So how do you fill your time waiting for adoption news?

My head is spinning..... why is it so that I LOVE being busy?? Project after project, I love to complete things and move on to the next. Here is just a bit of what we've been up to....

-refinanced the house -- with rates this low, who can pass it up! Plus we drastically were able to reduce our loan terms, etc.... gathering more paperwork, pay stubs, tax returns.

-priced home and car insurance - one great way to save some money to cover the higher house payment -- (given the lower term)! - Talked to several insurance people...finally got a price and policy we liked... (did you know many policies have coverages for things you DON'T own...like a golf cart or rare coins...really?? - and they say - "oh, that's just part of this premium policy"....but I don't want to pay for insuring things I will never own.

-spent about 6 weeks looking for a car for Brad. Our old car had over 200,000 miles and it was time for a switch.... almost every night after work we drove every car known to man... finally did decide on a used Acura with low miles and great price --- BUT had to go to Indianapolis to buy it! (4 hour drive)

-sold our old car to a wholesale dealer - after getting several bids from others - running around Lex... talking to people that might want to buy it.

-updated home study -- paperwork, paperwork, paperwork - means, gathering tax forms again, filling out financial info., had home study visit with social worker - as paperwork comes in on background checks...scan to social worker... visit doctors AGAIN - you know they won't sign you are healthy without seeing you....even though you've had NO reason to visit them in the last year... so you more than likely are quite healthy.

-working on ladies small group at church... we are studying the book and video series "Made to Crave" -- it is absolutely fabulous -- totally enjoy spending time doing this... reading scripture - making handouts, and also mirror words of encouragement for the ladies.

-couples small group once a week - working on disciplines of prayer and bible study -- this takes time folks -- needs to make the priority list of our days.

-volunteering at Joshua's school - love this too - don't get to do it every week - but every other Tuesday is great fun.

-oh yea, and my mom is considering buying a house or renting -- to get a little closer to us -- now she's about 15-20 minutes away -- and although it's still in the same city - would be nice to be a bit closer -- no one wants to drive over for a quick minute when it's 30 minutes round trip. -- so looking at houses, researching auctions, foreclosures (you know we are Dave Ramsey people - and LOVE a bargain!)

-did I mentioned Joshua being sick?? oh yea, in bed...throwing up -- so extra laundry, extra trips to the grocery for foods and drinks we normally don't carry - like gatorade, sprite, saltine crackers, etc. Doctor visit - the one that always says, "it's a virus...do the BRAT diet" - ok, here is $60....ugh! (although we love our doctor...it's frustrating)... THEN he goes to school after being out for 4 days...is at school about 1 week and 2 days...and guess what, he's sick again with the same thing....and we do it all over again... more cleaning up in the middle of the night -- more laundry.

-trying to fit in walking at the YMCA every night! - this is SOOO beneficial to my head clarity -- can you tell it's been a week or so since I've had a chance to go????

-BSF Bible study - love this - but it seems it get a rush job - right before the next week when we share answers and discuss...lectures by Teaching Leader is what keeps my feet on the ground.

-Monthly adoption support group meeting - wouldn't miss this for anything - it is great to learn from other parents. This month's topic was Transracial adoptions... was fabulous - and got a GREAT tip - one family had an electronic picture frame scrolling of pictures from Ethiopia when they got home - her children (yes, that's multiple adoptees)... would go up to the picture and watch pictures from home... she said it was a great way to give them something familiar. Plus she said they loved seeing the pictures from there too.

-reading adoption blogs - trying to keep up with friends - praying for other families in the process

-sharing the days "highs and lows" with my hubby - and trying not to let life take over our marriage

-reading books and playing with Joshua - family game night, puzzles, reading for school, practicing sight words, tracking down library books, making sure books are in backpack when needed to be returned to school, separating school library books from the public library books..... we do alot with books, managing books, sorting books, stacking books, reading books - Joshua doesn't leave the public library with fewer than 10-15 books---- we love books :-0!

-did I mention laundry???

-plus we both work full time! Seriously, are we crazy or what??? I'm sure I'm missing some things - but putting things all on paper (computer :) - like this, really makes me think..... is Satan dancing??? - because a family THIS busy surely can't be also maintaining a minute by minute realtionship with God, can it? We really need a period of quiet....and while this all helps pass the time of the adoption wait...the best thing for us right now is finding a structure that simplifies life. Thankfully most of the items above are over and are not part of our ongoing routines... but seriously, we need to be guarded that something else doesn't take its place.

Soooo on this cold and rainy day, I plan to throw in some laundry, do a bit of Bible study and small group prep, and hang out with my J-man until Brad gets home from his men's retreat this evening. Tomorrow - the day of Sabbath - I love my afternoon Sunday naps.

Little Miss Lauren, I can't wait to have you at home...when I can take my leave from work and do NOTHING else other than be your mom!