as she makes her new favorite statement about God: “Isn’t it funny when God changes His mind?” (I am sure that is not theologically sound, but she is 4 after all- and maybe that is the best way of understanding in our limited humanness when God says, “My ways are not your ways.”)
She is asking this in the incredulous situation that we have found ourselves in this week. Ryan and I found out that we are expecting Hale Baby #4 who will arrive sometime in July.
The reason we know “when” this baby will arrive is because God has done the miraculous and I am pregnant.
We grappled with infertility for years, but in the final analysis we were happy to continue to add to our family through adoption. Our lives would be so much less rich without our Ellie Grace and we have eagerly invested much time, energy, and many prayers for Treasure. Our horizons have widened as our eyes have been opened to the gravity of the depth of need in the the world.
Coffee tasted bad, I was queasy, and nauseous. I was terribly hungry while at the same time repulsed by food. We were heading up to Breckenridge last Saturday to go skiing. I thought, in an ambivalent mood, gee, I better just be sure before I spend the day falling, or rather skiing down the mountain. Also, how long can a slight stomach flu/possible food poisoning last?
We are “reservedly excited” by this news. Never thinking we would carry another biological child – I think we will breath a sigh of relief with every milestone reached – positive ultrasounds, reaching the end of the first trimester, hearing the baby’s heartbeat, feeling the baby move. I am definitely feeling the “pregnancy symptoms” which awe me and can be tiresome (literally) both at once.
Our commitment to Treasure hasn’t changed. The path is certainly going to be different as we become a family of 6. We are hoping for a referral soon and grace in quickly completing the steps toward traveling and getting Treasure home. But of course, that has been our hope all along, hasn’t it?

God is so good! Two new ones will be joining your family soon! I understand the “reserved excitement”, but make sure to enjoy it all
People are going to start to wonder what’s going on over on the Ethiopia boards.
I know – we can’t blame the water!
Mimi and papa are so excited for grandchild 10 and 11…take care of yourself..we are praising and praying for Treasure and Miracle…Love you all so much…Mom aka Mimi
AHHHHHHHHHHHH!! What WONDERFUL news!! Did you announce on the boards yet? SO SO SO excited for you!!!! God is so good!!!!
So I missed cooking club last week…..with the stomach flu, true flu, not pregnant.
My mom filled me in on the blessing that was announced and was so overjoyed for you that I cried, still in the bed with the stomach flu but praising Him for what He is doing anyways! Praying still with great anticipation! <3
I’m so excited for you! What a blessing!