Nov. Adoption Fireside

So, i made up our flier for the Nov. Fireside( later evening meeting) and I'm inviting all people in the area to come to it!
This will feature everyone involved in the adoption triad: Birth mother, adoptive couple, adoptee and special musical number and refreshments. Many ?'s will be answered for those of you who know little about what ADOPTION really is all about- in this era!


I'm a rookie flier designer but, I was what they had to work with! Hopefully, it gets the message across!

some peoples kids

I swear... I wish i knew all the answers but, I honestly DON'T! I'm not a liar or pretender and i don't say things that i don't mean. The reason i bring this up is b/c Kids these days feel this NEED to be accepted and SAY YES to everything- even if it means putting themselves in harms way just to feel some sort of belonging to something or someone. I have to hand it to some parents who have done all they can do but, what is comes down to is...

I'm NOT going to BE that kind of parent! I'm not going to overlook BAD friends or questionable visitors in my kids lives! I don't think you take a backseat approach to teens either... YOU stay involved. YOU love them even if They haven't figured out who they want to BE yet! Unconditional love (not enabling) is truly what kids and teens need. I'm not ready to parent teens right now but, I am ready to HELP those around me get through stuff they aren't ready for- that has been inflicted on them by their parents or surroundings/ environment! I have such sadness in my heart for those who weren't given parents who cared for their every need (like mine or Brandon's), who weren't given a SAFE place to live, a non- abusive home to grow in, a warm embrace every few hours, and the chance to succeed along with all the proper coping tools to deal with things in their lives!
Well, That's how i feel about the matter and i hope someone who reads this will realize that the life they were born into ISN'T the life they have to lead. Just b/c your home life may be screwed up doesn't mean your future life has to be the same. You don't have to pattern yourself after those who have failed you. YOU deserve to give YOURSELF a Fair Shot- at getting what it is YOU really want out of LIFE! Why not? You are a Child of GOD and are free to choose whatever it is you most desire!
~C

GREAT ARTICLE BAD COVER

check this post out!
This couple say great things about adoption but the cover is totally misleading!

And we are live...

Our profile is on itsaboutlove.org officially now. Just look our names up or click on the sidebar link to our profile:)
We are getting a new family pic soon. This one is from last Nov. and Brandon HATES how he looks. He says he looks plump. whatever! My man looks great now!!!

last Sat. and this Saturday

So last Saturday, i finally got to SING in CO! You see the first time i was supposed to sing a solo- i ended up in the hospital 1.5 days before. That's the day we found the cyst. The next time i was supposed to sing for my ward (4 weeks later) but... I got laryngitis (lost my voice).
I kept thinking " God must be saving my voice for a more opportune moment, i guess.



SO, last Saturday after i took Jessica's pictures at 8am, coached v-ball at 9 am, I SANG at A baptism of a new friend!






It went well enough and i am no longer afraid to perform again. Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when i couldn't sing those other times. Though some people may think singing at a Baptism is just so-so, I think It's one of the most important times in someones life!




And i Hope to use my voice more often to bring joy and the spirit into many upcoming meetings and gatherings!


This Saturday... Our girls team won their 3rd V-ball game! Only 5 girls made it today but It was so fun and these girls are our "Heavy Hitters".




I will show you a better pic later with all the ladies on the team! I am enjoying this calling so very much!
well, I'm super fatigued and ready to hit the hay! till next time cool blog readers!

so many projects...

so little time!
I have been trying to finish up all the projects in the next 5 weeks (before holiday season starts and before the Nov. Fireside) and here's how I'm doing....
The Paci and bracelet set will be for auction on my FB page and i made 7 bracelets today (no more for a while)

I finished the apron by adding a satin hand ruffled trim and handmade flower too!

This blanket was made for a special baby who will be placed with her adoptive family in the upcoming months- made by me and her birth mother and friend.

and I finally finished Aria's 3rd B-day Piggy Bank- now BOTH my girls have one!!
I only have a few projects left: Making the girls 4 dresses- 2 costumes for Halloween (nothing was cute enough that i saw or worth the crappy material it was made of) and 2 throw blankets, and 4 more bracelets and 1 binky clip. I have to distress the kids furniture and clear out our office- move it downstairs and start getting that room ready for a baby or child (that may be a LONG project over a few months- who knows?) I like being prepared and i also love being spontaneous so... Who really knows on the room thing! P.S. I'm a decor whore or a fabric floozy or a sewing slut:) I LOVE it! Why read a silly story when you can create something out of nothing!!! It's awesome! (sorry if i offend you bookworms- i mostly read for educational purposes)
~C

what a few days we've had

WOW! I feel like we are constantly on a roller coaster in our lives right now. I love to think that one of these weeks i will be less busy with things BUT, i find that to be totally a DREAM. IN FACT... I DON'T want to be less busy. I just want to be busy with different things like busy with a new child or baby, busy with MORE adoption work and helping others. Busy with doing FUN things with my girls or more dates with my husband! I feel like everything that's occupying our time is leading us up to something. You know like when you reach the top of a ladder or the top of a roller coaster and you here the clack, clack, clack right before the coaster throws you over the hump and you whiz down the chutes and through a tunnel then it throws you upside down and finally- you get to the part where it's starting to slow down to let you off the ride. Except we are still at the clack, clack part right before we are tossed in the air and down the side-winding turns of the life. Let's see where it leads us and if we enjoy the journey with all the ups and downs. I'm sure we will!

PS. I LOVE being a mom and i feel all these emotions for my girls and when i squeeze them (hugs) I feel so elated but i also feel a vacancy- like "where are my other sweet children? When will i hold them close and let them know how much I love them? Will i get to tell them of how wonderful their birth mommies are or will i have open adoptions with their first parents? Will they come through foster adoption and have birth parents who chose to hurt or neglect them? Though i will never speak ill of those people- I also hope that those children come to our family Faster so, they are harmed less and loved more. All in all- God knows all and knows what we need and can handle so, If it means we wait- then we wait. And while we wait we Advocate for life!
~C

dissing your dog

There are days i am so frustrated with our dog, Myla. She keeps peeing where ever she please and I'VE HAD IT! GRRR. Here's a funny Skit from SNL - Enjoy! I'm so glad this LONG day is over! I need a break tonight.




So tired and ready to relax. Hope you enjoyed this video and i wish it was streaming better. Night all!

Much to prepare

As of late... I've been helping the Denver Metro Are get ready for a Fireside on Adoption in early Nov.. If you are saying "what the heck is a fireside? " here's your answer- It's a meeting normally later in the evening where testimony is shared(back in the old days- it was done around a fire) on basic gospel truths with detailed personal experiences and stories- It's a more intimate setting than that of Full fledged Church service!
This one happens to be on Adoption!
The speakers will be an adoptive couple,a birth mother, an adoptee and special music about adoption will be performed! So far most everything is falling into place for it too. If you are just checking out my blog and interested in adoption in any respect- shoot me an email and I'll shoot you over the details. These are open to those not of our faith and in our church too!

I've also been contacting HS's to do presentations in their family and consumer sciences classes or child development, life skills etc.. And preparing Hospital Packets to be sent out to local hospitals' social workers- so, they have it at their fingertips- when they need that information!
Lots of time and preparation goes into these things and I'm so happy to be doing this work. It's truly my Mission in Life right now.
" I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord, O’er mountain, or plain, or sea; I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord, I’ll be what You want me to be."

this couldn't be more true right now in my life!

Divinely appointed friends

I love the saying from CS Lewis : " You have not chosen one another, but I have chosen you for one another."

This couldn't ring more true with the friendship We have with Jessica L.
Here's our Story...
We had just moved to CO 2 days prior. We attended the Adoption Training in CO before we even moved into our new house. It was wonderful and we were overjoyed that we were here finally and getting the process underway all at the same time. The 1st Sunday at church was Fast and Testimony Meeting. I bore my testimony and thanked those who watched my kids while we attended the adoption trainings.

After the meeting a sweet lady in the hall asked me if we had been selected already for

 
placement. I told her no, not yet and she began to tell me that she Knew someone looking into placing their unborn child for adoption . Her eyes welled up and she told me it was her daughter. I hugged her and she let it out and i told her "Well, God sure knew that i needed to be in this WARD for a reason. Regardless if she places or picks us, we are meant to be in each others' lives."

The following weekend came up and Renee(woman in the hall) became ill so, we brought her over some dinner that night and met Jessica. We only talked for a few minutes but it was like meeting an old friend. The following week she was at her moms again when we stopped by. We chatted some more and she told us about making an appt. with LDSFS and wanting to figure out what she should/ could do for this child.
We Had her over for dinner with her family and talked about everything. I had the best feelings of love for her and her family. I always reinforced that "we are NOT your friends just b/c you might place". She knew that too. Her and my husband are like brother and sister and very silly together. Jessica has always felt like part of our family...

Then one day we met at a Local Park and went for a jaunt around it and she told me she had MADE UP HER MIND. She said " I'm 100% positive that I'm placing this baby. I know i cannot do it on my own- nor do i think it would be best for the child. I know someone else needs this baby more than i do right now! And if adoption families are anything like yours... I'm totally In!!!"
I was so excited that she made that choice and something inside me knew that this is why we were to be in her life. That night we searched profiles online together. She came across this family and they looked adorable and she pulls out this tiny folded paper with their names on it! " My Bishop told me a bit about this couple"
I could see her face gleam! But, Jessica is a very analytical person so, no rash decisions were made. I told her to talk to her case worker about learning more or meeting the couples she was interested in!

- In the meantime I was offering FREE photography to adoptive couples in the area. And the Couple she saw on IAL (J&C), were scheduled to shoot updated pics for their profile about 5 weeks out from the time she saw them on the blog.-

So, a week or so passes and Jessica meets another family and she really liked them. They had adopted their 2 children and were awesome people. She called me after the meeting and i asked her how it went and she said "great but..." Then explained about her desire for a bit more openness than they were willing to have. So, it was something to think about.
I still had these feelings that we were divinely supposed to be in her life and i couldn't deny it! But one night while in the peace and quiet- I had the strongest impression that " she is not your birth mom, she is meant for another family" I had such peace and reassurance that it would be alright and when our time is right it will happen.
So fast forward a week and J&C's pictures were scheduled but it was pouring down buckets so we scheduled for a later date. I asked Jessica how she was and we texted and talked all the time. And 2 weeks before she actually met J&C, i met their friend at a park and as i told J&C's friend about how I think Jessica could possibly pick them and i hoped she would- her friend and i got all choked up. I let a few tears out and was so happy that I was able to help her see how amazing adoptive families are.

The following Sunday, Renee (jessica's Mom) and i chatted about J&C and she told me how She felt something special too for them.(we cried of course while we talked of them) And Jessica had still never met them. Only chatted via email.

So that week Jessica was supposed to meet them on Monday and we were going to go float the river on Thursday. So, i called Jessica on Wednesday and she told me that She hadn't met them yet but was meeting them tomorrow in the morning. I asked her if she wanted to float the river still and she said "yeah, why not!"

So Thursday morning came and she met up with me at noon on the River. She was grinning from ear to ear. She told me how much she liked them and how cool they were and so on. All along the slippery river turns, i kept waiting for her to tell me that 'They were the ones" But she didn't. She just said i need to think about it over the next 2 months and weigh out all the couples. I kept reassuring her that we really were happy for whomever she chose. Finally at our late lunch we talked more and i broke down and asked " didn't you feel something different with them than you have with us or the other couple?" She said "Honestly... YES!"

I about shot out of my seat with JOY and she said "but i still need to think about it" I said " really-? if you feel so strongly for one couple and it feels right- the it's Got to be Them!!!" She finally said she didn't want to hurt our feelings but she KNEW it was to be them! And i finally told her that i knew weeks ago she wasn't to be our birth mom! She was a bit shocked and i told her Brandon knew too. He would say things like " when you meet the next birth mom- don't be trying to hook her up with other couples etc.." He was being a protector of my heart and emotions saying that- not a control freak b/c you all know how emotionally invested we all get with the Expectant parents.
So, we were both excited that She KNEW and had found her couple. Then Jessica said a dreaded thing for an adoptive mother to hear " I think i will wait till 2 months to tell them though" I was totally not cool with that but was along for the ride so- whatever? A few hours later she shoots me a text and says she's going to tell them in 3 weeks. I said sure but i thought "if she felt it when they met, i bet they did too and how that wait would kind of be agonizing- but- it's her call"

The next day, I get an email from J& C following up on our profile photo shoot for the following day (a Saturday) and I was thrilled for them but dare not say a word.
I texted Jessica and told her that i was shooting them in a few hours and would happily put on my smile and pretend that I KNEW NOT what she told me:)
She called me back and said " I have been up all night- and kept thinking if they felt the connection that I did with them- why should i wait to tell them? So, Let's Surprise them at their photo session!"
I was flipping out excited and ready to put on my best acting face ever.

We shot calls back and forth to coincide this little plan to work flawlessly. J& C met in one parking lot of the Belleview Park and Jessica and I met in the other.
I took J&C to the said corner of the park and began to shoot them and tried to keep their eyes on me while Jessica bolted across the park. When i pulled my lens away from their faces- Jessica was there. And They were shocked!!! They hadn't talked to her since 2 days before, when they first met her!

Jessica says something like "Hey guys, sorry to surprise you so suddenly but, i just can't wait any longer. (they were sitting down still) " I know what i felt when i met you guys and I want you to know that i KNOW you two are to be the Parents to my child. I choose you to adopt her!"

Of course i got all choked up snapped a picture and left them to take in the magnitude of the occasion. It was like a piece of Heaven
Opened up for many of us that Day.

I had perma-grin walking away from them b/c i am just so happy for all 3 people.
Since then, Jessica and I hang out almost weekly and J&C do all kinds of activities with FSA and some with her too! They are so prepared and have waited for 2.5 years and had 4 BM's online try and scam them- all for emotional support too.
They are such a deserving couple and Jessica is such a strong willed woman, it makes me happy to see that they are getting such an amazing extended family with Jessica and her mom and a few others. I am so blessed by this experience and much has happened after this with Our (brandon's and my) involvement in the adoption world!

And I KNOW that God Puts people in our lives, friends, associates, members or our community or churches to Help us in areas that we need to be strengthened in. We both have learned from each other and I have gained an even greater testimony of birth parents! And even though she's not our Birth Mom- She truly will always be Our forever friend because of this part of our lives. There is a reason you are where you are!
This rings the MOST true to me:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
and again this :
" You have not chosen one another, but I have chosen you for one another."

This couldn't be more true in the Adoption World! Thanks for having me share this!
-------

As of lately... I have been involved with planning the joint Baby shower for both adoptive parents and Jessica, and took these Photos of the couple with Jessica! Please see my photography blog for more pictures of this shoot! And make sure you ASK to use them on your sites/blogs etc... I'm happy to please email me at brandonandcorrine@gmail.com! ( 2010)

FOR REAL--- its 2015 and Jess is one of my BEST friends still! Love this gal!!!

~Corrine C.
www.brandonandcorrine.blogspot.com

Scholarships for Birth Mothers

Please take a second and donate if you can! Here's the details....

We are holding a contest! The person to donate the 100th dollar will win a prize!

If you support adoption help us out! Take what you would spend on a one time manicure, fast food, soda pop, etc and put it towards a good cause! If you need a receipt let me know!

Hey guys! Our goal is 100 in 100 so in 100 hours starting at 4 o clock our goal is to get 100 dollars for scholarships 4 birthmothers! Remember it is tax deductible! If you own a business you will go on the website! Even 1 dollar helps!! Spread the work we want to meet our goal! www.scholarships4birthmothers.blogspot.com

--
Jessalynn Bills Speight
www.birthmothers4adoption.blogspot.com

We support you awesome Birth parents!

New ADOPTION Binks!

I love that my friend, Danielle, swaps me cool binks for my boutique products. The last order had some new ones all about adoption that were inspired from the adoption community and I had been desirous to have cool pacifiers that expressed OUR LOVE for ADOPTION!

Today was a Super busy day with lots of cool and crazy things... I biked 3 miles+ uphill pulling 80lbs in the trailer (kids and stuff) to scripture class and back. The downhill was a breeze, Took Aria to preschool, cleaned my car, then myself, picked up Aria, made dinner for the missionaries, Brandon locked his keys in our car- in front of our house. Had dinner, went to YW Volleyball practice and had my new friend Rachel help coach the girls- She's AWESOME (and and adoptee who will be speaking at the upcoming fireside in November. Then came home, put girls down, made clips and finished a few other projects- I AM BEAT! Time to sleep now. I deserve the break BUT,... before i doze off I'm sure I'll read over some adoption books and a parenting one too! If my eyes can stay open.

BIG NEWS- GOT our HOME STUDY APPROVAL today! SO our profile will go live here any day:)
And we are so excited to have our birth mother find us! Also, there may come a period when i can't post as much- it doesn't mean we are NOT HOPING or are picked- It just means I'm busy planning the Nov. Fireside or doing FSA work or kids school things etc... As the Holidays approach I will try to post as often as possible but once OCT hits- I seem to blog a tad less due to all the COOL activities i'm involved with!

Pre-School

The Girls had their first day of Preschool last week and are NOW busy with School 2-3 days a week.
Brielle goes to a Montessori Preschool with her friend Elizabeth! They had a pretty good first day and week. Today Brielle liked playing the House GAME (as she calls it)
We love her smile and laugh. She is such a blessing and so full of life and excitement and sometimes little girl drama!!!


Here's one of her teachers leading an opening circle time thing.


This is B's 2nd year of preschool b/c she is a Jan. B-day. We are thinking of a half year of preschool and then doing an evaluation for Kindergarten in Jan. She's a smarty pants and gets bored if she isn't challenged. We are also looking into a School of Gifted Children. We shall see:)

Aria was very shocked at first. To be in a very new place (my friend's home)! She goes tues/thurs. and always comes out smiling when it's time to pick her up!

She loves kisses as both our girls do!
Her very first backpack. I got crafty with it!!! Thanks JEN for the lettering!


Well, i guess i can't stop them from growing. Some days i wish i could. It's already going too fast but, maybe that's God's way of getting us ready for our next child. We are so excited to be blessed through adoption! One day, It will be our turn. But for now... We wait and advocate for this beautiful cause!

working on...

shooting babies lately. Jacob was my first this fall. I'm sure I'll be photographing a bit here and there this fall and winter. I can't decide where and when to have our next family pictures taken! Probably when the leaves change!
Here's where you can see more of jacob's and other pictures i have taken

FB Sale

I'm closing down my baby boutique store for these reasons:

I don't have TIME that i want to dedicate to this anymore b/c we are actively involved
in spreading the word about the option of adoption with FSA and as a family.

We don't need the money- our adoption account is almost full b/c my hubby is a great provider

There is a time and a season for everything and the season of my ETSY store is coming into it's hibernation period.
If in fact i do have some ample time in the next years to come- i may re-open it but... I'd rather be dedicating my time to adoption and raising my kiddos and future children!
So, jump on the FB closeout sale and snag some sweet baby/kid swag for great prices!

It was fun while it lasted and you can bet all my friends will get cute gifts from me in the future as well!

A GIFT COMPLEX

Why is it that i HAVE a gift complex?
I have been analyzing this as i have been doing some self exploration on the matter. B/c REALLY? who HATES getting gifts? That's just weird and not normal.

Here's where i think it comes from:

Back when i was a child(and still) my b-day is Jan. 4th , right after the BIG holidays are over. Often times my b-day presents were combined into Christmas ones too. Or when i had parties- i got other peoples RE-GIFTS that they didn't want b/c most people forgot about it until the day of. My parents made efforts, sort of. My mom always wanted me to have BIG party and a few times i did but, most of the times- it was kind of just over looked a bit.
So, i started to resent people giving me things. I didn't want peoples left overs or something that meant NOTHING to them so, why not give it to the girl whose b-day was overlooked?

BUT, one year, my dad was super sneaky in planning my sweet 16 surprise party- he even had it 1.5 weeks after my b-day (when school was back in session) and i HAD NO IDEA! IT was a great party with fun people i liked and i remember how much He tried to make it fun!

I remember my Mom taking me on some of my birthdays, shopping alone with her, getting see's candies, picking out new clothes, and shoes and whatever! I LOVED that! She loved making my FAVORITES for all the meals and she always left notes and sweet surprises for us- especially on our birthdays! She made the coolest cakes as well!

So, after all that - realized something... I PREFER a QUALITY gift that is heart felt or useful- i hate random crap- please don't give it to me. I LOVE it when the gift to receive is someone's time or services AND... That's what i LOVE to GIVE TO OTHERS- my time, my services, my craftiness, design input and photography or baby boutique handmade items. I LOVE giving a part of me to those i know and love. It makes me happy to SERVE and i prefer that gift the most!
What gifts do you love the most?

Brandon's Saturday

this last week, was spent FLY FISHING! It's still new to him and it's a great stress reliever and time to gather his thoughts! HE digs it!


and i am sad for him when winter comes. He will miss this new, found sport! But we are excited for a REAL winter and a REAL fall! Something the weather in Henderson , NV never allowed us!
Colorado ROCKS!

Pirates Cove Water Park

Aria could care less that we were taking a family pic!


Here' s a HUGE splash bucket at the top L corner of this pic! So much fun!


My girls Laying one on me:)

Daddy and Aria Splashing:) Aria was such a great swimmer here. It's like she had no fear about it with a HUGE crowd around!

And Brielle has always been a fish. She is getting so independent with her swimming Skills. She went off a slide that had an almost 4 foot drop off into the pool and SHE DID IT! You could tell the Lifeguards were about to freak b/c She is so tiny but then she swims to the edge like a pro and they are thoroughly impressed:) Good job, Big Girl!
Daddy Took these next 2 of me. He is the greatest!

We had such a fun time and enjoyed the slides and such. Next year Brandon and i will hve a date together at a BIGGER water park with CRAZY slides and such. BUT Pirates Cove was PERFECT for kids 6 and under and families! Good memories!

An Almost...

miracle happened today.
It was like i was on this emo rollercoaster. I woke up- went for a jog, came home and my cousin called me about a situation. It sounded exciting and we have talked about this many times before- adopting 2 kids under the age of 3! Things sounded promising and we have been down that road before. I felt peaceful yet excited of course! I made a few calls and painted with girls- then read them a story tale about Hansel and Gretel (kinda crazy ).
We had lunch and played and i decided i needed to do some detective work. In a matter of a few hours i called the kids case worker and found out that it was a NO GO!
It wasn't in SD's best interest to place them out-of-state when there are so many qualified wonderful people in-state. So, i understood. It was still sad but, I get it. I feel like every ALMOST is getting us one step closer to our next MIRACLE! I know those 2 will be loved and taken care of and I'm glad i have the attitude i do about these things- it's hard to always be positive but, one thing i know for sure- Negativity never gets you nearer to your Goal or your Happiness! So, that's what I'm going to stick too- Positively Hoping for the Future date when our next Miracle finds us!!!

FSA Park day

Splash Parks are sooo much fun! Here's the girls and some other kids from our last FSA playgroup. We totally think it's grand to have our kids around other children who are adopted well. As they grow in life they will have something to relate to with these friends that no other friends can understand! Having a birth mother and birth parents/family, a gotcha day, the day they were sealed to us etc... Such special wonderful things! WE LOVE FSA!
I have no idea why Brielle played camera shy during splash time! Aria had way too much fun and my fav. part was being chased around by the girls with cups of water that they could barely throw on me. Most of the water would splash out as they were running! It was a HOOT!

the creek

down at the park is our fav. place to catch Crawdads! One of the last times we caught these 5!!!
The girls LOVE to show them to the other kids and try and touch the backs of them. then we release them back into their watery homes! Some of these tiny lobster looking things are fast and furious. Others are NOT and we like to catch those ones!
Now it's tradition when we go to dekoevend park- play, swing, and catch crawdads!