The Nursery

The first time we saw our house I claimed the walk in closet in the master bedroom as a nursery.  We had not yet started the adoption process.  I just knew it was the perfect cozy nook for a baby.  Roughly the size of my first college dorm room, it even has a full sized window.  A little over a year after buying our home that closet was in fact a nursery after all.  Here is a peek at our travel themed nursery.

Just enough room for a rocking chair, crib and dresser.  This stunning curtain made by Sarah!

World map [thrift store gem]. Dresser [craigslist] Crib [Ikea clearance]

Framed some of our favorite passport stamps.

Bears collected from Grandma's travels.  

Left over paint from the kitchen made a perfect sky...

I love these switch plate covers from Hobby Lobby!

Coins from our travels made this mirror a special addition.

I love these old map colors and details.

Ruby's first Christmas present chosen by her big brother!

I made this chandelier for a girlie touch over the crib.

Perfect tiny tea set!

I bartered a book birdhouse for this sign.  It was too perfect not to bring home!

This hook seemed like a perfect addition to the room.  Perfect perch for all the ribbons and bows!

I love how it all turned out.  Creating this space was a wonderful way to pass the time while we waited for our sweet daughter to come home.  What I most about this room is caring for our precious girl here...

Thank you for loving us every step of the way.  We are so grateful.

Transformation

I have this friend Sarah.  She is the best.  I mean it.  The best.  When I pulled our car seat out of the attic [her attic] it was a little sad.  The neutral geometric pattern looked dated after only four years... and after washing it it still looked dingy.  Enter: Sarah.  Among her many skills she can sew!  And look at what she did!!!

  Isn't this the sweetest car seat?!?! Thank you so much Sarah!

Now we have the most beautiful car seat to bring home our beautiful girl on MONDAY!!!

Twas the day before the Iron Bowl

Twas the day before the Iron Bowl,

Brian was acting funny.

He knew that Alabama fans had donated more adoption money.

So, I in my hoodie and Brian with his cap,

had just settled in for a post-Thanksgiving nap.

But, in Alabama there arose such a chatter.

We turned on the computer to see what was the matter.

There was smack-talk and boasting and teasing galore.

About which team was better and whose team would score.

When what to my grateful eyes should appear?

but a notification of a donation HERE.

Play on Yeldon and Norwood, Mosley and Depriest,

On Prosch, Davis and Louis of the conference South East.

Whether Foster v. Parkey 

or Saben v. Malzahn,

"Roll Tide" will shout the Florida girls.

"War Eagle" will cheer John!

Till half-time tomorrow to vote for your team.

If Alabama wins, Brian's ears will blow steam…

While it's clearly our preference she wear orange and blue;

the ultimate decision will be up to you.  

Your dollar donations won't change the game's score,

each contribution will make our hearts soar!

I'll hear Brian exclaiming, "WAR EAGLE" all night!

Happy Iron Bowl to all and to all a good fight!

Final Push: Adoption Auction Fundraiser

I was contacted not too long ago by a friend from college.  She shared a link to a family having an auction on Facebook to raise money for their adoption.  What a terrific idea!  So, I contacted my creative community near and far and the response has been INCREDIBLE!  I am so blessed to be supported by so many artists.  This is going to be super fun.  I wanted to give you a heads up on what is going to up for bids. 

• 3 Book Birdhouses [Madeline, Frog and Toad, Cat in the Hat]
• 2 Line-a-day note card journals
• 5 Tie-dyed [Auburn] t-shirts
• 1 crocheted apple hat
• 1 crocheted pumpkin hat 
• 2 crocheted Auburn hats [one boy/one girl]
• 2 crocheted Alabama hats [one boy/one girl]
• Winter wreath
• 4 hand dyed indigo napkins
• 2 bunting banners
• 10 pairs of button earrings
• one of a kind painting
• 3 handmade mason jar hanging lights
• 2 Very Hungry Caterpillar Tote bags with books and toys
• Ballerina doll
• Mosaic wooden wall hanging
• 2 lbs of fudge
• doll quilts
• paper crane mobile
• pottery
• handcrafted hot pads
• bracelet/earring set
• spinning bowtie
• stationary
• Christmas dish towels

My heart is overflowing with gratitude!  Please, spread the word!  I'll be posting a picture of each item on the Auction Event Page.  The auction will be open Sunday, December 1 [1pm] - Tuesday, December 3 [12 noon].  To bid, you simply comment on the photo.  Highest bid at noon wins!  I'll contact you and get your address and your prize will be sent to your door!  You can pay with PayPal, at our Adopt Together page or by check.  All items should arrive by Christmas! 

Adoption Questions

Thank you all of your encouragement and support!  It means the world to us.  We are feeling so many things right now.  I love your questions.  I wanted to address a few of them here.

Are you working with an adoption agency?
Yes.  We chose Bethany Christian Services because we know several families personally who worked with them and had a great experience.  They have been very supportive and helpful.  They're a nation wide agency that has been around a long time.  They are a great fit for us.

How long have you been in this process?
Almost exactly one year ago we had our initial interview to make sure we weren't crazy people.  Somehow we made it through :O)  

How did the expectant parents choose you?
When expectant parents contact Bethany [Christian Services], they begin counseling with a social worker.  Then, they make a list of preferences for an adoptive family.  It really could be anything: married couple, with or without children, college educated, pets... Their worker takes what she knows about the situation [i.e. medical history, gender of the baby, ethnicity...] and compares their preferences with waiting families.  She pulls all the profiles that match.  Then, she gives all the profile books to the expectant parents and asks them to identify a family.

What was your book like?
We created this profile book.  Take a look!  We used a company called Artifact Uprising and we LOVED working with them!  The final product came out so well!  

Are you planning an open adoption?
Yes.  Open adoption is when the biological and adoptive families have access to varying degrees of each other's personal information and have an option of contact.  We are really excited to build a relationship with the expectant parents and their families.  This will include letters, pictures and visits.

Did you request a girl?
Nope.  We didn't specify gender.


Have you met the family?
Yes!  We met the expectant mother and her mom last Friday.  They are wonderful!  We had the best visit with them--just getting to know them and asking questions... it was hard not to stare at her beautiful face and belly.  I really wanted to bring her flowers and cupcakes; but we're not allowed to exchange any gifts at all.  I suppose cupcakes for a pregnant women would be coercion...

What was the meeting like?
We met at the Bethany office.  We got there first [okay, we were a hour early--a little excited].  We met with our social worker, who we love!  Talked about questions we should and shouldn't ask that day...  They arrived and spoke with their social worker for a while.  Then, they came in to the conference room where we were.  It was such a moment.  I'll never forget it.  Surreal.  We introduced ourselves, sat and talked.  Our social worker helped prompt a few questions to begin with.  We ended up talking for over an hour.  We left sharing hugs all around.  We met with our social worker for a bit afterward-- then, floated home on a cloud.  It went really really well.  I just love them already. 

What now?
Now, we wait.  We wait for her to be born.  She's due at the end of this month!!!

Will you bring her home from the hospital?
Unfortunately, no.  In the state of Maryland, birth parents have 30 days before they can terminate their parental rights.  Basically, if we took her home and they chose to parent, we'd have 24 hours to give her back.  We feel like an "at risk" placement [straight from the hospital] is not the right choice for our family..

Where will she go?
Bethany has families whose whole job is to care for these tiny babies during the risk period.  They are called interim care families.  We will get to visit with the baby once a week for one hour... her biological parents will also have the option to visit her too.  

How can we pray for you?
Pray for protection over this sweet baby and her mother.  Pray that God would strength them both: mind, body and soul.  Pray that we can rest to God's will and trust that He will provide for all we need to welcome this baby into our home.

We're happy to answer any other question you might have.  We are so thankful for you sharing our Adopt Together.  Any encouraging words you want to send our way are always appreciated. 

Thank you for everything!
Kristen

p.s. The current standing of our Iron Bowl Fundraiser : AUBURN- $750 alabama- $950... There's still time!!!  War Eagle!

We got the call.

We are thrilled to announce that we have been identified as the family for a baby due at the end of this month!  It's a GIRL!!!  Are hearts are so full of gratitude to God for orchestrating this match, to her first family for choosing us and to you for supporting us on this adoption journey.

Nothing is set in stone.  Her parents can change their minds in the coming weeks.  After she is born, there is a 30 day waiting period when they can choose to parent.  So, she will be looked after by a foster family from our agency until the risk period is over.  After that 30 days, we'll bring her home!

Please pray for us.  At the time of placement, near the end of December, our placement fee is due.  This is a large hurdle for us to overcome; but we believe God will provide.  Pray that we can have patience as we prepare our hearts and home for this little girl.  Please lift her biological family up as they make these difficult decisions in the days to come!

Thank you for all your love and support!
Kristen

T-shirts for sale!

We tried our hands at tie-dye for the boy's birthday party.  This is what I came up with.  War Eagle!  All sale proceeds go toward Auburn in our Iron Bowl Fundraiser.  Shirts are $20 [this includes shipping]. 

#1: Small

#2: 2XL

#3: Small

#4: Medium

#5: Small

 

 

 

 

Shoot me an e-mail with the number you're interested in.  [kristen.christy@gmail.com] I am also open for private orders.  I'll even do Alabama colors!  Maybe.

Thanks everyone!  Please share with others you think might be interested.
Kristen