Friday, September 2, 2011

September?


How can it be that Summer is over? I blinked and August was gone. Here's Alfredo enjoying an ice lolly, as he calls it (from Peppa Pig).

September...you seemed so distant and now you are here. Big things happening this month...some fabulous (like Alfredo's first day of preschool, The Creative Connection, and Art is You...Petaluma) and some, well, heart wrenching.

I didn't know when (or even if) I'd work up the courage or have the heart to tell you about what's on the horizon for our little family. It's a day we knew would come someday (we just didn't expect it so soon). We're going to court later this month about Alfredo's custody. What's scariest to me is that this balance we now have with everyone working together and everyone involved in his life will be forever upset. When lawyers are involved, you never really know. It will probably get a bit ugly. Our lawyer is confident things will stay as they are but, then again, aren't we paying him to feel that way?

You might wonder how Alfredo is doing? He's such a remarkable little boy...full of spunk and joy and passion. It's a gift just to be around him. Earlier this summer, quite unprovoked, he started calling me "Mama". He says it so sweetly, like a little baby. He's really just trying it on for size, saying it as he comes in closer for a snuggle. One day, when Alfredo and Rich came home from the pool, Alfredo swung open the door and called out "Mama! Mama!" as he ran through the house in search of me. Such a small thing for most mothers, I imagine, but it meant the world to me.

Anyway, send up a little prayer for us, will you? Pray that our will is aligned with His always, that we will remain open to His guidance. Pray that this storm we pass through, we pass through together.

27 comments:

Paula Parrish said...

Hello Amy,
I will say a prayer for you and your family. Alfredo sounds like an amazing young boy and is very blessed to have you as a Mama. As you do I love being a Mom; children are such a precious gift.
Smiles, Paula

karen brown said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Rich.I admire your strength and courage in mothering this beautiful little boy, and know that you will always be his Mama in his heart, no matter what any court may say. Love and peace, Karen.

Julie said...

Oh yes, I am praying for you this morning in just the way you requested. I love that you want His will most of all.

Tracy said...

Amy-
I will keep you and your lovely family in my prayers. Hopefully you find some peace in knowing so many are praying for this to be resolved and that you pass through this storm together.

jknapp00 said...

Prayers for all involved, you and Rich, sweet Alfredo, the lawyers, the judge, and any other parties. Know that 'all things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.' You and Rich have given this precious child the love and security that he so deserves. To watch God at work is an amazing thing. You cannot know your story and not see God at work!

Lucy said...

Oh My! Thoughts and prayers for your precious family!

Genie said...

No no you are right being a Mama is the best thing in the whole. The biggest honor to participate in the love and care of another human being.
May God's will show your family favor. May His light surround you and give you encouragement and strength.
God bless you for opening your heart.

Ingrid Lavoie said...

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you all! On a different note, thank you for changing the type face for your blog copy. It is ever so much easier to read! -Ingrid

Lorrie said...

Sending prayers for peace and sweet resolution. May his presence be ever so close to you all.

Hearing a child call you Mama is one of the sweetest sounds you will ever hear.

I'd also like to add my thanks for changing the type font. This is so much easier to read. And I'm surprised at how much font readability contributes to how often I read through an entire post - not just on your blog, but others, too.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Amy, I'll be praying for you and your family that sweet little Alfredo will stay with you. I know that's the best place he could be.
Love, Robin

Whosyergurl said...

Amy,
Sending prayers your way. Love that Alfredo is calling you Mama. That is what my son called me, too. My daughter (5 years older) never did, but he did. Mama is a sweet name.
Sending angels to hold you up and love you through this.
xo, Cheryl

Anonymous said...

Oh, Amy! Thanks for sharing your important news...now we know how to be in prayer for you and your guys! As we adoptive mamas know, there are always challenges along the way.

Linda Jo said...

Praying for you and your family, Amy!

Danee said...

Of course you are in my thoughts. We all want the best for Alfredo- he seems to have such a perfecto little life but I know you need some permanence…and so does he. Please let us know what happens. Fingers crossed for you. Oh and the outfits are cute.

Anonymous said...

To be called "Mama" is pure sweetness. Both my boys, now young men, still call me Mama, and it still makes my heart melt. I am praying for you and your family, Amy!

Laurie said...

Best of luck and hope that the entire process goes by quickly and without upset! Your son is so sweet!

Unknown said...

I'm praying for you and your family Amy.

Amy M. said...

Best of luck on everything, Amy. I know what a journey this has been for all of you and I have followed its twists and turns so I know that things will work out the way they should. You're in my thoughts!

We are having our own life struggles right now so I empathize. So looking forward to ART IS YOU...I will really need it.

-Amy
Crafting by Candlelight

tamdoll said...

Best wishes, I hope everything turns out like you want it to.

Suz said...

Oh, Amy,
You are in my prayers. All three of you! I hope you will keep us in touch with what is going on because I have now started to worry. Do you know I worried and rejoiced even before I met you in person. It's true!
Big hugs, Sweet Friend,
Suz

Sue said...

There is no more vulnerable feeling than putting the welfare of your children into the hands of the judicial system. Even when every single thing clearly shows the right place for a child. I'm praying for that day when the court acknowledges what you and Rich and Alfredo have already known for years= that you are a family. This is the promise I have said over my children every night, and the promise I held to on the day the judge officially made them ours:
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Kelly M. said...

Praying, praying! Everything will turn out as it should, no matter what...you're giving it to the Lord. Hugs!!!

And on a completely different note...adorable outfit! (Read the current post before this one ;P)

Oriel said...

My love and thoughts are coming your way - be strong. Being a mum is one of the greatest blessings and from reading your blogs I know it is a blessing that you cherish.

Cherie Wilson said...

Oh sweet girl, I just read your posts.........my prayers for peace from a good and perfect God who has all the best for you and yours..... and for Him to lavishly bless you as you march into all this with Alfredo. It is no small thing.
I applaud your new outfit, and taking good care of yourself.
Truely living the life we want to encourage in others. You walk the talk Amy, I know this about you! Creative Connection is so very blessed to have you.....and your darling Alfredo is too! XO

Journal Swag said...

Amy, I will keep your family in prayer. Isn't prayer the most awesome, perfect, gigantic gift we can give to one another? We were held together this past year by grace and faith and prayer... that's why we made it through. (Well,not quite through it yet, but you know what I mean). We're blessed, with new friends, a new church, a new home, and renewed ever increasing faith. You are walking in God's way, know that.

In Prayer,
Sheila

Rachel and Pia's Cottage said...

Countless Blessings to you dear Amy, Alfredo and Rich. Touched my heart with his little "Mama". :o)

Melissa Whittaker said...

I LOVE this idea! I blogged about your project over at my blog, here:

http://vegasnarcissist.blogspot.com/2011/09/project-idea-travel-craft-suitcase.html