tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71309933971232642522024-03-12T22:59:51.724-05:00FAITH for MaggieWhat is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for, is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. Hebrews 11:1
<a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/">
<img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;53;104/st/20060904/e/wait+to+Maggie+began%21/dt/-1/k/b881/blk-event.png"></a>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-85941984312103352152009-09-17T11:06:00.001-05:002009-09-17T11:06:49.565-05:00New video at bringhomeeli.blogspot.comGinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-68986646240316635602009-08-25T06:25:00.001-05:002009-08-25T06:26:40.910-05:00Eli is here!Check out Eli on his blog: bringhomeeli.blogspot.comGinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-79402497828850260752009-08-09T11:44:00.002-05:002009-08-09T11:50:07.581-05:00Moving blogs!<span style="font-size:130%;">Hey all! We are changing blogs for Eli. Eli's blog address is: bringhomeeli.blogspot.com </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We are heading to the city Wednesday after school to stay in a hotel near the airport. Our plane leaves at 7:10 a.m. Thursday morning! We can't wait! We will try very hard to keep Eli's blog updated while we are on our trip. It may be hard sometimes with slow internet connections and no electricity every other day!! :0 Please pray for us!</span>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-7455845361142105142009-07-30T14:26:00.003-05:002009-07-30T14:45:04.844-05:00July update on Eli!!!We got our July update on Eli today! The closer it gets to going to get him, the more I ache to hold him. We think he's just beautiful. They said that he is 62 cm long (I think that is around 24 inches. I'll need to check my math!) and weighs 12 lbs. He's a little guy, for 5 months old. He looks healthy though. They reported that he is a happy, content, and quiet baby who hardly ever cries. He drinks 7 - 5oz bottles a day, with 2 of the feedings in the night. Those night feedings will be an adjustment! :) They report that his development is good. It looks like his chicken pox are getting better. We just can't wait to have him in our arms!! Only 2 more weeks until we head that way!! <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SnH2QfHdh2I/AAAAAAAABfI/JvlrgMQWzF0/s1600-h/July_Update_Photo_2_Yabetse_Corderman.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364339394266105698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SnH2QfHdh2I/AAAAAAAABfI/JvlrgMQWzF0/s320/July_Update_Photo_2_Yabetse_Corderman.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SnH2Izmu3VI/AAAAAAAABfA/Zppp6tjxxIQ/s1600-h/July_Update_Photo_1_Yabetse_Corderman.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364339262327020882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SnH2Izmu3VI/AAAAAAAABfA/Zppp6tjxxIQ/s320/July_Update_Photo_1_Yabetse_Corderman.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-77054168834484518012009-07-27T08:31:00.006-05:002009-07-27T08:38:09.540-05:00We Passed Court!!!!!<span style="font-size:130%;">Introducing Elijah James Yabetse Corderman!!!!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">He is officially ours!!!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For this child I prayed. I Samuel 1:27</span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sm2s_hcQgXI/AAAAAAAABeM/IFqjWxBeS3E/s1600-h/Yabetse_Photo_2%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363132938576757106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sm2s_hcQgXI/AAAAAAAABeM/IFqjWxBeS3E/s320/Yabetse_Photo_2%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a> 3 months old - referral pictures<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sm2s7irM19I/AAAAAAAABeE/Nt5tkrazRus/s1600-h/Yabetse_Photo_1%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363132870188390354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sm2s7irM19I/AAAAAAAABeE/Nt5tkrazRus/s320/Yabetse_Photo_1%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />4 1/2 months - poor little guy had chicken pox, but doesn't he look healthy and happy!!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sm2s2R48J8I/AAAAAAAABd8/N436ndKUW2Q/s1600-h/Ethiopia%25202009%2520098%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363132779783268290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sm2s2R48J8I/AAAAAAAABd8/N436ndKUW2Q/s320/Ethiopia%25202009%2520098%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sm2sv3Dbs1I/AAAAAAAABd0/SX_aU_9TXjU/s1600-h/Ethiopia%25202009%2520101%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363132669500306258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sm2sv3Dbs1I/AAAAAAAABd0/SX_aU_9TXjU/s320/Ethiopia%25202009%2520101%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-80310900733229346902009-07-23T16:35:00.003-05:002009-07-23T16:42:21.737-05:00Prayers needed!!<span style="font-size:130%;">We are so in prayer that MOWA (Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs) in Ethiopia will reopen as planned tomorrow. Ethiopia is 8 hours ahead of us, so possibly while we are sleeping tonight, they could be writing our letter of recommendation. This letter is what is needed in order for us to pass court on Monday. We are hoping to get mass prayers going!! :) Our hearts yearn more everyday to get to our son. Please help us to pray our baby home!! Thank you!</span>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-19357543668626984252009-07-14T10:57:00.025-05:002009-07-14T12:06:02.385-05:00Colorado Trip 2009This was a gorgeous double rainbow after a short shower one day. I took the picture from our campsite looking at mom and dad's campsite.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sly6q9jj1OI/AAAAAAAABdI/IWDAwxUkrZo/s1600-h/032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358362903905031394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sly6q9jj1OI/AAAAAAAABdI/IWDAwxUkrZo/s320/032.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>A dew dotted wildflower<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sly5hPYev6I/AAAAAAAABdA/WCw4dFcL7JI/s1600-h/117.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358361637380079522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sly5hPYev6I/AAAAAAAABdA/WCw4dFcL7JI/s320/117.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>This butterfly was in a mound with about 4 or 5 others like it. It was beautiful!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sly2-S7IpRI/AAAAAAAABc4/-diBYUaPUR8/s1600-h/147.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358358838012060946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sly2-S7IpRI/AAAAAAAABc4/-diBYUaPUR8/s320/147.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>We had a super time in Colorado! It was so nice to get away from everything. We needed a break from the computer, TV, news, etc.<br /><br /></div><br /><div>There were many of these little fellows around our campsite. We kept them fed with bread.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Slyz7MzIBjI/AAAAAAAABcw/xJmKhvhmhDc/s1600-h/170.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358355486293362226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Slyz7MzIBjI/AAAAAAAABcw/xJmKhvhmhDc/s320/170.JPG" border="0" /></a> We went on many 4 wheel drive excursions this year and was lucky enough to see a bear on one of them!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Slyzyj1ygxI/AAAAAAAABco/D4Qs_I-Fm08/s1600-h/168.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358355337859728146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Slyzyj1ygxI/AAAAAAAABco/D4Qs_I-Fm08/s320/168.JPG" border="0" /></a> We stayed at this location (in our camper though) the night before we left for home. We always dry camp when we're in Colorado which means we don't have electricity, we have to haul water, and we have to dump our septic on the way home at an RV dump site. We decided this year, to stay at a place that had electricity, water and dump hookups on the night before we left. We thought since we were going to have a late night watching the fireworks in the mountains, that it would be easier on us. It was, and it saved us time on our way home the next morning because we didn't have to dump!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlyzdXfYL6I/AAAAAAAABcg/PBdoHzgIveQ/s1600-h/150.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358354973767249826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlyzdXfYL6I/AAAAAAAABcg/PBdoHzgIveQ/s320/150.JPG" border="0" /></a> 4th of July parade in Creede.........What a blast!<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlyyAA60R5I/AAAAAAAABcI/CFy_7CF5its/s1600-h/137.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358353369980487570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlyyAA60R5I/AAAAAAAABcI/CFy_7CF5its/s320/137.JPG" border="0" /></a> I took a lot of scenery and flower pictures this year. The wildflowers were extra beautiful and plentiful this year because of all the rain Colorado's gotten.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Slyxm_cpYXI/AAAAAAAABcA/wGAH-sb9J_M/s1600-h/135.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358352940088779122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Slyxm_cpYXI/AAAAAAAABcA/wGAH-sb9J_M/s320/135.JPG" border="0" /></a> Baylee and I continued our tradition of rock painting this year!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlyxQcpKsXI/AAAAAAAABb4/Fm0KtvL7xw0/s1600-h/132.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358352552788930930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlyxQcpKsXI/AAAAAAAABb4/Fm0KtvL7xw0/s320/132.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlywkiXJXNI/AAAAAAAABbw/9KZOwIYZjm8/s1600-h/133.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358351798409714898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlywkiXJXNI/AAAAAAAABbw/9KZOwIYZjm8/s320/133.JPG" border="0" /></a> We went on several hikes this year too! This was the hike that I fell on a rock on a mountain side! Wow! It bruised and knotted my leg nicely! Guess I need to quit being so cocky trying to run up the mountain!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlywLRm7UcI/AAAAAAAABbo/JMe6oWjiUmI/s1600-h/131.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358351364415771074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlywLRm7UcI/AAAAAAAABbo/JMe6oWjiUmI/s320/131.JPG" border="0" /></a> Brian acted like he was going to dive right in!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlyvvvxpgoI/AAAAAAAABbg/lHnueQLO04I/s1600-h/125.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358350891477467778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlyvvvxpgoI/AAAAAAAABbg/lHnueQLO04I/s320/125.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is Crystal Lake where we hiked to! It was beautiful!<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlyuDp5SS-I/AAAAAAAABbA/8WlABMvs81s/s1600-h/100.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358349034473016290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlyuDp5SS-I/AAAAAAAABbA/8WlABMvs81s/s320/100.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is North Clear Creek Falls near where we camp.<br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlytnV22iCI/AAAAAAAABa4/ihZA_wfc178/s1600-h/085.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358348548057761826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlytnV22iCI/AAAAAAAABa4/ihZA_wfc178/s320/085.JPG" border="0" /></a> Baylee and I in the camper.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlytRQo6KwI/AAAAAAAABaw/Xqrn5pSTpD4/s1600-h/079.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358348168699980546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlytRQo6KwI/AAAAAAAABaw/Xqrn5pSTpD4/s320/079.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlyszWOuvAI/AAAAAAAABao/ud2IjB3W9ME/s1600-h/070.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358347654804716546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlyszWOuvAI/AAAAAAAABao/ud2IjB3W9ME/s320/070.JPG" border="0" /></a> Engineers Pass..........very high..........Baylee was scared the whole drive up! She covered her head half the time!<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlyrvjkWM9I/AAAAAAAABaY/kcCUmDNjh5k/s1600-h/055.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358346490153939922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlyrvjkWM9I/AAAAAAAABaY/kcCUmDNjh5k/s320/055.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlyrY7cehgI/AAAAAAAABaQ/KSQcM_QzySM/s1600-h/051.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358346101426390530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SlyrY7cehgI/AAAAAAAABaQ/KSQcM_QzySM/s320/051.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-35711931161639699192009-07-09T12:00:00.002-05:002009-07-09T12:09:40.941-05:00New Court Date!<span style="font-size:130%;">We have a new court date on July 27th. Our agency is very hopeful that we will pass this time. MOWA (Ministry of Women and Childrens Affairs) will open again on July 24th and they feel that they will have our letter of recommendation ready for court on the 27th. Oh please join us in prayer that we will pass this time so that we can go get our sweet baby boy. Adoption is such an emotional roller coaster!!!</span>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-88368829717566491162009-07-07T13:27:00.002-05:002009-07-07T13:33:00.239-05:00Not yetWe did not pass court today. They were missing 1 document on our baby's end. It will be at least a few more weeks before we know anything. So sad, but yet rejoicing in the knowledge that he is ours and God will not let him stay in Ehiopia one day longer than he is supposed to. I know he has a nanny that takes good care of him........I just long for it to be me.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-13855349437647949622009-06-24T14:00:00.002-05:002009-06-24T14:03:18.434-05:00JULY 7TH COURT DATE!!!!!!!!!!<span style="font-size:180%;">Yeah! We received word today that our court date is July 7th! We are beyond thrilled!! Please join us in prayer that we will pass the first time so that we can possibly travel to get Eli by the end of July! </span>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-35661317015442618792009-06-19T13:38:00.011-05:002009-06-19T13:58:39.082-05:00Chef Baylee and the Dogs!Baylee took a cooking class this summer, so she has sure been into cooking. She has made us lasagna and garlic bread for supper, as well as 2 different kinds of cookies! Yeah! Keep it up Baylee!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SjveU09yMgI/AAAAAAAABaI/vIzdzBJo2OQ/s1600-h/028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349113431829131778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SjveU09yMgI/AAAAAAAABaI/vIzdzBJo2OQ/s320/028.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sjvd33dMYjI/AAAAAAAABaA/9bIfe31AX5g/s1600-h/034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349112934281536050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sjvd33dMYjI/AAAAAAAABaA/9bIfe31AX5g/s320/034.JPG" border="0" /></a> The cookie monster in my life!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SjvdbA5ty-I/AAAAAAAABZ4/dASC9GaJmm0/s1600-h/038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349112438600879074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SjvdbA5ty-I/AAAAAAAABZ4/dASC9GaJmm0/s320/038.JPG" border="0" /></a> Annie girl..........the onriest dog in the county!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SjvdEgg1zpI/AAAAAAAABZw/dMABFSByRao/s1600-h/049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349112051949489810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SjvdEgg1zpI/AAAAAAAABZw/dMABFSByRao/s320/049.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sweet Ariel.........doesn't she look like those big nosed stuffed dogs you can get?<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sjvc38ZozwI/AAAAAAAABZo/bNxLhOyLplo/s1600-h/054.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349111836097171202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sjvc38ZozwI/AAAAAAAABZo/bNxLhOyLplo/s320/054.JPG" border="0" /></a> Oh happy Missy...........If she could talk, I know she would be saying I love you, love you, love you, thank you for giving me a home!!<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sjvclo82RlI/AAAAAAAABZg/DqoRyDblmmA/s1600-h/058.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349111521638499922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sjvclo82RlI/AAAAAAAABZg/DqoRyDblmmA/s320/058.JPG" border="0" /></a> Complicated Babe.........She loves us so much, but you always wonder what's going on in her head!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SjvcQLpbUlI/AAAAAAAABZY/fG3mSgVVpik/s1600-h/060.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349111152995160658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SjvcQLpbUlI/AAAAAAAABZY/fG3mSgVVpik/s320/060.JPG" border="0" /></a> Louie and Gracie pics to come later! Baylee loves volleyball and Annie would love to play with her!!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sjvb7Ea5ZbI/AAAAAAAABZQ/lJLjQ6gIne0/s1600-h/061.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349110790277916082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/Sjvb7Ea5ZbI/AAAAAAAABZQ/lJLjQ6gIne0/s320/061.JPG" border="0" /></a> Brian's and Baylee's garden<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SjvbmORroZI/AAAAAAAABZI/BbeLiFfUUME/s1600-h/063.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349110432146366866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SjvbmORroZI/AAAAAAAABZI/BbeLiFfUUME/s320/063.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-5526653740884167672009-06-19T13:29:00.004-05:002009-06-19T13:36:32.875-05:00Time with family!Daddy <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SjvaX84M2uI/AAAAAAAABZA/UJxc4WcBoMI/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349109087446293218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SjvaX84M2uI/AAAAAAAABZA/UJxc4WcBoMI/s320/005.JPG" border="0" /></a> Mom and Aunt Trish<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SjvaD7MXq-I/AAAAAAAABY4/vGj9AcoiO4Q/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349108743396633570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SjvaD7MXq-I/AAAAAAAABY4/vGj9AcoiO4Q/s320/002.JPG" border="0" /></a> Aunt Trish and Uncle Larry<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SjvZrlZ0w0I/AAAAAAAABYw/9ONagvUtnEs/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349108325230625602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SjvZrlZ0w0I/AAAAAAAABYw/9ONagvUtnEs/s320/001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-36967830405917043512009-06-14T10:06:00.004-05:002009-06-14T10:37:07.726-05:00Taking it all in!<span style="font-size:130%;">Well, it has been 3 days since we first laid eyes on our precious Elijah. I can't stop staring at his beautiful baby face! The longing for him is intensifying every moment. It has been a long and winding road for Brian, Baylee and I to grow our family. But let me tell you, looking at our little guy, it is well worth the wait! I just finished reading this awesome book called "Wild Goose Chase". It came highly recommended by both a fellow blogger, and our pastor. It is about pursuing God and how sometimes it seems he's leading us on a wild goose chase! This is so true, but it's really how we grow as Christians on the chase. Here are a few excerpts from this awesome book:</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><em>"Getting where God wants me to go, isn't nearly as important as becoming who God wants me to be."</em></strong> I love that part! It's so true. I look back at our 8 year quest to become parents again and it's amazing how much I have grown in my faith and patience. Don't get me wrong........I still have a long ways to go in my walk with God, but I feel stronger and more at peace than ever before. It is pretty freeing and a relief to let go and know that God is in control. I know that I will continue to try to control things at times. That's in our human nature, but I think I am more quick to realize when I am doing that now. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">This part of the story, I read the day before we received our "CALL" : </span><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"Divine Delays - The longer the wait, the more you appreciate. We take for granted things we don't have to work for or wait for. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is just hang in there. Unfulfilled dreams are downright depressing, but nothing builds emotional and spiritual endurance like divine delays."</span></em></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Wow! I recommend this book. It spoke to me!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Many have asked what's next. When will we get to go pick up Eli? Well, here goes another divine delay!! We have to wait for a court date. Hopefully, that will be next month. If we pass through court, then we travel 2-4 weeks later! We pray that we will pass through court the 1st time. 40% of families don't. We hope to be in the 60%! Please pray specifically for a quick and successful court date! We will keep you posted when we find out our court date. Once we pass through court, we can share pictures of Elijah on the blog, until then keep us in your prayers.</span>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-17640035384453568942009-06-11T12:54:00.002-05:002009-06-11T13:50:32.572-05:00We have a baby boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<span style="font-size:180%;">We received our referral for an absolutely beautiful baby boy today! He is 3 months old and just amazing! We can't wait to hold him in our arms and love all over him!!!!! Praise God for this miracle!!!</span>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-41243446828544248802009-06-09T21:31:00.002-05:002009-06-09T21:54:18.685-05:00Soooo Close, but yet it seems so far away!Baylee and I are going bonkers I believe, waiting for the CALL! I never dreamed being in the number 1 slot would be so nerve wracking! I almost wish school was still going so that I would have more to occupy my time! We are trying to not think too hard about it, but we just can't seem to help it! Brian is way better at this kind of thing. He never frets about much at all! Today I took my mom-in-law to the eye dr., ran a couple of errands, and then did some craft projects. Tomorrow I need to clean the house, focusing mostly on our back(family) room. It constantly needs attention. On Thursday I will take Baylee to golf lessons, run some more errands, get Baylee's haircut, and then I am going to school to get all my books to bring home. I am trying to get more organized at school. I am going to try to implement a new classroom library plan. I am going to code my 100's of books with sticker dots according to author's first letter of the last name. This should take quite a bit of time! Yeah! See, I am trying to stay busy and productive. I have already cleaned out closets, the frig, the garage, planted tons of flowers, among other things, but I still have quite a lot of idle time. I know that in less than 2 short months, school will be back in session, hopefully things will be progressing with the adoption, and I will miss these days of idle time! I really do enjoy my summers, because with school, things are always busy, but right now these lazy days of summer are just the thing to give my mind too much of an opening to think about ............that CAAAAALLLLLL!! Just think, next summer I won't have any time to think, because I will be chasing a little one again! Oh, I can't wait! Please pray for us!Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-19743523499085418012009-06-02T18:32:00.008-05:002009-06-02T18:43:36.198-05:00Jason's wedding!Brian's nephew got married a couple of weeks ago. It's hard to believe! He and his new little wife will be graduating soon with teaching degrees.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SiW4ex4V6UI/AAAAAAAABYk/vBRxtUYIBes/s1600-h/Jason%27s+wedding+017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342879371870202178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SiW4ex4V6UI/AAAAAAAABYk/vBRxtUYIBes/s320/Jason%27s+wedding+017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SiW4EFgdU0I/AAAAAAAABYM/l_bEorGJpPs/s1600-h/Jason%27s+wedding+020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342878913282265922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SiW4EFgdU0I/AAAAAAAABYM/l_bEorGJpPs/s320/Jason%27s+wedding+020.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SiW352JkVEI/AAAAAAAABYE/Qrgu5YtqN6M/s1600-h/Jason%27s+wedding+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342878737361032258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SiW352JkVEI/AAAAAAAABYE/Qrgu5YtqN6M/s320/Jason%27s+wedding+015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SiW3v_j07WI/AAAAAAAABX8/Na1TV0h9jEg/s1600-h/Jason%27s+wedding+006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342878568088399202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SiW3v_j07WI/AAAAAAAABX8/Na1TV0h9jEg/s320/Jason%27s+wedding+006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SiW2vYg9lnI/AAAAAAAABXs/umSpXMpOwHk/s1600-h/Jason%27s+wedding+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342877458095773298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SiW2vYg9lnI/AAAAAAAABXs/umSpXMpOwHk/s320/Jason%27s+wedding+001.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-62500200098697861462009-05-30T13:16:00.003-05:002009-05-31T22:24:27.140-05:009 months<span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Well, no referral news yet! The investigation in Ethiopia is still ongoing which is probably playing a role in the slowdown. April was such a big month of referrals and successful court dates, but May has been just the opposite. There was a referral yesterday........the day that marked exactly 9 months since we officially began the WAIT. It went to another couple with our same DTE date: 8/29/08. This is pretty exciting! It means that we and another couple are tied for number 1 in line for a little boy! Our agency numbers the dossiers as they come into their office, though we have no idea who exactly is next between us, but I hope we get our referral the same day along with many others! We so want to beat the court closures, but each day that goes on without our referral slims our chances even more. We pray for our referral soon along with successful court dates for all those with court dates scheduled and those of us yet to be! It is all in God's timing.............haven't I said that many times before?? I know it to be true, as hard as it is to accept sometimes and understand. One day we will hold that baby in our arms and oh what a glorious day it will be!</span>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-22913787990444343322009-05-17T14:07:00.002-05:002009-05-17T14:30:31.173-05:00Still waiting.......................!<span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">Yes, we are still waiting!! :( They did say within 1 to<strong> 2</strong> months! I am the eternal optimist, so all I heard was the "within the 1" part!!!! Oh well, it will be soon though, I can feel it! </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">We walk by faith, not by sight!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">We have been praying for a situation that has arisen in Ethiopia regarding adoptions. They are suspecting some corruption in abandonment issues and are doing an investigation which in turn is holding some adoptions up. We are so thankful they are protecting their children like this, and we pray for a swift correction to this situation. We pray for all families in the middle of it. We suspect this may be holding some of our referrals up as well. We keep going back to the knowledge that it is all in God's timing. It will happen when it is supposed to! </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">All else is going well. This is the last week of school for Baylee and I. We are happy for summer, but it's always hard to end a chapter of your life. We have a lot of changes coming up this year! Brian and I are turning 40 (yuk), Baylee is going to middle school (yuk), we are traveling to another country halfway across the world (exciting and scary), and we are becoming parents again (at 40!!)(exciting, scary, wonderful)! Life is like a rollercoaster..........you just got to enjoy the ride! One of my favorite sayings (my mom's too) is "Happiness is journey, not a destination."</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">Hopefully, the next time I post will be with REFERRAL NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-31129316176649006542009-04-16T18:36:00.003-05:002009-05-17T14:37:39.327-05:00Update!<span style="font-size:130%;color:#663333;">We got our "on deck" email today from our adoption agency! This email basically states that our referral will be soon! We are now in the top 10 waiting for referrals! There are 4 families, that we know of, ahead of us in line for a baby boy. It is so hard to believe that this is really happening! We have been in the China line so long that it seems unreal that Africa is so fast! Our paperwork was just submitted August 29th. So hopefully within the next 1 to 2 months, we will get our call that we have a baby boy! I'm busy right now contacting our social worker about a homestudy update, getting background checks again, getting travel vaccinations, filing to renew fingerprints, and renewing our I-171H(government approval for a foreign adoption)!! Waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, and then BAM, it hits you all at once!!! I am glad that I have school to teach because it keeps me too busy to fret over the phone waiting for "THE CALL"! I, normally don't keep my phone with me or even charged up, but lately I have been keeping it charged and close by! Say a prayer that we will get that CALL soon and that we will have a successful court date so that we can beat court closures!</span>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-72793586825740658082009-03-29T18:17:00.014-05:002009-03-29T18:45:39.002-05:007 months DTE!<span style="color:#663300;"></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;">Baylee ............all ready for the Spring Band Concert! She did so well!</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdAEFt7p5yI/AAAAAAAABXc/cmGKVow02Us/s1600-h/DSCF0591.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318755656200218402" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdAEFt7p5yI/AAAAAAAABXc/cmGKVow02Us/s320/DSCF0591.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;"> Some days I feel like this monkey while we are waiting for our referral! Ho hum! Is it ever going to happen! We are getting closer though!!!! AWAA (our adoption agency) has had an incredible month with over 20 referrals and lots of successful court days! Yeah! Keep it rolling! There is a big group of us praying a lot and we can definitely feel God's movement! There are currently 7 people ahead of our DTE group (place in line) that are waiting for boys or either. There might be mystery families that we don't know about, but that is sure getting close enough to get excited! We are currently #2 or 3 for a toddler boy though, so if any older babies come into the orphanage...........well wow!<br /></span><br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdADpXeZoMI/AAAAAAAABXM/MLC5BkWB-tc/s1600-h/DSCF0587.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318755169135599810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdADpXeZoMI/AAAAAAAABXM/MLC5BkWB-tc/s320/DSCF0587.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;">Baylee and I, with some friends and our church group, went to the Wichita Zoo over Spring Break! It was cool and very windy, but we had a great time!<br /></span><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdADc_Hs68I/AAAAAAAABXE/haoSNego3xU/s1600-h/DSCF0584.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318754956439514050" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdADc_Hs68I/AAAAAAAABXE/haoSNego3xU/s320/DSCF0584.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdADTDU1vhI/AAAAAAAABW8/G7HRu2Cjrjk/s1600-h/DSCF0583.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318754785769668114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdADTDU1vhI/AAAAAAAABW8/G7HRu2Cjrjk/s320/DSCF0583.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdADGq5z2SI/AAAAAAAABW0/O-qoMFg6jVQ/s1600-h/DSCF0556.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318754573055416610" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdADGq5z2SI/AAAAAAAABW0/O-qoMFg6jVQ/s320/DSCF0556.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdAC8OHoPfI/AAAAAAAABWs/fCeDBoZ7Tsc/s1600-h/DSCF0554.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318754393530056178" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdAC8OHoPfI/AAAAAAAABWs/fCeDBoZ7Tsc/s320/DSCF0554.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;">Baylee went to an opposites birthday party. The boys dressed like girls and the girls dressed like boys. It was quite hilarious! Baylee is the one in the blue jersey and OU hat.<br /><br /></span><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdACcv9ZnwI/AAAAAAAABWc/eofYeXFP4r4/s1600-h/DSCF0533.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318753852858146562" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdACcv9ZnwI/AAAAAAAABWc/eofYeXFP4r4/s320/DSCF0533.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;">We met my parents at a place on Route 66 called Pops. It was pretty cool! We had a great burger and of course a pop!<br /></span><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdACI6MtAoI/AAAAAAAABWU/VtYzSDyuG4c/s1600-h/DSCF0544.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318753512009302658" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdACI6MtAoI/AAAAAAAABWU/VtYzSDyuG4c/s320/DSCF0544.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdAB_DyR9jI/AAAAAAAABWM/itgsRVe2wwc/s1600-h/DSCF0543.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318753342784140850" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdAB_DyR9jI/AAAAAAAABWM/itgsRVe2wwc/s320/DSCF0543.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdAB13syS3I/AAAAAAAABWE/Soju30DxV4I/s1600-h/DSCF0542.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318753184921045874" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdAB13syS3I/AAAAAAAABWE/Soju30DxV4I/s320/DSCF0542.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdABs_M_cZI/AAAAAAAABV8/40HYXbAo1ws/s1600-h/DSCF0537.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318753032316350866" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SdABs_M_cZI/AAAAAAAABV8/40HYXbAo1ws/s320/DSCF0537.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-30295992582553275622009-03-01T11:30:00.004-06:002009-03-01T20:39:55.878-06:006 months DTE!<span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#663333;">Well, we have officially been in the waiting line for Eli for 6 months now. Things are not quite as fast as they were in the beginning, but still going pretty quickly and smoothly. We have about 26 families ahead of us and they are referring about 10 children a month. This means if they continue to do what they are currently doing, then we will get our referral in May or June. Court is usually scheduled 2 to 3 months after your referral. Court is where the child is declared legally yours. After you have a successful court date, you travel within a couple weeks. If we get a referral in May, we might squeeze in to a court day before court closures which usually occur in August and September. This means we would travel to pick up Eli this summer, but there is a big possibility that we will not make it before the courts close and would have to wait to travel in the fall. Of course I am trying to be optimistic! The court system closes for energy saving reasons. It is hard to believe. Aren't you glad to live in America? Say a prayer that we make it before the courts close! Our China adoption is still moving, just very, very slowly! There is a Christian rock song out that is so my personal anthem on this long adoption journey. Here are some of the words:</span></span><br /><span style="color:#663333;"><em>Sometimes it's hard to just keep going</em></span><br /><span style="color:#663333;"><em>But faith is moving without knowing</em></span><br /><span style="color:#663333;"><em>Can I trust what I can't see to reach my destiny</em></span><br /><span style="color:#663333;"><em>I want to take control, but I know better</em></span><br /><p><span style="color:#663333;"><em>Forget that fear is just a crutch that tries to turn your dreams to dust All you got to do is just TRUST</em></span></p><p><span style="color:#663333;"><em>God I want to dream again, take me where I've never been </em></span><span style="color:#663333;"><em>I want to go there, this time I'm not scared Now I am unbreakable, it's unmistakable</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><span style="color:#663333;">All else is great! The school year is flying by, much too fast! My baby has only a couple more months of her elementary school career. She is doing so well! I am so very proud of that special little girl. What a huge blessing God gave to Brian and I, and all who know her. She spent the night with a friend last night and Brian and I had a date night. We went to church, ran a few errands, and then came home and watched the movie, Fireproof. What a super movie! It was made by the same church that made Facing the Giants. It was quite inspirational!</span><br /><span style="color:#663333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663333;">I am <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">definitely</span> in nesting mode lately. I told Brian that we are a MESS! Our attic and closets are overflowing with stuff we really don't need! We are trying to start cleaning out. I am doing the same thing at school. My file cabinets are falling apart because they are too jammed packed. I can't even find anything. It is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ridiculous</span>! :0 Brian and I both try very hard to be organized, but the trouble is we are both pack rats. We are trying to change that!!!! Wish us luck!! </span><br /><span style="color:#663333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663333;">Hope your March is wonderful!</span></span></p>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-27719995093442111952009-01-27T14:23:00.005-06:002009-01-27T14:35:33.163-06:00Family Happenings!Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year! We had our annual Chinese New Year Celebration this past Sunday evening at Imperial China! We had a wonderful time. Despite China's drastic slowdown the past couple of years, our group has really grown. It is hard to believe that this was our 3rd year to go and yet we still have no baby. I have to admit it sucks! (sorry, no other word describes it as well) We hope that next CNY we will have our Ethiopian baby and maybe the following year, finally our China baby! The wait is sometimes very hard, but we still trust in God's perfect timing and boy do we have a lot to be thankful for! This group of special people for one thing...........that we would have never met, had we not embarked on this long and tedious journey called adoption. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9t9ug9Z6I/AAAAAAAABLg/b8_BBydE1N0/s1600-h/DSCF0507.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296072594036713378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9t9ug9Z6I/AAAAAAAABLg/b8_BBydE1N0/s320/DSCF0507.JPG" border="0" /></a> The weekend before last, we had a birthday celebration for Lynn's 25th birthday! Mom and Daddy came and brought enchiladas and cake. Grandma Margie came and brought snicker doodles and pecan pie. Grandma Brown came and brought macaroni salad. We made queso and chips. We had a great time!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9tx90SAUI/AAAAAAAABLY/eGJtZav-Wl0/s1600-h/DSCF0398.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296072391985856834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9tx90SAUI/AAAAAAAABLY/eGJtZav-Wl0/s320/DSCF0398.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9toh_ppoI/AAAAAAAABLQ/2XBlIbawWn8/s1600-h/DSCF0397.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296072229898528386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9toh_ppoI/AAAAAAAABLQ/2XBlIbawWn8/s320/DSCF0397.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9tcqTqn1I/AAAAAAAABLI/v224JFaZcVI/s1600-h/DSCF0394.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296072025971531602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9tcqTqn1I/AAAAAAAABLI/v224JFaZcVI/s320/DSCF0394.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-45443985337414369732009-01-27T13:44:00.016-06:002009-01-27T14:22:49.035-06:00Today is Baylee Bear's Birthday!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9sbDDBJII/AAAAAAAABLA/fW3UF4eOFds/s1600-h/DSCF0470.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296070898741224578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9sbDDBJII/AAAAAAAABLA/fW3UF4eOFds/s320/DSCF0470.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9sMkpEFSI/AAAAAAAABK4/kHMqcg1GpdM/s1600-h/DSCF0468.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296070650061133090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9sMkpEFSI/AAAAAAAABK4/kHMqcg1GpdM/s320/DSCF0468.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9sAa3asgI/AAAAAAAABKw/ALohc37xALk/s1600-h/DSCF0478.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296070441278550530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9sAa3asgI/AAAAAAAABKw/ALohc37xALk/s320/DSCF0478.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9ryEOUoJI/AAAAAAAABKo/a4vLN1avUZw/s1600-h/DSCF0488.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296070194682437778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9ryEOUoJI/AAAAAAAABKo/a4vLN1avUZw/s320/DSCF0488.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9riHdIFFI/AAAAAAAABKg/ulv7aGaaU7U/s1600-h/DSCF0485.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296069920671929426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9riHdIFFI/AAAAAAAABKg/ulv7aGaaU7U/s320/DSCF0485.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9rEF82WqI/AAAAAAAABKQ/EWm3tpdJt38/s1600-h/DSCF0460.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296069404872039074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9rEF82WqI/AAAAAAAABKQ/EWm3tpdJt38/s320/DSCF0460.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9qmxbPhnI/AAAAAAAABKA/ccEJNg4nOmY/s1600-h/DSCF0451.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296068901146166898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9qmxbPhnI/AAAAAAAABKA/ccEJNg4nOmY/s320/DSCF0451.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9qZ3Cu-kI/AAAAAAAABJ4/wUDD5g-3e-0/s1600-h/DSCF0435.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296068679315683906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9qZ3Cu-kI/AAAAAAAABJ4/wUDD5g-3e-0/s320/DSCF0435.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9qQ7IxbhI/AAAAAAAABJw/Gdd1EZEIArQ/s1600-h/DSCF0441.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296068525795929618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9qQ7IxbhI/AAAAAAAABJw/Gdd1EZEIArQ/s320/DSCF0441.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9p_8sFk2I/AAAAAAAABJo/Jr36j-Wz9pU/s1600-h/DSCF0427.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296068234154709858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9p_8sFk2I/AAAAAAAABJo/Jr36j-Wz9pU/s320/DSCF0427.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9p0RQbYiI/AAAAAAAABJg/yc3zPuKD_Do/s1600-h/DSCF0423.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296068033517412898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9p0RQbYiI/AAAAAAAABJg/yc3zPuKD_Do/s320/DSCF0423.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9pjWIfScI/AAAAAAAABJY/NHATCKHCHXk/s1600-h/DSCF0417.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296067742768515522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SX9pjWIfScI/AAAAAAAABJY/NHATCKHCHXk/s320/DSCF0417.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It is so hard to believe that my baby is 12 years old today! Where has the time gone? We are iced in today! I really wanted to go to school because we will lose our Good Friday holiday now, but I have to admit, it was sure good to sleep in. Brian got me an electric blanket for Christmas! It was absolute heaven to stay under the covers this morning and not hear an alarm clock! Baylee was NOT happy about missing school, on her birthday especially! She didn't want to be stuck at home with just Mom and nothing to do! Her social life is about the most important aspect in her life right now! I woke her up with a candle in a warm cinnamon roll this morning and sang Happy Birthday to her. I fixed her her favorite potato soup for lunch and we will have cherry cheesecake in a little bit. We have been snuggled up under some blankets watching 7th Heaven, Little House on the Prarie, and Touched by an Angel too. She has enjoyed her day afterall! She is on the phone now though with her friends!! We are taking her to the city this Saturday for a shopping spree. She wanted clothes for her birthday and to eat at Ted's. Her party with her friends was this past Saturday at Sugar Rush! She had a ball! There were 11 kids running around crazy for 2 solid hours, but I didn't care, it wasn't in my house! Sugar Rush did a great job. She had a murder mystery party. They had to search for 29 envelopes with clues in them that led them to the killer. Oh what fun! Sugar Rush also had a dress up room and they had a lot of fun dressing up too! The boys looked quite cute dolled up in dresses! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-20505588674827876662008-12-28T11:01:00.003-06:002009-01-11T11:29:51.948-06:00Christmas 2008!Mama, Daddy, and Baylee Bear<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWorQgShQxI/AAAAAAAABJE/UQcIG-igOJY/s1600-h/DSCF0393.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290088274845582098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWorQgShQxI/AAAAAAAABJE/UQcIG-igOJY/s320/DSCF0393.JPG" border="0" /></a> Aunt Lynn and Baylee<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWorDeWAXqI/AAAAAAAABI8/VCM6DDTsJ0g/s1600-h/DSCF0384.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290088050985033378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWorDeWAXqI/AAAAAAAABI8/VCM6DDTsJ0g/s320/DSCF0384.JPG" border="0" /></a> Baylee always lines up her presents in order of how she will open them!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWoq1j6ftnI/AAAAAAAABI0/RwsDygJpd8Y/s1600-h/DSCF0366.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290087811962091122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWoq1j6ftnI/AAAAAAAABI0/RwsDygJpd8Y/s320/DSCF0366.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWoqkwIDjsI/AAAAAAAABIs/IypnuIQxnFQ/s1600-h/DSCF0342.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290087523182415554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWoqkwIDjsI/AAAAAAAABIs/IypnuIQxnFQ/s320/DSCF0342.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Uncle Keith and Baylee<br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWoqILU3nTI/AAAAAAAABIc/8A1Scvuaohs/s1600-h/DSCF0325.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290087032267709746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWoqILU3nTI/AAAAAAAABIc/8A1Scvuaohs/s320/DSCF0325.JPG" border="0" /></a> Aunt Karla and cousin Cody<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWop-2nHAHI/AAAAAAAABIU/RZzdgZZ4urE/s1600-h/DSCF0324.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290086872088248434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWop-2nHAHI/AAAAAAAABIU/RZzdgZZ4urE/s320/DSCF0324.JPG" border="0" /></a> Cousin Jason with fiancee' Kelly<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWop0aln7pI/AAAAAAAABIM/oCi7QqQ1oSI/s1600-h/DSCF0323.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290086692767133330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWop0aln7pI/AAAAAAAABIM/oCi7QqQ1oSI/s320/DSCF0323.JPG" border="0" /></a> Grandma C and Baylee<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWopp-RecZI/AAAAAAAABIE/Vwfde3go6hE/s1600-h/DSCF0318.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290086513367740818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWopp-RecZI/AAAAAAAABIE/Vwfde3go6hE/s320/DSCF0318.JPG" border="0" /></a>Brian and I<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWopfkAjA-I/AAAAAAAABH8/PFL-h6k74mc/s1600-h/DSCF0317.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290086334518723554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWopfkAjA-I/AAAAAAAABH8/PFL-h6k74mc/s320/DSCF0317.JPG" border="0" /></a> Baylee with a very special quilt Grandma Margie made<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWopQoQO9gI/AAAAAAAABH0/xKNAUvQfjAY/s1600-h/DSCF0256.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290086077960222210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWopQoQO9gI/AAAAAAAABH0/xKNAUvQfjAY/s320/DSCF0256.JPG" border="0" /></a> Baylee with cousin Jordi<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWopDacUWXI/AAAAAAAABHs/GocEOAwTtzw/s1600-h/DSCF0254.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290085850914511218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWopDacUWXI/AAAAAAAABHs/GocEOAwTtzw/s320/DSCF0254.JPG" border="0" /></a> Baylee with cousins Jaci and Josie<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWoo2E5jLwI/AAAAAAAABHk/1vNgL3ZzGVU/s1600-h/DSCF0249.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290085621793238786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWoo2E5jLwI/AAAAAAAABHk/1vNgL3ZzGVU/s320/DSCF0249.JPG" border="0" /></a> New cousing Caroline<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWooszJho5I/AAAAAAAABHc/JTNneaSDM7w/s1600-h/DSCF0248.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290085462409585554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWooszJho5I/AAAAAAAABHc/JTNneaSDM7w/s320/DSCF0248.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWoog2-c-EI/AAAAAAAABHU/_PMlZYqYT6E/s1600-h/DSCF0239.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290085257278453826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/SWoog2-c-EI/AAAAAAAABHU/_PMlZYqYT6E/s320/DSCF0239.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Christmas came and then left way too fast! They say the older you get, the faster time flies. Well, I believe it! I am just wondering if I will even feel the days when I am in my 80's as fast as the days are going in my 30's! I love Christmas! I love the whole month of December that leads up to Christmas. I enjoy the shopping, the making out Christmas cards, going to the mailbox and getting cards, hot cocoa, a warm blanket and Christmas movies. I love the Christmas trees and decorations in my house and going to see Christmas lights while enjoying a steamer from Starbucks. I love making Christmas goodies and wrapping packages while listening to Christmas music. I love looking at my ceramic nativity set my Great Aunt Twila made for me and remembering why we celebrate Christmas. Most of all, I love laying on the living room floor in the dark, looking up at the Christmas tree lights and remembering.........remembering being a child and doing the same thing, and just simply enjoying the wonder of it all and then seeing that same wonder in my child's eyes. Christmas is a magical time and I always mourn the loss of it! I always tell Baylee that I think that's why God gave her to me in January instead of March when she was originally due! I needed something very special that month, and then my baby's birthday to celebrate every January there after to get over Christmas being gone! I do have this saying with Baylee, because she is so like me.....which is "There is always something to look forward to!" .......And there is too!<br /><br />I posted slideshows of our 4 Christmas(s). One is Brian's family. That is alway fun, because of the Mendenhalls.......they keep us laughing with their bantering! One is our personal Christmas. Brian always beats Baylee and I up......he's such a morning person. Baylee usually wakes me up and then we tear into our presents. I usually fix a big lunch and Marge comes over for the afternoon. Another Christmas is with my parents and sister. That is always a lot of fun, because my dad is "A man of Action"! He keeps us laughing. This year Baylee got a remote control helicopter and Daddy's wienie dog, Gus, was after it with my dad's coaching of course. Gus did manage to taste a little propeller, so Baylee decided to put it up! Mama, Lynn, Baylee, and I played games too. Our other Christmas is our Laverne one with my mom's family. Since Thanksgiving is a big celebration with my daddy's family, we spend Christmas with my mama's family. It is always great fun. This year, two of my mom's 3 sisters, and my cousin and her family didn't get to come. That was disappointing, but we still had a lot of fun at my Aunt Carolyn's house. We have a beautiful new addition to the family........little Caroline, my cousin Brody's baby girl. Wow, she looks exaclty like him! We all played games and Brandon and Brody played guitars and sang. We hope and pray we will have our new little guy next Christmas. What a blessing that will be!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130993397123264252.post-37776198812266499392008-12-07T15:25:00.012-06:002008-12-07T15:51:00.780-06:00Thanksgiving Fun at the Farm!We went to Gate for Thanksgiving. As always, we had a lot of fun! This year, we had a lot smaller number of people because my dad's cousins and their families didn't make it out. We still so enjoyed spending time together. I am very thankful to be so close to my cousins still, so that Baylee can have the same memories I had growing up. We will be spending Christmas with my mom's side of the family. Can't wait for that too!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxDEL3N6UI/AAAAAAAAAy8/0ZkW-8U1eC0/s1600-h/DSCF0097.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277166602554304834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxDEL3N6UI/AAAAAAAAAy8/0ZkW-8U1eC0/s320/DSCF0097.JPG" border="0" /></a> I am very fascinated with these things!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxCx0-yKPI/AAAAAAAAAy0/J-a4SblJoIk/s1600-h/DSCF0136.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277166287174379762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxCx0-yKPI/AAAAAAAAAy0/J-a4SblJoIk/s320/DSCF0136.JPG" border="0" /></a> Mom and I<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxCnY0cecI/AAAAAAAAAys/uDZ4qvmtwNY/s1600-h/DSCF0134.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277166107816131010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxCnY0cecI/AAAAAAAAAys/uDZ4qvmtwNY/s320/DSCF0134.JPG" border="0" /></a>Mom, Lynn, and Grandma Brown<br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxCcOC2NpI/AAAAAAAAAyk/xkf6oieOutM/s1600-h/DSCF0130.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277165915945186962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxCcOC2NpI/AAAAAAAAAyk/xkf6oieOutM/s320/DSCF0130.JPG" border="0" /></a> Cousin Julie and Rustin<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxCST1jV1I/AAAAAAAAAyc/b_oG8vngA3E/s1600-h/DSCF0128.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277165745701345106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxCST1jV1I/AAAAAAAAAyc/b_oG8vngA3E/s320/DSCF0128.JPG" border="0" /></a> Brian as Ozzy and Dad<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxCGGAHiXI/AAAAAAAAAyU/9PB3I_vCbV8/s1600-h/DSCF0119.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277165535829133682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxCGGAHiXI/AAAAAAAAAyU/9PB3I_vCbV8/s320/DSCF0119.JPG" border="0" /></a> Baylee with cousins<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxB20RWA0I/AAAAAAAAAyM/PBT33q8JO8s/s1600-h/DSCF0115.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277165273371509570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxB20RWA0I/AAAAAAAAAyM/PBT33q8JO8s/s320/DSCF0115.JPG" border="0" /></a> Aunt Jo and cousin Jennifer<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxBs0Q-snI/AAAAAAAAAyE/SDw0AOhZ2JM/s1600-h/DSCF0111.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277165101571289714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxBs0Q-snI/AAAAAAAAAyE/SDw0AOhZ2JM/s320/DSCF0111.JPG" border="0" /></a> I got a kick out of the cows watching us play on the haybales!<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxBjBo7KFI/AAAAAAAAAx8/yuIh6zZM25Y/s1600-h/DSCF0109.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277164933362690130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxBjBo7KFI/AAAAAAAAAx8/yuIh6zZM25Y/s320/DSCF0109.JPG" border="0" /></a> Ali and Baylee<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxBZPjXsLI/AAAAAAAAAx0/seY6BK4ciM0/s1600-h/DSCF0107.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277164765298798770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxBZPjXsLI/AAAAAAAAAx0/seY6BK4ciM0/s320/DSCF0107.JPG" border="0" /></a> Haybale jumping<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxBMi4g73I/AAAAAAAAAxs/vn29dM982Sk/s1600-h/DSCF0106.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277164547149459314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxBMi4g73I/AAAAAAAAAxs/vn29dM982Sk/s320/DSCF0106.JPG" border="0" /></a> On the truck ready to go to the haybales!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxA96ox8oI/AAAAAAAAAxk/rdZdIHUwI3g/s1600-h/DSCF0099.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277164295827878530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CnKB2Apjui4/STxA96ox8oI/AAAAAAAAAxk/rdZdIHUwI3g/s320/DSCF0099.JPG" border="0" /></a> Say turkey!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214511527590652674noreply@blogger.com0