So, just in case you didn't know......

Brad and I are taking classes to become foster parents. We actually have just 2 more classes left before we are "certified." I realized after I posted to Facebook yesterday, that there were alot of people who didn't know this about us! There's actually a good reason for it! So, here's the whole story:

A few years ago, Brad mentioned something about becoming foster parents and I basically shot him down completely. I told him that it would be entirely too hard and that I just didn't think I could do it! So, he dropped it! Then, last year, before Andrew, he suggested fostering again! (Apparently, God had lit the fire in Brad!) Well, last year, I still wasn't wild about the idea, but I thought that we could at least get some information on it! So, we gathered the information for it, but then we got Andrew! So, all the plans went to the back burner! Apprently, God wasn't going to let it go with Brad, because around Andrew's 1st birthday, Brad mentioned it, yet again! So, I started really praying about it and we asked for information again! We started our classes in September and we will finish in November.

Here's why nobody REALLY knew about this: I've been so scared! This is soooo out of my comfort zone! I have to confess that I've been fighting God about this! I've really NOT wanted to do it and I can tell you a million reasons why I think that I'm not suited to be a foster parent! BUT, I know He has called us to do this, to work with children and orphans, for His glory! He has confirmed it over and over to us! So, I had to quit trying to talk Him out of it and I had to submit to His calling! We really don't know for sure if we are meant to be foster parents, in our own home, or if we are meant to be house parents, like at the Big Oak Ranch, or if He wants us to be missionaries in orphanages, or if we are suppose to start our own childrens' home or even something bigger. We haven't gotten completely clarity, just yet! Just prayerfully seeking His will!

So, that's what we feel like is in store for the Polk's in the very near future! I'm sorry to have kept this from some. Honestly, I thought for sure that I would wind up telling everyone, and then chicken out, and look like an ididot! But, God is so good and He has been very patient with me!

So, all that, just to keep you up to date! :)

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:27

1 Year Ago Today......

One year ago today, my life was about to change in ways that I had only dreamed of!! The one prayer that I had prayed everyday for 4 1/2 years was finally being answered with a resounding "Yes, now's the time!"

Andrew was born on Sunday May 17, 2009.

He was a whopping 5#10 ounces! Huge, right??

Okay, so I wasn't in the Labor room the night he was born. And I didn't get to hear him cry for the first time!! I didn't get to see him weighed or measured!! I didn't get to be the first one to see his little fingers and toes and I didn't get to feed him his first bottle! But, God had a plan, and I actually WAS in the hospital, only steps away from him, when he was born. Normally, (at that particular time) I wouldn't have been at work. I was working dayshift then, and I had just signed up to work an extra shift that night!! So, although I wasn't in the actual room, I do believe God allowed me to be close when he was born!! I know my heart was there for sure!!!

Brad and I actually didn't get to meet him until he was about a week old. But, I remember, driving to his Nanny's house. So, so nervous!! Excited, but nervous! But, when we got there, we were welcomed like family, and then, AND THEN, we saw Andrew!! And I remember thinking that he was the most beautiful baby!! So small, so precious, scrawny little legs, head full of hair, I can soooooo love this baby!!!

A week later, he was home with us!!! Now, if you know our story at all, you know there were some setbacks, but I'm not going to focus on those details! God has a way of helping us to forget those small details! He helps us to remember the lessons that we learned, but He has protected us from remembering the hurt!!

And the rest is history!! He has been the greatest joy in our lives!!! He is a true gift from God and I know that He has an incredible plan for Andrew's life!!

We are truly blessed beyond measure!

Thank you Father for this baby!!

Thank you April for giving me a gift that I can never repay you for!

(From a card that I was given, right after we got him)

You may not have my eyes,

but I gave you that little sparkle.

And while you don't have your daddy's smile,

that laugh is unmistakably his.

You see, it's true you weren't born from my belly.

But, that doesn't make your birth any less of a miracle,

just like it doesn't make us any less of a famiily.

Happy 1st Birthday Andrew!!

I love you!!

Momma

So thankful God chose me to be his mom....

Seriously....I think I hit the big jackpot! This baby brings me soooo much joy!! I am so overwhelmed when I think about how much God must love me, to give me Andrew!! I know that if I could go back, I would not change ONE thing about my life!! I would cry every tear, I would feel every hurt, I would endure every negative pregnancy test, I would fake a smile everytime someone asked me if we were going to have kids, I would rejoice again about my twins, and then mourn my miscarriage just weeks later...I would do every single second the same, just to get to be his mom!! He is a perfect fit for Brad and I, and I am so thankful God chose us to be his parents.

He has been sooo cute the last couple of weeks! He's such a big man now that he's a whopping 10 months old!! I know I am partial, but I do believe that I have THE smartest 10 month old ever!!! He's so sweet...You can ask him, "Andrew, how old are you going to be on your birthday?" And he'll hold up one little finger and then grins from ear to ear!! OWNS ME!!!! Seriously, I love this kid!! Another precious thing that he does, he tries to sing when you sing to him!! He especially likes Old MacDonald and Itsy, Bitsy spider! He claps his hands, and tries to do the animal sounds and is grinning the entire time!! I could eat him up, he's so cute!! I mean, you guys may be thinking, "Not sure he's the smartest kid, he should've been doing those things months ago!!!" Keep it to yourself, please, because right now, I am believing he's the smartest child alive!!! Seriously!!! He's finally using a sippy cup! Now, don't get too excited, he still wants us to hold it, but he's finally drinking from one!!! He loves riding in his little red wagon...Dad pulls him A LITTLE fast, but HE LOVES IT!!! I need to post the video if I can figure out how to do it!!! He's walking everywhere, as long as you're holding his hands!! The other night, Brad was walking him around and they stopped and Brad let go, and Andrew just stood there for probably 20 seconds!! But, he had no idea what he was doing, because he was pitching a fit because his dad let go!! We started brushing his 3 little teeth!! He loves that!! He tries to brush his own hair and then he'll try to brush Brad's beard!! Very cute!!! Today, he copied everything we said! He tried to say it all!! It won't be long before he's chatting away!!! I know these are random thoughts! I'm trying to remember all of the sooo cute things that he's been doing and they are popping up in my mind slowly!!

When I took him to his bed for the night, I laid him down on his belly, and he pulled his little legs up underneath him and poked his little booty out, and went right to sleep!! Seeing that is what got me to write the blog tonight!! I love him!! I could not imagine my life without him!! I am so blessed!!!

Okay, final thought.....I DO know what it's like to long for a child!! I do know how it feels to weep over the negative pregnancy tests, the miscarriages, the failed adoptions, a good friends' exciting news, "I'm pregnant!!" I DO know what it's like to ask God if He knows how bad I hurt and if He really loves me!!! But now, I look at Andrew (hand-picked by GOD ALMIGHTY, for ME!!!) and I can see exactly what God was doing in my life!! I can see that He was growing me into the woman that He wanted me to be, He was making me into the wife that He knew Brad deserved, and He was putting some extra touches on me so that I could be a wonderful mother to a fantastic little boy!!! If there is someone reading this that is experiencing fertility problems, I hope to give you a LITTLE bit of encouragement!! I know it's easy for me to say, because I do have a child, but God is in the details...He has not forgotten about you....He knows your desires to be a mother, but He sees the big picture and He has the PERFECT plan picked out for you!!! You have to trust His heart!!! Try to look at it like this, The same God that created the universe, loves you so much that He is using this trial to move you closer to Him!! He's allowing you to be a small piece to His huge master puzzle!! I promise you, if you choose to become the person that He wants you to be, one day you will look back and be so grateful for this trial!! I am!!

These are a Few of my Favorite Things....

I absolutely love this time of year!! I love everything about it! Except maybe, how quick it comes and goes! But nonetheless, I love it!!! I love it for a lot of different reasons, so I thought I would list some of the reasons I love it so much!!! (Apparently, I'm a big fan of lists, as well!)
1). I love that Jesus was a baby. I love to think about how He cried at night, how He played with toys, how Mary must have felt when she needed to discipline Him! I love to think about whether or not He fussed when He was cutting teeth, did He drop His toys a thousand times just to see if His mom and dad would pick them up! I just LOVE to think about baby Jesus! A little baby but completely God all at the same time....AMAZING!!! Love it! I get teary-eyed just thinking about it!!!
2). Love Christmas music...both good and bad!!! Not sure if the Beach Boys and Aaron Neville really had any business making Christmas cd's, but I don't change the channel, I suffer through it, because why, I LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!
3). Favorite Christmas TAPE of all time....Avon Classics for $.99....What can beat The Muppets singing the 12 Days of Christmas or Dolly Parton singing Winter Wonderland.....Seriously
4). My Granny's Christmas village...She used to put it on her mantle every year!! A few years ago she gave it to me, and now I get to set up the village!!! One of my all-time favorite things!!
5). One of my favorite memories....My brother Matt singing the War is Over song at the top of his lungs. We're told to make a joyful noise.....He definitely makes some noise!!! Priceless!!!
6). I love dreaming of a white Christmas...Now I have lived in Alabama my whole life, so the thought of this happening, well, is slim to none! But, a sister can dream, can't she?
7). I love that my parents NEVER told me about Santa!! A lot of people tell there children about Santa because they don't want to lie to them! Let me just say, I'm glad my parents kept it a secret!! I have wonderful memories and I don't think that I am screwed up because my parents allowed me to believe in Santa!!
8). Peggy Johnston singing "O Holy Night"....Enough said about that!!!
9). I love that Brad is a pretty fantastic External Illuminator!!! He works late into the evening hours to get it "just" right!! Should come see my house!!!
10). I love that Brad told Andrew that he needs to tell daddy if he sees mommy kissing Santa Claus :)!!!
11). I love that I am a mommy this Christmas...Thank you Father for this gift!!!
12). I love Christmas parades...Not real sure why, I just do!!
13). I love that Brad can't sleep the night before Christmas, just like a kid!! (Wait a minute, do I love it? He usually keeps me up!!)
14). Christmas vacation....And I'm serious, Clark!!
15). I love to look at Christmas lights....I get real disappointed if we drive into a neighborhood that I think will be a Christmas light jackpot, and not many people have decorated!! REAL disappointed!!!
16). I love that I have a pickle ornament on my tree! Why not have an ornament of your favorite food??
17). I love the IDEA of mistletoe!!
18). I love going to the Alabam theater at Christmastime!! The night Brad proposed to me , we went to the Alabama theater to see White Christmas! It has become a tradition with us!! Very sweet and romantic!! Love me some Brad Polk :)
19). I love wrapping presents!! Now, I don't wrap well at all...In fact, my 3 year old niece can probably wrap better than me, but I love to crank up the Christmas music and get to wrapping!!
20). I love the shoebox ministry.....Samaritan's purse does a great job at giving Christmas to children all around the world!!! I wish I had more money!!
21). I love that I laugh at jokes about the movie The Christmas Story and some times even quote the movie, but honestly, I don't think I have seen the movie the whole way through!! That's on my to-do list this year!!
22). I have gone to Christmas parties where we played Dirty Santa...SOOOOOO much fun!! Love it!!
23). I love that my niece is ten and she still believes in Santa!!! She's real sweet talking about it and I hope that the kids at school don't steal the innocence!!
24). I love that way Andrewlaughs when I say, "What does Santa say? Ho! Ho! HO!" Priceless
25). I love my mantel with our stockings on it!! One day, I hope that our whole mantel is covered with stockings...In fact, I hope by next Christmas, there will be at least one more stocking! (And not a dog's stocking!)

Love Christmas!!

Something Big

I have no idea why I feel this way, (other than I believe God has begun to prepare me for something) but I feel like something big is coming soon for me and Brad! Not sure exactly what that means, but I know that it will happen soon! I know that some people may be thinking "Was Andrew not big enough?" And the answer is ABSOLUTELY yes!!! Years of trying to have a baby and praying for God's will, was absolutely HUGE and I am so thankful and grateful!! Nothing could ever top that! (Or at least, in my mind!) And I am not totally sure what this next big thing is, I just know it's coming! I know in my spirit that something big is going to happen soon that is going to bring God soooo much glory and I can not wait to find out what it is!! (This is kind of a crazy post!!) I'm just pretty excited about what God is about to do in my life!!!

Thank you Lord for letting me be a part of your plan!! I pray Lord, that whatever "IT" is, will bring you tons of Glory!!!

I am so excited!!!

HE Provides!!!

So, it's been a few days since I've blogged! Not because I have forgotten that I have a blog, but because I want to blog when I feel that God would have me to!! I believe that God led me to start this blog for a reason, so I want to be sensitive to His guiding, and try to blog only when He wants me to!! Only when He has something to say, and not just Lori!

Father, I pray that this blog will be a vessel for you!! I pray Lord that I will only write what you have put in my heart, not a letter or a word more!! Whatever brings you the most glory!!!

If anyone has been around me, at all, the last few months, you have probably heard me talking about our money being tight or me being broke!! I don't think I would call it whining, just being very honest about our present situation!! (I'm probably too honest some times, because really everyone doesn't need to know or want to know all of my business!!!) But nonetheless, you've probably heard me allude to it!!! Between me going part-time, being off for 12 weeks (pretty much without pay), the adoption costs, just regular costs of having a newborn, regular pediatrician appointments, and then specialty doctor appointments, not to mention our regular bills, and some home problems, our banking account has significantly dwindled!! There have been weeks where I had no idea where the money was going to come from!! A little side note here: there are major issues going on with our house right now like some leaking, INTO THE LIVING ROOM, and basement, all because of clogged gutters and rotten boards!! Here's the part I want you to catch...God knew where every single penny was going to come from and He provided it, EXACTLY when we needed it!! Not one single, solitary bill/note has been missed or late!! We have had food on our table (whether I cooked it or Ronald did), the baby has had diapers and formula everytime he needed them, the dogs have even had food when they needed it, the power has stayed on, the car has had gas, the water has continued to run, the phone continues to ring, (sometimes, to my dismay) etc...I could go on and on!!! Get this little detail!! We received a good chunk of money and A LOT of gift cards at our baby showers! I used a gift card every week, up until the week AFTER I started back to work!! And then after the gift cards were gone, we received money for our birthdays or late baby presents,(basically diapers or more gift cards!) Belated birthday presents that came at just the right time!! Brad's sweet Granny gives us formula every time we see her! Just today she gave me 2 cans of Isomil! Also, we received a check in the mail for $1000.00 for an escrow reimbursement from where we closed on our house almost 3 years ago!!! See what I am getting at!! God has continually provided for us! If you are a child of the King's you really can trust Him AND His word! You don't have to worry about where the money is going to come from, because God knows and has known since before the world was created!! Think of the endless number of hours that we have spent worrying about money, how bills are going to get paid, how we're going to buy the kids new shoes, how are we going to fix the leaks in our house, how will we afford gas for the car, or food for the table? What if every time we find ourselves worrying about money, we make an effort in our minds to say, "Not, how are we going to pay for this or that...., but Thank you Lord for already providing for us!!!" I pray Lord that we always remember that we can trust you and your Holy Word!! I pray Lord that if we are trying to carry our own financial burdens, Lord, that we will confess that to You, and we know Lord, that because of what your word says, that You will give us a peace that passes all understanding and You WILL provide for us!!

Matthew 6:28-33
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lillies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

I have prayed diligently about getting the gutters fixed, so that there will be no more leaking IN our house!! I have tried to figure out a way MYSELF to pay for the gutters to be fixed! But, every time I pray I get the answer, "Not right now. Trust me!" You may be thinking, "Wow, she's crazy! It's JUST gutters and besides that, their causing leaks IN to her house." I know it sounds kinda funny, but I believe that God is trying to teach me to trust him with EVERYTHING!!! He's not blind-sighted by the fact that my house leaks!! He wants me to trust that He will take care of me, in all things!!!!

So, I am listening closely for His sweet voice and waiting patiently for what's next! I do hope that we won't have to buy umbrellas so we can sit in our living room, but then again, if we do, I am sure that God will provide those too!!

He's in the details!!

Not our time, but His perfect timing!!!

I Remembered!!!

So, I remembered that I started a blog!! Whoo to the Hoo!!! I think that I'm really gonna like this blogging!!!
I thought maybe for today I would post a list of 25 things that you may or may not know about me. I can't be on here long, I must nap while Andrew naps today!! I have to re-energize, physically and mentally, so that I can take care of the babies at work tonight!! So, on with the list.....

1. I love being a mom. I would love, even more, to be a stay-at-home mom! I know the desire is from God, so I must wait patiently for it to happen!!
2. HATE TO COOK! I cannot emphasize this enough! But, probably need to learn a little more about cooking, especially if I'm gonna be a SAH mom! :)
3. I am NOT a morning person. So, if we chat before 10AM and I can't seem to remember it later, don't get mad. I am just NOT a morning person! Just ask Brad!
4. I am NOT a phone person!! Period!! No home, cell, or I, phones at all!! Not a fan!!
5. I love me some Alabama Football!! Love, Love, Love
6. I love my church! It is a wonderful place to worship! We're small, but there's a LOT of love that circulates throughout the people there!
7. Sometimes, I screen my phone calls. Refer back to #4.
8. Unfortunately, I try to make things happen for me, instead of waiting on God! Like right now, I am trying my hardest to figure out a way for me to stay at home. All the while God is saying, "Trust Me! I'm in the details!!" I am so much like Sarah! Sarah wanted a baby so bad that she allowed her servant Hagar to be with her husband, basically, in order to speed up the baby process. God had already promised Sarah a baby, but she took matters into her own hands! We must remember, GOD IS IN THE DETAILS!!!
9. Love jewelry!! My Christmas list usually has jewelry listed in at least 3 or 4 different spots. Just in case!!
10. I used to play the clarinet...ish! I'm not sure if you really called what I did, "playing," but I did carry a clarinet and march around the field!
11. I was in the Million Dollar Band!! That's where I met Brad!! Sweet thing!!!
12. I went to Auburn for 3 months, right out of high school!! HATED IT!! (Not sure HATE is a strong enough word, but its all I've got right now). Still to this day, I get a knot in my stomach when we go to Auburn for a game or to visit with family!! So, unfortunately, Tiger fans, I can truly say that "I HATE AUBURN!"
13. I have 2 older brothers!! They're great! I have a wonderful family!! Very blessed!!
14. I love pickles!! I even have a pickle ornament on my Christmas tree every year! My mouth is watering as I type this!!!
15. I told Brad that he had sexy legs and that was all she wrote!! And that dear friends, is how you do it!!!
16. I confess that I love the show "The Suite Life on Deck" on the Disney channel!! That's okay right?
17. Not a fan of teeth or feet!! Something about the double ee's! Not sure!
18. I long to feel accepted within my Christian friends! What? Am I like in 7th grade?
19. I love Christmas music!! I love it in December AND in July. Thank you Magic 96.5!
20. I know God put me with Brad, so that I could learn how to be more self-less!! He really, really is very self-less!!!
21. I tried to mess up God's plan for me and Brad. I think I broke up with him like a million times before we got married!! Luckily, God's in control and NOT Lori!! (Really don't deserve Brad!)
22. I loved that we were able to adopt!! I hope we can again, real soon!!
23. I love to hear Andrew talking in the morning when he first gets up! The sweetest sound I've ever heard!!
24. I've always had low self-esteem!! It drives me crazy, because I know how God views me! And my husband, seemingly, adores me! At our premarital counseling, he told me that he wishes I could see me, like he sees me! Love him!! Did I mention, how I DO NOT deserve him!!
25. I have lots of times that I gripe and moan, but ultimately, I love my life!! I am truly blessed!!!

There!!!