Updates...

The Psychologist came by for a visit a couple of weeks ago and that was very interesting.  He and his wife have adopted from Ethiopia and hearing his experience was challenging and exciting at the same time.  He said he would need to come back a couple of more times (apparently Tim is pretty messed up, ha!) to complete the study but it seems to be pretty simple process.  We got to the 'sticky' part of the conversation concerning his fee and he stated that his wife really liked the tshirts we have for sale through a fundraiser. He wondered if we couldn't buy her a tshirt for his payment...Um, ok!  Everyone we have heard from says this process is anywhere from $1000-$5000.  What a crazy awesome blessing this has turned out to be!  And since they have already adopted we know that he is aware of how the process goes and what needs to be stated - that is invaluable!

Our Home Study Rep came a couple of days later to finish it up... only we weren't able to.  There was a small issue with bedrooms in the basement not having opening windows. I know, I know!  It was on our list, we just hadn't got to it yet!  But as much as she hated it she wasn't able to finalize the Home Study until the Egress window was installed.  It made complete sense but I was really bummed because Michelle, our rep from America World Adoption went to Haiti last week to visit the orphanage we applied to and I really wanted her to have this Home Study info on our family in order to possibly see what children would be a good fit for us.  It killed me but I realized my micromanaging was getting out of control so I had to step back and give the reigns back to the One who is in control and loves us, has faith in us, and is just as excited as we are! Even though micromanaging *is* my spiritual gift! 

Back to the window - boy, has that been an interesting process!  We decided on the location and figured Tim had to dig about 8 feet down in order to have room for rock under the window for rain drainage.  Boy that looked like a lot to dig!  We gave a call to a very good friend in the excavating business and sure enough they had a small digger and would be happy to come dig it for us = HUGE! When she got here last Friday she had a note in her hand.  She said she was talking with her family about Tim renting the saw to cut the concrete wall for the window and they all agreed it would be much.... 'better' to have it done! Mind you, Tim is amazing, very handy and can do most anything house-improvement related.  But this must be a major thing because literally 100% of the people we talked with suggested having it done but with the cost involved in that, Tim was willing to give it a whirl.  Well, Susie had already made the call and set it all up for us = $0. With an added donation for the window and whatever that U-shaped thing is called that goes in there too = $0 so far.  We will be bringing some rock in to put in the hole but I can't imagine that will cost much either.  Loving our family here thats for sure!  I'll post some pics at the bottom of the post, kind of interesting.

#haitianbycrofts puzzle has been such a fun thing.  We really didn't spend much time promoting it but the purpose really isn't as much for fundraising as it is for participation.  We have had SO MUCH love and support shown to us through this process that we are utilizing the puzzle for remembering.  For each $10 donation we put your name on the back of a puzzle piece. Once it is filled we put it together  and will frame it in between glass so that we can always see the names of our friends/family.  We just think it will be cool for the kids to be our age and have a tangible piece like this to reflect on.

In between all of the hubub we have begun our get out of school soon (June 11), wedding/graduation season. We even took the kids to Six Flags on Saturday and had a blast!  My mom got us season passes for Christmas last year so we will be utilizing those a lot! Yes, I am a coaster mom, I love it!  Living this close to Six Flags and Lake Michigan make for interesting day trips!

Here are some pics from the window project -