McKinley's Razzle Dazzle

We opened Christmas with my side of the family so I can finally show off a completed block of the month. She turns 13 in the Spring so her baby quilt is now replaced with this one for her remodeled bedroom.

Too bad they don't live closer as I would have a great babysitter for Wade. She is going to help me make his scrapbook for his 100 good wishes quilt.

Banjo loves the pack house

From this vantage point he can watch both driveways and keep tabs on all the other critters that come and go! He will be diss appointed once GP replaces this missing glass.

Christmas 2012

This may very well be our last time to spend such a low key and quiet Christmas Day. Next year there will be a two year old in the mix!

Can you sing along with the youngest nephew....All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth. They are actually coming in but on top of one another. Hope he gets used to the orthodontist's chair.

We decorated a train cake again with their neighbors and then had dinner at the cabin. We gave them straws that could be taken apart and rebuilt (kind of like Legos) so that kept them entertained a while.

I have making Wade a quilted stocking on next year's to do list and look what Santa found for me! A light saber tooth brush that glows red for a minute while you brush!

I will have to wait to post the Brendle family picture as its not on my camera. We were even able to talk a few minutes with Joe in Afghanistan albeit not a great connection. Skype was probably getting a work out on Christmas Day. Maybe next year both Joe and Wade will be with us on Christmas.

Care package ready to go!

Daddy is putting labels on our pictures in Chinese so the Nannies can show Wade his new family. We are also sending a toy truck, a warm fleece outfit, and a quilt that will match the ones in his room when he gets home. I took a Sharpie and wrote his Chinese name on the back corner. We were warned that it may not make it to him or back to us but that's ok. We will also send a disposable camera so maybe they can take some photos for us.

This will be the orphanages first indication that he has a family and explains it may still be several months before we can travel to get him. Our next box will also include something for his Nannies. I know they are spread thin but pray they can give each child there just a little affection each day. We will pick him up in the capital city of Henan so won't get to actually see where he spent his first 16 months of his life. That may actually be better for me....

Old Salem Candle Tea

I always question while in line if the wait is worth it......but listening to the carols played on the organ, sipping love feast coffee, and hearing the story from Luke about the birth of my Savior always confirms....Yes!

Sis and I took the boys...they helped these two little Moravian girls sing Away in the Manger and Alden had his first sip of coffee.

Go Postal and I also saw the 5th grade chorus present the Christmas program at SW elementary. Next year he is off to middle school. Wow

Banjo on the mend

Banjo got beat up again by the neighborhood bully cat so it's another week of antibiotics while his face heals. I told him he can sit on the couch if he stays on the quilt....and just like a defiant child he got "under" the quilt.

Last night he was "helping" Go Postal go through old files.

We are no longer leaving any food outside so maybe the other cat will loose interest in coming over. Or we need to develop a water gun backpack for Banjo because he obviously is not a good fighter.

First Care Package

Go Postal and I have a date tonight that starts with a trip to Baby's R Us. We have been there before together...but it's different this time, we are shopping for Wade. He needs a soft photo album and a new car/tractor to go with his quilt that will be sent with his first care package. I think that store will have an entirely new appeal this visit. Can I park in the expectant Mother's spot???

Old Eyes

I have been dreading this day....but it's time to face the facts, I need bi-focals. But I really don't want to wear glasses...so I am trying out concentric bi-focal contact lenses.

Hopefully my brain will get used to the retraining involved quickly.

Thanksgiving 2012

A bad cold virus kept middle sister's family in Georgia this weekend so we will look ahead to our Christmas gathering to catch up. We did still have 13 in the barn for the mid day feast! And we were thankful for great weather. On Friday we got to take everyone on a plane ride over Boonville. It was the first time the boys had flown and they were thrilled to pick out the cabin, church and other landmarks from the sky.

We also tried to get some current photos to send with Wade's first care package.

Mary and I made our Black Friday pilgrimage to Target. The hour and a half wait to check out gave us plenty of time to catch up. Now I am just tickled there are two more days to the weekend!!

Nothing like a deadline

We are having all my family in about 40 hours from now but Go Postal insisted on getting the molding up in the sewing room. I do LOVE the yardsticks. It was way easy to find the studs....when you know they are every 16". We needed some trim to hide some flaws in the Sheetrock but they weren't quite enough. So we improvised with some crown molding too. The room is still a big unorganized mess but we are getting there. But tomorrow night, I must clean and start cooking!!!

Zion NP

A conference in Las Vegas gave us an opportunity to visit Zion....one of my favorite places EVER! This canyon of sandstone cliffs was formed over millions of years by the Virgin river. I wanted to take Mike to Angel's Landing. I first discovered this hike on the first Mother's Day I spent after losing Mom. I was also out for a conference and started up this trail by myself. I have never been on such a challenging or rewarding hike. After climbing about 1400 ft across very narrow spines (aided by chains) you reach the top and can see the entire canyon floor. I took Dad back the next year and now about ten years later I got to show Go Postal.

We still got to see some Fall color near the river and saw mule deer, turkeys, fox and chipmunks. Now on to the wildlife viewing Las Vegas.

Its a Boy!

 

Mike and I are thrilled to announce we have accepted a match!  Our little guy is from the Henan province and has already had his cleft lip repaired.  I am sorry that I can't post his picture, but until we are much further down the path I am not comfortable doing that on any social media.  But if you email me I can give you a peek.

His first birthday is in a few hours....November 1st, but I feel like it is us that is getting the birthday present. 

We will know more about our timeline in the next few weeks, but we are told to expect a 5-7 month timeframe before we can travel to China to bring him home.  Until then, we pray "Wade Michael" will get good care and can feel the love and prayers of his forever family halfway across the world.

Oh happy day. TJ's is open

I walked over to the store today. Yes it was crowded, yes they has my favorites. They spotted a verteran shopper right away and gave me a tote! 19 cent bananas every day!!! Call me a doofus is you want Scott Sexton but they are awesome!

Who will break the news to Banjo

The new sectional has arrived....and no kitties (especially with claws and an occasional attitude) are allowed.

Maybe Go Postal will find space downstairs to put the old couch...just for Banjo, he loves it so!

A different perspective

Go Postal and I did normal stuff this weekend. Went to Carrowinds on Saturday for Krispy Kreme's family outing, hit Mary Jo's in Gastonia, and took an afternoon hike on Sunday.

What's different? We bought quilt fabric for the twin beds that will be used by our son or daughter, left Carrowinds with a stuffed Charlie Brown and Snoopy (to match the quilts) and stopped to talked to several folks carrying babies in hiking backpacks about their comfort
etc.

Changes they are a commin' but we are ready!

Change of Plans

Unfortunately , Los Lonely Boys are having to cancel the following shows October 18 – Atlanta, GA – The Loft October 19 – Shelby, NC – Don Gibson Theater October 20 – Charleston, SC – Southern [...]

We have a non refundable hotel room in Shelby tonight so we will make the most of it! More time at Mary Jos!!!

We hope Jo Jo's health issues clear up and we will see them next time they come our way.

Her fight is over

And we are all sad to see her go. She was such a testament to faith, hope and love. Cancer may have won this battle.....but she now dances Cancer free with her Heavenly Father. And please continue to remember her parents and big brother in the coming days...... Love you Meme

Mary takes eleven years off

The last time my sister Mary and I rode the singletrack trails at Tanglewood she was pregnant with her oldest but didn't know it yet. He is now 10 and a half. She didn't do too bad today and was mainly along to make sure I didn't get her boys hurt.... because I can't honestly say she likes biking.

So when they ask aunt Leanne to take them "in the woods" I can't say no because I know how fast those ten years have gone by and I won't be the cool aunt for much longer.

The deer at Tanglewood have become so used to people they almost stop to pose for photos. And yes they are putting up all the Christmas lights can you believe Halloween is just a few weeks away??

Waiting

I really thought our LID was going to break the log jam of waiting for a match. Our friends had seen three files before they got to this point. It's been two weeks and nothing yet, but I have been assured by our agency there is nothing wrong....just fewer files released lately by China and that puts us a little farther back in line. So we probably won't travel in Feb and it now looks more like March it April. I guess the only silver lining to waiting longer is if we don't get home with our little one until June I will qualify for the adoption assistance here at Krispy Kreme (you have to be employed 12 months to qualify) and family leave time. But we hope it won't drag out that long.

In the mean time we are getting rock added to the base of the barn, a new hot water system, painting the bathroom, adding new back door and steps off the screen porch and adding the baseboards and window trim to the quilt room (all before my family comes for Thanksgiving)

In addition there is a trip to Zion NP and Vegas in November and two peanuts quilts to make. I am not very patient but do know how to stay busy.

Got to just accept that this whole process is on God's timeline and not mine.

Sanders Ridge Zipline Fundraiser

Just look how much fun we had yesterday! The guides donated their time so that all the proceeds yesterday went to Meme Brown's medical expenses. Trish (Go Postal's little sis) had never been zipping before...I think she started out a little nervous but she commented it was nothing compared to what Meme was enduring. The latest news we got was that Meme had to be moved to the ICU to get help with her breathing. We continue to pray for her and her family.

Found time on a rainy Saturday...

Sometimes changed plans can open up a window of productivity! My plans for the weekend changed and I got a free afternoon and evening We decided to hang our wedding picture over our bed but it looked so dull against the white wall. So after testing a pretty blue grey for weeks we got it finished yesterday during the rain. I also had been searching for just the right sized bed skirt. It had to have a 21" drop and split corners to fit our bed. I would love to know more about the history of this bed. It once was a rope bed, then was spliced and enlarged to fit a double mattress. We then bought special rails so it could fit my queen sized Sleep Number mattress. It still sits high so we will have to be careful in about six months when I hope there are some Saturday morning tickle/snuggle sessions.

Design help please

It's time to buy furniture for the quilt studio. This corner where the tv is will be like a family room. We have finally found a sectional that doesn't completely swallow you up when you sit on it. The manufacturer is in N Wilkesboro so if we order this weekend we take advantage of Salem Creeks sale prices and should have it in time for Thanksgiving.

The sectional will almost make a U while will help define this space. The braided rug is moving into the cabin under the kitchen table.

I auditioned several colors but think I am leaning towards red. This green wasn't bad either. There are some samples below. The red that looks like courderoy? Is soon soft and should wear well but it looked a little orange under our lights. The other red is a better shade and looks quilted but more expensive. I told her I was going for whimsical since this big room has so much going on and she suggested the fish print for some pillows.

So what do you think? I plan on changing up with quilts of course too as the seasons change that's why I think the fabric should be a solid.

What a nice suprise

The ski club surprised me with a lifetime membership at tonight's meeting. Like the quilt guild this club has given me some of my closest friends (including my husband). Look at the attention to detail on my certificate......a patchwork border and the statement that I am---the very fabric of the club-----

Praying for Meme

We have a 21 year old in our church that has been battling ovarian cancer now for almost four years. Her bright smile and sweet spirit would almost lead you to believe she is not sick most of the time. But the last few weeks have been extremely tough. They found out this fourth round of chemo is not having the results the doctors had hoped and she is in a lot of pain.

We watched our cat Banjo struggling with an abscess last night that had been drained. He was still trying to get over the effects of sedation and just wouldn't settle down. I started to tear up thinking about Meme's parents. How totally helpless you must feel watching your child in pain. So yes Meme needs our prayers....but I won't forget Sharon and David either.

This link was set up by her cousin and tells you more about her. Go Postal and I will be going to Zip Line on Sunday Sep 29th for a fundraiser for her at Sanders Ridge in Boonville.

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/229931?i=emal

And I will be getting my toenails painted teal in her honor. September is teal toes month for ovarian cancer awareness.

So come on my praying friends....help me lift up Meme and her family for strength during this battle!

Dossier to China (DTC)

We were notified today that our dossier has been translated, bound, and is on its way to China. Once there a representative from our agency will hand deliver it to China's Children's Welfare office where we will wait for the next big milestone.....our Log In Date (LID). Once we have a LID a child referral shouldn't take too long.... Keep Go Postal, I, and toddler Brendle in your prayers as now it's becoming a reality!

Sewing skills!

So glad Mom made me learned to sew. Not to mention how that blossomed into a love of quilting and all the cherished friendships I have with quilters....I just got a pair of Gap Khakis for Go Postal for $10 because they had a small opening in the seam. Cha Ching!!!

Remembering those who serve

I tease a lot about moving to the country but it's really a nice place to call home. Take this event on Sunday evening....the local volunteer fire department has an open house and blood drive in memory of 9/11. The blood mobile had more donors than they could handle and our friends and neighbors enjoyed a bluegrass band and hot dogs. I know a lot of city folk might not think this sounds fun but it was. And gave us a chance to Thank our local (all volunteer) group of firefighters that stand ready to serve us whenever the call might come.