MAKING ROOM FOR BABY…

Wow!  The Gregg house is a MESS!  We’ve managed to move Carter into Maddie’s old room and he is pretty settled.  On the other hand, the girls’ room looks like a war zone.  We have mattresses and boxes and toys and bags and bags of clothing EVERYWHERE.  Sam and I are hoping to get the painting done this weekend, but first, we have to tackle the GARAGE SALE!!!

I started thinking about all the stuff we had and what we could put out to let the locals pick through to try and find a treasure.  I realized we have lived in our house for 14 years.  I have never, in my entire life, lived in one house for 14 years.  Not even as a child.  As I look around at the mounds of garage sale items piling up in the 3-car garage, I’ve decided that moving occasionally has its perks.  First, you get a clean slate to redecorate – which I love doing.  Second, you get new neighbors, new stores to shop in, and new terrain to navigate. (I think my poor truck could probably drive itself to work and back and to the grocery store too.)  And third, you have a chance to clean all the junk out of your house and only take what you truly want to keep.  Who wants to move junk?  Not me.  It’s easier to be ruthless about throwing stuff away when you are faced with choice of throwing or packing it.  But I digress…

The real reason for the garage sale is to make room for McKenna.  Maddie decided a while back she would like to share a room with her new sister.  I remember when we brought Maddie home, and how hard it was for her to sleep unless someone was physically touching her.  She had spent 9 months in a crib with at least one other baby, so sleeping alone was probably scary.  McKenna has been dealing with this for more than 2 years now, so I think Maddie has a great idea.  Carter’s old room was a bit bigger and could accommodate two twin beds – thus the move.  Once the paint is done we can start looking for another bed for McKenna and doing a little decorating.

I also wanted to introduce the newest member of our family...meet Sophie Rene.  She was rescued by my loving husband before Christmas and was trained by an inmate through Puppies on Parole.  Sophie is the sweetest, most caring, animal I've ever been around.  Unfortunately, Sophie was abused, and it appears she had just delivered a litter of puppies shortly before John found her.  We have no idea what happened to her babies and nobody came forward to claim her.  So sad.  But, our home seems to attract the slightly damaged souls - so she is fitting in great. 

The baby news for today is that tomorrow - January 31st - is Chinese New Year and the government is shut down until February 7^th for the celebrations.  As soon as they get back to work though, our Article 5 should be ready to pick up and deliver to the Chinese Consulate and then they will call us with a date to be there to pick up McKenna!  Holy toad stools Batman!  This is REALLY happening!  SOON!

This month, on February 18^th, we will celebrate Madison’s 5^th Forever Family Anniversary.  Time sure has flown.  Check out the next Michelle Wei at the golf course with Daddy!  She just started the First Tee Program and loves playing golf.

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I also wanted to show off my latest purchase for McKenna (like I need more stuff in the house, right?).  I found this amazing lady on Etsy who makes these super soft adorable dolls.  I think she kinda looks like Kenna.  What do you think? 

Check back with ya'll soon!  Big hugs!

Marlo