Another week

Today marks 5 months and 2 weeks of waiting for a referral. It also makes 1 year and 2 weeks of waiting toatl! If I tagged you scroll down to the previous post for directions! :)

My husband e-mailed this to me. I thought it was neat and thought I would share:

"You are the defender of orphans ... Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless." Psalm 10:14, 17

Every family is a gift from God. That includes the family you came from, the family you've created and the institution of family. It's worthy of every ounce of attention, effort and care you can apply to it.

The United Nations counts 143 million kids around the world as orphans. 143 million innocent children are waiting for love and support. That statistic simply makes my heart ache.
Why This Matters
Even in the U.S., the consequences of neglecting our waiting children are horrifying.
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30% of all the homeless adults in the United States spent time in foster care.
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One in three youth who turn 18 and leave foster care resort to stealing, prostitution, or selling drugs.
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One in four spend time in jail or prison.
"If you have large numbers of orphans who are rootless and foodless, and bewildered by their position, and feeling pretty angry and anti-social about what has happened to them ... you have the possibility of real instability ... Poverty can be the basis for the attraction of extremist groups." - Ambassador Stephen Lewis, the UN Special Envoy on HIV and AIDS in Africa.
What You Can Do
Help for orphans can take many forms. You can: pray for them, speak up for them, mentor vulnerable children and support those who directly support these young ones. It doesn't require that you have unlimited resources or that you be a high-profile celebrity. A good place to start is to become informed. I highly encourage you to visit VoiceoftheOrphan.org. There you'll find more specific statistics of the scope and breadth of this tragedy as well as useful action steps you and your family can take to care for orphans and waiting children. You'll also discover: Why This Matters to God, What God Says, and What Happens to These Kids.


-Taken from “Focus on the Family” web page

One other thing:

Just click on the name of the CANDY and the recipe appears!


2 Minute Microwave Fudge
5 Minute Fudge
7 Layer Bars
Aaron's Buttery Cashew Brittle
Almond Bark
Amanda's Peppermint Creams
Ann's Cream Nut Candy
Bavarian Inn Peanut Bars
Beth's Delicious Fudge
Brownie Fudge Dessert
Buckeyes
Buckeyes
Butter Toffee
Candied Yams
Candy Bar Brownies
Candy Cane Brittle
Candy Cane Fudge
Caramel Krispie Treats
Caramels
Carmel Corn
Carol's Christmas Treats
Chocolate Almond Bars
Chocolate Balls
Chocolate Billionaires
Chocolate Chow Mein Candy
Chocolate Covered Cherries
Chocolate Covered Nuts
Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Chocolate Nut Caramels
Chocolate Popcorn
Chocolate Silk Bon Bons
Chocolate Truffels
Christmas Candied Walnuts
Christmas Crackle Candy
Christmas Mice
Chunky Mallow Candy
Cinnamon Hard Candy
Cinnamon Popcorn
Cranberry Nut Fudge
Cream Cheese Candy
Creamy Chocolate Truffles
Creamy Microwave Pralines (Texas Stye)
Crispy peanutbutter balls
Dark Chocolate Fudge
Deborahe's Holiday Chocolates
Disappearing Marshmallow Brownies
Dish of Dirt
Divinty
Dorothy's Peanut Butter/Butterscotch Noodle Cookie
Dreamcicle Fudge
Easy Candy
Easy Divinity
Easy Divinity Easy Divinity Candy
Easy Fudge
Easy Granola Candy
Easy Microwave Carmel
Easy Microwave Fudge
Easy Pecan Logs
English Toffee
English Toffee
English Toffee Bars
Fabulous Fudge
Fake Brittle
Fantasy Fudge
Festive Chocolate Truffles
Five Minute Fudge
Fool-Proof Fudge
Frosted Pecans
Fudge
Brownies
Fudge for One

Fudge Puddles
Georgia Nuggets
Grandma Donna's Nummies
Grandma F's Delicious Fudge
Grandmother' s Holiday Fudge
Hard Candy
Hard Tack Candy
Hazelnut Fantasy Fudge
Ho-Ho Hash
Holly Confection
Honey Comb
J & D's Peanut Butter Balls
Jeanne's Tiger Butter
Jen's Chocolate Meringues
J's Cream Fudge
Kim's Famous Cashew Brittle
Magic Marshmallow Fudge
Mama's Fudge
Maple Rum Balls
Margie's Best Candy
Martha Washington Candy
Martha Washington Mounds
Marzipan
Melting Moments
Melting Moments
Memaw's Reese's
Meme's Best Ever Peanut Butter Fudge
Meringues
Micky's Mints
Microwave Peanutbutter fudge
Microwave Pralines
Milk Fudge
Milky Way Bars
Million Dollar Fudge
Mimi's Famous Fudge
Mocha Truffles
Mom's Mints
Mr. Monroe's Famous Fudge
Mrs. Eisenhower's Fudge
Never Fail Fudge
Never Fail Fudge
No Bake Rum Balls
No Cook Peanut Butter Fudge
No Fail Fudge
Novia Scotia Treats
Nut Mallow Goodies
Nutty North Pole Fudge
Orange Balls
Orange Glazed Pecans
Out Of This World Fudge
Oven Carmel Corn
Peanut Brittle
Peanut Brittle
Peanut Brittle
Peanut Brittle (Microwave)
Peanut Butter Balls
Peanut Butter Balls
Peanut Butter Balls
Peanut Butter Bars-An Elve's Favorite Treat
Peanut Butter Candy
Peanut Butter Candy
Peanut Butter Cups
Peanut Butter Cups
Peanut Butter Fruit Squares
Peanut Butter Fudge
Peanut Butter Fudge
Peanut Butter Fudge
Peanut Butter Snowballs
Peanut Clusters (mircrowavable)
Peanut Krispies
Peanut Patties

Tagged

I was tagged by my sister. Directions were to post the sixth picture in my sixth album that is on my computer, and then explain it. It's kind of funny because the leaf picture below is my sixth picture. It's not anything exciting. Just a picture I took one day when I was playing with my dog. She is a ham and likes to get her picture taken and was being cute, so I started taking pictures. She happened to stop by these flowers (that picture is below too). After I took her pict. I noticed the flowers and the leaf so I had to take a picture. Oh and here is the good part- you get to pick who you tag, no limits! I tag Rebecca, Jen, Laura , Lauri S, Kellie, J, A, & T, Ethiodyssey, Our Walk by Faith, Rebecca and I have ran out of time so if you are reading this, I also tag you!

Nothing

If the FBI list is correct, the last person to receive a referral received theirs on the 17th. Since then, there has been no movement. We'll see what's to come. David and I have both "given up" on waiting, NOT actually of course, I guess it's like the saying "if you watch the pot it will never boil". The wait consumes you after a while. Our referral will come when it is supposed to and when it does we will be ecstatic. Until then were not really thinking about it and talking about it too much. It's too hard otherwise.

Introductions

Last night I was fixing a bowl of ice cream and when I went to wash off the scoop my outdoor cat jumped on the outside of the window I was standing in front of. She scared me to death but it was also weird b/c she had something huge in her mouth. I decided to go find her and see what she had caught. First let me say that it is raining like crazy outside and that this cat doesn’t meow like other cats. She also does NOT respond to being called by her name, etc. She brrrs and makes a noise like little kids do when they are trying to mimic the sound of a vehicle running. So when you call her we have learned if you make the brrr sound she will come.
I head out back and she runs to the front like she is ready to come in but will only come in the front door (she does this often). Well I go out the front and don’t see her- so naturally, I do what every cat owner does, I stand out in the rain brrr’ing for her. About that time my new neighbor (whom I have met once) steps outside as I am calling for my cat. I try to tone it down and brr quietly for her. Of course the rain picks up and is falling loudly. I am getting soaked and I really do need to get her inside for the night so I am forced to brr even louder. Next thing I know our neighbor is back outside with her husband. I can just hear their conversation “Come see the neighbor girl”! “But, it’s raining like crazy out there.” “No, come see, she is standing out in the rain making strange noises”. So now I have an audience. I continue brr’ing and luckily a few min. later Kali hears me and comes running. She STILL has the thing in her mouth. Not registering what it is and in a hurry to get away from my audience I pick her up. About that time she lets go of what is in her mouth. A huge wood (cock)roach lands on my shirt. I (gently) drop the cat and start dancing around trying to get it off of my shirt. Anyway I am sure we made a great second impression on the neighbors. I got the roach off, waved at the neighbors, gave the hello nod, and took our cat inside! It was quite the event.

Also, this is the second run in I have had with one of these roaches. The first night we moved to Texas our rental house had several of them in the garage. I was less than thrilled. I’m sure you’ve heard everything is bigger and better in Texas. Well it includes these lovely roaches. As I was washing my face, to get ready for bed that night, I grabbed the hand towel to dry my face. As I was drying it something felt awfully strange, when I pulled the hand towel back I realized I was drying my face with the back a wood roach. One of these little treasures had found its way inside and decided to make my first night in Texas a good one! Everyone who lives in this part of Texas says that the wood roaches will come in your house no matter what, that it’s the little ones you have to worry about. They still gross me out. Where I’ve lived before you only get roaches if your house is really dirty. Anyway I have no problem with bugs and spent a majority of my childhood collecting them. However, these bugs and I have never had a good introduction!

Tomorrow is a new day

While we didn't get our referral today we've got lots of great comments that have really helped encourage us. Thanks everyone. I guess all thats left to say is tomorrow is a new day...

21

Tomorrow will make 21 weeks of waiting. It is interesting b/c tomorrow also marks the day my great grandma will turn 95 years old! I think it would be neat if we get the call tomorrow on her birthday. We have been doing fine with the waiting for the most part (a day or two was REALLY hard) but I really do think I have gained a LITTLE more patience. Besides, it's all in Gods timing.

Window

On Wednesday (the 15th) we exited our window. It was a sad day. We have now waited 20 weeks for a referral. It has been more than a year now that we have been working to adopt.

My 7 things

I know I was supposed to post this a while ago but I have been so busy so here it is, my 7 random facts:

1. My parents taught me to snow ski when I was 3 years old. I love it and because of that it has came naturally to me. Now that I live in Texas I miss skiing a lot!

2. I am very much a night owl and not a morning person. Typically if you want me to do anything in the morning good luck! I am a total grouch and don’t mean to be! It takes me a while to get going and my energy increases as the day goes on!

3. I loved the 90’s when over sized t-shirts were popular. I have never given this love up and would wear a slightly over sized t-shirt every day if I had a choice.

4. Part of my nose was cut off when I was little. My best friend and I decided to play king of the snow mound. I won, she got mad climbed back up on it and shoved me off. I slid down on my face and cut my nose on the thickly packed ice. They sewed it back on and to this day my nose looks really funny on that side of my face. It does not bother me at all and I often forget about it until I meet someone new who asks me about it.

5. I am ashamed to say I not a reader. I recently bought the Bible on tape and have really enjoyed it. I have no problems reading -but the biggest reason is that I hate to stop and do something. I typically have 3 things going on at once so it is hard for me to sit and focus to read.

6. I am not a great conversationalist. I say things and mean them nicely but somehow people always misunderstand and think I am meaning something else that would have NEVER entered my mind. Someone told me once that I could tick off the pope giving him a compliment. I guess I am doomed that way!

7. I have become addicted to scrapbooking. I love to learn new techniques and see how each page turns out! I hope that I can still have SOME time for it once we get our baby!

I've been tagged!

Jen was sweet and tagged me to take my mind off the wait! It worked really well and I appreciate it! I have enjoyed blogging back and forth with Jen and getting to know her and her family more. It's amazing the heart the have for God :)! There are a handful of people who have made our adoption so special (for lack of better word). I would say Jen is a big one! Thanks for everything!



While I haven't quite got to type in everything yet, I am attempting to post this from home (which did not work). I will post my 7 random thoughts tomorrow after work. However in the mean time I am not going to play by the rules and go ahead and tag my 7 people!

I love keeping up with these blogs and I tag in no particular order:

Christina- Thanks for all the encouragement you have given me. You really have been a lifesaver the days I have been most discouraged about our adoption and have known exactly what to say! I can't wait for you to get your little one.
Laura- Although I don't wish it on anyone, esp. us, I have enjoyed staying on the wait list these past few weeks with you and our writing back and forth each day! :)
Cindy- While I haven't got to post on this blog as much as I would like (or any blog b/c of our SLOW computer, but it’s more because I never know what to post :) I have really enjoyed reading your blog! I also appreciate you posting on our blog so often! It’s always fun to read your comments!
I would say J&T, Rebecca and Rebecca but they have already been tagged.
Lori S - Another one of those people who have blessed our adoption and another one of those blogs I just love keeping up w/and reading!
Better World- It’s been so fun to watch you start the process and get to where you're at now. It was so cool when you chose Gladney. I can't wait until you get your referral.
The Moaks- Come on guys, it's time to update your blog! Can't wait to get together with you guys w/our kids!!!! Hopefully this will be sooner rather than later. Renee if it hadn't been for you I don't know if I would have looked into Ethiopia! Thanks so much!!!
Tara- Your blog is always interesting and you write the funniest things! I still think you should be a writer! Thanks so much for all of the posts, info, etc!

A Year in Retrospect...

It's pretty sweet to look back and read through our past year on our blog. I love seeing the pictures, reading the thoughts, as well as the comments. In some ways it is hard for me to believe that we have been blogging for nearly a year. I believe our first post was December 13th 2007, and we sent in our Gladney Application on September 18th. We have studied hard, we have been to the doctor's office, we learned all the ways the government verifies signatures from a Notary all the way to the US State Department. We've each received a variety of comments about adoption in general as well as international adoption including adopting from Ethiopia. It has allowed us to tell our story. While we have yet to receive our referral, we have received a great deal already in terms of friends, growth, maturity, and spirit. We continue to thank you for your support, for checking in on us, for encouraging us, for providing incite, for a "tag" at the right moment, and for the community you have provided.

Here's to another day on the waitlist, and wishing everyone in the adoption process...God's speed.

Could it be?

Today I logged on and discovered that another family had received a referral! I had been hoping for this for them. It also gave me the realization that we are next in line to receive a referral for a boy and 9th for a girl. Wow! I also read recently that referrals tend to come on Fridays and so I became even more excited at the possibility that today could be THE DAY! I e-mailed Mary with more phone numbers that they could reach us at, just incase, and got a reply within seconds. Excitedly I waited for it to load to know what it said. It was an out of office reply… I guess the referral isn’t coming today.


The verse of the day off of biblegateway.com:
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

I think it's speaking to me! :)

Another week down

Today marks 4 months and 3 weeks of waiting. Today also marks the day that voting for if we’ll be referred a boy or a girl ends. Is it a sign? When I put the voting poll up I had to pick an end date and didn’t pick anything specifically I just typed in some numbers. It’s interesting that it ends today! The Lord has provided great peace recently. We have stopped being so anxious about if we’ll get a referral and know that in its own time it will come. It’s the Lords time and we put it in His hands. We trust His time completely. When it’s right it will come. This does not mean that we won’t be ESTATIC when we receive our referral we have just realized that being anxious is not proactive! Actually we have realized that long ago it was just hard NOT to be anxious. The other exciting thing is the referral has to come some time soon. Our agency says a typical referral wait is 3-5 months and we’re there. We might exit that timeframe but if we do each day brings us that much closer to our little one!


Proverbs 12:25An anxious heart weighs a man down.

Philippians 4:6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Ecclesiastes 3:1[ A Time for Everything ] There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

Another week down

Today makes 4 months and 2 weeks of waiting.