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.