Since the day I started this blog...I dreamed about the day I could add a baby ticker to the top of the blog page. Corny, I know...but it was something I was really looking forward to. Today marks 4 months until baby boy Oliver is due. I couldn't resist any longer. :)
Yesterday we finished up our homestudy interviews. Our attorney got a call this afternoon from our social worker that everything went great! We already knew it...but it was just nice to get reassurance. We are still waiting to get the "all clear" from the FBI fingerprinting/background checks. Hopefully all of that paperwork will be back within a couple weeks. But the major part of the homestudy is complete...it feels great to check that off our list of things to do!
A lot of you have asked if we have picked out a name yet. We have talked about it...a lot. But we haven't 100% decided yet...so for now, we are keeping that information to ourselves.
Specific prayer requests that are on my mind daily.....praying for the health of baby boy Oliver, and birth mom. Praying that God is continuously working on birth mom's heart that she knows this is the right decision. Praying for patience to fill our hearts as we wait, wait, wait.
Again, we are so blessed to have an amazing support system. I have received some amazing emails and facebook messages from people I haven't heard from in years...it has truly touched my heart.
Don't stop believin'!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Shooting to the goal...
Our friends continue to amaze us.....Kristy (Evans) Pruet came into our lives a few years ago. Since then she has been the preferred photographer for precious Hudson & Olivia (nephew & niece) not to mention a host of our friends children. Kristy has told me time and time again she can not wait until she can take pictures of baby Oliver. :) She has also told me she wanted to come up with some way to help us on our journey to adopting baby boy Oliver. She came up with this "fundraiser". If you are interested in having your children's portraits made by an awesome photographer, email her at the address on the invitation above. My gracious sister has offered up her house as the location. Kristy has even mentioned if she gets a lot of interest she will book more than one photo day to work everyone in. We are humbled and honored that Kristy has offered to do this for us. Again, God is revealing himself to us in very interesting ways. :)
Monday, July 12, 2010
The waters are calming down...
The past month has been a whirlwind. I've said that MANY times in the past few posts I've written...but it's the only way to truly describe it.
Aside from all of the adoption stuff....Jason and I have had an extremely busy social calendar. We are so blessed to have so many amazing people in our lives that we always have something going on. So we've been on the go so much. I think we are both just tired. Emotionally and physically. And today the "waiting" set in.
Everything with the adoption has moved so quickly since the first day we learned about the baby....that the waters are starting to calm... and now it's time to just sit back and "relax" and wait for November. With that being said...the emotions hit me today...the crying stressful emotions. Jason and I keep exploring uncharted territory. We've never done this before...so yet again, we are facing a whole new set of emotions. While this is an exciting time...it's also a very emotionally stressful situation as well. I keep requesting prayers....but once again....I'm asking for your prayers.
Aside from all of the adoption stuff....Jason and I have had an extremely busy social calendar. We are so blessed to have so many amazing people in our lives that we always have something going on. So we've been on the go so much. I think we are both just tired. Emotionally and physically. And today the "waiting" set in.
Everything with the adoption has moved so quickly since the first day we learned about the baby....that the waters are starting to calm... and now it's time to just sit back and "relax" and wait for November. With that being said...the emotions hit me today...the crying stressful emotions. Jason and I keep exploring uncharted territory. We've never done this before...so yet again, we are facing a whole new set of emotions. While this is an exciting time...it's also a very emotionally stressful situation as well. I keep requesting prayers....but once again....I'm asking for your prayers.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
As requested...
Many of you have asked..."how can I help"...or "I want to chip in". Well, here's your chance. I've set up a Chipin link that is secure through Paypal if you feel led to contribute. We have been humbled by God's grace to get us this far in the adoption process. We feel certain that He will continue to open doors for us to make this possible. If you feel led to contribute, and would rather mail a check versus using the secure link, please email me at: kara061179@yahoo.com and I will mail you our address. If a financial contribution is not possible, please contribute to our journey by praying for our family.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
What a difference a month makes...
June 10th was when we got the first call about this adoption. I can't believe it's almost been a month. So much has happened in that short period of time. A lot of you who have emotionally invested in our journey have been curious about more details of how this incredible situation came about. I feel more comfortable now with sharing more of the story...
Jason and I had not made any advancements in pursuing adoption...we took some time after the last IVF cycle and we knew after our Bahamas vacation that we would focus on the adoption process. Back in April we met Jeannette through a mutual friend, Marlin. Little did we know that Jeannette would become our attorney! Jeannette was approached by some friends about their daughter's pregnancy. Because she knew about our journey (through Marlin and our blog) she immediately thought of us and our desire to become parents. So, on the night of June 10th I got a call from Jeannette about this possible opportunity. Just 4 short days later she needed an adoption portfolio from us. Like I said...we had done NOTHING to prepare for this so we obviously didn't have a portfolio put together. We got the portfolio together...a finished product that we were extremely happy with. So, on June 15th it was delivered to the birth family. And by June 19th they graciously invited us into their home...to meet them and their daughter. It's a moment I will never forget....and a meeting that I am going to choose to keep private between the parties involved. But I will share this one detail from that night. Birth mom told us that when she was reading our portfolio...she felt the baby kick...for the first time. Cue tears and a flood of emotions. What better sign from God that this is part of his plan? On June 21st we got the phone call with the news...birth mom had chosen adoption...and she had chosen Jason and I as the adoptive parents!!!!!!!!!!! And on July 1st we learned that the baby is a BOY! :) We can say - he and him...instead of "it". So as I've quickly described...A LOT has happened in the past month.
What's the other essential ingredient in the adoption process? A homestudy! Typically these are done at the very beginning of starting a journey on adoption. Our situation is a tad unique. :) So, Jeannette put us in contact with a great social worker to take care of our homestudy. Our first visit was July 1st. That meeting involved a home inspection and going over all the paperwork we need. Background checks, fingerprinting, lots of documentation. Today, July 6th is our second visit. Tonight's visit includes a private interview with just me and the social worker...and then a private interview with just Jason and the social worker. I went first...so I'm actually typing this as Jason is having his interview. Just as you would imagine...lots of questions....childhood memories...questions about my parents...about growing up...about school...about work history....all kinds of stuff. Our next meeting is next Tuesday the 13th. That will involve our interview with Jason and I together. And that will conclude the homestudy! Then we just wait on our background checks to come back. Because this is a private adoption the amount necessary is a bit less than the average adoption. Of course I believe...no adoption is "average".
So for now we just finish up the homestudy process...and acquire the funds to make this possible. That part is starting to stress me out. But God brought us to this situation...He will bring us through it. Do I think He will make money fall from the sky? No. But I firmly believe that He will open doors to make that possible.
The emotions of all of this are starting to catch up with me. Tears one minute....HUGE grin the next. It's been quite an experience thus far. All of the pieces seem to finally be falling into place for us. We just pray that God continues to work on "birth mom's" heart and know that she is making the best decision for the future of that precious baby boy. Our lives would forever be changed. I feel like our lives have already been changed...just in the past month. What a feeling........ :)
So while we're waiting....we will try to be patient, hopeful, humble, thankful, prayerful.
Jason and I had not made any advancements in pursuing adoption...we took some time after the last IVF cycle and we knew after our Bahamas vacation that we would focus on the adoption process. Back in April we met Jeannette through a mutual friend, Marlin. Little did we know that Jeannette would become our attorney! Jeannette was approached by some friends about their daughter's pregnancy. Because she knew about our journey (through Marlin and our blog) she immediately thought of us and our desire to become parents. So, on the night of June 10th I got a call from Jeannette about this possible opportunity. Just 4 short days later she needed an adoption portfolio from us. Like I said...we had done NOTHING to prepare for this so we obviously didn't have a portfolio put together. We got the portfolio together...a finished product that we were extremely happy with. So, on June 15th it was delivered to the birth family. And by June 19th they graciously invited us into their home...to meet them and their daughter. It's a moment I will never forget....and a meeting that I am going to choose to keep private between the parties involved. But I will share this one detail from that night. Birth mom told us that when she was reading our portfolio...she felt the baby kick...for the first time. Cue tears and a flood of emotions. What better sign from God that this is part of his plan? On June 21st we got the phone call with the news...birth mom had chosen adoption...and she had chosen Jason and I as the adoptive parents!!!!!!!!!!! And on July 1st we learned that the baby is a BOY! :) We can say - he and him...instead of "it". So as I've quickly described...A LOT has happened in the past month.
What's the other essential ingredient in the adoption process? A homestudy! Typically these are done at the very beginning of starting a journey on adoption. Our situation is a tad unique. :) So, Jeannette put us in contact with a great social worker to take care of our homestudy. Our first visit was July 1st. That meeting involved a home inspection and going over all the paperwork we need. Background checks, fingerprinting, lots of documentation. Today, July 6th is our second visit. Tonight's visit includes a private interview with just me and the social worker...and then a private interview with just Jason and the social worker. I went first...so I'm actually typing this as Jason is having his interview. Just as you would imagine...lots of questions....childhood memories...questions about my parents...about growing up...about school...about work history....all kinds of stuff. Our next meeting is next Tuesday the 13th. That will involve our interview with Jason and I together. And that will conclude the homestudy! Then we just wait on our background checks to come back. Because this is a private adoption the amount necessary is a bit less than the average adoption. Of course I believe...no adoption is "average".
So for now we just finish up the homestudy process...and acquire the funds to make this possible. That part is starting to stress me out. But God brought us to this situation...He will bring us through it. Do I think He will make money fall from the sky? No. But I firmly believe that He will open doors to make that possible.
The emotions of all of this are starting to catch up with me. Tears one minute....HUGE grin the next. It's been quite an experience thus far. All of the pieces seem to finally be falling into place for us. We just pray that God continues to work on "birth mom's" heart and know that she is making the best decision for the future of that precious baby boy. Our lives would forever be changed. I feel like our lives have already been changed...just in the past month. What a feeling........ :)
So while we're waiting....we will try to be patient, hopeful, humble, thankful, prayerful.
Monday, June 21, 2010
More news....
So, like I said in my post yesterday.......the past week or so has been a whirlwind....today proved no less.
I got a call this afternoon from our attorney. She got a call from the birth mom. She said she has made her decision....to give her baby up for adoption...and she's picked us as the recipients!!!!!!!!!!! She said that once she made her decision that she felt a like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
This is ALL God. 100% all God.
Jason and I realize that there are still 5 months until the due date of the baby....but we are excited and thrilled that she has made this decision. She finds out in two weeks if it's a boy or girl and we will find out that day.
Jason and I are humbled by God's grace...and we pray for that precious miracle...that one day that baby will be ours and we can make the birth family proud...that the baby will grow up in an amazing home and loved by SO, SO many.
As most of you know from our journey thus far...we aren't used to getting news like this...we aren't used to crying tears of joy instead of pain. This feeling of shear happiness is beyond an amazing feeling (well, and leaving for the Bahamas in 36 hours doesn't hurt either. :) )
Sometimes the only proper reaction to news like this...is to fall to your knees...and pray. We thank God for this unbelievable opportunity.
We have our first homestudy appointment next Thursday evening with our social worker. Our attorney rocks the house...she has put us in contact with someone to get this homestudy done ASAP.
I'd like to close this post with a special "thank you"....Thank you to our "anonymous" blog commenter....for the EXTREMELY GENEROUS gift we received in the mail the other day. A $200 gift card to PF Changs. We don't know who you are....but you must care an awful lot about us. And for that....we thank you.
I got a call this afternoon from our attorney. She got a call from the birth mom. She said she has made her decision....to give her baby up for adoption...and she's picked us as the recipients!!!!!!!!!!! She said that once she made her decision that she felt a like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
This is ALL God. 100% all God.
Jason and I realize that there are still 5 months until the due date of the baby....but we are excited and thrilled that she has made this decision. She finds out in two weeks if it's a boy or girl and we will find out that day.
Jason and I are humbled by God's grace...and we pray for that precious miracle...that one day that baby will be ours and we can make the birth family proud...that the baby will grow up in an amazing home and loved by SO, SO many.
As most of you know from our journey thus far...we aren't used to getting news like this...we aren't used to crying tears of joy instead of pain. This feeling of shear happiness is beyond an amazing feeling (well, and leaving for the Bahamas in 36 hours doesn't hurt either. :) )
Sometimes the only proper reaction to news like this...is to fall to your knees...and pray. We thank God for this unbelievable opportunity.
We have our first homestudy appointment next Thursday evening with our social worker. Our attorney rocks the house...she has put us in contact with someone to get this homestudy done ASAP.
I'd like to close this post with a special "thank you"....Thank you to our "anonymous" blog commenter....for the EXTREMELY GENEROUS gift we received in the mail the other day. A $200 gift card to PF Changs. We don't know who you are....but you must care an awful lot about us. And for that....we thank you.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Our journey continues...
My grandmother gives me a copy of The Upper Room every couple of months. I have read this daily devotional booklet for many, many years of my life and it has always brought me words of comfort. During hard times, during good times...there have been many occasions where that particular day's devotional was just exactly what I needed to hear. I choose to believe that is God speaking to me...revealing Himself to me. I want to share a portion of yesterday's devotional (June 19th).
"No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9
...At times we seem to be limply handing around, waiting for something to happen. At these times God is preparing us for the next season or the next change we are to undergo. Sometimes we are unaware of the imperceptible changes God is busily achieving within us. Then, at the right moment, we find ourselves in a new situation. We marvel that God has been at work, preparing us for something we could not have imagined or prepared ourselves for.
Thought for the day: Watch out; God is always up to something.
Now...on to sharing the next step in The Oliver's Journey...
I feel extremely led to share this information. Our faithful readers have followed us every step of the way thus far....we need our prayer warriors in high effect right now!!!!
Jason and I are being considered as adoptive parents....the baby is due in November. This is a situation that has totally fallen into our laps and we know this is God working on a huge blessing. Our path and journey are being revealed to us...all of these developments have taken place in the last 9 days....so we are in the middle of an emotional whirlwind right now!!!! We are learning more than ever that people are placed into you life for a reason...and there are no coincidences.
In 3 days I got together an adoption portfolio for the family to read. Working diligently and pouring out emotion, we produced a beautiful book that tried to show the birth family what we could offer a child. And yesterday we got a call....come meet the family...they want to meet us. So, last night we met with birth mom and her parents. We shared tears, laughter, hugs, questions, family stories, a whole range of emotions.
So, what now? Well, Jason and I leave Wednesday morning for our trip to the Bahamas. We couldn't be happier that this trip is upon us...it's something we've been waiting for and now, we can't help but think that it's a celebration trip. As soon as we come back we will start the process of having a home study and just wait to hear what the next step is.
Jason and I are humble and grateful that this opportunity is before us. While nothing is certain, all we can do is move forward with faith. Faith that God has a plan set out for us and a baby in mind for us..waiting for us.
I'm going to leave it there for now with the details. But stay tuned....in true Kara & Jason fashion...it's sure to be an interesting journey.
"No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9
...At times we seem to be limply handing around, waiting for something to happen. At these times God is preparing us for the next season or the next change we are to undergo. Sometimes we are unaware of the imperceptible changes God is busily achieving within us. Then, at the right moment, we find ourselves in a new situation. We marvel that God has been at work, preparing us for something we could not have imagined or prepared ourselves for.
Thought for the day: Watch out; God is always up to something.
Now...on to sharing the next step in The Oliver's Journey...
I feel extremely led to share this information. Our faithful readers have followed us every step of the way thus far....we need our prayer warriors in high effect right now!!!!
Jason and I are being considered as adoptive parents....the baby is due in November. This is a situation that has totally fallen into our laps and we know this is God working on a huge blessing. Our path and journey are being revealed to us...all of these developments have taken place in the last 9 days....so we are in the middle of an emotional whirlwind right now!!!! We are learning more than ever that people are placed into you life for a reason...and there are no coincidences.
In 3 days I got together an adoption portfolio for the family to read. Working diligently and pouring out emotion, we produced a beautiful book that tried to show the birth family what we could offer a child. And yesterday we got a call....come meet the family...they want to meet us. So, last night we met with birth mom and her parents. We shared tears, laughter, hugs, questions, family stories, a whole range of emotions.
So, what now? Well, Jason and I leave Wednesday morning for our trip to the Bahamas. We couldn't be happier that this trip is upon us...it's something we've been waiting for and now, we can't help but think that it's a celebration trip. As soon as we come back we will start the process of having a home study and just wait to hear what the next step is.
Jason and I are humble and grateful that this opportunity is before us. While nothing is certain, all we can do is move forward with faith. Faith that God has a plan set out for us and a baby in mind for us..waiting for us.
I'm going to leave it there for now with the details. But stay tuned....in true Kara & Jason fashion...it's sure to be an interesting journey.
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