New year; trying to get a new attitude

It's 10 days into the new year, and I have a bit of an attitude about it. At first, I didn't realize that I had an attitude, but I started to realize it shortly into New Year's Day. Every time someone said, "Happy New Year," I'd just think, "Eh!" And I couldn't return the sentiment.

Yes, I'm the Scrooge of New Years.

But why? I had to dig deep and think about it long and hard.

I finally realized the reason. It's because another has come and gone, and we haven't welcomed another child into our lives. Another year of silence. 365 days of no announcement that we've been chosen.

When we started this journey in 2011, we were so optimistic. We felt that this is what God had planned for us. But now, we have so many questions. Why not us? What is wrong with us? Is our portfolio showing something that is turning birth parents away from us? Is adoption no longer the plan for us? How long do we keep waiting and hoping? How many times should we say, "One more year"?  So many questions that we may never have answers to.

At this point, we ask for prayers to help us have faith and gain understanding of God's plan. We also ask for patience with the process, the wait, each other, and God. We still have a bit of hope, though.

Thank you, Gibbs!

I'm an NCIS fan and just finished watching the episode when Palmer and his wife were going to be parents through adoption. However, after the birth of the baby, the birth mother decided to parent. Palmer and his wife were devastated of course. The talk Gibbs gave to Palmer was really inspiring.

Thanks for the smack, Gibbs! I'm ready to keeping fighting for expanding our family!

Our garden

We have a small garden. And by garden, I mean two large tractor tires filled with soil and packed with plants. We are growing squash, herbs, tomatoes, and peppers. We also have a small grape vine, planted last year, that is taking off.

This morning, I finally discovered what has been gnawing at our grape vine. This little sphinx caterpillar.

I also found a beautiful spiderweb that has caught some pollen from the pumpkin plants.

Here is also one of the few pumpkins that we'll harvest this fall. 

Maybe we'll be sharing this pumpkin with our own little "pumpkin!"

A Miracle for Another

ABC.com recently posted an article about a couple who was blessed with a "surprise baby." In our agency, that means a baby that birth mom decided to place with adoptive parents) at the time of her baby's birth. Such a wonderful surprise for any parent waiting for that call.

You can read the full article here: http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/adoptive-parents-meet-newborn-daughter/story?id=32709612

You can read the Olson's journey on their website: http://olsonfamilyadoption.com/about/.

Blessings!
Christel and Chris

Birthday Surprise

Chris and my sister, Vicky, decided to vandalize my van today. I love them for helping me feel so special for my birthday. I got lots of hunks while driving around today.