And the winner is...

Thank you to everyone who commented on this post. I added everyone's name into this bowl. My lovely assistant, Lindy, chose one name...

The winner--this time--was Cristie at Bits and Pieces. I will be sending Cristie a gift card to Barnes and Noble. She has three lovely children to read to but I'm really hoping she'll buy something fun for herself...She's a gifted crafter and is always up to something cool.

Congratulations, Cristie!

Thanks to everyone for sharing what they like to read and a special welcome to all those who commented for the first time...

Navy wives--a reunion...

See those two hot chicks? That is me and my friend Paula on Christmas day 1993 in north New Jersey. I am pretty sure the white tights were VERY fashionable at the time. Let me tell you a bit about us...

I met Paula in March 1993 in Brunswick, Maine. We were both newlyweds, new to Maine, new to being Navy wives, and virtually without a friend in the area. Our husbands flew together in the same squadron. I can still remember when I did something very HUGE and out of character for me and called Paula basically welcoming her to Maine and asking her if she wanted to be my friend and get together sometime. Little did I know that would be the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

Being a Navy wife was not an easy job. Our husbands were deployed out of the country several months of the year and even when they weren't deployed they were away from home a lot. Had it not been for my friendship with Paula and a couple of other girls, I am not sure how I would have made it for three years. We celebrated holidays together when our husbands were gone or we couldn't afford to go home. We called each other by our maiden names, cried together, laughed together, vacationed together, cooked for one another, and took care of each other. They were some of the toughest days of my life but some of the best, too.

Now it is nearly 15 and a half years since we first met. Unfortunately, we don't see each other that often and really don't talk as often as we should, either. Our lives have changed quite a bit but she is still such a special sister and friend. This weekend I got to see Paula for the first time in several years. I got to meet her newest addition, Brigid, and she got to meet Lindy. We chatted away comfortably for hours and could have gone on for an eternity. One thing that struck me after our semi-tearful goodbye is that I wish I would've been who I am now meeting her for the first time. I think (or hope) maturity has helped me become a better, more grounded person, and friend.

I am thankful God allowed us to see each other again after many years and catch up face-to-face. It was a great treat to be together and I hope we don't have to wait another eight or nine years before we see each other again.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

"A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. " Proverbs 17:27

Dad, we wish you a very happy birthday today and a year filled with good health, lots of happiness, and many opportunities. Thank you for being a wonderful example of a Godly man. Your name means, "beloved" and that is what you are.

Thank you for being a superb father, grandfather, and friend.

Happy Birthday!

We love you,
Don, Lisa, & Lindy

"Virtual" friends are real friends, too

I think the blog world is a very interesting social phenomenon. To some it is absolutely ridiculous and many are quite skeptical of it. That is completely understandable and valid, for sure.

In the over two years that I've been blogging I have been very fortunate to "meet" some absolutely lovely people via blogs. While many of us share a kindred interest in adoption, we also share a love of faith, family, friendship, and fun...It is easy to feel close through the gift of technology but having the opportunity to meet face-to-face to further the relationship and take it to a deeper level isn't always a possibility.

This weekend I was blessed with the opportunity to meet another blog friend and her precious family. Kim and her family were here under extremely stressful conditions to get out of the path of Hurricane Ike.

I knew Kim and I would get to eventually meet but didn't think it would be under these conditions. I am very thankful God kept them safe and that they opted to leave Houston (after some strong prompting) and travel here. There are a lot of unknowns for them right now and I know they covet your prayers. Please pray for all the families who have been affected by the hurricanes and severe weather.


I am so thankful we had the chance to meet, visit some, and get to know each other better. I am optimistic there will be future visits and am praying they will be hurricane free--aside from those little hurricanes known as Lindy and Kate (who is oh so sweet). So for you naysayers, we are no longer virtual friends but for real...

The Smile Award

The other day I was surprised and delighted to read that my friend, Amie, at Heart Smiles had chosen me to be a recipient of this little bloggy award. Mere created this award and established this criteria:

1. Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times--we are all human)

2. Must love one another

3. Must make mistakes

4. Must learn from others

5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world

6. Must love life

7. Must love kids

Apparently I snowed Amie into believing I met the criteria. :o)

One of the "rules" is to pass it along to five people. It's all an attempt to keep people smiling because it isn't always easy, right?

I'm not really great at making decisions but after careful consideration, I'm passing this lovely award along to:

Heather at Our Little Ladybugs. About a year ago I mustered the courage to contact Heather via email. I just "knew" we were meant to be friends and I was right. Heather is an amazing listener and encourager. She is a special friend and sister to me and always has the right words to say. I am soooo excited because we get to meet for the first time in about a month.

Sara at Football & Fried Rice. I love the positive energy Sara exudes in her blog. She's got a lovely smile and I am praying that it won't be long before she brings her Mya home and experiences the joy of having a daughter.

Kate at Livin' La Vida Lia as well as And So We Wait. Kate and I were in the same Yahoo group while we were waiting for our girls the first time around but somehow we didn't get to know each other. While that makes me sad because of the missed time together, I know God's timing for things is perfect and that he allowed our paths to cross at JUST the right time. When Kate reached out to me at the beginning of the year, I was both surprised and honored. We became fast friends and share many things in common. We're one month apart with our log-in dates and it helps knowing we're on this journey together. I am thrilled that it won't be long before I get to meet Kate, too.

Jenn at Love Like Crazy. I have been blessed to meet this godly mother of four, soon to be five. I always feel like such a mess around her because she's so calm and gracious and I feel like I'm one big spaz. She is tender-hearted, patient, loving, and kind. I know she'll be the perfect Mommy to Karleigh Mei. Please pray they get their RA soon so they can bring Karleigh Mei home before her third birthday.

Jenn's daughter, Lexie, at The Last Days of Waiting for Karleigh Mei. Lexie's blog has not only made me smile but moved me to tears on more than one occasion. While many girls her age are worrying only about themselves and caught up in boys, driving, fashion, etc., Lexie is out there volunteering with Somalian refugees, dreaming of being a nurse one day, and praying hard for the little sister she longs to meet soon, Karleigh Mei. I love how excited Lexie is about bringing home Karleigh Mei. Some kids might not be so welcoming of a new sibling but she's not one of those kids...

Now as is customary with these blog awards, they usually have some "rules" that go along with them. I didn't make the rules, nor am I going to enforce the rules. I don't think there is a blog prison or fine if you don't follow the rules. :-) If you choose to keep the award going, great. If not, please take pleasure in knowing YOU make me smile...

Here they are:

1. The recipient must link back the the award's creator

2. You must post these rules if you receive the award

3. You must choose five people to receive the award after receiving it yourself

4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award, as posted by Mere

5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient

6. You must create a post sharing your win with others

7. You must thank your giver

"Everyone smiles in the same language." Author Unknown

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for the brave men and women who serve this country near and far in the military, fire departments, EMS, and police force.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

If you're up at 8:46 am (ET), I hope you'll join me in a moment of silence for those who perished in the terrible attacks on September 11, 2001.

God bless America!

Hard At Work?

Yesterday Don started a pilot program where he'll work from home one day a week. We chose Tuesdays because Lindy and I are gone a fairly big chunk of time in the morning and we thought that would allow some quiet time for him to get a lot accomplished.

At one point in the day, this is what I walked in on. He had moved from the office to the formal living room to conduct a one-on-one meeting with one of his employees.


After I pulled out the camera, I guess he decided to put on a more serious manager face. Just kidding, Don! You can see he chose a very relaxed version of the company's business casual policy. He is wearing a company t-shirt, though.


He "got home" about the same time and said it was a CRAZY day but he got a lot done. He has the amazing ability to tune out the world and focus. Or maybe that's just when I'm talking...It'll be interesting to see how this new venture works out and it'll definitely be an adjustment for all of us--especially the little daddy's girl in the house. I think he's contemplating getting to know the various coffee houses and bookstores around town with WIFI-just in case...

Menu Plan Monday

It has been AGES since I've posted my weekly menu. To my surprise, I've had people ask me where they've been...I have still faithfully been creating a plan, just not publishing it anywhere beyond the list on the fridge.

Monday, September 8th-Family in different directions...Don's eating at church. Lindy and Lisa are eating leftovers at home.
Tuesday, September 9th-Chicken in Mustard Cream Sauce over whole wheat pasta, asparagus, tossed green salad
Wednesday, September 10th-Quick dinner out before bible study
Thursday, September 11th-Hawaiian Baked Pork Chops, brown rice, broccoli
Friday, September 12th-Don out. Lindy and Lisa eat leftovers.
Saturday, September 13th-Sin-free Shrimp Scampi, angel hair pasta, spinach or there is always the possibility we'll just go out.

There are always some fun recipes to peruse here. What are you eating this week?

Happy Grandparents Day

"Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged;
parents are the pride of their children." Proverbs 17:6

Happy Grandparents Day
with love,

Don, Lisa, & Lindy

Read for free...

Reading is a pretty big thing around our house. Without a doubt, the majority of the reading going on these days is with Lindy. Lindy loves to be read to and look at books. From day one with her, we have encouraged this activity. That's Don reading to her on our second day together in China.

I love to read but don't read as often or in the same manner as I did before we brought Lindy home. I just don't seem to have the time or energy. Do you hear me on this one?

Before Lindy came home, I used to love to devour the latest Mary Higgins Clark novel or be swept away as I read Nicholas Sparks. However, now I read snippets of devotional books, consider yummy recipes in cookbooks as I plan menus (does that count as reading?), and look for tips in parenting books. I also am trying to be more dedicated about reading my bible. Okay, okay, I also spend time reading blogs, which brings me to my next subject--the fun part.

If you're reading this, there's a pretty strong chance you spend some (or a lot of) time reading blogs, too. I am going to treat one reader to a Barnes & Noble gift card. All you have to do is leave a comment by SEPTEMBER 15, 2008. Don't know what to say??? Tell me what your favorite book is...tell me what you're reading right now...tell me what you like to read...tell me your favorite author...tell me the worst book you've ever read...tell me how you'd spend the gift card...introduce yourself if you've never commented...tell me ANYTHING...It's really pretty easy.

Lindy will choose a winner on September 16th...

Until then, happy reading.

Thankful Thursday

I think traditions are really important for families (and friends, too). Some families have very big, long-standing traditions bridging generations. Other families have more subtle traditions and they might not even think of these rituals as traditions...No matter whether they are big or small, traditions are meaningful and I think they are a great thing to incorporate into family life. I love hearing about family traditions and as I strive to become better about having them, I love to "borrow" where I can.


One tradition we've been blessed to be a part of since we've lived here (nearly 13 years) is an annual Labor Day fish fry and dove hunt at our friends' ranch in the Hill Country. This year was the 25th gathering. The food is abundant, the friendship is warm, and the fellowship is just a sweet glimpse of Heaven.


I love the fact that Lindy gets to spend time with people of many ages. Here a very willing Mr. Brown sweetly joined her for a game of checkers (according to Lindy's rules, of course).


Lindy loved seeing and hearing the cows up close and personal. At one point they got so noisy she stuck her fingers in her ears. Being among big animals definitely lead to many questions and observations...I am sure you get my drift. Not being much of a nature girl, I am reminded of the importance of spending time outside. It really is a huge classroom.

Today I am thankful for special friends who have included us in their tradition and for the importance of traditions.

What are you thankful for today?