Happy Birthday to Jonesy-Pones

Happy Birthday to my nephew, Jones. He is the miracle baby spoken about in my earlier post about my sis. He is two years old. What a sugar. I might mention that I am his favorite person. Hehe.

Best Buds

Over the past 5 1/2 years I have really begin to understand what friendship is all about. These girls are it. I love them, seriously....love em'. We've been through it all with these guys. For about 5 out of those years we had dinner once a week together, we talked about sometimes serious, some times not-so stuff, we cried together...sometimes tears of joy, sometimes tears of sorrow. We were there for births, deaths, moves,vacations...everything. You see, the crazy thing is...these chicks, they love me. The even crazier thing is....they really know me (and still love me!!) So, despite the fact that I NEVER answer my phone, rarely send cards, forget lots and lots of birthdays and anniversaries, speak before I think most of the time, am most often the last one there (generally about 10 minutes late, or longer), have crazy-crazy ideas, think I am generally right most of the time.....and on and on. They love me and I know they always will. They are the kind of buddies, that no matter what we will ALWAYS be like sisters. Despite moves, busy-ness, new friends, kiddos, disagreements, time....we will always be BEST BUDS.

Love ya' girls!

Praise God

Praising God for a good report for my sis. She goes every 3 months to MD Anderson for a checkup on her cancer (brain tumor). We just returned from a trip with good news. No change, the MRI looks "perfect." Well, as perfect as perfect can be when you are missing 1/4 of your gray matter. That is way better than cancer being there, though. Really, we count it a miracle...we are three years out now. Thank you, Lord, for continuing to bless us.

Side Note: We  try to make a fun trip of it every time we go. This time it was a fun girls trip. I have to say the most fun we had was in the convenience store bathroom.  You see, in Texas (where everything is "big") they have these crazy over-zelous hand dryers that actually almost remove the skin from your hands. I mean, they are functional, in that they dry your hands. Unfortunately, when you are done you no longer have skin on your hands. No really, they are hilarious. They blow incredibly hard. Mom and I thought it would be funny to try other body parts too. I put my face under and mom put her leg up there. It was really, really hilarious. The skin just all went to one side. I tried to take a picture at our final stop, but by the time we were back in Oklahoma they didn't have those anymore. You better believe that the next checkup we go to we are taking a camera in the bathroom to capture that moment. We laughed until we nearly wet our pants. Also, I've got to give a shout out to mom on the gifts. She is so generous on the shopping right after we get good news!!! :)

Zoo Fun

Zoo Trip on Monday! Fun Times. Micah took off on Monday so we could have a family day. We went to the zoo and had tons of fun. 

It took a little convincing on my part to talk Micah into wanting to rent a surrey and ride around the zoo, I had no idea why in the world he wouldn't want to do it, it looked so fun. Well, after I convinced him, I soon found out what the hold up was. See, the zoo is really hilly. My legs and buns still hurt! Micah would say he did most of the work...but, at one point I did get out and push.  That was a funny site.Micah was mortified!

Another good idea, gone a little astray.  The exhibit where the birds come and attack you...hmmm. Looks good from afar, but get Rinny and Creed in there and it was like that scary movie "Birds." Birds attacking, kids screaming, all the time Micah and are are trying to talk the kiddos into "enjoying the moment." Good idea...in theory.
All in all, it really was a fun day at the zoo. We had a picnic and enjoyed time together seeing animals.

HIP HIP HOORAY

GREAT NEWS, EVERYBODY!!! We are OFFICIALLY waiting!!!! Our homestudy has all the completed paperwork and documentation and we are approved and are officially on the waiting list to receive our referral (in turn, to receive Baby "K")!!!!!! We are overjoyed!!!!!! It could be anywhere from 6 or so-ish months to 13 or so-ish months for baby.  Can't wait...oh, I am so HAPPY right now!!!

Mim's House for Easter

Today we spent the day at Mim's house....lots of fun, always crazy. Sky and Jeff were over too, plus the kiddos. All we were missing was JD and Jill and Mika and Damien (my bro and sis and fam). Sissy stopped by for awhile and so did Erica (aunt and cuz'). It is always really, really insane at my mom's house with all the children running around. Oh, okay, it's mostly Creed that brings the craziness. But, it is also always fun. No doubt things were broken and Mim and Popsicle will probably find a stray egg or two under their bed in about a week or so (what's that smell?).

Rockin' Easter Party

Our Friends, and small group leaders, Rod and Rachel just threw a great party. I think they are secretly party planners and they sit around and think about how they can throw together an unbelievable party.  Small group is something that is very near and dear to our hearts, we feel like this is the only way to do life together. Our new small group has really made me feel more at home at our new place. They are so incredibly kind and are so careful to really make us feel like we fit in. Here are some pics that I captured at the party, more to come on my smugmug site later. To all my new friends: you guys are awesome.

Birth Moms that Inspire Me

That is the look of the pure joy it is to hold your child for the first time. That's my Rinny.
One of the best mommy's I know. This is Sky, my sis, right after her diagnosis with her twin girls, Campbell and Landry.An inspiration of what it means to be a good mom.

Sky's Blessings....Landry, Jones, Max, and Campbell

So, I am up late pondering, worrying, and praying for our birth mom. I included some pics of Micah and me holding Rinn for the first time after she was born. I still remember the feeling of her skin against mine. I remember I looked her in the eyes and told her I would do absolutely anything for her, anything. I told her I would always be her mommy and would always love her no matter what. 

As I look at those pictures, my heart races for the birth mom of our child. I think, at this point our child has been born. I wonder where baby kersh's birth mom is, what she is thinking, how lonely she must feel. I love her deeply, very deeply. Our lives will forever be connected together and I thank her for the choice she has made. I hope that our child grows up knowing that his/her birth mom loved them so much that they sacrificed for them. I hope that they understand it was the most unselfish thing that their birth mother could have done. I pray that they believe that with all their heart. I pray for her, that she would be comforted in knowing that her child will be loved, snuggled, held, cared for. I am in awe of the sacrifice she has made.

This reminds me of a mom that inspires me. She really should write a book about her story. Her name is Sky, and she happens to be my big sister. (yes, we were born in the 70's and yes, my mom was a wanna be flower child!!) Almost to the date 3 years ago Sky had a severe seizure. This was a shocker for us because the only time Sky had been in the hospital was to get pregnant (in vitro...they were considered infertile) and to give birth. At that time, she had 9 month old twin girls and a 3 year old little boy. Because of God's great provision, Sky was with my mom and sister at the time of the seizure and wasn't alone (or driving) with the kiddos. After the ambulance arrived, my sister awoke with a bleeding tongue and a scratched neck and insisted that she go home to nurse her twins before she go to the hospital, turning the ambulance away. (looking back, yes...we do realize this was insane, it was just the instinct of a mom). After nursing her babies, she went to the ER, where shortly after the doctor called us all in and said that she had a mass on her brain. Sky was diagnosed with an anaplastic ooligodendroglioma. Big word...very bad news. It was an advanced form of a rare brain cancer. Sky went through it...surgeries, trips to MD Anderson in Houston, chemo, radiation, MRI's, the works. In August, while undergoing chemotherapy, Sky discovered that she was pregnant and had been for a while. It is hard for me to write about, as my eyes are filling with tears. She is amazing. The doctors all told my sister that she would need to terminate the pregnancy right away in order to continue treatment that was essentially saving her life, and that the "fetus" was surely malformed. Again, Sky's motherly instincts set in. Fast forward.....a few months later as Sky, Jeff (her husband), Rinn, and I sat in an ultrasound room we discovered that the baby was a boy, and that he had spina bifida and club feet, along with some fluid on his brain. The doctor did mention, again, the possibility of sending her to a physician that could terminate the pregnancy. Sky and Jeff were already madly in love with their child. Fast forward...her baby boy, Jones just had his 2nd birthday. What a cutie. He does have some health problems but is about the cutest little guy you will ever see (I have proof, just look at the picture). 

These two stories do tie together. Two birth moms. One, my sister, and one the birth mom to my child a world away. Both incredibly courageous. Both making the right choice, both madly in love with their children. You are both an inspiration and I love you dearly. 

My little Easter Eggs

Time for Dye. Rinny was obsessed with the pink, of course. We made an egg for baby Kersh, too. I told Creed and Rinn that we had made one for them when we were pregnant. So, we didn't want to leave "Baby K" out. Creed said "he" (his baby BROTHER) would want blue, Rinn said her baby sister would want pink. The debate continues on which child will be right, but we decided to go with a neutral yellow to be safe!

Planting for Spring

We had a great time working in the yard this week. Creed helped daddy mow, notice Rinn in the background just watching!

We found several little worms...all a part of a family, Creed concluded. We named the daddy "Crawly Wally." 

Rinny was  a little timid about going and getting dirty, or cold. Such a girl!

Rinny used her little baby voice to say, "Hi little bitty worm" Oh my goodness, her voice is the cutest thing ever. 

Funny Faces...Funny Friends

This week was a ball. Our friends from Yukon, Jo and Korey came to visit and have a sleepover. We love them so much. Korey has been like a little sister to me over the last several years. What a beauty...inside and out. Our kids love her so much too!  I was both Korey and Jo's drama coach in the past. What great girls! They watched the kiddos for awhile, too, so Micah and I could go out to dinner alone. When we returned, they had been preparing a Sesame Street Live show (of course!). You've gotta check this picture out. Creed set the stage. Check the details that he came up with: Rinn was Super Grover, Creed was Big Bird, and then Creed got the trash can from the bathroom and put a green hippo in it to be Oscar. He also turned a stool upside down and put our blow up globe on it for Elmo's World. Of course, he needed a fish...so, he got a fish from a game he has, put water in a tupperware container and put it up on a make-shift table. This Kid is creative.

The next morning we had a huge breakfast and ate a ton of food. Rinn always obsesses about sweets and was so excited about the cinnamon rolls. No party with Korey is complete without a funny faces picture!!

We love you, Korey and Jo~!

Fun Times

Last weekend the fam went on a "weekend of fun" when we went to see Elmo one night and then a high school production of "Beauty and the Beast" the next evening.  It was so fun. Creed has seen Sesame Street Live 4 or 5 times. There is a little debate in the house between Micah and I of the exact number. Regardless, the kid is spoiled. He has seen a lot of them. Anyway, he was still mesmorized. Rinny was a little less sure of herself. She kept saying beforehand that she thought Oscar was a little scary. We talked alot about it and thought it was all resolved. When we got to the show all she kept saying was "Oscar, he's so funny." That is totally Rinn's defense mechanism...reverse psychology on herself. It's so hilarious. She loved the show, though. Of course, they also enjoyed po-cones (popcorn) and a funnel cake. The next night at Beauty and the Beast Rinn was scared of the wolves that are in the forest. She didn't even try the reverse psychology then, but just kept saying "Those cats a yitty bit scary" and "I not like those cats, momma." Creed, however, ate up every bit of it. I know you all who know Creed will find this hard to believe, but Creed sits still during live theatre for over 2 hours sometimes. Shocking, to me, too!  It's amazing. The kid could be on Broadway someday, he loves it so much. 

About Us

Hello out there in the blog-OH-sphere!  I think the summary on the side of the page really sums us up for the most part, but wanted to introduce us and share some exciting news....we are EXPECTING! We are adding to our family through the miracle of adoption. I wanted our first post to be about our journey to our newest baby. 

As many of you know, God has richly blessed us with two children; Creed (5) and Rinn (2). We believe God's Word when it says "children are a blessing, a reward from Him." We are so thankful for our little ones and believe God has richly blessed us. 

For quite some time now, Micah and I have felt a strong calling in our lives to adopt. Really, since the beginning of our marriage nearly 10 years ago now we have talked, prayed, and dreamt about it together. About 9 months ago we really felt like now is the time to follow through with that part of God's will in our lives. We take to heart the verse: James 1:27 "Religion that is pure and undefiled before the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress." We feel that this is a calling on our lives. How blessed are we? We get to obey, and God is going to bless us with our beautiful child. 

At this point, we have completed our homestudy paperwork and are soon going to be "officially" waiting for the referral of our child who is in Korea. We are hoping to be holding our child in our arms within 6-13 months from now, God willing. I read this quotation that spoke deeply to me recently: "Not only is another world possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing." This is so true for adoptive parents, and is incredibly true for me during this time. Our child has most likely been born at this point, or is in his/hers birth mothers womb. I am so deeply in love with this child that I have never seen, never touched, never rocked to sleep. When I really think about it, and pray it is like I can see, smell, imagine my sweet little baby boy or girl. I have already fallen in love. 

Thank you so much for your prayers!!!

Please, as you read this if you would do one thing for us: PRAY. 

*The pics are one of me and the kiddos with Ms. Kimberly (our social worker) right after they signed their "Big Brother/Big Sister" contracts during our homestudy. Ms. Kimberly really made them feel like they are a huge part in the process (which they are, of course!!) The other photo is when Micah and I visited Dillon International's Home office (Our agency). What a blessing it was to visit with such wonderful people who are helping us in the journey to our baby.