Must See Movie

We went to the movies this afternoon. After reading reviews of Evan Almighty, we decided to go see it. It was an excellent movie. Dallas and I were both pleasantly surprised. The whole movie was based on Genesis 6:14. Did you know ARK stands for Acts of Random Kindness? Remember you can change the world one random act of kindness at a time and don't forget to do the dance.

What we do for fun in NC

School's out and we are having lots of fun. Today we picked Dallas up for lunch. We were taking Dallas back to work when the fun began. I was driving so I could just drop Dallas off at the door. We were stopped at a traffic light when this very large Coca-Cola truck rolled back into me. I was beeping but to no avail. One and a half hours later the matter was settled and we were on our way. The Coca-Cola guy spoke little English. Thank Goodness Dallas was still there to deal with it.

Our next bit of fun today comes from the Ant Party going on in our bathroom. The Ants arrive every year around this time. I have found that Terra Ant traps are the best. For a couple of days the ants make their way back and forth from the trap. Then they disappear. Well, last week we thought we had taken care of them. I left the trap out just in case. This week they are back in full force. I think ants from all over the neighborhood are arriving. I have never seen so many. This morning and afternoon I gathered all the kids to come to the party. Only Julia was impressed. I personally think the ants are fascinating. I love sitting and watching them. Julia sits right there with me. I guess the boys have better things to do.

I really need to get out more.

SC tracking information

The China director at our agency sent us this email:

I know you are anxious to follow along and here is your tracking
number. We hope to see your TA's arrive within 3 weeks. Please plan on
spending a very hot end of July first part of August (likely travel
time, but not confirmed) in China. You will need to make sure to take
your swimming suits!!

792366970128

--
Stefani Ellison

Below is our tracking for the all important SC. It officially arrived at its destination today or would that be yesterday since they are 12 hours ahead of us. It will probably be a couple more weeks until we get Travel Approval, though.
Jun 28, 2007 4:33 PM Delivered BEIJING CN
9:27 AM On FedEx vehicle for delivery BEIJING CN
8:39 AM At local FedEx facility BEIJING CN
Jun 27, 2007 6:32 PM Int'l shipment release BEIJING CN
Jun 26, 2007 9:01 AM Departed FedEx location ANCHORAGE, AK
2:05 AM Departed FedEx location OAKLAND, CA
Jun 25, 2007 10:25 PM Arrived at FedEx location OAKLAND, CA
8:09 PM Left origin WEST VALLEY, UT
5:15 PM Picked up WEST VALLEY, UT
Jun 23, 2007 7:15 PM Package data transmitted to FedEx

A Great Week with Friends

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My friend, Alexa and her son Nijel spent last week with us. We stayed very busy and had a great time. We went to Dallas' sister's, Great Wolf Lodge, and the lake. I hope she will continue to come every year. Sorry about the red eye. I should have fixed it before I made the slideshow. I am too lazy to redo it.

Caroline Grace Braxton

The name of the day is Caroline. What do you think?

SC/LOA

If you are wondering what it looks like, here it is. It should be halfway to China by now. I still can't believe it is finally happening. We should know in a few weeks when we will be going to China. We really need to decide on a name. After 7 months we still don't know.

Did you hear my screams? We did indeed recieve our SC today. Nicholas had a baseball game tonight. My cell phone was in my hand the whole time. I even called and checked our home voicemail one time. I came home and checked the computer. Many from our agency received their SC today. I was so sad we didn't, tears were rolling down my face. I decided to pick up our phone(don't know why, this is unusual for me), we had a voice mail. I knew there was no way it was Stefani(director of our agency). I am stunned when I hear Stefani's voice. We have SC. We will get it in the next couple of days and it has to go back immediately. We could be traveling in 4 weeks. YIPEE!
Grace(or whatever your name may be) we are on our way.

SC tomorrow?

Lots of people received SC for their children today. They had LIDS ranging from 4/1-4/12. Our LID is 4/9. I am praying ours will arrive at our agency tomorrow. Our agency is on the West Coast so they usually receive papers a day late. Once we get this paper it is time to get visas and start packing. Travel Approval should come 3-4 weeks from SC. I hope I can sleep tonight.

Happy Father's Day!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We are still in Florida but we wanted to wish Dallas a Happy Father's Day. Hope you like your video. Have a great day! We will see you tomorrow.We miss you!

Happy Father's Day!

This year Kristopher, Zachary, and Julia are spending Father's Day with my Dad. Dad is still recovering from his April knee surgery. Everyday is a little better. We are glad to be able to spend this day with him. We are having a cook-out.

Thanks for being a great dad!

The Atlanta Braves

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Those who know me, know that I am not a huge sports fan. I can follow basketball, baseball, and football pretty well,though. Growing up my Dad was always a coach of whatever sport my brother was playing. I often tagged along. I do love going to Turner Field to see the Braves play. I used to also like going to see the Jacksonville Jaguars. I love being at the actual event. It is so different from watching it on t.v. I,also, love watching my kids play even though I get alittle tense. I want them to do good so bad. I don't want to see them disappointed.

Last weekend, we went to Pine Mountain Animal Park and Turner Field. It was a great weekend. Zachary, Julia, Kristopher and I then headed to the Florida for a week. Dallas and Nicholas headed back to NC. Nicholas didn't want to miss his baseball games. It is near the end of the season so it is more important for him to be there.

Pine Mountain Wild Animal Park

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If you are ever in Pine Mountain, Georgia stop by Pine Mountain Wild Animal Park. It is nothing fancy but it is a blast. You can drive your own car through, rent a van, or ride a bus. The animals will eat right out of your hand. Everyone is sure to have fun.

Our Beautiful Grace

Here's another set of our Grace pictures. I have 2 more sets that I will posting within the next couple of days.

My Last Little Boy

Zachary is the talker in the family. He never stops. He finished 2nd Grade today. He will be going to a new school next year, too. His base school is going to year around. We don't want one kid in year around school and 2 in traditional. We applied for a traditional school and he got in. It isn't much further away than his current school so it should be fine. Zachary did well in school this year. He dreams of being a crew chief for a Nascar driver one day. If he is in the mood he is very helpful. We are proud of him, too.

My Next Little Boy

Today was a big day for Nicholas. He graduated from Ballentine Elementary School. His graduation was really nice. They had a neat slide show and the kids had to say what they would be doing in 20 years. Nicholas said that he would be a major league baseball player and be the oldest player when he was still playing at age 60.

Nicholas is a great kid. He is very "popular". I sure hope that doesn't get him in trouble one day. He does well in school and is also very athletic. His loves baseball and golf. Nicholas is also our sensitive child. He loses it at the drop of at hat. He is also our messiest child. I cringe when I go in his room. We are working on that one. More often then not he is a great kid.

We are proud of him!

My Little Boy

Today was Kristopher's last day of 9th grade. Please tell me I am not old enough to have a 15 year old. How did this happen? Just yesterday we were at the James River Park with a friend of mine and her son(the picture). Yes, Kristopher is the chubby one standing up. This summer he will be taking Driver's Education and getting his learner's permit. World, watch out, this kid can't even tell you how to get to his school. He is a great kid, though. He is a huge help to me!

Can anyone guess who the other little boy is? I know you are out there. Come forward and claim your adorable little boy.

Wow! Our Letter From The Orphanage Director

Dear Paul and Kristen Braxton,

Greetings to you! We were so happy to receive your letter. Thank you for adopting Long Fu Jia and giving her a happy family. Here is the info about Long Fu Jia. Long Fu is her last name, which is taken from “Long Yan Fu Li Yuan”, which means “Long Yan Social Welfare Institute”. Jia is her first name, which is the name of an ancient music instrument. Her name was chosen by the caretaker of our orphanage, which embodies our best wishes for her. Long Fu Jia was born with cleft lip. She received the surgery to repair her cleft lip in Xiamen City on December 31, 2005. The operation was successful. She has recovered very well. She is now very healthy. She has no allergies. After her surgery in 2005, to help her grow up healthily, we placed her under the foster care of Niu San Ai and her husband. They love her very much. Long Fu Jia now has a good appetite. She is not particular about foods, and she likes meats and apples. She likes stuffed dolls. She is very lovely and likes to follow the people in TV programs to sing and dance. She likes to go to the park or play in the playground. She is a little afraid of the real kitty and puppy. Long Fu Jia cries a lot, especially when she just wakes up. She is gentle and quiet and do not like to be with strangers. But if you keep on showing your kindness, she will accept you very soon and play with you.

There was no note or other memento when she was sent to our orphanage. We published her finding ad on December 5, 2005. When you come to adopt her officially, we will give you a copy of the finding ad.

Finally, we would like thank you for you care and support. Our orphanage is in relatively urgent need of children’s clothes, washing machines, electrical water heater, and etc.

Best Wishes,

Long Yan City Xin Luo District Social Welfare Institute
May 25, 2007

Check out my Slide Show!

Good News

Today has been a good day!Well, really yesterday. I just haven't gone to bed yet. It appears Mom has no other health problems except her dementia(isn't that enough} and we got new pictures of Grace. I will try and post a slide show tomorrow. We are still waiting for more pictures. We fell in love again. She is absolutely adorable. Since I know all my readers(all six of you) won't be able to sleep if I don't post one now, I will. We can't wait to get her home. Anyone want to vote on a name? We still aren't sure. We had about decided on Hannah Grace but are thinking she doesn't look like a Hannah.

We're Ready

This poem was written by Holly. She writes most of the poems for our agency when a waiting child is placed. I don't think she wrote Grace's though. I believe the director did. For those of you adopting you will understand this poem completely. For those of you there aren't, sorry this is another one of those adoption posts. Thanks Hollly for all your positive posts. Holly will probably never see this post but I want to thank her anyway.

We're Ready

The March DTCers
(Some April - Some May)
Are watching Yahoo groups
For good news today.

We've chased all our paper.
We've dotted each i.
Oh, how we wish
That LOA would fly!

We've been fingerprinted.
We've even been weighed!
We're ready! We're READY!!
Please, let it be today.

We're keeping come company
While reading email.
We really are good moms!
Who've not been to jail!
(Or, our home study says we were young,
lots of time has passed,
and it was really someone else's fault!)

In the past week,
We've painted some rooms.
Our houses are spotless!
We even used brooms!
(Well, some of us.)

Others among us
Are fretting with worry.
We pray that travel funds
Will arrive in a hurry.

My spouse and my friends
Think I am a grouch.
And, my rear end is growing!
It's glued to the couch!
(where my laptop is located)

The laundry's all done!
(Or, we're surrounded by piles!)
PLEASE let that LOA come
And shorten the miles.

Those miles between each of us
And treasured child.
We've studied the pictures.
Is she(he) really that mild??
(or WILD??)

We're ready for Gotcha.
But, a few steps remain.
Please let LOA come
To return my brain!

For, I can think of nothing.
I'm useless at work!
Really! My VOE says
I'm not such a Shirk!
(VOE - Verification of Employment)

Hand over the eye drops!
I stare at this screen.
When LOA comes,
You'll ALL hear my scream!!

"Have you heard a 'Peep?' "
We all want to know!
"Has a package come in??"
"To which agency did it go??"

How we love Thursdays!
We've lived so vicariously!
The LIDs in line before us
Seem to all be on their way.

We read of their Gotchas.
And cry at each blog.
Oh, where are those LOAs??
Please, loosen this CLOG!

Oh, hurry the day
When those phones all start ringing!
We'll all sign the letters!
And commence all our singing!!

But, I fear the LOA joy
Will last only ONE day.
For once LOA comes,
We'll OBSESS on TA!!!!!

100 Favorite Things

On one of the adoption groups I belong to someone suggested writing down your 100 favorites things. What a great way to start the week! Here are my 100 favorite things. Subject to change daily.

1. spending the day with the kids
2. reading a good book
3. seeing one of my children smile
4. talking to Dallas
5. hearing my mom laugh
6. finding a bargain
7. god answering prayers
8. thinking about Grace
9. listening to Christian music
10. duets
11. going to a good movie(usually a love story)
12. watching Julia play in her pool
13. laughing with the kids
14. talking to a friend
15. a clean house
16. good news
17. Disney
18. Disney cruise
19. helping others
20. taking pictures
21. my 15 year old telling me he will miss me
22. the excitement my 4 year old shows when I come home from somewhere
23. going to church
24. Tim McGraw
25. Vince Gill
26. yard sales
27. thrift stores
28. weekend trips
29. hugs from the kids
30. dates with Dallas
31. popcorn
32. diet coke
33. praying
34. traveling
35. watching Nicholas play baseball
36. watching Zachary play soccer or basketball
37. listening to Kristopher play his trombone
38. counting with Julia
39. a good haircut
40. family time
41. family dinners
42. spending time with my extended family
43. eating out
44. socks
45. blogs
46. yahoo adoption forums
47. spending time with friends
48. Great Wolf Lodge
49. going to Turner Field
50. going new places
51. getting mail
52. ebay
53. when all the kids are getting along
54. when one of the kids exhibits compassion or kindness
55. watching the kids play
56. good news
57. happy endings
58. watching the kids sleep
59. rain
60. a sunny day
61. snow
62. the beach
63. a warm shower
64. children
65. teaching preschool
66. accomplishing task at hand
67. when everything is organized
68. foot massages
69. Extreme Home Makeover
70. memories
71. watching Nicholas play bells
72. listening to one of the kids tell a story
73. when the boys come home from school
74. when Dallas comes home from work
75. emails
76. quiet time
77. New York City
78. The Eiffel Tower
79. watching Zachary ride his motorcycle
80. going out to eat
81. fixing a meal that everyone in the family will eat
82. accomplishing something
83. lots of room
84. flowers
85. home after a trip or a long day
86. giving
87. Christmas
88. Kid’s birthdays
89. surprising someone
90. chatting with the kids
91. high speed internet
92. fireworks on the beach
93. parades
94. watching people
95. Dallas’ French toast
96. feeling appreciated
97. looking at photographs
98. a fire in the fireplace
99. being a friend
100. holding hands

Are You Controlled by Discouragement?

This was the topic of today's Sunday School lesson. God was definitely talking to me. The last few days I have been rather discouraged about the adoption and other things happening in my life. Today, God was telling me to snap out of it and count my blessings.

Our lesson listed these ways to navigate discouragement:

-Refuse to gave a final evaluation about your situation with information gained by your perceptions.
-Focus on the faithfulness and integrity of God rather than experience resignation over your immediate circumstances.
-Remember, God never releases control over every detail of your life.
-Resist negative thoughts;choose uplifting ones about God's character instead.
-Pray continually.
-Rest. Sometime discouragement follows extreme fatigue. Enjoy a season of solitude with the Lord.

Happy Birthday, Maribeth!

Maribeth with her little sister Leigh-Anne. Maribeth is wearing a yellow dress. The other picture is Maribeth and I many years ago.

Today is my neice's 19th birthday. It seems like yesterday she was just a baby. Why do they have to grow up so fast? I am so proud of her. She has completed her first year of college and will soon be going off to camp for the summer. She is going to be a counselor at Girl Scout camp. Happy Birthday, Maribeth!