Its About Time. . .

for a new post. . . . for some up-dated pictures. . . . for some good news. . . . for some time to sit and reflect.

The past month has really had my head spinning. Our family has been given a very heavy and sad prognosis about this pregnancy and baby. I still can read Psalms 139 and know God has it all in his hands and in his control. He knew before Eric and I met and married that we would have this journey of adoption, infertility and birth defects; one of continual love and fear of loss. It has been painful and stretching. We have learned so much about one another, our faith, our friends and family. Even now, we feel girded in his grace and peace through loved ones prayers and petitions.

I will never fully understand, nor desire to understand the "why" and "how" or the "fairness" of it all. But I do give my joys and my heartaches to the One who knows me best. Psalm 139 also applies to me, as well as, every foe, friend, child, loved one, student, stranger, or grandparent. It is comforting to know. I can't fix it. I can release what is not in my control. It just took awhile to figure out that throwing a temper tantrum doesn't get us our way. Sometimes accepting what we can't have is what our Parent wants from us the most. But Daddy God always gives his children the best gifts. And my best gifts are my beautiful son, Isaac, and my loving husband, Eric. I am blessed beyond measure!

Even as our family waits and waits for the best and the pre-spoken fate of our little one, it is a blessing to have this time of kicks and squirms; the wonderment of pregnancy. It is the calm before the storms of life. And I am cherishing this one . . . and this Thanksgiving season. Blessings to you and your family!
Now for some pictures!!!

Birthday Boy tearing into his birthday cake!! Who suggested red velvet for a 1-year-old's birthday! Ooops.


Isaac opening his presents and figuring out how they work (or being shown how to rip open his presents and how fun new toys can be).

Isaac's Aunt Anya and Great Aunt Mariann wrote and illustrated a book, just for him. It was amazing to watch him intently listen to the story and look at the pictures through the entire official Book Reading. What a treasure and heart felt, priceless gift!

Thanksgiving! Isaac is a walking pro! He never will let me take a candid photo. As soon as he sees the camera he wants to hold it and look at the pictures on the screen. This is him "running" for the camera!

Our little boy is getting so big!

Three of his favorite things are:

1. Eating - he will eat almost anything you put in front of him (he even ate a stink bug the other day, YUCK!)
2. Wrestling with Daddy - wrestling with daddy make him squeal and laugh and giggle.
3. Reading Books - the more pictures the better.

11 Months Old and then some

Time is flying. . . .

How has my little baby become a little boy in such a short amount of time? I'm still deciphering if it is because I've only really known him for four months or if every infant outgrows infancy so quickly!

Here are a few pictures which showcase what I'm talking about!

Isaac is now on the move and crawling, climbing, cruising and sometimes bruising himself along the way.

Isaac had fun helping Daddy wax and wash his truck. He thought he was BIG stuff! He also entertained Dad while he worked.

Fun with Daddy!

We also enjoyed a wonderful evening with our new friends the Bushre's, who recently moved into the Chambersburg area to fill a pastoral role at King Street Church. They have a very fun and active little 18 month old boy named Samuel, also adopted from Ethiopia. The boys had fun playing at Caledonia State Park's play area, before going for some delicious ice cream at the Meadows.

Since going back to work (with the start of school) Isaac has been enjoying three days a week at my long time friend, Angie Frey's home with little boy, Elijah, as well as, one day a week at Grandma Lehman's house and one day a week at Grandma Martin's house. He enjoys the new toys and new found attention he receives. But it is hard on Mommy when she needs to drop him off in the mornings. Luckily, he always goes with a smile to his care takers. This helps Mommy to get out the door and down the road to her class of seven and eight year olds.

Grandma Martin had us over for dinner after watching Isaac a few Friday's ago, for my 32nd birthday. Great-Grandma Dietle was also invited. We decided that it was a good time to "let the cat out of the bag" and tell family and friends our big news. Isaac is going to be a BIG brother in March. We were pretty surprised by this little one. But God has His timing and plan, so we hope and pray and trust in Him. . . . . every step of the way.

It's Official! . . Court 8-26-10

This past Thursday, the first day of school - for me and my class (They had a substitute for the 1st day!) Eric, Isaac and I made our much awaited trip to Lancaster for our BIG DAY at court. It was technically called a "refinalization" adoption hearing. This is our final step in the adoption process, besides a little more paper work to keep the ball rolling, for Isaac to acquire his U.S. birth certificate, name change, and U.S. citizenship!

AND with a big sigh of relief, everything went according to plan! The judge was very encouraging and said it sealed the deal for him when Isaac's face lit up as I came down from the witness chair to return to his side. I was first to be up at "the stand" and answered some 20 plus questions, and then Eric went up and had about 5! We were warned that this would be the case, but our social worker was even surprised at how quickly we were "in and out" - 30 minutes tops.

We enjoyed lunch at our favorite restaurant: Olive Garden when we had reached Harrisburg and Isaac had had a good nap while traveling in the car. It was a memorable day. . . one that I will cherish and remember in the same way that I recall our wedding day. Our vows to parent and pledge our lives to Isaac were very much the same to the ones we made our wedding day!

Isaac excited for the car ride to Lancaster! About an hour into our trip, he grew quite restless to say the least. Good thing his tears had dried and he had a happy face for the judge!


Pictures of our family with the judge after all was finalized. Isaac was playing "peek-a-boo" with him during the pictures. Made for some silly photos - and great grins!

Finally. . . "thank you" to all of YOU loved ones, who have traveled this journey with us; and prayerfully so. You have blessed us in more ways than words can say.

10 months and Baby Dedication

I cannot believe how our little Isaac is growing so quickly! In a way we have experienced 4 mo to 10 mo stages in just 3 short months - he is just flying through stages and learning so much. Just this past week he has started to army crawl, pull himself up to stand, and cruises around the furniture. Nothing is safe or out of his reach! He has LONG arms. He has also learned to identify a dog by making "woof woof" sounds, says "Da da" and "ba" for bottle, and knows how to make his needs "known" - we call this the "bossy voice." Pictures say much more than words.

This is an outfit from one of his aunt and uncles. Can you guess where they live?

Time with Mommy and . . .

Time with Daddy.

Eating like a big boy, picking up pieces of grapes and whole peas.

Sunday, August 15th was Isaac's baby dedication. It was a special time for Eric and I and our families. During worship one of the songs was "Offering." A whole new meaning was brought to the words of the song:

"The sun cannot compare to the glory of Your Love,

There is no shadow in Your Presence.

No mortal man would dare to stand before Your throne,

Before the Holy One of heaven, It's only by Your Blood,

and it's only through Your mercy, Lord I come.

"I bring an offering of worship to my King,

No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing.

Jesus, may You receive the worship that You're due,

O Lord, I bring an Offering to You"

Affirming our parenting vows for Isaac and releasing him to God's will and blessing for his little life.

Pappy Lehman praying for Isaac.

Final prayers and blessings over our family.

Isaac enjoyed picking his restaurant of choice to celebrate his day. He enjoyed the straw best!

Uncle Ryan and Aunt Anya came in from Pittsburgh.

Great Pappy and Grammy Dietle

A Day to Remember and Release

Precious treasures stored away and kept for a "special day": Alivia's hospital bunting, cap, blanket, foot prints, ultrasound pictures and praying bear; along with a few other keepsakes kept tucked away.


From her first ultrasound at 21 weeks. She was proclaimed a perfectly healthy baby girl, growing right on target with all the charts.

She has my nose; this I know.

A year ago I was a very scared and nervous woman on the way to my 26 week appointment. My anxiety levels were through the roof! I KNEW something was wrong. Worry and concern had been growing for more than a week, and I was about to burst if someone didn't tell me whether I was crazy or had legitimate concerns.

The relief that came with finally knowing the horrid truth was shocking. The unnecessary burdens we bear that we have no control over can be stifling. God's peace beyond understanding also wrapped itself around me. It carried me carefully through the following weeks and months, slowly allowing me to deal with my grief one step at a time. Tears were very healing. Friends, colleagues, family and loved ones were literally my standing, breathing, living support. Eric and I were brought very near to one another, as we shared a grief no one else could perfectly understand in the same way.

Today, one year later, I feel a great release and peace. I no longer have troubled nightmares reliving those days leading up to Alivia's birth. I am no longer plagued with WHEN and HOW it happened. I can even say I have peace with little to no answers to these questions. God has done a mighty, mighty work in my life this past year. This I can testify to! Where I was a year ago is no longer where I stand today. I praise HIM for that great and glorious work. I am challenged to ask him to "Do it again!" For I know pain may also come with His work. Will you be strong enough to ask with me? There is often courage in numbers.

"Lord, continue your good work in our lives, as well as, those all around us!" Amen.

Camping with the Lehmans

You just can't beat time with family, even if it means with bugs, heat and humidity. We enjoyed a relaxing time at the Philip Bongiorno Campground and Conference Center in Carlisle, PA with the Lehman clan. The guys were able to squeeze in two rounds of 9 hole golf during the weekend, the benefits of camping at a campground with a golf course. The rest of the time was spent lounging, talking, eating, and tending to little ones. It was the first time that I had experienced having the entire camping area to ourselves! The facilities were very nice and clean, too. When camping, this makes a campground a 4 star hotel.

Finding out that camping with an infant recreates the look of your campsite.

97 degree afternoons are meant for sleeping in the shade (or in Pappy and Grandma's camper with the AC).

Cousins playing in their "play yard"

Not sure why my computer insists that this pictures should be turned this way, but I still thought it was a nice shot of Eric after golfing and Isaac ready to play.

Refreshing water makes for fun splashing.

and WATER BALLOON FIGHTS!!!! Watch out . . . . splat! This definitely made for some laughs and got everyone involved!

"Whose name is on that one, Bryce?

Daddy and Isaac playing a game of "Pat-Pat" on the camper steps.

Look Mom, I'm flying! (with slobbers on my chin)

Camping means dish pan baths (for little guys ONLY).

And Isaac drew an audience of helpful cousins.

I'm already looking forward to next year's annual camping trip!

Camping with the Martins

We have two family camping weekends planned back-to-back this summer. Last weekend was the first with April's parents and her three sisters and brothers-in-law. After much thought we decided on Bald Eagle State Park in Howard, PA as a central location for everyone. It was a HOT weekend, but we were able to find cooling relief under the breezy shade trees by lake. We packed and ate both noon meals down by the lake. Isaac enjoyed his first experience in "lake" water. Although, I refused to blow bubbles for him (Yuck!), he loved splashing and kicking with his aunts, uncles and grandparents. It was a great time to reconnect with family. Anya and I enjoyed an unplanned 5 mile walk to the lake. We probably would have make it in a quarter of the time, had we taken a map. In hind sight I wouldn't trade our leisurely walk and conversation, however it would have been nice to know that we hadn't walked ourselves into being lost. It was quite a relief when we finally saw the beach!

It also blessed my heart to watch Isaac interact with my family. He has lots of faces to learn, memories to make, and fun family times to look forward to in the future. (And hopefully a few cousins to play with. . . ?) Again, some entertaining pictures. . .

Ryan and Eric borrowed Mom and Dad's bikes for a hike. Don't they look handsome?


The "Good lookin' Hair" Club chilling at the beach.

Family Pic 2010

Sisters are definitely friends for life.

The Whole Gang (including dogs, which Isaac found very distracting:)

The water was very refreshing. . . despite the goose poo-poo.

My two favorite Men!