Forever Family

Little Sluggers

2011-04-19T19:39:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't posted in a while, but whew, mommy-hood is taking its toll on my life! The honeymoon is definitely over and we are in full parenthood swing! Speaking of swing, the boys started baseball this spring and both played their first games this week. We were victorious in both, which made the start to the season a little sweeter for the boys! Brandon's team about gave us "dugout moms" heart attacks, however Cody's team didn't give up a run. Brandon plays hind catcher and Cody center field. coaches in Chad Minton and Shaun Stice. We feel very fortunate the boys are on their teams. Here are a few pics of my little sluggers! Go Reds and Tigers!

Here's Cody before his first game!

Cody got my lucky number 7! He's so proud of his Cassady 7 jersey!

Here's my biggest little slugger and me. I want to get more in game shots, but I am too into the game to take pictures!

My littlest little slugger.

Still wondering when those teeth will come in!

Here's another one for Eli and Brandon's graduation party picture collage! Don't you love Brandon's smushed up ears?!?!

Dodgeball Anyone?!?!?

2011-03-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

The newest "family game night" fun is to play dodgeball! I bought the boys little balls from the Alamo when I went to Texas for a training last month. Little did I know, the $10 I spent on the balls would be better than Wii and DS games for sure! Oh, and yes they do play in the house! Neesa called the other night during a game, one I was actually a part of, and she said "didn't mom always say don't play ball in the house?" I told her only on the Brady Bunch and we are the farthest thing from Carol and Mike Brady! :-)

Here are a few pics of the boys playing. I didn't get too many action shots because they move so fast! I do love when Brandon gets out because I am usually on the couch refereeing the 3 boys and he rubs my feet! That is a great part of the game and I love that he pampers me sometimes, since Adam has forgotten that and reverted back to his younger days with his 2 new BFF's!

Me and Little Man... He loves to get his picture taken and wants to take one with me all the time. This is during Dodgeball Half Time

Cody excited he had a direct hit on Dad!

My clone the show off!

Attack on Dad!!!

Sweaty Adam firing at the boys!

Great bonding time for a family full of boys and one Tom-Boy!

Celebrating Cody's 10th "Season"

2011-02-25T20:10:00.001-08:00

Today my sweet Cody turned 10! We had a UK themed party tonight and celebrated his 10th "season." It was a blast being with all our family and friends. The most entertaining part of the night was Brandon being Justin Beiber and my nieces being the "backup babes." :-) I got plenty of video but won't post that until I need it to get revenge on Brandon when he is dating! LOL There were also dance contests, many flips, and lots of "it's my turn next" going on tonight!

I love birthdays and am so glad to get to begin a new and awesome year with my wonderful family! Here are some pictures from tonight. I am so thankful that God has given us these two precious gifts that we get to celebrate life with everyday!

Me and my big baby!

Eli and Brandon... this will be a pic we use for their graduation parties! ;-)

Dad with his "mini me"

This picture needs no words.... Aunt Allie is the COOLEST!! We did decide Aunt Allie and Uncle Daniel need to keep the boys and then all 5 girls on Friday nights since they were the ones who got the kids WILD!!! You can tell they didn't have to take the kids home with them!

Blowing out the candles...

Here is the cake that Gina Howard, our food service coordinator in Warren Co., made for me. It was not only ADORABLE but VERY YUMMY!! You can't tell from this pic, but the basketball was 3-D and was AMAZING!!!

Mollie, Hallie, Macy and Eli during the dance contest!

Cody, Brandon, Mollie, and Macy again during the dance contest judging!

What a fantastic night! Happy 10th Season my precious Cody Daniel!!!

We "Got Em'"

2011-02-23T14:53:00.000-08:00

Today was a HUGE day in the Cassady household! We got the boys up and gave them their "gotcha day" presents, which were Bibles with their new names engraved on them, and then we got ready and off we went to the courthouse for our hearing.

When we got there we had to wait about 30 minutes, but in the process got to see how much love our boys are going to have the rest of their lives! The judge was definitely shocked when so many people showed up for our hearing! Nana, Gramps, Grandmother, Papa, my Aunt Margie, Aunt Allie, Uncle Daniel, Aunt Stephanie, Maggie, (Uncle Marty is away on business or we know he would have been there) Aunt Staffanne, Uncle Kyle, Uncle Drew, Alicia (who should be called Aunt),(Aunt Catherine was definitely with us in spirit!) Amy, the first lady I talked to about the boys in August, Erin, the boys previous therapist, Michaelle, another state worker who has won our hearts, and Misty, who has been with the boys since Brandon was just a few months old! She said I was adopting her kids today and I am so thankful for her and all of the staff we have worked with and for what they have been able to do for our boys! Our lawyer and the boys lawyer were there too and we appreciate how much they did for us in getting the court date set so soon after papers were filed!!

I promised myself I would not cry because this was just making it legal, my boys have been "my boys" since the day we met them. Well, I broke the promise I made to myself! The judge asked what the boys names were going to be now and I couldn't say them loudly because I was crying! It was something about saying Cody Daniel Cassady and Brandon Thomas Cassady aloud in front of a judge and all of these wonderful people that made me realize how much God has blessed our home. Mom was hugging me bye today and said "I love you Emily, do you know how much?" and for the first time ever I said "I am beginning to mom." I never knew how much you could love a child. One of the best parts of today was when our lawyer said "you understand you are taking responsibility for these children as if you had given birth to them" and my heart was just happy because I couldn't love them anymore than if I had given birth to them.

Here are a few snapshots of the day. So many friends and family took pictures so I am sure I will have more to add on here and to my scrapbook! (Which I guess I need to work on!)

My precious friends at school made our family this precious cake. Thanks Neesa, Katie, and Mechelle!!!

Here are all of us crowded around the judge! The pic is far away so we could all get in it!

Here are the 4 of us with the judge. He gave the boys stuffed animals for today! How precious!?!?!

Here is the back of the UK shirt Nana, Gramps, Aunt Allie, and Uncle Daniel got for the boys.

Here's Brandon's shirt.

Mom and Dad bought me this necklace with the word Forever Family 2-23-11 on the back... check out the front on the next pic

It has two boys on the front, I love it! Mom and Dad also bought Adam a new pocket knife with today's date engraved on it.

We also received a gift certificate to Carter Lumber from Marty and Stephanie for our future tree house! I am excited the boys are going to get one, only hurt that Adam has said it is FOR BOYS ONLY! :) I am hoping they'll make an exception for mommy's!

I am feeling so blessed today and am so thankful for the prayers of my friends, which I believe is the only reason we are where we are today, through the power of prayer!

Happy Gotcha Day Cody and Brandon!!!!

Wednesday is "Gotcha Day"

2011-02-20T18:44:00.000-08:00

I can't seem to find time to post anymore... can't imagine why ;-), but I needed to share this!

This Wednesday is the LAST STEP in our adoption process! We get to go to to court on Wednesday and the boys names will be legally changed to Cody Daniel Cassady and Brandon Thomas Cassady!!! As of Wednesday, the boys are legally ours and our process of adopting them is OVER!!!! We have really had a great experience in the adoption process and one day hope to do it again, but it is something I am glad to see come to an end as the boys have always felt like ours, but now it is official, legally speaking too! We will go to court and the judge will ask a few questions, then papers will be signed and it will all be official! We will forever celebrate this day, February 23rd, with the boys as their "Gotcha Day." Cody is lucky as his birthday is the 25th, so he'll always get double partying his birthday week :-)

I will try to post the pics we take from the day as I know I will want to share with all my blogging buddies who have stuck with us through the ups and downs of this journey we've been on. Can't wait to share and be thinking of us Wednesday!!!

Happy 30 Days!

2011-01-16T13:28:00.000-08:00

What is Happy 30 Days you say? Well, in our adoption world today is a BIG day! Today is officially the end of our "30 day visit" and tomorrow our lawyer will officially file for adoption with the court system! That means hopefully by February 23rd our court date and "gotcha day" will be here and the boys will legally be Cassady's. To us, and most of the people around us, they have always been Cassady's, but this makes it legal. The boys birth certificates will change to show Adam and I as birth parents, which we find funny since we weren't dating when we would've had Cody and weren't married when we would have had Brandon! :-) We are changing their middle names to family names, which the boys seem to LOVE! Cody will be Cody Daniel since that is Adam's middle name and he is the oldest and Brandon will be Brandon Thomas for my grandfather who was John Thomas.

The other day a friend of mine from work said she went through and read all of my posts up until the last one and she said she sat there and cried. I thought, hmmm, I think I need to do that to. (Not cry, but read all about our story) I went through last night and read everything until today. All I can say is God is amazing and if anyone doesn't believe in miracles and God's work, just read our journey. I know women who give birth naturally say you forget all the pain when you hold your child for the first time and I feel the same way. I had almost forgotten the pain we endured along our journey, but I am so glad I had posts to remind me of how great God is. I admit sometimes I think of all the "firsts" I missed, like first words, steps, losing teeth, etc. but I am experiencing some amazing firsts right now. I will never forget the first time the boys told us they loved us or the first time they both called me Mama and Adam Daddy. Those are more precious to me than anything in this world. Now, we aren't the Partridge Family or anything and everything isn't perfect, or even near perfect every day, and we are learning as we go, but I wouldn't trade where I am right now for ANYTHING in this world. God knew there were 2 boys who needed love and a home and he knew there was a couple who desired a family above everything and He made it happen beyond our wildest dreams.

People keep saying 'you know you'll get pregnant now' and if that is God's will, great, but if not, I have MORE than I could ever have asked for or deserve. We are still on the waiting list and are keeping our files up-to-date if another child comes along and we feel that is right for our home and our boys, eventually we might add to the Cassady Chaos. But right now, we are content and feel blessed beyond anything our hearts ever desired.

So, Happy 30 Days Cody and Brandon Cassady! You have made Daddy and Mama the happiest, luckiest, most loved people in the world!

PS. This is how we celebrated, Daddy and Uncle Drew put up the new basketball goal and Brandon finally got to play with his Metal Detector he got for his birthday!

Our posing Little Man

I hope he is finding a great treasure out there!

Our future Basketball Star ;-)

Uncle Drew and Cody trying to beat Daddy. Not sure how that is working out!

My Toothless Wonder

2011-01-14T17:44:00.000-08:00

I know this isn't the first tooth Brandon has lost, but it is the first tooth he has lost as our son and in our home, so tonight is a big deal for Daddy and I! Brandon's other front tooth got a little more loose while sledding yesterday, amazing how that happened! Then today while Daddy was tickling him he said, "My tooth is on my tongue!" So he gave me the tooth while spitting out the yucky blood. What a lovely sight! Here is my little toothless wonder! Isn't our baby precious!

Snow Play Time

2011-01-13T10:54:00.000-08:00

I have to admit we have enjoyed our time off, but come May I will be steaming about it! Anyway, Adam (who is now always known as Dad and yes I am mama all of the time) :) got a new toy. Adam is so excited to have some playmates now! I definitely felt like a redneck as I watched my kids being pulled by a tractor on a car hood! I really had only heard of that, never really seen it done before! They had the time of their lives!! I admit, I got on a few times, can't let the boys have all the fun! Why we waited until most of the snow was gone to do this, I am not sure.

Here is Adam with his new toy, he is so happy! :)

All my boys, from 31 to 8!

Lovin' it!

Action shot! The boys were giggling so loud as they were flying around!

Still smiling so that was a good sign!

The Best Christmas Ever :)

2010-12-25T16:11:00.000-08:00

Well we have just concluded the Best Christmas Adam and I have had in our 7 years of marriage! (And yes, we do have a 9 year old LOL!) I just wanted to share a few pics from our special day. Last night we went to Grandmother and Papa's for the Cassady Christmas. Today my family came to our house. This was a special occasion because my cousins from Orlando and Atlanta were in and got to spend Christmas with us. It's not very often we all get together, so that is another great gift we received this year.

Here is the best picture I think of the Cassady Family Cousins! The silly faces are the best because it's the picture the kids don't mind doing!

The lovely morning look picture! :)

Here are the boys with Lauren and Rachel, two of our cousins from Atlanta.

Here's "Little Man" and me :) Now I know everyone says the boys look just like Adam, but I do see a resemblance here!

Here is our family of 4! What a difference from last year to this year :)

Here is our family. Mom said "Finally, our family has grown!" :)

What a way to end the day with a little snow man! We loved our White Christmas and hope you did too!

Meet the Cassady's

2010-12-21T20:42:00.000-08:00

I got the OK to say names on here and post pictures, so here are a few pics of our new family! (yes I know, they look just like Adam!) These are just a couple of our favorites. I will be adding more later I am sure. Cody and Brandon have completed our home and made us the happiest people in the world! God has truly blessed us this year! It was just a year ago we were meeting with Anne for the first time to get approved for adoption! We found out that if all goes well with lawyers, paperwork, etc. we might get to have our "gotcha" court date the last Wednesday in February!

These 4 have quickly become the Fantastic Four! Alicia and I have waited a long time to share "the boys" stories!

My First Day as a "Real Mom"

2010-12-17T08:04:00.001-08:00

So, we picked up the boys last night to begin our "Forever Family." I took off today so Adam and I could attend the boys Christmas parties at school. This morning I got up, got the boys ready and drove them to school. (yes 30 min both ways, so I am glad that is the only time I have to do that!) I was totally excited to be a parent in the car rider line, instead of the teacher greeting the students getting out of the car rider line!

I then proceed to come home and get more wrapping done since I am seeing so many hours dwindling away lately (imagine that!) As I am wrapping my cell phone rings. I notice it is a school number, so all I can think is "Oh no! What have they done already?" I answer and it is my youngest son's teacher. She said he has been really worried that I don't know what time the Christmas party is. Then she giggles and says "He said he didn't think you knew what time the party started, because you are a first time mom and didn't know these things!" :) She and I both had a good laugh at that one! But I realized he bugged her enough she called me, so he really does think I don't know anything since I am a "first time mom!"

So if you think I don't know anything being a "first time mom," you are probably right, at least according to "little man" as I call him :)

Monday we are having yet another home visit from the agency so hopefully I can start using names and post some pics. :) I will at least attempt to ask that question!

Anyway, just wanted to share my first morning day as a "Mom" (a mom who doesn't know much though!) :) I am sure I will have more interesting stories once we have a full day under our belts!

Still in love with elephants!

2010-10-31T19:24:00.001-07:00

Somethings just don't change and I know I will forever be in love with elephants! I just wanted to share that one of our boys sleeps with the elephant that my dear friends got for me when so many cards were sent to Adam and I along with prayers! Who knew in just a few months after receiving it, a 7 year old sweetheart of ours would be sleeping with it?!?!How ironic is it that? When I am allowed upload pics, I will show you how adorable he looks with it! :)

Now, check out my favorite costume of this Halloween season! When I saw Elliott in this costume I couldn't stop smiling! (Yes, I think Elliott is getting ready to smile, don't you? :) )If the boys would have let me, I would have dressed them as elephants! Elephants still symbolize what all we've been through and how much prayers of dear friends got us through such a hard time in our lives. Any time I see one, I still smile and am reminded of how prayers and faith can get you through the darkest hours. Just wanted to share that elephants are still the coolest animals around! :)

God Still Answers Prayer

2010-10-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

I am sure most people have heard our wonderful news. There are a lot of rules going on, so I cannot reveal too much on the internet but I just couldn't wait any longer to share on my blog how much we have been blessed!!

Let me start from the beginning, but again I cannot say names, etc. but I do want to share our story.

Before school started Neesa, Katie and I were at Target when we saw two brothers who had been at our school previously and they came up and asked us if we had seen them on TV, because they had been on MidDay live and were wanting to be adopted. That stuck with me. I prayed for God to send a sign if I was supposed to do something about this because I couldn't stop thinking about these two boys. I knew a baby was all Adam and I could think about and wanted at the time, but I just felt so strongly about this. I never told anyone about it. Well, about 4 days later Allie and I were out to eat and she started telling me that our aunt had seen two boys on MidDay and she wished we could adopt them. I immediately started to search for a video or something I could show Adam.

Finally, I found a video on WBKO (no it's not on there anymore) of the boys. I showed it to Adam and I said "Adam I want them." He in turn said "call." We then began calling and went through a lot of meetings, etc. and decided to adopt these boys. (That's a shortened version.)

So, for the last month, we have been on a visitation schedule, where we get to be with them twice a week and then they are staying the weekends with us. They are 7 & 9 and we are completely in love with them. I love them just as much as if I had carried them for 9 months. And yes, they look exactly like Adam!

Things are going exceptionally well, which I believe is all because this is God's plan. Adam and I have never been so happy and the emptiness we felt in our hearts for so long has been filled. As of December 17th, the boys will be in our home all the time. Then everything should be finalized by the end of February or beginning of March, meaning they'll take our last name and we'll be "officially" their parents.

When I am allowed to, I will post pics and much more about the boys. There are so many rules, etc. so this is all I can share at this time, but I want to thank everyone for the prayers you have prayed for our family. We continue to need those prayers that this will all be as smooth a transition as possible for our boys and us.

Love to you all!

Thank You Might Never Be Enough

2010-08-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

After returning home from a LONG first day of school, I walk in my kitchen and on my counter I found this gift bag that said "I said a prayer for you today." Inside I found the sweetest little elephant rattle and big elephant with a precious bracelet, and a CD with inspiring songs. More than that, I found 19 cards from people who have been praying for our family. Some from family and my best friend, dear friends, and then from some people I know, but I had no idea they knew of our situation or had been praying for us.

I sat in the middle of the floor reading each and every word that was written. I had to get a tissue half of the way through because my tears were blocking my ability to read. Our situation can be extremely difficult and there are days I feel so alone, but today my heart was full of joy knowing there are so many of you out there praying for us. This was the sweetest gift because I know it was from the hearts of all who wrote in it.

I love each of you and "thank you" truly couldn't be enough for the joy I feel in my heart and the thankfulness I have for each prayer you have said for us. I appreciate the gift and prayers more than you will ever know. Please consider this my deepest thanks for everything and I am asking that you continue to pray for us that we'll be blessed with a family and do everything we are supposed to do. There are so many unknowns and uncertainties along this journey, but I know in the end God will provide the family we are supposed to have.

I am so thankful for getting the courage to begin this blog as I believe it has opened people's eyes to the fact that not evereything in life is Mayberry or Leave it to Beaver. I feel I have had contact with people I never would have before and they have strengthened me in ways I never thought possible. Thank you again for your kindness, words will never express the joy the present brought me.

Our future family may not be a "traditional" family but it will be ours and perfect for us and for that I am extremely thankful.

Here is the sweet bag.

The sweetest elephants with a "believe" bracelet, which I will wear A LOT!

The cards & CD before I opened them :)

The Happenings

2010-07-31T12:03:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted or been on "Blogger World" in a while so I thought I would play a little catch-up. First, I deleted my other blog... I honestly forgot I had it and I think most people did too. This will be the only one I have, so I might have other things besides baby news on here.

For our summer vacation we went to Disney World. We took Mom and Dad with us too! We had an absolute BLAST! We loved going while we don't have children so we could do the things we love without having to do what the kids want... sounds selfish I know, but since we are waiting for kids, we think being selfish is sometimes OK. :) One day I am sure we'll take our children and love it then too, but this was nice too!

Then when we got back, Mom, Allie and I went to a Paul McCartney concert... yes I said Paul McCartney who is 68 years old from the Beatles. Now, Mom has been OBSESSED with Paul since she was 13 and has been dying to see him in concert. So, being the wonderful daughters we are, Allie and I went with her. I wasn't expecting much, but WOW was I surprised! Paul can rock more than any band I can think of! He played for 3 solid hours and it was like a major rock concert! I would totally go back to see him again... much to mom's happiness! She was like a teenager all over again and seeing her so happy made it all worth while!

Here are the pics from our trip and the concert.

Deep down, I am a Princess! :)

My new best friend Yoda.

Mom and I LOVE 3D!!!!

My sweet parents

My home away from home :)

While we were in Florida, Adam and I celebrated our 7th Anniversary! He has given me the best 7 years of my life! I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband!

Allie and I love to rock it out! We actually taught mom a few things... you'll see in the next pic.

Yes, our mom ROCKS!!!

We had to eat at Spaghetti Factory before we saw Paul!

This could've been my dad if only he'd met mom in the 60's! LOL

Great Practice

2010-06-26T08:32:00.000-07:00

I got some awesome baby practice this morning! Our friends who just adopted, Brad and Brianna, were in need of a babysitter this morning!! Brad was helping Adam at the barn and Brianna had an appointment, so I was the lucky one who got to keep Jake, who is 5 weeks old! I invited Allie over for reinforcement, since I am really new at this. She and I were in baby heaven! I got to feed, burp, rock, and change his poopy diaper. Great practice for me! Here are some sweet pics of this precious gift Brad and Brianna have been blessed with! Also, check out the outfit, yes, he came over in an elephant outfit and he had the same blanket Alicia just got Baby Cassady! Thanks Brad and Brianna for sharing your sweet miracle with me today!

I Did It!

2010-06-23T04:31:00.001-07:00

This may seem like a small thing to most of you, but to me, I feel like I have just climbed Mt. Everest! Over a year ago, I went to a baby shower and had to leave early because I couldn't stop crying. I haven't ever been so miserable hiding in a bathroom so no one would see my pain and my tear stained shirt. Since then, I have taken a hiatus from all baby showers. Even ones at school that I was in charge of getting together (don't even ask). I would get them ready and find a reason to leave before it all got started.

When I got the invitation to go to Jessica Parsley and baby Annie's "sprinkle" I thought, "OK Emily, you can do this." I hate not going to things because I love the company of good friends, but knowing how horribly I did at the last one I went to, I never wanted to do a replay. So, I put my big girl panties on and went. Guess what?!?! No hurt! Did I wish I could be having one too? Heck yeah! Yet, never once did I feel the complete and utter sadness I had felt over a year ago. With each gift I didn't want to cry, scream, or throw up! When conversations were all about the pain and joy of childbirth, things so many doctors have said I will never experience, I didn't want to cry and wallow in self-pity.

When people do talk about diapers, bottles, hair bows, boys clothes, etc. I do feel something... left out. Not in a middle school sort of way, where I am plotting revenge :), but I feel like a dork sitting there with absolutely NOTHING to add to that type of conversation. It doesn't mean I don't want people to talk about that around me. I promise I am not fragile and it really doesn't bother me. I don't want people walking on eggshells around me, I just hate that I have to sit in silence. Contrary to what a lot people think, I am not quiet and can actually be pretty crazy! :) It amazes me how many people think I am quiet... when I hear that there is a part of me that dies laughing! Just hang around me long enough and you'll see ;)

Anyway, just wanted to share my climbing of Mt. Everest! I am just glad God has healed a part of my heart where I can rejoice with others again and feel so much happiness for those around me who are being blessed with children. There are still broken pieces that won't be able to be put back together until Carter or Ava arrive, but there are little band-aids on there now. I honestly never thought I would be able to say that and really mean it from the bottom of my heart, with God's help and many, many, many prayers, I can.

A Loved Child

2010-06-17T07:35:00.000-07:00

A friend of ours was over the other night and he said "you know, a child is loved so much when you are expecting, but your child, gosh, what love he/she is going to feel because you've waited so long." He also said if I ever felt that no one was thinking about us, that I always needed to know his wife talks about us all the time and that filled my heart. Sometimes people don't know that what they say is just what you needed at that moment. I know when mom's are pregnant the love they feel for their child before they even see them is unconditional. I too feel this way about our miracle in waiting. I have no idea if they are in this world yet, have been conceived, or if their birth mother is about to make the hardest decision of her life at this very moment. I truly pray for birth mothers and thank God for them. Not only do I already love my child, but so many of my friends and family do too. Here are the latest Baby Cassady presents that my dear friends have bought.

What an adorable little blanket that would work for Carter or Ava! Alicia bought this for us. She is already finding deals on all kinds of baby stuff, we just need a baby to know when to buy it! ;)

These are precious little onesies! Neesa is working at Gymboree during the summer and she said she couldn't wait anymore! It's killing her to work around all of the cute baby stuff and not get it all for Carter or Ava! If we knew if it were Carter or Ava or both, this would help with the desire to purchase everything in site! ;)

It's not just the gifts that excite me, it's that my friends and family are wanting this for us as badly as we are wanting it for ourselves. So many times people have hugged me and said they're praying for us. That fills my heart and helps me get through another day. Now, I am not always sad about this and there are days that I feel such peace, but on those rough days, I try to think of all my family and friends prayers that I know are going to prove out!

A Mommy Experience

2010-06-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

So, Maggie, my niece, might hate me when she is older for telling this story, but right now, I feel it is worth telling.

Last week when Marty and Stephanie were in Hawaii (yes I am still getting over the jealousy! ;) Adam's parents aka Grandmother and Papa took Mollie, Macy, Maggie, and Hallie to Gatlinburg for the week. Adam and I decided we'd go down for a couple of days and hang out with the girls too. So, Thursday night we decided to take all 4 girls to the pool for a night swim. Grandmother and Papa were excited about this. :) So, we head off with the 4 girls and we are having a great time. We have Maggie in her life jacket and I am teaching her how to jump in without being caught by me (who is exhausted from catching, helping flip, etc. by this point) All of the sudden Maggie says "poop just came out." I thought OH NO, NOT IN THE POOL!!! Well, luckily I had put a little swimmers pull up on her before we had gone to the pool. She definitely didn't like the feeling of the poop, but I, not be an experienced packer of things for kids, didn't bring an extra swimmer pull up. So, being the genius I am, I think I will just take her to the pool bathroom and dump out the poopy in the toilet, and be done with it. Boy, am I dumb! When Maggie pulled it off, before I could do anything, her poopy fell on the floor of the bathroom!!! Here is this huge pile of mushy poopy on the floor and Maggie is saying "shoo, that stinks!" I am totally agreeing with Mags at this point. I am trying not to gag and saying a pep talk to myself "be a mom, be a mom!!" I have to get A LOT of TP and pick it up off the floor and put it in the toilet. Well, then I had to proceed with the the cleaning up of Maggie... took A LOT of TP too as wet wipes would have been handy at this point! (Again, not a thinker when it comes to packing those things, I mean it's a simple trip to the pool right?)

I finally get her cleaned up and I go out and tell Adam we need another little swimmer so if she needs to go again, it really won't end up in the pool. He calls grandmother and she says "Maggie hasn't worn one of those all week, she just tells me when she needs to go." "WHAT!!" Why didn't I know that?!?!?!

So, I feel I have been initiated into motherhood. When Drew was staying with us I would be so worried until I heard him come home at night. So, that is me going through the later years with a child and now I have picked up poopy off of the bathroom floor. I mean, if all of that AND marrying a BIG CHILD named Adam hasn't prepared me for motherhood, I don't know what would!

Now, let me end with this, I wouldn't trade a minute of my time with my nieces, poop and all for ANYTHING in this world! I have been blessed with 5 precious nieces who give me great joy and whom I love more than I could even begin express. I hope to one day bring another little one into the equation, oh Lord, what if it's a boy... what will we do?!?! :) Probably stick a bow in his head, right Cassady Girls? :)

Happiness Counts

2010-06-07T20:06:00.000-07:00

First of all I want to thank everyone who commented on my last blog. You will NEVER know how much I appreciated it and how it has opened my eyes to see I am not the only person in the world who hurts because of lack of children. It really is amazing how many people have contacted me through this blog that truly understand what we are going through. I cried numerous times while reading comments and they have kept me going!!!

I have been too doom and gloom here lately, so I thought I would make a list of things I am thankful for. I know we can't have all good and perfect days, but I want to try to be more positive and not focus on the things that I really have no control over. I am thankful for a lot more than is on my list, but I thought I would a few on today and add to it on days when I am feeling blue. Some are silly, but they make me smile.

1. My salvation and my church. I have no idea where I'd be without God, good Christian friends, and a church to go to that will remind me of so many good things and so many things I need to work for.
2. A husband who always brings a smile to my face (BTW Happy 31st Birthday Adam!) I am blessed with a great companion.
3. My family whom I depend on for so many things
4. My friends who are always there (yes even at 11:00 at night when my hardwood floors are being done and they smell so bad that Adam and I pack up and head over!) Alicia, you are the best friend anyone could ever ask for! Kerry, you aren't too bad either! :)
5. My home, not the material things, but the fact I have a good place to come home to every night
6. Steak, yes, steak. I LOVE steak! :)
7. Retail therapy. There is something about shopping that can make so many things seem better!
8. Inflatables! I loved it when my brother-in-law,Kyle, got one for his school and invited Adam and I over the night before it got taken away for a play date with him, Staffanne, Hallie and Hannah! I love being a big kid and I love how Kyle and Staffanne include us so often!
9. Pedicures... I LOVE them! Someone else dealing with my feet is great!
10. Massages... those are the bomb-diggity! I could have my back rubbed for hours a day, if I could afford it.

So, there are 10 things I am thankful for. I am thankful for much more but I will save those for a rainy day. I know some are goofy, but hey, I am so not a very serious person! I want Baby Cassady to know his/her mom wasn't always so serious!

Just what I needed

2010-06-02T09:00:00.001-07:00

As many of you know, I have been feeling so down lately. My heart just seems constantly saddened, not only by the baby situation but other things in my life that I can't seem to get over. It seems when someone hurts me I have the hardest time getting over it. I don't like that feeling, so I got out the BIble again for some encouragement and came upon what I needed. I know I've posted about reading the Bible before, but I have just found a comfort in it today that is greatly needed. I feel these posts aren't the most "popular" as no one seems to comment on them, but that's not why I post. I am doing this so one day our child will know how much we desired to make them a part of our family and how mommy's heart hurt until she got her precious gift from God.

"I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined unto me, and heard my cry."

Psalms 40:1

I know if I continue to pray and patiently work for the Lord, He'll hear my cry.

Needing to Vent

2010-05-24T17:45:00.000-07:00

I try not to be negative or put too much of my not-so-happy feelings on my blog, but today I just need to vent. This is my "public" diary and one day I will print this out for our child to see how they came to be part of our family. I want them to know it wasn't always ups, there were downs too because life can be like that.

Anyway, I am just getting frustrated with the "wait." At first it was exciting and believe me I still get butterflies when I think about it, but there is a part of me that is ready to burst! Yesterday some friends of ours who are adopting got their little baby boy. They are the ones whose sister talked to someone at Wal-Mart... anyway, I am so happy for them as they have been trying to have a family longer than Adam and I, but they just thought about adoption and decided on it a short time ago. I DO NOT resent them nor do I want it to sound that way, but I just feel like screaming out "WHEN IS IT OUR TURN????!!!!"

Then today at school a teacher told she is pregnant. Now, I want to say I have come a long way as I didn't want to throw anything, hit anyone, or just lay in the floor and cry when she told me. I actually could look her in the face and congratulate her without any sadness! Go me!!! But again, I want that for myself too.

Adam is getting discouraged and doesn't talk about our future baby very often and that is discouraging to me. I just feel sometimes I don't know what to do or say, but I pray daily for God to send us a child. I know He will, but my faith can get weak from time to time. I want to be a mother more than anything and it just hurts my heart some days more than others. I love buying and receiving the baby things and I get GREAT pleasure from it, but it doesn't completely fill the void I have in my heart where I know the love for a child is going to go.

I don't want to be selfish and I know there are greater problems in the world and more things you all need to pray for, but if we cross your mind, please pray for us. I know God has a plan for us but I also believe in the power of prayer. There isn't anyone I'd want praying for my family more than my good Christian friends.

So, thanks for listening (reading) my venting session. Love you all!

So much sweetness, I might get a cavity!

2010-05-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

My sweet friends keep doing the most thoughtful things for me! It started last week when Lesley put the link to my blog on hers with the cutest baby dressed as an elephant to get the word out to others about our adoption and now so many others have it on there and I've received some sweet comments from people I don't even know! Then on Sunday, Carol and Jessica Madison gave baby Cassady presents! Carol's is definitely for Baby Ava but she is looking for Baby Carter something too! (Which she doesn't have to do!)

Then last week two of my students invited me to a Teacher Appreciation Dinner at their church. The students were supposed to invite a teacher who inspires them to come. That right there was worth it to me, but when we got there I was treated like a Hollywood Star and had the best time. I was presented with a Golden Apple Award and a great dinner. We took silly pictures and enjoyed each other's company. Then the students had filled out a questionnaire on their teacher, what size shoe, favorite food, etc. and they gave them to us. You have to see what my sweet little girl in my room wrote.

This is Baby Ava's gift from Carol! How cute is that?!?! She said Target has a lot of boy and girl elephant stuff... come on Baby Cassady, we need to know who you are so we can buy the right gender things! :)

This is the cutest card Jessica gave me. It was for a baby shower but had an elephant on it and she said she had to get it for me. Inside it has a CD with an elephant on it with baby lullaby's! I can't wait to hear those playing in the nursery (because if it were me singing to the baby, they would be crying more!) :)

This is a pic of the part of the questionnaire my student filled out. It says does your teacher have children and she put "no, but I hope will soon" How sweet is that? My students asked me at the beginning of the year if I had children and I decided to be open with them (not about the why) :) but I told them we were going through adoption. They were so sweet and ask about it all of the time. Then the day I got the email from Anne saying we were officially "waiting" I was at school and I told the kids and about 5 of my girls screamed and jumped up and down with tears in their eyes! I have been blessed with a very caring group of girls this year!

Also, I do NOT wear a 5 1/2 shoe size as she thinks and my favorite food isn't soup. Actually, I don't really like soup! I love that she thinks my favorite things are to dance and make people happy, which is mostly true, especially the dancing part!

My First Mother's Day Gift!

2010-05-11T17:03:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is my 3rd post in a row, but I had a lot I wanted to share! Yesterday I got a text from Staffanne saying she'd left something on my front porch for me. Shut up! I LOVE surprises!!!

When I got home I opened up a gift (the awesomely adorable towel in the pic) and the sweetest card! Staffanne wanted to give me something to increase my faith and know she's still praying that next year I'll get to celebrate my first Mother's Day! So this was a Mother's Day gift for a "mom-to-be." How sweet is that?!?! To be honest, Mother's Day does make me a little sad but I am thankful for my wonderful mother who is my mom and my friend. I couldn't ask for a better mom, so I try to focus on that and not my lack of being a mom. I am also thankful for all my my friends who are mothers, as you inspire me daily and I learn so much from you.

Anyway, I had to document my first Mom's Day gift from my sweet sister-in-law who happens to be my sweet friend too!

Sweet Family and Friends!

2010-05-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

I know people think I shouldn't be buying things for Baby Cassady and think I am silly, but what they don't understand is when you have wanted and prayed for something for so long and it is finally within reach and you can feel it getting closer, you do whatever you can to hold onto the happiness it brings. Buying things gives me great pleasure and fills a void, but the pictures you are going to see aren't things I have bought, but they are from family and friends! I think my Baby Cassady fever is contagious!

This is an adorable elephant rattle, teether toy my sweet friend Katie Decker bought for Baby Cassady. :) How precious is that! I can see Baby Cassady playing with it already!

So I have a lot of blue things or turquoise, so my mom felt that Baby Cassady could be a girl and she bought this cute outfit! The elephant on the top is adorable and it has cute little pockets on the bottom! I told Dad if we got a boy we'd put this on him once since they got it for our baby and dad very quickly corrected me and said NO WAY!! :)

So grandmother's must think alike because this adorable ensemble is from Marcia! She and mom gave me the outfits the same weekend! How crazy is that! The bib says Mommy Loves Me! Which I already do Baby Cassady, where ever you are! :)

This is a sweet yellow dress with pink elephants at the top that Jessica Parsley gave me from the big Kiddo's sale she and a bunch of ladies had. So, now I have a good mixture of clothing for any gender baby and some that would go for either with an added accessory for a girl :) and no dad, no pink for a boy!

Really? Am I Having This Conversation with the Census Lady?

2010-05-11T16:31:00.001-07:00

I hope my title intrigued you all! So, yesterday I pull in the driveway and there is a SUV there that I am not familiar with. I thought "Oh great, a politician campaigning!" I always hate when they come by because I want to tell them all how I want to vote for them (even if I am not so sure) I just feel for them... anyway I get out and this man and woman get out. They are with the Census people coming to ask us questions since we didn't get something in the mail. So I invite them in. They are in love with our house and have offered to marry Adam to get to live here, yes even the man said he'd bring his wife too! (they have no idea what they would be dealing with) :)
So, they ask me how many people live in the house and when I said 2 and the lady said we needed to get busy filling this house with children. I told her we are on an adoption waiting list. Her eyes filled with tears and she said her daughter gave a child up for adoption last June and she thought it was wonderful we are wanting to adopt. She then proceeds with the questionnaire, but then when I am walking her out she said "are you approved by the state" and I told her yes, that we have peed in cups, had blood drawn, background checks done, pretty much given everything but a limb to be on the list. She said she has a lot of connections with different people and travels around a lot, so she wanted our name and phone number in case she hears of anything. She named all of these connections she had which was pretty cool.
She then tells me she'll be praying for Adam and I and that she feels God has a precious little one for us. She also has a son who lives in California and said she'd tell he and his wife about us. She then offered to drive to California to get us a baby if she needed to!
I mean really, who has this type of conversation with the Census lady? How random, yet how wonderful! I think word of mouth might be the trick for us. We have a couple we know that's getting ready to adopt and they found out about their baby through someone her sister ran into at Wal-Mart of all places!! So, yes mention us to anyone you see! The other day I saw a girl about 16 who was very pregnant and I told Allie I was going to go up to her and ask her if she has considered adoption. No, I wouldn't do that, but believe me, it is tempting!
I just wanted to share that crazy story that absolutely made my day!!

First Step... Admitting You Have A Problem

2010-04-19T17:55:00.000-07:00

So, I have admitted it, I have a problem. What is this problem? Buying things for a child whom I don't have yet nor do I know is a boy, girl, both, how big, how small, etc. I still get the GREATEST joy and pleasure from buying our miracle things though! My dear friend Neesa works at Gymboree on weekends and throughout the summer and she got a huge discount this weekend and since the new boy line (which I could make work for a girl too since I am not into the big bows or all pink) is ELEPHANTS, I had to get stuff! How exciting is that for this elephant crazed lady! Now, mind you my camera isn't working right and things are a little blurred and look very blue when they're more turquoise, but I still had to share!

So this was on my desk this morning when I got to school. It's a Time For Kids Magazine. Neesa wrote Mama Emily on the big elephant and Baby Ava/Carter on the baby elephant! Neesa is too sweet! I think I have changed everyone's thinking when they see elephants, they think of me! (Which I think is good?!?!)

This is the adorable blanket with elephants... love it!

Here are the too cute socks!

Here's the little hat and sleeper. :)

This has to be my favorite! It's says Mommy's Little Peanut! I can't quit smiling when I see that!

I couldn't leave Adam out and this isn't elephant but it's yellow with a monkey on it. (I know you can't tell in the horrible pic) Too cute too!!

The Power of Faith

2010-04-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

Ever have those times when you need a pick me up? Well, for some reason lately I have felt a need. I picked up the Bible tonight and opened up to this scripture and it filled me up. The Lord truly knows what we need doesn't He? I needed this and thought I would share.

Mark 11:22-24

22: And Jesus answering saith unto them Have faith in God (that says a lot in a few words huh?)

23: For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

24: Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Verse 24 really stuck out to me. We have been praying for our home to have a child in it for about three years now. There are so many times I just want to give up but reading things like that help me so much. Don't get me wrong, I pray for a lot more than just us and our family and this really helps for those things too! I hope maybe it helped some of you who might have needed to remember the power of faith.

Another Present & An Update

2010-04-10T10:45:00.000-07:00

In shopping at Heartstrings HUGE sale, I found this adorable picture frame with elephants on it, so you know I had to get it! I hated it didn't say "I love my Mommy" but I guess Adam needs some love too! Yes, it is blue, but if I have a girl, she will be required to LOVE BLUE (She will be a UK fan no matter what) :)

Update: Recently when I have been praying for our little miracle and the outstanding birth parents (yes, I believe they are a part of our miracle too and I have the utmost respect for them) I have been thinking of this lawyer here in town who helped some people we go to church with find their child several years ago. Now, I knew this man from my high school days when I dated his son. (Small world huh?) Anyway, he would come before me every time I prayed, so I finally worked up the courage to call him last week. We wanted him to be our adoption attorney anyway, so that was my ice breaker. We talked about that and what we needed to do when the time comes, but then I asked him if he was still in a position where he heard of people who were putting their children in adoption where we could do a private one and he said yes. We then talked a long time and we had a great conversation. He took my cell phone number and said to keep it on as sometimes things happen fast. (Wouldn't that be great!) He said he would use all the resources he could. He did say now that I've talked to him I'll get pregnant because that has happened a lot. I did laugh out loud and told him that would be a complete and utter miracle and scientists would be shocked! :)

Now, this is just another window God has opened up for us. Whether or not we actually get a child through this lawyer (which would be so much cheaper) or through our agency isn't a big deal, we just want our miracle. This is just another possibility. I believe we'll be the proud parents of a great blessing from God, but who knows when it will be. Yes, I can get so discouraged sometimes (and I do cry and scream in private) and I can be so impatient, but I am reminded daily how God truly knows best and will give us only the things we can handle. (Although, He must think I am a little stronger than I feel) :) Once that precious gift is in my arms, I know none of this will matter!

Please continue to remember us in your prayers. I know there is a lot of trouble going on in people's lives and this may seem tiny to some, but it's through daily prayers that we have made it through this much of the process.

Did You Know?

2010-04-05T14:38:00.000-07:00

While at a training at the adoption agency we had to play a game where we guessed what famous people were adopted. Then while browsing the internet Alicia found a list of those famous people, so I thought I would share. This isn't all of them, but I listed most of the ones I found very interesting!

1. Aristotle
2. Daunte Culpepper (football player)
3. Michael Oher (from The Blind Side)
4. Faith Hill
5. George Washington Carver
6. John Lennon
7. Melissa Gilbert
8. Nancy Reagan
9. President Gerald Ford
10. President Bill Clinton
11. Sarah McLachan
12. Shania Twain
13. John Hancock
14. Scott Hamilton (figure skater)
15. Andrew Jackson
16. James Naismith (basketball guru)
17. Babe Ruth
19. Dave Thomas (yes the Wendy's guy)
20. Marilyn Monroe
21. Harry Caray
22. Jamie Foxx
23. Edgar Allen Poe
24. Malcolm X
25. Jesse Jackson

There are also A LOT of famous adoptive parents, other than Brad and Angelina! You can check those out if you want on line so I don't bore you to tears!! Just thought this was a great piece of info to share!

Baby's Got Another Gift!

2010-03-28T16:57:00.001-07:00

Today our precious baby (yes, I already know he/she is precious) :) got another gift! I just had to share!
Alicia's sweet sister Ashley gave this to Baby Cassady, since elephants are our thing!
Thanks Ashley, you are too sweet!!! I can't wait to see our baby cuddle with their elephant friend!

Oh Baby, do I have the fever!

2010-03-12T20:16:00.001-08:00

As I said I would do, I now have two blogs. This one is dedicated to the adoption story and the other is everything else that is going on in our crazy life! It's www.cassadyduo.blogspot.com

So, since we've officially been put on the waiting list, I have been dying to buy baby things. Now, yes, this is challenging not knowing how old the child will be, what sex, etc. but I am still obsessed with it! So... here is what Baby Cassady has so far. It's not much, but it's only the beginning!!!

This is the book called Tell Me Again About the Night I was Born.
It's all about a child being adopted. I can't wait to read it to our
child!

This is the bib and hat that I found with elephants on them! Since I am elephant pregnant ,I thought this was only fitting!

These are the booties that Alicia bought our baby.
She bought these when we decided to adopt.
She said she knew it wouldn't be long! Such a sweetie! :)

Changing...

2010-03-03T15:01:00.000-08:00

I have so many sweet people constantly asking me, mom, Adam, pretty much anyone who knows us about our adoption process, how we're doing, what all is going on, etc. It is great to finally have people talking to me about this and showing they care so much about Adam and I and how hard this has been on us. So, I have decided to make this blog just about our adoption. I will put updates, how on the edge I am about waiting, any news from Anne, etc. on here and then I am going to start a new blog in the next few days all about the other stuff going on in our lives.

You know, since we've kind of "announced" we're adopting it's amazing how many people are going through the same things we are and I think/hope this blog might be able to help those people with feelings that Adam & I can truly understand.

Mom and I actually came up with this because so many people are wanting to read about the adoption and I hate for them to have to filter through this one to find only adoption stuff.

When I get the new blog ready I will put the name of it on this one, so you guys can add it on your list (if you want) :) I will probably title this one Awaiting Baby Cassady and have the other one What? Life isn't Perfect? as the blog title as life with Adam and I is definitely far from perfect, but I wouldn't have it any other way, as perfect seems so boring! :)

Hopefully that wasn't confusing and hopefully you aren't wondering why in the world I am telling you this! I hate to put things on here and think I am boring people to death! :) We'll get the new one set up soon! (Yes, Alicia I mean we as in me and you. I need help putting one together again! :)

Hello Elephant, It's Me Emily

2010-02-18T17:54:00.001-08:00

So, do you see any resemblance between me and this elephant? Physically, I hope not, but....

today I got an email from Anne, and I quote "YOUR HOME STUDY HAS BEEN APPROVED AND WAS SIGNED OFF ON TODAY. YOU ARE OFFICIALLY WAITING!" So we are waiting for a call. Maybe months, maybe years, but I know God has the perfect child picked out for us and we'll be so excited when that day comes when we can hold our precious baby! Just had to share! This is actually OFFICIAL! WAHOO!!!!

Things That Make You Go HMMM...

2010-02-07T18:00:00.000-08:00

After reading my post about the names we would use for a boy or girl, a friend of mine from school posed a great question... "What if you got twins and it's two girls or two boys... what other names would you use?" OH GOODNESS! We have been planning a family for so many years and had just settled on 2 names, but that thought never occurred to me! So, after much thought and consideration, if we are blessed enough to have twins (I know you moms out there are thinking I am nuts to say blessed to have twins, but in our case that would be AMAZING!) we would name the boys "Carter Daniel" and "Cooper Thomas." Cooper because we like that name and Thomas for my Grandfather's middle name. If we had twin girls we would do "Ava Kinser" and "Kate Holland." Kate because we like that and Holland for my mom's maiden name. I told mom this and she is now hoping for twin girls! :) Each name we have chosen have first names we like but middle names with a family tie to them. I've always wanted to connect our supportive families to our children.

So, not that this matters to any of you who are reading this, but these are the little things that keep me going as we are trying to patiently await a call about receiving our precious gift from God.

All that Wasted $ on Birth Control & Pregnancy Tests!!!

2010-02-01T17:37:00.000-08:00

I have been dying to use that title and thought this would be a good time to use it.

I added up all those years of birth control and approximate amount I spent on wasted pregnancy tests and it was.... over $2,000.00!!!! Such a waste of money!!! If I had only known then what I know now, I'd be rich! :)All this and I am reading a binder that is telling me how adoption is double the cost of natural child birth. So... let me tell you why I am thinking about all of this.

I emailed Anne and asked since I hadn't heard from her if that meant we were all squared away... well I got a response from her today and it made me say "UGH!!!!" She named 4 more things we were in need of doing! I mean come on... I need to learn not to ask and maybe they'll forget to tell me things and then we'll just slide on through! The first 3 things on the list are easy things to get done and send in. Most of which I got done today. But then there is this binder (the one from my first post) that is one of those 5-6 inches thick ones that we are supposed to read! Yes, we have to have read all of the articles and things in there before our names are officially on the "waiting list."

Well, I had already read a little, but they are calling this "11 hour credit" which means they think it will take us 11 hours to read it all!!! OH LORD!!! I am just having to read the articles and sum it up for Adam as he is WAAAAY more ADD/ADHD than I am and he can't do this!

So, I just needed to vent for a while to my blogger friends. I am usually a pretty

calm person who can handle things, but I am just about to explode! Thanks for listening!!!

New Tradition and an Update

2010-01-22T16:36:00.001-08:00

Thursday night, Alicia and I started a new tradition.

We loved making the adoption profile scrapbook so much, we decided

to take up scrap booking for fun too. We came up with a time

once a month when we can get together, just us without the men

and boys, and scrapbook, talk, vent, and just enjoy each other's company. My mom actually says I won't follow through with this, as I am kind of ADD/ADHD and can't concentrate or finish much that I started, so I told her, I was glad she said that, as that gives me a reason to try to really stick with this. :) Mom is my biggest fan and I know she'll be proud when I am done! :)

This is our "supply table." Never have a fun night with

girls without Sparkling Grape Juice and chocolates (which I am

proud to say, we didn't eat any!) We have bought

so many scrap booking items that we spent a lot of time going

through everything we bought and oohing and awing!

This is Alicia's page. She's doing a few Christmas

pages. We're doing 1-2 pages a night when we are

together and then doing at least one on our own before

our next "meeting." :)

Here is my page. I am working on a vacation

scrapbook. This is one of the New York pages I am

working on from my trip with Allie and Neesa over

fall break. Such GREAT memories!!

The Update: The adoption agency received our

forms, profile and BIG OL' CHECK! So far, so good... no

emails or calls saying we left something out yet! So, when the

background checks come in next week, we're officially really

ELEPHANT PREGNANT! :) I told Allie today there's a song that

says "Let it go, let it roll right off your shoulders, don't you know,

the hardest part is over..." and that describes me for sure. I know

the waiting will be hard, but I feel that the past two years have been

harder than anyone can imagine and this part is going to be great.

I feel that a weight is lifted and my life is actually working the way

God has intended. What a great feeling! It's been so long since I have

felt that way. Thanks to all for listening!

Short Post... Big Day

2010-01-15T17:32:00.000-08:00

So, this will be a short blog without pics, but every little step we take toward our dream makes me want to share with my friends!

Tomorrow will be a BIG DAY for us. We are going to the post office in the morning to mail our big check, profile, and all the last of the paperwork to the adoption agency! We are still waiting for the fingerprints/background checks to be sent to the agency, but that is out of our hands. Therefore... as of tomorrow we will be 1 step closer to getting baby Cassady! I know this could take a while, but the fact that we have gotten this far, considering where we started, this is HUGE for us!

Anyway, just wanted to update everyone on what's going on. I am sure just like in the past we'll have a couple more forms to fill out, but the big stuff is in and we'll be able to be considered by a birth family soon!

Profiling Our Lives (and a Neosporin comment too)

2010-01-06T18:42:00.000-08:00

Alicia came over last night to help me put together our profile for the adoption agency, since Adam isn't a help in this situation :) We have to show our home, us, and our family. No pressure to look pretty in a picture since the birth families will be looking at this to see if they choose us or not!
OK... the Neosporin comment. When Anne was here, she had to check the expiration date (yes there is one) on our Neosporin. So, if I am at anyone's house soon, I will be checking the expiration dates and reporting you if they are expired! :) LOL

This is the pile of pics and paper we stared with. We had such a good time doing this that when Baby Cassady comes, I think we will start scrapbooking as we need a hobby since we are both on a budget with building our homes!

This is the beginning of the Adam & Emily page. We have lots of pages with our families, all our sweet nieces, in-laws, siblings, etc. I can say we are so blessed with such a great family. Also, thanks to Stephanie who bought a lot of these pics for me (she said it's her first present for our baby) :) as I am not a photographer and needed family pics from her!

This is the "Drew" page. Drew lives in our basement and he is such a great blessing to our home. We love having someone else here as Adam and I get kind of tired of looking at only each other! :) He's good practice for us as we worry about him when he's gone and so I am going through the teenage years with a kid before the infant stages. :)

I'll have to share the whole book when we are finished. We are so excited to be at this point. Anne emailed me today with 4-5 more things we need to finish that she forgot to tell us... so needless to say we have more to do, luckily they aren't extensive, but just another thing to stress me out! We will just patiently wait, as we have for so long now, for Carter Daniel or Ava Kinser (or both) to arrive!

One More Step completed in our "Elephant" Pregnancy

2009-12-31T17:45:00.000-08:00

OK, so if you didn't know... elephants are pregnant around 22 months. My cousin said when we decided on an adoption agency and signed the first papers, we were pregnant. So... I decided we are going to be like an elephant's pregnancy, maybe even longer.

So, Anne came today at 11:30 and didn't leave until 4:00! She came and interviewed Adam and I together on our family values, expectations, family history, etc. Next, she had to tour our home and check the safety things, which I am happy to say we passed with flying colors! :) Then she interviewed Adam and I separately. Asking us questions about each other and our relationship and our families. Then she needed a house plan, our fire escape plan (yes we have to have that hanging somewhere in our home), and check where all of the smoke alarms are. She needed our house plan to see if our room sizes would meet standard... can you believe there is a standard on room sizes for the process?!?! I am glad we weren't living in our other house or we might have been in trouble in that department!

Good news though... she did all she needed to do while she was here, so.... we have to pay her a hefty fee, get our criminal background checks done and sent to her, and then finish our profile (a book showing pics of us, our home and families) and send it in and we are on the waiting list! :) This means, hopefully as of the middle of January, we will be officially awaiting the call for the arrival of a new baby Cassady. There is no timeline or anything that can guarantee when we could get the call, but at least we have made it this far! If we do end up waiting a while, we will probably change our profile to say we would take a toddler instead of just a newborn or a baby that is just a few months old.

On a fun note... here are the names we want to use for our baby to be. I have had quite some time to think about this so.... if it is a boy "Carter Daniel Cassady" will be his name. Carter because I like that name and Daniel for Adam's middle name. If it is a girl... "Ava Kinser Cassady" will be her name. Ava cause I like it and Kinser for Mamaw (Adam's grandma's maiden name) We actually went to her house and told her that not too long ago and shared a beautiful teary eyed moment together. :) Yes, even Adam teared up when Mamaw did!

So in closing, thanks for the prayers for us today, as it went so well. Please keep praying for us and we will keep you posted through the blog and I promise to talk about something other than adoption too! When school starts back I will have kid stories to tell too, along with Adam stories too! Love to you all!

Thanks and Thursday :)

2009-12-29T17:54:00.000-08:00

First of all, I never believed I would receive such sweet comments on my first post! I told Alicia today that I felt that a weight was lifted off of me when I typed that last night. I felt that I didn't want to be secretive or not have people talk to us because we are not ashamed of our situation and know, however hard it is, there is a reason for this and God will guide us through. I appreciate your comments, which let me know you were all feeling like me, I knew you didn't want to hurt me but you didn't know what to do or say. Please talk away, as this is one of the most important events in my life and I want to share it with all of my friends and family! So thank you for assuring me, this whole blog thing is a good thing for me, even if I don't have a lot of pics or fun kid stories to tell! (Although, I do have Adam, who I know will provide many funny stories for the blog in the future) :)

Now on Thursday, our case worker, Anne, is coming for our first official home visit. We aren't fully sure what that is going to entail. Nice huh, to be guessing at what exactly is going to happen. Most likely she is just going to look at our home and make suggestions on our safety things, but it could be interviews with Adam and I and then us separately. This is just one step closer to our dream, yet it makes my stomach churn to think about someone coming to our home and looking at us under a microscope. So, please pray for Adam and I on Thursday that we will get through this step and move on toward our final goal, a precious child! Love you all!

A long Journey

2009-12-28T20:27:00.000-08:00

So I promise not to make this a boring blog, but I thought I would tell a little about the journey we are going through. I feel like people try to avoid talking to me because they are going to upset me by saying something about adoption, babies, etc. I feel though that when people are not saying anything at all is sometimes harder for me to accept. The song "When You Say Nothing At All" doesn't apply to our situation. So, here it all is out in the open and hopefully I will not be hard to approach about this anymore.

We found out last year on Oct. 14 that we were unable to have children. This was extremely hard news to hear and not everyone was very sensitive to it or us, which was hard too. Adam was very hurt by this news as our "issue" stemmed from him. He said a lot of things that would bring a strong man to tears. We struggled through these emotions together, but I wanted to adopt from the get-go, but Adam wouldn't hear of it. This put a huge strain on our relationship. We went for a long time in an emotional funk... words cannot tell you how this felt.

Finally, after several months, we were sitting watching CSI New York of all things and a lady on the show had a baby. This already brought tears to my eyes, as it is hard to see babies period sometimes, but then Adam looked at me and said "it's time... I want to adopt and have a family." This made my heart feel whole again.

We then began searching for adoption agencies. We went to an orientation meeting at one in Mt. Washington. When we went, Adam opened up to the case worker more than he had anyone and at that moment I knew this was the one! We've had to go to CPR training, First Aid training, get physicals, background checks, fingerprints, and even more things I don't want to bore you with. We also have to have 3 home visits in which we have to have childproof things, pictures of cribs, etc., which is heartbreaking to even look at when we do not have any children. Did I mention we have to pay for all of this too? Home visits, all the trainings, plus paying for the final adoption fee... which is EXPENSIVE!!! I know it will be worth it all...

Anyway, we are on our way to having the family we have always dreamed of, but it isn't as easy. Daily, I pray for strength, patience, and understanding of why we are having to go through this, when other people seem to have children so easily.

Please don't get me wrong, God has blessed me more in my life than I have ever deserved. I am so thankful for my salvation, my church, my family, my friends. Yet, there is a missing part and I struggle with this daily.

Thank you for listening and I promise I will not blog something this long again, but I just thought this might help anyone who is wondering what is going on with us, and maybe make us a little more approachable and a little less "fragile." I appreciate all the support and prayers, as we need them daily.

I finally took the Blog Plunge!

2009-12-28T18:35:00.000-08:00

After having to put all sorts of child-proof features on our house this weekend for our first official home visit with our adoption agency(yes, child-proof, but no child), I felt the need to vent about what we are having to go through to have a family, something that seems to come so easily to others. So, this blog was how I thought I could do it.

Our "medicine cabinet" we're trying not to overdose!

The baby gate on the deck stairs, we don't want Adam to fall down! :)

Wonder what this is? Doesn't everyone have a manual when you get something new? Well, this is the book (one of many) we have to read in order to adopt our children!