What Better Way to Procrastinate?

So I should be working on my manuscript, only one week until the boss-man is back. But instead I am hanging out on the internet trying to make myself feel better about life. I do however have a bunch of little updates and blurbs for you all, so here we go!

OUR NEW NEPHEW!!!!

Welcome to the newest Martin, Cale! He was born via C-section Friday morning around 7:50. I couldn't believe how stinking cute he is, and he has the tiniest head! Maybe I will post some pics later and you can see the differences between Cayton and Cale on their birth days. Cale was so quiet, he seems like he is going to be a pretty laid back kid. Brandon and Brandi are so excited to take him home, and Cayton is going to make a great big brother. He was loving on Cale Friday afternoon, and it was so adorable and sweet!

OUR BLESSED FAMILY AND FRIENDS

So on our way to KC we hitched a ride with my SIL Gretchen, Ashley, and Andrew. Of course the kiddos sat in back, so Gretchen and I had a great time having grown-up time up front and Travis was enjoying quality niece and nephew time in the back. Gretchen and I talked quite a bit about lots of things, including the adoption, teaching, future plans, and even family vacations. Just so you know Gretchen, I LOVE to drive everywhere too, especially if it is east. It is so wonderful to have people in our lives who are so supportive and so involved in this process with us. And so willing to let me know if they need to back off, just to let them know. Let me tell you, that quality is rare.

I also want to give a big cyber-hug to Pam. Travis and I are barely acquaintances with her and she has gone out of her way to to be super helpful and so there for us. Every time I have emailed her with a question it has taken less than 20 minutes for her to respond. I know she doesn't just sit there on her computer all day waiting for me to ask her a crazy I'm-freaking-way-out question, but none the less she is always there for me. How could we be so lucky to already have such a support network before we have really began the process?

And of course, all of you who even take the time to read this blog. Although it would be nice to get some more comments :-). Some people may think this whole internet blogging thing is way to public, and our issues are very personal, but this is so therapuetic for me, and it means so much to me the interest that everyone has shown. I want everyone to be able to stay up to date with what is going on without the giant phone tree/email list serve that it would otherwise take. So again, thanks for taking time out from your day to check in on us. We love you for it.

RANDOMNESS

• I love to check out other people's blogs to see how things are going with their Ethiopian adoption. Sometimes it makes it hard though, it seems they already have their kids, or at least pictures, and it makes me long for that time when we will first be able to see the beautiful faces of our children who are waiting for us. And then we can have pictures of our babies, and the nursery, and all the adorable stuff my mom has bought for them. Seriously. I think she has a secret stash of baby stuff already and is just waiting for the green light to give it to me. I am not kidding, I specifically had to tell her not to buy stuff yet. Although this may be an acception. Love you mom!!!
• On Friday while we were in the waiting room at the hospital in KC, there was this so stinkin' cute baby girl walking around. She was about 1, had the cutest curly hair, a beautiful smile, and was so happy to see everyone. She played around with Andrew for a bit, then came over to say hi to me and to give me a high-five. Then she went over to Travis. She just stood there smiling at him, and reaching like she wanted to be picked up. So Travis picked her up and she giggled and started to play with his goatee. I almost cried because she was African-American, and Travis looked so right holding her. They were so smiley with each other. Ohhh, I can't wait!!!
• So all of our stuff is in the mail and I am waiting patiently to get the email from Sharon saying if we have been accepted. Patiently as in I check my email about 5 times a day (even today, which is Sunday, which they are not at work, and which no postal service runs). I will let everyone know as soon as I know, which will hopefully be in a few days. So keep checking, important news will be posted here soon!
• HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No spoilers, I just had to express how happy I was with the book. I think JK ended the book series in just about the best way possible. Although I am very sad it is over. Very sad.