First Christmas with Ira!
Our little 6 month old ~ we finalized the adoption on December 7th in Texas; his birth certificate came in this week of Christmas - amazing.
Thank you, God, for continuing to bless this family. We have two wonderful children and have the love of family and friends.

Merry, merry Christmas~ 2010

Ira's first trip to the beach

Ira's first trip to the beach!

How we got everything, plus us, in the car - I have no idea...but we did. :)

We had a great Labor Day week in Navarre Beach, Florida. Ira loved, loved, loved the water - even at 3 months old I think he will be a swimmer!

Can't wait until next summer!!

Where did the summer go? Oh, that's right~ we have a baby!!! :)
It is SO incredible to think that after all these years of talking about Ira, praying for Ira, shopping for Ira, planning for Ira......he is here! God is amazing beyond words. HE aligned all the pieces to work out perfectly.

I have been fortunate to be off work most of the summer. I've worked one day a week until today - my first day of being back full time. Very mixed emotions today.....

My princess, however, ended last week with a bang :( She fell down some stairs at school and broke her leg! I was in California when it happened but took her to the ER as soon as I returned on Saturday. {School, non-medical professionals told her they thought it was sprained so.....well, so much for always listening to adults..ha!} Bless her heart - starting her senior year with this. BUT, we have gotten to spend a lot of time together that I cherish. That's the bright side of a gloomy situation. I love my little girl...even if she is about to turn 18!

Fatherhood has brought out all the fantastic qualities in Jeremy. He is adorable to watch with Ira. Oh, I've waited so long for this!!

We are blessed with the most wonderful set of family and friends. Ira and Haley both are fortunate to have a true village :)

June 11th, our son was born. Ira Christopher Lasiter, weighing 7.18 pounds and 20 1/2 inches long and coming from Kenya blessed our world! He is amazing, awesome, beautiful, handsome AND totally a God thing - this entire THING has been a God thing...

We got the call around 8:30am Sunday morning, the 13th. The birth mother had selected us post-birth. We, of course, said YES. The adoption agency social worker (not our regular social worker so she didn't know "us") said "not sure if this is an issue but he is from Kenya"....that was the moment my head bowed deep into my shirt and the tears started flowing. My love of Africa, my love of the people from Kenya and add in this entire process and desire for a newborn.........AN ISSUE??? This IS a God thing -

The social worker said she would call us after 2pm when the birth mother was checking out of the hospital and would be signing papers revoking parental rights. She said we could then leave and travel to Texas where he was born. HA! We were on the road much sooner than that. :) Constant faith............

My emotions flow so heavy about the birth mother. All I can say is I truly wish we had more young women in the world like her. We met with her, prayed with her and she will always have a place in my heart.

We met Ira, love at first sight, my husband melted into a puddle on the floor - he is so smitten with him. Well, we both are :)

After a week and a half in Texas we were able to return home - with our son. He is just lovely.

And he needs me right now...so more to come later -

Angela

Dear precious, baby Ira~
Your mommy, papa and sister love you so much already. We haven't met you, we don't know how much you weigh or what color your eyes are, but we love you. We haven't touched your toes and fingers or squeezed your cheeks or just gazed into your beautiful face, but we love you. We love you now as you are alive in our hearts. You are as much a part of my daily life as you could be without getting your diaper changed :) mommy joke, honey.

We know that God is preparing you in the womb somewhere just for us and we thank God daily for that. We have faith in you, Ira.

Mommy and Papa reserved a condo on a beach this summer before your sister goes back to school. It will be your first beach trip of many that you will have in your beautiful life.

Your aunt Gili is painting some things for your room right now so it should be finally finished any day; we just have to hang 3 things and then we are done.

Our bags are packed in the corner of my bedroom to come get you. It will only take moments to load the car and head out so please know we will not waste any time in coming to you to hold you, hug you, snuggle with you, smooch on you and spend hours just gazing into your eyes.

You already are a member of a wonderful family - we just haven't met you yet~

Until we do, we love you~

Mommy, Papa and Sister

Today's teaching

Student's Pastor, Jason Curry, talked to me today. Well, he talked to hundreds today as he led the services at Church at Rock Creek, but he really talked to me. The title of his two part series is "Storms". I thought "oh, this will be good; sitting here with my daughter; oh, she needs to hear this". ROFL at myself!!! Turns out, I needed to hear it as much or more than she did.

Boiling it down to a few sentences (go to the church website for a fantastic audio of the lesson), it was based on Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight". Whew!!! I'm guilty of leaning on what I think is fair and right and what I understand regarding the path of this adoption....mainly the timeline. What seems reasonable to me is not always right. I need to remember to trust in HIM and HIS TIMELINE. He knows exactly where Ira is and the timing; please pray for me to help turn this over to HIM and not try to micromanage this.....this is one time my Excel spreadsheet is NOT needed.....God's spreadsheet is WAY more awesome!!!

I need to come up with some template answer for when people ask me "have you heard anything?" Something to the effect of "God's got it all under control..."If you think of something cute to respond with, please let me know :)

God is preparing OUR son for us; some beautiful girl who has been struggling with a situation is going to find an answer that meets her needs and God will connect us; it will happen. I've been spending too much time schmoozing with the Adoption Agency and attorney; need to spend a little more time palling around with my FATHER :)

Great teaching, Jason Curry - even to a 40 year old!!! :)

Mother's Day Weekend

To be honest, I thought Ira would be here by now. I know, I know....these things are not in my control, but in God's hands. I should not doubt HIS timing. I don't doubt it, I just don't like it. I know - shame on me. I just thought this Mother's Day would be different than how it will be. I thought my whole family would go to church together - including Ira. I thought this weekend we would have him dedicated and then have a family lunch - all cooing and awwing over him. I thought "this weekend" will be the time that an amazing attachment between Haley and her new brother occurs and that will be the greatest gift of all. I had all this played out in my head. Again, shame on me.

Instead, I spent last evening waiting her Haley to come home by going through my two virtual Wish Lists (Amazonhttp://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/1ZUM6DAQ689EC?reveal=unpurchased&filter=all&sort=priority&layout=standard&.x=12&.y=6 and Babies R Us http://www.toysrus.com/registry/search/index.jsp?_flowExecutionKey=_c00902584-D478-EF3F-373E-C3DED3E7E1C0_kFED43BFE-1CFD-2A1A-B71F-CD7A03B759E1&overrideStore=TRUS) taking off some items I've already bought. I cut Jeremy's hair, sent him to work for a while and then off to a funeral and am about to leave to take Haley to the hair salon and lunch. Thank God for Phyllis who is always happy to listen and encouraging beyond belief.

I'm so glad his nursery is complete. I can now go in there, sit and think about Ira, pray for his arrival and not get hounded by anyone for having a 1 track mind.

Ira, you may not be here this weekend for Mother's Day. You may not be in your home, with your parents or at your church being dedicated. But never think you are not here with me. You are in my heart - beating so loud I can hear you. You are in my every thought. I love you and will keep praying.

Mommy