Crafting weekend

This weekend has been a nice change of pace.  I got to spend most of the weekend doing different crafts.  Yesterday my mom, 6 year old niece (Rhiannon aka Sass) and I went to Hobby Lobby for a craft supply run.  These always turn out way more expensive than they should.  Anyway, we went back to my parents' house and started on the first craft project.....double strand lace or ribbon headbands (thank you pinterest).  Rhiannon loved doing this and decided that these are "princess" headbands.  These are super easy to make and we ended up making 12.  2 for Rhiannon, 2 for M, 2 for my other niece Scarlett, 4 for my coordinator's girls and 2 for me. 

Rhiannon showing off the top view of her "princess" headband

Some of the headbands we made

Me modeling one of my headbands....my hair usually isn't that curly by the way.

Then today I made Easter treat bags for some special kids I know in the Chicago area and some in Indiana (again another idea from pinterest).  I must admit I'm not sure what I did before I had my Cricut....it just makes life so much easier.

I made 10 treat bags today

Filled with goodies....now just to get 2 boxes and get them sent off to the kids.

March ups and downs

I don't know about the rest of you, but it has just been beautiful here.  Warm temps in the 70's and even 80's....gentle spring rains and a few thunderstorms.  The grass is green and flowers are blooming.  I love the colors of spring and the different flowers that bloom this time of year.  It has been a beautiful March outside.  I know that my paperwork made it to the MOJ the beginning of the month and I continue to wait for word that a court date had been set.  I have continued to prepare for M and have even sent her pictures of her room to help her prepare.

This month has also been very difficult....

Waiting for news about the adoption process is HARD....almost painful at times.  Unfortunately I have also had other issues come up in my life....which is one of the reasons I have been more quiet.  Just over 2 weeks ago things turned upside down....my college friend sent me an message late one night...a message that didn't sound like her normal.  I was rather worried and in the back of my mind, I feared the worst....the next day that fear was confirmed, her cancer is back.  This time instead of being in her breast it is in her bones.  Not only that but the next day she was going into surgery to fix the 2 fractures in her spine that were caused by the cancer and putting her in extreme pain.  She made it through the surgery well, only to be told that her bones were softer than expected.  In the following days we also learned that the cancer is throughout her bones and will be a life long battle, no treatment will completely kill this cancer and the approach the doctors are taking just doesn't feel like enough.....Needless to say this was a big blow.  I know that that my friends will seek out the best help and course of treatment (alternative or traditional) they can find, but it is very scary and sad to think about a 33 year old wife/mom/friend being in the battle of her life.  It is heartbreaking realizing that her husband and son might have to live without her sooner than they should have to.  At the same time I am amazed at her positive approach to this, even though I know she is scared and worried about her little boy growing up without his mommy.  Currently she is undergoing radiation...which does help her feel better.  Please pray for my friend and her family....I want her to have many happy years and memories with her family and friends, but I know it isn't in my hands...I have no control over the situation.
Needless to say this has been a very hard month.........

A girl who needs a home

My friend Viviane is trying to help "B" find her forever family.  "B" lives in Eastern Europe and needs a family.  She is a beautiful girl with lots of potential.  Check out Viviane's blog and some pictures of "B".  Let's help "B" find her family!

http://martiniadoptionroad.blogspot.com/2012/03/meet-b.html

M's room

Today my mom came over with the desk and mattress for M's room.  I had been storing them at my parent's home while I painted and we just waited for a nice weekend.  I wanted to do it last weekend, but then we had snow on Friday, so we put it off till this weekend.

The boys enjoying the bed....I love the headboard!

Libby was checking out the new pillows

Just chillin on the M's bed

Had to shut the cats out of the room to get a picture without them on the bed.  Every time I would move one off a different one jumped up on it!

Pink, Pink, and more Pink!!!!

The desk I found for M...love it, it's hand made out of walnut, just beautiful!

Dresser in it's new place

closet full of clothes

M asked for Barbies, so here is what is waiting for her.  I took a picture of it because she hasn't seen one yet.

Yes, they invaded the room again!

They are all looking at the camera...that never happens!

In some ways the last month quickly flew by, in other ways it feels like it dragged on and on.  I have been waiting to hear about my Article 5 letter most of the month of February.  I did find out that the Bulgarian agency was going to have the interview at the US Embassy on Tuesday in order to get my Article 5 letter.  Still waiting to hear that they got it and that it is being translated. 

This time of waiting has been difficult.  I know that M is waiting anxiously for me to come back for her.  This wait is different for older children.  They understand that their new parents are coming back for them.  They have seen this happen with friends who have been adopted.  So, they wait....wondering which day their family will come to get them.  One of the questions that M asked on our last day together was, when would I come back for her.  I told her I hoped it would be in April or May.  I am still holding out hope and praying that it works for me to get her in May.  Although, if I could I would leave today to get her...heck I would go just to see her right now!  But I can't and so I'm stuck waiting, preparing things for her and missing her like crazy.  Here are a few things that I have recently gotten for M's room.  I just love the color the walls turned out...it looks great with the bright pink accessories that are in the room.

M's headboard that came this week

A bear one of the teachers I work with made for M.....not sure what is going on with my camera, might have to think about getting a new one sometime soon