there's no sunshine when it rains.

the past 24 hours have been a world wind of emotions and I am blogging this not to complain-but to document our journey.


Yesterday-I received a call from one of the caseworkers at DHS. She said that they were getting ready to match our file (meaning match us to a child) when they realized they didn't have our fingerprints. Perplexed. I told her we had them done already. She asked if we could come in and redo them because apparently they had lost them (they are electronic?) I said sure and set an appointment for 11am today. Todd has to take off work for each appointment we have-then has to drive 30 minutes to meet me at the DHS office.

So this morning I get up, get the kids ready and head out the door. Todd meets us there and He waits in the car with the kids while I go in to do mine first (they don't have enough room for the whole bunch in the tiny office) I go in, go upstairs, and ask to see the caseworker that is doing our prints. She comes out, we go down stairs, down a long hall, to the finger print office. Only to find....the door is locked. The lady who's office is in the finger print office didn't come into work today (and yes, she knew we were coming at 11) and no one else had a key. So as I am filling up with tears, the caseworker says "I don't know why yall have to come back anyway....we have your prints right here" and proceeds to show me the finger prints for attempt 1. ?!?! then she begins "oh yea, your caseworker needs you to fill this out too. She says she doesn't have it." its a living will form, that we turned in MONTHS ago.

So I tell her we've already turned it in. and she says, maybe it got lost. THIS FORM HAS PERSONAL INFORMATION ON IT! SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS AND SUCH!! Aggravated, I follow her back up to her office where she just says "I'm sorry"... I begin to cry explaining how I don't understand when everything is in our file why I am even here and not leaving with a child and pretty much begin to have a breakdown.

I just walk out. It was the best thing for the both of us.

Once I got in the car, explained it all to Todd. He leaves to go back to work.

I just begin to pray. This entire journey to our #3 has been emotional and a complete roller coaster. I know God is in control and I am thankful he is. But back and forths, ups and downs are extremely tiring on emotions.

Praying it all gets straightened out soon.

Disney Overview!

**I am doing day by day post on the Disney trip over on our Disney Blog. And in August/September I will be sharing some of my best tips on Tips from the Disney Diva.**

But first-our trip.

We drove to Disney this year in 1 van with our friends The Byrds. This was their first Disney vacation! Weeks before we left we did a dry run of packing the car-to see if we could fit our family of 4 and their family of 4 in one vehicle.

After getting our packing plans together we spent the next few weeks getting everything together and finally on July 6th it was time to leave!

 We drove to Orlando that night and spent the night off site. We woke up early on the 7th and headed to All-Star Music Resort to check in!

When we got there our rooms weren't ready so we just headed to Epcot! We had a great day doing all sorts of fun things (read about it here!)

over the course of the week we visited Magic kingdom (2x), Animal Kingdom (2x), Hollywood Studios and Epcot(2x). We also had a trip to Downtown Disney and the Boardwalk! To say we had a full week is an understatement!
We ate at some of the BEST restaurants. We met a TON of characters! And we (i rode 2 then i was done) all the roller coasters!

We ended up moving resorts (more on that on the Disney Blog) and loved our new resort! The All-Star Movies!

The biggest highlight of my trip was the food! Being The Food Diva allowed me the opportunity to eat, eat, eat, and eat....all in the name of research :)

The kids got the opportunity to visit "The Pirates League"

It was a great vacation!

**Details for each day, restaurants, etc. can be found on our Disney Blog! Hop on over to experience the magic!**

the real world

I have decided vacation is the best part of life. My family rocks on vacation-little whining, all together, lots of fun. Then we come home and its clean the house, cook dinner, wash clothes, put up clothes, yadda yadda yadda.

I wish vacationing was a career! We are still awaiting placement with our #3 child! As of the day we left for Disney (todd called our case worker to let her know we would be out of state for the next 8 days) we had no matches, yet. I know God has it all worked out and can't wait to see our sweet little one!

In the coming weeks we have a lot going on PTO wise. I am serving as Vice President this year and I am very excited about all that comes along with this! We will be starting school in 4 weeks and as of right now, I have no plans to go back to work fulltime. I think Aubrie Kate and I will do some homeschooling unless a preschool position opens up. I taught preschool back in early life and I loved it. I would love to get in the classroom again to teach core curriculum. We will see! :)

I will do a short (one) post on Disney in the coming days-then you can read a few more over on our disney blog and THEN you can read the really good ones on Tips from the Disney Diva Blog! I am the "food diva" be prepared for lots of yummy pics!

I think that is about it as far as life catch up. the next few days we are all getting back into the routine of life. =(

We're Baccckkkkk



We are back from Disney and I am busy sorting through 1,000 photos but I thought I would share a little Mickey Love!!!

We had an amazing time and now its back to real life! Super bummed to come home and find out that we don't have housekeepers here that do it all for me ;) oh well!

On a non-Disney note. I have 2 thirty-one parties closing soon! if you want to take advantage of this month's special (spend $31 and get one of 5 bags for $5 PLUS $5 personalization all month!) Shop on!

How great are those for back to school gifts???

Sneak Peek: My First Time......

........Riding Splash Mountain at Disney world.

fourth of july fun~

This fourth was very low key! Todd had to work-we are about to go on vacation-so we just had a small get together at the house. My parents were there and Todds parents and grand mother were there along with our kids. it was calm and relaxing .

madyson wanted operation for her Birthday-she says it will help her for med school :)

Thats alot of yummy watermelon!

The kids played in their pool while Todd grilled pork tenderloin. Rusty (todd's dad) made ribs and I made baked beans and potato salad. we all sat around eating on paper plates and licken our fingers :) it was VERY good!

we ended the night with Campbells Tea Cakes: My favorite :)

After dinner-Chris & Darla our Disney buddies came over and we loaded up and took the kids up to see the fireworks! It a great night!

happy birthday madyson!!!

happy Birthday sweet Madyson!

I can't believe you are SIX! (break my heart!) This year I have watched you blossom into a beautiful young lady.

You excelled in Kindergarten and really started to discover who you are!

You have your own personality and "style" Right now you are into a "sporty look" You love shorts-tshirts and flip flops. For your birthday you got your first pair of yellowbox flip flops and you think are you some kind of cool! (esp. since Aunt Meggie has the same ones)

Tonight we did a little survey of you and your favorites! It is so different than any other year. You are way off of nick jr and into Disney "tween" shows. Although you are limited to only certain ones, you watch the same ones over and over!


To start your celebration off, Nana took you to get your first pedicure and manicure! you were so excited! Purple toe nail polish and clear glitter finger nail polish!

 Happy Birthday Baby! You are the best birthday Present I have ever gotten! So excited to see the path that God takes you down. He has big plans for you my love. Follow Him always and you will see them!