Still going good.

I promise as soon as my computer is up and going, I will download some updated pictures, but hubby's computer doesn't have the compatible software for me to do it. For now, you'll have to just bear with my ramblings. School is still going amazingly well. Madison has been in tutoring since about mid July to prepare her for her last year in elementary school. I just decided it was an absolute necessity before she steps foot into that middle school next year. I have such high expectations because of it, and I can really tell a difference in Madison's enthusiasm about school. Last year, and the year before really, she was finding every excuse to not go to school. Now, on a Friday night, she's looking forward to her tutoring tomorrow. I am assuming she is figuring out that she can actually figure out problems, and she kind of likes it. At least, I hope that's what it is.

Just to give you a little background about our situations generally with Chandler.....in our town there are pretty much 3 groups of kids....the preps/jocks...the nerds...or the emo's. It's so awful, that at 11 years old, these kids group themselves...and exclude others that aren't just right. FYI, emo's are generally kids who are "in touch with their emotions"...and usually dress in dark, tight clothes, and are depressed. It may not be like that everywhere, but that's how it is here. There are almost no just regular kids. This has definitely been a struggle for Chandler. He's neither a nerd, jock, or emo. He's just a normal kid. He's had his church friends....Chase and Ethan mainly, but not many kids at school. He's had a few that there were potential for, but none really just clicked. This one friend that he now has in 6 classes is one of the few normal friends he has. And finally, after 8 years of school together, they have clicked! So far, they have spent several afternoons together, and he's actually staying over there tonight. I could not be more excited for him!!! I am a firm believer that if these kids at this age can find that one friend, or group of friends to get through these akward years together, it will help them stay out of trouble. Of course, if they are the right kid.

Collin is still doing great! He's got several boys in his class that he really likes, so time will tell who his close friend becomes. His best friend still lives about 30 minutes away, which really bums him out, but they see each other every weekend at church.

I think last post I said that Jillian didn't miss the kids too much....well I was right when I said we were too busy. The next day, she walked around the house from room to room calling out for Chandler. It was pitiful. So, when Maddie and Collin get off the bus...she literally runs to go meet them. It is so sweet. I'm going to try to film it this week before it becomes too routine.

Well, I'm off to clean the kitchen for now. I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Back to the land of the living.

Well, back to school season, for the most part is over. It's really quite a roller coaster of emotions in this business. I'm sure it's like most retailers Christmas, except for we only have about a month or so to celebrate. It's been an exhausting couple of weeks, but we made it through, and we have all survived. I had so many concerns about Jillian up at the store, etc., but it all worked out. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite as crazy as I would have liked it to have been, but I expected it to be a tad slower. I'm hoping we still have a couple of 'last hoorah's' before the month ends, but I think we are in fair shape even if we don't.

The kids all started school today. I think they were all pretty excited about it. They all like their teacher's and schedules. Chandler has 6 classes with one of his closest friends, so I couldn't ask for anything more with him!! Madison has one of her close friends in her class...a little girl from a wonderful Godly family. I have been praying so earnestly for her to develop Godly friends, and I think He is answering that prayer. And Collin is just so easy to please for the most part....he's almost always happy. He did come home talking about a new little boy who he really thought could be his friend....so that was good. It seemed as if he was reaching out to "the new kid". I am praying that they all have a great year with their education, but also with their friends. Chandler is in 7th grade now, and peer pressure is just unbelieveable at 12. I have been praying for a hedge of protection around Chandler's mind. For the Lord to somehow, someway, continue to help Chandler make wise decisions. If you don't have a child in middle school, it's truly unbelieveable the choices children this age are making. Disgusting really. Heartbreaking. So far, I have no warning signs to make me nervous...we are still in the fairy tale stage I suppose. I'm looking and watching though. I refuse to be a parent who ignores warning signs.

Jillian didn't seem to miss them too much. We were too busy really. She had speech therapy, which by the way, isn't going as well as I would have liked. I think we may up it to twice a week. I'm just not impressed whatsoever with her speech progress. We are seeing progress in other areas, like her eating. She is totally off baby food, and doesn't spit out her real food when she gets tired of chewing it. You just can't imagine what a blessing that is!! Or maybe you can.... Nevertheless, her speech just isn't improving like I feel like it should. Our therapist made a few notes about my concerns, and we'll reevaluate in a couple of weeks or so.

And then there is the Olympics. It's absolutely fascinating to be watching the Olympics and know we have been there. We drove past the bird's nest several times. We saw the water cube. We walked on the Great Wall. It's so surreal. I was blessed to also be able to travel to Barcelona in 1992, and visit the Olympic village then as well. I don't remember watching the 1992 Olympics near like I have this one. Maybe I was too busy in school, trying to graduate. Hubby was graduating, and I was about to, and it was a crazy time....but it is interesting to me that I, who have not traveled the world over, have been able to see 2 places of the Olympics during the time of those Olympics. Just kind of neat to me.

So there is a mish mash of my life these days. We're all good. We're all tired. But we are definitely all good.

Back To School....Again.

It's back to school time. I've not been able to sell my store yet, so I'm in the chaos of it again. I know I should be thrilled...this is the one time of year I make money. If I keep my store, that is one thing I have just got to change. I have got to figure out what to bring in for the rest of the year. But that's another worry for another day. I unfortunately have plenty of worries for now. This year our teacher's spending money has been cut in half. So, I scaled back on my orders, and now I'm running painfully low on a couple of things. I've had some shipments that have been delayed, etc., etc. The kicker is, that when I bought this store, everyone told me it had a reputation of never being stocked...and I vowed never to let that happen. And I have. Not on all areas....but a couple crucial ones. I know to people out there who are not teacher's or store owners, this is sounding silly, but when a teacher comes in for her yellow border, and it's sold out....it's trouble. She has to rethink her entire bulletin board, etc. etc. Or start class without any border at all...which isn't good either. So, I am praying...and if you find it in you, please pray with me that I get some of my shipments early. Several are coming Tuesday, and it would be OH so lovely if they came Monday. I'm really trusting the Lord on this one. I've actively been trying to get a job, and I've gotten no leads to anything...so it is appearing that it His will for me not to sell this store at this time, no matter how desperately my flesh wants to make it happen. Everytime I go to sleep these days I dream about nobody coming in the store, or going in and all of our light bulbs simultaneously go out....I've actually had that one several times. I'm sure it's symbolic of something. Maybe not. On a positive note though, my paintings have been selling like crazy. I'm making up a little bit of the lost money on my paintings...which is a good thing. I actually had 2 customers come into the store the other day just to buy them. So, anyway, I'll update on Monday if any shipments arrive. I know I've got one small one coming with all my frog stuff...and some money stuff. But it's the bigger ones that start coming on Tuesday....I mean Monday! Speak it, right??!! Please pray for us...we're just stressed.

What's it all about?

If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you will know that I seem to ALWAYS go back to the basics. What is life really all about?? During Chase's hospital stay, that's all I focused on. Then the Lord miraculously saved his life, and has brought him through a full recovery, and I've moved on to needing a job. And while I do still need a job, I am thankful that one by one my family is realizing what it's all about. Both of my older children have had some very intimate times with the Lord. Collin has said for a year that he wanted to be baptized, but we really didn't think he knew what he was talking about, so like the awful parents we are, we just kept postponing it. Well, at VBS this year, he went forward...again.... to give his heart to the Lord, and absolutely insisted on being baptized. I obviously had known he had done this, but it wasn't until I was looking through pictures on hubby's computer that I came across this one. It's Collin with one of the most amazing women at our church, going through the sinner's prayer....again. I love it. I absolutely cherish this picture. Since then, he has gone to church camp, where both he and Maddie really had a touch from the Lord. Maddie even came back declaring that she "felt like the Lord had called her also to help with orphans". She asked me if I would help her when she got older figure out how to have some sort of Christian home that would be a safe place for children that didn't have families. Of course, I am well aware of our social system, etc....but I also know that the Lord would not put on a child's heart something that is impossible! My heart is full...and I am loving how often the Lord reminds me of what it's really all about!!!

Oh no.

Jillian came to me tonight saying something repeatedly, and for the life of me I couldn't figure out what it was. So she finally tugged my shirt, and said "mone, mone"...which is come on. So I went into the living room to see her smiling, and pointing at the tv . She then repeated the mystery word again, and again. I finally realized she was saying spongebob...and spongebob was really on tv. She knew who he was, and proceeded to start singing the opening song. Well, at least the tune of it. How could this happen?? I really can't stand spongebob. So....we now have 2 tv's for sale. Please call for a price. Just kidding....but cable may really have to go!

Sentimental moments.

I have to warn you before you even start reading this....this post is extremely random, and all over the place. If you've never visited my blog before now...skip it. Go straight to the older ones. And enjoy them....

But for today, I'm random. There has been a recent batch of Travel Approvals received at my adoption agency today. I remember that day so very clear! Trying to work out flights, etc., while I was at work by myself, and hubby was in a very important meeting at his job. So, I called my mom, and then called my Family Coordinator, and got it all worked out. Those were the days I realized we were going to be going to China a day early, and staying a day late. And those were the days panic just overcame me. So, being in the sentimental mood that I've been in....I decided it would be a great idea to begin printing out all the old emails that I received and sent either prior to our China trip, or during our China trip. And then...shocker of all shockers coming.... I find myself getting so nostalgic!!! It was a time in my life that I was so terrified, but at the same time, I truly never felt so close to the Lord. I'm not going to go into the entire 'if you feel called, please adopt' saga again....but really....if you feel called to adopt, please do it. My life is so crazy, and exhausting, and it's not perfect in any way shape or form...but it has been blessed with the joy and miracle of adoption. I've lived it, and I am still in awe. I look at other people's blogs and find myself almost getting jealous...and then I realize...WAIT...I did that too!!! I know...I'm truly crazy. I guess for me...the entire experience was just that powerful. So inspiring that it seems surreal. Does that make sense to anybody else but me??

I also find myself wishing I could go back to China someday. (I really need to go back and read those posts from about September don't I??) I know...it'll pass..but for now, I really, really want to take my kids back. I asked them today just randomly when they wanted to go to China...and they yelled out...TODAY!!! I laughed. Possibly it's from all the hullaballoo about the Olympics..but I just get excited when I think to myself..."Oh my word...I have been to China!!!! Wow!!!"

I can only imagine how world travelers must feel. I do want to go to London one day. My brother and sister in law love it there....and my step sister actually lives there. And loves it. My dad has been a couple of times, and it just seems wonderful. I also want to go to Rome. And see the ruins. History fascinates me. To see places that have stood for hundreds and hundreds of years is simply amazing!!! So, my question of the day would be...(if I had a question of the day)...where would you want to go? I have 2 very close friends who want to desperately go to Australia. I have no desire at all to go there. I really don't know why...but I don't. London would probably be my first place. Russia may be second. Not to jump too far back on the adoption boat...but those eastern European countries really do still tug at my heart. Maybe one or more of my kids will be able to adopt from there, if the entire IA systems don't collapse.

I know this post is all over the place. It's a good showing of where my mind is too. I'm jumping from job searching, to back to school season, to following people's China trips, to speech therapy, tutoring, and orthodontist appts., etc., etc. I'll let you go for now. Maybe I'll get a chance to post again soon....and maybe it will make more sense. No guarantees though.

We are alive...I promise.

I'm so sorry I haven't posted at all lately. With so many computer problems...we figured we should take my computer in to the shop to figure out what was going on. We then brought my hubby's computer home, and it wouldn't work either. So we had comcast come out. They replaced the modem which promptly quit the next day. Long story short..I've been without a computer for the most part for weeks now. And then when I do borrow one...or get on hubby's at work..I have to do the important stuff....like apply for jobs, etc. Yes...I did say apply for jobs. We have come to the conclusion that it just isn't going to work anymore without me having a stable income. Life is just so stinkin' expensive....and it's just going to get worse with teenagers. So, the resume is done...and I'm applying for every pharmaceutical rep position there is...along with the other 500,000 people that want to work in that field. Hubby does still have some contacts from his 7 years of repping, so he's going to get on the phone next week and see what he can come up with. In the mean time...if any of you out there that still read this have any contacts...they would be greatly appreciated. I need a company car. I need good insurance, and I need a good paycheck. Has anybody priced braces lately?? They are outrageously expensive, and since they are now in Chandler's mouth...I have to come up with a way to pay for them!! LOL!!

Jillian is doing wonderful. She is really, really getting cute. We were talking the other day about how we are going to have to stay focused on discipline, because she totally has the potential to wrap us around her little finger...and quickly. She is talking more and more. She told me this morning....." un, ot dow". Quick translation...Want hot dog. I was so excited! 3 words!!!! And she knew exactly what she wanted, and was dancing around the refrigerator to tell me! So cute!!!! Speech therapy is going great! She's still loving her brothers and sister. Life is grand!