And We're Back!!

So, moving day came and went. This first picture makes me want to throw-up a little bit in my mouth because it was just a tad stressful and the thought of our stuff being in boxes and everything in total disarray makes me a little yucky. But I'm good now :). This is our old house.

We hired these movers to move us (duh). They started out at 8am and weren't done until 8pm that evening on a Thursday. Our goal was to have beds or mattresses down so we could at least all sleep someplace comfortable that first night and know where our clothes were so we could all make it where we needed to go the next day.

And then . . .

The GREAT snow of 2011 hit. We moved in on a Thursday and snow fell that next Monday. For two whole weeks the kids did not have school. We got record amounts of snow. The USPS didn't run and neither did the UPS. I've lived in Oklahoma my entire life and have never seen so much snow for such a long period of time. It was beautiful and incredible and after a while kind of boring. You would have thought I'd gotten a lot of packing and decorating done while we were cooped up in side, but I had seven mouths to feed, wash up after, entertain (we had no cable, but did have the Apple TV), and manage. So, not a lot of unpacking happened during those two weeks, but we did have fun and stayed cozy warm and had full bellies. The kids have to go to school until June 1 and their school days are extended 30 minutes until then because of all the snow days. I guess it could be worse, right?

More to come later about the new house and all that comes with it. Just thought I'd get started back into the blogging world!

Gods Heart: Adoption

This video is absolutely beautiful. It makes me want to adopt them all, but we can't do that. Our job now is to support others adopting, encourage those with questions, pray for the orphans, and listen.

I know you are waiting for pictures of the move and new house, but I can't find my card reader to down load the pictures off the camera! It's in a box somewhere. We'll find it eventually. You would think that with two weeks of being snowed in we would have had everything all unpacked and organized. But, you see, we have a few kids running around here. And, well, they require at least 'some' attention and feeding and cleaning and disciplining and loving on. So, not many boxes have gotten unpacked except the necessities! I did unpack the LAST of the kitchen boxes on Friday. What a great feeling that was!

This house was not left very clean at all. So, I've also spent a great deal of time scrubbing everything. I've even had to take down light fixtures to get the TON of spiders out of them - ew! Not pretty (the light fixtures AND the spiders).

I promise there will be pictures soon. Lots going on here!

Teresa Needs a Miracle

There's this little girl that I have had the privilege of praying for and following for a couple of years now. She used to be known as Lucy, but when she was adopted by her forever family they named her Teresa. Teresa has a heart that is needing a miracle. Her parents have left no stone unturned for her and the doctors are saying that she might not make it through this year. But we know a God that can perform miracles and has a heart for orphans. Please pray for this precious child.

Hey!

We went out to eat last night and while we were waiting another adoptive family walked in (we did not know them, we do not know ALL the adoptive families:). Avery noticed the little Asian girl and said, "Hey! She looks like me!" I was stunned that at the young age of 2 she realized that she looked a little unlike most people. One of the first things the orphanage director told us, in the few English words she knew, was, "She is very clever." When we see or hear of things Avery does that indicate how stinkin' smart she is, we both look at each other and say, "She is very clever."

Beyond Grateful

It's a blessing really. We get to make this house our own, AND we got a REALLY good price on it for our family that is not getting smaller, only bigger (not by number just by physical growth, at least for now - I like to tease my mother in law ;). However (which is just a fancy way to say 'but' if you ask Dr. Phil, and I agree), there is some major updating that needs to take place in this new house. Unless saloon doors are back in style, no? What? Isn't the style of 1984 coming back around now? No?

Didn't we just get rid of an entry way chandelier like this one? Huh? (Yeah, that's Carlie up there!)

Yeah, that's a saloon door on the 'throne room' in the master bathroom. So for a while we'll just be able to look and see if we see any feet under the door instead of politely knocking. Maybe we'll keep it.

Pack It Up!

The McSmurfy's are moving. Not too far away mind you. We were just stumbling over each other in the other house not to mention that our backyard was a little small for 5 growing kids. This is the new house:

Have we sold our current house? Nope. Some might say we are putting the cart before the horse. I like to say that we are stepping out in faith.

Wanna buy a house?

Master Bath Finished Product!

Before. Blecchhkk. Ugly outdated wallpaper, gross carpet.

So, here is the finished product. Quite a change, right? MUCH better and simpler and beautiful, right?

Makes you want a bathroom like this doesn't it?

Ringing In The New Year

Party at our house!! WOO HOO!

The day was spent in our jammies ALL DAY making some of our most favorite desserts and party foods. No body did any sampling or bowl licking!

Especially not me if I were to be totally dishonest.

Ethan was in charge of the pigs in a blanket.

Avery was in charge of barking orders from the couch, and demanding a sippy cup of juice.

Then smooches for all at midnight. Well, it was close to midnight if you think 9pm is close to midnight. I was yawning uncontrollably at 8pm. I think I lasted until 10:30. We are light weights around here!

Waking Up a Little Grouchy

Carlie woke up this morning. She was still getting the puckers out. Avery comes over (who had already gotten her puckers out - the worst one to wake up with puckers EVER) to say, "Good morning Carlie!"

Carlie isn't talking to her or anyone else. Barely makes eye contact with anyone.

Avery (who just came home from CHINA a year ago, who's SECOND language is English) says, "Carlie doesn't speak English."

Master Bath Redo - Day 7

You see that??? HUH????

It's the beautiful TILE!!!

AND the freshly painted base boards! So pretty! Almost done in here :).

Master Bath Redo - Day 6

Well . . . not too much to report today on the 'ole redo, but I swear the handyman guy was working ALL day.

He spent the whole day prepping the floor and making marks on it so that he could do THIS tomorrow. Lay tile.

This is the tile that Lori bought. It will go in tomorrow, or at least some of it will go in tomorrow because this looks like a two day project to me. But what do I know, I just take care of these kids.

Master Bath Redo - Day 5

It's getting a little more exciting!!

I'm combining two days into one. The other day he painted the walls and the cabinets.

Today he hung the lights/towel rings/hooks/tp holder, and ripped up the carpet. YAY!! And YES, to those of you who are thinking it, I DO use the hot pink exercise ball that we store in the tub. SO THERE!

One WHOLE Year

December 13, 2009 A Hotel Conference Room in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China

A Few Months Later

October 2010

Today is our "Forever Family Day." The day we got Avery one year ago. She was very scared of us 'white' people, had an upper respiratory infection, a rash on her torso, ate only formula (she was 15 months old), spoke Chinese, was VERY well cared for (despite the infection and rash) in the orphanage, had endured open heart surgery, had never worn a diaper, and had never known what being in a family was like. She was found when she was a month old. The Chinese believe that after a mother has her baby she is to go home and stay there for one month to protect the Chi or luck of the child and family. After that one month they are able to go out. Most babies who are found are about a month old because of this tradition.

Now she has two older brothers, two older sisters, a Dad, a Mom, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, extended family, church family, and friends that all love her and care for her. She came into our home and KNEW it was hers - she never asked for permission to fit in. She has blessed us beyond belief. And we have seen why it is called "The Miracle of Adoption." Our family's life has been stretched beyond what we could have imagined. We are part of a population known as conspicuous families. We gather with other families just like ours so that we can feel normal. We love this normal!

Tonight when we said our prayers, we prayed for the nannies who loved her so much in the orphanage. We also prayed for her birth mother and birth father. My heart hurts for them so much. I want so bad for them to know that she is healthy, happy, loved, ornery, and such a blessing to us. I want them to have peace. God can do this.

We are so glad that we have been on this amazing ride. We would not have missed this for anything!

Master Bath Redo - Day 4

A little color does WONDERS! Well, don't get too excited, it's just primer. But still . . .

So all "we" have left to do is paint the walls, paint the cabinets, rip up the carpet (who puts carpet in a bathroom??? Gross!!) and put tile down, put up new light fixtures, towel rings, and accessorize. WHEW!!!

I'm not quite sure what to do about the windows. Just the 2" horizontal blinds? Hmmmm . . . gonna have to think on that one.

Wow. Primer is boring.

Master Bath Redo - Day 3

It's hard to tell, but here's what the troweling texture stuff looks like on the bathroom walls.

See? Cool, huh?

Tomorrow the paint goes on!!