Post-adoption home visit.

Tomorrow is our second post adoption visit. I am hoping it will not be as long as the first visit which was three hours. Yes, I said three hours. uh! The second post adoption visit is suppose to begin at 10:00am however, that is Carson's nap time...and boy does he get fussy if he does not take a morning nap. I am not going to stress about it. What will be, will be.

Carson's Grandparents

The random picture of my parents was taken this summer outside of their home. Carson is so fortunate to have grandparents who are my Mom "essie" and Dad. My essie has the most giving heart. Tonight, essie bought Carson his first winter coat, warm winter hat, a few pairs of PJ's and an extra soft stuffed dog.
I am very thankful for the gifts she bought him but most of all I am thank her for unconditional love to Carson. My dad, he is the listener. As Carson grows up he will be able to talk my dad about "anything" without being judged or questioned. Caron, PopPop has over thirty years of coaching baseball...you have the best coach in town.

Dear Carson,
I hope and pray you have an excellent relationship with your grandparents. I want you to spend as much time with them as you can. The memories you make while spending time with MomMom and PopPop will last you a life time. Carson, MomMom and PopPop love you very much. They are so greatful the Lord picked you to be part of the family.

I love you sweet baby boy,
Momma

My smiling prince

I can not believe you are walking. I love you sweet baby boy!

Its very quiet. What is he up to?

Why was I worried? Carson was reading one of his favorite books.

A horse, of course- for Halloween.

Friday Photo

One of my favorite things to do is watch Carson play with his trucks. He is very serious while playing and makes the vroom vroom sound when he pushes his trucks on the floor. Carson is ALL boy!

Future Professional Juggler

Carson enjoys hitting the beach ball and trying to keep it off the floor. He can spend hours doing this if I let him. He works up a great sweat and pants like he just ran a marathon.

I hope I teach Carson how to Love the christian way.

The Faith of Works
“Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone. … So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless.” (James 2:14,17 NLT)
Consider this paraphrase of James 2:14,17 (based on the NLT):
Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you love your spouse if you don't prove it by the way you treat your spouse? That kind of impersonal love doesn’t make your relationship a marriage. … So you see, it isn't enough just to have an impersonal love. A theoretical love that doesn't show itself by intimate involvement in the life of your spouse is no love at all – it is dead and useless.
I use this example because it helps us see the holy union of faith and works. We can say we love our spouses, but without the “good works” of married life it’s hard to see the love. Yet we also can go through the motions of “good works” within a marriage without the presence of love.
Either way, we’ve missed the point and veered from God’s plain and simple plan. When it comes to faith and works, it basically works this way:
· We are saved by grace, through faith; this salvation is not from what we do, it is a gift from God; Salvation comes from faith and not by works, so that no one can boast about what they did to get to heaven. (Ephesians 2:7-10 NIV; Psalm 51:12 HCSB)
· God places the Holy Spirit within us, and we are energized by his spirit to do good works. (Colossians 1:29)
Paul says we’re compelled by love to do good works; it is possible, however, to fake faith by doing these good works. This may feel good bring us praise, but it will not earn salvation from God. It’s good works done in a faithless way – because they do not require faith, nor are they motivated by your faith.
James says it the other way around: You can claim faith all day long, but if your faith isn’t reflected in your actions, in the way you live your life, then you faith is dead. You’re living with a faith that has not been energized by the Spirit of God. It’s a theoretical faith that doesn’t compel you to pour your life into good and godly works.
Faith without works; works without faith – neither of these is God’s design. He designed us to live out a union of faith and works, so co-mingled that they reflect the very image of Christ.
What now?
· Work your faith – Let’s bring this lesson back down to an intimate level. Which takes more faith combined with works, for you to:
Participate in a mission project in a foreign country?
Treat your spouse with civility?
Submit to a boss you don’t respect?· God’s energy directs your work for him – “To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” (Colossians 1:28-29 NIV) Perhaps you never thought you’d hear this from a pastor, but there may be some good things you’re doing that you can stop doing – because God never meant for them to be part of your purpose or the works you were created to do. This is not an excuse to sit on the sidelines. The question is: What is God energizing you to do for him?
· God’s love compels you to good works – “For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.” (2 Corinthians 5 NIV) God’s love is within you, compelling you to good works. What good and godly work are you consistently compelled to do?

Our prayer tonight.

Dear Heavenly Father, I praise you for who you are. Lord this is a beginning of a new week, I ask that you will ease the hearts of administration in Guatemala, the adoption files that are in PGN will get through quickly, and families waiting for pick up dates will receive them soon. My request is in your holy name. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Amen

His eyes

When I look into Carson's BIG brown eyes I wonder what is he thinking? My mind can make up the best stories. However my thoughts are usually: Does he wonder still who I am? Does he like it here? What will he think about me when he gets older? Will he want to move back to Guatemala? Will he want to know his birth parents? What about his siblings ALL six of them? What happened to his foster mother?

I have read plenty of books about adoptive children however, the questions may be similar but each child has different feelings and thoughts.



Dear Carson,

You are the sun shine of my life. When you have questions about your adoption I will be honest with you. I will give you all the information I have pertaining to your birth parents, siblings and foster family. I will help you learn about Guatemala. If you would like to travel to Guatemala one day I will go with you. Please remember Carson- you are the best gift ever.

I love you sweet baby boy,

Guatemalan Temper!!

Wow, my little guy's temper is wild. If Carson can not figure something out ( i.e. putting a puzzle piece in the right spot) his had goes flying back, he falls on the floor and starts crying and kicking his feet. Uh! Second example; Carson loves balls, any type and size, today as we were walking to my SUV there was a soccer ball on the grass. Carson began pointing and yelling at the soccer ball. I told Carson who is thirteen months old,"Yes, I see the ball." "We are late for our dinner, we have to go." Oh, did I push his temper button- his head flew back and hit me in the face, his hands were flying , feet were kicking and he was crying loudly all within 2 seconds of saying "we have to go." Needless to say trying to get him in the car seat safely was a challenge.
I must confess...Before having a child of my own, when I saw a child throwing a temper in the store, church, restaurant, etc. I would think-Oh, I'm glad I am not "that Mother" and "that's not my child" because........... and now "I am that Mother" and "that's my child".

Thank You!

Lord, Thank You for your faithfulness, mercy and grace. I pray for all the Moms and Dads waiting for their children to be placed in their arms. Lord, I ask that you will soften the hearts of the administration in Guatemala that have control of the adoption process. Lord, I also pray for all the Mothers who have given their children up for adoption. Please ease their hearts and grant them peace. Thank you for all the wonderful things you have given us but most of all thank you for your forgiveness.

Adoption Questions

Today was day one of a three day educational conference in Atlantic City. The word traveled around the educational conference that I adopted a child from Guatemala and the questioned started. Below are a few questions I was asked which really bothered me:

1. Why did you adopted when you are so young and single?
2. Don't you think your child needs a Dad?
3. Wow, you must make a nice salary, because adoption is expensive and you are single?
4. Why didn't you adopt in the United States?

Were do people get off asking me such personal questions. I do not mind answering questions to someone who is truly interested in adoptions however, for someone just to ask to be rude is unacceptable.

Carson's 1st day at gymnastics

Today Carson and I attended our first "Mommy and me" gymnastics class. The class started at 10:00am with a circle of exercises, learning how to do forward rolls, back rolls, jumping on the trampoline, and hand stands.

Carson has started hitting.

Lately, my son Carson is thirteen months old has started hitting people in the face when he is being held. For the past couple of days no matter who holds him he will hit them in the face at least once or twice. I have been researching on how to correct this behaviour however, I have mixed emotion on what I think is right. Do you have any suggestions? I do not want my little prince to grow up as a bully.

Watching my little boy sleep...

I just checked on my little baby boy and he is sleeping so soundly. Lord- I thank you so much for allowing me to raise your son however, I can not do it without your lead. Please show me your way and help me be the best Christian Mother I can be. In your name only, Amen.

All Children

Lately my heart is heavy thinking and praying about all the children in the world who are without parents. My thoughts are usually: how do they feel? are they lonely? are they warm? do they have a full stomach? what can I do to help? how can I save the children?

I would love to save all the children in the world but I know that it's simply impossible however, I can pray each day that the Lord will touch a families heart to adopt or sponsor a child.

I am challenging myself to pray for all the children without parents at least a few times a day. Would you join me?

Finally..I am doing it!

After being a "peeping blogger want to be"...I decided to start one myself. I too like many of you adopted a child from Guatemala. Carson (my son from Guatemala) and I have only been united together for the last four months and man has it gone fast. The adoption process took me a total of 13 months from start to finish. During the process I struggled with the "waiting" game however the Lord was preparing my heart and mind for Motherhood. Carson and I have bonded very quickly and smoothly. Thank you Lord for blessing me with Carson.