For Giggles

Dear friends,
We know that our humor isn't everyone's cup of tea, but hey, you've stuck around this long! Enjoy.

The Countdown Is On

Breathe in. Breathe out. 

We have completed all of our home study meetings as of last night! Kimber originally told us that it would be late July before we were approved, but last night she said she had already written half of it, so it will be done sooner than expected! She said that because we had already sent in our paperwork we were ahead of the game, so we're now looking at the middle of next month for approval as long as all of our background checks make it in by then.

Shout out- she said our references were wonderful, so thanks to those who filled them out!

During our wrap up meeting we talked about financing the adoption and got some bad news. When we asked about the adoption tax credit she said not to count on it, just in case it doesn't get approved. Instead if it does then it will be a nice surprise.  We're now looking for ways to fund the entire amount and if we're lucky enough to get the credit later it will go towards building our savings back up.

We also asked about average wait times so that we could figure out a plan for the final payment. She of course doesn't know what could happen but said that it is rare for a birth mom to pick you early during your waiting time, although it does happen ( a friend of mine was matched in 3 weeks!). She said the average wait time is 9-12 months, but we should have a financial back up plan just in case it happens sooner. I'm going to go on the record here and tell you that both Derek and I feel like it could happen before the year ends, but that could just be wishful thinking.

As of right now we have a little less than $20,000 to raise....sorry, I just choked a little. We've been brainstorming on how to bring in some extra income, sell items that we've made, write for grants, and cut our bills even more (couponing is my next adventure). We are expecting our tax refund in a month or so but it won't be in time for our home study payment, so we have a new small goal. We need to raise $4000 in 3 weeks.

Can we do it? 
No.
Can He do it?
Yes!

"So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:31-33

 Please join us in praying for these details:

- Derek will be asking his employer for any adoption benefits and this is a nerve racking question to ask. Please pray for his courage and for a favorable response.
- Our family profile to be completed by the end of next week
- Meet our goal of raising $4000 in 3 weeks
- The last of our announcement letters are going out today and we pray that they would fall on open hearts

To Tator Tot, From Granny

We're trying to put together a family tree for our profile so that our birth momma can get a sense of who we are as a family and how much this child is already loved. We thought it would be a cute idea to have a family member's picture, along with their first name, what they hope to be called by our little one (good luck with that!), and what they're looking forward to the most.  When I asked my mother in law for that information, this is what she sent back...

"Granny and Pappy...Hope that's what my sweet baby will call us:) But, no one knows what he/she might come out with first, lol. That's whats so special. Well, Ricky is off tomorrow, your deadline! So I will ask him about what he wants to contribute too! As far as me, Seeing my angel baby for the very first time is the most special moment for me indeed! Just staring at our little miracle and in awe of that special moment! That is for that instance to realize what a blessing he or she is. And the overwhelming feeling I get when I hold them in my arms for the very first time. All caught up in the most amazing emotional moment, that only a granny knows first hand! And thinking of all the wonderful, fun times we will enjoy together and what all I have to look forward to, with you- the very first smile, the very first word, the cuddling while rocking my precious grandchild and singing songs to them. Yes, child..this Granny sings her heart out! Their first steps especially when they see you and they have that GREAT BIG OLE smile on their face, running towards you, with their arms open wide, yelling Granny and embracing them with a HUGE Hug. Only never wanting to let go of that moment! Taking, only about 50- 100 photos each and every time we get to spend together. Hehehe, Capturing all that My precious grandbaby has to offer. Watching him/her grow and learn new things along the way! And I love watching how your own children get to experience this Precious love between their baby with, Mommy and Daddy. Melts me every time. And the great Benefits of being a granny too is smothering them with all the attention, love, and kisses you could possibly imagine. And, occasionally sneaking them a cookie with that little wink in your eye only a Granny can get by with..hahaha!!! I love being a Granny, it's the best thing ever! And, I can't wait to have you in my arms!! Watch out, Sweet Heart, cause I'm a gonna love you with all my heart. I love you so very much already! We are going to have some wonderful times together, I know that !!!! Love you, Sweet angel baby..Your, Granny and Pappy are so very excited to welcome you into our loving family:) Hurry Please,Granny can't wait to get you in her arms."


I love that this started out as an email to me and ended up being a sweet note to our little one. What a blessing to have such a wonderful family! And sweet pea, listen to your granny and hurry because we can't wait to get you in our arms.

$$$

God can do this, but we're shaking in our boots because we've got about a month to raise $4000 dollars. Our second goal of $8000 needs to be paid when our home study is approved and that should be late July (unless the paper work moves quicker than expected). Praise God that we've been able to scrimp and save to reach the halfway point, but we could use your prayers to get us to the other side!

We've got some things working in the background (amended tax refunds, loans, possible donations, and side jobs) but nothing is definite. This just isn't something that we can pull together on our own so we're relying heavily on Him. We're hoping that He swoops in at the last minute to save the day, all the while we're going to try not to pee our pants.

This week is our last home study meeting which will just be a wrap up. Kimber has been such a blessing to work with, but once we're past this phase we won't see much of her until we get The Call. We'll be working more closely with a woman named Lisa who will walk us through the waiting process and help us connect with birth moms.

Fundraising this week consists of Derek selling more of his action figures, me watching some kiddos, mailing out the last of our fundraising letters, and a yard sale on Saturday. Wish us luck!

A Picture Is Worth A Bunch Of Texts

We have finally mailed in every piece of paper needed to complete our home study! Whew. It is so nice to know that we only have a couple of more things to finish before this leg of our journey is over.

As you can imagine we are knee-deep in our photo book, creating ideas, choosing what text is most important, searching for pictures, and making plans to take some new ones. I've spent the week harassing friends and family for pictures and we have a ton to sift through. But we can always use more, so let us know if you have any pics that would fit into the following:

-Could be of us together or individual
-Can't be more than 5 years old (no naked baby pictures, moms)
-We should be smiling and happy
-If there are kids in the picture than even better
- Happy family photos (yes, your face will be in our book)
-Pictures of us serving or working
-Pictures of us being us, something that shows our personalities

If you have any of these please email them to me as soon as you can! Thanks!

Home Study #2

Last night we met with our adoption specialist and did our individual interviews. It was pretty painless and our meeting was over before we knew it. We've got one more to go next week and it will just be a wrap up.

We're working hard on getting pictures together for our photo book, so if you've got any good ones of us that show our personality please send them our way.  I'm so excited to see what Derek can create and so nervous that this photo book give a true story of who we are and a life we would provide for a little one. I know it's going to be great in the end!

In the mean time, we're sending out the rest of our announcement letters, child proofing (I can't stand those wall outlet covers!), painting the nursery furniture, and reading parenting books.

Please join us in praying that the letters that are being mailed out would fall on open hearts, our photo book would portray us honestly and creatively, and for our little one and their birth family.

DONATIONS AHOY!

Well hello there. Derek Smith here, your local wisecrackin soon to be daddy.

I'm here to let you know we paid a team of kitties, to code a highly complicated gadget for us to use on the blog. If you turn your attention to the left side of the page... now back here please. Thank you. As you saw we now have a PayPal DONATE button. It's very shiny and yellow, and if you stare at it long enough it becomes very tempting to push. Please stare at it for as long as you like. Because we need you to push it. We need your donations. 

We now have to start a separate blog and donation fund just to pay the kitties, who coded our donation button. We will be accepting crateloads of catnip and milk if you can spare it.

Please feel free to donate any amount to us at your convenience. You may even just pay us a dollar if you're feeling like a wiseguy.

I have nothing else of importance to say other than - please think of the kitties.

 meow.