BUSTING OUT THE BULLETS...

So much has been going on.... thoughts, travel....

Hence, the bullets. (I love them... doing them and reading them)

• I decided on a whim to head to Florida for a few days... I was in need of a sun tan (bad me) and a little RR with the family. My sister lives in Tampa area. She has a nice house with pool, theatre room, and a convertible BMW. She also was not home. In her place was my dad, the pool boy, taking care of things for three weeks. My nephew is in Germany and will heading to Iran in a few weeks. Thankfully he will be in a safe place- no worries. Off I flew with my mom and Twinkle Toes in tow. We had a blast at Clearwater beach, Tampa Aquarium and Anna Maria Island. I just love Anna Maria Island for the true beachy feel it has. Although very beautiful, Clearwater was way tooooooo commercial for my taste. Our day at Anna Maria Island involved just me and Twinkle Toes. She and I are a lot a like in personality as so we had a scream together. We bobbed and played in the ocean forever. At the end of the day, while cruising in the convertible BMW, she gave me the biggest complement ever.... "My mom would never do the ocean like you did"..... Tinkle Toes mom is awesome, but getting wet and salty NON STOP is not for her. I decided to include pictures, it seems you can add pictures once bullets are done, so sorry for the randomness of the photos on this post. The picture of the dog is of my 19 year old Florida niece, Amanda, Twinkle Toes and Libby the pup. In my sister's master bath room she has had hanging for the longest time a long EMPTY picture frame.... as a thank you and a funny thing to do, Twinkle Toes and I placed funny pictures in the frame..... included was the funny face picture of the two of us.




• The trip was also a trial for my new duffel bag and back pack. After just a few seconds worth of traveling with the duffel, I could assess I LOVE IT!!! I also had a carry on back pack (not pictured). I plan of using this back pack as my carry on with lap top and a whole lot of "stuff" needed for Tate. Back pack was also a thumbs up and huge heart. As requested, I put pictures of the duffel at the end of bullets.




• This sounds like a broken record, but I have got a TON of projects in the making and ALL in various stages of completion. One of the "said projects" is my teakish umbrella patio table. This table has been open to all elements in the summer.... rain and sun. This year I vowed to get that thing sanded and re stained and this time sealed really well. So yesterday, with sweat dripping off of me, I sanded the whole blasted thing. This morning, in calm sunny weather, I stained the table. Within minutes, a blustery wind gets started and all this yellowy pollen starts blowing from the trees onto my sticky-wet stained table. Crap... in I pull the table into the sun room (also Mesa's room) and grab the staining cloth, wiping the table trying to get rid of the pollen. While wiping out fly this stain saturated rag right into Mesa's water dish. Why OH why did the rag have to land in the water dish when there is a whole other area..... these are the days I wonder if I should put projects on hold and blog.




• I still have the insomnia thing going on. I remember other bloggers have sleep issues when they start getting closer to their referrals. While in Florida, I was able to mooch 4 Ambien tablets from my brother. Slept like a rock. Not so much after getting back. I do plan on expanding my thoughts and the "whys" in another post when I can fully put my thoughts, concerns, etc out there for your input.




• I witnessed the other day a situation that made me think about stereotyping people. I was just parking at the dog park when in comes a car that was all decked out like a gang banger car.... you know the kind that could bounce at the stop light decked out with total chrome and all that glitz. Out of the drivers seat comes this guy.... stereotyping here, this guy reminded me of someone who they would be looking for featured on the evening news. My first thought was, I better get away from this park. Into the back seat he climbed and out popped a three-ish year old boy. Around to the other side this guy goes, and after a few minutes, HE IS WEARING IN A SNUGLY a baby. I was shocked! How tender this guy played "baseball" with his son, while wearing the baby. How wrong of me to stereotype this guy as someone to fear.... expecting him to behave a certain way. He was just a regular old family man, hanging with his kiddos.

Here is the duffel bag... you can buy it at C*stco for $39... I think it is at any Co*stco because we did buy two of these in Cabo Mexico, last June. The top has the zipper laundry bag which I filled with other stuff for the trip out (clean clothes) and later home with dirty clothes. The bottom has a zipper area which I put my shoes. I figured the heavier shoes would weigh the bag so it did not get top heavy. the duffel is zipped in half so you can place some stuff on top and bottom, making it easier to get to. I love the front cause it has like two zipper compartments and an elastic thing to cinch up to carry a jacket or stuffed animal/blanket (for Tate). The back has a compartment that zips out revealing straps so you can carry it on your back. Something I opted not to do.

GOT BAGGAGE?

I used to travel A LOT. As a result, I own a wide array of pieces, all ranging in various sizes. A few years ago, on a trip to Rome, I used a compartmental rolling duffel bag.... totally cheap which only lasted long enough for the Rome trip and another trip overseas. Although the bag is trashed, my love for it still lingers. Today I bought my first item purchased exclusively with the trip to China in mind..... totally scored one at C*stco!!! Rolling, bi-level, multi compartmental, including a dirty clothes compartment! And the cherry on top of all this??? This sweet piece of baggage has hidden straps for a quick switch from rolling to a backpack..... Oh, I must also mention obscenely CHEAP!!! LOVE IT!!!!

Tonight I am starting my online education classes for the Hague requirement..... I am soooooo excited to take these classes and embrace educating myself with the stuff that will help me provide a healthy loving life and future for my gal. What started as a rocky start for Tate, hopefully will turn into a secure happy life. This is my ultimate goal.....

PASS the AMBIEN PLEASE...

I have been experiencing INSOMNIA these past few weeks..... so much is on my mind.

Tonight with the rumors being true that CC** actually sent referrals out for families with LIDs through January 22, I am afraid that sleep will just not be happening around this house tonight. I cannot begin to describe the feelings I had when I hit Ford and Aly's blog and saw they have only 5 days left before they will be seeing Alyzabeth An's sweet face.... tingles from head to toe, I tell you!! Then I headed over to another blog, one that is only one day behind my LID of March 7 2006...... posted for my astonishing eyes were the actually number between the matched LIDs of January 22, 2006 and their LID of March 8, 2006. So being the math whiz (cough, cough) that I am, I deducted one from the number 45 and found the sum of 44.....

44

days until I will see Tate's breathtakingly beautiful face!!!

Always the optimist that I am, I also factored into the equation the FACT that part of that 44 days the CC** was closed for two weeks for the Chinese New Year. So taking away 14 days from the 44 days.... I have only 30 actual LID's that CC** will have to match!!!

I. AM. HYPERVENTILATING!!!!

RACK up ONE MORE

LID...

A.G.A.I.N...

Heart racing.

Tears. Laughter.

Roller coaster of emotions.

It's referral time.

Soon we will all know how much closer we are to holding our children.

OPRAH'S SUMMER PICK FOR FAVORITE TURKEY BURGER

I decided to try a little healthy grillin' this weekend so I made this for my family..... something full of fruits and veggies and low fat..... Mix reviews from the family..... Dad said in his true meat and potatoes kind of way "give it back to Oprah"... Smiley, the oh so adventuresome fifteen year old "tried it, but not too thrilled about it". Me and my mom.... LOVED IT!!! I felt totally satisfied, yet like I really ate smart. It was what guys would term "chick food".... I give a two thumbs up....

Turkey Burger
Serves 8

Oprah found a new favorite food when she tried this turkey burger at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump's private club in Palm Beach. "I believe [it] may be the best turkey burger in the entire world," she says. The Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger will be permanently available at the Trump Bar and Grille in Trump Tower in New York City, open to the public for lunch and dinner. It will also be served during lunch in Chicago at Sixteen, the Trump International Hotel restaurant.

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
1/8 cup canola oil
4 pounds ground turkey breast
2 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. black pepper
2 tsp. chipotle Tabasco™
1 lemon, juice and grated zest
1/2 bunch parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup Major Grey's Chutney, pureed

Saute the scallions, celery and apples in the canola oil until tender. Let cool. Place the ground turkey in a large mixing bowl. Add sauteed items and the remaining ingredients. Shape into eight 8-ounce burgers. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Season the turkey burgers with salt and pepper. Place on a preheated, lightly oiled grill. Grill each side for 7 minutes until meat is thoroughly cooked. Let sit for 5 minutes. Serve with a side of Mar-a-Lago Pear Chutney and your favorite toasted bread, pita or hamburger roll.

Mar-a-Lago Pear Chutney
Recipe courtesy of Jeff O'Neill
Serves 8

This pear chutney topping is the key to giving the Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger that extra zing.

INGREDIENTS
1 Anjou pear, peeled and diced
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. sea salt
1 1/2 cups Major Grey's Chutney
1/4 cup dried currants or raisins
Preheat oven to 350°. Toss the diced pears with the cinnamon and salt. Bake on a parchment-lined cookie sheet for 10 minutes. Cool and mix with the chutney and currants or raisins.

FAMILY FACES

MEET MY FAMILY... we are sitting on my parents deck...... See those gorgeous mountains with snow tops??? Ah... this is the Rocky Mountains for ya.
Twinkle Toes enjoying her "fancy" root beer drink... a few seconds later, this whole glass of sticky root beer was spilled all over me. TT entertain us on the deck with her dancing and singing to teen pop music.

Meet my 15 year od nephew, Smiley. We made him pose all "cool" like.... he normally is flashing his million dollar smile. Always the fun guy, Smiley has scored a job this summer at a Country Club around his house.... I laugh that he calls it "a job" because the job actually is a job where pay is from tips, but offers him golfing 18 holes at least 5 days a week.


Meet my DAD... Tate's Gramps and the most anxiously awaiting member of this family for Tate. If you look closely you can see he has a blue eye and a brown eye..... He claims that while as young dating man he would ask the girls if they like brown eyed or blue eyed guys... He would then close the less desired eye becoming blue eyed or brown eyed.... He is joking of course, but was always a fun story to hear.
This is the Georgia O"Keefe like photo Twinkle Toes took..... she stated that she wanted to be like Georgia and snapped away using my point and shoot. Not bad for a 9 year old with just a point and shoot camera.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT......

"When God wants a great work done in the world or a great wrong righted, he goes about it in a very unusual way. He doesn't stir up his earthquakes or send forth his thunderbolts. Instead, he has a helpless baby born, perhaps in a simple home and of some obscure mother. And then God puts the idea into the mother's heart, and she puts it into the baby's mind. And then God waits. The greatest forces in the world are not the earthquakes and the thunderbolts. The greatest forces in the world are babies." E.T. Sullivan

MISSING INFORMATION???

I am sure most everyone out there in the IA CHINA community has seen if not read this issue of Nation*l Geogr*phic...... I personally own TWO of these. One for reading and sharing, the other to save for Tate. I think that when Tate is at that age where she wonders about her early history, it just might give her a foundation and knowledge for the whys her abandonment.

I think I have read this cover to cover. What I did not read word for word, I did skim searching for the thing about China that interests me the most. Unless I totally missed it, did anyone read anywhere in this issue about the orphanages, abandonment of their little girls and SN children, waiting families, ANYTHING that had to do with what is making my heart beat these days?

Tell me if you read about it and where it is in this issue of NG....

PAY IT FORWARD

SHE is playing, why not you? I will jump on board and here are the rules. I will send something of my choosing to you if you are one of the first three commenters on this entry. Then you also, play from your blog agreeing to send three more commenters something. Send me your e-mail address and I can e-mail for the snail mail address.

IT 'S MESA TIME

I have not talked about the 90 lbs of snuggle lovin' for sometime and did not want to forget her while documenting the wait for Tate...... She does take A LOT of my time and a huge part of my heart.......

Mesa Bullets....

• The other day, Mesa got live her fantasy. While walking, we passed the school where TONS of 9-11 year old boys were playing soccer. Mesa loves all kids but because of the after school care by a few 9-11 year old boys, she is especially drawn to them. With her obsession with BALLS and the kids, she did not know what to love the most....BALLS or THE BOYS!!!
• Mesa is quite entertaining while sleeping. When she is in her ZONE, she snores, whines, soft barks and runs. I only wish I could know what a pampered pup has to dream about that causes all this "action".
• Mesa has gotten to be quite a svelte puppy since I no longer work from home. I feed her half of her food in the AM and then again in the PM. Bad mommy forgets to put out the pm feedings IF I see she still has food in her bowl. The sharing of meals have stopped also since I no longer eat most meals around her.
• Our dog park is between three baseball fields. Mesa will enjoy minutes at a time watching the game. I know it is the balls and the kids, but I like to think she has a higher intelligence and watches knowing the game. I guess I am the dog owner who lives in delusions about her pup.
• The above baseball fields also offers a chance of Mesa scoring a softball or two. Mesa is able to find any lost balls along the fences, and will not stop whining and digging until she has the ball in her mouth.
• The cutest thing happened yesterday. I was hanging out on the lawn with my neighbor and her 7 month old daughter. Mesa was hanging too. Out of nowhere Mesa got up and went face to face with this baby. The baby put both hands out on each side of Mesa's snout. Mesa had the look of total surprise at this but with a swift one time lick kissed her face then plopped down right in front of her while putting up with some ear pulling and eye poking.



• I think Mesa is ready to be a snuggle pup to my gal.....

OH MY HECK.....

Look what I (oooops, Tate) got in the mail today!!! It is a handmade bib from Kayce!!! I am just in love with this fabric! I keep staring at it..... with this breathtaking bib was the sweetest note reminding me that soon this long torturous wait will be just a distant memory!!!! Thank you Kayce so much for making my week!!!



The other weekend, I had the pleasure of going to Eliza's first movie in a theatre. This sweet gal is so tender to all things that are loud and rough which makes it sooooo "scary" to her. The previews to other kiddo movies about did this sweet gal in..... but she toughed it through all this "scary" and was able to enjoy seeing "Porton" Hears a Who. Since this was Eliza's first movie, I had to get the largest popcorn and drink just for picture posing. Ha... the largest size was consumption too.

'Tis strawberry season around this neck of the world...... Actually I think the strawberries are imported from somewhere else, but they are on sale..... I am taking advantage of this abundance by making freezer strawberry jam. I think I will be making 3 batches of this ruby jeweled jars. The rest of the strawberry poundage will be eaten and frozen for smoothies......

HEY SINGLE MOMMAS!

I have a question for you .... those still in the wait, those recently home, those who have school age kiddos.

Do you wish for or want a second (or more) child?

On my mind lately, has been how and when I will be able to provide Tate a sister or brother. I just love having siblings, could not imagine a life without them, and want to provide the same for Tate.

So my thoughts-

POSITIVES...

• companionship. Having someone always there to play with, love or even dislike at times.



• dynamics between a single child and parent. I have heard that when it is only a mom and a child, the relationship is so different than when you place another child in the mix. When there is another child, then you are the mom and they are the kiddos.



• someone to share family memories. Since I am a card holding membership of AARP now, I worry that I will leave this earth before Tate is established in her life. I want Tate to have someone who she can "dish" about me and all the memories... fun and frustration with me as the Mama.



• someone to have family traditions. I want to have my own very specific family traditions. I will have these traditions whether it is just the two of us, or others in our family. Heck, I even have specific family traditions with the 90 lbs of snuggle pup, Mesa. I know that Tate will be welcomed with opened arms at my family and friends while they have their traditions. I also have been there at these same traditions. I love being a guest at these traditions.... but I am a GUEST in someone else's traditions. I never want Tate to feel that she does not have her own traditions she can share with a sibling.

CONCERNS...

• I know it will be a hard job to mother two as a single momma.



• I know it will be a huge expense.

Hey I can only think of two concerns why not to add one more kiddo.

Right now I have got to wait to get Tate here and then figure out the how to for another one or two....

QUESTION

If you do want more munchkins, how do you see yourself adding to your family?

****I know that this is a dilemma for married parents. Please feel free to comment on this subject also.

WHEEEEEEE

ONE MORE LID!!!

WHAT THE???

I just got done buying a loaf of high fiber bread from a bread shop for $6.00. Two weeks ago the same loaf of bread was $4.50.

My voluptuousness will attest to this.... Those who know me, know I love me a good pastry and frosting. I headed to a favorite German pastry cottage to "reward myself" for some dumb thing. The cupcakes, with butter cream frosting, (YUMMMM) I usually buy is now $1.45!!! Last time think I paid 78 cents! I can see a decrease of such guilty pleasures in my near future. I know I need to lose weight and save money anyway, so this will definitely be a little bump forward on this plan.

I just took some money out of my savings account to fill the car with gas ($43.00) and to buy a bag of flour and rice at C*ostco. The 25 lb bag of flour was available, the bag of rice was not. Stories have it, there is a rice shortage and C*ostco cannot seem to keep bags of rice on their shelves. I really need to watch the news a little more around here, I guess.

I'm wondering if we are heading for desperate times when I cannot drive to my favorite pastry place and buy a cupcake without feeling like I have to post about it????

OUI OUI PAREEE

Wheeeee!!! It is a done deal. I made the commitment and handed over the money. It is all mine, three nights and four day at the M*arriot at the Champs Elysee. I will be traveling to Paris October 24th-27th. The way I see it, this just seems my luck that I will either get my referral end OR be in the throws of traveling or critical preparation... Those with LIDs near me can thank me later when fate has hit me and CC*A does a speed up and spits out those March beginning referrals....

The way I see it, it will be a WIN WIN situation anyway it happens. Just the thought of what could be is just Freakin' ME OUT!!!

BULLETS

Time has gotten away from me, and I have things on my mind. With this in mind, here is

MY BULLETS OF LIFE!

• Over this weekend, I had the opportunity to stay at my friend's house for five days and watch her three t'ween girls. A 14, 13 and 11 year old. I say opportunity because truly is was a great gift I was given by her. She paid me an obscene amount of money for doing nothing but sleep over and make sure her girls were alive for her return. Her girls were delightful and sweet and EASY. For those who know me, you know there was no way I would not have fun with these girls. Videos, bowling, cooking and laughing. I let them do whatever with their friends over. What was the real "treat" besides the earned riches, was the house I stayed in. I have seen some amazing houses in my life, but never stayed in such a house with lots of land including two streams. This house should and I am sure will be in some magazine like Architecture Dig*st or Ho#se Bea#tiful someday. Really an amazement. What totally surprised myself so much about all this was ME. As I pulled up to my house my heart skipped a beat. I realized how much I love my small house. My house on a regular street.... small lots, cars parked all over, old and always in need of some repair or update. I guess home is home no matter how imperfect it is.




• Weighing heavy on my mind this last past 9 months has been my job situation. While looking for a new job that would better accommodate being a single mom, I have come up against a few factors. One most importantly was a job that I could be able to have FMLA (family medical leave act) while I travel for Tate . I was finding that all jobs I applied for required working for the company for a least one year before they would hold my job and insurance. I also found that if I started teaching before I traveled for Tate, I would have had to work for the school districts for three years. With everything weighing in, I have made the decision to go full time at C*ntinental Airlines. Gone are the sleepless nights and anxiety during the waking hours. It just feels "right" during this unknown wait and time frame for Tate. After Tate is in my arms, I will pursue teaching either in special ed or Speech Pathologist in the school system.



• With going full time with the airlines, I now have ZERO access to the blogs during 8 hours of my day. I have had to cut way back from my reading blogs and commenting on blogs. Thankfully Catherine hooked my up with bl*glines and I can try to give a quick read. Please know I am reading, but not commenting as much... please still feel the warmth from me.




• I have had a great travel offer from another airline employee. She has gotten a great deal to stay in Paris at a hotel right on the Champs-Elysees. Three nights/ four days in Paris for a steal of a deal. Those who know prices in Paris for lodging know how expensive a place to stay can be. I have been wanting to head to Paris before Tate comes. Once Tate is here, I still will be traveling with her, but will not be able to go standby in first class. This is kind of my babymoon before become a mom of a child under age 8. Eight is the magic age for airline employees to travel with kids in first class. There is one real glitch to this great deal..... The five days are October 20th- 25th. Do I chance this purchase of the hotel with the possibility of getting a referral for Tate OR even hopefully traveling for my gal? I am so tired of putting on hold "things" because of the unknown.




• Discovery of a great find. With a simple bag of this, one egg and one stick of butter and twenty minutes, my house is full of the amazing smells of sugar cookies. Besides the smells of pure vanilla-y deliciousness..... the eating is beyond YUMMMMM.

Referrals are brewing out there and I am hopeful of a huge batch this time. Pray, meditate, think positive or do whatever to give positive vibes to the CC*A for a humongous batch of sweet baby magic!

THREE WORDS

I have talked about my sun room project... it is still a work in progress project. I will post before and after pictures when it finally gets done. I wanted to put a few words onto the wall. I wanted these words to remind me of something. Since I have always dreamt of being a mom, I decided that these words would be my reminder to always try to live and obtain the things I dream of... one is becoming a mom. I hope that these words will remind me to accomplish some of my other dreams.......

BUSTIN' OUT THE BULLETS....

Here goes the bullets.

• It was April 10.... 5 more days and my taxes were due. I had a real awakening. My tax person, aka brother, was going out of town for 10 days... which included the last five days of crucial tax filing time. To my rescues comes Tiffany. Thanks to my "genius" friend, taxes did get done. I am printing the forms as I type this.
• I just knew I would be owing a lot of taxes. I owe every year... why not this year??? As mentioned above, my genius friend did my taxes and all I owe is a little manageable amount to the F*ds but get back happily a shocking amount from the St*te. This is the first time in YEARS I am not doing payments for my taxes.
• Slowly but surely my sun room project is getting done. Today I have been UP and down a ladder, so many times my body is aching. My hand can hardly form a fist just from holding a paint brush. What scheduled for my evening activity is a date between me and my sewing machine. I have a cushion to make for the bench and roman shades (3 of them) for the windows and glass door.
• I am looking at the beginning of the end of a generation. It seems that a lot of my parent's friends and acquaintances have passed on. Often when chatting with my mom, she mentions someone is either really sick or she has a funeral to attend. I kind of wonder how she and my dad feel about seeing so many friends pass on, and if this is causing a concern to them about their mortality?
• I have an awesome Uncle Ole. This poor Swedish uncle married into a totally 100% Norwegian family. He has had such ribbing about being Swedish.... he is just playful and fun. He always has a smile and laughter. I have such great memories of holiday fun, camping and water skiing with his boat. In his younger years he was a smoker. I just got word that he has lung cancer.
• I have wicked bad allergies.... basically year round. This year instead of continuing my daily dose of All*gra, I opted to give Zyrt*c a try. I have been soooooo sleepy. Yesterday while listening to Mesa snore, I was lulled right off into a nap. I am wondering if this new allergy med is not for me?

THREE (or four) WORD SUNDAY

What a great deal I got for this.... A friend was selling this and I got it for a steal of a deal. Oh, she even delivered!!!

SPEEDING ALONG

At the slooooooow speed of 25 LIDs down the road.

THREE WORD SUNDAY...

TENDER TESS TIME

Decided to be part of the three word Sunday this week. I have had the PLEASURE to spend 36 hours with this sweet gal and her amazing mama, Julie......

SHHHHHHH.....

Don't say a word. I just might be spotted in Minneapolis St Paul area for a quick 36 hrs. I just have to have me a Tessie fix on the way to a meeting in Houston on Sunday!!!

Julie get Tessie's cheeks ready for some kissing!!!

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.