Time for our big trip!

Sorry for the delay in posting. I have been a little busy getting all out documents ready for our first trip to Ghana. We leave on the 7th of July which is a week from today. My arm is still sore from all the shots I got on Monday. I think we'll be protected from most things except Denge fever which there is no vaccine or medication for. I think I'll be going through a lot of bug spray! I had no idea how many illnesses there could be curtailed if they figured out how to control the mosquitos. We are packing two large suitcases full of notebooks and pencils, clothes, jolly ranchers, and toys to donate to the kids in the village and of course gifts for Stephani. I want to get her family something but I'm not sure what to get. Yes I will be meeting her biological family. I am totally nervous about that. On Saturday we will travel to the village where Stephani was born. I get to hand out the clothes, toys, school supplies, and the candy to the children there. I am looking forward to that. I am sure this trip will be life changing. The hotel we are stying in looks really cool. The only thing is that there are lizards that come into your room. At least it's not snakes. ;) There is little hot water and the beach that will be very close is too dirty for us to swim in although I've been told that all the locals still swim there on the weekends. We are not supposed to go anywhere at night. We have to keep cash on us and copies of our passports under our clothes. It's hard not to get a little nervous about all those things. We aren't supposed to eat anything from vendors on the street and of course we can't drink the water or have any ice or anything that hasn't been cooked that we haven't washed with bottled water. I'm not a very clean maticulous person so I am just expecting to get sick. I've packed a lot of imodium.
Well I guess that's all. Wish me luck. I probably won't post until we get back because I'm a little busy getting ready. Have a great day!!!!

Workin'

I have good news. Boy #1 got a job! yeah!!!!!! He starts on Friday at Shopko. I am so glad. He is really excited too but a little nervous. He's going to do great!
I had a lovely morning with a quiet and yummy breakfast all to myself. The kids stayed up late last night and are sleeping in. It's kind of nice. I like having some quiet time in the morning to read my scriptures and pray and just think. It helps me have a better day. They are still sleeping =) I was a grump last night due to lack of sleep so I opted to not watch the movie. I think they stayed up till like 1. Crazy!
Well I hope all of you are having a good moment right now. If not make a good moment happen. =)

Baptism Day!

Isn't this the cutest? Boy #3 always makes this face when I try to take his picture. We had a great weekend. A lot of the family came to celebrate with us. Both grandparents came and three aunts and uncles and their families. Even my father-in-law's cousin came. We had so much fun! I love having everyone over. We stayed up way too late, ate way to much and laughed until it hurt. I miss living closer but I love that people who come to visit stay for a few days instead of a couple of hours. It's quiet in the house now which is nice but I already miss the craziness of the crowd. Oh well I'm sure we'll all do it again soon.

Adoption update we will most likely be taking our first trip to Ghana mid July. I am working on visas. Yeah! I have to make us appointments to get all our shots. There are a lot!

I have to put in a plug for my sister's online store. it is designerchildrensboutique.com She just got it up and running so if you want to find awesome quality children's clothes check it out. I know I'll be buying one of the taffeta dresses with the bolero jacket. So cute!!!!!

Well hope all is well with you. Keep your chin up with an energy for life!

One step closer to many things

Well I know I'm a bit obsessed about our adoption but I figure it's just like being pregnant. It is what is happening in my life so get used to hearing lots about adoption and the process. I mean if I was pregnant I'd be telling you about my weird cravings and my swollen ankles so just think of it like that. We have our personal interviews tonight with our social worker for our home study. I'm a little nervous just because I don't know what to expect. I think he is just going to go over the same questions that are on our questionnaire. I hope so. They are questions like what was your relationship like with each of your siblings during your childhood and now? How often do you have contact with each of them? Very personal but not horrible. Luckily we both have good relationships with our families so it shouldn't be to bad.

I've been working on my music again. I don't know if I've blogged about it before. I write music. It's mostly inspirational so I'm hoping I can do something with them. I love singing but I don't have a lot of free time right now so maybe I'll just try to sell them so other artists can use them. I figure God wouldn't inspire me to write them unless he wanted me to do something with them. I'll post more about that as I get more of them done. I'm working on 4 songs at the moment. I'm just trying to get the basic melody written on a program I have. I try to put accompaniment to them but I don't play the piano so it's hard. I will just keep tinkering away at them.

Hopefully I'll have more pictures soon I just always forget to take them anymore. Oh well. Hope everything is going good this morning for you all.

Hello from Hollywood!

So all the boys with boy #1 as the leader have been making all these awesome movies. They are so great. One is just hilarious. I think he is seriously considering studying film which would definately be in line with what he loves. He is actually pretty good. He has been making these funny videos since he was little. We have lots of tape of him doing funny stuff. We keep it around as blackmail. =)
Well we almost have all the paperwork collected that we need for our homestudy. If anyone out there is even considering adopting make sure that you order extra copies of all the adult's birth certificates, marriage certificates, and any other certificate you may have (they take the longest) and get copies of any court procedings even if you weren't convicted. I don't know why but my birth certificate still hasn't showed up yet. Frustrating. I think I will order it again through one of those companies that promise to get it to you in two days. I'm tired of waiting.
Well everyone here is doing gret. Boy #3 is getting baptised on Saturday. It should be great. I will be sure to take lots of pictures. (hopefully I will remember) I am trying to get more done in school. Seriously WGU is the school for busy moms. It is awesome check it out wgu.edu. I am still studying to be an elementary school teacher but I think I would rather teach English. They don't offer it at WGU though so I will just stick with what I am doing for now.
I hope you ll have a great day pursuing your passions in life! (or finding out what they are) =)

Potty training again.

Yeah Boy #5 decided he does like underwear and he's been doing great with the toilet today!!! Yeah that much closer to a diaper free world. Well not really I still have boy#6 and he's only one. I'm just so excited that I may not have to change and buy so many diapers soon.

Adoption update: We had our first home study visit last week and our second is on Thurs. We still haven't received my birth certificate. I am anxious to get it because that means we can start our passport work. I wish I could find my other copy. Oh well. I'm trying to not let it take over our lives because we still have six other children that need my love and attention but it is hard not to get overly obsessed.

Hope all is well with you!

P.S. Check out the blog nieniedialogues.com it will change your life!!!