So this weekend, Friday 11-8, Saturday 8-5 and Sunday 7-3, I was at a Les Mills training (a fitness thing, go to www.lesmills.com to check it out) this weekend. It was INTENSE to say the least but extremely rewarding. I've always been one to find HUGE value in women getting together for GOOD and accomplishing things they didn't even think was possible. This weekend there were 15 girls (and one boy, thanks Brian) that came together and it was seriously awesome. We all had quite a bit in common: a true belief in the values of fitness, the passion to change lives with what we know about fitness and the desire to take our fitness backgrounds to the next level. I can say without a doubt we mastered it all! What was so amazing to me was watching our bodies continue moving even when our heads said it was impossible. I've always been one to appreciate the human form (thank you, God for creating such masterpieces as Brad Pitt circa Fight Club, etc, etc) but it really was amazing. I kept praying all weekend and just giving thanks to God for giving me a body that could move let alone accomplish such crazy stuff!
On another note, our last homestudy was supposed to be tomorrow but I called our SW (again, she didn't call me, I had to call her) and she's had the flu all weekend, doesn't know if she'll be over it by tomorrow. So it's next Tuesday. NOT MY TIMING, NOT MY TIMING, that is my mantra.
My eldest son had a soccer game on Saturday when I was away. The kid scored 5 goals! If you noticed from previous posts, he was the one to be playing with his hair and pulling grass in previous seasons, so it was so exciting hearing how excited he was when I talked to him Saturday night.
My dearest daughter has begun to take a few steps here and there. I'll be the first to admit I never saw this coming. :) I thought we still had a few months (and we still might) so it's just crazy. I look at her and I still feel like she's too young to be doing it! So as congratulations, Zach and I (and Tman) bought her some Ugh boots and ballernia shoes tonight. Not exactly on my Target list, but a necessity nonetheless. :)
That's all for now, must get to my guilty pleasure of the night, but will remain mum on what exactly that is!
I'm no writer, I assure you. Just a woman with a few things on her mind. A mom that makes mistakes, a wife that loves her husband more than words can say and a woman constantly seeing God in the everyday.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Great Day
For the record, to those few of you demanding pictures, some nicer than others, I've been trying for a few days, it's just hard on this new computer of mine!
Anyway, the last couple days have been really great. First of all, today my youngest daughter took her first steps! It was very exciting and made even more fun because she laughed hysterically at herself each time. Looking forward to the next few weeks to see if she finally gets the hang of it.
I was also able to meet another mom adopting from Africa and I can't tell you how much that relationship will bless me in the months and years to come. Her family also goes to our church so it will be really nice having our children together as well.
Tonight the kiddos and myself took off to see the African Children's Choir. It was so amazing and worth it. Can't believe how talented those kids are! What beautiful faces and voices!
I just had to follow up the last email by saying I really couldn't be more blessed. I look at my life and am completely humbled by everything I've been given. My pride is kept in check when I realize there are no real differences between myself and the other moms struggling around the world. I hope to bless their lives in any way I can. I don't know what role I can do yet, but I pray it's something for someone out there.
Off to itch my ridiculous amounts of mosquito bites. I guess that's what I get for holding a Boot Camp out at Camp. When will it get chilly enough to kill those little devils?
Anyway, the last couple days have been really great. First of all, today my youngest daughter took her first steps! It was very exciting and made even more fun because she laughed hysterically at herself each time. Looking forward to the next few weeks to see if she finally gets the hang of it.
I was also able to meet another mom adopting from Africa and I can't tell you how much that relationship will bless me in the months and years to come. Her family also goes to our church so it will be really nice having our children together as well.
Tonight the kiddos and myself took off to see the African Children's Choir. It was so amazing and worth it. Can't believe how talented those kids are! What beautiful faces and voices!
I just had to follow up the last email by saying I really couldn't be more blessed. I look at my life and am completely humbled by everything I've been given. My pride is kept in check when I realize there are no real differences between myself and the other moms struggling around the world. I hope to bless their lives in any way I can. I don't know what role I can do yet, but I pray it's something for someone out there.
Off to itch my ridiculous amounts of mosquito bites. I guess that's what I get for holding a Boot Camp out at Camp. When will it get chilly enough to kill those little devils?
Friday, September 14, 2007
Late Night Thoughts
It's 10:42 on a Friday night. The kids are in bed, my parents are staying the night on their way to watch my favorite little brother play soccer in Chicago, my favorite husband is bowling with his siblings and I'm here, not sleeping. Thinking and praying and crying. I know, those that know me are asking themselves, "what's new?"
Interesting sidenote, I am on my bed at camp typing this, we finally got the internet today out here. Yippee ki yay (how in the world would you spell such a thing?)
Anywho...I'm thinking of my kids this night. Not just my kids who are safe and sound. One in her crib, her soft blankets caressing her baby skin, heated house on this frosty night. One on the floor, surrounded by a grandma and grandpa that love him. Both with more blankets, stuffed animals and love than can fit in one room, one house, one nation, even. But I'm also thinking of my kids in Ethiopia. We talked a lot with our social worker at our homestudy (which went well by the way) about what we were thinking for our kids. We're pretty set on 2 siblings 3.5 and under. She seemed to be pushing us towards one for some reason but we've been feeling led to two. We will continue to pray and talk this over. I'm begging for His will and not my own on this issue.
But are my children born yet? Are they suffering? GOD PLEASE DO NOT LET THEM BE SUFFERING! Rainy season has somewhat ended. Were they protected during this time? Were they kept warm and dry by coverings or love? Do they know of you, Dearest Jesus? Do they know of your grace that will bring them to us in the harshest of ways. Do they know of their impending loss and our impending gain? Do they know how my heart aches for their hurt and yearns for them? Tell them, tell them I love them already. Tell them though they may lose all that is good and true in their world, we will love them as our own.
Tell them of their amazing daddy they will be getting. Who will love them more than they can measure. Who will be there, through the pain, suffering, joys, love, hurt, crying, laughing and everything in between. Who will be their rock. Who will teach them of You and all Your goodness.
Tell them of their big brother who will teach them what kindess means. What it means to laugh from your belly. How to trick mommy into thinking you ate more than you did. Who will get them in trouble and keep them out of trouble. Who will be there for support and encouragement. Who will love them unconditionally and completely stand up for them should harm come their way again.
Tell them of their sister. Tell them of her laugh and her giggle. Tell them of her stubborness and beauty. Tell them of the way they will play with her and laugh with her. Of the way she will love them and jump up and down when she sees them. Tell them of her kisses and how she will do her best to heal even the harshest of wounds with them.
And tell them of me. Though I may stumble and fall short of what You were hoping for me every day, tell them how I will cover them in prayer as I do my family now. Tell them how I have loved them before I knew of them. Tell them I love their abaye and amaye (father and mother in Amharic, the national Ethiopian language). Tell them I love their country and culture, that I love them in every way possible. Tell them, God, that I will fall short. That I am a flawed mom and that I will make mistakes. But I will be there for them. I will do my absolute best and above all else, Lord, tell them of my undying love. Tell them how I shower my children with love and hugs and kisses. How I will go to the ends of the earth to make sure they know how much I love them.
Tell them we're coming. Let Your timing be perfect. Let them have all the time they need with their parents and their family. Help their parents remember every freckle, every expression. Engrave it on their memories. Bless our children with more love than they can stand. Your timing may be hard on me through this journey but I know You go before me and prepare our way. Give me the patience and the wisdom to understand that.
Interesting sidenote, I am on my bed at camp typing this, we finally got the internet today out here. Yippee ki yay (how in the world would you spell such a thing?)
Anywho...I'm thinking of my kids this night. Not just my kids who are safe and sound. One in her crib, her soft blankets caressing her baby skin, heated house on this frosty night. One on the floor, surrounded by a grandma and grandpa that love him. Both with more blankets, stuffed animals and love than can fit in one room, one house, one nation, even. But I'm also thinking of my kids in Ethiopia. We talked a lot with our social worker at our homestudy (which went well by the way) about what we were thinking for our kids. We're pretty set on 2 siblings 3.5 and under. She seemed to be pushing us towards one for some reason but we've been feeling led to two. We will continue to pray and talk this over. I'm begging for His will and not my own on this issue.
But are my children born yet? Are they suffering? GOD PLEASE DO NOT LET THEM BE SUFFERING! Rainy season has somewhat ended. Were they protected during this time? Were they kept warm and dry by coverings or love? Do they know of you, Dearest Jesus? Do they know of your grace that will bring them to us in the harshest of ways. Do they know of their impending loss and our impending gain? Do they know how my heart aches for their hurt and yearns for them? Tell them, tell them I love them already. Tell them though they may lose all that is good and true in their world, we will love them as our own.
Tell them of their amazing daddy they will be getting. Who will love them more than they can measure. Who will be there, through the pain, suffering, joys, love, hurt, crying, laughing and everything in between. Who will be their rock. Who will teach them of You and all Your goodness.
Tell them of their big brother who will teach them what kindess means. What it means to laugh from your belly. How to trick mommy into thinking you ate more than you did. Who will get them in trouble and keep them out of trouble. Who will be there for support and encouragement. Who will love them unconditionally and completely stand up for them should harm come their way again.
Tell them of their sister. Tell them of her laugh and her giggle. Tell them of her stubborness and beauty. Tell them of the way they will play with her and laugh with her. Of the way she will love them and jump up and down when she sees them. Tell them of her kisses and how she will do her best to heal even the harshest of wounds with them.
And tell them of me. Though I may stumble and fall short of what You were hoping for me every day, tell them how I will cover them in prayer as I do my family now. Tell them how I have loved them before I knew of them. Tell them I love their abaye and amaye (father and mother in Amharic, the national Ethiopian language). Tell them I love their country and culture, that I love them in every way possible. Tell them, God, that I will fall short. That I am a flawed mom and that I will make mistakes. But I will be there for them. I will do my absolute best and above all else, Lord, tell them of my undying love. Tell them how I shower my children with love and hugs and kisses. How I will go to the ends of the earth to make sure they know how much I love them.
Tell them we're coming. Let Your timing be perfect. Let them have all the time they need with their parents and their family. Help their parents remember every freckle, every expression. Engrave it on their memories. Bless our children with more love than they can stand. Your timing may be hard on me through this journey but I know You go before me and prepare our way. Give me the patience and the wisdom to understand that.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
BIG Day!
Today is THE day, what I mean by that is at precisely 2:30 we will be in the midst of our first homestudy. YAY! This is where the process gets exciting. This meeting (to take place in Cedar Rapids) will be approx 3 hours long! In another week or so our social worker (SW) will be coming out to camp to evaluate whether the spiders are a real issue for adoptive parents. After that, we get our dossier paperwork done and then we wait. And the next thing to come to us will be news of our children. AHHHHH. So excited!
This Saturday we went to Iowa City and met up with some friends we met at our PAC. One couple lives in Johnston, the other in Iowa City. It was great to see them again. It would be so neat to travel to Ethiopia with them.
My friend from our online forum, Erica, is official waiting. Follow her story at www.sweetpeasandsunshine.blogspot.com it is so exciting for them!
Other than that, we continue to hammer on. I'm picking up more and more clients. My boot camp class out at camp is supposed to start next week as well so that's also exciting.
In sad news, my tonsils are again swelling. Looks like I might go under the knife again soon. :( Boo. We'll see
Anyway, hope all is well. I will report again after our HS!!! We're coming babies, we're coming!
This Saturday we went to Iowa City and met up with some friends we met at our PAC. One couple lives in Johnston, the other in Iowa City. It was great to see them again. It would be so neat to travel to Ethiopia with them.
My friend from our online forum, Erica, is official waiting. Follow her story at www.sweetpeasandsunshine.blogspot.com it is so exciting for them!
Other than that, we continue to hammer on. I'm picking up more and more clients. My boot camp class out at camp is supposed to start next week as well so that's also exciting.
In sad news, my tonsils are again swelling. Looks like I might go under the knife again soon. :( Boo. We'll see
Anyway, hope all is well. I will report again after our HS!!! We're coming babies, we're coming!
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