Ahhh.....Football

The week before last when my sister was visiting, she and my mom came down to the loveliest village on the plain to watch Auburn play Clemson. We had a great time wandering around campus where all three of us have lived, learned, and loved. It is growing so much and it's been a while since Mom and Jen have seen it. Here are some photo highlights....

This was the funniest sign I've seen all season....homeboy! ;)

Last night was a great game against South Carolina. No pics, but plenty of memories. On the way home, I began reading a great book ALOUD to keep my husband awake (we arrived home at 2 am on the dot and still made it to early service....woot woot! That also = 3 hour nap this afternoon). By the end of the first chapter we were hooked! We laughed, we cried, we laughed until we cried and my husband was hyperventilating and we nearly had to pull over. My face hurt from smiling as I rolled into bed.....and we haven't even finished the book! The book is called "God and Football" and it was written by a guy from my hometown that I actually knew in high school. The coolest thing about yesterday is that the topic of the book (how to balance love of God with love of football) was something that we frequently discuss and had discussed on the way down earlier that day. I'll give you a better review once I'm finished, but you need to put this on your (AND your husband's) "To Read" list :)

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Profile is DONE!

I am so happy to report that our adoption profile is DONE! 
I ordered 6 copies and they will be here this time next week! Whew! 
If you would like to see it: Go Here!
YEA!!!

I'm Savin Up...

I bought the most hilarious bank this weekend when we were in Auburn. I thought it was oh-so appropriate for our adoption fund. Check it out....

So cute! We were so blessed this weekend by my Oma. She really doesn't know all that we are doing to get her a precious great-grandchild, but out of the blue she decides to close one of her accounts and split the money between her grandchildren. She has no idea how much we needed, but she nearly gave us the entire amount that we will need to pay for our home study visits. Isn't God awesome? 
My husband sent me an email Monday morning (probably after looking at that check a hundred times) and said this, 

"I started to pray this morning and I realized that God has blessed what we’re doing with the adoption process. He didn’t have to ordain this gift. We could have borrowed the money or taken it out of savings. I feel like he’s saying “let me take care of all the expenses up until you have the child I’ve selected for you in your arms”. I feel like he has rewarded our trust in him. I feel like he wants us to know that we’re on the right path. I don’t know how long we’ll have to wait. I don’t know what “bills” are coming our way. I don’t know if we’ll ever have a biological child. I do know that although we didn’t have to have that money, God gave it to us as a blessing. I shared it with the guys last night and I feel like we should tell people. God truly does take care of our needs, and sometimes our wants. He has blessed you and I in ways that can’t be measured.  In this instance, he gave even more.  I am so encouraged this morning and I hope you are too."

So, I got my bank right on time. God is so good to us and even through these hard times I still have to say it: "My God is good". Even if the money had not come: "My God is good." When I started my cycle this weekend: "My God is good." During times of waiting: "My God is good." Basic and simple. One of the the first things my parents taught me, but you need to be reminded just as I am: "My God is good" and He loves us!

Good Visit

Thank you so much for the sweet comments on our picture post! It will be difficult to pick our "favorites" :) Our visit yesterday with our case worker was great! She asked a lot of questions about our parents (age, health, personality, how we're like them, special memories) and overall about adoption. She was easy to talk to and I believe it went well. 
My mommy had her "trigger thumb" surgery on Thursday afternoon. She's doing good, but is still taking some pain meds. Here is Mom and her "protector" when we got home....

Last night at Paint The Town we painted an Alabama picture and my cousin Alissa and aunt Debbie came. Alissa stuck with the picture we were painting, but my aunt freehanded this UNA painting for my baby cousin Chandler that just started there. Check it out!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Picture Day

Our pictures that Lexie took are back! She is so very very talented and puts you at ease when she's working. You can see her work at www.lybphotos.com She is wonderful! Now I've got to choose which ones to put in our adoption profile book. I've tried to do this post several times today and I'm having trouble with the "video" :) The pictures are kinda fuzzy at times (thanks, YouTube), but there's music with it so turn it up!To make it big, click the bottom right button (and "X" out of the ads)....or double click it to watch it at YouTube. Enjoy!

Football Begins and Summer Ends....

I haven't posted in a week! A few updates: 

• Our caseworker stood us up on Friday. I went to the coffee shop to meet her and waited until 12:15 to call her. She put the right date on one calendar, but transferred it to the main calendar as the 10th....So, we're going to meet her THIS Friday :( Oh, well. One more week to prepare. 
• Thursday afternoon, my friend Lexie came and took some pictures of us for our profile. I can't wait to see them! She is so talented. You can see her work here. 
• We went to Auburn on Friday night to spend some time with our friends before the game. We went to Niffer's and got to walk around to see all the new stuff on campus. So fun! The tailgating was great and the game was fun (but long!) Here are some pics...



Home in Jordan-Hare!

The Hill Family (here you go, Sandra!)

My cousin, Lydia and I

Tailgating with friends, Heather and Brad

• We came back Sunday and went to the lake to grill out with friends. I can't believe I didn't take any pics, but those memories are going to stick with me for a while :) We sang camp songs and hung out on the porch for a long time...

• On Labor Day, I went to work (boo!) and then shopping with Ash. Monday night, more grilling on the river with the fam. I can't believe Ashley and I aren't in any of the pics!

Kipper in his lifejacket

Trenia and Mom getting some sun

Mom and Kip on the kayak

• I'm trying to work on my profile. Thanks, Liz for your example! So cute!
• My cousin (in-law, whatever..he's my cousin) Dennis' mother passed away this weekend. Please keep them in your prayers. We love you, Suzy and Dennis!!
• Have a great evening...Can't believe tomorrow is Wednesday!

Quick Oma Post...

Dinner with Oma was fun tonight. We ate at the Courtyard and had some fantastic Mahi Mahi and Coconut Shrimp...Yum! Here are a few pictures of the birthday girl....

Me and My Oma...Does she look 91 to you??

Nose to Nose with Kipper...

Oma with my Mommy

Had to add one of Madison with her new "friend" 

 Have a wonderful evening!