What’s been on my mind lately is the concept of preparation.

Haley and I have been slowly preparing ourselves mentally, spiritually and physically for having kids. I want to note that we do realize that how we picture things to be may not necessarily the way things turn out.  It’s been an interesting journey so far and I’ve been enjoying the ride.

As a father I want to be able to provide the best for my kids.  As part of the preparation, I’ve been slowly giving up certain habits that I have had in the past.  An example of that would be buying / playing video games.  While I haven’t given this habit up completely, it’s one that has diminished over the past year.  I was really gung-ho about playing Halo and playing games online.  However it’s been a while since I’ve played Halo (and we’ll see how I do this winter) and only recently played a video game this past Sunday.

Why do I talk about video games? Well video games do two things (1) cause me to spend $ and (2) cause me to spend time. It’s important to realize that the $60.00 I used to spend on a game will be better spent on care for my kids.  And then the time playing the game itself will be better spent on interacting with my kids, being there for them etc.

Maybe this post would be better titled “priorities”.  As I go through the adoption process, I am learning about the changed priorities in life.

For me I am striving to have my priorities be God, Haley, Family (including kids), Friends then myself.

So what are your priorities?

-brian

So while Haley is in Mexico, I have taken it upon myself to surprise her with a few honey-to-dos…that is honey-to-dos that are not on the honey-to-do list.

Before Haley left for Mexico, we lifted up the carpeting to see the quality of the wood flooring and it looked ok.  So Haley thought it would be a good project for us to do in August.  So I took it upon myself to get a head start on the project and actually start it earlier, so that she can see some of the nice flooring by the time she gets home.

The photos you see are of our bedroom and the kids future room, we still have the office and hallway to take care of.   One step closer!

-brian

I’m pretty pumped because Haley and I both aced our tests for Module 1.  One down, three left to go!  Woo hoo!

So we had our first homestudy meeting today.  What I really loved about the homestudy meeting was that it gave us ideas and confidence that we’re going about the right way in the adoption process.  I think also we’ll learn more about ourselves and how we want to raise children as we have to make this part of our homestudy and filling out the dossier. 

So how does Brian feel about all of this adoption stuff?  I think I’m just taking it one day at a time.  I’m very excited about the prospect of having two children in our lives – and I do know that we’ll have significant challenges as part of the assimilation process – but overall, looking forward to it!

As we learn more about each other, I love seeing how Haley and I compliment each other.  I lean on her for things and she leans on me for things.  The distinct challenge is that we will have two children right away so we won’t be able to “tag-team”, so Haley and I will be learning how to deal with our children right from the get go.

As of now, we have about 6 months to get everything done.  Pray that we get all our paperwork done on time, or else we will need to refile what “expires”.

If I could sum up how I feel about our adoption process… this would be it.

Calvin and Hobbes Last Cartoon

“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.”— 1 Samuel 1:27

“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, Abba! Father!” —– Romans 8:15

Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. —- James 1:27

” Sons are a heritage from the Lord, Children a reward from him.” — Psalms 127:3