Last post of 2010.

2010, what a year it has been. If I look back it has really been a year of ups and downs, and life changing decisions. We struggled with infertility treatments for just a short time and realized that God was whispering to us that this was not our path. The whisper started very quietly with a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, both young and healthy, there was no explanation to our despair. The whisper grew a little more loud with a few gotcha day videos that had me in tears, God was burdening my heart. The whisper then became a booming voice, when our niece ripped an article out of a magazine about an Ethiopian adoption and handed to me.  She was only 18 months old at the time.  After reading the article, it was clear we were supposed to follow our hearts to Ethiopia. We thank God everyday for all our experiences to lead us to our path and amazing journey. We can't wait to see what 2011 has in store. Hopefully a chance to see our little ones face or even hold them in our arms. 2011 can't get here soon enough.

Blessed.

From our family to yours, have a very blessed Christmas!

Baby Making.

Now that I have your attention, I wanted to direct you over to the sidebar. You will find a link to my Etsy shop, where I have a store full of handmade gifts benefiting our adoption. The latest addition is some really cute African baby dolls. I didn't realize how hard it would be to find an African baby, so I decided to make some.  Thanks for stopping by and taking a peak at my little ones.

Prayers for baby Tucker

Some extra prayers are needed for a little man in Ethiopia right now. He is sick and his Mommy and Daddy don't get to meet him for a month. He is very small and can't fight off things as easily. His Mommy and Daddy need prayers too, I am sure they are feeling very helpless. So please pray that Tucker receives great care and his little body gets strong and healthy. Also let's pray that his parents find comfort and peace while waiting to hear about their little man.

Adoptive families and Christmas

Rachelle posted this video a little while ago and I think it represents what so many adoptive families are feeling this holiday seasons. Such a beautiful song. Just mute my music at the bottom and take a good listen.

Our December numbers are #93 for a little lady, and #69 for a little lad.

First and November Numbers

What a great feeling it is being on this sought after list.

Girls:

Boys:

PNW

Living in the Pacific Northwest can be a bit challenging in the winter time. We have had soooo much snow already. It is very beautiful and makes us so thankful to be living in God's country. We live five minutes from a state park and decided we might as well enjoy the snow since we can't escape it.  We broke trail this morning and had the most beautiful scenery along the way. This place is great in the summer, but winter really changes things, breathtaking!

Snowshoes are truly an investment in PNW! Even the dog had a great time and my thighs are feeling the burn.

In adoption news we sent our revisions off. Hopefully we can post numbers on Monday!

These are a few of my favorite things.

Pile of paperwork:

FedEx:

My husband:

I had to work all day on Monday and couldn't get a chance to make it to FedEx, but Ryan took our dossier, made sure it was in perfect order and overnighted it. We got a call that it had made it to our case manager! We finally have our dossier in!! I just can't believe it, what a thanksgiving blessing. 

I work as a recovery room nurse and some patients wake up quite slowly- not today around lunch time. They all heard me loudly exclaim YES!!! from the nurse's station. I just had checked my e-mail and saw that our home study was approved and our social worker was dropping it off at our home! I apologize to all of the patients that were yanked from their weary naps to my excitement.

Really??

We got our rough draft of the home study on Saturday, but there are lots of revisions to be made. She really spelled my name wrong for 18 pages, how do you do that? I have the easiest name to spell besides Jane or Sue or Pam. Anyway our dossier is collecting dust just waiting for the final draft, I am praying next week we can turn it in. I can't believe it has been eight weeks since we started our home study process.

Still waiting.

We are still waiting on our home study :( We are starting to get a little panicked, because our main notary her expiration date will be close to the cut off. We would literally have to revise almost every document including the state certification.  Last night I couldn't sleep thinking about everything, trying to wrap my mind around it. I started to pray for God to quiet my mind and to put my trust in his plan and timing. I fell asleep praying and woke up this morning knowing everything is going to be okay. On a happier note I can't believe all the referrals this last couple weeks, it is amazing, congrats to all the families.

Tick Tock Tick Tock

We are sooo very patiently waiting for our home study to be written. Did you sense my sarcasm? I think I might offer to babysit or make dinner for our social worker, free up a little time for her so she can get to writing. It is the last thing we need for our dossier!! So close yet so far, SIGH.

Sniff, Sniff

This morning for some reason I was more in tune to my sense of smell and how much I love it. I love the smell of coffee! It fills our house so wonderfully on a chilly fall morning.  Also this morning the air smelled so clean and fall like, it smelt like when you are out in the woods away from the city. You just can't breathe enough of that kind of air. Then I headed over to the garden to pull up the last few carrots. The carrot tops have the sweetest and most earthy smell. The tomato's were next, the scent of a tomato plant reminds me soooo much of my Papa. He is 84 years old but tends to the most beautiful garden you have ever seen. His tomato's are his specialty. He makes quarts and quarts of pasta sauce from scratch.  Somedays you just have to appreciate the small things and the blessing of something so simple yet so complex.

BABY.

So I posted yesterday that today I would spill the beans on our little one's name, so here goes nothing.

Corbin

Since we are pretty sure we will end up with a little boy, it is the only name we both could agree on. We were going through an app on my phone and found this name. Of course being the person I am I had to look up the meaning. The name Corbin means raven, which in the bible has many different meanings some good, some bad. I found a passage in the book of Luke that really drove it home. In Luke chapter 12 he talks about how the raven never reaps nor sows, but God provides. This really had multiple meanings to us, we tried to have a baby on our own and when we decided our treatments were not for us and let go, God placed adoption on our hearts. This little baby is also just being content and God is providing him with a family. We will use his African name as his middle name. I just feel like it is perfect.

Another funny thing that happened when we first felt called to adopt, but hadn't told anyone yet. We were on vacation with Ryan's side of the family, and we were inside playing with our niece. She was 18 months at the time and she was looking at some pictures in a magazine. She flipped through the pages and never ripped one, towards the end of the magazine she tore out one page and handed it to me. I didn't really think anything of it, but glanced down to see an article about a family who adopted from Ethiopia. Coincidence, I think not.  Even the toddler knew what was meant to be.

It's October already??

Where in the world did September go? I guess we have been so frantically running around and getting things done, an entire month disappeared.

We have had two of our homestudy visits, and Ryan has his today. We just pray that our wonderful social worker can write it up quickly, so we can turn in our dossier.

We took a little trip to Seattle to see Ryan's brother's family. Besides the food poisoning from some bad sushi, it was a great time. We made a "quick" trip to Ikea, I have never spent less than two hours there. Who doesn't love meatballs and lingonberry preserves for lunch? We stopped by Pike St. and of course it was also the food and wine festival, be still my heart. I wish weekends like this could last all week, except for the bad sushi part.

Next blog entry we will reveal the name we have picked out for our child and the meaning. It has been used  once before in another blog post, you may have caught it if you are a good reader.

Nerves.

Tomorrow is the first homestudy interview for me. Our social worker is coming by the house to hang out with little old me for a while. I have to say I am a bit nervous. The good news is our actual written homestudy is one of last things we need for our dossier. It is such a great feeling knowing we are so close to finishing the paper chase. Once we are on the waitlist I am going to dive head first into the nursery decorating. I have been holding off so I have something to look forward to with the wait. I think I may make a list of goals while we are waiting to hopefully distract us, mainly me.

Pillow Makeover

So we bought a couch a little while back and it came with some pillows that aren't quite our style. The modern floral ones remind me of some kind of sea creature. If you know my style it is casual not the least bit modern. I knew the pillows needed some covers to match our style, this is where google comes in. I googled freezer paper stencils and took a tutorial or two. Next I searched envelope style pillow cases and found out how to make them. Both of the projects were very easy!! I finished all four of them in one evening. I hope you like the makeover.

Before:

After:

The pillowcases are nice because you don't have to know how to do a button or zipper. You can also take them off if they get dirty, I am sure they will need a good cleaning after our kiddo has been home for a while. 

Adoption news-we finished all of our homestudy paperwork. One small step towards our babe.

Garage Sale Success!

Well yesterday was a crazy and great day! We feel so very thankful for the families that donated their time and unwanted items, we also were very thankful for our generous shoppers, and thanks to my Mom and Dad who lent us their yard and driveway. In all we made $2875!! My jaw hit the floor when we finally counted everything. It just goes to show that a small bag and box from a few people really can make a huge difference.  Thanks for all the weather prayers and lots of shopper prayers. Here are some great pics from the day.

This is one of the fun shirts we made, so the shoppers knew who could help them.

Here is Ryan's dad and my Papa- 84 years old, he did have to stop and take a cigar break.

Tons of shoppers.

Even the fire department showed up. I thought we did something wrong, but they were coming back from a call and were interested in the recliners. Sorry guys they are sold. We told them at our next sale we will call them the night before, if there are any recliners. It's always a great thing to be on the fire departments good side.

All of the grandparents stopped by to see the action.

Ryan and his Dad relaxing after a long day. Even Rossi was there, she was our official greeter. Next sale I am going to make her a big sis shirt.

Of course we took our picture at the end- we are dirty and greasy but very grateful. This is all for you baby Corbin, just one step closer.

Pooped.

I am dusty, dirty, stinky, and tired! We set up everything for our big yard sale tomorrow. It is going to be a great day and I know we will feel very blessed by the support and help, we already do!! Everybody say a little prayer for the weather and lots of customers. Gotta go the dog appears to be choking on the stuffing from her toy. Oh she's good just a little gagging, yuck, bad dog.

What we are doing.

A lot of people have asked about our adoption and the money involved. They like to say "we would have adopted but it is too expensive". God will provide for what he loves-orphans. We have done a few things on our own to cut costs and realign our budget.

• We got rid of our cable and internet. We still have internet through our phones.
• We only grocery shop once a week and buy meat in bulk. You should see our freezer.
• We planted a garden, it may be small but it saves us a few dollars.
• We buy many generic items and stopped buying snack/junk food. Our grocery cart is usually just eggs, milk, and some produce.
• Our shopping has gone from Nordstroms and The Gap to Target and TJ Maxx.
• I no longer get my hair done every eight weeks. I have extended my appointments out twelve weeks.
• Ryan gets his haircut at home now, if it looks crooked you can blame me.
• We don't eat out as much as we used to. 
• Turned up the thermostat- I hate this one. I really like it cool in the summer, 75 degrees is not cutting it for indoors.
• I no longer am stopping at Starbucks every morning, home brewed will have to work.

These are some of the ways we are saving money. We are also having a large yard sale this weekend to get rid of some unwanted items and the money will go towards our cause.  In the long run I don't think twice about the changes we have made, especially since they will bring us that much closer to our child.

Flathead Lake Family Vacay, Lee Style!

We just got back yesterday from a beautiful vacation to Flathead Lake with Ryan's family. I never knew of the beauty that existed in Montana. We fly fished, visited Glacier, sat on the beach, boated, slept in, drank and ate a ton, and enjoyed each others company. It was so much fun to see Ryan and all of his brothers, they are such good friends. It was bittersweet coming home, back to reality I guess. Here are some of the great pics.

In adoption news things have been moving right along. We finished our online courses, our workbook, got FBI clearance back, and passports. The FBI clearance was so quick, guess those prayers worked. We have a few more things to get and then we will be ready for our homestudy, hooray!

Three Years.

Today, three years ago, Ryan and I said I do in front of all our friends and family. It will be day I will never forget. I like to pull out our video or album to relive everything. It was truly an amazing moment in our lives. The beauty that our photographer caught doesn't do the real thing justice. God brought us together in an awesome way, who really meets their soul mate in junior high, even though we didn't realize it. I outweighed him, was taller, and much more mature of course :). Who would have thought that 16 years later, we would be celebrating three years of marriage and taking the most unbelievable journey to our child in Africa. God has truly touched our hearts. I love you forever and always Ryan.

Public Safety

Today I made a trip down to the public safety building to do my fingerprinting for our FBI clearance. I forgot what a sketchy place it is. I think the last time I was there was in high school to get my food handlers  permit. There were some interesting characters in the metal detector line, thank goodness they have those things.  I wondered about some of the men in the concealed weapons permit line, I was really hoping they weren't able to carry a concealed weapon. Good news is my finger prints are done and I don't have to go back there for hopefully another ten years.

Official.

It is truly official now. We are going to be parents!!! We sent in our contracts to work exclusively with All God's Children International Ethiopia program. I am still having trouble wrapping my mind around all of this. It probably won't truly hit me until I look into those big brown eyes, sigh- I am in love already.

Approved.

Enough said.

YYAAaayyyy!!!

AGCI called to let me know that they received the letter. Thank Heavens! We will found out Tuesday afternoon what comes next. Tiffany our inquiry coordinator has been the absolute best, the second she had the letter we had an e-mail. Thanks Tiffany. Now for a lovely on-call weekend at work. A few more pennies to put away for baby.

I love this picture of my lil sis from our wedding. The photographer caught this during the money dance. Show me the money.

Still waiting....

Put another call into the doc's office to see how the letter is coming along. I had  to leave a message of course. It has been three weeks, and I need more patience. This is the last hold up, so far out of my control right now.

Update.

AGCI called to let us know that our application looks great, but we still need one more document from Dr. Robbins. I have called his nurse twice with no reply, faxed her with no reply- crosses fingers she calls back today. The letter should be so quick for her to write, we were only with their practice for two months. I just have to pray that she gets a spare minute to drop my letter in the mail. Please, please hurry.

My heart is in Africa.

We sent in our application to All God's Children International on June 2, the day before my 28th birthday. I will never forget this birthday.  We can't wait to embark on this beautiful journey to Africa to meet the child  God has made for us.  We feel very blessed by all the support we have received so far. Thanks everyone.

Where has the time gone?

Where have I been you ask? I will tell you, but it better be in a list form or I will lose your attention. Cute baby pics never hurt either.

• I have been at Dr. Robbins' office learning after a lot of testing, and money spent that we have nothing wrong. We did two medicated cycles with great response, but no baby. It's a very weird experience to give yourself injections and feel like one giant mood swing at all times. We are no longer seeking treatment.
• We went on a much needed vacation to Hawaii. See below.
• Our third niece was born on March 20th. Charlie is a little fighter who went through brain surgery at just two days old. She is doing great and has the sweetest little face you have ever seen.  Mom, Dad and big sis are doing well also. Her picture is from our little photo shoot we had. I heart my camera.

• We made a trip to Pacific City, Oregon for a long weekend. It is such a beautiful place, makes you very thankful that God has given us such an amazing earth to live.
• We joined a new church that we absolutely love.
• Last but not least, WE ARE GOING TO ADOPT FROM ETHIOPIA! (more info about this later).

OMG!

I saw something that I never thought I would see in my lifetime. I'll tell you a few things that it wasn't- not sasquatch, loch ness, a positive pregnancy test-I better see one soon, an alien, or my dog talking. You will never guess in a million years. I was so shocked I wasn't quite sure what to do. So I snuck to my camera and tried to snap some quick pictures so I had evidence. The creature caught me and tried to rip the camera right out of my hand, but I was swift enough to get two pictures (I might sell them to the tabloids). Do you want to know what I saw..............?

........?

............?

Here it is.......

..................................................

MY HUSBAND WAS IRONING!!!!!!!!! My heart stood still for just a moment.

Overnightprints.com Free Business Cards GUEST GIVEWAWAY!!!!

Overnightprints.com Free Business Cards GUEST GIVEWAWAY!!!!

Go to Grosgrain to enter. I would love to win this one. Please Please Please.

Monday Night.

You know what makes Monday night so great? Not that the worst day of the week is over, but the Bachelor is on! I am sucked into this season like never before. Jake, I hope you find your true love, and I will watch to make sure she is the "right one" in my opinion. I have my favorites. 11 minutes until show time gotta run.

Vintage Finds

I loooovvvveee junking! My sis and I went out to some local thrift stores yesterday and found some cute little things, but I found a gem (in my eyes at least). I found the cutest half gallon milk bottle.

I have it posted in my etsy store, but I will not be heartbroken if it never sells. I have this vision of putting yellow and red tulips in it for spring. It would be such a cheery little vase. Why can't I find stuff like this all the time?

I am SCARED.

I just got a call this afternoon that Dr. Robbins' office had a cancellation for tomorrow morning.  We took the appointment. Our original appointment isn't supposed to be for another month, and I felt I would be more prepared.  I feel like this is finally starting to sink in that there may be something more that original tests didn't reveal. I feel like we are diving in head first.  I hope the landing will be soft.  Please lord don't let this process break our hope or spirit.  I better go, I feel nauseous.

2010

2009 had its ups and downs, I learned so much last year. I learned a lot about the marriage that Ryan and I have, I learned about my patience, I learned a few new talents, I learned about the things I truly love, and above all I learned that there is a bigger plan and I need to sit back and enjoy the ride. 

2010 should be a great year. Everyone's hopes are lifted, this is our fresh start. Resolutions have been made and hopefully will be kept. What is your resolution or goal for 2010? 

P.S. I got a digital slr camera for Christmas, picture quality will improve in 2010. Hooray! It is in Connecticut right now getting its recall issues fixed. She should be home soon.