on a serious note...

Today my thoughts have been, well, on a serious note...

I am watching the adoption world of Vietnam fall apart right before me with no answers in sight.
I am being tested.
I am raising 3 beautiful children to have a love for Christ and others.
I am being tested.
I am listening to my husband discuss issues at his work.
I am being tested.
I am going about my daily household chores (which seems to be a never ending task these days).
I am being tested.
I am trying to help others in need.
I am being tested.
I am trying to find atleast some small way to save a few pennies.
I am being tested.
I am trying to be a great friend.
I am being tested.
I am trying to be a better listener and slower speaker.
I am being tested.
I am keeping my focus on my own paper not others.
I am being tested.
I am daily striving to be a crown to my husband and godly mother.
I am being tested.
I am wondering when our house will sell.
I am being tested.
I am constantly striving for a gentle and quiet spirit in this crazy world.
And yes, once more, I am being tested.
And the list goes on and on...

Sometimes you need to step back and examine yourself. To check and see how you react and respond to everything. Because it does make a difference. I will pass some tests and unfortunately fail others. Some are over immediately and some take years. I want to seek God with every detail. I want to be aware of His presence and power. I want to have a faith that stands up to every test. That can be tough, you know.

big boys

my boys are getting big...

Braxton has decided that he now must sleep without a shirt on so he can be just like Daddy! I can already picture him as a sweaty, stinky boy. I am not ready for that and it's approaching fast!

Barron is now 10 months old. The first birthday - just around the corner! I am not ready for that either.

Whoa, horsie! I'd like to slow time down just a little:)

legal

It seems as if Barron is often involved in activities that may or may not be legal (depending on who you are and what you believe). Below are just a few of these questionable activities...
Proceed at your own risk!



Not many people I know give their babies suckers?


Or ride with too many kiddos on a golf cart?

Who gives their 9 month old oreos at the beach?

This one I know isn't legal...

This one either, but, you would have to know the circumstances (8 hours in the car)!!

Ok, popsicles aren't too bad, right?

I have to say I think it's funny how much The Bear gets away with. I must say he shouldn't plan on it being this easy the rest of his life:) I guess he experiences the benefits of being #3.

totes

A sweet friend of mine,Rebecca, has offered to donate a % of sales from her SUPER FUN TOTES to our adoption cause. I am so very excited about this! She makes totes out of old tees. You can send her your favorite one or she even has some cool ones already made.

She sells her stuff thru etsy an online store that only carries handmade stuff. You can view the stuff there at Taider's Shop and place your order or you can contact her through an email moose1980@hotmail.com if you don't want to create an etsy account.


I know ya'll want a tote of your own, or to give as a gift, or atleast please just pass the word to friends!


Thanks for helping us with our adoption. We can't wait to one day meet the baby girl that God has in store for us.

look out

Look out David Beckham!!

Joey was so pumped this week about signing the kids up for soccer that we headed to Dick's to get Braxton his first set of cleats, shin guards, and long soccer socks! After donning all the gear thru dinner at McDougal's Friday nite- we came home for our first quick lesson. The boys had a blast.

I am no soccer expert but, I think this kid's got skillz! Even with a broken collarbone he was a mover and a shaker. I can't wait to see him (and Sissy Bear) on the field doing their thing.

I couldn't resist this pic- Brax was so proud after playing with his daddy:)

Who are these people?

Have you turned around to see this?

Or have you ever gone looking for your kids and found this?

Or maybe even this?

Who are these people?

Never do I find my children dressed in the outfits I put on them in the morning. I may be summonded by a Batman and Spiderman, a Mr Incredible and a Princess, 2 crazies only sporting their underwear, or yes even 2 Ballerinas. (Briley has been known to convince her brother to put on a girly get-up.)

I never know who I might find when I turn around these days.

good news

The Joint Council on International Children Services (JCICS) announced today that a letter regarding continuing adoptions in Vietnam with improved ethical practices (and many more details) was sent to Sec. of State Rice with 149 signatures from the US Congress and Senate. It encouraged the US to sign an interim agreement with Vietnam so that adoption can continue and no child will remain in an institution or homeless. Great news!

I was thinking as I read this that it sure would be nice if my father-in-law was already in Congress and could an ambassador for our cause!

Thanks to those who made the phone calls to our TN Congresswoman and Senators!

attached is the link explaining everything in much better detail ...

http://www.jcics.org/Vietnam.htm

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy...Psalm 82:3-4

It takes money...

I wonder why everything always has to be about the $$$$?

I am putting a shout out for some help in financing our adoption. On the left sidebar you'll see a map of Vietnam. Please take a moment to click on the map of Vietnam and subscribe to or renew your magazines. I know I have some buddies out there that love a good People magazine for some dirt on the stars, or fun decorating ideas or cooking tips, or a guy who like sports, hunting, whatever!! Come on...pick out a good mag. Remember every little bit helps when it comes to saving the life of a child. We would appreciate it so much. We also hope to sell some t-shirts here soon. I'm really excited about those:)

Thanks friends!

update 7/7/08 having some issues with clicking on my map to link to the site??? sometimes it works, sometimes not??? it says runtime error ???any suggestions???
the site is www.magfundraising.com/adoptingvietnam

3 feet = broken

what an adventurous holiday weekend we have had...

the biggest event... Braxton fell off our bed early early on the 4th of July. He had come downstairs to snuggle, dozed off, then rolled right off into the floor. He fell only 3 feet but landed just right. I made it 6 1/2 years as a mommy with no broken kid bones. Braxton broke that trend, literally, when he snapped his collarbone in half. That guy is one tough cookie! Here he is showing off his sling. The doc says there isn't much to do for this injury, so we just make do as we can. A few of us hit the campaign trail and a good fireworks show in Papa's district @ the Spring Hill Supertarget! Missing in action are several other attendees!
I love love love a good firework show! My big kiddos love it too!
We've had a wonderful holiday weekend with a bday party, Dickson cousins, an ER trip, fireworks, WALL-E movie, and a campaign catfish fry that didn't really exist.

My thoughts lately have been about covering my children in prayer...pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children..Lamentations 2:19 Leave nothing to chance. Life happens, accidents happen. Keep an open line with God.

tick, tick, tick...

let the countdown begin... our adoption paperwork should now be in Memphis waiting for the powers that be to review them and then send us a much needed piece of paper stating we are approved to adopt an international orphan. How long is this process you ask? Anywhere from 8-10 weeks. Sooooo, by the first week of September we should have our approval and be ready to then get into the next line (the line to get your child placement). That is also close to the time that the US/Vietnam agreement expires. We are praying that in September we will know whether the door to adopt from Vietnam is still open, or if the Lord has other plans for us. We are open to whatever country God leads us, but don't get me wrong- I'm still holding out hope for Vietnam. There are so many needy children, so many orphans all over the world and I know the Lord has chosen for us a precious baby girl. I just have absolutely no idea where she will come from.