It's Happened!

I can't believe it................I'm a Granny!

The little guy made his debut Tuesday night at 9:53. He weighed in at 8lb, 1oz and he's 21" long. We finally learned his name. Anna and Tim decided to keep the name to themselves until he was born; Riley Kenneth B_ _ _ _ _ . His first name is one that they both loved and his second name is after his Great Papaw, my dad.

Mommy, Daddy and Baby are all doing well. I have learned a very important thing. It was much easier to go through labor myself than it was to watch my daughter go through labor. She did so, so great, but it was hard to watch, knowing exactly what she was feeling. That part of it is all behind her and she has a beautiful baby boy to show for all that hard work.

Of all the pictures, this is my very favorite one. It needs no explanation.

Little Riley, clearing out his lungs...................really well!

Proud Papa!

One happy family!

Aunt Kelsey and Papaw Mark checking out our newest family member.

Our family is praising God and thanking Him for a beautiful healthy baby boy!

Welcome to our world baby Riley!

The Holiday is over

I'm kind of sad to see it gone. We had a great time with a house full of family. The only problem is............we need a bigger house! That's just something we're going to have to deal with, at least for now. I did my best to concentrate on the blessings in my life. I truly have been blessed beyond measure. My mind often wondered to Guatemala where our youngest blessing is still waiting for us. My heart ached to have her here with us, but not this Thanksgiving. I continue to pray that she is being cared for by an angel who has fallen in love with her spunky little personality and adorable smile.

This is almost a complete family picture. My brother was MIA on Thanksgiving. (way to go Jay, maybe we can photo shop you in) Trey and Katie had to leave early and Mark's mom was sleeping.............we didn't wake her.

Here are the three youngest family members. I'm just thrilled that Maria isn't the naked one for once! From left to right we have Laura, Jillian and Maria. They were having a fun play day at my sister's house the day after Thanksgiving. We had a great time at the Christmas parade and then chowed on left over dessert later.

Thank you God for my wonderful family!

Catching Up On Lots Of Stuff

Just downloaded lots of pictures from my camera. So I'm sharing some of my favorite ones so you can see what all has gone around here that I've failed to blog about in the last couple of months.

Here's the guys in the kitchen on Joshua's Birthday. Josh is on the left making his own "hors d'oeuvres" and Tim is putting the icing on the cake (cause I needed some help).

Anna had her first shower in October. From left to right is my sister Geri, Anna, Alison and Kelsey. The girls had a beautiful party for Anna and her little one to come. We're counting down the days. Due date is Dec. 11th.

Here is the little Christmas rag quilt that I made for the baby. It turned out so cute! The picture doesn't really do it justice. Just take my word for it.............it's adorable!

Now for yesterday's fun. Lisa invited us, and Marty and her girls, for some cookie making fun. What a mess! But what FUN!!! The girls had a blast. Flour and dough were everywhere but that only added to the fun! Thanks so much Lisa! What a fun Friday!

Marty and her girls.

And in case you were wondering, there is no adoption news! It's been a long week worrying about little Nola. We're praying she's alright and that PGN gives the report to the judge soon.

I'm also praying there is a wonderful woman working in the hogar who has just fallen in love with Nola and is showering her with love and attention.

So Disappointed!

****UPDATE****

HEARD BACK FROM THE AGENCY. THE JUDGE HANDLING OUR CASE HAS ASKED FOR A REPORT FROM THE PGN. NOT SURE WHY, BUT THAT'S WHAT HE WANTS. WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN HE RECEIVES THE REPORT AND HOPEFULLY HE WILL RULE TO ALLOW NOLA TO GO BACK WITH HER FOSTER FAMILY.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR THE REPORT TO BE COMPLETED QUICKLY AND THE JUDGE TO RULE FAVORABLY.

**************

After waiting anxiously since Tuesday last week for some news on our case, I found out yesterday, there is none. Our agency sent a representative to Guatemala to meet with our lawyer and others to try to get some answers for all of us in this situation. The man came home with NOTHING for us. I am beyond disappointed. I'm disgusted and frustrated and feeling a total lack of respect for that particular agency representative. I was given a list of questions that our agency is trying to get answers to and I fully expected some of them to be answered. Out of desperation, I sent a message to the director of our agency letting him know how very disappointed I am in the agency; in the apparent lack of concern for Nola and our family and in the apparent disregard of the urgency of the situation as a whole. This morning I received a phone call from the director. He apologized and said someone would get back with me today with anything they find out. He couldn't promise anything other than he (or someone from the agency) would call our lawyer today, ask him some questions, and let us know what he said. That's all I can ask.
I'll post with any news we receive.

The past three Mondays I've dedicated to prayer and fasting. After a friend from church made that commitment, I decided to do the same until we receive good news about Nola. Well yesterday morning I just didn't feel the dedication I should have felt. After getting in the car to take Maria to dance class, I turned on the radio and Lincoln Brewster's "Today Is The Day" came on. I felt like it was the boost I needed to get my day going in the direction it should have been in all along.

Today is the day, You have made,
I will rejoice and be glad in it,
Today is the day, You have made,
I will rejoice and be glad in it,
And I won't worry about tomorrow
I'm trusting in what You say,
Today is the day.

This morning, after getting my stuff in the car to deliver to the Ortho office, I turned on the radio and guess what song came on first thing? You're right, Lincoln Brewster's Today Is The Day.
Love those subtle messages!

I Can't Believe It's November 1st

Where has this year gone? It's unbelievable to me that November is here already! We had an absolutely wonderful beginning to the month. This morning, I met with several others from our church who have committed to participating in a mini marathon in May (yea, that means I'm doing it too). You know, ........I should have warned you before I put that news out there. In case you weren't sitting down, you could have had a chance to do so. Then we could have avoided that hysterical laughter that leads to wobbly legs and subsequent falling. I'm sorry if I have caused any of you to injure yourselves in a fall.
Now, I didn't say I was running in a mini, only participating. We have six months to train and hopefully by then I'll be in good enough shape to walk some and run some................that's the plan anyway. We met at Shakamak State Park and walked a couple of miles. It was just beautiful out there! We came back to a fantastic breakfast (thanks Alice and Carol and everyone who was there). It was a great start to a hopefully successful training season.

Last night, we had "trunk-or-treat" in our church parking lot. What a fun time! It's the first year we've done it and it was a huge success. Maria had a good time passing out treats. She's not much into dressing up for trick-or-treating and we don't have many kids come to our house so it was a great alternative for us.

We have no news on Nola. I received a call from an organization I contacted hoping to send some support through them to the hogar. I was told, unfortunately, they no longer support the hogar where Nola is staying. The actions of the hogar director have caused them to withdraw their support. I was told the director takes the donations and sells them for her own gain. I had heard that from others but hoped it wasn't true. We're praying the judge rules soon and allows Nola to go back to her foster family.

Praise The Lord, We Got Some News!!!

It's just a little bit of news, but news just the same. We received a message from our agency that our lawyer has petitioned the court to have Nola returned to her foster family as soon as possible. That means our case is before "a judge" and is in "a court". We don't know which judge or what type of court, but knowing something is so much better than knowing nothing. Our lawyer felt that the first item of business was to get Nola out of the hogar. He feels that he needs to be cautious about asking too much of the Judge so he is taking matters slowly right now. We're just so glad to hear there is a chance that Nola will be back with Ingrid and her family. Our agency gave me a list of questions they are trying to get our lawyer to answer. Hopefully we will know more soon.
For now I am praising God for giving us some much needed news!

Look What I Did!

This blogging thing is just so fun! I can't believe I can change things like the complete look of the blog and it's so easy!!! Just in case you're wondering, the Gordon Mote video is at the bottom of the blog. It gives me easy access when I need an instant pick-me-up.
We have no news on Nola. The agency is going to stop accepting my calls I'm afraid and blocking my e-mails unless something happens quickly. I'm running out of patience and I've held back nothing in an effort to let them know. Friday will be four weeks since Nola was taken and we basically know nothing more than where she is. No one has been able to see her and no one even tried until yesterday. That's not acceptable in my book. Can you feel the steam coming out of my ears? I'm praying we have some news to share soon!
Anna had her first baby shower Saturday. Alison, Kelsey and Geri did a wonderful job throwing the shindig. It was lots of fun and we are now at seven weeks and counting down to Grannydom (I know it's not a word, but who cares.......not this Granny-to-be).
I'll post some pictures later.
Please continue to pray for all the children caught in this mess of adoptions in Guatemala. The children and the families are the ones who are suffering. I'm praying God will touch the hearts of all of those who are in charge of making the decisions that will have lifelong affects on these children.

I've found myself, again, totally absorbed in sadness and desperation due to the unknowns of this adoption. My sister made me aware of this video (thanks Ger) and it reminded me there is life; a very beautiful life, outside this bubble of sadness I've been living in. It's wonderful how God reminds us every day how much we have to be thankful for.

Hope you enjoy!

Today Marks One Year......

...one year since we received the call that we had a referral. I remember the day well. I was down in the lab mixing plaster in a stainless beaker with the beater lid on when the phone rang. I saw FTIA on the ID and all other thoughts went out the window. Ellie told me all of the specifics about our new little answered prayer; her birthday, her weight and information about her life up to that date. All the while, my plaster was setting up in the beaker. It wasn't until a couple of hours later that I realized the fate of my whip mix equipment. That cost me a few hundred dollars, but what a wonderful day!

Our sixth child was on her way. I always wanted six kids and now our family was going to be complete. We thought she would be joining us in about six months, eight months at the most. We never imagined that a year would pass and we would have no idea when our precious little one would be home with us.

It has been a very rough last couple of weeks with no news. We have no idea if anyone has been able to check on Nola or any news of what may happen to our case. Frustrating to say the least!

Our agency is sympathizing with us, but that seems to be about all. I'm thiiisss close to jumping on a plane to go down and see what I can find out for myself. Really wish I had retained more of those two years of High School Spanish.

For now we just wait...............and pray our lawyer has Nola's best interests at heart. We're praying he's doing all he can to have her reunited with her foster family until she can come home with us.

Nola then......

.......and now

We're praying you home baby!

Thank You All So Much!!!!

First of all, I have to say a huge thank you to everyone who has posted, e-mailed and called to let us know you are praying for us and keeping us close to your hearts. These last few days have been nearly unbearable but your kindness has been very uplifting.

We have learned where Nola has been placed. She is in Casa El Jardin orphanage in Guatemala City. That, unfortunately, is all we know. We were first told that our lawyer would not be able to get her released from the orphanage and placed back with her foster family, but today we were told that it may be a judges call. There are just so many things up in the air. Our agency is trying to find out all they can and they are supposed to be in contact with our lawyers office daily. I have accepted the fact that information is going to come to us slowly.

I'll post updates as we receive them.

We've Had the Wind Taken Out of Our Sails

I received a call from our agency today. Not the approval call I had hoped for. We were told that the PGN summoned our foster mother to appear before them with Nola. She, of course, appeared as they asked and they took Nola away. We know nothing more than that. Our attorney doesn't know where they took Nola or exactly why. We do know the PGN said they were placing her in an orphanage and that's it. There was also talk of it being a judicial case now. Our agency will find out all they can for us but not until next week since this is Friday. I can only imagine how afraid Nola must be.

What started out as such a beautiful day sure ended up in the toilet.

Please continue to pray for our little sweetheart!

Here's some raspberries from Nola ;)

Maybe she should have given those PGN officials some!

Back Home Again

My, how quickly five days flew by. Maria and I are home again safe and sound. Our time with Nola was wonderful but of course too short. It seems like just about the time things start falling in to place, it's time to leave again. Nola has changed so much since just ten weeks ago when we saw her last. She has two teeth. She is not quite walking, but she is really a climber! Give her some steps, no matter how many, and she'll tackle them. She has also acquired a hefty little attitude! Wow! If she's not happy, everybody knows it! I think there may be something to that "Red Hot Latina Temper" I've heard tell of.

I'm so ready to bring her home and I think Maria may be ready to bring her home too. This visit went really well for the two of them together. Maria loved playing with Nola (as long as Nola wasn't playing with Maria's toys.) It was fun watching them interact. I only had to play referee a few times and I saw lots of hugs and kisses between the two of them.

Below are several pictures. I had planned to do a slide show, but I have tons of work to get caught up on and no time to try to figure out "how" to do a slide show.

One of the very few pics of the two of them.........smiling at the same time..........in the same place

Maria love helping to feed Nola

What a Happy Girl!!!

Our Foster Family with Nola on her birthday

Nola, not at all impressed with the birthday cake.

The birthday girl!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

We`re Here!

Just taking a very few minutes to say we are safe and sound and all is well. Not much time to be on the computer.
Tomorrows the big birthday. Weve got the cake ordered.........Tres Leches!
Probably wont post until we get back home.

Some Wonderful News To Share!

Praise the Lord, one of our four prayer babies is coming home! Alex's mommy and daddy got the call today. PGN has approved their case. This was cause for some happy tears at our house!
It was just the boost I needed to rejuvenate me and put my mind back in the positive thought mode. Congratulations Steve and Ginger, Alex is really coming home!!! Absolutely wonderful news!

Hold on Kinsey, Melany and Nola. Your days are coming!
Please continue to keep them in your prayers!

It's A New Week!

The Birth Mother Interview deadline has come and gone and the world is still spinning. The sun is still shining, and our hopes are still high. We continue to pray for that miracle!

Today was "Picture Day". I'm sure you know by now, we love picture day! Our little sweetie has had an obvious haircut.............I don't think she sat too still! She is still looking very healthy and happy.

And, can it be..........she's walking????????

If not, I think she's getting close!

Mark got me an early anniversary present (29 years on the 7th....Wow!). He's sending me down in a couple of weeks to spend Nola's first birthday with her. I can't wait! I wish we could go together, but we're hoping he is working by then.

We continue to pray and believe our prayers will be answered.

Still No News

Another week has gone by with no news. We're now two weeks away from the deadline. I've had a sick feeling all week and I'm afraid it's going to get worse. I've contacted an agency who does birth mother searches. All they want is $3,000 up front to assemble a team of; a Lawyer, a Social Worker, one or two investigators and a Psychologist. After assembling their team, they will decide on a plan of attack to search. After coming up with the plan, they would inform us of the plan, making sure we understand their intent and then they would begin the search. Now, I don't know about you, but I don't see all of that happening before the August 31st deadline with time left over to search. I respectfully declined the use of their services. We don't need a team of professionals. We just need a responsible Spanish speaking person who is willing to search. I may have a lead for someone to search through the woman who runs the front desk at the Hotel we stay in when we visit. I'll know more about that lead on Monday. Hopefully it will turn out to be something positive and affordable.

Mark is gone this weekend on his motorcycle. He and a friend have gone south to ride through the Smokey's and the surrounding areas. So far he's having a good time, enjoying good weather and he says he has lots of pictures I'll be impressed with when he gets home. I'm waiting for pictures of bears. He and I have taken several trips through the Smokey's and have yet to see a bear. I remember as a kid when we would take family trips down there, we would always see bears. For some reason, as an adult, I have not been so lucky. I hope he continues to have a safe trip and gets home soon. I miss him!

I'm praying the upcoming week brings lots of good news! We're still praying for that miracle.

WOW!!!

And the saga continues...........This week has not been one of our better ones as far as adoption news goes. The CNA has issued a time limit for the completion of birth mother interviews. August 31st is the deadline....only 3 short weeks away. Our birth mother has still not been located. We're just not sure what that means for us. No one is sure what will happen after that date. It could mean the children with missing birth mothers will go into abandonment, but the statement by the CNA says "the cases will be turned over to a competent judge". To me, that's not a very clear statement. Our attorney is assuring us that he will complete our adoption. I guess our question is...............when?

Such an uncertain time! I don't like to put time restrictions in my prayers because then I'm working on my time schedule, not God's, but in this instance, I'm praying for a miracle before August 31st.

Nola, Kinsey, Alex and Melany.

Those are the names of the four little ones that we are particularly aware of whose lives will be affected by what happens in the next three weeks. Please keep them, and all of the little ones in the same situation, in your prayers.
We need God to work in a BIG way!

Today Is Picture Day!!!!!!

Even though my life if full of so many things to be thankful for, the fact remains that one of my children is still living in another country. She is still being cared for by someone other than me and is bonding to someone other than me. Even though I am grateful to Ingrid for caring for our little Nola, I want her home with me........with us. I'm her momma and I should be caring for her. We're her family and we should be tickling that little tummy and kissing those chubby cheeks. I have been really struggling this week with the uncertainty of our adoption situation. Legally she isn't mine. She isn't ours, but in my heart she has been since the day I first heard her name. She is a part of our family that is missing and I want her home.

Today, just like so many times in the past, we received new pictures and again my heart is brightened. Of course, I have to share so you can see how much she's growing and changing too.

What a doll baby! We have received no news about the birth mother being located. Our agency has now had three cases approved without a birth mother interview but our lawyer has not yet been so lucky. Please keep our little one, and all of those waiting to come home, in your prayers. I need to see that light at the end of our tunnel again.

In all of my blog reading lately, I have came across the same scripture reference many different times:

Philippians 4:6&7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. and the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The Miracle Of Life!

No news on the adoption front................but there is news on the "Granny front"! We're half way through the wait for our first grand baby. I went with Tim and Anna to their Dr. appointment today. It was sonogram day! Time to check and make sure the little peanut is developing well and hopefully find out the sex. We did find out the sex.........

IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!!

The Dr says everything looks good! The little guy was just kicking up a storm! Such an amazing thing to see! Mamma, Daddy and baby are doing great! Anna's ready to start shopping for nursery things now since they know for sure a little boy's on the way.

Happy Mamma showing off her baby "pooch".

The Dr says the little guy is 12oz right now.

And here he is in all his glory! What a miracle he is!

An absolute Blessing!

Could It Possibly Be....There's a Light At the End of Our Tunnel?

Today we have gotten a glimmer of hope. A family with our agency just received PGN approval without having a Birth Mother interview!!!!! Our agency doesn't know if it was a fluke or if PGN is finally ready to start letting some of these cases go. I'm praying PGN has not found just cause to continue the interviews. Please Lord, let that be the case! We are so ready for some forward movement in our case!

While I Wasn't Looking

I am sad to say, while I have been obsessing over getting our little Nola home, I have been missing some of the blessings I am usually in awe of. I love the flowers in my flower garden. I look forward to the green sprouts appearing every spring and the soon to follow buds and blossoms. This year has brought a first to our yard. Our Mimosa tree has finally bloomed! I think I planted this little thing about ten years ago. For the first few years, the branches always died in the winter and new growth came up from the roots in the spring. The fifth year it finally put out new growth on the branches that were there from the year before. The sixth year, my sweet hubby was mowing on a rather damp evening..............and you guessed it, the mower slipped down the hill and he mowed down my little Mimosa tree. I really had given up ever seeing those beautiful delicate pink blooms, but this year it has finally happened!

I don't know why, but I have always loved these trees! There aren't many around here, but they are very abundant in the south. They are just beautiful growing wild along the wooded roadsides in the early summer. Now I have that beauty in my own yard!

These are just a few of my favorite Day Lilies. They're beautiful and they can live through anything! Anything that can thrive in our hard as a rock clay soil is pretty amazing.

I'm reminding myself, and all who read, not to live life so blinded that we miss these beautiful gifts we have been given!

Back Home Again In Indiana

Well our time with Nola flew by much too fast! And saying goodbye was no easier this time than it was the first time. We had such a wonderful time in Guatemala I hated to see it end. We left knowing how difficult waiting for news of our birth mother's location will be and the anticipation of that news will be ever present. We're praying the wait won't be too long, but there is no way to know.
Here are a few more pictures of our trip.........

Our foster mother Ingrid with her son Javier

"What's a girl gotta do to get some sleep around here?"

Love that smile!!!!!

Praying that God will take control of our situation. Asking that He guides our birth mother to the people who will assist her in completing the interview needed to fulfill the requirements of PGN.....Amen.

Our Fears Are Taking a Back Seat!

We arrived in Guatemala without a hitch..............almost. We packed two suitcases but only one arrived. There's a problem. Kelsey has no clothes with exception of what she has on. She's not a happy camper. Maria has nothing and Mark and I have t-shirts. Soooooooooo, things didn't start out too well, but when we arrived at the hotel, Ingrid was waiting with our little sweetie. What a difference a little brown eyed girl can make. Somehow the fact we didn't have deodorant, toothpaste...........underwear........you know, things like that, just seemed to fade in the background. Nola is just beautiful! So much more smiley than before and she's crawling....so cute! She has two teeth just breaking through and she waves bye-bye. I can't believe how much she has changed since the first part of May.


We had a meeting with our lawyers assistant yesterday. She assured us that our lawyer won't stop until he finds our birth mother. He believes he knows what city she is in now, it's just a matter of finding her..........he thinks. They asked us to try and be patient and trust them. I feel somewhat better, but I'm afraid it's because we have Nola in our arms right now. I know when we have to go home and leave her, I'll be a basket case again, but lets not think about that now.


Maria is taking to her new little sister pretty well, and Kelsey is adoring her! Maria wants to do everything for Nola but is a little annoyed that Nola poops in her diaper instead of on the toilet. In Maria's words, "that's nasty". Other than that, Maria is adjusting much better than I had anticipated

Maria and I, all strapped in and ready to fly!!!!!

Kels isn't amused with the obsessive picture taking

Kels with Nola on our first day

Our two little Guatemalan cuties!

Got a little bit of wild hair going on, but what a doll baby!

Sorry this post has been such a long time coming. It's just not been as easy to find time to write this trip. Since I first started this post, our luggage has arrived.....Woo Hoo, and I have been getting very well acquainted with the bathroom.....Yuck, but today seems to be a better day. I won't promise to write again before we get home because I know I probably won't have time, but we have lots of pictures to post later.

Today is our last full day with Nola and we're going to soak it all in. Please keep her in your prayers. I'm afraid we may have a long wait ahead of us but I am trusting we will get through it.

Remember the Reyher's too. Little Kinsey is such a doll. She and Nola will get to be good buddies as they grow.

Bye for now

Preparing For Travel

Well it looks as though we will be able to meet with our lawyer while we are in Guatemala. Our agency is ironing out the details, but it looks like Friday will be the day. We're hoping to find out what has been done up to this point to locate Nola's birth mother and what more will be done. Please pray that I won't be a blubbering mess. I don't think that would make a very good impression, but I have been quite the faucet face the last few days.

On a lighter note, our son Kyle has added to his "body art". He got his first tattoo when he was old enough to get it without our consent and recently added a new one. He has honored his Guatemalan born sister and sister to be on his right shoulder.

The Guatemalan flag with two stars added

to represent each one of the girls

Kyle and Maria

I'll keep you all posted on all of happenings in Guatemala.

Friday will mark our 6 month anniversary in PGN....WOW!

Today's uplifting scripture from "Hugs from Heaven".....

Don't get discouraged. I'm close to the brokenhearted,

and I specialize in rescuing you when you're crushed in spirit.

Your weakness is the perfect opportunity for my power to shine.

Meanwhile, I give you my all-sufficient grace.

from Psalm 34:18; 2 Corinthians 12:9

Side note, after our recent news, I have lifted my self imposed ban from the Internet (obviously). I'm not on much, and I'm staying away from the forums but I just don't feel comfortable distancing myself from the one connection I have with Guatemala right now. Go ahead and say it Mark.............I'm weak!

Not The News We Wanted!

This post will be short and sweet. We received word today that our Birth Mother has been given three different interview times: 5/20, 5/30 and 6/9. Our lawyer has been unable to locate her.
As of now, he still doesn't know her where abouts. Our agency is unsure how many missed appointments will be tolerated before the case goes into abandonment. If that happens, Nola will be taken from her foster family and placed into an orphanage. The case would then be entered into another court system and could drag on for a year and maybe more.
Please join us in praying our lawyer has the time and resources to invest in finding our Birth Mother. I know my God is bigger than all of this, but I am having a hard time feeling hopeful right now.
We aren't the only family receiving this news today. Please also keep Danny and Brittney and their little Kinsey in your prayers. http://babygirlreyher.blogspot.com/ Their Birth Mother has also had three interviews scheduled and has not been located.
I've said before, this process is extremely difficult in the best of times, and these are far from the best of times.

NO NEWS!

This has been a very long stretch with no adoption news. The wait is really getting to me (as it is everyone else who is waiting). I've decided to take a break from the computer for a while. It has become my obsession to try and find some good news, some timeline that is similar to ours, something I can compare our case with, and in reality it does absolutely no good. There is no way to possibly figure out PGN and the reasoning behind their actions so I've got to stop trying. I (and my family) will be much better off if I just take a break from it all. Yes, that means I'm cutting myself off............"cold turkey". I'll probably have the sweaty shakes and hallucinations from the withdrawal but I'm tough, I'll get through it.


So this is my last post until we get some good news or until we get down to Guatemala in two weeks. I'm going to miss reading everyone else's blogs and posts of good news, but I'll get caught up in time I'm sure. I have to make an attempt to save what's left of my sanity, if that's at all possible.


I'll continue to pray for all of us and I hope you do too!

Kisses baby, Momma will see you soon!

Here is some scripture that helped me this morning.

I think it should have been addressed "Hey Pam",

I see you struggling and I know the anguish of your soul.

I know it seems as if I've forgotten you,

but your troubles are only temporary.

After you have suffered for a while, I'll personally restore you

and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. You'll be amazed by

the brilliance of my eternal glory that will be revealed in you.

Your God of All Grace

from Psalm 22:24, 2 Corinthians 4:17, 1 Peter 5:10

Will It Ever Stop?

Unbelievable! That's the only word to describe this weather lately! We had another 7" of rain yesterday and last night! We look like we live on an island right now (always thought it would be neat to live on an island.............but I had a more tropical location in mind.) I figure we will be begging for rain later this summer and wont get a drop.

This is the west edge of our yard. The water was up beyond the trees. What's behind isn't a lake, it's a hay field.........disguised as a lake ;)


There's no news on the adoption front. We received word from our coordinator, who was in Guatemala this week, that our Birth mother interview has not been scheduled. That was a bit discouraging. I was hoping it had happened and our attorney had just not passed along the news yet. There is no estimate as to how much longer we may wait. Right now it seems to be the luck of the draw determining who goes next. The JCICS released a statement that 230 cases were released from PGN yesterday. That's fantastic news! There is no word yet on how many of those were approvals and how many were previos. That news should be coming a bit later. So for now...............again, we wait.

Nola's reaction on hearing we seem to be stuck in PGN.

My sentiments exactly baby!

Momma and Daddy love and miss you!

Please keep the prayers coming!