DISAPPOINTMENT

We received a call from our agency today. Sadly, the little girl that we had requested to be matched with, has been placed with another family. We are all heartbroken and disappointed. Knowing that several families had requested to be matched with her, I prayed that best family for her would be chosen. The family that would be the perfect family to meet her particular needs. I thought that was us! I had such a special feeling for her and I thought she was ours! I have prayed for her and I look at her precious face every day.

I know there is a special little one waiting out there for us, but today, I can't really picture it.

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

A DAY AT GATORLAND!

My sister and her son are visiting and we have had so much fun this week. Since I work at Disney, that is always a fun day out when guests visit, but we did something new this week- we went to Gatorland! I have lived here in FL for many years now, but I have never been to Gatorland and I thought it was time we did. We had a great day, and of course the boys loved it! We fed the gators, sat on a gator, watched the Jumparoo show and enjoyed touring the park.

There is often an overpopulation of gators here in FL, and there is a hunting season in order to keep the population under control. So the gators in this park are saved and used for educating people about them, and well of course here in FL, for entertainment purposes.

We all enjoyed learning about the gators, snakes and crocodiles, and seeing how they interact with each other.

Cousin Aaron, Christina, Joshua and Matthew all "screaming" because of the gator behind.

Joshua and Matthew climbing in the big gator mouth.

Christina and Joshua sitting on the real gator!

My sister Polly and I on the gator. Ok, I did feel a little sorry for this gator with all of us sitting on him for a photo, but they promised us that he was very strong and it was not uncomfortable for him.

Jacob even took a turn for a pic.

Gator handler, George, taking a chance with those snapping jaws, and showing us how the gator's lower jaw is the one that snaps!

Here are the gators we were feeding! They were huge! When we threw them the bites of food, they would turn their heads and snap their jaws!

We took a nature walk behind the park on a "bridge trail" way back into the swamp.

This is the beautiful turtle that we saw on the nature walk.

Along the way on our walk, there was a sign that stated we were in an area with a high concentration of water moccasins. Sure enough we saw 4 of them right by the trail. The trail was about a foot above them on the bridge though, so we were safe.

Josh had some fun at the little water park. It was SO HOT (about 100 degrees that day and if you have been to FL in the summer, full humidity), so that water park was a relief!

THIS PHOTO IS ME WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE AGENCY ABOUT THE LITTLE GIRL WE ARE HOPING TO BE MATCHED WITH....

This picture gave me the giggles!

It has been a month since we sent back answers to the questions that were sent to us from the social worker representing the little girl we are interested in. A month feels like a really long time for this particular news! This is a bit disheartening knowing that it has been 4 weeks already and we have heard nothing back. The only positive about hearing "nothing" is that she hasn't been matched with anyone as of yet. (I'm pretty sure they will let us know if she is matched with another family) I have one "ray of hope" which is that a friend of mine :) told me that they waited about 2 months before they heard back from Taiwan and they were approved for the child they had requested! So, there are many factors that involve an approval, and I totally understand that they have to be thorough and make sure all of the legalities are in order and all parties are in agreement before they approve a family. I also have to keep in mind that there were probably several other families from other agencies requesting this same child, and we may not be the chosen family. Although, I HOPE we are!!!

I will let you know when I hear something!

GOOD NEWS ON A CURRENT CASE! ( The photo on the side is NOT of any case) (Click here to find out more about FL- GAL)

I volunteer as a Guardian Ad Litem ( a court appointed advocate) here in my county. I cannot discuss any details of my cases, however I can say that I am so happy with the outcome of my current case. (I can describe the following, because it could be about any one of thousands of cases story.)

I am representing a sibling group who had been placed with a relative while the case continues (a very common placement). The children love this relative and are in the best care and the SAFEST care.

A couple of months ago, in court, it looked as though (despite what I pleaded and my report recommended) the children would be placed back where I knew they would not have safe, caring lives. The judge was sympathetic, but it was LEGALLY the right thing to do because certain goals had been achieved. I came out of court that day so upset and heartbroken and genuinely afraid for the kids.

Well, 2 months later, just before the final ruling, everything turned for the good, suddenly everyone was in agreement, ALL PARTIES, that the children should remain permanently in the care of this relative. EVERYONE was happy with the outcome.

There can still be some loopholes in the future, so it is not a forever guaranteed union, but it is very stable and safe and I hope it will remain that way.

God is so good. I prayed about this so hard. He cares so much for their little hearts and minds.

Please pray that they will remain in safe care always.

DAY 3 AT LAY LAKE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOLLI!

Today we had a lot of fun! It was my mother-in-law, Susan's birthday and many people came to celebrate!

Happy Birthday, Lolli!! Oh that cake was goooood!

Joshua and Matthew with their cousin, Jonathan.

Jacob with his cousin, Joe.

Jacob with his good friends, Amber and Jason.

Our friend, Lynn's cute little girl, Sarah.

Joshua with Turner! They had a lot of fun playing together today!

Uncle Nolan with his parents, Jim and Cathy.

Matthew caught a big one! :)

Christina and Mattew, happy summer kids!

Jacob and I just relaxing!

Matthew cruisin' down the zip-line!! Jacob had to stand at the end catching the boys.

Joshie's turn on the zip-line!! Go Josh!

Joshua decided to try tubing behind the boat! Big brother Matthew, holds onto him!

An awesome bug sitting on the picnic table.

Matthew and Uncle Nolan, taking the Kayak out for a spin!

Joshua ready to go!!!

MORE FUN AT THE LAKE TODAY!

We had a great day here at Lay Lake today. More activities and fun!

Matthew took the raft out this morning.

Once Matthew had mastered it, he took Josh out for a round.

A couple of super cute photos of Christina!

I usually am not in the pics very often, but Christina took a few of me.

Probably the only photo I will get of my sister-in-law, Susanna. She has her pregnant belly in the circle of the innertube!

Uncle Nolan hitting the waves.

Christina and Josh on the boat!

Christina and Matthew tubing behind the boat!

Rockin' the raft!!

Daddy letting Josh drive the boat!

Lolli gave the kids each a journal to record the fun they have each day.

SUMMER FUN AT LAY LAKE!!!

We have already had a day of summer fun here at Lay Lake!

Joshua is playing "baby T-Rex" in the water!

Lolli is keeping an eye on the boys swimming. She made a delicious spaghetti dinner with french bread, okra and tomatoes for us. Then a blackberry and a peach pie ala mode. The blackberries were picked straight from her garden! So yummy!

Uncle Nolan floating on the raft. The kids think he is a ton of fun! Aunt Susanna is here too, but she won't let me catch a pic of her as she is almost 8 months pregnant. I totally get that, but maybe I'll convince her to let me get just one.... :)

Jacob and Uncle Nolan are ready for a raft war!

Uncle Nolan wins!

Here is a view of the lake house from the shore. It is a beauty!

Daddy and Josh just having fun!

I was taking a shot of Matthew jumping in, but the funny part of this pic is Uncle Nolan peeking over the edge of the dock. He is always doing something crazy.

Matthew in action!!

I love this pic of Joshua's sweet face!

Matthew chillin' on the boat.

Pops teaching Joshua how to fish. Joshua thinks Pops hung the moon.

Matthew and Jacob have already decided to spend a lot of time fishing.