Stone Mountain Park, GA
Next Saturday, we're off to meet some of the families that are in our LID Group. It should be an exciting time, we're looking forward to it.

Well I saw this shirt at Wally World (Walmart). I thought it was neat, since her oldest GeGe (older Brother) is in a band, Grace can wear this when she is hanging out with him.

They are actually both home this morning, so I think I'll go fix them some pancakes. It is so rare to have them both here, and I know it wont be long before they will both be gone out of the house.

Lovebug
by Elizabeth Elias

Grace's newest book!

I haven't got it yet, but how cute. It's about adoption. The author just got a referral for her daughter in China. How exciting.
Here is the link:

http://www.lulu.com/content/904212

7/20/07

Devan

We don't need any particular day to think of you, but today marks a day and a week that will never be forgotten. If only we could turn back time. You are in our thoughts every day of the year. We take you with us where ever we go. So until we get to Heaven with you, know you are in our hearts and how much we love you.

Submitted our MCC 07/19/2007

Well we officially turned in our Medical Condition Checklist today. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. So now we go back to the world of waiting, but feeling better about it.

Just some rambling. . . . . . .

I just wanted to say it again, I really did marry the best man in the world. It has been a long road with this man, not always a paved road, but he continues to amaze me. He has always had a big thick shell around his heart, and it's like I've had to continue to tear it down, always knowing what was on the inside. This adoption for Paul has been a huge step, and he just keeps taking those steps. I know once Grace is home, what is left of that shell around his heart will be gone for good. I cant wait to watch him with her.

Oh and a great big thank you to my Aunt Mary, she bought Grace a dress. She will be the cutest kid at the hunting club, now I have to get a bow and some kind of cutes shoes to go with it. Paul Paul loves it, it is just what he was wanting. Speaking of which there also will be no question that she will have her two brothers at her beck and call.

And in the world of our nephews and the little beauty queen, our niece Payton . . . .

I kept Little Man and Adam Friday night, what a great time, even though I was on the couch the whole time with a pinched nerve (we think). It reminded me when I was little and stayed with my Aunt and Uncle ALL the time. I love having little ones in the house, saying bedtime prayers and getting those good night kisses, I miss that. And Little Miss Payton is just as cute as she can be. We should know next month if Chris and Erin are having a girl or a boy! You know I hope its a girl, but I JUST LOVE the name they picked out if its a boy. They are in the process of buying a new home and hopefully will move in this Wednesday, and its closer to us than they were, so that's a plus.

That brings us up to speed, not much else to tell right now.

An update in the adoption world.

Paul & I have decided to submit a medical checklist for the SN (Special Needs Program). We thought about this long and hard to make sure we were doing the right thing. I just kept getting this feeling that this is what we were suppose to do. I think God was talking and we wern't listening.

What does that mean. We are basically in the Traditional Program (healthy baby). CCAA does all matching for these. Our dossier (paperwork) will still stay in the same place in China in case we are not matched before. With SN, CCAA sends out list regularly (sometimes weekly – sometimes large lists, sometimes small) to agencies. The agencies then match these children with the families that have submitted a Medical Checklist. You do not have to accept that child, and only one family is given that Child's file at a time. Once you accept this child, I believe you end up traveling 3 – 5 months later.

I am not changing the age or gender of the child I want. So we just wait and see. Grace may or may not be in this program, only God knows and only time will tell.

Brandon (and half our kids these days) would be considered SN. You get what you get when giving birth. You don’t say, I’m sorry, can you put that back and give me another one. No, you take that child, love them and do what needs to be done for them. As a parent, you love a child no matter what their issues are, and you go out of your way to do what you can to make it better. So if Grace isn't 100% healthy, we’ll do what needs to be done.

Hope that explains it, if not or you have any questions, just let us know.

Update on Peanut

Our 10 year old Shizu has been having seizures for the last year. Well they were coming weekly, he had three over the weekend, so we took him back to the vet. They have put him on meds twice a day, so we'll see how that goes. He is the little king of the castle.

Thats right, 5 months down

More depressing news

Referrals are in, and they are only through Nov 14, 2005. Another month with only 7 days worth. If that continues, I don't see how they will get to us in 3 years.

I have to remember it is not in my hands. Grace will come home when God said it is time for her to come home and not before.

My Son Brandon (thats him in the plaid shirt) has always had a love for music. He started out taking piano lessons in first grade, started the Sax a few years later, played in the high school band. Somewhere in there he started playing the guitar.

He is in a band now, if you look to the top right of the my blog, you will see the link to his band.

They had their first show this past Tuesday. I think they did an awesome job. I am so proud of him. I could never get up there and sing in front of people. I admire him, he is following his dreams. I love you baby boy!

Happy Fourth of July!

I hope everyone is enjoying their day, and remembering what today stands for.

Maybe 2 more to go, lets hope for one. I've resigned myself to it being 3 years.

Here is my Little Man (Christopher) and my baby boy, PaulPaul at the 4th of July parade in Moncks Corner

These are my moms neighbors, they were in their parade. (Moncks Corner is a small town!) This is Sissy, she is PaulPaul's age.

And here is her dad on ONE of his tractors.

My Dear Sweet Hubby has spent all of his free time over the last month working on a old 1960ish Ford Tractor. ALL OF HIS FREE TIME! This is what it looked like, not to mention it would not start.

Well, all of his (and PaulPaul's) hard work has paid off, not only is it running but it looks good to.



My niece loved Sunflowers and for the last two years I've tried to grow them. Well this year, I bought 15 packs of every kind I could find. I planted them close to the house, hoping the deer would not get them. I finally have a few.

Hi Adele

I just went back to the beginning of your blog! I'm looking forward to meeting you. Maybe I'll get to Savannah and have some pizza before we travel to China. I hope we get to travel together. Thanks for always leaving encouring words.

So everyone else, feel free to answer these yourself!

1. First Name: Peggy
2. Where you named after anyone? Yes, she was at the time, my Uncle's Date the day I was born, and would later become my Aunt! One of my very favorite ones.
3. Who was the first person to say "See that chicken over ... I'm gonna eat the first thing that comes out of its butt?" Ok, Gross, I dont know!
4. Do you like your handwriting? No
5. What is your favorite saying? Life's not fair! At least I tell my boys that alot.
6. If you were another person would you be friends with you? Well, Yes
7. What can I do today to move toward my goals? Stop shopping, seriously, pray harder
8. Do you still have your tonsils? no
9. Would you bungee jump? Not Even For Money
10. What is your favorite color? Pink
11. Do you until your shoes when you take them off? Sometimes
12. Do you think you are Strong? It depends on what it involves, I like to think so
13. Who do you miss the most? The beautiful smile of my niece, and the daughter I have not met yet.
14. What are you listening to right now? TV show, The Closer
15. Where is the one place you would like to be right now? China, on Gotcha Day
16. The first thin you notice about a person? Their smile
17. Whats on your mouse pad? Dell - its not even a dell computer
18. What did you watch last night on TV? Army Wives
19. Wheres the furthest you've been from home? Las Vegas or the Caribbean
20. What are three pieces of advise you would your your child?
1. Treat people the way you want to be treated
2. Be honest, work hard, just do your best
3. Be true to the people you love

Secret Pal at it Again!!! You are just Awesome! Thank you So Much.

I cant wait to meet my Secret Pal!!!! Thank you so much. I love your gift as always. I love them all, but that bunny is just too cute. Thank you again.

You even got a smile out of PaulPaul with your "last in series" gift. He tried to hide the smile, but I caught it just as he turned his head. That was so thoughtful of you.

How cute is she?????

FirstI'm not a patient person and never have been. They say the wait could top 3 years for our adoption. There are times when I'm ok with it and then there are times that I'm really really not. We have discussed switching over the the SN program, but we have decided to stay in the Traditional Program. I'm trying to have a positive outlook. In three years, my car will be paid for, her room will be perfect (and well stocked) two of our nephews will be in school, Ashlee Gail will go to high school, Paul Paul will have graduated and we'll take one more cruise. That's two more Christmas's, two more summers, that is really NOT that long in a lifetime.

There was news from our Agency, which I find encouraging. For our agency's 15th year reunion, China sent 9 delegates. Basically, their official response is the same, there are not enough paper ready children. But, what they did discover, is there are still many orphanages that are not set up for international adoption, and alot of the orphanage directors do not have the time and resources to do all of the necessary paperwork for international adoption. The fee that the orphanages get have not went up since China began their program 15 years ago. I know myself along with a lot of other families would have no problem with them raising that.

I am trying to live life daily and enjoy those around me and not live only for the future. I've waited this long, what's a few more years - right?

This past Friday, I picked up my nephew (little man) to spend the night with us. He will keep you young. My DH does not read this blog (good thing), when our kids were growing up, we never did the "family bed". If we had a kid in the bed, he would go to the couch. Well little man says "Uncle Paul" so cute, he got up in between us Friday night. Guess who he snuggled up with ALL night long, his little arm around his neck and his leg on his side, it was so cute. Uncle Paul only complained once, asking me to please pull him over about 6 inches. We love having him around.

Here is little man with his Shotgun! (it is a toy, in case there is any question)

Here is my nephew Hunter with his mom!!!! How can such a cool looking kid not like me!!!!!