PRAYER REQUEST!
Hey my little family of moms! We need your prayers today. We found out today that our homestudy for our Ethiopia adoption can go 1 of 2 ways. Either all our social worker will have to do is an addendum to our current homestudy for China, or she will have to do a whole new one. She already did the addendum and is forwarding it to our adoption agency right now. Please pray for approval, so that we can move on with our adoption and possibly have our paperwork in Ethiopia in August! Once your paperwork is in Ethiopia, we are officially on the wait list for countdown! If we have to do a whole new one, not only will it be time consuming, but a lot of money as well. Please pray. Hopefully, I will find out today! I will let you know. Thank you so much!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Birthday Fun!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Charlie Bit Me - Very cute and funny video
This video is so cute and funny - you have to check it out. Don't forget we are only a week away from the Bed, Bath, & Beyond $50.00 gift certificate drawing. Leave a comment for a chance to enter your name into the drawing.
I am currently reading the Mom's Devotional Bible. I'm enjoying the nightly devotions after my crazy days. As some of you know, my husband left to go overseas-again. It's not easy being a "single mom!" I don't think it's easy to be a mom, period. Anyway, I get home to my 3 very active boys after working 8-9 hours a day, the house is a mess, they need to go to practices, dinner and laundry need to be taken care of. I can pity myself, but I know that I have to be strong and keep my cool when my patience is wearing thin. I am very thankful for the wonderful people around me that help me out and encourage me when time is tough. I wouldn't trade my crazy life for anything...
This week in savings!
Staples
Pencil Case-1cent-limit 2
Staples mini stapler-$.25-limit3
Pentel Ener Gel 4pk-free after rebate-limit 1
2pocket plastic report cover-$.20-limit 10
Bic pens &/or highlighters-$.99
Staples electric pencil sharpener-free after rebate-limit 1-great gift idea 4childs teacher
Nextar MP3 1GB-$10 rebate-$9.99
K-Mart
Trapper Keeper-$5
Zipper binders-$5off
Crayola crayons 24ct-4/$1
wooden pencils 10ct-$.33
Bic markers; 5ct brite lite, 8-24 ct mark it, 4ct dry erase-buy1/get1
Walgreens
Backpack Buy 1 @$9.99/get 1 free
Roller or Sling backpack-2/$29.99
Penway memo book-8/$1
----lots of buy 1/get 2 free----
check out rest of the ads on-line or on ad @ store
Sunday, July 27, 2008
VENTING, WAITING, AND REJOICING!
Venting: Soon it will be 23 months since our paperwork was logged in to China and our official wait for Baby Maggie began. It is hard to believe that what started out as a 1 year wait has turned into a probably 4 year wait by the time it is all over. Normally, I do fine, continue to have faith in the Almighty's plan, and live my already blessed life, but I am a little riled up right now. We got a newsletter from our China Agency Friday that included a letter from the president of the agency. She visits China regularly with the CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs). She stated in her letter that the wait which is currently 2.5 years will continue to grow. She asked the CCAA what she should tell waiting families. Their reply: "As long as Americans are willing to wait, they will eventually get a baby." I know that China doesn't owe us a baby, but what is so incredibly sad to me is the fact that thousands of babies are languishing in these orphanages while thousands of families wait to love them. It is heartbreaking and it makes no sense. The only good that has come out of our wait is that God has led us to adopt another child in the mean time. That will be 2 of God's children that we will bring Home. One more thing, while I vent............we have had plenty of people point out to us that America has plenty of orphans to adopt so why are we adopting from other countries. Let me address this: 1) America doesn't make it easy to adopt either. We want a baby and there are huge waiting lists for babies, but mostly we worry about an interrupted adoption. We have known too many couples that have went through the pain of an interrupted adoption. After 7 years of wanting another child and 2 miscarriages, we didn't think we wanted to risk that, not to mention putting our sweet, sensitive daughter through that pain.
2) Domestic adoptions through private agencies are on the average 10,000 more dollars than an international adoption.
3) An orphan is an orphan no matter where in the world they are. We are all God's children and He wants us to take care of the orphans.
Waiting: So here we are, we continue to wait for the blessings that we know God has planned for us. We are totally out of our comfort zone on many levels, but at the same time we know that we are following God's will for our life and it is absolutely amazing and exhilirating to imagine what He has in store. The longer we wait, the more we question and worry.........Dialogue between God and I - Gina: Is this your plan God? God: Yes, Gina. Gina: This is scary. God: I know, being out of control and out of your comfort zone is scary. Gina: We can't afford this. God: I will provide. Gina: I am going to be a mother of 2 toddlers in my 40's. God: You can do it. I will help and so will many others. Gina: What if it never happens? God: It will. Have faith in Me.
Rejoicing: I rejoice in the knowledge that it all comes down to faith and how much I have grown in the last 2 years. God is so stretching our family. I am so thankful for Brian and Baylee and our extended family, friends, and our church family whom we have so grown to love and cherish. Wow! What a blessed life we have!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
GONE…..To Peru
Now you have to realize that Brandon is an only child and he does say that we are overly obsessed with him, but this will be a good dry run for the near future. I think this makes me start to realize that he will eventually leave for good. EMPTY NEST Big Time!! This school year will be his senior year with OSU looming in the background. Now more than ever I'm thinking, I should have had more children!!
Hindsight is 20/20.
We had such a great carefree junior year in high school. Now all the planning for the future must begin! Not quite ready for it yet. With everything to look forward to during the Senior year, everyone tells me that it will fly by. Not looking forward to that either!
Well, I have come to the conclusion that children really are a blessing from God and you must love and enjoy them while you have them in your home. So young mothers take note, the daily struggles and frustrations of childhood do quickly pass and as mothers our purpose in life is to raise them so they can spread their wings and soar into adulthood!
I’ll let you know how I hold up these next 10 days!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Bed, Bath, & Beyond $50 Gift Certificate
Looking for a kitten??? Only 1 left!!!
If you'll notice the date on the pic, you'll see this is from when they were first born. They are a few months old now.
We still have a kitten for someone to welcome into their home. I believe the one I am holding in this photo is the one that we have still. There were a couple of grey kittens.
Jakob has named her Amy, but she doesn't come to you that way. She will come to anybody, no matter what. She is pretty used to our dog, Buddy, now, but we are dog sitting this week and she hasn't warmed up to Mazy yet. If you have other animals, she'll probably take just a little bit to warm up to. She warms up to people nicely though. Even kids! We have 4 kids of our own and along with all the kids that just stop by in our neighborhood, Amy is WELL accustomed to kids.
She loves people and very playful. Enjoys attention! If your'e ready for a nap, she'll take one right along with you, as she does this when Greg, my husband, comes home from lunch. The kids try to sneak her in with them at night also, and if it weren't for the fact that I know when they are hiding something, I'd never know she was there.
Give me a shout if you are interested-Kathy
School Supply - 4 cheapies like me!
If you did not get a circular(ad) in the Sunday paper, just grab one up at the store you go to.
All of them have an ad when you walk in the front door. You'll need the ad for Walgreens for the coupons, or you can print them off on-line.
K-Mart
70-count theme books - $0.09
Elmers 2pk glue sticks or 4oz glue - 5/$1.00
school boxes - 2/$1.00
RoseArt (colored pencils, ect) - 4/$1.00
Wal-Mart
4pk Kleenex - $2.97
Athletic backpack(s) - $10.00
3pk boys tees - $3.00
Staples
12pk cap erasers - $0.05
10pk Cadoozles mechanical pencils - free after rebate
1/2 & 1" plastic binders - $0.25
6" plastic protractor - $0.05
2pk paper folders - $0.05
7" scissors-says Swingline in ad, but another brand? - $0.99
Walgreens
Crayola Washable Markers-20ct, 10ct & 8ct - free after rebate/limit 1
Pilot G2 Gel Ink Pen-2pk of red, black or blue - free after rebate/limit 1
backpack(s) - 2/$19.99
Walgreens-coupon only
Penway highlighter - $0.05/limit 3
mini composition book - $0.05/limit 4
2pocket folder(s) (w/out brads) - $0.05/limit 5
5 pk Paper Matemechanical pencils - $0.05/limit 3
W-zipper seal dble zipper bags-50pk sandwich, 20or25pk storeage - $0.99/limit 3
scotch tape - 3/$1.00/limit 6
Heavy Duty batteries 12pk-AA - $2.99/limit 3
Penway 12" Wood or Flexible Ruler - $0.19/limit3
10pk Penway #2 pencils - $0.19/limit 3
Penway 2pk pink or 15pk caps erasers - $0.19/limit?
5pk Bic Brite Liner highlighter - $0.39/limit 3
100pk Acco paper clips - $0.19/limit 2
4pk Expo dry erase marker - $1.99
Studio 35 8oz polish remover &
80pk cotton rounds or 100pk cotton balls - $0.99/limit 3
22x28" white posterboard - $0.10/limit 5
Hope this helps all of you shoppers that LOVE bargains!
Check out next weeks blog-for more Back to School bargains-Kathy
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Welcome to Enid Mom's Live - Read this for a chance to win a $50.00 gift certificate
Just wanted to welcome everyone that is viewing our blog for Enid Mom's Live. The purpose of this blog is to help connect mother's through networking and building friendships. This site is available for questions and answers, setting up times to get together, discussions about upcoming church events, etc. So feel free to leave comments about this blog or suggestions we could do to improve. Ask for questions and advice, or share stories with us on how awesome it is to be a mom. All the authors on this blog are mom's from different walks of life coming together under one common ground - motherhood. We are currently having a contest, so leave us a comment to be put into the drawing for a $50.00 gift certificate to Bed, Bath, & Beyond. The drawing will be held August 4th, 2008. Thanks for viewing our blog, we look forward to developing new friendships and getting to know you mom's better.
Friday, July 18, 2008
The 99 Production
So Kathy, Amy, and I went to see the "99" production that is taking place in front of Oakwood Mall. We decided to take a picture of ourselves as we waited 1 1/2 hours in the line just to get inside. It was hot, but we had a good time hanging out and the production was amazing. We all found sitters for the kids; it was nice to have a girl's night out. If you haven't checked the 99 out, I would recommend you see it at least once, but it is only here till the 20th. Very realistic. Some could say some of the rooms hit close to home; whether it be from your past, or a family/friend that has made these poor choices. I won't say much about the rooms as I don't want to ruin it for anyone. I am thankful that I know God and know where I am going when he takes us home. For those family or friends that you have lost, don't give up, keep praying for their salvation and trust that God will hear and answer your prayers. Hope everyone has a blessed weekend.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Joys of a baby
The joys of a baby - it's so amazing to watch a baby grow and development new skills everyday. I love being a stay at home mother for this reason. My littlest one will be 7 months next Saturday and I am just blown away at how much she can already do. She can sit up on her own and she is trying so hard to crawl. She gets up on all fours and rocks back and forth, and she is now pushing off her back legs. I know that it's going to be any day now and I will be chasing her around the house watching to make sure she doesn't get into everything. I have to start baby proofing the house. : ) So today was another exciting moment, she has said her first word "da da", my heart broke a little that it wasn't "ma ma" but it was a great moment for my husband. She is trying so hard to say it several times, she will whisper very quietly "da da, da da, da da". When I look at her and tell her "ma ma", she smiles and laughs. It's cute! Well, I know my day will come soon enough when she says "ma ma", so I will just keep encouraging her until then. Well she got it down finally and can say it without whispering, check out this video below.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Please pray for Gavin Smith. He is 3 years old, lives in Dallas and had brain cancer. He had surgery and is going through chemo and proton treatments now. His parents have asked for prayer warriors. They are trusting God for a complete healing. Specifically that the cancer would stay gone, the damage to his eyes and ears (from the treatment) would be repaired and wisdom for the Drs. Check out his blog @:http://smithscooptexas.blogspot.com/.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Hummingbirds were thick around our campsite! We kept them well fed.
Baylee and I had a picnic right here at the edge of this waterfalll after a great hike!
Baylee and I doing our traditional Colorado rock painting!
My big guy of a husband looking pretty tiny in God's great big world!
Fishing wasn't too great this year, but Brian and Baylee still had fun trying!
Yes, snow in July! Oh what fun!
This looks like snow, but it is actually cotton from the Cottonwood trees in Lake City.
Our picnic view on our hike!
Sunset from our campsite.Wednesday, July 2, 2008
So I saw this article on Parenting.com and thought I would share of few tips they had on how to enjoy being a mom. These were my favorite 12.
- When you're tired, hand your kids a brush, point to your head, and tell them to play beauty parlor. When you're really tired, pretend that you're Sleeping Beauty.
- At the end of every summer, take a family photo for the holiday card (you'll be happy to have this accomplished once December comes). Every year, add a framed 11-by-14-inch print to your front hall. Your kids will be proud now and laugh later at the funny styles.
- On St. Patrick's Day, dye the milk and eggs green and turn the furniture upside down so your home looks like total chaos. When your little ones wake up, tell them that the leprechauns came.
- Play Freaky Friday with your husband and switch roles for a day. Enjoy his renewed appreciation for his Super Mom wife.
- . In the dead of winter, fix some snacks, get under warm quilts, and watch Happy Feet on DVD. Tell your kids you love them even more than the penguins love their chicks.
- Use your kids as an excuse to do the things you want to do, like going to silly feel-good movies, eating mac and cheese for dinner, and jumping in the moon bounce. Use your kids as an excuse to get out of things you don't want to do, like going to a wedding or office party.
- Every Mother's Day, have a picture taken with your kids. Keep the photos all together - along with special cards, ticket stubs, mementos, and anything else that makes you feel good about being a mom - in a shoe box. (Of course, you must get those new shoes you love in order to do this correctly.) Every year, look through your Goddess Mom box and see how much your kids have grown.
- Give your kids quiet time every day. Let them learn to be by themselves with books, crayons, or blocks.
- Let your whole family take a day off and hang out in pj's all day long.
- Pitch a tent in the backyard. Use it as your outdoor reading room. Or when there's a full moon, plan a family camp out with sleeping bags, a transistor radio, and s'mores, of course.
- Invent a house fairy. Give her a name, and tell your kids that she is always watching them and counting up their good deeds.
- Listen for the deep, happy sighs that come after your kids play or laugh really hard. Tuck them away in your heart.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
God of wonders
I have so enjoyed Pastor’s series “God of Wonders”. I am glad it is being extended another week. Sometimes I think we forget about this huge world He created for us to live in and enjoy. As Moms, our hassles and problems of every day can seem so big and insurmountable. But if we take the time to stop and look we can see small wonders of nature everywhere. These miracles are so easy to miss, especially as the pace of life speeds along. What a blessing the simple life provides as we pause and pay attention to the handiwork of the Creator. When we do, it awakens us to the presence of God himself.
Sunday night after church my husband, Scott and I went out on our patio and watched the sunset. Haven’t done that in awhile! What a magnificent world in which we live. How much our Father must love and care for us as He created the world for us to enjoy! Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of the God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” So please, sometime this week take a minute and notice the grandeur of nature. It helps you embrace the nearness of the Lord. Pause on your way to work, the store or running errands to observe nature. Let each tiny miracle invite you to experience God’s presence.