Still Waiting!

Hi, we have no new news to report. We are still waiting for word about a baby. Our profile books were sent to some agencies in Texas. There are some mothers due soon down there. I don't know what soon means but I'm hoping it means soon!!! We still continue to think about this baby, especially when I am around other babies and look at how that baby fits into the family. Our agency worker leaves Monday to pick up her newest child in Haiti. They have been waiting over 2 years for this child. What a wonderful blessing for them!!!

I've told some this news but my brother is getting married in Las Vegas in February. At first it was just him and his fiance going, then their parents and their children and now it is her three siblings, partners and kids in one case, three or four friends and me. My brother worried I was being left out so he is paying my way there. I told him I might have to leave if we got a call about a baby so he knows I might not be able to go. My plane ticket ended up free because of points my dad had on a credit card so now I won't feel too bad if I can't go. Kind of adds an element of intrigue to the whole thing.

Keep us in prayer for a baby to be matched to us. I check your blogs but my computer is acting up again and I can't leave comments usually. I found out we can get high speed internet now but we can't really afford that right now so hopefully next school year. God Bless.

Slow to Think

James 1:19-20 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
I think this could have slow to think added to it but there is a verse that says to take captive every thought. I am quick to think all manners of things about what others are thinking of me. I can read something into every look or word not spoken or spoken. I sometimes have a problem with this. It can make a person paranoid which thankfully I'm not that far gone:). I wondered after the baby we were presented who had two schizophrenic parents what brought them to that place? Could it have been a self-consciousness of what everyone around them was thinking and saying? And then it grew and grew. God is gracious though and has opened my eyes to this flaw of mine. I am going to work harder at being a light and not hindering God's work by imagining all sorts of things.

The due date was yesterday for the Alabama mom and we haven't heard anything. I'm still praying she'll let someone know either way, if she is going through with it or not. I wonder though because her medical records say she was due Feb 20th so maybe we have some more time. I'm thinking it will help us get some more financing together. I got a call from a grant place yesterday needing more information and they can't give us the grant this week. It has to go through the right process. So maybe we'll be able to get it done if we have a little more time. Please pray for God to put into place whoever he has planned for our home. Thank you!!!

Bag of change

Here is the bag of change from the party Friday night. The kids did love seeing it in the morning and got busy counting it. They even went and added their piggy bank money which was $17 because a few had birthdays lately. What a pack of givers I have. So the grand total was $154.00. Praises to the Lord for His work in His people. We are continuing to prepare for rain in that we washed a few baby sleepers in pink and in blue because you just never know. We continue praying for the Alabama mother to make the right decisions and for the baby's health and for God to help us raise up the funds for this. Please keep us in your prayers

Preparing for Rain

We are fond of the expression "preparing for rain" after watching the movie "Facing the Giants". There was a story of two men praying for rain but only one man prepared his crops to receive the rain. That is our motto this week as we prepare for what God may have in store for us. Kevin and I were in Wal-mart today and I thought we should have the basics for a new baby; onesies, socks and newborn hats and a new sleeper that the baby would come home in. Kevin saw a soft, cute, pink snowsuit for a newborn and wanted it. So, we have prepared for rain. If we get a call to go I won't have to think on those things.

Tonight I was blessed with a surprise. I was told I was going to a night out where others were going to share their adoption experiences. Well, I was the only one to share and it was a party for me and our adoption!!!! I did not expect that. Children gave money from their piggy banks and I was blessed by friends who were there and a very nice devotion by the famous Mrs. Biby:) God is very good to us. Amy had a Creative Memories project and is sharing the proceeds from her party with us for the adoption. I thank you all who were there and shared themselves and gave so lovingly. I have this very heavy bag of change that my kids are going to love when they wake in the morning. One more way to show the kids how God uses other people. Thanks Jana for driving and for everything.

Psalm 92:4 For You, Lord, have made me glad through your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands.

We made it..... to the vet, that is!

OK, I have to tell you how this happens every year. Every year I take some cats to the vet to get rabies and distemper for my daycare license. Every year they make out a card for each one. This year like every other year she is asking if we brought Mississippi, no, she ran away. Do you have Spotty, Jr.? No, he ran away. Do you have Gray Cloud? No, he ran away, came back and then was gone again. We only had one of the cats that we gave shots to last year. Well, we get them shot up and I am putting Big Two Stars back in the kennel and she bolts and I can't get her back. Of course, she does this after I've spent $20 on her shots. Isn't that something? We'll see which cats we have next year!!!! :) Gideon thought they were going to be shot, as in killed and he didn't like it. He went along though and saw the process and was actually waiting for the vet to get bit by the dog.

We are waiting to see what the Lord's plan is for us. The birthmom is due next week and we need prayer for her to make a decision that is right for her and the baby. Pray for nothing to hinder her decision. Pray also for the baby's good health. Thank you and God Bless.

Icy Roads

Icy roads kept us from getting to the vet. We'll try tomorrow. Kevin saw two people in the ditch on the way to work. I posted awhile ago about Isaac's stomach aches but maybe I wasn't clear what the doctor said. He had migraine like headaches with cramping. I thought it might be a food allergy. I took him to a homeopathic chiropractor and he adjusted his neck, hence, no headaches since and gave us a tincture for the parasites he believed to be plaguing his stomach. He said to watch for extreme cramping and then he'd have to go to the bathroom right away. While he did have quite a bit of cramping on Monday, he didn't ever go to the bathroom so anyway, yesterday we believe something happened. The doctor is pretty sure that is why he is anemic and not gaining weight when he can out eat anyone in our house. Maybe he'll even eat less because he'll actually be getting the food and keeping the calories and vitamins and such. We've been doing some hands on praying for this kid this week. It would sound funny to most people but "Please Lord let the cramping come on real strong" isn't what most people ask for their kid.

We sent out many letters this week asking for prayer for birthmother and baby and the financial aspect. We have asked that if anyone feels they can contribute they can to a bank account we set up especially for this. All money donated will go to this fund and in the event adoption doesn't happen all money will be returned as far as we are able. Donations can be made to Kevin Blazek and sent to US Bank, 502 2nd Ave. N, Wahpeton, ND 58075. Or our agency will work with us to give people a chance to make a tax-deductible donation (non-returnable if the adoption doesn't happen) by sending to God's Children Adoption Agency, 23592 Ridgewood Circle, Fergus Falls, MN 56537. If anyone sent to the agency our name could be nowhere on the check but a note included in the envelope. We have about $13,000 to raise yet out of about 23,000 total cost. Please pray for God's work to be done in the raising of this.

I received an email from a friend today that spoke to what goes on in this adoption process and life with many people to care for actually. " What does it mean to be still? Scripture tells us to “seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and all these things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33) Go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to quiet your soul as you plan your life. It not what the Lord can give us- it is who He is that calms our soul. Worship instead of worry is the key to a still soul ready to hear the Lord’s call. Scripture assures us of this plan in Matthew 6:34 “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” " These are words to reassure me that I am not to walk around worried and trying to make this adoption happen because I believe it should. I haven't figured out how to do that anyway:)!!!!!

Just checking in to say hi!

Hi, I'm sitting here while Kevin is doing bookwork, kids are in bed minus two anyway. My two oldest girls were invited by a friend to go to the Home School Day at the Capital tomorrow. I'm quite excited for them. There will be visits with the Governor and many others. North Dakota is one of the strictest home school states and they are working on legislation for 2009 when the laws are going to be changed, and we are praying for the better. Tomorrow is a chance to make a difference and influence some of the lawmakers. I'll be praying they are on their best behavior. Isaac may have passed his parasite, something happened anyway. It wasn't quite the way the doctor said it would happen but we'll find out Monday when he goes for a check-up. I'll be so happy, he can be on the road to gaining weight and getting some good nutrients in him. Isaac could use the 11 pounds that Hudson gained over on http://steppingoutoftheboat.blogspot.com. Way to go baby Hudson!!

I am taking some animals to the vet for their shots tomorrow. I have to leave the house at 8:15 a.m. and I have no older girls to help me!!!! What was I thinking? I have to do it for my daycare license.

Here's a cute kid saying (I know I've told a few people this one). When Gideon went to bed the other night he asked if he could have his sister Riah's phone number. It all goes back to a couple nights before this when observing them being so kind to each other I told him I hope you are close to your sister when you are big and when your married you call her up and say "Hi, sis, how are you, I love you. How are your kids doing? etc." He wants her phone number so he can call her some day. I told him I'd make sure he got it when she gets a number. She's only 3. That's our life right now. Our agency wrote and they want our profile books so they can send them out to some other agencies. Other than that no new news. God Bless.

Prayer Cover

"In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Ephesians 3:12

We've let our church family know our needs for our adoption so this week many prayers should be going out to the Lord on our behalf. What a wonderful thing that is to think on. We are continuing to pray for the birthmom to contact the agency. I am trying to get clarification on her due date too. The medical records say a different date than I've been told. We heard from our agency today and praises go out that a family has come forward for the Florida baby. Part of me felt sick that I may have made the wrong choice in not taking her. Did we lose our chance at a baby? But, quickly enough I know that I'm not in control of this.

Please pray for the birthmom to call. Pray for the baby's health. Pray for God to show His hand to us and to find another baby if this Alabama one isn't for us. Pray for grants we applied for to come in sooner than they estimate so that we could be ready when the call comes. That is a lot to ask I know. If you find the time when you're reading this to take a moment to pray these things I would be grateful. May God receive all the glory for this adoption and the journey he has brought us on to get this far. Thank You!

Pray without ceasing. 1Thessalonians 5:17

We are going to wait it out!

We are planning to wait for the Alabama mother to either call and say no or wait until the baby is born and see what she will do. We said no to the other baby for now. I did say we would consider her again after we feel more sure about the Alabama baby. So, we are praying for God to show us what will happen with the first mother. We might be being naive since our agency has a lot more experience with these things than we do but that is where our heart is right now. Sometimes I want to feel so anxious for it to happen for us but then I feel a peace that says wait and see what I have planned for you.

James 1:4-5 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Just another step in the process. God uses these situations to refine us. Sometimes we say we don't want to be refined, we've been through enough but then we look to the cross and can anything we go through ever be comparable.

Does anyone know about....?

Do any of you know about genetics linking schizophrenia in both the mother and father to a baby? We've been presented with another baby due Feb. 9. The mother is self-diagnosed schizophrenic with cerebral palsy and the father is diagnosed schizophrenia and has mental and emotional problems so much so he lives in some sort of care facility. I looked up schizophrenia and am having trouble finding an article I can actually read about the genetic predisposition for an infant. The Alabama baby's mother isn't communicating with anyone so she has probably changed her mind. Now what though? I am praying for clear direction in this. Will the mother in Alabama call and tell someone yes or no so we can put that out of our mind? And how do we know what God's wants with this new situation. If you could think to pray for these situations I would appreciate it. I am praying for His clear direction. Praise the Lord a possible family is found for a little boy with a serious skin condition.

Fundraising skirt project.

The Queen and her children came over Friday for a skirt making day. Jana had made these skirts for our girls and hers when we went on a trip together to the Black Hills. We decided they would make a good fundraiser for our adoption. Jana showed Jordan how to do it because frankly I can't sew. I did get a D in home-ec for the sewing part. I get a headache looking at it. Jordan is a natural of course, takes after her father in the fine arts department. We are making about 7 different patterns. Some are shown on the left and as we get them made I will post more. We will be linking to a blog of it's own. So, please spread the word and we'll start sewing.

I haven't heard from our agency today. Sad news is the birthmom has fallen off the radar for the time being. She could show up again after the baby is born but at this point we don't know. It is a bit up in the air which is the way of adoption anyway, it could change at anytime. We are praying for God's will to be done and are praying for the mother to make the choices that are right for her and the baby both for adoption and healthwise. She is very depressed and I believe this could affect her decision if she is not thinking clearly and thinking only with emotions.

Facing the Giants

If you haven't seen the movie you must. We just finished watching it and what a moving movie and message. We all truly enjoyed it. I faced a giant of sorts this week and am seeing God at work. He gave me the verse Matthew 11:25 And wherever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. I was not letting God have something and he kept showing me in a lot of different ways what I was to do and I kept thinking I couldn't do what he asked but, he gave me the courage and now I can move on from that and know that I am in fellowship with Him again. It is hard when we try to be in control and keep failing but stubbornly think we still have control. It can be a lie we keep telling ourselves. Sometimes I have the hardest time with the phrase "letting go of something and giving it to God". I'll think I have done that and it will keep coming back to me again and again. It is what I allow to keep happening. We need to take captive every thought and I know that I don't do that when I let something keep coming back to me. I am praising the Lord for not giving up on me.

Please pray as we continue to face challenges in the adoption process and in other areas of our life that God would have us grow some more in. I have to keep remembering His ways are not ours and we need to trust Him in the good and the bad. Like in the movie, they were going to Praise God for the wins and Praise Him for the losses. Blessings!

Two for one!

We have a 2 for 1 in our family. Two sisters born on the same day, the first of January only they were 5 years apart. They were supposed to come the day before. I wasn't looking to have a New Year's Baby but I got two. At the time I was in labor with each girl I was hoping for Dec. 31st because I was ready to be done being pregnant at that time. It was a perfect present for Emily who was praying for a baby girl and now they nearly look like twins sometimes.

We have a praise today for Isaac. I took him to a homeopathic doctor and he found a parasite in Isaac. With some tincture and a little time, as little as two days or up to two weeks he may be free from stomach-aches. His neck was out and was adjusted so he may be headache free now too. I was so pleased with this doctor. He really knows what he is doing. I went too for my hormone imbalance and he found I was incredibly deficient in minerals. He would like to see me get them by eating more vegetables but gave me some liquid stuff to get a head start. If you have had several babies in a row or even in your life and have breastfed you may have the same deficiency and not realize it. He said "You mother's never think of yourself, just your children." Isn't that what life is about. I thought I was thinking of myself when I was eating all that chocolate and drinking Coke when I could. Silly me. I was very, very surprised I didn't have a sugar issue. He detected it in Isaac but not me and I'm the one who can eat a whole bag of peanut M&M's in about a week or less. My husband believes this doctor to be a bit too good-looking and was dismayed when I changed my hair today. I combed it so my bald spot and gray patch didn't show and I guess Kevin likes it because he didn't think I should wear it that way today!