Tagged! By my friend Sara at 'Journey to Mia Lin'

Seven Things You May Not Know About Me....

1) My favorite sport is volleyball. I played all through junior high and high school.

2) My favorite foods are Chinese, Mexican and Sushi.

3) My favorite television show is Brothers and Sisters, followed by October Road.

4) I truly believe I have a soul connection to my home. Really..I think we are destined to be together.

5) I am completely disgusted by our gas prices and the governments ability to do absolutely nothing about it. I run my truck on Ethanol because I would rather have my money supporting American farmers verses oil tycoons.

6) I believe in ghosts.

7) I am currently obsessed with finding a Little Tikes Basketball Hoop at a garage sale...has anyone seen one??

Jane at 'Much Ado' is asking for prayer...

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post. I care for this woman very much. Please pray for our friend Jane at 'Much Ado' and her husband Derek. They have been waiting a very long time for their baby from China and now due to a setback in the Review Room, their LID has been pushed back for what sounds like a year. They are obviously heartbroken. I know that she would appreciate any kind words you could send her way.

When I Read This I Felt Peace Come Over Me...

Eli is just fine!

Thank you to everyone for your kind words and prayers. Eli did very well this morning and is home now, as active as ever!

Please Pray for My Little Elijah...

Friday morning at 6:45am we are reporting to the local medical center for Eli to have tubes put into his ears. I know that it is a very common procedure but he will be under with anesthesia and there is always a risk with that. We have had a horrible year with constant ear infections and there is fluid behind the eardrum that will not go away on its own, so we really have no choice. Please think about us tomorrow morning and say a prayer for my baby tonight.
Thank you all so much. I truly believe in the power of prayer from our group.

Thinking about my Girl...

I want you and I love you.

I Need To Find My Inner Balance...

I am starting to get that feeling that life may just be on the verge of overwhelming me. Work is crazy busy. We are having the biggest sales month since I have been there. We have no housekeeper right now which my husband thinks is just fine, but when I got home today after working until 5, dropping off the kids and rushing to a meeting at our church, only to come home at 10pm and find the house trashed...you're getting my picture here. Momma got a little upset.
I don't want to work all day and spend all night cleaning this house. I have four children I'd like to focus on. A new hire who has my position is coming in from Indy tomorrow for me to train for two days, did I mention my job is insane right now? And we're having him to dinner tomorrow night, did I mention my house needs a thorough cleaning? I won't even mention the rest of the weeks schedule. If I can just maneuver gracefully through the next two days, I'll be happy.
Wow, I feel so much better now after purging all that on you guys!

Thank You Secret Buddy!...

Thank you so much to our Secret Buddy! I have been looking for almost a year for a blanket for Sophia and I couldn't find anything that was soft enough. This blanket feels like heaven. I absolutely love it. And being an English Lit. Major in college, your card and quote are very cherished.

Weekly Verse...

This is my Mantra...

Each one of us who stands in the endless line waiting for their child is making a difference, each one of us who brings a child home is making a difference, each one of us who supports others who are doing this is making a difference. Each one of us who supports organizations that support the worlds orphaned and hungry is making a difference. One child at a time....we are making a difference.

Happy Mother's Day Everyone.

To the mothers who can only hold their children in their hearts today, to the mothers who are more blessed than they know to hold their children in their arms, to the mothers of children who are grown, to the mothers of children who have passed on. And to the mothers who we can only hold in our memories. Bless you all this day my friends.

Friendship...

Saturday Morning!

I hope that you all are enjoying a wonderful cup of coffee and relaxing. I'm going to be planting flowers today and working in my garden. It's my Mother's Day Weekend tradition. I love choosing all of my flowers and potting them.

***GIRL'S NIGHT OUT***

Ladies interested in attending an evening out in West Michigan, listen up! Friday, May 25th at 6:30pm we will be meeting at the 28th Street Yen Ching Restaurant in Grand Rapids, MI. If you would like to join us, please leave a comment. It's kind of the first informal meeting of the West Michigan International Mothers. Steffie B. from 'Never Too Many' and I look forward to meeting you!

The Woman Who Smiles First...

I have never been the woman who smiles first. I'm the woman who checks you out for a while, waits to see what her friends think about you, waits a little longer....and then decides if she likes you or not.
I don't follow the pack, I make my own decisions regarding who I'm interested in getting to know.
If it isn't there for me, it pretty much never is.
BUT, I have decided to turn a new leaf and try to be the woman who smiles first. Those usually are the really happy women. I can't promise that I'll warm up any sooner, I'll work on that later if I want. But I plan on trying out the smile.
What kind of woman are you? Do you smile first?

There is so much going on in our group....

I just noticed today how many hug posts I have on the blog this week. There are so many of us experiencing difficult times. I just want to tell each of you how amazing and inspiring you are. You are each so strong and gifted in your own ways. I hope that the days to come will bring some good news and renewed spirits.

Big Hug to Jane at 'Much Ado'.

I just want to say how much I admire this woman. She has been such an inspiration to me. Her LID was 10/12/05. Yes, the date has come and gone and due to some issues in the review room, she still has not received her referral. She has been told that everything is resolved and for the past several months she has waited hoping that her time will come. This month she again did not receive a referral. She never grumbles or shows any despair. She asserts her faith in God and waits for His perfect timing.
She challenges me to be a better woman and to walk more closely with my God. Her blog is 'Much Ado' and I encourage you to visit regularly.

The Closet Challenge...

Jonni at 'Journey to Sofia' challenged me to show Sophia's closet. Well, truth be told, I haven't been purchasing much clothing for her yet. She has one t-shirt, two pairs of mary janes and a pair of slippers that my secret buddy sent her.
I get confused when I go to the store. I don't know what size she will wear or what season she will come, so it's pretty much paralysis by analysis.
I'm sure that when it's closer to the time when she will be coming that I will go on a girly shopping spree, but this is it so far.
Not very impressive is it?

Hmm..who should I challenge? If any of you would like to share your baby closets, jump in.

Sending Some Relaxing Vibes to My Friend Steffie...

I am sending relaxation vibes out to my friend Steffie. She has a large family like me and is feeling a little worn out. Just let me know if there is anything I can do for you girl. I'm available for a dinner out, a pedicure, shopping....whatever. You know how to get ahold of me.
Steffie's blog is 'Never Too Many', I'm sure she'd love to hear any relaxation techniques you all may have.

C.J. at 'Somewhere In China' is Looking For Quilt Squares...

I know that quite a few of you are still working on your quilts. I can vouch from personal experience that C.J. sends a wonderful square. If you want to trade, her blog is 'Somewhere In China'.

Big Hug to Stephanie at 'Zoey's Journey'...

I'm sending a hug to Stephanie at 'Zoeys Journey'. Her mother is facing a serious illness. I'm sure that she would appreciate our good wishes.
For some reason the post link won't work, but the one on my favorite blogs list does. So,please find her on my favorites list if you want to send good wishes her way.

Scrapbooking Weekend!

This is the log home that we stayed in while we
scrapbooked in the UP. It's called the Ritz. Below I am with my sister-in-law Trisha and my husband's cousin Jennifer.
Amanda, Kristen and Christie are eating breakfast. They are the scrapping Queens. I am referred to as the Sticker Queen since, I'm pretty much just capable of slapping on a sticker!
Marilyn in the yellow is our hostest! We are so grateful to her for opening her summer home to us! We had a wonderful time!

Congratulations to Kristen at 'The Sense In It All' for Receiving her LID 4/16/07!

Congratulations Kristen for receiving your LID! Kristen's blog is 'The Sense In It All' if you want to leave a note for her.

Enjoy your Monday!

I was supposed to report for jury duty today, but had great news! This weeks trials are cancelled so I'm off the hook but have to call in on Friday.
I will post some of my scrapbooking weekend pictures tonight. I had a fantastic time with some amazing women who it was great to see.

May 6th...Today is our 3 Month LIDiversary!

Today is our 3 month LIDiversary!!

Sunday Post....I am Home...

My Annual Scrapbooking Weekend..

Every year on this weekend I go up to Michigan's upper peninsula to scrapbook with my two sister-in-laws, my husbands cousin and many other ladies who I see annually.

We stay in beautiful log cabins on the shore of Lake Michigan and eat catered food while we scrap away into the night. I look forward to it every year!

So, I will be leaving the blog sit for about 2 days while I am gone. Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Happy Birthday Cougchick!

Happy Birthday to the Cougchick!! Her blog is 'Hearts to the East'!

There are A LOT of posts today...ZACH DID MAKE THE HOCKEY TEAM!!

Thank you for all of your prayers and well wishes. Zachary did make his High School Hockey Team. He is on JV. Next year when he is 16 he will be able to try out for Varsity.

We are all very excited for him!

Mr. Brian is asking for Prayer...

Mr Brian at 'All in a Days Work' is asking for prayer. He has started a new job where he assists patients during their dialysis treatments. I would imagine that this could be a very emotionally challenging thing to face day to day.
For those of you who don't know Mr. Brian, he is a wonderful man with a very big heart.

Big Hugs to Debbie at 'Sugar Spice and a Little Rice'!

I am giving a big hug to Debbie at 'Sugar Spice and a Little Rice'. I hope that you are wearing a smile soon!

Big Hug for Doris at '3D's Adoption Journey'

I'm sending a big hug out to Doris at '3D's Adoption Journey'! I hope that you are feeling more like smiling!.

Daleea at 'Jewels of my Heart' is asking for Quilt Squares..

If you are interested in trading quilt squares, Daleea at 'Jewels of my Heart' is putting together a quilt for her daughter.

May 3rd Is Our 4 Year Anniversary!

Jiinkinkids.com Has a New Look!

You all should visit Jiinkinkids.com. Stephanie has put together a beautiful site and the artwork is so touching it will have you in tears.


The bottom graphic is called Red Mary Janes. Well, I'm sure that you can imagine how I feel about that...LOVE IT!!



Really now, take a little time and look through the artwork. It's absolutely wonderful and this is a company that is owned by a mother waiting for her daughter in China.

Update on Loraena and Josh from 'life in oregon'

The mother of the twins decided to keep the girls. Loraena and Josh are such a wonderful witness of faith in God and are moving forward. Their blog is 'life in oregon' if you would like to leave some kind words.

Please Think About My Son Over The Next 2 Days..

Please keep my son Zachary in your thoughts over the next 2 days. He is trying out for his high school Junior Varsity Hockey Team and it would do so much good for his self esteem to make this team.

Love This One..