique stores

Special family time with John, my parents & sister.

Pumpkin Cupcake Perfection

Love this place!

Exchanging funny photos and E*Cards with my best friend & my sister

A lovely day, indeed!

How To Honor My Husband: My Words

Last Saturday I shared a secret with you: My marriage is not perfect. Shocking, right? I decided to take a long hard look at what I was doing wrong...

I started off easy. My first step to marital bliss was to go from frump to fab! Read the details here. I've almost conquered that and I say that confidently because actually putting on clothes appropriate to leave the house in 1.Made me more productive 2. Made me feel prettier, which made me want to keep that feeling! and 3. I could tell Matt really appreciated it!

(Shorts.  Tank top. Sanoks. A bit of make up.  So comfy but still looks so much better than my yoga pants & frump tee!)

So after that, I added on an improvement with my words. I became more aware of not only what I was saying to my husband but how I was saying it. I started by removing the following words from my vocabulary:

Anything Negative!

I then replaced them with things I admire about my husband.  I also sat down & made a list of adjectives I'd use to describe Matthew, which helped me out a lot & made me feel so blessed! (FYI: My list was much longer than the one below)

Handsome
Godly
Smart
Hard working
Fun
Loving

I used positive words as often as possible. Even if I didn't think Matthew was being particularly hard working at that moment because he didn't want to throw the trash, instead of muttering about his laziness, I threw the trash out myself without a single complaint. Sometimes hard? Yep. But not impossible. And he appreciated my respect & I was much happier too.  Don't sweat the small stuff.

I also watched my tone. I still gave him my unsolicited advice at times but rather than "That's not how you do it" I'd help gently and if he didn't want to take my advice that's where the conversation ended.

Example:
Me: I like to wash John's hair like this! (Happy tone o' voice as I quickly showed him)

If Matt didn't want to do it that way? Oh well! His way wasn't wrong it just wasn't my way!

And finally, I was reading Love and Respect last Sunday and spent all week reflecting on a scripture verse Dr Eggerichs referenced in the book of Titus where the older generation of women are encouraged to teach the younger generation to LOVE their husbands. But the word for love used was the Greek word PHILEO, not agape. Why? Well because I can agape love my husband like nobody's business.  God created women with the ability to love unconditionally...But PHILEO? Brotherly love? Friendly love? Think about it...God knew women would have a harder time with PHILEO.  Our daily lives get in the way.  We can grow frustrated & often times even impatient.  As Eggerichs says in his book "She may scold & sigh way too much.  After all, there is always something or someone who needs correcting.  She cares deeply.  Her motives are filled with agape, but her methods lack phileo" God knew that our husbands would truly desire that kind of phileo-lovin', so He made sure those instructions from Titus 2 made its way into the Bible and into our hearts!

I also surprised Matt with kind words in other ways. Like a quick text thanking him for working so hard and even a few mirror-notes to start off his day.  Doing things like those were much easier but it meant a lot to him.  How do I know?  He told me.

 (Dry Erase Markers are perfect for mirrors!  I use them to write love notes to my hubby & to put scripture in a place we'll see it everyday!  Comes off easily with just a little glass cleaner!)

How do you honor your husband with your words?

Next week: Honoring my husband by serving him.

(Disclaimer: Please do not read too deep into these posts.  I am being honest in saying that my marriage needs work but it is not in trouble.  Truth is...your marriage needs work too!  I'm enjoying the fruits of my labor & have never loved my husband more than I do today!  But, sometimes life gets in the way.  It's just so daily!  I think we all need these reminders & the encouragement to make a deliberate effort to improve our lives with the ones who lead our homes, holds our hands, makes us laugh & loves us like crazy: Our husbands!)

Dear John. #2

John,

Month number two has been eventful! You've learned to smile and "talk" and you loooove to lay on your side, look in the mirror, play in water and listen to me sing & to daddy whistle. You are the sweetest and best little friend your daddy and I have ever had and we pray for you every single day! You are so loved by so many, especially by Jesus :)

Being Mommy: Month Two

Exactly one month ago I sat here and reflected on being a mommy for one month. I foolishly assumed that month #2 would lack the surprise and intrigue I needed to truly reflect on the past 31 days. I was wrong. Here is what I have learned about being a mommy for TWO MONTHS:

1. It gets easier. The sleepless nights don't last forever, the crying is no longer cryptic and making a schedule doesn't seem like moving a mountain anymore.

2. The laundry will never end. I thought maybe with all our rookie parent mistakes we might have been going through laundry a bit faster than usual, but NOPE! Loads of laundry (pun intended) is the new norm.

3. The phrase "They grow up so fast!" Turns out that's the truth, too!

4. I am still getting to know my son, but everyday is amazing. Watching him learn and grow is the best and watching him light up when he sees me makes my heart skip a beat. I truly learned that a part of my heart that did not exist before John surely does now.

5. I have never loved watching anything as much as I love watching daddy and baby playing and talking and laughing.

6. I have also learned the total agape love my husband has for me. He is loving and selfless as he works hard so I can stay home with our little man and works so hard to continue to be a great husband and to be a great daddy.

7. John's hair will forever grow exponentially faster than the rest of him. He's the coolest guy ever.

8. People will offer advice, especially regarding adoption advice. Most of it is nonsense but we have learned to handle it graciously; always thanking the advisor for their encouragement and concern. This is also the best segway into having the opportunity to share with them what adoption is about.

How to Honor My Husband: My Looks

In my last post I mentioned that with the arrival of our little man, and the stressors that come along with adding a new member to the family, my marriage has been a tad bit strained.

I mean, we had an immediate adoption placement, came home and I was immediately on maternity leave and that left Matthew left to be the sole provider of our home. He's an amazingly hardworking man and has signed up to work overtime for every available shift that is open at his work.

But that on top of everyday life, we haven't been the best husband and wife to each other. We got in a fight the other day and I was so angry that he wasn't seeing things my way and I was so angry because he never does what I need! Why won't he compliment me more? Or throw the trash out at night!? Why isn't he perfect and a mind reader and fulfilling my every whim and desire!? I was (I'm so embarrassed to admit) about to sit down and make a list of all his wrong doings so I could prove how I was truly the victim, but then...I felt a bit convicted....like a lot convicted actually...and instead of my original list, I began to list all of my wrong doings against my husband.

Turns out in my quest to be the best mom and home maker possible I started to become a really bad wife. I was encouraged by my BFF to read Proverbs 31 as well as to HONOR AND RESPECT my husband NO MATTER WHAT.

So, to cut my story short, I am working on being a Godly wife, a respectful and submissive wife and putting my husbands needs before my own. How do I do that? One step at a time, I suppose.

Every so often, I'm going to come back here and update you on my husband honoring adventures. My first assignment is to be more girl and less frump. By promising the following:

1. I promise to no longer wear any of my husbands clothes to bed...or ever. Even those ridiculously comfy sweat pants.

2. I promise to brush my hair and apply a bit of make up (at least some tinted moisturizer!) before hubby comes home from work everyday.

3. I promise to dress up when we go out together. Just like I used to when he'd pick me up for a date!

4. I promise that even when it's time to jump into my jammies for the night, I will put more effort into it. Cute tank tops and matching shorts or if its cold, nice feminine pajama pants. No more frumpy clothes!

5. I promise to try and be pretty for my husband and not excuse myself from it because I'm "too busy" or "too tired." He isn't "too tired" to be doing 50+ hours of work a week so the least I can do is to look semi-decent when he finally does get home.

What would you promise?

Does anybody want to join me in this? I'd love to do a link-up so I can see how other wives are honoring their husbands! I'd also like to see some cute ideas for casual but cute clothes for around the house. How in the world do you do a link up? No idea! But if this is something you'd wanna do too, lets get the ball rolling!

Next week: My adventures in honoring my husband with my words...

(Disclaimer: Please do not read too deep into these posts.  I am being honest in saying that my marriage needs work but it is not in trouble.  Truth is...your marriage needs work too!  I'm enjoying the fruits of my labor & have never loved my husband more than I do today!  But, sometimes life gets in the way.  It's just so daily!  I think we all need these reminders & the encouragement to make a deliberate effort to improve our lives with the ones who lead our homes, holds our hands, makes us laugh & loves us like crazy: Our husbands!)

My Happy Birthday Post! Hello 25!

First of all, let me share a little secret with you...I'm actually 27 now, not 25. But, I've decided to tell people that I'm 25 (for the third year in a row). I like being young. I always have. Ever since I was 16 going on 17 (cue the musical scene here) I dreaded birthdays. Correction: I dreaded growing older. NOT the celebration and the cake and ice cream.

Anyway, I guess it all just goes back to the way I thought about people older than me. I thought their lives looked boring and plain. I thought the jobs, the bills, the monotony of their day to day would bore me to death...But as I've grown older here are the things about being a grown up I've come to find are true:

1. Having my own car meant freedom. Being old enough to buy and care for my own car? Even cooler.

2. Moving out and paying rent? So much fun! I moved where I wanted and I moved when I wanted. And after all of that, living here in pretty Huntington Beach, CA, I am sure that I am right where I want to be.

3. Bills? Well, I was right about that. They still suck.

4. Grocery shopping is a lot more fun when nobody is telling me to stop putting junk food in the cart like my mom used to when she ruled the roost. On the flip side, I don't put as much junk food in the cart anymore...Mom would be proud.

5. I get to make my own decisions. What to have for breakfast? Cookie dough? Why, yes! Cookie dough sounds delightful!

6. Marriage: Game Over. SO NOT TRUE! Marriage: Game Just Beginning. I really did think that marriage was the end of all youthful fantasy. Marriage meant work and boredom and being old. I thought this way up until the day I met my husband. And though I was right about marriage being work...I was wrong about the rest. Being young and married is the best decision I have ever made. Well that and buying a straightening iron for my hair are the best decisions I've ever made.

7. Motherhood!? Blech! My favorite saying about me being a mom was always: Babies having babies. Not good! But, since the day I met my husband, I realized that was all wrong, too. There is nothing I wanted more than to be a mother to my husband's children... Having babies and starting a family is one of the coolest things about growing older.

There are a few more things I'd like to add...but I think you get the point...Basically, everything I thought about growing older was wrong. Well, except the bills. But, I do realize after all of this that maybe I should be 27 after all. 25 was an awesome year. Married my best friend. 26 wasn't too shabby either. Adopted our precious boy. 27? Bring it on!

Can I Be Honest?

I have  a confession to make...I haven't picked up my Bible for more than our Saturday night church service since baby came home. I'm so ashamed to say that and I am almost in tears thinking about it!

I'd like to blame it on being so busy but the fact of the matter is...That's not really the truth. And then that gets me to thinking...Pre-Baby days, Me and The Lord had a good thing going...but was it because I wanted Him to give me the desires of my heart? Was I using Him as more of a magic genie to grant my wish to adopt or did I truly look to Him as my Savior?

I feel such a tug on my heart to dive back in and learn to love The Lord again for WHO He is and not WHAT He can do for me.  I'm just relieved to know that Jesus is waiting for my return with open arms...I've never stopped loving Him though, just to be clear.

Anywho, all you momma's...What  is a good devo or book you have read?  I'm gonna pick my Bible up and go spend special time with The Lord but I'd also like to find a book to read during rocking the babe or his little cat naps...

Thanks for helping make my blog a safe place filled with love, everybody.  I am glad this is a place of encouragement and hope.

Challenge: Accepted.

Okie doke! This is me keeping one of my promises to make sure I showed off a sneak peek of our Red Thread family photo session!

But first, don't mind if I fill you in on a few of the details:

1. Michelle came in with professional lighting. Made my little home all illuminated and pretty. Only problem? She didn't leave it behind when she left!

2. We never felt rushed to start or to finish. Michelle made us feel like we could go all day if we felt that special moment wasn't captured. She was patient, kind, and fun to be around, too!

3. Michelle loved the Mo-man. Even though he swore he was in a photo shoot all his own and was a bit of a camera hog she treated him like a member of the family, which he definitely is!

4. Michelle has a heart for the orphan. She shared with me her work experience with children in the foster system and my heart was glad to know that people like her were advocating for those precious children.

5. Most importantly, she pretended like I was funny and cool. This was good.

But get this, my friends: Michelle has set a challenge before me and I am going to ask that you pretty pretty please help us! There is nothing I like better than a good challenge! Check out her blog by clicking HERE and read Michelle's post about her time with us and LEAVE A COMMENT! IF WE CAN GET 25+ COMMENTS ON THAT POST WE WILL BE GIVEN AN 8x10 PHOTO FREEEE! Please leave her a kind comment and please help spread the word and encourage others to comment, too! It's more than just a free photo (which would be awesome!) it's letting Michelle know that she is appreciated for what she is doing!

Michelle, if you are reading this: Challenge Accepted! =)

 

 

 

  

  

 

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Don't forget to leave a lovely comment for Michelle!  Click HERE to be redirected to her blog about us!

Just Checking In

Hey there! it's been awhile since I've been writing I kinda miss signing online and blogging my day away...but alas, I no longer have that luxury.

I do have a lot to catch up on though and a lot to share! Like the fact that already I have been approached by people meaning all too well with unsolicited advice and opinions. Sometimes I'm amazed at the accuracy and sometimes I hope I can hold in my laughter until they are out of ear shot! But, I will save that for another day...right now I'm busy enjoying a quiet moment while the hubby is at the park playing b-ball, the dog has quit barking and the babe is sound asleep! Did I mention that I am showered (legs shaved, too!) the house is clean and the dishes are done!?

If only every night were so peaceful and I could feel like a boss for being a super mom! But that alter ego only comes around every so often and she just so happened to show up tonight!

So, for now, I leave you with some eye candy and a promise to fill you in on all the goings on in the little O'Brien family very soon! Plus, a sneak peek of our family photo session coming soon, too!

Some serious bed-head

Naked baby (there is a diaper under there...don't judge!).

Starting to smile and is it to die for, or what!?

One Month of Baby John

Wow!..a month ago I was sharing the news with all of you that we received a call to fly out to Florida to meet a little boy we would get to call our son!

A few plane rides later, we met the itty bitty baby John who unshockingly so, stole our hearts. We flew home and introduced him to family & friends and he is now the most popular guy in town.

We're blessed.

John,

You have blessed so many people with just your presence and your tiny little life of 31 days. I'm so happy that the Lord let me and Daddy love you and help you grow!

Thankful for Red Thread Session!

Hi lovelies! I have some cool news to share with you today and I hope all of you adoptive mamas get to take advantage of this incredible blessing that I am so personally thankful for!

When Matthew and I first began to research adoption we kept coming across a website for a non-profit group called Red Thread Sessions.

I was so excited when I found out what their purpose was. They are a group of volunteer photographers from all over the United States who offer FREE photo sessions for adoptive families! They offer three choices of sessions- Airport arrival, Delivery and birth, or family session within three months of the placement.

Anywho, we obviously chose the final option and began to sift through photographers in the Southern California area...and of course, found an awesome photographer a city over from us! And guess what!  She rocks! We have yet to our photographer but her personality shines through in her emails and her photos are stunning!

Michelle from The Suitcase Studio will be blessing us with a 1-2 hour session, and 50 images. We are blown away by her generosity and excitement to do a Red Thread Session and I'm going to say that I imagine every photographer on the Red Thread website would be just as generous.

So unless you're a millionaire or have been saving up for adoption for like...well ever...chances are your adoption, wherever you are in the process, has you on a bit of a tight budget. We definitely didn't have the luxury of hiring a photographer for family snap shots but God has blessed us with a wonderful photographer who is gonna get the job done!

Please be a dear and like Red Thread on Facebook and The Suitcase Studio, too! People with hearts like these deserve our "likes" and better yet' our THANKS and love for what they do!

Being Mommy: Month One

I'm not sure if this is something I will do every month, but I'd like to celebrate John being a month old in just a few days with some reflection on becoming a mommy...

1. I really should have appreciated a full nights sleep while I had the chance. A warm cozy bed for eight whole hours? Yes, please!

2. I really should have appreciated those quiet moments with Matthew and the fact that making plans weren't complicated and getting out of the house would only take minutes...

Before John:
Me: Wanna go grab a coffee?
Matt: Sure, let's go!

After John:
Me: Wanna go grab coffee.
Matt: Sure. I'll go change Johns diaper before we leave
Me: Ok. I'll go grab his diaper bag.
Matt: oh, wait, looks like John's hungry...let me make him a bottle
Me: Kay, I'll feed him.
After he is fed...
Me: he needs hs diaper changed again
Matt: okay, I'll change it.
Me: okay, now we can go! But now I'm too tired..let's just brew a pot here and then take naps.

See what I mean!?

3. Those 3 AM wake up calls always come up so quickly, but I do my best to cherish them...I begged God everyday for this and every minute with baby John is an answered prayer.

4. I must now apologize for all my secret judgmental thoughts against new mothers. I'm sorry for thinking you were a sissy-pants when you talked about how tired you were. I thought you were being drama queens...and now I see you were just being human...Being a mom is a lot of hard work and I'm convinced all you do can only be 100% appreciated by other moms. But, then again, that's your fault...You all make being a mommy seem so effortless! Anyway,sorry for my jerky thoughts...

4. Adoption is so hard. Aside from paperwork, waiting, finances...the concept of adoption is a tough one. When it really comes down to it, adoption exists because we live in a sinful world where lives are broken and times are hard. I love the woman who choose life for our baby John, but my heart breaks when I think of all she went through to bring him to us...

5. I am no longer the favorite child, grandchild, niece, cousin, friend (This is, of course assuming I was the favorite to begin with) Whatevrr the title I am no longer #1. A cute baby face always trumps the competition.

6. Dishes won't always get done, my counters won't ever be as spotless as before and my furniture won't always be perfectly polished anymore...that's just the way it is now...

7. Sometimes I am sitting next to Matthew with Baby John in my arms and puppy Mo in Matt's lap, and I am afraid my heart may burst from being too full. I want to always remember these times...they may hold their challenges, but nothing can detract from the beauty of moments like those...

8. I have never been one to worry. Què será-será. But now, I admit, I have gone to check on baby John while he sleeps...just to make sure he's breathing.

9. Nothing makes me happier than cuddling the sweet baby who fits perfectly in my arms...Sometimes I worry if I hold him too much he won't ever want to be put down, but then I think "Is that the worst thing that could happen? Not bad!"

10. I have so much to learn, it's ridiculous...

John's first time at church

Embrace the Camera with Baby John

So...I've never had a sweet baby to embrace the camera with before and now that little John is here...I already understand the concept behind this great link-up! John isn't much for photos...He usually sleeps through most of them...but I decided to snap a few shots of the two of us anyway!

This was us the other day...a day where all the chores were done and the visitors had all gone home. I took that as an opportunity to squeeze in a few extra cuddles. =)

The Many Adventures of John

Ah!  It feels so good to be back...and wow, there is a lot to say!

I guess I'll start where I last left off...19 days ago, John was born in Jacksonville, Florida.  It was an amazing, hectic, whilrwind of  packing & traveling & praying!  We finally made it across the country & adopted our sweet little man.  You can read about that adventure HERE.

So, we had been in Florida for just over a week and had expected to be able to come home as a family but ICPC was taking longer than expected and John and I had to say goodbye to Daddy...and I cried while I watched my husband drive away to the airport, leaving me with an 8 day old in a strange city thousands of miles away from home.  John and I did our best to stay busy on Thursday & Friday.  We walked around the hotel property, met more of the staff and got to know them...even took a few walks up and down the streets while I watched geckos run all around & dreamed of the day John would be old enough to chase them but still slow enough to not actually catch one!

Friday afternoon rolled around, August 17th, and just as F.E.M.A was setting up in Jacksonville & Hurricane Issacc changed course to hit Florida, the adoption agency called & gave John & I clearance to fly home!!!  Praise God!  We were told to expect to be in Florida until the following Wednesday & that only by a miracle would it be any sooner...I love me a good miracle, don't you!?  So John and I packed up our bags, booked our flight & two hours later were boarding a plane to head home.  Even after a four hour delay in Dallas, God had once again answered my prayers, as John slept peacefully during both flights, never fussed & never even made a peep!  The only incident is when he farted....and it was a good one too....you know, the kind where people probably thought it was me because a bum that little could not hold something that nasty...Who knew a guy so tiny could pack so much heat!

Anywho, we landed at 2AM on Saturday  morning in Los Angeles, California & as soon as the plane's wheels touched the ground, tears started streaming down my face.  I looked down at John & whispered "Welcome Home."

Now we've been home for over a week, and I have missed being able to sit here and tell you everything!   But, I've been enjoying every second of being a mommy.  Every sound he makes, every move, every cry.  It's all precious & surreal.  I still sometimes doubt that this is actually happening!  John has had visitors every day we've been home...this guy is popular!...and he is changing constantly.  His life is a miracle & is a beautiful cherished thing.  Thank you "T" for choosing life for John.  He is more loved than you'll ever know.

So, I guess that's it for now.  I have so much more to say.  I could go on all day about the complications of adoption.  It's messy and bittersweet.  I could tell you all about Mo, our sweet doggy, who has now become our sweet guard dog.  I could write about how John has blessed so many people already & the great testimony of his life in such a short time.  I could tell you all about how motherhood has changed me & the awful things it's doing to my hair!  But for now, how about just a million pictures of this little man I call my son?  I'll be back again soon, friends.  Life is starting to slow down a bit and I cherish the time I have on my blog to jot down all my memories  Thanks again to everybody who has sent such loving words to us and to John.  You have no idea how much my heart is overjoyed reading every comment & email.

 

John-John hanging out at Auntie 'Lysia's House

 

Having to listen to his Auntie Ally about the need for a good face wash

 

Taking a nap with Grandpa & Buddy.

 

#PumpedUpKicks

 

The face John gave me as we walked to the laundromat.  He HATES chores already!

  

Adoptions Can Be Expensive.  John now has a job as a receptionist.

 

How I have been surviving motherhood...Double-fisting the iced lattes.  Yessss.

I'll be back soon!!!  Every chance I get...and P.S. Kudos to you bloggers with lots of little munchkins.  Mommy-hood is not for sissies & I applaud you!

Perfection

Hello from rainy Florida!

I just wanted to check in with you all! First, thank you a million times over for all the congrats, well wishes and prayers for us adopting baby John! That post and all the comments are going to be printed to be a part of his baby book!  So if you yave something you'd like to add we'd love your words to be a part of John's life forever!  He is the light of our lives and is it just me or are the trees greener and the skies bluer these days? :). Matthew and I are so in love with this little man and Matthew and I have found a deeper love in our marriage with the sudden arrival of our newest addition.

We are still waiting for ICPC so we can start heading home...and we are so ready! I miss my puppy so much...I wish he understood that we'll be home soon...I also hope he understands that John is not a new toy we bought for him! :)

Anyway, that's all for now! I can't write for long because John is sleeping right now so I have to go and stare at him and make sure he is still adorable!

Oh ya, real quick...thank you Hilton Homewood Suites in Jacksonville! Best hotel, clean, and the BEST staff EVER! And Shena, if you are reading this...start the adoption process! I will be praying for you and your husband!

Isn't he he cutest!?  And thank you Stacey at Shop:Hope Handmade for this awesome onsie!

It's A Boy! Seriously!

Hi everybody! I feel like it's been forever since I've last written & since my baby shower post and since then...our world has been turned upside down!

Be warned: THIS IS A LONG POST!

On Tuesday morning I dragged myself into work, plopped down and begin answering emails. All of a sudden, I hear my phone vibrating! I answer to a happy voice on the other end saying that she was calling from the adoption network & she had a situation for us. Oh my gosh! The moment we'd all been waiting for! I was instantly wide awake (no caffeine needed!) and grabbed a pen and paper to jot down the details to share with Matthew later that day on his lunch break. She starts in about the background of the birth mother and her prenatal care and then continues on to say that not only are we the ones for her...but she is in labor! In Florida! Oh my word! I will spare you all of the details, but we booked our flights for the next morning at 6am and both ran home to pack!

My sister and I cleaned, did six loads of laundry, packed our bags and arranged details. And I mostly mean that my sister did all of that while I wandered around in a daze! We spent the rest of the night chowing down on pizza with friends and waiting for updates from the social worker on how "T" the birthmom is doing! Every update we recieved we all rejoiced! We were waiting to hear how she was doing, if the baby was born & if it was a boy or girl....Well, 12:50 AM, "T" gave birth to a 6lb 10oz baby BOY!!! Both mommy & baby were doing just fine.

So the next morning, Matthew and I board a plane to Memphis & from Memphis to Florida, grab a rental car (thank you Auntie Judy @ Avis for blessing us with your love for our adoption story hooking us up with an awesome car!), get totally lost on the way to the hospital & finally arrive! By the time we walk into "T's" room, it's 7PM and we are exhausted. But, we walk in and she sees us & a huge smile lights up her face! She welcomed us in with big hugs and showing off the baby boy she so obviously loves so much. We were in love. With her. With the baby. And while Matthew quietly stared at the baby, "T" and I get to talking. We could not be more happy and proud of her. She is beautiful with a beautiful heart & huge dreams for her life which she is well on her way to achieving! We say goodnight a few hours later and head over to our hotel. (Thank you to all four grandparents for blessing us with a beautiful hotel room for our trip!).

We arrive at the hospital the next day just in time to visit with"T" one last time before she signs papers with the lawyer & is discharged from the hospital. I cried. She didn't. She's far more brave than I am. But, I know her heart was breaking & I cried for her. Nine months of carrying that precious miracle and she leaves with empty arms. But before they wheeled her out of the hospital she gave me a tight hug while tears ran down my face & we promised to keep in touch.

Matthew & I spent the rest of that night hanging out in the nursery with our baby boy that we named John, after Matt's dad & best friend who passed away a few years ago. John's middle name is his birthfather's name & we are proud that John will carry that with him forever. Hours later we go back to the hotel to get a few hours of sleep & prepare for...well...the rest of our lives! We arrive back at the hospital on Friday morning, August 17th, get to know a special nurse (who I never did get the name of) and John a little bit better. The lawyer comes, we sign our papers & legally become mommy & daddy to baby John! We walked out of that hospital the proud parents of our little (as my sister has affectionately named him:) chocolate muffin. (Thank you to the nurse, whose name I don't know but whose face I will never forget for loving on John so much and for loving on us! We were blessed by you sending us back to the hotel with BAGS of formula & diapers and all the hugs you gave us on our way out.)

It's now Saturday afternoon here in HUMID Florida. Matthew and I are SO exhausted & SO in love. I was holding John in my arms earlier, and the song "Make You Feel My Love" by Adele came on the radio & I began to bawl. It finally hit me...that little muffin in my arms is my boy. The boy I have been praying for every day. I would do anything for him & I tear up at the thought of anybody ever hurting him. I had the chance to whisper to him while giving him his bottle about how much "T" loves him and all about her. I will do that often & he will know that he is loved by both of us. I spoke with her today, too & she is well. Getting lots of rest & thinking about us often. She thanked us for taking her boy but really, we are the thankful ones. She so selflessly thought of John first and trusted us with his life. We treasure that and her & her son. My son.

Thank you Jesus for your PERFECT timing, for all the blessings on this trip & he obvious way you've been working in our lives these past few days. We are in awe.

We're Pleased To Introduce You to John O'Brien

Our Baby Shower

This has been a great week...so busy but so wonderful.  I've been "nesting" as much as an adoptive mamma can & thanking God for every second of it.  I even thank God for the tough times...like the time where our adoption of a baby boy fell through rather quickly, or the time where a friend's adoption falls through while the birth mom is in labor & I even thank God for the times where he takes a little 8 month old baby boy to heaven.  I don't thank Him for these times because they are awesome and I love these moments, but I thank Him for these times because He is good and He is with us, even in these times of heartbreak and sadness.  I praise Him for preparing us a place in Heaven, no matter how soon we make it there.

Anyway...I promised to share photos from our amazing baby shower.  Now, I know a lot of adoptive families don't want a baby shower until after the baby is home but for Matthew & I we were so happy to have it before for a few reasons:

1. We're excited to share in the joy of our adoption!
2. We were also excited to be surrounded by family & friends
3. Uh...this baby needed some stuff, big time.  And trust us, our family showered this little one with love!
4. Whenever this baby comes, tomorrow or next year, we know it's coming, so what does it matter if it's before or after???
5. I did not want to write a million thank you cards, if we had a shower after the baby arrived!  I'd rather be enjoying our baby!

So, all rambling aside...here are a bunch of photos from what is sure to have been the sweetest baby shower ever: