Choosing to SEE

I have been wanting to read "Choosing to SEE" by Mary Beth Chapman  (wife of Christian singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman) for a while now. It is her story of struggles in her life, both happy and tragic.  She shares the deepest thoughts and feelings as she is forced to wrestle with some of life's biggest questions: Where is God when things fall apart?  Why does God allow terrible things to happen?  How can you survive hard times?  Questions I have pondered with events in my life as well.  I'm sure many of you have often wondered the same things.  She is very candid and I highly recommend reading it.  You will need a box of tissues though!  I saw Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman on t.v. being interviewed about the book last winter.  I was instantly drawn in to their experience of adopting three little girls from China.  I wanted to hear their perspectives.  But then, the basis for the whole book was about the death of one of their little girls.  Even though I knew it was going to have sad parts, the way she explained how she dealt with the loss and how she still looked to God was incredible.  I checked the book out at the library on Monday, and today is Wednesday, I'm on chapter 35 already with about 50 some pages to go.  I'll be done tomorrow no doubt!  This is just one of those books you can't stop reading! (at least for me)  Here is a link to Mary Beth's site and a short video about the book.  http://marybethchapman.com/?page_id=74

I wasn't going to say anything,but...

O.k., I  wasn't going to say anything, but this whole Casey Anthony case is just sad. Sad.  I don't know what else to call it. If the trial had happened during the school year, I probably wouldn't know so much about it.   Plus the fact that it was practically on every single station, it was hard to escape it. (In between watching Regis and Kelly, The Proposal (again for the 27th time), and I'm ashamed to admit also watching reruns of Sex and the City and Keeping Up with the Kardashian's.  What is wrong with me?!) Part of me has a real hard time looking at her and thinking, "Really? You got to be a mom?"  How is that fair?  From my position and all the hoops we've had to jump through to "prove" ourselves worthy of being parents, it just sickens me that beautiful little girl is gone.  I don't think we'll ever know all the details, but Scott and I both agree that she will be judged by Him one day.  The ultimate consequences will fit the crime in the end.  And now... now, get this... they are contemplating creating a law, called Caylee's Law, proposing two new federal offenses: failure of a parent to notify authorities of a missing child within 24 hours and failure to report a child's death within one hour.  REALLY?!  Are you kidding me?!  Has our society gotten to the point that you actually have to start making common sense into laws? Yes, otherwise, why would we have to take 30 hours of parenting classes, have FBI and background checks, be fingerprinted, etc... I could go on and on, I had to vent.  Sorry, but sometimes you just reach a point when you say, enough already.  Ironically, as I type this, Natalie Sulaman (a.k.a "Octomom") was being interviewed on the news and the kids were EVERYWHERE into EVERYTHING on the set.  Four other news anchors and cameramen had to intervene and round up the little cuties.  OMG does she have her hands full!  That's a whole other blog post on that situation! (BTW... I'll take one of those little ones off your hands, I'm not greedy.  I just want ONE! 

Are We Tough Enough to Adopt?

Part of our support along this adoption journey includes lots of reading; books, articles, blogs, etc...  This particular article pretty much describes us and nearly everything we have been through thus far.  Some aspects are not related to us or don't apply, but 99% is "us" in a nutshell.   Here is the link:  http://foreverparents.com/2011/06/are-you-tough-enough-to-adopt-part-1.html
So, do I think we are tough enough to adopt?  Heck yeah I DO!  We are in it for the long haul, we've come so far.  We continue to have faith & pray everyday.  Thank you to all our family and friends who continue to support us with your prayers and thoughts.  We wouldn't be as "tough" as we are today, without all of you!

                    

Perfect Song

It's back! The song playing now, is the original song I had playing when I began this blog. It is the perfect fit for our adoption journey. It left the Playlist and just wouldn't play, but it's back now and I'm so glad! It's just more positive and pleasant. Enjoy!

Increased Chances

In our search for a 2nd agency, I posted a while back about one that we really wanted to be a part of.
 http://faithandwaiting.blogspot.com/2011/05/frustrations.html  They were local, didn't charge an arm and a leg for marketing, and would expand our search throughout the state.  At the time, they were not accepting new applicants... until TODAY when I called!  I'm super excited at the opportunity this brings!  Now I have some "homework" to do. (Order 5 more profiles, submit an authorized release form to our current agency of our approved Home Study and misc. paperwork, drop off and meet with the director of new agency.) I hope to do all of this by the end of next week.  Now that school is out, I have nothing but time to devote to this.  Perhaps it was God's plan all along for it to work out this way?!  I stink at having patience!  I admit, I would give myself a "D" in this area.  The teacher could use a few review lessons on patience, that's for sure!  Well, I have some phone calls to make and need to get busy.  "A" for effort maybe?  Will keep everyone posted! 

Oh, So True!

9 months and still waiting...

Well, this little lady's face says it all!  Hmmpphh!  LOVE her attitude!  That's about how I feel now.  We have reached the 9 month mark of waiting.  If I were pregnant, we'd be welcoming a baby any day now.  And perhaps we still might (hint, hint, wink, wink, nudge, nudge God ) but this 9 month mark is just that.  I have to keep the faith and remember this is a short amount of time to wait in the "adoption world".  I couldn't help but laugh though when I saw this adorable picture. I think the caption should be "What-EV"!