First College Football Game of the Season

Last night was a big night for Ashton - he went to his first college football game of the season. He adores football! Jason fixed him a sandwich prior to the game and packed a bag, but once Ash got into the car with Bo Bo, he asked for pepperoni pizza and M&M's (his football game food). Troy State overtook our team, but Ashton had a blast!

A Busy Week for AWAA

As of this post, 3 families have received infant boy referrals this week!

Congratulations to the Stager family, Sloniger family, and Pridemore family! The Sloniger family has a great video of the moment that they saw their child's face for the first time - be sure to have tissues ready!

Also, one of Jason's co-workers, Bo, and his family left for China yesterday with 3 other AWAA families to pick-up their little girl, Emma. She is adorable! Please pray for Bo and the other traveling families during this life-changing journey. The scheduled gotcha day is September 1st.

Isn't God good!

Hmm, is it raining

My week has started off just great - I got pooped on by a bird!

I was really fortunate this morning and obtained a parking space directly in front of my office (very hard to do on Mondays because Court dockets are usually packed). I was trying to hurry because it looked like it was going to rain at any minute. I got out of the car and opened the back door to put my jacket over my arm, and I heard birds flying overhead but didn't really pay attention. I got my files and jacket and closed the door. As I was preparing to step-up onto the sidewalk, I felt something hit my upper lip and then my chin. As I put my hand up to my mouth to wipe the "rain" off, I smelled it - bird poop - and also felt the huge splat that landed directly on my chest! I ran into the office spitting and sputtering and discovered that my face and my blouse were doused in it! I thought, okay maybe I can take off my blouse and button-up my jacket so that I can go home and change. The smell was HORRIBLE. From the amount of droppings, I think there were condors flying over my office! To my horror, my jacket had not escaped the bombing either! I didn't have any other clothing at the office and knew that I couldn't very well drive home with just my unmentionables on because I could get pulled-over for indecent exposure - imagine explaining that to our local judge and not to mention my colleagues! I did the best I could to wash-up and then rode all the way home with the windows rolled down and no air because the air conditioning kept making the smell waft towards my nose even more.

Well, in some cultures, I'm told that being pooped-on by a bird is good luck....I didn't find the situation very lucky this morning! Is it Friday yet?!?!

It Came, It Came, The Bedding FINALLY Came

Well, as of 5 minutes ago, my nursery is complete! Of course, it's not put together yet but I have all my decor!!! I ordered the bedding over 6 weeks ago and have started getting antsy because it hadn't arrived yet. I will never order a large item from E-bay again because it stressed me too much. Of course, when I placed the order and added curtains and wall decor to it, the seller readily responded to my e-mails. As the weeks wore on, the seller began ignoring me. In over 6 weeks, only 1 request for a shipment update was responded to and the response I received turned-out not to be true. On Monday, I noticed that another buyer had placed feedback that a bedding set valued at almost $700.00 was paid for 7 weeks ago but never received and her e-mails were ignored. I panicked. By no means did I pay that much money for the ensemble, but I did pay a chunk of change and knew I couldn't absorb that kind of loss. After 4 unresponded to e-mails, I sent a message through E-bay and threatened to file a dispute against her in order to obtain a refund. That message got her attention and BAM, I now have my bedding! I can't wait to get it home and start on the fun stuff - decorating!

Chosen Child by Karen Hahn

"Chosen Child" - Foundations® by Karen Hahn

"You were in our Hearts before we knew you. God bless the Day you came to us."

While online this week, I was looking-up adoption figurines for Julianna's nursery. I've been considering the Willow Tree figurine but will probably chose this figurine. I think Ashton actually decided for me because when he saw "Chosen Child", he asked what it said and then stated that his sissy needs this one. I want to place the figurine beside our referral picture in the nursery.

Cinderella's Castle

I'm so excited because my latest E-bay purchase arrived today....Cinderella's castle! For Julianna's nursery, I am using very feminine flowers and bedding with a focus on fairy tales. I searched high and low for the perfect castle and finally found it! When I initially bid on the castle, the auction was retracted by the seller due to miscalculated shipping costs. I contacted the seller and we worked out a great deal...so Julianna is now the proud owner of a castle that is complete with a horse drawn carriage, Prince Charming, candelabra, etc. Now, if the bedding set would only arrive I could get started!

Happy Birthday, Jason

Happy Birthday, Jason!

This past weekend, we celebrated Jason's 33rd birthday. I wanted to do something unusal for him, so I baked a cactus cake. He is fascinated by Indians and the Old West, so the concept worked great. When I bought the rather large clay container, he thought I was nuts when I told him it was for his birthday cake. I washed it several times and then started the baking and decorating process. He was really pleased and couldn't wait to take it to his sister's house for the family get-together (we were celebrating 2 birthdays and 1 anniversary). I think everyone enjoyed it, however what mattered the most is the excitement that was evident in Jason's eyes and actions. It made making over 350 cactus pricklies worth it!

Next Generation to Serve as U.S. Marine

My sister, Leigh, signed a contract today with the U.S. Marines. She will leave for Quantico, VA very soon. Please keep her in your prayers as she attends Officer Candidate School (OSC) and eventually JAG school. She is following in the footsteps of our father - let's just say that he is one mighty proud daddy. We are all saddened because this venture will take her from Tennessee, however we know that God has great things in store for her. Our parents dedicated us to the Lord when we were mere infants, and we are all trusting that God will keep her safe and direct her path. Well, I guess we can start making plans to attend her commissioning ceremony in December - pending her successful completion of many, many weeks of grueling torture!

Leigh, we are very proud of you and want you to know that we love you dearly. Our prayers and thoughts will always be with you! Always remember to never give-up and to always trust God. You will never face a challenge that is too big for God to conquer.

"In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." Prov. 3:6

Growing up - who is it harder on...Mom or Ashton

Pictures of Ashton's Classroom

Our baby is turning 4 in October, so he moved-up to the younger preschool class today at daycare! He was so excited and couldn't wait to get to get to school because today he joins the "big boy class" instead of the "babies" (his words exactly). When we arrived, his friends were out on the playground, so after I kissed him goodbye, he took off running across the playground to say hi to his new teacher. He was running so fast that when he tried to stop, he skidded and landed on his bottom which of course resulted in a squeal of delight. He was so happy but I had tears falling down my cheeks! I can only imagine what it will be like when he actually starts kindergarten :( I know, I know, Ashton keeps telling me, "I grow-up too fast, Momma." At least he's not too big yet to give me a kiss when I drop him off each day!

Calling all Prayer Warriors - Family Prayer Requests

Within the next several days, two of our family members need prayer for protection and guidance.

The first person is my father, Jim (he's the man resembling Santa). He and a group of his fellow church members will be traveling to Pass Christian, Mississippi this weekend to work on a church and other buildings that were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. My dad has made other trips and really enjoys the work and the fellowship. This is a ministry that hits very close to home for our family because we lived in Long Beach, Mississippi for 8 years. Mississippi is where I spent my formative years and for me, it will always be my true home place. Our church friends there are closer to our family than most of our actual family members. Anway, back to the prayer request. It is HOT down there. My dad is getting older and we are concerned about the extreme heat and the effect that it may have on home. We are asking specifically that you pray for his health, protection, and that God's love will be spread among the people.

The second person for whom I am requesting prayer is my sister, Leigh. She is facing a huge and life-changing opportunity - she is applying to the Marine Corp. JAG program. She passed her bar exam this past April and has been working closely with her recruiting officer. She goes this coming Monday to determine whether or not she can pass the physical portion of the entrance requirements. She has been training faithfully, so please pray that God will open the door for her if this is His will.

Interview with the Chapman Family

Many of you will remember that this past May, Steven Curtis Chapman and his family suffered the loss of their youngest daughter, Maria, who was adopted through America World from China. For the first time since the accident, the Chapmans have publicly discussed how they are grieving and trying to remain strong in faith. In case you missed the interview, click on the link to watch the segment. By the way, have your tissues handy!

Good Morning America Interview with the Chapmans

Traveling Families

There are 4 AWAA families traveling to Ethiopia tomorrow, so let's be sure to keep them in our prayers and of course, stalk their blogs (just click on their names - I finally learned how to link)!

Cox

Moles

Ducommun

Moutsos: No blog

We can't wait to read about your journey and see the pictures!

Conference Call Info

The following are specific prayer requests and then some general tidbits that answered some of our questions (and some belonging to our readers):

• PRAYER REQUEST: AWAA is currently partnered with 3 orphanages (one of which is the government orphanage that is partnered with many agencies) and is in the finalization process for a 4th orphanage. Please pray that this partnership will be finalized and referrals will be received.

• PRAYER REQUEST: The lease with the current building that houses the transitional house expires on October 1, so AWAA is currently looking for a larger facility because the program is growing so quickly.

• No specific time will ever be given for referrals – only time frames.

• The wait times for infant boys has been reduced from 6 – 9 months to 5 – 7 months.

• Why are more boys available than girls? Boys are seen as harder to care for and girls are considered good luck. Also, daughters are daughters forever and a son is only a son until he marries.

• Typically, you will travel 6 – 8 weeks after referral acceptance (except during court closure). Whereas court dates will no longer be revealed to families, expect to travel within 2 weeks of being notified that you passed court.

Our trip to Gatlinburg

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Every year since 1994, the Tudor family (Erica's family) has taken a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains with friends from church...this year was no exception! Unfortunately, Jason couldn't get off to go with us, however Ashton and I went for a few fun-filled days. Our group was down this year because only 57 of us were able to go, but we had fun nevertheless. Since we are now going to a different church, it was great to be able to see so many familiar faces that we haven't seen lately. We had a great time reminiscing and just catching-up on life's adventures. Hope you enjoy some of the pictures from our trip.