A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words......or no words!

This is the picture that we framed and gave to each one of our family members as we shared the news of a baby boy coming to our family! I had this vision months ago, hoping we would be matched with a birthmom before Christmas. I never actually thought I would be able to use it, but here it is!

 

We were able to capture most everyone's reaction with our phone cameras, but since I have not been given approval by these said family members, I can't post them yet=)     Yet, I said!

 

The irony is that not everyone got it immediately.  My dad thought the stocking on the end was green instead of blue and couldn't figure out why it was smaller than the rest. My mom couldn't see it really well because my dad was holding it.  I had to point out the color of the stocking to Brian's mom and dad.  Thankfully, both sisters got it right away! Whew! My efforts weren't in vain.

 

We loved seeing everyone's reactions. My favorite part each time was telling them he is coming home in 3 weeks!  The response was pretty much the same after that......what?! 3 weeks?!

 

We are finally home and able to tackle all the many projects that need to be done in time for baby. The most fun was registering at

 Tar-get.  Even Natalie got in on that fun!  She loved pushing that button and smiled everytime she heard it beep.

 

We still have several more projects to complete including moving all Nat's clothes upstairs, cleaning bottles, clothes, blankets, etc and cleaning the house from being gone so long, but there is still one project that needs to be completed first.....the puzzle!

 

We are so close, but can't hang that baby in the nursery until it's finished. We have 66 pieces left before the full picture can be revealed!

Click here if you would like to read more on how to donate.

 

A Merry Christmas Indeed

Shocked, dumb-founded, nervous, excited, and overwhelmed are just a few of the emotions I felt when we got the call two weeks ago that we were going to be parents.....again!!!!

Elated was the emotion I felt when I was told we would be getting a precious baby BOY!!

Heart stopping was the feeling that came over when we were told the birthmom was due in 3 weeks!!!

Broke is what we feel after paying our match fee;)

Humbled is what we feel to be chosen to parent this child. God has walked us through another journey. Again my faith has been increased.

So there it is folks. The news we have all been waiting for!! The best Christmas present ever!

And now we wait... This time for the phone call that baby boy is here and healthy! Please pray with us for a healthy delivery, peace for the birth mom and her decision to place, our relationship with her to grow, and our family as we quickly prepare for number 2!!!

*More to come in a couple days once I am out of the boonies and can work off my computer and not my phone;)

Update

We received an update this week from our agency.  They are currently working with 11 birth moms due from January thru May.  We are one of 12 waiting families.  Odds look good, but in the world of adoption there is always a great amount of uncertainty.  They could begin working with more birth moms at any random time, a birth mom could decide not to go through with the adoption and decide to parent, or a birthmom could be unsettled about her choices for a family and choose to look elsewhere. You just never know folks.  Brian and I continue to simply pray for God to bring us that baby that fits right in and was chosen for our family, however long the wait.  We trust in the Lord.  Until then I look forward to sharing more Christmas adventures with Natalie!

A Christmas Tradition

Every year for the past 4 years or so I get together with two of my friends for a holiday baking day. The women in my family used to do this at my Granny's when I was little, but stopped many years ago. I am so glad I can carry this tradition on with friends here in Texas.  Sometimes friends are the closest family you've got when you are a good 6 hours away from your own!  And I am more than thankful for these ladies. Here's our history. My friend, Stephanie, and I met in college through the band and Baptist Collegiate Ministry and connected instantly.  She introduced me to one of her friends who became one of the best roommates and close friends, Kim.  She also introduced me to another friend, Micah, who then became the other best roommate a girl could have so I must say I am quite indebted to Stephanie!  Fast forward a few years when Stephanie's husband shared a job opening with Brian here in the great state of TX.  A short time later, he was hired and we moved to be together again!  After moving to Texas herself, she met Allyson and her husband, Ryan.  They became good friends and the rest is history. We spent many a late nights watching 'LOST' and eating dinners together. So it was only natural to begin a Christmas tradition with our families.

This year I wanted to cook a big Christmas meal because I never get to use my fun snowflake plates.  So instead of our traditional holiday baking, we had our dinner.  Complete with a fried turkey, sweet potato casserole, green beans, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, home-made rolls, apple cake, and pumpkin cheesecake! Jealous?  It was amazing!

Dinner crew

 

All the kids played together really well but made a big mess! I guess that is what happens with 4 kids under the age of 6! It was all worth it. I love making new memories with amazing friends.  I failed to mention the really cool bond between our 3 families: ADOPTION!  As you can see, only one kid looks like his parents! ha!  The other three are beautiful displays of adoption.  This just shows how amazing God is and how he knits families and friends together so perfectly.  Next year's picture will have two more children added via adoption (we hope).  I love how God brought us together as friends, then gave us this common bond. What a great thing for these kids=)

 

Look at these beauties.....

Be still my beating heart

 

 

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

 

I know I said I would post more of the Thanksgiving pics in a separate post, but now I don't feel like it. I am already behind on posting our Christmas adventures so far!

  Last Sunday we got Natalie all decked our for Christmas and went to a neighboring town for the Holiday Train.  Since this little train was only scheduled in three places in TX and one of those was so close, I had to go!  I didn't know much about it, but just had to check it out.  We went early to avoid long lines (advice from a very wise friend considering we waited 10 minutes and not 2 hours like some apparently did)!

Here are some pics of the inside. Of course we had to get a close up of the Razorback Grill set up in the train track!  Natalie was pretty stoic during this whole train experience.  She always seems to get a bit overwhelmed and doesn't know what to do. 

She was quite chatty afterwards though!

Since the train experience went so quickly we decided to expand our evening with a cold treat (did you catch that? I said COLD treat because it was like 70 degrees outside) at the downtown coffee shop.  It's the tastiest treat I ahve ever had from a coffee shop!  Then we walked to the city park to let her play with "friends." Poor girl is always asking for friends when we go to our neighborhood playground and no one is ever there!

 

All in all it was a great time.

 

 

 

Thanksgiving 2012

This year was Thanksgiving with my side of the family so we headed to Arkansas to celebrate.

 

My mom always does it up big and fun. Something I hope to follow in her footsteps on.  This was the kids' table, fit with their own turkey boxes filled with fun crafts to keep them busy!

 

I loved my time with these folks:

 

Our time Friday and Saturday was spent shopping, the boys went to the game, riding "the big red truck", playing in the playhouse, and eating s'mores by the fire!

 

Somehow I did not get a picture of Brian or Poppi on these rides but I assure you they were there! Poppi was our truck driver!

 

 

Well for some reason I am not able to upload the rest so I guess I will do that on another post!

 

 

 

God's Protection

Often times there are details about our adoption journey that we choose not to share for a variety of reasons. There are just some aspects that the whole world doesn't need to know, sometimes not even family until we are ready. But this detail I choose to share to show God's hand in our journey......

About 3-4 weeks ago we received an email from our agency.  This email gave us details about a birthmom and her situation.  Most of the details of the situation we were open to, but there were some they were uncertain of so they wanted to know whether or not to show our profile.  After praying and talking it through we decided we wanted our profile shown. 

A couple of weeks passed and we had not heard anything from the agency.  As Brian and I talked neither one of us felt excited or anxious.  We kind of felt indifferent. Odd. I told Brian I just didn't feel like this was our birthmom.  We both felt that if it was, we would have a stirring in our hearts, which just didn't seem to be there.

It took another week or so before we finally heard from the agency.  The birth mom chose another family.  Many times after hearing this news, waiting families are left feeling unwanted, confused, hurt, angry, and so much more. But we didn't. We were completely at peace with it.  All along we knew it wasn't right.  That's God's protection.  You see, it's very easy when you are waiting for a child, that you jump head first and with full force when you know you are being shown.*  God protected our hearts.  In what seems like such a small way, God was there again.  But I assure you that was no 'small way.' Adoption is a journey.  An emotional journey. Sometimes a long journey.  But God is near if we let him be.  He showed His GLORY and MIGHTY power with our first adoption, and I have no doubts He will again!



*Disclaimer: We typically do not know when or if we are being shown to a birth mother.  Makes it easier not knowing when we aren't chosen.

Adoption Tax Credit

We have had a few more donations come in, and the puzzle is closing in on the big picture!

If you still wish to donate, please click HERE for more info.

It has been so exciting to see all the support, and how many lives have been touched through our family's story of infertility and adoption.  Once the puzzle is complete, we will have raised $5,000! That is incredible.  But that is not the full cost of adoption. We still have over $10,000 to raise on our own. However, thanks to the adoption tax credit set for by the Bush administration, we were able to get a refund last year from Natalie's adoption.  But this may not be the case for this adoption.  And this brings me to my next point......

 

Adoption Tax Credit

Right now the tax credit is set to expire this year.  If families struggle with expenses now, knowing there is a refund to come, imagine how these numbers will drop when there is no other support.  We have got to stand up and SAVE THE ADOPTION TAX CREDIT.

Please take a minute and visit this site to find out more on how you can help support this bill.

http://adoptiontaxcredit.org/

You can also visit https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/support-hr-4373-and-s-3616-help-make-adoption-affordable-keep-tax-credit-and-make-it-refundable/GknZZR2H

to sign a petition that supports the tax credit. Please help us and others bring home babies that need families.

 

Just another way you can be a part of supporting adoptive families now and in the future.

 

 

Holiday Kick-Off

This year I have been completely ready for the holiday season. Mostly Christmas, but Thanksgiving is lumped in there too since it is a time to gather with family to make memories. I plan on doing everything holiday this year since Nat is old enough to get into it a little more. I am more than thrilled to be old enough (and now have children) to be SANTA.  It gives me great joy to anticipate the reaction from Natalie when she sees her new kitchen! She is going to go nuts (or be bashful and shut down completely as she so often does).

So to kick off our holiday fun I discovered that Santa would be riding in on a boat to the Bass Pro Shop's Winter Wonderland tonight. I of couse put that on our calendar and dragged Brian along. I suited Natalie up in her cool Christmas attire thanks to my friend, Kayla.

How cute is she?!

We got there around 4:30 for some free cookies and hot chocolate (even if it was 75 degrees outside still) and waited for Santa's arrival. Natalie kept asking where he was.

You can't see the boat he was riding it, but it was pretty cute.

Natalie didn't mind seeing Mrs. Claus up close, but Santa......

didn't get the same greeting. She immediately turned her head away from him. She didn't cry or get scared, per say, but she was not about to show herf face!

I figured this was a little preview of the meltdown that might occur when we asked her to sit on his lap. So, we decided to do prepare her a little bit by explaining that she was going to smile, say hi, sit on his lap, say cheese, ask him for a kitchen (that she may or may not get), and walk away.  She actually rehashed this to us a couple of times before we actually got up there! She's a hoot!

We waiting 45 minutes so we killed some time with other cute photos. Unfortunately it didn't even cross my mind to take the nice camera so all I have are phone pics. *Now it should be noted here that Brian actually DID think of bringing the nice camera and then decided we probably wouldn't use it anyway. WHAT?! He didn't bother to run that by ME! Ugh. Boys.

Coloring a Santa Stocking

 

Her smiles just crack us up. She almost looks pained.



and finally the grand prize photo where she did not meltdown and did exactly as instructed (including asking for a kitchen!).......

a photo of the photo with Santa!

She was only mildly fearful!

I just love this Santa. Legit. And how sweet is that little one?! My goodness.

 

 

As stated in the heading, this is just the kick off. The following includes our other must-do holiday festivities:

1. Holiday Train in local town

2. Christmas Parade and Tree lighting in local town

3. Christmas light looking with milk and cookies (stealing the milk and cookie thing from you, Susan)

4. Possibly riding The Polar Express (money might spoil this one)

5. Christmas crafts at home including a felt tree on the wall with ornaments (Liz, that's you)

6. Maybe a family campout under the tree (this one is from my friend, Sarah)

7.  Baking and decorating Thanksgiving and Christmas cookies

8. Annual day of baking with my friends Ally and Stephanie

9. Christmas dinner and get-together with close friends

AND

10. Anything else that pops up that makes me say, "heck yeah!"

 

 



 

My New Ventures

Since I am staying home now I have SO much more time to do things. NOPE! That's a big lie. I have a highly active 2 year old, remember?! However, I do have a little more time than before and have taken up new hobbies.  Some of you may remember my FB post stating that I needed a hobby that pays.  My only problem was/is I quit the only thing I was good at and passionate about as well.   Teaching!  But anything involved with that would require a babysitter for NJ which negates my money.  So my friend reminded me about a website called TeachersPayTeachers.  This site allows teachers to sell their created resources for other teachers at a low price!  So all these ideas and activities I made over the years (or wish I had the time to make so I never did) I can recreate and sell!  Genius.  Although right now it has only paid me $7! Hopefully, that number will have at least 1 zero behind it eventually. 

It took me awhile to read all about it and figure things out, but I have a good handle on it now and have about 7 products posted. I am very proud of them and think they are very helpful to teachers in the Pre-K-2nd grades.  I'm having to be selective in what graphics I use because I am trying not to purchase any until I make more. It's been tough.  If you are a teacher, or know teachers please share this link with them and have them BECOME A FOLLOWER. Becoming a follower means you will receive an email each time I post a new product! And it helps get my name out there.  I'm not looking for this to be a part time job, but I would like to make enough for some date night money that includes paying a babysitter!  That's not too much to ask is it? I mean even if that were once a month I need to make at least $50 or more!


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Whitney-Weir


My second new venture I have discussed before but I'm making progress! Sewing. Mom came and helped me use a pattern (never done that before and not sure I can do it correctly yet by myself) to make NJ a pillowcase dress. It turned out pretty cute though. I just need to add some material to the bottom to finish it out.  A sense of accomplishment if nothing else! Next week I have booked some time with my friend, Kayla to refine my skills=)

This venture is just for fun, not to make money.

Wish I Could Say More

As I mentioned before, there is not always much to share when you ask, "so have you heard anything?" The answer has been no with not much else to say. Sometimes people stare back at me like they are waiting for more. Seriously, that's all I have to share. That's the journey of adoption right there.
 The most recent update we received wasn't anything new really. We are 1 of 16 waiting families, and they are working with 7 birth moms who haven't chosen a family yet. Their due dates range from now until May.  With our agency we never know if our profile has been shown or not.  The only exception is if there is something within the situation that they are unsure about whether or not it matches what we are open to. They will then present us with the situation and let  us decide whether or not to show our profile.  I love how they do this. I don't think it is good to know when or how often you are shown. I just want the phone call!

So until that call comes, I'll be enjoying this...

Tangled Up in Fun!

Natalie's Official 2nd birthday was a Tangled party, and it was a success! She loved her decorations and had so much fun at the party with all her friends.  Below is a montage of all her gifts. She got some of the coolest presents, but the biggest hit was her doctor kit. I knew she would like it, but oh my goodness she has not stopped playing with it. Poor Murphy has been a pretty good patient to get all his shots, medicine, and band-aids!

Thanks to Pinterest, I had a lot of cool ideas for the party and I was pleased with the way it all came together.

This was Flynn Rider's table complete with a WANTED poster, Snuggly Duckling sandwiches and a mini frying pan.

The main Tangled Table

 

Natalie is not a fan of cake right now so we had birthday cookies instead. So I made and decorated princess gowns and crowns. We also had Pascal tongues and the party favors in the cutest Rapunzel cups. I loved those things!

And this was Maximus' table. He was guarding the mix of apples and peanut butter with apples and caramel.

 

As the girls were getting there they had a variety of Rapunzel coloring pages to decorate. Then we proceeded outside to play 'Pin the hair on Rapunzel.' We let the big girls go first so the little would know how to play. Since Natalie wanted nothing to do with the game I put a sweet little picture of her friend, Jori in the mix! Precious!

A huge shout out to my mom for all the help preparing the party but especially for the cute little game and hair pieces they could take home. The big girls liked that!

 

 

I really had a lot of fun planning and preparing for her party, but I was also glad it was over! I had thought about it way too long!

I am so thankful for 2 wonderful years with this precious little one! What a blessing!

 

Natalie's First Slumber Party

Last week my dear friend, Kayla offered to keep Natalie so Brian and I could go on a date for my birthday. We gladly accepted her offer!  But that wasn't the best part=) She called later to offer to keep her over night and during church so we could work our Adoption Luncheon and not have to worry about Natalie running around.  I was a little hesitant because she has not ever slept away from us unless with family. Not that I didn't trust Kayla, but as a mommy it was hard. I knew she would have a blast with her 4 kiddos so we accepted that offer, too!
Here are a few fun photos from their slumber party.

The evening began at the church picnic so they got to be outside in the beautiful weather. Right up NJ's alley!

 

And dinner was pizza. Another hit with Nat!

How cute is this?!

 

 

They ended the evening back at the house playing kitchen. Again, one of Nat's favorite pasttimes.

And story time. Yep, she was just fine....

And now for the totally cute part! All of the kids had to sleep around her. Too sweet!

What sweet, sweet memories this girl will have to grow up so loved by more than just her family. We are so thankful to this family and many more for helping us all feel like family is here even when they are really miles and miles away. God is good.

Thanks to Kayla and fam and my husband's hard work we had dinner AND a movie (on his company might I add!). What a needed night out!

 

 

 

MOSAIC

CLICK HERE FOR POST ON GIVING TO OUR FUNDRAISER

 

 

Well, did you catch that title? That is our official new name for our Adoption Ministry! I love it! One of our team members came up with it and it just fits!  This is the flyer that will go out in info bags at our church's Trunk or Treat. I am so thankful for the timing of this for our ministry to get the word out!

 

 

Last Sunday was our Launch Day and it was a success! During the offertory we played a video from the Orphan Sunday website, and showed a slide as an announcement that we are a new ministry and have a table set up in the foyer with more information. The pastor even mentioned it from the pulpit so everyone heard!  Our friends, Robert and Susan, said 15 people signed the cards stating their interest and a lot of others stopping to ask questions and inquire more about it. This Sunday Brian and I and another couple are manning the table. After the final service we are serving sandwiches and ice cream to those interested in hearing and learning more. We will each (4 couples) share our testimony of adoption and let them know why we felt God's call and where we would like to see the ministry go. We have another form for those who come to fill out giving us more details about the families and where they are with adoption. One couple joined Sunday and are a waiting family! Odd timing? I think not!

 

Have I mentioned how amazing it is to be right smack in the middle of God's work? He is doing something mighty, folks! How will you be a part? Will you....

 

1. Pray for someone you know is adopting?

 

2. Pray for someone considering adoption or dealing with infertility?

 

3. Take a step of faith in adopting or fostering?

 

4. Financially support a couple or ministry?

 

5. Take food to a family that just brought a child home?

 

6. Host a special shower?

 

7. Read about adoption/fostering/orphan care so you will be educated and not fall into the pitfalls of "uneducated adoption comments"?

 

8. Pray for birthmoms to choose life, and VOTE for those in our government who support this choice!

 

9. Start a ministry in your church?

 

There are so many ways to be involved. One of the most powerful moments when Brian and I were at the beginning stages of adoption planning, was when a sweet family from our church called and asked if their family could come to our house and pray for and with us. Now that's power! I was moved. And so was their son who asked 2 years later about this moment he was involved in, and whether or not that couple got a baby. What a testimony from his mom and dad!

 

 







Birthday-Not mine, hers!

Last weekend we celebrated Natalie's 2nd birthday with our family while we were in Arkansas for the game. We had a tailgate birthday and this is how it went.......

After looking through all of our photos I decided we needed to create a "Many Faces of Natalie" montage. This girl is a hoot! Upon second look, I figured out where she gets it...............me! Good heavens the looks of mine that were caught on camera were just plain ridiculous. I saved the best for you though! Seriously?! How embarassing! Maybe if I get brave enough I will crop all of them into a nice little laughing board for ya.  Maybe.

I digress.

Natalie loved her little gifts. She got the cutest Rapunzel doll and necklace and backpack along with a bottle and stroller for her baby so she is set and ready to play!

 

Here is the queen on her throne. We celebrated with birthday cookies because she is not a cake eater. Mimi made some delicious iced and decorated sugar cookies. They were in the shape of a crown, dress, and one more I can't remember. The genius idea Mom had was putting them in a paper CD holder and writing Happy 2nd Birthday! That's Pinterest worthy!

It was a fun little mini party for the AR folks, but her big TANGLED themed party will be on her actual birthday. Look forward to those soon! No boys allowed! Here are some random other shots of the tailgate.

That's my friend, Kim and her family. Loved getting to see them as I guess it had been one year exactly! That's my handsome nephew at the bottom left! Love that boy. Now here are some with my beautiful niece!

 

That's my goofy girl! Happy 2nd Birthday, NJ!