But not how you think - and certainly not how we thought we would be doing it. But that is God and His plans for ya! :)
We work with a lady whose daughter is currently pregnant. They had made arrangements for another family to adopt the daughter's baby, but that couple got pregnant (as is the way things go!) and decided to focus on their own pregnancy. So they declined the offer to adopt this baby. And thanks to the fantastic networking skills of another co-worker (we owe her more than we can say!) we were introduced to the lady who works with us. She told us her daughter's story and the information they already know about the baby and we have both decided to proceed with Patrick and I adopting this baby. I am having a hard time believing it could really be that easy, but God knows what He is doing, so we are following along.
That's where the red balloon story comes in to play! :) What we have learned so far (I haven't been to an appointment yet) is that there is a very good chance this baby is going to be born with some kind of medical complications or disabilities. The most likely is some level of hearing or vision loss or mental retardation. We won't know the details until the baby is born as there is only so much you can tell from a sonogram - even the high powered ones! But we heard God loud and clear that we are supposed to be doing this. So.....we are.
I went and met with an adoption lawyer today and we are thinking we are going to go with this person to represent us. We will have another lawyer represent the birth mother and in a few short weeks, we are going to be bringing a baby home! The baby is due July 14th and they are mostly certain that the baby is a boy...he has modest legs. :) So in a little over a month and a half Nicolas Patrick will be coming home with us (barring any additional hospital time due to medical necessity).
Thankfully we have almost everything we need already - with the exception of some diapers, formula and boys clothes up to 12 months (thanks to these wonderful boys we have right now, we have a lot of clothes after 12 months!). Otherwise, we are ready - except we desperately need to clean and finish our kitchen renovations - but we have plenty of time! Yeah right! :)
Anyways, we will be sure to keep posting as we have more news on the developments and how things are going and of course when we get to finally meet little Nicolas, we will make sure we let everyone know! :) Till then, we will keep our prayers going and our eyes out for more red balloons! :)
The Pringle Jr's
Photo Credit: Jeanna Cater
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Our Last Week
The time has finally come. The day we knew would be here all too soon. The boys will likely be leaving us by the end of next week. The court date for the judge to determine if they should be placed with their Aunt is set for June 3 at 2:00 pm. If the judge approves (which is VERY likely as all involved have approved of this Aunt), then the boys will be placed with her by the end of that week.
So we will spend this weekend doing laundry and packing up toys and getting every last goodbye in we can possibly squeeze in to a week. I don't even know what we say to them to make this transition any easier. We have had a rough time dealing with CPS over the past couple of months, but these boys have truly been a blessing in our home. We will miss them dearly....
We ask for continued prayers for these boys and their family. This is going to be a difficult transition, but also a joyous one and we want all involved to continue to prosper and grow. The stability being with their own family will bring will make that all the more possible and knowing that this Aunt is a Christian and loving individual makes it a little easier to let go. Thank you all for your support and love over the last 5 months. We certainly could not be doing this without you.
So we will spend this weekend doing laundry and packing up toys and getting every last goodbye in we can possibly squeeze in to a week. I don't even know what we say to them to make this transition any easier. We have had a rough time dealing with CPS over the past couple of months, but these boys have truly been a blessing in our home. We will miss them dearly....
We ask for continued prayers for these boys and their family. This is going to be a difficult transition, but also a joyous one and we want all involved to continue to prosper and grow. The stability being with their own family will bring will make that all the more possible and knowing that this Aunt is a Christian and loving individual makes it a little easier to let go. Thank you all for your support and love over the last 5 months. We certainly could not be doing this without you.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Calling All Prayer Warriors!!!
Just like the title says, we are calling in all our faithful prayer warriors out there. The winds of change are blowing hard yet again in the Pringle Household!
We are nearing the end of our time with these sweet boys as they finalize plans with the courts to place them with their aunt. We have heard some great things about this aunt (some we dont understand, but nothing scary! :) ). The fact that she is willing to take both of these boys is another answered prayer. Aside from letting them stay with us, we couldn't ask for anything better. :) We still don't know a time line, but we are expecting it will be soon - a month at the most. This is going to be a very difficult good-bye for us and our family. The past 5 months, these boys have become a part of who we are. There will certainly always be that place for them in our hearts just as it was for our first foster baby. Letting them go is the most difficult part, but knowing they are in safe and loving and capable hands makes it that much better.
While that is going on, we have been approached about another opportunity outside of CPS. We are at the decision making stage and as we continue to learn more about this opportunity God has presented us with, we will be sure to share! I can say - trust me I am not being secretive, just we don't have all the details at this point - that we are sure this is something God wants us to pursue. I am not the kind of believer who usually says "show me a sign God and I will obey." I have always felt that was a kind of half faith, I will only follow You if You really make it loud and clear and I can't ignore you, until recently. Our journey so far with so many loops and turns has really made me understand that "signs" are not a lack of faith on "being swallowed by the whale" kind of proportions, but more of a tool to ensure clear understanding! :)
So on the way home tonight I did my first "show me a sign" prayer. My prayer was that if we were supposed to continue to proceed with this opportunity God was supposed to show me a red balloon. Ok, stop laughing! I came to that sign logically....how many times a day do you typically come across a red balloon? There certainly weren't any on our way home tonight. So I thought that was a pretty safe one. If I saw a red balloon surely it was because God intended me to see it as my "sign". So I really honestly left it at that - though I did keep my eye out for any red balloons. We went to go pick up the boys and on the way back home Patrick decided we needed to go to the store. So we went to Tom Thumb. As we walked in the first door right there in front of me were TWO red balloons. I just stopped in my tracks. I was pretty sure it wasn't supposed to work that fast! I looked at Patrick and I said "I prayed for red balloons." Of course he thought I lost my marbles and as we walked in the second door to the main part of the store we were surrounded by red balloons almost everywhere we turned. "Ok God, I hear you!" Of course I explained my prayer to Patrick and after some strange looks in my direction, he agreed it must be the "sign" I had asked for. Now don't fret - I am going to keep asking for those red balloons to keep pointing us forward to make sure we are still on the right path. But at this point, it seems God says "forward march". :)
So we keep gathering information and praying for His direction in our decision. As we have more to share, we will be sure to post. In the mean time, we ask once again for your prayers and support. God is guiding our steps and we just hope that we are paying attention to His direction! We ask continued prayers for these boys and their family as well. They really will always be in our hearts despite the short amount of time we have had with them, so the more love and prayer we can send them with the better! Till next time....
We are nearing the end of our time with these sweet boys as they finalize plans with the courts to place them with their aunt. We have heard some great things about this aunt (some we dont understand, but nothing scary! :) ). The fact that she is willing to take both of these boys is another answered prayer. Aside from letting them stay with us, we couldn't ask for anything better. :) We still don't know a time line, but we are expecting it will be soon - a month at the most. This is going to be a very difficult good-bye for us and our family. The past 5 months, these boys have become a part of who we are. There will certainly always be that place for them in our hearts just as it was for our first foster baby. Letting them go is the most difficult part, but knowing they are in safe and loving and capable hands makes it that much better.
While that is going on, we have been approached about another opportunity outside of CPS. We are at the decision making stage and as we continue to learn more about this opportunity God has presented us with, we will be sure to share! I can say - trust me I am not being secretive, just we don't have all the details at this point - that we are sure this is something God wants us to pursue. I am not the kind of believer who usually says "show me a sign God and I will obey." I have always felt that was a kind of half faith, I will only follow You if You really make it loud and clear and I can't ignore you, until recently. Our journey so far with so many loops and turns has really made me understand that "signs" are not a lack of faith on "being swallowed by the whale" kind of proportions, but more of a tool to ensure clear understanding! :)
So on the way home tonight I did my first "show me a sign" prayer. My prayer was that if we were supposed to continue to proceed with this opportunity God was supposed to show me a red balloon. Ok, stop laughing! I came to that sign logically....how many times a day do you typically come across a red balloon? There certainly weren't any on our way home tonight. So I thought that was a pretty safe one. If I saw a red balloon surely it was because God intended me to see it as my "sign". So I really honestly left it at that - though I did keep my eye out for any red balloons. We went to go pick up the boys and on the way back home Patrick decided we needed to go to the store. So we went to Tom Thumb. As we walked in the first door right there in front of me were TWO red balloons. I just stopped in my tracks. I was pretty sure it wasn't supposed to work that fast! I looked at Patrick and I said "I prayed for red balloons." Of course he thought I lost my marbles and as we walked in the second door to the main part of the store we were surrounded by red balloons almost everywhere we turned. "Ok God, I hear you!" Of course I explained my prayer to Patrick and after some strange looks in my direction, he agreed it must be the "sign" I had asked for. Now don't fret - I am going to keep asking for those red balloons to keep pointing us forward to make sure we are still on the right path. But at this point, it seems God says "forward march". :)
So we keep gathering information and praying for His direction in our decision. As we have more to share, we will be sure to post. In the mean time, we ask once again for your prayers and support. God is guiding our steps and we just hope that we are paying attention to His direction! We ask continued prayers for these boys and their family as well. They really will always be in our hearts despite the short amount of time we have had with them, so the more love and prayer we can send them with the better! Till next time....
Friday, May 1, 2009
Strength, Lord, Strength
Hello friends and family!
We have been busy over the last several weeks and I am afraid the blog has taken a backseat. Patrick and I have been working hard on remodeling our kitchen from new countertops (granite tiles we laid ourselves!) to new tile on the floor, a new backsplash and a new island/breakfast bar. Pretty much the only thing that isn't new is the cabinets! Otherwise, we are almost done - and I am ready to start on the bathroom, though I am pretty sure Patrick's head will pop off if I don't give him a little break! :)
On another topic, we have some news about the boys. Their case worker emailed us this week to let us know the home studies for the boys' family members being considered for placement have been completed. She is waiting to get the final reports to review them. Once she reviews them, then she and her supervisor will determine if they are approved or not. If they are approved, then the court will decide if the boys will be placed with them - which is very likely...there isn't really a good reason to not place them with the family if they are willing and pass the home study - unless something is "iffy" in the home study or they back out. If the home studies are not approved, then they start all over. However, we are thinking there is a 99.99% chance that they will be approved. The case worker emailed us today to tell us that the oldest will be joining the youngest on the weekly Sunday visits with the youngest's Aunt and Dad. The youngest was the only one going to that visit for the past couple of months. I am also pretty sure this is the aunt who said she would be willing to take both boys. We think that is why they are both going on the visits now.
The way things have been moving, we really can't give a good guess on how much longer we might have these little guys. I did ask for an estimated time line so we can try to prepare the boys and their things as well as ourselves! But of course, I didn't get one. So I have made one up to at least give me a goal...My best guess would be that if the home studies are approved, the boys will be be gone by the end of May at the very latest. I would imagine we are talking more like two weeks, but I am only guessing. I don't know that I have known CPS to do anything in two weeks, so who knows! :)
Anyways, we would appreciate any prayers you can throw up for these boys, their families and our family as well.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillipeans 4:13
We have been busy over the last several weeks and I am afraid the blog has taken a backseat. Patrick and I have been working hard on remodeling our kitchen from new countertops (granite tiles we laid ourselves!) to new tile on the floor, a new backsplash and a new island/breakfast bar. Pretty much the only thing that isn't new is the cabinets! Otherwise, we are almost done - and I am ready to start on the bathroom, though I am pretty sure Patrick's head will pop off if I don't give him a little break! :)
On another topic, we have some news about the boys. Their case worker emailed us this week to let us know the home studies for the boys' family members being considered for placement have been completed. She is waiting to get the final reports to review them. Once she reviews them, then she and her supervisor will determine if they are approved or not. If they are approved, then the court will decide if the boys will be placed with them - which is very likely...there isn't really a good reason to not place them with the family if they are willing and pass the home study - unless something is "iffy" in the home study or they back out. If the home studies are not approved, then they start all over. However, we are thinking there is a 99.99% chance that they will be approved. The case worker emailed us today to tell us that the oldest will be joining the youngest on the weekly Sunday visits with the youngest's Aunt and Dad. The youngest was the only one going to that visit for the past couple of months. I am also pretty sure this is the aunt who said she would be willing to take both boys. We think that is why they are both going on the visits now.
The way things have been moving, we really can't give a good guess on how much longer we might have these little guys. I did ask for an estimated time line so we can try to prepare the boys and their things as well as ourselves! But of course, I didn't get one. So I have made one up to at least give me a goal...My best guess would be that if the home studies are approved, the boys will be be gone by the end of May at the very latest. I would imagine we are talking more like two weeks, but I am only guessing. I don't know that I have known CPS to do anything in two weeks, so who knows! :)
Anyways, we would appreciate any prayers you can throw up for these boys, their families and our family as well.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillipeans 4:13
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