(the photo above is taken of a picture we have hanging on our living room wall)
I have really skimped on my Thursday’s Thoughts posts. Last fall I wrote a few and found it refreshing to not talk coupon shop in them. But, like many ventures I undertake, my weekly series got lost in a sea of deals related posts that I found to be somewhat “more pressing”. At least for today, I wanted to go back to Thursday’s Thoughts because I have some non-couponing thoughts and news that I actually wanted to share with all of you. 
The past year has been a whirlwind. My husband and I were able to leave the world of blogging for a few weeks last spring as my friend Kelly diligently watched over Addicted to Saving. Upon our return, my best dog friend in the world was diagnosed with anal cancer and had surgery to remove said cancer. We spent 10 nights lying on the floor and couch watching over him. He has since recovered from the surgery although the cancer was not fully removed. Over the summer we went to Colorado for a family reunion on my in-laws’ side. We had a great time but realized that our bodies are not equipped for the altitude of Breckenridge as we both were sick every day there. This past fall was spent giving Addicted to Saving classes, lots of television appearances and brainstorming for future ventures. Of course the holidays flew by as we (yes – hubby helped a ton) spent way too many hours posting holiday gift ideas and then spending time with family near and far. And, our family grew as my husband surprised me with an adorable puppy the week before Christmas. Hubby is already trying to prepare me for the inevitable loss of my best dog friend. The past year was also spent with my running (as always). I was training to run the Disney marathon again when I tore my quad and groin. So, my running and marathon plans went down the drain and a week and I celebrated with a week and half long pity party. But I’m healing and able to run again albeit slowly so I am focusing on that. But through it all, this past year was awesome. God has taken care of my family, blessed us with constant reminders of His presence and reminders that He is in control.
There is one major component of last year that I haven’t shared…
My husband and I made a decision that I am finally ready to tell all of you. The past 6 months my husband and I have been distracted from life, work and all responsibilities as we have been working on a dossier to adopt a baby boy from Ethiopia. We have been swimming in an endless sea of paperwork, required reading, home studies and legal documents. Just this past week we officially completed our dossier which will be overnighted to Ethiopia Friday. The wait time for a baby boy is 10-16 months (although that is subject to change) and as of this Monday, we are now officially “in-line” and waiting for our baby. To make our lives even busier, we also decided to adopt a baby girl from Haiti. We have completed our home study for Haiti and are basically gathering documents and swimming in a sea of Haiti’s adoption paperwork as I type this post. We are not and will not be in-line for Haiti until we have that dossier completed.
It has been an interesting ride thus far. We have shared our adoption plans with family, close friends and our church. The reaction thus far has been almost all positive although I am already sensing that racism is alive and well. Adopting is a personal decision and adopting internationally is an even more personal decision. God led both my husband and myself down this path separately. So separately that when we both talked to each other about adopting internationally, our hearts were already open and interested in pursing adoption. So we jumped headfirst without much deliberation. We have talked about and are open to foster care and also domestic adoption but for now, we are pursing these two babies and are focusing on our immediate goals which are to bring them home.
We will be starting an adoption blog shortly (I will let you know once it is live) and you can follow our blog to track our progress bringing both of our babies home. We will also begin fundraising for our adoptions soon (if you have held any adoption fundraisers, I would love to hear what you did). And, if our Ethiopian adoption goes smoothly and the wait time does not increase, we will probably be in Ethiopia a little over a year from now. Wow. And, if you all haven’t figured this out already, I am now saving every penny to put towards our adoptions. And, I’m focusing on even more baby related deals since I’m already starting to figure out how to get good deals on baby furniture, diapers, wipes, toys, etc. If you pray, we would appreciate prayers as we tackle adoption paperwork for Haiti, as we begin fundraising, and that the Ethiopian and Haitian governments will continue to allow international adoptions to occur.
And, if you have adopted domestically or internationally, I would love to hear your thoughts, experiences, tips, etc.
And with that, my Thursday’s Thoughts are officially over and I’m going to go back to blogging about coupons, deals and more. Thanks for taking the time to read this and please know that I value all of your friendships and support.
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
I am not sure why but this post brought me to tears! I am so happy for you. In the last year and a half or more I have read this blog and been part of the facebook page, I have been able to get amazing deals and learn a little more over time about the person behind the computer.
I am so happy for you to be able to adopt a baby boy, and is even better! It will change a lot about the way you shop! I have never planned an adoption fundraiser, but I have seen online shops that have done them. Selling handmade items to raise money for an adoption. Maybe opening an ebay shop for the coupons that you are not using, some go for high prices and that may be an option. You could also up the price of your addicted to savings bags that you sell at your classes to help cover some of the cost
I think they were $1 I would pay $2 or $3 to help support the cause 
My Doctor is involved in the People of Haiti group that provides medical needs and other items to those in need in Haiti, maybe if you contact Guida Viera (Dr. Viera’s wife) through their facebook page she can offer advice for Haiti.
I would be willing to help with any local fundraising to help raise money for the adoption process..
Good luck in the next steps of your journey…
http://oatsvallteam.blogspot.com/ check out this blog about their adoption story
http://orphaned-no-more.blogspot.com/ and a fund raiser that they did here.
I saw another story the other day but I will have to search for it.
I am so happy for you and may God continue to bless you abundantly!!
WOW!! First of all congratulations on taking such an awesome decision. If anyone judges you or makes comments just dont listen and let them look up how hard it is to adopt in the states especially if your not rich! Helping any baby anywhere is just the best thing.
As for racism it does seem to be a bit strong down here, as you know my family isnt from the most popular part of the world right now. We see it and hear it but like I told my husband everyone in the United States came from one place or another if your not a native American and just dont feed into it. Dont give people that chance to bring you down or make you think otherwise. Focus on your your babies (God Willing) and your life!!!
Baby shopping is sooooooooo much fun but dont gove overboard like I did because chances are your child wont get to wear all you buy because every child changes sizes so different!! And I learned anything simpler is better!! And yes buy size 0-3 months even if people tell you you wont need it!! You will!!!
Good luck sending you many many happy prayers!!!!!!!
It is easy to adopt in the states unless you are looking for “perfection.” We adopted two children of substance abuse. Honestly, it does not matter where they come from, they are all just innocent children, and they are God’s children.
Congratulations on the beginning of what promises to be an amazing journey. Motherhood is wonderful! As a mom to boys and a girl, I cant decide which adventure is going to be crazier! Good Luck and our prayers are with you!
http://elderadventures.blogspot.com/2012/01/give1save1.html- here it is, the fund raiser was called give1save1.
Love this Yolanda! My husband has this in mind so it is cool to see a blog actually play out his thoughts! Wait until he see this
Congratulations and good luck with the whole adoption process, I have heard it is sooo complicated. I don’t really know anything about fundraising, but I can maybe give you some tips about saving with a baby. I joined rewards’r'us, it’s a free membership with toys/babies’r'us, and you accrue points with purchases. When you reach a certain amount of points, they send you reward bucks, and coupons. Make sure you do this before you create a registry, as purchases people make from it goes towards your account. I’m not sure how old the children are that you are planning on adopting, but if they are still going to be in diapers here are some diaper shopping tips. I joined pampers.com, you enter codes from their diapers and wipes with their gifts to grow program, and you can use those points for freebies. Target has great deals on diapers, they will often have a deal when you buy two boxes you recieve a 5 or 10 dollar (sometimes 15 dollar) target gift card. Same with wipes. I buy diapers when I have target coupons, a manufacturers coupon, and that deal going on for Big savings. They do the same for formula.
Loved your post Liza!! We have done a puzzle piece fundraiser where we sell pieces for a set price and everyone that buys one gets there name put on it, then when all the pieces are bought you frame it in double sided glass and can hang it in your little ones room so they know how loved they are! We are doing a fundraiser right now a wie tasting, desserts, and raffle evening coming up Feb 18 you can check out on the blog and I will be sure to let you know how it goes (and you guys are more than welcome to come!) http://www.desireemcknight.blogspot.com Congrats and I am soooo happy for you and your husband and cant wait to follow your journey on your blog!!!
Congratulations!!! The decision you guys are making is a leap of faith! My family (Me, my Husband and my 3 kids) took on this journey of adopting from Ethiopia last Spring. We were referred to two girls (sisters) 8 and 10 years old. I can relate to you when you say you are swimming in a pool of paper work! Thankfully once the dossier is finished the paper work is almost completely finished. We just brought them home last Friday and it has been joy and has brought our already existing family even closer together.
I wish the best for you guys and hope the process is smooth and all the funds you need come in. Just remember this one thing GOD WILL PROVIDE.
Congratulations, Liza and Jeff!!! I’m will continue to pray for you and for your future children!!!
God is definitely blessing you (paying you back for all the blessings you’ve given us?? hee!hee!) and is hand-picking the perfect children that will now be part of your family!!
That’s wonderful! It really feels like I spend so much of my day here with you so thank you for letting us in on this wonderful plan. All children are a gift from God, no matter what color they are. Many blessings and you’ll be in my prayers!
All I have to say is Congrats !!! I recently watched Oprah’s next chapter with Sean Penn and Donna Karen … Two part show was filmed in Haiti this year … It brought me to tears… …http://www.oprah.com/own-oprahs-next-chapter/oprahs-next-chapter.html?SiteID=OWN_SEM_Dec11_GoogleSearch_ONC
Jen – I DVRd this but haven’t watched yet! Very excited to watch!
So happy for you, Lisa! I’m adopted myself (I’m 51 now, adopted when I was 5 days old) and can tell you firsthand that knowing I was chosen instead of being an “oops!” made me feel so wonderful. I was able to track down my biological parents (without it being too traumatic to my (adoptive) mom – my real mom) but it might have been easier if they had been more forthcoming with the adoption info. Your children will obviously know they’re adopted from very early on because they are of a different race, and again, you & your hubby will decide this yourselves, but it’s always nice for a person to know they have the option of looking at their roots IF they want to. Believe me, I KNOW who my parents are ~ my mom & dad who raised me. However I’m also grateful to my biological mother (whom I never met – she passed away 3 years before I found out who she was) for making the unselfish decision to give me a better life.
So excited for you and Jeff! Will save my baby boy clothes for you!
Thank you Bree!
How exciting!! Praying for you and your husband, that God will guide and bless this process as you bring your little ones home. My brother in law adopted internationally and we have two beautiful thriving niece/nephew! I’m a rep for a direct sell faith based gifts company. I would love to help you with a fundraiser if you’re interested! Can’t wait to see your blog when it’s up. Please let us know your needs so that we can pray specifically for you and help you if possible.
You are an amazing person. <3
Lots of prayers for you and your husband as you pursue this most wonderful calling from God!
God bless you always!
I am soooooo thrilled for you! My husband and I have one bio son and a little boy that we adopted from Vietnam in 2009. He was about thirteen months old when we were finally able to bring him home. The paperchase can be overwhelming but like giving birth, will be forgotten once you have your child. If you do not mind driving down to St. Pete a time or two, there is a doctor at All Children’s Hospital that does evaluations on kids that were adopted internationally. Let me know if you want his name. As for fundraising, maybe you could post something that would let us donate to a paypal account for you. You have helped all of us save so much money, hopefully some of us can afford to give some back to your family.
Hi Kathy! Thank you for your kind words. Would you mind emailing me your doctor’s name? We may be getting our referral for Haiti in the next couple of months and I would love a doctor who specializes in international adoptions to review her records. My email is addictedtosaving at hotmail dot com (all one word)
Liza, how wonderful! congratulations! one of the other posters gave you a link to Gwen Oatsvall’s blog (“oatsvallteam”). I know Gwen – one of her adopted daughters and my daughter were in the same class last year – and her husband (a teacher at my kids’ school). Gwen and a friend run 147 Million Orphans and offer adoption fundraisers through their organization. I recommend checking that out. Good luck!
Congrats! I’m so excited for you. This is an amazing venture and you are doing a wonderful thing!
I keep track of baby deals on my page: http://facebook.com/DianasDeals
and on my pinterest: http://pinterest.com/mrsdchastain/baby-kid-stuff/
Let us know when you adoption blog goes live, I would love to follow it!
Liza, congratulations to you and your husband. I have two nephews that were internationally adopted from Russia (at two different times). They are fantastic young men, and love their older sister (she is a bio baby). It has been such a joy watching God bring my sister and brother in law these two wonderful kids – creating a blessed family. It is not always easy (but what family is) but wonderful. Blessings to you and your husband.
Oh Liza congratulations to you, Jeff, and your entire family. I cannot think of a more deserving couple to raise a child. You are both so dedicated to putting the needs of others before the need of yourselves….that’s parenting!
I myself have never gone thru the adoption process but know people who have and I understand it can be so difficult and long. Hang in there and know that this is your destiny. God is sending this special child to you because he knows both you and your husband are such loving and good people.
So many people go thru the motions of life, but never listen to the words that God whispers in each of our ears. I’m so glad you were listening when he spoke to you!
Wishing you all the best in your journey. As always, you inspire me to be a better person