Monday, January 3, 2011

Christmas, Court, Goals and a New Year

So sorry to go MIA on you all and make you worry! We had family in town and I was working a lot up to Christmas. Then my husband was in the ER on Christmas evening and was out of commission for several days. Luckily my work was great and got my shifts covered for me. He is on the mend now. Ended up being a staph infection that got into his ears...not fun. He had to go in every day for fluids and antibiotics via IV until he finally got into a specialist who realized it was staph and the antibiotics were all wrong. 2 days later and he was human again but our medicine cabinet is like a pharmacy now. My respect  goes out to single moms, I could barely handle a week of feeling like one.
But it wasn't all bad crazies around here, beside the trip to the emergency room, Christmas was wonderful and we finally had our court date at the tail end of all this and it is official, Christopher ("CJ") is officially one of the family!
After 2 1/2 years, three social workers, an adoption worker, classes and a bundle of paperwork we were in chambers for 2 minutes with the judge and it was done! We are so happy to have all the red tape behind us and to just be a normal (but still crazy) family!
For those of you looking to adopt or who are considering fostering with the possibility of adopting, it was well worth it and wasn't too bad. It was just so long in our case because Christopher was actually placed with us once as a foster child and then was sent back home (much to the suprise of everyone). Then the mother kept asking us to come take him so it went back in forth for over four months until we were finally able to get CPS to put him back in the system so she couldn't keep abandoning him for weeks and then taking him back when she was having a good day.
We worked with a private foster agency (which I highly recommend) called Angels Foster Family Network and they were there every step of the way with all of our foster kids, not just CJ. Anyways, on to the adoption day outfit details for those who are curious....


 I did change out the shoes because of the rain. And here is my rocking New Years eve get up with the family. If you have kids 7 and up, I highly recommend Qwirkle-it is a blast!

Now for the New Years resolutions.  We got the Wii Fit for Christmas so with that and some serious junk food restraint I am hoping to lose 10 pounds. I am actually less concerned with the pounds then I am with the tummy flab and muffin top....those just need to go. So far it is going well on the scale and the Super Hula Hoop is giving this out of shape momma a run for her money ;)
My toughest goal is to stop shopping for a while...my goal is nothing for a month and then reintroducing it with a strict budget. This is hard to do period but when you blog about fashion, read others fashion blogs AND work in retail it becomes nearly impossible. First move was I gave my notice at work. That didn't go so well because they counter offered with great schedule flexibility. So I am just cutting back for now and seeing how that goes. I LOVE working at the LOFT (and all my co workers) so it wasn't too hard to twist my arm not to quit. Second, I am going to be taking a blogging break for the rest of January. I may still pop in a few times but I will be reading less of your blog posts. You are all just too darn cute and make me want to go buy whatever you have. So basically, this is my "shopping detox", wish me luck!!
Do you have any set goals this year?

24 comments:

E Hayes said...

Congrats Debye! S0 glad that you've found the light at the end of the tunnel and now have an official family of 6... I'm inspired by your love.

Have fun on your shopping detox, your outfits will be missed!

dinagideon said...

Debye: How wonderful that everything with the adoption worked out. I have many many friends who have been adopted and I would love to one day adopt, too.

Yuck for your hubby. Infections are tough, for sure. I can only imagine how difficult it is to lose the extra set of hands for one week. My dad was a single father, I still marvel at how much he was able to do!

Best of luck with your Detox...lol. Love that name for it!

AppGal said...

So sad to see you leave; hope you'll come back after your detox :) Good luck with everything, and congrats on the adoption being finalized. What wonderful news!

shopwithm said...

Congratulations on the adoption finalization! What a wonderful and beautiful family you have. I totally understand the need to detach a bit from blogworld when you're doing a detox. I'm on ban as well for the month (at least). Hope to see you back regularly again, although I'm sure your life is crazy busy!

Lissa said...

We love Qwirkle too! I gave it to my sister and her family this year and it was a huge hit. Congrats on making things final with your little guy!

Handbags*and*Pigtails said...

I'll miss seeing you but I totally understand the detox need! I did my own version of that: I quit facebooking over the summer. Some people have told me Im nuts but it was a huge time waster/addiction for me and I am glad I stopped. Looking forward to seeing you in February.
For now, enjoy your officially bigger family! Im so happy for all of you:) Happy New Year

Pamela said...

Congratulations on the adoption. I am tearing up just reading and looking at that picture. Foster families are amazing. I take my hat off to you and your family.

Wiping away tears now....okay...I think if you are detoxing for a month with shopping, taking a blog break is neccessary. Seriously. It's so tempting when you see great posts and OOTD featuring items you can visualize in your own closet. I will miss seeing what you are wearing :) but I totally get it!!!

Congratulations again!

Peggy said...

Wow, lots going on - thank God your husband got better!! Congrats on the adoption being final - beautiful family! Good luck on the shopping detox - seems like TONS of the fashion bloggers I read are saying less spending in 2011 and more shopping their closet! I tried emailing you - but your email didn't work. All the best in the new year!

Devon said...

Congratulations on finalizing the adoption process! That has to be the best Christmas gift of all :)

Good luck with your Detox! Before completely giving blogging a break, check out Kendi Everyday- she does this thing called the 30 for 30 remix. Choose 30 items, wear them for 30 days. It's an amazing way to take stock of what you have and figure out fun ways to wear them :) Of course, you could just do a "closet for 30" remix and play with all the beautiful pieces you already have!

Good luck and happy new year!

Meg said...

Congrats on your adoption finalization! Such a beautiful family! I hope your new year is off to a good start.

Unknown said...

Congratulations on finalizing the adoption! I hope you have the best year ever.

Amy said...

Congratulations on your adoption being finalized! So wonderful! I'm in awe of families who do foster care and adopt. And congratulations for doing what you need to do in terms of shopping. I've spent SO much more on clothes since I started reading blogs and Polyvoring a little less than a year ago. It's hard not to want to recreate every outfit possibility you see! I know, for myself, I need to be happy with what I have and get creative in making a variety of outfits from my closet. I have a very strict budget this year. I track every single purchase on an Excel spreadsheet. I did that last year and it was such an eye-opener! :0 I'm taking Jan. to assess what I have and what I might need and *planning* my shopping for the year. I'm committed to only buying what I need to fill gaps and only buying what I really love. Best wishes as you try to reach your goals! I look forward to seeing how your blog progresses this year!

Sara Jane said...

Congrats on you adoption. I've missed your posts. I think you should still do a few OOTD each week. I would love to see the same things in your closet styled differently. I am sure the majority of people that check out your blog are like me-we love your sense of style and your ability to wear what looks good on you. I don't think you need to shop all the time to "keep up" your OOTD. You have a talent for styling and that is fun to see. Thanks for sharing with us.

Jenni said...

What an exciting time for you and your family...congrats!!! SO glad your hubby is ok...scary! And I've totally missed your blogposts....but I totally understand you've gotta do what you've gotta do. I look forward to you popping in once in a while!!! =)

Virginia Belle said...

Congratulations on the official adoption! You must be so excited. I admire you so much for it! Love the outfits and good luck with your New Years goals. I also plan to cut back my shopping, but then again, I make that same resolution every year and always fail...haha

Jan Russell said...

I am so glad CJ is all yours!!! And I'm glad you were able to figure out a flexible work schedule with Loft. The only not good news is seeing fewer posts from stylish you! But I do understand - check in when you can!

Anonymous said...

So very, VERY HAPPY to hear of your news with CJ!!! I'm even a bit teary eyed! I worked primarily with children and adolescents for many years in Psychiatric and Behavioral Health who were in similar situations as Christopher. Your uniting and finding each other is truly a beautiful blessing!

Anonymous said...

ohhh--glad hubs is ok too!

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say THANK YOU! Before I found your blog I hated my style & struggled when putting outfits together. Thank you for giving me confidence in the clothes I have and helping me put together outfits! I will def. miss your blog (it's become my new addiction! *not in a crazy way*) Enjoy your January!

amy kelinda said...

Awww, I am going to miss you and your wonderful posts! But I understand your need to get away for a while... I hope you come back to us soon next month! Also, CONGRATS on the successful adoption of CJ! I love hearing positive stories like this and it makes me so happy to know that there are loving families out there who open up their hearts to foster and adoptive children. :)

Unknown said...

Happy New Year! Congratulations on the official adoption. That's so great. I wish for even more good health & happiness for your family. :-)

Anonymous said...

Your family is an inspiration to us all. I used to work for the Department of Social Services and what these children go through is just so heartbreaking. You are giving this adorable little boy a chance at a good and normal life. God bless you all.

Meredith said...

such a smart idea to take a little break. sometimes it's MUCH needed;) PS: you're invited to link up here: http://bit.ly/eSXQWf
if you'd like, you styin' Mormon mom!
YOURS, MINE AND OURS

little petite said...

I am beyond thrilled to have found your blog! We are trying to adopt... I would really appreciate any info you could provide. Are all of your children adopted?
I must say I LOVE that you blog about modest fashion... It makes me happy to see other people who appreciate modesty in a fashionable way.
If would like to share any adoption info I can be reached at littlepetitedesigns {at} gmail {dot} com.
Thank you!!