2016: A Look Back

2016 both flew by and dragged on. Apparently I didn't feel like writing about any of it, seeing as how I have ZERO blog posts for 2016.

Mostly what I remember from 2016 is trying to get through this adoption process. The paperwork. Oh, the paperwork. Just when you think you're done they send more!

Then the training, 3 hour classes once a week for 6 weeks. And then the home study. Interviews and house tours and more interviews. And then when we finally finished all of that there was MORE waiting. And MORE paperwork. Waiting to hear about our kids took the longest it felt like, although it was actually the shortest period of time. From beginning the paperwork to the completed home study was 5 months (including training). From inquiring about the kids to being chosen as their adoptive family was 3.5 months. So basically adoption takes about as long as pregnancy, if not longer because our kids are still not placed with us (that could be another two months!)

Aside from the adoption, I can't remember much else! I know we moved our store's location to a much better location! That pretty much took up the whole summer. Then we had a Halloween store in our old location, which took up October. I'm sure we worked a lot, I just can't remember it!

We are just so ready for 2017! We already have two OVER-THE-TOP EXCITING things planned for this year!

1.) Meeting our children and our children being placed with us!! (I'm positive these will tie for the number one exciting thing to happen all year!) After not even knowing if we could ever have children, we feel so so blessed to have been led to adoption and to these kiddos. 

2.) My Brother's getting married! (I feel confident that this will take spot number two of the most exciting things to happen this year!) We can't wait for his fiancee to be an official part of our family! 

I'm sure there will be some trials in 2017. There will be hardships, heartache and pain because that is a part of life. But after 2016 (and 6 years of infertility struggle), 2017 seems off to a pretty great start already! We can't wait to see what else it brings!!

xoxo

nikki 

Surprise! Adoption Party!

(Firstly, it's been so long since I've posted I could not find the new blog button even though it was right in front of my face!)

This week we found out that we were chosen to be the adoptive parents for two siblings! We had been waiting (and waiting and waiting) to hear since September! The day of the meeting (and the day before), I was flooded with texts and calls all wishing us luck, supporting us and sending us love. It was amazing to me how many people remembered that day and every text/call made me cry! (I'm even crying now writing about it!) The day we found out I texted/called so many people who were SO EXCITED for us! I think I said "thank you" that day more than I've ever said it in my life! I also think I cried more happy tears that day than ever before!

So on Friday, we had some planned evaluations that we had to go to the store and do. When we got to the store, our employees (plus two ex-employees) were lined up and sang "Happy Adoption Day to You" as soon as we walked through the door. I was...surprised to say the least! Then we went to the back where they had balloons, cake, and a card that they had all signed. (I'm crying again just writing this). It was one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for us. It was amazing to see all the support and love that they have for these sweet siblings that will be joining us. These kids are so loved already and they are going to have so many toys/gifts by the time they move in!

I have said it/posted it so many times but I just have to thank everyone who has been so supportive through this adoption. It has been a LOT of waiting, taught me a LOT of patience, but finding out that these boys are OURS has made every second of it worth it.

Ok, pictures!

I love this banner! Of course, we're not adopting babies so the bottle is a little misleading but it was still super creative!

The cake said "Love Makes A Family, Congrats!" I just didn't get a picture before they cut it!

xoxo
nikki