It's Not Supposed to Happen Like This

Forgive me for being the Debbie Downer today, but I'm a little sad and I need to tell someone. It's not supposed to happen like this....parents are not supposed to have to say goodbye to their children.

Within the past week, two sweet families I know have each had to say goodbye to one of their precious children. Whether expected or unexpected, the result of a medical diagnosis or an accident, it doesn't really matter....it always feels awful and seems terribly wrong. I grieve for my friends, for what they have lost, for the graduations and weddings and grandchildren that won't happen. Yet, there are a few moments when my brain kicks in and I remember that these loved ones are now sitting at the feet of Jesus. They are seeing "face to face" the God who made them, loved them and knew the day that He would bring them home. I am thankful that they have been relived of all on this earth that bound them and are now the complete fullness of who God made them to be. And I'm sure it's magnificent.

Still another parent has said goodbye to her child....not because they were taken, but because they were given. That parent is my child's birth mother....that child is my little girl. It's not supposed to happen like this. The world shouldn't be this unbalanced. Poverty and oppression don't have to exist. People don't have to die of treatable illnessess. It doesn't have to be this way.

So what will I do with all this? I will tell my friends and family that I love them- because I do. I'll give more hugs. I may snuggle the babies at work a little bit longer. I will do what I can to work toward ending poverty and oppression. I will be thankful for what I have. I will praise God that He is good, His love is never ending and this world is not all there is. That's what I will do.

DTE day and a Great Suprise!

Just got word that my dossier is now in Ethiopia (DTE= dossier to Ethiopia)!! Next it has to be translated and reviewed by MOWA (Ministry of Women's Affairs). Then a court date gets scheduled; it could take up to 3 months to get to court. Anyway, I'm one step closer to bringing home my little girl!!!!

And then later today, I got the sweetest suprise...new pictures. My little one is growing! Her cheeks have filled out and she has the sweetest smile with dimples in her cheeks- I can hardly stand the cuteness!

Cure for PMS!

Chocolate. Potato Chips. Enough said.

Another Sneak Peak

In honor of such a great craft night...and just because I'm so smitten with her, I give you another peak at my perfect girl....drum roll..... Perfect long fingers to match those long toes....I love those little hands!

Craft Night

It seems I have so many thoughts to blog about- I don't sit down often enough to do it. So, I'll likely keep playing catch up....the story of my life :)

This past Friday night I hosted 'Craft Cause you Care' night and it was SOOO fun! About 16 of my friend came together for 5 hours of crafting: scrapbooking, crochet, stamping, beading....what ever they had to work on. Rachel even organized her bills- ha!ha!ha! The purpose of the event was to raise money to benefit international adoptions. I am so thankful to my mom who did a fabulous job with the food...she is the most fantastic hostess and as always far exceeded my expectation. Thank you, too, to James and Denice who donated their fabulous space- it was perfect. And thanks to all of you who came and crafted- you were such fun to hang out with; yall are great and I love your support of orphans!
These gals are catching up on their 2nd and 3rd child's baby books. I hear it's easy to get backed up. Alicia at the end was crocheting a blanket- one row took an hour. She's got more patience than me! I'm so glad she brought her son- the only rooster in the hen house... These are my Ethiopia mommy friends...Theresa, so glad I found your eyeball!
Pam and Rachel check out the fantastic snacks. We had to teach our Yankee friend about ham biscuts...seriously! My mom and my sister-in-law, Tina, can't wait for my baby girl to come home!These are my work girl!! Deidra and Ashley were completing their first scrapbooks- way to go girls. Ashley was also the Cricut master for the night. Lots of fun! And sweet Carrie came, too. Baby Bud is due in about 10 days- soo soon! Her new found nesting energy (and a McDonalds sweet tea) helped her get through the night!
And finally, my dear friends, Traci and Julie G- you guys are the best a girl could ask for!!
So, once again, thank you sooo much to all of you who came and or donated to the Cause. Yall are fantastic. The night was a blessing in more ways than you will ever know-- God showed up, and He is good!

I LOVE these feet!

Many of you know how much I love feet! Not in a crazy, Tanner on the Bachlorette, kind of way. More in an "amazed at the cool construction and adaptability" way. So, drum roll please........ Check out my tiny girls gigantic beautiful..... Aren't they perfect and beautiful?! Won't she look super cute in sandals next summer?! So there you have it, your first peak at my amazing little girl....couldn't you just eat up those toes?

Welcome Home!

After nearly 2 years of waiting to bring their daughter home from India, my friend Lucy and her husband, Walt, arrived home yesterday with Maliha! What an honor to be at the airport to welcome them home. Maliha, welcome to your forever home! A quick smile from Maliha, with her mom, Lucy. Lucy's mom and step dad were there to welcome home their grand daughter. One happy family, glad to have their beautiful daughter home!
See more pictures and read the Burnette family's story.