Waiting Wednesday

Well . . . . . I made it. Barely.

I'm just going to do the one I had planned for last week. ;)

Ten songs that manged to get me through the wait. We're still waiting, but I have to say it is beginning to draw to a close. Finally.

1. "God you Reign" by Lincoln Brewster. Because who else reigns? He reigns over me, our adoption, my family. Yeah, HE reigns.

2. "Today is the Day" by Lincoln Brewster. "Today is the day, you have made and I will rejoice and be glad in it." Brings me back to VBS and Sunday School. But it is SO stinkin' true. Everyday is a gift, and I need to rejoice in it, even if my daughter isn't here yet.

3. "Everlasting God" by (you guessed it) Lincoln Brewster. LOVE THIS ONE. If I had to pick one, just one off this list, it would be this one. Just. so. good. LOVE the scripture embedded in it.

4. "Surrender" by (again) Lincoln Brewster. OK. I know, enough with the 'Lincoln Brewster' already. I'm sorry! He's very inspirational. I had to list all four because they literally helped me re-group the times I wanted to throw a pity-party. Honestly, they jolted me out of a pity-party -that might be a bit more realistic. LOVE Lincoln Brewster. (I bet you didn't know that already)

5. "Something Beautiful" by NeedtoBreathe. LOVE this song. LOVE the group. I'm pretty sure it wasn't written for my beautiful little daughter, but it might as well have been. The boys and I were listening to this song RIGHT before we got our Referral Call. I know, totally cool. Listening to it brings me back to that awesome morning. It's a keeper.

6. "Wonderin'" by TobyMac. This song has taught me SO much. There's a part in it that says "I'm wonderin' if my dreams will steal me from you." Spoke volumes to me. Put everything back into perspective.

7. "Hold On" by TobyMac. This song helps me think of our transition. You would have to hear it to know what I mean. The lyrics are SO powerful and help me to realize that if we 'hold on' to HIM, everything will be ok. (Plus is there a song that TobyMac makes that isn't totally awsome?! I don't think so!)

8. "It Won't Be Like This For Long" by Darius Rucker. Yeah, Hootie. Hootie went country and I love it! Wasn't sure at first, but it fits him. Anyway - this song is indicative of phases and transitions in life that will soon pass. AND to take advantage of things because they don't last long.

9. "There is a God" by Leann Womack. This song needs no explanation. Just. plain. good.

10. "I Will Wait" by Aaron Shust. I WILL wait. However long it takes. We're getting there, day by day!

I LOVE music and it can change my mood in an instant. I got this idea from my friend, Michelle. She made a list of songs for her son and it helps her through the wait. I started thinking about it, and I went back to these songs time after time for encouragement. So Happy Waiting Wednesday everyone! Now I need to start thinking for a list for next week!

Class B

So . . . I missed Waiting Wednesday. I had a post all lined up and then was so busy that I forgot to post it! I know, pathetic. We have been busy finishing up school, add a couple Dentist appointments and putting together a Birthday Care Package for Joye and that results in NO time for blogging. Literally. So here we are on Friday and I have to make it a quick post. We are heading to Nanny's (my mom's) to help clean out the Chicken House. She blesses us with fresh eggs - it's the least we can do, ya know?

Anyways on to the exciting news. I just received an email from AAC stating that Joye has had her Visa Physical and that I need to send in a Class B waiver to Eastern to get her EP going! YAY! HUGE NEWS!!!!! It's just a paper stating that we realize that Joye is a little peanut and that she was born at a low birth weight. 5.2 pounds. She's just little and isn't in the target percentile for her age. No big deal. Good thing I stocked up on 12 month clothing - just in case. Looks like we won't be in the 18 month stuff for a while! That's ok! That could result in more shopping! :)

Great news. I did have a chance to catch-up last night and there is good news all over the stinkin' place! Friends getting close to VI and TC and rumors of EP's being submitted. Makes me all giddy! LOVING all the movement!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Waiting Wednesday

Yet another Wednesday passes and it's time for a theme. I have been feeling very excited about Joye coming home. It seemed so far away and out of reach, and now seems a bit closer. At night I think about the things that will change our lives forever when she finally comes home. The good things, of course.

10 things that I look forward to doing with Joye when she comes home:

1. Watching her sleep.

2. Snuggling with her.

3. Carrying her. With the help of the Beco that I have. :)

4. Playing with her on the floor.

5. Having her with us at mealtime and introducing foods to her. A little at a time.

6. Reading books to her.

7. Playing peek-a-boo and singing "Twinkle Twinkle" together. She won't understand a word at first, so I did get a Korean Children's CD to help us out a little.

8. Watching the boys play and interact with her.

9. Giving her kisses and telling her how much I love her.

10. Just being together. All of us. Seeing her little personality evolve. Getting to know her better each and every day.

I know the first couple nights home will be hard. She won't know us from strangers. But I pray everyday that her transition will go well. I just can't imagine being ripped from everything I know. My heart hurts for the fear and confusion she will face. We'll get through it and everything on my list will be totally worth it. :)

Happy Wednesday! One more down! How many more will there be, I wonder?

One More Month

Happy 11 months to my precious, adorable little girl!

In one more month, Joye will be a year old. I really thought that I was going to be in a deep state of depression the closer I got to May 2nd. But I'm actually doing OK. Who knew? By the look of things, we are closer to bringing her home than ever before. September EP's have been submitted and that means we're (hopefully) next! YAY! I can't help but be excited and hopeful that all this waiting WILL eventually end!

The light is little, BUT it is at least present at the end of the adoption tunnel. YESSSS!

Happy 11 months Joye - can't WAIT to hold you in my arms for FOREVER!

Waiting Wednesday

It's Wednesday again! Can you believe it?!

I am so running out of things to list for our Waiting Wednesday posts! So today, I decided to do ten things I highly doubt you know about me. I know, I know who cares! Right? Oh well, after this you can't say you don't 'know' me anymore! Ha!

1. I am a private/shy person. I had a major internal battle when I first started this blog. Truth be told, this blog has helped me to become more 'open.' It's helped me share my feelings and to let my guard down, so-to-speak. It has challenged me in more ways that I ever thought it would, which is a good thing. :)

2. I am a peacemaker. At heart. I HATE confrontation. I hate to rock the boat, stir the pot, or whatever else that causes friction. Hate it. ALL. It gives me anxiety just thinking about it. Whew.

3. I tend to be a realist. I look at the realistic side of things. That's my anchor. However, I find that this is hard to have when faith enters the mix. Think about it, it's really hard to have faith when you have a realistic mindset. The two are like oil and water. So I have learned to NOT be so realistic and trust faith a little. It has been successful in many occasions.

4. I'm left-handed. So is my little Abram. We complain about right-handed scissors and notebooks that have the rings on the left-side. Well, I do because he's five and doesn't really realize these things yet. But, you bet-your-booty that I am going to let him in on the ways of the right-handed world. Yes, sir! (ma'am)

5. I started young. I met my hubby when I was still in High School and was engaged my Senior Year. Was married the summer of my Freshman year in college (I was 19). Had Kaleb two years later when I was a Jr. in college. And was pregnant with Abram when I graduated college.
What . . . ? I wanted a family. Really bad. Wouldn't change a thing.

6. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Corporate Fitness and a minor in Business Administration. Who cares!? (I was running out of things to put, so since the last one was about being married and pregnant twice while in college, I thought I would put this one in.) Have yet to use the Corporate Fitness, BUT - I am using the Bus. Admin. Yay for me. :)

7. My hubby and I are in Business together with his parents, my mother-in-law and father-in-law. It's a family-owned business and I am the Office Manager/Treasurer. (This is where the Bus. Admin. comes in.) I cut checks and do the book-keeping side of things. I love budgets, numbers and all that good stuff. It fits me and I LOVE it.

8. I was a tom-boy growing up. My dear Mom tried to dress me up in frilly, lace-y, dresses and it just didn't stick. They were itchy. I didn't find my girl-y side until I became a mother of boys. Go figure. I still have a tom-boyish side to me, though. I love to go camping and shooting with the boys and I've been to the spa once in my life.

9. I love to cook and bake. I love trying new recipes and things I have never cooked before. I get bored with the same' ol thing night after night. I also like trying new restaurants and new things. I love different and for things to be changed up once in a while.

10. I LOVE being a Mom. Love it. I love being home. I love being with my children each day. I consider being a Mom an awesome privilege. A huge blessing. I'm not perfect at it, but I try my best. I consider it an honor to help direct and guide these precious beings into life. My Heavenly Father entrusted me, little 'ol me, with these little people. And for that I am forever grateful.

Well, that's it. 10 things about me. Just for fun. Hope you have a GREAT Wednesday!

Waiting Wednesday

As the wait drags on, I am reminded of what we have been through from the beginning. So today I felt led to do 10 things that the journey of adoption has taught me. Here they are:

1. Patience. I put this at #1 for a reason. This one has been the hardest for me. I am NOT a patient person, by design - or so I thought. Am I as patient as I ought to be, sadly no. Am I more patient than I was 18 months ago? YEAH. This journey has given me a grand opportunity so exercise my patience muscle.

2. Faith. I would be lying if I didn't say my faith has been strengthened. Alot. When we were waiting for our referral, there were times when I wondered if the day would ever come that I would "meet" my daughter for the first time. It did. Now sometimes I wonder if she will ever be home. I have faith that she will. God has proved to be faithful throughout this entire journey.

3. Trust. Now, you might be saying, "faith and trust are the same." I thought they were too. But I go@gled them and they are in fact, different. Faith is believing the unseen. Trust is believing in spite of the evidence. I don't have trust in the process, the governments, the agencies. I have trust in God, in that HE is responsible for getting her home. He is responsible for approving her EP in His timing. I have trust in HIM and HIM only.

4. Love. Beginning this journey I knew about love. I knew it was powerful and deep. The love that I feel for this little girl is nothing I have ever experienced. Eventhough I have never met her, I love her just as much as my boys. She's my daughter, and I love her deeply. Everyday that I am away from her tears at my heart. If my boys were far from me for a long period, I miss them. Same things goes for Joye. The thought of missing her first birthday also makes me sad.

5. Knowing that everything works out for the good. Romans 8:28 is one of my favorites. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." 'Nuff said.

6. To Listen. Listen to Scripture. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Listen. When everything around me is doubtful and uneasy, I stop and listen. I choose not to listen to the world. I choose to listen to Him. I have learned to stop talking, and listen. When I stop and listen, things become a lot more clear.

7. To be thankful - no matter what. This one is a tough one as well. It's really hard to be thankful when things don't go the way you planned. I NEVER thought that I would be waiting this long. NEVER. But I am thankful. I never imagined that my daughter would be over a year when she came home. But, I am thankful. I have to be. Because ultimately I am thankful for His provision, His timing and His process. None of it may make sense now, but it might later on.

8. Surrender. I have ab-so-lute-ly NO control over this whole thing. I thought I did, and boy was I wrong. I tried with all my might to control, but I just ended up exhausted and defeated in the end. Then, I surrendered. I have to say, life has been a lot more peaceful since then. I realize how much energy I wasted by trying to do it my way. As hard as it was to relinquish control, I'm really glad I did. I have used surrender in many more things in my life, and it really works. Valuable lesson for me.

9. Confidence. Not confidence in myself, but confidence in that this whole thing is going to turn out ok. I didn't have that when we first started. We had just lost the baby and my faith and confidence was shaken. Really shaken. Is Korea our country? Will we have the money? What if, what if, what if?

I now have confidence that we are where we're supposed to be, doing what we were meant to do and believing in the One who made it all possible. Confidence in Him.

10. Fulfillment. If you would have told me five years ago that we would be adopting a little girl from South Korea, I would have told you you were nuts. Literally. Literally nuts. Adoption, really? What? Where-the-heck is South Korea? Eventhough it would have sounded crazy five years ago, nothing feels more right. I truly believe that I was created to be an adoptive mother. I know, I don't have her home yet, haven't done the bonding thing, and haven't answered the tough questions about birthparents. I know that nothing about this is going to be easy. I know that. Parenting isn't easy, homeschooling isn't easy, marriage isn't easy. But I love all three. I was created to be a part of all three.

Is Joye our last child? Maybe, but I doubt it. God has broke my heart for those who don't have a mommy and daddy or a family. No one to tuck them in, bandage their boo-boo's, cuddle them when they have a bad dream. I am truly fulfilled in knowing that my Heavenly Father hand-picked this journey for us. I believe fulfillment comes with obedience. If HE calls us again, I will follow.

Happy Waiting Wednesday to all you waiters. With each WW post, I know that I am that much closer to bringing my baby home. And be encouraged, because the same thing goes for you! :)

Curriculum Questions

I have had a few questions regarding what curriculum we use. There are literally millions to chose from. When Kaleb was just about 4-years old I started researching all the different curriculum that was offered. Thankfully, Chad's cousin had Homeschooled her children and gave me tons of magazines to look through. Plus she had some GREAT tips on what curriculum she used and that helped a bunch.

As I looked through all of the information out there, I became very overwhelmed. "Which one is best for my little guy?" I prayed ALOT, asking for guidance in where to go. I felt led to homeschool, but I wanted guidance it which curriculum that was best for us. Then, I received a flyer for a local material showing for Abeka. I thought I would give it a try. I really wanted to get my hands on and look through the material. I just couldn't make a decision by looking from the computer. I had heard about Abeka many times before.

So I went to the showing with an open mind. Let's just say I left the meeting completely convinced that this was an awesome program. We still use Abeka today. I started out thinking that we were just going to use on a year-to-year basis. As of now, I see no reason to change. Here's what I love about Abeka:

Everything is Scripture-based; Spelling tests, readers, and all of the ethics of teaching. The do-your-best mentality is weaved throughout each assignment. Plus, they start with the basics that were taught when our grandparents went to school. Reading, Writing and Arithmetic.

When I was is school, it seemed like (looking back) that everything was taught in sections. Like Time, Money, Adding, Subtracting etc. Abeka ties everything together. For instance, they teach counting by fives. Then when he gets that down, we learn the clock and that minutes are counted by fives. Then we learn the nickel. The principle gets cemented in their little minds. The way they do things makes perfect sense to me. That's why I love it!

I have heard many people chide Abeka because it's tough, structured and "too much work." I don't find that. I love it. I believe it prepares them for the world and the hard work that we all know is out there. I find it a great tool for teaching boys to develop a great work ethic.

Again, everyone is different. That's what makes this world great and diverse. :)

Now, I haven't used their (Abeka) Bible program, because it was a little on the pricey side. So I went with Alpha and Omega. We're switching next year, I didn't care for their Bible either. Next year we are going with The Explorer Series. It really gets into Scripture in detail and I read a review of Bible curriculum's and that is what the reviewer liked the most. I like it too.

Please feel free to email me with any questions. jbaxter0619(at) yahoo(dot) com

Sorry for the very long and very detailed post to such a simple question. :)