TSC 09'

This weekend was wild, wonderful, and wet! We took our first trip of the school year with our youth group, a trip called Team Survival Challenge (TSC for short). The idea was born about 7 years ago while we served in Waycross. Chad and I were survivor junkies, a passion that has died out by now- all those emaciated whinny girls in bikinis and cut throat antics really start running together after however many seasons, anyway when Survivor fever was at it’s peak we always watched the game challenges and thought “Wouldn’t it be cool if we could re-create that for the youth kids? Activities that would be a perfect mix of physical endurance, mental gumption, and calculated strategy?” So this trip was born and added to the “normal” rotation of annual trips.
The kids are divided up into teams and receive a different colored team bandana. Each team has a male and female adult leader. Together as a team they must name their team, plan and do one of the weekend’s devotion, and play crazy games as a team to earn points. At the end of the weekend we add up the points and the winner receives 10 pounds of candy and gets to sign the treasure chest that holds it. Each team votes for an MVP that demonstrated not only a winning attitude, but a Christ-like spirit throughout the weekend. Our games (most of which were played in a literal monsoon of rain) included some new favorites- penguin football and the savage relay, but had plenty of the most requested favorites- bucket ball, chariot racing, torpedo, the molecule engineering game, and the picture game. The weekend’s most important event is the boat building relay. Basically the church people save all of their bottles and jugs for a few weeks, we add in some bamboo, balloons, cardboard, and of course, duct tape; and each team builds their own boat that must be water worthy and able to carry at least one person to race the boat with a handmade paddle! (I know what you’re thinking, and yes, it really does work!)
This year the boat race was held in the torrential downpour (you know the kind where no amount of rain gear or umbrellas can keep you dry.) But the show must go on! We stood under the lodge’s overhang, trash boats in tow, for about 45 minutes, waiting for the rain to lighten up. I’m not sure why we did this since it hadn’t stopped raining for close to 24 hours at this point. Then finally, we all stepped out into the rain when it was obvious that no end was in site. Each team paraded down the hill, boat masterpiece in hand- each with their team chant, costumes, banners, noise makers, screaming and shouting over the rain! It was magnificent.
Every trip reminds me what a wonderful life I have. To be with these wonderful energetic teenagers, to worship with them, to build trash boats with them, to doctor them up when they need bandaids and Tylenol, to learn with them, to grow in Christ with them- it’s an amazing experience and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
P.S- Bonus- Jordan came “home” this weekend to go on the trip with us. He helped Chad with worship music and was a team leader to the “Orange Unicorns”. He said it was actually more fun being a adult leader than a team member. Maybe it’s just because his team won! So other than being really wet and looking like a drowned rat, what a perfect weekend!

Every year over 14 million children grow up as orphans and age out of the orphanage without ever finding their own families.

Currently there are an estimated 143 million orphans in the World today.

Just some staggering facts I came across while researching some more adoption grants. I also found this chart that illustrates the steep decline in finalized Russian adoptions from 2004 (5,862) to 2008 (only 1,857).

On the bright side of things, each child that comes home will be one less that "ages out" of the system. AND someday soon Baby Deetz will be added to those positive statistics, not the negative ones. When we see situations that are out of our hands, or think they are too great for one person to bear on their own, we forget that the World is changed one person at a time.

I've been thinking a lot about my recent visit to the ol' girl doctor. When I told her and the nurse attending that since I had been to her last year, we had stopped taking fertility junk and started the adoption process (I thought she may have known this..but obviously, she didn't open my chart until I was up "in the rack") She said without a moments hesitation "oh you know NOW you are definitely going to get pregnant" and the nurse quickly agreed and they began telling stories about ALL the patients that had happened to. I would have been shocked if this was the first time I would have heard that, but for a doctor to say that??? It made me furious. So I was naked and furious. Not a good combo, I assure you. At this point, if I ever were to get pregnant I would of course, be thrilled. But NO more thrilled than the day I get to bring home baby Deetz from Russia. They would be absolutely, positively, 100% MY CHILDREN. Via uterus or via Lufstanza Air. SAME. SAME. SAME. If I were mega-prego flying to get Baby Deetz, I would waddle my way through the airport and through Moscow, and would be delighted that BOTH my children were on their way home, where they belong. A pregnancy is not going to deter our plight to bring home our child. Your children are your children, by birth or by adoption. I need to really be careful and practice my southern manners when the next person tells me I won't need to adopt when I undoubtedly get bionic fertility overnight. Ok. I feel better now. Pardon the rant.

Mission Accomplished.

My first MAJOR cake project is complete. Everyone breath a sigh of relief with me.....Ahhhh......

It was one of my co-worker's daughter's 16th birthday and I was hired to make the cake. A GIANT cake. I worked last night from the minute I got home until 12:30 in the morning. Then I had to finish up some final touches this morning, but it was actually fun today. I decided that making cakes is fun if you are only doing the baking or the decorating. NOT both at the same time. That's why on cake shows they just pull these giant cakes out of the fridge and they just unwrap them and go to town with the decorations. They have sense. I do not. Well- I just wanted to share my latest accomplishment with you! It may be a LONG time before I post another cake picture!

It’s all yours….

I heard this on this story on the news this morning. Whenever I hear the word “Russia” my ears perk up and I immediately begin praying. I’ll be the first to admit I am not “up on” global goings on. I never have really paid too much attention to foreign affairs, I usually find it confusing, boring, frightening, or a combination of all three. But I understand that we live in a changing world. At any moment any given country could close their doors to Americans wanting to adopt. The way I think about it is, imagine if the United States opened their doors to foreign countries adopting American born children. Would that be viewed as a sign of weakness? A sign that we have lost hope in finding our own citizens to raise our forgotten children? A sign that we have come to the conclusion that our Foster Care system has failed? What if the tables were turned?

You may remember our president visiting Russia and vowing to make some changes concerning nuclear warfare. I read the articles following this visit, and couldn’t really get a good pulse on the situation. I know that news is often slanted and that it is rarely “just the facts”. But I am taking this article published in the New York Times today as a positive. “Putin Applauds ‘Brave’ U.S. Decision on Missile Defense” By: Clifford J. Levy and Peter Baker

"MOSCOW — Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin praised President Obama Friday for canceling a plan for an anti ballistic missile system in Eastern Europe that Russia had deemed a threat, suggesting that the move would lead to improved relations between their countries.“I very much hope that this correct and brave decision will be followed by others,” Mr. Putin said.The Obama decision on Thursday replaced the Bush administration antimissile plan with a reconfigured system focused on short- and medium-range missiles. Mr. Putin and other Russian officials who spoke to reporters on Friday did not say whether Russia would respond with concessions to the United States, particularly on the issue of Iran’s nuclear program and its overall military capabilities. The Russian officials did indicate that the Kremlin would withdraw its threat to base short-range missiles on Russia’s western border, in Kaliningrad.
In his first major foreign policy speech which was coordinated with the White House, NATO’s new secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, called for a “genuine new beginning of our relationship with Russia” and said the West and Russia have a shared interest in opposing the proliferation of ballistic missile technology in other countries.”
Also on Friday, in another sign of warming in relations, NATO called for new cooperation between the alliance and Moscow, including possible coordination between antimissile systems."

So let’s keep those relations warm, OK? On my way to work I was reminded once again by a beautiful song my Steven Curtis Chapman. A true global perspective on our great big world…and who is in control. Here is the link (watch the video I dare you to watch it and not cry!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-ERm0_tuKM

How I saved $277.05 today….

It’s consignment sale time again. I volunteer for two reasons, #1- because our proceeds go 100% to local missions, but mostly because I get a volunteer ticket to come to the pre-sale before it’s opened to the public. (That’s honesty folks…..I’m not ashamed.) Last time, you’ll remember I got some really great stuff at the sale. We’ll this time I found some more goodies and I thought you might want to share my joy ;0). It’s like the day after Thanksgiving shopping, except it’s all for Baby Deetz AND I don’t have to get up at o’dark thirty.

Item 1- Diaper Genie Refill pack, NEW (Retail $6.00) $1
Item 2- Munchkin Fresh Food Feeders, NEW (Retail $7.49) $3
Item 3- Fisher Price ABC Peek-A-Blocks (Retail, used $34.99) $4
Item 4- Fisher Price Tiger Piano Toy (Retail $19.99) $2
Item 5- Playskool Giraffe Ring Toy (Retail $14.99) $2
Item 6- Baby Essential Diaper changing mat (Retail $24.99) $3
Item 7- Diaper changing mat, fuzzy/unk. Brand (Retail, uhhhh….$12?) $2

And my favorite finds….
Item 8- Dwell Studio Boppy, NEW (Retail $49.99) $10
Item 9- First Act Percussion Pack, NEW (Retail $38.57) $10

And the Pièce de résistance…..

Item 10- Melissa and Doug (you know how I’m obsessed with all things wooden) Wooden Puzzle rack with 7 Melissa and Doug Puzzles (Retails- $123.95, GASP) $20

I really went to buy a jogging stroller I saw when I was working on Monday night, but I think one of the volunteers must have snagged it. :0(
It was only $25 and it was pristine. Sniff….. Oh well. I would say hopefully next time, but I REALLY hope I already have a BABY and a stroller by the time the next consignment sale rolls around in the Spring!

In case you were wondering....this is the way I justify spending $57.00 at the Children’s Fall Consignment Sale at my church. (at least to Chad anyway! Ha! Ha! No- he's great and doesn't care what I buy.....he's a happy guy that doesn't mind my habit. I am so lucky)

Three Cheers for Adoption!

Here is a nice, positive celeb adoption story (finally). Hurrah for Katherine!
Here is the video interview in case you want to watch. I love the way everyone cheers as soon as she breaks the "big news". I feel like that too....that you all are cheering us on and we are so grateful everyday for your support. You make this incredible process bearable.

http://www.eonline.com/videos/v38604653001_Heigl_Talks_Adoption_with_Ellen.html

Here is the "E" Online Story....
Katherine Heigl's family tree is sprouting a new limb.
The Grey's Anatomy star, whose impending hiatus makes so much more sense now, is planning to adopt a baby girl with her singer-songwriter hubby Josh Kelley.
Congratulations to the parents-to-be!
In a sit-down with Ellen DeGeneres, airing tomorrow on Ellen, Heigl says that their child, whom they've only seen pictures of so far, is from Korea and will be 10 months old at the end of the month. They have named her Naleigh.
"I just dropped that one," Heigl said of the name, which she says is a hybrid of her mom's and sister's names, Nancy and Leigh. "Anyway, I'm sure that's fine. We have to meet her first."
"She was actually born the day before me in November, which I thought was really serendipitous and just kind of like a sign," Heigl said. "I realized just recently that I basically forfeited my birthday for the rest of my life."
Heigl goes on to talk about filling out the "superdetailed" 40-page adoption pamphlet and why she has always known that adoption was the right choice for her.
She and Kelley first found out about Naleigh six months ago. "She is a special-needs baby, and because of that it all moved so much faster," Heigl said. "They wanted to get her to us as quickly as possible."
"It's been a big part of my life and my family," the 30-year-old actress continued. "My sister is Korean and my parents adopted her back in the '70s, and so I just always knew that this is something I wanted to do."
"I just wanted to make sure that I was marrying a guy who understands that this was going to have to happen," she continued. "So about a year ago is when we said, 'OK, let's start the process,' and the process is intense. It's different, but it isn't, do you know what I mean? It's just as intense I'm sure to have a baby biologically, because you're going through the whole physical sort of thing of it."
Heigl has said that her role in Knocked Up made her extra enthusiastic about the idea of adoption.
"I've always planned to adopt anyway, but that definitely reinforced my want to," she told USA Today in 2007. "I'm done with the whole idea of having my own children. Doesn't seem like any fun. I don't think it's necessary to go through all of that."
But the idea of kids was always a definite yes.
"I'm superexcited to have a family," she told Extra right before she got married. "I've always wanted a family, a large family. [We'll wait] like, a year."
Heigl and Kelley swapped vows on Dec. 23, 2007, in Park City, Utah.
And here they are, planning for a lifetime.

Weird!

O.K. I don't know what's up with blogger. You may have noticed two things. One- the post I made last night ended up looking like binary code. I'm not sure about what happened there. The now deleted post basically said my second weird point you observant/obsessed (like me) types may have noticed:

Our blog counter jumped from 9,000 hits to close to 12,000 hits almost overnight. Two possible but unlikely explanations for this conundrum:

One: You like me, you really, really like me.

Two: I used some hot catch word (Julie and Julia? Fall? Autumn? Comfort Sport Car seat? that started popping up on Google searches

Three: The little mouse that runs around the wheel to make the ticker tick worked overtime and kept running....and running....and running.

Four: Chad said he put an update in our church bulletin with our blog address on it. But 3,000 hits in less than 24 hours? Hmmm....

I think we'll file this one under "mystery" But hello! If I've made 3,000 new friends!

This weekend was insano. I made a ton of cake squares for Frances' Wedding Shower today- thought you might want to see them, so I'll attach a picture. It was almost a cake disaster- the cake I made (buttermilk spice cake with cinnamon butter cream frosting) sure did taste good, but started a revolt when being cut into squares. It was super moist (almost gooey) it was crumbly too. At some point I was standing in my kitchen in my pajamas (because I didn't want to get cake/icing on the clothes I wore to church and had to put back on to go to the shower) It was 12:15. I had to leave the house in 20 minutes. I had icing everywhere. Alex was standing under my feet having an all you can eat buffet at the crumbs falling on the floor. I was literally talking myself up- "O.K. Sarah you can do this. But these look BAD. We need to think of a better way to do this. You need to just relax a little and take your time" If someone walked in my house they would have had me committed. I made it to the shower- 10 minutes late but with cake squares as promised. Next time I am making cupcakes. Something that is BAKED in the container it comes in. It was just unnatural to get pieces of cake in a paper and iced and then placed in a box. Too much to ask.

Well, you live and learn I suppose. And I KNOW next weekend I will be making everything on Friday night for the sweet 16 cake for Saturday. Novice cake decorating and pressure DO NOT MIX.

Friday Funny ;0)

My favorite is number 7. My mom sent this to me, I thought it was too cute. Can't wait to make you all Grandparents- Mom, Dad, Rick, Donna, Bev and J.R. Hang in there- it's just taking us a little longer than 9 months!

1. She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she'd done many times before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, "But Gramma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye! "

2. My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, 62. My grandson was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, "Did you start at 1?"

3. A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like: "We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard.. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods. "The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!"

4. My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike? "I mentally polished my halo and I said, "No, how are we alike?" "You're both old," he replied.

5. I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me and was always correct. It was fun for me, so I continued. At last, she headed for the door, saying, "Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these, yourself!"

6. When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, "It's no use Grandpa. Now the mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights."

7. When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, "I'm not sure." "Look in your underwear, Grandpa," he advised, "mine says I'm 4 to 6."

8. A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, "Grandma, guess what? We learned how to make babies today.." The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool. "That's interesting," she said, "How do you make babies?" "It's simple," replied the girl. "You just change 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'."

9. Children's Logic: "Give me a sentence about a public servant," said a teacher. The small boy wrote: "The fireman came down the ladder pregnant." The teacher took the lad aside to correct him. "Do you know what pregnant means?" she asked. "Sure," said the young boy confidently. "It means carrying a child."

10. A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren to their home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog's duties. "They use him to keep crowds back," said one child. "No," said another. "He's just for good luck." A third child brought the argument to a close. "They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrants."

11. A 6-year-old was asked where his grandma lived.. "Oh," he said, "she lives at the airport, and when we want her, we just go get her. Then, when we're done having her visit, we take her back to the airport."

P.P.P.P.P.

A.K.A. "Perfect Pskov Photo of Pskovo Pechersky" of the week.

I originally picked out this picture tonight because I liked the flowers and I thought the buildings were interesting in the background. However, that wouldn't make much of a blog, so I needed to figure out what those buildings actually were!

This photo is of Pskovo-Pechersky, a Russian Orthodox male monastery, located in Pskov, about 9 miles from the Estonian border. Currently 90 monks live in the monastery. The monastery was founded in the mid-15th century, when people looking for seclusion settled in local caves. Many of the current buildings still exist inside the caves.

It's funny how the cave theme seems to be coming up in my life lately. I am reading a book (fictional) about an abused girl that suffers from agoraphobia. She discovers a cave in her backyard and it becomes her refuge from the World, her safe haven.

This morning, the Third Day song, "Your Love oh Lord" came on the radio.

The lyrics are:

"Your love, oh Lord

Reaches to the heavens

Your faithfulness stretches to the sky

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains

Your justice flows like the ocean's tide

I will lift my voice

To worship You, my King

I will find my strength

In the shadow of your wings"

Hmmmm......Sometimes I'm a little slow, maybe it's just a coincidence.

When I got into work my daily devotion calendar read from Psalm 17:8:

"Guard me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings"

Refuge in God? It's so easy for us to think we are strong and tough and we can handle the weight of the World on our shoulders. What God offers us (and we rarely accept) is refuge from a crazy stressful mean world. So many times I only take God up on his promises when I am burned out, stressed out and freaking out. Why? It's like walking out in the middle of traffic and thinking you won't really get hit by a car. Somehow you are too brave, too strong, and too colorfully dressed to really get run over. Why even take that chance? I am currently finding refuge in my father and I am also depending on you to lift us up in your prayers.

Please pray:

1- For God's strength throughout this journey.

2- For the grant application we are turning in this week, if we can get close to $3,000 then our only remaining expenses will be for travel (between the two trips that computes to: Approximately 20 days in Russia, 4 flights, 1 flight home for Baby Deetz ;0) and miscellaneous travel costs- food, lodging, cabs, inter-country flight/train rides, translation fees, medical fees, visas, and host fees.)

3- For Baby Deetz, most likely being cared for right this very minute (not by his mommy and daddy) but hopefully by loving, nurturing providers.

4- For Russia and our specific region, that they remain open and motivated to placing their orphans into American arms.

5- For the paperwork fairy. We've turned in so many different papers at different times in this process (Including round 3 to the Apostille yesterday) that all of our stuff is landing in the right file and at the right time with some wonderfully motivated and organized person.

6- For us all to remember that we are the apple of God's eye and he calls us to find refuge in his perfect strength.

P.S.: This post was published on 9/9/09 at 9:00pm! Cool!

Newest treasures

Today one of my friends at work nearly doubled Baby Deetz library! Thanks April. I got home and sat for an hour reading through them. Along with Michele's contributions to the library, we could start our own mini Barnes & Noble! I love it....thank you thank you thank you for the great books. We will treasure them for a very long time!
I also purchased a great car seat with my Target gift card from Mom. Baby Deetz has made out this week. Auntie Brittany went with me. She has a really cool gadget on her phone- you scan a product's bar code and it pulls up the price on the item in other stores and on the web and tells you if you are getting a good deal! Wait- there's more- THEN it pulls customer reviews of the product too. So we could check out the safety rating too. 5 stars! The picture doesn't really do it any justice- the lighter color is a shimmery gold color, the dark brown is a fuzzy teddy bear material. It seems really comfortable. I came home and told Chad I did REALLY good job- #1 spending my gift money on something practical (I was eyeing a really cool OVERPRICED diaper bag, but just couldn't justify it) and #2 I didn't buy another car seat just because it was "red" and "prettier", it had a lower rating and was almost double the price. Just for a recap- it is completely possible to spoil someone you've never met but love from the bottom of your heart.

Blissful!

I can feel it. It's just a hint in the air, but it's definitely there. Fall. Autumn. Whatever you call it, I love it! Now yesterday I was pulling weeds in the full sun (ick) it DID NOT feel like fall at all, but in the mornings and near dusk it's definitely there- like an old friend. When the breeze blows, it feels just a little crisper, a little fresher. Tomorrow, I might just get down the fall decorations and make it feel even more festive. Speaking things I love....
Tonight I went to see Julie and Julia with some friends- I loved it! I want to buy "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and go stuff a duck or something. It was so inspiring, I never realized how blissful Julia Child and her husband, Paul, were. It made me want to be more joyful! To laugh more, to be surrounded by people that I love more often. Not to care about my house being "perfect" to have friends over. I think Dr. Seuss might have said "People that mind don't matter, and people that matter don't mind." And you should always surround yourself with people that matter. Life is too short not to. I'll keep you posted about the duck thing. That may just be a whim...but I am definitely going to make effort to be more blissful! ;0)

Friday Funny ;0)

Why didn't I ever think of this? I hope you all have a happy weekend!

A father passing by his son's bedroom was astonished to see that his bed was nicely made and everything was picked up. Then he saw an Envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow that was addressed to 'Dad.' With the worst premonition he opened the envelope with trembling hands and read the letter.

Dear Dad:

It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with Mom and you. I have been finding real passion with Stacy and she is so nice. But I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercing, tattoos, tight motorcycle clothes and the fact that she is much older than I am. But it' s not only the passion...Dad, she's pregnant. Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children. Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it for ourselves and trading it with the other people that live nearby for cocaine and ecstasy. In the meantime we will pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Stacy can get better. She deserves it. Don't worry Dad. I'm 15 and I know how to take care of myself. Someday I'm sure that we will be back to visit so that you can get to know your grandchildren.
Love,
Your Son John



PS. Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at Tommy's house. I Just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the report card that's in my center desk drawer. I love you. Call me when it's safe to come home.

Mishka with a Cause!

This week we received a package on the front step. It was addressed to “Baby Deetz”. I hope they don’t mind but we couldn’t wait until they got here to open it. After strategically peeling off several layers of packing tape, we pried off the lid- and it was a Mishka! With a cute little red backpack. It was from Grammy and Poppy (my parents, no those names are not official) Inside the little bears backpack was a check (some funny money for the Fall Consignment Sale at church next week) and a Target gift card. That was so nice!
Well, the best surprise was in reading the bear’s tag. It was from Jockey (the underoo store) and it was called the “Jockey Being Family Bear”. A proceed of the cost of the bear benefit the owner of Jockey store’s charity- the Debra Steigerwaldt Waller Foundation for Adoption. The foundation was established in 2005. Their effort is to keep “forever families together forever” by funding post-adoptive services to families that are having trouble adjusting. They also raise awareness for corporations to help different companies employees adopt. Jockey is on the list of “adoption friendly workplaces” offering $10,000 to their employees if they choose to adopt. You can check out the whole list on http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/Our-Work/Adoption-Friendly-Workplace/Best-Adoption-Friendly-Workplaces-List-(1) The bear costs $8.50 and $3.00 is given directly to the foundation for each bear purchased. You can buy them in stores, online, or at the “Being Family” website: http://www.jockeybeingfamily.com/
November is “National Adoption Awareness Month” and if you buy a bear in November, 100% of proceeds will benefit the foundation. They would make a great gift for your caseworker!

O.K. so I call my mom to thank her. She tells me that she bought the bear just because she thought he was cute. Then she read the tag and went back in to talk to the store owner, to tell her that she was buying the bear for her future adopted grandchild. The owner said that she herself was adopted and she thinks it’s a great cause and wanted to sell them in her store. (That’s just the inside scoop in case you wanted to know!)

Perfect Pskov Photo (P.P.P)

When you talk to Chad's stepdad Rick (Hi Rick) he often stops you in conversation to tell you the initials of what you just said. Not like in a "Rainman" kinda way, but a funny, silly kinda way. Here is an example:

Sarah: "You'll never believe who I saw at the store yesterday."

Rick: "Who?"

Sarah: "You know that creepy neighbor guy"

Rick: "Oh...the C.N.G.?"

Sarah: "Yeah that's the one. The one that picks up the pine needles out of his driveway one at a time"

Rick: "He's actually pretty nice, just a little intense"

Sarah: "He was buying fifteen frozen peperoni pizzas."

Rick: "F.F.P.P.!!?"

Sarah: "Yeah, I don't know why he was buying so many."

I don't know why but I've always found it quite hilarious. I think he said it's from being in the Air Force, everything is an initial. "Joe, go grab those P.F.Q.'s and throw em' in the back of the C.V.C." But I don't know if that's the case- I still think it's really funny.

Wow, that was a really long introduction to tell you about this picture. I found a guy online named Sergei Kovalenko, he is a photographer in Boston and his Grandmother is from Pskov. He spent summers in Pskov and has always loved the region. He comments that many "bloggers" have asked if they can post his pictures and he said that would be fine. So I don't feel badly about using his pictures. The picture is of his children, playing outside the Kremlin wall in the city. When I see this picture I think of Baby Deetz, running and playing and being happy ;0). It's a perfect Pskov Photo! (P.P.P.)

You can check out his great pics at http://100photo.com/index.htm

P.S.: Ricky- I.L.Y.!

September is National Cake Month (not really)

How can it be September already? For those of you keeping track at home- Christmas is only 115 days away. I will be 30 years old in one month and 22 days. Yikes.

Here is my final cake. I had these illusions of grandeur about how the cake would be- I really wanted to do two tiers, but I tore the fondant on the top tier, I rolled it too thin. I could have salvaged it, but I think one tier turned out just fine (yes the flowers are edible and yes I made them!). I was crunched for time in class anyway so I had to complete it at home. Then I made a dozen cookies for Deetzsie’s Treatsies. Then I had a diabetic episode for consuming more sugar than one human should ever consume in a single day. Actually, then I got started on a new book “just to wind down” and it was so good I couldn’t put it down. Before I knew it, it was after midnight. Tonight we ate dinner out because I couldn't bear to even set foot in the kitchen.

So I’ve been laying the ground work for our financial course of action. I don’t know how I am going to fit anything else- but here are how the events unfolded. I sent an e-mail to our Pastor, he has graciously allowed us to but another blurb in the church newsletter about where we are in the process and how much more $ we need. He has also given the green light for an event in the Fellowship Hall. Now I need to get on the ball with food donations and perhaps a few items to auction (anybody know anybody?) I was thinking like a relaxation basket (maybe with a massage gift card) and some other fun stuff. I might bid on that basket. That would totally defeat the purpose, no? So…. Stay tuned on my latest scheme.

Next- I brought my cake into work and sent an e-mail talking about “Baby Cakes”. I got 3 orders today! Plus I already had one lined up from church, so that makes 4. So far I get to flex my baking/decorating muscle. I have booked everything but a Wedding cake (thank goodness, that’s too much pressure right now!) I have a sweet 16, a birthday, a baby shower, and a wedding shower (Even though it’s in the “wedding family” that’s much less pressure, I just want to stay away from Bridezillas on their “big day”. Showers are o.k.) Anyway- I am really excited to do these cakes, decorating has allowed me to be creative, something that I adore, but rarely get an opportunity to partake in. In case you're wondering about the fondant birdy I made, I still have him, but he just didn't look right on this cake.

Adoption update- All of our additional paperwork that needed to go to Pskov has been sent. The only thing I couldn't do was a"Letter of Recommendation" from our Home Study Agency. After a short debate, I persuaded our agency that they could do the letter, not our actual social worker (contracted through CWA) Since it has to be on CWA letterhead anyway, that will save us a few weeks and keeps things nice and simple! I need to follow up with them to make sure it's been done since our regular case manager is on vacation until mid-September, but they are really good at doing what they say they will do, so I'm not terribly worried.

Now...if you'll excuse me, my book and my pajamas are calling my name!