Getting there bit by bit

Pray...we're getting awfully close to something pretty unbelievable.
Just pray.

Patience is a virtue.

On the outside, we are just about ready. Because of an outpouring of love and generosity, we were able to reach our goal (and then some) for our finances. Thank God for His provision and for moving in the hearts and lives of those who love us and who love Him. We are humbled beyond belief and overjoyed with thankfulness.
The baby's room is officially done (well, as done as I have decided today! I'm sure I'll think of something else to add in the days  to come.) We have a beautiful dresser that needs to be repainted--a project better suited for post-hurricane dampness; and thanks to Nana, we have a gorgeous crib and changing station, complete with bedding (which reminds me, I have to take that out of the washing machine!) A wonderful co-worker friend gave us an adorable rug, and Baby even has their first pair of shoes, thanks to a life-long friend.

Now, all we need is Baby.
Insert deep sigh here...

This is the downward dip of the roller coaster everyone swore would hit me like a truck. Although that hasn't been devastating, I'm getting that weird ache in my stomach and a little lump in my throat that won't go away. And I hate it.
My biggest battle right now is against myself--the battle between worrying that things won't happen quickly enough, that things won't happen at all and the knowledge and trust that I have in God and His perfect work and timing.
I think my biggest concern is actually not for Kory and me (although not invincible, he certainly is a rock in all of this), but for others who are routing for us, for those who are waiting, maybe even as excitedly as we are, for Baby to come. I don't want anyone to get discouraged, to get disappointed, or to lose faith in what God is doing. We just want God to be glorified in all of this and to be used for Him. I know God works all things together for good, and even this limbo time of waiting and hoping and praying will make us stronger, better, more faithful. And for that, I'm willing to be patient.

If I were pregnant, I would have to wait 9 months to see our little one's face. So far, we've only been waiting for about 6 weeks. Just more time to pray...and possible paint the nursery just a little bit more!

The Nursery...be afraid of the Before pictures!

The room we chose to be the nursery is perfect for a few reasons.
1. It gets the most sunlight of any room in the house.
2. One window faces the most beautiful row of Rose of Sharon trees that bloom all spring and summer.
3. The other window faces the pool (so when Mommy is getting her tan on in the summer, she can still hear when Baby starts crying!)

The room we chose to be the nursery USED to be the junk room. You know what I mean. You have one, too. That room where you shove everything you don't know where else to put it. The room that permanently remains closed. The room you wouldn't show your best friend because it's such a mess.

Kory most likely will die of embarrassment, but I have to show before and after photos. Although, the before pictures may have come out nicer because the after were taken during the day, and like I said, the room is the brightest in the house.

One of my closest friends, Holly, came over to help me paint, and I honestly think we did a pretty bang up job! It's not even close to being done, but here's a sneak peek... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baby's First Presents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't even know what to call this post...

I almost didn't do it.
A friend I've had since high school told me to check out a site for fundraising, and I almost didn't.
It was a great idea. I knew it as soon as I saw it.
(Plus, she's pretty smart.)
BUT...
I didn't know if the site was going to work, even though all signs pointed to yes.
I didn't know if anyone would see it.
I didn't know if it would be worth the hassle.
I almost didn't do it, honestly, because I thought no one would respond.
And I would have been heartbroken.

Well, I am broken. But in the most beautiful way imaginable.

My brother was the one who told me to man up; it's not about me; it's not about Kory. It's about our baby. And bringing them home.

So I created our site.
I posted it to facebook.
And I thought I sit back and wait.
I did.
For about 38 seconds.
And then the messages and the hits and the donations and the messages and the posts started...and they haven't stopped.
In less than 48 hours we have over $4800 in our adoption fund, a private account specifically and solely for adoption.
And I haven't stopped crying since.

Many of you have kept me updated on our site for the past two days, counting the dollars, reading the messages, refreshing the browser and watching with baited breath as the money climbs and soars and stretches.
God truly divides loaves and fishes. He's come through for us on this. And He's using you to do it.

I pulled the computer over to the dinner table tonight, planning to read through the messages left by all of you while Kory finished off his dinner.
I figured I could do it; I've read through each one about 50 times today.

Yeah, well, I couldn't get through the first one without tears streaming down my face and choking back half of the words.
Kory wasn't much better.
He actually told me to stop. He couldn't do it. The tears refused to subside.

What do you say in response to this outpouring of love?
What words will ever do justice to such kindness and generosity?
What do you do to honor those who show so much loyalty and sacrifice?

The only thing I know to do is to make sure our baby knows every word, every face, every name, every act of love shown to them before they were even born.
Your names will be written on their heart.
Your messages are going to be posted on their wall, so that every morning when they wake up they will be surrounded by your love.
You are helping bring our baby home.
We are so very grateful.


And to be honest, if this keeps up--we might be able to bring home two!!!!

Details, details, details

A dear friend (with a huge compulsion to offer me his opinion on all things!) told me after reading our blog he really didn't know anything except that we were adopting.
So, here's the skinny on our journey:

• We've completed our home study and have been approved. (This includes background checks, child abuse clearances, paperwork, fingerprints, etc.)
• We've found an agency in Ohio that we're working with.
• We've completed a profile book, basically a photobook that tells our story together, why we want to adopt and what we can provide a child.
• We're doing a domestic adoption, so our baby could come from any state in the US.
• We are searching for an infant; gender doesn't matter. A sibling group or twins would be ideal.
• We would prefer a bi-racial baby (for obvious reasons); however, it doesn't really matter to us.
• The child could arrive any day now (both exciting and thrilling all at once...better get that nursery ready!!!)
• We are sent "situations" by the agency with a history of the birthmother and birthfather when available.
• We choose the situation that fits our family best.
• The birthmother is sent our profile book, and she decides if we are to be the adoptive parents of her child.
• As soon as Baby is born, we travel to wherever they are; we sign the papers, wrap them up in something adorable, strap them in the car, and take them home.

We are excited to talk about it all; please ask if you have any questions; we'd love to answer them! Or check back with our blog; we try to update as much as possible.

Sometimes what is beautiful is not pretty.

Part of the adoption process we are experiencing is viewing "situations" of birthmothers who are giving their babies up for adoption. Their lives are outlined in bullet points, most of the time in fragments rather than full, complex sentences. There is little elaboration, little superfluous detail other than clinical facts about drug use, medical histories, financial woes, and relationship catastrophes that have brought them to this point.
From the start, we have determined to pray for each woman whose story we encounter, determined to lift each of them up before our Heavenly Father. We cannot imagine the circumstances that have brought them to this point in their lives. But we do know much we respect them, how grateful we are to them, not only for how much their decisions affect us, but others just like us who desire a family-- little shoes littering the house, baseball bats and tutus decorating the floors and hallways, tiny socks and onesies taking over the laundry room.
We don't claim to know anything more than what these situation sheets offer us, but we do know there is a woman out there who is or will be soon carrying the baby we will welcome into our home and call our own. And we'll be praying for her everyday.

Overwhelmed by joy

We're at the tip of our journey, and already Kory and I have been flooded with support and well-wishes and the sweetest comments regarding our status as parents-to-be. I knew we were surrounded by people who love us and would support us through this process, but we had no idea how much immediate feedback we would get. The responses and personal messages bring tears to our eyes, and I am so grateful not only for the love we receive, but for the love for our new baby. I can't wait to welcome him or her into this circle charged with adoration and gratefulness for a new life.
As always, we can't wait to be Mama and Daddy.

First baby step: complete!

We just finished filling out and paid for our application to A Little Bit of Heaven in Ohio. This is a HUGE step, but it's an exciting one, and we can't wait for what happens next. (We're not quite sure what that is, but we know the Lord does, and that itself is pretty exciting!)
Please, please pray for us...for a thousand different reasons. Many of them we know; most we don't. But God knows, and we just ask that you lift us up to Him when you think of us.

Our Biggest Adventure

Daddy-to-be and I are embarking on our greatest journey to date, and believe me, that's saying something. Our almost-four-year-old marriage has produced some tall tale adventures (all true, I might add), but this one kinda takes the cake.  God had this one planned from the start, and we wake up each day knowing that He's got something pretty amazing set aside for us. Trust me, too, that we are not only looking forward to the end product, we're enjoying every minute of the ride. We live in constant expectation and surprise.
To be quite honest, our life together is pretty amazing: we're not perfect, but we are certainly perfect for each other. It's cheesy, I know, but it's true. We live the good life: a great home, family close by, a wonderful church, two of the ugliest dogs on the planet--a life of comfort and peace and lots and lots of love. And since we've been so blessed, how could we not want to add to our family?

"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son..that we might receive the adoption as sons."

Galatians 4:4-6

Adoption was our best and first choice. For those of you that know us, you know why adotion is so near and dear to our hearts.  And for those just joining us, not only was Mr. adopted as an infant into the Kraft family, but we were both adopted as children of God. And we consider that the most beautiful way to start a family.

"Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families."

Psalms 68:5-6

We'd love to have you check back with us often and travel this road with us!

Love,
Daddy and Mama K