OH PROCRASTINATION!!!

Are we already here? I knew this day would come. The realization that we have put off a very important task for almost a full month, has hit me hard. I know you've been there and know exactly how I feel, so bear with me a minute while I explain. We knew that when we finished our home studies (meetings with our social worker) that we would have about a month to complete our profile for potential birth mothers. A profile is a book for the birth-mother to review that will help her choose adoptive parents. Most importantly, it needs to communicate the kind of family we are and the kind of life we can provide for the child. This information is presented through pictures of us, our friends and family and stories. A birth-mother can receive so many profiles to view, so it is important for ours to be simple and yet effective at highlighting what make us special. 

Folks, our home studies have been submitted for a final review/approval and alas we have no profile to show for the past month. I am not surprised, this is how I operate. When I was a college student I was one of those students, you know the ones in which I am referring, students who wait until two days before a deadline to begin a 20-page term paper, and still earn a good grade. Don’t hate, it’s my process.

MOMENTUM

The problem, dear friends, is momentum. Oh sure, in the beginning we felt so much excitement and anticipation. We went through our home studies very quickly with the same hopeful feelings. But, the time came when all the paperwork was completed, all questions were answered, and all tests were over, and then we had to wait. WAIT! Oh how I hate that word, let me count the ways. Ultimately, that momentum only takes you so far, until you hit a wall and are left with time to kill. Time, my friend, is the enemy of productivity.

The plan was made for me and Brandon to sit at our comfy dining room table, with a beautifully delicious cup (huge mug) of coffee that would propel us through the crafting of a book of photos and stories. However, the weekend arrives and the weekend departs and no profile. This was three weeks ago people!!! Yes, I hear the collective gasp as you wonder why on earth we would waste precious time. My answer may shock you; however, if you paid attention to the blog post title, I have serious doubts. It is the same answer I gave in college, because there is too much time available and I am a procrastinator. Whew, I feel better already.

So, here we are, down to the wire and take a guess at who is finally ready to start on this project? You guessed it, this gal. Prayers appreciated for the best cup of coffee to be made and the confidence that only God can give that He’s got this and I don’t have to worry ‘bout a thing! 

Oh, if you’d like to show your support in terms in financial giving, we are selling adoption t-shirts for $25, all of the money goes directly to our adoption fund. If you live in town you can email me to purchase one. Out of town readers, there is a PayPal link for you, just be sure to email me with the size you want. We also accept simple donations if you feel led to support us that way. 

Prayers are always accepted in any form!!!!

~Brandon and Nichole~

A Little Touch of Truth

May I be honest with you for a minute? I have to admit, I have not seen this topic discussed a lot on other adoption blogs, but it is a subject that weighs heavily on my heart and definitely Brandon’s heart. When we began the adoption process all we thought about was being parents, and loving this child that we have wanted for so long. We smiled at adorable baby clothes (and sometimes almost purchased them), middle-of-the-night feeding times and laughed about who would be changing the smelly diapers (Brandon's Job...just kidding). We have considered how our holidays will be spent and what traditions we might start with our new baby. We have also thought about how cool and challenging it will be to go on trips with three people instead of only us two, how will we pack a car (with the amount of luggage I pack, this will be interesting). There are so many wonderful thoughts creeping around in the expectant parent brain that is easy to get carried away and forget that adoption is not a rosy and cheerful process for everyone.

Every Adoption Begins with Heartbreak 

While we are celebrating the addition of a new family member, another family is mourning the loss of one of theirs. A birth-mom, and possibly a birth mom and dad, are making a sad and brave decision to make an adoption plan for their child. They are grieving the fact that they will not be the parents of this little precious baby; they won’t get to see the first smile, hear the first laugh or the first words. These precious and special people are choosing another couple to take on that important role of raising this child, accepting this child as their own.

In the beginning it was easy to gloss over this fact, that while we are laughing and planning, another family is crying. However, our wonderful adoption agency has been a true support in helping to educate us on the flip-side of adoption, the birth-family. Our adoption agency is a birth-mother ministry. Lifeline exists to support, encourage and pour into the lives of pregnant mothers who need help, regardless of whether there is an adoption or not. Lifeline provides housing assistant at Lifeline Village, counseling and many other forms of support. The welfare of the birth-mother is the #1 goal and we love this about our agency. We know and understand that birth-parents never stop loving their child, they will always think about them, their lives, their experiences and whether that child is happy. Knowing and understanding this helps us form decisions regarding the amount of openness we want to have with our child’s birth-parents. Birth-parents and birth families should always be prayed for and never forgotten.

As you support us, would you please pray for the sweet family that will make an adoption plan for their child and choose us to parent? We want to keep them covered in God’s love and protection. This adoption is not just about us and our new baby, it is a ministry opportunity to show the love of Jesus to another family, the love and mercy of God who has adopted us into His family.

~Brandon and Nichole~

Adoption T-shirts through PayPal

Hello all, We are so excited to say that our Adoption shirts are ready to be sold online through our blog and Paypal account. T-SHIRT DESIGN We worked really hard to design a shirt that accurately told a story, our story. Our motto is Pray, Love, and Act and we believe God has called all believers to pray and seek. The Bible tells us that when we honestly pray and ask God for His will and His desires for us, He will answer, in His way. We have always known that we would adopt and God has grown our hearts so much with a deep love for this child. We are acting on our prayers, our love for God and the child in which God has chosen. On the back of the t-shirt, We also wanted to include special words that have meaning to us. May I ask you to do something? Would you commit to pray for the wonderful birth family who will make an adoption plan for their child. This family needs lot of love and support and our prayers. In purchasing this shirt you are supporting an adoption and getting in return a tangible item that you can use to remember to pray for us, but also show others that you support adoption. We also realize that not all of you will be able to purchase one and we understand. We thank you for support through prayer. The shirts below run in true Men's sizes. They are dark grey and very soft. My hubby is wearing a Large. The shirts are $25. For those of you who live in and around Louisville, we can arrange a meeting on our next trip to Louisville so we can get your shirt to you. Make sure you email us with what size you would like. Below are the sizes we have ordered and how many of each we have for sale: S-7 M-16 L-16 XL-7 2XL-5

Brandon and Nichole

Adoption Updates

I have been asked to give updates to many of our prayer partners and supporters regarding the process of our adoption. This blog is my humble attempt to do so. 


Quick History

As we started this process we quickly became aware that there is a lot of misinformation about adoption going around. So, in an effort to educate and update I will give a brief history of our journey this far. 

We started our adoption process in April after much praying and leaning on God. We are working with Lifeline Children's Services, a birth-mother ministry non-profit. We have a wonderful adoption counselor who is very patient with all of our questions. We have had five "Home-Study" meetings in which our counselor learned about myself and Brandon. 


Waiting Game and Fundraising


We are now waiting for our home-studies to be approved, which takes about 30 days. After they are approved which we can begin the process of being matched with a birth-mother. We know and trust that God is in control, so we are trying to enjoy this season of our marriage. 

We recently had a very successful yard sale in order to help with fundraising. Our family and friends were so wonderful and generous with their time and donations. We could not have pulled it off without them. 

We are also selling adoption t-shirts in which all proceeds go to our adoption. The photos will be uploaded soon and there will be a link so you can purchase your own shirt. 

We thank you for your support and continued prayers. Thanks for reading and being a part of our adoption story. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have .

~Nichole and Brandon~