Here we grow again! (My 100th post)

Sorry for not posting in a very long while but the last month has been comsumed with alot of thinking. We are decided to add to our family and were all geared up to go with China in August when we are married for 5 years. Well, I came across South Korea and it was so much easier & quicker we on decided to start that as well. There are only so many agencies that do South Korea (you have to work with one located in your state of residence) unless you do special needs. We found an agency but they limited who we could use for a homestudy. Needless to say we aren't feeling comfortable with either one. After applying I haven't heard much of anything except where is your paperwork or where is your homestudy. While deciding what to do I spoke with Natalie who helped me sort out alot of questions I had about domestic adoption. Thanks so much for all your help Natalie. Well, all of you that know me know I go with my gut but tend to question my decisions sometimes. Going international just didn't feel right to me and domestic was in that gut of mine. Well, we have officially decided to go domestic. Thanks to Natalie I have a good group of agencies to submit our paperwork to. I am over the moon but so nervous. I did live with my best friend Mindy when my nephew (hey, we have been friends for over 20 years now) was born but I have never had a newborn before. Cameron was one when he came home so there are lots of stuff we still have to get. And we can't forget the cute baby clothes. Oh, Dan is in TROUBLE!

We just back from vacation and will post about our trip. It was the first relaxing trip in a long time!

Being A Mom!

I dreamed of being a mom ever since I was a little girl. I raised my brother while my mom worked to support us. I had many daydreams of holding my first born and loving her unconditionally. While all my friends were worried which college they were going to attend I was worried about when I was gonna be a mommy. After Dan & I got married we started trying right away. After a few years of no success we tried mild fertility treatments with no success. We had the application for adoption while doing the fertility treatments but I wanted to at least try one last thing before going on that road. We finally sent in the application & while doing the dossier received the referral for a little boy who was 12 days old. Exactly one year later we were in Guatemala holding him for the very first time as he balled his eyes out. I thank God every day for leading me down that road. I thank God that Cameron's birthmother had a big enough heart to let me be his mother. It is the greatest gift one woman can give to another. Cameron will always know her and know what a great sacrifice she made to make me a mom. Even though I have only seen her in pictures she holds a big piece of my heart. He is every bit like us. Very stubborn and hard headed. Very impatient. It drives me crazy but he is just like me. Very into his clothes & primping like his daddy. Very caring like his daddy. I have been given the greatest gift ever. It is a very hard & tiring job but it is worth it every day to see him grow up and become an independent & caring child. He knows when you need that hug & rub on the back to make the day go better. It is the biggest job I will ever have & it is the best job I will ever have. Being a mom just feels right!

Happy Birthday Nana!

On Monday my mom turned 48. Yes, my mom is young but I love that Cameron has a nana that will be around for a long time. We have been practicing saying "Happy Birthday Nana" and I finally got it on video. Mom, I know you loved hearing him say it on the phone but now you can see him say it. This is for you mom and we can't wait to see you on Saturday.

Wordless Wednesday

Can you help?

Please read this post on Kayleigh Freeman's blog written by Brent Riggs. I have asked everyone to pray for this family which I do every day. Yes, me! They also need help financially. Their daughter was born premature and after her last surgery is somewhat brain dead. They have no clue what the exact thing that caused it but she had blood loss either during or after surgery. She may not survive but their faith in God is unbelievable. Along with dealing with their daughter being in the hospital since the minute she was born they have been hit hard financially. Please read Brent's post and help any way you can. I did and it feels good to be able to do something to help them even if I don't know them personally.

http://kayleighannefreeman.blogspot.com/2009/04/42709-guest-blogger-brent-riggs.html

Prayers & hugs,

Mindy

Cameronland

We have been looking for swing sets for Cameron and finally found one we loved. Well, Dan fell in love but Cameron had to approve. We actually went to a different Costco to check it out and I couldn't find it anywhere. Then all of sudden Cameron points up and says Mama. It was clear on the other side of the store. When we finally got it it was the last one. Dan rushed to get the sod taken up and the yard leveled before he left for his trip. Of course he hurt his wrist while doing it. We had one Sunday planned for the guy to come put it together (yes, we paid someone. It would have taken Dan 10 years & who knows if it would be put together right.) and of course it rained. Well, finally this Sunday they came to put it together. Of course they weren't quite done & it started drizzling but they kept going. At 6:30 they got it done so we woke up Cameron (late nap) and took him out. He was watching them build it all day while he played outside so he was so excited when it was done. He got to play on it for about 15 minutes before it started pouring down rain. He hasn't gotten to play on it since b/c yesterday we had hail and today it is snowing. Only in Ohio!!!

FFF-Beach

Today's Favorite Foto Friday theme is "Beach'. I bought these sunglasses at Children's Place on Saturday on my girl's day out. He put them on and has to wear them every day all day. The first thing he says when he gets up is "Blue Eyes". He only takes them off for eating and sleeping. I know it isn't the best for him to wear at night but he is two and right now I am picking my battles carefully. Cameron has not been to the beach yet but we are going to California in June. We are staying near Universal the first 4 days and the last 3 days in Santa Monica on the beach. I am so excited. I lived there for about 6 months when I was 19 years old. I was completely broke and not working so I never got to enjoy much while living there. That is what happens when you are young and follow a boy there. Anyway Cameron is talking up a storm and really getting into things I can't wait to spend this vacation with him & Dan.

His new nickname is Chatty Cathy. He talks all day every day. Most of it I can understand but Daddy is still having a hard time. Dan has been in Vegas since Tuesday night and Cameron is doing okay with it. He did ask tonight if Daddy Home. He will be home tomorrow and I am so ready for him to come home. He goes every year but it is kinda good for us to be away from each other for a few days. We really realize how much we love and appreciate each other. He does so much for me and our family and I love him so much for it. He is so into his terrible twos. He has such a hot temper that he now throws temper tantrums for an hour to an hour and a half. I have no clue how he lasts that long but it wears me out. When he is home it doesn't bother me too much. He has become a little destructive at times so I put him in his crib with no toys and when he is done he lets me know. But a few weeks ago we took the car in for a maintenance appt. and he threw a fit the whole hour we were there and then an additional half hour after the appt. Everyone was staring of course b/c I wasn't picking him up and babying him. I try to comfort him but he pushes me away. I cried so hard the other day b/c I feel so bad when he gets upset. I have no idea how to comfort him and what to do for him. He refuses to tell him what he wants and it so hard to know what he wants. I am slowly learning how to handle it without getting so upset but it is hard with a hot-headed child. Why don't they come with manuals!