I'm holding on to these words today.
"My plan for your life is unfolding before you. Sometimes the road you are traveling seems blocked, or it opens up so painfully slowly that you must hold yourself back. Then, when time is right, the way before you suddenly clears-thought no effort of your own. What you have longed for and worked for I present to you freely, as pure gift. You feel awed by the ease with which I operate in the world, and you glimpse My Power and My Glory.
Do not fear your weakness, for it is the state on which My Power and Glory perform most brilliantly. As you persevere along the path I have prepared for you, depending on My strength to sustain you, expect to see miracles- and you will. Miracles are not always visible to the naked eye, but those who live by faith can see them clearly. Living by faith, rather than sight, enables you to see My Glory."
From a devotional... from my friend Kerri.
:)
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Help is on it's way!
I made my first "business" purchase! God has been blessing my Etsy Shop and my hands are in knots from cutting out letters!!!! I decided today to take some of my shop $ and invest in this beauty!!!!
The Cricut Expression! I know, most of you probably already have this beast, but I just never thought it would be worth the $$, until now.
I can now have the Cricut cut all my letters for my shirts, onesies, etc.... It will save me SO much time and give my throbbing hands a rest!!! YIPPEE!!
I got a great deal on it at Amazon, so I can't wait till it gets here. Lets just hope it's as easy to use as they say!
I had to purchase the font cartridges seperately (of course).... So I got two. The "Makin' The Grade" one,
And the "Cuttin' Up" one. Both have cute letters and a few extras...so this should get me started!
YIPPEEE!
The Cricut Expression! I know, most of you probably already have this beast, but I just never thought it would be worth the $$, until now.
I can now have the Cricut cut all my letters for my shirts, onesies, etc.... It will save me SO much time and give my throbbing hands a rest!!! YIPPEE!!
I got a great deal on it at Amazon, so I can't wait till it gets here. Lets just hope it's as easy to use as they say!
I had to purchase the font cartridges seperately (of course).... So I got two. The "Makin' The Grade" one,
And the "Cuttin' Up" one. Both have cute letters and a few extras...so this should get me started!
YIPPEEE!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Easter Weekend 2011
I don't think any of us ever thought we would've spent Easter keeping a bedside visual over my Grandmother! Last week my 84 yr old precious Grandma (who we call Bobbie) had a pretty severe stroke. She was admitted to Baptist Hospital on Tuesday. By Friday she had pneumonia and was on a breathing machine in ICU. Things change so fast!
My Mom and sister (with her family) decided they needed to drive up from San Antonio to see Bobbie. They got here Friday evening and stayed until this morning.
Bobbie really responded to them being there. It was great to see Bobbie make some effort to open her eyes! Her pneumonia is being treated with antibiotics and they are doing the best they can. I just pray for her.
I'm exhausted. I know I should write a long story about what Jesus's resurrection means to me, but for now I'm going to just keep that in my heart and save it for a better time. Judge if you may. ;)
Grandpa (aka Doddie ) and me in the waiting room! Lots of time spent there this weekend.
Cousin love. Izzy was so excited to see her cousin Laynie!
The false teeth hut. I crack up every time I see this. Bobbie's teeth are safe in here while she's in ICU!
Me and Bobbie.
My sister, Angie, and Bobbie.
My Mom and sister (with her family) decided they needed to drive up from San Antonio to see Bobbie. They got here Friday evening and stayed until this morning.
Bobbie really responded to them being there. It was great to see Bobbie make some effort to open her eyes! Her pneumonia is being treated with antibiotics and they are doing the best they can. I just pray for her.
I'm exhausted. I know I should write a long story about what Jesus's resurrection means to me, but for now I'm going to just keep that in my heart and save it for a better time. Judge if you may. ;)
Grandpa (aka Doddie ) and me in the waiting room! Lots of time spent there this weekend.
Cousin love. Izzy was so excited to see her cousin Laynie!
The false teeth hut. I crack up every time I see this. Bobbie's teeth are safe in here while she's in ICU!
Me and Bobbie.
My sister, Angie, and Bobbie.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Favorite Things
Just thought I would toss in a random post!
My favorite things (a few anyway).
First... my Sanuk's. You rock. my. world. Thank you for being the most comfortable shoe I own!
My love for anything vintage or unique is very strong! I give credit to my hoarding Grandpa who has spent his life at auctions, sales, dumps, etc.... Something about vintage items that you can bring back to life with funky paint colors and awesome fabric really makes me SMILE! Probably my MOST favorite things of all!
Who needs Robeez when you have "Wildcubs" on Etsy?! SUPER cute and handmade! Lyla will have a few pair for sure!
LOVE this Etsy shop and all her cute prints!! The Wheat Field...I will be ordering from you for my nursery!
This diaper bag from Petunia Pickle Bottom makes me giddy! At $349, giddy is all it's going to make me! DANG PPB!
Color of the year (according to House of Turquoise)...LOVE IT!
Drool.... this vintage suitcase made into a foot stool or table... SO CUTE! (Design Sponge)
I have wanted this rug from Ballard Designs for a long time. One day...
I can't get enough of these Ball jar lights! I see them on a lot of design blogs. This pic is from Etsy.
This "barn light" is delicious! I want want for my laundry room. I saw a few on Etsy and a bunch on Ebay. Now if I can only find one at a thrift store for cheaper!
I'm still in love with my IKEA Ung Dril frame! I only have one, but look at what 4 can do! LOVE
Mine still needs a coat of spray paint...still deciding on the color!
LOVE fun fonts! Love even more when they are FREE! My favorite place to get them? kevinandamanda.com/fonts of course!!
My favorite things (a few anyway).
First... my Sanuk's. You rock. my. world. Thank you for being the most comfortable shoe I own!
My love for anything vintage or unique is very strong! I give credit to my hoarding Grandpa who has spent his life at auctions, sales, dumps, etc.... Something about vintage items that you can bring back to life with funky paint colors and awesome fabric really makes me SMILE! Probably my MOST favorite things of all!
Who needs Robeez when you have "Wildcubs" on Etsy?! SUPER cute and handmade! Lyla will have a few pair for sure!
LOVE this Etsy shop and all her cute prints!! The Wheat Field...I will be ordering from you for my nursery!
This diaper bag from Petunia Pickle Bottom makes me giddy! At $349, giddy is all it's going to make me! DANG PPB!
Color of the year (according to House of Turquoise)...LOVE IT!
Drool.... this vintage suitcase made into a foot stool or table... SO CUTE! (Design Sponge)I have wanted this rug from Ballard Designs for a long time. One day...
I can't get enough of these Ball jar lights! I see them on a lot of design blogs. This pic is from Etsy.
This "barn light" is delicious! I want want for my laundry room. I saw a few on Etsy and a bunch on Ebay. Now if I can only find one at a thrift store for cheaper!
I'm still in love with my IKEA Ung Dril frame! I only have one, but look at what 4 can do! LOVE
Mine still needs a coat of spray paint...still deciding on the color!
LOVE fun fonts! Love even more when they are FREE! My favorite place to get them? kevinandamanda.com/fonts of course!!Tuesday, April 19, 2011
To our first 5 Years of Forever After
5 years ago today I married the man of my dreams. No, really, he's the man of my dreams for real! They do exist, the men that help with kids, help with housework, help with yard work, watch sappy movies, watch soap operas on their lunch break....those men DO exist. Well, at least I know for sure there is ONE in this world...and I am married to him!!
Clint and I have sure been through a lot. Nothing comes easy in a "blended" family. It takes LOADS of patients, time, the ability to forgive, to move on, to grow. I wont lie, those first 2 years (if not 3) were hard. When we were dating we attended a "Blended Families" class through Life Church. That was what saved our relationship! Scary thing is...they said it would take at least 7 years for us to really get settled in as a family. At that time we weren't even engaged..so my 25 year old self was thinking, "7 years to get settled in"...what in the WORLD am I doing!?
God knew exactly what I was doing. He was there for us and really guided us through all the craziness! We could not have done it without Him.
Today we still have our crazy moments, even though they are few and far between. We know more about each other now and learn more every day. We love each other despite our differences and we work hard to accept things we cannot change in one another.
I am so happy that I have spent the last 5 years of my life with Clint and I can't imagine my life without him or Laynie & Blake. I look forward to what this next year brings....
Happy Anniversary honey! To many, many, many more years of being happy together!!
I love you!
April 19th, 2006
Jamaica
Clint and I have sure been through a lot. Nothing comes easy in a "blended" family. It takes LOADS of patients, time, the ability to forgive, to move on, to grow. I wont lie, those first 2 years (if not 3) were hard. When we were dating we attended a "Blended Families" class through Life Church. That was what saved our relationship! Scary thing is...they said it would take at least 7 years for us to really get settled in as a family. At that time we weren't even engaged..so my 25 year old self was thinking, "7 years to get settled in"...what in the WORLD am I doing!?
God knew exactly what I was doing. He was there for us and really guided us through all the craziness! We could not have done it without Him.
Today we still have our crazy moments, even though they are few and far between. We know more about each other now and learn more every day. We love each other despite our differences and we work hard to accept things we cannot change in one another.
I am so happy that I have spent the last 5 years of my life with Clint and I can't imagine my life without him or Laynie & Blake. I look forward to what this next year brings....
Happy Anniversary honey! To many, many, many more years of being happy together!!
I love you!
April 19th, 2006Jamaica
Adoption Dinner and Auction
Our "Hearts for Adoption" dinner and silent auction was a SMASHING success!!! God poured out his blessings on us. We had a terrific turnout! It was great to see everyone there and have our little Ethiopia support group there too!!! :)
We were blown away at the support we were shown by everyone. The tally at the end was over $4,000! We were all saying that if we came out of this with even $500 per couple that we would just be amazed, so to have raised over $1400 per couple just goes to show you what happens when God is in control!!!!!! YAY God!
Here's a pic of everyone...
Lydia, Laynie and my sweet nephew Brooks!
Eli could not be cuter! He was playing the drum and when he saw me with my camera he really got into it!!
Some of our Life Group family! They are priceless to us!
Sweet Laynie always so willing to help! She is such a blessing to me! I couldn't ask for a better step-daughter!
We are so thankful to everyone who came to support us three couples! What a wonderful testament to God's love!
We were blown away at the support we were shown by everyone. The tally at the end was over $4,000! We were all saying that if we came out of this with even $500 per couple that we would just be amazed, so to have raised over $1400 per couple just goes to show you what happens when God is in control!!!!!! YAY God!
Here's a pic of everyone...
Lydia, Laynie and my sweet nephew Brooks!
Eli could not be cuter! He was playing the drum and when he saw me with my camera he really got into it!!
Some of our Life Group family! They are priceless to us!
Sweet Laynie always so willing to help! She is such a blessing to me! I couldn't ask for a better step-daughter!
We are so thankful to everyone who came to support us three couples! What a wonderful testament to God's love!
WAIT LIST!!!!!
I have lots to post from the weekend and today (my anniversary!) but for now I'm too excited to post about those..... I want to post about yesterday, April 18th, 2011. That's our official wait list day!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, you read that right....we are on the WAIT LIST as of yesterday!
We are wait list pregnant!! Woot Woot!
So every month on the 18th, I can now say, "we've been on the wait list for .... months"!
SO EXCITED! What a wonderful anniversary present!!
We are wait list pregnant!! Woot Woot!
So every month on the 18th, I can now say, "we've been on the wait list for .... months"!SO EXCITED! What a wonderful anniversary present!!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
They call me "Mommy"
Penny went for her first puppy cut on Tuesday. I have never had a dog that required any type of "spa" treatments, so this was a first for me.
I decided to try "Max & Elsies Pet Spa" here in Edmond because it's right down the street from my office. What's funny about Max & Elsies is that it's a doggy daycare/pet spa. For some reason that makes me giggle! Doggy day care! ha.
So when I went in on Tuesday to drop Penny off, I was greeted by a very nice Scentsy smell...some cute decor and the lady behind the desk that was VERY bubbly for 8am!
She saw Penny and said, "Oh, this must be Penny!" "Mommy, what a pretty puppy you have". At first I had a flashback of being 5 when I referred to myself as "mommy" to my pets, my stuffed animals, my Barbies, etc....
but then.... I totally just went with it. Actually, I enjoyed every minute of it! She called me "Mama, Mommy, Mom," about 100 times and I. LOVED. It!
I was cracking up at myself by the time I left. Some would be embarrassed by the lady who was overly excited to call you "mommy" to your little dog...but NOT me! Nope. I just enjoyed it!
Imagine what it's going to be like when I'm a Mommy to a sweet baby!!! Watch out! lol
Here's Penny after she got her "summer cut" at the groomers! So cute.
In other news...I had to take a trip down to the Secretary of State's office today on my lunch break.
We have 3 forms that are left to be authenticated and I was determined to get them done today and overnighted to Gladney! I can't STAND when it's ME that's holding things up!!!!
So I made the trip downtown and spent the 20 min trying to find a parking spot.... and almost resorted to promoting myself to "Senate Member" for a premium spot, but settled for the 2 mile hike from "visitors" parking. ugh.
So the guy takes my paperwork and looks up the notary and begins to tell me how this notary isn't bonded in the state of Oklahoma. She has to be bonded.
So he said that it's not a "legal" notary.
WHAT?!
FRAUD!
FIBBER!
FAKE NOTARY STAMPER GIRL!
So, that was a great wasted trip.
Going to try it again tomorrow, with a real notary! Hopefully!
I decided to try "Max & Elsies Pet Spa" here in Edmond because it's right down the street from my office. What's funny about Max & Elsies is that it's a doggy daycare/pet spa. For some reason that makes me giggle! Doggy day care! ha.
So when I went in on Tuesday to drop Penny off, I was greeted by a very nice Scentsy smell...some cute decor and the lady behind the desk that was VERY bubbly for 8am!
She saw Penny and said, "Oh, this must be Penny!" "Mommy, what a pretty puppy you have". At first I had a flashback of being 5 when I referred to myself as "mommy" to my pets, my stuffed animals, my Barbies, etc....
but then.... I totally just went with it. Actually, I enjoyed every minute of it! She called me "Mama, Mommy, Mom," about 100 times and I. LOVED. It!
I was cracking up at myself by the time I left. Some would be embarrassed by the lady who was overly excited to call you "mommy" to your little dog...but NOT me! Nope. I just enjoyed it!
Imagine what it's going to be like when I'm a Mommy to a sweet baby!!! Watch out! lol
Here's Penny after she got her "summer cut" at the groomers! So cute.
In other news...I had to take a trip down to the Secretary of State's office today on my lunch break.
We have 3 forms that are left to be authenticated and I was determined to get them done today and overnighted to Gladney! I can't STAND when it's ME that's holding things up!!!!So I made the trip downtown and spent the 20 min trying to find a parking spot.... and almost resorted to promoting myself to "Senate Member" for a premium spot, but settled for the 2 mile hike from "visitors" parking. ugh.
So the guy takes my paperwork and looks up the notary and begins to tell me how this notary isn't bonded in the state of Oklahoma. She has to be bonded.
So he said that it's not a "legal" notary.
WHAT?!
FRAUD!
FIBBER!
FAKE NOTARY STAMPER GIRL!
So, that was a great wasted trip.
Going to try it again tomorrow, with a real notary! Hopefully!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Garage Sale Saturday & Mailbox Stalking pays off!!
WOW! What a whirlwind weekend! We had our big fundraiser garage sale on Saturday! It was big and really great! Thanks to my boss, I took Friday off to prepare. This is the craziness on Friday.....
So I worked on it all day Friday and then got up at 6:15 Saturday morning. There were people already pulling up at 6:30!! Not. even. kidding!
You could tell they were the professional garage sale type. They would slow down, throw it in park, jump out, run through like a tornado and then back in their cars and quickly peel out. I think Clint was able to slow one guy down and asked him what he was looking for. He said, "jewelry". I'm thinking....ok, I've got a "Troy" watch from High School Musical in there for a $1 you can have! HA. That was Laynie's old watch of course!!
We had a great turnout and didn't close up until 3:00! We made $1448.83! Woot wooot! We have some stuff left over, but for the most part..everything is GONE! :)
I had some AMAZING help on Friday and Saturday! My sweet friends from our Life Group helped bake cookies and muffins for our bake sale. My wonderful friend, and next door neighbor, Kerri helped me organize and set up on Friday and then came and worked the WHOLE day on Saturday! Her little kiddos helped too! I couldn't have done it without them! My hubby was gone at a baseball tournament, so it would've been just me!! So I was super grateful to have my wonderful friends to help! I am blessed!
Here's little Caroline trying out the picnic basket! She's so dang cute! Not for sale though! ;)
In other wonderful news, my mailbox stalking has paid off!!! On Saturday we received our CIS approval letter!!!!! I was SUPER excited.
Yesterday I got all the dossier paperwork out and starting checking stuff off the list! It feels so good to be able to get this done! This paperwork phase has been a little nerve racking!
It was a super fabulous weekend and I am excited to get the dossier out this week. Also, looking forward to our dinner and silent auction this Saturday. Busy, busy!!
So I worked on it all day Friday and then got up at 6:15 Saturday morning. There were people already pulling up at 6:30!! Not. even. kidding!You could tell they were the professional garage sale type. They would slow down, throw it in park, jump out, run through like a tornado and then back in their cars and quickly peel out. I think Clint was able to slow one guy down and asked him what he was looking for. He said, "jewelry". I'm thinking....ok, I've got a "Troy" watch from High School Musical in there for a $1 you can have! HA. That was Laynie's old watch of course!!
We had a great turnout and didn't close up until 3:00! We made $1448.83! Woot wooot! We have some stuff left over, but for the most part..everything is GONE! :)
I had some AMAZING help on Friday and Saturday! My sweet friends from our Life Group helped bake cookies and muffins for our bake sale. My wonderful friend, and next door neighbor, Kerri helped me organize and set up on Friday and then came and worked the WHOLE day on Saturday! Her little kiddos helped too! I couldn't have done it without them! My hubby was gone at a baseball tournament, so it would've been just me!! So I was super grateful to have my wonderful friends to help! I am blessed!
Here's little Caroline trying out the picnic basket! She's so dang cute! Not for sale though! ;)In other wonderful news, my mailbox stalking has paid off!!! On Saturday we received our CIS approval letter!!!!! I was SUPER excited.
Yesterday I got all the dossier paperwork out and starting checking stuff off the list! It feels so good to be able to get this done! This paperwork phase has been a little nerve racking!
It was a super fabulous weekend and I am excited to get the dossier out this week. Also, looking forward to our dinner and silent auction this Saturday. Busy, busy!!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
One more thing...
Just one more thing about my last post... Funky funk funk! I'm not a writer. Actually in school I think I was still misspelling stuff way into high school..and beyond. So that lead me to dislike writing, well.. for anyone other then myself at least!
Now here I am, trying to use this blog to keep everyone informed about our adoption, trying to express my feelings so that I will never forget this time, and at the same time trying to keep people interested in reading my blog.
HOLY COW that's a lot! :)
I do wish I could blog and write like my friend Jennifer, but I am just accepting that it's not my gift. I try to say things that are on my mind and that are meaningful to me.
Today is just a bad day.
Tomorrow will be better.
I'll post a more uplifting one tomorrow.
i hope.
Now here I am, trying to use this blog to keep everyone informed about our adoption, trying to express my feelings so that I will never forget this time, and at the same time trying to keep people interested in reading my blog.
HOLY COW that's a lot! :)
I do wish I could blog and write like my friend Jennifer, but I am just accepting that it's not my gift. I try to say things that are on my mind and that are meaningful to me.
Today is just a bad day.
Tomorrow will be better.
I'll post a more uplifting one tomorrow.
i hope.
Funky Funk Funk!
So in light of the most recent post on the adoption.state.gov website, I have ordered these two books from Amazon.
If you have a minute, listen to the "Sun Stand Still" msg from my church, Life Church.tv. HERE
It's a wonderful message about praying for the things you feel are impossible for God.
I feel like right now this news about Ethiopia and adoptions is my Sun Stand Still moment. My "impossible" prayer.
In fact, I feel like being a Mom is my "Sun Stand Still" prayer, because right now that is what feels like my impossible prayer.
Crazy, right?
Crazy that babies are born every day...here and all around the world...with no family to love and care for them, no home to call their own, etc....
and yet, here we are just waiting...wondering....praying that we will soon be Mommy and Daddy to a sweet baby.
Today i'm in a funk. Maybe it's this new announcement, maybe it's that i'm PMS'ing (booooo), maybe i'm just tired and this week has got me run down. Whatever it is..it stinks!
I've said many prayers this morning. Praying for understanding, strength, hope, wisdom, courage, and praying my "Sun Stand Still" prayer to be a Mom.
If you have a minute, listen to the "Sun Stand Still" msg from my church, Life Church.tv. HEREIt's a wonderful message about praying for the things you feel are impossible for God.
I feel like right now this news about Ethiopia and adoptions is my Sun Stand Still moment. My "impossible" prayer.
In fact, I feel like being a Mom is my "Sun Stand Still" prayer, because right now that is what feels like my impossible prayer.
Crazy, right?
Crazy that babies are born every day...here and all around the world...with no family to love and care for them, no home to call their own, etc....
and yet, here we are just waiting...wondering....praying that we will soon be Mommy and Daddy to a sweet baby.
Today i'm in a funk. Maybe it's this new announcement, maybe it's that i'm PMS'ing (booooo), maybe i'm just tired and this week has got me run down. Whatever it is..it stinks!
I've said many prayers this morning. Praying for understanding, strength, hope, wisdom, courage, and praying my "Sun Stand Still" prayer to be a Mom.
Monday, April 4, 2011
New Etsy Items
This past weekend (actually Thursday-Sunday) I achieved a pretty decent trifecta. My boss, husband and step-kids were all gone! Yip, that's right...it was just little'ol me (and Penny too!). I was sad to have my sweet hubby gone, but I used my time wisely! I worked on some Etsy store items and did some thrift store shopping with Jennifer...
I finally made a birthday hat. I will do a boy one soon...but for now....just the girly one.
I also finally got around to doing some bibs. Something so simple, but I have put it off for a long time! I think they are pretty cute!
And I did a sweet birthday girl shirt. I had already done a birthday boy one, but now I have both! This one was for my sweet friend Shalayn's little birthday girl!
So all-in-all it was a productive 4 days. The weather was wonderful and my house was clean for a whole 4 days straight...it was nice.
Now back to reality and getting ready for our BIG garage sale this weekend!!!
If you live close, come by!! It's Saturday from 7am-1pm (roughly). We are having a bake sale too!
If you need my address, just comment me!
On the adoption front:
We sent in the paperwork that USCIS needed in order to process our I600A. I am praying that it's what they need to approve us! Back to mailbox stalking!
I finally made a birthday hat. I will do a boy one soon...but for now....just the girly one.
I also finally got around to doing some bibs. Something so simple, but I have put it off for a long time! I think they are pretty cute!
And I did a sweet birthday girl shirt. I had already done a birthday boy one, but now I have both! This one was for my sweet friend Shalayn's little birthday girl!
So all-in-all it was a productive 4 days. The weather was wonderful and my house was clean for a whole 4 days straight...it was nice.
Now back to reality and getting ready for our BIG garage sale this weekend!!!
If you live close, come by!! It's Saturday from 7am-1pm (roughly). We are having a bake sale too!
If you need my address, just comment me!
On the adoption front:
We sent in the paperwork that USCIS needed in order to process our I600A. I am praying that it's what they need to approve us! Back to mailbox stalking!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)