Melissa - I think she totally looks like B in this pic! :)
Growing up way TOO fast!
Her first smiles after a nap!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Updated pictures
Melissa - I think she totally looks like B in this pic! :)
Growing up way TOO fast!
Her first smiles after a nap!
Thanksgiving
Happy early Thanksgiving everyone! We have so much to be thankful for. What a last year we have had...
I recently read a father's blog that Tadd directed me to. It was one I have commented on before, but his entry really struck me again. I got literally add "Laynie" to where his wife's name was and all the same emotions, questions, pleadings would go hand in hand. His blog is www.tysonaschliman.blogspot.com and the entry I want to you to go read is called "Prayer and Suffering". Many people asked us the questions on why pray? why isn't God answering our prayers? why is Laynie suffering? and why pray if God is going to do His will anyways? His blog addresses these common questions and puts into words what I never could. He lost his wife at a very young age to cancer and is raising his son Tyson now. His experience although different, is similar in many ways.
Hope you all have a great week with family and friends! I will try to add some pictures soon. Selah is growing bigger every day. Her newest thing is just intently staring at you and then of course sharing her biggest full faced-eye squinting smiles :)
I recently read a father's blog that Tadd directed me to. It was one I have commented on before, but his entry really struck me again. I got literally add "Laynie" to where his wife's name was and all the same emotions, questions, pleadings would go hand in hand. His blog is www.tysonaschliman.blogspot.com and the entry I want to you to go read is called "Prayer and Suffering". Many people asked us the questions on why pray? why isn't God answering our prayers? why is Laynie suffering? and why pray if God is going to do His will anyways? His blog addresses these common questions and puts into words what I never could. He lost his wife at a very young age to cancer and is raising his son Tyson now. His experience although different, is similar in many ways.
Hope you all have a great week with family and friends! I will try to add some pictures soon. Selah is growing bigger every day. Her newest thing is just intently staring at you and then of course sharing her biggest full faced-eye squinting smiles :)
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
We Made It!
This morning we got the email from our attorneys....It went through! Everything was finalized in the courts yesterday and she is now and forever more...Selah Malia Gerst! It is such an exciting day around here. So many emotions....
I wish every mother who contemplates terminating her pregnancy could see our faces now and see Selah. Or anyone who is wondering whether adoption an option for them. Selah is such a miracle in our eyes. We praise God that her birthmom made the extremely selfless choice that she did. For there is no greater love that you can demonstrate than putting your child's needs above your own. Sometimes I have questioned God as to why I was blessed with such a love for children, but unable to conceive myself. It made no sense and I knew that God must have a bigger plan for me. Some way that I could share my love with His children. And that is how I felt led to adoption. Others sometimes would say "the birthmom should be so happy that you are taking her child and caring for them", but in my mind it was the opposite I was blessed that they would think highly enough of me to allow me to raise their child as my own, I was the blessed one. So to all of those birthmothers... thank you for chosing life for your child. We felt overwhelming joy in our lives when we were blessed with Laynie and now again can feel the joy of being parents with Selah. My love for my girls is overflowing. Selah is loved beyond measure, smooched on all day long, and snuggled with until she goes to bed. She brings us joy each moment and for that I feel blessed. God has truly been faithful on both ends of this adoption. With both of our adoptions I have no doubt that God handpicked our birthmothers and their girls. I love them both! And Selah will know what an amazing mother and family she had and their love for her. God is faithful. I know that our journey is far from being over. Each day is a new day of experiences. And as always, we look to Him to carry us through this world as we make memories with His children.
I just want to say one last thank you to all of you that have been with us each step of this journey, through the ups and downs. Your prayers are what have kept us going, kept us seeking His will in our lives. And thank you Tiffany. We love you for loving Selah enough to trust her in our care. And we pray that God will bless you and J in all that you do!
I wish every mother who contemplates terminating her pregnancy could see our faces now and see Selah. Or anyone who is wondering whether adoption an option for them. Selah is such a miracle in our eyes. We praise God that her birthmom made the extremely selfless choice that she did. For there is no greater love that you can demonstrate than putting your child's needs above your own. Sometimes I have questioned God as to why I was blessed with such a love for children, but unable to conceive myself. It made no sense and I knew that God must have a bigger plan for me. Some way that I could share my love with His children. And that is how I felt led to adoption. Others sometimes would say "the birthmom should be so happy that you are taking her child and caring for them", but in my mind it was the opposite I was blessed that they would think highly enough of me to allow me to raise their child as my own, I was the blessed one. So to all of those birthmothers... thank you for chosing life for your child. We felt overwhelming joy in our lives when we were blessed with Laynie and now again can feel the joy of being parents with Selah. My love for my girls is overflowing. Selah is loved beyond measure, smooched on all day long, and snuggled with until she goes to bed. She brings us joy each moment and for that I feel blessed. God has truly been faithful on both ends of this adoption. With both of our adoptions I have no doubt that God handpicked our birthmothers and their girls. I love them both! And Selah will know what an amazing mother and family she had and their love for her. God is faithful. I know that our journey is far from being over. Each day is a new day of experiences. And as always, we look to Him to carry us through this world as we make memories with His children.
I just want to say one last thank you to all of you that have been with us each step of this journey, through the ups and downs. Your prayers are what have kept us going, kept us seeking His will in our lives. And thank you Tiffany. We love you for loving Selah enough to trust her in our care. And we pray that God will bless you and J in all that you do!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Court date
Well, we just got word that our court date for the adoption finalization for Selah is Tuesday November 18th at 3:34 pm! We are so excited and can't believe that by Thanksgiving time this whole adoption will be final. Our hearts overflow with joy for all that God has done in our lives and for this day to be here this soon. Although we will not actually be there to hear the words "SELAH MALIA GERST" receiving her birth certificate after this event will be a day to write in the books.
This weekend we took Selah to Michigan to Steph and Phil's wedding. It was a great time and Selah did awesome as usual. Slept for most of the time in the car. Of course the hotel night for me wasn't as restful, as Selah bless her heart is quite the squeaker and makes many noises while she sleeps, but it was a fun weekend and Selah also got to meet her cousin Paige (who is two weeks younger than her). I will try to add pictures later. It was great seeing all of the G family!
This weekend we took Selah to Michigan to Steph and Phil's wedding. It was a great time and Selah did awesome as usual. Slept for most of the time in the car. Of course the hotel night for me wasn't as restful, as Selah bless her heart is quite the squeaker and makes many noises while she sleeps, but it was a fun weekend and Selah also got to meet her cousin Paige (who is two weeks younger than her). I will try to add pictures later. It was great seeing all of the G family!
Friday, November 7, 2008
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