BLAH

It's been a very blah week.

-tired kids
-bored kids
-friends that are really hurting
-hurting for our friends
-lots of prayer!
-my heart just aches for them
-struggling with anger
-messy house
-2 steps forward 1 step back with H&G's case
-busy busy busy
-frustrations
-just a whole lot of sadness
-a whole lot of blah

But I know there is HOPE and PEACE and COMFORT in the Lord!

Family

Here is a picture of everyone at the Engagement Party! It's not often that we are ALL together in one place so this was definitely a treat. Management has 4 brothers, 1 that lives in New Mexico which is why we are rarely all together. The brother from New Mexico is the one that got engaged (he is in the last row with an orange shirt and his fiance is the one in front of him wearing a turquoise necklace).

You will notice in the picture that there are 5 brothers and their families, my mother-in-law, and another older couple. The other older couple is the dad of 2 of Management's brothers and his wife. They are super sweet and join us at almost every family function. Whew, does that make sense?



It was a great party!

Super Saturday

Let's see -

Where to begin?

How about Friday night/Saturday morning when I was woken up by sweet, sleepy, and apparently hungry H&G. I grabbed her bottle, snuggled her close in the dark, and fed her while I kissed her cheek a gazillion times. She doesn't wake during the night that often and is too nosy and busy to snuggle much during the day so I just soak up those nighttime snuggles!

Three hours later (around 6:00am), she was up again and sitting on my lap while I put on make-up and fixed my hair. She NEVER wakes up that early but of course on this extremely busy day, she did.

That day we had the last 5 of 19 hours of foster care training and then rushed home to host 25 of our family members (on Management's side) for an Engagement Party. The training was actually really really really good (even for parenting our biological kids!) and the party was great! We don't see that side of the family enough and whenever I see them, I always wish we could see them more.

And then that night I stayed up way too long reading Breaking Dawn. I didn't read any of the other books (Twilight, etc.) but did see the movies and of course, love them!! So, since I love the movies so much, I couldn't wait for the next movie to come out to find out what happens so I had to get the book. It did not disappoint and now I really can't wait for the movie!

So basically, Saturday was a very long day! But it really didn't feel long or draining at all and was full of very good things!

Well that was my weekend - but before all of that - I got to spend the day with one of my most favoritiest favorite persons of all times, Dee!!! Man alive, I wish you all could know Dee and have her for your friend!! She is incredibly kind, generous, wise, ....everything! And such a genuine, humble person in the midst of being so fantastic! Thank you Dee for a wonderful day and I am beyond excited that I get to see you again so soon!!

*And of course I have pictures to go with this post but once again, you'll have to wait. If there is one area that I am really lazy in, it's uploading pictures! Sorry!

She Has His Hair!

And My Thighs! :)

Nesting?

Thank you friends for wanting to shop with me! It makes me smile!

While I can't yet shop, I think nesting has set in.

Or maybe it's delayed Spring Cleaning Fever.

Whatever it is, I'll take it!

While I'm very sad that we missed church today, I'm so thankful for all that we got done around the house.

Completely cleaned out, dusted, and/or scrubbed -

1 basement
2 closets
1 laundry room
1 mud room
2 kids rooms
banisters and railings
all doors and moldings
and a gazillion, trillion, shoes sorted.

Feels good!

Shopping

I know, I know, I know...

I've mentioned this before -

But I can't help it.

I'm so anxious to shop!!!!

And now more than ever after having H&G here for 4 days.

I know the things that we need.

And of course I see the things that I want.

Then there are the cute things that just scream at me as I walk by them.

It's torture I tell ya.

And let's not even talk about Etsy.

And those cloth diaper covers! oh.my.word.

A lot has changed in the baby world in the last 7 years!

And I just really want to jump in with both feet.

But...

We have to wait.

and wait.

and wait.

And if it doesn't work out then one of ya'll better have another baby

cuz I want to shop!

Sweet Sayings

From WeeklyAd ~

"if we get to adopt H&G then I will have the best end of the world." To clarify, I asked, "do you mean the best rest of your life" and she said, "yes! It would be great!"

Later as I tucked WeeklyAd into bed she said, "do you know there was this great pirate (pointing up) and He made a special treasure and it's right there (pointing at me). TEARS!

The Weekend

We had a very full weekend!

Friday we had H&G for the day and spent most of our time at our local Art in the Park Fair. She had a great time watching all of the people and intensely studying the world around her.

Saturday, Management and I went to our 2nd of 3 all day foster care training days. It was so i.n.t.e.r.e.s.t.i.n.g!! The people who attended the training with us, even more interesting! wow! I know you probably want more details but you'll have to remind me to post about them later cuz I don't have time right this minute.

Sunday, my parents took HomeAudio and WeeklyAd with them on a two day trip. It was so so so hard to let them go. I think I drove my parents crazy with my worries but once the kids were gone and I was convinced they would be okay, Management and I had a really relaxing day. We went to the movies, to dinner, to the park, to a yard sale, and then to visit with our neighbors. And at the yard sale...I found a brand new, still wrapped up and factory packaged, foot spa for $5.00. So, I forgot, Management and I also went to Target to buy some lavender oil and nail polish so I could give myself a much needed pedicure. It was wonderful!!!

And Monday we picked up H&G again and spent the whole day with just her. It was very quiet, very relaxing, but I think H&G really missed the older kids who were having a blast with grandma and papa!

Today, the older kids are back, we still have H&G (until Friday) and I have the other kids that I provide childcare for. So, count them up, that makes 6 kids. They are all doing great and no one has been lost yet or left in a poopy diaper for too long or even missed a meal!

Whew!

I Feel....

I feel blessed that we get to spend so much time with H&G! We usually see her 2-4 times a week and have had her for a few overnight visits.

I feel a lot of respect and love for her foster parents! They are going out of their way to let us spend time with her and really take such excellent care of her. They really love her!

I feel so disorganized. There is just enough baby stuff around the house to get us through our visits but not really enough to put away or organize.

I feel anxious to know for sure that she will be a part of our family and we can start buying things, organizing, and of course celebrating!!

I feel thankful that my kids are old enough to understand all that is going on (well, most of it). I really do think this has brought us four closer together!

I feel proud of my kids and how they are handling things. They have grown spiritually, emotionally, and have really been great helpers!

I feel like someone's missing when she isn't here.

I feel ready to be a family of FIVE - woot woot...lucky number!

I feel ready to nest and organize and shop!! Did I say this one already!?

I feel such love for H&G.

I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing.

I feel like I need to do a lot more reading and praying!

I feel sad for her. As loved as she is, she is displaced right now. Living in limbo.

I feel honored that I was able to get up with her at 2:30 in the morning and rock her as her dark brown eyes stared at me.

I feel hopeful. some days. I feel scared and worried. other days.

I feel like I need to post something soon that is not related to adoption!

Hair

I've always known that hair was an issue in the black culture. Growing up with a bi-racial friend who had totally different hair than mine, I learned quickly that hair was a very big deal. Whether it was loved or hated, it was talked about. A lot. I seriously could go on and on about the education that I got about black girl's hair as I went through high school and college. But I won't because I really don't feel like I, as a white woman, can do it justice.

In fact I would probably offend my friend and any other black woman who is reading this. Let's just say that most black women take their hair very seriously. Anyone heard of the Chris Rock documentary "Good Hair" from last year?

Just today my friend, who also blogs, said that almost all of the negative comments she has ever had on her blog have been when she has posted about hair.

And imagine my surprise, not really, when the first time H&G came for a visit she had a baby board book called "I Love My Hair."

I have to say that the hair issue is probably one of my only concerns regarding this adoption. So I'm going to have to do some research! I'm going to have to read articles like this one and definitely rent "Good Hair" and absolutely ask Aunt Gracee to help!

And pray I don't make a hot mess of it all.

Today

Today Management officially became a part of the Advancement Department for IV. There will be a lot of changes in the next couple of months regarding his job, responsibilities, and even expectations of me and my role as his wife. There really is a whole other post about this and how much I love IV for being family friendly and ministering to wives and families. But the real reason I mention this is because his new boss has invited 2 other families, along with our family, to join him and his wife up north for a week in August. As you can imagine, a dinner party with employers/colleagues is enough to stress about but a week at the beach!?!? I started my diet about 4 weeks ago. Today I majorly failed. Cereal for breakfast = bad. Pancakes for lunch = really bad. Ice cream sunday = delicious but oh so so bad.

Today WeeklyAd met with a teacher from school for some tutoring. She is doing well in school but I believe she needs help remembering all that she learned and keeping things fresh on her mind. She calls it "tutor class" and it cracks me up. It is her and the teacher. period. Yet to her it's "tutor class."

Today my very good friend, S, came for a visit and brought her beautiful ShortOnes with her.

Today Management started back on the Elder Board at our church. Late meetings. But I'm happy for him and pray the Lord uses him in good and positive ways that will bring about what the Lord has for our church.

Today we got registered for our fingerprinting and I finished all of my paperwork.

Today my house is a disaster again. I really just need a day at home alone so I can conquer it all.

Today is a day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.