What a difference a day makes

So today things seemed to try to work against us... well me.  

First of all have you ever had a co worker that just completely rubs you the wrong way?  I tell you what, I pray daily that I will be able to use the full power of God's grace to get me through the day when I have to work with her.  Well, today was one of those days.  Started first thing at 8am, and just went down hill.

Then I got an email from USCIS, they are the Home Land Security approval people.  They need more information from us for approve our application to adopt.  Well, one piece of it I have already told them I cannot get, we tried and our local court system refused to give it to us.  So, I am not sure what to do with it.  We already provided one piece of information and now we have to also get an addendum to the HS that we supplied.  ARGH!  One more set back.  

There are times when the paper work and other pieces just drag me down and seem like they are SO huge.  These are the times when I truly have to look at our N and remember how completely worth it all is!

So say a little prayer that this will all get done smoothly and this isn't the piece that sets us too far behind.  I am SO ready to go get my E!

Amazing weekend

What a weekend.  Do you ever just get overwhelmed with the blessings of God that you just don't know what to do with your self?

I am such a sap though, so the things that make me overwhelmed are probably just boring old day to day for others.

Saturday we had glorious weather.  It was sunny and breezy and in the high 70's.  We got some dirt and some plants for our garden and got to plantin'.  Z, drove D and I to the local garden store in his truck.  It's still a little surreal to be riding in a vehicle while my son drives.   Then Z and N helped me clean out all the mess from last year.  N, my little guy that loves to play in dirt and comes homes with at least 10 rocks from the playground daily, got upset because I got dirt on his hand.  Who knew?

It was just a beautiful day to spend with my family enjoying the beauty of God's creation.

D and I had our parents over for a cook out and we were able to eat on the deck.  It's too early for many bugs, so again... perfect weather and fun.

I will tell you that I have a crazy love for music.  I can't play any instruments, not enough coordination, but music is such a time of worship for me.  We had a guest pianist who played a hymn and to be honest I couldn't remember the name of it, but the man didn't use any sheet music and just played as if he were the only one in the room.  What an amazing gift.  

The sermon was perfect and then Sunday school was an answered prayer.  

I felt like I was living in some weird surreal life... only so much better.

THEN!  We went bowling with our sunday school class... I bowled a 125!!!  ok so I know that's not all that great, but for a chick that normally needs bumpers I was so stoked.  Who knew I could get the silly ball to go where I wanted it to?!  yeah!  And N loved bowling.  He's such a boy when it comes to sports.  He would carry that heavy ball to the end of the lane and just chuck it.  I wish I could have recorded it.  So funny.  And he even beat S on the first game!  She wasn't totally thrilled with that one.  ;o)

These are the times when I DO feel that life is better than good.  When I am reminded of the blessings that God gives us... friends, family, sunshine, warm weather, and a church home that feels like home.  The only thing missing was out little E... I so pictured him in the garden with us, helping to hold the bag while mommy shovels leaves, pushing the 2 little ones on the swing set, or showing them how to plant tomatoes and squash.  And trying to explain that these little green things would produce food. ;o)  

Life IS better than Good.  I love when God reminds me!

Adopting again..

So what made us decide to adopt again?

Well to tell the truth we knew we were going to adopt again while we were in Ethiopia to get N. We just were so blown away by the children, the need and the will of God.    When we were fist in process for N,  I truly wanted to bring home 2 children at the same time, but we were open to 1 or 2 under the age of 3 yrs.  And as God would have it he gave us one child.  He is one smart God!!!

We had some struggles with bringing him home and adjusting to having a little person in the house again.  God knew we would need time to adjust with one before we were going to move along with number 2.  I am so glad he's got more wisdom than me!

After we got home I could not wait to start the process again.  But of course there are wait times before starting, and they are also for good reason.  I think having been over there and seeing what we saw, I just wanted to do SOMEthing...ANYthing with all the emotions I had flying around.  And I felt that I wanted to get started ASAP.  

We began this process again in September of 2007.  We actually started with 2 specific children in mind, and started in earnest.  Well, again God had other plans.  This was pretty devastating to me... I was truly in love with them.  And still pray for them daily.  D and I both know that God wanted us to start the adoption process again, but that the child we were to bring home ... was again just 1.  Not 2.  I guess I am a slow learner.  

We have all our paperwork in and our fingerprints done.  Now we wait for the referral paperwork so that we can officially claim our little E.  And then we wait... and wait... and wait ... for a court date to have him officially be ours.

Then we travel.

I will keep you posted.

Living with HIV...

My friend Erin has asked those that read her blog to share the truth about HIV with other's and so I am. 

Here is what she shared on her blog recently regarding HIV.  I very much believe in and share her views.  Please take a moment and educate yourselves, and other's about this disease that still takes so many lives in other countries... but it doesn't have to be that way any more.

Ok, so I can't make it post here but this is the link to her post.  You can also find pictures of her children.  Truly amazing.

Thank you for reading ....

http://fullhousehandshearts.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/04/tell-two.html

Thank you Erin for your words and your inspiration.

Daycare

So, this week has been kinda strange at daycare... actually the last couple of weeks have been. We have been phone calls about N for weird things.  Lately he has decided that he doesn't like to take naps.  Well, he's almost 4yrs old and just... done with them.  Well, that's an awful long time for a guy with his imagination to have to lay still. 

We have tried to have several conversations with the directors of the daycare regarding this issue.   I think we have finally made headway.  It's been a bit frustrating though.

Yesterday I get a call that N has done something and he wouldn't tell them why.  Ok so what 3 yr old is going to tell you why they did something?  I know my N won't.  I said just tell him you both know what he did, and if he wants to tell you why that's great, but if not then you explain it's unacceptable.   How hard is that?!

As it turns out a kid he wanted to have play with him was on the other side of the room, N was mad that he wouldn't come play with him, so he did what any mad 3 yr old would... he went over and bopped the kid.  

ok, nope not acceptable behavior... but I get it.  I have often considered bopping people that make me mad as well, however at my much more mature age I refrain and pray instead.  We will work on that with N.

We are considering moving him to a Montessori school that is much closer to home...like walking distance and then when he starts Kindergarten it will still only be across the street. And then Little E will not be far either.  

Parenting...

So the person who said parenting ain't easy, wasn't lying.   hhmmm speaking of lying, N has learned this nasty little habit.  Where do we learn how to lie?  

Lately N, has decided that other things "make him do things".  The other night he pee peed in bed and very matter of factly told me that mice "sneaked" into his bed and peed on him.  Who knew mice were so conniving?  sneaky little boogers.

Or his "friends" do things or tell him things.  Not like he's hearing voices or anything like that, but more like "my friends told me to do it".  

So how do you get a 3 yr old to understand what lying is, and why it's bad?  I have some awesome friends that have shared some great thoughts.  The most helpful is knowing that he's a pretty normal kid.  Well, I happen to think he's pretty spectacular... but with normal behaviors.  

He's my little man that loves his momma, who tells me a 1000 times a day "I love you".  Who even after a long day, and momma fussing at him for lying, climbs up into my lap and says "mommy you are my best friend".

I have been so completely blessed by my kids... my 18 yr old who is learning to become an adult, my 14 yr old trying to find her space in the world, and my 3 yr old learning what being loved forever means... there are times I almost can't contain my praise to God for blessing me.

Is it a wonder I want more?  

Little E...mommy's comin. 

Just a few more for fun

The water was a little chilly....