"Bring the Rain"

What a fabulous weekend! My sister in law, Kasey, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy last night! I love him so much and I did NOT want to put him down! She had a pretty rough night and ended up having a C section at 10pm - but mommy and baby are doing great!!!!

I'm proud to say that I didn't have any "woe is me" moments this weekend. I was so excited about this baby and becoming an aunt, my issues were the last thing on my mind! I'll be honest, though, I can't wait for it to be our turn! I also can't wait to see Greyson again soon and to finally have him meet his Uncle Chase!!!!

So I heard this song on the way home tonight! It's called "Bring the Rain" by Mercy Me! It was one of those songs that really spoke to me. It was almost like I had written the lyrics...like that were taken straight from my heart! Through all of the hardships Chase and I have come face to face with, I have never blamed God or turned my back on him. Instead, I've trusted that He has something wonderful for us. He is always testing our faith and He is always by our side!

Here are the lyrics:

"I can count a million times

People asking me how I

Can praise You with all that I've gone through

The question just amazes me

Can cirumstances possibly

Change who I forever am in You?

Maybe since my life was changed

Long before these rainy days

It's never really crossed my mind

To turn my back on you, Oh Lord

My only shelter from the storm

But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of

The dark clouds that may loom above

Because You are much greater than my pain

You who made a way for me

By suffering Your destiny

So tell me what's a little rain

So I pray"

"Bittersweet Symphony"

I am proud to announce that we have everything except for 2 things completed before we schedule our home study!!! We are STILL waiting on Chase's divorce decree (which was requested and paid for in NOVEMBER) and we need to get our TB tests done! Once we finish that, we schedule our home study! EEK! The approval process is about a month after that, then we meet with our case worker and get the ball rolling. I told Chase that I would feel more comfortable TRYING straight adoption first and if we get no response after a few months, then we can switch to foster to adopt (which has a much faster placement).

I'm not as nervous or anxious about the process as I was in the beginning. I'm ready to have a baby, but it will all happen when it's supposed to! I have to admit, though, I still have problems hearing about people who are pregnant. I'm not angry or resentful (as I have been in the past), I'm just a little sad. But I get over it and move on. This is MY journey. Everyone has something different planned for their life. Ours is just a little different. There is one thing that DOES make me angry...all of these reports about parents killing their babies or squeezing their heads or dumping them in the trash! WHAT????? GIVE THEM TO ME! I know, I know...life isn't fair, but that is pure evil!

Our 2nd Annual BBQ is coming up - Saturday, March 26 is the date! Last year we had it at the end of April and it was sooo hot, so we are trying a little earlier this year! Hopefully we'll have a great turn out, but still waiting on a TON of people to reply (you know who you are)!! :)

I still have a lot of "support adoption" bracelets! With every $5 donation, you get a bracelet! Pass it along - I really want to get rid of all of them!

Have a great weekend!!

"Better Than A Hallelujah"

Our 2nd fundraiser was a HUGE success! On January 22 we held a garage sale fundraiser at my parent's home in Port Neches! In the super cold weather, we raised a little over $2000!!! This could NOT have been done without the generous donations from so many people (and even the ones we didn't have room for)! More than that, though, we could not have done this without the generous donation of time from our wonderful family and friends. They devoted their entire weekend to helping us set up and sell our items. I hope each one of you know how much your time and kindness mean to us! We are so lucky to have you all in our lives and we will eternally thank you for your selflessness! We will make this up to you and truly show our gratitude, but until then, know that you are FABULOUS and we love each one of you more than you can imagine!!! We definitely had a great time - from setting it up all night and FREEZING to getting in trouble by the cops for hanging signs!!!! :)

Our next fundraiser (most likely) will be a link sale! I'll keep you guys updated on all of our upcoming fundraiser events!

Kylee - she may be small, but she was a hard worker!

The cars lining the streets and around the block!

Stuff...lots and lots of stuff (and Mima)

Our shirts!! Everyone who participated got an "Operation Baby Dodson" shirt!

Our wonderful volunteers with our beautiful sign created by Lacey!