March happenings

We FINALLY watched "Frozen" this weekend with our best friends, the Ash's, who are having their first baby REALLY SOON!!! I LOVED the movie! Over the years we (and my mom!) have purchased Disney blu-rays as they're released for our movie collection for the future little ones. I think Frozen will be a family favorite. I loved how the Elsa and Ana didn't need a prince to be ok! The positive message of sisterhood was very admirable. "Tangled" still is our favorite newer Disney movie, but Frozen is in close 2nd!

Random pic from Saturday night at the falls in Idaho Falls before dinner.

Last week, I was invited to attend a St. Patty's Day dinner at one of my 1st graders house. When he first invited me, I was a little hesitant because I'd never been invited to a student's house before! But they made me feel so comfortable.The food was absolutely delicious. The student who invited me over, Coleman, is an angel! He has the sweetest demeanor, and I wish I could clone his personality into all of my students! :) The St. Patty's dinner will forever be my favorite teaching memory. 

How cute was the table setting?!

Coleman and me! Love him!

The next day, was St. Patrick's Day at school. The "naughty leprechaun" trashed our room before the students arrived in the morning. It was pretty hilarious seeing their reactions to all the naughty things the "leprechaun"did. It was a nice change of routine toilet papering the desks, throwing supplies everywhere, and putting desks on top of tables. ;)

Chaos...

We have been watching a lot of March Madness basketball this week!!! Matt and I had Syracuse going all the way in our brackets. :( They were beat early in the tournament and our chance to win the $1 billion dollars was ruined. Maybe next year! :) I also made a tournament bracket with my 1st grade class, and they picked Texas to win. I love their Texas PRIDE lol!

Questions from birthmoms

Have you ever wondered what questions a birthmom asks when she contacts us?

These are the top questions...

How old are you guys? 

Matt is 27 and Rachel is 24. 

How long have you been married?

We have been married for over 5 years. Yes, we were young when we got married, but we KNEW we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together seriously from our 2nd date!

What hobbies do you both enjoy?

Photography, golf, basketball, football, playing games, watching sports, and spending time with friends and family

How did you guys come to the decision of adoption?

We have had many positive conversations about adoption as far back as when we first started dating. We have always discussed that adoption would be apart of our plan and our future family. After struggling with infertility for 4 years, we decided that adoption would be a new, amazing step to take!

Do you have any family members or close friends who are adopted?

YES! Matt's father is adopted as well as our sister-in-law.

What ethnicity is Rachel?

Rachel is half African American and half Caucasian.

What do you two do for a living?

Matt is an accountant and Rach is a 1st grade teacher & photographer.

What is your parenting style?

Most importantly we believe in always building our child's self esteem. The way we speak your children becomes their inner voice! We also believe positive communication and being a consistent role model are imperative, so they can grow up and continue those good habits with their own future families.

Do your families support your adoption plan?

Absolutely YES! They are our number 1 advocates for our adoption and have done nothing but support us 110% through this process.

Are you interested in an open or closed adoption?

Depending on what you are comfortable with, we are open to sending pictures, updates, and a yearly visit. 

2014 so far (our adoption journey)

I miss my long hair. And summer.

I'm not really sure what I'm trying to say in this post so hopefully it comes out okay. :)

2014 has been a little bit crazyy and hard so far.

We have had a few adoptions that didn't quite work out.

Adoption #1, the birthmom was receiving a lot of family pressure to keep the baby. That would be so hard.

Adoption #2 was SO perfect buttt the super sweet birthmom lived in a state where we could not use our agency, and the adoption was going to require a lot of upfront fees that we weren't financially comfortable with.

Adoption #3 Birthfather didn't agree with the adoption.

I can not even imagine deciding the future of your unborn child, and we are so honored that these strong women even considered us as match for their baby. A family recently left a comment on this post that reflects my thoughts exactly:
  "It's hard for those who haven't adopted to understand the bonding you experience when you are chosen as an adoptive family. Suddenly you are fiercely bonded with a baby that hasn't been born and you haven't even held. "

Something I want to add to that is the bonding you feel with a birthmom who is putting all of her trust in YOU. How amazingly cool is that?

Adoption is such a roller coaster of the highest highs and lowest lows. It's so difficult not to get your hopes up about possibly getting a baby! I have done a lot better with not letting my emotions get the best of me so I don't wind up getting hurt. Again and again. 

This all sounds really depressing, but we are definitely ok and optimistic because we KNOW the right baby is out there for us. We know that God's hand is in everything. And we know this will ALL be worth it once this sweet baby is in our arms. I have learned that I have to let go of the control and literally let Jesus take the wheel.

Our adoption homestudy expires in September (5,651 pieces of paper work and adoption trainings you have to complete to be approved to adopt), so we are really hoping to adopt before then!