Before and After Shots

Hey there,

I want to share some before and after shots of some updates we have done around the house. First, the kitchen. We have had red paint in our kitchen for years and wanted to go with something more neutral. A friend, who is a very talented decorator, recommended a slightly darker taupe to enhance the neutral tones in our kitchen/living area. It turned out great. The last thing we need to do is add our hardware to the cabinets.

Notice in the pictures, it turns from day to night. I just had to finish it in the same day.

Changing the color on our island book shelves

Next, I found this dresser at a garage sale. It's in excellent condition and made of maple wood. I paid $40.00 for it. I gave it a light sanding, painted 2 coats of this beautiful, light honey milk paint, added hardware, and now we have a new dresser for our guest room. 

Enjoy your creativity this week! 

Much love, 

Silence

Hey everyone, 

I can't believe it has taken me this long to write something. As for the silence, I have been so busy over the past couple of months and time goes so quickly. Remember when our parents told us that as we get older, time would go by faster? Well, they were right. 

As quickly as time is going by, I'm reminded of getting older. The big 35 is approaching in the next few months, and I have to say, I thought things would look so different by now. As a young girl, and dreamer, I believed I would have two kids by the time I was 30. I would be a "young, hip mom",  having play dates,  going to kid's soccer games, and enjoying birthday parties. 

Dealing with infertility definitely changes my way of thinking. I do believe I will be a mother one day. I do believe it will be one of the greatest gifts God will allow for us. I also believe it will have nothing to do with me, but everything to do with praising our God who will make this possible. Whether it is through having our own child naturally or through adoption, the child or children will be made by God in His perfect timing. He is the creator of all things, not us. It is just difficult to wait, and wait, and wait some more. Especially as you watch your friends children getting ready to start kindergarten, and you were a part of praying over them and their pregnancy 6 years prior.  

As another mother's day passes and father's day approaches, it is a great reminder to appreciate all the blessings in our lives, whether Chris and I get to celebrate those days or not. I recognize how difficult these days can be to someone dealing with infertility. At church, mothers and fathers are recognized by having them stand and receive gifts. I am not saying this is wrong, but to someone who desires to be a mother or father, it can be a very sensitive and emotional day. 

So, this year on mother's day, I was able to acknowledge all the blessings in my life. I am alive because God allows me to breathe. I am a daughter of the one true God and am able to share the love of Christ with others. I am grateful to be married to such an incredible man who gets me. I can share my experience of infertility with other women, and cry with them when necessary. I can express to others that I still have hope and faith to become a mother because God is not limited to what we can do or what medicines we have to take. I am blessed with my family and friends who love and support us. And on and on I could go. 

With silence, I appreciate all that God teaches me. I recognize dealing with this emotional grief, I am loved. 

May you be blessed and loved over this holiday weekend. May we recognize the freedom we have in this country and thank our troops for their service.

Much love,

Our Adoption Journey Begins

Hey everyone,

We have decided to pursue our adoption from Bulgaria.

We are in the beginning stages and will complete the application soon. Next, will be our home study and contract agreement. As we begin this next step in our lives, we would appreciate your prayers and any words of wisdom you have to offer.

Our small business, Journeymark Cards & Gifts, will be a great way for us to start raising funds. I will showcase new card designs, jewelry, crosses, baby gift ideas, tote bags, and anything else we are able to create each week. If you are interested in any of the items, you may contact me directly at journeymarkcards@yahoo.com. Free shipping will be offered on any purchase through June 30, 2010.

The money we need to raise begins with the home study, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000, because it depends on which company does the home study. The contract agreement, once completed, is shipped via Fed Ex along with a $3,000 check. The total cost of fees with this agency is $15,500.00 plus the cost of travel, translator, additional fees, etc. As we move along in the process, we will keep you updated. This process can take up to 2 years, so we trust and know that God will provide on every level.

We are excited, anxious, and ready. We believe God will guide us every step of the way, and that the child we pray over and for, will one day come home.

Here are some new card designs at $4.00/card.

Blue Damask Thank You

Welcome Little One - Pink

Happy Birthday!

Thank you for praying and being a part of this with us.
Much love,

Spring Time

Hey there,

well it's been a couple weeks since I have written and it is now the first part of Spring. Can you believe it? Where does the time go? Oh, and Chris and I drove home in a snowy, wintry mix last night. Texas weather is hard to beat!!!

I love this time of year (other than the allergy attacks), watching flowers bloom, leaves grow on trees, and everything snapping back to life. It feels like a new beginning, in more ways than one. I have been consumed with adoption lately, hence the reason for my delay in updates. While researching adoption, I learned that dealing with infertility is something to thank God for. I am not saying I like it, or that my emotions are not all over the place at times, but I don't feel like I have been honoring God through this process in the way that would glorify Him.

I have asked the questions, "Why us?" and "Why can't we?", which is not wrong, but the questions can't stop there.  I have learned to ask the question, "God, how can you use this struggle in our lives for your purpose?" Asking this has helped changed my focus and allows me to recognize there is a reason in battling infertility. While we may never know the answer, I know it's going to be okay.

So, as we start Spring, and begin to see life blooming around us, it's going to be okay.

Here are a couple new card designs. Enjoy!
Much love,

Some Questions

Hey everyone,

Happy Friday to you! Over the past two weeks, Chris and I have begun to discuss the possibility of domestic adoption. At this point, we are continuing to keep an open mind on domestic and international, but there is something exciting about the possibility of bringing home an infant.

I have to admit that I feel at a loss concerning domestic adoption. The decision of choosing an agency to work with (I know I have mentioned this several times, but it is such a major decision) to open adoption, semi-open, or closed adoption.

Open adoption - the birth mother, birth father, and adoptive parents meet several times and continue to exchange information and remain in contact with each other

Semi-open - refers to an adoption where the birthparents and adoptive parents will meet once or twice, know each other on a first name basis, and might exchange pictures and information as the child grows

Closed - the birth mother and birth father are kept anonymous, along with the adoptive parents being kept anonymous

For those of you who have experienced domestic adoption, I would love to know about the agency you decided to work with and whether you chose open, semi-open, or closed adoption. I learn something new each day and appreciate further the depths of how we have been adopted into the family of God.

As Ephesians 1:3-6 says-
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves (Ephesians 1:3-6).

With glorious praise and joy,