Matthew 18:5

"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."

"Praise You in this Storm"

I don't really know what to write about today, but obviously "Juno" provoked some kind of urge to write. I'm getting so incredibly antsy but I'm beginning to feel a huge sense of anxiety as well. I'm not worried about the home study or the wait...I'm so scared about the money. I want to be a mommy so bad but I'm so scared it's going to put us in incredible debt. We have been toying around with some fundraising ideas and I know of some grants that can be applied for once our home study is completed and approved. I suppose we would then need to get a loan for the rest. UGH! The upside is that there IS a tax credit up to $12000 which can just go back in to paying off the loan! I'm trying to stay positive, but my goodness, this is all very overwhelming.

We have a phone consultation with Adoption Network Law Center on Monday. I'm making an extensive list of questions as we speak! I have a really good feeling about them because this is the 2nd time I've been told to look into them by 2 different couples who adopted through them. I spoke to an agency in Dallas last week and got a really bad vibe so when I spoke with someone from ANLC and they were so nice and informative, I felt a sense of peace.

If anyone reading this can think of some fundraising ideas, please pass them along. We are already planning a spaghetti dinner/silent auction as soon as we are approved and begin the waiting process. I was also thinking about a gigantic community garage sale and I found a place to design those bracelets (like the Livestrong) that we could sale as well! Oh, so many ideas...I just hope something works out. As one of my coworkers said, if this is what God has intended for us, then nothing can stop it from happening!

Matthew 17:20

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'move from here to there', and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

"What Do I Know of Holy"

Today was my first day at my new job. I love my title. Office/Marketing Director. It sounds so grown up! :) It was very overwhelming, but I think I'll get the hang of it sooner or later! I'm learning how to use a Mac which is a whole new world! I get off at 4pm Monday - Thursday and 12pm on Friday,

so who am I to complain!!!?

I also spoke with the woman from Catholic Charities. Chase and I have been so prepared to turn in our paperwork on the 13th and now we seem to be looking in a different direction. She basically told me that if we weren't willing to foster or at least up our age limit to 10, we may want to look at a different agency. I was appalled! This is the 2nd time they have rejected us even though we've been pretty open minded so I'm done. I spoke with a woman from Lifetree out of Dallas. They have an A+ rating with the BBB so that makes me feel reassured. Robin, the woman I spoke with, told me to email her with my questions so HOPEFULLY the fees are not SO outrageous. Although now I'm back to exploring options that will cost money, the up side is that we may now have an option to have a newborn. That would be awesome.

So as much as I'm loving my new work schedule, it's funny how quickly my weekends fill up. Kasey (my sister in law) is getting married so I have her bachelorette party and wedding, a "going away" party for me and Melanie with our group of friends from Bed Bath and Beyond, my grandma may be coming to visit and I think Zoren will be having a birthday party sometime at the end of next month. That is just September/October! Whew!

The hosts of Kasey's bridal shower

Oh...I also worked the Cancer Resource Table at church this past Sunday and we spoke with 2 people. I think it's a great ministry and I'm so proud to be part of it. Next week is my first week to work in the children's ministry! Wish me luck! LOL!!!