April showers after all!

Thank you for being so patient while we "recovered" after the yard sale!  Made possible by many of you (thank you over and over!), the sale was great!  Together with savings, we were able to cover our upcoming dossier preparation costs, which is really wonderful...because we recently received news that it is indeed time to get our dossier together!  More on that in a separate post in the next day or two.

      

While the original plan was to do a Friday/Saturday event, for logistical reasons we had to let that balloon fly away.  We decided to try Saturday/Sunday, with a late start Sunday so we weren't yard selling in place of church...optimistic, but it's what we came up with in a pinch!  Saturday morning started out so...mmm, quiet.  Our ads and signs were all there...The weather was gorgeous...The neighborhood sale this coincided with is always so big that finding parking can be a challenge.  Not so much this year!  I have theories, but I doubt we ever will know why- It was just plain slow.  Steady though!  From 7:00am until late afternoon, we had people here.

It's okay if I don't see another moving box for a few years.

Sunday- ah Sunday- well, we knew it could be tough.  But until just before the sale, rain was not in the forecast.  Certainly not the storm that blew through.  It was just one of those mornings.  First of all, we were dressed and ready for an 8am service (um, it's a 7am service).  Then, we heard the rain- and wind- blow in.  We ran outside to secure plastic coverings that had broken free, items under the carport were literally flying off tables...Vivienne, meanwhile, is joyfully exclaiming "Rain, Mama!" and trying to play in the downpour...Anyway :-)  The rain was supposed to end at 10am, coincidentally our published starting time- hopeful, right?  Not so much.  When it finally did stop for good, the wind made itself at home for the remainder of the day.  Rick Warren (Saddleback apparently broadcasts live) chose this morning to discuss God's timing and His provision :-)  It was an interesting morning...and afternoon, and we spent the day in single digits for visitors.

Just hanging out mom.

See?  We tried to prepare!

I really don't know how it happened, except that every dollar adds up, but by Sunday afternoon we were ready to send a check to immigration and send our dossier through the authentication process.  Not only that, but we learned that an adoptive family at our church organizes a big garage sale here in town every year.  When I say big, I mean they keep a warehouse big.  They collect all year, and the proceeds go to provide for children living in an orphanage in China.  SO all those items you donated, sold at our own sale or not, seem destined to bless!               

Balloons- entertainment AND a toddler tracking device!  Who knew?

Relaxing with Aunt Rachel after the sale

Okay, so this one is from the day before set-up day!  I thought we could use some special time before all the commotion.  Little did I know this child would be totally into the event!!!