During my school days, I was always puzzled as to why the graduation ceremonies were called "commencement exercises". After all, graduation was supposed to mark the end of the road - the goal that I had worked so hard to achieve - not the beginning. Of course, over time I came to learn that the end of one road always marks the beginning of a new one - a new road that is almost always more difficult and more important than the one just completed.
We have now reached the goal that was fixed in my mind when we began the process of adopting Paul. Over the last 15 months, we could look forward to nothing more than the day he would be here, adjusted to living in a home with us, and finished with his initial surgeries to repair his lip and palate. You have already read Wendi's wonderful chronicle of the events that brought this day to pass, so I will not repeat the story here. While we think it is entirely appropriate to celebrate and give thanks to God for this day, we also know that it is not the end, but only the beginning. And the next phase of our time with Paul will certainly be more difficult and more important than the one just completed.
When faced with a difficult assignment, I often find myself fretting over whether I am sufficient for the job. That was certainly the case when we began this adoption journey, and it is certainly the case now. However, the events of the past 15 months have helped to convince us of two things - we are not sufficient for this job, but neither do we need to be, because we have lots of help. I have told several people that the phrase "God is good", which I have at times considered to be trite, has taken on an entirely new depth of meaning. We submit this journal to you - without speculation as to His means or His methods - as evidence that God is good.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Php 4:6-7)
Thank you all more than words can express.
Carl, Wendi, and Paul
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
I'm stalling for Carl...but here's more photos!
Well, as you know, Carl is commuting to Chattanooga every week to work. At night he is driving around looking for us a place to live, getting a little exercise at the YMCA and eating supper. Leaves no time for blogging. But he is definitely going to post the final blog...may just take another week or two. Until then, I'll just keep posting pictures!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
To Paul...
When we brought Paul home, I was determined to keep a journal about Paul...and I was really good with it about the first month. Since that time I have not been so good, but instead have done a better job of keeping up with this blog...and in a sense, it has become my journal. What I have not included enough on this blog is the personal notes...the things I want Paul to know about himself...the things we love about our little man...
So I hope everyone will allow me to use this post for Paul. The next post you read will be our final post...the one that ends all posts on the "The Morgan's" blog. Carl will write the final post. For some reason as I write the words "final post" I feel a lump forming in my throat. This has been one long and short journey. This blog has been a wonderful way of keeping everyone informed but selfishly, it has been a wonderful way of keeping Carl and me encouraged. You all have encouraged us more than we know how to express and we can't say thank you enough. And we give all glory to God for His goodness...and for this gift of a child.
Paul, it has now been just over five months since your tiny feet landed on U.S. soil. And you have certainly hit the ground running. So many people have noticed that your Daddy and I have lost weight. I tell them that YOU are the best weight-loss plan we've ever been on! I've lost 10 pounds and your daddy has lost 15! Chasing you, pushing you in the stroller, throwing you in the air, putting you in and out of the carseat, pulling you in your red wagon, pushing you in the swing, lunging for you when you start to fall off something or onto something, leaning over your crib and patting your back, rolling around with you on the floor - all of that has really gotten the two of us in shape! Paul, you have brought a joy to us that we cannot describe. It is such a welcome sound to hear your whimper bright and early each morning. It is so special to go into your once empty room and the once empty crib to find a little blonde head, blue-eyed boy standing up with his arms outstretched. I love our routine of you opening the blinds and saying "hi" to the new day! I love how you sneeze EVERY SINGLE time that first light of day hits your face! I love how you like to be the one to get your clean diaper out of the cabinet. I love how YOU want to be the one to throw away the wet diapers in the trash and the poopy diaper sack out the back door. I also appreciate how you try to set a new distance record each time you toss the poopy diaper and how you clap for yourself afterwards. Paul, you are such a happy little fellow. You love giving "high fives" to anyone who will let you. Carl and I loved it when you "high-fived" complete strangers eating their meals as we were leaving Chili's a few weeks ago. You love to "high five" children and adults alike at church. People stand in line just to get a slap on the hand from you...and with every one you give, you say "Good job!" We think it is so neat how you love big dogs and how many neighbors we have met because you refuse to let them pass in front of our house without petting their dogs! You are so GENTLE! No one is afraid for you to pet their dog because you know how to be sweet to them.... As far as your daddy is concerned, you have already earned yourself a big dog just as soon as we get a house with a big yard. Paul, you are so friendly. When we go on stroller rides, you wave and say "hi" to every person we pass! Joggers, bikers, cars, kids...it doesn't matter. You notice everyone! You have brought a smile to many faces with your cheerful greeting. Daddy and I both have fun on walks with you because you sure do bring a lot of attention our way! Ofcourse the attention is all YOURS, but it's fun for us too! Paul, we are proud of the words you have learned to say: "more," "thank you," "cat," "car," "yogurt," "you're welcome," "mama" and wish it would have taken you a little longer to say "no." :) We are proud that you have mastered your wooden puzzles and your wooden peg game. You are quick to figure things out and you do keep us on our toes. Paul, I sure hope you know how much we have enjoyed watching you dance to your "Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas" video. We have nearly worn that video out, not to mention the carpet in the living room from dancing a jig with you. We're wondering if you will ever get tired of seeing it!!! Paul, we could go on and on...we love how you fold your hands to pray with us, we love how you cheer after every meal, we love that you eat turnip greens and like collecting leaves and acorns. We love watching you learn new things. One of your favorite times of the week is storytime at the library. Paul, I haven't been to storytime with you once that tears didn't form in my eyes! You SO love singing, but what you love more is seeing everyone singing and doing the hand motions together! You get so excited when you look around the room seeing everyone is doing the same thing. I don't know why, but it makes your mommy cry. Paul, I asked someone this week, "Can you hug and kiss a baby too much?" If anyone is guilty, it's your daddy and me. But I guess I'm the worst. I kiss you every chance I get and you seem to put up with it okay. I hope it's making you grow. Your daddy said this past week that every time you give him a hug he believes it adds 30 minutes to his life. Your daddy loves you so much. He is so proud of how well you have handled all your surgeries. He took care of you and me both while you were in the hospital. He stayed awake so we could sleep. He ran here and there to get this or that, so I could rest or save my energy. He never fussed or complained. He was just so happy to see you getting the surgeries you need. You have a very, very good daddy. Paul, we look forward to every day with you. We hope you feel the love we have for you. And we will spend the rest of our lives thanking God that we get to have you for a son. Love, Mommy
So I hope everyone will allow me to use this post for Paul. The next post you read will be our final post...the one that ends all posts on the "The Morgan's" blog. Carl will write the final post. For some reason as I write the words "final post" I feel a lump forming in my throat. This has been one long and short journey. This blog has been a wonderful way of keeping everyone informed but selfishly, it has been a wonderful way of keeping Carl and me encouraged. You all have encouraged us more than we know how to express and we can't say thank you enough. And we give all glory to God for His goodness...and for this gift of a child.
Paul, it has now been just over five months since your tiny feet landed on U.S. soil. And you have certainly hit the ground running. So many people have noticed that your Daddy and I have lost weight. I tell them that YOU are the best weight-loss plan we've ever been on! I've lost 10 pounds and your daddy has lost 15! Chasing you, pushing you in the stroller, throwing you in the air, putting you in and out of the carseat, pulling you in your red wagon, pushing you in the swing, lunging for you when you start to fall off something or onto something, leaning over your crib and patting your back, rolling around with you on the floor - all of that has really gotten the two of us in shape! Paul, you have brought a joy to us that we cannot describe. It is such a welcome sound to hear your whimper bright and early each morning. It is so special to go into your once empty room and the once empty crib to find a little blonde head, blue-eyed boy standing up with his arms outstretched. I love our routine of you opening the blinds and saying "hi" to the new day! I love how you sneeze EVERY SINGLE time that first light of day hits your face! I love how you like to be the one to get your clean diaper out of the cabinet. I love how YOU want to be the one to throw away the wet diapers in the trash and the poopy diaper sack out the back door. I also appreciate how you try to set a new distance record each time you toss the poopy diaper and how you clap for yourself afterwards. Paul, you are such a happy little fellow. You love giving "high fives" to anyone who will let you. Carl and I loved it when you "high-fived" complete strangers eating their meals as we were leaving Chili's a few weeks ago. You love to "high five" children and adults alike at church. People stand in line just to get a slap on the hand from you...and with every one you give, you say "Good job!" We think it is so neat how you love big dogs and how many neighbors we have met because you refuse to let them pass in front of our house without petting their dogs! You are so GENTLE! No one is afraid for you to pet their dog because you know how to be sweet to them.... As far as your daddy is concerned, you have already earned yourself a big dog just as soon as we get a house with a big yard. Paul, you are so friendly. When we go on stroller rides, you wave and say "hi" to every person we pass! Joggers, bikers, cars, kids...it doesn't matter. You notice everyone! You have brought a smile to many faces with your cheerful greeting. Daddy and I both have fun on walks with you because you sure do bring a lot of attention our way! Ofcourse the attention is all YOURS, but it's fun for us too! Paul, we are proud of the words you have learned to say: "more," "thank you," "cat," "car," "yogurt," "you're welcome," "mama" and wish it would have taken you a little longer to say "no." :) We are proud that you have mastered your wooden puzzles and your wooden peg game. You are quick to figure things out and you do keep us on our toes. Paul, I sure hope you know how much we have enjoyed watching you dance to your "Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas" video. We have nearly worn that video out, not to mention the carpet in the living room from dancing a jig with you. We're wondering if you will ever get tired of seeing it!!! Paul, we could go on and on...we love how you fold your hands to pray with us, we love how you cheer after every meal, we love that you eat turnip greens and like collecting leaves and acorns. We love watching you learn new things. One of your favorite times of the week is storytime at the library. Paul, I haven't been to storytime with you once that tears didn't form in my eyes! You SO love singing, but what you love more is seeing everyone singing and doing the hand motions together! You get so excited when you look around the room seeing everyone is doing the same thing. I don't know why, but it makes your mommy cry. Paul, I asked someone this week, "Can you hug and kiss a baby too much?" If anyone is guilty, it's your daddy and me. But I guess I'm the worst. I kiss you every chance I get and you seem to put up with it okay. I hope it's making you grow. Your daddy said this past week that every time you give him a hug he believes it adds 30 minutes to his life. Your daddy loves you so much. He is so proud of how well you have handled all your surgeries. He took care of you and me both while you were in the hospital. He stayed awake so we could sleep. He ran here and there to get this or that, so I could rest or save my energy. He never fussed or complained. He was just so happy to see you getting the surgeries you need. You have a very, very good daddy. Paul, we look forward to every day with you. We hope you feel the love we have for you. And we will spend the rest of our lives thanking God that we get to have you for a son. Love, Mommy
Monday, March 7, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
We are HOME!
Thank you, Shannon and Drew, for picking us up at the airport yesterday! It is so nice to be home. For the first time in approx 10 days, Paul slept the entire night! Yea for all of us! :) Today Carl heads to Chattanooga. Paul and I head to storytime...next week we'll start back to speech therapy.
I have post-op photos of Paul...I'll have them up tonight. Sorry it has taken so long, Dad! :)
Also, Dad, thank you for the balloons and bear you sent Paul at Ronald McDonald House. He really enjoyed playing with those balloons!
I have post-op photos of Paul...I'll have them up tonight. Sorry it has taken so long, Dad! :)
Also, Dad, thank you for the balloons and bear you sent Paul at Ronald McDonald House. He really enjoyed playing with those balloons!
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