A Heart for Adoption

As many of you know Roger and I are in the process of adopting a little girl from China, it will be a couple years from now, but we are also in the final stages of becoming a registered foster family in our county's foster to adopt program. If you would have told me 10 yrs ago that I would be considering even adopting one child, I wouldn't have believed it, I had a child and I was done, my heart wasn't in it, and Roger's wasn't either for that matter. But after my granddaughter was born {I'm laughing at that one}, something changed, God instilled in both Roger and I a heart for adoption. I don't know how many children it will lead us to, so we'll just go with it, although if I had my way it would be as many as possible because there are so many orphans and you see, unlike adults, children love to hear about Jesus and what he has to say to them. As many of you may already know, Steven Curtis Chapman lost his five year old daughter Maria in a horrible accident at their home. She was the youngest of three daughters he and his wife adopted from China. He made this video about adoption. Grab a Kleenex.

That's One Huge Tree!

So Roger, Logan and I go to get our tree today after worship. Leyna couldn't make it because she had to work. We were told by my sister-in-law's father that it was a good sized tree and based on the ones we have bought previous years he thought that we would like it. Well, it's a good sized tree all right, and you know they always look twice as big in your house as they do outside. This one was no exception. It's enormous. Roger thinks it's about 9 to 10 feet, and yes, I'll have to use that ladder you see there to decorate at least the top half of the thing. I'll post some pictures tomorrow night of the finished product. It should be spectacular. I'm guessing if I start at 9 AM, I should have it all done by say 5 or 6 PM, lol. I know you all will be anxiously awaiting the final unveiling so stay tuned until tomorrow night. Oh, by the way, notice the orange twine at the top of the tree. We had to tie it off to the two rafters to keep it upright, and when I say "we," I mean Roger tied and I supervised. The unfinished room the tree is in will someday be used as a family room, for now it's Logan's playroom, but it's the only room in the house that is high enough, lol.

This is Logan's miniature tree with all her Logan sized ornaments on it. You may recognize a few characters from Finding Nemo and Dora the Explorer intermingled with a variety of princess legends.Every year my mom gives her granddaughters the Holiday Barbie Dolls and these Holiday Barbie ornaments, and since Leyna is the oldest hers go back to 1993, so including this year's she will have 16 altogether. They're actually kinda too heavy for on the tree, so I started displaying them on this table.

Sugar Cookies

I know, you're thinking how lame taking pictures of cookies, but since I'm not scrapbooking that much anymore, I really wanted to document all aspects of Christmas 2008, and besides, the second picture is just too funny! Leyna and Logan spent yesterday morning making these sugar cookies. When they'll ice them is up in the air, lol, so far it's been 32 hrs. and counting.

These brave first batch soldiers gave their life for the cause.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

If you'll notice, our cat Teenie even has a hat on, and as you can see she looks just absolutely thrilled to be able to take part in the festitivies. Hey, we humans can't have all the fun!

Logan just wouldn't stop giggling long enough for me to take this picture.

THE FIRST TREE IS UP!

I say the first because we have two. Leyna and Logan have their artificial tree with all the ornaments I collected for Leyna over the years and the ones she and I have collected for Logan. And then Roger and I also get a live tree that I put all of my special ornaments on that I have collected from different places I've been, and also those that others have given me. We will be getting that tree sometime in the next couple days. I don't get it early 'cause I hate pine needles in my barefeet. And this year for the first time I also will be putting on our tree wooden ornaments that I had "painted" for my mom when I was little. Last year she got them out and repainted them and then gave them back to me, which was kinda cool. They look really nice and will look great on our big tree. Here's a picture of Leyna and Logan's tree and a few of my favorite ornaments on it (for those of you who won't get to see them in person). Okay, so maybe there's a little more than a few. Hey, I like ornaments, okay, alright! And, Shawn, before you respond, THIS IS WHAT BLOGGING IS ALL ABOUT!!

This is Logan's first ornament.

Here's a mother/daughter one I got for me, Leyna and Logan.

While on vacation, my mom got this one for Leyna in, well, 1997, lol

These next two I just got this year.

This one I got in Ireland in 2002

For those Disney fans, I got Gus from the movie Cinderella as a

Happy Meal toy circa early '90s.

And doesn't everyone have a cow in their tree?

Just spreading some Christmas cheer!

FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

(Luke 2:1-18)

I'll admit I'm a thief!

As I was surfing today, I ran across this on another blog and thought I'd share it with you all.

Women have strengths that amaze men. They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in. They stand up to injustice. They don't take 'no' for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. They go without so their family can have. They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally. They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love. They have compassion and ideas. They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have vital things to say and everything to give. HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Please pass this along to all your women friends and relatives to remind them just how amazing they are. I just did.

Sledding on the Farm

Well, I guess winter is here to stay, and with it always comes sled riding. Now, I am never in any way, shape or form ever excited about being cold, so Roger gets the fun job of taking Logan sled riding all winter. He actually has just as much fun. This time he had a little company as my brother Chris and my neice and nephew, McKayla and Christopher, came over to the farm. We invited my other brother Shawn to come over with his boys, too, but since we're in the middle of football season, and the Steelers were playing this past Sunday afternoon, his choice was quite obvious and he and his boys opted to watch the game instead. Wise choice in my mind as it was only 18 degrees outside, but tropical like conditions where my sister-in-law Amanda and I were watching the sledders from the car, lol. Our five sledders didn't seem to mind the cold, though, and we heard lots of screaming and laughing going on outside. A funny thing about sled riding down a hill on the farm, I did hear my husband tell my brother that he needed to make sure he kept his sled from going to the left as Roger had recently spred some manure on that particular field at the bottom of the hill right before it snowed.

Roger and Logan surveying the hill before the first descent.

Woo Hoo!!!

Christopher and Logan starting one of many walks up the hill.

Chris and Roger striking a pose the one time I came outta the car to take some shots.

Christopher never slowed down a bit as McKayla and their dad trudge behind him.

Logan and her Pappy making the final walk of the day up the hill before calling it quits, until the next time of course!

MY NEW SCRAPBLOG

Oh, no, like I need another craft project, but I couldn't resist. I seem to never have the time to do any serious scrapbooking anymore, but maybe one weekend outta the year, so when I found this site I had to give it a whirl. It's fast (well, now that I have DSL, lol), it's fun, and it's soooo easy. Everything you need is onsite, no cutting, glueing, measuring....IT'S GREAT!! You can even order your creations in a variety of ways...booklets, postcards, or print them out yourself. I probably should've done a Christmas theme, but I liked this layout and started it when I wasn't even beginning to think about Christmas.

LET'S BLAME WAL-MART???

You know, over the years Wal-Mart in my opinion has gotten a pretty raw deal from us Americans. We all want the best product possible for the lowest price possible, yet.......Wal-Mart, who has given us exactly what we have asked for, has been blamed for the closings of lots of small businesses; maybe, maybe not. They've been blamed for gobbling up the market by offering lower prices; maybe, maybe not. They've been blamed for --- I even hate to use this word --- discriminating against women in their work force; maybe, maybe not. But tonight as I listened to the NYC news (which by the way Wal-Mart has yet to get me local channels), I once again am absolutely amazed at the idiocy of some human beings in this country. The NYC District Attorney actually held a press conference and suggested that the blame in the horrible tragedy that resulted in the death of a maintenance man was actually the fault of Wal-Mart because they didn't take the necessary steps to stop this from happening. WHAT????? That's like saying if I get in my car to go get groceries and some drunk driver crashes in to me and I'm killed, that it was my fault actually because I didn't take the necessary steps to stop it from happening, i.e., not leaving my house, or possibly driving around in an army tank, or maybe I should have gone to a fortune teller and then I would've known that that drunk driver was going to hit me and I could have avoided the whole situation. WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE???? Here's a novel idea. How about blaming the selfish, greedy mob that stormed the doors and then trampled that poor man to death? I'm sorry, people, but if we agree with the NYC DA (which I emphatically 100 percent not in a million years every will) what are we teaching our kids about personal responsibility? I'll tell you what we're teaching them. Don't worry, honey, you can do whatever you want 'cause we're just gonna blame Wal-Mart. Shoot me now!!! But, oh, wait, if you shoot me and you bought that gun at Wal-Mart............