~Red Thread~

We are 60 days into waiting for our LOA, and I have to admit this part of the journey is harder that I thought. I have been a little "stir crazy", but keeping busy. It seems at these times God gives me one more "red thread" to hang onto.

Today, I received an email from a woman whose family had committed to adopting Lucy in October '07, before we ever saw her face. She wanted me to know how she came to love our Lucy and how she had to step away so that she could be found by our family. She and her friends had been praying for Lucy and one of them came across our blog, and wanted to know if this was the little girl she had been praying for! I could not thank her enough for the willingness to share her story with me, and the gift she gave to us by knowing that they were not the family for Lucy. She and her family have found their daughter, and are overjoyed that they will be holding her very soon.

I am always touched by other's stories of how God placed the perfect child into their family, and how he shows that by these "red threads", but I am so amazed as it unfolds for us. One day I will go back and document each of those moments in our journey to Lucy because there have been many.

I am so grateful for this reminder of God's plan for Lucy and our family...and why this "wait" is worth every moment. I have always known this adoption journey is a complete walk in Faith, but what I seemed to have forgotten is that He is holding my hand the whole time~

Meme

Kim tagged me for this meme...so here it goes....

(for those who don't know what a meme is...it is just a way we get to know each other here in "blogland")

Six quirky things about me...

1. I will not eat a hamburger or hot dog bun for anything but it's intended purpose (hamburgers and hot dogs (brats, etc, which I rarely eat anyway) It is completey unacceptable (in my humble opinion) to use these in lieu of bread!

2. I do not like feet. Now, that being said, I do like baby feet, and my children's feet up to the time they start bathing on their own. I would never be able to give someone a pedicure or rub their feet, however, I LOVE pedicures and don't seem to have an issue with that...go figure!

3. I will not use my boys' bathroom at any cost...even though I am the one who cleans it! Lucy will NOT share a bathroom with "the boys", she will use mine!

4. I have a decorative lamp on the counter in our powder room and it ALWAYS has to be "on". If someone unplugs it or turns it "off", they are "gently" reminded that is "needs" to always be lit :)

5. I hate sponges...I am a "dishcloth" girl. My husband tried to convert me, I submitted for awhile, but we are back to dishcloths.

6. I will not eat deviled eggs at a party or buffet unless I personally know the person who has prepared them.

So, there you have them...odd, but true!

~Thankful Thursday~

Update: Here is a link to a site set up for Maria Chapman...

It is in times of tragedy that we are reminded of all we have to be thankful for...

~Our hearts and our prayers go out to Steven Curtis Chapman's family as they have suffered the most heartbreaking loss

~I am thankful for a wonderful husband who makes my dreams come true everyday

~I am thankful for my 3 handsome boys and their health

~I am thankful that I FINALLY have an excuse to shop for these..,

(there will be no more shoe purchases until Lucy comes home!)

Have a great weekend!

Happy 45th Birthday Toby!

Happy Birthday Toby! We love you and wish a wonderful year ahead. You are an amazing husband and father, you are athletic, optimistic, trustworthy, reliable, funny, handsome, and more than anything I could have hoped for in a life partner. I love you and am blessed to be your wife.

All our love...Dawn, Powell, Blake & Bennett

Celebrating Bennett's Birthday!

~Happy 11th Birthday Bennett~

How did time go by so quickly? You are such a cool guy. You have such a strong personality and love to mimick your older brothers, if there is a tree...you will climb it, you are funny, sensitive, and kind. You have made a huge sacrifice this year by giving up your bedroom, and sharing with Blake, so that Lucy could have a room of her own...you are generous and sweet. We cannot believe our "baby" will go to middle school next year, but we know you are looking forward to it.

We wish you a Happy Happy Birthday...and love you more than you will ever know!

Time Away *update*

My "time away" has been very productive. I wanted to do a quick update to my blog so it won't be too far behind. So, here is the latest....

~Blake ran in his first track meet for middle school. He ran the 4x relay, and the 100. He was a little disappointed with his time in the 100, but WOW is he fast!!

~I have purchased a bed for Lucy!!! This is such a huge accomplishment, as I was really struggling trying to find just the right one!

~I have purchased bedding for Lucy!! An even bigger accomplishment!!

~I am working on paint color for Lucy's room this week, and then will start painting.
*I will share pictures when Lucy's room is a little farther along*

~My girlfriend planned a Tea Party for two of our friends little girls. I was able to share in the fun. It was so sweet to see the girls all dressed up, and to imagine that next year Lucy will attend.

~There a lots of other small things like organizing closets, preparing for our neighborhood yard sale, accessory shopping for Lucy's room :) that feels great to get accomplished. So, I am off again to "feather my nest".

~China Earthquake~

The news coming out of China is so devastating...we will continue to send up our prayers for all.

Lucy is in the Hunan province which is East of the city of Chengdu. ..so fortunately her SWI might have felt the earthquake, but was not affected. The following message was posted on our Yahoo group.

Hi all I know you will be worried about your children's first homes so I have just gathered some info from our folk on the ground in China.Yvonne our LWB Hunan Director who lives in Changsha reported that she felt the quake this morning but did not know what it was until she heard the news.Shirley our LWB Loudi monitor has also been in touch and reported life as normal. Our Henan Director has also checked in to report Henan province is OK too. Our education manager in Sichuan province reports all cell phones aredown and she has been unable to make contact with several college student. Please keep all in your thoughts and prayers. Julie Flynn Coleman Loudi Foster Care Coordinatorwww.lovewithoutboundaries.com

~Happy Mother's Day~

I couldn't let this day go by without acknowledging each of my children. I am so blessed to have been chosen to parent each of these boys. They are the truly the "lights" of my life. They make being a Mom a privilege and a joy!

To my sweet Lucy Joy~

I already feel I am your Mommy in every sense of the word. Not a day goes by that we don't think of you and pray to have you home. I look forward to celebrating many Mother's Day with you in my life.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you special ladies~