Sunday, October 11, 2009

M.I.A. - What's Been Going On Around Here

Did you think I vanished? I don't think I've ever gone this long in between posts....ever. I apologize. It's been a different kind of week around here though.

First of all, Colt has had the flu since last Sunday evening (October 4th). He was quite sick with this flu, with body aches and high fevers up to 104 degrees. He missed an entire week of college and work. This is very rare for Colt. For him to stay at home, in bed, for that long, is very unusual. I'm so thankful that he is better and up around and out, finally. He was able to return to work yesterday and to go to church today. Now, we're just praying the rest of the family doesn't get it. Joy is so determined to NOT get it....she won't even go near his room. I suggested she "borrow" a pair of his anklet socks, and she wouldn't hear of going into his room for them! She knows she doesn't have time to get sick! lol!

Next of all, you know from my last post that we are initiating the adoption process. Well, if you know anything about that at all, you know it's alot of paperwork. Any spare time last week was spent in researching medical issues, talking to adoptive parents, talking with our social worker for the homestudy, and the adoption agency, as well as filling out the many forms and papers that are required. We found THE adoption agency for us. We decided to go with B.A.A.S. The lady that is working with us, Xiaoqing, is just wonderful. It makes such a difference to know we have someone like her working with us. It's so obvious that she really cares and she is very efficient. It is also so exciting to know that a child.....our child.....waits for us somewhere in China.

Along with the homestudy, of course, comes a visit to our home from the social worker, so since we made it past Colt's bout with the flu, we began cleaning and organizing our home yesterday. We took, I believe, four or five bags of trash out of just our bedroom and the hall linen closet. It's amazing what we hang onto that we really don't need! So that brings me to the one thing for which I have pictures to show today! We rearranged our bedroom after cleaning and it looks so much better (and bigger) this way. Funny thing was though when Colt came home Saturday night from work and came into our room to tell us goodnight, he was disoriented. Of course, he has come to expect the unexpected from us. He never knows what he'll come home to find....whether it be a wall knocked out, something being painted, crafting spread over the table, or worse. He sat on the side of my bed, looking around, and remarked how he liked it. Not bad for a twenty year old guy. Maybe I trained him well. :)

So, here are some photos of the bedroom rearrangement. Our bedroom is country, but not primitive. Someday it will get a makeover....all in its own time. (However, I do have a little makeover in progress too). I spent my birthday money on giving our upstairs bathroom a new look. We're working on that too. That's another thing we've been up to. Actually Jason has done more on that than me. Joy and I worked on the bedroom, while Jason painted the upstairs bath. I'll share more on that on a later post. Okay, here's the bedroom pics:









So I hope you excuse my absence from blogland this past week or so. I'll try to do better....really. And I've been just as bad about visiting blogs....couldn't there be just a few more hours in a day? It sure is hard to balance it all, isn't it?

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day and a wonderful week! :)
~ Tammy ~

30 comments:

Parsley said...

I hope everyone stays well! Love your room. So cozy.

Can't wait to hear an update on your adoption process!

Lewaina@cliffsideranch said...

I love your bed! I too have been cleaning out stuff in my bedroom. My daughter came and helped me go through my clothes...WOW! how nice my closet looks! LOL We have had the flu and it's been supper nasty! I hope we are done...knock on wood...
I'm excitied about your adoption plans. We have an adopted son. So I am looking forward to following your progress. We also have a daughter that so far has not been able to carry a baby, they have thought some about adopting.
Glad your all feeling back to normal. Stay well! ♥ Mercy

Anonymous said...

I like the no clutter look
in the bedroom.

Pamela
NE Ohio

Felicia said...

I love the room I have been cleaning out too.

Blessed Beyond said...

Hi Tammy,
Glad to hear from you! Glad Colt is better. Poor guy. I'm so excited for yall about the adoption process! It is so exciting. Your room really looks great! I love the bed! It's beautiful!
Hope yall have a wonderful week!
Hugs and Blessings,

Elle Bee said...

Hi Tammy! Loved seeing pictures of your cute bedroom. I'm so glad the adoption process is moving along. All that and a sick son? Well, I think you have a good excuse for being gone!
But you sure were missed. :o)
Elle

Lois Christensen said...

Love the pictures of your room! And like you, I've been busy and haven't had much time for blogging lately! Glad the adoption process is moving along and hoping your son feels better. How awful for him to miss a week of school! Hope he catches up!! Enjoy!

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

Enjoy your "new" room, Tammy. IT looks nice and cozy...

And what exciting news about your pending adoption plans! I hope the journey will be a joyful one for you and your family. Todd's sister and her husband have been pursuing a Chinese adoption for several years now. Their wait has been very long -- and keeps getting longer -- but they are still very anxious and hopeful about becoming parents. What a blessing!

Debbie said...

I love your bedroom... I wish mine were so big and uncluttered looking. One of these days. I really like the stove in your room. Is it an electric heater? Last year we saw some that looked like wood burners and I'm still kicking myself for not finding a way to get one.

I am glad you found an adoption agency that you like. I imagine it could be very fustrating if you hadn't.

Take Care,
Debbie

Kindra-At Home With K said...

I have been missing from blogland for awhile and totally missed your adoption post!! How exciting for you and your family!!

Wendi said...

So glad to hear you found your agency. Each step, no matter how small, brings you closer to your child!

Hope no one else gets the flu!

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Hi Tammy,
Glad your back, took a whole week off myself just had no energy, sometimes we bloggers need that:)

I hope everything goes well with the adoption process, how sweet it will be.

Love your bed and how nice to have a room so large!
Rondell

Anne said...

Wow..you have been busy!! Is that a law for home education in your state to have to be visited by a social worker...wow I guess we get off easy here, Thaey are trying to make things tougher in this arena aren't they? Scarey!!!! Glad Colt is better, praying Joy wont get it!!! Cant wait for more new on your new bundle!!!

Unknown said...

Hope that everyone stays well now! I love the blue colors in your room! I too can't wait to hear all about the adoption, you must be so excited!

Madison said...

The bedroom looks great and I am glad Colt is better! And it is ok to take some breaks during blogging. You feel refreshed and ready to come back and catch up with everyone!

Lynn said...

Tammy, I am sorry about Colt having the flu, but I am so happy that he is back to feeling much better once again, and is able to go back to work and college! This flu that is going around is terrible, that's for sure!

I am glad that your adoption is moving along good!

Your bedroom looks really nice and so roomy! I love your bed & bedding and pillows and wall color!! Your whole bedroom is beautiful!! I've got to go through our bedroom and get rid of alot of things. It is quite amazing how much one can collect over a period of years, and I, especially, have many items that I don't really like or use anymore that is just stashed away somewhere in our bedroom or master walk in closet, that is just taking up some extra space, that I could have otherwise. I'd really have my work cut out for me when I get started on decluttering our bedroom and master closet, that's for sure Tammy! I know I'd probably be busy for several days, no doubt!! (Well, maybe NOT quite that long, but long)...

You and your family stay well now! So good hearing from you... and real glad that Colt is lots better!

Love & Blessings,
~Lynn/OKC

Nancy M. said...

I'm so glad to hear that Colt is feeling better! I hope no one else gets it.

Your room looks awesome! It looks like a great place to rest!

I'm glad y'all found an agency to go through. I hope the process is smooth and not too long. Good luck!

Mandy said...

You've had quite a bit going on! Hope everyone stays well!

I just love your bed. You're making me want to do some decluttering!

horse loving lineman's wife said...

OMG I am so excited!! We have two adopted children and haven't ruled out adopting more. We are getting certified to Theraputic Foster Parenting...and could possibly adopt again...Please keep us updated. I think you and your family are very special!!

Simply Shelley said...

Hi Tammy,it's been a while since I dropped in...I had fun catching up on your blog...hope your son is feeling better very soon..have a blessed week...

Never So Simple said...

Glad to see you back! I love your bedroom redo it looks so inviting and huge! Glad Colt is feeling better. I will email you soon.

Donna

My Colonial Home said...

Hi Tammy - I'm glad Colt is better...it has to be bad if a kid his age is taken down.

Your bedroom looks wonderful! And it's so big....lucky you with so much room.

I pray the adoption proceedings go smoothly for you all.

Gettysburg Homestead said...

So glad to hear Colt is doing better. We have been seeing a lot of swine flu around here. I am actually thinking of getting the vaccine due to my job.

I saw your bed so I just had to come over since that is what I want in my room. Great makeover BTW.

Good luck as always with the adoption.

Mary

Mandie said...

I am glad to hear that Colt is getting better. That junk is going around here too. Your room looks wonderful! It is amazing what a little rearranging will do. God bless you on your journey!

Sharon said...

Glad to hear the Colt is feeling better. I hope that the rest of you manage to miss it.
I love the bedroom photos.
I hope to hear more on how the adoption is coming.
God bless

Birgit said...

I'm so glad to hear that Colt is feeling better and I hope no one else in your family comes down with it.
Your room is very cozy and I love that you have a gas stove in there. I would love to have one in our room!
Congratulations on your choice to adopt again too! I'm just now playing catch up as well, as we've been without a computer for a bit.
How exciting for your family and what love you'll have to give that special little someone. I'll be praying for you.
Hugs~ Birgit

Shelley said...

Your bedrooms looks like such a nice cozy retreat! Good luck and many blessings to you on the adoption process. Hope poor colt feels better soon!

A Bit of Colour said...

Oh glad to hear that Colt is feeling better. Love your room, it is big. I have that same quilt.

Juanita said...

Tammy,
Sorry it has taken me awhile to get back in touch with you. Of course I remember the fall giveaway I won from you last year! I couldn't wait to get it all out again this year. I hope Colt is better. We have our grandchildren here and the both of them are just getting over the croup! I am keeping you and your family in my prayers with the adoption process. Have a blessed day!
Juanita

Amber said...

I was wondering what you were upto! I can totally relate to all the paperwork that comes along with adoption. We've been there, and are still going through it now a year later! Oh, well. It will be worth it in the end!