Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Never Eat Anything bigger Than You Head
We have a rule in our house: Never eat anything bigger than you head. I so bit off more than I can chew. One of the reasons that it's been so quiet on the blog is that I made a commitment to attend a Civil War re-enactment this coming weekend as a re-enactor. I'm really excited. I get to dress up in period clothes and talk to people and learn all about the Civil War from the inside out. BUUUUUUT, in order to dress in period clothes, you have to have period clothes, and you can't just go buy them. (Or rather you can, but its really expensive.) So you have to make them. Great . . . except I don't sew. Well, I didn't before, but in the last six weeks I've learned. I've been spending several hours a day making shirts for the boys, a corset, petticoats, chemises, and dresses for myself and Pookie. Thank goodness Charlie is able to borrow what he needs.
Waiting Children at Kids to Adopt
My adoption agency, Kids to Adopt, has the most beautiful waiting children available for adoption. You can read about them at their website and they would be happy to send you more information about any of them.
http://www.kidstoadopt.org/waiting_children/photolisting.htm
http://www.kidstoadopt.org/waiting_children/photolisting.htm
Monday, August 17, 2009
Hidden Riches
Sorry I've been gone for a while, folks. My father-in-law, Lyle, died about two weeks ago. He had been suffering from cancer for a very long while and we knew he had a very little time left with us on Earth. We got a call from my sister-in-law letting us now that he was close to death. We decided quickly to pack and get in the car in hopes that we would make it in time to be there before he died. Unfortunately, he passed away before we could get packed. We were able to make the 750 mile drive with little incident, and that in itself was divine intervention because usually the drive is awful.
I was struck again and again by the beauty of our family during this emotional time and the many ways we were blessed by God.
One of Charlie's brothers had been estranged from the family for a very long time. There were periods of time where no one in the family knew how to reach him. Through the magic of Facebook he was located and other family member flew him home to see his father before he died. I know my mother-in-law believes Lyle was waiting to see his son before he died. Lyle died mere days later.
Charlie, my husband, is from a very large family. He is the twelfth of fourteen children. Everyone except for a few of the adult grandchildren were able to drop everything and race to Minnesota. Of course, everyone would come, you're thinking, but if you count his siblings and their spouses or fiances and their children and the great-grandchildren then we are talking about nearly 60 people. That is no small feat.
Even in the midst of all the sorrow our family was kind and thoughtful enough to remember Pookie's birthday, which was the day after Lyle Sr. passed away, and bought her a cake.
After the funeral, we all went back to the family home to write thank you notes and simply be together. As dusk fell I looked around at our family spread our before us. My boys and a couple of their cousins were climbing in an apple tree. My teenage nephew was playing with Pookie. Some were outside talking and telling stories. Others put out leftovers so that we could have dinner. It was amazing. If you cast a movie showing family togetherness, this is what it would have looked like.
I love my family and thank God for the reminder that I am truly blessed.
I was struck again and again by the beauty of our family during this emotional time and the many ways we were blessed by God.
One of Charlie's brothers had been estranged from the family for a very long time. There were periods of time where no one in the family knew how to reach him. Through the magic of Facebook he was located and other family member flew him home to see his father before he died. I know my mother-in-law believes Lyle was waiting to see his son before he died. Lyle died mere days later.
Charlie, my husband, is from a very large family. He is the twelfth of fourteen children. Everyone except for a few of the adult grandchildren were able to drop everything and race to Minnesota. Of course, everyone would come, you're thinking, but if you count his siblings and their spouses or fiances and their children and the great-grandchildren then we are talking about nearly 60 people. That is no small feat.
Even in the midst of all the sorrow our family was kind and thoughtful enough to remember Pookie's birthday, which was the day after Lyle Sr. passed away, and bought her a cake.
After the funeral, we all went back to the family home to write thank you notes and simply be together. As dusk fell I looked around at our family spread our before us. My boys and a couple of their cousins were climbing in an apple tree. My teenage nephew was playing with Pookie. Some were outside talking and telling stories. Others put out leftovers so that we could have dinner. It was amazing. If you cast a movie showing family togetherness, this is what it would have looked like.
I love my family and thank God for the reminder that I am truly blessed.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Getting Closer
Our dossier is in Russia! I want to shout it from the rooftops. My case worker, Jeny, said that we may hear from someone after the inspector is back from vacation in mid- August. Jeny said that she was hoping to travel in late August or early September. I'm trying not to get too excited yet, but I am dying to meet Sweet Pea have her become a reality.
Right now she is a shadow. I love her in the same way I loved each of the children before they were born. Because although she has a personality, I don't what she is like. I don't know what she likes or dislikes. What makes her laugh? Is she easy going or is her behavior challenging? Is she scared of anything? Going to meet her is the first step to learning about this new person that will bless our family.
Right now she is a shadow. I love her in the same way I loved each of the children before they were born. Because although she has a personality, I don't what she is like. I don't know what she likes or dislikes. What makes her laugh? Is she easy going or is her behavior challenging? Is she scared of anything? Going to meet her is the first step to learning about this new person that will bless our family.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Pookie Is Growing Up
On a lighter note, Pookie went poo poo and pee pee on the potty for the first time last week. For the last little while she has felt that she needs to potty but couldn't figure out how to get her body to do what she wanted it to. She is very proud of herself.
Our Dossier Is Ready
My amazing case worker, Jeny, just told me that she is sending my dossier to Frank right now. (Our agency is affiliated with Frank Adoptions.) Finally we are getting everything over to Russia. My heart is overflowing with joy. I hope we will meet our sweet girl in September. When we started this adoption journey I secretly had hopes that that Sweet Pea would be home with us by August or September. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that we would still be waiting for our first trip right now.
Maybe God is using this time to help us gather our resources and prepare and strengthen us for the path we have chosen. I am amazed by the wonderful internet support groups that I have found. They are a wealth of information and support. Most of all I know that we are not alone. There are children all over the country that face the same challenges that Sweet Pea will face, and they do it with grace and fortitude.
By being a part of these groups I get to see first hand the struggles that families of children with limb differences and amputations face: the emotional struggles, their refusal to be held back, and their ability to solve problems their own way.
I can't wait for our family to really get in on the action.
Maybe God is using this time to help us gather our resources and prepare and strengthen us for the path we have chosen. I am amazed by the wonderful internet support groups that I have found. They are a wealth of information and support. Most of all I know that we are not alone. There are children all over the country that face the same challenges that Sweet Pea will face, and they do it with grace and fortitude.
By being a part of these groups I get to see first hand the struggles that families of children with limb differences and amputations face: the emotional struggles, their refusal to be held back, and their ability to solve problems their own way.
I can't wait for our family to really get in on the action.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Reason 874 We Homeschool
Wonder boy has religious education for three weeks this summer. He has to be at church at 7:45.
How do you people do this nine months out of the year?!?
This is awful. We have to drag him out of bed, rush to make sure he is dressed and ready. This morning I realized he hadn't brushed his teeth before he left. I'm going to have a nervous breakdown if this doesn't end soon. It puts everyone in a bad mood for several hours.
People tell me all the time that they respect me taking the time and effort it takes to homeschool, but they could never do it. Well, to all of you whose children go to a traditional school, I respect you. There is no way I could get my kiddo up, ready and out the door every day.
How do you people do this nine months out of the year?!?
This is awful. We have to drag him out of bed, rush to make sure he is dressed and ready. This morning I realized he hadn't brushed his teeth before he left. I'm going to have a nervous breakdown if this doesn't end soon. It puts everyone in a bad mood for several hours.
People tell me all the time that they respect me taking the time and effort it takes to homeschool, but they could never do it. Well, to all of you whose children go to a traditional school, I respect you. There is no way I could get my kiddo up, ready and out the door every day.
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