not to us

I've spent this week organizing our home and belongings. By "organizing", I mean that I'm getting all of our various items into the rooms in which they belong.  Along the way, I'm pitching the things that have no use nor purpose.  So far, I've gathered three trashbags full of junk...just junk.  Things that are not even fit for Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

In a matter of six months, we were certainly able to collect plenty o' trash.  And I've only done half of the house!

Speaking of six months, I've learned some new information about our mortgage.  No need for details, but suffice it to say that I am unhappy with Lafayette Bank and Trust.  They'll not be getting our repeat business when it is finally time to refinance.

I spent a good portion of today making calls and paying bills.  That's truly no fun.  But it's mostly done now, and it makes me feel a whole lot better.  :)  Of course, as soon as I called the last doctor's office, the postman arrived...with a brand new medical bill.  :)

Life without Facebook is really good.  Honestly.  It was a wonderfully healthy and beneficial decision for me.  I'm ashamed to admit how incredibly oblivious I was to the amount of time that Facebook was stealing from my days.  Yuck.

We're gearing up for a big weekend.  Tonight, we'll call and say, "Goodbye!" to the Skidmores.  They will board a plane at 4:00 a.m. and head for Africa.  Within the next 48-72 hours, they will meet and hold their new son, Addai Jacob Skidmore.

Sarah and I are *anxious* to share his picture with you all.  However, she wants to be cautious and have him in her arms before she posts any of his information online.  She has promised to try to get word to me once it's all-clear.  :)

If you'd still like to support the Skidmores, they have a final fundraiser going on right now.  To help with the final costs of travel and Addai's Visa paperwork, they are selling t-shirts through AdoptionBug.com.  A good percentage (up to 45%) of each t-shirt (depending on the design) will be given to Zach and Sarah to help cover their adoption expenses.  :)

My sister-in-law, Kim, designed the white and brown "Adopt Africa" t-shirts.  When Zach and Sarah arrive with Addai in their arms in two weeks, our family will be waiting in the airport for them, proudly wearing our matching shrits!!  :)  (We'll be there along with all of Zach and Sarah's family, as well!)  :)

I promise to have pictures for you as soon as it's safe and secure.  :)  Thank you so much for all of your support up to this point.  I can't describe my feelings of gratitude for the part you've played in this adventure.  :)

Tomorrow, we'll be spending time as a family.  Saturday we've got our second foster care training session.  And Sunday?  We've got a day full of time with our Elston family.  Always good, *always* good!  :)

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!  I love you!