Laurie - is my profile public now? I feel very technically inept.

This is just to show how tired some 3-year-olds get in our house. The kid is SOUND asleep in this position!

I was most excited the other day because I went to one of my favorite stores and an outfit that I previously fell in love with but could not justify purchasing was on sale for 50% off! Now, even at 50% off, it was expensive by my standards. Those who know me well know that I am as frugal as it gets when it comes to clothing. Why? Because I KNOW that the outfit that's $19.50 at the Gap will soon be $6.99, so why should I pay $19.50 for it?

Friends call and say, "You'll never believe the deal I got on this or that for so-and-so" and I say, "Yes I will and I bet it'll be even less expensive in a week!"

At any rate, I splurged because, and I think you'll agree, this is a perfect little number. Of course, she will not be permitted to eat, drink, drool, or move in it because it clearly requires an iron and I don't iron. In fact, the other day I WAS ironing something and all four kids came in independent of one another and asked what that "thing" was.

Grace was with me and she desperately wanted an outfit that matches her sister's. So we picked up this other little ditty. When I came home and checked it out online, I was interested to note that the dresses are the "Grace" style! Coincidence?

In about 10 minutes, the baby's room (from a construction standpoint) will be complete and I can actually start painting, installing woodwork, and flooring. It's going to be a great weekend!

Dedicated to Laurie Hausam

This post is for Laurie Hausam, whom I've not (yet) met, but who's been such a support to me through this process and is not pleased that I haven't posted in weeks (or months, who knows). Laurie has a beautiful family including an incredible new baby daughter from Ethiopia and I just know she's going to continue to be invaluable to me!

Adanise - I got your comment but can't figure out how to connect with you via your blog. Drop me an email at elyons3683@msn.com!

The latest: we're still chugging along! We officially went onto the waitlist on January 11th, and we were, at that time, #14. I don't know exactly what this means in terms of timing, but we were told 2-6 months.

The bedroom is also coming along. We finally have a window! And my bookshelf is taking shape. I found myself in the attic the other night with a saw, some PVC elbows, PVC glue, and a flashlight at which point David had a mini-fit because the contractor was supposed to go up there to move a pipe, however he did not. Therefore, I took it upon myself to do it, but realized relatively quickly that this particular task was far beyond my abilities. So now the contractor has agreed to do it and hopefully that will take place on Sunday.

After that, the room will be officially "finished" from the perspective of needing outside contractors, and I'll get to work finishing the interior. I'm thinking cork for the floor. Nothing definitive yet, but I'm definitely leaning in that direction.

Laurie - I promise I'll post more often!

More soon!

GREAT NEWS!

We got our USCIS clearance today for the adoption from Ethiopia. We had it for Guatemala, but had to request a country change. This means that we can now go on the wait list to be placed with a beautiful baby girl. The projected time frame for this stage is 2-4 months.

I better go get back to work on her room!

More later...