ATTN: Prayer Warriors

I received an update this morning on V. They have been told it is stage 4 lung cancer that has spread. The words were "treatable but not curable." Sounds like those doctors are limiting God huh?

Please pray for this family any chance you get. V and N (his wife) have two little girls and he is YOUNG! They are not currently in a church, but searching.

Here is my prayer for them: that church finds them. That they see the body of Christ surrond them in their time of need. That any needs they have be met before they even ask. That N and V see clearly where they need to be and when they need to be there...right now they are searching out a second opinion before starting treatment and N is in charge of scheduling all this mess including chemo. That any other sickness stays out of their home. That their minds are consumed with peace instead of worry. That they FEEL this prayer and LOVE from the ones praying for them. I am praying for a miracle. One of my dear friends lived for 10 years after her diagnosis of stage 4 cancer that was supposed to kill her quickly. OUR GOD IS BIGGER THAN ANY DIAGNOSIS!!! His will is perfect and he only wants us to know HIM. HE IS A GOD OF MIRACLES AND I have seen these miracles happen. Lord, please be with this family both in their time of need and in their time of rest. Allow appointments to fall into place. Allow people to meet their earthly needs before they even ask. Comfort them Lord as they are so scared, so unsure, and so consumed with that awful word CANCER. Allow them to focus on LIFE and CURES!!! Pick them up in your arms and allow them to rest in you!

I will update as I have them. PRAY PRAY PRAY!

We Have A Winner....

MELISSA JOHNSON has won the raffle! She will be shopping any old time she wants with a $100 gift certificate. I'm so excited for you Melissa!

As a side note, after we took their pictures of Melissa's name being drawn, Jeremiah said, "Let's just see who would have won if I drew the name out." Sure enough, he drew Melissa. So she was MEANT to win this raffle.

Also, we did draw a second name when we got home and realized that we had raised $650!!! So Jennifer Bell, you get a $25 gift certificate for being our runner up!

UPDATE: LAST Adoption Fundraiser

I had a few people ask today how the LAST adoption fundraiser is going. To answer you, it's going great! Everyone that has entered has put the sweetest notes on their donations. I wish I could pick every one of you!!

If you are reading this blog for the first time, here's the scoop.

We are adopting our fifth child. We are 99% finished with our homestudy. Our profile is done. We have one final visit with our kick butt social worker tomorrow morning. After that, she writes up the homestudy update and we are officially waiting. So far we have raised $10K for our fifth adoption. How amazing is that? I said at the beginning of this that I wasn't afraid to WORK for our adoption...I'm so proud of our efforts AND so thankful to GOD for all of YOUR HELP!

Our LAST fundraiser is going on now through Friday, Feb. 27 at 10pm CST. Tickets are $5 each, buy 5 tickets get the 6th one free. The winner will get to shop with me at Encores and More North (which means you get to shop before EVERYONE ELSE!!) and gets a $100 gift certificate. You also get to get featured on this blog 'cause YOU KNOW I'll will be taking pictures of that smiling face SHOPPING!!!!

To get some tickets, click on the paypal link in the upper right corner of this blog. If you want to mail a check, email me at cheapbrea@gmail.com.

The next time you see a post from me it will be to announce the WINNER!!!!

Immediate Prayer Request

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE if you are reading this stop and take a minute and pray for this sweet family.

A wonderful consignor emailed me to let me know that they have found tumors in both her husband's lung and brain. They don't have a definitely diagnosis yet, but she fears it is lung cancer that has possibly spread. They are scared to death and still waiting for official news as to what this is. PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS FAMILY! Because I didn't ask her if it was ok to put this on here, please just pray for "V". God knows this family. Please pray for his health....we all know that God is a God of miracles so I ask you to pray for that miracle for this family. If it is cancerous, please let it be treatable and most importantly, pray that this family is wrapped in peace and love during this time.

Another Picture Post

I had so many great pics on my camera, I had to post a few more for you guys.

This first picture was the day I went for my physical for this adoption's home study. I thought it was so sweet that Abby held my hand while they drew blood. Abby is Angie V.'s daughter that she adopted from Russia in July of 2008.

This next picture is some of the GOD SENT workers at Encores North. We got together last minute to discuss some changes for the Spring sale back in Jan. We are planning a HUGE get together to say THANK YOU to all the workers post sale (a nice little surprise that these girls helped me to plan) Let's just say it involves food and BUNCO!!! Details to come!

Now, you know you are tired when you beg your mom and dad to make you some popcorn and you can't even stay awake to eat it all. Seriously, when I went into the living room to get the bowl from him, this is how I found Isaac. Hand in bowl, dead asleep. So precious.

I bet you guys didn't know I had triplets did you? I am now introducing you to Camden, my third son :) Luke and "Cam" were in kindergarten together last year and "Cam" and Isaac are in the same class this year. They are on the same basketball team. Our families are going on Spring Break together. These guys are as thick as thieves. I am greatful that God gave us "Cam" for the boys and we just love his entire family! So that's an update on our life the last few weeks. Just think, next week I'll be posting sale pics. Those are always fun!

My Babies

I realized I hadn't updated photos in a while on the blog. Here's my sweet babies on New Years Day. Hard to believe that it is already outdated huh?


Mrs. Alicia, whom God totally put in my path, offered to come over and do her hair. M.E. actually did really well. This was both of them before:


This is M.E.'s new do:


And a view from the front. Keep in mind, we were finally done about 10:30pm. Poor baby was so tired, but oh so cute.


You all will be proud to know that I have now actually done this style twice on my own. Granted it didn't look as good as Alicia's, BUT I'm learning. Grandmother also has a saintly neighbor that has now done M.E.'s hair twice. I love my hair angels! THANK YOU!

Lia Sophia, Matilda Jane, and Longaberger...OH MY!

I love direct sales. I worked in the industry for six years and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Someone once told me that you can buy everything you ever need through a home party and I tend to agree.

This is what I love about direct sale companies...
*the environment in which you buy something is so comfortable. Who doesn't love having some friends over and shopping from the comfort of your own home

*the product they sell is outstanding. Most direct sale companies usually offer a great gaurantee on their products and the product they sale is usually fab because of that

*direct sales allow many friends of mine the chance to make some extra money or even have careers that support their family.

Well, I have been wanting to have a few parties for companies I love, but I find that I never have a good turnout at home. SO, I picked a few that I really want to get some new stuff from and I am having the shows at the SALE. Yes, you read that right...we are partying it up at Encores and More North!

First, Angie V. and I are co-hosting a Lia Sophia party this Saturday, Feb. 28th at 6:30pm. Light snacks/refreshments will be served. Lia Sophia has amazing jewelry and even better prices and promotions on that jewelry. Anyone that knows me knows I am a plain jane kinda gal, but I bought a great ring, earrings and a necklace at a show recently and I am getting tons of compliments. Beckie K. is my new consultant and I am really excited to host one of her first parties for her. The jewelry is great and everyone is welcome.

Second, a consignor and friend, Melissa Baker, is hosting a Matilda Jane party at the sale on Wednesday, March 4 at 6:30pm. If you have never looked at Matilda Jane clothing and you have a girl, you are missing out. I wanted to go to Melissa's party so much that I offered for her to have it there on location so I can see the new Spring line (which is TO DIE FOR!) Don't miss this trunk show...the clothes are FAB!

Third, one of my best buds Candy is going to be doing a book show for Longaberger during the sale. If you haven't looked at Longaberger's new WISH LIST, you are missing out. There is some amazing product that is PRACTICAL! Look for her catalogs and small display at the spring sale and spread the word. Candy is an AWESOME consultant who will get your product to you ASAP.

I hope anyone that reads this will stop by and check out the parties. I'm so excited to kill two birds with one stone.

The Ugly Side of Adoption

This post has been heavy on my heart since Wednesday. I'm not sure that it will truly convey all that is stirring in my heart, but I pray that those reading it will be able to discern what I am trying to spell out in this blog post.

Last Wednesday afternoon, we found out about a little boy that needed a home. For the sake of this little guy's situation, that's all I'm going to say because I need to give away some personal info in this situation so that the readers of this blog will understand what I am trying to say. We will call him Sam. Sam has lived his entire life with his mother and older sibling. Up until Saturday, he had no idea his world was about to be turned upside down. He had no idea that his mother was about to give him to another family because she felt like he was coming between she and her new husband. Sam is not old enough to understand his mother's situation (THANK GOD!) but is old enough to remember his mommy. As I type this, Sam is with his new family trying to figure out why in the world he can't just go home.

Yes, there is an ugly side to adoption.

When Jonathan and I first started this journey into the adoption world in April of 2007, we didn't realize that some babies are just left at hospitals, that mommies really do walk away from their kids, that sometimes daddys just don't want their kids anymore. AND YES, this doesn't happen very often, but it does HAPPEN.

And my heart is so heavy for these children. The ones that no one wants. Yes, they technically have parents, but honestly I think God sees them as orphans.

Since our journey began, I have met the most amazing birthmothers. Moms who just couldn't parent for one reason or another. These are not the moms I speak of in this post. My heart is heavier for the moms that walk away, not realizing that at some point, that hole will be there. They will have to face the reality of what they have done. They will have to face the selfishness that led them to just no longer care.

I have to believe that God has put this on my heart because he wants me to realize that I MUST love them just as much as I love everyone else. Didn't he command that? Love one another as I have loved you. AND YET, I am struggling with this. I am struggling with ANGER towards M.E's birthmom. I am struggling with ANGER towards this woman who just gave her young son away yesterday. And not just anger from me, I am angry for these children. How will this little boy's new mom one day explain to him that his mommy loved her new husband more than she loved him. How will she do that?

So that's where I am....I am in the ugliness of adoption. I think part of me wishes I never had to see this, but I KNOW that God put this in our path for a reason. There is a need for counseling for these moms that is not only ethical, but also scriptural. I don't know where to start, but I am praying that God will lead me through this and show me his desire for me to do what I can do to minister to these birthfamilies.

I know it's a deep post, but it's where I am right now.

Verse for today...

The last two days have been a little, well, hectic.

Yesterday, I had to have my ingrown toenail cut out again. Instead of just cutting down the side like normal, he cut half my toenail off. I start an acid treatment on it tomorrow to keep it from growing back. I can't wait. I consider myself a pretty strong person, but when it comes to putting a needle in my toe, I can't help by freak. My hands are sweaty, I start seeing stars...trust me, it's not pretty.

After that, I went to shop at my business partners sale. I was able to score some great deals although I was dying of pain from my toe. God put Sherry at that sale, as she had some pain medicine to help me get through the afternoon til I could get back and pick up my prescription.

Today, I went to Louisville to pick up another store for the sale (GREAT STUFF). Candy and I had a great time catching up on the ride up and had a yummy lunch.

We got some adoption updates over the last few days and as I spent some time in the word, this was the verse that was laid on my heart. I thought I would share it with you.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid" John 14:19

Go back and read it again. He gives us peace and not just any peace, HIS peace. As Jonathan and I rapidly approach the time that another child will come into this home, we are nervous about what that will look like, especially for our four other children. And yet we have PEACE!!! I know some people don't understand why we would adopt another child and that's ok, but God just promised me that he doesn't give as the world gives. If you keep reading, you will notice that he says DO NOT LET your heart by troubled. Our heart doesn't just get troubled, we LET it get that way.

As I am approaching the sale at RAPID pace, knowing there are still a million things that need to get done, knowing I will miss my children, knowing that crazy things always happen, I KNOW GOD IS IN CONTROL and I AM SO GLAD MY SAVIOR LIVES.

Tomorrow the boys have a basketball game and then they are showing our house at 11am.

Will you pray for us? Pray that we keep our eyes on God. Pray that we stay open to his will? We NEED prayer right now and I am so thankful for it!

P.S. THANKS to all who have sent money in for the raffle. We are BLOWN AWAY by your generousity. We have already raised over $200!

Last Adoption Fundraiser - Encores and More North

Hard to believe we have almost raised enough money for our next adoption! We are so thankful to everyone who has given us money, prayed for us and supported us through this process. We can't wait to see the child that God has for our family and without your support, we wouldn't be able to do it again.

When I began thinking about what to do for our last official fundraiser, I had many different ideas pop into my head. At the end of the day, I wanted something that most people would be awed by. I think we have it here.

Our last official fundraiser for Freeman #5 is this:
Starting right now and ending Friday, Feb. 27 at 10pm, we will be selling raffle tickets for $5 each. If you buy 5 tickets, you get the 6th one free. What will you win you ask?

Well, everyone I know that works at the consignment sale always wants to be the first to shop. Many often ask me what I buy since I get the pick of the litter. Now, the winner gets to be me. Yes, the name we draw out will be able to shop with Brea at Encores and More North Spring 2009 sale. What does this mean? It means you can come by any old time you want and shop. You can come daily during drop off for all I care. I typically shop on Wednesday night, but if that doesn't work for the winner, by all means, you can come when you want. On top of that, you will get a $100 gift certificate to use during the shopping til you drop frenzie!

To put this in perspective, the only people that get to shop before worker night is me, Grandmother, Juju, Aunt Ali and Angie V. So you will truly be the first to shop. Imagine shopping with no one else...just you, roaming through the racks picking out whatever you want and not having to fight someone else for it. See a play kitchen you want? Guess what, it's yours! No more planning out which section you will go to first, no more worrying about if someone else will get to your size first.

To buy a ticket, just click on the paypal link to the right and send your $5 donation. We will let one of the workers at set up draw the name on Friday night and I will immediately post it to the blog. Since drop off starts Feb. 28, the winner could really start shopping the next day AND you'll have $100 to spend.

If you need to mail a check, email me at cheapbrea@gmail.com and I'll send you our address. I know this doesn't really work for my out of town readers, but it's the best I could come up with and HEY, you COULD come shop and just shack up with me for a few days (a vacay to Nashvegas does sound nice doesn't it!)

Again, THANK YOU for your support in our journey. Can't wait to draw out the winner!

Cool Day

Today was a cool day. It didn't start out too cool, I woke up with a yucky migraine. One that made me a little sick at my stomach. Isaac, Luke and M.E. had all spent the night with Grandmother and Papa Sam last night, so J took Anna to church while I slept off the migraine meds.

When he returned, it was time to take our MOUND of paperwork to our accountant, who just so happens to be J's uncle. Uncle Wesley and Aunt Marie live in this cool cat house that overlooks Defeated Creek in a town called Turkey Creek (it's near Carthage). From their living room window, you can look down over the lake and see deer, bald eagles and other amazing animals up close and personal. We got our taxes done and found out we actually got a refund this year because of the adoption tax credit (thank you Bill Clinton!) We spent a nice, sweet visit with the family and then headed back.

On our way home, we stopped for some gut busters (AKA Krystals) and did a drive by on a house we are looking at tomorrow. It's actually bigger than our house now but about $80K cheaper. It's in foreclosure (as are a few others in this particular subdivision) so we are excited to see it. It's funny how we feel like we are following God's will in doing this crazy move and then sure enough, a house gets listed that is right in our price range and yet even bigger than what we have now. God's pretty cool huh?

Speaking of selling the house, we are working on finishing up getting it staged. This includes some major purging. J spent 6 hours yesterday cleaning out his closet. I'm not kidding...SIX hours. I was really proud of him as he got all of our paperwork completely filed and you can now see the entire floor of his closet. He also threw away a complete bag of trash and filled up another bag for the Good Samaritan Center here in Hendersonville. I love purging, especially paperwork and other random crap. I LOVE purging toys. I figure that even if we don't sell the house, it will look great and we will have purged so that's definitely a perk.

So that's our cool day. The kids are out of school tomorrow so I'm sure we will have an eventful day. Have a great week!

BIG NEWS!

No, we don't have a baby :)

I know this is probably going to shock some of you, but we listed our house on the market today. We have been toying with the idea for a few months, but honestly we didn't know if it would sell in this market. We decided a few weeks ago to earnestly pray about it and although we have no idea where we will go IF it sells, we just felt at peace about doing it.

Here's why (another REAL moment):

Our goal is to have our home paid off as fast as possible, preferable another 5-6 years. In this house, we just feel like that might not be possible. We can easily afford our house note, but applying the extra to it that will allow us to pay it off in our goal time is not happening right now.

We LOVE our house, honestly it's perfect for us, but at the end of the day it's a house. We can find something that will meet our needs without all the frills we have here, pay it off quicker and have extra money each month to help others that are less fortunate than us...especially kids in other countries.

We have no idea if it will sell, if it does sell, when that will be. We are just trusting God. If it sells, that's awesome. If it doesn't, that's ok too.

Please pray for us through this process. You know it's no fun keeping your house "show" clean all the time. PLUS the biggest prayer request we have is that so far we have looked at everything in our new budget in our school district and the one next to us and haven't found anything that we loved. Of course, we would NEVER buy a house before we sell this one, BUT it would make me feel a little more comfortable knowing we have some options before selling this one. Obviously, God is telling us to trust him!

The Kids Clothes Basket

If you've known me for more than....well, a second, you know I love to buy cute clothes for my kids. And not just cute, different stuff. AND I love getting a great deal.

If you've shopped Encores and More North, you know that we always have a whole section of boutique off to one side that belongs to a lady named Julie Montgomery.

Well, for years Julie has had a boutique sale a week before the consignment sale and then puts her leftovers in E&MN. I literally bought 80% of Anna's wardrobe from Julie. She carries some of my favorite brands: Indygo Artwear, ZaZa Couture, Greggy Girl...oh, I get excited just typing this. PLUS, she is known to have the best prices around town.

AND GUESS WHAT? She opened a STORE!! WOO HOO! Her new digs are right smack in the middle of Hendersonville on Main Street next door to Papa Murphy's and across the street from McDonald's. It is the old Waldenbooks location for those that have lived in Hendersonville for a while.

Here's what she just got in that I get to talk about on here (let's just say a Breagirl special). Loads of Zutano (one of my personal faves) for $10 each. Yes, $25 dresses for $10. She also has overalls, coveralls and a few other styles.

Guess what else she also has an AMAZING deal on? Smocking!! She has BEAUTIFUL smocked dresses for Easter/Spring and adorable boys smocked shortalls, etc. The best part? They are ALL $38 each during her grand opening (thru Feb.) If you've ever bought a beautiful Anavini smocked dress, you will know what a great deal $38 is!

And last but not least, if you go into her shop and mention you found out about her on this blog, she is going to enter you for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate for my blog readers only. How cool is that?

SO RUN TO THE KIDS CLOTHES BASKET...Julie has loads of great deals on all the brands I love and a great selection of shoes, hairbows, and other accessories. I'm going to try to go by today so maybe I'll see you there!

P.S. Here's a sneak peek of a few things you can find in the store!

Hacked off

Our consignment sale website was hacked last night. Luckily for us (not so lucky for the hacker), we store all our information in seperate files so they were unable to get anyone's personal information, but they were able to pull everything down on the pages you see on the website. We have frantically been working this morning to get the website back up and to make sure that everything has new passwords so this won't happen again.

It just makes me mad. Why would anyone want to do that to us? What did they hope to gain (beside our mailing list and possibly some inside scoop). I always thought we did a great job with passwords, etc. but obviously I was wrong.

I just feel violated. Oh, and I've love to smack the person/people who did this. We currently have a personal friend of ours going through the steps the hacker made to help us identify who did this and yes, we will take legal action when we find out who it is.

The website is back up...they didn't keep us down for long, but it sure made for an eventful morning around here!

Encores and More North

Have I mentioned I run a children's consignment sale?

Well, it's THAT time of year again. In a few short weeks, hundreds of women and men dropping off for their women will be bringing carloads of goodies to the old Goody's at Rivergate (between Old Navy and Best Buy). We will inspect every item that comes through our doors, display it all nice and neat in our 32,000 sq. ft. space, and then sit back and watch it all leave in a matter of 7 days. It's truly amazing and if you've never been, you must come this time.

It seems crazy to me that just four years ago we were having our first sale. We had just a little over 50 consignors (mainly friends of mine pittying me!). I just KNEW God was telling me to start a sale north of Nashville that was a service to the community. Honestly, it was NEVER about money. I just knew we had to do it. The first few sales, we grew 70% EACH SALE. Unbelievable and only GOD! Well, here we are four years later with over 700 consignors. The amount we are able to donate both financially and physically to the community is amazing. I love finding out about families that are truly in need and having them come pick up what they need. I love that especially in these tough financial times we are offering EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING you could ever need for a child at a fraction of retail.

I'm telling you all this so you can see the person and the heart behind Encores North. It is my passion. I give GOD all the glory, without him I am nothing and this sale is nothing.

I want everyone in Nashville to know how great Encores North is and I need your help. We are asking anyone and everyone to help spread the word by doing a blog post, post on facebook, myspace, etc. Tell everyone what you think about Encores North (and please, if you have issues with us, email me at cheapbrea@gmail.com-we want to address ANY concerns). We will be doing a drawing on March 1 for 3 $25 gift certificates. All you have to do to be entered is leave me a comment letting me know how you are spreading the word! Blog entries get you two entries, everything else is one entry. Be sure you put a link to our website www.encoresandmorenorth.com in your blog post, shout out on facebook, etc.

I have a feeling this will be the BIGGEST AND BEST sale yet. THANK YOU to everyone that makes this sale awesome.

Forwards...

You know, I have to admit to you that I can't stand forwards. All the jokes (and usually 99% of them are nasty, racist, etc.). Most of the time I just delete them, especially if I am running behind on checking email. Then I will see someone send me one that NEVER sends forwards, so I HAVE to check it out because you know it has to be good. I laughed so hard when I saw this picture tonight that I literally couldn't stop for a while. I knew I had to post it to give you guys a good laugh.

Yes, that is a powercord on two flip flops in a pool. Good times.

Wilderness at the Smokies-Indoor Waterpark

Again, I need some advice. We have been asked by Isaac and Luke's best friend's family to go on vacation with them for Spring Break. We are strongly considering going to the new indoor water park in Sevierville, TN...I think it's called Wilderness at the Smokies.

If you (or someone you know) as been since they opened the indoor park, do you mind leaving me a comment with your review? If we go, I will definitely do a review but until then I am relying on you guys to let me know if it is worth the drive/money for 4 adults and 8 kids. THANKS!

Guess what today was?

Our home study visit! Seems crazy that in a few weeks we will be homestudy approved and officially waiting again.

I have to start out this post telling anyone that is considering adoption, needing a homestudy update, or needing a homestudy done for an international adoption: PLEASE CALL CATHOLIC CHARITIES. I can't tell you how pleased we have been. The folks at Catholic Charities are on top of it. They return phone calls the same day, schedule visits less than two weeks out, and have been so thorough. On top of that, it has been quick. If we hadn't drug our feet as much as we have this second time around, I can almost promise you we would have been done with our homestudy in under a month. Instead, we took our time getting physicals, fingerprints, and paperwork finished up. As soon as we turned it in though, D was emailing us to set up interviews and here I am writing this blog. D is our caseworker by the way.

The other thing about them that I am so proud to say is that they CARE about you, the adoptive family. Not that other agencies don't, but so many times an adoptive parent can feel like they are "bugging" their agency, etc. I totally have felt comfortable at every step with CC. I wanted to give you an example of how honest and ethical they are too:

When I called initially, I was told for an independent home study the cost was $1250 due in two payments. $625 when you started, $625 when the home study was completed. So I dropped off our paperwork and the check for $625. We got our formal packet and started working on that. A few weeks ago, I got a bill for $125. I went back and reviewed our fee statement and honestly couldn't figure out what the $125 would be for, so I asked our case worker. She then told me that after reviewing everything and realizing we only needed an update, not a full rewritten homestudy, that the charge dropped to $750 instead of $1250. Can you believe that? Not only did they drop our fee, but they were honest about it. I was pumped!

The other thing they do is allow you to split your placement fee into half of it being due at placement and the other half is due SIX MONTHS later. How awesome is that!

Ok, so no, I wasn't paid to sing their praises, I'm just so thrilled to find a local agency that is thorough but fast, ethical, and most importantly they are SO REASONABLE on their prices. They really want to place babies with families and they don't want finances to be a reason that people can't afford to adopt.

Oh, and for those of you that speak adoption "TALK", our case worker D has been with them 8 years. Um, hello. 8 YEARS! The turnover rate in this field is crazy so I am very impressed with that statistic alone.

Back to my original topic, D got to the house about 10am. She was super cute and spunky and I could tell immediately that I was going to love her...I mean she likes Dr. Pepper and peanut m&m's...what's not to love? We could have talked all day. Matter of fact, she didn't leave until almost 1pm but it was great. She toured the house, watched Mary Elizabeth put on a show and asked us lots of questions about our first adoption experience and what the next adoption could look like. She was really interested in hearing our plan...what little plan we have. We basically told her we would probably sign with Catholic Charities ($500) after the consignment sale, but also send our home study to any situations that we found through other agencies that have a need for families open to race/medical. She was very supportive. We laughed about being open to twins again (yes, we are crazy) and discussed the fact that we are open to a child up to age 6 or 7. We told her how "chill" we are about this whole thing the second time around...when it happens, it happens. I'm sure this will change, but as we told her, we have to get through the consignment sale first!

So, that's our exciting day. I'm so glad to have that part of it behind us. Now I have to get to work on our profile, the book that expectant moms view when picking families!