100 Etsy Sales!

Well, there's no new news on the adoption front. However, I would like to announce that yesterday I made my 100th Etsy sale! Yay! I wanted to blog when I made my 100th sale in general, but as I was trying to organize my business stuff, and thought about counting my orders to see how close I was, I realize I blew past that a while back. So, technically, I guess in the past 2 and a half months or so since I started this, I've made about 144 sales!

When I think about that, I'm just blown away by God's goodness! He has really blessed my shop! Seriously, if you go on Etsy and search for one of my items, you can literally scroll through hundreds, maybe even thousands of items before you find mine! So it's a wonder that 100 people had all day to scroll through thousands of items before they settled for my dresses! Okay, so maybe not really, but I know that God is in control, and that He has heard my prayers!

It's so encouraging when I get notes from people who have read some of my blog posts, and our story, and they take the time to send us well-wishes or share their stories! There are so many wonderful, caring people out there, and I just want you to know that your support means so much to me! Sometimes, they send me pictures of the kiddos in their fall or Christmas dresses, and it's so special. Keep them coming! It never gets old! Keep us in your prayers!

Update on my shop

I just wanted to give an update on my Etsy shop. Things are going really well! The first couple of weeks after I opened it up, I had a couple sales a week, and I was happy to have one every other day. Now it seems like as soon as I finish up one order, and start to pack it up for shipping, I hear that "cha-ching" on my phone to let me know I've got another. It definitely keeps me busy, but thankfully I'm not overwhelmed.

Chase's school had a fund-raiser vendor fair, and I participated in that. I didn't sell as much as I thought I would, but I wasn't disappointed. Since I decided to make everything to order, I was fully prepared to be completely stressed out and running around like a crazy chicken with my head cut off for a couple weeks trying to get it all done. I was able to get everything finished within one week. And my amazing bff, Kim, got me a beautiful sign. She's the best!

Also, I was really excited to be able to outfit a Christmas production! A school ordered my dresses for their elves in their Christmas play! I really hope they send me a picture, because I was thinking about making a scrapbook about my shop, and why I started it. I absolutely love it when people send me pictures of their kids in my dresses.

I'm sure things will slow down after the holidays, but it's really nice to be able see our adoption account going up. Everything, even the shipping money, goes directly into it, and then we're paying out-of-pocket for expenses and shipping, so that way it's like we're adding to the fund every month too. Once our adoption is paid for, if I keep up the shop, which I very well may, I'll use that account for expenses and what-not, but for now, I just want to see it grow!

Be sure to check it out! www.etsy.com/shop/forbeautifulbaby

One year today

Well, I suppose it's come and gone. Today, we've officially been waiting for a baby for one year. I must say, when we first started the process, I had it in my head it would probably be just under a year. But then again, I knew it could take a long time. This is one of those times where it's really hard to accept God's timing and be patient, but I know there are other families that have waited even longer.

I just pray that she will be here soon. Goodness knows I'll be ready. I think the only big thing I still need is a car seat. I have a year's supply of diapers, I'm working on the wipes, I bought the crib, made the bedding and accessories, and that's about it. My sweet mom and sister bought me some baby clothes the other day. It's nice to have just a few just in case it happens quickly, I don't like feeling unprepared. AND, in case you missed my last post, my amazing dad just made a custom shelved closet, so her room is mostly set up and organized. I love it! So one year down, hopefully no more to go =)

My dad is cooler than your dad!

Some of you know my dad, and that he's, well, awesome! You should have seen him whip up--I mean, help me with my science projects that I forgot about until the night before. Once I had to create a lighthouse, and we made one that was so real looking, and then he took a flash light magnifying glass and rigged it up so that the lighthouse lit up. Needless to say, I got an A+ on that. I've never met anyone else quite like him, someone who can take scraps and a neat idea, and literally make something that would blow your mind. He can do anything!

And he's a carpenter! Now, I have to say that it is SO convenient to have a dad that can build anything! I take advantage--I mean, he's so nice to come do stuff for me! Some of you might have seen our garage that he turned into a playroom about three years ago.

 

Before. Look at how handsome he is!

After

The cabinet on the left side there is a pull down bed. Absolutely my favorite part, perfect for guests.

Well, after 10 months of nagging, uh, I mean, sweetly reminding, he came over on Saturday and made my dream closet for the baby's room. I am so excited about it. When I was getting the room ready, I ripped out all the wire rack shelves because I can't stand them. Check out the new closet!

I love it! He's not quite finished yet. He's going to add some shelves on the sides. But I just had to share. 

I also want to give a quick shout out to my sweet sister and her hubs, Alison and Gabe, for coming out and spending the day power washing my house. I am so blessed to have such a loving family! I honestly took that for granted as a kid, thinking all families loved each other, got along really great, were always willing to help each other out, and just genuinely enjoyed spending time together. But then I remember so many of my friends, who would spend time with us as a family, would always say, "Wow, your family is so great, and you guys are so close! I wish my family was like that." Just another one of God's blessings! 

So to my family, I love you all so much, and thank you guys for your unending love, support, encouragement, and reliability. You guys are the best!

Meet the Coalson's!

One of the really great things about this adoption journey is that we get to connect with other families who are in the process, or have adopted. It's really awesome to be able to connect, share their journeys, pray for them, encourage them, and just know that we are not alone in this. There are other families who have been weary, and frustrated, and have come out with a beautiful child, and will tell you that it is so worth it!

I know I can complain about the wait sometimes, but the other day I was connected with a sweet little family that has been waiting for 3 years! Yes, you heard me right, that's three times longer than we've been waiting! They are adopting from Ethiopia, and like many other families, their process has been held up be many different reasons. They were finally matched 6 months ago, went to meet her, and still, 6 months later are waiting for the paperwork so they can bring her home. I can't even imagine!

Feel free to check out their blog and follow their story, and even consider making a contribution to their adoption. Fees for adopting internationally are huge, but we know that God will provide when we are following His will. They are having an online auction, so check that out too! Help them FINALLY bring beautiful Ryah home!
Here is their blog:
www.coalsonadoption.blogspot.com

God calls us to care for the orphans and widows. That doesn't mean everyone is called to adopt, but doing what you can to help those that are can be your way of obeying God's command. But most importantly, pray, pray, pray! We need prayer more than anything else!

Giveaway!

First of all, be sure to check out my dress giveaway at ForBeautifulBaby! Click on the link below, share the photo on Facebook, and be entered into a drawing to win this dress, but hurry, the contest ends October 15th!

Here's the link:

https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=609687325739406&id=601459736562165&set=a.609687319072740.1073741829.601459736562165&source=46&__user=722157885

I've been working really hard in my Etsy shop, and things are going pretty well. I'm still trying to spread the word about it. I got my business cards in the mail last week, and I'm excited to have those. I've been asked to participate in two vendor fairs. That's really exciting too! I'm hoping that will really expand my customer base and spread the word on my shop! It would be amazing to be able to fund all of our adoption expenses through this!

This week, Summit Church has been doing community service projects. I signed up to work at two different pregnancy crisis centers. I went to the first one yesterday, and it was really nice! All the services they provide are free, and it is completely funded by donors and churches. I got the tour, and how the program works. They teach the parents life skills, and with each accomplishment, they earn "mommy bucks" which can be used to purchase baby items that are in the baby boutique, which is all donations as well. I might have to donate some of my baby stuff. 

I encourage all of you to check into your local crisis centers and see how you can help. I really feel donating your gently used items there would fulfill a greater need than donating them to Goodwill. These people provide a wonderful service to those mothers in need, and they share the gospel message with them too! 

For Beautiful Baby

So many of you know that I love to paint. And you probably know that I love to sew too. I just love anything crafty. I love to make things. I blogged about the baby bedding that I made a little while ago, and that was the first thing I had sewn in probably 12 years. I decided to make some baby clothes, and, well, the idea exploded and now I'm making and selling baby and young children's clothes on Etsy. I also will be selling some of my paintings.

I came up with the name because I am making clothes to raise funds to help out with the adoption costs for our Beautiful Baby, and also because I'm making clothes for your beautiful baby. Cheesy? Maybe a little, but I never claimed to be a marketing genius.

This is what I spent all last week doing, and I usually tell my mom everything, but I was so busy sewing away, we barely talked all week, and I never told her what I was doing. Now, just to be clear, in the span of about a week, this went from a suggestion from a friend to look, I just opened a store. I sent her a quick email after I set up my store, with the link, and said, "I opened up an Etsy shop. It would be great if you could help me advertise." She responded with, "Is this real? Is this a joke?" I got a good chuckle out of that. She has no clue what Etsy is, and she probably was thinking I opened up like, a real store. But I know, even thought she didn't say so, she is supporting me. She is just so good like that, so supportive. She's my #1 fan. =)

I really love doing this. It is my passion. It is a talent that God gave me, and I love to be able to use it.
I am so excited about my shop, and I know that in order for it to do well, God has to bless it. I can sew my heart out, and make fabulous stuff, but unless God blesses it, it won't do any good. So I'm asking all my supporters and prayer warriors, please pray for me. Pray for my shop, and pray that God would bless my efforts, and that through this He would help us raise the money so we can bring our Beautiful Baby home!

Here are some of my outfits. To see them all, go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/ForBeautifulBaby