God is so gracious. He continues to provide in the details of our lives and we are so undeserving. Yesterday we found out that there were no referrals this month, so we are still #12 on the waiting list. I have to admit that I felt a little like I'd been been kicked in the gut. We've been praying for a referral by the end of the year, and yesterday made that previously seemingly achievable hope seem less likely. Well, boo. Of course we know that God is not bound by a waiting list, and that all things work together in His timing. We know this, but it's hard.
Read moreDaddy Dates
I'm as much of a daddy's girl as I am a mommy's girl. And I'm as much of a mommy's girl as I am a daddy's girl. I have fantastic parents. As an adult, I look back on my childhood and I have so much respect and admiration for how they raised my sisters and me. But if I'm honest, I had the same opinion growing up (except for a few times here and there as a teenager when I thought I knew more than they did). I've always known my parents were good at their job, and I've always looked forward to trying to emulate their parenting skills.
Read moreWaiting List Update: October 2015
Happy Fall!
We are now #12 on the waiting list!!
We are beyond thrilled for the movement that happened in September - TWO referrals, which means two children have been matched with their forever families. As we get closer to receiving our referral, it has begun to feel much more real.
Waiting List Update: August 2015
Get a paper bag, I'm starting to hyperventilate. We. Are. So. Close.
We are now #14 on the waiting list.
Read moreSometimes I Stare
I'm currently reading a book called, Everything You've Ever Wanted. I highly recommend reading it if you're adopting, know someone who's adopting, or maybe want to adopt someday. It's very real - the pretty and the not-so-pretty. I love the honesty.
Read moreWaiting List Update: June 2015
With every passing month, these updates get more and more fun to write.
We are now #17 on the waiting list.
Read morePregnancy Dreams
A few nights ago I had what can only be described as a 'pregnancy' dream.
And for all of you who are now wondering, no, I am not pregnant.
Read moreGiving Away my Birthday
You guys, the waiting list is moving FAST! We just found out that we are now #21!!!! That's literally insane! I don't even know what to do with myself. I just called my mom and she said, "Jessica, you're about to be a MOM and I'm about to be a GRANDMA!" Wow, things are getting real.
Read moreWorking in our Waiting
It has been 470 days since we turned in our application for adoption.
It has been 258 days since our home study was finalized.
It has been 167 days since we officially got on the waiting list.
In case you're curious, a pregnancy is somewhere in the 270-ish day range.
Waiting List Update
We are so excited to update everyone and tell you that we've officially moved to #24 on the waiting list! YAY!
Read moreDo you have children?
This morning I went to the post office to mail off a Mary Kay order. I usually go to the post office in the area where I work, which is a more urban area of Birmingham. I love it there. There's a man who sits outside and opens the door for me and everyone who walks inside. The guy who works the morning window knows my name and that I work at Grace House. It's got a small town feeling, but yet, it's not. Also, I love that they'll tape up my boxes for me without charging me extra! I used to go to the Homewood Post Office and they'd always make me either buy tape for $4, or use the Priority tape, then I'd have to pay extra postage. Anywhoo...
Read moreAdoption is...
We are always getting asked by friends, family, strangers, etc. how the adoption is going. People are so kind and so caring, and we love that our journey has become a group effort so to speak. We love how involved our community is in our lives, and it is truly a blessing to us in every way!
Read moreOne Year - Hoping, Learning, & Waiting
Thanksgiving has come and gone. The halls are being decked. The trees have been trimmed. It's the same traditions that make their way into our lives every year, but this Christmas for the Morales family is much different. No, we don't have another stocking to hang from our mantle (except for Swanson's), and we're not shopping for baby clothes, but our hearts have been filled with love for a child we do not yet know, a culture we've never experienced, and the hope of our family to come.
Read moreDecisions We Made Before We Began the Adoption Process: #3 Where In the World?
We get asked pretty often how we chose to adopt from Ethiopia. While I wish the answer were more romantic, our answer to people is that it was logistics.
Read moreDECISIONS WE MADE BEFORE WE BEGAN THE ADOPTION PROCESS: #2 Domestic or International?
Making the decision to adopt internationally was simultaneously extremely difficult and extremely easy. It was a weird stretch, especially for me.
Read moreDecisions We Made Before We Began the Adoption Process: #1 Choosing An Agency
Before we began the adoption process, we had a to make a lot of really difficult and grueling decisions. Recently, I have had several friends from college/home/life reach out to me asking questions about how we got started along this journey just about a year ago. We are definitely not experts by any means, but I just thought it might be helpful for me to share a little bit about how we got started as a reference to anyone else who may be considering adoption. There are a few of these decisions that I have a lot to write about, so I decided to split them up so that it's not an overwhelming amount of writing (you know I tend to ramble).
Read moreWaiting List - an October Update
A little over a week ago, we sent off our dossier! It was a huge step for us, and we are so excited to announce that we are OFFICIALLY on the WAITING LIST!
Read morePatience - an August Update
Weekend at Namesake Lake
As many of you know, our future son's middle name comes from the lake in which Jason's dad has a house. It's his refuge. His "happy place," if you will. This weekend, we were able to get some R & R up in the mountains of North Carolina at Saylor Lake.
Read moreThe Pursuit
The phrase "pursuit of happiness" is all too common in American culture. It's what we strive for. It's chasing after the American Dream that we're so familiar with.
Read more