We are on our way to Panama City, Florida!!

Spring Break here we come! Every year we go to visit Aunt Trish and Uncle Scott in Florida for Spring Break. Here are some fun pictures from past trips.

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW IF THE PICTURES SHOW NOW?
Thanks!!

Norma at 'Bethany of China' has her LID!!

Congratulations Norma on your 2/15/07 LID!!

Norma's blog is 'Bethany of China' and yes, it's on my favorite blogs list.

Tracey and Mike 'Becoming Five' have lost a Mother

My prayers are with you at this time of loss.

The Friday Why??

Ok, here it is...another question to expose a little bit more about who you are and what you believe in to all of us out here in blogland:Who inspires you and why?

I am very inspired by Oprah Winfrey. I think that she is an amazing humanitarian and true citizen of the world. I am constantly amazed by her generosity and genuine desire to improve the lives of others.

Amy has her TA...

Prayers answered.

Liz has her TA!!!

Congratulations to LIZ!! Her TA came today. Soon she will be on her to way to China to bring Ava home! Liz's blog is 'My Red Thread to Ava Grace YaHan'. It is on my favorite blogs list.

Amanda at 'Chinese Starfish' is asking for donations to cover 3 spina bifida surgeries.

I know that many of you are familiar with Amanda at 'Chinese Starfish'. She is a foster mother in China who cares for special needs children until they are able to be adopted. She receives children who have cleft palats, heart defects and spina bifida. She takes care of these children in her home and does everything she can to raise the money necessary for their surgeries. The spina bifida surgeries she needs for Heather, Jasmine and Lily are $3,000 each. On her site she has accounts set up with Love Without Boundaries to collect donations.
Heather is pictured on the left here and Lily is on the right. I couldn't find a photo of Jasmine.

Visiting her site will be a blessing to you. If you find it in your heart to help, I know that it will be greatly appreciated. Chinese Starfish is listed on my favorite blogs list.

I shall not pass this way again..

Please join me in praying for Amy at 'Catching Butterflies'

Please join me in continuing to pray for Amy. Her situation is becoming quite serious and she needs our support. I know that she would really appreciate our kind words and advice right now. There is a package due at her agency soon which she is hoping will contain her TA. If not, she is leaving for China without it in hopes that it will arrive while she is there. She is taking a giant step of faith. 'Catching Butterflies' is linked to my favorite blogs list.

Please send a hug and gentle comments to Melissa at 'Awaiting Ava'

Please join me in sending warm thoughts to Melissa at 'Awaiting Ava'. Zeus has passed on. Her blog can be found on my favorite blogs list. I'm so sorry Melissa.

International Blog Comment Week..Time to De-Lurk!

It's International Blog Comment Week (or at least it has been in the past, so I'm bringing it back to life) which means it's time for everyone who visits my site and never comments, to leave a comment. Tell me who you are and where you come from. I'd love the opportunity to say hello. This will make a great post if everyone will participate. So, if you enjoy my blog and would like to put a smile on my face, leave me a comment today!

Bowling with Eli....Didn't work out so well.

Tyler had a bowling birthday party to go to, so we decided that we would drop him off at his party and rent a lane on the other side so that we could bowl while he was enjoying the party. We thought Eli would have a fantastic time.


Everything started out great. Kate is a fantastic bowler. Eli was enjoying rolling the ball down the ramp that the alley had for the little bowlers.

But, then the tears started. He cried when it wasn't his turn. He cried when it was his turn. He cried when he couldn't use the heaviest ball. He cried when I helped him carry the heaviest ball. It just wasn't working.


So, we finished our games through the tears and went to get something for dinner. After dinner, we picked Tyler up right on time and went home. I thought we were going to have a wonderful family time but it didn't work out so well.

Susie at 'Phillips Path to China' Needs Quilt Squares..

I know that there are a lot of you out there working to get your 100 wishes quilt squares in, so please visit Susie and make arrangements to swap. I have swapped with her and she gives a really darling piece. Phillips Path to China is on my favorite blogs list.

mommy-to-channing

mommy-to-channing, I am really enjoying all of your comments and would love to get over and see your blog. When I click on your name, I get linked to your profile but can't find a link to your blog.

Where do I go to find your site?

Canadian Adopting Parents...The Alberta Issue Raises Its Ugly Head Again

Canadian Parents, it appears that Alberta is not repealing its stand on SN Children being adopted from China. It looks to me like they have only come up with a more politically correct way of stating it. Please go to Carolyn's blog 'China Calling' and read the official statement for yourselves. China Calling is listed on my favorite blogs list.

The Friday "Why"

This past weeks "Why" question turned out to be in incredible post. I cannot believe how many people participated and it was really touching to read everyone's accounts of why they made the choices they did for their blog names and images.

So, I have decided to come up with a good Why question each Friday to hopefully keep everyone sharing and getting to know each other better.

So..stay posted, I have a good question for this Friday.

Happy Monday!!

Some Easter Photos...

Show and Tell....

Tell me why you chose your blog name, your post name or a certain photo or graphic that is on your blog.
This should be fun, I saw it on a friends blog 'My Life in the Kid Zoo'.

I'll share mine:
My blog is 'the seventh diamond' which is named for my daughter Sophia who we are adopting. She will be represented by a seventh diamond on my husbands wedding band.
My post name is redmaryjanes: I love maryjanes and red adds a little drama!
The ladybug header reflects that ladybugs are a sign of good luck in Chinese adoption.

For some of you, the blog name is obvious, so tell us about a picture or graphic!

Jane at Much Ado's Documents have been Accepted by China!

I am so happy for you Jane. You have been such a great example to me of grace in difficult times. I can't wait to see your referral photos!
Jane's blog is 'Much Ado' if you would like to post a comment. It is on my favorite blogs list.

Rachael is Asking for Prayers for a Safe Trip to Russia...

I met Rachael during the Ultimate Blog Party. She has a wonderful family. She and her husband left last night to finalize the adoption of their daughter Katya in Russia. Rachael's blog is 'Always Wanted Four'.

2 Posts Today!...I'm taking the quiz...Have a great weekend!!

1. Can you cook? Yes, I love to cook and bake. I enjoy watching the food channel and trying new recipes. Paula Dean is my hero!!
2. What was your dream growing up? I wanted to be a fashion model who was also a nurse.
3. What talent do you wish you had? I wish I could play the piano.
4. Favorite place? I love my home, right here on the lake, in the summertime, smelling the air coming in off of the water.
5. Favorite vegetable? Asparagus.
6. The last book you read? The Preacher's Daughter by Beverly Lewis
7. What zodiac sign are you? Libra
8. Any Tattoos and / or Piercings? No tats, chickened out. I have my ears pierced.
9. Worst Habit? I crack my knuckles-terrible habit.
10. Do we know each other outside of this blog? I haven't met any of my blogfriends-hope to change that soon.
11. What is your favorite sport? Volleyball
12. Negative or Optimistic attitude? Usually positive.
13. What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator? Call for help.
14. Worst thing to ever happen to you? My Mom passing away.
15. Tell me a weird fact about you: I love the water, but don't enjoy swimming.
16. Do you have any pets? Cooper is our black lab and Spice is our cat.
17. Do you know how to do the Macarena? Yes, I love to dance.
19. Do you think clowns are cute or scary? Some are cute/some are scary.
20. If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be? I would be 20 pounds lighter.
21. What color eyes do you have? Brown
22. Ever been arrested? No.
23. Bottle or Draft? I'm not a beer drinker.
24. If you won $10,000 dollars today, what would you do with it? Pay our adoption expenses.
25. What kind of bubble gum do you prefer to chew? Orbit.
26. Which is your favourite bar to hang at? I don't hang out in bars.
27. Do you believe in ghosts? Yes.
28. Favorite thing to do in your spare time? I enjoy spending time with my family, scrapbooking, blogging and reading.
29. Do you swear a lot? Not really.
30. Favorite swear word? Hmm..don't have one.
31. Biggest pet peeve? When people don't follow through.
32. In one word, how would you describe yourself? Mother.

Liz is Also Waiting for her TA...

I just love the quote on here, but it's difficult to see. It defines PATIENCE as,"To Wait With Certainty-The Art of Allowing Life to Carry You.

So many of us are waiting for our children. I think that it is outstanding how all of us are so connected here and support one another.

Liz has almost reached her dream. She is waiting for final TA from China.

I can tell from her post today that she is getting anxious.

My prayers are with you Liz!

Liz's blog is 'My Red Thread to Ava Grace YaHan'. Feel free to vistit her blog-it's a lot of fun and offer her a word of encouragement.

3 Posts Today! A Love Note in the Bathtub...

I was getting into the shower last night when I noticed this written on the side of the bathtub. Tyler took one of Eli's bathtub crayons and wrote a little love note to me and Tim. This is so very precious to me.
P.S. Our tub really is clean, the picture came out dark...

Visit this Blog...You'll Love the Owners...'Our Journey to Gracie'

I just started getting to know the family at 'Our Journey to Gracie'. They have a really nice blog and I know they would love to have some comments from other adopting families!

Send a Hug to Amy at 'Catching Butterflies', her TA did not arrive..

Let's all send a kind word to Amy. Her TA did not come in today as she had hoped. She's having a tough day. Her blog is 'Catching Butterflies' and is on my favorite blogs list.

Amy at 'Catching Butterflies' is Asking for Prayers.

Please join me in saying a prayer for our good friend Amy. She has been such a joy to get to know. She is anxiously awaiting her TA so that she can be united with her daughter Sarah in China. There is a package that is due to arrive tomorrow at her agency from China and she is asking for our prayers, in hopes that her TA will be included.

I love this picture!

I just love this picture that Tim took of Katelyn and Tyler while we were in Kansas City.

Canadian Adopting Parents...Update on SN Situation

Canadian Adoptive Parents, there is an update on Carolyn's blog 'China Calling'. It appears that there will not be a ban on SN children being brought into Alberta Canada from China. Check out Carolyn's site for more detailed information.

2 Posts Today!.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIZABETH!

Happy Birthday to my dear friend Elizabeth. When I was first looking for information on International Adoption, Elizabeth's blog was one of the first ones I found. She was my first friend in blogland. She wrote amazing posts, I still check her blog everyday. She also encouraged me to start a blog of my own. She read my first post and was my very first comment. She taught me how to link a blog to mine and was my first entry on my favorite blogs list. Thank you Elizabeth for introducing me to to this wonderful hobby and source of information. I am so glad to know you! I hope you have an amazing Birthday!


Elizabeth's blog is 'thedragonflyandladybug'.

Ladies...If you are looking for someone to swap quilt squares with...Liz is the Bomb!!

Thank you so much Liz!

My neighbor lady pulled up in front of the house and got out of her car with a beautifully wrapped package. I had no idea what it was until she handed it to me and I recognized the name. Liz sent me this beautiful fabric square, with a ladybug cell phone charm and 2 darling bookmarks! There was also a beautiful picture of Ava that we will cherish.

Liz's blog is 'My Red Thread to Ava Grace YaHan'.