Happy Halloween...

Wishing you lots fun as you take your little goblins trick-or-treating!

Thank you Secret Pal...

My Aug/Sept CCAI Secret Pal sent me the cutest little Halloween bibs and burp cloths from Bumber Crop Baby for this months swap. Aren't they cute?

Thanks Pal you've done it again!

Send a soldier a message...

As you all know I have a soft spot for the men and women who are fighting for our country. Politics aside, I think that we, as a nation and individuals, should support our troops. They are fighting for us and our way of life. It is a thankless job, one that requires much sacrifice not only their part but of those they love. These men and women are heroes and deserve recognition for all that they do.

Today while I was surfing the net I found these two websites Any Soldier and America Supports You. At the first you can find a list of soldiers to send mail. The second site allows you to send e-mails which are then posted. I encourage you to take a few minutes of your time to send a letter or e-mail to one of our soldiers. I'm sure that any word from "home" is a welcome respite for someone so far away from home and family.

For all of our soldiers...You and yours are in my daily thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your courage and the sacrifices you make for us all.

I've been Boo'd...

My Ladybug group did a cyber version of Boo Bags. Wendy was my Boo buddy and sent us a box full of goodies. She include Halloween socks for me and our little one to be, a matching book, a multi-color pumpkin light, pretty fall kitchen towels, beaded pumpkin coasters, milk and white chocolate truffles (still debating on whether to share those), and a pumpkin t-shirt for Matt to wear when passing out candy on Halloween night. Check it out below... the cat didn't come in the box ;o)



Thank you Wendy!!

Something to look forward too...

Next week I am going to spend the day helping out at my nephew's Fall Festival. There will be a costume parade (nothing scary, he goes to a Christian school) and then the kids will spend the remainder of their school day at the festival. After school we are having lunch with Grandpa and then going trick-or-treating. It will be a nice break to hang out with the kids and have some fun. Come back next week for pictures...

Random thoughts...

Lately it seems like more than ever we have begun to lose our optimism about the "wait." It seems like it is the proverbial albatross around our neck. Even when it's not there, it's right there under the surface. For those of you fellow adoptive parents you know exactly what I mean. This wait has turned into a living, breathing thing that unexpectedly rears it's ugly head when you least expect it. It's made appearances at Target, at the mall, and even at family dinners. There you are going about your day and wham it hits you right between the eyes. This is not the first time I've mentioned it nor am I the only one to do so. Our optimistic thoughts for an increased number referrals per month has dwindled until they are but a shadow of hope. Yet hope I do.

I hope and pray each night for the perseverance, faith, and dare I say it, patience to get us through. Despite the trepidation of seeing yet another tiny batch of referrals I check the CCAA site and our agency's referral site regularly hoping for a decent number of referrals to be announced. Obviously we're still waiting for that large referral batch to arrive. Yet I continue to hope, I continue to yearn for a swift conclusion to this long journey. Hope and faith are what can and will carry us through. It will not be easy but it can be done by taking one day at a time.

Happy Birthday to you both...

Christina's birthday was last Wednesday and Lynn's big 30 is tomorrow.
Hope all your birthday wishes come true!
Happy Birthday, I love you both!

New Squishes...

I have finally added some additional squish pictures to my quilt blog.
Check them out at my 100 Good Wishes Quilt site.

Lovey Swap...

My Worth Waiting For group did a "Lovey" swap this month. A lovey can be a stuffed animal or something else that babies and small children carry around with them for a sense of security. My swap buddies were the Hearn family. They sent me the softest pink blanket and a ladybug mug. Thanks guys I love them both. Check them out...

UCF 12, (5) South Florida 64

Enough said !

Miss Sophia has arrived....

Babies are Angels that fly to the earth,
their wings disappear at the time of their birth.
One look in their eyes and we're never the same.
They're part of us now and that part has a name,
That part is your heart and a bond that won't sever,
our Babies are Angels, we love them forever.
~Unknown~

Congratulations Mark and Rebecca!
Best wishes for you all as you bring your little angel home.

13 and counting....

I found this picture appropriate for our 13 month LID anniversary since it is almost Halloween! Speaking of Halloween, I can't wait to see all the little trick-or-treaters in my new neighborhood ;o)

Something to think about...

"You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you."

Isaiah 26:3

How 'bout those Florida Teams!?!?

USF Bulls vs. West Virginia

If you've previously read this blog than you're aware that I'm a huge hockey fan. But you may not know that I'm also a football fan, well specifically a USF Bulls football fan (yes, I like the Bucs too!). Why then you ask have I not previously posted anything about them? Well, in part because for the most part I've tried to keep this blog a little more family and friends related. In other words I didn't and don't want to make it a monument to sports, that's not really what it was intended for. But seeing as there are not alot of other positives to post about right now you may, or may not, begin to see more sports related posts. My husband tried to tell me I was a front-runner today because I was cheering for the Bulls during dinner at Beef O'Brady's. However, that simply is not the case. Let's be clear, I went to college at USF so therefore it is quite reasonable I would cheer for the Bulls despite the fact that the team didn't exist way back then, lol. Anyway I digress, back to my original point - how 'bout those Florida teams? Both USF and the Lightning won their games today. That make the Bulls 5-0 and the Bolts 2-0. Both games were high energy and fun to watch. GO BULLS!! GO BOLTS!!

Bolts vs. Atlanta Thrasher 5-2

What A Comeback!!

Have to say it was great to win our home opener against the Devils! Brodeur isn't the best goalie in the league for no reason. Despite the rocky start our guys pulled off a great comeback. Holmer (our goalie Johan Holvquist - 26 saves) and Vinnie (2 goals) had an awesome game. Of course so did a few other guys like St. Louis (3 assists) and Vinnie Prospal (1 goal). One down and 80 more games to go, let's do it BOLTS!

Can you tell we're excited hockey is back ?!?!

Congratulations Lynn & Mark...

They just let us know they were expecting a new bundle of joy! Congratulations guys, we're so excited for you ;o)

Paperwork Round Two...

Let the games begin, again! CCAI has notified us that it is time to start working on renewing our I171 (immigration paperwork). What this means is new background checks, finger prints, a home study update, new physicals or letters from our doctors stating we are still physically and mentally capable of taking care of a child, new financial statements including our most recent tax returns. Basically a large portion of the next few weeks will be spent running around gathering all of this stuff again. Hopefully, this one won't expire before we get our referral.

To all of you in the same boat, GOOD LUCK!!!