Happy Birthday, Monnie!

My mother, who we affectionately call Monnie(pronounced like money), was a Halloween baby! She is the best mother and grandmother EVER! I am so proud to not only call her my mother but also my best friend. My boys think there is no better place to be than with Monnie doing just about anything which warms my heart and makes me smile!

Happy Birthday, Monnie! We love you! We are sorry that we can't be with you today as you celebrate your special day but we will see you soon. Have a great day!


My sister, my mother and me


Monnie and her babies

Happy Halloween!

Please Pray....

Please pray for our friends, Chet and Dusty, who you can find here and who also own and maintain Adoption Voyages. Chet's father had a heart attack and passed away yesterday morning. This was very unexpected and the family is in a state of shock even though they have peace in knowing that Mr. Chester is with Jesus. Chet and Dusty live in Florida but his parents live here in the same town as us, so, they were having to travel a pretty good distance yesterday in order to be with the family.
Please lift this family up as they walk through this valley and pray for us as a community that we are able to minister to them and meet their needs during this time. Thank you.

We've Been Boo'd!

Since it is fall and the Halloween season, my ladybug group decided to swap names and do Boo Bags. Ours came today and we were "boo'd" by Alisha and her family and what a great job they did! Thank you Harter Family!!!
They did an amazing job getting the perfect things for each person in my family including Ruthie. Milledge got Apple Spice pancake mix, a Starbucks card and candy. I got a wonderful smelling fall candle, a magnet that has a saying on it about the mother of boys and candy(mostly Reese's cups...my favorite!). The boys both got a bag full of goodies which they had so much fun digging through. They got Mad Libs, Silly Putty, pencils, glow sticks, Halloween straws and LOTS of candy. And now for my favorite....Ruthie received the cutest outfit. It says, "Who Needs a Costume When You're Already a Princess". How cute is that?! I can't wait for her first October at home so that she can wear it because we already refer to her as our little princess and with all these boys here, I know she'll be treated like one!

Thank you again, Alisha and family. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and kindness so much!

Happy Fall, Ya'll!

We have had a busy fall so far! We have been to the local fair, to Monnie's for the weekend and to Cagle's Dairy. At Cagle's, we went on a hayride tour of the dairy, watched pig races, fed goats and baby calves, drank chocolate milk that was made there, shot corn at a target, got lost in a corn maze and jumped in a jumpy thing! It was so much fun but my camera died AGAIN before I got pictures of most of the fun. Oh well, there's always next year.
While at Monnie's house we got to see Caroline cheering and Anna Claire playing soccer. They both did so good but we hate that we missed Will playing baseball. We'll come again, Will...I promise! Monnie and Jon Milledge had fun making their now famous pan-sized pancakes. I love the fact that my boys enjoy being in the kitchen or anywhere with my mother, what sweet memories they are making with her and for that I am so thankful.
We went with friends to our local fair where we experienced lots of loud music, rides, candied apples, funnel cakes and fun!
I love this time of year and always look so forward to the weather getting cooler, the beautiful colors that fall brings, football games and spending time with my family. We hope that all of you are having a fun filled fall with your families too!

Anderson's Bowling Birthday Party

I am way behind on posting some of our adventures lately so I am going to try and catch up a little tonight. A couple of weeks ago, Anderson had his 8th birthday party. He chose to take a few friends to the Glow in the Dark Bowling, to Chick-fil-A and home to spend the night. WHEW! I have been having camera issues so I only have pictures from the bowling alley but believe me there was lots of laughing, playing, screaming, eating and snoring going on after these pictures were taken! I believe all the boys had a great time, however, Milledge and I were exhausted after they all went home!

Perfectly Polished?

Here in our little town once you enter the 5th grade you are invited to join an etiquette class that is offered every other Sunday afternoon. Perfectly Polished is a school out of Athens that comes here to teach pre-teens about "social graces" and other life skills. Jon Milledge really didn't want to go because you have to dress up for each class and he thought it was more for girls. He is loving it now and there are 15 boys and only 6 girls in the class, which is going to make their dance lessons interesting!
A little funny story about Perfectly Polished...After the first class, I asked Jon Milledge what they had learned that day and he told me "The Electric Slide". I then said, "What else?" like the good mother that I am..hee hee. He proceeded to tell me that they learned all about napkin etiquette. He told me that the only time you can tuck your napkin in the collar of your shirt is if you are on a plane. Then he said, "Mama, did you know that during a meal before you take a drink you are supposed to dab your mouth three times with your napkin?"(and he demonstrated as best an 11 year old can demonstrate dabbing). I told him that I didn't know that but that I assumed that was so you don't get crumbs in your drink. He got this awful look on his face and said, "Well, I don't care what it is for, you will NEVER catch me dabbing my mouth 3 times before taking a drink or anything!" Milledge later said that is because there isn't a cute prom date involved yet! Thank goodness!
The class will end in the spring with them showing off what they have learned at a Spring Formal at The University of Georgia. From what I have heard from other parents, the young ladies show off their dance moves with their daddies and the young men dance with their mothers . OH MY!! Maybe I should be taking the class as well! My palms are already sweating!

Happy 11 Month LIDiversary to Us!

I found this picture while searching for an "11" photo. It is called something real creative like "Number 11 Puzzle" which I thought was appropriate since I feel like I am in the process of doing a jigsaw puzzle.....blindfolded! This adoption journey is like we are very sporadically getting one piece of a 10,000 piece puzzle at a time. I know that the finished puzzle,when my blindfold is removed, will be the smiling face of a beautiful little girl from China and I can't wait for that but I just wish that after 11 months we had more pieces in place. Right now...we don't seem to even have the outside edge complete!
We are very glad to have 11 months of our wait for Ruthie behind us and really agree that it has gone by very quickly. Here's to a speed up in China and faster puzzle assembly skills! ;)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANDERSON!

Eight years ago today at 8:32am my sweet baby boy was born. He was and always has been a very content, happy child. Anderson is just like his daddy in that he is tenderhearted, laid back, calm, smart and shy. He loves to collect sea shells, feathers, and baseball cards. He always wants those "things" in order with no one bothering them. Anderson loves to play baseball and catcher is his favorite position. He is very much a daddy's boy and is pretty happy doing anything as long as he is with his daddy.
I can't believe my baby is turning 8 today! It seems like just yesterday that I was in the hospital introducing him to my family and friends. He is such a blessing and brings us lots of joy everyday!
Happy Birthday, Anderson! We love you!

Another Award for Me???!

I have received the "You Make Me Smile" award from three wonderful ladies, Brandi, Terri, and Lisa. Thank you all so much, you have made my day! I also want to say that all three of you inspire, encourage and "make me smile" too!

Here is what the person that created this award says about it: the thing that I love most about blogging is that I learn so much about a person just by reading their blog. I have met MANY wonderful people with wonderful stories to tell,and I am grateful every day for each person that I have the pleasure of crossing paths in life with.I wanted to create something special for the top ten people who have inspired me through their blogging; the stories they tell, and the lives that they lead with grace and dignity. I visit their blogs for inspiration and encouragement. Please grab your badge and wear it proudly, and pass it on because you inspire and encourage me. Thank you.

Now, it says I am to nominate 10 people but I would just like to say that anyone whose blog is listed on the right side of mine is nominated. I look at all of your blogs every couple of days and you have all made me smile on many occasions. Thanks!

DTC Anniversary!

This is a room at the China Center of Adoption Affairs where the dossiers are stored. Do you see ours???

One year ago today our dossier was sent to China. A dossier is a collection of all the certified, notarized and authenticated documents that we had to prepare so that Ruthie's adoption could be processed. I had forgotten all about this date as it is really your LID that is important as far as the "count down" goes. But, as I was writing the date on a check earlier today I smiled remembering that 1 year ago all of our hard work was headed to China in preparation for our little girl!! Now, if I just knew why it took them so long to log us in.....our LID is not until November 8, 2006???! I'm sure that we will realize the reason when we meet Ruthie at God's perfect moment. So, for now, we wait for that moment.

Cousins.......

On my daddy's side of the family, there are 16 grandchildren, 10 girls and 6 boys. We are all scattered around the globe. Most of us are in the southeast but there is one in California and one in Beijing. The cousin that lives in CA is getting married in October and my aunts decided to have her a shower at a place that is only about 15 minutes from my house...how convenient for me! Anyway, I don't get to see my aunts, cousins and their children very often so I had them all back to my home after the shower. We visited for the afternoon and then all went out to eat with the men and children that night. I couldn't help but think about my sweet grandparents and how much they would've loved to have been there to see their grandbabies and great- grandbabies. Nothing was more important to them than their family and having them all together.
All of my girl cousins were here and in the picture below except one who is pregnant and couldn't come and her sister who had left by the time we took the picture. As far as the great- grandchildren go, all were here and accounted for except five of them who couldn't make it. We had a great time visiting and catching up with everyone! We already have a family campout weekend planned for November down at my grandparents farm. I can't wait!!!





*I don't have a picture of all the great-grandbabies. There were 11 of them total at my home but they were playing inside and out so I never got a picture of all of them. I will try and do better at the campout!

My Handsome Boys

The boys brought home their new school pictures this week and I was very impressed with how they turned out. Aren't they handsome??!


Jon Milledge



Anderson

May We Never Forget....

I remember when I was a little girl my mother told me about where she was and what she was doing when President Kennedy was shot. I remember her saying that it was like time stood still for a few days and that she felt like life would never quite be the same. I listened but didn't really understand.
After September 11, 2001....I now understand. I will never forget where I was, what I was doing and where my family was when I first heard the horrific news. I, too, felt like time stood still and I was quite sure that life would never be the same. My brother and his family were living in Fairlawn, NJ at the time...a mere 20 minutes from Manhattan. I couldn't dial their number fast enough because even though they didn't work in the city, you just never know. Thankfully I heard from them and had the reassurance that they were all fine, which of course was not the case for many families.
May we always remember that September day, take time to honor those that lost their lives and to pray for the families that have had to face life without their precious loved ones.
God Bless America!

UGA game

Well...the Dawgs lost BUT we had a blast!!! Anderson decided he didn't want to sit out in the heat so he stayed with his friend, Ethan. Jon Milledge invited his buddy, J.L., to go with us and a good time was had by all!
The day started with a trip to the campus bookstore for lots of goodies(check out the fan hair and beads below). Then we got up close and personal with the team at the DawgWalk. Jon Milledge and J.L. shook hands with almost every player...they were beyond excited! During the game, we tried our hardest to cheer the Bulldogs to a victory but it just wasn't happening Saturday. :( The best part of the day came after the game as we were walking out of the stadium....we got to see Uga VI, the mascot! Usually there are so many people around him that you can't even begin to get close but we had stayed in the stadium for a few minutes after the game trying to let the crowd die down...So, when we exited there was just a very small crowd around him and the boys got to have their picture taken with him!!! Isn't he the cutest thing? I think I was more excited about seeing Uga than anything else!!
Here's hoping for a better game this weekend!!! GO DAWGS!


We're in the running for "Fan of the Year"...can't you tell?


Shaking hands with Matthew Stafford, the quarterback


In the stadium, after the game


Jon Milledge, Uga VI, and J.L.

We're in Double Digits!

Happy 10 Month LIDiversary to us and everyone else who has a LID of 11.08.06! We are celebrating by heading to Athens to cheer on the Bulldogs as they play The University of South Carolina. GO DAWGS!

An Award for Me???

I was nominated for this award by Dusty. Thank you so much! I feel honored. I could certainly say the same for you.

Here is a description of the award:

"This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you've been awarded please pass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award."

I nominate:

Gail at Aging with Grace Too

Terri at Ballard Forever Family

Brandi at The Silvers' Scoop

Leslie at My Girls

Pam at Askews 7

Donna at Handsful

Lisa at Journey to Diana

Tagged by Brandi

Brandi, a fellow November LIDer tagged me with the following questions.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes...my middle name, Suzanne, is after both of my mother's sisters

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Sunday

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? No

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Ham

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes...Jon Milledge and Anderson

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Way too much, I'm sure!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? NO!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I don't really like cereal

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not usually

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically or emotionally? Physically – sometimes. Emotionally – yes

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Stawberry

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? This is bad...their teeth. I work in a dentist office :)

15. RED OR PINK? red

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? my lack of patience

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? All of my grandparents...I wish they could know my boys

18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Blue scrub pants and white crocs...at work at the dentist office

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Chicken biscuit from Chick-fil-A

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The local Christian radio station

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? I asked my co-workers and they said red....they said something about a fireball??? Who knew?! ;)

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Clean babies...right out of the bath and ready for bed...so sweet!

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Milledge

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I have never met Brandi in person but would love to...especially after we both get home from China with our girls.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? College football

27. HAIR COLOR? dark brown

28. EYE COLOR? blue/green

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no

30. FAVORITE FOOD? my mother's spaghetti

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? definitely happy endings

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? What else but High School Musical 2!

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Blue...it matches the scrub pants

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter....I HATE to be hot!

35. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs

36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? The Last Sin Eater

39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? A picture of Times Square

40. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Nothing...we were at the ball field until way past my bedtime

41. FAVORITE SOUND? my boys giggling

42. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Rolling Stones...they sing "Angie"!

43. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Hawaii

44. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can play the flute...does that count?

45. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Tifton, GA

46. WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU LIKE? The power to snap my fingers and bring my baby home...today.

47. FAVORITE HOBBY? reading

48. A FRIEND THAT YOU WISH YOU COULD HANG OUT MORE WITH? my mother and sister

49. IF YOU COULD BE ANYWHERE RIGHT NOW, WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE? Home from China...stole that one from Brandi...but it is so true!!

This was fun! Thanks for including me, Brandi! If anyone else would like to play along, please do and I will be looking for your answers on your blogs.

We are headed out to visit Milledge's brother and his family who just so happen to live at Fernandina Beach, Florida!!! We hope all of you have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend!

Thanks Rebecca!

My ladybug group did a cyber shower for August and I received my gift today from Rebecca. This months theme was playtime! Rebecca sent Ruthie a Butterfly Spinner, a Laurie Berkner CD/DVD and a Little People book. She was very sweet to include candy for my boys and chocolate truffles for me and Milledge. WOW! Rebecca you spoiled us! Thank you so much!

July Bow Swap

I am late posting about the November groups bow swap for July. My friend, Kelly, had my name for July and she went above and beyond with her gift! She gave me a beautiful pink bow holder with Ruthie's name painted on it, a red, white and blue bow with Ruthie monogrammed on it, a ladybug bow and a camouflaged bow for when she goes hunting with her daddy!! Thank you Kelly! I love everything and can't wait to get Ruthie's room all ready so I can hang up the holder as well as have her here to model all these precious bows!

"Birthday" gift.....

My good friend, Caryn, is crazy! Caryn is the mother of five children, two of which were adopted from China. Caryn knows how I can't wait for Ruthie to be here, how I am so ready to dress a girl, and especially how badly I want to fix a little girls hair..with BIG bows! So, ever since we started the adoption process, Caryn has made it her mission to help me with all of that. Now, any gifts that I recieve from Caryn are really gifts for Ruthie disguised as gifts for me! Fine by me!
I had a birthday last month and Caryn gave me a bag full of bows and a precious reversible ladybug dress. How cute is this dress??! Thank you so much Caryn!
I am also posting a picture of all three of Caryn's girls. I was keeping the girls a while back and snapped a cute picture as they were getting ready for bed. I don't have one with all five handy at the moment but her boys are just as sweet!

Congratulations!

A baseball team from Warner Robins, GA won the Little League World Series after beating Japan 3-2 in the championship game on Sunday! This is the second year in a row that a team from Georgia has won the championship title! My boys are so excited and proud that these two teams are from their state and think it would be really neat to meet them. Last years team was from Columbus and were treated like celebrities for months after returning home. We actually got to see them and shake hands with a few as they led the Georgia Bulldogs in the DawgWalk before a UGA game last year! Jon Milledge and Anderson thought it was so cool. Maybe we can do the same with this years team!?! Congratulations! Way to go Georgia!

Please Pray.....

I was surfing blogs this morning and came across a post about a precious little boy in need of a miracle. I don't know this child or his family but felt led to post this so as many people as possible can pray for him. His name is Jude and he was in a near drowning accident last week. Please pray for him and his family during this storm in their life. I believe that prayer works and that God is still in the miracle making business.
Dear Father God, Please be with this sweet family as they are tired, weak and scared. Their faith in you is amazing and they will give you all the glory no matter what happens but they need to feel your presence surrounding them and holding them up now, Lord. If it is your will, please heal Jude's little body so that he can be a living, walking testimony for you. Lord, he needs a miracle and we believe that you can and will do that. Please give Jude and his family the healing, rest, courage, peace and strength that they need and that we know only comes from you, Lord. In your precious sons name, Amen.

You can read Jude's story here.

**Update**
Friday August 24
Jude went to be with Jesus late this afternoon. Please continue to pray for this family as they grieve the loss of their precious son.

Our 13th Wedding Anniversary!

"Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me." Ruth 1:16-17

WOW! It is hard to believe that it has been 13 years since we were married. We recited this scripture to one another at our wedding because it has always been one of our favorties and we felt it had great words of wisdom for a marriage. I thank God everyday for allowing me to find and to share my life with my best friend. We have had many ups and downs for which we are grateful as they have made our marriage and us what we are today. Happy Anniversary Milledge! I love you!

***The song playing here today is one that was sung at our wedding!

We're Full Term!

During both pregnancies with my boys, I knew that once I reached 9 months, it wouldn't be long before I would be holding my precious child. With this adoption "pregnancy", I have no idea how much longer I will be waiting to hold Ruthie. We are thrilled to have reached this milestone and feel so blessed to even be on this amazing journey, but the unknown is so hard. When we started our paperwork in January 2006, the wait was around 9-12 months. To think that we could be seeing her sweet face about now is hard especially when we know that it could very easily be 2 more years.

Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Please pray with us and for us as we continue to wait. Also pray for all the other families who are waiting patiently as well. We are trying so hard not to be anxious because we know that God set us on this journey and He will not forsake us! Thank you God, for your peace that passes all understanding and for always guarding our hearts and minds.

Happy 9 Month LIDiversary to us and everyone else whose paperwork was logged in on November 8, 2006! Special wishes today especially for Kelly B., Heidi and Rosie!! We are getting closer girls!

Today, my boys are......

Have a great day Jon Milledge and Anderson!!!

***UPDATE***
They both had wonderful days and can't wait to go back tomorrow!!

I was Tagged! (several weeks ago!)

Ok...Terri, tagged me several weeks ago to list 8 different things about myself and I am just now getting around to fulfilling my end of the tag. So, here goes!

1. I have to admit that I have been very anxious about doing this, therefore, I have put it off because I didn't really know what to say about myself. How's that for starters?

2. I told my mother the day after meeting Milledge that I had found the guy I was going to marry... BUT, it was 3 years after that before we had our first date.

3. I don't drink any hot beverages. I want everything I drink to have LOTS of ice in it. Is that weird?

4. I am told I am pretty funny...I think if you were to ask my boss what my title is he would say "comic relief"! I'm not sure that is a good thing but I do love to play practical jokes on my co-workers!

5. Back to #4....I deal with stressful times and valleys in my life and my loved ones lives with humor. It is much easier for me to make someone laugh than to help them cry.

6. I have a cat named Tiger who can say "Mama". If you don't believe me...ask my husband who is not a cat person and who gets very frustrated everytime Tiger wakes him in the middle of the night crying, "Mama"!

7. I am NOT athletic at all. I was a cheerleader in high school if that tells you anything. But, now with my two boys, there is nothing I enjoy more than being at the ball field and watching them play. I have actually learned bunches about baseball!

8. When I was in high school, I was robbed at gun point at my after school job at a local drugstore. It was very scary and I had a hard time dealing with it for awhile especially since they never caught the man. He didn't shoot anyone, thank goodness, but as he was leaving the store he sprayed me with MACE. OUCHHH!

Ok...that wasn't too bad. Now, I tag Dusty, Ivy, Ruth, Jami and who ever else is reading that would like to play along. Just let me know so that I can read your list! Have fun!

A "Fully Arched Rainbow"!

As we were driving home from my mother's house today in the rain, we saw a beautiful rainbow. Jon Milledge asked why you never see a full rainbow and I told him that sometimes you do but just not as often. We were talking about rainbows and their significance to us as Christians when he started screaming that he saw the whole thing! He was so excited and said, "Mama, this is the first time I have ever seen a fully arched rainbow!!" We kept watching it and he even called Milledge and Anderson who were in Milledge's truck in front of us and asked if they had seen it. Anderson informed us that there were two of them, we looked and he was right! Anderson's comment was, "God must be giving us two promises today!"
How can you not be happy when you see a rainbow? But seeing them through the eyes of a child makes the experience that much better!
Thank you God for rainbows, promises and children!

I Have a New Look!

My friend, Ruth, had her blog "blinged" and I just loved it and decided to let Sara see what she could do for mine. I love my new look...don't you??!! Sara is also adopting from China...check out her blog here.