Wow, what an amazing 11 days it has been! Thank you for all your prayers and support. We are so unbelievably blessed right now. Jeremiah is absolutely perfect and we are so in love. He is a wonderful baby, very laid back and loving. His smiles melt your heart along with his little voice. Our time at the hospital with Stephanie's extended family was amazing as we got to see her support system and the legacy of adoption that already exists in her family. It was a time I will never forget.
As I celebrate Jeremiah's arrival and download millions of pictures to facebook, I'm reminded of the last five years of our journey. We began trying for children over 5 years ago. We saw a specialist when things didn't work on their own. After shots, blood draws and too many appointments, we took some time off to just enjoy time as a couple. Then with David's illness in 2009, our door was pretty well shut. Once he became healthy again, we prayed about our options. We realized it was time to begin the process of looking into adoption. We spent a year and a half trying embryo adoption with more shots and appointments, waiting and big ups and downs. We knew that God had a plan for us, but it seemed so far away and hard to get to.
Meanwhile, during the last five years I watched so many people I knew having babies and growing beautiful families. Don't get me wrong, I was happy for them and am blessed by so many children in our friend and family circle. However, I would be lying if I said I didn't shed a few (or many at times) tears at their good fortune and our losses. If you've never dealt with infertility, it's exhausting, frustrating, heartbreaking and can really put you into a downward tailspin. Especially when people ask (with good intentions, I know), "when are you guys going to have kids?" or say "everyone should be a mother." It's excruciating when hope goes away. So even though I am now one of those annoying people posting pictures daily of her sweet baby, I want to acknowledge the sadness that people are facing out there when they see another baby that isn't in their family. If you have a story like ours, I know it is a lonely battle. But know that you're not alone. We have spent many years in the "valley" waiting for it to be our turn. If you ever want to talk, I'm here. We are proof on so many levels that God is good, all the time. :) He knows the plans He has for you, plans to give you hope and a future. Our sweet Jeremiah is here to remind us of this promise, and we are forever grateful.
Blessings,
Leah
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
On his way!
So... After continually guessing, it looks like today is the day. Stephanie went into labor late Friday night and we are expecting Jeremiah anytime Saturday morning. It's almost 4:00am, and I am not tired in the least. I can't believe we are finally here. Our God has kept us in the palm of his hand, and guided our every step. More details and pictures to come. Lots and lots of pictures!
Saturday, August 18, 2012
God's timing
Wow, it's been a busy summer! The "nesting" has been going on for awhile around here as we get all the baby items together for Jeremiah's arrival. We had three beautiful showers thrown by friends and family that have helped us get all the necessary things we need for him and many other things that are just so cute! David's family has also been showering us with gifts from around the country. We are so blessed to have all the support that we have had. Everything is on schedule at this point and we are eagerly awaiting the call or text that he is on his way.
As we reflect over this process we see how strong God's presence has been along the way. He knew this plan long before we did and it is all coming together perfectly in His timing. We rejoiced when He brought Stephanie into our lives and began putting the pieces together to add to our family. But now as it gets so close, we struggle with praying for our will instead of His! But we are human and just excited. :) So now when it really counts, we pray that we step back and "not my will, but yours be done." God knows what He's doing and is good ... all the time. (right Stephanie) ;) So please pray for the sweet baby that is on his way into this world and for the beautiful young woman who will give him life. Thank you, God, for this blessing.
Leah
As we reflect over this process we see how strong God's presence has been along the way. He knew this plan long before we did and it is all coming together perfectly in His timing. We rejoiced when He brought Stephanie into our lives and began putting the pieces together to add to our family. But now as it gets so close, we struggle with praying for our will instead of His! But we are human and just excited. :) So now when it really counts, we pray that we step back and "not my will, but yours be done." God knows what He's doing and is good ... all the time. (right Stephanie) ;) So please pray for the sweet baby that is on his way into this world and for the beautiful young woman who will give him life. Thank you, God, for this blessing.
Leah
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
What's in a name?
When David and I began planning for kids, we had the usual discussion of boy names and girl names. Since he is a III (3rd) we thought about continuing that tradition. He comes from Henry Davids and Harold Davids. We thought we might modernize things a bit and go with Haiden David. But, one day when we were going through our heartache with failed pregnancies and such, David felt as though God gave him a name for our son. Little did we know he would be arriving sooner than later. Well, David was reminded of my favorite Bible verse, "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." This verse has comforted us through the tough times that led us to this joyous occasion. The verse is Jeremiah 29:11. Thus the inspiration for our son's name: Jeremiah David Meyer :) ETA August 24, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Thoughts of a soon to be father
Now that we have been matched alot has changed. I no longer sleep. My mind is constantly somewhere in the next several years. I have conversations in my head with my son. I constantly think about what it means to be a dad. Fortunately, I don't worry too much about whether I will be a good dad. I have an amazing role model and mentor.
I remember, when I was small enough to fit there, cuddling up in the crook of my father as he was lying on his side on the floor watching tv. I was trying to lay there and watch tv just like he was. Its the first memory I have of me trying to be like him, but I am sure it isn't the first time I tried, and it certainly isnt the last.
I remember sitting in his office with him "helping" him fill out his expense reports. He spent a lot of time in memphis, and we would abbreviate memphis "MEM." My job was to right MEM, MEM, MEM, MEM across the top of the reports. At least thats the way I remember it. Honestly, I probably just sat there and talked about Mario Brothers while he did all of the work.
Speaking of it, I remember playing Mario Brothers with him all day on Christmas. We kept trying to figure out how long you could keep flower power. We had determined that you could use it for 3 fireballs. Then we learned that it just took 3 fireballs before we ran into something, that would of course rob us of our fire throwing abilities.
We played alot of sports. We would shoot hoops in the driveway. Play catch with a baseball for what seemed like hours. And my favorite... I would run a "down-out- down" route around a tree, and my dad would hit me with the perfect pass, just out of the reach of the defending tree's hands.
I thought he was crazy when he told me there was someone better for me... after Laura, after Jackie, after a different Laura, and after Allison. He was right. He's just about always right, I think I get that from him.
He has made the perfect transition from a authoritative figure in my life to a wise counsel. He is an affluent businessman, loving husband, and an amazing dad. I couldn't ask for a better role model as my child is on his way. I can only hope I can be half the dad to my son, that he was to me.
I love you, Dad.
David
I remember, when I was small enough to fit there, cuddling up in the crook of my father as he was lying on his side on the floor watching tv. I was trying to lay there and watch tv just like he was. Its the first memory I have of me trying to be like him, but I am sure it isn't the first time I tried, and it certainly isnt the last.
I remember sitting in his office with him "helping" him fill out his expense reports. He spent a lot of time in memphis, and we would abbreviate memphis "MEM." My job was to right MEM, MEM, MEM, MEM across the top of the reports. At least thats the way I remember it. Honestly, I probably just sat there and talked about Mario Brothers while he did all of the work.
Speaking of it, I remember playing Mario Brothers with him all day on Christmas. We kept trying to figure out how long you could keep flower power. We had determined that you could use it for 3 fireballs. Then we learned that it just took 3 fireballs before we ran into something, that would of course rob us of our fire throwing abilities.
We played alot of sports. We would shoot hoops in the driveway. Play catch with a baseball for what seemed like hours. And my favorite... I would run a "down-out- down" route around a tree, and my dad would hit me with the perfect pass, just out of the reach of the defending tree's hands.
I thought he was crazy when he told me there was someone better for me... after Laura, after Jackie, after a different Laura, and after Allison. He was right. He's just about always right, I think I get that from him.
He has made the perfect transition from a authoritative figure in my life to a wise counsel. He is an affluent businessman, loving husband, and an amazing dad. I couldn't ask for a better role model as my child is on his way. I can only hope I can be half the dad to my son, that he was to me.
I love you, Dad.
David
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Blessed Beyond Measure
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
-Luke 6:38
When I think of this verse I think of lawn bags. Have you ever been up to your elbows in leaves shoving them into the bottom of a lawn bag to try and fill it to its absolute capacity? You shake it up, and maybe even hop in and jump on it. All of this so that when you finish filling it leaves are still coming up out of the top and no one could ever close the bag. This is how I picture the blessings this verse speaks of. This is how I was blessed last night.
Financially we did very well at Buffalo Wild Wings. If you are curious, between the fundraiser itself, and donations made directly to us we raised over $1500.00 last night. This was certainly an amazing blessing, but we were blessed in ways I never saw coming.
The day started when Leah's friends from high school showed up for lunch. I am not sure where all of them lived, but I know one of them is from a little over an hour away. Then it was a couple of our friends from bible study. Then some of Leah's family (her cousins son - about 4 years old - donated $.80 to us... too sweet), from about 45 minutes away. Then it was many of my friends from the Waterford business community. I noticed a friend from church in the lobby, and suddenly there was about 15 of them all ready to eat together. They actually waited to leave for vacation so they could come support our cause. Before long, the entire room was filled with friends, family, and I even saw some of our flyers on tables for people I had never met.
As things were just getting crazy a very special young lady walked in with her parents. Stephanie, our birth mother, came with her parents to support our cause. We were able to sit with her and her family for probably about an hour and a half. We had great conversation, and they were able to meet Leah's family and some of our dearest friends.
Last night we were blessed in good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.
Thank you so much for your support and for your prayers!
-Luke 6:38
When I think of this verse I think of lawn bags. Have you ever been up to your elbows in leaves shoving them into the bottom of a lawn bag to try and fill it to its absolute capacity? You shake it up, and maybe even hop in and jump on it. All of this so that when you finish filling it leaves are still coming up out of the top and no one could ever close the bag. This is how I picture the blessings this verse speaks of. This is how I was blessed last night.
Financially we did very well at Buffalo Wild Wings. If you are curious, between the fundraiser itself, and donations made directly to us we raised over $1500.00 last night. This was certainly an amazing blessing, but we were blessed in ways I never saw coming.
The day started when Leah's friends from high school showed up for lunch. I am not sure where all of them lived, but I know one of them is from a little over an hour away. Then it was a couple of our friends from bible study. Then some of Leah's family (her cousins son - about 4 years old - donated $.80 to us... too sweet), from about 45 minutes away. Then it was many of my friends from the Waterford business community. I noticed a friend from church in the lobby, and suddenly there was about 15 of them all ready to eat together. They actually waited to leave for vacation so they could come support our cause. Before long, the entire room was filled with friends, family, and I even saw some of our flyers on tables for people I had never met.
As things were just getting crazy a very special young lady walked in with her parents. Stephanie, our birth mother, came with her parents to support our cause. We were able to sit with her and her family for probably about an hour and a half. We had great conversation, and they were able to meet Leah's family and some of our dearest friends.
Last night we were blessed in good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.
Thank you so much for your support and for your prayers!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Its Fundraising Time
I am trying to find every single avenue I can to annoy mostly the same people with the same flyer. But for the few of you that haven't seen it at one of my other functions. Please remember that our Buffalo Wild Wings fundraiser is tomorrow! Please print and bring the following flyer with you when you go, and we will receive 20% of your sales. All proceeds go directly to our adoption agency. Thank you, and enjoy the wings!
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