Hey, Y'all! We hope you had a wonderful Easter! Sorry it's been so long since our last update. We've been VERY busy! But we've got some pretty exciting things to report now :)

We've spent the past 2 weeks since our last update finalizing all the items on our checklist to be able to make our folder complete at our agency. Since we last updated you, we've gotten both cats into the vet for updated vaccinations and got them licensed. We've gotten FBI and MD State fingerprints done , along with federal background checks. We've filled out more financial paperwork for the agency. We've provided proof that we can currently hold insurance, and can provide insurance to our baby. We've drawn floor plans of our home with evacuation plans incase of an emergency. And I'm sure much more that I've forgotten. But that's all the boring, "must do to get a check in the box" sort of stuff... now on to the fun updates..

The nursery is coming along! We've got the crib up and it looks wonderful. Of course, if you know us,  you'd find it no surprise that it's got the cutest orange sheets on the crib mattress :) I've got my granny's rocker, and that's found it's perfect home in the nursery. It does need some slight work, so we're taking that to the Amish this weekend. We also were given the cutest two blankets that Daniel's Mom made for Baby Powell. They match our colors perfectly, and are so snuggly and soft! I believe we may paint the room in the coming weeks, and also plan on replacing the carpet to something new and fresh. We still need details like the perfect orange curtains, a rug.. and a couple more things we have in mind for the walls. But once we have it straight.. we'll be sure to take pictures and share!

And.. the biggest news of all this week : Our home study is COMPLETE! If you recall, it was scheduled for last Tuesday, March 22nd. However, it had to get postponed. That ended up working out best for us and our social worker. It was postponed to yesterday, March 29th. She met us at our home around 3pm, and visited for almost 2 hours. We had additional interviews, similar to our ones a couple weeks ago, but these we were able to do jointly. After finishing her questions, we gave her the grand tour of our little home. She checked off her "safety" items she needed to see, like child proofing materials readily available, the gun safe, the medicine/cleaning products/alcohol all stored properly. She was very happy with how well we've prepared, and like I stated before .. we ADORE her. She is someone I could completely see being a friend of mine, as our personalities just click. The time she spends with us never feels like it's part of this large process, but more like friends just talking. And for that, we're very thankful. It's made this entire journey a tad easier.

After she left our home, she had to still meet with one of our three references. From what we've heard, that visit went well, too! She let us know that she was very anxious to get back to her office today and finish typing up the remaining details from yesterday!

At that point, we proof read it and make sure it captures us correctly, and once we agree - we send back a signed copy electronically.. and then we're DONE. All of our scrambling, paperwork, sleepless nights of making sure things were perfect, all of our training, all of our questions.. and we've hit the point were we officially have to trust the process. We no longer have anything left to do except wait.We no longer have control. She told us back in January when we first signed our contract, that we had as much control as we'd every have, up until the home study was complete. She stated we could make this process move as quickly as we wanted,  as far as getting our ducks in a row and paper work complete, to get to the home study part. Then once that is complete, our end of the deal and requirements are done. We now "take the backseat", and try and enjoy the ride. That's going to probably be much easier said than done. Now is when our faith will be tested, along with our patience.

We need to get our new portfolio books (we ordered ones, but they came in slightly incorrect - so replacements are on their way).  Once we deliver those to the agency, they will be available for birth parents to look at, if their criteria for a family meets ours. The goal is to get the home study submitted and signed by tomorrow, Thursday March 31st.. which will make us an "Approved March 2016 Family". Which means, as of Friday, April 1st.. we can start being listed as "approved available adoptive family" to the birth families coming into the agency. With that being said - yes, we COULD be picked quickly. But the reality of it is, that we could also not be picked quickly. This could take 2 +  years.. And only God knows when we will be blessed. But we're hopefully that with our wonderful support, community, prayers, and love that we have surrounding us.. that our baby will be in our arms at just the perfect timing. But until that moment happens, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as often as you can. As well as all the birth families out there making this commitment and decision for their family.

If you're still reading, you deserve a round of applause. I just realized how long this update had become.. Ooops! One last thing - Our fundraising goal is going SO great. We're SO, SO thankful for ALL of you who are making this amazing journey possible. We're now at 76% of our final amount needed on this Pure Charity webpage! That puts our FINAL total percentage at 90%. That's incredible. We NEVER in our wildest dreams imagined the support, financially and emotionally, we'd be receiving once we announced our adoption journey. Every day we sit and look at all the sweet words you've all said to us, look at all the baby gifts we've already received, and of course the 90% of funding we've received from all of you.. and cannot believe how blessed and lucky we are to have each and every one of you in our lives. Baby Powell is so loved already, and will always know how this amazing circle of people we have pulled together to make our dreams come true.

We love you all!

-Daniel & Brandy