The beginning of a journey...

Well this is an entirely new direction for our blog. We are going to share our journey through the process of adoption. Here is how our story began...

When Scott and I were thinking about getting married we discussed what we wanted our family to look like someday. We both have been on overseas missions trips, and loved the experience. We were both open to the idea of adoption...after we had a few kids of our own.

Fast forward two years later...our church is offering a missions trip to Haiti. I don't really want to go to Haiti because they don't speak Spanish, and I don't like the idea of not being able to communicate at all. But we didn't have any other opportunities to serve over seas in 2012, and we felt like the Lord was really calling us to go. We joined a team from our church that was going to do evangelism and medical work. Neither of us have any medical training, but we were willing to help wherever we were needed.

While we were in Haiti Scott was great with the medical team. He did triage for all the patients, and was really good at it. I, on the other hand, felt kind of useless. I couldn't help with medical procedures, I couldn't talk to or understand the people speaking Creole. What I did do though was hold babies. The Haitians love for Americans to hold their babies, and I was more than happy to do it. I knew that it was my opportunity to show a little of God's love to these precious children, and just pray over them. The more babies I held the more it just felt 'right'.

Scott and I knew we wanted to wait several years before trying to have children, but I felt like the Lord was creating in me the heart of a mother. At the same time I did not want to bring another child into the world after seeing what those children had to live through every day. God was really working in my heart, but I did not know where He was leading me. I just kept praying that God would do something 'big' in me after returning from Haiti. I even felt like He might call Scott and I to go overseas. I would love to go overseas and work with orphans someday, if the Lord calls us to that.

So that is where I was at when we returned to Haiti. The next Sunday at church (Scott was already in Dubai on business) our pastor preached a sermon called "If you can't do it for all, just do it for one." And I thought so if I can't take care of all the orphans does that mean I should just take care of one? And then our pastor said, "For some of you that might mean adoption", and it just hit me. I felt like that statement was spoken just to me. But I wanted to make sure Scott was feeling the same because I wanted him to lead in a big decision like this. When he returned to Dubai we talked about Haiti, and what it had done for us. We talked about adoption, and it felt like we were right in the center of God's will. What an awesome feeling that is.

In December we went to an informational meeting with Bethany Christian Services, and were super excited to get all the information. The only disappointment is that one of us had to be 25.

Fast forward to March 23rd...Scott turns 25! So we have finally submitted our formal application for adoption. I have done some reading, and I know it's not always an easy road to travel. We know the Lord is guiding us, and has some awesome things to teach us along the way. I hope you enjoy sharing this journey with us! We appreciate your prayers, and we begin the process.

My Favorite Things

1. A weekend away. My hubby and I got to go to a marriage conference this weekend. It was fun to get away. We learned a lot, ate a lot, and got to stay in this beautiful hotel. Better yet, we didn't pay for it!

2. Having time to read. I just finished some great books by Janette Oke, and now I need some suggestions. Any ideas?

3. Focaccia Bread. It is my new favorite thing to bake. I use my bread maker for the dough, but bake it in the oven. It is so easy, and just like the real thing from Israel!

I'm linking up with Abby!

what.i.wore.wednesday.

So I've been pretty good this week! Except my computer does the picture taking, so the pictures as less than fabulous. Also, my head is cropped out of one because of bad hair. Sadly the only day I forgot to take my picture was on Valentines Day :(. But I did have a picture taken of me while I was being sang too. Let me explain...it is a fundraiser that our school does where someone can buy you a Valentine and a song. Mine was from my parents (Scott got one too, very funny & awkward). Some of students got sang too, which was sooo funny. One little guy said when they were done, "Mrs. Hamilton, that made me hot all over." Which in kindergarten language means embarrassed. Ok, so here are the pictures...

Thursday

Sweater: American Eagle

Skirt: Hand-me-down

Shoes: Rack Room

Necklace: Christmas Gift

Friday

Pink Shirt: Rugged Warehouse

Jacket: Christmas gift

Grey Pants: Ross

Boots: Rack Room

Saturday

Went hiking to the top of Stone Mountain with my bro & his gf

Sunday

Sweater: Wet Seal

Jeans: Aeropostale

Brown Flats: Kohls

I also have to include a pic of the awesome pillow I made for my new chair.

(I can't figure out how to turn the picture around)

Monday

(We have an entire jean week at school, hooray!)

Coat: Ross 

(Kayla & Jordyn-remember when we all bought these!)

Pink shirt: Forever 21

Jeans: Christmas gift

Cute Shoes: Rack Room

Earrings: Mexico

Tuesday

(bad hair not shown)

Purple Shirt: Christmas gift

Tank: Birthday gift

Jeans: Christmas gift

Necklace: Some stand in Mexico

Wednesday

(I decided to go casual)

Shirt: School Theme shirt designed by Scott-

Our theme is Amplivate: Encouraging others to be bold for Christ.

Jeans: Target

Tennies: Ross (Best shoes ever for only $30!)

Linking up at The Pleated Poppy

How I love Saturdays...

Saturdays in college were always fun, but now that I have a full time job it is different. In college I always wanted to find something to do on Saturday; now I just want to sit in my new red chair. I have my typical Saturday to-do list, but it mostly involves staying in the house.
1. Make Biscotti
2. Clean bathroom (or convince Scott to)
3. Exercise...maybe...
4. Make Valentines cookies for class
5. Sew new pillows for my chair
5. Read a book and drink coffee

Yep, I love Saturdays. Why do you love Saturdays?

The Snickering Woman

I was reading Genesis this morning about Sarah and Abraham. In Genesis 18 it says that Sarah laughed in her heart when God said she would conceive at 90. I read this commentary written by one of the sight members and just wanted to share it:

Why do we as women always think we know better? Here Sarah laughs, in her heart; what kind of laugh is that? A "yeah-right, you don't know what you're talking about" kind of laugh. She's heard God's promise, she even tried to help Abraham with God's promise by giving him her maid-servant. The real question is, how long ago did she stop beleiving her husband? Does she dispise this promise she helped try to come to pass 13 years ago, and is imbittered or hopeful that Abraham is wrong, so much so that she laughs when a stranger confirms this news?

A better question, do I laugh at my husbands long-shot dreams, goals? Do I know if God gave him a passion for that asperation, even if it's a glimps of a promise He wants to fulfil in my husband's life? Lord, help me to support my husband throughout his life. Even if his dreams seem far-fetched or impossible. If it'll bring you glory, help me encourage and beleive in him.


My dear husband is a dreamer, and I have both feet firmly in reality. This was a good reminder that his dreams are from God, and I am here to encourage him. Even though I am focused on making lunches for tomorrow, and he is focused on the 'what ifs' for the years to come, we balance each other out. I just thank God for him. :)

Boomerang

Boomerang is where I just bought my new couch and chair! And its a cool name. Yesterday we went to Little Five Points with college married friends, and went to some cool vintage-ish shops. Of course we found the perfect furniture for our living room. Seriously. And we could afford it. So there was no way I could leave without it, especially because our friends threatened to not be our friends if we did not. We went and retrieved it today. Love.it. I now have my reading chair. Sigh. A place to do my favorite things: read, eat biscotti, and drink coffee. I know Scott likes the couch because he has not moved all day. But we really enjoyed our time with friend eating at the Flying Biscuit (amazing food), and visiting 4 coffee shops, I think?

Anyways here are the pictures, of course. (Note the napping husband. We rearranged the furniture 4 times)

The couch (and rocking chair we already had)

The chair (and new arrangement)

Craft table and bookshelf (old things, new locations)

My Favorite Things

Wow...what a Monday. I love coaching cheerleading, and i love my hyper cheerleaders, but they do exhaust me. Sometimes more than kindergarteners. After reading  Abby's blog is was inspired to focus on something good after this long Monday.

So my current favorite thing is...coffee!!

I just acquired a frother, and have learned how to make cappuccinos. Love. it. Add a good book, and some biscotti, and I am one happy girl. Add my husband sitting with me, and my day is made. Even though it is Monday night, I think I will go indulge myself now. 

Snow Days

Of course I had to put up some pictures of our multiple snow days...especially since I don't think there is anything else I can possibly do in my house

Scott and I attempted to sled, but we really just pushed ourselves for the sake of "newly married pictures during our first big snow". Thanks to my mom for being willing to go out and take pictures of our attempt to play in the snow. :)

 Then we decided to take a stroll around the block (near my parents house) to see what my neighbors were doing...and you thought sledding behind a four-wheeler was redneck...

Nothing like sledding behind a slow-moving tractor.

This was sitting in the next-door-neighbor's yard. 

And who wouldn't use a halloween decoration to make a snowman's head?

Hope everyone had a fun snow/ice day!

Insurance=Adult Life

Well, today I really felt like an adult because I actually talked to someone at the insurance agency...not just an automated recording. This is all happening because the insurance company sent me a letter. I was simply calling back to clarify their question. After 6 transfers, and yelling at 8 different recorded messages I finally got a person. She insisted that we (Scott and I) are actually not in their system. So I asked her how they could send a letter to a person who doesn't exist in their system. Anyways, after an hour absolutely nothing was resolved...and I was told "Welcome to Adulthood".

On a more positive note...I made bread yesterday in my grandmother's breadmaker. It was finished at approximately 7:00pm yesterday...today at 7:45 the entire loaf was already gone.

Finally, I cannot wait to see my friends this weekend! I'm making an awesome Halloween cake!

I also dragged Scott to a cheerleading competition this weekend. My fabulous cheerleaders got third place!!!