tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11107783225753805962024-02-19T05:27:55.920-08:00Life is Good!Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-59960717081523591662016-03-09T16:49:00.001-08:002016-03-09T16:57:36.511-08:00Gotcha Day<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Friday, Feb 26th was the big day. It's been a LONG journey, much longer than we would have ever imagined, but we finally made it to finalization day<span style="font-family: inherit;"> (<span style="font-family: inherit;">e</span></span>xactly one week before his first birthday<span style="font-family: inherit;">)!!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We headed to Louisiana on Thursday so that we could get some sleep before the big day. Aunt Mamy of<a href="http://amyhorton.com/" target="_blank"> Amy Horton Photography</a>, <a href="http://coxquads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Aunt Heather</a>, Uncle Bret, Blade, <span style="font-family: inherit;">and</span> Chris' Grandma and Papa joined us.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-GDtx9iIfS6DKa8c26LkZ_x389FtMWMyHbKQ00HTSNidjyAysG-hvgKa7fTCPGReO7ryh1PuRunDf-nxh435g_fPHhj0vlCggFzTmWH6HGHtZjH2wsAXhZ8trc4FuvOyw4sevGCOhbgs/s1600/20160225_130537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-GDtx9iIfS6DKa8c26LkZ_x389FtMWMyHbKQ00HTSNidjyAysG-hvgKa7fTCPGReO7ryh1PuRunDf-nxh435g_fPHhj0vlCggFzTmWH6HGHtZjH2wsAXhZ8trc4FuvOyw4sevGCOhbgs/s320/20160225_130537.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrydq478e-kaHCCKNA65XxuFR9xU9SsPoGuiaZjZzAs3M5RJNzASdN8UsiOSCWnmY_cJnTBFQB7UD9kBjlqMDLkWRoZMjQCyPqYQv3DC7nT6nG5JXbYPBHyAe5YyXk7X3o1pSN2a2zK6CM/s1600/20160225_130104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrydq478e-kaHCCKNA65XxuFR9xU9SsPoGuiaZjZzAs3M5RJNzASdN8UsiOSCWnmY_cJnTBFQB7UD9kBjlqMDLkWRoZMjQCyPqYQv3DC7nT6nG5JXbYPBHyAe5YyXk7X3o1pSN2a2zK6CM/s320/20160225_130104.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZkb7ZDz_3LDhQriEDOouLfJyfBgTxWbVdRtVxP7Xk8v1AWPdMe94bZXE4dTVq5tks8kFaFq6Iod7tGUYiMkKPW3JqbP17GITUxDRvUHSVm5eGyfgqxlB5e8rmycHwUQOJWbJMaPnX5Cx/s1600/FB_IMG_1456425463717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZkb7ZDz_3LDhQriEDOouLfJyfBgTxWbVdRtVxP7Xk8v1AWPdMe94bZXE4dTVq5tks8kFaFq6Iod7tGUYiMkKPW3JqbP17GITUxDRvUHSVm5eGyfgqxlB5e8rmycHwUQOJWbJMaPnX5Cx/s320/FB_IMG_1456425463717.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We got to the court house at about 9:15 on Friday morning and Dallas walked in holding my hand. We met up with our lawyer and Mrs. Teri from <a href="http://stelizabethfoundation.org/" target="_blank">St. Elizabeth Foundation</a> (our agency) and together we all walked into the court room. Dallas walked past everyone "pushing" the bailiff out of his way on the way in.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We were in the same court room with the same judge that we had when we were there for his birth father's case.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chris, Dallas and I sat on one side of a table and the judge was on the other.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Judge Haney started by saying, "I know more about your case than I do about most adoption cases and I want you all to know that I am very happy we are where we are today!"</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDbYKyVmqk70pc3xcFY_rKxWfEp5W5RP5pI1QOXoZBdDLxhaxKLTnH-OU_rbqpV2Gqjywh2yT5G8WCW0vjZP-tMht_a-VTkAs_BO2P3MuuoXiZaszPj06BvgaUFICHnTjTsaHijXz4vOO/s1600/received_10153809308645831.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDbYKyVmqk70pc3xcFY_rKxWfEp5W5RP5pI1QOXoZBdDLxhaxKLTnH-OU_rbqpV2Gqjywh2yT5G8WCW0vjZP-tMht_a-VTkAs_BO2P3MuuoXiZaszPj06BvgaUFICHnTjTsaHijXz4vOO/s320/received_10153809308645831.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*this is when I started tearing up and it didn't take me long to start really crying*<br /> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He then asked us a few questions like ...</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- "Do you know why we're here today?"<br />- "What does adoption mean to you?" </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- "Do you understand that once you sign this it is as if Dallas is your natural born son and he's your responsible from now on!"</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After all the formalities we signed the paper! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was over, done, final, Dallas is our son!!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTykqPNtDCGKRknP96Lz6GHibpGpWArh59PiWxSDYiVPiYKJp9CBV9kSUsk1USxS9g2PDRF-6tPw4JorcHIDL9STjDlZJdhHzlcCKdkoX3Kf7IaE5cbP-WwneLZlGcu7Z8cr6LtMjLk6UI/s1600/20160226_095803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTykqPNtDCGKRknP96Lz6GHibpGpWArh59PiWxSDYiVPiYKJp9CBV9kSUsk1USxS9g2PDRF-6tPw4JorcHIDL9STjDlZJdhHzlcCKdkoX3Kf7IaE5cbP-WwneLZlGcu7Z8cr6LtMjLk6UI/s320/20160226_095803.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I dried up my tears and we took LOTS of pictures with everyone. Here are just a few from this VERY special day ...</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkGjonTUqkF2-uo2REXD9fGVhSDZxKnLMco1z_-ItxJEFfyJ1BNFIF2hvayDs3zqgwOIhyphenhyphenAvpPjPVclAxypq86a3ywaHS08vT8SNsMXsZYux9pNqX_1ZcXsAyVPyT8L20v6sqLvZcFMUO/s1600/received_10153801876585831.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkGjonTUqkF2-uo2REXD9fGVhSDZxKnLMco1z_-ItxJEFfyJ1BNFIF2hvayDs3zqgwOIhyphenhyphenAvpPjPVclAxypq86a3ywaHS08vT8SNsMXsZYux9pNqX_1ZcXsAyVPyT8L20v6sqLvZcFMUO/s320/received_10153801876585831.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJiVFK9KbzdwTvW_DBFdA8X_NeYcA75YG6Id75wtdzricTYOj36nOR4hy1fU84qG0v2iS8FSL6Bcrq9RKtOcpP_9lZCvQsz5g5E02cvHrSeb-0Tw4U4TeXrOKRmdNVYIYfjPu4PwUvcVZ/s1600/received_10153801894835831.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJiVFK9KbzdwTvW_DBFdA8X_NeYcA75YG6Id75wtdzricTYOj36nOR4hy1fU84qG0v2iS8FSL6Bcrq9RKtOcpP_9lZCvQsz5g5E02cvHrSeb-0Tw4U4TeXrOKRmdNVYIYfjPu4PwUvcVZ/s320/received_10153801894835831.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCyDD6qXhNUcvENnmYmLSoN1LWI1pywknmdCDb-Y7KFmfcp15PIBxnWvB1TTlcKhyLeOUi5Jp1SowMLD1B6YGONgYLtcoZU1Vp3iAsjmFgPiqY8XBUrE5eVyGLDJg3_2EZqCD_c-tc9uQ/s1600/20160226_094946_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCyDD6qXhNUcvENnmYmLSoN1LWI1pywknmdCDb-Y7KFmfcp15PIBxnWvB1TTlcKhyLeOUi5Jp1SowMLD1B6YGONgYLtcoZU1Vp3iAsjmFgPiqY8XBUrE5eVyGLDJg3_2EZqCD_c-tc9uQ/s320/20160226_094946_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> After we got home we received the paperwork<span style="font-family: inherit;"> for a new b<span style="font-family: inherit;">irth certificate which will<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span>officially <span style="font-family: inherit;">make</span> his name Dallas Scott Lopez and list us as his mommy and daddy.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNX_MBBB4o62aj6NLX1kmalA8Ehyphenhyphen3kZBz60zeXBWxA9soDQbi-wTlYs1B7gonNBnWFQCTb-LX2wkwGCJWCbTaKycIsK6SefLS7P0rzCwESIWP0W4mWbmMDdaUEvUOuWmslzWgRnk6jd-x/s1600/PhotoGrid_1456878924010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNX_MBBB4o62aj6NLX1kmalA8Ehyphenhyphen3kZBz60zeXBWxA9soDQbi-wTlYs1B7gonNBnWFQCTb-LX2wkwGCJWCbTaKycIsK6SefLS7P0rzCwESIWP0W4mWbmMDdaUEvUOuWmslzWgRnk6jd-x/s320/PhotoGrid_1456878924010.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dallas was not his given name by his birth mom. She named him Monroe and she was able to keep that original birth certificate. On our drive home from Louisiana we always pass these highway signs and on our way back in Sept I was able to snap this shot. Here is a post from his birth mom's page that makes my heart happy ...</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLjssprydP2fvON1m3o4qPfxzNAEQC06V1T3yfqI0sgr96CEgFuiduKLdKVUyiMenbgnY01qEikMfAXsOqGDuCIOGFbJ_lxHJ9giAetene6f4lSMGDywDGL9-QEsfaWo_U8hiLWGRCuBS/s1600/Screenshot_2016-03-09-18-17-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLjssprydP2fvON1m3o4qPfxzNAEQC06V1T3yfqI0sgr96CEgFuiduKLdKVUyiMenbgnY01qEikMfAXsOqGDuCIOGFbJ_lxHJ9giAetene6f4lSMGDywDGL9-QEsfaWo_U8hiLWGRCuBS/s320/Screenshot_2016-03-09-18-17-47.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are so thankful for this amazing gift that she gave us and for the relationship that we have with her. We ask that you please keep her in your prayers as she is dealing with life and it can be hard sometimes!!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Next blog post coming soon: First Birthday!!</span></span></span></div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-56960880872051191062016-02-13T12:46:00.001-08:002016-02-13T20:41:48.370-08:00Setting a date<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since my last post<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>we have been given 2, yes 2 finalization dates. There was a miscommunication between our agency and our social worker. Now that everything is cleared up <span style="font-family: inherit;">we </span>have:</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Taken Dallas to the doctor to get a complete physical and paperwork filled out by his doctor.</span> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">completed another set of finger prints.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">completed another FBI background check for the state of Louisiana.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and had 4 post placement home visits</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> We will go back to Louisiana and on the morning of</span></span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Feb 26th</span></span></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> we will be</span></span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">finalizing the adoption and the 3 of us w<span style="font-family: inherit;">ill</span> all have the same last name! </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mknpFwxcxFUf5TuHjG2oz0IqSlZKCN2XDb0GDYrs1RJ5_AkRYzPgcb2NsOy9qzj6Uw_BMnB2pm8D9B4d8z4HH8-LwPalEpe8DV7k9DMmUtqsAQLcxzQbWHWo-UlYY-aazKoH4L0ww6wm/s1600/IMG_20160128_164421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mknpFwxcxFUf5TuHjG2oz0IqSlZKCN2XDb0GDYrs1RJ5_AkRYzPgcb2NsOy9qzj6Uw_BMnB2pm8D9B4d8z4HH8-LwPalEpe8DV7k9DMmUtqsAQLcxzQbWHWo-UlYY-aazKoH4L0ww6wm/s320/IMG_20160128_164421.jpg" width="256" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's a recap of the past few months. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you missed the <a href="http://cb-lopez.blogspot.com/2015/08/growing-boy.html" target="_blank">birth - 5 months blog</a> or the <a href="http://cb-lopez.blogspot.com/2015/11/national-adoption-month.html" target="_blank">6-8 months blog </a>click on the links.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">9 months. 18lbs 10 oz 28 in</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He crawls everywhere and he is FAST! He started drinking out of a sippy cup and he rocked it. He is a climber and can climb over pretty much everything; chairs, toys, baby gates, etc. He started standing on his own and walking along the edge of the furniture.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Best of all we celebrated his 1st Christmas!!</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKi1nTHRWU-Vuus30hejbccJx7hISYmEckVqXHn_Lz727vdS0yLrp-miTAO3nJW6fuOD4ziVPIIup57RBdh96obLvu_jcP5wxb23gVVczgYjpxbg8k2m1E4skxOgWvkIuJtrJve5pSsAH/s1600/20151205_102820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKi1nTHRWU-Vuus30hejbccJx7hISYmEckVqXHn_Lz727vdS0yLrp-miTAO3nJW6fuOD4ziVPIIup57RBdh96obLvu_jcP5wxb23gVVczgYjpxbg8k2m1E4skxOgWvkIuJtrJve5pSsAH/s320/20151205_102820.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He loved meeting Santa and was very interested in his beard. :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIi1DyzD2uWESQRbfDR4KPuGWjr80kArT8Bt5sUTr8iyIYzh0PwbSD4JinXJz6cZSoBFr_e79ds2njkgvhjgl_-Ypu9K6MNDwWXKC-07ab_hwLiRqs4eUNDTX3OVH-Wr1kf21vbT4Puvq/s1600/20151214_184355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIi1DyzD2uWESQRbfDR4KPuGWjr80kArT8Bt5sUTr8iyIYzh0PwbSD4JinXJz6cZSoBFr_e79ds2njkgvhjgl_-Ypu9K6MNDwWXKC-07ab_hwLiRqs4eUNDTX3OVH-Wr1kf21vbT4Puvq/s320/20151214_184355.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLGkZmercFr4SR9XNfGmzFh9mlbNxXXQ6de8m-9Yiq3arC-53JGkwz4FJDuu1Un5U1F1CiycaVq7eDODBW8zDosofU9MUgC2bNUBHF1CVklH40S1nZcwbJ2pZnztRDyFuMY5JUVgt0CJ1/s1600/20151214_184409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLGkZmercFr4SR9XNfGmzFh9mlbNxXXQ6de8m-9Yiq3arC-53JGkwz4FJDuu1Un5U1F1CiycaVq7eDODBW8zDosofU9MUgC2bNUBHF1CVklH40S1nZcwbJ2pZnztRDyFuMY5JUVgt0CJ1/s320/20151214_184409.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course I had to a make an ornament.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We celebrated 4 Christmas' so here is a snapshot of each of them ... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(and as you are about to see, he slept through most of them) </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas #1</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2E33nETPn79NWvhrd4NMDWTo8N-PAdB91o60Qbb76Q8pu09664-bqn7kb0YyHOgM5CR9aWqsWlq7pUr0XI-8ozv7egJKW5komN2HFlv9TuhJO3_7jYU7f2oHtHe-9r-kW_ppKj0g2aoKM/s1600/20151220_174339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2E33nETPn79NWvhrd4NMDWTo8N-PAdB91o60Qbb76Q8pu09664-bqn7kb0YyHOgM5CR9aWqsWlq7pUr0XI-8ozv7egJKW5komN2HFlv9TuhJO3_7jYU7f2oHtHe-9r-kW_ppKj0g2aoKM/s320/20151220_174339.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBZX_Cx1gSJeONkDZWHx2narRjqaBJi8gz6yB0b4pCjBLnr9FBkfGcmJjUd8lDT82Vl8AcwiNt5F2RaN8HAnV5PlFHSXafRORdrKvPsv8m2dY57RHwvP4okHO2-WDjaPptpbGQao5TiEb/s1600/20151220_192719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBZX_Cx1gSJeONkDZWHx2narRjqaBJi8gz6yB0b4pCjBLnr9FBkfGcmJjUd8lDT82Vl8AcwiNt5F2RaN8HAnV5PlFHSXafRORdrKvPsv8m2dY57RHwvP4okHO2-WDjaPptpbGQao5TiEb/s320/20151220_192719.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnhmmqfuw5Ax3RKDa4ARC0LOz0HFpPrIahg0Y7mIWnNVfusIqffCRfnF8EDZZnr1l2svHBeBZP0T5bhO92PGJZsne4p-4-WTQP-nZfQFICl0jswwenMABz8Q-KGUwT2jYkd2q-Xk2_4BY/s1600/20151220_193100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnhmmqfuw5Ax3RKDa4ARC0LOz0HFpPrIahg0Y7mIWnNVfusIqffCRfnF8EDZZnr1l2svHBeBZP0T5bhO92PGJZsne4p-4-WTQP-nZfQFICl0jswwenMABz8Q-KGUwT2jYkd2q-Xk2_4BY/s320/20151220_193100.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas #2 </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaLriaT6bL8d4OlMepQRQyYzNFdmUoP14LqD_86pEDpC9wKBvFi-uF9LkTJn4UI2uXG6ttuFuseT_uJXnMgJxRz95UAZy1aZUUB10ZiSbSV06AoW1Hz8c35yeW3PlkcZ5iJKZsNeK_6Ms/s1600/20151224_211119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaLriaT6bL8d4OlMepQRQyYzNFdmUoP14LqD_86pEDpC9wKBvFi-uF9LkTJn4UI2uXG6ttuFuseT_uJXnMgJxRz95UAZy1aZUUB10ZiSbSV06AoW1Hz8c35yeW3PlkcZ5iJKZsNeK_6Ms/s320/20151224_211119.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> Christmas #3</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTd3tUbQzQnnAiUXAn-ozXflHAawLrxI5Epc_KX3YQnyQuL7a6NDeYSiR8vuAg21BAJdWw01O7CN6z2WXYej4Bspu4ej94ltqjLTd_SOUsFpWxKgFrOfvfUrNab1hJiSgKeWswqbclJmuo/s1600/20151225_134521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTd3tUbQzQnnAiUXAn-ozXflHAawLrxI5Epc_KX3YQnyQuL7a6NDeYSiR8vuAg21BAJdWw01O7CN6z2WXYej4Bspu4ej94ltqjLTd_SOUsFpWxKgFrOfvfUrNab1hJiSgKeWswqbclJmuo/s320/20151225_134521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas #4 </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next day his first tooth broke through ... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nYuLQz3C7gFyoEFe9uGyoR5jldkMoHUKQ0aoDEfPWWtM22VPpAKm3xQqx0jHFntrJOEmbPwQItuvSzaeIM8oK-lo0CC4z7Jl-d-wET8tMsnKrvzms016Ue5xZ-saO_wHZYUAeIIaUvnY/s1600/20151226_134608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nYuLQz3C7gFyoEFe9uGyoR5jldkMoHUKQ0aoDEfPWWtM22VPpAKm3xQqx0jHFntrJOEmbPwQItuvSzaeIM8oK-lo0CC4z7Jl-d-wET8tMsnKrvzms016Ue5xZ-saO_wHZYUAeIIaUvnY/s1600/20151226_134608.jpg" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He also had his 9 months pictures taken.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">*Photo Credit: <a href="http://amyhorton.com/" target="_blank">Amy Horton Photography</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">10 months. 18lbs 2 oz 28 1/2in</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He has his 2 bottom teeth in and he started taking a few steps here and there on his own. He started eating pretty much anything and everything especially mac-n-cheese. He is still NOT a fan of peas. Bath time is his favorite and he throws a FIT when we take him out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of January we made a quick trip to spend the weekend with our family in North Carolina and to say our good-byes to my Grandma Gayle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My sister and Dally's cousin Hank joined us.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpn3nZAYnsS0sRa62x8kEWbyOkcIjAyA9T7FJB-WuNkHM1uWAF1zogVMA5Yl3E5tVfu4M0PWy9z6fzUc4ZY4PEO9ZX9QoF-5lKhnzY6Im0M31ANafO_weIBhVA9-mmyojG6IqlI4vwPSw4/s1600/20160116_215444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpn3nZAYnsS0sRa62x8kEWbyOkcIjAyA9T7FJB-WuNkHM1uWAF1zogVMA5Yl3E5tVfu4M0PWy9z6fzUc4ZY4PEO9ZX9QoF-5lKhnzY6Im0M31ANafO_weIBhVA9-mmyojG6IqlI4vwPSw4/s320/20160116_215444.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWsZAKls3w6OTUFY5sRK1inUQ6mqZnJ9GX0AwMGWcq16ejrt6mpPaVikYSAq7YkuPyrDTdPg5DDYfJNFp3M0XYodQSiTo9B3hqlUXGI9hyphenhyphen8uFJVSL-CuzcG47npPdwJ7OhDBygWiCvsRd/s1600/FB_IMG_1453072771005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWsZAKls3w6OTUFY5sRK1inUQ6mqZnJ9GX0AwMGWcq16ejrt6mpPaVikYSAq7YkuPyrDTdPg5DDYfJNFp3M0XYodQSiTo9B3hqlUXGI9hyphenhyphen8uFJVSL-CuzcG47npPdwJ7OhDBygWiCvsRd/s320/FB_IMG_1453072771005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a bittersweet trip. We were able to spend time with family that I have not seen in years and most of them got to meet Dallas and Hank for the first time but it was VERY hard saying good-bye to Grandma. She gave Dallas the bear that he is snuggling with in the picture below.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD9komokMAhlvdGeQrQaCipw1SZaz50iNSkSH4BpxhtOF8n93Zgjv_Wq720YKfNf31ebAB5AxB-Hl8L1kDVEmAvfyh3mdqbA3fy6OodYi4CP7URSAtrQmna0QrbHsZfc-Puqq6gf_QlEH/s1600/20160117_000155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD9komokMAhlvdGeQrQaCipw1SZaz50iNSkSH4BpxhtOF8n93Zgjv_Wq720YKfNf31ebAB5AxB-Hl8L1kDVEmAvfyh3mdqbA3fy6OodYi4CP7URSAtrQmna0QrbHsZfc-Puqq6gf_QlEH/s320/20160117_000155.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDYClf6IVXBK78NXCI6lMklsEPl6H511rvOJno_nVgYwMx3ijcT7hkjm5W1oWxCCRJhXD0yU5WUeCthAzHctr2Xhv84j3uQfy3dvsJcAmVhDkwaMM0TQOHepLDq65-wkYkrkcM1QZFhK1/s1600/11+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDYClf6IVXBK78NXCI6lMklsEPl6H511rvOJno_nVgYwMx3ijcT7hkjm5W1oWxCCRJhXD0yU5WUeCthAzHctr2Xhv84j3uQfy3dvsJcAmVhDkwaMM0TQOHepLDq65-wkYkrkcM1QZFhK1/s320/11+months.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">11 Months. 19 lbs 8 oz 29 ins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He has 2 teeth and 1 that is about to pop through. He is up to about 6 steps on his own and he's walking more and more each day. He loves playing peek-a-boo. He has been saying "mama" and "dadin" for a while now but his new word is "Uh-Oh". We have also been working on some sign language with him but for now he is all about signing "more" especially when it comes to food. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Him and George are getting along better now days and Dallas loves to hug him.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpPKEa3J6ganc2BECDP4igpABX7nSv97l-HNVnp2_EDlVOGPFgbE0EvcfoVb54AY-SLC1yyghLItWjD_dVjxF324mOos90b9K1wXbGwS98k8kDuk6caEYt5w6SgsX5253j-yKT9xp65jd/s1600/IMG_20160206_094422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpPKEa3J6ganc2BECDP4igpABX7nSv97l-HNVnp2_EDlVOGPFgbE0EvcfoVb54AY-SLC1yyghLItWjD_dVjxF324mOos90b9K1wXbGwS98k8kDuk6caEYt5w6SgsX5253j-yKT9xp65jd/s320/IMG_20160206_094422.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He also slept a full 13 1/2 hours! :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqG66SAPPyLfZMGMl9bp-efIHx9o7cdpFivZ-GqMedwv-BOZfoXvX05U-5YsfrysXQgCwLK2pLQBWIGTMZCVGKF0v7sOrWQ3lWu-Xo7VR7Gx9LHiUQlvH1PiwW6yxKlq04_mbsGEAR687/s1600/IMG_20160206_144829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqG66SAPPyLfZMGMl9bp-efIHx9o7cdpFivZ-GqMedwv-BOZfoXvX05U-5YsfrysXQgCwLK2pLQBWIGTMZCVGKF0v7sOrWQ3lWu-Xo7VR7Gx9LHiUQlvH1PiwW6yxKlq04_mbsGEAR687/s320/IMG_20160206_144829.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This picture was taken at our last visit with our social worker! She has been a HUGE help through this entire process and we are very thankful for her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Stay tuned for an update on the </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Finalization and his 1st Birthday!!!</span> </span></div>
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Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-62669886953883188462015-11-05T18:52:00.001-08:002015-11-05T18:52:46.027-08:00National Adoption Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvQmoAjmKmO45sGmcFnczf2Wt2tytd7-C4sZCa75Sf9HKcjsf5ptUA-l8gF19feOCM3WPUdAGcy5h9J95gvGz8d8eBdqLLKHHQ9qm3YrKzCHhxtqzBo-b3R7N2rX5wxhPoV9BRcsLYTXN/s1600/12187656_10208134791315390_1498755446353914189_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvQmoAjmKmO45sGmcFnczf2Wt2tytd7-C4sZCa75Sf9HKcjsf5ptUA-l8gF19feOCM3WPUdAGcy5h9J95gvGz8d8eBdqLLKHHQ9qm3YrKzCHhxtqzBo-b3R7N2rX5wxhPoV9BRcsLYTXN/s320/12187656_10208134791315390_1498755446353914189_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When
it comes to our adoption journey we have literally been an open book
from day one. This was something that we had never done before and there
was no need to act like we had (or have) all the answers when it comes to adoption. We were (and
STILL are) figuring out this whole process out as we go.We wanted to be as
open and honest about it from the beginning because we feel that adoption
is something that people need to know more about. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Here's a recap of the past few months and a little about what is coming up next in our adoption journey. </span></div>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">*If you missed the <a href="http://cb-lopez.blogspot.com/2015/08/growing-boy.html" target="_blank">birth - 5 months blog</a> click on the link.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwW7GKKgrDutHErpne6N0bqUzIfQcoqdUrH-3WKTUhWOKwjYE97n0oaRx0giHYn-7xs_29qpk7MvNqCVIqriYqfJMFcM1a-_kHfOqJCoyTK0o1iRYErJnHz8EYktTPdn7pOhOnIoxctXI/s1600/20150903_202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwW7GKKgrDutHErpne6N0bqUzIfQcoqdUrH-3WKTUhWOKwjYE97n0oaRx0giHYn-7xs_29qpk7MvNqCVIqriYqfJMFcM1a-_kHfOqJCoyTK0o1iRYErJnHz8EYktTPdn7pOhOnIoxctXI/s320/20150903_202024.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">6 months. 15 lbs 15 oz 25 1/2 ins</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruVGZl8v8pBwksvAsSYgaR-LwoOtdJPCgBDFtzXq0FFba6krF29eMCtdLAcisIvhk0S1uFQc27DR4P3x149nk6rpZyegHopeFTWujWsIckpOsYi1rDZBiQyAmsJf0sJ6S31F9bW5nRqur/s1600/20150910_154254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruVGZl8v8pBwksvAsSYgaR-LwoOtdJPCgBDFtzXq0FFba6krF29eMCtdLAcisIvhk0S1uFQc27DR4P3x149nk6rpZyegHopeFTWujWsIckpOsYi1rDZBiQyAmsJf0sJ6S31F9bW5nRqur/s320/20150910_154254.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OZ1O1iY3NjaE6tEx0Rcm63FroTOFXjDKvC4JO9g0uQBx8Ff1QF_HIUxy6v_RKboPvbmpAguELoGfqiKOJvtAIbGYJGZBNW1A5LkBriS86rmpati4ZFQl9x2F245U95KrB8XSFbOag-3h/s1600/20150910_154037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OZ1O1iY3NjaE6tEx0Rcm63FroTOFXjDKvC4JO9g0uQBx8Ff1QF_HIUxy6v_RKboPvbmpAguELoGfqiKOJvtAIbGYJGZBNW1A5LkBriS86rmpati4ZFQl9x2F245U95KrB8XSFbOag-3h/s320/20150910_154037.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Some highlights from his 6 month check-up</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He started to sit up on his own and he also started </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">getting up on his hands and knees and rocking back and forth but not crawling, yet! </span>He ate cereal for the first time with a<span style="font-family: inherit;"> little fruit and LOVED it. You can't tell in the picture that he loved it because he is all </span>business<span style="font-family: inherit;"> ...</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OrjrmTqJEijv46KEwRaZb3BdnzjNgBRJrd1ua2yQS4V_Fz4-L01SoNP_7Ij-nYyKA-he6mfOB29l9biyFKtWp4OekZI6DZ0yASrwHcq-SCWCX-73Jk_JdSSC2HUCENUsrtKCEf4f9JKN/s1600/12108211_10208016451596971_3748959922652887123_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OrjrmTqJEijv46KEwRaZb3BdnzjNgBRJrd1ua2yQS4V_Fz4-L01SoNP_7Ij-nYyKA-he6mfOB29l9biyFKtWp4OekZI6DZ0yASrwHcq-SCWCX-73Jk_JdSSC2HUCENUsrtKCEf4f9JKN/s320/12108211_10208016451596971_3748959922652887123_n.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He also had his 6 month pictures taken and no matter how hard we tried he would NOT smile until our photographers husband came over and started making silly faces and they turned out perfect!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZQ16KVWdLrZXfWlmCQxgvYnFmi4KeVeJYXOvtBLsAj7mplA5KWZx85iIQeHAPAtLYn2Fk9FzspSRTafEjehkwnmdqqjRYKKn1rUjcXY-9hLScBkU_qJFpFyeA5yTMLsja6NqzSvNJMn9/s1600/TES_4374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZQ16KVWdLrZXfWlmCQxgvYnFmi4KeVeJYXOvtBLsAj7mplA5KWZx85iIQeHAPAtLYn2Fk9FzspSRTafEjehkwnmdqqjRYKKn1rUjcXY-9hLScBkU_qJFpFyeA5yTMLsja6NqzSvNJMn9/s320/TES_4374.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5CcYCIQtvu01SwBO0xXOSpe8tneJoc4ZKnDZ_-zYnoUsd47d2ivRSpqC6T0i3gUhdjLl3N2ZTERkDe2tdBUvENzgrVgikceokaDw_vDvcHXdtMx_USwu3S48iALZIpmkOoGKGP7giokA/s1600/TES_4408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5CcYCIQtvu01SwBO0xXOSpe8tneJoc4ZKnDZ_-zYnoUsd47d2ivRSpqC6T0i3gUhdjLl3N2ZTERkDe2tdBUvENzgrVgikceokaDw_vDvcHXdtMx_USwu3S48iALZIpmkOoGKGP7giokA/s320/TES_4408.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EJrUsyFNVQHQVaPipqrdH2sq7zERkuviwl8SEzOSZY3HX58UTagslopFaZHZs7UTKxU8Q9aviVR7Iwud0LW-OtEyUp6bV912ueqlLUrPyI_fZbeNF5G5DxxfSkk71NC7d4oeko8HGM_X/s1600/TES_4423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EJrUsyFNVQHQVaPipqrdH2sq7zERkuviwl8SEzOSZY3HX58UTagslopFaZHZs7UTKxU8Q9aviVR7Iwud0LW-OtEyUp6bV912ueqlLUrPyI_fZbeNF5G5DxxfSkk71NC7d4oeko8HGM_X/s320/TES_4423.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Photo Credit: <a href="http://amyhorton.com/" target="_blank">Amy Horton Photography</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7 months. About 17 lbs. (no checkup so I don't have his exact measurements)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4S15BLaKfcZjEiyqiobfAsBvvcGotmDTjN_uMJ6J6COPSc12ZYvha8G7G5iivvXyuD_FIJWZJkrCRnj1I6NsNmZVPzSFdklSsOeRbvIl3529hZ8MRUulpZC3E_ilipEu0cLbRE2Ym6gD/s1600/20151003_134236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4S15BLaKfcZjEiyqiobfAsBvvcGotmDTjN_uMJ6J6COPSc12ZYvha8G7G5iivvXyuD_FIJWZJkrCRnj1I6NsNmZVPzSFdklSsOeRbvIl3529hZ8MRUulpZC3E_ilipEu0cLbRE2Ym6gD/s320/20151003_134236.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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He had his very first trip to the Texas State Fair and he could have totally cared less but he was sooo good so I had fun walking around with friends. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">He experienced his first Halloween. He did sleep through most of it but he was still SOOOO CUTE!!!!</span></div>
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We trick-or-treating with our friends ...</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">8 months. 17.5 lbs 26 1/2 in</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He didn't have an 8 month check up but sadly he did get his first ear infection and a nasty tummy bug so we had to make a trip to the doctor. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He started officially c<span style="font-family: inherit;">rawling EVERYWHERE so we lowered his crib and literally 2 days later he p</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ulled up on his knees. Then the next day he pulled up to stand. The day after that, while he was at my mom's house, she sent me a video of him climbing up on a toy at her house. He is our little </span>explorer<span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7dRGi0VeaDeMcKzGTt0uHVcP0UEei5nrwoaqFiisb9EPmxLyGPeqGba1IAqzgNHgVDLoVHr_78rFhYVCA4TD_wgKYODV_xQfyYFZKwoezOm-xEXWSxZZUNXZJjV9rtHkk3OgdSOF316_/s1600/20151031_112034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7dRGi0VeaDeMcKzGTt0uHVcP0UEei5nrwoaqFiisb9EPmxLyGPeqGba1IAqzgNHgVDLoVHr_78rFhYVCA4TD_wgKYODV_xQfyYFZKwoezOm-xEXWSxZZUNXZJjV9rtHkk3OgdSOF316_/s320/20151031_112034.jpg" width="179" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>On to other news ... </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dallas'
birth father had 30 days to appeal the judges ruling to remove his
parental rights and those 30 days </span>officially<span style="font-family: inherit;"> ended on </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Monday, Nov 2nd!!! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdoqws_jK-GLmEHNMqXSLyU1xGgWgQslNEOhQnHXB18o9y7pc2bXP58yttFuySPRSM0OSRjQ2hD-HiaAcD6duqUw7XbcLgb-Mbb7l4Q5TjkYQwdsgCLcnv9CnpW5U7kQHicA6NyW8R-Hp/s1600/12118716_10208137246536769_6373548763547288302_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdoqws_jK-GLmEHNMqXSLyU1xGgWgQslNEOhQnHXB18o9y7pc2bXP58yttFuySPRSM0OSRjQ2hD-HiaAcD6duqUw7XbcLgb-Mbb7l4Q5TjkYQwdsgCLcnv9CnpW5U7kQHicA6NyW8R-Hp/s320/12118716_10208137246536769_6373548763547288302_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
means that we now have the <b>ALL CLEAR</b> to begin the finalization process
and make Dallas "</span>officially<span style="font-family: inherit;">" our son. <b>YAY!!!</b> Sadly this process is not as
easy as it sounds! <b>BOO!!!</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We have to get some paperwork together
to send in with a payment to cover court cost to finalize. Once that is
in we have been told that it could take up to <b>SIXTY</b> <b>days</b> for them to set
a court date. So it look like it will not be happening in 2015! :( </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">~A few weeks ago my mom made the comment that the theme of our adoption journey is "waiting" and the name "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/waitingfordallas13/" target="_blank">Waiting for Dallas</a>" proved to be so true but when I look at Dallas' sweet face I would have waited as long as it took to make him mine!~</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once the </span>finalization<span style="font-family: inherit;"> date is set we will then have to do the following:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. Take Dallas to the doctor to get a complete physical and paperwork filled out by his doctor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. Get ANOTHER set of finger prints done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. Get ANOTHER FBI background check done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">4. Have 1 last home visit</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After all that we will go back to Louisiana to sign the paper, take a picture and come back home to Texas with all 3 of us sharing the same last name. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Thank for you all for all the prayers and support. We are yet again one step closer to </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">making Dallas a Lopez.</span></div>
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</div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-34185427886472802112015-09-21T15:55:00.003-07:002015-09-21T16:46:27.157-07:00OUR Son part: 2<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If you miss our first blog about <a href="http://cb-lopez.blogspot.com/2015/03/our-son.html" target="_blank">our son</a> click on the link to head on back to read it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I had a lot of questions about this past week so I figured I would fill everybody in ...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I want to start out by saying a huge THANK YOU to our best friends, </span><a href="http://coxquads.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Bret and Heather</a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> for being so supportive and for being willing to go with
the flow when we were thrown a </span><span style="font-size: large;">curve ball</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Okay so the four of us jumped in the car Monday evening after we </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">all got off work and headed for Louisiana. We got there at about 2 a.m. and Chris and I tried to get some sleep even though we were VERY anxious.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The trial was scheduled to start at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning and our
lawyers told us we would not need to be at the court house until 10:30 or 11 but we did not want to risk being late so we got
there at about 9:15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When we arrived our lawyer was waiting outside the courtroom and let
us know that the trial had not started. It was about 10:30 by the time things actually got started because we were waiting on other parties
to arrive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">All the witnesses were not allowed to stay in the courtroom so we had to
wait outside and </span><b style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">pray</b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">. The birth father's lawyer presented their case
and questioned his witness and then rested.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It was at that point when the judge realized that he made a mistake and he did not have a court appointed attorney for Dallas. We were told the contested adoptions rarely happen (we were their 2nd contested adoption in 3 years) so this is not something they are used to doing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thankfully he was able to find an attorney in the court house that was able to step in so quickly. Our attorney </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">then told us the trial would not be able to be completed that day and would resume at 12:30 on Friday. T</span><span style="font-size: large;">he court appointed attorney for Dallas</span><span style="font-size: large;"> met with Dallas' birth father and w</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">e were told she would most likely
want to meet with us and Dallas' birth mom also.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Wednesday we never heard from Dallas' attorney so we took some time to
explore New Orleans. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Thursday there was still no word from Dallas' attorney. That evening we went to dinner with Dallas' birth mom and her
boyfriend. We were able to catch up and honestly get to know each other a
little better. Since Dallas decided to show up 3 weeks early we didn't
have a chance to do that before.</span><br />
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-size: x-large;">~ side note ~</i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Going into the adoption process Chris and I were not open to the idea
of an open adoption, it frankly made us very nervous. It's honestly hard
to imagine how they even work until you're actually in the situation.
Our relationship with his birth mom is very open; she sees pictures of
Dallas and we talk to her a few times a month. Because of our little boy
we are now family and I can't imagine having it any other way.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Okay, back to the trial ~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Friday we got to the court house at about noon and waited
for things to get started. Once again we couldn't be in the courtroom so
we had to wait and <i><b>pray</b></i>. Thankfully Dallas' birth father's attorney rested on
Tuesday so we didn't have to go back through that whole process and they were able to start where they left off. Our attorney moved that the birth father's rights be involuntarily
terminated and the other two attorneys pleaded their case (along with some of their opinions). After </span><span style="font-size: large;">only hearing the birth father’s testimony</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> along with what sounded like a <b><i>VERY heated conversation</i></b> between the lawyers</span><span style="font-size: large;"> the Judge decided to take away his rights. <b>W</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>e were cleared to proceed with the adoption.</b> When they
came out and told us I always thought that I would break down in
tears but I think I was in shock. The tears did not come until we
actually made it home and I was able to hold Dallas in my arms!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">*We do have a 30 day waiting period in which the birth
father could appeal (highly unlikely) but after that his rights will be
officially taken away and we can move forward with finalizing the
adoption. We do have a few more hoops to jump through: 3-5 more home visits and then we go back to court to </span><span style="font-size: large;">officially</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> adopt him.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SdimYigmyJ19WVOHxZlI9UTmb_gcC5_GK7O59sPdcSKyrugJBVrgeODn1yxQTUeIqRatWKZp1Ie5BPxfOTvRtHhYjbQZJ4jx8-bLqkjBUNJKsjnSSJdzud5TiVzT2j01fjqypJEy_TRv/s1600/dally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SdimYigmyJ19WVOHxZlI9UTmb_gcC5_GK7O59sPdcSKyrugJBVrgeODn1yxQTUeIqRatWKZp1Ie5BPxfOTvRtHhYjbQZJ4jx8-bLqkjBUNJKsjnSSJdzud5TiVzT2j01fjqypJEy_TRv/s400/dally.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to all those who have been praying for us! We have no doubt that God picked this little boy out just for us and he is worth everything it took and will take to make him ours! </span></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">Prayer Request:</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I spoke with the agency today and they have another contested adoption case this Friday and they have asked that all our prayer warriors be in prayer for all those involved! I know first hand what the fear of the unknown and the possibility of the unthinkable can do so PLEASE pray for God's will to be done in this upcoming case.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-48806898709288813932015-08-08T09:03:00.000-07:002015-08-08T22:15:24.932-07:00Growing Boy<span style="font-size: large;">It is still hard to believe that I am REALLY a mommy! Dallas is such an amazing baby. I honestly can't remember what life was like before him. Here is a little flashback over the past 5 months ...</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">March 4th, 2015</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the very 1st picture we saw of Dallas before we went back to meet him. We got the text from a lady from the agency that was in the room when he was born. His tiny little 6lb 4oz 19 1/2in body was perfect. The cord was around his neck when he was born and he had a little bruising around his chin for about a week. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQANgL_nBPuqEvmtlNlFo5HFbaRgBmXnD1uNN3cn0gAQ7Bor-7oe3CaHQ5jRojj3I7DAYFCRXYq9QIA0YdSCcOIJGWY3lwD-neoo2ItEXxJ2vblNZ30NHI32NwaP2t8gdJtSw7UKbA6e8y/s1600/newborn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQANgL_nBPuqEvmtlNlFo5HFbaRgBmXnD1uNN3cn0gAQ7Bor-7oe3CaHQ5jRojj3I7DAYFCRXYq9QIA0YdSCcOIJGWY3lwD-neoo2ItEXxJ2vblNZ30NHI32NwaP2t8gdJtSw7UKbA6e8y/s320/newborn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was the moment we saw Dallas for the first time. That day still feels like it was yesterday. I remember the flood of emotions and knowing the EVERYTHING that we had been hoping and praying for was right there in my arms.</span></div>
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*Photo Credit: <a href="http://amyhorton.com/" target="_blank">Amy Horton Photography</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdEJAeFOeX9t-pTkfp9p4HFz1QtxzabYMVXQfnvuDbwl567x0h7KytcOIYhGHRbdZmBRrAqGM5lLjd9zEdK0unldWYreNtfmXi9AdYmwHU9fXRS_icitaqr30QYcotWijoszD4W_J3W7b/s1600/1st+night+h9ome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdEJAeFOeX9t-pTkfp9p4HFz1QtxzabYMVXQfnvuDbwl567x0h7KytcOIYhGHRbdZmBRrAqGM5lLjd9zEdK0unldWYreNtfmXi9AdYmwHU9fXRS_icitaqr30QYcotWijoszD4W_J3W7b/s320/1st+night+h9ome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This picture was taken on our first night home,March 20th (Dallas' original due date). It was an amazing feeling to be home. We were even able to surprise our friends and family because we didn't let anyone know we got the all clear to leave Louisiana.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dallas was actually about 3 weeks old when Amy took his newborn pictures but my sweet love was still wearing preemie clothes and was OH SO ADORABLE!!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaoO43SF7PwWuilBYeL0Ld7BgngsX0sVbovy8lRdwrOZHzxSH7r9Wb3UeT8hj7DiRlnfl_Cteyk_eO8VNshTOcL25pxMTa0IFv92OiY61nyN6QqkPrgD3Jifc5nZmcV1z5KcMTCqkOglF/s1600/newborn+pic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaoO43SF7PwWuilBYeL0Ld7BgngsX0sVbovy8lRdwrOZHzxSH7r9Wb3UeT8hj7DiRlnfl_Cteyk_eO8VNshTOcL25pxMTa0IFv92OiY61nyN6QqkPrgD3Jifc5nZmcV1z5KcMTCqkOglF/s320/newborn+pic+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbm0-vCIt63YpcY4tlwpmSEs1c9Sp9tDs7zqQZroRgKDRn0YReBHLKFLbowJrlobQtEDFQjrbxuRTAurfWL-1azCwys2NGoeYoerpxX8kWLQYFtLV_VxIv3-AMn_JnBJv5l8rQQsGkNeW/s1600/newborn+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbm0-vCIt63YpcY4tlwpmSEs1c9Sp9tDs7zqQZroRgKDRn0YReBHLKFLbowJrlobQtEDFQjrbxuRTAurfWL-1azCwys2NGoeYoerpxX8kWLQYFtLV_VxIv3-AMn_JnBJv5l8rQQsGkNeW/s320/newborn+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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*Photo Credit: <a href="http://amyhorton.com/" target="_blank">Amy Horton Photography</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM80KPRCrDLD6ZsMd2LR_K27M4oPE-JzqHm7ONkYPYAlaXTx7C5_I0AyonAlioP1LMcNceEkjvaX1WklEHMCqAb44mZjQvGzdWOLR7IqeDwuah1OvoHYfnSWhtrn9z_DkNwFyseDrv7_Pi/s1600/1+month+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM80KPRCrDLD6ZsMd2LR_K27M4oPE-JzqHm7ONkYPYAlaXTx7C5_I0AyonAlioP1LMcNceEkjvaX1WklEHMCqAb44mZjQvGzdWOLR7IqeDwuah1OvoHYfnSWhtrn9z_DkNwFyseDrv7_Pi/s320/1+month+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 month old. 7lbs 14oz. 21ins. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He hated sleeping on his back so we would prop him up on his side in his crib at first but we quickly found out that the only way Chris and I were going to get any sleep was if we used his little seat. I kept it next to the bed and I would just lay there and listen to him breath and watch him sleep. At this point he was sleeping for 3-4 hours at a time at night.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9GF0tn1pXLsDSZk02Hd4C5edeFrgpUGIkvEyTKKZS7O8MbD90M7ZWCAourZh5bZvFb3utClVN3-e5YXcl9cbvnw6CHqUKJxfsAO4DYShx_QfGoJpf3N2IB6sMOkB0AvUcyH_PL_BRF3P/s1600/2+month+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9GF0tn1pXLsDSZk02Hd4C5edeFrgpUGIkvEyTKKZS7O8MbD90M7ZWCAourZh5bZvFb3utClVN3-e5YXcl9cbvnw6CHqUKJxfsAO4DYShx_QfGoJpf3N2IB6sMOkB0AvUcyH_PL_BRF3P/s320/2+month+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 months. 9lbs 7oz 22ins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He had his 1st real tears on April 21st and on April 24th I was able to get a real smile out of him, it wasn't just gas. :) Both times I cried!! He also rolled from his tummy to his back that month. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When he was 2 months and 1 week old we celebrated my 1st Mother's Day and it was perfect!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5QsS-u88hTD-maSNp56_M_3frHSdsblack2vmr0OsURZzUCO51yrHRPJBb_eShYRnWo_KLwZQAcxrVCONP9B9nBFT3b2DPYvCiGnUtUnFt8z4SEsR2aLwzzQ0EApoqmB5FSFUrvH_emJ/s1600/1st+monthers+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5QsS-u88hTD-maSNp56_M_3frHSdsblack2vmr0OsURZzUCO51yrHRPJBb_eShYRnWo_KLwZQAcxrVCONP9B9nBFT3b2DPYvCiGnUtUnFt8z4SEsR2aLwzzQ0EApoqmB5FSFUrvH_emJ/s320/1st+monthers+day.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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*Photo Credit: <a href="http://amyhorton.com/" target="_blank">Amy Horton Photography</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I went back to work when he was 7 weeks old and the night before he slept 6 hrs straight. By the end of the 2nd month he was sleeping 8 hrs at night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3 months. Over 10lbs. (no checkup so I don't have his exact measurements). He started giggling and it was so sweet. He also realized that he LOVED his little toys that were hanging from his little play mat. We stopped letting him sleep in his little seat and he did awesome in his crib. This was also the month that the drooling began.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Amy got some great 3 month pictures. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJ8P3JwJMsqpkkYk588asp0Xt5Oxo8qYK_RdFsZVmwYxDR2FF9QUMBBNlqaHJQCVcwx1T_7A9kyVTD2Pw4TgB4lx-bO0TM5g8CVIIPdqahO_xTbnHg5lo7FgsDImHF5mqbjf2YCHVu3ip/s1600/3+months+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJ8P3JwJMsqpkkYk588asp0Xt5Oxo8qYK_RdFsZVmwYxDR2FF9QUMBBNlqaHJQCVcwx1T_7A9kyVTD2Pw4TgB4lx-bO0TM5g8CVIIPdqahO_xTbnHg5lo7FgsDImHF5mqbjf2YCHVu3ip/s320/3+months+2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVfcA19utL9OpxEgzRfihQHDRz98IHNBtWnbjOVXNFq235Q5SpWsB8pT717ETkYSihJisewlcSM6IrwTejBBOwHuAuzZGn56wzPHj5_wB_BJR40Nf-JexZHsunMCvjMucZQoALrLgVgbc/s1600/3+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVfcA19utL9OpxEgzRfihQHDRz98IHNBtWnbjOVXNFq235Q5SpWsB8pT717ETkYSihJisewlcSM6IrwTejBBOwHuAuzZGn56wzPHj5_wB_BJR40Nf-JexZHsunMCvjMucZQoALrLgVgbc/s320/3+months.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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*Photo Credit: <a href="http://amyhorton.com/" target="_blank">Amy Horton Photography</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of the month we celebrated Chris' 1st Father's Day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3JnjORqxlH0QDy1D3sCOVEtK9izAAilAHkn6klRre3PgD63Tvx0HcEQn-aeqNBg6KTWcLtFxWs0cLkq8QrDhdcL3-k0tyfTYgYGJ1xirLMqQYortEb3E34O42-SOtsiqvWd-jSaXwMXj/s1600/1st+fathers+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3JnjORqxlH0QDy1D3sCOVEtK9izAAilAHkn6klRre3PgD63Tvx0HcEQn-aeqNBg6KTWcLtFxWs0cLkq8QrDhdcL3-k0tyfTYgYGJ1xirLMqQYortEb3E34O42-SOtsiqvWd-jSaXwMXj/s320/1st+fathers+day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOHIs1tSZ3HfbGpwNsZSiOgmKp08xsxnF5HcZJaNbeugBHzbCcFbllYijz88c3OL2Oy0ZuD4yh-e3KXBmIndDLdQRtGigGl0Z_Br3pjo6i607ns_bJ6Hom904PWMuKOP_Td-ZhPUr3emU/s1600/4+month+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOHIs1tSZ3HfbGpwNsZSiOgmKp08xsxnF5HcZJaNbeugBHzbCcFbllYijz88c3OL2Oy0ZuD4yh-e3KXBmIndDLdQRtGigGl0Z_Br3pjo6i607ns_bJ6Hom904PWMuKOP_Td-ZhPUr3emU/s320/4+month+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4 months. 13lbs 6oz. 24ins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He started playing with his hair and rubbing his left eye when he gots sleepy, he still does this. He would also pull his hair when he would get mad (thankfully he doesn't do that anymore). He started scooting all around the floor and putting down a blanket for him to stay on became pointless. He rolled from his back to his tummy but I never saw it because he would do it at night in his crib (sneaky little dude). He began sleeping 10 hrs each night which was awesome but a little scary the first night he did it. I went in and checked on him a few times. He began to crawl/scoot across the floor with his face on the carpet and his butt in the air.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are the pictures from his 1 month, 2 month and 4 month check ups. It's crazy to see how much he has grown.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ClY9MC_QqyCrh8KFY3AG0zjO790gK4Qeqomo6Ha_uhwMj49_XuAX7vcjdffaAdF_YK8VQe_VhVDcfo0HFvN-n27-mCseXkXIIB90YtbYa7UivBCmUAL3oMbvIHxYbzR-gl8vTLpN5J_x/s1600/1%252C2%252C4+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ClY9MC_QqyCrh8KFY3AG0zjO790gK4Qeqomo6Ha_uhwMj49_XuAX7vcjdffaAdF_YK8VQe_VhVDcfo0HFvN-n27-mCseXkXIIB90YtbYa7UivBCmUAL3oMbvIHxYbzR-gl8vTLpN5J_x/s320/1%252C2%252C4+months.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of the month we took him on a </span><span style="font-size: large;">vacation to the Galveston with my family. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHpvCPvOe9VrX8asDY1c5Q03bYIG7J9pm_c5K2SJf7_q5PkQq570WFIy0-HUIR_GKJhrNjPRay1oMcWfmKhG_18YlK5cVx2-DKA1LMAucz1znHy8wGYVOFhmgYehpJR4epGOstT_ntOVC/s1600/ocean+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHpvCPvOe9VrX8asDY1c5Q03bYIG7J9pm_c5K2SJf7_q5PkQq570WFIy0-HUIR_GKJhrNjPRay1oMcWfmKhG_18YlK5cVx2-DKA1LMAucz1znHy8wGYVOFhmgYehpJR4epGOstT_ntOVC/s320/ocean+2.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DvcHCGDCctgUpAVUjj5-PGU8C5MxjoI4tjgfGk9aE1gfp9JjGsE0jBcQpNGn76U7jf6H7V_03INvdqKPRrK4RZ-OzS_RbnKLU_KGUvWOrIQkbadjJ0pisUdJPcJmTMiLd1eO-tEKz0UF/s1600/ocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DvcHCGDCctgUpAVUjj5-PGU8C5MxjoI4tjgfGk9aE1gfp9JjGsE0jBcQpNGn76U7jf6H7V_03INvdqKPRrK4RZ-OzS_RbnKLU_KGUvWOrIQkbadjJ0pisUdJPcJmTMiLd1eO-tEKz0UF/s320/ocean.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While we were at the beach Dally turned 5 months old...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFV5TyQKMHvSEatArf49BwzHQZ9gBMTWm1yGU0hmaac50Zm1nyoHwJ4ROg4zopsUrhjj0I0aQmlbEFjFW_ysFf2phCXIUvDnOyTsO63WoUE-U_wg1b09lCviQzrs2zsHbtEHOZlbVKB0U/s1600/5+month+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFV5TyQKMHvSEatArf49BwzHQZ9gBMTWm1yGU0hmaac50Zm1nyoHwJ4ROg4zopsUrhjj0I0aQmlbEFjFW_ysFf2phCXIUvDnOyTsO63WoUE-U_wg1b09lCviQzrs2zsHbtEHOZlbVKB0U/s320/5+month+pic.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over 14lbs. (again, no checkup so I don't have his exact measurements). He sleeps on his side for an average of 10 hrs each night. He goes down at 8ish is up at 6am like clockwork. He can fit in 2 outfits that are size 3-6 months but mostly he still wears 0-3. We let him try his very first food (other than formula). He had a popsicle, and holy moly he LOVED it. It felt so good on his sore gums. No teeth yet, but he drools like Niagara Falls so it's got to be coming soon. I actually saw him roll from his back to tummy across the living room floor today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I guess that's all the updates for now. Stay tuned for Dallas' first airplane ride at the end of the month (this should be interesting).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Prayer Request/Update:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chris and I will be traveling back to Louisiana for the trial on Sept 15th. I spoke with the lawyer this week and he said he goal is that we will not actually have to take the stand but it is one of those things that he will not know until that day. Please continue to keep the lawyer and the judge in your prayers. Also pray that EVERYTHING is resolved on Sept 15th!!! </span></div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-23184234522110189712015-06-11T16:14:00.002-07:002015-06-11T16:33:49.595-07:00Summer/Update<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Summer 2015 - our first summer with Dally has officially begun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We plan on spending LOTS of time by the pool, enjoying the extra snuggles and spending special time as a family!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_idzoGXWg0jfWQHF_9aqZmKGDzz9_LcMaFuaBGVj8SX7HirPrjtokeNRTxMVyuA-tbOB_1x1B3bVyX4RdegOqSIzXuulrpX74bJ7q7K_xjGdMqyVKR3gUPOynELIb2JrwDYUkGvSOFSV/s1600/11392934_10207089756830181_8266475330246329154_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_idzoGXWg0jfWQHF_9aqZmKGDzz9_LcMaFuaBGVj8SX7HirPrjtokeNRTxMVyuA-tbOB_1x1B3bVyX4RdegOqSIzXuulrpX74bJ7q7K_xjGdMqyVKR3gUPOynELIb2JrwDYUkGvSOFSV/s400/11392934_10207089756830181_8266475330246329154_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF825hu_JVOGqqeBAJhJFtthyphenhyphen2K9sK7APwlUGBGDySv2jcXHtEWMfgscf_Ggz9UtTBd00mVRlpU3vxoSq1C2PxZUDgx2KPhvqaPXFTj5LkbHTlbjwTFeGM6RUD4yhNem5oTDOtnvi9AdE/s1600/20150608_184607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF825hu_JVOGqqeBAJhJFtthyphenhyphen2K9sK7APwlUGBGDySv2jcXHtEWMfgscf_Ggz9UtTBd00mVRlpU3vxoSq1C2PxZUDgx2KPhvqaPXFTj5LkbHTlbjwTFeGM6RUD4yhNem5oTDOtnvi9AdE/s400/20150608_184607.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU-FROKG1ZY7Fh5AX2mOf4ykj0Syp5AQGXkCVQ66hdJva2SppTrm8APGVftHNP146tU_h4UOyotgjnSjjsjz6m3Tq3LdH27nPMmWniZHRx9kCN5MOBq7t2gEbK313T9OHlte3ROg0D6rC/s1600/20150610_221802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU-FROKG1ZY7Fh5AX2mOf4ykj0Syp5AQGXkCVQ66hdJva2SppTrm8APGVftHNP146tU_h4UOyotgjnSjjsjz6m3Tq3LdH27nPMmWniZHRx9kCN5MOBq7t2gEbK313T9OHlte3ROg0D6rC/s400/20150610_221802.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He is a growing, happy and healthy, perfect 3 month old!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Update:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This past Tuesday morning <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 115%;">the judge, lawyers and
Dallas' birth father had a conference. They met to reviewed a few things and set a date for a trial. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 115%;">After the conference one of the ladies from the agency called to fill us in on the details. She</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"> said we have the best possible judge and lawyer available so the prayers for the judge were answered!</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #141823; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 115%;">The </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 115%;">trial date has been
set for Sept 15th and they have asked that Chris and I be there as witnesses!</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #141823; line-height: 115%;"> The lawyer said that by us being there will put a face to a name and it will give us the chance to fight for <b>OUR</b> baby! </span>They feel that there is a very good chance that his birth fathers rights will be taken away but they also said that over the next few months it will all come down to Dallas' birth father and if he decides to change his ways. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>The agency said, "No new is good news!" so our prayer now is that we don't really hear from them between now and then!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We are selling our shirts again and it's an AWESOME deal!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The over all cost of Dallas' adoption is increasing due to all these complications. :( </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoyaJuG3V11nAS_AgeYezArc81UmQQMfRbHQhW6GfA0Eqzp1NHpbh2oW39s7g0szDC0SOrbuT4at5SxIsL5QE1kjPGjcJpwKNuc29VtQhOFLei2OIcoP-LuZ59xy3VqIm7hajf1lxTfd6/s1600/11393170_10207072629402006_3894803222457485407_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoyaJuG3V11nAS_AgeYezArc81UmQQMfRbHQhW6GfA0Eqzp1NHpbh2oW39s7g0szDC0SOrbuT4at5SxIsL5QE1kjPGjcJpwKNuc29VtQhOFLei2OIcoP-LuZ59xy3VqIm7hajf1lxTfd6/s400/11393170_10207072629402006_3894803222457485407_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Just click on the link below to place you order:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3b5998; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://goo.gl/forms/nwGdsvdMp4" target="_blank">http://goo.gl/forms/nwGdsvdMp4</a></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3b5998; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;"><b>You know you wanna match this cutie pie!!</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Z8pZFphuiK3IJ58g3LsxYsZOiNKdJMy30BLUp_IvKheajD8CCIv7KlUWsNO1_bMlaXCFcPSQevUKc5_UWzeimtHUGqsW_5BTD9dEJ7rXn1JGXez60dOGYAKFXwmSlqGOO-yi1eJnXPkf/s1600/20150606_074510-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Z8pZFphuiK3IJ58g3LsxYsZOiNKdJMy30BLUp_IvKheajD8CCIv7KlUWsNO1_bMlaXCFcPSQevUKc5_UWzeimtHUGqsW_5BTD9dEJ7rXn1JGXez60dOGYAKFXwmSlqGOO-yi1eJnXPkf/s400/20150606_074510-COLLAGE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-83150961975658846572015-05-11T13:37:00.002-07:002015-05-11T14:09:21.636-07:00Mother's Day 2015<div style="text-align: center;">
My VERY first mother's day that I was able to celebrate with Dallas in my arms!!</div>
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It was an amazing feeling that I will never be able to explain.</div>
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I got Dally and myself the perfect shirts to wear yesterday ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BAqRVcPgsp1pN61neZ5ifFZC4DJVeK2WzwQSN-LVePtfjfk3Zqu6LkxNiOL2QOVF1AZQGVKqzWpmlTQYDA4hw5uLCBERexAbj8rWxS6SGpnehltuTL4CdsusOm9N12PuhG-cg31Rur_w/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BAqRVcPgsp1pN61neZ5ifFZC4DJVeK2WzwQSN-LVePtfjfk3Zqu6LkxNiOL2QOVF1AZQGVKqzWpmlTQYDA4hw5uLCBERexAbj8rWxS6SGpnehltuTL4CdsusOm9N12PuhG-cg31Rur_w/s400/Picture1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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**He has the best facial expressions :)<br />
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Mrs. Amy of Amy Horton Photography did family pictures after church for mother's day ...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBvayw6OOdnRaomkv-EYd7hMoFd0Bqg0WoauPCGKoKW230DHoKOLFTrn2q5Ly7PnrzqAIOIfU_0eQlABoKojQjHguAwIpIQZ6kZdwLn1bBwPbMXmU0iid4Wxc3kDTSz6JPn0IbxYxZLdK/s1600/received_10153195491210831.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBvayw6OOdnRaomkv-EYd7hMoFd0Bqg0WoauPCGKoKW230DHoKOLFTrn2q5Ly7PnrzqAIOIfU_0eQlABoKojQjHguAwIpIQZ6kZdwLn1bBwPbMXmU0iid4Wxc3kDTSz6JPn0IbxYxZLdK/s400/received_10153195491210831.jpeg" width="263" /></a><br />
*please ignore the fact that we don't match (we forgot about the picture) and my flipped up pants (I forgot I left them like that after walking in the rain).<br />
ALL that matters is that Dallas is in the picture!!!!!</div>
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Chris got me a new charm to add to my collection ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzpPll40U71H19wgjJdGeUeHtS70O7YzN5FoqoeLX3r5-WGldB1F0tLDgIrxFbPHkvgTJ1FagZwcNt99PKHbPIY4RbE48r12mCEhX4vNwZC5X7-GvDIi3PNKe8tsvZJfRGYNWGxUv-GsX/s1600/20150510_095551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzpPll40U71H19wgjJdGeUeHtS70O7YzN5FoqoeLX3r5-WGldB1F0tLDgIrxFbPHkvgTJ1FagZwcNt99PKHbPIY4RbE48r12mCEhX4vNwZC5X7-GvDIi3PNKe8tsvZJfRGYNWGxUv-GsX/s320/20150510_095551.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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On the back I plan to have 2 very important dates engraved:</div>
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The day Dallas stole our hearts: 3/4/15</div>
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The day he stole our last name: *TBD</div>
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*This will be the day we go to court and we legally change his name to ours.</div>
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In all the excitement of the day I received MANY well wishes as I'm sure most/all moms do but there was one that made my heart smile ...</div>
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When I got out of church I turned my phone on and a text came through from <b>Dallas' birth mom</b>, <i><span style="font-size: large;">"Happy Mother's Day! I am so happy that you get to celebrate it this year. Thank you for loving Dallas as much as I do!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>All I have to say is GOD IS SO GOOD!!!</b></span></div>
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I could NEVER have planned this for my life!</div>
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"Every good and perfect give comes from over ..."</div>
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James 1:17</div>
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<b>Update/Prayer Request:</b></div>
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All the original dates have changed so at this time we are waiting for judge and lawyers to agree upon a date for the conference in which they will present evidence to the judge. He/She will then decided if there is enough evidence for Dallas' birth father to fight for his paternal rights. We do not know when this will happen. PLEASE pray for guidance for the agencies lawyer as well as for the judge that will be assigned to the case.</div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-82826092041699339622015-04-20T08:07:00.000-07:002015-04-20T08:18:18.965-07:00Settling in<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I wanted to start with an update and prayer request:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 17.5636348724365px; text-align: left;">The possible birth father has been ordered to have a paternity test done by May 6th. If the results prove he is Dallas' birth father a hearing will be set for the beginning of June. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 17.5636348724365px; text-align: left;">At that time he will either sign over his rights or he will plead his case for wanting to parent. Also at this hearing, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 17.5636348724365px; text-align: left;">Dallas' birth mom and the agency will be there with evidence to testify against him. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 17.5636348724365px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The agency has been very honest with us, they said that though it does not seen that the birth father has a leg to stand on in court it will all come down to the judge that is appointed to the case and whether or not they feel it is in the best interest of Dallas to remove his birth fathers parental rights.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 17.5636348724365px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So between now and the final hearing we are loving and snuggling and soaking up as much time with Dallas as we possibly can. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 17.5636348724365px;">I know God has it all under control and you would think that by now I would be pretty great a </span></span><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 17.5636348724365px;">patience</span></span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 17.5636348724365px;"> but this is definitely testing that. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 17.5636348724365px;"><b><i><u>PLEASE</u></i></b> join us in our prayer t</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.5636348724365px; text-align: left;">hat God will allow us to raise Dallas and continue to be his forever family!</span></div>
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We have been home about a month now and wow, a lot has happened. Our sweet boy is growing and changing faster than I could have ever imagined! I took 7 weeks of maternity leave and I have 1 week left. It is going to be so hard to go back to work but I know he will be in good hands between my best friend and my mom. Plus I MiSs my kiddos at school! </div>
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Our first official night home was Friday, March 20th which was actually the day the his birth mom was going to be induced. </div>
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At his 1 month check up he weighed in at 7lbs 14oz and 21 in.</div>
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He is a pretty good baby. He makes great eye contact and I just know that any day now I will be able to get a smile out of him that isn't caused by gas. ;) He's eating every 3 hours during the day. At night we believe in "never waking a sleeping baby" so he makes it about 4-5 hours between feedings. Chris and I are alternating nights so that neither of us get too tired.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2116hDDsLBp5PzgLFvLYf8-nrZTZ2MjbRgYt3eqkitKi8g5X8jvHC7cwmHx232A_SOHzYRJhKCA2i6xFfMSi16kUQqMs40ZHaySi8RsOUdMBGqqa0g_kUKCHm1XsmcmdQtDlGyjAx75Om/s1600/10429211_525478490926123_954540112625085064_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2116hDDsLBp5PzgLFvLYf8-nrZTZ2MjbRgYt3eqkitKi8g5X8jvHC7cwmHx232A_SOHzYRJhKCA2i6xFfMSi16kUQqMs40ZHaySi8RsOUdMBGqqa0g_kUKCHm1XsmcmdQtDlGyjAx75Om/s1600/10429211_525478490926123_954540112625085064_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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We celebrated our 1st Easter as a family of 3.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3dqX73f2rnTIcQBocDdAm3w11U61MB-lNWYj3b5ZqMXGlCzMq3fBmz1oCENH_vVOqRCQEKOYE7KSq5RCF4t4nppdQ9tdGGjZRP2RoSjWGHA7IQnAvFUXPUAwkJxtnH_u1gSaJ9G83Osy/s1600/11091387_525469204260385_6701829357930462575_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3dqX73f2rnTIcQBocDdAm3w11U61MB-lNWYj3b5ZqMXGlCzMq3fBmz1oCENH_vVOqRCQEKOYE7KSq5RCF4t4nppdQ9tdGGjZRP2RoSjWGHA7IQnAvFUXPUAwkJxtnH_u1gSaJ9G83Osy/s1600/11091387_525469204260385_6701829357930462575_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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A lot of people have been asking to see his nursery and I have been trying to get everything together since our little booger decided to show up 3 weeks early. I officially got everything done last night. It's small and cozy and perfect for our little cowboy so without further ado ....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRpup7snEqqLBr_X5BUTIEoDtsX8mYbdFhib4GemZLQRz9mIhJR4uWCERN8xcBJg7InLb9wJkYI1c7mV7NDgH2DOsG8bfw5of3Czq1hKPwrX1PGJAn7lFzgKldeRQZm-b4kYXvaiCcQXX/s1600/20150419_222550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRpup7snEqqLBr_X5BUTIEoDtsX8mYbdFhib4GemZLQRz9mIhJR4uWCERN8xcBJg7InLb9wJkYI1c7mV7NDgH2DOsG8bfw5of3Czq1hKPwrX1PGJAn7lFzgKldeRQZm-b4kYXvaiCcQXX/s1600/20150419_222550.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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* I accidentally cut it off in the picture but the sign above the window is one of the famous quotes from the book that we picked Dallas' name from, <i>The Outsiders</i>, and it says "Stay Gold". It was a gift from a friend of mine from high school </div>
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*The rug was a gift from my room mom and it fits perfect!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5voxvJhxk4vo3fEh17LsLG8E-Ka022U1OneMEot-OwkL_foYbBz3FoWr1LNPxJDuwRx09iKnbGZhjiHgk-E1p5rrt5Cc9LH3uV70dM5cBepAACTqXftMFl8-yPBOVaIv86P7q6NmQkOR/s1600/20150419_222340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5voxvJhxk4vo3fEh17LsLG8E-Ka022U1OneMEot-OwkL_foYbBz3FoWr1LNPxJDuwRx09iKnbGZhjiHgk-E1p5rrt5Cc9LH3uV70dM5cBepAACTqXftMFl8-yPBOVaIv86P7q6NmQkOR/s1600/20150419_222340.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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*His name sign was a gift from a family friend!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUZXZv1OT-3s_nk8zBQaiN09OvcjUei-THdDB56uamDECu2R_e3ytnf9KRCFWXyHBhqYqy63cSE6u8j35uk53LLBfv3pebUaBn5H6FOUZXD7nk0-EGrsbFsQUPiUp0OYFoZKwdady3rwi/s1600/20150419_222438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUZXZv1OT-3s_nk8zBQaiN09OvcjUei-THdDB56uamDECu2R_e3ytnf9KRCFWXyHBhqYqy63cSE6u8j35uk53LLBfv3pebUaBn5H6FOUZXD7nk0-EGrsbFsQUPiUp0OYFoZKwdady3rwi/s1600/20150419_222438.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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*This magnet board is above the crib. </div>
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*The banner was a gift from girl that went to high school with Chris.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsQQ9IDa92SwPbwEAMBXVdkERfeaT8jizvDXGoTBRs4Wi_xR33DG_lFfmqpiDmbYXG1jPmAu2XGk2k-twQ5CU4kqnH8xWYeWlBgCEIHqLfOTjd8kIGFBNxaeGo7C0vMSnWaniXS0eS9ud/s1600/20150419_222512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsQQ9IDa92SwPbwEAMBXVdkERfeaT8jizvDXGoTBRs4Wi_xR33DG_lFfmqpiDmbYXG1jPmAu2XGk2k-twQ5CU4kqnH8xWYeWlBgCEIHqLfOTjd8kIGFBNxaeGo7C0vMSnWaniXS0eS9ud/s1600/20150419_222512.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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*The bedding was a gift from a girl that I use to teach with. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xetwoG54zNyIU1lt5ATmD4l8nJPWvSHC4uj3H17epySYkd4ryMAVeKMwewNQt16aM9eVAL8iASiAlsNcd0EKfSUKyWi8O8CicSKW1i18mt63hLhRQSeEjISxlkOzUr7owXdAJUCR-ovG/s1600/20150419_222427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xetwoG54zNyIU1lt5ATmD4l8nJPWvSHC4uj3H17epySYkd4ryMAVeKMwewNQt16aM9eVAL8iASiAlsNcd0EKfSUKyWi8O8CicSKW1i18mt63hLhRQSeEjISxlkOzUr7owXdAJUCR-ovG/s1600/20150419_222427.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Thank you for all your prayer, love and support PLEASE keep the prayers coming!</span></div>
</div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-7073028222701960762015-03-08T14:41:00.000-07:002015-03-08T20:41:52.082-07:00OUR Son<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1785839551" tabindex="0">Here is the story of how we became a family of 3 ...</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1785839551" tabindex="0"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1785839551" tabindex="0">MONDAY</span>:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It
all started the evening of Monday, March 2nd. I had been talking with
Dallas' birth mom on the phone, just getting to know each other better.
She was filling me in on everything that her and the doctor talked about
at her last appointment and we ended the conversation with her saying,
"If my water does break early I will call 911 and then I will call you!"</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1785839552" tabindex="0">TUESDAY</span>:</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The next morning (Tuesday, March 3rd) Chris and I got up like normal at about <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1785839553" tabindex="0">5:30 a.m.</span> and got ready for work, thinking that it was going to be just another normal day. At about <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1785839554" tabindex="0">9:30 a.m.</span>
(snack time in kindergarten) I was by my desk and my phone started
ringing. I looked down and saw his birth mom's name on the screen and
thought I would call her back during my break then I walked to the other
side of the room to put up some papers. As soon as I made it to the
other side of the room her words from the night before went through my
head, <i>"If my water does break early I will call 911 and then I will call you!" </i>so I immediately ran back to my desk and answered my phone. My heart began pounding as I heard her say,<i> "I think my water just broke!"</i></span><br />
I said, "Oh my gosh, okay, I'll call Chris, we'll get home, get packed and be on the way!"<br />
While she was still talking I ran to Marilu's classroom (next door to mine) and told her I had to leave. I then proceeded to run to the front office to let my principal and assistant principal know what was going on, I was literally going in circles. I knew I NEEDED to leave but at the same time I didn't know what to do with my kiddos back in the room! My mind was RACING!!! I called Chris praying he would answer his phone, he NEVER answers while at work, and he did!!! I was BAWLING while trying to tell him to get home QUICK and that her water broke! Once he was able to understand what I was trying to tell him, he began running around like crazy at work trying to tell everyone that needed to know and get out of there.<br />
While we both were trying to get home as fast as we could we were trying to call everyone and fill them in. Our original plan was to have one of my bffs, Amy Horton Photography, come with us so that she could capture all of our first moments with Dallas. Since he was coming almost 3 weeks early I figured she was not going to be able to make it and would probably have to come up later. By the time we made it home and started packing Anna, Amy and my mom had already starting packing and were getting everything organized so that they could be there with us when we met our sweet boy for the first time.<br />
After Chris and I got home we began packing and going in circles around the house trying to make sure we didn't forget anything. Thankfully I had already packed Dallas' bags and had them sitting in his room ready to go. Ashley, our caseworker from the agency, called and said that she would let us know what the doctor said after she checked her. Not long after that his birth mom called me and said, "I know it was my water so if I was y'all, I'd get on the road!"<br />
At about 11:45 a.m. we hit and road and began, what felt like, the LONGEST and so far the only car ride that I stayed awake the whole time to Baton Rouge, LA.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhB2mBjlk-0kfnV5Zh3Inw6HsJgmCmWGZHi1b6ONKnKRiUc-dcfrtUxDemD3td4d3IkZlbMefz6LxjqXvW3YoV_KMwU0L1fOQhYOu6j6D00uAom7kRdRaQiv_yFbJ6vminsukutNV0kBX/s1600/unnamed+(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhB2mBjlk-0kfnV5Zh3Inw6HsJgmCmWGZHi1b6ONKnKRiUc-dcfrtUxDemD3td4d3IkZlbMefz6LxjqXvW3YoV_KMwU0L1fOQhYOu6j6D00uAom7kRdRaQiv_yFbJ6vminsukutNV0kBX/s1600/unnamed+(1).png" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
We arrived at the hospital at about 7pm that evening. The whole ride there we were receiving updates from the birth mom and her progress. We were so worried that we were not going to make it but she was progressing VERY slowly and Dallas was very comfy right were he was.<br />
We got to the waiting room and made ourselves as comfortable as possible ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSg13kE12nQHk0V3Yg969nTH8aiVp75dMg1l8iYBMm0wE-M8b3_6kIhcCCNE7SzzHrIgKqZ6e23s13-NaVM0b26gQd5IqzYFNTT3moF6hgr64QIqd4KePpXcow7IUqAIlB7e5ilTob1X8u/s1600/11025989_10153033205780831_3591918902632392011_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSg13kE12nQHk0V3Yg969nTH8aiVp75dMg1l8iYBMm0wE-M8b3_6kIhcCCNE7SzzHrIgKqZ6e23s13-NaVM0b26gQd5IqzYFNTT3moF6hgr64QIqd4KePpXcow7IUqAIlB7e5ilTob1X8u/s1600/11025989_10153033205780831_3591918902632392011_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />
WEDNESDAY:<br />
Throughout the night, the nurses and our case worker would come out and give us updates.<br />
It was a long night!! These 2 were taken at about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday morning ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLa-qpKxAB2txQCOTjYy59pdWGcBJ48d9o7UI2sPJDyIr07RzfHnxlfanhEPbn-fDd5Qblpo8tVk5yt8v3TnPg1NMtFP6oyE6D6qWyBHyKvSwK84eZ91fPTgRlg_WplrtHemSJCDN73Yu/s1600/20150304_014652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLa-qpKxAB2txQCOTjYy59pdWGcBJ48d9o7UI2sPJDyIr07RzfHnxlfanhEPbn-fDd5Qblpo8tVk5yt8v3TnPg1NMtFP6oyE6D6qWyBHyKvSwK84eZ91fPTgRlg_WplrtHemSJCDN73Yu/s1600/20150304_014652.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXgxmq06b4ncj89gbaVWz1O9mYYWsVyr9QXPQ2yH5KJPN95wqYBKkH5UBVz1eYeVoMvszYEsij4fwjqkjjsrJyyXuoR-MsRvNLHwskAGWcvjjJc5hnYY5TDe08DIxhaQ-vUogvokV2iMZ/s1600/20150304_014333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXgxmq06b4ncj89gbaVWz1O9mYYWsVyr9QXPQ2yH5KJPN95wqYBKkH5UBVz1eYeVoMvszYEsij4fwjqkjjsrJyyXuoR-MsRvNLHwskAGWcvjjJc5hnYY5TDe08DIxhaQ-vUogvokV2iMZ/s1600/20150304_014333.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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At 3:37 a.m. we received a text from Ashley (who was in the room with her) that she was dilated to 7cm. Not long after that text, the birth mom asked Ashley to go find the doctor. By the time Ashley got back in the room, Dallas was already making an appearance. The cord was wrapped around his neck so his poor little face was purple and bruised but he is doing so much better now!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dallas arrived at 3:48 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4th.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>He was 6lbs 4 oz. 19 1/2 in long.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjtng-fYs1Aw3R-0H1Tcbl0fzkrqQsFdl5aaw4lInzQ-fpdmUOvC-VHmx8_UPvpiJJs-IoON2cxDTtQZvNEQ__wG5NxHkgBLNFVAzL8Sg8IWv7kG1PR9o5GT0qZcpfQ4iEfPnXVzSf4Fi/s1600/unnamed+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjtng-fYs1Aw3R-0H1Tcbl0fzkrqQsFdl5aaw4lInzQ-fpdmUOvC-VHmx8_UPvpiJJs-IoON2cxDTtQZvNEQ__wG5NxHkgBLNFVAzL8Sg8IWv7kG1PR9o5GT0qZcpfQ4iEfPnXVzSf4Fi/s1600/unnamed+(1).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After he was born they let us come in and see him for the FIRST time!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am so thankful Amy was able to come and capture all of it .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Click on the link below to see the amazing video she put together!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>http://video214.com/play/izIR9z2mbwaHKz81AaPWBA/s/dark</b></span></div>
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After we were able to spend some time with him and his birth mom, a nurse came in to evaluate him and told us that they were going to take him down to the NICU to keep a closer eye on him. He was about 3 weeks early and he is going through some withdrawals from the medication the birth mom was on while pregnant so his little body needs some extra attention as it is healing.</div>
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Over all, Dallas is doing great but they have to keep an eye on him and at times they give him a little bit of morphine to help his body relax as it is healing. Thankfully we can come up or call 24/7 to check on him.<br />
<br />
THURSDAY and FRIDAY:<br />
Chris and I spent as much time with him as we possibly could. They let us both do "skin to skin" for hours at a time so that he could relax, listen to our hearts beat and bond. We wanted to spend as much time with him as possible even though in the back of our minds we knew that if his birth mom changed her mind, this would be our last time to spend with him.<br />
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SATURDAY:<br />
This was the day that Chris and I had been waiting for since we began the adoption process. The birth parents were supposed to sign their rights over at 10 am but we were told that it may take little longer but we would get the text when everything was done! It was a VERY emotional day for us as well as Dallas' birth parents. My dad, brother and future sister-in-law came down to night before to be there for support. We got the text at 10:47 a.m. and it felt like an elephant was lifted off of our shoulders.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>The baby that we had been snuggling, cuddling, changing, feeding, soothing, and LOVING was really OURS!</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Now we get to love on him knowing that he is OUR son and we are his MOMMY and DADDY! :)</span></b></div>
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Little Dally will be in the NICU for another 3-4 day as his little body makes it through the withdrawals of the medication and he is able to go 72 hours without any morphine to keep him comfortable. <br />
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Starting Monday, the agency will begin the process of getting all the paperwork in order so that we can have legal permission to cross the state lines and bring our little bundle home. We have been told this part can take 10-14 business days but after talking with the agency they are hoping and going to try to get everything done by this coming Friday.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>THANK YOU!!!</b></span></div>
Thank you so much to everyone for all the prayers, words of encouragement, congrats and support. We would not be here if it were not for y'all!!<br />
**We also owe our forever thanks to Dallas' birth parents for picking us and trusting us with this AMAZING gift!!! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Thank you God for our perfect little boy!!!</b></span></div>
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Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-59237155196191578602015-02-24T18:05:00.002-08:002015-02-25T08:15:47.860-08:0024 days!<div style="text-align: center;">
Yep, that's right! Only 24 days until Dallas' birth mom is induced and we will get to meet our sweet baby boy! It's still so hard to believe and I think I'm still in shock.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>We've never been this close!!</b></span> </div>
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Dallas' room is pretty much all together just waiting on a few finishing touches and his bag is packed just waiting anxiously for the day!</div>
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(Reminder, I'm referring to Dallas' birth mom as <b>D </b>in order to respect her privacy)<br />
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This past week <b>D</b> and I were able to catch up after her doctors appointment. She and Dallas are doing great. Together with the doctor, <b>D</b> picked March 20th as her induction date. Chris and I will go to Louisiana on March 19th so that we can spend some time with her before the big day. I can not wait to give her the biggest hug and feel Dallas move in her tummy. It is impossible to truly express the love that I hold in my heart for <b>D</b>. The gift that she is preparing to give us will FOREVER be one of the best gifts ever given! </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/nR8m8vJ5fn8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nR8m8vJ5fn8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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I love that she refers to Dallas as MY first baby and when we talked last she reassured me by saying, </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"I know you guys are probably still nervous but I really don't want you to be. You have to understand that he is coming home with you! He is your baby!"</b></span></div>
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So what happens after Dallas is born?!?!</div>
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<b>D </b>said she wants to hold him and explain that she love him and it is because she loves him that we are his parents. After that she said, "<b><i>He is yours!</i></b>" </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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She has to wait 72 hours after he is born (not including his
actual birthday) to sign over her rights so technically we will be taking him
to the hotel with us before he is even officially ours. Once her right are
signed over we will have to stay in Louisiana until all the paperwork goes
through. We have been told that can take up to 10-14 business days.</div>
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Once
all that does go through we get to come HOME!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This coming Thursday we will be talking with her again after her weekly check up and we will get to see one LAST sonogram before we get to see him in person! <!--3--><br />
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We have a few more fundraisers going on between now and March 19th in order to help us meet our goal of at least $30,000 to cover all the costs of the adoption; we're about $2,600 away right now ...</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">1. THIS Saturday, Feb 28th will be our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/430148103803474" target="_blank">Pancake Breakfast</a> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsyWzHf7koDFIRb_n5131Qvn0CROxiqA8pDCCNGw4PX24_vFoLXjvtdeFtTCzFky5Ia1-NM-lvu9FTzrtJBwS18pHJ_VdnEoAe113aMzztCIiQigbbC45OrUpk6ffLx9HZfhtVJDODyl7/s1600/pancake+breakfast+flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsyWzHf7koDFIRb_n5131Qvn0CROxiqA8pDCCNGw4PX24_vFoLXjvtdeFtTCzFky5Ia1-NM-lvu9FTzrtJBwS18pHJ_VdnEoAe113aMzztCIiQigbbC45OrUpk6ffLx9HZfhtVJDODyl7/s1600/pancake+breakfast+flyer.jpg" height="400" width="303" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cic3r0LqGe8WV3ObT-_CnqHYB9RxLUPVYGhn1diKR1c/viewform" target="_blank">"It's all about Dallas"</a> T-shirt, hoodie, & onesie</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All orders & payments are DUE by March 6th!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/:jennifersjammies.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank">3.Jamberry Nail Party!</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWRxbNDOZgTZAJc8p6FSum2EbWLv82D5lydFsjBFbSZ56b98bVZnWuM2sPps8chy0HQ6lhP5ct5tnzFFZIQWmoSxCNFROLFUrSU10ge6gRdlhWBmCcirw_lBRyJd8cvOqipunAzes9Xos/s1600/10980766_10202377947489900_5632623337368931257_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWRxbNDOZgTZAJc8p6FSum2EbWLv82D5lydFsjBFbSZ56b98bVZnWuM2sPps8chy0HQ6lhP5ct5tnzFFZIQWmoSxCNFROLFUrSU10ge6gRdlhWBmCcirw_lBRyJd8cvOqipunAzes9Xos/s1600/10980766_10202377947489900_5632623337368931257_n.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. As always a donation can be made on our <a href="http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/waiting-for-dallas/92695" target="_blank">You Caring</a> page!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">More updated coming later in the week :)</span></div>
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Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-82588191512822314792015-02-12T09:00:00.000-08:002015-02-12T09:00:02.505-08:00Younique<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Check out our newest fundraiser ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.youniqueproducts.com/TraciMillen1/party/1366786/view" target="_blank">Younique!</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Click on the link above and everything you need to know will be on the website. </span><span style="font-size: large;">This fundraiser ends on <b>Sat. Feb 21st</b> and a percentage of the order will go to help bring baby Dallas home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are still about $4,100 away from our goal of $30,000 to cover his adoption fees. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Special thanks to <a href="https://www.youniqueproducts.com/TraciMillen1/business" target="_blank">Traci Millen</a> for opening this fundraiser up to us. She's the mother of 2 kiddos because of adoption; she has walked in my shoes and has been very encouraging! </span></div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-37796129672921737222015-02-06T13:39:00.000-08:002015-02-06T21:46:01.757-08:00Skype<div style="text-align: center;">
Thursday afternoon Chris and I got to Skype with Dallas' birth mom! It was amazing to be able to see her, talk with her and get to know her. Earlier that afternoon she went to a doctors appointment for a check up and she showed us the sonogram pictures of him. She also let us know that she has been saving all the picture from her sonograms for us to put in his baby book!</div>
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Here is his sweet, PERFECT profile ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5_TRspP4LhyLFKWlx9BbRdVbFGyRvTdwxdEcKepM3cF1P7Jt9piEVtQRApyZcyjUUMyHOyhkUBtmsrLRocJgwoduCFSxt2Jmor6FdiS0RCHf8c7g6s849y8YeXjykEMnGayxG4UVksEk/s1600/20150205_155845-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5_TRspP4LhyLFKWlx9BbRdVbFGyRvTdwxdEcKepM3cF1P7Jt9piEVtQRApyZcyjUUMyHOyhkUBtmsrLRocJgwoduCFSxt2Jmor6FdiS0RCHf8c7g6s849y8YeXjykEMnGayxG4UVksEk/s1600/20150205_155845-1.jpg" height="375" width="400" /></a></div>
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Right now baby and mom are doing great. </div>
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The doctor said he has hair, everything is measuring perfect, he weighs about 5 lbs and they watched his little tummy go up and down as he practiced taking breaths (the doctor said he's an overachiever)!</div>
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Chris and I were very nervous yet SUPER excited to talk with her. We were praying that when we were done we would have a peace about it and honestly I do not think there are words to explain the OVERWHELMING peace that we have. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can see God's hands ALL over this!</span> </div>
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<b>Here are some highlights from our conversation:</b></div>
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1. She said when she saw our book she knew we were the ones. We were real and the fact that we have <a href="http://cb-lopez.blogspot.com/2012/02/inked.html" target="_blank">tattoos</a>, and he played in a band and I have my nose pierced was cool because that made us more relate-able to her. </div>
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2. She wants us there when he is born. Chris (and Amy, camera in hand) will wait in the hallway/waiting room and I (most likely) will be able to be in the delivery room with her! I will get to see him take his first breath and hear his first cry! (I'm crying while typing this just thinking about it!!!!)</div>
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3. She will be going back to the doctor in 2 weeks and at that time they are going to set a date to have her induced so that we can go down the day before and be ready. We will Skype after that appointment to work out the other details. </div>
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4. She LOVES the name we picked out for him and the <a href="http://cb-lopez.blogspot.com/2014/03/why-dallas-scott.html" target="_blank">story behind it</a>. When we told her she started to cry and said, "Awe, he has a name!" Later on in the conversation she said, "The wait is almost over, Dallas will be in your arms in about 6 weeks!"</div>
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5. After he is all cleaned up he will be assigned his own room in the hospital and Chris and I will stay with him in that room until he is discharged. From there we will go to our hotel and wait for all the official paperwork to go through. </div>
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<b><i>Side note:</i></b></div>
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<i>She has to wait 72 hours after he is born (not including his actual birthday) to sign over her rights so technically we will be taking him to the hotel with us before he is even officially ours. Once her right are signed over we will have to stay in Louisiana until all the paperwork goes through. We have been told and that can take up to 10-14 business days. Once all that does go through we get to come HOME!</i></div>
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6. We do plan on meeting with her at the agency the day we head back to Texas to let her hold him and tell him good bye one last time. </div>
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7. We are going to send letters and pictures up to the agency every 3/4 months and if she wants an update she can go up there to get the letters. She was so happy to know that we NEVER plan on keeping it a secret that he was adopted and if and when the time does come that he wants to reach out to her we would not stand in the way of that!</div>
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8. She saw the pictures that I had taken of the nursery and the things we have already done around the house to get everything ready for him. She kept saying how happy she is that he is already loved by so many people and that it was just more of a confirmation that this was the best choice to make!</div>
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9. She asked about our adoption journey and as we were telling her about all the other times things just didn't work out and everything we had done to get to this point she kept reassuring us that he WAS going to be coming home with US! She said I know it's not going to be easy but it's what is going to happen!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then she said something that I will remember for the rest of my life...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>"I love him but I honestly feel like I'm your surrogate, he's not mine, he has always been yours!"</b></span></div>
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Like I said at the beginning it was AMAZING being able to get to know her and I am so anxious to meet my sweet baby boy!!!</div>
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Now that you are all up to date I will leave you with this ...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>We NEED your help!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are still about <b>$5,100.00</b> away from our the $30,000! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are 3 ways you can help us bring our baby boy home ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1.<a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/waitingfordallas/" target="_blank"> Just Love Coffee</a>:</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR1BwJTMn4H48kPDZxr_3P-vS0PwqAUNuOrqSCTFPdQXTL3WLDeWpT2T_NjhNXhr4UArYVhRXUMFQ8Mkz7lTyWAEFCCtl1M-bmGsugi_DncGCMVzEhHwxDxKCtEPP3Gpwz3TBdKG4P2Tr/s1600/ROTY_billboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR1BwJTMn4H48kPDZxr_3P-vS0PwqAUNuOrqSCTFPdQXTL3WLDeWpT2T_NjhNXhr4UArYVhRXUMFQ8Mkz7lTyWAEFCCtl1M-bmGsugi_DncGCMVzEhHwxDxKCtEPP3Gpwz3TBdKG4P2Tr/s1600/ROTY_billboard.jpg" height="113" width="320" /></a></div>
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click on the link then click <b>Shop & Support</b></div>
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We will get a percentage of what is purchased.</div>
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<a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/fundraising/fundraising-overview/" target="_blank">Click here</a> for the details.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Pancake Breakfast:</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1pj89mwrIKEGFb7rQ9dQSKIVwebXKTI3weccJbvQnsyw9JrzagqCLWVfU68cCOGPQvztSnnUBwYonzzdosxQcX5MTDPe9WKItWVV1tZ4KZ7RxA4AEfjc1cpl7MtsBsfFuEJcmQsym6PQ/s1600/pancake+breakfast+flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1pj89mwrIKEGFb7rQ9dQSKIVwebXKTI3weccJbvQnsyw9JrzagqCLWVfU68cCOGPQvztSnnUBwYonzzdosxQcX5MTDPe9WKItWVV1tZ4KZ7RxA4AEfjc1cpl7MtsBsfFuEJcmQsym6PQ/s1600/pancake+breakfast+flyer.jpg" height="400" width="303" /></a></div>
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Mark your calendars!!</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. Make a donation on our <a href="http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/waiting-for-dallas/92695" target="_blank">You Caring page</a>!</span></b></div>
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Last but not least I will leave you with this super cute pic of Dallas giving us all a thumbs up</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET_RN1KuoxvxLTBybwSXgsRntkJ2MpS3D-S5sa-OvnLa9aZK2xGdl3QxJbFv8hvRCyKDw6r9QJ5atYi2sxIAIVq90gePqcEoffX65fv4e6RDPOc5jrFCKVIM9Ff28umX1LGqAH_XsYqYx/s1600/20150205_155854-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET_RN1KuoxvxLTBybwSXgsRntkJ2MpS3D-S5sa-OvnLa9aZK2xGdl3QxJbFv8hvRCyKDw6r9QJ5atYi2sxIAIVq90gePqcEoffX65fv4e6RDPOc5jrFCKVIM9Ff28umX1LGqAH_XsYqYx/s1600/20150205_155854-1.jpg" height="351" width="400" /></a></div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-8042131281471408852015-01-30T13:23:00.000-08:002015-01-30T17:45:24.195-08:00The Call<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am sure that most of y'all saw the exciting news on our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/waitingfordallas13" target="_blank">facebook</a> page. We got a phone call on Wednesday from our <a href="http://www.stelizabethfoundation.org/" target="_blank">adoption agency</a> and I wanted to fill you all in on the details!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A little over 2 weeks ago while talking to our caseworker, Ashley, at the agency she informed me that there were 2 birth mom's due in March and they would probably be looking at our profile book the 1st or 2nd week of Feb. Over the past 2 weeks I have tried my best and resisted the urge to call for an update because I knew she would call when she knew something.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Most of the time while I am at school I have little to no signal and even less time to talk so when Ashley has an update she texts me, <i>"Call when you can"</i>. Honestly when she text me Wednesday I didn't think much of it. I figured she was just checking in because, remember, the last thing I knew was that the birth moms were not going to be looking at our profile book until the 1st or 2nd week of Feb. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I got the text after school and instead of calling right away I finished working on some lesson plans because I was not expecting any big news. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><u><i>Boy</i></u> was I WrOnG</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">!!!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">As you can imagine, I can not remember the exact conversation because my mind was RACING but it went something like this .... (I'm changing the birth mom's name to "<b>D</b>" for privacy reason).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ashley:</b> Hi, How are you doing?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Me:</b> Fine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ashley:</b> <b>D </b>came in yesterday just to check in and we decided to let her check out the 3 books we had set aside for her. <b>D </b>is really hoping that you and Chris want to be the parents of her baby!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">**At this point I was speechless and my eyes <strike>FILLED</strike>/<b><i><u>overflowed</u></i></b> with tears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Me:</b> Of Course!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ashley: </b>I am going to read you what she text me right after she left our office with your book:</span><br />
<i style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white;">I cried when I read Chris and Beth's book, its so weird but I
feel like they may be the ones, already. I can see them and their family and
friends loving this baby so much, as much as I do. I think they may be his
parents. Is that weird to think that already?"</span></i><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Ashley: </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">I told her that is not weird at all and that is usually how it works! I asked her to sleep on it </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">and get back to me tomorrow. This is the text she sent this morning:</span><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">"I cried because I want them to
get what they want so bad, they seem like really amazing people. And as much as
I want to be his parent and take care of him and give him the things he needs
in life, I know that I can't but maybe they can do for him and give him
everything he'll ever need or want. They love each other so much and all
of the kids that are in their lives. I can only imagine how much he would be
loved and how grateful they would be to be his parents. I love him so much. I
want to give him to two people that are going to understand just how much I
love him and how grateful I am to have carried him for 9 months and they will be
kind of like my messengers, you know, and show him all that I feel, just
through themselves."</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">That was BY FAR the best phone call I have ever received!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After Ashley got off the phone with me she called <b>D </b>to let her know how excited we were and this was her responds:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i>"Awwww I'm crying! I'm so happy that they're happy, more
confirmation that this is soooooo the best decision and they are def. the right
choice for my baby. Now I can't wait for March for them to meet him."</i></span><br />
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, legally <b>D</b> has a little over 48 hours after the baby is born
to change her mind </span>but Ashley feels that with the counseling she has
received and after working with her for several months she is set on adoption. Ashley feels so confident that when I asked, "<i>What do we do now</i>" she said, <b>"<i>G</i></b></span><b><i>o home and set up that nursery!</i>"<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></b>Ashley also said that <b>D </b>does want us there when he is born. We will get to wait in a room right next to the delivery room so we will get to meet <b>OUR</b> baby right after <b>he</b> is born!!!<br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<b>So what's next???</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We will Skype with </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">D</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> between now and her due date in order to get to know her and for her to get to know us better</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Together with the agency we will work through the legal, medical and timing details of it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Now we need YOUR help!! </b></span></div>
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We are about $8,500.00 away from our goal of $30,000 so here are 4 different ways you can help us bring baby Dallas home ...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1.<a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/dallastshirts" target="_blank"> T-Shirts are still for sale</a></b></span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dc4sv04EnzsPVuZc7wOL68XOP5cSE2WAZ-PA1fhp9ZTsSFpaCXVKBw1HO6Y6m59eolk1vnp9WtE7Mo2J8jOgDppBu00kW5QRey4VaGmd0zgarLgGYUSpY1WJpgx6LRVKmHX85qdOszMn/s1600/shirts2.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></div>
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So far we have sold 114 shirts!!!</div>
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I will be taking orders until <b>FRIDAY, FEB 6th!</b></div>
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<b>Shout out to fabulous blogger:</b> <a href="http://texaslovely.com/adopting-dallas/" target="_blank">Bethe</a>, thank you for helping to spread the word!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. <a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/waitingfordallas/" target="_blank">Just Love Coffee</a></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanJixaqe_IAUM1wez4W3d0ty6dABTtpZgeX223kB0nDVg8No6DbQkvXut4lvd3Di2IOJJXKnHFdToazglS9Z_kw289R1xMhoKlpFCQy4X7pgNeUWwnnpGig-3mS1SLKxnWkYE2gpDyCeQ/s1600/ROTY_billboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanJixaqe_IAUM1wez4W3d0ty6dABTtpZgeX223kB0nDVg8No6DbQkvXut4lvd3Di2IOJJXKnHFdToazglS9Z_kw289R1xMhoKlpFCQy4X7pgNeUWwnnpGig-3mS1SLKxnWkYE2gpDyCeQ/s1600/ROTY_billboard.jpg" height="113" width="320" /></a></div>
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Click on the link them click <b>Shop & Support</b></div>
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We will get a percentage of what is purchased.</div>
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<a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/fundraising/fundraising-overview/" target="_blank">Click here</a> for the details</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Pancake Breakfast</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOqBkOBYTtMLX0L0f2VBgM1Bm55K_NJ2JQJgoN0dGjVU5eEn2bsDLHoRVrN84dVEtSF_4PKITAsQdNwoI-h_dM8GTMeJpHl2B7oZdhGW02SifcvVkMDAMoEJJIat82SV6TjC6UlpWAesj/s1600/pancake+breakfast+flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOqBkOBYTtMLX0L0f2VBgM1Bm55K_NJ2JQJgoN0dGjVU5eEn2bsDLHoRVrN84dVEtSF_4PKITAsQdNwoI-h_dM8GTMeJpHl2B7oZdhGW02SifcvVkMDAMoEJJIat82SV6TjC6UlpWAesj/s1600/pancake+breakfast+flyer.jpg" height="400" width="303" /></a></div>
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Mark your calenders!!!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Make a donations on our <a href="http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/waiting-for-dallas/92695" target="_blank">You Caring page</a>!</b></span></div>
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As always, THANK YOU for the love and support! </div>
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Keep those prayers coming!</div>
</div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-29538869719919112522015-01-26T13:47:00.000-08:002015-01-26T13:48:22.897-08:00t-shirts, pics, and updates<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1. "It's all about Dallas" T-Shirts:</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoBalZKZw1WRKegsh9ZKcbzYYxo_QPAEn7n2Sn-_FWHFk3e7pyxXLFGHSslKDelmDO7RSfzkIJA7V2SwZYSr_K42S0I3MkWZKyISiwlVob1rGc1m6fTynjzMfwH1xiTeexliCQULHo67b/s1600/shirts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoBalZKZw1WRKegsh9ZKcbzYYxo_QPAEn7n2Sn-_FWHFk3e7pyxXLFGHSslKDelmDO7RSfzkIJA7V2SwZYSr_K42S0I3MkWZKyISiwlVob1rGc1m6fTynjzMfwH1xiTeexliCQULHo67b/s1600/shirts.jpg" height="203" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On <b>Saturday, Jan 31st</b> I will be placing my first order of t-shirts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Go to: <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/dallastshirts">www.tinyurl.com/dallastshirts</a> to order and pay today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>In order to get the best deal on the shirts we need to sell 100 and </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">of right now we have sold 70 shirts!</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">**If you are not tech savvy <b><i><u>please</u></i></b> do not hesitate to email me and I will place your order for you!!! </span><span style="font-size: large;">waitingfordallas13@gmail.com</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">2. Valentine Mini Sessions:</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtStjlhCNUydqRJwn34Dj3r6lHsEYDSncFaoo4fGbO69MGQ5QSIAz1-glF7gbR6d8uo1iBiNx4P1g1_rCTZivdcmYGntC5etZSSRr-ypb3Zfn5MLCjMghACUqmU5QsCBnMhDVeOTpnNGy/s1600/mini+session.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtStjlhCNUydqRJwn34Dj3r6lHsEYDSncFaoo4fGbO69MGQ5QSIAz1-glF7gbR6d8uo1iBiNx4P1g1_rCTZivdcmYGntC5etZSSRr-ypb3Zfn5MLCjMghACUqmU5QsCBnMhDVeOTpnNGy/s1600/mini+session.jpg" height="176" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The fabulous <a href="http://amyhorton.com/" target="_blank">Amy Horton</a> has already booked 11 mini sessions and MIGHT(that's a big maybe) have 1 or 2 spots left.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time is running out!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3. Updates:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Adoption:</b> As of right now we are waiting to see if 1 of the next 2 birth moms that the agency has will pick us. If one of them does then Dallas will be here in March. If both decide to go with another couple we will just wait for the next birth mom to come along. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>We have been asked several time, </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. "If y'all are at the top of the list at the agency why have ya'll not been picked yet?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. "Why are birth moms not picking y'all?"</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Both are good questions, so here's the answers:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. </b>Yes, we are at the top of the list which pretty much means that our profile book will be shown to all the birth moms that fit the criteria of what we are looking for (<a href="http://cb-lopez.blogspot.com/2015/01/more-adoption-faqs.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see the specifics: question #3) as well as if we fit the criteria of what they are looking as parents for their baby.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. </b>The first and best answer is because God has a different birth mom and baby picked out for us. The second is that the first 2 birth moms that saw our book decided to pick another couple that lives in Louisiana so that they could get to know that couple better before giving their baby to them. The third birth mom decided to go with a couple that already has an adopted child so that her baby wouldn't be alone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It can get discouraging especially</span><span style="font-size: large;"> since we have </span><b style="font-size: x-large;"><i><u>NO</u></i></b><span style="font-size: large;"> control but we know that God is completely in control and when a birth mom does pick us it will be the </span><b style="font-size: x-large;"><i><u>PERFECT</u></i></b><span style="font-size: large;"> one for us! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Totals:</b> We have raised $20,201.00 which means we are <b><i><u>$9,799.00</u></i></b> away from our goal!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It's all in God's hands!</span></div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-88081531982290880992015-01-07T03:37:00.000-08:002015-01-07T03:37:07.118-08:00Only $12,500.00 away ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We are getting closer to our goal and here are 2 awesome ways you can help...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>#1</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAv-EhTg-VK1i8KtDbxQoZHEO8_QcjR8fJTQ-bzH7O_LH_Q8Zo8ex1vP0n0gTBHQyjG-h2KFCgDRHwATQdVXQTuyrdXO_Xm_jCLYYH798hOM3gwP6ABjdPBAjmVzByURpNHcrkAj3MIm5/s1600/mini+session.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAv-EhTg-VK1i8KtDbxQoZHEO8_QcjR8fJTQ-bzH7O_LH_Q8Zo8ex1vP0n0gTBHQyjG-h2KFCgDRHwATQdVXQTuyrdXO_Xm_jCLYYH798hOM3gwP6ABjdPBAjmVzByURpNHcrkAj3MIm5/s1600/mini+session.jpg" height="176" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">contact Amy ASAP she has limited weekend times available!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>#2</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnAZZfR8Ex8VcCn_cSASnSOIKyCKyMXocmwB6rjCFLNAqdKNNAF1M1XQUA93t6y_eb3ZOJs412ta8luc2VNDEgAqnUpb_NBuxejrEDESFSoyOxDrDm4l0vlDDzChyEOcUvUW2_PkHFpdu/s1600/tshirts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnAZZfR8Ex8VcCn_cSASnSOIKyCKyMXocmwB6rjCFLNAqdKNNAF1M1XQUA93t6y_eb3ZOJs412ta8luc2VNDEgAqnUpb_NBuxejrEDESFSoyOxDrDm4l0vlDDzChyEOcUvUW2_PkHFpdu/s1600/tshirts.jpg" height="310" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out the link below to order yours today:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">www.tinyurl.com/dallastshirts</span></div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-17736472906084777662015-01-02T14:39:00.002-08:002015-01-02T15:32:56.678-08:00More Adoption FAQ's<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--></b></span><span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What’s a profile book?</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our <a href="http://www.adoptivefamiliescircle.com/blogs/post/creating-your-adoption-profile-book-for-prospective-birth-mothers/" target="_blank">profile book</a> (click on the link to learn more about a
profile book) is pretty much a book all about us and our lives. We completed
our book just before Christmas and I mailed it on New Year’s Eve. The now agency
has 2 copies and we have 1 to keep.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsLS4fhk8OCgUD8VIO7g9TaUuS1ROBcYMzLzq8yZtxIgqhoQKvYZb0zIs5IuT7XEVGCmB4PXIdSJ9auBLrlykUGuMZnS8RBISCE5foczI5NvYP5r_S9OVZjNveTvqGuNmgpDa-YpXfFSo/s1600/me+and+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsLS4fhk8OCgUD8VIO7g9TaUuS1ROBcYMzLzq8yZtxIgqhoQKvYZb0zIs5IuT7XEVGCmB4PXIdSJ9auBLrlykUGuMZnS8RBISCE5foczI5NvYP5r_S9OVZjNveTvqGuNmgpDa-YpXfFSo/s1600/me+and+book.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of our
friends and family got a sneak peak of the book and here is what Chris’ grandma
had to say about! She is sooo sweet …<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBruNbkVgvnj9QaTnk3Z_KlFDWzeWmevAjj9eOSif5UaG_GmQ22n9iKOVoPt4RnCWox2pIaOjbe867fc4sbwszI52-RQr4eFZ8gXXA0y1zkM8aL6HZaHzcmX4Ud0NQib59Y08U-44liqxa/s1600/grandma+and+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBruNbkVgvnj9QaTnk3Z_KlFDWzeWmevAjj9eOSif5UaG_GmQ22n9iKOVoPt4RnCWox2pIaOjbe867fc4sbwszI52-RQr4eFZ8gXXA0y1zkM8aL6HZaHzcmX4Ud0NQib59Y08U-44liqxa/s1600/grandma+and+book.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are pictures of our book ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhR-rWE9_Mm3pzSX3w-yiaU3-M4psuXplhkLOyH-xp1fN648E1aqCdCkzAoYS7nxzimVBIgBLkHgF-bumWWQGlzyBB2-xGah1I_CzXeCn3BNXBfZ3PKIEwmwKM9tRv8c-F5gBycBsQZLI/s1600/front+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhR-rWE9_Mm3pzSX3w-yiaU3-M4psuXplhkLOyH-xp1fN648E1aqCdCkzAoYS7nxzimVBIgBLkHgF-bumWWQGlzyBB2-xGah1I_CzXeCn3BNXBfZ3PKIEwmwKM9tRv8c-F5gBycBsQZLI/s1600/front+cover.jpg" height="320" width="245" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAFZAs97GyHj85DM6edthiaZyky4ch75voUpikecxoQFzuysEfp_hD_jEtgRYv3zXZMnF4ytTTG0WhVGwsUlTPsZW48sOW4JZt7DG883Avq8wkfDqDHHfcaiT14kUJA52Bi1pzGmaQR-W/s1600/pages+1-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAFZAs97GyHj85DM6edthiaZyky4ch75voUpikecxoQFzuysEfp_hD_jEtgRYv3zXZMnF4ytTTG0WhVGwsUlTPsZW48sOW4JZt7DG883Avq8wkfDqDHHfcaiT14kUJA52Bi1pzGmaQR-W/s1600/pages+1-4.jpg" height="320" width="242" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_ZOPaPA8xb0ekti8hnPrQiXbHaKQ5gCIRGlT4KLtKma2H8wZ-Olb2VcPk_QijT7nWcU9cOF0IQdX3E7BWuZRv0dInEuEKNNSJClCm8OPXCjvEdq29xo32CV12jjP3ZVWfsHbQG6Rf5V4/s1600/pages+5-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_ZOPaPA8xb0ekti8hnPrQiXbHaKQ5gCIRGlT4KLtKma2H8wZ-Olb2VcPk_QijT7nWcU9cOF0IQdX3E7BWuZRv0dInEuEKNNSJClCm8OPXCjvEdq29xo32CV12jjP3ZVWfsHbQG6Rf5V4/s1600/pages+5-8.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DmP5Xo_uVBhmTtuog64jYH6J8O8ktAD6PEo8xwTcFfaOcxOIYdosr2CfCGQv4JXvCm9hSesaZ7rPtEQUZOHhhZBBveSl7YDBCaGuMBdwNR1JwIVwaCy1iXwYieiCQ5TIwchWpJ_cHcZS/s1600/pages+9-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DmP5Xo_uVBhmTtuog64jYH6J8O8ktAD6PEo8xwTcFfaOcxOIYdosr2CfCGQv4JXvCm9hSesaZ7rPtEQUZOHhhZBBveSl7YDBCaGuMBdwNR1JwIVwaCy1iXwYieiCQ5TIwchWpJ_cHcZS/s1600/pages+9-12.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9lNCjSQ1LS54qER1Ho_zpvoWUMplIHzKIA2PzVpugkngc7fud0oJsq-mye5l0iKFF8mjGFiUlT3_KcCwqTcQYoC39zm8qCtW_TPo0h9xaW9xW6bDcQFzLXR3WtQd13KGtfkRA5aN6Er6/s1600/pages+13-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9lNCjSQ1LS54qER1Ho_zpvoWUMplIHzKIA2PzVpugkngc7fud0oJsq-mye5l0iKFF8mjGFiUlT3_KcCwqTcQYoC39zm8qCtW_TPo0h9xaW9xW6bDcQFzLXR3WtQd13KGtfkRA5aN6Er6/s1600/pages+13-14.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--></span><span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">What’s next now that the agency has our
book?</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Honestly this all depends on how many
birth moms walk into the agency and how far along they are. The agency councils
them and works with them as they decide whether or not to make this life
changing decision. One of the ladies at the agency goes with her to her doctor
appointments and gathers info about the birth mom’s (and birth dad , if he’s
willing) medical history and all the details on the type of adoption they want
as well as the type of family that they would like to adopt their baby. Once
all that info is gathered the agency waits until about month or so before the
baby is due. At this time the agency then contact 3 different adoptive families
that they think would be a good fit for the birth mom and her baby. At that
time they give us all a call with the info that they have available and we have
the chance to decide if we would like the agency to show her our profile book.
The birth mom then checks out the books and decides which book she would like
to take home. After that meeting the agency calls us to let us know if we were chosen or not.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--></b></span><span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Why would we ask the agency to not show a
birth mom our book?</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many people have different
options on this and as a couple we have made the decision that the ONLY reason
we would ask for our book to not be shown to a birth mom would be is if she is
an alcoholic/heavy drug user while pregnant. We do not care about the sex or
race of the baby or if the birth mom has a personal or family history of a disease,
illness or disability. We know that if I had a baby we would have not control
of the sex or if the child is born with a disease, illness, or disability but
we can control whether that child is exposed to drugs or alcohol so that is where
we draw the line.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--></span><span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">What happens after she picks us?</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We will possibly Skype with her
along with one of the ladies at the agency and get to know her and her wants
for the adoption. It is at this time that will determine how “open” our
adoption will be. We do not plan on allowing the birth mom to come visit but we
are willing to send letters and pictures once a month for the first year to the
agency. Again, this is our personal decision that we as a couple feel is best
for our family. Not everyone feels this way. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--></b></span><span lang="EN"><b style="font-size: x-large;">What happens after the baby is born?</b>\</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The birth mom legally has 48
hours to sign over her rights so most likely we will not make the trip there
until she has officially done so. At that time we will go straight to the hospital
to meet our baby!!! After the baby is discharged from the hospital we will head
to a nearby hotel until all the official paperwork is completed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN">6.<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--></span><span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">Financially – What do we still need and
why?</span></span></b></span></div>
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are the fees that we will
need to cover …<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;">* Attorney fees <br />
* Document preparation and authentication<br />
* Placement fee<br />
* Agency fees</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;">* Home study follow up visits after the baby is home<br />
* Travels expenses - We will have to stay in Louisiana until all the legal paperwork
is completed and then we can bring our baby home to Texas. We have been told this
could take up to 10 days. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We currently have <b>$17.471.50 </b>which
means we will need <b><u>$12,528.50</u></b> in order to reach our goal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN">7.<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--></span><span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">What are we doing to reach our goal and
what if we don’t reach it before Dallas gets here?</span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Along with cutting back in
different ways so that we can to put more money away we are also going to
continue to do different fundraisers in order to get us closer to our goal. The
next fundraiser will be starting in Jan. We are going to be selling Waiting for
Dallas T-Shirts. They were designed but Chris’ <a href="http://cb-lopez.blogspot.com/2014/03/why-dallas-scott.html" target="_blank">Uncle Scott </a>and one of our good
friends <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FuturistArt?pnref=about.overview" target="_blank">Dan Mackey</a>. We are pretty excited about them. More info is coming
soon!!! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We also still accepting donations
on our <b><a href="http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/waiting-for-dallas/92695" target="_blank">You Caring </a>page</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN">If we do not reach our goal of
$30,000 by the time Dallas does come there are different options available for
us to get a very low interest loan that will covers the difference until get
home we get home and can get it paid off. T</span><span lang="EN">his is our very last resort. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I think that covers most of the
questions for now. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If you think of anything else please do not hesitate to ask. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">waitingfordallas13@gmail.com</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>Thank you for all the love and support.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>Happy New Year!!</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Josefin Sans', serif;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lcIjjL6PAgJJrM7i56RXnUGdWlKZDJqJJiUIICMRu0LlVEGLyMpI-0dewuzNXnYKzAHL7nzTB6Eal5HzKZXZvg1tlLOMZ6uP6zgX9qCsgrE22pVFdvML-c5fDvDnQicZQ8I-qDezZ63w/s1600/us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lcIjjL6PAgJJrM7i56RXnUGdWlKZDJqJJiUIICMRu0LlVEGLyMpI-0dewuzNXnYKzAHL7nzTB6Eal5HzKZXZvg1tlLOMZ6uP6zgX9qCsgrE22pVFdvML-c5fDvDnQicZQ8I-qDezZ63w/s1600/us.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-28255461175272616952014-12-03T13:35:00.000-08:002014-12-05T21:16:44.486-08:00Adoption Update<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The totals are in, we raised <b>$400</b> from the Pajama Fundraiser. Thank you so much to all those who ordered the comfy PJ's!!! :)</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, if you saw the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/waitingfordallas13" target="_blank">Waiting for Dallas facebook</a> page a few days ago we shared a prayer request as well as a praise.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">More info about our <b>prayer request</b>:</span><br />
<br />
Over the past several months we have been in contact with a local birth mom. We have been hoping that if she did choose adoption that she would pick us to be that lucky couple to adopt her baby. Her due date is <b><i><u>quickly</u></i></b> approaching but as of right now she has not made any clear decisions which make is very hard to see things going any further. In this current situation as well as the others that we were hoping would work out Chris and I are ONLY praying for God's Will; even if that mean we are meant to just keep waiting. So for now we are going to focus on the agency and if she does come to us within the next few weeks we will see where is goes. Either way the birth mom and her sweet baby are always in our prayers.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">More info about our <b>PrAiSe</b>:</span><br />
<br />
The adoption agency that we have chosen is the <a href="http://www.stelizabethfoundation.org/" target="_blank">St. Elizabeth Foundation</a>. For the past few months the awesome ladies there have been extremely helpful. Since the agency is in Louisiana they have worked with us so that we were able to meet all the Texas as well as Louisiana's state requirements for adoption. The only thing we have left to do on our end is to complete our <a href="http://www.adoptivefamiliescircle.com/blogs/post/creating-your-adoption-profile-book-for-prospective-birth-mothers/" target="_blank">profile book</a> (click on the link to learn more about a profile book). Chris and I have been working with one of very good friends <a href="http://amyhorton.com/" target="_blank">Amy</a> to put our book together and we plan on having it complete by the end of Dec. Once they receive our profile book they will show it to prospective birth moms and dads so that they can be part of the process of choosing the couple that their child will call mom and dad.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Okay now to the exciting part ...</span><br />
A few days ago I called the agency to let them know about the profile book and to make sure we had done everything else we needed to do and I was told that we are officially #11 on their waiting list.<br />
When I heard that my heart hit the floor (in a bad way) because the previous agency that we were going to work with only did about 1 adoption a month and in my mind I thought that meant it was going to be another 11 months before we would be #1.<br />
<br />
I was honestly holding back tears as I said, <i>" What exactly does that mean?" </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
She quickly replied, <i>"Well there is really no way to know an exact time, it just depends on how many birth moms we have come to our agency....</i>(m<span style="text-align: center;">y stomach was in knots as I was trying to calculate just how long that would be then she continues) <i>... it could honestly be as soon as a <b>month</b> or maybe <b>3 or 4 months</b>, again it just depends." </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I then quickly asked, <i>"Well what if we get to #1 and you don't have our profile book?"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
She replied,<i> "Just get it to us when you can.<b> It will all work out in His timing</b>." </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Those words still ring in my ears. That right there is one of the biggest reasons why we picked this agency. They are amazing, encouraging, honest, and are truly seeking God's will for each birth mom and dad, baby and adoptive parent that is a part of their agency. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
YAY! That's our new excited news! Thank you so much to all that have been praying for Chris, Dallas, and myself. We are hoping that 2015 will be a VERY exciting year for us!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Please take to time to share our story with all your friends and family and be sure to share our <a href="http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/waiting-for-dallas/92695" target="_blank">You Caring page</a>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dallas' adoption is going to cost about <b>$30,000.00</b> and as of today we have raised <i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #38761d;">$15,880.00 </span></i>which means we only need to <span style="color: red;"><b><i>$14.120.00</i></b></span> in order to reach our goal. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You can make a donation directly on our page <i>or</i> you can wait and keep an eye out for our upcoming fundraisers!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Again, thank you so much to all our friends, family, acquaintances and even complete strangers that have been praying for us! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Keep it up!</span></div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-74669451004944614252014-10-24T12:22:00.004-07:002014-10-24T12:22:50.444-07:00Pajamas!<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
is your chance to do some Christmas shopping and help us bring baby Dallas home
at the same
time! It's SO</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> simple!!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvYNPKKG1_dQfTv9HDl8_Pa3eyhtOzLKbOPj3yN6uL7VkYZ0aNEN8Oi6wveo5-_wFE1ZZws-GdLQ0vrHgMrClcCqFI4hDF4uY9zkqb29iugxn_ALlt8m0H6t8DFrcBEnZVdA2RhBnkjbE/s1600/banner-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvYNPKKG1_dQfTv9HDl8_Pa3eyhtOzLKbOPj3yN6uL7VkYZ0aNEN8Oi6wveo5-_wFE1ZZws-GdLQ0vrHgMrClcCqFI4hDF4uY9zkqb29iugxn_ALlt8m0H6t8DFrcBEnZVdA2RhBnkjbE/s1600/banner-1.png" height="167" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
1. Go to: <a href="http://www.pajamafundraiser.com/">www.pajamafundraiser.com</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. Pick ANY 3 items for $30.00</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. Message or email me the pattern, size, and quantity you would like.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">email: <a href="mailto:waitingfordallas13@gmail.com">waitingfordallas13@gmail.com</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">4. Make the check out to Bethany Lopez </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">*Add $3.50 for every $30 you spend
to cover the tax<br />**If you are out of state or live far away PLEASE add an additional $5 to cover shipping!**<br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Orders and payments <b>DUE</b> by <b>DECEMBER 1st</b>!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">**40% of every $30 spent will help bring baby Dallas home!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you all soooo much for the support!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Total raised: $14591.14</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Amount still needed to adopt through our agency: $15,408.81</span></div>
</div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-8934509201295790832014-09-25T13:27:00.000-07:002014-10-24T12:13:06.197-07:00Home Study<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">First I want to say </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THANK YOU SoOoOoOoO Much</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> to all those who were praying for Chris and myself yesterday during our home study! It went <b>GREAT</b>! It will take a few weeks for the social worker to type up the official approval but once that is done we are cleared for all adoption opportunity that may come our way through our agency or private. :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We are very happy it's over and excited about the future!</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><!--3--></span></div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-15614811900915843652014-08-18T17:27:00.002-07:002014-10-29T10:51:18.895-07:00Summer and Adoption UpdateIt just hit me today that I have not blogged all summer! You would think that since school is out I would have so much more time on my hands but that was just not the case. I'm still learning how to say "no" to things when I already have so many other things going on. :)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Here is a little recap of my summer . . .</b></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I love going to church camp with the kiddos every summer!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This summer I had to leave camp a little early for a very important interview and GOOD NEWS, I got the job!!! I am going to be a kindergarten teacher this coming school year!</div>
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Chris and I went to the Lopez Family Reunion this summer . . .</div>
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<br /></div>
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We also got a take a very fun trip to Kentucky with some of our very best friends for a week of relaxing, four wheeling and hanging out . . .</div>
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We had a little date night at the drive-in movie!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02tITKEibmzIi9DMJBh5UJodoCdIAwvXwyTuTaCWSEcG5SRABSa1cIkCYrYFTtIfS9-eNFoOPxPi0hmRySWas8UKDsdaNCdGnCKLnrXxAwiTXi0yf-8mPdf0JN4xLiaJcHQp9kdaH3SAF/s1600/PhotoGrid_1408405035793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02tITKEibmzIi9DMJBh5UJodoCdIAwvXwyTuTaCWSEcG5SRABSa1cIkCYrYFTtIfS9-eNFoOPxPi0hmRySWas8UKDsdaNCdGnCKLnrXxAwiTXi0yf-8mPdf0JN4xLiaJcHQp9kdaH3SAF/s1600/PhotoGrid_1408405035793.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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This was just a few of the fun things that made up this crazy fun summer. :)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Adoption Update:</b></span></div>
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At the beginning of June Chris and I got our finger prints done and finally got all the adoption agency paperwork filled out and put it in the mail ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8Xw2xlxJ_BhYoFBOIL3qRC_wseuieCmmjS5wfExsEv9LMfgo73SOoFTqwHBTmcCJeqsanynOQ8EQbOjbZh8J6EpLPLJgFXkCZdYZ3-pZ83mnez2dtlpAxKNwWJ1irvnlVXgJ1GNR6Fpm/s1600/20140618_094738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8Xw2xlxJ_BhYoFBOIL3qRC_wseuieCmmjS5wfExsEv9LMfgo73SOoFTqwHBTmcCJeqsanynOQ8EQbOjbZh8J6EpLPLJgFXkCZdYZ3-pZ83mnez2dtlpAxKNwWJ1irvnlVXgJ1GNR6Fpm/s1600/20140618_094738.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not long after the paperwork was mailed we got the </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"All-Clear/Approval" from the agency!!!!! :)</span></div>
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The next step was the home study paperwork and in July we were able to put that in the mail ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Kz2yfL9L1ffIqIu7756_HCuhba-rbagTwBsUk8ACwgBXmjOOjF6OYmcOnhFR4cWkl5uQJ9WVbUD3Rd_TcPYQA9gv2nMfLT_1NYLYCcg5f52QCEEjhy_j0vSk5tXT3C3PmwF6f1fuTFXf/s1600/20140718_162812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Kz2yfL9L1ffIqIu7756_HCuhba-rbagTwBsUk8ACwgBXmjOOjF6OYmcOnhFR4cWkl5uQJ9WVbUD3Rd_TcPYQA9gv2nMfLT_1NYLYCcg5f52QCEEjhy_j0vSk5tXT3C3PmwF6f1fuTFXf/s1600/20140718_162812.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The social worker called and we have set the date for the home study! It's the end of September!!!</span></div>
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We have been very open about our adoption journey and as many of you know we are open to an adoption through the agency as well as a private adoption! I posted this past Saturday evening on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/waitingfordallas13" target="_blank">Waiting to Dallas page</a> that we met with a birth mom and her family about a possible private adoption. We want to ask that you all continue to pray. We have not made a final decision yet and we can not give any more details than that but when I have more to tell I will! :) </div>
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As much as we are HOPING and PRAYING that this is baby Dallas we want God's will to be done!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Newest Fundraiser Update:</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8F2Ki_x6zFYLd5BiTKam15iRi7AxLn1jjitlwUYUIP9gZC9mW6mQBQvgXSbVoqxKiYaE_nCPBUZu_vRh2FnMAnfVT1pw19Msc9HpmN1AyirhWsHvrEbDpKCYO4YREIusE7vGMG09njTU/s1600/10554940_10204570512650651_1294443204_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8F2Ki_x6zFYLd5BiTKam15iRi7AxLn1jjitlwUYUIP9gZC9mW6mQBQvgXSbVoqxKiYaE_nCPBUZu_vRh2FnMAnfVT1pw19Msc9HpmN1AyirhWsHvrEbDpKCYO4YREIusE7vGMG09njTU/s1600/10554940_10204570512650651_1294443204_n.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Purchase a raffle ticket for only $11 and you are entered to win some super cute Thirty-One swag! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1513574402208455/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming" target="_blank">Click here</a> for all the details!!</span></div>
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Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-42915519976788207372014-05-29T19:03:00.002-07:002014-05-29T19:04:41.682-07:00Babies Laughing<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My best friend, <a href="http://coxquads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Heather</a>, recently posted an old video of her babies laughing on facebook and as I was watching I was reminded of<a href="http://coxquads.blogspot.com/2009/02/baby-update.html" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://coxquads.blogspot.com/2009/02/baby-update.html" target="_blank">the day these sweet babies were born.</a> They we so small and fragile and they were fighting for their lives. There were times that even the doctors seemed like there was no hope left but thankful we service a MIGHTY God who was and is watching over the babies.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now they are 5 years old and FULL of life! There is NEVER a dull moment and I am so thankful that Chris (aka Uncle Rufus) and Myself (aka Aunt Bethy) get to be a part of their lives on an almost daily basis! </span><span style="font-size: large;">Below are just a few of the videos I found of these babies laughing . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt5" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.onetruemedia.com</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt5" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.onetruemedia.com</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt5" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.onetruemedia.com</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">God is so Good!!!!</span></div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-73251268304105779132014-05-19T14:09:00.001-07:002014-05-19T14:09:36.123-07:007 Years<div style="text-align: center;">
7 year ago today Chris and I said, "I Do!"</div>
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It was and still is one of the best decisions of my life!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDzMXCi2Ka5DcpTmDp7N09-vpXYC7gRdVUu1Gm2p0dSV7u0Jrt0E17bKdT60BTvs3VXta7G99uxMMpBhNjiT6ToBstTljEx16nAtvrsOZcR_wzIPC17QCoe5hnVvsPg_BaUHMC5aGUB0V/s1600/20140516_183716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDzMXCi2Ka5DcpTmDp7N09-vpXYC7gRdVUu1Gm2p0dSV7u0Jrt0E17bKdT60BTvs3VXta7G99uxMMpBhNjiT6ToBstTljEx16nAtvrsOZcR_wzIPC17QCoe5hnVvsPg_BaUHMC5aGUB0V/s1600/20140516_183716.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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This past weekend we booked a hotel and planned a weekend a relaxing of celebrating my graduation and our anniversary. We kicked off the weekend with a graduation party with some of our friends . . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV09BiQ9oRFHR-Hzvu_s8P2XaN_KbwedpillHxCaAKuDoNsUEmlNFMBEy4-kHlw4LJ3AEHDtp6nZJPz01ryO-bGwuioDhIiAmA9tQ48Jrd7eNjcUifhn7qI8qGZpBfITQWzQazVdlAkvr0/s1600/Screenshot_2014-05-19-07-59-40-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV09BiQ9oRFHR-Hzvu_s8P2XaN_KbwedpillHxCaAKuDoNsUEmlNFMBEy4-kHlw4LJ3AEHDtp6nZJPz01ryO-bGwuioDhIiAmA9tQ48Jrd7eNjcUifhn7qI8qGZpBfITQWzQazVdlAkvr0/s1600/Screenshot_2014-05-19-07-59-40-1.png" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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We were definitely missing a few people but thank you so much to those </div>
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that came out and celebrated with us! :)</div>
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When we got to hotel that night they upgraded our room to a suite and </div>
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when we walked in this is what we found ....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gDSrEG9X4f6B0JasAwL2VhcqwXWChLAJA7V9NtL8-HHSi2anU31kqx4dLN2aWaRblWiOdH2426WtLHPJps8lMD9Uzz5Yk0H4k06LT7gPcGLeZulwlH3tSujycyF-ObOEljtig1HeOY9T/s1600/hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gDSrEG9X4f6B0JasAwL2VhcqwXWChLAJA7V9NtL8-HHSi2anU31kqx4dLN2aWaRblWiOdH2426WtLHPJps8lMD9Uzz5Yk0H4k06LT7gPcGLeZulwlH3tSujycyF-ObOEljtig1HeOY9T/s1600/hotel.jpg" height="371" width="400" /></a></div>
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Saturday morning we got to sleep in and when we woke up we realized we really didn't have ANYTHING planned other than a concert that night ... It was an amazing feeling! :)</div>
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We went shopping, to the movies and just enjoyed each others company.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeu0jdmOw4Z5WDrHPVk-siq22YwyELGvsHfW-degq6FZPxJW7ZBAhHWWYIharHoIVTjR15k6llOMGX4rn50CBmFUrkmdqMOefbtQ1Ge-8um1Lu0O6Dk1XEwwImhDmyrlSDlzcst9gYr0E/s1600/1400375035969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeu0jdmOw4Z5WDrHPVk-siq22YwyELGvsHfW-degq6FZPxJW7ZBAhHWWYIharHoIVTjR15k6llOMGX4rn50CBmFUrkmdqMOefbtQ1Ge-8um1Lu0O6Dk1XEwwImhDmyrlSDlzcst9gYr0E/s1600/1400375035969.jpg" height="316" width="320" /></a></div>
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That evening we met up with Uncle Scott and went to Richardson for the annual Wildflower Festival. </div>
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We saw Joan Jett from <i>REALLY</i> far away then we headed over to watch </div>
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<a href="http://www.thewallflowers.com/" target="_blank">The Wallflowers</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbGewtpVVdpPN74GnEj4c9epxg5xbpEqT7szc4fEBeoBiCCXfkFALzcvyWdN2NqeTVcl7lvpWJiwagc5tIRfnQjRabbr8Wpm31yJ0Nmqo3tikAN66QrSkL5GEsxkQxmDHx2Z5t8UdjAIR/s1600/20140517_234901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbGewtpVVdpPN74GnEj4c9epxg5xbpEqT7szc4fEBeoBiCCXfkFALzcvyWdN2NqeTVcl7lvpWJiwagc5tIRfnQjRabbr8Wpm31yJ0Nmqo3tikAN66QrSkL5GEsxkQxmDHx2Z5t8UdjAIR/s1600/20140517_234901.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is a clip of them singing one of their hits: Three Marlenas</div>
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We were able to sleep in AGAIN Sunday morning! It was sooo nice not having to set an alarm for anything. </div>
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Sunday afternoon, after another movie we went and had our yearly couples massage and then we headed home to get everything ready for another week of work and to love on our Georgie!</div>
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Here is a glimpse of the last 7 years . . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBnQPcJ8hphG6KLInLUDt6E0OoL6gamH0MCZ6u2VxdiMWA3fVzxBStzmzhkI_o1fGA5MIKJdtYtXYXXPMCjo95b4rwcwPQgjFwWdVKNujYHO9oGBZAH7L7emL5wzmT1XcZPN1YK280Kpm/s1600/7years.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBnQPcJ8hphG6KLInLUDt6E0OoL6gamH0MCZ6u2VxdiMWA3fVzxBStzmzhkI_o1fGA5MIKJdtYtXYXXPMCjo95b4rwcwPQgjFwWdVKNujYHO9oGBZAH7L7emL5wzmT1XcZPN1YK280Kpm/s1600/7years.png" height="391" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">7 Years</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">100's of Fights & Make-ups</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3 Dogs, 4 Homes, 6 Cars</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">70 - The number of anniversaries I still want</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">to spend with You!</span></div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-13036149038480752492014-05-10T06:00:00.001-07:002014-05-10T06:00:21.635-07:00Mother at Heart<div style="text-align: center;">
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Here we are again, it's almost Mother's Day and yet again I am not holding my baby in my arms. Yes, it is very frustrating and I'm going to apologize now if I randomly start crying through out the day but even through all this I still have hope!<br />
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Honestly though, even with hope some days just plain SUCK! Some days I just can't take it anymore, I stop trying to keep it together and I am sad. I'm sad because I know without a doubt that God would not have placed this overwhelming desire on my heart to be a mom if that was not going to happen one day and I am sad because that day isn't today. I am sad because I already have so much love for my baby/babies and I don't get to share that with them. I'm sad because there are parents that don't realize that their screaming baby is a gift from God and I would give anything to be tired because my baby kept me up all night.<br />
Some days I am just plain sad!<br />
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My prayer is that God will continue give me comfort as we <a href="http://www.facebook.com/waitingfordallas13" target="_blank">wait for Dallas</a> (our adopted baby) & Jameson (if/when I conceive). I pray that God continues to lead us as we are making decisions about our future family and that He will be with Chris as he is dealing with my emotional breakdowns.<br />
I am thankful to know that I am not alone through this journey because God has blessed me with an amazing husband and supportive friends that have seen me at my worst and my best and love me the same.<br />
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One day I will be a mom <br />
and one day I will get to hold and snuggle my baby on Mother's Day<br />
but for now ...<br />
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God Bless</div>
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-Bethany</div>
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Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-57187506354383177682014-05-07T13:37:00.004-07:002014-05-07T13:49:41.770-07:00Class of 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I did it! A few weeks ago I took and PASSED the state teaching certification test so now I am an official certified teacher!</span></div>
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My team at work decorated my door and gave me a little treat.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This past weekend I <b><i><u>FiNaLlY</u></i></b> graduated from</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> with my Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was able to cram a 4 yr degree into 9 whole years ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you so much for everyone who helped me through this journey and prayed for me! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As of right now I will be teaching Computer Foundations again next year but if another classroom position open I may be switching. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For now I'm leaving it in God's hands.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now I have more time to focus on home study and agency paperwork as well as getting our home ready for baby Dallas! <!--3--></span></div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1110778322575380596.post-26033822904278415532014-04-29T14:34:00.001-07:002014-04-29T18:48:57.012-07:00Waiting for Dallas 5K<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjU_C56hY91j2HDbqR0QZmiQKYMP2WV7-2MLWZte4GB9s6EwIlF2oqz3EPkv1jzixjr_6MeYHZJ-j4xVr29fnkA6z9FQ-4rkgcld5BM98FKXspNDmyyv-mmEFxooLL6_qHIVsAt-P2sH7g/s1600/1680017e-8861-4b62-9ffc-7fe01c436951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjU_C56hY91j2HDbqR0QZmiQKYMP2WV7-2MLWZte4GB9s6EwIlF2oqz3EPkv1jzixjr_6MeYHZJ-j4xVr29fnkA6z9FQ-4rkgcld5BM98FKXspNDmyyv-mmEFxooLL6_qHIVsAt-P2sH7g/s1600/1680017e-8861-4b62-9ffc-7fe01c436951.jpg" height="283" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The 5K was a success!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chris and I were overwhelmed with all the love and support from everyone that came out as well as our virtual runners. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you thank you thank you!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was talking to Zoey (one of the kids at the 5k) and </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">she asked, "Do you know all these people?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I told her I really didn't know a lot of the people there she replied, "Wow and they are all here for you and baby Dallas, that's so cool!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Zoey was sooo right! It was amazing! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are just a few of the pictures from Saturday, if you would like to see more go to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Waiting-for-Dallas-5K/1401909730059793?ref=hl" target="_blank">Waiting for Dallas 5K facebook page</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are the kiddos before their 1 Mile Fun Run</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right before everyone took off, and this isn't everyone :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHeOC_uLl6xIFAnTFkD18P9tPba07ikzimvc6RNkwXUyrMkk4OUYrhp5y-Qn93EZWRK6kGFh-dh4K844jt2sX6HQiyWIIV2JdMdGKeJKTt2tuqpL9hhxsDWOPKtK5xYemlMM_9UgIUmB2/s1600/20140426_090848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHeOC_uLl6xIFAnTFkD18P9tPba07ikzimvc6RNkwXUyrMkk4OUYrhp5y-Qn93EZWRK6kGFh-dh4K844jt2sX6HQiyWIIV2JdMdGKeJKTt2tuqpL9hhxsDWOPKtK5xYemlMM_9UgIUmB2/s1600/20140426_090848.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Uncle Scott, Chris and John all won metals along with MANY others ....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwNLtVwSulu64oqmenwtwYuocFb53NZFx9U5kgB8qSzgkXjQ6rQfflhyDh2Oyp6-lei7wg3nh39hKevMnyDBE0MGCPTlXai2OEHy_VLEQlyAk0C5M2xRONXYdvUifO2eTSS47_PRSaYgk/s1600/20140426_094749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwNLtVwSulu64oqmenwtwYuocFb53NZFx9U5kgB8qSzgkXjQ6rQfflhyDh2Oyp6-lei7wg3nh39hKevMnyDBE0MGCPTlXai2OEHy_VLEQlyAk0C5M2xRONXYdvUifO2eTSS47_PRSaYgk/s1600/20140426_094749.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pretty much everyone in my family got a metal except me . . . I was too busy talking to make it back fast, even then I doubt I would have placed but all that matters is I made it! :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are all the first place winners from each age-group ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This guy was in town for the weekend from Ohio that found out about the race and came and ran.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We even had The Avengers! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Avengers also brought Dallas a little gift ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzo7SGTPl-IPduSvJf1gEM7ueKCcyEA7TI6PY6SuC7QK0fqNj_Mu1pXY-XXZWhPrStCZPCjbkG_MefZ2AWixEBOWjNfUcQvgpw7ZX_bGWlPL8i0lHz8uS5a8McO-PaYqBucXiBDRL4NnR/s1600/20140426_122228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzo7SGTPl-IPduSvJf1gEM7ueKCcyEA7TI6PY6SuC7QK0fqNj_Mu1pXY-XXZWhPrStCZPCjbkG_MefZ2AWixEBOWjNfUcQvgpw7ZX_bGWlPL8i0lHz8uS5a8McO-PaYqBucXiBDRL4NnR/s1600/20140426_122228.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are our Waiting for Dallas 5K keepsakes ... Rebecca, our fearless leader/race director, had this canvas painted for us and had the runners sign it. WE LOVE IT!!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">During the entire planning process the crew (Rebecca, Anna, Amy, Adrienne, Ashley, Yaitza and I) just kept repeating to each other, "God's got this!" and I guarantee that without His guidance and intervention this would not have been possible! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We are so excited to announce we raised <b><i><u>OVER $5,000</u></i></b> on Saturday!!!</span></div>
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We don't have the exact total due to some refunds and donations that have not been counted yet, but we'll have it soon.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We now have over $14,000.00 saved!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Only about $16,000 to go!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you were at the race Saturday and have pictures please send them to waitingfordallas13@gmail.com</span></div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12543437294450948888noreply@blogger.com1