Learning to ask for help

Finances have always been the scariest part for me with this adoption. We knew that getting in all of this was going to put some financial strains on us but we stepped out in faith, knowing that God would provide. My fears and concerns about not having the financial backing ready when we are matched and have a baby in our arms is still there and I pray about it constantly. I ask God for ideas to raise money and pray that the funds would show. I know that God is providing but I still can't help feeling a little stressed.

Something that is difficult for me is asking for help from others. I feel like I become a burden on others. I'm the type of person that completes tasks independently.. I am quickly learning that this is not what God wants for us. He gives us a community of friends to help us out especially during these kinds of  times. We are there to support and to love one another. When Grant and I decided to adopt while knowing the cost, I felt humbled. I feel that in order for us to adopt our child and not be put into a ton of debt I would have to fund raise and I would have to ask others for help. So here I am, asking for help.


I have multiple fundraising efforts going on all at the same time so I feel that there is a little something for everyone.


booster shirts
I have created four unique shirt designs to sell to help raise money. I hope you like them! Click HERE to visit the site and share it with everyone you know. Three are sold as unisex shirts and the "adoption is the new pregnant" shirt is a female style. This fundraiser is only going until May 30th so order your shirts soon! The shirts will ship once the fundraiser is over. If you are local you can click the button to have them shipped directly to me which means free shipping for you! I will give them out as I see you. If you are not local please don't click that button, as it will be harder for me to get your shirt to you. Thank you for ordering!

go fund me
Our Go Fund Me site is up and active! If you are looking for an easy way to donate, this is it! Click HERE to visit the site and again, please share via facebook, tumblr, instagram, twitter or any other social networking site you know of! Thank you!!

baby bottles
Our baby bottles are still out! If you have one please return it to me whenever you can, no rush. If you know of anyone who would like one, please let me know and I'll get one to you! Thank you so much for helping us out!

garage sale
We are having another garage sale and we have started collecting again! If you have anything you'd like to donate please let me or Grant know and we will get it from you! Thank you!

improv/comedy night/sketch type show
Two of my funniest friends are planning an improv/comedy/sketch type show! Details will be coming up but save the date! So far we have it planned for Saturday, August 1st. This date is subject to change but hopefully won't. I will post more details as I find them out!



Thank you everyone for your help!! I'd be lost without you! So far our fundraising has gone pretty well and I wanted to share with everyone that so far, thanks to all of you, our fundraising has raised $2850. Our goal is to raise $10,000 which means we are over a quarter way there, yay!! We are so grateful for all the help we have received and are continuing to receive. We would not be able to adopt without you all! It is definitely the truth when they say "it takes a village"... and we don't even have our baby here yet!



^"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."
James 1:2-3 

Choose Joy in Every Instant

This last weekend Grant and I had the opportunity to go to the Choose Joy conference in Laguna Hills. It was AMAZING. To walk into a place of such support and love from people with stories similar to ours was just what I needed. There were men and women there that had been through the adoption process, were in the midst of the process, or were just considering it. It was great to be surrounded by so many who knew what we were feeling and could offer up advice or just a great listening ear. I talked with many, heard tons of stories, and was able to share about our adventure. I'm already looking forward for the conference next year!

So as far as where we are in the process, we had our final meeting and we are officially 'active' which means our profile can now be shown to expectant mothers. I am excited, anxious, and a little disheartened. I was disheartened to hear that we aren't told that we are basically in the dark during this next step. We just have to wait. We aren't told when our profile is shown or even how many times they've shown it. I guess it is to protect our hearts and to not get our hopes up, but for me, being in the dark feels so much worse. I know I just have to wait and rely on God's strength through this next step. In one session at the conference , titled "Waiting Well", one thing stuck out to me. The speaker said, "Waiting is the process God uses to mold us into the person we are meant to be." She said that waiting is never easy because we don't know how long that waiting will take and we don't know what person we are meant to be or what needs to change but hearing this sentence gave me a little peace. I don't want to rush and not be who God wants me to be. I have to wait. God has plans for me and plans for Grant and plans for our future child. Why would I try to disrupt those plans? I know it won't be easy and I know I'll need the support of my friends and family.


So while we wait we choose joy.


"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us"
Romans 8:18

Finishing up with our HomeStudy

As part of the homestudy process we were to put together a profile book all about us and to include a letter on the very first few pages to the expectant mother. The letter, by far, was the  most difficult thing Grant and I have had to write as part of this process. It was interesting sitting down with my husband trying to write this letter to a person we don't know and are hoping that they will choose us as part of their adoption plan. Finding the right words while trying to have our personalities show was tricky. We worked together taking turns writing different pieces and somehow melding them together. I think it came out pretty well. 

The book was to include pictures of us, our families, our friends, hobbies, and our house. It is used to give to expectant mothers so they can get an idea of who we are -- it's basically used to advertise us. It was interesting trying to figure out what pictures to chose, what to write, and just the layout of everything. I worked several hours trying to make it the best I could and include everything I felt that would describe us.

So we got our book and letter approved and ordered and they have arrived! I'm really excited about how they turned out! Shutterfly did a great job and, thanks to those who sent me coupons and special offers, I was able to purchase them for less than half the cost! Such a deal!

Now that we have the books, Grant and I are all finished with our portion of the homestudy. We actually have been done with all the paperwork, meetings with the social worker, classes, books and such for a while now. The last thing we have left to do before our homestudy is finished is to have one final meeting with the woman who counsels the expectant mothers. We have been waiting for a couple of weeks now for her to schedule a time with us and I must admit, I'm a little frustrated. I want so bad to get to that next phase and just be waiting for that precious baby. I know that when I'm in that phase I'll probably be saying something different but right now all I can think of is getting to the next step. Trying so hard to remind myself it's out of my hands and only in God's hands.

Just a few more things....

Our baby bottle fundraiser is still going! Thank you so much to those who have taken bottles and brought them back! So far we have raised close to $1000 in change! I still have a few more bottles left to hand out so if you want one or know of a neighbor or friend you could give one to that would be wonderful. Keep searching under those couch cushions, digging out from the bottom of purses or collecting from those cup holders in your car--- your spare change is making a difference

We have also set up a gofundme account. We have a goal of $10,000 to raise to help us bring our future child home. Go to our GO FUND ME site to donate. Tell a friend, tell family, share it on facebook, instagram, twitter, or whatever social networking site you want! We appreciate any help we can get!

Thank you to all who are praying for us and supporting us through this process. We have a long way to go and we appreciate all the help we have received and will continue to receive.

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer"

Romans 12:12

The Adventure Continues

So I thought I'd post a little update on what is happening with our process. First, we have finished the first phase of the homestudy, yay! All the paperwork and the classes and the books are all complete at last! Now we have moved on to the second phase. This is where we meet with our social worker, she comes in for a home visit and we are to make a profile book of our family, friends, hobbies, pets, etc. This book will be given to the expectant parents to look through and, hopefully, choose us.

So Grant and I are trying really hard to be diligent and prepare ourselves for the home visit but time seemed to have gotten away from us and our home visit is only two days away. Now you'd think we would be basically ready for this but we have nothing baby proofed, chemicals everywhere (this is what I get for marrying a scientist), and to top it all off, we have no railing on our stairs! The lady that lived in this house before us removed railing from one side of our stairs. Luckily, I have an amazingly handy husband. In just two evenings he took out our old railing and built beautiful wooden railing on both sides of our stairs! I forgot to take a "before" picture so all I have is a picture of our stairs with no railing at all, but you get the idea.

The finished product! Isn't it so nice?! He did such a great job. Now all I have to do is paint it. Luckily, looks is not what the social worker is looking for, only functionality.

Okay, so next on our list is cleaning up the house and making it look more presentable. Our social worker is really nice and pretty relaxed. She said we didn't need to baby proof everything (like plugging up outlets and locking cabinets) but we only need to provide the evidence that we are prepared to do so when our baby arrives. I think I can handle that. We did have to purchase a car seat. I have a baby car seat sitting in the nursery. That feels so weird to say...so unreal.

Anyway, after we meet with her for our home visit, our social worker will write up the official "homestudy." She said it will take her about a week. SO, this means we need to make our profile book and be ready and done by the end of the month. HOPEFULLY this means the homestudy will be completed by then! After that the waiting will begin. It seems to have taken so long and now that we are in the home stretch I feel like it is all happening so quickly. I am excited, nervous, happy,  and anxious all at the same time.

With all that being said there are a few things I really need your help with. Please continue to pray for us. This adventure is only just beginning. We would love your prayers for our future birthmother. I have no idea what situation she is in but I know her choice is not an easy one. Pray for our future baby that God already has picked out for us. And lastly pray for us. While meeting with the social worker we are required to fill out a "child desired form." Please pray for clarity when making decisions on whether we would take a child who has been exposed to various drugs/alcohol in utero. We are also still working on fundraising ideas and getting all of our finances figured out. Our baby bottle fundraiser is still going so if you need a bottle or know someone you can give one to that would be great. Thank you to everyone who continues to provide us with the support we so need! We are so so appreciative!


"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:15-17

Garage Sale - Everything Must Go!

So today was the big garage sale fundraiser! We had so many people donate furniture, toys, clothes, kitchenware, sports things, books, electronics and more! Our house was piled full and so was our garage. We looked like we belonged on the 'Hoarders' television show! We were able to sell all of the big items and so so many of the other items. It was hot, I got sunburned, but the Lord was working. Many people even gave a few extra dollars when they found out it was for our future baby. Here are some pictures from this long and exhausting day...

I have a few thanks to give:

First a big thanks to the Greco family for allowing us to borrow their driveway, garage, truck, and time. They were SO much help and this whole sale would not have been possible without them! (and thank you Erin for teaching me the art of haggling and laughing with me as we attempt working with little to no sleep)

Thank you also to the Olcese family who came around 6am to help us unload, set up, fold clothes, move furniture, and organize the chaos.

Thank you to Lindsay who brought donuts and, most important, coffee! Thank you also for helping me reorganize after big crowds came around and tore the place up.

Thank you to Carol for helping with the madness, rearranging the items to "show off" the high price items.

And of course, THANK YOU to everyone who donated! We had tons and tons and tons of stuff! This garage sale was able to raise almost $800 towards our adoption! How amazing is that?! I love the work the Lord is doing!

I am grateful for all the people in my life and cannot demonstrate my thanks enough. I love that I saw friends and family come out to support our sale and walk off with a few treasures. My heart is so full and I can't wait to tell my child how I had all these people rallying behind me and Grant and helping us bring him/her home. Such an amazing adventure this is turning out to be.


"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24

Fundraising

The unfortunate side of adopting is the cost of everything. It varies from case to case but could end up costing us anywhere from $17,000-$30,000. I wish we had this kind of money just lying around but we don't. That's okay though because Grant and I have complete trust that God will take care of it! He has already given us so many blessings and I know they will continue.

With that, there are a couple of things that we will be doing in order to help raise the funds we need for the adoption.

First, we have officially started collecting items for our garage sale! We are going to have the garage sale March 14th in Lake Forest and we're hoping to make it HUGE. As of now, we have a few items but we are in need of more! We are collecting things from all over. If you have anything, and I mean anything (toys, clothing, furniture, games, etc.) that you want to get rid of, send it our way! We will gladly accept and help haul off any junk you have! We're planning on doing another garage sale later around summertime so you can't give too much stuff!




Second, We will be doing a baby bottle fundraiser. This is where I send you home with a baby bottle and you fill it up with any loose change you have. You can then return the bottle to us or we'll come get it from you! You can take as many bottles as you want and share them with friends! We'll continue this as long as people are willing and able to help! Let me know if you want a bottle, we appreciate all the help we can get!


Thank you for all of your support!




"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered"
Proverbs 11:24-25

A Birthday Surprise

So today was a pretty amazing day. It was my birthday and at work the parent's in my class put together a very special gift for me. They put a beautiful bouquet of orange Gerber daisies (my favorite) along with flowers made out of money! The money was donated toward our adoption and attached to each money flower was a little green paper petal. On each petal was a Bible verse.

Each verse reads as such:

Proverbs 31:8-9: "Speak up for those cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Hosea 14:3d: "For in you, the fatherless find compassion"

Isaiah 1:17: "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."

Matthew 18:5: "And whoever welcomes one such child in my name, welcomes me."

Psalm 68:5-6a: "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling."

Matthew 25:40: "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"

I am truly blessed by these families. After receiving the flowers and feeling the blessing of that, one mom handed me a handmade necklace (in the picture above). It says "In His Time" with two little foot prints in the center. I definitely had some tears in my eyes when I saw it. It is so sweet. She told me that she was all ready to stamp the word "waiting" but "in His time" kept coming to her mind. This is something the continues to be my reminder through this process and really through my life. Nothing is in my time but always through His. What better thing then to wear it around my neck as a constant reminder. I have to let go and trust that God has this whole plan under control and that it is IN HIS TIME.

Thank you to all the parents in my class! This has been one of the most special birthdays I've had!

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
Psalm 27:14