Change of Plans Part II

Hey Cats,

So lists serve me well, and there have been so many ups and downs in the last three weeks that making one is probably the only way for me to make any sense so here you go:

1. As you know my sis went to tour with The African chidlren's Choir. beofre that we went to visit both sides of my family. We spend tomse time at my mom's house over Mother's Day. It was a lot of fun and my best Mom's Day so far. It was so fun to have all my sisters and mom together. I have no idea the next time that will be able to happen.

2. From there we went to my dad's house, land of dogs, horses and alpacas. Again, it was a fun visit. It is so funny to see my little sis pregnant! I sware she never stops eating, it is pretty funny! We found out she is having a girl! Big surprise? Not at all. That is what we all thought it was. We were right. Imagine that!

3. Next we headed to Disney for a fantastic but totally rainy vacation. Much needed time with my sister and my husband and kids was spent over 7 days of much fun. Disney really is magical, even for those who don't care for such or think it is just a bunch of hype. I don't care who you are, Disney is just so much fun with kids. We shared so many laughs. It was the perfect ending of an era with my sister.

4. Over our vacation it was also our anniversary. Daniel took me to the Melting Pot and we had the best dinner i have ever had. It was perfect. During dinner Daniel went to the bathroom and i was checking my email on my phone. Long story short, our birthmom decided to move to Alabama to live with her dad. At first she still wanted to do an adoption from Alabama but then felt and open adoption from there would be too difficult. I totally agree and also felt that when she moved to Alabama 2 weeks earlier that things would probably come to this point. I don't really regret anything, i feel like we were obedient in the role we were supposed to play in the time she was in Knoxville. You probably read the email i sent, but although it was disappointing, i feel like God has something in mind for us and we just need to try to be patient until he reveals it to us. We both want more kids but more than that we want God's hand and timing to prevail.

5. So we came home and then my mom came down to help us see my sister off at the airport. We spent a lot of time together. It was a rough day the day we saw her off. Just a lot of emotion and the feeling that it is the end of a four year run of having my best friend, back up girl and emergency contact literally no further than a mile away. It will be a long adjustment i feel like. I just don't have that kind of relationship with anyone else, i mean i know she is my sister but, it is hard to find someone who can see you naked in more than one way if you know what i mean. So, praying for peace and strength on that subject.

6. We hird a new staff member for TRH! Thank the LORD! I don't know how we could continue to grow and do what we are called to do without some extra help. Our new Family Advocate is amazing and has her Master's in Social Work! So glad to have actually have someone who knows what they are doing!

7. My kids are so much fun right now! I can't believe Atley will head to PreK at CAK in the Fall. Ness, Donna Hardesty will be his teacher! I am super excited about this. He will go Mon-Thurs 9-noon. He isn't ready for Kindergarten but i think this is the perfect move toward that next year.

8. Although my kids are a lot of fun, they are also very exhausting. No napping is definitely a change to adjust to! Ava still is a complete and utter pill to get to bed most every night. Tonight i was at my witts end! I feel so guilty after getting so angry with her, it is like the never ending battle. Lord help me is all i can say. I feel like i have tried everything at this point. But, i hoping that three weeks of traveling is what made things so bad the past few days. Tomorrow we will start the regiment over again and see where we can get.

9. The following is NOT a lie, i promise it is true. I am on a rowing team. It is just a one time thing, we are in a race for charity. It is called Knoxville Dragon Boat Races and the race raises money for Knox Area Rescue Ministries. If you are interested in sponsoring me let me know. :) I am a little nervous about it, i am in the best shape of my life, but a rowing race really? Who do i think i am? Just hoping i have the stamina. We have our first practices coming up. I am looking forward to challenging myself...and maybe praying i don't get pissed and tip the boat or know my opponent out with a paddle. ;)Fun mental image huh?

10. I have also been doing some other things you would never think of me doing like planting a huge veggie garden, making freezer jam and Klepper, if you ever read this I did my flower beds up full of flowers, have a basil growing in it AND drum roll please....have hanging baskets of flowers on the porch! They were a gift but still!

Well i guess that is all for now. Would love to know more about how everyone is doing! Please follow suit. I will try to do better. We should keep up with each other better!

Much Love,
Meow!
Mandycat