pictures

well I was going to put some pictures up from our Thanksgiving meal but alas blogger won't let me right now!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

This year I was able to host Thanksgiving at my house. Which is one thing I am thankful for a home big enough to have many people over. This is the first time I have ever hosted a major holiday which means I was in charge of the turkey. Charlie had wanted to grill it but, he talked himself out of it. His reasoning is he did not want the weight of the meal in his hands if it didn't turn out right. I will have to say we researched cooking a turkey in depth...some of you may laugh at me so go ahead. When it comes to cooking and entertaining I'm a little anal and somewhat of a perfectionist. If I mess up I feel it reflects that on me. I really do love to cook so I enjoyed the challenge. We didn't have as many people as I thought we might. My parents didn't come (they went to Quincy to be with my mom's brother) and Charlie's brother and his wife already had plans. We did have his sister and BIL, his dad and a friend of ours who was going to be by herself. Each person brought a couple of things: like pies, baked sweet potatoes, green bean casserole.
For breakfast that morning I had found two recipes on my new favorite past time...Pinterest! That is a post all in its own!!
So, I made a baked french toast casserole and cinnamon roll cake!! They both were yummy.

For lunch we had stuffing, sweet potatoes with marshmallow's, homemade rolls, veggie tray,cranberry fluff, turkey, ham. I had even made bacon wrapped little smokies with a glaze, but we had soooo much food that I baked those the next day. Everything was very yummy.
The best thing about hosting is ALL the leftovers!!
Call me silly but, I took pictures of my food...the only thing I didn't get a picture of was my turkey and ham... *sighs*

Pictures

Most of you know my birth mother found me and wanted to contact me. We have been emailing some. Found out some history. Today she sent me some pictures of me when I was little!! That was so fun to see. Going to try and post them!! Only have a minute but wanted to get this out there. I have other things I need to catch up on in my blogging world so be ready for lots of posts!!

More Of "Chapter1"

Every email I get from my birth mother I learn a little more information. I know her name, where she lives (which is a lot closer then I thought it would be!!!) I know her medical history. I know she has a 29 year old son in Miami. I know how much I weighed when I was born and how long I was. My stomach has been in knots!! I have been forwarding the emails to my sister and keeping her in the loop. I know I have said it before but, this is surreal. I keep thinking it is going to be a joke. I can't even describe my thoughts and feelings.

I have looked her up on facebook, can't see anything because we aren't friends...she suggested maybe we could be so I could see her info. I'm NOT ready for that!!! That is too much of my life I don't want shared at this time. She has said over and over that she would like to meet my sister and I and our families.

Her 29 year old son does not know about us. She hopes to tell him someday.... How bizarre!!
It is all so WEIRD!!!! Bear with me as I keep posting about all of this!!!

Contact

Well, the last time I wrote I was contemplating responding to a letter I recieved from an agency that helps find birth relatives. I did lots of praying and talked to some very dear friends whom I know has my best interest at heart. I also know these friends are very wise and give great counsel. I felt and so did they that I should respond to the caseworker. Our small group had met the day I received the letter and we had talked about the sermon the previous Sunday and it was on grace and mercy. My friend says maybe this your chance to show some mercy. I also am wanting to try to find out some medical history...

I have a lot of emotions flowing through my mind. You don't even know!!!

I let the caseworker know that I was willing to exchange emails with my birth mother and my name. At this time this is all I want her to know. I set up a separate email account strictly for contact with the caseworker and my birth mother.

Yesterday I talked to the caseworker and she let me know my birth mother's info would be coming in the mail. She also told me her name and her email address.

Today I received my first email from her!! Talk about weird! I don't even know what to think!! It seams so surreal. Never in a million years did I think I would have to think about this or be writing about it.

Please keep praying for me. Thanks for letting me ramble!!

Things could get interesting...

It has been awhile since I have filled my blog family in on our life. I have several things I could blog about but, last week I got a letter that changed my mind on what I was going to write about.... I will save my other musings for another post.

Most of you know I am adopted. And, if you didn't you now know!!! I have never really had a desire to find my birth parents. I'm happy well adjusted...for the most part...hahaha.

Well, last week I had a postcard in my mailbox saying I had a certified letter that I needed to come and pick up at the post office. So, the next day I marched myself into the post office with my card in hand to pick up my letter. I figured it had something to do with our life insurance stuff we were working on. Then when I saw it I kind of thought it was a joke or junk mail. I opened it up and still thought it was a joke. Was VERY surprised to find out that is what from an adoption service that helps locate birth relatives and such. I didn't know what to think. I immediately called Charlie then talked to him about it. I also called my sister to see if she had gotten anything. While on the phone with her she googled the agency and it was legit.

To make a long story short my birth mother is trying to find me. She wants to know how I am, If I'm happy, if I'm married, if I have kids, if I have contact with my birth sister. She hopes I have had a happy life in general.

Never in a million years would I have thought I would be pondering this stuff. I have had lots to think and pray about this past week. Like I said things could get interesting!! This will definitely be blog worthy. And will keep you posted. Until next time!!

It's That Time Again...

You know school has started when: Bedtimes are moved up, getting up is earlier and harder, lunches are packed, backpacks are ready, there is a flurry of activity in the morning. I think you get the idea that wse have started school. Today is our first full day (minus the 55 minute early dismissal for hot weather?) I was kind of bummed for school to start. We had a great summer didn't do a whole lot which was nice!

I'm getting old...I now have a 3rd grader and an 8th grader!!

Ari started a new school this year which she was very nervous about. She doens't like change. We moved and it happened to be in Nielson school district. Yesterday was a hard day for her. She was a little teary. Broke my heart when I went in to make sure she was getting up and she had tears rolling down her little cheeks onto her pillow. Fortunately we are blessed with a tremendous teacher who she knows!!! It was an answer to prayer. Love when my kids can see prayers answered!! As we were walking to her line Ari says to me, I hope I have "A " in my class. She knew her from King. The good news is she was...Ari was very happy!! It made leaving her so much easier. She is going to be just fine!!!

Molly entered her last year of jr. high *choke* that in itself is hard to believe!!

The night before we were in a panic could not find her schedule!! Which has her locker # and combination on it. We knew the locker number and I was confident of the combination. Well, let's just say poor Molly could not get into her locker yesterday...I had two numbers switched...oops!! She still loves me though.

I'm looking forward to a great year and seeing what God can do through my girl's. If you think about it say a prayer for them and I will for your families as well.