Saturday, August 30, 2008

DTE!!!!

Hi all! DTE stands for Dossier to Ethiopia. This basically means our paperwork is on its way to Ethiopia and we are officially on the wait list!!!!!!!!!! My goal and prayer over the last few months was that we would be DTE by the end of August. It was a big prayer, but God is good. Our official DTE date is 8-29-08! The current wait time for a baby boy is 5-7 months. I sure do hope God's perfect timing and my perfect timing is in alignment this time. We will see! We are so very excited about starting our wait. It is similar to the wonderful, gushing, emotional feeling of being pregnant except with no due date. Thank you God for this blessing!

Friday, August 29, 2008

Go Blue!

Went today to chear on my sons team. It was a great time at the
5th & 6th Grade Hayes Olympics
They were having fun. All of the other grades would come out periodically
and watch. My neighbor, who is also one of the teachers and mom
to one of the girls on Team Yellow, helped start the wave.
What Fun!
My oldest daughter got to sit with me and watch right along with my other two.
Sad to say, Blue Team did not come out on top,
but they did have a great time.
I think mostly b/c they had
two hours out of class.
All of the kids were able to compete individually also.
They threw water balloons-see who threw the farthest
They jumped from a standing position
There was something to do with a frisby
On and on and on...
On Sunday ask Bailey and Jakob how they did.
There is another one or two that go to our church also.
It was fun anyways!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Not So Little Elementary Olymiads

At the Elementary School my kids attend, the 5th & 6th graders are had Olympics today @2 and are having the same tomorrow from 8:30-10:30.
They are getting into teams. My son is on the blue team-Go Blue! He is very excited. They have to wear a shirt the color of their team both days. He's probably more excited about being on the team b/c of the color, not b/c of what they get to do.
Pour blue team that has him, might have to exert a little extra energy to make up for what he doesn't give out. He takes after his dad, not much into athletics. They both like to watch, not do when it comes to sports. Good thing he has a few years experience from t-ball and pitch. Helped out with learning how to throw a ball atleast. Otherwise, well anyways.
I'm planning on going in the morning to chear him on. Sounds like it'll be fun.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

The Worship Experience

Ladies, I don't know how many of you were at church Sunday Night for the Worship Experience but if you weren't there you really missed an exciting, powerful service! Sean did a great job leading Praise and Worship! It just seemed like everyone was totally in to it, standing with their hands raised in worship. WOW, what an awesome sight!

Pastor had a great message about living in God's grace! What an amazing thing grace is! The message encouraged us that we all blow it (some of us daily or a couple times a day) but that God's grace is more than enough to keep us in right standing with Him!

Then right after church we all went outside for fajitas! It was cool to be able to just hang out in a very relaxed atmosphere to eat and catch up with everyone! It really was a great service and just an enjoyable night. It's the best way to end the weekend and head into a new week. I hope you'll make The Worship Experience a part of your weekend! It just may become the best service at EFA! Don't miss it!!

Monday, August 25, 2008

As all of you predicted, Grant is doing great with school and I have been so busy I haven't had time to be upset. I am really excited about the Ladies Lunch this week!, everyone should come! Buffalo Wild Wings on Thursday!!!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Just Between Friends

Just Between Friends the nation's largest children's and maternity consignment sales event is coming to the Enid/Ponca City, OK area. The sales events are held twice a year -- in the Spring and Fall. The Enid/Ponca City FALL event will be held at the Oakwood Mall in Enid, Oklahoma September 19-21, 2008. There is no need to shop over-priced malls and department stores, and no more running from garage sale to garage sale to find the best deals. They bring it all under one roof! You can find just about anything related to growing families at their sales event. The best in high quality "gently used" baby clothing, children’s clothing, books, baby equipment, children’s shoes, family friendly movies, nursery and maternity items, kids’ sports equipment, children’s software and video games, maternity clothing, outside play equipment, toys, baby and juvenile furniture, and just about anything else related to kids! You'll be amazed at some of the hidden treasures you may find! Name brand items from your favorite labels! Even sometimes brand new clothing with the tags still on! We will be open to the public for THREE fun days of shopping. Come early for the best selection. Bring a laundry basket or tote to put your items in while you shop! Looking for a way to earn extra cash. Consignors earn 65% on the items they sell. Become a volunteer and earn 70% on the items you sell, and get to shop EXTRA early. Check out their website at http://www.jbfsale.com or check out this video below.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

First Days!

How did everyone do on their first day back to school? I am always amazed at the butterflies in my stomach every first day! I have such a myriad of emotions..........first, as I relive my first days of school as a child and the anxiety and excitement that went with it, second, as a mother worried and excited over my own child, and third, as a teacher as I stare out at the 25 little faces that God has entrusted into my care. It is a pretty happy, yet worrisome and emotional day! Well, my class is precious! I am so anxious to get to know them! I am very thankful that God chose me to be a teacher. It is a challenging, yet extremely rewarding job. My daughter had a good first day overall, but she is having a hard time being separated from her group of friends who all happened to end up together in another class. She loves her teacher and I know she will learn a lot. She also is in with a very nice group of kids. I told her that she will make new friends, and can still keep the old. She is doing better with accepting it. Life is about change. Funny story..........Baylee and I were sitting on the couch in the living room talking about change. Baylee said, "Mom, sometimes I wish that I didn't experience last school year being with all my friends and then I wouldn't keep comparing it now." I told her that it was better to have loved and lost then to have never loved at all. I gave her the example of getting another dog knowing that you will probably out live it, but the joy of owning it outweighs the loss. I told her everything changes, she said, "Not the fireplace!". Well, you won't believe what happened!! At that very moment the light over the fireplace came on all by itself! We busted out laughing until our guts hurt! I told her that God did that to say "BAM, Listen to your Mama!" Well, I will be anxious to know about everyone elses first day!

Monday, August 11, 2008

A new milestone!

Wow, only three days til kindergarten! Where has time gone? I'm going crazy! Tonight we are going to buy school supplies (thanks to Kathy I def feel prepared!) which I love to do actually and for those who don't know...and prob just think I dress my kid with ignorance...he refuses to wear short sleeves or shorts so we need some new jeans for sure! Kids...lol! Anyway, I am looking forward to some alone time with Evan. Here's to a great new year!

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Kimberly & Kathy - Cake Decorating Fun!!!

Obeying CLASSROOM RULES!
NOT obeying CLASSROOM RULES!!!!!
Look at how AWSOME Itzel is doing on her cake!
And she is only 15, wow!
She even made a bumble bee to go on her cake!

Ellen, Kimberly's mom, taking pictures!
Looks so good, we should just eat it now!!!

I'll take this side, you go for that side!


Kimberly and I have had a GREAT time in our classes,

taking cake decorating.

Our kids have enjoyed eating them!

We are ready for more classes, which means

MORE FUN!!!!!!

Rosa & Itzel are our fun classmates.

We will miss Itzel. She is moving back to

Mexico with her parents. She may start up

her own Cake Shop or something. I think her friends and family

would like to see her try her hand at that.

She is VERY GOOD!













Friday, August 8, 2008

Almost Done Paperchasing!

I got a call yesterday from the CIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services) telling me they approved our adoption and that our most important adoption document, the I-171H, will be in the mail to me next week after going through 2 more people! Yeah! On Monday, the 18, Brian and I will head to OKC to get our birth certificates and take all our documents to be certified by the Secretary of State. Then we can mail the dossier (fancy term for adoption paperwork or your life story) to AWAA, our adoption agency. They will then get it authenticated in Washington and finally it will head to Ethiopia!!! If all goes well, I believe we will have our paperwork in Ethiopia by the end of the month!!!!! This means our official wait begins! Right now the wait for a baby boy referral is 5 to 7 months. It very well can fluctuate, but hopefully it won't too much! Once you get your referral, it is another 2 to 3 months before you travel. We are overjoyed, but yet a little reserved simply because we know anything can change. We will choose to trust God and not worry about it. Easier said than done, but I am really trying!! Whew, they don't call it a paper pregnancy for nothing! I think my actual pregnancy was easier than my paper pregnancies have been!! Well, I just wanted to update you and give you a glimpse into life on the adoption front. As for the other part of our lives, Brian has been to Colorado and Kansas on business, and Baylee and I have been gearing up for school. I officially reported back today and Baylee has been a great helper. Summer flew by! Glenwood playground sure looks awesome thanks to Enid 1st Assembly and all the wonderful volunteers that helped lay mulch! It is very much appreciated! On behalf of my fellow teachers, thank you very much!!

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

$50 Bed, Bath, & Beyond Drawing

Congrats to Trish Pitts - she is the winner of the $50 Gift Certificate to Bed, Bath,& Beyond. Trish thanks for leaving a comment on our blog. Please continue to come back and leave comments in the future.

Monday, August 4, 2008

WANTED

I am needing someone that can watch my two older boys after school. Monday-Thursday 3PM-5:30-6PM. If anyone knows someone that would be interested, I would love to talk to them. The boys (ages 6 and 9) go to Glenwood.
Thanks for the help!
Amanda

Saturday, August 2, 2008

THANK YOU!

Thanks for your prayers!! Our home study addendum was approved and I have the notorized copy in my hands! I will mail it to the CIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services) Monday morning so we can wait on our government approval to adopt an orphan from Ethiopia. My next prayer is that we get our approval speedy-quick! One prayer at a time! Things seem to be moving much smoother this time around! Hopefully that is a good sign for things to come!