Soon we will know...

Soon we will know if we were chosen by a birthmom...we will know on Monday, July 25th, 2011. So yes it has been a long week...a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and today another Friday of waiting...but we do know we will hear YES or NO on Monday...so we can relax over the weekend and stop jumping every time the phone rings. We were slightly distracted over the last 2 weeks (we found out about this "opportunity" on July 13th)...as we buried a sweet cousin of mine, a hero, a fallen soldier last weekend in Knoxville...and flew to DC with Jake Monday on business and flew home today.

This is not our first adoption "opportunity"...we've had 2 major ones float into focus and float away...and 3 other "opportunities" that we shared our profile with friends who showed them to someone they knew...and 2 others that I felt very strongly about...This one has been the hardest to wait through so far...and the hardest to try and stay separated from emotionally...

Over the last 9 months, since we decided to adopt, we've learned so many things about ourselves and about trusting the Lord. One day our story will be complete with a happy ending...and then I'll share it in full.

Adoption...is not for the faint of heart.

And I'll keep you posted ;)

The Prayer of Faith
Is anyone among you in trouble?
Let them pray.
Is anyone happy?
Let them sing songs of praise.
James 5:13

Do you see...

Do you see what I see?

CJ and I rode with mom to the doctor on Tuesday. I sat in the car while she went in for her appointment as CJ had fallen asleep in his car seat. I've been taking quite a few texture pictures lately so my eye has been in that frame of thought. It quickly saw this...and clearly I see a baby in the womb...head down...looks like a sonogram...even the brain is more evident...perhaps I got to see this because I will not get to see a sonogram of the baby we will adopt...but God knows this child, He knows my child, He is with our child.

Thank you Jesus...for letting me have my camera with me. This tree was at the end of Merrily and Narrow Lane. Not joking...I didn't even point that out to mom...though I wanted to turn around and get a picture of the crossroad sign.

As we prepare for our 1st home visit on Saturday for our home study to adopt...I am thankful that we can walk Merrily down this Narrow Lane.

We are now selling various prints of this picture are now available in my ETSY shop...

Click Here to Jump to CocoJ Designs Etsy Shop


Update...I went back for a picture of the signs in May 2011...

At the Corner of Narrow and Merrily

Jonah and The Whale

So it's probably been a while since you've heard the story of Jonah and The Whale...how about you hop over and listen to this awesome elementary story teller... Jonah and The Big Fish


Thanks Aunt D...this little girl might win an audio book award one day....

National Infertility Week!!!

About 1 in 8 are affected by infertility.
Homes across America have closets filled with baby clothes...
They are praying, hoping, wishing, taking meds,
Going in for bloodwork, ultrasounds, procedures,
Let's help them get those clothes off the hangers and on a new baby...


Hi friends...it is National Infertility Week...

A bill was introduced by this Senator, a woman of course,

http://gillibrand.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=d907c56b-d794-4586-bdfd-a48a963d70ed

It will allow Infertility to be covered by insurance as a disease.

Please take time to send a letter...it only takes a second...

Please take the time if INFERTILITY has affected you or someone you LOVE.

http://familybuilding.resolve.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ta_fedleg_home

Thank you so much,

Sincerely,
Corrie

Read the bill: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s1258/text

Follow the bill: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s1258/show

Haiti

A cousin by marriage, Anthony, had just returned home from a mission trip to Haiti. Was home about 11 hours before the quake.

If you would like to donate to the disaster relief efforts 100% of donations will go to Haiti. Son Light Orphanage and Nutrition Center in Port Au Prince.

Mail checks to:
Estes Church of Christ
P.O.Box 191
Henderson, TN 38340

Write for "Haiti Disaster Relief".

Sometimes your donation gets gobbled up in "administration costs", this will not be the case here.

One of my aunts wrote on the family website:
"He left yesterday to fly to Miami, and be onboard a plane with Missionaries International, who do have permission to come NOW back to Haiti. Along with him will be a structural engineer, 2 construction contractors and 2 other burly men for toting and fetching. Anthony and the others are bringing Satellite phones and enough supplies for themselves and the Orphanage for two weeks. With the SAT phones, hopefully other needs can be relayed back to Tennessee where a well established team of contacts will help the elders and others decide what to do next.

The orphanage has now 31 children. One died when the security wall they built last year, of necessity, collapsed during the earthquake. The purpose of this trip is to assess the damage, come up with a way to repair or replace the security wall around the orphanage and the adjoining house that the orphanage owns and uses for a guest/worker house. Other considerations are for making the best living situation possible for the children and babies under the care of this program, Son Light Orphanage.

The 40 foot shipping container of baby and childrens supplies will be sent only when the security wall is there, for the safety of the children from looters, etc.

Anthony is very humbled by the offers of help, takes no interest in his own name being out there, just happened to be in the right place like Esther of the Old Testament, and has been called "for such a time as this" with the right contacts and a way to do what seems to others as impossible. I so appreciate his humility and love him, Beth and the boys for the sacrifices they have already made and are continuing to make."

Adam and Carrie

Hey...If you have kept up with Adam and Carrie...how AWESOME for Carrie her entry last night around 10:00 pm! ! ! ! !

"Adam has had a great day and was able to rest some. He winked at me a couple of times earlier today, which he always does. The first time just randomly when I was talking to him and the second time when I asked him to. He continues to move all around in bed and pull at his nasal cannula or whatever else is bothering him. Tonight when I was leaving I kissed him on the forehead and then asked him to kiss me. He kissed me about four times when I asked; puckered his lips and everything...so sweet! It made my day!! Pray that he has another restful night and his CT scan goes well tomorrow."

See Miracles happen every single day!

Here is Adam's CaringBridge Page


And another miracle...Maggie had little (well 8 pounds 5 ounces ain't so little) Marley last Thursday!!! They are both doing well.

Our friends

Our friends Wes and Maggie that we went on the cruise with in February...Wes was in the Army before working at Vermeer with Jake...Wes' fraternity brother, army roomate and groomsman in their wedding was shot in the head in Afghanistan on Tuesday of this week...he is still alive...and back in the states under sedation...here is his Caring Bridge Website....

Adam's Story

Adam is more like a brother to Wes than a friend...Wes is up in Maryland now with him...and Maggie is here in GA...due with their baby girl in 3 weeks...

Please pray for our friends and their friends...

The Adam Stead Family


Wes, Maggie, Colt and sweet baby girl on the way

Senior Olympics draws 1,600 competitors

This is a news story from the Tennessean Thursday July 23, 2009...the 96 year old man is MY Great-Grandfather Granddaddy Jones, he's a character and still as sharp as a tack. (The pictures are from his birthday party/family reunion in the fall of 2008...notice the bowling cake...and we bought him a Wii...so he could bowl with his friends at the senior center...how fun is that! Bowling is only one of the sports he competes in...shuffle board, javelin, shot put, etc.):

The Tennessee Senior Olympics state finals, which end today, drew 1,600 competitors to Williamson County.

"That's good for us on what we call a non-qualifying year (for nationals), so we're excited about that," executive director Christine Dewbre said. "Every other year they can get to a Senior National Olympics. It's probably our second-best non-qualifying year ever."

Bowling, volleyball and basketball posted the highest participation numbers.

"Our oldest guy (Robert Jones) this year was 96," Dewbre said. "He's a bowler who is from the Jackson area."

Jones carried the Senior Olympics torch into a party on Monday. In past years, the Senior Olympics have had two 100-year-old competitors.

"The best thing about the Senior Olympics is that it truly changes people's lives," Dewbre said. "It keeps them active, it keeps them healthy. It works."

Ride To Live

So Saturday, we hung out at Hooters all day. WHAT? Yeah...we did...at Ride to Live for Diabetes. How did we get involved? Jake's brother has diabetes Type I and Jake's Uncle Chuck is one of the guys who makes the ride happen.

(My father and paternal grandmother also have/had diabetes.) Brian Jordan, former Atlanta Brave, was there...he is SUCH a great guy. He served as the Grand Marshall on the motorcycles.

We hung out under the mailbox tent...and rode in the lead truck!

Though the lull of 450 motorcycles quickly put C.J. to sleep?

I hate that I didn't mention it sooner...because they had a bikini contest...and Jake's Nana and her friend, Barbara, were in it. Just kidding! They were embarrassed that I even took their picture by the sign.

If you would be interested in donating a decorated mailbox

or items for the silent auction next year...just let me know.

Joshua 24:15 Collage

Hmmm…well I had a little project to make…a fabric collage. Using mostly scraps. It turned out quite well. These go fast and I love making them. (The end user can frame it or make it into a pillow.) I free motioned on Joshua 24:15 which is

Joshua 24:15 (21st Century King James Version)

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land ye dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

(oh and these are my super cute new shoes I got this weekend while in Montgomery…thanks mom!)

Kate was Kate

I'll keep it short and sweet about seeing Kate Gosselin on Friday night. Kate was SO Kate. She came out with a quick wave like she was embarrassed to be there...she spoke about the 6 segments in her book Multiple Blessings (which I have not read). At the end she cried because she had not seen the kids in a few days....answered a few questions...and said thats it did a quick wave and walked out. She said they do public speaking engagements because TLC edits out pretty much all of their FAITH...and God ask her if she would be open to this. She obviously told him yes. She made cracks on herself...about being a planner, OCD, etc. She is thinner...the tv does add 10 pounds...but she has also been working out every morning. She did not make reference to rumors of her and Jon "not being in a good place"...as seen on the commercials for an upcoming show. She did say it had become too taxing for both her and Jon to be gone at the same time...on the speaking and book tour.

God love her...I think they are trying to do what they can to provide for their kids...yeah they are on tv...and yeah it will help pay for tuition for preschool through college. I don't knock her.

We girls who went...leaving our boys at home on a play date...enjoyed Krispy Kreme donuts (4,5,6 a piece!!!) for dinner prior to the event! Rock on! We never do that! We had a GREAT time.

Tough Times For All

Habakkuk 3:17-18 Trust in a Time of Trouble

17 Fig trees may no longer bloom,
or vineyards produce grapes;
olive trees may be fruitless,
and harvest time a failure;
sheep pens may be empty,
and cattle stalls vacant--
18 but I will still celebrate
because the LORD God
saves me.

My heart is big and sore today. Perhaps this picture of grapeless vines is my womb. Perhaps it is our not knowing what to do next in so many areas of our lives. Ok it is both.

Oh God, hear our prayers. I will praise you...while I'm waiting.

The Shack Book Finished

Oh and I finished reading The Shack on Sunday afternoon (after my nap)...Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! Such a good read. And while it is a fiction...I believe that it was a real encounter. And while I told myself just keep reading...and go back and read it a second time to take it all in...I have decided NOT to read it again. Why? Because it is not the Bible and I do not want to keep running to it to answer my questions. Check it out...I do not read very often and I could not put it down. The imagery is magnificent...and will show you a new way to look at God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I won't say anymore...don't want to spoil it for the few of you who have not read it yet. Though email me if you want to talk about it! ! ! Also I have added a link to the website where you can read the 1st Chapter of the book for free...the link is on the right...almost at the bottom of the column.

Celebration & Thanks

With all of the celebrating in Washington D.C. this week...it was good to know that there were times of Thanks in Texas. See the Blonde Kid Welcoming George W. back to Texas...that is my double 1st cousin Mark. Thanks Mark for sharing your celebration and Thanks for going to says Thanks! I love you Mark and W.

Picture 1-Mark Welcoming George W. back to Texas.
Picture 2-Mark mugging with his friend in front of Air Force One.
Picture 3-Proof this is my cousin...at his weeding in Texas last January.

I'm jealous. Can you tell?

One Word

Where is your mobile phone? counter
Where is your significant other? couch
Your hair colour? blonde
Your mother? funny
Your father? smart
Your favourite thing? color
Your dream last night? wreck
Your dream goal? good
The room you're in? office
Your hobby? creating
Your fear? snakes
Where do you want to be in 6 years? mommy
Where were you last night? date
What you're not? fat
One of your wish-list items? lamp
Where you grew up? GA
The last thing you did? won
What are you wearing? jeans
Your TV? off
Your pets? Boston
Your computer? silver
Your mood? happy
Missing someone? no
Your car? Lexus
Something you're not wearing? socks
Favourite shop? Etsy
Your summer? perfect
Love someone? Jake
Your favourite colour? turquoise
When is the last time you laughed? C.J.
When is the last time you cried? Monday

About 3 months ago I claimed the verse Proverbs 31:15. As the The Wife of Character is being talked about:

"She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls."

And since then I have gotten up around 6:30 a.m. almost every week day. I feel refreshed and ready to go...excited to jump into the day. I get up and read my bible study...clean and sew and blog...not necessarily all on the same day...but sometimes they all fall on the same morning. The house is quiet and MUCH is accomplished. (So yeah sometimes I do lay down at nap time with C.J. but rarely)

So this morning it was time to organize the fabric...WHY would anybody get up at 6:20in the morning and do that?!?! Well...making shirts like I do...you need to see what you have to be productive and I never could do my homework until my room was clean...not because I was ask to...but because my brain could not focus with all of the chaos...Hmmm which means I am somewhat OCD...yes. And putting all of the scraps in one box is organized? Mmmm...Yes...I'll use them and there is no simpler way to organize that...I'm not so OCD that I want to organize them by color. And color order has been important all my life too...I drew a million pinwheels as a child...and colored them in red orange yellow green blue purple...EVERY TIME. And that is how my brain is partial accountant (well for 6 years)...and partial artsy.

The turkey towels...are for friends...turkey towels on old vintage feed sack cloths. Do people really like these or just my mom? Yeah...I guess they do for holidays...to hang on the stove...or in the guest bathroom? Just remember to put it back up with the holiday stuff and do not leave it out all year.

Learning Curve

There is a fine art to learning in a new ETSY store and some questions people can't help you answer:
--How much to order from a vendor?
--How many do I make of a certain item?
--How many blanks do I leave in the closet for custom orders?
--When do you start the next holiday?
--How many people do you turn down before you order more shirts from the vendor?
--How do I make all these holiday items and get them on the front page to draw people in and not have bread and milk type items once they enter? (they are coming...birthday cakes...more letters, more numbers, football helmets, monsters...more animals...more quilts...bibs...cloth diapers).....

AHHHHH it is so exciting and I could sew all night...but I have a family...to cook for and chase around the kitchen and take to Kroger to get a cookie and and and...oh I want to walk you through a tutorial...tweeze my eyebrows, clean the toilets, take the clothes out of the dryer, learn the best way to advertise, take a deep breath...it's fun...I'll make it all happen. Once again...slowly I'll build you a closet to chose from.

A Woman of Hospitality

We are off to Bible Study this morning. Week 6. This is a great book...covering family issues and how to treat people in general.