Saturday, September 30, 2006

Attention Deficit


CHILD ACTIVATED ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER

Recently, I was diagnosed with C. A. A. D. D. Child Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:

I decide to do the laundry. As I start toward the basement, I
notice that there are cheerios all over the floor and my car keys
are in the cereal bowl.

I decide to pick up the cheerios before I do the laundry. I lay my
car keys down on the counter, put the cheerios in the trash can
under the counter, and notice that the trash can is full. So, I
decide to take out the trash.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I
take out the trash I may as well pay the bills first. I take my
checkbook off the table, and see that there is only one check left,
my extra checks are in my desk in the office/playroom, so I go to
my desk where I find a sippy cup full of juice. I'm going to look
for my checks, but first I decide I should put the sippy cup in the
refrigerator to keep it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the sippy cup a vase of flowers
on the counter catches my eye -- they need to be watered. I set the
sippy cup on the counter, and I discover baby wipes that I've been
searching for all morning. I decide I better put them back in the
bathroom, but first I'm going to water the flowers.

I set the wipes back down, fill a container with water and suddenly
I spot the TV remote, one of the kids left it on the kitchen table.
I realize that after school when they go to watch TV, I will be
looking for the remote as they fight over who lost it, but I won't
remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back
in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.

I splash some water on the flowers, but most of it spills on the
floor. So, I set the remote back down, get some paper towels and
wipe up the spill.

Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to
do.

At the end of the day: the laundry isn't washed, the bills aren't
paid, there is a warm cup of juice sitting on the counter, the
flowers aren't watered, there is still only one check in my
checkbook, I can't find the remote, I can't find the wipes, and I
don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm
really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm
really tired.

I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help
for it, but first I'll check my e-mail.

Do me a favor, will you? Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!!

Friday, September 29, 2006

Thursday, September 28, 2006

New CD

Well - you know, once you have a life experience (like adopting) you seek out others with those same experiences. So - yes, I have done that - that is a good thing and a bad thing - Good because you can now share, ask for advice, etc. Bad because they share with you all of these great things you can buy!!! SO - now I'm going to share these great things with you too!! When I first heard of this Chinese Daughters CD - I ordered it right away as there isn't much like it out there. I thoroughly enjoy it - it brings tears to our eyes (I know that doesn't surprise you about Joe - but yes, I cry at this one too!!! :) and it's a great lullaby album for Chloe. Now I see a new one that has music with an adoption theme done by all different Christian artists. It looks good too - some of my favorite artists - I just can't resist!!! And so I had to share!!!

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Dressing Up

Well - it's a daily thing around here - Chloe becomes a "princess". She loves it!! It certainly hits home to me - we are doing the study "Bringing up Boys" by Dr. Dobson right now on Sunday nights and I am just so convinced - God puts all of those urges in each little boy or girl. I love watching the differences!! So here are some pictures to share in our fun!

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Lost is Found!!

Well - this is a good news/bad news post! The good news is we found our lost papers!!! They showed up at our house on Saturday!!! (They are not supposed to be at our house - they are supposed to be in Des Moines.......) But at least they are found!
So now we have to resend it all to Des Moines - BUT - we can move forward now - that is good!

We met with a board last night that we had applied for a grant from here in our area. We had a wonderful time of sharing and prayer with them. Even if God leads them not to give us any financial help - we still know that He will provide in another way. It just reminds me again that God is in control and His plan is perfect ~ AND those are good reminders for me!!

Friday, September 22, 2006

My Two Year Old

Well - I must begin by saying that everyone needs a two year old - PERMANENTLY!!! It keeps you on the edge of your seat! I had to share today's story of living with my two year old.

We had not had a very good day - the boys were not doing well with school (don't tell - homeschoolers aren't supposed to admit that!!!) and I was feeling very near the end of my rope (I don't think Homeschool Mom's are supposed to admit that either!!) SO I decided to bring Chloe up, read her a book, and sing and get ready for her nap. We were in the middle of Dora when the boys came up and asked if they could play the computer - I promptly put down my book and began (in a very not-happy-motherly-tone) to explain why they weren't playing any computers today (and maybe never again!!!) until their work was better. Not even halfway through my tirade, I am looking at them and they are all trying hard not to laugh. NOW - that is NOT funny to a mom that is VERY ANGRY - and I could tell they were trying very hard not to laugh - and that's when I looked down - Chloe was facing them sitting in my lap - and she was shaking her finger at them and moving her lips and shaking her head up and down and back and forth like she was really reaming into them.
OK - I have to admit - that did it - I was also laughing - AND after this day, I needed a good laugh - -

See why I think everyone needs a two-year-old?!?!?!

(This picture is an older one of Chloe - but it sure does give you a great idea of her " mad motherly face"!!!)

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Favorite Photo Friday

Here it is - one of my recent favorites - it's a hug for Daddy.

No real update on things here for those that are following the story - I have been so touched by all of those that posted or emailed and said they were praying for us - God is Good, He will work this out. Meanwhile - we have heard nothing from Des Moines so we just keep waiting. I think the hard thing right now is knowing how long to wait before we resend everything - to start the wait again!!! Thanks for lifting us up in prayer - that means more than you know.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Prayer Warriors

Well - I am coming to my Blog Readers with a prayer request - we had actually hoped to have all of our papers to China by now, but for some reason - that we don't understand - we are still waiting on fingerprints - all of our papers are ready to send to China, except Joe and I both need to be fingerprinted and then get clearance from the U.S. gov't to bring another child here to the U.S. All of that can take up to a month or more, and I have had our papers in to our Gov't here for over a month now. I did not want to pressure anyone because I know they are busy but just last week I decided to email the gal in charge of that office and ask what was up - well - here's the story.......

Our papers were mailed to Omaha (as our social worker told us) and we found out they should have been mailed to Des Moines SO - Omaha says they forwarded them on to Des Moines. Des Moines does not have them - Omaha has no idea when they were mailed - - - you get the picture. So - our almost $800 check is lost in the gov't system somewhere and our papers (and if you've adopted you know the paperwork involved!!) are also lost. We also have our homestudy lost as well - as Des Moines has not received that either. I emailed today to Des Moines to ask if we should re-send everything or keep waiting - meanwhile time is ticking by and we had hoped to have everything to China by AUGUST!!!! (Yes, that was a month ago!!)

Deep Breath - God is totally in control - I AM NOT!! He has a reason and I need to accept that. It just wasn't the plan - it's a lot of work lost - and I'm frustrated, bummed - you name it. But, I will keep my head up - I have four great children here at home with me - I am plenty busy :) - God's timing is perfect! We also firmly believe He called us to do this again so He has a big plan that we just need to fall in line with that plan.

All of this - to ask for you to pray - God could work a big miracle tonight and those papers could show up on the gal's desk tomorrow! God used our last adoption to show me how BIG He really is - I mean that - He moved MOUNTAINS for us! I know He will do it again - and I will be right here to share that with all of you!! We have a big God and he loves our little one in China (she's probably not even born yet) and He has His hand on this whole situation. Thanks for praying with us! Now we'll just sit back and watch Him work!!


Monday, September 18, 2006

Interesting Stuff

Well - ran across a few neat things in my "Blog Drive" today -

If you'd like a new look for your blog, go to Bluebird Blogs and sign up for a free blog design - she is giving away two this fall in a contest!!

Sandra has a new book blog - looks to be fun - you might want to check that out in your leisure.

Ok - so I'm a flunkie in the kitchen but I do still try - I ran across this blog some time ago and still love to check it out every Monday for meal ideas - it's a yummy one!! Hey, who knows - maybe I'll get inspired and suprise my patient husband!!

Don't get too shocked now, I baked yesterday!! I will post the recipe I made with some fresh apples we went and picked - it is an apple bundt cake-- It was so good and so "Fall-y".
1/4 C cinnamon-sugar mixture
4 apples, chopped small
3 eggs
1 C vegetable oil
2 C all-purpose flour
2 C sugar
1/2 t baking soda
1 t cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a Bundt or tube pan and coat with cinnamon misture. Mix apples, eggs and oil with an electric mixer. Add flour, sugar, baking soda and cinnamon; mix well. Pour into pan and bake about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Allow cake to rest in pan for at least 10 minutes; invert onto a cake plate. To prepare glaze, combine butter, brown sugar and milk in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Spoon over cake. Allow to cook before serving.
Glaze: 2 T butter, 1/2 C firmly packed light brown sugar, 2 T milk
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or scoop of vanilla ice cream. Nut lovers can add 1 C of chopped walnuts or pecans to the cake batter.

Another of my favorite blogs to check daily is Wantnot. She posts deals on that website daily - yesterday's was free shipping at The Company Store - but she has new stuff everyday - you never know what bargain you will find and I'm a bargain hunter so that's right up my alley!!

And lastly - my favorite new site to check - our friends are adopting a baby girl from China and they just started a website - go and cheer them on - they are our dear pastor and wife and we are so excited for them - they have a wonderful story - and a beautiful daughter waiting in China for them. I told her she just needs to get some pictures of Caeleigh on there and that would be even better!!

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Adoption Titles



I have been asked a few times lately for titles of books dealing with adoption. I put together a list - ones I have read (some I haven't). I will post it here for all to peruse!! The first section are adult titles and the second section are books on adoption for kids/siblings, etc. Enjoy!!




Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew (Paperback) *by Sherrie Eldridge

Attaching in Adoption: Practical Tools for Today's Parents (Hardcover) *by Deborah D. Gray

Toddler Adoption: The Weaver's Craft (Paperback) *by Mary Hopkins-Best

Wanting a Daughter, Needing a Son: Abandonment, Adoption, and Orphanage Care in China (Hardcover) *by Kay Ann Johnson, Amy Klatzkin

Cross-Cultural Adoption: How to Answer Questions from Family, Friends, and Community
by Amy Coughlin, Caryn Abramowitz,

Lost Daughters of China: Abandoned Girls, Their Journey to America, and the Search for a Missing Past *
by Karin Evans

The Chinese Adoption Handbook
by John H. MacLean

A Treasury of Adoption Miracles: True Stories of God's Presence Today
by Karen Kingsbury *

Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution Is Transforming America
by Adam Pertman *

Raising Adopted Children: Practical Reassuring Advice for Every Adoptive Parent
by Lois Ruskai Melina

Life Books: Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child
by Beth O'Malley *

Adoption Lifebook: A Bridge to Your Child's Beginnings, a Workbook for International Adoptive Familes
by Cindy Probst

Love in the Driest Season: A Family Memoir
by Neely Tucker *

Primal Wound: Understanding the Adopted Child
by Nancy Newton Verrier *

Adoption Is Another Word for Love (Charming Petites Series)
by Nancy McGuire Roche (Editor), Heather Zschock (Designed by) (Pictures and quotes)

Real Parents, Real Children: Parenting the Adopted Child
by Holly Van Gulden, Gulden Holly Van, Lisa M. Bartels-Rabb, Lisa M. Bartels-Rabb

A Love Like No Other
by Pamela Kruger (Editor), Jill Smolowe

Digging to America
by Anne Tyler (Fiction) *

A Passage to the Heart: Writings from Families with Children from China
by Amy Klatzkin (Editor) *

Dim Sum, Bagels, and Grits: A SourceBook for Multicultural Families
by Myra Alperson

Becoming a Family: Promoting Healthy Attachments with Your Adopted Child
by Lark Eshleman

Twenty Life-Transforming Choices Adoptees Need to Make
by Sherrie Eldridge

The Waiting Child: How the Faith and Love of One Orphan Saved the Life of Another
by Cindy Champnella *

Born in Our Hearts: Stories of Adoption
by Filis Casey *

Transnational Adoption: A Cultural Economy of Race, Gender, and Kinship
by Sara K. Dorow *

Truly Yours: Thoughts on the Miracle of Adoption
by Laura Dail, Patty Rice (Editor)

Daughter from Afar: A Family's International Adoption Story
by Sarah L. Woodard

Adopting a Toddler
by Denise Harris Hoppenhauer

The Whole Life Adoption Book: Realistic Advice for Building a Healthy Adoptive Family *
by Jayne E. Schooler

The Nanchang Diary: The Adoption of Victoria Santina Huang He Ping Tartivita
by Carmelo Tartivita

Meeting Sophie: A Memoir of Adoption
by Nancy McCabe

Beyond Good Intentions: A Mother Reflects on Raising Internationally Adopted Children
by Cheri Register


FOR KIDS:

The White Swan Express: A Story About Adoption
by Jean Davies Okimoto, Elaine Mei Aoki, Meilo So (Illustrator) *

Happy Adoption Day!
by John McCutcheon, Julie Paschkis (Illustrator) *

Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale
by Karen Katz *

I Love You like Crazy Cakes
by Rose A. Lewis, Jane Dyer (Illustrator) *

My Mei Mei
by Ed Young, Ed Young (Illustrator) *

When You Were Born in China: A Memory Book for Children Adopted from China
by Sara Dorow, Stephen Wunrow (Photographer), Stephen Wunrow (Photographer) *

Guji Guji
by Chih-Yuan Chen, Chih-Yuan Chen (Illustrator)

Mommy Far, Mommy Near: An Adoption Story
by Carol Antoinette Peacock, Carol Antoinette Antoinette Peacock, Shawn Costello Brownell (Illustrator), Shawn Brownell (Illustrator)

The Red Blanket
by Eliza Thomas, Joe Cepeda (Illustrator) *

Lamb-A-Roo
by Diana Kimpton, Rosalind Beardshaw (Illustrator)

Waiting for May
by Janet Morgan Stoeke, Janet Morgan Stoeke (Illustrator) *

Shaoey and Dot: Bug Meets Bundle
by Steven Curtis Chapman, Mary Beth Chapman, Jim Chapman (Illustrator) *

Shoey and Dot: A Thunder and Lightning Bug Story
by Mary Beth Chapman, Steven Curtis Chapman, Jim Chapman (Illustrator) *

Shaoey & Dot: A Christmas Miracle
by Mary Beth Chapman, Steven Curtis Chapman, Steven Curtis Chapman, Jim Chapman (Illustrator) *

Golden Egg: A Story about Adoption
by Jenny Thrasher, Phil Thrasher, Illustrations Enroc Illustrations (Illustrator)

Over Land and Sea: A Story of International Adoption
by Steven L. Layne, Jan Bower (Illustrator) *

You're Not My Real Mother!
by Molly Friedrich, Christy Hale (Illustrator)

My Family Is Forever
by Nancy Carlson, Nancy Carlson (Illustrator) *

Allison ~
by Allen Say *

Jin Woo
by Chris K. Soentpiet (Illustrator) (Korean adoption with older sibling at home) *

Emma's Story
by Deborah Hodge, Song Nan Zhang (Illustrator)

Just Add One Chinese Sister
by Patricia McMahon, Conor Clarke McCarthy, Karen A. Jerome (Illustrator) *

A Child Is A Child ~
by Brigitte Weninger, Eve Tharlet (Illustrator)

Finding Joy ~
by Marion Coste, Yong Chen (Illustrator)

Horace
by Holly Keller, Holly Keller (Illustrator) *

Nikolai, The Only Bear
by Barbara M. Joosse, Renata Liwska (Illustrator) *

Sisters
by Judith Caseley, Judith Caseley (Illustrator)

Three Names of Me ~
by Mary Cummings, Lin Wang (Illustrator)



* after means I have read.

Friday, September 15, 2006

Favorite Photo Friday



Favorite Photo Friday!!

Ok - I snuck two in this week!! Couldn't resist - these were from last year - I can not believe this is only a year ago - Chloe has changed SO MUCH in one year!!
Happy Fall!!

Thursday, September 14, 2006

I've Been Tagged!! (Again!!)

Well - here goes - I was tagged again - thanks Jen. :)

Three things that Scare Me:
1) Losing my kids or husband
2) Feeling out of control
3) A FULL schedule (I LOVE my down time!)

Three people who Make me Laugh:
1) My kids (Usually!!)
2) Alf!!!! (Sick humor, I know!)
3)

Three Things I Hate:
1) Complaining about school (hmmm, wonder who that could be referring to?)
2) Strenuous Exercise
3) Arguments/Confrontation

Three Things I don't Understand:
1) Philosophy/Heavy Theology - Both of Joe's majors!!! (At least I have someone who can explain them to me!)
2) Child Pornography (I should have put this back on what I hate!!)
3) Cooking!!!

Three Things I am Doing Right Now:
1) Listening to Chloe sing in her bed
2) Thinking of what else I should be doing
3) Deciding where to go out for supper! (Since I'm scared of and don't understand cooking!!)

Three Things I want to do Before I Die:
1) Write AND PUBLISH a Book
2) See my kids married/have kids
3) Have alone time with my husband!!!!! (Someday!!)

Three Things I Can Do:
1) Sing
2) Organize
3) Make a mean box of Hamburger Helper!

Three Ways to Describe my Personality:
1) Anxious
2) For Left Brain Tests - I was a "0" - that means I had no Right Brain in me!!! Very Organized ~particular~neat~orderly, etc. You get the point! (Joe has to be the exact opposite!!!)
3) Love to have Fun

Three Things I Can't Do:
1) Cook (I'm not lying - ask Joe!!)
2) Go to bed with a messy house
3) Aerobics!!

Three Things I think you Should Listen to:
1) Birds Singing
2) Joe preach
3) Chloe sing "Jesus Wuvs Me - This I know!!!"

Three Favorite Foods:
1) Spaghetti
2) Chinese (American - not in China!!)
3) You guessed it - COFFEE!!

Three Beverages I Drink:
1) Surprise - COFFEE!!
2) Pepsi Jazz
3) Diet Black Cherry Vanilla Coke

Three Shows I Watched as a Kid:
1) ALF
2) Mac Guyver - My sister made me!!
3) Silver Spoons

Now - "Go Take on the Day!"

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Blogging Time

Well - I used to have lots of time to blog - now I get to sneak a quick blog in between questions about math, Chloe wanting a book read to her, laundry, making lunch, cleaning the cat box......you get the picture!!! I am sorry for the lack of blogging over here - I want to post more, I just miss my summer - can't belive I had more time then, but I did!! Have a great day!!

Saturday, September 09, 2006

The Party's Over















Well - we survived - - - 13 little boys - one large swimming pool - lots of cake and ice cream - fun presents - - - PRICELESS!! Just had to share - we have had a full day but SO much fun!!

Happy Birthday Caleb!




One of my babies turns 10 today - how quickly time flies!!
Happy Birthday, Caleb ~ You are a special blessing!

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Favorite Photo Friday

Favorite Photo Friday
Micah and Grandpa playing a duet at Christmas -
PRICELESS!!

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Is Your House Quiet???


Just in case your house is quiet - you need some of my noise!! So here it is....

If it's not the sound of instruments - and yes, Chloe thinks she is a concert jembe player!!!
It's constant questions from three very talkative boys and NOW (remind me why we wanted her to learn to talk!!!) we have a little girl that doesn't stop talking either. Her favorite question is, "Chloe have a snack?" To which I usually say, "No - it's almost lunch, dinner, etc." I told her that today and she dropped the granola bar back in the box and stalked away with an "Oh Shoot!!"

Ok - so I admit it - I LOVE my noise!!! :)

Monday, September 04, 2006

Photos from our Week Away

Can you tell that we did enjoy our time at my Dad and Mom's?? It was not the plan but we tried to make the best of it!! We enjoyed seeing family and spending time together - the kids had a blast.


Our cousins from Washington/Oregon!!

Loving on Grandpa and Grandpa (that's not a typo - that's what Chloe calls Grandma - we told her "Say Grandma" and she shook her head no and said, "Grandpa" - She is SPICY!!!!)

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Sorry All

It has been quite a week - we set out on Tuesday to head to Michigan - not too far from home our van broke down and we spent HOURS in a parking lot trying to fix it - while every automotive place was closed, mind you!! WE WERE NOT LAUGHING - we met angels though - God sent a wonderful family that drove us to Kmart to buy a battery and then stayed by us as Joe and the other man tried to make it work with what they had - it was kind of MacGuyer-like - I say they got the van running with a gum wrapper and a twistie tie!!! We needed parts - that no automotive place had on hand - you know - Murphy's Law ruled again. We finally made it to Becky's Dad and Mom's and decided that the van needed too much work - the parts were not in - the bill was mounting for repairs, etc. and knew that for some reason, we were not going to be able to make our Michigan trip.

We have been at Becky's Dad and Mom's the rest of the week. The good side of that is that we had planned to stop here on our way back from Michigan to see some of Becky's family visiting from Washington so we have gotten to see people that we never get a chance to see. Our boys have enjoyed meeting new cousins (to them anyway!!) and playing for hours outside. We are just disappointed that we couldn't make it to Michigan to see Joe's Dad - he is very ill and we were hoping to see him and visit. God knows though - and we have to trust on this whole thing.

I'll post a few pictures of the kids playing with their new-found cousins. Just had to say Hi again to all my blogger friends - I have had some thoughful emails asking what was going on - if all was well, etc. I have felt missed out there in bloggerland!!! :)
When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don't go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigners, orphans and widows. Then the LORD your God will bless you in all you do.
~Deuteronomy 24:19

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