Host Family Experience

Over the past few days Tim and I had our first host family experience.  A German band was performing at the Community College and they had asked families around the area to host.  Tim and I were nervous to do so at first because we had never done such a thing and it was the weekend right before school begins but we decided to go ahead and host.

On Thursday night we met at the park for a pot luck and to meet our band members.  We had two young girls who play clarinet staying with us: Sabrina (14) and Vanessa (15).  At the pot luck we shared our first meal and Lincoln and Douglas came to talk and share the history of the Lincoln/Douglas debate in Freeport.  We ended the evening with giant portions of ice cream from Union Dairy, a Freeport staple.  The girls were shocked at the amount of ice cream they were served.  They said the amount would have been 5 servings in Germany.  The four of us ate it all.

On Friday we simply had donuts and fruit for breakfast and then the girls had to be dropped off for the day at the school for their own adventures on the Mississippi River and to prepare for the concert.  The concert that night was AMAZING!  The whole band was so talented and they songs they played were so much fun.  One of the fan favorites was a song where two boys came out front and played cow bells.  I wish I had a video of it because it was so much fun to watch.  We also really enjoyed Grandfather's Clock, the Lion Kind Medley, and a few others that we don't remember the name of because they are more German.

Saturday was host family day.  We really got off too easy on Saturday because Sabrina went with another group to the water park and I went with a group (Julia and Natalie, both 19) to Oakbrook for some shopping.  The girls wanted to go to Tiffany's & Co. (a place I have never been either).  Before we all left though I made a big breakfast of waffles, bacon, and fruit.  None of the girls even touched the bacon, I was surprised. They went off on their own and we met for lunch at Red Robin.  The girls said they wanted burgers for lunch but two of them got chicken sandwiches and one got the bacon burger.  That night we went to a cookout with three other host families and their band members.  We met a married couple (Fabian and Katrin) and two other men.  They had such great stories to share.  Tim and I had to leave earlier to go pick up Sabrina.  On our drive home with her we had a great bonding moment.  She taught us more about Germany and her life and she even taught us a few German words.  When we got home Sabrina taught Tim and I how to play Skip-bo and we stayed up till 11 doing so.  The girls were also very sweet and presented us with host family gifts of thanks.  We received a CD of many of the concert songs, a bag from Sabrina's hometown and a snow globe of the largest church in the world.  They were all so neat and I plan to use the bag as my new school bag :)

Today was our last day.  The girls wanted eggs and bacon for breakfast and then we went back to the school to say good-bye.  It was sad to see the girls leave so early but we really did enjoy the time we had together to share experiences and some culture.  Tim and I would definitely be a host family again.

Half a Year

WOW! I can't believe we have officially been waiting for half a year! 

 This past month has gone by so fast. Tim and I have been busy with many different activities. We had our home inspection check completed and we are ready to go. We also received many pieces of cloth for our Good Wishes Quilt which always makes me feel so excited and loved. This month we also found friends who are starting to go through the same experience. It is so nice to have someone you can go to who understands what's going on. Thank you to everyone for your continued support and prayers. It means the world to us.

Quilt Pieces

In the past month or so Tim and I have received so many quilt pieces!  It is always such a joy to see the fabric people have chosen and the meaning behind the fabric.  Future Baby Deets will certainly feel loved and appreciated.  Thank you so much to everyone who has participated in our Good Wishes Quilt.  We currently have received pieces from 11 people but we would LOVE to receive more.  ANYONE who is willing to contribute is able.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

God's Timing

On of the hardest parts about starting a family is timing.  No matter what I put down in my plan book it really has no relevance at all.  Everything happens in God's timing.  Sometimes that timing can look like what you're thinking as well and sometimes He can really throw you a curve ball. 

Today we experienced God's miraculous timing.  I don't know what His plans are just yet but I can't wait to see how things might unfold.

(Thank you Pinterest for the picture.)

Month Five

It has been awhile since my last post but it has officially been 5 months now that we have been waiting for that anticipated call.  We are at the point right now where we are honestly doing nothing.  People ask all the time how the adoption process is going.  I know they are asking out of the kindness of their hearts and it means so much to me that they take the time to care but it is also so frustrating because I have no answer to share.  We are waiting...waiting...waiting...

This month I did get a chance to talk to a friend of mine who is also talking about adopting.  I am excited for her and her husband to possibly begin this adventure as well.  It will be nice to have someone to go through the process with as well.

I have decided that this summer I want to get a few house projects done to help pass the time.  Tim and our friend Josh are changing our outlets and some switches and they have also changed that flooring in our master bathroom.  It is so nice to not have carpet in the bathroom.  I an so appreciative of their hard work.

Church Camp

Last week I went to church camp for a week.  I LOVE church camp.  I have gone to church camp since I was coming out of 4th grade and have only missed one year.  As soon as I could start counseling the camp I attended I came back as a counselor. This year we had such a wonderful group of young teens we couldn't have asked for a better group!  It is so wonderful to see all the kids have their hearts filled with the Holy Spirit as they work and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ as the week plays out.  There was especially a group of older campers who really touched my heart this year.  They were great role models for the younger and newer campers and took it upon themselves to make sure that everyone felt involved, included, and important.  There were many times when I wanted to cry at the amazing site of God's love working through these campers.  There was even an instance when a camper came up to me with a genuine apology and boy did that tug at my heart strings.  It takes a lot of gumption to be able to take ownership and to take the step to apologize, even when it was something silly like having a cell phone.  I will really miss those older campers but I can't wait for next year to see the new leaders step into their roles.

Thank you campers and counselors for such a wonderful week at camp!

Month Four

We have now officially been waiting for 4 months.  The fourth month was filled with many ups and downs, however, we feel it was preparing us for the months to come and we are excited to continue this adventure.

 

Trust and Faith

Boy, what can you say about trust and faith other than at times it can be hard.  This past few weeks Tim and I have experienced some disappointments.  We have tried to be strong and to put our faith and trust in God but there were times when I started to struggle.  It is hard to see His plan and when I thought I did it turned out I was wrong.  God obviously knew that this was a struggle for me this past week.

On Thursday I was supposed to miss part of Bible study to be with a friend but that was cancelled so I made it to the whole study.  And what was the lesson for this week?  Trusting God: Genesis 22:1-19.  Sigh.  We talked about the test of faith that Abraham experienced when he was told by God to sacrifice his only son and the faith and trust he had in God to follow his will.  It sure hit my heart to think about how God can test us and really push our limits.  I started to wonder if that is what He is doing with me.

Today I was hit again.  At church I sing in the praise band and it is always a wonderful experience.  There are some days I am up in front singing the songs for others to hear, but there are some days, like today, when I feel like the songs were picked for me to hear.  The sermon lesson today, you wonder. Where Does Faith Come From?  Another lesson on faith.  Pastor Steve discussed how we can have doubts, emotional doubts, in our faith and with God.  That is sure what I was going through.  I couldn't help but feel that the sermon was written for me to hear as well.  To end the service we sang Trust and Obey verses 1 & 5 and we ended with That's What Faith Can Do.  I couldn't make it through the songs.  They touched my heart and spoke to my soul.  God was trying to tell me that He knows I am struggling but that I need to continue to trust Him and have faith in Him.  Things will happen when He is ready.  I had to sit during the last half of the last song because I was crying to much to sing.  I tried hard to stay strong but my emotions got the best of me.  What was even more amazing was the response of my church family.  I am truly blessed.  When I sat down I immediately received a good long hug filled with encouraging words.  When the benediction song ended two other amazing ladies came up to me with tears and words of support and comfort.  Then I was helping move the music equipment two band members gave me the same response with words of prayer and support.  Even though these amazing women didn't know what was going on in my life at the time they were still able to have an empathetic heart and were there for me in my time of need.  Not only was there a supportive response from those at church but I even received a phone call from a friend who wasn't in at the service.  She was guest preaching at a different church this morning but she had heard I was having a rough morning and just called to see how I was doing.

This is not just a church family that I have, it is my FAMILY.  I am honored to have so many wonderful people in my life.  It gives me the strength to continue and to know that God is there for Tim and I during this process.  He might not be physically holding our hands and giving us a hug, but instead He is doing so through all of our amazing friends.  Thank you God for this blessing and this reminder of your great love!

View the amazing song by Kutless at the following address:
https://vimeo.com/21527408

My Ray of 'Sunshine'

This morning I woke up with a heavy heart.  I was very discouraged and started to feel said about the fact that we still do not have a baby to call our own.  Even though it seems like God has laid things out for us so many times for things in life in general, nothing seems to work out the way it seems like they would.  I tried to go to school and celebrate the last day with my students with an open mind but I struggled being positive.  When I got to school today though things changed.  After going to the basement to finally put away my classroom Christmas tree, I came back to my classroom to see a green gift bag on my desk.  Being the last day of school I assumed it was an early delivery from one of my students. I was wrong.  In the bag was another piece of fabric, bright yellow fabric, with a wonderful message about how the yellow was chosen because it was like sunshine and how she used to sing "You are My Sunshine" to her girls when they were young.  It was just what I needed.  Hope.  It was a sign of hope that even though things didn't seem to be working out how I thought they would, someday it will.  The fabric touched my heart and brightened my day.  It was my own personal ray of sunshine.

DOW House

This week Tim and I have learned about a new ministry known as the Doors Open Wide House (DOW House).  This house is opened by a couple with amazingly generous and God filled hearts.  They have opened their home to pregnant young mothers who have no where else to go.  The mothers come and stay at the house, have their baby, and stay until they are able to go out and make it on their own. 

Yesterday Tim and I had the opportunity to volunteer at the DOW house.  We met so many wonderful people and we learned more about the ministry.  Tim also held his first baby ever!  He was a little awkward but he looked good with a baby in his arms. 

We feel so blessed to have learned about such an amazing house and to met such wonderful people.  I hope to be able to volunteer there more often.  It truly is a magical place.

A Day of Joy and Hope

Yesterday was a wonderful day of joy and hope.  The day began with a wonderful teaching moment.  I was leveling one of my lowest students to see what his end of year reading level would be.  He worked very hard and had to read about 5 books before we were able to stop and figure out his level because he made so much growth.  I was so proud of his hard work and he was even more proud of himself.  About 5 minutes later he came up to me with a book and announced, "I can read all the words in this book.  Want to hear?"  What a precious moment.  This boy who does not enjoy reading was so proud of himself and and finally felt the confidence in his own reading ability to voluntarily read another book.  This moment filled my heart with joy.

Later in the day I received a wonderful surprise from my husband.  At lunch I was delivered a beautiful bouquet of purple and pink roses.  They were the most stunning color!  The note explained that he just sent them to let me know he was thinking of me and to give me a smile to get through the rest of the school year.  He is so thoughtful and loving... and the flowers smell and look amazing!

That night Tim and I also received a package in the mail.  Last Christmas his parents bought us garden rocks with our names on them and one for our puppy Sherlock.  The new package contained a new small rock with the word "hope."  She explained that it was to represent the future Baby Deets in our rock garden family.

I don't know why I am so blessed because I don't deserve all these wonderful people in my life but I certainly wouldn't trade them for anything else.  I thank God every day for the love and joy that I experience and see.  Thank you to everyone!

"Mother's" Day

Mother's Day surprised me this year.  I didn't think it would affect me at all but it did.  I became irritated and sad whenever I went into a store and saw all the Mother's Day stuff, as if it was taunting me and saying "haha, you're not a mom."  I was really put down but I bounced back quickly, and here's why...

What was really sweet was that on Mother's Day was I woke up to a text from my dear friend Laura wishing ME a Happy Mother's Day and said how Baby Deets was lucky to have me for a mommy.  Later I also received a return text with a very similar sentiment.  I know that I don't physically have a baby and I am not technically a mom yet but in my heart I am a mom.  I am a mother to the unborn baby that is developing and being loved in my heart everyday.

What was also sweet was to come home from my trip to see the Mother's Day flower my husband picked up for me from church that morning.  At my church they recognize every woman on Mother's Day which is wonderful by itself, but what was even more wonderful was that my husband thought to bring one home for me even though I wasn't there.  

 

Even though Baby Deets is still a thought, a prayer, and a wish, it was so nice to hear sweet words and sentiments and to be recognized as a mother-in-waiting.   I can't wait till the day that I will honestly be the mother for Mother's Day but for now, I will hold and cherish this Mother's Day in my heart.

Month Three

It has officially been three months of waiting.  This has been a tough month.  We haven't had too much news on the adoption front but medically it was draining.  A few weeks ago I got shingles, which is very painful.  Although I didn't get a horrible case of it, and I caught it early, I got to share the experience with ringworm as well.  Sigh.  What a month.

This month was also rough emotionally.  Although I try really hard to be happy for my friends who are pregnant or have babies, there are times where my heart cries.  I am not proud of my jealousy and I try hard to ignore it and move past it but it is hard.  I truly am happy and excited to others when they are blessed with such an amazing gift, and I know that our time will come and that we have to wait for God's will, it can just be emotionally tough at times. 

Good Signs

This past week I have been feeling very positive the past two week.  I have seen many things that seemed like positive signs. Last week when I was taking Sherlock to the vet I saw two white doves flying together.  A few days later I was driving early in the morning and I could have sworn I saw a shooing star.  A few days after that the sun was shining beautifully through the clouds on my drive to work and it felt like God was shining down on us.  That same day a friend of mine told me she had a dream we received a phone call and she made us the most amazing diapers to start off our diaper collection! I am hoping that all these things are a sign from God that something good is on the horizon.  I can't wait to experience what it is.

Our First Quilt Piece

Today my heart was touched so much I cried.  Today Tim and I received our first quilt piece from the speech teacher at the school where I work.  It was such a moment for me when she came down the hall and explained the fabric that she purchased.  The time and thought that went into her decision really touched my heart.  It was so wonderful to receive and I can't thank her enough for this thoughtful gesture.

The picture below shows the fabric and letter Angie gave us.  She told me that she knew she wanted to get a fabric that was soft for the baby to touch and that maybe it would be the baby's favorite spot on the quilt because it is so soft and cuddly.  She said that she went to the fabric store and told the lady behind the counter that she didn't know what she was doing but she needed a soft fabric for a baby quilt.  The lady right away pulled at the white version of the fabric.  She asked if there were other colors and decided to pick the green because it was one of her favorite colors (which is also my favorite color) and because green is lucky and she wanted to the piece to be lucky.  The saying that she gave at well related to luck, too.

I feel lucky to have such wonderful people in my life.  Thank you Angie for this perfect baby gift.

Two Months Waiting

Well, it has officially been 2 months now that we have been waiting.  This month was filled with a lot of progress.  We mailed our announcements, started our fundraiser, and began our Good Wishes Quilt.  I can't believe the amazing how wonderful people have been.  My love for my town and my church has also grown tremendously.  We have received such a wonderful response from people at church, both from those we we know and those we do not.  It it so nice to know that we live in a loving and supportive community with so many people we can turn to and count on.  My heart is over joyed.

Today Tim and I also celebrated our third Easter as a married couple.  We can't believe it we have shared so many already.  Time really flies!  Last year we celebrated Easter by joining our church.  We couldn't have chosen a better way to celebrate the love that Jesus showed on that day as to commit our love to Him as well by joining our church.  It was one of the best decisions we've made.  This year I sang with the praise band and enjoyed welcoming others into our church family as well.  Our pastor said something wonderful and explained that Jesus is like a trunk of a tree and everything else are the branches.  This was a very profound thought.  It really puts everything else into perspective and really shows that everything we do stems from Jesus.  I hope that our actions show that we are stemming from the love of God.  It is a life goal to be an example to the world of God's love and some day I hope to share this love with children as well.

 

Hanging out with Tim and Sherlock Easter morning.

Announcements Sent

This week I have truly felt bless.  Last Saturday Tim and I sent announcements out to our closest friends and family to announce that we are officially in the adoption process.  Our goal was to spread the word about the Good Wishes Quilt as well as ask for prayers and support through this time of waiting.  The response was outstanding.  Many people had congratulations and questions showing that they were interested and cared.  The abundance of love in the world is truly amazing.

On top of our personal excitement, Tim and I also participated in the youth 30 Hour Famine last weekend.  We counseled some on Friday and then all day Saturday.  There were 5 beautifully hearted young individuals who gave their time, efforts, and food for the weekend.  It was so uplifting to see the love and dedication to helping others these individuals showed as they learned about the hungry in Ethiopia and other areas, baked in their hungry for a bake sale in order to raise money to help out, and spent time at a nursing home playing games with the residence there.  It was a wonderful weekend.

Fundraiser Up and Running

Our fundraiser site has been up and running for a full week now and we have had a wonderful start!!  Thank you to everyone who has donated and shared our site.  We feel so blessed and amazed at how many wonderful people are in the world.  Thank you so much!  We are far from our goal but SO much closer than we imagined after only a week of the fundraiser being live. 


We are hopeful that more people will continue to share our fundraiser site.  Not only is it a wonderful help for the adoption process.  It really gives Tim something exciting to look forward to every day.  He loves checking the site.

Tim and I went and bought the canvas and stars right after we went live.  It was so fun looking at our options and coming up with the best plan.  We loved how the stars turned out.  The metallic looks wonderful and really pops on the black canvas.  I can't wait to see it completed with all the stars!

One Month Waiting

We decided the real beginning our our journey would be when we got all the paper work done and our license in our hand.  This happened for our on February 2, 2015.  We know it can be a long and stressful journey but we are excited about he destination. 

We have officially been in waiting for one month.  I can't believe this past month has gone so fast.  We have been so busy getting this set up such as this blog, a website, getting our pictures taken and announcements made it has really flown by.  At the same time, with everything going on, it makes me even more ready for this process to get moving and I can't wait for that call!  I pray every day for God to help me be patient because I know that he has a baby ready for us, we just have to wait for Him to send the baby to Earth for us to meet.  I know He knows what is best for Tim and I and for the baby and birth mother.  It is just a matter of that time coming.  But I do hope it will happen soon :)

We have started many things to help the time pass as well.  We have many shared on here, such as the Good Wishes Quilt and the Starry Night Fundraiser, so I would to add one more...  our monthly waiting picture.

 I would like to document our paper pregnancy with waiting photos.  The first one is professionally done with my added touch.  I love this picture and it documents what we have been doing in the first month... getting everything ready for our announcement.  I love this picture!

Our Announcement

Today we announced to everyone that we are officially in waiting.  At the school I work at it is a tradition that when someone is pregnant they bring brownies to school and put them in the lounge without a name and everyone has to guess who is pregnant.  I wanted to be involved in this tradition as well so last night I made small brownie bites and white chocolate Oreo truffles with blue and pink sprinkles.  I set them in the lounge with our new picture and letter explaining that we are officially a waiting family.  I heard so many stories of other they know who have also gone through the process and had success.  It was uplifting and so encouraging.  I received hugs and congratulations and it just filled my heart.  Thank you to everyone who sent a good wish and a positive thought today.  It really made for a wonderful day.

After school the photographer posted our new pictures and we finally launched our fundraiser site.  Again I feel so blessed with the responses we received.  We already raise $120 in one evening!!!  We truly come from a place of wonderful people, family, and friends and all we can do now is thank God for the support we have already gotten and will continue to feel throughout this journey and I can't wait!

Pictures!!

Last week Tim and I went to have our pictures taken.  We wanted to have some new ones to add to our portfolio.  We had SO much fun getting them done.  Our puppy Sherlock even got to be in the pictures which we loved.  Yesterday we went to pick out the five for our file and it is was hard!  The photographer did an amazing job and we can't thank her enough for her hard work.  I hope I can share one or two here when we get them because they are so amazing.  We can't wait to announce our plans with everyone with one of these photos!

Such Love and Support

Yesterday Tim and I went to have pictures done for announcements and portfolio pictures.  I am so pleased with all the support and happy thoughts that went into the pictures.  The photographer put her heart into our pictures and did some before hand thought on how to do our pictures to make sure they are wonderful.  Also, a friend who is mother of a past student, curled my hair and she was so wonderful and supportive and even gave the hair style as a gift of support!!!  I just can't express how much the simple gestures like these really make me see the love in the world.  I can't wait to see all of the pictures!!!  Pictures coming soon...

Our Anniversary

This weekend Tim and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary!  I can't believe it has been two years and I can't believe it has only been two years.  To celebrate we went to Olive Garden for lunch.  It was delicious and had the best bread sticks!  Afterwards we went to the Build a Bear Factory to make animals for each other.  We like to celebrate with the traditional anniversary gifts and year two is cotton so we thought it would be fun to make cotton filled stuffed animals.  Tim picked out their outfits, a bride's wedding dress and a groom's tux, which was so sweet.

Today we celebrated with a simple home cooked meal of our favorite dinner: spicy mac and cheese.  Yum! I am so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man.  God knew what he was doing when he put him in my life and made it a forever thing.

Up to This Point

There has been so much that has happened up to this point in our adoption journey.  On Monday, September 29, 2014 Tim and I had our first interview meeting with Angel Adoption.  After a short yet very long week we finally heard back that we were accepted on Thursday, October 2nd.  At this point we were ready to go and get everything started.  We took classes and did all the readings.  We had meetings and started looking things up on our own.  On January 8, 2015 we had our home study and told we wer going to get our license. Finally, on February 2nd, 2015 our profile was uploaded to the website.  After 4 months we just now feel like we are actually starting because we have things in order and it is time for the wait.  This is what I hear is the hardest time and I can already understand why.  We are so anxious to start our family and have a baby but we know we have to wait for God to let this blessing begin.  We are ready!!

My First Try at Blogging

I have never done a blog before but many people have encouraged doing a blog to capture our adoption story.  I am excited to document the events involved in this journey because I think it will be a great story for our future son or daughter to enjoy and understand how everything came together.  I will try to update with the exciting information!  We hope we have some great news to share soon.  We feel that God is on our side and He is just waiting for our perfect child and we can't wait.