The weekend

We had a slow weekend. Friday we had chili with my mom and dad, then went to a comedy show at Autumn Ridge Church. Saturday Melanie did homework and I took a nap. Sunday started out at church and then Melanie did homework and I took a nap.

Mark

Thankful Thursday

I have to admit that lately I have been feeling pretty discouraged. About our adoption plans among other things. The "other things" I will save for another day. But today, I will talk about our adoption. I know we haven't been in the process for very long - there are other families out there who have been waiting much  longer than we have. There are women who dream of a child and will make much better mommies than I will. And God knows... I am sometimes a very impatient person! I see little ones at church or at a restaurant, today a patient brought her beautiful baby daughter to her appointment - things like that make my arms feel so empty. There are times when Mark and I wonder if our dream will become a reality - it seems so far away. Right now, we don't have any reason to hope... Mark called our social worker this week, there are no birth mothers making adoption plans for their babies right now. It's tough to remain optimistic.

I came home tonight feeling pretty down... But as I read Linny's blog I was filled with hope that God does have a plan for our family. That somewhere out there, a precious child is waiting for his/her parents - wondering where they are, why they haven't come, maybe not even knowing what it would be like to have a mommy and daddy who would love them forever, perhaps feeling just as discouraged as we are. And that when the time is right, we will become a family!! So... on this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for a little glimmer of hope.

bad roads

MnDot  (Minnesota DOT) have closed all state roads in southwest Minnesota.  That means I will be staying home tonight. My 224 load will be going out 24 hours late.

400 load

In my job we have our truck runs numberd.  I do a 224 load (Tuesday) that one takes about 26 hours.  The 444 load takes a little longer. (load 444 is my Thursday load). This Thursday we had a small setback.  Tom is my driving partner and he ran out of drive time about 5 minutes before we made it back home.  My drive time was not good for 2 more hours.  So there we sat for 2 hours.  Oh well that is the life of a trucker.

Mark

Thankful Thursday - a few hours early

First and foremost, I am thankful that 53 Haitian orphans arrived safely in the US today. Some of them have even left the hospital in Pittsburgh with their new families. These were adoptions that were already in progress prior to the tragic earthquake last week. I can only imagine the relief that these parents feel knowing that their children are here!

I don't pretend to understand why tragedies like this occur. The devastation, pain, and suffering seem incomprehensible. However, I am thankful that God is always present - in spite of the circumstances. He can create miracles in the midst of pain and suffering.  He understands even when we don't.

So, while my heart aches for the loss of life and devastation - I also rejoice with those families who now have their precious children here!!

On a much more superficial note... I know that God doesn't have a favorite football team, no preference for who wins the SuperBowl - however, I am excited to be rooting for my two favorite teams next Sunday in the play-offs. Yes, the Vikings get top priority (I proudly wore my helmet complete with braids last Sunday as I cheered them to victory). I'll also be cheering for the Colts. Best case scenario - Vikes vs Colts - I'd be happy no matter who won the SuperBowl - although YES, again - Purple gets priority!  GO VIKES! Have I mentioned that I have a Vikings outfit already purchased for our little one when he or she comes home? Gotta start them down the right path early - lol!!

Cancer Telethon

Last night I worked the Eagles cancer telethon. My job was to run camera 3 from midnight to 7am.  I filled out a timecard asking for a date with Pat Lund. Last year I asked for $7,000,000.  I didn't get that one either. Pat is the sports Anchor and someone I went to high school with.

mark

Lazy Day

We had a nice Saturday. Sat in the hot tub for a while this morning, made breakfast, did some homework, spent some time together - couldn't ask for much better. Ok... yes, one thing would have made it nicer - having a little one to cuddle with, play in the snow with, all the fun weekend stuff.

Mark is working at the cancer telethon tonight - he runs one of the cameras - has done that for quite a few years now and enjoys it. It gives him a chance to see a few of the people he used to work with when he was employed in the television industry.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful for just that - "today."  I am often guilty of thinking about what the future holds. Not only thinking about it, but stressing about it. I save things for "someday" - waiting for that special occasion. I saw a quote "Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans (Thomas LaMance)." Yep - that about explains it! I'm waiting for graduation so that I can have a "life" again. I'm usually waiting for someday or something to happen. Maybe I am using that as an excuse or barrier. Waiting to start life when I should just be living it.

So today, I am thankful for today! I am thankful that I woke up this morning, that I have a warm and cozy home, that I had a treadmill to get on (yes, even that), thankful that I am having lunch and a shopping date with my mom, thankful that the sun is shining, that my washer and dryer work - even though I don't LOVE doing the laundry, it beats housecleaning so I am also thankful that today my housekeepers are coming.  I am thankful that the sun is shining, that I have 2 sweet kitties who make me smile. I am thankful for a job, thankful for the opportunity to attend college, thankful to live in a free country. I am thankful for children, friends, family. I am thankful for love in my life and a husband that I adore!

I am thankful for our adoption journey. I am thankful that God has asked us to trust in HIM as we hope for a child of our own. I am thankful for others who have traveled this road before us and inspired me with their passion for orphans.

I am thankful for each day that I am given - especially today. It is a day that will be unique, no other day will be exactly the same. What a precious gift - 24 hours, 1440 minutes, 86,400 seconds!  What will you do with your day and what are YOU thankful for today?

Application submitted - say a prayer!

Since May (and graduation) are rapidly approaching, the job search has been on my mind. Since childhood, I have enjoyed the elderly - I worked as a nursing assistant while in college and my first nursing job was at a nursing home. I developed many special friendships with residents and their families. One precious woman even gave me a cherised lamp when she moved from her apartment to share a room with her husband in the care center. It has a place of honor in our bedroom.

Anyway... I digress. The department that I currently work in has nurse practitioners who are located at the local nursing homes - providing care to the residents on a daily basis. It has been my dream to have a job like this. Before Christmas, a position opened. I talked with our NP supervisor and she indicated that she had already made an offer to someone wanting to get this filled as soon as possible.  She thought that it was too early for me to apply. Needless to say, I was disappointed. I planned to get my resume ready to go over my holiday break so that I would be ready to start applying for positions.

I had a terrific curriculum vitae (resume) prepared for school, but lost the flash drive it was saved on so had to start from the beginning. UGH! In the meantime, I was watching to see if the position I wanted was removed from the job postings. It continued to be there. So, I decided to contact HR to see when they thought it would be ok for my to start submitting my application for open positions. I was given the ok to apply for those within my department now and those outside of the department in 1-2 months.

I finally got my CV re-done. It still isn't as good as the original one was, but I am satisfied with it. And guess what?  The nursing home position is still available!! I know it's very early to be thinking about a job - I still have to graduate and take my certification exam. I don't want to assume that it's in the bag. On the other hand, I don't want to lose out on an opportunity.  So, I said a prayer and hit the "submit" button. If you would include my job search in your prayers, I would appreciate it. I want to be open to God's plans for me - whether it is this job or something else that I haven't even considered yet.

5 years ago

I was told by Melanie that 5 years ago on Jan 8th we had our first date. So last night we went to the Redwood room (like we did 5 years ago) and then went to a movie (like we did 5 years ago).

But that date 5 years ago almost didn't happen. Melanie thought I lived too close and it was too easy for me to be a stalker. (she had a date with someone that came close to that)  But here we are 5 years later and I spend almost every night at her house. (it use to be my house but I lost it when we got married)

"The rest of the story"

Five years ago today, my life was about to change. I got up that morning, talked with my friend Chris for a while, headed out to get a mani/pedi and find a cute new outfit in anticipation of my date that night. As I was shopping my purse was stolen... so much for that cute outfit and a relaxing afternoon getting ready. Instead, I said a prayer of thanks that I carry my car keys in my coat pocket instead of my purse (so that I could get home) and spent the afternoon filing a police report, contacting the credit union, and credit card companies.

Maybe it was all the stress of earlier in the day, but surprisingly I really wasn't nervous when I arrived at the terrific little restaurant we were meeting at for the first time. I remember taking a deep breath, saying a quick prayer, and thinking "No matter how the date goes, it's ok." Our plan was to have dinner and if things went well, we would go to a movie. If we didn't like each other, we'd say "good night."

The food was great, the music was nice. Conversation flowed easily - we found that we shared similar interests. We laughed, talked, and decided to head to the movie theater. We had talked so long without paying any attention to time that only one movie was still scheduled to start - The Life Aquatic. It was probably one of the weirdest movies either of us had seen.

The evening ended with the hope that we would see each other again. That first date evolved into five years spent with a sweet guy that I love so very much!! Even though I had no idea how significant that day in 2005 was, God knew the blessings He was bringing into my life. It really isn't the "rest of the story" since there is a lot yet to come in our story, so stay tuned to see what surprises the next five years bring!

Thankful Thursday

I almost forgot that today was Thankful Thursday...hmmm, what am I thankful for?

First, I am thankful for safe travel today. Winter is definitely here - roads this morning going to work were kind of glazed. Add some snow and nasty wind over the course of the day and it made for a very slow drive home this afternoon. Mark is working right now so he has to drive in this - I'm always glad when he makes it home safe and sound!

Next, cozy flannel lounge pants... I know, silly huh? But, they sure are nice to put on after being out in the cold.

How about "after Christmas" sales? I am a huge bargain hunter... and now that the New Year is here, it's a great time to hit the stores for the clearance sales. 50-75% off is my kind of a deal!

I know... not very exciting stuff tonight - so why don't you surprise me and tell me what YOU are thankful for?

Waiting...

I haven't posted much about our adoption lately. People ask "What's happening? Have you heard anything? When will you hear?" Sometimes, I laugh because others seem to be even more impatient than I am. No, we haven't heard anything. Nothing is "happening" right now. We have no idea when we will hear any news.

It sounds so negative to say those statements. I hate to disappoint people - I know they are praying and anticipating for us. I wish I had something exciting to share.

Is it hard to wait? Of course! How do I feel about waiting? Sometimes, it makes me sad. I read birth announcements in our local paper and wish that it was ours. I see little ones being loved on by their parents and my arms ache to hug, kiss, and cuddle with our child. I ask God when it will be our turn.

But truly... it's ok. Last night at my women's bible study group, we were talking about Abraham and Sarah. From the time that God made His covenant with Abraham until the time that Sarah gave birth to Isaac was about 25 years. 25 years that they anticipated God's faithfulness to them. And He WAS faithful. I trust in that same God!

Abraham and Sarah were human, too. They sometimes took matters into their own hands instead of trusting in God's provision. I was reminded that He will provide everything that I need - not necessarily everything that I want but trying to control the situation instead of allowing Him to work is counterproductive.

So... is anything happening with our adoption? On the surface, it doesn't look like it. But God sees the big picture and He is working behind the scenes. I trust that He is putting the right pieces into place - I don't know what the finished puzzle picture looks like, but He does. Is waiting difficult? Yes, sometimes... but not always.  ;)

Christmas Angel Project

Have you noticed the Reese's Rainbow bauble on the sidebar of the blog? Be sure to check it out... Over $81,000 was raised for the Christmas Angel project and 34 children found their forever families!!  Yippee!!

Thought I'd share

Today, my friend Sarah challenged readers on her blog to post a meatloaf recipe for Rett. Never one to turn down a challenge, I shared my absolutely favorite recipe for meatloaf. Since I had it typed up, I decided I might as well share with you as well. Enjoy!

Here is my recipe for an AWESOME meatloaf (not bragging, but everyone I make it for really loves it and so do I)...


2 beaten eggs
2/3 cup saltine cracker crumbs (18 crackers)
2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup each finely chopped onion and green pepper (optional - I don't use either)
1 - 8 oz. can tomato sauce
2 lbs ground beef
2 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp prepared mustard

Mix together cracker crumbs, eggs, 2 tsp worcestershire, onion, green pepper, and 2/3 cup tomato sauce. Add beef and mix well.

Place in 9X5 meatloaf pan or shape into loaf in shallow baking pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for about an hour or until almost done.

While this is baking, mix together remaining tomato sauce, 1 tsp worcestershire, brown sugar, and mustard. Spread over top of meatloaf and bake for another 15-30 minutes or until done.

Let rest for approximately 5-10 minutes before cutting.

Or you can use a crock pot to cook it, too! ;)

Back to reality

Well, it was nice while it lasted. I love getting away with my hubby! I've probably mentioned this before, but it is tradition that as part of my Christmas present, Mark buys me a gift certificate for a bed and breakfast. Last year (2008), the B&B was in Galena. So as noted in his previous post, we spent the weekend there at a very nice 1870's home. Even more than the beautiful environment, the "us" time - enjoying each other's company and relaxing without life's distractions - is wonderful.

So, back to work tomorrow - I've spent the day cooking for an appreciation luncheon that we are having for the nurses. Made 2 types of wild rice soup, molasses rolls, and lemon bars.

Classes started today as well and I better get busy with checking out the assignments, etc.

Hope you all had a wonderful and safe New Year!

Melanies x-mas gift from last year

This weekend we went to Galena IL. at a B & B.  called the Ryan Mansion. The first night we were there we ate at Durty Gurt's.  It was OK. The burgwes we had were so big we could not keep them together.  For breakfast we had stuffed french toast. Very good stuff. It was a cinnamon swirl bread with orange marmelade with cream cheese.  Day two Melanie went shopping at all the antique shops and a few other stores. We had a great time.  Melanie brought a bottle of Amarula with.  This was a great idea. The stuff was great, you should try it.

mark

10 years...

A new decade began today. It is amazing to me how quickly the last one has passed. Hardly seems real that 10 years ago, we were waking up to find that Y2K was not the disaster that was predicted.

My life has changed dramatically in the last decade. Ten years ago, I was married to my first husband, parenting my 14 year old step-son, we had recently purchased our home and I was loving my job as an RN in a hospital setting. If someone had told me how much difference 10 years would make, I would not have believed them.

In this last decade, I have experienced sorrow beyond anything I had ever imagined. I learned to look to God for all things - even strength to make it through the next minute. Although it was nearly impossible at times, I was able to trust in His presence and His promise - that God was in control of my life and could see the big picture when I couldn't.

And in this last decade, I have experienced great happiness. God - who IS faithful - wrapped me in the arms of friends and family, gradually helping me to see the world around me again. Out of great tragedy, He brings great joy! I have been blessed to continue my education, travel, meet new friends, have experiences that I would never have had if my old life had not been turned upside down.

I was given the gift of love - although there are moments when I wonder what things might look like now if Mark and I had met at an earlier stage in our lives (for example, we could be celebrating holidays with teenagers instead of hoping to start a family), again... I have to trust that God's timing is perfect. The life experiences we've had make us the people we are today.

He knows the plans He has for us - plans to prosper us, give us hope and a future. We continue to trust that God sees the desires of our hearts and longing to add a little one to our family. Just think of the stories we could have to tell at the end of the next decade!!