Day 34

I've been a little lax on the blogging because I've had my head buried in my pillow for most of the week. I had a little bout of the good old influenza. It was pretty miserable actually, but I got a bunch of reading in. On the adoption front, we heard from our case worker, Jodi. She is actually leading our class on trans-racial families tomorrow, so we'll get to meet her and answer some preliminary questions. I will be having a little heart-to-heart with her to ask that she call my cell phone opposed to Ben's. So far all contact has been through Ben, and let's just say he isn't as detailed as I am when it comes to discussing conversations and asking questions...

We have both our classes this week. I am excited to have some interaction with the agency as well as check two more steps off our list!

In other random news...my mind has been whirling in a thousand directions (even with congestion!) as I think about our future. Here's whats on my mind:

Randomness #1
Going "green." A little shout out to Jen's Blog (Anxiously Searching). She was singing the praises of a book called "Big Green Purse," and inspired me to purchase it. I have never been one to side with the hippie tree-huggers...but in the last several months I have been disgusted by the amount of waste that our small family (of 2!) produces. I have slowly been making changes in terms of recycling (which cut our trash in half!), using my own bags at the grocery store, buying local, changing out our light bulbs, growing our own food, etc. It has definitely been a progression, but now I'm getting hooked! I am currently trying to rid our lives of BPA and will soon be introducing more natural products into our household (starting with all beauty and cleaning products). Just so you don't think I've gone off the deep end, here's my official stance: I am not concerned with global warming. God created the earth, it won't be destroyed until God says it's time. It is however, our responsibility to take care of what we've been given. I believe that living green offers immeasurable health benefits that will echo through our lifetime. I am not jumping on every trend bandwagon, but I will be making educated decisions on what's best for our family. Many of the decisions I'm making will save us loads of money in the long run, as well as offer satisfaction in knowing that we're doing "our part." I've made three decisions thus far for our baby: cloth diapers (had to pass it by the mom-in-law because she'll be watching the baby until I'm done with my Master's. She gave us the green light and was more than happy to oblige!), glass bottles, and chemical free/natural beauty and bath products. Because we have nothing baby, the decision to start out green is easy--nothing to replace!

Randomness #2
The Nursery. I'm torn between "Cow Chic--Moo la la" and "Sophisticated Simplicity." I'm not really a baby-decor person...I have a strong aversion to cartoon characters and pastels. Ben happens to love cows so it seemed the natural choice...but I'm having second thoughts. I absolutely love our house and have worked hard over the last few years to mold it into homey, magazine-ready perfection. The house flows well and I feel like a baby-themed nursery stops the trend. Instead, I'm thinking of using a natural grass-cloth wallpaper (similar to a linen look) with dark furniture, large wall frames for the pictures to come, and earthy elements (rich/warm colors)...and then if I want to add baby elements in I can. For me this type of room would serve two purposes, 1) the door can be left open and the room will be an extension of the house and 2) when the baby is 4/5 they won't need new room decor--perhaps just a change of elements. I'm still giving the idea some thought.

Randomness #3
I saw three very pregnant women, today. It's amazing to finally feel a part of the crowd.

Randomness #4
I am madly in love with my husband...I'm talking about throw-down, I'd-give-anything-to-be-with-him-right-now, can't-take-my-eyes-off-of-him, scream from the mountain tops...in love. We celebrate six years on Sunday and I couldn't imagine a better life. After 4 years of dating I was more than ready to be with him...but when I look at him today....oh man! His heart and smarts are all fine and good...but He has been a rockstar athlete of late. He's training for an intense bike race at the end of the year; the more chiseled he looks the weaker my knees become. I am so taken I feel like the same giddy girl who kissed him for the very first time.