Thanksgiving

Today was our first Thanksgiving as a little family. We had breakfast together and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Maggie couldn't take her eyes off of the tv and she was constantly saying "WoW! Wow!" We then watched the dog show that came on right afterwards. Puppies are her favorite things right now. Everything with legs is a puppy (and anything with feathers is a ducky). She eventually went down for her nap. I ran up to the gas station to grab a paper, just for the ads. Didn't really see much of anything that I just couldn't live without, and especially not to be in line for a 4am opening. Thanks but, no thanks...I appreciate my sleep too much these days!

I decided to try a new WW recipe for pumpkin pies and Maggie helped me every step of the way. There was a huge mess in the end, but we had lots of fun and the pies were yummy!

We then started pulling out all the Christmas decorations. Michael kept saying - this should be interesting. The Queen of Touching Everything rules the house right now. She has to investigate and touch and move and look at every single thing. Those who know me, know that I go all out at Christmas...and this year will be no exception. I am determined to make it work :) I even put a little tree in her room. She keeps walking around saying "lights, lights" She even kissed the snowman nightlight "night-night" tonight before heading off to bed. Such a sweetie.

We decided to put off putting up the big tree until after she went to bed. What a surprise she will find tomorrow morning when she wakes up. And I can't wait :)

As I sift through all my Christmas items and remember where I put things last year, there is just this overwhelming sense of joy that comes over me. Joy because Maggie Joy is here with us! The miracle that we were believing for last Christmas is a reality this year. We are celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with our daughter. My heart is so full.

As we celebrate this day, I am reminded to be thankful in ALL things and at ALL times...even when we don't want to be thankful or know how to be. Our Heavenly Father has blessed us with so much. I just pray that we don't take it for granted, and that we never forget what Christ has done for His children.

May the Lord bless you and your family during this holiday season. Here's to family, friends, hopes, blessings and miracles!

Confusion....

Trial is set for January 16th...
Trial is set for March 16th....
Trial is set for January 6th....

....um....ok...well, which date is it? Three different answers from 3 different agencies. It really is quite confusing and as well as I do with keeping it straight, the real issue is that no one talks to each other and therefore confusion sets in.

Last night, Maggie's new CPS caseworker stopped by for a short visit. I had not met him before, but he was present at Maggie's visitation with her birth mother. He was nice enough ~ very quiet, didn't say much. I felt like I had to do all the talking, which is not normally a problem, but you also want to be careful about what you say/don't say to the caseworkers. You don't want to ask the wrong questions or bring up things you're not supposed to know (note to self: remember to NOT say this or that). He was very hard to read, well, they all are. Thankfully Maggie was in a good mood and the visit didn't last long. I try my best to not read into things, but again, easier said than done.

As of right now, pre-trial is scheduled for some day in January (he didn't know the exact date) and that trial is scheduled for March 16th (oh ok...that's where that date fits in). He also said that there is another PPT conference the week before Christmas. My gut tells me that this will be a big push for Maggie's bio-mom to get a visit. The judge has said that no visits can take place without a play therapist present, and since Maggie doesn't turn 2 until the end of January, no one will see her before then. We're hopeful that the holidays don't change the judge's mind ~ which happens alot. It's soooo frustrating to see a system who says that their goal is to do what is best for the child, and yet children are put through visitations that are unhealthy, or worse yet, returned to biological parents who can barely take care of themselves, let alone another person.

Something is so terribly wrong with our system and it's processes. I have friends who are still waiting for adoptions to be finalized 18 months after the fact and worse yet, friends who have had children removed from the best environment for them. It doesn't make sense. The only thing I can cling to is that God is in control. Nothing is a surprise to Him. He has all of us right where we are supposed to be. This walk of faith, we call life, isn't easy...but if it were, then what would faith be?

So, even though there is alot of confusion with the system and our adoption process...one thing I am completely clear on is this....

Jesus KNOWS me....this I LOVE!

Court Update

The court hearing went really well yesterday. We had a visiting judge, which could have been a disaster, but it wasn't! Bio-mom has taken 2 parenting classes (since May) and did complete the psych evaluation, but the results aren't back yet. Judge said that no more visitations could take place, unless a play therapist was present during the visit. However, there aren't any play therapists who will see Maggie due to her age (have to be at least 2, and usually 3)...so it's a loophole. This was our biggest concern. We did not want any more visits, due to how Maggie responded to the last one. The judge was informed that Maggie is in the best place possible and that she is with the family that wants to adopt her. The judge was happy to hear that.

The next court date is set for 1/16/09 and this will be the trial for termination of rights. This will be 6 months to the day that Maggie has been in our home...and we KNOW that this is no coincidence, as the state requires that the child be in your home for 6 months before you can file for adoption. Isn't it neat to see how God works everything in His perfect timing? We were happy to hear that the next court date is the trial, as usually there is at least 1, if not 2, more hearings before this takes place. However, due to the severity of the case and Maggie's young age, they aren't going to prolong it any longer. Everyone is on board with termination, and the only person who thinks the bio-mom should get Maggie back is bio-mom.

We have been assigned a new case worker. He is apparently very young and a newbie...so that's probably a good thing, as he'll be really "excited" to be a part of making the system better, etc. We were told to not anticipate hearing much between now and the trial, as things are winding down and they have all the information they need.

Thanks for your prayers! God listened!

Verses I claim tonight

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory." Ephesians 3:20-21

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

"Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." John 16:24

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

"The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

"Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul." Psalms 143:8

Court on Monday

We have another court date on Monday, the 10th, at 9:30am. We would appreciate your prayers as we continue on the road of adopting Maggie.

This hearing is basically to check in on if the biological mother is doing anything that the court has asked her to do (which to our understanding is a big NO!) and to make sure that no more visitations are granted. We have been informed that our case is being reassigned to another caseworker after the hearing. Not sure if this is good or not...guess we'll find out, but it's the nature of the system.

Again, we will not be present in the courtroom, due to safety and security issues involving the bio mom finding out who we are and where Maggie is.

God is in control and He already knows how the morning will go, but we do appreciate your prayers as we wait. We'll be sure to update you after we know something.

We are so thankful for all your prayers, encouragement and support along our journey. We are blessed!

Seven Prayers A Day

I read alot of blogs (don't we all?) and one of my favorite's is Angie Smith's. Her most recent post really encouraged me. The post is about how we can be praying specifically for our children.

One of the most important things I am priveleged to do as a mother is to pray for my child every day.

Here are the 7 prayers for 7 days that I'm joining in with Angie: (even though some of these might not apply to Maggie, due to her young age, I feel it's never too early to start!)

1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring Maggie word of your unfailing love, for she has put her trust in You. Show her the way she should go, for to you she lifts up her soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)

2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help her bear with others and forgive whatever grievances she has against others. Help her forgive as the Lord forgave her. And over all these virtues, help her put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)

3. While they are eating: "Teach Maggie the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach her that she can do everything through him who gives her strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)

4. When they go out of the house: "Maggie, do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)

5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give Maggie clean hands and a pure heart, and let her not lift her soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let her receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God her Savior. Let her be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)

6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that Maggie will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that she may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which she shines like a star in the universe as she holds out the word of life-in order that she may boast on the day of Christ that she did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Ephesians 2:14-16)

I know God is able to do incredible things in and through our children. May God bless each of us as we try to do our best in bringing them up in the ways of the Lord.

Lately....

I feel as if I never have enough time....

my house is a wreck, books and magazines are unread, bills aren't filed away, pictures aren't posted, beds aren't made, clothes are waiting to be put away, pantry is empty, flowers are wilting....

...but my girl is smiling and laughing, running and playing, hugging and kissing, giggling and jibber-jabbering....

and I couldn't be happier about not having enough time.