Don't Leave Home Without Her!

A few weeks ago, Addie was able to sweet talk Justin out of a speeding ticket. She had her window down in the car, and when the police officer approached the car she said, "I wasn't doing anything wrong I was just sitting here." The police officer laughed and said, "I know honey, Daddy was just driving too fast." After a few more exchanges, Justin drove away without a speeding ticket.

Today, the same thing happened only it was my turn. I was driving home from my great Aunt's 90th birthday celebration, when I was pulled over one street away from my parents' house. We rolled the windows down again in the car, and Addie said emphatically, "Don't give my Mommy a speeding ticket!" The police officer was surprised and laughed, and told her he would not give her Mommy a ticket. After waiting for a long time, he came back with 2 warnings. He gave one to Addie and one to me. He told her to slow down, and told Addie to make sure I did too. All in all, it was wonderful. There is just no telling how much money she has saved us! Thank You Addie!

It's FINALLY FINISHED!

I am happy to report after working on our home study and adoption papers, letters, FBI checks, autobiographies, scrapbook, and paperwork on and off for 6 months, we are finished! We actually have our application turned into Mercy Ministries. Next week, we are talking with an attorney to have our paperwork in with her too! Please pray for us, as now we just wait. Of course, we have not given up our hope in another biological child so we will be trying all our options! We feel blessed to have all the hard work finished and now it is in the hands of someone else. We know God is watching over all the process, and we will pray He brings a child into our home who belongs with us, no matter how. Please keep us in your prayers as we wait, in what has already seemed an eternity waiting for our next child.

TAG! You're it!

I was tagged by my friend Melissa to tell 6 quirky things about myself. This is my first tag, so I decided to respond! (By the way I am so new to blogging, I really did not even know this was done.)

1. I am completely OCD about the garage door. Almost daily, I leave my home and turn around half way through our neighborhood to make sure I have closed it. I used to call my neighbor across the street to ask, but she moved. (Hopefully those 2 things are unrelated.) It's gotten to the point Addie asks me why I'm turning around, and then sighs loudly after my response.

2. I am also OCD about emails. I find myself checking them too regularly. We went to see Justin's family this weekend, and I did not check it. I was very proud of myself. (The new iphone helps me not be too OCD.) I'm not all that important, so I really don't know why I think I will miss something!

3. I LOVE chocolate. I eat chocolate every day. Even if I make a blackberry cobbler or apple pie, I still need chocolate. It's almost like any other dessert is a vegetable, because it must be followed by chocolate.

4. I am overly attached to my pillow. I've taken it to New York City, to Chicago, and Disney World and everywhere else we travel. I tell myself it's because I do not sleep well without it. This is partly true, because I forgot my pillow one time and awoke with pain in my neck. I've had this pillow since early childhood, although this may be disgusting to some, I have resown new covers over the old ones. I've tried new pillows and they just aren't the same. I guess my well-traveled pillow is still my security blanket. . .

5. I have separation anxiety when I leave our bulldog, Gracie. Maybe it's because when we first bought her, we gave her away, only to get her back a few months later. (It's a cool story, I will have to tell later.) I used to have separation anxiety with Addie, but now I can tell her and she understands. With Gracie, I know she does not understand. We've never boarded Gracie in 8 years, but we've had friends and family keep her. You know people will love your child as you do, but with a dog, you just never know.

6. I research everything, from the best buy on something, to the best place to stay, to the things to do when you travel. Even when we travel to see family, I will see what is going on in the area just to make sure we don't miss anything! I am usually laid back and flexible when we arrive, but I have a list of things I want to do during the time we are there.

This really feels like confession. Anyone else want to divulge some painful secrets? Be my guest!

Pumpkin Farms

Growing up in Missouri, we did not have pumpkin farms. We did have hay rides, bonfires, and fun Fall nights. One thing we have enjoyed doing every year since Addie was 2 1/2 is going to the pumpkin farms. It's a great time to be outside enjoying the beauty of the leaves and the changing of the seasons. We had a fun time tonight at the pumpkin farm with our friends from church.

There's just something special about Fall to me. The crispness in the air, the sound of high school football games, and the excitement of school beginning. I am more nostalgic in the Fall and find myself missing the years I was in school. It's funny to think about being stressed in college with papers and tests. The stress is so much different now. I remember feeling carefree with endless possibilities in front of me. College was a time when I didn't know the pain of infertility, or my father's Parkinson's disease, or the reality of losing those I love most. It seemed as if my dreams were just there to be realized. My dreams have changed and my dreams have changed me.

Would I go back? No, and it's for moments just like today. It's doing life with those friends who are so dear to me. One of my favorite things is watching Addie enjoy life with her friends, and I can't even imagine giving up one day with Addie to go relive my childhood. Although as I look at the world around me, I might reminisce about days gone by. There is a reason we are here at this point in history and God has a purpose for all the joys and the pain. Even when we can't see what He is doing, we will remember His hand is over all the mess. His providence is so evident in the beauty of Fall, and I'm so thankful He gives us this season to enjoy!

Feeling Loved. . .

As I've gotten older, my expectations of what my birthday should be have lessened greatly. In college, I had surprise parties all 4 years. (The funny thing is, I was always surprised.) I've had birthdays in a hospital, in New York, at Perkin's at 2 am in college, and at home. Yesterday, I celebrated my birthday with good friends, flowers, sweet phone calls, funny emails, and my family. All in all, it was a wonderful birthday (especially with my new iphone). My new way of thinking is, if on your birthday you feel loved that is all you can ask for! Thanks to everyone who remembered and made my day so special. . .