Adoption Update --

Wow...I can't believe and I can finally say this.....we're done!!!  Well...almost, our photo album will be finished at the printing place on Monday and then we can send that off with our birthmother letter.  We are getting anxious and excited all in one.  With this of course, I'm feeling a lot of different emotions.  WOW!  I can't believe soon I'll be becoming a Mother.  This is something I've been waiting and praying for FOREVER!!!  I've decided our God felt like we needed to learn lots of patience!  In every aspect of our lives.  We have been learning faith so much through all of this.  Faith that God will provide for our family, that while I'm on Maternity leave, we'll be able to make ends meet.  Unfortunately, I learned last week that I am not eligible for short-term disability.  WHY?  Well, because I will not be "birthing" this baby and staying in the hospital, therefore I will not technically be disabled.  HMMMM.....just ponder that one.  I have been.  I was initially not very happy about this.  And niether was Aaron.  But...we've decided we're going to rise above this.  And most importantly TRUST.  Just this past week I was told that some employees had heard about my situation....the dear people I work with will be donating some of their paid time off to me!!  I am humbled and so grateful!  I would like to thank each and everyone of them and give them a hug and lots of cuddles with our baby!  Through this journey Aaron and I have learned so much.  That God has called us to adoption yes, that He knows what's very best for us, that patience is so important & that friends and family are so important to us.  We have felt your prayers and kind words.  We have been so blessed by them.  And by your generosity....money towards our adoption, the gifts of a crib & changing table (even when you now have twins on the way!!), a cradle swing, clothes, a baby bjorn, a papasan chair/bouncy seat, toys galore, a high chair....and so much, much more!!  If you were not told we apologize...we love you all and so appreciate each and everyone of you!! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  Please continue to pray for us.  Aaron and I have started saying...."this will be the last time" and fill in the blank...we go camping by ourselves, have a 4th of July without our baby, celebrate Mother's and Father's day without our baby....and the list goes on and on......we're speaking in faith.  Crazy you might say??  NOPE.....our God has promised this to us and it will happen!!! Ok...before I start crying I should stop.  This has been a journey of such emotion and for that I'm so grateful, sometimes that hurts, but....it can also be so cleansing.   

Florence...NOT Italy!

Well....on this past Thursday Aaron and left work early to travel to our dear friends, Josh & Dena's house. We spent an evening catching up with them all and meeting the new member of their family "Shadow"...check Dena's blog for more information and pictures. Then on friday morning we headed to Florence, OR to going camping!!! HOOOORAAAYYY!! This is a long drive, but...so worth it. We took the scenic route which I love, love, love and stopped at the Tillamook Cheese Factory for yummy ice cream and cheeses!! My favorite! We met Dena's Mom & Dad and Grandma & Grandpa & her Uncle Ken (Pops). We played games, relaxed and had some great food. YUMMY....grilled peaches with Tillamook Old Fashioned Vanilla ice cream! What a treat. Thanks Aaron for grilling those...you did a great job! Alas, we didn't take any pictures...for the trip in picture review....check Dena's blog! We are so going to do this again next year..maybe a little bit closer to Washington!

Happy Birthday Bryceton!

Transformers lunch box...watch out...Kai might like that too!!! 

SWEET Lego ice cream cake

Happy Birthday Bryceton!  We celebrated Bryce's birthday on July 19.  I missed out since I was at work, but...Uncle Aaron took over picture duty.  Thanks!!  Bryce had a lego themed birthday party complete with a green "lego" ice cream cake!  SWEET!!!  Bryce is the oldest of the Benner grandkids and he takes his job seriously.  And might I add, he does a super job of it!!  What a sweet boy he is, both Aaron and I are so proud to call him our nephew.  He like to play sports and takes drum lessons.....and loves to play with legos and Uncle Aaron's Transformers!  Who saves all their Transformers from childhood?  That would be my husband...and we're so glad he did.  So are the boys!!  Bryceton, we hope your year is filled with wonder and amazement...we pray you strive to be the boy Jesus has called you to be.  That you will learn lots in school this year and meet new friends...we love you Bryceton Robert....Happy Birthday!!!  

Adoption Update --

Thank you Jesus!!! JoAnn came to our house today for our home visit....our home study is officially over.  Now the hard work comes for JoAnn.  She has to write up the home study.  And...I have to finish our album to send off the agency along with a "Dear Birthmother" letter.  Just what do you say to the birthmother of your future child?  How could you ever put into words how we will feel when we see our child.  Ok, this is seriously making me cry.  SHOOT!!!  We are definitely praying about that.  We are getting super excited and little nervous, sometimes scared.  WOW!  This is really happening.  When I asked Margaret at the agency about the timeline this is how she responded:  You are moving along quite well! I am glad. We have a number of babies due who are bi-racial or full African American. You must remember when I say this that birth mothers come and go out of our program, so there is never a guarantee, but be prepared as soon as I receive your study, profile and album. I will need the latter for the birth mother to see when she is selecting.   So we are going to try and be prepared whatever that might be.  Keep praying for us..........

The 4th of July -- Taylor Style

Poor Hudson...he's not a birdy!!

The Wagon of Fun!!!  Check out all those fireworks....Sean you ROCK!!!

Pearl and Darla...they were having a parade for all of us adults!

John taking a turn on the big wheel...doesn't that look like fun???

What's up there buddy?  Hudson just sat on his John Deere for a long time that night!

So....long time no post on here....we've been busy.  More on that later.  So....here's our 4th of July in picture review!!  We enjoyed another 4th at our dear friends Sean & Shilo and their so cute kids Darla, Hudson & new baby Everett!  We love you guys and are so thankful for you all and your friendship....we'll see you next year!!!