One step closer

We are one step closer to a baby today.  Yesterday we attended Bethany's all day training session.  We heard from a lawyer, a financial planner, the social workers, two adoptive couples, and a very powerful story from a birth mom.  It was a long day, but so good.  We met couples from all over SC who are planning to adopt.  There was 12 couples total - our competition :)  They are currently waiting on DSS to send over our background checks.  Then we will move forward with our home study.  That will entail first a visit to our house with the social worker.  Then we will go to their office for individual interviews.  Lastly we'll have one more interview at our house.  Once those are complete, we will be officially "waiting".  In the meantime I'll begin working on our "Dear Birthmother" letter and photobook. 
I loved hearing from the birth mom.  She told her story of getting pregnant and giving up her baby and all the emotions she felt and  still feels.  It was amazing.  And the two couples who adopted had the most precious little ones!
The lawyer broke the news to us that we will have legal fees to pay in addition to the $17,500 we are paying Bethany.  So our grand total is now around $21,000.  But, I know the Lord will provide for us as he already has in so many ways.
My friend Sharon and her husband Brian had a yard sale in Arizona today and raised over $1200.  Here are the pics she sent me. 

Next up for AdoptaMixon is the spaghetti dinner and silent auction.  I am so excited about this! We have some great stuff coming in to bid on and it's gonna be a BLAST! Going tomorrow to look at our possible venue, then hopefully we get a date nailed down this week.  And we have coozie's being made so everyone will want to wrap their drinks in those little gems :-)
So much going on!!