Beating Bed Rest

Bed rest. Those two words sound like heaven right now. Chasing after two toddler boys all day can be exhausting. So much so that even showering seems like a chore.

Rewind three years ago. I was 30 weeks along with my first son Luke and up until that point had a text book pregnancy. At my 30 week appt everything changed. I was put on strict bed rest until I hit the 36 week mark. That meant no walking, driving, shopping and even sitting up had to be done in moderation. I'll admit the first few days was nice. I caught up on emails, watched Netflix, and finished several books that I had started months before. But just like with anything else, every good thing must come to an end. I quickly started to feel isolated and depressed. I longed for trips to the grocery store and outings with friends. I remember talking to my dad on the phone and sobbing saying that this was the hardest thing I ever had to do. Ha! Little did I know what sleepless nights lie ahead of me.

Fast forward a year and I am pregnant with Jake and put on bed rest at 20 weeks. So I had a year old son and now bed rest again...I had surgery done early in the pregnancy that I thought would negate the chances of a second bout of bed rest, unfortunately that was not the case. I survived 13 weeks of bed rest. And it was completely worth every moment of it.

A few months ago, a friend approached me and asked if I would be willing to share my stories with her friend whom was writing a book about surviving bed rest. I never thought of myself having endured or doing anything different than what any other mom would do. In some ways I felt unworthy to share, because to me it was rather insignificant. But what God has taught me is that he takes experiences and makes them significant. So to be able to help someone else by sharing my testimony was extremely humbling.

If you know someone whom is on bed rest or you have experienced bed rest yourself, I urge you to pick up the book "Beating Bed Rest" by Angela Bickford. I love the way it is written, very witty yet, informative. I only wish I would have read this while on bed rest, instead of all the scary blogs and posts that fed into my constant paranoia.

As I was reading this book I was reminded that God has a plan for everything. Everything. Even if it means you are laying in bed for 3 months straight. :)

Blessings,

Rachel

Waiting On You Lord

It seems like whenever I catch up with a friend or family member, I am immediately asked "what's going on with the adoption?" I never know quite what to say, after all it is me whom set up specific deadlines for adoption process, something I tend to do because I am a task oriented person. The truth of the matter is, we are simply waiting. Not the waiting you might think though, we are not home study ready, nor do I expect a birth mother to come knocking at my door. We are simply waiting on The Lord's timing.

It seems like it would be so easy to wait on The Lord, but you see, I like to tell God when and how things are to happen...and He listens, all the while showing me His plans are always better. Always.

Why do I keep wanting to control my life?  I often  give God 90% of things, but struggle to give Him full reign of my life. I think it's because I'm a worrier. I worry about things five and ten years from now. I worry about almost everything from my parents, to where my kids will go to college. Forget the fact that they are still in diapers mind you.

I read a quote the other day explaining that to worry is to distrust God. If I truly believe that God has amazing plans for me, then wouldn't that be a huge relief, knowing that God has your whole life planned. Even as I type this I see how ridiculous it is to worry and how it does nothing but strip my life of joy.

Ever since God has placed adoption on my heart I have tried to give Him complete control. This is why right now I am simply waiting on His timing and His direction.

Thank you for all the prayers and support; they mean the world, especially since I am a worrier! :)

Adoption: When, Where, and Why

Why adopt? Such a simple question, with so many answers...seems almost easier to respond with "why not." When I felt the call to adopt one of the quotes I read was from David Platt. He is a pastor, writer, speaker, and adopter. This quote really spoke to me, because It. Is. Truth. “We learned that orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they’re not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes…” – David Platt, “Radical”

 This quote is one of several that spurred me to research and read more about adoption. The more I began to read, the more I discovered that God was calling me to take the adoption journey. Below are several other reasons why we feel called to adopt.

Why?

• I feel called by The Lord. Enough said. ;)

• It's Biblical.  

"You are the helper of the fatherless. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more." Psalms 10:14,17-18

"Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families."

Psalms 68:5-6

• I have a desire for more children, but due to two high risk pregnancies, I do not want to be on bed rest again for months.or the whole pregnancy, with two toddlers running amok. I could have a third child, BUT I feel that due to my health, this is yet another sign from God that He intended our family to adopt.

• I am pro-life, and would love to offer a child a chance at life, whom would have otherwise been aborted.

Where?

Rob and I have decided to go the domestic adoption route. We are using a consultant whom reaches out to many agencies, that are located in adoption friendly states.

When?

This summer we will be traveling and settling into our new home. There's work to be done in and around the house etc... And add that to the fact that we have two boys under three years old, is very busy.  Our goal is to  start looking for a match at the end of November or the beginning of 2014. By then, Luke will be three and Jake will be nearly 2 years old. 

That's our update for now! I am also starting to look for used baby items since I donated all of our baby stuff to a pregnancy crisis center several months ago, ;) So if you know of anyone selling gently used girl clothing, bumbos, swings, etc... please send me their info! The good thing is that it is garage sale season, so hopefully I can find some good deals. :)

Thank you again for the wonderful support and encouraging words! Please continue to pray for us as we continue to prepare our hearts and home for a sweet baby!

Blessings,

Rachel

Adoption: Answering the Call

If there's one thing I know about God, it's that when He calls you either a.) follow immediately and obediently, or b.) He will push you, tug at your heart, and stir your soul until you listen. Scenario b.) occurred two weeks ago. I was lying in bed and could not sleep, which is rare for me. So as I lie awake in the middle of the night, I did what any other insomniac would do; I perused Facebook.;) While perusing I came across a blog and began to read. The blog was about adoption. I've read through many adoption blogs, but this was different. It was as if the blog was written for me. As I read through the blog I began to weep, like ugly girl, runny make-up red eyes weep. I wept for all of the orphans waiting for homes and I also wept for myself because I knew that God was tugging at my heart and I had selfishly been pushing the thought of adoption aside. I have been very happy with two boys, and the thought of adoption made me uncomfortable. But God spoke to me that night and the quote that still resonates with me today is this:

"We care for orphans, not because we are rescuers. We care for orphans because we have been rescued."-David Platt.

Amazing words. Words that will forever be etched into my soul. We are all orphans and because of Jesus Christ, we now have an eternal father in heaven. We are indeed the rescued.

I truly believe that the The Holy Spirit spoke to me that night, as I tearfully and humbly went to Rob whom was up late working and told him I felt called to adopt. He was thrilled, as he had been wanting another child, and praying my heart would change.

We are trusting in The Lord and know that He has planned a child for us, and we cannot wait to meet him/her!   Please pray, laugh, cry, and rejoice with us as we begin our search for our chosen child.

I am leaving you with one of my favorite bands, Third Day's videos, it makes me so excited to follow Christ's calling to adopt!

Blessings,
Rachel and Rob

Family Craft

Thank you Pinterest and Libby M for the lastest craft idea! I LOVE it! Super easy and effortless to make...well all except tracing Luke's hand. :)

All you need for this DIY is a frame, your favorite scrapbook paper background, and cardstock colors (quantity depends on number of family members...)

One way I found to obtain Luke's handprint was to gently color the back of his hand with sidewalk chalk then stamp it on the paper and cut it out!

Giving DIY a Try ;)

While parusing Pinterest I found a blog on how to make fabulous coasters, so I decided that I HAD to make them too! Luckily my parents still like homemade gifts, because they are getting a set too. ;) I am very excited about the way they turned out.

Materials used: scrapbook paper, 4x4 tiles (Home Depot, $00.16 each), glossy mod podge, felt adhesives on the back (so as to not scratch tables), two coats of clear spray paint

Total time~ 1 hour (40 mins of letting paint dry, 20 mins to cut scrapbook paper)

Crafting, Cooking, and Cleaning OH MY!

I took a hiatus from blogging, mainly because I had a baby and could barely think let alone write. But alas, Luke is sleeping through the night and I am no longer working; all is right with the world. Since I am staying at home I have taken up the hobby of crafting. Now this is not typical Rachel crafting...I did not go to Nordstrom to buy a thing. :) Rather it's Hobby Lobby, Estate sale finds, random antique stores, and even places like The Dollar Tree. Thanks to my new addiction http://www.pinterest.com/ I am able to replicate fashion, crafts, and really just about any and everything I desire! I LOVE to make things. This is coming from the queen of paying other people to do things for me. ;) Currently I am getting things all greared up for L's first birthday! Yes I know it's 3 months away BUT I must get started on collecting things!

So God must have known that I needed a crafty mommy companion because I recently met a dear friend (Libby) with a little boy named Mason whom is only a few months older than Luke. We started a crafting night once a week. Last night was our first craft night and I have not laughed so hard in a long time! You would have thought we were drunk while crafting...not the case. Totally sober but hilarious!

Continue to follow as I post our crafting adventures! I am also working on finding/refinishing furniture pieces for the house, sewing projects, and lot's of other DIY projects! The pictures above are for a birthday banner and a birthday milestone clothes pin project...stay tuned for the finished project!