"Hello? You want to see my daddy?"

Today I was observing our Judson, who was diving into the world of make-believe, a not too common thing for him just yet. Judson is very much into sports, running, taking things apart (maybe that's a nice way of saying breaking) and will one day surely bring forth some unique gifts for the Lord from all these rough and tough things. "I beak this" he says often, which means, "I broke this." Oh Lord, use the breaking skills for your glory one day. Somehow!

But today he quietly sat our side table, picked up his pretend phone as his little mind heard an imaginary phone call for his father:

"Hello? Yes? You want to see my daddy? Mhm. Yes. MY daddy. Ya. Mhm. yeah, yep. Ok, bye."

My heart paused for a moment. Here's a boy who has known Ernie for less than two years, and he has proudly claimed him his forever daddy. God was gracious even as he was passed around a bit between family and homes. God was gracious during a time of frustration and anger in his soul that was so young. I have tried to imagine what life must have been for him between birth and nearly 2, and I have cried.

Yet God brought Ernie Blanco into Judson's life, a man whom God would use to transform what it means to be "daddy" and to give him direction in the good days and hard, trial-filled days. Ernie would be the daddy to stand at the door to welcome Judson back from somewhat painful and confusing parent visits, and the daddy who would make him his own forever and would point him to how our Heavenly Father makes us his own forever, through Jesus.

We are so grateful Judson is our son. I'm so grateful Ernie is his daddy.

Morning

Kix and the Bible. A good start!

Adoption Day

Yesterday was a day we will never ever forget. We adopted our precious children and named them Judson and Talitha Blanco. The last year in a half has been a tremendous test of our faith and full of new ways to trust The Lord with each day. I have seen my weakness, I have had thousands of tears. I have also had to run to Jesus many days and I get to experience his strength and the joy that comes from depending on him. 

Judson is an active, athletic, hilarious little boy. And God has grown him in so many ways to calm his little heart, to trust us as mommy and daddy, and really love his family. He's starting to help me with his siblings, bless his heart, he's only 3 and he's wanting to be the man of the house when daddy's at work. He will one day be incredibly gifted at baseball, basketball and drums. Seriously. He also loves our parents, his forever grandparents. And he has two best buddies, Truett and Nathan. 

Talitha is spunky, hilarious, loud and stunningly beautiful. She keeps us active, and we chase her all day. She's interested in all things breakable, all things with a plug-in and her current favorite is the computer keyboard which also serves as her drum. She looks up to Judson and really loves him. She is in love with daddy, he means the world to her, I'm so grateful for Ernie as her daddy. He is such a gift of a godly daddy in her life. We think she will be a great dancer, she's got some rhythm starting.

So we are now forever a family of 6. God has met us in our times of need and brought us this day of adoption in his amazing kindness and mercy. We love you Judson and Talitha!