A Dialogue...

This was a simple but fun conversation between Brian and me today:

Brian: Did you no I was double-jointed?
Denise: No, that's cool!
Brian: Are you double-jointed?
Denise: No...
Brian: What does it mean to be double-jointed?
Denise: I'm not sure exactly, except that you can do strange things with your bones that us single-jointed people can't.
Brian: Well, aren't you glad that at least you have a son who is double-jointed?
Denise: Oh, absolutely!!! :-)

Finally! ;-)

Well, I cannot even begin to describe with words how happy I am right now! This is early in the morning of Day 3 as a mom and I love it more than I even thought I would... :-) Our little boy (you can't put much information on the Internet) has had a full weekend so far!

On Saturday, we picked him up at our agency's office. He was with two of his social workers and they had us all sign several forms. He said his hand was hurting. They said, "Well, hopefully you won't ever have to sign these forms again." He said, "What are you talking about? This is my permanent family!" :-) One of the first questions he asked us was if he could play football. We told him yes and that he'd be excited when he saw his room.

About an hour later, he was in his new room, as happy as a clam--smiling from ear to ear. And his smile is the most precious one in the universe!!! At least to me it is! :-)

Then we went to IHOP for our "Welcome Home Celebration". We had a good time there. We came home, played some video games, and went through his 12 bags of clothes, toys, and shoes! (He's got more clothes than I've ever seen! LOL!) :-)

Yesterday we visited Matt's family in Elizabeth. Matt's mom greeted him with some new toys (which he loved)--a matchbox car race track and a nerf football. Then Nathan, Matt's brother, brought him some matchbox cars, an outside game set, and (his favorite) Matt's old super soaker! He proceeded to shoot us all with air from the super soaker for the next few hours. :-)

We came home and basically crashed; we had had a big day!

Tomorrow, he is going to church with us, but he's most excited to meet Sarah and Logan, his new cousins. He's hoping that the weather is nice so he can swim with them. But if it isn't, I'm sure we can find something fun to do with them. :-)

I'd like to thank all of you for your prayers, support, and friendship during this time. We are so blessed! I know that it won't all be sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows, but I'm excited for the ride! :-)

A Drumroll, Please!!!!

Don't even TRY to tell me you didn't at least make a little drumroll in your head! :-) Seriously, there is big news on the adoption front! We will have a 10 year old boy placed in our home tomorrow! I can't tell much more information on the Internet for obvious reasons, but let me just say this: HOOOOORAAAAAYYYYY!!!

I made a little "Welcome to Our Home" bag and got a balloon for his room that says "WELCOME HOME"! There are Marshall comforters and green sheets on the bed. I'm taking off tomorrow to get this home ready for our new addition! I just cannot wait!

Thanks for all of your prayers and support!!! :-) More later, I'm sure!

Update...

Okay, blog police! Censure me! I deserve it!!! I know it's been FOREVER since I've updated the blog. That's for good reason, though. I've been crazy busy. That's a good thing in some ways, I guess.

Anyway, here's an adoption news report!!!

We have one more class on May 29, then we'll have a homestudy the week of June 17, then (presuming the FBI fingerprints come back in that time) we will hopefully have some kids placed in our home...

I can't wait for that day! :-)

Since my goal was "by Christmas", it sounds like we will (hopefully) make that goal! Maybe even before school starting!!!

Okay, so you've been updated. Are you happy???!!!! LOL! I'm just kidding. I am just happy some people are interested! :-)

Have a great day!
Denise

Bahama Mama!

Okay...as you might guess from the title of today's blog, we are about to set forth on vacation. We're taking a cruise to the Bahamas. I can't wait; I won't speak for Matt, but he's being a good sport! ;-)

Anyway, we had a meeting yesterday that indicates that it's entirely possible that this vacation will be our last vacation without kids. (Well, I should restate that last part--"without kids of our own"--my niece and nephew and their friend Madison will be there and we are looking forward to spending time with them and their mothers!) We met with a lady who told us that the average estimate to when we would have children in our home would be THREE MONTHS! That's not a misprint, folks, THREE MONTHS! AVERAGE!!! All I can say to that is "WOW"!

My plan is to enjoy myself on this vacation...to get some much-needed relaxation, some much-loved time with my husband and to look forward to the days when family vacations will include the special people we're more than ready to welcome into our home...and our lives. But until that time, I'll be laying by the pool on the Carnival Pride, listening to the Beach Boys (or a good audiobook) and soaking up the sun!

BON VOYAGE!!! (And thanks for reading...)

Okay...all classes are completed!!! We are now waiting on the background check and the home study! Matt's best optimistic guess on a timeframe is June. Mine is less optimistic, but I think that any time this calendar year will be good! :-)

We're so excited...the room is completely ready! We're doing little things to get the house ready. Matt has turned into Bob Vila and is doing a really great job.

This week, I found some very inspiring songs by Steven Curtis Chapman about adoption. I have to say that when I heard the one called "All I Really Want" (a song from a foster child's perspective when talking to Santa Claus), I sat in my office and bawled my eyes out. I know that God already knows which child or children we will bring into our home...I just hope He will give them a little glimmer of hope in their hearts. And I hope they're in our house by Christmas; I want to give them the best Christmas of their lives!!!

Anyway, here's the video--grab the Kleenex first, though! :-)




So, I'll try to keep you updated, but please keep us in your thoughts and prayers...and if you have any thoughts or prayers to spare, please pray for the kids that are out there that need a permanent home! And now, to quote the Golden Girls, "Thank you for being a friend!" ;-)

The Wait...

Well, classes are over, our application is complete...now we just have to wait! More later (this is on my BlackBerry)... :-)