Happy Birthday Mr. Brian!!

Oh yes, it's the Happy Dutchman's Big Day!! Happy Birthday Mr. Brian!! Leave your birthday wishes at 'All In A Day's Work'.

Sunday...

Good Morning and Welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group!

Good Morning Everyone! Welcome to the chat group. We do have some news today.

April is still in China bringing Eliana home. Please visit her travel blog 'Letters From China'. I know she'd love to hear from you.

Laura/Lala's Babyshower for little Coby is coming up on October 25th. Please help me get the word out by doing a post of displaying the sidebar graphic. It is not an html, so you can just copy and save the image. She is registered at Target.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

THE CHAT ROOM IS NOW CLOSED...HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND EVERYONE!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month...

Please Pray for Us...

You all have become my true sisters through this journey and I have come to rely on you all so heavily. I apologize for not visiting you all as often as I should. There is a lot going on right now. I would like to ask you to pray for my family. We are going through a very stressful time.
Our family has been coming under some pretty substantial attacks.
We have a truly wonderful, loving and supportive family, but there are a couple of members who have been in attack mode since Tim and I were married and they have done whatever they can to twist words, spread untruths and hurt our family. Their favorite tool is Tim's daughter and it has reached a point where we are in crisis in our relationship with her.
I have done everything I can to seperate us from these individuals, but they never miss an opportunity to attack.
This has been going on for so long that I have really tried to leave it behind me, but just recently it has come to light that someone I have loved dearly and supported has been a part of this all along too and it has broken my heart. I guess that I have always known because I have heard things over the years that she has said that are clearly untrue or twisted versions of things that I have said but I just let it go. Recently though, I have heard things that are so hurtful to me and to my husband, things said that were completely untrue or only part of the truth.
This is such foreign territory for me because my family stands together, we do not do this to each other. I have really struggled over what to do and how to handle all of this. I have tried to seperate us from the most damaging individuals, but evidently that wasn't enough.
Please pray for us. Pray for all of our children, as this affects all of them and all of them are loved and cared for by us. When you are a blended family, sometimes it is difficult for the different families to see you as a whole and to care for all of your members as a whole, not just the ones related directly to them. Please pray that these individuals will walk away from their desire to control, that they will see how what they are doing and saying is affecting us and truly care about that. Help them to see how each member of the family needs to be an active part of it and how each member needs to be treated equally with the same rules, expectations and guidelines.

Announcing a Blog Baby Shower for Lala and Baby Coby!

I am thrilled to announce that we will be having an on-line baby shower for Lala/Laura's little man Coby on Saturday, October 25th here at the the Seventh Diamond!

Their family blog is 'Ladybugs and Dragonflies'. Laura is registered at Target. If you are unable to attend the shower but would like the gift list, send me an e-mail and I will get the info to you that you will need to access the Target registry.

Please help me get the word out and display this graphic on your sidebar or please do a post. A BIG THANK YOU TO VERNA for the design!

Laura is also collecting items for Coby's orphanage. They need: clothing in sizes 0-24 months, cloth diapers and children's medications.

Prayer Needed...

Please join me in praying for Mr. Brian's sister. She has had a stroke and they are waiting for more information from the doctors. Mr. Brian is such a dear friend to so many of us. His blog is 'All In A Days Work'. Please leave him some words of comfort and encouragement.

I am praying for peace and healing for you and your family my very special friend.

The Blog Contest

Ok everyone, I haven't received a vote in a while. Some new blogs have been added to the Halloween Blog Contest. If you signed up to be a judge, t's time to start keeping an eye on the contestants!

THE KENWARD BLOG

THE MONKEY KING

CATCHING BUTTERLFIES TWO

SHE'S A-DORI-BLE!

ADVENTURES IN JUJUBOO

LIFE WITH 4 J'S ***NEW ENTRY!

HUMMING BIRDS DON'T LIE***NEW ENTRY!

THE PRICELESS PRINCESS***NEW ENTRY!

P.S. It's still not too late to enter, so if you'd like to join in, send me an e-mail timnkim@gmail.com

20 months

Please Pray for April...She Is In China Bringing Eliana Home.

Please keep April and her family in your prayers. They are in China bringing home Eliana. Their travel blog is 'Letters From China'. Please visit their blog and leave them some loving words of encouragement and congratulations.

Sorry Ladies...No Sat Chat!

Sorry Ladies, there will be no Saturday Morning Chat Group. We have to go to Detroit to cheer on my FIL in a model boat race bright and early!

Have a wonderful weekend!

It's Friday....Come on and Sign Up for the Halloween Blog Contest!

Votes are really coming, so great job voters, but I'd love to see some more contestants join in. Last year we had a lot of blogs participating. There is no time limit on when you can enter, but the earlier you join in, the greater chance that you will receive more votes :)

I must say we have some fanastic entries this year:

The Kenward Blog

The Monkey King

Catching Butterflies Two

She's a-DORI-ble

Adventures in JujuBoo

Take a look and cast your votes.

For the Girls Afraid of Clowns...

Unbelievably Beautiful

I received this blanket in the mail last week from Kim at 'Isabella Bison'. This photo doesn't come close to doing it justice. Her mother made it for my Sophia. It is so beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes. I wish you all could smell it, it smells so wonderful. I cannot imagine how many hours it took her to make it. There is so much care in it and it truly is just perfect.
Thank You honestly doesn't seem like enough, but here in this post I will say thank you. I want your Mom to know Kim that this will always be treasured. I will have Sophia photographed with it when she comes home, I will put it at the end of her bed and I will save it for her so she will have it when she is grown and has her own children.
When I opened the box, I thought to myself, 'this is a gift that a grandmother would give'. And since my Mom is gone, it really touched my heart that Isabella's grandmother would think of my daughter and make her such a treasure.

Quote for the Week...

Happy Hump Day!

Starting An Adoption Ministry at Church...

I am working closely with Kelly/Truly Blessed and a couple of other ladies at our church to begin an adoption ministry. We go to a large church where there are so many families who have adopted and yet we have no support group. Our church has been leary in the past of allowing one to be started and is just now giving us the green light to meet at the church. We are trying to put together a very firm foundation for our group and good goals that are attainable and a timeline for when we would like to have certain projects ready to launch. We are building a list of adoptive families and are hoping that we can encourage our church to see the need for this ministry.

If any of you have started a group at your church, I would be very interested to see how you did it. Any advice would be cherished. You can e-mail me at timnkim@ gmail.com. We have Shaohannah's Hope info.

Please pray for us.

Happy Monday Everyone....Time To Sign Up For The Halloween Blog Contest!

Happy Monday! It's time to start getting your blogs ready for the Halloween Blog Contest! If you would like to register your blog, please leave a comment below. I will list the blogs so that everyone knows to start visiting them. Your visitors will vote for their favorite blog by sending me an e-mail at timnkim@gmail.com. There will also be secret judges who will be visiting your blogs to cast their votes. To win, you must first be one of the judges top choices, then the blog with the most votes that is a top choice is the winner!

There will be a prize for the top winner. Last year we had two winners. The Monkey King and K1's blog.

CONTEST BLOGS:

The Kenward Blog

The Monkey King

Catching Butterflies Two

she's a-DORI-ble!

It's My Birthday!

Sunday...

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

Good Morning Everyone and Welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group! Oh yes...it's time for the Halloween Blog Contest to Begin~ this weekend I will be sprucing up my blog for Halloween and I encourage you to enter the blog contest for fun and prizes! I will do an official post on Monday to kick things off.
Zach is in a hockey tournament this weekend, so I won't be running the chat until 12 noon, I'll probably have to leave around 10am, but you ladies are welcome to stay and chat if you would like to.
I haven't heard any big news in the adoption world this week. Everything seems pretty quiet.
What are your weekend plans?

THE CHAT ROOM IS NOW CLOSED...HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

Should We Still Have The Saturday Morning Chat Group?

Hi there everyone. I am doing this post to see what you all think about the Saturday Morning Chat Group. We've been getting together for a long time now and lately the number of people attending has gone way down. I am wondering if the concept has run its course. Maybe we should just get together the first Saturday of each month, or maybe disband altogether. Let me know what you think. I've really enjoyed hosting, and I'd love to continue. So, let me know.

Having a Little Fun!

I am still waiting for a referral, and that has me on pins and needles. But, the coolest thing has been happening to me....I'm actually believing that I'm going to have a daughter soon. All of this time that I have been waiting, I knew she was coming, but I wasn't preparing.
Now, for the past month or so...I've been feeling the need to get ready. I have plans to paint her room sage. I registered yesterday at Target...that was a blast! I scanned to my little hearts content! Pink Explosion people!
Sophia now has 4 drawers, a tote and a section of the closet full of clothes sizes 12months to 3T. Tim added a pair of Disney Princess light up slippers to her shoe collection last night. I put all of her hair bows and baretts on a ribbon board and hung it on the wall.
I've really been having a lot of fun.

Hey Ladies, There is an article about our blog showers on Laura Christianson's award winning blog 'Exploring Adoption'!

Hi there everyone. The post below is appearing on Laura Christianson's Award Winning Blog 'Exploring Adoption'. It is about the baby showers that we throw for one another in our blogging community. If you would like to go by her blog and leave a comment about our showers, that would be wonderful. Link: Exploring Adoption


How to Throw an Online Adoption Shower
I remember the day I showed up at my women’s Bible study group with my newborn son in tow. Most of the women in the group hadn’t even known I was expecting. With no evidence of a physical pregnancy to remind them that I was expecting, they either forgot or ignored the fact.
The “pregnancy” of most pre-adoptive parents goes largely unnoticed and unacknowledged. Friends and family who make a huge deal out of the birth of a baby say, “ho hum” when a child is adopted.

I believe that loved-ones should offer to throw a shower for any new child who joins a family, whether through birth or adoption (and no matter what the child’s age). So when Kimberley, author of The Seventh Diamond blog, told me about the online baby showers she and her blog readers throw for one another, I was intrigued.

Here’s how her online showers work:

I have two girlfriends who design blogs and when I host a shower, they make sidebar links to go on people’s blogs to advertise the shower and get the word out.

I have a Saturday Morning Chat Group on my blog, where adoptive moms talk about adoption trends, families who are in China, families who need help fundraising and our personal lives. I usually announce the showers at the chat group and get the sidebar graphic out to all of the ladies so they can put them on their blogs.

Before you know it, the sidebar graphics are on blogs all over, posting the family the shower is for and the date and linking people back to my blog so they know where the shower is.
My girlfriends design special headers for each shower so I can decorate my blog on shower day.

I get a list of wanted items from the parents and ladies come by the blog on the shower day.
We all talk to each other in the comments and people rsvp through comments to get the gift list and to win shower prizes.

It has been a fun way to celebrate with the families and also a good way to keep the morale up for the waiting women. It does everyone's heart good to see a child coming home and a family’s dream coming true.

Quote for the Week...

Sunday...

I am truly grateful for all of you and for our community that prays for one another.

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

Good Morning Everyone! I noticed that the leaves have started to change here, so I thought I'd put up a fall graphic. This weekend could be pretty busy around here. I am thinking that a lot of the boats and docks will be taken out of the lake because the weather is cooling down now. We'll see. It's supposed to be quite warm today.

I think things are pretty quiet in our blog community. It looks like there will be a little miracle for Susannah, the little girl whose family went to China to bring her home and found her very ill. I am so happy for them.

Alyson and Ford are still in China bringing Alyzabeth An home. It looks like everything is going well with them.

If anyone has any news or info, please share...that's why we all come together :)

THE CHAT ROOM IS NOW CLOSED...HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND :)

Thank You.

This past week has been rough. The new SN shared list can break your heart over and over before you find your child. I think it is a good system, I am so glad that it is in place. But it can be a hard process.
I want to say thank you to all of you who encourage me through your own experiences, your comments and your prayers. Your lives are an inspiration. I have come to love so many of you.
I do want to send out some special thank you's for this week.

Thank you to my friend who listened to my heart, my suffering and my turmoil. Thank you for praying for me and holding my hand through this week. Thank you for pointing me to a specialist whose knowledge ultimately broke our hearts but saved our family from a dire situation.

Thank you to my friend who has worked and waited as long as I have. You listened to my heart and you sat across the table from me and through the tears in your eyes, you told me you want me to bring my baby home first. I want you to know that I know how selfless it was for you to be able to say that after all of these months and all of this hardship. I love you and I could not make it through this without you.

Please Pray for this Family...

I received an e-mail yesterday from Laura/Lala about this family and my eyes just filled with tears when I read about their situation. I have seen many of you post about this and I had to do the same. Their blog has gone private, so you most likely can't read it yourself. This family went to China to bring their daughter Susannah home and found out that she is in the hospital in very serious condition. I know that they were trying to reach Amanda at Starfish for assistance. I was able to talk with Amanda last night and she was aware of this family and their situation and believed that they have her phone number. She had not spoken with them yet as of late last night.

This is a Christian family and they are calling out to God for help. They want to seek treatment for their child but cannot remove her from the hospital she is in until their adoption is completed. They are working both in the United States and China to get their paperwork expedited and it sounds like they are having some success.

Please pray for this family. Please pray for this child, that she can hold on until her family can get her the treatment she needs. Please pray for strength for these parents. Please pray for this baby girl's nanny who hasn't left her side in days. Please pray that everyone who touches the paperwork necessary to complete her adoption feels a sense of urgency.

If anyone hears of any updates, please let me know. This family is on my heart. I had seen so many of your comments on their blog. I have seen the power of prayer with this group. I am hoping and praying for a miracle.

Taking a Break...

I need to take a break. I will be back to the blog on Saturday. No need to worry about us, nothing is wrong. We are just facing a big week.

Sunday...

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

Good Morning Everyone and welcome the Saturday Morning Chat Group!

We are having some very rainy weather here. The skies are all gray and it looks like it's going to be an indoor weekend to me. Which isn't easy with Eli because he likes to be out on the move. I'm hoping it will clear up this afternoon.
Gas prices went nuts here yesterday because of the hurricane. People waited in lines as our gas prices went up over 50 cents a gallon.

Please pray for our friends in Texas. Ike has hit Galveston and looks to be amazingly powerful.


Alyson and Ford have been on my mind. They are in China to bring home their daughter Alyzabeth. If you would like to follow their journey, their blog is 'Imagine Alyzabeth An'.

*THE CHATROOM IS NOW CLOSED, HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.

Some Bling and A Smile...

The Diamond Award href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJR6mARn9dnSYP1gc4nEjqZzDe-A9gSGNv96dzn8aQqpFoROb4fKlFHwDUFdCh8NJek0jGWHH9iA1R1_v6qigvj6O3ZyJn-7MiYxy3R56bMD_kvHLv3FuIXO19zdLj8NHcIqNAQ/s1600-h/diamond__blog_award[1].jpg">

Isn't it lovely ladies? Thank you so much to my friend Tonggu Momma for this fabulously fun award!

There are no rules for this award, so I will pass it along to some ladies who I think add a lot of sparkle to our group:

The Pixel Fairy Princess...her photography is nothing short of breathtaking. She is able to capture people in a way that stills your heart.

Denise at 'Tucked Inside My Heart'. She is always there to lift me up when I need it and her blog designs are so gorgeous (she does them herself) and she definitely has amazing taste.

Kim at 'Isabella Bison'. She always finds the coolest stuff on-line. If you are looking for something unique and memorable, ask her. She has the most giving heart and truly is an amazing friend.

Daleea at 'Jewels of My Heart'. This woman has so many strengths and talents. She designs so many of my baby shower headers and sidebar graphics. She is an amazing seamstress. She is a true friend who anyone can turn to when they need encouragement. She has raised over $5,000 for my favorite cause, Starfish.

And last but not least Steffie from 'Never Too Many'. She is my friend, mentor and keeps me from going nuts through this wait. We can meet for lunch or dinner and talk about anything for hours. I can call her when I'm about to cry and she gets me back on track. Truly, I don't even think I know how much I need her. She has bling for days too...this is a perfect award for her!

The Smile Award

My good friend Patricia from Hip Hip Hubei 2 (private) gave me this award. Her little girl Kiera is Eli's soul sister (they were born on the same day in the same year). Thank you so much Patricia! I love this award.

I must pass this along to Fliss. She doesn't just make me smile, she makes me burst out laughing. She calls me when I'm really struggling and her outlook on life just busts me up. I love her accent and her energy. She is someone who everyone should get to know.

Chelley at 'Live Fully Laugh Often Love Deeply' She is always making me smile. She's my Aussie friend. She has 3 children and is foster mum to 2 little ones. Head on over to her blog. She's begging for someone from the states to send her some poptarts. (really, now you are smiling about that aren't you??)

Kelly at 'Truly Blessed' (private) makes me smile. I am fortunate to live close to her and she has been a constant source of friendship and strength to me through this adoption journey. She is a veteran and has 2 daughters from China along with 3 sons. I am very blessed to have her in my life. It's amazing how God brings people into your life who you will need to make it through certain times.

Lea from 'Oh My 6' makes me smile. She is an absolutely wonderful and giving person. She always leave me the nicest comments and does fun things on her blog. She races dragonboats too...

Lala at 'Ladybugs and Dragonflies' makes me smile and so does little Annslee. And everytime I think about Coby coming home and their

9/11

Quote for the Week...

I know that there are quite a few of us who need a hug right now and a shoulder to lean on. There is a lot going on in blogland. Adoption stress, paperwork stress, health issues etc. We all are very fortunate to have such a large support group of women who reach out to help and to pray for one another.

For Margaret...

Margaret,
My Aunt Pam has told me that you have been reading my blog. I want you to know that I am really touched by that and by your interest in my life. I have been hearing your name for as long as I can remember and I know how close you have been to my Aunt and how you knew my Mother.
I want you to know that you are so welcome in my life. I would love for you to meet my husband and my children. Perhaps we can meet again the next time I come home. I'm all grown up now (obviously) and would love to know you at this stage in my life.
Thank you for being such a strong and constant friend to my Aunt. She is my 'home' in this world and I know how much she has needed you over the years.
I just wanted you to know that I know that you come here to check in on me and the door is always open. I would love to hear from you.

Feeling a Little Old...And Not Liking It At All...

Yesterday I was at the store buying a couple of things for Sophia (no referral yet, just shopping). I was at the counter and my items were being rung up. The woman next to me complimented one of the outfits I was buying and asked me who it was for. I told her it was for my daughter. She looked at me kind of strangely and asked 'You are having a baby?'. The tone was not referencing the fact that I looked 'too thin' to be pregnant, the reference was very obvious to the fact that she thought I was too old.
Now, I did need a touch up on my hair color...it's true. But for heaven's sakes. I turn 40 this month, not 60. I have been coloring my hair since I was 28 (still young then right?) I am not planning to give birth at this phase of my life, but if I became pregnant...would that be outrageous? I tell you ladies, I felt like I wasn't just climbing up the hill, I was definitely 'over the hill'.
I politely explained that we were adopting a little girl from China. It seemed like that was acceptable for her, I wasn't too old for that. Maybe I should have told her I have a 3.5 year old who I bore just fine. But, I think I was too in shock and I took my bag and left for the car to look at my old self.
Needless to say...I colored my hair last night. Maybe I could start getting discounts at Bill Knapp's.