Domestic Adoption Opportunity

Domestic Adoption Opportunity!!!


I was contacted today by a friend about a baby here in Florida who is up for adoption.  He is a healthy bi racial newborn boy and his mom wants him raised by a Pentecostal family.  If you are interested please contact   janna.adoptionadvisors@gmail.com      or by  phone 330-398-0186.   Please say you found out about the baby from my blog.  I'd love to hear that:)

Fees are estimated 24-26k everything included. Don't freak over the fees, their are grants and even more than that God can do miracles in the situation.  I spoke to the director of the agency and she has a heart for adoption.   If you are interested, you do not have to live in Florida.       http://www.hopeembraced.org/About-Us.html
   
Please share and forward this as the birth mother wants to complete the adoption asap!


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We are also helping out Druz Orphanage  again.  As I shared before it was a full orphanage AND THEN two other orphanages had to evacuate to safety there, so they are full.  Many of the new children are sleeping on the floor.  I showed many pictures in this post http://myreallifebyyvonne.blogspot.com/2014/09/urgent-please-read.html   things were not so critical during the hot summer but Ukraine has very cold winters and these special needs children need to be off the floor.   They need at least 55 cots with mattresses.   The need is almost $100 per bed. 

You can give directly to L2O
Life2Orphans, Inc6326 E. Sandra Terrace
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254


http://www.life2orphans.net/make-a-monetary-donation.html  or you can give on line!


You can also give through our church
Grace Church

7060 Berry Road
Zephyrhills Fl 33540

but it is quicker to give directly to L2O


Please pray for their well situation, the money is there for it but they've had an issue with the company that was going to do the well and in getting a signature.  The funds are being held until the situation is resolved.  Hopefully that will be soon!!!!!!!!  Please pray!  It is seems close to being resolved so pray that it will be soon!

Don't be Left Behind!

Well I took a little vacation from blogging.  We've just been busy running and doing a lot lately that I didn't' have time to sit down and blog.

We've had a lot of rain and one day Sarah decided she wanted to go out no matter what!  She loved the soft warm rain but didn't know quite what to think of it.

 

the cat wanted to stay in!

 

 

 

 

Last night Jon took the boys to a movie and I took the little ones to the races!

 

 

Here is where things got dicey.....

Sam decided he wanted the nicer car, as you can see Sarah didn't like it

 

 

this picture is too funny, I took it a second before she let out a blood curdling scream!  I almost dropped the phone!  Sam backed away, still smiling so he didn't lose face but he came and sat on my lap and left "the girl" alone!!!!!!!

 

 

 

Jon took the boys to see Left Behind!

 

 

 

He said the movie was very scripturally based.  The funniest thing is a "church lady" (y'all know what I mean) sat right behind Steve.  The lady talked to the movie the whole time and was amening it.  At the end of the movie a scripture came up on the screen and the lady said "it's time for an altar call, somebody needs to get saved!"  So the movie has the endorsement of the "church lady"   LOL

I didn't go because I am scarred for life by the trilogy movies "A Thief in the Night" that I grew up watching in church in the late 70's and early 80's.  Those movies scared me so bad.  If you were not blessed to be raised up like me you might not know those movies.....  But basically they were 3 movies about the Rapture and the Tribulation.  For me, they only gave me bad dreams and no hope.  A lot of things like that gave me a bad feeling.  But the bible shares that the Coming of the Lord is our HOPE....  It took me years to understand that as a Christian I had nothing to fear. 

So there is the book set and other movies along the "Left Behind" trademark and Steve and Shad have always enjoyed them.  I think the other movies have just come out as videos, not through the theater.  I would never watch with them.  And I worried about them watching because I was afraid it would scare them like it did me.  But it doesn't seem to do that, maybe they've been taught more Grace than I was and feel secure enough.


I grew up hearing "Jesus is coming soon"  It was preached, we had the movies, the songs, and the little Chick tracks.  It would petrify me!  Our choir would sing "The King is Coming" and I'd break out in a cold sweat!   Then around the 80's the emphasis changed....we were (as Christians) going to change this world, we didn't have to think of the "sweet by and by".....now it's not too cool in some circles to mention Jesus's coming but looking at the signs around us, one can't help but think......is this the "end times"?

Years ago the thought of Jesus's coming filled me with fear, now it fills my heart with hope!  I do believe the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation and I believe one day, life as we know it will end.  I look forward to that day knowing whether I am dead or still remain I will be caught up to meet Him in the air.


1 Thessalonians 4
¹³ Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. ¹⁴ For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ¹⁵ According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Selah & Sam

Yesterday Selah had an unusually aware day.  She responded all day to us, tracking with her eyes.  When her brain trauma therapist came, Selah was able to track the lights almost every time.  It was so exciting to see her like that.  The therapist has some exercises for the nurses to do during the day.  We always hope for some changes.  However today she is not as responsive.  I cried today thinking of everything.....   I was telling our nurse more about her before the accident and the memories just hit me, the loss of never hearing her make her little funny noises or grab at my leg.....I miss all that could have been....

Over all she is doing absolutely great but it's hard to see her not as responsive as yesterday.   She has had a small problem with her heels.  Recently the brace company took her regular leg brace for some work and left her with her night braces which just have never fit right.  So one of the nurses noticed a red spot on each heel.  Thank God they caught it soon or she could have had a breakdown on her skin. 

Sam has learned something NEW, he can pick up his toys and put them away!!!!!!!!!!!   Steve takes credit for this, he said he taught him how to do it.  Sometimes Sam will get preoccupied with a toy in the midst of putting them away LOL  It's really cute to see him do this

He continues to do GREAT on his schedule.  He is very happy and relaxed.  Everyone can tell a difference in him. 

We had an interesting experience today with our indoor/outdoor cat.  She went out for a while, it was dark and rainy.  She came back to the door with sandspurs and weeds caught up in her hair, and she was puffed out.  We think something chased her in the woods, maybe whatever is taking the cats.....It took a while to get all the burrs out of her.  Whatever happened, it's kept her inside today!  She hasn't wanted to run out at all!

So the rains continue here in Florida.  I love rainy weather but this is starting to make me sleepy:)

Hope you all are having a great week!

Car Rides and Iphones

Last night  car ride....



 

 

 

With the extra chairs gone, Sarah has much more room to play and she is taking advantage of it!

 

 

Y'all know I walk most mornings, here are some pictures from today's walk

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can not tell by this picture but this is a steep hill.  It makes it look flat, but it is not

 

 

 

 

my fav spot LOL!

 

 

 

Ok I'm not a big liker of birds.  I do not understand why folks want them in their homes at all!  I don't mind seeing a blue bird, or a cardinal, or an owl flying around but birds don't do much for me.  However I do like the sand hill cranes AKA SWAMP BIRDS LOL

 

This morning there were two couples out eating while I was walking and they let me get right up on them to take pictures.  One couple was ticked off at each other.  They were making noises I'd never heard Swamp Birds make before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And there were some other birds out

the baby ducks are almost grown up

 

 

 

 

 

I think the pictures turned out great with my new Iphone 6 camera!  Yes I have an Iphone 6 and NO I did not stand in line.  And it was basically free with the exchange of my old Iphone 4 and I have waaaaayyyy more data for free on it!  Our monthly plan is less expensive than before. 

 

I'm so NOT the one to have to have anything new that comes out.  I was quite content with my old phone that I've had for a few years.  When I first got the Iphone I was mad and felt tricked!  I liked my "old dumb phone" so much better.  It took me about six months before I could get used to it.    I was mad all the time dealing with it.  Technology and me do not go together.....

 

But last week my son Steve got a text saying he could trade in his phone for a basically free new phone.  I agreed to go with him to the Phone store because he promised to rub my back through a Dr Who show....I'm a sucker for having my back rubbed!  So we went in the store to LOOK....and walked out with two new phones and a 2 year contract (I've been with the company since 1997 so I didn't mind the contract)  I have to say I LOVE the phone.  It is bigger and I can see things on it!  That is the best part LOL.  Plus most of the things are the same so no new tech shock for me!   So I'm glad he talked me into getting these.  I didn't get the one that is bendable but just the Iphone 6, it's nice.  I do like the picture quality on it too. 



So if you already have an old Iphone, or any smart phone, you might want to look around and see what different companies are offering.  I couldn't believe the deal we got.

 

 

Well today was another crazy busy Monday.  We've all been busy.  Hope you all have a great week!

Happy Sunday!

We worked yesterday and went through ALL of Jon's books and the boys' stuff.  Managed to pry a big box of clothes/games/junk from their hands.  We also  ended up with 4 boxes of books, one box went to the chapel library.  So with the exception of the one box, I put everything in the church foyer this morning and told folks to go through it and take stuff.  I had a little jar so folks could give an "offering" if they wanted to.   I made $11 for the Orphan fund!!!!  Whatever is left after the Spanish service will go to Habitat for Humanity's thrift store.

 

 

And look who is standing at church!

I think it is a HUGE step for her to be standing somewhere besides home. 

 

 

 

 

we start by holding hands

 

 

 

 

 

then she pushes my hands away

 

 

 

And Claps!

 

 

 

Look at those little legs!  so happy to see them straight and supporting her!

 

 

 

 

then she takes a step into me for  a hug!

 

 

 

A few weeks ago Jon and I discussed the fact we'd probably have to buy her a wheelchair.  She had reached a plateau with even using the walker.  THEN she surprised us and begin doing this standing, we literally play the standing game hundreds of times a day.  She will hop/crawl over and reach for my (or anyone's) hands and pull up then push away and stand and clap till she falls down. Then we start all over again.....and again.....    She is doing it just like a baby does.  NOW she will take a step towards me before she falls.  Sometimes she falls in towards me and sometime she goes down on her bottom.  But she even seems to anticipate the fall and many times can right her self up before she falls.  We are thrilled with this new progress, it's beginning  to click with her!

 

 

After church we headed to our favorite local spot with some friends!

 

 

 

 

Sam loves his daddy!

 

 

Hope you all are having a good weekend!  We are here, just wished that the weekend was longer!  Monday is our crazy day....so time to get ready!

Remembering Boot Mama

On September 27, 1899 Bertha Hines was born in Dixie county Florida near the Taylor county line.  Today 115 years after her birth and 32 years after her death, I remember her.

She was my "Boot Mama".  You know us Southern have our funny names for folks, her nickname was "Boots" for whatever reason.  So when she took me to raise at 66 years of age, she had me call her "Boot Mama" 

Boot Mama was not the most demonstrative person but I remember sitting with her one morning waiting for the bus to pick me up from school and she told me she loved me more than she'd ever loved anyone in the world.  I'm sure she had told me over the years that she loved me, but that memory sticks out in my mind.  I even remember what I was wearing that day. 

So when she took me as a small infant to raise, her husband was still alive.  I called him "Poppy"  He was already sick and died when I was just two years old from cancer.  I actually have two memories of him.  One of him putting me on his lap and letting me "drive" the car through some fields.  The other is me standing in the parking lot of the Tallahassee hospital waving to up  his room & he was standing in the window waving at me. 

When people think that Jon & I are crazy for adopting our kiddos, they should know my great aunt and uncle LOL!  So old and sickly and they took a newborn to raise! 

Boot Mama was an old time Pentecostal.  I never once saw her in a pair of pants, she wore a dress to work in the garden even.  She had thin hair, but it was long and she'd put it up in a sort of a bun.  No make up, just a little face powder , nude lip gloss and some Windsong perfume.  I have to admit I bought a bottle of Windsong ("Windsong stays on my mind") perfume at Walmart one day, just to smell it, it brings me back to my childhood. 

When she took me to raise her sister, one of my other great aunts, Ruby. was already living with them.  The two of them were at church every time the doors were open.  They had me there for Sunday School. church, Sunday night church, Wednesday night "Family Training Hour" Thursday morning Women's Prayer Meetings, every night of Revival and anything else that was happening. 

Boot Mama was not one who was demonstrative  in church either, although to this day I can repeat some of the "speaking in tongues" that she did.  She had a certain phrase that she would repeat.   But she was not one to shout or run around the church, which would have probably freaked me out a little if she had!  But you knew if the doors were open, she'd be there!

Sitting here, so many memories flooding back over me, I feel like crying.  Good memories...

She saved my life, quite literally, of that I have no doubt.  Oh I might would have made it to adulthood (or maybe not, I was a sickly kid)  if she hadn't taken me in but I would not be the same
person I am. 

She nor her sister Ruby had any children and not a lot of ideas about raising one!  But somehow they did it and installed in me some core values.

I told my boys about her today and reminded them not to forget her.  If it had not been for her, my kids would not be here today.  I am sure that God used her example to open my eyes to adoption and to help me not have fears about adopting children that had medical issues.  She taught me courage. 

She lived through the Great Flu Epidemic, two World Wars, the Great Depression, Korea, Vietnam, the Cuban Missile Crisis, two husbands....and me!  All the history she knew first hand.  The stories they all used to tell, stupid me, I should have written them down!  Now I try to remember them and can only in bits and pieces. 

When I was 12 almost 13, she began fading.  She spent some time in the hospital and came home, never the same.   She shook a lot, I investigated her meds and found out she had Parkinson's and looked it up to figure out what it was.  She began losing her mind to Alzheimer's.  She soon began to call me "Evelyn"   That used to freak me out, then I actually got to liking that name.  I even thought about naming one of my girls Evelyn but since we kept all "S" names I didn't. 

When I was 17 years old and a senior in high school, she died at home with lots of family/friends  around.  The pastor had asked me if I wanted to go to his house with them for the night.  I didn't think she was that close to death but she died right after we left.  I can not remember anything about her funeral, not one thing...  I'm not even sure where it was held.  I think we had it at the funeral home, since our church had split and we were going to the new church that didn't have a nice sanctuary. 

I know she was buried in our family grave yard in Dixie county out in the woods.  I don't remember the burial at all or the long ride to the cemetery.   What I do remember a few days later was being in class, and just busting out crying.  It hit me from nowhere.....I left the classroom and went home.  I cried and cried and cried.  I felt like an orphan. 

It somewhat freaks me out that I have absolutely no memory of anything after she died, until a few days later.  I can remember the day before quite clearly and the weeks following....but nothing else. 

But I thank God for Bertha Hines Phillips who raised me and loved me.  I hope that on my 115th birthday someone will still remember me and I hope my legacy lives on like hers does.   She was strong in adversity, did what she needed to do, was courageous, kind and a bit sarcastic too.  She was very self sufficient and goal oriented. 


“One hundred years from now
It will not matter
What kind of car I drove,
What kind of house I lived in,
How much I had in my bank
Nor what my clothes looked like.
One hundred years from now
It will not matter
What kind of school I attended,
What kind of typewriter I used,
How large or small my church,
But the world may be ...
a little better because...
I was important in the life of a child.”


― Forest Whitcraft

 

 

 

And the fact she was so important in my life, has help lead me down the path God had for me so I can be important in the lives of my five children. 

 

 

New Couches...and a story!

Today was just a day that can not be made up......


Some time ago I had decided our decade old living room furniture had to go.  I love my soft big cushioned blue couches (bought on clearance)  and the big soft rocker that I used to sleep with my baby Sam over my shoulder.  Now Sarah had claimed it for her own....  BUT a decade of Clantons...and the Clantons' little ones in diapers had brought those pieces of furniture to its knees!  There is not a spot on it that had not been peed, pooped or puked on.....All four pieces have been professionally cleaned several times, as well as cleaned by our own wet vac. 

Have you ever seen one of the news specials where they go into hotel rooms with a black light and all the germs light up?  Well we figure they'd condemn our furniture if they ever came to our house!

We had thought to give it to Habitat for Humanity for their thrift store, but since volunteering there, I was afraid they'd turn us away and we'd be shamed!  (Yes thrift stores have standards!)

Luckily for us, we know a few college students, one in particular that is in his first apartment so once his dad gets a day off, our loved furniture will be headed off to Tallahassee to be a part of this FSU college student's life.  College guys, don't mind a little pee, poop or puke it seems LOL!!!!  Until then, it is hanging out in our fellowship hall  ( a good thing about living near our church)

A few days ago one of my besties called me and told me she was rearranging her house and asked if we wanted her leather couches!   We had decided that we needed to buy leather so it could be cleaned easier so this made us really happy!  These couches were owned by my friend's sister, then my friend and now us....they are about 25 years old, but you could not tell it! 

So today we went to go get them.  On the way, I got a call, I looked up to see Steve was pulling into Chick Fil A's parking lot.  Well he tricked me into lunch LOL.  I figured he was going to work hard so it was his payment.  We finally got to my friend's house and had to visit a little bit out by the pool and see their new landscaping that my friend and her daughter have done.  Then with a look at the clouds, we thought we'd best get a move on!  Remember we live in Florida, where it rains just about every day.....

So let's just say those couches were not light.  They were quite awkward to move.  The smaller one fit inside the van and the bigger one went on the trailer.  Then it had to be strapped down.  By this point, I was sweating like a pig!  I already had junky clothes on this morning when I did my hair, my curling blow dryer basically died on me, so my hair was flat as it could be.  I just looked gorgeous.....LOL 

I call this beautiful picture "The Florida Hillbillies" 





Here Steve is quite proud of his hard work!  He did a great job, I was pretty amazed how he could pack things and work all the straps.  I couldn't even figure out how to thread the straps. 

 

 

So after we got packed, off we went.  Remember it rains in Florida....every day.....  so we were planning our route home.  We got all the way to the next town over, and saw a wall of water down the road.  LUCKILY we were right by the mall that has a covered garage!  We got in just as the first rain drops fell!   Well you know me, I don't want to waste time, so I thought I would go shopping.

That shopping trip might not have been the best decision!  I had to get wet running into the store, so by that time, I was really looking "movie start gorgeous" NOT!  I've been looking for the "right" shirt to go with a pair of brown capris for weeks.  So I started looking around and found a few to try on.  As I am walking back to try them on, I could tell a store clerk was eyeing me suspiciously, I looked rough.  Steve was cracking up.    Anyhow nothing fit right or was too "see through"  (what is up with the see through look?  So over it!)   By then the rain had stopped so we went back to the van,

So we are driving, not a drop of rain but Jon said it was raining at home.  We mentally planned our trip so we could seek shelter under a gas station awning if needed.  We finally passed the last gas station about 4 miles from home , it was still drizzling at home but it looked like it was clearing.  We got home to just the slightest misty rain and hurried in with the big couch.  It was not easy to get it in the door and we had to sit it down and take the legs off it.   In the process, I broke off a nail, beyond deeply, blood was pouring off my hand but I hardly felt it till we got the couch in....then I noticed!   OW!   Finally we got it inside and wiped it down and it was as good as new. 

Sarah couldn't wait to climb on it, we'd moved out our old furniture yesterday and just had a bean bag on the floor and she didn't like that!  As you can see, she liked it!

 

HAHAHA....you can see how relaxed she is:)

Well in all the craziness, Shad got left at school!  No we knew he was there but there was no way we could pick him up, we didn't have room and Jon couldn't leave the little ones, nor could they ride in the old van, the seats are out so .....first he stayed with his teacher till she had to leave, then he went to the Aftercare program, where he played and played and came home with a dirty face LOL  Jon went and got him after we got the couches in. 

Shad got rewarded....

my friend's daughter gave him a game system and some games she was not using.  When I handed it to him, I actually thought he would pass out from excitement.  He was in awe!  I guess it is a system that he'd wanted but never imagined he'd get!  LOL  I HATE video games but the boys loved them.  He is walking on cloud 9 tonight! 

At school today they had "water day" and I let him participate even though he had been on restriction.  The last week, he has done really good and he is earning back privilege.  He was not going to ask me about participating in water day, he thought he'd have to spend the day inside but last night, I surprised him.  It's such a fine line to teach a child responsibility and doing the right thing but also trying to teach them Grace too.  He and I had a really good heart to heart talk last night and I felt really good about letting him earn back some privileges. 


Anyhow that was our big day!  Jon went and bought me "Killing Patton" by Bill O'Reily that I can't wait to read, sitting on our new couch!   I have liked all his books (except I didn't read "Killing Jesus" and I love WWII history and I liked Patton.   I've been buying a lot of books lately, working at a thrift store is dangerous:)  The whole "Little House on the Prairie"  set was there last week and I got them.  I hadn't read them in a long time, boy they should be required reading for children now!   The books are filled with common sense, bible verses, self control, and examples of bad children who got SPANKED LOL!   I never cared for the TV series "Little House on the Prairie" it always seemed too sad for me, but the books are so good!   I love reading!!!!   I thought about writing a blog about the "Little House" books! 

Well hope everyone has a great weekend!