Pure Joy!

Precious, she is absolutely precious. Just when she has tried my patience the most, what does she do...call Santa Claus on her "cellphone" and thank him for getting her presents ready to bring her. By the way, those presents include a car road(or more commonly known as a race track) a tent, a workbench, and thankfully, just to reassure me that she is indeed a little girl - a baby doll changing table! Sometimes, I just want to hug her forever!

Announcing...CIBO

I decided to add another blog to my world. It is designed as a resource for my non-cooking friends and also just a place for me to share my own recipes and cooking adventures. Check it out here. Cibo is the Italian word for Food. Enjoy!

Thankful Thursday

I am privileged to be part of our church's ladies ministry, if only in a small way. Last month at our meeting, the speaker encouraged us with words of blessings and thankfulness,demonstrating that a teacup holds a multitude of blessings, even when it overflows. On that note, I thought I would make a list of all the things I am thankful for on this pretty Thursday! Take some time and make your own list, it can make a gloomy day, much brighter!

Things I am thankful for;
-Walmart
-Digital cameras
-My friend Kim, who never lets me down and always has a great story to tell.
-Hunting for acorns with my Hannah - and finding them!
-Glue
-My Aunt Nell's Apple Cake - it just tastes like Fall.
-My CD collection - because the radio never plays anything I like.
-Library Cards
-The WIGGLES (and they are coming to town and we have tickets-:-)
-My Husband (he really ranks up there at #1, I just want him to stay humble!!)
-My relationship with Hannah's birthmother - M - I am blessed beyond measure!
-Old friends
-My sweet dog, Georgia and her wet nose!
-Pumpkins
-Great smelling candles
-ON DEMAND, to catch up on all my fav tv shows
-My family - a little like good fudge, sweet, but full of nuts!
-Mmmm - speaking of fudge - CHOCOLATE!
-The full moon shining through our Georgia pine trees
-Playing peek-a-boo with Hannah, or for that matter, playing anything with her.
-My treadmill (?), well at least I am thankful it is set up in front of a tv.
-Clean laundry and clean bathrooms
-My friends who scrapbook - they keep me inspired!

There are tons of more things that are literally springing to mind, but I will save them for another Thankful Thursday. Now, go make your list!

Wild Wednesday

I am in the middle of being happy homemaker today. I am cleaning out cluttered corners, dusting, moping, and best of all decorating my house for the fall season. I have blogged previously about my love for all things "Fall" - and even though it is 90 degrees I am pulling out all the pretty garlands,wreaths,pumpkins and gourds to decorate my home -- inside it will be fall!

Because I am in the middle of all these tasks, my poor brain is somewhat tired and fuzzy and I cannot come up with anything profound, or witty, or insightful to say to you faithful readers today. Instead, as I puttered around the house this morning, I reflected on a conversation I had with my OLD youth director last evening. It was so good to talk to him and catch up and I am looking forward to seeing him at our youth reunion in November, but he mentioned a picture that was taken of me, circa 1980-81. It is quite funny, and we have always jokingly called it the "fernhead" picture. And because it seems as if my head does actually have a fern growing in it today, I decided to share it with the world. So instead of something profoundly creative - just enjoy this funny picture of me! But don't laugh too hard -- someday I might pull out a funny picture of you and share it on a "WILD WEDNESDAY"!
Peace out from the "fernhead".

My Favorite Bald Guy!

Okay - let me just start this entry with a fact. ALL, and I do mean ALL the boys I have ever dated are bald now -- and my dear sweet hubby,well, he is on his way to baldness too. Maybe it was all the hair products of the eighties, maybe it is genetic, or maybe somehow dating me caused this adverse reaction, I don't know and quite frankly I am too scared to really find out. Needless to say -- I have become quite accustomed to seeing bald heads on top of faces from my past. But today, I feel in love with a brand new bald guy.

As my hubby was putting our daughter down for her afternoon nap, I began straightening up the mess that Hurricane Hannah has left in our home on her way to naptime. I wandered into the playroom and as I began picking up legos, and doll clothes, and various other tiny things, my gaze drifted to the back wall. There, in black ink, was the biggest doodle I have ever seen. Right there, on my nice, sunny yellow, American Tradition Roman Candle painted wall. We have those wonderful washable crayons, why didn't she use them and where in the world did she get a pen?I thought I had them all hidden away? Never mind the answers - the doodling had been done. I quickly began to panic. What would get that off of the wall? I tried soap and water, nope! I tried windex, nope again! And then I remembered something I had heard awhile ago. I must have overheard it somewhere, probably the park, but it made enough of an impression on me that I actually bought the product - just in case.

I hurried to the cabinet where all the cleaning products live and way in the back, there he was! The man of my dreams! MR. CLEAN - in his Magic Eraser form! Hallelujah! It didn't take me long to read the box instructions (wet with water) and start to scrubbing! And guess what -- it WORKS! It really worked! I was overcome with JOY! I must admit that it did take some elbow grease, but the magic really worked and now my wall is clean, clean, clean!

So,unlike all the bald old boyfriends who have let me down at some point, and my dear hubby who still has some hair, but is still capable of making me pout - My new boyfriend has saved the day. And the best part; he is now tucked back into his box, high on a shelf and I am guaranteed that he will not come back out until I need him-what more could a woman ask for in a man!

So here's to you Mr. Clean - my new favorite bald guy!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

A special thank you to my friend Krissy out in Colorado - she is the very first person to place a comment on my blog!

Krissy is getting ready to do something that I could never do -- she is going to be running in a marathon -- check this out on her blog or at the marathon site

Thanks again Krissy!!
Keep the comments coming!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig!

Well, we made it home. After three wonderful, fun-filled days in good ole Helen, GA, we are home, unpacked and back in our routine. How sad to have it come to an end so quickly. This was HJ's first time in the mountains, and boy, did she love it. Eating lots of ice cream, riding in a horse-drawn carriage, feeding the horse, skipping river rocks, feeding trout, eating ice cream, picking flowers, shopping, eating ice cream, shopping, playing tennis, eating ice cream, picking out a pumpkin and visiting the Cabbage Patch Hospital. Oh, and did I say eating ice cream? :-)

She had a blast, and we had an even better time experiencing it all again, through her eyes. If you ever think you have seen it all, been there done that, in a place - take a three year old and you will see things, hear things, feel things you never thought possible. It was a great trip.

These are a few of my fav photos, but check out my flickr for more.

Home again, Home again, jiggity jig!

Scars are Souvenirs You Never Lose, The Past Is Never Far!

I made a random web search the other day and I was quite unexpectedly connected to someone from my past. After some thought, I sat down and penned this little poem. Now, I am no poet, a fact that will become glaringly obvious, but the words just came out of my head this way. So please, be kind while reading it.

If he is out there reading, he will know who is and I hope he will enjoy the trip down memory lane. If he never reads it, the poem can just stand on its own as a tribute to first love, young love and ultimately love that is made to last. I am thankful for my past, even though at times it hurts to remember, I never want to forget it. Because of the lessons I learned early on, I have been privileged to find my true love, my husband of 16 years and the father of my child. The past only makes me appreciate the present more.

Behind The Mask
Is that you there, behind the mask?
Do you ever wish you could go back?
Be who you were again, then, as I remember you now?

Hayrides, boat docks, fun in the sun.
Long walks, longer talks, daydreaming just for fun.
Fall leaves, arts in the heart, football games.
Thanksgiving table spread with love, the air always filled with sweet refrains.

Pound cake on Christmas, thoughtful gifts too.
"Pork Chop" and "Muffin", tuxedos, tents and events just for you
Frog-ladies, jiggetts, bridges falling and softball mits
Finally, seeing first love blown all to bits.

Is that you, behind the mask?
I saw you peeking out and just wanted to say.
Thank you for the memories, and even the price I had to pay.
For without it, my life would have never turned out this way.

I can face my future with a true love this time.
Bring up my daughter to read between the lines.
I will teach her to look further, to test everyone.
Make sure the mask is off before she declares truly that "he" is the one.

So you, there, behind the mask.
I have a great life, it's true.
And after all is said and done, I still hope the same for you.

"Man is least himself when he talks in his person. Give him a mask and he will tell you the truth." Oscar Wilde

"The past is never dead. It is never even past." William Faulkner

My Broken Road

I woke up this morning with this song in my head. I remember when I first heard it - my baby girl was only a month or so old and as we were riding in the car, I was overwhelmed to the point of tears. I know the lyrics are "romantic" in nature; but they seemed to fit our mother/daughter situation as well. After struggling with infertility, miscarriage and adoption disappointments, here she was. The dream in the car seat, smiling back at me and making every bad moment that had happened along the way, worth it.

This song is my tribute to HJ, and to her birthmom, M. I wouldn't be this happy, if it were not for you. The words "thank you" are never going to be enough.

I also think of it is a tribute to my wonderful husband, D. Sometimes, we never take the time to really tell the ones we love, just how much they mean to us. I am guilty of this, getting caught up in life's little details and forgetting the bigger picture. I was reminded, just today, of how much I love my husband, and just how fortunate I am to have him in my life as my provider, my protector and my dearest friend. So, honey, when you read this, this song is for you as well. Never forget how much I love you!

God Blessed theBroken Road
I set out on a narrow way, many years ago
Hoping I would find true love
along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

Every long lost dream
Lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart
They were like northern stars
Pointing me on my wayInto your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

Thanks Rascal Flats!

We are off to the mountains, have a great week!

Things are Looking Up!

Just a note, to all my blog fans out there... things here are looking up. My daughter is feeling better and we are set to visit family in the mountains this coming week.

I have a request, if you read this blog, please log on and comment -- I would love to know who is out there reading and if you like what you read.

Thanks - Happy Sunday to ya !

The Roller Coaster...and Sickness Sucks!

Okay - I was trying to be a bit more prolific about sickness, but the truth is - it just sucks! My baby girl is sick. She is 3 and has never had more than a sniffle in all her time here on earth. The day after her birthday party, she came down with what I call the YUCK! Coughing, sore throat, lost her voice, congestion, you name, she had it. I thought after a week of it all that she was better. Until yesterday, when she woke up with a swollen jawline. She looked like an actor with prosthetic pieces on, attempting to play a "fat" person. Completely swollen. The day progressed and it got worse. After a trip to the doctor, my fears were put to rest, it is just a swollen and infected lymph node, probably due to the cold she has recently endured It is being treated with antibiotics and all should be better in a few days. I am so thankful for a Godly doctor, who is thorough in his examinations and never once has made me feel like a silly, overprotective mom.

I am also so thankful for the network of friends, who joined with me in prayer last night to calm my fears and help my daughter rest. I don't like it when sickness comes to my home, I will try to fight it away every time, but this time, it came and with it, brought a great blessing. I felt buoyed by my friends and family, knowing that no matter what happened, they were with me on this journey and interceding on my daughter's behalf before our Father.

Motherhood is a strange roller coaster of a ride, it is so comforting to know that although I maybe in this "car" alone, behind me, connected to me, is a trail of other cars, and other mommies, all on this same ride.

So, you know who you are, I love you and I am thankful for your friendships!

9/11

A time for remembrance, reflection and prayers for those left behind. Silence in their memory.

This day, this event, changed the course of my life. Because of this event, my husband and I had to change our plan for international adoption. Because of this event, I had to wait three more years to become a mother. Through the course of events set in place by this event, I now am the proud mommy to a wonderful three year old little girl through domestic adoption.

This event changed us all. I will always remember that blue sky, those falling buildings, that crashed plane. God bless us all. Peace to all!

One Little Leaf

Okay, I'll admit it -- I am a fallaholic! I LOVE FALL! It is my favorite season. I love all the colors - the burnt oranges, browns, reds and purples just do it for me! I love Halloween (more about that later) and Thanksgiving. I love pumpkins, scarecrows, hay bales, falling leaves, hot apple cider, warm sweaters, walking in the evenings and feeling that first little chill on my nose. I just love it! It is almost here - I walked to my mailbox this afternoon and saw a leaf falling from a tree... now, don't go and get out your sweaters just yet, it is still 90 degrees outside, but in my heart - Fall is HERE! Yipee!

Welcome to the New Site, Catch Up and Come Back Often

View my old posts here:
http://mississippigirl.wordpress.com/
Thanks for hooking up to my new site. I am excited about it because it offers me a few more options, so come back often and visit. I would love to know you are out there and reading, so please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email.