Perfect Moment Monday

This week my Perfect Moment was a family gathering. My Kiwi had a cousin and her husband fly in from NZ (yes, Kiwis can fly!) and visit for several days. They had been on holiday since July and we were fortunate enough to be one of their stops.

My Kiwi has lived in the states for five years and this was the first time family had come to visit. He was thrilled.

Missy prepared a monstrous All American meal at our house (including homemade mac & cheese, steaks, beans, bbq ribs, corn on the cobb, etc). We were stuffed to the gills but as ya'll can tell, we managed to find room left for just one more glass of wine. It was a typical family gathering.. lots of laughing, story telling and too much food.

We hope they come back and visit soon!!

I Capture
Perfect Moments.

Big News From a Dear Friend

Our friend, Cherie, shared some wonderful news and (with her permission) I'm doing a shout out for prayers for her and her family.

A little bit of history..

Not long after they married in summer of 2007, Miss Cherie and her wonderful husband got pregnant. At that point, DH and I had been trying for 6 months to conceive to no avail. On the flip side, as soon as the ring hit her finger.. BLAMO!!.. they were starting their own little family. We teased each other during the conception competition and, although we came in distant 2nd, we were downright thrilled for them. Some worried we may have hurt feelings but that was never the case. A baby was coming!! Hooray!

Like us, they are a wee bit older, so precautions were taken as it's always considered a higher risk pregnancy after what? 35? Anyway, Cherie had the required amniocentesis performed and it concluded that their baby girl had Down Syndrome. Admittedly, the initial reaction was shock and sadness. You naturally hope for a healthy baby and when this type of news comes, it robs the joy for a moment.. Just for a moment.

They did their research, educating themselves about children with Downs and prayed for God's Will to be done. The bottom line was no matter the outcome, that little baby girl was going to be loved on like no other.. Spoiled rotten, too. She was a little blessing, no ifs ands or buts about it.

In February we all went on our annual snowmobile trip to Medicine Bow. Cherie was due in a few weeks and was obviously lodge bound. She happily knitted, surfed the Internet and was kind enough to smile as she listened to us retell our long winded tales of sledding adventures in the wilds of Wyoming. I do believe I caught her looking longingly at a glass of Merlot on the table (*wink*). Who could blame her? We are a kooky bunch..

At that point they hadn't come up with a name so I, in all my great wisdom, started trying some out for size,
"Shanaynay?" Noooo
"Tamequa?" Noooo...
Raleetha, Raqueeda, Raspushia, Ronnetta, LaAmbah, LaBriona, LaFonda, Lafuntia, Laketta, De'Kayla, D'Asia, D'Monta, De'Maria, Dewona, Devontay, DeAndrea, Ja'Kari, Ja'mia, Ja'Mika, Kendaisha, Kenderian, Kentrella, Kenzarius, Kanya, Krudasia, Krisshanti, Kewauna, Kenzaria, Kar'Dai-Jah, Khywon, Kanetra, Kamiyah, Kalasha, Kaminie, Keona, Jill, Karen, Lois, MELISSA...
NOOOOOO..

Dang, not for lack of trying...

It was a Sunday morning in March and I was piddling around the house, attempting to get moving. The baby shower was later that day and I was trying to get my act together. They were inducing labor that following Wednesday and things were about to get rocking.

Then the phone rang.

Her father in law called to say that the shower had been cancelled. Cherie had gone into labor that morning and the baby didn't make it. Her poor little heart (that was being watched closely) wasn't strong enough to bring her into this world. Devastated, I fell to my knees and cried.

They named her Hannah.

I so admire the faith in God and love for each other that Cherie and her husband share. In their darkest hours they were not torn apart but made stronger. We are not privy to some of His reasons and never will be. Together they are somehow working through it.. and I am in awe.

On Friday, Miss Cherie made a big announcement .. they are pregnant again! The joy and fear is undoubtedly simultaneous and I would like to ask a favor of all of you. Please keep them and their family in your daily prayers and good thoughts these next nine months (and beyond). Also, when you have a sec, surf on over to her new blog Meet The Robinsons and give her a big, blogospheric "Howdy Do!"

TMI TAG!!!

We've got a game of TMI Tag going on.. My girl Rubi tagged me so here we goooo...

I am: silly, klutzy, funny and sincere.

I have: a herd of dogs, an amazing husband and family and friends that I love dearly.

I had no idea: I would be so ancient before becoming a Mommy.

I Am: hoping to be a Mommy sooner rather than later.

I Think: I can do just about anything I put my mind to.

I Know: I'm right where I'm supposed to be.

I Want: our happily ever after.

I Have: no cash in my wallet.

I Dislike: people that prey on the weak, liars and thieves.

I Miss: my mom so much sometimes it hurts to breathe.

I Fear: all things reptilian.

I Feel: pretty.. oh so pretty (sorry, I couldn't help myself).

I Smell: something going funky in my car. Gotta remember to check into that..

I Crave: Albertson's chocolate chip cookies from the bakery (THEY ROCK!).

I Cry: easily. Good Hallmark commercial? There I go.

I Usually: don't get everything done that I set out to do. But I try.

I Search: for my little reason for being here.

I Wonder: how I could be so dang blessed.

I Regret: not spending more time with Mama.

I Love: cooking, the smell of fresh cut grass, my husband's laugh.. the list goes on and on..

I Care: deeply for my family and friends.

I Always: bite off more than I can chew.

I Worry: that I will completely fail as a parent.

I Am Not: the push over people think I am. I might bend over backwards to help someone out, cheer them to victory or cry with them if the moment calls for it, but do not play me. You will lose.

I Remember: to brush every night.

I Believe: it's not in my hands.. it's in His.

I Dance: like a total dweeb but don't care.

I Sing: to my dogs... and I plan to sing to our children, too!

I Don't Always: get things right the first time. But dang it, I'm usually spot on the 2nd time around!

I Argue: rarely. After surviving the drama that was once my life, I'm so over arguing.. I choose my battles wisely.

I Write: so I don't flip out.

I Win: almost every round of golf. (AH HA!) Just seeing if you're paying attention, Missy!

I Lose: my keys all the time.

I Am: a daughter, a wife, a friend, an Auntie, an in-law and a Mommy (in my heart).


So now I am tagging Cherie, Cherish, and Stella.

The Bright Side

Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments, emails of encouragement and for sticking with me as I moan and groan ('cause I despise whiners, too!).

The good news is I've decided to look on the bright side and am going to list the things I can do now before we have a kiddo placed with us. My Grand Plan is to affix said list on the 'fridge so I don't forget to enjoy this part of the journey. I would love it if ya'll would leave your suggestions and help me get past my whiny, blue funk..

Things I'm going to do before we have a child placed with us:
** Have a lovely glass of wine on the patio and enjoy a quiet evening.

** Sleep in on the Saturdays I don't work.

** Use the bathroom ALONE.

** Have another glass of wine at dinner.

** Run in and out of a grocery store in record time to pick up a few items.

** Soak in the tub, undisturbed (hey, don't forget the wine!).

** Not smell like poopy diapers.

** Enjoy a hot, sit down meal at home with DH.

Lana Said: **Not find out at WORK that you have orange crusty residue in your hair. Courtesy of the cheese puffs your child had been munching on the night before.. Not that it has ever happened to me...cough cough..

Rubi Agreed: **How I would SOOOOO enjoy taking a bubble bath or actually taking a pee pee without a kid beating down the door.

Lizzie Lamented: **ENJOY any TV show or movie that isn't on PBS, Disney, or Nickelodeon...your TV will not leave those channels once your babies arrive...unless it is to put in a DVD of THEIR choosing that will play over and over and over. I miss "rated R" movies and soap operas!

Kim Sighed: Not having to try and find a scarf to cover up the stains on EVERY SHIRT THAT YOU OWN!

Tiff Said: Oh, there are so many things you get to do, it's great that you recognize the blessing you have right now! Enjoy eating a tasty dinner while it is still warm. Enjoy cleaning a room, walking away, and coming back to find it in the same clean condition you left it in. Also, appreciate the fact that the normal time you wake up for work will be considered sleeping in once the kiddos come!
Will you have a glass of wine for me tonight? Thanks!
(THAT'S A BIG CAN DO, TIFF!!)

hrw102779 said: Spending quite and quality time with hubby where ever and when ever the mood strikes with out having to worry about someone else walk in on, yelling, crying, or seeing you. :)

** (Your comment?)

(I am taking my own advise .. If you come calling go 'round back, you'll find me out on the patio)

Adoption Journey Update

Amber asked in a recent comment where we're at in our journey so I thought I would just do a quickie post about it..

We were officially certified in July and breathlessly awaited "The Call". It finally did come in August and was a placement for 2 sisters (ages 2 & 4). They were darling (we saw pictures) but after much heart wrenching deliberation, we decided it was not a good placement for us. It wasn't the girls, it was the case itself and the issues surrounding it that didn't sit well with us.

Although the other social workers totally understood where we were coming from, our placement worker ("J") wasn't all that keen on our decision. She was downright snarky about it. I was certain we were placed on the Black List at the bottom of the proverbial stack and now I'm pretty sure that's a fair statement.

Part of J's job (she told us) was to guide us through the placement process and to keep tabs on us so we didn't feel like we had fallen off the face of the earth. We haven't heard a thing from anyone.

So, the bottom line is we're in limbo awaiting another call. Maybe I'm wrong.. maybe a match hasn't come along that is considered a good fit for us but then again, maybe I'm right. Hard to say.

I've been trying to relax during this part of the journey and enjoy our last bits of freedom and sanity. Honestly, as each day passes, it gets harder to not wallow in the sadness of an empty nursery and of feeling like a loser.

Yep, it's a pathetic pity party and I should be slapped silly for whining. Our life is richly blessed and, just because things haven't been going just my way, I'm pouting about it. It's all in His hands .. I've just got to be patient.

Lions and Tigers and..

.. Bears in the yard, OH MY!

Yes, it's true. We got dem bars from them tharn hills passing through again.

We live at the foothills of the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains. With this beauty comes loads of wild life. At various times of the year, we have herds of elk that meander across our property, deer, coyotes, red foxes, raccoons, Pepe Le Pews .. and bear.

DH was out on the patio a year ago, enjoying a beautiful fall night. He had gotten home late from a dinner meeting and it was around 11pm. I was upstairs in bed asleep and was awoken by him in a state of what seemed panic (or child like glee), "Honey.. A b..a bbe.. a bbb" My eloquent husband had been possessed by John Candy. He finally spit it out.. he saw a bear. It had silently walked up and stood about 10 feet from him. DH made a quick, startled move and it took off lightening fast across the yard and was gone. He was so excited after he woke me up he called Missy and My Kiwi to spin the tale of his incredible sighting.

Did I mention it was 11:00 at night?

The very next day, the whole family had heard of his close encounter and the emails started blazing...

Did he look like this?



NO, DH replied back.. He looked more like THIS:


To which Brenda responded, "Sure it wasn't more like this??"


and on and on... Like Rodney Dangerfield, DH just got no respect (although to this day he swears it was a Kodiak.. ya, that's it, a Kodiak).

I bring this up because our neighbor shooed one away on Saturday night and it's bear season once again in our 'hood. Hopefully he stays away from the patio this year and we can get some sleep!

Tuesday Toot

I'm racking my brain trying to come up with something to toot my horn about this week. Honestly, I've been really bummed about the major stallage (hey, I made up a word!) in our adoption process but I haven't let it get the best of me. I'm not taking my frustrations out on DH or anyone else and trying to keep a smile-on.

Sometimes keeping your nose just above water level is all you can toot about.

Perfect Moment Monday

My perfect moment was just outside my own front door. I was in the baby's (empty, undecorated) room earlier and was so needing a pick me up. Outside there is beauty everywhere you look and that sure eased my sad little heart.

I CapturePerfect Moments.

Our Micro Road Trip

We're all "dog people". Everyone in our family has at least one and nearly all are rescues. Missy and My Kiwi lost their darling, 12 year old Cairn Terrier (Linus) recently and were completely heartbroken. Missy had gotten him as an eensie puppy and he was a Mama's Boy.

Their remaining Cairn (Rufus) is Mr. Personality and LOVES everyone he meets. He is a playful little guy with bright eyes and a constant tail wag. Poor little fella was just lost without his best buddy and he needed a canine companion pronto.

After loads of searching we found Gavin at Cairn Rescue USA. His pictures were adorable, his personality sounded perfectly matched with Rufus and he was being fostered in Wyoming. Just a hop, skip and a jump away!

Mind you, our family can't just get into a car and go pick up a dog. Oh no no. We turn moments like this into an event. We loaded up the motor home and made a big day trip out of it. Bright and early Saturday morning, we were headed north to Cowboy Country...

We planned to meet Gavin and his foster family in Casper (they live about 2 1/2 hours north and were kind enough to drive down part way.. bless their hearts!). DH does business in Casper quite regularly and had golfed there in the past. Knowing there was loads of parking and nice green grass for dog play, we set up camp right next to one of the courses...



.. and Rufus awaited Gavin's arrival..



Missy meeting Gavin for the first time..



Mommy and Gavie..



The Men Folk played a round of 18 holes while us chickies held down the fort. We were a sight to behold! Two gals in camp chairs and dogs (we brought one of our min pins also) in Xpens about 30 yards from the first tee box. We would run into the rig for potty breaks, to get water (or Hard Mikes) and munchies.

It was hot as H.E Double Hockey Sticks and I was sweltering in the jeans and top I threw on in the wee hours of the morning. Of course, I didn't have shorts in the motor home.. everything but. I did, however, score a pair of DH's swim trunks and an old tank top of mine. Niiiicee. I have no doubt that my keg cup pulled my redneck look together completely. So nice to accessorize properly. Mama would be proud. I may just post that picture at a later date..

Please bear in mind, this was no crummy city course, it's pretty dang froufrou. I'm sure we were the talk of the Club House (which was just off to our right)..



Knowing full well this was probably our last opportunity to soak up the sun and just relax for the season, Missy and I made the most of the beautiful day. We chatted, read and played with the dogs.



Me and my Baby relaxed in the shade..


Mr. Gavin is a delightful little guy and got along wonderfully with Rufus and our min pin, Maria. He is 5 years old and spent his life in a cage as a puppy mill breeder dog. This past June the rescue was able to finagle him (and several other dogs) from the mill as they were to be put down because they were "done with them".


For not having contact with people or much socialization his whole life, he really is a sweet and trusting boy. His foster parents did an amazing job with him these past 3 months and we so look forward to watching him blossom as he is showered with more love and attention. For now, he is very shy but loves to be on laps and snuggle.

When the husbands finished their game in the early evening, we had a feast prepared (okay, Missy did) of lasagna, manicotti, garlic bread and a bottle of cab sav waiting for them. We toasted to family and to the newest little member of our pack. We rolled back into the driveway at about 10pm.. it was a fantastic day.

All this hoopla over a little dog. Yes, that's how we roll. I can't even begin to imagine what our future over the top shanigans are going to be when we finally have a child placed with us. Should be a hoot!

Bridges

Our friends over at Bridges were kind enough to make me a guest blogger today. When you have a moment, please surf on over and check them out!