Monday Musings

For today...Monday, January 26, 2009

Outside my window...a crisp, sunny Souther CA day.
I am thinking...that I have a schedule to write for the week and hopefully I'll keep it.
I am thankful for...my husband; I am married to the best man.
From the kitchen...just came hot whole-wheat pancakes and fruit.  Yum.
I am wearing...jammies.
I am creating...new family goals.
I am going...to the Hume Lake Vision Dinner tonight and am really looking forward to it.
I am reading...Created to be His Help Meet (Ladies, pick this one up, link is on the right under 'Books I Love').
I am hoping...that Mark finds a job in the valley.
I am hearing...Emma eat an apple.
Around the house...there are a few piles that need attention.
One of my favorite things...an organized home.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study, Orphans Care Team meeting, game night w/ friends.
Here is a picture that I'm sharing: Prescott Park, NH - my favorite park.

Foster Care Update

Ironically, I was just complaining to Mark yesterday about how it feels like completing this licensing process is taking so long and how we're never going to get a placement and never have the opportunity to serve in this way.  I have been so frustrated with the fact that our background checks weren't given to us when they should have been and that there were a couple delay's in processing them.  We've been praying and praying, waiting as patiently as we can (okay, as I can).  

Then today our licensing worker called and we FINALLY received some good news.

She received the results of our background check from CT today and is waiting to receive the results from NH (which NH mailed to me and I forwarded to her on Wednesday; she should get them by Monday or Tuesday).  Then she will send our file to her supervisor who will send us our license upon approval.  The completion of this process should take an additional 2 weeks.

We are now expecting to receive a placement within a month or so, but who knows how long it will take.  It seems that everything has taken such a long time...probably because I am impatient.  I'm so nervous/excited about how our family dynamics will change and how God will work in this situation.  Please continue to pray for the little girl that joins our family, even if it is short-term.

My Goal: To Lose That Gut!

Okay, I really need to lose around 10 pounds.

I'm only sharing this as a way to keep myself accountable.  I used to be thin and trim and never thought twice about diet and exercise.  Then I had a couple babies and boy does that change things!  I know that I need to be exercising daily and eating more fruits and vegetables than I currently  do.  If I'm honest, this has been difficult because I'd rather eat Sun Chips with my turkey sandwich (complete with extra mayo) than say, an apple.  I'd rather have one of my yummy homemade banana nut muffins for a snack than say, yogurt and a handful or almonds....which would be fine if I actually scheduled exercise into my day the way I schedule in everything else thats a priority. 

Time to muscle up some discipline (no pun intended).  If I was able to endure the labor and birth of an 8.6 lb. child completely drug free, then surely I can get my sexy abs back, right?

So here is my goal (wish me luck):

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Musings

For today...Monday, January 19, 2009

Outside my window...is Disneyland!!

I am thinking...that I don't know how much more my feet can take!

I am thankful for...Megan and Michael; this trip would have been less fun without them here.

From the kitchen...we brought groceries to make our stay more affordable.

I am wearing...comfy clothes.

I am creating...memories.

I am going...to be leaving to Disneyland in a few minutes!

I am reading...Kelly's blog and praying for baby Harper.

I am hoping...that the crowds have thinned out since yesterday.

I am hearing...my kiddos laugh.  I love it.

Around the house...not in our house but the hotel is nice enough.

One of my favorite things...vacations. ;)

A few plans for the rest of the week: here until Tuesday, women's group on Wednesday, probably hang out with friends during the weekend, church on Sunday.

Here is a picture that I'm sharing:

The Happiest Place On Earth

We're on our way to Disneyland and I am fully utilizing my BlackBerry to make the time go by! Needless to say, Emma is STOKED!!! But in all honesty, I felt like an 8 year old on Christmas Eve last night. I slept maybe 3 hours total. I've been to DL several times, but haven't been there in nearly 9 years. I went so much during jr high and high school that I swore I wouldn't return until I had kids of my own.

And here we are...

So this trip is gonna rock! My youngest sis, Megan and her bf are meeting us there to help with the kids, which means hubby and I actually get some time to play too!

So excited! :)

How Did I Not Know?

Okay...so I have been reading blogs lately and I have NO idea how I didn't know how awesome some of these people are.  I thought blogs were kind of dorky until I decided to start my own (naturally), but now I actively follow the captivating and informational stories of others and it is such a blessing to know that there are so many wonderful, Christ-loving families out there.  I am so inspired by the amazing stories I've read.  

If you are new to this and just browsing around you MUST check out Angie Smith's blog and read from the beginning of the story...AMAZING.  I love that family.  Also check out Melanie's blog which is completely entertaining and honestly, she's from Texas so she rocks.  

I am off to make some soup for my sick Emma, who is passed out on the couch at the moment. Poor baby never gets sick, so this is hard on her.  Have a great Friday and 3-day weekend! :)

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Musings

For Today...Monday, January 12, 2008

Outside my window... I hear the sound of a lawn mower on a sunny Southern CA day.

I am thinking... that I need to get in the shower and clean the house a little.

I am thankful for... my life.  I am truly happy.

From the kitchen... plans to make chili for dinner.

I am wearing... workout clothes from my morning workout.

I am creating... my first afghan and I am very proud of it.

I am going... to my women's small group on Wednesday and I am really looking forward to it.

I am reading... the book of Acts right now.

I am hoping... that I model patience today.

I am hearing... Emma doing schoolwork and Brody waking up from nap.

Around the house... there are small piles of mess.  *sigh*

One of my favorite things... today will be naptime.  I need some time alone.

A few plans for the rest of the week: get Molly groomed, serve at and attend church, members meeting at church, laundry, workout, and maybe go to the beach if the weather stays this warm.

Here is a picture that I'm sharing: my Dad; because I'm thinking about him.

Another Delay

I spoke with our licensing worker (LW) yesterday and there is yet another delay in processing our license.  Our background check for NH need to be re-sent because apparently the papers need to be notarized.  Our LW wasn't aware of that and so we have to do the paper work again, get it notarized and resend.  

Have I mentioned that I am NOT a patient person?

So now we're at this place where we aren't sure that we even want to move forward.  Not because we don't want to do foster care, but because there is a good possibility that we will be moving come September/November...is it even worth it to commit to a child if there is a possibility that we may have to leave?  We've always known that we might move, but in November, when we thought we'd get a placement, we felt like we had more time to work with. Now that its two months later we're just not so sure.  We were definitely expecting a placement by now.  The room/house has been ready for her arrival since October.  

What's most frustrating is that the social workers express what a need there is for foster parents but seem to do very little to expedite the process.  Please pray that God's will be done. I know that I am only seeing a piece of the whole picture.  There is something bigger in store...whether it works with my timeline or not.