So what's next?

So...what have we been up to? First, we went to our orientation in January where we got LOTS of information about what to expect throughout the adoption process, heard stories from both birth mothers and adoptive parents, and met lots of amazing families.

 In February we were up to our ears in paperwork, making copies of every record of every detail in our life, and finally got our packet all together to turn in. 

 This is Colby turning in our paperwork! He appeases me and takes a picture so I can document! :)

In March, our caseworker contacted us about scheduling our home study...and then she came the next day!!! So the middle of March, we got the most beautiful piece of paper in the mail that I had ever seen...our approval certificate! From March to April, we put together our profile book with pictures and our story. 

In between there, we had a couple of garage sales with so many of our amazing family and friends donating and helping out. This was very exhausting, but God really blessed our efforts and helped alleviate some of the cost burden of this process.

 That's a LOT of clothes!

 Ashlee is a great model...AND organizer!

 WOW!

 Grady displaying some of the items!

 Breaking for lunch!

Many have asked our time frame and the answer is...we have no idea! And that's probably the most exciting part. God has proven to us time and time again that His timing is perfect for us, so we know that the day our phone rings will be an amazingly orchestrated day! These are the many faces that are displayed along the hallways of Gladney. They are so beautiful, can't wait to see what he or she will look like.

Oh...did I also mention that Colby finished medical school last week? Whoop whoop! Very surreal. He's now enjoying time off until June when he'll start work! So stinkin' proud of him, and glad that we're headed toward the next phase of the journey. Wouldn't be possible without all of the amazing support and encouragement we've gotten along the way.

Hope Deferred

" Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."

                          - Proverbs 13:12

When Colby and I got married almost 7 years ago, we couldn't wait to be a family and be together. We've been a great family with the two of us and our sweet furry boys....yes WE are indeed a family, in spite of the many times we've been asked when "we'll be starting one?" :) But we have always known that we have wanted children (with the emphasis of plural). When God put that on our hearts, even in the middle of craziness with 2 grad schools, etc. we were excited to watch Him provide and bring another addition to our family. 

However, as the months and even year+++ went by with no blessing, we questioned why and what this was all about. Social media doesn't make it much easier, b/c before you just "knew" of many others that were successfully going about their stages in life, but with blogs and FB, you have to not only read and become aware of the many people that are making big announcements, but also see week by week recaps of bellies and timetickers, etc. as if a women's curse of comparison to other people and insecurity wasn't enough. (Hence the break from the blog and FB too- sorry, I really do love writing and reading, just needed some time to heal) Do we rejoice with others and praise God for their blessings...absolutely, we couldn't be more thrilled! But we've (or I've) at least gone through some soul searching areas of having to pray through bitterness, comparison, and feelings of anger and inadequacy. My job is to take care of other people's children. But I long to care for my own as well.

Hearing "advice" of God's timing, needing to relax, "at least you won't have to...." as well as many crazy other pieces of "encouragement" did not give us the reassurance we needed. (I could write a book on this-maybe I'll write a blog in the future) Thankfully, we do have friends and family that "get it." And ones that have stood by us and prayed for us, cried with us, have been open armed parents and let us love on their babies, and just let us "be." However, we haven't needed anyone to "fix" our problem for us or give us a solution (and I'm not looking for sympathy comments with writing this blog), I just feel like I needed to be honest and without others knowing the story behind our future children, I don't think God can be fully glorified for when He does provide them for us. We know full well that God's provision for us is immaculate! He's shown us this time and time again and we continue to praise Him and trust Him with this delicate part of our lives. I think back to the several times that I was asked what Colby's "back-up plan" was for residency, as ophtho is very competitive, but the Lord knew that was what he was supposed to do and we give Him all the glory for that blessing.

"He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord!"

                              -Psalm 113:9

Colby and I knew we wanted a blended family during our dating relationship and were both passionate for our desires for adoption as well as children our own. When we began “trying” for children of our own, we definitely didn’t anticipate the journey of infertility and the challenges that it would bring. We did seek a specialist for many months, but in spite of both of us being engrossed in the medical world, did not find any medical answers. We dabbled in a few treatment options but overall, we don't currently feel that further treatment is for us and felt God’s call toward pursuing adoption. In our minds, there is nothing more biblical than the design for adoption. He has shown us this model by adopting us as His children, being a Father to the fatherless and providing for us and saving us from the ultimate death we deserve from sin. I recently read the verse John 3:16 in a new light, "For God so longed to call me His child, that He offered the life of His only biological Son to pay the price of my adoption."


We started going to an informational meeting through the foster care system back in October, but quickly found out that with Colby’s future out-of-state residency plans, this would not be possible. That led us to Gladney, through a great friend’s recommendation, and the headquarters are here in our very own hometown! And of course after we matched to Arkansas, we found out that it is the only agency that is dually certified in both states...meaning we wouldn't have to start paperwork over again if it takes as long as the move. How blessed are we? 

Not to mention all of the people that we "ran into" at the agency and didn't even know they were involved. He knows our best. We are so excited for all that is to come in growing our family. We are doing the domestic program, as I (Joanna) have 4 domestically adopted siblings in my family and have seen there is great need that is right here in the good ole US of A. That doesn't mean we wouldn't consider international in the future, but for now, we feel that this is where God wants us. We didn't preference a "flavor," but have opted to leave the "menu" wide open and allow God to choose the baby that he has in mind for our family.

The time-frame for adoption is a little more difficult than a pregnancy where you know you have approximately 8-9 months of preparation, see physical changes, and prepare daily. We have no idea when we will bring home our child, and this is scary, yet exciting. It's hard for it to feel real as well without these physical changes, but we have felt the "expecting" longing and growing in our hearts for some time now.

This blog post serves not only as a way for us to share that we are indeed expecting, but also as an outreach to others for the incredible blessing of adoption. Adoption is often shared through word of mouth and many people "know of someone" needing to consider adoption. So if you know of someone in need, please pass on that they can call any adoption hotline or 1-800-Gladney for free help and resources. We loved finding out that this agency really ministers to the birth mothers, offering a place to stay, help with education, life skills, and job searches. And there are MANY others out there that are fabulous as well. So many resources.


The months ahead are unknown for us. We are unsure how long our waiting will last, or how our exact case will proceed until the time comes to bring home our child. What we do know is that this exciting journey will take us to parenthood. We appreciate your support, prayers, and most of all we appreciate your help in spreading the news about adoption!

And in the meantime, for those of you that have had a similar battle, know that we pray for you daily and that you aren't alone. I'm happy to pray for you by name as well. And to those of you that have been blessed so amazingly with kiddos, we praise God for your blessing! Please hug them tight and take every passing moment with them as a blessing, even on crazy days when the house is a mess and you're up 'til late in the morning. We can only dream of swollen ankles, being sleep deprived, messy toys, kids running around screaming, and terrible teenage years...but we hope that day will come sooner than later with the incredible blessing of adoption! 

Lately....

Sorry to be so MIA lately, but there's been a lot going on with our life! We've been busy! I graduated in December and have been working as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in the Neurology department since October. It's going really well and I love the amazing group of people I work with. I've been learning a LOT and still have a LOT to go! But I've loved all of the kiddos and am settling into my new role.

Next up is Student Dr. Brownlee... He has 10 weeks left of medical school!!! Praise the Lord! Been a long haul! In January, he got accepted into an ophthalmology residency in Little Rock, Arkansas!!!! To say that we are still in shock is an understatement! God was so so faithful to answer our many prayers and has given Colby the opportunity to study in the specialty that was his first choice and we are excited about moving to Arkansas. We aren't sure where he will do his intern year until March, so we could still stay put here another year, but will for sure be in AR by summer of 2013. The city is really beautiful with lots of trees and the fall was breathtaking when we visited. There's tons of outdoor activities including camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking...so we think this is a perfect fit! We are of course a little nervous to be that far away from family, but know that we will meet some amazing people there just as we have here.

We were blessed to be able to go on a cruise after Christmas and through the New Year with Colby's family. We had a really fun time being with family and just relaxing during all the hustle and bustle. Our favorite part of the trip was an underground river/cave experience that was SO beautiful and a wonderful way to see another aspect of God's creation.

Christmas Card 2011

 In the underground River

 

Graduation & Hooding

 Mamacita and my Aunt Kack

 Blessed with the best in-laws!

 My last 20th birthday!

 Ok...so Colby and I might or might not have been in the ending production on the cruise ship! Ha! We went to what we thought was a "dance lesson" at the beginning of the cruise, and yes we did indeed learn a couple new dances. True fact: We were in Baylor ballroom Dance Society and went once a week to Mars McClean gym to learn a dance, as we love dancing with each other. Think weddings, out to dinner/dancing, etc. small scale! But before we knew it, we were selected to perform in a "Dancing with the Stars" type performance in the last show of the cruise. Colby did the Tango with one of the cast dancers and I did the Samba. Here we are in our costumes....too funny! And I don't think I'll ever be able to drag Colb to a "dance lesson" on a cruise ever again!

 Latin Lovers :)

 The boys catching some rays...except my fair-skinned red head in his long sleeves :)

 Colby played a ton of dodge ball, basketball, soccer...making himself hurting like an old man most of the cruise!

 On one of the dress-up nights

 The girls

 We had a blast playing with our sweet niece!!!

 Snorkeling with Kaylan

 The fam in our "cruise shirts" and Keens...the official sandal of Cruise 2011

 Beautiful beach in Costa Maya, Mexico

 New Years Eve!

 Happy 2012!!! We look forward to all you have to bring!

Poor Deflated Blog

Hi. Remember me? Yep, my name is Joanna and I used to be able to blog. Now, I'm having a hard enough time trying to live my life, let alone record it! I WILL catch up one of these days!

In the meantime, several fun things have happened that will be blog subjects.
-Back in May the hubs and I celebrated 6 years of marriage! 
-Colby finished his 3rd year of medical school and began his 4th and FINAL year!
-We went to Colby's 10 year High School reunion, and pulled up in none other than his same truck from HS, ha!
- Weddings and babies galore.
- Colby finished, not one, but two Step 2 board exams.
-I got a job! I'll be working (once I take my boards) for the same pediatric hospital in the Neurology department as a nurse practitioner- I feel so blessed!
-We went to the lake for the weekend with my family
- I got my master's degree!!! so now, I have the following letters behind my name RN, MSN! whoohoo! It's been a long time coming. (currently studying and waiting to take my board exams to become RN, MSN, CPNP-PC)
-Rejoiced over Colby's Papa's almost 98 years here on Earth and what a blessing he has been in our lives 
- am currently doing ICU clinicals to become CPNP-AC in December, yes- still a student doing clinical hours, studying for my boards and working. Lovely. Running out. of. steam.  
-Got to see our sweet niece not once, but twice this summer- love her sweet smiles
Stay tuned and thanks for the prayers! Just wanted everyone to know we're alive and well! :)

Here's a picture from our 6th Anniversary dinner

 Colby and his Papa this past Father's Day, see where he gets his good looks and red hair? :)

Candlelighters 2011

Aaah! I'm so sad that my iPhoto went out, now I'm so far behind with blogging! It is pretty much fixed thanks to my lovely hubby, but haven't restored my Easter pictures, hoping they are still somewhere out there!  So...here we go back to April!

Colby and I once again played in the Candlelighter's golf tournament fundraiser. This is such a precious organization to my heart, as they're motto is "Because kids can't fight cancer alone." They are an amazing blessing to my patients and the other nurses that work at my hospital on our floor. They come with coffee and donuts once a week and have pizza night and sodas once a week for dinner. They provide meal vouchers for the hospital cafeteria, help out families that have ever-stacking medical bills with specific needs and is just an awesome organization that truly does put donations right where they are needed. Consider looking them up!

We got to go and play on my hospital's team and also got to take a good friend of ours, Brad, along for some fun! Overall we for sure weren't the lowest score, but we had a great time! I've truly turned a corner with my golf game and can actually start to play without "skipping holes" or "stop counting my score," ha!! I even won the ladies' "closest to the pin" plaque. Ha! By default of course b/c there were only 2 ladies playing and by closest, that means I wasn't in the water that was next to that hole. I was quite proud of my Tiger Wood's skills. We had a blast, ate a yummy lunch, won a bunch of fun doorprizes, and really got to go help out my patients outside of the hospital-which is an honor to do!

Lubing up on sunscreen and coffee...essentials!

 Colb setting up for a drive

 Bradley getting his tan on

 Colby NOT getting his tan on...our poor transparent kids!

 Setting up for a perfect shot on the green

 Beautiful Day!

 Our cart!

 

We make a great team!

iPhoto Crash

I've been wanting to do a post for awhile! I have lots of fun Easter pictures from my family celebration, a golf tournament that Colb and I played in, etc. etc. but stupid iPhoto crashed, so I'm up a creek without a paddle for now, until I can make my Genius bar appointment and they restore it...bummer!

In the meantime, I guess a fun update is that I took my last final EVER last week! Whoohoo! So now all I have left is 720 clinical hours and 2 board exams and I'm homefree as a nurse practitioner! Ok, ok, so that's kinda  big task at hand, but I'm super excited to be done with coursework and to really get to the good stuff of being in a clinic and seeing patients on my own and learning lots! I will begin my primary practicum tomorrow at a Pedi office, so I'm excited!

Colby is actually on his Pedi rotation (his LAST of 3rd year, holla!) so we got to have lunch last week since he is inpatient at my hospital. It was so fun for me to get to see him in action in his cute white coat and walking around in his flock of students. He's so stinkin' cute! Then he'll have step 2 board exams this summer and mosey on into 4th year, unbelievable! 

Hopefully I'll get my pictures up and running sooner than later!!

Crunchy Romaine Salad

I'm linking up with Casey today for a recipe exchange!

This is my staple, "oh my goodness this salad is so good, I want the recipe" salad. I take it to lots of dinner parties and serve it at my own, because it's so yummy! And it totally follows Elizabeth's rules because it is a very pretty and colorful side! I got it from none other than my wonderful mamacita. I'm sure she got it from somewhere, but who knows?!? Enjoy! 
 

Crunchy Romaine Salad

1 head romaine lettuce, washed, torn into pieces (I use 2 of the ready-to-go bags of romaine-easy!)

1 cup chopped pecans

1 pkg. Ramen Noodles (uncooked and broken into pieces....throw away flavor pkt.)

4 Tbsp. butter

4 green onions, chopped

1 can mandarin oranges

chopped fresh broccoli

Optional Ingredient: fresh sliced mushrooms (we love them!)

Directions: Brown Ramen noodles in butter over medium heat. Add pecans toward the end of the browning. Cool and drain on paper towels. Combine with rest of ingredients. Toss and top with dressing. Important suggestion!!!: Don't put the dressing on the salad until right before you are ready to serve b/c it saturates the lettuce too much and the salad gets really soggy. I just bring the dressing along in a tupperware until eating time!

Dressing:  1/2 cup vegetable oil

                1/2 cup sugar

                1/4 cup red wine vinegar

                 1 1/2 Tbsp. soy sauce

                Salt and Pepper