Reagan, not just the brawns in the family!

Today I went to my annual ARD meeting with Reagan's teacher, the school counselor and speech pathologist to be told what a bright child he is. Since Reagan has some speech delays and repeated 1st grade he sometimes questions his intelligence. To make it worse he has always been labled the "big,rowdy,slow kid" by others. So it was wonderful for him to hear it from other credible adults that he is smart. Praise God he got a 100% on both his math and reading benchmarks and the counselor said he was off the charts on his IQ test as well. We are so proud of him and are beyond thrilled watching him come out of his shell. Yeah Reagan!!!

Out of the mouths of Babes

Due to some female issues the last couple of years I have had the pleasure of many visits to my OBGYN's office. And so with Caitlin not being in school yet, she has been given many life learning opportunities of the joy of being a women. Even with all of the ackward, embarrassing, not so pretty moments, Caitlin has decided she wants to be a "women's doctor". As with every visit they check my weight, height and blood pressure, which usually never changes, but for whatever reason, during this last visit I was 1/2 inch shorter and of course Caitlin noticed, and immediately asked how that could happen. I gave her a quick response and heard nothing more about it. Until we were in the car with her little friend that afternoon. She immediately says to her friend " you know what, when we get old like my mom we are going to shrink. I swear, no lie." So there it is straight out of the mouths of babes. I am thankful though that out of all the things she could have shared with the world about me that was what she chose.

Whoopie!! Received our change of country approval for our I-171H

Yahoo!! Today I received our approval letter from USCIS for our I-171H to change our country from China to Ethiopia. Our I-171H for China was going to expire out, even with the one extention we are given, so it made since to use that approval now and submit a new one for China as we get closer. In addition, we received an early Valentine present, our refingerprinting appointment is set for February 14 at 8:00 a.m.. Ouch, a little early for me, but I will be smiling all the way. Definitely a good reason to get up early!! I know these are baby steps, but they are movement in the right direction. Sometimes if feels as though its never going to actually happen, so when I receive news like this I embrace it! Rejoicing for the blessings that God has brought to me!!

Why we are Adopting from Ethiopia- This Awesome Song By Brook Fraser- Albertine- Says It All

After seeing this on a fellow Hope blog, I had to share this.

Albertine


I am sitting still I think of Angelique
her mothers voice over me
And the bullets in the wall where it fell silent
And on a thousandth hill,
I think of Albertine
there in her eyes
what I don't see
with my own
rwanda
[CHORUS]
now that I have seen, I am responsible
Faith without deeds is dead
now that I have held you
in my own arms,
I cannot let go till you are

I am on a plane across a distant sea
But I carry you in me
and the dust on, the dust on, the dust on my feet
Rwanda
[CHORUS]
[BRIGDE]
I will tell the world, I will tell them where I've been
I will keep my word I will tell them Albertine
[CHORUS]
I am on a stage, a thousand eyes on me
I will tell them,
Albertine I will tell them, Albertine

Did you know it is against the law for a donkey to sleep in a bathtub- Crazy But True Laws

I love books, especially kids books (my mentality, so I am told by my family). The kids and I sit around reading to eachother whenever possible, usually bedtime. Some of my favorite most recent books are "Marley- a Dog like no other", "Stink", "Love that Dog, poems","Holes","Titanic" and "Captain Underpants". Reagan came home yesterday with the funniest book "Chickens May Not Cross The Road and Other Crazy (But True) Laws". As we read, we just couldn't stop laughing. So here are some of our favorite crazy but true laws:
1.)Elephants may walk on main street only if they are on a leash, San Francisco, CA. (after living there this does not surprise me)
2.)It is against the law to lick a toad in CA.(Some are poisonous and people were getting druglike high)
3.)No one may take a lion to a movie theater, Baltimore Maryland(I have to say this seems a little discriminative to lions)
4.)Monkeys shall not ride on buses, San Antonio, TX (This is why I have not taken the kids):)
5.)It is forbidden to Fish for Whales,Oklahoma State Law (What? Not a coastal state.)
6.)Cats may not chase dogs up telephone poles, International Falls, Minnesota (think about that one!)
7.)A pickle is not to be sold unless it bounces, Connecticut State Law(I want to see how they test this one in the grocery stores)
8.)No dog can appear in public without its master on a leash, Belvedere, CA. I love the language!
9.)Riding an ugly horse is illegal in Wilbur Washington (beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or maybe not)
10.)If two trains meet each other on the same track, they must both stop and wait until the other one has passed. Texas(HUH?)
After reading the ones that apply to our great state of Texas, I can honestly say I am a little worried about my childrens education!:)

Walking On Mars Or So It Seemed

After a few days of cold wet weather(I'm not complaining though, that's about as bad as it gets) today was sunny and warm (72 degrees, not bad for winter) so we decided to take the day and get outside. We actually for the first Saturday in a long time had nothing to do, nothing important anyway so we decided to make it a family fun day and go on an adventure. We drove out to a place called Enchanted Rock. It is a huge mountain (I say that loosely since we live in Texas) made from granite with a state park around it. It is so amazing. I couldn't help but feel like a was walking on Mars since it's all rock. It was a steep walk up about a 1 1/2 miles or so. What a view from the top!! You could see almost to Colorado. Being that it was such a perfect day there were lots of other folks that had the same great idea to go. We had a blast. At the bottom was a running creek so the kids had their fun getting wet and playing in the crushed granite pebbles. Reagan our rock lover wanted so badly to take one home, but there were signs everywhere stating not to deface the park. So we took a picture of him with some rocks instead. Wonderful place, I can't wait to go back and maybe camp-out for the night!

My Other Labor of Love

Besides the time that I devote to God, family, friends, school, church, scouts, etc, in my free time, I have been able to devote a little time to my other love- home improvement. Since we moved into our house almost a year ago I have been able to mark my territory or is that make my mark on almost every room in the house. Most of the rooms were filled with white walls and wallpaper/boarder of some sort. I REALLY HATE WALLPAPER! So I have had to tear down wallpaper, plaster and paint. These are some of the rooms I have had the pleasure to work on.

Dossier on it's way to Ethiopia-Yipee!!

Today I received the news that our dossier is on it's way to Ethiopia. That's good news! It means we are one step closer to the end! Somedays are harder than other's when it comes to being patient about the adoption. Lately, it seems like I've had a lot of hard days. So I will joyfully take this as a glimpse of the end of the road. Father God, I give thanks for the little ways you keep me encouraged!!

Project Blake's Room

After working so hard to complete our dossier and get it sent out, I had a little down time to think, obsess over, the wait, which wasn't a good thing. Busy hands are happy hands, so off to my next project Blake's bedroom (stripping wallpaper, plastering, and painting). I was planning on painting Layla's bedroom, but after giving a it some thought, I came to realize that I should probably focus a little more of my efforts on the children that God has already blessed me with. So after much agony for me and everyone around me this weekend it's finished. It's funny that after all the time, pain, frustration, and swearing along the way, now that it's all said and done it doesn't seem like it was all that bad. God does really cover us with his grace. Or maybe it's early signs of alzheimers.

Reagan's Dream

As I was putting Reagan to bed last night he said the sweetest thing. He told me the night before when he was sleeping he saw heaven and people who had passed. He told me he saw our dog Chewie, my mother as well as Jesus. He said they were all very happy and smiling and sitting around talking to one another. When I asked him what Jesus looked like he said he was very handsome. He had on a beautiful purple cloak on and his hair was long and brown." He said everyone looked so happy and Chewie was sitting on Jesus' lap. It was so innocent and sweet. It was everything in me not to burst out in tears. He said he couldn't wait to fall alseep again in hopes of seeing Aunt Mary, Uncle Donald, and Uncle Harry. All family members that have passed within the last year. Oh my dear sweet Reagan, with his heart of gold. I love him so!!

Mother said there would be days like this!! In the end I have Victory- Dossier is Done!!

I was so excited and nervous this morning when I woke, knowing that today was the BIG day for me to go to the SOS (Secretary of State) in Austin today and get all my documents for my dossier authenticated and then sent off to Washington D.C. Basically, to get my dossier done and out of my hands!! I had everything strategically planned. I even wore my lucky paties/socks and my "Save the Planet" tee-shirt. Nothing can stop me, or so I think. I dropped off Caitlin early at preschool 8:00 a.m., giving me 6 hours, and headed straight up to Austin (an 1 1/2 hour drive each way). I go to park and notice there is nothing but meter parking and construction. Therefore, I am forced to find the nearest parking garage 1/2 mile away. Good thing I run, because I only had parking for 2 hours so I had to book it all the way to the SOS to give my self the maximum amount of time there; just in case there is a wait. I walk in and NO Wait, things are looking good for me. So with all my documents, it takes about a little over an hour. But, there's just one thing they tell me, they can't authenticate one of my reference letter's because it was notarized by a federal agent. My first setback. But I am not stressing. So I asked the ladies who work there what can I do? They tell me it's no big deal, I just need to get the document redone (not good, the husband is out of town for a month). So I ask if there is anything else I can do, they tell me sure I can go to a military base and have a JAG officer write a authentication letter and put his stamp on it. Sounds easy enough. So I run back to my car, it's now 11:30, getting hungry but no time to stop, need to find a base. Find out from the parking attenant that there is a base about 15 minutes away. So I am on my way, still feeling opptomistic. I get to the base and asked for the JAG office, they tell me to go to building 8. No problem. To my dismay none of the buildings are labled so I have to start running in each one (they are totally spread out over the base) to ask if they know where the JAG office is. Problem 2- everyone is at lunch, it's noon! I finally find someone in maintance to tell me where building 8 is. I find it and go in, unfortunately, this is not where the JAG office is. They tell me they are in building 10. I'm starting to get a little stressed, but still hopeful. I get to building 10 only to find out they have moved to building 12. Have I mentioned the buildings are not labled. I crank up some Casting Crowns "Praise you in this storm" and start worshiping hard hoping the heavens will hear me and show me some mercy. I finally get to building 12 and walk in only to be told they are upstairs and in the back. Have I mentioned, I have been running everywhere!! It's now 1:00, I am really hungry, out of breath and starting to seriously stress. I've arrived and someone is there. YAHOO!! Or so I think. I explain to him my predicament and beg for his assistance. Problem 3- he's army, the letter is Airforce. He does not know the officer who notarized the document therefore doesn't feel comfortable to do anything. After 1 1/2 of me begging and calling the airforce office, he finally types up a letter, stamps it and sends me on my way. Problem 4-I have no idea how to get home and it's starting to rain and there is a ton of traffic due to construction and now it's 2:30. I have to be at back by 3:30 to get my son from his school. By the grace of God, I somehow find a Buger King, a short cut home and get there by 3:40. Praise God. I am feeling so good right now, a little stressed out, but fed and good. I go to pick up Caitlin all to find out that 4 girls in her class have lice!! OMG- Are you kidding me? So off to Walgreens we go to pick up some medicated shampoo. It's now 4:30 and I desperately want to get my dossier out. All goes well at the Postal office, expect for my camera's battery is dead. No pictures to capture the moment. I make my copies, put it all together, kiss the package,say a prayer and let it go. It's a good thing they know me so well there. It's now 5:45 and I have a Bear cub scout meeting starting at my house is 15 minutes, so we down some Sonic, thank you God for fast food and make it home in time for my meeting. Defintely frazzled, but in the end- Victory was mine!!

In Loving Memory-Aunt Mary and Baby Adom

Yesterday I sadly received the news that our beloved Aunt Mary as well as baby Adom, one of the babies in our group, have gone to be with the Lord. We rejoice in the memories of both Aunt Mary and baby Adom and will cherish them always as well as find peace and comfort in knowing that they are home with our heavenly father. Lisa Pat, Leo, George and Gary, In the name of our father, I lift you you up, may the Lord be with and give you strength, comfort and peace in the days ahead. I can picture Aunt Mary larger than life sharing and laughing with the angels. We love you and will miss you Aunt Mary and look forward to the day when we see your beautiful smiling face once more.

Blake's Turning 12!!

Wow, it's hard to believe but my baby is turning 12 today. I think I have done him an injustice though since I have been saying he was 12 for the last 2 months. So when he woke up today and I asked him how did it feel to be "12" he just looked at me, smiled and said "really no different than yesterday, actually doesn't this mean I'm 13?". Funny guy! He asked me to stop calling him "Blakie", like he does every year.I have a feeling I will be still calling him Blakie when he's 55. He said it makes him feel like a baby. He's not such a baby any more. The way he looks at life and the conversations we have together are truly awesome. He has a very old soul so I really enjoy his perception on God/life things. In fact, last week when I was taking him to violin practice and I was going over all the things he had to do that day (i.e. homework, reading project, boyscouts, and violin practice) he said the greatest thing. He calmly said "you know mom, I have a lot to do today don't I? I think God's testing me to see how I handle the pressure because he wants to prepare me for something up ahead." How insightful!! He went on to to say that God's tests are definitely tougher than school tests because you usually get the material and the test all at the same time and sometimes you don't know whether you pass until years later. It's funny how much we can learn from our kids! I am so proud of him and the young man he is becoming. I'm still going to call him Blakie though!!

The Girls Are Back!!

I am so excited, 2 out of the 3 families from our agency, Amy, Grace and her daughter Miranda, are back home from Ethiopia, with babies in hand!! It has not been an easy trip to say the least, besides it being a third world country, they have had their share of setbacks and sickness (of their little ones, so we are all glad to they are home safe and sound. We praise you God for their safe return!! Eileen and her husband, the third family from the group are still in Ethiopia waiting on their Embassy date. It was supposed to be last week, and something happend to pospone it until Monday. May God give her and her husband the strength, endurance and peace to get them through the next couple of days. At least they have their children!! I can't wait to hear of everyone's experiences and see their pictures. But I think I will give them a little time to recooperate!!! Thank you father God for giving us this opporunity to be a part of something so awesome and with such an amazing group of families!!

Going a little Erin Brockavich(sp)

In having to do my own dossier, which because I am such a control freak doesn't bother me, I definitely have more respect and appreciation for the people who do this for a living!! Between all the documents themselves to making sure they are complete it is a lot. So in having said that I am happy to say that I now have all my papers ready for my dossier, except my doctor's letter. I found out a few weeks ago that the notary commission has to be good for at least a year and mine was to expire within the next month. So I have been trying to get a new doctor's letter. Unfortunately, my doctor's office doesn't seem to grasp the importance of getting this letter redone. I called, pleaded, stopped by and sent emails begging for the letter. Finally, after receiving some great advice from Rhonda, thanks Rhonda, I called the office and asked what time my doctor would be there. That next morning I showed up with Caitlin (ready to use her as ammunition if need be)and pleaded my case to the ladies at the front desk, pulling a Erin Brockavich on them! I explained to them that there is a little girl who is waiting over in Ethiopia for us and each day she waits she sits in an orphange, malnourished, without clean water and being exposed to deadly viruses and disease. I added the fact that I have been given a chance to help save her if I could only get my paperwork over there. Then for the icing on the cake I told them that it isn't just me that can make a difference, it is them as well by helping me, and that if they were in my shoes they would do the same thing. Glad to say, I got my letter within 10 minutes after that. I don't normally go around on my soap box, but sadly to say, it is true, a little over the top but true, and I will do it again if I have to.

Counting my Blessings!!

Where do I begin...Lately I have been feeling a little sorry for myself for not having a referral come our way. This has been the longest pregnancy ever. I feel as though I am stuck in the third trimester and my labor will never come. Now, my logic and past experience tells me it will, but my heart still aches for the day I see our little girls face and she's home with us. God is definitely working on my patience, since that is one of my biggest weaknesses. I try to pretend that it doesn't bother me, but our heavenly father sees right through that. Darn!!

So instead of feeling bad for something I never had and therefore never lost, I feel as though I need to take inventory of all the blessings that God has bestowed upon me and my family. The biggest one is my family, immediate, extended, family and friends. I am completely blessed with such an amazing family!! Here are some of my favorite pictures of our family over the last year. I love pictures!!!

Preparing our Fields- By Walking in Faith

After this last weeks events that were filled with heartache and fear regarding friends adoptions, I couldn't help but think of the encouraging words from a wonderful christian movie I was recently saw. In the movie "Facing the Giants" the coach a losing football team is told to "prepare his fields for the harvest" and be faithful to God's ability and willingness to bless our lives. Which is so true!!

A bible verse that has been coming to mind as well is 1 Peter 1:7; These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold- and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold.

Therefore, I am going to continue to walk in faith, by preparing my field, give praise to God for this day, my blessings, and for the trials that bring me closer to him and prepare me for blessings that are to come.

Thank you father God, for your faithfulness to us even when we start to loose faith. And thank you father for your words of truth, love and encouragement!!

Big or Small- Does Size Really Matter?

Hey girls can we talk? Just wondering if you think size matters. I am talking about agency sizes of course. Kelly and Lisa, I know what you were thinking and you should be ashamed of yourselves for thinking anything else. As if a nice Christian girl like me would refer to anything else.
Well my thought on the issue is yes and no. I've done the "BIG" one, with China and YES, they were great. They are very established and we felt as though you were in safe hands and that things were streamlined. But, I always felt like a number. It didn't always go as planned either, there was a lot of turnovers and we sometimes, got lost in the shuffle. On the other hand with Ethiopia we are going through a smaller agency, Hope Adoption (see link) and though it may more hands on, with doing our own dossier and a little rockier road at times, I love the people of our agency. From the director, Shimeliss, who is from Ethiopia. I don't doubt this is truly a labor of love for him. He knows the country, and the system, which is very helpful. Then there are all the women who assist him. They are an awesome support group and vastly knowledgable in the world of adoption. There are also the families that have just completed or are going through this with us. They are an amazing family, always supportive, encouraging and prayerful. So for my personality and the nature of how emotional the journey of parenthood is, I choose, hands down, the smaller, more intimate agency.

Very Needed Encouraging Words!!

After so many recent heartaches from adopting friends I felt it was necessary to put this out there:
Book: Isaiah 43:5Verse:
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west."