Before being matched with India, we thought (due to space) we couldn't adopt another girl while we lived in our current home.
Clearly, God had other plans.
We thought we had maxed out our girls bunk room with double bunks, fitting 4.
Clearly, God had other plans.
We thought we had maxed out our girls bunk room with double bunks, fitting 4.
What we've come to learn, however, is that things like money and space should never be a hindrance to adoption or adding another biological child to a family because God always provides...sometimes in creative ways.
As the story goes, we said YES to our girl.
As the story goes, we said YES to our girl.
"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
Proverbs 19:21
Proverbs 19:21
When India joined our family at the age of 5 months, she slept in our room with us. We didn't think too far past that point in terms of bedrooms. (One day at a time...) We just trusted that God knew the future. He always does. Certainly we could have moved, and true, we still can. But, with intentionality to bloom where we're planted, the unanimous vote (for now) is to stay where we are until the Lord leads otherwise and make it work while we're here.
When India got older and was ready for a Big Girl Bed, Brodie thought up the idea to build a bridge type bed in the girls bunk room for India in a space that previously held a large wardrobe.
Smart husband.
Smart husband.
So, he built the bed, railing too, and India has loved her own little space all to herself where she can easily crawl over
and snuggle with a sister (or get out and unravel a whole roll of toilet paper...or cover herself in toothpaste).
That girl!
and snuggle with a sister (or get out and unravel a whole roll of toilet paper...or cover herself in toothpaste).
That girl!
Believe it or not, even her little toddler bed often has a snuggling sibling, Mommy, or Daddy
in there with her too. Who knew a crib mattress could be so accommodating?
in there with her too. Who knew a crib mattress could be so accommodating?
Anyway, the time has come where we once thought (yet again) that we could not adopt another girl due to space in our home...and (yet again) God knew better and has brought to our family a new daughter.
We're so excited to welcome her to our family, prayerfully this fall!
These birdie charms hang in the girls bunk room as we await the arrival of our next sister:
6 girls.
We're so excited to welcome her to our family, prayerfully this fall!
These birdie charms hang in the girls bunk room as we await the arrival of our next sister:
6 girls.
In a "paper pregnancy" type of way, we've been nesting around here,
making it work as usual, and thoroughly enjoying the process.
making it work as usual, and thoroughly enjoying the process.
Here's to documenting our latest space maximizing project:
This is the girls bunk space before:
This is the girls bunk space before:
With so many girls in one bedroom, we do our best to keep things minimal and orderly. This helps the space feel peaceful. We don't keep toys in our bunk rooms, just beds, books, and clothes. We store things under the beds and use every inch of the closets.
It works. :)
When at first we thought we would have to move to add another girl to this room, we spent some time reevaluating and have realized that Nova is old enough and tiny enough to fit in a children's size mattress bunk over India's bridge bed. She is really excited about it and her twin size bottom bunk bed will go to her new sister where Mommy and Daddy can be close by her side when she needs extra encouragement at night (something we fully anticipate through her transition at least).
So...the project begins. First, the boys built a frame with slats to support the mattress. (Sweet brother):
We decided that Nova would use one of her sister's side ladders for access to her bed
in order to keep India's bed below more open, so no ladder was needed...just a railing:
The perfect little size for our sweet little Nova:
Lastly, we added the mattress and bedding (most of which we already had. Bonus!).
And, the project is complete:
SISTERS...What a blessing these girls are!
We just need our Bea... :)
What an honor to welcome another daughter home where she can be loved and cherished and made to feel valued and precious, where she can learn of God's LOVE for her. What a joy to fill another bunk with a soul, a new best friend to share life with.
Thanks again to our hardworking men, for making our house our home.
Your labors of love always help us feel so well cared for!!
It works. :)
When at first we thought we would have to move to add another girl to this room, we spent some time reevaluating and have realized that Nova is old enough and tiny enough to fit in a children's size mattress bunk over India's bridge bed. She is really excited about it and her twin size bottom bunk bed will go to her new sister where Mommy and Daddy can be close by her side when she needs extra encouragement at night (something we fully anticipate through her transition at least).
So...the project begins. First, the boys built a frame with slats to support the mattress. (Sweet brother):
We decided that Nova would use one of her sister's side ladders for access to her bed
in order to keep India's bed below more open, so no ladder was needed...just a railing:
The perfect little size for our sweet little Nova:
Time for paint (my part):
And, the project is complete:
SISTERS...What a blessing these girls are!
We just need our Bea... :)
What an honor to welcome another daughter home where she can be loved and cherished and made to feel valued and precious, where she can learn of God's LOVE for her. What a joy to fill another bunk with a soul, a new best friend to share life with.
Thanks again to our hardworking men, for making our house our home.
Your labors of love always help us feel so well cared for!!
"If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet."
Proverbs 3:24
-UPDATE-
Our Bea is home and it's been perfectly natural to have her here with us in our girls bunk room.
She's proud of her very own bed and sleeps there regularly, snuggling down with a sibling or parent each night.
The girls made their room all white for Christmas which was a welcome change. (I love white.)
Now with beloved baby sister 7 on the way, we'll be getting creative again over here eventually...hmmm...
"For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them."
Psalm 139:13-16
Proverbs 3:24
-UPDATE-
Our Bea is home and it's been perfectly natural to have her here with us in our girls bunk room.
She's proud of her very own bed and sleeps there regularly, snuggling down with a sibling or parent each night.
The girls made their room all white for Christmas which was a welcome change. (I love white.)
Now with beloved baby sister 7 on the way, we'll be getting creative again over here eventually...hmmm...
"For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them."
Psalm 139:13-16
