Doubly Good

Today is a "doubly good" day for me.

May 10, 2009.

For all mothers, today is Mother's Day.
But for me, this day is so much more . . .

(Mother's Day, 2009, even Murphy got in the picture!)

Let me take you back a few years.

August 4, 2001.

Two people pledged their lives before God, their families, and friends
to love, honor and cherish each other, no matter what.

We knew in the beginning that having a family (beyond the furry children)
would be a challenge.

But we were up for the task.

In 2003, Hunkahubby and I started discussing our options for having a family.

After much prayer and discussion, we decided to become foster parents in our county, in hopes of giving a home to children. We wanted to adopt, but knew we would wait on God.

During this time, I got to go to Costa Rica for a Spanish trip.
Our caseworker said we could start our parenting classes when I returned from my trip.
While I was there, I was drawn to the Hispanic children in a major way.
I knew that somehow, these children would be a part of our lives.

While I was gone, my wonderful Hunkahubby moved us into our new house.
A house that had room for the hope of a family.

He even decorated a child's room.

This is what I got to see when I got home from my trip.
I remember sitting in that room at night, crying and praying.
I wanted to be a Mommy so bad, but I knew God was in total control of the situation.

I was not worried . . . only anxious.

And then, we found out that there was a "family" for us. Not just a "child" but a family. Three beautiful children in need of a loving home, together. And they were of Hispanic heritage.

Yes, God was in this.

This is the very first picture we had of our babies. Hunkahubby and I kept this with us through all of our parenting classes. Knowing it was possible that we would not get to be their family, but praying the entire time that God would allow them to come to us.

My how the time has flown. And boy, was our God faithful.

This sad and lost little girl . . .

. . . is growing, way too fast, into a beautiful young lady.

This quiet little boy . . .

. . . has a zest for life and a heart of gold (and is not so quiet anymore.)

And this chubby cheeked little angel, with an ornery spark in her eyes . . .

. . . is still ornery, and a ray of sunshine in our lives every day.

You see, today is a doubly good day for me,

because May 10, 2005 - we became a family.

On this day, four years ago, I was OFFICIALLY a Mommy and these beautiful
blessings were officially a part of OUR FAMILY.

So, on this day - I thank God for allowing me to be a Mother and allowing us to celebrate the wonder of families that HE puts together.

Only God can take two broken adults and help them find wholeness through Him, in the love He gave them for each other. And only God can then take three lost, lonely, and neglected children and give the five of them more love than any of them ever thought was possible.

And because of that:

I will thank the Father for the things that He has done
And thank Him for the things He's yet to do
Because we found a love that's tender, and we found someone who's true
We thank the Lord,
He's been doubly good to us . . .

(Words paraphrased from "Doubly Good to You"
- written by Rich Mullins and sang by Amy Grant)