Awaiting #2...

As many of you know, we are in the process of adopting our second child. We started the paperwork back at the first of the year and had everything completed in late March. Since then we have been in the waiting process of being matched with birthmother. Everyone always asks, "Is it so much easier the second time around?" and we always chuckle to ourselves. In many ways it is easier, we know the process and we have quite a fabulous distraction with Maryn, but at the same time it is still challenging. One of the biggest challenges is that we have no control over the situation...all we can do is wait and pray. If one thing has become clear to me over our adoption journeys, it's that God's plan always trumps my own. As the verse in Proverbs 16:9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Jeremy and I have really tried to not get caught up in the timeline of when things will happen, but have instead prayed for God's perfect timing. Who knows at this very moment God could be forming a child that will become a part of our family!

As we continue through this journey, we would love for you to be in prayer with us. Prayer for patience, understanding, compassion, and for God's plan to be fulfilled. I have included a link that takes you to our "Dear Birthmother" letter on our attorney's website. If you should hear of a situation in which this letter could be forwarded please feel free to do so or to contact us.

http://www.indianaadoption.com/CM/Families/jeremy-rochelle-maryn.pdf

Thank you for loving and supporting us !

enjoying summer!

out for a bike ride around the block

we took Mimi to the Children's Museum to see the Barbie exhibit. My mom kept all of her Barbies and I played with them growing up and still have them in boxes in our basement for Maryn to play with.

our garden!

It looks a little bigger now that everything is growing

Maryn's 1st trip to the dentist!! She did awesome :)

so the other night we attempted what's called a "twist out" on Maryn's hair. She sat for an hour watching Curious George while I separated strands of hair and twisted it. It turned out pretty cute and our big reward was ice cream cones!

we made a stop at Butler's campus to see the bulldog and to play in the fountains...cheap entertainment!!

for Father's Day I got Jeremy tickets to see Jack Johnson. The concert was this past Friday and it was a great show!

this butterfly was clinging to one of our screens and I just had to take a picture. I think it's the biggest butterfly I have ever seen up close!

1st time at the MOVIES!

On Tuesday, Maryn and I went with our friends Deanna and Connor to the movies to see "Madagascar".. The local movie theaters have a great deal on certain days where they show a kid movie and admission is only a $1. It was Maryn's first time at the movie theater and she was pretty excited! Of course a trip to the movie theater wouldn't be complete without popcorn :)

Fluffy came with us too :)

Connor and Maryn

4th of July weekend

Last Saturday morning we made the trek north to the lake for the 4th weekend. Most of the weekend was spent with Derek, Heather and the kids. We had a great time enjoying the sunshine, water and hanging out together. There were several big firework displays and so we got a great show Saturday and Sunday night. Maryn loves the fireworks and kept saying, "I so excited" and "oh boy, oh boy!!"

it's so hard to pick which ice cream delight you want!

enjoying a refreshing snack :)

Maryn and Uncle D

Daddy and Maryn

Maryn and Aunt Heather snoozing

Maryn's 1st time tubing!!!

(not sure I was ready for this!!)

Oh boy!!!

happy 4th of july

silly face :)

watching the fireworks from the boat

Maryn and Mommy taking a swim to cool off

our 9th anniversary♥

On June 23rd we celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary...it's hard to believe 9 years has already passed by. I guess the saying is true, "time flies when you are having fun!" We celebrated the momentous occasion by having dinner downtown at Oceanaire. I LOVE their crab cakes!! When I think back it has actually been 14 years that Jeremy and I have been together. Who would have thought that that night we met would have lead to such a wonderful life together. While we have endured the heartache and joy that comes with living life, we have continued to keep our marriage grounded in our relationship with Christ. With each day we live together we have grown closer and learned to love each other in different ways. I am so very grateful for the man that I said, "I do" to 9 years ago. He is an amazing husband and father and my very best friend. I love you♥

happy father's day daddy!

Jeremy and Maryn have a beautiful father/daughter relationship. I love to hear Maryn yell. "hey, hey" to Jeremy each time he comes in the front door and then the game of chase begins to get hugs and kisses. She enjoys being daddy's little helper. Whether it's working in the yard or using the tape measure she is always saying, "I help dada too." They love being silly together or snuggling up to watch basketball on tv. Although my favorite time to see them together is at bedtime. Each night they climb the stairs laughing, there is crying with pj time, and then they read books. I love hearing them read, but most of all love hearing them pray together. It use to be that Jeremy would say the bedtime prayer, but over the last couple months Maryn says, "me pray." It is absolutely precious to hear her say, "Dear Jesus, thank you day....." and so on, but then to hear her repeat words that Jeremy prays is adorable. I love how he guides her, is teaching her, and loves her. What a blessed little girl to have such an amazing father!

faces...

I know I post a ton of pictures of Maryn, but sometimes I just can't resist! Here are a few of my favorite "Maryn faces"!

blowing raspberries....this face cracks me up!

go away sand!!

just so cute♥

a BIG rainbow!

On our way up to the lake Father's Day weekend we got caught in a pretty bad storm. But once the storm passed there was a beautiful double rainbow. Maryn has been pretty intrigued by rainbows lately and so it was exciting to see her reaction. What a beautiful reminder of God's promises, his faithfulness and mercy...

Mayn loves the splash park!

To beat the summer heat, we have made a few trips to our local splash park. Maryn LOVES it!! It did not take her long to figure out how to turn everything back on when it shut off and she loves running back and forth. Of course the first time we went her crazy mother somehow missed placing the swimsuit in the bag, but that didn't seem to slow her down!

no suit...no big deal!

can I get just this side of my head wet?

on second thought, I'll just put my whole head in :)

Weekend with the Gandys

Earlier in June we spent the weekend at the lake with our good friends, the Gandys. While the weather was not exactly cooperative, it was great to just hang out and enjoy being together. Maryn and Caleb had a blast playing together and especially enjoyed the sprinkler! I took several pictures, but Melody's pictures where so awesome that most of these are hers :) Thanks Dylan, Melody and Caleb for making the trek down from Detroit!!

ready for a boat ride

sprinkler fun!!

LOVE this picture...although she does look a little mischievous :)

Maryn and Daddy braving the chilly water!

little miss diva with her sippy cup

don't they look like an old married couple? too cute!!

our daughter is obsessed with putting water in her mouth :)

so thankful for this friendship

(Maryn just couldn't stay awake for the group photo :)