Have a great week!!

Just a few things for Monday....

I am going to have a busy week as usual, our friend and neighbor is going to be out of town so I will have two extra kids until thursday, which will be alot of fun since they are great kids.

I will be working today helping Jacy coordinate everything for the Annual Thanksgiving Feast for all the kids and their parents at MDO , which is tomorrow. We have a Youth meeting tonight at church also.

On Wednesday, I will be having a Diagnostic Mammogram, which is always ALOT of fun!!! I have fibrocystic "stuff" and back in January I had an abcess which is kind of a every 3 months or so happening for me. But I went for the usual sonogram and apparently it never got back to me that the Radiologist wanted and suggested I have a biopsy. I was put on the regular anti-inflammatorys and went about my life, well on Friday I was scheduled for a routine screening mammogram and they would not do it because of January and so back to the "SQUEEZER" I go!!! Pray that nothing is there please.

There are several things thru the week that I am either scheduled for or need to get done, in addition to helping with Mom and Kim, and I must add that the La Vernia Bears are in the Playoffs!!! And on Saturday our local FCC is having a Waiting Families Dinner and if you can believe this or not our kids have all rearranged their schedules so they can go with us!! I am so excited. It will be all of their first time except for Astrud of course to attend one of these functions , and I think seeing some of the little girls with their families is really going to make this real for them and I can't wait to see the looks on their faces.

I will do my best to follow along throughout the week with all of you, please be patient, I will get to all of you. Have a truly blessed week.

Love and Blessings, Kristy

3 YEARS TODAY.....

OK on second thoughts.......

There is something to blog about. For the last several days my heart has been so dang heavy and I walk around with a lump in my throat. I miss my baby. I want her home so bad, my heart and my arms ache. I know some people would think that is crazy, how can you miss someone you don't know....but you see I do know her, she has been in my heart for so long. I guess it all started with the ONE day of referrals. I know we are so close, but it is that so close but yet so far feeling, that gets you down. And I apologize to the people out there that look to me for encouragement , it is just not here tonight right now. I will snap out of this, I always do, right now I just got to have my own little pity party. COME ON CCAA PLEASE GIVE US OUR BABIES!!!!

Another thing that is getting me down is all of the blogging arguing going on. Let's face it friends, all of us are not going to agree on everything, or believe in the same things, or even like each other all the time, but we can't let the evil one step in and take over, we are all in this together, so let's all take a deep breath and start the day anew, ok. In these times I always try to remember:

Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give
up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
Galatians 6:9

These crack me up!! Thanks Jessica!

Nothing worth blogging is really going on, but Jessica sent me these two emails and they just crack me up , so I thought I would share....


Just think ...
if the Indians had given the Pilgrims
a donkey instead of a turkey,
we would all be having a piece of ass this Thanksgiving


Due to increasing age, forgetfulness, and my decreasing ability to send cards on time here is my card to cover every Holiday .

Veterans Day 2008

Thank you to all of the soldiers of past and present for what you have made possible in this lifetime. Thank you to my Daddy, Frank, Steven, Sugarbabe, Uncle Bill,Uncle Chuck,Uncle Bob, Rick, Larry Green and so, so , many others. I will be forever grateful.

Just some thoughts!!!

AND THANK THEM FOR LISTENING!!

I just had some thoughts, some are good , some are bad......


1.I am so thankful that even though the CCAA only matched supposedly two days this month, we are at least one more LID date away from our Franceska.

2.I also am so thankful that I am sitting at my computer while next to me the window is open because the weather here is just the exact way I like it.

3.I am thankful that even though my candidate did not win the Presidential election, on Wednesday night at church, Karen reminded us of what Romans 13 says,
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities,
for there is no authority except that which God has established.
The authorities that exist have been established by God.

So the way I interpret that is we are to submit to the government because it is there for our benefit and protection , and God is the one who allows all authorities to rule. Yet there are also times when civil disobedience is warranted. When a governements actions violate the precepts of God, believers have a responsibility to act. (Ac5:29). Prayer , protests, boycotts, and other campaigns all can be utilized to bring about change , but all must be couched in love. (1Co 16:14). I voted as a Christian, I voted because at least I know that the candidate I did vote for is a Christian. I voted for all of the unborn babies that will more than likely lose their right to live. The forefathers of my country based the constitution on the Bible. With that all being said, and after having read Romans 13, I do pray for our new President, I pray that God leads him to lead our country in the way it was meant to be ran. I pray that his family is safe, and I pray that everyday God graces me with the trust I need to wholeheartedly trust my new President.

(Now if I have offended anyone, I apologize. There are alot of you that I love dearly , and alot of you that I barely know that have been very vocal on this very subject and I have not left one ill comment on any other blogs, this is my opinion and I pray that you respect that as I have respected you.)

4.Now to something that has just irritated the heck out of me. My daughter Astrud as all of you know has some really special friends, that I might add Frank and I along with the rest of our extended family love to pieces. But one of their parents has just pissed me off. Everytime she has been with Astrud in at least the last 7 months or so has questioned Astrud politically and spiritually. Now don't get me wrong Astrud has this innate ability to hold HER own. When asked about the bible, or her opinions on certain things she is quite capable of giving an educated, responsible, mature answer. BUT the other day this particular parent cornered Astrud and ask her WHY this , and WHY that which were political questions and when Astrud replied because I vote the BIBLE, this woman started telling her that you are always throwing around the bible, and throwing around your beliefs, etc. etc. etc.....

So Astrud just told her that you can't pick which parts of the bible you want to follow that you have to follow all of it. I must remind you that my daughter is only 15 years old and way ahead of me in her relationship with HIM at her age than I was. She is not an arrogant, saracastic kid, and I know that she answered her in a tone just like she always uses in her everyday conversations. Now for any of you who know me, know that I am a tad bit more mouthier , and have more temper that I would like to admit, but to my daughters asking I have not said anything to this lady. Also because I love her daughter as if she was my own, I have never once questioned her political views or spiritual life. I have witnessed to her, but not in a pushy way, I have witnessed to all the girls about being accountable to and for each other, in everyday life. It just pisses me off that this lady feels as if she can do this to our 15 year old daughter. OK I am done, I have vented on this subject and won't bring it up again.

5.And something else that irritates me is that today online there are tons of emails out there of women that are being so negative about the small amount of days that made it thru referral and how they are going to probably quit the program, how it is probably going to be another year and a half for us April 06ers!!!!! Good gravy ladies, you have made it this far , how can you just turn your away from the baby that you have been loving and waiting for so long???? First , I don't think it is going to be another year and a half before us April 06ers get our babies!!! Second, I don't care how BIG March 06 is, or how many families are logged in , there are still 31 days in March just like the rest of the year. Does that make me stupid???? Honestly , is that a dumb way to look at that???? I truly believe in my heart of hearts that the CCAA is really trying to get thru the backlog as fast as they can.

6.And LAST......I do with every ounce of my soul believe that this is the last Christmas that we will be without Franceska. I do believe that she will be home this summer. I have FAITH. We are only 2 months away from the last LID that was referred, and we have endured this far, we are NOTgoing anywhere!!!! Our baby is waiting for us somewhere in China.

*****Sorry for the bitchiness of this post, I just needed to get it all out, I did, and now I feel so much better, thank you for listening*****

What does our future hold?

This is from a Beth Moore Bible study.

"Imagine standing on a battlefield all alone facing an angry army of 1,000 men, each breathing torturous threats. Suddenly you feel the earth pound beneath your feet like the hoofbeats of 10,000 horsemen. Your heart nearly melts with fear as you prepare yourself for the ever-mounting foe. Then you realize it wasn't 10,000 horsemen after all. It was one. Your gaze lifts higher and higher as you try to focus on His face with the sun in your eyes. He looks 100 feet tall atop His stallion and His very presence emanates authority. He is stunningly beautiful. Staggeringly powerful. His horse gallops onto the battlefield, kicking up the earth. The rider firmly pulls the reins and brings His horse to a halt right beside you. The horseman then looks down at you and says, "Proceed into battle, mighty warrior. I am on your side."

Do you feel His strength? When we call on his name, God promises believers power and victory in the terrifying battles of the spiritual realm. He promised we'd be more than conquerors! Do not be afraid of this election and the leaders of this world. Our God is King and more powerful than any leader of this country.

Thank you to my friend Kim from The Byrd's Nest. Love you.

Election Day might be rough, so here are some smiles!!!

I know I post alot of pictures, but Astrud and her friends are always taking pictures and some of them are really random and then some of them are really good!!! I probably have 1000 pictures of the girls just having fun!! The innocence is just beautiful to me, in all of the pictures they have taken, probably less than half are actually really pretty smiling pics, they are always making funny and ugly faces and there is absolutely no inhibition and I admire that!!!! I am always trying my best to take a "good" picture. I pray I learn from these beautiful young women!! Enjoy!

p.s. sorry for the extra music, tomorrow after school, I will get Astrud to take it off, I don't know how!! lolol

Halloween 08 Pictures!

Ok my Halloween post has to start out with a wonderful story. Back on October 21st which happen to be our 30th LIDversary , Kim was in the hospital still and as I was walking out of the family waiting room, I came face to face with a lady pushing a stroller which happen to have her daughter in it, that just happen to be from China!! So as I got in the elevator, I smiled and somehow just knew that , that was God's way of telling me he has not forgotten about us or Franceska. It just made me smile and it gave me hope that this long journey would soon come full circle. So about 40 minutes later when I came back up I looked in the waiting room and there was Lt. Smith , my sisters awesome nurse sitting there with his family.....the same lady , with the same little precious China doll!!!! I smiled again!!!

So when he came in my sisters room later on that day I just had to ask him and tell him all about us and tell him what day it just happen to be for us. He got choked up , I got choked up, he told their story, we both got choked up AGAIN, and he reminded me that it was that RED THREAD that also brought us together. So on the morning of Halloween I met him, his wife Jody and their precious babygirl Gracie!!! Gracie has two very handsome brothers at home also. And she just happens to be such a cutie patootie, I could listen to her voice all day long!!!! They are such an awesome family, and I feel like I have known them forever already. I am so thankful for God bringing them into our lives, I have already learned so much from them.

They are going back to China in November to be a part of something that has never happened before. They along with other families have been invited back to the province of Fuling ( hope I spelled that right), to personally carry the babies to their newly built orphanage! Can you believe that, how awesome!!!!! So please keep this family in your prayers as they travel.
Our lil Zane the Monkey! Isn't that the cutest darn Monkey!!!!

Heres Garett as Anniken Skywalkwer, and Kyndall as Garbriella from High School Musical!

This is my friend April, I think she looks so darn cute!!!

Rayn and Brett

Rayn, the most precious Pumpkin in the world!!!

Poppy and Rayn

Jacy's dad , Larry and my daddy, Harold...(The Antique Railroaders"

Me, Rayn and Nonny (my mom)

Jake, the local SWAT!

Lil Cousin Taylor!

US GIRLS! Becka, Me,, Kerry, Jennifer and Jacy

Pastor Dave, The Only Vikings Fan in Texas!!

My neice Jade and friend Abby

Our "Star Gazing" picture

Jade and Abby

HAPPY HALLOWEEN MY PRETTIES!!!!!

Just some pics to share!!!

I just wanted to share a few of this weeks favorite pics!!! Of some of the people I love!!!

Our HANDSOME BOYS!!! Craig, Christopher and Steven!!! This picture makes my heart smile!!!
Here's our sweet DIL Amy with our precious Joshie!!!
Traci and Chas sent this to me on my phone one night not ever thinking that it would be perfect "Blog Material"!!!
(Ha Ha...Witches Laugh!)


This is Amy, Rick ,and Zane, on a lake somewhere in New York, they look a little chilly...it was 90 degrees here!!!

More Cousins...This is new "Big Brother" Preston with Landen and cousin Taylor!!!!

This is our nephew Adrian, his beautiful wife Jackie and Little Adrian!! Isn't he tooo cute!!! They live in Ft. Worth and we NEVER get to see them, and just the other day Jackie sent me some pictures and I love them!!!! We miss you!

Happy Monday!

I pray that each of you has a very Happy Monday and an amazing week!!!! Thank you all of you for your prayers and words of encouragement. I can only pray that I too, at least for one second touch your lives in any encouraging way like each of you have touched my life. I sincerely don't know what I would do without you, and truly will never know what I ever did to be so blessed, I am eternally grateful and forever not worthy of such blessings.

Some pics from the day!

"The Sisters" Kerry, Kristy, and Kim

Me and my Mom having a "good moment"!
Frank and my Mom, they love each other so much and he is so good with her!

A Thank you, an update, and LIDversary!

FIRST let me take a second to THANK EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, THOUGHTS , COMFORTING WORDS, AND PRAYERS FOR MY FAMILY!!! As I sit here with such a heavy heart and a huge lump in my throat all of you will never know how much it means to me. I can't express how much it helps me to know that all of you are in my corner. I can feel the prayers and I can certainly feel God's grace being shed every minute of the day. And that is all because of all of you. You people have become so incredibly important in my life and I than God for each and everyone of you. THANK YOU AND MAY GOD KEEP BLESSING YOU ALL.

UPDATE ON KIM: DELETED



Today is also our 30th month LIDversary!!! Congratulations to us!!! We are getting closer to that airplane ride to get our baby!!!

Love and blessings to all!!

I've been tagged!!!

Ok sometime last week I was tagged by my new amazing friend DENISE and since it was such an emotional roller coaster of a week, I thought it was time to put down my answers and have a little fun.

OK there are so many things about me that are strange so I will have to narrow it down to seven!!!

1. I have this sick compulsive disorder that everything always has to be done in even numbers. Like the other day I was at the store buying cranberry's and fruit cocktail for our local food pantry and I had to get "8" cans each, not 7, or not 5 of one, and 6 of the other!!! Everything you can imagine in a daily time frame has to be done in EVEN numbers!!!

2. Another thing is that if my conscience would let me, I would totally eat Mayonnaise with a spoon out of the container!!!! I know gross right!!!! But my conscience just won't let me!! I worked in the Heart room in surgery way too long to allow myself do that, I know way too much about what it looks like in there!!!

3. I always have to put the mascara and eye shadow on my left eye first!! I know pretty strange!!!

4. Another thing is because of losing my best friend in the whole world , my cousin Christopher when we were both 18, I have to say a "proper" goodbye everytime. I have to say I love you to my loved ones, or I have to say goodbye the right way to the special people in my life.

5. I was in the Miss. La Vernia pageant two years in a row and lost both times. Even though the entire town said for weeks that I got robbed!!!! WHATEVER!!!! Really I am not bitter at all!!!

6. I DID get Homecoming Queen!!!

7. I love going to the movies because I crave Popcorn and Jalenpenos, with popcorn salt!!!! (don't know why I'm swollen) hehehehehe

Ok there you go, I could probably go on forever, but now I must tag 7 of my friends! But I am breaking the rules and tagging more than that!!!!


Robin, Christie, Rony, Kimberly, Lea, Linda, Vicki, Kathryn, Bailey, Sherri, Sara, and Joan

Ok so I tagged 12 friends!!!! Have fun Ladies!!!

Good Morning to all of you!! I want to apologize for not visiting alot of you this week, my family and I have a had a rough week. My Mom has entered a different stage of her illness and it's been pretty tough and emotional. I have such a heavy heart. I think my "Mom" is gone. This horrible disease has robbed us, and I don't think I will ever have another real conversation with my Mama again. And somehow we have become the protector, the shield, the comforter, so to speak the parent and I don't want to be her parent, I still want to be her little girl that can go to her for all those things, oh how I want her back the way she was so long ago. I'm so sorry for unloading on all of you.

Even with all the sorrow GOD is still so good to us and I pray that I never lose that focus. Please say a prayer for my Daddy, her is such a GOOD man , he is my Hero and as much as I hurt because I am losing my Mama, he is losing the love of his life one day at a time and, oh gosh how that must hurt, and him being the type of man he is, he is still trying to protect his 45, 41 and 35 year old daughters. He still tries to keep things from us about the things that go on day to day, minute to minute.

If the opportunity ever arises for you to support the Alzheimers Association , please do, because maybe a cure could be found. I don't want anyone else I know and love to ever have to go through this. Again I am sorry for unloading, thank you for listening. God bless all of you. Give somebody you love a HUG.

WE DID IT!!!

No PROZAC needed here, this email came yesterday, And we have won the fight!!! And things are looking up!!!!! GOD IS SO GREAT, HE IS AN AWESOME GOD!!!

Joint Council Update
Program Advocacy
Date October 14, 2008
Regarding I-600A Process

Dear Families & Friends,
After advocating on behalf of adoptive families for the past 6 months, Joint Council is very pleased to confirm that USCIS has announced a very positive ruling concerning the I-600A process.

In summary, it is our understanding that, effective immediately, families who filed Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition, prior to April 1, 2008 and whose USCIS approval of that petition (aka the I-171H) has not expired, will be able to proceed with their adoption under the I-600A process if they take certain steps while their approval remains valid. This means that families with valid Form I-600A approvals will not be required to transition to The Hague process via Form I-800A. In order to maintain their status as ‘grandfathered’ cases, families with non-expired Form I-600A approvals must request a one-time free extension. Then, prior to the expiration of the one-time free extension, families must file a new Form I-600A and pay the appropriate fee.

It is also our understanding that families with a Form I-600A approval that has expired and who have not obtained an extension or filed a new Form I-600A, will need to undertake the Hague process. The Hague process will also apply to any petitioner who has not completed their adoption by 2014.


THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND ALL OF THE OTHER WAITING FAMILIES FOR SIGNING THIS PETITION, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH STRESS AND WORRY THIS HAS JUST LIFTED OFF OF OUR HEARTS!!!! WELL AT LEAST MINE ANYWAY SINCE FRANK HAS THIS EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY TO NOT WORRY. HE KEPT SAYING , "BABE NO WORRIES"!!!! HE HAS SUCH INCREDIBLE FAITH. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!


Just when I thought my day could not get any better.....!!!!! After I finished this post at about 5:25 this morning , I walked into my kitchen and there on the counter was my neice Lily's cup from last night ,and when I picked it up to throw it away I noticed it had writing on it. So I turned it around and I saw that it read..... "I LOVE MY MOM AND MEME", (remember my neices call me MEME). Let's just say it doesn't get any better than this!!!! Totally made my day complete. Oh so many blessings!



Here's Rayn and Lily, with Lily looking a little bit more prissy than usual!!!
Here's Lily in her comfort zone, THE SOCCER FIELD!

Our weekend in pictures!

Hello everyone, I hope everybody had a great weekend!!! My sweet Frank was in St. Louis this weekend for his annual meeting and while there was presented a very prestigious award. He is always bringing us presents back so here are some pics. He brought my sister Kerry a St. Louis Cardinals t-shirt and an autographed baseball. She has always been a big fan of the Cards!!! He brought Astrud a bag of "Ram Poop", it is chocolate covered peanuts...too funny!! And also I just wanted to share a picture of a very special friend of mine. My Katybug!

This is my Daddy also known as Poppy with Astrud and Chelsea after the football game friday night!

This is my Katybug, isn't she gorgeous!!!

This is my very modest, no fuss, no fanfare hubby with his award! Cardinal Health , Inc. is a worldwide company and he was awarded the President's Circle Award which is the top 10 Employees for the year and he was #6!!! That is huge!! I am so proud of you Babe!

My present was a Brighton keychain with this ladybug on it!!! How cute is that!!!

Here is a closeup of the plaque.

HAVE A VERY BLESSED WEEK ALL OF MY ONLINE SWEETS!!!