Razorback room

Well, my mom just couldn't let us go without a Razorback nursery! And I'm glad she couldn't. When we visit my folks, our child will be smothered by Razorback stuff! Mom made all of the stuff you see! Isn't it awesome? This was my room growing up. It has slowly become a Razorback Haven since I was in college. Whoo Pig!

The search has ended! Can I get a Whooo Hooo?!

Brian and I went home to Arkansas for the weekend to visit my parents and to pick up our dogs. They were ever so kind to take care of them while we were on a trip and even kept them for another week! Thanks mom and dad!
Anyway, while we were there we went to a store in Little Rock called Kids Furniture. Mom had already scoped this place out and saw some possibilities so we wanted to check it out ourselves. They had beautiful furniture, but I didn't immediately see anything in black that I just loved. We made it to the back part of the store and I saw a black one that was a classic style crib and the sides went up like a sleigh. I loved it! By this time Brian had spotted one he liked at the front of the store. We found out that it(originally in baby blue) also came in an antique black finish. The first time we disagreed about a crib................
We kept moving and found the dresser and chest of drawers that we really liked and began to get really excited that maybe we had finally landed on something! The furniture was on close-out so we decided it was definitely a GO. Now the cribs. What to do? I genuinely liked them both, and so did Brian, but he was really drawn to the one in the front. My mom and dad also voted for that one. I decided it definitely was very unique, classy, and would be perfect so we BOUGHT IT!
By the end of the month it should be in and my parents will haul it down for us and help us get it set up! We will have an actual nursery by the first of May. Come on baby, we are ready for you!
I do feel the need to explain my feelings about all of this. Although I was really excited about it, I was reserved. Once I told my parents we were pulling the trigger on the furniture, I was holding back a smile and some tears. It all feels so strange not knowing how long we will have to wait to fill that bed with a baby. I am still reserving my excitement to keep from disappointment. I think that came across Saturday as non-excitement. So, mom & dad, if you are readin this.........I am THRILLED with the furniture and so excited about everything, just reserved and maybe a little overwhelmed with emotion. I love you guys!

Home Study is done!

Thank you for your prayers on Monday. They were definitely felt. It lasted about 2 hours, and our case worker is very easy to work with and talk to. She did a quick walk through of the house checking for fire code and environmental safety items. We need to get a fire extinguisher and lock up Brian's guns a little better, but other than that everything was just fine. The rest of the time was spent visiting one-on-one with her about our fears/concerns in adopting, and a joint conversation about the type of child we are open to accepting. We needed to be very specific in what risk factors we are open to regarding drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. We had very good conversations about these risk factors, but there were a few areas Brian and I wanted to research a little more before we felt comfortable putting it on paper. Once we get that part completed in the next few days, and Brian's medical check up completed on the 31st, we will be ready for approval by the Board. That means by the first full week of April we will officially be approved and waiting on our precious little baby! Praise God!

VOTE PLEASE

Crib #3 is a classic crib; does not convert to full bed, only toddler/daybed; like the matching furniture; pricey
Crib #2 is a convertible (toddler daybed and full size bed); like the matching furniture more than the crib style; decent price
Crib #1 is cheaply made (according to Brian's reading) and we don't necessarily like the furniture that goes with it.

comments and suggestions appreciated........
This is crib #1
http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6E.aspx?DeptID=62438&CatID=63846&GrpTyp=ENS&ItemID=14abf70&attrtype=&attrvalue=&CMID=62438%7c62702%7c63845&Fltr=&Srt=&QL=F&IND=6&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=62438|62702|63845|63846

This is crib #2
http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=57087&Dep=Furniture&CatId=59462&CatTyp=RLE&Cat=Nursery+Collections&PCatId=57097&Pcat=Baby%27s+Room&ItemTyp=G&LotNum=3438490&RefPage=NetPerceptions2.inc&GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=1649f0d&cmTypeFlag=AutoGen&mscssid=&StoreRegNo=&CmCatId=

This is crib #3 (this is the only picture that comes up on the blog)
http://www.kids-n-cribs.com/bonavita/bonavita-hudson-collection/bonavita-hudson-classic-crib

Need help!

Ok, Brian and I have spent countless hours surfing the Internet and shopping some stores for what nursery stuff we want. It has turned out to be a lot more difficult than I expected. I didn't think I was too picky, but apparently I am. I have finally decided that I will have to compromise on one thing or another, just trying to decide which thing that will be. Here is how you can help!

I need all of you that are comfortable with it to share about how much you spent on your child's nursery (crib, dresser and/or changing table). I want to know if I have expensive taste or I am average!=) Please respond here or send me an email. Since we are spending so much on the adoption as it is, I don't want to go crazy on the nursery furniture, but I also want it to last for a long time and through more than one kid!

Here are my thoughts....black everything! Must be able to see the crib skirt, not too fancy of a crib, still deciding on whether or not we want a convertible crib (we keep going back and forth), I don't want a specific "changing table", more like a dresser with a flat top that I can use as a changing table and they can grow with it. Out of these options we are most likely going to have to compromise on something to get another thing. Anyway, throw me your thoughts!

Check, Check, Check

Fingerprinting....check! We completed one more thing in preparation for the home study. Now all that is left is Brian's doctor's note. His doctor is making him come in for a complete physical before he will sign off on it. I think that is so stupid, and it is messing up my checklist! Anyway, Monday at noon please be praying that everything will go well with the home study. Our social worker is someone we have met before which is nice (this was different than initial information we received). We will owe just shy of $1200 the day of the visit. Today we made our copies of the Birthmother letter to give the social worker. Once we are approved they will begin showing our profile to birth mothers that come in matching our criteria! This is so exciting to think about......Thanks for all the love, support, and prayers. God is at work!

Next steps

Now that we have the home study scheduled I am focusing on our scrapbook. My strategy is to get all of the possible photos uploaded to walmart.com and then start creating the book. That in itself will be a small feat considering the amount of pictures we have, and that they are on two different computers. Fun times! Then trying to organize them in a certain way and put captions with them will be time consuming. I figured I would have a lot of time to mess with it, but they encourage us to have them done as soon as we can just in case they are needed. Sometimes the birth mother would like to see more about a family when she is trying to choose and will ask to view the scrapbook.
Some of you have asked about the money and how it is all spread out so I thought I would share how it is broken down. We have to get re-fingerprinted for some reason and that is about $48 per person. We are doing that on the 19th. The day of our home study we will give the agency a check for $1000 plus mileage and food. Once this step is completed all of our information is compiled and the board goes through an official approval process. At the time of approval, we will owe the first big chunk of money, $4500. After that it could be spread out a little further depending on how quickly we are chosen. When we are matched with a birth mother, we will owe around $5000. From there we will owe the last big chunk once the child is officially and legally placed with us (around $6000-$7000). So the last two chunks are up in the air as to how much time we have to save for it. We know God will provide so we are not worried about it. He really has given us a complete peace.

I must say that I did have a brief moment of panic the other day when I really sat down and thought about the possibility of getting a child in the next few months. It is all still so surreal! I know I need to prepare but then part of me thinks it seems stupid to be buying things so early. I normally do all things last minute, but in this case I want to be as ready as one possibly can for this moment! On that note.............I should continue searching for cribs and furniture!

Whoooo Hooooo!

We got confirmation today that we will have our home study on Monday, March 22nd, and we will only have to take a half day off in the afternoon! Thank you, Lord! I'm so excited!

Good news, bad news

The good news is the paper work is out of my hands! The only thing we have left to do is create our scrapbook that will go to the birth mother to keep once she chooses us. We will be waiting to see when they schedule our home study so updates will be coming. After that, not much else to blog about except the agony of waiting!

On a heavier note, my friend got word that the young teenager went ahead with the abortion earlier this week. She just had so many forces close to her supporting that decision which is just disheartening. I just can't stop thinking about what she must be going through at this point. I imagine many told her that was the easiest thing to do and the best thing to do. I'm sure she thought it would be a quick fix, and that she could move on with her life and no one would ever have to know she was pregnant. What heartache will come......
I'm at a loss for understanding what will come in her life over the next few weeks, months, and years. She will need comfort, strength, and love. I am praying that the Lord will continue to put believers in her life that can guide her emotions now. How many young ladies are faced with this choice right now? It is an overwhelming thought
IF you have never read The Atonement Child, I highly recommend it. The character in this story is faced with the same sort of decision in her life and it takes you through every raw emotion of the process. It may be difficult to get through, but it really provides a good perspective on the one that is faced with the decision to abort and how the people around her effect her choice.
Knowing all of this just reinforces for me, the bravery a woman has for choosing life, and choosing an adoption plan for her child! It is a very mature decision.
I'm left wondering what our birth mom is going through or will go through. Fervently praying...........