Well, we’re finally finished refinishing the office floor.
Pretty amazing considering how loopy we both were by the time we got around to it sealing it.
Here’s a clip of me (in full-on loopy mode) attempting to explain our process…
(Click HERE to view on YouTube)
After I stumbled through the making of that video, we did a bunch of this…
…with the tack cloth….stuff.
Then I did a bunch of this…
…with the Varathane “no odor, satin, fastest drying, water-based, all that good stuff” floor finish people have recommended.
I snapped this shot after I got done applying coat number two…
I did four coats total, and I’d love to show ya a photo of the scrumpdillyicious, completely finished new floor, but the room is now filled with everything that was previously packed into what will become our kids room!
The floors look amazing. Can’t wait to see the completed room.
I heard about the adoption change earlier today and it broke my heart. We’re praying for all the kiddos and families involved.
unspeakably sad for all those who would love to parent and would give their hearts and homes in a nanosecond
to all those children and many like them all over the world………..something is so wrong
We adopted from China in 2007 and I now volunteer for a large charity as a Foster Care Coordinator for Chinese orphans. We can provide basic care, but we can’t give them the most important thing – a forever family. I will say a prayer for you and all of the families waiting to adopt from Ethiopia. As a mom who had to wait (so long!) for our little girl…well, my heart is broken for you.
I encourage everyone to sign the Joint Council petition. Let your voice be heard for the orphans of Ethiopia.
Hi Layla & Kevin,
We have also recently begun the adoption process, and we had narrowed it down to China or Ethiopia. When I saw that news yesterday, it obviously threw us for a major loop, too. Praying for all affected…
Mary
I thought about you when I read about this earlier…and all those precious children. Hang in there. God will guide you guys on the journey…whatever that may look like in the end.
Petition signed!God Bless
All I can say is I am so sorry.Wait on the lord…
I am more than happy to sign the petition and tweet and FB about it. We have an adopted daughter and I am about to become an aunt again through international adoption. I am praying for a quick reversal of this reduction so many more Ethiopian children can find their forever families.
Praying for you both and the child(ren) God has for you, and praying for all the children in need of homes in Ethiopia in particular. I’m going to go sign the petition now.
Cory and I just watched your loopy-loop. 🙂 LOVED it! I was snickering.
Praying for you guys…but you already knew that. 😉
ps – The floors look FAB!
I have been a follower for a while now, but this is my first time to comment. I signed your petition and shared the link with all my “friends” on facebook.
Love the floors too!!
Hi Layla-
Have hope. You have been to my adoption blog before, and I just wanted to say that your children are out there. Of that I have no doubt. In the beginning of our process we were focused in a different part of the world, and we even had started sending money in that direction. But then God had another plan. We ended up finding our daughter in China. At no point of the beginning process, did we even consider China. Now that she is home with us these last 6 months, she has fit into our family Perfectly! As if she has always been with us. She is happy and has adapted beautifully. We often say that we believe the Hand of God is on this child. He is with us, and He will be with you as well. If your children are in Ethiopia, then I am confident they will be with you soon. Keep yourself wide open to the possibilities of the Universe. You may be pleasantly surprised, as we were, if God changes your direction.
United in Adoption,
Donna K.
My heart hurts for you both, and all those sweet children waiting for a forever home. Praying for you.
All signed and prayers being lifted for all the children and for you Kevin and Layla.
The floors are gorgeous. Now, can you come do mine please!
Thank you so much for sharing the information about Ethiopia. I will definitely be sharing with friends and church family while also praying for y’all. Oh, by the way I am LOVING my yarn spring wreath I made, inspired by y’all. Thanks- It makes me so happy every time I pull in the driveway:)
Hayley walked by as I was watching your video and she started giggling, “Layla is so professional!” and then 10 seconds later you said you were the “Queen of Professionalism” and we both just burst out laughing! too funny! Your floors look great and I know you are soooooo glad to have that job finished.
On the unsettling news with adoptions …we are keeping you and your future family in our prayers. I truly believe God has good things in store for you guys.
kelly
I know the ache in the heart this gives you. Praying that you and Kevin, and all those waiting, find comfort and peace in knowing that God is the Master Planner in this whole thing. This will strengthen your faith even more in the end, and allow you the honor of spending time at the feet of God and letting him comfort you in a way only he can. Thank you for sharing this with us. I wish I could bring home all those babies waiting for someone to love them.
Praying for you guys and all of those beautiful children in Ethiopia. It is my dream to one day adopt from Ethiopia and I have been so saddened by this news the past two days.
ADORE your loopy video. Adore you. Praying big time for you guys. and the floors are kind of awesome.
So sad. The adoption news breaks my heart. I signed the petition and posted it to twitter and fb-hoping others will sign too!
You guys will be in my prayers. I hope the news will change soon!
P.S. The floors look great!
Oh man. I just signed the petition. I hope this becomes a minor roadblock and the petition is a success.
I had just heard the same news last night. This is devastating if it goes through. I’ll be praying for you, as well as all the families in the process of adoption. We are praying that God willing we can adopt from Ethiopia in a couple of years (been looking at the same agency that you decided to go with!)…it breaks my heart to think that so many orphans will continue to be without a home if they decide to change this. Thinking of you both during this time! So thankful that you posted this. By the way, floors look great!
My Aunt and Uncle adopted a lil girl from Ethiopia and my Aunt was very upset by this too.. but she posted this web:
https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/images/stories/documents/030911%20ncfa%20issues%20statement%20regard
She feels hopefully after reading it and hopefully you will also. They adopted lil M this past summer and they are so happy! I hope that God will lead you to your children whether it be in Ethiopia or not.
Floors look GREAT!! I also heard about the Ethiopian adoption. My daughter and her husband are in the process of their 2nd adoption and they felt lead to Ethiopia. Praying for all the orphans!
Floors = gorgeous.
On a more important note, I’m sorry to hear the discouraging news. I’m signing the petition and will pass it along!!!
Beautiful job on your floor, Layla! (and I love what you’re wearing–so cute!). My heart broke when I read the letter from the adoption agency. I am so sorry….but I will keep you both in my prayers. Keep the faith. Good things will happen! 🙂
xoxo laurie
I know adoption is a roller coaster – I’m praying that your journey is full of more ups than downs! My heart hurts for those sweet children. It is just so hard to understand!
P.S. Lovin’ those floors.
The floors look amazing.
In regards to the adoption, God’s timing and ability is not affected by any “proposal”. Please be encouraged that this situation will be covered in prayer and you will be given the desires of your heart!!!!
I signed the petition! Thinking about you!
Prayers for you both, the children and families waiting to adopt. Prayers that God’s will may prevail, and that MOWA will do the right thing. Prayers for our State Department and Agencies that will be speaking with them. This is such a sad and shocking development. There is no doubt in my mind that God will take care of those children and you, and it will all happen according to His plan.
I am so sorry for what you are all facing, it is unimaginable. And for all that now is facing the children, also too so unimaginable. You will be in my thoughts and prayers and hope you will find your path. Kindly, Laura
I signed the petition yesterday and passed it on to all my friends and family. I’m praying fervently for this to be resolved and for answers. We sponsor a sibling group from Hannahs Hope and are hoping to one day adopt from there also!
I signed the petition, I hope this gets resolved and you and many others are able to move forward with their adoption plans. Janell
I signed the petition for you and will be keeping you and the children in Ethiopia in my prayers!
By the way, I absolutely love the floors! All that hard work paid off 🙂
Beautiful floors, sad news, I will pray:)
I went and signed the petition and shared it on FB & Twitter.
I hope it works.
The floor looks AMAZING!
I signed it. Remember even this was apart of the master plan. It seems like a HUGE road block but in reality it is a test of faith. God , OUR FATHER, has placed the child (ren)in your your future. Stay true to Him and you will delight in his Mercy. PS This is so not like any other comment I have EVER left on a blog. I felt led to leave you these words.
Petition signed!
I am praying right along with you.
I know there is nothing quite like the ache of waiting for your sweet baby.
I’m sure you’ve already read this, but I’ll link you, hopefully it will bring you some comfort today, friend.
http://www.rareandbeautifultreasures.com/2010/03/dear-wynn-birdhouse.html
1) Pretty sure no one should be that cute while sealing the floor.
2) Praying Praying Praying for the children of Ethiopia. We were hoping to start the process in a few months, but looks like that is very up in the air. Praying they reconsider.
praying for you and the children in ethiopia and all around the world.
30662 +1 signatures on the petition!
There’s nothing better than God’s Word and my morning devotion for Wednesday is perfect for you and your situation and I just had to share – “If God has allowed a disruptive moment in your life, walk through it by faith rather than by sight (2 Cor 5:7) and be prepared to say, “Now I understand.”” I’ll be praying for you and those sweet, precious children that another door or window would be opened to you and Kevin.
Petition signed and forwarded! I have a friend in Ethiopia as we speak on their first in country visit for their required court appearance and to meet her new daughter for the first time!! Praying for all of those children needing forever families and that YOU get your chance to make that trip to meet the son or daughter God has chosen for you!
Prayers for all those families who are looking to adopt. May God look kindly upon your plight. Petition has been signed. Yours floors look wonderful!
That letter is heartbreaking! I’ve had so many friends adopt, and heard all kinds of stories and hangups, but this one is downright discouraging. With this news in mind, are you going to try and pursue adoption in a different country, or hang on and see what happens there? I hope that’s not a stupid or insensitive quiestion I’ve just asked… only just wondering for your sakes, and knowing how it feels to want a warm little one snuggling in your arms.
Praying peace and wisdom for you guys in this time of anticipation, and praying it all works out seamlessly for you and your man, and some very special child!
Blessings,
Sasha
The floors look wonderful!!!! Great job! I am praying for you and that wonderful child who needs you two, keep your head up!
Well you two sweethearts – ya’ll are in my prayers. And – I’m off to sign the petition in the hopes that all of those children are blessed enough to find hearts like yours to live with.
But – first I’m going to tiptoe across you’re most awesome new floor!
;-D robelyn
As a parent of 4 adoptive children (young adults now) never forget that there are many children and sibling groups here in the US that need loving homes also. My children were ages 11, 7, 3 and 2 months when adopted out of foster care. Sometimes, when God closes a door he opens a window.
I am an Alabama mama who went through the adoption process a few years ago (2008). Our heart was set on Ethiopia….anyway we were deep in the process (homestudy finished, background checks completed, ready to submit our dossier) then our agency informed us that they lost their Ethiopia license.
We were devastated and not sure which direction to go.
Then some sweet social worker said to us – “if you are open to a sibling group with some special needs – there are thousands right here in the US”
We made some phone calls, looked at the website http://www.adoptuskids.org, inquired about a child in another state, and after some paperwork and red tape – 6 months later – we were on a plane. We met our son on his 6th birthday. I knew he was my son the minute I looked into his eyes.
I will say a prayer for your journey. Just know that you are on a path to meet your child or children and that your journey may not ever look like what you planned.
I am so grateful that that door closed for us. Adopting a 6 year old son was not the beautiful Ethiopian baby girl I dreamed of – but he was meant to be my son, no doubt about it.
Blessings,
Dawn