one.

it's been one month.

one month since we talked to the doctor about Sweet Pea's needs.

one month since we felt total unity about moving forward with adopting Sweet Pea.

one month since we called our agency to tell them the awesome news.

ONE MONTH since we truly started the agonizing wait.

one month down, the Lord only knows how many more until we have her in our arms.

good start!

things that make my heart beat faster

*Disclaimer* pardon the mess that is a home with an 18 month old.

Norah exploring... without even a diaper on... that's how we roll :)

 

REALLY loving shoes these days - these ones came in the mail from Grandma!

 

 Smiles for the camera during her morning smoothie!

Reading Norah's favorite book, and always the lady with her sweet ankles crossed!

And, my handsome husband :)

And, last but NOT least my Sweet Pea.

who we have almost certainly picked a name for

who is waiting for us without a clue that we exist

who has the most pouty full lips - soooo kissable

who is going to explore with norah, love shoes (all girls do right?), and read books with her daddy

who is loved beyond measure by her heavenly father

and who we anxiously wait for...

she. makes. my. heart. beat. faster.

jitters

I just got off the phone with our agency. Every time I talk to someone there about our Sweet Pea I get all nervous and jittery!  It's like excitement and emotions are just over flowing.  I swear, I'm always trying not to cry when I'm talking to them about Sweet Pea.  I love that I feel so excited and emotional about her - just confirms in my mama heart how dear she already is to me.

There are so many legal, visa, passport  and immigration things to get through before we can travel.  None of it is in our hands... we wait... and we'll wait some more as we pray for everything to happen swiftly.  So many hoops to jump through and rules to follow.  But, as our case manager reminded me today - it's all in the interest of the child and for her protection as they release her into our care.  I love that they protect her and care about her well being.  Thank you Lord.

The next two pictures are from the week we moved to Washington.  The exact age Norah is in these pictures (8.5 months) is the age Sweet Pea is right now!  Still such a baby girl :)

sewing and loving it!

I'm still having a blast sewing so I thought I would share some of my recent creations!  I hope that my new passion inspires you to create something too!

I got the rest of my projects from my One Yard Wonders book - I've basically been sewing my way through it since one yard isn't too intimidating for a new seamstress!

A small dog bed for Radar, my parents dog.  He apparently loves it!

I made this smock of all ages for Norah and a twin one for a friend of hers but... it's going to be too big for them both so maybe I'll save it and have my two baby girls to match!?  YES, I think I will!

And the flouncy bag for a very dear friend - it's in the mail as I type! I hope she likes it because I LOVE the fabric!  

AND, my favorite thing I've made so far! I finished this bag today and it's awesome!  I feel very proud.  I've been eyeing the pattern in the book since I got it for Christmas but... just hadn't found the right fabric. I found fabric that I like but don't love.  Now that I've made the bag and love the shape, I may have to make another one (if I can find fabric I love).  It fits a lot but it's not a huge purse - I fit a 100 count wipe container, a disposable diaper, a magazine, gum, keys, pen, hand sanitizer and there was still room for more!  You can see that there is a magnetic closer for the top which I really like, it somehow makes it seem more professional!  Okay, I'll stop talking about the folklore bag now!

Now I'm working on something REALLY fun for my girls with the below fabric!  Stick around and I'll show you what comes of it!  Yippy!!

So, what are you working on?  Anything new?!  Share!!

sweet!

A few weeks ago I got an email from a new blog friend!  She wrote about her love for adoption and orphan care and how she wanted to bless our little family and help us bring home Sweet Pea - What!?  What?  She was a total stranger until I got this email and just introduced herself and offered to give us some of the proceeds from her etsy shop!  

We thought - sweet!  Literally, her store is named Dulcitas: Little Sweets for the Home

Anything purchased during the month of April will directly help bring Sweet Pea home.  Nicole has offered to donate 25% of her profit for the whole month to our adoption!  Please go shopping!  I thought it would be fun if you got to know her a little and see a few of her little sweets, just to whet your appetite.

Nicole, tell us what a typical day for you looks like.

::

Coffee. Reading in Bed (right now I'm reading through the gospels).  Then, I go to work. I work at a Writing Center at a community college and spend my day working with students on their writing projects. After work, I zip around and pick up my hubby from school, entertain the dog, cook food, and catch up on blog reading.  On some days, I scrounge around at thrift stores, pick up little goodies, and revamp them.  At the end of the day, we like to spend some time chatting and catching up!

 What would a perfect day look like in your book?

::

I would love to start my day enjoying a fresh cup of joe with my husband.  Then, I'd probably go take the pup to the dog park (which is a good idea for all of us) and grab some ice cream cones on the way home.  I like to be a little productive each day, so I would also probably dabble in a little project and then take a snooze in a hammock.  I'd love to end the day with an outing with our friends at our favorite little tex-mex place or coffee shop.  Is summer here yet?

What's your inspiration for your work?

::

Well, there's a little thrill for me to see old (maybe even ugly) things become cute and stylish. Also, this process is a picture for me of how Christ renews us and restores us.  I'm constantly reminded of this as I'm working on a piece.  It has gone from old to new!  Also, since beginning the adopting family of the month, I'm inspired and driven by the desire to promote lovely things and help lovely families!

 Where do you see your shop in a year from now?

::

I hope that the shop continues to grow with both vision and purpose.  I hope that more people enjoy my products and that this, in turn, helps more families!  I also hope that I will keep up the creative process and only do as much as I enjoy doing.  I don't want Dulcitas to become a "have-to" job, but continues to be an outlet for creativity and also a fun way to connect with and bless others!

I think that's it!

For more of Nicole's cute stuff, shop here!

adoption banned because of christian beliefs

We discovered a sad, but true, ruling by the UK High Court in February.  The court ruled that a couple that have been foster parents to 15 children can no longer be foster parents.  Why?  Because their Christian belief that homosexuality is a sin is a threat to children!  Not only is this ruling ridiculous (why on earth would a government not want a child to go to a loving home?), it is a sign of how we have placed political correctness on such a high pedestal that we've lost sight of rational thinking.  As Jim Daly said on the subject, "Surely the news out of the UK startles, but doesn't shock.  The Bible tells us that godly wisdom will be regarded as foolishness and that what is good will be called evil." We hope and pray that this type of backwards thinking does not make its way across the pond.

*To find out more about this, go here (Focus on the Family blog), or here (BBC article).

the lean in.

I LOVE how she leans into me!