God's plans-not Carrie's

We received an email this week from a grant we had applied for over a year ago. It was one we felt sure that we would receive, but we never did. Well, they were emailing to let us know they were ready to proceed with helping us. It was so awesome to be able to say-"thanks for considering us, but our kiddos our home!" After emailing them though, I started thinking about my plans versus God's plans. As I have stated before, I am a planner. I think through things way too much. As you saw through our journey, God worked to teach me patience and of HIS faithful provision. We began this whole process of adopting with less than $1,000 to go towards it. The funds we were going to need seemed so far out of reach. Being the planner, I started figuring out "how" God would/should provide for adoption. In my figuring I had counted on this grant that I just spoke of... the one we did not get before the children came home. I also had counted on receiving a Show Hope grant. I don't know why, but I just thought it would be one God would use. I also had figured God would provide through a Facebook fundraiser, just as we had seen Him do with other families. Well, guess what??? He used NONE of the ways I planned!! Instead God provided the finances in HIS way- bit by bit, step by step. He provided just over $50,000 in about 18 months!! Who else could take the tiny bit we had an multiply it fifty fold??!! I am so glad that God is in control and not me!!! On another sort of note- tonight I decided to read back through our entire blog before writing. I was overcome with emotion when I read back through this journey and God's provision. It still seems so very hard to believe that Moriah and Silas are here. It feels like they have always been here. I cannot imagine our family without them. GOD IS SOOO GOOD!!!

I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to post an update. All during our adoption journey I followed other adoption blogs. I loved seeing the stories unfold and seeing God bring precious children home to their forever families. The one "problem" I had was that once the adoptions were complete, the famlies stopped updating. I was so set on not doing that. I wanted to make sure to continue blogging after the children were home. Well, despite my good intentions, I am not doing so well at updating. I think now I understand though why parents stop blogging. It's called life:) Life gets busy... busier and well blogging gets overlooked. Life is now busier, but it's a good kind of busy. When Moriah and Silas first came home there were many adjustments. We had to slow life way down and we had to pick and choose what the children could handle. We became very intentional in how we spent our time and how we interacted with them. our children had experienced a whole part of a life that we knew nothing about. They had then left that life all they knew and were now here in our family. So we worked and continue to work to help them through this transition. They both are doing so very well. We have truly been blessed. We have had tough times, even challenging ones. However, overall things are going so well. Moriah and Silas are slowly attaching and bonding with us. I still do not think they understand exactly what family means or that this would be FOREVER. But we continue to work to build relationships. Many people have asked how our attachment is going. Well, that is a loaded question. Many assume that hearing our kiddos call us "mommy" and "daddy" is progress. Well I guess that is sort of true. But if we had taught them to call us "Bert" and "Ernie" they would have done that too. (I think "mommy" and "daddy" is much more fitting!) But just calling us that, does not mean they understand it. It is our prayer that with time they will learn what it means. We are slowly assimilating at church. We have been taking it slow. While both children would probably allow us to drop them off without a tear or backward glance, that is not good nor is it our goal. We have read about attachment and asked questions of people who "know." so we continue to watch for these signs. Caring that we leave is a "sign" of attachment. There are also many others. Part of our goal and desire for a healthy bond and attachment is what prompted us to ask other people to not hold our kiddos or be super affectionate with them. It was not in order to be mean or selfish, but instead was a goal to build on the relationship of our family. We are thankful that most have been so very understanding, supportive and encouraging of this. We are so thankful to be almost three months into our new family and new part of life! We are pleased at the growth we are seeing. Attachment is slowly happening. The children have overcome several minor health issues. They are gaining weight... a little too well. They are both learning English at an amazing rate. We can not wait to see how they continue to grow and develop and how our family bonds!! It is our continued prayer that God will create healhty relationships and that everything will continue to go so well!! Thank you so much for following us and praying for us!! We promise to do better at updating you on our progress! In fact i have already started another post to put up soon and have an idea for yet another one:)