Nursery Reveal

I know that some people saw this on Facebook recently, but I thought that I'd share with you guys the nursery. The only thing left to add is the glider and ottoman that we're getting from a friend of mine hopefully sometime this week. (Well, and the baby too of course!!)

The barn on the shelf in the top right of the photo was painted for the baby by John's Dad.

 

 

 

 

 

That's what we have so far - I'm sure that we will get some precious momentos and things to add once the baby arrives, but these are the images that we'll be adding to our profile for the birth mother to look at when she is hopefully deciding that we are the family for her baby.  

Vote For Us

One of my Christmas gifts was a subscription to Everyday with Rachel Ray this year - and when I opened the sample magazine that John gave me with my subscription... I noticed that they were giving away a Pentax K-X camera for their best pet photo contest.

Who wouldn't love one of these beauties?


So, I promptly submitted this photo of my girls that I took a few years ago - this very photo won them a year's supply of Purina One dog food back when it was originally taken - so why couldn't it win this baby for Mama??

Here is the deal though, I need ALL of you to go over to this link and vote for my photo - it would also be great if you'd leave a comment on the photo too so that I'd know you've voted. Thanks so much!!

Merry Christmas

I hope that Santa found you snug and comfy in your beds last night with visions of sugar plumbs dancing in your heads. Our Christmas has been lovely - we started with the Christmas Eve service at church last night - where some of my favorite people in the world sang and lead us in some incredible Worship.

We went home and as it got colder and colder - we made soup, finished wrapping gifts, watched The Christmas Story, and enjoyed some relaxation at home.

Today has been a whirlwind of gift opening and eating - but it has been another lovely day. Santa brought me a Barnes & Noble nook (like the Amazon Kindle), a new laptop (Olivia), some books, a couple of movies, an upscale version of a Snuggie, and several other things.

John has gotten lots of clothes, cologne, games, movies, and other items.

We enjoyed watching the kids open gifts at John's parent's today... it's amazing the things that they get and the shear volume is incredible - but a good time has been had by all.

I'm now ready for a complete pajama day tomorrow relaxing and doing some work around the house to get things completely back in order now that we've rearranged for the nursery. I've got to get the new craft room set up before our cleaning service comes on Monday in preparation for more festivities.

I've got lots of pictures and posts coming your way - pictures from John's cousin's wedding a couple of weeks ago...and the nursery is almost complete... it is ready for a big reveal. Lets just say that my sister in law thinks that it looks like a magazine photo - so I can't wait to share it with you all!

I hope that you all have had a very special day, and I'd love to hear how you celebrated...

Meeting Update

I hope that this doesn't end up being sort of anti-climatic for you guys since it's taken me so long to post anything about the meeting from last week. I'm still recovering from the critter that has been trying to "off" me since the middle of last week. We're still hoping for a Christmas miracle that I'll be better in time to celebrate on Friday.

So anyway - back to the post at hand...

Our meeting was what is officially called a Pre-Adoption Counseling meeting - which basically means that we spent about 2 hours or so with the lady that we'll likely have the most contact with through the process. We talked about our feelings on adoption, children, and their process.

Their process is a bit different than what we originally thought, at least in terms of the contact. Not that it's bad, but it is a little change in what we were expecting. The foundation is based on the idea that the agency is there to foster a relationship between the birthmother and the adoptive parents... as well as with the child. In my heart of hearts, I feel like when we meet the birthmother for our baby - the one that God intends us to have... we will know that she was also meant to be a part of our lives forever as well. If for some reason she is not, God will take care of that as well.

In terms of the contact though - it goes more like this:

We'll meet the birthmother initially before the birth (in most cases) and again at the hospital. She can sign away her rights to the child 48 hours after the birth - or anytime after that point.

From that time - we'll send letters with pictures:
1st week the baby is home
2nd week
3rd week
1st month the baby is home
2nd month
3rd month
4th month
5th month
6th month
1 year
every 6 months after that point

We will have the opportunity to spend some time with her at an annual picnic every year as well... and if everyone feels comfortable - we can take it off line as well and see her at any other point we'd like.

It's sort of scary to conceptualize, but at the same time - one of the videos we saw at the agency shared a story of a family that adopted a little boy from a particular birthmother... and their relationship blossomed. The adoptive parents talk about almost feeling like a second set of parents to this young lady as well - in terms of them wanting to counsel her on school and who she's dating... things like that. So I guess if it's an opportunity for us to take a young lady's baby in to raise as our own... and for us to minister to her at the same time - we're 100% on board and open to that. God will tell us what is right for us.

The only scary thing that we weren't quite prepared for - but we will just deal with it when the time comes... if it is to be part of our story... but basically in the State of Texas there is a 30 day period where if the birthmother changes her mind - she CAN come back and get the baby. Basically no judge in the state would recognize us as having rights to the child within that timeframe - but again, they explained it to us and it sort of makes sense. It would absolutely be the hardest thing I can imagine... but I certainly wouldn't want to be in the position of someday looking at my child and having to tell them that their birthmother wanted them back - and I said no... or prevented that. Again, it's scary - BUT God is bigger than that... and all we can do is remain faithful that he's got us covered for whatever our needs will be.

We basically left the meeting with the knowledge needed to complete our profile - which is the document that will be shared with potential birthmothers so that they can choose the adoptive family for their child. The agency gives the mothers three at a time to look at - and 98% of the time they choose from those three profiles.

So we'll be working on getting ours completed over the Christmas holidays... our goal is to have it finished by Monday.

From there - when the ladies get back in the office from their time off - they will be setting up our appointments for our individual interviews as well as our home study. We also have a list of other things to accomplish:
Health Physicals for both of us
Shots for the dogs
Finish reading our books & write our summaries
Attend infant care class
Attend CPR training
Home Inspections
Get a reference from our Pastor...

And those are just the things I know of right now!

It's a busy time in our house... but we're certainly chipping away at the "to do" list as best we can. We can't wait to see what happens next!

Naps & Tylenol

So I've spent the better part of the last 5 days with a MAJOR respitory infection - beyond anything I've experienced in a very long time. So again, I'm going to apologize for the lack of blogging and information flowing out of me... I just can't seem to muster up the energy to pick up the laptop these days - much less type anything on it.

Anyway - so back to this MAJOR illness... ya'll... for the record - my temperature runs around 96.1 - I know... frozen corpse... that's me. So on Friday night when I broke down and took my temperature oh for the second time since my doctor's office... it registered at 103.2, and it was only then that I realized how very incredibly ill I was on Thursday while I was at the office.

I had worse chills, shakes, and dilusions at the office than I did in that moment, so I'll bet that my initial fever started every bit of something above 104! Whoa!

Today is the first day that things are starting to inch back to normal ranges - at least I haven't seen anything above 99 degrees, but then again - I left the thermometer at home this morning.

So I'm still on the path to recovery - bear with me... and I promise that I will be back to tell the adoption update soon!

Seriously?

A BIG thanks to Becky for giving the ole blog a facelift this week - she worked on it earlier this week, but I fell off the planet... so this is my first chance to thank her properly.

I feel so bad for asking you guys for prayers and then not giving an update - but I promise that I'll get to it over the weekend. I have been extremely ill with a respitory infection taking over my life and while that wasn't winning the battle for my attention - it was also a killer week at work.

So while I was violently ill at still at the office working yesterday - fever, chills, murderous cough... but under a deadline that I couldn't miss. I was standing in one of the hallways waiting to get something signed by my Vice President. I was talking to another girl in the hall while I was waiting, and all of a sudden she got this huge smile on her face.

The she rubbed my tummy and asked when I was due! Can you imagine?! Of course I tried to be as gracious as possible and just said, "No, but I am in the process of adopting a baby." Then she apologized, and I said - "It's alright - I wish I could be pregnant."

If that had happened a couple of months ago or if I had felt better - the reaction could have been so much different... but we both just quietly walked away and didn't say anything else.

Haven't we all heard about asking people things like that? I mean really! I'd never ask anyone something like that... I mean she might as well have said that my shirt made me look fat and pregnant. Which would be something that I'd dearly love to hear... if it were true!

So, when is the last time you stuck your foot in your mouth? Or had someone say something like that to you?



Copyright © 2007-2010 Thoughts By Kim. The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the author unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Prayers

I typically try not to ask people in this format to pray for me - or at least it's been a while since I've specifically asked such a request. Today, though - that is exactly what I plan to do. I have several friends in need of prayer right now - you know the usual types of things... people needing peace, hope and love during difficult times - or even just prayer to help them sustain the good times.

I've been praying myself very hard lately for my friend Summer because she truly needs it. Life seems to be hitting her hard lately, and while I am confindent that there is a reason out there bigger than all of it... I know just how hard it can be to sit there and wonder what in the world you've done to deserve all of the hard times. Summer is a beautiful person, and she doesn't deserve the hard times in the least - and I know that there is going to be a HUGE blessing and celebration for the Browns at some point in the near future. I can only hope to be a small part of that blessing when it comes.

My main prayer request for you guys today though isn't for anyone other than little old me... well and John... okay and for Baby H - where ever Baby H is at the moment. I pray often for the birth mother of our child now that we're in this adoption journey - I pray that God will give her the grace and courage to make a choice that I can't even imagine. I pray that he'll give her the strength to endure and find the help that she needs. I pray that she takes care of her body physically and emotionally while she is carrying the baby - and that the pregnancy be as easy as it can be for her.

I pray that we meet her at just the right moment for each of our families and that we join together - for her to bring the baby into the world for us and for us to raise the baby to be the best person they can possibly be. With a strong spirit, a heart for God, and a generousity that is beyond measure.

However specifically in this journey - tomorrow is a big meeting. Tomorrow we officially get into the process of bringing home Baby H and figuring out all of the steps that we need to get done for that to happen. There are profiles to complete, letters for us to write to the birthmother, books to read, classes to take, inspections to have... pictures to take, furniture to pick up... oh yeah and the holidays!

It is enough to make your mind spin - just thinking about it. Sadly, the first thing that comes to mind for me is wanting a day where I can stay in my jammies the entire day just to rest up for it all. I don't think that will happen anytime soon - but it sure does sound lovely.

My prayer request for today is for our meeting tomorrow - at 9:30 - may God be with us in that meeting and allow the process to go smoothly and according to His will for us in this journey.

We will raise the children that he has planned for us, and will do it with a glad and happy heart. For those children may not grow UNDER my heart for 9 months - but they are already growing IN my heart today. It is incredible to me how I can love someone so much that I don't even know yet - or that I have no real knowledge of when I will meet them... but when I step foot into our nursery that is taking shape quickly. I feel an incredible sense of love and warmth that is beyond my wildest dreams.

It is tangible for me - and amazing. That room is my favorite in the whole house - and I can't wait to bring our gift from the Lord home to live in there. Afterall - we are living by one very important verse right now...

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows ~ James 1:17 (NIV)


Copyright © 2007-2010 Thoughts By Kim. The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the author unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Christmas Giveaway Winner

I got some help from my lovely assistant...

All the entries in a bowl for drawing...

My lovely assistant mixing them up to pick the winner...

And the winner is...

Jenn at Simpson Sightings!!

Thanks to everyone that entered. I will have pictures from the weekend up soon, and will do another giveaway at some point in the Spring. Come back in the morning for a special prayer request...

Copyright © 2007-2010 Thoughts By Kim. The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the author unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Reminder

Hi everyone! I'm spending the weekend at wedding festivities for one of John's cousins. So in my absence - I wanted to remind you that my Christmas giveaway will end tomorrow - so don't forget to go over there and sign up. You're getting your choice of two wonderful necklace and earring sets - so you can match it to your preference.

The odds are still pretty good that you'd win - so HURRY! Don't walk - RUN - over and sign up.

I'll be back a little later on tonight to post some amazing pictures of the weekend.


Copyright © 2007-2010 Thoughts By Kim. The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the author unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Window to the Inside

Before we jump off into something slightly deep - please remember to go enter to win in my Christmas Giveaway!!

Have you every felt completely and totally helpless? I've heard that it is an emotion often felt by parents when their children are sick... the type of helplessness where there is absolutely nothing you can do to make a situation better - but there is nothing in the world that you want more.

I've experienced that feeling several times in the last few months with special friends... there have been so many wonderful women that my life has crossed paths with lately - and the last month or so has been extremely tough for two of the closest ones of the bunch.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel for one of them, Jenn - and I see prayers being answered for her in many different ways.  That being said, she has had an incredibly tough go of it lately - and had to make choices that I will continue to admire. She gave it all over to God, and let him guide the situation to closure - and her thirst for life is amazing.

She inspires me to look deeper into my faith and to always remember that I am nothing without my Lord and Savior. She is with me every step of the way - thank goodness she introduced me to G-chat several months ago! Lately, an incredible love of all things crochet have taken over in her world - and I'm so thrilled to know that our baby will someday be the proud owner of the first blanket she's ever made. The one thing that someday she'll have to teach me the art of is shopping for a bargain. I tend to be the woman that runs into the store knowing exactly what I need - and grab it and go. I have zero patience for hunting for a bargain - but then again - I haven't had my own personal bargain shopping Yoda there to teach me. (I am a young grasshoppa ready to learn!)

Jenn is incredibly silly, and is so quick to make herself the punch-line of a joke. I'll never forget the day that I fell out of my chair at work laughing at her unfortunate fashion choice... that she posted for the world to see on her blog - and actually tried to defend. HA! (Love you girl!) She just has a general love of all things that I find inspirational - and I hope to get to have the fortunate opportunity to spend some time with this lovely lady on this side of Heaven. She is also waiting for a baby miracle of her own - and I pray daily that God will grant her that wish above all the others that he is working out for her right now.

Another friend, Summer - man... I'd love to see some answered prayers for her right now. She needs it so much. I want it for her. I need to see this happen for her. I beg and plead with God to give her peace and comfort through the storm.

Summer has had a rough week, her third IVF treatment didn't take - and her three little birds have gone to be with Jesus instead of getting to grow and thrive with Summer and Mr. B. It is often hard to reconcile why these things happen to the most wonderful people. I have felt the pain that Summer is feeling - I wake up every day with my arms empty right now too. There is nothing like that when you have a desperate desire in your heart to be a parent. I can honestly say that I have been given the grace, comfort, and peace within my own struggle to know that it is not a matter of IF but more of WHEN.


Summer is a beautiful woman with a wonderfully warm heart, and a silly spirit that constantly makes me smile. Whether she's looking at bacon images and sending me scandalous pictures - or she's sharing her obsession with mustaches with the world... her zest for life is amazing... and I hope that she'll rub off on me somehow.

I know deep down in my heart that Summer WILL without any doubt in my mind become a mother - and she will be a fantastic mommy to her babies... they will certainly have a beautiful soul to guide them through and exciting life in New York City, while teaching them about her southern Louisiana roots - read southern manners. I'm pretty sure those kiddos will have a crazy love of fleur de lis, mustaches, bacon, bubble tea, stationary, fashion, all things Etsy, and all things LSU.

Somehow between Summer and Jenn (with the help of a few of their close friends) they will break me down and make me get over my irrational fear of talking on the phone. I don't know where that started, but literally - Summer can give you all a clear image of this... but I've gotten to a point where I'll even ask her to not answer the phone so that I can leave her a message. I've GOT to get over this somehow - especially before April... when I'm supposed to meet some of the most wonderful women in the world in Austin... every bone in my body is excited about that, but I know myself too well - and when the time comes - I'll become the skiddish person that I really am and will try everything in the book to back out. I don't want to do that - but I know myself. Someone will have to force me to do it - and then I'll love every minute of it - but someone has to force me outside of my comfort zone.

I sometimes feel like I am an inadequate friend - and I felt the need to share with Jenn & Summer how much they mean to me. I pray for them daily, and would give both of my arms to make sure that they both have every desire in their hearts. I would wait as long as it takes for my miracle if it meant that I could see both of them get their wish first.

I have met several other incredible women (Christy, Becky, Bonnie, and Kristen to name a few)  through these two ladies - I consider them to be the first of my ladies that I met and got close to outside of my original girls (the Cut & Paste girls - who I miss as they have all fallen off the planet lately!)

It is funny because I went to a University where a lot of people talk about how people that haven't experienced the culture there wouldn't ever understand it... and I think that blogging is very similar. Unless you've done it and met some of the other incredible women out there that have shared experiences... you just can't conceptualize what the bonds are like. We are different women on our blogs often - we are able to share things that in our everyday lives we might keep bottled up from the world... but somehow we've found a common place to let those things out, bare our souls, and support each other. For that, I will forever be grateful.

Much love bloggy friends!!



Copyright © 2007-2010 Thoughts By Kim. The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the author unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Christmas Give-A-Way

Howdy All!! You know, I was thinking last night about the fact that I've been less than stellar in keeping up with the old blog lately - what with life being crazy an all... so I thought that in light of all the wonderful things happening in my neck of the woods - I'd take a little time and brighten someone else's day just a little bit.

With all the parties this time of year - why not have a pretty new necklace and earring set to accessorize with? Right?!

So I'm doing a give-a-way... the winner will get their choice of either this purple set...

Or this red set...

Your Choice!! How fun is that?! I will give you until Sunday evening to sign up - I'll draw a winner at 6PM CST on Sunday. I will email the winner to get their choice and mail it out on Monday. If the winnder doesn't respond by 6PM on Monday - we'll draw a different winner.

How do you get your entries? I'll tell ya...

*** Each entry needs a different comment - so if you want to get all the entries you can - you must submit 3 different comments. (I know - it's a hassle, but it's easier on me when putting the entries in the drawing.)

**** Remember to make sure that I have your email address so that I can contact you if you win.

1) One entry for going to the KH Jewelry Etsy store and telling me what your favorite item is.

2) One entry for becoming a follower of this blog - Thoughts By Kim.

3) One entry for posting this give-a-way on your own blog and sending your readers over to visit.

Copyright © 2007-2010 Thoughts By Kim. The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the author unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Video Testimony

We have had a busy weekend - and I will show you pictures throughout the week of the progress on the nursery and other things happening. Still no word on the rescheduling of our appointment with the adoption agency, but I will post breaking news as it happens.

Today during our church service, this video showed as part of the message. We were wrapping up our New Testament Challenge with a graduation ceremony, and I wanted to share this with all of you because you have blessed me with your support every bit as much as my church family has.

I think it turned out much better than I imagined, and I hope that it will be a blessing to all of you. If anyone wants information on starting your own New Testament Challenge... contact me and I'll be glad to give you the schedule and encourage you throughout your reading.

I'm off now to watch Four Christmases while I relax from working on the nursery some more today.

Copyright © 2007-2010 Thoughts By Kim. The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the author unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Disaster Relief

Funny title to a post you might be thinking... but hang in there with me for a little bit. I've been thinking a lot lately about those of us ladies who are still hoping and waiting for a miracle baby in whatever form that takes in each of our homes. Some are waiting for fertility treatments to work. Some are waiting for it to happen naturally. Some are waiting for an adopted baby. Some are just waiting - because they don't know which road to take yet.

I've been hearing a lot of talk lately about disaster recovery. It's mainly because I work in an organization that is really instrumental in storm recovery for our area... BUT the messages are clear and can be molded to fit any portion of your life. Then last night - I was reading my Bible and the same themes were popping up in the reading.

Think about a time in your life when things were so bad... that you couldn't imagine them getting any worse. For me, that would be the day that I understood that the fertility treatments weren't working - and probably never would be successful. My own worst nightmare - unimaginable. Dark. Lonely. Envious. Broken.

Now, think about the people that showed up in that moment to lift you and walk along side you through that storm. I can think of several off the top of my head that have been there every step of the way. They know who they are... my angels, my light, my soul sisters... my greatest friends. (The women that recieved an email yesterday in one of my moments of panic.) Several are blog friends like: Jenn and Summer... and now Kristen. Some are ladies that I never really thought of as friends... but they stepped up and have been amazing.

Some that I thought would be there - weren't for whatever reason and that's okay. I'm sure that there are reasons that they couldn't be there... and I love them still. I'm just grateful that there were others waiting in the wings to fill their spot.

One thing that I've heard over and over is that you need at least a handfull of friends that you could call in the middle of the night - and they'd be there. In my life, being there doesn't necessarily mean that they'd drive right over to my house... just an open heart and a kind word is all I'd ever need. I feel like I do have that... and if I'd just get over my insane fear of the phone... I know that they'd be there in a heart-beat.

It's a crazy virtual world we live in these days, and for all the good & bad that it brings... I'm so glad to be living in it. Without the world of blogging - I wouldn't have had the opportunity to get to know so many women that are simply amazing. Heck, I wouldn't have met John if it weren't for the internet!

I guess in my own weird way, I am working around to being thankful for what I have... even if there is still a void in my heart at the moment waiting for my miracle. Today, while we might be getting a Christmas miracle outside (lets all pray that John and I can get back home if it truly does snow) I just wanted to remind you readers and myself how grateful I am for the blessings that I do have.

Even in it's own weird way, infertility has been a blessing. Without the darkest of moments - I might not have gotten to the place spiritually that I am today. It's hard not to see a living breathing relationship with God as being a bad thing. It was a hard road to get there, for sure... but he's gotten me through to a place where I can see that his plans are much better than any that I could come up with on my own.

So that's it folks - that's where I am today... so tell me... what was your darkest moment? Did the people that showed up to walk beside you surprise you in any way? Was it all the folks you expected? Or were there some surprises?



Copyright © 2007-2010 Thoughts By Kim. The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the author unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Give-A-Way

Hey guys... I'm writing a big post for you to enjoy or mull over later on, but in the meantime... my friend Summer is having a ROCKIN give-a-way of some really lovely beauty products. Apparently these particular products are behind her youthful glow - and I can use all the help that I can get with this old skin of mine. HA!

So scoot on over and leave her some comments so that you might have the chance to win this product and coupon. Or if you don't... that makes the odds better for me... BUT - Summer is having a rough day today - so go give her some love anyway. She's truly a beautiful person, and my heart is breaking for her... so go tell her that I love her. Pretty please, for me?



Copyright © 2007-2010 Thoughts By Kim. The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the author unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Devil's Hands

I'm a bit sad today - because circumstances are preventing us from having our preadoption counseling meeting tomorrow with the agency. The lady that our meeting was to be held with has a family emergency and needs to move the meeting. I feel horrible for her and what she's going through - I really do, and I pray that it gets resolved quickly.

I can't help but feel the sting of disappointment at the same time though. Those of you waiting for a miracle know that delays and setbacks are the worst when you're caught up in this crazy nightmare of a game. Interestingly enough - while I'm incredibly sad about having to reschedule... the hurt of this isn't anything like the hurt that I felt everytime my cycles got cancelled or moved.

We just are so anxious and excited to bring a baby home that anything that takes away from doing that as quickly as possible hurts.

Since I am coordinating the scrapbooks for the ministry that I told you about earlier in the week - I also know that the agency has about 13 babies set to be born between now and the end of January... could it be that one of those is our baby? I don't know, but I am certainly praying for each of those women who are about to give birth.


They are not only about to change someone's life and family forever - but they are giving the ultimate gift - the ultimate sacrifice for the better of their child. Is there a more selfless act of love? I don't think so.

I know that if one of these babies is to be ours - that God will make it happen. I know that deep in my heart and in my brain... but right now it is being cast in the shadow of emotional doubt. It was hard to imagine that it could happen that quickly when our meeting was set for tomorrow - now losing a few more days makes me wonder even more.

I can't help but think that the Devil is making a play at me right now - because we are doing everything we can to stay in line with God's will... and that puts us under attack... but seriously, isn't it time for us to catch a break? Just a tiny step forward?

I need some prayers, friends... because this is hard. I've been doing so well - just keeping myself busy, but when the big things change - I get scared.

In the meantime - I am reading the books that are required for the adoption, and working hard to finish reading the New Testament. Our New Testament Challenge graduation ceremony at church is on Sunday... and I filmed a special video last weekend to be shown at this service. My hope is that I'll have that by Sunday to be able to post and share with you all... you've watching the majority of the change in me during this time of my life - and I think it's only fair for you to see me putting it into words for my church... and for all of you.





Copyright © 2007-2010 Thoughts By Kim. The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the author unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving - we started the day at my sister's house out in the country. We cooked, we ate, we looked at sale papers, we planned... and we took pictures! It was a fantastic day, and the weather was gorgeous... so we took photos outside on my brother in law's trailer... it made a GREAT backdrop though and gave us the ability to seat some folks behind the rest in order to shrink in the shot.

We took it a little further and took photos of all sorts of combinations - but tried to get each family, the kids, and the couple... some couples didn't cooperate... but we got some great pictures. I'm not totally sure if these are the best of what we took, but I did the best I could with the tiny thumbnails to choose what I thought were good.

Some of these will for sure be framed and put under the tree this month for the enjoyment of our family. Take a look... (you can click on the images to see them better if you'd like)

The whole family... at least until 2010 - we hope!!

(We were at their house...)

Is it just me or does the one on the left look like she's 25 and not 13?!

Aren't they cute? I met my brother in law here when I was 5, can you believe?

This one might not be the best of the bunch... but they're a good lookin' family anyway...

My little brother & sister... they are cuties...

All of the kids... until we add some more! (Again with the 13 going on 25... how did she grow up so fast?!)

Another cute family...

Such a sweet little princess...

Typical... they're just to dang cute for words...

Hmmm... not digging my hair anymore... maybe it's time for bangs again?

We finished off the day by going over to my inlaw's house to watch the big football game, and well - for me to hang out with my sister in law and shop online... we literally had two laptops dueling to find deals. I was pretty tired though - so she won out for that. She also got some gifts wrapped - which I have yet to get started on, but in my defense - I've got a craft show on Saturday, and my house is a mess.

We're slowly getting things put back together - and hopefully this weekend the border will go up in the nursery and the crib will be set up... after that I can start putting things back where they belong - or at least into the rooms where they belong. I'm sure there will still be more nesting and moving of things around to come as we get settled in again.

My friend Jenn asked yesterday in her comment why I haven't posted about my registries - and here's my thoughts on that:

1) They are still changing daily... and there will be lots to add when the baby actually comes... because I haven't done anything in terms of clothing, bibs, towels/wash cloths, or blankets - because some stuff should be gender specific.

2) I really have only set them up to save myself time and stress later - so I haven't even told my family about them in a real sense yet... I feel a little weird about it since we don't know when the baby will come.

3) I feel like we are so blessed already, and anyone that wants to participate on that level will - either by finding the registries or sending something that they feel I need beyond that.

4) I don't want anyone to feel the need to send us anything - we are just thrilled to be able to share what God is doing in our lives without the expectation of any sort of gifts or stuff.
5) Some of you will be invited to whatever shower we end up having when the baby arrives - so I guess I just thought that you'd find out then.



Copyright © 2007-2010 Thoughts By Kim. The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the author unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Recap Begins

You might be wondering what's been going on with me lately - since I've been a bit distant. Well, sooooo much!!

Let me go back to a week ago Friday and work my way forward over the next day or so. That is the day that our crib arrived from Ohio! We are still working on getting the painting completed and the border on the wall before we set up the furniture, but the rest of the baby's furniture is on it's way - so hopefully there will be some new progress there that is visible soon. There has been a lot of work and progress - you just can't tell it from a photo right now. The crib arrived safely, and I took a couple of pictures while we were unpacking it...

I absolutely love that it has a sort of curved sleigh feel to it - it is better than I would have picked out on my own. I can't wait to see how it all looks when it comes together.

On November 21st, I hosted the second portion of our church's women's service project - to finish making scrapbooks for the birth mothers that are working with the adoption agency that we are going to be adopting through. (Which I'm now coordinating that portion of Cypress Calling Ministries with my friend Danielle - we are in charge of making sure that each birth mother at New Life gets a book... exciting!!)

The snack table... cause that's how I roll...

Supply mania...

Sadly - no pictures of us working, but we got them completed with enough time for me to go shopping for a bit that afternoon. So I went and registered at another store - so now I have two working baby registries ready for some last minute gender specific additions - and we're ready - at least with that part!

I started on Sunday making a gafrillion cakeballs - I made:

German Chocolate (6 1/2 dozen)

Red Velvet (6 1/2 dozen)

Yellow Cake (with Chocolate Frosting - 6 1/2 dozen)

Strawberry (6 1/2 dozen)

Carrot (6 1/2 dozen)

I finished the strawberry and carrot ones on Wednesday before Thanksgiving - while John made several goodies - we were up cooking for Thanksgiving until past midnight... which is odd considering we weren't hosting the meal at all!

Copyright © 2007-2010 Thoughts By Kim. The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the author unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.