the one who started it all

Christmas Day, 1990. Mom brought home our first foster baby, Amelia (whom we called Lindsey . . . except for Jared, who wanted to name her Kirsten and called her that the entire time she was at our house). I was the happiest 6-year-old on the planet. My cousin Brittany was pretty excited, too, obviously. :-) 

By the way, we're still Christmasing with family in Arkansas, so it's totally acceptable for me to be writing Christmas posts, just in case you were wondering.

home for Christmas

Our sweet Olivia, now named Haley Grace, went home with her forever family on Tuesday! Say a prayer of thanksgiving for this Christmas miracle!

advent

ad·vent/ˈadˌvent/ noun. an arrival or coming, especially one which is awaited.

Meet Olivia Hope. She's been awaited. She has arrived. And, unbeknownst to some very blessed family out there, she is COMING!

As you may have already heard, Olivia's staying with us until she's able to go to her adoptive family. We are so thrilled to get to love on her for a little while! The above picture is from the day Trish and I brought her home from the hospital. She was a tiny 5 pounds, 3 ounces. When she went to the doctor for her check-up a week later, she was 6 pounds, 2 ounces! What can I say? We know how to grow babies around here. Olivia's two weeks old now and getting a little closer to chubby every day.   

Though she's only been with us for about a week and a half, baby Olivia has quickly become the golden child of the family. She eats well, she sleeps well, she doesn't cry much, she doesn't spit up, she doesn't whine, she doesn't talk back, she doesn't take my shoes without asking . . . you get the idea. The words "she's perfect" come out of our mouths multiple times a day. She's pretty much an angel. In fact, if you ever see her doing something less than angelic, you should probably call 911 - she might be dying or something. Oh, and she's also gorgeous, which only adds to her angel persona.

And now that I've totally jinxed myself, I'm off to be on baby duty for the night! (edited to add: I wasn't feeling great and was exhausted from working four 12-hour shifts this week, so Trish offered to do last night's feedings - just another of the many reasons I'm so glad Trish is better!)

But first a few pictures for your viewing pleasure . . .

Now tell me that's not an angel . . .

Say a prayer for sweet Olivia and everyone involved in her journey, most notably her birth family and the special family that is being prepared for a different kind of advent this Christmas!