Where to start....

First of all I will be starting up my sewing site again, very soon. I will be sewing things and posting them on a first come first serve type basis, kind of like what Robin did for Mia Hope on her site.

I am excited because I have found the cutest patterns. The first one I have named the Sophie Shirt/dress in honor of my friend Tami and the referral of her daughter Sophie....

Sorry, for the terrible picture. Hope has never wanted to model for me.... The top here is super cute, with a removable bow. I paired it with denim capri's from Gymb*ree. Hope you like it Tami!!!

The next one I will make a little longer for a dress and add a hair bow. If anyone has a comment about sizes they would like, that would give me an idea on where to start....

Anyway, back to the point I was trying to make. I have been so busy painting and unpacking that I have had a lot of thinking time on my hands. My mind always ends up wandering to those left behind in China.... If you have been there you know what I am talking about. If you happened to visit an SWI you are even more aware of what I am talking about.

The worn out care givers, the 20 or so babies to one nanny, the kids staring vacantly, no smiles, the arms reaching out to be held. Flattened little heads from laying in a crib to long. You get the picture, right? And what about the kids that have special needs? What happens to those kids? Some are lucky, they are sent to foster care or have a charitable organization stepping in to help.

Our Gracie was one of those lucky ones. She was well taken care of. I am forever grateful to them for all they did for her. She came to us a well adjusted on target 22 mth old. I am not even going to go into Hope's SWI. I have no definite answers but know we are dealing with issues that will be with her a long time. I'm sure they did the best they could......

Which brings me to my next question, dilemma or whatever you want to call it. When does the desire to adopt again go away? When does the need to help or move on for lack of better word begin? When will I feel that yes, my family is complete? When will that happen? Yes, some of you are saying, are you crazy, you have five kids, love them, take care of them..

Some of you would say sponsor a child or donate to a cause that will help. Yes, that's great and the kids will be helped but what happens to them when they age out, what happens to their desires for a family, a place to belong...

I am taking care of my kids and do love them with all my heart, with everything that I have!! I would do anything for my kids. But, we have the resources to adopt. Sure we would do without a vacation or two for awhile and maybe my kids don't wear the super expensive designer clothes or all have cell phones, but really how important is that? And yes, I know that it's not just about getting them home that is expensive, it's a life long commitment. I know that. I also know that large families are at a disadvantage now a days.

However, I still can not get my heart and mind off China's orphans. I am not saying we will or won't adopt again. I am just saying I can't stop thinking about those left behind. And as my good friend Jutta would say, fifty years from now when you are sitting in your rocking chair, do you want to say, "I wish I would have done that?"

I am not ready to forget. I don't think I ever will or should......

A little funny.....sort of

Ok, I know I have been pretty bad about keeping you all updated. Maybe I am overwhelmed with everything that has to do with our move....or maybe it's the fact that DH works 12 hour days, or could be that I am just plain tired.... Nah, I just haven't had much to say. Now that I have half the house painted I have had loads of time to think and that folks is dangerous, but I will save that post for another time.

I just logged on to share a little funny story about Grace. Had to share because I was laughing. (it was either that or run screaming to the shower)

Anyway, I had this amazing idea that I should finish painting the master bath. You see, I did the main bathroom part and forgot the closet toilet. (don't you just love those??) So, I thought ok, it's a 2x2 room, shouldn't take that long. I will just pop a movie in for the little ones in my bedroom and start painting.....well about twenty minutes in I had the bottom trim finished and the corners done, Grace comes in and wants to be held. So, I thought ok I could be a good mama and hold her and STOP painting or I could be a better mama (haha) and hold her while I finish painting... All is going well until I have to take the tank lid off. Yeah, you might want to walk away now....

I take the lid off and set it down. Must get more paint in the pan so I set Grace down for a minute and look away to get the paint. I come back and she is still where I left her. (so I thought) Mind you I stepped three feet away and it took all of one minute.

She is doing ok, watching me so I begin to roll the last wall, we get closer to the potty and she decides it might be fun to flush it. This would have been ok had she not taken a tube out of the drain thingy. (not sure what it is called) So, she flushes and water. (TOILET WATER!!) is spraying all over the both of us. She thought this was very funny and I would have to if Hope had not just used the potty and not forgotten to flush. You guys get the idea. Unclean potty water, all over me, Grace and my newly painted walls. Like I said you either laugh or run to the shower. Me, I laughed, who can resist a two years old belly laugh and not follow suit. I would show you pictures but personally I just couldn't get to my camera......

What we've been up to.....

Sorry, I kind of stopped bloggin for awhile. Didn't think anyone would miss me.....

Anyway, things have been pretty crazy around here. We have finally gotten into our new home!! I had one day to clean, paint and get ready for the movers.....

I ended up getting three and a half rooms painted and most of the boxes unpacked in about a week....

Next up, finish painting but not before a trip to the circus this weekend!! I happen to be very excited, I have never been to a circus in my whole life. The older kids are rolling their eyes and saying, "you're kidding, right?? Do we have to go?" I say, of course we're going!!

Something New

These are so cool. I can't wait to order one (if I can decide which one I like best) !!

Go check them out and Get your verse on!!

One more day!!!

We will officially be home owners again as of this time tomorrow!! I can not wait to get out of this tiny apartment. Hope is looking forward to Grandpa and Grandma coming. (thank you so much for your help in advance!!)

And not that anyone cares but these are the pictures Kerry got of Mr. Brad Pi*tt. I told him he should have taken my camera and ther would have been full on face shots, but he stuck with his tiny digital deal and got the following....

This one isn't to bad but would have been better without the delayed shutter action from an old kodak camera.....


This, you can see all the people that travel with him when he does photo shoots. Mr. Pitt was here in DC doing this.

Guess What??!!!

No, we are not adopting again. This has nothing to do with that.

However, my DH just called and he gets to meet with this famous guy!!! Am I jealous or what. And you know, I didn't ask for a picture or anything, the first thing I said was if you get to talk in depth make him aware of all the waiting kids out there and a need for more grant programs to get them home to families. He is THE man to get things done, especially since his better half has adopted before.

And then I asked for a picture ; )

Six Days.....

I am counting down, we are in single digits here!! I can not wait to get out of this tiny apartment. The kids have been sick. Grace and Hope seem to have had a stomach thing that has lasted on and off for weeks!! Now the older three are coming down with something and Kerry and I are not 100% either.

However things are looking up. Did I mention we close on our new house in six days??

Isn't she just the cutest kid ever. (even with a diaper on her head)