F-O-U-R

I cannot believe our baby is 4.  What an amazingly wonderful blessing he is.  We started out the morning by stopping by Daylight Donuts to order a sprinkled donut and some milk for breakfast.  After that, C celebrated his birthday at school by sharing birthday cookies with his friends, being sung to, and receiving a book from "Ralph the Dog." 

 

 Chad was able to take off a little early from work and go with me to pick up C from school.  We then went and bowled two games and had so much fun!  After that, at C's request, we had Chick-fil-a for dinner, went home to open presents, and shared a gigantic piece of birthday cake.  Here are a few pictures....and more to come after we celebrate this weekend with family and friends.

 

Loves: 

The colors red & blue

Puzzles!  Huge ones...like 100 pieces.  Pure craziness.

Playing games, especially Trouble, Sorry, & Yahtzee

Chocolate Donuts

Cars, trucks, emergency vehicles, tractors, and anything you can think of with wheels.

Being Mommy's Scentsy Buddy

ANY Mighty Machine video, along with Word World, Sid the Science Kid, Dinosaur Train, & Super Why

Strawberry breakfast bars from Wal-Mart (all the other ones are "yucky.")

Being a helper

Wait for it.....wait for it....YOGURT DRINKS!

Mazes

Hidden Picture Books

BOOKS!

Being Tickled AND tickling

 T-Ball (but the season hasn't started, yet....)

PLASMA CAR!

Trips to the Zoo

Playing outside (riding his vehicles, bike, and playing in sand table)

Meerkats

BUILDING ZOO PENS!

Playing on his Leapster Explorer

Bowling

Figuring out letter sounds

Stuffed Animals

And you'll never guess.....MOMMY'S HAIR!

A few random facts:

Despises the colors pink & purple.  Refuses to wear them.

Has an excellent memory...almost eery what this kid remembers.

So funny--he gets this from his Daddy

Such a sweet sweet son with the biggest heart ever

Very observant 

I know I'll get in trouble for this someday, but he loves talking about poop.  Yes, poop.  Finds it HILARIOUS.

No longer says "t" sound for "k"...so no more, "tittle" "tat" or "pop sittles"

No longer says, "d" sound for "g"...no more "dods" "dood" or doldfish"

Does say "sh" for "ch" so we have "Shalin" "Shad" and "Shurch" for a little longer

Enjoys eating "beef turkey"

Has inherited the inability to choose what we eat for dinner and now beats us to saying, "I'm not picking what we eat, I CALLED IT!"  Yes, Chad and I do this, and now C has joined us.  We forget we're not in elementary school. 

 

Merry Christmas!

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas!  Here are our "Top 10 Moments of 2011" (idea taken from our Christmas card this year--if I figure out how to post it, I will).  No particular order here, except for #1, of course.

10.  Blizzard 2011 with the Murray's.

(check it out here.) 

9.  Chalin turned 3.
(Check it out here.)

8.  First family fishing trip.

7. Chalin started t-ball. 
(Check it out here and here.)

6. Family vacation to Great Wolf Lodge, LegoLand, & Sea Life. 
(Check it out here.)

5. Celebrated 8 years of marriage.
(Check it out here.)

4. Chad's 10 year HS Reunion.  

3.  Joined a new church.  

2.  Chad celebrated his last year of his 20's--Lindsay is not that old :) 

1.  Began our ADOPTION JOURNEY!
(Check it out here.)

We hope that not only does the good Lord bless you more than you can ever imagine in 2012, but also that you recognize these blessings and give all the glory to Him.

God's Presence

I am 90% done with my yearly Bible challenge!  I spent some time on Saturday reading 5 days worth, and now I'm actually only 2 days behind. (I have every intention on catching up today.)

Isn't it amazing how clear God's voice seems to be the more time you devote to Him?  The more I am in-tune with Him--praising Him, seeking Him, reading His Word--the more I feel His presence around me.  Have you ever been singing a song of praise, either at church or maybe just in your car, and you actually become so overwhelmed with the feeling of God's love for you?  Have you ever been reading your Bible or devotional and felt, "God wrote this especially for me and this moment"?  I love when this happens, because God who can so easily seem so far away (by the choices we make, not by His doing in anyway), suddenly seems so close that I can sense His presence.  It's such an amazing experience.  If you haven't had one of these experiences, I encourage you to spend a little time with the Lord everyday, even if it's just a few moments.  I promise, it will happen, and you will be amazed.

I would like to briefly mention--not on my behalf in anyway, BUT to make you better understand and see why this next part of this blog was "one of those moments" for me that I spoke of above--we recently had an adoption fall through.  It was awful.  We were matched with the sweetest birth mom back in October, but we knew our chances of it working out were only 50%.  A week ago, we were informed that it fell through, and that we would be put back on the waiting list.  With all that said, yes it was hard.  Yes, I, of course, wish it would have worked out.  I prayed for an answer before Christmas so that we didn't get into a situation of bringing that special baby home and then having it taken away.  I prayed that not only God would give us an answer, but that He would also prepare our hearts for that answer.  God answered.  Not the answer I wanted, but He answered. And my heart was as ready as it could have been, not by my doing, but His.

Now....this next part is what inspired me to blog.  As I was in the laundry room working on Christmas gifts last night, I came across a Daily Devotional (Jesus Calling, Enjoying Peace in His Presence) that I had purchased at Mardel's as a gift.  I decided to open it up to December 11th and see what wisdom it had to offer.  It is written as if Jesus wrote it Himself, speaking directly to you.  Here is what it said.  Word for word.

"I am working on your behalf.  Bring me all your concerns, including your dreams.

Talk with Me about everything, letting the Light of My Presence shine on your hopes and plans.  

Spend time allowing My Light to infuse your dreams with life, graudally transforming them into 

reality.  This is a very practical way of collaborating with Me.  I, the Creator of the universe, 

have designed to co-create with you. Do not try to hurry the process.  If you want to work with Me, 

you have to accept My time frame.  Hurry is not in My nature.  Abraham and Sarah had to wait 

many years for the fulfillment of My promise, a son.  How their long wait intensified their enjoyment of this child!  Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses."

Psalm 36:9; Genesis 21:1-7; Hebrews 11:1 (AMP)

It amazes me how God cares and loves us so much.  He knows exactly what we're going through.  He knows exactly what we need.  He knows exactly what we need to hear and when we need to hear it.  

These verses were shared yesterday during the sermon at Church:

"Yet I am confident I will see the Lord's goodness while I am here in the land of the living.  

Wait patiently for the Lord.  Be brave and courageous.  Yes, wait patiently for the Lord."  

(Psalm 27:13, 14 NLT)

Willie Nelson Guitar

We have a new auction item:  A brand new guitar (Lucida Classical Guitar LG-520) autographed by the one and only Willie Nelson!  It's not the brand of guitar he plays, but it is the style.  We started the bidding a few days ago, and it is at $350 currently with Lea Ann being the high bidder.  Please pass this along to any friends or family that might be interested.  What a great, unique gift for a loved one on your Christmas list!  ALL proceeds will go directly towards our Adoption!

Email me or comment on the blog to place your bids :)  The end date has not been set at this time, but it will end in plenty of time for Christmas.

ALSO, don't forget to check out my Scentsy page to get some of your Christmas shopping done for loved ones!  Today is the last day to get your November orders in, but you still have a couple of weeks in December to get some shopping done, too, before Christmas.  Email me on how you can save on shipping or if you are interested in earning FREE product!

Procrastination--27,496,281, Lindsay--0

Well, I guess I have boycotted Blogger long enough.  Chalin has refused to give me a good nights sleep all week--waking up 2 times, yes 2, every night, and this morning at 5:00, my body refused to allow me to drift back to sleepy town, and so now I blog.  (Yes, it is now almost 7...I can be a pretty stubborn person, so yes, again, it took 2 hours to motivate myself to get out of bed and be productive.)  So, like I said, now I blog.  With a big tub of Halloween candy beside me, just like I like it, while my two sleepy head boys are occupying my warm cozy bed....

I wouldn't be me if I didn't procrastinate and update the Blog by (hopefully) quick bullet points--ha, we all know I don't blog "quickly"....anyway, here it goes...

1.  I know I haven't been the best at updating lately, but we are still adopting!  We have been on the waiting list since the end of July, and there are some easy days and some hard days during the waiting process.  Each step involves some kind of waiting, so if you weren't patient before, through lots of hard work and trials, you learn to be patient in the end.  You wait to be approved to be on the waiting list.  You wait to get monthly emails from the agency updating you on how many birth families they are currently working with.  You wait to get phone calls about birth parents.  You wait to be "chosen" by the birth family.  You wait to meet the birth family.  You wait for the birth.  You wait for the court date.  So. Much. Waiting.  But--I know it's worth it.  So we wait.

2. (Some of these aren't actually "updates" but they are important enough to me to deserve their own number.)  First of all, isn't God amazing?  I know we haven't been "waiting" all that long, just a few short months, but it is so easy to doubt when those around you are getting chosen to be adoptive parents.  I specifically remember wondering and praying and questioning if I had misread God leading us to adopt.  Not because I was having a change of heart, but because I felt like something must be wrong with us since we weren't being picked or even getting any phone calls from the agency about birth families.  I prayed, "God, I really want to adopt.  It has been on my heart for a while now, but if this is not the plan you have for us, please let us know somehow."  Within the month, we have received 4 phone calls from the agency.  Thank you, God, again for sending me the sign, the encouragement that I so desperately needed to hang in there and have a little faith.....

3.  Through this whole Adoption Journey, we have heard some amazing stories and met some wonderful people.  I don't know what I would do without my Monday Night Waiting Moms group.  They are some of the sweetest, most amazing faithful women I have ever met.  We meet every Monday night at a cute little tea place to share where we are in our journey.  Most have already been matched and have sweet kiddos at home--I actually joked 2 weeks ago that our group should now be called, "The Adoptive Moms and the Waiting Mom, Lindsay."--some have adopted more than one child, some have both biological and adoptive children, and some just have one sweet adoptive baby.  We are all at different places and all have our own unique stories to share.  I can't stress enough how much I appreciate them and their constant encouraging words and stories. 

4.  With all that said above, we have been blessed with an amazing supportive family and friends that continue to shower us with love, especially through this whole process--whether it be prayers, phone calls, emails, cards in the mail, supporting my Scentsy business, donation of items, donation of money, donation of time, etc.  I hope all of you know how much we love you and appreciate you--I know your "segment" isn't as long, but we've known you all or most of our lives, so surely you know how much you mean to us?! :)

5.  We STILL have puzzle pieces for sale!  $15 a piece.  We are just under 200 pieces left, and I would LOVE to have this completed and hanging in the nursery by Christmas.  Chad is going to write all the names of those that have purchased a piece on the back of the puzzle so that we can share it with our sweet baby someday and show him/her all the family and friends that helped create their story.  Please help us reach our goal!!!  Email me or comment on this blog for details.  lrobertson614@hotmail.com

6.  My MIL has been busy busy BUSY quilting away.  She is making adorable table-runners for $20 a piece.  All proceeds go towards our Adoption.  Email or comment for details!

This is an example of a Fall one she made me.  I love it!

7.  The beautiful (yes beautiful) OSU quilt my MIL made is at $200 currently.  The bidding will close on Thursday, November 17th at 10:00 P.M.

OSU quilt

Close up.  How pretty!

8.  A guy from Chad's work donated this OU football and all proceeds will go towards our Adoption.  It has the Heisman trophy winners' signatures on it, except for Sam Bradford.  Signatures include:  Steve Owens, Billy Sims, & Jason White.  The bidding will start at $150.  We will close the bidding on Thursday, November 17th at 10:00 P.M.

The 'OU' and 'Sooners' (on the back) are not printed but stitched on the ball, making it look extra special and nice!

Ok, if you haven't noticed, it is NOVEMBER, and we know what happens next month.  I just gave you LOTS of ideas for Christmas presents.  You're Welcome. ;)  and I'll remind you again, along with adding a few extra:

~Scentsy!  There is Scentsy for everyone on your list.  What a GREAT gift at a low price! If nothing else, what great stocking stuffers for loved ones!  Gift certificates are available, too! 

~Quilted Table Runners!  For the newly married, your parents, your grandparents, your friends, etc!

~OSU Quilt!  I know I have lots of friends and family that are Cowboy fans!  What a beautiful one-of-a-kind blanket to give or receive as a Christmas present!

~OU Football!  What OU fan wouldn't want this awesome gift?!  Perfect for your husband, your son, your dad, etc!

~Knitted items!  I have adorable baby bibs & hats (perfect for your own babies, nieces/nephews, friends' babies), coffee cozies/mug sweaters (pair it with a cute mug and a Starbuck's gift card and you've got a great gift for your mom, grandma, sister, friend, your child's teacher, etc!), dish cloths (pair them with your favorite Bath & Body Works soap, and you've got another great gift for someone!)

I hope you are able to mark some people off your Christmas list SOON and support a GREAT cause while you are at it!!! :)

**Just for those of you curious readers out there, it is now 9.  If you didn't have the answer before on why I don't blog often, now you do.**

**And I do apologize for creating what I believe to be the Longest. Blog. In. History.**

FALL Ball

Fall is just around the corner (actually it is already here!)....at least it is suppose to be.  I hope the weather gets the hint because I'm so ready for jeans, tennis shoes, and hoodies....anywho--Chalin has started t-ball again!  We had 2 games last week and will continue to have 2 games per week for the next. Four. Weeks.  I hope by the end or maybe in the middle sometime or maybe as soon as possible he will love the game as much as his Daddy.  ( Ok, Ok.  I realized that last part was just asking a little too much from a 3-year-old.  He did, however, record his first out this season, which spurred on some more interest in the game--especially in the outfield.  He told me yesterday out of the blue, "The faster we get the outs, the faster we bat, the faster we get SNACK!"  Soooooo, at least he has his priorities straight, right?

He also started back at school this past week.  While I enjoyed running several errands and getting some things accomplished, I was sad thinking this was his LAST first day of Sonshine School.  My baby is growing up too fast on me.  

Here are a few pictures I was able to snap with my cell phone.  One of these days, my life is going to slow down, and I'll learn how to use my nice camera.  Someday.

Up to bat! (Don't worry...he now has some pants that fit.)

Playing in the field with his buddy, Schafer!

Getting a motivational hug and talk before batting from Coach Daddy.

Hanging out in the dugout with the other Cubs.

Getting ready!

Once the game was over, Chad told our team to head to the dugout for snack.  As you can tell ALL the children were super excited about snack...even the other team!

Hanging out with his buddy, Camden, after the game, at the park that was placed entirely too close to the t-ball fields.

Happy boy riding the elephant after the game.

 *I started this post at least a week ago, and am just now getting around to finishing it because Blogger now takes me forever to upload photos in the right direction!  ANYWAY, Chalin has been super excited about Fall approaching.  He told me on Thursday when I picked him up from school, "Hey!  Hey!  Did you know?  Did you know that tomorrow is going to be Fall?!"  When he woke up on Friday, the first thing he said was, "Hey!  Hey!  Did you know?  It's FALL TODAY!  I can't wait to rake up the leaves and JUMP in them!!!"  What followed next was a little bit of a sad, disappointed, and confused 3 year old boy on why the leaves were still cozy in the trees and not laying on the ground.  HOWEVER, he became his happy little self again when I reminded him that he had ALL kinds of Fall books in his room from when I was a teacher that we could read ALL.  ABOUT.  FALL.  I really couldn't tell you who was more excited...

Knitting Booth & Quilt Auction

My friend Kasey's sister-in-law is in charge of the Monkey Business consignment sale, which is taking place in Ada September 16-18.  I called and asked about setting up a knitting booth, and they said I could.  Not only that I could, but that I could for FREE since ALL proceeds will go towards our Adoption Fund.  A few friends of mine (April and Cat) and I have been knitting away like crazy.  They are donating all their knitted/crocheted items to me to sale.  And let me tell you--I have some very talented friends!  We will have baby beanies/hats, head warmers, dish cloth sets, bibs, coffee cozies, and a few quilts, which my MIL has recently made and is donating.

ALSO, I am starting the bidding for a beautiful "vintage" flower OU quilted throw.  I picked out all the material, and LOVE it AND hope you do, too.  How awesome would it be to have a One-of-a-Kind OU quilt that supports such a great cause?!?  Please spread the news to your significant others, family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, church family, and anyone else that you think will be interested!  It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas presents!  It will be here before we know it! :)   It measures approximately 5 ft. 9 inches in length and 4 ft. 5 inches in width (or in quilter measurements approximately 53x69).  The pictures won't do it justice, but here are a few to give you an idea:

Full view of quilt

OU quilted throw

Close-Up

Close-up of back

The bidding will end on October 2, at 8:00 PM!

The opening bid has been set by Rhonda Hughes for $225!  You can comment on the blog, send me an email, FB message, or text me to place your bid.  Happy Bidding!!!