Continued Thanks

When we first brought Faith home we were overwhelmed to put it lightly. In a matter of hours we were parents. Within 36 hours of getting the call we had a brand new baby in our house, yet we had nothing! Not one baby item did we have. Thankfully I had prayed and hoped for a last second phone call so we had a borrowed car seat that sat by our bed patiently waiting to be used. But outside of that we had nothing, nada, zip, zero, zilch!

As we pulled up to our home around 10pm on September 5th with a new baby in tow I had no idea of the continued blessings to come...

So the following is a great BIG overdue thank you to some of the people who really really REALLY helped us those first few days.

This could be a little scary because if I forget someone they will hate me...So I will do my best and if I forgot you or something you did please know I am sorry. Those days are such a blur and only random moments I can remember.

So first and foremost my parents. My mom, dad and step dad. You see when we got the call about Faith we told no one. We went to the hospital and when all was well and we held her for the first time I sent out a mass text. Impersonal I know. So when my mom called and I told her what had happened she didn't believe me. No one really did. I think the only one who did was my best friend Tarah. She called and cried with me and praised God but my parents were confused. Not just 24 hours before this I told them we were matched with a baby due in October. So the following day once the reality settled in they drove the couple hours to meet us at the hospital the next day. They brought a couple outfits to take Faith home in and some paci's for her. They spent most of the day with us and even waited until Faith was released so they could drive us home because we had been up for over 24 hours. From purchasing our crib for us , to buying us our BOB stroller my parents have done so much for us. And of course continue to help out on a daily basis. They love spending time with Faith and it is such a joy to watch them as grand parents to the first grand baby. They love her so deeply and I am so incredibly thankful to have them and that Faith has such wonderful grandparents close by.

My dad holding Faith for the first time
If you can't tell my mom was VERY happy and VERY in love

My step dad holding Faith for the first time

Secondly 2 of my amazing friends who reached out so much those first couple days and continue to do so.

I knew Stacy from my former employer. Though both our times there is long gone I am so thankful to have maintained a wonderful relationship with her. Upon arriving home from the hospital we had a box on our front door. Filled with baby clothes, shoes, dinner, salad, bottle brush, and more. It made me cry just seeing it. I knew who it was from and was so thankful to have some things for Faith and also to have dinner! Stacy had offered during the day to go to our place and clean it and get it ready for our homecoming. Unfortunately no one had a spare key to let her in but post homecoming Stacy has spent hours, probably days actually helping us clean and organize and make room for baby. Her and her husband came over before our home study numerous times and helped clean everything. Bathrooms, kitchens, reorganizing closets, everything. They put together Faith's dresser, hung her wall letters and about a million other things I probably can't even recall right now. Stacy was the first to watch Faith ( outside of family) and I am so incredibly blessed by her and her friendship. I am so thankful to have her as an active part in mine and Faith's life and I hope that never changes!

Stacy was able to get everything previously in the closet in there along with all Faith's stuff as well

Faith's dresser put together by Stacy and her husband

Stacy's beautiful girls visiting

And my next dear friend Marin. Marin and I met at our husbands company party 3 years ago and were immediately friends. We had so much in common it was easy to click with her! Since meeting our lives have grown and changed together. From weddings, to babies and more we have only grown closer and I am so proud to call her one of my best friends. She was always one of our biggest supporters going through IF treatments and adoption as well. She has loved and accepted Faith immediately and we already like to plan our kids arranged marriage:) So the night we got home from the hospital Marin had gotten us many of the baby necessities we would need. She met us at our place late at night with diapers, bottles ( washed and ready to go) , formula, a diaper genie, clothes, wipes, rash cream, and of course our life saver swing. I know she had so much more for us that I can't even think of right now but honestly I have no idea what we would had done without her. She knows me so well I was so happy she went to get us all those things because she picked out exactly what I would have! To this day we are still borrowing her car seat, swing, bouncy chair, books and more. I am so thankful for all she did for us those first few days and all she continues to do. From inviting me out on lots of play dates with her and her mommy friends to the simple phone calls when I am feeling overwhelmed. She is amazing and I am blessed with her friendship...

And of course my best friend Tarah who spent countless days and nights praying for us along side her family . Tarah has a beautiful talent in event planning and planned me the most beautiful baby shower ever. I got teary eyed just walking in to the beautiful event. I couldn't believe that 1) I was having a baby shower and 2) it was that beautiful! I never could have pictured something so amazing and she used all her wonderful God given talents to do something so special for me and Faith. It was a day I will never forget.


I of course could thank a million other people as well.

My friend Melissa who reached out to us offering meals and inviting us out on play dates to the pumpkin patch and what not

To Amy who gave us so many wonderful hand me down clothes of her daughters and has reached out to me as well and invited us to church and small groups to get back in the swing of things. She also arranged a wonderful play date with some fellow adoptive mommies ( which I have a great blog about coming soon)

To all the phone calls, gifts and letters from cousins and sisters and brothers and aunts and uncles. I might not have called you back yet ( LOL) but those phone calls kept us going!

To Julie who welcomed us into her play group and continues to email and include us in many activities she's involved in.

And as I said earlier I know I am forgetting people because the list could go on forever.

We have been given so much and we are grateful to finally be able to give back a little. We have adopted a family for Christmas and will do our best to provide them with a wonderful holiday. From a Christmas tree, to toys, and other items we look forward to finally being able to give back for all we have been given.

Thanksgiving might officially be over but every day in my life I have lots to give thanks for.