Thinking of relocating!

We have really been prayerfully considering a move to Iowa for a LONG long time. Huatzin has been more eager than I. Something about freezing temperatures when I am used to the wonderful beach temperatures of Orange County sounds VERY unappealing.
;-)
However, I am from Iowa and we would without a doubt have a better quality of life there. What is so sad if that here in California, we are considered barely above poverty, but over there we'd be considered well off! The things we long to do could easily become a reality. Over there the foster to adopt system is practically beating down my aunts door pleading with her to take in more children, begging her for referrals of PAP's. (potential adoptive parents) Here we have dreamed for at least 5 years of adopting but never could afford the bedrooms needed to adopt.
( Each child needs there own rooms) This is the first time we have had bigger than a 2 bedroom.

Now that we have had a big home to adopt, ( renting of course) it has taken almost a YEAR and STILL no sign of his fingerprints... We can't afford to stay here with his work doing things like "mandatory 3 week vacations" for all employees. If we accept the 3 bedroom town home we applied for, then we can say goodbye to our dreams of adopting from Fostercare. :-( now that we are a tiny bit closer to getting back our fingerprints, we now have been told that because I am pregnant, I need to wait until I have the baby, and MY CHILD IS A BIT OLDER! like 1 year. So that is almost 2 years to wait. We have held off our Ethiopian adoption until we get a HUGE green light from the Lord. I can't justify starting the application process and having to raise $20,000-30,000 for 2 ( or 3 sweet Ethiopian kiddos) when they are doing massive layoffs at my husbands work. ;-(

Iowa has so many opportunities, for work, income, and being able to buy LAND to live self sufficiently. It would also be nice to get away from family influences that may not be good for our family. We are praying God's will to be made known, and for a great home for our family, with nice neighbors, and a good church and homeschooling support system if we are to go. We are searching for something no more than 30 minutes away from my aunt who lives central in Des Moines. We are praying for at least 1 acre if in Des Moines, at least 2 or more if farther away from Des Moines. At least a 4 bedroom, with garage, basement obviously, 2 bathrooms at least, for under $235,000. May the Lord direct our paths and yours! In Jesus, Alida w4

So, we had our utrasound..

Well we had our first appt with my midwife yesterday. We were all so curious to see if there was 1 baby or two. My kids have been praying for TRIPLETS! They have friends that are triplets and REALLY want to experience life with 3 baby siblings. Aren't they sweet?

Interestingly enough even our ultrasound tech is in the process of adopting..
From China and Ethiopia of all places! We both shared our passion for Ethiopia and how we both hope to adopt from there. I've met tons of people in person that want to adopt, none from Ethiopia. They must all live in some OTHER part of the country ;-)

Well to our surprise there is only ONE little bundle one the screen! Yet another "Singleton" for us! I asked the Ultrasound tech to make SURE they weren't more. This is the ONLY pregnancy with symptoms similar to my twins. I have been vomiting almost daily since I returned from our ladies homeschool retreat! In fact each time I'm in the car I remind myself or the kids to make sure there is a disposable cup in the car. Nothing worse than being on the freeway and scrambling for SOMETHING TO GET SICK in. Ick! I can't believe I am THIS SICK with ONE baby.

One surprising result of the ultrasound was that I am almost 16 weeks along instead of 11. This is VERY surprising for us as I has a very heavy 7-8 day long period while being pregnant! Weird. So we'll have a June, possibly May baby! So... I guess we are finally breaking out of the July Baby mold. Funny thing, though I'm not intuitive at all... I had a dream before I went in for the Ultrasound where I felt the baby kick and in my dream someone told me that the reason I felt the baby move is because I was further along than what I thought.

I expected to be a couple days off but not a whole month! The other thing is, usually by now my morning sickness is long gone. I would be shocked if this continues the whole pregnancy. Well, could happen, this baby is just DIFFERENT! ;-) Anyhoo, We had hoped /prayed for twins again.. but we are so thrilled that we'll have our sweet little "Singleton" maybe that's what we'll name him? haha! and it is sweeter still that we'll get to hold this baby way sooner than planned! Thanks for sharing our joy! Alida w4

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