SKUNKED

In the past week some crazy stuff has happened. All small things but..... tax Return issues (can't get into it), electricity gone out, blow dry hair at school :), cable box blew up, problems with old electrical system in the house, fire hazards, flood in the garage due to washing machine breaking, some family junk, some adoption paper work junk, 6 babies in the church nursery yesterday with only 2 workers, tons of crying and stress and then the kicker......both of my big girls escaped this morning at 6:00 am (construction gate problems, again). I haven't cried this hard since my Dad's suicide. Molly and I were both crying our eyes out. I usually try not to lose it in front of her but I couldn't help myself. Seriously, thought they were gone this time. Bob and I were both driving around like crazy trying to find them. About an hour later Bob (the HERO, thank you Baby) found my babies and they had been sprayed by a skunk. So happy that they were alive but no hugs if you know what I mean! I took the day off work because I wasn't sure if we would find them in time to make it. Also, went to the Dr. and my wrist is sprained. Don't even know when that happened???? About 90% of all of these problems are due to the construction on our house so I'll be glad when it's over. It's probably better that Timmy has not arrived just yet because our house has turned into a disaster zone. The big stuff should be done in a month or so. By the grace of God (and this is no joke) I'm still happy and looking up! Here it to a better week starting NOW :)

Wigging Out!

Cousin Meghan took care of Molly yesterday. She bought her a Rapunzel hair piece and make up set. Then they went to Cousin Shannon's house for some real fun. Shannon loaned Molly this beautiful wig. Now Molly says she has hair growing all down her body just like Rapunzel's. Cousin Maureen flew in yesterday for a family party tonight. YEAH! Here is a picture of mini Rapunzel with Mo. My cousins love Molly so much! I say it all the time but I'm so thankful that she is such a loved little girl. I adore the Molly Fan Club. Thanks again girls!

Show Hope

I've been a little overwhelmed waiting on Timmy and the whole adoption process in general. It's stressful in a way that is difficult to put into words. All the sudden I've fallen in love with this little person who I've never even met and he's thousands of miles away. I guess this is part of the "adoption miracle" that others talk about.

Suddenly, I feel somewhat alone in all of this......like if I talk about it people are going to think I'm weird. So, I've been reading a ton and found something that has been very helpful in bringing peace. This is out of a devotional from Show Hope.

Our adoption by God cost us nothing. However, it did cost God something; it cost HIM HIS SON. The high fees and cost of adoption today are indefensible, but they are not inconceivable. Adoption is costly. Whether in the realm of finances, emotions, time, relationships or effort, adoption will cost. But think of what it cost God, and yet HE was willing to undergo that cost. And not simply to undergo it, but to undergo it with joy. What kind of upside down world is this? What pain and loss God must have experienced, and yet HE delighted in bringing us into HIS family. In our world of risk-averse, safety -first, immediate gratification, we often lose sight of the truth that some endeavors are worth the cost.

The adoption journey is not easy, but every hour of toil, every obstacle encountered, every tear shed, every sleepless night-all are but a shadow of the price that God paid for us. Jesus came to be a ransom from many, and if God was willing to pay that ransom for us, how much more will HE be willing to lead us in ransoming HIS beloved children from their state as orphans? And it is HIS love that compels us onward in obedience, whatever the cost, for HE who calls us faithful. Our God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, who is rich in mercy and grace, who generously provides for all that we need, this God knows the cost we will incur, and promises to be with us and for us every step of the way. This is about faith in action. This is an invitation to experience God in ways we have never experienced him before. In Matthew, Jesus says, Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. God's heart is invested in adoption. Let us view the costs, both seen and unforeseen, as an invitation for us to invest our resources, and therefore our hearts into the things of God.

A Smile

I'm posting these pictures today because they make me laugh. Miss M's real personality is showing here and she is really too much fun. I can't get into to details but we have some stress going on with our extended family and adoption paper work. The construction on the house isn't too bad but causes just enough stress to really stress me out! On the outside I look pretty calm but today I've got some anxiety. Waiting and more waiting.....on lots of STUFF!

Love,
Me

Heart Breaker

After watching Timmy's video I felt the need to buy him some clothes. Here is a picture of his first shirt from Mommy and one of Molly loving some Coke. My parents took a picture of me just like this at the same age :)

Ballet

Once a month Molly's dance teacher lets us peek through the mini blinds. It was tutu night.

Timmy's Video

We received the video of Timmy yesterday. I thought watching it would make me cry but I was too excited about him walking. TIMMY CAN WALK!!!! In the last video update his legs looked very floppy due to lack of oxygen, pre-surgery. My sister Katy (Occupational Therapist) thought he might need therapy to learn to walk. NOPE! He's running around like a champ. My favorite part of the video is when he is carrying around our pictures. The foster mom is saying in the back ground, here is your mom and dad. Your wondering how I all the sudden understand Korean??? Before class started today I had one of my precious Korean kiddos translate for me. Thank you Alisha! The video also came with a list of developmental milestones and he has hit all but three of them. He can say 8 words, climb stairs with assistance, hold a cup with two hands, and the list goes on.

Valentines Day!

Molly, Mom and I went to see Gnomeo and Juliet on Valentines Day. Molly liked it. It wasn't as bad as Yogi Bear and not as great as Tangled. Wait for the rental :) Then we went to Braum's (of course) for a chocolate yogurt cone. Molly's order, brown ice cream please mom. Molly's school had a little party and she loved opening all of her cards. I'm so thankful that she loves her new school and teachers.

Construction Update

Here is what the house looked like last night. It's difficult to get a good picture because the whole yard is full of mud and tools. The sunroom wall is coming down today and the roof is coming off the whole house.

Valentine Eli

YEEEE HAW!

I recieved the following email from the Korea program manger. I can't wait until tomorrow!!!! So excited. I'll update everyone after I see the video.

Hi Amy,

I wanted to let you know that I am Fed Exing a DVD and developmental checklist that we received from SWS today. Doyoung is looking great and he is just tooooo cute! You're going to love the video.

Fed Ex should deliver it sometime tomorrow by 3:00 and will leave the package if no one is home.

Valentines Day

Valentine Juliette! Our friends Gabriel and Julie live in Beijing and sent a picture of their little Valentine, Juliette. She is A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!!!! We got to meet Juliette at Christmas and can't wait to see her again in May.

Valentine Grammy! For each holiday Grammy (Bob's mommy) makes Molly a fun holiday treat. This year Molly's Valentines treat bag had all of her favorites; gold fish, sour patch kids, an I SPY book, gummy bears, a princess card, and $5!!!! Molly absolutely loves these treats and Grammy always knows exactly what to get.

Mom's addition is being currently being framed. The photo was taken on my iphone so it doesn't show much. I'll try with a real camera today. Coming along!

Fashion Friday

Teaching for 14 years has caused me to go a little crazy, especially on Fridays! Today one of my students wore this precious bunny hat/mitten combo and I had to try it on. Cassie and I also send outfit pictures to Amanda (not my outfits ;) for her stay at home, mom entertainment. Here is one of Cutie Cassie from this week's collection.

The pink sticker chart is something Cassie made for me. If I make it to school on time I get a sticker. Lately I have been skidding in on 2 wheels. Now I have an incentive to get here before 7:50. That and I don't want to get in trouble! Gotta have some fun, right?

Siblings

I have these pictures in my office at home. I swear that these two are starting to look like biological siblings to me. Could it be that I'm wanting that so badly that I'm delusional? Really though I think the hair cut and the smile are the same here. Can't wait to see them together!!!!

Snow Day!

We were off of school again yesterday due to snow. I'll never complain about not working :) We made Valentines, took a three hour nap, played with the doggies, and ate dinner with the Murphy cousins at Casa Navaro. Then Meghan and Shannon came over to visit. Love my cousins!

Dental Health

February is dental health month! This week my class made self portraits, focusing mainly on teeth. I love children's artwork and I thought these turned out awesome. It's pretty funny too because the portraits actually look just like the kids, especially Issac's.

Sharing

We decided awhile ago that Molly and Timmy would share a room. 1. Our house is small 2. Neither of them have EVER slept alone. Molly has slept with me and Timmy has slept with his foster mom. If they were in different rooms I'd probably have to cut myself in half :) We all love Disney so this is how the room turned out. It's a happy place!

SNOW

We had 5 inches of SNOW this week. On Thursday before people were getting out it was beautiful. Molly and I took a nice quiet walk down the street. My neighborhood has never been so quiet. Before it melted Bob and Molly made a snowman. Back to school tomorrow, I guess.

I actually have no adoption news to post. In the back of my mind I made myself believe that our I600 approval was coming this Friday. Who knows why I created that time line. When it didn't come Friday I assured myself that it would be in the mail Saturday. Nothing. Adoption and Timmy have consumed my thoughts. I consider myself to be a fairly patient person but I'm slipping. I don't like this feeling and hope to quit creating time lines to Timmy.

Still Stuck So...

We carefully ice skated over to the Payne's house. Molly played with Grant while Brandy and I enjoyed chatting and drinking our Sonic drinks. Oh the excitement! When we got home we started to distress another piece of furniture. I know it looks crazy right now but you'll like it when I'm finished. Molly even helped paint! School is closed tomorrow too. 4 days off in a row. LOVE IT!