It has been "one of those weeks." My good planning and plotting of HOW things SHOULD go...well, it didn't pan out that way...had a lot of zingers thrown in...I told hubbie it was to KEEP ME ON MY TOES and a gentle or maybe NOT so gentle reminder that I am NOT in charge! I am so grateful to rest in knowing that God is IN CHARGE!

Lots of blog entries waiting for my attention but sweet Hubbie is fielding the kids so I can get away for some R & R with my favorite gal pals. Nothing like long, animated conversations with dear friends...throw in a scrumptious dinner and a show and I am OUTTA here!
Love to you all! See you next week!

A plea for a SPECIAL kind of smile!

A fellow adoptive Momma, Jeannie, started an organization many years ago called Annabelles Wish. They raise funds for children to have needed surgeries and then they go on to find their FOREVER FAMILIES!

They will be making their 27th trip to China this July. The lives of 20 precious cleft children will be changed forever. They take their own surgeon and nurse to do the surgeries but must pay for the use of the hospital. They also hire an anesthesiologist and one additional nurse to complete their team. The Chinese speaking nurse will also be there to help comfort the children.

We need to raise $6,230.00. That amount is for ALL 20 surgeries!! In the U.S. that would not even cover the cost of ONE surgery!!! Would you be willing to donate ANY amount to the completion of these surgeries??

Visit Annabelle's Wish to make your donation to help these precious children. Annabelle's Wish is a 501(c)3 non profit organization so your donation is tax deductible. They have Pay Pal and it is easy to use by going in through their "Chip In" button. Or, if you prefer to send a check send it to:

Annabelle's Wish
P.O. Box 210003
Nashville, TN 37221

Thanks so VERY much for considering helping these precious little ones! It is my heart's desire that they all find their forever families!

And, as my dear friend Holly says:
UNTIL THEY ALL FIND HOMES!


Annabelle's Wish

Summer is in SIGHT! HOLLAH!

The final countdown for school days has arrived! I am grateful...I am weary of the papers, projects, exams, lunches, etc. The kiddos "CHECKED OUT" a couple of weeks ago...glazing over when I remind them of the spelling test or the International Days project that is still due and will not get done on its own! Staring OUT the window when they need to be finalizing that last theme paper.

A few days of school left and with that is the CRAZY business of end of the year awards programs, concerts, softball games, picnics, piano lessons, field day, field trips, locker clean out, teacher gifts and the oodles and oodles of papers, broken crayons, post-it notes and bits and pieces of now, UNidentifiable school supplies that the kiddos just keep unloading from messenger bags and back packs! WHEW!

And, may I ask? HOW MANY tiny little "nubs" of pencils should be allowed for one child? Why don't they simply throw them out when they are used thoroughly?

Service

Noni from The Brick Street Bungalow and Sandie from Chatty Crone posted this amazing video and I wanted to keep it going and going and going!

Theme Thursday - Pets

MacDugal's Mission

A couple of years after Bob and I married we decided to start a family. Our new arrival came in the form of an adorable, black, Labrador Retriever puppy. MacDugal was our joy although we were overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work he created for us. That wonderful pup taught us MANY lessons in that first year of puppy hood. All the mishaps all the messes could be erased by looking into his dark, brown eyes so full of unconditional love. A few years years later little Nate came into our lives and he and MacDugal formed an immediate bond. Dugie was patient with Nate and when Nate was rambunctious MacDugal would gently push him away. MacDugal reminded me on a daily basis to practice patience and not to be too harsh with my curious, ACTIVE son. Mitchell developed a "hands off" relationship with Dugie. Dugie understood that Mitchell did NOT welcome sloppy kisses but would sit leaning into Mitchell as he played with his race cars. Mitchell was a shy little boy but was always proud to show off Dugie's tricks and we were pleased to see Mitchell practice boldness. Emma treated MacDugal as if he were a circus act. Dugie's tolerance was limitless. MacDugal showed true friendship allowing Emma to put scarves, sunglasses and clip earrings on him. When Emma claimed no one would play with her, MacDugal was always available to slurp tea from her pink tea set. Madeleine enjoyed being "Sargeant" to Dugie ordering him "OUT OF HER WAY!" and telling him "No! NO!" when he tried to steal a grape from her plate. But when Dugie would settle onto his blanket for a nap, Madeleine would grab her blankie and snuggle up to him and Dugie would open one eye and look incredibly pleased with himself.

Over the years MacDugal happily played endless games of ball, Frisbee, and tug-of-war. The days went by quickly and he soon turned white around the eyes and chin and walked with an arthritic limp. All the things he had taught us... friendship, gentleness, patience, respect, good humor, tolerance and unconditional love were heaped on him as we cared for his aging body.

Each of us reluctantly said goodbye to MacDugal one hot, summer morning. Bob and I were completely overwhelmed by the impact of losing our dear friend. For our children, an experience we wished we could spare them...they had NEVER known life without MacDugal. Yet they had learned so much from Dugie's life we knew they would continue to learn from him even in death.

I used to think that pets were simply animals to be cared for and loved giving little in return. Not true, God sent this amazing creature of His creation to do an amazing work in my family. We will forever be thankful for MacDugal's Mission.

Written August 2, 2003.



Visit Theme Thursday.

Many of you have followed the Patterson Family and their sweet little one Chrissie as she went through heart surgery. My heart if SO filled with grief this morning as sweet Lorraine and her family have had to say goodbye to darling Chrissie. Chrissie came home from Serbia having never known the love of family. Lorraine and her precious family have loved this little one fully and wholly! Chrissie fought a very good fight but her little body just could not withstand any more. Lorraine wrote this morning:

Chrissie has gone home to be with Jesus. Her heart has been healed and now she spins and she sways to the Cinderella song with Jesus as her dance partner.

Look at this rigged up computer! Cool huh? I have been "on the fly" so much lately that I am missing my visits to blogland. I will be visiting soon. Guess I should NOT do this in the old Limo...falls right in to talking on the phone and texting while driving...NOT a good idea!

I COULD use the computer while I sit waiting for kiddos after school, music lessons, sports practices and appointments though!

Sunday Snapshot

Oh to be eight again and the fun that comes with it! When the weather is SO amazing you NEVER want to come inside because an adult JUST MIGHT want to spoil your fun and tell you to go to bed. Madeleine had one of those magical days...a sleepover, flash light tag, a softball game, play date with four gal pals, popsicles, biking and finally home after a night and day filled with adventure...glimpses of what the summer will certainly be like... Remember the days when you came in glowing from the sun, dirty, sweaty and with grass stained feet? When you insisted you were not tired but it was everything you could do to keep your eyes open to tell the tales of your day, the silly songs, the jokes?

Madeleine asked for a snack and said she was going to picnic with Clarice in the front field. I went out to check on the picnic and found...




Madeleine loves life. She lives it FULLY, she laughs hard and plays hard. She thinks deeply and contemplates her next move like a child much older than her physical age. She is practical and thoughtful and it shows in the way she goes about her days. She moves FAST and has a rhythm and confidence that shows in her very walk. She is never bored as there are so many things to learn and do that she has not experienced yet and she is NOT going to miss a thing!! She is a blessing in every way. We are so thankful for this child.

Fun Friday!

WHEW! What a week! I always look forward to Friday but this week I am absolutely giddy to have made it to Friday! When my Dad was injured on Monday morning it was as if time stood still...we lost some days in there as we found out the extent of his injuries. We, my family, jumped into action and you DO what you HAVE to do. NOTHING else matters...all the appointments, laundry, work, sports, meetings, things that consume us really do NOT matter at all. Dad will be awhile recovering, but RECOVERY is a good thing! I cannot thank you all enough for your constant encouragement and prayers!


So, on to FUN FRIDAY! Auntie Lois is the Lollipop Lady. Kids know that she has lollipops. It is a SURE thing. Any child may have a lollipop, all they have to do is ask. Well, tonight as Sam was fishing around in Auntie Lois' bag he found the gem of all gems...his favorite...an ORANGE TOOTSIE POP. Which of course makes me think of THIS Blast From The Past. Enjoy!



Have a wonderful weekend.

THANK YOU!!!

Hey all,
A quick update and BIG word of thanks to EACH of you. It has been a whirlwind 36 hours. I was SO BLESSED to come home from the hospital today to find the flood of comments and e-mails waiting for me. My Dad is doing well although he does has multiple injuries...which means quite a bit of pain. We have told him to embrace the pain killers for awhile! He will have several weeks recovery and REST. (Hear that Dad?)
Thank you for your kind words and for lifting my Dad up in prayer and sending good wishes his way.
Love,
Jill

Dear praying friends...would you be so kind as to lift up my sweet Daddy as he suffered a serious injury today. The next 24 hours are important in how he will recover. Oh, how I hate to see him hurt and in pain. Pray for my Mom too...it is hard on her as well.
Thanks so much to my blog reading friends.
Jill

Dear Search Engine,

I am deeply indebted to you for my continued education. Up and until a couple of years ago if presented with the term "search engine" I would most certainly have thought you a machine with the full duty of looking for lost railroad cars. I do not go ONE SINGLE DAY without consulting you on things both gravely important and those things mundane. In a single day I:

~located a specific greenhouse in Maine

~found out that a baby platypus is called a Puggle

~hashed out the difference between a leek and an onion

~printed a code out for free shipping from my favorite childrens store

~sadly realized it has been at least 30 years since Kraft made my favorite childhood bread spread, Koogle. Anyone remember that???

~discovered that "The Skipper" from Gilligan's Island died in 1990

~located a photo of the author I am currently researching and to whom I am in AWE and,

~found the store that I can buy the amazing Boston Stoker coffee blend...Fireside Bliss

What did I do before you were sitting on my desk so easily accessible?
Thank you.

Sincerely,
Jill

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.


Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom

(Author unknown)
Thanks sweet Ame.

Celebrating ALL moms today but especially my very special mom and mother-in-law.
Happy Mother's Day.

The great state of O-H-I-O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE THIS!!!!! ENJOY!

The Ohio Union — May 03, 2010 — Students and staff break out into a dance in the great hall of the new Ohio Union on Monday, May 3, 2010 around 12:35 PM.



Have a great weekend everyone!

Theme Thursday - THINK PINK!

Most people have been touched in some way by breast cancer. Awareness in the form of early detection is key in the treatment of cancer. Funding for research in finding the cure for cancer is always needed.

She Colors My Day project began when a mother named Annette, dying of breast cancer, created a keepsake for the four daughters she was preparing to leave behind. Annette sent a c.d. of she and her daughters singing to her many friends and family. Unbeknownst to Annette, her act of love would be the inspiration for her friend, Cristina Carlino, founder of Project Miracle and former CEO of philosophy, to ignite the She Colors My Day movement - a celebration of the never-ending bonds of mothers and daughters. The now worldwide She Colors My Day movement embarks upon a global journey to create for a cure. Inspired by a mother’s infinite love, this ever widening circle of caring will benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s /Women’s Cancer Research Group bio marker project.
Visit She Colors My Day to take part in this special project.


Susan G. Komen For The Cure


To be "in the pink" visit Theme Thursday.

Because I KNOW there is hope...

Any of you that have read The Glen for long KNOW that adoption is my heart. I long for every child to have a home...more importantly than a home...a forever family.

There are "Waiting Children" by the thousands...both IN the United States and ALL over the world. Many of these children have medical and emotional conditions, most of these children have suffered in the system. They are fragile and suspicious...they do not go to a new home and become forever grateful for having been "rescued." They need to HEAL and this takes time. Sometimes a very LONG time. Over the last three or four years I have focused a great deal of time and research (in my work) on children in need of homes that are special needs. When a child is a "Waiting Child" there is typically some level of special need. ANY CHILD that has been institutionalized for any amount of time has special needs. I have been working on a project involving the diagnoses of Post Traumatic Stress, Reactive Attachment Disorder and Oppositional Defiance Disorder...may I be so bold as to say that these diagnoses are "en vogue" right now? I am NOT saying that they are not real. OH, they are VERY, VERY real but these children can heal. They can and they DO heal. Every single one? Sadly, no, but there IS hope. There is always hope. People are beginning to open their eyes to the needs of these children.

This past week I was SLAPPED IN THE FACE by one of the books on my research list. A horror story of the non-fiction kind. The message of a child who beat the odds and gained healing after terrifying/soul breaking abuse and neglect. Her words haunt me. Shy Keenan wrote BROKEN and offered me the most profound statements:

"It is fair to say that society in general has certain low expectations of their victims of child sexual abuse. Some seem to believe that we're all destined for a life on the dark, wild, wrong side of the benefit-claiming, drug-blurred tracks. All broken beyond help, with no place in a normal society. I've spent my whole life trying hard NOT to live up to those expectations.

I understand now, better than ever, why pedophiles pick on what society perceives as 'bad kids.' Bad kids already have no voice, no credibility and even less hope of any justice if they are the victims of a crime. They are hopelessly easy targets. All I ever needed as a child, was for someone to help me invest in the good in me and not judge me on a childhood that would have brought out the worst in anyone.

I am deeply invested in these words and pray that I will be one of those adults that will invest in the GOOD of a child.

"...and HIS name will be the hope of all the world." Matthew 12:21

Birthday Snapshot

Stephanie over at Ni Hao Yall hosts a Sunday Snapshot each week that I thoroughly enjoy. I decided to honor Miss Emma on her ELEVENTH birthday with a BIRTHDAY SNAPSHOT. She does NOT like to have her photo taken...but with a little badgering can be persuaded to indulge her Mom.

She has most certainly entered the TWEEN stage. She loves bright colors and has a style ALL her own!

Emma is quiet out in public but at home...WOW, does SHE have an opinion and lets it be known. She is truly FULL of spit and vinegar. I love this about her...MOST the time.

Her imagination is limitless and she is full of creativity and adventure.

I LOVE it that she still loves to swing and play Barbies...and that she loves to cuddle up with her Dad.

She loves animals and spends a great deal of time outside talking and interacting with the horses, lambs, cats and dogs.

Happy Birthday Dear Emma!
We love you!

UNwelcome intruder!

We had a rain filled weekend. It slowed us all down in a good way...we had some down time that we really enjoyed. I have posted before about my love for things orderly! The kids like to slog around The Glen in their farm boots. This row of boots is right by our garage door.

We found an unwelcome visitor in the boots...I am just glad I was NOT the one to find it...Nate and Emma, our resident snake handlers took our "friend" far, far away from the garage and the boots!!! GAH!

Have I mentioned that I am not fond of snakes?????