Archive for December 2013

The Call!

Tuesday, December 31, 2013


The last few days have been a whirlwind of excitement as we prepare for our little lady.  We’ve had lots of paperwork to complete and documents to request.  Sleep has been limited as we rush to gather documents, but that’s just prep for a baby right?

Two weeks ago on 12/18 I found out about an adoption situation for an expectant mother that is due on 1/31 with a baby girl in Utah.  I called the agency to find out the details.  After talking with Ben, we agreed to submit our profile.  The matching coordinator said they planned to show her profiles that Friday 1/20.  So we waited patiently.  In the past, it could take anywhere from 24 hours to 3 weeks to hear back about whether or not an expectant mom chose us.  After hearing several no’s in December, I was trying to guard my heart and not expect it to be a yes. 

The weekend went by with no call.  With Christmas coming up, I assumed office hours were limited and that we wouldn’t hear until after the holiday.  Luckily Christmas and being with family kept us distracted.  The day after Christmas I decided to email the matching coordinator to see if there was any update.  She told me that C (the expectant mother) had told several families no and had narrowed it down and we were still being considered.  We were thrilled and so hopeful that she might choose us. 

Then, Friday night we received the call we’ve been waiting months for!  The phone rang and the caller I.D. read Utah and I looked at Ben and said “OMG it’s Utah” to which he replied, “well answer it!!”  To be honest, I don’t remember much of what she said after “she chose your family!”  I was jumping up and down in the kitchen while trying to remain composed on the phone.  We were shocked and so very excited.  One other thing that really stuck out was the matching coordinator asked C if she wanted to have a phone conference with us prior to officially choosing us, to which C responded, “nope I’m sure this is the family for my little girl.”  Talk about making your heart soar!!

Tonight we had our first phone conference with C.  We were both so nervous!  What if she doesn’t like us?  What do we talk about?  All those insecurities swirling through our heads…  Y’all it couldn’t have went better!  We love her!  We instantly connected and the conversation was easy.  She is super funny and kept us laughing throughout the whole conversation.  Even Ben said, “babe, she is funnier than me!”  :) We talked about her life, her interests and how her pregnancy has been going and she had lots of questions for us as well. 

We are just so excited!  Please continue to lift us and C up in prayer prior to the birth.  There are no guarantees in this process.  C can still change her mind at any point up until she signs papers 24 hours after giving birth.   Of course this would devastate us, but ultimately we want the Lord’s will to be done.   We are working with a wonderful agency that spends lots of time counseling the expectant mothers to ensure they understand the decision they are making and to help them work through all the emotions to reduce the risk of her changing her mind.  Also, our agency requires that we pay no fees until she signs papers, therefore we will not lose any money if she were to choose to parent.  We are choosing to love her and baby girl just as Christ would and trust that He will bring it to completion!

I will post more soon about some FAQ and about the process in Utah! 

Until then, please help us promote our iPad mini giveaway as we attempt to raise the remaining funds!  

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iPad Mini Raffle

Sunday, December 29, 2013




Want to win an iPad while helping to bring our baby girl home? 
Here’s your chance! 


Here is how it works:
Each $20 donation to our paypal account gives you 1 entry in the drawing
Donate $20 = 1 entry in the drawing

Donate $40 = 2 entries in the drawing

Donate $100 = 5 entries in the drawing
etc!
 *no limited on how many entries you can have!

Details:
Silver 16GB Apple iPad Mini with wi-fi
$299 value

Winner will be drawn on Monday January 6th 


Click here to make your donation:



note: if you have given financially within the last 48 hours since we announced we were matched, you will be entered into the giveaway! 

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It's a GIRL!!!

Saturday, December 28, 2013




We are thrilled to announce that we have been matched with a baby girl!! 
When we started this process a year and a half ago we never dreamed we’d be adopting a little lady from the U.S..  But, we are so thankful for the bumps in the road, the waiting, the tears, and all the frustration that comes with adoption because it has lead us to this little girl!  Friday night the phone rang and we heard the words we’ve been waiting months to hear, “she chose your family!”

Details:
Baby Girl
Due: January 31st in Utah

We will be leaving on January 30 and our expectant mom will be induced the next day.   We will stay for about 2 weeks until our paperwork is completed and we are cleared to come home to NC with baby girl.  I will post more soon about the process while in Utah. 

We are over the moon, but with that excitement comes some anxiety because we are still approximately $13,000 short in funds.  These remaining funds will pay for the rest of the agency fees as well as the expectant mother’s medical expenses, as she is uninsured.    

We have 3 weeks to come up with $13,000. 
Yes folks you read that right.
Are we nervous?  A little…
But, we also serve a mighty God who has faithfully provided every step of the way and we have watched Him blow us away through the generosity of others!
We feel so confident that He has chosen this little girl for our family and so instead of worrying we will choose to trust in Him!  

We pray that you will consider helping bring our little princess home.  No amount is too small!  All donations over $25 will buy you a leaf on baby girl’s Tree of Life!!  

Click the donate tab below to donate through paypal:



Click below to give a tax deductible donation: 
https://www.adopttogether.org/bralyadoption

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Fundraiser Update

Monday, December 23, 2013

Our first fundraiser is still open!


We are getting closer to being matched!  
We are presenting to situations and could get a YES any day now...
Please pray with us as we wait anxiously for a YES!

With a match, we will be required to pay the majority of our fees. 
We are still short several thousand dollars and pray you will consider supporting us financially.
I've added a new support thermometer in the right column where you can watch us reach our final goal! 




Here's a recap:

I got to thinking... what if we did a Tree of Life for our little one?  We could have folks donate $25 per leaf and then we will write their name on the leaf.  The tree will hang in his/her room and be a constant reminder of the people who helped play a part in giving him/her a new life and a family.  

see the original post here: Tree of Life Fundraiser


We have sold 90 leaves so far!  There are 110 leaves left!


Help fill in the tree by making a $25 donation or more here:

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Update

Saturday, December 7, 2013


Adoption Update

Our adoption has been nothing short of a roller coaster lately.

In the last week we’ve heard the dreaded words:  “we’re so sorry, she chose another family” twice.

It’s never easy to hear no.  I don’t think we fully understood when we started just how difficult this part of the process would be.  You receive information about a birth mom, her bio, and medical info.  You try not to dream about it being a yes, but you do.  All the “what ifs” race through your mind.  Every time the phone rings your heart jumps.   You tell friends and family because you want their prayers.  But, then in the midst of disappointment you have to send the dreaded text out:  she chose another family.  It’s hard not to get emotionally invested and to guard your heart through it all.

But, in the midst of the no’s the Lord has been so sweet and has showered us with peace and hope and reminders of His faithfulness.   We feel so sure that each of these no’s is leading us to that YES.  
We are hopeful that YES is soon.

Please pray for us as we continue to present to situations and wait for that YES!    

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