It's TRIPLETS!

No, we are not literally expecting triplets (been there, done that, grateful that there is no way I will ever experience a triplet pregnancy again)! The photograph above is of my very first ultrasound over 5 years ago. . . . the ultrasound that revealed that we were expecting not one, not two, but THREE babies! What a day that was! And what an adventure it has been ever since!

We will, however, officially be expanding our family by three once again!

The same day that we learned that our agency finally had "Sofia's" file, we also learned of another little girl. . . . a six year-old girl who had just been added to Bulgaria's list of waiting children at the end of July, whose file our agency had just obtained. The first time I saw her sweet little face staring back at me it took my breath away. I was immediately drawn to her and I found myself returning to that face many times throughout the course of each day. When we learned, two weeks ago, that we had not been chosen to be Desi's family, I was disappointed, but I knew that the Lord was not done with us.

Initially Richard said no to this other little girl. He did not want her to be a "replacement" for Desi and, we were already firmly committed to two children, which had been our "plan" from the beginning. But as the days went on I couldn't shake the feeling that we were leaving someone behind and I knew that someone was this little girl.

Last night, over my birthday dinner, I shared this nagging feeling with Richard and, after much discussion, we decided to take the leap and bring this beautiful little girl home as well! I could not have asked for a more amazing birthday "present" (or a more amazing husband!). In finding and committing to this little girl, I have realized Desi's purpose in our lives. Desi was the one who brought us to Bulgaria and it was our love for, and commitment to, Desi that kept us there during all of the ups and downs that we have experienced. There have been many times over the past 9 months that we seriously considered switching countries and/or changing directions, but we could not walk away from Desi. If we had not had not stayed the course, we would not have received "Sofia's" file and we would never have known of our other little girl.

There is no doubt now, as I look at the faces of the three children that will soon be mine, that these are the children that the Lord has always intended for our family. It has been a long (though faith-promoting) journey, and I know that it is far from over, but we are exactly where we should be and I am thrilled to be bringing these three, beautiful babies into our family!

And now. . . .a sneak peek of the beautiful "babies" that will, hopefully, soon be the newest members of the Rieben family. . .

CLICK ME!!!