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Preparing Mr.Mom…

06.21.2010

This week is all about preparing to leave—we’ve packed donation bins…we’ve got the hair butter and special shampoo for Mr.Isaac’s sweet and perfect curls…and now it’s time to prepare Mr.Mom for 7 days with the kids. As most of you know, Rico Suave (aka: Rich, Richard, the hubby) is staying back with the kids while my mom and sister go with me. I am going to miss sharing this with Richard–but this is just one moment of many—and truthfully, it’s makes this entire week easier for me as our children just keep right on the same beat and have special time with daddy. Parker’s about to lose his FIRST tooth…I have a feeling I’ll miss it. BUT daddy won’t! And I’m just so thankful that Richard is willing to stay back with the kids…and do some special bonding which will help me and Isaac when we get back too!

Now, I can’t leave daddy high and dry;). And that is where Mama Judy comes to the rescue! Mama Judy is my precious kindred spirit friend—old enough to be my momma but seriously one of my dearest friends. She treats me like one of her own…and while I was focusing on packing…she was up to what she does best—doting on my children and helping make life a little more fun! Momma Judy put together an “activity” for Rich to do EACH DAY I am gone…we labled the bags for EACH day—and they are all stashed in Isaac’s crib! When the presents are all opened and the crib is empty—then there is room for Isaac and it’s TIME TO GO TO THE AIRPORT to meet him!

I thought this would be fun to remember…so this is definitely one thing I have to add to my blog which will go into our “blog to book” so we can remember what was going on here while we were away! We depart on Friday…so when the kids wake up on Saturday—Daddy duty is in full force!

Here is a little of the fun that will start each of their days while momma is in Africa…

Saturday…

This is like the most genious way to do bubbles…stash this in your garage with MEGA mix (Mama Judy included ALL the ingredients) and pull it out when you want to play! No worries about baby spilling tiny containers! And the recipe is right there on the side when this batch is gone!

And the rest fit in gift bags…all taped up so there’s NO PEEKING!
Sunday…

How much fun is this…

Monday…

Tuesday…

Wednesdsay…

Thursday… (this will be fun as I know they won’t be able to sleep the NIGHT BEFORE WE GET HOME! SO….here’s a lightshow to entertain them;) Way cooler than counting sheep;)

FRIDAY!!! We fly home!!! But…we get in late…so how about some fun freesbie in the backyard while you wait for afternoon traffic to die down before coming to the airport!

THANK YOU MAMA JUDY for ALL this FUN! How fun is this stash in the crib…and can’t WAIT for it to be empty and Isaac to be HOME!

So…we’ve got the older kids in VBS next week…which leaves SERIOUS bonding time between Rich and Frank (our prayer!!!!)…and then these bags of fun each day! Don’t make fun…but I’ve got outfits going in freezer ziplock bags for each child for each day so it’s easy-peasy getting them ready each day for daddy:). I am going to MISS them to pieces…and if Parker loses that first tooth–I’ll be bummed…but I’ll smile knowing that daddy was there for every moment and it will be ONE SWEET airport homecoming…where we a family is brought together FOREVER!

CAN’T WAIT!

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Amy Nabors - June 21, 2010 - 11:24 pm

Does Rich have a camera ready for that first lost tooth? Praying for you to have a safe and wonderful trip.

Elle J - June 22, 2010 - 12:07 am

Your outfits in bags reminds me of the time I ribbon tied my toddler girl’s hangers of outfits together and labeled for the time she spent with my parents while I was in the hospital giving birth (planned csection) to baby brother. I so relate! =) What a fun week of preparing.

Jennifer - June 22, 2010 - 12:43 am

What a GREAT idea! Love how it is in the crib for the count down! I will be praying for you/Isaac and Daddy/Frank bonding. The Lord will be so faithful to do more than you can even ask or imagine!!!!!
Jenny

Jenn - June 22, 2010 - 1:33 am

You are SO CLOSE! We just got back from vacation and I have been back reading…I have CHILLS thinking about you leaving in just a couple of days! I’m thrilled for you! (And really hoping you might get to hold our little one???)

Can’t wait to hear all about your trip! Praying hard for you from here!

Jenn

Kim - June 22, 2010 - 5:19 am

Okay … I just LOVE Mama Judy’s idea. I hope I can pay it forward and play Mama Judy someday and steal this idea!
Counting down the days with you!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim

Our weekend…

06.20.2010

We spent our weekend with my parents, Rich’s mom and PACKING! So much fun!!! We kicked it at the pool…and we spent Saturday afternoon with the Vogeltantz family!!!

We had SOOO much fun talking Ethiopia…drilling them about the “what to take”…”what it’s like”…and it was just so much fun to spend time with this sweet family! Thank you Emily for coming by and spending the day with our family. We are so thankful for your family…and can’t WAIT to start that Africa adoption group we’ve been talking about. So fun for your E and my I to be friends!!!

And on Sunday…AFTER we spent the day swimming in a lake…celebrating with our Sunday school many dads over BBQ and riding horses…it was all about daddy once we got home all over again. So we did what Rich wanted to do…HOME-MADE ICE CREAM! YUM~

We played boys against girls in kick ball…we seriously need a few more players;). The girls team is going to be SO not fair in a few years! And Gigi came up and brought us a dinner picnic! What a treat!

And then Laney and I pulled out the sewing machine and I whipped out a cute little dress for her. We recently bought some cute ones from Julie at Flitterbugs and Laney loved the ruffle collar so I eye-balled it and just made this without a pattern…so I hope it fits;).

When I wake up…it’ll be 4 more days until we leave…AND it will be Richard and my SEVENTH wedding anniversary! Yep…in 7 years we’ve…MULTIPLIED by 4 children…2 moves…helped start a ministry in Africa…2 job changes for Rich…2 job changes for me and then chosing to stay-at-home…SO much adventure—and I’d say YES all over again!

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marci - June 20, 2010 - 10:49 pm

We are counting down with you ! Just got bak from a party and a momma was telling me about her 1st granbaby (Montana)Eli from Ethiopia …the sweetest most beautiful big eyed boy …they just finished the 3 month stay close nuturing and it has all been so wonderful…9 month like Isaac and it just was something I wanted to share…so sweet and good …that little man Isaac is going to be loved soooo much ! Andrea, this seems crazy but is there any way Linda Young is Richard’s momma ? SIster and I know a very special person who looks so much like the woman in the pic with your little ones ! pax !m

Alison - June 20, 2010 - 11:08 pm

Such a fun weekend! And ya’ll never cease to amaze me with all the creative, fun things ya’ll find time to do in one day…like “whip out a cute little dress”! 🙂 Amazing…I need some tips!

Kim - June 21, 2010 - 2:48 am

OKAY … I AM TOTALLY JEALOUS!
You and Emily! Love it!
Happy Anniversary sweet friend.
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim

Sallee Couch - June 21, 2010 - 7:49 am

love her in her POPPY DIP!!
so excited to follow your every step to get your sweet baby!
blessings on your journey

april - June 21, 2010 - 10:40 am

i LOVE the pic of the children anxiously awaiting the icecream to be done…so cute! You look BEAUTIFUL in your wedding pic! Glad you had a great weekend, I cannot imagine how excited you must be for your trip!

Elle J - June 21, 2010 - 11:45 am

Happy Anniversary!!! You look beautiful always. Thinking of you as the days approach to take off ~ you can count the days on ONE HAND now. Pinch me moments. God is good!

emily v - June 21, 2010 - 12:57 pm

Yes, so fun indeed!! Loved loved loved meeting you all!! And your dad is a super photographer…I can’t believe everyone is looking at the camera!! Amazing! 🙂

Christina - June 21, 2010 - 5:27 pm

OK. . . as soon as you’re ready to come out of the cocoon, I think I’m going to pack up our girls and drive North! You, Rich, Emily and Bryson–too much fun! Great picture of you all together and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

P.S.–I laughed out loud and choked on my coffee when I read your comment a post or two ago about my “Ethiopia-friendly” hair! I know you were being sweet and meant it as a complement, but I found it hilariously funny at the same time. I just love you!

Happy Father’s Day!

06.20.2010

Happy Father’s Day to the daddies in my life!!!

To my dad…who does sweet and meaningful things like plant a tree for each grandchild to grow along side them…who plays non-stop with our kids when you are in town…and who NEVER lets me forget a story of my childhood and loves retelling stories over and over again. Love you dad!

To my hubby…who I fall more in love with every day. Seriously…we laughed our faces off tonight over dinner and truly—my husband is my very bestfriend. He knows every bit of me…and loves me anyway:). He makes me laugh constantly. I’m not sure if I remember—did you choose me? Or did I choose you? Because if it was a choice for me…I’d do it ALL over again. Every bit. You are one amazing daddy…and I love that *I* get to watch you parent and chart new, fresh waters as you parent our children. I love being your cheerleader in life and you make me smile and shake my head all the time. I love that over dinner you want to talk strategy about building into our children. Happy Father’s day my love!

And just to make those of you following our adoption journey smile…3 our of our 4 donation bins/bags are packed full…and ready to be seriously duck-taped;). NOW…to pack a bag for me and Isaac!!! FIVE MORE DAYS!

Happy Father’s day to all the daddy’s out there!!!

XOXO!

Andrea

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Kim - June 20, 2010 - 4:01 am

Precious post!
Counting down the days from Hong Kong,
Kim

Liv - June 20, 2010 - 3:10 pm

wow, five days!!

Ashley - June 20, 2010 - 9:24 pm

Just a suggestion from someone who just traveled to Ethiopia 3 weeks ago with tubs just like yours…have your hubby drill holes in the sides and the lids and zip tie them closed. Then tape extra zip ties in a baggie on the under side of the lid and that way if they cut them off to inspect (which was done to ours on the way there AND back), they (or you) can just stick a new zip tie through the hole… it worked well for us, anyway.

I’m excited for you, safe travels, I pray God will open your eyes and heart while you’re there, it’s amazing.

A day with the girls…and a super hero or two

06.19.2010

Just 6 more days until we board the plane! Seriously I’m getting SO excited! (If you missed my friend Christina’s video…you have to see it in the previous post—I seriously called my sister after I saw it to ask her if I should get a perm. Seriously–to have Christina’s hair in Ethiopia would be a plus;). And that brings me to my day with the girls on Thursday…

Cousin Maury came over so we could make her FIRST baby’s baby bedding! And my PRECIOUS friend Melissa came over to help with the kids so I could sew…and whip out bedding in a DAY! Now…the real miracle—is that WE GOT IT DONE! Maury knocked on my door at 10:30ish…and by 5pm…we had converted a pile of folded WHITE fabric to this…

Isn’t it sweet?! The WHITE is so soft, pretty…fresh. I told her just to wait until one good poopy diaper and…well, I just said thankfully she chose ALL WHITE and she can clorox anything that accidentally gets on it;). I am THRILLED for Maury and her hubby, Justin, and their soon-to-be baby! So thankful Isaac has another soon-to-be bud to play with!!!

I loved that Melissa came over to really save the day. Honestly, I’m not sure how we could have gotten it done without her. We had babies to play with…Laney’s nail painting station in progress and of course 2 handsome super heroes to protect us girls…

First of all…I have to say that these two babies (Frank and MT) go WAY back…all the way back to being born the SAME month in 2008! Here they are at just around 3 months old…
Aren’t they yummy!

And here they are holding down the fort while we made Maury’s baby bedding 2 1/2 years later…

Seriously…aren’t they just FULL of SWEETNESS?! Seriously…there can never be too much baby at our house!

These two are just bound to have a crush on one another;). Here is Mary Taylor telling Frank how it will work…”I’m not allowed to call boys silly—so YOU have to call ME…K?!”

Frank may still be a baby/toddler to some…but he can’t WAIT to be one of the big boys…LOVE how he is looking at Henry, Melissa’s oldest here…

And really–how could he NOT want to be like them!? We might not have gotten ANYTHING done if the super heros hadn’t showed up to save the day…

They ran…they jumped…they climbed trees…and then the super heros were tired…

What I LOVE about this family…not only do our babies and kiddos go WAY back. But Melissa and I do as well. She and I were friends at Auburn (War Eagle!). We went to East Asia together with Campus Crusade. We were in one another’s weddings…then we both moved to the same city. THEN we were in a couples Bible study together. Then came babies. AND NOW…we are both growing our families through adoption! Melissa is waiting on her referral for a little one in Uganda…and I can’t WAIT to celebrate with their family. I am OVERJOYED to do life with their family…and I just adore this momma and her crazy hubby. Thank you Melissa for coming out and spending the day here! LOOOOOVE you girl!

And after the bedding was done–and cousin Maury was on her way to fit it like a giddy new mommy waiting on her first baby-to-be (there is NOTHING more exciting than helping someone prepare for their FIRST!)…I scooted off to join 3 of my bestfriends for dinner…a girl’s night out…and then an wild night at Babies-R-Us and Target. It was honestly SOOOO MUCH FUN! And absolutely HILARIOUS. Our bargain shopper, Kelly, kept saying you could get “this” and “that” cheaper at Target…so off we went. THEN the man on the speaker at Target said they were closing in 10 minutes after we’d only been there a short time–so it was like Super Market Sweepstakes putting things on my list in the cart. SO FUNNY. I was yelling, “TAMMY–Desitin! Wipes! Socks! ADDIE–Infant pain reliever! Formula individual packets! Pacifiers! KELLY–Baby oil! Shampoo! Soap!” It was hilarious and so much fun running through Target with them. A memory I will NEVER forget!

And then we got back to our cars and scared 2 teenage girls screaming asking them if they’d take a pic for us with my iphone. Nothing special…but a memory snagged just the same.

Yep…just 6 more days…can’t believe this time NEXT Saturday I’ll be in Ethiopia…unable to sleep…knowing when I wake up I’ll hold my beautiful son in my arms for the first time!!!

XOXO!

Andrea

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6 comments

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Elle J - June 19, 2010 - 9:27 am

I can not wait for you, NEXT weekend!!! Andrea ~ NEXT WEEK END!!!!

Lara - June 19, 2010 - 10:25 am

Aw, how fun. I’m impressed with the bedding! I need to learn how to make that.

Dawn - June 19, 2010 - 11:21 am

SO much fun!!! Praying for those 6 days to be fun, and can’t wait to see you with Isaac!!

Charity - June 19, 2010 - 3:29 pm

Andrea–I found your blog through Addie. Small world…her cousins in Oklahoma are my cousins. At a family gathering last Christmas she gave me your website because I was starting up a photography business. I never got around to visiting your site, until recently. Your blog has been a blessing to me. My husband and I are in the process of adopting siblings from Uganda. I look forward to following your journey to Africa and bring home Isaac!
Charity

Megan - June 19, 2010 - 5:33 pm

What a fun, girl-filled day! Can’t wait to see the post of Isaac in your arms!!! Countin’ down with you girlfriend! 😉

april - June 19, 2010 - 6:51 pm

girl, you got some talent going on over there with crib bedding making! Are you on Etsy? B/c we ordered ours on etsy from a lady who makes them, that could possibly help raise any more adoption money you might need now or in the future! :0)

This video makes me SO ready!

06.18.2010

Turn off music above before watching this beautiful family’s video on bringing home their baby girl from Ethiopia…

7 more days:)

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Shannon - June 18, 2010 - 2:30 am

beautiful! Can’t wait to watch Isaac’s video!

Elle J - June 18, 2010 - 2:37 am

Beautiful!! I love watching these … and I can not wait to see what your journey will be and what video/photos/message you will bring home to share.

Christina - June 18, 2010 - 9:28 am

What an honor to have our video posted on my favorite blog! Thanks so much for sharing it with your many readers! Counting down the days with you and so excited about your trip–I know your thoughts and experiences are going to be so beautifully written and photographed–can hardly wait for your Ethiopia posts! Next week, Andrea! NEXT WEEK! Whoo Hoo!

natali - June 18, 2010 - 12:11 pm

i’m crying happy tears! and andrea, in seven days, YES, just a short SEVEN DAYS, this will be you and precious little Isaac. Mommy & son forever.

Melanie Hobbs - June 18, 2010 - 1:51 pm

WOW!!! What a beautiful video and a precious child!! I cry my eyes out every time I watch one of these…and love every minute of it! 😉 7 MORE DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love, love, love following your blog everyday Andrea and the anticipation of seeing YOUR “gotcha” video is killing me.

Alison - June 18, 2010 - 5:41 pm

Oh I just love that video…cried and cried…makes me so excited to bring Caroline Faith home! And so excited that you only have 7 more days!