Adoption Update...

So, the questions I get asked a lot are...."How is your adoption going?" or "Any news on your adoption?"

And really the truth is that there is rarely anything new to report. The process is long and the waiting is endless. As those of you who have done the journey can attest to...there's a lot of space where there is simply nothing to report.

We have been in our adoption process for 13 months now. It seems crazy to even say that because it feels even longer then that. Part of it is because Chris and I have dreamed about adopting since we first got married and even before we officially started our Cameroon process in January 2013, we had been talking and praying for months.

All that to say, our process has been long and we have much longer. Our home study process was trying to say the least. We changed jobs, moved houses, and invited someone to live with us all while doing our home study...needless to say this made the process much longer then normal.

Our home study is being processed here in Illinois. Then it will be sent to USCIS for approval. And THEN......THEN we get a referral!!! A referral is that small photo and scattered info sheet on the child that has been selected for you. And that, my friends, is when it all becomes real for this mama.

People ask if it's just so hard to wait. And yes, it's hard to feel like things take forever to move forward. But, my heart has not been connected to a specific child yet. There is no name or face or paper saying that she likes playing soccer on it. There's simply the dream of her. And when that picture is in my hand and beside my bed...that's when the waiting gets hard. That's when the tears come. That's when it feels endless and the ocean between us seems so big.

And that's when GRACE steps in. I'm excited to receive depths of God's grace that I've never known. It's my word for the year. GRACE. Abundant, undeserving, sufficient grace.

So, there you have it. The adoption update with really very little to report. HA!

We will be having fundraisers in the coming weeks and months! We need all the help we can get! I'll be selling things in my Instagram shop soon and we're partnering with Raising Up 1 for an awesome fundraiser in March. We can't wait to see all the ways God provides and all the ways we can partner with Him to bring our daughter home.

Hope Spoken Link Up

Well, hello there! My name is Christie Otts and I'm so excited for Hope Spoken! I can't wait to meet some lovely ladies and experience all that The Lord has for us!

Ok, how about a little "get to know ya"?

Let's see...

I'm a mama to three boys. We are currently adopting two girls from West Africa. I'm married to a preacher man. I'm passionate about justice and being an advocate for the voiceless.

I'm a born and raised Texas girl who moved up to the Chicago area about two years ago! 

You can take the gurl outta Texas....

Yep.

I'm a lover of all things thrifted and vintage. I love creating a bright, colorful home for my family! I love to bake...when I find the time. One of my favorite times each day is when I start dinner, the kids are playing outside, music is playing and I've got a glass of wine nearby. Perfection! Ha!

I'm so excited for Hope Spoken! Really I'm only nervous about the social part. Even though I love meeting new people, it can sometimes feel overwhelming meeting so many people at one time! Ha!!

I'm mostly excited! And I really am just looking forward to some focused time away to be with Jesus and to be encouraged. As a mom, these times are so few and far between, so when I get these times I really want to cherish them.

I'm hoping to leave fueled for the season ahead and envisioned for being the best mom, wife, servant, and friend that I can be through His grace.

Cannot wait to meet you! I'd love to chat before-hand!! Feel free to comment below and please follow me on IG @storehousecrafts!!! I'd love to get to know you!

Time for "Bread and Wine"!!!!

This book releases today...

Bread and Wine

I have been a fan of Shauna Niequist ever since I read Bittersweet.

I'm a fan of writers that are real, honest, and open.

Writers that when I finish their book I feel like we could have dinner together,

grab a glass of wine and talk like friends.

You know that feeling? Or am I the only one? HA!

If I finish a book and don't feel like I know the person who wrote it...

TOSS...I'm a lover of stories, real stories, people's raw and real stories.

And Shauna does this so well! I think she might be one of the best today.

So, needless to say...I loved this book.

It's about sharing life with others, letting people into the heart of your home,

opening the doors of you soul and bearing it all.

Bread and Wine is stories and recipes.

But, more then that it's about finding community around the table.

Nourishing your spirit and your body.

I love this! Because Jesus throughout scriptures married the two.

Sitting at a table he told stories, sitting on a hillside he broke bread

and made a miracle, sitting in an upper room he gave

the first communion.

I very deeply feel that the two are connected.

That gathering people to your table will allow them to feel safe,

allow them to be themselves.

And magic moments can happen there.

I'm challenged after reading this book to open my table.

To my neighbor, to my church friends, to my leaders,

even to my own children.

To make our time eating together as meaningful and connected 

as possible.

Practically, I just bought this...

Amazon

It's a box of daily scriptures...promises from the Word of God.

We're going to read one at dinner, talk about it

(which will be about two minutes for my squirmy boys!)

and we'll pray.

We'll ask about the highlight and lowlight of the day.

And we'll be done.

Right now, that's all my little ones can handle. HA!

But, the habit will be there.

We share, we pray, we feed on the Word.

And my prayer is that when they are 15 the table will be a place

they linger at, that feels like home to them.

A place where hearts are shared and uncovered.

A place to find nourishment.

So, there ya go!

Read the book.

Gather people around your table.

And try the recipes!!!

They are so good! I made the dark chocolate toffee...

and it was amazing!!!

A little sea salt on top...mmmmmm.

I wish I has some now!!

So thankful to get to preview this book and share my thoughts on it!

It is released today!! Go get it!

Inching along...

We are inching along...in our adoption process. 

Sometimes it feels so far away.

And some days I'm okay with that...to be honest.

I've got three little ones right here, right now, that need me.

I've got a husband who needs me.

My plate feels full.

Right now I fill out paper work and get fingerprinted

and log countless hours of online training.

My heart wonders. My heart dreams.

But, there are no little ones in a picture by my bed yet.

There are no letters to write to them, no room to prepare for them.

My grace right now is for what is before me.

When it's time to open my heart to these little ones in Africa,

when I see their faces for the first time, hear their names,

my grace will expand. 

My capacity will expand. 

I know this with absolute certainty.

It will begin to take root.

Today at our home study appointment the case worker asked me

what I have learned from the training about adoption.

I told her and then I talked about what I'm learning from others.

Others who have gone before me, paved the way, in my life.

And what I've learned in parenting my biological kids.

I've learned that His grace is enough.

That my portion is pleasant.

That He gives wisdom when we seek Him.

That just when I think I can't take on any more...

God calls me to step out in faith.

And my grace "pasture" expands.

"The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; 

surely I have a delightful inheritance"

Psalm 16:6

So long Google Reader...

Oh, man! I have about 10,000 unread blog posts on Google Reader. HA!

Do you love reading blogs? I LOVE them and I've had seasons where I've been following way to many blogs. So, I'm streamlining a bit and pairing down to the blogs I really truly love. I used Google Reader to keep them all in one place...

Then I used my top sites in Safari...but that didn't allow me to follow all the blogs I love.

So, Bloglovin it is!! I've had an account forever and never used it. But, now it's time to make the shift!

What do you use to read your blogs?? Have any favorites that I NEED to add? : )

You can follow me on Bloglovin..
here

Things I love right now...

I am a sucker for blog posts

 where people share their favorite things!

I love knowing what people can't live without 

and hearing about new products. 

So, I thought I'd share a few of my new faves.

1. This stuff has saved my hands this winter...

Praise the Lord for Satin Hands...and a big thank you to

my mother-in-law, Vickie, for giving it to me for Christmas!

It has saved my hands during this winter! Ah-mazing stuff!

The Satin Lips is great too!!!

2. This awesome new lipstick...I may have four tubes of it...

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter...getcha some.

I'm pretty sure I first heard of this from my friend Liz when

she talked about her favorite makeup items.

I am a hater of lipstick, ya'll.

I love the color it brings, but hate the feel of it on my lips.

(i know, weird.)

But, this stuff gives bright color like lipstick while feeling

like chapstick. Hallelujah.

Love. It.

3. Coconut oil. Smells like heaven...

I've heard all this talk about Coconut Oil in your beauty

routines lately....so I figured I'd give it a try.

First, I tried it on my hair...ewwww. 

It was disastrous. Not pretty.

Then, I decided to try it on my face! What?!

It is awesome! The perfect light moisturizer and

it has worked wonders during a Chicago winter which says a lot!

And the smell....smells so yummy.

4. These dolls!! Be still my heart!

I am ordering two custom dolls from this lovely shop. Sophie Dolls.

Aren't they adorable???

I'm partial to the little brown ones (*wink).

We hope to be able to take them to the girls on our first trip to Africa

and they can keep them while we're apart from them.

5. These pillows were my birthday gift from the hubs...

And I luuuuv them!

Allison of Paisley Sprouts makes such pretty pillows!

They are beautifully sewn and come in such happy colors.

Go check her out and then "treat yo' self!"

6. Last, this necklace...

I'm not kidding when I say that I've worn this almost every

day since I got it! It's perfect!

I'm digging a longer chain these days and this one is 26 inches.

Perfect.

Hannah from Happy Days makes beautiful things...

it is dangerous how many things I love in her shop.

So, there ya go! 

A few of my favorite things!

What are you diggin' lately??!!

Any new product I shouldn't be living without?

A cute Etsy shop I have yet to stumble upon?

Dish!

A New Look and Asking for Help...

Hi, there!

Do you like the new look??

The lovely Danielle helped me out with a new blog design.

And I love it!! 

Same style just a little cleaner, which I'm all about lately!

I've been crazy busy around here...

mostly with the amazing work of making and selling items

for our adoption!

I've been so overwhelmed by people's support of our adoption,

and just general love of what I've been creating!

(which is always encouraging for creative types! HA!)

If you haven't seen some of the things I'm making, here's some pics!

I've been making tons of custom "hoops" and selling them on Instagram!

Do you follow me on IG? @storehousevintage for my sale items!

It's been so fun to hear people's words for the year or 

words they find important to be reminded of...

We also had Danielle design us some sweet cards to put in with each

hoop purchase!

"Bringing our girls home one hoop at a time!"

Love it!

I have also been doing some thrifting and going to estate sales to find

vintage things to sell as well! I do little insta-sales on Instagram sporadically!!

So, there's been invoices to make, items to wrap and ship,

post office runs to make, and every time I do it...

I think...

"We're getting one step closer to bringing our girls home!!"

It's been an adventure for sure and I'm so thankful for people

all over the country that are becoming a part of our story!

I also had a chance to set up a little "shop" table at a local

Chik-fil-a event the other week too!

It was mother/daughter night!

I made a few sales, which was awesome and I got to connect

 with a few local moms who have adopted and who I have

run into around town before. That was fun!

Chik-fil-a is so generous and we're planning a fundraiser night

 with them for some time in the spring!

God has continued to amaze me at how He has abundantly provided 

already...it has laid to rest all lies and fears that "it's impossible!"

Because on our own..it is...but with Him...

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

I'm so thankful that we're IN HIM!

That I don't have to "pull this off"!!

So, if your interested...

come check out items for sale on my Instagram!!

You can pay through Paypal and I ship all over the States.

ALSO!!!!

I'd love to ask for help with supplies!

If you have scrap fabric that you'd like to donate for the hoops

(preferably in long pieces that can become strips and colorful prints),

or wooden embroidery hoops, or packaging materials that you don't

want or need...I would love to have them!!

You could even donate to our Paypal account for us to be able

to purchase mailing envelopes, bubble wrap, etc in bulk on Ebay!

Any help with these type of things, means that more of the proceeds

from sales go towards our adoption!

And i also realize that some people might want to jump in and help,

but don't necessarily want to buy anything. 

And that's great!

So, email me if you have materials you would like to donate!

Thanks so much!

storehousecrafts@gmail.com

Let the adventure begin!

Man, it's been a while since I'd posted! HA! As you probably all know, I'm not the most consistent blogger in the world.

I'm much more likely to update my Instagram or Twitter....I think because they are so much faster then a full length blog post. Which, by the way, are you following me on Instagram? I'm @storehousecrafts. Come say hi!

Things have been crazy in the Ott's House since Christmas. I still feel like I'm trying to get my feet back under me.

We had lots of fun with family in Texas and vacationing with my parents in Missouri!

About to open gifts!

My fierce Pirate! Arrrrr!

Daddy and oldest waiting patiently...

All the cousins acted out the Christmas story!!

The boys had so much fun at Silver Dollar City with Nana and Gdaddy!

We also got to visit a Butterfly Sanctuary...so pretty!

So, that was Christmas...mostly...with a little case of strep for the hubs thrown in and coming home to a broken heater. But, hey...whatcha gonna do?!

So, now that we're moving into the new year...we're taking the big steps to start our adoption process!

We have partnered with an agency out of Texas to adopt two little girls from Cameroon in West Africa. We are now working with an agency here in Illinois to do our home study process. This step takes about 3 months from start to finish and thankfully we have raised all the money needed!! Woo hoo! Praise Jesus! Through love offerings and people's generosity we have enough to pay for this first big chunk.

I've been working on selling handmade and vintage things online to raise money for our adoption!

Last night I had a little sale on Instagram and I think we made close to $200!!!

I have been making a ton of these hoops and they've been selling so fast!! I'm so thankful! I've been joking with a friend that we're "bringing these girls home one hoop at a time"!

And really that's how it's going to happen. By faithfully doing the next thing God tells us to do and slowly but surely seeing Him provide. And at the same time, we are believing for the BIG gifts as well...like full paid for airfare for our two trips to Africa!! Come on, Jesus!

It's been such an exciting journey and we can't wait to see it all unfold. I'd love for my blog to be a place for me to share our process with others and hopefully encourage others who are in the adoption process as well.

So, please follow along!!!

He comforts those...

"Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope,

Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles..."

Psalm 119:49-50

Today my heart is heavy for our hurting and broken world.

For those who lost so much today.

Holding my little ones close with a thankful heart.

And remembering that in Jesus alone do I place my trust.

In the arms of the Father is where I find comfort.

In the promises of a loving God,

is where I find

HOPE.

And so the journey begins....

We have three children, all boys, all born to my womb.

But, we know our family is not complete.

And ever since we became a family, we knew that adopting was something we wanted to do.

But, it always happens in God's timing, right? And how thankful I am for that! 

He has faithfully written our story and I wouldn't wish it to be even one letter different.

So, we feel like God has led us to start the journey...and it's going to be just that. A journey of faith, a journey of patience, a journey to Africa.

We're so excited to begin, we're nervous about the process, we're preparing for the joys and challenges that await us both in the process and in the new "normal" of our life after.

But, mostly, we're peaceful. He's faithful. He's more passionate about adoption then any advocate the world has ever possessed. It was all His idea in the first place. I'm thankful to tap into this part of God's heart...to delve into His love for me and my adoption. To extend that same love and gospel message to a child awaiting a forever family. It's humbling. It's an honor.

"Lord, may we carry your burdens well. May we do the journey well."

***For anyone in the Chicago area...we're having a little Christmas shop on December 8th to raise money for our adoption!! We're selling handmade and vintage items. Things for the house, baked goods, teacher gifts, Christmas items! It will be a lot of fun! We'd love to have you or have you spread the word!

What we've been up to...

I thought maybe I'd do a little post about 

what we've been up to lately!

Share some Instagram love with you all!

Do you follow me on Instagram?

My username is storehousecrafts if you want to!

So, I'm a regular at our local Goodwill...I've found some great deals!

This mod desk for $5 might be my best find yet though.

However, it is sitting in the garage waiting to be painted 

(story of my life!) HA! 

I'm thinking hot pink and keeping the leg tips gold and maybe

painting more gold tip on the legs...fun desk/sewing table!

The boys room is getting some work...this was after I 

painted their room. The navy wall is awaiting another coat.

See? I always have projects waiting...

They have since gotten new bedding too!

I'll have to do another post when it's all done!

I got some fun flea market time with a friend recently and 

scored this lovely little desk!

It's the perfect side table and stores books/mags/legos....ha!

It is turquoise although you can't tell from the picture.

I've had the honor of listening to my hubby preach twice 

in "big church" lately!

It's been the biggest joy to see him do something he's so

passionate about and great at! 

I'm one happy wifey!

Gavin took a little class field trip to the zoo!

I was a chaperone...I'm rarely able to help with things like this

since I have another little one who is a handful,

but this was a special day!!

They got a little pumpkin afterwards from the zoo pumpkin patch!

Midwest autumns are the best! 

This is outside my porch window....sigh...

I won this book in a giveaway! I'm a huge Christine Caine fan.

She is the founder of The A21 Campaign who fights

against human trafficking. 

I've been so excited to get it in the mail and it finally came!!

Can't wait to dig in!

Little Bear started speech and developmental therapy this past week...

he's doing really great.

And afterwards we get some time just the two of us before Gavin

gets out of kindergarten. It's so good!

This one gets special time while Sawyer naps in the afternoons!

Just the two of us and sometimes the Star Wars gang.

It's so sweet!

Well, hope you're having an amazing week!

We're bracing for a little cold front coming through tonight!

I'm wishing we had raked the leaves while it was warm...

oops!!

When they just need a little help

This is my youngest...

He is awesome!
Adventurous, feisty, funny, smart, and unbelievably cute! (I mean, seriously...look at that face!)

He's also been struggling.

We have three boys and each of our boys have been a little slower to talk. They have been very active physically and speech has just taken a bit to catch up. So, I thought that Sawyer was the same...just needed a little extra time.

But, when I noticed he wasn't catching up at two and a half...we decided that we should look into getting some help.

I've never had to ask for professional help concerning my kids before...this is new territory for me and I was surprised at how vulnerable it made ME feel! I feel a little helpless...like my child is struggling and there is nothing I can personally do to make it better.

I'm asking God, "What is it that makes my heart hurt in this process? Why do I feel this way?".

I immediately felt like the Lord said, "It's because you think you can meet all of Sawyer's needs."

Wow. Do I? Do I think that it's all on me to meet every need he has?

Yes. I think I feel like if I don't take care of every need he has myself...that it somehow means I'm not a good mom...that I'm not doing my "job" well.

I read Philippians 4:19 today.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus."

Paul didn't say that he would meet their needs...he declared that God would do it all! Paul had experienced so much and just a few verses earlier he talks about how he has known need and he has known plenty. That he has learned a secret to being content and that secret is that he can do all things through Christ's strength and that GOD WILL MEET HIS NEEDS.

Period.

I need new revelation of this today in my spirit with Sawyer.

New revelation that God alone is his "need meeter." That He alone can care for all his needs present and future. God alone is strong enough and rich enough to take it all on.

So, I'm trusting God today with my little one's needs. I'm trusting him with my child's struggle. I'm asking for help from God and from those around me who are equipped to help. I'm willing to partner with my child in his process and see him grow and thrive.

The Lord is going to do something mighty and I'm excited to see Him move!

Adoption Tax Credit

Have you adopted in the past?

Are you in the process?

Are you thinking about adoption in the future?

Then, welcome to your new job as an advocate!! HA!

I first heard about the situation with the adoption tax credit by doing some digging online. We are hoping to start our adoption process in the near future and I was wanting to know more details about what the tax credit really looks like for a family like mine.

So, I'm by no means and expert, but after listening to a webinar online this week...

I'M FIRED UP!!

I was completely clueless about how the tax credit actually worked, but Save the Adoption Tax Credit is an amazing resource. They were the ones who put on a webinar where they explained the situation more clearly.

This history was so helpful and came from here.

History of the Adoption Tax Credit:

• Since its introduction in 1997, the adoption tax credit has historically been a non-partisan issue widely supported by Congress, and available in some form every year.

• The adoption tax credit is available for eligible families that adopt through foster care, intercountry adoption, and private domestic adoption.

• Over time, the rules of the credit have changed. The requirements for determining families’ eligibility have changed, those adopting children with special needs became eligible to claim the credit without expenses, and the amount of the credit has increased. Before 2010, the credit could be carried forward over multiple years, and in 2010 and 2011 the credit was made refundable, allowing families to receive the full benefit during a single tax year regardless of taxes due that year.

• Although many bills have been introduced to make the adoption tax credit permanent, they have never passed. Instead, it has always been extended or amended as a part of other pieces of legislation, including the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act in 2001, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act in 2010, and the Tax Relief Act at the end of 2010.

• In 2012, the credit amount decreased to $12,650. It is no longer refundable, eliminating the availability of the credit to some lower- or moderate-income families without tax liability. The 2012 credit may be carried forward for five additional years, applying to each year’s liability until the full credit amount is used or time expires.

• The current adoption tax credit will sunset December 31, 2012. If Congress does not take action, the credit will revert back to $6,000 and apply only to the limited number of special needs adoptions that have adoption expenses. No credit will remain for most adoptions.

So, basically on January 01, 2013 the existing tax credit will expire and there will no longer be a tax credit available for adopting families (unless you are adopting a special needs child from the U.S.). 

And honestly, the tax credit as it exists today is not very helpful for most families! As a non-refundable tax credit....a typical middle to lower income family who adopts will only receive about $6,000 of the available almost $13,000. 

This was the best example from the webinar.

Example:

• A family has $5,000 in federal income taxes withheld from their paychecks during the year. When they do their taxes, the amount from the tax table shows their federal income tax is $1,000. Because they have no other taxes (like self-employment) or credits, they receive a refund of $4,000. If they adopted with expenses of $8,000, and the credit was not refundable, they would receive a maximum of $1,000 in adoption tax credit for the year (meaning that they have $5,000 instead of $4,000 refunded to them). Since the credit can be carried forward up to five more years, in the end they would get $6,000 over a six-year period.

• If the credit was fully refundable, they would receive a refund of $12,000 in one year — their $4,000 regular refund plus the full $8,000 in their adoption expenses.

What can you do to help?

You can start calling, emailing, and writing to your state senators and representatives. There are two specific bills that we are asking them to sponsor and help pass. If these bills are passed...it will make the tax credit inclusive, permanent, refundable, and flat for special needs adoptions. 

We can totally do this!! Go here to learn how to be and advocate for the adoption tax credit.

I would highly recommend going here too for the webinar slides and recording. It was so helpful in putting into clear language the confusion of tax credit law for me!

So, go look up for state information and make a difference!!

Go be an advocate and change a families life forever!

Women can change the world

I remember hearing about this movement and book a while back,

Half the Sky.

PBS is now airing the documentary...and it's left me speechless.
I'm all at once desperately heartbroken while also so full of hope.

Things are changing.
Voices are being heard in the darkest of places.
And the Kingdom of Heaven will be found on Earth.
Daughters of the King....your time has come.

Watch Women Are Not the Problem, They Are the Solution on PBS. See more from Independent Lens.

The World's Best Lasagna...seriously!

So, I have to make a confession...
Around the Otts' house lately, there have not been a lot of elaborate home cooked meals.
This is mostly due to a tight budget and crazy schedule...however, sometimes you just need to roll your sleeves up and do the right thing.

And that is make lasagna...
FROM SCRATCH.

Ya heard me. It's a tedious process, but man...it's so very worth it.

So, I'm going to share with you today the recipe for the "World's Best Lasagna."
I found this recipe on All Recipes. And it is literally called "World's Best Lasagna"...no joke.

And it really is.

Here's the link to the original recipe. HERE.

I wish I could go all PW on you with pictures for each step, but really the recipe is great and you can totally do this. Do not be intimidated.

There are a lot of ingredients...but they are all so necessary. And don't, I repeat don't leave out the sausage...I'm not kidding. The sausage is what makes it.

The awesome thing is that the recipe makes a ton of sauce and I never use it all in the actual lasagna, so the bonus is that you have amazing slow cooked sauce leftover! Freeze it or use it over ravioli for another dinner (like I did...I like carbs in case you didn't know!).

It's heavenly!! Fresh mozzarella people...not that pre-shredded part skim junk. The real deal.

So, there ya go.
You now have a recipe for dinner this week! Invite friends over and enjoy...

or...

make it for yourself and eat it for lunch every day following. Ahem. I mean, not that I did that or anything.



Happy Monday, ya'll!