2009

2009 has felt a lot like a roller coaster ride @ times, but as always God took care of us. We started the year deep in the ♥ of adoption paperwork. While we are so glad to be @ the point of just waiting, we are a little sad that GloriaGrace's room is still empty. We have learned a lot about patience in 2009. Waiting is hard, but God's timing is perfect. We are praying that GloriaGrace is home in 2010.



We also said goodbye to Lourdes. That was harder than I ever imagined. When we agreed to host an exchange student, I was more worried about if she would fit into our family. I wasn't sure what I would do if she missed her family so badly & she didn't like us. How dare I doubt that God would give us anyone less than a perfect fit for our family! Lourdes was such a wonderful addition to our family & we will count her as family, always.

I am excited to see what God has planned for us in 2010.

Some Things Make Me Smile & Cry @ the Same Time

This was on Coy's Christmas "wish" list:

• "to see G.G. :D #1 thing =) =) =)"
• "for kids to have a present on Cristmisst day"
  
  I smiled & then I cried.

Happy Thanksgiving

There are so many things that I am thankful for. My savior, my family, a home to call our own, a job. Speaking of that job...I will be working today, because unfortunately people are still sick even though it's a major holiday. I am thankful that I am well & that my family will be coming to see me for lunch :) I stayed up way too late making deviled eggs & corn bread stuffing, but it will be enjoyed so that makes me happy =)

Another something that makes me happy, is that God called our family to adopt. I am thankful for the feeling deep within that makes me long to see my daughter's face & know who she is. I am thankful for how our family has grown spiritually in the journey of adoption & look forward to the plans God has for us in bringing Gloria Grace home =)

Blessings to you & your family on Thanksgiving & always ♥

Another Hamster Bites the Dust :(

Last week Seth's hamster (Sniffy) went missing. This is not an uncommon occurrence in our house. We've tried many things to keep the hamsters in their cages, including locks on the cage doors. The little guys are tricky, though. Thankfully, most of the time we find them & put them back in their cage...no harm-no foul. In fact about a month ago, Coy's hamster (Stuart Little) had gotten out twice in one night. He learned to bite the latch (which you can't put a lock through) & push up on the door @ the same time. We watched him to see how he kept escaping, and ended up having to tape that door shut!
If you have been reading my blog for any time now, you might remember my post from May 2008. Coy's hamster had gotten out of his cage. It ended up dying in our air vent. We paid an air duct cleaning company $650.00 to come clean our vents & retrieve the body. The guy showed me where they found it. Turns out the hamster was just behind a panel in the furnace in the garage. Well, I'll give you one guess where poor Sniffy was found today :( I am thankful that the guy showed me where he found Stewart Little & I'm thankful for my father-in-law coming & taking the panel off our furnace for free, because I really have much better things to do w/$650.00....

Hopefully we'll need it to be buying plane tickets to Colombia soon. No we don't have any new news, but we're hopeful :)

Seriously...We Are Totally Ready for Our Referral =)

Last week I got the crib set up in Gloria Grace's room, but I did not have a mattress or bedding. I began looking on craig's list, and found a family in Smyrna that had this beautiful complete bedding set with the crib mattress for a very good deal. Cooler than that, is that when I went to pick it up today the dad asked me if he could pray for Gloria Grace & our family!! Now I really don't like to cry in front of strangers, but I said absolutely. What a wonderful blessing God has once again given us while we wait & prepare for Gloria's homecoming. =)

We'd Love a Referral in November--It Is National Adoption Month =)

I love talking about our adoption journey. I'm happy to share how God has called us to adopt. November is National Adoption Month, but even if it wasn't I'd still be telling our story.

I love how God has put this love in my heart for a little girl that I don't even know anything about. I don't know how old she is, what she looks like, where she is exactly (maybe she is @ Chiquitines, but maybe she's not there yet). She may not even be born yet, but still I love her.

I love hearing the boys pray for their little sister. There isn't much that is sweeter, if you ask this momma =)

There are so many things that are hard to explain to people, when I'm trying to share our story. I have learned though, that some people just don't get "it." Countless times I have been asked why we are going to Colombia, and why we are not adopting here @ "home." Really people just don't get "it." I am thankful that God has made it clear to us, that our daughter is in Colombia.

Now, I just have to be patient & wait for the details of the rest of our journey. We know that we will not be traveling in 2009, because the courts in Colombia close Dec. 15th to Jan. 15th. There is still a possibility that we will get our referral this year & then we would travel when the courts opened in January. This is our prayer.

Have I ever told ya'll how hard waiting is? =)

50th Day of 1st Grade & Pumpkin Carving

Life has been very busy. It is making the time go by super fast. Just wish we had a referral, so we could bring our darling G.G. home super fast. I have set the crib up in her room. I have not put the bedding in it, but as soon as I do, I will post pictures. The crib will easily convert to a toddler bed, so we are set. Thanks Retta & BooBoo.

This past week on Tuesday, Seth's class celebrated the 50th day of school. They were asked to dress up in 50's attire. All of the classes got together & had root bear floats :o)

Here is Seth's get up :o) Too Stinkin' Cute if I do say so myself. You can't see in the pictures, but he's even sporting a wallet w/a chain attached to his belt loop & had a black comb in his pocket to re-slick his hair as needed :) This afternoon, after school, the boys carved their pumpkins. Here are their finished products:

3 Teeth in 1 Week--The Tooth Fairy Needs a Loan :)

Seth was playing on the swings w/his friend & his friend accidentally kicked him in the mouth. It knocked out another of his teeth!! That is 3 teeth out in 1 week. I need to get the poor kid a mouth guard & some temporary dentures ;o)

I thought I would throw this picture of Coy on here, since I've posted so much about Seth lately. Don't want to leave Coy out, plus it is so sweet. I worked Wednesday & had a really long & hard day. I didn't get home until the boys had already gone to bed & were sleeping. I went to kiss them goodnight & this is how I found Coy. It looks like he fell asleep praying. I am sure he was asking God to bring his sister home ASAP :o)

Two Teeth in Two Days :o)

Both of Seth's two top front teeth have been loose for a while now. Yesterday I posted about him loosing one of them, and today he lost the other :o) He had wiggled it until it drove him (& me) a little crazy. I tried to talk him in to letting me pull it out, but he was highly reluctant. So...I resorted to bribery :o) That's what good mom's do, right? Hee hee... I told him if he let me pull his tooth out I'd take him to Baskin Robins---He LOVES ice cream-especially Baskin Robins. Here he is 1 less tooth, and below that is us enjoying some Baskin Robins :o)

Seth sticking his tongue in his new space:

All of us enjoying our ice cream:

Seth Lost His 3rd Tooth

Seth was taking a drink from the water hose. Coy thought he would "help" him out & squeeze the nozzle a little harder, when he did he accidentally knocked the nozzle into Seth's already loose tooth. This tooth & the one right next to it have been loose for months. It didn't knock it out, but it did make it very loose. Seth was able to pull it out with just a little effort.

Neither of the boys believe in the tooth fairy anymore, but when Seth went to bed tonight he said "I put my tooth under my pillow." He still plays the game, because he knows he'll get a dollar out of it :o)

I Love My Boys

Always Thinking About Gloria Grace

I have had a hard time thinking about anything but Gloria Grace lately. Part of the reason is that God has put adoption all around us. Today Chris & Dawn set off for Ethiopia. I have been praying for them for a long while. While I am completely excited for them, it turns my thoughts to thinking about when we get "the call" and are on our way to Colombia.

I remind myself daily (most often much more often than daily) that God's timing is perfect. I have actually posted that line & commented it to people a lot. While it is very easy to say, it is sometimes hard to be at peace with it. I fully believe the truth that is God's word, and His word has proof that His timing IS perfect. I know in my heart that when our time comes to meet Gloria Grace it will be the perfect time, because IT WILL BE the time God has already chosen. I rest in that truth, but my mind still wanders...

Some of the things I am constantly wondering . . .

• Is SHE already @ the orphanage?
• Has Chiquitines already set our dossier aside for HER?
• How old is SHE?
• Will SHE be home for Christmas?
• Will SHE sleep in a crib or a bed?
• Is HER hair curly or straight?
• Does SHE have a blankie & animal, like Seth?
• Does SHE cry at night & is anyone there to comfort HER?

Really, this list could be never ending some days. I love thinking about Gloria Grace. I love saying her name & telling people about this journey God has put before us. I love hearing the boys say her name, when they pray for her. God has blessed us in so many ways on this journey.

Dear Lord, Thank you for calling us to adoption. Thank you for thoughts of Gloria Grace. Thank you for how you have grown our family throughout this journey. May we continue to shine your light & be in the center of your will. Thank you for supportive friends & family, as we prepare for Gloria Grace's homecoming. Let everything we do be for the praise of Your Glorious Grace. In Jesus Name. Amen

Labor Day Weekend

This past weekend we went camping for the long weekend @ Barren River, in KY. On the way there I couldn't help but think--I wonder if Gloria Grace will be making the trip with us next year? I sure hope so. Granny & Paw Watson joined us in their new camper. The boys love all the activities the park has to offer. There is arts & crafts, swimming, bike riding, horseback riding, campfire stories, hiking trails, good food :) We got the boys out of school a little early & headed out. When we got to camp & got everything set up, Tim realized he had left his bag of clothes @ home. It was pretty funny, actually. I told him he was going to be smelling pretty funny after wearing the same outfit all weekend :) It got even funnier when I got to town & the only store to buy him any clothes at was Kmart :o) Not a lot of choices at Kmart, but I managed. It turned out to be quite a relaxing weekend. Here are lots of pictures:

On the way there:

The view from my mirror (Coy):
Seth loves his animal friends:

Toasting my toes by the fire:

Coy:

All 3 of my boys playing cars in the dirt:

Coy:

Daddy & Seth:

Daddy & Coy:

Seth @ the beach:

Coy @ the beach:

Seth & his "rocket box:"

Coy & his "robot box" hat:

Seth making crafts:

Coy & his spider:

Coy making another craft:

Daddy helping Seth w/his bird:

Mother-Daughter Tea

As I sit here trying to put into words how I am feeling, I am truly speechless. Sometimes I wish I were a poetic writer, but sadly that is not one of my gifts. I am blessed, though, with the best small group ever. They did such a wonderful job organizing what started out to be more of a shower, and turned into a wonderful event for mothers & daughters.

111 people came today. Some probably had no idea they would be hearing so much adoption talk, but God knew exactly who needed to hear it. One little girl came up to me with her mother, and said "i'm going to tell my daddy we need to adopt." I LOVE IT!!! It is such a blessing to share our story, and when God sparks a desire from that I can't help but smile.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! to my small group, Darby, Kristi, Barbara, Dana, Jennifer, Agnes, & Joy--You ladies truly do Rock!! Thank you to my dear friend Gwen, for speaking sweet words from a mother's heart. Thank you to The Ebensbergers for singing, and thank you to all the wonderful ladies who came & let us share our hearts with you.

Here are a few pictures. To see more you can go to my facebook page & look @ the Mother-Daughter Tea Album.

Sharing our story:

Barbara & Autumn:

Gwen:
Agnes: Angie, Phoebe, & Emily:

Seth, Brittany, Amanda, & My MIL Peggy:

Save The Date--August 30th 2-4pm

Mother-Daughter Tea

August 30th 2-4pm

@ LifePoint Church in the World Cup Cafe

Snacks & tea will be served.

Singers & speakers will celebrate the special bond between mothers & daughters.

Admission is free with proceeds from photography & a love offering to support the Watson's Colombian adoption.

R.S.V.P. Darby Kimbel 423-3272 or darbykimbel@comcast.net

Coy's Birthday Has Gone On For Days :o)

Coy's birthday was Thursday & the celebration has gone on & on :o) We started the day talking to Lourdes via Skype :o) Thursday is my small group day. The mom's decided that in honor of Coy's birthday & being the last Thursday before the kiddo's went back to school we would take the kids to Jumper's Playhouse. Fun times were had by all. We had 16 kids altogether!! We left there & went to one of Coy's favorite places to eat Rocking Chair Cafe. It is a meat & 3. They have really good food & it's affordable. Thursday evening both sets of Grandparents came over for Supper Coy's favorite--(stuffed peppers straight out of the garden) & Cake. Again, Coy's favorite--Carrot cake w/cream cheese icing. Friday we took Coy & 5 of his friends to eat @ Snappy Tomato & then to see G.I. Joe. 2 of the boys spent the night. We had a campfire w/marsh mellows & the kids played for hours. They finally settled down & watched a movie on the portable DVD in a tent in the back yard. They all had a really good time. (I can't believe that I just up-loaded my pictures & realized I didn't take any pictures--NOT 1--of the campfire/tent--UGGH) I took Coy today to spend some birthday $, but he has decided to save most of it for Colombia, and only spent a Lego gift card he got to use on-line. This was definitely a memorable birthday :o)

The Birthday Boy @ Jumper's Playhouse:

Mom getting in on the fun times w/Seth & Coy: Dad had the most fun :o)
All 16 kids from our not so --Small group :o)

Cupcakes:
Coy w/his Carrot Cake:

¡Feliz Cumpleaños Mi Hijo Mejor!

I can hardly believe we are in double digits!! 1o years ago today I was off to MTMC to deliver our first born. I had many ideas what motherhood would be like, but truly I had no idea what I was getting into :) I must say that motherhood has been nothing as I expected it to be. I am so grateful for the love & guidance of my God, and that he gave us our 1st blessing 10 years ago today. I am so thankful for this boy. I refer to him as my extreme child. He is extreme in all things & that is what makes him Coy. :o)

Happy Double Digits :o)

He's been wanting this Starwars Lego set for a long time. I got a hug & a kiss for this one!!!

Getting Her Room Ready

We decided to paint Gloria Grace's room the same color it already was, but to use a satin finish. We love the color & it is so easy to match things with, but it had been in flat paint & the walls got dirty so easy. The boys wanted to help me paint so badly. I wasn't sure how much of their help I could take, but I did let them each help a little :)

Seth:

Coy:
We took a family picture before church this morning in our new Adoption T-shirts:

Seth wanted his Kitty to be in our family picture, so instead we took one of him & kitty by themselves:)

Oh how I wish that I could say we were getting her room ready, because we knew when she would be here. At this point, we are where we were 2 months ago...No new news :( We've decided to start working on her room, even though we have no idea of our timeline from here. Our referral could come tomorrow, or many months from now. We are attempting to patiently wait, knowing God's timing is perfect. As I posted last week , we will do our best to wait honoring God & living for Him as we do.