People must think we are Crazy!

This is our picture from our family vacation in St. George Island, Florida! A very, very, family friendly place! Derek has been coming here with his family for years, but this year was different. First I was there, which he hasn't come since we've been married due to many other irons in the fire!
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But I was truly myself! As always I spoke and must have told every mom how adorable her child was. I'm sure people thought I was crazy!!! Or thought,,now kids stay away from that lady!! As we watched the adventures of the kids feeding the birds, we often would say I can't wait till we can bring our child to the beach and play in the sand.... My niece and nephew always comment on Aunt Mindy's talking to every mom about their adorable child. I guess it is the hole that we want to fill with the love of a child one day.. I even made a friend at the Piggley Wiggley of all places in the world! This vacation was a blessing to bond with our family before a child and enjoy our time knowing one day, just one day it will be less about us and more about the child that God has intended for us. Derek even stated, "You know I think some how we will value family time more now as we have waited so long for it." I agreed laughing and thinking....HMMMMMM you just wait!! We are going to have a blast with children..Except I will teach my kids to drop the bread before the seagulls attack us!! Those kids were getting flocked by every bird... We enjoyed this blessing of time and can't wait for next year or the year after that to take a child with us on the "family vacation." It might just have to change from the beach to a really kid friendly place,,,guess that all depends on the age and our lives at the time. No matter what we do we know our families are ready for this blessing to spoil and love unconditionally any child that comes our way!
Until Next Time.....Love, Laugter, Coos and Poos...enjoy every minute dreaming of your children, but remember to enjoy the time with your spouse to grow on this amazing journey of faith.

PS:  And no, Derek didn't photo bomb the picture! I asked him to stand with me in the picture!!!

I LOVE YOU MORE....

THERE IS A WONDERFUL SONG WRITTEN BY MATTHEW WEST...called I love you MORE!
We had the opportunity to see him perform at the Grand Ole Opry this past Wednesday night..Little did I know I would cry as he explained why he wrote the song.
He explained he had some friends that has a son, through adoption and every night when he had the chance he would go to his married friend's house to eat!! Because that is were single writers in Nashville get fed! And their son, every night would play a game so he wouldn't have to go to bed..the son would repeat after his dad would say I love you....the son would keep doing it so he could stall the bed time!! One night while Matthew was over there they had placed a picture on their fridge. Jax had made that said." I love you more..." It had on it a big sun, moon and stars.... By the end of the story my face was covered in streams of tears...I didn't know that MWest asked his fans to write letters of their lives to help him write songs...but it makes a song more than just words that rhyme but impresses thought provoking Loving ideas....and once again occurred to me..that in reality I am ready to have a child and hug him and tell him we love him/her more than words can every say. Derek and I both squeezed each others hands feeling the vibe of what once again touched my heart to reaffirm adoption is an answer to our prayer for starting our family. I've met many women say their husbands wouldn't be able to adopt..and I think wow..adoption is what the Lord did for us. For Moses....It isn't easy, but life isn't always easy..sometimes you must really soul search and know that the Lord has a plan. I met a woman in Wal-mart that wanted children so badly and I felt her pain. I explained to her adoption isn't an answer for everyone, but it is a beautiful journey and we knew it was right for us the moment we sat at our orientation. Adoption is building a family through a different journey than anyone else will ever know. No one will ever understand that the bond you feel for your child begins before you see or feel a heart beat. It begins when writing the letters, crying after you know it is the right thing for you and your spouse, when you sit and talk to your case worker, or someone calls you and ask how are you in your adoption process....That is when it all begins...It is different and Amazing all at once...Next time you hear the song....listen and feel the power of the word!

Watching the kids play and thinking...

While waiting you imagine the child's giggles and coos.. You watch them run around and ponder the thought of the wonderful moments you will have giving your child his/her first bath, stinky diaper.,,potty training fun, the moments when you have to rock them a sleep after the first night and then you flash to the thoughts of what to say when you meet that special young woman. Here is my prayer for her and for us...Until we meet on that special day, We pray for you and for your child. No matter of the outcome, you are a blessing to open your heart to meet us....


Dear Lord,

We pray that you will give us the strength when we meet our child's mother for us all to be at peace. For her to know that she is a blessing to us and to her child. To make the transition a stress free time and fill her heart not with pain, but of love. Please turn the emptiness into joy. We ask that you fill her heart with welcome love and help us to help her to know we love her beyond measure that we are here for her and for her child. Let her know her feelings are important and we too want the best for her and child.  Please surround her with your stillness and peace in mind, body and soul. Give us the words to help her know us better and to comfort us all. Let her know that we too are nervous and excited but want whatever she feels she needs. Lord, please help us all to grow a special bond that only you can create. Create it though love and kindness.  In all this we ask and praise your name for the glory of the Lord for whenever the time may come in your name we will be here waiting for that special time and place. Thank you Lord.
Amen...

Letter to our child

Our child,

We have waited for you for years. We can't wait to hold your hand and your amazing perfect body next to our hearts. You are an amazing gift to us from the most unselfish woman that wanted to give you opportunities she thought you would never have. You and your birth mom are the best gift from God. We promise to care for you until the end of time! You will always be considered our miracle child/ren and our gift/s! Your hopes and dreams feel our hearts with exploding joy for your future as we pray that God will always remain close to your heart.  He has blessed us with your life and crossed your birth mother's life and ours together. The Lord knows exactly what your dad and I need to make our lives complete. He knows the time, day, hour, second and year. We know that you will be curious and want to know more about your birth parents. We understand your desires and pray you will know their gift to us, makes them a hero in our eyes. You are our joy! We are so blessed and can't wait to me you in the near future. We know God knows where you are now, who the birth parents might be, but know we pray for you as your journey to us becomes closer for our empty hearts to be complete.  You are the best thing we have ever waited for and we continue to be excited for we know the Lord provides us with more love for you each day as we wait on you, our miracle.  

Blessings,
Mommy and Daddy

GOOD NEWS on Easter Day!!!

Mommy and Daddy are officially approved! Now they wait for me

This is the sign that was sitting in the crib on Easter! My mother was shocked. I knew I placed it in there, but not telling her for several days (when I was with her every day) was surprise to so many and myself. How I kept my BIG mouth shut?  I guess because I had told a dear friend's mother when she came over one day to make a card, we thought we had official be approved, but were waiting on the official letter. This poor woman had to see my mother every Monday morning for prayer group. She never said a word! She is a true angel. I know she was so elated when she knew my mom knew!

Tears filled my eyes as my mother, came running into the kitchen and said in her Texan draw...."When did you find out?" For my mom, hollering wasn't usually a typical thing,,even her voice cracked and her hand flopped like a chicken!I was so relieved I had forgotten to tell her, that tears started streaming down my face, I turned my head so the rest of the family couldn't see them..I was still preparing for our Easter Feast!


When I was a junior in college I had written a movie scripts for a class and the couple announced their engagement at Easter with the family. So this was my dream to tell my parents something so joyous on such a blessing of a day. I hated I was missing my God daughter first Easter Egg hunt at church, but I knew deep in my heart I could see that experience next year when she is older and enjoys it even more.

The memories you make with your family are lasting. I only wish my sister and her family were here, but soon we will be able to travel to see them! and who knows? Our child could be born right there in LUBBOCK, TX of all places.  I also hated that Derek's mom and dad weren't here! But we sent them this picture to make their Easter a brighter day! Destiny was here to share the day with us, and we are so thankful for her being so close to us! She is the best.
PURE JOY!

Being on the Expecting Prayer List

I was so excited and nervous when I asked our ministers to place us on the expecting prayer list in our hearts we have always been expecting. I remember hearing those names during a prayer and squeezing Derek's hand in hope to be able one day share our joyous news of a new arrival. So the Sunday finally came in which we too were listed in the prayer list "Mindy and Derek". The sound of our names poked at my heart, knowing it may not be in 9 months, it could be later or sooner. You never know what the Lord has in store, and he does have perfect timing. As I walked out of church, I was greeted with the most lovely words, "I'm so happy you are on the expecting prayer list because you are expecting," It warmed my heart coming from a mother and father of 5 lovely children.  When I wrote the ministers about the prayer list, I had told them they could place "adopting" by our names so that others would know my bulging tummy is me eating for one rather than 2! But I guess they decided it didn't matter, and they probably didn't want us to be treated any differently than other parents. Then I realized we are going to be parents, adoption is nothing different,,,well is some ways, but parents are parents. Love is love and your child will always be your child, no mater how the child was placed in your life!

Actions Speak Volumes

 Day by day I have my moments, when I want to call the adoption agency and ask, "Well?" I know it is all in "due time" As we eagerly wait and fill my time with cleaning, trying to work on the house, think of baby stuff we might need, and write. I haven't been doing the best at blogging, but that is because after I write I let it set in the waiting Zone! I always try to sit on something before I publish it, unless it's a easy write like today's blog. My heart has be saddened for those in need by recent events in West and Boston. Thinking I often feel emotions of deep sympathy for those who have lost loved ones. Then I remember those helping and it make me proud to be a Texan. Many friends' loved ones have gone to help and that fills my heart with a different emotions. It also reminds me that time is precious and to never forget to share the love of the Lord with all, not just by words but actions. Words are great, but when you show and become an example it speaks volumes not just an introduction.  These recent horrific events remind me, to be patient, to be still and listen to his words.  I hope one day when my child is in my arms I can be an example and my goal is to show them that kindness in society does matter. Just when you turn on the t.v to see another dark episode of the latest criminal show on t.v, remember there are moments in our world when a man who just ran 26.2 miles keeps running to save others at the hospital or the first fireman on the scene that went to put out a fire, only for it to be a huge explosion that took out half a town.  The town of West is sticking together and sharing with Americans all over that helping your neighbor is far important than saving your personal belongings. Donation chains flooded Facebook immediately after this tragic explosion. I'm blessed beyond words that people all over the state are reaching out. we will continue to pray for the communities of West and Boston. May their grace be shared by all as they get through the future days.