babytabone

We know it’s been a LONG time since our last post!  I guess that’s what happens when you have children…you become very busy!

Eric and I are so excited to let everyone know about the exciting things that are happening in our family!  We have known since Cade came along that we wanted to adopt again.  That time has come and we are so excited!  This time will look a little different as we are adopting through the Foster Care system this time around ~ and we cannot wait!!!  This is something that we have known for a while that we were supposed to do and now God is opening every door for us to get started with the process.  All we know right now is that we are about to begin a 10-week class through DSS.   We aren’t 100% sure what to expect after that, but we do know that a home study will be involved after the class is over.

All of you, our “Baby Tabone” supporters, were such an encouragement all throughout the adoption process while we waited for our precious boy.  Your prayers carried us through when we didn’t think we could possibly wait another day.  So, as we begin this new process, which is already different than what we’re used to, we are asking for your prayers!  We know that our precious little one is out there and we cannot wait to meet them!

Yesterday we left the house about 6:00am to head to Charlotte.  We had to be there by 8:30am for our final adoption seminar with our agency.  The first one we attended, which was in the fall, was incredible!  At that one, we heard from two birth moms, a woman who had been adopted as an infant, and several adoptive parents.  We had high hopes for yesterday’s seminar since we got so much out of the first one.  This one was good as well, but not as good. This time we heard from a PA on what we should/should not be concerned about with our infant and a car seat representative who talked about all of the latest car seat safety information. Both were both informative, but a little boring.  We watched one sermon from a Charlotte pastor on what children need from their parents, which was excellent!  We also had a pastor come and talk to us about nourishing the relationship with our spouse, even when we have children – that was also really good!

We were lucky to sit at a table with two other couples, both of which we had seen before at previous meetings, but never had the chance to get to know.  Both couples have biological children and are looking to add to their families through adoption, which I think is incredible!  During our lunch break, I sat there talking with one of the other wives at our table.  I knew her and her husband had been at the very first informational meeting that Eric and I went to.   Some of you probably remember how quickly we thought this process would happen for us after going to that first meeting.  I brought that up in our conversation and asked her if she was given the same impression during that meeting.  She immediately said, “Oh my gosh, YES!!!”  She said that she had the exact same feeling we did after leaving that meeting – that we would be getting a baby SOON!  Obviously our agency doesn’t know exactly when each family will receive placement, but at that point the agency was low on waiting families, which led them to let us know how quickly it MIGHT happen.  Well, needless to say, both of our families are still waiting…and they have been waiting a few months longer than us.  I think it made us both feel better to hear that neither of us had been completely off base with what we’ve been thinking and feeling since that first meeting.

This other adoptive mom and I were able to confirm for each other that God still has the perfect child already picked out for each of our families.  Sometimes we need to hear from and talk to other people who know exactly how we feel and are in the same place we are.  It’s been just about 5 months since we were officially put on the waiting list and we will continue to wait as long as it takes for our precious baby to get here!

It’s been a while (you just thought about that Staind song didn’t you?) since our last posting because it has been quiet. It feels like forever since that last appointment when they told us we were all official. But that’s to be expected.  So we’re enjoying the calm before the storm. (And I quite enjoy seeing Laine jump with every unknown number that comes across our phone!).

Now on to the big news!

As of 12:15 p.m. today, Laine and I are 100% funded to pay for all the fees associated with the adoption (aside from whatever medical expenses come our way). This could never have happened without your support. Laine and I raised approximately $3,000 with the various fundraisers that y’all participated in. The biggest surprise, however, came when we received approximately $5,000 in donations. A total of $8,000 has been provided by you (31% of the fee). From new friends, people we’ve known and loved for ages, people we work with, to complete strangers, we have been extremely blessed by your generosity and kindness. I don’t think we’ll every be able truly express our gratitude. Not only have you provided financial support, but you’ve given us confidence that this is what we’re suppose to do and that we’ll be good at it. (Why would anyone back a losing hand, right?)

Thank you! We love you all so very much!

And we hope you’ll be able to attend a special meet and greet with the baby once he (or she) arrives. If not, Laine and I will go out of our way to make sure you meet the blessing you helped provide!

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” – John 13:34-35

Today is a day we have been waiting for.  We are officially on the adoption waiting list!

Our final meeting was just between us and our agency’s director.  We ended up spending almost two and a half hours with her.  She talked to us about the legal risk that is involved with birth fathers and the open adoption process, and told us many stories about other adoptive families.  She clarified our profile and made sure she knew exactly what we were open to.

The one thing we did not get today is any idea of WHEN we might get THE phone call!  But, we didn’t really expect to get that information, as nice as it would have been!

We do have several prayer requests that we would love for you to join us in praying for:

1. Our precious baby – that he/she will be healthy and know how much we love them

2. The birth family – that God will guide them through this process and they will be at peace with us adopting their baby; also, pray for their salvation – this is something that God has really placed on my heart and is very important to me

3.  Eric and I – that we trust completely that God has the perfect child already chosen for our family and that we only grow closer through this process

4. The funds – We are only about $6,000 away from being able to pay cash for the entire adoption!  Praise God!  We’re praying that we don’t have to take out a loan for the remainder.

5. Finally, pray that we don’t lose our minds every time the phone rings now!!!  😀

One final note:  THANK YOU to everyone who ordered a t-shirt!  We were able to raise over $500 through that fundraiser!!!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!  It means the world to us to have so many people by our side through this journey!

Eric and I had our first adoption seminar today in Charlotte.  We were unsure of what to expect going into it, but were greatly surprised at how much we learned.  God never ceases to amaze me with how much He is teaching us through this process.  He never fails to put the right people in our lives at exactly the right time, to provide exactly the right encouragement.

Today’s seminar started with two birth mothers sharing their stories.  In a room full of adoptive parents or soon-to-be adoptive parents, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room by the end of their session with us (NOTE FROM ERIC: I didn’t cry!).  I have thought about, and even prayed for, the birth mother of our child.  After hearing from these two amazing women, I am humbled by the sacrifice that they made.  God really showed us today how much of a sacrifice these mothers, and sometimes the birth-fathers, make out of love for their children.  I really realized today that what is going to be one of the best days of our lives, will probably be one of the most difficult days for the birth parents.  That only gives me a stronger desire to pray for these courageous people, their salvation, and the precious little one that they are bringing into the world for us to raise.

We also got to hear from a woman who was adopted as an infant.  When I spend too long thinking about it, I often find myself worrying that our child will feel abandoned or not realize how much we love them.  This sweet woman told the story of two parents who raised her with nothing but unconditional love.  God quietly whispered to me that this is exactly what our child will feel – unconditional love.  I was again humbled as this lady spoke of a mother she loved dearly and wept as she talked about having to bury her just a few short months ago after a battle with dementia.  Wow – just what I needed once again.

We got to hear from several families who have been placed with children in the past several months.  For some of them, it was within weeks of having their home study complete.  For others, it was a few months.  We were told of SEVERAL families that got a phone call and had to be at a hospital somewhere in North Carolina to pick up their baby within just a few HOURS!  Yes, we might get a phone call and have a baby ready for us to bring home within just a few hours.  We are trying to decide the best method for being “ready” when they call (car seat in the car, bag packed since we might have to travel several hours and spend the night, etc.).  I know some people think we’re crazy for being over prepared, but if you heard the stories we heard you would understand!

We could use your prayers right now!  Here are a few things we’re asking for you to pray about for us:

1. Our precious baby – that he or she will get here at just the right time and be healthy

2. For the birth family of our baby – that we will be compassionate and understanding and that they will have a peace to know that we are the family God has called to raise their baby

3. Our finances – God has provided tremendously more than we could ever deserve already and I truly feel that He’s not done yet.  We are between $9,000 – 10,000 short of having the entire adoption paid for.  When you start at needing $26,000 just 6 short months ago, I feel like that’s a great testimony to all that God has done for us.  We would love to not have to go into any debt to pay for the rest, but we are willing to do so.  Pray for guidance in this area for us, please.  We also have one more fundraiser on the horizon.  We are in the process of designing an adoption t-shirt, which we will hopefully have more details about very soon.  We also still have 4 Clemson/South Carolina tickets for sale.  Let us know if you or anyone you know is interested – every bit of that will go straight to the adoption fund.

4.  Us – as we begin to look for a pediatrician and someone to care for the baby after I go back to work, as well as God working out the details of my time out of work

We cannot thank you enough for your prayers!

Whew!  Between everything that has been going on at school and at home, I think I need to stop and take a deep breath!

On Saturday, our social worker came to the house for our final visit with her before the baby is placed with us.  She had never been to our house (we met at a library in Fayetteville up until now because she lives an hour and a half from us), so we cleaned inside and out, not knowing what she would be looking for.  We had to laugh a little when she got here, took a tour, jotted down a few notes, and was out the door within 15 minutes!  I told Eric that we just needed to be grateful that our house was now immaculate.  🙂

Prior to this visit, I had so many fears and worries about what she would be looking for when she came to the house.  She did give us a heads up and told us to make sure we had a fire extinguisher, as well as the safety items that we would need one day.  She was very practical and told us there was no need to install all of these items yet, but just to have them out to show her we were prepared.  I have heard horror stories of social workers coming in and looking in closets and drawers.  Our visit was nothing like that…another reason to say that I absolutely love our social worker!  I think she is so down to earth about the whole situation because she’s been through the process of adoption with the same agency we are using.

Now that our final pre-placement visit is out of the way, we have about two to three weeks to wait for  paperwork to be completed and approved by several different people.  Once the home study paperwork is completed and approved by our social worker’s supervisor, it will be sent to our agency.  We will then meet with the agency, pay the next round of fees, and officially be on the WAITING LIST!  I thought someone said this process was going to take forever!  Seems to me like it’s flying by!!  🙂

Just wanted to share that this week God reminded us how BLESSED we are that He has called us to adopt.  I have never once felt like this was “second best” to being pregnant, but instead a miracle that most people don’t get to experience.  I have always wanted to adopt and I am so excited that this dream is about to come true!  I love how excited Eric is about the process as well.  God has truly called us to do this at the perfect time.  The perfect baby, designed by God, is on their way!  Please keep us in your prayers as we are attempting to have as much of this paid for up front as possible.  We are “asking big,” as our pastor recently preached on, and praying that God provides the rest of the money we need before the baby comes.  We appreciate you praying with us.

Curtains are finally hung!

Finally, we’ve made a lot of progress in the nursery over the last couple of weeks.  We picked up the dresser and the night stand last weekend.  The curtains are up and the room is really coming together.  Let us know what you think!

The dresser and night stand

We framed some of the pre-adoption pictures that Dawn took for us!

It’s football season. How ’bout a li’l cheer for our li’l cub?!

Part 2 of the home study is complete!  It wasn’t bad at all.  Our social worker is awesome.  She asked a few tough questions of me (Eric), but it was nothing like I expected.  Laine says her’s was fairly easy as well.  Our final pre-adoption meeting is scheduled for September 22nd.  She’ll swing by the house and make sure we’re not living all nasty.  That’s pretty exciting.  After that we should be good to go.  Great things are happening in the Tabone household!

Secondly, Ms. Cazier has posted the remainder of our pre-adoption pictures.  You can check them out at her website.  Laine and I would like to thank Dawn for donating her time and services to us.  The pictures look awesome.  We are very grateful for friends like you, and we cannot wait to add them to our profile album.

Finally, IT’S FOOTBALL SEASON!!!!! And as many of you have noticed, we have launched our Clemson vs. South Carolina Football Ticket Raffle.  This raffle will help support the Baby Tabone Adoption Fund.  Up for grabs are 3 pairs of tickets to The Battle of the Palmetto State.  One ticket cost $10, and $20 will get you three tickets.  Help us spread the word!  The success of our last fund raiser was in large part due to how many of y’all shared our blog on your Facebook page.  Let’s do it again!

Thanks to everyone for the continue prayers and support.  I would like to personally thank everyone Laine works with for all the amazing presents from the baby shower.  You are all awesome, and we are very blessed to have y’all in our lives.

Have a great weekend!!

Today was such an amazing day!  After work, my incredible friends had a baby shower for me at school.  I was surrounded by friends and colleagues who have been so supportive since the day we announced that we were adopting.  We had cute baby-face cupcakes (with pacifiers in their mouths!) and other goodies, we decorated quilt squares that my talented friends are going to make into a quilt, and we opened presents.  It was fun to fellowship and talk about the sweet little one who is on their way to us!  We received many amazing gifts: our baby monitor system, a boppy, clothes, books, diapers, wipes, bath necessities, crib sheets, an amazing blanket, swaddlers, bottles, a play mat, and much more.

To those of you who took time to celebrate with me today, thank you!  Your friendship and support during this time means the world to me!  Below are some pictures of all of the goodies we received today.

Keep us in your prayers tomorrow!  We have our hour-long individual interviews tomorrow afternoon.  I’m trying not to let my nerves get the best of me.  🙂

Laine

Our baby monitor system! So glad to have this before our little one arrives.

A basket full of goodies from an amazing friend and lots of precious little outfits! 

A play mat with piano keys at the end for baby to kick! Love it!

All of the other baby goodies we were blessed with today!

Yesterday, Laine and I had our pre-adoption pictures taken by our good friend Dawn Cazier at the gorgeous Weymouth Center in Southern Pines, NC!  She slipped us a sneak peak, and we wanted to share with y’all.  Enjoy!

Check out some of Dawn’s other work at http://www.191photography.com!

The raffle we’ve all been waiting for begins tonight at midnight!  Up for grabs are three pairs of tickets to the annual Battle of the Palmetto State game, Clemson vs South Carolina.

Raffle tickets are $10 a piece or three for $20.  They can be purchased online or in person.  Check out our Clemson vs. South Carolina Raffle link for full details.

Let us know if you have any questions!  Good luck.