Yes, I'm alive...Barely

It's just not like me to be away from the blog world for so long. It has been quite a couple of weeks. I don't know where to start. Rick had surgery on his shoulder and knee and then he was hospitalized after the surgery with pneumonia. He was getting better but today he started to get sick again. I think he worked too many hours last week and may have overdone it. I was afraid of that.

As for me, About 5 days ago, my arms and hand started to go numb and my neck and shoulders were in extreme pain. I went to the doctor and I went in for an MRI today and I will see a specialist on Oct 8th. I may have to have surgery. Dang Yoga! J/K

So Rick and I are in sad shape. My friend wants to have a baby shower for me so we had to go to Babies R Us last Sunday to register and we were not feeling well. I kept shaking my hands and arms as if I could get the numb to go away and his arm is in a huge contraption and he is making noises of pain. If you can just visualize us walking through the store like that. I swear people must have thought we had Turrets Syndrome. (without the cussing) Pretty funny now that I think about it. Rick is still not smoking, I'm so proud of him! We are both trying to get healthy before the baby comes.

As for Savannah, the norm. Lots of school, cheer and gymnastics. She was out of school today for Fair day. Can you believe that get to take a day off of school to go to the State Fair?

I have also been busy doing a lot of fundraisers for Steve's family. Most of you remember me writing about my friend Steve that passed away. Our office is trying to raise money for his family and the medical bills. We did a huge rummage sale at the office parking lot. We told everyone to donate and the whole town was coming by the office to donate. It was so cool. We eventually could not see the floor at the office. It looked like a retail center. We had to price so much stuff. I now have a new respect for people who work at goodwill and have to go through other people's stuff. The good news is that we raised 5,000!!! I think that's amazing for a garage sale! We are so tired! Praise the Lord. Realtors from my company have pledged more money out of their commission checks and Realtors from other companies have even brought money. It brings me to tears at how the community has come together. Steve had that kind of impact of people. Now God is enjoying his amazing spirit.

Also, about a month ago, my assistant Lindsay moved in with us. She has become a good friend. She is in college and Lord knows I don't pay her enough and she needed a place to stay due to some personal circumstances that I won't talk about on this blog. She has been a life saver the last few weeks helping during the drama. Lindsay's mom, Geri bought Ayana some presents. So cute...




Another family that is adopting from Adoption Avenues, is sending a care package to Ethiopia and she is letting some of us put things in there for our babies. Thanks Leah! I sent our baby girl a drool proof photo album with a teether as the handle. I put our pictures inside so she would have us there with her and she is on the cover. I also sent two sleepers, a little toy and a blankie. I also included a lot of toothbrushes, toothpaste and diaper rash ointment for the orphanage. I hope she gets the stuff but if she doesn't no harm, the other babies are in need too. While I was gathering the stuff to get it ready for shipping, one of the agents walked into my office and saw all that ointment on my desk and they gave me the funniest look then said, having problems? Ehwww...NO, it's for the babies! Good grief. lol

I had to blurr out our sweet girls face due to rules at the agency.

There is a rumor that the courts opened a week early in Ethiopia! OMG! Even if they didn't, they were scheduled to open this week anyway. So I am praying that we get a court date soon!!! The attorney who our agency uses is the person that will request the court date. I hope he has the paperwork done. He has had time, I would think. ??? Anyway, of course, I will stalk my email until I get a date!

Well my hands are going numb again and I need to check on Rick. Good night. Please keep us in your prayers.

AB