Yearbook Yourself!!! Too Funny!!!!

Have some time? What to laugh hysterically? Then Yearbook Yourself. It will take you from 1950's to 2000. Here were some of my favorite highlights from the 60's, 70's and 80's. Go to www.yearbookyourself.com to try it out yourself.

1980's

1970's

1960's

What the World Needs...

is more dads swimming in kiddy pools, and less time spent discussing funding for CASH for Clunkers.

Swimming Lessons

The kids started swimming lessons two weeks ago. It is amazing how different your kids can be. Grace has no fear, whatsoever... Luke, poor guy, is so timid. But he has been trying new things and working on being brave when it comes to putting his face in the water. His therapist wants him to learn how to swim...we are working on it. Grace loves her class and her two "boy teachers" as she tells me. She is like a little fish.

Baseball Park

A few weeks ago we had an opportunity to visit Mimi during lunch time and we went to what Luke calls the "Baseball Park". We went last summer and discovered that they had a real baseball diamond. We didn't have a ball or bat so they "pretended" to play last year. This year in anticipation we brought our baseball bat and tennis balls. Luke was so excited he could hardly stand it. He would hit the ball and run around the bases "sliding" into home plate. Grace enjoyed participating; but she had no clue which way to run. It was too cute. Mimi was a trooper, and a stranger at the park commented on her great baseball skills :)

Swimming

Luke and Grace have been through 3 swimming pools this summer. Currently, they have managed to put a hole in the new green one. It has a slow leak that neither Mark nor I can find. We keep pumping it up with air and it slowly leaks. Oh well....as you can tell from the picture, it doesn't seem to bother them at all.

Struggling

Can I be honest??? Last week was a difficult week for me. It was the 4th anniversary of the loss of our third child. The pain is still there. I don't think ever goes away but becomes a part of who you are. It seems that everyone is pregnant around me...that is difficult because it magnifies my infertility. You would think that after seven years I would be able to come to terms with my barrenness, but I have not. I can look back and see God's hand and plan in bringing two of the most wonderful babies into my life. But now, in the thick of things, I cannot see anything. I have been to the specialist, and taken all the tests and have tried the medications, suggestions...I have exercised, ate different foods, given up pop, tried to relax and have even taken the fertility drugs...but nothing...I did not respond. The next step in the medical world would be higher more powerful fertility drugs, ultrasounds and things like IUI and IVF, injectables and a lot of money. Things I don't feel called to.

In the world of state adoption, where we adopted Luke and Grace, is different now. There have been many changes in procedures and goals for the children. There are less kids in care and no need for adoptive homes. We have been on the wait list nearly 10 months with no leads, no calls, no placements, nada, zip, nothing. We have also contemplated foster care, but the Lord has been specific in telling us that right now it is not the time. It is a dangerous world right now.

We are currently praying about other avenues of adoption. Private and international. Both are journeys that we have not taken, but are willing to follow God if he calls us. The main stumbling block for these types of adoptions is money. They are expensive. An international adoption is around 22,000 and a private domestic adoption going through an agency is 35,000 to 50,000 dollars. Crazy...I know. Please pray with us as we seek God's will and plan. We know that each decision has risks and complications. Both Mark and I believe that their is another baby for us. We are believing for a miracle.

What the World Needs...

less talk of economic stimulus plans...and more kiddos eating summer cherries.