Playing Catch Up

I have so much catching up to do. I still haven't posted any pictures of the beach trip that was almost a month ago. And then there are the pictures of the impromptu field trip to the Texas Capitol which also need to be posted. But my camera hasn't been working so well lately, and so Patrick and I are sharing (plus his is just better than mine). I hate sharing a camera with him. It's not because I'm selfish and greedy. It's because he uses his for work, and so it often disappears from the house when I'm home and have a moment to download pics.

Anyway here's a quick summary of what's going on.

It's cold and windy outside. It's actually a bit unusual for this time of year. But we've had rain. Quite a bit of it in fact. And the angels rejoiced. Now if we can just keep it coming.

Due to flooded fields all soccer games were cancelled today. Did I mention it is cold and windy? And I was going to have to fill in as coach. So glad the games were cancelled. That could've been quite a circus.

Patrick's out of town until late tonight (which is the reason why I was going to have to coach soccer). He left yesterday at lunch time. Andrew and I have been huge bums. I did work out yesterday, but I've been feeling a little crummy so I may take a couple days off to let my body heal. Needless to say, I was too lazy to cook last night so we ordered pizza. Then we ate huge bowls of ice cream. It was worth it. No regrets there.

I bought myself  Andrew the entire collection of "Home Alone" movies. We've watched the first two. The third I have mixed feelings about. In spite of a series of bad choices and the movie "The Good Son", Macaulay Culkin will always be the best "Home Alone" kid in my book.

I decided this morning that we needed pumpkin bread for breakfast. It doesn't take long to mix up. But it takes for stinkin' ever to bake. Now I'm starving and waiting rather impatiently for it to finish baking.

We've been busy. Nothing new there. And there a million things going on, but so much of it deserves its own post. Hopefully I'll have time to catch y'all up soon.

Enjoy your Saturday!

And Then He Was Six

Last weekend was spent celebrating Andrew's 6th birthday. On Saturday he had his party at home with his friends. A loud fun time was had by all. But seriously y'all I think I may have lost some of my hearing.

I was a little worried about the weather since a cool front was supposed to blow in, but the weather was great and the kids had a blast. (The pictures where people are looking at the camera and smiling . . . I took those. The ones where people have weird, surprised looks on their faces (usually me) . . . give Patrick credit.)

On Sunday we went to my parents' for Andrew's birthday lunch. Afterward, we went to the rehab hospital to see my grandmother. She broke her knee a couple weeks ago and had to spend a bit of time in the rehab facility learning how to not use her leg.

This is a prime example of the pictures taken when the subject is not looking. Oh look! My mouth's open, and I'm talking. There's something you almost never see. (note the sarcasm)

My grandfathers deep in conversation. I love this.

Andrew ended up getting three new superhero costumes plus lots of superhero gear. He has his pick of costumes for Halloween.

We finished up the weekend by celebrating with his class on Monday morning. I got a dozen donuts from Krispy Kreme. Nothing a teacher loves more than when you sugar the kids up early in the day. ;)

All in all it was a fun but exhausting weekend. I can't wait to see what six years old holds for my buddy.

For All Who Are Waiting

If you happen to know anyone adopting from Bulgaria then you may know that right now a lot of adoptive parents are on edge waiting to see what's going to happen in the next few weeks. Some are waiting to hear news of referrals, while others, like us, are waiting to hear that there's movement so maybe one day in the not so far off future we'll hear news of a referral. If you don't know anyone adopting from Bulgaria, then take my word for it, it's been a bit crazy lately.

I think the fear that most parents face is that for one reason or another it will never happen. When you've waited two years, and you're not sure how much longer you'll wait it can be really frustrating. It can be really scary. I know that I'm not the only one working through all these feelings and fears right now. Alone is one thing we are not in this journey. Yet it can seem so isolating, and trying to figure it all out can be downright exhausting.

On Wednesday, we went to chapel at Andrew's school (there's a connection here so bear with me). His class was reciting Psalm 100 for the whole school. Definitely one of the highlights, if not the highlight, of my week. After they were finished, different teachers had been asked to answer questions regarding their faith. I'm not going to give you all the specifics of each teacher's answer. Honestly, I don't remember them all, but twice Proverbs 3:5-6 came up.

Proverbs 3:5-6

New King James Version (NKJV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct[a] your paths.

This scripture . . . I've known it for as long as I can remember. Yet I'm always amazed at how God can take a seemingly familiar scripture and make it seem new again. I had to stop and ask, "Am I trusting Him with all my heart? Am I leaning on my own understanding? Am I really acknowledging Him?" He's brought us so far. He sees what we don't. He knows and understands what we cannot even begin to fathom. And when the path seems confusing and dark and doesn't make any sense, He will direct it. Whatever it is you're waiting for, maybe it's a job, or a spouse, or a child, maybe it's a dream you've never shared with anyone, acknowledge Him today. Let Him make your paths straight. He will never fail you!

A Letter to My Big Boy on His Sixth Birthday

Dear Andrew,

Six years ago today at 3:51 a.m. you were born. And in true Andrew fashion you weren't content to enter this world in a normal way. At five weeks early, weighing only 4 lbs 13 oz., you came s quite a surprise . . . a wonderful, crazy, lovable, perfect surprise!

It's hard to believe you're six today. You've grown into such an amazing kid. You're smart and sweet and one of the most compassionate people I know. You're hard headed, but you come by it naturally, and you're a fantastic debater and a natural leader. I swear that someday you'll be an attorney and a good one at that. You love school. You love your friends. You love your pets and your family. But the greatest thing of all is your love for Jesus. And buddy, your love for Jesus is loud and proud, and there's absolutely nothing greater. 

Keep on growing. Keep on learning. Never change who you are for anyone else. But if you don't mind, could you try to stay six for more than fifteen minutes?

Moments after you were born.

Your first birthday.

Your first night in your big boy bed. 

Your second birthday.

And your third birthday.

Then we turned around, and you were turning four.

And five was right on the heels of four.

And now? Now, on October 6th, you're six. It's hard to believe, and the years really have flown by. I look forward to watching you grow into an amazing young man of God, and I love you with all my heart.

Mommy 

Thursday Thoughts

- Andrew will be six on Sunday. I'm so not ready for him to be six. It seems so old. If you're friends with me on Facebook or follow me on twitter or instagram, you may have seen that he told me yesterday that he was in love with a little girl in his class. I know he has no idea what he's talking about, but geeze . . . I'm certainly not ready for him to be in love with anyone but me. ;)

- This morning I grabbed a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks. It's not the first one I've had, but it's the first one this year. And my memory had faded a bit. Y'all I'm sorry. Please don't lynch me, but I can't make myself like it. It's not the pumpkin or the spice; it's the fact that it's so stinkin' sweet. It's like syrup with a drop of coffee poured in. I drink coffee because I like coffee. I like the flavor. I like the richness. Sometimes I'll splash a little flavored creamer in my coffee. Most of the time I drink it with half and half sans sugar. I guess it's not the Pumpkin Spice Latte in particular I dislike as much as the sweet syrupy coffee drinks in general. I tried to fit in with the crowd, but I just couldn't do it. No more lattes for this girl.

- Adoption. I typed the word, and I stopped. I have no idea what to say. I'm really worn out. I'm on a Bulgarian adoption Facebook page, and I'm also part of a Yahoo group, and I think I need to step back for a while. Everyone has an opinion. Most aren't so great. There's a lot of support, but there's a lot speculation and sometimes just plain critical comments between members. I know I need to step away, but sometimes I just can't seem to do it. To be honest, like gut wrenching honest, this process will wear you down. It's not for the faint of heart by any stretch. I thank God that He gives us strength as each day passes. I don't know how anyone could go through this without Him. It is exhausting; it is emotionally draining; it is just plain hard. I want nothing more than to bring a little girl home . . . our little girl home. I pray everyday . . . some days more times than I can count. Andrew prays every night for his sister to come home. He asks everyday how much longer it will be, and y'all it's heartbreaking. I'm learning to trust God like never before. To rest in His peace that passes all understanding. But if you know me, you know I'm a doer not a rester. But there's nothing for me to do. It's all in His hands now.

- In keeping with my last thought, please pray for us. Pray for strength, patience, and stamina. And while I'm being completely honest, please pray we get a referral very soon. Also, pray for Bulgaria. Pray that they pick up the process and begin issuing referrals. Pray for the children. The boys and girls who have no mother to hold them and no father to give them piggy back rides. Pray that they find homes. Pray for a miracle for all involved. It seems like so much but I know it's far from impossible with God.

- I had other thoughts, but they've left my head. So with that I'll say goodnight all!