Our Adoption Journey and where we are now.

I havent added much about our adoption journey so far except for the time line so I thought I would go ahead and tell a little bit about what we have experienced and what we are experiencing. We started our journey in August of 08. Scott and I were sitting in our den late one night and talking about life and our future, adoption has always been in the back of our minds but we never knew when we would start the process or if we even ever would. We decided that night we would start! We were both excited, unsure, scared, and lost! Along with many other adoptive families we were lost as to where to start. I began my online research! Reading tons of articles, blogs, forums, etc. We picked our homestudy agency and began to collect the papers needed to complete that process. It took us about 2.5 months to complete our homestudy. We were officially approved on Nov. 17, 2008. At that point I knew we were not going to go with the agency that had completed our homestudy only because we were told that our wait would be 3-4 years since we wanted a girl. They were so nice to send us a list of agencies some of their other families had used and felt successful with. After much research I chose agency A. I felt so comfortable with my decision. We were given many connections to other agencies and I felt like we had so many people working with us and for us. January rolled around and I felt more and more like I may have made the wrong decision. Things were so different with agency A- no one was returning our calls or e-mails. February rolled around and I was feeling the same way if not more. Than March was upon us, we had been waiting approved for 3 months which really isnt that long but man was I ansy! :) I took a chance on contacting an agency in Utah called Heart to Heart. In a matter of 2 weeks I had more people answering my questions, e-mails, and calls than I had since we began the process in August. By the end of March we were matched with a BM due on April 7. Unfortuntitely that BM decided before her due date to parent. We were upset but at the same time we were prepared. We know that adoption brings a great deal of ups and downs. On April 7 our agency matched us again with a BM due on April 12. We traveled to the BM after the baby had been born. After a few hours of being in the state we found out she decided to parent. I definitely wont pretend that one didnt burn. I always try to be strong in situations like that and I definitely try to cover my emotions but I am sure this one was written all over my face. I felt an emptiness inside, I never saw the baby but I couldnt stop thinking about her. Thank goodness Scott was there with me and feeling the same sadness I was. I felt as though we both woke up at the same time that morning around 6AM and looked at each other and said, "Let's get out of here and go pick up our boys!" And we did just that. For the next week I was a zombie, I got right back into my normal routine but looking back I was just going through the motions. I couldnt help but think about the baby and what she was doing and what she looked like. As time passed my mind cleared and I felt so much better.

I have learned a great deal about myself and the adoption world over the past 8 months. #1- I didnt think that I had this must strength. #2- I have never had more faith in the lord as I do now #3 - I truly believe that god has a plan for my family and I #4 - I love my husband and my children more than I can even try to explain #5- I truly believe that people are brought into our lives for a reason.

Angels are definitely among us in spirit form and human form. I know why I contacted Heart to Heart in March. I was meant to meet them. The women that I have come in contact with at this agency are incredible. They are the only people that have shown so much interest and have worried right along beside me with each situation. I will forever be greatful to this agency.

If you are looking into adoption and are not sure whether it is the right path for you. Understand that it is so important to do your research. This is not a simple avenue to take and it does take a toll on you. But when you see that glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel you cant help but want to see who is waiting for you. The selfless act of a woman to give her child to you is an unbelieveable gift. We as women can honor and have such respect for one another.

I know we will meet our Reagan one day. I cant wait to welcome her into our family!

Here are some pictures of her room. Everything is done, now we just need to meet!

Busch Gardens

Amusement Parks are so much fun! We went to Busch Gardens in Va last week and had a great time. This is the second trip to this amusement park in 3 weeks but hey I bought a fun card and we can go as many times as we want until Sept. you better believe we are going A LOT! We started the day at 10Am when the park opened. The boys made it until about 3:30 which is actually a little bit longer than last time. They get so tired and try to fight sleep just so they can go on the next ride. Busch Gardens is a great park- clean and everyone is very friendly. If you havent been to visit- GO! They have a great little Elmo park that the kids love. The characters come out and sing and then take pictures with the kids. Their is also the Land of the Dragons with lots of neat tunnels and bridges for kids.

We are definitly staying busy while the weather continues to heat up. This is my favorite time of year! I just love getting the kids outside and doing fun activities!

The weekend

I am a huge fan of the weekend! I am sure most of you are thinking- well of course! We all are huge fans. But I am truly blessed to be able to stay home 24/7 with my two incredible boys and when Friday rolls around I get so excited that the weekend is here. I love having my husband home on the weekends. I usually get up on Saturday morning and make cinnamon rolls for the family or special pancakes. When the weather is cold outside we usually lay around most of the weekend and watch movies but when the weather is warm out we spend most of our time out doors. Today the weather was 75 degrees, PERFECT! We went to lunch, went to a children's festival, went to the park, went to Target, and came home to relax for a bit only to get back in the car and head to dinner. We are suckers for eating out on the weekends. We love enjoying a good hamburger or sub so we usually hit up Firehouse Subs or Red Robin. Of course our normal hang out is Hard Times- they know us by our first names there on the weekend! So sad! HA!
Tomorrow brings another busy day. We must pack Scott for his trip which I am not looking forward to and hopefully head back outside to enjoy the weather. I can honestly say that I love being with all my boys on the weekend!!!!

Easter

I am a HUGE fan of holidays! I love decorating the house for every holiday. From hearts on the doors at Valentine's Day and Eggs at Easter. We have been talking about Easter to the boys for the past couple of weeks. They were very excited about the Easter Bunny and decorating eggs! We took them to see the Easter Bunny about a week before Easter, to our surprise there were no tears! LOVE IT! It was the first picture we have gotten (with Santa or Easter Bunny) with no tears. Scott and I were shocked!

For Easter we headed to the river to spend the day with grandma and grandpa. We went down on Saturday night. It was a bit chilly outside so we all just sat inside and relaxed. Mom made her famous spaghetti which is one of my favorites! We then made an Easter Gingerbread House! I had never seen something like this- Christmas yet but Easter? A good friend of mine gave the boys this house and we had the best time decorating it.

We went to bed and let the boys know that they had to go to bed so that the Easter Bunny could come! Of course we still heard the usual giggling but they finally fell asleep. Scott always had to search for his Easter basket on Easter morning so we have started that tradition with the boys. This year it was in the utility room. They did find it though and were pretty excited. Well almost- The "Easter Bunny" made the mistake of buying one boy a batman and one boy a spiderman who would have guessed they both wanted the batman! Good grief! But the day moved so quickly they got over it!

We had a great time on Easter. We ate too much and even dabbled in a little Easter egg hunt! It was fun!

Am I a Blogger?

My first entry and I really mean my first entry! I have never been much of a blogger but here I am. I want my friends and family to be able to follow our family and our journey to adoption. What a journey it has been! I will write more later after I learn how to use this thing! :)