While I'm Waiting...

Hello again...

2011-06-04T14:49:00.005-04:00

Mommy and Hannah at her Kindergarten celebration

Daddy and Hannah Joy

Hannah and Sophie on Memorial Day

Daddy and Soph

Daddy and his girls

WOW...I can't believe how long it's been since I've updated this blog! Shame on me. :0) I guess that's what happens when you have TWO kids instead of one. Things are going very well for those of you still checkin' us out. Sophie is now 13 months old and Hannah graduated from Kindergarten last week. My...how time flies. I hope to be better about updating...here are a few pix to tide you over.

Until then...

Meeting Josh Wilson...

2010-06-30T20:55:00.009-04:00

Last week we got to meet Josh Wilson and his wife Becca when they were traveling around Florida with our local Christian radio station. It was an honor and priviledge to meet them both. They are so down-to-earth and such a loving couple. I got a GREAT picture with Hannah and Josh and wanted to share it.

And now for the beginning of the story..when I was in HARD labor with Sophia...at about the 20th hour~ I was so ready to throw in the towel. I was discouraged and feeling like the pain would never cease. As I sat in the rocking chair, I heard these words on my ipod:

Would you dare, would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you've been feeling

Can't compare to the joy that's coming

So hold on, you gotta wait for the light

Press on, just fight the good fight

Cause the pain that you've been feeling

Is just the dark before the morning

Those words got me through..they gave me hope and made me dig in my heels and give it all I had. Thanks Josh..for being obedient and for writing these words. They really helped me through a very difficult time!

Until then...

Help Bring Hudson home!

2010-06-21T20:41:00.003-04:00

Our travel buddies (who we traveled to China with in 2006) are on their way back to adopt their 3rd child (that makes SIX kids all together). We are THRILLED for them and want to share about an awesome fundraiser they are doing to help with the costs. Click here to see the AMAZING things they are giving away. Please consider helping this beautiful family that has so much love to share with another child. It's important to remember....some people are called to adopt and others are called to support them. Let's help bring Hudson home. :0) Thanks friends!

Until then...

Our girls...

2010-06-14T12:50:00.003-04:00

Hannah's Pre-K Graduation

Hannah and Sophie Grace

The "twins" on Memorial Day

Sweet Baby Girls

My precious Sophie Grace

Until then...

Happy Anniversary

2010-06-14T12:43:00.002-04:00

Happy 13th Anniversary to my husband, my friend and the father of my girls...I love you very much Pete and am so blessed that we have you in our lives. I am so happy that God let you walk into my video store 17 years ago and that I had the courage to "stalk" you at Winn Dixie until you got the nerve to ask me out. :0) You are a wonderful husband and an outstanding daddy to our Hannah Joy and Sophie Grace. When I watch you with them, my heart just melts. Thanks for all you do to make our family so happy. 13 down and many more to come! Love you babe!

Until then...

Introducing.... Sophia Grace

2010-04-29T13:40:00.004-04:00

Sophia "Sophie" Grace

Born April 18th, 2010 at 4:32 pm.

Weighing 6 lbs. 14 oz.

Measuring 19 inches long

Proud parents: Kim and Pete

Undeniably the BEST big sister EVER... Hannah Joy

Until then...

This is for you....

2010-02-14T08:45:00.004-05:00

This post is for my only friend (who shall remain nameless) that is NOT on Facebook....

You wanted to see me and here I am... now get off your duff and join already will ya? Having 5 kids is no excuse. hee hee :0) Love you H~

This was actually taken in January and I am BIGGER now so Iam going to get some more up here soon...I promise. :0)

Until then...

FOUR years ago....

2010-02-13T20:23:00.002-05:00

FOUR years ago today we received the most amazing gift ever... our sweet Hannah Joy Si Si~
We waited and prayed for this baby girl for so long that sometimes it seemed like it would never happen. It was truly the best day of our lives!

And here she is with her Baby Be Blessed doll that she got from Daddy and me...came RIGHT in time for her GOTCHA Day anniversary. We love you so much Hannah Joy and are so proud of the young lady you are growing into every single day. You show the fruits of the spirit in your life in everything you do and say and I am HONORED and BLESSED to be called your mom. Thank you for coming into our lives four years ago.... I can't believe you are going to be FIVE on Thursday! Love you little mama! :0)

Until then...

Hannah Joy has something she'd like to tell you...

2009-11-25T19:09:00.003-05:00

Our ultrasound today through Florida Perinatal Associates was UNBELIEVABLE! I HIGHLY recommend them~ the technician was very thorough and explained everything to this very nervous mommy. She even took a few 3 D shots for us even though it was a little too early (the baby has no fat layer so you're seeing transparent skin over the blood vessel and organs). She weighs 9 oz. and is about the size of an adult hand. HOW someone could doubt the existence of a God when they see how AMAZING and detailed the human body is even in a little peanut like this is beyond me.

I want to thank GOD and all of you who have prayed for us and our family throughout the pregnancy. It's been hard for me due to a prior miscarriage...I keep wondering if she's okay, if she's really there, if she's growing properly.... I know that God is in control and I give her to Him and trust that He has a plan and a purpose for her life. Please continue to lift us up and come into agreement with us that this baby girl will be safe, healthy and all God has created her to be!

Oh, and by the way.... her name is Sophia Grace and Hannah Joy is thrilled she's "getting a baby sis instead of a baby bro" as she so eloquently put it earlier. :0)

Until then...

Hannah's going to be a....

2009-11-21T20:17:00.003-05:00

BIG SISTER. I am 18 weeks pregnant and am due on April 21st. We go on Wednesday for an ultrasound and hopefully will find out if she will have a baby brother or a baby sister. She's hoping for a sister but we are praying for a HEALTHY baby either way. Please keep us in your prayers. :0)

Until then...

WE PICTURE {this}: Reflections

2009-08-11T22:20:00.003-04:00

This is my first time submitting photos to one of my very favorite photo blogs. I am so excited for this opportunity! Both of the pictures are of my daughter, Hannah Joy. The first one was taken at a golf course and the other one shows her standing in front of her daddy's fire truck. I would LOVE some feedback as I am just starting out with this life-long {new-found} passion of mine! :0)

Until then...

Wild Olive Tees...

2009-08-03T13:55:00.004-04:00

Check out this AWESOME site and...

"GET YOUR VERSE ON!"

Wild Olive Tees is very excited to announce the launch of their Wild Olive Kids line! They will be offering tees for both boys and girls in sizes ranging from 2-12. You can expect to find them in their stores around August 12th. To see the designs click here.

They have also announced another Charity tee, CHOSEN. Through August 31st, 25% of the profits (instead of the standard 10%) from the sale of “CHOSEN” will go to benefit a charity near and dear to their hearts, Love without Boundaries.

Love Without Boundaries began in 2003, after a group of adoptive parents realized that people united by a pure love for impoverished children truly can make a difference. Love without boundaries strives “To provide the most loving and compassionate help possible to orphaned and impoverished children in China, and to show the world that every child, regardless of their needs, deserves to experience love and be treated with dignity and care.” In just five short years, the foundation has grown from providing a handful of surgeries to touching the lives of thousands of children today through foster care, medical, education, and nutrition programs. To find out more about Love Without Boundaries, you can visit their website here.

Until then...

Loving Photoshop CS4

2009-07-28T23:13:00.008-04:00

Hey Everyone...

I am doing a lot of practice with my new Nikon D90 I got in June. I have been taking pictures, classes on line, and reading up a storm! Here are a few examples of some pictures I took and then edited in CS4. Hope you enjoy!

Until then...

Pictures, pictures, pictures...

2009-07-06T22:16:00.010-04:00

Until then...

PLEASE PRAY...

2009-07-05T22:49:00.002-04:00

Please pray for this precious family....I can not even imagine what they are going through!

Until then...

Check it out!

2009-07-02T18:53:00.002-04:00

Check this music out....it's AWESOME and this is a wonderful Christian couple who are in the process of adopting a daughter and son from Haiti. LOVE LOVE LOVE his new album!

Until then...

I'm hooked...

2009-06-23T10:17:00.006-04:00

Here are a few of the (HUNDRED) pictures I took on my birthday/Father's Day on Sunday. My mom and dad's yard is so gorgeous I couldn't put my camera down...my beautiful model doesn't hurt either. :0) These pictures are straight-out-of-the-camera ~ I didn't get to do any post editing due to the fact that I am trying to figure out CS4 and Lightroom 2. Anyone want to tutor me? :0)

Enjoy...

Until then...

Happy Birthday to me....Happy Father's Day to YOU!

2009-06-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

This is the gift I got from my sweet husband for my thirty sixth birthday....a Nikon D90. Now I can pursue my passion...Thanks Petey for seeing past my brokenness to the beauty within, for believing in me when I struggle to believe in myself, and for supporting me always. You are an outstanding husband and a wonderful father to our sweet baby girl. I love you VERY much Pete! Happy Father's Day!

This is the video that inspires me....what an amazing dad! Happy Father's Day to all you Daddies out there who go the EXTRA MILE... especially to my Father and Father-in-law. You two men are such good dads to your kids (and grand kids)...thanks for all you do for us and how much you have loved and sacrificed over the years. We love you very much!

I bet you couldn't watch that without a hankie! If you haven't...give your dad a call and thank him for all he's done for you. If your dad is already past, say a little prayer...he'll hear you. If you have a dad that wasn't there for you...I know one that wants to be...his name is God ~ your Heavenly Father. He's there and is just waiting to go the EXTRA MILE for you... so give Him a call...I promise, you won't be disappointed!

Until then...

Confessions of a four year old...

2009-06-04T22:25:00.002-04:00

Hannah called me back into her room after I had put her to bed the other night. She sounded very upset. I walked in and she was sitting on the edge of her bed, holding out a petrified orange thing, asking me what happened to it. When I finally figured out what it was, I told her that's what happens when you leave a carrot out for too long. Then came the REST OF THE STORY...

She told me that she lied to her dad. I asked her how she lied to him and she said that he told her to eat her carrots and she had hid one in her skirt and then put it under her bed. I wanted to know if Pete had asked her if she ate the carrot and if she had told him she had...she nodded her head very sadly. I had to hold back a giggle...it was so sweet. We talked about the fact that I was proud of her for telling the truth and that next time she needs to work on telling the truth before she makes a bad choice. It was such a wonderful opportunity to talk about conviction and the "bad feeling" she was experiencing. It led us to discuss how God allows us to feel that way when we make a bad choice and then how important it is to go to Him, confess, and be forgiven.

After it was all over I wondered if I did the right thing...praising her for telling the truth instead of punishing her for lying. Then it hit me~that's what I experience...I make a mistake (sin), feel bad, talk to God about it, and receive forgiveness. Most times the punishment is the "bad feeling"...sometimes it's worse. She was confessing to me and I gave her the forgiveness she needed. It was pretty amazing to stand in the gap and have the priviledge of teaching her that she can go to her Heavenly Father and He will forgive her and love her no matter what. :0)

What have your kids confessed to you lately?

One more for the road...the very next day Hannah was on the cell phone with Pete. She was asking him a question and he wasn't responding as she would have liked. She handed me the phone and with a very sad face said, "I did a bad thing on the phone." I looked at her and asked her what she did. She looked up at me with those sad puppy dog eyes and said, " I rolled my eyes at Dad when he was answering my question." Now HOW can you not giggle at that one??

Until then....

More pictures from this weekend...

2009-06-02T21:53:00.005-04:00

My brother lent me his new Canon Rebel this weekend so I could play around before I made my big purchase. Of course I'm still drooling over the Nikon D90...

My lovely neice and nephew...

Weigh in....what's your favorite...Canon or Nikon?

Until then...

LOVE this song....LOVE this kid!

2009-05-23T16:05:00.002-04:00

I'm trying my hand at photography...

2009-04-29T22:11:00.001-04:00

I have always been very interested in photography. I remember being younger and LOVING Anne Geddes' photos of babies. I had her books and calendars too. I started really enjoying taking pictures when we got Hannah but recently I have been VERY inspired by some of these sites: We Picture This , Rawsii , A Thousand Words . I feel really strongly that I need to pursue this passion and see where it goes. All these pictures were taken with our Olympus Stylus 800 and edited with I-Photo. I am eager to see what I can accomplish with a better quality camera and some lenses. Wish me the best! :0)

If you have any helpful hints for me on cameras, lenses, classes, editing tools... I'd be very appreciative. :0)

Until then...

The top five reasons I love Virginia...

2009-04-26T16:30:00.000-04:00

Number FIVE: The History...

Number FOUR: Our Bed and Breakfast...

Number THREE: The beauty...

And TIED for FIRST...Hanging with my best friend and...

Meeting the WONDERFUL Wrights!

Thanks again Jason, Kodi, Oakli, Jadi, Kason and Koleson...we had a FANTASTIC time with all of you!

Until then...

Ahhhhh Virginia...how I love thee!

2009-04-21T18:39:00.000-04:00

Seriously....Virginia was a total blast! Pete and I had so much fun with the Wright family. They are the real deal! We laughed and laughed all weekend long...as evident on this "cheesy" video. I want to say it loud and say it proud....Wright family: WE LOVE YOU! Thanks for being so good to us and making us feel so welcome in your beautiful little town. We felt like family and we had the time of our lives. Next time, we're bringing the squirt so you can meet her in person...can't wait :0) Without further ado....

Pictures on the next post.

Until then...

We left on a JET BLUE plane...

2009-04-17T20:00:00.000-04:00

minus her

flew this

here

to meet him

who wrote this

because I sent this

and won this

WOO HOO! We're having a FANTASTIC time!!

Until then...

Some cute April pictures...

2009-04-16T00:25:00.001-04:00

Counting her loot...

Look Mom... I found one!

Daddy thinks the Easter Bunny is related to Santa!

SO cute!

Mommy and Hannah dying eggs.

Happy Birthday Pop Pop!

Hannah LOVES her Pop Pop.

Like my moustache?

This is YUMMY!

Ta Da!

I hope everyone had a Blessed Easter. I know we did! Check back tomorrow to see what we're up to this weekend.

Until then...

Out of the mouths...

2009-04-05T18:39:00.001-04:00

Hannah says some pretty interesting, insightful and down-right adorable things sometimes. I wanted to share a few...

Her Great-Grandpa Joe just passed away last week and she went with us to the viewing. It was an open casket. Pete was making sure she was okay with things so here's their conversation...

P: How ya doin' Hannah? Is there anything bothering you?
H: Well, I do have a concern about something...
P: What's that?
H: Why is G.G. so small...where are his legs?

In the car a few days later, Hannah and I were driving home from school. Out of the blue she starts talking about our spirit and asks me what our spirit looks like. I tried to explain to her that our spirit is "who" we are...it's what makes us alive. So I see her through the mirror rolling her eyes saying, "No, mom, I mean what COLOR is it?" So I tell her that it's invisible...like the wind. I told her she can't see the wind but she knows it's there and she says, "oh, it's clear, right?" Right. :0)

"Mom, can you lend me a helping hand?" (too much Doodlebops I think) :0)

"Did you happen to see my blanket?"

"You, Mom, are a genius"

"Catie, whatcha doing? Hmm.....very interesting!"

Singing... "Hannah's happy today..not really, I miss my dad. I love him very very much!"

"Come on, I'll show you the moves."

She was trying to do something and I asked her if it was going back in and she said "Unfortunately, no" :0)

"Certainly!"

"This book is incredible!"

Me: I love Hannah, Daddy and Jesus
H: and Tobi (our rat terrier)
M: and Tobi too
H: even though she has bad breath! :0)

As Hannah is pushing on my triceps she says, "Your muscles are hanging down. I'm trying to push them up." Thanks Han.

Today is Palm Sunday so she came out of Kidmo excited to share the bible verse she learned. She said "Jose, Jose, Jose is in the highest." Then she said, "It's Palm Tuesday....I think". :0)

Hannah has a Barbie laptop and she had it in the van. If you don't touch it for a while Barbie starts talking to you and telling you to push a button. So I hear Hannah say, "I can't right now Barbie!" (she was buckling her belt)

When Pete's brother David graduated from Flight School we went up to watch the graduation. That was quite some time ago. The other day we were driving and Hannah said something about blue busses. I told her that there are only yellow and white busses (0ur city bus is white) and she said, "No mom, don't you remember when David graduated from High School?" I laughed because on the Air Force base they drove us in a blue bus so I said, "oh you mean when Uncle Dave graduated from flight school?" She said, "YOU GOT IT!"

Hannah and I love to listen to Christian music. She LOVES Mandisa and Francesca Battistelli who she calls "Francesca's-got-a-belly". Well we were listening to "Take the Shackles off my feet" and she asked me what shackles were so I explained they were like handcuffs for your legs. So months later we're watching Dumbo and she says "Hey mom, Dumbo's mom has shackles on her feet". Yes, Hannah, she does. :0)

Hope that made you giggle a bit...

Any interesting, insightful or down-right adorable things your kids have said lately?

Until then...

These two can ALWAYS make me smile...

2009-03-25T21:18:00.000-04:00

The many "ticks" of life...

2009-03-19T19:28:00.000-04:00

Last night after school, Hannah’s dance lesson, her weekly Wednesday hang-with Grandma-and-Grandpa–so-Mommy-and-Daddy-can-go-to–our-small-group night, I was getting her ready for bed. We were in the bathroom, brushing teeth when I felt led to take a closer look at her hair. Being a First Grade teacher, I know the importance of a thorough head check now and again. Early detection is the key to killing those little buggers! As I pulled her strands of beautiful, shiny, black hair back and examined her scalp I saw nothing…PHEW…we’re good to go…hold on…what’s this….no….it can’t be….

I ~~let out a blood curdling scream~~ calmly called for Pete to come to the bathroom. He ran in to see what I was ~~screaming~~ upset about. I handed him the ~~pliers~~ tweezers and he proceeded to carefully remove a large TICK from the back of Hannah’s precious head as I ~~silently~~ very loudly begged God to help him get the whole thing out.

Thankfully Daddy saved the night again… he did indeed get the WHOLE tick out of our sweet Hannah’s little head. As I’m telling Hannah to keep her head down and she’s telling me her hair is hanging in the sink and I’m telling her it’s okay all the while she’s asking to see the bug. Here I am freaking out that there’s this horrible disease-filled thing trying to get into my daughter’s head and she’s more interested in seeing it…oh the perspective. :0)

After all was said and done, we jumped on-line to type “I found a tick on my child” in the search engine. It was very interesting to me to read that the person being bitten by the said member of the arachnid family feels nothing. Blood is being sucked from your body and you don’t even know it. Also interesting to me was the fact that if discovered early and carefully (fully) removed, there’s no treatment…you are as good as new.

Later, as I was thanking God for prompting the earlier search of Hannah’s head, something came to me….I started thinking about all the “ticks” in my life. The little things that try to attach themselves and suck the life out of me…all the while I sit oblivious to the tremendous damage they are doing. I call it “sharing with my friends” but it’s really gossiping and judging. I call it “innocent flirting” but it’s really dishonoring my husband. I call it “wanting to keep myself looking young” but it’s really vanity.

Left unattended to, these “ticks” (like the real ones) can burrow deep under my skin causing long-term damage…even death. Yet, discovered early and entirely removed…I am healthy once again.

Although QUITE disgusting to discover…I am so thankful God revealed the tick embedded in Hannah’s head and I am also thankful He points out the many ticks in my life so I can work on them and get them out…head and all.

So please be aware my friends…examine your lives on a consistent basis for ticks…both literally and figuratively.

Until then…

Welcome!

2009-03-16T22:27:00.000-04:00

Wow…my very own blog. I am both excited and nervous about the prospect. I have had Hannah’s website up for 5 years now and have decided to start updating and sharing our happenings through this blog instead. Thank you for everyone who has followed us at http://www.journeytohannah.com/ for so long. I will keep it up in case anyone else happens upon it and wants to follow our amazing journey thus far.

I wanted to explain the name of this blog… I recently watched the amazing movie Fireproof with my husband Pete and LOVED it. I highly recommend it if you haven’t seen it. It truly is life-changing! During the movie there’s a song entitled “While I’m Waiting”. It is a fantastic song and I thought it would make a great blog address. Of course when I went to register it, the name had been taken…by someone about 4 years ago…that only posted twice. WHAT?!…Oh well…you get the point. What am I waiting for you ask? Well the final chapter of course. I am here…waiting…for whatever God has planned for my family and me. Waiting…sometimes impatiently, sometimes with awe and wonder, sometimes with great fear and trepidation, sometimes in amazement but always…waiting.
I want to include the words to the song to give you a better picture.

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am hopeful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it is painful

But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident

Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting

I will serve You

While I'm waiting

I will worship

While I'm waiting

I will not faint

I'll be running the race

Even while I wait

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am peaceful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it's not easy

But faithfully, I will wait

Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve you while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

It’s hard to wait on God sometimes…most of the time actually. It’s hard, but we are called to it.

This blog will be filled with my thoughts, feelings, and the many things that inspire me. I hope you enjoy it and it touches you like our website has. Have a great day and God bless.

Until then…