Be Praying!!!!

I emailed Amber today to see if she could tell me when they would be presenting our portfolios. Here are some things to be praying about for us:

Monday, April 27th - She will be faxing our portfolio (along with some others) to the agency in North Carolina.

Monday, May 11th - She will be meeting with the agency in Orlando.

She also said they had spoken with several birthmoms in the last 2 weeks. One miscarried, and one is working with another agency. The other is still a possibility. She is only 8 weeks along, and they have not shown her any portfolios yet because they are waiting for her to make a more definite decision before they get a family involved.

Keep all of this in your prayers, because we all know God can and will use any outlet to complete his plan for our lives!!!

Just wanted to update you on where we are!!!

Showing our Profile!

Amber, our new social worker from Embraced by Grace, emailed me today to tell me that they have been given the opportunity to show portfolios to 2 state run agencies; 1 in Orlando, and 1 in North Carolina. She said most of the children will probably be over 7, which is older than what we want, but there could be some younger children or sibling groups.

We have agreed to allow them to show our portfolio in these locations to see what happens! Thanks for continuing to pray for us!!!

And Again....

....there is nothing to say! lol Our caseworker has moved to another state, and we have a new caseworker. Her name is Amber, and she's really nice. We still have no information on a child, and nothing new to post, so just keep praying for us, for Amber, and for the birthmom and our child....wherever they may be!!!!

Have a wonderful Easter!!!!

Nothing new...

Hey all! I just wanted to post to say I am keeping up with this, but there is nothing new happening on our journey!

I would like to add some new people to our prayer list. While you pray for us, and Jeff and Kim, we would like to ask that you pray for our friends George and Tammy as well. They were trying to adopt 2 precious children from Mexico, and this week, their attorney told them they weren't available for adoption, and neither are any of the other children in the orphanage where they live in Mexico. They were sad, but understand that God has a different direction for all of them. Please just pray for them as they find their path.

I'll keep you updated, even if it is just to say there is nothing else going on!!! lol

It's all in!

This is a quick update! It looks like I will be changing to a new category in my posts! We are no longer in the beginning stages of adoption anymore! Embraced by Grace has our homestudy, our portfolio, and everything in the beginning stages is done! We are now walking down that road!!!

Keep praying for us! We are now just waiting. We are ready whenever God is!

FINALLY!!!! THANK YOU LORD!!!!

I was beginning to wonder why in the WORLD I felt like he was ready for us to do this when it was getting so hard!!! lol

OUR FINGERPRINT RESULTS ARE IN!!!! OUR HOMESTUDY IS WRITTEN!!!! Embraced by Grace SHOULD have our completed homestudy by Tuesday or Wednesday!!! I am VERY happy about this! We are now a HOMESTUDY READY FAMILY!!!!!!!!!

So, what does that mean? Now that we are homestudy ready, we can be presented for any children ready for immediate placement or for placement in the next few months. This means we can now accept any child that is needing to be placed from here on out. This does NOT mean we will have our child any time soon. It just means we CAN get one soon if our child is available soon. We are still praying!!!

For Mudcat

Nothing new to see. Move right along.




Ok seriously now. We "think" that all the paperwork is now done. I know, I know, you have heard us say that too many times now. We should know in a couple of days if the fingerprints were done correctly this time. We decided not to waste any more time or effort and went through Cogent to do them. Cogent is an authorized agent for the state of Tn for this type of thing and they are very familiar with the process. Hopefully, its done right this time. Once we know for sure, we will come back and update this page with more information hopefully.

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Ok...today is a difficult day. I am not handling all of this well at all! It really started Sunday I think. We kept my niece all weekend, and she and David played NON-STOP for 2 days! They had so much fun. Then Sunday, our friends brought their two little girls over, and we kept them until after church Sunday night. Then....all of the sudden...it crashed. Everyone left within about 5 minutes of each other, and David looked at me with teary eyes and said, "I'm lonely." All I could say is, "I know you are baby, and I'm sorry." It went downhill from there.

I don't think it hit me until today how sad I really am. We keep running into these little snags here and there that make the paperwork process even longer. It's nothing major, and really nothing that can't be delt with, but I don't want to anymore. I want it to be done. Why does it have to be such a drawn out process? And I don't mean just the adoption. I guess I am really struggling with the whole process of wanting another child. It is SO EASY for some people. They don't even want more kids, yet here they come! More kids. And I'm happy for them!! I really am! Yet here we are, would LOVE to have one, and everything about it is hard. I don't know. It's a pity party I guess.

I think everyone I know is pregnant. That's not easy either. It doesn't make me any less excited for them, but I'm ready to be excited for us! My head knows God has an AMAZING plan with all of this, and I just keep telling him I know it will be and I trust him!!! It just doesn't make my heart hurt any less.

Thank you for continuing to pray for us. It's just a down time right now. The excitement is wearing off and we see no light at the end of this tunnel. We're still moving, but we just don't see it. We knew this was going to happen, because we were warned. Carla has been great to tell us how it normally goes. It just doesn't make it easier. We're extremely greatful for Carla, and Emily at Embraced by Grace. She is so patient with me through all of my questions. Pray for them too! They are having to deal with me!!! lol

We are very greatful for you guys too!!! It is nice to know there are people out there that care so much about us. We praise God for you guys!!!

Hmmmm......

Carla has everything she needs to write our homestudy except our fingerprint results....which we did about a month ago and they haven't come in. I keep calling, and they probably hate me by now, but I REALLY want them to hurry up and get those in!!!

Our portfolio is done, and Emily told me she printed it out and is ready to show it as soon as the opportunity arises. We're praying for that now!!!

I am having problems with waiting now. We've been wanting another child for 7 years, and I feel like we've waited forever. I'm ready to have our child(ren). I know....we haven't been doing THIS long, but it still feels like FOREVER!!!! My strong point is NOT patience, and when I want something this badly, I really struggle.

I know I want OUR child(ren) and no problems. I know that's more important. I keep praying for the mom that will be choosing us. I don't know who she is or what her situation is, but whatever it is, I know she needs our prayers. I am praying for her now....even though she might not even be pregnant at this point. We would love for you to pray for her to!!! She will be making a decision that will affect many lives, and we pray that the circumstances surrounding all of this will be the absolute best they can be, and that God will hold her close and help her to know she is making the right decision. We pray that she will have such a peace about this and that she will have no doubts that she is doing what God has for her life and the life of her child.

Thanks again for checking in!!! I know I don't update often.....but there isn't anything to say!!! lol I do promise to keep you informed when new things happen!!!!!

We're getting there....

Fingerprints are redone! lol Paperwork is all complete! We have to turn everything else in to Carla, and she can write. I AM SO EXCITED!!! I'm ready to get this part over with!

We are babysitting tonight, and I ask that you pray for our youth pastor's little girl. Their baby is with us tonight because they are at the hospital with their 2 year old. Her name is Zoie, and she is very sick. She has gotten dehydrated, and they have her on an IV. We hope and pray that she starts feeling better soon.

Baby Steps...

Hahaha.....ok...play on words, but that's exactly what it is. Baby steps toward our baby! I sent our portfolio to Emily at EBG, and she said it was great. I have to scan some pictures in tonight and resend it and we'll be done! I'm excited!

We are going today to get re-fingerprinted because they didn't send them to the FBI the first time. Then, we're done with that! All of our paperwork is finished and being mailed in today! I'm so excited!!!

We are moving in the direction of our child, so please keep all of these closing processes in your prayers. WE ARE SO READY!!!!

WE'RE IN!!!

Ok.....I got an email from David Wooten at Embraced by Grace, and we were unanimously voted in as clients this week! We have to finish little details for our homestudy and we are ready to go! I am SO EXCITED!!!!

I know David didn't know it, but that word UNANIMOUSLY was a HUGE word for me. See....God knows me!!! lol If there is ANY doubt, I start becoming doubtful. He didn't realize that word was going to be so important to me, but it really was. I was unanimously voted in as part time Children's Minister at our church, and that was huge because I was so nervous about making sure we were in God's will. That was my confirmation because nobody was unanimously voted in before or after me. I didn't think it would be a big deal with this one, but when he said it, it was like this calm came over me that I can't explain.

GOD IS ALL OVER THIS!!! I know it is going to be amazing, and I am SUPER PUMPED about what He is doing for us! Thanks for your prayers, and please keep praying! We want this to be quick and painless! lol We really just want our child, but the quick and painless part sure would be cool!!! lol

We love you guys!!!

So I went for my physical today. Appointment was set for 7 am hours. Last week when I scheduled the appointment the receptionist told me that I needed to fast before the physical, no food or drink ect. No problem..Iam trying to lose a few pounds anyway. When I finally get called back, imediately I am handed a cup and told they need a urine sample. Keep in mind I havent had anything to drink since 7 pm last night. I cant give them what they wanted since I did not ingest anything to produce the product. They go ahead and take the normal stuff....temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and stick me for lab tests on T.B., VDRL, H.I.V. and ask the standard questions on medical history and mental state. The nurse practitioner comes in and starts filling out the physicians report for the social worker. The lab tech that took my blood was very good...I felt a little pressure but no discomfort. After 6 cups of water I can give them what they need to complete the urinalysis and I am just about set to go. I ask the lab tech if they are doing a cholesterol screening. She said no but they could if I wanted it. I haven't had it checked in while so I figure why not. I go sit in the waiting room and wait to finish checking out. A few minutes later, they call me back in and tell me that they need more blood. One lab checks the cholesterol, but a different lab checks the other stuff. I could either get stuck again or come back in a few days. Oh well, it went so smoothly the first time lets go ahead and do it again today and get it over with. BIIIIG MISTAKE!!! The lab tech this time was NOT the same lab tech as the first time. She missed my vein with the first stick and starting digging around trying to hit it. Finally she gave up and went and got the first tech again. I was very glad. The first tech looked and decided to try the other arm. She really didn't have to decide as I had already made THAT decision for her. Like before, she found it no problem and only felt a little pressure. Then she starts saying something about I must be hungry because my blood wasn't flowing. I asked her what she meant and she said that when you are hungry your blood doesnt come out easily. I guess you learn something new everyday. I cant really say that I am hungry, but I could stand to eat. After all, I havent eaten since 7pm last night. Anyway, I check out and go to the truck with my paperwork. Once there I start looking over it and see that the nurse practitioner has checked each box that clearly says "check those which are abnormal and describe below". Hmmmmm everthing about me is abnormal! lol Then I see where she has written to the side "Sorry all are normal, I accidently made a check mark" and signed it.

I hope the paperwork will not be rejected b/c of this.

Now I guess I play the waiting game. Thursday I should know the results of the TB test, and later this week I should get the others.

FINAL HOMEVISIT?!?!

Maybe? lol I have grown to LOVE Carla, but I am really tired of having to continue with the homestudy! lol This time, she will be meeting us at the school because David is the only one she has left to interview. She will get to hear me yell at the cheerleaders I guess. I hope that doesn't mess anything up! lol They'd best be good tomorrow so I don't have to yell much!!! hahahaha

All of our paperwork is finished for Carla, and Jay gets his physical tomorrow and mine was done today. That pretty much completes EVERYTHING! I think she even knows where my secret birthmark is! lol (Ok...don't ask...I don't really have one! hahaha)

I did hear from Emily today, and PRAISE THE LORD, we will STILL be voted on tomorrow night at the board meeting, even though our homestudy isn't complete. This means we are WELL on our way! (You know me....constantly with mental pictures!!! It's like we've finally made it through town and we are hitting the interstate on our journey!!! I love that part!)

Keep praying for Jeff and Kim, but she has sounded better this week than she has since everything happened! She did a phone interview this week with Embraced by Grace and they are renewing their homestudy! She has some hope again!!! Thank you for your prayers!!!

Next steps....

Everyone keeps asking what our next steps are. Well, Jay has a doctors appointment Friday, we are going at 2 Friday to get our fingerprints and background checks done, and I have a doctors appointment Monday. All of this should say we are healthy and not criminals and we are clear to adopt. Carla is scheduled to meet with us again on Tuesday to finish (PLEASE PRAY WE FINISH!) the homestudy and all of this paperwork should give her everything she needs to write.

I have to finish giving everyone the information that needs to be included in our letters of reference, and she needs those. After that, we should be clear. Then, I have to finish our portfolio. I don't know exactly how I am going to do all of that yet, but I have started. Sometimes I am too creative, and I need to just keep it simple. lol

Then, we wait and pray. Jay and I still VERY much feel like we are exactly where God wants us and we are doing exactly what God wants us to do. This week has been hard...in a lot of areas, but this one being one of the hardest. We have faith, and we are confident that God is leading us where He would have us to go. We feel very sure that before too long He will lead us to our child. We don't know how long that will be, so just keep praying for us!!!

Homestudy

Well, the 2nd part of the homestudy went well! lol Now....we're headed into overtime with a 3rd part! lol She didn't finish again today. So....she and I will talk tomorrow and we will schedule a time to finish. We won't make the January 20th deadline because of all of the delays, so we will carry over into February.

Now, satan is REALLY doing some things to test our faith, and it is starting to make me nervous. My heart has been with Jeff and Kim all day! I can't even imagine what they are going through, and it is a really scary place where they are. In addition, the reason Carla had to leave early today is because she had a birthmother that called and wanted her baby back and she had to go get the baby. Do you even KNOW what kind of a horrible experience THAT would be? Actually getting the baby, and having someone take it away from me? I don't know if I could do it. I don't know about all of this!!! It is really scary! I knew this, but everything was going so well. We have to keep faith. God has His hand on this, an He will protect us.

I just know we've wanted a baby for almost 7 years now. If something goes wrong, you will have to put me in a straight jacket. I can't handle all of that disappointment on top of all of the disappointment we've already had. It is VERY overwhelming.

We've almost finished all of our paperwork, and we have to just go get the fingerprinting done (which we are going to try to do Monday when we are both off) and we have to get physicals (which we are both going to do this week). Then, we are finished with all of this, and as soon as she is done with her questions, she will write and we will be done. Please continue to pray for God to strengthen us. This has all been very overwhelming today.

On an up note.....I have AMAZING assistant coaches with cheerleading that covered EVERYTHING for me today, and didn't even make me come back when I was done! I was able to finish a lot of paperwork because of that, and I am very thankful to them!

Please continue to pray for Jeff and Kim. They need strength, guidance and wisdom right now. I pray God will give them that!!! They need a new direction, and right now they are so tired and upset, they don't know which way to go.

Please PRAY!!!!

I have just received a text message from our friends Jeff and Kim who have been going through this process for several years now. They found out today that their entire adoption process has been a scam. They are out a LOT of money and a LOT of time. They are on their way now to Little Rock, AR to see what they can do. PLEASE pray for them!

I have been BAD!!!!

I was supposed to update you all, and I didn't!! I am so sorry!!

Carla is coming back tomorrow to finish the homestudy, and the phone call with the adoption agency went very well! This is all SO new to us, but I don't think we have anything to worry about! lol (I kinda thought that anyway, but.....you know....)

Everyone keeps asking us how long this will take. Well, that's up to God. Once the homestudy is completed and the board at the adoption agency approves us completely (they have to wait on the homestudy) then it is all in God's timing. We will simply be waiting for Him to connect us with a child(ren) situation that fits what we are looking for and what we feel like He has for us. It could be 2 months, 1 year, 2 years.....who knows. It is simply waiting. I really feel like God has us doing this now for a reason, so I don't think it will be forever, but we are just praying that He will guide us to our child with ease. I know He will!

Thanks so much....still....for your prayers, and for continuing to follow us, even when I don't update! lol Please keep praying also for Kim and Jeff!!!

Starting the New Year....

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year! I know that we did!

I have heard so many people say that they hope that 2009 is better than 2008! We didn't have a bad 2008. We have been blessed in so many ways that I don't know that I could even begin to list them all. I just thank God for all of the blessings.

We do, of course, hope that 2009 holds something for us that the past 7 years haven't....A BABY!!! We are waiting now on a phone call from the adoption agency for our follow up phone interview. I have been working on a portfolio....which for me is SUPER hard! lol Because you all know I have thousands of pictures! hahaha How do you choose which ones are the most important?!? lol

I think I am typing out of nervousness, because I really don't have any new news. I will update you again when I do.