Happy Birthday Erin!

If I were to make you a cake it would look something like these. Fortunately, I will spare you this year. I love you dear friend!

Notice the butterfly theme?!

Newsflash

There is no news. We keep waiting and waiting and yep, you guessed it...more waiting. John will probably be walking and talking by the time we hop on the plane. At least he'll be potty trained.

I think our mothers' anxiousness combined outweighs ours though.

I think I've gone through a hundred books this summer, trying to keep my mind occupied with something other than...the waiting. By the way, there weren't any great movies at the theater this weekend. Except for the Will Smith one and we just weren't in the mood. Oops, scratch that. I wasn't in the mood. Poor Charley. An aside...we don't have cable right now and I miss my mtv.

I did get to talk to my brother in law on Saturday. He and his wife live in Macedonia and run an English school. I'll leave you with a few pictures from their recent trek up a mountain to a monastery. There was only one monk there, he said.

The Czech Republic

The upcoming election leaves me lying in bed at night awake and yes, worried. (Thanks, mom, for this oh, so wonderful inherited trait.) I won't climb aboard my soapbox today. For which you should be thankful. But, I will recommend a wonderful book by Dominika Dery, The Twelve Little Cakes. (And, yes, it bugs me that I don't have the option in the blog layout to underline my book title.)

The authors voice is wonderful, I laughed out loud too many times to count! Thank you, dear Sue, for turning me on to this book!

---

The Twelve Little Cakes
by Dominika Dery

Long before she was born, Dominika first appeared to her mother in a dream, so when she came to be, she was welcomed with eager expectation and much love. Though her arrival was auspicious, as the child of recognized dissidents associated with the failed Prague Spring uprising, Dominika's life would be far from charmed.

Her mother was disowned by her parents, who were members of the Party elite. Her father was an inventor whose politics resulted in his working as a taxi driver, but who nevertheless remained an unrepentant optimist. Rounding out the family--colorful, even by local standards--were a beautiful, voluptuous teenage sister with many male admirers and an enormous St. Bernard who was a famous Czech TV star. In a village on the outskirts of Prague, full of gossipy neighbors, state informants, friendly old "grandmothers," and small-town prejudices, Dominika grows up a self-possessed child, whose openness and curiosity often lead her, and her family, into trouble. Yet the love, pride, and quirky ingenuity that bind them together will guarantee their survival--and ultimately their happiness--through the best and worst of times. The Twelve Little Cakes is equal parts testimony to the struggle of a bygone era and a love letter to a joy-filled childhood that no external forces could dim.

And, as an inspiration for you to read her book, take a look at her adorable face!

http://www.abc.net.au/queensland/conversations/stories/s1618537.htm?nsw

Happy 4th of July!

You know how you go through life with different markers by which to live? For me, growing up, it greatly mattered exactly how old I was and when April was coming to mark another year. Or, in school, remember looking forward to summer break and all the great things that meant - trips to the ocean, visiting family and friends, hanging out at the pool? For us, this morning was a blessing. It rained here in Wilmore and while the little hometown parade still floated by our street, we were blessedly trapped in the car with our godchild, Matthew. He isn't feeling too well and combine that with the drizzle of rain, we just decided to forgo the campground and watch the parade from the shelter of the front seat. Whew. My marker for the past several months has been (big surprise here) the arrival of John. I love the 4th...but, watching the families year after year has been detrimental to my health. I agonized before, try to enjoy during, and afterwards anguish both silently and out loud (read: poor husband) that we are not yet raising our family. Ick. Enough. Sorry to be such a downer on such a blessed holiday filled with freedom and spirit. What I mean to say in all of that rambling is that NEXT year I won't have to agonize over watching the families on the 4th! Our family will join the crowds filled with children with gusto. We have much to be thankful for this year, but the next 4th will be extra special as we celebrate as 3.

At least I have the freedom to choose - to foster, to adopt, to try fertility, to choose not to have children. Those are the freedoms I am thankful for this 4th of July. Hurray for a country where the majority is still patriotic and boldly proud of the red, white, and blue!

July!

I've never been so excited for the beginning of another month as I am these days as we wait for updates of our son. This month was a bit hard because friends received their update on Monday and we waited two and half long days to find John's update in our inbox. Of course, my imagination got the best of me and I started thinking scary thoughts. Like...well, you know the drill. But, today, we're back on track! And, you guessed it...we have pictures! I squealed when I opened the first picture. I expect nothing less from you, dear reader. I think he might be the most gorgeous boy God has ever made. I know, I know, every parent thinks these same thoughts. Except, in this case, it's true. Got your hackles up, didn't I, parents? Enjoy...




Your son John is doing amazing. I can't believe how much more aware he
is becoming. For awhile there he just seemed like a very serious baby,
but now we are seeing him smile more and more. He has such a sweet
smile. It will melt your heart. He is also laughing and cooing all the
time now. Lately he has been having a rough time getting to sleep but
when he is out he sleeps all night through. He eats very very well. We
are praying for your family daily and can't wait till we meet you and
can send your son home with you.