Summer Rain

Hellllloooo! I have missed you! Glad you could come for a visit:) I have been very busy lately, and will hopefully get updates on my blog about all of the good stuff!

Here is a quick pic of our little Summer Rain who went camping at Camp Cha-La-Kee with her Dadda, Chief Running Deer! They had a great time, and won many ribbons. Summer Rain won fishing trophies for Most Fish Caught, and Biggest Fish! We are very proud of her:) Now...if she will only learn to bait her own hook!LOL! EWWWWW! Worms!!

They were able to ride horses, as you can see, and that is a favorite activity!

Where was I? Oh, well, I was visiting my Momma and we were dining out and shopping, and chatting and driving all over looking for a Starbucks!! We finally found one..in the HOSPITAL!!! When I tell everyone that my mom and I went to the hospital on my last visit, they all ask "why"? I simply say,"For coffee, of course!" TEEHEE! As we left the hospital with our coveted beverages, my mom turns to me and very seriously asks,"Robin, can you drink and drive?" That one kept us laughing all the way home:)

I Go Before You Always

No picture this time. Only my heart speaking love and thanksgiving to my God who gives as well as takes away. The wait has been getting increasingly more difficult. I do not ever doubt that the promise will be fulfilled, but I do question what will be left of me when it is. Will I have spent all of myself in the struggle to find peace in the wait. I want to have so much left for her. She deserves it!
I was praying for God to guide my path, and lay before me the sure knowledge that He was responsible for my direction. At Mass on Sunday, I stood to take my place in the line that would bring me before His altar, before Him, and allow me the great privilege of receiving His precious body that was given up for me. The song playing for Holy Communion drifted over the pews. It flowed into my ears and stirred my heart as God used its soothing words to reassure me of His divine plan. The song that I joined in to sing through my tears was, "Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me. And I will give you rest." This is the very song I named my blog after! Thank you Jesus for your personal relationship with me!!
Amen!

Happy Birthday Summer Rain!

Our daughter turned 9 years old on April 12th! We cannot believe how fast she is speeding toward double digits!! Please slow down my little princess!

For her birthday(that is her in the middle), she had two of her closest friends spend the night. Anyway, first we all went to the movies to see Nim's Island. It was a cute movie . Plenty of adventure! Then we went to the mall for some fun and girly shopping! We hit Libby Lu first for hair extensions and "Do's", and then on to Justice and Hallmark to check out the available WebKinz supplies! They didn't want to leave the shopping behind to go eat, so we dined in the food court, before making our final purchases. After a trip into Bath and Body works for a hand treatment and new lotions to try(and a few lip gloss choices), we made our way back to Justice to buy WebKinz. By night's end, the birthday girl's total supply of WebKinz had risen to 35(including what she had at home)!!! I ask? Is there such a thing as TOO MANY stuffies?? I THINK NOT!! Her pals enjoyed a new WebKinz ..or two...as well ;) Needless to say, the mall was closing when we headed home. When we got home, there were gifts to open for the birthday girl as well as gifts for the guests. They received cute crocheted purses stuffed with candy, lip gloss, nail jewelry, a new Barbie, and a new outfit for Barbie to change in to, a beaded necklace, and a punch ball! Fun was had by all, and the girly girls went to sleep snuggled next to their new stuffies...all of which had been properly named and registered on WebKinz World! Of course, they giggled quite a bit before settling in...it was after 1 am when their eyes closed for the night! Good thing I am a night person!LOL! Where was Wubby, you ask? Happy NOT to be with us on our excursion:) And, asleep before the rest of us!

The Front of Her Closet

Her Closet

Hmmmm. The first words that come to mind..."poorly lacking". That is what I think when I look into the armoire that will be our daughter's closet when she first comes home. Okay, Okay, I know. The travel pillow and picture frames are debris, and will have to go! Anyway, what this tells me is that I am about ready for some more retail therapy:) I have decided NOT to buy any more clothes until we exit PGN. SOOOO, Come on PGN and LET US OUT!! I did buy a diaper bag! One size fits all:) I love it!! It is in the corner on the left. It looks like a messenger bag, and is brown with pink trim. All of that "stuff" crammed in under the hanging clothes are hooded towels, wash cloths, bibs, shoes , socks, bottles, spoons, teethers, books, etc. I just buy stuff that is not size specific, and toss it in! Actually, I am not sure what all IS buried back there!!LOL! Hmmmm, I may need to take a look!

The Crib

Ah, the crib. It mocks me at times, seemingly laughing at my hopes and dreams. Constantly reminding me that it is empty as I walk by. It's silence making me painfully aware of the absence of the sweet baby girl that does not rest her dark-haired head on the tiny pink flowers that run across the sheets with abandon.

Ah, the crib. It stands as a sentinel to the homecoming of the child who will chew on its railings and bang on its walls. It knows it cannot possibly contain the one it holds....there will always be outstretched arms reaching deep within its confines to free the little one who at once seeks its protection and familiarity, and yet wishes to be out, so to be held and loved . The irony? That little one is held already. Not in the arms of her mother, but in her heart. She is also loved beyond anyone's comprehension. For how can we possibly understand with our limited knowledge, the depths of love that fill our hearts and beings.

Where is the Emphasis?

Today I found myself flipping through the pages of the calender. I am not looking for a scheduled event, but rather an UNscheduled event. I find some modicum of comfort in looking ahead to the imaginary date on which we will get to pick up our baby girl. Pitiful, I know.

The days lately seem endless, but the inquiring looks from others, sometimes keeps me indoors to avoid the barrage of disappointed stares. I actually had a mom I know apologize to me before asking about when our baby would get here. She did not want to cause me any more pain than I was already experiencing. I find it humbling to know that others suffer along with me during this wait.

Some common questions I have been thinking about.

"When will she come home?"

"I don't know."

"Why does it take so long?"

"I don't know."

"Don't they know this is a child?"

"I don't know."

As I look at these three questions, I reflect on the word on which the emphasis is placed. Hmmmm. When will she come home? "I" don't know, but my Lord does.

Why does it take so long? I "don't" know. If I did, I could explain it or maybe fix it.

Don't they know this is a child? I don't "know" anything about the people who God has placed in charge of my daughter's future. All I do know is that He has chosen very carefully all who will be involved in her paperwork, just as He has carefully chosen the family that will welcome her home when the time arrives.

I guess the lesson to learn is that the emphasis must be on GOD. He has all of the answers, even to the toughest questions. I can hear Him speaking to me , His child, as I ask these questions of Him. He is saying,"Because I said so!" I smile knowingly, because there are times when I have uttered these very words when speaking to my own children. Not because I don't want to answer them, but because the answer to their questions would be too far above their comprehension. Trust! It boils down to trust. We ask our children to trust us every day. God is asking me to trust Him in all things. Sometimes His will is too far above my comprehension.

Prom

Our son just attended his first prom! We were so excited about all of the hoopla. He looked marvelous in his tux and his date was a beauty. She is JUST a friend, and she asked him to go. The theme of the prom was The Orient, and the group went to dine at Tokyo, a very nice Japanese restaurant, before going to the prom. After prom, they went cruising in the limo they had rented for the evening, and ended up at a friends house. Our son then parted from his date to meet up with some buddies for an all-nighter of hanging out and having fun. Fortunately for me, that friend lives in the same neighborhood as us, and I know the mom:) Ah, the safety net !! After all, all children need a balance of freedom AND limits!
After three boys, I am SO ready for a chance to buy a prom DRESS for my girls! Fortunately, they are eight years apart, so I can recover financially from one before paying for another!LOL! I know me, and I will DEFINITELY go overboard:)
I had to smile at the picture on the wall to the right of his head. It is him when he was about 1.5! They truly do grow up too fast!!

Hugs!

Gee, are ya tired of all my posts? I know, I should save a few for another day, but while I am here....
OK! I lived for MANY years surrounded by boys. First my husband, then three little ones..all boys. I was seriously outnumbered! When Summer Rain was born, it helped even out the odds:) She makes up for all of those years of no pink and nothing girly around. She gives her brothers a run for their money in the huggy-kissy department. For the most part she is well received, but then again, it is a safe bet to hug in public where everyone is looking, and no one will stop her!!!LOL! Did I mention that she is smart as well as a cutie??!! She is hugging her oldest brother in blue, Spotted Deer. Her middle brother in red, Brave Wolf, and her youngest brother in pink, Running Squirrel. Yes, they too, have Indian names. They were a part of the YMCA program Indian Guides. Now the program is called Native Sons and Daughters. I highly reccommend it if they have this program in your area.
I cannot wait until next Easter when our darling new daughter will share in the hugs !

Christmas Tree Car

Well, imagination is really key in making pinewood derby cars...at least if you are Summer Rain. She wantes her cars to go fast, but that is the job of her Dadda..Running Deer. Her job is to be creative and come up with the years newest design. She has created a watermelon car, a slice of wedding cake car...complete with filling betweeen the layers and a wedding cake topper with a bride and groom, and a party hat car with a poof ball on top! This year her car was a christmas tree (the one in the middle). She is already making plans for next year! I can't tell ya what it is....it's top secret:)

Summer Rain

Well, there is no story behind this picture. I just found it on my camera, and decided to post it because I like it! Summer Rain is very cooperative with me whenever I say,"Stay right like that! This will make a great picture!!"

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday Dear ------,
Happy Birthday to you!
Our little Guatemalan Princess had a birthday in January. I was so sad that she was not here to celebrate, but we remembered her by having a small cake with one shining candle on it. We all gathered around the table and sang Happy Birthday to her, and prayed that somehow God would make sure she felt extra special that day. We bought a few presents for her, and we hope she likes them:) It is a tradition in our family, that on your special day, we do this 'round the table thing. We turn out all of the lights for effect, and it is fun to sing in the dark, with only the candles lit. This day was extra special, because as we gathered around the table, we were made very aware of the person we were singing to, and her absence. That one, lone candle shining in the dark of our kitchen was truly illuminating the love in our hearts for this precious child who is still so far far away in miles, yet so very close to our hearts. Thank you Jesus for this reminder that love is not dependant on proximity.
I didn't have a blog back then, so I am just now getting to post about this stuff! BTW, the cake was delicious!

Easter Egg Hunt

Hi there! I guess you all must have given up on me ever posting again:) Well, I am baaaaack! I hope to catch you all up on the happenin's around here. Be patient, this may take awhile!LOL!

This is a pic of my sweet girl and me in the park after the annual Easter egg hunt with her Indian Princess Tribe. Her Indian name is Summer Rain. We thought this was so appropriate for her! She came up with it all on her own, and it really describes her personality. She is usually a beautiful summer day, with the possibility of a storm!LOL! Anyway, she found the most eggs that day, 94, and won a BIG basket of goodies!!
Way to go Summer Rain:)