What's Up With the New House? ATTIC That's What!

Yeah, so someone around here has a Clark Griswold ball of Christmas lights to untangle, but for the most part the attic is done! I didn't take before pictures because . . . number 1 I forgot and number 2 you might cry. When the movers put the boxes in the attic they just shoved them in there all willy nilly, which was fine, but it had to be dealt with. Our old house had a teensy weensy attic and there was no way to even stand up tall in most of it. It was packed to the gills. This attic is pretty massive, thank goodness. Cause with 7 people in our family we got lots of junk to store. My trusty label maker was right by my side the whole time. I keep some of Conner's outgrown clothes for Ethan, most of Nicci's clothes for Carlie, and all of Carlie's clothes for Avery. Then there's the holiday stuff. And my husband's massive collection of wires, chords, cables, old keyboards, and old mice. Anytime we need a chord, cable, or wire we usually have it!

Now that this is done I can move on to the guest bedroom! YAY!

So, Why the Move?

I'll give you two reasons . . . .

Number 1

And, number 2

Yup, a pool and six bedrooms for this gargantuan family. Everybody has their own room, except the 'twins' who get to share, which means we have a guest room (come see us!) and everyone has their own bathroom. Life is a little more peaceful around here with everyone spread out and stretching their wings.

Now be patient with me as I paint every single room and closet in this house, cuz it ain't been touched since 1984. And we all know how the 80's were, right? Yeah, not good as far as decor and fashion.

More WITH Than Without!

So, we reached another milestone in the world of adoption. We adopted Avery Lan when she was 15 months old. She was very much loved and taken care of, but small, had a skin rash, and an upper respiratory infection. Just some of the possible affects of living in an orphanage. Believe me it could've been worse.

She adjusted to us amazingly well, like she had always been with us. She was a perfect fit in every way! English is her second language and she speaks it better than most people (and a lot, too)! She's grown by leaps and bounds - from a 12-24 months size to a 3T. Her hair is now long enough for two, yeah, two pig tails! She loves going to preschool and being with her teachers and friends. She adores her older siblings. And she has the BEST belly laugh! Her eyes practically disappear when she smiles!

Avery has now been WITH us a month longer than we were without her! Time sure flies when you're having as much fun as we are. I think about and pray for her birth parents a lot. I can only imagine how much it hurts her China mommy's arms and heart that she does not get to hold her baby girl. And I pray that God will let them know how very much she was prayed for and loved and wanted WAY before she was even born.

"For you created my inmost being;

You knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful,

I know that full well."

Psalm 139:13-14

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you;

I will bring your children from the east

and gather you from the west."

Isaiah 43:5