Let there be WHITE....

Our home projects are going well! We've finished painting the nursery white and I'm in luv with it! It's so bright and cheerful in there... Here is the before:

and After:

I also forgot to update our paneled sitting room... the after is quite a change....

Before:

and After:

Where have I been??

I've been a little quiet these past few weeks.  Still excited and hopeful as ever, but, I think I needed a bit of a break. I've been told by so many friends that adoption is like a roller coaster ride. There will be ups and downs... and the hardest part is the wait.

Truth be told, last month was a little tough...
I'm fairly certain that we've suffered an emotional adoption scammer.  Someone who pretends they are pregnant and develops a relationship with you.... tells you they chose you as the adoptive parents...and then you realize it was all a lie. 
I just never thought it would happen to us or that I could be so naive?

Marc and I were aware that this could possibly happen when we decided to pursue adoption without an agency.  I thought I knew all the warning signs... I didn't.  Let me tell you... it hurt... bad.

So, YES, I needed a break.  Some time to rest and pray and move forward.

And here I am. Happy and positive as ever... living by my philosophy that "things happen for reasons" and going with it.
It's funny how great things happen when you least expect it..... :)

Love this....

I came across this poem today and I thought I'd share it here... :)

~ Legacy Of An Adopted Child ~

Once there were two women
Who never knew each other.
One you do not remember,
The other you call mother.

Two different lives
Shaped to make yours one,

One became your guiding star,
The other became your sun.

The first gave you life,
And the second taught you to live it.
And the first gave you a need for love,
And the second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality.
The other gave you a name.
One gave you the seeds of talent,
The other gave you aim.

One gave you emotions,
The other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile,
The other dried your tears.

One gave you life,
It was all that she could do.
The other prayed for a child,
And God led her straight to you.

And now you ask me through your tears,
The age old question through the years.
Heredity or environment, Which are you a product of?
Neither, my Darling, Neither,
Just two different kinds of love.

Author Unknown

Feeling a little lost

So, my usual optimistic self is feeling a little lost today. I wouldn't be a truthful person if I didn't express all my emotions on this blog, right? To be honest, I need prayers. So much has been going on lately... it's amazing what can take place in a week.

I've been told that adopting can be like a pregnancy.  The emotions and anticipation are constant...the waiting and not knowing, it's hard to describe. I have total faith and yet, I have this racing feeling in my heart. I'm not quite sure when that will go away...

I write this as I am getting ready for church.  My boys are laughing in the bathroom and Marc is ironing upstairs. Life is good. So, why am I feeling so sad? I actually do know the reason, but, I'm not at liberty to say and it's hard... Wish I could.

Happy Valentine's Day....

So I attempted to make heart shaped pancakes for the boys this morning... and failed miserably. :) Luckily, Marc stepped in and did an awesome job. Who knew? My hubby is a potential Betty Crocker. :) What a fun start to Valentine's day.

the pancakes were a big hit with Cole!

And so it begins...

The wait.  We've finished up our MAPP classes, completed our homestudy, had our fire inspection and now it's just a matter of time. :) Marc and I really enjoyed our classes and we were both a bit bummed they are over.  I tell ya what, MAPP classes teach you a lot about yourself.

So how am I passing the time?  Hmm...have I mentioned I'm a planner?  That's not an easy thing to be when you have no control... no idea when God will bless you with a baby.  I feel I need to prepare in some way and I have to admit that I've started nesting. I can't help it! I love to decorate and I've been brainstorming ideas for the nursery.  Some adoptive parents prefer not to get anything for the baby until the adoption is final... me on the other hand, I plan on having the room and a couple of other things ready.  It helps me channel all this restless energy I get from waiting.... and... it's so fun looking a baby things again.

One thing Marc and I have agreed to start on is painting. I want a bright, white nursery.  I will add in hints of color later. I'm attaching a picture below that is my inspiration... oh, and did I mention, I'm going to try and do this nursery for under $100?? We'll see how that goes. :)

Dear Birth Mother.... The Letter

You might wonder what this is? Basically, it's a letter to the expectant mother introducing your family and why you feel you would be a good family for her to place the baby with... truthfully, it's kinda like selling yourself...

Okay, so far, this is the hardest part I've encountered in this entire process... I am suffering from the worst kind of writer's block and have no idea how to snap out of it.
I mean, there are so many things to say... and unfortunately, they are pretty generic in the adoption world. For example, I've seen a lot of...

"We are so honored to have you view our profile." when really i want to write: "Oh my goodness!!! You are reading our profile!! That is awesome! Read more.... like us please?"

and if I were being completely honest??? I would really like to write : "Pick us, Choose us, Please! We are the coolest family ever."

*sigh*

I sat with Marc last night and we brainstormed a few ideas. We are leaning toward just making a video about us and why we wish to adopt. Obviously, we will still have a letter for our profile... but, I love the idea of just keeping it simple with a link to our video.  We'll see.