For Today...

Taking it easy, the only thing planned is a little bit of school shopping with the boys.

I am thinking...

about cooking dinner.

I am thankful for...

Brian having a vacation this week. It's been nice to have him around the last few days.

In the kitchen...

I have several brown bananas that I'll turn into banana muffins.

I am going...

to the new Exotic Animal Paradise (although it has a new name I can't remember) on Friday with my family.

I am reading...nothing new right now, but looking into getting a good new book.

I am hoping...

that my medicines will straighten out!

.I am hearing...

Emalee up from her nap playing w/toys in her room and Jacob watching cartoons.

Around the house...

I'm getting school uniforms organized, cleaned and ready to wear.

One of my favorite things...

Wild daisies.

Plans for the rest of the week...

A little more school shopping, cleaning closets and Jacob's room : )

WE'RE GOING TO KOREA CAMP!!!

I'm so excited...Tomorrow morning Emalee and I are heading to Tulsa, OK. to attend Korean Heritage Camp provided by our adoption agency. This will be our first year attending. Camp is a really neat experience, not only for the adopted children, but for their siblings and parents as well. Campers get to experience several different area of Korean culture. There are games, crafts, history classes, etc. that are taught. It's all led by parent volunteers. I'm helping in the Famous Korean's History class. Emalee will be in the nursery during the times that I teach and during a class that I'm taking.
Parents are offered a few classes to take as well. I can't remember all of the classes, but I do remember that there's a Korean cooking class offered. I wish I could take it, but couldn't work it into my schedule. I am attending a seminar led by two Korean Birth Mother's. They'll be talking about their side of adoption, share their adoption story, how they think, what they feel, etc. I'm sure that will be very interesting and eye-opening to us adoptive parents. This will be their first time in America...the place that their children are now living. It's sure to be quite an experienc for these two ladies as well.
When I was in the adoption process I was on a forum through our agency. Six of us mom's decided to break off the forum and start our own little group. We've emailed eachother EVERY day since mid-2004. We've grown very close to eachother during this time. It's been nice to have other mom's to talk to about issues that sometimes other people just wouldn't understand. I got the opportunity to meet one of my friends as we both traveled to get our babies at the same time. I've never met the other four. We're all getting together on Thursday evening for dinner and a visit. I'll be rooming with one of them and her daughter too. This is probably the most exciting part of the trip. To finally meet my dear friends in person.
Please pray for travel safety for us. I haven't traveled by myself w/a little one that far in quite a while! Also please pray that Emalee will be a good little girl while we're there and gets her sleep when it's time : )
Saturday evening Brian, David and Jacob are driving down to meet up with us girls. We're going to have a mini-vacation in Tulsa and return on Monday evening. It sure to be a weekend full of fun!

For Today...
I sent Jacob off to Baptist Hill Boy's Camp today. I have a doctor appointment for my chest congestion. Having dinner with great friends.
I am thinking...
There's plenty of things to get done today.
I am thankful for...
A truck load of good girlfriends.
In the kitchen...
Not much for this week. With both boys gone dinner will be a little bit more simple. Emale and I leave on Thursday so not much cooking this week.
I am creating...
memories with my kids.
I am going...
to Tulsa for Korea Camp w/Emalee this week!!!
I am reading...
other blogs.
I am hoping...
from good travel Thursday and Saturday.
I am hearing...
Dennis Rainey speak on "Family Life Today."
Around the house...
Need to clean my bedroom.
One of my favorite things...
Fried green tomatoes!!! Yum!!!
Plans for the rest of the week...
Packing for my trip, driving to Tulsa, teaching Famous Korean History to lots of 4th graders.

Bedtime Song

Every night I rock Emalee before I put her in bed. There are several songs that I have sung to her, but this one is her favorite. I can't put her in bed until we sing this one together. It warms my heart knowing that she'll grow up knowing the words to this song. Enjoy listening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzat9dx6v8k

Fun in the Sun!

This is Emalee playing in her swimming pool. She absolutely loves the water and she loves dumping it on her head!

Thoughts for this week

I was reading another blog that I like (www.farmingonfaith.com) and she always has a list of thoughts once a week. I really like that idea. So, I thought I'd try that myself! Here's my first attempt:

For Today...

I'm taking the boys to Nana's to spend the night. I'll have a dinner date with Brian & Emalee

I am thinking...

It sure is quiet right now. The boys are gone and Emalee's asleep. I like it!

I am thankful for...

Some time alone today.

In the kitchen...

I made homemade blueberry muffins...yummy!

I am creating...

photo albums.

I am going...

to take Emalee outside to swim in her pool when she wakes up.

I am reading...

nothing other than my Bible right now. I'm not a big reader.

I am hoping...

to decrease my medications sometime soon.

I am hearing...

The hum of the a/c.

Around the house...

I'm painting the hallway this evening.

One of my favorite things...

Watching my children sleep. It's just precious.

Plans for the rest of the week...

baking pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, mentoring group, school clothes shopping.

A Friend Sentiment

I was thinking about my blog last night when I was laying in bed. I try to write about things that are important in my life. It dawned on me that I've been incredibly blessed with a huge amount of friends and I just wanted to mention some of them on here today in no particular order!
Lisa K.~ You've been my friend for 18 years and have seen the good, the bad, the ugly...thank you for the faithfulness you've shown in our friendship. The thing I'll remember most is when you dropped everything and came to see me (3 hours away) when I went into pre-labor with the boys. I didn't ask you to do that! I opened my eyes in my hospital room and there you were! You're an incredible prayer warrior!
Tina D.~ I've known you since 7th grade! You put up with me being your roommate for awhile in college...those were good times! Thank you so much for the clothes that you give me for Emalee. I know I've told you, but I really do appreciate it! Thanks for taking time out of our schedule every summer to visit w/me.
Stacy P.~ You tell it like it is, you shoot straight with me and keep me accountable! Thank you for your honesty and trustworthiness. Thanks for forgetting things that I tell you... LOL!!! We have a lot in common. I love your kids and I think you're one of the best mom's I know!
Kristin C.~ Although you're so much younger than me you are so mature in so many ways...far beyond your years in certain areas. I've seen you go from an engaged young woman to a married mom of 2! You're a great accountablity partner too and I appreciate your honesty. I love watching you grow in the Lord.
Kelly P.~ You were the first to know about Emalee. Thank you for keeping quiet while we prayed. It's been fun watching the Lord bless you with 3 babies! I think it's so sweet that Emalee and Natalie are friends....the two babies that we prayed for : ) God is good!
Hannah S.~ What can I say? This has been an interesting year : ) Watching you figure things out and turn back to Truth has been an incredible blessing. You give us all hope that things will work out if we follow Truth! I'm so proud of you! Your bubbly spirit keeps me happy!
Michelle F.~ Last, but not least! This past year you have been a great friend to have. Although I've known you for several years (maybe 16-17???) I never realized that we would become good friends. Thanks for carrying me along these past few months. When Kara died I lost a great friend, but you stepped in and I realized that I gained another! Thank you for doing my laundry when all I could do was feel numb!
There are so many more friends that I have....so many more that I didn't mention. I love you all and consider myself extremely blessed to have you all be a part of my life!

Another great song to listen to...

A friend of mine posted this song on her facebook page. Thought I'd share it here on my blog. It's powerful with a wonderful message!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOY0mjjmx8Y

More groceries

I know that I said yesterday that I wasn't going to buy anything else, but a very good friend of mine gave me a load of coupons Sunday. I hadn't had time to go through them until today and boy am I glad that I did. I got bunches that work for the Dillon's Daytona Sale that ends today! So, I figured out my list and went ahead.
I spend $27.51 ($4.50 was my moms) I didn't take a picture this time, but here's what I got:

2 Land O Lakes spreadable butter
4 Betty Crocker Fruit roll ups (preparing for school luches already)
2 Manwich
3 ChefBoyRDee Ravioli
10 Koolaid packs
1 pack of sugar (free w/koolaid purchase)
1 A1 Sauce
4- 1/2 gallons of milk (marked down to 1.25 each)
1 Kraft BBQ sauce (free w/coupon)
1 Digiorno Flatmelt (free w/coupon)
5-12pks of Coke ($1.60 each after coupons)
I also got Catalina coupons back for $3 off my next purchase, so.....
I'm going back later this evening and getting 5 more 12-pk Cokes which will wind up being $1 each after coupons and the Catalinas!
So today a total of about $28.00 spent! Well below my $40 budget!

What's for dinner???

I made up my menu plan for this week's dinners. I don't have to grocery shop for any food this week except milk and I would like a little fresh fruit. I also need toilet paper. That's it! I'm trying to use my stockpile of food up so making a menu really helps to keep me on track.
Here's what's for dinner for Monday-Friday. I figure that we'll have enough leftovers for the weekend.
Sunday: Subway w/friends
Monday: Foil Packs w/rice and salad
Tuesday: Breakfast...pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, hashbrowns
Wednesday: Pork Chop Supper, rice, veggie, salad
Thursday: Spaghetti, garlic bread, veggie
Friday: Homemade Pizza
Saturday: Leftovers

Foil Packs:
Take 1-2 lbs. ground chuck, round or turkey, crumble into individual foil packs, fill with desired veggies (I use onion, green pepper, carrots, celery, green beans, etc.) Season w/salt and pepper (sometimes I add a little soy sauce for flavor). Fold foil pack tightly so they don't leak. Place on hot grill or in oven and cook until done. You may want to lightly oil the inside of the foil so that food doesn't stick.

Pork Chop Supper:
4 pork chops
2/3 c. long grain rice
4 T. chopped onioin
2 tsp. instant chicken boullion
1/2 c. chopped apple
Brown chops in small amount of oil in skillet. Remove chops and set aside on plate. Add rice and onion to oil and cook until slightly browned. Add 2 c. water and bring to a boil. Stir in apples. Arrange chops on top. Cover and cook 20-25 minutes.

Renewing my mind....

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Romans 12:2...

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...."

On days that I'm struggling with issues whether they be spiritual, physical, emotional, etc. I try to remember that verse. It's helps me to refocus on what really matters and gets my mind off of myself and back onto Christ.

So, in doing just that today I was listening to one of my favorite songs sung by "Hillsong" and thought I'd post the lyrics so that you too can read them and be blessed just as I was today. I've also included a link so that you can listen to this incredible worship song yourself.


Worthy Is The Lamb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR4CCLnmf1Q

Thank You for the cross, Lord/ Thank You for the price You paid/ Bearing all my sin and shame/ In love You came/ And gave amazing grace

Thank You for this love, Lord/ Thank You for the nail pierced hands/ Washed me in Your cleansing flow/ Now all I know/ Your forgiveness and embrace

Worthy is the Lamb/ Seated on the throne/ Crown You now with many crowns/ You reign victorious/ High and lifted up/ Jesus, Son of God/ The Darling of Heaven crucifed/ Worthy is the Lamb/ Worthy is the Lamb!