hurry up and wait AND slowing down a little

hurry up and wait
In an incredible, God-can-only-be-responsible-for-this-answered-prayer turn of events, we found out in March that we were suddenly- shockingly- financially prepared for the adoption. Once finances were no longer an issue, we went on rampage of paperwork, recommendation letters, online seminars, portfolio-making and talking to Noah about his new brother or sister. Since we have decided to adopt a child of color, we explained to him that while we won't look alike, our hearts are the same/all families are different and that's ok/God is creating our family in a special way. We've talked with him about sharing his room, his toy, his Nana, his Mama and Rufio as well as the fact that while Mrs. Meaghan, Mrs. Erin, Mrs. Ashley H., Mrs. Ashley O., Aunt Rebecca, Mrs. Allison and Mrs. Amber are all currently growing babies in their bellies (that's right- SEVEN of my friends are currently pregnant.), I'm currently growing one in my heart. 
Within a few weeks, we had attended our last meeting, signed our last paper and were officially "waiting" (dun dun duuuuuun!). We've been waiting for about a month now and I have to say it's weird to not be dropping by the agency office multiple times a week! :) Now we just keep on truckin' as a 3-person family and wait for that life-changing phone call. In the words of our agent "It could be 18 months from now, or it could be tomorrow." I have peace knowing that our child, and his/her birthmother are already chosen for us and they will not enter our lives one day earlier or one day later than God has planned... though I can't lie- there is a part of me that just wants to know when it's going to come! :) 


slowing down a little 
In light of the imminent change around here, as well as a finicky home embroidery machine that's been just about pushed to its limits (4 million stitches put on that machine in less than 2 years? YIKES!) and two sudden realizations that I can't be good at everything AND I've got too many irons in the fire, I've decided to take a short break from the embroidery and applique "business" (ahem... again). We're thinking that once we are settled into being a 4-person family (what's that? 2030?), I will invest in a multi-needle machine and pick up the "business" again. For now, I'm focusing on quilts and sewing for myself, Noah and this new little person that's going to enter our lives. So, Friday Joe and I took the trip to the store that makes his wallet cry and I upgraded from my Brother 1250D to this lovely lady:

What do you think? 

Does she seem like a "Large Marge" or "Big Bertha"? 

This girl needs a name ASAP!

The old machine and I have a few more shirts to do together but this Friday we're headed back over there to complete the hand-off and I will officially be on embroidery hiatus! (which, honestly, after my busy last few months seems like a major relief!)

Those are the not-so-thrilling (yet EXTREMELY busy!) updates in my life after almost a month away from blog-land. I've got a lot of blog-reading to catch up on- and baby projects to plan!