Grasp the Love

New Blog

2008-01-27T13:23:00.001-06:00

Sorry - I didn't have the link right in the post below. Here's our new blog:

www.graspthelove.wordpress.com

See ya there!

Goodbye Blogger

2008-01-13T16:34:00.000-06:00

Not blogging, Blogger. Sorry hubby, fooled ya there for a second didn't I!

My new blog is www.graspthelove.wordpress.com. Please check it out and I don't have the subscribe thing up where you can enter your email but you can do an RSS feed. Real technical jargon there, huh!

Hope you'll join me over at Grasp the Love on wordpress.

Gratitude

2008-01-13T13:18:00.000-06:00

Go here to read a great post about the heart of a mom and gratitude.

The Sign

2008-01-12T18:32:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was the first day I've ventured out of the house in 6 days. I felt like an alien in a strange land...probably looked like one too given I've decided there's no reason I need to waste water and shower every single day. I'm sure Hubby's real pleased about that.

Anyway, I had no reason to go out, just going stir crazy. So I bundled up Angel and headed to Wally World. We drove around in the parking lot for probably 10 minutes. Now that I've become a mother I'm pretty lazy, I need to be in the front of the parking lot otherwise we'll just cruise the lot jammin out to Chris Tomlin. Then it hit me...the sign.

For the longest time, probably FOREVER I've been wanting to park in this certain spot at HyVee. It's a reserved spot for NEW AND EXPECTING MOTHERS. This sign has taunted me for years... ha ha ha you can't park here! And I was ready to rumble with the sign and take my turn at the front spot. So long Wally World... good thing I didn't get a spot! We head to HyVee, not too far away and I'm can feel my heart racing. I'm SO excited.

As I pull into the parking lot I can see the sign...almost there. But then...time stops and my heart drops. Someone had the nerve to park in my spot. All this time, all the longing and waiting and hoping and praying, so that one day I could be a "NEW AND EXPECTING MOTHER" and it comes to this. I decide to do a couple loops around the lot, maybe this "so called" mother will come out soon.

Unfortunately the mom didn't come out and I got tired of driving around a parking lot securing my place in the idiot hall of fame. God was looking down on me though, I did get a front spot. And although there wasn't a sign that said "NEW AND EXPECTING MOTHERS" as I lugged Angel's carrier out of the car and looked at her beautiful smiling face my heart swelled with love and I knew I needed no sign to remind me that I'm a mom.

Downward Spiral

2008-01-11T09:52:00.000-06:00

Topics I've been contemplating writing about:

1. Every time we change Angel she pees on us. I thought only the boys did that?
2. Given my ankle injury and sickness and Hubby getting sick Princess offered, well was bribed, to pick up the doggies poop in the backyard.
3. One of the most exciting events of the past week was using the diaper genie.
4. Although Angel isn't the world's meanest trucker she burbs like she is.
5. Princess got sick too so sorry neighbors, the stock pile of fertilizer will continue in the backyard.

Doesn't get much better than that folks!

Angel baby

2008-01-10T11:35:00.000-06:00

Much Better

2008-01-09T14:08:00.000-06:00

Today has been much better. I'm feel like 1/2 of a new woman! My fever broke last night before bedtime. This morning I woke up actually not wanting to throw up. I wasn't ready to jump out of bed and head to IHOP but hey, I'll take what I can get. As the day has gone on I'm kinda tired but other than that doing good. Thank you God! It's been so hard to be away from Angel baby. I'm still trying to keep my distance and we've been praying she wouldn't get sick either - Hubby has a cold, hopefully that won't turn into anything else.

My ankle is doing good too. I started walking on it today. Yes, it's against the advice of Dr but I'm sorry I really have no choice. I am wearing my brace and sitting on my behind as much as I can and icing it practically all day and when I do walk on it I wear a brace. Thankfully Angel baby has been so so so good. What an answer to prayer. She's pretty content to sit in her bouncer seat or lay on the floor underneath a play thing. Hardly any fussing at all! Ya!!

What have I learned through these past few days? Although I knew it already I have experienced the unconditional, over-the-top love of my Hubby. He's been so amazing. He's amazing all the time but these past two days he's really came through in so many ways. I'm so blessed!

Here are a few pictures from my day yesterday. Real life changing stuff here people!

My yummy snack for the day

Allie dog feeling sorry for mommy!

Ok, here it is folks! My (empty) puke bucket!

My crutches...Yes, right next to our still up Christmas decorations which I was planning on taking down this week which will not happen now but oh well!

And let's add the flu to the equation!

2008-01-08T09:34:00.000-06:00

Now in addition to my swollen extremely painful ankle I have the flu. It probably didn't help matters by what I ate yesterday:

Honey Nut Cheerios for breakfast - ok that's not so bad
A KFC chicken snacker and root beer float for lunch
2 waffles with way too much syrup for supper
A brownie and glass of milk for snack

Ya, not gonna be winning the Weight Watcher of the year award!

Appreciate your prayers!

Wipe Out

2008-01-07T21:30:00.000-06:00

I was telling Princess yesterday that I've been such a clutz lately. I've been tripping and dropping things - something totally unlike me. The other day I dropped a full gallon of milk and it burst open all over the kitchen floor. Ya, that was fun.

So this morning Angel and I are walking around and we go downstairs. I see a sock on the floor at the bottom of the stairs, I had just brought laundry down and it must have fell out. I reach down to pick it up only to realize that I'm not at the bottom and I wipe out major. BAM! Hit the floor - thankfully Angel didn't. On a scale of 1-10 the pain was like 124. Plus I didn't know to do... I couldn't move, I was still trying to hold Angel and I didn't have my cell phone one. After about 10 minutes I calmed myself down despite the pain, laid Angel on the floor and slowly crawled over to the phone and called Hubby.

That's where the drama ends I guess. It's just a bad sprain although it hurts to bad I can't believe it's not broken. The DR said I need to stay off it until the end of the week (you've got to be kidding me!) and then go back and see what kind of brace to get for it. I had so much planned to do this week. We are really trying to get Angel into a routine and so we were looking forward to not having too many people hold her (no offense anyway-just working on that bonding!). I was going to take down my Christmas decorations and get all of Angels amazing gifts put away (we were thrown a baby shower yesterday), clean my house - oh my goodness it's been like 2 weeks since I've REALLY cleaned and I was so looking forward to that.

Ok, I'll stop being a baby. I have an amazing Hubby. He spent the day at home and he's trying to get his schedule worked out so he can be home as much as possible. Not sure about the rest of the time - we're still talking to people about coming to help. But anyway, he's been such a busy beaver, doing laundry, cleaning up Angel's gifts, making supper, taking Angel when I can't hold her anymore, listening to me cry and moan and groan.

Oh ya Princess is so kind. I texted her today and told her what happened. After school she called and when I said hello she said "Hi clutz". Where is the love?
:-)

p.s. Angel is 10 weeks today! She's such a big girl. I'll try to post some pictures from the baby shower soon.

Breaking News

2008-01-03T10:10:00.000-06:00

We interrupt your day to bring you some not so interesting breaking news.

BABY CAUSES BLOGGER TO LOSE BRAIN FUNCTION AND STARE AT BABY ALL DAY!

That's right folks. We have learned that the mommy of an Angel baby has done nothing for the past 13 days but hold her baby and stare at her baby. Every 3-4 hours she will feed the baby, burp the baby and change the baby. And then she holds her again and stares at her some more.

This is a tragedy of epic proportions because the Hubby wants to hold the baby and stare at the baby. And the sister wants to hold the baby and stare at the baby. And the Gramas want to hold the baby and stare at the baby.

What's a baby to do with so much love?

Just a lot of lovin' going on!

2007-12-31T14:51:00.000-06:00

It's been a great week loving on Angel and helping her get to know her forever family. She's doing well, each day getting a little more familiar with us.

Yesterday our God-child came and spent the day and night with us. He's 3 1/2 and he is so amazing (he and his family live in FL). My family was also here for our Christmas. Grandma and Grandpa got to hold Angel for the first time and she did pretty well. She's still pretty fussy unless mommy, daddy or sister are holding her so we're taking it slow with other family and friends. We had quite the house full with all my family, the kids, our God-child, his brother and grandparents. It was so awesome. Even though it was exhausting I love having people over.

Today is me and Hubby's five-year anniversary. By the grace of God our marriage has grown stronger and every year has been better than the last. Even though he doesn't read this very often (where's the love?) I'll send this out into blog land: I LOVE YOU HUBBY! YOU ARE AMAZING AND I'M SO BLESSED TO BE MARRIED TO YOU! We were able to sneak away and go to a movie although it wasn't very romantic. We fed Angel and then she fell asleep. Princess was with her. We rushed to the theatre to catch a matinee (Alvin and the Chipmunks!) and rushed home, the whole while checking our phones and worrying about both our girls! Welcome to reality!

Here's a few pictures of the kids to enjoy. We pray you made great memories in 2007 and that 2008 brings you closer to the Lord and the ones you love.

Not very happy on her tummy

Hubby and God-child

God-child opening Christmas presents

Kind of a smile. I think I took about 40 pictures trying to capture her smiling. She really is smiling, it just goes away really quick!

Grama Susie and Angel

Mommy and Angel

Princess, Prince and Angel

Angel loves to sit up. She also loves her Christmas present from her foster family!

Big stretch!

Princess and our Allie dog

Prayer Request

2007-12-26T15:25:00.001-06:00

Please pray for Tami, Prince's cousin and a friend of ours. Tami's husband Scott helped Hubby and I with Sunday school last year and I've often went to Tami for advice on adoption as they have two adopted children. We just found out a few months ago that Tami and Prince are cousins on his mom's side.

Anyway, Tami just found out she has thyroid cancer. Please pray for healing for Tami and peace and comfort for her, Scott and their two kids.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

A Different Kind of Day

2007-12-22T17:45:00.000-06:00

Crying, burping, poopy baby - what else could we ask for! It's been a good day loving on Angel, helping her get to know us. She's already a mama's girl so I've been trying my hardest not to hog her so Hubby can get some good bonding time.

We'll be taking a bloggy break to have some much needed time with Angel. Thanks again for your prayers. We know it was a miracle that Angel is home with us already.

Have a very blessed Christmas.

Angel sleeping with Daddy

Princess meeting her little sister

Our three amazing kids! Prince, Angel and Princess

Angel meeting the doggies. They are doing very well, although Ed doesn't like it when Angel cries - he cries too. :-)

Home At Last...

2007-12-21T21:29:00.001-06:00

What a journey this has been. I write this as Missy tends to a fussy baby girl needing a diaper change. Who would have thought that we would have a child so quickly, let alone by Christmas. These last 2 weeks have been such a whirlwind for us. The emails, the phone calls, hurry up and wait, she might make it home for Christmas, she might not....and now, our Angel is home. Missy and I have a new baby daughter. The Prince and Princess have a baby sister.

What a journey this has been? The journey is just beginning. This stage is ending but another has just begun. As our family moves forward we look to God to reveal what wonders He has in store for us. This blessing will forever change our lives. Thank you to everyone that has supported us through kind words, thoughts and prayers. Please continue to pray for us and that the initial transition to our home would be quick for our Angel.

May God bless you and Merry Christmas to all.

THANK YOU JESUS!

2007-12-20T12:31:00.001-06:00

Our Angel is coming home! TOMORROW! We are so excited we can't even think straight. I have such little faith, I didn't think she would be home for Christmas, but once again God shows his amazing love and faithfulness and has given us the desires of our hearts. We are so unworthy.

We'll leave early tomorrow morning and should be home (with our baby in our arms) tomorrow night! Please continue to pray for her for a smooth transition, for the foster family who's had her since birth and for safety for us traveling.

Thanks for going along with us on this journey. We have felt your prayers and we praise God for his blessings.

A Child

2007-12-20T08:07:00.000-06:00

I was sitting in the sanctuary the other day. Praying, listening, being still. As we've been experiencing the highs and lows of adoption I was feeling very overwhelmed. I had so much joy in my heart that this little child would, Lord willing, be coming into our home. That my husband and I would have a child together. But at the time I also had the knowledge that nothing was final yet and so at times that caused me to have fear.

As I sat there I looked at the beautiful blue banner on the alter. "For Unto Us A Child Is Born". Yes, that's true. For unto us (Pat and I) a child has been born that will be given to us as our own, to raise and love and guide and nuture. A child that I've longed and prayed for for many years.

And then Christ reminded me to not forget the real meaning of that verse. For unto us a Child has been born. Unto me. A sinner - many times I've thought the apostle Paul was crazy calling himself the "chief of sinners". I was the chief of sinners. And still the Child was born. I was reminded that as great and wonderful and amazing as it will be to have a child of our own - there is nothing more sweet than the love of the Christ child. Absolutely nothing - not marriage, not children, not health, not wealth. Nothing greater than sitting there with Jesus remembering all that He had done for me. Nothing greater than His forgiveness. Nothing greater than the hope and peace and joy He brings.

Perhaps you've allowed circumstances in your life, the busyness of Christmas or trials and fears to draw your thoughts away from the Christ child. Right now as you read this commit to that quiet time with Jesus. Turn off the tv and the computer. Turn off your radio or ipod. Turn off your phone (trust me, it'll be ok!). Sit in the silence of your living room, the sanctuary of a church or an office at work. Whether it be December or June, let us be reminded "For Unto Us A Child Is Born".

That's What Friends Are For!

2007-12-19T15:30:00.000-06:00

Ok, I'm done whining! :-) Thanks friends for encouraging me to use this time to get some things done. Another friend also found this devotional and it was just perfect!

The Time Came For Her Baby
by Jon Walker

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. (Luke 2:6 NLT)

We manage time; we waste time. We spend time and we save time. We wish the time would come; we wish the time would pass. We see time fly, and we feel time drag. We watch clocks and carry calendars, creating the illusion that we somehow control time, yet all the while moments flow forward like a mighty river that cannot be stopped, harnessed, or re-routed.

Yet God controls time. He created time and we, his creations, are fenced by his time, directed and guided by his holy and loving hand. Do you think God was surprised that "while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born?"

We're often surprised by unexpected developments in our lives, yet the Bible teaches that God is never surprised, even in the most disastrous turn of events. How would your faith differ if you believed God was not surprised by your current circumstances and that he's working, at this moment, for a holy and healthy conclusion?

What does that mean? God is always on time, at just the right time. George Mueller, the great prayer warrior from the 19th century, once waited on a dock for a special chair to be delivered. He had a bad back and needed the chair for the ocean voyage ahead of him. When the departure time grew close and the chair still had not arrived, Mueller's friends offered to buy a substitute chair, but Mueller said no - "Either God will provide the chair, or he'll give grace to do without it." Like a Hollywood ending, the chair arrived just in time, right on time. Mueller noted, "If the chair had arrived earlier, we might have dismissed the provision of God." This Christmas, point out the provisions of God when you see them.

What if you were certain God would provide? How would you act, think, and live differently if you were absolutely certain God was at the end of the deadline? That is, even if there were mere seconds left, you still believed with certainty that God was working through your circumstances? Believing he's there and about to provide is the essence of faith. Tell God, "I believe; help my unbelief."

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Time cannot diminish Christ's love for you or his power to work within your life. He is there in the past; he is there in the now; and he is there in your future.

A thousand years are like a few hours to God (Psalm 90:4). God is working to bring you into eternity, not just to get you through the end of next week. Praise God for his grace and for a love so strong that he wants you to spend an eternity with him.

Worse Than Waiting?

2007-12-18T22:03:00.000-06:00

We didn't think there was anything harder than waiting. We thought once Monday was past and the court hearing was over and everything was finally final our hearts wouldn't be so heavy. Unfortunately now we've discovered that there is something worse than waiting. It's knowing we have a daughter in another state, knowing she's ours, a part of our family, our daughter. And not being able to be with her. Feeling like we've abandoned her. Missing her so much and knowing there's nothing we can do to speed up this process.

Today I spent the day with my Father, my heavenly Father. I try to do this once a month. Actually I've already scheduled my "Daddy Tank Days", as they're called, through 2008 - making sure that one day a month is set aside. Each time is different - today I started out by reading my chronological bible. Then I spent a few hours praying through journaling. And then I spent about an hour singing Christmas hymns. My poor dogs weren't too thrilled about that. Then I read through the Gospels, actually more like skimmed, looking for times when Jesus built relationships and how he did it. And then I went back to the Old Testement and read through Judges and Ruth. And then finished up the day with more prayer time.

I'm so thankful my Daddy Tank Day fell on today. If I hadn't had my heart and mind on my Father it would have been a bad day. I won't lie, there were times I was tempted to crawl under my covers and cry and pray and beg Jesus to let us bring our Angel home. I guess I did do alot of praying and crying asking that our Angel could come home this week but my focus was on the Father and knowing that His will and timing is perfect puts my heart at ease.

I encourage you to set aside one day a month to spend with your heavenly Father. I wasn't too sure about a whole day either when my Pastor suggested this. But then I realized I owe my Father my entire life - isn't He important enough to me to give Him just one day a month? He so longs to spent that time with you, to fill you up and talk with you and encourage and challenge you.

Please continue to pray with us that the interstate compact paperwork would get completed soon, like tomorrow, so we can go get our Angel and bring her home.

Praising God for His Blessing

2007-12-17T21:12:00.000-06:00

Missy,

The attorney called to let Deanne know that the court proceedings went as planned! That means everything is absolutely final! Praise God.... your Angel will be coming home soon! Will let you know progress of ICPC as it moves along.

Kim

ABSOLUTELY FINAL - Wow! That's the best thing we've heard in a long time! Thank you Jesus!

Not Much To Report

2007-12-17T18:22:00.000-06:00

Today was the hearing for termination of parental rights for our Angel. We didn't hear anything from the social worker working with the birth mom. But our social worker said no news is good news. I guess the birth mom and social worker don't have to be present at the hearing so since we didn't hear anything that means everything went fine... I think that means then that we are legally able to adopt her. I know I should sound a little more excited, I guess we are just still being cautious until we get word we can go get her. Still not sure when that will be. I guess the state won't get our paperwork til tomorrow so then it's just more waiting for someone to call and say everything looks good.

We praise God...

as far as we know things went well at the court hearing today
for yellow paint - we painted the nursery and it looks really cute
that mail only takes 1 day to get from our agency to the state office
for the many family and friends that have given financially towards the adoption
that His mercies are new every morning

Celebrating

2007-12-16T18:07:00.000-06:00

Today we had a party with family to celebrate Princess's birthday. Yes, I know the cake is lame. It would have been even lamer if it was up to me.

Princess wanted a "funfetti" cake - no problem! I was even planning on making a cake from scratch but if she wants funfetti, she gets funfetti. So the party's at 3:00 and I finally get around to making the cake at 1:30.

It's sitting there cooling and my sister sees the chocolate frosting on the counter.

She says, "so that's what Princess wants for her cake?"

"Yep! She wants funfetti."

"With chocolate frosting?"

"Well, that's all I have and I don't think I have what I need to make frosting from scratch."

Sister gives me a weird look.

So I call Princess (Yes, she is just downstairs but that's a long way to walk!). Low and behold she wants funfetti cake with white frosting (DUH!). My wonderful sister offers to run to the store to save the day!

It's still a lame cake but at least it's a lame cake with white frosting!

The Process

2007-12-15T21:25:00.000-06:00

Sorry for 3 posts in one day. That's just a little neurotic but we wanted to share what's next.

We left our Angel today with her foster family. It was so hard to leave her. Even though she's not ours yet, our hearts have already convinced us she's our daughter but we're not able to take her across state lines because the paperwork is not final yet.

On Monday (2 days!) the court hearing will take place to terminate the rights of the birth parents. This is considered a "high risk" adoption because we've asked to proceed with the processing before termination of rights. So yes, it's possible that the birth parents could change their minds. Although from what we've been told it sounds like there's not a very likely chance of that happening. If all goes well on Monday then we just wait for the interstate compact paperwork to get completed. This allows us to take her home and although the adoption isn't finalized for 6 months the birth parents rights will have been terminated so they could not come back and reclaim her.

There's really no way to know how long it will take for the interstate compact paperwork to get done. Basically it depends on whether someones on vacation or not. We are pretty optimistic it will happen next week - but it's possible it could be the next week or the next. Our agency is so amazing and they are doing all they can to make it happen as quickly as possible.

Please pray:

For our Angel. That she would continue to be healthy, that she would eat well and when she does come home, would attach to us quickly.

For me, Hubby and Princess. That we would be patient and trust in God's timing. That we would not worry about what tomorrow brings but hold tight to the promises of God's word.

For court on Monday. That God's will would be done. That the birth parents would have peace.

For the interstate compact. That the paperwork would get done in record time and we could bring our Angel home next week. Let's pray specific - bring her home Monday or Tuesday.

For finances. That we would have what we need for the adoption fee. That we would be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us and know what supplies we should buy and when. That when our Angel comes home and my maternity leave is up it would be possible for me to stay home, if not full time at least part time.

Thanks so much. We appreciate your prayers and encouragement!

Just In Case You Didn't Get Enough

2007-12-15T20:38:00.000-06:00

Any thoughts on a nickname?

"pumpkin"
"shortcake"
"sweetie pie"
I'm sorry, but it will not be "red"

And the Sure Sign That I'm A Mom

2007-12-15T06:17:00.001-06:00

My uneaten sandwich from supper. :-) All you moms out there, you probably didn't realize this part of being a mom (eating last or not eating at all) was a blessing. But for those of us that have never had the priviledge of not being able to eat because of kids it's a really cool thing. Yes, I know I won't be saying that in a week!

More Pictures of Our Angel

2007-12-15T05:57:00.000-06:00

There's a smile!

Trying to take it all in. She loves to lift her head and look around.

Please, no more pictures!

Wrestling match with Angel's baby. Looks like Angel is giving up!

Just hanging out - trying to smile.

Mommy and Angel

Daddy and Angel

Angel's first baby from Grandma Susie.

Our Angel

2007-12-14T14:39:00.000-06:00

Here she is, neon orange hair and all! She's so precious and we're having fun getting to know her and love on her. We'll post more pictures later. Please pray with us that she would bond quickly. She does have some eating troubles - not every feeding but will be something we'll need the doctor to check out. Pray for that too and her overall health.

Happy Birthday Princess!

2007-12-13T05:10:00.000-06:00

Our sweet Princess is 17 today. I've had the pleasure of being her step-mom for 5 years and it has been such a joy. We've had our ups and downs, that's for sure, but God has seen us through it all.

Princess you truly are a gift from God. I couldn't love you more if I had given birth to you. You are that ray of sunshine that brightens our day everytime we see you. We love your silly faces and goofy laugh. You amaze us with the wisdom God has given you. You have such an insight into the heart of God and into the heart of His people. You love deeply and that means sometimes you get hurt deeply. But through it all, through the questions, the joy and sorrow, the good days and bad you have kept your feet walking in the way of the Lord

It's not always easy having 4 parents but you do your best to be respectful and honoring of all 4 of us and that is amazing! We know that going back and forth between our home and your moms is not easy and some days it's just down right annoying. But again, your attitude has always been one of gratitude and you let Christ shine through you.

Princess, your determination through cross-country amazed us. Most everyone else would have given up after the struggles you endured but not you. "Give up" is not a word you will probably ever utter. You are strong and persistant and have a heart of perserverance. I know because I not only saw it in cross-country but with the wrestling matches with your dad!

You are an amazing little sister. Prince is so blessed to have your love and encouragement. You are also an amazing big sister. Although Omarea wasn't with us for long you loved him like he was our own and we know he'll never forget that.

The other night you said to me, "The princess is turning into a queen!". It was pretty funny but I know it's true, as much as we'd like to stop it from happening. You are growing into a beautiful young lady and soon will spread your wings and fly. We love you sweet girl. We pray for you every day and ask that God protect you and speak to you and make Himself known to you. We pray that you will always seek the wisdom of God before the wisdom of man. And we hope you will never ever forget that we are here for you no matter what life brings.

We love you so so so so much! We pray you have a wonderful day today on your birthday and that God blesses you with many more. Happy Birthday Princess!

Pray for Kate

2007-12-12T21:58:00.001-06:00

Please pray for a blogger friend Kate. She had brain surgery today for cancer. This was her second surgery although this one was much more invasive. She's a young mom with three boys. You can read more about her story here.

Roller Coaster of Emotions

2007-12-11T18:39:00.000-06:00

(Can you even see this picture? It's Hubby, Prince, Me and Princess on a roller coaster at Disney World. Check out Princess making a funny face - what a goof! Anyway...)

Up, down, all around. Feeling excited, nervous, queasy, laughing, crying and sometimes screaming at the top of our lungs. No, it's not the world's scariest roller coaster - it's adoption!

Today was one of those days. I praise God for our social worker. She is so amazing and quick to remind us of God's timing. It's official, I've memorized this verse:

"Let not your heart be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me." John 14:1

1. Plans were made yesterday for us to go see the baby. We'll get to go see her on Friday at noon, take her with us to a hotel and stay with her overnight. We'd bring her back to the foster family at noon on Saturday.

2. That won't work for the foster family. We have to go for the entire weekend (Friday-Sunday).

3. That won't work for us. We're having a dinner party birthday bash for Princess on Saturday night and we need to be back by 4:00 or 5:00.

4. Ok, we'll try to schedule something for next weekend. NEXT weekend? Like in 9 days which really translates into a millennium? Wow, that makes me really sad.

5. How about this week. Wednesday or Thursday?

6. Ok, that will work. Thursday from noon-5:00. We'll have to be at the foster home, no big deal. It's not as much time with her, we'll take what we can get.

7. Wait, God has heard our cries! We're back to the original plan. Friday noon - Saturday noon. Yippee!!

Hold on to your hats. Lord willing on Friday evening we'll email a picture of our Angel!

Please keep praying for the finances we need to come in. Still about $2000-3000 short.

Just a few more days!

2007-12-10T16:55:00.000-06:00

That's right, in just a few more days we get to see and hold and hug and kiss our Angel. We've heard lots of news today from our social worker - here's an update:

1. Everything is right on track. Just waiting on Holly's fingerprints and we realized today our TB tests. Our agency is doing what they can to expedite everything.

2. We get to see her on Friday! We'll meet her at noon, spend time time at the foster home and then get to take her with us! And we get to stay over night with her. Oh the joy! Unfortunately we then will have to leave her and come back home without her.

3. Best case scenario we'll be able to take her home for final final final on Monday, Dec 17th. We are hoping and praying for that but being realistic too that it could be later.

4. I shared earlier how family had given us $8000 towards the adoption. Well $4000 of that was some jewelry someone gave us that we thought we could easily sell. The jewelry is appraised at $7000 approximately so we figure we could easily get $4k. But now we're being told it's not likely we can get that much, and in this short of time it will be difficult too. So we are still hoping this will work out. If we can get some funds by selling the jewelry we're just a few thousand short. If we can't get the funds for the jewelry we're more like $5-6 thousand short.

This week we'll be busy getting the nursery ready. Right now it's a disastrous storage room. I guess I shouldn't say disastrous - I worked on it this weekend and made some progress but we have a long ways to go. I have no idea how we get so much junk. We have a crib, 2 packs of newborn diapers and that's it. I just can't let myself buy too much until we have all the funds raised for the fee so for now we're going to just hold off on any major shopping.

Thank you so much for your prayers. I'm still in shock, not really believing that this dream will be coming true. In fact, papers aren't signed yet, there's always a chance, although slight, that something would happen. We do feel at peace though and are trusting God for each decision and each step we take.

Please continue to pray for me, Hubby, Princess, our Angel, her foster family, our two social workers, Kim and Deanne, who are amazing and for all the paperwork and funds we are still waiting.

10 Things You'll Find In Iowa

2007-12-10T10:25:00.000-06:00

1. Mike Huckabee taking the state by storm!

2. Postcard arrives 39 years later

3. Thieves targeting Christmas trees

4. Oprah

5. Acts of courage

6. Mourning

7. Bad burgers

8. Kevin Bacon and Tim Robbins

9. Freezing fog

10. Our Angel

2007-12-09T21:58:00.000-06:00

Allie, Princess, Charlie, Me and Edward...with our tall, skinny, very naked Christmas tree. It actually looks better in person. We have a tradition in our family that every year for Princess's birthday (coming up soon!) we get her a tree ornament. Hubby has been doing this since she was 4 years old so she has a pretty cool collection. Usually it's an ornament that has to do with what she's into or what sport she's in or what she likes. And then when we were married almost 5 years ago we started the tradition for ourselves too, that we get an ornament every year.

No news is just no news, right? We haven't heard a word from our social worker. Hubby won't let me call. Yes, she did say she'd call as soon as she made contact with the foster family but arrgghh! I was so hoping to hear more today. And then my crazy brain starts going wacko. If you're wondering what I'm talking about read here.

I've spent alot of today reading the promises of the Psalms. Here's one of my favorites:

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? Ho long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I will trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13

It's A Girl!

2007-12-08T18:21:00.002-06:00

Ok folks, hope you're sitting down!

We are soon to become the parents of a baby girl. She's 5 weeks old and we'll call her Angel. We are so excited, yet still a little in shock and still a little cautious since it's not final yet.

Things that need to happen before baby Angel comes home:

1. Finalize our home study. Our social worker is finishing it up this weekend so that's no problem.

2. Background check and fingerprints. This is also part of the home study, but it's the part that takes the longest. Ok, so you remember how we were thinking it took 4-8 weeks. Well either we were wrong or God worked an amazing miracle. Me and Hubby's already came back after only 2 weeks. So we're just waiting on Princess's.

3. Adoption Fee. Huge praise here! We originally thought our fee was $11800 and then were told we didn't make it in time before their fees increased so the fees were actually $14800. But now today we were told that they are in fact $11800! YAHOO! We're still keeping our goal at $14000 because we owe $1000 more for the home study and we have yet to buy anything for the nursery plus a $500 post placement fee.

So what does that mean? We have $3-4000 that has been raised or donated. So that leaves us with $10-11000 yet to raise. And we have, we're guessing 2-4 weeks. I'm so excited because we serve an AMAZING God.

SO AMAZING that we have within the last 10 minutes since I've typed the last paragraph we have gotten 2 phone calls from family members that want to give us approximately $8000. I can hardly talk, I'm so overwhelmed by God's blessing. All we can do is sit here and weep.

We love you Jesus. Thank you for this blessing and this new adventure you've called us to. Thank you for our family and friends that are so encouraging and supportive. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

It's a Souper Duper Friday!

2007-12-07T16:46:00.000-06:00

BooMama is hosting a Soup-Tacular today! Ya, I love recipes! I was hoping to share one of Hubby's amazing recipes but he thinks he's so special he doesn't use recipes. What's up with that anyway? So you get to enjoy my broccoli cheese soup. It's amazing too!

Check out more recipes on BooMama's blog.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 stick butter
3 chicken bouillon cubes
3 cups water
3 cups medium egg noodles
1/2 head broccoli, chopped
3 cups milk
1 small box Velveeta cheese

Saute onion and butter. Add chicken bouillon cubes and water. Stir until cubes dissolve. Add noodles and broccoli. Cook until broccoli is tender. Add milk and Velveeta. Stir until cheese is melted. Do not boil. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Ok, it's your lucky day! I'm going to share another amazing recipe for mini bread bowls. They are so easy to make and so fun for whatever soup you have!

Mini Bread Bowls
1 package refrigerated jumbo biscuits
1 package tin foil

Separate biscuits. Roll out on cutting board until discuit is 6-8 inches in diameter. (I just use my hands to roll out) Take handful of tin foil and scrunch into a ball. Make foil balls that are approximately softball size. Lay rolled out biscuits on top of tin foil ball and place on baking sheet (so "bowls" are upside down). Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Let cool. Remove from tin foil. Flip over and fill with your favorite soup!

Not like we're keeping track or anything

2007-12-07T16:25:00.000-06:00

So our home study is real close to being done and now we just wait, as opposed to waiting and filling out all the paperwork and meetings and such.

You may have noticed a new little icon on the right side of our blog. Well, it's not little I guess. Yesterday it said we need to raise $11000 to bring baby home and we are up to $6000. Well today we found out we actually need $14000. Our agency recently raised their fees but we were hoping to get in under their last fee schedule. Doesn't look like that's going to happen.

So please please please please pray that the funds would be raised. We are scrimping pennys and filling out grant applications. However, we can't send the applications in until the home study is final final. Many of them only give grants quarterly and it's possible we could get a referral sooner than that. Most of them also say they give grants for "extreme financial hardship". Well, I wouldn't exactly say we are in extreme financial hardship but we certainly don't have $10K laying around.

I know, STOP WORRYING! We are trusting that it will all come together as God's timing is perfect. Thanks for praying with us.

God Knows

2007-12-06T18:34:00.000-06:00

Earlier this week I talked to our doctor's nurse about the tests results from last week. She said there was nothing to be concerned about and I should come back in 6 months. Uh, WHAT!! So if everything looks fine, why am I having all this pain? And why am I waiting 6 months to come back? We talked to another nurse we've been working with and she said that was ridiculous, that we should reschedule to go back in 2 months. It still bothers me that if there's nothing of concern why am I having the pain but we meet with her again on Tuesday so we'll ask some more questions.

We were able to get Princess fingerprinted last night. And praise the Lord we got in the mail the letter from our insurance we've been waiting for. Our social worker told us today she is finishing up the last of our home study so now we just have to wait for the background check and fingerprint check to come back. Pray with us that they will come back quickly!

I received this note from one of our Pastors today:

I am praying for you. One thing that is always a blessing for me to remember is this, my Godly heart's desires are always on God's mind, therefore I don't need my mind to always be pre-occupied by them. When they come to my mind I say to myself, "God knows!"

Wow, God's timing is amazing. That was just what I needed to hear. Going back to the doctor has brought up all sort of questions (should we be going to the doctor, how far do we go, do I have surgery if that's what they suggest, etc, etc). I've been worried about the finances for the adoption too. I so long to stay home, at least part time when the baby comes and if we have to take out a loan to cover the rest of the adoption fee I'll have to go back to work outside the home. It was so good to be reminded that God knows my hearts' desire. He knows.

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:20-22

Happy Birthday Jim!

2007-12-05T17:27:00.001-06:00

Today is my brother Jim's birthday. He's 29 years young! Here are some things about Jim that make him the coolest little brother in the world...

His nickname was "boo boo" when he was little
He has an amazing girlfriend and she's from South Africa (see picture above)
He has an adventurous spirit!
We've bungie jumped together. Not together together - he went first, then me!
He's a gifted bar and restaurant manager
He can do amazing wake boarding tricks
He's been a dedicated Chicago Bears fan since he was little (not sure how cool that is)

Happy birthday Jim! We love you!

No Fingerprints for Princess!

2007-12-04T21:53:00.000-06:00

Hubby and I have already been fingerprinted for our adoption but we still needed to get Princess done. We found out that even though our state doesn't require minors in the home to get fingerprinted at this time, the law could change before we get our baby so our social worker thought it was important.

So we have her fingerprint form, $12.50 in EXACT change (Why? That's all I'd like to know) and get there just before they close. We sign in, get our special pass and head upstairs to the Sheriff's office.

And then I remembered. Uh, Princess, do you have your id? Nope!

Since they have the craziest hours we didn't have time to go home to get her id and make it back in time. So tomorrow we'll try again.

The night wasn't all bad though. It was family night and we pigged out at an all you can eat pizza place. Nothing like a pizza induced coma to make you forget all your adoption frustrations!

First Snow Day!

2007-12-03T21:03:00.000-06:00

We were blessed to get our first snow fall on Saturday! Hubby and Princess love the snow, snow ball fights, white washing, etc. I have a horrible snow phobia (maybe someday I'll share why) so I was in charge of picture taking. Although at one point Princess was hiding behind me and knocked me in the snow. It was horrible and I barely survived!

Enjoy our pictures as we enjoy the snow and frigid temps!

A good day to cuddle up with a blanket and nap.... or shop!

2007-12-01T21:07:00.000-06:00

Today we got our first snow of the season and it was a doozy. We got between 6-10" of snow plus sleet and ice. My sister came to town early Friday to have surgery to remove an abscessed tooth (fun!). She felt good enough today to want to go shopping which is so cool because it's been over a year since we've been able to spend a whole day together!

So Hubby warms up the good 'ol Jeep and we plow our way through town to the mall. Me, Hubby, Princess and Sister found some great deals (Anyone feel guilty for shopping this close to Christmas? I didn't think so!) and a few Christmas gifts.

Emily if you read my blog you will be happy to know I've FINALLY gotten your fleece blanket done. Sister helped me pick out the pattern today and we finished it tonight. Thanks for being so patient, I hope you enjoy it - it'll be in the mail on Monday!

Then we cuddled up in our own fleece blankets and watched a few great movies (Amazing Grace and National Treasure). A good, busy, cold, warm, productive, fun, cozy day!

Last Meeting

2007-11-30T19:49:00.000-06:00

Yes, you read it right. We had our last meeting with our social worker. Yippee! (No offense Kim!)

We did find out Princess has to get fingerprinted. Our state hasn't implemented the Adam Walsh law but by the time we get our little one it might so it's better to be prepared.

So other than that, which we'll get done Tuesday we're done with our home study and now just wait for our social worker to get everything written up. But she told us that our agency's social workers can still show our profile to expectant moms, even though our home study isn't done done. We don't have any new news about the mom that's due in January. Our social worker was going to check and let us know if she is still working with our agency.

Ok, I guess I lied-we're not completely done. We still have to raise the rest of our funds for the adoption. Once our home study is finalized then we can apply for grants. I've been thinking about and praying about different fundraisers we could do too.

We ask that you join us in praying that God would provide the funds needed.

Perspective

2007-11-28T20:48:00.000-06:00

Although I don't have the Jeep Grand Cherokee I would really like, I do have a reliable Chevy Malibu to get me where I'm going.

Although I haven't been have to conceive a child, I do have two wonderful step-children.

Although I don't have the most stylish clothes in town, I do have a warm coat and shoes to wear when it's cold.

Although I haven't climbed Mt Everest, I have climbed the trails of the Rocky Mountains.

Although I can't take any vacation I'd like to, I can spend every night with my husband.

Although I can't afford laser surgery to fix my eyes, I can afford glasses so that I can see.

Although I'm not a size 2, I can see myself through God's eyes, as a child of the King no matter my size.

Although I don't know what tomorrow holds, I know Who holds tomorrow.

Now that's strange

2007-11-27T20:03:00.000-06:00

We had our last meeting with our social worker tonight for our home study. This one was at our home and she also wanted to meet with Princess.

Me: Kim will want to meet with you by yourself tonight.

Princess: Ok

Me: Are you nervous?

Princess: No

Me: You don't get nervous meeting with strange people?

Princess: Well, I get to meet with you every day.

Ha ha. I meant "stranger". Princess is cool as a cucumber, at least that's what she tells me and Hubby. Hopefully she's like that inside her heart too.

Our meeting went well - as far as we know. I guess we'll find out in a few weeks when we get the home study report back. I didn't even go crazy cleaning. I was so proud of myself. I did the basics and put as much clutter away as I could but not too much wacko cleaning. It's a good thing to - we did a quick tour that took about 2 minutes and that was it.

Speaking of strange - it's a strange feeling to be close to having this done. I really haven't allowed myself to get too excited and neither has hubby. I suppose that's natural and probably good for us to guard our hearts. I shouldn't really say that we're close to having it done - our wait could be a year. Lord willing, it won't be but only He knows and we're trusting in His timing.

Another strange thing happened today. I had the ultrasound and other test that I can't remember the name of and if I wasn't so lazy I'd look it up but I am lazy so too bad! Anyway, during the ultrasound the technician says, "do you still have your ovaries?" (yes) and then a little while later she said, "do you still have your appendix?" (yes). I politely said yes each time but on the inside I was saying "HELLO! You are the one looking at my insides - you tell me!!" So that made me wonder what she was seeing and unfortunately I'm not privy to that information until the doctor calls. For the other test we got some more, I guess you can call it strange, information. The doctor said my fallopian tubes are open so that's great. But then he said there's a mass in my uterus. "It could be an air bubble but you should probably have it checked out."

Now that's strange. Kind of in the make you want to puke, worry like crazy, what in the world is in my uterus, kind of strange.

What blog?

2007-11-26T17:38:00.000-06:00

Jeez louise, you'd think my brain exploded. These last few weeks it's like I've completely forgotten I had a blog. That's weird! It's probably cuz we have alot of stuff going on and I'm just plain tired. So here's an update...

We had two amazing Thanksgiving meals. Hubby and I prepared one here at our house for his family. That was at noon. Then we packed up the car and drove two hours and had another amazing meal with my family and stayed there for a day. Then we came home and worked like crazy on our house, finishing up little things like trim, outlet covers, etc.

Icky icky. I haven't been feeling well. Remember my wacked out, psychotic, hormonal, pain inducing reproductive system? Well each month it's gotten worse. I've been seeing a gazillion doctors and such and until we get something figured out I've just felt icky and some days it's real hard to get out of bed.

Adoption. So close. THIS WEEK we have our last meeting with our social worker and then our home study is final (I know, it's about time!). Then we wait but it's a better wait because we've done everything we have to do, other than wait. Actually I'm also working on our background check information. For those of you who have never done this you have to write down EVERY address you've every lived at. EVERY ONE. Yes, the farm that we lived on for 6 months. Yes, that apartment in Colorado we lived in for 9 months. These people are crazy, that's all I have to say. But thanks to Google Earth we've found our past addresses and I just have to get that typed up.

Icky icky. A little bit more about this. I went to a specialist today to see what our options are. Option #1 have a hysterectomy (this from a doctor who does very few of these). Option #2 take narcotics to relieve the pain I'm experiencing (99% sure from endometriosis and poly cystic ovary disease). Option #3 take Lupron which will put me into menopause. Will relieve the pain but give me all the menopause symptoms and of course no pregnancy. If we still want to pursue fertility options then there's option #4, continue charting with the Creighton Model for 2 months and then go back and decide if we should have surgery (would be my 5th).

So in order to help us with our decision tomorrow I'm having an ultrasound (both regular and pelvic) and another test (can't remember the name) to see the extent of the endometriosis and other things that might be in there. I gave about 2 gallons of blood today and those results will be back in a week. They put both me and Pat on two kinds of antibiotics to get rid of any bacteria that may be messing things up. And if I don't want to take the narcotics she gave me some other options, like how much Motrin I can really take without overdosing. We really like this doctor. She has a strong faith, is easy to talk to, took as much time as we needed and is honest about our options. She's worked and trained with the doctor that created the Creighton Model so that's encouraging. She asked us if we've considered adoption. Uh, ya :-) She encouraged us to continue with the adoption, even while looking at fertility options.

So that's it in a nutshell. Why I've been absent from the blogging world. I've sure missed you all and hopefully life will eventually get back to some sense of normal - whatever that is, I'm not sure.

How amazing are Your blessings, God!

2007-11-22T22:26:00.000-06:00

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Psalm 105:1

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today we shared in two Thanksgiving meals. At noon we had dinner with Hubby's family at our house. Then we loaded up the two vehicles with our bags, Princess and three dogs and drove to my parents house where we had another Thanksgiving meal. They were both amazing and I couldn't help but think about how fortunate and blessed and spoiled we are! Not only to be with family and loved ones but to have a warm home and enough food to feed an army. We are so blessed.

Lord, help us to remember every day, not just once a year, the many many blessings you have bestowed upon us. We thank you and we love you!

One down, five to go!

2007-11-20T16:48:00.000-06:00

It's a miracle. It really is. We've finally finished one of our profile books for our adoption. I say "one" because we have to make SIX of them! Yikes! But really the other 5 will be easy because now we have everything set up.

Anyway Hubby is a graphic artist and a perfectionist. I love to scrapbook and am a perfectionist. That is a deadly combination. Needless to say we've been working on this one profile book for about 2 years now. Well, maybe it's been more like 2 months but it's seemed like forever.

It also made it difficult because we know at least one of the expectant moms that will be looking at it. The one that we met last month and is working with our adoption agency. She'll be the first to see it to help her with her decision of what family to choose for her baby. Yikes! That made us question every single picture that we were going to put in the book. And question every single thing we thought we should say. So we finally decided we cannot think about the expectant mom, we have to just be real, be ourselves and not worry about it.

So last night about 10:30 we finished. I've been feeling horrible and was crabby. Hubby was crabby. Honestly it wasn't the funnest project we've worked on together but when it was finally done it felt so good. It felt like we'd climbed Mt Everest.

And then I had the weirdest feeling: I didn't want to mail it. I wanted to keep it. It was so pretty and amazing and made me cry every time I looked at it. Even this morning before work I stopped at the post office and sat in the car and had to look at it two more times wondering, should I mail it? I love it so much!

Wow, that sounds really weirdo now. But I guess it's because I love my family so much. I love how God has blessed us and how I look back over the past 5 years and see how He has changed us and molded us and brought healing and love to our family.

But I did mail it. And I love how God has brought us on this new journey. Even though it's really hard and sometimes I just want to throw in the towel, I love that the mother of my child will look at the pictures and read it one day and say "I want them."

Wow, that's interesting!

2007-11-15T16:10:00.000-06:00

You should have heard what we heard! We heard alot of good stuff. It was amazing!

We went to the Weekend to Remember marriage conference last weekend and we learned so much. We heard some things we didn't expect to hear (lots of sex talk) and some things we were hoping to hear (Committed to Christ=strong marriage).

We knew we'd probably hear some things about sex. But we had no idea it would be to the extend that we did. But it was good sex talk - for both the guys and ladies. Anyway, does this make you uncomfortable, me talking about this?

Well too bad! If you're married you should be talking about it too so we thought we'd share with you the books we purchased. We highly recommend you attending a Weekend to Remember conference (if you are married) but until then these books would be good purchases for ya!

Enjoy!

Simply Romantic Nights (not really a book but good too)
Intended for Pleasure
Coffee Dates for Couples
Intimate Issues
Rocking the Roles

WHAT IS THAT SMELL?

2007-11-12T21:04:00.000-06:00

So we stayed at this amazing, plush hotel this weekend for the Weekend to Remember marriage conference. Did I say it was amazing?

We are sleeping soundly on Saturday night, having sweet dreams about our wonderful marriage and all we've learned this weekend. At about 4:00 AM I wake up to the most disgusting, awful smell I've ever smelled. I wake up Hubby...

"Is that you"

"What are you talking about" (except he said it all sleepy like)

"That smell! Is that you"

"No"

It smelled like dog poop. In our bed. Right next to our face, like on our pillow or something. I was tempted to start feeling around but wait, we don't have a dog in the room so how is it possible that a dog could poop on our pillow?

I continue to complain and Hubby starts snoring again. He obviously doesn't have the amazing smell detecting nostrils that I do. I get up, go out into the hallway. Hhmmm, doesn't smell so bad out here.

WHAT IS GOING ON????

I start thinking out loud, "Maybe God is trying to tell us our doggies are in trouble!" (We left them home alone for the weekend.)

Hubby awakes from his so called deep snoring sleep and says, "Maybe God is trying to tell us to clean up the poop in our back yard."

Ya ok, that must be it.

We never did find out where the horrendous poop fumes were coming from. Being the loving Christians folks that we are, we didn't even complain to the manager.

Ok, it's probably not cuz we're loving Christians (although we are), it's probably more like we didn't want say to the manager "We woke up at 4 am and smelled dog poop! We want a refund!" How stupid is that!

Home

2007-11-11T21:35:00.001-06:00

It's good to be home. Even though we stayed in a plush, comfortable amazing hotel this weekend it's so good to be home.

Some days I'm so homesick. Not for my earthly home but for my heavenly home. To be in the presence of our heavenly Father, Jesus, my Savior, my Friend! To worship God and no longer have tears or pain or sadness. Talk about amazing!

Do you have a reservation at the Father's House? Are you 100% confident that when you die you will be going to your heavenly home? If not, send me an email and I'd love to visit with you more.

I'll share more about our weekend later.

Beating the Odds

2007-11-09T07:51:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the scary picture. That was me and Hubby last year at his work's Christmas "Prom" party. Ya! 80's all the way!

Anyway, I'm so excited for this weekend. Hubby and I are attending the Weekend to Remember marriage conference AND we splurged and are staying at a hotel even though the conference is in our home town.

Our marriage didn't start out so hot. We were both unbelievers. I was running from my first marriage and Hubby was running from being alone. We were hurting which caused us to be hurtful and low and behold getting married didn't solve anything. About 6 months after getting married I recommitted my life to Christ and things just got worse. About 6 months after that Princess got saved and then Hubby was really in a bad situation (or so he thought!). I eventually learned to keep my mouth shut (most of the time) and show Hubby the love of Christ instead of my own selfish love. It was actually a fight between me and Princess that brought Hubby to his knees and he accepted Christ as his savior.

And things didn't get better. Not right away anyway. I remember hearing Dr Phil share that marriages that start the way ours did, only about 10% of them last. Sorry Dr Phil, you got nothing on us because our God is bigger than 10%!

On New Years Eve we'll be married 5 years. Every year since we've gotten married has been better than the one before and God has shown His mercy and grace to us in so many ways. So I'm thankfully able to say we are not attending the Weekend to Remember conference because we're struggling in our marriage. However, we both learned the hard way that marriage takes work. It takes committment. It's not about feelings - it's about being committed to each other through anything and being committed to Christ makes that journey alot easier.

Plus we figure that Lord willing we'll have a baby soon so we won't have a chance for a weekend getaway for awhile. Hope y'all have a great weekend. I know we will!

How To Make A Fleece Blanket

2007-11-08T21:34:00.000-06:00

I was struggling through trying to write out the directions for making fleece blankets when I figured someone must have already done all the hard work. So I googled something about fleece blankets and found this cool site...

http://users.pld.com/rbriggs/blanket.htm

Go there and it gives you pictures and everything. You can make your very own fleece blanket. Have fun!

100 Things

2007-11-07T07:31:00.000-06:00

I can't believe I missed my 100th post! In bloggedy tradition I've been preparing my 100 things about me for my 100th post. And then I missed it. Oh well. For my 101st post here are 100 things about me.

1. I was born in Redfield, South Dakota
2. Most of my growing up years were spent on farms
3. We raised sheep for many of my childhood years
4. I wanted to be a veternarian when I grew up
5. I have a step-daughter, Princess
6. I have a step-son, Prince
7. I have a God-child who's 3 1/2 and lived with us for one year and now he lives in FL with his mommy and it's way too far away!
8. I love drama
9. I was Sandy for a community production of Grease
10. I help direct our church's drama team
11. I have 3 dogs
12. This is my second marriage
13. My hubby's name is Pat and he's my best friend
14. I went to college at SDSU
15. I have a degree in Sociology
16. My first job was at Alco
17. My second job was Dairy Queen
18. I worked at DQ for 6 years through high school and college
19. I also worked at Dominoes (for 4 days)
20. I also worked at Blockbuster Video (for 2 weeks)
21. I love animals
22. I delivered a lamb when I was in 5th grade
23. My favorite childhood memory is butchering chickens and other disgusting farm chores
24. My second favorite childhood memory is spending summers at Gradma Harriet's house
25. My favorite color is blue
26. My eyes are blue
27. I have naturally curly hair
28. I played the french horn in high school and college
29. My senior year of HS I went on a band/choir tour to Europe
30. I wish I still had my french horn
31. I gave my life to Christ my junior year of college (1994)
32. Hubby and I were married on New Years Eve (5 years this year!)
33. I currently work for our church as a ministry assistant
34. I used to work for JDS as Training Manager/Assistant Manager in the call center
35. My best friend from high school and I held the record (unofficially) at our high school for the most consecutive bumps (volleyball) in a row (over 1500).
36. I punched my sister when her and her friends tried to initiate me when I was a freshman in high school
37. I love crab legs
38. My favorite movie of all time is Anne of Green Gables
39. My brother and I applied to be on the Amazing Race (we were denied!)
40. I have a tatoo, a "nice" dragon on my ankle
41. I drive a Chevy Malibu, which I hate. Ok hate is a strong word. I don't like it at all because it's so low and I'm already short and it makes me feel shorter.
42. We recently sold my Jeep Cherokee, which I miss dearly.
43. I'v written a number of skits and human videos
44. My favorite football teams are the Washington Redskins and the Green Bay Packers
45. I ran a 1/2 marathon in Green Bay, WI
46. My mom and I started a ministry for women called A Day Spa for Women
47. I absolutely hate doing dishes
48. I type 60 wpm
49. I've bungy jumped
50. I've always thought I was 5'4" but recently found out I'm 5'3" (Tragic! Am I shrinking or was I just wrong all this time?)
51. I like chips (plain) and dip (french onion), preferrably together.
52. I had back surgery when I was a sophomore in high school
53. I'm a speed reader
54. I have this little problem of stealing Princess's Dove chocolates
55. My favorite book of the Bible is Psalms
56. My life verse is Ephesians 3:14-21
57. I wear size 9 shoes
58. I like to sing worship music at the top of my lungs in the car
59. I like raw carrots but not cooked carrots
60. My favorite soda is Mt Dew although I've cut back alot and now mostly drink just water
61. I love to jump in puddles (and preferably splash Hubby or Princess)
62. I sleep on the left side of the bed
63. I prefer showers to baths
64. I love to cook and bake but I'm not a good griller
65. I talk to my mom or dad almost every day
66. I have one sister, Danelle
67. She's the oldest, then me, then my two brothers
68. My youngest brother is 5 years younger than me
69. My other brother is one year younger than me
70. He lives in the same town as me so we get to see each other alot
71. My mom, dad, sister and youngest brother all live 2 hours from us
72. We love to drive the Jeep to visit them and go muddin'
73. I have double jointed elbows
74. I'm an early to bed, early to rise person
75. I hate the dentist
76. I love to garden
77. I don't have a garden, hopefully next year
78. I don't sew - well maybe buttons, but that's about it
79. I do enjoy making fleece blankets
80. Our family has "family night" every Tuesday night
81. My favorite color of clothing to wear is black
82. I've been to every state on the west side of the US
83. I raised my hands on a roller coaster for the first time at DisneyWorld this year
84. My favorite card game is Shanghai Rummy
85. My real name is Melissa
86. My dad's nickname for me is Miss Muffet
87. When we were kids my uncle would call my sister and me Ding Bat and Doe Bird
88. I taught myself to plan bass guitar when I was in high school.
89. I no longer play bass guitar. I can kind of play piano (that means I don't play well!)
90. Ten to go - I'm normally a patient person but this 100 Things list is driving me crazy. It's really hard!
91. I write on 4 blogs (this one, www.dayspaforwomen.com, the youth group blog and the staff blog where I work)
92. I have a very good memory
93. I spend every Sunday night with 8-10 teenagers (and I love it!)
94. I can fall asleep just about anywhere
95. I learned to drive a stick shift when I was a teenager
96. I was in volleyball, basketball and track in high school
97. I once scored 13 points in a basketball game. I think that was the only game I played
98. Every day I'm thankful for the amazing faithfulness and mercy of Jesus
99. I'm so thankful I have such a wonderful husband, step-kids and family
100. I love Jesus with all my soul. He is my all and all, my everything and my life would be nothing without Him.

I Just Can't

2007-11-06T22:12:00.001-06:00

I tried. I really tried. Just couldn't do it. Not even a pair of socks or some candy.

I've talked to so many people that say they have already started their Christmas shopping, in fact some that are done with their Christmas shopping. So I told Hubby last night ...

"I'm going to do it. I'm going to start shopping now for Christmas, a little bit each week."

Hubby responds, "ok".

Gee, thanks for the encouragement!

So I went to Wally World tonight bound and determined to purchase some wonderful Christmas treasures. I couldn't do it. This little person or something kept yelling in my brain "IT'S NOT EVEN THANKSGIVING YET! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? ARE YOU CRAZY?"

Yes, I am crazy. But that still doesn't explain why I can't shop until Christmas Eve at 2:00 pm. Laziness? No, I was out there, in the trenches, trying my hardest. Procrastination? Maybe a little of that - but again I tried.

I think I enjoy the challenge. It's Christmas Eve Eve and I've bought nothing. I have about 143 things to buy and I enjoy the thrill of accomplishing that ridiculous task. For some reason my brain hasn't figured it out yet that I'm probably paying twice as much but ya know I'm still young, maybe some day I'll figure it out.

Until then - Happy Thanksgiving folks! There's no shopping going on in this family!

I Hope I Didn't Say Anything Stupid

2007-11-06T07:59:00.000-06:00

We had our first meeting with our social worker yesterday - working to complete our home study. It went well. I asked Hubby afterwards if I said anything I shouldn't have and he didn't think so but I've spent all night going through our conversation in my head... did I give too much information, not enough information, how will she interpret that, did I talk too much?

Hubby is so calm, cool and collected - it's really annoying. I wish just once he would freak out and start crying and question every little thing he says and does. Hhmmm, that would be scary - then there'd be two of us!

We have two more meetings with our social worker, one which will be at our home. We're working on our profile books - we have to make 6 of them! Trying to figure out what pictures to use is overwhelming sometimes but again I need to follow the example of Hubby and try not to worry about it.

My Amazing Rooster Fleeing Brother

2007-11-04T21:47:00.000-06:00

My brother has been running since he was 3 years old. You see, we lived on a farm and we had this psycho rooster. My older sister and I would throw rocks at it and run away before getting pecked to death and then when we couldn't find it we would send our little brother out into the yard to try to find it. He'd come back running, hollering and screaming for his life. It was hilarious!

Every since then he's been running. Running from the rooster. Running from his two older sisters. Running from his younger brother. In high school he put that running to good use and joined cross country and the rest is history!

Today he finished 127th place in the New York City Marathon with a time of 2 hours and 43 minutes. That's just riduculous running for over 2 hours! Anyway he was the 60th American male to finish. We're so proud of him!

We never dreamed that the rooster torture we inflicted on our brother would help him get where he is today. You're welcome bro! It was the least we could do!

I don't have a pic yet of him at today's marathon but here's one after he finished the Seattle marathon last year. He ran in memory of one of his students.

p.s. Lance Armstrong finished with a time of 2 hours and 49 minutes. Hee hee. I love Lance and all but it's sweet to say my brother beat him! :-)

It's About Time

2007-11-04T13:31:00.000-06:00

All this talk about adoption and we've never even completed our home study yet! Well, finally we'll be starting the process of 3 meetings with our social worker. The first will be tomorrow and we'll meet at our church. One of the meetings has to be at our home but we thought we'd postpone that as long as we could considering all the little things we still have to do.

The thought of getting our home study done is exciting, something tangible we can actually say we've done to work toward adoption. At the same time it's nerve racking and frustrating knowing how our lives will be an open book in order to be parents. Our social worker is an adoptive mom herself so that brings my heart peace in knowing that she really has been in our shoes.

We appreciate your prayers and we'll let you know how it goes!

This Bloggy Giveaway Closed!

2007-11-03T21:05:00.000-06:00

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Fall 'all Bloggy Giveaway. It was a blast!

The winner of the fleece blanket is Emily. Congrats!!! I'll send you an email with some other fleece designs for you to pick from.

A few requested instructions on how to make the blankets - it's sooo easy! - I'll post that tomorrow for ya.

Have a great night!

Bird On A Wire

2007-11-02T18:50:00.000-06:00

So I'm on my way to work this morning enjoying the beautiful day the Lord had given me. I'm sitting at a stoplight looking around at God's marvelous creation. My eye catches some birds sitting on the telephone wires at the intersection. Then I see this one little bird farther down on the wire sitting all by himself. As I watch him I realize he keeps scooting closer to the other birds sitting together farther down the wire.

What in the world!? Seriously, he scoots, looks around, scoots again. I even say to him "What are you doing little birdy?" Unfortunately he doesn't tell me or if he did I couldn't hear him. He keeps scooting, looking at his birdy buddy wannabes farther down the wire.

I say to Mr Bird "Uh, you can fly over there ya know!"

Then it hit me. Not only am I an idiot for talking to this bird but I realize that we do exactly what Mr Bird was doing. We sit on our little wire and we have this goal in mind or some place we think God may have called us to. But instead of using the gifts God has given us and flying right on over we take little baby steps, fearful of what will happen.

I wonder if God's looking at us saying "Uh, you can fly over there ya know!" Nope, we have to scoot scoot scoot and miss out on the many blessings that spreading our wings and leaping off that wire will bring.

Ok, this whole birdy talk is getting creepy. Morale of the story: don't be such a chicken! :-)

Magazines You Won't Find at the Grocery Store

2007-10-31T16:52:00.000-06:00

I was browsing through the magazines the other day and this is what I found...

Cooking For 2
Country Home
All About Beer
Popular Mechanics
CabinetMaker
Tango
Bridal Guide
Figure
Bass Player
Bowhunt America
Camping Life
Rugby
Shark Diver
Industrial Hygiene News
Water Garden News

However I was unable to find these magazines...

Adoption News
Angry Infertile Women
Step-Parent Etiquette
Couples Who Can't Conceive

Oh well. Off to read my Big Game Fishing Journal!

Bloggy Giveaway!

2007-10-31T16:20:00.001-06:00

I'm a little late but there's still time to take part in the Fall, Y'all Bloggy Giveaway! After much thought and deliberation I've decided to give away a full size warm fuzzy fleece blanket.

You don't actually get this one - it's mine! You'll get a brand new one and it doesn't have to be this design, there are many to choose from. Just post a comment and your email so I can contact you if you win. At 10 pm on November 3rd I'll randomly pick a winner! This giveaway is open to only US residents as I'll pay for shipping too.

Check out Rocks in My Dryer for more awesome bloggy giveaways! Have fun!

More Movie Thoughts

2007-10-30T20:38:00.000-06:00

I've seen previews for the movie Golden Compass and it looked pretty good. Same company that made Lord of the Rings, must be good. Here's some info on the movie though - check it out before taking the kiddos!

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

Into The Wild

2007-10-29T11:22:00.000-06:00

On Friday night Hubby and I went to the movie Into The Wild* with my brother and his wife. I had read a little about this story, mainly because portions of it was made in our great state of South Dakota.

It was a great movie, very well made. It's depressing, yet hopeful. Sad yet full of joy. Very difficult to put into words how you are feeling when you leave the theatre. It definitely makes a person think about what truly brings happiness. What is it that brings the soul complete peace and satisfaction? We never really know if the main character finds this peace, a peace that I believe is only found through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I also asked myself if I could do what he did. Leave everything behind - and I mean EVERYTHING and go on a journey into the unknown. Not worrying about what tomorrow will bring or what he would eat or where he would sleep... hmm that sounds familiar (Matthew 6:25). Yes, I do have perfect peace in Jesus Christ, but I also allow myself to get caught up in the things and possessions I have, even my family that I often put before my relationship with Jesus.

It definitely makes one think - and hopefully learn and grow and change to be more like Christ.

*This movie is rated R. We usually don't go to rated R movies (not legalistic there just haven't found many R movies that bring us closer to Christ). When my brother called and invited us we were torn what to do and we shared that with him. So we did alot of research and found out pretty much exactly what was in the movie, when, why, etc. I have to admit I did close my eyes a couple times or Hubby and I would turn and look at each other. I don't regret that we went. I learned from this movie and it has provided many open doors for discussion. I encourage you though, to be diligent in understanding what you will see if you go to this movie, and any R rated movie for that matter. 1 Peter 2:11

It's A Boy

2007-10-27T21:57:00.000-05:00

The little one we've been praying for is a boy! The expectant mom had another ultrasound and everything looks good from what the doctor could see. She will be getting some additional test results back next week. The baby's father also attended the doctor's appointment and she said that he still wants to proceed with adoption.

She met with our agency last Monday and has another appointment scheduled, not sure when though. The agency got our last bit of paperwork and payment last Saturday but we still haven't heard anything. I talked to our social worker this week and she'll call us as soon as she gets our information from the agency headquarters so we're trying to be patient!

The baby's due date is January 11th. Trying not to count the days - sometimes it feels like we're counting the minutes! In the meantime we still have a few things left to do around the house - well one major thing - the nursery's not done yet. Whether we adopt this little one or not we're working to get the nursery done so when the time comes we're all set.

Plus I'm working on Princess's scrapbook. The other night I was able to crop all of her baby pictures. We laughed so hard, she was such a goofy baby (not much has changed :-)) Then last Saturday when Hubby and I cleaned out the garage I found 3 more totes full of pictures! Aaahhh! Oh well, I'll never have to say I'm bored!

Call From the Little Man!

2007-10-25T08:09:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my phone rang and the caller id said it was the Grandma of our God-child, the little boy we took care of a few years ago. I say hello and low and behold it's the little man himself!

"Hi Missy" says this cute little voice, one that's no longer babyish but so grown up.

We had a wonderful conversation about nothing (he's 3 1/2) although I did find out he's going to dress up like a tiger to go trick or treating. I said, "Can you take a picture for me" and he says "No, we don't have a picture." "-) And he knows his ABC's but wasn't in the mood to recite them and he's coming back to visit in a few months too.

It's amazing that he remembers us. We took care of him from when he was 1 until he was 2 - almost exactly a year and then we've seen him just 2 times since then (they live way far away from us!). Thankfully we get to talk on the phone but we don't call nearly enough. His mom and grandma and grandpa have done a great job of helping him remember us and we're so grateful.

The picture on the side bar of my blog is a picture of him and his older brother. That was when we went and saw them last June. Talking to him is so wonderful but it also makes my heart ache to give him a great big hug. We're so thankful for him and his family. It also makes me long for little ones in our home. I'm trusting God with that though and in the meantime can't wait for the next call from the little man!

It's a Jeep Thing!

2007-10-22T20:22:00.000-05:00

Ok, finally! A picture of Hubby's Jeep. He has wanted a Jeep Wrangler since the day he was born. We were finally able to get one for him this Spring. Then he needed to get bigger tires and put a lift kit on it (basically make it so high that me and Princess can hardly get in!). He bought his tires and everything he needed for the lift kit in June or July but it wasn't until a few weeks ago that he finally took the time to finish his precious Jeep! He's been too busy working on the basement and other things for me - what a guy!

Anyway - doesn't he look great with his Jeep!

Here are some other pictures of us. We went to the park tonight and played!

Things I Did On Saturday

2007-10-20T22:32:00.000-05:00

Although I didn't get my whole list done we had a busy, productive day so I guess I should be happy with that.

1. Slept in - if you call 8:17 am sleeping in - that's sleeping in for me.
2. Read my chronological bible - I just bought it a few days ago and it's so cool - alot of historical information.
3. Prince (Pat's son) came over and we hung out and then he took our humungous old tv (Yahoo!! We've been trying to get rid of that thing for weeks!).
4. Hubby and I went and got lunch and then sat at the "Goose Park" - a really cool park with a pond and 100's of geese and then drove to a few stores to look for nursery decorating ideas.
5. Got home and took a nap with Hubby.
6. Hubby and I CLEANED THE GARAGE! It only took us 3 hours and now we can get both our vehicles in the garage. It's amazing!
7. Did about 1/2 the laundry.
8. We drove over to Prince's new apartment (first time on his own!) and then went to Wally World and got him stocked up with groceries and things he needed for the apartment.
9. Came home, made out a menu for the next week and 1/2 and then went back to Wally World and got groceries for us along with a bunch of other stuff we really didn't need! We decided our "theme" for the nursery will be Winnie the Pooh (ya! Hubby wasn't so sure at first but I convinced him :-)) and we found a crib set (we already have the crib).
10. Relax, blog, watch "Jon and Kate Plus 8", off to bed soon.

Hope you have a blessed weekend!

Things I'm Going To Do Saturday

2007-10-19T22:31:00.000-05:00

Not necessarily in this order...

1. Sleep in
2. Clean the bathrooms
3. Paint our bedroom
4. Clean the old office/Princess's room which will be the baby's room
5. Work on Princess's picture book
6. Pick up poop in the backyard (oohh can't wait!)
7. Get a massage
8. Work on our profile book for adoption
9. Read my chronological bible
10. Do the laundry
11. Get Princess's comforter dry cleaned
12. Make a menu and get groceries

Ok, how 'bout I just focus on #1 and skip the rest! That sounds much better.

What are you doing on Saturday?

The First Meeting

2007-10-18T14:52:00.000-05:00

We met with the young lady considering us for adoption today at 1:00 at a friend's house. We were so nervous. Well actually I was nervous, Hubby said he was just excited. Even though we know anything can happen it was still very cool.

It was quite uncomfortable in the beginning. I'm thankful our friend and friend's daugther (the one who made the connection with us) were there. They asked most of the questions as we just sat there! Hubby actually did most of the talking. I was so proud if him - I haven't heard him talk that much in.... well, I don't know that I've heard him talk that much ever!

We found out we have alot in common. Her and the father are artists and they really want a family that is artistic and will encourage the baby to be artistic. So we were able to share about my drama, Hubby's art, photography and graphic design and Princess's art, photography and writing. That was cool. And then she also loves horses and all animals so she wasn't the least bit shocked about our 3 puppies. Now that's a miracle! :-)

It would be an open adoption, but we don't know yet how open she is thinking. We were excited to hear that she'll be meeting with our adoption agency on Monday so hopefully after that meeting we'll learn more.

It was very exciting to meet with her today but we know we have a long road ahead of us. Although it's only about 14 weeks til the baby is born (approximately 3rd week of January) there's alot that could happen between now and then.

We so appreciate your prayers! For the mom and dad, for us, for the baby, for paperwork, for the mom's family.

Laughing Out Loud With A Mouth Full Of Ice Cream

2007-10-17T21:57:00.000-05:00

Oh it's good to laugh. It's good to eat ice cream. It's really good to laugh and eat ice cream all at the same time. Tonight after youth group four of us "old" ladies and a few of the kids were hanging out chowing down on ice cream like we hadn't eaten in six days. We had Twix ice cream bars, Snickers ice cream bars, Dove ice cream bars, Butterfinger ice cream bars, juice pop things and super duper chocolately rich yummy dessert leftover from the Day Spa.

Now I'm not going to tell you how many ice cream bars I ate. Let's just say I'm not going to be able to eat tomorrow or the next day or the next. But that's ok, it was worth it. It was so yummy good. And ice cream tastes so much more yummier when you're hanging out and laughing with friends. The funny thing is that we were sharing struggles, frustrations, sorrows and trials that we are going through right now.

And then we'd eat another ice cream bar. And then we'd laugh. It was awesome.

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." Psalm 126:2

Prayer Request

2007-10-16T22:06:00.001-05:00

Please pray for my cousin Amy. She is very sick and has only a few days to live. She's just 42 years old. Pray for her family too, her husband and two boys and her extended family.

Speak to us Lord!

2007-10-16T21:38:00.000-05:00

Today we met with Barb, she's a nurse that works with the Creighton Model. We're meeting with her mainly because I've felt so icky lately but also to possibly look at our fertility options. I've already been charting for about 3 weeks and after our meeting today she said she could recognize some things that are not working right, which could be any or all of the following: hormonal imbalance, endomedtriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, scar tissue from my previous surgeries. So I continue to chart for at least 2 months before she'll make a recommendation but she said because of the pain I've been experiencing it wouldn't hurt to make an appointment with the OBGYN Creighton Model Specialist that she works with. I did that and can't get in to see her until November 26th so we will have a little over 2 months of charting. Barb gave me a book about Creighton Model patients and based on my other research, this book and my symptons I'm pretty sure they are going to recommend that I'll need surgery to remove the scar tissue/endomedtriosis that I probably have.

So right now we're real challenged to know what God's will is. I do not want to have another surgery. I feel like we'd be throwing away money for a slight chance to conceive when we could put that money towards an adoption (but at the same time we are also doing this so I can feel better). I would probably be open to have a laproscopy but that's what they tried 3 years ago and the adhesions and such was too severe.

We also don't know if we should put the adoption on hold through this process of seeing the doctor. As I cried with Hubby tonight I told him I don't care how we add to our family, I just want to know God's will and do that.

Speaking of adoption our meeting with an expectant mom will be Thursday at 1:00. We appreciate your prayers as we seek God's will through the adoption process and the treatment of my wacked out body! :-)

Journey Into The Land of The Unknown

2007-10-15T15:41:00.000-05:00

It has begun again - that journey of excitement, anxiousness, hoping, wondering, praying, trusting - the journey of the unknowns of an adoption.

Last week a friend of ours told us about a young lady that's due in January. Yesterday we learned that she wants to meet us. We'll be meeting with her either tomorrow night or Wednesday.

We appreciate your prayers!

2007-10-14T12:50:00.000-05:00

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:4

Hello stranger!

2007-10-13T20:17:00.000-05:00

I know it's been a few days since I blogged. Hubby has been accusing me of having a blogging addiction so I had to prove him wrong! You'd think he'd be impressed that I haven't blogged or even turned on the computer for 3 days. But no, he just says "you've been too busy...you didn't have time to blog anyway." Ya whatever, there's always time to blog!

Anyway, I have been busy. Today was our Day Spa for Women and it was amazing! Very exhausting. The last few days have been full of talking to mom about supplies and plans, preparing a message to share, memorizing a skit plus trying to get all my work done at my job and keep the house somewhat in order. We had about 20 women come today and the Lord's Spirit really moved. It's so humbling to be a part of His work. You can check out our Day Spa for Women blog here - Ya, I got my mom addicted, I mean excited about blogging! :-)

So pray for the women that came to the Day Spa today that the time they had with the Lord today would renew them and refresh them and they would sense the God's Spirit with them each and every day.

I know, I know... I promised a picture of hubby's Jeep. Good news, we found the battery charger for our camera and it's charging as I type. So hopefully tomorrow I'll post that picture for ya!

A Great Birthday Dinner!

2007-10-09T21:34:00.000-05:00

Princess made Hubby's entire birthday dinner last night. She did a great job! We had Grilled Turkey Club Quesadillas, Bacon Cheese and Potato Chowder and for dessert Berry Cheese Rolls (the recipe was just blueberry but we added raspberries). We found some cute dinosaur candles to decorate the dessert in addition to the "3" and the "9".

Prince wasn't able to make it for supper but came over later and watched Monday night football with Hubby. It was a great night!

Thanks again Lord for blessing us beyond what we could ever imagine!

Happy Birthday Hubby!

2007-10-08T08:01:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's Hubby's birthday today, October 8th. In honor of his birthday I thought I would pick a random number...hhmmm, let's say 39... and tell you 39 things that I love about Hubby.

1. He tells me he loves me every day
2. He gives me kisses every day
3. He is a wonderful daddy
4. He's taught our puppies cool tricks
5. He loves the Lord
6. He leads our family in devotions every night
7. He leads our family in prayer at every meal
8. He teases my mom and dad and brothers and sisters
9. He gives great bear hugs
10. He can fix anything
11. He can build anything
12. He knows everything about building and fixing things
13. He loves his football team (Patriots)
14. But not so much that our family time is neglected
15. He watches chick flicks with me
16. He wrestles with Princess (and often loses!)
17. He's a kid at heart
18. He loves his mom
19. He's an amazing artist
20. He's creative and can visualize just about anything
21. He writes really great cards on my birthday and anniversary
22. He loves flowers
23. When one of us is out of town he'll chat with me on msn messenger
24. He's a great cook
25. He never uses a recipe and it always comes out tasting amazing (how do you do that??)
26. He usually helps clean the house w/o complaining (usually!)
27. He gives great back rubs
28. He chaperones the all nighter youth events
29. He appreciates a beautiful sunset
30. His favorite part of the paper is the comic strip
31. He supports my blogging addiction
32. He helps Princess study her Vocab words
33. He's competitive but not so much that it's annoying
34. He makes me laugh
35. He likes to rock out to loud music
36. He wants to adopt two kids (possibly at the same time)
37. He often sacrifices for me or the kids
38. He desires for others to know Jesus
39. He's all mine!

Words To Live By

2007-10-07T13:14:00.001-05:00

Take a moment and read this post from Boothe - you'll be blessed.

Update

2007-10-06T19:47:00.001-05:00

I know I promised a picture of Hubby's Jeep but my camera died so you'll have to wait a day or so til I find my battery charger.

We had our orientation today with the agency that will be doing our adoption home study. It was a great day. There were 9 couples there and it was a good time of learning and sharing. As you know in June when we started this process we felt led to adopt through Ethiopia. After collecting our dossier paperwork we sensed the Lord telling us to wait with Ethiopia. And then we had the situation with the twins which we thought was our answer to prayer. So since then we've been praying about how God wants us to proceed.

Today we heard about domestic adoption and the international programs that the agency (New Horizons) offers. The intl programs are Guatemala (in limbo now because of govt issues), Sri Lanka (the only agency in the US able to place through that country) and Liberia (a very new program). Our hearts were tugged at Libera because the process takes only about a month. The ENTIRE process! Wow! And that program is fairly inexpensive too.

But at the same time we both feel the most peace about domestic adoption of an infant. Since we are open to any nationality or race the wait hopefully won't be too long. We heard stories of families waiting just weeks so that's what we're praying and hoping for, but we're also preparing our hearts for the average wait of 1 year.

So there's really no new news. We are still moving along with our home study and from there we wait more. The good news or at least what we feel good about is not having to complete USCIS government paperwork (required for intl adoptions)!

We also met a couple from our home town that is adopting. We exchanged information and are excited to develop a friendship with them. We'll have the same social worker and are at about the same place in the adoption process. It will be good to have that additional support.

We appreciate your continued prayers and will keep you posted!

Take My Breath Away

2007-10-04T22:15:00.001-05:00

Any Top Gun fans? The theme song "Take My Breath Away" was a big hit and lately I've been living it. And oh how I wish I could say it was because of my handsome and amazing hubby. Nope...it's all those darn chip bags.

So I wake up Wednesday morning to a horribly sore back. Come Wednesday night it's not just sore, its shooting pain down my right side and literally taking my breath away every time I move. So I get home from youth group on Wednesday night (by the way, the switched bags of chips were a big hit!) and hubby is grunting and groaning. He goes on to tell me how he was working on his Jeep (stay tuned for a Jeep update tomorrow night) and he was trying to get a nut off and wrenched his back!

So later on we're laying in bed. We're rolling around trying to find a comfortable position, grunting, groaning, moaning and breathless... oh how I wish I could say it was because of my handsome and amazing hubby.

Darn Jeep and chip bags...

Things to do that cause extreme back pain and muscle spasms

2007-10-03T21:21:00.000-05:00

Open 50 bags of chips
Empty contents into bowls
Fill bags up with different kinds of chips
Reseal bags with glue stick

Open Your Eyes

2007-10-03T08:01:00.000-05:00

A devotion by Princess...

Are you aware of everything God has done for you? Are you thankful of what He does? Every breath, every sunny day, every rain cloud, every loss. Its all for you! Its all to help you understand His love for you, and to grow closer to Him.

Yes, loss hurts, but look beyond what you lost. In that loss run to Jesus. Let Him comfort you and carry your burden. That is the blessing, Jesus can help us even though we aren’t perfect, and He does it willingly.

Do you run around outside with your eyes shut? As your drive to go get your daily coffee fix are your eyes shut? NO! So why do we walk around with our eyes shut to Jesus? Why are we not afraid of crashing without Jesus? Why can’t we throw our eyes open and look directly at the one who saves?

Because we sin. But He died so we could approach Him. We don’t have an excuse anymore, so stop looking for one. God has given us everything we need, and more. So stop. Think of all Jesus is blessing you with. Praise Him. Praise Him again, and again, and again.

Learning From a Bag of Chips

2007-10-02T21:45:00.000-05:00

I'd like to share with you another chapter in the life of the most boring person in the world. Hang on to your hats!

After work I stopped at the store and purchased 40 bags of snack size chips. All different kinds. Then after supper, Hubby headed to the garage again to work on his Jeep (almost done, ya!).

I take out all the bags of chips and then I took one bag of Doritos and one bag of Cheetos. I empty the chips into a bowl (Doritos in one bowl, Cheetos in another). I then put the Doritos into the Cheetos bag and the Cheetos into the Doritos bag. Then I take a glue stick and glue the bags back together - oh ya, I forgot a step. I had to earlier carefully open the bag so it could be sealed back up.

"WHAT! Have you lost your mind?" you ask. Nope - just another night in the life of the most boring person in the world!

Ok, there is a purpose but first I'll finish my story. So I do the switch-a-roo on about 15 bags and the door bell rings. It's my beloved friend Liz, coming to spend an exciting evening with me! Now that's what I call friendship! So we finish all 40 bags and they actually look pretty good - you can't really tell they've been tampered with.

So the purpose of all this craziness... Tomorrow night at youth group Pastor Paul will be sharing a message "So, you want to be like Christ?". We'll provide snacks for the kids but when they open their snack - SURPRISE! - not quite what they were expecting. And Pastor Paul will be able to share how living for Christ means what's on the inside and the outside should be the same.

I think it's a clever example of how we often live our life. Sometimes we are walking with Christ on the inside but we allow fear and doubts to overtake us and we fail to live for Christ on the outside. And then sometimes we have a hard heart or are not walking with Christ on the inside but on the outside we put on a mask and pretend to be someone we are not and act like all is right with the world.

Oh, how Jesus wants us to be real. To come to Him daily with our doubts and fears, sorrow and joy. One of my favorite verses is Romans 12:15, "Rejoice with those that rejoice, and weep with those who weep." It's ok to take off the happy face mask and weep. To let Him not only live in our hearts but live in every part of our soul and every part of our life.

What started out as another boring night for me ended with a great time hanging out with a good friend, having a yummy snack (chips of course!) and being reminded of the great joy that's found in being the chip, ur, I mean person we were created to be!

Headaches and Hormones

2007-10-01T20:18:00.000-05:00

(Once again - a post with information that you could probably care less about. I recently won an award for the most boring life in the entire universe and I'm sorry but this is all I have to talk about!)

Guess what! I'm fertile! LOL. I couldn't wait to say that.

So I had my first appointment last Friday with my new doctor. She tells me, "You need to get rid of this mental roadblock you have that you are infertile. I never want to hear you say that word again. Yes, God may give you children through adoption but He also might give you children biologically. You are fertile."

Ok! After my appointment I go back to work and all the ladies ask me how my appointment went. "I'm fertile!" I say. Ya, maybe I had a mental roadblock but I'm sorry I just can't keep saying that to people!

Anyway so as I shared with you on Saturday my headache got worse on Friday night and Saturday and Sunday. So I'm thinking for sure I have a tumor and I'm so going to die any minute. Then I realized I hadn't had a soda since Thursday night. This is the lady that has a Mt Dew for breakfast, usually one for lunch and then at least one or two more throughout the rest of the day. So yes, I'm drinking water like my new doctor has instructed but I also went cold turkey on the Dew and my brain was having a serious withdrawal.

Today I had another treatment and it went well. She did some work on my neck to help relieve the headache and it actually did help. I see the other doctor tomorrow that will hopefully provide us some more natural ways for me to most importantly feel better but also increase our chances of taking advantage of this fertile body of mine! :-)

I changed my mind about not saying that word. I think when the doctor comes into the examination room and asks me how I am, I'm going to say, "I'm fertile!".

Glory

2007-09-30T17:04:00.001-05:00

Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth. Psalm 108:5
For the Lord is high above the nations;his glory is higher than the heavens. Psalm 113:4
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1
Let them all praise the name of the Lord. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven! Psalm 148:13
They were calling out to each other,“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” Isaiah: 6:3
“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:14
For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. Romans 11:36

I can't do anything...

2007-09-29T16:50:00.000-05:00

...except sit here and pray that this headache goes away. A headache that has been wiped me out for 4 days, put me in a fog and caused every single part of my being to hurt. I feel like curling up in my bed and dying. Last night on our fabulous date Hubby and I were talking about heaven and I was saying how homesick I was to just be with Jesus forever. Yikes! Maybe the Lord is giving me my wish. Ok, sorry that's not funny.

Appreciate your prayers. I'm off to find some more drugs (don't worry, over the counter). Although nothing has helped with the pain, maybe I can find something that will knock me out. Good night!

Date Night

2007-09-28T21:38:00.000-05:00

Guys, have you taken your lady out on a date recently? Well, time's a wasting! And it's one of the best things you can do to strengthen your marriage. And IT DOES NOT have to be anything fancy or expensive. Let me tell ya, a nice walk in the park, holding hands and getting ice cream is one of the best dates ever.

So tonight Hubby took me on a date. We have SO many new restaurants in our town and I know he's been wanting to try one but wouldn't tell me. I was pleasantly surprised to find us at Toyko Japanese Restaurant. The local paper recently had a review and it got 4 out of 4 stars. Although I don't like sushi and I'm a little picky so I was a little nervous.

The restaurant is tiny so it was a little uncomfortable waiting for a table, having to stare at everyone eating. We had to wait about 20 minutes for a table which is really good in our town. I ordered the Hibachi Steak, Hubby ordered some Box thing and we also ordered bacon wrapped asparagus appetizers. We both got soup and salad with our meals and I did not care for it at all. Then my Hibachi Steak came which was kind of weird because we hadn't got our appetizer yet. My meal was wonderful. The steak was tender and cooked perfectly. Eventually the rest of the meal came. Hubby had like 5 different things, the only one he knew for sure was salmon. I thought that was funny, he had no idea what he was eating but he said it was really good.

Even though it was pretty crowded and I didn't care for the soup and salad it was a very nice meal, almost romantic even :-) Then instead of taking the interstate home, we took the long way and drove through town, listening to worship music blaring, every once in awhile turning it down to talk. Had to stop and get ice cream on the way home of course!

As we drove through town we could see the full moon across the clear sparkling sky in front of us. As soon as we pull into the driveway our new neighbors pull into their driveway. They actually don't move in until Monday so it was the first time we've seen them. We had a nice visit and got to share a little about our family.

Thank you Lord! What great date with my great hubby!

Each of you must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:33

My wacked out, psychotic, hormonal, pain inducing reproductive system

2007-09-26T19:34:00.000-05:00

Rated M for mature audiences! :-)

We've decided to tackle my wacked out, psychotic, hormonal, pain inducing reproductive system again.

Way back in college, about 1994, I had my first experience with my wacked out, psychotic, hormonal, pain inducing reproductive system. I woke up to excruciating pain and went into the bathroom. I passed out as I got out of the shower (even put a huge hole in the wall where my head hit!). Anyway my roommate takes me to the ER where they find out I have grapefruit size cysts on my ovaries. I go into surgery after they tell me they may need to take my ovaries. Oh gee, that's comforting! Thankfully that didn't happen but one of the cysts had ruptured causing internal bleeding so they couldn't use a scope, they had to cut me open....which started this whole big mess with my wacked out, psychotic, hormonal, pain inducing reproductive system

Long story short, I've battled cysts and pain every month since then. In addition, since that first surgery scar tissue has grown and grown around my ovaries and created all types of havoc. My first husband and I battled infertility and saw numerous doctors all of them telling us they didn't really know what was wrong, I have scar tissue and that's probably what's wrong, the only way to get pregnant is to do invitro.

So when hubby and I got married I knew we'd have this battle again. We've also been to numerous doctors, all of them saying the same thing. We've never pursued invitro, just never having peace about it and feeling we'd rather spend $10,000 on adoption. However, I've heard of other "methods" to treat infertility and we've never looked at those options. I would make an appointment or actually see a different doctor but then give up after a few months. Not sure if I'm just lazy, or doubtful, or sometimes I think I convince myself that God doesn't need these doctors for me to get pregnant. I know that's true but I also know my body has a wacked out, psychotic, hormonal, pain inducing reproductive system and that God can use these doctors to help bring healing. I don't want to look back 10 years from now and regret not looking into other things.

So yesterday after once again having to deal with my wacked out, psychotic, hormonal, pain inducing reproductive system I started to do some research and ask close friends about their experiences.

On Friday I have an appointment with a doctor/chiropractor/massage therapist/acupuncturist. She's had specific experience with infertility and even if I don't get pregnant I would love to find some relief from my wacked out, psychotic, hormonal, pain inducing reproductive system. Then next Tuesday I have an appointment with a family doctor who works alot with infertility and who works closely with the Creighton Model. My first question will be if my tubes are messed up or I have all this scar tissue and fibroids, then will the Creighton Model really do anything? And then just in case the family doctor wants me to see a OBGYN specialist I made an appointment with an OBGYN (3 weeks from now) that specializes in wacked out, psychotic, hormonal, pain inducing reproductive systems and infertility.

I can't say that I'm looking forward to having a gazillion needles poking me but I'm told by some dear friends that it's not that creepy and that the acupuncturist doctor is really great. She is a graduate of my alma mater's rival so that brings me great concern. Go rabbits!

At the same we still feel called to adopt so we're going to proceed with our adoption plans. We have orientation on October 6th with the agency that will be doing our home study and possibly our adoption. (We haven't decided 100% yet if we should do an agency or private adoption.)

Hubby is so patient as I deal with my wacked out, psychotic, hormonal, pain inducing reproductive system and for that I'm very grateful. He's promised that he'll encourage and support me through another round of doctoring. One of my friends said it's pretty much a part time job charting all that needs charted for the Creighton Model but if it can bring healing and maybe even a little one I'm ready for the challenge!

Prayer

2007-09-26T19:22:00.000-05:00

A couple of prayer requests...

I shared with you earlier this week the story of Copeland. She went home to be with Jesus today. Please continue to keep her family in your prayers.

And also you can pray for the Piper family. You can read about their sorrow here.

Pressure

2007-09-25T15:43:00.000-05:00

I was on my way to work this morning thinking about my blog. "I wonder if anyone reads my blog." I thought to myself. "Hhmmm, I better come up with something way better than 'Life with Charlie'."

Talk about pressure. Does anyone else feel this tremendous weight on their shoulders to come up with witty, informative, inspirational and life-changing blogs? I've noticed that a good majority of blogs are written by women. No offense, guys, I've seen some good blogs written by you too. But the majority of those that I read are written by women. And the majority of the ones that make me laugh so hard I wet my pants or cry so hard my husband thinks Charlie died, are written by women.

Women. We do it all don't we? Among other things we pay the bills, buy the groceries, keep the house in order, kiss the kid's owies, make marvelous meals and keep our hubbies happy. Ok, we don't really do it all. As a bible believing Christian woman that would be disrespectful of my fabulous husband to convince you of this. But I do have to say, us womenly folk do alot.

And now, thanks to blogland we have the added pressure to create masterpieces of wit and charm, bring encouragement and comfort to complete strangers and convince about a gazillion people that we actually know what we're talking about...

I stand corrected. The title of this post should be privilege.

Life With Charlie

2007-09-24T20:39:00.000-05:00

This is a little late but happy birthday Charlie! Charlie is my puppy that just turned 10 on September 16th. No, I haven't lost my mind - I know Charlie can't read but he's part of our family so I have to blog about him. He's getting up there in age and it makes me sad to think we only have a few years left with him.

Charlie is so cute. Even when he's soaking wet, he's cute as can be. And he's secure in his cuteness. Like today it rained. There's Charlie sitting on the deck getting wet and wilty and stinky. But he doesn't care. He knows we'll let him in the house and help him dry off. And he's got the cutest little face. He actually looks just like an Ewok, especially when he's due for a haircut.

Right now he's sleeping. How can dogs sleep all day and then be so tired that they have to sleep all night. It amazes me. I think I would like that life (at least for a few days). And then within a matter of seconds he'll jump up and be ready to wrestle with our other two dogs. He is horribly abused because he's short. Ed and Alie will tower over him and bite his ears. He gets them back by knawing on their legs :-)

He's also a begger (that's what he's doing in the picture). He'll sit on his hind end for hours if we let him and beg away. He doesn't beg to Hubby because he knows he'll get scolded (poor Charlie). But he knows full well who Grama and Aunt Laurel are and will beg like crazy to them, again knowing full well that it will be worth his effort.

Oh Charlie dog, you're such a good friend!

Grasp The Love

2007-09-23T16:19:00.000-05:00

Yes, that is the title of our blog. But it's also what this family has been able to understand through their pain and sorrow. Please take a moment to pray for them today.

Peace

2007-09-23T11:34:00.000-05:00

I haven't written much lately about our adoption. It's not that I haven't had anything to say. Maybe I've had too much to say and didn't know where to start.

The Lord brought such healing and peace to our hearts through the not-adoption of the twins. Our church family is amazing and we felt their prayers. We still pray for the twins and think of them and their birth mom often. It's amazing how you can become so connected to people and not even meet them. My prayer is that some day I can meet her and pray with her and encourage her.

Going through the process with the twins made me question my views on adoption. I know everyone has their opinion and their is no "right" way. However, after a number of past experiences Hubby and I had decided closed adoption was the best option for our family. This was one reason the twins seemed so perfect because it would have been a closed adoption.

However as I heard about the twins being in a room by themselves at the hospital and the birth mom or her family not even being able to say goodbye, or they not even meeting the family that would raise and love the twins my heart just broke. I can't even begin to imagine how the birth mom and family is feeling. So I'm doubting my feelings of closed adoption and wondering if we wouldn't have more peace with a semi-open adoption.

We've also been praying about adopting a sibling group, a 1 yr old and 2 yr old. We felt real peace about it so we sent in our profile. We then found out it would be just the 2 yr old. I really had my heart set on both of them and there were some other things that caused us to have uneasiness and loose that sense of peace. Hubby talked to the social worker and we came to a decision that it wasn't God's will for us to adopt any of these children. And the Lord gave peace.

It's amazing the wisdom of my Hubby. I'm totally emotional and it's like "any kid, doesn't matter, we'll take 'em!!" He's just a little more rational (thank you Lord). But he's also so patient and doesn't force anything on me. He'll wait patiently for me to come to the place where the Lord wants us to be. For that I'm so thankful. Hubby definetly doesn't wear his feelings on his sleeve so sometimes I doubt his excitement of this adoption. But to see him cry and hear him say, "I envisioned the twins, what they would look like, what our family would be like," just broke my heart and gave me peace that he wants to grow our family as much as I do.

As you can see, the theme today is peace. That even when my heart aches to be a mom and have little ones in our home and the pain is great as we think about the twins that won't be in our family, the Lord miraculously brings peace. It really is a peace that passes all understanding.

Everything

2007-09-22T13:48:00.001-05:00

Jena 6 Update

2007-09-20T14:18:00.000-05:00

I shared with you the other day some disturbing news from the small town of Jena Louisiana. It looks like the whole world is finally taking notice. Here's an update...

A Word From Pastor Paul

2007-09-20T13:49:00.001-05:00

Pastor Paul is my boss and a pastor at our church. He sent all the staff this encouragement today.

What a beautiful picture!

Think of this as someone who is intimate with God.

This magnificent garden did not get that way by sitting idle.
Weeds would have come up.
Instead, it got that way through loving care and cultivation over time.

Think of that as the discipline and the time God desires to spend with us on a regular basis.
Let Him cultivate the weeds out so His new creation can shine in all it's beauty!

Terrible Tuesday?

2007-09-18T21:21:00.000-05:00

Nope! This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in ...

1. It rained today. A nice cool fall rain that makes you want to curl up in a blanket and read a good book.
2. Hubby asked me if I wanted to go to Culver's tonight to get ice cream. Oh ya!
3. The flowers a friend gave me over the weekend have not wilted.
4. I have amazing co-workers that are caring, prayful and outrageously crazy weird (I love you guys!).
5. I learned today that Jerusalem gets almost twice as much rain annually as the Sea of Galilee does.
6 I fit into a size smaller pants. Life is good!
7. Princess's new bedroom is really, truly, honestly, completely and finally done!
8. The beautiful, amazing redish orange sunset that filled the sky with a bright glow.
9. Our puppy dogs. Although they are under feet way too much they are always happy and glad to see us and ready to wrestly and have some fun.
10. Another day. Another breath. Another minute to live for you Lord. Thank you for this day.

Disturbing News

2007-09-17T21:38:00.000-05:00

Check out this article about a small town in Louisiana. And here's a really powerful documentary about this same story.

When I read this and watched the documentary I felt outraged and helpless. As adoptive parents open to children of any race this could very well be something we will have to face in the new future. My heart is so burdened to think of our children facing this type of prejudice. We all have to continue to examine our hearts and change the world one prayer at a time and one person at a time.

1 Samuel 16:7

The Transformers

2007-09-16T21:32:00.000-05:00

I laughed hard tonight. It was the first night of Life Groups. Life Groups are our high school youth small groups. They meet every Sunday night in homes. I have the priveledge of being an adult leader and it's one of the most rewarding things I do.

We have two student leaders for each group and they pretty much do everything. They plan the lesson and the games and whatever else we do. I'm just there to provide help when needed but these kids are so awesome - they need help very rarely.

Since it was our first night tonight we just hung out and talked and laughed SO MUCH! We talked alot about the name of our Life Group. Last year we were PowerHouse (taken from Eph 3:17-21) but we have a new group of kids so they wanted something different. Oh my goodness, they are so funny. The final vote came down to...

Circle of Friends
GPS (God's Postal Service - delivering His Word)
Global Warming (something about the fire of God ??)
Revolution
Transformers

The winner was Transformers and our verse is Romans 12:2.

These kids are so awesome. If you aren't involved with kids, whether it be babies, toddlers, preschoolers, elementary, middle school or high school I really encourage you to pray about how you can be used. It is so rewarding and I learn something from these kids every night. They really aren't all that scary :-)

I'm not sure what the names of the other Life Groups are but I do know we have the most amazing group of Transformers and I count it all joy to spend my Sunday nights with them!

You're Not So Cutesy Funny!

2007-09-15T18:11:00.000-05:00

Here's a picture of our cool red furniture. If only we had it to enjoy - I know - be patient! :-). Oh ya, I forgot to tell you what a flirt my hubby is.

So we're looking at furniture and the sales lady is very outgoing (that's putting it nicely). Hubby has this problem of thinking he's funny and so he keeps making these ridiculous jokes. I would love to tell you one but they are so ridiculous I can't even remember.

So I shoe away the crazy sales lady and tell hubby he needs to stop flirting. "I'm not flirting," he says. "I'm just trying to be funny." Uh, well you're not. And I go on to give him a lesson in Women 101 and explain that when he jokes around and is all cutesy like, LADIES THINK YOU'RE FLIRTING and so he better just knock it off.

Kudos to him, he did stop being all cutesy funny but unfortunately the sales lady thought she was cutesy funny too and just kept going on and on. I won't even go there!

How Could I Forget?

2007-09-14T22:15:00.000-05:00

After all the silly posts about our basement and the horrible pictures I can't believe I forgot to tell you IT IS FINISHED! Completely, entirely, all together finished.

Ok, not really but kind of. ?? We have all the major stuff done and all the necessary inspections are done so we can actually move stuff down there, although we don't really have anything to move down there yet. Now we're just finishing little stuff like putting up blinds, getting stuff for the bathroom. We bought our furniture (It's red! That's my hubby, living on the wild side) and a bed for Princess but that won't be here for a week!

I'll post some more horrible pictures when it's all done...really completely and entirely! And we'll throw a little "Yay, we've finished the basement and managed to go into even more debt but we have really cool red furniture" party!