Friday, March 30, 2007

Overwhelmed!

Here's your quiz. Does this shirt need to go in the:

a. Bin of Haiti clothes
b. Bin of "now" clothes that won't go to Haiti
c. Box of yard sale clothes
d. Box of winter clothes that we'll store in Atlanta with family
e. All of the above

Stumped? SO ARE WE!!!!

Now...ask the same question about everything you own. Welcome to our world.

The good news is we're moving to the barn tomorrow. From 1300 square feet to 800 or so. From 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths to 1 bedroom, one bath, a closet (aka. children's bedroom) and a laundry room (aka. another children's bedroom).

All that is to say this:
When I finish this post I'll be unplugging this computer and getting it ready to move. We haven't moved our phone service to the new address yet, so we're not sure when we'll have internet. Please be patient with us! We'll be blogging regularly again soon...

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Pictures




Isabella earned a new nickname this weekend: "Fiddy-cent"

Monday, March 26, 2007

Sailing, takes me away...

Don't you love that song? I've never been sailing and am not the sea-faring type but I still love that song. I think it actually lowers my blood pressure. Unlike the "SALING" we did this weekend. As in, yard saling. I can't say that it lowered my blood pressure at all but it was a gorgeous day and we did sell A LOT of stuff!

There were many people who helped us out by donating, sorting, pricing, loading, selling, cleaning up, and even purchasing stuff. THANK YOU!!

Now we are down to the nitty-gritty. One week to get what remains ready to move. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can... we are living out that wonderful balance between the Lord working for us (like selling our house -all Him, totally out of our control) and the Lord working through us (like packing boxes). I don't recall any verse that mentions "The Three Members of the Trinity and a Truck", do you?

Christy Lane sang "One day at a time, sweet Jesus. That's all I'm asking of You." yeah well, for some of us a whole day is too much to swallow. I'm going with Louise Thornton and saying "'the joy of the Lord is my strength' for the next 15 minutes."

Think I can get a whole box packed in 15 minutes? We'll see.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

If cleanliness is next to godliness...

we are in big, fat trouble! I spent the last four years learning how to be a decent housekeeper. This is not natural for me. I am a slob at heart (you can read more about that on http://www.amiesbraindump.blogspot.com) but I had really gotten a handle on things until now. Now, I don't know what's what. It all runs together. And the wonderful people who've offered to help have each been met with a similar response. I don't know how to tell you to help me. As Shelby McRoy put it, "so, you need to organize to get organized?" Well, yeah. You know the point when things are so spread out and so chaotic that you cannot even begin to direct someone else? This is where we are.

And while organizing to organize may sound crazy. There are crazier things out there. For example when my mom use to make us clean a hotel room, including making the bed, before the cleaning lady came. That was crazy. I don't think she still does this. Ten grandchildren go a long way toward lowering a person's standards -eh, mom? =)

If you've offered to help only to get a blank stare and weak shrug... it's me, not you. I hope that after the yard sale this Saturday, which will clear out a heap load of stuff, I'll be able to take advantage of your willing hands. In the meantime, we can accept help in the following forms:

1. Pray and keep praying.
2. We will be setting up for the yard sale on Friday afternoon. If you can move boxes, set up tables, or price items, come on by. Helpers get first dibs on our "treasures".
3. If you can add, negotiate, or just look pitiful enough to get the best price on our stuff, then come on Saturday and we'll put you to work.
4. If you really don't want to work but are the king and/or queen of "yard sale-ing" then you can just come and shop, Saturday 8am - 1pm.

Monday, March 19, 2007

If you are interested

I've added a link on the side bar under "our favorite sites" to a secondary blog. It is a dumping ground for my (Amie's) writings. Some are from books yet to be finished and others are simply brain burps and personal diatribes. Either way, if you're interested -check it out. If not, that's fine, too.

Have a great Monday!

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Controlled Chaos...

is not what we have here. Oh no. This is just chaos-chaos. (Anyone remember the Little Ceasar's guy "pizza-pizza"? =)) We have an official closing date of April 5th. Of course, we have to vacate the property before that day so we will actually be moving on or around the 31st. Today is the 17th -don't worry I'll do the math for you: we have exactly two weeks to pack up and get out.
Frank and Angela Pribyl are coming this morning to help me organize and box up stuff while Tim is mission conferencing. Then, they are going to indulge my children in a movie while the two of us sneak off for coffee and some much needed processing time. Them's guud peepuhl.
Since we haven't put up fun photos in a few posts and I know that plain old text gets boring after awhile, I thought I would give you another installment of silly Bella expressions. Have a great weekend!



You're gonna powder what?!



Hey!! I'm talking to you!








Kiss me, you fool!

Do we favor?

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

A Dose of Whimsy

Our oldest son, Nathan, the originator of "forting," is one of the most whimsical kids I've ever known. His humor is very natural and subtle and he sometimes doesn't even realize that he's cracking us up. Here is one of his latest moments.

After reading several library books about slavery (I could post a list of the greatest children's books, especially about black history, if anyone is interested or you can email me amiefamie@earthlink.net)
I overheard the following exchange:

Nathan: (picking out two Lincoln Log people) I'm gonna be this guy and she is going to be my slave.

Mamoune: (indignant) Nathan! Those days are over!

Nathan: (unhindered) Well, then, she can just be my wife.

Oh brother! Will you all join me in saying a prayer for Nathan's future wife, wherever she is?!

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

A Quick Tutorial

Perhaps you are like us and had no idea what a blog was or how to use it until recently. Well, we are here to help you. Several have shared with me that they would like to comment but aren't sure how and other issues such as that. Consider yourself a student in today's class:

BLOG for DUMMIES!

The word "blog" gets it origin from two words: web log. Calling it a blog saves 2 key spaces and makes you appear computer savvy. It is basically an on line journal for anyone who doesn't mind their business being broadcast over the Internet.

Just like a written journal, the entries (posts) are listed from oldest to most recent. If you want to read the history on any blog just scroll down or click the archives link.

At the end of each post (if the owner of the blog chooses) there is a "comment" link. To share a thought, you simply click on the word "comment". If you have a pop-up blocker on your computer, you will need to temporarily allow pop-ups or turn it off because the comment page comes up as a new window. Now you can type your comment and sign in (if you have a blogger account) or sign as "anonymous" if you don't. Comments on our blog are moderated which means we see it first. This is where most people get tripped up. After you hit "submit" your comment will NOT automatically show up. I will receive it as an email and then post it or reject it. This is a safe guard just in case someone posts a crude or completely inflammatory remark. Anyone and everyone can view this blog but we don't want to provide a forum for nastiness.

Of course, we don't mind people disagreeing with us. BUT if you disagree so strongly that you find it necessary to be rude or disrespectful then you should probably just start you own "we think the Sexton's are idiots" blog and you can say whatever you want at that point. =)

On the side bar of our blog there are other features which you can access. The profile page simply tells you more about us. There is also a list of our favorite web sites and their links. Simply click the name and it will take you to that site. Speaking of links -anytime you see typing like this, it means you can click on that word or group of words to visit another related site. If you click the link I just typed, it will take you to craigslist.com (one of my frequently visited sites). You can just hit the "back" button on your browser to return to this page. Go ahead and try it. Are you back? See, it's not so hard!

Lastly, we added a guest book several weeks ago but few of you have signed it. What gives? All you have to do is click the link. It will open a smaller window and you can "pin" your location and add a short comment or introduce yourself.

I hope this helps someone out there and as we add features I will try to remember to explain them. And don't feel bad, I am right there with you so we'll learn together!

-Amie

Back to Life

Don't you hate when you find a blog that you enjoy reading and the owner's don't post for days? I can't stand it either. So, for the three of you who haven't completely given up on us and are still checking in -we're finally back! We were attacked by viruses on every front including our computer but I think we are de-bugged now and ready to get back into the flow of life.

Our fund raising letters are in the mail! The BIG yard sale is planned for March 24th and our downstairs is full of empty moving boxes. The Haiti bins are slowly being filled to capacity and most of our large furniture has been "claimed" either for purchase or for storage. Things are moving forward.

Originally, the sale of the house was our biggest question mark in terms of when we would get to Haiti. Now that's taken care of and many of you are wondering when we will head out. The answer is -we still don't know. Here's how it breaks down. Amie will not leave the country without Isabella. Isabella cannot leave the country without a passport. She cannot get a passport without a birth certificate. She cannot get a birth certificate until her adoption is finalized. It is up to God (working through the state of North Carolina) to determine when that happens. We are waiting and trusting in His timing.


In the meantime we will be living... in a barn. Don't worry, each child has their own stall and there's plenty of fresh hay and grains which will save a bundle on groceries. There's lots to see and explore and cows right there in the front yard. When Mommy needs a break, I'll just dress the kiddo's in red and throw 'em into the pasture to run from the bull. Hours of entertainment built right in. ;-) Actually, we will be living in this barn which has a wonderful little apartment built over the stalls, thanks to the incredible generosity of friends from our church. It'll be a tight squeeze but the kids are so excited. I can already see how God's going to use this time to strengthen us -if we don't kill each other.

Thursday, March 8, 2007

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Granny and Grandad came to spend a few days. They took us out to eat. They let the kids spend the night with them at the camper. They played, read books, and loved on grand babies. What kind of people would we be if we didn't offer something in return? A gift from the heart or should I say stomach? Yep. We gave them the virus. Mabell and Granny were sick all night and much of today. Grandad "refuses" to get sick. (I think he's in denial.) The downstairs is serving as a temporary infirmary but hopefully they will be feeling better soon. An eight hour drive becomes 15 when you have to stop at every rest area, if you know what I mean. :-/


Btw, only the two sickies will appreciate this picture. And they won't appreciate it for a few days yet. Tasty.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Pictures, pictures, pictures...

Granny Love



Grandad with Bella waving off the paparazzi.



Mabell and Bella with smiles all around.


Mabell and Isabella were completely taken with each other from the start. I don't know which one smiled more; they seemed to feed off of each other! The tear-jerker moment of the week was yesterday while it was just me and these two gals. Mabell was holding Bella and said "Amie, if I die before she really knows me, you make sure you tell her how much I love her!" Mabell will be 88 this month. Here's hoping for 10 more years! =)

Monday, March 5, 2007

Grandparents...Round Two!

My parents are on their way up from Atlanta today. The kids are beyond excited (read: annoyingly giddy). I've waited until after they left to post what a crab Isabella has been the past two days. Something tells me they won't mind too much. And what's doubly exciting is that they are bringing my grandmother, Mabell, with them. She is a very special lady and I love hanging out with her. Today will be a great memory for us as she meets her namesake for the first time! I think Isabel and Isabella will be two peas in a pod.

For now, the house is trashed. Seriously. After two weeks of maintaining the chaos, the weekend of sickness did us in. So, I am attempting to use the children's anticipation of grandparents to my advantage with an all out Monday Mop-Up Day. The house will be clean, Bella will be clean, and the rest of us might be out of our pajamas by the time they get here. A person can only do so much. =)

Pictures coming later!

Saturday, March 3, 2007

March Progress Report

You may have thought that we'd forgotten the actual purpose of this blog -to keep you informed of our progress. The whining, spousal humiliation, and self deprecation are just bonuses. Lucky you. So, here is an official update:

1. After a week and a half of being on the market, our house is UNDER CONTRACT! How unbelievable is that? I flip-flop constantly between being really impressed with God and how quickly He can work and being a weeping glob of mush because it's happening too fast for my brain to grasp. mushing right now, give me a sec. If all goes through (the loan has been pre-approved), we will close on April 5th.

2. In light of #1, we have MUCH packing to do and I'm not sure where to begin. There's the what we need for now pile, the what we will need now and in Haiti pile, the what we won't need until we get to Haiti pile, and the what needs to be sold pile. One month and counting to sort it all out.

3. Bella's adoption is still in the early stages. We are still waiting for birth father issues to be dealt with. With the quick sale of the house, God has certainly captured my attention. But Him still being God and me still being not, I am left only to wonder. Will He amaze us again by moving her paperwork through at breakneck speed? OR will He give us several months together in a confined space to stretch and grow as a family while dragging her adoption out? I do know for sure that whichever He chooses is the right thing. Can I have a volunteer to repeat these words to me in the next few months? =)

4. On the more immediate front -we are feeling much better. We are both a little worn but greatly improved. Thank you for praying.

5. Our fundraising letters and pledge cards are ready for printing and we hope to get them in the mail next week. Also, the prayer card photo has been touched up -Isaiah is actually looking at the camera now, yeah technology. We'll let you know as soon as they are available.

We now return this blog to it's usual programming of meaningless ramblings and daily minutiae.

-Amie

Friday, March 2, 2007

Calling All Prayer Warriors

You've heard of the recent bouts with noroviruses? The horrible beast preying on entire families, day cares, schools, etc.? Well, it landed on our house last night and took down its first victim -me. And given the initial symptoms...headache, low fever, achiness, this thing is currently working its magic on Tim. That's right. Two parents down for the count at the same time. This could get really ugly.

So, after dragging myself up the stairs to get a heating pad for my back, it seemed wise to use what energy I have left to implore you all to pray! I am learning to care for a one month old without touching her face, hands, pacifier, bottle, or anything else she might put in her mouth. Basically, I'm good for diapering and the rest requires extensive hand washing and then delegation to the eagerly waiting (and I must admit) amazingly competent big sister. Mamoune has fed, rocked, entertained, and changed Bella today and even blessed her mom with a back rub. There's wonderful beauty in a serving heart and being sick is worth getting a glimpse of it.

Lots of families in our church have dealt with this exact situation so we don't mean to sound like wusses. Just pray that the children will be protected, especially the one most susceptible to dehydration and that I will have supernatural strength for the next couple of days. Thanks guys!

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Christmas in March?

My children are incredibly creative, imaginative, and well, weird. I have no doubt that all of these traits will serve them well when we get to Haiti. Today they decided to fashion a Christmas tree in the back yard. It's a little hard to see but here's the finished product.


I'll try to point out some of the details for those of you simple-minded folks out there who don't see the obvious genius behind the creation. ;-) The tree itself is a large branch which they stuck into the ground. The rope serves as "lights" and the pine needles, cones, and uh, the goggles are ornaments. And naturally the rusted out tea pot is the star. Sort of gives you a new found respect for ol' Charlie Brown.



"Star of wonder, Star of light. Star with royal beauty bright..."

Warms the heart. Eggnog anyone?