My Heart is Full . . .

It is quiet here in the house tonight - something that has become quite the rarity of late. For those of you who have not heard, our home enlarged by 3 amazing and very rambunctious boys. Yes, for years now Noah has been asking and praying for a "brother". Well 3 weeks ago God answered that prayer (in a way) and blessed our home with 3 little guys. When we started the foster/adoption process we did not know where it would lead - we just knew that it was what God had placed on our hearts to do. So by faith we trusted Him and once again began the process with classes, training, paperwork, home studies, finger prints, and lots of prayer.

Well we now know a little more of God's plan and what He wanted for our family, but to be perfectly honest, I wasn't sure I was ready for it. I mean how do you prepare yourself for a phone call that says "We possibly have 3 little guys coming into care this weekend and need to know if you will take them." Hmmmm - emergency phone call to Bob, stomach in knots, palms sweating, and then peace of knowing that this is what we had spent the last 2 months preparing for. Yes we will take them - and then they were here and I was scared to death. I mean I was COMPLETELY terrified of these little guys. I know my poor husband thought I had lost it - but for some reason I was just overwhelmed with emotions. I was scared that we had made a wrong decision - I was afraid that I would fail these little guys and make their life even more uncertain - I was terrified that I would forget how to be a Mom to my own 2 amazing children - I had taken my eyes from God and placed them on self and what I was capable of doing and what I wanted rather than what God was capable of doing and what He wanted. So after feeling overwhelmed and putting in a transfer for the little guys after only 2 days - God began to change my heart like only He can and something AMAZING happened - I actually felt peace and joy about what God had brought into our lives. Now don't get me wrong, it has still been a struggle - but I can honestly say that I am so thankful for God's plan rather than my plan.

People have been so amazing to step up and give of their time. We have had so many people stop by and just sit with the boys or with us. Not to mention the meals people prepared, the clothes and baby supplies people have bought. Once again God just opened His arms and said "These are my people and I will use them to bless you and your family" - and that is exactly what they did. So I want to say "THANK YOU ! ! " to all of you who have prayed and have given of your time to shower these little guys with so much Love.

Some of you have been asking if there is anything that we need and honestly God has provided in unbelievable ways.

- I got the kids' rooms switched over. Avery had the larger room so we needed to put her in Noah's room and give the 4 boys that room.
- God provided bunk beds with a detachable ladder so Noah could have the top bunk and the 2 year old could have the bottom.
- We also were able to find dressers that would fit in the room since we have 4 boys in one room every inch of space counters (literally) and so we found a narrow taller dresser which fit between the wall and one of the cribs and a tall larger chest of drawers which fit between the bunk beds and wall.
- Our other issue was a vehicle. Our car only fit 6 and since we now have 7 people in our family the math just didn't add up . . . so Bob drove to St. Louis the last 2 Saturdays and was able to purchase us a used Expedition that will hold 8 and has a working air conditioner (YEAH!!!)

So life is beginning to return to order after once again having the house in disarray
- Sterilite containers are lining the closets
- Diapers and wipes are stock piled in the boys' closet (yes we go through A LOT of diapers in a day - size 4 - size 3 - size 1 and don't forget the overnight diapers since they are boys and they seem to pee out of every other diaper at night)
- Clothes are organized and put away (put drawers do not have labels because Bob said I wasn't allowed to label their drawers . . . how completely wrong is that I ask you - doesn't he know that labels and Sterilite containers make me happy)
- Avery's room is coming together
- I can now see our laundry room floor
- and our home is once again feeling like a home rather than a disaster zone.

So that is our life right now - I know some of you have asked to see a picture, but unfortunately we are not allowed to publish pictures of the boys on-line, so you will just have to take my word for it that they are adorable little guys that will melt your heart. Please continue to pray for these little guys and their mom and dad. It is a sober realization when you stop and think just how hard it must be for these little guys to be taken from everything they have ever known and dropped into a place and with people you know nothing about or have never even seen before in your life. They have done remarkably well, but it is going to be a long road for these little guys. So thank you again for everything you have done.

In Christ's service - Lisa