update

Since we were not in church last week (except for the elders meeting on Sunday night) this was the first time we had attended service when we knew for sure our pastor was not returning. I tried hard to focus on the Lord and worship Him. It was not as sad as I thought it would be but next Sunday is their Thank-You dinner after third service and I know it will be so sad that a part of me wants to avoid it. Perhaps that is selfish?? Paul and his son dug out for the cement to be placed for the entrance to the room yesterday. The electrical inspection is in the morning and then the two of them will begin drywall if the electrical inspection passes. Tomorrow is my birthday and to have them starting drywall is a neat gift because I have felt that once the drywall got started, we were close to getting finished. I also look forward to seeing the decorative part (painting). Mark painted the inside wall in the kitchen today. His mom and Ike gave me a gift certificate to Ryan's for my birthday and we had lunch there after church.

Having a stuggle

Our pastor is leaving (has left) and I am sad. First of all, he has pastored us for 16 years (+/-) a year. Secondly, he did not leave under good circumstances. It is all so complicated. Since we started the church, God has used him to add to the flock so much that he has been through two building programs. Part of being part of a church family is letting go of friends and people we hold dear. I have had to do that several times. I think this will take a little more time to heal. Please pray for me as I strive to remember it is all about God and not people.

First electrical inspection

Our electrician has finished the rough in for the electricity and we will have our first inspection soon. If all goes well, Paul plans to start drywall and insulation on the ceiling Saturday. Things are progressing well and the weather is beautiful! I have been staying busy with voluteer work today and Bible study yesterday. Puppy Dusty is growing fast and catching up in size with Lacie already. He is a good puppy.

Baby pictures

We went to Chillicothe today and I got to meet my niece and I had to take pictures to share! We went to a flag football game for my nephew at the YMCA there. We saw some friends and did some shopping. We found a bedroom set for the new addition at a furniture store in Cameron. We have looked a long time and finally found one we could afford and liked. They will hold it for delivery until we notify them but it should not be a whole lot longer. Paul works diligently and has the water problems solved and the exterior nearly done. He is waiting to get the electricity to a point that he can begin drywall. Anyway, it was great to meet and have my frist photos of Delaney!

She is home!!!

Delaney Ann Webb came home from the hospital today. Our family (some of them) have remained cautious about getting too excited until the papers were signed today. While we know her adoption is not official for six months, we felt that the first 48 hours were some of the most important. I am still being promised pictures (perhaps tonight) and plan to make a trip down on Saturday. Paul worked on siding today until it started raining. Learned today that our pastor has resigned and I have mixed feelings but I trust God to take care of it all.

Still waiting on pictures

I am still waiting on my sister to e-mail pics. I have never sent a text message before but when I get the thing figured out, she is going to get one (LOL). She is to take the baby home tomorrow, after the signing over. She stayed and bonded with Delaney and the birth mom was released today. Paul and his son were here and got the trench dug, the tubes in and the drainage (water test) was passed. We are going to hope for some significant rain soon to really test it out.

Delaney Ann is here!!

We got the call on the cell phone while we had it turned off during church. She weighs 7.? ounces and my sister describes her as a beautiful baby girl. My understanding is that my sister will be at the hospital most of the time and get to take her home sometime Tuesday. I know that with an adoption, things are different and it is not official for 6 months. Mom also said the birth mother has 48 hours to change her mind (not sure because my thinking was 6 mos.). We hope to head to Chillicothe next week to meet my niece. In the meantime, I hope to get some pictures! Please, please pray for her, the birth mom, my sister and her family. I feel lots of emotion for all of those involved.

My conversation with Paul

Talked to Paul this morning and he said that while the water from the back drained pretty well when tested, the water on the west side did not. Next week he will dig (by hand) a trench around the entire addition and put drain tubes with holes and gravel in the trench. I am a little disappointed but not nearly as much as if we had drywall back there or things that got ruined with water coming in. We appreciate Paul wanting things done right, even if it takes more time to get it done. The back yard is just so much higher than the addition. Looking forward to a quiet weekend and even if Delaney is born, we probably will not go back to Chillicothe this weekend. Mark has painted the inside wall in the kitchen and primed it but it does not match the rest so he has to paint the rest of the kitchen the new color. We even took a sample and had it matched but to no avail. The Southside Festival is this weekend and we might take that in.

Ditch Witch

This is Paul using the Ditch Witch to dig a place for the water drainage tubes he put in place yesterday. He came by tonight (while we were out) and tested it with the water hose and it appears that it works fine!! If we have the water problems solved then we can proceed with the drywall and inside work. The electricity is supposed to be worked on tomorrow.

My niece is still not here and my sister had to go to a conference in Iowa this weekend but will get to return if the birth mom goes into labor. I got my haircut today and it feels better. I enjoyed spending some time at United Cerebral Palsy today. A friend and I watched puppy videos on You Tube!

Sleepy Sunday

We went to Chillicothe yesterday and came back today, spending the night at some friends house. They have a hide-a-bed but neither of us slept well. We went to the Chautauqua in the park and went to see my sister and brother-in-law and nephew. I really hoped the baby would have been born while I was there but she has not arrived yet. I made a pot of Goulash and we ate with our friends for super last night. They were here to work on the electricity before we left and Paul called to tell us what got done. It was a lot! We can not use a Bobcat because the consensus is that Paul needs to rent some machine and dig places to put drainage tubes in the yard and I think also a French Drain. If the weather is dry enough, he will probably do that this week. We also expect the missing window he ordered to be in Monday so he can then finish the siding etc. Since water gets in the room when it rains heavy, we all agree that landscaping must be done prior to drywall and etc.. We attended church at the First Baptist church, in Chillicothe where I went in High School, this morning. I like to go there when we visit Chillicothe. Thanks to our good friends, the Deans, we had care for all three dogs while we were gone!

Update

Paul worked on some odds and ends last night in the room and the electricity should be finished on Saturday. He is looking for someone with a Bob Cat to finish the dirt work. My sister got to go to the doctor's visit with the birth mom yesterday and hear the heart beat of the baby. Mom talked to her tonight and they expect Delaney to arrive before the next appointment. I hope to be making a trip to Chillicothe soon. Went to Fall Kick-Off at church and it was awesome!!

Pink clothes

I have had the overwhelming urge to go and purchase pink clothes for Delaney (yes, it is with an e I found out). We found a garage sale and I got her some there and a little white dress and on the clearance rack at K-Mart, I found her a pink Precious Moment's dress. I really hoped they would have more children and adoption is a swell option in my opinion! Jeff worked on the electricity yesterday and he and Paul will likely finish the main stuff of the electric work this week. We went to church and did shopping. Didn't sleep well last night but hope to tonight.

This is a very happy day!!

My sister told me today that I am going to have a niece! She and Bill are adopting privately and Delany Ann is due September 7. My middle name and Mom's are both Ann! Please pray for all concerned and a healthy baby girl. I am so very happy and excited but I know there could be roadblocks. Delany will join my nephew Colton who is a fourth grader.