Hale Family Tales

We had a busy, productive weekend preparing for Julia Joy!  I had to pace myself on Saturday and had more work to do than energy, but I guess I have to learn to live with that and not get myself too worn out.  The key will be in taking advantage of the next several weeks and not procrastinating.  Not really a procrastinator at heart, but have sort of accepted being a last minute girl because of the nature of living with kids and the level of unpredictability they bring.

1.  Cleaned basement in preparation for making a playroom for the big girls – check mark (never really organized after we moved in)

2.  Ordered bunk beds and a beautiful dresser – check mark (should arrive in the next 3 or so weeks)

3.  Completed paperwork for (Another!) homestudy update – check mark (Ryan is so over this portion of the adoption paperwork!)

4.  Completed Immigration Paperwork – check mark (Had to re-do some of this because I was not given the proper instructions the first time – there were some real pregnancy hormones that showed through on this one.)

5.  Baby clothes – check mark ($1 sale at Once Upon a Child for smaller size since I don’t know how big she will be.)

6.  Baby Bedding/Baby Bottles – check mark, check mark.  I even emptied a shelf in my (rather small) kitchen for bottles, formula, cereal, etc.

There is much more to do, but this is such an exciting time preparing for our next little addition.

Oh, and I found out last week that Julia was moved from the city where she was living in the countryside to Addis Ababa.  I hope and pray that she is doing well.  It is also so very sweet that her big sisters pray for her every night.

It is Hannah’s first year in T and T at Awana’s and every year they have a pinewood derby race .  It is a big deal.  To me it is a block of wood, some wheels, and an opportunity to disappoint and frustrate my kid with my lack of mechanical skills.

BUT….

Ryan’s eyes lit up when he heard the news, “You know, Hannah, your dad is a former pinewood derby champion!”

He eagerly read through the rules and instructions, checked out the materials that were provided, and declared the need for a trip to Home Depot .

I am SO glad my children have two parents!  Once again, it is proven, God really does know what He is doing.

I opened up the Bethany Forum today to see loads and loads of referrals!

I am not sure of the final count, but these came  less than 3 weeks since the last round of referrals.

I am so thankful to think of starting the new year off with a bang! and how many children soon will be home with their families.

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After waiting, and waiting, and waiting for Julia’s referral, I am having so much fun beginning to prepare for her arrival!

I went through the tubs of baby clothes first, then hit Kohl’s yesterday for some clothes.  I am going to accessorize the baby bedding that Ellie used and began at Babies R Us today on that along with looking at strollers and carseats.  Boy, that store can be overwhelming.

Oh, and we shopped for bunk beds today for the big girls.  Saw some definite possibilities – lots of possibilities for storage built right into the structure.

This is going to be fun!  Good thing I am heading into my second trimester soon and beginning to get some energy back.

3….4…..5

Man, that stomach bug is bad.  My niece got sick on our way out to the mountains on New Year’s Day and had a horrible time – She was dealing with motion sickness on top of the flu, kudos to her, she was such a good trooper…

We thought we had dodged the bullet since everyone was fine since Friday, but…

My Mom and Dad were supposed to to leave this morning to head to Pheonix for snowbirding, but alas, my Dad is currently lying on my couch under a fleece blanket.

Ryan is sick in a hotel room in Dallas where he is supposed to be attending a sales meeting.

Disinfectant is going strong around here – hopefully it will eventually win!