Can't believe I let another month slip by! So much to update...

To start, Michael and I have decided that we are done with fertility treatment. Several things led to this decision, but one major decision that we have made that really helped us decide to quit...We're becoming licensed foster parents! This is something that we have been thinking about/praying about for a long time. Our ultimate desire is to adopt a child (or two!) out of the foster care system. I have been hesitant to tell everyone simply due to the fact that I know this is a topic EVERYONE has an opinion on. But, to my surprise, almost everyone has been encouraging and excited for us! I've only had a couple of people ask me to rethink and wait for me to have my own baby b/c they did not want me to miss out on that experience (yes, I'm being serious...someone really said this to me).

Michael and I started training class the first week of November. We have now completed all but one session (we did about 30 hours of training in 2 1/2 weeks...so glad that's done!). We've turned in our application and are officially on our way! We still have paper work to finish, and I'm so glad I can see the end in sight! On Monday we are having our fire inspection, which I'm super nervous about. I talked to the guy today and he said almost everyone fails the first time, so just expect it. I don't want to fail! But I have a feeling we will since our smoke alarms are not interconnecting (the requirements are crazy!) and I'm not sure that's something you can fix in a weekend. But we are definitely going to try! Once that's complete we get to do our home study!!! I'm hoping we'll be able to do the home study sometime at the beginning of January. Then I believe it's about a month's wait to be "processed". After that we should be licensed and ready to go!

One, very logical, question I have been asked is "Why not go with an adoption agency where you can know the mother before the birth and be their for the birth?" There probably is a lot less heartache and risk going this route, but neither Michael nor I feel this is where God is leading us. While yes, we do desperately want a child, that is not our only motivation for going through the foster care system. God calls us to take care of those that are widowed and orphaned. This is something Michael and I really feel God has placed on our hearts. Here is our chance to love a child that needs it and may not get it from anyone else.

We know that there may be some difficult times that come along with this, but God has already shown Himself faithful to us through the hard times. We know His love, grace, and mercy will be enough to see us through anything.

So, please pray for us to have patience through this process while we wait to be licensed. Also that our home inspection goes well!

In other exciting news, Michael and I are an uncle and aunt! Our first nephew is here- Jonah Matthew Sitton! He is super cute!