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!