For those of you that have been down the road of adoption, you know that it is not an inexpensive venture. Rich and I had a financial plan set out that would make it easy for us to afford the costs that have accumulated with this adoption (attorney fees, Adoption Service Provider fees, and all the other misc. things we've needed to pay for). Everything was going as planned and running smoothly. I just got a call about 30 minutes ago and was told that our "plan" isn't going to work and now we are going to have to come up with all of the funds some other way. The frustrating thing is that we have now had not one, but two (what we thought were) full-proof financial plans fall through. We are not naive. Rich is one of the most intelligent people I know when it comes to finances. The fact of the matter is that I just feel like we keep hitting brick walls. Maybe this is what is supposed to happen. We are facing these unexpected trials to make us stronger? Who knows! As if there weren't enough things going on to toughen us up (hehehe). When I got the call, this is the song that was on:
Rob Thomas
Little Wonders
let it go, let it roll right off your shoulder
don’t you know the hardest part is over
let it in, let your clarity define you
in the end we will only just remember how it feels
our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders, these twists & turns of fate
time falls away, in these small hours, these small hours still remain
let it slide, let your troubles fall behind you
let it shine until you feel it all around you
and i don’t mind if it’s me you need to turn to
we’ll get by, it’s the heart that really matters in the end
our lives are made in these small hours
these little wonders, these twists & turns of fate
time falls away, but these small hours, these small hours still remain
all of my regret will wash away some how
but i can not forget the way i feel right now
in these small hours these little wonders
these twists & turns of fate
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away but these small hours
with these small hours, still remain, they still remain
these little wonders these twists & turns of fate
time falls away but these small hours
these little wonders still remain
I don't know why things happen the way they do, but I do know that everything is part of His plan. Part of a plan more meticulously thought out than I could ever imagine...so we will ride the wave and hold on tight to each other, knowing that amid all of the stress and pressure we endure, there is so much love and joy that more than makes up for it. Those "little wonders" are what keep us hopeful and full of faith. We're hoping our next "little wonder" will be called "Zack"! :)
We were finally able to meet Chrissy's boyfriend Chris and he seems like an amazing person. We're so happy they found each other...now if only he lived a little closer than Wisconsin!
My friend Jamie and me.
From Left: Jamie, Alexis, Chrissy and Chris.
Chrissy, Chris and Pais.
Hi Alexis!
Hanging out after the majority of the crowd had gone home. I think Jess was getting tired.
At the BBQ at Sara's, her son Jake was showing us his climbing skills, after calling me a butt monster and telling me he liked to be covered in poo. What can I say? He's going through a phase?
Sara and I have been friends since I was in college and I love her very much. She is such an amazingly strong woman.
Jess stealing Jake's swing at Sara's new house.
Heidi and Josh. He's getting so big!
Charlotte and her mommy.
Josh and Jess checking out the geese.
Rich decided he'd watch from a distance. I don't think he's a big fan of the goose poop.
Jess at almost 36 weeks. Just a few more to go!
Charlotte helping her mom feed the geese.
A.J. being a good big brother and sharing his nachos with Alex.
Shea cuddling with her mommy.
Luis and Steph ducking out of the sun for a bit.
I love Jess' new haircut!
Since Toyota was sponsoring the game, Rich was designated to play one of the games in between innings. He won a free pizza!
Our friends Heidi and Chris and their little ones made it to the game too!
Alex rooting for the Gold Sox with his mommy.
Steph and Luis eating their snow cones.
Rich's dad joined us for the game as well.
Rich and I at John's Pizza.
Patti and Alex. Only two more months to go, Patti!
Me and our niece Destiny.
Patti's boyfriend Dan, who I so lovingly refer to as "Dan-imal".
My sister Christine and her little one Aria.
Kaitlyn, Kyrie and Aria getting ready for the ride to start.
That boy is going to sleep well tonight!
Christine, Me and Jess catching a break from chasing after the kids.
Tiger isn't ONLY talented at golf, but basketball too!
Shea & Aria...best friends. The night before Aria came to visit, neither Shea nor Aria slept a wink!
Destiny and Jess.
This was the pattern we used for the decor (plates, cups, napkins, invitations, etc.). 
Thank you, Cake Lady for the awesome cake!
This was my gift to Patti's little girl...a homemade blanket just for her.
The two grandmas.
A rare photo op.....all the sisters together and the momma that was responsible for all of them!
Patti with all the nieces.
