FOREVER LILY.....UPDATE

UPDATE.......
I am finally getting around to reading this book, Forever Lily. I'm wondering for those who have read this, what is your thoughts on this book? Did you like it? How did you like the dream sequences to the book?

******UPDATE******

So I finished reading the book late last night. The dream scenes I just kind of skimmed over. But I am guessing the author felt it must be told, since this is based on a true story. As Catherine stated, it is one persons experience of her adoption journey. I really did not like the book and kind of forced myself to finish it. I have read China Ghosts and Meeting Sophie and those I loved and could not put down.


Thanks for responding to my question.... I kept hearing how great this book was and I'm like thinking "what is wrong with me that I am not liking it".

Amy... I am sending you the book to read....

YIKES....

I was one of "those" intrusive person. The dreaded, the hated, the obnoxious person. Don't be hating, let me explain.....

I found myself on a mini-vacation along the coast in San Luis Obispo, at a street fair, outside the jumping cage watching my great-nephew go crazy. Yes, I am that old to be a Great-Aunt. Standing next to me was a momma watching her Asian son, also going crazy in the jumping cage. I just had to. Since her son was not within hearing distance, I just went with it. I asked her if her son was adopted. I am sure she is thinking what a jerk I am. As quickly as I asked the question, I stated that I have been waiting for 2 years to adopt from China. She grabbed me and hugged me! What an unexpected response. Her son was adopted from Taiwan. She knows the agony of the wait, the unknown, and more wait. Great conversation and sharing.... and then as quickly as we met, the boys were out of the cage and we both went on our way with boys in hand.

I did take away from this conversation added strength and renewal that the long wait has an amazing outcome.... The woman will never know how her random act of conversation and sharing helped this waiting momma.

HAPPY EASTER.....

PEEPS!!!!

YOU KNOW YOU'RE AN ADOPTIVE PARENT WHEN........

I saw this on another blog and thought it was so timely for what I blogged about yesterday...


1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.

2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.

3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.

4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.

5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.

6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's 'real' parents.

7. You have ever been 'pregnant' with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth. (2 years!)

8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.

9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.

10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.

11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.

12. You know what the word 'Dossier' means, and you can actually pronounce it!

13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.

14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.

-Author unknown

ADVERSITY

Sometimes the things that are worth the most, are the hardest to obtain.

In my heart and spirit, I know that I am on the right path by adopting Tate. I know this without a doubt through prayer. All along this path there have been obstacles to overcome. Now finally when there is a light at the end of the tunnel, these obstacles have become barricades and dead ends. I remember a Sunday school teacher talking about how if we did not have adversity in a righteous wish, then the this it is not the right thing. Also, I remember hearing that the more right something is, the more the darker side (“can you say Satan?” from SNL) will try to cause turmoil stopping what is right from happening. As a teen, you kind of roll your eyes at stuff like this. Now I see the truth in this. Each day as I wander down this path, I step over the bumps and hurdle the barricades. When I hit the dead ends, I stop and change my direction. So with blind faith I am sometimes crawling, walking or dancing down this path working on the adversities that are my struggles right now.

YEARS..

On my Birthday I was soul searching trying to decide about adoption....

On my

Birthday, I was LID and dreaming of being a mother celebrating my next birthday with Tate in arms.....

On my

Birthday, I celebrated this major birthday with empty arms but a heart full of hope for the next birthday of living my dreams....

Today, I celebrate my

Birthday... Hopefully the last one without Tate.

FINISHED!!!

It is DONE!!! I put this together with my own two hands! Yikes... I am not a quilter, but I do sew sometimes. I did have it machine quilted, thanks for paying for this MOM!!! Here is just the pictures..... for you viewing pleasure. I did post a huge posting on the WHY's of the choices as well as close ups of things. If you want to find your contribution, head over there.

This is THERE.

It was hard to get a decent picture of this quilt. Sorry.

I now need to find a 9 x 11 album to put the wished in ..... How come I cannot find a cute album??? I just may have to embellish one.

CELEBRATING....

YEARS LID.......

I mentioned to my mom that March 7th was my 24 months or 2 year LID. Man oh man, did my parents shock me when they showed up on my front porch with these beautiful flowers and the sweetest loving note......

"Lisa-

We've been thinking about you and your LONG wait for Tate! Hope it cheers you up to know our hearts are with you!

Love you, Mom and Dad."

What amazing parents I have... thank you for helping me "celebrate" this major monumental milestone in this long wait.

MOMMA'S GOT A NEW PASSION...

Some women dream of owning a ton of stillettos or hoochie momma shoes and designer handbags. Not me. My dream is to own one of these.

It is an air compressor...... But this air compressor is not the thing that draws passion to my heart. This air compressor's only job is to run the tools that I dream about..... the nail gun and brad gun. I am just so lucky that they both come in my favorite appliance color- RED! After endless years of yearning and countless of projects to do, I am going to do it. I am going to H*me Dep*t and treating myself to this early birthday present. I know that my family does not read my blog, so it would be useless to tell them to give me a gift card from my house of worship- H*me Dep*t. If by chance my siblings read this.... HINT HINT for my birthday gift this year.

BREAKING INTO 2006....

What an amazing feeling.... seeing referrals for 2006! I did a little number crunching and figure out that there are 62 days between January 4 thru and including March 7 2006. Being forever unrealistic and HOPEFUL, I also figured there are 9 weekends days included in this 62 days. SO I guess I am grasping at this, but I want to think I have only 44 days to go before I am holding and kissin' on my sweet dream of Tate. When I first started this adoption process and the spiritual part of my journey, I always felt that September was of significance. Each September would approach and I would have this feeing... AGAIN. It just might be realistic now that this September is the Septemeber that caused my "feelings".

CONGRATS to the Families receiving referrals!!!