A Family of Four!

So, in the last blog post, I left out a major detail, the fact that during our whirlwind summer, in the middle of moving houses, and Tyson starting a new job, we also grew from a family of 3 to a family of 4!  We have waited to share our story on "social media" until after the final hearing, which was this past Wednesday!  It's kind of lengthy, but it's a great story, as those authored by God, usually are!

First, the backstory…

We were in between houses, we sold ours really quickly-7 days on the market, quickly, but were unable to find a new house.  The day before we were to go and sign an apartment lease, we went to an open house and put a contract on the house.  Our gracious and generous friends, the Causeys, had previously offered for us to stay with them, so since closing was less than a month away, we agreed and moved into their basement the day before Tyson started his new job.

One month turned into 2 months because the first house fell through; we found another house and had closed on it and taken possession, but we were having work done on it, so we could not move in yet... when we got the phone call that would change our lives in the most unexpected and wonderful way! 

But before I get to the call, let me also tell you that less than 2 weeks before we got “the call”, Tyson had said for the first time with certainty that he was ready for us to begin the adoption process again, once we got settled in the new house.  We were thinking we had a good plan:)  We knew how long the initial application stuff takes, and we waited for 2 ½ years for Ethan after we applied.  Little did we know, God had a much greater and faster plan!

It was a Sunday afternoon, June 30, and I was ironing in the basement, when my phone rang; it was my aunt, calling to ask if we might know of anyone who might want to adopt a 3-week old baby boy. I immediately called Tyson (who was out walking our friends’ dog) and he came home and we discussed and then I called my aunt back and told her that yes, in fact, we did know someone who wanted to adopt a baby boy, their names were Andrea and Tyson!  We called our adoption attorney the next day and found out what was needed to bring the baby into our home, since we did not have a current homestudy.  Now we did have everything one would need for a baby boy; it was all in storage… So on Monday, I went to my friend Margaret’s house and she loaned me a car seat, pack and play, tub and bags of clothing.  Our wonderful friends threw us a surprise “welcome Carter” shower on Tuesday night.

 I cannot describe what a blur those 3 days were! But I can tell you that we had this amazing peace that surpassed our understanding, and God showed us again and again that Carter was chosen by him to join our family.

God was with us even in the details:  I woke in the middle of the night Monday night, thinking, “I wish we had a moses’ basket”, the next day my friend’s neighbor was over, and we were telling her our story, and she says, without prompting, “Do you guys need anything, I mean I have a Moses’ basket in my garage” I thought, well of course you do! God is taking care of everything.

Approximately 72 hours after we found out about him, we went  picked up our son, Carter James Belue.  And Ethan, who only had 3 days notice that he was to be a big brother, and who replied “No” everytime we asked him, do you want a baby brother, claimed Carter immediately as his “Broffer” and adjusted to being a big brother, far better than we could have ever hoped. 

We moved our new family of four in with my parents for 2 weeks, until the new house was ready.  What a blessing having my mom and dad there to help with Carter and to shower Ethan with attention, which totally helped him adjust.  And Tyson’s mom and stepdad and his aunt and uncle sacrificed weekends to help paint and clean and get the house ready.  The past 4 months have flown by, and our boys have grown and changed so much, and we realize every single day how blessed we are, and how God's plan for our family is so much better than we ever could have imagined!

Our first photo as a family of 4!!

Sweet Carter

I love my "broffer"

So thankful for the loaner basket-C loved sleeping in it!

Carter James Belue-Born 6.12.13, Joined our family 7.3.13
8#, 12 oz, 21 inches

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord..."
Jeremiah 29:11