The Ties That Bind...My Deep Experience at Steffie's Birthday Party

I know that you all are wanting to hear about Steffie B's birthday party and the truth is that it was fabulous in so many ways. This photo is me, Steffie, Emmie, Becky and Gwen.

I have followed along Becky's blog since I started blogging. I have visited Gwen's blog from time to time but didn't really know a lot about her or her family. Here's my take on these two women. Becky is the real deal. The warmth and loveliness you see on her blog is all legit. I immediately was drawn right to her. Her smile and personality are irresistible. It was a true joy to see her. Gwen is stunning and a spitfire. She had me busting up all night long. She's the woman who you know will ensure that you have a blast if she's with you for a girls night out.

Ok, I'm starting to sound like one of those people who writes about celebrities or something. But let me get down to the beauty of what I saw tonight. I saw these three women with a bond that I was not a part of and could never be a part of. There is a tie between them. It is the shared experience of journeying to a foreign land and returning with a child. They went through that process together and it forever changed them and bound them to each other. I could see it. This sisterhood. And it was very moving to me. I look forward to when I go on my journey and I hope that I am accompanied with women as amazing as these.

This is Stephanie with her husband David who is a hoot. My husband had a great time talking and laughing with him throughout the evening. I want to thank you for the invitation Stefanie, we are so glad that we went. I also want to thank Becky and Gwen for being so wonderful. It was a pleasure to meet you and I will be leaving many comments on your blogs. I am so looking forward to going through this wait with you.

More Birthdays Today!

Happy Birthday to the beautiful Ghelerter Twins! I hope that you two darlings have a great day!

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Steffie!! Have a great day! Steffie's blog is 'Never Too Many' if you want to send some birthday wishes.

Picking up the pieces...

It doesn't look like Elizabeth's referral for Grace Ryan is coming this month. I know that it will be soon. But, I also know that she could use a little encouragement from us to keep her going until the next referrals come in. It's what we do best, pick each other up when this journey seems just a little too hard. Elizabeth's blog is 'The Dragonfly and Ladybug'.

I am here my friend, hundreds of miles away but right next to you in my heart.

A Question about Blogger Etiquette...and some info...

I have a question about blogger etiquette:

When you leave a question on a blog, do you actually take the time to go back and see if it is answered in the comments? I do get questions from time to time in my comments and I don't know if I should answer them there or go to that persons blog. I see people who answer and people who don't. But what I want to know is if the question askers actually go back. Do you want me to start answering the questions in my comments?

Also, I get a lot of questions about my graphics. I do not subscribe to any type of group. I love scanning the internet for new quotes and graphics. I am a blog addict. I really don't watch much television anymore-except for Grey's Anatomy & Brothers and Sisters. After Eli goes to bed, if nothing is going on, you will find me on the internet scamming things for my blog.

Feel free to take anything off of this blog that you like. I am not a designer, if it's on here, I took it from somewhere else.

I am a Complete Trainwreck..My Son is in Drivers Training.

I know that this doesn't seem like a big deal, but it is one of my greatest fears for my children. I'll give the background that many of you already know. My mother was killed in a horrific car accident when I was 16 years old. The coroner recommended that I not see the body. She was cremated. It was the most devastating experience of my life. My father had to force me to learn how to drive and get my licence prior to sending me to college. I had completely refused until that time.
Now here is my oldest son. My baby who has her eyes-wanting desperately to drive. His father (my ex-husband) had to call me and plead on his behalf for me to let him take the class. He said that it is so important to a young man to be able to drive. Well, it is so important to me to keep him alive. In tears I made him swear to me on the memory of his dead Grandmother that he would never drive like an ass. I know that is an empty promise. He will be 15 years old July 9th. He thinks he is untouchable.
Today was his first day of class-2 hours long. Tomorrow they are going to put him in a car. Can you believe that? 2 hours of instruction and you are in a car. I can't believe a 15 year old is considered old enough to drive. It's in his high school curriculum. He is taking the classes through the school.
I know I may seem like a whacko over this, but I AM A WHACKO OVER THIS. I am in tears just writing this.
Garfield is Zach's favorite, so that's why I used this image.

4th Post Today! Happy Birthday to Dawn!

Yesterday was Dawn's birthday! I hope that you had a wonderful time. Dawn's blog is 'Eggrolls and Chopsticks'.

Congratulations to Jonni & John!

Congratulations to Jonni and John on the referral of their daughter Sofia. She is such a cutie! Their blog is 'Journey to Sofia'.

Congratulations to Elisa and Jarrod!

Congratulations to Elisa and Jarrod on the referral of their daughter Zoe. I know that most of you already know, but she just posted pictures today! Their blog is 'Fortunte Cookie Monsters'.

Depth of Friendship...

Depth of friendship does not depend on length of acquaintance. I do believe that this can be true. Although there is much to be said about the friend who knows the past, the good and the bad, the mistakes and the triumphs.
But does this hold true to the proximity? Do you have to be able to see them or physically be there?
Is it really friendship through this computer?
I will tell you that I have received a lot of support and kindness here. The people here are on my mind, I worry for them and pray for them. I smile and cheer for them.
I know that you all do to.
I can say that when I met Stephanie it was great. I have also seen different groups pick a middle point and get together.
So, what do you think? If we were all in a room together, would it be this way?

Dreams...

One of my closest girlfriends had just lost her mother. It was a horrible time. Her daughter was one year old at the time and Tim and I were still newlyweds. I had a dream and I knew that it was more than just a dream. I knew that it was significant and that it was a message to me and to my friend that someone wonderful was coming. I saw her daughter at the time laying on the floor looking up at me. Her beatiful red hair was laying out around her head. With her there on the floor lying head to head with her was a baby girl. She had blonde hair and looked just like my friends sister. I knew that she was going to have another baby.

I called her the next day and told her my dream. She is always VERY logical and skeptical of the funky stuff that I believe in. She took my dream with a grain of salt. Sure enough, she was pregnant the next month. I told her it was a girl and exactly what she would look like. Her husband swore it would be a boy. Well, to make a story short, the child is a girl and she is the exact baby I saw in my dream. She is now my Goddaughter. And I believe in my heart that she sought me out before she was ever born to send a message to her mother and me that she was coming.

Has anything like this ever happened to you?

Thank you so much Liz...

I am so touched by this gift. Liz at 'My Red Thread to Ava Grace YaHaan' made this bracelet for me. It is made of red glass beads with a silver heart clasp. She sent a lovely card which says that she chose a heart clasp because each end of the bracelet represents me and my daughter Sophia, and we are joined at the heart. I think that is beautiful. I love wearing jewelry with symbolism. Thank you so much Liz, this will be cherished.

Happy Ears!

As many of you know, we have been struggling with ear infections and Elijah had to go in last month and have tubes placed in his ears. We have been on pins and needles this month hoping that we wouldn't have any more infections. Today we went in to see the ENT and Eli's ears are very healthy. This is the longest he has gone without an infection in a very long time.

I am so relieved and happy that they worked! Eli loves cornbread muffins, so that was his treat when we got home!

Seeking Wisdom...

I was reading my friend Kris' blog. She is returning to a monastary where she had gone previously in search of peace and I think maybe wisdom. It made me think about how we all are seeking wisdom in our day to day lives. Looking for inner peace and guidance. A ladybug or a conversation with God. The feelings and signs that cause us to veer in one direction verses another. Maybe we find it in a book or in our intuition. It is a constant lifelong journey. Many times we find it in each other.

Sunday Post...

Good Morning Everyone!

Good Morning Everyone. I hope you enjoy your Sunday. We had the neighborhood pig roast yesterday, so today should be pretty quiet and relaxing.