Progress: We have been waiting 7 months and 1 day since being approved.
Mood: A little down. Non-adoption related, I'm in PMS and for me that is really bad. Hopefully AF will come and leave before Christmas yet. But if not, I'd rather have AF than PMS over Christmas! Adoption-related, someone I know got chosen to adopt. This is the first person I know personally who got chosen to adopt. They were approved after us and waited an incredibly short time. I'm surprised how difficult of a time I'm having with it. Also adoption-related, I'm still feeling let down that no one's thrown me a baby shower yet. I realize that makes me sound selfish, but it's something I've made clear to my husband that I want, and he knows how important gifts are to me, and it would make me feel more like an expectant mother and that others are viewing me that way, and I just expected a baby shower shortly after we got approved and it's been seven freaking months!! Ah well, maybe there's something in the plans and I don't know about it. I know it won't be til at least early-January, though, because one of the people I want to be there is gone til then. I am starting to regret saying I want it to be a surprise though, because it would be nice if I knew something was happening or not. Another adoption-related thing has me thinking about our future child and their birthfamily and feeling emotional lately but won't talk about it at this point.
Cravings: Something with a lot of melted cheese. Grilled cheese sandwich. Chicken Spinach Lasagna. Seven-Cheese Ravioli in Alfredo Sauce baked with cheese. You get the idea.
Thoughts About Our Child: Curious if you exist yet. You exist in God's eye and my heart.
Thoughts About Our Child's Expectant Mom: Wondering if you will remain in your child's life or if you will disappear and our child will have to search for you.
Most Recent Baby Purchase/Gift: I may or may not have bought something for Hubby ;) like I do every Christmas. Curious if I'll get any baby-related gifts from anyone this Christmas, as it is the first year I have put any on my wishlists. I don't really think so.
This Month God: Taught me through His Word that He is the God of encouragement, the God of hope, and the God of endurance. (Romans 15:4-5) I found the latter particularly encouraging, for when I run out of hope and feel I can no longer endure in this long adoption journey, He will continue to endure!
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Praising God in the Pain
This has got to be one of the best articles I've read in a while:
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
"What to Respect" Project
A little while ago I heard about this "What to Respect When Not Expecting" project via this post on Kristen's Adoption Love blog.
For those of us who are in the world of adoption and/or infant loss and/or infertility, we hear a lot from people. People we know well, people we know only a little, people we don't know at all. They say encouraging things, strange things, mean things. Most everybody says something, and hardly anything they say doesn't have some affect on us. After all, adoption, loss, and infertility are pretty major things, so we'll probably be pretty sensitive to anything you say. Please choose your words as wisely as you can.
There is a lady named Rebekah and she is working on compiling a book with all the things people say. To quote her, the purpose of the book is "to give those going through fertility challenges an assurance that there are people out there who get it, and to give friends and relatives of people going through it a gauge on what not to say".
Here is the link so you can learn more about it and so that you can contribute your hilarious, awful, sad, wonderful stories to the book as well!
For those of us who are in the world of adoption and/or infant loss and/or infertility, we hear a lot from people. People we know well, people we know only a little, people we don't know at all. They say encouraging things, strange things, mean things. Most everybody says something, and hardly anything they say doesn't have some affect on us. After all, adoption, loss, and infertility are pretty major things, so we'll probably be pretty sensitive to anything you say. Please choose your words as wisely as you can.
There is a lady named Rebekah and she is working on compiling a book with all the things people say. To quote her, the purpose of the book is "to give those going through fertility challenges an assurance that there are people out there who get it, and to give friends and relatives of people going through it a gauge on what not to say".
Here is the link so you can learn more about it and so that you can contribute your hilarious, awful, sad, wonderful stories to the book as well!
Friday, December 6, 2013
Adoption "Maternity" Pictures!
On September 19 Hubby & I had an adoption "maternity" photoshoot done by an amazing photographer, Charmaine Toews. There are a lot of excellent ideas out there on Pinterest and on other adoption blogs for photos and signs to use for this type of photoshoot. I gathered together my favourite ideas and made some signs, as well as told our photographer about the ideas and she did some research on her own and came up with more ideas. Then she took us to some random field, lol, and took these amazing pictures! Sorry it's taken me so long to post them! I was waiting on a number of things and now the time is right to share them with you! Somehow I've managed to pair down all the wonderful photographs to just 10 of my favourites to show you: (click on the photos to make them bigger if you want)
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Am I Just "Playing House"?
So I mentioned in this post that I emailed our adoption agency to find out if we'd been shown to anybody since getting approved half a year ago.
It is this feeling of, does anybody else besides me believe that we will actually become parents? Am I just "playing house"? It's a terribly lonely feeling. When people walk around with their pregnant bellies, everyone can see that they're expecting a child. No one sees that I am expecting a child. So no one talks about it. I don't expect many baby showers or for people to talk about nothing but babies and adoption with me. But I am not sure how to convey just how much it means to me when other people hope with me. To know you're praying, to receive a little baby item you happened to spot in the store and thought I would like, to ask how I'm doing. I could go on. I don't want to sound like I deserve a ton of attention or that you should feel sorry for me. But this journey can be terribly lonely. I guess I just want to feel like a "real" expectant parent and want others to view me that way, too. And sometimes I just doubt if it's all just a big game and we really won't get chosen. I doubt why I occasionally buy baby stuff; if there'll really be someone to wear these little clothes one day.
I shouldn't say that no one supports me. I think just the disappointment from not being shown yet coupled with my own doubts that we'll ever get matched somehow concluded in my feeling like people don't actually care enough to let me know they do care even a little.
The next day we got a simple but kind reply "Hi Lee and Rhonda, nice to hear from you. I looked at your file, and to date, it has not yet been shown. Wishing you well, Bonnie."
So pretty much our reaction was not shock or surprise, but at the same time still disappointment. I tried to brush it off, but I did have some tears over supper as I was talking about how I felt.
It is this feeling of, does anybody else besides me believe that we will actually become parents? Am I just "playing house"? It's a terribly lonely feeling. When people walk around with their pregnant bellies, everyone can see that they're expecting a child. No one sees that I am expecting a child. So no one talks about it. I don't expect many baby showers or for people to talk about nothing but babies and adoption with me. But I am not sure how to convey just how much it means to me when other people hope with me. To know you're praying, to receive a little baby item you happened to spot in the store and thought I would like, to ask how I'm doing. I could go on. I don't want to sound like I deserve a ton of attention or that you should feel sorry for me. But this journey can be terribly lonely. I guess I just want to feel like a "real" expectant parent and want others to view me that way, too. And sometimes I just doubt if it's all just a big game and we really won't get chosen. I doubt why I occasionally buy baby stuff; if there'll really be someone to wear these little clothes one day.
I shouldn't say that no one supports me. I think just the disappointment from not being shown yet coupled with my own doubts that we'll ever get matched somehow concluded in my feeling like people don't actually care enough to let me know they do care even a little.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Sunshine Award(s)!
So here are the rules:
- Proudly post your sunshiney new award
- Answer the 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you
- Nominate 11 wonderful bloggers
- Write 11 questions for them to answer
- Let the nominated blogger know you have nominated them
- What is the best advice you've ever gotten? I have gotten a lot of good advice in my life, that come to my mind at different times. To try and recall the best piece of advice right now? I'm not sure if I can do. But I can remember some good pieces of advice right now: my dad once told me to not waste time feeling embarrassed or stupid. My mother-in-law, who is a wealth of very gentle advice (perfect for my personality!) has told me that people who are very sensitive (who cry easily, are hurt easily - traits usually viewed as negative) are the very same people who are also sensitive to others - people who are gentle, kind, patient, etc. She is very correct. By the way, this sensitive person I am describing is my husband :)
- What is your first childhood memory? I don't know what my first memory was. I have a lousy memory! It's nothing significant, but I do seem to have a faint recollection that I used to be able to walk under the dining room table, and then one day realizing my eyes could peek above it and I could no longer walk right under it.
- If you could choose another time in history to live, when would it be? Every time in history has it's pros and cons, but I would like to try living in the "Little House on the Prairie" days. I really love the sense of family, of working together, playing together. Although it would've been a lot of hard work and access to doctors was rare, I think it would've been a really simple time. No technology so thus not a lot of ignoring each other. Knowing how to sew your own clothes, cook from scratch, garden, farm. Be outdoors a lot. A simple, steady faith in God. Helping your neighbours out (even if they were miles away) was something you didn't even think twice about.
- What's the last book you read and what was it about? I just finished "Behind the Veil", the 3rd and last book in the Royal Pavilions series by Linda Chaikin. She is one of my favourite Historical/Christian/Romance/Mystery/Fiction authors. The series is from the days of the crusades, and the books contain a lot of sword fights and "intrigue".
- How did you meet your significant other? I met my hubby when we both started working at a new Tim Horton's that opened up in our town. We actually didn't work a lot of the same shifts, but enough that we started to get to know each other a little. At first we didn't express any of the interest we had in each other, because I am two years older, and when you're 18 and 16, that seems like a big difference, lol! Also I was dating someone else at the time. He was secretly very happy when that relationship ended. We started to get together as friends, sometimes with other people, and eventually he asked me out :)
- What's the best way to get on your good side? Chocolate! And I really appreciate it when people listen to me and take me seriously. Here's another good piece of advice I was given, by a teacher back in highschool: when you ask how someone is doing, ask sincerely and then really listen to their answer. This stuck with me and I try not to do the frivolous "hi how are you" thing. So you get on my good side if you genuinely ask me how I am and then take the time to listen. Bonus points if next time I see you, you remember what I said! But I do also accept gifts of chocolate :D
- What's your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning? Sleep in with my hubby!!!
- If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? When I think of all the natural disasters, I think I might actually stay right where I am. Yes, we have minimum 5 months of snow, cold, wind, ice, and blizzards, but at least we don't have tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc, and only occasional, not very severe, tornadoes.
- What has been your favourite "adoption moment" so far? I think I will sum this answer up and say it is all the sweet things people have said to us. All the congratulations, the "you'll be a good mom" comments, the "I'm praying for you" encouragements, etc. Every one of these kind words tells me that people are thinking of us, remaining hopeful even when we lose hope, want the best for us, and are excited for us.
- What would your family pet say to you if they could talk? Last year we gave away our cat, my Smacky baby, of 7 years, to my brother and sis-in-law. So I hope he'd say "I miss you, Mom!"
- What is the airspeed velocity of a laden swallow? Sorry, Kristen, I have no idea what this means. A movie quote, I'm guessing?
- What’s one of the songs in your current Ipod / cd player / Pandora rotation and why do you like it? Turning on my iPod, the first song that shows up is "Manger Medley" by David Phelps from his album Joy, Joy. Yes, I've been listening to Christmas music! Why do I like this song? Because I love pretty much anything by David Phelps :)
- What is one thing you’re deathly afraid of? I could put Kristen's answer #8 verbatim into this one! But also, well, they have 8 legs and they're not octopuses - but they're almost as big!
- Who makes you laugh? Almost anyone - I laugh pretty easily! My father-in-law is usually the one to make me laugh til my face hurts, though.
- Presuming you can cook, what’s your favorite thing to cook? I love to cook and I honestly don't know if I can come up with just one dish. I do really enjoy chopping vegetables though - there's something calming about it. And it's just fun to wield a chef's knife and pretend I'm a professional!
- Describe your most embarrassing moment – if you’re anything like me, you might need it narrowed down – of 2013. I never can find an answer to this question! Perhaps it's because of my dad's advice (see above) to not waste time feeling embarrassed and stupid?? I know I do embarrass myself regularly; I just can't think of an example right now.
- What’s the weirdest job task you’ve ever had? I don't know if I've had to do anything exceptionally weird. I've really only had 3 main jobs in my life time (coffee shop, grocery store, fishing lodge). One thing we had no choice but to do at the fishing lodge, even though it wasn't directly part of the job, was clear mice out of our cabin regularly. Hubby & I had one tiny cabin that we lived in for about 4 months, and it had a lot of mice. In the toilet, falling from the ceiling... In the night the trap would always go off and I'd wake Hubby up to go dump the mouse outside and reset it.
- What’s one parenting moment you’re looking forward to most? Just one? :) Perhaps Baby falling asleep contentedly in my arms. But I am also looking forward to simply everyday life as a family.
- Would you rather have a wand or a light saber? I'd rather not have either, thanks anyway, Ethan!
- What book is on your nightstand? I currently have 3 on my nightstand - my Bible (currently reading), "Eternal Security" by Charles Stanley (currently reading), and "The Terrible Hours" by Peter Maas (done reading).
- What childhood moment will you try to recreate with your child(ren)? The childhood memory I have that I hoped my child(ren) would have is playing with cousins, but as life's turning out, my child(ren)'s cousins will be a lot older than they. So maybe just using their imagination and being creative.
- (Stealing this one from Kristen): What’s your favorite adoption moment so far? As this was "stolen" from Kristen :) I have already answered it (see above).
B&B and The Big Decision
Grafting Our Family Tree
Jim and Amy Hoping to Adopt
Waiting for Baby
Unexpected Dreams
Until Forever...
In Due Time
Seeds of the Heart
Love, Matt and Kara
Trying for a Baby (Adopting)
Our Adoption Story
- What do you see when you look out your window right now?
- Who would you love to be able to have a conversation with again right now?
- Are you more inclined to pick a sweet snack or a salty snack?
- What's one of the most thought-provoking things you've heard or read lately?
- Are you a cat person or a dog person?
- If you could pick one character trait for your child to develop, what would it be?
- Are you more content doing nothing or being busy?
- What is something you would like to change about how many people view adoption/loss/infertility?
- What's your favourite restaurant and why?
- When it comes down to it, what/who is all that really matters to you?
- If you won the lottery, what's one thing you'd spend money on that people would think you were slightly crazy for doing?
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Motherhood Month - 2
Progress: We've been approved & waiting for exactly 1/2 a year today!
Mood: Today, at this moment, I am feeling a bit of nervous anticipation. I just finished emailing our agency to ask if we've been shown to anybody in the last 6 months. At the seminar we went to last year, we were told not to call all the time asking; to wait until 6 months had passed (we will get updated annually). So I took them very literally and waited until today to contact them.
In reality, finding out if we've shown shouldn't have a huge impact. I mean, these are the possible scenarios:
Cravings: Well, I just woke up 1 1/2 hours ago and haven't eaten any breakfast yet, and since lunchtime is looming, I should probably get around to either eating my usual Cornflakes or starting to make lunch (I'm planning on warming up the quiche I made yesterday). Hmm...that sounds good; stomach's growling... I'll be right back! :)
Thoughts About Our Child: I recently put up new pictures of my 3 nieces and can't believe how old and mature they look. They are now 14, almost 10, and 8. I feel sad that our child(ren) won't have cousins close to their age to play with. Cousins were so important to me growing up.
Thoughts About Our Expectant Mom: Thinking about another open adoption I know of where the birthmother is no longer in the picture, I am hoping our child's birthparents will choose to be a part of our life and our (as in theirs and ours) child's life. Even though I imagine that will have its difficulties, too.
Most Recent Baby Purchase/Gift: Really awesome photos are coming soon! And I am hoping Hubby & my sisters are planning a surprise baby shower for me, but if they aren't, well, there's really nothing I can do about it, right? :)
This Week God: reminded me that even though I am not ashamed of Him, it may come across to others that way if I avoid a situation I am intimidated by. Romans 1:16
Mood: Today, at this moment, I am feeling a bit of nervous anticipation. I just finished emailing our agency to ask if we've been shown to anybody in the last 6 months. At the seminar we went to last year, we were told not to call all the time asking; to wait until 6 months had passed (we will get updated annually). So I took them very literally and waited until today to contact them.
In reality, finding out if we've shown shouldn't have a huge impact. I mean, these are the possible scenarios:
- We find out we haven't been shown to any expectant parents. We wonder "what's wrong with us??"
- We find out we've been shown to very few expectant parents but haven't been matched. We wonder "what's wrong with us??"
- We find out we've been shown to many expectant parents but haven't been matched. We wonder "what's wrong with us??"
Cravings: Well, I just woke up 1 1/2 hours ago and haven't eaten any breakfast yet, and since lunchtime is looming, I should probably get around to either eating my usual Cornflakes or starting to make lunch (I'm planning on warming up the quiche I made yesterday). Hmm...that sounds good; stomach's growling... I'll be right back! :)
Thoughts About Our Child: I recently put up new pictures of my 3 nieces and can't believe how old and mature they look. They are now 14, almost 10, and 8. I feel sad that our child(ren) won't have cousins close to their age to play with. Cousins were so important to me growing up.
Thoughts About Our Expectant Mom: Thinking about another open adoption I know of where the birthmother is no longer in the picture, I am hoping our child's birthparents will choose to be a part of our life and our (as in theirs and ours) child's life. Even though I imagine that will have its difficulties, too.
Most Recent Baby Purchase/Gift: Really awesome photos are coming soon! And I am hoping Hubby & my sisters are planning a surprise baby shower for me, but if they aren't, well, there's really nothing I can do about it, right? :)
This Week God: reminded me that even though I am not ashamed of Him, it may come across to others that way if I avoid a situation I am intimidated by. Romans 1:16
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Christmas is Coming
Well, Christmas is coming (48 days) and decorations are starting to show
up around our house! This is the first year we've had Christmas in
this house (we moved here in February). So I'm pretty excited about
decorating.
The tree will hopefully be going up in a week and a half. I'm very
excited about it! Have you started Christmas decorating yet?
For those of you who don't have children in your home, does it make the holiday season harder? Or do the festivities distract you?
Do you buy anything for your future child(ren)? I have never bought a Christmas present specifically for our future child(ren), but I have given my husband presents that I guess are technically for the child. For example, last Christmas I gave him a little white onesie with a red stocking on it that said "Daddy's Best Present".
Do you ask for any gifts for your future child(ren)? I think this is the first year that I have put on my Christmas wishlists things like gift cards for Babies R Us. People may hardly ever talk about the fact that we are going to be parents, but I won't let them forget! Sometimes I really wish people would treat us as expectant parents. Ah well.
Do you have any special ornaments you put on your tree that remind you of children you have lost or children you will gain? I wish I could find a special ornament that we could put on our tree each year that would say something like "Waiting for you to spend all your Christmases with us."
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| Pretty glass snowflake tealight holders in the living room. |
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| Seashore Christmas decor in the bathroom! |
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| A few snowball ornaments added to the bathroom seashore decor. |
For those of you who don't have children in your home, does it make the holiday season harder? Or do the festivities distract you?
Do you buy anything for your future child(ren)? I have never bought a Christmas present specifically for our future child(ren), but I have given my husband presents that I guess are technically for the child. For example, last Christmas I gave him a little white onesie with a red stocking on it that said "Daddy's Best Present".
Do you ask for any gifts for your future child(ren)? I think this is the first year that I have put on my Christmas wishlists things like gift cards for Babies R Us. People may hardly ever talk about the fact that we are going to be parents, but I won't let them forget! Sometimes I really wish people would treat us as expectant parents. Ah well.
Do you have any special ornaments you put on your tree that remind you of children you have lost or children you will gain? I wish I could find a special ornament that we could put on our tree each year that would say something like "Waiting for you to spend all your Christmases with us."
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Mom-to-Be
A while ago I showed you the shirt I got my hubby for Father's Day. Later on, I also got myself this shirt:
Both shirts are from Adoption Bug.
 | ||||||
| Mom-to-be: Just waiting to find out when! |
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Motherhood Month - 1
Fellow adoption blogger Kristen, over at Adoption Love, does these posts every Monday called "Motherhood Monday"s. She says, "Pregnant moms get to do weekly updates. They get to share ultrasound pictures and crazy craving stories....I've seen expectant moms keep records of mood swings and belly-button expansion, all the joys of pregnancy. Why can't I do the same, just with a few modifications? And so Motherhood Mondays has been born." I personally think this is a brilliant idea! So, with her go-ahead, I am doing the same thing :) I'm calling mine "Motherhood Month"s because I will only be doing an update every month on, or as close as I can to, the 14th, which is the date we got approved. So here goes!
Progress: We've been waiting 5 months. (Well, since we got approved, that is! I've been waiting for Baby for about 6 years!)
Mood: This changes almost by the minute. Sometimes, like today, my stomach still lurches when the phone rings; sometimes I feel acceptance that it will just be the two of us for the rest of our lives (those are very brief moments). I still catch myself daydreaming a lot about getting the call. Lately I have not felt despair, that we won't ever get picked, so that is good.
Cravings: Well, I am in the middle of eating a plate of TastiTaters dipped in Ranch dressing, so I'm not really craving anything right now.
Thoughts about our child: I can't wait to meet you...!
Thoughts about our expectant mom: I wonder what you are going through right now. What is your life like right now?
Most recent baby purchase/gift: Sometimes I can handle the baby dept. of a store; sometimes I cannot. Yesterday I was grocery shopping by myself and went through the baby clothes dept. to get to the other side of the store. I got distracted by the insanely cute clothes! I ended up buying a little shirt with a plane on it for my hubby whose birthday is today (he's a pilot).
This week God: has shown me that being corrected by a fellow Believer, when done in love, can be an encouraging experience and a time to grow and learn, if I choose to be humble.
Progress: We've been waiting 5 months. (Well, since we got approved, that is! I've been waiting for Baby for about 6 years!)
Mood: This changes almost by the minute. Sometimes, like today, my stomach still lurches when the phone rings; sometimes I feel acceptance that it will just be the two of us for the rest of our lives (those are very brief moments). I still catch myself daydreaming a lot about getting the call. Lately I have not felt despair, that we won't ever get picked, so that is good.
Cravings: Well, I am in the middle of eating a plate of TastiTaters dipped in Ranch dressing, so I'm not really craving anything right now.
Thoughts about our child: I can't wait to meet you...!
Thoughts about our expectant mom: I wonder what you are going through right now. What is your life like right now?
Most recent baby purchase/gift: Sometimes I can handle the baby dept. of a store; sometimes I cannot. Yesterday I was grocery shopping by myself and went through the baby clothes dept. to get to the other side of the store. I got distracted by the insanely cute clothes! I ended up buying a little shirt with a plane on it for my hubby whose birthday is today (he's a pilot).
This week God: has shown me that being corrected by a fellow Believer, when done in love, can be an encouraging experience and a time to grow and learn, if I choose to be humble.
Pregnant
moms get to do weekly updates. They get to share ultrasound pictures
and crazy craving stories. When I was pregnant with our daughter I took
"belly" pictures to record her growth. I've seen expectant moms keep
records of mood swings and belly-button expansion, all the joys of
pregnancy. Why can't I do the same, just with a few modifications? And
so, Motherhood Mondays has been born. - See more at:
http://joshandkrisloveadoption.blogspot.ca/search/label/Motherhood%20Mondays#sthash.p3Du9kZK.dpuf
Pregnant
moms get to do weekly updates. They get to share ultrasound pictures
and crazy craving stories. When I was pregnant with our daughter I took
"belly" pictures to record her growth. I've seen expectant moms keep
records of mood swings and belly-button expansion, all the joys of
pregnancy. Why can't I do the same, just with a few modifications? And
so, Motherhood Mondays has been born. - See more at:
http://joshandkrisloveadoption.blogspot.ca/search/label/Motherhood%20Mondays#sthash.p3Du9kZK.dpuf
Pregnant
moms get to do weekly updates. They get to share ultrasound pictures
and crazy craving stories. When I was pregnant with our daughter I took
"belly" pictures to record her growth. I've seen expectant moms keep
records of mood swings and belly-button expansion, all the joys of
pregnancy. Why can't I do the same, just with a few modifications? And
so, Motherhood Mondays has been born. - See more at:
http://joshandkrisloveadoption.blogspot.ca/search/label/Motherhood%20Mondays#sthash.p3Du9kZK.dpuf
Monday, September 30, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Hello
I love ICLW - having so many people come by my blog, adding new blogs to my reading list, "meeting" new people, saying hello to old friends. :)
Just wanted to let you all know that I updated my "Me & Hubby" and "My Testimony" tabs. Nothing earth-shattering - just little tweaks :)
Thanks for stopping by! :)
Just wanted to let you all know that I updated my "Me & Hubby" and "My Testimony" tabs. Nothing earth-shattering - just little tweaks :)
Thanks for stopping by! :)
Saturday, September 14, 2013
4 months
Today is 4 months since we got approved. Just curious how long you had to wait til you got matched? (Our agency says the average wait is 2 years.)
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Currently
Craving...food :) But it's too close to suppertime to eat much of anything, so I'm having a hot apple cider instead :)
Listening to...the crickets! They are LOUD and ABUNDANT!! We usually like to sleep with the windows open in summertime, but the crickets haven't allowed for it this year - way too loud. Also hearing the little children playing on the other side of the fence.
Making me sad...antidepressants, sleeping pills, etc, and what they have done to those I love.
Missing...my hubby, because I almost always miss him while he's at work and especially while I am sad, and our future baby whom I don't even know.
Thankful for...so much! Hot apple cider, that it still feels like summer even though it's Sept. 10, that I am no longer on antidepressants, for my wonderful hubby, that we are approved to adopt and really could get "the call" any minute :)
Listening to...the crickets! They are LOUD and ABUNDANT!! We usually like to sleep with the windows open in summertime, but the crickets haven't allowed for it this year - way too loud. Also hearing the little children playing on the other side of the fence.
Making me sad...antidepressants, sleeping pills, etc, and what they have done to those I love.
Missing...my hubby, because I almost always miss him while he's at work and especially while I am sad, and our future baby whom I don't even know.
Thankful for...so much! Hot apple cider, that it still feels like summer even though it's Sept. 10, that I am no longer on antidepressants, for my wonderful hubby, that we are approved to adopt and really could get "the call" any minute :)
Monday, September 9, 2013
Willow Tree Figurines
Do you have any of those Willow Tree figurines? Or have you seen them in people's homes or in stores? I've always seen them and loved them. Unfortunately I was always seeing the ones of the pregnant woman, with her beautiful curving belly. I really didn't think there was any other one besides that one and I think a couple.
Anyway, sometime last year I was in a store and I was admiring their Willow Tree figurines. And I saw this one:
And it was on sale. I decided to buy it right there and then and hide it away, and then give it to my husband the day we got approved. Well, time went by, and we moved. And then when we got approved, that day was a whole lot less exciting than I thought it would be. And anyway, I totally forgot I had this tucked in a box somewhere until way later. I came across it by accident and was very disappointed and frustrated with myself. I ended up giving it to my husband anyway. And he was very sweet about it.
The figurine is titled "New Dad" and the caption reads "In awe and wonder of what's to come."
I found four figurines on the Willow Tree website that I wanted for myself! My husband gave me this one for my birthday last month:
It is titled "Angel of Mine" and the caption reads "So loved, so very loved." It was my top pick. The other three that I also liked are:
"Child of My Heart" - "Child of the world, Into my heart you came - Bringing sun into my life, Making family our name."
"Guardian" - "Love and protect thee, forever."
"The Quilt" - "Sleep my child and peace...peace...Covered in love and keep...keep..."
P.S. This is not supposed to be an ad for Willow Tree. I just really like the artists' work and wanted to show you which ones my husband and I had gotten each other :)
Anyway, sometime last year I was in a store and I was admiring their Willow Tree figurines. And I saw this one:
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The figurine is titled "New Dad" and the caption reads "In awe and wonder of what's to come."
I found four figurines on the Willow Tree website that I wanted for myself! My husband gave me this one for my birthday last month:
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"Child of My Heart" - "Child of the world, Into my heart you came - Bringing sun into my life, Making family our name."
"Guardian" - "Love and protect thee, forever."
"The Quilt" - "Sleep my child and peace...peace...Covered in love and keep...keep..."
P.S. This is not supposed to be an ad for Willow Tree. I just really like the artists' work and wanted to show you which ones my husband and I had gotten each other :)
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
August ICLW
Hello to those of you participating in ICLW!
Just a quick blurb on me.
My husband and I are approved to adopt and are waiting for "The Call". Have questions? Feel free to ask - I love talking about [most] aspects of our story and definitely about adoption.
I love cats.
And chocolate.
I am currently eating on Organic Soy-Free Swiss Milk Chocolate bar - it's my drug of choice during PMS. I can't eat soy, amongst many other things, so I was very happy to find this bar.
I recently turned 31. I was told it would be harder than turning 30, but 31 was pretty much a non-event for me. Once upon a time I "planned" on being done having kids by age 30. Bwahahahahaha!!!!! Ultimately, though, I'm glad God is in charge because I think He knows what He's doing a whole lot better than me.
What do you think of this idea?
Do you scrapbook? I do, and make cards, and stamp, and I love it all! This is my most recent completed page, pretty much baring my heart.
Is anybody else like this? I find myself obsessing about all things baby-related - the clothes, oh, the adorable onesies and shoes, and the how-to take care of a baby books, and looking at pins for ideas on decorating a nursery, etc. Yet at the same time I feel as if the pregnant people are stalking me, because they're everywhere, and really does every article and book and TV show and conversation have to include pregnancy, labour and delivery, nursing, and how nothing compares to said experiences??
I also love corn on the cob. And tis the season for corn on the cob!
And I'm hungry.
And I'm like a squirrel, jumping from topic to topic. Makes it more interesting for you! :D
Just a quick blurb on me.
My husband and I are approved to adopt and are waiting for "The Call". Have questions? Feel free to ask - I love talking about [most] aspects of our story and definitely about adoption.
I love cats.
And chocolate.
I am currently eating on Organic Soy-Free Swiss Milk Chocolate bar - it's my drug of choice during PMS. I can't eat soy, amongst many other things, so I was very happy to find this bar.
I recently turned 31. I was told it would be harder than turning 30, but 31 was pretty much a non-event for me. Once upon a time I "planned" on being done having kids by age 30. Bwahahahahaha!!!!! Ultimately, though, I'm glad God is in charge because I think He knows what He's doing a whole lot better than me.
What do you think of this idea?
Do you scrapbook? I do, and make cards, and stamp, and I love it all! This is my most recent completed page, pretty much baring my heart.
Is anybody else like this? I find myself obsessing about all things baby-related - the clothes, oh, the adorable onesies and shoes, and the how-to take care of a baby books, and looking at pins for ideas on decorating a nursery, etc. Yet at the same time I feel as if the pregnant people are stalking me, because they're everywhere, and really does every article and book and TV show and conversation have to include pregnancy, labour and delivery, nursing, and how nothing compares to said experiences??
I also love corn on the cob. And tis the season for corn on the cob!
And I'm hungry.
And I'm like a squirrel, jumping from topic to topic. Makes it more interesting for you! :D
Monday, August 19, 2013
Scrapbook Made by Birthmom for Baby
I think this is such a neat idea! It is an article written by a birthmom about making a scrapbook for her baby for him/her to treasure when he/she goes home to the adoptive family. All about her, the birthdad if she chooses, her pregnancy, etc. As she words it, "ANYTHING I can write so the baby knows how much I love it". Hubby & I would really love if our future birthmom would do this for our future child!
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
The ABC's of Me
Just because I like these silly little survey thingies. Nothing deep here. I found this over at Confessions of an Infertile.
A. Attached or Single? Attached. Been married to my wonderful hubby now for over 8 years!
B. Best Friend? That would be said Hubby. I love spending time with him :)
C. Cake or Pie? Not a big cake fan (except for maybe ice-cream cake!). I do love me some apple pie!
D. Day of Choice? Sundays & Mondays. Sundays because we actually go somewhere, do something, be with people. Mondays because I can stay home away from people, lol, and get things done.
E. Essential Item? Water. I need a bottle of water with me even if I'm running a quick errand.
F. Favorite Color? I love blues.
G. Gummy Bears or Worms? Both are good. Both hurt my teeth. I think I slightly prefer the worms.
H. Hometown? Hm. I grew up in the country in the municipality of Ste. Anne, went to the doctor in Ste. Anne, school in Blumenort and later Steinbach, had a Landmark phone number, and a Steinbach mailbox, went to church in Blumenort and later Ridgewood. (That was all living in the same house, by the way.) You tell me; I've never known how to answer it. As a kid a teacher asked me where I lived and I replied "in the bush" LOL.
I. Favorite Indulgence? Chocolate. And lately I've found some yummy soy-free chocolate which makes me very happy.
J. January or July? July, hands down. I prefer heat over cold. However, I do live in the center of North America, meaning that we have extreme temperatures at both ends. But I'm still going to pick +30C (July) over -30C (January). (If I converted that correctly, I believe that would be 86F in July and -22F in January.)
K. Kids? That would be nice, yes, please.
L. Life Isn’t Complete Without? See letter (K).
M. Marriage Date? April 16
N. Number of Brothers/Sisters? One brother, two sisters.
O. Oranges or Apples? I can't eat citrus unfortunately so apples it is. Thankfully I like them.
P. Phobias? Spiders. Particularly t*******as (no, I can't even handle seeing it spelled). Be nice.
Q. Quotes? Oh, I have so many favourites! Today we'll go with this one: "There isn't a note of mediocrity in all of His creation...and all of the beauty we create with human hands is only imitation." ~David Phelps' song "Virtuoso"~
R. Reasons to Smile? Jesus Christ & being saved (sorry, I know that sounds like a vague cliche, there's more under My Testimony), my hubby & his love, hope for the future, and well, cute kittens. If you don't smile at a kitten's antics, something is wrong.
S. Season of Choice? Not Winter. Spring, Summer, Fall. All good. Winter not good. (Except for Christmas.)
T. Tag 5 People?
U. Unknown Fact About Me? There's very little unknown about me. I'm a pretty open book, over-sharer, blurt it all out, can't keep secrets kind of a person. If there's any unknown facts about me I haven't shared, a public blog is probably not the first place I'd pick to share it, though ;)
V. Vegetable? Corn or cucumber.
W. Worst Habit? Just one? Probably doubting. Doubting Hubby, God, myself.
X. Xray or Ultrasound? I'm supposed to pick a favourite, lol, or what? I've had both and don't care for either, thank you very much.
Y. Your Favorite Food? Well, it must involve cheese in some way. Maybe I'll just say cheese.
Z. Zodiac Sign? Meh, don't believe in that stuff.
Thanks for reading! :)
A. Attached or Single? Attached. Been married to my wonderful hubby now for over 8 years!
B. Best Friend? That would be said Hubby. I love spending time with him :)
C. Cake or Pie? Not a big cake fan (except for maybe ice-cream cake!). I do love me some apple pie!
D. Day of Choice? Sundays & Mondays. Sundays because we actually go somewhere, do something, be with people. Mondays because I can stay home away from people, lol, and get things done.
E. Essential Item? Water. I need a bottle of water with me even if I'm running a quick errand.
F. Favorite Color? I love blues.
G. Gummy Bears or Worms? Both are good. Both hurt my teeth. I think I slightly prefer the worms.
H. Hometown? Hm. I grew up in the country in the municipality of Ste. Anne, went to the doctor in Ste. Anne, school in Blumenort and later Steinbach, had a Landmark phone number, and a Steinbach mailbox, went to church in Blumenort and later Ridgewood. (That was all living in the same house, by the way.) You tell me; I've never known how to answer it. As a kid a teacher asked me where I lived and I replied "in the bush" LOL.
I. Favorite Indulgence? Chocolate. And lately I've found some yummy soy-free chocolate which makes me very happy.
J. January or July? July, hands down. I prefer heat over cold. However, I do live in the center of North America, meaning that we have extreme temperatures at both ends. But I'm still going to pick +30C (July) over -30C (January). (If I converted that correctly, I believe that would be 86F in July and -22F in January.)
K. Kids? That would be nice, yes, please.
L. Life Isn’t Complete Without? See letter (K).
M. Marriage Date? April 16
N. Number of Brothers/Sisters? One brother, two sisters.
O. Oranges or Apples? I can't eat citrus unfortunately so apples it is. Thankfully I like them.
P. Phobias? Spiders. Particularly t*******as (no, I can't even handle seeing it spelled). Be nice.
Q. Quotes? Oh, I have so many favourites! Today we'll go with this one: "There isn't a note of mediocrity in all of His creation...and all of the beauty we create with human hands is only imitation." ~David Phelps' song "Virtuoso"~
S. Season of Choice? Not Winter. Spring, Summer, Fall. All good. Winter not good. (Except for Christmas.)
T. Tag 5 People?
U. Unknown Fact About Me? There's very little unknown about me. I'm a pretty open book, over-sharer, blurt it all out, can't keep secrets kind of a person. If there's any unknown facts about me I haven't shared, a public blog is probably not the first place I'd pick to share it, though ;)
V. Vegetable? Corn or cucumber.
W. Worst Habit? Just one? Probably doubting. Doubting Hubby, God, myself.
X. Xray or Ultrasound? I'm supposed to pick a favourite, lol, or what? I've had both and don't care for either, thank you very much.
Y. Your Favorite Food? Well, it must involve cheese in some way. Maybe I'll just say cheese.
Z. Zodiac Sign? Meh, don't believe in that stuff.
Thanks for reading! :)
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Waiting
I find it astounding how difficult the waiting is, this early on. We've only waited 2 months. I feel almost embarrassed posting about waiting when some of my fellow bloggers have been waiting years upon years upon years.
I suppose it feels longer than 2 months because first there was the waiting for hubby to also feel ready to ttc. Then there was the waiting to get pg. Then there was the waiting to decide what to do about my epilepsy/meds in relation to babies, and the grieving the loss of never going to have birthchildren. Then there was the waiting while we switched me from one med to the other. Then there was the waiting for enough money to start the adoption process. Then there was all the paperwork and everything that needs to be done to get approved. And then we arrived at 2 months ago. (See my timeline.) So I don't really feel like it's been 2 months waiting to have a baby. I feel like it's been at least 5 years since I first felt like I really wanted a baby.
Has anybody else noticed that really fine line between wanting your baby, and coveting? It's so easy to justify my emotions and desires, and say I deserve this. Every woman should be able to be a mother if they want to. It's natural. It's instinct. Biological clock and everything. But even good things can be coveted, and wishing jealously and desperately for something that isn't mine yet is sin. Anyway, just an aside, something I've been chewing on a bit lately.
I've noticed that pms makes the waiting extra hard. I get brutal pms (technically called pmdd) so of course everything feels worse during the 7 - 10 days before my period, and waiting is definitely one of those things. Hubby has to constantly reassure me we will get chosen one day!
The average waiting time with our agency is 2 years. Hubby is expecting our wait to be 1.5 years (why, I don't know, I think he thinks we have a stellar profile or something); I'm expecting our wait to be 2.5 years (I think my epilepsy will hinder us). In this case, I really wouldn't mind if Hubby is right and I am wrong, though!!
The stats with our agency are out for the first half of 2013. (For private adoptions only) there are 31 applicants who have applied for adoption; 20 applicants who have been approved (that includes us!); 4 applicants who have been matched (babies not born yet or 21 day waiting period not up yet); 9 placements; and 72 prospective adoptive parents currently active (approved & waiting for match - includes us). (I believe our agency does roughly 14 placements a year; with 1 - 2 reversals a year.) There have been 33 birthparents who have contacted our agency to inquire about adoption; 19 birthparents who have come into the agency for counseling to explore their options; 5 whom have matched with prospective adoptive parents; 7 whom have placed their child for adoption; and 5 who are actively involved with the decision-making process with an adoption counselor (choose us! choose us! lol!).
I try not to think about getting chosen too much. But I do. All the time. When does this go away and you just get back to "normal life"? It may be 6 years before we're chosen and I will go nutty if this is on my mind 24/7, lol!
I suppose it feels longer than 2 months because first there was the waiting for hubby to also feel ready to ttc. Then there was the waiting to get pg. Then there was the waiting to decide what to do about my epilepsy/meds in relation to babies, and the grieving the loss of never going to have birthchildren. Then there was the waiting while we switched me from one med to the other. Then there was the waiting for enough money to start the adoption process. Then there was all the paperwork and everything that needs to be done to get approved. And then we arrived at 2 months ago. (See my timeline.) So I don't really feel like it's been 2 months waiting to have a baby. I feel like it's been at least 5 years since I first felt like I really wanted a baby.
Has anybody else noticed that really fine line between wanting your baby, and coveting? It's so easy to justify my emotions and desires, and say I deserve this. Every woman should be able to be a mother if they want to. It's natural. It's instinct. Biological clock and everything. But even good things can be coveted, and wishing jealously and desperately for something that isn't mine yet is sin. Anyway, just an aside, something I've been chewing on a bit lately.
I've noticed that pms makes the waiting extra hard. I get brutal pms (technically called pmdd) so of course everything feels worse during the 7 - 10 days before my period, and waiting is definitely one of those things. Hubby has to constantly reassure me we will get chosen one day!
The average waiting time with our agency is 2 years. Hubby is expecting our wait to be 1.5 years (why, I don't know, I think he thinks we have a stellar profile or something); I'm expecting our wait to be 2.5 years (I think my epilepsy will hinder us). In this case, I really wouldn't mind if Hubby is right and I am wrong, though!!
The stats with our agency are out for the first half of 2013. (For private adoptions only) there are 31 applicants who have applied for adoption; 20 applicants who have been approved (that includes us!); 4 applicants who have been matched (babies not born yet or 21 day waiting period not up yet); 9 placements; and 72 prospective adoptive parents currently active (approved & waiting for match - includes us). (I believe our agency does roughly 14 placements a year; with 1 - 2 reversals a year.) There have been 33 birthparents who have contacted our agency to inquire about adoption; 19 birthparents who have come into the agency for counseling to explore their options; 5 whom have matched with prospective adoptive parents; 7 whom have placed their child for adoption; and 5 who are actively involved with the decision-making process with an adoption counselor (choose us! choose us! lol!).
I try not to think about getting chosen too much. But I do. All the time. When does this go away and you just get back to "normal life"? It may be 6 years before we're chosen and I will go nutty if this is on my mind 24/7, lol!
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Belated Father's Day Post :)
Sorry I've been MIA so far this month! I think after doing the June Blog Challenge (blogging every day) I just was relieved to not have to blog for a while!
I just wanted to show you what I got for Hubby for Father's Day:
He's already worn it quite a bit and has had a lot of compliments on it :)
I just wanted to show you what I got for Hubby for Father's Day:
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| from Adoption Bug |
Sunday, June 30, 2013
June Blog Challenge Day 30: My Closet
30. What's one thing in your closet you wear when you have a nice
occasion? Interpret that as a date night or important job event.
Just one thing?! I like variety too much to just pick one thing :)
If it's summer time, though, and my husband and I are going out, I will most likely wear this dress:
In winter time, this is usually the top I'll pick to dress up in:
June Blog Challenge FINISHED! :)
Just one thing?! I like variety too much to just pick one thing :)
If it's summer time, though, and my husband and I are going out, I will most likely wear this dress:
In winter time, this is usually the top I'll pick to dress up in:
June Blog Challenge FINISHED! :)
Saturday, June 29, 2013
June Blog Challenge Days 29: College
29. Tell me the highlights of your college years.
Well, I didn't go to college! There was never a big emphasis put on education in my family. All four of us children struggled with school. Although it was difficult, 3 of us did eventually graduate high school, which was a big accomplishment for each of us. Once I was done with mandatory school, I had zero desire to continue! I did take a correspondence photography course with the New York Institute of Photography. It took me way longer to complete than it should have, but I did complete it! Nowadays it is getting more and more critical to have post-secondary education to get a good job or dream career, so we will probably encourage our child(ren) to attend university or college.
Well, I didn't go to college! There was never a big emphasis put on education in my family. All four of us children struggled with school. Although it was difficult, 3 of us did eventually graduate high school, which was a big accomplishment for each of us. Once I was done with mandatory school, I had zero desire to continue! I did take a correspondence photography course with the New York Institute of Photography. It took me way longer to complete than it should have, but I did complete it! Nowadays it is getting more and more critical to have post-secondary education to get a good job or dream career, so we will probably encourage our child(ren) to attend university or college.
Friday, June 28, 2013
June Blog Challenge Days 27 & 28
27. When you were younger, what job(s) did you want to have?
When I was little, I wanted to be a secretary, a teacher, an author, and an illustrator. I alternated between these, but more often it was the secretary and author. Both still appeal to me :)
28. Do you speak any other languages? When do you think a child should learn a new language?
I don't speak any language other than English fluently. I took French for 5 years (grades 4 - 8) because it was mandatory, but it never really stuck. All it has really helped for is that I'm able to recognize some French words (and thus some Spanish as well, since they're so similar). My parents are fluent in Low German and so all four of us, their children, know Low German to some degree or another. My brother (the oldest one) is also fluent in Low German, the next oldest understands all of it but only speaks some of it, the next understands some of it and speaks some of it, and then there's me, the baby. I understand words and phrases here and there and can usually catch on to the gist of what's being said, but if I try and say any of the words and phrases I know, it usually comes out all wrong. Interestingly, though, I still find that there's a word here and there that I actually only know the Low German for, and don't know the English for, but don't know exactly how to pronounce in Low German!
I have no idea when a child should learn a new language. Since we live in Canada, Hubby & I think it'd be wise for our child(ren) to know both English & French, since to get a good job and career of one's choice, it is getting more and more beneficial to be bilingual. I'd also like for our child(ren) to know Low German, but I'm not sure how possible that is (it's kind of like a slang language, not really a written one).
When I was little, I wanted to be a secretary, a teacher, an author, and an illustrator. I alternated between these, but more often it was the secretary and author. Both still appeal to me :)
28. Do you speak any other languages? When do you think a child should learn a new language?
I don't speak any language other than English fluently. I took French for 5 years (grades 4 - 8) because it was mandatory, but it never really stuck. All it has really helped for is that I'm able to recognize some French words (and thus some Spanish as well, since they're so similar). My parents are fluent in Low German and so all four of us, their children, know Low German to some degree or another. My brother (the oldest one) is also fluent in Low German, the next oldest understands all of it but only speaks some of it, the next understands some of it and speaks some of it, and then there's me, the baby. I understand words and phrases here and there and can usually catch on to the gist of what's being said, but if I try and say any of the words and phrases I know, it usually comes out all wrong. Interestingly, though, I still find that there's a word here and there that I actually only know the Low German for, and don't know the English for, but don't know exactly how to pronounce in Low German!
I have no idea when a child should learn a new language. Since we live in Canada, Hubby & I think it'd be wise for our child(ren) to know both English & French, since to get a good job and career of one's choice, it is getting more and more beneficial to be bilingual. I'd also like for our child(ren) to know Low German, but I'm not sure how possible that is (it's kind of like a slang language, not really a written one).
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
June Blog Challenge Days 24, 25, 26
24. What's your biggest fear about becoming a mom?
Ohh, I have a number of fears. One of the main ones is my epilepsy. My medication keeps it under control very well, but I still have to be careful. There are many more concerns tied into this one as well, but I don't feel like getting into long explanations of how my epilepsy works.
25. Describe the contents of your purse. What kind of purse do you have?
I have an old purple purse that serves it's purpose and is a happy colour. Contents? Usually too much! Papers seems to pile up. And a pharmacy. I want to get a new purse but am unsettled on what style or colour.
26. If you could give advice to a newbie infertile, what would it be?
Look into all your options before making decisions. Decide what you feel comfortable or uncomfortable with ethically. Keep talking with your spouse about what's going on in your head. Don't forget about him and how he feels. Try to spend time thinking about and doing things that you enjoy so that you don't get completely obsessed with dwelling on babies and ttc and/or adoption. Allow yourself to grieve.
Ohh, I have a number of fears. One of the main ones is my epilepsy. My medication keeps it under control very well, but I still have to be careful. There are many more concerns tied into this one as well, but I don't feel like getting into long explanations of how my epilepsy works.
25. Describe the contents of your purse. What kind of purse do you have?
I have an old purple purse that serves it's purpose and is a happy colour. Contents? Usually too much! Papers seems to pile up. And a pharmacy. I want to get a new purse but am unsettled on what style or colour.
26. If you could give advice to a newbie infertile, what would it be?
Look into all your options before making decisions. Decide what you feel comfortable or uncomfortable with ethically. Keep talking with your spouse about what's going on in your head. Don't forget about him and how he feels. Try to spend time thinking about and doing things that you enjoy so that you don't get completely obsessed with dwelling on babies and ttc and/or adoption. Allow yourself to grieve.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
June Blog Challenge Day 23: Charity
23. If you had $100,000 that had to be donated to charity what would you do with it?
I can think of a few places/people I'd like the money to go to, and it wouldn't stretch very far probably before it'd be all gone! Different family members in need are the first people I think of. Then GoodSeed, and New Tribes Mission, particularly New Tribes Mission Aviation. And if by this time the money's not all gone, then our local food bank (they have helped us out with Christmas hampers during rough times) and Quagga which is a stray cat rescue we have brought a cat to and they are great.
I can think of a few places/people I'd like the money to go to, and it wouldn't stretch very far probably before it'd be all gone! Different family members in need are the first people I think of. Then GoodSeed, and New Tribes Mission, particularly New Tribes Mission Aviation. And if by this time the money's not all gone, then our local food bank (they have helped us out with Christmas hampers during rough times) and Quagga which is a stray cat rescue we have brought a cat to and they are great.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
June Blog Challenge Days 18 - 22
Catching up!
18. If your insurance covered infertility treatments at 100%, unlimited attempts - what would you try and for how long?
Since our main reason for quitting ttc is due to my epilepsy and epilepsy medications, I don't think this really applies to me...but otherwise I'd probably try a lot, for a long time...but I don't know...I can't really say what I'd do if in that situation...how much I'd be willing to go through until turning towards adoption anyway.
19. What's your advice for parenting an adopted child?
My advice for parenting a child who is adopted would depend entirely on what age they were adopted at, and what their life was like before they were adopted. From what I've heard, it sounds like you parent a child who has been adopted as an infant exactly the same as a child you gave birth to, although there is conversation about adoption and birth families that you wouldn't have with a child you gave birth to.
20. What sounds reasonable in an open adoption - I.e. how much contact is do-able?
This varies greatly from person to person. That is why an agency matches up the birth parents and the adoptive couple who are both comfortable with the same amount & type of contact. Thankfully this is not binding and can change & grow as the relationships change & grow, because at the beginning a lot of contact may sound scary for one side or the other, but eventually as trust is built perhaps more contact works well for everyone.
21. Tell me about a TTC blog I don't have on my blog roll - why should I go visit? (No preggos please)
Ironically, the person whom I got this June Blog Challenge from (Waiting for Baby) is now pregnant (I don't think they knew that when they put out these questions) and is now actually looking for preggo blogs! Anyway, I follow a lot of blogs, but I currently don't have any ttc or preggo ones on my list (which, personally, is okay with me).
22. What's your favorite children's book?
I love children's books :) You can never go wrong with Guess How Much I Love You. And I have this hilariously adorable book called Hamsters Holding Hands. And I really like Robert Munsch. I'm sure I'm missing other good ones :)
18. If your insurance covered infertility treatments at 100%, unlimited attempts - what would you try and for how long?
Since our main reason for quitting ttc is due to my epilepsy and epilepsy medications, I don't think this really applies to me...but otherwise I'd probably try a lot, for a long time...but I don't know...I can't really say what I'd do if in that situation...how much I'd be willing to go through until turning towards adoption anyway.
19. What's your advice for parenting an adopted child?
My advice for parenting a child who is adopted would depend entirely on what age they were adopted at, and what their life was like before they were adopted. From what I've heard, it sounds like you parent a child who has been adopted as an infant exactly the same as a child you gave birth to, although there is conversation about adoption and birth families that you wouldn't have with a child you gave birth to.
20. What sounds reasonable in an open adoption - I.e. how much contact is do-able?
This varies greatly from person to person. That is why an agency matches up the birth parents and the adoptive couple who are both comfortable with the same amount & type of contact. Thankfully this is not binding and can change & grow as the relationships change & grow, because at the beginning a lot of contact may sound scary for one side or the other, but eventually as trust is built perhaps more contact works well for everyone.
21. Tell me about a TTC blog I don't have on my blog roll - why should I go visit? (No preggos please)
Ironically, the person whom I got this June Blog Challenge from (Waiting for Baby) is now pregnant (I don't think they knew that when they put out these questions) and is now actually looking for preggo blogs! Anyway, I follow a lot of blogs, but I currently don't have any ttc or preggo ones on my list (which, personally, is okay with me).
22. What's your favorite children's book?
I love children's books :) You can never go wrong with Guess How Much I Love You. And I have this hilariously adorable book called Hamsters Holding Hands. And I really like Robert Munsch. I'm sure I'm missing other good ones :)
Monday, June 17, 2013
June Blog Challenge Days 15, 16, 17
15. First love?
That would be Hubby :) I had a few relationships before him, and I probably thought I loved each of them, but now, knowing what love really is...
16. What did you have for breakfast today? What do you normally have?
I had a Cinnamon & Raisin bagel, toasted with butter, from Tim Horton's, and I can assure you that is definitely not my normal. My normal is a bowl of Cornflakes & 1% milk, sometimes with a banana sliced into it, sometimes just plain.
17. Do you drink coffee? Cream/sugar/how do you drink your coffee?
Nope! Never have and I can't really see myself starting.
That would be Hubby :) I had a few relationships before him, and I probably thought I loved each of them, but now, knowing what love really is...
16. What did you have for breakfast today? What do you normally have?
I had a Cinnamon & Raisin bagel, toasted with butter, from Tim Horton's, and I can assure you that is definitely not my normal. My normal is a bowl of Cornflakes & 1% milk, sometimes with a banana sliced into it, sometimes just plain.
17. Do you drink coffee? Cream/sugar/how do you drink your coffee?
Nope! Never have and I can't really see myself starting.
Friday, June 14, 2013
June Blog Challenge Days 13 & 14
13. What's the most interesting vacation you have been on?
This would have to be my honeymoon 8 years ago. We went on a road trip and spent most of our time in Alberta and BC. It was my first time in BC. We went to a lot of neat places, saw so much beautiful scenery (gorgeous mountains!), and really just enjoyed spending time together. A few of our favourite places were the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, the Vancouver Aquarium, Cathedral Grove, and the Royal Tyrrell Museum. We mostly stayed in basic hotels, but we also stayed at Castle Mountain Chalets and Bear Hill Lodge. I love road trips with Hubby and I love being a tourist - sightseeing, taking pictures, eating out, staying in hotels, etc. We love the outdoors so most of our honeymoon was spent enjoying it.
14. First job?
Well, I had a number of small jobs before my first "real" job, which was working at Tim Horton's - one opened up in our town for the first time. I got that job when I was in grade 12 of high school, and I worked there for a year and 8 months. You sorta just do everything there - make coffee, make food, clean bathroom, mop floors, wash dishes, work the drive thru, etc. It wasn't the easiest always, but often it was fun, and hey, I met my husband there, so that's definitely something I wouldn't change!
This would have to be my honeymoon 8 years ago. We went on a road trip and spent most of our time in Alberta and BC. It was my first time in BC. We went to a lot of neat places, saw so much beautiful scenery (gorgeous mountains!), and really just enjoyed spending time together. A few of our favourite places were the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, the Vancouver Aquarium, Cathedral Grove, and the Royal Tyrrell Museum. We mostly stayed in basic hotels, but we also stayed at Castle Mountain Chalets and Bear Hill Lodge. I love road trips with Hubby and I love being a tourist - sightseeing, taking pictures, eating out, staying in hotels, etc. We love the outdoors so most of our honeymoon was spent enjoying it.
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| Bridal Veil Falls in Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park near Chilliwack, BC |
14. First job?
Well, I had a number of small jobs before my first "real" job, which was working at Tim Horton's - one opened up in our town for the first time. I got that job when I was in grade 12 of high school, and I worked there for a year and 8 months. You sorta just do everything there - make coffee, make food, clean bathroom, mop floors, wash dishes, work the drive thru, etc. It wasn't the easiest always, but often it was fun, and hey, I met my husband there, so that's definitely something I wouldn't change!
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Baby Registry
I made a baby registry and am attempting to add things to it. That sentence feels surreal. There's a lot of thoughts going on in my head here.
One, the website says you have to enter in an "expected arrival date". They say "Expected arrival date is your due date or, for families that are adopting, the date you expect to bring the baby home." First of all, kudos for acknowledging adoption. Thank you. ...But we have no date we expect to bring baby home! And I am not waiting to make a registry until we get matched, because we could get matched just days before baby is born. (More likely it'll be weeks, but who knows.) After talking about it with Hubby, we decided to enter in the absolute latest date they would allow us. So our "expected arrival date" is set for June 11, 2014. Then, if I understand correctly, it stays active for a year after that. So I guess if we don't have our baby by June 11, 2015, I make a new registry. Products will probably have already changed by then anyway.
Two, I feel slightly like a fake; a girl playing house. I'm not pregnant, we're not matched, it hasn't even sunk in yet that we could get a call any day. It feels like someone's going to call me out yet and tell me I'm not a "real" expectant parent so why am I making a registry? And maybe laugh at me to boot.
Three, it is REALLY difficult figuring out what to register for!!! I have this long list I've compiled from Through Clouded Glass's old feature, Moms and Babies, where moms shared some of their must-have products. I've also bookmarked half a dozen must-have lists from various websites and blogs. But I still have only registered for 5 things!! I feel like I don't even have a clue what are the essentials for a newborn. Poor baby. We will take care of you, really.
Four, I feel partially crazy for registering already when it may be years upon years until we get matched. But I want a small surprise baby shower before we are matched, and Hubby knows this, so he says to go ahead and make the registry, and send him wishlists and party ideas, etc, that he can pass on to the women in the family. So I'm doing it. Scary! There may be a shower in a couple months, and then all the gifts will sit for years. Or perhaps we don't even get the shower in time before we're matched and we have to scramble buying stuff! So many unknowns. (We've made it clear we don't want any baby showers during the 3 weeks that the mom can change her mind. After that, though, I want a huge shower with every relative and friend possible!!)
For those of you in the adoption realm, when did you make a registry? Or did you even? How did you figure out what to add to it (if it was your first baby, like me)? Did you buy a lot of things yourself or did you get a lot of things as gifts? Did you wait to buy things until you were matched or even until every thing had gone through, or did you stock up ahead of time? What would you consider the essentials for a newborn (no nursing stuff please)? Any other advice for me and my insecurity? ;) Thank you!
One, the website says you have to enter in an "expected arrival date". They say "Expected arrival date is your due date or, for families that are adopting, the date you expect to bring the baby home." First of all, kudos for acknowledging adoption. Thank you. ...But we have no date we expect to bring baby home! And I am not waiting to make a registry until we get matched, because we could get matched just days before baby is born. (More likely it'll be weeks, but who knows.) After talking about it with Hubby, we decided to enter in the absolute latest date they would allow us. So our "expected arrival date" is set for June 11, 2014. Then, if I understand correctly, it stays active for a year after that. So I guess if we don't have our baby by June 11, 2015, I make a new registry. Products will probably have already changed by then anyway.
Two, I feel slightly like a fake; a girl playing house. I'm not pregnant, we're not matched, it hasn't even sunk in yet that we could get a call any day. It feels like someone's going to call me out yet and tell me I'm not a "real" expectant parent so why am I making a registry? And maybe laugh at me to boot.
Three, it is REALLY difficult figuring out what to register for!!! I have this long list I've compiled from Through Clouded Glass's old feature, Moms and Babies, where moms shared some of their must-have products. I've also bookmarked half a dozen must-have lists from various websites and blogs. But I still have only registered for 5 things!! I feel like I don't even have a clue what are the essentials for a newborn. Poor baby. We will take care of you, really.
Four, I feel partially crazy for registering already when it may be years upon years until we get matched. But I want a small surprise baby shower before we are matched, and Hubby knows this, so he says to go ahead and make the registry, and send him wishlists and party ideas, etc, that he can pass on to the women in the family. So I'm doing it. Scary! There may be a shower in a couple months, and then all the gifts will sit for years. Or perhaps we don't even get the shower in time before we're matched and we have to scramble buying stuff! So many unknowns. (We've made it clear we don't want any baby showers during the 3 weeks that the mom can change her mind. After that, though, I want a huge shower with every relative and friend possible!!)
For those of you in the adoption realm, when did you make a registry? Or did you even? How did you figure out what to add to it (if it was your first baby, like me)? Did you buy a lot of things yourself or did you get a lot of things as gifts? Did you wait to buy things until you were matched or even until every thing had gone through, or did you stock up ahead of time? What would you consider the essentials for a newborn (no nursing stuff please)? Any other advice for me and my insecurity? ;) Thank you!
June Blog Challenge Day 12: Anniversary
12. Perfect anniversary - describe it.
Ideally Hubby & I would like to go to Hawaii for a couple weeks. I'd like to do a lot of sight-seeing as well as eating out and swimming. I'd like to stay at a really nice hotel or resort.
And, regardless of whether we would go away somewhere or not, IMO all anniversary dates should include gifts, flowers, eating out, and spending lots of time together :)
Ideally Hubby & I would like to go to Hawaii for a couple weeks. I'd like to do a lot of sight-seeing as well as eating out and swimming. I'd like to stay at a really nice hotel or resort.
And, regardless of whether we would go away somewhere or not, IMO all anniversary dates should include gifts, flowers, eating out, and spending lots of time together :)
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
June Blog Challenge Day 11: Wedding
11. Describe your wedding.
We got married on a Saturday, April 16, 2005, at 11 a.m. Around the time we got married, we hardly knew anyone who got married on weekdays or evenings, which is very common now. (Good grief, I make it sound like it was ancient days ago!) We were 20 and 22. Seems so young now!
Note: These pictures are all scanned in so they won't be that perfect.
The ceremony was first, in the church. I chose the big church I had grown up in, even though Hubby & I attended elsewhere at the time, because I had always imagined getting married there and couldn't picture anything else. We had 300 guests, too, so we needed a big place!
After that the groomsmen came out to stand and wait for the bridesmaids to each come down the aisle. My hubby had four close friends, so I chose 4 bridesmaids, too. I'm scanning all these pics in (what a chore!) so I'm not going to show an individual pic of all 8 people, so here's a couple of the posed pics taken later.
For the ring bearer and flower girl we did something really cute and fun! We found a fishing boat-shaped wagon that we were allowed to borrow (Hubby was big into fishing). In it went my only 2 (at the time) nieces (sisters). (Side Note: We didn't know she existed then, but my other niece was a little 3 1/2 month old when we got married! About 19 months later my brother & his wife met and adopted her.) My nieces were 6 and 1 1/2. The older one carried an ice-fishing rod (because it's short) with a daisy tied to the end of the line (and hung onto her sister), and the younger one (was supposed to) hang onto a stuffed fish :) Mostly she just hung on to her soother :) Then we had two of Hubby's cousins (brothers) push and pull the wagon. The older one (7) pulled and the younger one (almost 4) "pushed" :) It was adorable, unique, and no one cried or threw a fit! Unfortunately, I doubt my sister (my nieces' mom) would be okay with their photos being up on the Internet, so you're just going to have to imagine the preciousness!
Next came me & my daddy. I was unfortunately on antidepressants at the time, so most of my emotions were deadened. I acted nervous when I felt I was supposed to, sad, happy, etc. That's the biggest thing I'd change about my wedding - I always say I'd change almost everything except my dress & the groom - I'd say that's pretty good, eh?! :) Anyway, so I was "nervously" chewing on my flowers (just kidding - we just have a pic that looks like that's what I'm doing!) and hiding around the corner (that's right, Hubby didn't see me that day until I walked down the aisle!). I took my dad's arm (one of my clearer memories from the wedding - the feel of his suit jacket under my hand) and put a smile on my face. A little ways down the aisle I realized Hubby (to be) was crying. Oh, shoot! Put on stressed face! Cue sympathetic face when closer to Hubby! Lol! I won't show you the whole gamut of expressions I had (while feeling virtually nothing) nor my Hubby crying. Then we reached my sweet, sensitive man who cried, and in doing so turned every woman in the audience to mush, at the sight of his bride. My parents gave me away and I took Hubby's arm and we went up the steps to the preacher.
So there was preachin' (he knew us fairly well since he'd done our marriage counseling), exchanging of rings & vows, and the signing of the guest book & lighting the unity candle. Oh, and the kiss ;)
Then, just because we wanted to, Hubby scooped me up and we ran out of the sanctuary :D
After that the rest of the wedding party and our parents came out and there were hugs all around. Then we lined up for the receiving line, and all the guests filed by to congratulate us and us to thank them for coming.
After that we took posed photos in the church basement multi-purpose room. I have lots and lots of those and they are really nice, but I will only pick a couple. Argh, there's so many good ones to pick from, lol!
So while we were taking a bazillion pictures with every combination of the wedding party possible, I have no idea what the guests were doing. Hm.
Then it was time for the reception. It was in the church basement, and we had pizza, yes we did! We ordered in enough pizza for 300 guests because we are crazy people, lol! (Don't worry, we gave the restaurants a heads-up, lol!) There was also Caesar salad and Coke and Pepsi. Hubby was a big Coke fan, but I'd grown up with Pepsi, so it was like a friendly feud. Actually, Hubby's younger brother (he was 14 at the time) was the one who really liked to razz me about it :) We had a big canoe set up filled with ice and cans of Coke and Pepsi for guests to help themselves. When my brother prayed before the meal, he brought up a can of each and said "Today, we have a marriage of these two." For dessert, one of my friends single-handedly slaved away at making mini cheesecakes for the entire crowd (not sure what went wrong there, but somewhere someone didn't delegate help for her or something!) Still feel awful about that. We didn't have a cake (!) because I don't care for cake, but by now I regret it. I'm hoping to have one for a big anniversary some day. Anyway, I digress...
The reception was great. Each of the groomsmen and bridesmaids made speeches, as did our parents. There was a lot of humour throughout. We played a PowerPoint slideshow we had put together. It was really good, but for some technical reason the songs (our favourites) never played during it :( Our MC was hilarious. And he got us a lot of money which gave us our honeymoon!
After the reception we left for an airstrip in our town where my FIL used to have a hangar. We took a number of pics with his plane, because it is the plane my hubby & I had a lot of dates in.
After that we changed out of our fancy duds and left on our honeymoon!
Any details I left out you're curious about? Ask! I'm sure I left out something! :)
We got married on a Saturday, April 16, 2005, at 11 a.m. Around the time we got married, we hardly knew anyone who got married on weekdays or evenings, which is very common now. (Good grief, I make it sound like it was ancient days ago!) We were 20 and 22. Seems so young now!
Note: These pictures are all scanned in so they won't be that perfect.
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| We made the invitations ourselves (a bunch of us women; it was fun). The ones we gave out looked more or less like this one (I have a few left over each with slight variations and I can't remember which one we decided on ultimately). |
The ceremony was first, in the church. I chose the big church I had grown up in, even though Hubby & I attended elsewhere at the time, because I had always imagined getting married there and couldn't picture anything else. We had 300 guests, too, so we needed a big place!
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| The guestbook table right before entering the sanctuary. We had matted pictures of ourselves for guests to sign as well as the traditional guestbook. The programs had eagles on them because Hubby loves birds. |
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| Hubby's amazingly talented aunt did all the decorating. |
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| Yes, I loved daisies. Still do! I believe my FIL built those two shorter stands up front. |
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| Hubby's parents. Hubby was the first of their children to get married, so this was all very new to them. |
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| My big brother ushering my mom in (my dad was with me). I think they're both so cute here! This was old hat for my mom & dad; my 3 older siblings all married before me, with one of my sisters having been married only 6 months earlier! |
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| Hubby's brother and my cousin were our candle lighters. This is traditionally a woman's role, but I've never cared for tradition :) Those poor guys, we never thought to put a candle holder or anything on to protect their hands and the whole time they had to be careful not to get hot wax on them! |
After that the groomsmen came out to stand and wait for the bridesmaids to each come down the aisle. My hubby had four close friends, so I chose 4 bridesmaids, too. I'm scanning all these pics in (what a chore!) so I'm not going to show an individual pic of all 8 people, so here's a couple of the posed pics taken later.
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| I love navy blue & pale yellow together. 2 of my friends, my cousin, and 1 of my sisters |
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| I can't believe how young these guys look here - cracks me up! |
Next came me & my daddy. I was unfortunately on antidepressants at the time, so most of my emotions were deadened. I acted nervous when I felt I was supposed to, sad, happy, etc. That's the biggest thing I'd change about my wedding - I always say I'd change almost everything except my dress & the groom - I'd say that's pretty good, eh?! :) Anyway, so I was "nervously" chewing on my flowers (just kidding - we just have a pic that looks like that's what I'm doing!) and hiding around the corner (that's right, Hubby didn't see me that day until I walked down the aisle!). I took my dad's arm (one of my clearer memories from the wedding - the feel of his suit jacket under my hand) and put a smile on my face. A little ways down the aisle I realized Hubby (to be) was crying. Oh, shoot! Put on stressed face! Cue sympathetic face when closer to Hubby! Lol! I won't show you the whole gamut of expressions I had (while feeling virtually nothing) nor my Hubby crying. Then we reached my sweet, sensitive man who cried, and in doing so turned every woman in the audience to mush, at the sight of his bride. My parents gave me away and I took Hubby's arm and we went up the steps to the preacher.
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| Here's the back of my dad & me near the front of the church. |
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| Here's me & Hubby (almost!) at the front of the church praying during the ceremony. |
Then, just because we wanted to, Hubby scooped me up and we ran out of the sanctuary :D
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| Now that is a 100% genuine grin on my face! :) |
After that we took posed photos in the church basement multi-purpose room. I have lots and lots of those and they are really nice, but I will only pick a couple. Argh, there's so many good ones to pick from, lol!
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| Just for fun :) |
So while we were taking a bazillion pictures with every combination of the wedding party possible, I have no idea what the guests were doing. Hm.
Then it was time for the reception. It was in the church basement, and we had pizza, yes we did! We ordered in enough pizza for 300 guests because we are crazy people, lol! (Don't worry, we gave the restaurants a heads-up, lol!) There was also Caesar salad and Coke and Pepsi. Hubby was a big Coke fan, but I'd grown up with Pepsi, so it was like a friendly feud. Actually, Hubby's younger brother (he was 14 at the time) was the one who really liked to razz me about it :) We had a big canoe set up filled with ice and cans of Coke and Pepsi for guests to help themselves. When my brother prayed before the meal, he brought up a can of each and said "Today, we have a marriage of these two." For dessert, one of my friends single-handedly slaved away at making mini cheesecakes for the entire crowd (not sure what went wrong there, but somewhere someone didn't delegate help for her or something!) Still feel awful about that. We didn't have a cake (!) because I don't care for cake, but by now I regret it. I'm hoping to have one for a big anniversary some day. Anyway, I digress...
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| The basement after it's decorated and tables set but before it's filled with people. |
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| Hubby & I killing ourselves laughing while the MC attempts to read something in a Menno accent. It was priceless. |
After that we changed out of our fancy duds and left on our honeymoon!
Any details I left out you're curious about? Ask! I'm sure I left out something! :)
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