Still No Word

I am losing hope for a June match. We have not heard one thing - nada, zippo. I have heard second hand that everything should be settled by the end of next week as far as making matches by Holt. So, I am sure that if we don't hear by next Friday then it's over until September. I'm telling you ~ waiting is torture!!

Kara's ALL day party

Yes, I realize that I am crazy. We started Kara's party yesterday at 10 w/ the delivery of the slide. It is the King Daddy of slides in our area. We planned our party around the availability of this slide. Karley came early to "help" us get ready for the party. The party started at 2 and we had around 25 kids w/ their parents. We slid, ate cake, opened presents, hit the pinata, and bobbed for apples. The kids really did have a great time. At 6 most of the kids went home and only Kara's Wednesday night Prim's class stayed. We had a p.j. - movie - pizza - popcorn party. The girls changed into their P.J.'s and watched "Bridge to Terabithia". The night ended at 9:30 with the departure of the last child. Joel and I passed out. Kara had a super time.

Swimming Lessons

These past two weeks have been just crazy for us. I thought summertime was supposed to be relaxing!

Kara and Will have been taking their annual swimming lessons. This is Kara's 5th and final year. It is Will's second. He started last year at 2 b/c his birthday is in August. My children are both excellent swimmers. This is Will's first year to actually swim. I am so proud of him. Mrs. Cathy said that Will has some techniques that most kid's don't learn until they are 7. She said that both Will and Kara have a lot of upper body strength. Let me assure you that this does not come from my genes! Kara has been diving well and swimming under water across the length of the pool. She is also learning to swim using her arms. We all came Thursday to see their "recital". It is one of the things that I love doing as a mom. Joel said that he is thankful to have his job b/c it is so flexible and he can make it to these events.

Kara

You are 7 today. You are growing so fast that it makes my heart skip a beat at how big you are. It just seems like yesterday that you were my newborn baby coming home from the hospital. I had never experienced the overwhelming love that flooded my heart when I first met you. I was so thankful for you. Not only did God give me a baby but a girl too! I was the most blessed mommy ever! My first thoughts were of us shopping and doing "girlie"things together. I have enjoyed every minute of having you. You came two days before your due date and I was thrilled that I had two extra days in my life to spend with you.
Kara, you are such a joy to your daddy and I. We smile more now that you are here. We love talking about you and Will. How proud we are, how happy we are, how THANKFUL we are for you two.
You are growing up to be such a beautiful young lady- both inside and out. You are thoughtful, considerate, appreciative, kind, and smart. You love your family and always try to do nice things for us. You love to make breakfast for us and set the table. You love giving gifts and making special things for people. You love animals and want to play with them more than dolls or Barbies. You are sensitive and cry when others are sad and hurting. You love people and want to make friends. When your teacher awarded you "friend of all", I knew that no other award suited you better. You love everything that is pure, honest, and right. Your silly and love to have fun. Your an excellent swimmer. You like to play soccer and ride your bike. When you were 5 you asked Jesus into your heart and we can see His light shining in you. You get so excited when we go to places or see things on TV that talk about God. You say "they must love God." You have found favor with others. Over and over again Daddy and I can see where God is preparing you for great things. Jesus has a special plan for you. We hope to help you find your wings. My snaggle tooth girl - we love you dearly. Happy Birthday.

Ugh- No Word Yet and it's FRIDAY!

I hate waiting. I am the type of person that is very proactive. If I need or want something I work very hard to get it. I had our homestudy and dossier completed in just over 2 months. That is pretty quick compared to what our social worker had originally said.
Well, now I have to sit on my hands and wait to hear about our referral. I just knew that I would hear something this week. I have been watching the Holt message board as well as the Thailand adoption Yahoo group. As far as I know no one has received a referral yet. Marissa told me back in May that they get the referrals in June and it takes a couple of weeks to match the families w/ kids. Does that mean it could be early July? I already feel like a pest and don't want to call and ask. Bless Marissa's heart, I know she gets so tired of anxious parents. I try to tell myself that we might very well be looking at September for a referral. Waiting is the pits!! Torture I tell you!!

Summertime

1. Fun
2. No school
3. Freckles on faces
4. Fresh veggies from the garden
5. Mosquito bites - ouch!
6. Kara's birthday party
7. Swimming, swimming, and more swimming
8. Reruns
9. New reality shows
10. Fresh cut grass
11. Sleeping In
12. Sunburns
13. Fleas and ticks - preferably not in the house.
14. Sweat
15. Royal Family Kids Camp
16. Kara's first year to kid's camp (with me in tow)
17. Backless dresses, spaghetti straps, and shorts
18. Flip Flops
19. Grilling
20. Hot, hot, hot cars - arms and legs sticking to the leather!
21. Afternoon rain showers
22. Catching lightning bugs
23. Summer reading program at the library
24. Late night desserts from Sonic
25. Lunches at Chik-Fil-A
26. Chalking the driveway
27. Arts and crafts to fill the day
28. Homemade ice cream
29. Southern humidity that takes your breath away
30. Large electric bills
31. Frog catchin'
32. Water park in Philadelphia
33. Watermelon
34. Fourth of July Fireworks
35. Sounds of crickets and frogs
36. Spending lots of great time with my husband and kiddos!

A Boy Named Thailand

I had to post this after my post from Friday. My bubble had been busted a little. I prayed yesterday and asked God to just show me if we are doing the right thing. My brother asked me if I thought God was shutting a door. Well, this morning in Sunday school my pastor taught on Joseph being an adopted father to Jesus. His whole talk was on how Joseph accepted Jesus and raised him like his own. I will add that he and Nancy have an adopted daughter from China.

So this afternoon the kids and I went to Wal-Mart. Ours is the worst in North America. I kid you not. We were waiting in the LONG line to check out. There was a mom, dad, and 3 kids ahead of us. The mom and I struck up a conversation. She called to her son and said "Thailand". I was surprised and asked what his name was again and she "Thailand - like the country". I told her that we were adopting from Thailand. Then Kara told the little boy that she was getting a baby from Thailand. The little boy looked at his mom and asked "Am I giving her a baby"? That part was funny and I think the mom was a little embarrassed.

I know that little meeting was a destiny moment. Do you think both of these events in one day was a coincidence? I think not. I am encouraged and know that we will have a great testimony after our adoption journey.