Today we received the news from our adoption agency that we are officially, finally, and completely home study ready!!! It sounds backwards, like we are ready to start our home study visits, but what it really means is that we have moved into phase 2: waiting. We are a "waiting family," some call it "paper pregnant," ready to receive calls about profiling and referrals at any time. HOORAY!!! :D
Looking back on our journey thus far, the paperwork/home study process has been much easier than I thought it would be. It was always so daunting to see the stacks of paperwork of those who had been through the adoption process, wondering how many years it would take to just complete that much. But to be honest, I enjoyed checking each item off the list and working through them as quickly as possible (I love checklists...crazy, I know). I always knew this next part would be the hardest; waiting for referrals and trying to plan but not plan too much, being ready but enjoying life as it is now. In some ways, it's easy to just keep living as if nothing has changed, because this is what we are used to. But in other ways, I feel like I should be doing more because at any moment, life can and will change completely and oh so awesomely.
And so, amidst a few organizing/cleaning projects and our usual busy, jam-packed life, Colin and I are getting used to having our phones ready and waiting at all times. We are anxious to receive our first profiling call to learn of a referral and the chance for our profile to be shown to a birthmom. I am nervous to see how our first call goes and know that I'll feel better after experiencing one so that I know more of what to expect. But I also know that I'll be a nervous wreck each time we choose to be profiled, waiting to hear if we were chosen or not. I'm not sure if we will share each time we are profiled, just because we could get a lot of opportunity calls and not be the family picked for that child, which could get hard explaining each time. Know that we will most definitely keep everyone updated as much as we can, especially when we have a referral and are chosen! For now, continue to pray for us, our future child, and his/her birthmom/family. And hop on over to our puzzle fundraiser to help us raise the funds we need to bring our baby home!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
get your movie on
Last night we enjoyed one of our yearly summer activities: the drive-in! We got a bonus this year, because one screen was playing three movies! There were a few movies playing that I wanted to see, but we were cool and watched the kids ones, Despicable Me 2, Monsters University, and the third movie was RIPD. We even splurged and got some popcorn this time. It poured almost the entire night, but with our set up in the back of my in-laws SUV, we were comfy and dry. Yay for summer activities!
Friday, July 26, 2013
pool time
Mendon never seemed to really like water. She hates bath time, loathes going outside when it is raining, and is scared of the hose. We tried to get her to play with Buddy in the sprinkler and his pool before, but she wouldn't go anywhere near them. However, one of the days that Col took her to work with him, the pools were out. And after a long process, one paw at a time, she eventually was splashing around happily. We decided to get her a pool to play in at home now that she loves it!
Sunday, July 21, 2013
weekend with parentals
We headed down to G-town to spend one last weekend there with my parents before they move. We planned to eat our way through the places that have become quite frequent for us. Friday night we had giant calzones from La Via Pizzeria, celebrated mom's birthday, and relaxed. A musician from Tennessee, Justin Terry, was also staying at their house this weekend and did a concert on Saturday, so we met him.
Saturday morning Mendon gave mom a scare when she got out and ran down the street to a neighbor's house. The mail woman had just been over talking to my mom, and when my mom opened the door to come back in, Mendon saw the opportunity and ran out after her. Thankfully, the mail woman is friends with my parents, and Mendon just wanted to play, so she was able to catch her and was on her way back as Col and I stumbled out in our pj's with treats.
After dad finished his sermon, we headed out to visit some nearby Amish farms and shops. We've never been to them even though they are close by. It was so fun to drive around and look for handmade signs and stop at whatever caught our eyes. Most of the shops were right on each family's farm. We bought cookies, a whoopee pie, bread, chocolates (sooo good), my parents got a quilted pillow, and the best stop was a toy shop. The guy there was hilarious and played a few good practical jokes on us. My parents got a little wooden wagon with painted ABC blocks that go in it for future Little L. It's already found its way to one of the shelves in the nursery :) We also stopped at an Alpaca farm and got to see them up close and hear more about their fleece and the process to make yarn out of it, which was neat. After our shopping spree, we headed back to town and went to the concert at the park right next to the church. We enjoyed ice cream and some southern gospel/country music. Col and I took Mendon for a walk, updated our medical grids for the adoption, and caught some HGTV. When my parents got home from church that evening, we went to Red's for dinner and relaxed at home.
On Sunday we enjoyed church and the 20-somethings class my parents lead. It was fun to see people and talk about our adoption. Mom, Col and I went to the store to get some ear drops for Mendon as she woke up shaking her head nonstop, was itching, and had some yucky discharge. Thankfully, after even just one use, she was doing much better. My parents had a grad party to go to, so Col and I were going to tag along, and I was going to ride there with dad on his motorcycle because I've been craving a motorcycle ride lately. We stopped at the store and when we tried to leave, the bike was dead. After waiting for mom and Col to come pick us up, it started up again right before they got there. We ended up just driving together to the party, but as mom and Col got the food ready for dinner, dad took me out for a nice long ride. There is nothing like the wind blowing at you and the freedom of the countryside flying by!
We enjoyed a nice cookout for dinner and Kan Jam before heading back home. It might have been our last weekend there staying with mom and dad, but I know we'll be back to visit the church someday. Thankful for a fun weekend and the fact that we'll get to see my parents more often soon :)
Saturday morning Mendon gave mom a scare when she got out and ran down the street to a neighbor's house. The mail woman had just been over talking to my mom, and when my mom opened the door to come back in, Mendon saw the opportunity and ran out after her. Thankfully, the mail woman is friends with my parents, and Mendon just wanted to play, so she was able to catch her and was on her way back as Col and I stumbled out in our pj's with treats.
After dad finished his sermon, we headed out to visit some nearby Amish farms and shops. We've never been to them even though they are close by. It was so fun to drive around and look for handmade signs and stop at whatever caught our eyes. Most of the shops were right on each family's farm. We bought cookies, a whoopee pie, bread, chocolates (sooo good), my parents got a quilted pillow, and the best stop was a toy shop. The guy there was hilarious and played a few good practical jokes on us. My parents got a little wooden wagon with painted ABC blocks that go in it for future Little L. It's already found its way to one of the shelves in the nursery :) We also stopped at an Alpaca farm and got to see them up close and hear more about their fleece and the process to make yarn out of it, which was neat. After our shopping spree, we headed back to town and went to the concert at the park right next to the church. We enjoyed ice cream and some southern gospel/country music. Col and I took Mendon for a walk, updated our medical grids for the adoption, and caught some HGTV. When my parents got home from church that evening, we went to Red's for dinner and relaxed at home.
On Sunday we enjoyed church and the 20-somethings class my parents lead. It was fun to see people and talk about our adoption. Mom, Col and I went to the store to get some ear drops for Mendon as she woke up shaking her head nonstop, was itching, and had some yucky discharge. Thankfully, after even just one use, she was doing much better. My parents had a grad party to go to, so Col and I were going to tag along, and I was going to ride there with dad on his motorcycle because I've been craving a motorcycle ride lately. We stopped at the store and when we tried to leave, the bike was dead. After waiting for mom and Col to come pick us up, it started up again right before they got there. We ended up just driving together to the party, but as mom and Col got the food ready for dinner, dad took me out for a nice long ride. There is nothing like the wind blowing at you and the freedom of the countryside flying by!
We enjoyed a nice cookout for dinner and Kan Jam before heading back home. It might have been our last weekend there staying with mom and dad, but I know we'll be back to visit the church someday. Thankful for a fun weekend and the fact that we'll get to see my parents more often soon :)
Friday, July 19, 2013
movin' and groovin'
There has been some news brewin' for a little while and now that everything is official, it's time to share :)
1) My dad is a Free Methodist pastor, and [in a nutshell] the way that it works is that he can be asked to move to a different church when a need arises. When he first started out, he pastored at our hometown church that we were already attending which was awesome. Six years ago, he was asked to move to a small town south of Buffalo, where they live now. However, a couple months ago they came to him and asked if he would move back to Batavia, our hometown. At the time my parents couldn't tell anyone where, but when they were able to, we were so surprised! It's so amazing that none of us could have planned this, the timing seems great with our adoption, they'll be closer to all of our family and Col and I, and back at our old church. It will be hard for them to leave the awesome people of G-town, and I'll miss visiting there, but I'm thankful for a much shorter drive to see them. He starts in September, hooray!
2) I was officially offered a promotion at work, which has been a work in progress for a while. I am now the Marketing & Online Content Specialist and Lindsay House Surgery Center Specialist. Eventually, after training a replacement and getting things settled, I will be doing full-time marketing as well as the operating room schedule (which I do already). Things have been in transition, so I'm doing multiple jobs at once, but I'm excited to begin focusing fully on the marketing aspect and using my English degree by writing a lot of content. I'm nervous and have a lot to learn, but it should be great!
1) My dad is a Free Methodist pastor, and [in a nutshell] the way that it works is that he can be asked to move to a different church when a need arises. When he first started out, he pastored at our hometown church that we were already attending which was awesome. Six years ago, he was asked to move to a small town south of Buffalo, where they live now. However, a couple months ago they came to him and asked if he would move back to Batavia, our hometown. At the time my parents couldn't tell anyone where, but when they were able to, we were so surprised! It's so amazing that none of us could have planned this, the timing seems great with our adoption, they'll be closer to all of our family and Col and I, and back at our old church. It will be hard for them to leave the awesome people of G-town, and I'll miss visiting there, but I'm thankful for a much shorter drive to see them. He starts in September, hooray!
2) I was officially offered a promotion at work, which has been a work in progress for a while. I am now the Marketing & Online Content Specialist and Lindsay House Surgery Center Specialist. Eventually, after training a replacement and getting things settled, I will be doing full-time marketing as well as the operating room schedule (which I do already). Things have been in transition, so I'm doing multiple jobs at once, but I'm excited to begin focusing fully on the marketing aspect and using my English degree by writing a lot of content. I'm nervous and have a lot to learn, but it should be great!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Lake Placid vacation
We were blessed with a family vacation to Lake Placid with my in-laws, sis- and bro-in-law, and our two nieces. While it was a quick four days, it was a great getaway!
Saturday morning Col and I had plans to leave at 6a. However, after getting out of work at 7:30p the night before, still needing to pack, take Mendon to her friend Buddy's house, and cash in on a buy-one-get-one 50% off frozen yogurt deal [hehe], we didn't get to bed until 12:30a. After the alarm went off at 5:40a, we both fell back asleep, waking up at 6a, where we rushed to get ready and out the door. Luckily we made good time and got to the resort before noon.
This is the beautiful place we got to enjoy for a few days! An amazing breakfast was included each day, there was an ice cream shop, a movie theater that showed three movies a day (we didn't end up seeing any), free popcorn, "tea" time with iced tea and fresh chocolate chip cookies, huge chocolate chip cookies in our rooms on arrival and every day, a game room with board games, foosball, pool, and ping pong, and a two lane bowling alley. The pool was an indoor/outdoor one [heated to 88 degrees, woohoo!], and there were 3 hot tubs. They had tennis courts, evening bonfires with s'mores, and a private beach with canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.
Saturday we toured the resort, hung out at the pool, and ventured to the village of Lake Placid for dinner and some shopping. That evening we had s'mores, and sat out in one of the lean-tos chatting until late.
Sunday we enjoyed breakfast and headed out for a day exploring the Olympic stuff around Lake Placid. I had been to Lake Placid once before with my family as a teenager, but it was fun to go again because we saw some different things. We went to the ice arena, rode a simulator with multiple Olympic sports, and then headed up to the ski jump, where we were able to go to the top via chairlift and elevator rides. Once back at the bottom, we relaxed for a bit watching some young ski jumpers at the practice pool. It was pretty hot and sunny out, so after a drive to the bottom of another mountain, Col, Nells, Elyse, Aubrey, and I headed back to the resort to rest, while Scottie, Dave, and Kenz drove up the mountain and went on a gondola ride. We re-fueled with some food, cookies, a walk, and swimming. For dinner we ordered pizza and went bowling afterwards which was super fun since it was just us. I did pretty well for not having bowled in a couple years. No wins for me, but a good number of strikes and spares! After ice cream, we played games in the room with Col's rents before heading off to bed.
Monday we decided to go to the beach. After breakfast and some Kan Jam, we enjoyed a few hours there kayaking, playing badminton, and trying to get in the cold water. After heading back to the resort, we swam in the pool and for dinner headed back to the main strip of Lake Placid and ate at one of the many restaurants there. We took the girls back with Col's rents and hung out with them for a bit. Col and I ventured out and took a walk to check out the mini-golf places nearby, but didn't end up playing. Instead we sat outside at the resort and relaxed for a bit (with cookies of course!). That evening we played games again before bed.
Today we packed up, had breakfast, and spent a few hours at the pool. We rode home with my sister-in-law and the girls, and had a fun time with them. They were so well-behaved! Once home, we grabbed our stuff from everyone's cars, and headed off to pick up Mendon, who was exhausted from playing with Buddy, but happy to see us. It was a quick, but awesome vacation!
Saturday morning Col and I had plans to leave at 6a. However, after getting out of work at 7:30p the night before, still needing to pack, take Mendon to her friend Buddy's house, and cash in on a buy-one-get-one 50% off frozen yogurt deal [hehe], we didn't get to bed until 12:30a. After the alarm went off at 5:40a, we both fell back asleep, waking up at 6a, where we rushed to get ready and out the door. Luckily we made good time and got to the resort before noon.
This is the beautiful place we got to enjoy for a few days! An amazing breakfast was included each day, there was an ice cream shop, a movie theater that showed three movies a day (we didn't end up seeing any), free popcorn, "tea" time with iced tea and fresh chocolate chip cookies, huge chocolate chip cookies in our rooms on arrival and every day, a game room with board games, foosball, pool, and ping pong, and a two lane bowling alley. The pool was an indoor/outdoor one [heated to 88 degrees, woohoo!], and there were 3 hot tubs. They had tennis courts, evening bonfires with s'mores, and a private beach with canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.
Saturday we toured the resort, hung out at the pool, and ventured to the village of Lake Placid for dinner and some shopping. That evening we had s'mores, and sat out in one of the lean-tos chatting until late.
Sunday we enjoyed breakfast and headed out for a day exploring the Olympic stuff around Lake Placid. I had been to Lake Placid once before with my family as a teenager, but it was fun to go again because we saw some different things. We went to the ice arena, rode a simulator with multiple Olympic sports, and then headed up to the ski jump, where we were able to go to the top via chairlift and elevator rides. Once back at the bottom, we relaxed for a bit watching some young ski jumpers at the practice pool. It was pretty hot and sunny out, so after a drive to the bottom of another mountain, Col, Nells, Elyse, Aubrey, and I headed back to the resort to rest, while Scottie, Dave, and Kenz drove up the mountain and went on a gondola ride. We re-fueled with some food, cookies, a walk, and swimming. For dinner we ordered pizza and went bowling afterwards which was super fun since it was just us. I did pretty well for not having bowled in a couple years. No wins for me, but a good number of strikes and spares! After ice cream, we played games in the room with Col's rents before heading off to bed.
Monday we decided to go to the beach. After breakfast and some Kan Jam, we enjoyed a few hours there kayaking, playing badminton, and trying to get in the cold water. After heading back to the resort, we swam in the pool and for dinner headed back to the main strip of Lake Placid and ate at one of the many restaurants there. We took the girls back with Col's rents and hung out with them for a bit. Col and I ventured out and took a walk to check out the mini-golf places nearby, but didn't end up playing. Instead we sat outside at the resort and relaxed for a bit (with cookies of course!). That evening we played games again before bed.
Today we packed up, had breakfast, and spent a few hours at the pool. We rode home with my sister-in-law and the girls, and had a fun time with them. They were so well-behaved! Once home, we grabbed our stuff from everyone's cars, and headed off to pick up Mendon, who was exhausted from playing with Buddy, but happy to see us. It was a quick, but awesome vacation!
Sunday, July 7, 2013
home study visit #2
Today was our second and final home study visit! This time, our social worker met with us together. We went over more specific adoption issues/questions and our grids, along with some more background information about us as a couple. We also did a home tour. Having already met our social worker, even though we went over some deeper/tougher topics, we weren't nervous at all this time around. In fact, because we are open to open adoption and transracial adoption, she said there was less that we would have to go over. The visit lasted about two hours, and she continued to be super confident that our wait wouldn't be too long (even though no one can really say since a birthmom will choose us directly), due to our openness and the fact that we are young. I am so glad that she has been a great social worker for us and that my worries were for nothing. She will do our post-placement visits as well, which will be nice to have the consistency.
She will send in our report this week, which means that the minute the agency gets it in their inbox, we will be a waiting family! We can begin to get profiling calls (where the agency calls us to tell us about a case that we fit into based on our grids, and we decide if we want the birth mother to be shown our profile book or not) next week! Hooray!!
We celebrated with Col's family and some Great Northern Pizza. His parents gave us a couple board books, and my sister-in-law gave us all her 1-3mos neutral clothes/onesies. It's so surreal still that it could be a.n.y. t.i.m.e., and I don't know if I will ever wrap my mind around the fact that we just can't really plan. However, we are super excited and can't wait to see what/who God brings!
She will send in our report this week, which means that the minute the agency gets it in their inbox, we will be a waiting family! We can begin to get profiling calls (where the agency calls us to tell us about a case that we fit into based on our grids, and we decide if we want the birth mother to be shown our profile book or not) next week! Hooray!!
We celebrated with Col's family and some Great Northern Pizza. His parents gave us a couple board books, and my sister-in-law gave us all her 1-3mos neutral clothes/onesies. It's so surreal still that it could be a.n.y. t.i.m.e., and I don't know if I will ever wrap my mind around the fact that we just can't really plan. However, we are super excited and can't wait to see what/who God brings!
Saturday, July 6, 2013
my dance partner
Hubby and I at his high school friend's wedding :)
We had a blast! Kudos to Col for dancing the night away...I had told him that I felt like dancing and hadn't in a long time so I expected he be a good date at this wedding and dance with me. He did not disappoint, and I actually got tired before he was ready to be done grooving on the dance floor!
Friday, July 5, 2013
Thursday, July 4, 2013
happy 4th, 2013
Happy 4th of July! This was our first year experiencing it all living a minute from the town festivities. Thankfully, we ended up having a fabulous weather day, too. We walked to the parade and it was sprinkling some, but once the parade started, it cleared up immediately. Afterwards, we walked back, stopped to watch the Empire Statesmen (their last parade ever!), and then went to the festival with Nells and Scottie. We walked around the craft vendors, enjoyed some fried dough and a chocolate milkshake, and hung out with my sister-in-law and nieces at Gary the Happy Pirate (who goes to our church). We took Mendon for a walk, cleaned up the house, and hung out in the front yard people watching with Mendon. My wonderful in-laws brought dinner over and we grilled out on the back deck with them, Teenie, and Jeremiah. My sis-, bro-in-law and nieces joined a bit after and we had a great time hanging out chatting, I got my fill for the day holding both J and my niece (both 3 months old), and we enjoyed ice cream. Then came the best part: watching fireworks right from our own property! Kenz and Col had set up a viewing area in the front yard, but after the first couple went off, we realized we'd be able to see them better out back. So to the deck we went! Unfortunately our neighbors grandchildren were setting off some large fireworks a little too close for comfort (our yards are right next to each other), and even though Mendon didn't mind the town ones, she freaked with those. However, from inside she was fine, so thankfully she was pretty easy. It was so fun getting to enjoy everything right near our house, and with family and friends. Next year...we could have our own little one watching fireworks for the first time!
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
1st puzzle update!!
Special thanks to:
John and Christine
Marc and Roberta
Jamie and Adam
Sarah and Josh
Sara and John
Grandma S.
Rachel and Jason
...and Mendon (but that's a story for another post)
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