Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Go, Dog, Go


This here is Mojo. I know this picture makes us look cruel and unusual, but he actually did that to himself, and more than once. He liked dragging that basket around for some reason. Mojo has got to be the craziest dog we have ever had in our house. He likes to chase Rickydoodle in circles through the house and then get chased back. It's especially funny when he slides across the kitchen floor.

So, this morning, Ricky and I are lazing in the living room-ignoring the dogs. Mojo must have gotten tired of being ignored cause he comes tearing through the living room, into the kitchen, then back around the whole house, back thru the LR, wipes out in the kitchen, and back into the LR where he jumps up on his Daddy's (Rickydoodle) couch.

The whole time all this is going on we are just looking at each other trying to figure out who let the dog get into the coffee. Once Mojo jumps onto the couch the first thing out of my dear husband's mouth is, "Did you have a case of the runs?" I laughed so hard.

Get it? "Case of the runs?", cause he was running around like crazy? Maybe you had to be there. I'm still laughing.......

Saturday, May 24, 2008

I'm Speechless-Adoption Update

I just received the "rough draft" of our Homestudy. Which I edited and sent back. I can't believe after all the little things that came up and had to be dealt with that we might actually be finished.

I don't even know what else to say.

Well....maybe.....

YAY!!!! Omigoodness, I can't believe it!!!!!!! Whoopeee! Yay! Hurray! (jump and dance in the kitchen time)

Phew...........( as I wipe my hand across my brow)

Yeah, that'll probably do it.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Slavery



My heart has been burdened for a while now for the little children who are sold into forced prostitution around the world. Saturday night I was so hit with it that I couldn't sleep-I could only pray and plead for their freedom, even waking up after only 45 minutes of sleep in an anxiety attack and I knew that it wasn't like the old panic attacks I use to have years ago. There was a reason behind this one-it was to make me plead for these children, these babies who have no one else to plead their case. At the moment I prayed for the panic to go away, cause I hate it, but the next morning at church I knew that if that's what it takes to get me to pray then I'll take it. If that's all I have to suffer to remember their suffering, then I can handle it.

I'm so grateful to have stumbled upon blogs of those who share my passion for orphans and those who have no one else to love them. Brandi's is one of those. Her passion shines through. I read this post Sunday night and was challenged. I struggle between wanting to get out and fight for those in need and backing down because I can't take it anymore. I can't take their suffering, it's too hard for me at times. That night before bed I looked up compassion in my NIV Study Bible in the Index to Subjects section. These two verses stood out to me. Prov. 24:11-"Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.", and Is. 21:3-4-"At this my body is racked with pain, pangs seize me, like those of a woman in labor; I am staggered by what I hear, I am bewildered by what I see, My heart falters, fear makes me tremble; the twilight I longed for has become a horror to me." They weren't quite what I expected, yet they said everything I feel.

I have been thinking about all the National prayer movements that we observe. I posted not long ago about Foster Care Prayer Vigil and it has really been laid on my heart to find out if there is a day set aside to pray for freedom for those held in slavery, especially forced prostitution, and if not to put one together. It can't be that hard, right? Just set a date, get the word out, pray, and watch our Abba move.

I don't want to do it on my own, though. I know I am just one and it will take many. Plus, I know myself, and I know that I could easily start to think, "Lookie what I did!" and I don't want to give myself that chance. Please help me to be His Hands and Feet. I want feedback on dates and such. I also need prayer to pray the way He wants, cause I want to pray that all their captors be struck dead and any person who would use a child in such a way die a horrid death. I think my Father would have me pray to change their hearts.

Music and Life-Albertine

This is one of my new favorite songs. I am so impressed with this young lady for so many reasons. Her voice is amazing and she is using it to spread a message that she is passionate about. It's obvious that this is not all about her but all about getting the Word out. Not just the word of those who she has seen that are suffering, but the Word of God.




I first heard of Brooke at church one Sunday morning when the Worship team played a new song,"Lead Me to the Cross". When I got home I searched MYSpace for it and that's how I found "Albertine". She's doing some touring here in the States starting June, 2 and I'd like to go see her not just to listen to her beautiful voice but to hear her message.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Ok, So I'm a Bit Different

Tonight I decided that I didn't really feel like making dinner and my kids had canned spaghetti and meatballs (I know, I'm a terrible mom). I wasn't sure if I wanted to eat anything, but decided to have a PB&J and a half glass of my new favorite wine, Victorian Red. Yeah, strange combo, I thought so too. Check out our dinner conversation:

Me: "Peanut butter, jelly, and wine. How about that?"

Noah(he's the one who's always a little late figuring out what's going on): "Who's having peanut butter and jelly and wine?"

Austin: "Our Mom"

Me: "Yeah, I'm weird."

Noah: "Your different and that's good."

That's what I think too. I like being different, and hope I'm teaching my kids that it's OK for them to be different. Same is boring.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

What He Said

I wanted to post about a conversation I had with a co-worker about foster care, but I just couldn't get what I wanted to say right. Then I went to AdoptUSKids this morning and found some inspiration. Enrique's story is not the "perfect" foster care story. You know, the one where the kid gets adopted and lives happily ever after. His is a foster care success story none the less. I love how he looked at his past and where his father came from and he wanted to honor his dad by leaving a legacy that I'm sure both his parents would be proud of.

I didn't know how to encourage my co-worker to do foster care but to be diligent in not allowing the system to take advantage of her or the children that would be placed in her care. Unfortunately, these are the realities of our foster care system. I think if she could read Enrique's story she would be encouraged and know that becoming a foster parent is a great way to make a difference, which is what she wants to do. In fact, I wish the whole world could read Enrique's story. We hear far too much bad news about the system and the children in it, we need to hear the good stories. We all need to hear what he said. Thanks Enrique, for encouraging my heart today.

Monday, May 12, 2008

More News on our Adoption Front

We hit another snag today, and I may have said before that if that happened I was "going to seriously lose it". I was on the verge of that, but I thank God for good friends who stand with me in prayer and are willing to make phone calls and email folks they think will be able to help. I thank God that He has put these people in my life to be there when I need them. It's funny how I left my house tonight kind of depressed and stressing over this new hurdle we've been asked to jump, or I should say I have been asked to jump, and I came home in a new frame of mind, feeling more confident and knowing things will work out.


Music and Life-Josh Turner



I have loved Josh Turner's music since I first heard "Long Black Train". I love his voice and just how his music seems sincere. It reminds me of country that I loved growing up, not "Today's Hot New Country", which I can't stand a whole lot of. I had never heard this one before, I guess it doesn't get played on most radio stations. I love how Josh obviously has a strong faith and doesn't try to hide it. But, I also love that he doesn't feel he has to make only christian music. I went through a phase where I thought the only way for me to be a good christian girl was to only listen to christian music. That was hard, because I love country music, it's like it's in my genetic makeup. I can't explain how a fiddle, banjo, or Randy Travis can stir me. I've grown and I know now that I can love Jesus even if I listen to country sometimes. I love praise and worship music, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I still need to hear Reba or Randy or Keith Whitley or......the list goes on and on....

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Adoption Update

I haven't posted much about the adoption lately. How the home study is coming along or anything about LB. I'm pretty sure it's because it's been frustrating and when I wasn't working on the issues we ran into I just didn't want to think about it. And what were these issues you ask.... Well, apparently for a HS you need to include proof that this child will be insured once you have adopted her and she will. But did you know how IMPOSSIBLE it is to get the insurance company to send you anything proving this!? AYE YI YI!! We finally found something online that she can make work, but the agony of those weeks of waiting. OY. The other thing was a letter from a counselor that I saw SEVEN years ago. The counselor is MIA, and for a while there so was any one else who might be able to help me at that particular Clinic. It took me four weeks, but that letter should be going out to our SW some time next week and we will be moving on. Almost there, I think I can see the Finish Line. FINALLY!

Also, our plans may be changng again, but right now that is indefinite. The time is just about up to submit HS's for LB and our SW still feels that it would not be a wise decision for our family. We are looking in other areas and just waiting and praying for the child that is truly meant to be a part of our family. I am still trying to be patient, that's a work in progress. But, it's coming along.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Boys and Dogs

Noah and Mojo "Trading Spaces" or is this their version of "Prison Break"?


Hey man, let's take a little break.



Dude! I said a little break. Get back over here!

Here, Noah, let me help you out of that cage. Mojo obviously has a short attention span!


Mojo, we don't call him that for nothin'!

Uhh, who's walking the dogs?

Music and Life-Noah

My Noah has a wide and varied love of music. His faves these days are probably not anything like the faves of his peers. That's pretty typical of him. He's a lot like most little boys in some ways and totally not like anyone else in other ways. I have to say, I really like him that way.



Who would believe a nine year old boy could dig Harry Chapin? Noah definitely does. He sings this song off and on throughout the day every day. I can't take credit for turning him on to this one though, that goes to Mr. Lentine. From everything I hear, he has got to be the greatest art teacher that ever lived. I remember I loved the music to this song but I never really liked the words, cause to me the story is just too sad. I hope that Noah someday sees the lesson in the song and makes sure to be the right kind of man for his sons to want to be like.



This is another of Noah's faves. He sings it alot too but he always makes sure to say "baddest man in the whole darn town". I don't always sing it that way and he always gives me an incredulous, "awwwww" when I say that D--- word. Sometimes I do it just to get the incredulous look. I can't help it, it's cute!