Update

September 9th we celebrated 8 years of marriage. It's amazing to think what has happened in those eight years for me and Mat. We have most importantly loved. Through it all.

Larimer Street downtown
 

 

Where we went after our wedding reception to have dinner... 8 years ago, Sullivan's.
 

 

There have been tickle fights, bad movies, incredible food. We have met little pigs named Moo on our adventures...

Breckenridge. Where we like to go escape...

 

Walking around the streets at SouthGlenn and ran into this little girl.

 

Our wedding and honeymoon, infertility, experiencing the loss of Baylor our black lab, sharing unbelievable highs and lows. We have been to amazing places like Paris (no place is better), Helsinki and a smattering of cities in Germany; traveling, exploring, learning and appreciating other cultures. Physical outdoor activities and races, working out together and motivating each other.

2012 Color Run. Color Love.

 

2012 Denver Oyster race with Eric on our team.

 

When we rented from a friend and were fortunate enough to make home improvements in lieu of rent sometimes, it was practice for our home that we have now. The process of buying a foreclosure. Experiencing home renovation as we have, taking into consideration all of the small details to keep the 1930's character and completely transforming our "hot mess" into the Berry Bungalow. Having our family and friends by our sides as we grew together as a couple and as individuals. Sharing so much with them and each other.

Boulder brew tour with Mom and Dad.

 

Kitchen renovation with our God son, Jeremy.

 

Mat and his Dad, Veryl working on the pass thru.

 

Eight years of marriage brings you moments of gratitude and love. Life has brought us incredible times of happiness as well as hardships. Sometimes it can rock you to the core and you don't know how you are going to get up off the floor. And other moments you don't know how you could be so lucky.

Maybe the extremes for us have been preparing us for parenthood. I think everything prepares us in all ways. I am a better daughter, friend, wife and soon to be mother because of some of the very difficult things I have experienced. As well as the times when I was jumping for joy. Life is full of lessons and moments to cherish. We prepare ourselves everyday before we leave the house or speak in front of others or go out on a limb. I think it's when we are not prepared when life really happens. I think life is a blessing and it's gone in a blink of an eye. And I am excited to be unprepared for the next phase.

USCIS Approval Letter!

September 13 we received our notice of favorable determination concerning the application for advance processing of an orphan petition. When we saw the return address was the Department of Homeland Security we knew we would not be stagnant any longer. We now had our USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) approval letter and couldn't be happier. Or I could just say, as of today, September 16 our case has been reactivated and we are no longer on hold to await our referral. We hope to get the call for our baby soon.

We have more paperwork to do, our dossier needs to be updated for the 3rd time I hate to say. But it's better to have us doing the legwork now than having anything slow down the arrival of our baby coming home.

Working on the dossier, getting some much needed house tasks done, working on another fundraiser (I will have an update on that later) and focusing on some abbymade business items are all on our to do list. It feels good to be in this moment.

 

Recently a friend told me in so many words. And I wish my memory was better so I could share it as eloquently as she did with me.

"God is not going to dangle this (baby) in front of you and not allow you to experience it. He is going to take you all the way." KG

Hearing those words made such an impact on me at a very difficult time. It was powerful and true. Now, it's what I remind myself if I'm struggling.

Abby and Mat