Old Friends

Yesterday we got up bright and early and were on the road by 8am to go to a college Campus Crusade for Christ reunion. After 2 1/2 long hours in the car we arrived at Mary Jo's house. We were the first there even though we had the furthest drive. It was good to see Mary Jo again after about 10 years. It is funny how so often we think that people are going to look and be so different than when we knew them and yet they aren't.

Second to arrive was Jim. He is married with 3 children and is an Indian State Trooper. Josiah was so excited to see the police car and ran out to meet Jim. He asked him very nicely if he could take a look at the car. Jim said that before we left he would show Josiah his police car. Mike and Angie with their two children arrived next, followed shortly by Kyle, Laura and their three children. The crowd was growing exponentially. Sherry, my really good friend, and her daughter soon came. Her husband and 2 sons were at a men's conference having some bonding time. Julie came later and so did Paul. This was most of our core group of friends when we were in college attending Campus Crusade for Christ. It had been about 10 years since many of us had seen each other and for others it was even longer than that. We did miss seeing Jo Ann and her family though.

We had so much fun. After eating hamburgers, hotdogs and lots of yummy desserts we sat around reminiscing about the "old days" while the children ran circles around the house. Josiah thought Caleb, Kyle and Laura's oldest son, was just the best. He chased him around all day. Caleb eventually just had to hide from Josiah to get some peace. Cheyenne, Sherry's daughter, said she was going to take Josiah home with her because he was, "so cute!"

It was interesting to see what each of us had been doing for the last 15 years and also to see how our personalities were just the same as they were then, just toned down slightly. Sherry was just as bubbly and crazy as she has always been. In fact before her and Cheyenne got there, Cheyenne had asked her to please not be too crazy and embarrass her. Don't we all feel that way about our parents at some point, and isn't it a relief to think we all get over it at some point too.Julie brought a bunch of old pictures for us to look at and laugh at. Several of the girls agreed that they liked the "big hair" days and secretly wished that was still "in".
At about 4pm we all decided that we needed to round up the kiddos and pack up for our trips home. Jim stayed true to his word and we all went outside to take a look at the police car. I think this was the highlight of Josiah's day. He got to sit in the car and turn the lights on. He got out and went to look at all the lights that he had turned on. Right before we left, Jim showed us the big take down and cuffed several of the boys. Josiah watched and then said he wanted a turn. He walked up to Jim, turned around and looked down as if he had really done something deserving of handcuffs. It was too funny. I wasn't quick enough with the camera to get a shot of that, but I did get a picture of him being cuffed. Josiah's hands were a little small and he could easily just slip out of them.

A grand day was had by all. We agreed that we would do this again soon and try to track down more people next time. Should be fun!

Lessons Never Learned

I spent a long time today thinking about what I was gong to write about. I considered writing more about my Women's Bible study on the Tabernacle and what I have been learning. I thought about writing about the thoughts I have had about our new baby who's face we will see very soon, but none of these seemed quite appropriate after Josiah helped me realize that there are some lessons in life we just never learn quite as well as we should.
Let me take you back in time to the "I do not like Green Marker Stains" post. One I am sure none of you have forgotten!
So, right after Josiah colored his bedroom green I called my mother. My mother's initial response was much like many of yours ...... laughter. She said, "my child - been there.... done that - 4 times!" I said, "Well, that's not very encouraging!" To which she replied, "Oh! Wait! The fun has just begun. Next it will be your make-up. "
Which brings us to today!
I went downstairs for no more than ten minutes to get dinner started while Josiah innocently sat on my bed watching Mary Poppins. WhenI came upstairs to check on him it was far too quiet. When he saw me enter the room he let out a shriek and took off running. I on the other hand, had to do everything in my power not to burst out laughing and give my child ammunition to use at a later time. My mother's words came flooding back. How could I have been so dense as to not heed the warning.
There in front of my eyes was foundation make-up all over my dressing table and anything that had gotten in the way of the portrait my dear son was painting with it. Several of his cars were also a beautiful shade of "skin tone". I could hardly even be upset with him, after all my Mom had warned me and I had not listened and put my make-up away.
We chastise our children for not listening when we, ourselves, have not learned this valuable lesson. I desperately wanted to call my Mom and tell her I was sorry for all the times I had disobeyed her and to thank her for still looking out for me. Too bad it was already after 10pm in South Africa when this happened and I know my parents are going to be up early tomorrow to leave for a mini vacation. I guess they will have to wait until Monday to see that their dear child is still learning lessons about listening. Too bad I didn't pay more attention to what Mom had to say that green day.

Balloons and Bands

We had such a fun weekend. We started off Friday night by going to Skyview park in J'Town to the Gaslight Festival's balloon glow. We had been to one before and Josiah talked about it for months afterward. We got there around 7:30pm and the balloonist were just starting to set up. We told Greg's parents that we would meet them at the funnel cake stand which we did. After gorging ourselves on fried batter and sugar we went over to the field where the hot air balloons were.
We watched as one of the balloonists set up and filled the balloon with air. The wind was up and so they had a really difficult time keeping the balloon filled. after about 15 minutes of really hard work they decided the wind was too strong and brought to balloon down.












The event was cancelled at that point, but we still had a grand time looking at the the baskets and playing baseball on the diamond.

Saturday morning Greg and a friend of his got up bright and early and took the kayak out for a couple of hours while Josiah and I went to breakfast and then walked around the neighborhood. We spent the day playing and working around the house. Josiah is in that stage where he is thinking it is a good idea to give up nap time or quiet rest time as we call it. He played in his room quietly during rest time and then we met Greg's parents for dinner at Pizza Hut. After Pizza Hut we went to a marching band competition held at Eastern High School. We arrived at 6:42pm just in time to see the first final at 6:45pm.
There were some mediocre bands and there were some good bands. At about 7:30pm Josiah crashed from his no nap, busy day and slept until it was time to leave at about 9:30pm. We had so much fun being outside, listening to good music and watching the bands. We even realised that if we stay in our home for another 11 years, Josiah will be in High School right here at Eastern. Oh, boy to think that far ahead is scary.

Another Adoption Milestone

Today we received a letter in the mail letting us know that our paperwork was sent to Korea on September 13, 2007. So, we are now officially waiting for a picture of our baby.

In talking with someone from our homestudy agency a few weeks ago we were told that the timeline from this point to picture (referral) has been about 13 weeks for other families using the same placement agency as us. What that really means is best case scenario is we know who our baby is by Christmas and travel 3-6 months after that. Wow! We could have our baby in our arms by Spring.

All that been said I am trying to stay clam and remember that time lines are just guidelines and things can change at any time. For those of you having been through an adoption know that things are unpredictable and we can drive ourselves crazy thinking along time lines only to be disappointed when they change. For now we are leaning on the Lord and knowing that His timing is perfect. He has already chosen our baby for us knows when we will hold him/her in our arms.

Not flesh of my flesh

Nor bone of my bone

but still

miraculously my own;

Never forget

for single minute,

you didn't grow

under my heart,

but in it.

Anonymous

It's Quiet Now

This week has been very quiet as far as interesting Josiah stories go. Several people have called and asked what happened this week, if anything. I guess everyone has just gotten used to the idea that each week something new and exciting is going to happen. Well, I am thankful for quiet weeks.

I am doing a woman's Bible study right now on the Tabernacle and the first 3 weeks have been an interesting review of the history of the Isrealites in the wilderness and God's perfect provision for them. I am reminded through my study that God's provision and grace is given according to our need. In the wilderness he provided Manna from heaven to sustain the Isrealites. All they needed to do was gather up what they needed for that day (no more, no less). The same is true for us. Christ and His word is our Manna and all we need to do is get our daily portion to be sustained. His grace is sufficient for us and is provided to us in the exact amount that we need - no more, no less.

This has been an especially real lesson to me this week. We have some friends that have been going through the adoption process for some time now. They have had a rollercoaster ride with so much heartache and many trials (even the court kind). I have often thought to myself these past few months while praying for Eric and Amy, "Lord, how do they do it? I don't think I could survive all they are going through!" This week the light bulb moment occurred! God's grace is given according to our need. Their need has been great, but God's grace even greater.

Eric and Amy are a Godly couple who have overwhelmed me with their strength and grace. They are a couple that exudes the love of Christ in a way that is rare and they have taught me the true meaning of what it means to give it all to God. If you would like to read their story click here http://www.ericamyadoption.blogspot.com/

"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." Lamentations 3: 24

A Cry for Help!

So, yesterday I wrote about all the changes that have taken place since Josiah went to school and how this is a good thing. I am rethinking some of that!

Josiah does not have school on Friday, so he and I did lots of fun things all day. Greg left around 6pm to go out with the guys and Josiah and I went to Dairy Queen for ice cream. When we got home, I went upstairs to start running Josiah's bath. This is when things changed!

I am not sure whether the cry for help is for me or if it is something he needs or will need. I am at my wits end. I never intended my blog to become a running commentary on all the naughty things my son can find to do. Anyway, I was running his bath. I went downstairs to call him and found him waiting at the bottom of the stairs for me (clue #1). I asked, "What are you doing?" and of course the answer was, "nothing!"(clue #2) He had some strange looking yellow liquid in his hair and all over his clothes (clue #3). I go into the living room and every pair of dress shoes at the door, the carpet, some cushions and my hardwood floors have buffing compound on them (answer). You know, the kind you use to get scratches out of paint work on your car! I calmly sat him down on a naughty chair and proceeded to clean up. 45 minutes later I think I got it all and from the other room I hear, "I'm sorry, Mommy." We went upstairs cleaned him up and straight to bed. He is now laying in bed playing with his many, many stuffed animals and occasionally crying for his Daddy. A not so perfect end to a nearly perfect day.

2 Weeks of School and Life is Great

Josiah has been in school 2 weeks now and boy, so many things have changed in that short of a time. We started with Mommy dropping him off in the classroom and him crying when I left. The second week we did the car pool line thing and his teacher got him out of the car.

Day one of car pool line Josiah was sobbing before we left the house. He cried all the way to school and was still crying when I pulled off. I picked him up at school that day and asked how his day was. He said, "That was fun, Mommy!" Next day he cried a little in the car. Third day nothing. Thursday that week (last day of school for the week) Josiah looks at me and says, "I am so sorry, Mommy, but I am going to have to say goodbye now." He gave me a kiss and jumped out the car. On Tuesday (Labor day) we began preparing him that he was going to school the next day. He said "I know. School is fun."

I like the change!

Other things that have change: While playing on the playground he will now recruit other kids to play with instead of just watching them.

He will sit for more than 2 seconds and finish an activity.

He helps clean up his toys more when he is told to (I should have sent him to school a long time ago!)

I find myself daily reflecting on the things that he used to need me to do for him and now he wants to do them himself. My little boy is growing up and changing before my eye. In some ways it is sad to see all the changes, but then again how boring life would be if we stayed the same. Soon Josiah will have a brother or a sister to love and to teach. I am afraid of what he will teach them, but positive that he will be a great big brother.

Daddy's Day Out

Saturday was Josiah’s day out with Daddy and when two muscle men like us set out for a day of fun we always start out with a hardy breakfast.

So we shared a full platter of eggs, bacon, hash browns and waffles at our local Waffle House. By the time we cleared our plates the waitress came and asked, “Honey, would you like me to bring you a towel?” We needed it.

Next stop, Home Depot.

There we put together a little coat rack. This time I was able to avoid getting any of my fingers smashed as Josiah hammered in the nails all by himself. We finished the project and had our certificate in hand by 9:15AM
From here we went to play at Seneca Park in St. Matthews. We climbed and slid on slides and swung in the swings. Josiah seemed to have the best time throwing his little baseball across the soccer field and running after it. Some how, he almost always got to the ball faster than his Daddy.

After lots of running around we decided to make a pretend campfire with all of the sticks that we could find under the trees. Once we had a good-sized pile of sticks we roasted some pretend marshmallows. By this time we were hot and very dirty and ready for another change of venue. So, I dusted off Josiah’s shorts and headed off to the library. This was my first time to our local library, but Josiah certainly seemed to know his way around.

As soon as we got in the door he was running for the computers in the kids section. He seriously considered pushing a little girl out of his way, but he decided to look at some books instead. Teresa coached me on the scientific method for selecting children’s books at the library. Let Josiah grab a large pile of anything that catches his eye, then keep the ones that have few enough words on each page to keep his attention.

While we were cooling off at the library we played with some plastic dinosaurs and some puzzles. On the way out Josiah wanted to look at the rats. The “rats” turned out to be a pair of hamsters. At this point in our day, it wasn’t even 11am yet and Teresa didn’t start shopping with her friend until 10. So I still had a lot of time on my hands.

We decided to find Cherokee park and drove until we found a different playground. This is a very large old park with lots of trees and lots of good sticks. Josiah is very into his sticks and rocks these days. He collected his sticks and stuck them into various holes in the playground equipment. We experienced a couple of major milestones while we played at the park.

Josiah climbed his first tree and just a moment later he said to me, “I’m sorry Daddy, I have to leave because I need to chase that girl.” In a flash he was off, chasing a little girl and shouting, “I am a scary ape.” The girl was faster than he was, which was good, because I don’t think he knew what he would do if he actually caught her. I didn’t know I was going to have to transition from tree climbing to girl chasing quite that fast, but they do say kids grow up so fast these days.

After lunch we caught up with Mommy and after naps we capped off our day with a slice of coconut meringue pie from the homemade pie kitchen. From this Daddy’s perspective, days just don’t get much sweeter than this.