Michael Jackson

Honestly, I haven't wanted to touch this subject with a ten foot pole, but heard a comment today that really bothered me so I figured I should put my thoughts out there for those of you that care :)

Yes, I grew up loving Michael Jackson. I loved his songs, loved his dancing, etc. but I'm quite sure I've ever been the type of fan that idolized him. I haven't kept up with him much over the years, although I do remember seeing the story of him dangling his son over the railing at that hotel. I also remember thinking it quite odd that he wore pajamas to court. I say all this to give you the extent of my recent Michael Jackson knowledge. Honestly, if you had asked me three weeks ago how many children MJ had and whom they were conceived with, I probably could not have answered that question.

I say all this because someone said today while referring to custody of MJ's kids "well, they probably weren't even his kids anyway"

Now, maybe you see nothing wrong with the above statement. Heck, you might have even said it yourself, but as an adoptive momma I think someone needs to stop and say that just because he may or may not have produced the sperm that fertilized the egg does not equal that he wasn't their father. He has raised these children (from what I have seen in the media) since their birth. He is the only parent these children have ever known. Yes, he was a weird, mixed up man who was probably guilty of lots of disqusting things, but he was still their father.

These children are his children, but more importantly, they are children of God. My immediate family consists of children that I spent hours birthing and children that I spent hours praying for. Some have my DNA, some do not. BUT THEY ARE ALL MY CHILDREN. Yes, two of them didn't come out of womb, but if something happened to me, I would hope and pray that people would not hold them at arm's length because of that small difference in how they came to be part of my family.

Another Resource for Prospective Adoptive Families

I just realized tonight that I never posted a link to the board that posts adoption situations that they need profiles for. If you click HEREyou will find a moderated list of those situations. We typically used the first link listed AND please be aware that you should always do research on agencies that post situations here as some are known to not be that great (Valley of Hope) GOOD LUCK!

Racism

If you've ever thought that racism no longer exists, check out this article HERE. Sickening.

I'd Rather Be Hot Than Cold

Yes, I've said that many a time. Like when I'm at a Titans football game and I've decided my toes are permanently frozen and will never reach 98.6 again. Or, perhaps, during the "spring" consignment sale where it is typically 12 below zero at midnight when we finally leave. Yes, I've said it..."I'd rather be hot than cold, at least you can cool off, but when you're cold, sometimes you just can't get warm"

Well, my friends, last night I ate those words. You see, around 4pm yesterday, I noticed the house was warm. We are one of those people who keep the thermostat at 72 degrees and don't move it. Jonathan swears he is "freezing" each night to which I promptly tell him it feels great in here and get over it. In our new, old house, the thermostat is one of those where you set the temp for a certain number of days, so I ASSUMED that it needed to be reset which I promptly did.

Jonathan got home around 6pm and noted that it was indeed, well, HOT in our house and began assessing the problem. "It's blowing cold air," he said. I went into our tiny 20 sq. feet master bath and reassured him that it was not blowing cold air. Jonathan, AKA Bob the Builder, assured me that it was fine and that because it had gotten so hot, it would just take a while to cool off. Sure it would.

By 8pm, I noticed that my skin was literally beginning to drip off (that's a joke) so I told him it was time to call someone. Bob called Ed the Builder (my dad) and they determined that indeed, the unit was not even turning on. Next call: our home warranty place. Blah, blah, blah...someone will call you back within 24 hours. Excuse me? 24 hours?

So, last night, we toughed it out and slept peacefully (note sarcasm here) in our 82 degree house. It was, well, warm. I think I determined around 2:12am that I would indeed rather be cold than hot.

Repairman is supposed to be here between 10 and 12. Who wants to make bets on what time he will actually show up?

Encores North Gift Certificate & Fireworks

If you need fireworks for the 4th of July, I have the perfect spot for you to buy them. You NEED to go to see my friends Tamara and Jesse at their fireworks tent at the corner of Long Hollow Pike and Caldwell Drive in Goodlettsville. Their tent is behind Volunteer State Bank and across from Walgreens and has that adorable banner that says "Buy Fireworks From My Daddy!"

Why do you need to go there?

Well, the most important reason is that Tamara and Jesse are hardworking, have four kids, and after being in Murfreesboro for 5 years, their tent got moved to Goodlettsville where they know no one. They will tell you if the fireworks you are thinking about buying aren't that great and take the time to ask you what you are looking for instead of just getting you to buy the most expensive thing.

The second most important reason is that if you go there and buy at least $25 worth of fireworks and mention you found out about them from me, they will register you for a $50 gift certificate to Encores and More North fall/winter children's consignment sale in August. How cool is that?

So go buy your fireworks from a local family and enter to win for the gift certificate for Encores North! HAPPY FOURTH!

Aaron Ivey : Between The Beauty and the Chaos

I met this wonderful couple through Alison and what a blessing it has been to watch their journey to adopt two more precious children from Haiti.

Aaron released their newest album June 23rd (my birthday) and on the 24th it was #1 on iTunes Christian category. J bought it today and we are listening to it now and let me tell you, WOW! You have got to buy this album and praise Jesus with Aaron. It is AWESOME! I am loving this and figure I'll have all the songs memorized by tomorrow at this rate!

Overwhelmed

Yep, I said it. I am overwhelmed. I don't think it's JUST the fact that I have five kids, I think it's the fact that I have five children plus I am trying to get the ball rolling for the consignment sale AND I am still trying to unpack and organize this house.

I keep reminding myself that Rome wasn't built in a day, but sometimes I do secretly wish I could snap my fingers and my "to do" list would be DONE.

Anyway, I'm putting this out there to let everyone know that I am not supermom. I do get overwhelmed, I do get stressed and I do want to check out every once in a while. Also, I'm putting my "to do" list out there to hopefully hold me a bit more accountable. I'm looking forward to crossing off the things listed below.

1. Get website updated for consignment sale
2. Get flier updated and sent to printer
3. Go though all the Encores supplies in the garage and make sure that any people that signed up for the mailing list are added for this mailing (Tracy, you interested in doing that again?)
4. Get scrapbooking closet upstairs set up and all scrapbooking items out of the various parts of the house
5. Get worker flier updated and send out email about workers to consignment peeps
6. Contact Old Navy and let them know our dates as they are interested in offering an Encores discount at the next sale WOO HOO!
7. Hang up various pics/art throughout house that needs to be hung before it gets stepped on by little feet
8. Get curtain rod for master bedroom trimmed down to fit window and hang bedroom curtains
9. Pick up paint and painting supplies for downstairs
10. Write thank you notes
11. Finish Alison's thank you notes before Char turns 12.
12. Take the HUGE load of items in the garage to the Good Samaritan Center in Hendersonville THANKS ALI!
13. Hang all of Anna's fall/winter clothes for consignment
14. Deliver hangers, pins and paper to VIP taggers.

I think that's it for now (at least the really important stuff). Trying not to get overwhelmed and hoping to knock at least 2 items off my list today!