A huge thank you to those of you who still keep up with our family via our blog! One of my goals is to get better about posting! Ha.
If you know the history behind this blog, we created as we began the adoption process WAY back in 2007. We wanted to be able to keep people up to-date and to give the address to the birthmother so she could see what our family was up to. Hence the web address, jdadoption.
I've been wanting to change our address for years (even though we still hope to adopt some day), but didn't want to lose all my previous posts. So, I exported all the content from this blog, and imported it to a new blog:
www.darbyandjason.blogspot.com
From now on, I will update THAT blog, rather than this one. So, if you've come to this page to check in with our family, please visit our new family blog. There is also a place on there you can "follow by e-mail" so that whenever I post something over there it will be e-mailed to you.
Thanks for caring and investing in our family!
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Monday, September 8, 2014
Introducing...
Dakota Lincoln Dugger!
Our family welcomed our latest miracle into the family on Friday, Sept. 5th at 1:29pm. He was 8 pounds, 10 ounces and was 21 inches long.
I arrived at the hospital at 4:30am and after all the paperwork and other essentials were out of the way, they began the induction process at 5:55am by starting me on some pitocin. At 9:55 I had progressed 4 cm and they broke my water. At 1:25pm, they checked and I was 10 cm... the nurse wanted me to push before the doctor got there but I declined. The nurse said the baby was still "high" but I repeated that I didn't feel comfortable pushing without the doctor.
I'm glad I waited because my doctor came in, and I gave a little push, and the baby was born at 1:29pm. Truly, I love birthing babies. ha.
I remember thinking the new baby looked really slimy and that he looked like all the others. "He Looks like a dugger," I said.
Jason and I really struggled to agree on a name for this baby. During the labor, we had a running list of about 8 names and we slowly began to cross them off. For several months, I prayed for this baby using the name "Hezekiah" and I would often refer to him as that in my mind. I really wanted to name him that, but Jason was never "at peace" with it but had nothing else to offer.
Finally, by 10pm on the day of his birth, we had it narrowed down to Hezekiah James or Dakota Lincoln. I was up all night with the baby... unsure what his name was, but I couldn't help but think he looks "more like a Dakota" -- I knew I would have to go through a grief process with the name Hezekiah simply because I had referred to the baby for so long under that name, but I prayed and ultimately, I wanted the name that the Lord picked out for the baby.
Dakota means "friend to all" and so I pray that our Dakota will grow up and be a friend to all so that he will be able to share Jesus with many. Giving him the name also gives him my initials, and I have my dad's initials and he has his dad's initials... so I would be able to carry on the DLD tradition. I have always loved the name Dakota since I used to babysit an incredibly cute boy by that name - he was the ring bearer in our wedding. Before we were married I always said I wanted to name my child Dakota, but over the years, I kind of moved away from that... so it was funny when Jason suggested Dakota. Lastly, and kind of silly, but Havana often asks me why her name is the only one of the Dugger children whose name is not found in the Bible. She has seen Selah, Asa, and Jonah... why not Havana? In that moment, I read to her the Great Commission and share with her that her name is "kind of" in the Bible... but it is a stretch. So, this gives us two children who have non-Biblical names rather than simply one in 5.
Lincoln comes from Abraham Lincoln... such a wonderful, God-fearing president who happens to be Jason's favorite president and a relative of mine.
Dakota is doing wonderfully... and the older children are too! I am very impressed with how well Asa has adjusted to being a big brother because I was pretty sure he was going to struggle. And Selah, well she has loved the baby since it has been in my belly. In fact, she refers to it as "my baby" and wants it to sleep with her. When she came to visit us in the hospital, she secretly packed a green ball that she thought the baby would want. I think her exact words were, "I think Baby Dakota likes balls" I was so impressed by her little heart. Havana has wanted to hold the baby often and Jonah... well, he is typical Jonah, who talks a lot about the baby, but keeps his distance as well.
I still can't get over being a mama! The Lord has truly blessed me beyond measure.
Our family welcomed our latest miracle into the family on Friday, Sept. 5th at 1:29pm. He was 8 pounds, 10 ounces and was 21 inches long.
I arrived at the hospital at 4:30am and after all the paperwork and other essentials were out of the way, they began the induction process at 5:55am by starting me on some pitocin. At 9:55 I had progressed 4 cm and they broke my water. At 1:25pm, they checked and I was 10 cm... the nurse wanted me to push before the doctor got there but I declined. The nurse said the baby was still "high" but I repeated that I didn't feel comfortable pushing without the doctor.
I'm glad I waited because my doctor came in, and I gave a little push, and the baby was born at 1:29pm. Truly, I love birthing babies. ha.
I remember thinking the new baby looked really slimy and that he looked like all the others. "He Looks like a dugger," I said.
Jason and I really struggled to agree on a name for this baby. During the labor, we had a running list of about 8 names and we slowly began to cross them off. For several months, I prayed for this baby using the name "Hezekiah" and I would often refer to him as that in my mind. I really wanted to name him that, but Jason was never "at peace" with it but had nothing else to offer.
Finally, by 10pm on the day of his birth, we had it narrowed down to Hezekiah James or Dakota Lincoln. I was up all night with the baby... unsure what his name was, but I couldn't help but think he looks "more like a Dakota" -- I knew I would have to go through a grief process with the name Hezekiah simply because I had referred to the baby for so long under that name, but I prayed and ultimately, I wanted the name that the Lord picked out for the baby.
Dakota means "friend to all" and so I pray that our Dakota will grow up and be a friend to all so that he will be able to share Jesus with many. Giving him the name also gives him my initials, and I have my dad's initials and he has his dad's initials... so I would be able to carry on the DLD tradition. I have always loved the name Dakota since I used to babysit an incredibly cute boy by that name - he was the ring bearer in our wedding. Before we were married I always said I wanted to name my child Dakota, but over the years, I kind of moved away from that... so it was funny when Jason suggested Dakota. Lastly, and kind of silly, but Havana often asks me why her name is the only one of the Dugger children whose name is not found in the Bible. She has seen Selah, Asa, and Jonah... why not Havana? In that moment, I read to her the Great Commission and share with her that her name is "kind of" in the Bible... but it is a stretch. So, this gives us two children who have non-Biblical names rather than simply one in 5.
Lincoln comes from Abraham Lincoln... such a wonderful, God-fearing president who happens to be Jason's favorite president and a relative of mine.
Dakota is doing wonderfully... and the older children are too! I am very impressed with how well Asa has adjusted to being a big brother because I was pretty sure he was going to struggle. And Selah, well she has loved the baby since it has been in my belly. In fact, she refers to it as "my baby" and wants it to sleep with her. When she came to visit us in the hospital, she secretly packed a green ball that she thought the baby would want. I think her exact words were, "I think Baby Dakota likes balls" I was so impressed by her little heart. Havana has wanted to hold the baby often and Jonah... well, he is typical Jonah, who talks a lot about the baby, but keeps his distance as well.
I still can't get over being a mama! The Lord has truly blessed me beyond measure.
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Highlands Latin
Dear Havana,
Well, you did it! You are now a Kindergartener! You began your first day of school in September 2nd! Mommy and Daddy were able to get a sitter for the other children and we walked you to your class! After we dropped you off, where you did look a little timid, we went to the chapel to wait for your opening school ceremony. You marched into bagpipes and snare drums! You were clearly very excited.
Your teacher's name is Mrs. Driggs and you sit at a table next to Ashlin. I thought that perhaps you would be sad a little throughout the day since you have never been away from home before, but Mrs. Driggs said you had such a sweet attitude and you said that you "LOVED going to Highlands Latin" and you "can't believe you get to go back on Thursday!"
I was so proud of you! And we chose HLS because of time you will get to spend at home. On Wednesday we completed your homework and you were also able to go to the zoo and pool with daddy!
Thursday was another successful day at school! I dropped you off and daddy picked you up! Your first week was a success and I am so very proud of you!
Friday, August 22, 2014
Selah is Three
Dear Selah,
In July, you turned three years old! I can't believe it. You asked for a Sophia the First birthday party and we gave you a My Little Pony Bike to ride since you were always jealous of Havana and Jonah's bikes.
You are a sweet and sassy little girl. I so love your spirit and pray that God will use your unique personality to make a mark on this world. You like things your way (who doesn't) and you enjoy making people laugh. You often refer to me as, "silly goose" and your baby dolls as "my sweeties" -- you have a heart of gold.
This year you enjoyed a vacation to Disney World where you were able to meet Cinderella, your favorite princess. You had several rounds of the stomach bug and had to endure a hard night in a hotel where mommy smashed your toe with the door.
Your cry is heartbreaking, but it is funny. We judge how serious your injury is based on how long it takes you to let out the scream. You will open your mouth, but if you are truly hurt, it will be at least a minute before any sounds come out of your mouth.
You love hanging out with your siblings, going to Chuck-E-Cheese, and your Sunday School class. Your teachers, Mr. Danny and Ms. Sara, just love you. It always warms my heart to see them give you special attention and make over you so much. Sara once told me, "We all love her in class. We've never seen her upset." I told her that you do get upset, but that you are still cute. ;)
You have had a love affair with milk. We joke that you don't eat anything, but that you live off of milk alone. Your favorite color is yellow and you like to watch paw patrol, frozen, and the fresh beat band. You love to dance and learned havana's complete dance recital. We told you that you could take a class once you turned three and so we will have to look into that soon. :)
You were part of a wednesday night program at a nearby church called "Foxter Friends" and you loved Foxter! It was certainly a highlight for you.
I love being your mommy and I can't wait to see what God does in your life this next year.
Sweet Prayer
I have been sick for over a week with a terrible cold. Like, I want to rip my throat out and I cough until I pee several times an hour. Anyway, tonight at dinner, Jason said a special prayer over me... and then Havana said the second prayer and thanked God for me, asked him to heal me, and said, "we love our mommy. She is our princess."
Be still my heart. Love my family!
Be still my heart. Love my family!
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Funny Saying
Yesterday Selah had an accident and as I was taking her pants off, she was upset and said, "pee-pees! I can't believe my eyes!"
Don't know where she picked that phrase up but it made me giggle!
Friday, June 20, 2014
Wedding Time!!
On June 6th, Havana, Jonah, and Selah were in a wedding!! They did so great... Selah had trouble getting down the stairs but finally scooted down on her bottom. Jonah took a round about way down the aisle, but he made it. The kids sat with me in the front row and they were awesome during the (outdoor, hot) ceremony. Havana was paying close attention and even asked, when they said their vows, if that is what daddy and I said to each other. 
After the wedding, so many people were complimentary of our kiddos and asked to take their pictures! I was so proud. They waited patiently for dinner (which was served around 9pm) and for cake (10pm). We left around 11pm and the kids were such troopers! I was so proud and loved that they got to be in a wedding!!!
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