Happy News {With a Side of Planning}

Hey friends, guess what?

We're headed to court in 9 days!!!

Beyond. Excited.

The Guardian ad Litem came yesterday evening. She was a delight and gave us a good bit of insight on the big picture which was a comfort. I like to know as much as I can ahead of time.

Control. Freak.

She also tuned us in to the fact that we may actually get to take our kids to court with us! A few months ago we were told that we could not due to the many difficulties in the case. Now, since God worked all kinds of amazing things out, we're pretty much just going in for an adoption! Wooooo Hoooo!

I have to call our attorney's office on Monday to make sure that they are in agreement, but it looks like we will all be present that day as a family! I declare that day National Skip School Day. Tell your kids.

What this does mean is that I now have a week to get all five of us some proper court attire. But I don't even mind that.

Praise the Lord!

In other news, we're still sitting on the Disney fence waiting to see which side we get to sit on. We're leaning closer and closer to going, but are waiting for Barry's check to arrive before we make a final decision and book something. Also, we won't book it until after her court date just to be sure it's a done deal.

I've crunched the numbers and know how much we need. We've added some dollars into our Disney envelope this week to get us started. Little Sister continues to ask her Daddy when will we be leaving. Every other minute.

If we do get to go the next four weeks would contain an adoption, an Easter Egg Hunt, Easter, a trip to Disney and an adoption party.

Talk about the best month ever!

Can I be honest here and say that after the past four years I am seriously hoping for all of this fun?

It will be a welcomed treat!

To get ready for Disney, just in case, I have started doing a little planning. As you know, free, is one of my favorite words only following redemption, Mama and adoption.

I pulled out Little Sister's Pressed Penny Book and collected her quarters and pennies for the machines. She has a special Princess bank that we use to save quarters and pennies just for this purpose. Pressed pennies are one of our most favorite souvenirs and are fun to hunt and make throughout Disney. Plus, they're cheap.

I also pulled out Little Sister's new Sleeping Beauty flashlight that Santa brought to take with us for the Fireworks show.

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When my biggers were little we took a trip to Disney. Upon arrival we found a huge gift basket full of snacks and water bottles for the kids sent to our room by a friend. I remembered this and wanted to check and see how much it would be to do this for our girl since this will be like a celebration for her adoption. Ummm.... how about $78.00 for a small bucket of snacks and a Disney water bottle.

Heck. No.

I took the matter to Pintrest and etsy to see what I could find in the idea department.

Do you see that bucket up there?

We have that exact bucket already!

I am searching etsy for a cheap decal to personalize it with a Minnie Mouse head and her name.

I dug through my gift bucket and pulled out everything Disney in there. I came up with a few coloring/sticker packs and two little Disney Princess figures. I also raided the pantry and took out a few packs of Disney fruit snacks. My bucket already looks better than the one online, and I haven't spent any money so far! I will order a decal and pick up a few more snacks and some glow sticks for the bucket. I will also look to get her/make her a personalized water bottle as well. We will slip this into the room while she's not looking for an added surprise. Then, we'll be able to tuck the snacks and water bottle into her bag for the park each day.

She'll have her goodies from her Easter basket for the ride down and all of that has already been taken care of, of course. We'll tuck some of our favorite Disney books from her bookshelf into her backpack for the car too. Surely she'll be tuckered out on the ride home and can enjoy her new treasures between naps.

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Next up is shirts! Little Sister has never, ever had a personalized shirt. Folks, we live in the South. That is just unacceptable. Around these parts people personalize everything. We'll possibly be taking a four day trip. so I'd like to plan six-eight new personalized Disney shirts for her. This will give us a change of clothes during the days and also give her some new shirts for Spring which she needs. Even if we do not go, she can still enjoy wearing her shirts.

I don't want to go broke buying shirts so I have pondered making them. I am not crafty at all, but did find these sassy iron-ons on etsy. There are many different kinds and I think this may be an option for a few of her shirts.

Via

And then there's the matter of hair bows, but that's a whole 'nother ball game.

If you have an etsy shop or business that carries Disney items, I would love for you to leave me a link so that I can check it out.

I would also love for you to leave me your Disney tips. Just in case.

Hope you're weekend is grand!

God is good, all the time!