Two years ago today, I was sitting in the Bethany Office at 8:30 in the morning not knowing when the UPS guy would come, but just knew I had to be there when they opened. Elijah just played in the playroom and Scott called several times impatiently waiting at school for me to come with our daughter's picture. I remember the UPS guy walking in and I jumped out of my seat. He looked at me and said, "I know what you are waiting for." It was like he was Santa Claus. We opened the package and when she handed me my package and I looked into those beautiful eyes, I was instantly her mother forever. I would have died right then and there for her. They ask the question they ask everyone, you can chose to accpet or deny this referral and without hesitation. I said of course we want her. They said don't you need to take this to your husband. I called him on the phone with tears and I said I have her picture, but they want to know if you need to see her first before we say yes. He said just sign the papers, she is ours. I drove like a mad women to school to show Scott and he met me in the parking lot and we just stared at her. He made a million copies and we both wore her picture around our neck on those big tags. Our players were leaving classrooms without even asking teachers because they new I had her picture. Relatives left work early to come and see her picture. It was a fabulous, glorious day. It was a blessing, just like Emily has been from that moment....Thank you Lord for the blessing of this child and for making us this family!!!! Sorry, I don't have a referral picture scanned and I am not computer savy enough figure it out, but this is a picture from China. Isn't she just a princess?

Enough said !!!! Okay, well she is a 5 year old border collie, whose owner couldn't keep her and my husband feel in love with her. Needless to say we have briefly talked about a dog, but wasn't expecting this ...The kids are bouncing off the walls with sarah (the dog). Just hoping the walls don't fall in on the house. I am escaping for a few hours to go be with the Lord (Beth Moore bible study about Daniel). I will post a picture of my super cool van tomorrow just for Steffie ....love you all and love blogging with you.

The day started with an intense list of things to do- post office, grocery store, bank, Elijah doctor, work-out etc ...but I get to my lovely 10 passenger van and it is dead... seems one of my children has managed to leave the cup warmers on all night. Of course, they all blame each other. I have to call Scott at school and beseech him to come home because my day is very important and must be completed (so my OCD personality can check things off my list). Well, I am off the a late start, but I do get started and accomplish it all. I have been concerned about Elijah's retention level (we can't seem to remember any of our numbers or letters)and the doctors are no help, so after talking with serveral moms I take him to a Christian nutritionist and she connects him to these probs which detect that he is quite low in zinc (which is connected to his nervous system) and she also finds a bacteria in his digestive tract. She is fabulous and sends me home with rememdies hopefully to help. I have been really worried about him. I fixed dinner, kissed and prayed with everyone and now I am taping 24 so that I can relax tonight with a good show and some chocolate !!!

Jeremiah (#1) and his friend Michael (#15) are planning on going to college together and then off to the pros. Jeremiah has graciously agreed to play for the Atlanta Falcons so I don't have to drive so far. I told him not to worry about the distance, he could just buy us a house where ever he plays. I did encourage somewhere warm and near a beach.

As most of you know, we are awaiting our second daughter from China. Her name is going to be Maggie after my grandmother. Our papers are currently in translation right now and then our DTC and LID to follow. I want to share something with you that may sound a little crazy. On June 4, 2004 (I had to double check the date in Emily's journal)I had an emotional breakdown. I cried all day and just knew that our daughter was born. And when we got our referral for Emily and it said that her birthday was June 15th and she was found at about one month old, I knew I was right. They were guessing on her birthday. Well as most of you know, we have requested an 18-24 month this time in hopes of keeping Emily and Maggie closer in age. I say all that to say that Sept. 21st, 2006, I had the same feeling. I cried for about 2 hours and had that overwhelming feeling that Maggie was born. Since we won't travel till approx. Sept. 2008, then she would be about 2yrs. old ... Who knows if I am right or not, but I knew you all would understand. We have a connection to our daughters that can only be explained by God. And what a mighty God we serve. So as our hearts grow heavy and our hearts ache, we can rest assured that He is caring for our daughters till we get there.

The tattoo was a huge success. It was so painful, but I love it. Our friends Jim/Yolanda Chapman went with us and Jim designed the tattoo (He is the illustrator for all the Shoay/Dot books and many other things). He did a fabulous job. I almost broke Yo's hand while they were doing the spine part. The tattoo is on my lower back. The family tree looks a little different than we first started with, but I just love it. Everytime I see it or feel it, I think of the wonderful blessing that is my family. As most of you know my kids all have symbols - Jeremiah is my heart, Elijah is my joy (he is the sun on the tatto), Emily is my light (candle), Maggie is my hope (star) and there is room for one more just in case. Scott and I are at the center as the cross and christian fish. There is the Chinese Red Thread that runs through the vines to represent the strength of our family. I said this would be the only one I get, but who knows. I am open to another now that I have forgotten the pain.

WELL, THANKS TO VERNA AND BECKY, I OFFICIALLY HAVE A BLOG. I HAVE SO ENJOYED READING EVERYONE'S BLOGS AND REALLY GETTING TO KNOW YOU BETTER THAT I WANTED TO JOIN IN AND BE PART OF THE GROUP. I GUESS THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT WE LOVE OUR FAMILIES AND WANT TO SHARE THE UPS AND DOWNS WITH EACH OTHER. WE WANT FRIENDS TO GO TO FOR ADVICE AND ENCOURAGMENT. IT IS A WAY TO KEEP US CONNECTED AND IT MAKES US STRONGER WOMEN... SO THANKS FOR THE HELP SINCE I AM EXTREMELY DYSFUNCTIONAL WHEN IT COMES TO COMPUTERS. I AM COMING TO TERMS WITH THAT SINCE GOD HAS GIVEN ME OTHER GIFTS. I WILL BE WORKING ON FINDING A WAY TO INPUT PICTURES SOON. SO HANG IN THERE WITH ME UNTIL I GET THE HANG OF THIS.

i love the tagging/question stuff, so i have a few of my own ...

1. grey's antamony or 24 - i am both
2. hugger or handshaker - hugger
3. favorite part of your body - wrists / calves
4. favorite verse - joshua 24:15 (it is part of my tattoo)
5. i am a closet ?? - thrower awayer ... i can't stand clutter or useless things (probably because my mom saves everything), so i throw things out weekly .....
6. favorite thing about your hubby - i fit perfectly into his hugs and he always makes me laugh
7. favorite thing about being a mom - morning time, cuddly hugs, holding them when
they cry, listening to their prayers, watching them grow, hearing about their day, and the way they say my name ...
8. worst thing about being a mom - throw-up in my hands
9. favorite movie star - jennifer aniston / paul walker
10. dream car - convertible hummer !!!

just love getting to know you all better and the way our lives are tangling together because of our precious daughters and what they have taught us ....
love, gwen

POSTED BY VERNA ON BEHALF OF GWEN

I am going out on a ledge here. Very few people know that I am getting a tattoo on my annv. Dec. 29th. I have wanted one for a very long time, but just knew that it had to be something special and something I could live with for the rest of my life. About 4 years ago, I really started thinking about what would mean something to me deep in my heart. "My Family" was always the center of my thoughts, so I have a very talented friend who is designing a family tree (literally). It will be like an oak tree with all our initials on it (with room for more if needed). I am extremely excited and hope the pain isn't to much. I am going to put it on my lower back .... Anyone out there got a tattoo ??? How bad did it hurt ???

POSTED BY VERNA ON BEHALF OF GWEN

1. I have a beautiful singing voice according to them and the Lord.
2. I am beautiful even when I wake-up.
3. Mac-n-cheese is a complete dinner
4. Freeze-Tag can be played in the house.
5. We should adopt as many kids as our new 10 passenger van will hold since we can just ask God for the money.
6. Sometimes when they mimick me I realize I that I am very bossy.
7. Apparently they think I love doing laundry.
8. You can't go to Target without getting Icees.
9. I am magic and can do many things while driving.
10. I have eyes in the back of my head.

POSTED BY VERNA ON BEHALF OF GWEN

Gwen,
When it is set up, we can move you to the administrative catagory, delete any unwanted posts and take me off the author list.
OR, if you don't like it at all, we can just delete this blog and start over. Just let me know.
As you can tell by the picture, I'm just an internet addict, needing a creative outlet know to others as a "fix".