Great Blessings

I am not caught up on with our past fun adventures, but we have news that needs to be shared! Yes--fantastic news!!!! Can you guess? A baby! We have a new beautiful baby. . . .

Recently we've had a few close calls with newborn babies and things just haven't worked out. But it has encouraged us to go in a different direction. We decided to look into a foster care agency called Legacy. We met with them and felt good about things. They are an independent agency, but also work through the county.
Thursday we headed to Vacaville to see my brother Kevin for his 30th birthday. We had a great time with them and I will post those pictures later. Friday in the later morning we received a call from the agency and they said they thought they had a baby for us. We could not believe it. We thought we might have to go straight back home, but then we found out that she would be placed with us on Monday at 2 p.m. To make a long story short, we came home Saturday evening and hit Wal-Mart and Target before coming home for some supplies we knew we did not have. Sunday we went to Church and afterwards did something we don't normally do on Sunday--lots of tiny laundry! We knew it was not possible to get everything done before Monday. While we got things ready Abby found her bug costume and obviously had fun chasing us around.
We also rearranged Abby's room so that both girls can sleep together. I will have to take one with the bedding all done--it's much cuter. This way we can still keep the playroom and guest room. We will see how it goes--although the new baby will sleep in our room for now.
That brings us to today! I found Abby a "big sister" shirt so she proudly put that on before the baby came.
Our home got certified at noon and two caseworkers were here when they first brought the baby in.
There are a lot of things we do not yet know and nothing is for sure in these situations, but we have already fallen in love with her. Here's what we know:
Born: July 2, 2011
Weight: 6 pounds something ounces
Birth parents want to name her Lillianna (spelling?) and we would like to honor that, but we think we will name her Lily. We have a few middle names and will decide soon.
Brown hair, blue eyes, currently weighs about 7 pounds
She is such a good baby--content, smiles, happy to have someone hold her or lay on her back and look around.
Just to clarify--Lily is a foster care child that we are praying, hoping, wishing to adopt.
First family picture
Both girls fell asleep on me--treasure the moment!
Lily's new car seat (she slept while we ate dinner)
Abby trying to be a baby again
Grandma and Grandpa Garrett, Heather and Dexter came up to see the new baby. Then they took Abby home with them so that they could put her and Dexter's hands in the cement being poured in their backyard tomorrow. That way Abby gets special attention while we help Lily feel comfortable in her new home. Problem is, I miss my Abby already!
All the grandkids!
Aunt Heather
Abby and Dexter playing
Sisters!We are so blessed. I have to pinch myself when I look at both girls to know that I am not dreaming. We've waited so very long for both of them and pray that everything will work out so that we can keep Lily. We are absolutely in love with her. Heavenly Father definitely has a plan and I must always remember to trust in Him. We can't wait for you all to meet Lily.