Reason #9 why I"m praying we're in Colombia by April

Our homestudy agency is closing!!!!!

Good grief, I never figured we'd be on the hunt for a 3rd agency...

I haven't said anything about the other reasons, so here they are (not in any order):

1. Brother's college graduation
2. Sister's college graduation
3. Sister's high school graduation
4. Sister's grand finale theater production
5. Birth of friends' baby
6. Wedding in May
7. Cousin's wedding beginning of June (visit Grandma too...a 2-3x a year occurance)
8. Cuz we want to be with our kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9. Homestudy agency closing end of April

All of these things are important events I'd really like to be a part of. I know it's in God's hands, and has always been, and that's where I need to keep it.

I feel selfish praying for what I want- to travel to Colombia in March. I also know it's getting kinda close for that to even happen.

The Lord knows, has his plan, and I'm just going to rest in that!! (But I'm steeeel gonna hope! ;)

A little disappointed

I've read both books I bought-Beyond Consequences, Logic and Control. They didn't turn out to be what I thought they'd be. I guess I was looking for them to be more specific and definitive in regards to the "Beyond" part, but they weren't. There also wasn't any new information if one has already read Attaching in Adoption, Weaver's Craft, and Ghosts from the Nursery or Parenting Your Internationally Adopted Child.

The format of the book is to give the "traditional view" on handling situations, and the "new view". The traditional view seems to come from quite a few years ago, as nothing I've read so far fits in with the "traditional view" (except Love is Not Enough. That followed the traditional view and was a little extreme. It was really good for getting an idea of the "worst case scenarios" though. She didn't sugar coat) The new view is simply based on attachment theory and brain and trauma research.

I think the author gave some good examples of what not to do, and what to do that will facilitate the parent child connection instead of erode it. I just didn't feel it was concrete and transferable enough to really be helpful as a stand alone resource.

So, I like this book, but I think it would be a good idea to read something a little more technical along with it.

Snow Day!

This has been a great winter so far. We've had snow on the ground nearly the whole month of January! And, except for 2 days in the high 60's, it's been below freezing. That's the kind of winter I like. No mud, no freeze/thaw/freeze/thaw/freeze/thaw.

We received about an 1/2" of solid ice early this morning, and then about 6" of snow. So I think we have about 10" or so.

S came home early, so we went out to de-ice the truck and shovel. Well, he shoveled. The other shovel broke so I played with the dog in the snow.

In other news, the Governor gave his speech today, and unveiled his new plan for Ohio's education system. Evidently we're going to be the 1st state to have 200 days of school within 10 years. That's 20 more than now. And, he's enacting mandatory all day Kindergarten, and a new 4 year teacher residency program before one can get their professional license. And he's overhauling the state achievement test along with adding a bunch of requirements for graduating seniors.

It's a LOT of change. Almost a little too much to take in at one time.

Don't tell....but...

I really dislike teaching reading. I don't hate it, but I really would rather not have to teach it. I LOVE to read though. I just don't "get" why kids can't use strategies on their own, or why they don't remember the sound the letter makes, or why they can't put the onset and rime together when they finally figure them out! I just don't get it!! So I get a little frustrated. Kind of a random fact about me.

I am looking forward to reading with my own kids though. I can hardly wait actually, but then I can hardly wait to do a lot of things with them! Show them how to dust, play blocks, build with Lincoln Logs, go to the park, ride in the car, go sledding, show them the lambs at lambing time......

I put my bags in the backseat after work and got all choked up thinking that those seats will soon have squirmy little ones in them!!!

I need a little help.....

I've been looking at carseats. A few of our kids will most likely need a carseat, if not all. Here's my dilemma: They may be using the carseats for quite some time. Do we use "preowned" carseats which may expire (thus leading us to find another one) and which may have unknown age defects, or do we just buy brand new ones from the get go?

Second, I've looked at some recommendations, and the "good" ones are very expensive. Are they really that much better at protecting the child than the ones half the price?

Third, carseats brought up the question of airplane travel. What did you do? Did you take a seat with you for your little one to ride back in?

I figure I have the time to think about these things now, why not?

New Book

Over Christmas Break, I realized that I had no more books to read. I finished the Patty Cogen book, which was excellent, and was ready for a new one. But I didn't know what else to read. Problem solved today! I saw someone mention Beyond Consequences, Logic, and Control and it sounded just like the thing I needed to read.

So I'm going to. :) And as it turns out, the author is University of Florida alum (alumna?...I never get that word right.)

Any other recommendations?

Reality TV

There's something intriguing about other people's lives. I don't know if it's because it lets us forget about our own, or if it highlights all the things in our life that we actally are content with. But reality tv is certainly prolific. I have to say that I'm a fan of some of the shows. Since there are so many now, I kinda waver in and out between series. I'm not an American Idol fan. I prefer shows where there is more of a rising and falling plot to follow.

Anyway, my DVR is full of shows this month. I might as well enjoy it, cause when the kids come it'll be shut off!

Speaking of kids, we haven't heard anything yet. I'm hoping that the dossier has been translated now. Of course I hope that it's been submitted too, but that may be a little unrealistic. But each day, I literally imagine where it could be, and if someone is working away translating it, or if it's en route, or if it's resting on a desk somewhere.

It could be that I think about it way too much, but then again, those papers were a part of our life for a loooooong time.

Heavyhearted

We found out yesterday that a friend's brother has passed away; an untimely death as he was young and a husband and father. And then today, I received notice at school that my dear custodian, who needed to go on disability this year, only has a few days to live.

So as I sit here, I am very sad for these families. Please pray for them all.

It's Great to be a Florida Gator!!!!!!!!!!!

I love Goodwill!

Ever since I was a little girl, I've always loved that store. Some more than others. When I was in 6th grade and living in Waukesha, WI, the Goodwill was just close enough to walk or ride bikes to. It was probably a couple miles away. But friends and I would go there and spend hours trying stuff on...especially the beautiful prom and bridesmaid dresses. Oh, the sweetheart necklines and puffy sleeves! I thought they were spectacular!

Ok, back to the present. There is a new Goodwill close by (well 25 min. away). Every time I've gone, I have found a great little item...or 2 or 3. The last 2 times I went I found brand new Eddie Bauer pants for S...$3.49, a boy's toddler jacket $1.99, a rolling suitcase $3.49, and pair of new tab-top curtains, $3.49. I love paying less than $5 for stuff!! Honestly, Goodwill prices a lot of their things cheaper than one can find at a yardsale!

Now, if Goodwill would put in a store a little closer...