A New Adventure Begins with a....BABY??!!

I have heard so many stories of people adopting a child and then ending up pregnant after years of not being able to...however, I never thought that we would end up being one of those stories!! After almost six years of no birth control since Emily's birth, the Lord has decided to bless us with another miracle!! I am about 10 weeks and pregnant and still in shock from it all!!!

What makes this even more so miraculous is that almost a year ago I was having major problems with endometriosis which included a trip to the emergency room. I was ready to take care of the problem and put in several calls and emails to my doctor to schedule a hysterectomy. Well, he never responded to any of my attempts to contact him, which is seemed very strange to me at the time because he was always great about returning messages. I was even praying, "please let the doctor call me back!!" Well, a year later we know why he never called back. God wasn't done yet!! He never ceases to amaze me!!!

Please continue to pray for us as another Hayes adventure is about to begin!!

Adventure Update

It has been awhile since I have had the time to post on our blog. I have no idea where the past two months have gone! We are getting more adjusted to all our new things..new home, city, church, and of course, our new family member. The past couple of weeks have been very trying with Abby. She will be fine and then her whole demeanor will change. If she doesn't get her way, she either throws whatever she can get her little hands on, or last week she started stripping down completely naked. Thankfully the naked part has only happened at home:)))

Last Monday, I started the day on the right foot by getting up in time to have my quiet time in the morning. I read some verses on God's gentleness and how we should show gentleness to others. So, I thought OK Lord, help me to show gentleness to my family today...little did I know that I would be tested the entire day!! Everything went wrong. I felt like I was going to strangle Emily during the morning and trying to get her school work done. Then, the afternoon strangle was due to little Abby! I called my Mom the next day and she must have heard the desperation or insanity in my voice, because she was at our home by Thursday. The calvary has come to the rescue!! It was such a blessing having her here to help with the girls. We decided to separate them into different bedrooms; which so far seems to be alot better. Mom also helped me during the mornings which seems to be our most trying time with trying to teach school and having the girls compete for my attention in the process. So, I am grateful to the Lord for my Mom and her help - WHAT A BLESSING!!

The girls do seem to be getting more used to each other. Emily is a little mommy to Abby and she now says that she loves having a little sister!! She loves to help Abby with her clothes. I think she enjoys dressing her up like a baby doll.

2-27-09 - Abby is doing so much better!! She will name all four of us and then hold out her hands and say "FAMILY" with a great big smile on her face! She is going to bed without much drama and seems to be very happy! Also, thankfully, the naked part has ended...so far!!

The other day I was reading an article about a family that adopted a seven year old girl from India. The mom was sharing her struggles during the first several months after bringing her home. Several of the things they had experienced, we have experienced too, so I could definitely relate. She mentioned how her daughter never seemed satisfied with anything she had, she always wanted more. We have seen that with Abby..always grabbing for something else. The mother stated how sometimes she just wanted to yell, "Why can't you be thankful and satisfied with me just being your mother??" Then she said something that really struck me. She said the Lord reminded her that maybe He feels that way sometimes with her. He may be thinking - "Isn't it enough that I am your Father?? Yet, you are always coming to Me for more?" WOW! The Lord sure has a great way of humbling us sometimes, doesn't He? I thank Him for His presence and for being my Heavenly Father. He love us that much!!!

Home Sweet Home!!

We are just now getting internet access at our new home so we haven't been able to post anything before today! I think we may finally be getting over the jet lag! I have never been so tired in all of my life!!

First, let me say that I don't care if I ever see the inside of an airplane or airport EVER!! The flights back from China were horrific! We left Guangzhou at 8:15am-Jan. 1st to Beijing. Left Beijing at 1:00pm - Jan. 1st; arrived 1:30pm in NYC on JANUARY 1ST!!!! Poor Abby didn't enjoy the flight at all...she only slept 2 hours on the flight to NYC, the rest of the time she was crying and screaming!! I don't know who I felt more sorry for- us, or the people sitting around us!

Once we finally got home, our new home in Ooltewah, TN, we were completely exhausted, but thankful that the Lord had seen us through yet another Hayes adventure and we knew that the adventure was going to continue...

Since our adventure in Tennessee has begun, each day seems to get better. The jet lag is finally gone, we are trying to sort through our stuff, and trying to get used to one another. Abby took right to Emily and her Nana and Papa(Candi's parents). Emily didn't really know what to do with Abby for the first couple of days, but everyday seems to get better. She(Emily) has been so brave and is growing up so fast. She couldn't wait to go to AWANA this past Wed. night at our new church. She surprised us by walking to her class with her teacher and seemed to really enjoy herself! Our first Sunday service, I was really on pins and needles. I didn't know what to expect from Abby with it being her very first time in church. But, praise the Lord, she just sat there and took everything in, ate her Goldfish, and acted like she had been in church all of her life. She was even giving high fives and hugs by the end of the service. Thank You Lord for another answered prayer!

Don't get me wrong, we have our challenges and battles each and every day, but I know that the Lord will see us through. I was reading in the Psalms yesterday and read, I believe in Psalm 56 where He bottles up our tears!! I told the Lord, I imagine that He already has a warehouse full of bottles from my tears. He keeps reminding me that His grace is sufficient for me...in everything!!