Contemplating a Move

For quite some time now Zach and I have contemplated a move that would take us closer to our families and for as long as we've wanted to move, we've felt for one reason or another the timing wasn't right.  Now that our adoption is finalized we feel like the time may finally be right.  We have taken some steps (such as putting our house on the market and starting the job search) and we are praying that God give us a sign, that He make this work if this is what is supposed to happen.  Of course now that we've decided this is a possibility in our lives, I want it to happen yesterday.  It's crazy to think that last year at this time, God was using adoption to teach us patience and here we are (or should I say here I am, because Zach is pretty patient) and God is using another life changing situation to try again to teach me patience!   We continue to tell ourselves that God's plan will be revealed in His time and I get a reminded of that each and every time I look at our precious son!

Tomorrow is a Good Anniversary

Tomorrow, Sept. 19, will mark the one year anniversary of us meeting K.  What a great anniversary that is!  I still remember how cautious we were going to meet her.  We were so damaged and broken from our failed adoption that occurred just eight days before this meeting.  We loved K the moment we met her, but we decided after our meeting that we weren't ready to take this risk again.  Thankfully, we didn't trust ourselves, we trusted God!  Within 24 hours of our meeting, we got a call from K's social worker letting us know she had chosen our family.  God certainly did have something amazing in store for us. 
I'm sure this isn't the first time I've said this, and I'm sure on this journey there will be many more learning opportunities, but it's amazing the things God uses to strengthen us!  The next time you're going thru any sort of suffering just remember this.....trust God, embrace suffering, and enjoy life!  What if we really embraced suffering?  I think most of us know after we've been hurt or gone thru a rough spot that there will be something positive on the other side, but what if we really embraced suffering.  How would that feel?  To be honest with you I can't say I know for sure, but I have a sneaky suspicion it would change my perspective on those tough times.  I think I'll strive to embrace suffering and see what happens!
Much Love,
S&Z(&C) 

Time to Celebrate!!

Today when I came home from work, I found the most excellent of surprises waiting for me in the mailbox.  It was in an envelope from our attorney, so I quickly opened it, curious what it may be.  When I opened the envelope I found a letter stating that the court had made an error in our finalization date and that our adoption was actually finalized on August 31st!!  My emotions were crazy out of control, and I almost fell to my knees so thankful for the way God's plan has unfolded in our lives.  Last year at this time we were wrapped up in some crazy drama, about to meet a little girl who we thought we would bring home on 9/12/10.  On 9/11/10 those plans fell apart and we had to pick ourselves up and jump back in the game.  We had no idea the difference a year would make, but I'm so eternally grateful we stuck it out to see!
Much love from the "3" Nyczs...
S & Z & C :)

Less than 3 weeks until finalization!

Sept. 21 seemed so far away in March....hard to believe in less than 3 weeks our adoption should be finalized.  We've had our final post placement visit and our social worker was going to submit her final assessment to the court this past Monday.  Since we've already gone thru the interlocutory hearing we do not have to return to court again.  We have been told by our social worker that on the 21st a final decree of adoption will be signed by the judge and we should receive our copy in the mail within a few days.  Basically, once our adoption is finalized there's no turning back.  At finalization Caleb will legally become a Nycz and will be issued a new birth certificate with Zach and I as his parents.  If we were changing his birth name, that would be legally official at finalization too, but since we and K decided on his first and middle names together, he will remain Caleb Matthew Joseph.

While we feel like Caleb is already ours, I'm sure we will be relieved to know he's 100% ours!  I don't feel like I'm carrying around any extra stress, but in some ways I'm sure a weight will be lifted off my shoulders when we get that final decree of adoption in the mail.  I think it may call for a celebration....I actually just like to have a reason to throw a party!

One week from today our should be baby girl will be 1 year old!  I continue to struggle with emotions about this anniversary.  I'm looking forward to spending next weekend away from home, with good company, enjoying our son, but I know my heart will remind me of the emotions we were feeling last year.  In some ways I feel like my heart will never be healed from the loss we experienced and maybe that's not a bad thing.  The experience we had has taught me to be slower to judge, quicker to love, and to live by faith.  Zach and I knew last year we were putting all of us on the line, but we also knew it was what we had to do.  We knew God had a plan....and that He did!  He taught us invaluable lessons thru some crazy heartbreak, but each heartbreak shapes and molds who we have become.  And right now, we're Caleb's parents who will teach him to be slow to judge, quick to love, and to live by faith because that's what the best teacher had taught us!!
Much Love,
S, Z, & C

A year ago...

It's hard to believe how much our lives have changed over the past year.  God has blessed us immensely with Caleb and his birthmom, and we are so grateful for that, but as September draws nearer I can't help but remember that baby girl that was almost ours.  I think about her and S every single day.  I pray that they are safe and that S has somehow turned her life around.  I find myself wanting to text her to appease my worries, but on the other hand I'm not sure I want to open that can of worms again.  She put us through more stress and heartache than I ever thought possible, but I honestly do believe that I have forgiven her wholeheartedly.  Please pray for S and her children, as I've said before she needs to know the love of Jesus!  Zach and I appreciate your prayers as well as Sept. 9 grows closer, we know we'll need them!  I have a feeling that's going to be a difficult day.
Much Love,

S&Z (&C)

6 Months Old!

Last Sunday, Caleb was 6 months old!  I know it's so hard to believe.  We got his pictures taken on Sunday and I thought I'd share a few.  He was so good, just so happy and smiley the entire time.

We have a little under 2 months until our finalization hearing.   We are definitely excited about that.  Other than that, everything is going well.  We don't hear too much from K, but I keep in contact with her grandma on a regular basis thru email.  This is what we have been told to expect from birthmoms, but we are honestly extremely surprised how quickly it's seemed to happen with our adoption.  We'll see what the future holds, only time will tell.
Much Love,
S&Z(&C)

Summertime!

After almost 2 months I thought it was about time for an update.  Everything with our adoption is heading in the right direction.  We continue to have our monthly post placement visits with our social worker which will continue until finalization which is scheduled for Sept. 21. 
Caleb continues to be an AWESOME blessing!  We are constantly in awe of him.  He's growing so quickly just like everyone says.  He's sitting, rolling, and is eating anything and everything we give him.  It's looking like we are going to have a crawler before long!  Last time at the pediatrician he weighed just over 18 lbs. and was 26 1/2 inches long...he's finally getting taller!  He is the happiest baby and just so easy going.  We know we probably won't be so lucky with our next child! 
For now we are enjoying our summer, looking forward to our camping trip as well as our long weekend at Crooked Lake. 
Much Love....S&Z(&C)