Merry Christmas!!

(Lori and Santa - 1974)

Will Trade Cat For Baby....

Nothing to report on our journey to adoption. Still working on several fundraisers. In December, we have a golf tournament on the 19th and we are working the concession stand for a Toys For Tots softball tournament.

Every day, I am amazed at God's perfect timing for everything in our lives. It's very obvious that He knows exactly what He is doing! :)

Last Sunday night at choir practice, I did the devotion. I have never done it before and tend to be afraid of speaking in front of people. For weeks, when asked if I wanted to do the devotion, I relied with a very firm, "No." Well, God had others plans and little did I know but He was preparing my heart to share on faith. I really don't remember what I said. I think the Holy Spirit just took over and spoke through me. Now I am ready to go it again!

This morning on the way to school, Mason was talking about how excited he will be when we have to get on a plane to pick up Ellison and that he wants to feed her her first bottle. Then he asked, "Mom, why do I get water in my eyes every time I think about Ellison?" I told him that the "water" was just his love for Ellison spilling over. God has given me the most precious boy to call my son! Now....I have water in my eyes.....Do you?

Four months ago today, we decided to adopt. Since that day, I have learned so much about love, patience and God's undeniable presence. I have learned that yes, it is possible to love and miss someone that I have never met. My prayer life has grown tremendously. We have been presented to three situations. Although we were not chosen to parent those babies, they are permanently on my prayer list. All three birth mothers are also on my daily prayer list. I have met some great friends who I may never meet in person. I have felt my heart break and then be restored with new hope. This journey of adoption is an unbelievable adventure full of tears, prayer, friendship, love, struggles and most importantly HOPE. There are days when I feel so discouraged but during those days, my faith is increased and my hope is renewed. Thank you for all of your prayers and support! We look forward to the days ahead as we continue our journey to Ellison.

Where We Are

Everyone that we see wants to know "When is Ellison coming home?" Well, here is where we are in this incredible journey. We are still waiting to be matched with a birth mother. Our prayer has been that we will have a baby by Christmas. What an amazing gift she would be! But we also know that God is in control of this adoption and we will try to be patient... although being patient is not at all easy.

We are keeping busy with various fundraisers. Adoption is extremely costly and we are panicking a little bit about that. We are selling t-shirts so if you haven't ordered one yet, please do! Brett is hosting a golf tournament on December 12 at Parris Island. I am really excited about the tournament. It should be a big money maker! We are also going today to schedule a fundraiser at Pizza Inn so stay tuned for more information on that!

Anyway, thanks to everyone for your constant support and prayers!

Our t-Shirts!!

Here are the shirts that we selling for $15.00 each. Please support adoption and buy one or two! The art work on the back was created by our son, Mason. He is extremely proud that it is now going to help raise money for his baby sister. If you would like to buy a shirt, email me at loriw@hargray.com.

Just a quick note to let everyone know that our adoption t-shirts are going to be ready by tomorrow! Yah!!

I know that everyone experiences difficult situations in life. Things that make us want to scream and just give up. Losing a loved one. Financial difficulties. Sacrifices. Misunderstandings. Uncertainties. As a Christian, how should we respond? What's the good of our faith is we become angry at God? There has to be some way to be joyful in the middle of a crisis, right? It's so easy to say those words but so difficult to actually do it. It's so easy to give advice to someone who is going through a trial but it is so hard to look at your own circumstances and use the same advice. It's amazing how quickly doubt creeps into our lives. At the drop of a dime, things can change and we start rethinking things that seemed so simple and sure.

After spending time reading my Bible this morning, I have come to this realization. I have to believe that God will do what He says. No matter how things look or how discouraged I feel. Every problem that I have has to be given to Him. I have to take God at His Word. I have to believe.

Seriously.....

I need a baby girl! After all, I can only dress up a dog so much before she starts to chew up the bows and roll in the mud in her dresses. (Yes, she has dresses!)

There is a blog that I read about a family how adopted a sweet baby girl who was born premature. Since her birth she has a many medical procedures including transplant surgery. This tiny little girl's strength is incredible. She is currently in rejection and fighting for her life. Go here to read about little Ashley. Please pray for her and her family.

Tshirts...Coming Soon!

We are designing t-shirts to sell as a part of our fundraising. I am really excited about these shirts. We will be using one of Mason's painting on the back. He doesn't know it yet but he will be so proud to see everyone wearing his art work and he will really be happy knowing that he helped bring his baby sister home. Too cool, huh?? Stay tuned for a preview of the design and get your money ready to buy one or two or three shirts!!

Nothing to Report Except Cute Curtains!!

I thought in the beginning of this adoption process that the waiting wouldn't be so bad. I was so wrong. I know that God has hand selected a precious baby girl for our family but my heart is aching for her. I didn't even know that it was possible to miss someone I have never met. I guess I am having a rough day and need to vent a little. Thanks for listening.

My Other Blog

I got a face lift on my other blog. Go here to check it out! I love it!!

Do you think that today is the day? Will our phone ring with the call? Some days it feels like we have been waiting forever but in all reality, it's only been a couple of months. I am consumed with thoughts of our daugther. I keep telling myself that most people have to wait for 9 months to meet their child. I should be more patient. It's so easy to say those words but much more difficult to actually do it. Good grief, am I pitiful or what? Changing the subject......

I am a part of group of wonderful girls called the Flip Flop Club. We started out as a supper club but I am here to tell you that they are so much more than that to me. Anyway, Saturday night, we had a baby shower for my sister in law. I was included in the baby shower! I got a car seat and stroller travel system! I was so excited!! Thanks again to my girls!

Our crib came in and Brett put it together. He got very frustrated several times and had to walk away from it but he finally figured it out. It is so gorgeous! Our dresser should be here soon. Hopefully it won't require much construction. :) Things are coming together in the nursery. Decorating for a girl is so fun!

Our yard sale was a HUGE success!! Our first customer arrived at 7am and we worked until 12pm. Our total was $712.86! Thank you to everyone who donated their stuff. Thanks also to everyone who showed up to help! We appreciate it more than you know!

I read a post written by our adoption consultant, Tracie, that is incredible. I wanted to share it with everyone! Go here to read it.

Need Stuff??

Our yard sale is September 27. If you live in our area and need "stuff", please come on over! We have furniture, appliances, tv's, vcr's, books galore, pictures, boy clothes, toys, bicycles and much more! Our two car garage is pack full and we are so grateful.

Our Latest Project

Every day I write in a journal to Ellison. Mason decided that he would also like to write to her. Here is his first letter. So incredibly sweet!!

Quote of the Day

"Patience with others is Love, Patience with self is Hope, Patience with God is Faith."

We had an amazing vacation. It went by way too fast as all vacations do. We were excited to come home and continue our wait for that one phone call that will change our lives. Patience.... Patience.... Patience!!!!

Our Disney Cruise

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Whirlwind

We learned last night that the journey of adoption can be very.... ummmm.... what's the word I am searching for..... unpredictable. We got our first call about a "situation". We were not chosen for this baby girl but we definitely learned that we have to be prepared for the phone call that will change our lives. If we were chosen for this baby, we would be on our way to Utah right now. Yes....that fast! It's unbelievable to think that things could happen like that. So, instead of Utah, we are going on a Disney cruise. This trip has been planned for months. We are very excited! We know that it will probably be the last one we take as a family of three. So, Bon Voyage! We will be home on Sunday. I will post a few pictures of our Carribbean adventure!

P.S. If you have ever considered donating to our adoption fund, now would be great time....we never know when we will have to board a plane!!

We Already Have Stuff!

As of today, our garage is filling with stuff donated by friends. Yeah! Of course, my super neat husband is panicking because our garage is becoming more and more cluttered. It's a garage.... aren't we suppose to have stuff in it?? And what's better than stuff we can sell! So, thank you to everyone who has donated so far. Keep the stuff coming! We need a lot of stuff!

Quote of the Day

"Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius."

At the first day of school, Mason's teacher asked everyone who had a baby sister to stand up.... Mason stood up. He loves her as if she is already in our home. Is that not the sweetest thing?

Now that we have completed all the applications and the home study, we have begun the waiting part....which I think is going to be the most difficult part.

Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the love that I feel for a child that I don't even know yet. Brett and I lay in bed at night and talk about how excited we are. We wonder what she will look like. When will she be born? We talk about all sorts of things. That makes this journey even more precious. We are closer now than ever and some of that can be contributed to this adoption. We have had to stand and overcome a lot of trials since we started this process and we are closer because of it. We are looking forward to being a family of four. Yes, it will be more challenging but we will get through it together.

I feel like I am rambling but there are so many things going through my mind. I could go on and on!

Tomorrow I am going to the beach with 11 friends. We are spending the entire weekend in a condo... eating, laughing, playing games and eating some more! My sister in law and another good friend are pregnant and they will be there. I am excited that I get to participate in the baby talk!!

My Little Monkey

Mason started kindergarten today. He was so excited. I was happy but also sad. He is my baby and he's growing up way too fast! He told me this morning that if he was going to be a good big brother, that he had to start school.... that's just the way it was. All big brothers go to school. Of course, I was choked up and couldn't respond but he is so darn sweet!

I have realized in the last few days that when I become disappointed, angry or frustrated, Satan can have a field day in my mind. He can take something that isn't really a big deal and cause it to fester into an enormous wound. He can load my mind with a lot of junk. So much junk that I can't hear God. Shame on me! It just goes to show that no matter how much I pray or praise God, Satan is still waiting for a tiny crack so he can crawl in to cause confusion and frustration. He is always waiting to disturb my peace of mind. God is revealing this huge magnificent plan for our lives and I am allowing Satan to creep in. I just keep telling myself...HE WILL. HIS WAY. HE PROMISES.

Oh Happy Day!!

I am happy to announce that all of our applications were mailed out today! It's a huge relief to Brett and I that they are on their way. Now... let the waiting begin!

Quick Update

We got our home study on Saturday. What a relief it is to have in our hands! We also received our profile Saturday. "A Profile is a creative way to tell a birth mother about your family, your thoughts on adoption, and your plans for the future." It turned out to be so gorgeous! We are so happy with the layout and the colors used. It is so us!

Now we are waiting for the print shop to make copies for us so we can get them all in the mail along with applications and our home study. Movin' right along!

Lord, Prepare Me For A Miracle!!

Nervous anticipation! That is what Brett and I are both feeling right now. Our applications, home study and profile are going to be mailed this coming week. We decided one month ago that we were going to pursue adoption and here we are..... smack dab in the middle of mounds of paperwork. Did I say mounds? I meant mountains! I told Brett that I was nervous. He told me that he was nervous, too. What if we are matched immediately? What if it takes months? I close my eyes and imagine what our lives will be like one year from today. We will be a family of four. We will have a daughter. The thought is overwhelming! I know that God has His hand on our daughter right now. So, when I was praying tonight, I asked that God take away our nervousness and just prepare us for a miracle!

Another Piece

On July 7, 2001 we had a small, quaint church wedding surrounded by family and close friends. The day was complete with a flower girl who tried her best to steal the spotlight and a ring bearer who was bribed to stand still. It was a day full of unforgettable moments. We danced our first dance to a song titled “From This Moment”. We both knew that from that moment on, we would live each day loving each other.

A Little Piece of Our Story

At the time that Brett proposed, we were working together at a restaurant. This particular night, Brett was acting very goofy and strange. Come to find out, he had my engagement ring in his pocket all night at work…. He’s lucky he didn’t lose it! After work, we picked up dinner and went to the waterfront park which overlooks the Beaufort River. After we ate, he knelt on one knee and asked me to marry him. We still go to that park often.

Not too much to report on the adoption. Yesterday we received applications to 4 different agencies. We are very busy filling them out and gathering all the paperwork needed to complete them......certified this and notarized that. Our home study should be done by August 10 and our adoption consultant is busy building our family profile. So, within 4 weeks, we should be able to mail everything to the agencies and then we begin the most difficult part of this whole thing....waiting.

I'm Not Pregnant But I'm Expecting!

I'm expecting to fall completely in love with a sweet baby girl that is not going to be born of my body but of my heart. I'm expecting to fill an empty spot in our family. I'm expecting her to have her daddy wrapped around her finger. I'm expecting her to be the twinkle in her big brother's eye. I may not be pregnant but I am definitely expecting!!!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Home Study Meeting

We made it through our first meeting. It went really well. Hopefully we will have our home study completed no later than August 10. Yah!! Normally it takes about 6 weeks to complete a study but we were prepared and had all our paperwork ready. Just a few months from now, it is possible that we could be matched with our baby girl!!

Home Study

We have our first home study appointment this afternoon. In case anyone is not sure exactly what a home study is....

A home study is a document to verify that you qualify to adopt a child. A home study professional meets with you in your home to ask you various questions about your background, your values, the strengths of your marriage, your finances, and your reasons for adopting - in addition to other questions. It is not a white-glove inspection. In South Carolina this professional is called a certified adoption investigator.

I am not nervous about it because we are who we are. I am anxious to meet the "investigator". Here is a picture of the paperwork for our home study.... so far!

The Road Less Traveled

Brett and I are just beginning this adoption journey. I have no doubt that we are going to find our baby girl. I know that God has chosen her for us already. We just have to go through a lot of red tape to get to her. I tell people that we are paper pregnant. The forms that we have already had to fill out and photo copy could most certainly fill my shirt and I would look very pregnant. For months we have talked about this big decision. We have gone back and forth discussing all the pros and cons. We have educated ourselves on adoption and feel very confident in our decision. We wish that everyone could take a peek into our hearts. As it is, that can't happen but I still wish that everyone was happy about this decision. This is our family. Our lives. Our daughter. She will be a granddaughter, a neice and a cousin. She will be daddy's little girl and mommy's princess. She will be the apple of her big brother's eye. She will complete our family.

Criminal Background Check....Check!

Today Brett and I went for our criminal background checks. On the way there, I asked Brett, "Honey, you haven't done anything that I don't know about that may come up on this check, have you?" He said, "Nah." Well, when the lady brought them out to us I said, "Everything was okay, right?" She said, "All except for the one DUI that Brett got." Half a second later she started laughing...she was totally kidding. Shooooo! What a relief! Next step.....home study meeting on Wednesday.

Mason has been talking about his baby sister all weekend. He has big plans for her. He knows exactly what he wants to teach her first.... where mom keeps the best snacks! Even mom's not sure were that hiding spot is!

For a long time, I have prayed about this adoption. I knew that in God's time.... not mine.... He would reveal what our futures would hold. Slowly He is allowing me to see bits of what is to come. I am amazed at His patience with me because I have begged Him for this. I have on countless occassion prayed that if adoption was not in our future that He would remove the desire from my heart. But instead the desire just grew. Now as we are just beginning I am prayng for patience because I know that at the end of this journey, a new one will begin.... and it will have been worth the wait!

We have scheduled our first home study appointment for this coming Wednesday. The social worker sounded really nice on the phone. Hopefully she likes us!

Ready! Set! Go!

We have decided that we are going to adopt a baby girl. We are very excited but anxious, too. This has been on my heart for years and now that things are rolling.... Yikes! There is a lot of paperwork involved but I am trying my best to stay ahead of it..... although it beginning to pile up all over the house....and in my truck. We are open to ideas about raising money so if anyone has any great ideas, let me know. So, please pray for us as we begin this journey!!