Been a While, Ehh?

Well, obviously it's been a while since I updated. I could describe all of the reasons/excuses why I haven't been updating, but I will just catch ya up on what's been going on.

Firstly, we are in a different stage of "expecting"! This week, our homestudy will be sent to the State for licensure to become foster parents. I'm sure our situation will change over time, but as of right now we are requesting a child under the age of 3. More specifically & initially, an infant under 12mths. We aren't sure exactly where this will lead, but we can no longer deny the calling for us to open our home, our hearts, to a foster child. I could go on & on about how this has developed, but I imagine I will do that later. And I'm sure God will intricately weave an even more beautiful journey than I can imagine.

 {Just to hit some high notes... Yes, I'm anxious about having to give the child back up when family reunification occurs. I have to trust that God is bigger than my fears. I have to trust that there is some sort of purpose for the pain my heart has felt from a 7 year struggle with infertility; I feel that God is using the pain & unending heart-ache for His purpose & He will use this in me as a foster mother. For now, that is all!}

Since I was snapping a picture anyways, I thought I'd take a quick couple of the craft room. I was totally thrilled to be able to purchase this craft table from a friend & it is the center of attention in the craft room! :) There is still plenty I plan to add to this room, but it will be a slow moving process. Which is great, cuz it's always fun to add stuff while you find it!

Here's a corner in the craft room... Filled with Operation Christmas Child shoebox goodies! I've been saving some stuff up all year & our small group will be having a packing party this weekend, so I will update with more about that after it! I'm looking forward to filling them all up & getting them to the church.

We are anticipating to be licensed as early as the middle of November! That is a bit earlier than I expected, so I will be packing a last-minute diaper bag with bottles, a bit of formula, & some gender-neutral outfits in various sizes to accommodate any child we may get called to take in.

We definitely would appreciate your prayers & support as we begin this foster parenting journey!

A Quick Craft

It took me 2.5 years and several scoops of Spark to discover the joy of naptime.

I mean, naptime was also nice when I was sleeping with Little Bit, but this having an hour or two to myself AND feeling good enough to do something during it?

Pretty sweet!

I didn't have any pre-set plans to accomplish during naptime. Except to go through a hamper of stuff I am purging... pulling out the "save for the consignment sale", "throw away", or "give back to someone" piles.

Then, just as the snoring began, it hit me!

A new wreath! Several years ago, I scored some wreath door hangers on clearance & this past winter, I actually hung a wreath. Which I crafted & loved. But, I was ready for something new & was hoping to sort through some stuff in my (messy) craft corner.

I had already worked on the felt flowers, so I plugged the hot glue gun in & went to town.

Here's our before wreath:

{Please ignore the slant! Yikes. And, yes, thank-you-for-asking, I HAVE lost some weight! FIFTEEN pounds to be exact, WOoHoo!}

And our after wreath:

For much less than $5 [Probably less than $3 if I break the calculator out & really figure it out], I have a brand new door wreath! I am trying to not let things like the width of the wreath not being perfectly symmetric or the bumps of the vines or flower I had to move three times bother me, because I am pretty happy I got a little crafting done today!

Now if I could only convince my husband to let me paint the door the color I want!! ;)

I still have nearly an hour of naptime left; think I will tackle that hamper now!

A New Month: November

We primed & painted the room this weekend. The mural is done! Little Bit's room has been transformed & after our trip to IKEA next weekend + Daddy setting the hutch up... it will be all done! :)

If I can get Blogger to cooperate, I will post pictures! It worked, here goes!




Otherwise, I have been hanging out with other mamas in the area walking between 2-4 miles on several mornings each week! So nice... If only I could kick the cherry coke addiction...

We continue to purge the extra junk in the house & have sold three items in the last few days on Craigslist. Which is thrilling! We are getting more space in our house AND adding money to our Christmas Jar. Double whammy!

Our church participates in Samaritan's Purse Operation: Christmas Child shoeboxes. We purged some baby stuff & used the money to fund the mural cost & then had plenty left over for shoeboxes! It can be exhilarating! I asked Hubby if we could provide even more shoeboxes & he obliged happily! So, we have even more shoeboxes headed to sweet little toddler boys & girls. Pretty awesome.

Oh, we also have a girl's craft day. I didn't have too much planned, but brought a huge tub of stuff to play with. I started with painting letters & frames, then moved onto learning how to roll fabric rosettes, & making felt flowers. Was so much fun & refreshing to just hang out & be a bit creative for a while. We are hoping to do it once a month from now on. Here's a shot of the rosettes & flower I made for a baby girl's headband.


Cute, right?! :) I thought so.

Another picture to end the post. Our church had a Family Fun Day to celebrate 15 years. Little Bit loved jumping in the bouncy house. Here's the clearest & best picture I could snap of him: