Getting Our Fifteen Minutes - Update

I wanted to wait until we had a date that the article would run before I let everyone know how it turned out, but since it's been almost two weeks and we still don't really know yet I thought I'd do an update now and another later.

We were interviewed by Darleen Nichols with the Free-Lance Star, and will be featured in the Town and Country section of the Sunday edition. Um, one Sunday here soon. LOL

The interview itself was great! Darleen, the lady from the paper, was so easy to talk to and such a nice lady. She brought her husband, Jackie, with her and I got the feeling that he's a character who was being on his best behaviour. I think what gave away that impression was when we were asked where we were from and Rick said New York,  Mr Jackie said something to the effect of, "Oh Lord!". I cracked up, and then Mrs. Darleen said, "That's probably what Melissa said when y'all first met!" Haha! Poor Rick, he's not used to being ganged up on.

If I ever have to be interviewed again for any type of news story I hope that it's just like this was. We just sat and chatted like friends who were catching up and of course talking about the things I am most passionate about may have helped. Can't wait until the story is published. I'm still hoping for hearts to be touched and more kids to find families.

Things I Ponder: How He Loves Us

The other morning I heard David Crowder Band's "How He Loves".



Now I have heard this song many times and I really like it. Sometimes it's just there in the background and I enjoy listening to it but other times I really listen and engage and begin to worship. This was the experience I had last Friday, and suddenly the words "Drawn to Redemption by the Grace in His eyes" hit me and my only thought was "Wow!" Then:

-What does it really mean to be "DRAWN to redemption"?
and
-Do we really realize that there is Grace in His EYES?! Do I understand that when He's looking at me it's with a gaze full of Grace? Wow!

I mean, yes, I understand that there is Grace. That's how we are able to be saved He has shown us grace and mercy. But, I don't think I always understand that He is constantly looking at me with grace. And when I do think about it it blows me away. Maybe it's just me?

So, I've been pondering since then and wanted to share and maybe ask others to ponder with me. What are your thoughts friends? Do you realize the extent of the Grace that is in His eyes for you? Oh, how He loves us!

Getting Our Fifteen Minutes

Tomorrow a lady from our local paper is coming to interview us. We get to talk about our adoption, Liza, Reece's Rainbow, and I guess whatever comes out of our mouths at the moment. And with Rick, well, you just never know....

Seriously, I am looking forward to it and hope that it will bring local support to us as a family as we continue to fund-raise in these last few weeks before bringing Liza home. I also am really hoping to see more families right here in my area step forward and adopt, I would LOVE for someone local to realize that they've been missing someone in their family and find that someone in one of the faces on Reece's Rainbow.

If you think of us between 8:30 and 10:30 pray that every word we speak would be Spirit led. I want to touch hearts; not just for our own sakes but also for the kids who are still waiting. Thanks! : )

Music and Life: Morgan County Georgia

Isn't it funny how you never realize you actually like your hometown until you leave it?

At least, that's the way it was for me. I grew up in the small town of Madison, Georgia and went to Morgan County Public schools from K-10. We moved the summer before I entered 11th grade. I hated leaving because I had finally felt like I found where I belonged. I wasn't one of the popular kids but I think I can say that most people liked me ok, and I liked most people. I'm still that way, I get along with pretty much everyone and I've finally realized that if people don't like me, well, that's most likely their problem.

These songs always make me think of growing up in Morgan County. Every time I hear "International Harvester" I see myself in the backseat with my Mom or Dad driving while we waited for the farmer, usually a friend of mine's cousin or uncle, to get from one field to the next so we could have the road back. I always seem to remember my Dad never minded so much. Probably because he worked on a few of the farms around us through the years and he knew what it was like to get honked at and glared at by impatient drivers while he was trying to do his job. To this day, if I get behind a tractor I'm usually pretty content to just wait til they get to where they need to be or pull to the side to let me pass.




This one, "Good Directions", well, to me it's just got Morgan County written all over it! Maybe I'm just sentimental because I'm getting older, but every time I hear this song I think about roadside fruit and vegetable stands, country stores where you could get Brunswick stew and REAL sweet tea (that's rare here in Virginia), and I knew quite a few Bell's (In the version I chose he says Ms. Beth, but in the one you hear on the radio he says Ms Bell). I chose this one cause Luke Bryan is the one who wrote the song, he's from South Georgia, and someone I go to church with says he's her cousin :)



I might be biased, but I think I grew up in a place that's maybe not perfect but, really isn't such a bad place to say you come from. A lot of times I wish my kids were growing up there too. Going to school in the same buildings that I went to school in and being taught by some of the same teachers. Or teachers that were students there when I was. I'm just a small town country girl who dreams of the simple life, I guess. Ah well, bloom where you're planted is what "They" say, right? I'll just do that...

...and maybe make some turnip greens tonight ;o)

Knuckleheadedness: Spongbob

Remember this post about Austin? And then of course Noah had to have his turn. Well, this time Rick started it and Noah was happy to oblige us with another example of Knuckleheadedness.

See, Noah has a little issue with ADD and he is somewhat quirky, which makes him so funny without really even trying to be. He says things sometimes and we all bust out laughing and he's looking at us with this grin like, "what?". It is really hard to figure out how he stores things in that head of his. Like the time he was trying to remember his buddy's phone number and asked Austin what ours used to be. Huh? The two numbers were nothing alike but he figured it out. I have no idea........

This is how it went down the other night:

Rick: "Noah! HOW do you store things in that brain of yours?!"

Noah: "Well, one time I watched Spongebob and it showed inside his head and he had all these little Spongebobs with filing cabinets......"

Rick: "Well, there you go....."

Me (thinking): Oh boy!

Honestly, we all laughed so had we had tears rolling down our faces. Maybe you just have to know Noah like we do, but I think he hit the nail on the head answering that question and that's why it was so funny.

No wonder he always liked that Sponge dude.

Now Featuring

Us on the Reece's Rainbow blog! Reece's Rainbow's own Lu, over at Poppies Blooming, does a series called "Meet the Families" for all the Reece's Rainbow families in the process of adopting and it was our turn. So, if you've wondered why we're adopting or how we decided on Liza there are a few answers there. It sure was nice to see my Girl's picture front and center!

The button below can be grabbed and added to your blog if you'd like to help spread the word and get the families of Reece's Rainbow noticed. If you click on it you can find the code at the Reece's Rainbow blog.



Even more exciting than that, is this: Reece's Rainbow is featured in PEOPLE magazine! I think that is so cool. Imagine the numbers of people who will be reading about this ministry in the next few days. You'll find them in the "Heroes Among Us" section of the issue pictured below.

Reece's Rainbow Advocating

Ever read the book, "A Mother for Choco"? If not, you should really check it out. It's great for even just teaching compassion to little children. Not to mention adoption and seeing everyone as more alike than different. I love that book and read it to my boys over and over when they were small. I challenge you to look at the pictures of these kids and imagine them asking, "Are you my mother?" Come on, what have you got to lose really?

   This is Vera. Her sad face jumped out at me today on Reece's Rainbow and I couldn't stand it, I just had to get her face out so someone will see it and maybe her family will find her. Her description on Reece's Rainbow includes a caption that says, "Please come for me soon, Daddy." It really looks like that's what she's hoping for. However, she is in a country that single women can adopt from so if she catches your heart and you're a single mommy I'm sure she would love to have you! Vera's Mommy or Daddy? Are you out there? For more info please contact Andrea Roberts or visit Reece's Rainbow.

This is Claire! My friend from Christmas, remember her? She just turned two years old back in January and she has a $500 grant now. She's at a really great age to benefit from a loving family and all the early intervention that she needs. I just know she could thrive if she was adopted. She's in the same country and region as Vera. So, single moms are accepted. Are you her family? For more info please contact Andrea Roberts or visit Reece's Rainbow.




                                                                             
This cute little baldy is Anna B and if you look very close it looks like she's wearing earrings. She is absolutely beautiful, isn't she? I can just imagine how stunning she would be when her hair was allowed to grow out. She needs a mommy and daddy to help her reach her full potential. Do you know them? Same country and region as the girls above. For more info please contact Andrea Roberts or visit Reece's Rainbow.





This is Elena. I just love her DARK hair and eyes with her light complexion. And those cheeks!Isn't she gorgeous? She also is in need of someone to love her and provide her with the early intervention services that would help her to thrive and reach her fullest potential. She's in the same region and country as the other girls and all information and requirements can be found here. For more info please contact Andrea Roberts or visit Reece's Rainbow.





There are so many other kids listed with Reece's Rainbow, please give them a look. I could have posted one hundred pictures here and still had others that I would love see find a family. All of them just waiting for someone to fall in love with them. It really could be you and your family. So, what are you waiting for? What's holding you back?

Music and Life: The Drunk Version

We were in the local Irish store yesterday and I heard this song and now I can't get it out of my head. At first I just laughed at it cause the dude calls the whiskey the devil and then turns around and says "...you're me darlin' drunk or sober!" I found that funny for some reason...

Then when it was running around in my head most of the day and I caught myself singing it I thought I'd look it up and found that one of the verses they say, "o'er hills and mountains into Americay". So, the whiskey landed him in America? Hmmm, that could explain what's up with one of the nearer towns to me. Oh, wait, are ya'll reading this over there? Love you guys....

Enjoy me new favorite song! Rick just told me (jokingly) I shouldn't listen to stuff like this, "it'll warp your mind." He must not know me very well. Pahahaha!

WHISKEY YOU'RE THE DEVIL

Chorus:
Whiskey you're the devil you're leading me astray
Over hills and mountains into Americay
You're sweeter, stronger, decenter
You're spunkier than tea
Oh whiskey you're me darlin' drunk or sober!

Oh, now brave boys we're on for marching
Up to Portugal and Spain drums are beating, banners flying
The devil all home will come tonight
Love, fare thee well

With me tiddle-ee-iddle-doodle-a-ma-da me tiddle-ee-iddle-doodle-a-ma-da
Me rightful too-ra-laddie-oh
There's whiskey in the jar

Said the mother do not wrong me do not take me daughter from me
For if you do I will torment you
And after death me ghost will haunt you
Love fare thee well

Oh the French are fighting boldly
Men are dying hot and coldly
Give every man his flask of powder
His firelock upon his shoulder
Love fare thee well

Weird Fact Wednesday: The Cowardly Version......Or Not

Ok, yes, I know - this blog is B.O.R.I.N.G. I have been in a funk the last couple months and just haven't had much to say. So, I'm gonna try a new weekly blog post called Weird Fact Wednesday, in which I will be sharing weird facts about "yours truly" on Wednesdays. Cause you always wanted to know all those weird facts about me, right? Well, even if you don't someday my kids or grandkids will. Won't they? And it'll all be right here for them to find. Until then, enjoy week one of Weird Fact Wednesday.

Ever since I was a little girl I have had this thing for Kenny Rogers. That's not exactly the weird fact. My utmost favorite song by him was "Coward of the County", I really don't know why cause I just listened to it again for the first time in a while and went.... "OOO KAY!" And that's not ok in a good way. 

So, yeah, weird fact about me: I used to really LOVE a song about a dude who let's people walk all over him and then one day snaps. Umm, maybe there's a lesson in there somewhere? That's probably a whole 'nother post for a whole 'nother day!

(And Kenny, if you're reading this, I still love you! But that song needs a little help. Just sayin....)

 

Are We Getting Anywhere?

That's what I've been asking myself the past few days. Cause it seems like things are finally moving. We've finally gotten past all the hoops and hurdles, but even though we're moving it seems to be at a snail's pace. I am ready to sprint the last little bit of this race and just get to the finish line already. Anybody with me?

So, officially where are we? That's what a lot of people have been asking. Well maybe not in those exact words but everyone wants to know: "What else?" So here's what else we have left to accomplish before we get that travel date and FINALLY get to squeeze our little Princess.

• The Home study needs to officially be finished and approved. It is right on the edge of being there but a few documents were lost "never received". Once they have those and I clear up a couple questions for the actual SW we will be done. Praise God!! I will probably have a party when that day comes.
• When the HS is done it will go to USCIS and we will wait for them to approve our application and issue the I171H which will need to be included as part of our dossier and gives permission for Liza to get a Visa to come to the US (or something like that). Only the USCIS officer thinks that we have not been fingerprinted because, "We would not have issued a fingerprint appointment without having your Home study on file. You are mistaken." Too bad for her I still have the forms stamped and dated that say we were fingerprinted right there in the NOVA USCIS office. I swear I DO NOT make this stuff up.
• After we get the I171 we will get all the dossier documents apostilled and we can send the entire thing to our facilitator in Liza's country.
• Then we wait maybe two weeks for a travel date! 
• Then we travel there, do all the official in-country stuff, and BRING HER HOME! Can't wait for that part. And sometimes can't believe we are actually finally this close. 

Think I can sprint it without having a heart attack? :)