Merry Christmas Eve!

**UPDATE** I finally got my pictures on here! And my computer works again...yea!!! Original post follows :)

Wow! Can it be?!?! I don't believe that it's Christmas time already! And the last time I posted on here...Thanksgiving!!!! So sorry guys! The month has just flown...you know...'cause I've been busy making everyone look beautiful for the holidays! :) But I wanted to get on here and let you all know that we are still alive and kicking and enjoying this beautiful snow that we are getting in Minnesota! So here's a quick run down of what's going on:

We got a beautiful Christmas miracle in the form of a baby boy...our newest nephew, Carter Alan, was born on December 18 at 7:56 a.m. He is a beautiful baby and we are so excited to have another nephew to watch grow up...and I'm sure Jon is excited to have another nephew to tease...as I'm sure all of our nieces and nephews are grateful for that...spread it around a little more :) Did I mention that he is a cutie?!? Well you be the judge:



Cute right?!? That's what I thought you would say :)

Last night we decided that even though they said we were going to get a blizzard we would stick to our original plan and head down to Rochester for the night. I had put together some little buckets with candy in them to put in the mailboxes at the Ronald McDonald House and I wanted to get them down there for Christmas. As nice as that place is I still can't imagine having to spend Christmas there...so I wanted to do a little something to hopefully give them some Christmas cheer! Plus we had a lot of pop tabs still to drop off...my Aunt Sue's school in Pillager, MN has been collecting tabs for us and everytime we've gone down to Rochester we've forgotten the boxes so we finally remembered to bring them this time...they were very grateful for them! And we had lots of other poptabs from a lot of you that have been bringing them into me...so thank you...you'd be surprised how fast they add up! After that we checked into a nice hotel, order pizza, watched some CABLE TV, and then went for a swim! It was just a nice relaxing evening. Then this morning we took our time getting up and then headed to the subway level to get us a Daube's cinnamon roll and some coffee...mmmm...yum yum yum! If you're ever in Rochester you'll have to get yourself a cinnamon roll...seriously...they melt in your mouth! Then we both went and conquered our fear and gave one of the greatest gifts you could give...we went and gave blood. Now I know some of you do this all the time and it's no big deal but for Jon and I...it's a big deal...he has a huge fear of needles and for some reason I have a huge fear of passing out (really...what happens when you pass out...I'd rather not find out...and I've always heard stories of people passing out when they give blood so I was not going to even try it). But we did it and we are both still here and feeling really good about ourselves...check us out:

They wouldn't let us take our pictures while we were giving blood. And yes...our arms still hurt because remember that cinnamon roll and coffee I talked about earlier...yea...well....I guess that's not the best thing to eat before giving blood...our time took forever...they told us maybe 5-10 minutes...pretty sure mine too about 25 and Jon's was at least that long! But...we both helped 3 people today for our 25 minutes of agony...and I think we'll do it again! :)

Let's see...hmmm...seems like I should have other news for you as well...oh yeah...remember that Christmas miracle that you all have been praying about...well...I believe your prayers have been answered!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you like how I was so coy about that!!!!!!!!!!! Let me tell you the details...and yes...I left this bit of news to see how many of you would acutally make it to the end of my post...sorry...it's getting a little long but hang in there...it's getting good! So about the adoption story....it was Wednesday, December 9th, and it was a snowy day here in good ole MN. The schools were closed, the roads were barely plowed, and it was cold...but where were Jon and I...out in the stuff! We had a meeting with our accountant so we thought we'd better go to it. Once we were out in the stuff we realized that no one else was so we might as well make a day of it! We went to Walmart, Cabela's, the shoe store, all over the place...it was that night as we were making our way home that I turned to Jon and said...that's it...when we get home we are looking up those vacations again and we are booking one for the last week in January...not even 15 minutes later my phone rings and I see it is our adoption counselor. She starts off by saying that there is a birthmom that she is screening us for...she has a few things she wants to see if we are okay with...like the fact that she has gestational diabetes and does that matter to us. There were some other things they asked that Jon and I didn't feel like were a big deal and our counselor then asked if we would want to say yes to this situation. Of course we said yes, thinking that they were screening a few other couples as well, and then our counselor says....great...'cause she has picked you too! What?!? That's it! Yep...and she is due February 8th (which is the boys' birthday...my heart about dropped when I heard the date) but because of her gestational diabetes and the fact that the baby is laying on her sciatic nerve and causing her a lot of pain, her doctor has agreed to induce her two weeks early,which means the baby will be born sometime the last week of January!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it?!? I still can't! It feels like a very good situation...she has actually placed a baby for adoption before and all that went smoothly so the agency feels very good about this one going good too! We feel better knowing that because it means she has done it before, knows the emotions that go with it, and still wants to give this little one up. When our counselor called us back to tell us that her counselor told her that we said yes they said that she was very excited! And she has already been to her lawyer to sign some paperwork that needs to be done before the baby gets here and we have also gone to our lawyer as well...we will be able to take the baby home straight from the hospital which makes me so happy...it will be fun to have a tiny newborn! Oh...and in case you are wondering why I haven't said a sex yet...it's because we want it to be a surprise...so start your guessing now :) We'll see who is right :) Okay..so was that some good news or what?!? We could still use some prayers because as we know, something could still go wrong. We just keep praying that the baby stays healthy and safe along with the birthmom and we keep praying that she doesn't change her mind...'cause even though we are trying to guard our hearts....we can't help but be excited!

Well I'll let your eyes heal now from all this reading...mine are getting a little heavy as well. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and I'll keep you all posted!

I am Thankful...

• For my husband! I am so blessed to have married Jon and to call him my husband. I know I wouldn't have gotten through these last two years without him. He is my best friend, the one I lean on, my cheerleader...well you get the point. I'm so head over heels in love with him that it's not even funny. I love him more today than I did on our wedding day. I don't know what I would do with out him and I tell God that on a daily basis :) And I also thank God that he never answered my prayers all those years ago when I prayed that I would marry all those other boys (you know the ones ladies...all those boys you had crushes on growing up)...and I know some of them are married now too and I would bet that they are glad that God didn't answer my prayers too! :)
• For my job! With the economy the way it is I am so thankful that I have a dependable job and that my clients still need their hair done! I truly do have the best clients in the world and I am not just saying that! Thank you to all of you for sticking with me and for supporting me and showering me with love over these past years...you guys are the best!
• For my family! I love you all and thank you for being there for Jon and I...not just through the hard times, but all the time. We are truly blessed! I can't wait to spend more Thanksgivings with all of you!
• For food! Not just at Thanksgiving but all the time. You know...I always pray for my food before I eat but sometimes I have to admit that I kind of just go through the motions of it..."Lord thank you for this food...please bless it to my body." But when I really stop and think about it my prayers are definitely more grateful...I am so blessed to have a hot meal at every meal...and snacks in between! I definitely could probably go without a meal too! That would probably be good for me :) But I am also thankful for the spread at Aunt Pearl's I am going to have today...I am one blessed girl! Yum!
• For my home! I am so blessed to own my home and have a warm place to come home to! I know that I may complain about it being small sometimes...so feel free to kick me in the butt when I say that! I love my little house and it has been the perfect place for Jon and I to make a home together!
• For my friends! Again I'll say it...we have the greatest friends! And we are meeting new friends all the time! I have made some great friendships because of Emmalee, Owen, and Cooper and I will forever be grateful that we went through our trials because they did bring some amazing people into our lives! And for our long time friends...well...I love you guys! Thanks for all your love and friendship!
• For scrapbooking supplies! That's right...I had to throw it in there...I must be thankful for it 'cause I sure spend a lot of my money on it! Plus...it really is a good hobby for me and I love to do it!
• For my kids! I am so thankful that God blessed me with my children even if they couldn't stay with me. I thank Him for even allowing me the blessing of being pregnant and feeling my babies kick inside of me. I feel so blessed because I know that there are those out there that never got that opportunity and wanted it. Sometimes I don't think people really appreciate it the way they should or realize how awesome of an opportunity that they have been given. And I'm thankful for all the lessons I've learned because of my children and for the lives that their little lives have touched...they were truly special. And I can honestly say that my children are perfect!
• But most of all I'm thankful for the HOPE that I have! I am so thankful that Jesus came to earth as a wee little baby and died on the cross for our sins at the young age of 33. Because of Him I have the hope of seeing my children again. I have the hope that I will be reunited with all my loved ones that have gone before me. I have the hope that this world is not the end...that I will live eternally with my Lord and Savior...and up there there will be no more tears, no more fears, no more pain, no more sickness...well you get the point. It will be perfect. I hope that you know the hope that I am talking about...if not...and you want to know...let me know...and I will share it with you. It's great! If I did not have the hope that I have...I would not be where I am today...I would not be as strong as I am...in fact I'm pretty sure I'd still be in bed and not writing this blog post.

Well...Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you have a wonderful day! What are you thankful for?!? Oh...and another thing...my sis-in-law Britt has a blog and her question was who are the 5 people...living or dead...that you would like to have dinner with. I'm still trying to figure out my list but I think that will be a fun one to read the answers too...so hop on over there and give your list!

I have made my mom proud!

Okay...I should probably clarify that I tend to think that I always make my mom proud...and I think she would write that in the comments section for me...but I've taken another step in my life that I think makes her really proud of me. You see...for my 20th birthday my mom gave me a sewing machine. I was super excited about getting it...I was living out in South Dakota that summer and they came out to visit and celebrate my birthday with me. I was so excited that I went to the little Ben Franklin (anyone remember those?!?) out there to start buying supplies 'cause I was going to sew. Well I got my stuff bought...and then I realized...I don't know how to sew! I mean...yeah...I can follow a line and put my stitch in but really...I don't know how to sew...let alone operate this sewing machine my mom bought for me. So you know what I did?!? I didn't even open up the box...I didn't take it out...I just left it in there! I have had moments in the last 8 years that I have wanted to take it out...but never felt I had the time. So...a couple weekends ago my mom and I finally got together and she taught me how to sew and how to use my machine...and let me tell you...it's a lot easier to use than I thought it would be! I know how to thread it and how to put thread on my bobbin (not bobber...I had to remember that!)...those were the two things I was really worried about learning. Well I'm not saying that I am an expert by any means but...I think I did a pretty good job for my first time! I still need to learn to control the speed of my foot pedal and my stitches still need a little work to stay in a straight line...but I think I'm getting the hang of it...which I'm really glad for 'cause I've seen a lot of cute projects that require sewing so now I can attempt to do them! :) And I want to give back to the hospitals 'cause they gave so much to us when Emmalee, Owen, and Cooper were born...we got special blankets with each of them that people donated...so I want to be able to give back because I know how much it meant to us to have them. But man...the one real thing I learned about sewing is that fabric is expensive! WoW! Oh well...it's the price you pay when you have a hobby...am I right scrapbookers!?! And really it's a small price when you enjoy something and you know your work is going to a good cause. So anyway...here's my work:



This was my first project...a quilt made out of scraps that my mom had at her house...I think it turned out pretty cute for only being scraps! But it was a nice way to learn and piece fabrics together...I was pretty proud of myself (if you can't tell!)



Then we went shopping and I picked out some fabric for myself...I had seen this blanket (or one kind of like it) in a magazine...I just liked that it was colorful and all the fabric had polka dots (if you can't tell...it's a little hard to tell from this picture and I think it's so much cuter in person!)...so I made this for hopefully a little one of my own someday...but until then it actually is a very nice little lap blanket...I was way proud of how this one turned out! :o)



Then I just wanted to show you the underside of the blanket...its called minkie (I think) and it's really soft and is textured with...polka dots!




Then I attempted to make a purse...not bad, eh?!? I'm going to keep working on my purse skills and maybe look for a different pattern...but I think it's pretty cute! Okay...I'm done patting myself on the back.

In other news...well there really isn't any other news. Sorry I've been MIA again...just sorting through things and really...it's been busy around here. I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is this week! Crazy! Happy Thanksgiving to all of you...where are you going to be? Hopefully surrounded by family, friends, and lots of good food! And then with Christmas only being 4 weeks away...yes I said it!...work is getting awfully busy...so I'm sorry that I haven't gotten on here to give any updates. No real updates on adoption...the baby girl is still with the friend of the birthmom and supposedly they are going to be adopting her now...and changing her name...which was a big sticking point with the birthmom (she was dead set on us keeping her name)...so why they are changing it now...I don't know...but I do think more and more that we were part of some twisted game that this friend was playing with us. Poor baby girl...I hope she makes it through life alright. Jon and I were looking through the foster care website MN has and it just breaks my heart to see all these kids in foster care...they are mostly teenagers...their parents obviously thought they could raise them and then couldn't...messed most of them up for life by the sounds of it...one little girl can't even go to a park with a lot of people there 'cause she gets too scared! One little boy can't have any other siblings in a home because he needs that much one on one time! I don't know...my heart breaks for them and yet right now I personally don't think that I have the energy it would take to bring one of them into our home. Maybe someday. I just hope that they all get placed with good families...but I know that's just wishful thinking. I just wish that our laws looked out for the innocent children instead of the birthparents who really don't have any business becoming parents...I know I know...everyone has a right to become parents...but look at these kids and tell me that they don't deserve a chance. I have heard it said before in the adoption circle...if people who had these children had to go through the paperwork and all that we've gone through there would be a whole lot less messed up kids in this world...and sorry to say...I think it's true. Anyway...I'll get off my soapbox...I sure do get up there a lot on here don't I?!? Anyway...we are still praying for a Christmas miracle...wanna help us pray for that! My dear friend Chelsea said that they are praying that way...thanks Chels and Phillip! And I thank you all for praying for us and coming along side of us through this journey. You know...maybe kids aren't what God has for us and I think that will become clear someday if that is true...but right now I don't believe that and I think someday we'll be blessed with a houseful! Well I guess that's the news on our end...I probably left something out. Hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I'll try not to make it so long in between next time...I know I know...I always say that! Take care!

So I felt the need to post...

Yes...I did feel the need to post something on here...I felt that I came off sounding a little mad in my last post and so I wanted to apologize to you all for that. I really am not mad...a little sad...maybe...a little bummed...yeah...but I'm not mad. And I've now had a few days to really sort through all of this and I'm doing a lot better. I am not jaded by the whole process...in fact we are already in the book again...we figure we might as well not waste any time for people to see our profile. And yes I do still think there are things about the whole adoption process that still are not great...but maybe, just maybe I'll be able to help do something about them someday. Like the whole wait time...the backing out time...here in Minnesota it is 10 working days...that's 14 days total...I think that is too much time...I think it makes the birth parents wonder if they are doing the right thing since we give them that much time and tell them that they can back out if they want to within the 14 days. I think that it makes them question their decision that much more. And I know it's a very important decision...one that takes a lot of thought process... trying to decide if this is what they really want. But when they sign the papers they should be at a place in the decision making process that they are ready to just sign and be done. They should not be able to change their mind and devastate another couple. Because I'm sorry...once you find out that there might be a baby for you...and especially once you get to meet that baby...people may tell you don't get your hopes up...guard your heart...but once all that happens it's so hard to do...your hopes are already up...way up. And I'm glad that Jon and I are people that fully give our hearts and jump in with both feet. I'm glad to live life that way...it's a good feeling to give without reserves...even if it means that your heart may get broken. Nothing ventured...nothing gained. So anyway...I write this post to try to soften the way I might have sounded in my last post. We really are excited where God is taking us. And we are really excited to hopefully build our family through adoption. We think it's an amazing opportunity to be given. We can't wait to meet our new member of our family. And selfishly...we hope that it is sooner rather than later! On to other news...well...there really isn't any other news. A couple Fridays ago Jon and I went to a Joel Hanson concert in the cities. He was playing in a church up there and having his CD release party/concert. It was really good...but I've always loved Joel. We even were seated right across the aisle from his wife and daughters...it was really fun seeing his one daughter get into the music with her little friend. You could tell that they were hoping that they were getting his attention...I think they did :) And other than that we are just busy with work...Jon is trying to get the crops out but the weather hasn't cooperated very well...too much moisture...we sure could have used a little of it this summer. And now all the leaves are changed and are falling off the trees. And did you know that there is only 8 weeks left until Christmas?!? Crazy huh?!? I just counted it out today as I was making appointments for people...the crazy time is about to begin in my line of work...I better get rested up! Well thank you for all your prayers...we sure do appreciate them. Have a great rest of the week!

Sorry for being MIA

I swear...I had good reason for not being on here...I was so hoping that the next time I posted I would have news that would knock your socks off...but alas...I don't...I only have sad news...boo. Anyway...I'll start from the beginning...and I swear...I'll give you the short version! We got that call on September 29th...you know...the call that all hopeful adoptive parents dread and look forward to all at the same time. We got the call that there was a little baby girl, who was 7 weeks old, who needed a home. A friend of the birthmom was actually the one who called us and asked us all the questions. She liked us and I asked if we could meet with her and the birthmom...she was very excited to meet us and we set it up for the very next day. We met for lunch...we totally fell in love with that little girl...and we really liked the birthmom and friend too. All our fears were put to rest...you know...the fears of will we be able to love this little girl as much as we loved Emmalee, Owen, and Cooper. The answer is definitely yes. We would. That afternoon we got a call from the friend that said the birthmom had chosen us...yea! That evening we got a text message from the birthmom that said she was sorry but the birthfather would not agree to sign papers...better luck next time (those weren't her exact words...but pretty close). Urgh...frustration...and right before bed...let me tell you...I didn't sleep very good that night! That Thursday was an awful day...and then the birthmom decided that if he wasn't willing to sign she would take him to court and and take away his rights. One little known fact is that the birthfater is in jail right now and he was still awaiting his sentencing...we were told that he was looking at a minimum of 6 months with a max of 2 years. So...the adoption was back on. Meanwhile, the birthmom was tired of being a mom (they also have a 2 year old together) and so she gave the little girl to the friend to take care of. The friend lives in Burnsville so she would call us and see if we wanted to come up and spend time with her...well...yeah we would. We also got our birthmom in contact with a birthparent counselor at our agency, which took a lot of the pressure off of us. So for the next week it was a constant up and down battle...almost like they were playing games with us. The birthfather did get sentenced and guess what he got...2 months in a workhouse! Can you believe it! There is something wrong with the world...not enough space to hold all these guys...so 2 months! You know what they should do...harsher punishments so that people don't commit crimes! Urgh! But...he said he'd still go along with the adoption...he would sign papers...'cause that's what the birthmom wanted. So when they finally got him moved over and settled in they went up there to sign papers. That was the 13th...on the 27th at 1:30 baby girl would be ours! Well this last week seemed to be going fine...talked to the birthmom and she seemed like she was really excited...she got a new job, she moved, she was out partying...all the while baby girl was in the care of this friend (who is actually the birthgrandma's friend...have I made this complicated?!?)...we did not trust this friend too much as she was telling us that she was sleeping with the baby and then one day couldn't find her and here she was under the covers...and she gave her a bottle of water...and she was taking her to her cleaning jobs....and she took her to a bonfire when it was freezing outside and kept her up until 3 a.m. Needless to say we just kept praying for her safety and we were getting pretty antsy to get her out of that environment. Well...Sunday everything came to a head. Birthmom called her counselor and told her that she couldn't handle all this adoption stuff anymore...birthfather couldn't handle not being able to see the baby anytime he wanted so she was just going to have to be done. Monday she signed the paperwork to stop the adoption. To say that we are bummed is an understatement. But more importantly we just feel so bad for this little baby girl, who has no choice in the whole matter. She is going to grow up in a family with a mother who resents her (she said on more that one occasion that she doesn't want her and doesn't want to be her mother), she is going to grow up in a family where she sees her father having so much control over her mother, she is going to grow up in a family where the cycle is to get pregnant as a teenager (both grandma and grandma's friend were 16 year old moms and birthmom was 18), and she is going to grow up in a family who already has proven to make very poor choices. That is unless God comes into their lives and turns it all around! And that's what we are praying for. We know that we cannot do anything more to save this little girl (who we fell so in love with...did I mention that?!?) but we can pray for her. God brought her into our lives for a reason. What that reason is I don't quite know yet. I don't know if it's just so that I can be praying for her for the rest of her life...which I will do. Or if somehow through all this we have made an impact on her mom and this friend. One little detail I left out was that this little girl was placed before...right after she was born. And again...the birthfather changed his mind. The birthmom did try to replace her with that couple but I guess they were so mean to her that she sought out another couple (which was us). So...we've just really tried to be really nice. Which was so hard to do...you just wanted to shake them and ask them why. We still have so many questions that I don't plan on ever having answered. One of them would be....were you just playing us (remember...I told you the short version of the story...everyday there was good news and bad news...and I'm not even kidding...it has been a very very stressful 2 weeks...I think I'd take Emmalee in the hospital any day over these last weeks)...they made lots of mentions about how they needed diapers and how the friend was loosing money 'cause she couldn't do some of her cleaning jobs. But we were smart and didn't give them any money...only a few outfits for baby to wear. So...we don't know...maybe we were put through this process to help change the adoption laws. We felt that we were very unprotected through out this and we feel very jaded by the whole process. The birthparents are given too many rights and they are allowed to play with peoples emotions. I don't think people realize that the people who are adopting are people who have already experienced heartache and who have been trying to have a family for years...there are very few cases of people who are just getting started at trying to have a family that are adopting. Most of us have been through years of heartbreak and so these games that they are allowed to play are just plain wrong. You know who else isn't protected...the innocent babies. Oh I just feel so sorry for them. My heart will mend...their lives will always be affected. Well I think I'll be done for now. I will probably post more later when I can think through it more...right now I feel like I could just go on and on...but that's not fair to you...it would be a lengthy post! I am just going to ask you now...right now...to pray for this little girl and her family. Pray that God would surround her and send the right people into her lives so that she can learn about Him and come to love and serve the God that we know and love. And just pray for her family to start making the right decisions so that the cycle doesn't continue. And you could pray for us...we are disappointed, sad, and wondering why we just can't become parents...at least once! And why our parents can't become grandparents...it's so hard...we really did believe that this was going to work out. Well...thanks again for coming along with us on this journey of ours. We love you all!

Happy Fall Y'all!

Well I figured that it was fall now...the temperatures have dropped (I love it), the leaves are changing (I love it), and it's almost October! Yep...fall is in the air! So it was time for a change of scenery on the blog :) Nothing too new with us...sorry...no big update here! I do want to do a shout out to my friend Danielle who had her first baby today (lucky duck!)...welcome to the world baby Dean...we are glad that you are here! Like I said...nothing too new with us so it will be a short post today. Hope all is well for you all out there. Thanks for checking in...and...Happy Fall Y'all!

The last of them...

Okay...so here's the last of the scrapbook pages for the adoption scrapbook. Sorry it's take me so long to get them on here...these last few weeks have flown...I didn't even know we were busy! Nothing new on the adoption front...there has been some activity on the website lately....the adoption agency has a website where birthmoms can go and look at peoples profiles...once a couple has been chosen it says chosen next to their name. Well when we first went on there was one couple chosen and that was it...up until last week. Now there are 6 new couples that have been chosen...one couple was even put on after us (that went fast...for them)! So now I told Jon that I can't go on there anymore (although I will!) 'cause it just makes you crazy! Anyway...I just keep telling myself that the baby that's suppose to be ours just isn't ready yet and in due time we will get that call :) Otherwise nothing too new for us. We just had the Defeat of Jesse James Days here so that means the end of summer. We had some family come in so it was fun showing them around. I'll have to get some pictures on here of that...although Ellie took most of the pictures so I'll have to wait for her to send me a disk with them on there...hurry up Ellie! Just kidding! Well...hope this finds all of you doing well. I'll try not to make it so long in between! Oh...and if you haven't checked out Emma, Owen and Cooper's blog you'll have to do that. We set the boys' stone and it looks so nice...there are pictures on the blog of that...I'll have to get some on here sometime of the guys setting the stone...they were He-Men (or He-Man...does anyone remember that cartoon?!?) and lifted that huge stone down by themselves...no equipment involved...crazy guys...well...I'll save that for another day...enjoy the scrapbook pictures!



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The Latest Installment

Hey there everyone! Here are some more scrapbook pages for you! :)


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Page 14 (Do you like how I did the "stitching" on the lettering?! I thought it was pretty clever and turned out really cute)

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So there you have it...I still have a few more to post for you guys but I didn't want to overwhelm you ;) Nothing too new on our front...we are still in the book and we are still waiting :) Work has been busy...back-to-school time! Everyone has to get looking good :) The Bible Study is going good...it's not to late to join if you want...come and check us out! Oh...and I was always going to post the link to our church's sermons and I forgot to do that...so click here and you will be taken right to them. I am such a slacker and the one I thought was really good is no longer on there...but they are all good...Pastor Reigstad is such a gifted speaker and preacher...we are very blessed to have him!

Well I hope you all have a wonderful week!

It's up!

Hi there! Just wanted to let you know that the Bible Study blog is now up! It still needs a little tweaking...so I'll be doing that as time goes on but for now...I think it's a good start! We will be starting tomorrow (Wednesday) but we're going to take it slow at first so if you don't see this post for a little while...then just know it's not too late for you to join in! Okay...so here's the address:

http://www.feldmanbiblestudy.blogspot.com/

I really didn't want to name it that...I didn't want it to have my name in it at all because I just don't feel like it's my thing...I think it's for all of us...I just happen to be the one who got it up and going...but...would you know...there are a lot of blogs out there...and every name that I tried someone already had that blog! So...I thought...why not...at least it would be easy for you all to remember since all my other blogs have started out with Feldman (feldmanbaby...feldmancrew). So there you have it. Hope to see you over there as well!

Also, I'd like to answer the couple questions that I got from my last post:

Q: Can you adopt just from Minnesota or can you adopt from anywhere in the US?

A: Yes...we can adopt from anywhere...we completed our homestudy so that makes us able to adopt anywhere domestically. Now if we get a baby through the agency then that baby will be from Minnesota (most likely) but no, we are able to adopt from anywhere else in the U.S. We would just need to find a lawyer in that state to represent us...different legal stuff in different states and our lawyer from MN isn't able to practice out of state. So..good question...if anyone knows of anyone looking to give up their baby for adoption, we are willing to travel :)

Q: Does your scanner scan 12x12?

A: I wish! No...actually the pages I did for the adoption scrapbook had to be 8x8 (my first time scrapbooking that size...usually I do 12x12) so they fit perfectly on my scanner. I do know that they have scanners that size, but unfortunately mine isn't...I would like to do the same thing and back up some of my scrapbooks!

Well I guess that's it...I'd better run and get ready for work! Have a great day!

A Little Housekeeping

Okay...maybe that title should be what I should be doing instead of writing this post but oh well...here I go anyway:) I have a few things I have been meaning to get on here so I'm going to do that tonight...first off I wanted to showcase my sister-in-law Britt's artwork that she has done for us this past year. She is very talented and even has a website that you can check out and if you want her to do any artwork for you! I'd definitely check it out...she's very affordable and very talented! How about a pencil drawing of your kids, or a new wall hanging for your living room...okay...I'm done plugging for her but seriously...check her out! Here's the work she did for us...we love them both:

This is the one we got for Mother's and Father's Day from both Sam and Britt and my mom and dad...isn't that a sweet picture...our kids...walking with Jesus right now...I can just picture it...and then one day...they are going to come running to us...give us a great big hug and kiss...and then grab our hands and take us to meet Him...what a good day that will be!

This is the picture I had Britt do for Jon for Father's Day...it depicts that God has us all in His hands...Jon here on Earth...and all our babies with Him in Heaven...a very comforting thought!

Second order of business....remember when I asked awhile back if anyone had any questions about the adoption stuff...well...Britt was the only one to ask but I still haven't gotten her answers on here so...here they are:

Q: Do you think you'll be there for the delivery? I suppose it depends on the birth mom's preference, but do a lot do that?

A: I don't know...like you said it will depend on what the birth mom wants. Sometimes they invite the couple in...I know one of my clients was right there to witness the birth of their baby girl, but other times they are just more comfortable with their family and friends with them...if that is the case they will put us in a room (or so we've heard) and bring the baby to us after he/she is born. We don't care either way...on one hand it would be really neat to be in there to witness the birth but we also don't want to make her uncomfortable...so we'll just wait and see what happens:)

Q: How soon after they are born do you get to take them home?

A: Well the baby usually will have to be kept at least overnight if not two nights to be monitored and make sure they are doing alright but then they are free to go home, so most likely we will be able to take them home from the hospital when they are discharged. That is how it is usually done now days, unless a mom takes a baby home intending to raise him or her herself and then changes her mind and puts them up for adoption...but most now days go home from the hospital with you...which is really exciting!

Also...this isn't a question Britt had but I thought I'd throw it out here anyway...so the baby goes home with you but the mom has to wait 3 days until she can even sign the paperwork that she is giving her baby up for adoption...but she has 60 full days to sign it. Once she does sign the paperwork it then takes 10 working days (or 14 full days) for it to become legal. Once those 14 days are up the baby is yours and she can not come back and try to get him or her back. So...I think until those days are up we will be a little bit nervous...we will be so happy and excited but I think in the back of our heads we'll be wondering if she's going to change her mind. So we are praying that she will want to sign right away, but they tell us that's not usually the case and to not worry if it takes her awhile...she's probably not changing her mind but it's probably a scheduling thing or she can't get a ride or she's plain just not feeling that great (she just had a baby you know!) and that she'll get to it eventually. So...in case any of you were wondering...that's it...

Q: If you decide to adopt multiple times, do you do the paperwork and meetings again, or is that all a one-time deal?

A: The paperwork is a little less, but yes there is still paperwork. You have to do all the background checks again...just in case you committed a crime since the last time you filed :) Also, you do have to do your homestudy's once a year...so that means if we still haven't gotten picked by June of next year we need to do the homestudy part again and get that all up to date...it's not quite as expensive but it still does cost a bit. So...let's all pray for a baby...as if we weren't already:) I don't think you have to do the meetings so that will keep the cost down a little more the next time around. They say that it is a little easier the second time around...so we'll see...

Okay...question and answer time over...let me know if you have any more :) And now...the third order of business...I'm going to start doing installments of my scrapbook pages...there are too many to do in just one or two posts so...check back for new ones...here's the first few:

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

Page 6

Page 7

Page 8

Page 9

So...what do you think? I like how it came out...the colors are obviously better in person, but I thought the scans came out alright.

And my last order of business...the blog for the Bible Study will be up and running next week (hopefully Monday) so check back here and I'll let you know all the details. I'm very excited for this and for the chance to connect with you all that want to participate! I hope you all at least come on over and check it out once :) So...more detail on that next week!

Well...I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week...I'm back at work after vacation last week and let me tell you...I am busy! It's so nice to feel wanted! So...take care and I'll chat with you later!

Happy Birthday to Me!

That's right! I figured I might as well embrace it and announce here that I am one year older! I really do love birthday's 'cause it's the one day a year that you can celebrate yourself...and get whatever you want! Well maybe that last statement isn't true...but I'd like to think it is :) ha! Yesterday we went to the Cheesecake Factory with my family...it was a lot of fun. I don't think my dad had ever been there so while looking at the menu he asked...so what is this place known for...ummm...Cheesecake! Actually I think they do have very good food and one dish in particular is my favorite (Spicy Cashew Chicken) but really, you do go for that piece of cheesecake in the end. My choice...Oreo Mudslide...yum! Today we are getting together with some of Jon's family and going for lunch to a place called Hogan Brothers...it's a little sandwich shop in our town and for your birthday you get a free sandwich and drink...which really is a genius plan since they only have to give away one sandwich and yet I am bringing in all these other people to eat...oh well...it's my birthday and I'll take them up on their free sandwich! I'm not sure what we are doing tonight but I woke up to a note from Jon that he'll try to take off early so we can go do something :) Hmmm...what to do, what to do...

I feel like we shouldn't go out an do anything since we were just on vacation...that's right...I didn't mention that we were going on vacation! That's because I heeded the warnings that they've been giving on the news not to mention things like that on your blog or your Facebook page so people don't come and rob you...although I'm not sure I have anything worth stealing but I still thought I'd play it safe! We had a wonderful vacation though...our first real summer vacation...we went up to Brainerd, which is only about 3 hours from us but a whole world away! It is so beautiful up there...the lakes are so clear! We have family up there (hi Ross, Debbie, Ellie, and Molly!) and so we were able to spend some time with them...Ross got a boat for us to take out and we went out on Sunday and enjoyed Gull Lake. Man there are some beautiful houses up there...we can just dream can't we! And then for lunch we docked and picked up pizza...what a simple thing but man was that fun! I could sure get use to lake life! The day was perfect and then it had to rain...we got pretty soaked...but we still had fun! Then on Monday we took another boat out from the resort we stayed at (it was a nice little place right on the water...nothing fancy but reasonable and clean and very nice) and went out fishing with the whole gang. I think it was Molly's first time and I think we got her hooked on fishing! Hopefully the rest of her family doesn't mind! We had a good day of fishing...and we caught a few keepers! Mostly bass and sunfish. We had so much fun that we forgot to eat lunch and it was about 3 before we all realized we were hungry and by the time the boys got the fish cleaned it was around 4. After we ate we just went back and relaxed a bit...we were tired from all the sun and fresh air! On Tuesday we went with a guide out to do a little fishing (did I mention that we went fishing on our vacation?!?)...that day I learned a few more fishing techniques...and I learned that I like the easy way of fishing with a bobber and I don't care if I'm just catching sunny's! But it was fun to learn and we did catch walleye and bass. And then that night we went back to Ross and Debbie's for supper and card games...we learned a few new ones and now we can't wait to play them again...it was fun! Then on Wednesday and Thursday we didn't do any fishing but a little shopping (I got a seatbelt purse...I was so excited!...and yes...if you want me to I can post a picture for you!) and just hung around and relaxed! So that's it...Jon had to go back to work on Friday :( and I have to go back tomorrow :( But that's okay...it's good to get back to a routine too.

Well anyway...I guess that's it...I'm sitting here watching Kate Gosselin on the Today show...here are two people that were very blessed to be given 8 beautiful children and here they are throwing their marriage away. Kind of frustrating to watch. I think that's why I am having a hard time celebrating this birthday...feel like I am getting old...and while so many of you keep telling me how young I am I don't feel that way...I feel like time is slipping past and we still haven't been able to have children...I really did think I'd have all my children before I turned 30...that was my goal and if there is one thing I've learned (who am I kidding...I've learned a lot) from our ordeal is that our plans are not God's plans and I have to give him control of my life...I don't have it anyway...He does..but I so wanted to be a young mom 'cause I grew up with very young parents...my goodness...my mom just turned 50 and has a 28 year old...if I'm lucky enough (I mean blessed) I will maybe have a 20 year old by the time I'm 50. And to think back if we would have been blessed to have a baby when we first started trying we would have an almost 4 year old! Plus it doesn't help that 2 years ago I found out on August 8th that Emmalee was on her way to us...just a slap in the face. I think we both are feeling a little down about this...and it would have been a lot different if the boys would have been allowed to stay with us. We know that God has a plan and that we are in this season of life for a reason but it sure would be nice to know the reason or at least just get out of it. I tell you what....it's awful...you start questioning whether you are even meant to become parents or if you should just give up and buy a cabin up north and just be done with it! We don't want to be like that but it is where our thought process goes. Well anyway...I didn't mean for this post to get a downer tone to it...so I hope you all have a very blessed day and I know that I will...after all...it is my birthday! Here are some pictures from our vacation...enjoy!



I love this picture of Ellie with her little fish!

Molly and Me...and our catches (hey...I didn't say any of our catches were huge...we just were having fun!)

Proud papa (Ross) with Ellie...believe it or not...Ross' catch here was not the smallest...I think that honor went to Debbie!

One of the bass I caught on our guided tour...look at my form as I hold the fish...pretty good I'd say! (And sorry...I can't figure out how to rotate these pictures!)

Here's Jonny! And his catches of the day!

Molly, Ellie, and Debbie...and in case you were wondering...yes...it was a little chilly out on the water!

Doesn't this look like a nice boat?!? It was! We were spoiled! Thanks again Ross!

Okay...my reasons I love summer...

I'm going to try this again...but since the last time I have added one more reason why I love summer:

Exhibit A:

You can't find this activity in the winter time...actually I don't think you can find this activity anywhere else except in the Midwest...although maybe in the South too...do you know what it is:

I took these pictures with my phone so they aren't the greatest quality...but still...not bad!

Yep...you guessed it (wait...you didn't?!?) it is a pick-up truck derby! Jon and I went to it the week of the Fourth of July at a county fair...it was a lot of fun...I actually do like derby's...especially when they have pick-up trucks! My favorite one was a turquoisey blue (how do you like that color description?!?) older looking truck but he didn't win...rats. Anyway...reason number one for liking summer...derby and county fair time (and I didn't even mention the yummy deep fried fair food!).

Exhibit B:

Well actually I don't have a picture for this one, although I wish I did, but I love fireflies! And you don't get those in the winter either! While we were driving home one night I asked Jon if he had seen any yet, and his reply was no...so I pressed my nose to the window (not really but it makes for a better visual) to find those fireflies. Well I did see one and I was so excited that I said...oh...there's one! Which lead to Jon slamming (well maybe slamming is too hard of a word but the breaks did go on) on the brakes and me thinking...wow...he really wanted me to see the firefly. Well he totally forgot about my question and was sure that I was talking about a deer...I forgot that I was suppose to be looking for those...ha...maybe you had to be there...it was funny! But then being the sweet guy he is...on the Fourth while we were watching the fireworks from Valley Grove there were a lot of them up there and so we ran around like kids again trying to catch them...I don't know but I think there used to be a lot more of them then there are now...and I think that they are getting faster 'cause we only caught one. But it was sure fun watching Jon run and leap trying to catch them for me...I'm sure I looked funny too but I can't see myself so I don't know! No...I probably look pretty graceful!

Exhibit C:

I love summer because teachers have the summer off. That means that my friend Chelsea and her hubby Philip can come and visit me! It was so much fun having them at our house and catching up with them! It has been way too long and they live all the way on the West Coast...which I heard is getting hit hard with a heat wave right now...they are not used to that...sorry guys! Here's a few pictures of us from their time here:

Chelsea and I....Chelsea was my maid of honor at my wedding...we have had a lot of fun times together and I miss her and wish she wasn't so far away...but we try to make the most of our times together!

After Chelsea took this picture she said...awe...you guys look like brother and sister. Actually, if you know my brother, Sam and Philip could look a lot a like!

Here's the cute couple that just celebrated their 3rd anniversary...it was a great wedding to be in ...116 degrees in a church that had no air conditioning...that was not my kind of summer! But their wedding was beautiful and so much fun to be in...thanks guys!

Exhibit D:

Bonfires and Smores! Since we put our fire pit in last year we've really been trying to take advantage of it! And this summer has been great because it hasn't been overly hot and there haven't been too many bugs!

Levi

Levi and big teaser Jon in the background

Jon and Greta

Toasted Marshmallows...duh!

Jon's sister Annette and Logan

Exhibit E: (don't worry...I won't go through the whole alphabet...I'm almost done)

My pretty flowers...although they are hard work keeping them looking nice. We haven't had a lot of rain this year so I've had to put my A game on and get out there and water them...I usually forget!

Okay...I think I'm done...I do love the summer...or the activities of the summer...and I am very thankful that this one hasn't been too hot!! In other news...we are in the Book (for the adoption agency)! So...let the calls start coming in! In another post I'll put the pictures in of our scrapbook...it turned out cute. And check out our kids' blog...I tweaked it a bit to cutesy (is that a word and if so...how do you spell it?!?) it up! Also...(wow...I do have a lot to say today!) I have been reading through Job lately and it's so good! So I am thinking about doing another blog for a Bible Study where we can all read the same thing...I'll post the passage on the blog...and then in the comments section we can discuss it...it's like a book club...online! What do you think? Okay...running for now...