Details?

You people really want details? Well, it all started one afternoon... JUST KIDDING.

The long version, Brent and I thought we would adopt again. We have been researching, asking questions, talking to people and all we found out was that Guatemala is closed and IF it opens back up the process may be very disheartening. We also contacted 4 domestic agencies. 2 of them told us we were not candidates for their programs because "we could have our own children" and 2 told us that they "would take our money" but did not feel like we were likely candidates because most birth moms were looking for smaller families, and that it could take a lot of time. We looked into other countries, and even though our hearts cry out for the orphans... we could not find a program that would work for our family (based on our family size, travel times, time lines, etc). That may sound like we were giving up on adoption to some, but we feel like we listened and were not given confirmation. I talked to Brent a lot about "just seeing what would happen", for a long time he did not agree. One day he either had a weak moment, or he just got tired... and agreed to "see what would happen". And that folks is the rest of the story. And I am serious... ONE TIME. I know that that fact probably hurts some of your hearts, because as I type this I think about how upsetting it is for so many of you who have tried for so long. But truth be known, that is why I am in such shock. I do know how it happens, but just one time???

And then there is the other side. I AM SICK! I have never been sick in pregnancy before. And when I say sick, I mean the doctor put me on Zo*fran. The medicine they give chemo patients for nausea. I had spent 3 days curled up in the fetal position in the bathroom floor when Brent said I had to do something, so I called thinking she would tell me some magic trick to avoid nausea... and she called me in a prescription. I cried! Because my friend, Nicole had to be put on the same meds... and SHE WAS SICK. Surely I was not in the same boat. That med was for people who really got sick, not me. But, I got it so I could be functional for the rest of my family... some days I am functional. Some days not so much. I hope the side effects include the ability to fall asleep in the middle of the WWF wrestling simulation by my boys, because I sure can accomplish that. The meds also have the ability to COMPLETELY stop all function in your colon and intestines (if you know what I mean), but "that's all I've got to say about that".

So, today I am officially 8 weeks and 2 days into my God given blessing (due on Brent's Birthday... July 7th) . I know many of you think 5 kids is crazy, it has crossed my mind a time or two as well. But, if there is one thing that God made me to be it is a MOMMY. I am not saying that I am the best one out there, or that I am even all that good at it, but it is who I am and what I love. I am thankful that God thinks enough of me to think that I can handle it, and that He has blessed me "exceedingly abundantly", because I KNOW I don't deserve it.

Wordless Wednesday

November 25, 2008

FREE

My friend, Melissa, is an amazing woman. She has been through more than I have the words to describe, yet she remains a pillar of strength, and a testimony of faith. She is also a wonderful writer. She is serious, heart-felt, funny, and poignant all in the same sentence. If you follow her blog, then you know that we have followed her journey From Foxholes to Faith. But, because it has spoken to so many already, she has put it all on one place... FOR FREE. She said tell someone about it who needs it. WE ALL NEED IT. Go get it, go read it, go NOW.

I've been thinking...

HUSH! I know my dad is immediately thinking... UH OH!

But anyway... I love Christmas Cards. I love getting them, I love sending them, I love creating them (or having them created). But, I have been thinking. I sure do waste a lot of money on Christmas Cards. I waste a lot of money on cards that are precious to me, but I know are not saved and cherished by everyone else. Don't get me wrong, I personally scrapbook all the cards I receive, and I love seeing the kids change and grow over the years. But, how many of you save the cards you get past January?

I typically get around 80-100 cards printed, and by the time I mail them out I usually spend way more then I am prepared to document. In fact, it just occured to me that we could just about sponsor a child at the orphanage in Nicaragua for what I spend on Christmas Cards each year.

So, I am thinking... what if I DON'T do cards this year? There are so many good things that I could do with that money, good things that mean something to someone else.

Comments, thoughts... anyone care to join me?

We EAT Turkey

We eat turkey, we eat turkey, OH SO GOOD, OH SO GOOD, (to the tune of Where is Thumbkin)

That was one of the many songs that we got to hear last night at Callan's Kindergarten Musical Performance. It was THE FIRST THANKSGIVING. Guess who the Turkey was?



I took this one before I remembered that he had a mask too. I tried to capture it during the performance, but with around 160 Kindergarteners and ALL the families they brought to the show the population of many small cities was contained in the school gymnasium at 6PM last night.




I also captured him and his best bud, J. J wanted so bad to be in the picture... but when I snapped it, this is what face he made. He more than cracks me up. I told his mom and dad it was going on the blog.

Saturday

Some of you may think this falls under that category of child abuse. My kids call it "It is Saturday...Daddy's home...we have no plans... it's war!"

My Nommie Made It

See Nommie, it looks good on me doesn't it? (Mom says she knows my shirt under the dress is a little big, but she is hoping to shrink it in the wash a little, it is size 18 months for goodness sake)

Raving Review

Guess what I found today at my local K-Roger's? This...

and I LIKE IT... I LIKE IT A LOT!

That was WRONG!!!

This goes out to my MOTHER.

You see, about 5 years ago (maybe more) we started this game. It started when she got this e-mail about a yellow shirt and how the yellow shirt would appear between sisters and their mom at various events in their lives. We started our own little version. Only we don't have a yellow shirt, we have this...




It is an angel nightlight, and I cannot begin to tell you how we got it. But at some point it ended up at her house, preferably to stay. She didn't think so, and brought it to my house and hid it on a corner shelf (at our old house) where it sat I think until we packed up to move here (I did not know a game had begun). When I pulled it out and wondered where in the world it had come from and why it had appeared tucked in on the back of my corner shelf, I found the e-mail about the yellow shirt inside and knew it was my turn. This thing has turned up all over the place, hidden in attics, tucked in the back of curio cabinets, hall closets, under car seats, everywhere. The only problem is mom has it easier than me. She comes here all the time and has a quiet, empty house to play in (when she comes to babysit- okay maybe not quiet, but I am not here). When I go to her house, she is always there, so I can never get a GOOD spot. Anyway, this time she got dirty. She hid it in the recesses of Brent's closet, where no wife will go... for fear that they might not get out alive. And it was JUST PLAIN WRONG!

But I have to add, I am not going to let you know if I found it a week ago, a month ago, or more. You never know it might already be cozy on Coles Ferry... and don't be surprised now that you went there, you opened up an endless possibility of the world known as Gandies stuff, and heaven knows once we go there, we might never find it!

Just Because

Because Callan and I are tired of being cooped up in the house, we decided to be crafty. Luckily I was ahead of the game and bought the supplies for him to make his "Turkey Project" for school last week. Sadly, the turkey project took only 3 minutes and now we are digging through the recycling to come up with some more fun stuff.



Is it just me or does he look a little too teenagerish in this photo with his cocky little grin?


And just because I was downloading pics anyway, here is poor Stella. She had her female surgery yesterday and had her dew claws removed (They told us this would be a good idea, they were an extra set of claws that dogs sometimes have that are nothing but flesh with a claw. They have a tendancy to get hung on things and rip off easily causing a huge mess. Most of the time they are removed when the tail is stubbed, but since she was at a farm, it was not done.) She is having to wear the cone to keep her from chewing the bandages on her feet.


And one more thing... why has blogger suddenly started adding my pictures in reverse order, it is all kind of messing me up on my posts.

Favorite Foto Friday-Family

This one is from this summer just as school was starting back and the boys had to have a famiy picture for school. It is not the best picture, but it is of all of us...and that is rare.

I've Been Tagged

Since I am mostly an open book here, and you guys know a lot about me, I thought I would answer this tag with what has happened in the last 24 hours.

1. My kids do not get sick. We have not had to deal with ear infections or strep much at all, and I know that is a blessing. But if a stomach virus comes within a one mile radius... somebody is gonna get it.

2. Callan woke me up at 11 PM, "Mommy I just threw up in my bed and on the floor." I cleaned up puke for 30 minutes, blew up the blow up mattress and put a towel and trash can by his head. Went back to bed praying for no one else to get sick.

3. I woke up at 3AM begging for mercy with my head in the toilet.

4. I do know if I will ever be able to eat a Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad again. (Yesterday I could not say the words Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad)

5. My hubby leaves the house by 6AM and is not ever here to see our morning routine. He got Baylor to school, e-mailed Callan's teacher, got Eliza and Silas dressed, packed their lunch box and school bags and took them to school (and took Stella to the vet for her surgery to be spayed) with only a few questions.

6. At 10AM I still thought I was dying, Callan was ready for lunch. Daddy told him he could have Gatorade and crackers, he threw them up.

7. My hubby has a love affair with a Lysol can and sprayed it all day. He would not touch the bed Callan and I were in and even slept on the couch last night to avoid the chance at germs. Today's agenda: wash everything in the house, and try to eat something.

Big Day

Today I woke up, scared. I know that I am not supposed to be afraid, fear is not of the Lord. I was on edge, fussing at the kids for their inability to be together for a few minutes without bickering. We were trying to get ready to go to Nanny's house and I could not so much as get my hair combed without having to come referee. I found myself short tempered, ill, and lashing out at them for the things I was torn up on the inside about.

We took a minute to pray this morning as a family (Daddy was already at work). We prayed for our country and that no matter what happens today, it would be in God's will. And that it would bring Him the glory. Then we left home. As I was driving around on the various interstates from here to my Nanny's house (and I hit 3 major ones)I was in awe at the beautiful surroundings. Usually I just notice the cars, and the buildings, and bridges. But today, all I could see were the trees. I had never seen the fall trees look quite like they did today. The oranges were so bright and the reds were more clear than any I had seen. It really almost brought tears to my eyes. Not only at the beauty, but at the lesson I was being taught. Who am I to worry? The God that can make the world around us alive with colors like I have never seen, can cause them all to fall off, and rebirth them all again in the spring will be there no matter what happens today. He is in control.

I wish I could have taken pictures of the trees today. I think I would hang them all over my house, but my camera sat at home and it might have been a driving hazard. Tennessee really is beautiful this time of year. People drive hours just for a "fall foliage trip".

My mom also sent me this photo from today. It is of Nanny in her golf cart and many of her great-grandchildren (3 are missing). And one of her great-great nieces. We had a blast at Nanny's riding the golf cart, and playing outside on this beautiful day with our family.

Praying for Abby

Many of you in my adoption community have heard about Abby. Abby is a three year old little girl adopted from Guatemala who, in July of this year, was diagnosed with leukemia. The Rigg's family have 7 children. Three of which are adopted just in the past few years. Some days, I selfishly cannot bring myself to read about Abby because it scares me and hurts me to think of a child going through what she is going through.

But I have been called to share her story, her family's testimony of faith and their day to day journey not of the pain their child is enduring, but of the hope this family has in the Lord. If nothing else, go check out The Rigg's Family , and pray for Abby today. She needs it, desperately.

BOO!

We had a busy, busy day. The kids had their Fall Party at school and I did get some pictures, but really I should have taken a picture of the stairs because I feel like I spent more time worrying about wether or not I was giving each child the needed attention and ran back and forth between the two several times.

Last night was our Fall Festival at church. We go all out and most SS Classes are responsible for creating and manning a game for the event. It was the Olympics theme this year so most of the games involved playing some kind of Olympic Event (or version of). The kids had a blast and did really well with the crowd and staying together. I did not get any pictures at the event because it was crazy and mostly I was holding Eliza because there were way too many people for her comfort zone.

Here we are before we left.