Waiting for a call!

Well, we just found out that we don't have to do anything with our pool, and we are officially waiting for God to give us precious children, in due time.
I know that Karl and I will pass our interviews, our background checks, and such.
The only reserve I had was that we have small children, are young, and our house is still some what in it's "foreclosure" state.
Well, the small children actually isn't a problem at all - and neither is our age.
And now we've just found out our house (aka pool) is totally fine too!
I am so stinkin' pumped.
I wish I had a "due date", a count down, or even a reasonably accurate time line until we'll get a call.
But, unfortunately I don't.
I know that we are waiting on our enrollment,
then we have our big whopper of an interview,
then they send in all the paperwork to be approved.
Then we wait.
So how long - who knows!?
If I had to guess I'd say by Thanksgiving...

Also, by random chance, or God really...
The house next door was bought by my mothers land lord.
He's offered it to them to live in for now, and to buy it when they can.
So, my mom is moving in next door!
I am so excited!
And my dad is a stay at home dad of sorts, and said he'd be happy to help me by being my MANNY!
aka man nanny, for 15-20 hours a week once we get foster kids.

God is awesome.

Family Pictures

Kasey and I swapped family pictures this year.
Thank God with my crazy children (they were both tired and hungry, and cold) we got ONE good one of all of us!

I have only gotten through a handful so I'll post more of my beautiful boy soon....

Things are well..

So, our interview went well.
It was short and sweet.
She kept making comments like "when we get you licensed"
and "we'll still get your license, but..."
So, I have a feeling that she is going to recommend us for licensing even though we're not totally through the process.
She approved the house at surface level,
we just have to get Emergency procedures posted,
detergents, medicines, and cleaners under lock and key,
and smoke and carbon dioxide detectors.
One thing that's hanging in the balance is our pool.
We may or may not have to do one of the following:
Put a 1" chain link fence (4ft high) with child proof gate around the whole pool
Put a 1" chain link fence across the yard essentially creating two parts to the yard
Put any 4 foot tall unclimbable barrier inbetween the pool and the exits of the house
HOPEFULLY we'll be able to just put child proof locks at the top of the doors that go to the back yard for the winter,
and then have our renewed license after the winter contingent upon getting the pool in working shape, and getting the barriers set up.
Considering there are few weeks (and not much money) until winter, the pool is not in working order, and we don't even use the back yard for more than a potty for the dogs... that would be the best option for us....
We'll see.
I went on a wild goose chase calling different people to find out what the "official" rules are, and no one seems to know.
So, it's up to the agency.
Other than that - we got yet some more paperwork and we have 2 more interviews to go!

First home study visit...

We have our first home-interview with our social worker thursday.
I am very nervous.
I'm having my dad come by tomorrow to help me get the house prepared....
I am praying for supernatural productivity and endless grace for our social worker,
in hopes that she'll see our house as the work in progress that it is, and understand that we aren't just leaving it this way.

Two dresses...

I have made two dresses I'd like to sell.

I am still practicing, and honing my skills... so I'm going to sell them for what they cost to make, plus $4 for my time.

They're both Dress-to-Shirt styles that I am trying to tweak - so the deal is that I'd really like to get some feedback on them.

I'm attempting to make a pattern that fits loosely as a dress at first, but then fits as a tighter shirt later.

I've already decided on some changes, but would still like some feedback.

The first one is a size 2T, and the second is roughly 3-6M

I'd like $7 for both of them, and a chance to take pictures of your kiddo in them if anyone is interested...

Pictures soon.

Thanks!

The Dress

Ethan is expirmenting with with drinking from a cup.
He does pretty well.
Mainly he likes blowing bubbles more than drinking.

But, we're tryin'

I made my first dress for Evelyn last night.
I made it a *touch* too small, but not bad for guessing!
I know.... but she was asleep and I didn't want to wake her to measure her.
It fits now, but not for long.

Lots of pictures...

So, a while ago I had Kathy, Linda, their kids, my kids, my brother, and my babysitting kids together at my place to play on Kasey's slip-n-slide.
It was a good time. I was totally captivated by Laney and her fearlessness, so I mainly took pictures of her (not on purpose).
But, isn't she the cutest!?

Then just the other day we met with Kasey, and a girlfriend of hers at the mall.
I didn't bring my flash - so sorry about the horrible picture quality...

Lovers reunited

Takin' control!

Trying to get some lovin' - but Ethan's saving that sweet first kiss for the alter.

And some random pictures: Ethan and Evie were getting in the spirit for halloween

I took some pictures of Evie in our very dark living room last night. She was in a cute mood, so I tried to get it on camera... but she ended up just being very fascinated with the camera.