Back to School, Lily's 3rd Birthday and Adoption Update!

For those of you who are still out there, we are still here! It has been a month since I last posted, and boy has it been a busy one. I wanted to give you a quick update and let you know we are still alive! Two of the sweetest little faces in the world! I'm so glad they have each other!


First Day of School for Jackson and Riley! This year, Jackson and Riley are going to a new school! They were really excited, and Lily just had to have a backpack like her brother and sister! I returned to teaching this year, and one of the perks is that Jackson and Riley now ride the bus in the afternoons from their school to mine. They think this is the most exciting thing in the world- apparently they have been waiting their whole lives to get to ride a school bus! Jackson started 5th grade and Riley started 2nd grade. I can't believe how quickly time flies! Notice Lily has her blanket and also a lunchbox. Lunch is served at her daycare, but she had to have her lunchbox in the picture- even though she doesn't actually take it to school!

On August 20, Lily turned 3 years old! We planned a pool party, but right before it was time to party, it began to sprinkle rain, so we quickly moved everything into the garage. After the kids played for a bit, the rain stopped and we were able to move the party back outside. THANK GOODNESS!

Lily has recently learned to pedal her tricycle, and she is really proud.

She's a big Dora fan!

WATERMELON AND BIG SMILES!

The cake

Lily had been practicing the birthday song and how to blow out her candles all day- she was super excited about that part.

And she enjoyed her cake too!

I cannot believe that Lily has been with us for only half of her life. She came home at 18 months, and it seems like she has been with us forever! We are so blessed to be her family.

On another note, we sent our Dossier (compilation of TONS of paperwork) to China on August 16th. This past Friday, I received confirmation from our social worker that our Log in Date (LID) was August 26. For those of you not living in "adoption land", what this means is that we are now logged in to China's system and eligible to receive a referral at any time. We expect a new list of available children to come out this Monday night, and we have our fingers crossed that our son will be on that list. We are so excited! It may not be our month, only God knows, but we are ready to move forward in this process. If we are matched, we will likely receive "the call" on Tuesday morning. I will keep you posted!

Blessings-

Meredith

GOD IS WORKING!

So last night, I was having a little pity party (read previous blog), and in the midst of my party, God showed up! He sent me a sweet new friend who is hosting an adoption fundraiser for us! Details are below- If you are interested in purchasing items, just click on the link- they will be shipped directly to your home and make great gifts!


Scentsy makes beautiful wax warmers that use a light bulb to MELT fragrant wax, not burn it. They're so much safer and healthier than candles! Visit http://www.jennc.scentsy.us/ and click on "Curtis Family Adoption". Feel free to share this link and repost if it you wouldn't mind.

THANKS!

Blessings-

Meredith

Adoption Truths

As we have been journeying through this adoption process again, I am reminded that almost nothing in adoption is a certainty. Each and every time that we "think" we will have a certain paper signed, in our hands, at our agency, etc. it is either much earlier than we expected, or much later. Whenever we "think" we understand the rules and documents that we are working with, the rules change. The documents change. The process changes. When I pray for patience through the process inevitably something comes along to test that patience. There is, however, one thing that is certain in adoption- it is expensive. Satan has really been after me lately and I have been falling into his trap of worry especially in this area. Physically, I can look around and see that God is Faithful! He is faithful to provide what we need at just the time we need it. He is faithful when we follow Him. I am so blessed with a Godly husband, 3 wonderful children, a home, food to eat, clothes to wear, etc. etc, and yet still, Satan can slip in and I begin to second -guess God's plan. "Do we have enough money for another child? How will we pay for the initial expense? Do we have enough time for another child? Can I really be a good mom to 4 children? We don't even have an extra bedroom! Are we hearing God wrong in adopting an older child? a boy? and the list goes on and on...I know that God is probably looking at me and saying "Oh you of little faith. If only you could see the plans I have for you! JUST HAVE FAITH AND TRUST ME! "

I am working hard to listen to God these days, and to KNOW that I KNOW that he will provide in every way if I follow Him and listen to Him only! With our first adoption, I SAW it happen! I don't know why I allow myself to take my eyes off of Him and listen to what others say and think. Please pray that God will use us for His glory, and that we will keep our eyes ONLY on Him!

Thanks for walking beside us as prayer partners in this journey.

Blessings-

Meredith

TRYING NEW THINGS...

This summer, Riley and Jackson wanted to try some new things, and one of those things included horseback riding. So, I called all around to find a great place for them to try out their skills. We found a wonderful little horse farm in Opelika and they have REALLY enjoyed it! So, I thought I would share a few pictures from their lessons!

Jackson crossing the poles...

Jackson and Riley working through the obstacle course

At the beginning of their first lesson, one of the things they had to do was to show that they were comfortable with being on the horse...they did several things to work on this, but one requirement was to be able to turn all the way around in the saddle. I thought it was pretty funny...looked like they were riding backwards, so of course I had to take pics of that....

Enjoyable times! Glad we tried it, I might have never known if they hadn't asked!

On another note, we finally received our I 800a approval on July 14, so now our dossier is being certified and authenticated (which should take 2-3 weeks) and then we will be Dossier to China! (DTC) At that point, we can be matched with a child- this is the beginning of the exciting part!!

Enjoy the rest of the summer- I can't believe how quickly it is flying by!

Blessings-

Meredith

Couponing for Adoption

If you know me, you know that I am a HUGE fan of coupons. a. really. HUGE. fan!

I know how much you can save by just spending a little time BEFORE you go to the store, making a game plan and a good list!

When we adopted Lily, we had to determine ways that we could save money and I really got addicted to it. I must make a huge apology to those who have stood in line behind me in Publix!

I haven't taken pictures of my trips in a while, but I thought I would share this week's purchases with you.

Total before coupons: $122.91

Total after coupons: $37.30

I had a $25 rebate card from a previous trip, so my total out of pocket was $12.30- grocery week for a family of 5, not too shabby! (Plus I am stocked for the next 6 months on diswashing detergent!)

GOTTA LOVE SOME COUPONS!!

Blessings-

Meredith

LILY AND LILLY

Today we spent some time with sweet friends at their lakehouse. When we travelled to China to adopt Lily, we met another family who was in our travel group with our same agency. They live very near to us, and were there to adopt their Lilly who is 3 days older than our Lily. The picture above is a "red couch" photo that we took of the girls in China. We enjoyed getting to know their family on our trip and have kept in touch with them since returning. I am so glad that the girls have this connection and can grow up knowing each other! We had a great time playing and swimming together today and look forward to seeing them again soon!

Jackson and our Lily


Jackson, Riley, Lilly and Lily

The girls

The whole group

Jackson and Lily

Lily and Lilly

Sweet Girls

Lilly and Riley

Precious China Girls!

HOMESTUDY IS DONE!

FINALLY! Our homestudy was approved today and Fed Ex'd on to USCIS to catch up with our I800 A Application! YAY! Hopefully we will be through USCIS soon and then we can be Dossier to China asap!

Blessings-

Meredith