Moving is Hard Work

I am used to hard work- after all I grew up on a farm, am a Mother to 4 energetic boys, and have endless things to do each day. However, moving the last few days has about done me in. I am exhausted. We are about 75% moved. I have been busy running back and forth between houses trying to get the last few things in boxes. Tomorrow a painter comes to paint the upstairs as it needs it. Then next week the carpet cleaner will come in and then our old house will go on the market.

I still have to pack the food storage room, what a nightmare. Our church urges us to keep a 1 year food supply. I know some day I will be thankful for the food, but this week it is quite annoying to say the least. We also have not moved anything in the garage. Yuck!

I am loving the new house, "the teddy bear house" as Parker calls it, so much that I just don't want to leave it. The views are fantastic, it is nice to be on a quiet road and it is just so darn cozy and fun to be here. But, I guess I had better go finish cleaning out the last of the old house so the painter can have free reign tomorrow.

The Friendship Cycle

One terrific thing about living in a small town is the ability to meet lots of people and makes lots of friends. Most people living here stay for a few years and move else. It is pretty transient. At church everyone needs each other as most don't have family here and so close friends make us the extended family.

My husband's family is considered "locals". They have been here forever and have roots. They never leave.

Having said that, another one of my friends moved today and I am sad. Here is the moving cycle of my closest and dearest friends. Kim W. moved to Argentina. Heather moved to Washington. Angie moved to Utah. Carole moved to Washington. Annette moved to Utah. Kim M. moved on to heaven. LaRie moved to Utah. Amy moved to Idaho. And today Heidi moved to Washington.
Heaven help me as I am so sad. Heidi and I have sons born on the same day. We have been friends for about 8 years. We have been through so much together. What a talented lady! What would we do without or close friendships? Thank heavens I have Nickie to visit with every day!

Heidi's farewell party.

18 Months of Waiting For a Referral

Today marks the 18th month of waiting for a referral of a little girl. What a long process! I am trying to hang in there, but it is discouraging at times. I can't stew about it too much today as I am busy packing up the house for the big move! Hopefully this will be the month for a referral.

Afternoon update- so I called my adoption social worker to schedule a new home visit for after we move. She told me that our I171-H expired today. Also, we need new yearly medical forms, financials, etc. I am so mad. I called 2 months ago to find out if we needed to do anything else and they told me no. I also had called our Tawaiian agency to make sure and they told me I was fine too- just as long as fingerprints are current. This is so frustrating. So I've spent the whole afternoon trying to fax forms to drs to have them sign them, etc.

The I171-H is the major form and for some people it can take 3 months to get back. I'm wondering what would happen if we now get our referral and all of the paperwork has expired. This is making me crazy.

We Are Approved for the House

Yeah, we are getting our loan. It is nice to have a local banker! I still can't believe it. This home is going to be so nice for our family. Now, I have so much to do. I need to dejunk and start packing. Having lived in the same house for 12 years, it's amazing the junk that piles up.
Once we move in, we need to have a homestudy update as we are near the top of the waiting list!

A Trying Week!

I guess maybe I posted too soon about the house. You would think that debt free people with some nice assets and an almost perfect credit score could get a loan for a house. But, with all the new regulations and craziness going on in the country, this has been a nightmare. I think we've gone through 6 different loans only to be told we would have to come up with 1/2 the price of the home. Monday we will find out if we get the loan through a bridge loan, which is a loan using our house as collateral while we sell our current home. It has been so stressful! Keep your fingers crossed for us. Also, we have the home inspection Monday.

The adoption wait is really getting to me. I am not a patient woman and I am really having to let go and trust God that it will happen in his timing. I am starting to get emotional as I want this process to get rolling. A few weeks ago I found out that there hasn't been any more girl referrals since May - so we are pushed back even further. I pray we will get our referral before the end of the year.

Another disappoint- I was almost a guest phone caller on "The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch". The screener and I spent many conversations back and forth. One day she called and I wasn't home and left me a message to call her. I did several times, but now she won't call me back. Bummer! This would have been a huge break for my website Tall Clothing Mall.

We Bought a New Home!!!

With all the financial problems people are having, there are definitely some great deals on homes right now. Today we snagged up this log home and signed a contract to buy. I am so excited as this is my dream home (other than in Hawaii). It sits on 2 acres and has everything I have ever dreamed of. Look at that view from the deck!

17 Months of Waiting

Chinese symbol means patience! It's now been 17 months of waiting for a referral. Nothing to report. 17 was my volleyball number, so maybe it will be my lucky month. When I last spoke with my agency a few weeks ago, we really hadn't moved up the list due to no baby girl referrals last month. But, with International adoption anything is possible. Sometimes they get none and sometimes they get a bunch. I never dreamed it would take this long. I guess we are supposed to learn patience, but it is very trying at times. The longer I wait, the more broke I become as I just keep buying so many darling girl clothes. The boys think the adoption will never happen, so we try not to discuss it with them. So, we continue to wait and dream about getting our own little girl.

My mom was transferred out of the hospital to a rehab center yesterday. I don't think she'll be there long, but who knows? I am trying to get things in order so I can go back when she gets home. I will need to go and do some cleaning and other things for her.