Photos at MeeMee's

Yesterday MeeMee snapped some cuties of Ellie when we stopped by.

Ellie and DeeDee...

This one was funny because of the look on her face!!

Sleeping Beauty

I thought it was funny when I checked in on Ellie today while she was napping. There is not one square inch of her bed that isn't covered by a pillow or blanket. This girl requires multiple blankies and pillows to sleep. We have found she is beginning to want to lay in her crib and go to sleep on her own more and more. She puts her head down in her blankies and snuggles and then covers herself up, gets up, flops down, over and over and over until she gets just the right spot made. This is how I found her today (oh, and usually she does have clothes on but she napped right after her bath today and she didn't have her going out clothes on yet!!):

I HAD Such Great Photos . . .

Today, we took Ellie to her second Easter egg hunt at the local fire department. Josh decided to go to a friend's house to play instead of being subjected to having to pick up more candy for Ellie so it was just the three of us.

I had my good camera and was snip snapping away. Ellie was being quite photogenic (and agreeable too!) and I took pictures of her with Sparky the fire dog, pictures of her meeting, touching and finally being held by the Easter bunny, pictures of her actually picking up candy during the egg hunt, and on and on and on. At the END of the egg hunt, I realized there was no memory card in the camera. *UGH* I did have my small work camera with me so I did manage to get a few pictures of her after the fact, but all the good ones were just LOST. Oh well, there are still the memories!!

Ellie realizes there is candy in her basket ...

She finds a Twizzler stick ...

It is in every picture I take from that point on. She is not letting it go and eats it all!

Ellie with Sparky the fire dog and the Easter Bunny.

"HunBun" Ellie sitting on the fire truck (with her candy, of course) ...

After the egg hunt, we stopped by my mom's and she took some pictures which she is going to email to me later and I'll post. We went back, picked up Josh, visited with my grandmother and then went to dinner and back home. We tried out the Pleasant View Diner tonight. The food was good, the place was full, but the service was kind of slow -- maybe because they were full. Ellie had a GREAT time because she got some ice cream. She was putting on a show, clapping, blowing kisses (a very new skill for her!) and laughing loudly. We were all laughing at her. Man, give her a few more months of developing this personality and we'll be in trouble She's a riot!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter. At our house, we are all so very thankful that in the midst of all our failures and personal issues that we know that Jesus loved each of us enough to give His live for us so that we would not be lost. Amazing and so very hard to wrap our heads around. We are looking forward to a wonderful time of worship at our church tomorrow followed by time spent with both our parents and then some family Easter activities in the afternoon. And through it all, let us be mindful of The One who loved us despite our sin. He's Alive!!

Daycare

I have been less than prolific in my blog lately, huh? There has been so much ... drama ... going on that I've not really had time to read email/blogs/facebook or anything.

Kevin and I had come to the decision that as much as we loved Ellie's Mother's Day Out and her Wednesday time with Ms. Luanne, that it was time to look for a full-time daycare so I could get my work done (on time) and he could make sure to be at work more instead of trying to work from home so often.

I sought referrals, prayed a lot, called local daycares and individuals, talked to friends and visited one daycare a couple of times. While I wasn't blown away by it, I'm not really ever blown away by daycares. Kevin and I talked about this particular one and decided that it was our best option. The night before she was supposed to start, I tossed and turned a lot prior to going to bed, trying to figure "another way", asking God to show me another way. I assumed it was because I just didn't want her to go to daycare. Interestingly enough, I had not minded her going to MDO, so maybe that should have been a clue to me.

On Wednesday, I packed all her stuff and took her over to the daycare. On the way there I called my friend Susan and told her she need to tell me all the reasons this was a good idea. When I got there and got out of the car, I had this overwhelming desire to call Kevin and tell him I couldn't do it. I stopped and talked myself out of it, telling myself I was just being dramatic.

When we went in, the director was not there, the assistant director (apparently) wasn't there. The girl who finally came up front was apparently a teacher, but she didn't introduce herself, so I don't know. She didn't know that we were supposed to start that day, either. She took us to the room that would be Ellie's. I had visited there twice before, but both times had been during nap time when the lights were down and the kids were napping. Oh.My. The room smelled like dirty diaper; the kids were running wild (must have been "free play time"), one kid clocked another one up side the head with a toy, one was climbing on the tables. The teacher was less than professional in both appearance and in how she conducted herself. The room was a disaster. Ellie clung to me and wouldn't go to anyone or get down to play. My mind was racing about how I was going to get out of there and not leave her and not stir up a controversy. I finally told them we were just visiting for a little bit today and our official start wasn't until tomorrow and left as fast as I could.

I did manage to find another daycare (truly my first choice, but also the more expensive choice) that I took Ellie to visit. Later in the day, Kevin and Josh, Ellie and I went back for them to visit it. Josh said, "Man, I wish they'd had a daycare like this when I was little." *smile*

When Ellie and I walked in, there was a double door that has a computer required code to get in the second door. The walls were freshly painted and clean. We were greeted by the assistant director who talked on and on to Ellie and to whom Ellie wanted to go to. We were toured through the entire facility. They have security cameras in every room. The toys were clean and in place with kids able to get to them and play with them without getting hurt tripping over them. There were two caregivers, both in professional looking attire and who were very respectful. The kids were all playing well together (well, except for the ones the caregivers were sitting in the floor holding). There were large comfy chairs in the room for rocking little ones. There was a "cozy corner" where the little ones can go and lay or play. There is a bucket where toys that need sterilizing at the end of every day go. It was like a dream daycare.

Ellie started there today. We were told she had a fantastic first day. Kevin said she was playing when he showed up to pick her up and when she noticed him, she came crawling straight over to him with her big smile.

We are very pleased to have found this place and that there was an opening. It's such a blessing to know that I don't have to worry about Ellie while I work. It's good to know that she is being well cared for, well fed and having stimulating activies goinjg on

Hopefully tomorrow I can get some new pix. For now, I'm toast and going to sleep.

Happy Photos!!

Lots of work to enter tonight from my day in Kentucky so no time to really blog, but I actually saw some things to photograph for a HAPPY PHOTOS entry.


I saw this today in Kentucky. I was on a back road in the middle of who knows where when I saw this. I stopped in the road to take a picture of it, I was so stunned. I can't imagine why in the world someone had this in their yard. Had the batteries on my camera not died, I would have taken photos of the other statues that were in their yard -- one was an "ellie-phant".




Then, I heard this before I saw it at a house I inspected. I wish it had spread it's feathers, but still, it was very pretty.

Plates are Breaking Left and Right

My Sunday School teacher uses an analogy of spinning plates to describe life. He says that when you are single you have one plate to spin. Then when you get married you might have three or four: your life, marriage, work, home. Then, as you add children, you add more plates to the mix and have to spin them all at the same time as you spin the ones you already had.

I've spent the last few weeks pondering "my plates" and trying to figure out how to continue balancing them all without continuing to send plates flying into the wall and shattering.

I don't want to sound like I'm whining or complaining. I'm not. But, the reality of my life is that I'm spinning my plate (which includes my relationships with my family and friends), my marriage plate, a plate for Josh, a plate for Ellie, a plate for work, a plate for my home/house, a plate for our finances, a plate for church/my relationship with God and a plate for our pets. So far, it seems I've crashed my plate, my work plate, my finances plate and the house plate and I'm teetering around precariously with the God plate, the Josh plate, the Ellie plate and the marriage plate. Seems like the only plate not teetering is the pet plate and that's only because at present none of them are sick. That could change in an instant.

I'm apparently a horrible time manager (this should come as a surprise to my friend Ann, who thought I must be a wonderful time manager - hahahahaha!!). Actually, it's likely that I'm not such a bad time manager as the fact that I don't have enough time to manage. Each plate that I'm trying to spin is a full-time "job" in and of itself. I just sometimes feel so absolutely overwhelmed at the enormity of all there is to do and the fact that I feel like I'm doing pretty much all of it poorly or by a "seat of your pants" method. Everything in my life seems reactive instead of proactive and it gets so very, very old. I have these great ideas of how it "should" be done (aka "The Right Way") and then I end up doing something very different because there is just not enough time/resources/energy to do it "The Right Way".

Someone once said that stupidity was doing the same thing over and over the same way and expecting different results. That person obviously never tried to change their lives and bad habits because it's just stinking hard to do!

Some days, when I'm feeling particularly overwhelmed, I just don't do anything -- like today. I held Ellie a whole lot because she is still clingy; I changed diapers, fed her and rocked her to sleep for two naps; I clipped coupons; I washed a few loads of clothes; I folded those and a few more sitting on the table; I picked up the kids from school; I let Josh have a friend over; I cooked dinner; I read some email; I planned my work day tomorrow; I picked up the house a little; . It just doesn't sound like much, but yet the day is gone and there is still so much more to do. Tomorrow, I'm working a 12 hour day; Wednesday, Ellie starts a new daycare, I will work in the field and/or do paperwork, the kids get out of school early and will need pick up; Thursday, another 12 hour day in the field. Friday there is no school or daycare. The week is gone. Then, it's Easter weekend. I haven't thought about Easter baskets or Easter dinner or, for that matter, anything Easter-related. There is no school again on Monday and then I need to work the rest of the week to get caught up from the many days I've not been able to work.

Sometimes I ponder what might have been different in my life had I made different choices. Don't get me wrong -- I love my husband, children and the vast majority of my life, but I think, as we grow older, all of us ponder our choices, our paths, and wonder what the "road less travelled" might have been like. I'm reading a book now called, Second Draft of My Life. It's about a woman who changes the entire direction of her life. It's a thought-provoking topic that hopefully will lead me to be able to make future choices that will improve our lives and help me stop breaking plates. I suspect, however, that it is just my nature to try to do too much, to try to overachieve and to never slow down. It's a hard place to be, though.

So, am I whining? Yes and no. It's just the reality of the fast-paced world we now live in. Apparently, I'm going to need to invest in paper plates and learn how to spin with my feet as well as my hands if I'm going to keep up.

Tea for Two

Ellie had her first tea party this week. She got the coolest, perfectly sized tea set from her friend Caleb for her birthday.

When I set it up, Josh came through the house and decided to help her have her tea party. What a riot to see them having a tea party. One day he will be mortified about this, won't he? I think it's terribly sweet of him. Somehow I suspect it will not be his last tea party!

Owen Farm Easter Egg Hunt

We had so much fun today at our friend's farm -- Owen Farm over in Chapmansboro. They hosted a FREE Easter Egg Hunt and Fun Day for the kids (and adults too!).

Josh and Ellie got to pet the farm animals, have an Easter Egg hunt and go on a hayride. There were baby chicks and ducks that the kids could hold and pet (I feel certain those poor chickies didn't make it through the day), an Easter Bunny and jump houses. Ellie was quite a bit hesitant about the animals and the Easter Bunny. You'll see her clinging to Kevin and Josh in the photos of EB and her.

We had such a good time and we will forever remember this as Ellie's first Easter egg hunt. Josh was, again, a great big brother and hunted eggs for her.

Kevin and Josh reported that right before we left our house this morning, she took two steps on her own in the drive. We could not get her to replicate it when I returned, so ... I am certain it will be here soon.

Poor baby, she's been feeling "off" the last few days: not napping, eating less, very fussy and cranky. Last night while she was up from 2 am - 4 am, crying inconsolably, I told Kevin, "She's going to the doctor tomorrow!" This morning I took her and she has two ear infections AND is cutting an eye tooth. Poor baby. She has some medicines now, so we are hopeful she'll sleep well tonight and catch up on her rest.

Here are the photos from our day:



I wanted to pet these little babies so much, but mama was very protective and when they started to come over, she ushered them back to the back of the fenced area. Aren't they cute?

This little calf reminded me of one I had when I was a little bit. I named it Booger (ugh!! right?), and it would come up to our back patio doors to get fed everyday. I remember having a bottle that we fed it and I thought that was so cool!

Ellie is trying hard to see the bunny rabbit.

Check out the duck ... he was just quacking up a storm.

Ellie wasn't quite sure about the duck either.

Here comes Peter Cottontail ....

Notice the grip Ellie has on Kevin's shirt!!

Josh has filled up Ellie's bucket for her.

Ellie investigates these "egg" things everyone is talking about.

I liked this picture of Ellie and I. They are rare, so I cherish them when I find one that is sweet.

Check out how gentle Josh is holding the chicken.

Ellie checks out the baby chicken.

This morning before we left -- trying to get her to walk again, but no luck.

Our newest friend, Elaina, was there with her mom and sister, Emily and we all rode the hayride together. Check out this CUTEY PIE hat ...

Big Sister Emily who is just TOO cute!!!

Ellie looking at her goodies in her basket.

My favorite -- my babies with the Easter Bunny!

Quote for the Day

Faith makes things possible.

Not easy.

Help for My Friends ...

I recently got an email from my friend, Kim, whose daughter, Alisha, has felt the call to go to Kyrgyzstan, where her brother, Andrew, was adopted from, to work with the people there.

Here is part of her email to me:

Anyways I wanted to email you about some great news. The one thing I hoped for my two girls is that they would share a passion for orphans, and for the people of Kyrgyzstan. Well my oldest is already sharing that passion. After that Saturday with the Wrights, Schoolers, and the Johnstons, my daughter Alisha has decided she would like to go to Kyrgyzstan on a mission trip. The two of us started talking about it the day after we met everyone, and I guess we decided to take a leap of faith and make it happen. About a month ago I got in contact with all the missionaries, and the best time for my daughter to go there is in May, so it is working out for her to work with the Schoolers. The other thing we have been concerned with is her traveling. Right now it looks like she will be able to travel with a group of college kids from a church in IL. I'm working on the last of those details but things seem to be coming together. When she is there she will mainly be working in the Tokmok orphanage.

Well, the other detail of her trip is raising money. I could use your help a little on this if you wouldn't mind helping. I want to not just raise enough money for her to travel, but also for her to be able to help all the orphanages that she will be going to. I know you have contacts that have a heart for these orphans, and if you could maybe spread the word around it would greatly help. We have a blog set up that explains everything about her passion, her vision, her journey, and also how people can donate money to help. All the money will be going through our church, so receipts for tax purposes can be mailed. If you have to much going on to be able to help, trust me I understand, but any help you can give will be deeply appreciated by the orphans.

Here is her blog: http://alishasjourneytokyrgyzstan.blogspot.com

Imagine how her life will be changed by this trip this summer. I wish when I was her age that I had felt mature enough in my life or in my relationship with God to hear His call and have both the faith and courage to travel across the world to help others. I was WAY too wrapped up in my own self to think about missionary work.

PLEASE consider if you could help in any way. Visit Alisha's blog and read about her journey and her plans and her outright EXCITEMENT about this opportunity. Her costs truly are minimal. Any amount will be helpful to her. And, for those who can't help financially, would you pray that God will bless her financially, provide her means to travel, safety during her trip and, most of all, the ability to share Jesus' love with others.

Spin and Clap Ellie - A New Doll Idea??

I'd like to tell you that this was Ellie's reaction to the positive news coming from Kyrygzstan today about the future of adoptions. Alas, however, it was shot yesterday. This is Ellie's new "thing". If you sing to her (doesn't matter what song), she'll clap her hands, slap her legs and spin around in the floor. It's a riot. Maybe Matt*el would like to make a "Spin and Clap Ellie Doll" ...

Mountains are Starting to Move!!!

Job 28:9

He putteth forth his hand upon the rock;

he overturneth the mountains by the roots.

Thank you for all of you who wrote that you are praying and those who just DID it.

I just got an email from another AP (adoptive parent) who directed me toward our agencies' blog with the following information. I feel certain that since it is posted on their blog, it is ok to share.

Dear Kyrgyzstan Families:

I have attached below the latest communication from the US embassy in Kyrgyzstan. They confirm that the adoption process is supported and that it is a matter of when they will move forward. I think it significant that the Consular indicates “certainly not this week”. I would hear this as they think this could happen soon but again no one knows at this time. Let us all hope this is soon. I will keep you informed as we receive new information.

Warm regards,
Brent Brent E. Yoder, LCSW


As you may know the Parliament convened a special adoption commission to investigate the cases. Now the Parliament should discuss findings of this commission among 3 committees: Safety and Security, Migration and Children’s issues. After that the findings and recommendations will be discussed by the whole chamber and the Parliament will elaborate recommendations to the Government. According to our contacts, the adoption commission has changed its originally negative attitude, it sounds much more benevolent now. Its prediction is that eventually everything will be fine – however it is hard to predict when, certainly not this week. Government in its own turn is waiting for completion of Parliament’s work on adoptions. At the same time the Government is revising adoption regulations and working out provisional measures for 65 pipeline families. We have notified both Government and Parliament of immigration procedures and benefits for adoptive children. Currently we are closely cooperating with the General Prosecutor's office which is investigating a few fraudulent adoption cases, by providing it with explanation of adoption procedures for U.S. parents. We continue working with the MFA regarding authentication fees for adoptive parents.

Sincerely
Consular section


Does anyone else just get goosebumps when they see God in action? I know I do. I just have a feeling that things are going to start looking up soon and that God is going to just shift those mountains off their foundations!!! I CANNOT WAIT to start reading the stories of the babies coming home!!! Ellie and I (and all of you who continue to pray with us) will certainly be celebrating with you.


I would be remiss not to remind myself and everyone else what God's word says about offering thanks for what He does:

1 Chronicles 16:34

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good;

for his mercy endureth for ever.

Ezra 3:11

And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD;

because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever.

Please PRAY!!

I just got this information off the Kyrgyz Yahoo Group of which I am a member. For those of you who read my blog, please take just one small second and pray that this meeting brings about WHATEVER is needed to bring those 65 babies home!!!
*************

I know that so many of you are praying for those of us waiting for our children. The Kyrgyz Parliament is supposed to hear recommendations on adoptions at this meeting. Please pray for that meeting.9 pm on Wednesday night (central time) is 9 am in Bishkek. Please join us in prayer at that hour. None of us is very sure what will come of this meeting. Please pray that the families who are waiting will gain some clarity as to where this situation is going and that compassion for these children is what prevails as the leaders discuss these matters.