Update

In addition to packing ourselves, and packing for the boys.... I am also prepping for ds2's birthday party. It occurs only a few days after we return, and with jet lag etc., I would like it to be all handled and planned so I can just show up and enjoy it! So, I'm working on that too, with invitations getting set to go out. I'm also catching up on a mountain of laundry that I have in my kitchen. It seems like I have been packing and preparing forever, but soon we'll be traveling... I'm glad I have had some time to get everything organized. If I was under a time crunch I would have been doubly stressed.

Ds2 has come down with a cold this week, and as much as I want to nurture him, I cannot afford a cold while I am in Russia. I am the WORST when I have a cold. My head feels like a big cotton ball and my nose turns bright red like Rudolph from the constant blowing. I'm seriously miserable for days... so please pray that I don't catch this cold, or if I do...that I can get over it before we leave.

Finally, I am also trying to figure out how to upload video to my computer, so we can send it along to an IAD if we need to. I'm not doing a very good job at figuring this technical stuff out. I may have to send an SOS email out to my Sunday school class, for help from anyone who is techy in nature!!

Orphanage Donation

On our second trip to Russia, we will be giving the orphanage a clothing donation. Several people I know have either given new or gently used clothing, or purchased diapers while in Russia. I just went to our consignment sale (the same one I visited last Saturday). This morning was their 50% off sale. I was dreading going, but I had a pass for 7:30am, and knew there would be very few in attendance that early.

I took ds1 with me and boy was he a huge help! We looked for mainly new and very gently used items. I remembered the advice of my friend Susan from this past summer when we were pricing clothes for a yard sale. Look at the tag to see how worn it looks. So, in addition to inspecting each garment, I looked at the tags. I got some great stuff! Tons really... and quite a few were new! Chris was so proud of me.

So we are going to pack an extra suitcase or two on our second trip, and give each orphanage a bunch of beautiful clothes. I also put the word out to my homeschool group, and will let our church know that we are collecting new or very gently used items to bring to Russia. I really hope that my boys are able to come with us on trip 2, as it would be awesome if they could present the gifts to the orphanage directors.

That's the latest and greatest here.... the only other thing going on is football.... lots and lots of football!

Getting Prepared

I think I finally maybe about shopped out. Chris will be handling the rest of the electronic stuff we will need.... He also has to get a carry-on piece of luggage for himself. Other than that, I think w are just about done. Thank goodness I have had a little while to get all this prepared. If I was scheduled to travel really quickly, I would have been stressed. This gathering bit by bit has been nice.

Last night I went to Target and bought two travel sets, that included the following 3 pieces: A fleece blanket (small), an inflatable pillow, and a mask to wear over our eyes. I also picked up two travel luggage locks. And I found a good deal on K-bars which will work for breakfast for us if we are running late in the mornings... or even a mid morning snack. We both love those things!

I also picked up a pair of boots and shoes at Kohl's yesterday. Not the wintry kind, but a pair that has a slip proof bottom, but I can wear them in the winter and even fall here in the States too. They are just an ordinary black low boot with a small heel and a side zipper. The shoes are just a small heeled loafer type of shoe. Basic in brown and black, and soo needed if you saw my current shoes! I hate to shop.... I know a lot of women love shoes, but I truly do buy them out of necessity and all my winter ones are worn to pieces. Thank goodness I can wear flip flops in the summer months! LOL!

This weekend we'll be working on packing up what we are able to and double checking our lists.... Plus a full Saturday of football as well... what else??

Shopping Day!

Today the boys had homeschool enrichment and I had a few hours to go out and accomplish some things on my packing list. The time flew so fast and I hardly got a thing done.

My first stop was at a consignment sale. They had a crib that my girlfriend told me about and I wanted to take a look at it. I didn't buy it yet, I'm still thinking about it.

My second stop was Kohl's as I really thought I would pick up some luggage there. I had $10 in Kohl's cash to put towards a carry-on item, but I found out that the promotion doesn't start until tomorrow. So, I looked for a few nicer shirts to bring to Russia (found only one that looked decent), and looked at some boots for Russia as well. Thy didn't have my size.... so I'm going to have to find them somewhere else. Anyone else have one foot larger than the other? On of my feet is definitely bigger than the other, so the boots fit my right foot great, but my left foot not so good. Go figure. Plus with heavier socks for the colder climate they would have been too tight and would have hurt. SO, all that to say Kohl's took up way to much of my time and I have to go back tomorrow to pick up the luggage piece that is on sale.

Next I headed to Dick's Sporting Goods store to pick up two items for the boys. They needed some longer sleeved shirts for football, and that's all I got.

Finally I paid a visit to Babies 'R Us. Definitely a store I need to stay away from! I could get into some serious trouble there.... I found two soft blankets there, that I can leave with the little ones. Can someone tell me again about the sense of smell and triggering a memory or recognition?

So that was my day, just not enough time.... I am also trying to plan for a birthday party for my ds2. His birthday is a few days after we return from our first trip, and with jet lag etc., I am hoping to have everything pre-planned and prepared. :-)

Consignment Sale!

I'm back after a relaxing week in Florida. Saturday morning I woke up at 4am to begin my drive back home. If you remember I had to get back to go to a very large consignment sale in my area with my friend Jennifer. I was seriously pondering skipping the whole thing.... and I'm so glad that I didn't!!!

It was awesome! A HUGE sale and I bought a LOT of nice outfits. Of course I am sooo praying that they will fit these little ones. I also got this bead stand/cabinet, like what you would find in a doctors office...but not as neutral. I paid $20 for it, and I'd say it was the best purchase of the day.

Thank goodness for Jennifer! I seriously don't know what I would do if she wasn't there with me. She took four hours of her day, just to attend this event with me and help me shop. And she sure did help me. She knew brand names, and could tell me if something was a good deal or not. Just to have her to bounce opinions off of, helped me tremendously. I would have had such a glazed look on my face if she wasn't there to help and make it all fun. I had such a blast! Thank you sooo much Jennifer!

P.S. I'm too lazy to go and get the camera and go upstairs to the playroom to take a photo of that bead thing... but I'll post it soon, promise!

A Fun Mini-Break

Florida has been fun. We brought our books, so we're still schooling lightly every morning. Sorry...guys. It's surprisingly added some structure to our days. School usually begins around 8:30am and we are done by noon. Then the kids will jump in the pool for a little bit. Today they will head with grandpa to hit some golf balls, while grandma and I head out to do a little shopping. We're going to end the day at one of my favorite restaurants chains... Chili's. Yay!

The weather has been beautiful.... I've found that I really like October down here in Florida. It's not as busy as end of February/March and the weather is a little warmer.

Tomorrow's our last day here...bummer. We've really been enjoying our time away immensely. The only downside (and it's a big one), Chris is not here with us. We miss him so much! It's just not the same when he isn't here. :-(

What was I thinking??

I mentioned in my earlier post how I planned to go to Florida to visit my folks this week. Okay...good idea...timing is right....just have to pack etc etc.

So, Friday night I am talking to my neighbor Jennifer and I asked her to accompany me to a consignment sale. Chris is not too "into it" as far as that type of sale, and he said... "You know Jackie, you're going to get what you want anyway". As in his opinion will be heard, but not necessarily taken. (I bet lots of husband out there are shaking their heads in agreement at that statement.) Plus he'd rather watch college football than go consignment shopping with me. I'm okay with that, and he does have a point about the opinion thing. :-) So Jennifer is going to come to the sale with me and I'm glad. Except for one thing... I have to leave at o' dark thirty from Florida to make it back here for the sale. Bleck! (You know how much of a morning person I am) NOT!

While I was talking to my friend who also consignes her kid's clothes regularly, I decided that this just might be the time to consign my kid's clothes. (As if I don't have anything else to plan for.......like maybe a trip to Russia?) So, after maybe a 30 minute debate, I decided that I would indeed prepare and tag clothes for this same consignment sale. This past Friday evening found me under the eaves of my attic pulling out bins and bags to sort through, and then washing all of the clothes etc. My partner in crime and the one who gave me a lesson in all things consignment is going to drop them off this week, while we are away. Thank you!!

Saturday I spent all day at the football field. And I literally mean ALL DAY 10am-5pm! Too long in my opinion.... we were ready to come home and relax. But instead I got busy printing all my clothing tags and pinning them to outfits. Today Chris and I dropped all the items off, and then we had church this evening. It is now 10:15pm...and I've packed very little for my mini-break to Florida. I need to get off this blog and finish it all up! Tomorrow morning we're getting an early start! I feel like this week is going to fly... and if I blink my eyes, I'll miss it!

P.S. Chris just came in and asked, "How are you doing, getting packed and ready to go???"

My response: "I'm bloggin' about it.......that's half the battle."

Thank you all for your kind comments and congratulations! I think you all are even more excited than me! That's okay.... I'll get there...once I'm on the plane. For now, there is so much too do and I vascilate between a sense of awe and peace and being scared half to death!

I'm dealing with everything well though! Even before we got the call with travel dates, I decided to take a mini-break to Florida to visit my folks. Only for a couple of days, but it comes at a great time. No committments on the football front and Chris has a HUGE project due. So this week he will be working long hours... Poor guy! But at least he won't have to worry about balancing work and family and football coaching. :-)

I'll be trying to get organzied with my parents help while away... looking for luggage and getting lists ready for our trip. Our ds2 has a birthday coming up, so I'll be planning for that as well... it's going to be a crazy few weeks that's for sure!

“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” Luke 1:45

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19

My heart is so full right now. I’m awed and amazed. Yesterday we received travel dates to go and meet our little ones in country. I am still somewhat in disbelief, but it is slowly sinking in. I know it took a whole day to relay this information, but I do feel like Mary in the verse above, just treasuring these things in my heart, for a little while…just me and the Lord as I ponder the business to which He is about.

For those who do not know I have prayed for over 4 years to have another child. We were ready to begin the adoption process 3 years ago before we moved. We have been in this process officially for 2 years next month. I stand in awe of our God and am so thankful that He would bring this to fruition.

There are two children somewhere in Russia who have no idea that soon their lives will be changed forever. Two children who don’t know that their forever family is coming to meet them…. And as I sit here typing this out, I realize (in a good way) that our lives are about to be changed forever as well. And that is why I am so grateful for God’s grace and goodness. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement as you have walked alongside us on this journey. I wait in awe as His story for our family begins to unfold.

Happy Birthday!

Yesterday was Chris's birthday. He had a great day! We all got up early and took him to breakfast at Cracker Barrel. It was nice! (Of course anything before 7am is way to early for me...but I was fully functioning after a few cups of coffee.)

He was invited several weeks ago to play in a golf tournament with one of his contractors, so that was his day! He got to play golf all day! How is that for a fun birthday!!

He got home and we had one of his favorite dinners waiting for him, and then hung out watching football (what else?) The boys went to bed, and at 10pm I remembered his favorite show was on. Life. So I called him into the family room (under the pretense of a nice chat), and then flipped on the TV. He was like a little kid, and said it was the perfect ending to his day. :-)

Six Random Things

I was also tagged by a couple people to list 6 random things about myself. I've really enjoyed reading about everyone else....So I guess here are 6 things about me that not many people would know.

1. I love old musicals... I've watched them so many times I can repeat lines, and for sure sing many of the songs from them. Here are a few I know well, My Fair Lady, The Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Hello Dolly, The Sound of Music.... just to name a few. If you ever can't think of a song from one of those, I'm your girl. Just ask.

2. Do ya wanna know how Chris and I met? Country Line Dancing.... Yes, seriously. And that my friends was actually up north! We have very different versions of how we actually met that night....but suffice it to say that he was one good looking guy! (Still is!)

3. I really do not like to cook. Seriously.... I joke that my sister got all the cooking genes in the family. (I do believe she did!) She finds that very relaxing and loves to bake pies etc etc. All I can say to that (would I have to attempt it) is Ick. I am blessed at Thanksgiving as last year everyone came to my house, and my sister and mom did most all of the cooking. I'm happy to make the table look all beautiful and plan everything out..but I am soooo not territorial in the kitchen. Have at it folks!

4. I hate to camp or do any outdoorsy type stuff. My sister and her family go camping pretty often, and I can't even imagine it! Yuck! Mosquitoes and insects of any kind just bring out the slight germaphobe in me. My idea of roughing it is in a hotel. Now, I don't mind driving anywhere and having some kind of adventure exploring new cities or areas...but not somewhere with a dense forest etc etc. I can do it... I'm just not gonna like it much!

5. I'm a night owl too just like Kim. I am soo much more productive at night and my brain is really fresh and awake! I have really pondered why I'm like this... I think God just created me this way. Ever since I can remember I have not been a morning person. I have never felt awake and refreshed if I have to get up at o'dark thirty. Or any time before the actual sun is up! My sister can attest to this as well. I'm a grumpy bear in the morning or I'm just pretty comatose until I've had my coffee. (A LOT of coffee!)

6. I love to remodel our home with my husband. LOVE IT! But we love to do everything mainly by ourselves and on a budget. If there is a way we can re-use building materials or old furniture we will. I have two pieces of furniture that I found at a salvage store. (Well way more than two....but for this purpose I'll describe two of them). One is an old wardrobe that had a skeleton key. It was $50, and I came up with the idea to take DVD and CD racks and install them all along the back of the wardrobe. It now sits in our family room and houses all our dvds and kids games and puzzles. Then I also had an old dresser that I found for $10. The drawers never worked right, and Chris was getting ready to throw it out. I was hesitant as I knew I could find something to use that dresser for. We ended up throwing out the drawers and Chris made shelves for the inside. We added fabric attached with furniture brads all around the outside. That has been used in many ways, as a pretty storage area in our laundry room, to an entrance table to a buffet in the dining room. We also had a great time completely re-doing our former kitchen . Here are some of the photos.... (yes those are the same cabinets, we completely re-used them and made them flat front).

Most everyone I know has been tagged...but if you are reading this and you would like to play along. Post 6 Random Things about Yourself....

I'm here.....

I had a few people email to see how I am doing. I'm okay really... I guess I'm just finding it difficult to put much of anything into words. Well, really transparent words...and so I'm just saving those in an actual journal that I have for myself.

Am I disappointed? Yes, I can't help but say that I am. We (and our agency thought we would have travel dates by now). Shoot, we thought we'd be traveling too. But unfortunately we have to wait a little longer. I'm an okay waiter... it's the roller coaster ride I can do without. I hate getting my hopes up and then being disappointed. I'd rather not have gotten my hopes up in the first place...but that's almost an impossibility.

We have not received news this week as well, and I'm still okay. Last week I was definitely not in a good place, and I was very sad. This week my expectations were lower and I am able to deal with the news better. I guess that is how it goes sometimes with international adoption... or maybe that's just how I deal with it. :-)

I am grateful for several people who just encouraged me this week. My sister just letting me know she's been thinking about me and wondering how I am feeling with the news of "no news". That just touched my heart. She's my only sister, and she's had to listen, stand by and watch over the two years we have been on this journey, through all of the ups and downs. I know she's shared my feelings of excitement, frustration and sadness. I'm so grateful that she is so supportive of our hopes and dreams.....

I also had a great conversation with my good friend in Maryland on Tuesday evening. It was one of those transparent conversations where we could voice our concerns and fears to one another, and know that they are completely normal. No judgement at all.... just affirmation and understanding. I needed that 2 hour conversation to catch up, share and just l-a-u-g-h! (Ummm yes we sure can talk...) :-)

So many people have shared that they are praying for us. Thank you so much! In my heart I know that God in in control and that He is not surprised by these delays. I know that... and when I seem to forget, my oldest son will remind me, that "God is in control and that he wants what is best for our family". My friend has this scripture up on her facebook page, and it is one of my favorite verses... another that I will add to my sidebar as I journey on this walk of faith.

Proverbs 16:9 "A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps."