glitterpunkrealtor blog
Expanding Our Family and Up Next
March 15, 2025
So this blog sure has been quiet. I was doing so well with consistency with at least a couple of post each month to nothing! But it was for a beautiful reason and I’m so excited to share how my life has dramatically changed practically overnight.
Last year in January, my husband and I began the process of private adoption. We were told to expect up to three years for the process. There was a lot of paperwork to complete - background checks, review of our financial stability, questionnaires, home study with an interview, and finally completing the formal application. However, before we even got the chance to complete the formal application we were asked to about a potential match with a birthing family! This particular call was our third in the span of eight months where we had an offer, but this time the stars all aligned to actually lead to placement. We got the call on our way to visit family, and had to leave a day early to make sure we picked up our newborn within the hospital’s timeline. I still sometimes can’t believe we’re parents to our sweet little boy. Our situation worked out for us in a perfect fit for all parties involved and I couldn’t be more thankful.
When we purchased our home five years ago we did so with the intention of expanding our family but it has been a long road and our house has been filled with things other than stuff for another permanent resident. It was quite the mad rush to rearrange the home to accommodate our new family member. Fortunately, it was a relatively smooth transition with a TON of support from our friends and family. We have received so many hand-me-downs, gifts, advice and love!
After this big change in our life, it also means a change to the many, many plans I had for our house, work life and running a real estate business. I have to budget differently and accommodate different financial goals than I originally considered. And most importantly, manage my finite amount of “free” time. So, I will be focusing on prioritizing high impact changes with as low of a cost as is reasonable. I definitely don’t want to sacrifice quality but high-end is far from the focus or priority. Enjoy my adventure in home projects that I complete for family, friends and clients. This venture is called illie/ally - and I hope you join me for the ride. Interior design is life changing and the resident engages with it everyday. I hope to make a lasting positive impact that will benefit the recipient. For planning guides, interviews, before-and-afters, recommendations and tips stay tuned and look for #illieally for all things interior design on this blog.
First up - documenting my neighbor’s update to her primary bathroom which was a builder grade, flipper’s special. The budget is low in an old house.
