Ode to Tar'get

"On the road again" Bean Bag Chair

Oh Tar'get how I heart thee,
Let me count the ways....
You fill my restless heart with retail therapy.
You do not empty my bank account,
Your red clearance stickers send my heart a flutter.
If I cannot find you at the store, I can go .com and get your free shipping.
If you were not in my life I would cry and have to go to the dreaded Wally.
It's no wonder your logo is a bullseye, you are always on Target!

Skip-Hop "Moby" Faucet cover

Aquatopia bath kneeling pad

It's all in the details....

Cut Robot mom and I found at Jolly's Toys in Helen, GA
With some cute wooden letters added to the door.

A gift from Sarah's friend Heidi that we made into a switch plate cover!
Love Etsy! Thanks Heidi and Joe!

Charlie's name has finally made it onto the wall

As have the robot prints....

Finally found a cover (well dyed a cover) to match then added some bling!

Some "borrowed" art from Chad's office

Mr. Robotos and Build-A-Bear Buzz wait for
Charlie on his robot bed, all gifties from Grandma.

Peelies and Blinkies (Or How I spent my Sunday....)

I have recently been bitten by the coupon craze. Let me back-up and explain. I have some "super-mommy" friends that often boast of these incredible coupon saving experiences. They facebook about it, blog about it, and even send an occasional "I just spent 36 cents on eighteen bags of kitty litter!" email complete with pictures of a backhoe removing a pallet of kitty litter piled to the roof of their mini-vans in their driveways. (To that I say: But you don't have a cat....) I always thought it was cool, but I thought- who has time for that? Then last week I was in the grocery store behind a super perky little mommy with her super cute little daughter unloading a truck load of groceries onto the conveyor. She allowed the clerk to complete the ringing up of the items, total $132. Then she handed over her bi-lo store saving card, down to $87. I was impressed, but I shop the bogos too (buy one get one free) and to date have saved $544 on my bi-lo card, so I was like "ok perky mommy lets get on with it" (I was particularly moody because it was pouring down rain outside and had run in to grab just a few items and landed directly behind granola mom with $132 worth of groceries, I digress..)
THEN on come the coupons. First the store coupons. Then the manufacturers coupons. Then the duplicate coupons for those bogo deals and multiple purchases (see 18 bags of kitty litter). This took a while. But it caught my attention. Granola continued to talk to the clerk about the weather and how Juicy-Juicy really ISN'T as healthy as it claims to be while I watched her spendings dwindle down to next to nothing, literally. GRAND TOTAL 63 CENTS. My jaw dropped and as the clerk rang up my $24 worth of groceries I was holding, total- $16. Not bad, but NOT 63 cents, ya know?
I caught up with Granola at the front door. I struck up a conversation as we waited for the rain to slow down. She told me she spends about 2 hours on Sunday, with the 8 sunday papers she buys (she promised that they pay for themselves) and a copy of "All You" Magazine. Then she goes to http://www.southernsavers.com/ and checks out what is free or under a dollar at her local stores. She clips and organizes and then they start the "circuit". Going around to all the local stores and buying up "staples" at the right time. Whew. I think I can do that...I started doing some research upon my soggy arrival home (Darn rain) because at some point during her rant, Granola was talking about "peelies" and "blinkies" and I felt confused.
Fast forward to this Sunday. I went to the dreaded Wally after church. I spent $22 on a 2" binder, baseball trading card sleeves (to hold my peelies and blinkies) two Sunday papers, All You, and a pair of new scissors. I felt like I should be using a coupon for these things, but I let it go because it seemed like the cart before the horse scenario.
Now I have been sitting on the couch for 5 hours clipping coupons and becoming a facebook fan of feta cheese to get a "try it free" coupon. I am still confused at the overabundance of information at my fingertips, but now I have several papercuts as well. I should also add, my supplies cost $22 and I still have no food in my fridge. I am trying to be patient with this new way of shopping- not buying because you "need" it right that minute, but instead stockpiling items you need when the price is at it's lowest. I know that doesn't actually help with whats for dinner tonight, but the good news is I am buying a cat to use up all that kitty litter I can get for 4 cents per bag!

10 step makeover!

Step 1: Clean out office to take a slightly less embarrasing "before" picture of all of our clutter.

Step 2: Trace and cut out the road. Enter husband who asks "Are you building a super highway on our dining room table?" Tape the pattern to the office wall carefully recording the corresponding number three times for each set of vinyl stickers. Yes, it's kinda like engineering.

<>

Step 3: Paint three coats of magnetic paint on the bottom to make the wall a giant magnet board.

Step 4: Paint two coats of green chalkboard paint. Sweet talk hubby into painting two coats of blue paint on the top of the wall and surrounding walls

Step 5: Add vinyl road stickers. Remember that you are not an engineer when you start matching up the curves. Ugh.

Step 6: Add the adorable car and street sign stickers. Thank you HappyRomi from eBay! I "heart" your vinyl stickers!

Step 7: Add the cute car and street rugs (yeah Ikea!)

Step 8: Trick you sister into coming over for "lunch" and "helping you with a few things" Hang the cool clothesline for Charlie's art work and a couple of cool license plates. Drag in all the fun stuff- blocks, growth chart, table puzzles!

Step 9: Set up all the super fun art supplies and Ikea easel (what a steal $14.99!)

Step 10: Wait for the most precious Russian angel to come home and play with all of his great stuff!

He said...She said....

Chad and I were hanging out in Toys-R-Us on Saturday (I know.....we just can't help ourselves) We were planning on getting Charlie the BBQ grill left on our registry, but then we saw the RETRO DINER! Groovy, right? The best part was it was 50% off and then you got an additional 25% off all clearance items. And that's when the "discussion" started.

He said:  Do boys play with kitchens?

She said:  First, it's not a kitchen, it is a DINER and there is a difference. Then I reminded him of all the great chefs on TV, most of which are MEN. 

He said: I didn't have a kitchen.

Then he said: It's $27 more than the grill.

BUT then she said: Well I made a lot of money making cookies this week (my side biz). AND it comes with 25 pieces of food, where if we bought the grill (the sad tiny little grill) it only comes with 10 pieces of food and we would end up spending just as much on extra food. (And that cute little chefs hat)

He said: It looks big. Where are we going to put it?

She said: I'll find a place.

He said: ok, fine, lets get it

She said: You don't want it. Let's not get it.

He said: I DO want it because you want it, so lets get it.

She said: I can tell you don't want it.

He said: BUY THE KITCHEN.

She said: ITS A DINER.

So we left the store. No grill, no diner. Chad had some work to do at the church so he dropped me off, diner-less at the house. I was cooking dinner (in the KITCHEN) and in comes Chad with the diner.

He said: I wanted to get you and Charlie the kitchen because I knew it would make both of you happy.

She said: Its a diner, and WE LOVE IT!

So after a lovely meal we assembled the diner complete with sizzling stove top, bubbling coffee pot, working jukebox, and a service bell. And they lived happily ever after....

THE END

 

While you were out.....

While Chad was on the White Water trip last week, I had a little project to keep me busy- Charlie's bathroom! Here are the before and after pictures. I love it. I am trying to stay as busy as possible, it's really how I deal with, well whatever it is that I am dealing with waiting for Charlie to come home. Next task, converting our messy cluttered office into a office/kid friendly playroom. Now for that, there may not be any "before" pictures! That would be embarrassing!

Only one question- how long does blue paint take to get out of dogs fur?

Ta-Da!

Yippee! We have a complete robot bed, built just for Charlie, by his dad. His eyes are click on night lights, his ears those little door stopper thingies, and his face opens up to store all of Charlie's treasures. I was waiting  to post this because Mr. Robot needed a smile painted and Chad had been gone all week on a white water rafting trip with the youth group. So here he is.....I love him! How fun!

300th post (just kidding)

So, on my dashboard of the blog it said that this was going to be my 300th blog post. I really felt that was monumental, so I've been thinking about what I could say to pay homage to this momentous occasion. I decided to take a stroll down memory lane and trying to come up with some thought provoking message of where we have been and where we are going, the highs and lows throughout this incredible journey. Then I realized I had like, 20 "drafts" that I needed to subtract from that number. A few of them I tried to write from my phone that ended up in binary code, but mostly the ones that I thought twice about posting. Posts that were just me blowing off steam, you know stuff like "if you don't have something nice to say....." So good news, I have a few weeks before my 300th anniversary. No pressure. So, something a little more, well, less momentous.

We have gotten A LOT of Target gift cards. We are saving the majority of them for necessities to get him after he comes home, things we may need. But I just couldn't resist this! I can't wait for it to arrive! It's made by Italibike and it will work as a trike, push or petal and will last until he is able to ride a big boy bike, with the adjustable seat. How cool, huh? So here's to post number 288.

Showers of Blessings....

On Sunday, my sister, Brittany, gave me a baby shower. It was a reminder of all of the blessings in my life- my family (all the way from Florida) were there, constant reminders of never ending support. My first friend- Kathleen, who took time away from her busy life with three kids and flew up with my mom. We have known each other since we were two years old (Charlie's age!) Just to think, a lifelong friend, someone who knows everything about you and likes you anyway! Our church family, there in full force. They have showered us with prayers and concern every step of the way. My co-workers are planning to thrown a shower after Charlie arrives home, but my friend Michele was there from start to finish, even a co-worker of my sisters. And, of course, my sister. She planned everything from start to finish. She did recruit some help with food (thanks Carol and Debbie!) but other than that she had some very ambitious plans- a banner (I wish I could show you, but we took ALL the pictures in front of the banner and I can't post any of them because Charlie's face is front and center on it!) The decorations were done in our nursery theme- rockets and robots. Everything looked great. She really did a fantastic job, I was so appreciative. We got a lot of great stuff! (Pictured) Currently, it is spread out all over our dining room! I have no idea where it's all going to go. I've never been to a baby shower for a toddler, so the stuff was a lot more fun than your standard receiving blankets and bibs. We got some much needed practical items- a stroller and car seat and a ton of fun stuff Charlie will love to play with- books, art supplies, a sand water table, outdoor toys- toy mowers and t-ball set.
Chad came in the front door and said simply said- "whoa". Then we sat down and played for a bit! On Monday Mom and I did some residual baby shower shopping with GIFTCARDS! We got some "must haves" the magnetic locks for the cabinets, an ear thermometer, booster seat, some finishing touches for the bathroom remodel, and a little potty. It was so nice to fill in the gaps and not spend any money!
It was so nice to have all of my closest friends and family around me on Sunday- all for Charlie. There were pictures of him all around, I made announcements for everyone to take home with all of his "stats" and specific ways that people can continue to pray for us. It was so nice because some people hadn't seen his sweet face! It's nice to know that I'm not the only one that thinks he is the cutest thing on the planet!
So here we are, celebrating Charlie and hoping that we can bring him home soon so that he can play with all his fun stuff, but most importantly, share the love that is all around him.

Nursery update.....

I finished putting up the curtains in Charlie's room (yeah Ikea!) and only burned myself once with the iron while I was "hemming" them with that webbing that comes with the panels. That's because I can count how many times I've actually picked up an iron.

I also painted some gears to match his rug....I am ok with the way they turned out- I was hoping for better, things always look better in my mind!

We also FINALLY found a rocker we could live with- It reclines which is cool.... we just need to get a more suitable cover for Charlie's bright room. But for now I like the way it looks in our breakfast nook!

I also hung up his little toy holder in the corner- perfect timing for a "robot/space nursery" with Toy Story III coming out soon. Yeah Buzz Lightyear!
P.S.- Renee- Per your question about the kinds of clothes we wore, we were told that people didn't really wear jeans and we should be "business casual" for our appointment at the courthouse and for our first meeting at the orphanage. So we brought a nice outfit for that day (Chad wore khakis, a button up shirt, and a sweater vest and I wore black dress pants, a sweater and a little dressy jacket) The other days I just wore dress pants and a nicer top everyday. Chad wore Khaki type pants and an button up shirt. We felt comfortable with what we wore, kinda middle of the road, not overdressed, but not super casual either. I think what you wear is kinda a respect thing, you are showing that you are there for a special occasion. But you want to be comfortable too, because after we did the meetings everyday with the orphanage doctor, we were crawling around on the floor with our little man! Hopes this helps!

Charlie's newest toy

So, this is Charlie's latest fun thing! I bought the original book "Springtime Surprise" on a Target 90% clearance and had no idea it belonged to the Leapfrog Tag Junior system. I just bought it, well, because I am cheap and it was 90% off. But it turns out it has this cool gizmo (pictured is the Target Toy Story online exclusive) Normally, it comes in white with purple or green trim, but this one is the alien from Toy Story and it is so cute! Well you download the books online that you buy in the store and it links up interactive reading and questions onto that little guy you hold in your hand as you skim it over the book. You can even program your child's name into the gizmo. So when you turn it on it says "Hello Charlie!" When you scan it over the pictures in the book it says "Can you find the green egg?" and when you move the lil' guy over the green egg, it says "Good job! You found the green egg!" It makes reading fun and truly gets a child comfortable maneuvering around a book. It keeps track of your child's learning patterns online and you can print out corresponding activity sheets for the books. I thought Charlie would love it! It would interest his desire for "high tech" items, catch him up on some language skills, and the way he responds to language. I can just see him playing with this on the airplane. I know I've already had a blast playing with it!

Keeping Busy....

Here is the wall art I made for his room!

While I was out....

I feel like I've been "out" for a while with our lives being dictated by recent news and sickening uncertainty. But putting everything in perspective, as of right this minute we are clinging to the status quo. There is still a lot to be done and we've been doing it. Our home study expires soon. (Can you believe it's been a WHOLE year?) So we contacted our agency about doing an update. We really had no idea about what that would entail. Do I need to clean again? Ughhh? How long will this take?Turns out it was a minimal amount of money (thank goodness), one week from doorstep to doorstep, and a phone interview was all it took. Two sheets of paper later, basically saying "we are exactly the same as we were last year". Not so bad, I was expecting a kidney donation and pulling the remainder of my hair out. Who would have ever thought this would be the least of our worries. Ironic.
We've been putting some finishing touches on his room. My parents were here last weekend and my dad installed the really cool lights that have been sitting in the floor for about a year. Once we get the customized shelving unit into the closet, toys can be placed in those cute little baskets. Right now our design aesthetic in the room is the "dump and pile" method. We get stuff and we either pile it up on whatever surface available or we dump it in the empty closet, which is now a precarious tower of items. I can't wait until his room looks like the cozy, playful room I envisioned. Not like a natural disaster area.
We quickly realized while visiting him in the orphanage that he is a virtual monkey. Scaling chairs, windows, and tables with the ease of a natural born gymnast. It was truly impressive. Then we started thinking about our house. Hmmm....bookshelves need to be anchored. Glass tables-corner guards. Those little plastic thingies we "safety proofed" the cabinets with? Yeah, we need something a little more sophisticated. This was glaringly obvious when I watched him figure out how to open a child-proof snack cup in less than 10 seconds in order to access the food inside faster. Foxy. It was the number one adjective used by the doctor and orphanage staff for a reason. He is one foxy little guy. His wheels were always turning.
With that in mind we are searching for a toddler bed. It's our plan to use the co-sleeper in our room until he is adjusted to the house and then slowly transition him into the crib. I can see him using the crib as a really fun jungle gym. So we are going back to the drawing board on that.
But we have been getting LOTS of clothes. After waiting for 14 months of wondering "is he a he?" or could "she be a she?" Then the question of age.....would we be buying for a infant or a toddler? So now that we know he is a size 18-24 months right now and most likely a 2T for summer clothes and 3T for fall/winter but being mindful that he is short for his age, but a little chubby is the most exciting thing. We see little things and think "this would look SOOOOOO cute on him!" Things that fit his "little man" personality. Let's just say, we've brought a few things home to realize that Chad has the EXACT same shirt, sweater vest, or pair of jeans. It's like we are planning our family photos already, subconsciously. . So we are working our way back from being out for a little while. Trying to carry on and praying for the best. Because there is a lot to be done and a lot of "nesting" to accomplish in the meantime.

Auction!

Remember me telling you #1 our baby furniture store went out of business after we bought our nursery furniture? and #2 we got a flier in the mail recently saying they were holding an online auction to liquidate their assets? Well I totally cashed in on that one. I've never had a smoking habit, drinking habit, or drug habit, but let me tell you SHOPPING IS MY DRUG OF CHOICE. Every night I would preview the 900 item catalog dreaming of all the great stuff I could get for baby Deetz. I didn't bid on anything until last night about 45 minutes before the auction ended. I cursed the people all week bidding against each other two weeks before the deadline, driving up the prices for no good reason. I planned Monday night around "Auction Night" and Chad and I sat down and perused the items. I almost cried when designer crib linens I fell in love with at the store were selling for less than $100 for EVERYTHING! Including the rug, mobiles, and diaper caddies. It made me ill to see the crib conversion kits we paid $200+ for were selling for $1.25. Yes, you read that right, one dollar and 25 cents. By 8:45 I was broken out into a rash. I wished, wished, wished we knew if Baby Deetz was a boy or a girl. You may recall the linen set that was displayed in our first crib (CoCalo Harlow) It sold for less than $100. But it was very feminine and I fought off the urge to "buy it just in case" and sell it on eBay if it didn't suit our needs. I behaved myself to the best of my ability. A few nights earlier I actually dreamed I won one of the Quinny Buzz strollers being auctioned and I was jogging around the neighborhood with an empty stroller, waiving at all of our neighbors. (I didn't get a stroller by the way....See "cursed people" as earlier mentioned) They were just too expensive when it was almost said and done. But anyway, when we were buying our crib (the first time) I saw this adorable diaper bag by Kalencom. I loved it because it was so unique, but it came with a price tag that overruled my fashion sense. There was no way I could justify spending $100 on a bag. So, when I started looking through the online lots- there it was #78! The "Pheasant" bag designed by Elenor Grosch! Check out her design studio at http://www.pushmepullyoudesign.com/ . Anyway I WON IT! FOR $30!
I also one this Maxi Cosi Rodi car seat for a STEAL too. It's for when they are a little older (3O lbs) but then it converts into a Booster Seat too for up to 100lbs.

I also got a little something else, but it's a surprise....I'll post it a little later. He he....stay tuned.
I hope you all don't think I'm crazy- but I am so excited! This shopping experience was almost better than when I stumbled upon the $2 shoe sale at Kohls. But that's a whole nother story that involves breaking out into a sweat and arm wrestling a lady named Kristen for a pair of Candies.