You know what to do...

Now faith is being sure of what we
hope for and certain of what we do not see.
-Hebrews 11:1

((the SCC will not publish))

You know what to do...please PRAY!

Every Good Girl Scout Plans Ahead…

Two weeks ago the Chief, in his infinite wisdom, decided we needed to get away for a little family time. Spring Break was coming up for Wild Man and Little Miss so he rented an RV for our first family camping adventure. We haven’t been camping since we were kids because our idea of roughing it is the Motel 6 we have never had the opportunity but he was we were up for an adventure. Nature—here we come.

To prepare for the trip, I sent an email to our agency director explaining our weekend plans. I was concerned about what would happen if our referral arrived and we could not be reached. We will be in the mountains—two hours away from home—no cell phone service—no computer—no fax machine. The reply: “There are no guarantees”. What??? I can’t leave town knowing we might miss out on the referral of our daughter because we can’t be reached. You see, I knew the shared list was due out any day. In February, agency referrals arrived when the shared list was released. I was hopeful that would be the case again this month. Was it a coincidence or was it going to happen again? No one knew the answer but we were not going to take the risk.

My Girl Scout instincts kicked in and I conjured up a plan. I called the state park we were planning to camp and explained the situation. They gave me emergency numbers, told me exactly what to tell our agency and assured me they would come find us should our call come in. HALLELUJAH! I passed on the information to our directors and got packing. I know they thought I was a quack job with my “Womble Contact Information March 27-29” emails but I didn’t care. I was planning ahead. Honestly, I didn’t really believe we would receive a referral while we were away but I had to cover the bases just in case. But then the strangest thing happened--I saw 14 ladybugs in my front yard 5 days before our trip? Remember the ladybug sighting? Was it a crumb or was He just messing with me? I don't really think He's in the business of playing mind games but sometimes my own mind plays tricks on me. Anyway, I had no idea but I wasn't going to risk it by being unprepared. Boy, am I glad I listened to my good girl scout instincts...ALWAYS BE PREPARED!

Ladybug sighting...

14 ladybugs to be exact! It's a long story--perhaps one day I'll be able to tell it without all of you thinking I'm on my way to the funny farm. Come on China---give us (and at least 13 of my waiting agency pals) a referral!

Kite Day with Dad...

Behold-the power of Photoshop...

For SBM (and her one eyed friend)...I'm pretty sure you'll always be WAY cooler than I'll ever be (except when it relates to technology or private investigational work--you know what I'm talkin' about). So, I decided to lend one of my two talents to help a girl out. Your title read "Paisley Party". I got excited because I thought you bought new fabric. :-) See how cool I am? Now--for the love of Pete--delete and replace. My new computer is up and runnin' so I'm back in business! I love me some Photoshop!

For those who have no idea what I'm talkin' about...Meet Sonjie...my fun-loving, naturally beautiful, invariably entertaining friend of 9 years who always makes me laugh.

Oh wait...one more thing...
I've been holding on to these pics for a while now. I guess I can add one more cool factor to my resume...techie, PI and bacon fryer. :-)

What is your FAV-O-RITE family vacation spot?

It's that time of year again. The time when Daddy and I start thinking about our family vacation. We had hoped our 2009 vacation would take us half way around the world to meet our daughter. More and more it is not looking like that will happen any time soon.

So, tell me. What is your FAV-O-RITE family vacation spot? I can't wait to read your comments!

Votes Needed PLEASE!

First, click HERE. Now click "VOTE NOW" until you come to a screen displaying 12 finalists. Cast your vote for SMITH SPRINGS CHURCH OF CHRIST. After you click over to cast your vote I'll explain...go ahead...I can wait...

Did you follow my directions? Did you vote for SMITH SPRINGS CHURCH OF CHRIST. Excellent. Now for the details...

One of my best friends (Laura--nonblogger--but don't hold it against her) and her hubby (Ron) are Youth Ministers at SSCoC. Well, I'm not sure if Laura is technically a "Minister" but you know what I mean. Anyway, their youth group is one of 12 featured in a contest sponsored by TNU. Why you ask? Their small group of ~25 middle and high school students raised $8000.00 to help their church build an orphanage in Zambia, Africa. How awesome is that?

WAIT--do you want to hear the best part? If they win the contest they receive $2500.00!!! Guess what they are doing with the money if they win? No, they are not using it to buy new Wii games or an air hockey table for the teen room. They are using it to cover half the cost of digging a well in the same African village? They will still have to raise the other half but for 25 kids who raised $8000.00, $2500.00 should be a breeze. Do you know many teenagers who would give up their contest earnings so that people they may never meet can have clean drinking water? Yeah...me either.

You can vote once a day until the contest ends on March 20th. Thanks in advance!

Hallelujah!!! We have a LID!!!

Now I know you're thinking--WHO CARES?? You return to blogging to tell us you found a lid? It's just a lid...
but hold on a second...it's not THAT kind of lid. As you know our dossier went to China on 1-2-09. Once it arrived in Nanjing it was translated and then submitted to CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs) in Beijing. When the dossier is entered into the CCAA system they issue a log-in-date (LID). It is basically confirmation that the CCAA has received the dossier and officially know you are petitioning for one of their children. We have been anxiously waiting to hear our date over the past two months. Look what I just found in my Inbox...

1/19/09

It is now officially official. China knows who we are--four little Wombles on the other side of the planet waiting to find our daughter and sister. I find it a bit ironic that less than 24 hrs after I had my little "breakdown" about the current state of our adoption, a little bit of hope shows up in the form of an email. Today I'm thankful for the little things that gently remind me He's got it all under control.

HALLELUJAH!!! WE HAVE A LID!!!

the roller coaster that is life...

I sit down every day to update our blog. Really, I do. Every day I avoid it about as much as I avoid the triple divided sea grass laundry hamper I ordered from QVC. Both are pretty but neither motivate me to begin the kind of housekeeping I need to do.

I am going to be completely honest. Over the past two months I have been a fish out of water. I've avoided friends and family because I can't seem to think about anything else. Most of you know my latest "project" was complete right after Christmas. According to my husband, I function better when I have a "project". I'm pretty sure he's right. However, once I tied that pretty pink ribbon I should have closed the chapter and moved on. Instead I continue to find myself so focused on the end result of that project that I'm missing the good stuff in the interim.

Someday my phone will ring with our agency on the other end of the line. Someday I will hear someone speak the name of our daughter. Someday I will cry tears of joy when I see her face for the first time. Someday I'll learn about where she lives and what her needs are. Someday I will send her a box full of goodies and pictures of her family. Someday I will find the strength to leave J and MG for two weeks in order to give them the gift of a baby sister. Someday I will finally meet our daughter through a divine plan only the Big Guy himself could have orchestrated. Someday...

But it isn't today. It probably isn't tomorrow. It may not even be this month or even this year. As hard as that is for me to process, the reality is there are no guarantees in adoption. I fully recognize that the waiting is overwhelming every day of my life. I know I have to step back from this and refocus. I have been so blessed with an amazing husband and two beautiful healthy children. I need to find a place where I can focus on the family I have now and the God who graciously gave them to me. I have to truly BELIEVE that the plan He has for us is bigger than any adoption agency or foreign country standing in our way. I have to truly BELIEVE that God doesn't just work miracles in other people's lives. He can work miracles in our lives if we let Him carry our burdens instead of trying to drag them along on our own.

We stepped on this roller coaster last spring knowing it would difficult. It would bring with it many ups and downs. That has proven true and I know the end is no where in sight. So, today, March 3, 2009 at 12:34 pm I am giving it up. I am handing this burden over to the only One who has any control over this process. I will not promise you I'm going to stop talking about our adoption. Those who know me well know that will never happen. What I am promising is to make every effort to stop worrying about what is going to happen and start living for what is happening right now. Would you pray that for me? Would you pray for our family? Would you pray for the daughter God has chosen for us? Would you pray that I can find contentment in His timing and not my own? Over the past several months, this verse seems to be following me everywhere I go. I'm adopting it as my own for such a time as this...

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:2

WOW...I feel like I just tossed 1000 pounds of weight off my shoulders. Being completely transparent feels freeing at the moment. If you made it this far I owe you a hug (and a Starbucks). Love to all...

Happy Love Day...

A special breakfast for the little Valentines...

A huge batch of Rice Krispie treats we made together...

and lots of yummy Valentine treats for their school friends...

15 word Wednesday...

Just What I Needed to Hear Today...

...even if it came from someone I've never met. If you are a Mommy person (especially one of the stay-at-home variety) I would encourage you to read this. You'll be glad you did.

Wordless Wednesday

If anyone still cares...

what we did two months ago, November is up to date including our trip to Walt Disney World, Thanksgiving feasts and J's birthday...

November 2008

Remember this blog is our family scrapbook. There are lots of memories and details recorded in these posts. Things I want to remember. Do not feel obligated to read every line. Of course you can if you wish but consider this your warning...they are WORDY!

More to come...eventually...

Cutie Patootie!

Our favorite outfit from the winter clothing lineup... It's not the greatest photo, obviously, but it's the only one I have of her in it. She would have worn it every day if I would have let her. Thanks Gymboree!

a New Day...

Today is a monumental day in the history of our country. In just a few minutes Senator Barack Obama will become President Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America. In all honestly, my vote was not cast for Senator Obama but today is not the day to debate views or votes. The decision is behind us and the future of our country is before us. I pray that God would bless and protect President Obama and his family as he faces some of the most difficult decisions in our nations history. I pray this milestone will bring honor to our country, our families and our love for humanity.

On this historical day, I am most proud that my children will never remember a time when the office of President was limited by the color of ones skin. Their generation will know and believe that all things are possible for everyone. Not rich or poor. Not white or black. Not male or female. I am proud that the prejudice that sadly remains within this great nation has taken one GIGANTIC step forward. My family, my children, my children's children will be better for it.

To our new President (because even Barack checks in at the Womble Times)...

I pray that you will seek guidance from the only omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God. It is the future of these beautiful children that depend on it.
Sincerely,
Mommy

A-one...ONE...1-2-3...HIT IT!

The big Five-Oh!

Grammy's favorite cheesecake complete with sprinkles, pink napkins and batman plates. What more could a Grammy ask for? Happy five-Oh! We love you!

My name is Mommy...

and I'm a bloggy procrastinator. Is there a 12 step program for this? I am so far behind on real photo posts of the kids that I don't even know where to begin. I took so many photos in Walt Disney World in November that I am overwhelmed with cuteness. I can't post photo posts out of order (it's a real sickness people) so I just keep getting further and further behind with every shutter of my camera. So what does a good bloggy procastinator do in times like this? She uploads her winter redesign in order to dazzle you with her extraordinary design talents (as she secretly distracts her audience from the fact that they haven't seen pictures of her children in six weeks). In the meantime, enjoy the two new photos in the new bloggy banner. I'll try to throw you a bone later this week. I'm on it............really.............I am.............maybe..............I hope so............OK, it's on the list...........

DTC Baby!

This morning I received confirmation that today is the day we've been waiting for. We are DTC (dossier-to-China)!!!!! At this moment, our package is on the big yellow bird winging it's way to the birthplace of our baby girl. Fly safely Mr. DHL! Oh, and please don't bend the pretty pink bow. Thanks!

Email from our agency:
Hi M,

Today is the day!!! It will take about three business days to be delivered to Nanjing, where it will be translated and taken to CCAA. CCAA will provide us with the actual log in date, which we will share with you.

Congratulations!
P--