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.

Congratulations...

to the following families ~

Radicchi

Berryhill

Chandler

who have recently received referrals!

Wishing you all the best as you finish the journey to bring your children home :o)

Year of the Tiger...

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2010 is the Year of a Golden Tiger, which begins on February 14, 2010 and ends on February 2, 2011. The first day of the lunar New Year 2010 falls on the 14th day of February, which is Saint Valentine's Day, so it is a day the West celebrates as a lovers' day, a day of romance. To the Chinese, it is the start of the Golden Tiger Year. The Tiger is the third sign in the cycle of Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animal signs. It is a sign of courage. This fearless and fiery fighter is revered by the ancient Chinese as the sign that wards off the three main disasters of a household: fire, thieves and ghosts. On New Year's day itself, it is beneficial to celebrate, to be happy, to have smiling faces, and to refrain from scowling, quarreling, or criticizing anyone.
The Tiger

The Tiger is one of the most beautiful creatures on the planet, and is feared and revered in equal measure. It features in many Asian cultures as a manifestation of courage, power, passion and royalty. In Feng Shui, it is one of the four celestial animals where it takes its place as the White Tiger. The other three celestial animals are the Green Dragon, Red Phoenix and Black Tortoise. The Tiger symbolizes the female Yin energy as opposed to the Yang male energy of the dragon. Ancient Chinese believe that the markings on the forehead of tigers resemble the Chinese character for "Wang", or King. In Imperial China, where the dragon is the insignia of the emperors, the tiger is the military emblem of the highest supreme commanders of the army symbolizing fearlessness and victory. The Tiger also represents earth, while the dragon represents Heaven.

Happy Valentines Day!

Hope you all have a great weekend of cuddles,

kisses, and lots of love!

Happy Birthday to You...

to my sister-in-law Jennifer (13th), my brother Steve (15th), and me! For those of you who don't know my brother and I share the same birthday. For those inquiring minds - no, we are not twins but were born exactly a year a part.

Between birthdays, Valentine's day, the Chinese New Year, and President's day we've got a busy weekend ahead.

Wishing you both a great day and I hope all your birthday wishes come true ;o)

Thanks for the girls night out...

My awesome friends and I went to Orlando last weekend for a girls night out. We stayed at Lake Eve Resort, had dinner at the House of Blues and then a little dancing at Atlanta Dance Company. On Sunday we did a little shopping at Downtown Disney. We had a great time!

Here is some typical behavior during picture time!

Thanks girls, your the bestest! Luv you ;o)

Get Out So I Can Work...

“And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, ‘Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose” (Matthew 9:23-25).

Get out of here so I can work! Oh, how we hate distractions and noise, both things that pull our concentration away from the task at hand. In our passage today, the ruler had sought out Jesus and told him his daughter had died, but he believed Jesus could bring her back to life. “Jesus, come into my house and do the impossible,” he asked. But the crowds would not believe. It wasn’t until they were turned out that Jesus chose to perform this miracle. Why? We can only speculate, but I see an analogy here.

There are times I call on Jesus. I want him to come fix my life, or my thoughts, or revive a new spirit within me. I open my heart and ask Him to come in and heal me. Perhaps my spiritual house is full of other distractions – hurt, anger, frustration, pain. The nagging is still in the back of my mind – things can’t change, this is the way it is, why hope? Maybe it is coming from well meaning friends, or the TV, or my own desperation. Maybe these negative thoughts come from a more evil force that trembles at the name of Jesus?

All I know is before I can see Jesus in my life reviving me, I need to clear that ruckus away. I must give Him control over the situation so I can concentrate on His healing power alone. He stands patiently, knocking on the door of my heart. I am here. Waiting. The beauty of it is I can also see Him helping to clear all the garbage away. His Truth is the broom to sweep away all that doesn’t honor Him.

Can’t you just see Jesus at the ruler’s house calming him, saying it is okay, showing the hecklers the door? Even when we have barely enough strength to call on Him, He will come and do what is necessary to prepare us for His change in our lives. If you need a miracle, if you need revival, ask Jesus to help you clear away the obstacles that are preventing you from receiving it. It may take time, but His timing is perfect.

~Author Julie Cosgrove

This is from an online women's devotional. What perfect timing, I need to clear out the ruckus as I wait and wait...

41 Months and Counting...

...the 5th (our LID date) has come and gone. Not much to say about it...

Referrals have arrived...

Congratulations to those of you who are seeing your children's faces for the first time. What a great way to celebrate Valentines Day!

Wishing you all speedy TA's and amazing "gotcha" days!

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

April 5, 2006.

Happy New Years...

In the New Year,

may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want.

~ Traditional Irish Toast

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and all the best in 2010!

Happy New Year to Those Who ...

... have finally received their referrals. What a great way to start the New Year!

The CCAA has updated their website to say that they have placed children for families with log-in dates before April 3, 2006.

Merry Christmas...

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

~Luke 2:10-11

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and all the blessings of the season!

Xmas Origins...

You learn someting new every day...

"Xmas is an abbreviation for Christmas. It is derived from the word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ, transliterated as Christos, which is Greek for Christ. Greek is the language in which the whole New Testament was written.

Originally, Xmas was an abbreviation where the X represents the Greek letter chi, which is the first letter of Christ's name. However, because of the modern interpretations of the letter X, many people are unaware of this and assume that this abbreviation is meant to drop Christ from Christmas."

Ok, I will admit I was one of those people. I didn't like the use of Xmas instead of Christmas. Now I know it's not as bad as I thought. Still, I like the look and sound of Christmas better ;op

Please Remember ...

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,

Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,

Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,

So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,

But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear..

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,

Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,

A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,

Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,

Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,

"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,

You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!

"For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,

Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light

Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,

That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,

"Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.

"My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',

And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,

But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile..

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,

The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone,

Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,

I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,

Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,

To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,

Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,

For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,

To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,

To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,

That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

I received this poem today and it touched my heart. At the bottom of the e-mail was also this request -

PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN

30th Naval Construction Regiment

OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq

I don't know where this request originated from but I believe that it should be honored. Please remember to keep our soldiers in your thoughts and prayers this Christmas season and every day. Without them we would be living in a very different world. Thank you and God Bless!

Count UP to 39 Months...

We are 158 referral days away from being matched. With as little as 2 days being matched in some months our estimated wait time could extend to early 2013. That's really just too depressing to think about...

Early Christmas Presents for Some...

Congratulations and Merry Christmas to those of you who are receiving referrals in this batch. You have finally almost reached the end of your journey, the end is in sight. Wishing all of you speedy travels and wondereful "gotcha" days.

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before March 31, 2006.