Where Do I Begin? How To Sum Up 2010

The past month has been somewhat of a whirlwind, and I'm not sure I can do it justice in a blog, but here goes.
Earlier in December, we had a grease fire in our kitchen, which  resulted in a lot of smoke and extinguisher chemical damage in our house.  therefore, we are currently staying at the Best Western down the road.  We've done our best to keep life as normal as possible.  Friends have been great, and the kids have been real troopers.  A week later, we had some sort of water leak upstairs that resulted in a rain forest coming through to our downstairs living area.  Another insurance claim, another deductible, but all in all, it's going to be OK.  We've got our hotel room decorated, celebrated Katherine's 7th birthday with a tea party at an adorable Tea Room called Time Well Spent, instead of the tea party I had planed for our house.  Randy's mom, dad, brother and his family came down to celebrate with us, and we had a great time.  
We don't have a date yet for our move back home, but I do hope it's soon.  I miss our house, and all that it represents.  Although I miss the house, wherever my family is, well, that's home.
More later!
Sonia

Out Of The Mouths Of My Babes...

Kids seem to say funny things, especially when they think no one is listening!  Last night, Katherine was coloring in a Bible coloring book.  I was enjoying the somewhat off tune melody she was singing, and soon recognized it as "Jesus Loves Me".  It went something like this:  "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so, Little ones to Him belong, they are SWEET but he is strong...".  I couldn't help but smile- what an apt perception of how Jesus is, and who He is to children. 
In school, her class has been studying Squanto, the English speaking Native American.  We looked up some info about Squanto on the internet, and then my little song bird began belting out another slightly off key tune that went like this:  "I love Squanto, Oh Yes I do, I love Squanto, and so should you, I love Squanto, I love him sooooo, I love Squanto, He was an Indian....."

This morning, Will is home sick.  We were having some "quality time" watching Good Morning America (well, I was having quality time, he was begging me to put in the  Inspector Gadget movie ...).  the song "tonight's Going To Be A Good Night" came on.  Will asked who sang that song, and I replied, "The Black Eyed Peas".  It's funny how brains work.  He left the room, came back a few minutes later and said, "I've never heard of Black and White Peas.  Why are they called that?  Do you eat them?"
OK, maybe not ROFL funny, but it brightened my day to be able to enjoy their innocence just a little bit:)

I Love You

I love you when you're happy, 

I love you when you're sad.

I love you when you're happy

and I love you when you're mad.

I love you when you're when you're sleepy,

and when you're wide awake.

I love you when you're well,

and when your temp I have to take.

I love you when you giggle,

I love you when you cry.

I love you in the dark of night,

when you snore that little sigh.

I love you when you wonder,

and I love you when you know!

My love for you will NEVER leave,

no matter where you go.

I love your from the top of your head,

to the soles of your shoes,

So, my darling sweethearts,

MOMMA'S love you CANNOT lose.

Grandparents, Apples And Traffic

I realize this is a bit random of a title, but that's how our whirlwind weekend can best be summed up.  This weekend, we went to the Upstate to visit my grandparents and see their new "digs".  They have recently moved from where they lived for 64 years to a town about 5 hours away.  It's a much nicer place, closer to family, and they seem to be satisfied.  We stayed with some of our very best friends, and always have a great time when we're together.  On Sunday after church service and a very tasty lunch at a place called Pompous Pig, we took off for an afternoon of apple picking in the mountains.  We had a lovely time, the weather was wonderful, and the apples picked right from a tree (my very first time!) were so delicious!  After we paid for our bushels, the kids shared an apple cider slush and Randy and I shared a muscadine slush.  Both were wonderful!  Pictures will hopefully follow soon.
What should have been a 4 hour ride home turned into 8.  There was an accident on the interstate that resulted in 1 fatality, several injuries and a closed down interstate.  We got so excited once we saw the REST AREA 2 MILES sign, but it took us an hour to get there!
We finally rolled into our "hood" about 1 am, and we all promptly fell into bed.  Be it ever so humble, there's NO place like home!
When we turned into our neighborhood, Will, somewhere between awake and sleep, mumbled, ahh, home sweet home:)

DNA

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while.  There seems to be very little computer time these days.  Instead, my time is spent picking up legos and puzzle pieces, washing clothes, playing in the yard, trying new recipes, and experiencing our city through the eyes of our children.  I have to say, I do not miss "my computer time" one little bit.  

As Randy and I watch our children grow, we continue to get to know them even better.  There are times that we just have to look at one another and laugh.  Tonight I looked at Randy as we were sitting in the rocking chairs on the porch finishing our iced tea from supper, and watching our children play.  I commented that it was amazing to me that although  we had absolutely nothing to do with their conception, it seems at times that they sure do have our DNA running through them.  I caught myself saying, "She's YOUR daughter", when K did something really silly that Randy would have done.  Other times, I see myself in each of them.  
How great is our God, that he would knit us together in so tight a weave.  
Praise Be To Jesus!
 

Cards

Since our family shower last week, today is the first time I've been able to sort through our cards.  I wanted to put each child's cards in a box for them to read later.  There are so many beautiful cards, with the most touching and heartfelt words ever.  One particular one, however, that touched me personally, was one that said; "It's never been a question of if, It's always been a question of when", and the inside says, "And now is your time". 
What more can I say?

Now I lay me...And Liberty and Justice For All :)

Each night we ask our sweet children what they want to pray about, and are encouraging them to say their own prayers- a conversation with God.  We encourage them to just talk to Him.  It doesn't have to sound like anything but a conversation.  Tonight our sweet Katherine had trouble getting started.  I did a little guiding, and started her off with, "Now I Lay Me", which she followed.  Once it seemed like she had it, I stopped and let her continue.  So here was her prayer...
"Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep,  by His hands we all are fed, Give us Lord our daily bread, AMEN

The Difference Between Boys and Girls

Tonight the 4 of us were at Sonic for a snack after a concert.  Aside from the obvious, the differences between boys and girls really intrigue and delight me:).  While sitting there having our snack, I noticed that both Will and Katherine were looking at the same long legged, roller skate clad "car hop".  Katherine was fascinated with the dynamics of her job- what she did, and how she did what she did on skates- if she got free food, and if she could eat anything she wanted while she was working, etc. etc. etc. :)
Will, on the other hand, was watching the car hops every move for quite a different reason.  I pointed this out to Randy, that our children were watching the same person, but for two completely different reasons!
Ahh, the difference between girls and boys- so funny to watch!

Generations of Grace

Tomorrow we are going on our first little overnight "road trip".  We are going to Florence to see my Mama Dot and Papa, and to celebrate my Mama Dot's 92nd birthday!  I am excited for several reasons.  The first reason, and most obvious, is for the children to meet their very large family!  Secondly, and a bit selfishly, I guess, is that I want my grandparents to meet their newest great grandchildren before Mama Dot and Papa are called home to Jesus.  Papa is 94, and his health is declining fairly rapidly.  Randy and I are the last of the 4 grandchildren to bring children into our family. 
After we celebrate with the family, the 4 of us are going to stay in a hotel in town and spend time as  a family.  The children are excited about swimming, and Randy and I are excited about NO alarm clocks!  Our prayer is that we would get there safely, have a great time, and that the children arenn't too overwhelmed, or overwhelmING!
I think we'll have a good time:)

"Tuggles and Giggles"

When we go to bed at night, Katherine likes to, what she calls, "tuggle".  She loves to "tuggle" with mommy and daddy.  Before long, she's fast asleep, even after insisting she is NOT tired!  Tonight she and I were "tuggling", and she said, "I love you to the stars and back".  Then I responded that I loved HER to the MOON and back".  she said, "no ya don't".  So I asked her, "well, how much do I love you?"  Her response made me smile.  She said, "Yeah, you do love me that big.  I love you that big too".  I then told her I loved her all the way up to Heaven.  Her reply, "I love you all the way up to Jesus, and I really like Jesus!"
 Then, the giggles started.  I told her, "I love you more than a new pair of shoes, and I really like new shoes..."
She and I both started giggling at that moment, and when she gets going, she can't stop!  So then daddy came in for some Katherine time and I went in Will's room for some Will time.  Before I knew it, she had dissolved into a puddle of giggles again!  Apparently daddy had whacked his head on her headboard.  She told him, "I knew you were going to do that, but I didn't tell you".  she told him, "Mommy is better at tuggling".  Daddy said, "Yeah, well mommy is a lot shorter than daddy and fits in your bed a whole lot easier".
Another advantage of being short.  Whoever said, "Short people got no reason to live...." was obviously mistaken:)

Tears

I cry at everything.  Yes, I'm a leaker!  I cry when the National Anthem is being played, I cry over music that moves me, and some say (which is false by the way) that I would even cry at a grand opening of a grocery store! 
During our journey to parenthood, however, I've been amazingly dry eyed- until last night.  Randy was paying for my birthday present, a really cool bike so I can keep up with our very active children!  As he was doing that, I was looking around at some frames.  Frames, of all things!  Then it hit me.  Our "Family" frame will look totally different now.  All I could imagine was filling up all those frames with their neat sayings etched in, just filling every square inch of wall space with frames- our life in frames! Then it hit me- WHAM-O! 
So that's what did it.  Frames.  Rectangualrly  shaped pieces of wood.  I'm crying in the frames department of Sears.  Crazy, huh?

You Are Our Samuel

You Are Our Samuel
by Randy McKeithan

You are our Samuel
Cried for to the throne of grace;
Heaven has heard our longing hearts,
In God we stand amazed.

In prayer you have been lifted up,
In faith our hopes made true;
A blessed joy to have you home,
In our loving family through
The amazing grace of God
That has brought you to this day.
Only God could place you here with us,
My Christ, You are The Way.

I've poured my heart for wisdom,
Help me, Abba, to be their dad.
Son and daughter you are cherished,
In God's love may your days be glad.

Your mother looked at your photo,
longing to hold you near;
To cradle you with loving warmth,
Do you know that you are dear?

Oh, how we've waited for this hour,
You in our tender care.
Truly you are a gift from God
We wrap you tightly in prayer.

for as you rise and walk and play,
You're treasured every moment, every second of each day.
And every night as you lie down,
And drift to peaceful rest,
These parent eyes will look on you
And know we're truly blessed.

You are our Samuel
Cried for to the throne of grace.
Heaven has heard our longing hearts,
In God's love we stand amazed.

All Because of a Case Of Strep Throat

Late in 2009, I had decided that 2010 was going to be THE YEAR- the year to change things, to get things done; the year to really make a difference.  I was hopeful for the chance to not only make a big change and a difference in my life, but to make a difference in the lives of others as well.
To that end, Randy and I started working on things as a family, and personally.  Together, we took the 12 week "Financial Peace University" course by Dave Ramsey.  It had a huge impact.  Personally, we both committed to better health and fitness for ourselves, and pursued avenues for that.

Still, I hoped beyond hope that our family would grow.  My prayer, my petition, my plea,  was that God help us to grow our family THIS YEAR.   I had a little talk with God, (we all know how those go, right?) and told him that if nothing was in "the works" by New Years Eve 2010, I was giving up my hope for children, was going to enroll in school for my masters, and start saving so Randy and I could begin some serious traveling.  I needed closure.  I needed not to torment my mind and emotions with, "maybe this month", or "that call is right around the corner".  I had to have a resolution, one way or another.

One evening, we were out to dinner with friends- our standing "double date" with our very close buds.  My cell phone buzzed, and I took the call.  Normally I would not have answered while out to dinner, but we were still in the car, so I did.  Randy, my friend Kim and I were in the car on the way to meet up with Kim's husband.  On the other end was my friend Pamela.  Pamela has  a heart for growing families by adoption, and instantly I knew what this call was about.  I don't know how, I just knew.
Pamela asked me if we had been re-considering adoption.  We had.  She then asked how I felt about older children and sibling groups.  My answer was that if we had been able to "create our own", we would have school aged children, and hopefully a "sibling group" of our own.  She proceeded to tell me the details of the situation.  It sounded interesting, but I would talk to Randy when we got home.  Of course, I was on pins and needles to have that talk all night!  After Randy and I talked, we called Pamela back and told her we were definitely interested.

Thus began the flurry of activity.  We got in touch with Pamela's friend Carri, who is the director of Special Link.  It's an adoption agency/clearinghouse that deals primarily with special needs and biracial adoptions.  We learned about the children- Will, age 8 and Katherine- age 6.   They were of Peruvian descent, but lived in the upstate, as we South Carolinian's call it, with a loving family and 7 other adopted brothers and sisters.  The family that had taken them in was older, and wished for more for these children than they could give.  The children were loved, cared for and protected, but their family just wanted them to have a younger couple who loved the Lord and could keep up with the demands of school aged children.  Things were sounding promising, and it looked like we might fit the bill.

Our First Beach Trip

The homestudy was scheduled and we went into motion.  Our wonderful and gracious pastor helped us find funding.  He knows our hearts, and our desire for a family.  It's such a blessing to have a pastor who knows you by name, and knows the needs of your family, without you having to say much.  Our pastor is that kind of Shepherd.  He is a man of God and seeks God's will daily. 

Then, craziness happened.  The week of the homestudy, Randy's identity was stolen, and someone had a little fun in a Wal Mart in another part of the state.  That was resolved, and we were able to have our homestudy done.  The next week, the family was here at the beach on vacation.  We were able to meet a good majority of the family, and finally meet Will and Katherine.  We had seen one picture, and were instantly in love.

Katherine steering the Shrimp Trawler

We met the family at a Greek restaurant after church on Sunday, August 1.  That week, we were able to spend time with the kids and do some "bonding".  We had so much fun going to the beach, the fun park, the movies, to our house for a sleepover, and to the Childrens Museum of the Lowcountry.  By the end of the week, that love was quite mutual, and the family with whom the children lived felt 100 % sure that we were the ones to raise these precious ones.

You may be wondering by now what a case of step throat has to do with our journey.  The night my friend Pamela made that initial call, she was supposed to be on a plane to Pennsylvania for a wedding, but her 3 year old son had come down with strep throat.  She was so upset that she couldn't go.  Later, her husband pointed out to her that if Matthew had not been sick, and she had been en route to the wedding, she never would have been chatting with Carri, and would have not known about this situation.  WOW.  I guess I need to send that couple a wedding present!

Currently, we are in a race to get everything signed.  If all goes well, we'll pick them up to come to their forever home on Friday.  To God be the Glory for the things he has done, and is going to do.

Duets: Still in the Wod, Still in the Mood....

So, this weekend I got author and Christian Comedienne Anita Renfroe's couples devotional book she has written along with her husband, John.  It's called, Duets: Still in the Word, Still in the Mood ,  and it  follows Songs in the Key of Solomon: In the Word and In The Mood.  Our "assignment" for this evening is to go outside and watch the sun set together.  It's a rainy Monday here in Carolina, so I guess we'll have to brew some "fancy coffee" and think of something else to do together.  So no sunset tonight, but fireworks maybe? :) <3

Blessings Abound

My sweet friend invited me to go on a retreat with the ladies from her church.  It truly was the best retreat I've ever attended.  Listed below are the wonderful blessings that made this retreat so great.
1) The Lord was so, how do I say this, available.  I know He's available to us at all times, but I felt like I was able to "get close" this weekend.
2) The meals were simple, but really tasty.  I haven't eaten a hot dog in about 3 months, since I've been "watching it", and a hot dog has never tasted so good!
3) lovely weather
4) Aside from the one session with a speaker who encouraged and challenged us, and the 3 meals, there was very little structured time.  We could take walks, canoe, ride bikes, nap, play games with friends, or whatever we wanted to do!
5) I met a lot of great new ladies, and reconnected with friends I already knew.
It was such a special time and the memories will be with me for a long time.

Just Around The Block

As the sun goes down,
I take a little walk;
not a very long one,
just around the block.
My beloved says, "I'll join you;
Just let me get my shoes"
And off we go, arm in arm,
counting our steps by twos.
We talk about the houses,
all lined up in a row;
and laugh about how people,
are always on the GO!
Then my beloved turns to me,
says, "I'm so glad HE set me free!
For JESUS is my solid rock, and because of HIM
I  take this walk.
So for our neighbors we do pray,
as we walk and talk along the way
So few times do we really take stock,
of just who lives "right down the block"
who may not know about the one,
who loved us enough to send HIS son,
to take on our filth, our shame, our sin,
allowing us to be born AGAIN!
So it seems to us that the SOLID ROCK
needs to be shared on our little block.
I never expected to learn so much,
on a quick little walk, "just around the block"
SFM

My Journey

It's been said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. 
I embarked on a journey, of sorts, about 6 weeks ago.  Because I know that it's Gods desire for me to be a better steward of my body, I sought a doctors help in the area of fitness, wight management and living an overall healthy lifestyle.
I stared out by going to a doctor for a consultation.  together we set a daily calorie goal, talked about the dos and don'ts of getting in better shape.  He also prescribed a wonderful appetite suppressant.
The fist month, I checked in cone a week.  The first week was a bit discouraging.  When I went back to weigh, I had only lost 1 pound!  ONE POUND?  Are you kidding me?  Okay, so once I got over myself, I celebrated that one pound and kept on plugging.  The second week brought a little more success with 3 lbs, then 4, and the last week of the first month brought a 5 pound loss!  whoopee!  13 lbs!  While I was so excited, I knew I'd be slowing down soon.  I've participated in enough "diets" to know the drill- first all the water goes, then....the dreaded FAT! 
The second month, I am to check in every 2 weeks.  This part is killing me!  I sincerely need, er, CRAVE accountability as well as affirmation and encouragement!  At my first 2 week visit, I had lost 4 pounds, for a total of 17.  While I was somewhat bummed, once again God encouraged me to celebrate those 4 pounds gone.  He helped me read that "only 4 pound" mark as "Only three more to 20"!  I go again this Saturday- the day before Easter.  I'm hoping for a really positive result- a real WOOSH, ya know?  However, if there is any loss, I pray that I will listen to God and celebrate!  I might just reach my 20 lb. goal on Saturday!
A big, self imposed barrier to weight loss for me is that I struggle with exercise.  My goal is the get at least 3 work outs in this week.  I was successful in getting 2 work outs in last week. 
So here we go- onward and upward!

Test Drive

Welcome to my brand new blog..."Nothing Could Be Finer...Reflections Of A Southern Girl" My plan is to use my blog as a tool- to debrief at the end of a rough day, to inspire, encourage, or even entertain! I'm new at this, so please be patient with my work in progress. I do hope you find something here to which you relate. So, this being the test drive, I guess it's time to leave the lot! Here we go!
Sonia