Look for Me under Antonyms

Via Wikipedia:

Patience is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance/anger in a negative way; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. Patience is the level of endurance one's character can take before negativity. It is also used to refer to the character trait of being steadfast. Antonyms include hastiness and impetuousness.

Comedy and Drama

Behold, Elliott on the last day of 4k:

A look back to the first day of 4k:

Two important things to note. (1) These expressions do not truly depict his emotions.  He is VERY excited to be finished with school.  Apparently he just didn't feel like smiling this morning.  (2) Looking at the molding on the closet door, look how much he has GROWN! :)

You're so vain, you probably think this post is about you...don't you?...don't you?

I know, I know, enough already, you are sick of this from me.  But I am trying to make a record for myself!

April 2010:

 May 2011:

This picture reflects a loss of somewhere in the 7-11 pound range.
(The story behind this pic is too much to explain.)

YAY! :)

Previous documentations here and here.

Still Squinting

There have been many days when I have been ready to abandon this mission and - dare I say it - have an only child.  But between that precious only child's questions and comments about his sister and random emotionally-tugging emails from our agency(see below), I get sucked back in.

Somewhere in China, A Child is Waiting for a Family...

 

Boys in China need families! Learn more!

 

Let [our] experienced staff match you with a child from China

 

Spring means new beginnings

 

Begin your adoption journey this new year

 

Oh yeah, and how could I possibly forget that phone call...

A Little Mo' Cardio

An acquaintance recently introduced me to See Jane Run, who I now "follow" on Facebook.  I love the testimonials from other women about why they run.  And it's a good thing that was in my brain during Vanessa's and I's 2nd 5k (Saturday, May 14) because I couldn't find my mental happy place (The HILLS are alive!).  So I started thinking like those women, and chanted to myself:

I run because I can.
I run for me.
I run for us (Van).
I run for my family.
I run to prove I can.

We finished in 33:34...taking 2:45 off our previous time!  (For reference, see 1st 5k story here.)  We placed 40 and 41 out of 71 participants.  Now, we had done a lot of mental preparation for this race, and again, the course is VERY HILLY.  My student worker, an amazing runner, had warned me that our time might be slower due to the hills.  Well, we were blessed with fantastic, cool weather (all the better to breathe in!), and apparently a whole lot of adrenaline! 

One of the funniest things to me was at registration.  We saw two women with the race map trying to figure out the course before starting.  Vanessa and I were both like, "OMG, you mean they haven't run the course?!"  Then we got a kick out of our Type A selves having HAD to do our race homework to prepare.  :)

But the FUNNIEST thing was receiving a call later in the morning that I had won my age category.  After a few euphoric seconds, I realized that probably meant I was the only person in my age category.  Well I was wrong...there was one other person!  HA!  But I did beat her by 1:15! :)  I'll take it anyway!

 

Next up, a different training schedule for summer (read as: AVOIDING THE HEAT).  Then we have our sights set on the Prairie Arts Festival 5K in early September.  Our goal is to run that one without any walking.

There is no finish line. - See Jane Run

There's a Hole in my Wallet

I know I'm not the only one feeling this way right now because I've talked to no less than 3 people in the last 24 hours who have said the same thing.  Forget trying to get ahead, I'm trying to stay on my feet!

Gas prices and vet bills and brake pads, OH MY!

Coincidence is God's Way of Remaining Anonymous

I set my sails for a new direction, but the wind got in my way...Eric Church

Quite awhile ago, we set our sails for this second journey.  But I let the winds of frustration, bitterness, worry, doubt, and many others push us off course.  This past month I have been in an awful place, which in turn pushed us further and further back from the starting line.  Just yesterday I had nearly decided that I was wrong, this was not our path.  But last night, I felt the bitterness leave my heart.  In its place was thankfulness for my blessed life: my family, my friends, my health, my opportunities.  And even though I was off path, I was on my way to finding peace again.  But I had started to believe this journey wasn't for us.

I woke up today and realized it was May 5.  In our world, May 5 does not equate Cinco de Mayo.  In our world, it is the day our precious son landed with us on US soil.  A day when after being in and out of airplanes and airports, we were greeted at approximately 9 pm at the GTR airport by nearly 40 people.  The most amazing crowd of family and friends, with banners and balloons in tow, were brought to complete quiet by my finger upon my lips.  The airport is my hospital; my stage to present the blessing He gave us.  Not the easy way, not the normal way, but our way. 

Five years have passed now.  And how amazing they have been.  And how humbled I am today that my celebratory Facebook post garnered 33 likes and 8 comments.  And I was reminded subtly that sometimes this journey is bigger than us.  Sometimes this journey is a testament to Him, and a HOPE to others who may be considering this path.

So this afternoon I received a call from a contract social worker.  This is particularly odd since we have not officially applied (with either agency).  I have not returned not a single document to the state agency.  All I have done is email with the contact there.  Funny how that call came today.  Funny how God just pushed me right back where he wants me to be, brushing aside my excuses. Funny how today was Holt's A Day to Pray...

Let me share one more story with you, friends - Isaac's story.  Even if this isn't your path, pray for these children.  And be open to promoting adoption to others in your circle. 

Let's Roll

Gush Worthy

I always forget the before picture of a project.  SIGH.  So let me use a little imagery with you.  Imagine GREEN indoor/outdoor carpeting...from the 1970s...in a laundry room.  Yes, we lived with that for nearly 3 years in this house.  With cats using this room as their primary space.  Ew-ww.  We* finally tackled 95% of the project this weekend!

 

 The laborer at work.

 

Next up, the last bit of floor when our NEW WATER HEATER gets installed in 2 weeks!  THIS is the kind of shopping that delights me!

*Let's be honest: Doug did all the hard, physical work.  But I did all the planning and supervising! :)