13 months

Since this blog is kind of like a journal for me and Raleigh, and a way to document our adoption journal, I just wanted to make note that today marks 13 months since our home study was approved.

Obviously the timeframe for our referral is basically like a guessing game, but each month we are one month closer to seeing our little treasure for the first time!!

Shopping for Baby

Yesterday Raleigh and I went to The Baby's Room in Norcross. I was in the mood to look at cribs and some of our friends purchased their nursery furniture at The Baby's Room in Kennasaw, so we thought we would take a look. I also wanted to compare their prices and quality to other retailers. It was fun to look around and get a few ideas. They were having a one day sale, but their regular prices seem to be comparable to somewhere like Pottery Barn Kids. I did like that some of their cribs could be ordered in a variety of colors.

I'm sure this was all in my head, but it did seem like I was the only girl in the store who wasn't visibly pregnant. I felt like I should have worn a shirt that says we're adopting.

We didn't buy anything, but it was fun to look around and get excited about decorating the nursery!

Mary Beth Chapman...Choosing to SEE A Journey of Struggle and Hope

I just finished Mary Beth Chapman's book. It made me laugh, cry, and everything in between. God has given the Chapman family a hard story to steward, but He is getting all the glory along the way.

The next book I am reading is The Red Thread by Ann Hood. It is an adoption novel that several families in Atlanta are reading. We are hoping to get together and discuss the book sometime in the next month or so.

7 Things

My friend Dana gave me the Versatile Blogger Award. Fun!

The Versatile Blogger Award works like this:

1) thank and talk about whoever gave you the award

2) share 7 facts about yourself

3) give the award to 7 other bloggers who rock!

So here it goes...
Dana and I first met at a waiting families dinner for our adoption agency. She and her husband, Ben, are also adopting from South Korea and they are about 1 month ahead of us in the process. Since meeting, we have gotten to know each other better. Dana is super talented and makes custom kids clothes! You can check out her etsy store here. I hope Ben and Dana get their referral really soon! :)

Now on to 7 things about me...hmmm...

1. I LOVE aprons. I guess you could say I collect them. Raleigh always gets me at least one new apron each year for Christmas. Anthropologie usually has a fun selection.

2. I hate to drive. My family and friends will all agree. I would rather ride with a friend and pay for gas instead of driving. I do drive everyday, but I just don't like it.

3. Raleigh pumps the gas for my car. Always. Again, this is something that I can do, but I just don't like it. Thanks Raleigh for making sure I always have a car full of gas.

4. I am a vegetarian. It is kind of a weird story, but basically it all started when I had to dissect a cat in high school. See...I told you it was weird. Anyway, I haven't eaten meat in like 12 years.

5. I love the beach. I cannot wait to take our little treasure to the beach one day!!

6. I was in the Gospel Choir in college. It was the only choir on campus that you didn't have to try out for. I love to sing gospel music, but I cannot carry a tune. I don't think Jesus minds if I'm off key.

7. Raleigh says I rush the seasons. I think it might be true. Last weekend, I almost got out our ceramic pumpkin. Raleigh reminded me that it is still August. It went back into the closet. (at least for another week or two:)

I'm passing it on to 2 friends

1. Brandon
2. Christina

Small Adoption Update

Sorry for a week with no posts. The start of a new school year is exciting, but also comes with long 13ish hour days at school. Yikes. I am going to start to find a better balance this week. (at least I am going to try:) Open House is next week so I know I will have at least one or two late nights. It is hard to believe we've already been in school 10 days.

On to the adoption update...
Since Raleigh and I are past the one year mark of waiting for our referral, our home study needs to be updated. Our social worker will be coming to our home Wednesday, September 8th. Our home hasn't really changed in a year, but Raleigh has changed jobs so she will need to make a few changes to our paperwork. Raleigh loved his previous job in health care consulting, but it required a good bit of travel. We knew that we didn't want him gone all the time once our little one is home, so we made the decision to switch jobs. His new company is also great and does not require travel. We are so thankful that he does not have to pack a suitcase every Sunday night. :)

A Great Read

I absolutely loved reading what Adeye at No Greater Joy Mom had to say about celebrating imperfections.

If you have a few minutes, go take a look!

I Won

Yippee! I am so excited to let you know that I won the giveaway over at Plum Tree Studio!

Isn't Finnigan the Fish just the cutest thing you've ever seen! Thanks Dana for hosting such a great giveaway!

Adoptive Families Dinner

Yesterday a group of families adopting from Korea got together for dinner. Seven couples were able to attend. We are all working with Bethany Christian Services and at different stages in the process. Karen and Tanna came with their daughter Kate and their son Isaac, who has only been home a little more than a week. There were two other couples that are in the "2009" group with us- Dana & Ben and Blake & Drew. The other couples are in the "2010" group meaning that they met the 2010 quota and recently began the process.

Unfortunately I did not take my camera, but we did have a fun time! It is always encouraging to share stories with other families in the process.

Plum Tree Studio...a giveaway

My friend Dana is hosting a giveaway on her blog! Go check it out...

Dana and I met because she and her husband are also adopting from South Korea. She designs and creates adorable children's clothing for her shop, Plum Tree Studio.

So prop your feet up and browse her etsy shop. Don't forget to check out her blog for more information about her giveaway!

Sweet Pancakes

Thursday night we made Korean sweet pancakes. Basically, you make dough and let it rise. Then you divide the dough into small balls that you fill with a brown sugar & cinnamon mixture. Finally, you flatten and cook the pancakes. When you cut into them with your fork, the brown sugar syrup oozes out. Yum!! We decided they would be really good topped with fresh strawberries or blueberries.

You can also adjust the recipe and use shredded cheese as a filling to make a savory dish. We might try that sometime.:)