Waiting for placement / the way to get a clean house

There's a ladybug hanging out on my bathroom wall today. I know, it's just a bug. But to me it's hope.

I am getting a little tired of waiting.

 After that call the day after Christmas I am once again thinking about it constantly. My daughters room is officially deep cleaned. I got under the bed, in the closet, even cleaned out the toy box. Now today I'm heading down to my sons room to get started cleaning his.

 So far the three children we could have gotten have all been girls. But who knows maybe the next call will be a boy.

Three girls. I keep thinking about them. How did things turn out for them? If we had gotten them all my family right now would consist of four daughters and a son. Their ages would be a 5 month old and a  4, 5, 6, and 7 year old. Crazy!!

My cell phone has a daily Bible verse on the main screen and today the verse is this..

Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Three months Thankful

This past Tuesday marks three months since we were officially licensed. 

Three months of getting up every day thinking "this may be the day". Three months of excitement mixed with nervous feelings. High emotions mixed with low emotions. It feels like an eternity. I guess we have technically been waiting ever since we started the process but it felt different in the beginning. The day we were through with all the paperwork and training, the day we really began waiting, it changed. It was real. Any moment we could get the call. Any moment. That means every day I'm making sure my phone is on me at all times. Trying to be prepared....and dreaming about that moment. 

Lots of dreaming.

What will life be like as foster parents and as adoptive parents? Will we get a boy or girl? Will we get an infant or a toddler? Oh my how I dream. And I pinterest. :) I have plans to make my own baby food, have pinned multiple cribs and baby items.... sigh. 

Waiting is hard. At the same time I'm counting this time as a gift. It's a very exciting time in our lives. Its a time I had once only dreamed about. Now its my story.

And I am thankful. 

Celebrate

Look what my hubby brought home the other day....

You can't really tell in the picture, but it's a mini bottle. Just enough for hubby and I to make a little toast when we get our first foster or adoptive placement! :) We don't drink alcohol so we thought this would be appropriate to have on hand for the big day!

One more thing in our home that reminds me about this journey we are on. I like to think of them as my "by faith" items. I believe that God has called us for this. Our high chair, the clothes of different sizes put away and now this little bottle of celebratory cider are just little steps we have taken in faith that one day soon there will be more children in our home.

 Were waiting for you baby!!

What He says

"Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord."  Psalm 27:14

Wait

Just waiting for the phone call. Maybe it will be today! :)

And enjoying our blessings during this month of Thanksgiving.
 

Call #1 Some news!

It happened! We got a call from our adoption agency that wasn't asking for more paperwork, or informing us of an upcoming class. No, this one to actually talk to us about a child. Before you get to excited I have to say that it didn't end up going through. We were never placed with the child, but I wanted to share anyways because it's actually the beginning of something pretty exciting.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11


A few days ago I was busy cooking dinner for our pastor and his family ( something our church did for pastor appreciation month). While I was in the middle of layering the lasagna my phone started to ring. It wasn't a number I recognized so I was about to let it go to voicemail when I decided to go ahead and answer it. I'm glad I did because it was our social worker calling from the on call phone. When she said who she was I seriously just thought Oh they must need something else. Or maybe they had called confirming that they got the most recent thing they needed. But no I was completely shocked when she said that she was calling about a three month old baby!!! Here's the thing though. We were signed up for adoption only. The only calls we should have gotten were for children ready to be adopted or ones that had a low risk of going back to their homes. But this baby would have been a temporary foster situation. Something we hadn't told them we would do, yet. The weekend before, Hubby and I were discussing doing this as we wait for our adoption placement. That maybe God was wanting us to be a foster family as well, and Hubby had told me to go ahead and call them the day that they ended up calling me! 

Long story short. The baby stayed at her/his home. But it just felt like a confirmation that we should do this. I was feeling a little nervous about calling them to tell them we were interested in foster care as well. I was thinking that I wasn't sure how I would feel about getting a call about a child that we would know we couldn't keep. But!!! When we got that call, even though I knew it would only be for a short time, I was sooo excited!! All the things I thought I would worry about I didn't I was just plain excited! And actually a little disappointed the next day when we got the call saying it wasn't happening,

Point of this story.

We are now an in the process of adoption, foster/respite home!

Adopting from foster care is a long hard journey. But I know that He is the one in charge. And He is the one who will help us through all the situations that may come up, such as giving a child back. So we look forward to a child being placed in our home either to stay or for a little while...

Whats going on...

That's probably what you wondering about us. I have horribly neglected this blog since school started up. Pretty much what we have been up to is, schoolwork, church, more training classes for the adoption and spending the early fall days together as a family. We took a parenting class every Thursday in September to start working on our required in service training hours. Between that church and family activities I have not had time to blog in the evenings! The kids are enjoying school so far this year. Alex is still so in love with science and farming. They are both about to join 4h! Im sure that it will be lots of fun! We have also been looking at a small farm nearby that we would love to buy and are praying about. As for the adoption, no news yet! We recently sent our family profile to the adoption agency for birthmothers to look at. But other then that we have just been waiting and believing that God knows when!

It's true

 

We are adopting

Adopting, it's hard! It feels like ever since we started it's been one thing after another. The enemy doesn't want us to adopt. But God does! And HE will make a way!

 Can you Pray with us about it? Seems we are facing another road block. But my God is going to work this one out too. 

Our agency called and told us that financially we are right at the spot where they can either approve or deny us. We have to turn in a few more things and then they decide. I know that God is the one in control. But when they said that, it felt like these people were. That they could either approve us or make our hopes come crashing down.

 

 I know though, that's not true. 

Our hope is in Him alone.

 

God is in control and He is the one who has opened doors all along the way. He is the one who lead us to adopting from the state. He is the one who provided the van we were praying for and believing that we would need for our one day large family. He is the one that turned hubby's heart to adopting too. Now we both feel with all our hearts that God has called us for this.

The week they told me this I was sooo excited about what was going on in the adoption front. I was bubbling inside thinking about it all day long. Our homestudy was in the process of being approved!! They were actually looking at it!! Any day they could call and say it was approved!! But instead they said they may not approve it and wanted to see more financial stuff. Right then it was just like all that excitement died. I didn't want to get my hopes up.

But here's the thing.

My hope isn't in the agencies, the social workers, the adoption process itself. My hope is in GOD!! And it's Him that called us to this. He will make a way!!

Hubby told me the day we heard. That it's okay. If this one doesn't go through we will just try somewhere else. And it's true! We are not giving up. God didn't bring us this far for nothing. I haven't talked about adopting much this week. I figured if I kept talking about it with friends and blog's and facebook, then it didn't work out I would be devastated. But I have decided I'm going to keep talking about it, keep preparing and believe. One day soon, God is bringing us a child.  We are going to give them the paperwork, and PRAY. 

Isaiah 49:25 says...."For I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children."

And Psalm 68:5-6 " A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, IS GOD in his holy dwelling. GOD sets the lonely in families." 

God, not social workers and adoption agencies.

So let me introduce you to our family.  

We are the Hiatt Family. And we are adopting!!

Adoption picnic

Yesterday we had a busy fun day. We had soccer games, fun with friends, and went to our adoption agencies annual picnic. Which turned out to be a blast! There was lots of free food, and games. They had a cake walk where hubby won us a cake. And also had one of our adoption friends give us a few cakes her kids had won. Tonights plans are eating cake! :) They had great prizes for the kids. Alex and Rory both got one  they love. There was free girl scout cookies, and lots of time spent playing on the merry-go-round. A great day. I wish that I had brought my camera or that my phone battery wasn't just about dead when I got there! Oh one more thing, hubby and I also got to talk with the lady we are waiting on in regards to our homestudy. She said we are just about done. And that very soon we will get the email with the homestudy for us to review. Can someone say excited? I am so ready to have this thing finished!!

Something More

The moment you stop caring what other people think — is most likely when you start doing what God wants.

 I read that quote on a friends blog today, and I have to say it is so true. We live in a fallen world. So really it makes sense that when we do things that God wants us to do, it's not going to make sense to those around us.

The world says spend your money on things you want...

Maybe an iphone,

a new truck or car,

a big house,and all the latest styles of clothes.

 The world says that to be successful you need to make your self better and better. Climbing up the ladder, bigger house, better job, nicer things.

 But is that what God says?

Maybe right now you are trying so hard to make more of yourself when God says your already enough.

Maybe you want a bigger house,  a better job, a nicer car. Those things really are nice to have. But what if God wants something more for you?

And what if to the world that something more looks like something less?

 What if it's feeding the hungry?

 Being a voice for the orphan?

Adopting?

Being a missionary?

Homeschooling your children?

Helping out with local foster care?

Just reaching out to those around you?

There are so many things we can do for him.  It might mean giving up on some of these things that the world offers.It might mean that the world will think your weird.

But in the end what the world thinks is something less, will fulfill you so much more.

 


 Psalm 82:3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

FREE 5x7 Adoption Printable

 

It's official. I have began to make my own printables. I LOVE going online and searching for inspirational quotes to frame and put in a spot where I can see it as I go about my day. It never occurred to me to make my own. Until yesterday. I am wanting to make a picture wall in my hallway for some of the pictures I have stored away of my brother. He was killed in an accident in 07, and I have no pictures of him out where I can see them. SO my goal was to find a cute printable to hang in the middle of the frames. But after lots of searching I couldn't really find one I liked. Then I decided to try and make my own.

 This is what I came up with....

I then decided that I like making them!!!!! So here is another that I made for all of us adoption families. One to put out and remind us as were waiting, that it's going to be so worth it!!

 

 

Feel free to save either image or both!! Just be sure when you print to print it out 5x7

Tell me what you think!!

Adoption update

If you read yesterday's post, you know I have been trying to get ahold of our social worker to find out how our homestudy is coming along. Well I got ahold of her! :) Yay!!! The homestudy still isn't done. She said she has a meeting with the head lady on APRIL 1st to discuss how to get it done. She is new, and is uncertain how to go about ours since my hubby is self employed. But she said she is trying to get it wrapped up. I am just very eager to move on. This has been a long, long road so far. So please pray with me on the first! That it all goes well and that we will soon be homestudy ready!

It's done!

Yesterday I woke up not feeling well, but we pressed on. We cleaned the house, went car shopping for my hubby (his car broke down a few weeks ago), and managed to get our last homestudy visit done!! Oh my goodness it's so nice to know it's done. I need to turn in a few more papers  in the next few days and then we are hoping it will be approved quickly! Another check off the list!

 This week has also been busy with babysitting, schoolwork, and playing with all of Alex's new science stuff he got for his birthday. Which includes a new microscope. Lots of fun! I love how with homeschooling, you can expand on the subject your child enjoys most. We have done so much science stuff this year, most of which if he was in public school he would have missed out on. Our next goal is to dissect a shark! I'm going to let the hubby lead that one though.

 Don't forget to check out this awesome weekend blog hop I'm linking up with today!

 

And if you are a fan of  Facebook check out our new Just Simply Live  Facebook page!!

Today is the day!!

Today is the day we get our last home-visit from the social worker. After that she will just need to sign it, and put an end to what was probably the longest home-study known to mankind.  Last night I woke up with a touch of the flu. Throwing up, stomach ache, the works, but thank God I am feeling a little better. I am not planning on cancelling this visit unless I absolutely have to!

There's also more good news! I finally got a new laptop! That means I can  hopefully get this blog having posts more often. There has been some major slacking on it lately. I want to start participating in some weekly link-ups, and have regular weekly posts on homeschooling, and adoption. So we will see where it goes...

Well I need to get cleaning! Hope you have a great day!!!

Don't forget to check out our new facebook page here

Picture came from here

Supporting and Understanding the Adoptive Family

I read this post through an email I received today. And just had to share it.

Since our family is in the adoption process I have been reading up on all the different ways to properly attach, what to do when first getting home, proper ways to include family members.... This post is an awesome one to send to your friends and family via email. Or even just to share on your Facebook page! Check it out. It includes things like,

 Please don't feed our kids.

Please don't try to get our child to like you the most.

Attachment takes time and work.

And,

 Our new additions are not celebrities....

Supporting and Understanding the Adoptive Family

For those who are waiting

 One thing for sure, the waiting part of adoption is hard. Some of you may even have more things in your life that you have been waiting for. Maybe it's for you to hear your calling from God, maybe it's a promise you have been waiting on, or a house, job, child... we all need encouraged in our wait. So take the time to read these verses, and let them  help you as you continue to wait on what God has in store.


                                          



Hebrews 6:15
And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.


Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

                         
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

                     
Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry




Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 

                          

 Psalm 27: 13-14
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! 

                           Psalm 33:20-22 Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you. 

                          

Psalm 130:5-6 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

Yet another homesudy update....

Ok so I don't know if anyone's home-study in the whole history of mankind  has taken as long as our is!!!! It's crazy!!

Just got an email from our case worker, and after the last home-study visit in October, turns out they want MORE paperwork.

I guess the last social worker forgot to ask for it or something. But also on top of that they want to do one more home visit before we are done!!! The other one was supposed to be our last. I certainly don't mind doing it, but at the same time I am a little frustrated with how long this is taking.

on a positive note. I got to see pictures on a friends Facebook page, of them meeting their little girl in China. :) That's what all this work is for. I know it will be worth it in the end.



images from here

Beautiful

Homestudy update, and a Christmas play

Well the agency called back and said that they actually did have the homestudy. And that they are only waiting on a few pieces of paperwork from the social worker. Then they will send it to us to review.

One step closer!!!!

As we wait we are working on school work.....

 

enjoying the Christmas season. Decorating the house, planning our holiday, and our kids were even in a Christmas play this past Sunday.

Cutest Mary and Joseph I have ever seen.