Sunday, December 18, 2011

Christmas with YaYa, Papa and Sissy

YaYa, Papa, Sissy and cousin Olivia came over Saturday evening and brought presents! We had a great time!
http://youtu.be/7x58-xijKOA

http://youtu.be/vh0oEZJkGRA

http://youtu.be/fxupYPBJ8zI
http://youtu.be/k6Vz8zAS1AY

http://youtu.be/UYMEyQmqUuo

http://youtu.be/RxjHJsGDEBg


Olivia looks on as Kimmie holds me with YaYa supervising


Kimmie holds me tight!

Kimmie givin' me a kiss

me and cousin Olivia

PaPa, me, YaYa and Kimmie (who was gettin tired)

PaPa, me, YaYa and cousin Olivia!

Love my YaYa, PaPa and Sister!
Gabriel

I have a "VOICE" and it's fun!

We noticed yesterday that Gabriel was making some new sounds what seemed to be just for the sake of hearing himself. I've been trying to catch it on video but as soon as he sees the camera he stops and just looks at the camera. I'll have to go into "stealth" mode; but I WILL get him doing it. It's PRICELESS!

Here is a small sample: http://youtu.be/qEgIyhiK2lo
Give a listen!
Blessings.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

A season of Thanksgiving

This is a few days late; however EVERY day is reason enough to utter a word of "thanks" to the Father for granting us one more day. Thanksgiving 2011 had an entirely different meaning for us. Looking back, it all began back in February when we "got the call" asking if we would consider adopting an unborn baby. This was a call we'd been waiting on for nearly four years!

Then there was the "change up" thrown at me in mid-April when I lost my job. But Jehovah Jirah, our Provider, showed up more times than we could count over the next several months. We never missed a bill, always had gas money, never went without! All of our needs were met, on time, every time! I sold my pickup truck within 15 minutes of listing it on Craigslist and got the full asking price out of the buyer. He never tried to haggle with me - he really liked the truck and paid in CASH! Even during a time when the money was even close to what we were used to making, the adoption expenses started coming in and every expense was met, on time every time! God supplied me a temporary job at exactly the right time for the income to be listed on paperwork that was being submitted to the Judge who would be the one to grant the adoption.


Albeit we lost our Shirley Lou in early August, I am still thankful that God gave her as my second "Mama". She was a stalwart in the faith! I am thankful that she leaves behind a legacy of faith!

Then baby Gabriel made his entrance into the world and right into our hearts the night of August 26th. He finally arrived and was BEAUTIFUL! He's here, healthy and perfect in every way. It was like the circle of life was starting over again after putting Aunt Shirley to rest and then welcoming this new little life into our hearts.

There has been intermittent sleep, spit ups, wet diapers, dirty diapers, lots of dirty clothes, baby toys, baby furniture, baby this and baby that; ALL for which I am MOST thankful!

October 11th is a special day in our family now. It is officially "GOTCHA" day! The day that we went before the Judge and he made everything official by signing the Order and declaring that this baby boy would now be known as GABRIEL JUDAH PALMER. As he was making this declaration, I held my breath and time stood absolutely still. Finally, I could truly breathe again because he was ours, wholly, completely and legally.
We have a son and his name means: Strong man of God, full of Praise, and a Palm bearing Christian.

This past Sunday during our time of worship, I simply had to scoop Gabe up from Mommy's arms and take him down to the alter. There I knelt down to give God "thanks" for the gift that He has given to Tamala and I. There simply wasn't a word that I could utter that could sufficiently render proper thanks to the Father. It came in the form of groaning and weeping and offering this baby back to Him who has entrusted this little one to us. It was caught on film by our church photographer -





Fifty years! It has been fifty years of waiting. Fifty years of hearing people tell me what a great Daddy I would be. Fifity years of wondering if and when it will happen. To this day, some three and a half months after Gabriel came to us I look at him and am in absolute amazement! Please don't anyone pinch me because if I were to wake up and find out I'd been dreaming this, I don't think I would be able to go on. I am so completely in love with this baby boy that life will never be the same.

When I offered a prayer of Thanksgiving over our Thanksgiving meal with our family, I was overcome with emotion because of ALL the wonderous miracles we'd experienced this past year. I was also begging God to have mercy on our nation because of all the tens of millions of babies who have been aborted over the last four decades, of the rampant sin and lawlessness. The recent earthquakes in Oklahoma, ravaging tornadoes earlier in the spring and summer and devasting hurricanes all point to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. I ask God to have mercy on our arrogant nation who snubs their nose at Him and takes His name in vain that He will withhold His wrath and judgement from us. I know the stench of wickedness in our nation is something He abhors.

I am thankful for my family, my church family and my Pastors! 

I think it absolutely fitting to share this YouTube selection with you again. I've shared it before, but I'm sharing it again, because I AM GRATEFUL!

Are you.......GRATEFUL?

Shalom!

Friday, November 11, 2011

the power of one's Personal Testimony

Just a quick note to encourage you to give a quick view to the YouTube link I am posting here. The Worship Center of Kansas City, my home church, had their 1st "Cardboard Testimony" service last year and it was a powerful presentation. This past Sunday, we had our 2nd one and due to the huge support it's recieved they've decided to make it an annual event.

Watch closely, you may see someone you know. Turn on your speakers and try to maximize to the full screen option to watch the video if you can for better effect -

http://youtu.be/yRZzPzhrXYQ


Never underestimate the powerful effect your personal testimony may have upon another individual. I've received numerous comments from folks throughout our fellowship of how powerfully impacted they were to learn of my testimony. Remember God can turn your "test" in a "Testimony" for His glory if you only allow Him to work through you.

Shalom!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Newest picture of Gabriel

I couldn't resist, I had to put this one up on the blog.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

My 1st Fall Harvest @ church

Earlier Sunday morning Daddy was trying to get me to laugh but I was havin' issues with hiccups.





I am Mommy and Daddy's "Little Punkin'"











This is Raven, she helps in the Nursery at Church. Isn't she dressed up cute for Fall Festival?


this is Mother Morrell holding me at Fall Festival. Everyone loves Mother Morrell and she loves me!

YaYa, my sister Kimmie & Auntie Ashley came to visit

Yesterday was a fun day because my YaYa, Auntie Ashely and my big sister Kimmie came to visit me. We had a great time playing and talking!
YaYa holds sister while sister wanted to hold me!

Sissy helped me out by giving me my sucky and that made me sooo happy. I love my big sister!

I am so blessed because I am surrounded my so many people who love me very, very much!

Auntie Ashley holds me close so we can snuggle for a few minutes

YaYa was lying in the floor and Kimmie thought she'd climb on for a nice ride. She just "laughed & laughed" after she climbed on board. Look close and you can see her tongue sticking out as she laughed

Sister wanted to stroke my head while Aunt Ashley holds me

my YaYa loves me, just ask her!

My 1st road trip

Mommy, Daddy & I all piled into the car Friday October 21 in KC and headed down for Uncle Mike and Aunt Kelly's place for our Palmer Family reunion. This was my first road trip. I slept from the time we left KC until we got to Durant, OK about 12:30am the next morning.

This is how I ROLL!


I'm sitting on my Grammie's sofa where she sets a lot of the time and works cross word puzzles and reads books.


my Daddy sure does like taking my picture


Grammie wanted to hold me but I was sure tired and wanted to sleep

Growth "spurt" CONFIRMED!!

ALL,

Well, our little man went to Doc's place for his two month old check up on Tuesday, October 25th. Mommy texted me after his appointment to let me know that Gabe weighed in at 11 lbs 10 oz and measured a whole 24 inches in length. My text back to Mommy was "Holy cow! He'll be 6ft before we know it!" So if you do some mathmatics, Gabe is 159% of his birth weight and is 114% of his length. He's gone from eating 15 to 20 milli-liters when he was born to eating 5 onces of formula with some cereal in it too! He's definitely a growing boy!


I was reminded yesterday that I hadn't posted any of the pictures of the baby shower we had back in September, so I thought I'd throw a few in here.





My YaYa is holding me with my Grammie right by my side

Mommy opens gifts while my Auntie Lauri writes all the details down
my Oma is holding me while Grammie enjoys some cake and my YaYa is looking over at me with so much love!
They played some of the silliest games at the shower
Here is my new bathtub. I'm exactly fond of taking baths.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Growth "spurt"

I'm havin' a feelin' that our little man, Gabriel, is about to go into a bit of a growth "spurt". Thursday, he slept quite a bit during the morning, afternoon and evening. Yesterday, Friday, I don't think he was awake for more than a total of 4 hours out of the 24 hour time period. His appetite is increasing too. Yesterday afternoon, once he woke up about 1:30pm I gave him five onces and dropped him off with our "blessed" babysitter. I had to run to a job interview at 2pm and I was finished and picked him back up from the sitter by about 3:15. He ate another three onces when we arrived home; so, he ate about 8 onces in about 2 hours. Somebody please tell me where this tiny body is puttin' all this formula. God help me when he becomes a teenager! It's a good thing that the jobs I'm interviewing for will pay near the six figures or just above. I think I may need to start a food fund for his teenager years.

Hey, here's an idea: does anyone know where I might be able to buy a silo? I figure if I begin stockpiling now I just might, just might have enough to last me through his teenage years. Or here's another one: maybe we should move close to a restaurant that has a buffet bar and all you can eat for $8.99 so at least he'll be able to feed "the pit" once per day!

Shalom!

Friday, October 14, 2011

Gabriel Judah Palmer - "Born for This" an anthem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr78vtLPMTo&feature=player_detailpage "Born for This" an anthem written by BeBe Winans, sung as a duet with Margaret Bell and presented along with the movie "One Night with the King" which is based on the premise that Ester was "Born for This" purpose of becoming Queen and standing in the gap for her people, the entire nation of Israel before the King.

So consider his name: Gabriel - ancient Hebrew meaning "strong man of God" and Judah - again ancient Hebrew meaning "Praise". As High Priest of our home I decree over his life that as Gabriel spends not just one night with the King, but an entire lifetime, he will draw ALL of his strength and be a beacon to his generation due his "strength in God" and that his entire life will be a "Praise" to God, giving Him His due honor and glory!

It is no secret that God has a divine purpose for this little man and that is why He has entrusted his Mommie and I to his care and up-bringing.

Gabriel is blessed beyond measure and he will do mighty exploits!

Shalom!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Reflections on God's goodness-

Today I've been blessed to have the opportunity to spend time with my newborn son, as I have for the last two weeks now. Truth be told, I wouldn't trade any moment of it for anything in the world! Right now he is sleeping in his carseat after polishing off 6.5oz in less than 45 minutes! We started with 5oz (his last record)and after he guzzled that right down and still acted fussy and wouldn't go to sleep, I tried a little trick a certain Indian woman taught me: I stuck my finger in his little mouth and when he commenced to suck on that, well I knew he was still hunger. So, Daddy jumped up and went into the kitchen to make another 2oz. of formula all the while asking this little guy - "And just where do you think you're going to put this, little man?" He just wailed a little louder (translation- "I want my bottle NOW!")

So we nestled in the rocking chair Grammie & Grampie gave us a few years ago (in faith- believing for grand babies) and we began bottle no. 2! Well wouldn't you know it after about an once and a half, those eyelids just got so unbelievably heavy, they simply wouldn't stay open. The sucking commotion stopped and the "sleepy song" began. For those of you who don't know what his "sleepy song" is, well it is a symphony coos, moans, groans and general squeaks that are completely unique to Gabriel.

He is in his carseat because we have to go pickup Mommie in a little bit as she gets off of work; and we're a "one car" family right now.

I've also been patiently awaiting a phone call from a prospective new employer that I interviewed with yesterday in Kansas City, KS. I've worked with two individuals over there in times past and they wanted me to come over and talk with them about the opportunities they have at their company. I met the owner of the company and we talked for about an hour. He said that he would be calling today with an offer! I was a bit surprised when he said that because I generally don't expect to get an offer on the spot like that. I guess my reputation precedes me and he'd already been doing some investigation on me.

So, I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the quality time I've spent with Gabriel these last two weeks but I believe that there will be some good changes happening in the very near future. He'll be going to day care for awhile until Mommie and I can get our financial feet completely planted beneath us again. Six months of unemployment (and under employment)hasn't been the easiest of times. But this presents the transition to talk about the goodness of God.

It would be quite a lengthy post if I were recount all the times that God has moved miraculously and provided for us during this time. I mean, I lost my job in mid-April, blew through our savings, Gabriel's birth mother re-appeared in mid-July asking if we still wanted to adopt her baby after vanishing in April, we had to pay money to an adoption agency, adoption attorney, all this and still pay rent, utilities, gasoline, groceries, etc., etc. and we NEVER missed a bill, NEVER went without food, kept all our utilities on. I'm telling you, God was making a statement and when HE makes a statement, HE really makes it like only HE can! I am still in absolute "wonder" how all this has come about and really happened. Ten years ago, I probably would have lost my mind. But I've never had a doubt that God would take care of us, and that he still will continue to take care of us.

This period of time (some may call it a storm) has been a learning time for me. I've learned how to let God...be.....GOD. He's always been.....right on time! There is an old "spiritual" that says "cain't nobody, do me like Jesus; he's my friend" He sho' nuf showed up....and showed OUT! Uh-oh, you better watch out now, I'm feelin' a preachin' comin' on!

Lemme break it down for ya, I mean after baby Gabriel shows up, Mommie takes some well deserved time off work for bonding time and being a full time Mommie. When she takes off work, there's no income. I've been without work for quite sometime already and was working a little job in a neighboring town, but, watch what God does....in a time when we as a family are basically making $50,000 a year LESS than what we normally make, God keeps a roof over our head, keeps our lights on, keeps groceries in our cupboard and gas in our car!

CAIN'T NOBODY.....DO ME LIKE JESUS!
I simply couldn't resist. Now you tell me if this isn't the face of an angel! He all OURS now, wholly and completely OURS. Cain't nobody take him from us now! He is... Gabriel (strong man of God) Judah (PRAISE) Palmer (like a palm tree with it's deep tap root)

SHALOM!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

It is OFFICIAL


Today at 10:30am at the Johnson County Courthouse in Olathe, KS, the Honorable Lawrence E. Sheppard issued an Order Granting the Petition for Adoption by Petitioners Kevin and Tamala Palmer and our baby boy became Gabriel Judah Palmer! Yes, we are now a family under the laws of the State of Kansas.



I must admit that when the Judge was saying his part about granting the Petition and the baby shall now be Gabriel Judah Palmer, my eyes started stinging and I nearly had to bite my lip and tell myself to "hold it together... don't lose it now!"

It took all of maybe 30 minutes or less from start to finish. He is now OURS!
Our attorney, Kevin W. Kenney, made this adoption process a wonderful experience.
The Judge was kind enough to snap this photo for us. Our attorney said they're "old hands" at this part of the deal. He also said that Gabriel was "exemplary in his behavior!" Gabe nursed on a bottle during the whole proceedings with all his typical squeaks and "Gabe sounds" for which he is so famous.

Afterward, we went down to the Court Clerks office and we received an certified copy of the Order of the Court which will go in our safe. A lot of the ladies in the Court Clerks office were "oogling" and making over Gabe all the while he just looked at them.

Our attorney told us that we'll be receiving a new birth certificate in the mail in the next few weeks and we'll be able to request a Social Security number for Gabriel at that point. He also encouraged us to seek the services of an accountant due to the tax credits we'll receive due to all our adoption expenses!

I took Gabe to the Dr. at 3:20 pm because he's been dealing with a cold for about 11 days now. I was really anticipating them weighing him and I certainly wasn't disappointed. He tipped the scales at 10lbs and 4.5 onces! I think I made some kind of the exclamation like "Dude, you are really packing 'em on aren't you!" I did some calculating later and he's 150% of his birth weight. He's going back in two weeks for his two month old check up and they'll re-weigh him and re-measure him then.

Today, was a MOMENTOUS day in the history of our little family. Today, it was fulfilled by what the Prophet Eric Cobbins decreed months ago that this would happen and be fulfilled! Today was a blessed day!

Monday, October 10, 2011

it's been six weeks

Well, six weeks ago last Friday night, our little man embarked on his life's journey.
We brought him home that Sunday evening and he's been a constant joy every since.

One of his favorite places to go to sleep is lying on his Daddy's chest and right up under my chin. He's usually out in a few minutes. I've told his Mommy I don"t want to put him down because I know he's not going to stay this tiny for long.

He spent three days in day care week before last.He had caught a cold by Friday; so we've been dealing with the cold for 10 days now. Daddy caught his cold too. We're goona see the Doc tomorrow afternoon.

Speaking of tomorrow - we're going to court tomorrow to see the judge so he can sign the documents that makes us officially a family!

You can count on there begin a post tomorrow!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Guess what I did today!

Daddy came home from work today and the first thing Mommy said to him was, "Guess what Gabe just did?"

Here you can see for yourself - keep in mind that I'm only 20 days old


Tuesday, September 13, 2011

My 2 week old check up today at Doc's place

Mommy took me to the Dr. today for my two week old check up. She listened to my heart, lungs, checked my reflexes, looked in my ears and eyes and gave me a thorough once over. I passed with flying colors. I gave Doc a "high 5" and said "I'll see you in two months Doc for the next checkup".






Doc measured me but forgot to tell Mommy how long I am, and she also weighed me. I tipped the scales at :






guess........






no really......guess........






tune in tomorrow same bat time, same bat channel -









oh all right - if I have to spoon feed you -



7lbs and 12 oz - that's right, I gained a whole pound and 2 oz since my last Dr. visit






Wanna see how I look today?




I just finished eating a moment ago & I was rubbin my tummy


Do you like the fishy on my shirt?



Daddy took my sucky away for this one. I do love my sucky!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Two weeks old - already!

Well it was two weeks ago last night (Friday) that Daddy's little Hero made his entrance into our lives! I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. I find myself wanting to hold him so much because I know that he's not going to be this tiny for very long. Gabe was lying face down on my chest last Tuesday evening when all of the sudden he straightened both arms and did a full push up and then he lifted his head up and tilted it back as far as he could. Since then he's trying out more & more of his motor skills and it's all still very new to him. Earlier today I had fed him a bottle and after our burping ritual, etc. he was lying in my arms and he was just looking up at me - I'm sure I'm still "burry" but he knew who I am and where I was because it was like he was looking right into my face and saying "I know who you are!" Okay for all you wanting just pics - I aim to please: I am showing you one of my newest outfits! This is where angels sleep - on their Daddy's chest right over his heart!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

for all you out there saying....."more pics please"

okay all you friends and family members wanting more pics - I am to please. Mommy relaxing with baby Gaberiel

I really love to keep my hands up by my face! I do a lot of sleeping! Daddy was trying to hold me and take my pic at the same time and it is a little fuzzy

see what I mean! havin' Sweet Dreams


I asked Mommy to take my picture and then I send it to Daddy's phone yesterday while he was working and I dictated this message to Mommy to text to Daddy..."Hi Daddy! Hope you're having a great morning!


Mommy was changing my diaper this morning when she noticed that my scabbed over navel was missing! I have a pretty pink navel now. She had to look all around in my jammies to find it and she finally did.

I was sleeping my Daddy on the couch last night and woke up and after a couple of minutes I almost rolled over to the right onto my tummy!