Been a while!

Wow! I just realized how long it's been since I last posted! Well, for starters Paul's job is going well. He likes the place, the people, and the pay has been decent. This week will probably be the first week that he doesn't get close to 40 hours, but that is okay and that is the nature of his profession. We had our physicals for our adoption, which went well. We are just waiting for the form to be notarized and sent back. We sent in our fingerprints and should have our clearances soon. The work on our house started last week. The dug new footers and put in the concrete. Now they just need to install the new beams. I cannot remember if I posted how much it was but thankfully it is only $4500 for all the work! I was so relieved when I heard that! The last few weeks have just been routine living for the most part. Belle is now potty training big time. She is wearing panties at home. She has some accidents, but does fairly well. She has stopped fighting me so much about going potty. Before she was screaming, stiffening her body and refusing. She has however been throwing more tantrums and screaming in my face. I am working on being more consistent with punishments and consequences. It is very difficult though because there are times where I just don't feel like following through because I am tired. The devil attacks me when I am tired and my fuse is a lot shorter. But I survive and so does Belle. I also went to Women of Faith last week and it was awesome!! I haven't been in three years since I found out I was pregnant with Belle. So the testimonies, advice, and stories I saw in a different light this time. I took parenting and life advice and teaching. And I saw Mandisa in concert again!! She was awesome! I love her! I tried to meet her, but was too late, so I was extremely disappointed by that, but I will see and meet her someday and tell her how much her song "He is with you" affected me and my life. I started training someone at work as well, which I did back in January and did not work out so well, but now is going very well. That's the synopsis of the last few weeks.

I am also working on fundraising for our adoption. We had a "wet hair cut" fundraiser last Sunday and in four hours made $265!! I am also working on making some crafts to sell to make money for our adoption. I have so many ideas about how to make money, but I doubt myself and whether they will actually sell or not. So I think I may post things to Facebook and see if I get interest in them, and maybe do a craft fair. If I don't get much interest then I will not make more and sell more. We have officially chosen a name for our Ethiopian girl. I will wait to post that later since there are restrictions on doing things like that until you pass court and the child is definitely yours. So it will remain a mystery until much later. Paul and I are also thinking this will take much longer than I had anticipated and thought. But all in God's timing. I am guessing that Belle will be 4 by the time we bring our girl home (hopefully!). I know God is preparing us for this and preparing our hearts. I read a blog last night that goes through the adoption process in steps (emotionally) and then the first year. And she hits the first stage and I am sure all of the stages on the head. We are in the stage of dreaming, wanting, and hoping for our little girl. It's like a pregnancy again, but without the body changes, hormones, and the definite arrival date. I am also praying that in the next year or at the very least once we get her home, I can work part time. I think I may have to because of her needs and I don't want to leave her with anyone except family initially until we are adjusted and that could be a year! And God is providing the funds also, not only with fundraising opportunities but everything. I am so excited to see what God has in store for us and our family. God is providing everything we need for our family plus. And if he didn't want this adoption to take place we wouldn't be getting the funds. The only reason I think it really takes so long and you hit bumps in the road is Satan. Satan wants you to suffer and give up, but God does not and will help you through everything if you just trust Him! I trust Him with all of our finances! We have been tithing more since May and He has provided enough even with the job loss, and still enough to put some into savings!

I will try to post again soon and maybe post some of my crafts to sell!!