coming home outfit.

your coming home outfit. it is so beautiful like you. each item carefully handpicked with love by your incredible birthmom. you had this on the first time we laid eyes on you and held you in our arms. the most beautiful girl in the world.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. - Philippians 1:6

today we brought home our precious daughter, aspen rae, born on 5/14/14 at 5:07 p.m. weighing 6lbs 1 oz. she is our gift from God. she taught us how to trust Him completely and His sovereign plan, regardless of the outcome. our amazing birthmom and aspen were worth the wait. every tear shed, every moment of struggling. it was all worth it. His plan is always perfect.

aspen rae

aspen rae // the meaning behind the name is so special and it's all Jesus.

your amazing birthmom named you aspen so they'd have a name to pray for. but she told us we could change it if we wanted to. your name is so unique and special and we loved it. more importantly, we wanted to keep it to honor your birth family.

we thought for a month or so on your middle name. we finally chose rae which means grace.

on placement day (which was by far one of the most emotional days of our life) your birthmom said you took her from a dark place. He used a horrible situation for her into such a beautiful thing... with you.

know that if you let Him, He can use the bad for good and His glory.

she said that you are the reason she trusts and believes God again. that you saved her life. the reason she will be in heaven. aspen not only saved her earthy life but most importantly, her eternal life. that leaves me speechless.

she said aspen was her ark in it all. and what's your initials.... ARK.

and that is not coincidence. we give Him all the glory and praise for our little ark. may He use aspen mightily her whole life.

sovereign

Sovereign in the mountain air
Sovereign on the ocean floor
With me in the calm
With me in the storm

Sovereign in my greatest joy
Sovereign in my deepest cry
With me in the dark
With me at the dawn

In your everlasting arms
All the pieces of my life
From beginning to the end
I can trust you

In your never failing love
You work everything for good
God whatever comes my way
I will trust you

Sovereign in the mountain air
Sovereign on the ocean floor
With me in the calm
With me in the storm

Sovereign in my greatest joy
Sovereign in my deepest cry
With me in the dark
With me at the dawn

In your everlasting arms
All the pieces of my life
From beginning to the end
I can trust you

In your never failing love
You work everything for good
God whatever comes my way
I will trust you

God whatever comes my way
I will trust you

All my hopes
All I need
Held in your hands

All my life
All of me
Held in your hands

All my fears
All my dreams
Held in your hands



as we were waiting to meet you, we prayed so hard for you and hoped and trusted that you were His will for our family. this is always the worst part for all. we were praying that the paperwork would come back signed but vowed to trust Him if it did not. we prayed so very hard for your birthmom and her precious family as they would be doing something so very, very hard. 

then, at 5:40 p.m. we got the best news that the paperwork had been signed. we give you all the glory Lord. He is always faithful. 

meeting you.

after we got the best news that the paperwork was signed, we were told by the caseworker that we could head up.

we were so excited, happy, nervous, grateful... and hurt for your birth family. they are beyond amazing and they will always hold a special place in our hearts and lives.

we opened the door and saw you being held by H and immediately we all started crying. I hugged H and didn't let go for a long time. she made me a mom again... to a little girl that I've always prayed and hoped for. and you my love were worth the wait. God knew that we needed each other. He wove us all together before the beginning of time. that is pretty spectacular.

she gave you to me and you looked so beautiful. you were breathtaking. the perfect little nose and lips, cutest little ears and tiny hands and so much hair. you were sound asleep so we couldn't yet see your bright blue eyes. you had on a perfect little striped dress with the cutest little coat with some tights. and had some special hand knit elephant booties. elephants are so special to H and was such a sweet thing to give you for your homecoming outfit.

we talked about many things that we wished for you and how we knew God would use you mightily. He already had. 

before we left, H's dad led a beautiful prayer for their family and now our new family. it was an honor to have him pray over us. it was then time to say our goodbyes to them for now. we love them all so very much. we are forever grateful for them and for their sacrifice. they prayed over you since they knew of you. and they will always love you and pray for you. you are so loved little one. by so many, many people.

our first picture with our gorgeous little girl. God is SO good.