Our little man is FINALLY coming home!!!!!

If you would like to follow along on our JOURNEY TO JOHNATHAN, we would LOVE to have you. All you need to do is to leave a comment with this post, with your e-mail address, so that I know where to find you to send an invite.


I also ask that you please tell me a little bit about yourself, and, if you have a blog, I would love to have a link to it as well. I will NOT post the comments, so if you leave a comment, and it doesn't post, do not worry. I gotcha! Unless you don't hear from me in a few days, then you might want to hit me up again. 'Cause sometimes, things happen. And by things, I mostly mean my clumsiness or forget fullness. And there seems to be a lot of that going around here these days.

Thanks for coming along on our Journey with us!!

Lots of Love!

p.s. Please Remember to post your e-mail in the comment, as well as a little bit of info about yourself,(ie. your blog, how you found us! ) I like to know who is following along. If I don't have that information, I can't send an invite. Again, I will not be posting your comment.. only those that are unrelated to following along. :( Thanks!

This has been quite a week. I have been in and out of happy tears for the past several days.

Okay, you called me on it. Mostly in.

I have been overwhelmed, in a good way, in witnessing kindness and answered prayer all over the place this week!!!

Let's RECAP shall we?

We all got to hear about and celebrate the life of Brent, an amazing young man of God! We were blessed and we blessed others with our RAK in his honor. Your kindness touched the heart so deeply of a mother whose greatest fear was that he would be forgotten. My SIL had a giveaway in honor of Brent as well, and gave 5 entries away to Owen's giveaway as well. My friend Shelby, from THE ELISON PROJECT, won that raffle and not only did she do a ton of RAK in honor of Brent, one of her RAK was to give away her entries to bless our friend GAYLY, who could use a smile as she has waited FAR TOO LONG for approval to bring her son Nate home from China.

And to top it off... Yesterday, me sweet friend Gayly , on day 185, FINALLY received her LOA for her sweet little boy Nate!!! PTL!

My friend Andrea at the Happy Hippy Chronicles, offered to pay to have a linky thingy for the sidebar made for the ELISON project, so that we can put it on our blogs and people can link there and donate. She might be mad at me for telling you this, but I know she was next in line to get her blog made over by the Famous Rebecca at Uptown Design Studio, but gave up her spot so that Rebecca could work on the little Elison project do-hicky instead(Anyone know what that thing is called anyways?) Oh, and one other thing I learned about Andrea... as I was perusing the fabulous prizes Rebecca is giving away at her to China for Owen fundraiser giveaway, I learned that Andrea donated a video camera to that fundraiser! Could this hippy chick be any cooler?

Wait, there is more... Earlier this week, the very same Rebecca who is trying to raise close to 10,000$ to bring her son OWEN home from China through her fundraiser, decided she was going to donate 20% of what she raises to The ELISON PROJECT! No, that did not make me cry the BIG UGLY CRY, why do you ask? AMAZING!!

And, baby Stellan. Oh, baby Stellan. Answered Prayers. God's little miracle!

This has been one Powerful week! One that I will remember for a lifetime!!!

Thank you GOD!

As you might know already, Baby Stellan made his entrance into the world yesterday morning.

A very healthy, no signs of anything wrong with him, 9 (2x) on his apgar, No ICU needing,
BABY STELLAN!

A miracle!

PTL!

:D
(Smiling extra big today!)

I have sat down to try to write this post so many times, but I can't seem to find the words. Nothing seems right.

To witness how many people came forward to do RAK in Brent's honor, has just blessed me beyond words. To think of all the people who were touched by these RAK makes my heart smile SO BIG! To think about Brent looking down and witnessing people coming together to spread love, as he so often did, makes me do the happy cry. And to know that Tonya got to witness his spirit live on and touch so many people...there are no words.

The drawing for the name took so much time because each time I would look at all of those pieces of paper in my little shoe box(high class operation here), I would do the happy cry! You have all touched me. Each and everyone of you. I love you for what you did for Brent, for Tonya and for all the people who were touched by your RAK! Thank you GOD for blessing me this way!!

That being said, I know through your comments there was not one person who was not touched by Brent's story. And I know that it is impossible for you not to be blessed through doing your RAK. My point... each an every one of us has come away from this blessed in more ways than one. We are all winners. Love how God does that!

When I pulled this name out of my hat, it made me smile BIG. Though I don't know this person as they came over from Tonya's blog, I remember the comment they left. This person knew Brent personally, which makes it even that much more cool that she won. I hope she doesn't mind me sharing that it was Brent's conviction in Christ that solidified hers! She said meeting him touched her and changed her life forever. How he must be smiling at that one!


So... Susan Foster, come on down... You're the winner of Brent's Birthday Celebration Giveaway!!! WOO-HOO!!! You will get an e-mail with your numbers shortly!!


SERIOUSLY BIG THANK YOU to all of you who participated in our RAK Extravaganza, and to those who linked to me and helped spread the word!! Thank you for blessing me with your selflessness, and thank you on behalf of all of those who were touched by your kindness! May it be multiplied and paid forward ten-fold!!

Love you guys!!



p.s. If you didn't win, you can head on over to TO CHINA FOR OWEN and enter her Amazing giveaway. No one should have to feel left out! After you check out the AMAZING prizes she is raffle-ing away, and before you purchase your entries, take a peek at that little Man. Because after you see that sweet little face, chances are, you are going to want to give more. And then for some reason, I think you might want a cookie. I think I need to step away from the children's literature!

I know some of you know about Stellan over at My charming Kids.. those who don't can head on over here to read up on the Miracle of Stellan.

Tomorrow, will be MckMuffin's birthday. I hope you prayer warriors will join me in praying for a safe birth for MckMamma and for Stellan!! And let's cover them in prayer regarding his heart specifically. I am praying for a beautiful healthy heart that will work beautifully on its own with no cause for concern... that will give any unbelievers reason to pause, and believers another miracle for which to give praise!!!!

GO GOD!!!

Hugs~

p.s. Only a few more hours to enter Brent's Birthday Celebration Giveaway and get in on our Random Act of Kindness Extravaganza! ! See post below to enter. :)

(Shout-out To Michelle for this awesome Graphic.
Made me smile BIG, girl!!)

Happy Birthday, Dear Brent!!!
And Hugs and Much Love to you, Tonya. I am thinking about you today!!


Today is the last day of my giveaway in Honor of Brent.

Head on over here for details.


All you need to do to be entered is to leave a comment and include your e-mail. We are also asking that you bless someone with a Random Act of Kindness in Brent's Honor. This might be something that you already do on a regular basis, but just throw in an extra one or two in Brent's honor, if you don't mind.

If your name is chosen, you will win 5 chances to win these super-fly(that's right Michelle, super-fly) prizes over at the "TO CHINA FOR OWEN" giveaway. Not only will you have 5 chances to win one of those incredible prizes...but, it gets even better... You will also be playing a part in helping Owen come home. And a donation will also be made in your name to St. Judes as well.

Remembering and Honoring Brent, Blessing others with Random Acts of Kindness, Helping that little love, Owen, come home, and supporting St. Judes so they can continue to help other families like Brent... Man this giveaway makes me SMILE BIG!!!!!!!!!


I SO hope you join us in our Random Acts of Kindness Extravaganza in honor of Brent!!!
And please, spread the word and invite others to participate along with us. We would love to have all the friends we can get. The more RAK the better! Can't wait!


Bless and Be Blessed!!!

Hugs~
Amie

p.s. I will draw a winner at the end of the day today, and post tomorrow! :)

p.p.s. Tonya is holding her giveaway today. While I think it is too late to enter, I would love if you would head on over there anyways, and read about her giveaway. The prize she has chosen to give away is just so special, and I cannot do it justice here. And I am sure she wouldn't mind if you took the time to leave her an encouraging comment today, letting her know just how special she is, that you are thinking about her today and/or how Brent's story has touched you. :)

Head on over to My Charming Kids to read more NMM posts. If you don't mind, while you are thinking about it, would you please say a prayer for Baby Stellan and for MckMamma. I am praying for a safe delivery for both Mckmamma and Stellan, with no complications. As well as for a completely healthy Stellan!!! Most specifically for a beautiful and healthy normal heart!


These things did NOT happen this week, so DON'T think they did:



(I did not delete my original NMM post when I came back to add the NMM graphic. I might NOT have forgot something, and might NOT regurgitate it next week if I remember it. I am NOT annoyed)


One day this week when I got out of the shower and got part way dressed, I did NOT catch a glimpse in the mirror, suck in my tummy and say in my best "Joey" voice from Friends, "Now that's what I'm talking a-bout." I did NOT somehow manage to convince myself that my diet I had decided to go on (after a recent failed attempt), and all the exercising I had been doing was working, and I was looking trimmer already. It was NOT just day 3 of the diet. And I did NOT work out only 1 of the 3 days. Please do NOT tell anyone I did that. No really, DON'T.

This week, while I was NOT on my diet, I did NOT stop at Taco Bell because I saw a commercial, and wanted to try a couple of of the new HURRICANE tacos. I did NOT have to repeat my order 3 times because the drive-thru guy did NOT understand me. He did NOT ask me to speak more slowly and louder..and when I did and he did NOT understand me again. I did NOT get yelled at by the guy in line behind me who shouted (for all the cars that I was holding up to hear), "They're called VOL-CA-NO TACOS LA-DY...COME on!!!” I did NOT give him a big OL’ thumbs up, reorder my VOLCANO tacos successfully, pull up, grab my tacos and drive away breaking into a giggle fit at the whole event.

While sitting at a red light around the corner from TB, I did NOT break into my "HURRICANES" (just to spite you Mr. Disgruntled drive thru man) and start munching on them because the 5 min drive home was just too long. Mr. Disgruntled drive-thru man did NOT end up at the red light next to me, and I did NOT find him staring at me as I chomped on my HURRICANES (that's right, I said hurricanes Mr. Disgruntled-so impatient-I gotta have my tacos right now- drive-thru guy). I did NOT wave to him with one hand as I chomped on my tacos in my other hand. He did NOT just stare as I chomped. It was NOT awkward.

I did NOT tell my husband when he was being ornery this past week that I was so going to blog about him...and turn him into a NMM. We did NOT think that was funny because we are NOT weird like that. I think this might NOT come in handy as a bribe tool.

This weekend while I was shopping with David and Katie at Target for supplies for our trip to China to bring Johnathan home, I did NOT make it a point to mention Johnathan and our trip to China after every item we picked out for him (and at a level 2x louder than it needed to be). I did NOT do so in the hope that someone would ask just so I could talk about it and tell them about our little man cause I am just so stinkin' excited.

"These shoes would be perfect for Johnathan in China. He will need shoes to walk around in CHINA after we meet him for the first time...in CHINA.

Oh look, there are the diapers. We need some diapers to take to CHINA because Johnathan will need diapers in China, because he will POOP...IN CHINA.

Speaking of poop, did we take a baby enema last time to CHINA, and do you think Johnathan will need a baby enema in CHINA? What if Johnathan can’t poop when we meet him for the first time, in CHINA?"

The little old lady I followed into the shampoo aisle in hopes of getting a "bite" did NOT appear to care if Johnathan would need a trial or regular size baby wash for his first bath in CHINA. The AV guy was NOT the least bit interested if I needed extra batteries for our camera so we make sure we have no reason for not catching the first moment on film when we meet our son Johnathan for the first time...while we are in CHINA. The Halloween candy stock boy really could NOT care less that the party size pack of DUM-DUMS would be perfect for Johnathan in CHINA, as they might be a good distraction in case he is sad right after we meet him for the first time...in CHINA. The cashier was NOT at all intrigued as I called out each item that I placed on the belt and how it would be used by JOHNATHAN while we are in CHINA. They really did NOT. But guess what...my kiddos did. And that DID make me smile BIG!!

(Did I mention that in 7 days, we will be meeting Johnathan in CHINA? 'Cause I thought that I might NOT have!!!!!!!!!)

I am NOT immeasurably BLESSED!!!

BTW- Do NOT visit my blog here and enter my giveaway. You know you do NOT want to anyways. So DON’T..cause I DON’T want you to win something super cool, or even have the chance to take part in our Random Act of Kindness Extravaganza and, by doing so, help us honor a really cool kid. You DON’T deserve it.

And I certainly DON’T want you heading over here, checking out all the super fly prizes being raffled away, and then enter for a chance to win and, by doing so, do your part to help bring OWEN home. That would be nice of you.. and I DON’T like nice people. I LOVE them!

DON'T have a Happy Week!!!!

p.s. Michelle...I did NOT cry when I saw the little graphic you made for Brent's giveaway!! I am NOT a baby. I will pop it up later. Thank you, dear friend!! :)

Do you remember when we had our little chat not too long ago about the followers gadget? It is a fabulous way make some new friends and to be touched by others' stories . Well, I am all about doing that. I LOVE LOVE LOVE visiting new blogs and reading others' stories. And I have been touched. I have become connected to some AMAZING people, just from taking the time to peek around a bit and get to know who's out there. I just didn't want you to think I wasn't heeding my own advice. That would not be cool.

All I ask from you (per the suggestion of Tonya, Brent's mom), is that on Brent's birthday, would you please do an extra random act of kindness in his honor? (I say extra, cause I know y'all are all over the RAKs). But for that day, do one in Brent's honor. I just know it will make him smile big!!!

And please, feel free to post a link to this giveaway on your blog. The more people who have a chance to be blessed by his story the better. And what a gift it would be to Tonya, his mom, if we gathered as many people as possible to do a RAK in his honor on October 28th. Maybe it will bring her a little smile thinking about how his "spirit" is touching others and making a difference, on a day that is sure to be bittersweet.

When you find the time, I encourage you to visit his caringbridge journal http://caringbridge.org/ms/brentnason/. You can start at the beginning of December '06, if you don't have time to read the whole thing. You will witness God in so many of the details! Bring tissues, and prepare to be BLESSED!

Hugs~

***Edited***

They raised 6930.00$ from the giveaway. You might think that was a type-o, so I will give it to you again... $ 6930.oo.. not including a very large grant from the Elison Project!! If you didn't get a chance to give, and your heart was touched by what GOD did.. you can always head on over to The Elison Project and click on the donation page and make a contribution there through your pay-pal account. Anything you can find to give, no matter how little it may seem to you or how UNBELIEVABLY HUGE, is not insignificant.. it WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. And I love you for that! :) (Thanks for asking Debbie! )




I am sure most of you know of Stefanie at NiHaoYall. Who doesn't? If you have been to her blog in the past couple of weeks, then you know about her sister Andrea, and the giveaway Stefanie is doing to help Andrea bring her little boy Cole home(cutie pictured above). If not, read her story here.

When Stefanie first got the idea about posting her sister's story, she wasn't sure whether she was going to do it or not. She mentioned to me that she didn't want anyone to feel obligated to help out. She didn't want to pressure people into doing something they didn't want to do. She is sweet like that.

But she felt called to try to help out her sister in some way. So she chose to set up this giveaway. At first there was talk about setting the initial goal at $1000. I love how Stefanie says "How God must have been laughing at his doubtful daughters." So very true... often we forget just how BIG our God is.

Head on over to her site and check out the total now!!! Go on... come back. Then, in Unison we can shout a glorious PRAISE THE LORD!! Our God is so very Good! Look how many people showed up! Look at that TOTAL!!! Over 200% of the funds requested raised!!! Not only that but the ELISON project came through with a BIG grant for this family. (They are the organization who gave our family a grant to use towards Johnathan's adoption.) Again.. GO GOD!!!

Today is the last day for the Giveaway. I was planning on sending you all over on the last day so that she had a few people still entering at the last minute. How our Father must have laughed at that one....

Not only is she able to give away a sweet Cannon Rebel DSLR, but several other beautiful people have stepped up and donated items to be given away as well. Man how I love when people come together to help other people!!! Makes my Heart Smile BIG!

So I am sending you over there to check out this family's story, and to be blessed by the way so many people have stepped out to help get this sweet little boy home! Though they have met all of their fundraising goals, I want to encourage you to GIVE BIG!!!!!!!!! Andrea has decided to donate the extra funds to the ELISON project. And I KNOW they could use anything they can get, because since Andrea mentioned the grant on Stefanie's site , the ELISON project has been swamped with requests for grants!!! Here is the deal though... Shelby is the founder of the ELISON project and I happen to know that she has funded many of the grants with money out of her own pocketbook. After the huge Grant awarded to Andrea and her family, and with all the requests made for grants from other deserving families, she is not going to be able to continue to do this herself. She is going to need us to help out.

I hope you are touched by Andrea's story and that you find it in your heart to GIVE BIG! There is another "Andrea" out there trying find a way to get their "Cole" home... and it would make my heart smile big to know that we could play a part in bringing these families together. Thank YOU GOD!

Maybe I will see you over there!! And if YOU win the camera... You can take a picture of yourself with the BIG smile you will be wearing on your face from knowing YOU... made a difference!

Hugs~




I mean really...Could this little guy be any cuter?

My SIL,Kristen, taking her inspiration from this post came up with a clever way to count-down till "go time" for Johnathan. I came home to a bag she had left on my front porch and inside I found these....

















They are HO-HO's if you can't tell from the bad photography! One for each each day until he leaves. I think not only did she think it would be a FUN way to count-down the days, but there might have been mention of an intervention to cure me of my "problem".

HI-LAR-I-OUS!

9....9 days to go!!!

Or 8 if I get the munchies... :)

Head on over to MyCharmingKids to read more NMM posts. Be ready to laugh. While you are there, if you don't already know her story, please take the time to catch up. And if you believe in the power of prayer, please take the time to send a few up on their behalf. I know they would appreciate it! :)


And so...A few things I did not do this week:


This week while I was driving down the road, I did NOT see my friend up ahead on the bike path jogging while pushing a baby stroller and then HONK and holler out the window obnoxiously waving like a mad woman, causing her to become distracted (while trying to figure out who her crazy stalker was), and, as a result, trip and drive her stroller off into the grass.


I did NOT start laughing hysterically (she was able to get back on track...I am not that mean.), slow the car down, and yell out the window, "Nice One!!!!". As I passed, and we made eye contact, I did NOT realize that it was NOT my friend Shelley who I caused to trip and run off the bike path. I did not turn beat red and, while driving at her pace beside her, proceed to apologize profusely and explain to her that I thought she was my friend, and that my friend WOULD think that was funny. She did NOT nod politely to humor me and then turn off onto a different path heading away from me at a pace that seemed to have a little more "pep to the step" than before our encounter.


As I drove away and replayed the whole embarrassing event in my head...laughing at the hilarity of it all...I did NOT then remember that my friend Shelley lives in Texas...and I do NOT.


While I was brushing my teeth and chatting with my daughter Allie (I know...the talent), my daughter did NOT inform me that she was Mommy's "SUPER HELPER", as she proceeded to share with me that she WAS super helpful because she washed off the very toothbrush I was brushing with in the sink...after she dropped it in her POTTY...which was NOT full of pee.


I did NOT pause for a moment, thank her for being so helpful, and finish brushing with a smile on my face. After I sent her off to do another SUPER HELPFUL chore, I did NOT then swish-gargle-spit-repeat, over and over, until finishing off almost half a bottle of Listerine. Staph infection anyone?


This is NOT my first time inadvertently consuming pee. If it were, that would be a story for another NotMeMonday.

I did NOT just throw up in my mouth a little thinking back on it.

So I was seriously thinking the other day, "Self, it has been a decent amount of time since you have been tagged." I had a moment of pure Joy at this realization.

Later that day as I drove by a construction site, I noticed a sign that said, "Injury free for 65 Days" (It will make sense, stick with me). First off...WOW. Made me a little sad that injuries happen so often that they need to keep track and boast publicly about their injury-free record. And then I wondered if this was an incentive program and if you made it to 100 days, did you get a pizza party? Then I thought , what happens if someone gets hurt on Day 99. Do his/her buddies stand around and chastise that person .."DUDE! Whyyyyyyyy? You couldn't keep it together for just one.more.day? DUUUUUUUDE!" Do they then hold a grudge? Does that person feel like they let the team down and get sad? Wait..where was I?

Oh yeah, so after seeing this sign, I actually considered counting up the days I have been TAG- FREE. Just for myself. I like to find joy in the little things. ;) There was a plan for charts, maybe a graph. And pretty clip art. It was going to be so much fun.

Then I logged on, and found that I had been tagged by my new friend, Lisa. So sadly, my ficticious "I have been TAG-FREE for 'X' days" counter must reset. But, the good news is, I like her too much to hold a grudge. I met Lisa through another good friend and am getting to know her through her blog, and she is one cool chick. The girl can make me laugh, which I always appreciate. And one thing I have learned is that she has a heart of Gold. So after a moment of silence for the TAG-FREE counter that never had a chance to be... I will gladly participate in her TAG. Cause girl, I love you THAT much.

My unexpected enthusiasm might have to do with the fact that I had already participated in this same TAG before, and I plan to re-post my answers. I am sure I might be breaking some sort of bloggy cardinal rule, but, here is the thing... I am actually okay with that. I live on the edge. (pffffttttt.... yeah right) Listen, I'm just trying to get by, peeps.

So here you go...

7 TOTALLY RANDOM(and why would anyone want to know these) REGURGITATED FACTS about me: (and my apologies to those of you who have been around for a while and are having to suffer through this for a second time. ;)

1. I am afraid of public speaking. It might have something to do with the fact that in 4th grade, I might have mortified myself during a speech in front of my class. Before the speech, I snuck off to go to the restroom, as I REALLY had to GO! I guess my teacher thought I was going off to socialize and she reprimand me. She sent me back to class before I had a chance to go. Needless to say I gave them a little more than my oral presentation. I decided to try to tackle my fear in college by taking a public speaking class. (Dr. Phil would be so proud) For my persuasive speech, I chose to speak AGAINST animal testing. My professor stood at the back of the room and huffed and rolled her eyes the whole time. Turns out my professor took GREAT offense to my speech because her daughter was attacked by her neighbors dog(I know, sad. But she is okay). She took the opportunity to rip into me, and I mean RIP. Good times. Good times. I'm a survivor peeps.

2. I hate when people "BOO" at sporting events. I feel bad for the people being BOO'd and for their family. Jeff used to be a boo'er. But he has heard me one too many times at sporting events, reminding him that their mom or sister could be sitting behind us, and it might hurt their feelings. Yes, I might be stuck in Junior High..Don't care. He no longer BOO's. Maybe in private. And yes, they can hear you when you BOO through the t.v. My point? ENCOURAGE, don't DISCOURAGE PEEPS! Just say no to "BOO"!

3. I made my t.v. debut in college on the Jenny Jones show. NO, I was not my brother's mother. I was in the audience for a taping of a show about "cheaters and the women who can't leave them." You know, back in the day when tv was changing lives. I stood up to impart my sage advice that was sure to make her see the error of her ways... I told her she was beautiful and she could get anyone she wanted.. (or something to that effect), and then I called him an idiot. On National television. (Given my fear of public speaking, and my fear of hurting peoples feelings, I must have really thought this guy was a dud. or I was possessed) Nice, eh? My parents were so proud, I'm sure.
4. When I was 17, one of my best friends was an aspiring singer. She was being "managed" by the manager of a major boy band at the time(If you don't know, I'm not gonna tell you,LOL. I might have had a crush on them and met the manager when I was stalking...I mean following their careers) They had two girls and needed a third. One day she called me with the manager and he asked me to be in the band. I can see why. I could not sing. I had no sex appeal, and Kermit the Frog had more rhythm than me. Recipe for BIG SUCCESS!!(can we say scam...) I chose college instead. I think the manager guy might be in the big house.

5. I tried smoking ONCE in college. Not because I thought it was cool. AT ALL! My mom had picked up the NASTY habit again after having quit for several years(sorry to offend if you smoke). I came up with this BRILLIANT plan that if I learned how to smoke, and did it in front of her, she would be so disgusted, she would want to quit. I could use the old" I'll quit if you quit." So I had a friend "teach" me how to hold the cigarette so I could look like I knew what I was doing. What an idiot. I could not even stand to hold it, or breath it in. I inhaled once. Almost died. Never again. Didn't even make it through 1/4 of a cigarette. Might have gotten a bump in my mouth about a week later and thought I had developed oral cancer from my smoking habit. I am just that paranoid. My mom did finally kick the NASTY habit(again, my apologies to the smokers)..... so maybe my one inhale 400 miles away and close brush with oral cancer did the trick.

6. The sound of styrofoam makes me cringe. If my children get a present, they do a styrofoam check for me. They will warn me and tell me to cover my ears and take the box into the next room to extract the offender. I also can't stand cotton balls. DESPISE them. Can't touch them. Can't look at them. It is making me sick thinking about them. Aren't you glad you asked?

7. I have only just recently discovered, at the young age of 30 something, that you can have a personal relationship with Jesus. I have always known about him, but never knew that I could know him intimately. So although I have called myself a Christian my whole life, I consider myself young in my walk with the Lord. It has been life changing. If anyone out there is considering accepting Jesus into your heart, but you don't know how to go about it, shoot me an e-mail. I would love nothing more than to get you started on your walk.


Now I need to TAG 7 people to do the same. In the spirit of getting to know others better, Most of my choices are of people I have just recently "met." I am super excited to get to learn more about them. That and, I think they might participate because we are young in our "relationship" and they might not yet feel comfortable saying NO. bwahahahahaha (evil laugh).


1. Jennifer at My Life with Four Kids.

2. . Nikki at Lil Bubble Queen.

3. Sharon at And Bai-Li Makes 3.

4. Denise at Tucked Inside My Heart.

5. Michelle at Day by Day.

6. Jen at Katie Min Min.

7. Kristin at A Family is Forever.

8. Michelle at Born In Our Heart. (Breaking the rules by adding another, and I know she already got tagged.. but she just has some AMAZINGLY FUN news to share, and I just don't want you to miss out!)

9. Keisha at The Walker Household.. because of your comment, I felt the urge to edit my post again just to TAG you. Breaking the rules for a third time, just for you. :) Consider it my little gift to you for your little gift you considered sending me. bwahahahaha!

There you go. And tomorrow, my fictitious TAG-FREE counter resets, and lives on. Off to make my pretty charts.

~Hugs

*edited to add... if you are a smoker, I DO NOT think you are nasty. When I originally wrote that I had thrown that in there for a friend that I have been trying to get to quit. It was my little "Carol Burnett ear-tug" for her. Just wanted to clear that up. But if you do smoke, I hope you do quit. I like you too much and want you around for a while. :)

I had been all set to do a different post, but decided to pull an audible, because of an act of kindness that touched my heart today. ( I know I owe you Lisa.. Tomorrow. I promise. You will understand why..smooches)

(* I did not have to update this because I forgot to post a link. I SO have my stuff together. Head on over to My Charming Kids to read more NOT ME MONDAY posts. Wear your depends, cause you are gonna laugh. HARD. No? You don't have that problem. Just me then...)

So I have decided to add the new followers gadget to my side-bar. But before I did, I wanted to have a little chat with you. I am about to go "grade-school" on you. I have been hesitant to add it, because I am funny about people getting left out, or feeling sad that they are not a part of something. What if someone only has one follower, and they visit a blog and see someone else has 3, they might get sad. Yes, I am aware of how immature I am. But good of you to be a friend and point it out.

As I think about how many people I have met through blogging who have caused me to grow in faith, or who bring laughs to my day, or inspire me through sharing their hearts, I am reminded how the bloggy world allows us to connect with people we otherwise might never have come across IRL. I have met friends that I will have for life. I have been blessed to witness countless children being united with their families. I have seen "strangers" step up to help families in need and to do their part in helping a child come home. I have seen families experience tragedy, and persevere with a faith stronger than I can comprehend. And I have been so blessed for it.

So I am going to add my gadget because I hope that "someone" might meet "someone" who will touch their life in some way. You might meet someone who will point you in the direction of a WC who turns out to be your son. You just might meet a friend who has a friend going to China and making a visit to the orphanage where your Child waits for you, and they offer to love on him. You just might read the story of a family who is stepping out in faith and asking for help in fundraising to bring their child home and you can have the opportunity to do your part. You may find something that touches your heart so deep, causes you to really think and results in you going down on your knees taking Jesus as your savior. You just never know what Might be...

So, my point. I hope you don't just follow (btw- no pressure to do so.. I am perfectly content with my three followers. Hi Mom!, Hey Sis., Was' up Grandma?), take the time to get to know someone new. As silly as it may seem to you, I hope this little gadget results in friendships being made, hearts being touched, and lives being changed.

Hugs~

* Trina pointed out that people might not know how to become a follower of someones blog. Just go to their side bar, and if they have added that gadget, just click "follow me." Then your little icon will show up on their blog as a follower. Then people can click on your profile and come to visit your blog through your friends blog. Make sense? Also, when you sign into blogger, and you are on your dashboard screen, you can scroll down and all the blogs you follow will be posted at the bottom. Blogger will alert you when they are updated. Pretty Sweet, eh? Also, if you want to follow someones blog who has not yet added the gadget, you can do that also. Just scroll down to the bottom and it will give you a chance to add a blog to follow. Just type in the url address and you are good to go. :)

Since I spent so much time telling you the things I was NOT doing the other day, I thought it was fitting to share a few things I WAS doing today...

*I DID manage to pull myself away from my computer for 15 minutes to put a load of dishes in the dishwasher in a feeble attempt to “chip away” at the huge pile that has grown from my neglect as I sit here and refresh my email box over and over, awaiting word on our CA.

*I DID consume 1 McD's orange shake for lunch because it required minimal effort to eat, thus allowing me more time to refresh my email box, awaiting word on our CA (No…I can't eat and refresh at the same time. I am not THAT good).

*I DID allow my girls to watch a double-header of Dora so that I could sit at my desk and stare at my computer screen for an hour, awaiting word on our CA.

*I DID actually spend part of that hour composing and then singing aloud this song to myself as I waited for word on our CA:

(To the tune of Row-Row-Row Your Boat)

Please,please, send some news,
I have gone cra-zy
Send an e-mail to my box,
Put me out of (my) misery.

*Oh yeah, and one more thing... I DID just hear from our agency letting me know that we have a CA and we will meet our son on November 3rd,btw. <--(Sorry Laine, had to!)... :) )

All in all, it was a pretty busy day!

:)

** Laine- I am cracking up at your message. You know me so well! Thanks for the smile!
Did I mention we are meeting our son in 27 days? PTL!!!!!!!

I always expect a laugh when I head over to see Tonggu momma. But I was not expecting this today.

You just need to go experience it for yourself.

Happy Day!

JusT wAnTed A momenT Alone wiTh A friend......

i love ThAT we cAn jusT hAng, jusT you, And me.

no need To chAT AbouT Any Thing AT All. i'm jusT sAyin'.

ThAnks , friend. This wAs nice.

TA-TA for now!

:)