Butterflies.... REALLY?

Is it possible, after 20 plus years, to still get butterflies?  I think YES.  Joe comes home Sunday for a visit and a little work locally, and I have butterflies.  Actually, it might be an upset stomach from the thought of how much housework I need to complete between now and Sunday... but I really think it is the good butterflies.  

July 12th, he is HOME for good.  

More Holly

Holly is my "contest girl" - always has been.  She enters everything she can find.  Years ago in Jakarta, she entered a Disney Channel Asia contest... and SHE WON!  The Fed Ex truck pulled up to our apartment one afternoon and off loaded a ton of goodies!  There was even an Xbox and a boogie board and indoor golf set - along with tons more!  You can see the picture.  

She has won odds and ends here and there, enough to keep her going back for more!  

The latest competition entry she is working on is one promoted by teen book author, Sarah Dessen.  Holly has been working all day in hopes to win the prize ( lock and key necklace, USWIM t-shirt, signed advanced copy of a Sarah Dessen book)  on May 14th.  Very cool task I might add.  Holly had to take photos and match them with specific quotes from various Sarah Dessen books.  

You saw them above... I think she did really great!  I think she might win!  .... and don't worry if you don't understand the quotes... I don't... Holly said this was normal as I had not read the books.  

Holly

New Friends

Can you guess where the girls and I spent the afternoon?   You guessed it... we finally made it to Build-A-Bear.  We had lots of fun making so many choices!  We would like to introduce our new friends:  Zoe the puppy and Angel the Lamb!  

I Take it All Back....

If I have ever complained about anything being the hardest thing I have ever had to do... I take it all back.  

Joey, who has been in possession of his Driver's Permit for 6 months and 7 days, walked out of the Department of Motor Vehicles today with a smile on his face and his License in his pocket.  

He drove me home... dropping me at the curb in front of the walkway to the front door... and waved as he drove away to enjoy his first taste of true freedom.  His heart was pounding with excitement, mine was pounding with a mix of pride and worry.  

This IS the hardest thing that I have ever done.  I have lost complete control over his safety and security.  

Oh man.....  when the tail lights I see headed down the road are those of my child... it is tough.  

Abby and Lilli and Re-adoption

The Adoption Saga continues....

But in a good way as we have reached another milestone... YEP... another milestone and NOT the final milestone... after 5.5 years with Abby and a little over a year with Lilli.  

Today, I received the initial court approval for the Alabama Legitimization of Abby's and Lilli's adoptions.  Basically the Judge has approved our request.  We now have a "court date" on June 8th; however, since it is a "Re-adoption", we will not be present.  We will receive the final court documents in the mail shortly after June 8th.  Our lawyer will then file the paperwork with the State of Alabama Health Department and a few weeks later, we will receive Alabama Birth Certificate for Abby and Lilli with Joe and I listed as their parents.  

This "extra" step was necessary for Abby's name change.  For Lilli not necessary; however, we decided to go forward for both girls as a lost Alabama Birth Certificate will be much easier to replace or reproduce if needed in the future.  I can not even imagine calling China or INDONESIA and trying to get a copy of court/adoption documents.... YIKES!  

So... that is where we stand.  We are so hoping that all will be finished by July... and by August, the girls will have SS# and passports too!  

Maybe by the time they are 18, the adoption phase of our lives will be over ??????? : )  Maybe not?????  : )

The Beginning of Summer Means One Thing to Me....

Have to get back into those summer clothes! So it is back to the gym... and no brownies. Oh the pain!

Pass the Kleenex Please....

I have watched this movie dozens of times. It tears me up every time. Why do I subject myself to this torture????? ... because I am a hopeless romantic and this is one of the best movies ever made for hopeless romantics.

And yes... Love can create miracles!

John 3:16