It's a wonderful life

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http://wishingwells5.blogspot.com/

Bad Blogger

Yes, I receive the "Bad Blogger of the Year" award!  It has been too long, but I find my time is truly limited this time of year!  My new job at preschool is great, but I spend my evenings preparing for the following day.  You know, tough stuff...like making turkey feathers, coloring a sample moving santa made out of paper, tracing a Polar Express train onto poster board for my bulletin board...real hard stuff!

Adoption front:  Our paper work is being processed...I have no other details.  Truly...all I know is that everyday I DON'T get news is hard.  Our baby girl grows daily and we are missing it.  That saddens me so.

Our boys are growing too too fast!  They had a great Halloween (Boba and Jengo Fett) with blow up air jet packs and helmets!  I hosted our first family Thanksgiving at our home on Saturday.  It was a great success and a good inspiration for cleaning my house!  Now if only I can keep it this way!!

Christmas lights and garland are up on the outside of the house, but we are still struggling to find time for the tree.  Maybe tomorrow!  For now, some eggnog, a video, the couch and a blanket are the ONLY things on my to do list! 

I am anxious to welcome our niece into the world in the next week or two.  We are praying for a healthy delivery!  Here are some pics from the previous month.  Enjoy them.  And as soon as I get news on baby girl, I will let you all know!! 

 

 

I got sunshine...on a cloudy day!

The song "My Girl" has been in my head all week!  Gee, I wonder why?!?  We learned we can send a gift package to our little one, so the boys made her tons of pictures.  We are putting together a family photo album for her, too.  We also learned that we might be able to send our dossier to Burundi directly with the Bishop.  He is visiting the states next week and has offered to take our dossier back with him!  But we have to get it authenticated first!  Pray for speedy paperwork chase!!  Also pray for financial stability as we move into Andy's slow season.

Bug and Gma went on a field trip to the fire station on Wednesday and I took my class today...  Thank God I survived, but just barely!  19, 3 year olds is a lot of work!  We had to cross a busy street (busy for our little town, anyway!) and about one block before we got there, I see my mom in her truck coming our way.  She stops, puts on her flashers and everyone behind her stops so we can cross safely!  Doesn't she deserve the Mom of the Year Award for that? 

Nana and Pop came for a visit last week and we all went to the Giants Game in KC!  We had a great time!  Enjoy the pics!

 

The boys hanging up the picture of their sister!

 

Mommy and Daddy on the happy day :)  (Referral day, not game day!!)

Nana and the boys after stuffing ourselves with stuffed frech toast at I HOP!

My sweet little man...

 

Loving the game

 

Thanks Nana and Pop!

 

Little man after a toy story 3 d double feature!

My big man .. also conked out!

Blessed beyond words...

I know, it has been too long.  The summer has quickly become fall, the trees are beginning to thin, and our lives are more full than ever.  We have a daughter.  She is...amazing...  I stare at her picture countless times throughout the day.  I cannot wait to hold her.

I don't fell comfy sharing her picture just yet, there are still so many things that can go wrong.  Our boys adore her and talk of her constantly.  Bug thinks we should name her the same thing we named his brother...I explained that might get confusing!  

We were able to share her picture with my folks on the eve they jetted off to Italy for 2 weeks.  I am so glad they were here when we got the call.  And amazingly enough, Andy's folks were flying in the next day, so they, too were able to share in the great news.

So much has happened since our last post.  I took a job teaching pre school full time (mornings, 5x a week).  I absolutely love it.  I truly do.  We were able to see the Giant's spank the Chiefs live today at Arrowhead.  One of the best outings we've ever had as a family!  We knocked ourselves out getting the house ready to sell (took one year to get the outside ready, took one month to get the interior ready--the interior needed more work!)  It looks amazing and I couldn't be prouder.  We love the location and the house, but it doesn't fit our family just right.  Still searching for that perfect home...!

We are getting our paperwork ready to mail to Burundi.  I pray she is home for Christmas.  Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes.  We couldn't be happier!

 

Soon to be a family of 5!

waiting....

It is 10:35pm on September 30, 2009.  We are waiting breathlessly for pictures of our daughter...YES, you read that right...OUR Daughter!!!!  Stay tuned....

a

where to start...

It's been a while, I know.  Mostly pics in this one.  The month's events in a nutshell:

• No Baby Girl...yet.  Soon, I think!
• My parents took us all to see the Wiggles....it was actually lots of fun.
• Interviewed for an awesome job at the Lake of the Ozarks (I applied for this job last year, got to final candidates & was not selected...now they are rethinking)  Wont' know until next week if I get it...not sure I will take it...being a grown up is hard!  Wasn't planning on a move this summer.
• Offered an awesome job working with 3 year olds, 3 days a week at the school my boys go to!  Starting on Monday!  A much better job but with much less pay :)
• Tearing down and replacing all of the trim in our home...BIG project.  Some of the trim is salvageable, but requires stripping, wood filler, painting...ug.  BUT the house already looks so much better in the rooms that are done...ok, the ROOM that is done (no "s"!) 
• Andy is finishing up his last night at Lyceum.  I pray that he can get a job in the future that allows him to act full time.  He is so talented and I really know he would be successful if he sets his mind to it.  Of course, full time acting is hard to come by in our neck of the woods!
• My oldest is now scared to sleep in his room, but we don't know why.
• My youngest is more defiant now at the age of 4 than ever before---I thought 4 was easier than 3...I'm exhausted!
• Travel Biz is slooooowww (hence the new job stuff)
• Our Burundi Baby friends have a court for their little boy!  This is great news!  We hope to be next.
• Working on the fundraiser/silent auction for the adoption (I"m sure I'll post more details soon)
• Found out I'm going to have another Niece in December!!!  I cannot wait!
• My inlaws got us tickets to see KC play the NY Giants in KC this year!!!  They (the inlaws) are here visiting and we are all going to the game!!!  We cannot wait!  (FYI, we are HUGE Giants fans!)
• I want to move to Colorado or Maine on days like today (89 degrees here)
• I want to move to Colorado or Maine when I think of snow....  :)
• I don't want to move to Colorado or Maine when I think of all of my JUNK!
• I don't want to move to Colorado or Maine when I think of leaving my family...like my parents/sister...I wouldn't leave behind Andy or the boys!
• Not sure why I told you those previous 4 bullet points!
• It is late here, my contacts have a gruesome film on them and NEITHER of my boys are actually asleep!  It sounds like elephants are pracin' about the upstairs!

Going to bed!  Enjoy the pictures :)

ok....can't find the camera! pics will have to wait until tomorrow!  g'night

Beyond busy...

Since the last post:  kids flew to Maine, spent a week with nana & pop.  Got to sit in the cockpit of the US Flight, got to wait 3 days for their luggage to arrive on the return (NWA flight).  Bug turned 4, I turned .... thirty something and got a tattoo--yes, a real one (my parents keep thinking it is going to wash off!)  Leveled the entire front yard and poured a new sidewalk, Andy started production of the first of 2 Lyceum Theater Plays, and about 100 others things I cannot remember!

But the biggie...?!?  Baby Girl is soooooo very close!!!  We received our approved CIS paperwork (US gov't approved us bring an orphan from Burundi home).  We also learned that 3 children have been tested for HIV and all came back negative.  I just know our girl is one of those 3...I have no doubt about it.  The official possible baby name list is on the fridge!!

So, we have hit "stealth" mode in the fund raising department.  We have some money set back, but it is never enough!  We are going to be having numerous fundraisers in the next month with all proceeds going toward the adoption.  We hope to raise more than the required donation to the Burundi government and be able to donate the rest toward building an adequate facility for the orphans to live in until their forever families are found.  We hope you can help out--feel free to donate an item for our silent auction to be held in September, or you can select the paypal donate button below for a cash contribution.  But even if you are unable to donate, the best you can do for us is pray.  I know God put this desire to adopt in our hearts, and I know he will provide for us during this time.

My last thoughts for this evening--"All you need is love"  this was the topic of our sermon today, and it really hit home.  Live life in love and your will see your blessings multiply beyond your imagination.  Someone will always have more money than us, a bigger house than us, a nicer car than us.  There is always a person we harbor ill feelings toward, feel jealously toward, envy...  Let it go.  The weight of these worldly materials and wants can truly hold you back.  Soon the burden becomes unbearable and we loose our way.  Find the good in everyone, in every situation.  I challenge you to focus on living in love this week.  Love your children, your spouse, your parents, your boss (yes, him too!).  I guarantee you will see wonderful seeds of love begin to produce a harvest of gold.

Enjoy the pics.

chillin with cuz'ns

my sweet little man

the boys got to check out the cockpit of our plane to Maine!  Bug climbed right into the captain's chair & began hitting buttons (the plane was parked at the time!) and Bear developed a minor crush on Maggie the Captain (who wouldn't?!  she was cutie)  AND she flew me home the next day and nana back to maine the following week!

Mommy got to be in a picture....!!

a little aunt lisa lovin'

FYI, slip in slides are much cooler in theory than practice...

My tattoo coherts!!  FYI, this was my idea...I drug them along and we had the best time ever!!

My bff kept snapping pictures!  I was trying not to cry out in pain--this face is just an act!

 

There it is forever and ever and ever and ever!  This word encompasses everything that is "me".  I believe in a God that loves me.  I believe in happily ever after.  I believe in hope, love and the goodness of man.  I believe I will win the lottery one day (just seeing if you are really reading this!)  I believe that I will have Heaven on Earth and then will die and go to Heaven.  I "believe" and when I forget, this beautiful word will always be with me to remind me of who I really am.

 

Never give a three year old...

Enjoy my son on a sugar high!

My children's father

Today we celebrate our fathers.  If you know my father, you know what an amazing man he is.  I can always depend on him for anything.  He is the hardest worker I know and instilled in me the drive to succeed, but always do the right thing.  He loves my children without limits.  He is the one that I base most of my decisions on!  Would Dad think this a good idea?  Would Dad be proud or disappointed?  What will Dad say?  Does that mean I always do the right thing...I think not!  But, none the less, my Father is a great example to live life by.  And for him, I will be eternally grateful.  I love you Dad.

Andy's Father--I absolutely enjoy Andy's father to no end.  He is the funniest, most down to earth man I know.  I am so lucky to have fabulous in laws!  I mean that with my whole heart.  Pop (the boys call him Pop, so know we all call him Pop!) can truly take lemons and make them lemonade.  My boys are constantly entertained when Pop is around..wrestling matches, tickle torture, combat hide-n-seek (this is my favorite!).  Pop is honest and good.  I am always smiling when he is around!  I tease Andy sometimes by calling him "Rich"-- I see so  many of Pop's mannerism in Andy and they only increase as time goes on.  For the most part though--don't tell Rich I said this--I love seeing the "Pop" side of my husband!  I love you Pop!

For my husband, my children's father.  I am a better person because of you.  Not just a lame lyric from a sappy love song...but the absolute truth.  When I place the weight of the world on my shoulders, you remind me to lightened up.  When I let the children walk all over me, you remind me to toughen up!  When my day was spent dealing with crabby clients, disgruntled front desk agents, missed connections--when my day is an amazing day with tons of sales, or the longest day in history and not one phone call--no matter my day, I cannot wait for my husband to come home.  He will put it into perspective, and I always feel better.

True, he hates bathing the children and will do most anything to get out it!  But I can always count on the dishes being done and the lawn mowed.  The trash miraculously appears on the curb every Wednesday morning.  The dogs are always fed and walked, without a discouraging word from you.  (except maybe that "My" dog is stubborn).

But the most wonderful thing about you is your ability to walk through this world and never conform to someone you're not.  I wish I was that strong.  I have spent 10 years trying to find who I really am.  And you have always known me better than I know myself.  You bring humor into my life everyday.  I still get butterflies when I see you in a pair of jeans and a faded foo fighters t shirt (mine, by the way!).  Your slightly crooked smile, you amazing brown eyes.  I would be so bored with out you, my dear. 

Here are some pictures from our day celebrating you and all you do for us!  Love you much!

 

My dad and bug moving some limbs after a nasty wind storm rolled through.

 

All of my boys!

Andy's PJs                                                         Bear's PJs

I think I need to talk to these guys about mixing patterns!

In the summertime...

I love how long the days are in the summertime.  Our pup, Hoagie, still needs to be let out around 5:00a and it is so nice out that time of day.  Cool, clean, quite...so peaceful.  I could stay on the back porch and read, perhaps, but I know, come 3:00pm, I'm gonna wish I had gone back to bed that morning!  So, I have yet to take real advantage of the summer morns...Except, I did venture out on a bike ride a few mornings ago.  Granted, it had been about 10 years since I rode a bike, but I think I did well (meaning I didn't crash and burn).  Of course, my body is also 10 years older and therefore, I had to push the bike part of the way (a wee bit humiliating) but thank goodness not too many folks out at 6:00 in the morning to witness it!

I have been very busy this week with travel.  I thought things had slowed down, and they have, but still having lots of calls and bookings.  I think we're going to make it through this recession, after all.  Plus, I received 2 more online classes to teach and was selected to be on a committee of online teachers that advise students writing their dissertations.  I didn't doubt God and he didn't let me down!  Plus, He gave us a nice surprise in the mail today...CIS fingerprint appointment!  This means we get to go to KC to have our fingerprints ran.  If all goes well (and it should), they will grant us permission to adopt.  Then all of our paperwork heads to Burundi!  I really hope our girl comes home this fall!

Here are some recent pictures of the family.  Enjoy them and enjoy summer!

A very sleepy corgi with very little legs...

A very sleepy little boy with crossed legs...this was too cute, had to snap a pic

A beautiful couple on their wedding day (my cousin and her beau!)

All the kids spent the evening rolling down a large hill...they had a ball!

All of the fam

It was a Hawaiian wedding...Andy and the preacher had on the same shirt!  that is what happens when the local JC Penney's is a far as you go to buy clothes!  Oh well, we had a good laugh!

Me spending some quality saturday am time with my little guy...just kidding :)