WOW! So much has happened since May! I'm sure you all know we were blessed with this amazingly beautiful, spirited baby girl! Here's the story for those of you who don't know it.

After feeling pretty discouraged with Liberia and scared of foster care we began pursuing an infant adoption since our homestudy was done. Our goal was to provide a family for any child who God chose.

We contacted our agency in Florida and let them know we were interested in an AA baby boy. We really felt like Shaun needed a brother who looked like him. So we waited.

I got a phone call in May letting us know of a birthmom who was due in just a few weeks. She had just come into the agency and there were still very few details. I let them know I had to talk to Jason. The one catch, the birthmom did NOT want to know the sex of the baby. Jason said yes. In the adoption world you know when it's right. It just is.

After a lot of back and forth calls. She chose us! I have to admit I wondered who would choose a family who already had 5 kids. Who that was, was exactly who God wanted for us. It turned out after some doctors visits the baby was not due until the beginning of July. This was a bit of a relief. It gave ust time to think and plan as much as you can for a baby!

We all loaded up in the van and headed to Florida at the end of June. We spent the majority of the trip talking about this baby. We still didn't know if it was a boy or a girl. It's the craziest thing trying to imagine what your baby will look like and what your life will be like.

We got to Florida and Jason stayed one day, hopped on a plane and came back to work. June 29th I drove to the beach with the kids to see my Dad. We knew our birthmom had a scheduled C-section on the 3oth. However we had no idea what time or if we'd be able to see the baby that day. We got up early on the 30th and made the drive back to Orlando, waiting for a phone call.

Just as I was pulling back into the city. My phone rang. My stomach dropped to the floor boards. I answered and was told the baby is here and IT'S A GIRL!!!! I think we knew it all along. The girls all screamed and Shaun got very quiet. We called Jason right away. We told him and he said, "of course it's a girl! I knew it would be!" Unfortunately we were not able to go to the hospital that day.

Jason flew back for the 4th of July weekend. We were hoping to get our baby on the 2nd, but got a call saying the birthmom wanted to keep her an extra day. This of course sent a wave of panic and fear that she was changing her mind. Gratefully, we got a call early on the June 3rd saying we could come get our baby!

Born on June 30, 2011 and placed into our arms on July 3rd, 2011... Amaya Lillian Serenity!!! Jason only got to spend one day with her before he headed back to work. I'm pretty sure his heart broke into a million pieces having to leave her!

Amaya has been such an incredible baby since the beginning. I can't imagine my life without her. She has blessed us with so much joy!

Five and a half months later we are trucking along. Amaya can sit up, she has teeth, and she's just about ready to crawl! Jason and I were definitely caught off guard with a newborn. We have been in a bit of a fog, but no matter how foggy things have been, it's clear we love this little girl unconditionally forever!

Someone else loves her maybe more than us and probably more fiercly. That would be her big brother. He has let no harm come to her since the day she was in our arms. In the beginning he was constantly asking me when she cried, "MOM, what are you doing to MY baby?". Yes, his baby! It took him all of 5 minutes to stop being upset he wasn't getting a brother. I told him God chose him and Amaya needed him! Even though we thought Shaun needed a brother, he didn't. He loves being the only boy. He loves that he is the only one who is "the same" as Jason. He needs that. He needs to be the only one. As much as we thought we knew best, as usual we didn't.

The girls are of course in love with her. Nothing can compare to a sister. Even if you have 4 of them!