Today/Tonight/Excitement

Where to start about this busy, busy day?

First off, we have anticipated travel dates of 10/12-10/23. It's a bit later than I wanted, but I can make it now that we have cleared court and have a set date. 10/14 -- Gotcha Day. CANNOT WAIT.

All of our excitement came very much unlike how I thought it would. First, Elizabeth called to tell me "She is mine!!" but I was on the phone and she left a message on my voicemail that was hard to hear. When I called her back, the call was dropped shortly after she told me we had gone through court and had return dates of 10/12-10/23. She was in a poor reception area.

I immediately called Kevin to tell him and be excited. I then called my mom to tell her. I couldn't talk long because I had arrived for my 12:00 dental appointment. While there, I saw my dear friend, Maggie, and we celebrated right in the lobby of the dentist's office. The entire time I was in the dentist's office, my phone was ringing and vibrating like I was AT&T. I didn't have time to listen to any of the messages because immediately after I finished at the dentist, I had to go next door to the doctor's office for my Hep A/B shots. By the time I got finished with that it was simply a phone-fest while I waited in the car rider line to pick up Joshua. How excited EVERYONE was to hear that her case was through court and she was OURS!!!

This evening, I had plans to do a focus study at my friend Susan's house. Ironically, Susan and I met at 20/20 research (same company that was doing this one) while doing a research study. She is the reason I got my job and that was how we became friends. So, tonight, she had agreed to do a study where she had to cook for three people and we'd come and be videoed and talk about things that were valuable to us and things that we thought were of value. It was SO much fun. Imagine the surprise of all the folks there when I come in announcing I was a new mom. HA! The looks are priceless. Anyway, I got to share the good news with these folks and they were so kind and interested. I love to talk about our adoption.

So we had a wonderful dinner (Susan -- it really was excellent) and got to talk about the economy and value and such. Turns out it was a research study/focus group for Campbell's. FUN!!! I gave the folks my blog and they said they would visit, so if you do, HELLO! I hope you guys enjoy Nashville. I had a great time. I also told them I'd put a recipe on my site using Campbell's Soup, so here goes:

Easy Cheesy Crockpot Chicken

This crockpot chicken recipe is so easy, made with cream of chicken soup and cheese soup, along with seasonings and chicken breasts.

Cook Time: 7 hours

Ingredients:
6 boneless chicken breast halves, without skin
salt and pepper, to taste
garlic powder, to taste
2 cans Campbell's condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can Campbell's condensed cheddar cheese soup

Preparation:Rinse chicken and sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix undiluted soup and pour over chicken in a Crock Pot. Cook on low 6 to 8 hours. Serve over rice or noodles.

Serves 6.

This is quick and good and great for nights when you have to be out the door to someplace like sports, school, church, etc.

So, now I'm back home, sitting where it is quiet (should be in the bed) and reflecting on the face pace of the day and the HUGE news that has come and changed our family. I've reviewed all the paperwork our agency sent and will begin working on that this weekend, after the yard sale on Friday and Saturday, Girls Night Out on Friday and church on Sunday. It will require my brain to be working so this is not the time to think about it.

I'm going to add a ticker counting down the days. Tomorrow, my friend Jennifer goes to get her passport to travel with me. She wanted something "big" and "exciting" to mark our 40th birthday (yes, I just told my age). Well, I think she just got it!!!

Thanks to all who have been so kind and left comments. It really, really means so much to us. You have supported us when we were down and it's even better to share when we are up!!

Our thanks again to the God who has made this possible. "I prayed for this child and God has given me what I asked of Him."