Just a Reminder

One week from today is our adoption fundraiser party! I know that many of you will not be able to make it due to distance or other circumstances. However, if you would still like to place an order feel free to browse the websites listed below. You may order online, or you can just email me (angelforandy@msn.com) and let me know what you want.

For the rest of you, we are looking forward to seeing you on the 13th from 10:00-1:00 at 9 Goldenrod Place, Durham, NC 27705! Check out all the other details here

Each of these ladies have agreed to donate a portion of the sales to our adoptions (Johnsons and Hambricks)

Lindsey Bullard with Thirty-One
http://www.mythirtyone.com/bullard

Shawna Johnson with Mary Kay
http://www.marykay.com/stjohnson

Ada Farmer with Tastefully Simple
http://www.tastefullysimple.com/web/afarmer

Rachel Robbins with Pampered Chef
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/rachelrobbins

Magic Babysitter

A while back Andy and I wanted (needed - take your pick!) a date night. For different reasons, it just wasn't going to work out for us to go out somewhere, so we decided to stay in. Sounds good, right? The challenge was getting Emma Lee and Kerri to cooperate. I rented a movie and planned a special dinner for us grownups - okay, easy part done.

Next, I talked up to the girls how they were going to get to have their own special night in their room. I got them their own special dinner that they could eat upstairs (lunchables - they think they are the greatest thing in the world because they never-well, obviously not never, but extremely rarely-get them). Armed with some movies of their own and our portable DVD player, I headed up to their room to get things set up. A moment of inspiration hit me and for the first time all day, I thought that this might just work. In the top of the girls' closet, they have a long-forgotten play tent that I realized would make this night extra special for them (which might just actually keep them in their room). I set it up, and somehow they managed to find room for themselves in there after they piled it full of pillows, blankets, dolls, and stuffed animals, along with their dinner and dvd player. With promises that they could watch BOTH movies AND sleep in the tent if they stayed in their room and were quiet, I set them up, (I might have also sent up a little prayer) and tiptoed down the stairs.

I didn't have to worry, they were completely enchanted by the idea and other than a couple trips to the potty, we didn't hear a peep from them - ALL NIGHT! They even managed to fall asleep (and stay that way all night) cuddled up together in their little tent. I couldn't (and still can't completely) believe it! I feel like I have a secret weapon although it must be saved as the last resort and used oh so sparingly in order for it's magic to continue to work!

I Don't Like This Part

Right now, I have so much to do but am almost at a standstill of what I can do until several things fall into place. I hate waiting for others when I have a long list of stuff to do. I don't know if it is because I'm not the most super-organized person, if our agency wasn't clear enough on their expectations, or just because I've been so busy doing a million different things, of which our adoption is only one of, but today I'm pretty frustrated with how slowly our adoption seems to be moving. So, we finished our homestudy visits, got in all our paperwork, and I thought that it would be approved and finalized pretty quickly. After not hearing anything from them at all, I finally called today and found out they are still waiting for 5 things for it to be complete - two of which we didn't even know about. Great. Also, we have to wait in line before she even reviews our homestudy. (True, it is not a long line, I think we are third, but I want it NOW.) Unfortunately for our situation right now, our homestudy is pretty much the thing that everything else hinges at this point. We can't file our I800-A (to immigration) until our homestudy is completed. We can't send in our dossier (paperwork to Bulgaria) until these and other things fall into place.We can't apply for any adoption grants (some of which have deadlines) until our homestudy is completed. Ugh! I keep telling myself that once my work on this end is finished, I'll be perfectly happy and patient to wait for Bulgaria to work things out on their end, but deep down if I'm completely honest I know that it doesn't work like that. How often do we think, "I'll just be happy when..." or "If only I had____, then everything would be fine." I was reminded today of what Paul said in Philippians:

. . . for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want [whether having a homestudy completed or not]. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Waiting. Patience. Contentment. Okay, so these are definitely some areas that need improvement in my life. In my head, I know that my mood shouldn't be affected by my circumstances or situations, and I need to trust in the Lord and that everything will work out according to His timing. My lesson for today is to take that head knowledge and put it into practice. 

Somtimes You Just Have to Laugh (and grab the video camera!)

I could go so many directions with this post. It's an honest look at what life is sometimes like around here. (In case you are wondering, my girls aren't always sweet and smiling - although I know you find that hard to believe!) I could also talk about how sisters share everything, even the bad moments. How about the difficult moments of life with my "almost twins"? I could reminisce about my pre-kid days when I watched other parents deal with not-so-perfect kids and thought how that was NOT going to be me with my kids - they would NEVER act that way. Instead, I think I'll just smile and laugh and tell the story about bringing Kerri home from the hospital. After all, that's where this all started.

We walked into a quiet house, excited to be bringing our sweet little bundle home. Emma Lee was napping, we were tired (you know how much rest you get in a hospital), Kerri needed a diaper change, and with thoughts of a quiet day as a family of four, I went off to take care of little Kerri's needs. Here are the things I quickly discovered about Kerri: (1) She was a screamer, (2) She didn't like to have her skin exposed to the air. (3) Changing clothes or a diaper will result in impossibly loud screaming. Within seconds, I look up and Emma Lee is rubbing her eyes and staring not quite sure what that little thing on the changing table is or why it is making so much noise. I said something along the lines of "Hi, sweetie! Look, it's your new little baby sister!" Immediately, Emma Lee decided to join in and began doing a little screaming herself. Andy and I just stood there looking at each other and looking at our two inconsolable little girls, and we just had to laugh (it was either that or join in and start crying too!). 

Over the years, we've had other moments like these, especially when we were commuting 45 min to and from church before we moved to Durham with a baby who didn't like being strapped in a carseat and a toddler who didn't like loud noises. Sometimes, it's almost like a competition  - who can cry the loudest. Fortunately for my sensitive ear drums, these moments have gotten fewer and farther apart, but somedays, out of nowhere, we get this little reminder.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Sometimes we gently correct, sometimes we not so gently correct, sometimes we ignore it, sometimes we join in (or at least want to), and sometimes we just have to laugh and grab the video camera.

You'll Do

 

Good thing she has such a great imagination!

Mark Your Calendars! Get Ready to Shop!

Join us (and bring all your friends*) for brunch and shopping!
*Adults only, please!  

On Sat. March 13 from 10:00-1:00 we are having a shopping extravaganza! The following wonderful ladies will be present to help you with all your shopping needs:

Lindsey Bullard with Thirty-One
Shawna Johnson with Mary Kay
Ada Farmer with Tastefully Simple
Rachel Robbins with Pampered Chef

They will each donate a portion of the sales to our adoptions! Come early to hear about the products and have the chance to win some really great prizes! If you can't make it right at 10:00, come when you can and browse the tables and catalogs.

If you do not live around here or can't make it to the party, feel free to check out these ladies' websites and place an order. A portion of your order will also be donated to help the Hambricks and the Johnsons to bring their little ones home.

So, what better excuse do you need? 

The more you buy, the more you give!

Puppy Love

We've had a little furry visitor the last couple of days...unfortunately for the girls (and probably fortunately for little Lola) she's not here to stay.

Lola is my sister's dog and is a serious contender for the favorite cousin spot!

Here's what Emma Lee and Kerri have discovered -

Watching a movie is much more fun when you are cuddled up with a little furry friend.  

 Doggies give great hugs! 

Lola is the perfect size to wear build-a-bear clothes. 

Lola outranks any toy or source of entertainment in our house.

Even potty time is interesting.

It is fun having someone to boss around. 

 We love, love, love cute little dogs! 

I'll give you one guess what the question of the week is going to be for Daddy!