Man, do I love this little guy! There is just something about him, he has such a charming, loving, engaging personality. He is just fun. He laughs, makes silly faces, makes up games. One of his newest games is he’ll have something in his hand and then pull his hand into his sleeve. Then he asks, “Where?” with his other hand up, out with palm up for added effect 😉 I am just flat out crazy for him. Whupped. Wrapped.
All of our adoption experiences have been so different. In fact, our experiences with all of our children has been completely different. With some, love has come so easily, naturally. With others it has needed more time to bloom. It’s crept up, slowly and often caught me by surprise. And with others, the love has come quickly, effortlessly, but other things, personality conflicts, bad behaviors, have made things more difficult. There is no doubt in my mind, that regardless of how I “feel” about each child or each relationship at a given moment, that God has a plan. Each child was meant to not only fill my life with joy and blessings (chaos and occasional sorrow also ;)) but to teach me things, mold me, change me more and more into a person that God can use for His purposes. While sometimes I don’t allow myself to be molded easily, and often I make my own life more difficult by trying to do things my way, I can see how God is constantly changing me, slowly, purposefully. I fail many times, but God patiently waits for me to get up, dust myself off, ready to have another go at it. This time, His way.
Oh wow! Great post.. Jude is a Ham! You are very lucky momma..All your kids are so cute! You are so right God uses each little person in our lives to not only enrich it but make us better people too. Love your post!
I would love to copy and paste your post to my blog – I feel the exact same way. I know God has a purpose for my girls and a plan for me!
Very perfectly and beautifully put, Stefanie! I just posted something very similar on my site…this adoption has certainly worked on issues in my heart!
Jude is a doll!
Laine
Great post, Stefanie!! And I too, am reminded time & time again, how *patient* He is with me! 😉
I keep focusing on the fact that He is helping me become the person He intends me to be! I just don’t think He realized just how much work I really am! lol! 😉
You know just how to put into words what I feel…you have a true gift!
I love following along with your family. God is so good…isn’t He?
Oooh, what a beautiful post, so eloquently stated – just perfect. Thank you for sharing and your little Jude is simply precious. thank you for always inspiring me and challenging me.
Hugs,
Heather
What a little cutie pie!
I love your post… it touched my heart.
Amen sister!
I totally agree and understand!
Remember when God was teaching me that love is a VERB, and not ALWAYS a feeling?
Here we are 3.5 months since Gotcha Day and as always, Faithful God has moved many mountains!
Blessings,
Holly McDaneld
Beautiful child and beautiful post. As a Mom of four, soon to be five I can relate.
April
Lovely post…as always!
Isn’t it wonderful they are all so different! We wait for Paisley and wonder how she will fit into our slightly crazy family. Will she be shy or outgoing, will we attach to her and her to use with ease or will it be a long hard haul?
We are all blessed…sometimes we just dont dee the forest through the trees!
hayley
What a cutie he is…now wonder you are wrapped around his little finger!!! Beautiful post..
Perfectly put Stephanie! You are such an awesome mom and your family is so inspirational. Enjoy the season with all of your precious children.
This post is filled with all the reasons I love you- you are just an amazing person with such a deep connection to what life is really all about…
Love, of course, the Jude photos- what a cutie! Can’t wait to meet him :O)
You inspire me with your faith, writing, and parenting insights. Beautiful post!
Very beautifully and eloquently said. I must say, “ditto”
You have a lovely family. I enjoy your blog.
Missy
Amen! As painful as it is, I am so thankful that God is sovereign and knows exactly when and how to break us as parents and re-shape us in HIS image! Beautiful pictures of Jude….