The Year of Adoption and 'Roe

2017 has been the year of two things in the Etter household:  Adoption and LuLaRoe.   You probably already know of my obsession with adoption since you're reading this blog.

Vivien is modeling a size 2 Mae, and I am in an Amelia dress (it has POCKETS!)

But did you know that LLR is systematically taking over every piece of clothing in my closet?  Quite literally.   Since discovering LLR last fall, I have not bought a single piece of clothing that wasn't LLR (except for a denim jacket from Target that my LLR fashion consultant, Kerri, said I simply MUST have)  The clothes are comfy and versatile (wear to work AND play?  Yes please!) and they flatter pretty much everything from a pogo-stick to a cantaloupe, which is great because I fall somewhere in-between.

Even Vivien loves LLR.  Especially since they collaborated with Mickey Mouse.  I think Justin is waiting for them to release the Star Wars leggings and then we'll all be one big happy LLR-wearing, adoption-loving family!

This past week, my two loves combined forces in a mighty way:  My sister-in-law, Rebekah, and my mother threw me a surprise pop-up LuLa Fundraiser Party AND my very dear friend and personal LLR fashionista, Kerri, is in the middle of running a week-long fundraiser sale.  Everything made through these fundraisers, with LLR matching, will be donated toward the cost of our adoption fees and expenses.

'Roe-ing with Mom and Rebekah!

LLR goodies sold during Kerri's fundraising Album Sale!

We are overwhelmed by the success of both of these fundraisers...I know we kept Becca and Kerri busy this week as you bought all the pretty things.  So here is my shout out to both Becca and Kerri - two of the greatest fashionistas I've ever met...Please support their small businesses and fall in love with LLR just like I did!

LuLaRoe by KeRRi DailoR

LuLaRoe Abigail Heise VIP

And now for an adoption update:

On August 4th, we had our biometrics appointment with the  office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.  That's a fancy way of saying we went to be photographed and fingerprinted. (for the 3rd time for those who are counting).  Our appointment, which they scheduled, was at 8 AM in Elizabeth.  The appointment letter said to bring a photo ID.  We left Viv with our dear friend Michelle and were on our way.  

We were pleasantly surprised with how quickly and efficiently the registration process was considering the volume of other individuals and families with 8 AM appointments.  Everything was going great.  Until they realized I had a maiden name.  When they asked to see my marriage certificate, I stared at the office manager, dumbfounded.  

"This appointment letter says nothing about bringing a marriage certificate."  

Redness began to burn in my eyes and I began my yoga breathing as a measure of keeping my cool as I realized I was not going to be fingerprinted without my paper-trail of legal names.

No USCIS employees were harmed in the events that occurred on Aug 4.

After a trip back home to get my marriage certificate, a misinformed superfluous trip to the Mt. Laurel USCIS office in the opposite direction, and another trip back to Elizabeth, we finally completed this step in the process.  

Meanwhile, the FBI agent who was working on adjudicating our 2nd sets of fingerprints must have finally returned from his 3 month sabbatical backpacking through Europe because our FBI background checks finally arrived!

"You asked for miracles, Theo.  I give you the F. B. I."

So for those keeping track, we're now waiting for approval from USCIS, and for the US Dept of State to apostille (or verify the authenticity of) our FBI background checks.

Waiting is so hard, guys.  Everyday we think of Jenny, sitting there in her Eastern Europe orphanage, wondering if there's a family out there, a mommy and a daddy who would love her.  She has no idea how we long to curl up on the couch with her in our arms and love on her.  We know that day is coming, and God is in control.  But we pray it comes sooner that we could ever hope!

LuLaRoe For Jenny

The very first thing we bought for Jenny was a pair of LuLaRoe leggings that match a Mommy & Me pair that Vivien and I already owned.  I cried when I paid for them and I told the LLR consultant who they were for.

And this is why our next fundraiser is particularly dear to my heart.

Meet KeRRi DailoR - Wife, Mother, Sister, Friend, MOPs leader and LuLaRoe fashion consultant.

Kerri & Newborn Noel

In February 2014, my husband Matthew and I had exactly three days' warning that our one-week old baby boy was coming home!

After a quick Target run with my best friend (who had given birth to her son literally 30 days earlier!) to get diapers, wipes, and a NoseFrida nasal aspirator (just in case) we were ready!

On Friday, the 28th of February, we loaded up an empty car seat, formula that we had no idea what to do with, tiny diapers and a 0-3 month outfit and set off!

After more than an hour of signing a tower of paperwork at the adoption agency, the door opened!  In walked Noel's birth mom holding the tiniest 6lb bundle of baby in a blue and white crocheted blanket with two itty-bitty feet popping out the bottom!  

Noel's birth dad was close behind and the two of them handed us our son to hold for the first time. And just like that we were parents!

The next 3.5 years would fly by quicker than we knew, and we were blessed to have an open relationship with Noel's birth parents.  They are able to see him grow and thrive and play with trains and worship Lightening McQueen!  They haven't missed a birthday party or museum visit yet!  We are one big family. 

We are so very thankful for the gift of adoption and what it has done for all of us.  While having a very unique start and story, we actually feel very normal.  Our normal.

I was more than ecstatic when Tara told me about Jenny and asked if I would be willing to participate in a fundraiser event.  I assumed she asked because she knew our family has been so blessed by adoption too!  Nope!  She had no idea!  She just loves LuLaRoe and thought it would be fun (and it will be!!)  How awesome to see God working in this incredible story of bringing Jenny home.  Time and time again He has stepped in and just proven to their family how this is all 100% meant to be!  I'm excited to play a very small part in bringing another child home to their family! 

Shop LULAROE KeRRi DailoR for JENNY!

So what's LuLaRoe?  Besides being my latest obsession, it's awesome, adorable, quality clothing - they are famous for their buttery soft leggings, conservative styles, and unique prints.  A portion of the proceeds from Kerri's sales during the week of Aug 22 thru Aug 28 will be donated to our Family Sponsorship Page (FSP) with Reece's Rainbow.   THANK YOU, KERRI!

Leggings for the Etter Girls!