True Religion: August 2009

So, today was not the idyllic glow that has been with me after each of my previous children were born. Instead, it involved lots of tears of - how are we going to pay for this? Did we make a mistake because we sure don't have enough money to pay for this and our bills? What is God doing? So, through all the tears, I lost my perspective. And I was driving out to Mary Kathryn's to drop off the kids and talking to my husband about all my fears, and God gave me the most wonderful blessing. I got off, and my two year old son said, "Mom, where are we?"

I said, "Sweetie, we're on our way for you to play with Julia, Ella, and Asher."
Josh: "Why Mommy?
Me: "Well, because a little bit later today, Mommy's going to go to the hospital and pick up baby Isaac. Won't that be nice for when you get home?"
Josh: "Mmm...hmmm. Mommy, did you know that Isaac is a blessing?"

At this point, I almost wrecked the van (not literally) through my tears as God used Isaac's big brother to remind me that perspective was totally skewed. Instead of trusting, instead of rejoicing, there I was trying to solve all the problems of the world and forgetting the blessing of the child that we are bringing home with us today. Thank you Lord for the mouths of 2 year olds.

And, God is amazing. Our loan did not come through in time, so I went to the bank this morning to find out what we could do...and lo and behold, God knew all along what we needed. Because I went IN to the bank, I got a different loan than I had been pre-approved for before with a much better rate - AND we only have to pay interest on it if we wanted to (obviously, we'll want to put as much as we can on the principle) until the federal adoption tax credit comes in. Isn't God AMAZING?! WHY, oh, WHY do I doubt his goodness and his provision.

Be praying for me tonight though. Pray that I will be able to nurse Isaac since this will be the first time that I will be able to try. Pray for my emotions to be held in check and for me to remember that this is not yet fully our child until Tuesday. We love you all!

August 1, 2009 - 10:35 pm - Isaac Michael Nathaniel (hopefully soon to be) Lytle was born. What a wonderful birthday present to my mom (the first is also her birthday). We got to meet him today, and he is SO good looking! He weighed 5lbs 14 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. He has a head of dark hair and the most beautiful eyes! We love him already. His birthmother terminated rights this afternoon, and unless something goes wrong tonight, he should be discharged tomorrow morning. And, if the birth mother does not change her mind, he will be officially "ours" August 11. WHOO HOO!!!!! I can't believe how quickly this has gone through!

So, what happens now is that Isaac will be discharged into Erin's (our case worker) care. We will follow her over to the Bethany office where we will pay $14,500 (YIKES!) and sign paperwork and then...we take him home!!!!

I can't really even put into words what we are feeling right now. It's so surreal. And we're excited, but not giddy. I don't think I'll be giddy until August 11, because until then - while he's semi-ours, he's not officially ours until then. Until then, it's almost like I've been entrusted to care for, love, and provide for someone else's child. I don't know - maybe I'll feel differently tomorrow when I bring him into the house - we'll see. I don't want that to sound like I'm not thrilled he's here. Because I am - I'm just still cautious.

But, this brings us to the next bit of news...apparently the plan in our household is that when the newborn is one week old - you move. Yes, that's right, you heard me. Just like with the girls, we are moving 1-2 weeks after Isaac is born. Matt has taken a job in Winston-Salem (that would be last FRIDAY) and we're moving not this Friday, but the next. ARGH!!!!!!!!! I never finished unpacking THIS house! But, it's a wonderful provision of the Lord that we believe he is a part of. I'll have to tell you more about that in a later post. Just pray for this craziness.

So, on to other stuff. Obviously, we're paying out $14,500 tomorrow. This all happened so quickly (the birth mother selected us 3 weeks ago) that our loan actually did not come through in time. So, we can put part of it on a credit card (not what we wanted to do obviously - but it's a temporary solution), but the rest we're paying out of pocket which will leave us really, really tight. So, I'm going to post everything we're selling on the blog too (most of it's already on Craig's List or Ebay) - if anyone's interested in any of it - please, feel free to let me know and we'll be HAPPY to part with it :).

1999 Taylor 710CE Drednought Guitar - $1600

Kitchen Cart - $65

Front-Loading Washing Machine - $800

Antique Oak Table - $50

Herb planter set - $5

Pasta Making Set - $75

Kitchen Caddy - $10

Oak TV Trays - $20 for set

Mirror - $25

Still in box - Martha Stewart Rosette Mirror - $25

Antique Type Tray - $10

Picture of preacher surrounded by saints and Jesus as he preaches - inscriptions says: Legacy - Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses - $25