Ringing in the New

It's raining in our part of the world this morning. We're still in our pajamas. We may stay that way for a while. I may not do anything today. I may read a little. I may work out. Or I may just sit here and do nothing. It all depends on how I'm feeling.

I was thinking about the last year and how fast it passed and the new year and what it holds for us. We'll get our new house built and our current house sold (that's the plan anyway). It would be wonderful and amazing and miraculous if we got our adoption referral in 2013, but the timing is in God's hands not mine. I want to continue to work out and take care of my body not because I feel obligated or because I have to, but because I know that I function best when I'm physically active. But when it comes down to it, while all of those things are great and certainly things to which I aspire, more than anything my biggest goal is to chill out . . . to let go of the idea of what is perfect . . . to relax . . . not be so driven about everything all the time.

I was reading Blue Eyed Bride's latest post on goals and grace, and I felt like she was writing so much of what I was feeling. It's so easy for me to fall into the trap of wanting and expecting the perfect life, house, family, kids, body, quiet times, eating habits . . . the list could go on forever. And then I'm stressed and tense and anxious because I'm not living up to the image in my head, but this year what I want more than anything is to find my freedom fully in Christ. After years of thinking I had to read a certain amount everyday and pray a certain number of minutes everyday, I'm finally realizing that my relationship with Christ is not a schedule. It's not an event or an appointment that has to be planned and executed. It's a relationship. It's about quality not quantity.

This year I want to let God live in me fully and work through me completely. I want to learn what it means to have peace and patience and joy no matter what. I want to trust Him through all things and in all things. So actually, I have some pretty lofty goals when it comes down to it, but the great thing about these goals is I get the easy end of the deal. I don't have to do the hard part. I just have to let God do His work in me. And my prayer today is that when I look back over the year of 2013 that I don't see all I've accomplished, but instead, I see all God has accomplished in me and through me.

“Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea And a path through the mighty waters, “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 NKJV

Praying that you have a very blessed and wonderful New Year!

Christmas . . . This Time With Real Pictures

I finally got the pictures from the real camera loaded onto my computer. There were well over a hundred from our three days of Christmas. I'll spare you all 100+. There are only 25 here. Also, you'll notice that Andrew has an incredible "cheese" face in most of the pictures. Not sure what that's about, but it is what it is . . . 

 Sunday the 23rd - Patrick's Parents' House

 Christmas Eve with all of my grandparents - my parents' house

 Christmas Even Part Two - Cookies for Santa

 Christmas Morning at Home

This is what dogs do on Christmas morning . . . the same thing they do everyday . . . try to take over the world. If you don't get that, I'm sorry. Look up "Pinky and the Brain" quotes.

We spent Christmas lunch at my parents' and the rest of the day relaxing. Christmas was good, but it's also good to get back to normal. 

Christmas 2012 . . . Sort Of

I was going to do a Christmas Blitz with all the pictures, but the camera we used for pictures is at my Mom's. So I'll do a quick recap with a few iPhone pics, and I'll inundate y'all with pics later. To be so lucky . . .

This was the tree pre-Christmas madness before everything basically got destroyed.

I did get these pictures of Andrew with my camera before we went to church Sunday morning. He's gotten so tall and skinny. He doesn't look like a baby anymore. Sigh . . . 

Sunday afternoon/evening we visited with Patrick's grandparents and had Christmas with his family. Unfortunately, all of those pictures are on the camera so they'll have to wait.

Christmas Eve we went to my parents' for a junk food extravaganza. I kid you not. It was ridiculous. We always let the kids open their gifts on Christmas Eve at my parents' and save the adults' gifts for Christmas Day. It's a lot more relaxed that way. My brother and brother-in-law thought they were hilarious and got Andrew a drum set. Their love knows no bounds . . . neither does my payback. ;)

Christmas Eve Santa made his appearance, but he had to wait forever because someone wouldn't (or couldn't) fall asleep, and quite frankly, Santa was tired. At least "A Christmas Story" marathon was on to make the wait more bearable.

Christmas morning Andrew was up bright and early and found his Santa gifts, and then opened his other presents. Between his grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, and uncles the kid made quite a haul this year. I think we could open our own toy store. But again no pics . . . sorry, you'll have to wait until later.

While Patrick and Andrew were playing and assembling "stuff", I was making deviled eggs. Now here lately, everyone has been going on and on about how baking eggs instead of boiling them is soooo much better and they peel soooo much easier. Apparently, this little tidbit of information comes from Pinterest. Well you may say it's better and easier to bake your eggs, but to that I say, "liars". I baked them exactly as instructed, and those suckers didn't want to peel. Out of the eighteen eggs I baked, I managed to salvage twelve. The rest were a mess.

See the holes? Thanks Pinterest! I've never been a big fan, but now that you've completely led me astray I really dislike you. Needless to say, I'll be boiling my eggs from here on out.

Two of my favorite gifts, among many, were the hoodie/jacket my sister gave me . . . so pretty . . .  and the watch my husband gave me. To be completely fair, I've been wearing the watch for a week because I picked it out and refused to give it up. I really don't care if I have gifts to open on Christmas as long as everyone else is happy.

Christmas this year was relaxed and laid back. Last year was really hectic, and I didn't enjoy it very much. At the beginning of the season this year, I promised myself I would take it easy, not over-commit, and enjoy all of the holiday season. And I did! I fact, I enjoyed it so much that I think I'll leave the tree up another week. 

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

Real pictures coming soon . . . 

Glory to God

From Luke 2

Christ Born of Mary

2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. ³ So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. ⁶ So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Glory in the Highest

⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

¹⁵ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷ Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Isaiah 9:6-7

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Last Weekend

I know . . . I'm a week behind on posting these. Truth is, I almost posted them quite a few times, but other things, other thoughts and feelings, got in the way. But without further ado . . .

Last Saturday, Sarah and I hit the road bright and early with the boys to go see Santa at the mall. We got there by 9:30, before the line got too long and before the crowds got too crazy. I am not a fan of crowds. They make me anxious.

The line was really short, and we waited about 10 minutes to get to the front. Then Santa had to use the potty. So I took this while we waited a few more minutes.

Major cheese face . . . 

I have this thing about Santa. I think he should smile. I think he should be cheerful, and I think he should talk to your kid for more than 2.5 seconds. And this one was awesome. I could see the line getting really long because he talked so much, but since we were early and didn't have to wait long, I didn't care.

Such a sweet Santa.

Anthony, did not want to sit in Santa's lap. He still believes, but apparently, in fourth grade, sitting in Santa's lap is equivalent to utter humiliation. He did talk to Old Saint Nick, but we were not allowed to take any pictures so there is no photographic evidence.

After that, we shopped a little and ate, and when it started getting insanely crowded, we bolted.

Saturday night, Patrick took Andrew to a birthday party, and I had a date with Anthony to see The Hobbit. Oh. My. Gosh. It was amazing. In Anthony's words, "It was the best movie I've ever seen!". He's a nerd like me. ;)

My date for the evening. Sorry it's crooked. My angle wasn't the greatest.

Sunday evening, the kids at church did a little Christmas play. Andrew was a shepherd, and a pretty cute one if I do say so. I may be a little biased . . . 

Those shepherds' staffs were dangerous weapons. They were hooked around necks and arms and used as swords more times than I can count.

It was such a cute play. The kids all did a fabulous job.

And now I'm off to do laundry and wrap presents and try to get this house halfway presentable. Have a great pre-Christmas weekend!

Christmastime Again

I posted this last year, and I'll post it every Christmas until our little girl comes home to us. Praying for you sweet girl . . . praying that you'll be here to share Christmas with us very soon.

Focus

^{Phillipians 4:4-8
4} Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 

⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Meditate on These Things

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 

How many times have I read these scriptures? How many times have I repeated these words? They’re some of my favorites. Probably not just mine. They are quoted incredibly often, but today I realized that I focus so much on verses 4-7, and oftentimes, forget about what verse 8 is really saying.

On what am I meditating? On what am I dwelling, focusing, thinking? We are a culture inundated with bad news. It’s on the news. It’s on daytime talk shows. We love night time crime shows. And we focus on this stuff. We dwell on it. It becomes so integrated into our thinking that we don’t even know it’s there.

But today, I realized that I need to stop. I need to turn off the news. I need to change what I’m watching. I’m not saying be uninformed. I’m not saying be ignorant. But we should not be feeding on an endless cycle of bad news and horrific crimes.

So today I ask myself on what am I meditating?

Is it true?

Is it noble?

Is it just?

Is it pure?

Is it lovely?

Is it of good report?

Is it of virtue and praiseworthy?

Is it Christ?

If it’s not then it’s time to shift my focus.

The Answer

America is a country in crisis. Our world is a world in chaos. If you don't believe me turn on the news for just five minutes. If the events that transpired at Sandy Hook Elementary did anything they brought to the forefront that we are a nation on the brink of disaster. Mall shootings, school shootings, drug use, homicides, gang violence . . .

And we ask, "How do we fix it? How did we get here? What do we do?"

Some say we should outlaw guns, but let's be honest, do we really think a law is going to stop criminals from obtaining guns? Not likely.

Some say we need more psychological help. I personally, don't have anything against psychologists or psychiatrists, but for all the wonderful psychological help and medicines out there, the problems only seem to be escalating.

Some say we need spirituality, and the new age movement is growing at an alarming rate. But if you're looking for a "god" in yourself you're not going to find one. You can't be your own god. It will eventually lead to disappointment and disaster.

Some say we need more morals, more family values, more fathers in the home. I agree with all of this, but it's not enough. Rules and regulations, morals, and values are not enough.

What do we need?

We need a savior.

But not just a savior. We need The Savior. We need The Savior, who came as a baby over 2000 years ago.

We need Jesus. But sadly, what we need the most is what we seem to want the least. I sometimes think we would rather continue in our dark, fruitless searches rather than admit that the answer, the only answer, is found in Jesus Christ.

John 3:19  ^"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."

Jesus is the light of the world. He came to cast light into all that is dark. He came to heal. He came to make whole. He came to do far more than just save us from Hell.

John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

That abundant life is so much more than you realize. It's peace in your heart. It's wholeness in everyway. We need to realize that we were created with a purpose and a plan for our lives. We are not animals. We are made in the image of God. We are valuable. We are loved. All we have to do is ask Him to come in . . . to live in our hearts . . . to forgive our sins . . . to make us whole. 

With the tragedies of the past week on our minds, and the hope of Christmas in our hearts, I ask you to look at your own life. Do you know Jesus? Have you accepted Him? He loves you. He knows you. He accepts you right where you are, no matter what. And if you let Him, He'll change you. He'll transform you like nothing or no one on this earth ever will. Don't waste another day without Jesus in your life.

Romans 10:9 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Heartbroken

Edit: I wanted to note that as more information comes out on this horrific event, we've found that it was not a kindergarten class, but a first grade class that was gunned down in cold blood. It doesn't change how utterly devastating this whole thing is. It doesn't change the fact that the lives' of those babies were stolen, but I want my facts to be as accurate as possible. I will not, however, change any of the text below. I wrote it very soon after I heard what had happened, and I wrote what I was feeling . . . the same thing so many Americans were feeling. Those feelings have not changed one iota nor will they.

Today, America once again faced an incomprehensible tragedy. Once again, a man made the decision to walk into a room of people and fire shots and take the lives of others. Once again we ask "why?" all the while knowing it's a question to which we will most likely never have an answer.

It's almost impossible to wrap your mind around the tragedy of it all, but then add to it the fact that the room he walked into was a roomful of kindergartners, that the school he chose to attack was a school full of elementary age children, and the heartbreak only multiplies. When you send your children to school, you expect them to be safe. You expect them to be cared for. You expect them to come home.

Every tragedy we have faced as a country over the years has brought with it sadness and tears, but this has hit home in a way that no other tragedy ever has. I teach public school. I have a room full of kiddos who come to school each day expecting it to be a normal day in every way. We go through safety drills and fire drills and emergency drills never expecting to actually use them never thinking that someone might actually want to come in and harm our children and teachers. I'm also a mother. A mother of a five year old none-the-less. A mother whose son will soon enter kindergarten. A mother who was incredibly thankful to pick up her child from school today and listen to him chatter away, blissfully unaware of all that has transpired.

It's so easy when things like this happen to think we need to do more. To look for ways to make our world safer. To want to stay inside with our doors locked and our blinds closed. To want to hunker down and protect those we love. I think it's an instinct God gave us . . . the instinct to protect our families. And we should . . . we should do everything we can to keep our children safe. But when it comes down to it, it will never be enough, and we have to fight the urge to give in to fear. We have to stand up and face it head on.

In times like this, I feel like I know very little. The little bit of earthly wisdom I have isn't worth fifty cents. But for all the things I do not know, I do know this: God loves us, and He was not in this. He was not behind this. He is not for this. We live in a fallen world. A world where evil and free will have come together to make choices that cause immense pain and suffering for others, but God is not the cause of it. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Instead, He is the source of comfort in the midst of sorrow and devastation. He loves you and He loves me, and He wants nothing more than to bring comfort and peace to our lives.

No matter what we do we will never be able to protect our children from all the evils of the world. We will never be able to stop all the sorrows, the tragedies, the sicknesses, and all the devastation they will face. We have to leave them in God's hands trusting Him to take care of them.

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

Psalm 91:1-2

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust.”

Parent Like a Champion

Also known as how to confuse your kid and thus avoid having to actually say "yes" or "no" as the case may be. (By the way, I totally ripped that title off of a book we've been reading at work called "Teach Like a Champion".)

It's actually quite an art. And I feel that Patrick and I have done a swell job of perfecting it.

It starts with a question from your child, "Can I have ice cream? . . . Can I stay up all night? . . . Can I sleep on the couch? . . . Can I jump off the roof?" Just kidding on the last one . . . at least I hope I'm kidding. The question in and of itself doesn't matter. What does matter is that you're tired, and you want to say "no", but you also want to do everything possible to avoid being a responsible parent at that exact moment a battle. So rather than answer, you defer to your spouse, "You know, you'll have to ask your Dad/Mom and see what they say."

The pitter patter of little feet fades into the distance as your child beats it into the other room to ask the same question of the other parent. If you're lucky (and your spouse hasn't figured this game out yet) you've safely shifted the responsibility to someone else's shoulders. Now, if the answer turns out to be a disaster, you cannot be held responsible, and the problem is solved.

Of course, if your spouse just so happens to be an expert in this department they'll deftly shift the responsibility back to you, "Well what does your Mom/Dad say?" And once again you hear the pitter patter of those little feet. Only this time they're getting louder as they approach you to ask the same question for the third time.

At this point, you have a choice to make. You can:
A. Actually answer. I don't recommend this. It defeats the whole purpose of the avoidance approach.
B. Try to send your child back to other parent for another spin on the merry-go-round, but he/she is likely to catch on if you keep this up.
C. Try the ultimate avoidance tactic and tell them you'll have to think about it in hopes that the child will forget whatever it is he/she is asking for. You have about a 50/50 shot with this one.

Even though it's risky, if we get to the point where I have to pick from A, B, or C, I usually go with C. It's basically deferred decision making. A way to buy yourself some time while you come up with a valid reason why your child cannot jump off the roof. Not that you really need one. It just makes life a whole lot easier.

And that ladies and gentlemen is how you parent like a champion.

My Practical Advice on Ear Infections (Contain Your Excitement)

I'm a blood hound when it comes to sniffing out an ear infection . . . I don't mean literally sniffing . . .  I'm speaking in metaphors here. What I can do is recognize the symptoms and almost always determine that my child has yet another ear infection.

Maybe it's because I had a number of ear infections as a child and have never forgotten the intense pressure and pain that accompanies an ear ache.

Maybe it's because Andrew's had countless ear infections and three sets of tubes since he was a baby.

Or maybe I'm just that awesome. ;)

Just call me Dr. Davis. 

Anyway, last night when Andrew started complaining of a headache I was almost certain he had an ear infection, and I wasn't too far off. He had a double ear infection.

But in all honesty, there are some things I've learned about ear infections over the past five years. And for those parents who haven't been blessed to have a child get one infection on top of another for months on end, I thought I'd share some of the things I've learned.

1. Ear tugging does not equal ear infection. Babies tug their ears for a myriad of reasons. But if your baby seems off, fussy and grouchy, and has had a lot of drainage or a bad cold, you may be seeing the start of an ear infection.

2. Ear infections are not always accompanied by fever. With all the infections and visits to the ENT and burst eardrums, Andrew has only had fever a handful of times. Every kid is different.

3. Check your child's eyes. For some reason, ear infections can cause a child's eyes to be red and bloodshot and in some cases, gunky.

4. Ear infections can come on rapidly. As in the ears look fine today and awful tomorrow. They can also begin slowly, but for the most part, the onset, at least with Andrew, is rapid.

5. In the beginning the pain can be generalized (as in a headache), but will eventually move toward the ear.

6. When in doubt. Call the doctor. I don't agree with the whole "wait and see" school of thought on ear infections. I swear that the people that came up with that swell idea have never felt like the side of their head was about to blow off.

So all joking aside, I'm clearly not a doctor, and you can take this with a grain of salt, but sometimes a little practical advice from a mother that's been there is nice to have.

One of Those Nothing Posts

I wrote this really witty post about why teachers need Christmas break. Then I tried to make it sound nicer than it really was. Then I decided that it was in my best interest not to publish it. So instead you get this. Sorry.

We are eight and a half days away from Christmas Break. Next week is full of activities and a party and of course school-work. Because that is why we go to school . . . to work . . . although the kids may disagree. Now if only we could tranquilize them as they walk through the door . . . that was/is a joke . . . seriously, no, I would never!!!

Jumping to a completely different topic so as to confuse you and make you forget about what I just said. Patrick and I looked at stuff for the new house today. We have a lot of decisions to make. I kind of randomly pick things in a disjointed fashion. Patrick goes behind me and fixes my hodgepodge of selections and makes sure everything works and flows. For some reason, I don't see how things should match. Guess it's a good thing I'm not an interior designer.

Our current house will go on the market come January. I'm both excited and terrified about this. My ocd/sorting disorder has kicked into high gear (that's another joke . . . sort of). But I do feel like everything needs to be "just so". And my solution to things not being "just so" is to throw stuff away. So if you happen to leave something at my house that you want or need, you better get it asap or there's a good chance it's taking a trip to the landfill. You've been warned. Then there's the thought of people I don't know traipsing through my house . . . it's going to mess with me, but I've been told that you can't sell houses without letting people in them (that's another joke . . . I'm just full of them tonight). So here goes nothing.

We're going to try to get our new house built and ready to move in by April. That's a little more than three months. That's exceptionally fast, but we really want to make the move before our next home study update to avoid having to go back and redo things right after the update. We'll see how that goes.

Well, I've things to throw away so I'm off. Hope everyone had a good Monday.

Snow Village Insanity

When I was growing up, my mother and grandmother collected Department 56 Snow Villages, and they were always one of my favorite parts of Christmas. After we got married, we I started collecting them also (Patrick seems to be under the delusion . . . yes, I said delusion . . . that we've reached our max). My grandmother and mother have given me quite a few, and as an early Christmas present this year, my mom bought me two more. Then my grandmother pulled out her collection and passed down a couple more to me. So my collection has grown by four this year. Hallelujah! Patrick did not share the same sentiment.

This meant two things:
(1) The Walmart Villages that have been intermingling with my Snow Villages got kicked to the curb. I'm a Snow Village snob . . . I mean purist . . . I'm not too big to admit it.

And

(2) The overall schizophrenic-ness of my Snow Village collection is now apparent for all to see. If you've never seen Dept. 56 Snow Villages, they have different collections (North Pole, Alpine Village, Christmas in the City, Dickens, etc.), and I'm pretty sure the idea would be to create a town from one of the collections. But for some reason my ocd doesn't kick in when it comes to my village, and y'all it is one big mixed up mess. Let me show you what I mean.

First, we have the Santa's workshop. Definitely, the most magical, and Andrew's favorite. The train moves, and the elf chases it. It's so cute.

Then we have my village shops and houses. You'll notice that the Alpine train station, is next to the incredibly American one room school house which just so happens to sit next to the clock tower from the Dickens Village. The clocktower can be found right nextdoor to St. Paul's Chapel straight out of New York City, and one door down, you'll find the candy shop from "A Christmas Story". And of course, then there's the traditional American home.

Close by you'll find my Swiss chalet hanging out next to the mill because isn't that how it always is?!?

So there you have it. The Snow Village with multiple personality disorder. And you know, the funny thing is, I like it that way. I like that it's fun and whimsical and completely unrealistic. Because every Christmas needs just a little bit of unrealistic in it.

But now that I think about it, I may go move the Alpine train station next to the Swiss chalet . . . you know, just to see . . . 

And the Verdict Is . . .

After admitting my husband was right (for more on my immature, pouty attitude see here). And conceding that we should not build the house we originally intended. I agreed to look at plans that a builder friend of my husband's has. And low and behold, I found one I really liked.

So I gave Patrick a list of non-negotiables . . . open floor plan, granite countertops, bigger bedrooms, NO carpet! . . . things I must (or must not) have in this house if we build it. The numbers were run, and hallelujah we came in well within our budget. So right after Christmas our house will go on the market, and construction will begin. Yikes! We're going to be busy.

It's hard admitting that something you want is more than what you can comfortably afford. It's definitely humbling. But there are going to be some big changes coming in our lives in the near future, and we certainly don't want to be in over our heads. We are 15 months into the adoption wait, and while we still have a ways to go, we are (hopefully) past the midway point. Plus there are some other big (and slightly scary) things happening that we have been praying about, and I'll update y'all on that when the time is right.

I feel good about where we are and where we're going. I know God is leading us and guiding us. Now I just have to make sure I stop and listen. Have a great weekend everyone. We're off to a Christmas Party!

We're Building . . . We're Not Building . . . We're Building . . .

You ask, "Hey Courtney, how are the house plans coming along?"

I laugh . . . and laugh . . . and just when you think I'm done, I laugh some more.

The house that we have plans for is larger and more costly than we originally intended. The fear (Patrick's not mine) is that we'll overbuild for the neighborhood. I'm not concerned because I plan on building and staying put, but Patrick wants to build something less costly for the time being and build the other house in another location sometime in the future. The thing is, I hate moving, and I don't want to pack up, move, live somewhere a few years, and then move again. And I don't want to build another house similar to the one we have. I don't see the point in moving if that's what we're going to do. So we're having a bit of a dilemma around the Davis household.

Hence the laughing . . . because if I don't laugh I'll cry or kick something. It just depends.

I'll update you later when I don't feel like kicking something.

And yes, I'm pouting.

And yes, it's immature and ridiculous, and I'll get over it in a relatively quick amount of time.

Also, have I mentioned flexibility isn't my strong point?

Disjointed Adoption Update

This blog started as an adoption blog and quickly, morphed into a catch-all, everything blog. Why? Because, there's a heck of a lot of down time in international adoption, and I have a lot to say. Although, at the moment I'm having a bit of writer's block.

Speaking of down time . . . we're still waiting. I wish I could give y'all (and us) an approximate time frame for a referral, but I. Have. No. Clue. The Ministry of Justice in Bulgaria changed offices (and buildings if I'm correct), and so meetings stopped for around four weeks. Which, in turn, means referrals were delayed. Gotta love the domino effect. Things are pretty much up and running again, but Christmas break takes place in a couple weeks, and everything will, once again, shut down until the new year. Then it takes a while to get things going again. But there should be at least a few good months of movement before summer break. I'm hoping anyway.

The breaks and vacations are one of the toughest things to deal with. You know your child is there waiting for a home, and everytime a vacation rolls around everything essentially stops. Frustrating.

A lot of people ask how old Allison will be when we bring her home. We know she'll be somewhere between two and three, and we're figuring Andrew will be somewhere between six and seven (ugh . . . I can hardly believe that he's already five, and six and seven sound ridiculously old) so there will most likely be a four year age difference between the two of them. This is perfect to me. I know some parents want their kids close in age, but I kind of want some space between mine. To each his own, right?

So there you have it. An adoption update of sorts. Maybe, I'll come up with something creative and witty soon. Or maybe not . . . ;)

And just because, here's a picture of Andrew getting his hair cut. Which he absolutely hates in case you can't tell.