** This giveaway has ended **
Happy ‘Home Study #1’ Day!!!
We’re SO excited to have our friend/social worker, Beth, coming over for a visit today! It feels like the first real big step in our “paper pregnancy“, so we’re feeling really blessed to be able to spend this time with her today.
We did some laundry yesterday, and we still have to secure of couple of bookcases to the wall in our bedroom, but we were told long ago that this visit isn’t about how clean your house is, so we’re not going to stress about all the chores that still aren’t done.
Instead, we’ve decided to spend some more quiet time with each other so that we can talk about our hopes and dreams for the future, and about what kind of parents we hope and dream to be to our child. That feels like a good way to prepare for Beth’s first visit, and we can’t wait to share more about it all next week!
I started my friend Angie‘s book last night. It’s called Mended.
I scooped up two of them the other day- one for me, and one for someone reading this post! (Note: Mended is on sale for $5 at Lifeway book stores right now if you don’t win the giveaway and would like to purchase it.)
Here’s a short video of Angie talking about Mended: (Email subscribers will have to click over to The Lettered Cottage to watch.)
If you’d like to enter for a chance to win the extra copy I picked up, just leave a comment on this post between now and Monday (January 14th, 2013) at 8:00am (Central Time), and I’ll randomly select a winner after that.
Angie doesn’t know I’m blogging about her book today, (Surprise, Angie!) but like I’m sure our social worker Beth will prove to be throughout our adoption journey, she’s been such a bright light in my life and I cherish our friendship so very much.
Good luck, and thanks so much for swinging by for a visit today!
For pics and updates in between posts, join us over on Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram!
Brooke
Her book sounds so good! Thanks for the chance to win one:)
Jewel
Whether I win the book or not, the video clip was just what I needed to see this morning, reminding me once again of God’s perfect timing. Thank you for sharing.
jodi
I would LOVE to win this. I’ve followed Angie’s blog for a looooong time. 🙂
LiisaK
Sounds like a great testimony, I’d love to read this!
Britiney @ Consider the Lilies
Thanks for a chance to win!
Kate
I already have a copy so I don’t need to be entered in the contest, but just wanted to say that I love this book! I received it for Christmas and read through the entire thing in one sitting. I am now going back and working through the devotionals each day. Angie Smith is an amazing writer, I love her blog and all of her other books too! Prayers for your adoption journey!
Jan
Wow. Crying while I write this. Guess I’m not as “mended” as I thought! Thanks for sharing the video, God working thru others to show me that I have more work to do!
Megan M
Would love to win a copy of Mended.
Tammy C
So touching…and I would love the opportunity to win. Thank you!
Sandy A
Only best wishes for you and Kevin on your journey to parenthood. Thank you for generously sharing this give away with us…
Britney
I can’t wait to read this book…sounds very inspiring 🙂
Bethany Turner
Thank you for sharing your adoption journey. I am loving reading about the process. Good luck to you both today.
Julie B
Thank you for your generosity in sharing Angie’s book; I’d love to read it.
Best of luck with your home visit today. I just know you’ll rock it!
Judy
Thank you for sharing Angie’s book-“Mended”
Praying for a calm, fun and inspiring visit with Beth. We are so fortunate to be able to follow yours and Kevin’s journey.
Julia Bishop
Hi Layla…hopped on here from your Twitter comment. beautiful blog! Would love to read Angie’s book, thanks for this opportunity at a freebie 🙂
Amy
I’d love to win Angie’s book. Her story and blog are a blessing. As are you & yours.
andrea
Would love to read Mended….
Cori
Sounds like a great book i would love a copy!
Shana
What a beautiful message your friend is relaying.
shana
I would love to read this book!
Best wishes on your adoption journey!
Ruth
It sounds like a great book. I would love a chance to win. Hoping all goes well with your visit.
Ruth
Melinda
I would love a copy. We are adoptive parents as well…it’s quite a journey, but so worth it! keep moving forward
Tobie
Praying for you and your future family!
angien24
I just ordered her book What Women Fear and can’t wait to read it. Now I eagerly await getting this book if I don’t win it here.. Praying for you both during your “paper pregnancy”. ;D
Angie
Jennifer M
Would LOVE to read that book! I love reading Angie’s blog and following her on twitter! Prayers for y’all on your adoption journey, I know you’ll be amazing parents to a super lucky child!
Ashley
I would LOVE to read this book. Thanks for the chance to win.
erinn
i would love a copy of this book!
Alyce
I have enjoyed reading about your journey into this awesome world of parenthood, as well as seeing your pictures via IG. I believe y’all are going to be wonderful, godly parents. And I just know the baby’s room will a sanctuary of beautiful things 😉
I would love to read this book!
Michelle
I would love to read this book.
Kelley
I think we all have broken-ness that needs “Mending”. Thank you for the opportunity to win the book – good luck with your homestudy!
Connie
Congratulations on your home visit…I’m so very happy for you two.
angie
sounds like an encouraging book,,,and don’t we all need encouraging!
Krystle @ Color Transformed Family
I would love to win a copy!
Enjoy spending time together as you prepare to meet with Beth. God has something amazing planned for y’all.
Nicole
My daughter’s name is Angie….so I’m feelin’ pretty lucky!
Thanks for the chance to win! Your soon to be growing family is so inspiring!
Deana
Layla, Thank you for your post today. It couldn’t have come at a better time and to think that TLC had a calming effect on my life today. God is good!
Carrie McChesney
I would love to have this book! And am praying for you on your adoption journey.
Kathy
Also a calming pleasure to read your blog!!! Sending blessings your way for your “paper pregnancy”!!!
Shawna
Have a wonderful visit today!
stephanie henson
Best wishes for an easy start to the paper pregnancy.
Allison
Would love to win the book, read it and pass along to my teenage son who is battling demons of his own. Good luck today on your first visit. I just know y’all have many more blessings coming your way!
Liz E.
You two are just the sweetest people. I’ve loved following your adoption story and hope and pray for the absolute best for you!
Kelly C
I’ve been dying to read this book since I heard Angie speak at WOF St Paul! Prayers to you two & your social worker Beth for today’s home study.
Jacquelyn
I love your website!!! I just started reading it yesterday. I can’t wait to roam around and see all if the great content!
Teresa
Excited for you and Kevin. will be praying too.
Stacy Grogan
Wow, Layla, of all the blogs that I follow, I always get the most out of yours. Thank you for doing this, for sharing your life/journey, for your stories and for sharing your friends book today. I’m ordering my kindle version now.
Diane
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book – I would love to win!!
Heidi
I would love to read this book and then pass it on to whoever God places on my heart. I will definitely be buying if I don’t win. Thanks so much 🙂
Nancy Carr
Best wishes for you and your life and would love to win the book.
Ann Brooks
As the Grandmother of 4 adopted children I understand what you are going through. Enjoy each day and I will pray that your search will be blessed with a child soon. (Has been 18 years since out first adoption and only 8 since out last but they all give such joy to our family).
Cynthia
Our beautiful daughter will be 16 this May. I remember the adoption process like it was yesterday. Cherish this time while you are waiting for your precious baby. Journal everything – you will want to share the process with your little one some day. I remember being excited to know how our story would end. God has blessed us so much! I couldn’t imagine our lives without our daughter. God knew exactly who He wanted in our family and his timing is perfect. I pray for patience as you wait, but don’t ever get discouraged, God knows exactly which child He will bless you with.
I’m excited to experience your journey with you as you blog about it. It brings make amazing memories.
God bless you both!