11/17/13

We have both completed out individual home studies, yay!  We are now working through a lot of education things that have to be completed.  After that we will put together our portfolio of pictures, stories, about us, etc.  those portfolios are what the birthmothers will look at when deciding their baby's forever home.  Our goal we set is to have this all completed by Jan 1st.  We covet your prayers and support and ask that you continue to pray us through this process.  We know our baby has already been chosen and created for us by THE creator.  We just cannot wait until we meet him/her! 

Our autobios

It's been a while since we (well, Jenn) have blogged.  We have been working steadily on our autobiographies. To say that has brought out the emotions would be an understatement.  These autobios are no joke y'all.  They are deep, intense, and thorough.  To be completely honest there were times when I wanted to quit and many times when I just closed the book and walked away.  I finally finished my part last night and Brian isn't far behind.  Wahoo!!!  Once they are complete we will turn them in and can then schedule our next home study.  After that we will be ready for our profiles to be shown to the birthmothers.  How exciting that is to say!!  We know that God will not allow OUR baby to pass us by, but we ask that as you pray for us please specifically ask that God give us patience and complete trust in his plan.  We love you all and thank you for your love, support, and prayers. 

Finger prints and vacation

Whew. We have had a busy past few weeks.  We completed our first home study, got all of our back ground checks completed and sent out, and we both got fingerprinted for the first time in our lives. (Thank goodness it was for a good reason and not a bad one!?). We are just waiting now for all to be cleared so that we can move forward.  In other news, we just got home from a week vacation in Cape San Blas, Fl.  We went with Ellie's Aunt B, Uncle T, and cousin MM.  We all loved being together and enjoyed a week away from our everyday lives to just relax and enjoy. I couldn't help but think while we were there that maybe, just maybe, next year we will have an addition to our clan at the beach!  So exciting!!!

1st Home Study Complete

We had our first Home Study today.  It went great and was way easier going and laid back than we anticipated.  Well, than Jenn anticipated, Brian was cool as a cucumber about the whole thing. (How can he always be so calm!?). We both ended the study feeling more confident than ever that this is exactly what God has planned for our family.  It's an amazing feeling to know without a doubt that this is the right thing, no wondering, no what-ifs, just pure trust in The Lord that he is leading us down the right path. A.Ma.Zing!  

We now have to do more paper work and apply for our background checks, be fingerprinted, all that fun stuff to make double sure we are  not criminals or illegal or anything.  I understand why it all has to be done, I do.  I totally get that we are talking about the livelihood and well being of a child. But all of this fingerprint and background business has me thinking, "wow, no one does this when you have a child the old fashion way.."  

Anyway, we were told that getting everything back and cleared could take 3-4 months, especially since we are having to do checks in Alabama and Georgia since we just moved.  So we ask that you pray for everything to go smoothly, be pushed through and go  without any problems.  We love you all!!!!

Here we gooooo

Wahoo! We now have a date to meet our agency social worker and have our first joint interview. All application paper work is completed and accepted. We are excited to meet our case worker and get the ball rolling. We will have more answers and hopefully an idea of a timeline after we meet with Lauren on the 30th. Please keep us in your prayers as the time arrives. We love you all!!

Yay!

We have reached our first goal with our fundraising for the adoption. Prayers were answered. Amen!! Poor Brian sold his "toy", a Honda Ruckus that he bought last summer. It was just sitting in our storage unit since we've moved. We prayed that someone would come along and give what we were asking for it and God answered our prayers plus a little more! We still have a long way to go but we will get there!

All the pieces of the puzzle

We watched a webinar tonight on ways to raise money for adoption. They mentioned a really cool way to remember and recognize all of those who supported the journey financially. Brian and I both LOVED the idea and so we are going to do it too! We are going to get a puzzle and with every donation we have received so far and will receive in the future we will write the donor(s) name on the back of a puzzle piece and begin to put the puzzle together. Once it is all together and/or we are in the final stages we will have the puzzle framed and hung in our baby's room. This is also a great way for us to let Ellie get in on the fun, she loves doing puzzles and we know she will love putting one together for her baby brother or sister!