Blue or Pink, What Do You Think?

We found out last week and had a little shindig to surprise our family and some close friends.  Here are some fun pics of the big reveal!

Here's how I measured up according to the Old Wives Tales.

Everyone had to cast their vote and wear their guess.

Here's the final tally.  I think because we have 2 girls, everyone was rooting for a boy!

Blue or Pink, what do you think?

I love seeing our playroom full!

Zoe & Arella making their official guesses a few days before.

Oh my sweet friends and the things they do for me...
Everyone is wearing their guess for the picture.

 

Finally, the big reveal!

Our little boy's name is Zadok Brady.

Zoe's either very excited to be a big sister or she just likes the balloon.

We're super excited to shake things up around here with a little boy!  Many people are curious about his name as it's unusual.  Here's some background on it from my hubby:

Zadok was a priest of the tribe of Levi during the time of David’s reign. Twice during his reign two of his sons tried to usurp the king and become the King of Israel themselves. This happened early in his reign (Absalom, 2 Samuel 15) and later, near the very end of David’s life as Solomon was primed to succeed him (Adonijah, 1 Kings 1). All along the turmoil Zadok the priest stood by the side of God’s anointed, David.

Later, Ezekiel, a Prophet of God during the time of Israel’s exile to the nations and Babylon, prophesied about the new Temple and the promised return of the glory of God to it (Ezekiel 40-48, cf. Revelation 20-21; note the Ezekiel passage comes directly after the promise of the New Covenant and the return from Exile that brings it about, where Ezekiel 39:29 points to Joel 2:29, Zechariah 12:10 and finally Acts 2:17-18 as its fulfillment). During its description three times the sons of Zadok are honored as the only line who can have charge of the altar (where sacrifice is made) “to minister to me” as they, among all the Levites, did not go astray when the people went astray (during King David’s rule and subsequent coup attempts)(Ezekiel 40:46; 44:15; 48:11).

The name Zadok is derived from the Hebrew word “tsedeq” and connotes rightness or righteousness. Lately I’ve become more acutely aware of the righteousness of God which speaks in part to His faithfulness to His promises, in particular to the promise He made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3.  There God promised to Abram that through him “all the families of the earth shall be blessed”, which later was revealed by Paul as the gospel:

“Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the nations by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’” - Galatians 3:7-9

The middle name, Brady, was taken from a very influential man in my life, Father Brady. He was a priest of the Catholic Church who loved the Lord and loved people. He devoted his life to serving others and lived a simple life, eschewing titles and position (even denying the opportunity to be a Cardinal so as to stay closer to the parish and his sheep there) in favor of servanthood. He lived in a meager trailer home on my Grandmother’s property and at the end of his life he was buried in a simple pine box, void of all pomp and circumstance.

My mother made a comment that my Grandmother visits his grave annually and leaves flowers because he, like many if not all other priests, has no family since they never marry nor have children. It is they, she noticed, that are most easily forgotten since no one lives on to carry his name. I was determined not to let that happen. Since we had already chosen Zadok as our son’s name it made perfect sense to give him the middle name after Father Brady - they complimented one another so well: priest, devotion, and a love for the Lord.

Freedom

It didn't look like much from the outside.  Daddy had a day off work.  We ate at our favorite bagel place for breakfast.  We watched the parade and waved flags.  The kids took a nap.  We all swam at a friend's pool.  Typical summer holiday, right?  Except for the tears I shed as it all hit me getting out of the pool.

Today is America's Independence Day.  A day we celebrate the freedom we fought for, and still fight to maintain.  A freedom whose cost was and is not free.  It came with a heavy price tag, paid in blood.  And it was paid by those willing to lay down their lives knowing they would never enjoy the precious freedom they gave up everything for.  And for this, I am ever grateful.

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

-John 15:13

It's maybe a way for us to catch a small glimpse of understanding of what Jesus has done for us.  But He wasn't a regular Joe trying to make the world a better place.  He is God.  And He stepped down from the very throne of heaven to lay His life down in our place, to pay our debt (Romans 3:23 & 6:23)  Why?  To give us freedom.  He shed His blood for you and me so we could be set free from the bondage of sin.  The King Himself set us free.  And He didn't just set us free to enjoy BBQ's, baseball, parades and fireworks, although all of those things are totally awesome!  He set us free to become part of His family.  And not just by adopting us, but by fully grafting us in.

"The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" -Romans 8:16-17

Today Zoe is an American citizen who celebrated her first Independence Day.  Although she had a tragic beginning to her little life, God has written a new beginning for her.  There will always be pain, loss and a gaping hole in her life of "what should have been."  But we are beyond blessed that God knitted our family into her "what is."

Our all American cutie!

 The girls LOVED the Geico Gecko best... patriotic I know.

Zoe waved her flags the entire parade.  What a patriotic American!

Just Getting Started

I kept wanting to run to you and blurt out all the craziness that is going on in our lives, but my lips were sealed, fingers hovering above the keyboard, stuck in midair.  I needed some time to process everything myself first.  Now, that I've had a few weeks of insanity to solidify everything in my brain and heart, I might be able to belt it out to you in a somewhat coherent fashion.  Feel free to be impressed by my new found patience.

So my sweet girl, Arella, turned 2 in May.  The highlight of her day was frosting, and a 29¢ kazoo.  Although she did pretty much soak up every ounce of birthday fun a girl possibly can.  She truly loved her special day and sang "Happy to you" over and over in her microphone for about a week.

 The birthday ensemble.

The cake.

 The yummy pink frosting.

The beloved kazoo, oh and hand clappers, of course.

We also had to meet with our social worker again for Zoe's 6 month post report.  Can you believe spicy peanut has been in our family for just 6 months?!  Someone in our House Church said it perfect last week, "I feel like she's always been here."  Here's a quick look at her beautiful blossoming.

 This was one of our first pictures of Zoe.  She was 7 months old.

 This is the first day we met her, 12 months old.

This is now, 19 months.

And this is her super "cheese" face.

After looking at these adorable little girls we get to raise, are you really surprised we want more?  I mentioned briefly in the last post that we're adopting again, this time from Ethiopia.  Arella LOVES to say "Ethiopia", which is really more like "E-O bla bla" followed by insane giggles.  Zoe can almost point to Africa on the map.  Don't worry, she knows where China and Texas are.

As we met with our social worker for Zoe, we started talking about our Ethiopia process since she will be doing our home study for that as well.  After much discussion, we decided to do the home study later this summer.  Oh, you want to know why?

Because we're moving.  Oh, and we're PREGNANT!  Don't you love all of my surprises?!  Here's our baby #3, and little Ethi (as we're calling our Ethiopia baby) will now be #4.

We're just 8 weeks along, so it's still early, but I wanted to share because you all have been so encouraging and supportive!  This next year things are going to get crazy...  but I guess that's pretty much just the way we roll now.  We're moving at the beginning of August but just down the road to a house more accommodating for a family of 6.

Stay tuned, obviously this roller coaster is just getting started...

Becoming Mommy

I think this may have been the first Mother's Day in a very long time that I have not broken down in tears.  Alas, I'm sure they will come as I reflect and write this blog post.

For a long time this day was sheer torture, desperately wanting to be a mommy, watching all my friends so joyful in their families.  I felt so empty, so broken.

When we started our adoption process, I found hope.  But that light was at the end of such a long tunnel of waiting. Then there was a precious, joyous surprise in that tunnel named Arella.  And one day, we finally reached that light and brought home our little Zoe.

These days are busy and full, and on occasion overwhelming.  I absolutely love watching these sweet little girls play and be silly together.  I love watching them learn to help and comfort each other. I love watching them teach each other and discover together.  I love finding them hugging or tickling each other.  I love when they go to kiss each other goodnight, and they start giggling uncontrollably.  I even love the hard times, too- the fighting, the domino effect tears, the sleepless nights, the heartache.  I love that God is using them to show me just the smallest glimpse of what unconditional love looks like and how to give it... and receive it.

I realize now how unconditionally my mom loves me.  How even when I ran from everything good in my life, she loved me.  She loved me enough to never stop praying for me, and she trusted God to bring me back.  It was a tough road, but He was faithful.  And I am thankful to Him for my mom and her love for me.

 

 My mom, Arella, Zoe, and me today.

Looking back on this day over the last several years, I can now see the beauty in how God is unfolding our family story. It is much more beautiful than I ever imagined.

In 2009, I couldn't keep the tears from streaming down my face during church, praying and hoping for children, grieving that maybe that wasn't God's plan for my life.  In 2010, the tears came hard again, but this time a mix of emotions- both joy knowing Zoe would one day be in our lives, but knowing we would have to wait long, painful years for her.  In 2011, tears leaked out as I was 37 weeks pregnant and a sweet little girl in church gave me a rose, telling me I was a mommy (Arella was born 3 days later).  In 2012, I held a one year old Arella in my arms, and we knew we were only months away from bringing Zoe home.  Today, we dedicated Zoe at church and are looking forward to baby girl #3.  Yup, that's right.  We are so in love with being parents, we just can't stop!  

We began another adoption last week, this time through Ethiopia. I mean with these two cuties, how could we not want more?!

Stay tuned for more adventures....

Call Me Skywalker

I remember telling a friend many years ago that I sometimes feel like Luke Skywalker before he became a jedi knight.  Yeah, my friend laughed... a lot.  And I'm pretty sure you are now, too.  But if you actually read past this line and try to understand my struggle as a wanna-be-light-saber-wielding-jedi-knight, we can still be friends.

If you are still reading, you are likely a Star Wars fan.  But just in case you have know idea what a jedi is or if it's been a few decades since your last jedi training session, I will refresh your memory.  Actually the Wookieepedia will give you a brief summary to help set the stage:

"....the Jedi became revered as guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy. As mystical wielders of the Force and of their signature lightsabers, their powers inspired all citizens in the galaxy. The calm, considered demeanor of the Jedi made them ideal brokers of peace in times of conflict or dispute. Yet, for all their power and diversity, the Jedi were few. Often beset by foes in times of doubt and confusion, undercurrents of evil often challenged their order and the establishment they served, the most notable being the Sith. These dark warriors were the antithesis of the Jedi, their sworn enemies, and the battle between them brought the galaxy to war more than once."

Like every great story, it is good versus evil.  But it's the struggle of the jedi to continually choose the light side of the Force and resist the dark side that has always been so compelling and relatable to me.  Luke Skywalker struggled with a desire to have wisdom and patience in the light side of the Force but there was a powerful, constant pull toward the dark side he had to fight against.  He had amazing mentors like Obi Wan Kenobi and the wise jedi master, Yoda.  But even still, the dark side was still always pursuing and tormenting Luke.

Have you ever felt pulled in opposite directions before?  If you're human, I'm sure you have.  If you are C-3PO, perhaps you have not.  I'm assuming most readers of this blog are at least mostly human.  I digress.  But this torn feeling that I always struggle with is obviously no new thing to our human race.

Paul mentions his personal struggle in Romans.  He talks about how he longs to do good, what God desires us to do, but how even though the longing is there, he winds up doing the very thing he doesn't want to do.  

"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want."  -Romans 7:18-19

So how do we fight against this epic struggle? We start by taking up our light sabers!

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."  -Ephesians 6:10-17

To be a real jedi master, I knew one day I might find out how...

Easter Fun

Yeah I know I'm a week late, but I still wanted to post pics of my cutie patooties from Easter.  So let the photo bomb begin...

I had to lead with Nana.  If we are Facebook friends, you may have seen her holding and pointing a rifle next to her walker while wearing a camo vest and Christmas tree hat, or perhaps you saw her in action in the great walker race of 2012 against Arella.  Nana is 95, queen of the nursing home and quite the character.  My mom and I think she should have a reality tv series called "Rest Home Wars."  She broke out the sparkly bunny ears to earn points with Zoe and Arella.  It worked briefly.

After church and a nap we went to Mimi & Pops house to hang out with family.  Zoe was cleaning dishes in her play kitchen while Arella played dj for us with the sit-n-spin music.  

After the warm up play time they were ready for their very first egg hunt!  Arella wasn't walking at this time last year, so it was pretty cool they got to experience a "first" together.  They watched through the window as we hid the eggs outside.  Arella was eager to hunt the eggs, Zoe was very content to show me her pretty basket.

When we opened the door, it was like a gun went off in a race as they both darted outside in a blur of pink sandals and baskets.

Arella was so excited to get to the eggs but kept stopping, trying to open each one as she picked it up.

This gave Zoe a chance to catch up, and she caught on quick without any help!

I love how "hiding" at this age requires placement out in the open, guidance from the adults on the sidelines, and occasionally some refereeing and explaining that eggs in their sister's basket are off limits.

She kept counting, "One, two, one, two..." until all eggs were counted.  She got two.

See?  Two.

Zoe can only count to one so I guess Arella won the hunt.

I filled their little eggs with stickers and they used them to decorate crosses I cut out of construction paper.  Then they colored the crosses and turned them into little masterpieces.  All the while we got to talk about Jesus and the cross.  Arella loves to point out the crosses in our house now!

A little musical entertainment followed.

 And of course giving knuckles to Great Uncle Jim and a little putting action caps off an awesome Easter!