Yea!!!!!

We are on the website now! Whoo hooo!
www.generationsadoptions.org
Click on Adoptive Families
Click on Approved Families
Click on Brian & Whitney
There we are! Who wouldn't want us, right?!?!
I mean who wouldn't want those adorable puppies licking all over their baby!!=)

Exciting Times

WE ARE OFFICIALLY APPROVED AND WAITING!
No timeline yet, but our part is done. Now we wait for the Lord to bring us a child!

Nothing new

Still waiting to hear from the agency to confirm that we are 100% approved and waiting. They have a staff meeting tomorrow so hopefully then we will hear. Patiently twirling our thumbs............

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