Monday's Musings

I am thankful for... my family and those friends who have become my family. Without the love and support of others in my life right now, I'd be having an even more difficult time dealing with some current issues.

Outside my window... soft snowflakes fluttering down from the trees as the breeze flows through their naked limbs. It made it look like it was snowing today but the sky was clear and sun was shining!

I am going... to pray we're still able to take our planned trip to Germany next Christmas. Current events may eat into our trip savings.

I am reading... nothing. For once in my life, I have absolutely no desire. I hope it doesn't last long.

I am hoping... for good and honor and truth to prevail.

I am hearing... a roaring fire - yummy warmth!

One of my favorite things... Grandma's peanut brittle.

Here is a picture I'm sharing... this was our view Christmas Eve morning at my parents' house.

Winter's Officially Here

Today's the first day of winter. I haven't blogged since my Musings last week. There will be no Musings today. Life's been busy. Super busy. It's had its ups and it's had its downs... some major ups and downs in the past week alone. That's all I'll say about that.

Christmas is this week. We'll be celebrating with my family. Christmas Eve at my parents and then Christmas Day at our home. I guess I'm officially an adult now; I've started assuming some holiday hosting for the family dinners and get-togethers. I spent tonight baking 5 different treats and cookies, though my molasses cookies didn't turn out. I used a friend's recipe and it turned out nothing like the way she makes them. I was so frustrated I just threw away all the batter/dough. I haven't had a lot of gift wrapping to do because we really scaled back on the gifts we bought and money we spent this year, but I've got everything wrapped and under the tree.

Besides, Christmas isn't about the treats and money spent on gifts. Christmas is about CHRIST. And as distant and angry as I've been with Him over the past few years, I still love Him and still honor the way He came down from heaven in the form of a lowly human to give His life for us... for me.

Monday's Musings

I am thankful for... patient and well-behaved puppies. I had a very long day (13 hours) in the office today and they stayed cooped up in there with me all day.

Outside my window... Snow, snow, snow! And cloudy overcast skies.

I am going... shopping for a few more Christmas decorations tomorrow. I have three times the house to decorate now and need to expand my stash!

I am reading... recipes for all the Christmas treats I plan to make this coming weekend.

I am hoping... my husband calls me soon. He's being the social butterfly and visiting some of our friends tonight while he's in our old town. I'm ready for bed and want to hear his voice before I fall asleep.

I am hearing... the tv as I'm catching up on some of my DVR'd shows.

One of my favorite things... moist and chewy brownies. Mmm.

Here is a picture I'm sharing... a picture I took today. It doesn't quite capture the amount of snow we have but I have a fondness for black and white tree pictures.

Another Lengthy Update

Last week went by in a blur. It seems like so much is happening without really doing too much. I also never thought my house cleaning would take so much more time and have to happen so much more often with this house. I notice the dog hair and dander much worse than I did in our last home. It's crazy.

And now I get to deal with snowy paw marks all over the floor. Last night it started to snow and continued through this morning and I love it, don't get me wrong, I just wish it would've waited a few more days. Gil had to leave today and is traveling over the worst stretch of roads to get to his destination. I don't know why his company won't join the technology of the 21st century and sky.pe in or teleconference for these mandatory meetings. He has to travel to more meetings the first week of January. Who plans these for this part of the year anyway?!!

I just finished addressing most of my Christmas cards this weekend so I'll hopefully be getting them in the mail this week. I've never felt this unprepared and tardy in getting them out before so that bugs me a little bit. It also bugs me that we won't be getting an updated picture sent out this year. We'll still take one, probably this coming weekend, and share it with our closer friends and family but it won't go out to everyone in our cards and that bugs me, too, like I'm just being a slacker this year.

We had an adoption workshop we needed to attend yesterday as another requirement for our license. Yes, this was the same workshop I already attended in November but Gil wasn't able to make it. Apparently, neither were 4 other couples so our family resource specialist hosted another workshop just for those who weren't able to go to the last one so I went with Gil. I'm glad I did; we met some great people who I think will turn into not only a great support system for when we will eventually adopt but will become great friends. And they all live within 5 miles of us!

I had previously discussed a sibling set of 3 boys we had put our study in for. Well, our FRS was waiting to hear from her higher-ups about some questions she had in regards to the medical exam issue before actually submitting our study. We had no clue she hadn't already submitted our study. Two weeks after we expressed interest and asked her to submit us for these boys, their agency closed their profile as they had a family selection already in process. We were too late.

I was really sad and felt like God closed yet another door. Seems like a lot of doors have been closed during both our journeys to grow our family and it has me questioning if we're doing the right thing. However, the desire to parent is still strong for us so we're continuing to push on and whatever happens, happens.

So... we're attempting another IUI but I'm keeping dates under wraps so we can keep it somewhat private between the two of us. No one else has to tell anyone when they wish to conceive! It looks as though the procedure will actually happen this time, too, even though nature unexpectedly changed our original scheduled date.

And... we did have our homestudy officially submitted for 2 other sibling sets this past week. One set is 2 boys (ages 7 & 4) and 1 girl (age 2) and the other set is 2 boys (ages 5 & 6). All children would need continued extensive counseling and/or therapy to deal with the emotional trauma of their early lives and it's becoming much more evident the more we talk with others currently living with it how much work it's going to be having children by this route. It's definitely not scaring us away from this adoption path as we were well informed prior to choosing it, but we're so thankful we are continuing to learn about all the resources and support that will be available to us. We know we won't be able to do it alone.

Fingers are crossed and prayers have been said. Again, what happens, happens and it's all in God's hands. We've gotten better at being patient in this process. It's not without its frustrations but I'm thankful that Gil and I have only succeeded in growing closer and more dependent on each other rather than allowing our pain to come between us as it unfortunately happens to so many other IF couples.

Monday's Musings

The "Simple Things" for which I'm grateful...

I am thankful for... new "old" friends. I'm going to meet with a friend from my high school days tomorrow at our small town coffee shop. It's been nice to start a reconnection since we now live in the same town. Now... I just need to make those coffee dates with friends a little further away or they're going to think I really don't want to see them!

Outside my window... darkness... deep and really chilly. It's almost midnight, for crying out loud! What am I even doing online at this hour?

I am going... insane from insomnia. It happens every time Gil is out of town.

I am reading... absolutely nothing at the moment. It's taking me about a month just to get through one magazine right now!

I am hoping... for snow. We've got the yummy cold, now we just need the white stuff!

I am hearing... Arrow chase rabbits in his sleep.

One of my favorite things... Mint Mocha with a double shot of espresso. Mmm. That's what I'm having tomorrow.

Here is a picture I'm sharing... a pine cone cluster. I snapped this real quick as we were inching by on the trail during the Je.ep Jam.boree this past August. It's one of my favorite "artsy" photographs I've ever taken.

Christmas Can [Still] Change the World

The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and revolutionary love.

So what happened?

What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a Savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.

And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose.

Is this what we really want out of Christmas?

What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?

Welcome to Adv.ent Cons.piracy.

(Text copied from Adv.ent Cons.piracy's website because I couldn't have said it any better myself.)

The Germans Are Coming

And sadly, they've already come and gone.

In September, our friends H&G from Germany came to visit for three weeks and brought their friends B&L. For those of you who don't know, Gil lived in Germany for eight years while he served in the Army and going through his medical discharge and rehab. While there, he became very close friends with H and his girlfriend G. H is actually how Gil got into huskies and dog-sledding and they went to numerous races throughout Germany and France together.

Anyway... since Gil's been stateside and we've been together, H&G have come to visit every other year (and back-to-back years when we got married). Luckily, with the added guests of B&L this visit, we're in a new home big enough to accommodate everyone.

During the first two work weeks while Gil was out of town, the Germans took side trips to Yello.wstone Park one week and off to Oly.mpia Natio.nal Forest the next week. We had a lot of good quality time together this visit on the weekends and most weeknights.

One weekend, we rented an extra Harl.ey (because we only have two) and went on an excursion to Glaci.er Park. Even though I went as a passenger, I had a fabulous time! Actually, all six of us ride bikes so all the girls had to give up control and ride b*$&%.

Here we are at the summit of Goi.ng to the S.un Road.
Left to right: me, B, Gil, L, H and G (kneeling).

I took this picture mainly for Gil's mom because she'd appreciate the vessel used for a planter. This was in front of the restaurant we ate at.

Everyone wanted to go golfing and H was the only one who had been before (and only once at that!). Here's Gil giving them some quick lessons. I had to stay in the cart all day because I had majorly sprained my ankle just the day before and was unable to walk.

This is one of my favorite photos. I caught G in the middle of a laugh as she had just made a huge divot trying to hit the ball. I love the joy and abandon she's expressing.

And they brought me beer. All the way from Germany. If I weren't so darned Irish, I'd be more German than the smidgeon I am. I love beer. Dark beer. And though this isn't terribly dark, it was absolutely fantastic! Notice the word on the neck label? Hell. Yep. Though drinking one felt akin to heaven, I can see where a few too many would go drastically opposite.

We love having H&G here. They are truly family in every sense of the word and we miss them terribly. Our goodbyes at the end of every visit are becoming more difficult. We're planning a trip to see them (finally) next year as Gil wants to go back in the winter for the Christmas markets. Barring anything substantial happening in the kid department, we'll be able to spend about two to three weeks there. I really need to start building up my vacation time!