We are headed to Gatlinburg, Tennessee today for Winterfest this weekend. Our church sends a youth group along with chaperones to this event every year. A couple of years ago, Josh and I went as chaperones, but we quickly figured out that with Lilly being so young, we needed to be able to stay with her. Our time will come when she is involved with this and we can be chaperones.
So, we are just going up there to stay and attend the conferences at our leisure. We REALLY like attending that way. Our props go out to those of you who are chaperones. You do a great job!
Please be in prayer for our youth this weekend and for the rest of us going along.
Sidenote:
My dog is missing. Our husky, Kota, who stays with mom and dad. She got away last night and, of all weekends for her to not come home, she hasn't showed up today. We are very worried to leave town with her missing. Pray that she comes home safely. We really do love her!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Special Disclaimer for all readers
I truly wish I did not feel compelled to leave this post, however, due to a hurtful remark; I cannot withhold this disclaimer. An anonymous person left the hurtful remark, so I have also since adjusted my settings so that comments cannot be left anonymously.
This blog was mostly intended to keep a running log of our adoption process. The very first blog that I posted was intended to inform my readers why I was attempting to blog. I started this blog right before our first adoption appointment. I felt that if I did not keep a written account of our adoption process, then I would quickly forget the events that took place. There have been many ways that God has worked in my life over the past year and I felt that I wanted to document that so that all glory would go to Him and I would readily see how much I am blessed. This has helped me to be content in whatever situation I am in.
I have also felt compelled, in the past, to document cute aspects of my child's life. She means so much to us and we are ever so thankful for her. Due to an increased business in my life at work and at home, I have not had the time to post much of anything, nor have I felt as compelled to. It has strictly been for documenting progress in the adoption and the couple of times I was tagged.
This post may seem to have no point to most of you... so the point is, I did not start blogging to give a detailed account of what is going on with us or what is on my heart. I simply do not feel compelled to write all of that for the world to see. I feel that my friends, who know me well, know this about me.
So, thanks to all of my friends of have supported me in this endeavor. I really appreciate the positive comments. I believe that we all need more positive things in our lives and the positive friends to support us. Life is hard enough!
I am truly tired of negativity and I think it is the devil's foothold. There is simply nothing good that comes from it. If an anonymous person was afraid to leave their name, then it is apparent that this person felt their comment was negative as well. I have always liked the saying, "If you have nothing good to say, then say nothing at all."
This blog was mostly intended to keep a running log of our adoption process. The very first blog that I posted was intended to inform my readers why I was attempting to blog. I started this blog right before our first adoption appointment. I felt that if I did not keep a written account of our adoption process, then I would quickly forget the events that took place. There have been many ways that God has worked in my life over the past year and I felt that I wanted to document that so that all glory would go to Him and I would readily see how much I am blessed. This has helped me to be content in whatever situation I am in.
I have also felt compelled, in the past, to document cute aspects of my child's life. She means so much to us and we are ever so thankful for her. Due to an increased business in my life at work and at home, I have not had the time to post much of anything, nor have I felt as compelled to. It has strictly been for documenting progress in the adoption and the couple of times I was tagged.
This post may seem to have no point to most of you... so the point is, I did not start blogging to give a detailed account of what is going on with us or what is on my heart. I simply do not feel compelled to write all of that for the world to see. I feel that my friends, who know me well, know this about me.
So, thanks to all of my friends of have supported me in this endeavor. I really appreciate the positive comments. I believe that we all need more positive things in our lives and the positive friends to support us. Life is hard enough!
I am truly tired of negativity and I think it is the devil's foothold. There is simply nothing good that comes from it. If an anonymous person was afraid to leave their name, then it is apparent that this person felt their comment was negative as well. I have always liked the saying, "If you have nothing good to say, then say nothing at all."
Monday, February 4, 2008
Adoption progress
It appears our home study is coming to an end. I can't believe we are close to being an approved family waiting on our baby soon. It seems like we just began the process. Time really goes by fast.
As some of you may have read my last post, you might be wondering why I am sounding much more positive. Well... God always takes care of us and always provides us with peace even when the circumstances are less than desirable. Our home visit was supposed to be last Tuesday night. I was upset because our social worker had to cancel to due to car trouble. When I got home that night, I was cooking dinner and the phone rang. It was Laura, our social worker. I was surprised because I really didn't expect to hear from her for about a week or so. She told me that she could come the next night (Wednesday night) if we were available. I quickly agreed and told her we would be ready. So, Wednesday it was. It went great! Both Josh and I came home from work early so we would be relaxed and prepared. I had talked to Lilly about what this visit meant and prayed she would be on her best behavior.
When Laura first arrived, Lilly didn't know what to think about it all, her being a new person and everything. She did not behave well, but, it gave Laura a chance to see how Josh and I handle discipline, so it worked out okay. We had to put her in timeout two times, the second time being more drastic because Josh handled it and she always gets her feelings hurt more when he puts her in timeout. She cried and cried until I fixed her some milk and a small snack, which probably meant she was just hungry.
Josh and I did well answering her questions and I felt a peace in the room with us. I am so thankful that that part is over with because I was very anxious about it.
The only thing we are waiting on still is our clearance from the FBI and ABI, which Laura expected should be coming soon. It has been about six weeks or so since she sent off our fingerprint cards. I also had to have Tuscaloosa County courthouse mail our marriage certificate, so we are waiting on that.
We started working on our portfolio, which isn't as hard as I thought it would be. So, it is all coming together and I am so excited. Josh is too and Lilly keeps asking when is God going to send us a baby, so she is getting excited too!
Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
~ALM
As some of you may have read my last post, you might be wondering why I am sounding much more positive. Well... God always takes care of us and always provides us with peace even when the circumstances are less than desirable. Our home visit was supposed to be last Tuesday night. I was upset because our social worker had to cancel to due to car trouble. When I got home that night, I was cooking dinner and the phone rang. It was Laura, our social worker. I was surprised because I really didn't expect to hear from her for about a week or so. She told me that she could come the next night (Wednesday night) if we were available. I quickly agreed and told her we would be ready. So, Wednesday it was. It went great! Both Josh and I came home from work early so we would be relaxed and prepared. I had talked to Lilly about what this visit meant and prayed she would be on her best behavior.
When Laura first arrived, Lilly didn't know what to think about it all, her being a new person and everything. She did not behave well, but, it gave Laura a chance to see how Josh and I handle discipline, so it worked out okay. We had to put her in timeout two times, the second time being more drastic because Josh handled it and she always gets her feelings hurt more when he puts her in timeout. She cried and cried until I fixed her some milk and a small snack, which probably meant she was just hungry.
Josh and I did well answering her questions and I felt a peace in the room with us. I am so thankful that that part is over with because I was very anxious about it.
The only thing we are waiting on still is our clearance from the FBI and ABI, which Laura expected should be coming soon. It has been about six weeks or so since she sent off our fingerprint cards. I also had to have Tuscaloosa County courthouse mail our marriage certificate, so we are waiting on that.
We started working on our portfolio, which isn't as hard as I thought it would be. So, it is all coming together and I am so excited. Josh is too and Lilly keeps asking when is God going to send us a baby, so she is getting excited too!
Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
~ALM
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Having a bad day...
Okay... I have that song playing over and over again in my head today. Y'all know the one that they played when someone was kicked off of American Idol... "Had a Bad Day". Well, I guess I am feeling like I have had a bad couple of days and I am getting a little discouraged. I am determined not to let the enemy creep in and take my peace and joy, so I am blogging to remind myself how blessed I am.
Our house is still for sale, going on six months now. We had it listed with one realtor, who did nothing for us, for about five months. Now, we have it listed with a new realtor and she is wonderful, but it seems like no one wants to look in our side of town for a house. I know that six months isn't that long to have your house on the market, but I am getting anxious about it selling. In addition to this, we found the most wonderful house in a great neighborhood this past weekend. We made an offer on it, very hopeful that the couple would accept our offer contingent on the sale of our home. But, we got bad news last night that the couple received two offers yesterday and the other people didn't have a house to sell, so it was a "no brainer"... they were chosen. I felt so disappointed. Josh came home and told me that he would have expected me to just say that this obviously wasn't the house God had picked out for us and move on. I am trying to hold up to that faith, but sometimes I get discouraged.
Then, our home visit was scheduled for today. I was so excited because this is nearly the last step in the home study process, meaning we are so close to being an approved family waiting on our phone call. I got up very early and made sure the house was spotless and the dog was bathed. Well... another bit of bad news... the social worker called to cancel. She was having car trouble and the part for her car didn't come in before today. She would have to call to reschedule when the part comes in. I felt so disappointed again that I cried.
Thanks for listening to my pity party. I just needed to get it off my chest. The Lord will lift me up again!! He is so awesome and I know He understands disappointment and heartache firsthand. We will sell our home in His time, find a new home in His time, and get a new baby in His time.
Love to all!
~ALM
Our house is still for sale, going on six months now. We had it listed with one realtor, who did nothing for us, for about five months. Now, we have it listed with a new realtor and she is wonderful, but it seems like no one wants to look in our side of town for a house. I know that six months isn't that long to have your house on the market, but I am getting anxious about it selling. In addition to this, we found the most wonderful house in a great neighborhood this past weekend. We made an offer on it, very hopeful that the couple would accept our offer contingent on the sale of our home. But, we got bad news last night that the couple received two offers yesterday and the other people didn't have a house to sell, so it was a "no brainer"... they were chosen. I felt so disappointed. Josh came home and told me that he would have expected me to just say that this obviously wasn't the house God had picked out for us and move on. I am trying to hold up to that faith, but sometimes I get discouraged.
Then, our home visit was scheduled for today. I was so excited because this is nearly the last step in the home study process, meaning we are so close to being an approved family waiting on our phone call. I got up very early and made sure the house was spotless and the dog was bathed. Well... another bit of bad news... the social worker called to cancel. She was having car trouble and the part for her car didn't come in before today. She would have to call to reschedule when the part comes in. I felt so disappointed again that I cried.
Thanks for listening to my pity party. I just needed to get it off my chest. The Lord will lift me up again!! He is so awesome and I know He understands disappointment and heartache firsthand. We will sell our home in His time, find a new home in His time, and get a new baby in His time.
Love to all!
~ALM
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Scattergories
I have been tagged by another friend to play this little game. It sounds like fun, so here it goes.
RULES:Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following.Your answers have to be real names, places, and things and you can’t use your own name for the boy or girl name.
What’s your name? Anna Leigh
Car: Accord
City: Athens
Boy name: Adam
Girl name: Ashley
Occupation: Accountant
Something you can wear: Apron
Celebrity: Angelina Jolie Pitt
Food: Apple
Reason for being late: Accident
Cartoon character: Arthur
Something you shout: Alright!
Now, I tag Anna, Lisa, and Tesney.
RULES:Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following.Your answers have to be real names, places, and things and you can’t use your own name for the boy or girl name.
What’s your name? Anna Leigh
Car: Accord
City: Athens
Boy name: Adam
Girl name: Ashley
Occupation: Accountant
Something you can wear: Apron
Celebrity: Angelina Jolie Pitt
Food: Apple
Reason for being late: Accident
Cartoon character: Arthur
Something you shout: Alright!
Now, I tag Anna, Lisa, and Tesney.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
This one is for Mandy...
Okay, I have been tagged and I thought I would post eight things about myself because I like it when people respond to me when I tag them. I enjoyed reading Mandy's post about her eight things. I think it is interesting to learn little random things about each other this way. So, here it goes...
1) As most of you already know, we are going through an adoption process. We are in the middle of our homestudy and I have to admit that I am getting a little impatient, thinking about the wonderful day we get our phone call with a match.
2) I love Christmas and the time between Christmas and the New Year. My wonderful boss gave us two whole weeks off with pay!! Yeah!! I have enjoyed this time with Lilly and my family so much and I think I will be energized when it is time to go back.
3) Just as much as I love this time of year, I hate the months of January and February! The time between the New Year and spring seems to drag on for me and I get so antzy waiting on warmer weather.
4) I am going to steal one from Mandy... I love reading my friends' blogs and I wish all of them had one.
5) I love to clean my house. I know... I am weird and I get on Josh's nerves... but, I can't stand for my house to get junky. I am constantly pulling out the vacuum and I find it therapeutic.
6) Okay, I just asked my husband for another random thing about me and he reminded me that I am a hypochondriac. I hate being this way and I am getting better, but I do tend to try to self-diagnose any problem or sickness I have by worrying about it and calling others to find out what they think is wrong with me. This is annoying and I am not proud of this characteristic. I know that worry is a warning light that my faith isn't as strong as it should be!
7) I love to laugh! I have always been this way since I was a little girl. I can start laughing so hard at something that I am crying and have this silly look on my face. I did this way last night with some friends that we got together with for New Year's Eve and I am still laughing about it today.
8) I can not wait to go back to the beach this year! We always make a family trip to Destin, FL around the end of May, beginning of June and it is the most fun trip of the year. We stay for eight days at a nice condo and enjoy relaxing on the beach, swimming, and going out to eat. I am already looking forward to that trip this year.
I hope you all enjoyed reading these things about me. I am going to post some pics when I get back to work. I have all my pics downloaded to my work computer. I want to show you guys what a blessed Christmas we have had.
Happy New Year!!
1) As most of you already know, we are going through an adoption process. We are in the middle of our homestudy and I have to admit that I am getting a little impatient, thinking about the wonderful day we get our phone call with a match.
2) I love Christmas and the time between Christmas and the New Year. My wonderful boss gave us two whole weeks off with pay!! Yeah!! I have enjoyed this time with Lilly and my family so much and I think I will be energized when it is time to go back.
3) Just as much as I love this time of year, I hate the months of January and February! The time between the New Year and spring seems to drag on for me and I get so antzy waiting on warmer weather.
4) I am going to steal one from Mandy... I love reading my friends' blogs and I wish all of them had one.
5) I love to clean my house. I know... I am weird and I get on Josh's nerves... but, I can't stand for my house to get junky. I am constantly pulling out the vacuum and I find it therapeutic.
6) Okay, I just asked my husband for another random thing about me and he reminded me that I am a hypochondriac. I hate being this way and I am getting better, but I do tend to try to self-diagnose any problem or sickness I have by worrying about it and calling others to find out what they think is wrong with me. This is annoying and I am not proud of this characteristic. I know that worry is a warning light that my faith isn't as strong as it should be!
7) I love to laugh! I have always been this way since I was a little girl. I can start laughing so hard at something that I am crying and have this silly look on my face. I did this way last night with some friends that we got together with for New Year's Eve and I am still laughing about it today.
8) I can not wait to go back to the beach this year! We always make a family trip to Destin, FL around the end of May, beginning of June and it is the most fun trip of the year. We stay for eight days at a nice condo and enjoy relaxing on the beach, swimming, and going out to eat. I am already looking forward to that trip this year.
I hope you all enjoyed reading these things about me. I am going to post some pics when I get back to work. I have all my pics downloaded to my work computer. I want to show you guys what a blessed Christmas we have had.
Happy New Year!!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Another step completed in the process!
It has been a while since I have had time to post. I have been so busy with Christmas shopping and parties, completing adoption forms, and work. We have been swamped at work, so we haven't been getting to leave early, or even just breathe while we are there. So, during all my off time, I am shopping and trying to get ready for the holidays.
Josh and I have also completed another step in the adoption process. After our individual interviews, we were given a good bit of paperwork to complete. We set a goal to turn in this paperwork by the 13th and we did it! Well, we actually turned it in the morning of the 14th, but close enough. It seemed like God helped us get everything done because it all went so smoothly. Josh and I even said one night as we were getting everything together that doing all of this has been so much easier than the infertility treatments and doctor visits were. We can't help but feel that there is a reason for that. Everything has just fallen into place so far. I know we might face some difficulties, but I feel God's peace and I know He will get us through anything.
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and remember the reason for the season. I have been thinking a lot about that lately. Growing up in the church I was in, we didn't focus on Christ's birth at all because we don't know his exact birthdate. But, now, as an adult in the church that I am in, I am so thankful that we do focus on Christ's birth this time of year.
Merry Christmas!! Please be in prayer that our fingerprinting cards are returned quickly and that we can be an approved family waiting for our precious baby by February.
Josh and I have also completed another step in the adoption process. After our individual interviews, we were given a good bit of paperwork to complete. We set a goal to turn in this paperwork by the 13th and we did it! Well, we actually turned it in the morning of the 14th, but close enough. It seemed like God helped us get everything done because it all went so smoothly. Josh and I even said one night as we were getting everything together that doing all of this has been so much easier than the infertility treatments and doctor visits were. We can't help but feel that there is a reason for that. Everything has just fallen into place so far. I know we might face some difficulties, but I feel God's peace and I know He will get us through anything.
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and remember the reason for the season. I have been thinking a lot about that lately. Growing up in the church I was in, we didn't focus on Christ's birth at all because we don't know his exact birthdate. But, now, as an adult in the church that I am in, I am so thankful that we do focus on Christ's birth this time of year.
Merry Christmas!! Please be in prayer that our fingerprinting cards are returned quickly and that we can be an approved family waiting for our precious baby by February.
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