You had me at hello

We are (still) awaiting the elusive letter of approval from China (85 days after our letter of intent to adopt Chun Xiao). We are officially at the "Average" wait time for our LOA..meaning 1/2 the people wait longer then this to get their LOA.  To be honest, it is really dragging on and I can't imagine how people wait 4+ months...I hope I never have to find out. On a more practical matter, the Chinese Gov't shuts down the first two weeks in October so we really want them to get our approval letter in the mail by this Friday 9/30, otherwise we won't get it for another 2 weeks (at least).

While we wait, we have had a crazy schedule -- new school year, vacations, surgery for matt, time off for being sick...oh, yeah, and redecorating. To be frank, it has been what has gotten me through the last month.  I have needed something to do to take my mind off of Emma sitting in an orphanage - or a foster village - without her forever family.

Anyway, here is what we have been up to during our LOA wait...

Playroom: new storage unit - ikea Expedit, two Pair of curtains (crafty Christy took 2 panels and cut them into 4), Organization tags for the baskets (somehow I made these with $3 of supplies from target!), Free downloadable wall art!

Desk & Paperwork storage area (this is not new however we reinforced the shelf to ensure it can hold all of our adoption file that seems to just get bigger and bigger!)

Living Room - new carpet (out with the grey white carpet!) and & new media center. LOVE the storage, do you see a storage theme in the rooms?! 

 PS - the ferns are more free downloadable art! It took us forever to hang the art evenly next to the TV, are they right?!

A few throw pillows, lamps and curtains can really change a room!

Dining Room - new items for the freshly painted mantle (it use to be a lovely two toned mantle from 1988). I love the crisp white look! Anyone ever painted their brick as well?!

So, all in all, yes, Ikea, you had me at hello.   Ideas start churning, projects developing,  and time passing. Perfect for what we need right now.

I know some of you will think this is crazy...but in reality this is actually normal behavior during "paperchasing" waiting periods. :-). Check out the family below's blog and what they bought did during their LOA wait. This family is hilarious...they are from Canada and the husband writes the blog, I just love reading it.  Kind of like Bridget Jones Diary for husbands. :-) Sums up most of my conversations with Matt perfectly.

At day 70 of LOA - Bathroom Renovation

Ikea trip

Stereo

Kitchen renovation

Bathroom #2!

Enjoy!