Saturday, March 31, 2012

REFERRAL

Well, I think it is time to share the story of how our little guy came to us. We started the paper chase in January. We got our application filled out for the agency we used last time (international) and got all the documents that Stephanie (our local social worker and wonderful friend) needed to update our homestudy as well as a couple of visits. I haven't really thought too much about it all since we are busy with Olivia and living life. If you remember, I felt like my life was on hold for quite sometime until Olivia came home. So, I was at work on a Wednesday and my phone rang. (well, John's phone--we are down to one right now). It was Stephanie saying she had a little guy that we might be interested in. But here is the God part.....she was calling around to ask some Korea questions for another family that is interested in adoption. She googled a map of the closest agencies that work with them. The first one being the agency we used last time. So, she called them, but her 'go to' lady didn't answer. She looked at number two on the list, and they were unsure of the answers. So that led her to number three. A small agency called Dillon Southwest. They have 5 people in the office and give a limited number of referrals a year (according to a friend that has adopted with them). She asked her questions and the lady on the other end asked if she had any clients that were homestudy ready and interested in a little special needs guy with Eastern. We enter the picture. She immediately called us and then I called the lady at Dillon that afternoon. Dillon Southwest does not adopt special needs children to TN, so she had to check with Eastern in Korea to see if this was ok. We hadn't seen a picture at this point, but knew most of the information. Early Thursday morning, the lady from Dillon called and said that Korea said yes! She emailed us the referral information and we immediately got excited! Since we were both at work and down to one phone, I called John's school and pulled him out of class (2nd day in a row.) I told him to borrow a cell phone so we could look at the little guys picture together. So, he called and on the count of 3 we opened the document. There he was....our son. I will share at this point that he is 6 months old. He will be almost 2 by the time he comes home. We cannot wait to return to Korea!!!! Can I pack my bags now?? :)
John and I didn't get to talk in person until Sunday as I was leaving for the Created for Care conference Thursday afternoon. What a great weekend though to be with a bunch of mama's that 'get it.' The adoption world is hard, but they were all excited and cheering us on. I was able to talk to the international adoption doctor at Vanderbilt and another well known international adoption doctor. So, we are accepting his referral. So this week the paper chase has been getting everything ready in order to send an application to Dillon SW. I had it all in order by Wednesday, but our doctor had been out of town and hadn't filled out our physical reports. They then called and said this report needed another blood test. I now have that in hand and we are headed to the post office this morning! Acceptance papers coming next week, which means a ton of stuff to get together again---and then we wait. The big push for the fundraising came because of the referral. We have to send our first BIG check with the acceptance papers.

Friday, March 30, 2012

You gotta eat!!!

So, as many of you know, we are raising money as fast as possible and all of a sudden (welll, more so than just me sewing and us penny pinching). Why??? Well, because we have a REFERRAL. I am going to share that story soon, but just know, there is a sweet face that we are looking at now that we know each penny will help bring him home. If you haven't heard, it is a BOY! I have posted this week on facebook that we need your help as far as donations and money to bring him home. We are using a different international agency, and they require the BIG money upfront--therefore, no payments. They want it all. My goal this week was to get our application done since this was not our original agency--yep, your gonna love how God worked in this story. He is all over it!!! Luckily, our homestudy was done and ready, but we were still in the paper chase as far as an application. I had the one with our other agency done and turned in well over a month and a half ago. I am a bit obsessed as each day goes by since we missed the quota by seven days with Olivia. That seven days turned into an additional 8 months totaling an 11 month wait.
Ok....so I digress.
Well, you gotta eat, and this coming Tuesday, April 3rd you have a chance to eat out (you here that....your kitchen is closed!) Come join us at Chili's here in Gallatin and bring the flier that is below. If you don't have one, no worries....we will have plenty there. We will be there from 4-9 pm. We hope to see you there. Just think a meal AND you are helping bring home our son! Does it get any better than that????


Monday, March 26, 2012

A weekend away!

This past weekend, I packed my bags and headed for Atlanta to the Created for Care conference. It was an amazing weekend, and one that I needed badly. Our weekend was full of laughing, praising God, learning about our children and how to raise them to be a whole and happy person, and working on us as mama's. We started our weekend by going to IKEA and HMart. I had never been to IKEA, and was in love! What a great place!! We got some stuff at HMart (super sad that we didn't find plum soda..I will stock up in Korea!), and headed to the conference. It was at a gorgeous resort called Lake Lanier. It was a gorgeous place that I will definitely be visiting again. I enjoyed meeting people that I have gotten to know in the adoption process. It is such an amazing connection to have. I am already excited about next year's conference! Here are a few pictures:

Breakfast at IKEA.

Ready to SHOP!

Ready for our next session at C4C retreat.

Enjoying breakfast with MaryLeigh

Korean mama's! What a great group that I am truly honored to be a part of.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

A perfect day for a picnic!

This morning, we loaded up and went to the park. Every Saturday morning, John and Olivia have a 'date' to Hardees. Today, we got it and went to the park to enjoy the sunshine! What a gorgeous morning!! Then we played for a bit and went for a walk. We loaded back up and headed to Lowes. In looking at our 'to do' list for spring break, we have gotten ZERO accomplished. I am not exactly sure how that is possible! We have been busy everyday, but the yard work still seems to be there! Maybe tomorrow??




Thursday, March 15, 2012

A day at the zoo

Tuesday, we joined friends and spent the day at the zoo! We had gorgeous weather, great company, and happy kids (for the most part). Doesn't get much better!!

Excited for the day!!

All in a line--headed to the alligators!

Ride choo choo train, please.

Lunch break!

Just lovin' the day.

Sweet girls.

The birds are fine daddy, as long as they aren't too close.

You do it--don't get too close.

Licking every drop!!

Stacy getting off the train with her little man.

This is fun guys!

Brandon, Ashley and Everley

us

Loving the carousel this season!!

Tuckered out!

Cassie and Khloe

I can do it--me do!

A few baby elephants this year, too.



...and baby giraffes, too.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Korean Outfit

As I was cleaning out Olivia's closet, I came across a little dress I bought while we were in Korea at Namdaemun Market. I quickly put it on her in fear that it would be too small. Lucky for us, it was a perfect fit!
I thought back to the day we purchased that shirt and immediately smiled. I can't wait to go back to that market! Hopefully in warmer weather and SOON.


Sunday, March 4, 2012

Consignment season!

Where have we been? Well, once we got home and over the sickness, it was time to buckle down and get some consigning stuff tagged. If you live in the middle TN area, this is a sale you DO NOT want to miss! It is Encores and More of Murfreesboro. I took on VIP tagging, you know, in my spare time, so we have been a little busy. In addition, you can help us with baby #2 in this process. Just go to for information on how you can help. At checkout during the sale, there will also be a chance to donate to help us with a sibling. You will be asked if you would like to give a 1.00 (or whatever you feel) to help. Your cashier will just add that to your total. Look at their site on Facebook. There will be some great things at this sale. I have seen just some of it as it has come through our house. I worked yesterday and saw the beginnings of the drop off. I love this sale! It is one that I have worked several times, but this was my first time to do the VIP tagging. My house has been upside down for the last week. Literally, you couldn't walk through the den!

Olivia helped! (This was a minimal mess!)