Time Flies

I have been meaning to blog, but time just seems to escape me. It's not that I'm horribly busy...that I'm running around constantly or any of that. I have ideas of blog posts, and the next thing I know, its the end of the day, I'm tired and need to go to bed. It's funny, in some ways I am amazed at how much I can get done, and yet, am amazed at how little I get done. I guess it depends on my perspective.

While I was in Little Rock, I was blessed, and amazed to meet Becky's friends. Becky is such an awesome person, as are her friends. It truly was a joy to meet them. I came back telling Rich I wanted more "Becky" friends in my life. Friends who I could just be me with. Friends who will take me and my house exactly as they are, no comments made. I've been realizing that I have such friends. I'm really enjoying deepening and enjoying those relationships.

I was out for a walk today, and saw someone I would consider an acquaintance. She was so happy to meet me and see Naomi. It was really fun, and I'm hoping to have her over soon to develop more of a friendship. God just keeps emphasizing that I need to be more deliberate in my interactions with people and developing friendships.

I guess I just expected friends to be easy to make, like in college. The thing is, in college, we had time to just hang out between classes. We had study groups, classes together. We had lots of time together. As adults with families, we just don't have that much time in common. It takes effort and energy as well as good will to develop those friendships...so here's to more deliberate interactions...AGAIN! I feel like a broken record, but it just seems to be the way God is speaking to me of late.

Home at Last!

Well, we have been busy since arriving at home. Naomi did great on the flights and slept most of the time. Not a peep from her, which was great...I was so worried about her little ears during take off and landing, but neither seemed to phase her.

Things have been so hectic, I feel a little like I have been thrown to the beasts...Simeon and Trisha were both glad to see me after 2 weeks away, and totally excited to meet Naomi. Sunday we went to church. Oh my word, I thought we would never get out of there. It seems like we were stopped by everyone and their mother, on the way out. It was actually quite comical, and yet, such a blessing. Monday, we went to the pediatrician's. My little peanut is doing quite well growing. She was 5lbs 9oz already. She seems so big to me after getting her at 4.5 lbs...but then reality hits, she is still smaller than most newborns. We are dealing with a little bit of thrush...supposedly common with babies...

Tuesday, we took it easy and stayed home most of the day. Wait, we did adventure out to go grocery shopping. I also went for a nice long walk with Naomi in the wrap. I heart my stretchy wrap, as do most people I meet! I have showed/explained to so many different people about the wrap. It's great!

Today, we went apple picking this morning. Naomi slept through the whole thing, and Simeon expent some of his seemingly boundless energy. He is doing well adjusting to life with mom and baby. Our biggest struggle is keepingn him from smothering Naomi with love and kisses. Reminding him to wash his hands before touching her hands or face. He is a great helper. He has also been gung ho about homeschooling. I'm piece mealing my curriculum. Handwriting without tears for writing, Hooked on Phonics for reading, Math U See for math, and for science we are learning about different types of living beings ( ie mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds and insects).

Trisha is doing well. She loves Naomi and gets teary when she holds her. School is keeping her busy. She is getting involved with the drama club and getting ready for haunted hotel and the storybook character hayride. She is also considering trying out for the school play. Busy Busy I tell you.

Rich and I...well, we are getting used to interrupted sleep. We celebrated our 8 year anniversary on Monday. We are enjoying parenting our three very different children...15, 5 and newborn...nothing like experiencing all ages.

Okay, here's a picture, cause I know that's what you all want!

Going Home!

I have been so blessed by my stay in Little Rock. As I sit in my friend Becky's livingroom, I am just in awe of what God has done/is doing. I mean who knew when we first met in an infertility support message board, that I would end up spending so much time with her and her family. Becky and I met for the first time face to face in February '06 in Kansas city. We had so much fun together. At the time, she lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Rich and I were not ready to adopt again, and would never have dreamt that we would be doing a domestic adoption. God then moved Beck and Ken to Little Rock, and as doors to adopting in Haiti closed for us, Rich and I began looking at adopting domestically, and signed up with an agency in Little Rock, Arkansas. Still, we could have been matched with a woman from anywhere in the US...but God had other plans. All this to say, Becky and Ken, THANK YOU for being God's hands and feet. Thank you for extending your hospitality to me and Naomi. These first few weeks of her life will be treasured, as both new times in my life, but time spent with friends who get it! Thank you for your support when I was homesick and lonely. Thanks Beck for being that extra set of hands. Kaden, thanks for lending your room/personal space to me, Elaina, thanks for your happy go lucky self, and Ken, thanks for "putting" up with me and losing privacy after long days at work. You are all loved and appreciated!While I am glad to go back home, I will miss you all terribly! Beck, I will try to be better about keeping in touch...

That said, court is tomorrow at 2pm. Rich is arriving tomorrow around 11 am. We will be flying home to Manchester on Saturday, and are scheduled to arrive at the airport around 5pm...Sigh...

Thank you Jesus for this journey. If there's anything I've relearned, its that prayer is not the last recourse, but a powerful and effective tool. Thank you for the blessing of Naomi, and the Simon family.

Special shout out to Shey! Thanks my friend for all the running around and phone calls you made on my behalf.I truly appreciate it and have been praying for you! You are a God send and were truly a blessing as you ministered to me.

Nichole...I don't know if you will even come to read this...but thank you. Thank you for the gift of Naomi...thank you for your selfless and painful gift. Not a day will go by that I don't think of or pray for you. I meant what I said, call or text me, I will be glad to hear from you. I will be printing those pictures and mailing them to the agency! Be blessed sweet friend! Looking forward to hearing of the grand plans God has in store for you. You are loved beyond compare!

She opens her eyes....

What a doll!

Pictures just don't seem to do justice to how tiny our little princess is. Becky and I decided that a little comparison to a doll would help. The doll is a wee bit shorter than Naomi,but Naomi likes to be curled up....Isn't she just precious!

Big Girl!

Well, Naomi went to the Dr. today and we have great news. She is back to her birth weight of 4 lbs 11 oz. The dr is satisfied and just recommended a normal visit in one month...we will be having a well visit at our pediatrician's when we get home though. By the time we leave Little Rock, she should be able to ride in a normal carseat. Yeah! I can't tell you how relieved I am that she is doing so well. The nurses though well meaning really worried me about how much she should be eating...the dr. said she is absolutely fine. I feel like there's one less thing to stress about.

As for the court date...well...keep praying. The date they gave us was unacceptable, so we are praying that the agency's attorney will be able to work with the judge and get something sooner. Please keep your prayers coming. I'm getting pretty homesick, as is Rich! Thanks so much!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Birthday Richie! Happy Birthday Daddy! We just want to thank you for all you do! For your patience and effort while we are away from you. Both of us miss you and long to feel your arms around us! Thank you for being such a great provider. May God bless you abundantly today. Wish we were with you!

Love,
Jess and Naomi

She's Here

Sorry it has taken me so long. Naomi Abigail Lyric was born on Friday, September 5th at 11:39 central time. She weighed 4 lbs 11 oz and was 17 1/2 inches long.

Things are going fairly well. Please pray for her to gain weight. She has failed the carseat test and needs to pass. I was able to bring her home with a car bed however.

Please also pray for a quick court date. Right now, the court was giving dates way further than I can/am willing to wait or mooch off of hospitality! We really need a miracle!

THE Plan

Well, as of right now, the plan is for me to fly to Little Rock Saturday. N has a dr's appointment on Tuesday, if she doesn't go into labor before then. I'm looking forward to meeting her and spending some time with her. I can't wait to write that Naomi has made her entrance...in the meantime, we sit tight and wait...

The toothfairy has come and gone....

After lots of wiggling and a little bribing, Simeon let me pull his first tooth yesterday. He was so excited. This morning I woke up to cries of, " The toothfairy has come, look what she brought me," and, " I know you're the toothfairy Mom!" It's funny, we've told Sim the truth about Santa, toothfairy, Easter bunny...and yet, we still get all the fun and excitement, and no let down...Yeah for the toothfairy!