Where has the time gone?

Wow! I knew when summer hit, we'd be too busy to focus on the China adoption wait. I'm so glad. It's too easy to focus solely on this adoption and how long its taking. It hurts. It's depressing. It's nice to be busy and live, not simply 'survive' this long, seemingly unending wait. "Those that wait upon the Lord...." He keeps renewing me and giving me the strength to hold on. It's not something I could endure on my own. There is nothing new to report on this front... so here's what's been keeping me away!

Jadeth played tennis this spring and had a very successfull season. Then he helped teach tennis basics for tennis camp this summer. He loves tennis, almost as much as soccer! He's been busy working at Hy-Vee and staying up all hours of the night playing 'rock band' with his friends. Also, right now, he's playing slow pitch softball with our church. I can't believe how far he can hit the ball. He started out playing short stop, but they moved him to third. Seems he can't control the power of this throws to first and the first baseman preferred he threw from a little further distance! His throws are dead on and I wouldn't want to be the recipient of one! It amazes me how athletic he is. And such a good kid....
Oh Jacen! Jacen had a fabulous ball season! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to watch Jacen play! He is smaller than the other boys, but such a power hitter! Even in T ball, he was hitting them to the fence! The last couple of years, he's really advanced in his ball playing and is awesome at catching those line drives hit right to short stop! He also has such a good throw to first. It's taken a while to tame his arm... he's had the power, just not the control to get it to the first baseman's glove! There was no telling where the ball would go before!

Jacen is still my little skateboarder too! He has to skate everyday! I dropped him off at the skate park yesterday and ran into the grocery store... When I returned to check on him, he was ramping up on top of a picnic table, sliding the length of it and dropping off to the concrete. He landed it perfect. Another little boy was there filming it with my cell phone. I've got to learn how to add video to my blog!

Jacen also went to tennis camp and wants to play tennis like his big brother when he's in High School. Once in a while, Jadeth and Jacen actually get along and Jadeth will take him to play rock band with his friends. Actually this summer, both have matured and have begun to be friends... sort of! They've also taken to grocery shopping, which is awesome! I need to start sending cash, rather than a blank check though!

This was Jory's first year for baseball! He was so much fun to watch! The first game, he twirled and twirled and twirled some more! I also have this on video if I ever figure out how to add it! So cute! Anyway, Jory loved to hit the ball and has the same strength and ability as his brothers! The outfield is boring and the kids still have no clue what to do when the ball comes to them! It's so entertaining! Jory went to summer school so he could become familiar with the school for when he starts Kindergarten this fall. He earned $50 and it just come in the mail! I think we'll be going to WalMart tonight to buy the bike he's been waiting for... one that looks like a motorcycle. He's short $, but one of the days he missed was not his fault, so mom and dad and grandma are making up the difference!

Jadeth recently had Sr. Pics taken, so I'll add some previews of those on another post. Jack is racing... some. Sounds like soon they'll begin working Saturday's. He's been busy with our porch project and going to ball games! I'll try to get racing pictures up sometime as well!

So, we'll keep on, keeping on.... Until next time - His, JMS

Happy Independence Day

God Bless America....

18 More Months

Today Jack and I received our approval extension from the Department of Homeland Security. We are valid for 18 more months or until November 28, 2009!
If something hasn't happened by then... I'll really, seriously consider shooting someone. No, just kidding, but I won't be pleasant to live with! Someone may desire to shoot me!
In God's timing... His ways are perfect!
His... JMS

Dept of Homeland Security and Jadeth

Wow! Jack and I had the rare occasion to travel to KC.... ALONE! We had to update our immigration paperwork and fingerprints for our adoption. The last time we were alone was 18 months ago when we originally did our fingerprints and paperwork! So here's a funny story, sort of 'redneck' if you will, but here goes. Okay, so we have to go to the Dept. of Homeland Security to be fingerprinted and file and extension of our paperwork. We did this originally in October of 2006 and I vividly remember taking my cell phone in with me. So I didn't bother removing it from my purse this time. So we're going through security, 3 guards, the little xray thingy and metal detector. I had to take my phone out and since I now have a phone with a camera, I couldn't take it in. So my lovely husband took it out to our car while I went on in.

So he comes back in and begins to go through security and guess what it on my keychain? A pocket knife. It's a cute little pink one that I asked for for Christmas. You know when you let your kids get a toy at the store and then you can't get it open until you get home? Well, I was tired of that. I should've just stopped buying toys, but instead I asked for a handy dandy pocket knife to keep on my key chain. Jack, of course never drives my car and thought NOTHING about it. The main guard was really nice and remembered us from last time. He said, "I'm going to pretend I didn't see that." So Jack had to take my knife back to the car. Another guard standing there was a pompous jerk that was entirely too mouthy. If I wasn't afraid he could pull rank on me and keep me from getting my paper work renewed, I would have let him have it. So anyway, poor Jack eventually clears security and I was laughing so hard. I said "I can't believe you tried to bring a pocket knife into the Dept. of Homeland Security!" He didn't laugh.

Now Jack and I should be good for another 18 months with our paperwork. If we have to go back again for another renewal, I might just be in a foul enough mood to stomp on the jerk guards toes!

Now, today Jadeth is 17! Happy Birthday Jadeth!

His... JMS

Happy Mothers Day

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."
- Abraham Lincoln

So many thoughs swirling around this day. First off, I'm so thankful for my mother. I'm thankful she drug me to church 3 times a week when I was a child. God chose the perfect woman to be my mother, and I'm forever grateful...
I'm sorry that my mom, no longer has her mom. I can't imagine losing you mother...
I'm humbled at the 3 blessings God has given me. That He chose me to mother these 3 boys, is beyond comprehension...
Another thing I can't fathom is that God would choose me to mother a little girl so dear to Him. A little girl He dearly loves that needs a mother. The way He's worked in my life to prepare me for this journey is remarkable. I can't wait for Him to unite me with that little girl some day...
And with thoughts of that little girl, my little girl, comes much emotion as I comptemplate her birth mother. Acutally, all the mothers around the world that are unable to raise their own children for whatever reason, my heart breaks for them...
There are no words adequate enough...
Thank you God for mothers... all mothers. -JMS

Lots going on...

Today Jack and I met with our social worker at our agency. We needed a homestudy update in order to renew our immigration paperwork. Nikki was so fun to work with. We had a great visit. After our meeting, Jack and I went to visit with my Uncle Denny and Aunt Mary who are up from South Missouri. My cousin John and his wife Paula just had a baby girl Monday, so we got to see baby Avery when she first arrived home from the hospital.

Jadeth escorted Isabella Sgarbi to prom April 26th and Jory had his preschool graduation May 4th. So I"ll include some photo's for you.






Jory and Jacen have started baseball. Jory is in his first year of T-ball and Jacen is in Little League and will be traveling this year. Jadeth is coaching soccer this spring and still working. Jack will start racing very soon also. I have a couple of cakes to make in the next week and we are adding a 6x24 porch to the front of our house... So things will be very busy! No time to dwell on China and how longgggggg the adoption is taking!

His -Joy