The Message

The past month I have been plagued with feelings of doubt, frustration, and annoyance over the slow workings of our social worker. The whole story is that I believe she only works part time and she is busy with many adoptive families, all in different stages and games. This part I know, but at times I still feel she should be able to respond to emails and complete tasks she said she would quicker than the 5 -30 day turn around which she is currently producing. At the same moments of annoyance, I hear a small little voice in my head saying " listen and remember". We have gone through all of this before, the slow workings of a social worker.....the long drawn out process....and look where we ended up. With a perfect child for our family. I can't imagine life with the little boy who we thought would be ours for 8 months. God plays a much bigger role in this process then I or the social worker. I know this but for some reason I am still learning and I still need to listen and remember.

I started reading a book (Soul Print by Mark Batterson), which is basically screaming the message to me that there is a plan created by God. A plan I can't control and one that will be more bountiful than I could have ever planned or taken credit for. Here's a quote from pg. 69:
"The goal is not accomplishing the dream God has given you. The dream is a secondary issue. The primary issue is who you become in the process. We fixate on what and when and where. God's primary concern is always who. And He wont get you where He wants you to go until you become who He wants you to be."

Wow! Maybe I should wake up and smell the roses. As I continue on my everyday life, which includes reading adoption blogs, another blogger quoted Psalm 139:
"all of the days ordained for you were written in His book before one of them came to be.”

Ok....so I get it. I hear it. Now I need to truly embrace it. I truly feel that Mike and I do a fairly good job at being patient during the waiting process. As I am learning though, I need to do a better job at the preparing to wait process....ie. the paperwork and homestudy process. Deep down I know this is not my plan, this is not my story to tell. I know God will provide us with another wonderful perfect child for our family when He sees fit. Apparently I need to stop being silly and be who He wants me to be. So...OK...I get it. Hopefully my friends and family will hold me accountable now that I have this in writing!

Blogging for Books!!

I must say that Blogging for Books keeps me reading more....which I love. I love reading...but NEVER made time for it, well until now! We are in the midst of saving every penny to pay for our second adoption. We were very fortunate that we didn't need to take out a loan for our first adoption and we hope to do the same. Saving money is quiet boring....but reading is free and is helping to pass the time. I am also in the middle of redoing our dining room which has also kept me very busy without spending money. Ugh....taking wallpaper down....removing glue from wall....all work...but free. So after my arm feels as if it were to fall off with another scrub, I then stop to read.

I just got done reading Divine Appointments by Charlene Ann Baumbich. It was fair..middle of the road....something to pass the time. I would classify this as an easy read which left you wondering how the plot would continue but didn't necessarily make me stop putting the book down at night. The main characters have slightly extreme personalities but it is easy to think of someone in your own life with the same quirks. The story revolves around Josie and this snow globe...which is slightly mystical. I'm not really into mystical and didn't really like that portion of the book though it had a lot to do with the overall "lesson" of the book. It was not overtly religious despite the title...and actually only one main character was faith based. The book also delved into layoffs and unemployment which many people can relate to in this economy. Overall I would rate this book as a 3.5/5. "I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review".

So there you have if folks! While I wait for my next book I will keep reading the pile that is sitting on my nightstand...which currently holds 6 books, 2 started and 4 ready to be cracked!

Settled

Loving the New Year...despite that it is only 7 days old! Typically I set some sort of resolutions which in the end only leave me feeling disillusioned when I come no where near reaching them. Therefore this year I set a new mindset for myself. I've decided this will be the year to make it happen. Make what happen you ask...you know...."IT". Hmmmm....have I lost you now? "IT" can be what you deem it to be, but the motto is the point. The point is to make the "IT" in your life happen. How many times do we say we wish we had more time to complete all those projects, be a better person, keep a cleaner house, volunteer more, be a better friend, lose the extra layer of warmth which makes our clothes a little snugger than we like, send out all the birthday cards on time, call a loved one......and the list goes on. Well...this is the year I want to make it happen. I have no set goals and I refuse to make them. I am just going to get busy and make IT happen. I like this new attitude. There are so many things in life which demand our precious time and I dont want to add more things to that list. SO...I will get busy....make some things happen...while learning to balance the must....needs...and wants...in a more healthy matter. So far I have more time to get on the treadmill (which should be a need..but often turns into a want with a little one and full time job) and read ( which is truly prompted more by the idea of getting free books to review!). I tackle house projects with more vigor and am being slightly more successful with keeping the house picked up...not that it truly ever is that messy. On the other hand....I have been turning the TV off and limiting my time on the Internet....despite all the blogs I love to read (which have helped to inspire this new attitude). How many times do I say I am blessed, my family is blessed? We are....and I need to appreciate this more...and will this Year. This Year is the year I will make "IT" happen. I hope you all will make "IT" happen as well!! Good luck and have fun!

It was fun 2010

We had a wonderful Christmas week and I am now sad to say goodbye to 2010. It was the busiest most life changing year I've had..and that is saying a lot. Here's a recap of our year through the months.

January - Mike moved across the state while Leah and I braved the snow alone in at home..trying to sell the house.

February - We get an offer on the house...and then Leah and I truck it across the state to help dad look for a new house....in even more snow!! We find our new home after a few weeks. :-)

March - We move....closer to family...and in a bigger house we can grow into (with more kids!)

April - All is quiet...mom and Leah spend the days unpacking the house. Leah learns to sit on her own.

June - Mom finally goes back to work part-time and Leah gets used to daycare 3 days a week. We visit with Leahs birthfamily.

July - Leahs first trip to the beach. Leah finally learns to crawl!

August - Mom starts her new job full-time at the local university.

September - Quiet month....it blows by with mom working fulltime and teaching a new course.

October -Leah turns one and we have a BIG ladybug PARTY! Leahs birthmom and sister come to stay for the party.

November - We finalize Leahs adoption in court.

December - Our first Christmas in our new home...and our first Christmas waking up in our own home since we were married...and our second Christmas with Leah! We send in the paperwork for our second adoption!

Its been a great year. I'm not sure 2011 can top this one....but you never know. We were very blessed this year and continue to be. We have been surrounded by loved ones every step of our journey. Here are a few pictures of those special Christmas moments.

Goodbye 2010....you've been good.