2010 Christmas Card

Merry Montage Christmas

Turn your pictures into personalized Christmas cards.

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I'm An Elf...

You Are An Elf

You are highly creative and artistic. You are good at working hard. While you love to work, you also love to play. You have a naughty side to you! You love pulling pranks and teasing people. You always seem to be getting into some sort of trouble. People can rely on you to be industrious and responsible... but you're going to have fun while you're getting stuff done.

Are You An Elf or a Reindeer?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

Please Send Cards Christmas Cards...

I know many of you have the same heart for our soldiers that I do. The picture above is a link takes you directly the Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes site. This site provides instructions for sending Christmas cards to our heroes here and abroad. Please grab an extra box of cards this year and send a message of care and support to some of those who sacrifice so much for us. They need to know that we support them and are keeping them in our prayers at this time of year and every day. I got my box and I hope you will find it in your hearts to send some too.

God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all a great day filled with family and friends,

good food, and cozy couch for when you're done!

I am thankful...

I am thankful for so many things ~ my husband, my family and my friends.

I'm thankful every day for all the love, support, friendship, shoulders, and smiles they each add to my life. I am thankful I have enough. Enough love to carry me through, friends to brighten my days, and enough money to get by. I am thankful for our soldiers who fight to protect my freedom and for the sacrifices their families make.

Thank you to all of you who are a part of my life
and for all that you have added to it.

Congratulations Dave & Jeni

Our friends Dave and Jeni were married Saturday in a beautiful outdoor ceremony . The reception was wonderful and everyone had a great time.

Thanks for allowing us to share your day,

we are so happy for both of you.

Love you!

...Pictures to follow ;o)

Am I Really Still Counting?

November is Adoption Awareness Month...

THE GARDEN

I did not plant you, true.
But when the season is done-
When the alternate prayers for sun
and rain are counted-
When the pain of Weeding and the pride
of Watching are through

Then I will hold you High
A shining sheaf above the
thousand seeds grown wild

Not my planting, but by Heaven
My harvest-My own child.

Just a Thought...

Happy Halloween...

Wishing you all a load of fun trick or treating with

your little ghosts and ghoblins!

Congratulations Christina...

Mark 10:8

Tomorrow is your big day, the day that you've dreamed about for so long. Tomorrow as you say your I do's, I will be thinking of you and hoping that all your planning has made the day all you've dreamed of and more.

Wishing you and Jason all the best!

Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Opening Night Win!

Yes, the hockey season has officially begun! Last night the Lightning played the Thrasher and won 5-3. With all of the changes (new owner, manager, coach and system) it should be an interesting season. Looking forward to watching the team grow and adapt to it all.

GO BOLTS!!!

48 Months...

Not sure if I'm still counting or not...

Referrals have arrived...

Congratulations to all of you who have recieved your referral in this batch. You are on the last leg of this incredible journey, finally! Wishing you all a wonderful experience traveling to China and incredible "gotcha" days ;o)

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before May 18, 2006.

And the boys are back...

the regular hockey season is almost here again! The Lightning have won their first 2 pre-season games. Hopefully, these wins are the first of many this season. We've got new ownership, new management, new coaches, and lots of new players.

Last night, this young'un (Blair Jones) dropped veteran Chicago defenseman Nick Boynton with a hard left in a short fight during the 2nd period. Way to go Blair!

LETS GO BOLTS!!

Just a thought...

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

Happy Birthday...

Happy birthday Brian, hope you have a great weekend! Of course, I know you will since you're spending it with us ;o)

Grandma, I think about you every day and know that in heaven, where you are, all of your birthday wishes have come true. I love you and miss you!

Today We Remember...

We remember those who lost their lives in such a terrible act of terrorism. We remember our heroes - firefighters, policeman, plane passengers, soldiers and our neighbors. We remember with clarity where we were when this tragedy struck. Some huddled around TVs in conference rooms, others around TVs in cafes or bars, while others listened on the radio. Time stood still as we watched the Towers fall and the enormity of the event began to sink in. The terror and shock were overwhelming. The grief beyond comprehension. Nine years later the wounds are still raw.

From the ashes and plane debris arose a new pride in our country and a unifying strength we had long forgotten. We were ready to defend our country and each other. People gathered together to do whatever they could to help one another through. We were united against a common evil. Lives were forever changed.

Today my greatest hope is that each of you takes a moment to remember those lost, their families, and all of the men and women in the armed forces, law enforcement and fire department who serve and protect us. Remember the strength of purpose and unity you felt during the weeks and months that followed. Rekindle the passion and compassion that carried you through and most of all never forget.

Happy Labor Day...

Hope you all have a great day relaxing with your family and friends!

4 Years...

Still trying to figure out my thoughts on this... I'm kind of at a loss for words. How do I explain the last 4 years of excitement, anticipation, longing, disappointment, frustration, and loss? It's a vicious cycle, one that has repeated itself several times over the last few years to varying degrees, for different lengths of time. Many, if not all of you, can relate to this in one way or another. How many times can one work through this cycle before you begin to question the path you've started down? It turns into the big questioning cycle - Did I miss something? Did I make the wrong choices? Why? Can I continue down this path? Should I continue? When? I don't have the answers.

Long week...

Stop the ride... I want to get off...

I'm guessing from the title you already know that this is going to be a whiny post. Since you guessed right if you don't want to hear it you might want to skip this one.

Stop the ride, I really, really want to get off... I had such high hopes for 2010 and YTD it's been a big disappointment. I was hoping the iffy 2009 would be replaced by something better, not necessarily an amazing on top the world kind of year, but definitely one that was better than last year. Well guess what, it's not anything close to being better than last year. So far 2010 has been one of those years I wish we could fast forward. It's the year Murphy's Law was slapped on our household like it was invented just for us. We can't catch a break, I mean not even a little tiny break. I mean the hits started in the first week of January and keep piling up. It seems like we can't string together a few weeks without some kind of crisis happening - illnesses and death, unexpected expenses (major unexpected expenses), frustration and stress have wiped me out. This isn't even factoring in the whole adoption thing either! I'm typically an even tempered person, it takes a whole lot to keep me down but I just can't keep up anymore, so can I please jump off the ride? Maybe if I go and go hide in the corner Mr. Murphy will forget about me!?!?

Happy Birthday Matt..

Hope all of your birthday wishes come true. Luv you!

to all of you who have finally reached this milestone.

Your wait is almost over! Wishing you all speedy TA's and wonderful "gotcha" days!

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose application documents were registered with their office before May 15, 2006.

It's Been Awhile...

since I've posted anything. June and July were busy, busy months filled with lots of ups and downs. The best I can do to fill you in without writing a book is a bullet post, so here we go...

June

~ My step-dad, Alex, was hospitalized and passed away on June 23rd. Please keep my mom and the rest of our family in your prayers. This is going to be a tough adjustment for us all.

~ Happy Birthday to my mom (6/26) and my cousin Melissa (6/29). We still need to celebrate ;o) Love you ladies!

July

~ We went back to Minnesota for vacation and spent a week with good friends. It was great to hang out and relax. Thanks guys for having us!

~ Lucy graduated from puppy school. (barely, lol!)

~ Happy Birthday Tori (7/2), Dave (7/15), Nancy (7/17) and Dad (7/27). Hope all of your birthday wishes come true!

August

~ A new addition was added to our circle of friends, welcome Croix! We can't wait to watch you grow. (see 8/3 post for details)

~ Happy Anniversary Matt! It's been 15 years and we're still going strong. Love you!

August will continue on with the craziness. I will post some pictures as soon as I download them.

Welcome Croix Anthony ...

Our friends Mark and Lynn welcomed their son Croix Anthony into the world today. He was born at 12:42 PM, weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz. and was 20.5" long.

He's beautiful guys! Congratulations!

Congratulations...

to all of you who received your referrals this month.

Wishing all speedy & safe travels and incredible "gotcha" days.

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families

whose adoption application documents were registered with our office

before April 26, 2006.

44 Months...

of waiting and waiting...

TGIF...

Happy Memorial Day...

To all of you who have served this country, I offer my sincerest thanks.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day!

Please Remember Our Veterans...

Introducing Lucy...

Lucy is our newest addition, she is a 3.5 month old black lab/retriever mix we got from the Humane Society a week ago. In a word she is a handful! One minute she is a little monster and the next she is all cuddly and sweet. Very smart but equally as stubborn! She terrorizes our cats and Smuckers (our 9 yr. old yellow lab mix) and chews on everything she can fit in her mouth but we love her to death.

Something to Count on...

Hebrews 6:19 provides this promise

"… hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls"

Forever in Our Hearts...

Daisy

Oh how much I love my beagle girl!

I must shout it to all the world

Everyone must know about this dog of mine,

For I will love her for all time.

Oh how much I love my beagle girl!

For you see, she brightened the whole wide world.

Daisy was also the sweetest you see

And well, she just completed me.

Oh how much I love my beagle girl!

To Mommy and Daddy you were our pearl.

While she may be gone, we will never be apart

Because forever she will stay deep within our hearts.

~ Matt Shrader

Daisy, we love you and miss you more than words can express.

Thank you for all the joy and love you brought into our lives.

You will now and forever be a part of us.

Just a thought...

Referrals are in...

Congratulations to all those who have received referrals this month. Wishing you all speedy travel arrangements and wonderful forever family days.

Update: The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before April 21, 2006.

And the count moves on...

It's been 3 1/2 years since we were logged in with the CCAA. At one point that number was inconceivable to me but now it seems like a drop in the bucket compared to how long it could be.

Today I feel like that crumbling paint in the picture. The wait combined with lots of other things going on in my life is making me feel old and worn down. So much time has passed and so many things have changed. For the first time I really wonder if we can stick it out. No, I have not given up the dream but somehow it seems that the dream is just a dream. Right this moment I can't picture the happy ending.

Joshua Turns 7...

My nephew, Joshua, turned 7 on April 18th and to celebrate he had an ice skating party this year. He is fortunate to have had such a great Aunt and Uncle drag him around the rink for a few hours (as evidenced by the top photo. )

Referrals have arrived...

to all of you who are seeing your childs face for the first time.

Wishing you all speedy travels and wonderful "gotcha" days!

CCAI has reported they received referrals through April 17th but the CCAA website has not been updated yet.

43 Months...

How much longer can we wait?

Happy Easter...

Wishing all of you a wonderful Easter weekend!

Good Friday...

Happy St. Patrick's Day...

May your blessings outnumber

The shamrocks that grow,

And may trouble avoid you

Wherever you go.

~Irish Blesssing

Congrats to the Clark Family...

on their new son. Can't wait to see him home and with your family!

You can check him out at their blog Handsful,

And the count is currently...

months and counting...

Referrals have arrived...

Congratulations to those families who have received referrals this month!

Wishing you all speedy travel arrangements and wonderful "gotcha" days!

The CCAA has placed children with families whose log-in date was before 4/11/06.