Archive for January 2014

Traveling and Dinner

Thursday, January 30, 2014

       Our day of traveling was full of lots of bumps, but in the end we made it to Utah in time to get dinner with C (expectant mom).  We woke up early and were out of the door after a few minor hiccups.  We had planned to park our car at a friends apartment who lives near the airport and then have him drop us off.  He ended up becoming very sick and didn't want to risk getting us sick.  So, we decided to drive to his place and catch a cab from there.  Ben called the cab company the night before to schedule for us to be picked up at 8:00.  That would give us plenty of time to get to the airport and through security in time.  Well, at 7:55 the woman from the cab company calls and says they are running short on drivers because of the weather and so they are still looking for someone to pick us up and she doesn't know how long it will be.  Really, 5 minutes before we are supposed to get picked up?!?  We didn't have enough time to wait on another cab and so we decided to drive to the airport and attempt to make plans for someone to pick up our car from the parking garage.  After a 10 minute trek in 5 degree temps, we made it inside the airpot.  I quickly shot out a text to our friends and my sweet friend Cherie offered to take care of our car.  THANK YOU CHERIE!
       The funniest part about our day was carrying around an empty car seat.  I had read some horror stories about car seats being damaged when checked, so we decided to carry it and check in plane side.  Every where we walked we got interested stares and several people asked, "where's the baby?!?" It was pretty funny :)
       We were close to missing our connecting flight, but by the grace of God made it there just as they were boarding.  Both flights were, thankfully, uneventful and we made it safely to Utah.  It is so beautiful here!  The mountains are all over and they are covered in snow and it is breathtaking!
        Tonight we met C for the first time and had dinner at good ole Applebees.  Ben and I have both been so calm today.  It's a peace that can only be attributed to one that God has given us.  Our dinner with C went so well and we spent lots of time laughing and sharing stories.  She is ALL belly and very ready to give birth!  It honestly couldn't have went better!  It has been such a surreal day!
       Shortly after leaving dinner we got a call from our case worker letting us know that C would like us BOTH to be in the delivery room!  That is such a HUGE answered prayer!  I wanted so much to be able to see little Haven come in this world.  Ben on the other hand is a little nervous he might pass out, but is also excited that she feels comfortable enough for us to both be in there with her.
       She will be induced first thing in the morning and then we will anxiously await Haven's big arrival.  I will be sure to announce via Facebook all the details.  However,  I will be unable to post any pictures until after C signs papers.   Please continue to be praying for us over the next couple days!  We are so appreciative of your prayers and definitely are feeling them all the way in Utah!!

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Leavin' on a jet plane!

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

       Tomorrow is the day! We leave in the morning and if all goes as scheduled we'll be in Utah by mid-afternoon! We have dinner planned tomorrow night with C (expectant mom).  We are so excited to meet her and spend some time with her!  C is scheduled to be induced on Friday!  I will not be able to post any pictures of Haven until we receive permanent custody, but promise I will as soon as we are allowed!!  I plan to try to update the blog throughout the weekend, if our schedule allows.  I would love to be able to document our trip because I know it will be a whirlwind and I don't want to forget the details.  I will do my best :)

  Here are some ways you can be praying for us over the next couple days:

  • Pray for safe/smooth travels
  • Pray for our time with C, that we will love her well and that we will be able to have sweet time with her 
  • Pray for a safe delivery 
  • Pray for C and her heart.  She truly loves this baby and I can't imagine the emotions she is experiencing
  • Pray that C would remain confident in her adoption plan
  • Pray for our hearts as we are about to experience a roller coaster of emotions

      We can't believe it's almost time! 

      

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Matching Grant Update

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Ben and I were thrilled to find out that we met our matching grant goal!  Thanks to the very generous donations of friends and family, we have been blessed with $4000!  

When we started this process almost two years ago, we had a very small savings account and no idea how to we would be able to pay for all the expenses related to an adoption.  But, we felt the Lord was calling us to it and so we moved forward and trusted He would provide. 
  
When we see the list of over 214 people who have donated money or items for our auction,  we are completely overwhelmed!  Overwhelmed by the 214+ people who graciously gave to help bring this precious girl in to our family forever!  

Thank you just doesn't seem to convey how incredibly grateful we are to all those who have supported and prayed for us!  

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  
Now, it's back to packing for me - we've got a plane to catch next week :) 

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Scripture Sunday


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The Nursery

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

When you are waiting for a match there is not much to do other than to pray and wait
There is one thing I've been working on for over 8 months to keep myself busy...
the nursery! 

There is so much in the nursery that has sentimental value to me.  
  1. Walls - painted 'em a light shade of gray. I decided to go with a yellow and gray theme to keep it gender neutral since we didn't know if we would be matched with a boy or girl. 
  2. Next project was this quilt. The quilt was the first sewing project I attempted with the sewing machine that I got for my birthday in April.  Talk about a big project for my first time sewing! Turns out it was a great learning project and required sewing dozens of simple triangles together.  By the time I got the top layer done, I felt comfortable with my machine and excited to take on the rest of it.  I love how it turned out!! 

3. After sewing the quilt, I sewed the crib skirt and curtains.  All the fabric is from Hobby Lobby. 

4. Next, I tackled the crib. That beautiful spindle crib was not only my crib as a baby, but it was the crib that all of my 4 siblings slept in.  It was a dark oak color when my mom gifted it to me, and I decided to attempt to paint it.  Hardest paint job ever.. well maybe 2nd hardest (see below).. At first, I tried to hand sand/paint it.  When I realized that this was going to take 20 years, I whipped out a can of spray paint and went to town.  Over 15 spray paint cans later, it was done, and I was in love.  Just don't look at it too closely otherwise you'll notice it's many flaws.. but from afar, it's a beauty.  

5.  After the crib, I decided to paint the dresser/changing table.  I bought this beauty of an antique from a friend who was selling a late relative's furniture and I got it for a STEAL!  It started out a beautiful cherry wood.  I decided to make my first attempts at refinishing and painting a big piece of furniture with this bad boy.  First, I used this great primer called The Zinsser 1-2-3 Bulls Eye primer that allows you to paint right over furniture without sanding.  I saw it on pinterest and prayed that I wasn't making a colossal decision that would wreck this lovely dresser.  To my surprise, it worked wonderfully and cut down on hours of sanding.  I topped it off with several coats of white paint.  I adore this piece and contemplated putting it in our master bedroom and giving her our old Target dresser ;).  This project wasn't without MANY headaches and hiccups, but several weeks later it was finished and I am truly happy with it. 

6).  Next thing I made was this mobile (thank you pinterest): 
*the sign above the bed was an item in our adoption auction.  After telling my mom how much I loved it, she bid on it and won it for me.  It's kinda perfect!  

7).  Next thing I added was a sweet gift from my friend Megan.  She scored two of these gorgeous yellow chairs at a garage sale the day we went out for lunch.  After sending me a pic, I of course professed my love for them.  A couple hours later she said, "I know you are doing the nursery in gray and yellow and after putting both of them in my living room, it's just a little too much yellow.  I'd love to give you one for your nursery."  Best gift ever! 
8) The art above the bed I made a couple weekends ago once we decided on a name.  I made it with scrap book paper and some mod podge.  

Here are some more pictures of the whole room and some details:




      I really love how it all came together.  It was a labor of love and in the end after fabric, paint, and buying the dresser, I did it for seriously cheap.  Yes, that's right, cute nursery on a small budget.  I'm planning to hang her Tree of Life once we fill in all the leaves, as well as some more to the walls eventually.  

      This room has also become my favorite place to sit, read my bible, and pray.  Before we were matched, I would dream about the baby boy or girl who would live in this room.  I can't believe in just a few short weeks that dream will be a reality!! 



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Exciting fundraising news!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014


We were so excited to find out today that we have been approved for a $2000 matching grant through Lifesong for Orphans!

Here’s how it works:
    • Lifesong partners with our church to give matching grants to families in the adoption process
    • Lifesong matches up to $2000 of donations we receive
    • So if we raise $2000, they will send our agency a check for $4000
    • Anything raised over $2000 will still be given to us, just not matched

This is such a HUGE blessing to us as we are still short over $7000 to make this adoption possible. 


There are 2 ways you can send donations:


    • Or give via mail to:
      • address:
                                    Lifesong for Orphans
                                    PO Box 40
                                    Gridley, IL 61744
      • Please make checks payable to Lifesong for Orphans
      •  In the memo please note:  #4318 Braly Family Adoption

 Please note that, individual donations $250 or more and yearly donations totaling $250 or more will receive a tax-deductible receipt.


We have just two weeks until we will be need to pay these funds.  We pray that you would consider helping us make it happen! We can’t wait to meet our little lady so very soon!   

“How blessed is he who considers the helpless...” Psalm 41:1

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And we will call her..

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Without further ado, we have a name for our precious girl...

Haven Grace 


After lots of discussion.. 
and one very picky husband...
We finally agreed on a name that we both LOVE

We can't wait to meet our sweet girl in just two weeks!






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Win a photography session!!

Sunday, January 12, 2014


45 minute Outdoor Photography Session with 

Brian Fleming Photography (Wake Forest, NC area) 



  • Help support our adoption and win a 45 minute outdoor photography session in Wake Forest this Spring.  
  • Winner gets all images edited on DVD to do with as they please
  • Leave your bid in the comments section below
  • Highest bidder on Tuesday 1/14 at 8:00pm wins! 
  • Winner will make payment via paypal  

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iPad Mini Winner Is...

Monday, January 6, 2014

And the winner of the iPad Mini is:

MARI ASPER 

**I will contact you via email for your shipping information** 

Ben and I would like to say a huge THANK YOU again to all who have donated this week and over the last year and a half!  We are absolutely blown away by the support of our friends, family, and even complete strangers!  With your help, we were able to raise almost $4500 of our goal to bring our little girl home! 

We are forever grateful for the part you played in her adoption story!  We can't wait to share all about those who made it possible with her some day!  


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Blown Away!

Sunday, January 5, 2014


Ben and I are blown away by your support over the last week!  Since we announced our match last week, we have raised over $4000!!! 

To each of you who have donated, we are forever grateful for your support!  It’s been amazing to watch the Lord faithfully provide finances through our friends, family, and even strangers!  We can’t wait to tell our little girl how many people made it possible for her to join our family forever!

The iPad Mini winner will be drawn tomorrow at 9PM
Winner will be announced at 9:15PM
Still plenty of time to get your tickets!!

$20 = 1 entry
$40 = 2 entries
$100 = 5 entries
** No limited to the amount of entries you can make***
donate at: 

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The Details

Saturday, January 4, 2014


           It's been a week since we got the call!  We've been busy getting together all the paperwork and documents for our agency.  Since we worked with a consultant, we applied to situations with many different agencies.  Therefore, what is usually done on the front end, (paperwork for an agency) didn't have to get done until we were matched.  We are still so excited and as we make travel arrangements and put the finishing touches on the nursery, it's all becoming real!  Here are some common questions we've had since we've been matched: 

Where and when is the baby being born?
            Baby girl is being born just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah.  Her expectant mom, “C”, is being induced on January 31st.  We will be at the hospital for the birth and will get to spend time with the baby during the hospital stay.  Depending on the expectant mom’s preference, we may (or just Leah) have the opportunity to be in the delivery room. 

Will you meet the birth mom?  
            Yes, we are flying out on January 30th and will have dinner with C the night before her induction.  We have talked with her on the phone and really love her!  She is funny and witty and meshes so well with us.  We are so thankful for that!  

Will you have contact with the birth mom after the delivery?
            Yes!  Since we started the domestic adoption process, we have always wanted to have an open relationship with our expectant mom.   We are so grateful for the gift she is giving us and for the fact that she chose life for her baby.  She is making an extremely courageous and selfless decision to put her baby’s life before her own wishes and desires.  We, of course, want to keep her updated on how little lady is doing!  Also, research shows that adopted children who have relationships and know about their birth parents grow up to be more well adjusted and confident in their identity.  As of right now, we will send letters and pictures through our agency to keep in contact with C. 

How long will you be in Utah?
            We will be in Utah anywhere from 7-14 days.  After expectant mom signs papers, we will be discharged from the hospital with baby girl.  We will remain in Utah until our paperwork is approved and we are cleared to leave the state and return home.  We are looking forward to having a week or two away to bond and love on our sweet girl before coming back to reality.

When is the adoption final? Can the birth mom change her mind in 5 years and come back and get the baby?
            24 hours after giving birth, C will (Lord willing), terminate her rights and we will be given full custody of baby girl.   Up until signing papers, C can change her mind at any time and choose to parent.  This, of course, would devastate us, but ultimately we are praying for the Lord’s will to be done.  If that means we don’t walk away with this baby, then we are confident there is a little one planned for us.  After signing papers, her rights are terminated permanently.  She will have no legal rights to the baby after papers are signed.  
            The adoption will not become finalized until 6 months after birth.  We are required to complete post placement assessments where our social worker will come over and see how things are going and to make sure the baby is being loved and cared for.  After these reports are completed and all the paperwork is compiled, our adoption will finalize in the state of Utah.   

How can we pray for you?
            Here are some ways you can pray for us right now:
-       Pray for C and baby girl’s health and safety
-       Pray for C, that she would remain confident in her adoption plan
-       Pray for us as we rush to complete paperwork and get things ready for a baby
-       Pray for the remaining finances

Don’t forget to get your raffle ticket for the iPad Mini.  Visit: http://heartstringsattached.blogspot.com/2013/12/ipad-mini-raffle.html






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