HE is mighty to save...

Over the last few years, I have been on a spiritual and emotional roller coaster. There were days where I literally was so mad at the Lord, and then days where all I wanted to do was cry. He has grown my faith in ways I can't explain, especially over this last year. A song that brought me to tears every time I heard it was He is Mighty to Save...I couldn't sing these lines in church without stopping because if I kept singing I would burst into tears and not be able to stop...

Savior

He can move the mountains

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

For so long, I WANTED so badly to believe that He could move the mountains in my own life, but most of the time I doubted because of my hurt. For the first time, this past weekend I was able to sing this song KNOWING AND BELIEVING 100% that HE not only CAN move mountains BUT HE DID in my life...of course there were still tears:)

Kaz and I started the adoption journey really not knowing what the future held...If I'm honest, it appeared to be more of a solution to our problem than anything else. I wanted to go through it as quickly as possible and get our baby. Before we were ever put on the waiting list, we had to attend a certain number of meetings through Bethany to learn more about adoption and help us through the journey. I remember sitting in a small trailer with about 7-8 other couples and thinking to myself that we would probably be the last couple chosen...That was my worst case scenario fear kicking in....I was right...We were not only the last couple out of the group to be chosen but we saw many other couples that went through the process after us get chosen. It REALLY WASN'T AT ALL about us....It was about HIS PERFECT TIMING and the CHILD HE HAD CHOSEN FOR US. While at times during the waiting, it was easy for me to see that, the majority of the time it was very difficult for me to see that...I mostly saw my hurt, pain, selfishness, and occasionally could see the bigger picture. I still can't see the bigger picture to its fullest BUT what I can see is the Lord's FAITHFULNESS to us even when I wasn't faithful...I CAN SEE the blessing of adoption and how in reality it wasn't just a solution but it's now a calling to our life...AND I CAN SEE glimpses of just how much the Lord loves us that He would give us such a special little girl and allow us to go through everything we did...because in the end, we are so much stronger AND I HONESTLY WOULDN'T CHANGE one thing. 

If you've been following my blog, you've read several times about the first birth mom we were paired with. We really thought that was the baby, especially when she came back into the picture a month before she was due. That last month, I grew in my faith more than I did the whole year we waited...Even though it hurt, I'm thankful we went through it...and every time I look back, it amazes me at the Lord's timing...That the very day after she had the baby, we got the phone call about our Annie. It wasn’t a coincidence...It was His perfect timing...For awhile, we didn't have anyone who was going through the same thing that we were, and that frustrated me in itself that I had no one that could fully understand...but now when I look around, the Lord has blessed us with so many friendships through adoption, which brings me to this...

Lately, I've received so many emails, facebook messages,and even phone calls from women struggling during their waiting, wanting more information about adoption, or even just saying they had been praying for me. 

I have had a heavy heart about helping and have been praying about where the Lord was leading me with this...I'm still not 100% sure of what this will look like, but I believe the Lord is calling me to start an adoption/infertility support group online. Truth and encouragement from others are great, but it's so much easier talking to someone if they have been through the same thing. If you are in the adoption process, struggling through infertility, considering adoption, have adopted or simply just want to pray for these women who are please send me an email at: amyprikazsky@gmail.com 

Tell me a little about your situation, where you are located and over the next few days you will hear more...This is not just if you live in SC, it's anywhere! I'm excited to see what the Lord is going to do!

life...

 WARNING: IF YOU ARE A SOLD OUT CLEMSON OR CAROLINA FAN, YOU MAY NOT CARE FOR ME AS MUCH AFTER THIS POST....

I grew up a Carolina fan...then in college, kind of switched to Clemson after going to the games most weekends..I mean come on, you have to wear orange to a Clemson game AND besides, orange is my favorite color! Well, over the last year I’ve started pulling for Carolina again when they don’t play Clemson..I have clothes from both teams...My favorite t-shirt is Clemson, and my dad lets me know every time I wear it just how much he hates it! Annie Rice has a couple Gamecock outfits...I guess I would get disowned from the family if she’s ever in Clemson BUT SHE WILL be in orange! So there you have it...I like both teams...Don’t hate me:(

The reason I say all of this is because last Saturday night we had a HUGE RAIN storm. So much in fact, a lot of areas were flooded. Kaz was out in my car in this storm and by the time he made it back home he was completely soaked from head to toe. The remote to my car got wet and would no longer work. Kaz took it apart, let it dry, and even changed the battery the next day and it still would not work. So on Tuesday, I made an appointment to take it to the dealership and knew a new remote would cost about $200. I get to the dealership having tried the remote BEFORE I left home, and started talking to the repair guy about the problem. He said, “Honey, the reason it doesn’t work is because you have on Clemson[I was wearing all orange that day]...You just need some Carolina hands to touch the remote.” I kid you not, the minute he pressed those buttons the remote started working again! Just my luck! He said, “See I told you...You just needed a little garnet and black love!” I was mortified and so embarrassed because he was probably thinking I was completely nuts! 

BUT none the less, it works and I’m thankful! 

in Clemson..

 my favorite t-shirt...

carolina...

my little gamecock...

I haven’t really watched a whole lot of TV lately, even before Annie Rice. For those of you who know me, you know it’s a BIG STEP for me not to watch E News! HaHa! BUT when we went to the beach with Liz and Todd awhile back, Liz got me hooked on Las Vegas! Hooked I am....I dvr 2 episodes a day and even ordered the dvds from Netflix! 

Annie Rice had her first pediatrician’s appointment yesterday! It went very well except when she got her shots! Of course I had to take a couple shots:)

Our traveling hasn’t slowed down very much...Kaz was in Michigan with his family over July 4th. We were both supposed to go but after getting Annie Rice only a week before, we decided it might be too much too soon considering all the big adjustments she had to make. So we got him home for a few days, and then he left for Colorado again. His flight home last night landed at 1038pm. I assured him that we would be at home waiting since Annie Rice goes to bed around 830 BUT I just couldn’t resist. I kept her up really late and we made the trip to pick him up! He was so surprised and Annie Rice was very happy to have her dad back! BUT today, we leave again! We are going to DC for a couple days because Kaz has a class for work up there and we are going to see his family! So Annie Rice gets to meet her granddad, aunt, uncle, and cousin for the first time this weekend! I’m so excited...AND it’s really neat because 5 years ago almost to the day, Kaz and I moved up to DC! It has always held a special place in my heart because that’s where we started our married life and I think it’s neat that it will be the same place we go for our first family trip! I’ll be back sometime next week!

at the airport...

our fist year in DC...

pup pup, a rubber ducky, and baby...

Well, Miley hasn’t been kicked to the curb BUT she definitely doesn’t get as much attention and she sure lets us know it! I think her favorite time is at night after I put Annie Rice down for bedtime because then she’s the main star again! Overall, she has done really well with Annie Rice. She wants to lick her face all the time...Most mornings she’s scared of Annie Rice and won’t come within 10 feet of her while I’m changing her morning diaper but then after that she’s fine! 

The one thing that Miley does EVERY DAY is go in the bathroom and get Annie Rice’s rubber ducky...I always try to close the door but sometimes I forget and then minutes later I will see Miley walking around with a tiny little yellow beak hanging out of her mouth! It’s actually quite funny though and I think Miley keeps doing it because she knows she will get a little bit of attention:)

A few of my favorite pictures of Annie Rice and Miley...

2 beggars...while I’m eating...

finding time to work...

Things are still going very smoothly! Annie Rice is such a happy little girl! However, I have been struggling to find time to work...so today my mom watched Annie Rice while I literally locked myself in the office and worked all day! I’m happy to say I got everything done on my list except make 1 phone call which really isn’t that big of a deal and can wait until tomorrow! I’m so thankful that I was able to work today, and it really takes a huge load off of me!

BUT of course, I couldn’t NOT see Annie Rice today so I snuck out a few times to take a few pictures! These really show her personality and her numerous funny faces:)

She loves to stick out her tongue and make sounds like a motor boat...She says OK and YUM in the funniest voice I have ever heard...She constantly has her hand UP HER NOSE! She wrinkles her little nose after every bite at lunch or dinner! She’s absolutely precious! Here are a few pictures from today!

all the little children...

This past Sunday, I went to my parents church because Kaz was out of town. During the sermon, I stayed back in the nursery...well sort of in the hall trying to help Annie Rice crawl. The sweetest thing happened while we were back there...All the children from children's church came out of class to see her! They all sat around her just like in the picture below. It melted my heart. It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen. They were all so excited to meet her and stared at her like she was a shiny new toy! It was a God moment and one I will never forget!

Jesus said, “ Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Matt 19:14

1st birthday party...

My sweet Annie Rice is 1 years old today! Everyone kept asking me about her 1 year party and to be honest I just didn't want to do anything big at all. I really tried to not let it stress me out, but still have a little party! So we had a small family gathering at our house, cooked hamburgers and hotdogs, and just had a little celebration! I didn't have any expectations for the night...Just kind of went with the flow and it was perfect! I did a few small decorations...very simple...and I LOVED them:) Below are a few pictures!