Even though we have hit a little speed bump in the adoption process,.....we are not giving up. We are continuing infertility treatments for now, but going to continue to save for a future adoption. So please, continue to spread the word about my quilting fundraiser. It will more than likely take 2 years to save $30k anyways....that's a whole lotta quilting and sewing but I'm up for the challenge!! :)
Much Love!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Red Tape Sucks.
Never before have I encountered so much red tape, rules, and restrictions on becoming a parents, when anyone with a uterus out there can have a child. Yet, for those of us who are broken, it is painstakenly hard. After talking with several agencies today I have been made aware that when starting the adoption process MOST agencies won't allow you to move forward with an adoption while under-going Infertility treatments. The explanation that I have recieved:
1. If we continue with treatment, and we do get pregnant, that we will be adopting a baby that could have been adopted by another childless couple. And therefore, ourselves preventing another couple from becoming a family.
2. It would take away our focus from the commitment that an adoption needs. (ie, $$ and time)
3. If we found out that we were pregnant, we would abandon the adoption and a baby may be born without a family. Meaning that we would be a flight risk.
I completely understand those reasonings, even if I have my own take on the issue. However, I find it disapointing that we are made to choose. We have been going through infertility treatments for over 3 years now. And even though it hasn't been successful yet, I am not ready to give up.
So at the moment we are going to continue treatment, and adopt in about a year or two. This works out giving us more time to save, so I guess that was what was meant to be.
Thank you to everyone for all your advice and help thus far! If anyone reading this has, or know anyone who has, been through IUI/IVF please feel free to contact us, I would love to hear the stories, both good and bad.
Much love!
1. If we continue with treatment, and we do get pregnant, that we will be adopting a baby that could have been adopted by another childless couple. And therefore, ourselves preventing another couple from becoming a family.
2. It would take away our focus from the commitment that an adoption needs. (ie, $$ and time)
3. If we found out that we were pregnant, we would abandon the adoption and a baby may be born without a family. Meaning that we would be a flight risk.
I completely understand those reasonings, even if I have my own take on the issue. However, I find it disapointing that we are made to choose. We have been going through infertility treatments for over 3 years now. And even though it hasn't been successful yet, I am not ready to give up.
So at the moment we are going to continue treatment, and adopt in about a year or two. This works out giving us more time to save, so I guess that was what was meant to be.
Thank you to everyone for all your advice and help thus far! If anyone reading this has, or know anyone who has, been through IUI/IVF please feel free to contact us, I would love to hear the stories, both good and bad.
Much love!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
What a week!
Whew, what a week! Interest in my quilts has been overwhelming and for that I thankyou! I have 7 commissioned just this week! And that is awesome! I love quilting, and it's such a bonus that I can use this extra income to fund our adoption process. Step 3 happens this month: Fingerprints and background checks!
Thank you to everyone for the continued moral support! It means alot to us...
Much love!
Thank you to everyone for the continued moral support! It means alot to us...
Much love!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Not just another baby quilt.....
Thanks to my friend Todd, who just opened my eyes up to another avenue....a game throw quilt for those chilly nights at the field watching his favorite team the St. Louis Cards.....What a great idea! I am going to have fun with this one! Sneak peaks soon to come!
This week alone I have recieved so much postive feedback requesting information about my quilts, thankyou to everyone! As of today I have sold one and it's on its way to a happy new home, I am working on another that is underwraps till the little one makes her debut, colaberating on two custom quilts, and finishing up 4 more! Whew! I'm going to be busy this coming month!
I'm three deep right now in custom orders, but I will have some posted on Etsy that are available for sale within the next week or two, and of course always taking commissioned pieces! They are the most fun as I have an inspiration for the quilt!
One quilt at a time....Baby Rowell will find his/her way home!
Much love!
P.S. Here's a sneak peak at the one that I just finished and it's on its way to a new home. I will post the finalized photos once the gift is recieved...I don't want to spoil the surprise!
This week alone I have recieved so much postive feedback requesting information about my quilts, thankyou to everyone! As of today I have sold one and it's on its way to a happy new home, I am working on another that is underwraps till the little one makes her debut, colaberating on two custom quilts, and finishing up 4 more! Whew! I'm going to be busy this coming month!
I'm three deep right now in custom orders, but I will have some posted on Etsy that are available for sale within the next week or two, and of course always taking commissioned pieces! They are the most fun as I have an inspiration for the quilt!
One quilt at a time....Baby Rowell will find his/her way home!
Much love!
P.S. Here's a sneak peak at the one that I just finished and it's on its way to a new home. I will post the finalized photos once the gift is recieved...I don't want to spoil the surprise!
Monday, January 30, 2012
One Quilt at a time.....
Today marks the first day of hopefully many more to come.... I've just commissioned my first quilt! Up until now, I've only made them as gifts for family, and for awhile I stopped because I needed a new machine. But thanks to my hubby for my wonderful Christmas gift of a brand new Janome, I'm back in business! This particular piece is a quilt for a friend that I am designing as we speak. I have a deadline, so start to finish it should take about a week or two. I just ordered the fabric and everything should be here in about a week and I can get started!
In the mean time, I have 5 tops that I have almost done, and as soon as I decide on the backing fabric I will be ready to quilt them as well. These quilts will be going up on Etsy when I am finished. Stay tuned and I will provide the link to find them!
Much love!
In the mean time, I have 5 tops that I have almost done, and as soon as I decide on the backing fabric I will be ready to quilt them as well. These quilts will be going up on Etsy when I am finished. Stay tuned and I will provide the link to find them!
Much love!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Bid Now!
My beautiful, talented, big-hearted friend Christina (Rhythms of Grace Gallery) just finished this piece "Private Dreams". This particular artwork is being auctioned off in honor of our "Finding Baby Rowell" fundraiser. 100% of the proceeds will go towards this journey.
Visit the auction at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350514961798#ht_720wt_1182
Spread the word!!
And visit Christina's gallery at:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/rhythmsofgracegallery
Her work is simply wonderful!
Visit the auction at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350514961798#ht_720wt_1182
Spread the word!!
And visit Christina's gallery at:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/rhythmsofgracegallery
Her work is simply wonderful!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Thank you!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has shown such love & support to us on this journey. It's not easy to tell a personal story of struggle without being humbled by it.
As most of you know, Luke and I try to enjoy life to the fullest, take pride in our accomplishments, volunteer whenever we can, and live a very modest lifestyle with our adorable pups by our side. But in the end there is still something missing. All we honestly wish for is to share our love with a child of our own. It saddens us that we have not been able to biologically have a child, but it's also comforting knowing that we have other options and will still have the chance to be a family someday.
From the bottom of our hearts...thank you for supporting us in each and every way!
Much love!
As most of you know, Luke and I try to enjoy life to the fullest, take pride in our accomplishments, volunteer whenever we can, and live a very modest lifestyle with our adorable pups by our side. But in the end there is still something missing. All we honestly wish for is to share our love with a child of our own. It saddens us that we have not been able to biologically have a child, but it's also comforting knowing that we have other options and will still have the chance to be a family someday.
From the bottom of our hearts...thank you for supporting us in each and every way!
Much love!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
....and GO!
To all our family & friends: Please feel free to use the SHARE button to spread our story..... Never underestimate the power of social networking!!
We will be holding several auctions (looking for those who would like to donate artwork), drives, fundraisers and applying for grants that will help us offset our costs of the adoption process, but we still have a long ways to go!
To those who have given the utmost support so far...thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Much love, Lucas and Tracie!
We will be holding several auctions (looking for those who would like to donate artwork), drives, fundraisers and applying for grants that will help us offset our costs of the adoption process, but we still have a long ways to go!
To those who have given the utmost support so far...thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Much love, Lucas and Tracie!
Custom Painting/Art Auction!!
Happy Thursday! We've been brainstorming for a couple days now with ideas on ways to raise proceeds for our adoption fund. My good friend, and fellow Volunteer Vixen - Christina Bolling - has graciously offered her talents as an artist and is going to paint a custom canvas piece to donate as an auctioned item! All proceeds will go to the "Finding Baby Rowell" fundraiser! How exciting! A completed photo and auction details will be announced at a future date.
Thank you, Christina! You are the best! Can't wait to see what you come up with...I know it will be fabulous as always!!
Here's a link to Christina's art gallery: Rhythms of Grace
https://www.facebook.com/#!/rhythmsofgracegallery
* If you aren't familar with the organization that I belong to, the Volunteer Vixens, make sure you like them on Facebook and follow the new year ahead! Lots of wonderful events and opportunities to help others coming up! Check the Volunteer Vixens out on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/ordinarywomen.extraordinaryimpact
Thank you, Christina! You are the best! Can't wait to see what you come up with...I know it will be fabulous as always!!
Here's a link to Christina's art gallery: Rhythms of Grace
https://www.facebook.com/#!/rhythmsofgracegallery
* If you aren't familar with the organization that I belong to, the Volunteer Vixens, make sure you like them on Facebook and follow the new year ahead! Lots of wonderful events and opportunities to help others coming up! Check the Volunteer Vixens out on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/ordinarywomen.extraordinaryimpact
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
And so our journey begins...
Hello Everyone! The year of 2012 is going to bring wonderful things to the Rowell Family, this I know! Welcome to being part of our journey to parenthood! Chances are if you know us, you know of our dreams and our even longer journey to become parents. As many of you know, that journey has not been without struggles and heartache....but irregardless, we remain positive and have faith that we will someday be a little family while never giving up, and always being inventive on how to make this all possible!
We are overwhelmingly grateful to those of you who have asked us about the process, requested updates, and very thankful for your support and involvement in our wish to adopt.
We won't overwhelm you with the details of the total cost of an adoption, but it can become fairly expensive: Mandatory parent education classes, fingerprinting, background checks, a home study, adoption agency fees, attorney fees, placement costs, medical care for the birthmother, living expenses for the birthmother, travel, hotels, court costs…Whew! All that can add up to an excess of $30,000!
So I've embraced my roots and using the skills that both my grandmothers have taught me along the way, I am quilting and sewing again! Custom, one-of-a-kind quilts! For babies, toddlers, even yourself!
I can't think of a more precious gift.....a child will never outgrow it (like clothes), it will not break, and it will not end up in a trash heap (hopefully!).
Thank you so much for your love and support and positive vibes that you send along the way! As always, we promise to keep you up to date on our progress via this blog and share in this wonderful journey!
Please spread the word about our journey and the items that we are making to fund our adoption. Tell everyone you know! We may even find our birth mother this way, so please never underestimate the power of networking!
Because of YOU, the stork carrying Baby Rowell will finally find its way home!
Much Love,
Lucas and Tracie
We are overwhelmingly grateful to those of you who have asked us about the process, requested updates, and very thankful for your support and involvement in our wish to adopt.
We won't overwhelm you with the details of the total cost of an adoption, but it can become fairly expensive: Mandatory parent education classes, fingerprinting, background checks, a home study, adoption agency fees, attorney fees, placement costs, medical care for the birthmother, living expenses for the birthmother, travel, hotels, court costs…Whew! All that can add up to an excess of $30,000!
So I've embraced my roots and using the skills that both my grandmothers have taught me along the way, I am quilting and sewing again! Custom, one-of-a-kind quilts! For babies, toddlers, even yourself!
I can't think of a more precious gift.....a child will never outgrow it (like clothes), it will not break, and it will not end up in a trash heap (hopefully!).
Thank you so much for your love and support and positive vibes that you send along the way! As always, we promise to keep you up to date on our progress via this blog and share in this wonderful journey!
Please spread the word about our journey and the items that we are making to fund our adoption. Tell everyone you know! We may even find our birth mother this way, so please never underestimate the power of networking!
Because of YOU, the stork carrying Baby Rowell will finally find its way home!
Much Love,
Lucas and Tracie
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