The Call

Two years ago today I was supposed to have a cheerleading meet.  Unfortunately, it was canceled due to the weather.  So home I went after school.  Once I got home, I noticed the red blinking light on my answering machine.

"Hi Beth and Joel!  My name is Dawn Baker.  I am calling from Bethany Christian Services.  Please call me as soon as you get this message.  You can call me at .......until 5 and then on my cell phone at ......until 10 PM tonight.  Talk to you soon."

That's weird I thought.  We JUST updated our adoption application 2 weeks ago, what did they want now?  I called the number, asked for Dawn and was greeted by the most cheerful voice.

"Hi Beth! So glad that you were able to call back so quickly.  I have a birthmom who really wants to meet with you and Joel to see if you are a match!"

I almost fell over.  My legs felt weak and I had to sit down.  I sat on the bottom step of our stairs as Dawn gave me some background about J and K, the birthparents.  I remember my hands shaking, my voice wouldn't work.  It was all I could do not to fall completely apart.  Was this real?  Was this lady really calling to tell me that there was someone who chose US?

Dawn and I set up a time to meet with J the next week to see if we were a match and before we hung up, Dawn mentioned one more thing.  "Oh by the way....it's a boy!"

I thanked Dawn, hung up the phone and still shaking like a leaf, I tried to call Joel.  Joel was coaching wrestling at the time and his wrestling meet still happened (despite the weather).  I called Joel about 27 times and he ignored me every time. 

I decided that I couldn't tell anyone about this until I told Joel so I had to figure out how to spend my time.  So what did I do...I went shopping!  I remember wandering around Home Goods for about an hour while talking on my cell phone with Dawn.  She had called back with some more information so I got to at least talk to her a little bit.  After Home Goods (yes, I bought some really fun stuff while I was there!) I wandered over to Target.  I spent another two hours wandering around Target. Up and down each aisle.  I found myself in toys and purchased the first baby toy for our household.  I bought a green football for our little boy.

Finally, Joel was home and we could celebrate.  There were lots of tears and both completely stunned.  We were in disbelief that this was happening and so quickly for us.  We told only our family and a few very close friends and kept our fingers crossed for our meeting with J.  We are so happy that J chose us!  The past two years have flown right by and we are loving every minute of it!!

Angelina Jolie

My close friends know that I do not like Angelina Jolie.  In fact, I have a strong distaste for her.  Why?  It's simple...she stole my friend's husband.  And by friend, I mean Jennifer Aniston.  (Yes, in my head we are best friends.  After all, we did spend 10 glorious seasons together.)  I just never liked Angelina after she shacked up with Brad Pitt.  I'm trying hard to like her these days.  As much as I may not agree with her adopting 27 children, she has brought a lot of attention to adoption and people are learning more about adoption because of it.  So long story short, I do not hate her....I'm trying to appreciate the awareness she has brought to the adoption world.

Well...it's only a matter of time before I became a crazy mom.  Okay...we know that I am crazy but I became a crazed mama bear today in the grocery store.  The woman in front of me purchased a magazine with Angelina on the front.  It mentioned that she and Brad were going to be adopting another child.  The cashier and the customer in front of me carried on talking about how it seemed ridiculous that they were adopting children from all over.  And why on earth would they want to adopt when clearly they can have "kids of their own"....blah, blah, blah....

This continued even after all of the woman's items were bagged.  At this point I was waiting impatiently and now extremely irritated.  The bagger, a former student of mine, noticed my irritation and helped quickly put this woman's bags in her cart.  (Thank you, Billy.)  I am sure that there was steam shooting out of my ears.  It was finally my turn to check out.  The cashier tried to continue to talk to me about it.  My response, which I am sure came out much nastier than I meant it to, probably wasn't needed.  I should know better than to let those that are ignorant bother me. 

"I'm sorry...I really don't think that this conversation is appropriate to have right now."

Billy jumped in, "Hey Lady Stape, didn't you and Stape adopt a baby?"  (God bless that kid!)

"Yes, Billy, we did."

That cashier, with the bright red face, rang up my items and bagged them so quickly.  With a smile and wink towards Billy, I walked out of there thinking that perhaps next time she might think twice before rattling on like that.

On a totally separate note, I added a spot on my blog where you can "follow" Stape's House.  We'd love to know if you are a follower of our crazy life....so please declare it!  :)  And stay tuned...we have some very exciting stuff coming up soon!!

One of my new fav's

I found a new blog that I am loving!  (YES!  This one made the cut!)  You need to check out what she has to say.  Not only that but she is having a fun giveaway.  Check it out if you are looking for a good read!

BSA

Hi! My name is Beth and I am a blog stalker.




That's right...I should join BSA (Blog Stalker Anonymous). I am addicted to reading blogs. It has become a serious problem. I usually start reading them well after 9 PM and then I can still be found reading well into the evening. I am losing sleep because of this addiction. Through blogger.com I am able to keep track of my blogs in my dashboard. I just added a new blog today. It was only then that I realized that I have a problem. I just hit 72 blogs. SEVENTY-TWO!! Who does that?!? Apparently me. So in an effort to clear out and move in a healthier direction, I reduced it to 50. That's good....right?? As a counselor, I am also a believer in 12 step programs like the Alcoholics Anonymous program. So I figured that I could apply it to my own addiction. So far I am stuck on step one- I admit that I am powerless over this addiction. Step two will have to wait until tomorrow. I have to get caught up on some of my blog reading....

Please help!

My college friend, Amanda, is in desperate need of some help.  Grand Marais is very close to Amanda's heart and that town is in need of some help.

http://wehearyouamerica.readersdigest.com/?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d40dfbf5524c9d1%2C0

You can vote 10 times per day!  It is super easy.  And I haven't gotten an ounce of spam from signing up to vote.  This mission is very important to the Schripsema family.  2010 was a rough year for their family after they son was diagnosed with leukemia.  Please check out Amanda's blog and look at Gideon's beautiful smile.  Let's keep that smile on that little boy's face!!!

"IDIOT" Stamped On My Forehead

Well, I am sure when all was said and done on Friday, I must have had "idiot" stamped on my forehead.

It all started Thursday evening. We went to Joel's sister's house for dinner with her family.  We were missing them desperately.  Last year we saw them almost every day. This year those days are few and far between.  Sarah and her kids spent the last week in Disney World.  So when she got back, I demanded that we have dinner together.  (It had been almost 2 weeks since we had seen them!)  Gus didn't really seem like himself over there.  Very clingy.  He is NOT a cuddler so I knew that he wasn't quite himself.  He felt a little warm but nothing to be too concerned about.  He wouldn't eat his food, but he would eat only applesauce.  He is still getting teeth in so I assumed that was the problem.  He didn't want to chew, he was a little warm and he was clingy.  Didn't think too much more about it, brought him home, gave him some baby medicine and sent him to bed.

Friday morning, around 9 AM, I got a call from Gus' sitter.  (Keep in mind I am a class advisor and it is Spirit Week so school is super crazy and as an advisor I am crazy busy during this week.)  Well, I was already frazzled before I got the call.  Stephanie was concerned because Gus' body seemed to be on fire and he seemed really lethargic.  Well, we all know that I am a hypochondriac...so I left immediately, barely grabbed my purse...no jacket.  Luckily, I was working in the counseling office at the time because I left so quickly.  I didn't even tell my boss until I was in the car driving over there.  I told him I may or may not be back so he may need to find a sub for the two classes that I teach.  I stopped at the drugstore on the way to buy a thermometer for Gus.  I wanted to know what I was dealing with.  Once I got to him, I noticed that his body was also really hot and he didn't want to move.  I took his temp...97??  That can't be right....stupid digital thermometers!!  I called the doctor anyway and they said to bring him in right away.  Well, of course this hypochondriac momma freaked out with the "right away". That must mean something serious.  So off we rushed to the doctor.

Turns out they said "right away" because they had an opening...not because of the severity of the symptoms.  Don't they know who they are talking to?!?  Really Gus' name should have flashing lights next to it.  "Warning....crazy momma!"

Gus clung to me like a koala bear (again, very unlike him).  I had to unpeel him when they tried to get his weight and temp.  I did feel a little better when his temp was still 97...but more concerned because his body was still hot.  The nurse left the room and the little koala and I hung out in the room and waited for the doctor.  I tried to grab some books from their shelf to entertain him.  He wanted nothing to do with them.  Then the door opened. ("Whew...so happy that she is finally here to figure out what is wrong with him.)

Dr: Hi Gus!  Are we not feeling well today?
Gus: HI! blah, blah, blah, blah.  (I'm sure it is very important, but we have no idea what this kid is trying to tell us.)

The doctor checks him out.  Only finds that he appears to have a sore throat.  She talks to me about how this could be the beginning of a number of things.  Talk about what to watch for, etc.  During this time, Gus has slid off my lap.  He is now pulling every book off their shelf and onto the floor.  With each one we hear, "Oh Oh" (Translation: "Uh oh")  Eventually these turn in to "hiya!" and he has begun hopping around the exam room.  He is full out jumping up and down and yelling with delight by the time we talk about what to watch for.  Lethargic?  I think not!!  So here I am turning bright red, embarrassed that my 1 1/2 year old has made a fool out of me.  It is at that moment that the doctor notices Gus' pajamas laying on the table.

Dr: Is this what he was wearing? Did he wear them all night?
Me: Yes.  We always take him to the sitter in his jammies and then she dresses him later.
Dr: Did you ever think that perhaps that is why his body was so warm and doesn't have a temperature?  Perhaps he is too hot.  And when we are too hot, we don't like to move.
Me: You have got to be kidding....Is this our official medical diagnosis?
Dr: Well, he is coming down with a cold or something, but I think that he probably was overheated this morning.
Me: Crap....

Back to the sitter Gus went and back to work I went.  Unbelievable!!

Saturday, however, I came home from my cheerleading meet to discover that Gus did in fact have a fever of 102.9.  Well, at least I know that I am not crazy....my kid is sick.  But now I have a sick kid.  :(  I left him home with his daddy while I went to chaperone the school dance. I was telling this story to a coworker who was also working the dance.  After laughing at me, she started talking about a student who had scarlet fever.....blah, blah, blah....

Crap...I hope that Gus doesn't have scarlet fever!  What are the symptoms for that?  I will have to check WebMD now and I may be calling the doctor in the morning....

Adoption Roundtable

Yet another roundtable discussion about open adoption.  This one actually has us looking at questions presented by another blogger.  I've included my thoughts below....what are yours?


1. If open adoption is so great, why do so many people suck at it? By this I mean, not honouring commitments, closing the adoption, telling the other family they’re not “doing this thing” correctly or playing the “for the sake of the child” card?

I think that many people "suck at it" because the choose not to work hard at it or they are selfish.  Yes, there are many times that I want to scream, "He is my son and I don't want to ________!"  But that is very selfish.  My first Mother's Day was much that way.  I remember being so angry because instead of just enjoying it, I thought about what I needed to do for J on this day.  What would Gus send to her?  How do we even begin to thank her?  How does she feel on this day?  I agonized over every part of the day, but I made sure that Gus sent her something and I made sure that we sent her a text that day thinking of her.  Why?  Because that is the commitment that we made.  For me, I feel like these commitments are very similiar to the commitment of marriage....it is for real and it is for life.


2. From the standpoint of first parents, open adoption sounds like something that could prolong suffering. Could this suffering potentially outweigh the good of knowing where your child is? Who helps the first parent?
I know that it must be very difficult for J.  But I also know that she was able to begin her healing process after she knew that Gus was well taken care of.  She asked us to send pictures...and lots of them within the first week that Gus was home with us.  We sent pictures of us in the neighborhood, around the house, etc.  She really got the opportunity to see that Gus was doing well and that we would be taken care of.  I think that knowing that, really helped J on her way to healing.  As a counselor, I know that healing does not come easily.  But I also know that it is important to work through that suffering and find a path to healing.  I am happy that J had a counselor that worked with her before and after Gus was born.  I hope that every birthparent has that opportunity.


3. I’m guessing kids are not hung up on how many relatives they have. Tell me that the thing that hangs up the public all the time about open adoption and other unconventional relationships—two mommies, two daddies, three, four, parents—is the least of your worries because it seems to me it is.
I feel like the world around us is very curious about adoptive families.  I can't even begin to tell you how many people ask us questions.  I'm sure that if I had given birth to Gus we wouldn't have questions about how he came to be.  I think it is natural for people to be curious of the unknown....and we are happy to share it.  If we can educate one person about adoption, we are thrilled.  We feel like it should be very open so others come to understand how wonderful it is. 


4. Do you ever feel like you should give this child back? Does the thought ever seize you totally as you watch your child with her bio-family: “ooops?” (OR for f-parents: Do you ever feel as though you need to take this child back? That nothing is stopping you beside an agreement that feels false? Does that feeling go away?)
NO!!  Okay, I have to admit, this question took me off guard.  Never would I think I should "give Gus back".  He is ours...all ours.  From the moment he was born he became part of me.  I know that God sent us Gus for a reason and I know that J chose us for a reason.  No doubt about it!!


5. How do children ever cope with knowing they could not be kept? When they see their natural parents having more kids, what do they think? Who helps the child in this situation? Both sets of parents?
Okay...now you are just asking me to bring out the counselor mumbo-jumbo.  Gus is only one....I have no idea how he will feel some day.  But I will tell you this....Gus will know how much he is loved.  He will know why J chose and adoption plan.  He will know everything that we know about how he ended up in our arms.  Adoption is not about not being kept...it is about love.  Gus is a lucky little boy.  We adore him and love him more than life itself as our extended family does, too.  In addition, he is even luckier because he has a birthmom and her entire extended family.  What a lucky boy! 


6. Can you say comfortably that some surrendering mothers could not cope with an open adoption or do you think that it should always be the standard?
I understand that not everyone could cope with an open adoption due to the different person or perhaps the circumstances.  But I also know that we would not enter into an adoption with someone who wouldn't want an open adoption.  We chose "open" so that our kids would always have a connection with their birthparents.  And hopefully, some day, all of their questions will be answered...if they haven't been answered already.  (Many of you know that I have already told Gus a lot about J.  I know that he is only one...but I am a firm believer in being honest with him all the way!)


7. Is there ever a reason (aside from extreme/illegal behaviours) to close an adoption totally?

NO!!

Check out this blog for more responses to this question.  Or check out this one for the original post of questions.

Anti-"Adopt"

So this has been on my mind for weeks.  So I figured why not spew my thoughts about it on here.  So hang in there as I just spew incessantly.

According to www.merriam-webster.com, the definition of adopt is as follows:

1. to take by choice into a relationship; especially : to take voluntarily as one's own child
2. to take up and practice or use   
3. to accept formally and put into effect
4. to choose (a textbook) for required study in a course
5. to sponsor the care and maintenance of

(By the way...I realize that I just did something that I do not allow in my classroom.  Never allow kids to give me definitions in their writing.  If I need the definition I can look it up.  And if I need to look it up then it means that the student probably plagiarized.  Sorry...got sidetracked there.)

I was reading another adoption blog today and the author ranted on and on about her hate of the use of "adopt" when speaking of anything other than adopting a child.  She got really vicious about people using the word in relation to a pet.  Apparently this author felt that pets were not worthy using this word.  (Umm...hello...pets are like children to some of us!  How could this woman not know that?)  I was shocked to see that there were many people that commented on her post and agreed with her.

So I looked up the word.  Notice above that there are a handful of appropriate meanings of the word.  But #1 on the list is in reference to adopting a child.  As we know, I am a huge advocate for adoption and I always want to make sure that people use safe adoption language.  But I am not angry when people use the word "adopt" in reference to anything other than a child and the legal process to making that child "legally" part of a family.  Yes, we talk about adoption and yes, we are very open about it...but it doesn't define Gus.  He is not our "adopted son"...he is our son.  So maybe I am crazy for not agreeing with the author of that post or the others who commented, but I just simply don't agree.  The word "adopt" means nothing to me other than the legal process to make Gus "legally" ours.  My heart was his the moment I saw him....I don't need a word set aside to describe that.  So go ahead....use the word "adopt" with any of the definitions above.  I won't be offended.

Thanks for listening to me rant.  I feel better now.  Hopefully, I will fall asleep tonight without thinking about it. 

Happy 2 Year Anniversary My Dear Blog!

Can you believe it?!?!  I have been writing this blog for TWO years!!  I went back to the very beginning at my first post.  Wanna see it?  Click here!  I remember thinking, "Man, I really can't stand everyone asking me about our adoption process.  Still waiting.  Not much to report."  I decided then to start a blog so that I could just tell friends and family to check our blog for the latest news.  Little did I know that I was going to have lots to post soon after that! 

Today I spent a little bit of time looking back on those earlier posts.  And I have been bawling like a baby ever since. I did fine during the first couple posts but it was the third one that got me.  I was fine until I read "Today we met the birthmom of our baby!"  Instant tears.  I remember feeling so excited that I was shaking and so nervous that I was throwing up in the parking lot of the church we met her in while Joel was cool as a cucumber and asleep in the car while his wife was freaking out!  I remember calling my family and friends and trying to tell them through uncontrollable sobbing that I was going to be a momma!  Finding out that you are pregnant and getting to tell people is very exciting....but for those of you out there who have had a long road to parenthood like we did, understand the uncontrolable sobbing because you are excited that it is finally happening.  Something that you have waited so long for and struggled for is finally happening.  I'm pretty sure that everyone that I spoke to could barely understand me....but I didn't care.  I wanted to scream it from the rooftops!  I was going to be a momma!!!  (In case you are wondering...yes, I am still crying as I write this post.)

I continued to read through some of my other posts, some from last year and some along the way this year.  I can't believe how quickly two years have passed.  I wish that I wrote more eloquently and was more diligent about posting on my blog and I hope that people enjoy reading about us (I know, mom...you do.  Thanks for being my #1 reader!)  but I am pretty proud of myself for continuing to write about our crazy family and the life we lead.  I can't wait to see what 2011 brings for Stapes House.  And I can't wait for the day when I get to post about the Stape House growing again.  So stay tuned and see what is in store for us in the future.  THANKS FOR READING!!

I will kick that intruder's arse....

Just wait...here comes another edition of, "Beth is crazy!"

Today seemed like the longest Friday of all time.  Long, crazy day with lots of student drama and discipline going on.  Not to mention followed by a cheer practice where the girls were simply stir crazy and unfocused and the coaches (myself being one of them) were getting very frustrated.  My friend, Diane, watched Gus for us today while I was at practice and Joel was helping to run a charity event.  After practice, Diane, Gus and I ran some errands together.  We finished up just in time for me to get Gus home for bedtime.

After wrestling with my 1 1/2 year old alligator to get him out of the carseat and he tried to slither out of my arms as we walked up to the house, I was finally able to let him run free once we walked through that front door.  I casually took off my coat as Gus ran around like a mad man and I walked into the kitchen to hang up my coat and.....BOOM!!!  There is was!  The door leading from the kitchen into the garage was wide...I mean WIDE open.  Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap!!!!  (Okay....yes, I had some other choice words running through my head.)  I snatched Gus up, grabbed my cell phone and ran out to the neighbor's driveway as I called my husband.  (The neighbor is a police officer....I figured I could always have him come kick the intruder's arse if need be.) 

I frantically called Joel to ask if he by chance left that door open.  His response, much to my dismay, "ya know....I think I might have.  I left in such a rush."  ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?  How do I know for sure?  And why didn't I think to grab my coat?  I am freezing.  Should I go back in?  Maybe I should make Aaron go check it out first.  Should I call the cops?  Am I being ridiculous?  Am I overly paranoid?  Maybe I should be more concerned?  Many things went through my mind.  Oh!  And thank goodness I hadn't yet gotten Gus out of his coat.  He was warm and at this point playing in the snow at the neighbor's house.  After a lot of thought, we went back into the house.  I set Gus down and I grabbed the broom in the kitchen and went around the house with a broom in one hand and my phone in the other with it already dialed to 9-1-...just in case.  I kicked open every door, the shower curtain, looked under the bed and jumped in about in an effort to surprise the intruder and so that I could kick his/her arse with a broom.

Long story short....no intruder but my overactive imagination jumped into overdrive and I became a raving lunatic. But I still have my broom ready....just waiting for my husband, the door-leaver-opener, to arrive home.  He better start running.....

Adoption Roundtable

I decided to start taking part in Production, Not Reproduction's roundtable discussions about open adoption.  (Click on the link to go see what others have to say.)

Today's topic revisited the topic of January 2010.  Here is what was posted in then.

"Call them resolutions, commitments, changes, or choices--how will you be proactive in the area of open adoption in 2010?"  So again they asked the same question.

So what will I be doing? 

When Joel and I first decided to adopt we did it for one reason and one reason alone...to be parents to a child that we could love unconditionally.  Little did we know that we would have some great opportunities to really help educate others about adoption.  As high school teachers, we have been able to talk to our students about the options that they have when they find themselves in an unexpected situation.  Our agency asked us to speak on their behalf about our experience with adoption.  In addition, we have spoken to classes of social work students about what adoption is like for the adoptive family.  As far as our relationship with J (that is Gus' birth mom for those of you who are new to the blog), I have worked to make sure to foster that relationship as much as I can and to the point where she is also comfortable.

So what does this mean for 2011?  I want to focus my adoption conversations around openness and how important it is for everyone involved.  There are so many myths about what adoption is like and what openness means.  So pay attention in 2011.  We are going to be "opening" it up around here and learning more about what that means!  I also keep talking about how I want to write a children's book with adoption as a foundation.  I realize that it is very difficult to get published...so perhaps it will be a children's blog.  :) That would be easier.  Stay tuned in 2011.

Adora Lane

We are SO excited about what 2011 has in store for us.  At the beginning of December we started looking into trying to lease our current townhouse and be able to buy a new house.  I have been dreaming of the day when we would be able to move.  We are bursting at the seams here.  We need more space.  And Gus needs more space to run and play!  I have told people before that my requirements in a new home would be a backyard for my baby and a basement for my hubby.  Well, there is a basement for my hubby...but it will need to be finished off.  The nice part is that the basement has the extra tall ceilings.  Perfect for my extra tall hubby.  And the backyard....oh I am so excited!!  There is a beautiful backyard that backs up to a pond.  Not thrilled about the pond, but when we placed our offer we asked for the builder to include a fence for the backyard...that was one thing that I was not willing to go without if there was going to be a pond right there.  We found a company who will manage our townhouse rental property for us, we got our preapproval for a mortgage, our offer was accepted, we signed a purchase agreement...and now we wait to close!!  That and we start packing!  Our townhouse needs to be ready to be photographed for the leasing company in less than two weeks!!  Needless to say it will be a little crazy around here for a little while, but we are super excited!!  The home we will be moving into is the former model for the builder.  Below is a sneak peek of the house.  Some things have changed since they took the pictures.  For example, the parking lot has been replaced with a yard and driveway, some of the rooms have been repainted and all of the furniture/decor have been removed.  Can't wait to make this house our home!

The parking lot, flag pole, fence and doors are gone. It has been replaced with a lawn, driveway and a garage door. 

This is the "flex" room that will be a play area/office for Gus for now. (Maybe...that's why it's a "flex" room.  It's purpose is flexible.)  I'm super bummed that they already painted over the walls.  I would have loved that design on my walls.

The laundry room.  We are currently spoiled at the townhouse since our laundry is on the 2nd floor near the bedrooms...but the main floor is just as good.

The kitchen.  There are twice as many cupboards here than what we currently have! Now our stuff won't have to be jammed in there.

The dining "nook".  Our little dining table is going to look so little in here but we will actually be able to access all four sides of it at once instead of having it against the wall.

The great room.  The only thing not great about this room is the red paint on the bottom.  We currently have a plum colored couch...I guess a can of paint is cheaper than a new couch, right?

Bedroom #1- Which will now be referred to as the craft room.  Or as I am sure Joel will end up calling it, the "crap" room.  For the time being, I will be able to keep all of my scrapbooking stuff, gift wrap, Thirty-One stuff, coaching stuff, etc in here.  And it will stay pink for now.  No use painting it when it will just be for me.  :)

This is the loft area at the top of the stairs.  Oh the possibilities!

Gus' bathroom.  It is hard to see from the picture but the wallpaper is polka dots!  I love polka dots!! And there is a border around the bottom with dogs.  Gus loves dogs!!  It's cute.

Most boys might dream of a construction/Bob the Builder room.  Personally, this room gives me a headache.  It's got to change.  This will be Gus' room.  I am sure that we will be painting it exactly the way his current bedroom is because I love that room and I am not ready to let go of that yet. Plus I already have bedding for a toddler bed that matches his current room.  So goodbye Bob the Builder...we are going to be doing some construction of our own.

This will be the guest bedroom and will become Baby Stape #2's bedroom someday.  (Unless we have a girl and then I may be willing to give up the craft room.) 

The master bathroom has a big garden tub and a shower.  I just may find myself taking more baths now with such a luxurious tub!

Our Bedroom.  The wooden decor on the wall has been taken down and that wall has been repainted.  None of our current bedding will match, but that is okay.  (And when I say none of our bedding, I am serious.  I am obsessed with duvet covers and not a single one will look good in here.  Oh well!)

Hope you enjoyed your little tour of our soon-to-be home.  We can't wait for you to come and visit us at our home on Adora Lane.