Our Journey to Darci

Two years ago today..

2011-06-14T07:59:00.000-05:00

Two years ago today, I boarded a bus in Beijing to travel to the airport. I boarded this bus with 5 other families and my oldest daughter. Four families were headed to Nanchang and 2 families were headed to Shanghai. All sorts of emotions ran through me that morning as I headed down for breakfast. Excitement, nervousness, fear, and joy filled my body and mind. My life was going to change today. I am going to meet my daughter whom I have waited 33 months to see. Tears filled my eyes as I ran into the other mothers. Five of the six mothers had children already; one mother was a first time mom. We were all experiencing the same set of emotions. One of the mother’s going to Shanghai had been to China 3 times before; she was very well seasoned and reassured me that all will be fine. I cherished her words of wisdom as we arrived at the airport and went our separate ways. Our plane was late leaving Beijing. When we landed in Nanchang, our wonderful guide was waiting in anticipation. She had received phone calls that the babies were all on the way to Nanchang. We knew at that time that when we arrived at the hotel there would be no going to the room to unpack and prepare for the arrival of the babies. It was going to be drop off your luggage off and follow me to the conference room where you babies await. Call and call confirmed with each family that your baby had arrived at the hotel. There were four families with three different orphanages involved. Darci was the last baby to arrive. There were so many emotions running through my body and so many thoughts running through my mind. Things were not going as planned. We now had to go with plan B and I wasn’t sure what that plan was. We arrived at the hotel gave the bellman our luggage and off to the conference room we went. The whole day is a blur to me. We could hear the babies crying. As I passed a caretaker my mind went to “is that her”?? The pictures we receive are usually very old so it was very hard to tell if it really was her. Keep in mind the only pictures I got were when she was about 7 months old and she was now 14 months old. The caretaker was just walking her around, no tears, it was a very fast ushering in so there was no time for me to linger and make sure that it was her.

Our names were read and this child whom I have waited for so long was placed in my arms. Oh the joy and elation of that moment is one I will not forget anytime soon.

However the joy and elation that I had was not shared by Darci. Her world had been turned upside down and she was being handed to a woman who did not look like her, smell like her, speak like her and she wanted NOTHING to do with me.

After a few minutes of asking her routine, feeding schedule, what she likes and dislikes it became very apparent that I needed to take Darci away from this mass confusion. I took her to our room while Amanda stayed to get all of the fine details (which I quickly discovered really didn’t matter). The mother instinct quickly engaged and I knew when to feed her, what to feed her, when to change her and what to do to soothe her. When Amanda got to the room she told me that I needed to go back down to the conference room to take care of some paperwork. Not thinking about the consequences I went down to take care of the necessary paperwork and left Darci with Amanda. Bonding had taken place and Darci wanted nothing to do with me. We were very careful that only I fed her and changed her and did as much of the primary care that needed to be done, however Amanda had to be within eyeshot. Being able to see Amanda gave her comfort as I took care of things. Darci did very well. That night I gave her a bottle and off to bed she went. No tears, which was a blessing. She slept in a mini crib that we were able to put in between both beds. Every couple of hours she would stir and I would pat her and off to sleep she would go.

The next morning it was as if she woke up and said "these ladies are still here??" Our day was a very busy day filled with going to the Adoption Center to finalize the adoption. We got Darci ready and the smiles came out and she was warming up to the fact that we were not leaving and she was not going back to the life she had known for 14 months.

She had no idea when she woke that morning that her entire world was about to change. She had been found and taken to the Fengcheng orphanage. After her initial exam she was placed in Foster care the next day. We do not have much information but know that she was very well taken care of and very loved. We are very thankful to Chin@ and to the orphanage and her foster mother for the love they gave her. Darci is a very well adjusted child and we thank God every day for allowing us to be her parents!! Happy 2nd Forever Family Day Darci!!!!

Tidbits from a busy life...

2011-06-07T21:44:00.000-05:00

Life is busy and the blog is not a priority but I really would like to change that!!! May was a very busy month for me as it is the last month of school and in our office it gets VERY BUSY!!! We ended the month with Kayla's wedding shower in St. Louis. Darci is now fully potty trained, YEAH!!! She fell in love with Elm@ P@tty time and watched it a million times, but it worked. She wore pu!!-ups for about two months then transitioned into panties. We have Dora, Ni Hao Kai Lan, and Gymb@ree. No droopy drawers here. She still wears a pu!!-up at bedtime. For the last several weeks they have been dry and she wakes up in the middle of the night needing to go potty. When this box is gone, we will go to panties at bedtime. We moved her to a different bedroom which is much larger than her other room and took the drop side off her crib, took the wheels off and lowered the mattress frame down as far as it would go, so now she has a crib daybed. She can get in and out all by herself. She is doing really good with staying in bed and only getting up when she wakes in the morning. She has grown up so much and it hard to believe that she has been with us almost 2 years now. We celebrated her 3rd birthday in April and she had a blast with her friends. I am done with work for the summer well at least with the paid part. I go in from time to time just to keep things from piling up. August would be a nightmare if I didn't go in from time to time. Darci is done with childcare. She has gone to the same sitter from the time we brought her home and it was a bittersweet ending. She will be going to preschool this fall and I am looking forward to seeing her grow socially. Since there are no siblings in the house, we felt that it was time for her to go to preschool. The summer is quite busy for us. I leave in 2 1/2 weeks to go to San Diego for M@rine Boot Camp Educator week. One of the counselors’s in the office and myself will be heading to boot camp, this should be quite interesting. For those who know me personally know that I don't do well with someone yelling at me, I might just have to yell back!! LOL!!! When I return from that trip Darci and I will load up and head to MO and IL for a 13 day trip. We will stay with Kayla for part of the trip and then with my Sister and I cannot wait!!! When we return from that trip we will be home for about a week then we plan to head to Atlanta for our travel group reunion. This year is just real busy and unfortunately there are only 3 of the 6 families that can get together. Sad =(. Then it will be time to go back to work and school for Darci. Shew where did the summer go?? I will post pictures of our travels and I am going to make it a priority to post at least once a week. We'll see!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Darci!! We had a birthday party for her while we were in IL for Spring Break. Since most of her family cannot make it to OK for her birthday, we decided to take the birthday girl to them and celebrate.

Grandpa and Grandma

Uncle, Aunt and cousin

Great Uncle and Great Aunt

Two years ago today...

2011-04-08T04:30:00.008-05:00

It was two years ago today that I saw my precious daughter's face. Brian was out of town and so my oldest daughter Amanda went with me to our agency (we are blessed that we live in the same area as our agency) to hear/read the information about our daughter and then see pictures. It amazes me how things have changed over the last two years. I cannot even begin to imagine what life would be like without her. Monday is her third birthday and we will be celebrating tomorrow with a big birthday party. We are so incredibly blessed!!! The journey was a LONG journey and the WAIT seemed like forever but God knew what child He had intented for us and the journey had to be what it was. We traveled with 5 other families and we all keep in contact through email and F@acebook and it amazes me to hear what the other children are doing and how they have adapted to their families and it is always a reminder that we have the perfect child for our family, she fits like a well snug glove. Darci you have blessed us so much that there are not enough words in the world to ever express to you what you mean to us!!! Somewhere in China there is a mother and a father who are missing out on what a wonderful child you are. You are funny, serious, bossy, precious, entertaining, dramatic, playful, energetic, cranky, wonderful, expressive, demanding, and sweet and I wouldn't want it any other way. It is my hearts desire to take you back to your birthland and show you and teach you the ways of your homeland. It is rich in culture and even though you are being raised by two Americans, your are Chinese and we are proud of that for you!!! I am so thankful that you are my daughter and that you became the thrid pea in my pod of three peas!!!

Halloween Then and Now

2011-02-10T16:37:00.005-06:00

I can remember during the wait following other bloggers and their journey, Halloween is probably one of my top favorite holidays as I love to dress up and have FUN!! I remember thinking what I would do for Darci's 1st Halloween with us. I searched high and low for that perfect outfit and when I found it I knew it. It just so happened that a fellow blogger had one for her daughter the year before we got Darci and I remember how cute she looked. Here is Darci's first Halloween, 2009

Well Halloween 2010 was no different, I searched high and low and found this cute little outfit at a consignment sale. The outfit and boots were under $20.00 found the red hat at Wal-M@rt and the horse at Silver Doll@r Citi. Complete!!

We went to our local zoo for Hallozooween with my oldest daughter, my son-in-heart and grandchildren. C was wearing a costume that his dad worn when he was younger. We got quite a few "thumbs up" on his costume. B went as a B@rbie Rock Star.

October 2010

2010-11-10T22:56:00.006-06:00

Well I have really been a slacker when it comes to this blog. I'm not even going to give any excuses or promise to get better!!! It is what it is!!!
October brought Fall Break - YEAH!!!! So we took off to see Darci's big sister in St. Louis and I had all 3 of my gals together. Talk about a happy momma!! My heart was grinning from ear to ear!! Here are some pictures.

30 Days of Giveaways

2010-11-10T10:15:00.002-06:00

Jump on over here and check out their giveaway promotion!!!

Reunion time

2010-06-28T16:50:00.016-05:00

This past weekend we got together with our travel group for a reunion. It was so much fun visiting with our travel buddies from our China trip. Thank you R & A for hosting the weekend. It was so much fun watching the little ones get to know each other. Our annual reunion will be something I look forward to each year. It is so hard to believe it has been a whole year since we got these precious little ones. Where does the time go?? We spent so much time waiting and waiting and waiting and here a year goes by and it seems like a quick blink!! Enjoy the pictures!!!

My travel buddies, just missing one =(

Feeding lorikeet's

Feeding the rabbits with a friend

A new friend!!!

Sand anyone??

Catching up!!

Gifts, Gifts and more gifts!!

FRIENDS!!!!

All 5 families

Saying goodbye =(

A look back at 2009

2010-01-03T11:19:00.039-06:00

In January Brian's aunt passed away and we headed back to Illinois for the funeral. Brian's grandfather was ill and had been diagnosed with inoperable cancer. Such a sad month, however on the 30th Brian and I celebrated 27 years of marriage.

Brian and his grandfather (Sadly his grandfather died in April)

This visit also gave us the opportunity to visit with family members that we had not seen in quite sometime.

This is Brian's brother, sister-in-law and niece

Since we were back in Illinois we got to spend some precious time with Kayla

February rolled around and I had a surprise birthday dinner for Brian. You see Brian is very hard to surprise. He always guesses his presents before he opens them and he is always right. So for me to pull this off was quite a feat. He dropped me off at the door, I had already planned for everyone to be there before we got there. Amanda coordinated everyone at the restaurant. When he came in since he found me waiting he thought that maybe I had not lied to him and there was no birthday surprise. So we walked over to the table where everyone had menus in front of their faces and then all said "Happy Birthday" he was quite shocked!!! I finally scored!!! It was a wonderful evening with wonderful friends!!!

March brought our 3 year wait for Darci. It was painful but we knew that April would bring our referral and Darci's face we would see.

April we finally have our referral and what a beautiful daughter God has granted us.

Seeing her precious face for the first time

Darci turned a year old on April 11 and the girls I work for held a birthday party for her.

Since I was in waiting mode I decided to run in the OKC Marathon. No I did not run a marathon!!!! I ran with a relay team. I ran one of the 5K legs and it was so much fun!!!

My first marathon

The back of the shirt that I designed

Our relay team

May brought travel approval, I had called our agency on the 27 and there was no word, but May 29 brought a wonderful birthday present for one of the mothers in our group as we received TA. We would leave for China around June 10 or 11.

June - We left the airport on June 10 to travel all the way to China to get our precious Darci.

Getting Darci

On US soil!!!

July is spent meeting relatives for the first time.

Meeting me big sister Kayla.

Meeting grandparents. (Brian's mom was in the hospital, so we don't have good pictures of her first visit with them)

Meeting aunts, uncles and cousins.

August brings Mom going back to work and Darci going to childcare. Growing, playing and going to a kiddie park for the first time.

September brings more growing and grandpa and grandma come for a visit.

October brings a trip to Silver Dollar City, the pumpkin patch, first weiner roast, Halloween and one cute pumpkin.

November brings tagging our Christmas tree and Thanksgiving (no big dinner this year!!!)

December = Darci becoming an offical "Roberts'" and CHRISTmas

What a year!!! Cannot wait to see what 2010 brings!!

So much...Santa, Christmas tree, pics and Re-Adoption

2009-12-18T21:24:00.006-06:00

Well there has been lots since the last time I posted. Life is very busy with a 20 month old. On the 14th we celebrated having Darci 6 months. Time has flown by and the differance between that little girl in June and the little girl we have today is a huge contrast. We went to the Christmas tree farm and tagged our tree, went back and cut it down and brought it home to decorate. Kayla came for an early Christmas!!! We went to Branson with friends and Darci saw Santa. She was quite okay until I backed up to use my own camera for a picture and that is when she lost it!! Memories!!! We had our six month post adoption home study and we needed pictures for our social worker so we got out the camera and took some pictures. We decorated the tree and Darci put on the santa hat and stood in front of the Christmas tree for a precious picture. I went away for a overnight trip with the ladies from our church. This was the first time that I spent the night away from Darci and I missed her so much that I bought her an Elmo. Adoption day. Darci was officially adopted in China in June, however we chose to do a re-adoption here in the US so that she would be issued a state birth certificate. I was so happy that both Amanda and Kayla were able to be a part of this very special day. After the court hearing we went as a family to have Amanda try on wedding dresses and she has found her dress, cant tell you anything about it cuz I am not sure if my future son-in-law looks at the blog and he CANNOT know any details!!! We then went and celebrated at the Ch@@secake F@ctory and had a wonderful time!!!

Mommy went on her first overnight trip and came back with an Elmo for me!!! I missed my mommy and she missed me too!!

I love my mommy!!!

I love my daddy!!!

Special Delivery!!!

Chillin' in my chair!!

A family!!!

Precious!!!!

Cutting down the Christmas tree!!

Mommy and me at the Christmas tree farm

A real Christmas Angel - Say Cheese!!!

Santa and me (not a good combination right now). He said he would still bring me presents!!!

My sissy and me on Adoption Day!!! I love her and she loves me!!!

My other sissy and me on Adoption Day!!! I love her and she loves me!!!

Need a good lawyer, I know one!!! I am sure I can get you a real good deal!!!

The judge makes it official!!!! Darci is a "Roberts"

A family of five!!!

My big sister is getting married...

2009-11-16T19:42:00.003-06:00

Yes it's true. My big sister Amanda is getting married. She got engaged on Sunday afternoon. It was a big surprise. She is so happy and I am so happy for her. Craig is a real nice guy. He plays with me and I really like him. They say he is going to be my brother-in-law, but I don't know what that means, I just know I like him. I get to be a flower girl, I am not real sure what that means, but I know I have to behave. I think I will have to practice that a lot. Here is a picture of me with my big sister.

The cutest pumpkin in the patch...

2009-10-30T22:53:00.004-05:00

Well I must say she is the cutest pumpkin we could have ever found. This has been such a joy to dress her up and show her off. I had our sitter bring her to the HS today and she was the hit of the day!!! She is not feeling well, she has had a head cold for about a week and a half so I took her to the doctor yesterday and she is on an antibotic. I am glad I took her, I was going to wait it out and then decided it was best to take her instead of waiting for her to get worse and end up having to take her to urgent care. She is beginning to feel better. Tomorrow we will go to downtown Tulsa to cheer in our runners who are running the 15K and then in the afternoon we will go to our church's Fall Festival and then tomorrow night Darci will hand out Halloween candy to the trick 'r' treaters that come to our house. There must be a pumpkin shortage. I love to carve pumpkins but like to wait until a few days before Halloween so that the pumpkins are freshly carved and I cannot find a pumpkin to save my life. I am planning to go to Bixby tomorrow after the race to see if I can find some there!! Geesh!!!! Happy Halloween everyone!!!!

Pumpkin Patch Fun!!

2009-10-22T17:34:00.005-05:00

Monday was still part of our Fall Break so Darci and I went with some friends to the Pumpkin Patch. I come from Illinois where we grow TALL corn and go to the pumpkin patch to pick our pumpkins from the vine. Well here in Oklahoma corn is only 4' tall and pumpkin patches are at church parking lots or empty lots. Well I went in search of a REAL pumpkin patch and found one just north of where we live. We got to ride out on a tractor with a hay wagon and walked out amoung the pumpkin in search of that perfect pumpkin. Lesson learned...go earlier than we went since most of the pumpkins had been picked. None the less it was a wonderful experience and we are making memories!!! My long time friend that I have had since junior high came to visit. This was her first time to see Darci and we had a wonderful time together, she got Darci the PJ's so we took a picture of her in them that evening. On Sunday, I got Darci dressed for church and Brian put her little backpack on her and took some pictures. She looks like a little school girl. Oh no, my baby is growing up way too fast!!! Enjoy!!!

It's been a while and Halloween fun

2009-10-17T11:59:00.006-05:00

Well life with an 18 month old is quite BUSY!!! No time to check out blogs or write on my own blog :( I get very little internet time and that makes me sad, but one day I will be able to be more regular at checking my favorite blogs and commenting on my own. Well Darci is now 18 months old and has been with her forever family for four months now. My how things have changed. She is VERY mobile and is into everything (safely) and is such a joy. I am always having to tell her "no" as she is into everything!!!! Brian said to Darci the other night "what does daddy say? 'I love you', what does mommy say? 'No, No, No!" Ha Ha, but it is so true!!! Last night we went to a city north of where we live that has a very cool kiddie park. Lots of fun little rides all for a quarter each. It is only open during the summer months and then they open for one weekend during the Halloween season. She had fun, but was not too crazy about the rides. Amanda's boyfriend's children came along but I think it was just too much for her. Next year will be better, but none the less we were building lasting memories. So here is what you have been waiting for!!! Pictures

Two months ago..

2009-08-15T16:08:00.003-05:00

Two months ago yesterday I received our youngest daugther. In so many ways these past two months have seemed like an eternity. The 37 month wait also felt like an eternity. It hard to believe that 2 months and 37 months of waiting are very different yet very similar. When we received Darci, she could only sit up when put in a sitting position. She could stand and very wobbly walk around the edge of the bed. Today she is crawling all over the place. Rolling from front to back and back to front. Can sit up all by herself. She pulls herself up and then walks around and this week she began to walk away from furniture and take some steps on her own. She still prefers crawling but I know in just a few more weeks our precious girl will be walking all over the place. I started back to work on the 5th of August and she stayed home with her big sister. This past Thursday was her first day to go to childcare and she cried when I left her. It broke my heart because I was so concerned that she would fear all day long that I was not coming back. When I picked her up she was happy and happy to see me but not ready to leave, a great sign!!! However Friday morning she cried again when I left her, but all was good and she doesn't cry for very long. I know she is in GREAT hands and is very LOVED while I am at work and I do not worry about this at all. I just cringe at another adjustment in her small little world. She has no idea what is going on, but she has a mom and dad who love her very much as do her sisters and a multitude of family and friends!!! I cannot wait (well yes I can) until the day she is old enough to understand the journey that we traveled to get her and how important family and friends were to us during the journey. There are so many aspects of our trip to China that I miss and cannot wait to take Darci back to her homeland to show her the country where she was born and its rich history. We have been blessed in so many ways!!! Darci you have been in our arms for 2 months now, but you were in our hearts long before that!!! Mommy and Daddy love you so much and so do your big sisters!! Happy 2 month anniversary!!!!

Shower

2009-08-10T19:41:00.013-05:00

Some of my very lovely friends had a shower for me on Saturday, here are some pictures of the WONDERFUL day!! Some pictures of the Queen of Quite A Lot!!!

Momma and her baby

Gifts

Opening presents is so much FUN!!!

A friend and my sweet girls!!!

A sweet friend.

A beautiful cake!!

A new toy!!! I like it!!

Wooden blocks!!

I see myself!!

Sweet friends who were the party hostesses

My friends!!

Sisters!!

Momma and her 3 gals!!

My 3 gals!!

What?? Who me??

Hold up, wait a minute!!

Sweetness!!

Smiles

MMMMM this finger sure tastes good!!

Pure SWEETNESS!!

Things I'm not suppose to have, SHHHH!! Don't tell mom!!

What can I cook for you??

Welcome to my kitchen!!

Summer Time Fun!!!

2009-07-30T03:53:00.011-05:00

A few weeks ago we went back to Illinois to visit family and here are some Summer Time Pictures!!!

Riding the carousel at the St. Louis Zoo with my big sister!!!

This is my Aunt D

My Cousin C

My Uncle T

My Aunt J

Aunt J and Uncle M (in the corner)

Mommy and me at the duck pond

Daddy and me at the zoo

Well summer is quickly coming to a close and next Wednesday I will return to work. It has been a wonderful summer and I am so happy that I got to spend my time off with our precious new daughter!!! I am looking forward to going back to work, getting in the swing of things and most of all having a routine. I do not do well without a routine!!! We did a trial run yesterday with the sitter and she did marvelous!!! I was kind of sad when I got in the car to leave that she didn't even shed a tear!!! She made up for it by calling me "Ma Ma" when I came to pick her up. My friend is taking care of her in her home and she has 4 daughters who are crazy in love with Darci and I know she will be well loved and care for!!! This blesses a momma heart!!! I have been busy sewing Darci's bedding that I have put off for 4 years now, a precious friend motivated me by agreeing to help me sew. Thanks P!! We have the bumper pads sewed and ready to stuff, the dust ruffle and quilt are all cut out and ready to sew. Pictures will be coming when all is done!!

One month ago...

2009-07-14T21:32:00.005-05:00

One month ago this precious baby girl was placed in my arm screaming, crying, pushing away and nothing I said or did would take away her pain. She had been taken away from everything she had ever known, put on a bus with a worker she did not know, taken to a city she did not know, and given to a woman she did not know. This is the picture from that precious day.

Here is our precious baby girl one month later

It is so hard to believe that in one month this little girl has blossomed from a petrified, fearful, terrified baby to an energetic, bubbly, happy baby. We are so blessed!!!!

We're making a world traveler....

2009-07-02T22:00:00.007-05:00

Our sweet Darci is becoming a world traveler. First she flys to America from China, then on Tuesday we drove to Illinois and she did fantastic!!! Brian's mother had to have a heart procedure done and we felt it was best to come for a visit. She had the procedure done today and did well and looks like things will be much better for her. She could already tell a difference. I have had some faithful followers who are anxiously awaiting pictures, so here they are, NOT!!!! I am sorry for some reason I am not able to upload any pictures. I just upgraded to Internet Explorer 8 and I think that may be the issue, I am looking on Blogger help to see if anyone else is having the issue. Keep checking back I promise to put pictures up as soon as I can!!

Home sweet Home!!

2009-06-26T22:42:00.002-05:00

We are home and still not all the way on home time!!! Last night we went to bed at 10:30 and I woke up at 3:00 and laid in bed until 4:00 when Darci woke up, I gave her a bottle and she stayed awake until about 6:00 am when we both went back to bed and slept until 9:15. She stayed up most of the day with a very short nap this afternoon on the way to daddy's allergy shot appointment. About 8:00 pm she got fussy so we gave her a bath and tried to hold out as long as we could, she finally crashed around 8:30. We started for bed about 10:00 and she woke up so I gave her another bottle but she didn't take very much of that. She is asleep on the couch next to me. I am waiting until she is good and out before I transfer her to the bed next to me. It seems moving her there wakes her if she is not totally out. Other than the sleep issues things have been going great!!! She is adjusting beautifully and I could not ask for things to go any better!!! She is attaching to both Brian and I and is doing well with her big sister out of the picture. She does whine and fuss a tad when Amanda first walks into the room but it is much less now than when we were in China so I know that she is doing well with me. All of her bottles come from me, except for the one bottle daddy fed her when we arrived at the airport. Don't have any pics since I have been out of it. I got sick on the plane ride home and am still not back 100%. I think it was a combination of being dehydrated while in China, MSG in Chinese food, different diet, being constantly busy, and then the hectic schedule of the Oath Swearing at the Consulate, rushed off to the train station, carrying all of our bags up 2 flights of escalators, down 1 flight to the train, off the train up another set of escalators, across the street, up an elevator, up a ramp into the mall and over into the hotel for 5 hours of sleep!! Up at 4:00 to shower and get dressed, have bags ready for pick up by 5:30 am and down to check out by 5:45 to leave for the airport. WOW that will make one ill and it did make me ill!! My arms have lost all strength and I am slowly working my way back to having some strength, I think I just completely DRAINED myself!!! Off to bed!! Hopefully for a full nights sleep!!!

Update on Blog Access

2009-06-15T17:35:00.002-05:00

I guess some of you are having a hard time accessing the Baby Jelly Beans site we have set up. If you go to http://www.babyjellybeans.com and in the lower right hand corner is "Search for website" put in Darci Roberts and it will bring up our site. I realized I had a box checked that would not display it under the search, I have taken care of that so you can access it now. Things are going great, cannot wait to get home and show her to everyone.

Blogger Blocked in China, Follow Journey Here

2009-06-11T17:25:00.001-05:00

http://www.babyjellybeans.com/web/do/site/folder?ID=533044&parent_id=533044

We have arrived in St. Paul

2009-06-10T12:01:00.002-05:00

We are here and are waiting to board the next leg of the journey. We leave here at 3:20. I am so ready to go to sleep. I stayed awake until 1:00 this morning and woke up at 4:00 to head to the airport. Got there at 5:00 and I am glad we did since there was a line. I'll be back on to report once I am in China.

Bags are packed and I am out of here...

2009-06-09T21:50:00.003-05:00

In just a few short hours I will be on my way to the airport. Went today to have our bags weighed and 1 bag was over by 7 pounds and 1 bag was under by 10 so we did some shuffeling and added 1 more carry on so I think we are set as far as weight limits in China. I have had all kinds of emotions today. Scared, nervous, excited, unsure (of what will happen during travel), feeling of being unpreapred as far as paperwork goes, although I know that I have everything I need. It has been a roller coaster day. My girlfriends have called to wish me well and to tell me they love me and that they are praying for me and everyone is excited to meet Darci. I just find it so hard to believe that after all this WAITING it is finally going to happen. I'm getting on a plane tomorrow bound for China. WOW!!!! Well I have a few more things to do, I am trying to stay up as late as I can tonight so that I can sleep tomorrow during the day and hopefully get on China time! Ha not so sure how that's going to work!!! Thanks for following along, thanks for the prayer and thanks for the support!! We love you all and cannot wait to share our precious Darci with all of you!!!!

4 more days and I'll be on my way

2009-06-06T12:08:00.003-05:00

Part of the packing is done, cleaning the house needs to be done, a few loads of laundry are left and just trying to relax. I have finished everything at work and so summer vacation officially has started. I will have Monday and Tuesday to finish up last minute things. Money is being wired to China on Monday and I have my clean crisp fresh one hundred dollar bills. Pretty much set to go just got to put it all in the suitcases and backpacks. I'm not as stressed out as I was on Thursday which is a good thing!!! Went to meet with our China director on Friday and all of my paperwork is in order so I shouldn't have any issues with paperwork in China. I have unloaded a lot of my plate and I am in a much happier place. Thanks for following along!!! It won't be very much longer and Darci will be in my arms!!! I will see her precious face and hold her for the very first time on Sunday afternoon which will be early Sunday morning here at home.

6 Days and I will be on my way

2009-06-04T22:16:00.003-05:00

Just 6 more days and so much left to do!!! I think the minute I step onto the plane I will crash and burn (Not the plane, just me). So much to do and so little time. For those of you who read this blog and are in the process, here is some words of wisdom and advice.
1) start buying things now (bottles, diapers, wipes, etc.)
2) don't go crazy buying clothes (you will not know what size until referral. (I know sometime shopping is just good for a momma's heart).
3) do your homework, reading, etc. Don't keep putting it off because you have plenty of time. It sneaks up on you and then you have to scramble to get it all done.
4) relax and enjoy (do all the above early enough in advance, so you can do this one).
I know when we started this journey I lived through others who were farther ahead of me in the journey and I know what an inspiration they were to me so I hope to be passing the baton to those of you who are behind us in the journey. It is the ride of a life time and trust me when that referral comes you need to sit down and buckle yourself in because the ride gets bumpy and it goes real fast. Off to get some zzzzz's This tired momma needs them!!!

7 days and counting...up up and away!!

2009-06-03T06:52:00.003-05:00

One week from today, I will be sitting in the airport getting ready to board a plane on my journey to China. Darci is in a loving home on the other side of this world and has no idea that her world is about to be turned upside down. Although this is all for her good. She will have no idea who I am, who her big sister is but in time she will learn who we are and how much we love her and how long I have carried her in my heart. Packing will begin tonight, tomorrow and the goal is to have it all done by tomorrow. Keep checking back to see pics. Darci, mommy is coming to get you!!!

I'm LEAVING on a jet plane

2009-06-01T21:37:00.002-05:00

Yes you read that right, buying my tickets tomorrow. We have them secured through a travel agent, we were waiting for someone else in our travel group to see what kind of prices they got from another agency and we are getting a much better deal so I am booking them in the morning!!! Leaving here on June 10 arriving in Beijing on June 11. Still do not know when Darci Day is, but I will give you all a shout when I know!! We will leave China on June 24 and arrving home on June 24 in the evening. Remember we are traveling backwards in time. When we leave China it will actually be June 23 here. Darci's visa will be issued on my mother's birthday. Mom has been gone for quite sometime and never knew of our adoption plans, but I somehow think God is allowing her to peek over heaven's banister and get a look at her precious granddaughter. I will post again as we get closer to leaving. Got bags to pack and stuff to do, my head is just swimming!!!

My baby graduates from Nursing School

2009-05-31T22:56:00.004-05:00

Our middle daughter (used to be the baby, until we got Darci, she is still my baby) graduated from Nursing school 3 weeks ago. We are so proud of all of her hard work over the last 5 years. She has sacrificed much and studied hard to get where she is today and I could not be more proud of the young lady she has become. She has moved to MO and will begin her new job tomorrow. She will be working at the hospital where she did her internship last summer. After she interviewed for the job and then was notified that she got the job she called me and said "Mom, I've got a big girl job!" She is going to do a wonderful job. She has so much compassion and she has the perfect job to show all the compassion God has given her. K, your dad and I are so proud of you and pray that as your follow your dream that you will be guided by your Heavenly Father!!! Love you!!! MOM

We have TA

2009-05-29T23:20:00.004-05:00

God is in the business of answering prayers!!! We have our TA. One of the mother's in our travel group was joking that getting TA on May 29 would be a wonderful birthday present and YES we got TA on her birthday. We are waiting for our agency to secure consulate appointments so if everything goes as requested we could be leaving June 11. Prayer Warriors - I need your prayers, we have a van and a boat that we need to sell ASAP. Please pray that God will send a buyer right away. I am excited and scared all at the same time!!! So much to do and so little time to get it all done!!! YIKES!!!!!

No TA

2009-05-27T23:38:00.002-05:00

We still do not have TA (Travel Approval). I spoke with our agency yesterday and if we were to get TA tomorrow, then we would probably leave somewhere around the week of June 15. We know TA is not coming tomorrow so I am thinking the soonest we will travel will be the week of June 22. This journey has always been in God's hand and I have never questioned why we had to wait 37 months before we saw our precious Darci's face and I will NOT begin to question why I have had to wait 6 weeks and counting since we sent back our letter of confirmation for travel approval. I am choosing to see the blessing in waiting instead of allowing satan to steal my joy!!! He will not get my joy!! My joy is in HIM!! We will travel when He says it's time!!!

What does one do while they wait for TA???

2009-04-26T19:43:00.007-05:00

Well you run a relay leg in the OKC Marathon!!! We had 3 relay teams from the school district that I work with and we left yesterday and headed for OKC. We visited the Expo, got our race packets and went to eat LOTS of pasta!!! Headed to the hotel and went nighty night. Up at 4:30 in the morning as the race started at 6:30. I shuttled out to my leg 5K and waited around 2 1/2 before I took off. It was my very first 5K run and I was very excited!! I really didn't know what to expect which made the run quite interesting. I really don't run, I wog (jogging & walking). I began mid Fall at the encouragement of two ladies that I work with. I am not much on running when it's cold or wet or anything else, yes I am a whimp!!!! So I really didn't push myself until about 3 weeks ago. I kept the pace of run 5 minutes, walk 2 minutes and my leg really was 3.6 miles and I did it in 56 minutes. The longest I had run was last Tuesday I did 3.0 in 50 minutes so I was proud of my time for my very first race. I got a little emotional as I came into the hand off area and when I met up with my other friends!! My next goal is to continue and bump it up to 6 - 2 and keep going until I can run a 5K with minimum walking!!! I was handed a beautiful medal that I am very proud of!!!

This is a team mate and myself last night at the Pasta Dinner, our team name was "Chicks that Run" We originally started out with 5 girls, but one gal had to drop out so we picked up a guy and he was great about it. So we called ourselves "Chicks that Run and Kraig". So we are doing the chicken move!!!

One of the other teams from our school district and the ladies that I hung with!!

The lady 2nd from the left ran in the Boston Marathon last week. She also ran the same leg that I did and she finished way ahead of me and came back when she saw me and help encourage me and ran with me across my finish line!! THANKS "M"!!!

This is the other team that ran from our school district. This picture was taken the night before at the Pasta Dinner!!!
Fun was had by all and no one was hurt. It was a great race!!!!!

Please Pray

2009-04-23T00:20:00.001-05:00

I follow this blog and I am asking for prayer warriors to join her and her family as they pray their daughter through this difficult situation.

Happy 1st Birthday DARCI!!!

2009-04-11T10:41:00.003-05:00

Today in a home on the other side of the world a little girl named Nian Xuan Feng is celebrating her first birthday.

Darci, mommy and daddy wish that you were here so that we could share your first birthday with you. A celebration fit for a princess, the princess you are!!! That is not going to be able to happen because we are not together yet. We are celebrating your birth by remembering who you are and the day that you came into this world. We also stop and remember your birth family. We do not know who they are or where they are, but we remember the fact that you were brought into this world on this very special day!!!
Happy First Birthday Darci, we love you!!!
Mommy & Daddy

She is the luckiest baby in the world!!!

2009-04-10T20:31:00.006-05:00

The ladies that I work with threw a surprise birthday party for Darci today. I came into work and was all busy passing out my Easter treats and walked into the conference room to hand out treats to the co-worker that was in there and lo and behold there it was, I just turned around real quick and said "I'm sorry". I was surprised but I walked into my own surprise without anyone else to say "Surprise"!! I started this job back in July and these ladies are the best ladies to work with!! I love my job and I love working with these ladies. Darci will turn 1 tomorrow in a home in Jiangxi province of Fengcheng China. She has a foster mother but I have no idea if they will celebrate her birthday. Half way around the world some very precious women helped this mommy celebrate her youngest daughter's first birthday. Thanks ladies!!!

And here she is.......

2009-04-08T21:44:00.003-05:00

I Samuel 1:27
I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Here is what God has blessed us with

Nian Xuan Feng - Darci Nian Roberts
April 11, 2008

Brian and I are besides ourself with love for this child that God has given us!!! Stay tuned, there are other things that need to fall into place before travel takes place. At this point, I am thinking the end of May to the middle of June before we travel. Check back every now and then, I will post when we will travel and post pictures of her when we get her and keep you updated on all our travels in China.

It's a GIRL!!!

2009-04-03T16:42:00.002-05:00

Date of Birth: April 11, 2008
Nian Xuan Feng
Feng Cheng SWI
She in foster care. God is good!!!
She is from Jiangxi province
This is all we know at this point. We will have to wait unitl Monday or Tuesday for the English translation!!!

NO NEWS!!!

2009-04-03T13:48:00.003-05:00

I called our agency this morning and we will not have a packet today!!! :( :( :( It will be here on Monday, I will get the call. I think we will still have to wait a few more days for the english translation so it will probably be Wednesday before we see a picture. I cannot stand this, I have waited so long and here I go having to wait some more!!!!

So excited!!!!

2009-04-01T21:44:00.002-05:00

I am so happy that the rumor are pointing to the 7th and 8th being included which means some bloggy friends will all be together in China!!! YEEEEE HAAAAWWWW!!! T, L and PM will be there. Hoping that we can meet up in Guanghouz and take a Red Couch picture of the bloggy moms and their daughters!!!

Is the Stork Flying????

2009-03-29T22:04:00.003-05:00

Rumor has it that the Stork may be flying!!! If not, he should be very soon!!! We should know who she is by Friday!!!! Heee Heee Haaaw, Heee Heee Haaaw!! The contractions are getting stronger!!!

Chick-fil-A - Owasso, OK

2009-03-25T21:24:00.003-05:00

Chick-fil-A in Owasso, OK is hosting a "Spirit Day" on our behalf for our adoption. If you happen to live in the area and want some good chicken and your purchase will help support a great cause, come on!!! Spread the word to your family and friends!!! The key is that YOU MUST PUT YOUR RECEIPT IN THE SPIRIT BOX. The promotion is all day long drive through or dine-in!!!! Thanks for your support!!!!

Orphans of God - A Calling to a New Ministry??

2009-03-13T21:52:00.004-05:00

The other day I was speaking with one of our pastors and during the talk the topic of an adoption ministry within our church came up. We both feel that if God wants a ministry to start He will provide supporters but will also provide a champion to lead the ministry. This has been on my heart for a few days now and as I continue to pray I will look for ways God will answer that question. Tonight as I was blog surfing I came across this video. SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM AND TURN OFF THE MUSIC BEFORE PLAYING THE VIDEO.

Maybe God is telling me something????

Wild Olive - Get Your Verse On

2009-03-12T22:07:00.001-05:00

Plan on getting my verse on!!! Check out her site and get your word on too!!!

Three Years!!!

2009-03-07T22:43:00.005-06:00

Well today marks three years that our dossier has been in China. We are less than one month away from meeting our precious daughter. Over the last three years I have often wondered where Darci is, how she is doing, etc. Since the wait has grown to three years, obviously she wasn't even born when we started this journey. I have found myself over the last few months wondering about her. Knowing that she is somewhere in China, hoping she is is warm, and protected. For so long when people would ask about Darci, my comment was always "she's still in China". It's so hard to believe that I will see her face in less than a month. WOW!!! This long journey is just about to come to an end and I am finding myself a little bewildered at the thought that my life is getting ready to change in so many ways. I am so ready and yet so NOT ready.

Today I was at a friends house and I saw this little guy and took a picture, I know this is just a little nugget from God saying your time is just around the corner and He sent this little reminder!!!

1 day left - We're NEXT

2009-03-03T06:16:00.004-06:00

You have no idea (well some of you do) what is going on inside my mind and heart!! As I type this I am filled with all kinds of emotions. CC@@ has matched families with LID (Log In Date) through March 6, 2006. We are March 7. We will see our sweet Darci's face in about 35 days. WOW, do I have A LOT of things to do!!! Bedding to make, room to arrange, thorough cleaning of the house, well I guess it will all get done during Spring Break in a couple of weeks. Things will probably be very quite on here over the next few weeks, but rest assure when I get that call, you all will know!!!

We are so close - He is my everything!!

2009-02-28T14:36:00.003-06:00

We are on the verge of finding out who our precious Darci is. Rumors speculate that referrals for March, 2009 will be those dossiers logged in March 3 - 6, 2006. We are March 7, 2006. If they indeed do as rumored, "WE ARE NEXT"! Did you hear me??? "WE ARE NEXT"!!!!! With that said, a friend on our agency's forum posted the words to the song "He Is My Everything" by Tim Hughes. I went to the link and listened to the video and it spoke loud and clear to me. YES, He is my everything and He is about to give me everything my heart has desired over the last 4 years. He has guided every thought, every step, every appointment, every blank on so many documents, every dime, every heartache, every tear of joy, every bit of this journey!!! I hope that this video speaks to you as it spoke to me!! ENJOY!!!!

The Man Rules - This is funny!!

2009-02-08T20:56:00.005-06:00

The Man Rules
At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down.
Finally, the guy's side of the story (I must admit, it's pretty good)
We always hear 'THE RULES' from the female side
Now here are the rules from the male side These are our rules!
Please note...they are all numbered '1' ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.
1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
1. Sunday sports it's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.
1. Crying is blackmail.
1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one! Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obivious hints do not work! Just say it!
1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.
1. Come to us with a problem ONLY if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.
1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days.
1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.
1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.
1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know how to do it, just do it yourself.
1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.
1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.
1. All men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have NO idea what mauve is.
1. If it itches, it WILL be scratched. We do that.
1. If we ask what is wrong and you say 'nothing,' we will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is not just worth the hassle.
1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
1. When we have to go somewhere, absoutely anything you wear is fine...REALLY!
1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball or golf.
1. You have enough clothes.
1. You have too many shoes.
1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!
1. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know I have to sleep on the couch tonight; but did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

Gung Hay Fat Choy

2009-01-26T17:08:00.004-06:00

Happy Chinese New Year. 2009 is the Year of of the Ox. I am confident that this will be the LAST Chinese New Year without Darci!!

Only 2 days

2009-01-21T22:48:00.003-06:00

It seems that only 2 days will be matched this month. What does that mean?? It means we still have 5 more days before they get to us. Somewhere in this pile of papers is our packet of papers asking China to allow us to adopt Darci. I am hopeful that it could be February but the reality is more like March when we will see her face!!!

34 Months WAITING

2009-01-07T23:19:00.003-06:00

Well it has been 34 LONG months of waiting for our sweet Darci. We long to hold her, see her face, hear her voice, and love her!!! She has been in our hearts for so long. We are so ready to go and get her. We are at the door knocking and I anticipate that door will open within the next few months. Ch*na will give us a referral for our precious daughter and then we will know who she is. God has been taking great care of her and the time is coming very soon that He will give us the awesome responsibility to love her, nurture her, teach her and spoil her. Thank you for following along on our Journey to Darci. Your words of encouragement have helped me travel this long and windy road. Please continue to follow along as the journey is just about to get very exciting!!!!

I CANNOT BELIEVE IT

2008-12-29T19:17:00.002-06:00

WOW all the way through February. Only 7 days left!!! Hopefully I'll be on a plane to China at the end of March. What a wonderful anniversary (Jan. 30), B's birthday (Feb. 21), Valentine's Day all combined with a February referral. It can happen, we'll just wait and see what CH!na decides to do.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2008-12-24T07:20:00.004-06:00

Our family wishes you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Our holiday is over. K came the week before Christmas so we had our Christmas a week ago and the presents are all opened the stocking have been emptied. I am ready to take down the tree, but just can't find it in my heart to do it. I know it will come down on Friday. I pray that you will create memories that will last a lifetime. The following is just an example of the simplicity of life and we adults should sit up and notice!!!

GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED

I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night.

He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...'

I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.

He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.

He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.

I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?

Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.

The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.

He does not seem dissatisfied.

He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.

He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.

And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go! ' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.

His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.

And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.

He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.

His life is simple.

He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.

His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.

He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.

He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others His heart is pure.

He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.

Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.

Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.

In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.

It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions

It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap . I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care

Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.

And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.

Kevin won't be surprised at all!

12 LID's left

2008-12-11T21:54:00.002-06:00

We are getting closer. They referred through February 23, 2006. That leaves 12 days between us and Darci. If they do 6 days in January and 6 days in February then that means that we would see out sweet Darci's face. I want to believe that this will happen, but I know that when we have a good streak going, then we get hit with a 2 day batch, so who knows!! Our youngest daughter graduates from nursing school on May 8th. Outside of getting Darci I want nothing more than to be at her graduation. I hope the timing of everything works out so we can get Darci and be back here in time for her graduation. If you feel inclinded to help us pray about this, we would covet your prayers. I have always said that God put us on this journey and that we would go when He said it was time. I know that He knows the desires of my heart and so I am trusting that I will be at Kayla's graduation and I hope that Darci is with us!!!

33 months

2008-12-07T21:18:00.003-06:00

We have been waiting 33 months for our sweet Darci and I still have no idea when we will see her sweet little face. Darci please know that there is not a day that does not go by that I do not think of you. You are on my mind and you live in my heart. I see things and I think about you, I see clothing that I want to buy for you, but I do not know how big you are, however, there is coming a day when I will know who you are and you will know who your parents are and who your big sisters are and who your forever family is. There are many people who are praying for you. Praying that you are safe, healthy, taken care of and that the time for us to come and get you is soon!! Mommy and Daddy love you so much and although we have waited a long long time, we know that it has been for a good reason, you were not ready for us to come and get you.

Don't stop at the 23rd - How about all of February??

2008-12-03T21:51:00.003-06:00

It is rumored that the 23rd is in however it would be real nice if the 24th were included since I have a blogger that I follow who is LID on the 24th. However I would LOVE IT!!!!! if they would just get though the end of February. My sweet Darci is waiting for her mommy to come and get her!!!

Give Thanks

2008-11-26T16:41:00.004-06:00

Another Thanksgiving has come and soon will be gone and here we still wait for our sweet Darci. We have so much to be thankful for, our health, our life, our freedom, our home, our jobs, our family and our friends. Though we still wait, we know our time is getting shorter. God has blessed us so much during this journey. We may never know why we had to wait so long since we began this journey in January 2005. God has given us the patience to wait, the peace to know He is in control and the knowledge that one day this journey will end with a trip to China to bring home our daughter to live with her family forever. So as we eat turkey, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pies and cranberries may we never forget ALL the things God has blessed us with and ALL the things we truly are thankful for!! Enjoy your holiday weekend!!!

Happy Birthday

2008-11-09T21:43:00.003-06:00

Happy 23rd Birthday to my youngest daughter "K". Her birthday was yesterday and I was at a women's retreat this weekend and this was the first opportunity I had to publish a post. I can remember 23 years ago when I went into labor in the evening, but not enough to go to the hospital. Labor continued all night and the next morning I called my doctor who wanted me to come to his office. After checking things out it was determined that I needed to go on over to the hospital. I was in labor all day and the doctor kept coming over and checking on me and would say "I'll come back in a few hours and break your water" he would come back and say "I'll come back later" well 23 hours later she was born. She was born 1 1/2 hours after he broke my water. I could have had her on the 7th had he done his job. I had my first in 8 hours and they always say that the 2nd comes quicker, well not in this body. So about a year later I decided I was not going to have labor last 3 days so I had my tubes tied. No more babies for me!!! Happy Birthyda "K" I love you!!!!

32 months waiting

2008-11-09T21:37:00.004-06:00

Well we now have waited 32 months for our sweet Darci. It is still up in the air as to how many days were referred this month. It could be 2 or it could be 5 we don't know for sure, rumor has it that it was only 2 days. Maybe we will know more tomorrow. At any rate we are definately getting closer. Brian and I were talking this afternoon about when we started this process. March 2005 we attended a workshop hosted by our agency in Arlington, TX. We left that workshop having handed in our application I. If we get a referral in Feb. 09 and travel in March 09 it will have been a 4 year wait. God has done a lot in those 4 years and I am ready to travel and bring my baby home to her FOREVER family.

VOTE

2008-11-03T22:33:00.005-06:00

November 4, 2008 marks a very important date in the history of America. A new president will be elected. This is MY BLOG and I will tell you that I am a Republican and will vote that way!!! See this post to see how I determine who I vote for. I am commited to my right to vote. I will say that I am somewhat concerned as to how this will all turn out. So many individuals will buy into this "CHANGE" rally cry. So many will buy into the "Healthcare for all" Who in the world do you think will pay for all this new healthcare for all?? We the taxpayers. How about some sacrifice on indivuals, cut out the cable, get rid of the cell phone, stop eating out, give up the habits (drugs, cigarette's, alcohol) to pay for your own healthcare. My husband works for a small business who does provide insurance for it's employee's (I am very thankful for this) however, I am concerned that if someone beside my candidate is elected then my husband's business would be forced to provide the "SO CALLED" forced insurance and who knows how much that will cost. We already pay out the nose for healthcare since we do not qualify for group rates. There is so much I could go on about, but I will stop. There is so much riding on this election. Get out and vote.

Your vote counts

2008-10-31T22:11:00.002-05:00

Here is what I use to base who I will vote for.

· The right to life from the womb to the tomb. Abortion brutalizes women in crisis and destroys life. “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:13-14a

· For 5,000 years society sees marriage as being between a man and a woman. To do anything else distorts the image of God and erodes civilization. I will not vote for anyone who defines marriage as anything else. “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Hebrews 13:4.

· Judges who interpret the constitution strictly as the founding fathers intended. Some judges legislate from the bench and go along with every whim. The next president will appoint at least two Supreme Court justices. “Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Proverbs 13:34

THANKS to our Secret Pal

2008-10-18T18:15:00.003-05:00

Our secret pal sent us a big box of goodies and revealed themselves!! They are the Appleton's Darci's closet is so full of toys, books, various items and a few clothing items and they have all come from our wonderful secret pals over the last 18months. What started out to be a 6 month exchange drew out to be an 18 month exchange. It has been fun and now I am ready to focus on getting ready to get Darci. Our time is getting closer!!

I-171

2008-10-12T17:07:00.002-05:00

Read this well that dragging my feet paid off. Our fingerprints do not expire until June 3, 2009 and our I-600A does not expire until November 30, 2009. I was dragging me feet to try and save to pay for the whole thing since the fees went up and I knew at the time that it came with one free extension so I figured that I would wait until the very last mintue and so it looks like we will be home with Darci long before everything expires. To my friends to are dealing with issues related to the extension and the I-600A vs I-800A I am so sorry. Those words seems so inadequate. I can not even imagine how much you hurt, how worried you are that things will not come together in time when you referral arrives. I have been dealing with some worries of my own related to the adoption that I will not share here, however yesterday all day the only song that was on my mind and heart was "Everlasting God" (go here to hear the song). The lyrics - "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon you Lord (x 2)
Our God, you reign forever
Our hope, our strong deliverer...
You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God
You do not faint, you won't grow weary
You're the defender of the weak, you comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles...".
I can honestly tell you that my strength throughout this whole process has risen. I have waited upon the Lord and He has given me strength to endure this wait. So with my worry, I will wait upon the Lord and He will make Himself known and He will prove Himself and I will honor and glorify Him!! It will all come together, God has placed us on this journey and it will all work out.

The light at the end of the tunnel

2008-10-09T23:44:00.004-05:00

Well the light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger. We just passed our 31 month anniversary. What does that mean?? It means that our official paperwork has been sitting on a shelf at the CC*AA in Chin@ for 31 months. Our LID (Log in Date) is March 7, 2006. Referrals are handed out once a month and they did up through February 15, 2006 in the month of October. We have the rest of February to get through and then they will begin working on March. If things speed up real quick we may see a referral by December, but I really don't think that will happen!! January or February is more like it. We will definitely see our precious Darci's face in 2009. Its getting closer!!! Oh my, LOTS to do!! Bedding to make, decorating to do, more furniture to buy, and watching to see if rumors come true!!! Please check back often as there will be things posted often as things are beginning to move quickly and I am sure there will be lots of updates!!! Stay tuned!!!

Six days

2008-09-30T20:28:00.005-05:00

We can offically mark off six more days leaving us 20 more referral days before we see Darci's sweet face. I still hopeful that we will see her precious face in December, however I know that will take a lot and probably will not happen. If they do six days then it will probably be February. What a wonderful birthday present for Brian. If they do 9 days the it will be January, a wonderful anniversary present as we will celebrate 27 years of marriage. This is all in God's hands and I have stated that time and time again and we will go when He deems it time to go!! It's getting closer!!!

30 Month Anniversary

2008-09-07T21:35:00.003-05:00

Weathered, Tattered, Distressed, Worn, Aged, Torn, Broken, Rusted, Old, and Tarnished. These words describe how the last 30 months have affected me!!! Looking forward to Bright Sun Shiny days in the days ahead, our time is coming!!! Darci our hearts long to see your face, our arms long to hold you, hug you, love you!!! You are always on our minds and in our hearts!!! We love you and this wait has taught us a lot about being patient and most of all to trust our Lord who put us on this journey. His timing is the best!!!

Whoo Hoo Nine Days

2008-09-02T21:38:00.002-05:00

C@@A matched nine days worth of referrals, they matched through February 9, 2006. We are March 7, 2006, so we are less than 1 month of referrals from being referred. For those who do not follow in adoption terms, no this does not mean that we will get our referral in one month. The average has been about 4 months to get through one month of referrals. With the amount of days done this month, it is very possible that we could see our sweet Darci's face by Christmas, at the very latest March 2009. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger and the excitment of the wait is starting to come back. It's going to happen, it's going to happen, it's going to happen!!!

Remember this

2008-08-29T20:04:00.005-05:00

Remember this, well I got it. I bid on another one and won!! It arrived today and I am so in love with it!! Can't wait to start using it!!!

I let this one slip through my hands

2008-08-16T09:37:00.003-05:00

This one is GONE GONE GONE!!! I absoutely LOVE lime green, it is my pink!!!! I got on EB@Y one evening and put in a bid on this diaper bag. The next morning I had an overwhelming sensation to go and check the site and I blew it off, well lesson learned!!! Don't blow off sensations, they are there for a reason. I LOST THIS!!!

08-08-08

2008-08-08T20:18:00.004-05:00

Let the games begin!!! I am perched on the couch watching every minute of Opening Ceremonies in a country that my 3rd daughter calls home. Watching how proud the Chinese are about hosting these games makes me proud to know that my daughter comes from a country that is proud of their accomplishments. Thank you China for a performance that will be long remembered!!

Garden of Daily Living

2008-07-17T20:40:00.004-05:00

Plant three rows of peas:
1. Peace of Mind
2. Peace of Heart
3. Peace of Soul

Plant four rows of squash:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness

Plant four rows of lettuce:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another

No garden is without turnips:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnips for service
3. Turnip to help one another

To conclude our garden must have thyme:
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends

Water freely with patience and cultivate with love. There is much fruit in your garden because you reap what you sow.

What have you sown today??

New Job

2008-07-15T21:29:00.003-05:00

Well after 2 year and 2 months of driving 25 miles one way to work, it all came to an end on July 11. I accepted a job with the local school system and my drive is a mere 5 miles. I started my job yesterday and while I am working 30 minutes less I was exhausted yesterday. I am doing different work, it's not more work, so I guess the exhaustion is from mental exhaustion. Today was a little better but still tired.

Who's visiting??

2008-07-14T19:34:00.002-05:00

Well it seems that lots of people are visiting my site, however I am not sure who you are. Please leave me a comment and introduce yourself. I would love to know who is stopping by!!!

28

2008-07-07T17:09:00.000-05:00

Well it has been 28 long months since our paperwork was officially logged in. This does not include the 1 year of gathering paperwork to have our dossier in complete order for our agency. With the looming thought that it could very well be another year before we see our sweet Darci's face I am holding out hope that we may have a wonderful Christmas gift. All in all I have said it a million times and will probably say it a million more times before we have Darci home, and that is, this JOURNEY is in God's hands. He placed us on this journey and when the perfect time comes, we will go get her. Although there were many times I would have like to have gone and been back, that was not part of God's plan. His Word clearly states that His timing is not our timing. The excitment of the wait has long passed and redoing this or that has lost its excitment. When we had to be fingerprinted again and re-apply for our I-171 there was no joy, it was just one more thing to do. No waiting in anticipation of that I-171 like we did the first go round. That light at the end of the tunnel was so small one could barely see it. However, it now seems that light is slowly getting bigger. I draw my strength from the Lord who placed me on this journey and reminds me this is ALL in HIS HANDS. So you see Darci, mommy and daddy are waiting patiently to come and get you. We love you with all of our hearts and cannot wait until we see your face for the first time. You are a member of this family, we talk about you often, we dream of the day we will be united as a family. Your heavenly father is watching out for you and He is keeping you protected until that time. So please know this, as we long to hold you, long to see your beautiful eyes, ears, lips and nose, we know that your mother longs to see those beautiful eyes, ears, lips and nose just one more time. She has made the most precious sacrifice a mother can make. As a Christian I compare it to the most precious gift our heavenly father gave. He gave us His son. Your mother gave us a daughter. Know that we will always love you like we love A & K. We will never leave you. WE LOVE YOU DARCI!!! Still waiting and will continue to wait until we are FOREVER UNITED!!!

Going to the zoo with FREINDS

2008-07-06T09:45:00.000-05:00

I did this post and saved it as a darft back on May 4. Guess it has been some time since I last visited my dashboard. SORRY!! Some friends of mine homeschool and so they took a field trip to the zoo and I tagged along. This was my first visit to this zoo and it was quite fun!! A used to live in St. Louis and the zoo there is fantastic and is FREE. She just can't get over the fact that you have to pay to go to the zoo. Oh well!! It was an enjoyable day and I cannot wait to take Darci and spend time showing her all of God's creation and just having fun at the zoo.

Getting ready for the Creek

2008-06-15T06:40:00.003-05:00

What is this you say?? Creek This is the youth camp that most of Oklahoma Southern Baptist youth attend each year. I have the awesome priviledge to work for one of Oklahoma's top youth ministers and I'm going to the Creek for the 2nd time. I did not grow up in Oklahoma so the Creek experience is new to me. I got to go last yeat and am going again this year. Getting ready for the Creek is a HUGE job, but I am honored that I get to do this!!!! The other night I was working late, real late (didn't leave until 2:20 in the morning). It is a LOT of work and I got going and did not want to stop, knowing if I did I would have to come back in on Saturday or Sunday and I wanted to spend that time at home with B. So I pushed on with all that needed to be done. One of our interns R stopped by to give me company and I put him to work as well. I was at the copier when he yelled "Debbie, come look at this!" and this is what we found on the wall.

A Visitor to the Flower Garden

2008-06-15T06:31:00.003-05:00

The other night I went out to water the new flower garden and I found a visitor.

NEW flower garden

2008-05-25T19:24:00.006-05:00

Well I am not a green thumb by anymeans, but I do not like green bushes so my friend and her husband came and dug up all the green bushes and then we planted the new perninal flowers. I like color. I also got a hummingbird feeder and want to put out a butterfly dish in hopes of attracting some butterflies.

Proud to be an American BUT sick of people hating China!!!

2008-05-24T15:01:00.002-05:00

I received this as an email and after reading it, this was my response* (at the bottom)

While the Chinese, knowingly and intentionally, export inferior products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in American markets, the media wrings its hands and criticizes the Bush Administration for perceived errors. Yet 70% of Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended.

Well, duh..why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges? DO IT YOURSELF!!

Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says 'Made in China' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong), simply choose another product or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, however you will be equally amazed at what you can do without.

Who needs plastic eggs to celebrate Easter? If you must have eggs, use real ones and benefit some American farmer. Easter is just an example, the point is...do not wait for the government to act. Just go ahead and assume control on your own.

If 200 million Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor...fast!!

The downside? Some American businesses will feel a temporary pinch from having foreign stockpiles of inventory. ** Downside ??

The solution ?

Let's give them fair warning and send our own message. We will not implement this UNTIL June 4, and we will only continue it until July 4. That is only one month of trading losses, but it will hit the Chinese for 1/12th of the total, or 8%, of their American exports. Then they will at least have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness were worth it.

Remember, June 4 to July 4.

Send this to everybody you know. Show them we are Americans and NOBODY can take us for granted.

If we can't live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our lives, WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET!

Pass it on America

"I do not want you to send me anything that has to do with China. Please remember that we will adopt a little girl who lives in China and she has no parents and no home. Our Heavenly Father loves her so much that He is choosing Americans to raise these young children so that they will grow up in Godly homes who love Jesus and will teach them about His love and what He did for them. China has its problems but so do America. China is no worse than America. It is time to stop hating China or any other country."

I know that she has parents and we WILL teach her about her birth parents and I respect her birthparents, what I meant was totally directed to the individual that sent the email. I had to be this blunt for them to hopefully get the idea.

Tragedy strikes Steven Curtis Chapman family

2008-05-21T22:08:00.004-05:00

This family needs our prayers!!! I cannot even imagine what they are feeling!!!

Article from http://www.tennessean.com

Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest child died Wednesday afternoon after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.

Maria, one of the Christian singer’s six children, was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The 5-year-old was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, she said. Police did not give the driver’s name.

The teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area, McPherson said. He did not see Maria in the driveway before the vehicle struck her, she said.

“It appears to be a terrible accident,’’ McPherson said.

No charges are expected, she said. The accident was witnessed by two other children; the entire family was home at the time, McPherson said.

Singer/songwriter Chapman, who recently was inducted into Music City Walk of Fame, is one of contemporary Christian music’s most recognizable and most awarded names.

He and his wife Mary Beth have long been supporters of international adoption, having brought three girls from China into their family. Maria was the youngest.
The couple is so active in the cause that they formed an organization, Shaohannah’s Hope, to aid families wanting to adopt.

With his latest music tour, which came through Nashville in November, Chapman started a campaign called “Change for Orphans”. He asked audience members at each stop to bring spare change to the concert, where it was counted and given to a local family to aid in their adoption process.

“I don’t know of anybody who loves his children more than he does and is so committed to the adoption concept, and to lose one, no matter what the circumstances, is heartbreaking beyond all comprehension,” said John Styll, president of the Nashville-based Gospel Music Association.

“He talks about his kids all the time. That’s his life. His kids are more important to him than music, that’s for sure.”

The tragedy was announced during Wednesday-night services at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, which the family attends. Maria had just graduated from the church preschool.

And word spread throughout the tight-knit Christian music community on Wednesday evening.

Styll got the news not long after Maria’s death.

“I’m confident I can speak for everyone in the community to say we will do everything we can to support this family, as we would do at any time, but especially at a time like this,” he said.

Most of the Chapman family was at Vanderbilt children’s hospital after the accident and could not be contacted. The long, gravel driveway leading to the home west of Franklin was blocked off by Williamson County sheriff’s deputies.

Our secret pal strikes again

2008-05-18T20:37:00.002-05:00

I came home on Friday to find a huge box full of wonderful goodies. There was a beautiful spring/summer dress, a pair of pink crocs, a Little Mermaid umbrella, 2 floppy hats, 2 books and LOTS of stickers!!! Thank you so much!!!!

3 Word Sunday

2008-03-09T21:16:00.001-05:00

Here are my 3 words!!!

24 MONTHS and still WAITING

2008-03-08T10:09:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, March 7, 2008 marked 24 months that our paperwork has been offically logged in China. Words cannot describe how painful this wait has been. The ups and downs of this journey beat the best roller coaster I have ever ridden on. With that said, I would not trade one day. It has been a journey of faith and God has never let me down. Darci may you know that your mom and dad truly love you with all our hearts and cannot wait until we hold you in our arms and you become a part of our family FOREVER. Earlier this week referrals were issued to those families who were logged in through January 4, 2006. The CC@@AA is finally finished with 2005 and now are working on 2006. The last 2 months they have referred at least 7 days which means a little over 3 months to get through 1 month. With that said if things continue the way they have been going it is possible we could see Darci's smiling face in September and possibly travel in November or December. It is my hearts desire to have her home by Christmas. We have had way too many Christmas' without her. Things could change and get slower or even maybe speed up. Either way we know that we will go when the time is right. Darci we love you with all our hearts and cannot wait to have you home.

Three Word Sunday

2008-03-03T21:34:00.003-06:00

My fellow Blogger has decided to do something called "Three Word Sunday" Here is what she had to say about this:
3 words....

I LOVE watching GMA on Saturday mornings because I look forward to their segment - 3 Words.
It is a very simple concept.

Sum up your week in three little words.
“You can sing it, you can say it, you can write it, you can draw it. It can be funny or sad or poignant as long as it’s honest.”

Anyway, I want to start this in blogger world.

3 words to sum up your week - posted in any form you chose. Video, picture, etc....
get as creative as you want. We will do it on Sundays, that way you will have had enough time to think about how you want to sum up your week.
Let me know if you want to play along by leaving me a comment.

Since you cannot go to her blog, if this is something you would like to join, please email me and I will pass along the info. I have not participated the last 2 Sunday's and when you see my picture on Sunday, you will understand why.
Stay tuned!!!

Going to get fingerprinted - AGAIN!

2008-03-02T22:27:00.003-06:00

We will be going to OKC tomorrow to be fingerprinted for the 2nd time. I drug my feet not redoing my I-171 until I absoutley had to because I was NOT going to apply for a 3rd time. So tomorrow is our appointment so we are off to have the fingers rolled and to obtain a new I-171. This go round A is coming with us since she is now living with us. Hoping all goes well and the 171 is on its way very very soon and that we will be getting that call before the end of this year.

Gung Hay Fat Choy - 23 months in waiting

2008-02-07T22:51:00.000-06:00

Gung Hay Fat Choy is Chinese for "Best Wishes and Congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year". It is the Chinese New Year, the year of the rat. It is also our 23 month anniversary of our paperwork being logged in China. Definately the longest wait ever. Our time will come and I am not worried or caught up in the hubba hubba of rumors and what not. God placed us on this journey and we will go when the time is right. I do long to see my precious Darci's face and wonder where she is and how she is doing. I know one day we will be united forever as a family never to be seperated again. I love you Darci, Gung Hay Fat Choy!!!!

New domain name

2008-02-06T13:22:00.001-06:00

Well our domain provider messed up and of course will not accept the blame so I have lost my orignal domain name. It was going to cost way too much money to retrive it so I have changed to blogspot. I sent out an email and hopefully the word will get out that I am at a new domain name. www.2china4darci.blogspot.com. I hope this doesn't mess anyone up who was coming to visit!!!

8 Days Closer

2008-02-04T18:08:00.000-06:00

CC**AA has done referrals for the month of February. They did 8 days worth of referrals. For those who may read this and do not understand the referral process, here is a small lesson. Each month referrals are made and in the last few months they have done very few days. For me 8 is huge. They are almost done with December 05. They made it through December 27, 2005. There are 3 more business days and then they will be in 2006. We are March 7, 2006 so each referral day is one day closer.

Our March DTC Secret Pal strikes again

2008-01-22T21:47:00.000-06:00

I have been very bad about posting pictures from our secret pal, however, they have been very good to us. We received a box today that included the following: Ladybug bowl, glass ladybug, ladybug glass, ladybug silverware, stuffed ladybug and "The Grouchy Ladybug" book. December's theme was Ladybugs, they covered this very well. January's gift was a knit stuffed mouse and "Celebrating Chinese New Year" book. The theme was Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rat.

THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU

I did it!!

2008-01-20T22:41:00.001-06:00

I am in the process of redoing my blog and the header I created all by myself!!! Many many pats on my back from myself!!!

Christmas 2007

2008-01-01T18:26:00.001-06:00

I have been a little slow in posting Christmas. K did not get here until the day after Christmas so we did not have our offical Christmas until the 26th.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

A getting a Christmas ornament. Here is a close up the ornament

Here is K getting her Christmas ornament. Here is a close up of her ornament.

Dad made out as well. He got a Thermal Cell, keeps the mosquitoes away while hunting.

An American Eagle shirt, trying to keep him young looking!! HA HA!! He also got a pair of "dirty jeans". This is what he calls them and he said he would never wear a pair, so I got him a pair and the girls really talked it up and he ended up agreeing to keep and wear them. I told him it would take 10 years off his looks!! Ha ha.

A new Kenneth Cole watch.

Elephant Bar Restaurant gift certificate. YUMMY!!!

He also got a head lamp but that picture came out blurry.

A got her laptop. I made her wrap her box. She actually got her gift the day after Thanksgiving.

K got lots of little things since she got her big gift last Christmas. She did very well, she got an American Eagle gift certificate, Victoria Secret gift certificate, a t-shirt from AE, a sweatshirt jacket from AE, a lighted magnifying mirror, jewelry box and Sephora gift certificate.

K's boyfriend came as well and he made out well some some Home Depot gift cards.

I got a rolling computer bag, t-shirt, dress pants and a Cheesecake Factory gift certificate. Christmas came a little later for Brian and I. I'll show those pictures later.

Christmas for Brian and I came on Saturday and he got this

and I got this None of the pictures above were taken with the new camera, but I will start posting pics with the new camera.

New Again - The Reason for the Season

2007-12-25T10:40:00.000-06:00

Get out your kleenex!!!
Always remember this is why HE came!!!
FOR YOU!!!!

This video is by Brad Paisley and Sara Evans.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

What kind of Crappy Christmas Gift are you?

2007-12-19T11:47:00.000-06:00

I consider myself to be a very thoughtful person. When I give a gift I always try to find out if it is something the person would like, or I will ask a relative or friend what kind of gifts they would like to receive. With that said, it bugs me to no end when someone who knows me well gets me something that I will NEVER use, DON'T like, DOESN'T match... you get the point. Now before you all get upset, I never say anything, I always acknowledge the gift and thank them, then go and do with what needs to be done. So as I was Blog browsing I came across this and took the test and this is what I am.

You Are a Fruitcake!

You taste like nothing else in this world.
And get ready, you're about to get tossed!

What Crappy Christmas Gift Are You?

The funny thing about this is that I HATE fruitcake!!! My dad makes it every year and gives it out to all his friends, everyone but me likes it!!! He even gets orders for his fruitcake (go Dad). Not me, don't want anything to do with the stuff, so it quite funny that I am that gift!!!

Have generator WILL Blog

2007-12-12T22:05:00.000-06:00

I had intended to post this yesterday, but we had intermittent internet service. As of 4:30 today we have power back on and life is good!!!

Wanna a Little ICE?????

2007-12-10T09:17:00.000-06:00

This is what we woke up to yesterday!!!
These pictures were taken at a local park.

These pictures were taken in the front of our subdivision.

Merry Christmas - A little early!!!

2007-11-30T14:39:00.000-06:00

*Twas the month before Christmas*

*When all through our land,*

*Not a Christian was praying*

*Nor taking a stand.*

*See the PC Police had taken away,*

*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*

*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*

* December 25th is just a "Holiday".*

*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*

*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*

*CDs from Ma donna, an X BOX, an I-pod*

*Something was changing, something quite odd! *

*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*

*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Target's were hanging their trees upside down*

*At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears *

*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*

*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*

*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*

*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*

*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*

* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded**

The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"*

*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.**

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*

*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS , not Happy Holiday!*

It's that time again!!!

2007-11-29T13:52:00.000-06:00

This is too cute and I stole the idea from this fellow blogger buddy.

It's that time of month again...I don't mean PMS but PRS or Pre-Referral Syndrome. This is a much more dangerous time of month than PMS is for most women, even worse than PMDD.

Typical Symptoms:
Women in the process of Chinese Adoption will sit in front of their computers, for days on end trying to find one tiny shred of fact regarding the latest LID cut-off or actual date of said referrals; either through forums, chat rooms or blogs.

Most women WILL lose some sleep during this time by choosing to surf for clues until the wee house of the morning, get a few hours of sleep only to get up extra early to see if anything has surfaced in the 3 hours they were asleep. Most women feel anxious, go through bouts of excitement and depression and appear to be losing her mind to those around her. When she will allow herself to be torn away from her cyber hunt, she will be prone to bouts of sobbing, shopping spree's for baby items (mostly in pink), and will tend to eat copious amounts of Edy's Slow Churned ice cream.

In extreme cases some women will lose short term memory, they will forget to take care of their daily responsibilities such as letting the dog out, planning dinner, going to work, etc. Some women will even forgo hygienic rituals, skipping showers, putting hair in ponytail, or wearing sunglasses to the grocery store to hide the dark circles and pale complexion due to lack of sleep and make-up.

Cycle Duration:
Women usually experience PRS symptoms from 2 days to 2 weeks before the onset of Adoption Referrals being received at adoption agencies and can show continued symptoms for 2 days to 2 weeks AFTER referral information has been officially announced.

Warning:
Those experiencing symptoms 2 weeks before AND 2 weeks after SHOULD SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION or at least have an extremely supportive network of family and friends who can make sure that she doesn't go to work in her underwear or fall asleep in unusual places.

Life-time Duration:
This is a chronic disorder that will continue on a regular basis until the cure* is administered. Years ago experts in this area believed the duration of PRS to only last 6-8 months. Then 10-12 months, 22-24 months and now some believe it could go as long as four years. As you can see there is not a definite end to this syndrome and those considered experts actually have no idea either.

*Cure:One adopted daughter, home in her mother's arms.

Please leave a comment! It will make my day!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2007-11-22T12:38:00.001-06:00

Red Marbles

2007-11-21T10:00:00.000-06:00

This is a beautiful story that helps put into perspective what should be important in our short life! Read it when you have a couple of minutes and a tissue handy...

RED MARBLES

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me. "Hello Barry, how are you today?" "H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good." "They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?" "Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time." "Good. Anything I can help you with?" "No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas." "Would you like to take some home?" asked Mr. Miller. "No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with." "Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?" "All I got's my prize marble here." "Is that right? Let me see it" said Miller. "Here 'tis. She's a dandy." "I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?" the store owner asked. "Not zackley but almost." "Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble". Mr. Miller told the boy. "Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller." Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.

When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store." I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles. Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes. Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket. "Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt." "We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho ." With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles. The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath. Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself...An unexpected phone call from an old friend...Green stoplights on your way to work...The fastest line at the grocery store...A good sing-along song on the radio...Your keys found right where you left them. Send this to the people you'll never forget. I just Did... If you don't send it to anyone, it means you are in way too much of a hurry to even notice the ordinary miracles when they occur.

IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED!

This is what it is all about!!! Out of the mouths of babes!!

2007-11-20T21:43:00.000-06:00

As we come to the holiday season my prayer is that if you do not know the Lord as your personal savior this would be the time that you ask Him to be your Lord and savior!!! Have questions, please ask I will be more than happy to help guide you in this decision. It will be the best decision you will ever make!!!

Do Your Christmas Shopping at Sears!!

2007-11-06T14:09:00.001-06:00

I received an email about Sears -

Subject: Sears - Christmas shopping has already started I know I needed this reminder since Sears isn't always my first choice. Amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and they haven't withdrawn from their commitment. Could we each buy at least one thing at Sears this year? How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up. Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years. I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and sh ould be recognized for its contribution. I suggest we all shop at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves.

I went to snopes.com to make sure it was a legimiate claim and not a myth or urban legend. Click here to see the snopes report for yourself!!! I will not do a whole lot of shopping this Christmas season, but I will do my best to support Sears becuase of the active stand they take in helping their employees who are serving our country!!!

What a Weekend!!!

2007-11-04T18:49:00.000-06:00

What a weekend!!!! Starting by leaving home around 12:45 on Friday with 3 other friends. We then headed to OKC to check in at our hotel and get keys. Went here to eat. YUMMY!!!!!! I love the pumkin cheesecake and it is only available in the fall season, so you bet I had a whole piece to myself!!!! Then it was off to the mall to shop!!!! Bought this and a pair of shoes. Then it was off to the Ford Center for an exciting evening. Bed time was early since we were all very tired and then it was up at 7:00 for breakfast and then off for a full day of enlighting stories, music and drama. Remember this?? She did it again and it was just as good in person as it is here. If you have never attended one of these conference, you need to give it a shot at least once. I've been hooked for years. The speakers, musicians and drama's are all FANTASTIC!!! I have yet to attend one of these conferences and walk disappointed, it just hasn't happend and I don't think it ever will!!!!