We are enjoying the last lazy days of summer before the kids go back to school. Today we are going to a playdate with cousins and then a sleepover at my sister' house. I guess we are trying to cram as much as we can before the regular routine starts.

For adoption stuff:
-we are almost finished our profile that T.'s sister is creating for us. Which looks Awesome!!

-Still waiting for our homestudy to get approved by the Alberta Government. I think it is still being approved by our agency (CAS) director and then it will be sent to the Alberta Government.

-Waiting for Citizenship part 1 to come back and confirm that I am a Canadian Citizen so that when we get to South Africa we can complete part 2 for our child or children.

-Making baby and kid quilts for the orphanage in South Africa. The Reason that I am starting these now is because when we get "THE CALL" (our Referral) we will be preparing to travel to South Africa in 3 weeks. So in that busy 3 weeks I will need to make travel arrangements, hotel arrangements, school arrangements, prepare rooms for the child or children coming home from South Africa, Shop for clothes for the new children  or child. and pack for our trip. Then we will be staying in South Africa for 3-4 weeks. So if I have the quilts made before then I will have more time for all the other stuff I will need to get ready. It will be a busy exciting time, but until then we wait.

We made this lemon herb roast chicken for supper the other night

(which was Sooo Good)

But the K-man wanted this instead...

Please pray for my Auntie Lisa.

She is in intensive care and fighting for her life.

Pray for a miracle, Pray for their family and pray for the doctors.

Love Dilly

What have we been up to?

Wow we have had a busy past week. Here is what we have been up to and sorry about not posting.

• Made salsa with T.
• Looked at every disc of pictures I have. Looking for the best pictures for our adoption profile.
• The kids had swimming lessons every morning last week so we have been at the pool bright and early.
• The summer reading program that both kids were in (on different days, of course!) ended with a wind up and petting zoo.
• Me and T. went to get fingerprinted, Twice (for adoption)
• K-man went to a birthday party
• I forgot our dog grooming appointments so had to reschedule them for 2 different days. They ended up getting shaved and look. DIS-gust-ING!
• Went to church and hit up a garage sale after.
• Went to the city for the adoption picnic. Where we met with lots of families that have already adopted from all over the world. It was great for our kids.
• Went to Cirque de Soleil show. which was so amazing to see and fun for the whole family. If you can go, you should go. any price tickets would good.
• Celebrated my brother's birthday with him before he left on holidays.
• Filled out Citizenship papers, got certified copies made and mailed them (for adoption)
• Get a new bank card because somehow in all this craziness I lost mine.
• Yesterday we drove and visited 2 sets of grandparents
• Hit up Fabricland and bought a ton fabric because I get a little over excited and have been sewing like crazy. Only have had on sewing accident so far.

So today I have to take care of my house that has been neglected due to all this. On today's list I have to go to:

• Go to Farmer's Market for groceries
• Dust, sweep and mop floors
• Never-ending laundry
• clean microwave
• clean bathrooms and toilets
• Water plants
• Check the house that we are house-sitting, feed cats and water plants
• Cut quilt squares
• Clear off clutter that has collected on the counters

What do you think that I will Actually get accomplished today?

Here are some photo's of the past week. in no order at all! Enjoy.

Project: Baby Quilts

      I have decided to start making baby/kids quilts to take with us and donate to the orphanage when we go. This is quite an under taking as I don't sew. Well actually I didn't know how to sew until a couple of days ago, Tuesday to be exact. I had my first sewing lesson by my mother in law and have now finished 2 rag-time baby quilts. I must say that my first quilt is actually much better than my second quilt. I guess with the second one I thought I "Knew" what I was doing and got a little rushed. It really is a good thing that T. knows how to thread and operate a sewing machine when I mess it up. LOL
  
  Jumping Jack has finished her first blanket too. Hers are soft fleece ones where you cut and tie the edges. she picked out the materials by herself and is excited to be able to give them to other kids.

     If this is a project that you feel drawn to and would like to participate that would be a great blessing. The blankets could be crochet, knit, sewn, it doesn't matter. They can be any size, baby or kids, girls or boys. They just need to be made with love. oh and not to heavy as it is warmer in South Africa than here! Please don't feel that this is something that you have to do, as we will be collecting other things to take later on. This is just one thing that I am doing while I'm waiting. (Not that I don't have enough to do but... hey it's different.)

Our little K-man is sick. I had to take him to the ER last night because his fever would not go down. He kept telling me that his brain hurt (headache) and his swallow hurt (throat). So 2 hours later, I find out he has tonselitis. Poor guy! So he is on meds and laying on the couch today.

Jumping Jack did her babysitting course last week. She is excited to start babysitting and says that she is saving up for a scooter for when she is 14 and can drive. I know that she will be a great babysitter because she likes children and is very helpful.

I received the South Africa Adoption Manual from MOT last week. It is a 1.5" binder that I have read and highlighted. I now have questions as to what do I do next? I know that we have to make a profile. Which is 2-4 pages of writting and photo's that show and tell our family. I am having a hard time getting started on this because I feel that I have done so much writing about us for the homestudy and our biograhpy for applications that I just don't know what to write or include. And I have never done this before so don't really know what to do. They have include a sample so I guess T and I just have to sit down together and get it written. Luckily I have copies of all the other questionaires that we filled out so I have all the information I just have to do it.

I know that a lot of you have questions and we really don't mind you asking. We will try to answer you the best that we can. I now that sometimes it is hard because you might feel that you don't know the proper terms to use. That is ok because we are just learning too. I will include a list of proper adoption terms when I find them.

Here are few questions I have been asked:
     -Will the children be black or brown? Yes they will, and this term is okay with me right now. I know that it is difficult to know how to ask.
     -Is it expensive? Yes it is. You have to pay all agencies involved, social workers, governments, paperwork, lawyers, flights and a donation to the children's home for the child's care.
     -How long will it take? I am told it could take 18 - 24 months after are paperwork is sent to South Africa. I really hope that it doesn't take that long but i don't really know because there are lots of steps involved.

If you have more questions just email me or write a comment,
Thank you, and keep praying for us. Love, Dilly