Giving Thanks

2 Corinthians 9:15 says. "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift(s)." I cannot describe to you all of the things I am Thankful for. Our family put up a Thanksgiving tree at the first of November, and we have added to it throughout the month. It has served as a great reminder every day to stop and consider all the blessings we have! One of the first things my girls put on the tree was the name of our social worker and our agency, Lifeline Children's Services. There were days when instead of dwelling on the negatives, I got out the Sharpie and said a prayer of Thanksgiving instead. The first thing I put on the tree was GRACE. God's grace amazes me every time I think about it. I am so Thankful that when God looks at me, He does not see me the way I see myself- He sees someone who is worthy of EVERYTHING He has! I am so Thankful for the husband He gave me and for the beautiful girls He gave to us. I am Thankful for the strength He is continually giving to Todd and I as we wait on news from Ukraine. I am Thankful for Faith, because without it, I'm not sure how we could have Hope.

-Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see...Hebrews 11:1

Unanswered questions

I'm typing this post from my laptop tonight (that would be because the little monsters that live inside my computer finally figured out how to destroy it). It's dead- a moment of silence please. Maybe that's O.K. I've gotta get used to posting on this laptop anyway. It looks like the timeline for our trip is gonna end up being in March sometime which takes care of the HUGE fear I have had about cold weather, but does not do much for planting season for Todd. We have not gotten an official date yet, but I think I am finished worrying about it (for now, anyway). I actually have a patient that is from Ukraine and she was in the office today. I think I've shared with ya'll that I was so pumped a few months ago because I was going to Wow her with my ability to tell her -in Ukrainian- whether her baby was a boy (who o pets) or a girl (giv ch na). At least that was MY version of it anyway. I DIDN'T WOW HER!!! She couldn't understand me!!Ha Ha I gave up on Ukrainian 101 and decided I'll try to smile a lot! Anyway, she was in the office again today, and we were talking a little bit about the adoption. She asked me point blank the one question that I don't know how to answer-Why do you want a baby from Ukraine? I stumbled around and eventually stammered out "because we want another child, and we want to give a home to a child that does not have one" or something like that. I don't know how to answer that question. And I know it will be one they will ask us in court. How can you know so clearly that you are doing the right thing/what God has planned for you, but not be able to find the words to express it! Thanks to all of you out there who allow me the chance to share my thoughts about this adoption. This is part of our journey, this is part of our children's lives.

One point for me!

I actually managed to get something done on my laptop this week without a huge disaster!!! (Just let me enjoy my small victory). I purchased webcams for our parents for Christmas -hope they aren't reading this- and for us. I set ours up this weekend on our laptop and downloaded SKYPE.com so that we can "see" each other in Ukraine. I don't know if all of ya'll out there have heard about skype, but a lot of our Alabama families use it to call home from Ukraine. The way I understand it, it's really cheap. Which works well for us, because when our 4 year old starts telling a story, she forgets to stop. We are taking our girls with us to Ukraine, so the grandparents are already 'freaking out' a little because they won't get to see them for a while. Anyway, I can mark --Webcam and --set up skype, off of my list of things to do before we go to Ukraine. I also have all of my Christmas cards addressed and ready to go. (I'm not mailing them yet). I put our blog address on our cards this year, so I am really hoping to get our travel date before I mail them. I would love to be able to have an answer for people other than "we don't know anything yet". Our family watched our first Christmas movie last night!!! I guess doing my cards has gotten me in the spirit!
One last thing- I had the joy of teaching children's church yesterday, and their lesson was on Faithfulness. All of the kids received a "reward" with a tag attached that read..."God rewards Faithfulness." That phrase keeps running through my mind. Our earthly reward may be in Ukraine, but if we love and raise our children in the ways of the Lord, our heavenly reward will be EVEN greater. Can you imagine??

Diverted energy..

I think sometimes God knows we need something to divert our attention away from things like adoption, Ukraine, etc... I didn't get any offers on my little pink media player, so I have just spent ANOTHER 2 hours trying to make it work. I did get the pictures off-and now I have Rattatoluie downloaded on my computer and in my Media player file, but it still won't play or sync! Iwill admit that I am a little tunnel visioned right now, and at this point, it has become a challenge just to figure it out. Of course, after I get it done, my next project will be marriage counseling because I haven't been to bed before 11:00 any night this week. I know all of you who are adopting from Ukraine understand what it is like to take on a challenge! (There has got to be a little determination in all of us, or we would never make it home with our children.)

Anyone looking for a slightly used video player?

I hate technology sometimes. I thought I had my Sony walkman figured out, but no luck. Now I have a movie on my computer, but I still can't get it to the media player. What I did get to the walkman was EVERY media file on my computer, and now I can't get it off!!!! O.K. I just needed to gripe a minute and since every other person in MY house is asleep, this seemed like a good place to do it! I spoke with our social worker today, and she assures me that our guys on the Ukraine side are keeping up with possible appointment dates. I know our agency is doing everything they can to get our appointment, although I'm not sure they can control much.
So... if anyone out there is looking to purchase a really nice, slightly used, pink digital media player with about 100 pictures of my beautiful family on it, just let me know!! I can get you a deal on it!!HAHA! Good night to all (and Dobra RonOak to our 'children'-It's 6AM in Ukraine)

20 Days and counting...

Well, our 20 days came (and went), but this is no big shock! I did finally get an email from the Leland family this morning and they are HOME!! I'm so excited for their family, I can't be bummed about the 20 days! They have not updated their blog lately-I can't imagine why-HAHA! I know they are busy getting home, adjusting, etc...I am Thankful that two more children have begun their new life in their new HOME.

Our Daddy!

I absolutely have the best "Hubby" in the world!! I don't know if he is just really a great guy, or if he just does stuff to make me happy-But, here are some pictures of the things he has done for us this week. This first picture is of "Freddy and Daphne" on Halloween. Avery said he was "her boyfriend". He wore a pair of polyester pants that I picked up at a thrift store, along with the matching poly shirt. The hair was the really funny part. Strands keep getting in his face and he would push them back the way an old man slicks down his 3 remaining hairs!!! I'm not sure what he is planning on doing with the 'wig' but the next day, I went to throw it away and he told me to keep it. Sounds a little scary to me!
Tonight we had our Celebrate the Seasons dinner for the American Cancer Society. It was a really neat event. My table turned out really great (this isn't the best picture). I did a bird table in honor of our friend "Daddy Byrd". Notice the "Ukrainian" style tablecloth that I had to sneak in there. Todd volunteered (or maybe I volunteered him) to be a "server" tonight. He looked SO great in his black bow tie. I haven't seen him in a bow tie since our wedding. That's his mom he is about to pour water on! (and our oldest daughter, Ellie). What a guy!! He is surrounded by women. He deserves a "little man" in his life to keep him company.
-I thank God upon every remembrance of you-Phil 1:3

Food for the "adopting" soul!

I just finished watching Disney's Meet the Robinsons. Our girls got it for Halloween. I had NO idea it was about adoption and was a little disappointed when it first started because it is the story of a little guy that no one wants to take. BUT....rent it and stick with it! It has a great lesson in it for all of us. I goes off with a quote by Walt Disney-
Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious... and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
I don't know about the rest of ya'll, but I am so 'eat up' in love with a kid 8 hours away from here that doesn't even know I exist!