tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16750507820806232672024-02-06T18:14:35.575-08:00Faithful in FlatsArinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.comBlogger261125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-1559068475749174772017-04-26T11:05:00.004-07:002017-04-26T12:29:51.459-07:00Jumping back in...<br />
A few weeks ago I got to sneak away from everyday life and have a girl's night in Austin. Me and my best girlfriend got to attend Jamie Ivey's Happy Hour Live! It was so fun and so needed. Once we arrived at our hotel my girlfriend asked if I ever missed being a part of Noonday. We had not spoken of Noonday probably in over a year. It was so random because just a few days prior I had actually got the idea in my head to join back in. I wasn't sure I wanted to because so much of it is reliant on other people hosting shows and finding those hostess is hard to do. I had even told Ryan a few nights before the trip that I was thinking about joining again. So I felt like maybe her randomly bringing it up was a sign from the Lord! Who knows? Then that night at the event filled with tons of ladies, Jamie asked if anyone was a Noonday Ambassador. Yall there wasnt ONE hand raised! I couldn't believe in a group of women with so much in common, no one was representing Noonday. I felt right then and there that I never wanted to not be able to raise my hand again. I wanted to be able to say I'm a part of bringing dignity to men and women in vulnerable communities. I wanted to be able to say YES I am helping make a difference in the women. I wanted to be able to tell my friends that they CAN make a different with their purchase power and I wanted to provide them with that avenue. So right when I got home, I jumped back in! I'm back at being a Noonday Ambassador.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGie-5zW0kfm7BsTJ2-krLwQjZEcuQzUEUl7MIVRQreXvfDK4Okt5XsH0MEHwSDuSRbwrc_QrZKk_CgiJGY-24dU-EWGXFp9xYdOyb-1qoXZe6TKBzduReQxwpnL3p5myQJ6jcHB-DS3P_/s1600/179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGie-5zW0kfm7BsTJ2-krLwQjZEcuQzUEUl7MIVRQreXvfDK4Okt5XsH0MEHwSDuSRbwrc_QrZKk_CgiJGY-24dU-EWGXFp9xYdOyb-1qoXZe6TKBzduReQxwpnL3p5myQJ6jcHB-DS3P_/s320/179.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtDTJzRGxf0hNStyKd903UXCT9qxMj2otfYlEpHscLJOBzk-4CKzExO8NQqpvpY0Upjt_SdcDX31qx5L0J1Oh0Wj_28eAWZ5XHF9R8cLtlt_1Finj_x04xj3P7pyJ11-Gx1TA6JA4STvU/s1600/186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtDTJzRGxf0hNStyKd903UXCT9qxMj2otfYlEpHscLJOBzk-4CKzExO8NQqpvpY0Upjt_SdcDX31qx5L0J1Oh0Wj_28eAWZ5XHF9R8cLtlt_1Finj_x04xj3P7pyJ11-Gx1TA6JA4STvU/s320/186.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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If you have NO idea what Noonday is, here is the real definition... Noonday Collection a socially responsible business that uses fashion to create meaningful opportunities around the world. When you purchase jewelry from noonday you are providing reliable income for men and women in hard places. They depend on the consistent orders placed by noonday costumers to provide a respectable job for themselves. Noonday doesn't give a handout they provide opportunity. They bridge the gap between US and THEM.<br />
My other answer would be they are a fair trade company that sells jewelry that looks like it is made from Anthropologie. That is what drew me to Noonday over 5 years ago. Cute stuff that makes a difference. Its a no brainer for me!<br />
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So if any of this strikes a cord with you I'd love to chat with you. I love to talk to people about stuff that fires me up and fair trade definitely does that! I would share that you can get involved by becoming a <a href="http://bit.ly/noondayarin" target="_blank">customer</a>. You can <a href="http://bit.ly/noondayarin" target="_blank">shop</a> for yourself or <a href="http://bit.ly/noondayarin" target="_blank">gift</a> for family members. Noonday is great for all ages. (My daughters LOVE my Noonday samples!).</div>
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You can <a href="http://www.noondaycollection.com/pws/homeoffice/tabs/host.aspx" target="_blank">host a show</a> and help ME spread the message of Noonday Collection to your people.<br />
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Or if you love it SO SO much you can <a href="http://www.noondaycollection.com/pws/homeoffice/tabs/join.aspx?tab=34039544864971167378760371405" target="_blank">join as an Ambassador</a> and you
can share Noonday with your people yourself and get the behind the
scenes perks!<br />
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So thats my spill. Noonday Collection rocks and makes a difference.</div>
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<br />Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-40702447434273986702017-04-26T10:49:00.001-07:002017-04-26T10:49:08.362-07:00Grades don't matter.I have pretty much just been thrown into this elemantary age parenting gig. Well I was 2 years ago, but it still feels total foreign. School, friends, extra curricular activities, and even sibling dynamic are all so overwhelming. Ive been thinking a lot lately about the latest parenting idea that grades don't matter as much as raising kind kids matter. Well this is a great IDEA but in reality makes parenting very stressful. I care what grades my kids make. I care if they make a lower grade than they usually do, and I care when they aren't really trying on their schoolwork. I care so much about them being kind, too. BUT I can't measure my kids kindness like I can their grades. I can't get a tutor or make them study extra to be kind. I can try to model good behavior, teach it to them during teachable moments, and punish (or redirect 😉) them for bad behavior, but I can't make them be kind to others. and what pressure!<br />
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Man, I would LOVE my kids to be getting character counts and all the other outstanding citizen awards and recognition, but guess what? They aren't. And that is hard on this momma. So whats the point of this. My point is that if you're a mom that doesn't get the good principal/teacher phone calls, you aren't alone. If you are the parent that doesn't get to post character counts awards pictures, you aren't alone. If you cringe when you think about checking their behavior notes for the day- you aren't alone. If you desperately just want your kids to make it through the day without getting in reprimanded- you aren't alone. I am here. I am a mom that makes lots of bad parenting mistakes and sometimes isn't very kind. I am a mom that doesn't always use respect when fussing at her kids. I am a mom that shouldn't even get mad when she hears her kids being sassy to each other because I know they have heard me talk the same way. BUT I am also a mom that feels bad about this. I am a mom that wants their kids to do as she says, not always as she does. I am a mom that just wants her kids to be kind to their classmates, make their teachers lives easier, and have a good day. (Oh, and I wouldn't mind all A's on that report card either 😉)<br />
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<br />Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-89102115954673959112017-01-04T14:32:00.001-08:002017-01-04T14:34:08.726-08:00Ringing in the NEW year! **I drafted this blog on the new year of 2016. I just read it a year later and thought it was pretty good, so I decided to share it!<br />
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Hey everyone! I had a strong urge last night to go back and re-read some of my old blog posts. I am so glad I kept this up for so long because I really enjoy seeing the older posts. Its crazy how much time has passed and how much my life has changed. The main reason I created this blog was to share my life with others! It quickly became a blog about our adoption journey!! I was so happy to be on the path of adoption a precious baby and couldn't wait to see how the story would unfold. Then came baby! Adelyn joined our family in 2013 and life was never the same. The blog slowed down and I ran out of things to update because the adoption process also slowed down. However, when she was close to a year we began the foster care process. I sure wish I would have blogged better about that journey because it was really special. Difficult, but special. So...here we are. Starting 2016 and I have major updates! The first thing I wanted to address is our foster care story!!<br />
A few days before Christmas we became a legal family with our two big kids! Our family had an amazing adoption party and we kissed goodbye the unknown we had the whole year of 2015. We are a forever family and we are so happy to be together!<br />
Backing up a few weeks, we had an big Ethiopian adoption change. We got another email from our agency explaining that new updates would be needed and more money was needed to help cover new costs due to STILL increasing wait times. Ryan and I had pretty much been checked out of the Ethiopian process for awhile, but we still just kept an eye on how things were going. We knew it seemed like a long shot for it to ever actually pan out for the last few years, but we didn't official do anything about it. After this last email, I decided I had a clear and sure answer that we would withdraw our family from the Ethiopian program. We felt confident of this decision and although, we don't know the reason behind starting this process, we do know that we followed a calling and now it was time to let it go.<br />
We felt very strongly that our family was now complete. We have Adelyn, we have our big kids, Anna and Ezra, and we also have another blessing on the way! Our fourth baby to bless our family is due this summer! We are so excited to have our fourth baby and to have this baby bond our family together in a way that only new babies can!<br />
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<br />Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-85552194275166777972014-08-19T10:05:00.002-07:002014-08-19T10:08:47.306-07:00Month Three..Soooooo.... Remember how sweet and happy my two month post was? Well month three proved to be a little more challenging. Things are getting real in our house and life has started getting messy. There are still good times, but there are lots of difficult times too. God has lead me to read several passages when I have really been struggling. Each time the verses remind me of our purpose for walking down this path. <br />
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<span class="text Luke-6-36" id="en-NIV-25183"><span class="woj">I randomly opened the bible one night when I was having a very difficult day. I opened to Luke 6. Wow. What a <i>gentle</i> reminder of how I should treat my kiddos. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Luke-6-32" id="en-NIV-25179"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">Luke: 32 </sup>“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-6-33" id="en-NIV-25180"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">33 </sup>And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-6-34" id="en-NIV-25181"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">34 </sup>And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-6-35" id="en-NIV-25182"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">35 </sup>But love your enemies, do good to them, and <u><b><i>lend to them without expecting to get anything back. </i></b></u>Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-6-36" id="en-NIV-25183"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">36 </sup>Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /><span class="text Luke-6-36" id="en-NIV-25183"><span class="woj"> <span style="font-size: small;">Just last night I felt like I needed to read Colossians.</span> Wow God. Thanks. Another amazing reminder that we were all once hostile, evil, and alienated, yet the GOSPEL has reconciled us. We have HOPE in the gospel. We have HOPE in the hard times we are facing. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="text Col-1-21" id="en-ESV-29470"><sup class="versenum">Colossians 21 </sup>And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,</span> <span class="text Col-1-22" id="en-ESV-29471"><sup class="versenum">22 </sup>he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,</span> <span class="text Col-1-23" id="en-ESV-29472"><sup class="versenum">23 </sup>if indeed you<i><u><b> </b>continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the <b>hope of the gospel</b> that you heard,</u></i> which has been proclaimed in all creation<sup class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-29472g" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-29472g" title="See footnote g">g</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%201%20&version=ESV#fen-ESV-29472g" title="See footnote g">g</a>]</sup> under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.</span></span></div>
Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-44823992522037686442014-07-15T12:34:00.004-07:002014-08-12T13:02:40.960-07:00Two months! I had a friend recently ask me what advice I could give her about foster care now that I am a foster mom. Her question got me thinking and these are the 4 main things I could come up with!<br />
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<b>1.Foster care isn't as scary as I thought.</b> <br />
I had lots of fears going into the foster care world. I had heard a lot of horror stories. I was scared, but thankfully God gave me the desire to give this a shot. Our story has not been anything like the horror stories I had heard, or dreamed up in my head. It really could not be any better. Our big kids have adjusted great, Adelyn loves having older siblings,our families are a great help, and our big kids do great in social settings!<br />
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<b>2. They are NOT their files.</b><br />
A few minutes before we met our kiddos for the first time we had the brief chance to read their files. It was scary. I was panicked. I didn't know what we had gotten ourselves into. Fast forward a few weeks. I was re-reading their files and was laughing at how different they are in real life. They are just kids. Their past happened, but it doesn't define them. I had always heard that, but now I understand.<br />
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<b>3. Older kids are AWESOME.</b><br />
Plain and simple! I love that my kids can talk and are somewhat independent. It comes with challenges, but the advantages way out weigh the disadvantages.<br />
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<b>4. Our marriage has NOT been ruined.</b><br />
This was a biggggy. I had heard that foster care puts a huge strain on your marriage. Honestly, having Adelyn was way harder on our marriage than adding our two big kids. We work together and we laugh at the craziness going on around us. We are a team have had a blast going through this together. I think we might even fight less now! <br />
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I prayed and prayed for us to have a positive experience with foster care. I can honestly say, this has been a great experience. I love our kids and I love this crazy, beautiful story I have been blessed to get to be a part of. We definitely have hard days and days when I think this wasn't such a good idea, but those quickly pass. God is making beauty out of ashes and I get to have a front row seat. <br />
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Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-78586193382732377122014-02-06T09:48:00.001-08:002014-02-06T09:58:21.290-08:00Adoption Update!Hi there!! I just wanted to pop in and give an update on our Ethiopian adoption!! <b>YES we are still adopting.</b> We had a scare last month with the possibility of Ethiopia shutting down international adoption, but after much prayer and fasting our God gave us favor and the country is STILL OPEN! YAY! So here we are almost 2 years on the DTE list and still very far from getting our referral. I have no idea when we will get our phone call, but I do know the wait time is continually increasing. If you remember when we started this process back in 2011 (yes, you read that right ELEVEN), the referral wait time was 10-15 months. We are closing in on waiting 24 months in March. The "official" wait time I heard was increasing to 36-42 months. The last family that received a referral for an infant boy waited for 34 months. SOOOO where does that leave us? Well, we are just buckling in and waiting it out! I don't know what God has in store for our family, but I do know that he blessed me with a beautiful baby girl and I am just enjoying her to the fullest while we wait to see what is next!!!<br />
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We were #47 on the list in August, then we went the wrong way to 49, now we are back to 47. Whew. This crazy adoption. </div>
Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-83901189692569822262013-08-28T20:20:00.002-07:002013-08-28T20:22:55.299-07:00Proverbs 31<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*pic from pinterest</span></div>
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My small group bible study broke up into girls and guys tonight to discuss biblical woman(man)hood. We read Gensis 2 and focused on God creating a suitable <strong>helper </strong>in Eve. Yes women should submit but we are also co-heirs in Christ! We as much a princess in Heaven as men are princes!<br />
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Then we jumped to Proverbs 31. Just being honest here, I sometimes dread reading this. It seems like the perfect women doing impossibly perfect things. How in the world can I do all these things? Then we shifted into something I have never done before. We started talking about how we could actually <strong>do</strong> some of the tasks that a noble woman does according to Proverbs. We definitely put our own spin on it, but I'm really excited and impressed with our challenges! Maybe you might want to join???<br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-31-24"><em>VS 15 She gets up while it is still night;<br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Prov-31-15">she provides food for her family</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Prov-31-15">and portions for her female servants.</span></span></em></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-31-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-31-15">Challenge: Cook dinner 3 nights a week</span></span></span></span><br />
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<em>VS 22: She makes coverings for her bed;<br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-31-22">she is clothed in fine linen and purple.</span></span></em><br />
<em><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-31-22"></span></span></em>Challenge: Make your bed every morning for the week.<br />
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<em>VS 24 She makes linen garments and sells them,<br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-31-24">and supplies the merchants with sashes.</span></span></em><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-31-24">Challenge: Clean out our closests for a garage sale.</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-31-24"></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-31-24">We aren't each doing all three challenges, but we each picked at least one challenge to complete during the week! I'm doing the bed making and possibly the closet! (It NEEDS to happen lol!)</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-31-24"></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-31-24">We talked about how all these traits and qualities are great, but the real underlying quality that is above the rest is verse 30. <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-31-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-31-30">If we grow at our relationship with the Lord then we will learn to respectfully fear the Lord and all the other qualities will fall into place!</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-31-24"><em>VS 30: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;<br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-31-30"><strong>but a woman who fears the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is to be praised.</strong></span></span></em></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-31-24"><em><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-31-30"><strong></strong></span></span></em></span></span> </div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-31-24"><em><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-31-15"></span></span></em></span></span><br />Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-50926127272127323542013-08-22T11:05:00.000-07:002013-08-22T18:42:42.200-07:00Hospital BagI recently saw a friend on Facebook ask what to pack in her hospital bag. I know there are alllll kinds of articles out there with their own opinions, so I figured I'd add mine! I'm pretty much a minimalist so if you need LOTS of details and stuff this might not be the list for you. Also, I'm not sure why it has taken me almost 8 months to decide to blog about all this baby stuff, but it is what it is!<br />
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<strong>For momma:</strong><br />
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Fuzzy socks</div>
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Loose PJ pants <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(You don't want anything "tight" these first few days)</span></div>
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Solid colored tops. <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Patterns may or may not be in style years from now, <br />and patterns aren't super flattering on swollen new mommas-just my opinion!)</span></div>
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Nursing snap tops.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (I lived in these the first few weeks!)</span></div>
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Robe</div>
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Hair products. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Chi, Blow dryer)</span></div>
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Make Up</div>
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Comfy presentable outfit for YOU to go home in. <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(You'll be in pictures too!)</span></div>
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Bath products</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Travel sized Shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, etc...)</span></div>
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Literally everything else I needed was provided by the hospital, and I was super comfortable.<br />
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<strong>For baby:</strong><br />
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At least one comfy outfit</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Adelyn wore the hospital onesie the first day, and was in a gown the whole second day)</span><br />
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Going home outfit<br />
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Swaddle blanket<br />
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Pretty blanket <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(We didn't bring this, but we had hospital pictures done <br />and she asked for a blanket which we didn't bring<br /> and had to borrow from somewhere?)</span></div>
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Boppy <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(We didn't bring this either, but I think it would have been super helpful to have!)</span><br />
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Baby Mittens</div>
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That's it! We brought lots of outfits and diapers and everything else you can think of, but we didn't use any of it. The hospital provided diapers, blankets, hats, pacifers, bathing supplies, pump, formula if needed,etc. <br />
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Again. This is a very minimal list. I had LOTS of other stuff packed, but really didn't touch much of it. It's also super helpful to have relatives to can bring you food and anything you might need but forgot! <br />
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<br />Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-79100100829392277752013-08-21T19:36:00.000-07:002013-08-21T19:36:53.495-07:00Birth StoryTonight at our small group/community group/bible study/whatever cool name you wanna call it, I found myself retelling Adelyn's birth story. It surprised me how much I enjoyed telling it, and I could have told every little detail, but I don't think my audience would have appreciated it. However, you, my dear audience, can choose to stop reading if you don't want the all details. Here we go...<br />
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Adelyn Mae's Birth Story...<br />
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On New Years Eve, the hubz came home from work early because his stomach hurt. He ended up having the stomach bug and allll the fun that comes with that. I was only a few hours away from my due date (Jan 1st) and HUGE. I stayed away from him all day. My mother-in-law brought over medicine and took care of anything the hubz needed that day. At around 5pm, I decided to make a run for some gatorade and dinner. I got a Sonic chilli cheese cony and maybe some tator tots. I started to feel really bad after I ate dinner (I can't imagine why with that wholesome meal?!) so I went to lay down in our bed room. Sure enough the bug symptoms hit me not long after. <br />
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Inbetween bouts of sickness I felt fine, so I called my mom to see what I should do. She encouraged me to call the doctor. So I called the nurse and she said to go straight to Labor and Delivery IF I was having contractions. Well a first time 40 week pregnant lady can't really tell the difference between labor contractions and stomach bug issues, so my mom thought it was a good idea to go ahead just to be safe and head to the hospital to at least get check out. <br />
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My mom and dad picked me up around 11:30pm on New Years Eve to bring me to the hospital. My hubz was still too sick to move and definitely too medicated to drive me. The whole way to the hospital I kept thinking inbetween sickness episodes that I can't believe this is how my delivery is going to start. All the while I was not fully convinced that I was actually going to have a baby soon.<br />
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This is when things start to run together, and I get fuzzy on the details...I went straight up to L&D and went to the triage room. (The nurse had a hard time with me because she would get sick when other people got sick? Strange for a nurse?) Eventually there was talk about possibly a c-section because something was happening everytime I had an episode to the baby. I made my mom call Ryan and tell him to get up here fast. His mom had to drive him. I was admitted to the hospital after some time, but just to monitor the baby. There were no real signs of impending delivery. I got pumped full of some drugs to take away my stomach issues and started to fall asleep. My parents left and Ryan slept on the couch and his mom stayed with us. I guess that was all around 3 AM. At about 4, I I felt a pop and a gush. I suddenly woke up and told my MIL I thought my water had broke. She called for the nurse, but the nurse wasn't really convinced it was my water. (Not sure why? It very clearly was). Ryan's mom called my parents back up and Ryan had to wake up. It was game time...<br />
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Things progressed fast. Once I painfully got dilated to 6cm, they called for the epidural. I have no idea how long it took, but it seemed like FOREVER for the doctor to get there. Once he did they started to sit me up and I was in PAIN. The nurses check me again and there was no time for the epidural. It was time to push. AHHH!!!! (The doctor also said since I was previously sick he wouldn't have done the epidural anyway.)<br />
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Pushing was intense and super hard. I was exhausted and so very thirsty. I pushed for about an hour and half and at 8:26 AM on New Years Day our doctor announced It's a GIRL!!!! <br />
Adelyn Mae was healthy and perfect. <br />
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The rest they say is history....<br />
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Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-12885123855340589822013-08-20T14:14:00.001-07:002014-02-06T09:58:59.248-08:002 Years later<div style="text-align: center;">
August 20<b>11</b>. </div>
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That is when we started this adoption process. </div>
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Wow! How things have changed! I would have never imagined we would still be so far away from a referral at this time, but I know God has a plan for our little family and specifically this little adoption. We are still in the waiting phase, and in the waiting comes expired documents. The last few weeks we have been renewing documents like crazzzzzzzy. It was very reminiscent of our first home study. We had to get updated physicals. Jovie up to date on her vaccines. The house in good shape. In home Home Study interview. These were all a little tricker with a 7 1/2 month old baby this time, but we got them accomplished! We are very grateful for our family members that helped us with appointments! Couldn't have done it with out their help. <br />
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So what's next? <br />
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Well we are currently holding strong at 47 on the wait list. I believe we are good on our paperwork until this time next year. *Hopefully* we will be close to a referral by this time next year! <br />
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Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-6008734510227681042013-08-06T14:25:00.002-07:002013-08-06T14:26:30.965-07:00Extraordinary I read a lot of blogs, not near as many as I did before I had Adelyn, but you know that's usually how it goes. I love reading about people that say YES to God and to reading about people that make things happen. I like to read about people who live extraordinary lives being faithful to God.<br />
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I love to read about <a href="http://theelderadventurers.com/2013/08/anybody-story-18-stephen-elder-my-hubby/">Stephen Elder raise tons of money for water</a>!<br />
I love to read about <a href="http://www.pureandlasting.com/sweet-sleep/">Jenn Verme partnering with Sweet Sleep and getting beds for Noel Orphanage</a>.<br />
I LOVE to read about <a href="http://yestoadoption.blogspot.com/2010/11/why-adopt-first.html">Rebekah and Will who adopted FIRST as plan A</a>.<br />
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I like to read about these people because I want to so badly BE these people! Now, let me tell you. I have tried. I have tried to be these people. Here are some of my attempts...<br />
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Charity: Water. In 2011 I was fired up about Charity: Water. I "gave up" my Christmas from some of my family and friends. I posted and campaigned on FB. Did I raise thousands of dollars? Nope. I raised around $300.<br />
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Lifting Arms Ministries. I gave babysitting a shot. My first summer after working as a teacher I sent everyone I knew this awesome spreadsheet with prices and information on it. I was going to babysit to earn money to give to orphans. Did I earn thousands of dollars? Nope. I babysat for two families and raised about $300. <br />
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I started this blog. I thought I could turn it into one of those huge blogs that has advertisements that millions of moms read. On my best day I averaged about 200 views. Lately, I average about 15 views a day. <br />
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I wanted to adopt my first child. Here I am writing this with a 7 month old biological child that I am sooo incredibly grateful for. <br />
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I don't share this for a pity party or for a look at what I've done! I share because I want people to know that sometimes you won't raise tons of money. Sometimes your plans won't match God's plans for your life. Sometimes you just have to try things and be OK with the way they turn out no matter how insignificant it feels. I'm proud of my small successes because at least I tried. Maybe one day I'll be featured on a blog for changing the world, but today. Being featured on my blog is enough :) Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-86930340415285061962013-07-22T15:35:00.000-07:002013-07-22T15:35:27.140-07:00The Feet.<div style="text-align: center;">
This week our church and my little family were granted the chance to serve with <a href="http://www.thefeet.org/">Beautiful Feet</a> Minstries in Fort Worth, TX. I didn't participate to the fullest, but me and Adelyn did serve some! It was a little out of my comfort zone bringing my baby with me to this trip. I was nervous to expose her to the homeless people. However, I am so so glad I did. I want to be an example to my daughter that we are called to take care of the least of these. I want her to see me loving people the way Jesus loves people. I want her to want to do this when she has the ability to choose. </div>
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You should check out Beautiful Feet. They have an amazing thing going on!</div>
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<a href="http://www.thefeet.org/">http://www.thefeet.org/</a></div>
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Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-83888427782897120242013-06-24T18:51:00.003-07:002013-06-24T18:51:54.577-07:00forty eight<ul>
<li>Yall should totally check out my hubz awesome <a href="http://www.fbcnederland.com/sermonflowsocial.php">Father's Day sermon!</a></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA65dif9nD9DhTM9w9DmzxccZANCnjKfxZG_NY5WfYYPmGW4juJRerOeLXcKRBiJy1nAghhNKOpTdVSkub_uCslyXIxuP-YNZA9GuX3CCm_wxX1kVyuZ3djstZdPc3GeTQxYLRUqFpXkL6/s1600/48for37_2703422001345894224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA65dif9nD9DhTM9w9DmzxccZANCnjKfxZG_NY5WfYYPmGW4juJRerOeLXcKRBiJy1nAghhNKOpTdVSkub_uCslyXIxuP-YNZA9GuX3CCm_wxX1kVyuZ3djstZdPc3GeTQxYLRUqFpXkL6/s1600/48for37_2703422001345894224.jpg" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>We have FINALLY broke into the forties! We are 48 on the unofficial wait list.</li>
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<li>You should listen to Lorde. My BFF let me in on her! I haven't listened to her whole EP yet, but what I've heard, I dig. </li>
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Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-66425456809666743362013-05-21T10:25:00.000-07:002013-05-21T10:25:28.680-07:00Two Chairs.Community has been a big buzz word around our house for the past few months. Ryan has been enthralled with living our lives missionally right where we are. Engaging our neighbors. Committing to our church. Intentionally loving others as Jesus loves us. He has been super inspired by <a href="http://www.somacommunities.org/">Soma Communities.</a> At first I thought this was some weird compound living, hippy lifestyle thing, but it isn't. Check out their video. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/22754743?color=ffffff%3Fwmode%3Dtransparent" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br /></div>
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So anyway. Back to our situation. We are starting small. We are just trying to be more intentional about talking to people. On Valentine's Day, Ryan bought us two chairs to put in our front yard. We choose to sit out there in the evenings so we can run into our neighbors more frequently.</div>
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I have been trying to open my home frequently to others. I have been putting my comfort level aside and saying YES to social opportunities with people I am not super close with. These are not mind blowing things. We do not go above and beyond. We are starting small. We haven't seen any insane things happen due to these things, but I believe this is the way we should be living. Missionally. Right here in our home. </div>
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<br />I want to live out this verse...<br /><br /><strong>"<em>All the believers were together</em> and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. <em>They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,</em> praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:44-47</strong></div>
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Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-40709267284453751212013-05-17T16:24:00.000-07:002013-05-17T16:24:14.220-07:00Fingerprints: The SequelThis story will keep you on the end of your seat! Our renewal biometrics appointment did not go anything like the first time. Lets start at the beginning. <br />
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We got an email from our Family Coordinator that we needed to have our fingerprints renewed. I finally got around to sending in our application (paperwork just is not as fun the second time around), and we got our appointment for a Friday in April. First problem. We already had plans the Friday before that to go see our friends adoption in a different city. Meaning Ryan already took of work, so we couldn't do the original date. No big deal right? Just call for a new appointment?...Nope. You have to mail back in the original form then wait for a new appointment. Awesome. So the wait begins...<br />
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A few weeks later I got a letter from USCIS with just *my* appointment. It was in the middle of the week in May in the middle of the day. All I could think was great. How am I going to pull that off with the baby and where the heck is Ryan appointment letter? I started second guessing if I even mailed off his reschedule form! Thankfully a few days later we got Ryan's form and his was the day AFTER my appointment! Uhhh...Two trips to Houston?? Well this is the first God moment. We remembered that Ryan had a work trip in May in Houston...Yes. It was the same week!! What a relief! Ryan doesn't have to miss work, and I don't have to go alone with Adelyn!<br />
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We head off to Houston and notice that our hotel is literally 1.5 miles from the biometrics place! Whatttt???? That was sooo God because obviously He knew how much I was dreading driving in Houston with Adelyn. (Ryan had to stay at his conference for my appointment). Here are the thoughts going on in my head...It really could not have been playing out any more perfectly. God must really want us to be doing the adoption! He couldn't possibly been more present in this situation...<br />
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Dunnn Dunnn Dunn...<br />
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Long story short: We get to the hotel, start to check in a realize we were at the WRONG hotel. OUR hotel is about 40 miles away. Awwwwwwwwwesome... <br />
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You would think the story ends there right? We just have to drive about 45 minutes to get to our appointment. Well that would be right, except when I get to my appointment after Adelyn screamed 90% of the way I forgot my ID...Yep.<br />
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You can't get your fingerprints without an ID. I cried. The super wonderful nice supervisor was so kind and told me to just come back the next day with Ryan and get them done together. <br />
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Very long story all to say that we got the fingerprints done together at Ryan's original appointment and it all worked out okay!<br />
<br />Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-2576848096295209322013-05-13T11:57:00.000-07:002013-05-13T12:00:05.773-07:00MOPS.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have officially become the newest Steering Team Member of our <a href="http://www1.mops.org/web/web_group_search.php">local MOPS group</a>. If you have a MOPS group near you, I highly suggest joining! (Mothers of Preschoolers...aka pregnancy-5th grade kids!) I am VERY new to the group, but I can already see so many benefits attached to the group. Being surrounded by a group of stay at home moms is the best part. I love that I can come in frazzled and late and they all understand. I can have a crying baby and need to nurse and they all understand. It is just nice to around like minded mommas! PLUS the crafts are super cute. I have actually only been to meetings that had crafts, but I am sure the speakers are equally as amazing. Anyway, like I said I am a Steering team member and I will be organizing the Moppets. Basically making sure we have enough volunteers to watch the kids, so moms can participate and their babies are being loved on! I know this is a big job with big responsibilities, but I can't be scared away because of the responsibilities. I know God has placed this in my heart to accomplish! He has given me the preschool background, the leadership background, and friendship with other Steering team members in my life! I know He will provide for me and I will be able to do this :) I'm excited to use my ability to stay home to advance His kingdom through this position! <br />
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Check out MOPS....<a href="http://www.mops.org/">http://www.mops.org/</a>Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-53608444997138806012013-05-09T10:26:00.001-07:002013-05-09T10:39:44.096-07:00Seasons. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><em>Seasons</em></strong> is a word that has been resonating with me so much lately. I think it is because this <em><strong>season</strong></em> I am in is so new. <br />
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<li>New mom</li>
<li>Stay at home mom</li>
<li>Housewife</li>
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This season has actually been one of the hardest times of my life. It is a weird feeling not working anymore or having any obligations outside of my house. I have been struggling to find my identity in Christ and not in what I "do" or don't "do". However, as hard as it has been, it has also been showered with amazing moments. <br />
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I want to embrace this season. I want to love on as many people as I can, I want to cherish the time I have with my baby being a baby. I want to embrace the little things and be satisfied with who I am. I want to make sure I am living my life and not just wasting away the days. <br />
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I was motivated today to start back on the blog train. I want to start sharing how I am going to make the most of this <strong><em>season</em> </strong>of being out of the 'corporate world'. I want to share my adventures in living life missionally for Christ. I want to share so that maybe someone else will be motivated to live a life worth living!! <br />
Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-16148662035115560212013-03-19T09:55:00.001-07:002013-05-09T10:08:10.238-07:00Chocolate and Marathons! I was OBSESSED with babies before I became a mom. I thought this obsession would lighten once I had my own baby, but I was wrong! I am even more obsessed with these amazing little humans. I love seeing pictures and reading about babies. One thing I was not expecting was that I would become obsessed with the idea of motherhood. I now LOVE to read about other peoples perceptions of motherhood. This leads us to today's blog. I came across this guest blog post on Gussy Sews and it brought tears to my eyes. The lady described motherhood in the most perfect way!<br />
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"<strong>Being a mom for the first time feels like velvet, and chocolate, and running a marathon with no preparation.</strong> It feels like you can taste the Spirit on your lips and hear Him in your heart and like no one and everyone in the world understands you. It feels like a new era, a new club, and like you never lived before the day the baby was born. <strong><u>It feels like love."- </u></strong><a href="http://mabelandriv.com/blog/" target="_blank"><em>Arianne Segerman</em></a><em> </em><br />
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Jump on over to Gussy Sews and read <a href="http://www.gussysews.com/2013/03/what-it-means-to-be-a-mom-arianne-segerman/">the whole post</a>!<em><u> </u></em><br />
<em></em><br />Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-84592203198651845172013-03-16T12:09:00.000-07:002013-03-16T12:09:00.843-07:00One Year DTE!<div style="text-align: center;">
Today we have been officially waiting ONE YEAR for our Ethiopian baby.</div>
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What a year it has been! We have lost a beloved family member (My Mawmaw) and we have gained an unexpected family member (Addie Mae). I would be lying if I didn't say the pregnancy and birth of Adelyn didn't take my mind away from the wait, but it definitely helped pass the time. We are still about a year away, maybe even a year and a half, from getting that much anticipated referral! For those not quite into the adoption lingo, that is the phone call saying we have been matched with our baby boy! Yes, I did say boy. Just incase you don't remember our specific details, we requested an infant boy 0-12 months. I can't imagine how our lives will change throughout this next year of waiting, but I know it will be worth it when we meet our little man! </div>
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We started on the "unofficial" wait list at #83.</div>
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Today we are at...</div>
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Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-45086786650641047472013-03-13T12:05:00.002-07:002013-03-13T12:05:51.534-07:00Duck Dynasty on adoption...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/K058jdOpvAI" width="420"></iframe><br />Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-52112015202196529952013-02-28T12:45:00.002-08:002013-02-28T12:45:55.133-08:00Fun!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Hq-URl9F17Y" width="560"></iframe><br />Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-2248401179014925712013-02-20T13:33:00.000-08:002013-02-20T13:33:00.157-08:00Sponsoring.<div style="text-align: center;">
If you have ever considered sponsoring a child through any organizations I highly recommend you do! We have chosen <a href="http://www.p61.org/sponsorship.html">Project 61</a> and <a href="http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2DoChildSearch_B.jsp?">World Vision</a>. We got updated pictures of both of our children this week! What a joy to see a new picture and read a sweet note! These kids are real and what you are doing (if you are...) is amazing to them. </div>
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If you are looking for a very real experience with your sponsorship, I would recommend you join Project 61. We get frequent messages via FB, letters, and pictures of our child. </div>
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Legasa - Project 61 </div>
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Lucia- World Vision</div>
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Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-38983147926881074282013-02-19T13:25:00.000-08:002013-02-19T13:25:02.285-08:00Fifty Seven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Adoption Update: <br />We are currently at number 57 on the unofficial wait list. Slow is the name of this game, but I would be lying if I said I was ready to be at the top! We are still adjusting to life around here with a new baby. </div>
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We are rounding out the first year of waiting. What a year it turned out to be! In March we will be DTE for a year. That means we have some documents that are starting to expire and we need to update them. First on that list would be our Biometrics (AKA Fingerprints). We have to do lots of awesome paperwork to get a new appointment and get them redone. I have heard before that paperwork is no fun the second time around and now I understand. It was giddy and exciting a year ago, now...not so much. Oh well! It's what has to be done to get us to our Isaiah! </div>
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<br />Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-14018506427457452412013-02-12T14:41:00.000-08:002013-02-12T14:41:03.514-08:00New Mom. New Life.<br /><br />Being a mom is AMAZING. It really is as good as everyone makes it out to be. I was a hugggge critic. I thought there is no way you really can love something so much, but I was completely wrong. I love being a mom and I love just sitting and holding my baby all day long. It doesn't get old! With all that said, being a new mom is also very scary. Addie just turned 6 weeks today and the first few weeks I was constantly battling fear of everything! I was a worried wreck. Here are some verses that I kept on repeat to keep me calm. I had to remember to TRUST in the Lord. I had to trust in His promises. I'm not as crazy as I was the first few weeks, but I do still constantly rely on these few verses during the rough parts of the days with a newborn. <br /><br /> <br /><br /> 28“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.29“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.30“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” <strong>Matthew 11</strong><br /><br /><br />Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? <strong>Matthew 6:27</strong><br /><br /><br />Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." <strong>Isaiah 30:21</strong><br /><br /> Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1675050782080623267.post-36281977791547938432013-01-13T11:17:00.000-08:002013-01-13T11:21:57.330-08:00Introducing...<div style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="font-size: large"><font size="5">Adelyn Mae!</font></span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="font-size: large">01.01.13</span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="font-size: large"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uV1Lc0NKS5d8UxeoXVmpqGKowHUueohRF_C_Yue5lp3ixa3-RL8U2QNxMRPmkvgKye1QZQEt0hFE6fYErfQZZl-svHUjWWD19cfOyksG1wGWgcoZkT_GGaIVwJbRV57h3iQ0iPVvuLL6/s1600-h/106%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106" border="0" alt="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bGuJHgEkRZ0ACKc5UX0bP3ootALuCirfqX84Yvgjq4Ma1J2dzbkknYDx4VT6_lDo0U59DQerIrpGBPwroLtiLFGZl2PRGMqT4gzsfU-bLYjiG_Vaj70b1Ye2-vvhRcRylVXQ1WMvf_05/?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244"></a> </span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="font-size: large"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQbrrx-jucSW463_1DJUlXexp5HmZqLMrVnY6ehbMHDLCqarjeokukzf45GNK7yq0Tj4weN2mQ6uh29Wm6ksQxoZSQeTQ0N6GIR2Fiq09aNym6rahmKDUF-0SZgrIhdX8J1ieIapq7Pbn/s1600-h/130%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="130" border="0" alt="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAeWICs5wFIzpO52SFmXfm28yhRimMBCfPmW5AY0SzXp11309q9i4UzlT846HwsAWN6-xT7VfbdGVkreF5l7VtyoGRgg3GCvyCduldb_xOJnwIZTNecTwng9WhPejxcj6OExiisx77i-H/?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244"></a> </span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="font-size: large"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfQKsY7Kro9_SL0aFB_h7I12kkrU0j7Mmbfo1-uIPLlYxg6C-81Om4HxVh3MIEYfFPNxWPxaLJm-VPkBTJ2Y14ntGXSUAf3qwPOS8Np88ltBxN1DGSKX-ZTOJ3v3fmPkwU5irpA1_qag4/s1600-h/103%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="103" border="0" alt="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7dIGZCnTUrvFRAeBUfjNA2YQ6eHa3qn2yeCHcP2DnDJuIHF0OlXkfZWU8BCZRkUnO85qqFeZ3xFBc3BxGq08KtwTU90JGHHIHGyc2rJLa-ul3FOS7wOtFnPfIgPdfhrKMGg8cNvJSr79/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: center"> </div> Arinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01014102719151421715noreply@blogger.com0