Just a batch of positivity!

I just have to say, I LOVE GLADNEY!  Or better yet, I love our Program Assistant!  I got an email on Tuesday morning saying she received our package and she was so impressed with my organization skills.  She said I was, “a woman after her own heart” – perfect!  Apparently, my skills were the talk of the office that morning and all the other program assistants were jealous that Kris and I were her family.  Yep, it only took one week for us to make a name for ourselves at Gladney.  This doesn’t surprise me one bit! 

I must have made her job tremendously easier, because I got an email this morning saying she processed all of our documents in ONE DAY and we can move forward with our caseworker!  This means we can go ahead and schedule our interviews and home study in the coming weeks.  Ideally, you are supposed to wait 6-8 weeks for your FBI clearances to come in before you can proceed with anything else, but since I asked ever-so-politely, she’s pushing us right along.  We won’t be officially approved until our FBI clearances come in, but at least we can keep crossing things off of our never-ending to-do list in the meantime.  Once we are approved and have our profile book completed, birthmothers can start to see who we are!

We have a very busy month of July, but my hope is that we can at least schedule our interviews in Fort Worth sometime in between:

1.       Our 4^th annual Simpson/Wilhelm July 4^th weekend extravaganza

2.       Kris’ friend Braden coming to visit July 6^th

3.       Our photo shoot with Forever Photography July 13^th

4.       THEN our trip to the Caribbean July 26^th (that’s right, Kris gave me a hint!)

If you can’t tell, I’m VERY happy with where life is taking us.  Once we chose adoption, things have been falling into place so perfectly that it amazes me every day.  This just feels so right…

Submit Application - CHECK!



OUR LIFE IN A BOX

 We have officially accomplished step two of the adoption process – submitting our application!  This is HUGE!  Kris and I have been working diligently since Saturday to complete the never-ending application checklist.  Our entire life and everything you could possibly want to know about us resides in this little accordion file.  And now at the ripe old age of 28, we even have an autobiography!    

Gladney should receive our application today and in the coming weeks we will be scheduled to complete our interviews in Fort Worth.  And following the interviews, someone will come to our house to complete a home study.  Then the fun part begins!  Kris and I will make a profile book that birthmothers will use to make their decision (I’ll expand on this later).  And then - we will officially be expecting a baby!  No, we won’t be matched with a birthmother yet, but they tell you to spend your waiting period doing all the things women do during their pregnancy.  After we create our profile book, Kris and I will start planning a gender neutral nursery, register, and when the time gets closer, throw a baby shower. 

If you have a question (and I know my family has many), don’t hesitate to leave a comment.  Kris and I are very open about our adoption plan and as we’ve realized, there are many myths about adoption.  I’d be more than happy to clear those up!  In the meantime, I’ll continue to document our progress and keep you up-to-date on what’s next.

Going Public!

"Their story, yours and mine - it's what we all carry with us on this trip we take, and we owe it to each other to respect our stories and learn from them".


I've been doing a lot of thinking lately and have decided to share our story with the world - or better yet, whoever is interested in reading! I believe it is only by sharing our stories that we can truly learn from one another. Maybe I will touch someone, maybe I won't, but I would love the opportunity to share our story and meet others along the way traveling the same course we are. So, here's to the endless possibilities that may come from opening our hearts to those who care to listen.

This blog is now public!

P.S. And yes Mom and Kris, you may send to whomever you would like!

WE HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT!

And NO we are not pregnant.

But we are expecting…

We are expecting to ADOPT!

On Friday, June 10^th Kris and I received the best news we have heard in a long while.  We were accepted into the Agency Assisted Program at The Gladney Center for Adoption.  A week later, we drove to Fort Worth to attend their orientation and at that moment we knew we found the perfect agency for us.  Kris and I were continually amazed at each and every presentation, from meeting birthmothers to meeting adoptive parents and each service that was mentioned in between.  Gladney truly wants the best for the birthmothers, adoptees and adoptive parents every step of the process and even long after the adoption has been finalized.  We feel blessed and overjoyed to now be part of the Gladney Family.

Kris and I are at peace with our decision and more passionate about creating our family through adoption than we’ve been about anything else in our lives.  We’ve experienced many setbacks and enough heartache to last a lifetime during our fertility journey, but that’s all behind us now and we are looking forward to a fresh start.

This experience has made me a better person.  It has made us better people.  And as I’ve said before, our marriage and our bond is stronger and deeper than ever.  Our infertility has been a long tiring road, but we have overcome such great obstacles together and in the end we are walking away with a gift.  Our infertility has been a gift to a better life.

Today, you will find Kris and I smiling from ear-to-ear, eager for that one miraculous day when we finally bring our perfect child home.  We aren’t in denial, we know the path to bringing our child home will not be easy, but we know without a shadow of a doubt, that when it’s all over, we will bring home the child that was always meant for our family.  

Inspired by Words

Growing up, when times got a little tough or if I needed a little inspiration, I always looked to quotes for the answer.  When I was in High School, I made a quote book full of all of my favorite quotes.  Yesterday, when I was cleaning out the guest bedroom for our remodel, I actually found it.  I loved reading the quotes I treasured so much at the time and remembering the person I was and the person I wanted to become, over 10 years ago. 
 

My great-grandmother, Meme also had a quote book that I found at Granny’s house many moons ago.  Granny let me have it and to this day, it’s my favorite book.  It is a very old (vintage these days) beautiful leather bound book full of quotes organized in chapters by subject.  I would love nothing more than to display it in my home, because it means so much to me, but I can’t seem to find it...  I’m sure I will locate it one of these days when I need the encouragement most.

For now, I leave you with a quote that has inspired me to enjoy every single day I’m given in this beautiful life.  Kris and are healing from our past infertility upsets and we are overjoyed about the decision we have made for our future.  However, we have to remember to cherish each day in between and not wish our life away as we wait for our miracle to arrive.

 “Don’t cry over the past, it’s gone.  Don’t stress about the future, it hasn’t arrived.  Live in the present and make it beautiful.”

Happy Birthday Oskar!

My birthday boy!



Oskar is six today and I can’t believe how quickly the years are passing.  If I really start to think about it, I have to stop because my eyes swell up with tears.  I just can’t imagine life without my Oskar in it.

He’s a special dog and he knows it.

Oskar is human and he’s not afraid to show you.  He’s been there for his mommy and daddy during some tough times and he helped us pull through them with smiles on our faces.

Like the time when Kris moved back to Houston to start his job at Credit Suisse and it was just Oskar and I left in Austin to finish up my internship.  There were some pretty lonely nights but Oskar made sure I was always laughing.  He helped me paint daddy pictures by smelling the canvas and getting paint all over his cute little face or better yet walking on top of the canvas!  He absolutely hated when I was studying and would make sure and lay right on top of my book so I had to play with him.  And who could resist his puppy face!  Oh and let’s not forget the time I brought him to the pool and he took interest in a friend’s beer.  Just as Eric went to pick up his beer from the side of the pool, Oskar went to smell it and opps; he fell in the scorching hot tub.  This momma was scared!

Oskar as a puppy. Adorable, right?

Oskar has also been a great source of support during our fertility journey.  When I was sick, he never left my side.  Ever.  When I was sad, he would kiss my tears away.  And every time Kris gave me a shot he was right there to make sure I was okay.  I told you he was special.

Oskar has been with us during all of our milestones as well - college graduation, the purchase of our first home, our engagement, our wedding and our decision to make him a brother someday.  He was our first dog together and because of that, he will always hold a special place in our hearts even long after he’s gone (again tears).

Oskar has lived in five different places, traveled many a road trip with us and we’ve toted him around just about anywhere you can get away with it.  He’s a resilient little dog with a huge heart.  He’ll kiss a complete stranger, won’t stop jumping on you unless you acknowledge him and he barks at every person that passes by our house.  He’s a protective big eared pup (as I like to call him).  And he’s a great big brother to George.  Buying a second dog was the best decision we ever made for Oskar.  They are the best of friends.

Oskar meeting George for the first time.

We’ve been waiting nearly two years now to make Oskar a brother (to our baby, not just to George). And as the years keep passing, I get worried, because I want our baby to remember Oskar the way that I remember my first dog, Eric.  Because I was an only child, Eric was my “bubba” and my best friend. He never left my side.  I want that bond for our baby and for Oskar and George.

I can’t wait to see Oskar become the overprotective worried little dog when his brother or sister is crying.  I can’t wait to watch Oskar protect them (literally) as they try and master the stairs.  We’ve seen Oskar do this with Gavin, my friend Sarah’s son and it was truly amazing to watch.  Oskar knew what he was doing and repeatedly stepped behind Gavin as he crawled up the stairs so that if Gavin fell Oskar was there to “catch” him.  And I can’t wait for all the kisses, cuddles and playtimes in between.  I know Oskar is going to make the best big brother. We just have to work on the barking!

Happy Birthday my sweet boy!  We love you more than words can express.

P.S. George has not been forgotten. His birthday is August 20th and I'll write a tribute to him on his birthday.

Mother's Day

Over the years, I have celebrated and cherished both the announcement and arrival of my friend’s babies and up until last year, that excitement came naturally.  Now it comes with a little sting, a reminder when I don’t need one, that once again we aren’t pregnant.  If you come to me with the wonderful news that you are expecting your own blessing, don’t think for a second that I’m not thrilled beyond belief for you, but just know it will be a painful reminder of what I can’t have.  Mother’s Day, a day when mother’s everywhere are celebrated, has now become a dreaded day for me, for that same reason.

On Mother’s Day this year, I woke up to my sweet husband cooking me the most delicious breakfast-Stuffed Brioche French Toast. And let me tell you, it was amazing.

I also woke up to a present on my door step from the most thoughtful friend a girl could have.  My friend and lucky for me, next door neighbor Jenni, dropped off a book that brought her encouragement over the years and a sweet card saying she was thinking of me and praying extra prayers for me to find comfort and hope on this day.  Jenni knows more than anyone I know, the pain that Mother’s Day can bring to those of us suffering through infertility, so for her to think of little ol’ me on Mother’s Day was incredibly touching.

After breakfast, Kris and I went on a run.  Because his legs are longer (that’s my excuse anyway!) he runs further than I do and I always get home first.  This time he came home after me with a special present-a bird’s egg that fell from a nest.  I haven’t been able to share our potential good news with you all just yet, but I see it as a sign; an omen of good things to come.  Kris brought home an egg that fell from a bird’s nest in our front yard on Mother’s Day.  Here we are 10 days later and I can’t seem to toss it.  I’m sure soon it will begin to rot, but I don’t want to let go of it until we receive our good news.  So until then, I’m holding on to my sign.

We also celebrated our adored furry babies, because after all, I am their Mom.  They have brought so much light and love to our lives over the years that we love them like they are our children.

Here are a couple of photos Kris took with my extra special present he surprised me with a couple of days before Mother’s Day.  A portrait lens to take photos of our babies one day!

My first born.

He's the lover of the family. Always kissing!

The baby of the family and boy does he know it!

And of course, we celebrated the wonderful mother that my mom has been to me all these years.  She’s not only my mom, but my best friend.  We celebrated her by taking her to a steakhouse in Pearland, called Killen’s.  Don’t let the fact that this steakhouse resides in Pearland steer you from going here.  It quickly became one of our all time favorite steaks (and we’ve been lucky enough to have some good ones).  Don’t forget to try the crab cakes and bread pudding either. You won’t be disappointed!  The four of us had a memorable dinner filled with wonderful conversation.  I hope my mom enjoyed her Mother’s day as much as I enjoyed the day. I know I haven’t been blessed to be honored on this day just yet, but the dreaded emotions I had going in to this day, quickly went away by the thoughtfulness of those around me.



Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful mom who blessed me with such a beautiful life.