6/29/08

Yesterday I turned 25.  It was really interesting because everyone talked about what a milestone it is to turn a fourth a century and people seemed surprised that we were simply celebrating by going out to dinner.  But that's really all I wanted.  Seemed great to me.  But I should have known Currey.  We had a big celebration of his birthday and he wanted me to have as good of time as he did on his birthday.   

I should have seen the signs.  It is like our engagement.  Looking back it makes sense but at the time you suspect nothing.  On Wednesday I went to Sam's and Currey had me get ground beef but a couple nights I suggested making burgers and he came up with other ideas for dinner.  On Thursday my closest friend here called to see if I could go shopping with her on Saturday.  I happily agreed.  Saturday morning Currey got a call from Ryan.  He was talking softly in the other room which seemed weird but he told me it was about studying for comps and I had no reason to believe otherwise.

We woke up on Saturday and took Bentley to the dog park.  We then headed to our friends house.  They were having a garage sale to raise money for their adoption and we wanted to show our support.  While there Currey revealed it was my birthday so I was serenaded by their garage sale attendees with Happy Birthday.  I can say that's never happened before!  We hung out and then Andrea came to get me to go shopping.  She wanted me to feel extra special and got me a tiara and princess jewelry as well as a pink feather boa.  We had a wonderful afternoon.  I was so excited to get home because I thought Currey and I were going to go to a Mexican Restaurant that we'd been to in Texas and loved!  I walk into the apartment to find several friends awaiting my arrival.  I WAS SOOOOOO SURPRISED!!!  Currey had gotten beautiful flowers and had placed them all over the apartment.  He cooked out amazing bar-b-que cheddar burgers and grilled veggies.  For dessert we had nutella and banana grilled panini.  They were outstanding!  It was a great evening spent with friends and a very fun surprise from Currey.  A fabulous way to celebrate my birthday.  Here are a few pictures of the celebration.

Super Sweet Husband

Stacia and I after enjoying Currey's great burgers

Nadia really wanted to play Wii with us.  She is SO cute!

Dan and Stacia

Just hanging out

Some of the great flowers Currey got me

After everyone headed home we went to a late showing of Get Smart.  It was a fun ending to such a great day.  Thanks Currey for such a Happy Birthday!

Ok.  So I am not so good at the blogging thing and did not finish the story when promised.  But better late than never right?

We were supposed to be meeting this couple at the local library but received an email stating that everyone else had cancelled and we were welcome to come to their house.  We were so anxious to meet them and hear all about their story.  They did not disappoint!  They were a precious couple that really have a heart for adoption.  They spoke very candidly about some of the highs and lows they had experienced and provided great practical suggestions like taking stroller with you so you don't have to spend a fortune on one when you get there.  They were also very helpful in discussing finances and how as a teacher and police officer they were able to get the money together.  This was really reassuring to us.

One of the biggest reasons that we wanted to use this agency is that they have a heart for orphan care.  There are millions of children all over the world that need homes and sadly many of them are not placed with a family.  We wanted to make sure that the agency we use has a heart for those who aren't placed.  Oh  how I wish I could take care of them all!  We were so excited to learn that the agency is actually working on new facilities in Ethiopia.  They had difficulty finding suitable living quarters for the children in their care so they decided to create their own.  They are building a small medical clinic that would provide care to the children as well as pregnant mothers in the area, regardless of whether or not they are placing their children for adoption.  They are building housing for the children as well as housing for parents who are coming to adopt children.  We love their heart for children and left so encouraged!  We have picked our agency and are now one step closer in our process.  We will continue to update as we learn more.  We are so excited! 

Hopefully one of my next posts will be about how we got to where we are in regard to choosing country and gender.  Stay tuned!

Currey and I had a wonderful weekend but it was quite an adventure.  We have very exciting news to share as we have decided to begin the adoption process.  If you know us, you know that this has been a desire of our hearts for some time.  After our recent church retreat we really felt that God was opening doors for us.  The blessings of moving to Wheaton have been great.  Wonderful friends, an unbelievable church family and so many new friends who are at all different stages of the adoption process.  We have had a year to ask questions, spend time with families and have lots of talks about what God was calling us to.

After the retreat we went to Barnes and Noble and got a book that I'd been wanting called the Christian Couples Guide to Successful Adoption.  If you are considering adoption I would really recommend it.  It's a lot to digest but it's an incredibly thorough book that outlines the process from start to finish.  We were SO excited as we chose a country and began searching for an agency.  As we continued researching we became fearful that with an anticipated move next May and very small living quarters that we might need to put the process on hold.  When we called the agency we were considering our fears were confirmed.  It is not in our best interest to complete a home study here as we would have to redo it if we move to a different state.  And really you can't move forward until the home study is completed.  We quickly realized that it didn't mean we couldn't do other things to prepare.

If you have looked at adoption or known anyone who has adopted there is a huge expense to bring your precious baby home.  So we are using this time to work on getting the funds together, to talk to more friends who have gone through the process, to do our research and to prepare for our baby.  

This weekend we were able to do lots of work!  We spent Friday night with friends from church.  They are waiting on a referral for a baby girl from Vietnam.  Please pray for them if you think of it as Vietnam has decided to close the doors to adopting from there.  If they are not matched by Sept. 1 then they will have to begin the process again or wait for the country to reopen.  We were blessed by our conversation and their joyfulness as they prepare for the child that God has for them. 

Then Saturday we got up at 7 am to drive to southern Illinois to meet with a couple who have used the agency we are planning on using.  It was such a great experience and we were so encouraged by our time with them.  

This post has gotten quite long so I'll continue tomorrow!  What a cliff hanger...Please check back for the rest of the story! 

So...I must confess.  I didn't like my old template.  I know it's just a blog and these things shouldn't matter really, but brown is not me!  So when Kaki redid her blog I noticed the link to free blog templates (which is linked under the blogs I read).  I looked through some but just put it off.  But tonight I was tired of the brown.  With the help of my personal stylist a.k.a. Currey I was able to find a new template.  The funny part was I told Currey I liked the colors but wasn't crazy about the words behind it.  He asked if I'd read the words to which I replied no.  I hadn't noticed that they were all about cooking!  So it was a perfect fit!  Yeah for sweet husbands who take time to notice the details.

And since we've established that I'm NOT a trendsetter, my newest thing is Google reader.  I know that those of you who follow lots of blogs have raved about it for awhile but I had never looked into it.  I'm obsessed.  More posts later about the weekend.  It's been great!  

6/7/08

We typically get together at least once a week.  Sunday nights we watch movies or play Wii.  There is always laughter and good conversation and some sort of food.  They are both really talented musicians and Andrea is a classical guitar teacher.  She plays for a few hours on Friday nights at a local wine store that has wine tastings.  We have been wanting to go for awhile but haven't been able to make it.  So last night we went.  It was a BLAST!  If you live in the Western Suburbs you should go.  It's in Westmont at a place called deVine wine.  It was extra special because Devin and Andrea were playing together.  They sound great apart but they are amazing together.  Currey and I got to try several wines and enjoy great music.  It was SO fun and really relaxing.  It was a great start to the weekend and wonderful time spent with friends!

6/2/08

Dinner is where our money goes.  Breakfast is normally cereal although a couple times of week I'll make a big breakfast.  Lunch for me is pb&j, chips and yogurt.  ALWAYS.  It's simple and I love it.  I may occasionally spice it up with a salad but pb&j is a favorite.  Currey eats sandwiches most lunches as well which is cheap.  I only eat out on Fridays with my coworkers. This also helps with the budget.

6/1/08

Pesto Pizza

1 store bought pizza dough (again, I always use Pillsbury)

1 package prosciutto

5 Tbsp store bought pesto

fresh grated Parmesan

3 handfuls spinach

Heat oven to 500 degrees.  Grease cookie sheet and spread out pizza dough.  Spread pesto evenly over the dough.  Put in oven and cook until golden.  Watch this very carefully as it cooks in about 7-8 minutes.  Sprinkle Parmesan and spinach over the top.  Then top with torn prosciutto (we like 2-3 slices).  Cut and serve.

The best part about this recipe is that if you just pick up 2 packages pizza dough you will have 2 dinners.  Everything else you buy will be enough to make 2.  Just space them out over the week. Yummy and economical!