Adoption Part II

As I said below, I would try to post the first letter I got from my daughter's adoptive parents, Mac & Elaine.

Adoption

It seems as though I've been reading a lot of blogs where "adoption" is a BIG topic. Reading your entries have reminded me of my own journey back 15 years ago. Of course it seems just like yesterday, but my daughter will be 15 in October.

and when you open up the announcement-this is what you get

And yes, I wonder and think about her every living second. The what's, the who's, the where's, the when's, her likes, her dislikes, her favorite color, favorite food, does she like sports, if so what kind--so on and so on. By now, I'm sure you can tell we have a closed adoption. Back in 1993, open adoptions were just coming out so to speak...we had what you call a "semi-open"..we knew one another by first names only and had one meeting, when I was about 6 months pregnant. Of course, if I had it to do all over again, it would not be the same. I don't get updates anymore, as the adoptive family have asked that I move on. But, assured me, that my daughter is loved beyond measure. So, with that, and the faith of my Lord & Savior, I have to lean on that for now, until we hopefully meet again. I believe in adoption and think that adoption is a loving gift from above, I just wish some things would change in the "legal"aspect of it. I thank GOD each and every day for my daughter's adoptive parents. With my sons being 12 & 13, I often think about the things they are doing that she's probably already gone through and did. Thinking how she handled certian situations, and how she continues to handle day-to-day teenage/girl issues. God has truly brought me this far and has kept his loving arms wrapped around me and my soul througout these last 15 years. Back in 1993, I can honestly tell you, that I really believed that I would not live through the pain of placing my child, but again, GOD has been carrying me throughout these years. Reminds me of the "Footprints in the Sand" poem.

Here, do I look petrafied or what? This is the day I relinqished my rights. This was just days after having her by c-section. Plus, giving her away about killed me. Oh by the way in case you are wondering, I was 20 years old. I'm holding my baby and a letter I wrote to the adoptive parents. Of course, they have a formal letter from me to her in a keepsake box that they will give to her. When, I don't know. Soon, I will try and post the letter from the adoptive parent's they gave me back about a month before she was born. Very bittersweet.

Miss Carissa

Just thought I would share a new picture of our niece. She's growing so fast!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Take me out to the ball game....

We took the kids to the Ranger's game last night. We all had a great time! Free food, free beer, free cokes, free water, free peanuts...free....free...free!(THANKS ENTERPRISE!) The firework show afterwards was awesome too! Oh did I mention?? The Rangers did WIN. Yahoo---we beat the Tampa Bay Rays.



The little one is Bennett, my cousins daughter. She's sooo cute!
Here is Missy, Bennett's mom. Miss teaches juniors and seniors English AP classes.

Me & Missy


this is what they were taking pictures of


ok, folks...I think that sums it up. Other than the game, we've done a lot of shopping for school, getting the boys ready...they go back in one week. Have a great week!

Uh oh...two posts in one week?!?

It's kind of quiet around here tonight. Josh is away spending one last summer night with Joe's' mom before school starts. Jacob stayed home with us tonight. The house was quiet as there was no sibling chaos. Aw the sound of silence....oh so golden.

( we miss you Josh---hope you are having fun with your little Carissa.)



Here is Jacob getting a little T.L.C from his daddy. Aren't they adorable?




I've had a chance to catch up on some of my favorite blogs. I love you guys! I cannot tell how much your blogs lift me up.

Hope you have a great Thursday! We're almost to Friday---yippee!

Happy Tuesday to you!!!

It's almost that time....for some bone-cracking football!

We love us some football around here----first there is the MIGHTY Green!

Then there is the MIGHTY red!



Then there is the all time.....

So you can tell we're getting in the spirit here in BIG D.

Doesn't this sound good?

This is what I'm currently reading. This is a book that you will need something to write with and some paper. I'm only in the beginning chapters..there is a study guide at the end of the book, I believe it's a 14 week bible study. It's ironic to read and to think about all the "Martha's" out there---and how I'm am one of them. Hmmmmm.

Create in me a clean heart, O God;
and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10

A--Admit your need (Romans 3:23)
B--Believe in Christ (Acts 16:31)
C--Commit your life to following HIM (John 1:12)

Which Pharisee are you?

1. Shoulder Pharisee, who meticulously followed the Law but wore his good deeds on
his shoulder to be seen of men.

2. Wait-a-Little Pharisee, always able to offer a valid excuse for putting off
doing a good deed. He spoke, but he did not do.

3. Bruised or Bleeding Pharisee, so intent on avoiding evil that whenever a woman
approached, he would close his eyes and therfore run into things. He then
displayed the bruises to prove his piety.

4. Humpbacked or Tumbling Pharisee, so determined to look humble that he bent
completely over, shuffled his feet and often tripped over obstacles.

5. Ever-Reckoning or Compounding Pharisee, forever counting up his good deeds in
the belief that each one put God further in his debt.

6. Timid or Fearing Pharisee, always in dread of divine punishment, constantly
cleaning the outside of the cup and the platter in an attempt to escape God's
wrath.

7. God-Fearing Pharisee, defined by the jews themselves as one who found delight
rather than drudgery in obeying God's Law no matter how difficult it might be.

This can be found in chapter 2.

I agree with the author, I too, have been one or more of the above pharisee's at one point in time.

ok, I'm off to take care of my sick child---I guess he's got what they call the 24 hour virus. I've been blessed to have healthy children for pretty much of their young life--but ocassionaly--they get the blah's. Hope you all have a great week! I'll let you know how the next few chapters go of this awesome book I'm reading.

Has it been this long since I've last checked in?

Does this not look relaxing?????


I've enjoyed reading many of your blogs and again, I tell you, how uplifting they are. Thanks for sharing.

I've been contemplating on what to blog about other then just our everday norm---I hope to come up with something--soon. I have so much on my mind and not sure where to start--but I will start with something--rest assured. Hope you all are having a wonderful Summer! Be back soon.