A recap and to catch up on what's going on :)

Hey Everyone! wooooh, was that a busy last few weeks. lol. 

 In case you haven't heard, Bobby and I are adopting two children from the Congo in Africa.  This is something that has been a long time coming and now we feel it's the appropriate time to do so.  As you may know, adoption can be expensive and well.... money just doesn't grow on trees.  We decided to have a firework stand to help raise money for our Congolese Cuties. 

Here are some pictures to recap...

Daddy and Buddy (The beards ain't got nothing on my man's ;)

Those may or may not be Cheetos on the ground... Yea, "Huck" didn't like them either. 

The evenings were my favorite at the stand.  Watching the sun set over a harvested wheat field with a breeze was so peaceful.  

4th of July morning.... he was one little tired boy, but was such a trooper.

In case you wanted to mess with us, we had "Huck" by our side.  

Apparently he thinks he belongs in people's laps.... don't mind the fact he is the size of a grown man. lol.

....and our firework stand.

 If you made it out to our stand, you may have noticed another family out there with us.  They are a family from our church who feels led to adopt from the Congo as well.  It is nice having someone close by who is going through the same journey as you are.  I must say, for 2 families who see a huge mountain in front of us, we sure have a lot of laughs... a peace that this is the right thing to do and that God is completely in control.... cause He is.

The firework stand was a lot of work and we did pretty good for our 1st time around.  It is something we will continue to do to help us in this adventure.  We are already working on ways to make it better!

Since the 4th, I've been sewing... and lots of it.  I'm so glad its a passion of mine and that my mom put me in sewing lesson as a teenager.  I've been making bags and purses to continue raising money for our adoption.  To better organize myself and to reach people outside of my network, I've created an etsy shop for people to purchase things I've made.... and of course, all the profit from the etsy sales goes towards our adoption.

Here are a few of the bags....

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePopesAdoptionshop


Bobby and I aren't ones to ask for handouts, but we have had people ask where they can send money to help out. I've created a nifty little "donate" button on the right side of this blog.  It's done through PayPal, but you don't necessarily have to have a PayPal account to send money.  Just about any major credit card will work :)  Again, we aren't ones to ask for money, we'd much rather make you something, mow your lawn maybe, etc in exchange.  We thank you so much in advance for any generosity given. We truly appreciate every dollar of kindness.   

The biggest question we've been asked is if we know who the kids are or if we know what they look like, etc, etc.  

The answer, is no, not yet. :)  The way an international adoption works is after a bunch of paperwork and waiting, you are eventually sent a referral.  The referral will usually have pic(s) of a child, there medical records, and maybe some of their background, and age.  From there, we make a decision if this child(s) will be right for our family.  You do get a say on ages and gender.... for Bobby and I, we feel pretty open.   Anywhere between the ages 0-3, boy/girl doesn't matter, and siblings or not doesn't matter.  

Feel free to ask us questions... We love answering them and love hearing from everyone. We realize this isn't a journey most take and so no question is a dumb or silly question.  :)



Thank you so much for all the support, and prayers y'all have expressed. It truly means sooooo so much to us :)


Rosemary 

Exciting things happening with the Pope Family!

I've thought hard about how to word this post and thought of several ways to put it, but when it's actually came to the moment to actually write this post, I've drawn a blank.... other than to simply come out and announce.

We are adopting!

2 children, from the Congo!

Yes, you read that right.  It's not a typo, we are adopting 2 little ones from the Congo :)

We couldn't be more excited about this journey.... We are only in the VERY beginning stages and it's already been an adventure.

To help better explain, our cousin and a friend from church has put a video together.  If you have the time, we'd love for you to watch it.

New Birthing Center: A Labor of Love

Today has been a lazy day around my house.  It's cloudy and I think that may have had something to do with it.  We eventually got out to get some shopping done.  When we got home, I thought to myself, I've got to do something productive.... so I went up stairs to work on a dress I've been sewing for myself.  (Nothing fancy, just a summer dress).  I'm sure I will post about it later.  Afterwards, (or when Buddy Man got tired of being in the craft room) we came down stairs for dinner.

After dinner I decided to get on facebook to see what everyone is up to.  I saw my midwife had posted an article about her new birthing center.  I am super excited for her and seeing this dream of hers come true.  She is an amazing woman and deserves this.

I know many people don't agree with the way I choose to do things, but honestly if I could go back and relive my labor and delivery with my last baby, I would not do it any differently.  Delivering my son at an out of hospital birthing center was not only what I wanted, but I feel it's what God wanted for us too.  Not many people know this, but when I was 37 weeks pregnant with Buddy, I was admitted into Labor and Delivery at a hospital in Dallas for high blood pressure.

It wasn't an eventful day, but I kept seeing spots and my hands and feet were swelling.  No matter how much water I drank, or how much I relaxed, it wouldn't go down.  After a while, I checked my blood pressure and it was high.  (I don't remember the detail of how high).  I called my midwife and she said to go ahead and head to the hospital, there isn't anything she could do, it was already too high. She said she'd meet me there.

Once I got there, I was asked all these questions from several people, i.e., normal stats, past births, etc.  Monitoring the baby and all.  At one point, my nurse told me as a heads up that the staff was already talking about inducing me because of my history and just wanted to prepare me for what's to come.  I wasn't surprised by this and was actually already prepared to.  I didn't doubt my dreams or God for this. I just thought oh well, it is what it is.  My midwife even said, "all that matters is a healthy baby, and healthy mama." Everyone was mentally preparing to meet this baby.

A little while later I was the only one in the room just having some quite time. My blood pressure had gone down on it's own. The on call doctor came in to talk.  I assumed he was about to tell me I was going to have this baby sooner rather than later.  He asked if I had planned on having my baby at a birthing center.  I replied with a soft "yes." He then smiled and said, "well good luck! You are free to go home and have this baby when you are ready." My jaw dropped, this is so unheard of for a doctor to release a patient to have their baby out of a hospital.  I told him thank you, and then that was the last I saw of him.

My midwife and her assistant came in to be with me and I told them the news.  They couldn't believe it and jumped with excitement.  My family came in and they were all shocked too.

So we all went home.

My midwife told me later about how much peace she was given after the visit in the hospital.  Not that she or I needed it, but it was like we had approval from all that mattered.  My baby was going to be born in her care, at her birth center.

I never had any other blood pressure issues and as you know little Buddy came on his own at 40 weeks 5 days gestation.

So the article for my midwife's new birthing center....

http://rockwallheraldbanner.com/topnews/x765744126/New-birthing-center-a-labor-of-love

Please read it :) If you love history, you will love this story of renovation. 

Reflecting Down Memory Lane... Buddy's Birth And The Days Leading Up To It.

In December 2011, Bobby and I made an offer on a short sale house.  These types of houses are known to take on average 6-8 months to close... Knowing we had a baby due in 3 months, I started praying we would be moved into our house, even if we weren't unpacked yet, but at least moved in before our new baby was born.

Of course as time came close to our baby's due date, there were no signs of closing.  Bobby began praying more specifically... that we would be moved in on the 15th of March.  On Monday March 12 (our estimated due date), we went to the park by our soon to be house with my youngest sister, Mackenzie, and Nyla.  They wanted us to show them the house.  So we did.  When we got there they wanted to get out and look at the house. Bobby walked up to the front door and noticed it had been busted open.  We all went inside to inspect if there was anything else done.  What we found were some obvious signs of teenage kids up to no good.  They had done some writing on the walls, smoked in some of the rooms and burnt the carpet in one of the upstairs bedrooms.  We weren't too upset or concerned, but thought this was worthy of letting our Realtor know what's up.

We called her, and she called the realtor who listed the house.  Within about 30 min we got a very surprising call back... They had told us to go ahead and move into the house and for rent free until we closed!  This is unheard of and we knew immediately it was an answer to our prayers!

Over the next couple of days we worked on cleaning the house... well I did a lot of supervising ;-) Cleaning carpets, replacing the door frame to our front door, etc... along with getting utilities turned on.

It just so happened to be Thursday March 15th when we had our big move, moving all our belongs into our house.  That night about 9:30ish... Bobby and I were sitting alone in our house waiting for some family to come help unpack our things.  We were both exhausted.  I had a realization that then turned into somewhat of a concern of mine.  I shared it with Bobby... ,"So far our prayers have been answered, I had prayed we would be moved into our house even if we weren't unpacked before this baby is born.  You prayed more specifically we would move in on the 15th.  Both of our prayers are answered, it's the 15th, but there is something we didn't think about when we prayed... we are worn out.  I'm afraid I'm really going to go into labor and not have any energy to deliver."  Bobby, very peacefully, prayed another prayer.  He prayed we get a full nights rest, and that I wake up in labor. This gave me an assured peace that I will have plenty of energy for the next day.

Sure enough... at about 9:00am I woke up having contractions.  I layed there and began timing them.  For about 30 min I noticed they would come every 5min.  I thought I'd better get up, take a shower, and get ready for the day.  It was 10:00am by the time I finished my shower.  I then woke Bobby up giving him a heads up about the contractions.  I eventually called my midwife to let her know.  She was excited for us and said she and her assistant midwife would be ready and waiting whenever I felt like coming to the birth center. Just a few moments after we hung up she texted me "Do you know what today is?" I replied "What do you mean?" She responded, "3:16"  My reply was "John".  I smiled thinking of course, this is how You roll God.

I remember feeling as if I was a princess on a cloud that day.  Bobby and I worked on unpacking our kitchen some.  I told Bobby I really wanted to straighten my hair.  He offered to do it for me. He moved a nice comfy chair into our bathroom for me and began straightening my hair.  (I know that's not important for the story, but it was important to me, lol)  My Mom and Mackenzie also came over to help us.  We decided to tell them I was in labor, cause well... it's kind of hard to keep that from them. ;-)  After a while, I decided it was time to go to the birthing center.

When we arrived, my midwife could clearly see I wasn't fully ready to have my baby.  She checked me and I think I was at a 5.  She recommended us go to the park and walk.  We did and by the time we were leaving I was in transition.

When we arrived at the birth center I was allowed to get into the water.  I wanted to have my baby in there, but when it came to it, I couldn't get comfortable. I wanted to relax, but couldn't feel I could really relax.

My midwife wanted me to try a couple more positions, but nothing was working for me.  I never felt I had enough power to push my baby out.  I became tired and I remember thinking,  "I can't do this, I just want to sleep" but the contractions kept interrupting me. lol.  My midwife replied," Honey, if we go to the hospital they can't do anything for  you.  You are too far along."  My thoughts were, oh wow, I'd only be able to lay in a bed and I so can't lay down right now."  I began to pray  "God I need you, I can't do this for the rest of my life." Some how I began to mentally feel I could deliver my baby.  My midwife wanted me to try 1 last position to deliver.  She remembered I kept wanting to get on my hands and knees, but wanted to rest in between  contractions so that's what she had me do.

Sure enough, when I got all positioned the way my body instinctively wanted to be, I felt so much power.  After what seemed like a few re-leaving minutes of pushing, at 7:54pm,  my sweet miracle baby was born.

So much emotion flooded the birthing center that Friday night.  I look back over this last year and can't believe how much joy has been given to Bobby and I.  I have to give thanks to the 1 and only Jesus Christ.  Without Him, I am nothing.  Thank you, Jesus for your many blessings over our lives.

Can't believe it's already been a year.

Happy 1st Birthday, Buddy Man! We love you!!

Factory Cart Coffee Table.... Sort Of

While Bobby and I were on a roll of building our T.V. console, I presented Bobby with plans for a new coffee table.  Our old one had to go.  With a little man crawling and pulling up on things I decided our old table needed to go.  It wasn't baby-friendly at all. First off, it had very sharp corners and edges... and second, 2 of the legs were coming off.

So I presented plans to Bobby and since we already had tools out, I thought we could have it together in no time.  Bobby thought so too. (Especially, because, we learned a lot from our first project).

Our plans came from: Ana White's Website

The plans specifically stated this was a lower setting coffee table.  We were okay with that, but as we started piecing the table together, we realized this wasn't going to work for our style.  I wish I would have taken pictures of what ours looked like, but I didn't.  

Bobby and I didn't want to give up on our table though.  The wheels we originally bought had breaks on them, but weren't quite as big as we wanted to go.  We returned them for bigger ones, but they didn't have breaks.  We decided we needed a rug to help keep the table still, so I was more than happy to get one :)

Bobby wanted to add another layer of the sides to make it taller. He was able to add more wood underneath to make this table more solid.  

With the table heavier, and the new rug, we aren't worried about it moving now.

With our baby exploring more these days, Bobby sawed the corners off.  I then sanded them down, along with the edges.  

For the finish, I decided to keep it simple.  I brushed on a coat of Minwax's "dark walnut" and sealed it with polyurethane. 

Out of the 2 pieces of furniture we built, this one was Bobby's favorite.  I love both, but I must say, this is exactly what I wanted.  :)

Made To Dance

"They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance" Job 21:11

I've always wondered, who was the first to dance.  Why do we dance?

I've made my own conclusion for the answers to my questions a couple of weeks ago... we were made to dance.  

This all came about from my son.  He started dancing.  Well... more of a bounce when he heard music, or someone singing.  No one taught him this.  We thought, and still do, think it's the cutest thing.  

The other day, I was listening to my favorite song in the world right now while folding laundry.  Bobby had Buddy with him in the bedroom while he was getting ready for the day.  In the middle of my mini jam session of the song, Bobby comes out of the room, and as quietly as one proud excited parent can,  tells me to come here.  So I come in the room while he is motioning me to be quiet among the climax of the song.  I peaked around the corner to see Buddy in his own little world rocking out.  My eyes became full as I looked up at my husband smiling with pure joy at our son.  Looking back at Buddy, my breath was taken away.

Immediately, a thought came to my mind that I shared with my husband.  I thought, wow, just imagine how God is feeling right now.  We were in so much happiness, that it made me wonder what God was feeling, looking down at our son dancing to a song made for Him.

It sure was a moment I will never forget.

So what was the song? Well... it's by my favorite band, The City Harmonic and it's called, Holy (Wedding Song).

If you have a moment to listen, I promise you wont be disappointed. Especially when you can imagine a baby boy dancing (to the beat) of this beautiful song.

Husband and Wife Team: Building Furniture

Last week my husband, Bobby, had the week off of work.  Buddy also discovered all the DVDs on this little shelf we had our TV on.  I insisted this was something that had to be fixed. We needed something we drawers or cabinets.  I told Bobby about this website that had free plans and a step by step tutorial on how to build furniture.  This intrigued Bobby and he wanted me to show him.  The little homemaker I am had already picked out a couple different entertainment consoles I longed to build.  I showed Bobby one evening and we decided we had to get started on it the next day.  

We decided to use recycled wood for this, because, well it was free.  Since we reused wood, it was all different kinds... some were primed, and some we had to "rip" to size.  This didn't bother me much because I already knew I wanted to paint it.  

We had never built ANYTHING before.  So why did we have to choose something so hard as a "first" project? Well... because I have a tendancy of diving into things thinking I'd just figure it out.  Apparently, Bobby does too.  We had already bought all our materials and had everything cut when we discovered this:

We laughed and thought well we will figure it out... one board at a time.  Sure enough, we did.  Sometimes we would take 1 step forward only to turn around and take 2 steps backwards.  It was okay.  We loved every minute of it.  We were both learning something new together and we had a blast.  

I had some navy blue paint I found at the "miss tint" section at Lowe's for only $1.80! I decided to paint this color on 1st.  After painting, I skimmed over the wood, with my sander, in spots to give it the rugged look I wanted.  Then, I painted Minwax's "dark walnut" stain over the entire piece.  Afterwards, using an old rag, I wiped it all off.  The next day, I went back and brushed glossy polyurethane on to seal it.  

This project was everything I'd hoped it would be and then some.  Bobby and I usually always have fun together, but since having our little miracle baby we haven't always been able to enjoy the same things as we used to.  We love to hunt and fish, but as Buddy's mom, I haven't been able to do those things (yet). With this project, we were able to stay home and work on it together.  It was something new and exciting.  Using different power tools and figuring out how they all work was thrilling to us.  It brought us back together as a happily married couple :) Let me just say, there will be more projects like this from now on ;-)

Plans for this Media Console

Old Table, New Life

This table came out of an old rent house Bobby and I lived in.  This piece of furniture, along with some other stuff, was left from the previous tenants.  The landlord said we could just keep it all.  It was an ugly thing and would have easily thrown it out, but it sure was sturdy and solid.  I thought, some day I will refinish it.... Almost 2 years later, I did!  

For Christmas, I got 2 sanders.  One was a heavy-duty one and the other is for small spaces.  

I decided to work on this little table as a first tester project.  Reasons: it was free, and SMALL.  I've always dreaded sanding in the past because I've only used a very old palm sander with the paper falling off, or just by hand.

Boy was I in for a treat!

It was like instant gratification seeing the old finish come right off with my new sanders! Needless to say... I want to sand everything now.  lol.

Now on to the actual finsih....

I was asked a while back, what color did I use for this? I never responded cause it wasn't an easy answer.  

Back when we lived in Cleburne, TX Bobby and I went to some rustic furniture stores.  There, I saw an entertainment console with a green finish on it.  I had never seen something like it before, and loved it.  Bobby thought it was weird, but that didn't stop me dreaming of this neat touch to furniture.  

When it came to this table, I thought of many different ways to color it but was undecided.  I went to Lowe's to figure out what I was going to do.  I always like looking at their mark down section of paints because there are some REALLY good deals there.  While I was there, I found a gallon of green paint.  It wasn't a subtle shade of green either.  It was the exact shade of green I needed for only $5!

After painting 2 coats of green, I lightly sanded the edges of the table, exposing the wood.

Next, it was time to stain.

I got some stain from a brand I had never seen before.  The color I wanted was a "dark walnut" and that's what it said on the can.  I painted it on there and soon realized it wasn't working.  I went back to Lowe's and bought the Minwax brand of "dark walnut" along with glossy polyurethane.

I brushed the new stain all over the table, covering up all the green.  Once I was done, I got an old rag and wiped the stain off.  This technique made the green darker, getting into all the grooves and creases of the wood.  Still though, the wood didn't soak the stain in all the places.  I didn't mind cause it added more character.  

After letting it dry, I coated the table in the polyurethane to seal in the paint/stain.  I have found out that I love to brush the glossy polyurethane on furniture.  It tends to bring out all the richness from the colors making the project that much nicer.  

So there you have it.  My new "rustic green" table.

I got Buddy's approval!

I'm back!!

I've decided to start blogging again.  My ambitions are high as to how often I will be posting on here, but I'm for sure going to make more of an effort to do so.  This blog will become more of a hodgepodge of our life. I plan on sharing things created in my craft room, home makeover projects, maybe a few recipes, and life happenings.

So much has happened in the past year and a half.  I'd say 2012 was a very good year for "The Pope Family."  Sure there were bumps here and there, but for the most part things went for the better...  We finally gave birth to our miracle baby (YAY), bought a house, and new car were probably the biggest deals. We feel very blessed.  I don't know of a day that goes by I don't thank my Jesus for everything that has happened. <3 br="br" nbsp="nbsp"> ~*StAy ToOnEd*~