4/52

You are a growing fool! I easily forgot how much babies grow during the first few weeks. It is hard to believe these tiny little feet will one day be the stinky culprits that I smell around the house. I wish I could bottle up your sweet baby smell to whiff during those times :)

Fearless

Oh my sweet Henry. I've been thinking of words I would use to describe you and today fearless stood out loud and clear. We went to the park today and you immediately ventured over to the pond's edge to "see ducks".  

A nice gentleman shared a piece of bread with you to feed the ducks and geese.  After one throw you hurriedly gave me the bread and exclaimed, "you throw momma."  I feared we were headed towards a little break down. But, within minutes you were chasing geese and had your toes so close to the edge I was holding onto your shirt in fear. 

You are all boy. You climb, run, slide and knock things over with the best of the best. However, you still look back at your dad or I to make sure we are there. Bud, your cheering section is right behind you. Go on and be your fearless self. 

3/52

We are still trying to figure out this whole two kid thing. Henry went from a go go go kid to being forced to slow down a little. I know the day will soon come when you are both running around and I am doing my best to keep up. For now, we will enjoy sitting outside with your brother "goes wimming" and squirts you with water from his fire hose.  You two are going to be awesome together. 

2/52

You officially no longer look like your brother. You look like Tucker. I cannot wait to get to know you more. 

1/52

I saw on a fun blog that a mom did a photo a week on her blog of her little boy. I have a friend who did a photo a day, I am not that with it ha! So a photo a week seems manageable. Henry turns two in two weeks so hope to start the once a week with him as well. 

This was our first day home, July 4. We were both pretty exhausted and collapsed on the floor. I'm sure I was teary and emotional and thinking how the heck am I going to do this?!  Thankfully you don't know any better, so I guess we will all just figure it out together. Ha

Dear Tucker Scott B.,

I haven't blogged in forever. I miss it. I miss how I can freeze little memories about our little family and keep them tucked away to read later. Hopefully you will be a little motivation to get with the game again. We shall see. 

We welcomed you to the fam on July 3 at 12:17pm. After a scheduled induction (that was kind of a surprise), we checked in to the hospital at 7:30 and in no time you were in our arms. I almost didn't get an epidural and I think I was a little crazed. But, we made it. 

You weighed in at a healthy 8 pounds 14 ounces and were a lengthy 20 inches long. The whole experience was surreal and before I knew it, I was back in new born land. 

We were able to go home on the 4th. I'm not sure if I was totally ready, but your dad was chomping at the bit. Henry was able to stay with grandparents the first two nights so we were able to spend some quality time together. You are a pretty little baby and we love you so much. 

Speaking of Henry... He isn't all the way sold on you yet. He misses being able to "go" and will tug at you if I am holding you too long. He will soon get that you are sticking around. :) He can be oh so sweet to you though. He loves to help wake you up in the morning and give you kisses before bed. Before too long, you will be chasing him throughout the house and there will be four little feet running rather than two. That melts my heart a little. 

I cannot wait to see what you bring to this little family. We've learned so much from your brother, I'm sure we will learn our fair shaker from you as well. We love you little Tuck Tuck. 

Love,

Your Momma

My "Job"

Back in May, I took a contract position with All Blessings International to do home studies for local families wanting to adopt.  It was a HUGE answer to prayer and orchestrated totally by God.  If you have known me long enough, you know that adoption is a big deal to me.  Adoption has had a large chunk of my heart for 12 years and I have prayed and prayed to one day be able to work in the adoption field, and here I am.

I have been surrounded by adoption for a long time.  My near and dear friends who have adopted have heard me time and time again say to them, "Adoption is HARD!"  In my heart of hearts, I don't believe God's perfect plan was for adoption to even have a place in this world.  But, in case you've lived in a hole your entire life, we live in a fallen world.  One full of sin, bad decisions, pain, and heartache.  Adoption is both beautiful and ugly all in the same boat.  It requires hurt and restoration.

But, boy oh boy do I see God all over adoption.

I sincerely believe that God has a soft spot for the orphaned.  Those innocent babes are held in His arms and it is a beautiful thing.  He calls families to open up their homes and hearts and places these precious babes in forever families.  I have been a part of home comings, first meetings, good byes, and referrals.  The tears of joy and pain abound.

In the adoption world there are the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.  Recently, I've seen a low. ABI partnered with an orphanage in a very remote location in DRC two months ago. In the last three weeks there has been a dysentery outbreak which resulted in 33 of the 52 orphans losing their life. Two of these babes were twins who were recently matched with a sweet friend. This hit close to home and my heart was broken.

BUT GOD (famous Jenny words)...

He knew this pain was coming and held these babes when their moms and dads couldn't. I believe these 33 babes are no longer suffering and now all who know of their story; the moms and dads, ABI, friends of the families, and anyone who has read the information and blogs about this story, get to be a part of stewarding their story well.  We get to be a part of the highest of highs. 

ABI is currently raising funds to help with immediate and long term relief for this orphanage and the community surrounding it. Right now, they are trying to raise $15,000 by Friday to provide materials for a team leaving this weekend. Will you please consider making a donation?  Even $5 can make a huge difference. You can donate here and read more about this situation here.