No glass left unbroken...my new motto...or at least it seems

Since September (more like 9/25 our LID) I have been on a breaking streak. Now I will admit that I have broken my fair share of stuff in my lifetime, but for pity sake this is out of control. Let me explain...this is what I have broken since September that I remember. I'm sure my hubby will leave a comment on all the other stuff I've forgotten about.

- 7 juice glasses (yes, I said seven)
- 3 salad plates
- 2 dinner plates
- 1 soup bowl
- small bathroom mirror
- I really don't have any make-up anymore (so I look a mess)
- numerous hangers (I say they are old and brittle)
- 4 plastic cups (yup, you got it PLASTIC)
- 1 very special tea cup (that was yesterday)
- 1 shot glass (not used for alcohol and that was today)
- 2 dog bowls
- couple jars (mostly full) of condiments from the fridge
- a dozen eggs all at the same time

And to top it off Friday my glasses decided to come apart. I know what you are thinking and Cost*co confirmed that it was a default with the frames so I got them replaced and then yesterday the arm broke off again. Needless to say I'm going with a different pair of glasses.

I'm begging to think this adoption is going to be the death of all things breakable. Instead of a baby shower I think someone is going to have to think outside the box and do a not-your-wedding shower for us. :-)

I sure hope this ends soon, at least before we get our daughter. Hey I've been trying to get rid of most of our stuff in our house, but I was hoping to give it to charity not fill the overflowing landfills. :-(

For anyone who has considered Adopting

Tag I'm It

I've been tagged by Paula (The Baby Journals - private) to post 7 things about myself. The rules are to link the person who sent this to you and leave a comment on their blog so their readers can visit yours. Post the rules on your blog. Share 7 strange/weird facts about yourself. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, linking their blog. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Random facts about myself:

1. My dog growing up was part wolf from Alaska.
2. I pass up going to China (all expenses paid) for a whole summer after 7th grade. Too afraid to leave my Mom.
3. Stitches creep me out. They look like spider legs coming out of your body.
4. Afraid of spiders.
5. I had 98 worts all over my body as a kid (I'm thankful for laser surgery).
6. I'm a catch and release fly fisherwoman who has to thank and kiss the fish before returning it to the water.
7. I was Valedictorian of my class...that doesn't say much there were only two of us.

I tag you ladies in no certain order:
Jewels of My Heart
Twin Chatter
Salsa in China
At The End of the Red Thread
Eggrolls and Chopsticks
Making a House a Home
Oatsvall Team

You're It!

Adoption Video China

Adoption1
Uploaded by ludo

Breanna's Surgery Update.

I just realized I didn't tell you how much I am trying to raise for Breanna's surgery. The doctor estimates it will be $4,000 to $5,000 and I set the goal for $5,000. There has been $1,025 donated so far in Breanna's name. Thank you Dad and Mom and Paula. If the amount raised is more than $5,000 that money will be put into a surgery fund for other babies that need surgery. I am so thankful for every penny that can be donated and it will be used so wisely. I received an e-mail from the people collecting the funds that said, "Again, thank you for what you are doing -- you are going to save Breanna's life"! I would like to pass that along to everyone who donates. You are going to save Breanna's life...THANK YOU!

Donate Now

For Breanna's Heart From Mine

I would love to present you with Breanna.

Breanna is a little girl living in China right now that needs a heart surgery. She is living with a very amazing giving woman named Amanda. Amanda has dedicated her life to helping very young special needs babies by running a foster home in China. Starfish Foster Home's mission is:

• To identify high risk babies who need immediate care and bring them to the foster home.
• Prepare each infant for surgery through a nutritional program and loving, personal care.
• Provide after-surgery care at the foster home.
• Keep detailed records to give to each adoptive family, with as many pictures as possible.
• Prepare adoption dossiers for the CCAA as soon as possible.
• Provide support for adoptive families to facilitate bonding.

I have been reading Amanda's blog for months now and hold a lot of respect for her and what she is doing. On December 19th I saw Breanna for the first time. I decided to inquire more about her, and after doing so I learned she needs heart surgery to correct a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) a hole in her ventricular. She will be having the surgery the end of February or beginning of March once she is healthy enough to undergo surgery. I have decided to volunteer t0 help raise the money for her operation.

Starfish Foster Home is a small non-profit foster home and is giving so much to these precious little ones. I know it might seem strange to some that I would try so hard for just one child, but she isn't 'just one child', she is a special little girl that deserves a fixed heart. You have heard the joke about how do you eat an elephant...one bite at a time. This is how I feel I feel I can make a difference...one child at a time.

This is a well known story that a friend reminded me of last night that sums it up. You will also find this story on Starfish's site.

An older man was walking along a beach when he saw a young boy. Along the shore were many starfish that had been washed up by the tide and were sure to die before the tide returned. The boy was walking slowly along the shore and occasionally reached down and tossed a beached starfish back into the ocean.

The older man, hoping to teach the boy a little lesson in common sense, walked up to the boy and said, "I have been watching what you are doing, son. You have a good heart, and I know you mean well, but do you realize how many beaches there are around here and how many starfish are dying on every beach every day? Surely, such an industrious and kindhearted boy such as yourself could find something better to do with your time. Do you really think that what you are doing is going to make a difference?"

The boy looked up at that man, and then he looked down at a starfish by his feet. He picked up the starfish, and as he gently tossed it back into the ocean, he said, "For this one, it makes a difference."

If you find it in your heart, would you please join me in helping Breanna get her heart fixed, because it makes a difference to her, and every gift (small or large) makes a difference.

If you would like to Donate Now you can click on the word "Donate" and it will take you to that area of Starfish Foster Home. The link is a safe and is a tax deductible way to give. If you choose to give for Breanna, please check the circle next to "on behalf of" and fill in the area below it with "Breanna's Heart Surgery". This section looks like the following:

Gift Information:
I'd like to make this donation
on behalf of in memory of

Please send acknowledgement of this gift to:


Amanda will be with Breanna when she has her surgery and will be sending me updates of when the surgery will be and updates about how the surgery went. I will be posting any new information I get. Feel free to pass this along to anyone and everyone you know.

It Rains ALL the Time

This is for all those out there who think it rains ALL the time here. I think those people have never lived here. Obviously, it rains all the time...I can't stand it. :-)

The mountain range is in Canada and this is only a pea size piece of the range. I will try to get a picture of the full range soon. I just took these pictures about 15 min. ago. Sorry couldn't resist another post with more pictures of the mountains. The big deal is the fact that they a lot of the time have clouds all around them or fog, but today is probably the clearest I have seen them. Where we live we get tons of days like today. I thought I was moving to the rain.

The bottom picture is taken from me standing at my kitchen sink. Cleaning the kitchen really isn't so bad.

Warning Post

I am making this post first so no one gets the idea we got a referral when I finish my next post...it contains very cute pictures. I will warn you she will hopefully melt your heart, but she isn't to be ours. I bet I have you wondering what in the world I'm talking about. Keep checking back and you will find out.

View from our deck

I thought I would post this picture taken just a few minutes ago from our deck. So many of my friends are getting or have gotten snow latley. This is the only snow I will get it seems. Just a view from the deck and the kitchen sink. Obviously I am finding dishes to wash so I can enjoy the snow. If I want to get to this snow I have to do a border crossing, eh. :-)

"China Ghosts" Book Review

My husband and I just finished reading "China Ghosts" by Jeff Gammage. If
you are to only read one book about adopting from China, I think this
should be the one.  I'm not very good at writing, so I am going to
borrow a review from Lisa See:

"The most informative and heartfelt book I've read about the adoption of
girls from China. Jeff Gammage has a big and good heart, so he doesn't
shy away from the deepest emotions - positive, negative, and ambivalent
- that come with changing his family so abruptly and irrevocably." -
Lisa See, author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and On Gold Mountain:
The One-Hundred-Year Odyssey of My Chinese-American Family.

The book raises questions about the process and consequences of China
adoption, but answers them with the construction of a loving family and
their complete devotion to these precious children.  This book will
surface every hidden emotion you may have surrounding China adoption.

This is most assuredly a book that will be hard to put down.  We were
reading it together at night and I had to fight the impulse to read
ahead during the day.  (Don't worry honey I didn't.)

Moose Rescue

I just had to share this rescue that had a happy ending!

Kisses In The Wind

I hold you in my heart and in my dreams.

You are here each day with me, that’s how it seems.

I know you wonder where we are. It’s been so long.

Just remember child that God will keep you strong.

Now go outside, feel the breeze and let it touch your skin.

Soon you’ll have a family, I promise you again.

Miles away we wait for you, but it’s coming to an end.

But for tonight, just as always, I’ll blow you kisses in the wind.

Kisses in the wind, kisses in the wind, kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hands ‘til we can get to you.

I promise you that we will see you soon.

May He wrap you in His arms and hold you tight,

and let the Angels bring our kisses every night.

Now go outside, feel the breeze and let it touch your skin.

Soon you’ll have a family, I promise you again.

Miles away we wait for you, but it’s coming to an end.

But for tonight, just as always, I’ll blow you kisses in the wind.

Kisses in the wind, kisses in the wind, kisses in the wind.

by: Dale Clark

Tag Blanket

This weekend I decided to try a sewing project. I haven't touched my sewing machine for about 10 years and I figured it was high time. My first project was a tag blanket for our little girl. I had so much fun making it that I am trying to figure out how to sell them to help fund our adoption. I figure I can do them for girls, boys or unisex. I better get back to straightening up the house.

Moose

I know this article is a couple of years old, but I just love it and had to share. I love almost everything moose...except hunting stories unless it is with a camera.

Moose Hoof Goes Poof Through Roof!
A young cow moose is shown after it fell through the roof of a shed at a greenhouse in Anchorage, Alaska, Tuesday. The moose crashed through the fiberglass roof of the shed at Bell's Nursery and got stuck, dangling eight feet off the ground for three hours until rescuers got her down safely.

AP story:

Young moose walks on Alaska greenhouse roof, falls through
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A young cow moose took a walk on a roof Tuesday and made Anchorage history.

The 8-month-old moose crashed through the fiberglass roof of a storage shed at Bell's Nursery and got stuck, dangling 8 feet off the ground for three hours until rescuers got her down safely.

Rick Sinnott, a biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said it is thought to be the first rescue of a moose from a roof in the city's history.

"Hopefully the last too," Sinnott added.

At about 9 a.m. greenhouse owner Mike Mosesian got a call from a neighbor who reported a moose was in a greenhouse. Moesesian raced to work, fearing the animal was eating a prized fig tree inside his greenhouse. But there was no sign of a moose inside.

"All of a sudden I looked up in the air," Mosesian said. "I thought, My God, there's this moose, 8 feet in the air up on the roof."

The 400-pound cow had walked onto the deck of a house next to the shed. Then the moose stepped over a 3-foot railing and onto the shed's snowy roof.

The animal's front legs punched through the roof almost immediately, but she pulled her legs out and kept walking. Just before she reached the roof's edge, though, both back legs and one front leg punched through - and stayed there.

The moose thrashed around but remained stuck, peering pathetically over the edge of the roof with legs dangling below until help arrived.

Sinnott tranquilized the animal, which by then was exhausted from her struggles. Mosesian called a friend with a backhoe.

The moose rescuers guided the moose's legs through the roof from below and wiggled a net beneath her. Then the backhoe operator lifted her off the roof and gently lowered her to the ground.

After the drugs wore off, the moose walked off "pretty gingerly" and headed up a snowy slope out of sight, Sinnott said. The adventure left the moose with a raw spot on her rear end, but Sinnot said he thinks she will be fine.

Moose regularly prowl city neighborhoods for food in winter and Sinnott said he gets occasional reports of moose trying to reach overhanging trees on roofs, but there wasn't any food near the storage shed.

"I don't know what this moose was thinking," he said.

HENCH adds: Moose was thinking, I wonder if there's any cheese in there?

Jane Austen

I am so excited about this. Masterpiece Theater always does such a good job. You know where I will be come Sunday night. Yup, that is right...glued to my TV. Oh don't you all love Jane Austen. I have never read any of her books. I have only seen the movies. I have been too chicken to take on reading them. I think I will set a goal for myself and I am putting it out there for you all to know and keep me accountable. I want to read at least one of her books in the next year. Probably doesn't sound too bad other than, I am usually reading 2-4 books at a time and I think reading her books might take all my energy. My husband says I need to read harder books because I can burn through a 600 page book in a few days and still get housework done. Does anyone have a suggestion of which I should read first? Happy watching and reading if you haven't read her works.

Driving home a point.

I promise I won't do this everyday, but I just have to share one more devotion out of Streams in the Desert. It just is so appropriate after yesterday's devotion.

"Paul and his companions… (were) kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.” (Acts 16:6). It is interesting to study the way God extended His guidance to these early messengers of the Cross. It consisted mainly in prohibiting their movement when they attempted to take a course other than the right one. When they wanted to turn to the left, toward Asia, He stopped them. When they sought to turn to the right, to Bithynia in Asia Minor, He stopped them again. In his later years, Paul would do some of his greatest work in that very region, yet now the door was closed before him by the Holy Spirit. The time was not yet ripe for the attack on these apparently impregnable bastions of the kingdom of Satan. Apollos needed to go there first to lay the groundwork. Paul and Barnabas were needed more urgently elsewhere and required further training before undertaking this responsible task. Beloved, whenever you are in doubt as to which way to turn, submit your judgment absolutely to the Spirit of God, and ask Him to shut every door but the right one. Say to Him, "Blessed Spirit, I give to You the entire responsibility of closing every road and stopping every step that is not of God. Let me hear Your voice behind me whenever I turn aside to the right or to the left." (Deut. 5:32) In the meantime, continue along the path you have already been traveling. Persist in your calling until you are clearly told to do something else. O traveler, the Spirit of Jesus is waiting to be to you what He was to Paul. Just be careful to obey even His smallest nudging or warning. Then after you have prayed the prayer of faith and there are no apparent hindrances, go forward with a confident heart. Do not be surprised if your answer comes in doors closing before you. But when doors are shut right and left, an open road is sure to lead to Troas. Luke waits for you there, and visions will point the way to where vast opportunities remain open, and faithful friends are waiting. --Paul, by Meyer Is there some problem in your life to solve, Some passage seeming full of mystery? God knows, who brings the hidden things to light. He keeps the key. Is there some door closed by the Father's hand Which widely opened you had hoped to see? Trust God and wait--for when He shuts the door He keeps the key. Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet, Or answered NOT as you had thought 'twould be? God will make clear His purpose by-and-by. He keeps the key. Have patience with your God, your patient God, All wise, all knowing, no long tarrier He, And of the door of all thy future life He keeps the key.

Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest,
To know of EVERY door He keeps the key.
That He at last when just HE sees 'tis best,
Will give it THEE.
--Anonymous

Suffering and Patience

This morning I woke up and grabbed my little devotion book called "Streams in the Desert" by L.B. Cowman. I have used this little devotional for the last couple of years as a portion of my quiet time. It always seems to hit home. I am behind 8 days this year and thought I will just start with January 9th and this is what I found:

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

“I once kept a bottle-shaped cocoon of an emperor moth for nearly one year. The cocoon was very strange in its construction. The neck of the “bottle” had a narrow opening through which the mature insect forces its way. Therefore the abandoned cocoon is as perfect as on still inhabited, with no tearing of the interwoven fibers having taken place. The great disparity between the size of the opening and the size of the imprisoned insect makes a person wonder how the moth ever exits at all. Of course, it is never accomplished without great labor and difficulty. It is believed the pressure to which the moth’s body is subjected when passing through such a narrow opening is nature’s way of forcing fluids into the wings, since they are less developed at the time of emerging from the cocoon than in other insects.

I happened to witness the first efforts of my imprisoned moth to escape from its long confinement. All morning I watched it patiently striving and struggling to be free. It never seemed able to get beyond a certain point, and at last my patience was exhausted. The confining fibers were probably drier and less elastic than if the cocoon had been left all winter in its native habitat, as nature meant it to be. In any case, I thought I was wiser and more compassionate than its Maker, so I resolved to give it a helping hand. With the point of my scissors, I snipped the confining threads to make the exit just a little easier. Immediately and with perfect ease, my moth crawled out, dragging a huge swollen body and little shriveled wings! I watched in vain to see the marvelous process of expansion in which these wings would silently and swiftly develop before my eyes. As I examined the delicately beautiful spots and markings of various colors that were all there in miniature, I longed to see them assume their ultimate size. I looked for my moth, one of the loveliest of its kind, to appear in all its perfect beauty. But I looked in vain. My misplaced tenderness had proved to be its ruin. The moth suffered an aborted life, crawling painfully through its brief existence instead of flying through the air on rainbow wings.

I have thought of my moth often, especially when watching with tearful eyes those who were struggling with sorrow, suffering, and distress. My tendency would be to quickly alleviate the discipline and bring deliverance. O shortsighted person that I am! Hoe do I know that one of these pains or groans should be relieved? The farsighted, perfect love that seeks the perfection of its object does not weakly shrink away from present, momentary suffering. Our Father’s love is too steadfast to be weak. Because He loves His children, He “disciplines us…that we may share in his holiness” (Heb. 12:10). With this glorious purpose in sight, He does not relieve our crying. Made perfect through suffering, as our Elder Brother was, we children of God are disciplined to make us obedient, and brought to glory through much tribulation." (from a tract)

I have been grumbling and sulking for the last several days about having to wait so long for our child. I know we have only been logged in for a little over three months, but it really that doesn't seems to make a difference to me. It has been 10 years 3 months to me. That is how long my heart has been logged in to having a child. As a little girl all I wanted was to get married and have babies. Patience has been one of those things that I have had lots of and then at times none of at all, but most times I fall more to the impatient side of the scale. I love this devotion today because it hit home. I have been trying to find the scissors to make the wait go away and hold my dear child in my arms, but that isn't what the Lord wants at all. I will stay the course and hold tight to my Lord and Saviors who's timing is always perfect. I do think I will have to invest in a tissue company, because the tears will continue to come forth, but I know the Lord will be working.

"being confident of the very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

Paula thank you again for the award. You made my night and have reminded me that people are watching. May the Lord be glorified!

Blogging with a Purpose Award

I have been awarded the "Blogging with a Purpose" award from my friend Paula. I really do not deserve this award, but I am so grateful. It came at such a perfect time and I will explain in a separate post tomorrow. By receiving this award I get to award this honor to five other bloggers. I am so happy to be able to show my gratitude to:

Jewels of My Heart - Daleea has two beautiful children. Her little boy is from Russia and her little girl is from China. Both of her adoption stories are so wonderful and heart warming. Daleea goes out of her way to provide encouragement to those of us who are waiting. She also makes the most gorgeous little girl clothes! I can't wait to buy an outfit.

Oatsvall Team - Watching the Oatsvall Team go through their SN adoption has been such an encouragement. I love seeing how the Lord is working in their lives.

Twin Chatter - I love seeing their twins from China interact with each other and what a special bond they have. I also love the fact that they are in Alaska, where my heart is, and I can catch a glimpse of a moose if I really watch. Thanks.

Lydia's Journey to America - My friend Thomas has made this blog for his first daughter Lydia who is from China. They are adopting another little girl from China and are awaiting their LID. Thomas has such godly advice on lots of topics, but I have learned most about hospitality from him.

Eggrolls and Chopsticks - Dawn puts such humor into everything. They have adopted a little girl, Lily, from China and are on their way back to adopt Rosie.

The guidelines that accompany this award:

1. Awarded parties must nominate five people who have not received the award.

2. The blogs that receive the award must serve some purpose.

3. In their post about the award they need to link back to the original entry.

4. Awarded parties must post the award banner on their site. The banner must remain linked to Eric Novak's site.

The Name Game

We have been struggling with a name for our dear baby girl since April when we started our paper pregnancy. We have nicknamed her SiJi (Mandarin for four seasons and pronounced SeeGee) but we can't come up with a proper name for her. We have so many things we want in a name. I do know I can't have it all but #4 and #2 are the most important with #2 and then #3 coming in next

1. Can't be shortened to a name that could be either girl or boy.
2. Must have a meaningful meaning.
3. Would like it to be feminine and soft.
4. Can't be in the top 50 most popular names.
5. I love unique: eg. Willow, Aspen, MeiLi pronounced MyLee but I can't find a way to spell it that it looks appealing and that people would know to say MyLee and it doesn't mean anything. I love names that have the Lee sound at the end. In the same turn I love simple names such as Sarah and Annie.

So with that said we have really struggled and so we don't have a name. I know we have a while to figure one out, but I would rest better if we had a proper name for our little one. If you have any suggestions please feel free to share.

Evening Sunset