The Tacky Tourist

Today we went to Galveston for a BBQ with John's new company. Since we were heading out to the beach and it's daddy's day to pick Elijah's clothes, John decided it would be funny to dress Baby Eli as a "tacky tourist."

Check this out!
Mommy couldn't handle him looking like that all day, so his outfit was somewhat modified later on.















As we were heading home, we decided to stop for a couple of quick beach pictures.
Elijah's first trip to the ocean!

4 Months Old!

Elijah is 4 months old today! Here's a look at how he's grown over the first 4 months.

Birth













1 Month


















2 Months


















3 Months













4 Months

Praise Him in the Storm

Today's church service really impacted me because I am finally able to look BACK at the storm and realize that God has seen us through it. I don't know if I'll be able to verbalize what I mean by that, but here's a try...

In April of this year, I was in one of the hardest places emotionally that I've been in quite a while - John was temporarily out of a job, we had to put our adoption process on hold, we were wondering why God had brought us to TX - my heart ached for a child and it seemed like that just wasn't in God's plan for us. So, when I would sing praise songs at church, my eyes would well up with tears, because I so wanted to mean what I was singing and I truly wanted God to be in control of my life, but my life wasn't where I "wanted" it to be and it was so hard to see what God had in mind. So, it was hard to sing things like "blessed be the name of the Lord...He gives and takes away..." because, was I really willing for Him to take away my desire for a child? NO! I wanted him to grant my request. But that's why it's a sacrifice to praise Him sometimes, especially when we understand that God's promise to us as believers is not that we will be free from pain, but that He will walk through the pain with us.

Here's an excerpt from a Casting Crowns' song called "Praise Him In the Storm" that we sang at church today:
"...I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm..."

So, that was my "storm" (or one of them, anyway) and now, as you can see by this blog, God has granted us our desire for a child. When I look at Elijah, I can see a tangible answer to prayer. And, yet, it required sacrifice and loss on the part of his birthparents...we know that He has a plan for their lives as well and we now have a role in their lives as they have a role in ours. So we will continue to trust that He will walk beside us as we continue our journey this side of Heaven. Thank you, again, to all of our friends and family that helped us push through - you cried with us, encouraged us, rejoiced with us and witnessed God's hand in our lives.

There's my sermon for today. ;-)

Oh, and look who found us in Texas!

Road Trip

We took a road trip this weekend to Tyler and Dallas. We were able to spend time with friends, attend our monthly adoptive parents support group meeting, and spend some time with Elijah's birthparents. It was fun and exhausting all at the same time! Since Baby Eli has turned into quite the social butterfly, he won't just fall asleep in your arms while other people are around. So, the time in the car was good because it gave him a chance to get in some much-needed naps. Everyone that saw Elijah was amazed at how much he's grown and we are too!

Here are a few pics from the trip:

Elijah and all his gifts from Danielle and Matthew!


















Danielle and Elijah
Matthew and Elijah



Our friend Stacy with Elijah in his Sunday best. Check out Eli's facial expression; he's quite the cutie! :)

Firsts

There are so many firsts in a child's first year of life. Here are a few of Elijah's that occurred before we started the blog.

Elijah's first...
Morning at home


















Bath at home



















Sunday going to church














Out-of town visitor (Aunt Kim)

















And the list goes on...

Change

Elijah is changing...

so much everyday and we're starting to see his personality forming. He will definitely let you know, loudly, when he is frustrated or overwhelmed or tired...but he will also let you know when he is excited or happy or content! While a laid-back baby probably cries and fusses less, we have found that along with great vocalization comes intense exploration. Elijah loves to explore and discovers all sorts of new things every day and we love that!! :)

The seasons are changing...

are you ready for some football?!?




It's even gotten "cool" (low 90s) enough in TX to go out for walks with Elijah. Check out his cool Jeep stroller that our friends Tom & Jenny gave us! He's not quite big enough to enjoy all of the cool features, but we are!

NASA

Over Labor Day weekend, Aunt Robyn and Uncle Ryan came out to visit and we went to NASA for a day. Elijah was a dream - he looked around while we went on the tour of the space station, ate on the move, and then slept during the Imax movies. And, we have all now been to mission control and seen the Saturn V up close and personal! Space stuff is cool!!

"Houston, we have a problem."

Elijah flying a space craft - he's so advanced for his age.






The Saturn V - we couldn't believe how MASSIVE it is - you could see each of the different stages - it's amazing how intricate all the wiring is and thinking about how many different systems have to be operating perfectly in order to make a shuttle launch successfull!