Jumping

Horsey Mouth

Sawyer's breath is taken away by my "horsey lips!" Ryley isn't the best cameraman...but we still love him.

No Licking! Sawyer and his Macy

Macy is (and always will be) in love with her boy. I knew they would be good together.

Summit VI Conference

So there is this organization we support called "Show Hope," which is a movement to care for orphans, founded by Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman. They send me updates regularly with stories, opportunities, etc. Last year they sent information about a conference called "Summit," which is an adoption and orphan care advocacy conference hosted by the Christian Alliance for Orphans.

Last week I had an update...and I found out that Summit VI will be in MINNEAPOLIS. I instantly thought I needed to find a way to attend. The Chapmans will be keynote speakers during this 2 day conference, as will John Piper. The day is filled with breakout training sessions on all aspects of caring for orphans, including local church ministry, adoption, foster care, and global orphan care.

The practical side of me wonders how I could make this happen...especially since I will still be breastfeeding Sawyer. Moms out there who breastfeed know how challenging being away from your newborn can be.

And you may be wondering why I care so much about getting involved. Was there an event in my life that made me so burdened for orphans? Do I know someone who was orphaned? Of course, all compassionate people feel bad for orphans. But I have a real burden to do something about it...and I have no reason other than I feel a calling.

Will you pray for me? I want to be useful in caring for these precious fatherless children. In whatever capacity God intends me to. I feel so ill-equipped, and I need to step out in faith to follow God's voice.

http://www.christian-alliance-for-orphans.org/summit/

Invitation to Summit VI from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

To My Readers

I just wanted to say thanks for reading! This blog has been really healthy for me...I've always been able to write better than I can speak, and sometimes it's so much easier to get my point across through the written (or typed) word.

If you are reading this, please let me know! You may be someone I know very well, someone I know a little, or someone I don't know at all. I'd love to hear from you! So if you could take the time to comment, I'd love to hear how you got to my blog if I don't know you, or maybe how you met me if I do. Also, I'd love to know any or all of the following:

1. Is there anything you need prayer for?
2. How is God moving in your life right now?
3. What are you passionate about/what is the calling you have on your life?
4. Any words of wisdom to share about parenting?
5. Do you have a story to share...funny or inspiring?

Growing Our Family

Sawyer is 3 months old now, and already people are asking about our future plans to add to our family. I go back and forth...we still feel a strong desire to adopt, but we just don't know when or how. Before I unexpectedly became pregnant, I resolved that if I never went through the pregnancy experience I would be fine with that. But after having an easy pregnancy where I felt so healthy and stayed fit, I find myself hoping I can experience it again. Never mind the labor and delivery that was much more challenging than I thought it'd be, and a long road to healing because of third degree lacerations and tearing. And of course, every pregnancy is different, too, so I can't plan on the same experience. Besides being a joy like every baby is, I'm sure you've heard me talk about how easy Sawyer has been so far, especially in the sleep department. So I can say that after I have had a baby, now I have caught "baby fever."

But then my heart is broken all over again for the orphans around the world. There are millions of them in a wide array of situations....caught in the middle of feuding governments, some in poor orphanage conditions, the weak and broken "unadoptable," the older waiting child. And I wish we could see a world where it is easier for good families to be blessed with adding these children to their families.

Adoption has been a constant on my mind for the past 3 years. There are so many challenges, issues that are beyond my understanding and cannot be collectively explained, but are so situational depending on the birth country, birth family, race and ethnicity, and each individual child. No situation the same, but all needing homes.

Our hope for adoption continue to be heavy on my heart. My greatest hope is that our rural lakes region would be transformed by opening our homes to orphans...for the right reasons. In our family, let God's will be done...for His glory.

Moby

I just want to say...I love my Moby Wrap, and so does Sawyer. I spent weeks agonizing over a carrier that I wanted to use, and once I had it narrowed down to a wrap, I chose the Moby because it was very reasonably priced (around $40). I chose to go with this style of carrier because there are about 10 different ways to carry your little one from preemie to 35 pounds, and unlike some other types of carriers, it's one size fits all.

Just one of the many things that makes my life easier and Sawyer's life a little more easy going.

Family Visiting

This last weekend we took a trip over to my dad's house. From there, we visited my grandparents, whom we haven't seen for two years. It was so good to see them, but sad that it had to be such a quick visit. We were pressed for time since Ryley has been busy hauling soybeans to Fargo, ND. I didn't take any pictures of Sawyer with my dad or stepmom, though...but it is always so hard to say goodbye to them each time we get together. Something about having a baby and knowing how quickly they change...I wish they were closer.

Sawyer and his Aunt Molly...she is so good with him! She just jumps right in and knows what to do. We went to church yesterday and Sawyer was getting a little loud, and so she just took him out while Ryley and I got to listen to the sermon. Rachel (her real name) is such a blessing to all of us...and she is an amazing aunt. She will be a phenomenal mama someday. We love her so much!

My dad and stepmom watched Sawyer while we went on a date! Although I didn't really want to leave him because I love being with him, I know we needed to have some time alone. We went to a movie and had some dinner at the restaurant where we had our first date. We had great conversation, and Ryley shared his heart about being Sawyer's papa. He was saying that he didn't really understand why some men complain about changing their child's diapers or taking care of their child(ren) on their own...that he thought it was a privilege and a blessing to have the responsibility. I am so glad he is the father of my child and my future children! A whole new depth to my love for him.

Sawyer with Great Grandma

And great grampa...where we get our blue-gray eyes from, I think! (if Sawyer's don't change)

A Boy and His Papa

Watching the love of my life with our precious baby boy. Life doesn't get sweeter that this.

Long Sawyer Video

Nothing spectacular, just a normal moment with Sawyer.