Okay so changes have begun. I have decided to close my baby boutique. The economy has really hit us hard. People are still shopping, but spending so much less. I just finally got tired of the worry, the headaches, and the constant stress. At times I am almost giddy with the freedom that is on the horizon, and other times I am so scared of what next that a whole new form of panic sets in.
On the one hand, I knew in my heart it was done and I was done and the dream that was the shop was turning into more of a nightmare.
On the other hand, I wonder if I really tried everything, explored every avenue, gave it my all completely because it was so close to making it.
On one hand I will be thrilled to be bringing in money instead of continuing to throw money at the shop.
On the other hand, I have no idea what I am going to do to make that money!
On one hand I am excited about the possibilities of exploring something new,
On the other hand, I have NO idea what I want to do and worry that nothing will come along.
The next few weeks will be crazy. We are on vacation right now, which is good and bad. Good because after I announced the closing, I headed out of town and didn't have to deal with the fall out. But, I am still getting calls and thinking about all that needs to be done. It just sits constantly at the back of my mind. SO while being away and busy has been good, I can't totally escape. Next week, the shop will be closed all week and I will prep it for the final sales. There are two people who are interested in buying it if they can get the financing. That has lots of "on one hand" and "on the other hand" as well. IF that happens, then I really am just about done. And now what? looms pretty big on the horizon. Yieks.
Otherwise, the kids are doing great. We are in Duluth and they are loving the big lake and rock throwing and sightseeing. Eric is teaching at a teachers institute all week, so the kids and I have grand adventures during the day while he teaches, then we meet for evening adventures after that. It has been fun but not too relaxing...the kids just want to go and go and go!
So, now you are caught up. If anyone has any good job ideas...I'll be looking!!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
One Year Ago
A year ago today, we officially became Sunshine's parents in the eyes of the Ethiopian Courts. I remember that day so well and being soo excited to finally share her picture with friends and family! There are so many points along the journey that are worth celebrating, but this one is certainly a biggie! She has changed so much from that little scared, malnourished baby who's eyes showed just a little glimmer of her spunky spirit. Now her eyes sparkle all the time, she sings, and dances and attacks each day with gusto.
It is days like today where I grieve for all she left behind. I ache for those that loved her and made such hard choices for her. And I am soo lucky and thankful they made the choices they did.
It is days like today where I grieve for all she left behind. I ache for those that loved her and made such hard choices for her. And I am soo lucky and thankful they made the choices they did.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Cha Cha Cha Changes....
Yep, there are some changes on the horizon. Can't really go into detail at the moment, but said changes have given me pause to catch my breath, and get excited for possibilities to come (and NO we are not pregnant, adopting again or adding any more mammals to our brood!) I promise more info will come, but keep us in your thoughts as changes are always interesting!
So far July has found us pondering house projects, but not necessarily accomplishing them. We have grand ideas, but the days just seem to get away from us! I did manage to get the boys room done complete with new bunk beds and at least 2 hefty bags of treasures removed! The goal for today is to tackle the toys belonging to the princess. Her birthday is in just a few short weeks and needless to say, the baby toys are no longer needed as she is on to much bigger and better things like baby dolls and shopping carts. So time to sort and pass down, and give away, to make room for more treasures!
The boys continue to thrive. J may eat us out of house and home. He is a sleeping, eating machine right now. I live in fear of him waking up taller than I some morning...not a totally unrealistic fear at that!
So for the moment, that's the story and I am sticking to it. I will feed you more info on changes as they come...just keep us in your thoughts!
So far July has found us pondering house projects, but not necessarily accomplishing them. We have grand ideas, but the days just seem to get away from us! I did manage to get the boys room done complete with new bunk beds and at least 2 hefty bags of treasures removed! The goal for today is to tackle the toys belonging to the princess. Her birthday is in just a few short weeks and needless to say, the baby toys are no longer needed as she is on to much bigger and better things like baby dolls and shopping carts. So time to sort and pass down, and give away, to make room for more treasures!
The boys continue to thrive. J may eat us out of house and home. He is a sleeping, eating machine right now. I live in fear of him waking up taller than I some morning...not a totally unrealistic fear at that!
So for the moment, that's the story and I am sticking to it. I will feed you more info on changes as they come...just keep us in your thoughts!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The JC Penney Pose!
Summer Time
Summer is in full swing. It's hot, it's muggy, the kids are happy, and I get late evenings reading alone on the porch! It's all good. June has slipped by so fast. Our time at the lake was wonderful. (I am typing from work today, but I promise to post pics from the lake soon!) Little Miss LOVED being on the boat and even tolerated hours long fishing journeys. As long as she had some juice, an empty bottle of diet coke and a few snacks, she was good to go. She assisted mama in catching 129 fish over the course of 6 days. It was great fun. She loved the lake, and dumping and pouring water and sand for hours on end. It was wonderful to be away from it all and able to take a true break and have time to think, relax, ponder, and refresh. Someday, we will have a lake place. Give me a lake with loons calling across it's shores and I am at peace!
We hauled back from the lake on Friday night in time to go to the Ethiopian Mehaber picnic on Sunday. It was a fun day and a chance to see some of our best friends in the adoption community. Last year we traveled with Sunshine's picture, but no girl. The best part was meeting up with the Petersons whom we traveled with and watching the girls hug and play. They traveled their journeys together and although they are so young, I think they really do have a very special connection. It was a great day.
Once back from the cities, we unpacked a weeks worth of laundry and gear and then packed dad out for a week of workshop teaching. Nana moved in for a few days and appropriately spoiled all of us!
Now it is almost July! How did we get to July already? I think the rest of the summer will speed by as well. The list of projects continues, and there might be some changes afoot. We have a few more mini trips on the horizon and lots of family pool time!
Sunshine turns two in less than a month. Wow. She really has flipped from baby to kiddo. She is funny and sassy and actually has some dimples on her thighs! Such a wonderful sight! She is such a loving, happy child. I still can't believe she is my daughter. What a gift to be given!
Okay, time to get back to work for a bit. I will try to get pictures up yet this weekend and keep you posted on all that is happening in the land of sweetpeas and sunshine!
We hauled back from the lake on Friday night in time to go to the Ethiopian Mehaber picnic on Sunday. It was a fun day and a chance to see some of our best friends in the adoption community. Last year we traveled with Sunshine's picture, but no girl. The best part was meeting up with the Petersons whom we traveled with and watching the girls hug and play. They traveled their journeys together and although they are so young, I think they really do have a very special connection. It was a great day.
Once back from the cities, we unpacked a weeks worth of laundry and gear and then packed dad out for a week of workshop teaching. Nana moved in for a few days and appropriately spoiled all of us!
Now it is almost July! How did we get to July already? I think the rest of the summer will speed by as well. The list of projects continues, and there might be some changes afoot. We have a few more mini trips on the horizon and lots of family pool time!
Sunshine turns two in less than a month. Wow. She really has flipped from baby to kiddo. She is funny and sassy and actually has some dimples on her thighs! Such a wonderful sight! She is such a loving, happy child. I still can't believe she is my daughter. What a gift to be given!
Okay, time to get back to work for a bit. I will try to get pictures up yet this weekend and keep you posted on all that is happening in the land of sweetpeas and sunshine!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Schools out for Summer!!
It's officially summer in our world. School got out on Thursday afternoon. I now have a 6th grader, a 4th grader and a 1st grader! (and a princess who thinks she is 1 going on 16!) Wow. The year went by so very fast. I can't believe how much the kids have grown. J-dog is not too far from seeing the top of my head, and Mr B is getting to long and solid for me to comfortably carry. It goes too darn fast.
So what does summer hold?
It's almost time for a week at the lake with the grandparents and cousins...then home for some much needed house projects, pool time and baseball games. We were set to do 4 nights a week of baseball...t-ball on M/W and baseball for the bigger boys Tu/Thurs. However, biggest boy fell the second night of practice and broke his elbow. OUCH! He is in a sling at the moment, with hopes to have it off by the time we head to the lake in a week. Poor kid. I guess it was a career ending injury. Good thing we won't miss out on the opportunity to see baseball games, still have 4 nights of games a week, just not running so much in between! We are hoping for a week on the North Shore and lots of little family outings here and there. All in all, it should be a good summer.
I have to put in more hours at work over the summer. Dad is home so he gets kid duty. I am already missing my one on one with Miss Sassy. She and I have been joined at the hip since she came home, now she will be with daddy 10-3 everyday. As nice as it will be to actually get some work done, I will really miss having her at the shop. I don't think daddy realizes how busy she is. He has a list a mile long of all he hopes to accomplish this summer. I think top of his list will be chase Miss Sassy. She has a mind and a will all her own, and she just goes and goes and goes! Gotta love it! Can't wait to see what really gets done.
I promise to upload some pics soon. We are having picture issues with the computer at the moment, so it may be a bit.
Three cheers for summer!
So what does summer hold?
It's almost time for a week at the lake with the grandparents and cousins...then home for some much needed house projects, pool time and baseball games. We were set to do 4 nights a week of baseball...t-ball on M/W and baseball for the bigger boys Tu/Thurs. However, biggest boy fell the second night of practice and broke his elbow. OUCH! He is in a sling at the moment, with hopes to have it off by the time we head to the lake in a week. Poor kid. I guess it was a career ending injury. Good thing we won't miss out on the opportunity to see baseball games, still have 4 nights of games a week, just not running so much in between! We are hoping for a week on the North Shore and lots of little family outings here and there. All in all, it should be a good summer.
I have to put in more hours at work over the summer. Dad is home so he gets kid duty. I am already missing my one on one with Miss Sassy. She and I have been joined at the hip since she came home, now she will be with daddy 10-3 everyday. As nice as it will be to actually get some work done, I will really miss having her at the shop. I don't think daddy realizes how busy she is. He has a list a mile long of all he hopes to accomplish this summer. I think top of his list will be chase Miss Sassy. She has a mind and a will all her own, and she just goes and goes and goes! Gotta love it! Can't wait to see what really gets done.
I promise to upload some pics soon. We are having picture issues with the computer at the moment, so it may be a bit.
Three cheers for summer!
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