Why we have dogs. . .

This is heaven for Nilla. . . sunshine, a soft bed, her fave stuffed animal, a nap, and being in the same room as me while I work. She is the cutest thing, and makes me smile everyday.

Meeting Justin!

Two weeks ago we were lucky enough to meet Justin and his parents. It all happened so fast and everything that I totally forgot to put it in post form. . . so anyway, here it is now.

Oh, Justin is the birthfather. . . I probably should have added that to begin with. His parents contacted us on Wednesday and by Saturday we were meeting together chatting and eating. It was a whirlwind of timing and schedules. They wanted to meet us right away, so they drove down here and we had our face to face right here in Washington. I had talked to Justin on the phone before, but we didn't know much of anything about him and his family.

It went great. Dave and I are sooooo glad that we got the chance to meet them. It just feels so much better to see people in real life and to talk in real life. They were amazing (and I'm not just saying that because they could possibly be reading this, it was really true). We appreciated their kind words and support. So much so that to stop from crying I had to bite my lip. . . and Dave too. That sounds like I bit Dave. No, he fought his own tears.

I loved hearing more about them and their family. It was interesting to see how our hobbies and lives overlapped from time to time. Justin and his parents were so open with their feelings about the adoption and that was amazing. We couldn't ask for anything more.

Justin was a little reserved at first (but who could blame him, we're pretty scary, and tall), but then we got to see that he loved to joke around, he loves food (namely pizza), foreign cars, the color green, dogs (Dobermans mainly), Texas, motorcycles (though he can't have them, I agree with his parents on that one), and computers (however, not my beloved Mac, sad). And he has really pretty red hair. His mom was brilliant and brought us photos of him as a kid to look at. So so fun.

Well, those are some highlights for you.

It all added up to another confirming feeling that we are in the right place. I love Kristel and Justin. I don't know if people can understand that, but it's an amazing experience. And I appreciate their respective families so much for supporting them through all of this. No matter how hard the process can be, it is moments like these that help us to remember that it is absolutely worth it!Oh, and I pretty much messed up every photo they took. This is the only one I'm not talking or something in. I blame Justin and his flexing of his muscles for the distraction.

The list

My list is usually pretty long, but lately it seems overwhelmingly so. So in an effort to get it down to a manageable pile I have been working overtime. I even hung up the pictures in my bedroom. Now my floor looks so empty where they all once sat (for the last year), sad. I'll take a picture of it. See, I told you this was serious work being done.

So anyway, here is the latest to come from my design studio. This is the t-shirt design for our Youth Conference this year. . . I'm too tired to re-work it or start over so hopefully there aren't many complaints.

Now that it is checked off the list my next project is to design a baby book. I can't find one that I like, plus includes adoption stuff. Once again, making life difficult for myself. Please, someone talk me out of this. . .

A room for Zesty

The solution.I found this onesie (and totally bought it) on a website Kirsten directed me to (thanks doll). . . and I think it is the answer to my girly dilemma. No, not everything I buy or make will say girl, though that would simplify things quite a bit. . . I was thinking more the color. I love jewel tones. Just look at my reds and oranges. . . so a hint of a deep purple, just an accent would definitely say girl. I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner, remember that red/orange/purple scrapbooking scheme that we loved forever ago Kirst? OK, maybe you don't but it left it's mark in my albums anyway.

Not too much purple though, don't worry Kari, and no ruffles so you should be happy with that. Sorry Tiff, I know you're a fan.

And Gillian gave me the great idea of changing the bumper ties on the bedding set that I bought. How brilliant is she? The bedding is brown and white, cute and modern. I thought I'd use purple ribbon as the ties for the bumper pad and that would make it extra girly too.

I so appreciate all your advice and help.

And thanks to Anne for giving me the perfect code name to reference the beautiful little girl we're building this nursery for. No, Zesty is not going to be her name, but it was a funny story and now we're totally using it to keep people from trying to pry the actual name out of us.

Taking advantage of the yucky wind

On Monday we decided to use the wind for something good. . . kites.

Dave assembling the first kite.

Notice my beautiful form.

This is what my girls do at the park. . . run run run, and then eat rabbit poop. Ummm gross.

It looks like Mocha is flying.

The cool star kite.

The girls and I getting bored of this. . . and then I remembered I was allergic to the grass after the itching began.

Yay, now we're ready to be done with the wind. I'm with Marci, the wind stinks.

Blurkers

Yep, there's a name for it. . . Blurking. That is what all of you are, well most of you. For people who look at my blog and never comment, you're a blurker (blog lurkers).

No worries, I don't mind. I love getting comments, but I understand there is that shyness. Just know that you are not going unnoticed. I know you're there. Cue spooky music.

I recently found that our blog was listed on someone else's blog who I don't even know. They don't know us either, they just liked our blog and so they have a link to it on theirs. How crazy is that? I didn't know we were so interesting. I think it's my rants that keep people coming back. ;)

So to the Lisonbee Three. . . welcome. Thanks for reading. . . I'll try to make it more interesting in the future, which most likely means making stuff up.

Facing the Facts

So it's a fact. . . I am not GIRLY. How did I not realize this sooner. I can't even fake being girly.

It is impossible for me to get into the whole pinkness of having a newborn baby girl. It is not natural for me to decorate in pink, pastels of any kind, bunnies, kittens, any type of insect, and possibly even ruffles.

Therefore I have a dilemma. My nursery is not easily put together. No one sells baby stuff in warm colors. . . my colors. There is a monopoly of pink out there. I however, being obstinately orange in every way decided to make my own path and now here I am stranded out by myself.

The word is scratch. Everything has to be made or assembled by me. (No, I don't sew, so I did find some fabulous chocolate bedding from Dwell). Other than that, it is a scavenger mission to match, but not match too much. I'm probably making this harder on myself. I may be rethinking the pink thing soon. No, I can't. I've chosen my course and I can make this room look girly cute without the pinks. I hope.

No offense to all of you pinkies out there. I just don't have the pink gene. I think my sister got all of the pinkness in our family. Yep, that's you Tiff.

Meanwhile, if you have any nontraditional shops to point me to. . . that'd be great, otherwise wish me luck, or at least don't comment on the less than uber-girly vibe radiating from my house. ;)

Enough, PLEASE

So I need to rant again, my apologies, but I just need to get this out there. . .

Why is it that people feel they need to tell me all the horrible adoption stories that they have ever heard (or made up) when they find out we're adopting? I really want to know this. Why is everyone so full of fear and negativity? And why does everyone think they know more about adoption than me (someone that is actually going through it)?

So here is my disclaimer. . . if you come up to me to tell me one of these stories I will stop you immediately and probably not so tactfully (I've heard enough to be tactful at this point). You've been warned.

Dave and I know all about adoption, more than any of you (those who have been through this are exempt of course). We know the risks and more importantly we've accepted them. No need for you to warn us of anything.

We can be excited about this. About where we are. Don't take that away from us. When a couple gets pregnant they are excited before the actual baby comes, so we can be too. Don't try to damper our excitement with your fear. So rude.

We know what we are doing and we live by faith that whatever happens will be for the best. We trust Kristel. We love her, and are grateful that she came into our lives. It's as simple as that.

The fact is that the horror stories are in the vast minority now days. The process is different now. . . so let go of all your fears (or just keep them to yourselves). We appreciate it.

I should make a label in the sidebar specifically for rants. . . how sad is that? Except I'll call it 'cuddlly stories about cute puppies', so people will read them. ;)

No news

It's April and the blog needs to be fed. It feels like it is it's own entity that I have to sustain. Just call me Seamore. That song is in my head now. Quick what's the movie?

. . . Except, I have no news to share and nothing interesting to add here. Sorry.

Well except that we're so excited to be getting a baby GIRL (there, now everyone knows) in August and we think we might have a name for her that we all love. Tentative, but we're thrilled to be in agreement of one. More suspense for you all though. Sorry. I don't need anymore advice on this one. It's so cute, and except for Kristel and Dave (of course) no one else has heard it from me. Ha ha, secrets are fun.

I would do the poll thing on the blog, but it turns out that we just don't care if you like the name or not. Sorry again. ;)