Surprise!

God has a funny way of changing our best laid plans and then sometimes changing them again.  We thought we had figured out how our family would be built, but the Lord has surprised us yet again.  On New Years Eve, we learned God had preformed a miracle: we are expecting!  Not only will we get to start our family this year, but all three of us will be sharing a cake as baby is due in August.

Since you are reading this on our blog, you are probably wondering, like others, "Are you guys still adopting?"  Absolutely we are!  We talked with our agency and they said we need to wait 6 months after the birth before we can resume the process.  We appreciate everyone's love, support and prayers on our journey!  This is still an on-going process, as it won't be long before we are a waiting family again.

This blog will be updated for adoption purposes only, but we will be posting pregnancy updates on our Facebook group (The JaM Expansion Project).

To God be the glory.
~JaM

Quarterly Adoption Training - February 2013 Edition

We had our second training session a few weeks ago.  We learned about medications that can and cannot be given to our child when we are in the 6 month "waiting" period before finalization.  We will also be having to document every medication given and every dosage given.  It does seem a little overwhelming, but I understand the reasoning behind it.

They also showed us a video presentation from some prenatal exposure experts.  These researchers have been studying the prenatal exposure effects of drugs, alcohol, vaccines, etc.  It was a very interesting presentation and surprisingly, not as scary as I thought it would be.  Obviously, smoking, drugs, and alcohol are not good for an unborn baby, but I was surprised at how low the percentages were of the birth defects or mental retardation.  Anyways, they have a whole website of information if you would like to see.

We were also given a "list" of the expectant mothers they are currently working with.  Last time, there were 7 mothers and 11 couples.  This time, there were 5 mothers and 9 couples.  Doing the math (and because she told us), they placed two babies in December!!  How awesome is that!?!  I believe it will be awhile until our baby comes home, but it is always good news that there are placements happening and families forming!

Not much else going on right now besides waiting.  We have been wanting to get a dresser for the nursery, but any decent ones are $500-$600.  So I will continue searching craigslist in hopes of finding a used one for closer to half that! 

Thank you again for your support and prayers through this journey.  Please also being praying for our friends, the Kings & Hallocks as they have been told their wait will be another 3-6 months longer.  I know how hard the waiting is; to be so close to the end you can taste it and then be told it will be even longer would be a hard thing for me to take.  I know God has a plan in all our situations; we just have to keep the faith and rely on Him.

Puzzle Progress!

Just wanted to show you some of our puzzle progress!

The hardest part is not only finding where the pieces go, but trying to keep the groups together.  (I bet once we get into the actual elephants themselves, it will be even harder...)  We have two more families to put together as of now and hopefully will have those done by the weekend!  So very blessed by those who love and support us on this journey!  :)

To Whom It May Concern

Why are you so far from me?
In my arms is where you ought to be
How long will you make me wait?
I don't know how much more I can take

I missed you
But I haven't met you
Oh but I want to
How I do

Slowly counting down the days
Till I finally know your name
 ...

 I missed you
But I haven't met you
Oh but I want to
How I do, How I do

I've missed you
But I haven't met you
Oh how I've missed you
But I haven't met you
Oh but I want to
Oh how I want to

Dear who ever you might be
I'm still waiting patiently

 ~ The Civil Wars

The Gift

Thought this story was too beautiful not to share! Praying that our story will look something like this!!

Thanksgiving = Thankfulness

Wow, it has been close to 2 months since we last posted. I will try to get better at it...

I have seen a few people make November (the month of Thanksgiving) their month of thankfulness and want to join the bandwagon. I know for me, and probably a lot of people, we get so wrapped up in our situation and our circumstances, that we forget to slow down and reflect on what we are thankful for. So, each day this month, I am going to talk about something I am thankful for.

Since today is the 1st of November, I thought I would talk about what is first in my life that I am thankful for - Jesus. Now, to some that may just seem like the typical Christians' Sunday School answer, but it is true. I have struggled and cried and been depressed and He has helped me through it all!!  I don't know where I would be without His constant love and strength to get me through it.  Thank you Jesus for all you have done, all you are doing, and all you will do through me and the world!!



The 1st of November is also the start of National Adoption Month.  (I knew I could tie this in).  As a Christian, we know that God the Father has adopted us all into His family - another thing we should be thankful for!  This Sunday - being the first Sunday of National Adoption Month - is Orphan Sunday.  This is a time to look at the orphan situation around the world, around our country and around the block.  Now not everyone is called to adopt, but as Christians, we are all called to care for the least of these (including orphans).  So, if you don't feel the calling to adopt, you can still care for those down the street or across the earth.  You can do this by supporting (emotionally or financially) another family who is adopting or has adopted.  Most families have some sort of fundraiser as the cost of adopting is fairly high.  If you need some ideas, just let me know, but here are two families close to use who are both adopting from the Congo.  Pray about it, talk it over with loved ones, and think about supporting them.

The Kings
They are in the process of adopting a 2 year old boy (Jude).  They have a t-shirt fundraiser (the link) or Jacki is sewing like crazy with cute things you can buy to also support them.

The Hallocks
They are in the process of adopting a 4-5 year old girl (Harper Judith).  They also have a t-shirt fundraiser.

Hey Jude!

Watch this video. Share the video EVERYWHERE. Give $1 or 2. Help the Kings bring home their son Jude from the Congo through this website! Fundraiser ends this Sunday (9/9) at midnight.

(Double click in the frame for full screen)