Mother's Day

Billy

Teresa
James
Steven
Caleb
Scheri
Above are the surprise pictures taken earlier of my children and shown on the screen at church today. Below are our children on Mother's Day morning just before heading to church. I asked them to please dress up again and they did--some with more eye-rolling than the others :)
In back are James, 12; Teresa, 14; Billy, 16; Scheri, 15. In front are Steven and Caleb (whom I could not get to look at the camera)




I think this is the 3rd year that the men of our church have put on lovely, first-class Mother's Day Breakfast. We're talking having the waiters attired in tuxes and white gloves, and family groups waiting in the foyer to be seated. Here's my sweetie, Kevin, attired in his Chef's outfit. They guys served a salad, spinach omelet, ham, a yogurt/fruit cocktail cup, with croissants and a variety of beverages on the side.


At 10:30 the regular morning service began, led off by a quartet of the guys (Kevin included) who first sang a very hilarious song, poking fun at all the rules posted all over the church kitchen that must be followed when they put on this breakfast. It was called "Cook and Obey" to the tune of "Trust and Obey." Next they did a 4-part harmony rendition of "I've Been Redeemed" (entitled "My Mother Taught Me") with words changed to specifically honor mothers for the biblical training and truths they instill in their children.

In the afternoon my Mom and Dad came over and we got these 3 generation photos.





We called our lunch the Mother's Day Bowl because it was served in 3 bowls. We had a bowl of salad, a bowl with our croissant/ham sandwich and cottage cheese, and a bowl of mushroom soup.

The last couple of Mother's Day, mom and I have had a lot of fun gardening around our house. This year though was cold and rainy so we stayed indoors, played Yahtzee and Boggle, Wii, etc.
Then in the evening we headed over to Twin and ate together at the Sizzler. Even though the place was still busy, it was not INSANE like it would have been at lunch time. This works way better for us than standing in line for 30+ minutes. It was a very enjoyable day.
Oh, from the church each lady received a potted geranium as well as a pretty gift bag with a coffee cup, marigold and truffles. And as a gag, each lady got a washer and dryer. Check it out below!!!! Too, too funny! With our washing machine on the fritz this seemed particularly timely.
GET IT??????

The Gift of Life

I just want to take this opportunity to thank the birth mothers of all of our children . . . FOR CHOOSING LIFE! Billy, Scheri, Teresa, James, Steven and Caleb are indescribable gifts. I am thinking of you at this Mother's Day season and praying that God will bring much peace and joy and healing into your lives.

Kyle: The Power of Actions

I received this story in my email. I found it very touching. We never know the impact that our actions--good or bad--may have on another person.

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class who was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books.

I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring all his books home on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.' I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon) so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him . . . He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes . . . My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives."

He looked at me and said, "Hey, thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would never have hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.

He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I like him and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books every day!" He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were Seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew we would always be friends and that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.

Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys who really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!"

He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled . . . . "Thanks," he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat and began: "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years--your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach . . . but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story."

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.

He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unthinkable.

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.

I saw his Mom and Dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize its depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life for better or for worse.

Please PRAY!!

Since Toni told me that our paperwork should be in the court by the end of next week, I asked if she could give me an estimate of how long until we actually have a court date. My goodness, I am getting so anxious (yet nervous) to see Abby again!

Here is what she replied:

"It completely depends on the Chairman of the court how soon he will assign a judge and then it completely depends on the judge when to schedule the court date. Sometimes it takes a total of two weeks, sometimes - much longer. There is no pattern. Please, pray for a fast process and, most of all, for a nice judge! You can't imagine how much the whole process depends on the kind of the judge we get."

I would appreciate so much knowing that we have a whole team of people interceding on our behalf.

Updated Paperwork Apostilled

This is our new message from Toni:

Hi Joy,

Just talked to the MOJ. Your dossier is on the Minister's desk. Tomorrow is a holiday so most probably it won't get signed by the end of this week, but it should be signed in the beginning of the next. It should be in the court by the end of the next week. I know it is not a lot of progress, still, I wanted to let you know.

Blessings,
Toni

Also Kevin, James and I went to Boise today. Kevin had to be finger-printed. We ate tacos and burritos in honor of Cinco de Mayo and then headed to the Sec of State for apostilles. At the UPS Store, Kevin was able to get a 15% discount because he is an employee (he was even wearing a shirt with the UPS logo) Can't beat that!! So our paperwork is on its merry way to Joy who will personally escort it to AbbyLand.

Well, today didn't go exactly as planned. Just as I was getting ready to head to Twin, my sweetie called and said it is likely he will be driving to Boise tomorrow. He has to get fingerprints in Boise for his truck-driving job. (Of course, the 3 sets he's had per international adoption are not sufficient . . . smile) So we may as well wait and hand-deliver the documents to the Secretary of State for apostilles in person. Okie dokie.

I still got my photo copies made, picked up Billy's med for which we've been waiting for nearly 2 weeks to get the necessary pre-authorization from our insurance company (this is the one he takes at school and thankfully he still had 1 1/2 tablets left in their bottle when I showed up with reinforcements) , and headed to Wal-Mart so James could select a gift for a birthday party this weekend.

And this evening our silly washing machine didn't seem to want to drain. Unfortunately, my clothes-wringing skills aren't overly fantastic but hey, nothin' that 3 or 4 hours in the dryer won't fix, right????

4th in the Row--Still Waiting

Just got an email from Toni. She said we still don't have our 2nd signature on our dossier from the Ministry of Justice. However, she personally saw our file at the MOJ yesterday and was assured that it is the 4th in line and will be signed the next time the Minister signs documents.

I was able to pick up my updated medical forms yesterday from my doctor, so last night Kevin and I took another excursion to the notary. Today I'll run over to Twin Falls and get the medicals and local police clearances on their way to the Secretary of State in Boise for apostilles. Since our previous documents expire this week, I was concerned about getting them overseas as soon as possible. However, Toni says we're not in that big of a rush so I can send them with a fellow-adoptive Mom (whose name is also Joy) next week.

You know I have been pretty mellow in the wait up until about a week/week-and-a-half ago. It has felt so good to think that Abby would be 'ours' this month and that we could go get her next month. Now I'm wondering if court will come together that soon. Once our paperwork gets submitted to the court system, I don't know how long it takes to get assigned to a judge nor how long until a court date is set. And apparently some judges ask for additional paperwork--thus slowing the whole process--while others routinely do not.

As the saying goes, I am just feeling D.U.N. DUN. (Smile)

I am reminded of the song (based on the Scripture verse) that says, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up on wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Teach me Lord, teach me Lord to wait."

I remember posts like this when we were waiting and waiting and waiting for a court date for Steven. I remember the song from "Fireproof"--I believe it is called "While I'm Waiting"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3b2jw1rjBc

Lyrics to While I'm Waiting :

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord


(Thanks to Carol for these lyrics)

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord