Life Unexpected

Today marks the day of a serious milestone....WE ARE AN OFFICIAL WAITING FAMILY! This morning Nate and I headed down to Annapolis (this time snow did not stop us), and completed the Dossier process. We met with our social worker, who looked at EVERYTHING in our packet. She was very thorough, as we sat on the edge of our seats praying there was nothing wrong with what we had brought. Everything was perfect...except for one little number 2, which she said looked like a funny 2, but would probably be fine...phew!!!! We then headed to Annapolis, took the wrong exit...go figure...and went to the circuit court to get a couple papers notary certified. We then went to find the Secretary of State. This was a task. We had been told it was the brick building with the two flags in front of it. Do you know how many brick buildings in Annapolis have a multitude of flags? Needless to say, we took a short tour of the State Capital (thinking that is where we were to be), and then finally made...

I had been meaning to say a huge thanks to by sister, Heather, who did an awesome fundraiser for us at Christmas. She actually made about 900 chocolate covered oreos and sold them with all the proceeds going to our adoption. It was pretty amazing. I am thankful I wasn't around when she was working on them, because I know I would have eaten them all. She presented us with a big check on Christmas morning in a little mini oreo container, which was really cute! My mom has now taken on a new task...selling cupcakes for Valentine's Day Weekend. Unfortunatly, I have been in the house when she is making them, and we "have" to test them! She is selling 12 Flavors (Peanut Butter Chocolate, Ultimate Chocolate, Pina Colada, PBJ, Lemon Lover, Red Velvet, Banana Chip, Cookies and Cream, Sugar and Spice, Strawberry Supreme, Rocky Road, and Pink Lemonade), so you can imagine I am fastly gaining weight! She has gone above and beyond on these cupcakes and has really become pass...

Last night we got about 8 inches of snow, which on all other days would have been amazing (Nate and I love snow days because we sleep in, fix waffles and spend the day together), but this morning, not so much. We were actually in the car at 8am driving down to Annapolis with our Dossier paper work in hand, ready for this to be the day when we are DONE paper work for the Dossier. Unfortunatly, 30 minutes into the drive, we found out that the courts in Annapolis were closed due to the snow. We called our social worker and she said, "That's only happened 4 times in 8 years!" Lucky us:( Anyway, as disappointing as it was, we have a new appointment for this Monday at 10am. That should be the celebration day...we will keep you posted!

Yesterday in church, our Pastor was talking about being in transition and read Psalm 116. There were some verses that resonated with me, so I made a note and then re-read it again this morning and spent some time journaling on it. Here is what it says: Psalm 116 1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. 3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. 4 Then I called on the name of the LORD: “LORD, save me!” 5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. 6 The LORD protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me. 7 Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. 8 For you, LORD, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, 9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living. 10 I trusted in the LORD w...

It's been more than a month since I last posted. The past month has been amazing, with an awesome Christmas with my family and an amazing life changing trip to Honduras. I have so much to post, so I will try to post several times this week. Christmas brought a bunch of unexpected surprises. For starters, my family is amazing, and they really made this Christmas special for Nate and I as we find ourselves in a waiting process for the adoption. Christmas morning we always eat breakfast together, go around the table and share what we are thankful to God for in the past year, read the Christmas story, and share presents. This Christmas, at the end of our time, my mom said she had a few things to share. What Nate and I didn't know was that our family had been preparing a few surprises. My mom, who is the most amazing mom in the world, decided to make me an "Expecting Advent Box." Because it is hard to even explain all that she shared, I am posting the letter that ...