Soap - A Distraction?

The adoption process is taking much longer than I would have ever dreamed. Most of the moms I hear say the same thing- "I am just trying to stay busy and not think about it." Fortunately, I have my soap business to focus on. Not that I really need something extra to "do". I have four kids(3 of them are teenagers), a husband, a home, we homeschool, active in church, have a mini-farm with 6 pygmy goats, 10 chickens, 2 cats, a sweet mutt and 5 chihuahuas ( one is in heat right now - more on that later) and close family nearby... We are busy!

Like one mom said in her blog about her adoption journey-"I have a million different things going on in an attempt to distract myself from thinking about adoption and whether or not we're out of parquet yet. Of course, none of the distractions are actually distracting me...just keeping me busy."

Soap making is my distraction right now. It's time consuming but it also gives me opportunity to be creative. I tell my husband - "It's my art!"

I have several new soaps that are curing. I can hardly wait to try them out myself. I was sharing with someone earlier that I cut my soaps in half so I can keep several in my shower at a time. I use a shampoo bar then I choose one for my face then one to bathe with then one to shave my legs with. I love having options.

This picture is a best seller - Peppermint Patty. I can hardly keep it in stock. It has a pepperminty scent with real chocolate swirls and loaded with cocoa butter. Can you tell I'm a chocolate fan?

Here's Our Girl!

Here's our pretty girl. Thanks Isa for another sweet picture! I just want to step into that picture and hold her and rock her in my lap.
As far as news about our file movement - no news. As far as I know we are still waiting in first legal or about to move into IBESR. We've been there since June 07 through no one's fault but it has been a long wait. Rumor has it that those with biological children or adopted children are now having to get a presidential exception before they can be signed out of IBESR, if they are signed out. Another obstacle to face when we finally move into that phase. If Baby Girl is supposed to come home to us then I know it will all work out. We pray for her daily along with Kaflaure, Nerlande and Rose Carly. It is hard to let go and trust God that in His timing He will bring Baby Girl home to us if it is a blessing for us and her. I pray it may be so.

A Favorite Song

This is one of my favorite songs. I think we as moms need to listen closely to the words so I decided to share them with you in case you have missed this thought provoking song.
How You Live by Point of Grace
Verse 1:
Wake up to the sunlight
With your windows open
Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress
Use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes
Have what you want
But want what you have
And don't spend your life lookin' back
Chorus:
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
Cuz it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live
Verse 2:
So go to the ballgames
And go to the ballet
And go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children
Dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night
Don't run from the truth
'Cause you can't get away
Just face it and you'll be okay
Chorus:
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live
Bridge:
Oh wherever you are and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin
Verse 3:
So give to the needy
And pray for the grieving
E'en when you don't think that you can
'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
So think of your fellow man
Make peace with God and make peace with yourself
'Cause in the end there's nobody else
Chorus:
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

Our Shy Little Cherry Blossom

A new picture from a visiting mom. Isa is back visiting so there is great promise of another one in the near future.

I mentioned in my last post that life had been extremely busy lately. Our Lexi had a Senior Bible Quiz match this weekend. Senior Bible Quiz is for grades 7-12. They compete statewide on a monthly basis and each year they have to totally memorize whole books of the bible. This year they are learning Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. They have to study really hard and I'm extremely proud of them. Lexi came in 5th in the state and their team came in 2nd.

Caleb and Lexi are preparing to compete in a Fine Arts competition with our church youth group this weekend. The first competition is regional. Our two are in human videos. Our teams usually do well and I am sure this year will be no exception. The practices are pretty intense with long hours of practice. I have refused to sit in on any of the practices so I can enjoy the full experience at competition.

Lastly, one of my younger brothers moved back to town this weekend. He is unemployed and uninsured. Yesterday, while moving something, he fractured his ankle and broke his heel(?). Anyways, the emergency room said he will have to have surgery. Bad timing. Poor guy. Guess who is temporarily parked on my couch?

We are getting more snow today. The wind is blowing and it's cold. Brrr. Our co-op literature class was cancelled. The kids begged me to let them have a day off of school. Since we homeschool pretty much year round, I agreed to a "light" day. Chores have to be completed, math is a must, catch up on any work they are behind on, and then they can read a "good" book - no twaddle.

I am still battling a cold so I am longing for a steaming cup of tea, a good book, and a snuggly blanket.

Busy,Busy, Busy

I am so behind on my blog. I have not only not written; I have not read all my blogger friend's blogs. I hope I have not missed anything major.
I am battling a cold - coughing, sneezing, stuffy head, runny nose all red and raw - you get the picture. Yuck!
I have had several people ask me when my soap website would be up and running so for the last several nights, my hubby and I have been burning the midnight oil trying to make that happen. While we did not get completely done - we made a major dent in it. I will have to do a major push to get my inventory the way I want it but I hope to have the site operational in 3 weeks. Hooray! I will not be putting all my soaps online right away since I have about 20. I am picking my very favorites (and best sellers) to start with.
I am hoping to up my sales to help with adoption expenses. I would love to make a trip back to visit and meet my little sweetheart before our adoption is final.

New Picture!

Here's my girl! Another serious picture but a new picture nevertheless. I am so thankful to Sarah and Crystal who just got back with all the pictures. I am also thankful for the open door policy of our wonderful O who allows us to visit and take pictures.