I've done it again.
I'm totally useless.
Some people talk about being anxious or nervous while going through the adoption process. Worrying and wondering about the whats, the whens, the hows. Dissecting the timing of everything, hanging onto every word that you case worker says and trying to read something into what they said. That they most likely really didn't say. "I'll talk to you soon" doesn't necessarily mean "I'll call you tomorrow with a referral" regardless of what our adoption crazed minds made us think they were saying.
I feel like I'm a little more even-keeled when it comes to that stuff. At least publicly. No need to let everyone in on my crazies.
Here's my problem. Why have I stayed up til 1 AM yet again? Stalking blogs. Facebook. Websites. Anything where I can find bits and pieces of information to help me have a better grasp on China adoptions...what other families are going through, the timing of the process of their adoptions, etc.
And even catching a few "Airport Party" videos as well. Like the one I just watched for a local family bringing home their 2nd son from Ethiopia.
Bawled.
Like a baby.
And reality check...my two favorite little boys need their Mommy to be awake during the day...
Focus. This journey has just begun.
Going to bed.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Moving on.
Last week when I posted a picture of our kids sitting on potties in Lowe's, I told you I would give you further explanation.
And here it is. Further explanation.
But first, the background info. Which, if you know much about us, you probably already know. We became members of Highview Baptist Church when we moved to Louisville in 2005 and became involved with the Spencer County Campus of Highview during it's launching days in early 2006, eventually moving to Spencer County in 2007 to be able to be closer to the church we were serving at.
Long story short, we fell in love with Spencer County and the people here and made a conscious decision that this would be our mission field during our [indefinite] time in Kentucky. A series of events earlier this year lead to the launch of Redemption Hill Baptist Church here in Spencer County and we have been given the opportunity to be part of something that God is blessing in a big way!
We struggled for a while about what to do, where to go, but ultimately God made it very clear that He wanted us to continue to serve in Spencer County. And with this new church plant. Below is the story of how RHBC came to be, from our Facebook page...
Our story goes perhaps something like your parents’ or grandparents’ wedding story. If not your parents or grandparents, at some point you have probably known a married couple ...who grew up in the same town, went to the same schools, were a part of the same community for years and years, but each never thought twice about the other until one day when all the right pieces fell into place. And the rest, as they say…was history.
Similarly, in the mid-1980’s the church planting department at the Kentucky Baptist Convention began to take notice of an area just southeast of the Louisville Metro area called Spencer County. In particular, what caught their eye was the rapid growth but a corresponding lack of churches. The KBC decided it was time to act. So they purchased a 15-acre plot of land on Taylorsville Lake Road and planted a Baptist church called Green Hills Baptist Church. When this church came on hard times, in 2001, the KBC approached Parkland Baptist Church in Louisville about taking this church on as a mission. It was then that Green Hills Baptist Church began to be known as Parkland Hills Baptist mission.
A few years later, in 2006, the Lord began doing a similar work in the life of a sister church in Louisville called Highview Baptist Church. Through the visionary leadership of pastor Kevin Ezell, Highview was committed to launching a series of multi-site campuses across the Louisville Metro area and beyond. One of the areas for which God provided a ready and eager core group for a campus was Spencer County. So on Easter Sunday of 2006, the Spencer County Campus of Highview Baptist Church was launched and began meeting in the gymnasium of the Spencer County Elementary School. After a year of progress and growth, the Lord allowed for them to move to the Spencer County Middle School where they would make their home for the next 5 years to do outreach and discipleship ministries.
Throughout this time, the Parkland Hills Baptist mission and the Spencer County Campus of Highview Baptist Church were doing ministry in the same community, preaching the same message, under the leadership of sister churches from the same denomination, with the same goal in mind—reaching Spencer County with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One of these ministries had a phenomenal location, a great piece of land, and a highly utilizable building, yet they needed a pastor and an influx of young life. The other ministry had a pastor and staff already in place, vibrant children and student ministries, and a host of young families who were charged, trained, and ready for community outreach, yet they did not have a permanent location or a building in which to meet.
In God’s good providence, much like a romantic comedy (or a good country song) the paths of these two ministries crossed at just the right time. The leadership of Highview Baptist and Parkland Baptist began to investigate the possibility of a “joint-venture” between these two churches, already so heavily invested in Spencer County, to continue pursuing ministry there in a more effective way—together. Both churches agreed that the most effective and timely decision for the further advancement of the Gospel in Spencer County would be a cooperative effort in which these two churches would combine their resources and plant a new autonomous Baptist church in Spencer County. So on June 3, 2012, the pastors of Highview Baptist and Parkland Baptist met and signed a covenant together, which officially launched our church, Redemption Hill Baptist Church.
And here it is. Further explanation.
But first, the background info. Which, if you know much about us, you probably already know. We became members of Highview Baptist Church when we moved to Louisville in 2005 and became involved with the Spencer County Campus of Highview during it's launching days in early 2006, eventually moving to Spencer County in 2007 to be able to be closer to the church we were serving at.
Long story short, we fell in love with Spencer County and the people here and made a conscious decision that this would be our mission field during our [indefinite] time in Kentucky. A series of events earlier this year lead to the launch of Redemption Hill Baptist Church here in Spencer County and we have been given the opportunity to be part of something that God is blessing in a big way!
We struggled for a while about what to do, where to go, but ultimately God made it very clear that He wanted us to continue to serve in Spencer County. And with this new church plant. Below is the story of how RHBC came to be, from our Facebook page...
Our story goes perhaps something like your parents’ or grandparents’ wedding story. If not your parents or grandparents, at some point you have probably known a married couple ...who grew up in the same town, went to the same schools, were a part of the same community for years and years, but each never thought twice about the other until one day when all the right pieces fell into place. And the rest, as they say…was history.
Similarly, in the mid-1980’s the church planting department at the Kentucky Baptist Convention began to take notice of an area just southeast of the Louisville Metro area called Spencer County. In particular, what caught their eye was the rapid growth but a corresponding lack of churches. The KBC decided it was time to act. So they purchased a 15-acre plot of land on Taylorsville Lake Road and planted a Baptist church called Green Hills Baptist Church. When this church came on hard times, in 2001, the KBC approached Parkland Baptist Church in Louisville about taking this church on as a mission. It was then that Green Hills Baptist Church began to be known as Parkland Hills Baptist mission.
A few years later, in 2006, the Lord began doing a similar work in the life of a sister church in Louisville called Highview Baptist Church. Through the visionary leadership of pastor Kevin Ezell, Highview was committed to launching a series of multi-site campuses across the Louisville Metro area and beyond. One of the areas for which God provided a ready and eager core group for a campus was Spencer County. So on Easter Sunday of 2006, the Spencer County Campus of Highview Baptist Church was launched and began meeting in the gymnasium of the Spencer County Elementary School. After a year of progress and growth, the Lord allowed for them to move to the Spencer County Middle School where they would make their home for the next 5 years to do outreach and discipleship ministries.
Throughout this time, the Parkland Hills Baptist mission and the Spencer County Campus of Highview Baptist Church were doing ministry in the same community, preaching the same message, under the leadership of sister churches from the same denomination, with the same goal in mind—reaching Spencer County with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One of these ministries had a phenomenal location, a great piece of land, and a highly utilizable building, yet they needed a pastor and an influx of young life. The other ministry had a pastor and staff already in place, vibrant children and student ministries, and a host of young families who were charged, trained, and ready for community outreach, yet they did not have a permanent location or a building in which to meet.
And since June 3, we have been working almost daily to get this building ready to move into by the end of the summer. Or before. The building has good bones, but needed a lot of TLC...like paint and new floors. Knocked out a few walls, did a little rearranging.
And bought new potties.
 |
| One of our freshly painted, freshly floored Children's Ministry rooms! |
I think I can speak for both Kenny and I when I say that we are extremely excited about what God has in store for Spencer County and RHBC! We've already seen the people of Spencer County moving...folks turning to Christ who have spent years pushing Him away, families joining together for Worship and God providing opportunities for us to reach out and serve our community!
Our official launch date is August 5th, but we are moving into the building next week and starting services on July 29th. A practice run, if you will.
Please join me in praying for our leadership and staff as decisions are made and we move forward. Pray for the unity of our congregation as we work tirelessly yet another week to get everything finished and moved in. Pray that the Lord brings unchurched families into our midst and gives us opportunity to share Christ with each of them. Pray that the Lord continues to give us opportunities to reach out to our community, to serve Spencer County.
Tomorrow morning will be the last time we unload our trailers into the middle school.
It will be bitter sweet, as this has become almost a way of life for us...for 6+ years we have set up and torn down "church" every Sunday and Wednesday. To say that we are excited to be leaving that part of our adventure behind us is an understatement! Not having to take home the baby wipes each week during the winter because they will freeze if I leave them in the trailer. Not having to make sure that each toy, table and chair folds up because it has to go inside a crate at the end of the day. Not having to worry about what room our preschoolers will be in while they wax the floors each summer.
All little things, but all things that make us thankful to have four permanent walls and roof!
Keep us in your prayers and I'll update after our launch in August.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Procrastinating favorites.
I really should be working on writing my autobiography.
No, I'm not writing a book. Although it feels like it. It's for our adoption agency and there are four...yes, I said four...pages of questions to answer. And that doesn't include all the discussion questions to make sure I really know what I'm getting myself into.
Yes, I do. And yes, I'm doing it anyway.
But since I'm not even sure I know four pages of stuff about myself and my mind can't seem to stay focused on how my parents showed affection to each other during my childhood...and I'm not sure I WANT to stay focused on my parent's affections toward each other...here I sit. NOT writing my autobiography.
Instead my mind keeps wandering to random things that I really like. So, since I'm procrastinating, I'll tell you about them.
Going to the store alone. It's the little things, really. I'm particularly anal about making sure I'm getting the best deal and using all my coupons to the max. Which is why I came home last night with 4 pounds of peanut butter. All this can be done much more efficiently when I'm not having to explain why we can't have Nutty Buddy bars for breakfast. Or that we don't need any more pop tarts because our cupboards already overflow with their processed goodness [insert sarcasm]. And yes, you can push the cart, but please try to avoid ramming my poor ankles or the little old lady that isn't going fast enough for you. I get to push when it's just me.
Loud country music. Unfortunately, I can no longer listen to country music with the boys in the car. Charlie listens to E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G and is the most literal kid I know (post later on that). Except when I'm actually wanting him to listen, but that's typical kid, right? I have no intentions of explaining the facts of life to him because he's listening too closely to Brad Paisley songs. "I don't know why we need to check each other for ticks. Ask your daddy." So when I go to the store by myself, I crank up the country music and don't worry about explaining why it's better to save a horse by riding a cowboy.
Riding with the window down. Now before my husband flips out, let me clarify. Riding with the window down when I have a hat on. Because one of the things I absolutely hate is having my hair in my face. Which will obviously happen if the window is down and I'm sans hat. But give me a hat and the sunshine and roll 'em all down!
Speaking of my hat...if I could get away with it, I'd wear it everyday. The one I'm currently sporting is actually Katie's old crimson Alabama baseball cap. I really don't like fixing my hair. I don't know why. Between drying and flat ironing, it's just 15 minutes of my day I could use to do something far more entertaining. And a hat remedies that. That is, if I'm going somewhere that doesn't dictate something more formal than a girl in a hat. Which honestly, isn't that many places. Sad.
Amazon. Not the river or the rainforest, but the website. I don't do a ton of actual shopping on Amazon, except at Christmas when I take full advantage of the things they ship free to avoid the road rage that will surely dampen my cheery mood. But I do use the site to comparison shop A LOT. If there's one thing I hate, it's not getting a good deal on something. And since Amazon is like a virtual Walmart on steroids and you can literally find anything, it's the perfect place to start.
Fonts. I know what you are thinking...what's a dork. And I know, I agree. But there is just something relaxing to me about playing with different fonts, shapes and sizes when I'm having to create a handout or I'm updated the blog header. I also feel the same way about editing pictures. Taking them is not that bad, but I love messing around with them once they are actually out of my camera. Most of them I never do anything with. The really good ones end as my background on my computer.
I should probably get back to my autobiography...anyone else notice that I just sat here and wrote about all the stupid things that no one really wants to know about me instead of things like describing the family rules and responsibilities I had while I was growing up, all the jobs I've ever had or which sibling I get along best with?
Ahem, cough, cough...don't tell our social worker.
No, I'm not writing a book. Although it feels like it. It's for our adoption agency and there are four...yes, I said four...pages of questions to answer. And that doesn't include all the discussion questions to make sure I really know what I'm getting myself into.
Yes, I do. And yes, I'm doing it anyway.
But since I'm not even sure I know four pages of stuff about myself and my mind can't seem to stay focused on how my parents showed affection to each other during my childhood...and I'm not sure I WANT to stay focused on my parent's affections toward each other...here I sit. NOT writing my autobiography.
Instead my mind keeps wandering to random things that I really like. So, since I'm procrastinating, I'll tell you about them.
Going to the store alone. It's the little things, really. I'm particularly anal about making sure I'm getting the best deal and using all my coupons to the max. Which is why I came home last night with 4 pounds of peanut butter. All this can be done much more efficiently when I'm not having to explain why we can't have Nutty Buddy bars for breakfast. Or that we don't need any more pop tarts because our cupboards already overflow with their processed goodness [insert sarcasm]. And yes, you can push the cart, but please try to avoid ramming my poor ankles or the little old lady that isn't going fast enough for you. I get to push when it's just me.
Loud country music. Unfortunately, I can no longer listen to country music with the boys in the car. Charlie listens to E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G and is the most literal kid I know (post later on that). Except when I'm actually wanting him to listen, but that's typical kid, right? I have no intentions of explaining the facts of life to him because he's listening too closely to Brad Paisley songs. "I don't know why we need to check each other for ticks. Ask your daddy." So when I go to the store by myself, I crank up the country music and don't worry about explaining why it's better to save a horse by riding a cowboy.
Riding with the window down. Now before my husband flips out, let me clarify. Riding with the window down when I have a hat on. Because one of the things I absolutely hate is having my hair in my face. Which will obviously happen if the window is down and I'm sans hat. But give me a hat and the sunshine and roll 'em all down!
Speaking of my hat...if I could get away with it, I'd wear it everyday. The one I'm currently sporting is actually Katie's old crimson Alabama baseball cap. I really don't like fixing my hair. I don't know why. Between drying and flat ironing, it's just 15 minutes of my day I could use to do something far more entertaining. And a hat remedies that. That is, if I'm going somewhere that doesn't dictate something more formal than a girl in a hat. Which honestly, isn't that many places. Sad.
Amazon. Not the river or the rainforest, but the website. I don't do a ton of actual shopping on Amazon, except at Christmas when I take full advantage of the things they ship free to avoid the road rage that will surely dampen my cheery mood. But I do use the site to comparison shop A LOT. If there's one thing I hate, it's not getting a good deal on something. And since Amazon is like a virtual Walmart on steroids and you can literally find anything, it's the perfect place to start.
Fonts. I know what you are thinking...what's a dork. And I know, I agree. But there is just something relaxing to me about playing with different fonts, shapes and sizes when I'm having to create a handout or I'm updated the blog header. I also feel the same way about editing pictures. Taking them is not that bad, but I love messing around with them once they are actually out of my camera. Most of them I never do anything with. The really good ones end as my background on my computer.
I should probably get back to my autobiography...anyone else notice that I just sat here and wrote about all the stupid things that no one really wants to know about me instead of things like describing the family rules and responsibilities I had while I was growing up, all the jobs I've ever had or which sibling I get along best with?
Ahem, cough, cough...don't tell our social worker.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Potty models.
In case you've been wondering what we've been up to this week, I'll let you take a guess...
If you guessed shopping for new church potties, you were right on!! This wasn't the only thing we shopped for, but I'm fairly certain we came 'o so close to being kicked out of Lowe's due to our volume level alone. Which is what happens when you take four kids to a home improvement store.
And if you are wondering why we were shopping for new facilities for the church, I'll have to fill you in on that in another post. Soon. Very soon. It's breaking news really. But requires it's own post.
One you might want to find a good potty to get comfortable on just to read...
If you guessed shopping for new church potties, you were right on!! This wasn't the only thing we shopped for, but I'm fairly certain we came 'o so close to being kicked out of Lowe's due to our volume level alone. Which is what happens when you take four kids to a home improvement store.
And if you are wondering why we were shopping for new facilities for the church, I'll have to fill you in on that in another post. Soon. Very soon. It's breaking news really. But requires it's own post.
One you might want to find a good potty to get comfortable on just to read...
Friday, July 06, 2012
Fourth.
Hope you had a Happy Fourth. Other than it literally being 104 degrees outside, ours was great.
The last several years we have celebrated with a church wide cookout and last night we had our largest crowd ever with almost 200 folks joining us for food, fun and fireworks. Oh and glow sticks. Imperative for entertainment purposes after dark.
Enjoy the pics.
The last several years we have celebrated with a church wide cookout and last night we had our largest crowd ever with almost 200 folks joining us for food, fun and fireworks. Oh and glow sticks. Imperative for entertainment purposes after dark.
Enjoy the pics.
 |
| Enjoying the pre-fireworks show. Which consisted of a couple of guys trying to light puny fireworks. I'll give them this...they had the kids totally under control and wouldn't let them cross the invisible "line". |
 |
 |
| He ain't right. |
 |
| Happy 4th of July, baby! Our pastor's youngest...and for the record, the tiny child I picked up when I threw out my back. Yes. I'm serious. |
 |
| Raise your hand if you had a live band at your 4th party? Didn't think so. And even if you did...I bet they didn't perform on two hay wagons. Welcome to Spencer County. |
 |
| Turning into a little man... |
Thursday, July 05, 2012
Beyond hot.
Does anyone else’s playroom look like this as a result of
100 plus degree days?? Can you find the
children in that mess?
I almost can’t bear to send them outside with these temps
unless we are gonna be submerged in water.
And don’t judge me for outlets without covers. No one in my house sticks things in outlets,
so they’ve all just gradually disappeared.
Yeah, yeah. I’ll put
them all back for little sis. Promise.
Monday, July 02, 2012
Farfelle.
Since we've established food is big deal around here, let me share what we had for dinner tonight. Kenny sent me the recipe earlier today and while I'm not usually so spontaneous with my meal planning (read as: I made a list, meals are planned, I've already been to the store, don't divert from that plan all week kinda girl), I ran right out to Kroger and got the ingredients I didn't already have because it sounded so good! Gasp...such a rebel.
But it did meet all my criteria. Cheap: check! Easy: check! Can I get the ingredients without having to go to 47 specialty food shops? Check!
Without further ado, Farfalle with Sausage, Tomatoes and Cream. And in case you don't follow proper pasta names, that's bow ties!
And because I can't follow a recipe to save my life, here's what I did different...
I used already ground hot italian sausage and a little less crushed red pepper. Mainly because we tend to light little Sam on fire if I cook the way the rest of us like it. We can always add the heat...but you can't take it away.
I also don't usually cook with actual onions and garlic. I love the flavors, but if I bite into an onion or especially a clove of garlic, it's just all over for me. I'm done with the meal. It's that bad. So I substituted dried onion flakes and garlic powder. Same taste. None of the work. (I'll admit, that also plays into my onion and garlic adversion.)
I used dried basil. Mainly because that's what I had. And secondly, if I had added little visible green leaves...Sam would have sat there for an hour picking them out before he ate. Less of a headache for us all if he can't see them.
And I just used plain 'ol Kroger brand shredded Italian cheese. We aren't fancy enough around here for Pecorino Romano. Regular old romano works just fine.
The boys (Kenny included) as suckers for anything with sausage in it. And who doesn't want to eat something called farfelle! It definitely has a different flavor than anything else I've ever cooked, but it will absolutely be a keeper!
But it did meet all my criteria. Cheap: check! Easy: check! Can I get the ingredients without having to go to 47 specialty food shops? Check!
Without further ado, Farfalle with Sausage, Tomatoes and Cream. And in case you don't follow proper pasta names, that's bow ties!
And because I can't follow a recipe to save my life, here's what I did different...
I used already ground hot italian sausage and a little less crushed red pepper. Mainly because we tend to light little Sam on fire if I cook the way the rest of us like it. We can always add the heat...but you can't take it away.
I also don't usually cook with actual onions and garlic. I love the flavors, but if I bite into an onion or especially a clove of garlic, it's just all over for me. I'm done with the meal. It's that bad. So I substituted dried onion flakes and garlic powder. Same taste. None of the work. (I'll admit, that also plays into my onion and garlic adversion.)
I used dried basil. Mainly because that's what I had. And secondly, if I had added little visible green leaves...Sam would have sat there for an hour picking them out before he ate. Less of a headache for us all if he can't see them.
And I just used plain 'ol Kroger brand shredded Italian cheese. We aren't fancy enough around here for Pecorino Romano. Regular old romano works just fine.
 |
| No. That's not how I served it. You get it straight outta of the pan it was cooked in around here. Why would I dirty another dish?? Photo credit. |
Sunday, July 01, 2012
Monkeycakes!
Who said pancakes have to be boring? Not this Mommy!
Hiring myself out for monkey-making pancake parties.
You've got to admit...that's a pretty good looking monkey!! And my two pancake-loving-monkey-obsessed boys totally agreed!
Hiring myself out for monkey-making pancake parties.
You've got to admit...that's a pretty good looking monkey!! And my two pancake-loving-monkey-obsessed boys totally agreed!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
A weekend at the lake.
Every once in a while I do something I regret later.
For example, as I flip through the pictures from this weekend's lake trip with Kenny's family, I find myself wondering several things.
A. Who had my camera?
B. Why is there a very unflattering picture of my hiney in a bathing suit?
...and
C. Why exactly was I trying to stand on my head in a bathing suit on an intertube while being pulled by a boat?
And while I'm fairly certain it was my husband who had possession of my camera at the time, the other questions will remain unanswered. And the pictures unseen. Don't even try. They've been deleted. I'm just hoping that anyone else that may have gotten the same shot can show me a little grace and delete their pictures as well.....
Instead, I'll share the decent pictures from the weekend.
For example, as I flip through the pictures from this weekend's lake trip with Kenny's family, I find myself wondering several things.
A. Who had my camera?
B. Why is there a very unflattering picture of my hiney in a bathing suit?
...and
C. Why exactly was I trying to stand on my head in a bathing suit on an intertube while being pulled by a boat?
And while I'm fairly certain it was my husband who had possession of my camera at the time, the other questions will remain unanswered. And the pictures unseen. Don't even try. They've been deleted. I'm just hoping that anyone else that may have gotten the same shot can show me a little grace and delete their pictures as well.....
Instead, I'll share the decent pictures from the weekend.
 |
| Brave boys standing up while tubin'... don't worry, we were only going about 12 and a half miles an hour. |
 |
| This is all the incriminating evidence you will get from the two of us. And this may or may not have been after we stole (I mean, borrowed) a jet ski to escape our kids... |
 |
| Absolutely impossible for him to make a normal face in a picture... |
 |
| This is the shenanigans that go on while the adults are taking too long deciding how to take a family picture... |
 |
| Finally. The family picture. Minus any shenanigans. |
 |
| Contemplating his approach to skipping rocks... |
 |
| ...followed by a lesson from Aunt Stacy, rock skipper professional. |
Monday, June 18, 2012
Change of venue.
Our baby sister has moved.
At least, that's what Sam told me.
I haven't intended to be vague about our latest adoption adventure, it's just that there's been nothing to share. Not vague. Just no news. And the old "no news is good news" doesn't apply here.
We submitted a pre-application finally in March, but were quickly told we would have to wait until June to submit a formal application for Korea because, as I explained earlier, they are continuing to slow referrals from Korea to almost a creeping halt. As we prayed through this situation, we felt that it just wasn't God's perfect timing and tried to be content to wait. Although, through my "contentment", I must admit, I had already been exploring other options. The closer we got to June, the more I felt like things just weren't going to be swinging in our favor and I was correct as I read an email from the Korea coordinator saying that they still couldn't accept new applications.
Call me impatient, but we made the decision to adopt again last August. It is now June, almost a year later. It was time to move on.
Fortunately, Kenny felt the same way. I immediatly felt at peace about our decision to move on. God's timing is perfect and He doesn't need me rushing him. But when He's moving, I need to jump on board so I don't miss what He has in store for us.
So paperwork has been signed, sealed and delivered to start the process through Lifeline's China program. The projected timeframe is 12 to 15 months.
And even though we don't know this little girl, have seen no pictures, have no ideas about her personality or what she may look like, Sam has already claimed her as his. I was holding the foster son of a friend the other day, when Sam walked up and said, "What is that??"
"It's a baby. Don't you think we need one?"
And with complete sincerity and utter disbelief that I would even ask such a question, he responded, "Mommy! I already have a baby sister!"
Well, of course you do.
She just moved to China.
At least, that's what Sam told me.
I haven't intended to be vague about our latest adoption adventure, it's just that there's been nothing to share. Not vague. Just no news. And the old "no news is good news" doesn't apply here.
We submitted a pre-application finally in March, but were quickly told we would have to wait until June to submit a formal application for Korea because, as I explained earlier, they are continuing to slow referrals from Korea to almost a creeping halt. As we prayed through this situation, we felt that it just wasn't God's perfect timing and tried to be content to wait. Although, through my "contentment", I must admit, I had already been exploring other options. The closer we got to June, the more I felt like things just weren't going to be swinging in our favor and I was correct as I read an email from the Korea coordinator saying that they still couldn't accept new applications.
Call me impatient, but we made the decision to adopt again last August. It is now June, almost a year later. It was time to move on.
Fortunately, Kenny felt the same way. I immediatly felt at peace about our decision to move on. God's timing is perfect and He doesn't need me rushing him. But when He's moving, I need to jump on board so I don't miss what He has in store for us.
So paperwork has been signed, sealed and delivered to start the process through Lifeline's China program. The projected timeframe is 12 to 15 months.
And even though we don't know this little girl, have seen no pictures, have no ideas about her personality or what she may look like, Sam has already claimed her as his. I was holding the foster son of a friend the other day, when Sam walked up and said, "What is that??"
"It's a baby. Don't you think we need one?"
And with complete sincerity and utter disbelief that I would even ask such a question, he responded, "Mommy! I already have a baby sister!"
Well, of course you do.
She just moved to China.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Sprinkler 101
Nothing quite says summer like spending the afternoon playing in your great grandparent's front yard in the sprinkler. Something I did too many times to even count.
Adding a few water guns just ramps up the fun.
I won that fight, by the way. I'm bigger and smarter. Maybe not faster. But smarter.
For now.
And nothing quite says redneck like using a rubbermaid tub for a swimming pool. I know how many Ethiopians you can get into a 1982 Pinto, from experience. But how many can you get in a 32 quart rubbermaid container? Well, we at least know you can get three 4 & 5 year olds.
And since riding a scooter while wet isn't in the least a dangerous activity, we added that to the fun.
Sheer concentration required.
But ending the day with an ice cream cone, which I remember being almost a daily occurance, made all the fun worthwhile.
Adding a few water guns just ramps up the fun.
I won that fight, by the way. I'm bigger and smarter. Maybe not faster. But smarter.
For now.
And nothing quite says redneck like using a rubbermaid tub for a swimming pool. I know how many Ethiopians you can get into a 1982 Pinto, from experience. But how many can you get in a 32 quart rubbermaid container? Well, we at least know you can get three 4 & 5 year olds.
And since riding a scooter while wet isn't in the least a dangerous activity, we added that to the fun.
Sheer concentration required.
But ending the day with an ice cream cone, which I remember being almost a daily occurance, made all the fun worthwhile.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The Sixth Love Language
It's only taken me almost 3 years, but I think I've finally figured out my kids.
Some years back, there was that book written by Gary Chapman about The 5 Love Languages. We were all encouraged as couples to learn each others "languages" to improve our marriages. And as corny as it all sounds, most of it really is true. Different people feel loved by different actions. It's just a matter of figuring out how best to show your spouse love. Although I think these "languages" really can spread across any relationship you have
And just for your information, my Love Language is "Acts of Service". Just in case anyone is wondering how to love me. My house is always open to being cleaned... I think Kenny's is "Words of Affirmation"...... guess I should remember that, huh?
So what have I finally figured out about the boys?
Well, it's not anything I haven't know from day one. I just have changed my outlook. These boys love, love, love them some food. Like all day, every day. They get way too excited about their favorite dinner, or a new snack or something as simple as a bag of M&M's.
I wouldn't say that they eat too much food. Which is evident from the fact that Sam can still wear a 4T in the waist, but has to have a size 8 for length. They just really appreciate food way more than your average kids. Food is important to them. I don't know if it was from a lack of it during their first few years. Or maybe a lack of variety of food, but either way food is #1 on their list of things that matter each day. Most days, they want to know first thing in the morning what we will have for all meals during the day, which requires more planning than I sometimes care to do. And often, what we are having for breakfast is a topic of conversation at dinner the night before. Or at the least, during bedtime kisses.
Back in April when I hurt my back, Sam came home that Sunday evening and carefully sat on the bed next to me. As we were talking about what he had been doing all afternoon (which included what he had eaten for lunch and dinner), he had a worried look on his face. I was telling him what the plan was for the next day and how he was going to school, but Daddy would probably take him. He got real quiet and said, "Mommy.........who's gonna make me lunch on Tuesday?" Wow. It was Sunday night. He knew he had school on Monday, so he was covered there. But Tuesdays and Thursdays, he stays home with me. I guess he figured Daddy would fix him breakfast before he left for work that morning, but his concern was all the way to Tuesday at lunch time and who was going to make sure he had something to eat if I was still laying in bed. It was at that moment that it hit me just how important food is to them.
I was so focused on making sure they were getting a variety of good things. And making sure they were not eating to the point of making themselves sick. Because they did that when they first came home. Charlie has a better handle on knowing when he is full now, although if it's a favorite dish, would probably continue to eat if we didn't stop him. Sam would eat and eat and eat as long as the food was in front of him. Most meals I still have to cut him off. And some days he's asking for lunch about an hour after breakfast. He also takes any chance he can to take advantage of someone who doesn't know him. He looks at them with those big brown I'm-an-orphan-please-feed-me-eyes and you can't help but fork over whatever it is you are eating. That's why we have a strict 1 doughnut rule for church on Sunday. He was hanging around the coffee and doughnut table with those sad brown eyes and before I knew it, I had been told, "I gave Sam a doughnut. I hope that was okay." at least 4 or 5 times! And then he would come home and lose the generosity of others all over my kitchen floor because 6 doughnuts is just way too much for a 4-year-old belly.
So, while I still want to teach the boys healthy eating habits and you still have to eat your share of fruits and veggies, I'm looking at food now more through their eyes. It's something they get excited about. It's one of the only things that will get me unsolicited hugs from Charlie. It keeps Sam in a perpetual good mood as long as he has enough of it. When I make a special meal or buy a favorite snack, it communicates love to them.
Food makes my boys happy. And if it makes them happy, then I'm happy.
Here's to pepperonis and hummus and scrambled eggs and salsa and watermelon and peanut butter and sausage and pretty much anything with chocolate.
And yes, we had milkshakes from Chick-fil-a for lunch today.
Just because we can.
Some years back, there was that book written by Gary Chapman about The 5 Love Languages. We were all encouraged as couples to learn each others "languages" to improve our marriages. And as corny as it all sounds, most of it really is true. Different people feel loved by different actions. It's just a matter of figuring out how best to show your spouse love. Although I think these "languages" really can spread across any relationship you have
And just for your information, my Love Language is "Acts of Service". Just in case anyone is wondering how to love me. My house is always open to being cleaned... I think Kenny's is "Words of Affirmation"...... guess I should remember that, huh?
So what have I finally figured out about the boys?
Well, it's not anything I haven't know from day one. I just have changed my outlook. These boys love, love, love them some food. Like all day, every day. They get way too excited about their favorite dinner, or a new snack or something as simple as a bag of M&M's.
I wouldn't say that they eat too much food. Which is evident from the fact that Sam can still wear a 4T in the waist, but has to have a size 8 for length. They just really appreciate food way more than your average kids. Food is important to them. I don't know if it was from a lack of it during their first few years. Or maybe a lack of variety of food, but either way food is #1 on their list of things that matter each day. Most days, they want to know first thing in the morning what we will have for all meals during the day, which requires more planning than I sometimes care to do. And often, what we are having for breakfast is a topic of conversation at dinner the night before. Or at the least, during bedtime kisses.
Back in April when I hurt my back, Sam came home that Sunday evening and carefully sat on the bed next to me. As we were talking about what he had been doing all afternoon (which included what he had eaten for lunch and dinner), he had a worried look on his face. I was telling him what the plan was for the next day and how he was going to school, but Daddy would probably take him. He got real quiet and said, "Mommy.........who's gonna make me lunch on Tuesday?" Wow. It was Sunday night. He knew he had school on Monday, so he was covered there. But Tuesdays and Thursdays, he stays home with me. I guess he figured Daddy would fix him breakfast before he left for work that morning, but his concern was all the way to Tuesday at lunch time and who was going to make sure he had something to eat if I was still laying in bed. It was at that moment that it hit me just how important food is to them.
I was so focused on making sure they were getting a variety of good things. And making sure they were not eating to the point of making themselves sick. Because they did that when they first came home. Charlie has a better handle on knowing when he is full now, although if it's a favorite dish, would probably continue to eat if we didn't stop him. Sam would eat and eat and eat as long as the food was in front of him. Most meals I still have to cut him off. And some days he's asking for lunch about an hour after breakfast. He also takes any chance he can to take advantage of someone who doesn't know him. He looks at them with those big brown I'm-an-orphan-please-feed-me-eyes and you can't help but fork over whatever it is you are eating. That's why we have a strict 1 doughnut rule for church on Sunday. He was hanging around the coffee and doughnut table with those sad brown eyes and before I knew it, I had been told, "I gave Sam a doughnut. I hope that was okay." at least 4 or 5 times! And then he would come home and lose the generosity of others all over my kitchen floor because 6 doughnuts is just way too much for a 4-year-old belly.
So, while I still want to teach the boys healthy eating habits and you still have to eat your share of fruits and veggies, I'm looking at food now more through their eyes. It's something they get excited about. It's one of the only things that will get me unsolicited hugs from Charlie. It keeps Sam in a perpetual good mood as long as he has enough of it. When I make a special meal or buy a favorite snack, it communicates love to them.
Food makes my boys happy. And if it makes them happy, then I'm happy.
Here's to pepperonis and hummus and scrambled eggs and salsa and watermelon and peanut butter and sausage and pretty much anything with chocolate.
And yes, we had milkshakes from Chick-fil-a for lunch today.
Just because we can.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Summer Fun Idea #462
#462: Make a water park.
Day one of summer break. I think they mastered this one. I was actually pretty impressed by the ingenuity of the four of them, although that's probably giving Sam a little too much credit since I'm sure he just stood around looking cute. But the other three came up with the idea all on their own and managed to maneuver a half empty swimming pool up the hill and under the slide.
Looks like fun to me!
Day one of summer break. I think they mastered this one. I was actually pretty impressed by the ingenuity of the four of them, although that's probably giving Sam a little too much credit since I'm sure he just stood around looking cute. But the other three came up with the idea all on their own and managed to maneuver a half empty swimming pool up the hill and under the slide.
Looks like fun to me!
Now, if we can only stayed as well entertained the rest of the summer, we'll be fine.
Monday, May 21, 2012
A boy and his cars.
For a while, Sam was obsessed with trains. We've now moved on to a more grown up obsession.
The car.
Cars go everywhere with us. In our pockets, in our backpack, in Mommy's purse, in the car, hidden in all the little holes of his booster seat. If he's awake (and not eating...but that's a whole other post), there's a good chance he has a car in his hand. He would literally play with cars all day long if given the option.
And if he can't be playing with a car, he is acting like one. While walking through Lowe's the other day, he kept sliding over in front of me while we were walking. After about the third time and me telling him yet again to pay attention to where he was going, he sweetly informed me, "Mommy! I'm just drifting." Which is termonology used on his Cars Wii game.
Oh, well excuse me.
Let's just say it's a good thing he not really drifting...er, driving yet. I don't think I'm ready for that.
The car.
Cars go everywhere with us. In our pockets, in our backpack, in Mommy's purse, in the car, hidden in all the little holes of his booster seat. If he's awake (and not eating...but that's a whole other post), there's a good chance he has a car in his hand. He would literally play with cars all day long if given the option.
And if he can't be playing with a car, he is acting like one. While walking through Lowe's the other day, he kept sliding over in front of me while we were walking. After about the third time and me telling him yet again to pay attention to where he was going, he sweetly informed me, "Mommy! I'm just drifting." Which is termonology used on his Cars Wii game.
Oh, well excuse me.
Let's just say it's a good thing he not really drifting...er, driving yet. I don't think I'm ready for that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)