tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489073100722337092024-03-04T20:05:18.737-08:00Ivey Is HomeIvey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-70397016359824620102013-09-26T11:31:00.000-07:002013-09-26T12:50:09.038-07:00#iveyishome<div class="message content" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1379946818228_6515">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Amber Holritz</td></tr>
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So
where have we been. We have been with ivey for 15 weeks now - she is 16 weeks today. WOW time flies. I had always heard that with children but I
never really got it. It is all still surreal to me. Still strange to
hear myself called mom. Still wild to look at her and realize she is OURS!<br />
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Ivey is a perfectly healthy, happy girl. We
are amazed every day by her strength and happy moments. She is smiling
and cooing and "gabbing" up a storm.</div>
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Before I
can go forward I need to start back where I dropped off on my last blog
post. After we met Ivey - we went back to the hotel with our two fur
babies in tow. We didn't know how long we would need to stay - all we
knew is we were a family. We spent 9 LONG days in that hotel with two
fur babies and a newborn. It was quite the adjustment. Ivey did great in
the hotel - she was still in that newborn honeymoon phase - it was nice
and quiet before the storm of home and all our visitors happened. We
were lucky enough to have Rick and Susan of FAS and Amanda, Matt and
Mills who told us about FAS - it was like we had family there. And
luckily my mom, daddy bob and dad all made it over to birmingham to
visit their new granddaughter. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hard to believe she was ever this small</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so thankful for these 4</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBHb_rA9sUZ2ncYGU6b6vfY7NrXD3dou6ZRKPPWVhrieP3YPxPDVgTEL56oSZyTuBjOXfMakraj6dIFkLWrrCFK8FP7v5Fz6-QcLOKcKFdAa0cARY6r7IsGB0w73yXKFzzkjvvPxsHK4/s1600/IMG_1823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love at first sight</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grammy and Pop Pop meet Ivey</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pap meets Ivey</td></tr>
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I think the
FUNNIEST story we have had to date is one late night Ivey was crying
uncontrollably and we had fed her, changed her, burped her, etc WITH NO
RELIEF. Ivey was crying, I was crying - Corey was pacing. Corey asked me
to google inconsolable crying. To which I asked while trying to type.
HOW DO YOU SPELL INCONSOLABLE?? This moment will be laughed at for years
to come. We started getting the hang of it. At first I thought Corey
was more maternal than me - he just had that knack. One morning I woke
up and saw him strapping Ivey on, and putting leashes on Olive and
Nellie and venturing out on a walk. I knew right then and there I was
BLESSED. More than I could ever imagine. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a moment I have always dreamed about</td></tr>
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We
finally got out of there - after finally getting clearance from Alabama
to leave the state and from Tennessee to come back in. We were able to
meet with the judge and go ahead and get the "pat on the head" so we
won't have to come back October 23rd when Ivey's adoption is final. We
started out on the road and said our goodbyes to our amazing agency, our
sweet friends the Leaches and the beautiful town that Ivey will always
call "home."</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">moncriefphotography.com/</td></tr>
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We arrived home on June 21st to a
crowd of friends and family. Our home was decorated and cleaned. It
honestly took my breath away. Thank goodness my sweet friend Brittany of
Moncrief Photography took photos of the day because honestly it was
like a blur. <a href="http://moncriefphotography.com/2013/08/28/ivey-a-homecoming/">Here</a> is the link to the blog from Moncrief Photography - and <a href="http://moncriefphotography.com/slideshow/iveythehomecoming/">Here</a> is the video of that wonderful day. </div>
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Then it was just us in our home.
So thankful Corey is home since he is just in school for now. Granted he
is still super busy but it is great truly having a partner in this.
Thankful the fur babies took to Ivey - they love their little sister and
vice versa. We had visitor, after visitor, after visitor. We were so
grateful but we were still in the adjustment phase and some days were
just HARD. Some days it was hard to put on a happy face. The first few
months honestly were the reason I didn't want a "baby" and wanted an
older kid. I didn't think I could do it, I was emotional and was sick of
crying. I felt bad because Ivey was a GREAT baby - but I felt like I
had lost myself. I missed my work, I missed time with my husband, I
missed time alone. I did a lot of soul searching and reaching out to
friends via phone, instagram and facebook and in person - it was so nice
to hear others had gone through the exact same thing. People don't tell
you about this part. I had NO idea how emotional I would be. I thought
that was just a hormonal thing and well I didn't give birth. I thought I
would just have happy tears not overwhelming almost sad tears. People
keep saying it all gets better around 3-4 months and they were right. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9aj-0INchkcR89DOPPlCj4bZJR6wmuvo-_cT-8dSDhCC49WPR5a5k36Sudp1ucXDFTZpno-V5rX2WmmGt47GodbC9bruenTOJiZi1cwBfiERHcwbv6P_ss3eALyKhs4uHYwkf3SRLRA/s1600/0005_ND7_7929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9aj-0INchkcR89DOPPlCj4bZJR6wmuvo-_cT-8dSDhCC49WPR5a5k36Sudp1ucXDFTZpno-V5rX2WmmGt47GodbC9bruenTOJiZi1cwBfiERHcwbv6P_ss3eALyKhs4uHYwkf3SRLRA/s400/0005_ND7_7929.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Amber Holritz</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Amber Holritz</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThGYhjW2EQWx7W5xFzE6Gq5Ssdg-HoZe2i1I1AIea-PzZ-EcKm_xLb1GqywYQUmz2eX7aZhjUfIV49G5DCuTQS1gQ7T4DMW5BwvhjOdfdGJqW3dlud28Zhq8TCXuvua7jH2VzakKUW-I/s1600/0022_ND7_8029.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThGYhjW2EQWx7W5xFzE6Gq5Ssdg-HoZe2i1I1AIea-PzZ-EcKm_xLb1GqywYQUmz2eX7aZhjUfIV49G5DCuTQS1gQ7T4DMW5BwvhjOdfdGJqW3dlud28Zhq8TCXuvua7jH2VzakKUW-I/s400/0022_ND7_8029.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Amber Holritz</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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Here
we are at 16 weeks and we are getting true genuine smiles and giggles.
It already has gone so fast. We already look back and almost forget the
days in the hotel. I almost, almost forget about the first few weeks
when I would cry nonstop. It is still hard don't get me wrong - I am
still excited for the time when we truly will interact and play with
Ivey. I already know I am a better mom when I get a break. Corey and I
make sure each of us get alone time and make sure to still go on dates
with each other. We want to remember where this family started and want
to make sure we nurture us along with our girl. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKzSd2ba5H2tQRBPO7ly9aGS5LefAChfIj1uyHRxV9VaahVlt0O4-NHjhmxhPYpz4zNUUE7K8gPRitRXj8yrkGV5hyphenhyphenhunCc7ieF5pdLc8K6vnD_4byBwdCXuRKTZKYtftZXmDj_bo31c/s1600/0021_ND7_8018.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKzSd2ba5H2tQRBPO7ly9aGS5LefAChfIj1uyHRxV9VaahVlt0O4-NHjhmxhPYpz4zNUUE7K8gPRitRXj8yrkGV5hyphenhyphenhunCc7ieF5pdLc8K6vnD_4byBwdCXuRKTZKYtftZXmDj_bo31c/s400/0021_ND7_8018.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Amber Holritz</td></tr>
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These
first few months have been OVERWHELMING - we have been showered with
love, gifts, meals, and prayers. Through it all we know we are blessed. I
always thought people were crazy when they said it would all be worth
the wait. I didn't want to hear it at the time - but today I know it is
all true. All of this was to get to her. Ivey our gorgeous daughter who
gives us a reason to smile everyday. She was made for us and to her
birth mom we are FOREVER grateful for making a beautiful, healthy, happy
girl. And to each of you thank you for loving our girl and us. Thanks
for following along on our journey. God has blessed us. Our story is truly just
beginning.......</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlfCHsiXOXJutQK4vhyphenhyphenxMaNeljdcUfBskbKWRVEoQq2Ft4SUM9NJLJFAJC_Dxta3iahnNHhTuzds35yaTOlhzAkLpoOlzbnI-ebCnxb-PRV-outmF8ojpy1Ug4hsjpRe-KOgkeJZDPPE/s1600/0036_ND7_8178.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlfCHsiXOXJutQK4vhyphenhyphenxMaNeljdcUfBskbKWRVEoQq2Ft4SUM9NJLJFAJC_Dxta3iahnNHhTuzds35yaTOlhzAkLpoOlzbnI-ebCnxb-PRV-outmF8ojpy1Ug4hsjpRe-KOgkeJZDPPE/s400/0036_ND7_8178.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Amber Holritz</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.amberholritz.com/sweet-baby-ivey-chattanooga-baby-photographer/">Here</a> is a wonderful blog post by Amber Holritz - most of the above photos are from Ivey's first photo shoot with Amber. </div>
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Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-50715273841922921432013-06-21T11:29:00.001-07:002013-09-26T11:33:14.046-07:00Really and truly bringing Ivey homeTo say the last 11 days have been a whirlwind is an understatement. Last Tuesday (after feeling like maybe our agency knew our birth mom and Ivey might be coming later this year) my mom and I went to buy buy baby to buy some Ivey essentials. We had a beautiful day - one I will never forget. My mom and I both said we felt like for the first time Ivey really was coming home soon. I had been texting with Susan at the agency all day and she kept wanting to know if i got home safely. When I let her know I had arrived home - we got the call. Susan asked if Corey was home and asked to be put on speaker phone. This was it. The call. Susan started reading a text from iveys birth mom that said she could come get Ivey "honey bee" (nicknamed by Susan after watching the secret life of bees in the hospital room). Susan then said the words we would never forget "I am holding your daughter, you can come get her" I thought i was going to pass out. Susan said we might want to get a good nights rest and head to Birmingham in the morning. We asked for photos and this was our first view of our 5 day old daughter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_qs3Bnb-MtsnjgYw0fux_qLESNFbUknXXB7ySF9lp6llgzD837PieEDu18ZsWcsd-x94n8AMS0j7m9tgg0UM4hhcojX5uXRmC9l9lrV2CDCEoMibWTsbGnB0_m1YDnYYNq25bJdN6_I/s640/blogger-image-1024224451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_qs3Bnb-MtsnjgYw0fux_qLESNFbUknXXB7ySF9lp6llgzD837PieEDu18ZsWcsd-x94n8AMS0j7m9tgg0UM4hhcojX5uXRmC9l9lrV2CDCEoMibWTsbGnB0_m1YDnYYNq25bJdN6_I/s400/blogger-image-1024224451.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Meet Ivey Mariposa Weldon</div>
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Ivey - named after her great, great grandmother</div>
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Mariposa - meaning butterfly in Spanish - named after our beautiful friend Laura who we lost unexpectedly almost 3 years ago. Laura left quite an impression on our life - and even gave me my 2 godchildren. We all see butterflies since she passed and we wanted our daughter to always know about her. </div>
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Born 6/6/13 In the beautiful city of Birmingham, Alabama </div>
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7 lbs 6.7 oz</div>
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20 and 3/4 inches long</div>
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After shuffling around the house trying to do some quick cleaning and oh yeah get some sleep we left Wednesday morning. Arriving in Birmingham with schnauzers in tow we are first greeting by our awesome friend Amanda (who found me on Instagram and told us about family adoption services- more on this special soul later) she filmed us walking in and meeting our daughter for the first time. We will have video and photos to share later. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbIIsZehRNJosm4S-0MsZwqe3GdlHaFjlIEHagq3LId-6QUCMiHSwCVrN2Z23Btl36e7JEFz6SBI7Pr4DsIvEoWPKYnaqp5THHpZuTRjXos6g-aZ3IJmxrqzebeOYUFfuhOXNrSs_gBM/s640/blogger-image--374027695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbIIsZehRNJosm4S-0MsZwqe3GdlHaFjlIEHagq3LId-6QUCMiHSwCVrN2Z23Btl36e7JEFz6SBI7Pr4DsIvEoWPKYnaqp5THHpZuTRjXos6g-aZ3IJmxrqzebeOYUFfuhOXNrSs_gBM/s400/blogger-image--374027695.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Laying eyes on Ivey for the first time erased the last 9 years. All of this wait was for her. She is the most beautiful thing we have ever seen. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNCY1j1LYgouWJuf0Wy4xYz0S_WoKzL_xtQzFe5mYciEO8e_JS3I9GZmi4w-aX5QOmf6viTHuwZ4LpJR_O236MGCYFos5D2KYLokBXNmdI5mbgEXrqCil32KQ3WQbvR5-vef_a195qA4/s640/blogger-image-36206322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNCY1j1LYgouWJuf0Wy4xYz0S_WoKzL_xtQzFe5mYciEO8e_JS3I9GZmi4w-aX5QOmf6viTHuwZ4LpJR_O236MGCYFos5D2KYLokBXNmdI5mbgEXrqCil32KQ3WQbvR5-vef_a195qA4/s400/blogger-image-36206322.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Here she is with her aunt Amanda </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61QiuZvgDx_f2XjTiKaSmI7_VWTkzZNmVOLgBQ9sI3t5eo0JnNlrwJN_1x0lqUki_jK-bIsR4kNRVL1jqLVx2OdWsh-o5fKa0eSsBNk1YIKCdB6_Q2EiJh_c0I56hrJjKN3ogFMq42FM/s640/blogger-image-74386802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61QiuZvgDx_f2XjTiKaSmI7_VWTkzZNmVOLgBQ9sI3t5eo0JnNlrwJN_1x0lqUki_jK-bIsR4kNRVL1jqLVx2OdWsh-o5fKa0eSsBNk1YIKCdB6_Q2EiJh_c0I56hrJjKN3ogFMq42FM/s400/blogger-image-74386802.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Our amazing friend and half of the Rick and Susan team from family adoption services. Susan and Rick kept our beautiful girl in their home until she was ready for us. Susan even got to see Ivey born. I will write way more about these two soon!!<br />
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We just sat in amazement and watched our daughter who had been surrounded by love from the moment she was born. It all felt surreal.....</div>
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But she is ours. </div>
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Will come back soon for the rest of the story. Feeling very blessed. Corey and I are so lucky. </div>
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We love each of you. </div>
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And many more photos to come. You might stop following me on Instagram and Facebook lol </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzlnjuwMi2dxH9wX-a8CVaJ1ZOPXsgQOMHXd5myECBDTh7wtlUVWlrySBQBDdwGOYSJFBWIaQbwlaf-8MaKyUrCkhm1-8nOpMKYWMiePULtSwBNCz5JbdPoOpM0nahndNCICpAA2Oynk/s640/blogger-image--470378218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzlnjuwMi2dxH9wX-a8CVaJ1ZOPXsgQOMHXd5myECBDTh7wtlUVWlrySBQBDdwGOYSJFBWIaQbwlaf-8MaKyUrCkhm1-8nOpMKYWMiePULtSwBNCz5JbdPoOpM0nahndNCICpAA2Oynk/s400/blogger-image--470378218.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-43177733356204949082013-05-30T16:52:00.001-07:002013-05-30T16:52:36.871-07:0014 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IVVO3Lzk_d_P5COc5Diefy2t0itA9E14t6lG5tljLgriSUluP9DwfFtYDhifvt8efjSCYd22kVnSw4kMCC5NdmCo83AcItN3iAexSQ0lxi2cL0UZVxKDNX2Y6ok46XY158-BR8ZdgpA/s640/blogger-image-559788615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IVVO3Lzk_d_P5COc5Diefy2t0itA9E14t6lG5tljLgriSUluP9DwfFtYDhifvt8efjSCYd22kVnSw4kMCC5NdmCo83AcItN3iAexSQ0lxi2cL0UZVxKDNX2Y6ok46XY158-BR8ZdgpA/s640/blogger-image-559788615.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today marks 14 months since we started this latest journey to Ivey. I want to say every month gets easier and easier but honesty it only gets tougher. We appreciate the constant love and prayers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-45966918608255497332013-04-30T17:17:00.000-07:002013-05-29T17:25:42.127-07:0013 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaS_vuerHwEvI39nCG0qGSRSbX9q84CbozoXf-DQzUW7RdKgEelBB48utHYm0ssbRgi6foe7a-GRw3pDCVlZTLQqV4obd8TozhiYGhbptHiWWl24xpSTSHxQRrtf8Q8ll_2tE14_Z3AY/s1600/af8551fcb1be11e29b8d22000aaa0a64_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaS_vuerHwEvI39nCG0qGSRSbX9q84CbozoXf-DQzUW7RdKgEelBB48utHYm0ssbRgi6foe7a-GRw3pDCVlZTLQqV4obd8TozhiYGhbptHiWWl24xpSTSHxQRrtf8Q8ll_2tE14_Z3AY/s400/af8551fcb1be11e29b8d22000aaa0a64_7.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Hard to believe we are on month 13 on our most recent wait to Bring Ivey Home. What's harder to believe is that it would be 16+ months if we are supposed to stay with Ethiopia. We are hoping and praying our domestic route will bring our girl home. Our new motto in life is "let's climb the mountains together" we have gotten through this with each other and all of you. Thank you for your continued support. </div>
<br />Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-65583148524480233062013-04-18T07:24:00.000-07:002013-04-18T07:24:49.175-07:00April 18th, 1998<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsf4edB_dDJNIf8W4N2mNZ3l0tu9Br82q9zlOfK8Ho34BqBE5fyNa3sNbtIMWSeLS7NQkuF7PBcb-rY3pPPZqzTRavVs9kEzC-kWy0CoOdR9SzzjXwvg9S4G9oyoS9FGM3km4oYvfHTo/s1600/download-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsf4edB_dDJNIf8W4N2mNZ3l0tu9Br82q9zlOfK8Ho34BqBE5fyNa3sNbtIMWSeLS7NQkuF7PBcb-rY3pPPZqzTRavVs9kEzC-kWy0CoOdR9SzzjXwvg9S4G9oyoS9FGM3km4oYvfHTo/s400/download-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">April 18, 1998</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">15 years ago
today my life changed. 15 years ago I made a promise, a promise to live. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">For those of
you who don’t know – I was in a house fire on UTC Campus at the Sigma Chi
Fraternity House in Chattanooga, TN. I escaped the fire by jumping out of the top floor only to
land on a sidewalk. I broke my back, both feet and burnt over half my body 3<sup>rd</sup>
degree. They said I would never walk again; I had 4 surgeries the first few
days – skin graphs that now cover both of my arms and my entire back. Rods were
put in my back that later would be covered in staff infection and be removed.
Left foot – clean ankle break, right foot crushed and basically wired back
together on the inside. I don’t sweat, I can’t cool myself off, I can’t be in
the sun, I can’t push myself physically, my foot sometimes just likes to “go
out” on me, I wake up with an aching back everyday, I have gained a lot of
weight due to not being as active, I have lost a lot of my self esteem, I look
in the mirror and see scars from head to toe, and I always wondered why it
happened to me?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">But you know…I
am ALIVE to write this today. I lived, I fought, I stayed strong and pulled
through. I walked again. . I kept my good attitude “most” of the 3 months I
lived in the hospital with my mom. I left the hospital in crutches even though
they told me I would be in a walker. I was and am completely supported by the
BEST friends and family a girl could ask for. The most genuine man I know loves
me unconditionally and I am fortunate to have been married to him 12 years this
July. I have four fur children that bring smiles to my face on a daily basis. We
are on an incredible journey to bring our daughter home. I have a business that
continues to make my heart happy. I live in a beautiful city surrounded by friends and
family. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">I wake up
thankful everyday that I was given another chance to live. God saved me that
day for a reason and I plan to spend my entire LONG life discovering why.</span><span style="font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">To all the
people in my life that day and the 15 years to follow – thank you. I couldn’t
have done this without you. All of you are part of my journey. I love each of
you and thank God for the difference you have made in my life. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">I leave you
with this….remember to tell the people you love you LOVE them! We are reminded
EVERY DAY that this could be our last day on earth. Thank God you woke up
today. Thank God you were given another day to live. Enjoy it. Make the best of
it. Don’t dwell on the bad stuff – there is ALWAYS good! Thank God for your
blessings every night. Make a promise to live. I have kept my promise and will
keep living my life one day at a time! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">With my love
and appreciation,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Tobi </span></span></div>
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Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-67794887419984928912013-03-31T10:33:00.002-07:002013-03-31T10:33:43.128-07:001 year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SGEmQY-rMEPxFHEBdcoUvNG2kqy8H17o0W1rvaN6Cj535ckp3ie6z054gTdhwGXcXVDDWbAEyTwGvPlImC6JAChWvhJho_aNNN28Z7OLIuoEE1dAG-l9DXL02KFw-auQ3Xo6GZgY3VQ/s640/blogger-image-394028798.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SGEmQY-rMEPxFHEBdcoUvNG2kqy8H17o0W1rvaN6Cj535ckp3ie6z054gTdhwGXcXVDDWbAEyTwGvPlImC6JAChWvhJho_aNNN28Z7OLIuoEE1dAG-l9DXL02KFw-auQ3Xo6GZgY3VQ/s640/blogger-image-394028798.jpg" /></a></div>
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Well I would say time flies, but honestly it feel like forever. This is 1 year this go around. 8 years before this time. I can't believe it has been a year since we were officially approved for Ethiopia. Since then the wait has gone up 20+ months which lead us to add in domestic. This was a hard decision to make since we have had 4 domestic adoptions fall through. We were scared but have been blessed with an AMAZING domestic adoption agency. We feel very hopeful with Family Adoption Services - with this agency we are truly a part of a family. <br />
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We have more decisions to make - it is almost time to do a homestudy update and new fingerprints for international adoption and what is scary is we probably will have to do it again before we get a referral. This is a huge decision to make. Do we stay in line for Ethiopia also and hope for both? Or do we back out of Ethiopia and stay with just domestic. Definitely decisions we never thought we would be faced with.<br />
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Everyone says it - it will all be worth it. And we know in our hearts it will be. Ivey is already the most loved little girl in the world. She will be surrounded by friends, family, prayers, love and support. She will have the MOST amazing story to share. We will be the lucky ones - we can't wait for our family to grow. <br />
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I have said it over and over and over - but thank you. To each of you for all the love and support you give us. We have grown so much over this journey and are humbled by all the blessings we have been given. We love each of you and thank you for being a part of Ivey's story.<br />
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Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-20766857245522519102013-03-12T19:27:00.000-07:002013-03-12T19:27:02.937-07:0011 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-B1n_la4JvMuo1glKA9mdS43Te10k8YarEvmw9cGLbbq6_SO69C7Pt5HlqFXhjUMzPwQuah3UEF3quMnPuQdEg0Je5YCf4OKO9j2sKbIpTeuTHP05vkuGqYfKuOdK5RKSLYE3V1yYes/s1600/e406228b6b9c008113505a0f0279bd94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-B1n_la4JvMuo1glKA9mdS43Te10k8YarEvmw9cGLbbq6_SO69C7Pt5HlqFXhjUMzPwQuah3UEF3quMnPuQdEg0Je5YCf4OKO9j2sKbIpTeuTHP05vkuGqYfKuOdK5RKSLYE3V1yYes/s640/e406228b6b9c008113505a0f0279bd94.jpg" width="425" /></a> </div>
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This is absolutely perfect for our wait. We know that all of this is happening for a reason - we may have days we don't believe....but we always come around to knowing that our story will include Ivey and she will come when it is time. Until then we pray, wait and hope - thanks for being with us on the journey.</div>
Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-20209288305397086862013-01-30T21:52:00.000-08:002013-02-01T20:13:49.259-08:0010 months Waiting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWyTkEp5RJK38I6T7URPqTUoqCWVvS89EdCbwvS63V1FK6nJhqPqvBw9PZbgAoCYzYO8Dxb86z9qG_bojh9yhs4PzNlfHUbYj3viHtfpEEnZQYP3nMeELHKg6k7UQarzP9VdXyx-Kp8o/s1600/10+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWyTkEp5RJK38I6T7URPqTUoqCWVvS89EdCbwvS63V1FK6nJhqPqvBw9PZbgAoCYzYO8Dxb86z9qG_bojh9yhs4PzNlfHUbYj3viHtfpEEnZQYP3nMeELHKg6k7UQarzP9VdXyx-Kp8o/s400/10+months.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
10 Months - this is a hard one because when we started this Ethiopian journey we were told our wait would be 8-10 months. So we thought by this time we would have a referral. We thought we would have seen our daughters face. We thought we would have held her. That is just hard to think about...the what ifs, the would haves.....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Looking back, our first email to an adoption lawyer was in 2004. 9 years ago. 9 years of growth, heartache, love, support, money lost, money raised, moves, new jobs, 5 adoptions failed, new friends, new babies in the family, godchildren, death, new fur babies, new jobs, a college degree, new business ventures and more and more and more. We are blessed, we know that but sometimes it is just hard. Sometimes I just want to scream or cry and sometimes honestly I do. Corey is lucky (lol) that he has school to keep him busy. I just stitch and stitch and stitch. I told Corey tonight if I didn't have my work I think I would go crazy. I have pity parties - and for that friends I thank you for listening to me! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This past weekend I was blessed to go to <a href="http://createdforcare.org/">Created For Care</a> (I will write more about that soon) in Atlanta and met some amazing new adoption friends and came away feeling very positive, blessed and reminded again that we are exactly where we need to be. This may be a horribly long journey but we know we are suppose to adopt and WE KNOW our daughter is out there. Ivey is already so loved and has SO many people waiting for her to come home. Isn't that amazing? This girl who may or may not even exist yet has a fan club? She is going to be showered with love, prayers, hugs and kisses and We can't WAIT to introduce her to each of you. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So until she is home we will wait and pray and hope. We need our friends and family. We couldn't do this without you guys. Every day we are reminded how blessed we are to be surround by friends and family on this journey. Corey and I have grown so much throughout this journey and through it all we have just gotten stronger. Every time we have had a heartache Corey reminds me that through it all he and I, and our relationship is the basis of this whole adventure. None of this would be possible without us. We are blessed. God is SO good to us. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Even with the hard stuff.....we know God has a plan. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So thank you to each of you for all you do for us. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with love and thanks,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tobi & Corey</div>
Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-58852626672184982462012-12-30T09:26:00.000-08:002012-12-31T09:26:29.457-08:009 Months down<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQZPKD0TP3q6n6PuITNwNKAMBWOI6GR7_vvxxIwozm506abCZSRtEyYkkzlWhmfxEpYkv9YHLfdEoPWeXHTx8XssALq6zbhFW76yicEUvooA1a05ye57LfgtktwliNJfIZvpqrlTscbg/s1600/321224_10151370857124636_1093396635_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQZPKD0TP3q6n6PuITNwNKAMBWOI6GR7_vvxxIwozm506abCZSRtEyYkkzlWhmfxEpYkv9YHLfdEoPWeXHTx8XssALq6zbhFW76yicEUvooA1a05ye57LfgtktwliNJfIZvpqrlTscbg/s400/321224_10151370857124636_1093396635_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today December 30th we have officially been waiting (this go around) to Bring Ivey Home. Hard to believe I could have carried her in this time.
These are all the feelings I have had over the last 9 months. We thank
each of your for your constant prayers, love and support!!! This girl is
already so loved. We can't wait to be her mom and dad!</div>
Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-53310399808044625852012-11-30T21:37:00.003-08:002012-11-30T21:37:27.725-08:008 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxIpEcIxcBGWlOAD6VevRkEbY7E9ob1Cf6CwH337guKioq2UmZU-BT8crtZMoqt8kIT4tADCz4jVv9XqzET-_2OGidaPKsoCpyZvTajPkVz3jWuOnV0qtkRAyXtu2aQGb95ychcpUd6M/s1600/photo(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxIpEcIxcBGWlOAD6VevRkEbY7E9ob1Cf6CwH337guKioq2UmZU-BT8crtZMoqt8kIT4tADCz4jVv9XqzET-_2OGidaPKsoCpyZvTajPkVz3jWuOnV0qtkRAyXtu2aQGb95ychcpUd6M/s400/photo(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp"}"><span>8
months ago today we started this most recent journey to
#bringiveyhome. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp"}"><span>When we started 8 months ago the wait time was 8-10
months so this day is bittersweet because she could almost have been
home. Since then the wait has gone up to 29-31 months. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp"}"><span>Sounds horribly
long... In the meantime we are putting our hearts into domestic and seeing
if that gets our girl home faster. Thanks for the continued love,
support, prayers and donations. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp"}"><span>We love each of you.</span></span></span></div>
Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-6652154687913482362012-10-30T18:04:00.001-07:002012-10-30T18:04:13.733-07:007 Months!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOqCk6tgxHMvHVNSQxaSn9sbCmkj2YzzBjdyM8b7LydQz4d_nF4gXoTxr2uwBawufJr7iAs268fOB0EloIp8QSIAwxPbsl1IB08J2JTo9GN_nQkxTWYbkbmJiUBYIRYGYFRhKcolsSOk/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOqCk6tgxHMvHVNSQxaSn9sbCmkj2YzzBjdyM8b7LydQz4d_nF4gXoTxr2uwBawufJr7iAs268fOB0EloIp8QSIAwxPbsl1IB08J2JTo9GN_nQkxTWYbkbmJiUBYIRYGYFRhKcolsSOk/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today marks 7 months since we have been waiting for our daughter. The months don't seem to go by any faster but we have hope knowing that every month that passes is one month closer to our girl. Thanks for all the wishes, dreams, love, support, prayers and donations - I say it every day but we really couldn't do this without you!!!</div>
Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-45419395411742200212012-09-30T10:56:00.003-07:002012-09-30T10:57:08.567-07:006 months and a new announcement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lUE50x3pg9e492Nbk9PVCg4BgRc91m0ybGpmLcvxLHpTSkDCHOoyYUpgjgqbpNqoz-ORtFtinoGntdA9JxipV6qeKyg4lN2_eQe3ZEMi9uY5nKKWo9CFS8xk6ttjAWLzIKkKtG4HxOs/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lUE50x3pg9e492Nbk9PVCg4BgRc91m0ybGpmLcvxLHpTSkDCHOoyYUpgjgqbpNqoz-ORtFtinoGntdA9JxipV6qeKyg4lN2_eQe3ZEMi9uY5nKKWo9CFS8xk6ttjAWLzIKkKtG4HxOs/s400/download.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Today marks six months of waiting for Ivey.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In 6 months a
lot has happened with the journey. The wait time has gone up from 8-10 months
to our most recent time increase of 29-31 months. This is simply heartbreaking.
And the part that worries us the most is it could just keep going up. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
How long
are we willing to wait? When will we give up? Will we give up? What are our
options? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Let’s talk options:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
*There are some new countries we could try – but our fear in
this is those countries are so new and honestly they could close anytime.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*We could
switch agencies – go to an agency with less adoptive parents on the list which
would equal less of a wait – the problem with this is we would basically have
to START over – all the paperwork and the cost….and we would lose what we have
already invested.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
*Throw domestic back in the mix – the problem with this is
we have gone down this road and it broke our hearts 4 times over. So why would
we try that again?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>So what did we choose you ask?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
We decided to add Domestic adoption back in the mix. Are we
crazy? Yes! Do we want our daughter to come home? Yes! Will we do whatever we
can to get her home? Yes! I met with our agency last week and she brought up
domestic and how we would “show” really well to a birth mother. I just listened
and at first thought we are so not doing that again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came home and told Corey totally thinking he would say NO,
but he surprised me with “let’s do this.” New adventure here we come! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
So our next step on this new part of our adventure is meet
with our agency on Wednesday. We will discuss our profile that will be shown to
birth mothers. This is something we have never done before – all our past
domestic birth mothers have been found from friends or friends of friends. This
will be a brand new journey. We will now be chosen by a birth mother. Our
potential birth mother will have come to the agency in hopes of giving her
child a better life than the life she can give them. This still isn’t a
guarantee but we feel like it is the better way to go. This may or may not
happen before we would get a referral from Ethiopia. We can stay on both lists
and no we don’t know what we will do if one happens before the other. These are
all things we will decide on when the time comes. We are going to ask for a
girl – as of right now we are choosing African American or mixed for their
race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are scared, hopeful,
excited, worried, etc. This is a HUGE step for us. So please wish us luck and
send prayers our way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
This journey has shown us just how loved we are and how many
people we have that support us. I know we could NOT do this without each of
you. The texts, the happies, the phone calls, the cards, the instagram love,
the donations….we are just blessed beyond measure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of you have asked how Corey and I as a couple are doing.
We are great – honestly no matter what has happened, with every adoption that
has fallen through Corey reminds me that what matters in this is HE AND I and
how we deal with it together as a couple. We have become stronger throughout
this journey and are both so excited to be parents. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are both heartbroken and angry at this last set back but
we know all of this will one day be Ivey’s story. We will be able to tell her
about the long journey to her, the love of our lives.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
With love and gratitude,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Tobi & Corey</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjig3sOYueEpdL86iUaAi9LG-DAK6iwtY2mqmgV__SZ-DpR-SEdl9lFATymrBrnxmj_IkXX1ultALN3MaFFhmfE60S4qWeeAK053koCUvfudt5TjsEdEfatvSIodz67sXb6sWcWJHcKLUw/s1600/il_570xN.366201623_g9v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjig3sOYueEpdL86iUaAi9LG-DAK6iwtY2mqmgV__SZ-DpR-SEdl9lFATymrBrnxmj_IkXX1ultALN3MaFFhmfE60S4qWeeAK053koCUvfudt5TjsEdEfatvSIodz67sXb6sWcWJHcKLUw/s400/il_570xN.366201623_g9v2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/107007564/thank-you-from-the-bottom-of-our-hearts">source</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-61306567759589562782012-08-30T22:02:00.001-07:002012-08-30T22:02:02.215-07:005 Months Down<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqz56DFHFpttjcDUldbRedx9dFIYdbqw148CXODcrbq3EjAHKCibjanFFH1vXqsg-QOTQ0DOYzoJwDHGB5PX2t4PXd4jLSHEjltiGpGs7ywe_IMmBGgI1ySVuuZ5JXEleveNiS7BzhUs/s1600/download.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqz56DFHFpttjcDUldbRedx9dFIYdbqw148CXODcrbq3EjAHKCibjanFFH1vXqsg-QOTQ0DOYzoJwDHGB5PX2t4PXd4jLSHEjltiGpGs7ywe_IMmBGgI1ySVuuZ5JXEleveNiS7BzhUs/s400/download.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5 Months down! So far the wait is going fast - lets hope and pray it continues. I (Tobi) thought it was appropriate to mark 5 months with a little <a href="http://www.iveyhandcrafted.blogspot.com/">Ivey Handcrafted</a> since I am working non stop for my show next weekend! Thanks for all the continued support!!! We love ya'll!!!</div>
Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-71490957443678005522012-07-30T17:44:00.002-07:002012-07-30T17:44:23.968-07:004 months down<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03O2vbRGfP1088Gexne9sp7Clqw0aGo-Li17KqSbcR4_hPFuVAVQpLS4eJm1hOtAO-Q0rUdnR1sH4tRmGdVKHPVzyuAoxH4YAGWxFpwpGl86yY9pKIynUtMifMOtLuScS90Y2EViU9Os/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03O2vbRGfP1088Gexne9sp7Clqw0aGo-Li17KqSbcR4_hPFuVAVQpLS4eJm1hOtAO-Q0rUdnR1sH4tRmGdVKHPVzyuAoxH4YAGWxFpwpGl86yY9pKIynUtMifMOtLuScS90Y2EViU9Os/s400/download.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Today marks 4 months waiting to bring our daughter home. Feels wonderful to be another month closer to having Ivey home with us! We are so grateful to our friends and family for the love and support you have all given to us. We couldn't go on this journey without you.</b></div>Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-80587929434591707162012-07-02T12:04:00.000-07:002012-07-02T12:04:04.962-07:003 months down<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCI-uxvVOhr8QS3ep5C43b7V76b39pYmeQXphfSfa8OvyKLQHTzK7v2PIuC-Qxtlyx9VJQRYFmSrPQxI_G14eA3E0bgH2k9wZfpf0FHGYx4gUk5VmBaR97fJ-nyt7J3fBy2dw4ueMhTGw/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCI-uxvVOhr8QS3ep5C43b7V76b39pYmeQXphfSfa8OvyKLQHTzK7v2PIuC-Qxtlyx9VJQRYFmSrPQxI_G14eA3E0bgH2k9wZfpf0FHGYx4gUk5VmBaR97fJ-nyt7J3fBy2dw4ueMhTGw/s400/download.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">We have now been waiting 3 months to Bring Ivey Home! This is my beautiful niece Lucy showing how excited she is that we have been waiting 3 months to bring her cousin home!</span></b></div>Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-76976143937069835632012-05-30T07:48:00.004-07:002012-05-30T07:48:51.053-07:002 months waiting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoi5TV3AZgVySwUcfQqXhfDk0M6GrRaAIw2cnQh73pf_yrYJQeJ5qL3acMxh5E9PHHGsj9dm7GyQTuYWSVHbgqsKVWii3XBTwzWNM1QRcMff2hsiCDVjVt_941G7MoidC4Tbypq0tUcE/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoi5TV3AZgVySwUcfQqXhfDk0M6GrRaAIw2cnQh73pf_yrYJQeJ5qL3acMxh5E9PHHGsj9dm7GyQTuYWSVHbgqsKVWii3XBTwzWNM1QRcMff2hsiCDVjVt_941G7MoidC4Tbypq0tUcE/s640/download.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #bf9000; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We have officially been waiting 2 months! </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We still have a long road, but we are 2 months closer to Ivey!</b></div>Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-12360386850362883372012-04-05T17:14:00.015-07:002012-04-05T17:36:49.815-07:00Raising Ivey<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsNQlPrL7C_H6gBGpwFxsVetXLqutcayHN4Inxz8bbZgtPDyEefifh5XFki5hNrLLlB3cL0WOoDOyRHkI3rBqTaHWdcJI0b_maBL9KCXXczAna3zdwkQUOdHMGHah_X4ala1apOM1LDA/s1600/_SOL0364.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsNQlPrL7C_H6gBGpwFxsVetXLqutcayHN4Inxz8bbZgtPDyEefifh5XFki5hNrLLlB3cL0WOoDOyRHkI3rBqTaHWdcJI0b_maBL9KCXXczAna3zdwkQUOdHMGHah_X4ala1apOM1LDA/s400/_SOL0364.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728076630378094018" border="0" /></a>On March 17th we had an AWESOME fundraiser. We thought it was appropriate to show <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093822/">Raising Arizona</a>. It was donation based, and we sold snacks (candy, popcorn and yummy treats made by friends and family). I also had some <a href="http://www.iveyhandcrafted.blogspot.com/">Ivey Handcrafted</a> items ready to be sold. In total we raised over $1,000. IT was AMAZING. What a fun night, around 40 of our closest friends and family came out in support of us and helped make our dreams continue to come true. Here are a few photos from the night taken by my dear friends Brittany (<a href="http://www.moncriefphotography.com/">moncrief photography</a>) and Meghan (<a href="http://www.soliphotography.com/">soli photography</a>). The ladies of <a href="http://www.homespunparties.com/">Homespun Parties and Events</a> allowed us to hold the event in their beautiful shop/studio. We are blessed, there is no better way to put it!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZoUWpOf_6nPniNyeOSFproGFryQAJXclYFKV4OP_nmQ-N6S4-VfGTjunbm_P6uMA6oH-XNPtl18fCq_n8IEdGC_kaCIIKy-nu2aFXqiPhd5M6HfF-nx1JrDrNDBWZapk774Zw8KgmuI/s1600/DSC_9985.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZoUWpOf_6nPniNyeOSFproGFryQAJXclYFKV4OP_nmQ-N6S4-VfGTjunbm_P6uMA6oH-XNPtl18fCq_n8IEdGC_kaCIIKy-nu2aFXqiPhd5M6HfF-nx1JrDrNDBWZapk774Zw8KgmuI/s400/DSC_9985.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728078181192271858" border="0" /></a>The beautiful location<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkzZ02XUQDr24T2-g1ddDAeW_bGwylnBoup8DyvkVd6rWhkWvbR3-ynI07HxdPB19RNIZagGqFBIm88G63lvOoWGxLrr4zQiB30YQ_09W2v6W7UeoAhtBtrZ3vBIuVS96NtX-yKWU0BE/s1600/DSC_0029.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkzZ02XUQDr24T2-g1ddDAeW_bGwylnBoup8DyvkVd6rWhkWvbR3-ynI07HxdPB19RNIZagGqFBIm88G63lvOoWGxLrr4zQiB30YQ_09W2v6W7UeoAhtBtrZ3vBIuVS96NtX-yKWU0BE/s400/DSC_0029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728078186497011138" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx28OQUoBQ1sbXPvw5SzD9QuBtICv63dZH4co8v41Iqep1n1U9LYhCfV23Lid4tehfHEm68wFnyqklAACl7-isgd8ZwrtS421GytGGrVkFFk4QoXQ8DS12p5q7RprLN1EJNPkGCfZ0hDk/s1600/DSC_9997.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx28OQUoBQ1sbXPvw5SzD9QuBtICv63dZH4co8v41Iqep1n1U9LYhCfV23Lid4tehfHEm68wFnyqklAACl7-isgd8ZwrtS421GytGGrVkFFk4QoXQ8DS12p5q7RprLN1EJNPkGCfZ0hDk/s400/DSC_9997.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728077906308825810" border="0" /></a>Ivey's Aunt Bunny<br /></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIHWDQIjzDGcnQRB_xMgNgVDyGk_3zHdySvzg6XD0di5iODWfP73eJyX8CZGpImkwHQGmL6jB6GEKwee6kn6ea4Qr0eT24wYcysoyoXOem_HaacEgBNfFLfvpW7ZquSrIov25CjpUx0g/s1600/DSC_0134.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIHWDQIjzDGcnQRB_xMgNgVDyGk_3zHdySvzg6XD0di5iODWfP73eJyX8CZGpImkwHQGmL6jB6GEKwee6kn6ea4Qr0eT24wYcysoyoXOem_HaacEgBNfFLfvpW7ZquSrIov25CjpUx0g/s400/DSC_0134.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728077912493370194" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJitwoiLDQw3CK2TJtXpyoispGE4EO2IcRXLT0Sgb5h520V2WsmfhQHByeAPF9GqYeaBun3F-Z5OH6VmgunJ5vS5lBQIWf9fEAi4a55aSp7QetxnB0oobRTqXwztYvdmQ-1Jp7lXjfAw/s1600/DSC_0039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJitwoiLDQw3CK2TJtXpyoispGE4EO2IcRXLT0Sgb5h520V2WsmfhQHByeAPF9GqYeaBun3F-Z5OH6VmgunJ5vS5lBQIWf9fEAi4a55aSp7QetxnB0oobRTqXwztYvdmQ-1Jp7lXjfAw/s400/DSC_0039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728077745660869186" border="0" /></a>Corey thanking the crowd<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5N7BsfPEIM-KZlfdI0b0b9gAJw_GTlSIx7TNKSHgj7bJI2Be6bm2Inn_Ks9NbhzKqDCBk1es2ABIa4aX0NEV4uAnYmp16fVwozyyQjHzQsHLTEljF5XtnqoitZNx_WN304-DcTV_Idbo/s1600/DSC_0059.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5N7BsfPEIM-KZlfdI0b0b9gAJw_GTlSIx7TNKSHgj7bJI2Be6bm2Inn_Ks9NbhzKqDCBk1es2ABIa4aX0NEV4uAnYmp16fVwozyyQjHzQsHLTEljF5XtnqoitZNx_WN304-DcTV_Idbo/s400/DSC_0059.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728077753599875778" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgn3zc_t5Ky6Sg6TO-tQrTlaN3C1LOnoWU73xdMGJIqbn-g8jswaV1LQEQ0SD2pFR-Nnzvaz3FlStILw9cp4zgGJyTu_WwIQ39PTqaWAfbqA8Jb1kTMcPyo03RrDK4AFNqZmRUaopc6k/s1600/DSC_0018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgn3zc_t5Ky6Sg6TO-tQrTlaN3C1LOnoWU73xdMGJIqbn-g8jswaV1LQEQ0SD2pFR-Nnzvaz3FlStILw9cp4zgGJyTu_WwIQ39PTqaWAfbqA8Jb1kTMcPyo03RrDK4AFNqZmRUaopc6k/s400/DSC_0018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728077503885398978" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitK5V0zmZ10GdPb0Kv-DqfrqrDNXTf8_yvxCSDnpwn3dvx1Y18pk0IEicH70cgzRQR9FaM0iy3v425rbml2fyJN8u0H9yvPW4BEkrMLjB9jVuQZJRA8TnLkQrVDvHzJ4CZb5dHp9bGD-g/s1600/DSC_0109.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitK5V0zmZ10GdPb0Kv-DqfrqrDNXTf8_yvxCSDnpwn3dvx1Y18pk0IEicH70cgzRQR9FaM0iy3v425rbml2fyJN8u0H9yvPW4BEkrMLjB9jVuQZJRA8TnLkQrVDvHzJ4CZb5dHp9bGD-g/s400/DSC_0109.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728077375245340754" border="0" /></a>Corey and I with Ivey's Uncle and Aunt (tobi's brother and sister in law)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiII61A0LsKarac1bNC7zKV5PPRDO1FenI6aOPs8CFZ95ilNZ89EOUSXweCvorKBSN3qMumDFLvMZxTkFfp75_32iQxDgH_GrsKgtyPiq7QKQo2dhs7yp3t2SkhAHAqz8erRW53na-i1Jw/s1600/DSC_0097.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiII61A0LsKarac1bNC7zKV5PPRDO1FenI6aOPs8CFZ95ilNZ89EOUSXweCvorKBSN3qMumDFLvMZxTkFfp75_32iQxDgH_GrsKgtyPiq7QKQo2dhs7yp3t2SkhAHAqz8erRW53na-i1Jw/s400/DSC_0097.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728077289508530514" border="0" /></a>The Soon to be parents<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAlKT82UmpibQOPZXYgWUUTUpzXPv-8cQll9W8f6BmzdgAJkQTIqy3zEeJ8SBwcOQwtL3LVfX7nB1X7EChuzOPu71Qrs_G-k4VOrk64o4eKhkTf4_pFZXxaeORkJEhcJssIVzZSaIx2A/s1600/DSC_0120.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAlKT82UmpibQOPZXYgWUUTUpzXPv-8cQll9W8f6BmzdgAJkQTIqy3zEeJ8SBwcOQwtL3LVfX7nB1X7EChuzOPu71Qrs_G-k4VOrk64o4eKhkTf4_pFZXxaeORkJEhcJssIVzZSaIx2A/s400/DSC_0120.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728077167141864914" border="0" /></a>myself and our beautiful friend Brittany who was gracious enough to take photos :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyi7zkQxFdB5fVSPK6bYl6b4xxNgbCoYgvBotEUiGV6iVPE8257o0CEl4DHxO2T03k7SUe_kRkt2hcoMKzG1VldmXM8ZjDou5KFSokcrjVd_rzjIvD6QuvakajnLymShRiOaz9nS_lFE/s1600/DSC_0057.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyi7zkQxFdB5fVSPK6bYl6b4xxNgbCoYgvBotEUiGV6iVPE8257o0CEl4DHxO2T03k7SUe_kRkt2hcoMKzG1VldmXM8ZjDou5KFSokcrjVd_rzjIvD6QuvakajnLymShRiOaz9nS_lFE/s400/DSC_0057.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728079204116161058" border="0" /></a>Our sweet friend and photographer Meghan<br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJn522S1HiQmMcsApz3lAIfDcoSBDyLRBbHNd3hKd0YRUWzgn7Mpe8zkh5BPqQnK44dFrr1UKDS3E67nxQX4GAKM5oEoJbAAQeopPfjl2hrykUVfyr0qCB_Q-HuExYQEmG_l7EkbGyx0/s1600/DSC_0095.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJn522S1HiQmMcsApz3lAIfDcoSBDyLRBbHNd3hKd0YRUWzgn7Mpe8zkh5BPqQnK44dFrr1UKDS3E67nxQX4GAKM5oEoJbAAQeopPfjl2hrykUVfyr0qCB_Q-HuExYQEmG_l7EkbGyx0/s400/DSC_0095.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728076981506141010" border="0" /></a>Tobi & Stacy (sister in law and Ivey's aunt)<br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAAGK4YCFDvLU-RwEMGQgc_wqb08cL50QZr6QA0t2kAcmX6bxlv5F1r2aLGCausMwpsaI17Yw_YSnZp9lBSb4JWIS4vDL7TI6ZPk5NLB2fZwP3a_uKK5DfY5t0-ZwCbflZ5M7sOv2W0w/s1600/DSC_0091.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAAGK4YCFDvLU-RwEMGQgc_wqb08cL50QZr6QA0t2kAcmX6bxlv5F1r2aLGCausMwpsaI17Yw_YSnZp9lBSb4JWIS4vDL7TI6ZPk5NLB2fZwP3a_uKK5DfY5t0-ZwCbflZ5M7sOv2W0w/s400/DSC_0091.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728076989816237986" border="0" /></a>girlfriends<br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0IxSuxc_fLGEJiHlEX5nMyEbe4a_lhArfTA2VGrOngIZMRT_O09wMFVF7oTAvN6NTVsxajpVOFk_ulq0psOGv68YfvhhC4ouYauf1LQvapOFFeeGpWvZTupeBtSHgBfM-uY7MvakPhI/s1600/DSC_0005%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0IxSuxc_fLGEJiHlEX5nMyEbe4a_lhArfTA2VGrOngIZMRT_O09wMFVF7oTAvN6NTVsxajpVOFk_ulq0psOGv68YfvhhC4ouYauf1LQvapOFFeeGpWvZTupeBtSHgBfM-uY7MvakPhI/s400/DSC_0005%25281%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728076827727633826" border="0" /></a>my nurse Steve from when I was in the burn unit. This was so special to me that he came to support us. He was a HUGE part of my recovery.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGWTc8jvpFoGmqah6P_cLPtcLDDw1-gPzZ6Q_bXXcxfRO3_pxqbKUF-Fbldprt-l7sVhgzBHmqLV-vw603LUK4CfumyW5iOJoul4rkg_kR6CpDRs2uXAVKF2bEWOzORq2Ukoz7hx_uqk/s1600/_SOL0385.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGWTc8jvpFoGmqah6P_cLPtcLDDw1-gPzZ6Q_bXXcxfRO3_pxqbKUF-Fbldprt-l7sVhgzBHmqLV-vw603LUK4CfumyW5iOJoul4rkg_kR6CpDRs2uXAVKF2bEWOzORq2Ukoz7hx_uqk/s400/_SOL0385.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728076745279749506" border="0" /></a>myself and the beautiful hostesss Ayesha and Kelly - lucky to call these girls my friendsIvey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-45750070822290875502012-04-05T16:54:00.003-07:002012-04-05T17:06:20.229-07:00We are officially Paper Pregnant!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhyUTDhrFR6k8xp-6k18wUuIFUsujTCbkIEU56RH38288yinaWDD7Cizp6oqIYP_DrXYXqF9W11Yu379SdtJigLM399tGEAWnr2j1eGqiWdwBEwnSs42D57n58iek5NeY6J_HwqC_kFQ/s1600/someday1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhyUTDhrFR6k8xp-6k18wUuIFUsujTCbkIEU56RH38288yinaWDD7Cizp6oqIYP_DrXYXqF9W11Yu379SdtJigLM399tGEAWnr2j1eGqiWdwBEwnSs42D57n58iek5NeY6J_HwqC_kFQ/s400/someday1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728070594505241634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://abracadabrababy.wordpress.com/page/4/"><span style="font-style: italic;">source</span><br style="font-style: italic;"></a></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As of March 30th we are officially waiting.<br /><br />It is so hard to get too excited we have a really long wait ahead of us. The wait time as of March 16th has changed to 18-24 months. This means more than likely our little girl isn't born yet, like we had thought. This means we have 2 years before seeing our little girl. This means there are two more mother's day and father's days that we aren't a mom and dad. This means 2 more Christmas's, New Years, Thanksgivings, Halloween's, etc, etc without our girl.<br /><br />But the positive is hopefully in 2 years we will meet our girl and all of this hoping, wishing, praying and dreaming will all come true. Our heart is in Ethiopia and we can't wait to go get Ivey. She is already so loved by all these amazing people we have surrounding us. I always knew we had great support, but this time around it just keeps overwhelming us with how many people we have on our side. We thank each of you for the support, prayers, donations, kind thoughts, hugs, positive reinforcement, friendship and love. We couldn't do this without you. The next 2 years is going to be the toughest because we know our girl is out there we just can't get to her. So continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Pray for Ivey and her birth mother - they need us. Pray the wait times decrease. We love you and will forever be indebted to you. .<br /><br />We will keep you posted with any news we have, but for now we wait....won't you wait along with us?<br /></div>Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-57965707433022237262012-02-11T19:20:00.005-08:002012-05-17T18:32:26.240-07:00DOSSIER turned in!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0J-7JLCijYcWfweKEgPSPArXdUpt25ghIVIeGxftX6JUdJ2YExF9n3Y-_1KgykKb1YpKomBx0KLqxDqIqmvwFXimZj4jXMMJx6JfbAbOqvgZt0DIPm9yROMVxumuk_FlzRhL6McNJgg/s1600/181762534930601062_TzI8me7N_f.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708083831266666466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0J-7JLCijYcWfweKEgPSPArXdUpt25ghIVIeGxftX6JUdJ2YExF9n3Y-_1KgykKb1YpKomBx0KLqxDqIqmvwFXimZj4jXMMJx6JfbAbOqvgZt0DIPm9yROMVxumuk_FlzRhL6McNJgg/s400/181762534930601062_TzI8me7N_f.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/181762534930601062/" style="font-style: italic;">source</a><br />
<br />
February 1st, 2012 WE TURNED IN OUR DOSSIER. WOW<br />
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<b>Dossier</b>: When used in the context of adoption, this term refers to a set of appropriately authenticated and translated legal documents which are used in international adoption cases to process the adoption of a child in its own country by the adoptive parents, or for the adoptive parents to obtain the legal custody or guardianship of the child in the foreign court, so the child can be brought by the adoptive parents to the United States for adoption.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Here are the things we had to get to complete our dossier:</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Home Study </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Birth Certificate(s)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Marriage Certificate (if applicable)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Divorce or Death Certificate (if applicable) </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 31.5pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Power of Attorney (2) to Sebilu Bodja Gelalcha</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Medical Letter(s)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Police Clearance(s)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Employment or Accountant Letter(s) </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Financial Statement(s) </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">10.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Attestation and Declaration of Personal Conditions</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">11.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Most recent Income Tax 1040 </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">12.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Passport Photo Page(s) </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">13.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Passport-Size Photos </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">14.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Letter to MOWCYA regarding motivation for adoption from Ethiopia </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">15.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Letter of Obligation by Parent(s) regarding Post Adoption Reports</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">16.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Two (2) signed recommendation letters from non-relatives </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">17.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Photographs of applicant(s) and home (6-10) </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">18.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">USCIS Approval (I-171H)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">19.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Ethiopia Travel Contract</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">20.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Adoption Release and Consent Form</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">21.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Release of information form</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">22.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Risk Statement</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">23. Family Preference Form</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">24. Fee Agreement</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">25. Service Plan, copy only</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">26. Intercountry Adoption Services Contract </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">27. Check for Initial Country fee + authentication </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"> 28. post adoption agreement with Ethiopia<br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"> 29. Sponsorship and Undertaking by Adoption Agency</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"> 30. Agency License</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Looks like a lot right? It was - it was overwhelming and the timing was right when I was trying to finish my busiest season ever for my business. But Corey and I did it and turned it in - now it is in our agencies hands to complete everything and get it turned in to Ethiopia. That process should take 6-8 weeks...then the real waiting begins. I can't WAIT to be paper pregnant. We will let you know when that part comes.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">To all of you who have donated thus far...thank you - you will NEVER know how much it means to us that you are helping bring ivey home. We have the most amazing support team and we need each of you. We have a long road ahead and we can't do this without our friend and family.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">with love,</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Tobi & Corey</span></div>
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</div>Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-29839663144821392542011-12-30T14:41:00.000-08:002011-12-30T14:48:25.030-08:00Fingerprints! CHECK!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhft5Ungk41OtwlOnP_UJ1T3eBTNdRu7EwHLbd7yWLqVo9lPx0HlosJYreXxUIKGn0PtXT_BBhae6xNtWJDK5ysy2s_R1fta6ua-YEIGQnPXdwwzbuev2tlhi47iZxo_441_e82A6Hx96M/s1600/photo+5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhft5Ungk41OtwlOnP_UJ1T3eBTNdRu7EwHLbd7yWLqVo9lPx0HlosJYreXxUIKGn0PtXT_BBhae6xNtWJDK5ysy2s_R1fta6ua-YEIGQnPXdwwzbuev2tlhi47iZxo_441_e82A6Hx96M/s400/photo+5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692055875409345506" border="0" /></a>Fingerprint appointment done! Another huge step to check off on the road to bring ivey home. We went to Atlanta on a very whirlwind trip. Very quick - no time to see friends - just fingerprints and Ikea, Lunch & Trader Joes in under 3 hours! Corey worked the night before so he hadn't slept yet - so he was up for almost 24 hours straight! BOO! But he was a champ. The fingerprinting place was very surreal. Just a strange place all together - they treated us like criminals - no purses, bags, cell phones and honestly they just weren't that nice. So very glad that is over - and PRAY we don't have to do those again!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLwPpiPNntRUTGFCfeuNm1b6DTrOWfkJc54SRDZxj0ypfy-Fqa1KtFZM_KAYr-7WzvpyGd4Rv_65NWGDl0ocO2sG88xAwih8nCDOMxNboRHC5fV8QLVO9RNlqn462EETVyF6wSb4rgjY/s1600/photo+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLwPpiPNntRUTGFCfeuNm1b6DTrOWfkJc54SRDZxj0ypfy-Fqa1KtFZM_KAYr-7WzvpyGd4Rv_65NWGDl0ocO2sG88xAwih8nCDOMxNboRHC5fV8QLVO9RNlqn462EETVyF6wSb4rgjY/s400/photo+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692055373730260114" border="0" /></a>"the application support center" - still have no real idea what else is done here....<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_2uM1zzcEA29EpC7154XbWpOb1DWYWUgGX4ZSTNC5IvXSOoNi4QqkvlC2wkmXP-bHgoYhUeeRiA5A3W3iACp5FlNzpAsPQtT_trTXns8n19YpMTPiOeSpQC25bZR2Me8h5SrarQXlXg/s1600/photo+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_2uM1zzcEA29EpC7154XbWpOb1DWYWUgGX4ZSTNC5IvXSOoNi4QqkvlC2wkmXP-bHgoYhUeeRiA5A3W3iACp5FlNzpAsPQtT_trTXns8n19YpMTPiOeSpQC25bZR2Me8h5SrarQXlXg/s400/photo+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692055396424352914" border="0" /></a>a quick stop at trader joes - oh how I wish we had one of these in our town!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnd1kQpiUXw70QRNQRQvz3QQn2rCIlH6Lo4LGRdbDM1JbnP09PA39y9vgjWbaoJqOrMowizUKMUjKP9mXlGDfzjXljs7W2euQ_C4hxMAtTk0_5JPcPTikDvm7MlWxIsz8Foa8Bps028gk/s1600/photo+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnd1kQpiUXw70QRNQRQvz3QQn2rCIlH6Lo4LGRdbDM1JbnP09PA39y9vgjWbaoJqOrMowizUKMUjKP9mXlGDfzjXljs7W2euQ_C4hxMAtTk0_5JPcPTikDvm7MlWxIsz8Foa8Bps028gk/s400/photo+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692055384377188546" border="0" /></a>lunch at the yummy zocalo<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlb-KkQGrRrgrdQNs7PW01uYE2vmolo4j3N6tY5-T8IAQDuUnicVnZh2brO_hl69AqzA14G_gmE8VRWySc7gbEi4JVcoj5AwsF3iTXKIFu28trp2ji_cQ1wVAXUsqyaHNl8S825nt-XM/s1600/photo+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlb-KkQGrRrgrdQNs7PW01uYE2vmolo4j3N6tY5-T8IAQDuUnicVnZh2brO_hl69AqzA14G_gmE8VRWySc7gbEi4JVcoj5AwsF3iTXKIFu28trp2ji_cQ1wVAXUsqyaHNl8S825nt-XM/s400/photo+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692055375095824866" border="0" /></a>a quick run through IKEA - honestly the BUSIEST I have ever seen it! Glad we got out of there as fast as we did.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnixUJaVymFvp9jkfzbsM1w4PQ_PcINVlDG4eVt4jVzExlGhDzZ1yCLbJElgjSLTUh2AcPyl-gprAPyAuj7vrRBKRbtQSIR2sGPTH4vloIBRz8EGDq1pB1nVdgXc4rICiWyBBVADZNHs/s1600/photo+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnixUJaVymFvp9jkfzbsM1w4PQ_PcINVlDG4eVt4jVzExlGhDzZ1yCLbJElgjSLTUh2AcPyl-gprAPyAuj7vrRBKRbtQSIR2sGPTH4vloIBRz8EGDq1pB1nVdgXc4rICiWyBBVADZNHs/s400/photo+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692055405993202882" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Back home and I thought this saying was perfect for the day....<br />Let's remember why we go together so well :)<br /><br />We are so lucky to have each other on this journey!<br /><br />Next step - finish dossier and get it turned in!<br /></div>Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-85979085122602604492011-12-19T22:18:00.000-08:002011-12-19T22:20:34.441-08:00Dream a pretty dream<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIid_6f-PDHGJ-AwnohAJTTTa91WAbCmNOxcYwmrWEekBfAdT3DjEehJuGzzRoB7QfeH35O4lEkyEZ7fR1MEzhe8487XMxEa1HiQO9Z-ylWf8UnHM6I-hNrOTmTIxj3fDxcSGlebLAVLE/s1600/il_570xN.259861337.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 325px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIid_6f-PDHGJ-AwnohAJTTTa91WAbCmNOxcYwmrWEekBfAdT3DjEehJuGzzRoB7QfeH35O4lEkyEZ7fR1MEzhe8487XMxEa1HiQO9Z-ylWf8UnHM6I-hNrOTmTIxj3fDxcSGlebLAVLE/s400/il_570xN.259861337.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688091067184568594" /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/78609199/poster-for-bedroom-the-dream-catcher-no2">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">had the realization that Ivey could already be born......</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">puts everything into perspective.....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">makes us dream a little bigger....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">won't you all dream with us?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></i>Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-49673489321098509522011-12-12T08:45:00.000-08:002011-12-12T13:31:48.116-08:00Getting a few steps closer to bringing Ivey home<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGRwt7KfuDoYUdvlbbrFrVyeyE2EyWzQyB9Y5ZL_jnDutLDU92BjgWhBH9pXPHs4JB6bzC2Q5c6PvyzSDqbwOQDzezIxpmVOryy12AKGMpKwikurJk8kCJ8EgM9EOGF1gO_E6zi6lh28/s1600/il_570xN.193177055.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGRwt7KfuDoYUdvlbbrFrVyeyE2EyWzQyB9Y5ZL_jnDutLDU92BjgWhBH9pXPHs4JB6bzC2Q5c6PvyzSDqbwOQDzezIxpmVOryy12AKGMpKwikurJk8kCJ8EgM9EOGF1gO_E6zi6lh28/s400/il_570xN.193177055.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685357582032301106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61908576/the-journey-choose-your-color">source</a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><b>Here's what we have been up too since my last post:</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZEO_3zR-Lw7hjloq366kgOdfQmhSfeqe3ukujXL5YQX9TzjJMEzVzLMccKkWG_N7iKPMWrYu_XJBAi1-I3iiKZBceV4WQGERZ7lnkASLIVTuJgShtHJpOzXAMUy5l93NEW2WpZoqdSU/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></b></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;" >We are a few steps closer to Ivey!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasnSQB95DmVW7FIlD-PB7xgf3xrHMHh2oolmGeNI96vb87PYVYDwNuKkDasGBIt-4iz5fMo1KtW5lsFLqHe_hTPNW3lvAmE4vcDk6uE_mPDlkfcEEMdr0Uu1feHsHjMc2ZEhTRzUsYjc/s400/securedownload-2.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677862518782338370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;" >Our home study was officially approved!</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRAaslc61Xwa7KLFNFSWIq9AF_06I1OwuQlfIIU4AhT1DEZUmL7Dn4O1DjuJmDa2HXcgMtlJiv9ZQpDJXNt4vyIVEaH-kG3INJF3i6lCv6o_lB7YcWRUK2ufU8FugiEdi5Y6GHXv9CtI/s1600/securedownload-3.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRAaslc61Xwa7KLFNFSWIq9AF_06I1OwuQlfIIU4AhT1DEZUmL7Dn4O1DjuJmDa2HXcgMtlJiv9ZQpDJXNt4vyIVEaH-kG3INJF3i6lCv6o_lB7YcWRUK2ufU8FugiEdi5Y6GHXv9CtI/s400/securedownload-3.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677862518150913266" /></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">We sent off our immigration papers!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZEO_3zR-Lw7hjloq366kgOdfQmhSfeqe3ukujXL5YQX9TzjJMEzVzLMccKkWG_N7iKPMWrYu_XJBAi1-I3iiKZBceV4WQGERZ7lnkASLIVTuJgShtHJpOzXAMUy5l93NEW2WpZoqdSU/s400/securedownload.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685342767249823346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">We got our fingerprint appointments 12/28/2011</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">So now to work on our dossier:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Dossier</b>: When used in the context of adoption, this term refers to a set of appropriately authenticated and translated legal documents which are used in international adoption cases to process the adoption of a child in its own country by the adoptive parents, or for the adoptive parents to obtain the legal custody or guardianship of the child in the foreign court, so the child can be brought by the adoptive parents to the United States for adoption.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><b>a little explanation of our next process:</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><span>After our fingerprints are completed we will receive a document stating that we are approved to bring a child back into the country. That document is part of our dossier. While we wait we will continue gathering all of our dossier documents and once we have that approval letter from USCIS we can submit our dossier. It can take 6 weeks or so after fingerprinting for us to receive the approval letter.</span> So here's praying this next step goes quickly, that we get all our dossier paperwork together in a timely fashion and our fingerprints are accepted. Once the dossier is submitted and translated for Ethiopia we wait for our referral (the time right now is 8-14 months). So we have a ways to go, but we are getting closer and closer.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><b>We appreciate EACH of you for all your support, prayers, hugs, love, donations and thoughts. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><b>We couldn't do this without each of you. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><b>with lots of love,</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><b>Tobi, Corey</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family:'times new roman';font-size:medium;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-92Inwnhhcnw0loxZz0krnpgHQK4aPFRzVGMm30jCulJtF35BFn8pOG2rYvZezA_66ca1z7yN8uTrO4IS896XVTj5SQLfkuq4FtVCIG52CY4a0CG740KRdM0Ywbbjbz4u6G12UdYPy6k/s400/securedownload-1.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677862513045413730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-92Inwnhhcnw0loxZz0krnpgHQK4aPFRzVGMm30jCulJtF35BFn8pOG2rYvZezA_66ca1z7yN8uTrO4IS896XVTj5SQLfkuq4FtVCIG52CY4a0CG740KRdM0Ywbbjbz4u6G12UdYPy6k/s1600/securedownload-1.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-48937024403640217152011-09-26T21:30:00.000-07:002012-05-17T18:30:41.124-07:00Homestudy: CHECK!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1Z2DfdtQs6RKYY1JNkhYtkkElTN-XI5t-nr9-RBXyYF6xjichkAMkR-fjNEZlTfmNfLcWDa0IPomdkaXgtoV4WL73UgVPQ9Mc1YsAIKG-XTi0be3WC7xxvPgQbukgeJ0MNImgcYeSek/s1600/219853988_FEcHPPlb_c.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656899744457278578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1Z2DfdtQs6RKYY1JNkhYtkkElTN-XI5t-nr9-RBXyYF6xjichkAMkR-fjNEZlTfmNfLcWDa0IPomdkaXgtoV4WL73UgVPQ9Mc1YsAIKG-XTi0be3WC7xxvPgQbukgeJ0MNImgcYeSek/s400/219853988_FEcHPPlb_c.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 373px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Last Thursday we had our homestudy. This was the 3rd one in this house in 5 years due to failed adoptions. We felt GREAT about this one! It was almost like this home visit made this adoption feel real. She left and we just felt good. We talked about what is left, what to expect while we are in ethiopia. It all just seemed real. We are dreaming big!!</div>Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-15713833305738054392011-09-17T13:09:00.000-07:002012-05-17T18:31:35.694-07:00Homestudy this thursday 9/22<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe-GGzBmA9pPnQpXO4E9S_Ad0i_ORuiGvhnCNZ6eX_LyuXqiE-KltzIsKNIChZIi05iUuHY13uM5JAzVN380sbahkuLzgJW76BoVd6L1JUiHn-rsjwt2jFXvSBMUUH5UunSnS5a5sKSI/s1600/73446735_dG6jYHoz_c.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653423485586259778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe-GGzBmA9pPnQpXO4E9S_Ad0i_ORuiGvhnCNZ6eX_LyuXqiE-KltzIsKNIChZIi05iUuHY13uM5JAzVN380sbahkuLzgJW76BoVd6L1JUiHn-rsjwt2jFXvSBMUUH5UunSnS5a5sKSI/s400/73446735_dG6jYHoz_c.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 286px;" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">It is time.....maybe 3rd time is a charm.....we are having our 3rd homestudy at this house in 5 years. But still no matter what it makes us nervous. We never know if our house will be clean enough, safe enough, etc. So say a pray that all our hard work we are doing this week pays off and our homestudy is accepted. We appreciate each of you.....Homestudy is 9/22 @ 6:30 pm!</span></div>Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248907310072233709.post-5049130366759955242011-08-18T09:30:00.000-07:002011-08-18T16:37:47.140-07:00Much Needed Vacay<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixenZtcqyonmqEQRB646uMKMM6hjHnwolWz1e_PLsVL4tMScfh3iGmkq3p-WSymoRMrDO6Kt-MSK4nf3UPiDp7ZN740dotQWeZE4Gl1yDlpTgx4re-SNZ3BDmWgUvPHJyXd11nxwcpkdE/s1600/il_fullxfull.233443484.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixenZtcqyonmqEQRB646uMKMM6hjHnwolWz1e_PLsVL4tMScfh3iGmkq3p-WSymoRMrDO6Kt-MSK4nf3UPiDp7ZN740dotQWeZE4Gl1yDlpTgx4re-SNZ3BDmWgUvPHJyXd11nxwcpkdE/s400/il_fullxfull.233443484.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642343522895737442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreyaArt?ref=seller_info"><i>source</i></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgE4N1VWHZ1x_L7LITq3nBcMH6UaYri-jDqPSKvpDn5lESfZecJ9cN1MSt_JRfbYSqZGkehiCYm_vB2W7fXXvrZkACZXgFbHgtovvrxw2kIcdFmEGqvkNGE8K4NdsQ3Br8V7Nguk_f_7c/s1600/DSC05157.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}">
<br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgE4N1VWHZ1x_L7LITq3nBcMH6UaYri-jDqPSKvpDn5lESfZecJ9cN1MSt_JRfbYSqZGkehiCYm_vB2W7fXXvrZkACZXgFbHgtovvrxw2kIcdFmEGqvkNGE8K4NdsQ3Br8V7Nguk_f_7c/s400/DSC05157.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642234821703989778" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">the gorgeous sunset at our rental home in Cashiers, NC</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2GDV2PIdIeukwSPZjkBHkLnCJbSzsrSHEV_8IHlmBKoICM9wfK1CG5waSjnofmfnbwVLfWoKzemYM08i9ZSZMv7XFB9d2LZqFonY4Ydw0_Tygd2lpMehEE10DXrmuffvY-xwStZVjQU/s1600/DSC05227.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2GDV2PIdIeukwSPZjkBHkLnCJbSzsrSHEV_8IHlmBKoICM9wfK1CG5waSjnofmfnbwVLfWoKzemYM08i9ZSZMv7XFB9d2LZqFonY4Ydw0_Tygd2lpMehEE10DXrmuffvY-xwStZVjQU/s400/DSC05227.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642234613862124754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">corey with the girls at a small waterfall</div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWQj4hQ2EsOoqLYq4bvXlcQ5UotQNNKDS8AnrOVhJzbD88TYBTOpbr8MrWScwcIw56gLX1r1wM2TE1pP25F1chagd1BzYdHQf_5vtocLagtjylD3p0IbowuePOfClSKrwBvtuMI4At9c/s1600/DSC05214.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWQj4hQ2EsOoqLYq4bvXlcQ5UotQNNKDS8AnrOVhJzbD88TYBTOpbr8MrWScwcIw56gLX1r1wM2TE1pP25F1chagd1BzYdHQf_5vtocLagtjylD3p0IbowuePOfClSKrwBvtuMI4At9c/s400/DSC05214.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642234609973522738" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">a gorgeous waterfall in Cashiers, NC</div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0uK0hoiCaHGMysbO0kFD1i26CVyqwtclibMaAdJFEHOydYySI45dU-MU4qEU-c0AzLzNlfut4qzt9s8-H74DygecEXG5R2F4DI0rNcBds4iK-iyZa4yWojEvM3mbXbYrIpc8gon_8UU/s1600/DSC05212.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0uK0hoiCaHGMysbO0kFD1i26CVyqwtclibMaAdJFEHOydYySI45dU-MU4qEU-c0AzLzNlfut4qzt9s8-H74DygecEXG5R2F4DI0rNcBds4iK-iyZa4yWojEvM3mbXbYrIpc8gon_8UU/s400/DSC05212.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642234598215281938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">my girls and I </div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZbXW2DTxEJO3Ez1zl0SSNo72bFXe2zJeBSRRElr3HExAioJyP9rc5q3PqH4mvZ0SwJOZX0ymsJUfsDIzAl6qVNQdM_NQSpDkiwpyKRFITdjv_TaT5vfS6pOAxC188UM7ALXgPsHlbm4/s1600/collage.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 86px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZbXW2DTxEJO3Ez1zl0SSNo72bFXe2zJeBSRRElr3HExAioJyP9rc5q3PqH4mvZ0SwJOZX0ymsJUfsDIzAl6qVNQdM_NQSpDkiwpyKRFITdjv_TaT5vfS6pOAxC188UM7ALXgPsHlbm4/s400/collage.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642234593305860770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We were so lucky to get away just the four of us (our fur babies went along for the trip). Corey had an unexpected week off and we took the time and ran to the mountains! First stop 2 nights in the beautiful Blue Ridge, GA - we rented a cabin and lounged, ate great food and spend time out with the beautiful view. Next up 3 nights in Cashiers, NC (this was a very special spot to us since we used to vacation there when we lived in Atlanta). It did not fail us. It was GORGEOUS - the view from our rental house was absolutely breathtaking. We spent our mornings with the view, evenings and even ate dinner outside. The weather never got above 78 degrees. My heaven. I was able to hike outside and never break a sweat. The girls loved it - it was olives first real mountain adventure. Our fur babies are naturals in the outdoors. We had grand plans to finish adoption online training -but to our surprise not much internet connection....which honestly was a very lovely surprise. It was great to unplug and spend time with my family. We had a fantastic week away. It had been way too long. We are in the middle of a crazy adjustment period with Corey's work schedule. He is working evenings and well....we neither one seem to be getting a hang of it. We know it isn't forever and we are VERY thankful for that. Until his schedule changes we will make the best of it like we always do. We are back on board with the adoption paperwork, online training then scheduling our homestudy. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We will keep you posted when the homestudy/last interview is scheduled. Thanks for all your support - we couldn't do it without our friends and family. Love to each of you.</div></div>Ivey Handcraftedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00416557286116848369noreply@blogger.com0