Monday, April 8, 2013

We're excited, and Hopeful

We've been keeping a bit of a secret . . . over the last 4 months we've been completing our Adoption Homestudy! Don't get too excited that just means we are approved to adopt, not that we've been matched.

But it's been a really exciting process, not at all what we thought it would be. I thought it would be super intense, imagine an interrogation room with a single bright light starring me in the face . . . it wasn't like that at all. It was nice, and almost enjoyable.

Our social worker was a very sweet woman, who made us so comfortable with the whole process! We also got to attend a Birth Mother panel, which was a group of women who had placed their children for adoption. They told us their stories and how they felt when they placed their children for adoption. It was an amazing night. It's so easy to only see your own side of things, getting a glimpse into the other side was priceless.

Our homestudy also involved some paperwork . . . okay more than a little paperwork.

And after 4 months we were approved to adopt!!! That means that the province of British Columbia thinks that we would make good parents!! 

Where we are now: 

Right now we are putting together our profile, including our Birthparent letter. By the end of April we will be ready and waiting to be matched!
It's exciting but a little bit scary! We could get a call any day saying we've been matched and are expecting a baby!!!  It takes all of my restraint to not wear a sign around my neck saying we are approved. haha

All adoptions in British Columbia go through an agency, but we are approved to adopt from either the USA or Canada through our agency . . . we could also go overseas if we wanted but currently we are focusing on Canada and the USA.

Right now we are just so excited to be one step further in this journey! And soooo excited to be sharing it with you guys!!!!

Tomorrow we have the first glimpse into what will become "The babies room", (that's the first time I've called our third bedroom "The Babies Room"!!!) I can't wait to show you, we finished the paint late last night!

124 comments:

  1. I am so excited and hopeful for you too! I had my fingers crossed that something along these lines would be the announcement you made today.

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  2. Wow, wow!!! Incredible news! I have been reading your blog for several years now, and just wanted to say I am so happy for you. I believe you will make wonderful parents, and I am a little jealous of the baby that gets to live in that beautiful house, ha ha. Congratulations on this exciting time!!

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  3. Super news, congratulations on the approval and fingers crossed it all goes fast for you :D

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  4. Congratulations! We are in Ontario and we finished our homestudy last year and we wait for the match (this part it's so long and hard!!)

    Are you going have a baby?

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  5. That's so exciting! Congrats! Can't wait to see the new room!

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  6. Oh wow I am so excited for you guys!!! I actually teared up a bit reading this post, don't tell anyone. I can't wait to see the baby room! I hope the rest of this process is just as relaxed and enjoyable for you.

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  7. When you said you had big news, I was hoping it was something along these lines!! Congrats to you and Lee for getting so far in the process and fingers crossed you have the newest member of your family soon!

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  8. Congratulations!

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  9. Wonderful news, so excited for you!!! Congratulations!!!

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  10. What exciting news!! I teared up reading this post, too! Congratulations on being one step closer to holding your sweet baby!

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  11. Congratulations! I can tell just from reading your blog that you two will make wonderful parents. I was adopted and am so thankful for it every day. Best of luck.

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  12. Congratulations! whatan exciting time!

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  13. Say what????? The pitter patter of little feet @ Mini Manor? How exciting!!! Congratulations! :)

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  14. that is AWESOME news!!! what an exciting time for you guys. adoption is a wonderful thing, my husband and his sister were adopted and their family dynamic is wonderful, you would never guess either were not biologically from their parents. can't wait to see what happens...

    my crystal ball tells me that this blog will be adding a whole new topic besides home decor and living green VERY soon!!! you will have to change your blog to "mini's manor" LOL

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

    ~amy b.

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  15. Oh! That is wonderful. Congratulations!!! You guys are going to be great parents.

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  16. So SO happy for you guys!! Congrats!!

    Renee in Michigan

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  17. Congratulations!! That is so exciting and I am so hopeful for you guys!! The best part of waiting for baby is getting the babies room just right, it always seems to need just one thing more, lol. So excited to see what y'all do and hope you both get to meet your baby soon!!

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  18. Congratulations!
    So happy for you. :)

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  19. I'm so happy for you!
    I've been reading your blog for a while and I guess how much this means to you. You'll be great parents!
    I've recently discovered a blog from a lady that adopted 3 children, if you haven't already, you might want to take a look at her stories: http://www.aninvitinghome.com/
    I wish you the best!!
    Hugs from Argentina, Julia

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  20. Congratulations! Wonderful news!

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  21. Congratulations! This is such exciting news and I am so happy for your both. I can't wait to hear more updates on how the process is going and see the baby's room. :)

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  22. What wonderful news!
    Congratulations & best wishes!!
    :)

    Julie
    Ireland

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  23. Oh my gosh that's so exciting!!!! One step closer.

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  24. Oh I am so happy for you! What an exciting time :) I'll be praying that you get matched soon. How wonderful that you are one step closer to finding your baby.

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  25. What wonderful news! That is so exciting and I cannot wait to learn more about the process! Weeeee! :)

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  26. So happy for you! Congratulations!
    ~Adrienne

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  27. Soooo beyond excited for you guys! Mom and I were so hoping this would be your big news! Can't wait to hear more about it and see how you turn your extra bedroom into a sweet nursery. I know it will be gorgeous! Hugs! XO Elie

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  28. How exciting! Congratulations! I am especially interested and excited for you as my husband and are I are also from BC and we hope to adopt as well. Thanks for sharing this incredible journey.

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  29. That is so exciting! After thousands spent on infertility treatments, I'm beginning to think Adoption is in our future as well. Congrats to you, I can't imagine how excited you must be, but I do understand your fight to get this far....this baby is going to be so loved. :)

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  30. Yes, it was all I could do NOT to spill the beans by saying I was SURE what the news would be on Friday!! Elie and I were talking about it Saturday when we spent the day together, as she mentioned. Of course I told her you could be adopting another puppy too!! LOL We are soooo very happy for the two of you. You are going to make wonderful parents, and any baby being placed in your home is super lucky.

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  31. Congratulations, guys! I've been reading the blog for a little while now, and I had a hunch that baby-news was going to be in the near future. Can't wait to read all about the baby's room!

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  32. Congratulations! Very happy for you both. You'll be amazing parents.

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  33. I am so excited!!!! I will be praying.

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  34. Congratulations! That is so exciting! Very happy for you and your husband.

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  35. I was so hopping this was the exciting news from Friday!!! Congrats!!!

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  36. Congratulations on this important step! I'm also a mom by adoption. It's INCREDIBLY exciting, every step of the journey. Journal as much as you can, even create some scrapbook pages now because you won't want to miss a second of time with your new baby but you also won't want to forget any details. I'll be thinking of you!

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  37. CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is SO exciting!

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  38. Yea!! I'm so happy for you and Lee.

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  39. Hi! I have been reading your blog for a while now, and must tell you I am SO excited to hear this news and share in this journey with you. My husband and I are also future adoptive parents and are waiting to begin our family through adoption. Congratulations on making it through the home study!! I am so excited to hear about the rest of your journey.

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  40. So excited for you guys! I can't wait to see how you prep for the little miss or mister! Lots of love from Ottawa!

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  41. Congratulations, how exciting! :) Very happy for you! :)

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  42. Oh Ash, congrats hon! xoxoxox

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  43. Congratulations! I am so happy for you. You guys will make amazing parents and I am excited for the day that I get to see a beautiful little one on your posts! :)

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  44. Congrats! My husband and I want to adopt someday so I love reading about everyone's processes. I don't know you all but seems like you would be a wonderful mother! And I'm sure the baby's room is super adorable! :)

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  45. Congratulations! My husband and I are wanting to adopt one day, we already have a sweet little one of our own, but would love to assist a child who might otherwise not get the opportunities we would be able to provide them. I've been reading your blog for a few months now and any child would be so lucky to become part of your family.

    Cheers and good luck.

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  46. Congats on completing the home study part, you two will make great parents. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and praying that soon you will have a sweet baby in your arms.Can't wait to see the baby's room.

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  47. This is AMAZING news and I am so happy to watch and read this journey!!! xoxo

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  48. Best of luck to you both! That's very exciting. My daughter was adopted from Taiwan 5 1/2 years ago. It was an extremely long, up and down, up and down, process; just remember the result of the hard (paper) work - a beautiful baby to call your own :)

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  49. So amazing. I don't read your blog very often, but I strongly feel that everyone who wants to should have the opportunity to become parents. Congrats!!

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  50. Whow, this is super. Congratulations. I'm happy for the both of you.

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  51. Congratulations!! I hope for the best :)

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  52. Wanting to offer you my congratulations too. As the mother of 2 daughters adopted from Russia 16 years ago i want to wish you all the blessings in the world.
    Jane Beckenham, New Zealand

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  53. Congratulations!!! Best wishes!!!

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  54. Oh my gosh I have tears in my eyes!!!!! I'm so excited for you both!!!!

    What an amazing feeling! I hope you'll share more of the adoption process as I've always considered it...

    Thanks for allowing us to be apart of such a special time in your life!!!!

    Christine

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  55. Congratulations! Am so happy for you both!

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  56. Yayyy!! Congratulations!!! I am waiting to bring home my third adopted son (Guatemala, Ethiopia and now Haiti). Welcome to the adoption club. :)

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  57. Oh my gosh Ashli! You've made me cry! I'm so excited for you both! CONGRATULATIONS! We've been LID to China since 2004, I guess you could say we've given up hope to bring our Mei Mei home.

    Thank you so much for sharing this very special journey with us. Blessings!! xo

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  58. Congratulations on your good news! Hope you don't have to wait too long. x

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  59. I've been always admiring people willing to adopt a baby. I mean, you never know what person it may turn out to be. Sometimes it's so hard to get to love your own kids, let alone babies you know so little about. This world is getting better thanks to people like you.
    I keep my finger crossed. Congrats from Poland!

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  60. So very very excited for you! What wonderful news... Wishing you luck on this fabulous journey! My cousin just today announced the arrival of their little baby through adoption! Such a Joyful time!

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  61. congratulations!!! I am so happy for you...children truly are a blessing!!
    J

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  62. I'm so happy for you! Congrats! You're my favorite person that Ive never met!!!

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  63. Congratulations! My husband is adopted, and I am so grateful to his parents for raising such a wonderful man. I know you will be amazing parents. What a blessing!

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  64. I am so happy for you both, Ashli! Any baby would be so lucky to have you two for parents.

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  65. You will both make lovely parents...looking forward to your journey.

    Michelle Melbourne Australia

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  66. You have no idea how long I've been waiting to see this blog post. I am so excited for you both and CANNOT wait to see YOUR BABY'S ROOM!! Congratulations to you both you will make fabulous parents. Thank you for letting us follow you on this journey :)

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  67. Blessings to you Ashli and Lee! I feel like I know you guys, even though I don't, I know you will be fantastic parents and so very loving to your new family member!

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  68. I'm so excited for you two! Congratulations!! I'm looking forward to hearing about the rest of your journey. :)

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  69. Ahhh that is SO awesome!!! I can't wait to see all of the future baby-related posts -- you are going to be the cutest parents ever! Congratulations!!!

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  70. Wow, so excited for you! I know this has been a long time coming and I can't wait to follow along on this journey. The province of BC really knows what it's doing! :)

    Congrats!

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  71. You're "paper pregnant"! How exciting. I too am in the waiting period...here's hoping we both get matched soon!

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  72. How heartwarming it is to see two people who share so much of themselves, to realize that they get to experience the joy of being parents! Many years ago I was a teenaged mother, and while I chose to keep my baby...I remember looking at tapes of potential parents (while I was pregnant), and I do know that had I seen someone that had a blog like this, that was so creative and would be so connected with my child,that believed so strongly in family, that it would have made me think long and hard. If I felt that way, there will be others that see it too. I look forward to seeing your baby's room...not only will it be beautiful, but incredibly special, and I truly feel joy for you both.

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  73. What fantastic news!!! So happy for all of you. :o)

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  74. P.S. I live in the valley too, it's wonderful to see 'local' ideas come through your blog, very inspiring and interesting :)

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  75. I am so so happy for you! I just teared up.

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  76. I'm a very long time reader and I'm just thrilled! Lucky you and Lee...and even luckier baby.

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  77. Wow, congratulations on completing your home study and making it through the approval process! I wish you both the best of luck as you enter into this wonderful new chapter of your lives. As someone who was adopted as a baby, I can honestly say that I have never, ever felt different from other kids or like I didn't belong in my family, probably because my amazing parents loved me so well. As a long time reader of your blog I can just see how you and Lee have so much love for eachother and how much love you still have to give and I'm so happy for you! Can't wait to see the Baby's Room.

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  78. Seriously Ashli, I have been waiting for your news ever since we talked about it a couple of years ago. I am so very happy for you and Lee. I actually have watery eyes right now with your news. I CANNOT wait to see your baby's nursery. OMG too cool for words!!!!!!

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  79. I've been a long-time lurker in your blog and was usually content to just read your posts, but this fantastic message had me shedding my "cloak of invisibility" because I'm just soooo happy for you and Lee!

    Congratulations! You two will be great parents :)

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  80. I am very excited for you and Lee. My husband and I have been trying to have a baby for about three years now so I understand all the emotions that go along with trying to start a family. Congratulations and I can't wait to see pictures of your sweet baby in the near future.

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  81. Congrats! I am very happy for you!

    If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost to go through this process?

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  82. So very happy for you, Lee and Max. Can't wait to see the new room and what your creative juices have made. Congratulations!!!

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  83. That is amazing news, congratulations! How wonderful for you both. I was hoping it would be a family-related update! :-)

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  84. Greetings from Florida!

    My sincerest best wishes to you both! Children are such a blessing! You have so much to look forward to. : )

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  85. Congratulations!!!!
    So happy for your family :)
    You will make a wonderful mother

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  86. Congratulations! I was hoping this was your big news! The mother panel sounds so touching, what a wonderful experience for new adoptive parents to have! I'm so happy for you and Lee :) Thank you for letting us be a part of this journey, this is a huge deal!

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  87. Congratulations! I'm so happy and excited for you! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful news with us.

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  88. Congratulations! As an adoptive mom I know this is an exciting milestone.

    Kristina

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  89. Congratulations to the both of you! What thrilling news!!! Sending prayers your way for your perfect little baby to make itself known to you soon! :)

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  90. Congratulations Ashli! I am so happy and excited for you. You and Lee will be amazing parents.

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  91. Congratulations!! What wonderful news!!!

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  92. Congrats you two! I am so happy for you guys and pray that everything will go smoothly and you will find just the right fit. xoxo

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  93. Congratulations! I hope your baby is on her way to your arms!

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  94. Congratulations.. that is great news. You both would make loving and caring parents!

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  95. Congratulations :) I am very happy for you both ! An exciting adventure is ahead !

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  96. Congratulations to you both. Such exciting news! You'll make wonderful parents.

    xxx

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  97. That so ggod news ,i feel very happy for you
    Lots of Love
    Lulu

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  98. So very happy for you!!! Congratulations. Love and hugs from Cape Town, South Africa. xx

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  99. Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you. I've been reading your blog for about a year but never comment, but I just had to say something now because I'm so excited for you both!

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  100. Huge congratulations from yet another teary-eyed reader! :-)

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  101. Excellent news! So very happy for you!
    Can't wait to see your talent on the babies room!

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  102. Congratulations!! I bet you can't wipe the smiles off your faces :) (and rightly so!)

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  103. omgosh!! how could i have missed this post!?!?!?i am SSSSSOOOOOOO happy for you! do u have to adopt in canada or can you go outside of the country? email me - i got some info.! and you and lee are going to be amazing awesome parents!! one of the best books is a golden book similar to dr.suess book about the elephant that watches over the birds egg and it comes out as a flying baby elephant. tonight i will get the name of both books. you NEED to get that necklace made wether its just a check mark pendant or whatever. it feels amazing doesn't it, it made me want to dance a jig when we got our stamp of approval!

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  104. Congratulations! I got goosebumps reading this especially when you wrote about being able to call it the baby's room. I know how you feel. Excited for you both and for the lucky mini manor baby waiting to meet you.
    I've been a fan since your Sticky Pork recipe, love the blog, and I'm so happy to watch as you add a sweet new dimension to it. Now the fun begins!
    All the best,
    Kate

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  105. Meant to reply yesterday but just getting around to it now - congratulations on this wonderful news! I've been following you for almost two years now, but I'm not a regular commenter. This is a perfect time for me to tell you how much I love your cheerful, breezy, writing style, and that I have gained a LOT of inspiration from your decor style as well. I have no doubt that you and Lee will be amazing parents - that will be one fortunate baby indeed to have you as parents. Congrats again!

    Noelle :)

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  106. Congratulations. I'm so happy for you. Can't wait to see the new bundle of joy.

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  107. Oh my gosh!!!!!!!!! That is so so so exciting!!!

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  108. Happy, happy, happy! I was hoping that this was the exciting news you mentioned on Friday.
    Congratulations, I think you two will be great parents.
    Oh, that bird shelf you bought at Homesense would be wonderful in your nursery!
    Hope that this is a quick process for you. Now to start thinking of names...

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  109. I'm so excited and happy for you both!! I'm glad your journey has led you to adoption, and I know (even from only reading your blog) that you'll both be amazing parents!! I can't wait til you have that little bub in your arms!!!!! I'm so happy, and I'm crying!! This is the best news!

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  110. Congratulations!! I hope that everything goes smooth for you and your husband! A child is the most wonderful blessing and the LOVE is unimaginable!!

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  111. I am so very excited for you! One of my friends just adopted a beautiful baby boy and they couldn't possibly be happier. What an amazing journey!

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  112. Congratulations to you two! Thank you for sharing this with all of your readers. Your baby is going to be the luckiest child in the world having such amazing parents!
    - Amelia

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  113. What wonderful, joyful news! Children are one of life's greatest gifts! Not a doubt in my mind that you two will be amazing parents. Can't wait to hear more!

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  114. I am so very happy for you both! Congratulations!!

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  115. Ashli, that is the MOST amazing news! I hope it happens sooner than later! YAY!

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  116. Congratulations! So excited for you!

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  117. OMG... I have not read in awhile and here I am a few days late and cannot believe I missed this big news! I have been reading your blog for quite a long time and have often thought...they would be GREAT parents! Best of luck, and enjoy the ride. xoxo

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  118. I'm a little late, but I had to pop in and say how HAPPY I am for you, what exciting news. Huge, huge congratulations to you and your soon to be growing family!! So exciting!

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