Thursday, September 27, 2012

Odds and Ends


Itty-Bitty- First and foremost, I wanted to make the announcement that our precious HJ has a forever family!  I’ve known for a while, but honestly, it has made the past month the biggest blessing and the most heartbreaking all in the same.  I’m beyond thankful that she has a forever family, but knowing that all hope of her coming home to us is gone has been very difficult for me. 

We really do love her beyond words.  I’m SO grateful that I actually know her family and they are only about 2 hours away from us!!!  Her mom has also asked for us to write letters to her for her life book and even to do some monogramming for her in the future.  I’m beyond thankful that God answered our prayer to allow us to be a part of her life, no matter how small.  My new prayer is that one day, Ruby Grace and Miss Nell (her new name) can play together and become friends!

·      Adoption- In case anyone is now wondering about our adoption process…. It is still creeping along at the lightning speed of a…..snail.  A big, fat, barely-moving, stinking snail.  Uh-hum.  Feel free to pray for our patience, hope, faith, trust, etc as we continue to wait (what, according to our agency) is seeming like/could be a very. long. time. before we see our precious daughter’s face.  I’m absolutely convinced that waiting for a referral is the most excruciating part of the adoption process.  Now, after we see her pretty face and we’re waiting to travel-I’ll tell you if I’ve changed my opinion.  ;) Until then, I honestly do covet your prayers.  We are SO ready to see our sweet angel’s face.

·      Johnny Appleseed- We celebrated Johnny Appleseed’s birthday at school this week.  That was fun!  Any excuse to drink apple juice really is a good one.  Until one child asks if we are drinking “pee.”  Thank you for that one.  I think I’ll be sticking to grape juice for a while.  Oy, these children.

·      Photography- I am beginning a new photography class next week and I’m SO beyond excited I can’t even put it into words.  I’m really hoping that this takes my mind off of our adoption.  Ok, who am I kidding?  BUT-surely it will help a SMIDGE!  One can only hope….

·      C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S!!!!  Do you people realize that fantastic holiday is less than THREE months away?!!  And, since we are broke-as-a-joke this year, I have already started making everyone’s Christmas gifts!  Yep- you read that right.  I figure if everyone receives all the Pinterest ideas they’ve pinned, but will never get around to actually creating, they should be pretty happy, correct? Yes?

·      Bible/Chapel- they are my two favorite things about private school.  I LOVE reading God’s word to my student’s everyday.  And listening to them laugh hysterically as I butcher all the Bible character’s names.  :/  I’m pretty sure Seminary should be a pre-requisite for teaching in a private Christian school.  I mean, honestly, who names their children these things?!  Where were all the Sams and Jakes back then?  Very thankful for the few Mommas that dubbed their offspring James and John.  Now, there’s some women with good heads on their shoulders.

·      Palmer- she’s our new gray kitten!  She made a 15 minute journey down a four-lane highway last Thursday in a co-worker’s engine.  :/  She was also a stray that had apparently lost her Mommy and said co-worker didn’t want her.  I happened to LOVE her!  428 days into our adoption, God doesn’t give us a daughter, He gives us a kitten… I suppose we’ll take what we can get??  That God of ours sure does have a sense of humor, huh?  Nevertheless, Perry is smitten with his new baby kitten. 

·      Home Décor- We painted our bedroom gray!!!!  :D  It was teal with a map of the world covering one wall.  Pretty cool for geography lessons… not so much for a peaceful, serene, adult master bedroom. 

·      Dreams- While we’re on the topic of décor, I’m to the point where I want to decorate and prepare RubyGrace’s nursery.  I’m starting to have the mind set of “If I build it, she will come!” ;)  haha- just kidding….Ok, not kidding at all.  All this “Ruby stuff” lying around the house in random crooks and crannies is a little strange.  It needs a place. 

·      Sunday School-This week will be my last Sunday teaching the precschool K4 classroom, and while I’m a little sad about moving on, I’m also pretty excited about having the opportunity to join an adult Bible study again.  I think at this stage in my life, the more Bible study, the better.  I think God agrees.  I’m pretty sure if He has every gotten tired of listening to someone… it would be me.  I recently read a devotional about Jonah and how God just needed to give him a “time out,” therefore sticking him into the whale’s belly.  I’m currently pretty thankful that the ocean’s a few hours away.  Just sayin.’

·      Cool weather- How I love thee!  Though, seeing as how Fall has officially begun, it’d be nice if you would STOP going up to a humid 90 degrees during the day!  

·      Planes, Trains, and Automobiles- My car was deemed fixable, with a nice fixable price tag to the tune of $16,00,0 so for the past month they have been fixing my car.  Only to find MORE damage today that they say will likely push it over into Totalsville.  I’m FO-REALZ over it already.  Whatever.  Just SO ready to have this whole shabam behind us, one way or another.

·      Awana- I L-O-V-E watching Perry at Awana each Wednesday night.  He does so well saying his Bible verse on the stage.  I can’t help but think he’s adorable and oh so sweet… as apparently, he does too.  According to his teacher (his Aunt Becky), when learning about sin and how ALL have sinned, Perry was pretty adamant that he is the one exception to this little piece of Bible trivia.  When asked if he ever did anything wrong, his response was, “Nooooooo!”  Becky said that every child in the class finally admitted/talked about how sometimes they made bad choices/sinned, but not Mr. P.  He’s apparently perfect!  Haha!.... Can we see the only child syndrome coming into play?  For crying out loud Korea!  Home Boy NEEDS a little sister!!!!!  For salvation’s sake! ;)

OK- I will try to be a little less sarcastic with my next post and actually post something of worth, versus total nonsense and slight whining.  Thankfully, this happens to be MY blog and I can do such every now and then!  ;) 

HAPPY FRIDAY EVE!!!!

{thankful for}
28. A God that really never gets tired of hearing from me...again
29. A blog that I can vent on
30. A good devotional that is emailed to me every morning
31. Spicy hummus dip and pita chips

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Dandelions {Sunday Snapshot}


A while back, I took this photo of P and it quickly became one of my favorites.  But, the evening light had made it a “not technically perfect photo.” 

But, recently I purchased Florabella’s Classic Workflow set and I have been practicing with it on older photos (since I seem to be Instagraming it a lot lately…) If you are on the fence about this set (as I was for SEVERAL months), GO FOR IT!!  I {HEART} Classic Workflow!!  My favorite set yet!  (Though I have not purchased the new one, which I hear is equally awesome!  
How does that Shana Rae do it?!)

Anyway, with the help of: classic color, soft warmth, rosy cream and then classic black and white to finish, I am falling in love with this image all over again! 

I adore how a child can find such joy and wonder in the world-even through such simple things as a weed. 


If dandelions were hard to grow, they’d be most welcome in any lawn.  ~Andrew Mason

{thankful for}
23. Our newest member of our family, our kitten, Miss Palmer
24.  Joy in the ordinary
25. Cheese ball
26. Celebrating my sister, Melissa's, and her fiance, James', birthday today with family
27. A new photography class starting up

To see more Sunday Snapshots, visit Stefanie's blog:

Ni Hao Yall

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Simplicity {Sunday Snapshot}


Several weeks back, I read a post that Stephanie (from Ni Hao Y’all) did on photography.  One thing she said in particular that day really stuck with me.  I’m paraphrasing, but she said the author of a good photography book she was reading suggested that unless color is going to add to the photo, it should be presented in black and white. 


I had the honor of doing a photo shoot for my friend’s littles the other day, and the simple beauty of these two girls just blew me away.  I’m a HUGE fan of black and white photography anyway, so it was no surprise I preferred the black and white in these as well.


As I was editing, I really liked some that I left in color, but the ones in black and white just radiated the pure joy, beauty, youth, and innocence of these sweet sisters.  I hope the simplicity of these precious moments caught on film are a treasure for their Mommy for many years to come!


{Settings for First Image}
Camera: Nikon D5000
Time of Day: Approx 6:30pm
ISO 600
SS 1/250
f/2.8
Post Processed using Florabella's Classic Rich B&W

{thankful for}
21. The opportunity to practice my photography skills
22. Gorgeous evening light

Ni Hao Yall

To see more Sunday Snapshots, visit Stephanie at Ni Hao Ya'll! 

Friday, September 14, 2012

Inland Lake {Favorite Photo Friday}

We enjoyed another afternoon at the lake recently. 


Justin got up on the wake-board!  ... Finally! ;)


P enjoyed tubing... though he wanted to do it by himself.


And we all enjoyed a little time to relax and forget the world.

{thankful for}
18. Time spent with family
19. Laughs and giggles from all as we watched Justin attempting to get up
20. A lake so close to home that we can enjoy each summer

To see more Friday Favorites, visit my friend Lisa's blog!

the long road

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Perry's Take on Teeth Brushing...


Thanks to physical therapy that takes approximately 2 ½ hours out of my day for three days a week and super busy weekends, I have traded in my Nikon for my handy-dandy Instagram App.  And, whereas I am actually starting to miss all my Manual settings, Instagram has done a great job filling in for spure of the moment captures. 

Like this one….
When I turned my back for TWO seconds to get P’s jammers for him.  I told him to brush his teeth while I gathered his clothes and hadn’t been gone but just a moment when I heard infectious giggles coming from the bathroom.

Little dude had plugged the sink, went swimming, and was splashing and giggling all over the place.  Though all the photos are hilarious, these are really the only ‘G’ rated ones, as I hadn’t gotten my little Monkey clothed before the mischief broke out.

Oh my!  I LOVE being a BOY Mamma! 

{thankful for}
15. A silly monkey that I get to call my own!
16. The ability to brush and take care of our teeth.
17. A phone that helps me catch such precious moments!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Playing at the Park



Two weekends ago, we took Perry to a park for a picnic and to play around for a little while.  And I emphasize little.  Though we were having SO much fun!  It was BLAZING hot.  Then, add in all that play equipment and it was sweltering! 


Thankfully, we made our own breeze for P to cool off in, slightly!


Before rounding out with lunch in the shade!  Sometimes you just can't beat cheap family fun!  Even when it is 100 degrees outside!

{thankful for}
8. Fun family memories
9. A fabulous friend who will call an adoption agency and inquire about a precious child on our behalf!
10. Having laundry to fold
11. A Daddy that will patiently let P help him take down wall paper
12. Good friends that I work with
13. Grilled steaks for dinner
14. An uplifting sermon via Beth Moore CD



Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Field of Dreams

Today This week This month This month and a half have been some of the most trying days of my life.  There has most definitely been a series of unfortunate events.  And last night, I experienced the straw that broke the camel's back.  

When I say it was bad, I mean it was bad.  I cried to my poor mother for the thousandth millionth billionth time this month.  I mean-it was kind of ugly.  And unruly.  And ungrateful.  

My sweet Mom so kindly reminded me that I was so blessed beyond measure and in the nicest way possible told me I needed to get it together and be thankful for all that I have and just choose joy.  

Huh.  

It was a bit of a hard pill to swallow.  

Yep- believe you me.  We've had our far share of bad luck lately, but we are still blessed beyond measure.  

I have been making a point today to find JOY in the everyday.  In fact, I'm really hoping to make this a life statement.  

Our 'Little Field of Dreams'

I know I started it before and failed miserably, but I'm going to start listing daily things I'm thankful for on the blog. By being conscience of all that God has blessed me with, I'm hoping to be a happier heart that shines even brighter for Him!

So... P and I started finding JOY at 6:37 this morning.  In one of our favorite spots on the planet.  

We have the honor of seeing the different paintings of God's sunrise over this little field of dreams almost every weekday morning.  And the beauty has blessed the pants off of us.  In fact, when I stopped the car to look at it for a moment, P said, "Take a picture Mommy!!"  Which, I happened to think was the perfect thing to do!  

So happy to have this photo to remind me of God's million blessings that we don't take the time to notice.  I'm really hoping to change that.

To see more Wondrous Works, head over to Ginny's blog HERE!  

{thankful for}
1. My precious family
2. Our health
3. The beautiful sunrise over our little field of dreams
4. Physical therapy
5. Pizza Hut take out for a yummy and quick dinner
6. A freshly painted bedroom
7. An awesome Awana program for my little P to learn more about God's love


Our Adoption Timeline

  • June 19, 2011- We are officially "Paper Pregnant!" We have submitted our Waiting Child Application to Holt!
  • July 5, 2011- Submitted our formal Home Study Application to Villa Hope
  • September 6, 2011- Submitted all of our paperwork for our Home Study
  • October 8, 2011- Completed our First Home Visit
  • October 17, 2011- Completed our Second Home Visit
  • November 14, 2011- Home Study Approved
  • December 1, 2011- Filed our I600a
  • February 1, 2012- I600a Approval Letter
 
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