HAPPY AFRICA DAY!!

Today is Africa day. We're thinking of our little one and listening to Emmanuel Jal. We're excited to teach little Art about his beautiful country and celebrate his culture.

SO close to submitting our home study! Ready for the next step.

SINCE MOTHER'S DAY IS COMING UP...

I thought I would introduce to you Arthur's grandma... well one of them anyway. This is my mom, Katherine, or I like to call her Mama. She is creative, hard-working, smart, funny, so inspiring, incredibly BEAUTIFUL and she just so happens to be single! :)

Here she is in her newly renovated Silver Streak trailer. You can find her selling gourmet popsicles at parties and other happenings across the beautiful Texas Hillcountry.

So, I'm wondering... does anyone know an amazing man that could be her perfect match?

TODAY STINKS...

Maybe it's just that it's been pouring rain all day, but this crazy process is not my friend today. I hate it! I hate that so much time and so much money stand between me and Art right now. I hate that we have to go to great lengths to prove that we are good people! I hate that we have to eat stroganoff every night and pinch pennies when we were otherwise in a great spot financially. And... why does everything take 2 months longer than you think it will? I know that Arthur is worth all this trouble and I know that I'll get my positive attitude back, but today... just stinks.

LITTLE ART'S ROOM!

It's probably a little soon for this, but we can't wait to put Arthur's room together! Currently his room is still very much the guest room, but we've been picking up things here and there to make it more kid friendly. Aaron and I actually have pretty similar taste which is nice, because we both want to have some say in what his room looks like. Aaron found some great art prints last night, and this train track illustration by Toru Fukuda was my favorite!

LITTLE BUMBLEBEE

Many times throughout the day I'll think to myself "I wish Art was here". One time was when Aaron and I were unloading groceries from the car and I thought about one day getting him out of his car seat and taking him inside. And just the other day we were walking the dogs and I said "I wish Art was here. You know in one of those backpack things." Ha! Ok just looked it up. A "Baby Bjorn". Anyway we have these little moments a lot. Well, today I got this sweet email from my husband. I just think it's so cool that we have one of those moments in writing. I know one day he'll get to see it and know our excitement and anticipation for his arrival. We cannot wait!

...oh and Aaron calls me Herdle. If you couldn't tell he's big into nicknames

PART OF AARON'S EMAIL:

I thought of a nickname for Art.
For some reason I wanna call him Bumblebee. :)

I can't wait till he's here. I wanna hold his little hand and put on his

little shoes. We're gonna be a great little family, Herdle. Think of

how much we love him already and we don't even know him.

He's gonna feel like one special little guy.

Our Little Art.

My little Bumblebee! :)

TEGEGNE

Kristyn and Michael brought this little guy home in January. He is adorable! And such a lover! It seems he's adjusting to life in his new home well. We hope to get to hang out with these sweet people again soon! Read more about their story here...

NEW FRIENDS

I am loving this adoption community that we've tapped into since we started this journey. I think I've said that before, but it's just so exciting! It's encouraging to find people out there that share our passion for adoption. I just feel we have friends to lean on when things get tough. One of my newest friends, Rebekka, has just announced that they are adopting a little girl from Ethiopia and want to name her Beda! so sweet :) To help raise money, she's making these adorable aprons especially for little girls. Go get one and help bring little Beda home!