Check Up

Today Jack had his 4 week check up. He weighs 9 pounds, 12 ounces. Oh my goodness, is he growing! His first check up was 18 days ago, and he weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces. He has gained almost 2 pounds in under 3 weeks! He is healthy! He is still such a good baby. He is so strong and has discovered he can grab (and hold onto) my hair.

Nikki is still so in love with him. She loves to kiss him, feed him, and talk to him. Jack turns toward her when he hears her voice. She had the stomach bug last week and she was so upset that she couldn't kiss on him. She started crying when we left him in the nursery for the first time at church Sunday. She did not want to leave him there. Nikki has really been great with Jack and she is a wonderful big sister.

I have already heard about someone telling our story to their Sunday school class. They said they hoped we didn't mind that they talked about us. Believe me, I pray daily that Jesus will use our family as a testimony to His love and mighty grace. He brought our family together and I want all the glory to go to Him. As the song goes, "Savior, He can move the mountians. My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save. Forever, author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave. Jesus conquered the grave. Shine your light and let the whole world see. I'm singing for the glory of the risen King, Jesus!" I love that song.

Blessings to all!

FAMILY

What a great day! This morning we met with the judge to file our petition for adoption papers. Robbie, Nikki, Jack, and I met up with our attorney (Lorie Whitby - she is fantastic!) at 9:30. She took us up the the judge's office, where he had been looking over our paperwork. We each raised our right hand (even Nikki) and swore to tell the whole truth. Lorie took us through our testimony, basically our background and how we came to know about Jack. She asked Robbie, then me, if we understood that adoption meant that we are parents to the child for life and if we thought Jack was supposed to be with us. Then she asked Nikki if she wanted to be Jack's big sister. Nikki, of course, said, "YES, YES!" so excited. The judge told us congratulations and we took a picture with him. After we got back downstairs, we took a picture of Lorie, Jack, and Nikki. Lorie told Nikki that she was now Jack's big sister for good. Nikki asked her, "Does that mean Jack can stay with us forever and ever?" Lorie said, "Yes, forever and ever." Nikki shouted with joy and had the biggest smile I have ever seen on her face. It was a moment I will treasure forever and never forget. What a blessed morning!

This afternoon, Nikki and I took Jack to school since the teachers were there without students today. Nikki was so excited to show everyone her new baby brother. She told everyone that we went to adoption today. She also made sure to correct anyone who called him beautiful ("He's a boy; he's handsome.") She told them that we are all the Kaufman family now. I don't know any better way to put it.

Blessings to all!