Hula & Hooplah!

A little bit of HULA:

Sorry it's been so long since a post, but swamped this week with VBS along with several other things. Had a blast doing the crafts for 1st-6th grades and had lots of awesome helpers that made it all come together. I LOVE MY CHURCH!



A whole lot of HOOPLAH:

Late tomorrow afternoon I am actually going on a Girls Getaway Weekend!!!!! I have never really done one of these aside from Women's Retreats so I am soooooo pumped! Me and three of my college best friends are meeting up in Dallas at a hotel for the weekend. My sweets are treating me because they know the life of a minister's family doesn't just roll in the dough! LOL! We haven't all four been together since 1991. We have kept in touch sporadically over the years, so that means we have LOTS of talking to do! We are bringing pictures, snacks, our voice boxes and leaving the rest up in the air for whatever we want! Woohooooo! I can't wait to hug my girls!

Huge Thank You!!!

There is no way I can thank Steffie at Never Too Many enough. She took it on herself to help with the unbelievable expense of our adoption. She did a post on her site for the past couple of days that led people over here to help "Chip In" with the widget over to the side. As if THAT wasn't enough....SHE personally is going to match that amount up until today at noon. Blessed. That's all I can say is that we are blessed to have friends and strangers who want to help bring our son home from Haiti. Mind you, she and I have never met and never even spoken on the phone! We have only been blogging since 2006! I am so grateful and have prayed God's blessings ALL over her and her precious family. Thanks, Steffie!

Today is my sweet PandaPop's Birthday!!!!!!!

Miracle of the Moment

Today we said "see ya later" to our dearest friends. Thank you for your prayers...I felt them. I didn't blubber cry, but there were several times of choking up and fighting back the tears. I don't think I can really wrap my mind around not seeing her for "three years". As Believers, we never have to say the "g-word".....we have eternity together, hallelujah! We just soaked up every moment we could over the last 18 hours. That's why the song playing is important. Steven Curtis Chapman says it perfectly in this song Miracle of the Moment...

"Breathe it in and breathe it out."

Live in every moment, it is a gift from the Giver of all good things.

We love them. We have so many memories over the past 11 1/2 years. Mostly laughing, but a few growing pains, too. They are about to embark on an amazing journey and I can't wait to see it unfold!!!

The big boys had to go run some errands in the Jeep looking oh-so-cute to me and RF!!!

Packing, re-arranging, packing, re-arranging...

And if I do say so myself...we had a scrumdillyumptious breakfast! I wanted to make our friends a made from scratch breakfast since they will be on the road for the next making the rounds of visiting friends and family before their departure. It got rave reviews and I was very satisfied with my efforts. Thank you, Lord for simple things.


Through the tears and the laughter my heart is full. I love my friend and she loves me. We are kindred spirits. We are the definition of Robin Jones Gunn's

Sisterchick: a friend who shares the deepest wonders of your heart, loves you like a sister, and provides a reality check when you're being a brat.

How Would I Live, Really?

If I lived in a time or place where I didn't have access to "Christian" music, would my faith be as strong as it is today? I honestly don't think it would. I am so moved by the lyrics and music to songs. The words that filled my heart this morning--while I was shopping at WalMart for groceries at 6:30 AM, with my Starbucks' white chocolate mocha and my raspberry iPod earbuds snug in my ears--ministered deep into my soul. It lifted my down spirit.

Today is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it....however, today is a hard one for me. Tonight my BFF (and her family) for over the last 10 years is spending the night with us. I won't see her again for three years. Three years? They are moving to the other side of the world to do what they have been called to do. I am thrilled for the new adventure for them and can't wait to see what God is going to do, but at the same time I have an ache pulsating my heart. We live 3 hours apart now, but at least we talk all the time and see each other three or four times a year. I am trying to anticipate what our "final" goodbye will be like. Will we boo-hoo like Lucy & Ethel or will we be brave like Lucy Pevensie? Either way, I know both of our kindred spirits will be weary for awhile.

My other BFF with a daughter from China moved 3 hours away two months ago. That still has my heart aching.

Yesterday I got the call from our new adoption agency that the little boy we wanted in Haiti was picked up by another family. I knew that very much was a possibility, but it still brought tears. God knows who our son is and has the time we will meet tucked safely in His hand.

My boss resigned yesterday. I really like her and am saddened to not be working with her this year.

Several friends and family are REALLY struggling with issues recently.

My church is going through some tough growing pains. I adore my pastor. I wouldn't want to be in any other church right now.

The realization that I am coming up on my 20th year out of high school is oh so enlightening.

How would I fare without the music to soothe my soul? I don't even want to think about it. I will just be thankful for the amazing rejuvenation that comes when the music reaches my ears.

God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

What Do YOU Do?

I want to know if and how any of you are preserving your blog posts as if it were a scrapbook. I know there are ways to make a blog into a book, but I haven't looked into the cost. Some of my posts are dumb, but some are great scrapbooking floating off into cyberspace. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Something Up-beat

I seriously don't know what happened. I have loaded the ring pic three times!!! I even took another pic, loaded it to the computer and tried completely over again. Maybe "the ring" isn't supposed to be seen? LOL! Don't have one clue as to why this one pic isn't posting. Go figure. If it happens to pop up on its own...then yay.

As per a couple of requests from bloggy friends...The Blingy-Blue Ring. It's much more blingy and sparkly in person!






Isn't it soooo cute?! Too fun to wear in honor of our little man in........wait just a minute......I haven't told you yet have I? Well, we started our home study on Monday night for a precious little boy in Haiti. We are so excited to see what God is going to do.

Over the last few days I have been overwhelmed with prayers for not only ourself in this whole process, but for so many of my bloggy friends who are also adopting. It feels as though there is an oppression pushing us all down into this deep hole of gloom. The adoption process is NOT for the faint of heart. It is hard, long, tedious, mind-numbing, expensive and heart-wrenching when there are unbelievable numbers of children all over the world who need homes and families who need children and yet because of lovely governments nothing gets done and the children go without families and the families sit longing for their child to come home. I have come to the realization that Satan is in a full blown attack on adoption. I believe it is a battle that can only be fought on our knees. Please continue to pray for my family as we seek God's BEST for us. Also, remember other adoptive families needing those same prayers.

I needed to post something light-hearted (these pics!) so as to not fall into the gloomy pit of despair that is looming at my front door waiting for an invitation to enter. I want our adoption process to be faith-filled, not broken-hearted and stressed. Thank you in advance for your prayers!!!!!


Right after watching Princess Diaries 2, PandaGirl went straight to her room, put on some princess attire and thoroughly enjoyed her princess self with twirls, giggles and make-believe. So sweet. (By the way, I never shared from a few weeks ago that we were in WalMart and PG said while walking past the DVDs, "Mommy! There's the Princess Diarrheas!!! Woops.) LOL!

Miao cozied up inside a blanket on the floor with "Orange" the kitty placed by PG along with a picture of a drawn cat that resembles Miao. We like to coordinate.

Love these two peas!

Summer Tid-Bits #5

This past week has been filled with lots of emails, phone calls and praying about this new adoption. I can't even start to tell you how many things have pointed to our new country of adoption!! The Lord is pretty funny in how He is revealing His plan to us. Since none of the plans we hoped would work out over the course of the last 4 1/2 years through adoption we are a bit cautious of going head-over-heels giddy about all of it this time. However....we have gone head-over-heels giddy. ; )

Total faith in God's plan. Patience. Holding on to the hope that He wants His BEST for us---not just something good.

Not much else going on. Wait---God blessed us with someone who helped out a bit with the adoption expense. Praise the Lord!

I did go to a two day conference for my preschool teaching job. Had fun with coworkers (for those of you who have been reading me for awhile know that the word "coworkers" always makes me giggle because it looks like "cow workers"!) and learning some new tips to do in the classroom. Bought a darling blingy-blue flower ring while there in honor of our son that we will be adopting. It is quite large and gaudy, but I LOVE IT! LOL!

I put the question mark because we are in the hurry-up and wait pattern. We have to get L-O-T-S of paperwork done for the adoption home study and for our new agency. Wait on this person, wait on that person, wait on the government, wait on money to come flowing down like manna, wait on knowing if we are getting the child we want or another one, wait on.....the list just goes on. Therein lies the place I don't want to bog myself down with the burden of this adoption. I have to remind myself MANY times throughout the day that the Lord is in control. When I try to take control I get all wierd, whiney, tight-chested, constricted and bound. As I recall, John 10 tells me that I am to live in the abundant life that Jesus Christ gave his life for. If I choose to be tied up in stress.....it's my own fault.

I want to choose to live freely.

Light.

Hopeful.

In Truth.

A friend sang a Steven Curtis Chapman song in church today which I have heard many times from the CD while toodling around in my car. Today, though she said a verse that popped out at me like a flashing light. Referring to God's perspective on life the song said, "To Him the future is history." THAT was so AWESOME!!!! I know God is omni-present, but to think of it with those words in mind allows me to REST in the fact that He knows the big picture. I am to trust Him.

A New Thing...More to Come Later

We have started a new adoption. Our prayer is that THIS time is for real. We believe the Lord led us straight to this new place--one we never thought of before. I will give more details later when we get more details for ourself. My heart is torn between trusting God for everything versus falling on my own anxiety to get everything done NOW.

We are asking all our personal friends and I am asking YOU, my blogging friends to pray WITH us for finances, the match of our child to our family, and overall process. We want our heavenly Father's will. Thank you in advance for the prayers lifted on our behalf. We are already praying blessings back on you.

There is a long road ahead. One that we started 4 1/2 years ago, but is just now coming to fruition. I am so excited to give you details, but I must wait until the time is right.

I have added a widget on the left hand side called "Chip-In". It is open for anyone to help us out financially with the adoption. We want no one to feel "guilted" into anything, but we are opening up all doors for the Lord to bless and to bring our baby home to be a part of our family. It's all in His hands anyway.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

4th Fun!

We had a very relaxing and fun time with both sides of our family this weekend. We got to visit with my brother and sister-in-law, niece and two nephews who we don't get to see very often as well as celebrate my dad's 69th birthday which is on July 4th. Truly blessed.

PandaGirl on her new swing at PandaPop's parent's house.

Grandma bought a pool that kept the kiddos entertained for a very, VERY long time. Wooohoooo!

Awwwwwe. What a sweet pic of a loving brother and sister.

Wait. This is what we're REALLY like with each other. LOL!

Sweet cousins livin' up an awesome 4th of July making precious memories along the way.

Getting the kids...and the dog ready for fireworks!

Yeah. I was in hog-heaven lovin' on my daughter, my niece and my two nephews while we watched fireworks under the amazing Texas star-filled summer sky. Mmmm.

Uncle PandaPop soaking up every minute with one of his nephews.

Grandparents and grandkids!!! ; )

Happy Birthday, America!

Summer Tid-Bits #4

Summer seems to be going by rather quickly around here. Started off last week with this...

Yeah. The Fur have grown QUITE A BIT since March. One minute I love them, the other I hate them. Literally. Someone commented when we first got them together and she said "good luck" basically. Their experience was awful. Well, guess what? WE WERE STUPID for getting TWO G-I-N-O-R-M-O-U-S dogs. They have gone through a fighting stage and still haven't figured out who the BIG dog is yet. One of them barks incessantly. We tried the sonic sound wave thingy...didn't work. Now we are on to the shock collar. Only works when it is on and isn't training him. Now he tries to bite when we put it on. Anyone want them? They're really sweet dogs. Really.

I can't fail to mention the sidebar antic of when PandaPop went out to shut the kennel door at 10:00PM so that the dog with the shock collar wouldn't get in the little pool and shock himself to death in the middle of the night when I hear "UGH--OH!!!". I look out to see PP rolling around on the ground grabbing his ankle. In the nano-seconds of that happening, I yell his name and run over to him BUT not before the two ding-dong dogs thought, "hey, look! Daddy wants to play!" as they maul him while he's down on the ground and then he's flailing his arms around trying to hit the goobers off. Yeah, pretty site. After the fact, knowing that PP just fell over his own feet and wasn't hurt I was laughing my butt off! ; )

Started swim lessons this week. PG did NOT want a "boy" teacher. She got a boy. He is very good with her and since she is in the same beginner class as last year where she didn't even want to get her face wet....she is now the oldest and jumping off the side like a frog and loving it!

NOTE: I think if I believed in karma--I'd believe that it came around and laughed at me for finding humor in PP's mishap earlier in the week....As we were walking out on Thursday (PP was with us because it was his day off) I was carefully and slowly walking out the door of the pool area and in

v e r y s l o w m o t i o n

just slid right down into a beautiful herkie pose with my legs. Yes, slipped right down to the floor in all my glory. Thank God PP was right behind to pick up my body and my pride...which went before the fall.

After seeing Kung Fu Panda the other day, PG has been doing her own versions of Kung Fu fighting. She even made this sign for the door of her room to advertise that there are Kung Fu Lessons in there! HA!

PG and I started reading Little House in the Big Woods. It is very important for little ones to be able to listen and process a story without all the pictures from Picture Books. At first she wasn't too sure about it, but immediately got into the story. I read one chapter at a time and she begs to hear the next. Got her just where I want her...begging for more. LOL!

After reading in the book about Laura and Mary making paper-dolls, PG wanted to know what they were...sooo...we made some paper-dolls. Very fun to see her learn something new when she made a set herself.

In Texas, between now and the end of August, if you aren't swimming then you're not playing outside. I helped PG make a tent in the living room where she watched movies and read stories to her "babies". I remember doing this as a kid and loving it!

Of course, Miao was not to be left out of the fun.

Used our stimulus check to FINALLY get a new mattress! Woooohooooo! PG is here just goofin' around while I was working on a project in the floor. She proceeded to tell me a made up story that went on and on and on and...you get the picture.

PandaPop and PandaGirl bought me these beautiful red flowers just to encourage me and say "good job" on starting a small Bible Study in our home this week other women.

One of the books we got from the Library was Fannie in the Kitchen with an old fashioned griddle-cake (pancake) recipe in the back that PG asked if we could make.

PG has THE cutest little voice when she copies the way WALL-E says his name. We went first thing Sat. morning to see this VERY sweet movie. There is a HUGE message in it. Brilliant parody of human life.

As soon as we came home from the movie PG was gathering items to make her own "WALL-E". I don't care if it is biased or not....THIS IS AWESOME!!!!!! She found things in her room and used her tape and markers from her art table to MAKE this ALL by herself!!!!! I love it and we were totally blown away! She is a very creative girl!

And this is just melts my heart. Always a good way to end the day.

Summer Tid-Bits #3

We had such a great time at Children's Camp! Our theme was "Underdog". The song playing right now is from Audio Adrenaline and was our theme song. Not the new movie from last year, but the old school Underdog. PandaPop did an amazing job getting it all together and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE watching him in action. The kids REALLY love him and he loves being a Children's Minister. PandaGirl is sporting her camp shirt very well, I might add. ; )

The Lord REALLY rocked through His word by using Jason as a mouthpiece and through the worship that James led for the kids. I was moved every service.

The camp pastor and the worship leader are brothers whom we met several years ago. They are great friends of ours and these two guys make me laugh SOOOO hard!!! ; )

We had a day of HUGE RAIN!!!! The little kiddos splashed around in the puddles after the storm passed by.

Iron on transfers of our Underdog themed shirts!

After three days at CAMP PandaGirl and the camp pastor's kids were ready for a change in scenery so we took them to a sprinkler park for some wet fun! She is the one in the red suit.

Friday was probably the last time for a LONG time for our old White Swans playgroup to get together. Two were visiting from China where the moved two years ago with their family for missions. One was back in town from just moving last month and we had a couple of visitors to play with as well. Love the cuties!

A fun visit to the Rainforest Cafe was a great treat for PandaGirl! She was a bit leary of the loud noises and animal sounds, but otherwise loved it!

This green frog's name is Cha Cha which is PandaGirl's nickname given to her by the Nannies in China.

New family pic...and yes, I got my hair cut off! ; )