Enjoy your Monday Everyone! Hope It's Mellow...

Decorating the House...

Today has been pretty mellow. Zach had hockey practice and is now at church youth group. Tyler had a friend stay the night last night and he has now returned home. I'm just hanging out here with Eli. We are getting the house decorated for Halloween. Everything should be up tonight!

Sunday Verse...

Welcome to Halloween at the Seventh Diamond...

Remember these little cuties???

Good Morning Everyone and Welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group!

Good Morning! Grab a cup of coffee and join our chat group. Just jump into the comments and follow along with everyone. If you drop in and it looks like no one is around, just be patient for a minute or two, I come in and out when things slow down, but I'll be back in a just a minute. Chat Group goes until 12 noon.

Chat room is now closed. Thanks for a great morning everyone~

Happy Birthday To Me...

Yep, today is my 39th Birthday. Is it just me or does that sound older than 40? It just does. But in the grand scheme of things, life is good. It's always good when your Birthday is on a Friday!

Congratulations to my Dear Friend Verna on the Referral of her Son Noah James...

Verna, I am sending so much love your way! I am so excited for you and your family. Congratulations. Noah is so handsome!! Verna's blog is 'Families Grow Watch Ours'.

Hepatitis B

Information Please: It appears that there are quite a few SN babies that have hepatitis B as their special need. What do you all know about Hep B. What would be the drawbacks/fears of adopting a baby with Hep B.? Would you adopt a baby with Hep B.?

Quote of the Week...

This quote has been taped to my refrigerator for 9 years now. These are the words that kept me going after my divorce. Out of all of my weekly quotes, this is the one to really sit down, read and absorb.

Eli & The Storm...

A storm is coming our way tonight. The wind has started to pick up and the thunder is rumbling. This is Eli's first storm where he is awake to see it and truly understand what is happening. At first he was afraid,but I told him that the thunder was the storm talking to us and telling us that it is coming. He liked that. Every 10-15 minutes he runs into our sunroom to see the storm. He told me he thought the storm was sad, so I told him to go and tell it that it is ok to come to our house and welcome it. It was so cute to see him standing by the front door telling the storm that it is ok and it can come to our house.

One of my favorite things about motherhood is getting to see the wonder that children experience when they see things for the first time. It is pure magic.

Thank You C. !

I got this in the mail yesterday and I think it's darling! In case you can't read it, it says:

In honor of breast cancer awareness, Mama Duck says:

Attend your mams, Get your exams.

Keep an eye on those jugs, So you'll have many years of hugs.

Take care of your girls, I consider my friends precious pearls.

Thank you so much for sending this to me! Eli keeps trying to run off with the duckie, but I'm not giving it up.

Michael from the Chinese Starfish Foster Home...Needs a Forever Family...

I believe that most of us are familiar with Amanda at 'Chinese Starfish'.
She is looking for a home for one of her children who is having a difficult time being placed they believe because he is a boy. His name is Michael and he was born with a cleft lip and pallat. He sounds like an amazing child. Visit Amanda's site for more information.

Heard You Were Feeling Blue...

Perk Up! LayDFrog. Thought this prince would get you over your blues!

You Make Me Smile Award...

This is what the person that created this award says about it, the thing that I love most about blogging is that I learn so much about a person just by reading their blog. I have met MANY wonderful people with wonderful stories to tell,and I am grateful every day for each person that I have the pleasure of crossing paths in life with.I wanted to create something special for the top ten people who have inspired me through their blogging; the stories they tell, and the lives that they lead with grace and dignity. I visit their blogs for inspiration and encouragement.Although there are MANY people I want to give this award to at this very moment, I am going to choose ten bloggers: Please grab your badge and wear it proudly, and pass it on because you inspire and encourage me, thank you.

I received this award from Terri at 'Our Whole World in His Hands'. Thank you so much, it means the world to me.

So, now it is my turn to pass it on. Here are the ten bloggers I choose:

Verna the blogfairy for her selfless desire to help others and he incredible patience to be able to work with my crazy pickiness and create amazing things for my blog.

Gwen from 'The Oatsvall Team' for constantly inspiring me to be a better woman and mother.

Mr. Brian at 'All in a Days Work' for always answering the call. He is the first one there when someone needs prayer or support.

Kimber at 'My 3 Peanuts' for her grace and sharing her beautiful family. Seeing Kate Emerson each day keeps my heart smiling and my feet on the path to Sophia Jane.

Rony at 'The Ghelerter Twins' for sharing the glamorous life, but also the times when life has been tough. She's very real and I am glad to know her.

Kate from 'A Special Family' for sharing her story and loving children and caring for their futures above all else. I know that God will lead you in the right direction.

Glinda at 'Give Me Back My Slippers' for paying it forward as she would say. I love her creativity and how her soul shines through her words.

Kim at 'Isabella Bison' for comforting and allowing herself to be comforted.

Dannye from 'LayDFrog' for her constantly happy soul. I always leave her blog with a smile on my face.

Connie at 'Mommy 24 Treasures' for jumping into the baby showers with all of her heart and soul and putting together one of the most beautiful blogs I have ever seen.

It's Monday...

Have a great Monday everyone! Remember to eat at Chili's today if you can, some of the proceeds are being donated to St. Jude's.

Sunday Verse...

Youth Hunt...

Today was a big day for Tyler. Last week he took hunter's safety class and passed the test on Friday. Today was the first day of youth hunt and he and Tim went out to Tim's Great Uncle's 40 acres in search of deer. Evidently they saw two deer, but were not in a good position to take a shot. They came home happy despite being empty handed.

Saturday Morning Chat Group...

Good Morning Everyone and welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group! Just leave a comment and follow along with everyone else's. I may need to jump out from time to time for a couple of minutes, but I'll be right back. Chat Group runs until 12 noon.
The song on the blog today is one that Glinda from 'Give Me Back My Slippers' sent on a cd for Sophia. It brought me to tears the first time that I heard it.

Morning Chat is Closed, Thanks for a great morning~

Happy Birthday 'Loud Secrets'...

Happy Birthday Yesterday to my friend with the very cool name that I can't disclose! I'm sorry I missed your big day. I hope that it was wonderful. Love the table that your hubs got for you!

In case you're a loser friend like me and missed it too, drop by 'Loud Secrets' and leave some birthday wishes!

I Miss You My Gypsy Friend...

Where are you ? What happened? timnkim@gmail.com

Zach and his New Ski...

Zach worked all summer to earn the money to buy this ski. He did yardwork, babysat and saved up all of his birthday money. I am very proud of him for setting a goal and making it happen. Now, we just have to get him used to it so he can get out of the water and ski on it : )

Gifts from Over the Rainbow...Thank You Glinda.

I came home today and found a box waiting for me. Very exciting! I opened it up to find these wonderful gifts from Glinda. A friendship candle, 2 books, a prized ladybug cd case, 2 cd's for me to listen to while I'm relaxing, a cd for Eli and Sophia and one cd that she made especially for Sophia (my favorite of the surprises).

My husband became tired of sharing his computer with me, so he set up this little space in our bedroom for me to blog. The candle makes our bedroom smell so good! I have to get a little cd player so I can listen to my music.

Glinda, thank you so much for doing this for me. I will cherish your letter, I am very touched.

Quote of the Week...

Prayer Please...

Laura at 'Ladybugs and Dragonflies' asked me to do a prayer post for this little girl. Miranda is the daughter of one of Laura's friends and has just recently been diagnosed with cancer.

She is undergoing treatment that is causing her hair to fall out. She is not playing and is sleeping more than she should be. The family is asking for prayer and support.

Miranda is the youngest of four

girls. The parents are trying to maintain some type of a normal schedule and life for the sisters while being there for Miranda during her care. Please join me in signing their guest book and offering support. www.caringbridge.org/visit/mirandabeamer

Eli Update..

Here's my little bruiser. The swelling has gone down, but the color has turned up. His eye is black and purple, but the stitches are looking wonderful.
Training pants are the fashion statement tonight, he didn't do very well with the potty today, so we are putting him on it every 45 minutes.

A Meme for Rachael...

10 years ago I was: realizing that my first marriage was over.

5 years ago I was: a single Mom, loving my life, fluorishing in my career, a month away from meeting the man I was to walk the rest of my life with.

1 year ago I was: remembering my Mother because today is her birthday.

Yesterday I was: spending time with my two youngest sons and understanding that I need to be with them as much as they need to be with me.

5 snacks that I enjoy: cheez-its, honey roasted peanuts, popcorn (kettlecorn), peanut m&m's and mustard pretzels.

5 songs I know all the words to: Crazy Love by Van Morrison, The Promise by Tracy Chapman, Lover Lay Down by Dave Matthews, When I Fall in Love by Nat King Cole, Somewhere Over The Rainbow...

5 things I would do with a million dollars: tithe, pay off my mortgage, pay off the rest of my children's college education, pay off all of our debt, invest wisely

5 favorite TV shows:1. Grey's Anatomy 2. Brother's and Sisters 3. Numbers. House 5. CSI

5 things I am thankful for: My salvation, My children, My husband, My education, My ability to sustain and take care of myself and my family if need be.

2 names I go by:1. Kimberley/Kim/Kimber/Mom/RedMaryJanes/RMJ/Betty in my bar going days.

2 parts of your heritage Irish, Danish

2 things that scare me: The thought of anything happening to my children, heights

2 of my every day essentials: Kisses and coffee

2 things I am wearing right now: I got a wish necklace yesterday that I am wearing on my wrist, my wedding ring

2 of my favorite bands/musical artists (at the moment): Rascal Flatts, Nora Jones

2 things I want in a relationship (other than real love): Partnership, Understanding

2 truths: Jesus died to save me, I have been blessed

2 physical things that appeal to me in the opposite sex:I like a tall strong man, hair

2 of my favorite hobbies: gardenging, scrapbooking

2 things I want really badly: my children to have wonderful productive lives, a safe world fot them to live in

2 places I want to go on vacation: egypt and ireland

2 ways I am stereotypically a chick: I want my doors opened and my bills paid.

2 things I normally wouldn't admit: my weight, my shoe size

2 things I am thinking about right now: Eli is upset about something, Tyler is at hunter's safety

2 stores you shop at: Target and Tuesday Morning

2 people I haven't talked to in a while: My little sister Andrea and my friend Carrie

Thank You Secret Buddy for a most Amazing Gift...

I am always anxious when it comes to the middle of the month because I know that I will be receiving a gift from my secret buddy. She is very thoughtful and creative. Her gifts are always from the heart and very unique.
This month she sent me a red thread wish necklace. Well, I'm sure you all can guess what I wished for and I am wearing my red thread right now and will not take it off until it falls off per the instructions. What fun!
As always, the card is very special. I have purchased a keepsake box to keep her cards in and I will be making a scrapbook of all of the fun cards and things that I receive along the way on my journey to Sophia.
Thank you secret buddy. I really feel so fortunate to be matched with you. You are incredible!

Eli's Owie...

Look at my poor baby. Eli fell yesterday and hit his left cheekbone. His cut required a trip to the emergency room and four stitches. It was just awful. They had to strap him down to a board and give him three numbing shots in his wound. Then the stitches. He tried so hard to be brave. I did too, holding back my tears so he wouldn't see.


The medical team was just wonderful. The stitches will dissolve on their own. They told me that he will most likely have a scar, but to keep antibiotic ointment on it and liquid vitamin e when it heals a little further.

Here is a close-up of his stitches and puffy eye. You would never guess he was hurt though, he was running around like a little wild man today. It hasn't phased him a bit.

A Message From Gwen...

To My Blog Family,

Words will never be able to express how much I have enjoyed this day of celebrating my sweet daughter, Maggie. Very soon she will feel the love that was expressed today and more. Your gifts, well wishes, and prayers are cherished by our family and one day I hope to show Maggie the comments from the shower to show her that from afar we were already loving her. To have so many people whom faces I have never seen in person to reach out their hand of kindness shows how the Lord takes his simple plan for adoption and connects His people with a thread that can not be broken.Special Thanks to RMJ, my sweet friend for all her hard work, energy, enthusiasm, and love that she has for her friends and for all of us bringing home our daughters .... You are a real Jewel !!!!

Thank You All !!!!

Love, Gwen (Maggie's Proud Mom) ... check out OatsvallTeam.Blogspot.com in the days to come for present updates!

Welcome to Gwen and Maggie's Baby Shower!!

Hello everyone and welcome to the baby shower! If you would like to rsvp to receive Gwen's wish list for Maggie, just e-mail me at timnkim@gmail.com and I will get it right over to you. Gwen is going to be printing out the comments and keeping them for Maggie, so if you want to leave any good wishes, or just want to chat with some fellow bloggers, just jump into the comments. Each 5th rsvp will be receiving a shower gift. The shower gifts are shown in a post below. Please enjoy the photos of Maggie's family in the sidebar.

I will be coming in and out throughout the day to make sure that everyone gets the list and is having a great time! Thank you for supporting this family and their new little girl.

Shower gift winners:

Steffie B. at 'Never Too Many'

Leigh Ann - Gwen's sister-in-law

Nikki at 'Life with Lily Lin'

A Special Post From Maggie's Aunt & Uncle, Paul and Leigh Ann...

"Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes by dozens and hundreds. Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers,and sisters, aunts and cousins, but only one mother in the whole world." --Kate Douglas Wiggin




Gwen,Of all the women in the whole world, you were chosen to be the "one mother in the world" to Maggie. Love and Miss you bunches, Paul & Leigh Ann

Our gifts for Maggie.

Baby Shower Prizes~

Each 5th RSVP receives a shower gift! These are the prizes, so feel free to request one that you life if you are a winnner!

3 Posts Today...A Dream of Sophia...

Today I had my first dream of Sophia. As many of you already know, I had a dream before my BFF became pregnant with her second child. I saw the child laying on the floor next to her big sister, they were lying on their backs, hair layed out, looking up at me. I told my friend she was going to be pregnant soon with a daughter and I described her perfectly. That child was born and was the child of my dream. I am her Godmother.

I came home from work very tired today. I took a nap upstairs in my room with my cat. I had my first dream of Sophia. I have never dreamed of any of my other three children or anyone else's except for my Goddaughter. The dream was interupted by my husband and Eli coming home, but she is beautiful. Her hair stays in my mind.

Big Hug to my girls Steffie, Verna and Becky...

We'll get through this. Verna, this one is called the hug fairy.

Please Head over to 'Two Kayaks' And Lend Some Comfort...

I see a lot of support over there, but if anyone still hasn't heard, K1's mother has had a stroke. She is asking for thoughts, a hug and maybe a prayer or two. Their blog is 'Two Kayaks', please find your way over and leave some kind words.

Some Tough News from our Adoption Agency...

Several of us received word yesterday from Bethany that they will not be reviewing requests for SN children from their waiting families unless those families' dossiers have made it through the review room.

So, if you are with Bethany and your dossier has not cleared the review room and you were anticipating seeing the upcoming COP list, you may want to contact your social worker.

Quote for the Week...

I am grateful for the adoption sisterhood.

9/11

My New Coping Mechanism...

Truly, this is my new stance. The rumors have been way off for months now. The timelines keep growing. I'm tired of trying to figure it all out. I'm tired of the monthly rollercoaster . I'm hunkered down and I'm riding it out. I don't need to see any more graphs or hear anymore guesses. It just makes me nuts. I'm here for the long haul. I will cherish every baby I see come home and hold them in my heart until my Sophia comes home.

Sara Needs Some Encouragement...

Sara, I love you girl. You put together the China Weight Loss Mom's blog (I haven't lost a pound in 2 months now), but I still love that blog. Your blog 'Wish I May Wish I Might' is the cat's ass (this is a Dragonfly term I've picked up)-it means you rock. I'm sorry that this waiting madness is bringing you down.

Please everyone, drop Sara a good line!

Have a Great Monday!

It's Monday again~today should be pretty busy at work. Have a great week everyone!