Just a forethought: THANKS to anyone out there who reads my blogs. I don't do this to be heard or seen, but rather to keep everyone informed about our adoption and to raise awareness about adoption in general. Please leave me comments, they are such an encouragement to read!
In February of 2009, Mrs. Ponnee was so kind to email me about an adoption conference coming up at Southern Seminary. Dr. Russell Moore was the key speaker and Andrew Peterson did the worship music ( he remains my fave artist).
This link takes you to an excerpt written by Russell Moore. He and his wife Maria adopted two sweet boys from a Russian orphanage. His words break my heart everytime I read them.
He makes it very clear that the issue of adoption isn't just for people who want more children. It is for those who can pray, give, and go!
Adoption applies to all believers. It isn't just about the unwanted and orphaned children in our world. It is also about the wonderful love and mercy of God. God adopted all of us when we first believed in him.
http://www.russellmoore.com/2009/01/16/finding-jesus-in-a-russian-orphanage/
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Move over Sandra Lee!
I LOVE to watch cooking shows, and my favorite is Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee. She is really good. But she drinks about two cocktails before the 30 minute episode is over. So I am preparing to take over when the time is right. 
I decided it should be Kinda-Homemade with Suzi. Here is my attempt at it. I was nervous about this recipe, as I kinda made it up ( hence the name of my imaginary cooking show)!
This CHOCOLATE CHIP POUND CAKE is absolutely divine. A BIG slice of this cake paired with vanilla ice cream and hot coffee is the perfect way to end a cold workday!
Disclaimer- This recipe is the polar opposite of healthy and low-fat. It is saturated with chocolate awesomeness!
Here is the recipe:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees & grease bundt pan.
2. Mix together the following: 1 pkg devils food cake, 1 pkg instant chocolate pudding, 3 eggs, 16 oz sour cream, 1/2 cup oil, 2 cups chocolate chips.
3. Pour into bundt cake and bake for 50-60 minutes.
4. Sprinkle with powdered sugar & ENJOY!
The batter is very thick. Don't worry, it will turn out fine.
Gavin isn't a big chocolate fan. But you can judge for yourself his reaction to this pound cake!
This CHOCOLATE CHIP POUND CAKE is absolutely divine. A BIG slice of this cake paired with vanilla ice cream and hot coffee is the perfect way to end a cold workday!
Disclaimer- This recipe is the polar opposite of healthy and low-fat. It is saturated with chocolate awesomeness!
Here is the recipe:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees & grease bundt pan.
2. Mix together the following: 1 pkg devils food cake, 1 pkg instant chocolate pudding, 3 eggs, 16 oz sour cream, 1/2 cup oil, 2 cups chocolate chips.
3. Pour into bundt cake and bake for 50-60 minutes.
4. Sprinkle with powdered sugar & ENJOY!
The batter is very thick. Don't worry, it will turn out fine.
Gavin isn't a big chocolate fan. But you can judge for yourself his reaction to this pound cake!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Love Is Here
I was listening to Pandora tonight as I was working on a research paper and heard this song. It's been a favorite of mine since the first time I heard it. So in response to Marcie's post over at DWYH, this is me saying that I am UNASHAMED!
Listen and enjoy ♥
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Missionaries, Cookies, Cards, & Lightbulbs
I promise that this picture makes sense. Just keep reading.....
I was asked to help with a youth girls "retreat" over the weekend. It could have been a regular sleepover, but it ended up being SO MUCH MORE! It really did my heart good to be around the sweet joy and laughter of our great FBC youth girls. It made me forget for just a moment about the ups and downs and hurt of the adoption journey.
We had dinner with and listened to an amazing missionary from Southeast Asia. The girls made cookies and cards for some local shut-ins, and also wrote letters to missionaries from around the world. It's amazing how easy it is to do something nice for someone. I would have loved to have helped the girls deliver those baskets of fresh-baked cookies and homemade cards!
Before bed, we watched a great movie about a missionary in the jungles of Columbia. If you get a chance, you need to watch " The Last Flight Out". It's definately not a big Hollywood production, but it's a great family movie with a great message.
At one point in the movie, a medical missionary is seriously injured. The pilot flying him asks why he still has faith. His response floored me. So simple, and so powerful. I have been going back to it time and time again this week. It was like a lightbulb moment for me. Ever have those?
As I wrestle with why the situation with the twins fell apart and why we haven't been successfully matched, I keep hearing " There is no better place to be than in the center of God's will- unless of course you are in His presence".
If we are meant to adopt, we will find the perfect child ( or they will find us). We've had a rough couple days letting go of the idea of bringing home those sweet girls, but we know we that things are happening as they are meant to.
P.S. The "Adoption is Love" shirts have been a big hit. THANK YOU GUYS !!! If you are interested in supporting our family on our adoption journey, you can check them out on my Facebook page ( there is an album of photos with the items/prices).
We had dinner with and listened to an amazing missionary from Southeast Asia. The girls made cookies and cards for some local shut-ins, and also wrote letters to missionaries from around the world. It's amazing how easy it is to do something nice for someone. I would have loved to have helped the girls deliver those baskets of fresh-baked cookies and homemade cards!
Before bed, we watched a great movie about a missionary in the jungles of Columbia. If you get a chance, you need to watch " The Last Flight Out". It's definately not a big Hollywood production, but it's a great family movie with a great message.
At one point in the movie, a medical missionary is seriously injured. The pilot flying him asks why he still has faith. His response floored me. So simple, and so powerful. I have been going back to it time and time again this week. It was like a lightbulb moment for me. Ever have those?
As I wrestle with why the situation with the twins fell apart and why we haven't been successfully matched, I keep hearing " There is no better place to be than in the center of God's will- unless of course you are in His presence".
If we are meant to adopt, we will find the perfect child ( or they will find us). We've had a rough couple days letting go of the idea of bringing home those sweet girls, but we know we that things are happening as they are meant to.
P.S. The "Adoption is Love" shirts have been a big hit. THANK YOU GUYS !!! If you are interested in supporting our family on our adoption journey, you can check them out on my Facebook page ( there is an album of photos with the items/prices).
Friday, November 5, 2010
Hurt is inevitable in adoption....
Just a quick update, as I don't really feel like typing out a long blog.
I keep thinking about something I read last night on another adoptive mama's blog. She said that getting pregnant is never a guarentee, no matter how hard you want it to happen. But if you can withstand the wait and hurt that comes with adoption, you will be successful. May not be true, but it is making me feel better today.
We were communicating with a family wanting to place their 1 yr old twins. We even watched a video of the girls playing. I was hooked, and Hubby was pretty excited too. And in my true nature, I had their names already.
Unfortunately, there are some questions concerning who actually has custody of these sweet babies. There is a language barrier, so it is hard to get a direct answer.
To sum it up, we are not very hopeful. The only hope we have is that God would place a burden on the birthmom's heart to place these girls with us (she has been told she will lose her rights either way).
So once again, please pray. Pray that these girls will find their forever home. Even if it isn't with us, they deserve it.
I keep thinking about something I read last night on another adoptive mama's blog. She said that getting pregnant is never a guarentee, no matter how hard you want it to happen. But if you can withstand the wait and hurt that comes with adoption, you will be successful. May not be true, but it is making me feel better today.
We were communicating with a family wanting to place their 1 yr old twins. We even watched a video of the girls playing. I was hooked, and Hubby was pretty excited too. And in my true nature, I had their names already.
Unfortunately, there are some questions concerning who actually has custody of these sweet babies. There is a language barrier, so it is hard to get a direct answer.
To sum it up, we are not very hopeful. The only hope we have is that God would place a burden on the birthmom's heart to place these girls with us (she has been told she will lose her rights either way).
So once again, please pray. Pray that these girls will find their forever home. Even if it isn't with us, they deserve it.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
New Blog Look & New Adoption Updates
Anyone who knows me well knows that I don't really have an accent and I use pretty good grammer most of the time ( thanks Big Dave!) However, I find myself using a ton of phrases that I am sure are unique to Southeastern KY.
With that said, I am trying not to jump the gun here. I'm pretty good about not puttin' all my eggs into one basket, but I'm as nervous as a kitty in a room full of rockin' chairs waiting to hear back from our adoption agency.
As of right now, we are being presented in two different situations. One is a baby due in Febuary, and the other is 14 month old twin girls. YES, I said twin girls!
Can you hear me laughing at myself through that computer? It makes me chuckle to think about me chasing around two little girls. But there is a sweet smile with that chuckle.
It is overwhelming to think about our profiles being looked at by two different families. This may be the beginning of something. It may not. I take so much comfort in knowing that my God knows exactly what is going to happen and that he planned it all for a purpose.
Funny story to share: I texted a friend today and told her to double her prayers tonight. She called me within 5 minutes ( shes a texter, not a talker). When I answered she practically jumped through the phone and said " You CAN'T send me a text like that and not explain yourself!"
With that said, I am trying not to jump the gun here. I'm pretty good about not puttin' all my eggs into one basket, but I'm as nervous as a kitty in a room full of rockin' chairs waiting to hear back from our adoption agency.
As of right now, we are being presented in two different situations. One is a baby due in Febuary, and the other is 14 month old twin girls. YES, I said twin girls!
Can you hear me laughing at myself through that computer? It makes me chuckle to think about me chasing around two little girls. But there is a sweet smile with that chuckle.
It is overwhelming to think about our profiles being looked at by two different families. This may be the beginning of something. It may not. I take so much comfort in knowing that my God knows exactly what is going to happen and that he planned it all for a purpose.
Funny story to share: I texted a friend today and told her to double her prayers tonight. She called me within 5 minutes ( shes a texter, not a talker). When I answered she practically jumped through the phone and said " You CAN'T send me a text like that and not explain yourself!"
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