Bullet Point Updates

I have not blogged in about 10 days about what is going on. The whole reason for this blog is to update family members, friends and to document this whole process. Plenty has happened, but I just need to write it all down so you know what is going on. I will bullet point some things I would like to share.

* I was baptised on 7/17/11! I was very nervous because there were a lot of people at church that day. I had about 20 people come to my baptism and that is not even including our life group. I am so incredibly blessed to have so many people who love and care about me.

*Jonathan left on Monday for San Antonio. He received the call from his boss and he had to leave immediately. I kind of expected that would happen. I really miss him, but it gets a bit easier as time goes on. Right now its just me and Harley. He really is a good friend to have as he always listens, never talks back, and makes me laugh. Harley is doing better by the way.

*I have been convicted to mission to couples in our church using education on adoption to help couples who have questions on the subject. Kathryn and I met with a church leader at 121 CC, Diane Lee, regarding it. Kathryn is the director of the agency that we are going through and also goes to our church. She knows so much about adoption! What a great team. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

* Another mission I am working on is local. A friend from Life Group set us up to go to a local Senior Citizens home in Bedford called La Dora. We will be going there at least twice a month to talk to the people who are there who may just need a friend to talk to. This Friday will be our first trip. Many of the elderly just want a fresh face to talk to or hear what is going on in the outside world. This is an excellent opportunity to take time out of our busy schedules to go and make someones day!

*We have a lot of things left to do on the check list before we do our orientation with the agency. Please keep us in your prayers that these things get done and with ease. It is a very large amount of work including an online class that we BOTH have to take, and CPR/FIRST AID certs for both of us. Luckily, my employer gets us certified every 2 years so I have mine. Jonathan will have to go get his, but we have all the information on a class that is the second Saturday of each month for $30. Not to shabby.

*My sister and I will be working on the back room this weekend that will become the nursery. We are removing everything but the bed. That way when Jonathan gets back from Dallas Cowboy training camp we can paint and decorate. We have decided on Owls as the theme for nursery. That is gender neutral and SUPER cute. Here is kind of what I am thinking: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=owl+nursery&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&qscrl=1&nord=1&rlz=1T4GGLG_enUS307US307&biw=1360&bih=478&tbm=isch&tbnid=oca-xYyCTnjc-M:&imgrefurl=http://www.creative-baby-nursery-rooms.com/owls-and-alphabet-nursery.html&docid=9J0u7dqcjVKMvM&w=300&h=400&ei=N10xTrfYJMi3tgeD8I3pDA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=219&page=6&tbnh=156&tbnw=117&start=73&ndsp=14&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:73&tx=97&ty=63

Hopefully I can find things that would look cute in the nursery. Goal is to have it completed or near completion by 9/30/11. We both would like it done before the home study. SO very excited.

*Names for the baby have been a big topic around the Hollons of Watauga house. We both have very different tastes when it comes to that. Jonathan likes the traditional names, while I like the different out of the norm names. We have a few names that we love for a girl, but not so much for a boy. We have agreed we like the name Pepper for a girl. I have since fallen in love with that name, and it is a perfect name for Jonathan to add the sweet nickname of Peppy to her list of nicknames. Yesterday I was trying to think of a middle name for Pepper. Nothing sounded right at all. I came across Katrice. Its greek for pure. Tori said "that is super cute, you can call her P.K." How cute right? P.K.! Jonathan liked the list of boy names I sent him via email since he has been in San Antonio. Eli, Evan, Timothy, Perry and Lawrence. I am sure we will come up with the perfect name.

Cupcakes for Our Cupcake

We have been very blessed by everyone contributing to our adoption. I can not believe the amounts that are coming in from everyone around my job. It is so cool to know that everyone believes in what we are doing and are giving during hard times like these.

I just wanted to say Thank You to everyone who is helping out with our cause and every penny counts. We are so excited!

Please see the pictures on the right side of the page of the cupcakes I am making. I will add pictures as I can to show you what is going on in the cupcake world.

Love you all.

Excellent News

We were preliminarily accepted yesterday morning by Christian Families and Home Services in North Richland Hills. We are registered to attend the 2 day orientation at their home office in Abilene at the end of September. This is SUCH a huge blessing and we are so happy that we have finally found the right agency. God really did show us the way. Dont they say when a door closes another one will open? Well, this door swung open full force! We are so excited. :)

There is lots to do for both Jonathan and I before we go to orientation. Wish us luck that we can get some of it done. It does not ALL have to be done, but the sooner we do it the sooner we can adopt. I am so excited for this all to take place. Jonathan was very excited when I gave him the good news too.

Cupcakes for Our Cupcake is in full swing on my end. I have not heard from any other Angel Bakers on their progress but maybe soon I will. Donations seem to be coming in from everywhere and we have been blessed already in so many ways. Thank you to everyone who has helped with that already. I pray that it continues to grow and prosper.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Changes Ahead

Change: a variation or deviation

I am a book of changes. Have you ever heard that before? Well, I am here to tell you that with this adoption process there are many questions I am learning to ask agencies, and people regarding adoption. It seems like there is something new to learn just about everyday.

We have changed our minds regarding the agency in Austin. They only had 2 adoptions last year and 5 active families. We fear that we will be waiting for many years for a baby if we go that route. We were at a fish fry on Saturday with some fellow 121 Community Church members and one of the staff members over heard me talking about our struggle with find the right agency. She told me about a women who is in her small group who is the driector of Christian Family and Home Services in North Richland Hills. That is about 10 minutes from our house in Watauga. Jonathan and I were actually able to meet with her at our church on Sunday just after service. It was so nice to actually speak to someone face to face rather than through a phone or email.

We shall see what this new place brings us. We really feel this is where we should be going. Its so hard to make a decision, but it is what is best for our family.

Cupcakes for Our Cupcake update:

I started my cupcake fundraising at Riata Therapy Specialists here at my job in Bedford. I am bringing fresh cupcakes on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. It appears to be working out thus far. Thank you to all who have donated. Your donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you to Riata for allowing me to have my fundraiser.

Love to you all!