Thanks Sarah!

My cousin Sarah was the first to donate to St. Jude and my cousin, Rob was right behind her! Thanks, Sarah and Rob....Way to go DC Higdon's....Yall are awesome!!
You can be a Hero, too....
Click here to donate now!

Be a St. Jude Hero!

Many of you are familiar with the amazing work done at St. Jude Children's Hospital to fight childhood cancer. Since their founding, St. Jude has had a significant impact on the treatment and survival of childhood cancer and blood disorders. They treat all patients regardless of their ability to pay! Click here to see what St. Jude is doing to help kids around the world!

Each December, the St. Jude Marathon is held in Memphis to benefit the hospital. I have participated the past 2 years and it has become my favorite 1/2 marathon of the year. I love it for the amazing courageous kids it benefits- kids who bravely press on much further than the 13.1 miles I will complete. These precious children is why I need your help.

I have signed up to compete as a St. Jude Hero with the goal of raising $1500 to benefit the hospital. $.85 of every dollar donated goes directly toward research and patient care. So, will you consider joining me in this fight for life? Click here to donate now! 16 weeks until race day....it time to start training....stay tuned for training updates.

Ethiopia on my Mind

Even in Florida on vacation, I thought daily about my baby in Ethiopia. I can't count the number of times it was said, "Next year, if your baby is here..." I love it and I love even more the thought that he or she (or they!) might be home by this time next year. I had a great few days with my family in Destin. I'm not a super hot weather, bake in the sun girl- more of a great breeze sit under the umbrella and read a book gal. (Yet another sign I'm getting old!) Anyway, we had super weather and I loved watching my niece and nephew play...and my parents play with them. I'm so pleased to be able to post a few pictures that I took on vacation (do you sense the pride in my voice?) So, meet my family.....


Mom and dad are so fantastic to take us all on vacation...THANKS!

Beautiful girl!

Mister wasn't so happy during his modeling debut...but isn't he super cute?

Still thankful!

Today, I am so greatful to be headed to the B-E-A-C-H!! It has been several years since I took a real vacation! My last week off from work was in February when I had my gall bladder removed- that doesn't count as vacation, does it? I'll be trying out my video camera and hope to have lots to post when I get back. Yall have a super week.....

Thankful: Day 3

Lots of random thankful thoughts today.....I am always thrilled when another family begins the adoption journey. Check out this blog- another Tennessee family on their way to Ethiopia! One more baby will get a forever home- that always makes for a good day.

I had a fantastic yoga class tonight...WhooHoo! It had been a long time since I had a good class. Although my balance was off due to my cold, I could have held down dog all night long. Yoga is fabulous!!

Curb side recycling- has saved a ton of clutter in my garage.

Upcoming vacation.....can't wait! The dogs are going to a new kennel that I am so excited about. I know they will get great care and have lots of attention and play time. I'll probably be singing their praises in an upcoming post- stay tuned fellow dog owners.

Last one...I love Sunday afternoon naps! Can I get an Amen?! Can I specify in my homestudy that I require a child that takes Sunday naps?

Quick addition: If you don't follow Katie's blog about her work in Uganda, please consider checking it out. She is being used by the Lord in big ways to love the kids in there. Her story is incredible.... How can you not love that?!

Hope yall have a fantastic Tuesday!

Thankful: Day 2

Still on the wagon.....I love when my friends get their referrals! I love hearing their stories and seeing their pictures. It helps to get me through.

On Thursdays, I do home health, treating kids who are to medically fragile to come to the clinic. On these days I am very thankful for a clean restroom! I LOVE the Pilot- clean store, crushed ice and Caffine Free Diet Coke in the fountain! I consume a LOT of fluids during an 8 hour day in the car! I also appreciate good radio personalities and great music. I'm thankful for speaker phone and built in cup holders. And most of all, the thing I'm miserable without- cruise control!

This is so much better than sulking, huh? What are the things you have enjoyed today? Happy Thursday!!

A New Leaf

To help pull myself out of the blahs, I'm going to be thankful. I'm going to appreciate all of the good things in my life and enjoy some of my favorite things. Today's favorite thing: getting to come home for lunch! I love that I work so close to home- only 2 1/2 miles! As a result, I get to sleep later, save gas, and come home for lunch! Speaking of lunch, on of my other favorite things- summer fruit and Lean Cuisine. Yum! Gotta get back to work. Theresa, thanks for your sweet comment....hey that's another thing I love comments on my blog!

And another thing....I am so thankful for the local Ethiopia adoption community. They are such fantastic people. And I love watching them get referrals and bring home their kiddos. Congratulations to the Easts! They got their referral earlier today. Can't wait to see your little girl!

I knew I shouldn't have looked

I am totally bummed. Often times I think I have this waiting thing figured out....just put it in the back of my brain and go on with life as usual. Other times, I really want to be a mommy TODAY! Our agency doesn't keep an official "list" of those waiting for referrals (or match with their child). When you leave 350+ waiting and anxious mommies and daddies (well, mostly mommies!) they will go to all means for any shred of information on when their turn might come. So my forum friends have developed an unoffical list- it's voluntary and likely only about 25-30% of the families actually waiting are on it, but it's something to track. On this unofficial list, I'm 74. Not too bad. Managable. Reasonable.

Just to make things more fun, another forum mom- with a math brain much smarter than mine, has come up with an estimator of where you might actually be given a whole bunch of factors. I knew I should have never punched my numbers in. I know it's only an estimate. Want to guess.....280! Two hundred and eighty! Seriously! 2.8.0! So, I'm bummed.

OK, enough whinning....time to pull it together. Tell myself the truth: Yes, I will get my turn. Yes, it will be in God's perfect time. Yes, my child just isn't ready to come home yet. So, I need suggestions on how to spend what may be a longer than expected wait. Suggestions? Thoughts? Comments? .....and sorry for the self pity party.......