Wednesday, May 25, 2011

WOWEE

Howdy Y'all!

Nope, I am not super excited - the WOWEE is an exercise that we did at work yesterday that I thought I would share.  It stands for Work, Outside Work, End Expectations.  I will say that my Work part of the poster isn't so exciting since I am still a newbie to the role - I had a lot more fun with the Outside Work part of the poster.  :)

Work

So, the cereal and the Dr. Pepper can represent that I financially support the food area at Walmart.  The $ sign means we are all about more sales and more profit...who isn't??  The nice funny looking coil looking thing with the backwards arrow represents rollbacks - how we analyze them, what it does to our business, do they drive traffic, how do you compare them year over year.  And the apple represents coming up with a new process to record inventory for our fresh areas (produce, meat, bakery and deli).

Outside Work

I know, I know - my Longhorn looks more like a Longmoose, but you get the point.  Obviously, I love the Texas Longhorns!  Duh!  And, I just love football in general...college football is my favorite by far, but I find it all pretty enjoyable.  I love to make cakes - I would even quit my job and open up a bakery and do it full time if I could make the exact money I was making now.  Won't happen - so I should stop dreaming.  Ha!  I love to read - and I am excited that all the TV is almost over for the summer so I can pick up a book or two and dig right in.  That baseball bat looking thing is my airplane which represents my love of travel - and obviously my favorite place to go is the Happiest Place on Earth!  Then, once I get back - it is all about getting those memories in a scrapbook (I just won't mention to you that I am several years behind).  :)

End Expectations

These are more like my immediate expectations - in my job, I would like to graduate from being a Dunce to just being a plain ole' idiot.  And, of course, outside of work, it is all about bringing home that baby girl from Tennessee.  I want both of these expectations to happen - but, the one on the right is more important to me at this very moment.  :)


And, here it is all put together - not bad for a numbers girl if I say so myself.

Toodles!


Monday, May 23, 2011

Signs, Signs, Everywhere are Signs

Howdy Y'all!

WARNING: This post is long and wordy...sorry!  :)

My last post was all about fear - and this weekend I felt like my fears were subsided.  Tony and I set out on Friday to drive to Nashville to stay with her sister and family.  On any long drives, I always bring my bag o' entertainment which usually includes my iPad with movies and books, a couple of physical books, a magazine or two and anything else that is portable and seems interesting.  :)  I loaded up my iPad with some rented movies which included The Fighter (great movie!), Love and Other Drugs, No Strings Attached and Arsenic and Old Lace.  I chose Arsenic and Old Lace because Ariel told me it was her favorite play.  I have always wanted to watch it - so why not now?

As I started watching it, I received my first sign that I should stop worrying about this adoption.  One of the main characters in the movie is named Elaine HARPER and they don't just call her Elaine, they actually call her Elaine Harper over and over again.  I took it as a sign that we needed to stop worrying about it and let God handle it.

We were so excited to see The McIntyres on Friday night - we sure do miss them.  Anna Grace found Bertha the Gnome in my purse and thought it was the funniest thing - so, of course, I had to get a picture of them together!


We spent Friday night talking with Amy, Jim and Anna Grace - enjoying a bottle of wine and sitting outside on their nice impressive new deck.  We also got to see glimpses of Henry and Peter too - those boys are just super busy.  I love that Henry had been volunteering at the Special Olympics.  Our niece and nephews are such well behaved, great kids!  We love them.

We woke up Saturday knowing this is the day that we would meet the birth mother of our daughter.  After playing with Anna Grace outside and meeting her friends, Tony and I continued on our journey and drove to Knoxville.  As we were pulling into Knoxville, I saw this billboard that was advertising some kind of business - but the business name was HARPER.  I never really see that name anywhere in books, movies and billboards, but now twice in 24 hours I have seen it.

When we pulled up in the parking lot near the restaurant almost 30 minutes early - Tony got out to pay for our parking and as I was sitting in the car, I looked up and a man was waving at me.  It was Ariel's dad - he must have recognized us from our profile.  So, I got out of the car to meet them.  They were extremely nervous - and I was unbelievably calm.  It was awesome to feel that way.

The Melting Pot was a great location for our meeting - it is one of those places were your meal goes for awhile and it is quiet.  We had lots of good conversation throughout the meal which I was extremely happy about.  Before our cheese course got to the table, Ariel stepped away to go to the restroom and her dad thanked us for adopting his granddaughter.  I can't believe he would thank us - because we are so thankful for him and his daughter.  He got a little teary-eyed - but told us that he knows his daughter made the right decision.

As dinner went on, we got to talking about how Ariel chose us to be parents to her daughter.  I found it interesting to know that she received a stack of profiles that were about 1 inch thick - it is amazing to me that we got picked so quickly after our disruption with those kind of odds.  They told us they had to weed out profiles at the beginning some way because there was no way she was going to read all of them.  They looked at the potential adoptive parents jobs to make the first cut - she was looking for people who sounded like they had good, stable jobs (thank you Walmart!).  Next up, she looked for parents that were able to save for a college fund.  And, then finally we got picked because I was adopted and that put her mind at ease that I would be able to relate to her baby girl.

As the night was wrapping up, she told us about her hospital plan and this was a big sign for me.  I thought one of the reasons our last adoption was disrupted was because Sarah had spent so much time with Kinley.  Because she had a C-section, she spent 3 days in the hospital and almost all day, every day she spent with the baby.  She bonded so much with that baby so I can completely understand why she couldn't part ways with her.  Ariel and her dad said she wanted us there for the delivery - and the hospital is going to provide Tony and I a room.  After the baby is born, she wants some pictures of the sweet baby girl - and she wants to be able to hold her and her dad wants to hold her.  She then wants to be moved out of the maternity ward into a regular room - and Tony and I will take over from there.  I love this plan because I think it will be be easiest on all of us.

We ended the night talking in the parking lot and we both received hugs from Ariel and her dad.  I have to say that we loved them both.  They were the sweetest people.  We wish the best for them and we will continue to pray from them forever.  We will always remember the decision Ariel has made and we will always let Harper know how much they love her.

On Sunday, we had to wrap up the weekend with a trip to the Loveless Cafe.  If you haven't been there and you are ever in the Nashville area, check it out.   They have yummy biscuits and the best homemade preserves.  Tasty strawberry and blackberry preserves!  And, I found pumpkin butter in their store...I am sure it will be just as scrumptious!


I know I say this frequently - but we appreciate all your prayers!  We feel extremely loved.  While you are saying a prayer for us, please also remember all the people in Joplin, MO.  I can't believe the devastation they have experienced.  It is extremely sad and I honestly can't believe it is so close to home (less than an hour away).  My department is trying to find out ways we can volunteer up there in the next couple of weeks.  I love how Walmart pulls together and always helps out a community in need.

Toodles!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Fear

Howdy Y'all!

This weekend Tony and I are traveling to Knoxville, TN to meet the birth mom of our future daughter.  This is just deja vu for us - we have already done this once and we are hoping for better results.  My friend Laura bought me the coolest necklace for Christmas with mine and Tony's birthstone and I decided it would be a cool necklace to give to Ariel.  This is a necklace that represents Ariel's birth month and Harper's too.


I have been emailing with Ariel all week - and finding out we have so much in common.  She says that I have put her at ease that she has picked the right family, but I still have FEAR that she will change her mind.  What if it happens again and my heart can't handle it?

I bought a tutorial online on how to make bows - and I have been testing my skills this week.  But, of course, I FEAR that we won't have a baby girl to wear all these bows.


My mom is so excited to have more grandchildren and has been going crazy buying for Harper, but again I FEAR that there won't be a little girl to wear all these beautiful things.

My friends and sister are planning a shower after the arrival of Harper, but I FEAR that all their plans will be for not.

I FEAR that our hearts will be broken again and I am not sure how we can handle it again.  But, I know in my heart that we have the best friends that will help us limp along if the worst happens.

I am trying to think of Bible verses that will help me out in all my FEARS...

The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6) 

For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13)

We would appreciate your prayers especially this weekend and over the course of the next month.  Please pray that I let the FEAR go and enjoy this month before our daughter gets here.  Please pray for Ariel and her dad that we will be having dinner with on Saturday night.

Toodles!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

Howdy Y'all!

I have already told you guys that my boss (who is now my old boss since I have moved to a different role) adopted a little 2 1/2 year old from China.  He brought her to work yesterday morning and it gave me two emotions.  1) Happiness for them!  She is adorable and so sweet and I am glad they could bring her to American and give her a better life.
2) Sadness.  I want a baby girl so bad it just made me a little sad to see this sweet little girl.

Then, later in the day, I was eating lunch in my office and my cell phone rings.  It is a 913 area code and I think to myself, "that is the agency".  But, I thought they may be calling about our home study update that was finalized the day before, but instead I got a total surprise.  Susan from the agency told me that we had a match with a birth mom from Tennessee.  I think I went into complete shock and I acting like a robot writing down all the things she was telling me which included the birth mom's age, medical history, etc.  (a little side note, my friend Melissa came by later and I showed her all the facts on the match and she wanted to know what "dsl" meant because it was written between cancer and diabetes.  I told her I couldn't spell dyslexia on the fly...so I went went dsl.  HA!)

I had it in my head that it was going to take two years to get matched again - and God proved me wrong.  He proved to me that I had no idea what I was talking about.  He is good like that.  :)

So, this weekend I have to do some prep to the nursery since Kinley's name is still on the wall.  But, I do have this blanket that I had made to replace a blanket someone had given me with Kinley's name on it.  I think it is a perfect addition to the room.  I love the owls and the blue and the orange.  Who ever said you could have something be girly that is blue and orange???


Today, Tony and I signed all the paperwork to agree to the match and I made a card for Ariel, the birth mom tonight.  We have to overnight the paperwork so it can get to Kansas City on Monday.  We started conversing with Ariel over email tonight and we are going to Knoxville next weekend to meet her.  It is all going so fast - but I like it this way.


We ask that each of you continue to be our prayer warriors and pray for the emotional stability of the birth mother and just for us in general.  It really does have to be the hardest thing to do - to give your child up for adoption.  We love that all of you are out there rooting for us and we are so thankful to have friends like you.

Toodles!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Fascinated by Fascinators!

Howdy Y'all!

If you have known me since January of last year, you all know that I have a little traveling "friend" that goes with me everywhere...and she has a friend too.  Of course, I am talking about Bertha and Sue E, the traveling gnomes.  Even though Sue E has an ugly hog on her head, we still love her because she is a "good gnome".


Laura and I have been talking about a trip to England to celebrate my 35th birthday (which is still two years away!) - and I think I came up with a great idea today.  We will definitely take Bertha and Sue E - BUT, I think we also need some great fascinators.

What are fascinators do you ask?  Well, if you watched the Royal Wedding, you know exactly what I am talking about!






Let me just tell you that these little jewels are PRICEY!  Way pricey!  I would never, ever, ever, ever pay $1,000+ for one of these, but I have a plan!  We have two years to whip us up one of the greatest fascinators y'all have ever seen.  Those Brits aren't going to know what to think we they see us coming.  I even found some help online!!!




I am pretty excited about it!  England, Get Ready - we're coming to take over in 2013!

Toodles!



Sunday, May 8, 2011

Thanks Mom!

Howdy Y'all!

Today was supposed to be my first Mother's Day and we all know what happened.  However, I am here to thank my mom for making me who I am today.  Without her, I wouldn't have been able to stay as strong as I did.  I love you mom!  (And, I am going to apologize for the quality of some of these photos).

Thanks for being Mom to us three terrors!

Mom, Dad and Chris

Mom, Dad, Chris and Me

Mom, Dad, Chris, Me and Ashley - and one horrendous looking den.  Nice wall art, couch and floor.  :)

Thank you for always supporting our many sporting events.  You were always there, cheered the loudest and even embarrassed us a few (or more than a few) times.




You introduced to me Walmart, but, of course, if you hadn't I may still be in Texas.  :)


You gave us really bad haircuts - more than once - but I still say I have shiny hair because of the Vasoline!  HA!  I think you really loved that mullet look!



You always taught us the importance of a good education - and two out of three of us listened.




You were there when we got married!



You let us drag you to sporting events that you know nothing about and you act like you have fun.




You spoil your grandchildren!





And, you practically raise one as your own.





You took us to church and taught us the love of Jesus.


You are there in good times and in bad.




You have made us laugh.




And, you have made us cry.  (No people, I don't have a picture of one of my many spankings).  HA!


We can't wait for our Harper to get here with us - so you can spoil her like crazy.


Thank you for being the mom you were.  Growing up, I may have thought you were mean, but I know now that it was your way of raising us to be upstanding adults.  I think you did an awesome job.  I love you!












Thanks for the memories!  Here's to many, many more.

Toodles!