Check this link out: Everything Up Close: Doll Closet Review & Giveaway

Doll Closet is the cutest etsy shop. I’ve gotten to know the owner Christine in the last week or so as I’ve been working with her for some custom Christmas gifts (don’t tell Ashlyn!). She is a sweet girl–believe it or not, she’s in high school and saving money for college! Support her by purchasing some adorable doll clothes and enter on that site for a free dress!

We are part of a great yahoo group for families adopting from China who started at the same time we did. One of those members just posted a pretty funny story worthy of a reposting here:

“Okay, I know what it’s like to want children so much it hurts, but today I did something you’d NEVER do if you don’t have kids. Are you ready? You’ll NEVER back you car out of the garage and crash it into the babysitter’s car if you DON’T HAVE KIDS! That being said, guess what I did tonight?

I do have to say that the Lord was gracious, as always. Kristin’s car didn’t have a scratch on it. However, the back door (what do you call that, the hatch?) of my van was smashed good. I think I hit her spare tire on her Jeep. My rear lights are homogenized (Jay told me to put the mess of broken lens plastic in the garage so as not to advertise my poor fortune.), my “hatch” is dented, no, smashed is more like it, almost all the way up to the window, and I’m afraid to open it. What if it doesn’t shut again? Fortunately my dear husband is so full of grace that he never even blinks when something like this happens. And this just on the heels of our final $1500 adoption payment upon receiving our RA, and just prior to our ghastly travel fees for four. I think we’ll more than exceed our $500 deductible. Ugh.

Anyway, just thought I’d give you all a smile at my expense. And I especially wanted to encourage those parents who are still waiting for #1. You should have a lower insurance premium because you don’t need a babysitter collision clause in your policy.

Lord Help Us All, P”

Note that this picture is in no way related to the story except that I thought it was a crazy car picture and decided to post it because I don’t like posts without any picture.

What a day on Monday. I should have posted before now, but it’s been a whirlwind couple days.

Monday morning, Mark took me to the doctor for my 1-week post surgery follow up. We waited for nearly 2 hours to see the doctor (grrrr….). When they finally scoped me, Mark and I freaked out a bit. My vocal cords were swollen and there were big white gobs all over them (I know, totally gross). But, the doctor told us it looked great and that the white stuff was just some of the collagen bulging out and would go away over time. They also said I could come off complete vocal rest and go to moderate vocal rest—I am supposed to speak 1 minute every 10 minutes for a total of 5-6 minutes per hour. I still can’t lift anything over 10 lbs for 5 more weeks–which has proved nearly impossible in daily life with a 2 year old. But, at least I can try to speak—I say “try” because my voice is HORRIBLE. Apparently, it could be garbled and bad for up to 4 weeks. I really sound pathetic. I’m barely audible. Nice.