Bezi's Grand Opening

Bezi's Creations is ready for its Grand Opening on Etsy!  Please take a minute to stop by, check things out and pass the word along.  For this weekend only I'm offering free domestic shipping in celebration of our big kickoff.  Simply enter the code "grandopen" during checkout. 

Make sure to check back often as I have tons of new ideas and great new products coming down the pipeline.  I just wanted to get Etsy up and running with what I already have available.  Remember that all proceeds go toward our adoption expenses.  Thanks again for your support! 

If you're on FaceBook, make sure to like our page, www.facebook.com/beziscreations.  Also in celebration of Bezi's Grand Opening weekend we will be giving away a $20 gift card (either to Bezi's or Amazon, winner's choice).  The winner will be chosen by random.org once the FaceBook page reaches 100 likes.  So help spread the word!

Thanks again for all of your prayers, encouragement and support in bringing our baby boy home!!  

We're over the first hump

We have had so many people ask about how the adoption process is coming, so I wanted to drop a quick note to keep everyone in the loop.  A few weeks ago we turned in our mountain of paperwork.  All of it was reasonable, it was just a lot of stuff to collect...certified copies of our birth certificates, marriage certificates and deed on our house, reference letters from friends and family, proof of employment and insurance, letters from our bank confirming our financial assertions, financial records, autobiographies, medical exams, etc etc etc.  So anyway, we finally got through all of that and are on to the next phase.

We met with our social worker last night and were so encouraged by everything she had to share.  We had some concerns regarding the financial "risks" we are undertaking as spelled out in the contract we have to sign with the agency, but she was a great comfort.  She assured us that they do a lot of screening with the birthmothers on the front end, and statistically, once we are matched with a birthmother the chances of everything working out are really good...at least that is this agency's experience.  She also walked us through the next few steps in more detail.  We will begin the home study process this Sunday and will conclude it after the July 4th holiday.  The home study consists of two visits from our social worker to our home.  She will evaluate how we relate to and "manage" our children, the safety and cleanliness of our home, and we will discuss in more detail our parenting styles, childhoods, and motivations and expectations regarding the adoption.  The home study process is a standard event that is required by the state to be considered a suitable adoptive parent, regardless of where the adopted child comes from. 


The home study should be complete around the middle of July at which point we will begin the education phase.  We will have several conferences with a member of our agency who will provide us with information regarding the specific circumstances and needs of adopted children.  This is one of the reasons that we are so happy to be working with this agency, Children of the World.  This is not just business to them.  They are dealing with people's lives and they take very seriously the opportunity they have to minister to us, the birthmother, and the adopted child. 

At this point, we will be ready to receive our son and will begin the waiting process.  There are several ways to "find" our son, many of which we will investigate further when that time comes.  Once we are matched with a birthmother through a mutual selection process, the majority of our expenses will come due.  The birthmother's individual situation will determine how much financial help she needs from us regarding her basic needs as well as assistance from the agency.  The more help she needs, the more it will cost us.  The agency estimates a maximum expense of around $18,000.  To be honest, we do not have $18,000 sitting in our bank accounts today.  All we know is that God told us to start this process several months ago.  He told me specifically then that He will provide what we need, when we need it, to trust Him and begin the process...even before the money is sitting in the bank.  So here we are.  We have a saved a good bit that will get us started and I have started Bezi's Creations in an effort to raise some of the funds, but we are taking one step at a time...confident that He will make good on His promise, just like He always does! 

On the Bezi's front, I am getting ready to open a shop on Etsy in the next week or so.  I am so excited about all that God has shown me through this business and I hope you will take a minute to check it out.  The FaceBook page will stay up to keep you posted on our adoption progress, to display new products, and to offer promotions. 

Thank you so much to all of you that have been so encouraging.  Please continue to pray for us, our son, and his birthmother.  Please pray for God's guidance as we all make decisions and for all things to play out in His perfect timing.  As always, we are humbled and honored to be used in expanding His Kingdom and spreading His love.

Chop, chop

We had a big day today.  Everybody got a big haircut!  Well, everybody except Toby...he doesn't have much to spare.  For those of you who know me personally, you know that my hair has been growing...and growing.  So much so that the first comment I receive from anybody who doesn't see me on a regular basis is, "Wow. Your hair has gotten so long!"

It all started back when we moved to Tennessee right after Haley was born.  I had a really short stack back then...I mean, really short.  Being a new stay at home mom and landing in a new city without a trusted hair stylist, I just got lazy and let it grow.  By the time we made it back to Alabama almost two years later, it was pretty long.  Then I thought, "Well, I've let it go this long so I might as well just grow it for Locks of Love."  Last November I was completely annoyed with the mass of hair on my head and went to my stylist, Sandy, to have it chopped off...I was done.  She said, "Locks of Love?  Oh honey, you've got at least three more months left."  I was devastated.  Three months finally came and I made my appointment to have it chopped off. The Sunday before my big appointment, a sweet friend at church came up and randomly said, "Your hair is so pretty, Ms. Carey."  *sigh*  The day before my appointment I chickened out and cancelled it. 

Well, here we are.  It's another three months later, my hair is approaching my waistline, it's a miserable 90 degrees outside everyday and Toby just called me a "tree huggin', homeschool mom."  I guess it's time to let it go.  Since I was heading in anyway I took a long look at my little ones.  I'm pretty embarrassed that they were looking pretty shaggy themselves.  So off we went!

Jake had a shaggy do that covered his ears and one rockin' rat tail goin' on.  He did great with his first hair cut, although he was far more interested in what Sandy was up to than sitting still for her. 

Haley had to have a pep talk and luckily we avoided the freakout that came with her last haircut.  We whacked off about 5 inches and I can't believe how big she looks!

I had to take one last breath before my 14" ponytail got chopped off, but I made it through with only a little second guessing.  As Sandy was blow drying my now super short hair, I was a bit disappointed.  But as usual she kept working, thinned it out some more and it began to take shape.  As the afternoon wore on I began to get used to it.  In the end, I'm pretty happy with my new do and so glad that crazy wad is gone! 

My ponytail will go to Locks of Love.  Hopefully sooner rather than later because it's kind of creepy to see it laying on the counter. If you're not familiar with this organization, they do wonderful work.  They receive hair donations and produce hairpieces for children with permanent or long term hair loss.  These hairpieces retail for thousands of dollars but are given away for free to children in need.  Their website says that 80% of their donors are children.  I love the idea of children helping other children, and I'm thrilled to be able to help.