The Journey

Although this is a blog dedicated to our beautiful baby, I think our marriage has a huge impact on how we have embarked on this incredible and insanely difficult journey. Though we know we don't have it all figured out, I think we have come quite a long way since we first said, "I do". Five years may not seem like a long time, but living in a society where about 1/2 of marriages end in divorce, I feel like it is something to be proud of. I know each relationship is unique and has its own set of challenges and needs, but I feel like I have learned quite a few lessons over our five years. Top Ten Lessons from Five Years of Marriage: 10.  Never quit dating. Even though one may assume you see each other enough, going on dates is different than just being in the same room together. Turn off your cell phones, get out of the house or stay in, but make time for just the two of you. It is possible to keep dating even on a very limited budget. Make it a priority! 9. Find c...

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A lot of you have recently asked me about how the process is going, and my response lately has been that they are making changes to the process so we are really unsure of what is going on. Now that I have a little more information, I will do my best to avoid adoption jargon and give the the best explanation that I can. Why are they changing the process? Is this your adoption agency who is doing this?  First of all, this process change is for anyone who is adopting from Ethiopia. They are making these changes due to the request of the US government. I believe it was in 2011 that the US informed Ethiopia that they would like to implement something called the PAIR process. Why does the US want this change?  Right now, families go to court through the Ethiopian government and that child is then claimed as theirs. The issue with the US government is that people would pass court in the Ethiopian Courts, but would then not be cleared through the US Embassy which was the next st...

Wouldn't it be great to lose some calories while helping a great cause! THIS IS YOUR CHANCE! Come for a morning of Zumba with Certified Zumba instructor, Myra Whittington! You may be a Zumba junkie or this may be your first time! No experience is required! Just come ready to move and have a great time! Cost is $10 at the door or you can buy tickets from us in advance. As you know, international adoption is extremely expensive. We currently have around $16,500 left to raise! All ticket proceeds go to The Woodson Family's Ethiopian Adoption! YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS EVENT! GREAT MUSIC, GREAT EXERCISE, GREAT CAUSE! We want to give a shout out to everyone who understands the heart of adoption and has supported us from day one in this extremely long and difficult process. We know it will be so worth it! Please invite all your friends and family! This is truly going to be a morning with lots of fun and energy!  Make sure to bring a water bottle and wear comfy c...

This is the 2nd blog post based off of Father's Day. Last Father's Day is when we told our families that we were adopting. Although they knew we were going to eventually adopt, we told them that we had started the process with a card and a picture that looked like an ultrasound of Africa. Both families were extremely supportive and excited. Even though we knew some people waited quite a while in the adoption process to tell their friends and family, we knew we wanted to tell them rather early because we needed their support and prayers. Jeffrey and I are both so thankful to have such supportive fathers in our lives. They have supported our relationship as a couple, and now they are both standing behind us as we feel this is how we are supposed to expand our family. Thank you dad and Jeff for being the people you are. We know that Baby Woodson is going to have some amazing grandpas; he/she already does! Baby Woodson will be a bike riding fishing machine! It wouldn't be...

As many of you know, our adoption is going to cost around $30,000. Although we have paid some, raised money, and received donations, we still have quite a ways to go. I mentioned two summer fundraisers that we are having, and this is the information about the first one! Our friend, Teresa, has offered to give 100% of the consultants commission from her 31 party to our adoption. These bags are super cute and very nice! I own one of the larger totes, and it is great for work and traveling!  My sister got one of these bags for her wedding shower, and used it for all her beach stuff on their honeymoon. Many of my friends use them as diaper bags, and lots of my students have the lunch bags. So whether you are shopping for yourself or for someone else, please come checkout these bags! Shop online. THIS IS A GREAT OPTION FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CAN'T MAKE ANY OF OUR LOCAL FUNDRAISERS! Please click on the link below. Make sure that the event says Fundraiser for Baby Woodson. Please make...