What a whirlwind this past week has been! It feels like forever since we’ve talked!

My surgery went great. Thank you so much for your prayers. I still have not felt a decrease in pain but we are hoping time will be the answer. Our family has been blessed beyond words with prayer and FOOD from our friends. Let me tell you, my girls can COOK! What fun it’s been listening to my husband go on and on…and on about what amazing cooks my friends are. To look at Ryan you would never know that 1. He eats like a horse and 2. the way to his heart is through his belly! I most definitely will have to step it up in the kitchen after these gourmet meals!

The adoption front has been quiet until Yesterday. Sara with America World emailed and let us know that our paperwork and initial payment had been received. Today, Adela the director of social services with AWAA, Texas emailed our home study paperwork. Whoa.

I assured my panicking self that we would take it one step at a time. One document at a time. One doctor visit at a time. There is so much required. I mean, things like pictures of the outside of your house, floor plan sketch, background checks, TB tests, reference letters…lots of stuff. I wish we could pause life while we work on all of this. Seems like it will be impossible to do both;)

While I was in surgery, Ryan spent his time creating a list of all the adoption expenses. I’m surprised he didn’t need to join me in recovery. He put an asterisk by what has already been paid. I will add a timeline and expense page to our menu bar and as we complete these steps and make payments I’ll update the page. I want to add a new progress tracker and instead of $35,000 being the goal, have several small ones as we journey through the process. Seems more doable, right?

I’ve felt an urgency to begin planning/executing the fundraisers. Do you ever get that, “we’re burning daylight”, feeling? I was forced to my bed this weekend so I spent my time planning and planning some more. My brain was definitely in overdrive. To the point where I began to panic…again. Maybe I heard God all wrong. Um, can I change my mind, take it all back? I’m tired, it’s just too much. I want to go back to when life was simple. EASY. When I was comfortable.

It was in that moment that I had a visual picture of my Savior. He was in the garden of Gethsemane with His head in His hands. He was in torment, crying out to His Father. He knew what His future held but He didn’t walk away. He didn’t give up or say never mind. He sacrificed His very life, He gave it all…for me, for you.

Here’s the reality: there is a living, breathing child out there. A child without a mommy to kiss away their pain, to hold them when they’re scared. Maybe without any hope at all. A child God has purposed for our family. If I give up now, I give up on that child, my child. So, I wont. I’ll keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Thank you, Jesus for being right there, always so quick to remind me: It was You who rescued me. It was You who came for me. It was You who adopted me into Your family. It is You who gives me hope.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ~Jesus~

John 14:18

 

Marriage Talk

For the past few years at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) we have had a “Favorite Things” meeting. Think Oprah but on a much smaller budget. Each mom has to wrap and bring the one thing she cannot live without. Well, this particular week was cRaZy at the Haus of Krause so when Friday rolled around I had completely forgotten about my “thing”. As I have already told you, my man is my most favorite thing and I most certainly was not going to give him away. I decided to sit down and quickly type up a few tips that work for us, things that help keep our marriage feeling new and solid. I printed it out, folded it neatly and taped it shut. This is exactly how it made it’s way to the table covered with 60+ of the most beautifully wrapped packages I had ever seen (most of us have degrees from Pinterest University). Needless to say, the folded piece of paper was the last one standing.

I can only imagine the things going through the mind of the poor, sweet MOP who was stuck with the neglected “thing”. I started to get really nervous. I just knew all 60+ of those women were feeling sorry for her. I jumped up feeling the need to explain why I had only brought that ugly sheet of paper and swearing that I had included a restaurant.com gift certificate!! I then proceeded to read the Marriage Tips out loud.

If you know anything about me, you know I am not shy, not in the least bit. I have absolutely no problem speaking or singing in front of huge crowds of people. BUT, that morning standing in front of those Pinterest Masters, I felt so ridiculous. Why hadn’t I remembered my FAVORITE THING!? Now, here I was with this last minute, silly SHEET OF PAPER.  Do you know my hands were even shaking as I read it! WHAT IN THE WORLD?? (Do you see what you women do to flakes like me;)  Funny thing happened though, they loved it! Several of them have been asking for a copy and my friend even asked if I would consider speaking on it (hilarious)…hmmm, maybe! 

So, in the spirit of Valentines Day, I though it would be fun to share my silly, last minute tips. It’s the very condensed version but you’ll get the point. Here’s to marriages everywhere, HAPPY HEART DAY, FRIENDS!

~Keepin’ It Real~

*Make him feel strong, capable, give him some affirmation! Encourage him, build him up, Tell him how devastatingly handsome he is, let him know he is your hero.

*Always cuddle, don’t let the distance grow between you when you sleep.

*RESPECT HIM

*Compliments of Steve Leavitt: Get under his umbrella, LET HIM LEAD!!

*Keep up your appearance! Look good for your man! Shave your legs, put on makeup, dress for him, make sure you look GOOD when he comes home, not because he expects it, but because you love him!

*ALWAYS be on his side especially in front of your children!

*Open Communication, be honest, tell him how you feel, don’t just say “Nothing” when he asks what’s wrong)

*Establish clear boundaries to safeguard your marriage!! Rules you refuse to break!

*Date each other. Carve out alone time, plan dates. Your children are important but the greatest gift you can give your children is a mommy and daddy who are still crazy in love!

*CHOOSE to love him, even when the butterflies aren’t there, when you’re not “feeling it”!

*Spend time in God’s Word! You can’t help but shine when you’ve been in His presence and there is nothing more beautiful on a woman!

*Pray for your husband, pray, pray, pray!!!! (Power of a Praying Wife is an excellent book)

*Keep your love life exciting (yes, THAT is EXACTLY what I mean)

*Jesus Christ is the glue that binds, HE holds our marriage together! As you both move towards Him, you will naturally grow closer to one another!

xoxo Happy Valentine’s Day xoxo

Brit

 

I think he was as excited as I was, can you tell?

Ryan and I spent the day reading LOTS of information and signing papers. Not too many, only 10 different packets and forms;) If all the rumors I hear are true, this is nothing compared to the future paperwork. Apparently we will be buried alive in it. And rightfully so, I suppose. We double, triple, quadruple checked everything, wrote the check for the initial program fee and off to the post office Ryan went. I hope America World doesn’t judge us as over achievers (they ask that you return these documents within 2 weeks…we just got them yesterday:). I just couldn't wait! I wanted to overnight it but my frugal , realistic husband assured me it would be ok if we used SNAIL MAIL, whatever. 


My girlfriend suggested that I post a schedule of fees and estimated time frames. These were things addressed in the forms we read today so we now have a much better understanding. I will try to do that in the next few days. We were able to exhale a little as we learned that the $35-40,000 will be broken up and paid at different times throughout the process, whew! *NOT that I’m doubting God, I swear!!



On another note, in the next week or two, I will be having surgery to remove a kidney stone that they believe is embedded in my right kidney. I have had CRAZY pain for almost 3 solid months. 7 docs later they are hopeful this is the answer. I am tired and today, has been a very trying day physically (why my man was home today, love him). Really, who in the world knew a ks could hurt like this? Sheesh! We are so grateful that we have finally gotten an answer and what is looking like a simple solution. Praise Jesus!! The crazy Krauses would appreciate your prayers so much as we want so badly to MOVE ON from this mini roadblock. Love and appreciate each of you so much!!!


xoxo,
Brit



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“The Call”

Dear Ryan & Britany ~

Congratulations again on your acceptance into the Ethiopia program!

Adoption is a life-changing experience!   You will feel a multitude of emotions during your journey through this process.  The ensuing months may both seem to fly by and crawl at a snail's pace.  You may occasionally question the adoption process, but keep in mind the arrival of your child or children will happen in God's perfect timing.  Take comfort that the steps involved in the adoption process are there to ensure that these children will be placed in safe and loving homes.  We are here to walk with you through this journey of adoption!…

OMAGOSH!!!! It's FOR REAL!! I was driving down Mopac today when I got “The Call”! It was so hard to concentrate as everything in my world went blurry. I was NOT expecting the feeling that washed over me. J-O-Y. Pure joy, even excitement. I can truly only compare it to how I felt when the doctor told me I was going to be a mommy. Two months ago you could have NEVER convinced me that I would feel this way. Not even two HOURS ago. This is really happening! Craaaazy!!

Sara, with America World, sent me an email with the first of MANY forms we have to fill out. Once the forms are completed we then mail back to Sara with the initial program fee. Once they process this paperwork, they will assign us a family coordinator who will be with us throughout the entire adoption process. In the meantime, there is a required online training course she suggested we go ahead and complete. She also told me that America World is licensed to do home studies in Texas! This is great news as it will make the experience so much more personable. We will be assigned to a social worker shortly after they have received and processed the documents and payment.

Before I let you go, I have to tell you how God is already providing! When Sara initially contacted me about the plan to fund the adoption she let me know that we would need around $5000 upfront. Well, Ryan did our taxes the other night and GUESS WHAT!?!? Yup, we are getting back $5000!!! You are so faithful, Lord!

I want to thank you for all of the prayers and support we have received! I am so humbled and blessed and EXCITED to go on this adventure with each of you. Buckle in friends, it’s gonna be a CRAZY ride!!!

xoxo,

Brit

Where are we now?

Wow, it’s a miracle! Two posts in one day!? Well, kind of. This morning’s post was meant for yesterday but my internet was down last night. I’m sure this will go down as a record for this blog! Please, please, please “follow” Praying You Home by scrolling to the bottom and clicking on, “Join this site” or subscribing through email. I have 5 awesome followers and I know they’re getting lonely out here in Blogland:) I want to know who’s taking this crazy train with us!!

Now, back to business…

The afternoon I submitted our application, I had to sing with my dad at a benefit at the Cotton Club in Granger. I sat there the whole time giggling to myself about the idea of my African child partaking in our country music ventures. Isn’t that the most hilarious thought? As I sat there in that smoky, country dancehall watching all the two-steppin’, Bob Wills singin’, Merle Haggard lovin’ people, I saw what had always been very normal to me, through a whole new set of eyes. I pray Little Krause will love country music or he/she will suffer for the rest of their life;) 

The adoption agency we applied with is America World. (www.awaa.org) You are going to make fun of me and consider me irresponsible when I tell you how I chose this one. I love Steven Curtis Chapman. I knew one of the Chapman family ministries was adoption, so I looked up his website and figured out who they endorsed/adopted through. That was it. I was certain that whichever agency these adoption rock stars supported and encouraged others to use, would be the one.

AWAA informed us that it would take approximately 10 business days to hear if we had been accepted into their program. One week later (remember, we applied on a Sunday and the following Monday was MLK day, there had been only 4 bus. days), I received an email from Sara, the intake director at AWAA. She let me know that 2 of the areas they look closely at are medical history and the family’s finances as well as the ability to fund the adoption…UH OH. FAIL. Cancer and we are, um how you say, brizoke? She was so sweet, though! Quote: we recognize that for so many of our families this journey really is a step of faith…   We don’t expect anyone to know where every penny will come from. We do look to see that a plan is in place and that the funds are available to start the process. She also asked a few questions about my specific cancer diagnosis. The best I could do was send her a very honest response. I think it helped that I am 9 years removed from diagnosis and treatment. I also laid out my hopeful plans for funding the adoption. The last time I spoke with her was the Tuesday before last and as the days have ticked by panic began to set in. I couldn’t take it anymore and the anxiety finally got the best of me today. She immediately replied and let me know there was a slight confusion with our application. AND, listen to this, “there has been an onslaught of applications this month. MUCH higher than usual!!” How super exciting is that!? She assured me that our app. would be reviewed tomorrow or early next week and they would contact us as soon as possible. *SIGH* So, we will wait until then. I promise I’ll let you know right away!

So, here’s the burning question on everybody’s mind: how DO we plan to finance this adoption? Good question! When I figure it out I’ll let you know. I will assure you that this single income, blue collar family does not have $35-40,000 laying around. But to me, this is a great opportunity for God to really show up, for Him to be glorified! Pennies from Heaven:) We have been praying that God would move the hearts of individuals who He wants to be a part of Little Krause’s story. It’s an uncomfortable position to ask for help, but when I think of the end result, it gives me the courage. I was warned the other day by a friend who had been told “If you don’t have the money, that’s God telling you shouldn’t do this.” I wholeheartedly disagree. It made me sad that people’s hearts are so hardened. If 99% of the people moved to rescue orphans let the financial mountain stand in the way, what would happen to the orphan population then? It’s a scary thought. Remember, God gave me my encouragement at the seminar we attended: God funds what He Favors!

Ryan and I have been brainstorming like crazy. I keep going back to what I know best…concert benefits. In the next couple of months I plan on rallying troops to help me organize/execute this. It’s going to take a village! We’ve thought of garage sales, tshirt sales, applying for grants, various events (again, what I know!), and possibly finding someone to donate studio time for a cd I could record/sell. If you are in the market for someone to lead worship, someone to plan your party, a cool pottery barn knock off piece of furniture? The Krauses have got ya covered! We promised ourselves we would be shameless! After all, the future of our child depends on it:) Do you know a t-shirt printer who would donate? A graphics designer willing to design our t-shirts? Do you have advice, something that was successful for you? PEOPLE, DO YOU KNOW PEOPLE!? I want to hear about it! We have opened a PayPal account and put a donate button at the bottom of the blog. Our “campaign”, for lack of a better word, will be: You CAN Change the World…For ONE! And you really CAN! Think about it, 5 million minus one. It will make all the difference in the world of one! If God does move your heart to donate, PLEASE send me an email or leave a comment with your name. I plan on making a list of donors on the “You CAN Change the World…for one” page. I want to write you into Little Krause’s story<3

DON’T FORGET!!! FOLLOW PRAYING YOU HOME & LEAVE COMMENTS!!! I’m anxious to hear your thoughts!

xoxo,

Brit

A Very Annoying Love Fest

Hopefully tomorrow I will have time to catch you up on the story that has been unfolding in our lives. BUT, right now I’m going to take the opportunity to give a shout out to my man. Eleven years ago today, Ryan Krause made me his bride.

He woke me up this morning with a perfectly prepared, PEC mug of coffee and whispered, “I still feel like a newlywed.” And we do. Well, I take that back, we are WAY more crazy about each other today. He still gives me butterflies, I still feel giddy at 5:45 every day when he comes through the door, When we aren’t together my world always feels a little cock-eyed and I still count the minutes until I get to be with him again. He’s my safe place, the anchor that keeps this rainbow chaser grounded, my strength when I feel like giving up. He’s my very best friend.

People are forever making fun of me because I talk about Ryan like he’s my new boyfriend.  Unfortunately, today it is much more accepting to complain about your husband than to sing his praises. This makes me so sad. I want to tell you why I love this man like I do and why you must just shut it and suffer through the annoying Ryan love fests.

*At the young age of 21 years old his wife of 1.5 years was diagnosed with a rare and scary cancer. He buckled in for the ride and he stayed.

*He held my hand through hours of chemotherapy and never complained.

*He washed my hair and SHAVED MY LEGS when I didn’t have the strength.

*When my hair started to fall out, he shaved me bald and afterwards held my face and told me I was beautiful.

*He held the trash can while I spent months puking my guts out.

*In spite of the “Lemon” he got for a wife and the many health challenges we’ve faced he has NEVER ONCE complained. Not once demanded a refund. (although he has joked that I should have come with a warranty:)

*He CHOOSES to spend his free time with his family. He actually wants to.

*From the moment he walks through the door after LONG days of hard work, he’s present.

*He helps me around the house. He cleans, does laundry and bathes the kids every night. (well, now just Ella:)

*He loves baseball almost as much as I do.

*He makes my coffee every morning and, this is so random but SO Ryan, puts toothpaste on all our toothbrushes.

*He is handier than a pocket on a shirt, he can build, fix, do anything.

*He is a rock star lineman. He works long, hard hours and never complains.

*He defends me almost as ferociously as my mom.

*He loves me even though I’m crazy.

*He encourages all my wild ventures, validates all my unrealistic dreams.

*He is oh so devastatingly handsome.

*He makes me laugh. All the time. He’s so much fun.

Okay, I’m gonna stop.

But do you see now!? I have not done anything ever in my life to deserve this man and I spend most of my days in total shock that he chose me. I thank my God for him every chance I get. A million times a day.

Marriage is hard work but I think choosing to love each other, even on days you don’t “feel” it, brings forth something beautiful. It builds something solid and everlasting, unshakable….Ok, wait, forget all that. I take it back. It’s Jesus. He is what truly makes a marriage work, period. (remember, “he who builds his house on the Rock…”)

Happy Anniversary, Ryan. I. love. you.