home study visit #1

We had our first home study visit with the social worker today, where we each met with the social worker separately.  I was nervous all week, and kept myself busy Friday night by cleaning the house.  Saturday morning we met the Esh's for breakfast which was great, and once we got home I picked up cleaning again.  About five minutes before our social worker was to arrive, Col admitted that now that it was close, he was getting nervous too.  When she got there though, it didn't take long for us both to relax.  She was so casual and easy-going, easy to talk to and also chatty herself.  She loved Mendon and was impressed that she doesn't jump when meeting new people (woohoo!) and was in awe of our house (we told her that really we just got lucky because it came painted this way).  Col went first, so I holed up in our bedroom, wishing I could hear what they were saying, but busy keeping Mendon occupied for an hour (her bone lasted all of 20 minutes) when all she wanted was to go out where they were.  When Col finally came to get me, and Mendon had nudged the doorknob more times than I can count, he was relaxed.  I advised him to take her outside for my portion because there was no way she'd be happy in our room for another hour, and I sat down in the living room to do my part.  In all, our social worker was with us for about 2 1/2 hours. 

Everyone who has gone through the adoption process says that one of the biggest worries of new adoptive parents is the home study visit, but that it's not a big deal at all.  I always believed them, but yet also couldn't not have nerves of my own.  But everything people said is true: it's not a big deal, it's a lot of fact finding/getting to know you, and there's no need to, nor can you, prepare because everything they need to know is already in our heads.  And I am also so thankful for our social worker, who was super nice and reassuring.  All of her comments were helpful and uplifting, and she was surprised and happy to hear that we are open to both open adoption and transracial adoption, as she usually works with families who aren't open to those two things. 

Thank you everyone for the thoughts and prayers during our visit!  We celebrated with dinner outside with the in-laws, and ice cream that night outside with the Moore's. 

And so, home study visit #1 done!
Sunday 7/7 we have home study visit #2, where we will meet with her together and then do the home tour.  Can't wait!  We are almost done!!!

our puzzle has arrived!

Want to see what the puzzle looks like?  Help us put it together by donating a piece or two! :)
Keep checking our blog to see the progress!

puzzle fundraiser

I've hesitated blogging about this topic or even bringing it up at all.  I don't know why it's been such a struggle for me, as sometimes I think one way and then the opposite, but I've decided that it doesn't hurt to ask because maybe there are people out there who want to help us in this way.  And either way, I know that God has blessed our adoption process so far and will continue to do so, making all things possible through Him to bring our baby home and expand our family.

You see, adoption is expensive.  And it's awesome and exciting and stressful and exhausting, but we just don't have all the money necessary even if we didn't have a single bill to pay.  There are many people and processes that make it possible, and with that come many costs, most of them due when we pick up our baby.  In an effort to offset some of these expenses, we have decided to do two things:

1) We have a "donate" button located on the right-hand side of our blog if you wish to simply donate via PayPal directly to our adoption fund.

2) We are doing a puzzle fundraiser.  I've seen it done on many other adoption blogs and thought it was a neat idea.  I especially like that our child will be able to see all of the many people who helped bring him or her into our family.  Adoption is a puzzle made of many different pieces and people, and I really like the symbolism.  Not only that, but do you remember this post I wrote?  Uncanny.  And so, I think it's the perfect analogy!

To go along with our neutral nursery theme (basically to match the crazy bright yellow and green that it was already painted with because yes, we're that lazy and don't want to re-paint), we have picked out and purchased a jungle puzzle.  Here's how it works:

1) Each piece costs $10.
2) Give your donation either through PayPal, directly to us via mail/in person, or through any of our family and friends.
3) We will write your name/your families' names on the back of as many puzzle pieces as you pay for (or if you want, come over and pick out your own piece and write your name yourself, just please specify to us if you prefer to do this).
4) We will slowly put the puzzle together and update you on our progress through our blog.

The best part?  When it's finished, we will frame it and hang it in our nursery for our little one to see.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.  You can leave a comment on the blog, email us, or text/call.  And please share this with your family and friends!!

We truly thank each and every person who is on this journey with us, praying, reading, asking.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  We couldn't do this without everyone's love and support, and we are so blessed!  We know that future baby Leathersich will be blessed by such an awesome community of family and friends too :)

adoption : next step

After what felt like a long time to wait (it wasn't - a week or two), our social worker called tonight to set up our home study visits!  Our first one is this coming Saturday afternoon, at our home, and she will meet with each of us individually.  I am SOO nervous even though everyone who has been through the adoption process says it's not a big deal.  I asked if we needed to prepare anything, and she said that all we needed were our brains and that everything she needs is there.  I'd feel better prepared if I had a list of sample questions, but I also need to learn that I just can't be prepared for everything.

She said we will then make plans for the second visit which will be more centered around our home and happen with us together.  It's usually about a week after the first visit.  So, we could be a waiting family by the end of July!  I am so excited to finish this last step in the paperwork/home study process!  Then will be "the wait," which I feel like I've failed already waiting for the home study visit to be set up, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

If you think of it, please pray for us this Saturday! :D

summer happenings

The other night, on a random Wednesday, Col and I decided to be spontaneous and go see The Great Gatsby at 10:15pm.  We knew it was a long movie, but it was only playing at that time, had been in theaters for a while, and we had a gift card.  The movie was great (made me remember all my days in Trosey's AP English class where we analyzed the heck out of the book), and we had fun being alone in the theater with only two other people.  While there, I had a thought about how when we have a baby, we won't be able to do random late night trips to the movies, but I was totally ok with it because to be honest, we really don't do this, like, ever.  I think my brain is slowly switching over to mommy-to-be mode [at least as much as I'll allow for now until we are officially waiting], which is cool.

Friday night, we crashed in on our good friends to drop off a bday present, but ended up staying for a while and enjoying a walk on the canal with Mendon and Buddy, "nephew" time with Jeremiah, and hanging out.  It was nice to have a free evening to make last minute plans and enjoy good company.  Even though we work all year round and the changing of the seasons does nothing for our amount of time off, it still felt like a summery thing to do...the laid back, summertime, where the livin' is easy schedule that we can pretend we have :)

Today we headed out to Oswego for the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience!  We had gotten my father-in-law a Groupon for his birthday to ride shotgun around the track with a professional driver.  He wanted to do it with Col, so they ended up getting him a Groupon for it too.  Saturday was the day, and despite having to wait for a few hours past their scheduled time due to some delays, they each got their ride-along, and loved it!  They both had a blast and were so glad they did it.  My mother-in-law got people watching, an outdoor meal, and milkshakes out of it too, so we can't complain.

Col's laps

Col is in that car!

Father's Day 2013

We were again fortunate to spend time with both of our dads today.  After church we hosted brunch at our house for Colin's family which was full of good food, chatter, and the cutest of nieces :) We tried to squeeze a nap in, and then headed out to the Asa Ransom House for an early dinner with my parents, grandpa, aunt and uncle, my cousin and her boyfriend.  It was a different type of atmosphere, but quaint and fun, and the food was delicious!  It was fun to be with everyone and share in celebrating Father's Day together.  To all the dads out there, Happy Father's Day!  We are so blessed by ours!

sunny, summery saturday

We had a beautiful day today and were able to be outdoors for it.  We enjoyed lunch outside in the city at a cute sandwich shop, and finally redeemed a Groupon for a cruise on the Sam Patch.  It left from Pittsford, traveled down the Erie Canal, and went through one of the locks.  It was really relaxing, and just another fun thing to do around Rochester!  

We were fortunate to also enjoy dinner outside with Col's rents, and cap off the day with a bonfire with friends.  I feel like today was the first day that we were able to enjoy summery activities.  It also got me started on making a summer must-do list in my head (which needs to be put on paper so that I can check things off as we go).  Hooray for summer!

our first baby purchase :)

After stalking Craigslist for a glider, and a few too late inquiries, we were finally able to snag a look at one as a pre-sale before a garage sale (and for only $30!!!).  And so, our first official purchase together for future baby Leathersich:

Mendon turns 1!

Mendon's 1st birthday : 6/12/13

free doggie sundae at Bruster's

 

got weighed at PetSmart [80 pounds exactly]

trip to Petco to use coupon [met a nice little girl]

new toy [chewed off a piece within minutes]

enjoyed first rawhide bone [didn't last long]

weekend trip to g-town

This weekend I planned an impromptu trip to visit my parents.  Col stayed home and dog sat for another one of our friend's dogs, also named Buddy, while I had plans to make strawberry jam with mom and go through all of my leftover childhood stuff that was still stored there (the rents are forcing it out now that we have our own house). 

First on the agenda: homemade strawberry jam.  We got the strawberries from a local stand, and went to work!

Now it's really saying something that I got this pic of us, as my mom usually shies from the camera
(thanks for letting me take this mom!).  I really wanted to get us in our aprons, but I was laughing so hard because she was shoving that cracker in my mouth while I was trying to take the pic!

Double batch - yum!

Next on the agenda: two trips to the hardware store to fix a leaky kitchen sink, where the nice man and my mom went back and forth with each other about what should be under her kitchen sink but what she was actually seeing.  My mom is the handy one in our family, so I believed her, but it was funny watching her try to show him a picture on her tiny non-smart phone and him explain his side of things.  After vowing to take pics on my phone and come back with what we found, we went home, took apart the sink, brought back the parts, and the guy was blown away by the fact that it was indeed different than usual.

Aside: on our way out of the hardware store the first time, we stopped by a beloved consignment boutique.  Mom found some gender-neutral onesies, which then led to a cute puppy bib that I had to get.  First purchase for future baby Leathersich: check!

Half the reason I came down: I tackled the one closet that I had stuff in at my parents' house.  You know, it didn't look like a lot, but once it was all out, man oh man!  Why do I have so much stuff!?  It was full of all that childhood memorabilia that you feel is important but as time goes on are able to part with.  I had fun looking through old papers, letters, notes, and school work (what a nerd, why did I save my school projects and work dated back to the early 90's?).  Then, I had to go through all the toys that I had purposely saved for future use when my parents moved to G-town 6 years ago.  Again, I was able to pare down what I still wanted by more than half, but it was sooo fun to go through (ahem, play) with them again.  Mom and dad made fun of me as I said which horses went with what tack or accessories, which Polly Pocket was my original, and we had fun pulling out old Barbies (with their hands partially chewed off from mice from their stay in the shed before my parents moved.  We had to pick an old mouse nest out of one Barbie's hair...needless to say, she didn't make it to the garage sale pile). 

Ah memories.  It felt kind of weird, and I didn't know where I fit for a bit.  Here I am, in the process of adopting a baby, buying my first baby-related items, and then going through old memories and toys.  I felt like an adult on my own with a husband, house, and dog, but then like a kid in the transition of childhood still living with her parents.  It was fun to do though, and I'm happy that while I did bring home a decent amount of stuff, I know that it's gone through, holds special importance, and will hopefully be used by our children someday!

Sunday after church I helped mom with the house while dad was at a benefit walk, and we trimmed, raked, and power washed the house.  It was a pain getting the stinkin' ladder where we needed it, but mom was happy with her power washing results, so that's what matters. 

Lastly, we were able to Skype with Zack and go through some of his old clothes.  It was hilarious holding articles of clothing up to the computer and seeing if he wanted to keep them or not.  We laughed a lot as our video feed kept getting stuck and looping us into ridiculous back-and-forth rapping motions.  It was probably one of the best Skype times yet.

I headed back early Sunday evening, and was enthusiastically greeted by hubby and pup.  While unloading my car, Mendon hopped into the front seat, and plopped down.  She refused to get out the entire time we were taking things into the house, and we eventually forced her out when we were done.  I guess someone wasn't happy with me leaving for the weekend without her!

the rope challenge

We are dog sitting Buddy this week, and he and Mendon are non-stop balls of energy.  I would lay in bed in the morning and hear them running back and forth from one end of the house to the other at record speeds.  Mendon's rope felt the brunt of their force though, as this is what happened one morning while I was getting ready for work.  Thank goodness it was her toy and not something in the house!

katie's bridal shower

Today was Katie's bridal shower and we traveled to her hometown to celebrate!  Katie and I met our freshman year of college (we had principles of speech [ick] and wind ensemble together), lived in the same dorms all four years, and as roommates in a triple junior year and a townhouse senior year.  I am so happy that she met her awesome fiancé, Aaron, and I can't wait for their wedding!  Today was a fun start filled with pink and flamingos :) Only a couple months to go, bride-to-be!