I did not ask for your opinion

Why do so many people feel the need to give me their opinion when I talk about adopting again?. Lately more people are trying to tell me where to adopt, why I should not adopt from different countries, why I am not adopting an American baby., etc. I will listen to their opinion for a few minutes however after I heard enough I either turn them off, change the subject and/or tell them I really do not want to hear what they have to say. I am not adopting again to get others approval, I am not adopting again for the attention, I am not trying to be a celebrity, I am not adopting again to prove a point. Its been placed on my heart to adopt again. I understand I can not change the world however if I can change more than one life--that's what matters to me.

He is with you-

click on the link below and then the orange play button above the lyrics to hear the song.

http://www.elyrics.net/read/m/mandisa-lyrics/he-is-with-you-lyrics.html

There's a time to live
And a time to die
There's a time to laugh
And a time to cry
There's a time for war
And a time for peace
There's a hand to hold
In the worst of these
In the worst of these

Chorus:
He is with you when your faith is dead
And you can't even get out of bed
Or your husband doesn't kiss you anymore
He is with you when your baby's gone
And your house is still and your heart's a stone
Cryin' God, what'd you do that for?
He is with you

There's a time for yes
And a time for no
There's a time to be angry
And a time to let it go
There's a time to run
And a time to face it
There is love to see you
Through all of this

Chorus:
He is with you in the conference room
When the world is coming down on you
And your wife and kids don't know you anymore
And he is with you in the ICU
When the doctors don't know what to do
And it scares you to the core
He is with you

We may weep for a time
But joy will come in the morning
The morning light

Chorus:
He is with you when your kids are grown
When there's too much space and you feel alone
And you're worried if you got it right or wrong
Yes he is with you when you've given up
On ever finding your true love
Someone who feels like home
He is with you

When nothing else is left
And you take you final breath
He is with you

Wordless Wednesday

20/20

We had a family visit to Pearle Vision last Saturday for eye examinations. Carson and I have 20/20, Yea Baby! While Carson was patiently waiting his turn, he modeled most of the childrens glasses for us.

Life

Work has been completely overwhelming. I am going in super early and getting done late. I guess that's par for the course when working in health care. Anyway, Carson's last day of school was today. I can not believe he is starting pre-k in September. For the summer, Carson will be going to art camp three days a week. The other two days he will stay home with Jonathan. I am looking forward to Carson having a break from school and "just" enjoying some summer time fun. If all goes well with the next few Doctor's appt regarding his ear, he will start swimming lessons at the end of the month.
As I have written before my sweet little boy has a wicked temper. He gets so mad so quickly. He will start hitting and calling names. Jonathan and I are really praying that its his age causing this crazy behaviour.

Anyone!?

Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with Morocco or Armenia adoptions?

The blues singer

Thursday night Jonathan and I went to see James Taylor and Carole King in Phila. We were eight rows from the stage. When James and Carole (our new friends ;) ) walked off the stage during intermission they walked right past us. Matter of fact I could touch them. WOW!!!
The concert started at 8:00pm with a 15 minute intermission ending at 10:30pm. It was a non-stop concert. They put on an awesome show... There were a few songs that hit home: Fire and Rain and You got a friend. Some of his songs flood my mind with memories- of course memories that hurt deeply and others that bring me joy. Overall, Jonathan and I had a great night together.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Birthday MomMom

Today is my Mom's (Essie's) birthday. Carson is so in love with his MomMom. They have a very special relationship. They tell each other silly stories,they have special sayings, and always give each other eskimo kisses. MomMom, thanks for loving me so much. I am truly blessed to have a MomMom like you.... Happy Birthday!

Three years today

I held my sweet baby boy for the first time. More to come...

way back wednesday- last summer

Have you ever broken a world record?

Be Part of Breaking a World Record

On Saturday, June 5th, 2010 (raindate June 12th, 2010) at 11:00 am in the parking lot of Calvary Baptist Church on Route 9 in Ocean View, NJ, be a part of breaking the world record for attempting to yo-yo for 2 minutes. Yo-yos will be provided. No experience is required and there are no minimum age restrictions.

The purpose of the event is two-fold. The 1st goal is to break the world record which currently stands at 536 people simultaneously attempting to yo-yo for 2 minutes. The 2nd goal is to raise money for a mission trip to Guatemala in July which will involve 10 local residents of Cape May County. The money raised from the event will be used solely for building a home for an indigent family, providing wheelchairs to physically challenged children and adults who have no means of locomotion, and for feeding hungry families who have little to no way of supporting themselves financially.

The 10 individuals who will be traveling to Guatemala have been preparing for their trip by performing community service activities throughout the county.

The cost to participate is only $5 per person. Festivities include live music by Ray Seemans and The Prisoners of Love, food (BBQ), beverages, crafts, bake sale, moonbounce, facepainting, and more. Vendors wanted. Advance registration is encouraged, but not required. To register in advance or for more information, please email gretajop@yahoo.com.

On Memorial Weekend

At our house when it rains it pours. Friday afternoon I received a call from Carson's school stating he was not feeling well and had a temp of 103. Yes, 103. I was at his school within minutes to pick him up. Yup, he is on another course of antibiotics for an infection. My poor boy has been on and off antibiotics for three months. He has a follow up at children's hospital regarding his ear in 2 weeks. However even with medication otc and prescriptions his temperature is hovering around 101.1. Last night he came into our bed around 2am. Carson was all over the bed. I never realized a little 32lb 3 year old could feel like an elephant in the bed. WOW!!
Friday night around 10:00pm we noticed we did not have water. NO WATER! Needless to say 15 hours later and one thousand dollars in the hole we have a new water pump. UH! How do people do it in Guatemala without running water?
Saturday I only left the house to get hay for the horses and take Shauna to Stone Harbor. UH! Usually on Memorial Weekend we are on the boardwalk soaking in the beginning of summer weather at the Jersey Shore :)
Sunday Jonathan went to church as he had to teach children's church. I stayed home with Carson since he was still running a temperature. Later that evening Carson was feeling a little better so we decided to talk a stroll on the Sea Isle Boardwalk. We did not stroll too long since a little boy was getting very whiny.

Adopting again

Jonathan and I have been talking and praying about adopting again. I really want to adopt again from Guatemala however that's going to be a long wait. I have been researching other countries and the wait time because we just got married is two more years before we can apply. Yes, there are other countries which would be quicker however we are lead at this time to the Asian population. If we adopt domestically we could adopt a new born within three months. I am really struggling with what to do. Even though I've been praying I have not been trusting nor listening. I've been doing all the talking and planning. Carson is getting to a great age to have another baby in our home. Hopefully one day soon!

Wordless Wednesday

It was awful quiet last night. Hmmm, lets see why?

Rainforest and E.N.T.

We took Carson and Shauna to the Rainforest Cafe last weekend. It was Carson's first time. He loved being in the "jungle". As you can see from the below photos he was very happy however he was a little concerned when it was thundering and lightning(every half hour). He was telling the elephant that the storm would be over soon and it will be ok. Carson thought the animals were real. Jonathan and I did not have the heart to tell him differently. When Jonathan was walking Carson around the Cafe Carson did not like the monkeys. He said, keep going Daddy, I do not like him and buried his head into Jonathan's shoulder.

On not such a happy note, Carson's physician is referring him to an E.N.T. Doctor at Children's Hospital in Phila. We can not get his ear to clear from an incident that occurred a month ago. UH- my poor sweet baby boy.

He keeps me laughing

Carson asked last night if he could listen to my "odd-pod".

On the way home from the mall last week Carson said, can we go to tinker bell and get a taco? My stomach hurt so bad from laughing....

Carson- Mommy do you like Barbies?
Me- Yes
Carson- I don't like them. Their hair is gross!

Mommy, can I go to your work and see all the sicken (sick) people?

Mother's Day

As Mother's day quickly approaches my mind is on Carson's Birth Mother. I think of her often however on special occasions she is at the fore front of my mind.

Dear Carson's Birth Mother,
Carson wishes you a very happy day. I would like to thank you for giving me the best gift ever. I am not one to promise however I promise to give Carson the best life, to love him and protect him the best I can. Carson is a very handsome 3 1/2 year old boy. He loves to learn and excels very quickly at what he is taught. Sports are his thing. He is very athletic and wants to be a catcher when he is older because they get to wear a costume (lol). Carson is a little fellow. Currently he is in 24 month pants, size 6 shoe, 2t shirt. We are still working on potty training. Its been a long potty training program at our house. He is very stubborn and has a temper! His eyes are like chocolate. They are big and extremely expressive. His skin is beautiful and his hair grows like a weed. Overall,Carson is a very loving and happy sweet boy. Everyone he meets falls in love with him.

I am sure Renato (Carson) crosses your mind. I can not imagine the thoughts and feelings that linger in your mind. However, please rest assured "our" sweet boy is safe, warm and very loved. If there is any way I could ever repay you for allowing me to raise and love Carson I am willing. My prayer is one day you and Carson will get to meet face to face and have a wonderful relationship. I am sure you will be very proud of him.
Until then may every day be Mother's day to you!

first time and not a fan

What a beautiful weekend! The weather was perfect. We spent most of the weekend outside doing "something". Saturday late afternoon we headed to Wildwood so Carson could enjoy some amusement rides. He is getting so brave. He went on the boats, spin wheel, spook house and the bummer cars. Saturday was the first time Carson went alone on the bumper cars. He want in circles and hit the wall the majority of the ride. It was too stinkin cute.





I have received numerous request and emails about being "friends" on facebook. I am not on facebook and I am not a fan of the product. I am sure there are pro and cons with the services however I have ABSOLUTELY no desire to be on there. So without going on a soap box or giving my personal reasons as to why I do not have a page please feel free to continue reading and commenting on my blog.

Sandra Bullock's statement

"You know, I have always felt like, just because a child didn't come from inside your body doesn't mean it's not your child, it just arrived somewhere else...There are so many children just waiting who need love and to give you love back a thousand times more and they're everywhere...You would be profoundly amazed at how many children are out there just waiting for you to love them."

I wish everyone felt this way...

A broken foot

Carson's Uncle Joey broke his foot the other day. He is having surgery on Friday in Virginia. The surgeons will be placing a screw in his foot. So needless to say he will be out of work for a few months. We are praying for a quick and healthy healing.

Back up plan and costume

Saturday night Jonathan and I went to see Back up plan starring Jennifer Lopez. The movie emulated my life (No I was not inseminated but I adopted a baby being single). I really think the writer knew my life story as he was writing the movie. Without going into detail however in the movie Jennifer had twin red head girls. Its a must see chick flick!!!

Its baseball season so we are at the baseball field watching my Dad's team at least once a week. Last week Carson told us that he wants to be a catcher because he would get to wear a costume. So now he is calling his baseball glove his catcher. He has two more years left until he gets to play T Ball. UH!

Is that thunder?

Tonight Carson yells from his bedroom, "Mommy, is that thunder?" I replied, No, its an airplane. There was silence for a minute than he yells with excitement Mommy, Its Uncle Joey, I hear him. Hi Uncle Joey, be careful up there.
Carson loves his Uncle Joey!

So comfortable with PopPop

Another week of treatment

Carson had another follow up visit with the physician today regarding his ear. The physician was not completely happy with the healing progress. So needless to say, Carson will be on treatment for another week. Carson told the physician his ear is still bothering him ( he was talking to her like a little old man).
I pray there is no long term damage.

The first time I met Carson I told my parents he was an old soul. The older he gets the more his old soul comes out.

A what?

Perforated Eardrum!! That's right the physician said, Carson has a perforated eardrum. Wow! He was in tremendous pain until he received pain medication. Now, he is high off of the medication and has gross, crusty, thick mucus coming from his ear non-stop. I have no idea how this happened....

playground fun

The conversations we are having...

I can not believe the type of conversations we are having at my home now with Carson. The other day Carson told us one of his "girlfriends" told him, if he did not play with her, he could not come to her party. Carson replied to the girlfriend, Ok, bye and walked away from her.

The next day, he told us Jesus died on the cross for him. When we asked how he knew that, he replied my friend Justin told me at school.
Then he proceeded to tell us about the nails that were put into Jesus hands. Wow, that was a deep conversation.

Thursday night we were driving home from the horse stable and Carson leans his hand out the window and says, God where are you? Tears filled my eyes faster than I could blink.

Oh how I wish he would keep his innocence.

Wordless Wednesday

Easter 2010

We had a very blessed Easter. The weather was great and spending time with family was even better. I love having my family over and sitting around the table talking and laughing. Sure, there are times where a comment or two is made that are off color however we have learned to roll with it. Nothing is ever said to be hurtful... Saturday evening we had our traditional English muffin pizza's and dyed Easter eggs. Sunday we went to church and then the family Easter egg hunt. My prankster Dad pulled a belated April fools joke and had us looking for eggs in a spot where they were NOT hidden. This year's golden egg winner was first time egg hunter, Shauna.
After the egg hunt we went to the Wildwood boardwalk and rode the rides.
Overall we had a wonderful day.