Monday, June 16, 2008

coming home




It's been 10 days since I wrote last, and each one that has passed has gotten us one day closer to today, which is the day that marks the end of the "change your mind" time for the birth mother. I felt such an overwhelming peace about her decision that I honestly haven't been living on pins and needles waiting for it to get here. But knowing that the final obstacle has been cleared simply serves to cement the permanence of Adrienne's place in our family. Her home is with us. She is a part of us forever.

The twenty days since we brought her home have been everything they should as we have gotten to know our baby, and we've jumped in head first to the world of adjustment, loving the good and the bad. Our greatest adventure so far has been going through with the vacation to Missouri that we had planned long before we knew about Adrienne. The seven hour car trip had it's bumps. In fact, it was mostly bumps with a few smooth places in between, but I wouldn't have traded getting to take her with us for anything. We found out she's a lake girl to the core. Each day we watched her live it up on the covered dock, taking most of her naps in the breezy outdoors while we played with Marianna in the lake. It was great. She had her first smiles, she cried some tears, she continued to sleep all through the night, Marianna poured out affection on her one minute, then completely forgot her the next. All of it was totally normal stuff, and it's exactly this kind of normal stuff that we've been praying for.

Can I say enough how grateful I am? No. I can't really get to the bottom of it myself. I just feel like we have been blessed beyond what anyone has ever been blessed, and the crazy thing is that I can say that after having lost Poppy just 6 months ago. Only God can do something like that. I know He works in different ways. I know that He works in ways I will never understand or be able to explain. But most of all, I know that He is faithful, and good, and loving, and merciful to an extent that my mind will never be able to comprehend. Yes, I am so grateful!

And as if there isn't enough, I'll add one more thing. Today I made all of arrangements to be able to go to Atlanta with 7 other moms who I've met through this journey. One of these moms had the terrific idea to get together and her plan is going to materialize at the end of this month. Again, just another part of this story that exemplifies God faithfulness to me.

I hope the purpose of this blog continues to be clear as long as I write. I am writing because I want to express what God has done. I want people to see the beauty that came from the death, disease and darkness that surrounded me. I want people to see hope in a world that doesn't see it often enough. I want to share the depth of the love that has covered me, protecting me from being drawn into despair and hopelessness. And through this love we have been given an actual life. Adrienne will always be a symbol of this love to me.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Are you taking the baby with you to Atlanta or leaving her at home?

Angie Wyatt said...

I am truly happy for you and your family! My nieces are also adopted and they are true Angels from GOD! They both came from different birth families, but to look at them you would never know it. I know that GOD hand picked them just for our family, just like he has hand picked Adrienne just for your family!! You have been truly Blessed!!

Love in Christ,
Angie
Southaven,MS

Angie said...

Adrienne and Marianna get to spend the weekend with their daddy and his side of the family while I'm away. They will actually be in Birmingham while I go to Atlanta, so I will definitely miss them all!

Michelle said...

Thank you for sharing! I am So happy for you and your family!

Michelle

Anonymous said...

Angie, I have a question for you. Maybe a topic for the next blog post? haha. I was wondering if you got to name Adrienne yourself, and if so, how you came up with the name?

Your family is beautiful. Much love to you all.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad this has happened to your family. You deserve nothing but good things. Your family is too cute. Love her name by the way! Also cute new blog!

Cathy said...

Angie, Adrienne is beautiful fitting in with your family so perfectly. I am praying for you to have a great weekend with your friends and many blessings to come from this. God is so AWESOME! Cathy & Annabel

Laurie in Ca. said...

Sweet Angie,

I feel your heart spilling love and gratitude all over the place in this post. I am so happy that you cannot describe the blessing that you feel:)
Oh, and the icing on the cake to be with all of "my girls" in Atlanta. Wow, this is awesome. Do you guys need a "Den Mother"? :) This is a big "sisterhood" and the thought of a big group of you together is just heavenly healing to my heart. Jesus will be with you in that place!!! I have been praying for the weekend to be more than anyone could possibly imagine, and knowing that you will be joining them, well, bring plenty of kleenex!! And I can't wait to see a "group shot" of my girls. I love you all and I love your news today that Adrienne is Officially cemented into your family forever. I had no doubts.

Love the pictures and hearing how normal adjustments are taking place.

Love, Laurie in Ca.

Anonymous said...

"I want people to see hope in a world that doesn't see it often enough. I want to share the depth of the love that has covered me, protecting me from being drawn into despair and hopelessness."

For me, THAT is the purpose of this blog. I've followed your story and been so encouraged by your words...congratulations on your beautiful family, and may God continue to richly bless you.

The O'Donnells said...

Angie,

Thanks so much for continuing to share...you are such an example to me!

Jennifer

Emily said...

I'm so happy for you all. Marianna looks like she if falling into being a wonderful big sister! What a blessing this precious little baby is to your family & I pray that everything continues to get better & better.
Emily

Katelyn said...

I am so incredibly happy for you and your family! I have an adopted sister and our relationship is fantastic and I couldn't imagine life without her - people have on occasion even thought we were twins (insane, I know). I cannot wait to see your two precious girls grow up together and form an unbelievable bond that only occurs through being sisters. Blessings on your family right now!

asplashofsunshine said...

How wonderful to be able to squeeze little cheeks again, to play with cute little toes, and soon to hear the sounds of baby giggles. CONGRATULATIONS!

Jen in Al said...

she is so beautiful! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! love the pic of her with Marianna! so glad you were able to make that trip. i think sometimes it really does give me a shot in the arm of confidence to make it through a challenging trip like that. being at home seems easier after that, you know?LOL:) i am so excited for all you special Mommies getting to have some special time together! So incredible how the Lord knits our hearts with others. thank you for continuing to write! Keep on keeping on...praying, jen in al

Erin said...

Even though I don't "personally" know you, I am so thrilled for your family and that you get to participate in the miracle of adoption. Our family is growing through adoption, too, and I can't describe the depth of the blessing it has been for my husband and I.

Kenzie said...

Angie-

I LOVE the pictures and all that God continues to do in your lives. I am so thankful that this day arrived, although, somehow it never crossed my mind that it wouldn't. God is so good! I can't wait to see you next week... it's going to be amazing.

Love you girl!
Kenzie

Anonymous said...

SO HAPPY FOR YOU! What a blessing God has given you! I am so encouraged by your story and the adoption process. God is good! Bless you all!!!!

Annie- Nashville

Jesse said...

What a beautiful addition to your beautiful family.

I'm so happy that God continues to bless and love on you. Just you sharing His love DOES show hope and His faithfulness to the reading world. =) Thank you for continuing to share.

Just Me said...

How exciting that you will be joining the other girls in Atlanta! What an amazing gathering that would be even without the wonderful event you will be attending!

I agree with Lisa that your blog is FULL of hope, love, and faith. I too love coming to your blog and being encouraged by your words.

Congratulations again on your precious Adrienne. Continued prayers to you and your family,
Amanda

tn_lizzie2000 said...

On June 16, Anonymous said...
I was wondering if you got to name Adrienne yourself, and if so, how you came up with the name?

I strongly suspect that at least Adrienne Christine's first name is in honor of someone special... Check here: Adrian
____________

Now, Angie ~ I am sooo thrilled for y'all! How perfectly normal (and yet such an incredible miracle at the same time) to have a family vacation!

Did Nathan survive the road trip as well as your girls did? I pray for the two of you often. Don't forget to make time for still courting each other ~ It's the second greatest gift you can give your girls!

I pray God's daily blessings on you. I had no idea there were so many Poppies in my world. I pray for y'all each time I see one.

Stay near the cross, and please keep writing. Your blog is a source of inspiration, encouragement and conviction to many! I suspect your Papa is grinning!

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TheOilHippie said...

This post just made me smile. So happy for you and your family.

Kim (marygracesummons.blogspot.com) said...

Dear Angie,
Oh you are so beautiful. I can hear the happiness and it just brings me so much joy. To see the work that God has done in your and Nathan's life in 6 short months is incredible. To see His plan unfold for your family is truly miraculous. What your 3rd baby girl Adrienne has brought to your heart is so sweet to see and hear about. She is precious. Marianna, Poppy Joy and Adrienne are all God's perfect plan for you - thank you for sharing them all with us!
So glad you are coming to ATL - it has made it complete!
With love,
Kim

Jenny said...

I had NO idea who your Papa was until just moments ago reading through your comments. I assume, like one of your other readers, little Adrienne is indeed named after him-what an amazing tribute. And to see that you welcomed Marianna just the day before his passing...Wow.

Thinking of you so often... you have such a beautiful family and little Marianna looks like such a great big sister.

SO happy for you guys...

Anonymous said...

She is so adorable, may God continue to bless your family.
Chris in Iowa

HouseOfSmooches said...

Your blog is beautiful! God used Life Choices to unite us with our daughter Natalie last year and we are so thankful that he brought her into our family.

Anonymous said...

Sweet Angie,
I find your blog such a source of encouragement and hope, and am thrilled that you will be together with the other girls.
Enjoy your time, and give everyone kisses from all of us out here.
You are so precious to me.
love, connie

Anonymous said...

And please take lots of pictures to post!! :)
connie