Thursday, September 30, 2010

A God Wink!

Yesterday, when we were finally PA (pre-approved), I posted Jolie's photo on facebook and my status sent everyone to the blog to read more about her and see more photos. My friend, Dawn, checked out the blog and discovered her name and this is what she wrote on my facebook wall:

How cool is this? A few months ago, I decided to paint some canvases with beautiful words, which meant lovely things, (in other languages), with girlie animal prints for backgrounds. One was amour and one was jolie! I'm bringing it to you.


She  met me after church and handed me a beautiful box with a beautiful painting of my girl's name. Isn't God cool and awesome to direct her to paint my girl's name just a few months ago. So this was a God thing a little "wink" from Him! Thanks, Dawn for following His leading!

Dawn is an artist. I have known her since the very first day I stepped foot in our church (back in 1996)...She is a sweet, sweet, Christian friend and I am tickled to have a piece of her artwork to hang in Jolie's room...
I made her get out of the car so that we could have a kodak moment and her daughter Hayes took our photo...I said we have to take a picture for the blog! So in the church parking lot and in the dark we had our photo made with my phone.

 Like I have said before, it's all God's anyway, but the way he presents us with special gifts always knocks my socks off! He always amazes me.... Thanks, Dawn for painting Jolie for us! We will treasure it always! And Thanks to God for the God wink!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Introducing the newest member of our family...

Our Pre-Approval arrived by email today on Sept 29, but the actual Chinese document was dated Sept. 25. I have been stalking the email all week, every day, every hour...I had all my prayer warrior friends and family members praying that it would come. Karl is off this week, and I was cleaning the house when I heard him call me to come there...he had opened THE EMAIL....with our preapproval... it was in Chinese and everything...(there was a translation though, so I know it said we were pre approved).

Here's our little girl. She is 15 months old. She has cleft lip/palette. She is beautiful and she is ours. Yes, we are about to be parents for the 4th time, and no we are not crazy...we can't wait!





We decided to name her Jolie Elise! Name meanings are very important to us. We chose Jolie, because Karl's mom's middle name was Jo and my mom's middle name is Jo. Jolie means pretty, and Elise means God's promise. We think her name fits her perfectly because she is just beautiful and she is God's promise. We will also keep her Chinese name as part of her middle name. Her Chinese name means Hope that she will be quiet, beautiful, and knowledgeable in the future. Her name definitely has a good meaning...Just like all our other kids' names....


Today when the email came in, my Shek walked into the room and said, "Did we get it (PA)?" When we told him that we had received it, he said,  YES!!! with a pump of the arm! Then later he said will you bring me back something from China? I said Yes, a sister...he said can you bring me back a little something else too? I said sure thing! 


 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27

雅 各 書 1:27 (Chinese Union Version (Traditional)

 27 在 神 我 們 的 父 面 前 , 那 清 潔 沒 有 玷 污 的 虔 誠 , 就 是 看 顧 在 患 難 中 的 孤 兒 寡 婦 , 並 且 保 守 自 己 不 沾 染 世 俗 。



Sunday, September 26, 2010

Matched!! Sunday Snapshot

We were matched late last Sunday night. Please pray for our PA (pre-approval).

                                                      Here we are reviewing her file and photos.
                                                   Can't wait to share her photos with everyone....
                                                                     She is beautiful!

Ni Hao Y'all

Saturday, September 25, 2010

facebook withdrawals...and God's provision

Facebook has been my "hobby" for the past little while...why I don't know...I like seeing everyone's photos...catching up with relatives that live far far away and seeing old classmates again that I have not seen in 25 years....but I have decided to take a "leave of absence" from facebooking, leaving comments and checking out photos. I will miss the checking in, but I will not miss the negativity that I sometimes see there. It's not worth getting my dander up, and so a break is what I need. I will continue to update my blog...cause now things are getting exciting around here...what with getting "matched" with our baby and awaiting PA...and then and then and then....

God's continued blessing on my family and I always amazes me...HE always amazes me...I stand in amazement...and usually tears...cause I am a liquid praiser...LOL

Just yesterday, a friend from HOME of Fine arts...called me and said...hey I am at the consignment sale and everyone is picking up their stuff  that didn't sale, as well as getting their checks...there's a lady here with scads of baby girl clothes that did not sale that might just work for your new little one...I am getting them for you...the lady is just giving them away. ...and she said if they don't work...I can give them to someone else...Now isn't God something else? YES HE IS!

Today, Karlie and I ran to Kohl's with a coupon that Gam gave her for 10 bucks off...she found some cute jeans on sale..then a shirt that i thought was 50% off and a cami to go under the shirt from  the 70% off rack...we noticed when she tried on the sweater blouse that it had belt loops but no belt...I went back to the rack...there were no others like it, so I couldn't trade it out. It was the cutest little blouse and we wanted it with or without the little belt...so i went to customer service. She was going to call someone to look for the belt, but I said we still want it can you just take something off the price...she said sure thing I can take 20% off...the clerk "rang it up" the blouse was on  more clearance than I originally thought  and with the extra percentage off, it was $6.80!! YEAH, that's what I am talking about!...then the little cami was like 3 bucks...and then the 10 dollar off coupon made it all even better... she has a cute outfit and it was just GOD's special little gift...It's all from Him...but sometimes the presentation in which He gives is what knocks your socks off....

Friday, September 24, 2010

Encouragement

Lately, I have been seeking encouragement from the LORD...more than usual. I have found snippets in books as well as THE WORD.

Here's some encouraging words that have spoken directly to me over the past little while...

Luke 18:8 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night?

 From Living Insight: "Take heart. When God is involved anything can happen. The One who directed that stone in between Goliath's eyes and divided the Rea Sea and brought His Son back form the dead takes delight in the Incredible!"

Psalm 27:1-2 The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall...

Jeremiah 29:11-14
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, plans to give you a hope and future. Then you will call upon me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you...

God will accomplish what concerns me....

God is good all the time...all the time God is good...

All things work together for good to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Monday, September 20, 2010

Saw her sweet face for the first time today...Waiting On PA

We saw a sweet little face today...We have sent in our LOI. We await PA (pre-approval) next week. More info coming soon!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Sunday Snapshot: N. GA Mtns!


Today, we decided to take a day trip up to Blue Ridge GA to grab some apples and such at the apple orchard, but on the way, we stopped at Poole's Bar B Q in Ellijay, GA. They have all of these "pig tombstones"  everywhere...LOL and so I took the above picture. We have lived in GA for 20 years and we've never stopped to eat here. My oldest said, "I have always wanted to eat here." We love to stop at 'hometown' spots instead of the food chains...this was an awesome place...best BBQ pork sandwich I have evah had and I have had a few BBQ sandwiches in my day. So, if you are ever in the Ellijay area and you see pig tombstones at a yellow restaurant you might want to stop there. (and they didn't pay me to say that)...

We went on to Blue ridge, checked out the lake (which has already been drained really low for the fall)...checked out the downtown area and headed to Mercier's Orchard.

Here's the fam, posing in front of the fishing pond at Mercier's. I was there too, but always behind the camera! LOL
                                                       Shek posing on the Tractor in the store.

We grabbed some apples, several fried apple pies to go, 2 apple slushes for the kids to share and the last 2 mini apple fritters they had...boo hoo...I wanted a huge one all to myself...but I guess I didn't need that!LOL

We came on home cause the oldest had to go to church band practice and of course my hubby had to be here to watch the Auburn game....which is now in overtime as I type. What excitement in my house with all these WAR EAGLE fans. I went to Mississippi State...and the house was divided last weekend when they played each other...Lol

Tomorrow night the shared list comes out. Our agency said we should be logged in by the time this list comes out, so there's a chance that we too could be matched this time.  There's lots of nervous excitement in my house and it's not ALL about college football...lol

Blessings to all!
Martha


Ni Hao Y'all

Friday, September 17, 2010

DTC! LID? Referral?

Last Thursday, we were DTC. The next shared list comes out late Sunday Night. Agency called and said to really get specific on our SN list preferences because they expect us to be logged in when the new list comes out.  Kinda nervous! Very excited! Praying and Praising and Praying a lot. Doing that anyway!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Lisa Marie?

Back in May, this little kitty followed Melissa and I while we having our daily walk over behind the high school.. This kitty was so little and running along with us like a little dog. I couldn't leave it on the busy road where school buses roamed...so I brought it home. Elvis didn't like the new kitty at all. I thought he would get over the new cat, and now 4 months later, at least Elvis tolerates the new kitty. Our new kitty was so small when I brought it home. We looked online to check to see if it was a boy or girl. There was something about if  "it" looks like a comma or an exclamation point....I don't remember which went with which sex, but we thought we had a girl cat.

Lisa Marie, so named, because we wanted her to have a cute name that went with Elvis. "She" has become quite the little hunter and brings little gifts to us on occasion. "She" is very affectionate and sleeps on the back porch. The other day while we were holding "her" I noticed that the 'it' looked more male than female...and it looks like Lisa Marie is indeed in need of a name change....I guess we'll call her  L. M. one of my friends said I could call him The Colonel, after Elvis's manager...I think we'll stick to L.M.

I read a while back on The Pioneer Woman's blog that she had the same thing happen to her. She thought her new little kitty was a girl too...ah these boy cats....

Monday, September 13, 2010

Happy Birthday, Zach!

We have had a whirlwind of birthday celebrations this weekend. Shek turned 9 on Friday. We had the family birthday on Friday night. Then, last night we had Zach's birthday party. His real birthday is today. Since he is turning 18 today, he is finally old enough to eat at the Vortex in Atlanta...and he has always wanted to eat one of their famous burgers. So he and his dad will eat a late lunch there today. Zach will have to run over in between classes and pick Karl up at work and head out for that burger...I hope it's good....

                                                                              Happy 18th Birthday, Zach!


We are on fall break this week...the kids want to do something fun...I just want  to catch up on chores and start cleaning out for that BIG ADOPTION FUND RAISER YARD SALE that we have been talking about having. We've got to get cracking on that. I just watched the Hoarders...nothing like watching that show to get a fire lighted under me to get busy cleaning out! LOL


Friday, September 10, 2010

Shek's Birthday

Shek is 9 today. My baby is 9. I can't believe it. He was born the day before 9/11. So I remember very well, where I was when the towers went down....the hospital.






I think he had a good birthday....the grands came, zach and caylene came and Karlie was there. We had mexican food...and chocolate cake....Dad made the cake today because I was at Home of Fine Arts Classes all day and he was working from home.

Happy Birthday, Shek!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

random list cause it's easy

1. Got up early...took Karlie to her "history" class that she takes out.
2. Prayed long and hard and read the Bible when I got back home.
3. Walked with Leslie Sansone for 2 miles..
4. Picked up Karlie who said Can we eat out or get a snack ...I have 3 dollars?LOL
5. Kids and I scoured the house for loose change...
6.Went to Kroger and turned change into cash using the coin thingy.
7. Had to wait in line for a long time while an elderly woman bought lottery tickets...one at a time! WHAT?
8. Met Gam and Pop at BC's pizza and found out that they had already bought our meal...
9. Came back home to get the rest of school done only to get in a fender bender on the way home.
10. At red light, I saw a truck turning the corner with an empty trailer that was wobbly and then when he turned
11. the Trailer didn't go with him but came to see me...it moved us 3 feet over and messed up my bumper...
12 shook us up
13. But all is well...at least i get that bumper fixed...it did have a big scratch on it where i got to close to the sideof the garage.
14. email from Josh saying we are DTC (dossier to china) NO match yet, but atleast it's to china...
15. bout to go walking with Melissa.
16. I need divine intervention.
17 Thanking GOD for His protection...and the fact that He never fails me...and that He keeps on making a way for me... He is good all the time.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Sunday Snapshot: Festival of LIGHT


 Every Labor Day Weekend our church hosts a Festival of Light for the community. It's a last big summer fireworks night before the fall weather sets in. It's also a time for our church to reach out to the community in hopes to share Jesus with everyone. This is the 6th year we have hosted the festival and each year it gets better and better. I always help with registration. You get to meet friends and family and also new friends at the gate. We encourage folks to register their attendance with us so that they might win a door prize. This year we gave out t-shirts.


This is my friend Melissa. We walk together everyday. We've known each other for 20 years. WOW! Has it been that long.

These are my sweet 11th grade CORE girls. We meet each week for Bible study...and just pray and learn and talk each week. These are precious girls. I've known most of these girls most of their lives too. BUT I am not old...I repeat...I am not old.

Each year the crowds get bigger and bigger. This is just one section of the crowd pictured here.

Here's Honey with Kimberly and her new baby Jack. Kimberly is one of Honey's friends...Kimberly is in a group at church that checks in with the widows.. My mom and pop are pictured here too they are wearing matching grey shirts from a previous Festival of Light.
 
My boy and his band got to play this year at the Festival of LIGHT. 

IT was very hot when they played. His cheeks turn really rosy when he gets hot... I uploaded a video of one of their songs, but I will have to share that tomorrow. 

Here's Spenser...(the Nick Jonas look a like)...He has been one of Zach's long time friends.
 
                                              Spenser Caylene and Zach
Karl and me...proof that we were there and not always behind the camera...
 
                                            Karlie worked with the facepainting part of the games. She loved it. She had rubbed off her face paint by the time I snagged her for a photo.
 
 My youngest always loves to climb the wall and ring the bell at the top.
 Right before the fireworks, we joined together as one huge crowd of people and sang The National Anthem. The motorcycle cops road their motors across the levee of the pond with lights a flashing...it was quite patriotic. And our pastor shared the gospel with with many.
 



Here's some of the fireworks I captured. I liked the ones on the left because they look like treble clefs and eighth notes.

Tonight, we are going to feed the homeless with our church in ATL. After this busy weekend, I think I need another "day" to just rest up....lol


Ni Hao Y'all

Saturday, September 4, 2010

saturday

Today, Shek had his first soccer game of the season...at 830am! Yikes!

                                                                   He is the second guy over...number 9.

In just little while, Zach and Karlie showed up...they said to watch Shek play soccer, but they 'thought' we would take them out for chickfila afterwards...but they had to settle for mom's kitchen!

                                           Win or lose ....the teams always get a popsicle after the game..
                                                  

While they were there, Zach helped attach the big flag on the pavilion for tomorrow's Festival of Light at church. Since he is afraid of heights, imagine how surprised we were when across the soccer field we see him appear on the roof! LOL so of course I had to document the event with my camera phone.
                                         Zach and Ryan on the roof...Zach said he was a little nervous! LOL
                                          Karl is holding the flag until they tie it off so the wind won't carry it away.
                                              Karlie is just watching the whole ordeal...and Shek is avoiding my camera as much as possible..I  was there too, but there was no picture proof of that!

Happy Labor Day weekend!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Just a List.

1. Today is Friday.
2. Caleb is funny and a joy to see every Friday at HOME of fine arts
3. Karl has a cold...
4. I don't like it when he's sick.
5. Went to the grocery store, sams,  the dollar store after HOME of finearts.
6. Saw the good year blimp today with Shek...it was flying over Sams
7. The race is this weekend.
8. A friend gave us FREE tickets to the Race...shek is tickled.
9. I didn't get an email stating that our dossier went to china today.
10. I pulled off all my acrylic nails...
11. This is labor day weekend.
12. We are helping with feed  the homeless Monday night.
13. I should be drilling science facts into Karlie.
14. And history facts...since she is having a test in both subjects this week.
15. I don't teach her Science and History
16. I don't give tests or homework over breaks....
17. Zach and band plays at Festival of LIGHT Sunday
18. I walked 5 miles yesterday.
19. I am watching Camp Rock 2 with the family.
20. Zach has a friend that looks just like Nick Jonas and he plays drums and guitar too...
                                          Here's an old photo of Zach and his friend they were helping with preschool worship at VBS and goofing around with caps and tiaras...don't you think he could be Nick's body double?

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

studying colonial times

Karlie has been studying colonial times at NCC. This week she had to make a map of Virginia out of CLAY and then label certain places. Also, she could make Monticello muffins for extra credit. So we started that process today...it takes 2 days to make those muffins.

 The recipe from the official Monticello website. Hope our muffins turn out great...we are letting the dough rise  
over night and then we have to cook them in a cast iron griddle.

                                                                    Karlie kneads the sticky dough.

                                                                Hope we did it all correctly.