Bonding more each day!

Much has happened over the last week. Emmy and I are in a very different place than we were the last time I wrote, which is great news to report. We're starting to really get used to one another, and I'm even starting to enjoy those late night feedings again! She only wakes up one time in the night, and her schedule has become fairly predictable lately - all great things for both of us.

She had a really big day this Tuesday. I wish I could post videos here, but you'll just have to take my word that there was much (over-the-top) celebrating at our house on Tuesday when Emmy rolled over on her own for the very first time! Ever since then, this girl has been unstoppable! Every time I wake her up, she has managed to roll over before I get there. The spit-up situation is not so fun now that she's discovered this fascinating new skill, but I've learned a few tricks there, and I think we can manage until she kicks that habit pretty soon here (right, Emmy??). Ever since Friday, Emmy's been fighting off a bit of a cold, but nothing too terrible.

Speaking of Friday, Emmy had a visit with her mom on Friday, and I have been torn about what to share and what not to share on this blog. I would love to shell out all of the frustrating details, but I feel like that's probably just glorified gossip, so I'm going to hold my tongue. Suffice it to say that I may have a difficult time with Emmy's mom, but I'm praying through it daily. My reflexive response is to answer anger with anger, but I know deep down that is not the way the Lord has called me to live.  For Emmy's next visit, I have a Mothers' Day card for her mom, and I'll share with her all of the exciting details of Emmy's big milestone this week.

Speaking of Emmy's next visit, there has been a great deal of bad communication this go-around. Emmy's case manager didn't return any of my phone calls this week. Her transporter showed up last week without a car seat. She's supposed to have 4 hours of visitation every week, but I didn't hear a word from anyone until today. It's all been very strange, but I finally heard from the case manager today. The news is not great. Emmy's mom is in extremely poor health, so visitation has been canceled indefinitely. My heart just breaks thinking of her. Please pray for Emmy's mom this week.

There have been a couple of other wonderful things that have happened since I last posted. Emmy and I visited a Foster Care support organization, where we got to shop for all sorts of great things for FREE! We got clothes, swimsuits, pool floaties, a stroller, a car seat, a play mat, an exersaucer, and the list goes on! If you ever need to know details about this place, please send me a message. I will gladly point you their way! They are WONDERFUL!

We also visited the spring clothes expo at our foster agency. Every spring and fall, they pull out all of their donated clothes, sort it, put it out in their parking lot, and let their foster parents pick out what they need! I got a brand new baby sling, lots of clothes for summer, some clothes for fall, shoes, and more! Emmy and I really hit the jackpot! She's going to be the best dressed girl in town!

Just yesterday, Emmy had an afternoon with a dear friend of mine and her 3 biological children, 1 adopted child, and 1 foster child (yes, she is an amazing woman!). The fun thing to note about that outing was the way Emmy lit up around those kids!! I had never seen her quite so happy and engaged as she was with those children. I'm going to have to find more excuses to be with other kids!

I think those are all of the updates I have. I need to update more often so that I won't have to write a novel every week. Thank you so much for your prayers for our family! I'm trying to give as many prayer updates as I can. Here are some prayer requests we have these days:

• Pray for Emmy's mother's health. She is in a very fragile state right now.
• Pray for patience and that we would see Emmy's mom through the eyes of Jesus. Pray that Christ would use us as His hands and feet, pouring grace, mercy, and love into her life.
• Pray that Christ would radically transform Emmy's mom's life! It would be nothing short of a miracle, but we pray with boldness, because we worship a God who can do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine!
• Pray that we would bond with Emmy more every day.
• Pray that the pediatricians and specialists who see Emmy would be wise and discerning and that they would catch early any red flags that might present themselves.
• Pray that we would not lose sight of our real motivation for fostering.
• Pray that Emmy would stop spitting up (ok...I'm kidding...but I'm not...but I am...but I'm not...)