November update

Well since it's been over a month since I've posted a blog update, I suppose I'd better write something (what use is a blog if there aren't ever any posts?) :-). This past week we got to take a “practice” road trip in preparation for our adoption travels as we drove to Louisiana to visit Daniel's family for a week. We packed all of our adoption travel items as well, “just in case,” as we've approached 34 weeks already. We didn't need them this time, but it was useful to know how travel would go with some of the ideas we had since we'll be traveling with the kids now. We learned 1) Zoe absolutely LOVES her Kidco travel tent, which was a HUGE relief to us knowing she'll sleep well wherever we put her as long as she's in her tent. 2) Taby Trays are absolutely amazing—Zoe ate an entire McDonald's breakfast sandwich without getting more than a few pieces on the van floor. Nathan used his tray the entire time for playing, coloring, and eating. 3) A travel potty is an essential van floor decoration for the next several years. 1,854 miles later, we're glad to be home but excited that the kids seem to be a bit better at handling road trips than just a few months ago!

On the adoption front, we got exciting news that we now have a scheduled c-section date of December 9! We are hoping to travel to my sister's a few days in advance to get the kids settled in with grandparents while Daniel and I travel the rest of the way alone for the first week, but the plan is for the kids to join us for the second week and following. We will have a minimum 5-day stay in the hospital with our little guy for observation, which will likely be followed by a 4-6 week NICU stay. Please keep us in prayer as we juggle spending time bonding with him, caring for Nathan and Zoe (thankfully with Grandma's help), and getting a few hours of work in for Daniel here and there (his work-from-anywhere job is just a HUGE blessing in this!!!)

Please continue to pray for:

1) Our son's health—join Nathan in praying for “our baby brother to be born all the way healthy!”

2) Safe travels—we'll be driving many miles, in order to have transportation available for the entire time we'll be away, as well as our supplies for our RV camping :-)

3) Financial provision—we are fully funded for actual adoption expenses, so we're trusting the Lord to continue blessing for extended stay travel expenses and any unplanned expenses. He has blessed “more than we could ask or imagine!” and we are so thankful!

4) Our expectant mom and family—we love her dearly and pray for her daily—please pray for a blessed time together with her at our son's birth.