Falling

Although we got gypped out of a summer here save for the last couple of weeks of August, I can't help being excited about Autumn.  The thought of cool evenings and changing leaves, piles of pumpkins and baking pumpkin bread and soup gets me in the mood for this fun season.  I've been thinking about Halloween costumes for the kids.  We don't dress the kids in witch, ghoulish or scary costumes, but there is a VERY cute witch costume that would be darling on Thumbelina, because, well sometimes, she's a bit of a witch.  Hey, I am, too, so I can't judge her harshly.

During this season, John and I compete for Pumpkin Guesser of the Weight Champ.  The prizes are a coffee of the winner's choice paid by the loser competitor and bragging rights.  Last year's champ was a charming and delightful (and humble) person, if I do say so myself.

So, it's time to push the '66 Valiant out of the garage so that I can climb into the attic and get out the fall decor. It's time to buy some pumpkins and make this delicious soup. It's time to post some photos and recipes on the new blog.  Since I'm the only sister in the Northern Hemisphere, I'll be posting autumn dishes, while Mary and Kate will most likely post summer dishes. Or maybe not. We haven't posted anything yet.  Either way, I hope you'll join us over there and send us your own favorite fall recipes.  We'll post them!

Photo taken at one of my favorite stores near work.  

Wordless Wednesday

Hoh Rain Forest and Ruby Beach

New Blog Coming!

Good morning! Bom Dia! G'day!

I'm very excited about a new fun project in the works with my sisters, Mary and Katie.  We are starting a blog about food, family and faith...oh, and about being on 3 different continents.


We hope to be up and running soon and look forward to your feedback and sharing our recipes and our lives across North America, South America and Australia!

Advice from Adoptive Parents

Dear Adoptive Parents out there in Blog-Land:

What can you tell me about the Adoption Home Study?

Many thanks,
J

Power of Prayer

Tonight the twins will attend a function with their mother, and I will drop them off.  Since it's been a long time since I've spoken with or had any contact with her (her choice, not mine), I'm starting to get a little nervous. Yesterday after court, I told John that sitting there hearing what the parents have done/not done made me think about my own final judgment.  Will my good works and faith plead my case before Our Lord?  The thought was very sobering.  I just emailed a coworker to ask her to pray for me regarding tonight.  The way she prays is very personal, and the way she words things really puts things in perspective for me.  This is what she emailed back to me:

"Lord, Jenny and I come before You and ask that You would remove fear that would only cause Jenny to be distracted from what you have prepared for her to experience when meeting with the kids' mom.  I ask that you would place Your peace that comes from Your heart of grace and mercy that You demonstrated for all of us on the cross.  May Jenny see S with eyes of love, mercy and grace.  There is a reason why You placed the vision of judgment on my sister's mind.  Help her to use that vision as a way she to interact with one that is facing impending judgment of her motherhood.  In Jesus' name we pray, AMEN. "

This is weird, but...

ever since I 'came down with' giardia this spring, I've only wanted iced drinks.  Since I have an addiction to coffee, iced coffee has been my drug of choice.  And since a grande iced coffee from the 'Bucks is $2.55 + tip, I  really should be making my own.

This recipe looks wonderful, and so do the photos.  Recently, I bought one of those 16 oz plastic Starbucks cups with the green straw.  I can pretend that a barista made my iced coffee, but it will come from the Kitchen of Jenny, who will not get a tip.  Just a good iced coffee.

My Daughter's Eyes

She's not my legal daughter. I have no real claim to her other than what the state has given me. But I don't think I could love her any more had I carried her for 9 months.  Many days, she drives me crazy.  Some days she seems to need holy water sprinkled on her, but every day she says something funny and I can't stop holding her and kissing her. 

Thumbelina calls me 'Mom' now, a change from the "Mommy" of the last year.  Since G-Force came, she's been imitating his baby talk and answering us with "uh! uh!" Then she'll launch into a regular conversation about her favorite topics: lawnmowers, planes and keeping her undies dry.  This girl is such a joy to us and her spunk and spirited ways are part of her charm and a challenge for us to channel and help her develop. 

There is a chance that we will be able to adopt her and her twin brother, but until things are set, I won't get my hopes up.  Losing them is something I can't wrap my mind around right now, so I won't.

Whenever I hear this song, I think of her and can't help but get watery eyes.  No matter what happens with the case, she'll always be our girl.