Adoption Prayer

I found this adoption prayer today and I just wanted to share.

“God, you do love adoption. You’ve adopted us into your family, giving us all rights and privileges of family. We are heirs and co-heirs with Jesus of all your treasures. We pray today for those seeking to adopt a child. Many children in the world do not have mothers and fathers. Many men and women do not have children. God, bring them together. Create the perfect match. Provide resources. Provide perfect timing. Give endurance and emotional strength through the grinding details. Give wisdom for them to anticipate ahead how to prepare practically for the coming change. Strengthen their marriage ahead of this coming gift. Heal any past disappointment. Parental love is nature. Adoptive parental love has to be SUPERnatural. Give a miracle of love and bonding. May nothing stand in the way of you accomplishing a completion of this match – child to parent. In Jesus!”

Monday Randomness

So I know you don't care but...

MY CARPET LOOKS GREAT!

It is so clean and I wish I could keep the cleaning lines on them forever!

I wanted to share this website that I found on Stafford Stories the other day:  Ruche.  They have some super cute clothes at reasonable prices.  

I loved that today was a teacher workday.  I got a lot of things done and tomorrow is the first day of the last nine weeks of school.  I can see a wonderful summer in my future!

Check out this cute adoption onesie that was shared today on my adoption agencies blog.

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/44860557/3-to-6-months-adoption-definition

I do not like this cold weather that has come our way.  It is cold, gloomy, and a little rainy.  I believe the high for the week is going to stay in the 50's and low 60's.  We had to turn the heat back on.

I am ready for SPRINGTIME!

Sunday Night Dinner

If you have been following my blog, you know that on Sunday nights Bryan always cooks dinner.  This usually involves grilling since it's his passion.  Tonight was no different. 

On the menu:

cheese bread with olive oil and parmesan cheese for dipping

fingerling potatoes and onion, baked in butter and garlic

ribeye steaks

As usual, it was wonderful!

I had to show you Roxy trying her hardest to get a bite!  We don't feed her from the table but she always tries to get a little something.  Plus she knows that eventually Bryan will drop something and it's all hers.

I am very excited about tomorrow because it is a teacher workday and I am getting my carpets cleaned!

I hope everyone has a great week!

Prayers Please!

My grandmother is not doing well.  She is at home but is having trouble talking and moving around.  She is not eating and not interested in doing anything.  She is not interested in reading, crossword puzzles, or even watching TV.  She is going back to the doctor tomorrow because the medicine is not helping her.  The surgery for her blockages is too dangerous.  She is 82 years old.

Our family could use your prayers right now.  Thanks!

Our Busy but Wonderful Saturday!

Our Saturday started around 9:00 this morning when Bryan and I finally decided to get up and start moving around.  Right now we really don't feel bad about sleeping in because there may not be too many more mornings when we get to sleep late.  

Both of our vehicles needed oil changes and Bryan's truck needed an inspection.  So we took care of that this morning.  We stopped and ate a big breakfast and then we ran to Belk and I bought a cute shirt (the one in the photos) and Bryan got two new shirts.  They were having a good sale!

Around lunch time, we had to take showers and get ready for a very special ceremony.  My parent's neighbors and our dear friends (almost like a second set of parents) renewed their vows today.  They have been married for 15 years and had the sweetest ceremony today at our church where they rededicated themselves to each other.  

The Special Couple

Edward & Paulette

This is Paulette's daughter, Shelly & me

Me, Dad, & Mom

Bryan was taking care of the caterers back at their house (that's why he is not in any pictures).  They had a small reception following the ceremony. 

 It was such a nice day! Edward & Paulette are two of the most thoughtful, loving, and faithful people I have ever met.  I was so happy to be there day to celebrate with them their wonderful marriage!

Tonight, we went to dinner with lots of our friends to celebrate Betsy's birthday!  We went to a Japanese steakhouse and had a great time!

Happy Birthday Betsy!

Field Trip

We had a great time today on our field trip!  It was a little chilly this morning but it started to warm up around lunch time.  The kids loved the mining and finding all of their gemstones. They were very well behaved and really enjoyed  the trip.  

(I took a lot of pictures of the kids in action but I don't feel comfortable putting on my blog.)

The kids were each given a big bucket of dirt and they used the running water to find their stones.  They got wet and dirty but loved every minute of it!

Teacher buddies!!

I am exhausted!!!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Evening Plans

Instead of going to the YMCA tonight, Bryan and I are going for a little walk downtown.  It's a nice day (a little windy) so we thought we would take advantage of it.  

Today is Thursday which means in the mail is my latest copy of US Weekly!  Now I know that it is a trashy magazine about celebs and all of their drama but I love it!  It is something I look forward to every Thursday. There is nothing better than a hot bath and a new magazine!

Finally tonight, Grey's Anatomy is new!  It is one of my favorite shows, I have watched it since day one.  Very excited about a new episode because it hasn't been on in a couple of weeks.

Private Practice is also new, which I also love, but I have to DVR it because I can't stay awake that late.  I know...it's only 10:00 but I have to go to bed early otherwise it's really difficult to keep up with middle schoolers.

Tomorrow we are going on a field trip to go mining.  About 200 sixth graders!  It should be a lot of fun but  very exhausting!  

Pray for us!

I really can't wait to blog about something other than just my life.  I really want to blog about something new!  Hopefully soon I will be able to do that.  Until then, blogging about random things helps me stay busy and keep my mind occupied.  

Tomorrow is Friday!!!

Prayer Request

My grandmother has been in the hospital for the past couple of days.  It started with some high blood pressure but they have discovered lots of blockages in her neck and they believe she has had some mini strokes.  Right now she feels good and they are not going to do surgery.  I believe they are going to try to control with medicine.  Please keep her in your prayers.

Today my mom and dad surprised me by coming to school to visit. They had been to visit my grandmother this afternoon and stopped by.  All the kids were gone but they did get to see my room and school. 

 It was there first time!  It was a nice surprise.

&

Congratulations to the Mulders!  

They are home with their brand new baby boy Westyn. 

 I am so excited for you guys!  

Weekend at the Beach!

Bryan and I went to the beach this weekend.  It was the first time we have been since November.  We were due a weekend getaway!  My mom and dad were there as well and we had a great time!

We had lunch on Friday at one of our favorite restaurants.  It is on the water and all the tables are outside.  They have the best grilled tuna sandwich!

Friday night we ate some fresh seafood.  It was a huge steampot full of crab legs, oysters, mussels, clams, sausage, corn, and shrimp.  I had to take a picture of our table because it was a mess by the time all four of us were done eating!

Saturday we took the boat out for the first time in the ocean.  My dad bought the boat towards the end of summer last year so this will be our first summer with it at the beach.  It was fun but very windy!

Roxy had a great time! 

She played with my parent's dog, Gracie.  It was exhausting!

We had a great weekend! 

My Honey is Home!!!

Bryan just got back from beautiful southern California and all I got was this stinkin' t-shirt!!

Just kidding!!!

I am just super jealous that he went to California before me and without me.  He went on business, left Monday and came back tonight.  Next trip, I am definitely going along!  He said it was absolutely beautiful and looks just like it does on TV.  

Thanks!

First let me just say thank you to all of your sweet messages, comments, and phone calls that I have received today.  It really does help to know that so many people are praying for Bryan and I.  We know and understand that God's timing is going to be absolutely perfect!  One day we will look back on this waiting period and think about how fast by it went (hopefully).  

Funny story:

So this morning, I woke, up and looked at my alarm clock and it said 7:25 am.  Now I had that moment where I thought that can't be right, maybe the power went out.  I need to get up at 6:00.  Then it hit me, I forgot to set my alarm before I fell asleep last night!  Bryan was out of town, so I didn't even have him as a back-up.  I jumped out of bed, messaged Ashley that obviously I am going to be late and begin the quick process of getting ready for work.   I pulled my hair up in a ponytail and threw on some clothes.  It was crazy!

In my 9 years of teaching, that was the first time that I have actually overslept for work.  

It made for a crazy day! 

9 Months...Still Waiting

I think this sums it up!  I really didn't want to have to write this post but unfortunately I do.  The 9 month mark is here and there is nothing I can do about it.  Bryan keeps telling me that I can't put a time frame on the process and I try not to but I just never would have thought that we would still be waiting.  If I was pregnant, I would be due today!  Most moments of my day are good because I try to stay really busy.  Fortunately, my job (teaching middle schoolers) keeps my mind occupied at all times.  Everyday there are a few moments where I wonder why are we having to wait, why haven't we been chosen, when is this going to happen?  Some days I feel like its never going to happen.  I think these thoughts are normal and they escape my mind very quickly but they are there.  I don't walk around depressed or crying everyday.  I think I am pretty good at being upbeat and positive but somedays that is just down right hard to do. 

I can tell you that I am very excited about spring and summer!  We go to the beach a lot and stay pretty busy.      This will help us get through the next stretch of waiting.   Having such supportive family and friends also helps. Bryan and I are so fortunate to have such a great support system around us.  I receive messages and emails that let me know people are constantly praying for us.  Thanks for your prayers, it really helps!

Well, maybe this will be my last "waiting post."  I would love to have some good news to share soon.

 We shall see!

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 27:14

Thanks Ashley!

Look what my friend Ashley gave "Baby Pruitt!" 

I love the fact that all my friends have babies and are donating so many great things to us.  These toys can be expensive and it is saving us a fortune.  I owe Ashley some babysitting hours!

I know our baby will not be able to use this for a while, but I hated to pass it up.  One day it will come in handy. 

Today I am having to constantly remind myself that God has a plan for us, we just have to be patient.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

Jeremiah 29:11

Nursery Lampshades

Angela had an extra set of lampshades that she wasn't using and gave them to me.  They are yellow and white  and I think perfect in my nursery.  I was going to order some anyway, so it worked out perfectly.

Thanks Angela!

Saturday

The weather today was absolutely beautiful!  I am so ready for spring.  Bryan and I did some yard work around the house today.  I freshened up my pansies and Bryan planted some new bushes around our fence.

I also cleaned the house.

Then tonight Bryan, of course, grilled us some supper.  Tonight was fish night.  We started off with some shrimp bread and then had a piece of salmon with a crab cake on top covered with melted butter, lemon, and capers.  I am one lucky girl to have a husband who is such a great cook!

Tonight we are going to watch the Secretariat.  I have heard that it is such a great movie.

I really love a lazy Saturday night at home.