What a sense-of-humor

So Thomas amazes us with new things every day. He loves to be the center of attention. He likes to laugh at himself, which makes us laugh. He likes to make "boy noises" when Daddy & I are talking. We try not to laugh, because we're suppose to teach him manners. But he looks at you with those dark brown eyes and smiles. We can't help but laugh!! Last night he decided to run into the other room, then come walking backwards back into the room where we were. Jim said it looks like he's trying to moon-walk. He then will fall (purposely) on the dog beds and go "agh" like he's relaxed. He always makes silly faces and he jabbers up a storm. Last night he got a hold of Jim's cell phone and text a message (to nobody). Jim said "look Trish this is what Thomas is telling us". Here's how it went.

KKKKLLUMGGGAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOO

If you can translate that and let us know, we'd appreciate it :)

He is such a joy to have and we love watching him grow each day. I don't want to brag (but I'm gonna), he's such a happy baby with lots of smiles. He laughs more than he cries. He rolls on the ground making noises more than he throws fits. We are blessed to have such a great baby!!

Today, I saw God in the face of our little boy when he smiled at me.
I felt God's love when Thomas hugged me and gave me a kiss.
Today, I heard God when Thomas said "Momma".
I knew God has brought me to this time in my life when I am a Mommy.
I saw God when Thomas closed his eyes to sleep and looked peaceful.
I heard God when I turned on the song "word of God speak, would you pour down like rain, washing my eyes to see your Majesty".
I felt God calm my nerves and wipe away tears.
I knew God has listened to my years of prayers.
I spoke with God today before I met the SW to send Thomas on to a vistitation.
I heard God answered our prayers when the SW said that he was a little more relaxed at the visitation.
I know God was in the BM's heart when today she spoke to the SW about knowing that Thomas is in a good place.
I felt God when Thomas came back and hugged me tight.
I saw God when our little boy looked at me and smiled.
I knew God was with me when we drove home safely.
I said thank you to God for always being there.
I saw God tonight when the sunset reflected peaceful colors and the words "Be still" came to my mind.
I could feel God's arms wrap around me & Thomas tonight when Thomas fell asleep in my arms.
He listens to every prayer. He reassures us in every little detail that he is in control. At times, I may have doubted God but God never gave up on his promise to me............

"For I know the plans I have for you"

First times

Jim is gone for 3 days, and I am getting a taste of being a Mommy while Daddy is gone. I have adjusted pretty well while he's at work, but something is much different when Daddy isn't home at night. Thomas seemed like he was missing his Daddy, too. I continued on with our normal routine, playtime, dinner, playtime, jammies and bottle. Jim skyped us before Thomas went to bed. Technology has made things nice :) Thomas went to sleep in my arms so I put him in bed and went in to check on him and he's snoring with his arm clenched tight to his blankey. Jim will only be gone for 3 days, 2 nights. This is a short trip and it's good to get us all adjusted to what it'll be like when Daddy's gone for 14 days on fires.
Tomorrow I will take Thomas for another visitation with the BM. This is the first visit, without Daddy. So I am meeting the SW so she can pick-up Thomas and then a friend will meet me at the bookstore coffee shop. I am praying that the hour goes by quickly. The hardest part of these visits is when Thomas leaves with the SW. As he's placed in her carseat, he looks at us with tears pouring from his eyes, screaming " Mom--ma Dad--da" Talk about hurt. As a parent I feel like my child is reaching to me in fear, but I have to strap him in the carseat and close the door. I have been so thankful that Jim has been able to be the one who puts him in the carseat. Tomorrow, I will have to put him in the carseat. "I can do all things through God who strengthens me" and I pray that Thomas knows I will be right there when he comes back. Our visitation is from 3:00 - 4:00 tomorrow afternoon. Please be praying for us during that time, especially.

" I will not be shaken "

So I just ended a phone call w/the SW. I can't say how much Jim & I feel blessed to have such a caring SW, and one who sees the BM is. We feel blessed to have a SW who sees how much Thomas loves us and how much we love him. We feel blessed having a God who holds the details to this adoption in the palm of his hand.
That being said, I'm going to ask for specific prayer. The SW feels that this probably will head to trial. What does that mean?? Well it means that BM's parental rights won't be terminated and we'll have to continue weekly visitations w/BM until that happens. This could go on for a couple of months. (With fire season approaching, I will have to take Thomas to these visitations by myself.) I feel frustrated that this BM is causing such an uproar. I feel frustrated that her attorney is helping her fight for a different outcome. I feel frustrated that we have to put our son through these traumatic visits. But last night I was doing my biblestudy and came across Psalm 62:2 which made me feel comforted. "He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken."

Our little swimmer

Thomas began swim lessons today at a swim school. Grandma & I drove him to his lesson and Daddy showed up to say "HI". They usually don't let parents in the pool w/ the child, but due to our situation, I was allowed to get in the water with him. He cried a little and was not quite sure what to do. The instructor was very kind and was not pushy at all. She had me hold Thomas and walk around in the water with him. He cried, but mostly because he wanted Daddy. The instructor would swim over to us and talk to Thomas. She took him from me for a few seconds. He started to get used to her when she started bringing toys over to him. Tomorrow Daddy gets to get in the water with him. The instructor felt confident saying that possibly by lesson 3, he'd be warmed up to her. She was very nice!!
Thomas took a long nap after a good lunch (w/Daddy) and all that "swimming". Swimming and lunch, what a great way to fall asleep :)

*No pictures because I felt like as a parent, if someone was taking pictures with my child in a bathing suit, I'd be a little nervous. Nothing said we couldn't but I felt weird. Maybe later!!

On Easter we got to go to Grandma & Papa's house to enjoy some yummy food and play outside. Thomas got to fly Papa's kite and chase it around, too. The dirt area behind my dad will be their garden. We have been invited to plant somethings in a corner, too. I think it'll be fun to watch things grow and let Thomas have fun picking ripe food. Not sure what I want to plant. Veggies.....no doubt, but what kind???

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The following picture was about as much excitement as we could get from Thomas while decorating Easter eggs. Hopefully next year, it'll be more than watching Daddy do the decorating...................

"NO SHOW"

Well today's visitation with Thomas' birthmom ended about 25 minutes into the 1 hour scheduled time. The BM never showed up, called or left a msg for the SW. So the SW returned Thomas to us and told us that next Friday's visit was called off, unless the BM makes contact with the SW. So this is good for us in the sense that she didn't show and that gets documented. The SW told us that come May 3rd when we have the court hearing, if the decision goes to trial and the BM's rights aren't terminated, then the County will make a recommendation that we don't have weekly visits as it is too traumatizing to Thomas. As parents, it is very hard to put him the SW's car and watch tears come from his eyes as he reaches for us. We quickly close the door and hear him scream as they drive away. He is soooo happy to see us when he comes back. So praise God that Thomas didn't have to endure another visit with BM, but please continue to pray that her parental rights get cut in May and these any longer.