Echoes

Another Update

2010-08-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe it has been six months since my last post. My sisters will definitely be amazed that I have at last added something to my blog! Pertaining to adoption, we are approved and on the list in Colombia. We recently had our homestudy updated and are waiting for our immigration approval update and fingerprinting appointment. When that is completed, we will be good to wait for another 18 mos. before we have to complete any more paperwork. Hopefully our adoption will go through by then, but that is uncertain as our wait time could be anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. We have done quite a bit of work on the "kids room" and it could be called almost ready. That of course depends on the age of the kids. If one is an infant, we will need to add a crib, etc.
In other news, Peanut is now 17 months old and is very protective of her property and her people. She does not care for the UPS driver as she thinks he is stealing things when he comes to pick up the packages we are shipping! So "beware of dog" if you decide to take something from this property!
Thursday of this week, 2 friends and I headed to Valley Forge, PA for 2 and a half days of Creating Keepsakes Convention - fun classes and awesome shopping. I really have enjoyed doing this for the past three years, but this year is likely my last, since I hope to be a mommy or be very close to being a mommy by this time next year.
This coming Thursday Mike and I will be celebrating 5 years of marriage. It's hard to believe 5 years have passed already. It's been a wonderful 5 years with a wonderful man! I thank God for my hubby.

New Post!!!

2010-01-20T19:15:00.000-08:00

Amazing, isn't it??? A new post! Life is busy, busy, busy. I desperately want it to slooooooooow down. We are shorthanded at work so.... it means lots of extra hours and stress.
On the adoption front, we received a "previo" in November 2009. A "previo" is a request from Colombia for more info. We also discovered that our agency failed to include our FBI clearances in our dossier and that they are expired and must be redone. So we were refingerprinted and sent in our request in November and still have not heard anything. C'mon our "rap sheet" isn't that long !!! Last I knew there was nothing on it:) We also have answered many questions in great detail about our parenting views, skills and experience... Experience???? Uh, hello people, that's what we're working towards here - BECOMING PARENTS. We turned in the first set of info in Dec. and were informed that it wasn't enough, so our Home Study agency prepared many essay questions for us. Sounds like a test from college days! We answered those and had an interview with the social worker and I think that part is finished. Now, if only those FBI clearances would get here, we might could move this slow boat along.
We actually managed to get away for Christmas. Planned to go to Nebraska to Mike's parents, but a snow storm and a sinus infection, ear infection and bronchitis put a stop to that. When all conditions improved we journeyed to Indiana to the home of my dear "oldest"sister, who I might add, will be celebrating a milestone birthday this year! The entire Weingard clan was there, all 27 of us cosied up in Dixie's beautiful home for 3 days. A good time was had by all! I have no pictures to include because I have been remiss in getting them on to my computer. I rarely get on the computer at home any more. I think that may be in direct correlation to the fact that I am on one all day long at work and I never was a big "computer person." Though I must say, my computer skills have improved greatly in the last couple months, by default. Someone quit, I had to learn said someone's job!
Oh, I almost forgot to update you on Peanut. She has grown like a weed is 10 months and is approx. 90 lbs. She had surgery 2 weeks ago and will never be the same again. Some parts are missing now. But we are all fine with that! She has recovered beautifully, goes to work with me and snoozes at my feet under my desk. Well, it felt good to write all that, even if there is no one out there reading this!! I now have officially updated my blog and my "lack of readers" on my status.

Peanut!!

2009-08-10T18:40:00.000-07:00

My puppy is growing! No, she doesn't sleep on our bed, but she does visit on occasion!

Happy Birthday in Heaven!

2009-05-30T18:26:00.000-07:00

Today you would have turned 65! But you're in a place where you will never get older, you will never have pain and never cry. Here on earth the pain is still great and sometimes I don't know if I can stand it. The pain of knowing I'll not hear your voice on the telephone again, I'll never hike another trail with you, never go camping with you, never have another lesson from you about the stars. It's hard knowing that Mom faces lonely nights and weekends. Sometimes we thought you talked too much, but now I just wish I could hear you one more time! Every holiday that comes around brings thoughts of you and what you would have done to celebrate, how you would always point us to Jesus, for without him we wouldn't have any holidays. The tears still come and the pain is still there but there is a peace knowing you are safe in Heaven. I love you and miss you, Daddy, more than I can say, but someday I'll see you again!!

Our new baby!!

2009-05-21T17:59:00.000-07:00

Just a few pics of our new baby - Peanut! She's absolutely adorable!! She is a South African Boerboel (mastiff family) We just got her today and she already follows me around. She is 8 weeks old and a little over 10 lbs! The cats don't know what to think!

Ravi Zacharias - "The Problem of Pleasure"

2009-05-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

Ravi Zacharias spoke at Brooklyn Tabernacle on Sunday, May 17 @ 3:30. I've heard him many times on the radio and have read many of his books. My sweet hubby was kind enough to take me 2 and a half hours to hear him.
The message was awesome. I would gladly have skipped some of the music there to hear more preaching. He spoke on "The Problem of Pleasure" and gave 3 principles for choosing our pleasures. He first encouraged everyone to write out a personal mission statement to help us apply these principles. Principle #1 "Anything that refreshes you without distracting from, diminishing or destroying your ultimate goal is a legitimate pleasure." #2 "Any pleasure that jeopardizes the sacred right of another is an illicit pleasure." #3 "Any pleasure, however good, if not kept in balance will distort reality and destroy appetite making it an illicit pleasure." He also referenced Susanna Wesley's definition of sin - "Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience,obscures your sense of God, or takes off your relish of spiritual things; in short whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself." What a lot of food for thought! He preached over an hour, but it sure didn't seem that long. I had taken my copy of his book "Jesus Among Other Gods" and was able to get it signed by him. Mike had never heard him on the radio or otherwise, but he's hooked! He downloaded two of Ravi's books to his ipod and was listening to them as he mowed today.

My Perennial Garden

2009-05-20T17:52:00.000-07:00

Just a few pics of my favorite flower garden behind my house! All perennials - I've been working on it for four years, buying and adding a few perennials at a time. Oops, the hanging basket isn't a perennial!

Immigration Approval!!

2009-02-28T19:54:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted an adoption update in a long time. Not because there has been nothing happening but because... well I don't know why! Our homestudy was finished the end of December and sent to USCIS (Immigrations) in January where it would be closely scrutinized to see if we met all requirements and could be approved to adopt. Our agency told us it would take 60-90 days to hear from them because they (USCIS) were backlogged. We got our approval in 30 days!! Just a few more papers to finish and our part will be done(for a while, until everything needs renewed!) Once our last paper goes to our adoption agency La Vida International, they get all documents authenticated, compile everything and send it off to Colombia. Our dossier should be in Colombia by April. Once there it gets translated into Spanish and then sent to ICBF (Colombia's social services division) where it gets scrutinized once again to see if we meet all requirements. Once our dossier is approved (this usually takes a few months) it is put in line for a referral. Our agency is saying that wait time for siblings 0-4yrs is approximately 16-18 months after approval. I'm seeing light at the end of the looooong tunnel of paperwork and I am very happy!!

My new scarf!

2009-02-17T19:00:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not one to blog about clothes and I don't like pics of myself, but I have recently taught myself to crochet again and this is the result from this past weekend. Very easy! Used Bernat Soft Boucle bulky yarn. So Dixie dear, here it is in living color just as you requested!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-15T13:03:00.000-08:00

My sweet hubby got me this beautiful card and these two teddy bears for me for Valentine's Day! He gave me another card on Friday and
gave me the bear with the To Do File. Then he gave me the pictured card and the bear that says "Home is where your teddy bear lives."
I made him a card and a heart shaped "scrapbook" with pics of us and sweet quotes about love. I also got him some gardening things - he loves to garden and can't wait until spring.

My New Kitchen Look

2009-02-14T18:40:00.000-08:00

John Deere has been slowly taking over my kitchen so I gave in and made new curtains with vintage John Deere. Thought I would also combine sunflowers with it since JD is green and yellow. And I like it...

Just a few more Christmas pics

2009-01-22T18:09:00.000-08:00

Just a few more pics. L-R and Top to Bottom: Dixie, Jeff and family; Holly, Tim and family; Mike and I; Lyndi and Matt; Mom and the four of us girls.

Christmas 2008 At Dixie's

2009-01-22T18:00:00.000-08:00

We spent several days at Dixie's. We were all there except Jodi and family as they were busy welcoming a new little one into their family - Joashleiah Lynn. We had a good time, but it wasn't without tears. When it came time to pass out the gifts, no one wanted to move for that was always Dad's job. Lyndi filled in and did a great job. It was hard, but we are so grateful we know that Dad was enjoying his first Christmas in Heaven. I know life goes on and someday maybe it will be easier, but I still can't look at a picture of my dad without crying and wishing somehow things were different.

Christmas 2008 At Susie's

2009-01-22T17:43:00.000-08:00

Just a few pics from Christmas with Mike's parents and sister. We stayed for a few days and had a fun and relaxing time!

Fishin' in the River of Life

2008-12-09T18:54:00.000-08:00

Dad loved to fish. In Colorado, he took his fishing pole everywhere, just in case he got to stop at that mountain stream or lake. I was thinking this morning, I could just imagine Jesus, Dad and Grandpa sitting on the banks of the River of Life doing a little fishing ( catch and release, of course). I'm sure that his family that's already there were so glad to see him, but we're sure gonna miss him. I love you , Dad and plan on seeing you in Heaven, someday!

Christmas Decorations

2008-11-30T19:17:00.000-08:00

Three posts in one night - unbelievable! L-R, Top to bottom. 1. Country Christmas tree in our living room. 2. Snowman tree on victrola in entryway. 3. Gingerbread tree on kitchen table. 4. Gingerbread wreath in kitchen. 5. Dining room table - Quilted table runner compliments of my sister Holly. 6. Greenery on antique secretary in dining room. 7. Greenery in doorway between dining room and living room. 8. Smudge under snowman window in living room. 9. Decorations on top bookcase in living room - compliments of my sister Dixie. (not a great photo - sorry!)
Disclaimer - I did take good photos that included the tops of the trees, the entire arrangement on the dining room table, etc. but this collage thingy squishes the pictures and leaves out whatever pieces it wants!!!
One more note, the light colored spots on the big Christmas tree are crocheted cream colored snowflakes, also compliments of Dixie. I love them, they really added to my tree this year. Would love to have a few more. Hint Hint!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-30T18:56:00.000-08:00

Mike stirring the gravy. He made the stuffing and the mashed potatoes.

Our table set and ready for us to eat!

Sweet Potato casserole - yummy!

Fresh cranberries - especially for my husband - he loves them but I don't care for them.
We decided on Wednesday that we would be staying home for Thanksgiving, so at 9:30pm, we visited
the grocery store and bought all the makings for dinner. Turned out great!

Thanksgiving, Christmas Tree, My Arm, Adoption, Etc.

2008-11-30T17:43:00.000-08:00

Had a great Thanksgiving, just the two of us! Would have loved to be with family, but it just didn't work out. We managed to get our Christmas tree (a real one - gotta love that fresh piney smell) up and decorated and decorated the rest of the house. Will hopefully post pics later!
Am having a very nasty allergic reaction (I guess) at the incision site on my left arm. Itches and burns frightfully. Red, swollen and blistered. I go to the doctor tomorrow - wonder if I am allergic to the dissolvable stitches or if it was the steri strips. Don't know, but it sure isn't fun to be awakened in the middle of the night to a severe burning and itching that makes chicken pox seem like a very small irritant. I was a bad girl and went ahead and removed the wrap and the steri strips today. Isn't itching quite as badly. Just oozing from every blister. By the way, lest anyone think I am taking this lightly, I did call the ortho doctor on call and she simply told me to wash any remaining Betadine off and take some Benadryl. I told her I was worried about possible infection, but she wasn't, even kinda laughed at me, so... I'll see what my ortho doc says tomorrow.
On to other things - our ADOPTION HOME VISIT IS FRIDAY!!I'm kinda freaking out about that cleaning, cleaning clearing up clutter, etc. I will be glad to have that over with.
Other things of note - the population in our fish tank is declining, Smudge has had a positive attitude adjustment for which we are all (Nick and Little included) truly grateful, and we had a truly relaxed Thanksgiving weekend. TaTa for now!!

Hello - do I have any readers left???

2008-11-21T15:03:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've been on here! A lot has happened in a couple months. Dad was in a serious car accident in October and is still slowly recovering in a hospital in Denver. I flew out to be with Mom and Dad for a week right after the accident. To keep up with his progress, check out my sister Dixie's blog - she writes updates daily.

We are stiil working on adoption stuff. I have another educational worksheet to finish and send in, then our homestudy home visit can be scheduled. We are hoping our homestudy will be completed and sent to immigration before 2008 is over. We also have some online adoption education modules to complete.
I had outpatient surgery on my left wrist yesterday - DeQuervain's release. I've been having trouble with it since April, had cortisone shots, wore a splint forever, etc. but nothing worked, so hopefully the problem is corrected. It's in a half cast and wrap until December 1st, then probably another splint and therapy. It's slowing me down quite a bit, which is very frustrating. But as my husband tells me I had better be careful so I don't damage any good that's been done.
I have SO MUCH to do in the house before our home visit and now I have to rely on my hubby to do much of it. Bless his heart, he's gonna be lugging stuff all over for me, as well as putting up the Christmas tree (hopefully next weekend.)

Paperwork, paperwork...

2008-09-18T16:18:00.001-07:00

I know I haven't posted much lately, but life has been busy! Yep, that's what they all say! We are moving forward with our adoption process, working on the homestudy and all its requirements! We have a meeting with our home study agency next Friday. I'm trying to get as much paperwork in process as I can. If only I had known I would be doing this at age 35, I might not have lived in so many different states. I have to obtain a criminal and child abuse clearance from every state I have lived in since I was 18. That's seven clearances! Many forms, many $$ and much headache. But I will persevere! Oh, we also need 9 letters of reference - 6 for the home study process(NJ requirements) and 3 for our adoption agency. And that's only the beginning... P.S. Mike only has 2 state clearances to obtain - lucky dog!

More Kitty Pics!

2008-08-17T18:25:00.000-07:00

The big guy is Nick or Fat Boy as I like to call him. He really thinks he is just a cute snuggly kitten - 20 lbs. of snuggly!

Scamp or "Little" as she often gets called. She is very affectionate aand very fun. Likes people, especially her people.

Kitty Pics!

2008-08-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

Smudge - all grown up. She's a year old now and just a little jealous of her new

brother and sister, but she is adjusting.

Cute little Scamp!

Just a few pictures of our kitties. The big gray one is our latest acquisition. He was given to us by our boss, who was moving and couldn't take him.

Oops

2008-06-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

Am having difficulty with this thing. I posted some other pics of the wedding, but obviously, they didn't post. Not sure why and it's time for bed, so maybe another day!

More Wedding Pics!

2008-06-15T19:32:00.000-07:00

Just a few more of the over 1,000 pictures taken by the Weingard family! Digital cameras are definitely a wonderful invention.
Of course I had to put in a couple pics of the "Best Man." Awfully cute, isn't he???

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to the most wonderful mother in the world! Thanks for always being there for me. 2 years ago around Mother's Day she was sitting with me when I was in the hospital, Tonight she is sitting with Dad in the hospital. Please pray for her and my dad, as he had a stroke this afternoon. It is sounding like they got him help quickly enough that they may be able to reverse most of the effects. I pray that it is so.

Scamp

2008-05-08T22:03:00.000-07:00

Looks like Scamp has become a permanent part of our household. She is absolutely adorable and we have just fallen in love with her. It took a while, but Smudge has finally come around. They play together or Scamp plays while Smudge looks on like a proud mother. Scamp is already totally litter trained and at approximately 5 weeks is eating canned food from a dish. She is a people kitty and loves to be on us if she is not playing. I was lying on the couch this evening and she climbed up on to the couch and settled herself on my shoulder, purring loudly.We are definitely enjoying our new little one!

Another Orphan

2008-04-29T18:26:00.000-07:00

Found another kitten yesterday. She is absolutely adorable and is drinking well from a bottle. I think she is approximately 4 weeks old. I think I will just be able to keep her as a foster kitty since Smudge goes into hiding every time she hears the slightest Meow. :) Anyone looking for a kitty??

Miscellaneous update!

2008-04-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

Wow! it's been over a month since my last post. It's definitely been busy. I have been working many hours on Mother's Day frames. A BIG thank you to those of you who ordered.
We've been fingerprinted for our immigration / adoption approval, got photos for passports (finally) and received Mike's birth certificates. My little sister Lyndi got engaged and is getting married June 7th. June 7th - yikes! that is not too far away. I am also trying to work on the flowers and the reception decorations in my spare time! :) Smudge had surgery on Friday and is recuperating nicely. I believe we will have a much calmer kitty as a result. We also had company in the last month! That's a rare and welcome thing in these parts. We don't live close to any of our family so rarely see them, but Mike's mom and dad came for a few days following their spring church convention. It was great to have them here.

Mother's Day Gift Anyone?

2008-03-16T14:18:00.000-07:00

These frames are another of my adoption fundraiser ideas. They are 5"x5" with the center opening being 2.5"x 2.5". They are $5.00 each plus shipping and handling. The center saying can be replaced with a photo if desired. If your church would be interested in buying these for Mother's Day, I would need to know by the end of March. To order, email me @ heidijoann@juno.com. They will come in a variety of colors. If ordering only one or two you may specify colors and I will do my best to comply.

On Hold!

2008-03-16T11:44:00.000-07:00

We are currently in a holding pattern in our adoption process. This is for financial reasons. Not the way I really want it to be, but Mike and I have discussed it and decided it would be for the best for a few months while we try to pay some things off and perhaps have an adoption fundraiser or two. While waiting there are still quite a few things we can do, like apply for passports, finish our pre-adoptive training, collect some of our paperwork, write our autobiographies for our homestudy, and work and save like crazy. I have been following the adoptions of several families and while I am very happy for them, I so want this to move faster. But God knows what He is doing and sees the big picture that I don't see. If you have any fundraising ideas, money-saving tips, etc. let me know!

Eating an Elephant!

2008-03-02T12:39:00.000-08:00

I know I don't post daily, but it has been very busy around here. Mike has been sick with a nasty virus most of the week, which required me trying to fill in for him as well as do my job at work. We are also working on a new inventory control system and it is a hairpulling experience to say the least. When it is complete, it will be great, but until then...... ADOPTION UPDATE: We have turned in our contract and fee, our application for USCIS approval and fee, and have started our pre-adoptive training. We have been officially accepted into the Colombia program and received our Dossier instructions on Friday. It looks quite overwhelming at first, but as my mother always says, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." I think I have been trying to do too many things at once, running the risk of choking :) I have received all 5 copies of my birth certificates, requested our marriage certificates and am finally finishing up the request for Mike's birth certificates, now that I think I have all the correct info. That has taken a few chunks out of the elephant, but believe me, there's a lot left!!! This week, we should apply for passports, complete 2 or 3 more hours of training and fill out some more paperwork. I have also turned in my rough draft of our Letter of Intent to Adopt and am waiting to hear feedback from the agency. I have also talked to two different families who have adopted through La Vida and they can't say enough good things about the agency. That really made me happy with our choice!

Adoption Update

2008-02-18T18:35:00.000-08:00

We have been accepted with the new agency to adopt from Colombia, South America! We are both very excited about this and have to decided to request a sibling group of two or three as they often are the children that wait the longest. Colombia tries to keep siblings together as much as possible, and not many people wish to adopt more than one at a time. The scary part is that this could really reduce our waiting time, which means we have to come up with the financing a little quicker. We have stacks of paperwork to get started on, birth certificates and marriage certificates to order. I have already ordered 5 copies of my birth certificate and should have them in about a week to a week and a half. Mike's is a bit more complicated as he was born in Guatemala (also a lot more expensive) and could take up to 8 weeks to receive. We hope to get the first round of papers and money turned in this week. It's a big step, but we are trusting God to work it all out!

Valentine's Weekend!

2008-02-18T18:17:00.000-08:00

Since we both work long hours, doing something fun on Valentine's day wasn't really an option, so we went to our favorite place in Lancaster for the weekend. The second photo is my Valentine gift! Looks great in my Living Room. I love it! Before we left Mike was starting to get sick, so I told him we could just stay home, but he insisted on going anyway. He was rather miserable most of the time, but he really tried to act like he wasn't! Poor guy. He's so sweet!

Smudge Update

2008-02-18T18:09:00.000-08:00

Smudge is now 6 months old and is almost all grown up. She still loves to play and loves to sit in the windows behind the blinds to keep an eye on the neighbors!

Christmas with my family!

2008-02-18T18:01:00.000-08:00

Since most of my sisters posted Christmas pictures, I tried not to duplicate them. These are mostly random snapshots.

Christmas with the In-laws!

2008-02-18T17:53:00.000-08:00

We were all able to get together at Susie and Wesley's house. Had a great time except for getting sick and sharing it with everyone!

Christmas at our House!

2008-02-18T17:46:00.000-08:00

A little late I know, but hey it's not as late as Christmas in July!!

There's still hope

2008-02-01T19:33:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all who left kind comments on my last post. I spent some time crying and praying about all this and then spent several hours online the other night checking out different agencies, countries and requirements, etc. I found an agency I think is for us and another country. I requested an info and application packet and received it today. The agency is in PA, not far from the other one. I also talked to someone at that office yesterday and she was very kind and very helpful. Sooo... we are going to fill out this application, send it in and see what happens. I must say I am even more excited about the prospect of adopting from this country than China, and so is my husband. The country requirements are not near as strict, so Mike being one handed should not be a problem. The lady I talked with at the agency said she was sure it wouldn't be, but she would double check with that country for our peace of mind. This adoption could possibly go even much quicker than China, provided we can come up with all the fees in time. I'm not sure whether to say which country or not until I find out if we'll be accepted or not. So hang in there with me and I will let you know!!

Rejected

2008-01-30T15:25:00.000-08:00

We have been officially rejected by China for adoption, because Mike is one handed. We are not even allowed to adopt a child with a similar physical problem. That hurt, also made me quite blue. It is one of China's newest requirements for prospective parents. Our agency really tried. They petitioned the CCAA for us several times but the answer was still NO. Now, it means starting the process all over with another agency and another country. We are looking at Bethany Christian Services as a possibility. Anybody know anything about them??

Catching up a little!

2008-01-24T18:54:00.000-08:00

Just a little late posting I know, but we did have a good Christmas. We were able to see both of our families. Now that's pretty good for living so far away from everyone!! It's hard to believe January is almost over. Where does the time go?? We've started pursuing our adoption a little harder only to have possibly run into a wall. With China's newest rules, we may not be eligible for adoption. We are still waiting to hear from our agency who was contacting China's Center for Adoption Affairs. We will be disappointed if we can't adopt from China for that means we will have to find a new agency to adopt from another country as our current agency does only China adoptions. I don't mind trying another country but we both really like the agency we're working with. They have a wonderful staff of caring people.
I read so many stories in the news about parents who have killed their children and it makes me want to cry. I love kids and would love to have a couple and can't, while so many parents are "throwing their children away." Sin has created many monsters in this world, sad to say.
Not trying to get morbid here, so on another note I will try to post some pics of our Christmas and the time that has elapsed since my last post almost two months ago! Wow! has it really been that long since I posted??? It has been busy. Hopefully my pictures will be up before the weekend is over.

Christmas Decorations!

2007-11-25T13:54:00.000-08:00

After I decorated the victrola with my beautiful figurines (from Dixie - Thank you!) Smudge apparently thought it wasn't quite enough and decided she would add to it!

More Fall pictures

2007-11-25T13:49:00.000-08:00

Fall was late. The leaves turned and fell quickly. When we got home from Thanksgiving, this is what we found in our yard! There are still some left to fall, but we went ahead and raked and blew leaves into piles and carted them off. Nine pickup truckloads in all!!

Putting up the Tree!

2007-11-25T13:36:00.000-08:00

After we got home Friday night we put the tree up! It's the perfect size! Waited until Saturday to decorate it.

Our first REAL Christmas Tree!

2007-11-25T13:32:00.000-08:00

We passed a tree farm on the way to Grandma's on Thanksgiving day and decided we would stop on the way home and see if we could cut down our Christmas tree. On the way home we stopped and the people there gave us a little cart, a kneeling pad, and a hand saw and sent us up into a field of trees and told us to pick and cut whichever one we wanted. I've always wanted to do this. We had a blast! Found the perfect Christmas tree, very full and beautiful! We cut it down, took it back to the lower section of the farm and they shook it and baled it for us. We were as excited as two little kids. We do have so much fun together!!

Thanksgiving at Grandma"s!

2007-11-25T13:23:00.000-08:00

Went to Grandma's house for Thanksgiving. Hadn't been there for Thanksgiving in years. It was great to see everyone!

Beautiful Fall Leaves - Finally!!

2007-11-25T13:16:00.000-08:00

Seems like fall was a little late here, but still beautiful!

Sat. Evening Concert

2007-11-05T16:54:00.000-08:00

Not a really great picture, I know. Saturday evening, we went to a concert at Calvary Church in Lancaster. The Collingsworths, Lefevres and Ryan and Friends were performing. It was great! Always enjoy the Collingsworths, and Ryan and Friends was a first for us, but really cool. Ryan is a ventriloquist / comedian from the Lancaster area and was awesome! The concert lasted until almost 11:00pm. We were quite tired after having run around all day, but enjoyed every minute of it!

Fun weekend in Lancaster

2007-11-05T16:45:00.000-08:00

Friday, after work we headed to Lancaster, PA. After checking in at our favorite place to stay, we went to find food and then went to Cherry Crest farm to a corn maze. It was the next to the last night for it to be open and it was flashlight maze night. It was a five acre field with 2.5 miles of maze paths. I had a blast. My hubby was not quite as delighted as I, but said he did enjoy watching me act like a kid. We were there until closing(11:00pm) and never found our way out! We had to be led out. If I had just had another hour or so, I think I would have figured it out!

Our room at Smoketown Motor Lodge. Called "The Cottage Room" It was really neat! They gave it to us for the price of their regular rooms because it was all they had left.

My New Footstool

2007-10-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

Hey girls, (sisters) remember these? For those of you who don't know, when we were small our aunt made each of us girls one of these stools one year. So we had five of these in the living room to trip over. Had many a family prayer time hung over one of these stools.
We just did a custom teflon job for a company and when the teflon was gone there was this nice, heavy duty, large, plastic spool left. It reminded me of the stools we had as kids, so I decided to make one and voila!! here it is.

Our Ferry Ride

2007-10-16T19:02:00.000-07:00

A few pictures from our ferry ride. The trip takes an hour and a half one way. On the return trip, the sun was setting. It was beautiful and relaxing!

A day at Cape May

2007-10-16T18:29:00.000-07:00

My parents came over for a short visit this weekend. It was my Dad's first time to be here. My Mother was only here once and that was to be with me when I was in the hospital last year (not exactly a fun time). We went to the Cape May lighthouse, had a picnic lunch, and walked up and down the beach enjoying the sounds of the sea and watching a bunch of porpoises splashing in the water. Later in the afternoon we took the ferry from Cape May to Lewes Delaware. It was a beautiful and relaxing time. We only go when we have company because my hubby careth not for the shore. :) So come visit sometime so I can go again!!

Smudge meets Dad

2007-10-16T18:15:00.000-07:00

Smudge introducing herself to my Dad! I think she enjoyed having company every bit as much as we did!

Smudge's Fall Photo

2007-10-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

Smudge is growing up! Still very playful, though. Hilariously playful at times. Provides us with great amusement!

Smudge Update!

2007-09-29T18:23:00.000-07:00

Some Smudge picture updates. Pretty much the only exciting thing happening in our lives right now, as we are working way too many hours with way too much stress!

7 Random things about me.

2007-09-29T17:50:00.001-07:00

I have been tagged, several times, but no time to write anything until now.
7 Random things about me.

1. I love working with wood.
2. I have held approx. 75 VBS'.
3. I have too many hobbies - woodworking, scrapbooking, stamping, cardmaking, quilting, sewing and decorating. (also enjoy country crafting of most any kind. - have made most of the decorations that will go on my Christmas tree)
4. I would love to be a stay-at-home Mom. (since the closest thing that I have to a child is a kitten, don't think that will be any time soon : ) )
5. I don't really like to grocery shop.
6. I prefer handmade gifts over anything else. (i'm just a bit sentimental)
7. I love beards. (My husband started growing one on our honeymoon at my request and has had one ever since. - Sweet, isn't he?)

I would like to tag my dear friend Vicki, since as far as I know, she is the only person that I know of who hasn't been tagged yet.

Smudge's Napping Basket

2007-09-13T18:27:00.000-07:00

Since Smudge is completely litter trained, she can be out of her box most of the time. I thought she needed a place to take naps when she got tired, so I got this basket out and put one of her cloths and her toy in it and put her in it and she got the idea. When she gets tired, she jumps in and takes a nap. She also jumps in to play. She lays on her back and plays with her feet. It's quite comical to watch! She has given us a lot of entertainment.

Big Black Snake!!

2007-09-09T15:12:00.000-07:00

Mike and I went to the old chicken coop to look for something yesterday and this is what we found. Yes, he is very much alive and being handled by our neighbor Nate. After getting quite a few pictures, they released him and he slithered off into the trees. I didn't get very close. Somehow they don't encourage warm and fuzzy feelings in me!

Smudge update!

2007-09-09T15:08:00.000-07:00

Here are new photos of our growing kitty! She is eating canned food now and drinking water from a dish. Good bye bottle! She is litter trained already and very adorable and playful! Unfortunately, I am not sure how my allergies are going to handle having a cat in the house.

New family member!

2007-08-27T17:24:00.000-07:00

We found this kitten on Friday evening in one of the sheds at work. It was alone and meowing like crazy. We didn't find the mother or any other kittens. So we adopted "Smudge" - named because it looks like he got onto my stamping inks and smudged his nose. He has been bathed numerous times to rid him of any uninvited pests. He's the cleanest little kitty in town! Also the cutest. I think he (or she) is about 4 weeks old.

I started off feeding him with a syringe, then went to the store tonight and got this little bottle with a preemie nipple. He just loves it. Gets a whole lot more food that way.

Reunion collage

2007-08-25T11:22:00.000-07:00

Top Row: Michael, Angel and Michael Lewis II; Jonathan and ?; Dennis Weingard
2nd Row: Robyn Weingard; Nancy Weitbrecht; Mary and Ben Lewis
3rd Row: Grandma; kids in gravity wagon; Lyndi

More reunion pictures

2007-08-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

Ronald and Delores Weingard, William and Philip

Daniel and Anna Weingard, Sharon, David and Janelle

John, Rebecca and Nathan Vroman

Timothy Lewis, Star, Timmy and Tiny (the dog)

Family Reunion Pictures August 18,2007

2007-08-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

Joseph and Sara Weingard with children in order by age: Kathleen, Heidi Brendon, Sharla, and Jeremy.

Donald and Joyce Weingard, Rosalie and Brenda

Uncle Darrell and Marsha Weingard

Uncle Raymond and Aunt Linda Lewis

A Few More Pics From our Day!

2007-08-08T18:51:00.000-07:00

Just a few more pictures of New York City skyline, Ellis Island and Liberty Park.

2007-08-08T18:45:00.000-07:00

For our 2nd anniversary(hard to believe it has been 2 years already!!), Mike and I went to New York City to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. It was a hot day, but beautiful on the water with the wind blowing! After we finished there, we went to Liberty Science Center and then topped our day off with supper at Cracker Barrel. What a wonderful way to spend Saturday with my Sweetheart!

I'm back!

2007-08-08T18:31:00.000-07:00

Where have I been??? I have returned from many places and am back in blog world once again. Let's see, in the last month and a half , I have had a visit from my in-laws, been to Colorado for a week, had a cook out, been to NYC and worked many hours.
On July 17th I flew to Colorado to spend a week helping my parents pack! And pack we did, over 100 boxes before I left. A few days later, Lyndi flew out to finish what I started and help my parents drive to their new home in Ohio. They will now be only 7 hours drive from me, instead of 37!!

While in Colorado, I was privileged to attend Western Colorado Holiness Chapel, where they had a going away get together for my parents. Got to see a lot of dear friends! Visited with Mike and Kim at their house, enjoyed it so much as there's just not too many people to visit with here.

2007-06-17T12:35:00.000-07:00

Thought this was a cool picture of the moon coming up in NJ, same moon you all see back in IN and out in CO. Cool, huh??

2007-06-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, was a kinda sad day for all of us at the church. One of our church families is leaving. They have been stationed in South Carolina. Sunday was our farewell dinner for them. We will miss them and their two beautiful children very much!! They added so much to the church and will leave a big hole.

Lancaster with Wes, Susie and kids

2007-06-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

The first weekend in June we met Mike's sister Susie and her family in Lancaster and spent the day there with them. Had a lot of fun! They then came home with us and stayed until Monday. It was great to see them. We always appreciate company! Don't get much way over here.

Our Weekend Away

2007-05-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

Mike and I took a mini vacation last weekend. We left on Thursday night and went to Lancaster, PA. Just a couple hours drive. We stayed at our favorite place until Monday. We got lots of R&R which was just what we needed! The above picture is where we stayed. It is a really neat place. The picture below is the view from where we stayed. A beautiful and peaceful view! It was so awesome to get away from work and all it involves for a few days! We live where we work so.... I'm sure you can understand why it can get pretty intense and stressful here!

My sweet and wonderful hubby!!!

Landscaping...

2007-04-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures of what we have been working on here. I should have taken some before pictures. Some of theses places looked pretty bad! Still have a long ways to go. A friend gave us a lot of perrennials that he took from his landscaping because they were getting too big for where they were. Every couple years he splits a bunch of his plants and digs them out. Most of them have yet to be planted. But I have plans for all of them if I can get over the pain in my back. I hurt it somehow on Thursday evening working on the area in front of the company door. Thought maybe it just needed work yesterday so I really gave it a workout shoveling dirt, rock and planting flowers and bushes. That probably really wasn't the best thing for it as I had to sleep in a recliner last night and can't do much of anything without pain, including blogging, so guess I'll quit for now!

So happy for Saturday!

2007-04-28T05:07:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday morning and we do not have to work today. That makes me happy!! I have lots of other work to do, laundry, cleaning, gardening. I can handle that! Well, my husband just called, so we are heading off to the landscaping place for some stone!

Fun!

2007-04-22T12:48:00.000-07:00

Audrey getting some whipped cream after a moderate whipped cream battle in my kitchen!

Sunday dinner on the porch - baked potatoes, grilled teriyaki chicken, fresh green beans and strawberry shortcake!

Needed a walk after that dinner, so we took a walk around the 12 acres that we live on!

The back of the buildings where we live and work!

2007-04-22T12:39:00.000-07:00

Our Cambodian friends treated us to some yummy Chinese and Cambodian specialties. This was to celebrate the Cambodian New Year which was last weekend!

2007-04-22T12:31:00.000-07:00

The magnolia tree in our front yard! It was beautiful until a heavy frost got it.

Alaina saying her piece at the Easter program!

2007-04-01T17:21:00.000-07:00

Oops! Somehow this one didn't post with the last ones!

Pictures

2007-04-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

These are my pictures. They are by Greg Olsen. I absolutely love these. I can't afford the real thing, but I can afford an outdated calendar and frames from Family Dollar. I thought they turned out great and will look nice in my spare / little girl's / sewing room.

Long time, no blog...

2007-04-01T16:50:00.000-07:00

Long time, no blog... Of course it has been busy here. When isn't it?? I have been trying to clean out our 2nd bedroom, which had become a catch all room. We had been talking about doing foster care for one or two, but that idea has been nixed. I think we would enjoy it if I didn't work full time, so for now I will still work on the room in preparation for a little one someday. Since I am cleaning it out, I figured I might as well paint and decorate while it's cleaned out rather than waiting til later. I have the paint and the decorations for under $70.oo. I was quite proud of myself. Since we have Good Friday off, I am going to paint next weekend. I enjoy it! My pictures for the walls are gorgeous, if I do say so myself! At $5.00 a piece, I definitely can't complain. I'll try to post some photos of them.
I haven't said much about our international adoption lately. That's probably because there's not a whole lot to say. We are in the saving money stage. When we get enough to cover the contract fees we will move on to the next step - dossier preparation. that step will probably take 6-8 months and twice as much money as the contract fees. So, it's kinda slow.... All in God's timing, but sometimes I do wish He would hurry just a little.

Busy, busy busy...

2007-03-17T16:42:00.000-07:00

Life definitely keeps us busy, especially at work! Still working on making it more efficient so it will go more smoothly and not keep everyone hopping madly about! We're getting there. Spring is almost here and we are very excited. I can't wait to get out in my flowerbeds and Mike can't wait to get his mower started.
Haven't done a whole lot with kids for a while, but recently started helping with our junior church Easter program. Been really enjoying it. I do miss being around kids, but we may fix that if we can squeeze it into our busy lives!
Today we went to Philadelphia and just browsed around Reading Terminal Market, enjoying each other's company and relaxing after a very stressful week. We shopped at a few other places, did our grocery shopping and came home this evening. Didn't get any housework done, but definitely had an enjoyable day!

2007-03-03T19:24:00.000-08:00

My husband anxious for spring and something green, planted grass in this planter and is now cutting it. He enjoys everything about grass, the smell, the color, the texture and most of all mowing it!!

Dixie, the faithful blogger!!

2007-03-03T19:18:00.000-08:00

Dixie faithfully keeping up with her blog even while away from home, something I failed to do!!

Pictures from the weekend

2007-03-03T19:14:00.000-08:00

The four of us eating at Rio Grande, a Mexican restaurant with very yummy food!

Catching up!

2007-03-03T18:57:00.000-08:00

Wow! Time sure flies! I haven't posted for a while. It's been busy so I'll try to catch up a little. I went to Lyndi's last weekend and spent a wonderful time with three of my sisters. We went to "Magic Maple" at a nature preserve, went shopping, out to eat and talked , talked, talked and took pictures. Lyndi has the most interesting ones as she posed us all for a photo shoot. Got home late Sunday night due to many flight delays!
We've had a couple tragedies here. Our kitty, Bonnie met with a terrible accident and went to "happy kitty hunting grounds." Our snake Grumpy also departed. Not sure why he died, perhaps he couldn't get out of his skin. He was about ready to shed again. So our pet count is down to 2 birds. I would love to have a dog but the landlord says"no." So, no more pets for now!

My House

2007-02-18T13:26:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

2007-02-14T17:01:00.000-08:00

My sweet hubby got me a dozen roses, a stuffed German Shepherd (since I can't have a
real one where we are living) and another cartridge for my Cricut!! What a wonderful guy!!
I know, I know, I'm somewhat biased, but he is pretty awesome!

2007-02-14T16:51:00.000-08:00

Fun frames!! I did the cars and Vroom with stamps from "Close to My Heart".
The stuff on the dog frame I cut out using my Cricut which my sweet hubby got me on our
1st anniversary.

"Grumpy"

2007-02-13T16:18:00.000-08:00

This is my husband's pet corn snake. I call him "Grumpy"
as he strikes at everything in sight. He always thinks it's time to eat.
And no, I don't handle him - don't even touch him for that matter!
As long as he stays in his happy little home, he may live here.
But he and my husband have been warned, if he ever gets out and into my home it's "Goodbye Grumpy!"

Even more frames!

2007-02-13T16:11:00.000-08:00

A few more frames! Whether or not I ever sell any I sure enjoy
coming up with ideas and making them!

John Deere and Lincoln Logs

2007-02-09T14:39:00.000-08:00

My hubby enjoying John Deere toys and Lincoln Logs!!
Still a kid at heart!! A very sweet one, too!

4X6 frame

2007-02-09T14:20:00.000-08:00

Here is the 4X6 frame I was working on!

Busy and cold!!

2007-02-07T18:00:00.000-08:00

This week has been extremely busy so far. Late evenings at work. Then too tired to do much when I get home. I did work on 2 more frames last night. Am trying some different sizes and styles. I am working on a 4x6 one that is turning out quite nicely.
It is very cold here and I am glad that I work inside. The weather has been very strange here. It was so warm for a while, it was almost spring like, we even had daffodils with buds on them. None got the courage to bloom before the icy cold weather hit them. Hope they can hang in there until spring truly does get here!

Memory Frames

2007-02-04T18:56:00.000-08:00

Just a few pictures of some projects I am working on. I am selling these for $10 each to help with our adoption expenses. I can customize them to suit - by theme words, colors, etc.

Finally, I have arrived in blog world.

2007-02-04T13:26:00.000-08:00

I have entered the world of bloggers. This is totally new to me since I have always been somewhat computer illiterate :) I am learning though. Usually by trial and error. Thankfully, I have sisters who know anything I need to know, so I just buzz one of them and get the "tech support" I need! Dixie is at the top of the list since she has been into the computer thing the longest and most earnestly! Thanks for all the help, past present and future!!!
Well, now, a little about us. My sweet hubby Mike and I live in a small town in New Jersey. Yes, you read it right, New Jersey!! Of all the places in the world this was not one in which I ever expected to live. Everything you have heard about New Jersey is true, so don't bother asking! We both work for the same company which sometimes is a wonderful thing and other times not so wonderful.
We are starting the journey to our first child! And, no I am not pregnant! We are starting the looong journey of international adoption. We are both excited, and a little scared. It is a HUGE commitment of time and MONEY! We have applied to the Living Hope Adoption Agency and been accepted. We have been given our contract. The next step is to collect enough money to send the contract in. That may take a little while. I am sure you will hear more than you want of all the details as we go along!