Adoption Update

Dear Family & Friends

Do you ever feel that trials are absolutely exhausting? I now understand why David spent so much time in the presence of God before fighting his battle.
At times our strength seems depleted. I wish every time I wrote an update that I could say we are remaining strong but that’s not the case.
We too have our weak moments of fear, tears and pleadings that exhaust us.

We received a call from our attorney today.
This past Monday he won a paternity suit (similar to our case) in the Supreme Court that has been going on for three years.
The difference in this case and our case is that the possible birth father did register in time.
The Supreme Court ask for a DNA test for social medical reasons at the end and it was negative. So the case made it all the way to the Supreme Ct to find out this man was not the birth father.
Why did they not do the DNA test sooner? Our attorney says its irrelevant if he was the birth father as the law states that a legal married woman does not need consent to place a child if the legal father (our birth mothers husband) consents to the adoption and he did.

Therefore, our attorney has changed his mind and request that we do the DNA test on basis that it is for social medical reasons only.
Again, he says the law is on our side since we have a Married Birth Mother who didn’t need a birth fathers consent to place Hope.
Our attorney agreed with us that every case rest on how the judge interprets the law.

On Monday (Feb., 2nd), we will take Hope for a DNA test.
A part of us has wanted this test done all along. One, for Hope and the interest she may have in years to come and two, so we would know if this battle was necessary or not.

We’ve ask and pleaded for this to be negative and for the adoption to be completed in the next couple of months.
If it is negative, we are done and will set the Adoption Finalization date.
If its positive, we are in for a long battle.

As always, we covet your prayers and petitions. In our hearts we know that God directed our path in this adoption.
We believed then and still do today that God gave Hope Victoria to us as a gift.
We know that He could make this DNA negative, in our hearts that is exactly what we want.

We also know that the interpretation of the law rest with the judge and those involved in the courts.
Please pray that our attorney will be armed with wisdom.
Please pray that we find favor in the eyes of the magistrate and judge.
Please pray for our strength, peace and provision.
Please join us as we pray for all hearts involved and that we will be a light to the lost.

Love to all,
Rick & Michelle

Next Year, I'll Be Running in that Winter Wonderland

We think she loves the snow already!

Look Closely To See Her Toophers!

Have We Told You How Expressive She Is?

Our Girl Is Getting So Big

Can You See Her Wings and Halo?

Beautiful Baby Contest, What Picture Would You Send?

We See the "I Do Myself" Expression

From the beginning she has not liked tummy time. She is much better at it now, however you see I've had to place a pillow beside her. Also notice how she tried even with the pillow to roll. If she can't scoot her 20lb. body right she gives out that girl scream we've been told is a high "C". Before long she often realizes, "O, I can go the other way" and repositions herself. As Ive heard, tummy time is brain power and its a vital part of her learning so we continue to push it and give her floor time during the day. Some may ask where is the 20 lbs., its her is 29 inch heighth that is off the charts, no percential, yep she's off the charts.

"It Goes by Fast" Now I Believe It

Yesterday, Hope was able to grab her toys and remain upright. Several times as she began to fall she would tighten up those tummy muscles and get right back up! I've fixed her up a play area on the floor of my office so I'm blessed to watch her grow and experience new things throughout the day! Grateful!

Daddy Can't Say No to This Face

And I don't blame him!

Getting Better by the Day

Although sometimes I think she gets nervous while practicing her sitting up, she is doing great!

Sit'n Up and Do'n It All By Herself

The book said she would be sitting up by the end of 6 months, at 6 months and 2 days she's being way too independent for me! She would sit up, almost fall, come right back up and boom to the other side. She would look at me as if to say "this makes me sleepy" and resign to sticking with her toes as its much less effort.

Happy 6 Month Birthday Princess!

Dear Princess Hope Victoria,

The moment we saw you we fell in love, however each moment with you grows more fonder than the rest

You're a true to joy to have in our lives. We love each smile and scream, the tears and sweet dreams of your future. God has placed an unconditional love in our hearts that we didn't know could exist. Your sweet spirit makes each day better and helps us look forward to what the next day holds.

You've grown quickly before our eyes and yesterday marked another day where you are now repeating those repetition sounds of "AhhhHaaa" and "Ut-O". As your first two teeth arrived in the last couple weeks a nap soothed you more than tylenol or tablets, as long as it was your bed you were napping in. God has given you a true spirit of contentment. You love to play, bounce and roll. Especially if daddy is on the floor with you! Your taste buds welcome oatmeal, rice cereal and formula, however peas were quickly right back at us (a true FHV moment). Your sweet face lights up to "Jesus Loves Me" and "1-2 Jesus Loves You". Daddy and I love to love you and pour kisses on you from morning til night, your response shows us the same.
Your eyes say "I love you" back and your smile reminds us that life is a gift and its to be appreciated!

May you always know that Jesus made us a family and "blood relation does not a family make", its the love in our hearts that Christ put there for one another that binds us together.

You are valued more by the Savior who created you perfectly, although Mommy can't see the sin nature she knows its there. So we pray each day that God will give you a heart to know Him and the power of His resurrection so that one day you will be a woman after God's own heart.

Honored To Be,

Your Mommy and Daddy

Try'n To Keep Her on Her Tummy is Almost Impossible

Back to David and Goliath

As I was driving today, Hope was steady singing and talking. I can't tell you how beautiful those long awaited meoldies are to me. Often when she's singing and talking God promps me to pray for her and our family.When I heard her voice I began to think of the adoption suit and the posibilites that can be overwhelming at times. So as boldly as I could I ask God to take this giant out with the first stone. I ask Him to arm our attorney as necessary but to take him out so that Hope will be our daughter in the eyes of the law sooner than later. Whatever God is wanting us to learn, I want to learn it fast, I want to defeat the beast in our lives as David did and have God be Victoious with this "giant".If you feel lead, you're prayers for "Victory and Timeliness" are coveted.

Purple, Fit For A Royal Princess

This is one of my favorite oufits on Hope (thank you MaMa Pearce). I had to have her wear it again since she will soon outgrow it! I do think that purple is one of her colors, of course it is, its the color of royalty fit for a Princess!

Tights and Shoes, Yep, She Hates'em

I love her all dressed up in her tights and patten leather black shoes and she dispises them! She kicks those feet and gets that wine going, then I take them off and she's happy and free!

What's With the Raspberries?

Between making raspberries (esp at meal time) and eating her hands, feet and clothes its hard to keep anything clean. She is very cute and has realized that she likes to make us laugh so when she makes raspberries and we laugh, she keeps on!

Update from Court Hearing on January 9th.

Thank you sweet friends who've been praying and sending encouraging messages, we do appreciate you!Today, Our Adoption Agency went before the Magistrate as the suit is also against them for placing baby Hope with us as a family. It was quickly dismissed for contempt.The Magistrate did not hear our suit as the paperwork only got to him yesterday. We will have another hearing in a few weeks.Our attorney did inform us that there is a newly eleceted Judge in the seat and he has not worked with him before. Please continue to pray and ask God to speak boldly through our Attorney and for us to experience God's peace.As from the beginning we are praying for God's favor and for Him to keep our family complete with Hope Victoria.I have often referred to this battle as our "Goliath", a giant battle that only God can handle. I have read the story of David several times over this week and was reminded that "David ran to the Giant". He was fearless because he went in the name of the Lord Almighty, just as we do. He ran to the battle and fought, we will fight until God clearly shows us that the battle is over.Thanks again for standing in the fight with us through prayer!

All Dressed Up to See the Dr.

Hope's first tooth was followed by an ear infection! You wouldn't know she was in pain as she's still smiling, playing, laughing and sleeping alot. Our plump little turkey weighed in at 19 lbs. 15.5 oz this day, Jan. 6th. Hmm Hmm we love her, all 20 lbs and more!

January 5, 2009 We Discovered Hope's 1st Tooth