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Reflections on 15 months Post Adoption {the real behind the picture perfect}

Today has been a good day. A day where our hearts connected. The “mama’s” spoken were filled with peace and joy. And as we prepare for our last and final home study to bring home another child through the miracle of adoption–I can’t help but reflect on the last 15 months home with our son. […]

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Elle J - October 30, 2011 - 10:21 am

Beautifully written, Andrea. xo

Ashley - October 30, 2011 - 10:44 am

Thank you, Andrea =)

missy - October 30, 2011 - 11:13 am

home from church today with sickness, but still worshiping as i read a post like this. just before i read this, i was praying about what the lord has for our future re:adopting again. i was telling him that i just don’t know if i can do it. i fall so short day after day in the “easy” everyday ways i am called to die to myself. but reading your words, i was reminded that is is NOT about me. if he calls, he WILL equip…even this hopelessly selfish and impatient little momma.

thanks for sharing your life and heart with us. it’s so beautiful. can’t believe i get to meet you in january!!! please let me know if there is anything you need.

Billie Hobbs - October 30, 2011 - 11:55 am

While I sit GLUED to your words and read them over and over, I am so in awe of your faith, love, patience, kindness and gentleness, Andrea. You are truly in His presence during these times and He holds your hand. I pray that He continues to hold your hand as you bring that precious little girl to your loving arms. God bless you today and always and God bless you, special little girl, as you wait for your mommy. Love you….

Jeunesse Nageotte - October 30, 2011 - 2:59 pm

You have practically spoken my heart in words (way better than I would get it down on paper). It is hard, but so very beautiful, so amazing the love for us as children of God. We too are in the process the second time, and you said why so well. It has been hard and amazing…and He has called us again. We have learned from mistakes, grown immeasurably in our understanding, and learned to love unconditionally in a way we never knew existed. And to think it is only a glimpse of the love our Father has for us! I will think of your family and pray for you.

Allie - October 30, 2011 - 3:00 pm

I love the arranged marriage analogy–it’s right on! ๐Ÿ™‚

april - October 30, 2011 - 5:45 pm

Loved this. so beautiful, especially about our faithful God. Oh how I cannot wait to start our second adoption!

Dawn Wright - October 30, 2011 - 8:16 pm

Andrea- you have no idea…….oh my heart. I totally get it completely!! Sometimes I don’t put it into words as well. But it is there. So why adopt again? Easy…..it’s what we are called to do. We aren’t called to get comfortable. Although that would be great…..actually it wouldn’t because even through all the trials, the hard bits, I wouldn’t have grown nearly as much as I have…..and I wouldn’t get to see the growth in my kiddos- every tiny step!!!!!

We too are adopting again ๐Ÿ™‚ Special needs domestically!!! WE ARE BEYOND EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brandi - October 30, 2011 - 9:05 pm

Oh you could have just written about the last 7 months with our son! We sit back now and just watch him and take in all of the little things. Instead of pushing away and screaming, he brings us books to read. Instead of crying, we hear “mee mee”. We feel so incredibly honored and blessed to be this sweet guy’s parents!

rebekah - October 31, 2011 - 8:05 am

Beautifully written, Andrea!!! Thank you for sharing with such truth and grace.

Marci - October 31, 2011 - 12:18 pm

How thoughtfilled ~ So, helpful,honest and dear. My promise to you and you family is I keep you in my prayers daily. You are building the Kingdom of God one child at a time and sharing your walk to encourage others. Blessings and Pax,m

Tiffany - October 31, 2011 - 4:36 pm

Yes! Can I “like” and say yes to ALL of this?1? So, so VERY hard and so, so VERY different…still wonderful and we are still doing it again too…for all of the very same reasons. Oh boy and the tantrums…Caleb stills has them too and they are such a challenge when out and about…although they have gotten better…there has been progress. I longed for him to look at me…to give me that feedback…I ached for it. It was many long months – but what I realized is that it makes it even sweeter…to see how far he has come – how much he has healed. Really…all of what you said abut Isaac could be Caleb…they sound so similar. Now at night after stories, Caleb will say, “Cuddle,”…and he wants to just sit in my lap and rock before he goes to sleep. Such an amazing and difficult journey and in it, God has shown me so much about myself and also his love for me…His adopted child…

Nikki - November 2, 2011 - 2:55 pm

I love your heart, Andrea. Thank you.

Win a FREE registration fee to the JANUARY Created for Care retreat!

A little shout out for the Cookman crew! Just before Created for Care registration opened up–the Cookman family contacted me to see if they could purchase TWO spots to the Created for Care retreat. I told her she could purchase how ever many she wanted as long as she bought them before the retreat sold […]

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Rory - October 24, 2011 - 10:31 pm

Are you SERIOUS?!?! Andrea! I had ZERO idea you were gonna do an entire POST on this…on us. I wouldn’t have expected more than just a little line at the end of one of yours just so people know and don’t miss out on the giveaway. I never in my wildest dreams imagined THIS. The response has been so wonderful! I’m still going to send you an email, but I just had to say THANK YOU publicly. And I so HOPE you have a picture of your girl by January because then I’ll get to see her face AND you in person! Thank you for blessing us daily in so many ways.
Love,
Rory

waiting on mei mei…

Just cleaned out Loo-bears closet. I gave away ALL Laney’s clothes up to age 3…back in the days when I thought we were done growing. Now, each time I clean out her closet…I oh so carefully fold each sweet dress–knowing the next time I open this bin, she’ll be home… Rich walked in while I […]

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Dawn - September 11, 2011 - 7:10 pm

I LOVE figuring out the name!!!! It makes it soo much more real. Praying as she is out there…….somewhere…..
Hey, that didn’t look like too big of a laundry pile. ๐Ÿ˜‰

Jeni - September 11, 2011 - 10:00 pm

Glad to know I’m not the only one who stinks at laundry ๐Ÿ™‚

Holly - September 12, 2011 - 1:01 am

ahhh Frank DOES look grown up! this post has me so excited for you all ๐Ÿ™‚

Focus on the WHY not the HOW

Things aren’t always what they appear to be. We are in the midst of a series at my church about the HARD sayings of Jesus. One of Jesus’s last miracles during his last week of ministry was when He cursed the fig tree. ALL of Jesus’s other miracles had been LIFE GIVING miracles. This one–He […]

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Kim - September 4, 2011 - 11:48 pm

Beautiful truth!

Melissa Farnsworth - September 5, 2011 - 1:26 am

I am amazed how God keeps leading me down this path. I am laying in bed and asking Him how? and then I pulled your blog up on my phone! I have had so many big neon signs flashing at me the past few days and I am unsure why I continue to question Him.

Christy - September 5, 2011 - 6:07 am

So So true… thanks for the reminder. And wow, amazing how far Isaac has come! What a cutie though from day one! ๐Ÿ™‚

Created for Care Retreat…coming up!

Alright…we are getting geared up and ready to share some news!!! We will post a list of all the breakout sessions THIS weekend for you to checkout! They will be posted here, on the C4C blog, on the C4C website AND on the Created for Care page on Facebook. I’m SO excited about this next […]

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Kim - August 13, 2011 - 12:49 am

Cannot wait! I will be there!

Christy - August 13, 2011 - 6:48 am

You are amazing – planning all of this, Andrea! Does the conference center have shuttle service from the airport? Or is there a way to find a ride there?

Andrea Young - August 13, 2011 - 9:21 am

Christy–The hotel doesn’t offered it–so last year we decided to go the extra mile and pull off this service ourselves. What we learned was…it’s not worth it. Moms paid $45 for roundtrip shuttle service. If their flight got delayed–there was nothing we could do and their spot still had to be paid for because we got the rate we did based on the number of ladies committed to using the service. If they missed the last shuttle, they had to rent a car. Using http://www.priceline.com we found those ladies who missed their flights car rentals for just $45. SO…we are suggesting moms to do this instead and then they pay the same and don’t have to wait an hour at the airport for the next shuttle. AND they can leave the retreat when it’s over whenever they want (some had late flights but they had to leave at 10am and miss the share session b/c so many had early flights–and they were bummed about that…but we only got the $45 rate if we did multiple shuttles on Friday and just one on Sunday). Tough stuff. SO…technically if moms have the option for making it even cheaper by sharing their flight times on Facebook and hooking up with another mom to split the car rental with!!! At worst, you don’t split it with anyone and pay the same as you would for a shuttle…but it’s way more convenient!!! There is an $8 gate pass fee once you get there–but you only pay that for the entire weekend and you can come and go as you please with no additional fee at the gate:)

Rory Cookman - August 13, 2011 - 9:41 am

Woohoo! I can’t wait! It looked amazing last year and I am so excited. In fact, since I’m on Pacific Time over here I’m gonna have to camp out by my computer on August 31st (you know, like those nut-bars outside Wal-mart the day after Thanksgiving:)) just so I can make it in time! AAAAHHHHH! Is it September yet!?!?!

Leigh - August 13, 2011 - 10:40 am

Can’t wait!!!! it was amazing last year and just a few days before we got our surprise referral for our son!!! I have to say, I am practicing typing quickly because it’s going to fill up fast!!! haha!

Alison - August 13, 2011 - 1:27 pm

Yay!!! I am so excited to see this! Last year C4C was AMAZING!!! I can’t wait for this year, and I will definitely help spread the word! Hope we can bring an even bigger crew from Mississippi this year!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

Sara - August 13, 2011 - 2:04 pm

So excited for the retreat! And thank you for sharing the video. Just what my heart needed today. ๐Ÿ™‚

Julie Johnston - August 13, 2011 - 7:25 pm

So excited! Been planning and saving for it all year….can’t wait!

Farrah - August 13, 2011 - 10:02 pm

Is the retreat for moms who have only done international adoption?

Andrea - August 13, 2011 - 10:10 pm

Farrah–It’s for domestic…international…foster care!!!

Rebecca - August 14, 2011 - 7:07 am

Wouldn’t miss it! Happy to help if needed. ๐Ÿ™‚

Stacy - August 14, 2011 - 9:38 pm

Thank you so much for sharing the info and the video…every video I see, I hope brings our family one step closer to it being US in the video. ๐Ÿ™‚ I can’t help but cry with every one I see. Beautiful!

Lauren - August 15, 2011 - 9:49 pm

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited!!!! I’ve got September 1st burned in my brain with my fingers ready to type! ๐Ÿ˜‰ Thank you so much for sharing our video!! Love you!!!!

chris anne - August 17, 2011 - 2:03 pm

if i remember correctly we were told at the awesome retreat last year that we would have a guaranteed this spot this year, is that still true? i am so excited!!

Kristy Jeansonne - August 18, 2011 - 9:56 pm

How many spots do you have for the conference?