Selah: The Long Awaited Day

     The long awaited day has finally come- we have an adoption date! On Monday we signed all of the adoption paperwork and this Friday we will be finalizing. We definitely were not expecting it to move that fast, but we could not be more excited! Thank you so much to all of you who have been faithful to pray for us and ask us where we were at in the whole process. Your love and support has meant more to us than you can know!

     It's funny though because really Friday changes everything while at the same time changing nothing. Yes, we can't wait to know that everything is final and secure and that we are legally Ella and Haddon's parents. Despite of how the state may have viewed it, Ella and Haddon have been OURS for a long time. Long before we even knew this would be the process God brought us through to get to them.

     The last two years, Mother's Day has been amazing- amazing because I can't get over the fact that I get to be a mom. Yet I've struggled with how to graciously respond to those well meaning people who have wished me a happy "almost Mother's Day" or commented about how "soon" I'll "be a mom". I firmly believe that Josh and I became parents when Ella was born- not 2 1/2 years later when she came home, and not 3 1/2 years later when her adoption will be finalized. I don't think it's any coincidence that the Fall that Ella was born was the same time that we decided we were ready to start a family. We may have not known that our little girl was born or waiting for us, but God was busy preparing all of our paths and bringing her and Haddon home in His time- not ours.

     Throughout this whole process we have been so amazed by God's timing and perfect providence in all things. We know without a doubt that the process and trials he brought us through that ultimately led us to foster-to-adopt were all a part of His perfect plan for us and ultimately prepared us to be ready to take a foster placement exactly when they were looking for a placement for Ella and Haddon.

     And now, because our kids are no longer in foster care! and because we finally can! Here are a few pics we took last week at Descanso Gardens. Enjoy!