good news!

We just found out this morning that in court this morning, they terminated rights of the unknown father in G's case. Meaning that he is now 100% officially legally free for adoption!!!

This is huge news and long awaited for, and we can now FINALLY begin the adoption process. It will take several months, but G is well on his way to becoming an official Williams. (And I'm so sorry that I still can't show his face until that happens!)

On April 22nd, 2008, when my heart was shattered into a million pieces when I gave birth to our sweet, stillborn Gabriel, I never ever could have imagined that God would put so much goodness and hope into our future. That this would be the picture of our future family.

Y'all, my cup runs over! We are so blessed and praising God for all He's done for us, for G, for our present, and for our future. We could not ask for more.

praise

Jonah requested to hear this song first thing this morning. Sometimes you just gotta praise, ya know? I fought back tears the entire time and have been praising God all day.



Sometimes He's so close, you can feel Him right beside you. Takes my breath away.

to die is gain

My sweet friend, Terre, finally got to go home and be with Jesus after an 11 year battle with cancer. Heaven is where she most wanted to be, and I'm thankful she finally gets to be at peace with her Savior.

Terre wrote the following song, and she, her husband, and their Church's praise team recorded it one night less than a month ago. The slides are from that night. This song embodies who Terre was and what she believed. She never stopped praising Him, no matter what. She had the most hauntingly beautiful voice.

We'll always love you and remember you, Terre. I know your light will shine here for a long, long time. Thank you for who you were and what you taught us. I know that Father holds you close now, and you have heard, "Well done."

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"...Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

incredibly thankful

Dear Jonah,

I just wanted to write this letter for you to someday read to let you know how very, very thankful I am to have you.

You amaze us every day with your strength, bravery, and resilience. People just can't believe it the first time they meet you and see how smiley and happy you are almost all the time. They think you have "problems," but you sure seem oblivious. You are one sweet child. And I'm not just saying that because I'm your mom and I have to. Really, you are so special.

You are beautiful, content, smart, and you crack me up with your new expressions and funny sounds every day. You have the greatest personality.

And I have so many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day: God, Jesus, our friends, family, our church family, all the wonderful people who help us with dressing change, our house, our warms beds and showers, food... the list goes on and on.

But I just want you to know that I am so especially thankful for you. You have changed my life 100% for the better. I love you more than I could ever even put into words, and I choke up most times when I have to express out loud how I love you. It's just too overwhelming. You make my days brighter, and I can't imagine my life without you. I'd never want to go back to how it was before. You are so incredibly BEYOND worth it.

Last year, when I wrote some things I was thankful for, this is what I wrote about you: "For our new baby boy who is renewing us every day, for his kicks and movements, and for the excitement and hope he gives us for tomorrow." And you weren't even here yet! But man, oh man, the excitement and hope you have given us. Actually, you have renewed the definition of hope for me. I pray and fast for a miracle for you, but really, YOU are the miracle, sweet boy. You have overcome so much, so much more than anybody ever thought you could.

And I'm so thankful for the hope you've given us. I can't wait to see how God continues to use you to give hope to others too. He's holding you up, Jonah. Do you know that? I see you soaring like an eagle every day, and I know it is God who is sustaining you. He is healing you. He is growing you. He is the reason you live and breathe.

And it is HE who gave you to me. And for that I could never say thank you enough. Words just sound cheap.

You are the love of my life, my hero, my best friend. And God put us together. Pretty amazing, huh? I can't wait to watch you grow and change and become the wonderful man God is shaping you into.

He has already begun such a wonderful work in you, Jonah. I'm so excited to see what more He will do to, for, and through you. My prayer for you is that you will always be open to that work, and that you will glorify Him through your storms. You will have many, Baby Jonut, but I think you will see how He brings you through time and time again, and you will know that you are eternally, inexplicably, unconditionally, infinitely loved. And you will be amazed. I know I am.

Thank you for being my son. You are perfect. Happy First Thanksgiving, Jonah.

I love you with all my heart,
Mommy

a few pics from the weekend

Hanging out on the deck on Friday.


Playing with his new favorite toy... well, it's a tie between this and my cell phone.


With Aunt Sarah at Gabe's spot on Saturday.

Looking at the ducks with Mommy.

Daddy corralling the ducks for Jonah's viewing pleasure.

Playing with Gabe's flowers.

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Nothing much new here today. We did get to go to the mall, and for those of you who care, I got a GREAT pair of brown pants - exactly what I wanted - for $21.00 at Eddie Bauer. That's what I'm talkin' about.

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But really, who cares about brown pants? I'm so pumped about Stellan's successful ablation I'm literally all giddy and fluttery inside. I don't know about you, but I spent most of the day F5 refreshing Jennifer's twitter page every free moment I got. Still praying for the gunk in his lungs and his fever, but man, oh man, GOD IS AWESOME. I knew He was still in the miracle business. HOORAY!