How we told our parents

I'm crafty.  I love to make pretty things.  Even if it means someone will open it up and then throw it away a few short hours later.  It's all in the presentation.  When we thought it would take 2 weeks to get approved, I figured we could tell our parents on Valentine's Day and so I started making these super cute little boxes.  I found stickers that said, "Expecting...a baby from Ethiopia."  They have a picture of a folded, red construction paper heart so it gave me the idea to fill the boxes with folded, red construction paper hearts.  We wrote them a note on cards who were handmade by some other people who are trying to fund their adoption from Ethiopia. 

We went ahead and told them today at lunch.  I gave the moms the boxes and told them it was their early Valentine's gift.  I plan on sending my dad's tomorrow or Tuesday. 

Here are a few pictures...

Approved!

I got word today that our application was approved already!  We didn't have to wait two weeks...only one business day.  How blessed are we?  It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, for sure.

God's Thoughts on the Matter

I haven't totally addressed our reasons for adopting yet but don't worry.  I will.  They are thoughts that are still in the works and I'll get there soon.  What God says, though, speaks louder than anything I could ever say...
I have been reading everything possible lately about Ethiopian adoption.  Finding websites, books, and a ton of amazing blogs.  There are so many wonderful Christian families who are great resources!  They are truly an inspiration to me because sometimes when I feel discouraged about the process that we have only just begun, I see something like this that fills me back up and gives me the motivation to keep going.

There are an estimated 147 million orphans in the world.  Adopting one child will not change the world; but for that child, the world will change.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you, I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.  Isaiah 43:5

Jesus said, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."  John 14:18

A father to the fatherless,
A defender of widows,
Is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families.
Psalm 68:5-6a

Step One is Complete!!

We sent in the application on Wednesday!!  It feels SO good!  We should be informed when it arrives at Children's Hope International.  It could take up to 2 weeks to find out if we are approved.  But of course, I have no reason to think we may be rejected.  Regardless, I can't wait to find out if we are an official adoptive family! 
I made sure we took a picture before we dropped it off at the post office.  Thank goodness for extended hours, though.  Like I have said before, I had some difficulty getting the correct medical information about myself and it needed to be notarized.  After a week of waiting and having it done incorrectly, I decided to print a clean letter, have the doctor sign it and just have my mom do it because she's a notary.  I made her promise to not ask questions because there was no way I was going to explain the reason for needing the notarizing of the letter.  She can't figure out what it's about and I love it!  :)  She'll find out soon.

On another note...My friend, Lindsey, and I helped out a wonderful ministry called Holy Sews last Sunday.  I taught myself to knit this time last year and I have been impressed with what all I have been able to do.  You never know when a skill like that will come in handy.  Our friends were attending a marriage seminar with us at our church and Lindsey asked me if I would like to come help out with something she was doing that afternoon.  She said there was a lady who was getting ready supplies/materials to sew layette for premature babies who have passed away.  This lady she was talking about, Regina, lost a baby through stillbirth and did not have access to appropriate layette or burial clothing so she realized the need that others may encounter also.  I LOVE to create anyting possible so this was right up my alley!  I was excited to go and see what this was all about and happy to help.  We asked what we could do and they asked if I knew how to knit.  I said, 'Of course,' and they gave me yarn and needles and let me loose!  It's amazing how God finds ways to use talents, isn't it?  Lindsey matched layette, sorted and packed it up for several orderd they had.  She is a NICU nurse at ACH and has recently introduced me to Jodie, a mom of babies she took care of back in August.  One of Jodie's babies, Eli, passed away and she is getting involved in this ministry also.  Please take a minute to check out the ministry and if you have another minute, check out Jodie's beautiful family.  I hugely admire this super sweet mama!
http://mcginleybabyjourney.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-holy-sews-work-day.html

That 'Pregnant Glow'

I went to the doctor yesterday...no, not pregnant!  I also didn't go because I'm sick but because the agency needs documentation that I don't have anything contageous and can physically/mentally take care of a child....ha!  I've been a little nervous about how our adoption will be perceived by everyone and since we haven't told anyone yet, I'm not used to talking about it to anyone but Justin.  Yesterday, as I was explaining my reason for the appointment to the nurse, she was so interested and kept asking questions.  It made me feel so good.  Then, when the doctor came in, we talked some more about it.  He signed off on everything and we discussed future wellness documentation about vaccinations and such that I'll probably have to have when traveling to Africa.  He was wonderful and said that if he needed to personally take this letter to the bank to get it notarized, then that's what he'd do, since there isn't a notary at his office anymore.  I'm sure I had this rediculous grin on my face because I was smiling so big it hurt...you know the kind.  I couldn't help it, though.  He told me that he was happy for us and that he could see my excitement.  He said I had that 'Pregnant Glow'!!!  Really?  Me?  Pregnant Glow?  How exciting!!  All I could say was a quiet, "Thank you," with that silly grin still on my face.  And then he said, "Congratulations."  I'm not sure if I was ready for this yet.  I guess it was one more step towards making this journey REAL.  Until this point, it has seemed a little surreal.  I was congratulated for my child?  MY child?  I'm so excited, I have no words!!   :)

Godspeed

I love music.  This is nothing new.  Music speaks on so many different levels and I love songs that have some type of emotional power to them.  Today I found this song and I was surprised I'd never heard it before.  It's written to a little boy and although we have no idea whether our next child will be a girl or boy, I think it's beautiful and fits our situation.  Even more than that, the image in my head as I listen to this song is my beautiful Cooper.  ::quiet tears::



Dixie Chicks--Godspeed

Dragon tales and the "water is wide"
Pirate's sail and lost boys fly
Fish bite moonbeams every night
And I love you


Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams


The rocket racer's all tuckered out
Superman's in pajamas on the couch
Goodnight moon, we'll find the mouse
And I love you


Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams


God bless mommy and match box cars
God bless dad and thanks for the stars
God hears "amen" wherever we are
And I love you

Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings


Godspeed
Godspeed
Godspeed
Sweet dreams

A little discouraged

I really thought this application would be out of my hands and into the will of the USPS by yesterday....oh, but it's not!  Of course my past medical history is keeping things from running smoothly.  I know there isn't anything simple about adoption but you'd think the application wouldn't be too bad.  Ugh!  I expect setbacks, etc. when we start the process of gahering all of the documents for the dossier because they'll want everything done exactly right.  I get that.  A letter from my doctor is what is taking so long right now.  It's just complicated.  Hopefully, if I can get my primary doc to sign this letter tomorrow while finding a notary somewhere, it will go out on New Year's Eve.  I doubt it.  I'll probably just drop it off tomorrow and maybe get it back one day next week.  I wanted all of this done before I went back to work but the holidays have made things a little slower, too.  Oh, well.  I can do all things through Christ who gives me strenght, right?  That's what I'm in need of right now...strength.  I've been looking at this for a few weeks now and I'm just tired of it. 

I'm also discouraged about going back to work next week.  If they don't have my room set up when I get back, I'm not sure what kind of strength and effort I'll have for this adoption process.  I know Satan is working hard right now.  I've just been discouraged easily the past couple of days.  Maybe it's the crash at the end of Christmas that's getting me down...let's hope so!  I have one more graduate class to finish this semester and I need to finish an incomplete class (LONG story) and I had hoped to graduate this month.  Somewhere in there very soon I need to be taking the Praxis II PLT (quick note to self!). 

Logically, I don't have the time or energy to be putting into an adoption.  Most people on the outside looking in would say we're crazy.  That's one main reason why we're not discussing this with people right now.  I don't need to defend myself about a decision we feel God has clearly stated for us. 

I'm feeling such a mix of emotions lately.  One minute tears come to my eyes beause I'm just so excited and happier than I've been in a long time and the next, I'm frustrated about all of the things that are out of my control.  Justin always tells me to only control the things that I can control.  Seems like a no-brainer, huh?  Then, why do I have such a hard time with it?

Christmas pictures!

Ok, so I'm a few days late for this but oh well.  Here is an OVERLOAD of pictures!  Enjoy!

Helping Mommy bake cookies for Santa!  When he saw this picture, he said, "Booper makin' a mess!"

So proud of his cookies!

With the cousins at Nana's house, Christmas Eve.

Opening presents with Daddy.  He got a Mickey Mouse CD that has Cooper's name in the songs!

Decorating our cookies.

All ready for Santa.  The reindeer even got carrots for a treat!

Reading 'Twas The Night Before Christmas

Look at Santa's presents for Cooper!!


A kitchen from Mommy and Daddy and a Mickey Mouse Choo-Choo from Santa.

How do we get this stinking bow off of here so we can PLAY???

At Nana's house Christmas morning, playing dress up with the girls.

I caught them snuggling while they were watching cartoons in the other room.  Too cute!

CHEESE!!

A rocking horse that gallops, neighs and eats a fake carrot.  Oh, and you can comb its mane.  It's kinda high-tech.  We...no, Justin has named it Theo.

Daddy and Cooper playing with cars.

Getting ready to go ride the trolly downtown...what a face.

On the trolly...

Merry Christmas!

If I can figure out how to post pictures on here, I'll post some of Christmas.  Cooper had such a wonderful time this year.  He finally got into Santa Claus and really enjoyed baking and decorating cookies for him...not to mention carrots for the reindeer!  He got a Mickey Mouse Choo-Choo from Santa and a kitchen with lots of accessories from us.  I'm looking forward to getting back to a normal routine since we've been "Christmasing" all week long!  Cooper's naps have been a little crazy this week.

Wednesday night, Justin and I went to Bruno's and the movies to see The Blind Side.  Amazing!  It made my heart smile.  As we were leaving, Justin made a comment about how many 'signs' we've seen lately letting us know that we're making the right choice and seeing this movie was just one more piece of reassurance for us.  Today, I took pictures of the house...after I cleaned up the Christmas mess!  I'm just waiting on one more email reply from CHI on a question about the application and I should be sending it all in on Monday.  I can't believe this!

So the journey begins...

So much on my mind tonight...

My thoughts to J...So, when you pray for something wholeheartedly and the answer comes loud and clear and the door is wide open and you're getting shoved through it....I guess it means we have to go forward with it, doesn't it? ::insert super-giddy-yet-overwhelmed smiley::


Months from now, I'll finally be able to reveal this blog to the world. The thought makes me want to cry just thinking about it. It's been a hard road lately but we have decided to adopt. Not just adopt, but we're going international...to Ethiopia! I've always wanted to adopt and I am confident that this is where God has led us. As of yet, I'm not ready to tell the world about this because there are a lot of questions you may ask that I'm not prepared to answer right now. Frankly, I don't even know if I have the answers yet. Logically, it doesn't make sense...right now we don't have the time or the money for this journey. All I know is that God has laid this at our feet and we are not passing it by.


A quick run-down so far...
September 2009: 2nd Laparoscopy Surgery (endometriosis)
October 2009: More testing...bad news, printed off info on adoption but kept it to myself
November 2009: Thinking about how to bring up adoption to J, Garry had a sermon about adoption :)
December 2009: Got in touch with 2 friends who adopted recently and received great advise and requested a CHI adoption info packet. When I received an email from CHI, there was information about Ethiopia and my heart melted! SOLD!


We have to take some pictures of us and our home to turn in with the application so it'll go out within the next few days.


At each step in this short journey so far, I prayed for God to tell me what to do next. It was all so overhwelming that I didn't know where to start so I looked to him to show me the way. I have no clear reason why we chose Children's Hope International, except friends recommended it and they emailed me back. I have no clear reason why we chose Ethiopia, except it was discussed in the email from CHI and when I read it, I KNEW this was it.


http://adopt.childrenshope.net/programs/ethiopia/


If you know anything about me, you know that I love to travel and I love to help others. Maybe this is why international adoption appeals to me more than domestic adoption...a topic I hope to address later. There's a song by Brandon Heath that I've fallen in love with over the past year called, "Give Me Your Eyes." Oh, how many times have I prayed the words of this song? Part of me wants to be naive about this world, sheltered from evil. However, deep down I know this isn't the right thing to do. There's not much about me that's sugar-coated...neither is my view of the world. I'm sure some people see me at times as cynical or blunt....probably more accurately, a realist. I'm thankful for having the opportunity at a young age to travel the world. I was able to have my eyes opened to the needs of humanity on so many different levels. Then, with our work at church with the kids from our Levy community I was able to continue that. Now, as I teach struggling middle schoolers, I'm reminded of the needs of God's children daily. Please watch the video of this song and pray the lyrics...