pretty necklaces and our baby

I've been working on a little (read: gigantic) project over the last couple of weeks.

We are weeks away from our trip to pick up our sweet little peach...

I am still in total disbelief, elation, anticipation, and prep mode.

But here is one reality of adoption:  it takes a serious chunk of change to make it happen.

Like $27,000 when all is said and done.

A little break down for you, if you're interested:

home study $1,200

application $250

travel/lodging $3,000

placement fees $21,000

legal fees for finalization $2,000

If the government is feeling agreeable, we'll get a little less than half of that back

in 2014 through the adoption tax break. 

In the mean time,  we've saved and saved.

Our youth group had a little pancake breakfast and auction to get the ball rolling,

but we are still well away from that number.

We are not ones to ask for something without offering something in return,

mostly because it makes us feel weird.

I've been making jewelry for my little etsy shop for the last few months and

after a lot of thought, I decided to design a few adoption necklaces to help make up some of the difference.

I am dreaming big here: my goal is to sell 100. My dream is 200.

300 would knock our socks off and put a serious dent in that total.

 Would you consider helping us out?

Spread the word around town - tweet it, blog it, facebook it

and buy a necklace (or two)...?

you'll be helping us bring our baby home, supporting adoption

and you'll even get something fun and pretty in return!

I can't wait to share more with you as the details unfold,

as we buy our plane tickets and make the journey,

meet our baby and start as a family of six.

I am sure it will be all kinds of crazy.

Seriously can't wait.

Check out the necklaces here!

ashley talks adoption

Happy weekend, friends!

I have a special treat for you today - my good friend Ashley is here to tell you a little bit

about her adoption journey. She is all kinds of awesome... see for yourself!

Hey there!  My name is Ashley from The Little O'Brien Family and Carina was crazy enough sweet enough to ask me to guest blog while she is outta town!  Carina and I met thanks to the power of the web & quickly bonded over two things: Coffee & adoption and I am so grateful for knowing her & the many emails we've exchanged swapping adoption stories & encouragement! 

My husband Matthew and I are also adopting, but for us this will be our first child!  We started the process in February & have breezed though most of it, but if the girl I am today could speak to the girl I was in February I would tell myself three things:

1. Patience.  Have it.

It's true. I am so not the girl who is patient and most of the adoption process is waiting.  Waiting for a seminar, an appointment, a home study, an approval a baby.  See what I mean?  I am glad that I have a God who loves me and has been doing a work in me.  The adoption process is so much for fun with an extra dose of patience. 

2. Home study.  Piece of cake.

I was actually slightly disappointed in how anti-climatic it was. People talk about how nerve-wrecking it was & we actually found it kinda pleasant!...I would also tell myself that there is no need to go crazy on the cleaning.  Our social worker did not count the number of dust bunnies in   A nice tidying will do.

3. Trials.  Expect them.

Now, the trials?  You read all about 'em.  You go on websites, forums, blogs & you see the families who go through such difficult things & we prayed that it would never be us.  Unfortunately, we had to experience trials too.  The biggest was an adoption for a baby boy falling through.  We were matched but felt we couldn't move forward for many different reasons.  We thank God for the people he put in our path throughout our adoption adventure who protected us from this awful situation.  He is good & we praise Him for this.  Unfortunately that means we are no longer expecting a boy.  We're back to waitin' on our baby...I'm gonna need to pray for more patience...

So as we struggled with all of this, a blog called Give 1 Save 1 emailed us asking if we'd like to be a featured family on their site!  Our answer to them was a very simple "HECK YES!"  For those who don't know about Give1 Save1 it's a site that started for families working on raising money for their international adoptions from Africa.  Basically, the family introduces themselves with a short video and asks friends, family & strangers to donate $1 to their adoption.  Now, Give1 Save1 has expanded this blog to us over here working through a domestic adoption & we get to help launch the site as Featured Family Numero Dos!  We will be featured Sunday, July 29th through August 5th and would be so grateful if you would open up your hearts and donate $1 to our adoption, we'd be so grateful if you helped us spread the word by sharing this video and asking for support from others and we'd be eternally grateful if you join us in prayer for our sweet baby we are waiting to meet & that the Lord multiply all that is donated so we can be ready for our little man or lady!

Make sure you come on by & say hello over on my blog & we'd love for you to follow, because there is nothing we could use more than encouragment & prayers!  Have a lovely day, friends!  

{thankful}

This week I am grateful for

a baby girl

my awesome mom watching the boys this weekend

cool evening air

fresh flowers on my table

really good mexican food

endless support and encouragement through this adoption process

a pretty great week in the shop

God in the details

And now I am off to pack for a youth retreat we're going on in five hours. 

That's how I roll. 

_________________________

Each week I host a link up for you to share what you are thankful for.
It is so easy to get bogged down by daily life, by the things that call for our attention,
by the disappointments and let downs, by responsibilities and the day to day, 
everyday mundane.
BUT.
There is so much to be thankful for.
Whether it's something small that has warmed your heart,
or something huge that has taken your breath away. 
Chances are there have been a few moments this week that have given you a little hope for good things.

I want to hear about it! Whether you link up a blog post or share in the comment section,
hearing about other people's triumphs - big or small - can shift our perspective.
And taking a little time to reflect on our week and look for the good can remind us
of all the goodness within reach. It does my heart good - I hope the same for you!

<center><a href="http://nickandcarina.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="a punk, a pumpkin and a peanut" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h471/punkpumpkinpeanut/newthankful-1.jpg"/></a></center>
linking up with cami, heather, sarah and julia

the only salsa recipe you'll ever need.

I have searched the world over for the perfect salsa.

The best I've ever had was my friend's secret family recipe, which he, of course, keeps secret.

Then I started playing around with a few different recipes, and I think I nailed it.

This is seriously the best, most perfect, most addicting salsa ever.

And it takes about three minutes to make, which means you could make it daily if needed.

What you need:

1 15oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes

1 10 oz can Rotel

juice of one lime

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

1/2 white onion, chopped

1 jalapeno (seeded if you're going for mild)

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

salt to taste

Throw everything into the blender and blend on high until it looks like the photo above.

And that's it.

Voila. Perfection. 

A couple of notes: 

Fire roasted diced tomatoes make all the difference, so get those instead of regular.

If you are needing to use up some fresh tomatoes, roast your own! 

Just drizzle with a little olive oil and broil for 5-10 minutes.

(check on them to make sure they don't burn. but charring is good.)

Chop them up before adding to the blender.

If you want a spicy, smoky salsa, add in one chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.

It is amazing. Trust.

Go forth and blend, my friends. You'll never buy salsa again.

time for a major giveaway!

I can't think of a better way to start the week than with a majorly

fantastic giveaway, can you?

These sweet ladies are offering up ten amazing items for one of you lucky readers!

Hannah is offering a $10 credit to her shop. 

And a discount code for all of you: carina15 for 15% off your order!

(also, see those cute earrings up there? i just bought those. they're adorbs.)

Here's what this fancy lady has to say about this awesome little bloggy world:

blogging is the jam. i love the community it fosters through our stories shared. i'm grateful blogging has brought me many unexpected friendships and opportunities to share the gospel!

blog  shop  twitter  instagram

Sweet Sara is giving away a whole prize pack of amazing cupcake goodies!

I love all things cupcake related and would love to share this cupcake goodie bag with one of your lucky readers.  

I blog a little about everything but mostly about food, most often that food being cupcakes.   

blog   facebook   instagram

Jill loves to share her love for handmade and is offering up some goodies from some of my favorite places! A 5x7 print from Pen and Paints, a cute little clutch from Marine Parents, a bottle of Essie polish and $10 to JoAnn's! 

Jill, what do you love about this blogging community?

Acceptance and encouragement are such a blessing.  
Don't be afraid to comment on someones blog, it may mean the world to them to get feedback!

blog   twitter

This giveaway is open until Saturday afternoon, and there are so many ways to win!

Good luck, and swing by and say hello to these lovely ladies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

adoption update: it's happening, like for real.

(source)

We got a call last week that we'd been matched with a birthmother.

And there's a lot to the story.

At the same hour (literally) that our paperwork was being delivered to our new agency,

our old agency called Nick.

This is the same morning that we found out we'd have to do some very expensive home repairs, which gave us pause about the adoption.

I prayed and prayed for peace about the right decision.

Minutes later Nick's phone rang.

A baby girl, due mid August.

There are so many details that you could chalk up to coincidence.

I don't. I chalk it up to God's crazy perfect timing and His love for us.

I want to make sure that you know as I tell this story, that we see His hand so clearly

it nearly takes my breath away.

We've wanted a baby for so long. However that was going to happen, we'd take it.

There were some really little, almost silly details that weren't super important,

but they were little desires of my heart that I gave up to Him, and He answered.

I wanted a baby born before Lute starts kindergarten.

If this is our baby, and all goes according to our hopes,

I'll be home just days before he begins.

We wanted the baby to be born in a big city that was easy to travel to and wouldn't

require a rental car and hours of driving.

We can get a direct flight from our city to hers.

While I would truly be content with a boy or a girl,

I am pretty excited (ok, ecstatic) at the idea of bringing home my little peach.

It's a girl.

There are other little facts about our sweet birthmother that show me how Providential every detail is.

The way He gently assured us we were following the right path as we got the call

within hours of our doubts,

that the new agency hadn't had a chance to cash a very significant,

nonrefundable check to start the process with them,

the overwhelming support in prayer and love and encouragement that we've gotten

from family, friends and all of you.

Our hearts are full. Of love and peace and excitement.

We are well aware that nothing is definite. She could change her mind 

before this is all over. So we trust.

And we hope.

And we know that whatever the outcome, there is a baby for us.

Another little gift, another little blessing. 

And we can't wait.

shop update and a fun giveaway announcement

I've been working hard on adding a bunch of fun new jewelry to the shop.

If you follow me on twitter or instagram, I apologize for blowing up your feed,

I just get really excited with each new creation.

Did you know that each item benefits our adoption? 

I started my little shop last year as a way to bring in some money to help out with the cost of the process, 
and it's turned into a little passion of mine.

I love making sweet, pretty pieces that I hope people love wearing!

To show my appreciation for all of you who put up with my etsy tweets and insta posts,

I've got a fun little surprise.

For the next three weeks I am going to do four random giveaways.

All you have to do is follow me on

 instagram (@itscarinalee) or 

twitter (@carinalee)

I will post a photo on both of the item from my shop that I am giving away

 and you'll have three chances to win!

All you have to do is:

-like the photo

-favorite the tweet

and/or

-retweet

I'll choose a winner and send you your goods!
It's easy and fun and a way of saying thank you to all of you for all the love.

Are you in?

{thankful} a post about food, of course

Is it weird that I am thankful for our grill?

Because I totally am.

We've been grilling almost every night, and I have come to the conclusion that nearly everything tastes better on the barbecue. 

Except maybe dessert.

Anyway, one thing that I've made twice this week because it's so fantastic is grilled pizza.

I won't go into how to do it, because this article is perfection. 

You'll be an expert after your first go, I swear.

What I will share with you is something else I discovered this week:

two year olds will eat zucchini if you grill it.

It's a little taste of heaven. And if you have even an inkling of the gardener in you,

or you know someone who does, you'll have a plethora of it this summer,

and you'll be like, "what am I going to do with all this dang zucchini?"

Grill it. I'm telling you.

First up, trim the ends and slice in half lengthwise.

Then marinate it. The longer the better, but let's be honest:

I did this right before I turned the grill on, so do it when you can.

I tossed it with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and fresh ground pepper. 

Once your grill is super hot, throw the zucchini on and cook

about five minutes per side.

Look at those pretty grill marks. 

I'm hungry.

And you're done.

Easy peasy, not at all mushy, kid friendly, delicious zucchini.

(and you can use the leftovers on your grilled pizza. you're welcome.)

_______________________________

Each week I host a link up for you to share what you are thankful for.
It is so easy to get bogged down by daily life, by the things that call for our attention,
by the disappointments and let downs, by responsibilities and the day to day, 
everyday mundane.
BUT.
There is so much to be thankful for.
Whether it's something small that has warmed your heart,
or something huge that has taken your breath away. 
Chances are there have been a few moments this week that have given you a little hope for good things.

(Maybe it was grilled zucchini. Whatevs.)
I want to hear about it! Whether you link up a blog post or share in the comment section,
hearing about other people's triumphs - big or small - can shift our perspective.
And taking a little time to reflect on our week and look for the good can remind us
of all the goodness within reach. It does my heart good - I hope the same for you!

<center><a href="http://nickandcarina.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="a punk, a pumpkin and a peanut" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h471/punkpumpkinpeanut/newthankful-1.jpg"/></a></center>

linking up with cami, heather, sarah and julia

what we're doing today. help me.

Oh you know, just potty training two kids today, no big deal.

So maybe I should've started with Eddie like six months ago, but he screamed every time

he neared the toilet, so we put it off.

Now we're going cold turkey with the diapers and I am scared.

So, really, can you help me?

Tell me your tips and tricks to do this thing.

My first kid basically potty trained himself by the age of two,

so yeah, I was a little spoiled.

If you have any advice for me, I'll take it. 

In the mean time, I'll be pinching those cute little tushies and mopping all our floors.

Peace.

{thankful} an adoption update

I have been wanting to share what's happening with the adoption for the last week or so, 
but we needed to get a few ducks in a row. 

There is no baby yet, but we have made a big change.

I told you about my sweet friend, Ashley, that sent me some manna from Heaven coffee a few weeks back. 

Well, in all our emailing about adoption, she told me about their decision to switch agencies.

 They'd been going through a smaller agency and found out about a national one that places hundreds of babies per year.

They've just recently started an African American program and there is a huge need for adoptive families.

The wait can be as short as two weeks.

We decided to pray about it, and what it came down to was this:

we want a baby that needs a home.

Our heart is to go where there is need, and it appears this could be it!

We talked to our caseworker at our original agency, and she was so encouraging,

and is going to keep us in their pool of waiting families as well.

So as of this week, we'll be with two agencies, continuing to wait and hope and pray 

for a sweet little baby to join us on our crazy adventure.

I am giddy excited about it, and really feel like God orchestrated me "meeting" Ashley.

Not only can we be adoptive mama buddies, but she may have a hand in us bringing home our next baby.

There is so much to be thankful for in all of this.

I can't wait to share more with you all very soon.

Thanks for journeying in this with us - the encouragement we've gotten through

this little blog has bolstered us through the last nine months of waiting.

So this week I am thankful for possibilities, new friendships, and you all.

________________________________________

Each week I host a link up for you to share what you are thankful for.
It is so easy to get bogged down by daily life, by the things that call for our attention,
by the disappointments and let downs, by responsibilities and the day to day, 
everyday mundane.
BUT.
There is so much to be thankful for.
Whether it's something small that has warmed your heart,
or something huge that has taken your breath away. 
Chances are there have been a few moments this week that have given you a little hope for good things.
I want to hear about it! Whether you link up a blog post or share in the comment section,
hearing about other people's triumphs - big or small - can shift our perspective.
And taking a little time to reflect on our week and look for the good can remind us
of all the goodness within reach. It does my heart good - I hope the same for you!

<center><a href="http://nickandcarina.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="a punk, a pumpkin and a peanut" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h471/punkpumpkinpeanut/thankfulbutton.jpg"/></a></center>
linking up with cami, heather, sarah and julia

{what i wore} and a confession

dress: thrifted  shoes: report  cardi: h&m  locket: gift

Chances are if I am doing an outfit post like this one, it's from Sunday and we're going to church.

Otherwise, you'll probably catch me looking like this:

And while that might be a cute little kerchief on my head (thrifted),

I am also wearing sweatshorts with bleach stains and a hoodie.

And I should probably wash my hair, let's be real.

Don't be jealous.

This {what i wore} post was a leap for me. Instead of the usual self timer situation,

I had my sweet husband take the photos.

And it really was a leap for him too - into the role of official bloggy husband.

He's also started letting me know which recipes I should post

and giving me ideas for blog topics.

I'm glad he's finally embracing me in all my nerdiness.

three years

it's been three years since

that cross country flight

the eager anticipation of sitting in a hospital waiting room

first holding his warm, sleepy body cradled in my arms

lowering him down for the first kiss from his big brother

breathing in his baby scent

being awed at this amazing gift

being humbled by the selfless love of his birthmother

watching him sleep snuggled up in a hotel bed at my side

soaking in the quiet weight of a sleeping baby on my chest.

it's been three years.

three years of joy and love and laughter and utter delight in my boy.

there have been hard moments, humbling moments, 

moments where i am totally convinced i have no idea what i am doing.

but mostly, there is an overwhelming lump in my chest at the undeserved gift of this child.

as i reflected over the last three years of being eddie's mama,

i was brought to tears. of course, because motherhood has made me a weepy mess.

i am taken aback at the preciousness of him in our lives.

having had the privilege of mothering biological and adopted children,

i can say with my whole heart - my whole being - that my love for him

is just as deep and wide and vast as for the others.

let's be honest, sometimes people wonder if it will be the same.

as a mother of three, i will tell you that my love for each of them is so different.

not because of dna, but because they are each unique.

my love for eddie is different than my love for george, and my love for george is different than my love for lute.

but oh my love for eddie.

my heart is so completely entwined with his that i can't imagine for one single moment

not having him in my heart, in my arms, in my every day.

my sweet, wild, fearless, affectionate, tender eddie.

you have my heart so totally and completely, 

my only fear is that you will never be able to fully grasp how gripped i am by my love for you.

God changed us forever when He put you in our lives.

He made it better.

happy birthday, sweet boy.