Thank Goodness for Etsy

I have been loving etsy.com I recently set up shop and have already completed almost 15 orders between etsy, friends and family. I have sent orders to California, Maine, New York, Maryland and even Singapore!!! It is really keeping my mind occupied during this crazy phase in our life. Here are some of my recent orders...

Just a chance at a miracle

So, Monday morning our adoption profile was officially "activated." Which basically means we entered the matching phase!!!!! Around 1:00 Monday I get an email and the subject is...possible opportunity. I can't begin to explain how I felt. It is the same feeling that I had when I saw the word pregnant with Jake... amazing! The email explained that a little baby boy had been born on 11/6 in Delaware and needed a home. He is in good health and is over 6 lbs. and 18 inches long. He is Caucasian and his mom is 22. I don't know much more than that at this point. We agreed to have our profile shown and now we are just waiting to hear. The agency did not have this girl's information before the birth so there is a slightly different process with this child than with a pregnant mom. t may take a little longer or be more complicated. At this moment he is living with a wonderful Bethany foster family until the mother chooses a family. So, hopefully sooner rather than later... To say that we are excited at this opportunity is an understatement. I am overjoyed and overwhelmed. I have not been able to focus since I receive the email. It is hard because I know we are likely to be disappointed and I am not counting on receiving this child. I am trying to protect my heart as much as possible, but it is not in my nature to not think about it and start planning... Jon is the pinnacle of strength as usual. Thank God for that! I will keep everyone up to date as I know more details. The agency said that if we are picked, we would be living in Delaware for at least a week and might have him in a few days!!!! Say some prayers!!!

Trick or Treat

This Halloween was so much fun with our Jakers. We started the day out visiting Pop and Gigi at Aunt Courtney's regatta near Philly. It was a beautiful morning and he enjoyed being with his grandparents and yelling," Go Courtney!" He also brought his bike to show Pop Pop how he rides. He was so proud to show off his new skills. The second he saw my dad, he started riding really fast. It was adorable. Aunt Courtney's is the coxswain (in the back)Using gigi's chair (of course he wore his costume)riding his bike and showin' offLove this picture

Then after a quick nap in the car, we started the Halloween festivities. He really understood what was going on yhis year and was sooo excited to walk with friends and trick or "tweat". We first walked with our friends, Heather and Drew and his best buddy, Alex. Then, Jake got tired and thirsty after about 30 mins. or so. After a little break, we had our neighbors from across the street come over and invite Jake out for round two. He suddenly got a second wind and out he went. He loved his train conductor (doctor as he says) costume and was saying "All aboard," "Ding Ding," and "Choo choo chugga chugga" all day. I think his favorite part though, was giving out candy at the door. To wrap up our fun filled day, Popple, Uncle Rick, Aunt Janet and Kimmy came over for pizza. What a Halloween!

My cheesebugga

Jake's Annual Halloween Party

This morning Jake and I had our annual Halloween bash. This year we had 20 little ones... such fun! We had lions, tigers, bears, butterflies and peacocks.. even a buzz light year! They were adorable! Check out the pics. Thanks to everyone who could make it. Jake and I always love having company.

Fun with My Jakers

Lately, we have had a lot of fall fun. I love fall for all the food, crafts and outdoor activity it brings. We have been trying to stay home each afternoon and just play outside. We have also been more diligent about going to the farm each week. I know our decent weather is slowly going away and I want Jake out as much as possible. Another fun event I want to remember is that Jake had his first field trip. He was so pumped to go somewhere with his little buddies from preschool. I was also really excited to see him interact with his friends and personally I was looking forward to get talking to the other parents. Jake had a blast and sat for an entire demonstration on pumpkins. He sat so still and was so focused, it was adorable! The only thing he stopped to tell me was that the man was talking...I guess he thought I wasn't focused? I am so hoping he is a school nerd like I was! Anyway, here are some fun pictures.

First "Punkin" choice

So excited about the bumps on the hayride

With his best little buddy

With his favorite assistant

Final "punkin" choice

Random- Cleaning "my woom" as he calls it

What's New

After a busy few days, thought I should update...

This past weekend we celebrated the life of a friend and church member. He will be remembered forever and his legacy lives on. His funeral was held at our church and his family specifically wanted it to be a celebration. I have heard of these before, but never myself attended one. Wow, for starters. The family played songs that reminded them of his life and legacy and we all sang together with tears. Then, they offered up the mic and people began speaking about how he changed their lives. This had to be stopped after an hour by our pastor because it probably could have gone on forever. Our pastor asked all the men in the room who were feeling inspired to leave a legacy and help other church members to stand and almost all the men were standing including my hubbs... It was inspiring. It was unbelievable how many lives he touched and I admire his courage and strength to share his faith and love with all he came across. Our life is forever changed from the lessons he taught Jon and myself about marriage, parenting and our purpose here on earth. Thank you God for Rich Crompton, treat him well up there until we see him again!

Around the House
Jon, Jake and I had a crazy September with weddings, events, preschool and MOPS starting. October doesn't seem to get much better. We try and enjoy any spare minute we have as a family and I cherish our nightly dinners and play time afterward. There is something amazing about only having one child for this long. I know it hasn't been that long, but most of my friends have had a second by now. I am truly enjoying all of our quality time and have realized just how precious it is. We have play time together, chats about everything and I love how we sing songs together. Jake usually tries to out-sing me of course (a Sharp gene).


Jake Saying
Here are a few more recent Jake sayings or words...
-"Let's do it Mommy!"
-"I love school... I love TV... I love that car..." Loves everything...
-No I not kind... I a big boy...
-"I love You Jake"..."NO... I love YOU!" (slightly cheeky, but LOVE it)
-Look Mommy...Watch Mommy... (80 times a day)
-"Just like me Mommy" when he sees anything he has done or owns
-Umm... Maybe... black park?... yellow park is cwosed (closed) He refers to parks in colors??? and often tells me the one he doesn't want to go to is closed.
-Blue school today Mommy? (every morning...) loves school so much and again with the colors?? artist in the making...
-Das silly Mommy.. Das silly Daddy
-"Mommy, I took a nappers!" after being in his bed for two seconds and is now standing in his doorway.
-"Jake pick up your crayon please, we do not throw crayons."- "Oooookkkkaayyyy Mommy, but I go weal swoooly (slowly)."
-"Dinner time buddy"- "No I not hungwee" Jake is never hungry and doesn't care much for sitting down to meals... he would much rather play
-Driving in crazy traffic-"Boy, where did all these people come from Jake?"-"God made people Mommy" (loved this, he is listening to me...)

Fertility
We decided to take this month off and it was the best decision I have made in a long time. I feel great and back to my old self. It is amazing when you are stressed or weary about something you don't realize how bad it felt until it's gone... I realized how anxious and sick I was feeling. Partly from the meds. I was on and partly from the thought of not being able to have another baby naturally. I know it is not up to me and I am sick of trying to control it. This month has felt amazing. God slowly got me to this point and helped me realize a lot about expectations and entitlement. I am not entitled to another baby, I will be blessed if I have one. And as a bonus I already have an AMAZING one... whom I love dearly. So, this has been "focus on the family" month. I have been working out and spending some time on me and spending as much time as possible loving our little family.

Adoption

We are approved and waiting!!! Our family profile should be loaded on the Bethany Website under "Waiting Families" very soon. Once it is I will send the link to everyone.Ummm, Jon and Jake will kill me I am sure, but ridiculously cute!Juggling act at a local festival, Jake LOVED it!
Jake is really into making "gardens." This is his latest garden.
He made a special place for his puppy.

More Reminders

This past weekend was a series of reminders for me that life here on earth is precious and cannot be taken for granted. I am feeling so fragile today and sad for the suffering I see around me. Jon's grandmother fell and is currently in the hospital awaiting heart surgery. A dear friend of Jon's had a massive heart attack and is currently on life support. We went to visit both on Sunday and there is no other way to describe it but, awful. My heart cries out in sorrow today. I feel reminded of God's love for us and that he is the ultimate strategist. He does have a plan. My faith tells me that, but it is hard to imagine in the moment what good will come of these tragedies. I can honestly say that I have seen good come out of my moms passing and I am sure there is much more to it than my eyes can see. However, it doesn't remove the pain and longing that still exists. Ugh, what can I say?... it is the growing pains in life that are the hardest to deal with. Today, I pray for comfort, peace and acceptance for Jon's friend, our grandmother and the loved ones that survive them.

As always... here is a song that brings comfort to me. Whatever your beliefs are... you need someone to cry out to during times of grief.

Cry Out to Jesus
To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith and love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering


When your lonely (when you're lonely)
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who suffers from being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Jake and I have been house bound because he hasn't been feeling 100%. Today we had had enough! We both needed fresh air and excercise. So, why not jump in puddles??

Oh and picture day was yesterday... I could just melt over this picture...

Approved and Waiting...

Jon and I have been given the official go ahead to announce that we are approved for adoption!!! After seven months of preparation and appts., I cannot express all of the emotions I have about what the future may hold. I am overjoyed at the thought of bringing a new life into our family through adoption. I have already begun to pray for the birthparent(s) who will give a little life to us. I cannot wait and my heart is aching with excitement. I know it will be an emotional and unforgettable experience because it already has been for me. This weekend I am attending an adoption conference at our church to continue the process of preparation. We will also have another full day conference in November. So, the process is not over... but now we are simply waiting for the phone call... ahhh...

This song was written by a christian musician who was adopted. It is beautiful and every time I hear it, I have to run the bathroom for a dozen tissues. God has really shown me that this is something he wants for our lives and I couldn't be happier!!

Come Walk with Me

Every year Jon and I try to walk in memory of my mom at the South Jersey Heart Walk. It is a fun filled day and it means a lot to me to do something for her and others like her. This year Jake will be walking with us and we wanted to invite all of you too. Join our team and help to raise funds for heart disease!! Our walk is Saturday, October 16th at Campbells Field Home of the Riversharks. To join our team or make a donation towards my goal, click on the link below.

http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=338258&msource=boundlessfun