The next Tuesday, through a friend a church, we learned of a local family needing to find a family to adopt their grandchild, very soon.

In 2000, when our first was born, we had three names chosen ­ Julia, Nathaniel, or Riley.

This sweet boys given name is Riley. He turned five years old this year!

We met Riley on Feb 27th, 2013.

Riley came to live with us on April 10th, 2013.

September 4, 2014 the adoption was finalized.

And I was pregnant!

Mary Alice was born April 10th, 2015.

So that is our story. Beautiful. Long. Waiting.

Now we are a family of six.

So when I tell you to Notice Goodness takes practice, I say this from a place of understanding. I have walked this road along side of you.

I had days where I couldn’t walk into Target because I didn’t want to be anywhere near the baby section. I had nights where I cried into a pink blanket on the floor of my closet, wishing there was a baby in my arms.

My mother’s mother, Mary Alice, is the master at noticing joy. When she sneezes she says, “Praise the Lord.” To Praise Him in a sneeze ­ that is noticing joy in everything.

She lived with us when I was in 5th and 6th grade and her ability to notice goodness permeated everything ­ parking spots, dollar bills found in the dryer, green lights, flowers, smiles, and the biggest testimony of all ­ a widow who proclaimed that His love satisfied her completely.

This example was my foundation to look around and see His goodness.

To be continued…