Love Without Boundaries

You can go here and get this book for $5.00 (just shipping!!).    A friend of mine loaned me this book early in our adoption process and it was AMAZING!!!    And LWB is a great organization doing wonderful things!!   

Love Without Boundaries

Holding on Tight

Karly spent the weekend with Hubby and I a couple of weeks ago.   It was painfully hot outside so we were looking for something “cool” to do (cool as in not hot and cool as in fun for her – we are are a full service Aunt/Uncle).  

We ended up taking her to the mall and going to Build A Bear.  That was my very first time in BAB.  Wow was it fun.   It was surprisingly not crowded so she had a blast making her bear and giving it a bath (who knew??) and looking at each and every piece of clothing that they had in the store, which was a lot!  I couldn’t believe how many outfits they had for those bears!   Anyway she had a great time and picked out a really cute bear and a cute outfit.   She named her Lilly and she held her tight the rest of the day!

We then took her to a picnic we were invited to.  We didn’t stay long because it was really hot.   But what we didn’t know was that they were going to have a pool!!!   She was so excited but we hadn’t brought her bathing suit so what else is a good Aunt to do?   I stripped her down and she went in her undies and an extra t-shirt.   She had the best time but it obviously wore her out because this is what she looked like before we got out of the parking lot!!!!   Notice she is still holding on tight to the carrot sticks that she snagged as we were leaving.    According to her it was”the best day”!!!  Makes me happy.

 *forgive the quality of the photos – both were taken with my iPhone.

True Friend or Secret Motive???

Karly spent the night with us the other night which is always fun!   It was a beautiful day and Hubby was working on putting together a gazebo for the deck.  Karly was “helping” him which I’m sure he appreciated!    I just love when she comes over.   Guess who else loves when she comes over?????   Especially when she is eating a bowl of ice cream……

My view for the next few days

Will be this:

A little rest, relaxation, good food and family fun.   Good times.   Have a great holiday weekend!

Well now…….

that was one serious break!   Yes, I took a very long and very much needed break from things.    I say needed but what I really mean is neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeded.   I got to the point where I was not in a good place emotionally for many reasons and I decided I needed to step back and regroup and really just find my mojo again.   Well guess what……….I found it!   I’m feeling much better about most things – some not so much – but most.  I’m in a better place and my mind is clear of some unnecessary thoughts.  

Back in June my mom and I took Karly to see Dora Live!!!!  To say she was excited would be a severe understatement.   She was thrilled!   Here she is looking adorable in her Dora dress waiting so patiently for Dora to appear.

Then in July hubby and I took a much needed trip South.  We went to the Keys for a few days. It was beautiful.  We had the best time.   We stayed at a gorgeous resort - Hawks Cay.  It was very relaxing. 

We drove down to Key West and spent a day just roaming around – love, love, love the whole vibe of the Keys – laid back and not a care in the world.   It was exactly what I needed – that’s where I found my mojo – it was hiding in the Keys.   Who would have thought?!

And why don’t they make these in women’s sizes???!!!!   :-)

Football season is upon us – GO BUCKS!!!!

Dreaming of....

Stork Alert!

I'm so happy for a couple of very deserving folks that are currently getting (or expecting) referrals! Congrats to you!!!

My Destiny?

So anyone who is on Faceb00k knows that there are an unlimited number of little applications that are available that allow you to send things to your friend list - anything from throwing snowballs at them to sending someone a hug. It's actually kind of cute - at least some of them are cute - some not so much.

Anyway, last week my sister sent me some "flair" which is really just a button like the servers would wear at Frid@y's. She sent me a couple of cute buttons - one was a Harry Connick Jr (my McDreamy). Another one said "I'm the fun Aunt". It was really cute but for some reason I haven't stopped thinking about it.

I haven't been able to stop wondering if that piece of flair is my destiny. A little background - I have 7 nieces and nephews ranging in age from 21 to 16 months!!! They are everything to me. I love them all more than I could ever explain. And I have an amazing relationship with them all. It's because of these kids that I knew in my heart that I wanted to be a mom. It's because of the joy that they bring to my life and the absolute deep and unconditional love that I feel for them that I finally realized that being a mom was what I really and truly wanted. My heart is so full of love for them that I don't think I have honestly ever fully understood it.

I also honestly believe that everything happens in His time, not mine and that all things that happen to us, for us or because of us happens for a reason. But I can't stop wondering if being the best aunt I can be and having such a special relationship with those 7 wonderful kids and building amazing memories that they will carry with them for their whole lives is really what I was meant to do. As the wait gets longer and longer and I feel the adoption slipping further and further away I can't help but wonder if I am destined to be the "fun aunt" but maybe not a mother. It pains me just to type that but as the latest referrals only included 2 days it seems to be more of a reality every month and that breaks my heart.

Every month I feel so happy for those folks who get their referrals. And every month I feel a little more distant from it for myself. I feel like we are so far away that it will never be us. And that makes me sad. Hubby reassures me that it will happen when and how it's "supposed" to but the longer we wait and the further away a referral seems, the less I think I believe that.

But I also have these 7 amazing children in my life that I love more than they can ever know and who love me probably more than I know. And maybe that's how it's supposed to be - maybe I am supposed to make an impact on their lives and them on mine and maybe that's supposed to be enough. I know for a fact that they have all made an impact on my life already. And for that I'm grateful.

I suppose if this is my destiny, I'm lucky to have these 7 wonderful kids to help me fulfill it.

Is it over yet?

I am so ready for winter to be over. The cold weather is doing bad things to my mood and otherwise very sunny disposition.
CALGON, TAKE ME AWAY!!!!! I'd rather be:
I'm looking for some good rumors on RQ. There are a few folks that I'm hoping and praying get in this time! Come on good news! We need you!

"I wuv it"

My birthday was last Saturday (boo) and somebody (I won't name names coughHopecough) REALLY enjoyed the cake - well at least the icing!  :-)