Wow, I have been a terrible blogger. I think it was October that I even wrote anything.
Just chugging along with work and homeschooling.
I am excited that were are around day 95 of this year.
Homeschool co-op started back after the new year and the girls are very excited. It is nice for me to get to talk to some friends too.
Aaron signed up to go back to Ethiopia for another mission trip this summer. June it is. I am excited for him. We are also very, very likely going to send Madelyn with him. The main thing I worry about is her being able to shower without accidentally drinking the water. When we took the girls in 2011, our bathtub had a hand held shower faucet. I would make the girls sit in the tub, tip their heads back with a towel over their face and wash their hair, making sure none of it splashed into their faces. They weren't allowed to talk at all during this process. Then I would pull their hair back away from their face or braid it so that they wouldn't accidentally get a wet hair in their face and get sick. It worked, no one got sick while there. She is too old for Aaron to help her in the shower, but I think he could at least let her lean her head over into the tub dressed and wash her hair. Then bathe later. I hope she gets to go.
We also have a meeting set up with our social worker next month. Planning to start with our homestudy again. I am hoping to get done with all the paperwork by April, May at the latest. Ugh! I dread filling out another dossier. Which means doctor's appts, and all that mess.
I am excited. At this time, we are planning on asking for an infant girl and I am hoping be done with this adoption by spring of 2014. But who knows.. you can't depend on much in international adoption, but we can depend on God!
I worked 12 hours Sat, went to church Sunday morning (had the toddler nursery, with 3/4 of the babies crying), came home, ate lunch, then went to a baby shower. Came home again for about 1 hr, then turned around and went back to church. I took everyone except Ethan, who has a nasty snotty nose and Aaron volunteered to stay with him. After church , Aaron met me at Panera Bread and picked up the kids so I could eat with some ladies from our Sunday morning class. I got home around 8:30 Sunday night. It was a good time.
Then I worked 12 hours Monday since Aaron was off work.
I felt horrible at work Monday and let me tell you, 12 hours on your feet, feeling horrible, makes a long, long day. I feel even worse today. My throat is killing me. I keep having episodes where I am lightheaded, weak, wobbly legged, etc. I don't feel sick enough to go to the doctor, but not well enough to work either. Or read for school. We skipped that today, since it hurts to talk.
I even had Mom come over and watch the kids so Aaron could take me to the grocery for our big trip. I normally do it alone, or sometimes with the kids, which I don't like to do, but I was too weak and lightheaded to go alone and I know Aaron would have balked at the list and coupons I had clipped if I had tried to send him by himself.
We were low on food. Natalie rejoiced when we walked in the door "yeah! we have food!" I guess they had gotten to the bottom of the barrel while I was at work.
Next stop China
Next Stop China!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Antibiotics for all...
Ethan has had a snotty nose off and on for a month. It would get bad, then get better, off and on. It has finally moved to his chest, but still not bad. No fever, he acts fine, etc, but when he coughs, it sounds awful.
Seth started coughing about 3 days ago and he sounds awful. His nose started the running yesterday and he too has no fever, still acts pretty well, just less energy, but he coughs all night long. By the way, Madelyn has bronchitis and Hannah has a sinus infection. (took them to the walk in clinic on Friday)
I had an appt at 10:15. No one to watch the other kids, so all 6 of us went. Didn't see the nurse practitioner until 11:15. 1 hour waiting with 5 kids in a tiny room, praying to not get a germ while we were there. Anyway, she finally came in and was real nice and declared that Seth had bronchitis and a sinus infection and Ethan has a sinus infection and double ear infections.
They send their prescriptions by email to the pharmacy, so I was hoping that when I got the pharmacy in an hour, they would be ready to be picked up. Not so, the pharmacy said they had just gotten the prescriptions and the syrup the doctor prescribed they were out of. So she could call a Walgreens 20 min. away and see if they had it. Well, I had just come from there and really didn't want to drive all the way back.
Thankfully, Mom works close by and was able to swing by that pharmacy and pick up the syrup. Then she swung by the Walgreens close to our house to pick up the antibiotics. I guess they didn't have our insurance card, because normally I spend about $.50 on that antibiotic and the total for both boys was around $35.00. So, that will have to be fixed.
Anyway, I pulled the medication out of the bag and what did they give Seth? My 2 year old? Huge amoxicillin capsules. Really? He's 2. And while I admit, he is the best medicine taker ever, I don't think he can handle these huge pills.
So I call the pharmacy. They say that is how the nurse practitioner wrote it. So I call the doctors office. Tell the receptionist what happened. She said she would send the message to the doctor about changing it. Then she asked if it was capsules. I said yes, and she said "she may just want you open up the pill and give it to him?"
I wanted to say "do you want to come over and do that? , Have you ever tasted and antibiotic pill? Have you ever given a 2 year old medication?"
So, that was a few hours ago and I haven't heard back. I think I will call again to see if they ever sent a new liquid prescription over there. What a mess.
I have not been impressed. So far, the boys are the only ones that have been. The first appt. was for around 8am. It took over an hour and 1/2 for the doctor to come in. That is just not acceptable to me. Today, it was an hour. I don't know what we will do. I liked our last ones and I guess they are about the same distance away, so I may just go back to them. They just use different hospitals.
Also, 2/3 of our toilets are not working. One won't flush at all. The other one is leaking into our garage. Yuck! I have been waiting for about 5 hours for the rooter guys to call and say they are coming. I hope they make it soon. Aaron got called to a fire, so he is on his way home, but he should have been home 30 min. ago.
I am a little stressed. UGH!
Seth started coughing about 3 days ago and he sounds awful. His nose started the running yesterday and he too has no fever, still acts pretty well, just less energy, but he coughs all night long. By the way, Madelyn has bronchitis and Hannah has a sinus infection. (took them to the walk in clinic on Friday)
I had an appt at 10:15. No one to watch the other kids, so all 6 of us went. Didn't see the nurse practitioner until 11:15. 1 hour waiting with 5 kids in a tiny room, praying to not get a germ while we were there. Anyway, she finally came in and was real nice and declared that Seth had bronchitis and a sinus infection and Ethan has a sinus infection and double ear infections.
They send their prescriptions by email to the pharmacy, so I was hoping that when I got the pharmacy in an hour, they would be ready to be picked up. Not so, the pharmacy said they had just gotten the prescriptions and the syrup the doctor prescribed they were out of. So she could call a Walgreens 20 min. away and see if they had it. Well, I had just come from there and really didn't want to drive all the way back.
Thankfully, Mom works close by and was able to swing by that pharmacy and pick up the syrup. Then she swung by the Walgreens close to our house to pick up the antibiotics. I guess they didn't have our insurance card, because normally I spend about $.50 on that antibiotic and the total for both boys was around $35.00. So, that will have to be fixed.
Anyway, I pulled the medication out of the bag and what did they give Seth? My 2 year old? Huge amoxicillin capsules. Really? He's 2. And while I admit, he is the best medicine taker ever, I don't think he can handle these huge pills.
So I call the pharmacy. They say that is how the nurse practitioner wrote it. So I call the doctors office. Tell the receptionist what happened. She said she would send the message to the doctor about changing it. Then she asked if it was capsules. I said yes, and she said "she may just want you open up the pill and give it to him?"
I wanted to say "do you want to come over and do that? , Have you ever tasted and antibiotic pill? Have you ever given a 2 year old medication?"
So, that was a few hours ago and I haven't heard back. I think I will call again to see if they ever sent a new liquid prescription over there. What a mess.
I have not been impressed. So far, the boys are the only ones that have been. The first appt. was for around 8am. It took over an hour and 1/2 for the doctor to come in. That is just not acceptable to me. Today, it was an hour. I don't know what we will do. I liked our last ones and I guess they are about the same distance away, so I may just go back to them. They just use different hospitals.
Also, 2/3 of our toilets are not working. One won't flush at all. The other one is leaking into our garage. Yuck! I have been waiting for about 5 hours for the rooter guys to call and say they are coming. I hope they make it soon. Aaron got called to a fire, so he is on his way home, but he should have been home 30 min. ago.
I am a little stressed. UGH!
Monday, September 10, 2012
It's been a while...
Wow, I have not blogged in a long time.
I always use the excuse that life is busy, but when is life ever not busy?
School - home school coop started this past Friday. The girls of course love it and were very excited to see their friends again. I worked 3 12 hour days last week, and one of those days was Friday, so Aaron took the girls and Mom watched the boys, but I will be going this Friday and thankfully Mom is off work, so she can watch the boys for me. There is nothing like sitting in a room for 3+ hours trying to occupy the boys.
Today was day 30 of our school year.....DAY 30!!!! I am so excited. That gives us a little slack for me working some or vacations or PLEASE NO, the dreaded stomach virus.
I LOVE the curriculum we are using this year. We are using Learning Adventures. We used them 2 years ago and I really loved them then. You get every subject in one curriculum except Math. Instead of buying all your books, you buy their guide and then go to the library a lot. Being from small towns, there have been a few times I have had to order a book, normally for less than $10 because our library did not have it. We actually didn't finish all of the Unit Studies last time, so we started with the last unit study from 2 years ago, and now last week we are starting the new one for this year.
Hard to believe, but Madelyn will be 12 next week. She is in the youth group at church now and is starting to do stuff with them. I am so excited for her. I loved my youth group growing up! Hannah will be 8 on Sunday. That too is hard to believe. Makes me feel so old. On a good note, a few times at work people have asked how old I was and when I told them I was 37, they said I didn't look a day older than 31.. AND I had a young man tell me he thought I was his age. He was 22!!!!
The little things in life.....
Seth is pretty funny. He talks sooo well for a 2 1/2 year old that up until 15 months ago had barely heard English in his life.
For a while, if I would set him at the table to eat he would say "get me some juice" to which I would calmly reply "I'm ain't getting you nothin 'til you ask nicely" (notice the proper English) Then he would say "please get me some juice" then I would get him some. After going through that for a while, now he will say "Please get me some juice I asked nicely" all in one fast sentence.
And even being more polite, this morning he came downstairs and not wanting to tell Madelyn what to do he said "Madelyn, maybe we can watch pretty pink tractor" That is his new thing, instead of demanding he starts off with MAYBE and it really is pretty cute.
The other day I saw him pulling the back of Ethan's pants away from Ethan's back and peering in to see if Ethan had pooped.
Ethan is a whole other personality. He is so huge. Weighing more than Seth and we had them stand back to back the other day and he is only about an inch shorter than Seth. So I think he will probably pass Seth in size this next year. So even though he looks older he acts so young when you start to talk to him. His speech is terrible. He is about as behind as Seth is ahead.
We even had his hearing tested. And it was normal. I really am not worried. By number 5, you're like, whatever, so what if I alone am the only person who understands him, and that is only part of the time. He is so sweet! Kisses all the time.
His signature face when things don't go his way is a pout, which I have almost broke him of. I mean as soon as he hears "no" he is puffing through his nose and that bottom lip is all the way out. Now, I make him smile instead of pout. It is pretty funny and hard not to laugh when I am trying to be serious.
It is so much work for him to pull that lip in and put a huge smile on, but normally by the time his teeth are showing, he starts laughing too.
Today, he was in the high chair and I can't remember why he was mad at me, but I was in the kitchen watching him through the door. I knew he was pouting and he knew he wasn't supposed to, so when I would look at him, he would put this huge smile on, but as soon as I started to turn my head...big pout, then I would look real quick and big smile again. This went on about 5-6 times, all the while I was trying to act serious. So, even though he can't enunciate hardly anything, he is smart smart smart. And I love him just the way he is.
We are all into soccer again. Thankfully, Madelyn and Natalie are on the same team this year. Bad thing is, they travel. Which means last Saturday, Aaron took them an hour away for their game, while I took Hannah to her game. We'll see how it goes. I hate being so busy, however, it is a wonderful way for the girls to get lots of exercise.
I always use the excuse that life is busy, but when is life ever not busy?
School - home school coop started this past Friday. The girls of course love it and were very excited to see their friends again. I worked 3 12 hour days last week, and one of those days was Friday, so Aaron took the girls and Mom watched the boys, but I will be going this Friday and thankfully Mom is off work, so she can watch the boys for me. There is nothing like sitting in a room for 3+ hours trying to occupy the boys.
Today was day 30 of our school year.....DAY 30!!!! I am so excited. That gives us a little slack for me working some or vacations or PLEASE NO, the dreaded stomach virus.
I LOVE the curriculum we are using this year. We are using Learning Adventures. We used them 2 years ago and I really loved them then. You get every subject in one curriculum except Math. Instead of buying all your books, you buy their guide and then go to the library a lot. Being from small towns, there have been a few times I have had to order a book, normally for less than $10 because our library did not have it. We actually didn't finish all of the Unit Studies last time, so we started with the last unit study from 2 years ago, and now last week we are starting the new one for this year.
Hard to believe, but Madelyn will be 12 next week. She is in the youth group at church now and is starting to do stuff with them. I am so excited for her. I loved my youth group growing up! Hannah will be 8 on Sunday. That too is hard to believe. Makes me feel so old. On a good note, a few times at work people have asked how old I was and when I told them I was 37, they said I didn't look a day older than 31.. AND I had a young man tell me he thought I was his age. He was 22!!!!
The little things in life.....
Seth is pretty funny. He talks sooo well for a 2 1/2 year old that up until 15 months ago had barely heard English in his life.
For a while, if I would set him at the table to eat he would say "get me some juice" to which I would calmly reply "I'm ain't getting you nothin 'til you ask nicely" (notice the proper English) Then he would say "please get me some juice" then I would get him some. After going through that for a while, now he will say "Please get me some juice I asked nicely" all in one fast sentence.
And even being more polite, this morning he came downstairs and not wanting to tell Madelyn what to do he said "Madelyn, maybe we can watch pretty pink tractor" That is his new thing, instead of demanding he starts off with MAYBE and it really is pretty cute.
The other day I saw him pulling the back of Ethan's pants away from Ethan's back and peering in to see if Ethan had pooped.
Ethan is a whole other personality. He is so huge. Weighing more than Seth and we had them stand back to back the other day and he is only about an inch shorter than Seth. So I think he will probably pass Seth in size this next year. So even though he looks older he acts so young when you start to talk to him. His speech is terrible. He is about as behind as Seth is ahead.
We even had his hearing tested. And it was normal. I really am not worried. By number 5, you're like, whatever, so what if I alone am the only person who understands him, and that is only part of the time. He is so sweet! Kisses all the time.
His signature face when things don't go his way is a pout, which I have almost broke him of. I mean as soon as he hears "no" he is puffing through his nose and that bottom lip is all the way out. Now, I make him smile instead of pout. It is pretty funny and hard not to laugh when I am trying to be serious.
It is so much work for him to pull that lip in and put a huge smile on, but normally by the time his teeth are showing, he starts laughing too.
Today, he was in the high chair and I can't remember why he was mad at me, but I was in the kitchen watching him through the door. I knew he was pouting and he knew he wasn't supposed to, so when I would look at him, he would put this huge smile on, but as soon as I started to turn my head...big pout, then I would look real quick and big smile again. This went on about 5-6 times, all the while I was trying to act serious. So, even though he can't enunciate hardly anything, he is smart smart smart. And I love him just the way he is.
We are all into soccer again. Thankfully, Madelyn and Natalie are on the same team this year. Bad thing is, they travel. Which means last Saturday, Aaron took them an hour away for their game, while I took Hannah to her game. We'll see how it goes. I hate being so busy, however, it is a wonderful way for the girls to get lots of exercise.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Work for Him!
It has been a while since I have posted anything. Lots of thing going through my head...
I'll get to that in a minute. We have "officially" started school. We did a week in July, Then there was camp and grandparents houses and now we are back into it. We actually started back last Thursday. I was supposed to work Saturday, but they canceled me, so we did school instead. Last night the girls all spent the night at Mom's because our AC upstairs died. Aaron and I slept in the extra bedroom downstairs and brought the boys down with us. So Mom is fixing to bring the girls over here and take the boys with her. So much smoother to do school without the boys. AC man to be here between 10-2. Thankfully, we bought a warrenty, and that should cover it!
Here is my delimma that keeps me up thinking.
I see these kids in Ethiopia that need homes. There is one little boy on the waiting list that I would love to adopt. Or even to put our name on a list for a girl.
On one hand, I think that I need to work as much as possible on paying off the rest of our adoption debt. (which is now down to 2 interest free loans) Then if we were out of debt, we could adopt again. I guess we could adopt again now, but then we would have such a large amount of loans that it would put me where I would HAVE to work a ton just to pay bills and that would not leave me time to homeschool or spend time with a new child.... and all of my other children. And we would need a bigger vehicle since ours is completely full. Plus it would be hard to add another child. But isn't that like saying "sorry kid, no home for you, I want some time alone" I keep telling myself I can relax in Heaven.
Ok, then I think it would be great to go on the mission trips like Aaron did. Taking Madelyn this year, since she will be 12, the minimum age. That would have a lasting impact too and it is cheaper than adopting and if we can get others from church to go with us, that would have an impact on them, hopefully prompting them to adopt and then more children would be helped.
Thirdly, there are some things we need to take care of here. There are some things we want here. Little things... But should we spend money on them?
I know that most people reading this will think...
Hey, you have done enough. You did adopt 2 children. You have done your part, the rest is up to the rest of the Christians.
I know that I am saved by grace and I know that I am not working my way to get salvation.
However, when can we stop? At what point can we "retire" from doing good and live for ourselves instead of others? I believe that we can't retire from that. God never tells us to take it easy. Actually, seems like the Bible tells us over and over again how hard it will be.
I LOVE this country, but going to another country is such an eye opener. Living in this country enables us to help others. However, it is really hard to ignore the dream of more stuff and what I want when I want it.
The Ethiopian man that translated for Aaron's trip to ET is in the states for the first time right now. He put on his facebook status
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48b
I tried to imagine America from the eyes of someone who grew up in a trash dump. And I bet he wonders why more people aren't helping.
James 2:
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that —and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[e] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Wake Up Christians!!!! There is a whole world out there that needs to see Christ in us. That needs their basic needs taken care of. That need a family!
Matthew 20:1-16 This compares God and us to a vineyard owner hiring workers. I think this shows that God expects us to work until he returns. Whether he returns 1 year, 1 day or 1 hour after we become a Christian. He expects us to WORK for Him. Not work for ourselves.
I'll get to that in a minute. We have "officially" started school. We did a week in July, Then there was camp and grandparents houses and now we are back into it. We actually started back last Thursday. I was supposed to work Saturday, but they canceled me, so we did school instead. Last night the girls all spent the night at Mom's because our AC upstairs died. Aaron and I slept in the extra bedroom downstairs and brought the boys down with us. So Mom is fixing to bring the girls over here and take the boys with her. So much smoother to do school without the boys. AC man to be here between 10-2. Thankfully, we bought a warrenty, and that should cover it!
Here is my delimma that keeps me up thinking.
I see these kids in Ethiopia that need homes. There is one little boy on the waiting list that I would love to adopt. Or even to put our name on a list for a girl.
On one hand, I think that I need to work as much as possible on paying off the rest of our adoption debt. (which is now down to 2 interest free loans) Then if we were out of debt, we could adopt again. I guess we could adopt again now, but then we would have such a large amount of loans that it would put me where I would HAVE to work a ton just to pay bills and that would not leave me time to homeschool or spend time with a new child.... and all of my other children. And we would need a bigger vehicle since ours is completely full. Plus it would be hard to add another child. But isn't that like saying "sorry kid, no home for you, I want some time alone" I keep telling myself I can relax in Heaven.
Ok, then I think it would be great to go on the mission trips like Aaron did. Taking Madelyn this year, since she will be 12, the minimum age. That would have a lasting impact too and it is cheaper than adopting and if we can get others from church to go with us, that would have an impact on them, hopefully prompting them to adopt and then more children would be helped.
Thirdly, there are some things we need to take care of here. There are some things we want here. Little things... But should we spend money on them?
I know that most people reading this will think...
Hey, you have done enough. You did adopt 2 children. You have done your part, the rest is up to the rest of the Christians.
I know that I am saved by grace and I know that I am not working my way to get salvation.
However, when can we stop? At what point can we "retire" from doing good and live for ourselves instead of others? I believe that we can't retire from that. God never tells us to take it easy. Actually, seems like the Bible tells us over and over again how hard it will be.
I LOVE this country, but going to another country is such an eye opener. Living in this country enables us to help others. However, it is really hard to ignore the dream of more stuff and what I want when I want it.
The Ethiopian man that translated for Aaron's trip to ET is in the states for the first time right now. He put on his facebook status
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48b
I tried to imagine America from the eyes of someone who grew up in a trash dump. And I bet he wonders why more people aren't helping.
James 2:
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that —and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[e] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Wake Up Christians!!!! There is a whole world out there that needs to see Christ in us. That needs their basic needs taken care of. That need a family!
Matthew 20:1-16 This compares God and us to a vineyard owner hiring workers. I think this shows that God expects us to work until he returns. Whether he returns 1 year, 1 day or 1 hour after we become a Christian. He expects us to WORK for Him. Not work for ourselves.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
CAMP
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Normally, Madelyn is homesick and calls every night sounding like she is on the verge of tears. However, this week she has called every night to say goodnight and has sounded chipper and happy. I am so glad. I know it is debatable to whether you should let a homesick child call home. However, I wouldn't have beleived it, but I think it helps Madelyn to be able to say hi each night. Natalie is never homesick and usually says a quick hi, bye and possibly a story when and if we talk to her.
The last 3 years I worked there, my best friend and I were in charge of the horses. Talked to Natalie last night and one of the horses she rode was Blaze, who was there when I worked there.
When we dropped them off, I also got to see some of the "kids" that I grew up with going to camp every summer. Many of them I haven't seen in about 17 years, but recognized them. So much better than a high school reunion.
Hannah is up at Aaron's parents this week, so it is just Aaron, me and the boys.
This has been a dragging week. I worked Monday 12 hours. I wanted to work Tuesday, but they didn't need me. Turns out it was better I didn't work because I have not felt well all week. I am feeling a whole lot better daily though.
We have some friends coming over from church tonight. I am so excited. When we lived on the "farm" once our water starting running low, we never had anyone over. I always loved having people over and it was the best way to get close to people, but we were unable to do that. So happy to have running water.
I know it is crazy to miss it, but I still do. I know that we needed to move, but I guess I am indoors more here and it makes me a little claustrophobic. At the farm, even in the summer we would get out and tend to the garden or walk up and down the driveway at night. But we don't really get out much here. Maybe this fall when it cools off. Also, feeling a little more closed in this week because it has rained almost every day, the sun has not been out much, it is incredibly humid and I haven't felt like going anywhere this week.
Tomorrow, I have a long drive to pick up the girls. Thankfully, my dad offered to pick the girls up at camp and meet me at my brother's house. That will save me almost 2 hours of driving to and from camp once we pass where my brother lives. I wouldn't mind going all the way, but I will have the boys with me because Mom and Aaron are both working tomorrow.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Back from Africa!
Friday was a very busy day.
The boys and I left the house at 9:30 to head up to TN. We stopped on the way at Hancock fabrics to pick up some more fabric. I had bought some to make curtains and realized that I had only half of the fabric I needed. Thankfully, they barely had enough left of that particular pattern.
On a side note, I finished them last night. Aaron hung them up tonight and pointed out that they kind of made a trapazoid pattern. I told him that was exactly what I was shooting for. Who wants perfectly rectangular curtains when you can spice it up a little.
We finally left Decatur around 10:30 and headed up to Smyrna to pick up the girls. We stopped once and got gas. I was supposed to be at the church building to meet the bus at 1:30. I knew I was going to get there around 1:15, so i stopped at McDonalds and picked the boys some food up. I was planning on finding a shady spot in the parking lot and letting the boys eat, but I was behind the bus pulling into the parking lot.
I loaded the girls suitcases while they watched the boys and said goodbye to their cousins and fed their brothers. We were out of there by 2:15 and headed back down to AL.
I instructed the girls to NOT talk to the boys so they would have some kind of nap. Finally, I had to practically threaten Seth and tell him to close his eyes, he was so whiny, but he fell asleep almost immediately. We then made it all the way to Athens and went to a furniture store that I am buying a mattress and bedroom suit from.
I have debated whether to buy it or not. I KNOW we have to get a mattress. Aaron and I both end up with neckaches and backaches every morning. But we want a queen and we have a full, so we need a new bed. Long story short, we decided to splurge and for the first time in our almost 15 years of marriage, buy our own bedroom suit instead of using hand me downs. Plus the price was really really cheap. If it wasn't I wouldn't even consider it. I am such a miser. I hate to spend money on stuff like this.
Finally, we headed to the Huntsville airport to pick up Aaron. By this time I was starting on one of my mini migraines. Being in a car for hours with kids was not helping. We got to the airport about 30 min. before Aaron landed.
Aaron made lots of little friends.
It is beautiful in the country.
Check out the pizza choices. Notice "tuna" at the bottom for a pizza topping.
These ladies carry these bundles of sticks down to town each day to sell as firewood. Each bundle is estimated to weigh around 200lb and it took 4 of the Ordinary Hero group to put it on top of the van and give the ladies a ride down the mountain.
It was so good to see him. Poor guy is exhausted. Jet lag is awful. When I brought the boys home last year, it took me a week of sleeping all night AND taking long naps to recover. So he was able to stay up until about 9pm. Then he fell asleep while I was talking to him. He slept 13 hours that first night. Then fell asleep last night around 6pm on the recliner. I debated on waking him up since he really needed to get on a good schedule. But I didn't. He finally got up and went straight to bed around 9. But then woke up at 2:30am wide awake. He was able to stay up all day today and went back to bed at 8. I hope he is able to sleep all night. He has to work tomorrow.
I decided to start on the laundry Friday night. After going through all the girls' suitcases I noticed that Hannah did not have a dirty clothes bag. I just assumed she had stuffed it in her suitcase and didn't even look at the pile of leftover stuff at the church. Thankfully, my brother goes there and was able to find her clothes Saturday and Mom happened to be driving through on her way home and was able to bring all the dirty laundry with her. So glad to have everyone home.
The boys and I left the house at 9:30 to head up to TN. We stopped on the way at Hancock fabrics to pick up some more fabric. I had bought some to make curtains and realized that I had only half of the fabric I needed. Thankfully, they barely had enough left of that particular pattern.
On a side note, I finished them last night. Aaron hung them up tonight and pointed out that they kind of made a trapazoid pattern. I told him that was exactly what I was shooting for. Who wants perfectly rectangular curtains when you can spice it up a little.
We finally left Decatur around 10:30 and headed up to Smyrna to pick up the girls. We stopped once and got gas. I was supposed to be at the church building to meet the bus at 1:30. I knew I was going to get there around 1:15, so i stopped at McDonalds and picked the boys some food up. I was planning on finding a shady spot in the parking lot and letting the boys eat, but I was behind the bus pulling into the parking lot.
I loaded the girls suitcases while they watched the boys and said goodbye to their cousins and fed their brothers. We were out of there by 2:15 and headed back down to AL.
I instructed the girls to NOT talk to the boys so they would have some kind of nap. Finally, I had to practically threaten Seth and tell him to close his eyes, he was so whiny, but he fell asleep almost immediately. We then made it all the way to Athens and went to a furniture store that I am buying a mattress and bedroom suit from.
I have debated whether to buy it or not. I KNOW we have to get a mattress. Aaron and I both end up with neckaches and backaches every morning. But we want a queen and we have a full, so we need a new bed. Long story short, we decided to splurge and for the first time in our almost 15 years of marriage, buy our own bedroom suit instead of using hand me downs. Plus the price was really really cheap. If it wasn't I wouldn't even consider it. I am such a miser. I hate to spend money on stuff like this.
Finally, we headed to the Huntsville airport to pick up Aaron. By this time I was starting on one of my mini migraines. Being in a car for hours with kids was not helping. We got to the airport about 30 min. before Aaron landed.
Aaron made lots of little friends.
I decided to start on the laundry Friday night. After going through all the girls' suitcases I noticed that Hannah did not have a dirty clothes bag. I just assumed she had stuffed it in her suitcase and didn't even look at the pile of leftover stuff at the church. Thankfully, my brother goes there and was able to find her clothes Saturday and Mom happened to be driving through on her way home and was able to bring all the dirty laundry with her. So glad to have everyone home.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Timing is EVERYTHING in Adoption
http://addingtothepirkles.blogspot.com/2010/12/attitude-is-everything.html
Here is a link to a post I wrote the week before we got the boys' referrals.
It is relevant here.
Small recap on Seth's referral. He was 12 months old when we got his referral. What we heard at the time of the referral was that earlier he had been referred to another couple along with baby girl. Before the couple made it to court, his birth mom came and got him and decided to raise him. The couple received the referral of a different baby boy. After they went to court for the baby girl and new baby boy, Seth's birth mom realized she wasn't able to take care of him properlly and brought him back to the orphanage. A few days after this couple returned to the states. Sue then was going to let the couple have his referral back, making it 3 babies they would be adopting. We were told that after much thought, they decided that if they adopted again, it would be an older child, knowing it would be easier for Sue to place a baby. I have often thought about this couple, thinking how I would want them to know that I was thankful for their decision. Let them know that Seth was loved. Now I know how "close" we came to not getting Seth. Of course God was in control all along. This other couple was in Ethiopia on their embassy trip to pick up the other two children AND were planning to go to court for Seth while they were there. And while there, God used circumstances to convince them to make the heartwrenching decision to say no to Seth and yes to an older child in the future.
God has given me a wonderful blessing this week! Our agency director Sue is friends with me on facebook. I happened to comment on one of her posts and then I got a friend request by one of the other women who had commented. Lo and behold, she emailed me and it was this same woman who had once had Seth's referral. We have emailed back and forth this week and it has been a wonderful blessing for both of us to look back and see how God manipulated this whole timing situation so that we both got the children in our home that God wanted there. It is awesome how we are all connected. I am hoping that soon there will be another connection.. They have been to court to adopt a 9 year old boy in Ethiopia and are now waiting for their embassy date to pick him up.
She is planning to mail a little package to us for Aaron to take to Ethiopia with him next week so that if he is lucky enough to visit where this boy is staying, Aaron can hand deliver a package from his new Mama! At least maybe Aaron can get some pictures with him. Can you see how we are connected???? 8000 miles away! This world seems so huge, but GOD knows each of us!
I am so thankful to know a little more of Seth's past!
Here is a link to a post I wrote the week before we got the boys' referrals.
It is relevant here.
Small recap on Seth's referral. He was 12 months old when we got his referral. What we heard at the time of the referral was that earlier he had been referred to another couple along with baby girl. Before the couple made it to court, his birth mom came and got him and decided to raise him. The couple received the referral of a different baby boy. After they went to court for the baby girl and new baby boy, Seth's birth mom realized she wasn't able to take care of him properlly and brought him back to the orphanage. A few days after this couple returned to the states. Sue then was going to let the couple have his referral back, making it 3 babies they would be adopting. We were told that after much thought, they decided that if they adopted again, it would be an older child, knowing it would be easier for Sue to place a baby. I have often thought about this couple, thinking how I would want them to know that I was thankful for their decision. Let them know that Seth was loved. Now I know how "close" we came to not getting Seth. Of course God was in control all along. This other couple was in Ethiopia on their embassy trip to pick up the other two children AND were planning to go to court for Seth while they were there. And while there, God used circumstances to convince them to make the heartwrenching decision to say no to Seth and yes to an older child in the future.
God has given me a wonderful blessing this week! Our agency director Sue is friends with me on facebook. I happened to comment on one of her posts and then I got a friend request by one of the other women who had commented. Lo and behold, she emailed me and it was this same woman who had once had Seth's referral. We have emailed back and forth this week and it has been a wonderful blessing for both of us to look back and see how God manipulated this whole timing situation so that we both got the children in our home that God wanted there. It is awesome how we are all connected. I am hoping that soon there will be another connection.. They have been to court to adopt a 9 year old boy in Ethiopia and are now waiting for their embassy date to pick him up.
She is planning to mail a little package to us for Aaron to take to Ethiopia with him next week so that if he is lucky enough to visit where this boy is staying, Aaron can hand deliver a package from his new Mama! At least maybe Aaron can get some pictures with him. Can you see how we are connected???? 8000 miles away! This world seems so huge, but GOD knows each of us!
I am so thankful to know a little more of Seth's past!
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