Achoo Moo Moo

Veggie Tales fans will understand the title! :o)

We are battling a summer cold around here! It's going through us all, well, except Ethan. He seems to still be on what I call the "orphanage immunity". Cala was the same way until a few months ago!

Anyway... back to the pictures I promised....

My beautiful niece, who will turn 16 on Thursday, came home with us when we were in Florida. She stayed 10 days with us and then we put her on a plane. We had a great time with her, and this particular night we surprised her with a little "party".

Here's the moment of surprise: We laughed a lot because we had spent that day going to a pizza buffet and then to the park for a picnic. All that was for her but she didn't know it. I had decorated the upstairs when she was outside. She came upstairs, we hollered surprise, and she kept going to her room. She suddenly comes back and says, "Surprise?! What surprise!?" ha She didn't realize what we were saying! We had her a couple of gifts and a cake, etc.

The next pictures are of my niece with Glenn, with me, and then with the kids. These were taken the day she left- at the airport:









It is this picture I love! You see, right here, we have 5 nations represented! Erika's Mom is from Mexico and her Dad (my brother), is American, so there are two countries right there. Then, we have my children who represent Russia, El Salvador and Guatemala. What beautiful cousins they are!

A Couple of Cool Give-a-ways!

5 minutes for Mom is giving away a new Flat Panel LCD HDTV courtesy of Best Buy! Go over there and enter! As they say, "Someone's gotta win!" :o)

Then, stop on by I Should Be Folding Laundry and enter to win one of the new Febreze candles :o) I LOVE candles!

Continuing pictures

Tonight I will continue our pictures from the past few weeks.

While on our way home to Minnesota, from Florida, I had the privilege of meeting two different online friends. On the left is me with Karen. We met a few months ago online through a Baptist group I have for Mamas :o) As it turned out, Karen also adopted a baby boy from Guatemala. She and her husband came home with their son last year. They also just happened to stay at the same bed and breakfast outside of Guatemala City that we did! It was really neat to stop by Karen's home in Kentucky and get to meet her in person!





Then, as we continued on, that very same day, we stopped in Illinois and got to meet a friend named Joy! Joy and I met about four years ago online through the same group. We really enjoyed meeting Joy and her family and going to eat supper with them. I am so glad we got this chance to meet in person! It was like the computer coming to life!

Tonight I will cut it short and try to post some more pictures tomorrow of when my niece was with us! I am achoo- achooing right now with a summer cold!

Achoooooooooooooo!

Notice my new post

My new post I began and saved as a draft until I could finish it.... anyway, it actually posted under yesterday's post, so scroll down to see the post entitled, "Fourteen Years Ago- and Today". Thanks!

Not the post I intended

Today is our 14th anniversary! It's been a very nice day and I had intended a post about that, but I will get back to that tomorrow....

Instead I ask that you go visit my dear friend, Suz at her blog: http://russianadoptiondva.blogspot.com In the past four years, Susie has become my very dearest friend! That she is suffering like this just breaks my heart. The little girl that they have been in process to adopt for 2 years now (in Russia), will now not be theirs. I just don't have the adequate words to express how my heart aches for them.

I know some of you that read are not members of the adoption "community", but I would greatly appreciate you taking the time to visit Suz' blog and even post a comment there to let her know you are praying for her family! Thanks!

Fourteen Years Ago- and Today

Fourteen years ago, I was just 22. Glenn was 21. Fourteen years ago yesterday, we were married in my hometown, at the Missionary Baptist Church where we grew up- my Daddy was (and is still) the Pastor. Glenn's Dad is a deacon. Fourteen years ago, we sure looked different and life was different- never did we expect life to take us to Russia and then to Minnesota! Never did we really expect to have children from 3 different heritages. We are so glad that God led us to Russia, then Minnesota, and ever thankful for the 3 kids that are ours. They may be nuts, but "they're our nuts!" ha.

Fourteen years ago, we sure didn't look as happy as we do today, did we?! ha ha I promise you, we were thrilled. We must have been tired or in shock! ha

Can you spot the little nose right behind Glenn? That was Jesse, my now 19 year old nephew. He was the "train bearer" (carried the train of my dress). He was just five years old and super close to his Aunt Amy. (or "Ay-wee" as he called me). He spent the entire reception crying, not just crying, wailing because he thought that when we left for our honeymoon, I would never be returning! He was very upset about it!!!!

Wonder what we would change if we knew then what we know now! Something to think about. I think God certainly doesn't reveal the supposed "big picture" to us for a really good reason! I know I would probably make a mess of His ultimate plan if I knew every little thing that would happen.

By the way, we had a really nice 14th anniversary. I am truly blessed to be married to Glenn. As is our tradition, if on Valentine's or our anniversary we can't go somewhere without the kids (and right now we don't know anyone well enough to leave the kids with).... then Glenn cooks our supper, a special meal just for him and me. We had a wonderful meal last night- rivaling any restaurant!

As I write this, we are almost 2 hours from the house- spending two nights at a nice hotel, that through our Choice Rewards points, is totally FREE!!!!! (the best kind!). Yes, the kids are here, that's true, but we're enjoying this family time in celebration of our anniversary. It's our last hurrah before school starts again and our church begins meeting in the city we feel God leading us to plant it in. We are currently waiting for the man in charge to call us back with the finalization of when we can start.... we want to be meeting there (in a school) by the first Sunday in September.

One more thought- wonder what life will look like fourteen years from now?! I'll be uh.... 50. gasp.

Pictures from Florida

As promised, here are pictures from our time "back home" in Florida... by the way, while we were on the way to Florida, it hit me that my kids were making that trip I once made, back to my parents home. Ok, so when I was a kid, the "home" we were heading back to was South Carolina, but you get my point.... They were on our "back home" trip to Florida. To our kids, Minnesota is home.

The boys sure loved their time at my parents' home. Here they are late one Sunday night being loving brothers! This reminded me of the many Sunday nights I spent as a child... it had been a long day filled with church, etc. and Mama would cook breakfast foods for supper. I rarely got in bed at a regularly scheduled time on Sunday night!

This particular Sunday night was no different.... the kids were up late, but hey! It was at Grandma's and Grandpa's house! What can I say?!

It was a time to be cherished that's for sure... I tell you this time like no other was surreal being back in Florida. I can't explain it. I don't know why this would have anything to do with it, but living in the states now and returning "home" must play some role in why it felt so strange, so different. Glenn felt the same way.

During the mid-week, prayer meeting was held at Mom and Dad's house, the parsonage. This particular night, a girl I grew up with, like a sister to me came. It was so nice to see her again. We just HAD to have a picture of Tammy and me with our babies. (Her son is just 3 months younger than Seth). You see, when we were kids, we would spend each day together, in this same home- the parsonage. One bedroom would be Tammy's house, another would be mine. We would bring our pretend babies to visit each other and talk about the price of diapers and baby food! What a hoot to be here together with our real babies!

We had planned the trip for a long time, and originally this was to be a surprise trip. However, when it was decided that my youngest brother (who by the way is 8 years older than me) would be ordained, then we ended up telling everyone we were coming. The ordination was definitely a highlight of the trip. This shot was taken just after the service was over, right after Daddy's tie had come off and Scott's suit coat had too. ha I still love this picture.

It was a wonderful time that's for sure, being back in Florida, back in my hometown, but the best thing was seeing these dear folks, my Mama and Daddy. I sure do find that the older I get, the more I miss them! I am ever thankful for such great parents.

Alone after all this time?

It hit Glenn and me yesterday that our family of five hadn't been "just us" (save 2 days on the way down to Florida) in the past six weeks, until yesterday! How strange.... My inlaws came, spent two weeks with us, we had a great time, traveling to South Dakota with them....they left, we went to Florida, were there two weeks, but with the traveling to and fro- we were gone a total of 3 weeks, and brought my niece back with us.... she left yesterday. Wow! Yes, it's been six weeks since it's been just our family!

I thought over the course of the next few posts, I would share some pictures from the past six weeks- Tonight we will start with my inlaws being here, and us going to South Dakota....

Cala and her Grandpa (Glenn's dad) pan for gold in Deadwood, South Dakota. Cala absolutely loved it!

Of course she has her Grandpa wrapped around her little finger! Today in fact while talking to him on the phone, she said, "When I am a teenager I am coming to visit... I want all my toys gone and teenager clothes hanging up, maybe some make up and some jewelry- earrings would be great!" ha ha What a character.... she turns 9 in October!


Glenn, Cala and I in South Dakota. Scenery is beautiful there! We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the mountains, the lakes, the wildlife, etc.











All of us stood in awe of Mt. Rushmore, even the boys still talk about "Mt. Mushmore". I certainly hope to one day go back there! It's one of those places you just HAVE to go see!

And finally, something I know at least one of my faithful readers (hey my brother Ted!) will appreciate as I think I got it from him! ha..... We realized not only were we an hour or so from Wyoming which we had previously visited, but my inlaws had not- we were not that far from the Montana line, which we had never set foot in. SO, we just HAD to go! Sure next year we have a trip planned to Washington state for an associational meeting, and Montana will be thoroughly visited, but could we wait?! Pass up an opportunity to be able to say we had been there?! Of course not! And so, we drove through mile after mile of country, seeing antelope after antelope along the way (that was really cool!), and made it to Montana! The little town across the line was Alzada, a true "spot" in the road, but I am proud to say I now have a magnet that actually says, "Alzada, MT" on it with a picture of an aforementioned antelope! :o) Visit again this week for some more pictures...

Next up: pictures from our time "back home" in Florida.

Not still in Illinois! lol

Last time we checked in with our fearless blogger, she was in Illinois. No, she is not stuck there, she did indeed make it home to Minnesota. She is as they say "safe and sound." (the jury is really still out about the sound part, but she's home safe).

I haven't forgotten about my dear readers, I've just had my nearly 16 year old niece with us this week and haven't sat down much at all! I've really enjoyed having her with us! I hope this will become a yearly visit.

Last night we surprised her with cake and home made ice cream and of course gifts. (I am taking her today to get her nails done). Yesterday, we spent the day out at a pizza buffet, and then a picnic supper at the park- all for her birthday really, but she didn't realize that until we got home from the picnic, and she found I had secretly decorated the table and area in her honor. Her "sweet sixteen" is 2 weeks from yesterday. Ah, to be that young again......

Honestly, I am super glad I am NOT 16 anymore. That generation sure faces a lot of stuff that I am glad to not deal with.... no, when it comes down to it, give me the bills, (did I just say that?!), give me the house to keep straight, the kids to run to and fro....... Life in that way is sweet.

Here is a picture from yesterday at that moment of "Surprise" (of course, my niece would want me to write a disclaimer here that she knew nothing about pictures being taken and therefore her hair was not done! lol)

Illinois

Yesterday was such a neat day!!!! In the morning, we left Tennessee and drove to Kentucky and met a pretty new online friend of mine. Her husband was working, but we got to meet her precious baby son, who is also from Guatemala! In fact, my friend stayed at the same small bed and breakfast as we did in a suburb of Guatemala City. (this was all last year before we knew each other).

The kids really had a great time playing, and we had a great time talking and sharing our experiences. We definitely will have to stop back by the next time we are that way!

We left Karen's house and went on Metropolis, Illinois to see "the home of Superman" and the giant statue of said Superhero! The kids are all huge fans!

On to another city in Illinois where we got to meet yet another online friend of mine, Joy and her family. I have "known" Joy for about 3 or 4 years now so this was neat to see the "computer coming to life"! We really had a good time with Joy and her husband, and their two kids. Cala and Joy's daughter really hit it off and had a great time playing.

We went out to eat with Joy's family and had a great time "getting to know each other", although those of you out there with online friends know you really do feel like you know each other already.

After saying goodbye, we were on our way about an hour's drive to our hotel. We are leaving here this morning and heading to Wisconsin where we will spend the night. The kids are having such a great time swimming everywhere we go. Last night, we had to swim around 10 p.m. which is already waaaaaaayyyyyyy past their bed time! They thought that was super cool!

On the road again.....

Such Deep Sadness

This morning as we left my parents' home, I was consumed by such sadness. It is getting harder and harder to leave, the older I get. (and they get too of course). I now that God has us away for a reason, and I don't regret that a bit. I am happy in Minnesota and wouldn't dream of living anywhere else since this is where God wants us. There was just a moment when I was saying goodbye this morning, I wanted to be a little girl again, holding on to my Daddy's t-shirt, knowing that I was safe as long as he was there.

I must have cried a good two hours as we drove and a bit more throughout the day. Tonight, we are in Chattanooga, TN, had a good evening. We all went swimming as soon as we got in the motel. We went to supper, returned to our room and enjoyed some time together.

Tomorrow, I am excited to be able to meet two different women I know online! They are both members of an online "yahoogroup" I moderate. One, we will meet in Kentucky as we are passing right close to her home, and the other, in Illinois- we will meet her tomorrow night.

The bed is calling.....

A Good Exhaustion

NO IDEA WHY THE DATE IS SAYING IT'S July 4th- it's actually SATURDAY- JULY 7th!

I am past tired tonight... whatever is wrong me has me thoroughly wiped out tonight, but at least it's a "good tired".

At our home church this afternoon, (and by home church I mean where we grew up- and my Daddy is the Pastor, my father in law is a deacon!), we held an ordination service for my youngest brother. He is now the "Co-Pastor" with Daddy. It was a great service, as there were many preachers there and just an encouraging time.

It was also a highlight to see my brother in a suit, which until recently was a very rare happening! **Note to my other brothers- I will email you pictures as soon as I get home- unable to do so here at Mom and Dad's computer**

We are looking forward to tomorrow's church service, and then on Monday I will begin packing again for our return trip on Wednesday. Glenn and I agree, as does even Cala, we are both looking forward to going home and sad to see our time here end. I often wonder when or if I'll see certain folks again. That makes me treasure time spent with them all the more.

One of the "good days"

Ok, so I feel old! You know how usually older people will talk about having "good days and bad days"? I am a mere 36 years old but here I am saying such a thing! Today would be classified as a "good day". Pain was minimal, and I really enjoyed the day.

Glenn, the boys and I went to Orlando to Lifeway Christian Bookstore. We were in there just a few days ago to buy the ordination Bible for my brother (who will be ordained Saturday!), but silly us... we forgot to buy an ordination certificate! So, back we went today to do so. Did we just buy a certificate? Of course not! We can never seem to leave a Lifeway store without a few more things to enjoy! We bought a seemingly cute Veggie Tales CD for the kids, for the trip home next week. It's Bob and Larry singing road trip songs like, "On the Road Again" and "Ease on Down the Road!" I can't, er, the kids can't wait! ha ha

I was trying to find a song that would be a good "ordination song". I could never find something I thought was just right, so on the way back to my parents' house, I found in our van, an old song of mine that will do just fine I think.... "For Such a Time as This".

When we returned, Cala was talking about the good time she had being alone with her grandparents! She and Grandpa had been watching tv together. She went on a walk with Grandma. She's really eating up the attention of her grandparents! She said today it will be good to be home in Minnesota but hard to leave Florida. I told her, "I understand child, I understand". I think with each passing year, it's harder to be away from family. I think with my Daddy having cancer and always hurting, it just hits me, "could this be the last time I see him?" Or "could this be the last time he's able to talk to us and enjoy time with us?"

I am thankful we have come and my kids (well at least Cala, age 8, and hopefully Ethan, age 4) will remember this Grandpa. I always wished I had a Grandpa. They were both dead long before I hit the scene. My kids are blessed.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July! It's been a nice day. This morning, my inlaws came down to my parents' house and began churning ice cream.... this time (to the following, I say, "Praise the Lord!" ha), they made not only vanilla, but gasp---- rocky road! Hallelujah was heard coming out of, uh, well, my mouth.

They grilled hamburgers, chicken and steak. There were many side dishes and a "good time was had by all." It was nice to be together with not only my parents, but my inlaws, and my youngest brother and his children. One of my nephew's friends came as well.

Tonight is church, but we are having it here at the parsonage (Mom and Dad's house). After everyone has left, my inlaws and the rest of us will eat supper with all the leftovers!

Thank you to all who are praying for me. I look forward to the day when I can report what the complete diagnosis is and how you can specifically pray!!!!

Happy Independence Day!

No Good News, no difinitive news yet

Unfortunately, I didn't get the "A O.K." I was hoping for.... of course, if I had gone in and heard all blood work was normal, I wouldn't exactly be happy either, so what was I hoping for?! I guess I'm just plain frustrated right now. If I had been told all was o.k. through blood work, the dr. still would have insisted I go to a specialist because as she said, "something isn't right". I know something isn't right- I feel it- I can tell my symptoms are worse. sigh.....

Some of my blood work came back suggesting that something else is at play- whether it be Lupus or some other autoimmune disease (of which there are many!), we don't yet know. I won't know until I can get on insurance and go to the specialists in Minnesota. We plan to have insurance in the next few weeks, so that's good. I pray all is "o.k." until then.

I only know I want to be well- well for myself to enjoy life- well for my husband and well for my kids!

My doctor wants me to have thorough exams to watch for cancer since our family has, sadly, a bad history of various cancers- my Daddy has prostate cancer, my cousin has colon cancer, an uncle died with Leukemia (which thankfully- all initial tests show I don't have that, praise the Lord!)- two or three of my aunts have (or have had) breast cancer, one had ovarian cancer... the list goes on. SO, I will do my part and get screened for everything when I have insurance! Sad that I'm not rich, huh? I would be hooked up to every possible test, believe me! hee

For now though- my next step is to find a rheumatologist who can further pinpoint what is my diagnosis- Lupus or ?! We will wait and see. Keep praying! (and if anyone is reading this in the Twin Cities Metro area or St. Cloud or general areas- do you know of a good rheumy?)

News from a Far Country

The following was sent to me via email by a dear faithful reader and so I thought I would share it here with you..... lol

"Dear Amy,

As a concerned reader of your blog, let me remind you that it is getting a "little stale", honey.

Can we get some fresh news on that thing?

I for one, am addicted to your blog, and need a "fresh fix."

Thank you for hearing me out."

And so, since I've been called out by a dear fan of the blog, I shall post. Sure, I could tell you that the last time I tried to update this thing, blogger wasn't letting me. It wasn't working right, but uh... I want tell you that since admittedly that was just last night! ha

So, here I am.... In the past week, we arrived safely to central Florida (from whence we cameth- we are both originally from here), and are having a good time visiting family.

Unfortunately, on Wednesday, I visited the doctor to have some blood tests run and was called to ask that I come in as soon as possible to get the results as in the nurse's words, "Amy has a lot going on with her." SO, tomorrow night, I hopefully will update ya'll with some not so terrible news. I pray of course that it's only my fibromyalgia acting up- which in itself is bad enough, but at least fibro is not a degenerative disease. It's just a pain, a real pain to live with!

I guess because I have a cousin that is fighting colon cancer and she's only 35 (and the dearest cousin to me), it scares me that such a problem will one day strike me. My own dear father has prostate cancer, and while I can't have prostate cancer since I'm a woman! (last time I checked), it still concerns me that somehow cancer could knock on my door. I certainly don't want to answer~ Truly, there are many people in my family, on both my Mama's side and my Daddy's side that are battling some form of cancer. What a terrible thing it is and I pray that I will be around for many moons to come.

Now enough of a downer- I really don't think my brother, er, faithful blog reader intended for me to go on and on about such.

I will post this- the kids are fine, enjoying being spoiled by the grandparents. All grandparents are thrilled to have the grandchildren here, and I believe that they could care less if we are here! HA HA I am just joking!!!! Seriouly, Glenn and I often refer to each other as CL 1 and CL 2 (CL stands for "Chopped Liver".).