Friday, July 10, 2009
Will Dress For Food
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
More Joy Coming Home
Tammy and Tony have landed in China and are about to experience one of God's amazing moments...ADOPTION! I have been with Tammy throughout her journey as she and I paperchased together back in 2007. I can't wait to see her with her beautiful daughter finally in her arms soon :)
Also my friend Darcy is heading over to China tomorrow to pick up her newest addition...Michael! What a brave one she is to go to China by herself to get her son. She felt this was the best thing for her family considering all the crazy quarantines from the swine flu. She already has 3 little ones, so they did not want to risk being separated from their kids in any way. She also has family in China, so she won't really be completely alone the whole time. SO happy this family is getting a little boy for their family. With 3 girls at home, they didn't know what they were missing! Boy oh boy are they in for a change!! Now if I can only talk Lucy and Doug into adding a little blue ;)
Please pray for these beautiful families as they journey across the world...to change it...one child at a time!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
A Bit Too Many
Thursday, June 25, 2009
And they're off!
I am so excited for our friends and members of our group who left out for China yesterday.
Heidi, Tiffany, and Heather are in China now about to bring home 3 new toddlers home!! I absolutely can't wait to see them with their new additions FINALLY in their arms. It has been a very long journey for all of them and in just a few days their new lives will begin :)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Stuck in China
Here is the blog of a poor family that is stuck in China and hasn't even been able to get to their new child yet. The Swine Flu has China in a panic mode and it is now affected a lot of US travelers including the ones going over to adopt. This is a very real thing, and I can't possibly imagine being quarantined in China without my husband or children :( Please pray for 3 very special families that just left this morning headed out for China to bring home their children. I will post their blogs tomorrow so you can follow them along on their journey. Let's hope theirs isn't near as "exciting" as this other family!
Here was her post today on another site:
HI everyone!
Thank you for all the good wishes. We're fine. It's sort of a cross between a really lame vacation and Groundhog Day, is all. We're told we'll be out Saturday, and we're getting there. Rob feels fine but sadly yesterday's culture was still positive, so he's in until Friday at least. He was never really sick--he's said that if we were at home, he wouldn't have noticed.
The rest of us should be out of the woods today. Our CDC thinks incubation is 1-4 days, and today's the 4th solid day since they pulled rob from our merry band, and 7 since the plane flight--and we'd hardly catch anything here!!! They are NOT checking in-country flights, so once we're done, we're done. I'll be fearing the knock on the door for a while, though.
I know lots of you are now wondering whether to bring your kids, and I don't have a solid rec. Ours are, against all odds, mostly still having a good time. There's always toast, so even if they weren't adventurous eaters (they're ok), they wouldn't starve. we have a movie for every night, and when the day's at it's hottest (right now!) they're oddly amused by Chinese cartoons, and I can even pretend it's educational. It's the HOSPITAL that frightens me, and the randomness of it all. If we had hit up against a really hard-headed official, I can see our embassy as giving up, say, my mother and 7-year-old son but insisting that I stay with the youngest. And then what if my mom got sick? What if my husband and I had BOTH been sick? Do I think our embassy will allow parents and kids to be separated for 7 days under those circs? No. Do I think there might be some frightening hours while it's getting sorted out? I do. Say, for example, that my mom was sick and alone with my older son. They would take them both downstairs, and rush her into one ambulance and him into another. She might not even realize it was happening--that's pretty much what happened with us and Rob, and we had our kindly Hyatt manager with us, translating. She also doesn't have a cell phone, or the embassy's number. Would it get sorted out? I'm sure it would. Would Sam have some frightening hours? Yes.
Nothing awful is going to happen, barring a tragedy with the flu. The hospital's not great. They don't have kid-sized needles, we're told, and they take all temps under-arm because they don't want to sterilize the thermometers (real glass mercury ones!). The food, as you can see on my blog, sometimes has heads and teeth. But I'm not kidding myself that they couldn't, or wouldn't, send a whole squad of haz-mat suited folks in here, pick up kids, rush us all around and do whatever they think is necessary even while I'm dialing the embassy. If they thought taking Wyatt away and shooting him full of Tamiflu without me would keep H1N1 limited in this country, they'd do it in a heartbeat. It's hard to really believe it until you're in it, but it's true.
None of that happened, of course. And I don't think it will, to us or to you. They don't mean to be unkind or frightening. It's just different. But it COULD.
Good luck!
Lola
http://raisingdevils.com
Busy Summer Fun
Trying to catch up here on the blog, so you get the fast post bullet style-but of course with pics!





- We have been enjoying the nice air conditioned playroom at DacKids at least once a week.
- The kids and I took a road trip with Rhonda (my cousin) and her girls this past weekend.
- We went up north to Dahlonega and did some panning for gold and gemstones
- The boys LOVED that part-Caleb enjoyed this almost as much as he does fishing!
- Then we did the girl thing and visited the Babyland General to witness the actual birth of a Cabbage Patch babydoll
- We are still talking about that tree giving birth-HA!
- Travis wasn't impressed
- Shelby didn't want to purchase a doll, so she left with a small puppy instead ;)
- I think Faith's favorite part of the trip was the wagon ride looking at all the farm animals
- Rhonda then took us over to Coleman River to play in the creek
- This is the famous river that we both grew up camping together in
- My mom and her sister (Rhonda's mom) used to take their families camping together all the time-Wonder where Sheila and I got that idea?!
- We used to come up camping here ALL the time as kids, so it was pretty neat to see our children playing in the same creek
- We all had a great adventurous weekend hanging out together
- I took lots of pics! .....so hope you enjoy :)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Maybe Tomorrow
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Recession Camping
Yep, you know we can't go long without a camping trip in our family. Well considering that CJ doesn't get home now until around 10PM every night, he is pretty wiped out. Also with our budget being a little tighter than normal, I decided that we could just pull out the camper and our tent and have an old fashion camping trip right in the backyard!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Change
No not the kind you find in your pocket, the kind that life brings you...change. Well for most children change is not usually a big deal. If you have children that you have raised since birth, change is just part of life and most kids just go with the flow. Well if you have children that are adopted, that one little word "change" means oh so much more. Change has come to be a part of their life, but it has not always been a welcome change.

Thursday, June 11, 2009
Busy Week


Tuesday, June 9, 2009
6 Months Officially

Can you believe it??! Six months ago today we officially became Faith's family! It is quite strange when you adopt since sometimes you feel like you just got her, then other times you feel like she has always been with us. It is hard to believe that we missed out on the first 16 months of her life. She fits in so well with our family and is definitely one of the Straight Goods! 
Faith has completed our family and she is blossoming more and more everyday. She seems to have turned the corner in her eating skills, so her diet has a lot more variety in it these days which is a good thing. She will eat french fries and chicken nuggets just like the rest of my crew :) Faith has started using more words now so she seems to be moving into a true toddler now and not so much "baby" anymore. She definitely has an attitude when she wants to but she is so darn sweet most of the time it is hard to put her down.
Oh and of course those CHEEKS, who can resist loving on her sweet cheeks!! I can really see the difference in only the 6 months we have had her. I can't believe she will already be starting her preschool class in just a few months. Wow baby to toddler in just a few short months!
We are so very lucky to have been blessed with this beautiful child :)
PS: If you read our post from 6 months ago, you may recall the OBVIOUS sign from God that Faith was meant to be my daughter. Funny thing is that Faith stopped sucking her fingers about a week after we got home. Some would call that very strange, I call it a God thing ;) He just wanted to make sure that all of my "doubts" about choosing the right child, were answered. What a beautiful testimony Faith is that God is alive and well and at work in our lives everyday!!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Old Fashion Fun
We had some good old fashion fun this weekend playing in the creek. Yep, we found a great country creek in the big city of East Cobb at none other than the actual East Cobb City Park! We have been there several times, but we haven't been lately and haven't been to just go and play in the creek. Well this time we were prepared and had a great time hanging out by the creek. No one else really goes there to hang out in the creek except for us good ole rednecks! So we basically had it to ourselves :)
Friday, June 5, 2009
Malia's Story
One year ago today a special little girl died and went home to be with her real Father in heaven. I was unable to post about this special little girl last year publicly in fear of hurting other children at her orphanage. So today is the day I will honor her by telling "Malia's Story".
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
1st Tuesday of the Month
Monday, June 1, 2009
Still Here
Don't worry we are all alive and well, just not much time for blogging these days. We had a busy weekend that included attending my nephew Blake's High School Graduation ceremony on Saturday. We were all very proud of him and the boys really enjoyed the ceremony. This was their first graduation, so I hope it was memorable for them as something they have to look forward to. I really don't know how all the mommies there don't just cry their eyes out the whole time watching their babies walk across the stage! I guess I still have a few years to get a hold of my emotions ;)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Summer is Here
Enjoying my sister's swimming hole! Planning to have a fun filled summer with the kids. Unfortunately CJ's new job has him working from 9am-9pm everyday so we don't get to see him during the week. So the kids and I have to find something to entertain us every night after work. Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
What Sleep?
They look so peaceful don't they? Well let me just tell you that they don't stay this way!! At least not the girls for sure. Shelby is pretty good about sleeping now. Yes, now she is... but it was a tough road the first 6-8 months home with her. After about 8 months home, she would finally sleep through the night without me being in her bed. Oh and yes that was just last year remember?Thursday, May 21, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Researching our Options
Monday, May 18, 2009
Last Week
of school that is! I had the pleasure of attending the kids' schools last week for all of their end of the year stuff. I can't tell you how blessed I am to have a job that allows me to do these things with my children!
Travis graduates from Kindergarten this year! My baby boy is on to the big first grade next year. He just makes my heart SMILE!
And Caleb is moving up to the FOURTH grade next year-oh my goodness! He is such a great big brother and role model for my kids. He had a terrific year and a wonderful teacher who really "gets him". He makes me proud to be his mommy for sure :)
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thrifty Mom
Ok guys, seriously how come no one has told me about this website:
http://www.kidsmealdeals.com/home
All of you know my brain can only hold so much information, so here it all is in black and white and none of you knew about this website??! I am all about good deals, anything else out there that you haven't told me about??
Adopted.
Loved this video. You just never know whose life is touched by adoption!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIBZ-kJ6XAc
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
My Cup Runneth Over


Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Hoola Time
Sorry but not much time to blog these days. We have Faith's 6 month post-placement homestudy visit tonight. Faith is back on the antibiotics this week with congestion junk. Caleb doesn't have strep, but just a sore throat this time around. Travis had his end of the year thing yesterday for finishing up kindergarten. My how time flies when we are having fun! I will leave you with some pics from Sheila's hoola hoop lesson with the kids this weekend...
Oh and yes Sheila, I still have the video of you doing the hoola. I will save that and simply hold it over your head for blackmail purposes only ;)
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Before I Was a Mom
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Birthmom's Day
Happy Birthmother's Day! I know not something you may know about or hear often, but yes today is the day to celebrate the mother that gave birth to you. You can click on this link to learn more about today's holiday.Friday, May 8, 2009
It's Hard Sometimes
I watched some of Oprah the other day and there was a show about the real face of "Motherhood". It was really a good show at least the parts I managed to view in between chasing my kids around. It was about all the stuff no one told you parenting would be like...HARD WORK!!Wednesday, May 6, 2009
She Knows
Yesterday Shelby had a speech evaluation appointment down at CHOA. The eval went well and I was happy to have some dedicated time with the speech therapist to discuss Shelby's future. We believe that she will need another surgery often called a p-flap to help her with her speech progress. He will decide in about 3 months if we are going to do the surgery and when.
Back to the title of the day, she knows. Yesterday was the first time that I realized Shelby knows she looks different. When we were in the waiting room, she saw a little boy there with a repaired cleft lip like hers. She got very excited and walked right up to him and said, "Look Mommy he has a palate lip like me!".
For some reason I was immediately saddened. I know that wasn't how I should feel, but I did. I want Shelby to be proud of the way God made her and for her to know that she is beautiful. And this she was as the excitement in her face was genuine to see another person "like her". However, I guess I realized that even though I see her beauty, reality is that others will not :( I know that she will have her share of teasing throughout her life and for that I am sad. I guess I just didn't realize that she already knows that she is "different". So now it is my job to teach her that "different" doesn't mean "bad"!!!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Eighteen Months Ago
Today marks Shelby's 18 month Gotcha Day anniversary! It is really hard to believe that she hasn't always been with us. I am so thankful to have her as my daughter. She is so smart, brave, funny, adorable, and of course stubborn just like her moma ;)
home for 26 months and then someone taking her away from you?!?! I am so thankful to her for taking care of Shelby and giving her heart away to my child only to have it taken away from her 2 years later. I have been lucky enough to have her for 18 months so far and what a blessing she has been to our family. I hope that her foster mom remembers all the blessings that little Hong Hong gave her :)Monday, May 4, 2009
Weekend Recap
Amazingly enough the rain held off on Friday night, so we had a great support group meeting at our house. All the kids enjoyed the backyard and we had terrific time spent with friends.
Unfortunately Faith started back with fever Saturday night and was feeling YUCKY all day yesterday. As you can see it landed her a day spent in the pouch (Ergo=priceless) with mom. This was the only thing that made her happy (or at least not crying), and it gave me the mobility to help Caleb with his school project.
Oh and Caleb finally captured a lizard of his very own-yeah! You have no idea how many hours my son has spent looking under every rock and branch in the yard. Oh the joys of boys ;)
Saturday, May 2, 2009
2 Years Ago Today
We WANT this baby!! Tell me what to do now please. You can reach directly at 678-269-1103 or cell 678-296-9975. Thanks!
--.-.--.-.--.-.--.-.--.-.--.--
Donna Straight
Thursday, April 30, 2009
A Mom's Week in Review
Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday! Here is just a small glimpse into the past 4 days of my life, in no particular order mind you...
- 3 Speech Therapy sessions
- Purchased turkey for first Friday, delivered to Mom's house
- Tracked down renters to collect late rent
- 3 kids haircuts
- 1 ice cream trip to Bruster's with friends
- 3 kids to gymnastics
- Email to Travis' teacher checking on his bad behavior
- Email to Caleb's teacher to clarify class project instructions
- Scheduled Shelby's Cleft Clinic appointment
- Cancelled one of Shelby's speech appointment so she can do above appointment
- Scheduled Faith's ENT appointment
- Paid multiple medical bills along with other household bills
- Re-scheduled Faith's 6 month post placement home study appt
- Dinner at Joe's Crab Shack with friends
- Pulled together blog lists for first Friday
- Called Rosa for cleaning on first Friday day
- Put together demonstration for first Friday
- Terminated 2 employees
- Absorbed their positions into my schedule
- Took big paycut along with everyone else at work
- Was home alone 2 nights since CJ was working out of town this week
- Weight Watchers and lunch with a friend
- Counseled/prayed for a friend in marital crisis
- Made calls to adoption friends waiting to travel to head off hysteria from CCAA post today
- Church on Wednesday for dinner and puppet show with the kids
- Grocery shopping twice since I buy hot stuff at lunch to leave in car- cold stuff night to take home quickly
- Dishes 3 times
- Bathed each child at least once (I think;)
- I even got a shower a couple of times
- Woke up approximately 3 times every night to comfort Faith back to sleep
- Fed stupid guinea pigs 3 times
- Fed my children multiple times
- Signed multiple papers for school
- Put more lunch money on boy's accounts online
- Got up and reminded the tooth fairy at 2AM to not forget about Travis' tooth under his pillow
- Worked approximately 7.5 hours everyday (not at home)
- Blogged daily :)
I am sure I have forgotten a few things. These are just the ones I happen to have time to post about. I hope your life is as blessed and full as mine :) Never a dull moment that is for sure!
The Good and The Bad
Well of course let's start with the good....CJ HAS A JOB!! Yes, he was offered one of the positions that is available at the Norcross branch of Averitt. The commute will stink, but the job is good!! (See I told you to never underestimate the power of a praying woman ;)
Ok, the bad is that I received a 15% paycut the same day we originally found out about CJ's office closing. Oh well, times are tough, but I still have a job and a paycheck and a good job at that :)
















