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Monday, May 3, 2010

May is here

May has already arrived! In some ways, it is hard to believe Anna Grace is almost finished with 1st grade!!! It seems only a short time ago she was getting ready for her first day of school. Her teacher has been fantastic, and Anna Grace has had a wonderful 1st grade experience. She is doing so very well in school and her reading is simply astounding. She is reading on a 6th grade level--based on a diagnostic test she was given last week. I'm thrilled she is having such a great start to school. And, she just happens to be the apple of my eye. I adore my little girl! :)

And, Anna Grace just began taking horseback riding lessons last week. She absolutely loved it! Her instructor is also our team mom from her class at school. She is an amazing woman with a lifelong love and passion for horses. She trains them, shows them, and happens to be a mom of 2 little girls, one of whom is in Anna Grace's class at school. It is beautiful to watch her work with the animals and the children and see them respond to her. One of the horses, she rescued last fall. It is a beautiful black mare and was starving to death in a pasture. She got the horse, and has been nurturing it, feeding it, grooming it, exercising it--and now she can ride it (only she rides it... no children. . . she is currently training it). Emmie (the mare) is now beautiful with a sleek black coat, she feels like velvet, her muscles ripple, she runs like the wind and is completely in love with her mama, Mrs. Rhonda. I am thankful we have found someone like her to teach Anna Grace about these animals--to love and respect them, communicate and interact with them, and care for them. I look forward to seeing how Anna Grace grows as she continues.

It is now month 6 of the 6-8 month window we were given for the "hold" on referrals from TWCA (Taiwan Women and Children's Association). We haven't been given any "new" news in the past 6 months, except for monthly emails from Journeys of the Heart telling us they haven't heard anything new and they know the wait is tough. I definitely don't want to get our hopes up, just to be let down. It has felt like it just isn't going to happen for so long now. It would literally be a shock to find out that referrals are being given again. But, it seems, we should be receiving some sort of communication soon since the timeframe is now up---unless it is closer to 8 months than 6. And, IT IS international adoption. . . so, it is possible that we could hear nothing for a long time. . . It is an accepted fact that so many times in adoption, the adopting families have a tremendous amount to lose. So much is demanded of adoptive families. . . financially, timewise, emotionally, paperwork, hoops upon hoops upon hoops. . . and NO guarantees. I definitely believe in protecting the rights of the children (that goes absolutely without saying), and protecting the rights of the birthmom; but, while they are at it, they could do a much better job of protecting and taking care of adoptive families who are out there just hanging---completely at the mercy of people, governments. . . . all entities involved with the adoption. It is frustrating to see how much is demanded of adoptive families; and yet, they are given no guarantees or protection. Okay, I've vented enough. It's been a while since I let off steam . Thank you for allowing me a moment. I will update as soon as I know anything new.

The album slowed down this past 3 weeks. It is frustrating b/c I am at the very end. All we need is to add in a few instrumentals and some background vocals. But, lining up schedules of musicians and getting them in to the studio is not as easy as it would seem. So, hopefully, there will be news soon to report on the album. All tracks are laid, just need to record a few odds and ends to polish a few of the songs. I am SO EXCITED about how it is turning out!! Yay! Stay tuned. . . :-)

Have a wonderful week, everyone! And, thanks for following!

3 comments:

Lisa said...

I think of you and your beautiful family often......

I wanted so much to respond to your thoughts expressed to the board today but simply didn't know where to start.

In my heart I do believe TWCA will begin anew and babies will find their way home.....my heart hurts thinking of this lost time and the heartbreak it has caused for so many.

You and I should have been celebrating our babies together or at least more closely together.....so many of the folks I connected with on the board are now home with their blessings and you will be too my friend! What a time of rejoicing that will be!!

I continue to pray and watch with great hope and anticipation for your amazing news!

P.S. Great update ~ glad your sweet Miss has relished this year and oh yes, where oh where has the time gone??

Debi said...

Hi Kristy and Geoff and Anna Grace!
Wow- sounds like you have had another exciting season with Anna Grace finishing 1st grade and reading like a 6th grader! You are astounding!!!!! Keep up the great work!
The hoseback riding is just such a wonderful experience!
And the album..yay! yay! yay!!!! How exciting!!
Be patient and take the time you need to do it the best. It just seems like your family is just in that place of learning to be patient and trust and not get ahead of God but to enjoy right where He had you.
Praying with you for God's perfect timing for the arrival of your Taiwanese princess. God must have a very special treasre for you because He is taking so long to get her ready and you reay for her.
I pray that she would know how loved and wanted she is not only by your family but by her Father God. I pray that she would be protected and provided for and that she would be home soon.
love and hugs and prayers,
Debi

Pam said...

Hi Kristy,

Yay Anna Grace! What a great year! And the horseback riding sounds wonderful - so fun.

I'm praying right along with you for TWCA and the entire restructuring process. We'll all be celebrating together when that first referral comes!