Christmas 2007

Here are the pictures from our trip to Austin and Christmas at home.

Some Things Never Change

Today we went to Babies R Us is Springfield to look at baby furniture after doing massive research on the Net. Wouldn't you know, we end up purchasing the same crib and combo unit (dresser and changing table) we looked at over a year ago when there was a strong possibility of getting a child from DCFS. We were set on one style, but couldn't decide what finish to get it in...honey, walnut, natural, black. The honey and walnut looked "homey" with our Alphabet Soup crib set, but the stains were off between the crib and combo unit and there was not a guarantee we could get the stain we wanted. So we ended up getting the black! It does look VERY cute with our crib set and we have decided to paint the walls the same color as our bedroom..."Granny Smith apple green" as I call it or "Margarita" as Troy says! We will post pictures once we are done! The furniture has to be ordered and we should get it in 2 weeks.

Merry Christmas!

Yee Haaaah!

... school is out and I have 2 weeks off! Not quite off, I still have to do hospital visits to new moms on the 27th and work the prenatal clinic in January, but I don't have to return to school until January 8th! This is a much needed break! To top things off, our nursery bedding arrived today! I ordered it earlier this week and it had a projected delivery of Dec.28th! This is an added bonus! Troy and I will be cleaning and prepping the nursery walls for a fresh coat of green paint! Plus, our oven is now working! It went out and needed a new ignitor switch in which the guys at Dick Van Dyke replaced (We love supporting local business)! Come to find out, we have a high end range from 1995 that is a gem according to the Van Dyke guys! Who would have known!

Home Again

We made it home late Sunday night after a long weekend in Austin visiting family and friends for an early Christmas! The weather was perfect in the 60's and we came home to 9 inches of snow! Jack is LOVING this snowfall! We had to bribe him inside with carrots so we could leave for another Christmas party! Pictures to follow later! Another storm must be on the way because I have a MAJOR headache this morning!

As Christmas Approaches...Pt.2

Follow up from a previous post. This is another article I found in our adoption files given to me from a conference, friend, doctor, social worker...I don't remember.

Infertility Etiquette
By Vita Alligood

1. Don’t tell them to relax.
2. Don’t minimize the problem.
3. Don’t say there are worse things that could happen.
4. Don’t say they aren’t meant to be parents.
5. Don’t ask why they aren’t trying IVF.
6. Don’t play doctor.
7. Don’t be crude.
8. Don’t complain about your pregnancy.
9. Don’t treat them like they are ignorant.
10. Don’t gossip about your friend’s condition.
11. Don’t push adoption. (Just yet- my notes)
12. Let them know that you care.
13. Remember them on Mother’s Day.
14. Support their decision to stop treatments.

1st LID Birthday!

Today marks our 1 year anniversary of being "in line" for a little miracle from China! The time has gone quick, but not quick enough.

Troy and I have decided to try for a domestic adoption in addition to still waiting for a little one in China. With the wait for China getting longer, we are ready to be parents so we thought we might as well try.

With my line of work with teen moms and spending time in a prenatal clinic, we have been asked to adopt about 3 times, but the moms decided to parent. We have been asked again by one of the 3 moms and she met with our social worker yesterday. It does not look good for this mom to make an adoption plan for her baby, so we will be creating a portfolio for our home study agency. Miracles can still happen and this mom may decide for us to parent her chid. God knows how he is going to build our family and we continue to wait, but we are ready to get off the roller coaster ride.

It was 7 years ago yesterday that Troy proposed to me. In Biblical terms, Troy said the number 7 means completion. We found it ironic that a birth mom was meeting with our SW on this day. It continues to be our prayer we will be a family soon!

As Christmas Approaches...Pt. 1

... families, friends, and parties come together...this can be a painful time for infertile couples and those waiting for their child through adoption. I have compiled a couple of articles that I want to share with you that can be helpful in approaching families in these circumstances during the holiday time AND the rest of the year.

Helping Friends and Family Understand: ‘Tis A Gift To Be Wise
An invaluable holiday present is Patricia Irwin Johnston’s booklet, Understanding Infertility: Insights for Family and Friends. Share these suggestions:

1. Understand that an infertile person does not resolve intense feelings overnight.
2. Listen to what the couple has to share—their pain, frustration, and anger—and try to imagine what they are experiencing. Avoid advice.
3. Let the couple know that they are not alone—share your support.
4. Respect the couple’s need for privacy, but let them know you’re there when they might need you.
5. Be honest in telling of your own pregnancy. As painful as the news may be, it is usually better than keeping it a secret.
6. Be aware that emotions differ from person to person and from day to day. Understand that some people may need to isolate themselves occasionally.
7. Humor has its place in dealing with the struggle of infertility, but do not be the one to joke about it—leave that to the one experiencing it.
8. Do not imply that the couple’s inability to conceive must stem from inner doubts about having children or must mean that God has not found them suitable for parenthood.
9. Support the couple’s decisions regarding medical treatment or resolution as best you can, even if you do not agree.
10. Learn about infertility so that you can be an informed listener.

Taking the Slow Boat to China

September 2006 is out of the Review Room! Troy and I continue to look into our options as it looks like we won't be matched for another 2 years! Our home study update is scheduled for Jan. 3, 2008 since our 171-H will expire in April, so we are going to talk with our social worker about domestic adoption! All we have to do is create a portfolio for birth parents to look at since we already have a HS and filled out all the other required paperwork for our HS agency!

A Year Ago Today...

... was the Ice Storm of 2006! Our family was fortunate to have lost power for less then 2 hours, but many were without power for a week! Only damage we suffered was a 6x6 area of wet carpet in our basement when we lost power to the sump pump and had continues rain!

In fact, we are experiencing a repeat, but on a MUCH smaller scale today! It has rained all morning and our deck in a sheet of ice!