Calling all runners!!!

Training for the half-marathon is coming along pretty well. I've been consistently training with a good friend for several weeks now and at this pace, I'm pretty sure that I won't die when the actual race comes along. This has definitely tested my commitment already as our "running" sessions have been occurring at 5 am...a time of day that I rarely see voluntarily...

I know several people that I have talked to have verbally committed to running with me, but now is the time to pull the trigger and register. Chosen Marathon is running a little contest for the teams. The team that registers the most runners this week will get "significant bonus $$ towards they're adoption funds"!!!

We would love to be able to capture that title and get us a couple steps closer to bringing home the next little Pighetti. Here is the link to register.

http://www.athleteguild.com/running/tampa-fl/2014-chosen-marathon-tampa

Don't feel like running a full marathon??? You can also participate in the half-marathon (like me!!), the "Kids Run" or even as a "Sleepwalker". Every little bit helps.

Also, our Team Page is up and running on the ABBA website, so head on over, take a look and share with your friends.

http://www.abbafund.org/teampighetti/

Post again soon,
~Jeny

Sometimes you just gotta run...

I've gotta be honest...I never thought I would utter those words let alone put them out there on my blog... I'm not exactly the running type...and that's an understatement...
But - we have a pretty awesome opportunity to raise money for our adoption and considering I would do just about anything to bring this baby home...we're taking it...(and by we I mean "I" - DJ has a pass on this one....this is my dragon...)

I will be running in a half marathon in November. Just typing that is giving me anxiety. Once I hit publish I have a word of people ready to hold me accountable....GULP...

Quite honestly this terrifies me.

I'm scared because there is the (large) possibility of failure with this one...

But the reward is great...and my support is huge. Everyone I've talked to has said that marathon running is mostly mental. (Which is exactly what I think I am right now! HA!) I know that there is no way that I will be able to make it through this on my own strength. God has provided an amazing opportunity for me and the only way I will be able to finish this is through His strength and power. So when you see me running or like an update on Facebook, remember that we serve a Mighty God and through Him all things are possible...

And so we begin...one step at a time...

~Jeny


Learn how you can help at
https://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/team-pighetti-run-baby-run/157727

Big things are coming....

One step at a time....

The One With All The Updates...

So I've been MIA for awhile. Summer was really busy for us with soccer for Duckie and working through all of the adoption stuff. Plus, there were a whole lot of emotions that I've just been avoiding...

So here's what you missed over the last couple few months:

• Duckie played an epic season of Summer Soccer - yes, it was indoor!
• We had a homestudy
• I made an epic new profile book - seriously WAY proud of this thing....and totally sick of looking at it...
• We became an official "Waiting Family"
• Little turned two...yes two!!
• Duckie started 2nd grade
• Duckie started soccer...again
• We started with a new church plant - really excited to share more details about this later!!!
• I took a new position at work

Whew!! Feel like there's more than that, but nothing stands out.

Adoption-wise, this time around has been more chill than Little's adoption wait. At first I thought it was because we've done it once before or that we're just busier this time around. But if I'm honest with myself, it might just be the fact that I'm just trying to avoid dealing with these adoption emotions....hence the reason for the stupid long absence from the blog. I've been trying not to think about the tiny little person that God is (hopefully) already knitting together. Trying not to worry about whether their mom is scared or lonely, whether she has support or is going this road on her own. Trying not to think about the broken circumstances around in her life that will lead her to the very difficult decision of adoption.

My concerns are different this time around....hopefully for the better. Last time it was all about us and whether we were ready and whether we would have to "wait too long" There is a part of me that feels so selfish for wanting this to happen again... Little's adoption was such a miracle in my eyes that I feel weird asking for another one. Don't get me wrong, I'm still totally asking for another one but maybe it's just in a different voice...

Post again soon,
~Jeny

Why Mother's Day Still Sucks ~ A post from my infertile heart...

I have the honor of waking up every morning to two precious little girls that have changed my world. Despite that fact, today was very difficult for me. I spent this morning's church service in the little lobby area reserved for crying babies. This morning it hosted a crying mommy.

Most of you know that we struggled with infertility for awhile both before and after the birth of our daughter, Mackenzie and struggled even more with the loss of our son, Jack. Understandably, Mother's Day was a huge struggle for me.

After we turned to adoption and brought home our daughter, Avery, you would think that my love/hate relationship with Mother's Day would have resolved itself. I mean, Mother's Day is a celebration of mothers and I'm a mother...right??? My head says yes; my heart screams no.

In addition to missing my son, I struggle this year with the thought of next year. Will we be celebrating another little one in the family or will we still be waiting? Even if we have had the honor of bringing another little one into our home, I know that my heart will break for their birthmother the same way my heart breaks for Avery's. Knowing the sacrifice and pain that she endures so that my wish and dream of mothering another little soul could come true is humbling to say the least.

Yes, I'm a mother, but I struggle with knowing that I can't bring new life into this world and I grieve over that fact. In order for me to welcome another baby into my home, another woman will find herself in an impossible situation with an impossible decision to make. I pray for her every day when I pray for Avery's birthmom. I pray that she knows that she is loved and that one day she will understand the depth of our gratitude for her decision.

Ours is not a perfect world, the brokenness that we all struggle with every day is a reminder of that. But even within that, its amazes me to see the ways that God has taken the brokenness in our life and the brokenness in other's and knit together a story more amazing that any story I could have written for myself. I am humbled and honored that God has allowed me to be a mother and I rest in the knowledge that His plan for me is perfectly His.

Post again soon,
~Jeny

Paper Chasin' (the act of collecting every solitary piece of paper that confirms your identity and proves you are physically, financially, emotionally and in every other capacity capable of raising a child)...

I don't know why this is taking us so long....
From what I remember, paper chasing was the longest step last time too (other than waiting). Either this is really heinous or we're just really bad at signing paper lol!!!

Hoping to have it done soon...

In the mean time we're having fun documenting life as it is now. Love these pics from our recent photo shoot with our dear friend Mike - and his wife Ann seriously made me sob with her amazing words. Hope on over and take a look at these awesome photos. Can you say profile pictures!?!?!

http://blog.mikebuoy.com/2013/05/orlando-adoption-photographer-pighetti-famil.html

Post again soon!!
~Jeny

Dreaming....

Last night I had my first adoption dream since we started the new adoption. I dreamt that we were being considered by an expectant mom who was also considering another family. It had a very "game-show" feel to it and I remember actively campaigning for our family. The bizzare part was that the family that was chosen would have to live in the expectant mom's house....which was haunted....and filled with lizards....

Hmmmm....I'm pretty sure there is something wrong with my brain.

On that note - here is the latest adoption update. We submitted our formal application which was approved and have moved on to the ginormus stack of pre-home study homework! I had forgotten how much of it there was! We are working our way through it but before you ask, because I know you want to, no - I have no idea how long it is going to take.

I'm still relatively calm about it, but I know at some point that will fall apart and I will become a blubbering bundle of nerves. Can't wait for that!! Mainly I'm just really excited. I can't wait to bring another little person into the house. Tiny little fingers and toes - just makes my heart melt.

Just.
Can't.
Wait...

Post again soon ~ Jeny