As many of your know we have been on our second adoption adventure to grow our family. We were officially approved for adoption on October 30, 2014, and then we sent in our photo books and one page summary profile for caseworkers to view when we met the criteria. Scot and I just knew it would be at least 6-9 months before we were matched because we are looking to adopt younger children between the ages of 0-4. Well God definitely has different plans for us and he made us aware of them on my birthday yesterday.
Scot received a call from Tanya at Gladney informing us that there is a sweet, 8 week old baby boy who is ready for adoption. So of course Scot and I are over the moon and ready for Madilyn to have a baby brother, and more importantly to provide this little boy a safe, loving, and stable home and family. We are preparing our minds and hearts for this upcoming adoption adventure to come to a happy ending. We will do whatever it takes to follow the path that we believe God has laid out for our family.
One of our bumps in the road is to pay some unexpected fees to complete the placement/adoption. These fees are due to the type of adoption and due to the fact that he is undergoing physical therapy. At the request of friends, we have set up a gofundme account. We thank you in advance for any donations, but more importantly we could use everyone's thoughts and prayers.
Link (you'll have to copy and paste):
http://www.gofundme.com/in7qao
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December 10, 2014
September 16, 2014
Can You Believe It?!
We have been very busy in the Smith household. Our first school year is in full swing. Madilyn is in KINDERGARTEN!! Can you believe it?!! She's absolutely loving it. I've included her first day of school picture, and a picture of her and her teacher, Mrs. George.
She's rides the Kids R Kids bus before and after school. She loves to change it up with lunch so sometimes I'll make her lunch and other days she'll eat at school. The transition overall has gone very smooth. She's making so many friends.
Since Madilyn loves dancing and music so much, she's now enrolled in tap and ballet lessons on Monday evenings. We will also be attending a Girl Scout meeting this week to see if she'd be interested in becoming a Daisy Scout. I was never a Girl Scout but I'm letting her try different things to see what she likes. Then she's going to take a one day dance clinic on September 20th, and she'll be able to perform during half-time at Timberview High School's football game. We're all pretty excited. I never thought our schedule would be so busy with one little adorable girl. I can only imagine how crazy it will be when we have a couple of more great kids.
UPDATE...We had our home study last Tuesday, September 9, 2014 with Meredith, and we think it went pretty well. I think it took about 5 hours or so. She interviewed us together and then separately. She also had the opportunity to speak with Madilyn which was exhausting for me to watch, so I can only imagine what it was like for Meredith to follow Madilyn across the entire house as she showed her numerous things as they were talking. We also gave her a tour of the house so we could make sure we met all the state requirements. I also sent Meredith our photo book so she could review it and give me any necessary feedback to make it more presentable, fun, and eyecatching to caseworkers that would be reviewing our files after we're approved. All that remains is one more form to complete and the official approval after our home study is written and reviewed. Now we wait!!
Jobs are still going great for Scot and me. We have also kept up our volunteer work with Gladney. It's our last year to be co-VPs of the Fort Worth GFA Board, and then 2015-2017 we'll be the co-Presidents which should be quite interesting. I'm somewhat scared to see how it all works out, especially if we're running three kids around during at least one of those years instead of one child. However, I'm learning to enjoy all the little things and not worry so much about what is to come.
Scot and I have also joined a dinner group through church which has been wonderful for us. It's nice to know that every 6 weeks we will be having an adult dinner with 5 other couples from our church (no kids), and it's time for us. Last but not least we adopted a 4-legged critter into our family. Her name is Sheba and she's slowly learning the do's and don'ts in the house. Training is definitely helping but it's going to be a long process.
We are definitely enjoying 2014, and we are looking forward to what this school year holds for Madilyn.
XOXO
The Smith Family!
Since Madilyn loves dancing and music so much, she's now enrolled in tap and ballet lessons on Monday evenings. We will also be attending a Girl Scout meeting this week to see if she'd be interested in becoming a Daisy Scout. I was never a Girl Scout but I'm letting her try different things to see what she likes. Then she's going to take a one day dance clinic on September 20th, and she'll be able to perform during half-time at Timberview High School's football game. We're all pretty excited. I never thought our schedule would be so busy with one little adorable girl. I can only imagine how crazy it will be when we have a couple of more great kids.
UPDATE...We had our home study last Tuesday, September 9, 2014 with Meredith, and we think it went pretty well. I think it took about 5 hours or so. She interviewed us together and then separately. She also had the opportunity to speak with Madilyn which was exhausting for me to watch, so I can only imagine what it was like for Meredith to follow Madilyn across the entire house as she showed her numerous things as they were talking. We also gave her a tour of the house so we could make sure we met all the state requirements. I also sent Meredith our photo book so she could review it and give me any necessary feedback to make it more presentable, fun, and eyecatching to caseworkers that would be reviewing our files after we're approved. All that remains is one more form to complete and the official approval after our home study is written and reviewed. Now we wait!!
Jobs are still going great for Scot and me. We have also kept up our volunteer work with Gladney. It's our last year to be co-VPs of the Fort Worth GFA Board, and then 2015-2017 we'll be the co-Presidents which should be quite interesting. I'm somewhat scared to see how it all works out, especially if we're running three kids around during at least one of those years instead of one child. However, I'm learning to enjoy all the little things and not worry so much about what is to come.
Scot and I have also joined a dinner group through church which has been wonderful for us. It's nice to know that every 6 weeks we will be having an adult dinner with 5 other couples from our church (no kids), and it's time for us. Last but not least we adopted a 4-legged critter into our family. Her name is Sheba and she's slowly learning the do's and don'ts in the house. Training is definitely helping but it's going to be a long process.
We are definitely enjoying 2014, and we are looking forward to what this school year holds for Madilyn.
XOXO
The Smith Family!
January 20, 2014
Unexpected Turns
Wow it's 2014!!! My apologies for the time lapse since my last post but so much happened at the end of 2013. Many "unexpected turns" occurred.
I am so proud of my husband!! He is officially a college graduated. In December, he graduated with his Bachelor's in Social Work. He will be starting a commission only job with Easter Seals for now. He will continue his job search and interviewing until he finds exactly what he's looking for in his new found career. He will also be preparing to become a license social worker.
In the month of December we were blessed to spend so much time with Scot's family and mine too. I know Madilyn had a blast spending time with all of her cousins. It was so great to see them having so much fun together.
I know my family is very happy that 2013 has come to an end. Scot had a terrible health scare in between Christmas and New Year's. He had a heart attack. Super scary for us all especially since he has no family history and he has had no health problems at all. So of course it took us all by surprise. Took Scot by surprise most of all since he didn't even know he had it. We are all thankful and blessed that he has recovered and the cardiologist's prognosis for Scot is very good. He said he should live a long and healthy life now. That little "unexpected turn" I believe is another Blessing in Disguise. It's one of life's warnings to take notice now so we can prevent anything worse.
So the bigs news from our little Smith Family is that we have decided we will not be pursuing our adoption of an infant any longer. Scot and I have discussed it at length, and we've come to the conclusion that it is best for us to move forward and adopt a child from foster care. There are already so many children in the United States that live day to day without a home to call their own and they long for a loving family. Madilyn will still get to be a big sister but it just won't be a baby. She is so excited about this decision. She has asked for a little sister because she wants to share her room, play dress-up, teach how to brush her hair, and so much more! Now that Scot is no longer working/interning with Gladney, we have decided to pursue our adoption through their New Beginnings program. We will continue to post updates to Madilyn's Adoption Spot on Facebook and in our blog. Also we have raised $1500 and these funds will definitely be helpful when it's time to finalize our adoption in the future to cover our attorney's fees and court costs. Thank you everyone for your support!!
Our Ground to Cup Coffee will be ending on January 31, 2014 so you still have a little more time to purchase coffee (http://www.groundtocupcoffee.com/online-store/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=COFFEE&Screen=PLST&Affiliate=smith5100). We will continue to take pre-orders for Madilyn's Spot t-shirts (https://www.beyourownspot.com/products-page/unisex/madilyns-spot-pre-order/).
I hope that everyone is having a fabulous 2014 so far. I know that we look forward to our new adventures in 2014.
Love Always,
The Smith Family!
I am so proud of my husband!! He is officially a college graduated. In December, he graduated with his Bachelor's in Social Work. He will be starting a commission only job with Easter Seals for now. He will continue his job search and interviewing until he finds exactly what he's looking for in his new found career. He will also be preparing to become a license social worker.
In the month of December we were blessed to spend so much time with Scot's family and mine too. I know Madilyn had a blast spending time with all of her cousins. It was so great to see them having so much fun together.
I know my family is very happy that 2013 has come to an end. Scot had a terrible health scare in between Christmas and New Year's. He had a heart attack. Super scary for us all especially since he has no family history and he has had no health problems at all. So of course it took us all by surprise. Took Scot by surprise most of all since he didn't even know he had it. We are all thankful and blessed that he has recovered and the cardiologist's prognosis for Scot is very good. He said he should live a long and healthy life now. That little "unexpected turn" I believe is another Blessing in Disguise. It's one of life's warnings to take notice now so we can prevent anything worse.
So the bigs news from our little Smith Family is that we have decided we will not be pursuing our adoption of an infant any longer. Scot and I have discussed it at length, and we've come to the conclusion that it is best for us to move forward and adopt a child from foster care. There are already so many children in the United States that live day to day without a home to call their own and they long for a loving family. Madilyn will still get to be a big sister but it just won't be a baby. She is so excited about this decision. She has asked for a little sister because she wants to share her room, play dress-up, teach how to brush her hair, and so much more! Now that Scot is no longer working/interning with Gladney, we have decided to pursue our adoption through their New Beginnings program. We will continue to post updates to Madilyn's Adoption Spot on Facebook and in our blog. Also we have raised $1500 and these funds will definitely be helpful when it's time to finalize our adoption in the future to cover our attorney's fees and court costs. Thank you everyone for your support!!
Our Ground to Cup Coffee will be ending on January 31, 2014 so you still have a little more time to purchase coffee (http://www.groundtocupcoffee.com/online-store/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=COFFEE&Screen=PLST&Affiliate=smith5100). We will continue to take pre-orders for Madilyn's Spot t-shirts (https://www.beyourownspot.com/products-page/unisex/madilyns-spot-pre-order/).
I hope that everyone is having a fabulous 2014 so far. I know that we look forward to our new adventures in 2014.
Love Always,
The Smith Family!
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