Welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group...

SPECIAL NEWS!
Paula has her third daugher! Little Bella is home with her family. Please go to 'The Baby Journals' to welcome their new family member. She is just darling.

Good Morning Everyone and welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group! We're going to be hanging around the house today and then we have our annual family reunion to go tomorrow.

Robin at 'Red Thread Stitches' is auctioning off her services as a seamstress for a year. She will make 12 custom outfits for the winner.

I am going to be holding the Halloween Blog Contest again this year, so you may want to start collecting or creating your Halloween graphics : ) It's going to be a lot o fun. I already have some great judges lined up.

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

PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT FOR CHINA EARTHQUAKE RELIEF. IT IS IN THE TOP 25 AND HOPEFULLY WILL RECEIVE A DONATION FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS.

Submitted by: CM248586 from Oregon

Updated: September 03, 2008

Project ID: YBIBMW

Children’s Recovery Centers for thousands living in refugee camps near the quake’s epicenter. Traumatized children will be offered a safe place for emotional healing – a chance to be children again. In ‘Big Top’ tents there will be preschool programs & afterschool/weekend therapeutic & fun activities for school-age children. Caregivers will be trained by trauma specialists & mental health professionals in nurturing and counseling for the long-term recovery of children suffering pain and loss.

Many children lost parents, family members, teachers and class-mates in the devastation of May 12. Children who experience such a violent, traumatic event need specialist care in their recovery – they may experience on-going fear, problems sleeping, eating, or even feeling any emotions at all. In order to heal, children need support through and beyond the grieving process. Children’s Recovery Centers will provide specialized programs and trained caregivers in a safe place for this purpose.

Thousands of children who survived the quake now suffer from trauma and loss – the impact will not have taken its toll only in the first days of the crisis, but will do so for months, even years. Each Children’s Recovery Center in the temporary camps near the epicenter will support approx. 1,000 children while the re-building of communities takes place. This project will support establishment and operation of 4 Centers serving about 4,000 hurting children for at least 2 yrs. Budget 540K.

I am proud of being part of a team that helps orphaned children in China by providing them with the love of family-like care. We’ve not been involved in disaster relief before this year, but immediately after the earthquake we wanted to jump right in and help -- and we did. I felt so much gratitude for being in a position to help back in May, but now the hype and world-wide attention has died down, we must still help the youngest survivors heal and rebuild their lives.

• PHOTOS

Concentrating on an art project

2879 people have nominated this project.

More ways to get involved

Happy Friday...Wow! This Week Flew By.

Enjoy your Friday everyone. I love short weeks and this one was great because it flew right by. We're having quite a bit of rain here, so we'll see how it stands for the weekend. It's supposed to be nice. We are still waiting for 'the call' from our agency. I talked to our SW yesterday and she said to hang in there. She knows they are working to match people.
I have started to really shop for Sophia for the first time. I really didn't buy much for her at all over the past 2 years because it didn't seem like she was really going to come. Now I am definitely in a nesting mode and am getting things ready for her. Hopefully we will find her soon.

The boys seem to be enjoying getting back to school. Tyler is a little bummed because he no longer has recess (this is his first time in junior high school/they call it middle school here). But they seem to be getting into a good morning routine and getting used to going to bed earlier in the evenings now. I don't really enforce a bed time during the summer, but I do during the school year.

There will be a Saturday Morning Chat Group tomorrow. Hope you all can come!

Want to Have Your Own Personal Seamstress for a Year???...The Bid is On!

Bid to have a creation delivered every month for a year!

As many of you know we have been on a journey to Mia Hope stitch by stitch.

With a little help from my friends I have come up with a new idea!

Creations for a Year!

What does this mean?

This means that I will be the highest bidder's personal seamstress during 2009!

How you ask?

Just leave your bid in the comment section and on September 15th at noon the highest bidder wins!

What does this include?

• One custom made outfit every month for a total of 12 outfits during the year!
• Creations are available January thru December 2009.
• Creations must be chosen from my product and fabric selections which will continue to grow.
• Free personalization or embroidery on your custom made creation. (subject to availability of patterns)
• I will work closely with you to keep current on measurements for that custom fit. Toddler size 1 thru 6 only.
• Your daughter will love having a custom dress for every occasion!
• If you find your own fabric I would be happy to work with your selection.
• Free shipping on your 12 creations delivered to your door!
• Payment by the highest bidder is due by 10/10/08 or offer will go to the next bidder.
• Split the bid with a friend and divide up your 12 creations as you choose.

Click below to see many creations available as part of this offer!

FASHION SHOW

CREATIONS

For questions please email me at: REDTHREADSTITCH@AOL.COM

Blessings,

Robin

"The Seamstress in Waiting"

I'm sorry you guys, I assumed that everyone knows Robin. To place a bid, go to Robin's blog 'Red Thread Stitsches'

Quote for the Week...

Labor Day...

Z and Jay tubing.

Z sideways.

Tim and my girfriend's father Fred (who I adore). He told me how beautiful I was every day that he saw me when I was pregnant with Tyler and Eli.

Eli and his girls.

The annual Labor Day neighborhood breakfast.

Good food!

Boat ride with Brody.

Eli telling Dad to 'hit it!' and go faster!

Sunday...

Help Please....And A Very Cool Doll!

I saw this doll on Kim's blog 'Isabella Bison'. She just ordered it for Isabella. It is darling and it is on sale this weekend for 20% off. So, I am going to place an order. You can find her at 'Baby Be Blessed'.

Here is where I need help. You can put a Bible verse on the tummy. I have been looking and can't find a verse I like. If any of you have a verse that you could recommend, I would really appreciate it so that I can get my order in. Kim put a verse and the Red Thread proverb on her doll.

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

Good Moring Everyone and Welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group. It's been a while since I've been able to host the group, so I hope that everyone comes by today and says hello.

On our adoption front, we are all set for the SN program and are just waiting for a call that a baby has been found on the shared list that would be a good match for us. Please pray for us, that we will have the faith and patience to make it through all of this.

I want to let everyone know that I will be holding the Halloween Blog Contest again this year, so if you are interested in participating, you should begin getting prepared : ). I also need 3 judges, so if you would like to judge, let me know.

Also, The People's Choice Blog Awards is coming to a close. If you haven't already voted for the Seventh Diamond, I would be so grateful if you would. There is a small black link on my sidebar to the site.

IF YOU ARE NEW AND WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE CHAT, JUST CLICK ON THE COMMENTS AND TALK WITH US : )

Dad's Barber Shop and A Very Cool Giveaway!!

Oh yes, Daddy cuts Eli's hair and always has. When it's time for a trim, out come the buzzers and the stool!

Tonight he really needed a trim. His hair is very thick and he has 2 cowlicks in the front and two swirls in the back, so it's a challenge to get everything looking just right.

Can you see the little mohawk?

No..... we didn't keep it. Here he is all trimmed up!

Now, this is the most darling mug I have ever seen and I got it from my friend Lea. Isn't it fabulous!!!??


You can check out this website and see their darling product line. Now, my friend Lea is doing a giveaway and I think the item she is giving away is also from here. VERY CUTE! So, go and visit her blog ''Lea's Musings/Oh my #6 and get signed up to win!

I am Transitioning....My Lunch Date with a Handsome Young Man...

I received a phone call at work today. Zachary called to ask me to have lunch with him at our favorite Chinese restaurant. (Yes Steffie, our place...but hot waiter wasn't there, he was making a delivery).
Anyway, I want to tell you all how strange it is to meet your son at a restaurant. It was just too weird sitting at a table and waiting for him to walk in. He has so much freedom now with his license and his car. He truly is able to go wherever he needs to.
I am so used to driving him. I am so used to him following behind me through his life and now he is walking on his own and I am waiting for him.
I know that he has been growing up all along, but it has been a slow process. It seems like getting his license took him a giant step forward all at once.
I am smiling though because he does call me and ask me to lunch. He is making room for me while he is setting the pace for his young adult life.

Support China Earthquake Relief

HELP CHILDREN RECOVER FROM EARTHQUAKE IN CHINA

Join Half the Sky in promoting this. American Express is donating 2.5 million dollars to the winning projects.

It's easy and free to help hundreds of children! Before the September 1 deadline —
JUST CLICK AND NOMINATE OUR PROJECT

Well, we did a pretty good job yesterday of getting everything put back together around here and I think we are ready for a great week. The house smelled musty when we got home. One of Tim's battery back-ups for the computer had an issue and it died and gave off a sulfur smell. So, we had to air out the house.
We cleaned out the fridge. Ate Chinese at our favorite dive and bought some groceries.
We watched the closing ceremony for the Olympics. FABULOUS!
I miss my family already, but it's good to get back into our normal routine.
The boys are getting ready to get back to school. Today Zach goes to the high school to get his class schedule.
I am heading to work here shortly.
Have a great Monday everyone!

Thank You Robin, Lea and Jill...

A special thank you to Robin, Lea and Jill. Thank you for thinking of me and sending me something special. I have not been myself these past few weeks. I really have not fully recovered from reviewing the files of the two little girls.
And then this past week, it was so good to go home, but it's hard to see my Grandmother struggling with lung cancer. She is doing so well though. Her spirits are high. She says she doesn't even mind losing her hair. She'd rather not have to mess with it.
I know that I am very blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing women. I truly have the largest support group I have ever had in my life. Thank you.

No Sat Chat..

Sorry Everyone, there will be no Sat Chat Group. We are leaving as early as possible Saturday Morning to drive 12 hours to get back to Michigan. Have a great weekend everyone! Sat Chat for sure next Saturday!

Fun in Kansas City

With the big brothers away on their Colorado trip, Eli is getting lots of attention and having a wonderful time. He loves to help Uncle Gary. Here they are working on Aunt Pam's bird house holder.
This is the T-Rex Restaurant in the Legends. I have posted photos of this place before when were here last time. The kids love it!

Cousin Jessie with baby Ethan. Isn't he darling? Even when he's crying?

These photos are from the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. This was a wonderful place. We had the best time there yesterday.

Eli, cousin McKenzie and Uncle Gary in the flowers.


Milkin the cow~

Farmer Eli

Riding the horse~

The Journey Necklace

I turn 40 next month. Yes, the big 4-0. I'm at peace with it. I am very comfortable with my life and where I am in it. I have achieved the things that were important to me and am incredibly content. My focus is on bringing home my daughter and caring for my family. I am blessed with 3 beautiful healthy sons and wonderful husband.

My Aunt and my Grandmother gave me this necklace as an early birthday gift since we will not be able to be together on my big day. My Aunt says it is a journey necklace and I have been on a journey. She was careful to point out that there are seven diamonds.

This is the best photo I could take of it as my camera is very challenged. But it means the world to me and I plan to always wear it.

US Department of State...Notice Concerning Transfer of Pending Convention Cases to Hague Accredited/Approved ASPs

US Department of State...Notice Concerning Transfer of Pending Convention Cases to Accredited/Approved ASPs

This is taken directly from the US Department of State Web Page...Notice Concerning Transfer of Pending Convention Cases to Accredited/Approved ASPs

Adoption service providers (ASPs) that have been denied accreditation or approval may have pending adoption cases that are now, or will likely become, Convention cases before they can be brought to a conclusion. Such ASPs are urged to transfer any such cases expeditiously to an accredited, temporarily accredited or approved ASP. ASPs that have been denied accreditation or approval should activate their plans for transferring pending Convention cases to accredited, temporarily accredited, or approved ASPs in a timely and transparent manner, including refunding fees to prospective adoptive parents for services not yet provided. (All ASPs that applied for accreditation or approval provided a plan pursuant to 22 CFR 96.33(e) for transferring cases in the event an agency cannot see them to completion. Applicants for temporary accreditation were to have such a plan pursuant to 22 CFR 96.104(k).) Whether a transferred case may proceed on the same track it was on prior to the transfer to an accredited, temporarily accredited or approved ASP will depend largely on the facts of the case, the requirements of the country of origin and the regulations of the state in which the new ASP is located.

Welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group Everyone...

Sorry I am so late everyone, we had to take the boys and my father to the airport here in KC this morning so they could catch their flight to Colorado!

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

There's No Place Like Home...

There's no place like home....so we are off to Kansas to visit family. Kansas City that is. And my do they love the Wizard of Oz there. I remember as child that when it made it's annual showing, it was a BIG deal. My Mom popped tons of popcorn and we would all gather around the television spellbound even though we knew the whole thing by heart.

We are leaving tonight in the minivan. Think of me as I'm driving 12 hours with the kids. Then extremely early Saturday Morning, Zach and Tyler leave for Colorado with my Dad for a week long Colorado tour. I am going to try to the Saturday Morning Chat Group, but we'll have to play it by ear.

I am looking forward to some time away to re-coup. I will be seeing my Grandmother for the first time since her chemo. I know that she is very tired and her hair is gone. I hope that I can be strong for her and not break down.

My soul is always rejuvenated when I am home. I hope this trip will bring that to me.