Halloween / Zoo Boo

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!! Connor was DUMBO for the Zoo Boo, but I didn't take him out tonight; figured he's too little yet, so I'll wait until next year to take him out. Gavin was a "Commando"?! No clue what that means, but ya know... he knows and that's all that matters! Notice the pose.. HAHA! TOO CUTE! I call Connor & Gavin "my two wonderful boys"!!!

1st sight of snow!

Our 1st snow in Michigan (and Connor's 1st sight of snow ever) and we woke up, I open the blinds on the front window.... and had Connor go over to see the snow! He was thrilled!!! This picture is just precious... you can see the fog from around his little hand on the cold window... LOVE this one! Enjoy!!

Meeting Santa

Last week, we were walking through the mall and I decided to stop to have Connor see Santa to see how he'd do.... I sat him on his lap and then sat down in front of him snapping pictures and he did reallyyy great!! Here's one picture...

Update

This just cracks me up... I giggle every time!! HAHAHAHA!!!! When Connor is done drinking his bottle, he always hands it to me. It's just hilarious to me!??!!! And he does it consistently... everywhere, anywhere. In the car, he doesn't launch it across the backseat anymore, he's holds it as far as he can to me and I reach back to take it (yes, while driving -- multitasking Mama here, seriously).. now I know it may not be safe, per say.. to do this while driving, but well... anyhow...

When I put him down in the crib for nap or bedtime, he does the same thing... he'll drink what he wants, then politely holds it out for me to take it from him, and I go, "Thank you" and he rolls over onto his tummy and goes to sleep ((usually)). If he doesn't start to doze off, I tell him, "Connor, Shhhh... it's sleepy time, not time to play.."

Also... a few of his favorite things to do: read books and sing songs on Mommy's lap! He just laughs & laughs when we sing, "The Wheel on the Bus" and "Patty Cake" and "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and the Barney song "I Love You, You Love Me"... he just nods his head yes through that one... soooo cute!!!! OHHH!! We were at Barnes & Noble recently for storytime... and they have this new section (or maybe I just realized they have it) with ALL childrens' books in Spanish, so I took Connor over there and picked out the book "Eight Little Monkeys" to muddle through it for him, with my very basic knowledge of Spanish... just tried to pronouce all the words.. it was slow going, but he LOVED it!! HAHAHAHA!!! He just laughed & laughed when I got to the part that says "No More Monkeys..." (("No Mas Monitos..."))... so nwo that's all I can remember of the Spanish version of the song/story... so I'll just break out the phrase here & there.. "NO MAS MONITOS!!" and he laughs & laughs... TOO funny!!! And I only remember certain words & tunes from the spanish kids CD I have ni the car, but he loves when I spontaneously start singing the tune and make it all up ....

Alright... that's all for now... just thought I'd share a few tid bits of life at home here with my baby Connor! He also loves to look in the mirror and smiles when I go, "Where's Mommy?" and he points and laughs.. and "Where's baby Connor?" and then tickle him... he also loves to now push the button on the elevators and turn the light switch on & off... Maybe it's me thinking about & the days getting closer & closer to my going back to work.. but I just sit and look at him, love to just kiss him and kiss him... it's so emotional as the day gets closer The great thing is that I'm comforted knowing he'll be with my Mom while I'm at work, that's the only thing that makes it better, gives me peace.

Pictures!!!

Time for a haircut

My Dad gave Connor a trim around his ears with the clippers like a week after he came home because his hair was growing over his little ears... but my Dad hasn't been skilled in cutting anything more than a buzz cut for Gavin for many years, so I took him today for his 1st haircut! It was actually quite a big day for him because 1st we had to go to the lab to get his blood drawn, which he did really really well with!! Then his haircut, which he sat like a big boy in the chair with the adorable little zoo animals smock on for the lady to cut his hair!! WOW! She was so surprised that he was willing to sit in the chair and stayed relatively still for the entire cut! I kept talking to him about the neat smock he wore, told him he's a good boy, looked in the mirror... he did so good! I was so proud of him!! :) So then we went to get a cool little pinwheel in the store since he was such a good boy for the haircut and lab draw! He loved that! We also got one for Gavin and his little friend, Sara. His haircut is so so cute! I told her to keep it finger-length on top so I could still spike it up ;) hehe! Enjoy the pictures!

Starting back to work soon :(

Today my charge nurse called to verify the date I would be starting back to work after my time off with Connor It all just hit me after I hung up with her and Connor was running around playing... I got sad and really & honestly... IT SUCKS!!! November 25th is my 1st day back to work and BLAHHHH!!! DANG!!!!! I know there's nothing I can do about it and it'll be fine... I just dread it! I do love my job, but now this job as MOMMY is much nicer and wonderful and... I've thought back on the past 9 weeks or so... and even beyond the tears, frustrations, challenges, adjustment, sleep issues, baby tantrums... that all fades away and here am sitting here in tears, thinking about how absolutely blessed I am to be Mommy to this precious precious boy and that those moments are so small in comparison to everything God has in store for the future! I picked Connor up and just hugged & kissed him... not like I'm dying or something, but it feels odd... just awful... on some level, I've thought that it'd be nice to get back to work, to feel a little bit of normalcy for myself since my life has changed so drastically frmo being single woman to single mother. But now I really realize that this is my normalcy now, being a mother. It'll be an adjustment to go back to work, for him & I both... I still pray that something different will open up as far as a different position/job because I'm so over the management where I am... and well... okay, I'm done talking about this... bottom line is that I'll GREATLY miss my Connor when I go back to work... I talked with him this morning about it... said, "Mommy has to go back to work soon and I'm sad, but while I'm at work you'll be with Abuelita and Abuelito and Tia and Primo Gavin... " He smiled and nodded Yes... said "Yeah yeah" He's my little pumpkin pie, sweet boy!!! *SIGH*

Pictures

October 29, 2007

I was watching Joyce Meyer this morning, when she said: "You can be pitiful or powerful, but not both!" Wooooo!! PRAISE GOD!!!! She spoke about the fact that we can come boldly to God... and that we need to stop listening to the things SATAN tries to tell us about ourselves, our lives, our families... and begin listening & believing what GOD has to say about it!!!!!! YES!!!

RED SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 10.29.07

SOX WON THE WORLD SERIES!! THEY SWEPT THE ROCKIES IN GAME 4!!!!!!!!!! WOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

A Connor Conversation

Connor is just a talker when he wants to be! It is toooo FUNNY!!!!!! He'll walk over to me or someone else and just stand there, looking up and start talking away in -- ya know - baby babble... just jibber-jabbering away, like he knows exactly what he's saying and says it with such conviction and intent!! If you talk right back, carry on that Connor conversation, he'll just answer back and keep going... HAHAHAHA!!!!! It's just hilarious!! And his facial expressions when he's talking... like his eyebrows go UP, eyes get BIG and he sometimes moves his feet and wiggles around like he's stinkin' giving a presentation or something, like he has this BIG IDEA and has just GOT TO tell someone about it!!!

Birthday/Welcome Home Party

Connor had his Welcome Home / Birthday Party today!! It was sooo much fun, wish you ALL could've been here. It was so nice! He had alot of fun, playing with 2 other babies that came - Myka, Renee & Erik's daughter; and Sara, Bob & Tina's daughter. They were sooo funny playing together, eating snacks, pulling each other over, laughing... :) He had a BLAST eating his cake.. 1st ever cake, I think.. no wait... his cousin, Gavin, had his birthday party a few weekends ago and he had cake there. But it was soooo funny to watch him dig right into that cake! So many great friends & family were here to help celebrate this wonderful time with us, so it was just an awesome day!!!!

Also, Mr. Connor started walking all on his own yesterday, then even more today!! WHOAAA!!! It's sooo hilarious!! He laughs & laughs... I'll add pictures! He just cracks me up!! He runs, runs, runs! You can tell he's adjusted very well, has become comfortable with moving on to bigger milestones, he's just flown through it all since he's been home! WOW!! I'm just astonished!! And when he takes off walking, he turns around, stops, stands from sitting... I'm like WHOA.. nothing like blowing me away! Of course, I'm biased, but he's just the cutest thing ever!!!!

Exactly one month ago TODAY...

... Connor was placed in my arms in Guatemala!!!!!! Praise the Lord!!!! HOW AWESOME IS THAT?? WOW!!! I'm so in love with this little bundle of joy... he loves for me to kiss/eat his piggy toes, which I always love to so it works out... he giggles & laughs! He loves for me to hold him & jump up and down... just laughs soooo hard! HAHAHAHA! He loves giving kisses and blowing kisses to Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie & Gavin.. and my Mom is fully convinced that Connor is in love with Auntie Megan! hahaha! Too funny... he just loves on her every time she's around So there are a few of Connor's moments to share... more to come...

And another exciting moment I had to share... Connor drank from a straw today!!!!! YAY, Connor!!! BIG BOY!!!! It was so funny... I just thought I'd try to see if he would.. and low & behold.. there he went... HAHAHA!!!! YAY!!!!! As I heard someone say... ((this is hilarious)) : HOLD THE FRONT DOOR! HA!

CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 segments

This CNN special investigation came on tonight at 10pm and will air again at midnight and again another time I think... wellll.... IT SUCKED!!! I cried through it all!!!! The Guatemalan police recently raided an orphanage called Casa Quiriva as they suspected illegal adoptions taking place through them and/or stealing babies from birth mothers. 46 babies were removed by the police and placed in alternate foster homes. Six of the babies have since been brought home to the US by their forever families. BUT the video they showed of the armed police... carrying the babies out, placing them in vans.. I couldn't take it!! NO BABY SHOULD BE HANDLED LIKE THAT!!!!!!!!! Alot of things on this program broke my heart!!!!

The foster home where the Casa babies were placed after the raid... the CNN reporter interviewed this foster mother ((who was , by the way, CAUCASIAN... no accent, obviously American))... and she stated to him that "these babies should be smiled at by their mothers." Thereafter, the reporter challenged her by responding that "there are many American families who are willing to do the very same." She simply stated, "Yes." It's very very SAD to me to think that she's raising these beautiful Guatemalan babies with THAT NASTY attitude toward adoptions!!! WHATEVER!!!! That sooooo ticked me off!!! I was in tears , crying sooo hard, watching that woman hold a baby girl in her arms! What ON EARTH possessed her to foster children in a developing nation such as Guatemala wherein she knows these babies are going to be placed for adoption... because their birth mothers don't often have the MEANS to raise them!! GIVE ME A BREAKKKK!!!!! I've seen hearts CHANGED through God bringing Connor home!!!!! And yet there are still so so so many to be reached for the Kingdom of God, to be drawn to Him in order for Him to save them.

As I watched this news special tonight, it saddened me... it also gave me great JOY & PRAISE!! Sad for the American families who are waiting for their babies to come home and for their babies who are waiting for them to come bring them home! JOY for the simple moments of each day with Connor.. even to think back on the frustrating moments when I've wanted to pull my hair out when he won't go down for a nap... I'm honored, humbled, thankful that God handed this child to me, enturusted this little boy to me! And so much of me cries out so so so many tears for the babies in Guatemala because in their big big brown eyes, I see Connor in them! I pray over him, watch him sleep sometimes... soak it all in and just praise GOD... how could I NOT??
I may not know what your personal opinions or knowledge on adoption are.. but understand this.... THOUSANDS of babies would likely DIE if they were not adopted or sponsored! Believe what you want to believe, just not everything you hear. God bless you all!!!! Pray!!!

Prayers for Guatemala Adoptions

This is quite lengthy, but please pray for the Guatemala AND U.S. governments, officials, legislature... as they make decisions about intercountry adoptions from Guatemala to US families. This breaks my heart to hear that it may be possibly ending soon, that 5,000 Guatemalan children who are in the process of being adopted by American families.. may ALL be transferred to government-run orphanages with little to NO medical treatment, etc... this may mean their prospective American families they've already been matched with will never bring their children home! PRAY PRAY PRAY for things to NOT be halted, but that all families in process DO bring their children home!!
=====================

Below is the revised call to action released by Joint Council. It is a call for our adoptive families (those in process, those who have completed their adoptions, and those who would like to advocate for Guatemala adoptions) to contact Congress and other bodies to get them to reconsider the short sighted and unjust intention not to grandfather cases currently in process. We support this effort and think it will be very effective in having our voice heard. Please get your families involved. Please let me know if you have any questions. Bruce

Joint Council Update
Program International Relations Initiative
Date September 28, 2007
Regarding Guatemala – A Call to Action - REVISED

Dear Colleagues,

As discussed during our conference call today, we have made a few key changes to the Guatemala 5000 initiative. Following is the revised Call to Action. Please discard the previous Call To Action and use this revised version. Please note the importance of using this revised version as a few dates have changed, sample text has been included and DOS has been removed from the list of calls (DOS is now publicly supporting the grandfathering of transition cases).
Thank you for your understanding and support of this critically important initiatve.

Guatemala 5000 – An Overview

1. September 27th - Joint Council will provide a detailed Call to Action Plan to all Member Organizations.
2. October 1st - Member Organizations will provide the Call to Action to adoptive families.
3. October 1st to 9th -Joint Council will educate members of Congress, DOS and UNICEF on the issues.a. Joint Council will submit to Congress and UNICEF letters requesting their immediate involvement in the positive resolution of this pending crisis.
4. October 9th, 10th & 11th - Adoptive families will contact via phone/fax, Congress and UNICEF requesting that each sign the letter provided by Joint Council, forward the letter to President Berger and lend their considerable weight and influence to this effort.a. Adoptive families will participate in an email petition sponsored by Joint Council
5. October 12th to December 31st - Joint Council will monitor the response of Congress and
UNICEF and issue a second Call to Action if needed.

Guatemala 5000 - Additional Joint Council Actions

1. On September 28 Joint Council will issue a letter to Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State requesting her personal and immediate involvement and to lend the full weight and influence of the U.S. government in positively resolving this pending crisis.
2. On September 28 Joint Council will issue a letter to President Berger detailing our concerns and requesting, at a minimum, the inclusion of a ‘grandfather’ clause which would allow all adoptions in process on January 1 2008 to be processed to completion under the existing notorial laws.
3. On September 28 Joint Council will issue letters to Ann Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF and Manuel Manrique, Executive Director of UNICEF Guatemala requesting, based on UNICEF’s stated support of intercountry adoption, their immediate assistance in ensuring that all adoptions be processed to completion under the existing notorial law.
4. On September 28 Joint Council will post on its website our statement and detailed Call to Action.
5. On October 1 Joint Council will initiate an email petition in support of Intercountry Adoption.
6. On October 9 Joint Council, in conjunction with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, will issue a series of letters to the 187 members of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. We are asking all members of the U.S. Congress to forward to President Berger the CCAI sponsored letter. We are also asking all members of the U.S. Congress to forward to UNICEF Executive Director Ann Veneman and UNICEF Guatemala Executive Director Manuel Manrique the Joint Council sponsored letter.
7. Joint Council will continue to advocate for a rollback of the date The Hague Convention goes into force in Guatemala.
8. Joint Council joined forces with the National Council for Adoption and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute as part of our efforts. Both have agreed to publish a joint statement and to assist in garnering the support of the U.S. Congress.

Guatemala 5000 – A Call to Action Details

Following is a detailed Call to Action which we encourage all Member Organizations to distribute to their adoptive families. Joint Council successfully utilized this strategy with the Casa Quivira families and Haiti families in effecting action and a change in policy. We remain confident that we can, at a minimum, secure a ‘grandfather’ clause in Guatemalan adoption policy.

1. Please forward the following to all adoptive families

GUATEMALA 5000

Dear Friends,

Guatemalan President Oscar Berger has announced plans to suspend all intercountry adoption with American families on January 1 2008. The Joint Council on International Children’s Services strongly opposes such a suspension and asks for your support in their efforts to ensure that all children retain the right to permanency through Intercountry Adoption.
President Berger’s plans also call for the suspension of adoptions currently in-process. Such a suspension would be extremely detrimental to the children referred to adoptive parents. If President Berger’s plan is actually implemented, up to 5,000 will unnecessarily remain in foster care or orphanages indefinitely.

This situation represents a pending crisis for the adoptive families who have lovingly chosen to provide permanency, safety and love to a child in need and most importantly a crisis for 5,000 children of Guatemala.

What can you do? Make six simple phone calls and one email.

1. Call your U.S. Senator.
· You can find your Senators’ phone numbers at http://www.senate.gov/
· Ask to speak with the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff
2. Call your second U.S. Senator.
3. Call your representative to the U.S. House of Representative.
· You can find your representative at http://www.house.gov/
· Ask to speak with the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff
4. Call or fax UNICEF Headquarter
· Ask to speak with Ann Veneman, Executive Director
· Their number is 212-326-7000
· Their fax number is 212-326-7758
5. Call or fax UNICEF Guatemala
· Ask to speak with Manuel Manrique
· Their number is 011-502-2327-6373
· Their fax number is 011-502-2327.6366

Please note that calls and faxes to Guatemala are international calls

6. Send and email supporting Intercountry Adoption to guatemala5000@jcics.org
· Write briefly or at length
· Joint Council will use the cumulative email petition in our advocacy for Intercountry Adoption
When should you call? Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (October 9th, 10th 11th)
· For maximum affect, we are asking you to make these calls within a 72 hour window!
What should you say or write to member of the U.S. Congress? Speak from your heart and give them the following information.
· Inform them that you are calling regarding Guatemala 5000
· Ask them to sign the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) sponsored letter to President Oscar Berger
· Ask them to sign the Joint Council on International Children’s Services sponsored letter to UNICEF
· Inform them that the Guatemalan government has announced that all intercountry adoptions with the U.S. will be suspended on January 1 2008.
· Inform them that President Berger’s announcement also indicated that there will be no ‘grandfathering’ of adoptions already in process.
· Inform them that if children referred to families are not allowed to be adopted, they will languish in institutions or foster care.
· Ask that their office get involved and sign the sponsored letters to the President of Guatemala and UNICEF. These letters ask that all adoptions in-process as of January 1 2008 be allowed to process to completion under the existing notorial laws.

Sample Statement

Hello,

We are calling/writing on behalf of the Guatemala 5000 Initiative. We, as your constituents, are asking that the Senator/Congressperson add their signature to two letters. First, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute sponsored letter to Guatemalan President Oscar Berger. Second, the Joint Council on International Children’s Services sponsored letter to UNICEF.

As you may be aware, the Guatemalan government has announced that all intercountry adoptions with the U.S. will be suspended on January 1 2008. Their announcement also indicated that there will be no ‘grandfathering’ of adoptions already in process. If children referred to families are not allowed to be adopted, they will languish in institutions or foster care. Your office must get involved and sign the sponsored letters to the President of Guatemala and UNICEF. These letters ask that all adoptions in-process as of January 1 2008 be allowed to process to completion under the existing notorial laws.

Sincerely,




What should you say or write to UNICEF?

Speak from your heart and give them the following information.
· Inform them that you are calling regarding the Guatemala 5000
· Ask them to support the right’s of children and lend their considerable influence to ensuring that intercountry adoptions currently in-process be allowed to process to completion under the existing notorial laws.
· Inform them that the Guatemalan government has announced that all adoptions with the U.S. will be suspended on January 1 2008.
· Inform them that President Berger’s announcement also indicated that there will be no ‘grandfathering’ of adoptions already in process.
· Inform them that if children referred to families are not allowed to be adopted, they will languish in institutions or foster care.
· Ask them again for their support of the Guatemala 5000 Initiative.

Sample Statement

Hello,

We are calling/writing on behalf of the Guatemala 5000 Initiative. As financial supporters of UNICEF (through our tax dollars), we are asking that UNICEF lends its support and considerable influence to the Guatemala 5000 initiative.

As you may be know, the Guatemalan government has announced that all intercountry adoptions with the U.S. will be suspended on January 1 2008. Their announcement also indicated that there will be no ‘grandfathering’ of adoptions already in process. If children referred to families are not allowed to be adopted, they will languish in institutions or foster care. UNICEF must get involved and help ensure that all intercountry adoptions in-process as of January 1 2008 be allowed to process to completion under the existing notorial laws.

Sincerely,



Can you explain the problem behind the pending crisis? Here is some additional information…

· Guatemalan President Oscar Berger has announced plans to effectively stop all adoptions into the United States including those children who have already been referred to adoptive parents
· Over 5,000 children have been referred
· The birthparents for these children have already relinquished their parental rights. As a result, they currently have no family and the Berger suspension will result in these children having no prospect for a permanent, safe and loving family
· The government of Guatemala currently does not have the finances or facilities to even provide housing for these 5,000 children
· The Berger plan is a crisis waiting to happen
What else can you do? In addition to your primary calls to U.S. Congress and UNICEF, you can call the following.

SOSEP (Guatemala)

· Director Teresa Echeverría de Bastarrechea
Office Phone- 011-502-2383-8400
· Assistant Director- Edin Palma- Same office phone
Office Phone- 011-502-2383-8400
· Jaime Tecu
Office Phone - 011-502-2239-0000 ext 2766
Please note that calls and faxes to Guatemala are international calls
Guatemala Ministry of Foreign Affairs
· Minister Gerth Rosenthal
Office Phone 011-502-2410-0000, 2410-0010
· Vice Minister- Marta Altoaguirre
Office Phone 011-502-2410-0020
Please note that calls and faxes to Guatemala are international calls
PGN (Guatemala)
· Carlos Victor Hugo Barrios Barahona
Office Phone 011-502-2248-3200 Ext. 207/208
Please note that calls and faxes to Guatemala are international calls
Procuraduria of Human Rights
· Dr. Sergio Morales
Office Phone 011-502-2424-1717

Please note that calls and faxes to Guatemala are international calls

Embassy of Guatemala in the U.S.
2220 R Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
Office Phone 1-202-745-4952
Office Fax 1-202-745-1908
Website: www.guatemala-embassy.org/

Best Wishes,

Tom
Thomas J DiFilipo
President+1-703-535-8045

www.jcics.org

Playdate!

Connor & I went to visit with our friends, Tina & Bob, and their daughter, Sara yesterday afternoon. They're only 3 weeks apart in age, they're too cute!! Tina took a picture of the two of them kissing, which was just hilarious & adorable... then the FUNNY part was that when Tina told Bob to watch, Connor wouldn't kiss her... hahahahahaha!!!! The boy already knows when to NOT make a move -- in front of the girl's Daddy... hahahahaha!

This is Connor & Sara kissing... TOO FUNNY!!!! We were just laughing hysterically... I'm sure that's why they kept doing it, but it was hilarious.. they would crawl toward each other, stop & kiss; or stand up at the toy table and kiss... HAHAHAHA!!! Just a precious sight... and looks like Sara's just gazing up at Connor. HA! I'm not about pre-arranged marriage, but it was just sooo funny! Who knows?! Only God knows who their future mate will be for the both of them.

Before I Was a Mom

“Before I Was A Mom…”
~ Submitted by a listener on Dr. Laura’s radio show ~
Link: http://www.drlaura.com/letters/index.html?mode=view&tile=1&id=8056

Before I was a Mom -

I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed.

I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom - I cleaned my house each day.

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom -

I had never been puked on.

Pooped on.

Spit on.

Chewed on.

Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom -

I never held down a screaming child

So that doctors could do tests.

Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom -

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much,

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom -

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth,

The joy,

The love,

The heartache,

The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

And before I was a Grandma,

I didn't know that all those "Mom" feelings more than doubled when you see that little bundle being held by 'your' baby...

And remember that behind every successful mother

Is a basket of dirty laundry.

Stood alone!!!

Monday this week, 9/24, Connor had his 1st Dr's appointment. He did really well, although Mommy completely forgot that he'd be getting his 1yr shots and well.... I felt sooo bad!!! It just never occured to me.. slipped my mind, got everything ready, no big deal, going to the doctor... YIKES!! So he did fine overall, got his TB skin test done and did well with that, then came the actual shots -- 2 in one leg, 1 in the other.. one nurse on either side. Mommy & baby cried HARD together... as if it was all my fault that he had to get shots... I cried and hugged & kissed him after it was all done and kept saying "I'm so so so sorry!!" He was actually okay even with the poke of the needles, not until they actually injected the vaccines did he SCREAMMMMM!!!

Awwwwww... poor little guy!! AND.... drumroll please..... while we were waiting for the doctor to come in, Connor let go and stood up all by himself for the first time!!!!!! We were all but throwing a PARTY in there!!!! I was sooooo excited, proud.. clapping frantically... he just giggled & smiled. Since then he's stood unassisted numerous times (when he feels like it of course hehe). YAYYYYY!!!

Also, we went to our first playgroup on Wednesday.. FUNNNN!!! It was sooo neat!! This playgroup is for internationally adopted children & families, so it was nice to meet other adoptive families and adoptees.. all the children there are under 4yrs old... Connor & Sara (my friend Tina's daughter) were the youngest at 13 & 14 months old, but the next oldest above them was a little girl who was 16 or 17 months old. It was just so neat for him to play with other children who have also come home through adoption, and also for me to meet other adoptive Moms and chat about stuff. Connor is such a social boy.. loves being around other kids, no matter who they are, playing with them.. sometimes just watching them play.

A Connor FIRST!

OH MY GOSSSHHHHHH!!!!! He took his first steps tonight at around 7:15pm!!!!! WOW!!!!!! We were just sitting there, completely quiet while he walked, mouths gaped open... HAHAHAHA... until he got to Grandma, then we just clapped frantically, laughed, jumped up & down... WOOOHOOOO!!! Go, Connor!!!!! He just laughed, smiled.. and well.. then he turned right around and kept walking to everyone, to my Mom, to me, to my Dad... and just smiling all the way!! Probably thinking "What else is there I can get my hands on now?" hahaha

It all just happened so suddenly, never expected he'd start walking so soon after standing alone on MONDAY!!! All in one week!!!! Whew!!!! So now this is the plan -- buy him some walking shoes ((Bad MaMa, no walking shoes for baby yet)), and roller skates for Mommy!!!! Yeah, I thought I was chasing him around liek crazy when he was cruising & crawling?? HA!! This will be much much more busy... hehehehe!! Oh, like I mind, geezz....

OHHHH!! Also... too funny... gross but funny... because pretty much every kid does this... he discoevred the TOILET!!! Ewwwww!!! He loves taking a bath, will crawl into the bathroom just gaze into the tub, probably dreaming of his next bath all warm with bubble to eat... but never interested in the toilet, until NOW! He was, again, checking out the bathtub at my parents' today, me watching him from the dining room... turn my head for a split second and he's gone.. so I walk in there and he's nowhere to be found ... look behind the door and there he his just peering into the toilet!!! On one hand, it just funny... but then it's like "Someone probably just peed in there or took a big ol' dump!"

Oh the many adventures of Mr. Connor....

Update

Just a quick update... Connor has now been sleeping through the night since this past weekend!! YAY!!!!!!! Almost a whole week! So I'm like PRAISE THE LORD for that!!! Otherwise, he's doing very well, better about exploring the house more and not following me everywhere, wanting to be held... he so needs a t-shirt that says "My Name is No No!" hahahahaha!!! It's no wonder kids say NO alot when they start talking, right? hahaha!! He loves playing with the daycare kids at my Mom's... loves wrestling with Gavin and any older boy that will allow him to jump all over him... haha... too funny!!!! He loves books, for me to read to him. He'll be playing with toys, then crawl over, pick up a book and start flipping through it casually.

Thanks to all of you who've sent cards since he's been home and little things that have just lifted me up when I needed it most!!! You are all a Godsend!!! God bless you all!!! *HUG* LOVE YOU!!!!!

Update

Connor's napping now, a second to post an update. He's doing well, adjusting fine, no problem. He sleeps relatively well at night, but hasn't gone down for a nap the past 2 days, so today.. I'm sayin' PRAISE THE LORD!! He's napping!! He's the best gift from God EVER... doesn't mean we don't have our days of being exhausted and worn out, but he's such a JOY!!!! I thank God for him daily, sometimes more... I hold him while he drinking his bottle at night or going for nap.. and pray over him or pray for others... he just smiles as I pray. I wonder if he knows how treasured he is? I believe children have a keen awareness of spirituality, God, angels, the Holy Spirit, prayer... kids are so believing, they believe without questioning at all. They trust without wavering. They believe that all of their needs WILL be met.

What impacts my heart, tugs at it... is thinking of the tens of thousands (I'm sure more than that) of children all over the world being raised to believe what is normal is being trained to handle machine guns, to run the streets with the boldness of a grown man, taught to KILL & DESTROY!! But then again, as I think about it... is that much different from our own "developed nation" wherein children are trained up around violence, broken homes, physical & spiritual warfare, abuse! They think this is normal as much as the children is impoverished nations like Guatemala or Africa.

My longing and calling is not to "save" Connor from his volatile homeland, but to show him by love, understanding, teaching, tolerance... that God's intention was never for us to hurt one another, but to find a common ground, to stand ON it, to STAND against the enemy who does seek to use humankind to steal, kill & destroy! Of course, this I pray will come over time.... to enstill a sense of hope, peace, love and understanding of our world and to exist in his world to reach the lost & broken people around him. Seems like such a tall order, to ask of God to use me as his mother, to raise him up in this way, in the Lord... in the Word... but many have gone before me... my own parents - PRAISE GOD!!!!!

Pictures from the trip!

This is our first picture! The first moment I held him, he fell fast asleep -- nestled in my arms! I melted!

We're home!

We got in late last night (Saturday). We had a good trip, no problems. Gavin fared much much better on the return trip home, as opposed to the trials he had on the way down to Guatemala. Connor is doing so so so well!! I held him for the first time on Tuesday this past week around 11:15am (Guat time)! It was so amazing! He came right to me within a minute flat, then took a bottle and fell fast asleep in my arms, and slept through the entire meeting with the foster family!! Slept through us all crying, then taking pictures. He didn't wake up until we got on the elevator back to the room, never cried once. He's a very very good baby, well-adjusted, happy, content, goes with the flow not matter what we're doing. And let me tell you, he's a good eater. I found out that he'd not yet been given meats... well let me just say that, at the hotel, every morning for breakfast he had refried beans (HAHA), yogurt, french toast, 1/2 banana, tortillas!! A variation of this every morning. TOO FUNNY! I fed him the first time.. at lunch the 1st day.. then after that, he became very comfortable in showing his own personality, being himself 100%.. HAHA.. so from that point on, he fed himself.. there was no choice in the matter, he wanted to do it himself.

So many things he does makes me laugh SO MUCH!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!! For example, when he's trying to go to sleep, he'll shut his eyes but will obviously not be asleep.. but as if he's tryign really hard to! HA! He throws everything (Bottle, toys, keys, papers, food). If I'm feeding him something like mashed potatoes and he wants more but I'm not getting it in fast enough, he shakes his fists in the air as if he's frustrated and grunts... hahahaha! He absolutely will not accept holding onto both hands to walk, wants only one hand and if you give him the other hand, he'll let go of one of them and take off running! His little legs go faster that he can go... hahaha! He walks/runs laughing & giggling all the way! He babbles things like "Gulla, Gulla, Gulla" and "Gud, Gud, Gud" and other things you just cannot understand but is sooo adorable! CRACKS ME UP!! He quickly learned the meaning of "No, No." He does obey most of the time, but will go to touch something he knows he's not suppose to touch, has been told No before, but will stop short of touching it, look at me or my Mom, smile and move away from it completely. He started out sleeping next to me in bed, then once he was asleep, I would lay him down in the crib. He'd be just between being awake & asleep, and sit straight up, come over and fall fast asleep on my chest, head resting on my neck.. awwwwwwww!! Well I could very well go on & on & on about him, how much I love him... oh my gosh!!! He's just such a joy!!!! Very hard work, but very much worth it.

My arms were so so sore from carrying him, picking him up... but the soreness paled in comparison to the moments rocking him, swimming in the pool, wrapping him in the towel with him all cuddled up to get warm. The soreness passed and in the middle of the soreness, it didn't matter.. I didn't care that my arms were as sore as they were because there was this precious baby Connor who needed my strong & loving arms around him. He's my son, so no soreness can affect how many hugs I give or how many times he reaches for me to pick him up. Being a Mom is the BEST JOB EVER!! Nothing comes close!!

I will try to post some pictures soon, but I'm staying very busy now and little time is left but that at the end of the day like now after he's in bed. God bless you all!! Thanks to you all who have & continue to pray! I talk to him all the time about our prayer warriors! YEEAAHHHHH!!!

In Guatemala, waiting for the call

Still waiting for the call from the facilitator as to when Connor will be here! But we made it here safe & sound! We had 2 layovers (Chicago & Miami), so that was tough, especially on Gavin. He had some trouble with her ears popping, we got him chewing gum, gave him Tylenol.. but sometimes still screamed. It was soooo hard to see him hurting, but he made it and is doing much better now! Praise the Lord!! He woke up this morning, sat up and said "We are getting Connor this day!!!" He is sooo excited!!! We all are!! There are alot of babies in the hotels, either visiting or being picked up.. sooo neat to see them all! Well I better go, need to get back to wait for the call!!! I'll update again tonight maybe but it's getting nice & sunny.. may be in the pool before long after Connor gets here!

12 HOURS & counting...

In 12 hrs, we'll be boarding the aero-plane (haha) for Guatemala... with, of course, the necessary layovers... but either way!

In 36 hours, Connor will be in my arms FOREVER!!!! Can ya even believe it??? WooHooooooooooooo!!!! I just cannot wait to kiss those adorable cheeks, and piggy toes... Oooooo....

So.... Adios, Amigas!!!!! I'll post when I get a minute (HA!), when we're home and settled. MU-AHHHHH!!!! (blowing kisses, hugs all around)

AHHHHHHHH!!! 24 hours!!

24 HOURS from right now -- we'll be leaving for the airport for GUATEMALA!!!!!!! YAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait!!!! Connor's coming home!!!!!!!!!!

Other families in Guatemala!

This is sooooo cool!!! I just have to tell you all about it -- turns out a total of 5 families from Bethany (our adoption agency) will be in Guatemala for either a visit or pick-up trip at the same time I'll be there!!!! YAY YAY!!!!! It'll just be so so awesome to meet up with them, the hotel has a baby lounge especially for adoptive families who stay there.. they have lots of toys, areas to sit & chat, internet access on a computer to make contact with family & friends.. so neat! I cannot wait to get our babies together... we've all kept in contact with each other throughout our adoption processes. So you all have a blessed weekend and keep us in your prayers Monday and all next week as my Mom, Gavin & I travel to bring Connor home forever!! We leave Guatemala on Saturday, Sept 8th to come home. Thanks!!! Love ya!!!

Please pray

Please pray with me for Connor & his foster mom. I know that Tuesday will be a very emotional day, him leaving his foster mama. Pray God gives her peace & comfort even right now as she prepares for next week. She's been a foster mom for 14+ years but I'm sure it doesn't get any easier. What a blessing she is to have taken such great care fo my baby boy for the past year! She's heaven-sent and I'm blessed to know he was with her, loved by her & the family! Thanks guys!

OMG!!!!! I can hardly believe it!!

I GOT THE CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY YAY YAY!!!!! This morning my case worker called, I leave Monday morning!!!!!!!!!!!! Bringing baby Connor home -- finally!!!!! The day has finally come!!!! I just can hardly believe it!!!!! Tuesday, 9/4, Connor will be in my arms!!! BIG SMILE. . . I just cannot wipe this smile off my face for anything!!!!

Here's a song that's recently been on my heart, lsitening to it over & over again on CD.. it's by Kirk Franklin, called "Imagine Me." Reminds me of the struggles we all face, that we can finally be free once we choose to hear who GOD says we are.. to not worry about what people say, but to focus solely on the ONE whose thoughts mean more than anyone's!!!

Imagine me
Loving what I see when the
mirror looks at me cause I
I imagine me
In a place of no insecurities
And I'm finally happy cause
I imagine me
Letting go of all of the ones who hurt me
Cause they never did deserve me
Can you imagine me?
Saying no to thoughts that try to control me
Remembering all you told me
Lord, can you imagine me?
Over what my mama said
And healed from what my daddy did
And I wanna live and not read that page again

[Chorus:]
Imagine me,
being free,
trusting you totally
finally I can...
Imagine me
I admit it was hard to see
You being in love with someone like me
But finally I can...
Imagine me
Being strong
And not letting people break me down
You won't get that joy this time around
Can you imagine me?
In a world (in a world)
where nobody has to live afraid
Because of your love fears gone away
Can you imagine me?

[Bridge:]
Letting go of my past
And glad I have another chance
And my heart will dance
'Cause I don't have to read that page again

[Chorus x2]

[Vamp:]
Gone, gone, it's gone, all gone

Could be soon!

Not THE call, but a call this afternoon... absolutely EVERYTHING is done on the Guatemala side and now... just waiting for the Embassy to schedule the appointment!!! Could be this week!!! Well, I may not leave this week.. or maybe I will.. only God knows... but this is GREAT news!!!! They have what they need now.. all I need is a nice little phone call to say LEAVE ALREADY.. GO GET THAT BABY BOY!!!!! Eeeekkkkkk!!! I'm screeching!!! Soooooo excited!!!! I KNEW this call would come today... I just did, not sure why but I just knew! What a nice late birthday present for Connor turning 1 on Saturday!!!! Keep the prayers going!! Love you all!!!

Connor turns ONE today

Today is Connor's 1st Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lord, I sit here in such BIG tears!! I always figured Connor would be home for his 1st birthday, but since he's not, I know he isn't for a reason, but that YOU have BIG plans in store!!! Connor will come home in God's perfect time. I know that, believe it, trust it!

But nonetheless, it still stinks that he's so far away from me on his 1st birthday! I cried this morning, alot... prayed for him, looked through all of the pictures I have of him, sang his special "Happy Birthday" song for him, just for me to sing to him on every one of his birthdays from here on out!! Tonight now may be a night of popping in a few of the videos I have of him, to smile more and laugh watching him be so silly. HAHA! I know that he's having a great time with his foster family! I just stay focused on the fact that there's so many moments to be experienced with him once he IS home, so why focus on the time now and for the past year that he wasn't here? And once he's home, it'll be as if he was always here. I don't think I'll be able to remember the time when he wasn't here. He'll add so much joy, adventure and love to my life and so many others... why focus on the past when the future is so bright and full of life & love! Even the past has been such a blessing, this time wherein God grew me, stretched me, taught me. I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Recently, I've been thinking about the passage when Jesus summons Peter to step out of the boat and walk to him on the water during a storm. So Peter begins to do just that, remaining focused on Jesus. He begins to sink when he takes his eyes off Jesus, then Jesus immediately reaches down to rescue him saying, "Oh you of little faith, why do you doubt?" They go on to get back into the boat and the storm ends. In the middle of a series at church on surviving life's storms, it's so real to me. This adoption journey has been a storm, at times feeling like I was sinking, not seeing an end in sight. God continually reassured me and renewed my peace in trusting Him & His plan. ((("Sometimes when the storm rages, the Lord will calm the sea. But sometimes when the storm rages, the Lord will just calm me."))) It's not been easy, by a long shot. Those who know me well, and those who've also been through the process know this well. So many times during the process, God has reached down to rescue me from sinking -- through others lifting me up, prayer, praising God, doing spiritual battle.

Interestingly enough, as I type this... a song I used to teach in Sunday School popped in my head -- "My God is so BIG, so strong and so might, there's nothing my God cannot do for you!" LOVE THAT!!!!!! YES!!!! My God IS big, strong & mighty!!!!!!! Nothing is beyond, above, before, below, around or outside of HIM that He does not yet know of!

Look at this awesome exerpt from a bold prayer given to me by a friend: The Lord goes before me. JESUS IS IN ME! The angel of the Lord encampeth around me! Underneath me are the everlasting arms of God. GOODNESS AND MERCY FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE! HALLELUJAH! Fear has no place in my life! He will not suffer my foot to be moved! My feet are planted on the ROCK, Christ Jesus! I CONFESS THAT THIS IS A GOOD DAY! ALL my needs are met according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus! I have plenty and more to put in store! God's blessings come to me and flow through me to others! I am a tither and according to Malachi the Lord of Hosts will open the windows of Heaven and pour out a blessing that I will not have room enough to receive it. He will rebuke the devourer for my sake. This is my confession. I boldly say it in front of the devil, angels, the Lord Jesus, and God my Father. I HAVE WHAT I SAY! MY CONFESSION RISES BEFORE THEE BASED UPON THY WORD! Jesus is the High Priest of my confession. He makes it good today!

New birth certificate was issued

Here's the update as far as the adoption goes:

7/20/07: Case entered the civil registry in Guatemala City, which is where they issue Connor's new birth certificate with my name on it as his Mommy! YAY!!

And called and found out today that on Friday 8/3/07, the new birth certificate was issued! YIPEE!!! Doin' a dance, doin' a dance... not as much of a dance as I'll probably do when I get THE BEST CALL EVER -- with the date when I can go bring my baby Connor home!!! YESSSS!!! Not long now... I'll keep you all updated... it's been tough lately, alot going on across the board so.. yeah. . . those of you who know me also know about all of this going on. Keep the prayers goin'... I love you all -- you're my warriors standing on all sides.. a few will never stand down from those positions all around me and I LOVE YOU for that!!!

APD (Adoption Public Deed) is done

I got an email almost a week ago (last Tuesday) that the Adoption Public Deed was signed on Monday 7/16, which in being signed means Connor is now legally mine! Praise the Lord!!!! It's just been such a long time coming in this process and now that everything's being finalized, I'm so relieved and HAPPY, overjoyed!!! I have his things all packed, ready to go.... the whole nine yards ... toys, diapers, wipes, clothes, PJs, hats, sunglasses hehe... bottles, formula, bibs, blankie, socks, swim trunks, books.. it's all soooo cute!!! I want to bring it all!! HAHA!! But then again.. I have to stay focused on not overpacking... and just thinking that he'll come home to all of these toys, clothes, PJs.. etc... and all of the LOVE & prayer that already surrounds him will be waiting right here for him.

I cannot imagine the moment when my Mom & I are sitting in the hotel room waiting for the call to come down to the lobby to meet him & hold him for the first time!!!! It'll be sooo surreal... to think that Connor will actually physically be in the same building!!! OH MY GOSH!!!!!!

New pictures came!!

On Sunday, I got a nice surprise of 7 new pictures of my baby Connor!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!! Awwww... he is just too cute!! I cannot even get over it!!! I have A LOT to do around here to get prepared to travel -- could be sooner than 8 weeks, maybe 4 or 6 weeks?! So I have to pack all of his stuff.. mine is minor.. it's mostly all been packed for like 6 months... hahaha :)

OUT of PGN!!!

You will all be HAPPY to hear that I got my CALL this morning!!!! YAY!!!!! The adoption is approved!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot even contain my excitement & relief for this day!!!!! It's just so over-the-top exciting!!! So in approx. 8 weeks, I'll be gettin' my Guatemalan Mama booty on the plane to bring my Connor home with me!!!!! No date yet, but the approval to travel will come soon, so I'll let you all know when I get the date!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update

I got this call from one of the case workers with the agency... my case worker is out of the office... so she says I'm not out of PGN yet but that they're seeing cases come out that were resubmitted mid- to late-April... mine was resubmitted on May 2nd!!!!!! So that is awesome!!! Things are gaining momentum down there in Guatemala... so I'm praying soooo HARD that I get the official CALL next week some time.. ?? My Mom & I are claiming in faith & prayer that the case will be out of PGN by July 1st!!!! YES!!!! AMEN!!!!!! I just cannot wait... I want to hold Connor in my arms forever already, geezzzz... The time is coming, I know it is!!!! There's this song that goes... "I woke up this morning, this feeling inside me that I can't explain.. I know something is coming, I don't know what it is but I know it's amazing; my time is coming, I'll find my way out of this longest drought... Feels like today, I know; Feels like today, I'm sure... the one thing I'm missing, the one thing you're wishing.." A song by Rascal Flatts.

So I will post again when I know anything more "official" as to when he may be coming home!!!! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! I'm soooo excited for that day!!

Prayer Requests

For all who frequent my blog, thank you for your continued prayers. They are soooo increibly vital. Here are some things to pray about specifically recently:

* For the uncertainties that surround Guatemala adoptions, for adoption to continue, for babies to come home to their families waiting to bring them home

* For Satan to be VANQUISHED in Jesus' Name! Satan has NO power and authority; He cannot hinder this process as God reigns over it all; He cannot harm a hair on Connor's head, He cannot even breathe in Connor's or my direction! AMEN!!

* For the paperwork to be reviewed and approved in God's timing... for wisdom, strength, discernment and patience for me as I wait to hear news

Thank you all soooo sooo much!!! I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES MY STREGNTH!!!! Philippians 4:13

VIDEO

I GOT A NEW VIDEO OF CONNOR TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I should really tell you the bizarre story behind this but I'm sooo tired and need to get to bed, but also here's the latest medical update on him as reported in the video... at 9 months, he's 18lbs, 8oz and 27" tall!!! Growing baby boy! He's sooo goofy in the video... he's always been a smiler, giggles, laughs... now he's making silly faces, scrunches up his little nose... awwwww!!! Sooooooo adorable!!!! He plays hide & seek with a toy, then laughs, makes faces... hehehe!!! He says Mama, Papa and bebe!! On camera, he said over & over again, Papa, Papa, Papa.. hehehe... and of course, the fostermom was saying to him (in Spanish), "No, say Mama, Mama, Mama.." HAHAHA!! Humor has no language barrier, right?? hehehehe... Mommies all want to hear their babies say Mama when all they babble is Papa, Papa! So yeah, this is what I have been enjoying this evening!!!! We're going to have a FUN FUN, crazyyyy time when he comes home, let me tell ya! HAHAHA!!

Guatemala Adoptions

To give you kind of a better idea of where exactly this adoption is right now... this picture is of the window in PGN (Procuradoria General del Nacion) -- basically the Attorney General's Office there in Guatemala. This is exactly where the attorneys bring all of the documents and paperwork to submit it to be processed. PGN is commonly referred to by adoptive families as "The Black Hole" of the process.. because you just do not know when things will get processed, so ... you WAIT.. the big "W" --- and PRAY HARD!!!

Up these stairs and to the right are the reviewers who actually handle the cases and.. well... review them

You may tbe wondering, "What's PGN like?" Well, once you get behind this guarded wall, it looks much like any other unassuming office building.

The picture here is one of the "famous" streets in Antigua, Guatemala. It's very beautiful!

Getting settled into the new house

Getting there in getting everything unpacked here at the new house. It's a big job, tiring... but worth it! My family has helped a TON on getting things unpacked, helping me feel more at home. It's just a matter of adjusting to the sounds, environment, etc... the quietness of the small town. It's nice, but even after only being away from it for a year and a half, it takes getting used to again.

Connor's room is coming along... I still need to finish taping off the stripes and get those painted so the blinds can go up. I'm so lazy sometimes... haha.. hey.. it's the truth! But I'm getting my butt in gear. GOOD THINGS to come... like getting my baby boy home!! Hopefully soon... we'll see!!!

Working on getting the house ready to move in

Every day is always one day closer to Connor!!!

As far as progress on the house, I've worked for the past 2 days so today is my first day off of 4!! YAY!! I have a 4 day weekend... today will be spent packing, packing, packing... my Dad & sister worked hard on getting the painting done for me while I was working, so the living room & bathroom are done! WooHooooo!! Next is the kitchen, which is no big deal really. Tomorrow morning is the day to pick up the truck and get a-movin'! It's a BIG job, but will be worth it. Tonight my Mom will go over to shampoo the carpets. I couldn't have done this without my family, seriously! They're such a blessing to me!! PRAY PRAY PRAY that everything works out with getting a truck rented for the move or movers to move it for me, if need be.

my wonderful Hannah!

Today was a day full of paint, paint, paint... My sister, Megan, helped me paint.. we got started on painting Connor's room in the new house, so as of now there are 2 walls completely done with 2 coats, looks GREAT and then the other 2 walls have one coat and need one more coat to be done, also need to paint the ceiling next. The whole room was PINK so I was like ICK, not for a boy! Although the closet in his room is also painted PINK but I figure there's so much painting to do as far as the yellow stripes on the walls in his room that the closet is the least of my worries.. haha... so the closet will stay pink for now and well.. that will come later.. he won't know at first... at the very least I can throw some white paint in there one day?! Anyhow... it was fun painting, alot of work but with a purpose. :) Hannah also helped out ALOT with the painting and she tapes off almost the entire room after I taped a little bit.. she's so awesome! Hannah is like my sister, really.. Gavin calls her Sissy Hannah :D So as we painted today, we talked all about Connor and she said, "I wonder what Connor will call me!?" I said he'll call her whatever he wants to call her ;) hehe! Attached is a picture of her & I in Disney World. Megan, my sister, also helped paint alot and we all worked hard to clean up everything, wiping down the kitchen, appliances, dusting everywhere... clearing out cobwebs... so we did get a lot accomplished. YAY! Just over a week before I move in, so alot to do yet. I'll be over there every day I have off work to paint and get little things moved over there. So there's the update from the house end of things... God bless!! Love you all!!

Moving!

So I got the call today (well one of "the calls") that I'm closing on my house this Thursday at 1:00 pm!!! YAY!!!! So Thursday morning & Friday I'll be there working on painting all of the rooms.. and a little break after lunch to go close on it!! YAY!!!!! It'll be officially mine very soon!! Then moving in by the end of the month... WoooHoooooo!!!

Responsibility for Children

PLEDGE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHILDREN

We accept responsibility for children who sneak popsicles before supper, who erase holes in math workbooks, who can never find their shoes.

And we accept responsibility for those who stare at the photographers from behind barbed wire, who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers, who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead, who never go to the circus, who live in an X-rated world.

We accept responsibility for children who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions, who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.

And we accept responsibility for those who never get dessert, and who have no safe blanket to drag behind them, who watch their parents watch them die, who can't find any bread to steal, who don't have any rooms to clean up, whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser, whose monsters are real.

We accept responsibility for children who spend all their allowance before Tuesday, who throw tantrums in the grocery store and pick at their food, who like ghost stories, who shove their dirty laundry under their bed and never rinse out the tub, who get visits from the tooth fairy, who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool, whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.

And we accept responsibility for those whose nightmares come in the daytime, who will eat anything, who have never seen a dentist, who aren't spoiled by anybody, who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep, who live and move, but have no being.

We accept responsibility for children who want to be carried and for those who must, for those we never give up on and for those who don't get a second chance.

We accept responsibility for those we smother and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.