Giveaway

Ok, so I haven't posted on here in quite a while, and honestly I'm not entirely sure I still have any readers. I saw this great giveaway though, and since my new blog is ultra-private I wanted to share this here on the good ol' public blog. Anyway, Shutterfly is giving away 50 free holiday cards to bloggers, just for mentioning them on a blog! So I think I have found my favorites - although just in case anybody on my Christmas card list stumbles across this, I won't say which one I picked out. Don't want to spoil the surprise! I can say, though, that I love the fact they have folded and flat styles. I was SO pleased to see that! I love photo cards, but always thought it would be nice if they were in the "traditional" folded card style. Now they are. YAY! Great assortment of classic, whimsical, etc - truly something for everybody!

Go here to check it out yourself!

I'll link to my absolute favorite, I wanted to post a picture but I wasn't able to get blogger to cooperate... here it is! I can't wait to put it together with one of my favorite pics of my guys & me!

I'm Moving

Well, at least the blog is. Since it looks like the adoption will be on hold for a bit, and since I haven't posted here since January, I thought I would put "To Build a Family" on hiatus for a while. However, you can still visit me at my new blog here if you want to keep up with my journey. Thanks so much to everyone for your interest, support, concern, etc. with all the ups and downs the past while - I hope to "see" you again at the new blog!

Better Late than Never....Right?

Ok, so I haven't posted since Christmas (or so). I realize I said I'd update before New Year's, but obviously that didn't exactly happen. My computer has been having tantrums, and there really hasn't been much going on in my life lately. Christmas was fun, though - lots going on, lots of family time, etc. Exactly how Christmas should be, in my opinion! It was a bit tough at times, because when I started looking into the adoption I had hoped to have LB home by now - or at least a referral! But, I haven't even got the homestudy done yet - life got a bit complicated, so things are still on hold. I try to keep having faith about it, but it gets rough sometimes.

Ok, enough whining! Really, life is good. I have a wonderful family, 2 beautiful nieces, and good friends. So actually, life is great!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to all of you! I promise I will post an update of sorts before the new year. Honest, I will.

Checking In...

Thought I'd post a quick update... yes, I know I haven't posted in about a month & a half. Anyway, work is still work - it's a paycheck, so that's positive (generally). I now get up at 4 am to leave by 5 to start work at 6. Only good part is I get off at 2:30 so I have my afternoons for whatever I want. Erica was in town a few weeks ago, which made for a busy weekend. I went to EMP (Experience Music Project) with her, Jordan, Allyson, and of course Evangeline. I liked EMP - lots of music memorabilia, instruments to play around with, etc. We didn't get to play the instruments though, very crowded - but I put Evangeline on this electronic drum table thingy... Not sure what she thought, but she liked the lights & stuff. Also, I am pretty sure she likes Jimi Hendrix. I was holding her while I listened to a couple tracks, playing around with sound mixing & stuff - she wanted the headphones so I tipped one a bit so she could hear the music. That child's face was SO funny! She tipped her head back, her eyes got real big - I think she's a little rocker (I'm so proud!). Ok, so maybe it was shock.... but Auntie can think whatever she wants, right? We also went through the sci-fi museum that's inside EMP. It was interesting as well, sci-fi is not so much my thing, but it was still pretty cool. Scripts, costumes, things like that - just fun in general. The next day (Sunday), The whole family (parents, sister, brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces & I) went out on my folks' new boat. I love being on the water, and it had been way too long. Poor Lucca had a cold, but slept most of the time. Evangeline seemed to enjoy it, except the life vest she had to wear. I swear the thing wanted to eat her! Sunday was a good day - out on the lake, beautiful weather - what more can a Seattle girl ask for? Since then, not a lot going on & this post is long enough so I think I'll wrap it up. I was going to post some pictures, but my computer seems to have other ideas. Oh well, another day!

Slight Progress

I've made a little bit of progress on the adoption front this week. I sent the missing final reference letter to a friend to fill out. I also had my fingerprints taken so those can be sent in this next week, along with my background check release forms. I also have the forms that expired re-signed & ready to send to my agency. See - progress! This means we will start the homestudy soon, which is a big step in the right direction.

I think sometimes I have to remind myself of the smallest steps in the right direction in order to avoid feeling like I've failed. I know it will all happen in God's time, that every delay is going to make sure that my child & I are ready at the same time, but sometimes it still feels like I already have failed. When I started this process, I had thought I would at least have my dossier sent to Addis by now. Instead, I wait. I see families who started after me that are now waiting for their referrals. I am thrilled for them when they complete each step, but it still stings. I wish so badly that it was me. But I know it will happen, I just need to be patient a little longer. At least, that's what I tell myself something like 40 times a day.

Well, on a lighter note - how about a picture of my beautiful new niece? Since you all can't answer me, I will figure that you'd love to see her. So here you go - Lucca Marie (for those of you who don't know my family, that's my brother - her daddy)

Another DeKoekkoek!

I have another niece. My brother Dustin & his wife Jenae had a baby girl today, Lucca Marie DeKoekkoek. I've seen a couple pictures, and she's beautiful (oh no, no auntie bias here). I can't wait to meet her - congratulations Dustin & Jenae!

Contest Time!

I don't generally post things like this, but I love babywearing. I'm planning to do a lot of LB-wearing, once he or she gets here. I know, I know, the way I phrased that sounds weird - but it's actually pretty cool, and good for Mama & baby both. So anyway, if you are into the idea of winning a free carrier, check this out.

Win a Beco Butterfly Baby Carrier and Beco Toy Carrier from Along for the Ride.

I'm Back Again!

Not much to say lately, had a great vacation in Lake Chelan with the family - all 10 of us. My sister & her husband came out from Michigan for a visit, so we all took a few days off work to spend some time together. Other than that, well... work is work and gas is too expensive to go many places. So I have been knitting a lot, and watching a lot of movies with B. I finally finished a blanket for Evangeline, but forgot to get a picture so can't post that for you all. Now I'm working on Lucca's blanket (Lucca is my 2nd niece - she hasn't quite made her appearance yet, for those of you who don't know the family). Other than that, just trying to keep moving on the adoption. Speaking of, 2 of my online buddies just got travel dates - Congratulations to Beth & Holly (and Ben) who will be in Ethiopia in less than 2 weeks to pick up their children! Well, since I'm at work I better end this - so I'll leave you with a picture of Evangeline from our vacation. See - even she had fun!

Blog Makeover

I went here to find this background - check out what they have!

I'm Online Again!

Ok, so I was already getting online - but now I have internet at home again. No more having to get online during breaks at work or at Mom & Dad's place. B & I finally got our internet issues figured out - yay for easy online access! Other than that, nothing new to report - my job is one big migraine, redoing some paperwork for the SW, and trying to enjoy the summer when I can. Still a boring life. Ok, boring but good - really good these days.

I'm Not a Slacker!

My life is just really boring right now. Let's see....work is frustrating & mind-numbing. I really have days I want to tell them all off & walk out the door. But, no can do - need the money. I've started cooking more from scratch (pre-packaged is so expensive, and not that good for you). Baked some raisin bread last night & got a sourdough starter going. We'll see how that turns out. Other than that, I run errands or clean my house after work (dishes pile up & my floors need mopping quite frequently - messy roommate!). Then we watch a movie or a little bit of TV after dinner, I knit ferociously, and go to bed. That covers most days. See, Erica - nothing exciting to post about.

As far as the adoption goes, I have a lot on my heart about it. No, I'm not giving up (but sometimes being on "hold" temporarily feels like I failed LB somehow). I will give more information later, once I sort it all out. So, no real news there either.

So that's life in a nutshell, nothing real great but it's honest!

Another Evangeline Pic

There is nothing new to report here, so in an effort to post a bit more often (that way you all at least know I'm alive), I leave you with another picture of my niece - it's WAY better than a picture of me!

Here She Is

So, even though I didn't get permission from my brother, I figured it's ok to post a picture - since my sister did (and so did my brother, but it's his kid so it's only right!). So anyway, without further ado, here is my niece, Evangeline, meeting my dad (aka Grandpa) for the first time:

We've Grown

As of May 5, the DeKoekkoek family is a bit bigger. My brother & his wife had their baby - Evangeline Joan. I haven't officially met her yet, but I've seen pictures - and of course, she's beautiful (not that I'm biased, or anything!). I'll post pics once I get permission from my brother.

I Went & Did It Again.

That's right, folks - I moved again. I know, it seems like I just moved into the Shoreline place, but it just wasn't working anymore - plus by getting a roommate I can save money. which of course means more money towards bringing LB home (once I can start proceeding with that again, of course. Which means once I get benefits from work & get that last reference form sent in). So anyway, it was a crazy weekend & this week is already getting so packed. I hope I manage to maintain at least a bit of my sanity when it's all said & done! If not, well, hope I can fake it ok.

Snow

It snowed. In MARCH. SNOW! Ok, so not much & it didn't stick, but still - Snow in March. Alright all you midwest people who read this - stop laughing. Keep in mind, I live in Seattle. We don't get snow in March in Seattle. Come to think of it, we don't get snow in JANUARY in Seattle that often. So yes, I'm being a bit ridiculous, but like I said - SNOW in MARCH in SEATTLE. I wish it had stuck...and that it had built up more...and that it would come back. It was sure pretty falling, while it lasted anyway. Ah well, that's Seattle weather for you!

Dr. Visit - Part 2

I meant to blog about this earlier, but the weekend got crazy. I got the results back from my Dr. appointment & pincushion day. Turns out I'm actually very healthy. Probably more than I have any right to be, if I'm being honest here... In any event, I'm a little anemic & a bit vitamin D deficient, but other than that I'm totally healthy. Not bad for an overweight not-quite-quit-yet smoker, huh? Yeah, working up to the whole quitting the cigs, but it hasn't exactly been the right time yet. I will, though. My goal is to quit before LB comes home - don't wanna be the smoker mom (that's also when I want to lose the weight by - don't wanna be that mom, either). I want to be able to play with my baby at the park, go for walks, things like that - don't want to be too heavy or unable to breathe right so that I have to just watch from a bench. So yeah, except for the weight & the bad habit - I'm healthier than I expected. Especially since I haven't had a checkup in YEARS! Actually, when I got the letter from the Dr. I had to reread it several times - kept thinking they must have someone else's records! So, big happy moment here - another step officially down!

Dr. Visits

I absolutely LOATHE going to the doctor. I think that is probably why I haven't done it in years. Seriously, it has been a LOOONG time - I can't even remember when I last had a check-up. So anyway, I went & got a FULL physical so I can get the Dr's note signed off on for the adoption packet. I've never met this guy (yes, guy) before, and I had to have him all up in my business down there. And he told me to RELAX?? How on earth is that possible? Not likely, that's for sure. Anyway, so far so good though - looks like I'm a lot healthier than I probably should be, what with the fact that I need to lose a good 50 pounds or so. But, blood pressure is good, pulse & breathing etc. all check out. I'll know for sure when all the bloodwork from today (yup 4 vials - SO not cool) and the results of the other stuff (the reason I really couldn't relax well) all come back in. Oh - back to the bloodwork. Yes, 4 vials. I was NOT expecting quite that much. Did I mention that I am absoutely terrified of needles? I mean, sure I have 12 earrings and 2 tattoos. And sure I want to get more of both of those things. But that's DIFFERENT. This kind of needles (shots, blood draws, etc) terrify me. I hate 'em with a passion. Then the day got even better... they handed me a little plastic cup & pointed me to the restroom. Not good. I hate having to pee on command. Especially since I had to fast all morning for the bloodwork. It was not a pretty sight, but I finally managed to convince my bladder to cooperate. Oh well, I may have hated it all, but it's something else taken care of so I can get that homestudy going. And we all know what that means - it's one step closer to having Lil' Bit here, where he or she belongs. So for that, I'm glad. Yup - I'm actually thankful that I got this done (well, as thankful as I can be what with all the hating of physicals & needle-fear and everything!).

Not Much to Report

There aren't really any new developments on the adoption front at the moment. I'm trying to get the last little bit of paperwork together that my SW wants so I can start the homestudy, then things will start moving again. I'm feeling fairly frustrated lately, since a few of the missing items are out of my control to an extent - I just keep praying for patience, and that I will be able to get my part done quickly. And of course praying that God will continue to provide (materially - ie financially) because I don't want the $$ end of things to be what winds up holding the process up when it comes to dossier - sending time. Oh well, I'll just keep walking in faith, trusting that any delays are what is needed so the Lil' Bit is ready when I am. I know God has a plan for both of us, and we will be a family in His time.