HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hasn't the last month flown by? It has been a great month, really. Just crazy busy! I'm playing catch up blogger here, so pardon the length of this one.... feel free to take it in shifts. (-;

The first week of December, Erika and I hosted the Midtown Ladies' Christmas Brunch. Erika provided the location and some helpers and I did most of the cooking. We also continued last year's tradition of an ornament exchange. What fun! I LOVE our Midtown women. What a GREAT group of gals! Dawn took an amazing picture of us all.... Tere had already gone, but the rest of us are in the photo. Dawn posted the picture on her blog: http://dawndorathy.blogspot.com/ in her December 4th entry.

MMM... yummy. Amie gave me some flavored hot chocolate for part of my Christmas gift. This "morning" - that's early afternoon for the majority of the world- I had a great idea. I used it to make my morning Caribou Bean coffee into a raspberry mocha. Yummy. I think I need to go make another one, because I just finished the first....

The second weekend of December, Ben and I had gotten our Christmas Card order back, so I go those mailed out. We were really pleased with the results. I'll come back and post the scanned image of that once my scanner is up and running....

Third weekend of December was spent with Amie and Sonny. Amie's Ben was out of town for a PT continuing Ed class. The three of us went to Lenox which was NUTS! Every time I do that in December, I remember why I always decide not to do it again.... But is was really fun. Sonny has started a thing were he doesn't really like me so much. Apparently he's associated me with Mommy and Daddy leaving him. )-: He didn't even want me to give him his bath because sometimes Mommy and Daddy "sneak out" then!

Sonny is growing up fast. His vocabulary is huge for a 15 month old, especially a boy of that age. It must be about 20 words-- some of my favorites are "Hi", "puppy"- which is any stuffed animal, "fire truck"- which is any red truck including pick ups, thank you, light, and "more please". He had a new cute one at church yesterday morning, but I've forgotten what it was...

The weekend before Christmas was craziness. Thank goodness the President made an executive order for Federal Employees to be off Christmas Eve. I was really grateful, because I had been scheduled to work! Isn't it crazy how wrapping the few presents you got multiplies? I mean, I felt like I was wrapping forever. And I didn't get that many presents! Anyway, Ben and I also began our "De-clutter" project. We've been recycling old magazines, getting rid of and shredding old bills and statements, choosing books to give away and just trying to get rid of the mounds of clutter in our house. We made a huge dent last weekend. We also moved furniture out of two rooms so the carpets could get cleaned. The intent was that I would use our steam cleaner, but when it wouldn't work we called Stanley Steamer. They came out within a few hours of when we called Christmas Even morning. Now, THAT was impressive.

Christmas was fun. We spent the night at my parents' house, and so did my sister. I hadn't been home on Christmas day since 2003 (aka since before I met Ben) because we'd spent the last 3 Christmases in Iowa with the Greenwalds. In typical Julyan fashion, the number of animals equaled the number of humans. (Our kitties stayed in our room and bathroom, and my sister brought Eve and Zippy, and my parents also have a Corgi named Owen.) Don't get me wrong- I LOVE Christmas at the Greenwalds because there are 6 nieces and nephews and sometimes even snow, and I adore my mother in law and sisters in law, but it was special to be with my family this year! And, boy, do I LOVE my Mom's Christmas dinner... lucky for me, it is just like the Thanksgiving one I missed, except for the dessert. (-:

Our favorite Christmas gifts were a set of 4 cordless phones from Ben’s parents, and an iPhone for me and a Hard Drive and Apple TV for Ben from my parents. You could say we’re gadget freaks... Have you ever watched Callie Lewis on the GeekBrief Podcast? Great stuff!

This weekend we continued the de-clutter project and expanded to the "create a new office/library and move the Guest Room" project. It started with a visit to IKEA. We chose a new desk and new computer workstation (smaller desk). Then Saturday we got all the new furniture put together. Yesterday after church was spent MOVING FURNITURE between the old office and old guest room (actually, some of it was still in the living room from the carpet cleaning move) to the new office and new guest room. In other words, we swapped rooms. Last night, we got everything into its final resting place, and got the guest room set up. It is nicer- there's a bigger window and just guest room furniture now. The office has all of our book cases- which is why I think of it as a Library/Office now. Both computers have a spot, which is another huge improvement. Originally, we thought we'd get rid of my old PC once I adjusted to my iMac, but it comes in handy sometimes, and I just don't want to part with it.

And now, it's time to get back to work. I needed a break- I've truly been working my butt off- but now I need to get my new office set up and organized. I also need to finish "purging" paperwork and books and office junk--- Ben and I both brought lots of stuff in that category to our marriage and we never really combined and purged it all. IT'S TIME!

So, if you refer back to the "office project" I referred to in my blog - you know, like a year ago, and a year and a half ago- I think I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Happy New Year!

Attitude Quotes - from Dave Ramsey's Newsletter

Of all the attitudes we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing. - Zig Ziglar

Work is either fun or drudgery. It depends on your attitude. I like fun. - Colleen C. Barrett

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us. - Helen Keller

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life ... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes. - Charles Swindoll

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. - Winston Churchill

Grand Prix of Dog Agility® World Championships: Scottsdale, Arizona 10/2007

12" Class - Janelle Julyan & Pembroke Welsh Corgi Eve, Georgia

The fame continues: The post title is a link to the "official" video of the championship run... same run as my earlier post, just a better angle. Janelle and Eve are scheduled to be on "Good Day Atlanta" Wednesday morning around 8AM.... that's LIVE TV! And Janelle also did a phone interview with a reporter from Atlanta Magazine, but we're not sure when that will get published. (-:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HOORAY! I made it to "Thanksgiving Break". I don't have to return to work until Tues the 27th. Then I'm off (to prepare for the brunch) again Fri the 30th and Mon the 3rd. Sadly, I have no extra time off in December as the days off were a fight and I lost for Christmas time... But that's ok.

We're headed to Iowa next week, can't wait to see Ben's family!

Let me sum up the last couple of weeks by saying THANK GOD for Bill and Jean Buffton. They did our premarriage counseling, and in one 1 hour phone call last night, they helped us immensely.

We are probably nearing the end of our infertility rope and will decide to only go for adoption... but we have just a bit more talking and praying for that to be our "final answer". There are so many *expensive* possibilities that it's hard to know when enough is enough. The doctors always have something else they'd be willing to try.

Please pray for Ben. It seems his company re-evaluates his job position every December. Ben is trying to figure out what job would be best for him.

You may have heard I am stepping down from Leadership of Midtown's Children's Ministry effective January. I will still teach a Sunday School class and/or help in the nursery, but I'm ready to let someone else do all the organizing and decision making and details. I've enjoyed what I've been doing, but I feel like I contributed what I had to contribute, you know? And, hopefully, Ben and I will get a child of our own before too much longer, so I feel like it's time to focus on our family for awhile.

I'm thankful for lots of stuff. God really has blessed me abundantly, and I'm especially thankful for my family, Ben's family, my friends, and our Midtown family!

Happy Thanksgiving.

WATCH THE CHAMPIONSHIP RUN

OH, YEAH!!!! CHECK OUT THE VIDEO OF JANELLE AND EVE WINNING THE 12" GRAND PRIX FINALS.... THAT'S THE FIRST OF THE FOUR SEGMENTS.... CLICK ON THE TITLE OF THIS POST- IT'S A LINK!

Adoption Update

The update is that there isn't really an update. Thanks for everyone praying for us. I think we've settled in to the idea that we just aren't supposed to adopt until the next class at Bethany. In the mean time, I placed an application at the Norcross Social Security office. The job is technically not for my expertise- it's for a SSI position- but you never know who they'll end up taking. The Norcross/ "Gwinnett" office is where I truly wanted to be placed when I was first applying to SSA in Georgia, and in fact I preferred Gwinnett Schools even when I was applying for Middle School Band Director positions after grad school. Recently, we visited my friend Heather (a Baltimore friend) while she was visiting Simpsonwood, which is a Methodist Conference Center located in a great neighborhood near Pickneyville MS. The homes are larger with decent yards, and fairly reasonable prices.

So, for now, we'll continue to aggressively pay off the last debt other than our house- a student loan that continues to get smaller- and see where God leads on the job changes. Ben is still thinking about a change, and what those potential job changes mean for where we want to live. Do we stay down here in East Point a little longer, or will we get back up to the north side of Atlanta? And, of course, that part of the plan will also take patience since the housing market is not doing well for the seller side of things!

So, we're at a wait and see spot again. We know we just need to rest and trust Him to answer our prayers in His timing.

Hope things are well with you!

GRAND PRIX NATIONAL CHAMPION!!!!!!

My sister Janelle took her Corgi, Eve, to Arizona this week. Janelle and Eve participate in Dog Agility. This is definitely not the Westminster Dog Show. This is serious athletic dog stuff, and it requires a "handler" or, in Janelle's case, Dog Mommy who knows her stuff. Guess they meet the criteria.....

Eve ran the 12" Grand Prix Final perfectly clean (no faults like bars down on jumps or wrong turns), and extremely FAST! Janelle said it was the run of Eve's life. AWESOME! Two other dogs were slightly faster (like within a second), but had faults. HAH! EVE IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION!!!!

Check out the commentary from the USDAA website itself.... (for more, click on the title of this post)

"12052 Eve, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Janelle Julyan -
smooth and fast, those little legs are FLYING! 34.73 NEW LEADER"

I'm not an expert, but the article includes a course diagram and I think she had 20 "obstacles" including a tunnel, weave poles, teeter totter, A frame, and jumps... which they had to do in the correct order, as fast and cleanly as possible. (-:

I'm so proud of them! Go Janelle and Eve!

What's Dog Agility? To see a run down, including pictures of a course: look up Dog Agility in Wikipedia-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_agility

What's a CORGI? Here are some older pictures of Janelle and her dogs. Eve is lighter colored, Zippy has some black coloring. Sometimes when Eve is away for a trial, we get to keep Zippy. He's an awesome dog.





Hooray! My sister and niece are famous!

Sonny's Birthday Party Photos

A few weeks ago, we went to Sonny's 1st Birthday Party and Zoo Adventure..... Ben got some cute photos that I want to share.

Baxter Knock Out... Curiosity Got Our Cat!

This morning as I was lounging in bed thinking I should get up sooner rather than later, Ben came barging into our room saying, "Honey! I think Baxter is hurt! Come now!" Somewhere in my subconscious, I had heart a loud bump, hadn't I? Got up faster than usual, figuring a broken leg or something was waiting for me.

But Baxter was on our blue and white "coffee couch" and breathing, but otherwise nonresponsive. IF he hadn't been breathing, he truly looked dead. Eyes not registering on anything, mouth slightly open but not budging, body limp. I've had lots of cats, and this was truly a first. "Ben, WHAT happened?" Ben said he heard awful cat noises coming from the laundry room and found Baxter unresponsive inside the washing machine (lid had been open and the machine empty- no water or clothes), sorta wrapped around the middle agitator thing. He pulled him up and put him on the couch, realized he was not responding to anything, and came and got me. While we were sitting there trying to figure out what was wrong and if he broke his neck or something, he sorta jumped a little and moved his hind legs, then still didn't move but started growling- he was obviously scared. His mouth had gone back to it's normal position. We couldn't find any painful areas, and now his eyes were a little more alert, so we tried to see if he could walk. He took a few steps, then laid down. I gently palpated him more, still not finding any painful spots. Tried to have him walk again, and he went further but was a little wobbly. Called the vet, who had to call us back about 5 mintues later. By that time, Baxter seemed fine. And he still seems to feel fine. The vet asked how long Baxter was unconscious, and we figured maybe about a minute. Vet said, "that is bizarre and strange. I definitely think you should have him looked at, but we have people with a line out the door, and I wouldn't be able to give him the exam he needs. Let me give you the ER Vet info, and call me Monday to let me know what happens."

Well, we knew that the ER Vet could quickly cost thousands of dollars we don't have (we paid off Ben's car, so we're down to one student loan and the house- with just a fairly small emergency fund and money to cover bills). Since he was doing ok and seemed back to normal, we figure he must have just knocked himself out. Poor thing. He's a mess, always getting into things, so I guess his curiosity about the open washing machine was too much. "Curiosity got the Cat" in a big way for Baxter this morning! Scared us to death, that Baxter. We still keep checking on him to make sure he's ok. Anything abnormal and we'll take him to the Vet, but so far he's completely back to himself.

Here's some pictures of Baxter and His Curiosity.....
And my favorite picture of Baxter and his Sister, Lucy....

What are your thoughts?

Does anyone know of a particular adoption agency they recommend or don't recommend? Does anyone look at Ben and I and think the answer to our question "What will our family look like?" is obvious? Let us know, too, if you know of any babies out there looking for families. What are your impressions on what is next for us or where we might explore family options next?

And, BTW, don't worry. We love our family as it is now. We just really would love to add to it! (-:

Hope you are having a beautiful day!

Hmmm... Now what?!?!

We heard from Bethany on Friday. The adoption counselor said our application looked great, but they've had to stop accepting applications for the current class. (This one is NOV-JAN, and is already over capacity.) The next one at Bethany won't be until next July-Sept, and your name doesn't go on the list for birth mothers to review and choose until you have completed the class. So, basically, we're back to square one. No doubt God has a reason, and that this path will lead us to the family and children He intends, but we're a little confused on what our next direction should be... suppose it gives us more time to sit back and pray. Waiting another year? Independent adoption? Another adoption agency? Foster care? Adopting a minority child? Going straight to the state? Not sure yet. Your prayers, as always, are appreciated!


Honestly, while there is definitely some sadness, and confusion on why we felt lead to apply at Bethany just to get a "No", I seem to be "Resting in Him" fairly well on this one. I figure it has to do with the specific child He's got picked out for us, and it's just not time yet. Ben and I both prayed a lot about finding our spouse, and had to wait awhile, but eventually God answered our prayers better than we could have ever imagined!

On a different note-

We did get away last weekend, despite a rough start with the info from Bethany and poor little Lucy being so freaked out about the car ride to Grammy and Grampy Julyans that she pee'd in her crate on the way. )-:

Best part of our weekend was breakfast at the Dillard House, hands down. Divine! Otherwise, Ben and I may not see eye to eye.... high for Ben might have been winding mountain roads, low might have been shopping at the Dawsonville outlets. Low for me was the winding mountain roads, high for me might have been shopping at Dawsonville.... we both agree, though, that Helen GA is awful - lots of shops that are all the same. Basically one big tourist trap!

Here are the three waterfalls we saw on our trip this last weekend.... all in the very southern part of North Carolina - just north of Dillard, GA. (-: I still like Ben's new camera and so does he!

Waiting on Bethany ... at the Dillard House

We mailed off our Preliminary Domestic Infant Adoption Application last Saturday. The above picture is the family picture that we included. (That's us in Yellowstone in June!) How scary it is to think about the fact that they read a few pages and decide in about two weeks if you should get to apply with a more in-depth application to, well, become a parent. Not to say the questions asked weren't pertinent. And they do get individual "statements of faith" and get a reference from your pastor. But, well, I just hope they get an accurate "picture" of us and that God works it out perfectly. One way or another.

We're off to North Georgia this weekend! Dillard House, rocking chairs, Helen Oktoberfest and a fireplace suite- HERE WE COME! I've got Friday and Monday off for my "CWS" Day and because I have an awesome Federal job. Ben took both days off, too! Hooray for time with my honey and for long weekends!

And, BTW, Happy Columbus Day.... in case you find yourself wondering what happened to your Monday mail....

Today's prayer

Dear God,

We believe that you have a perfect plan for our family. But I'm really hoping it will include adopting from Bethany. Pretty please, God, let them accept our application. And be with the mother of the baby that we will get one day... help her to know you, God. And help her to choose LIFE! And, God, please give me patience. I trust you and know you will answer our prayers, but sometimes it's hard for me to wait for the answer.

In Jesus' name,

Jennifer

Nothin' Much Goin' On

Hello.

Nothing much is going on.... Ben is still at work, and I just had what has become a typical Monday "off" for me.... multiple medical appointments. I'm really not sick, but I sure go to doctors a lot. Between allergist, psychiatrist, counselor, infertility, etc. I guess I am doing a pretty good job keeping the Blue Cross Blue Shield billing department plenty busy. Today was nothing exciting- just regular dental cleaning and annual OBGYN. I learned today of a new measure of old you are..... my OB asked my age and I answered "34, 35 in January not that I'm counting" and he informed me that at my next annual, it will be time for my first mammogram but then I shouldn't need another until age 40. Wow. I never pictured myself mammogram age before.....

I convinced Ben to stay with me after church yesterday and help me "decorate" the Sunday School rooms. I found cute bulletin board stuff at a Schoolbox, so now the rooms have a bit more personality. (Hopefully in a good way....) Noah's Ark for the nursery (and boy do I think that is cute..... hmm, future Greenwald nursery theme?), Old Testament stuff for the Preschool/K class since it matches our current book, and the 7 days of creation & bible verses with great pictures for the elementary class. After that, Ben and I took dinner to the new baby Tumaini (tum-ah-ini) Gicheru's family. That's swahili for hope- the naming system in Africa is very different than ours. Ask Gicheru someday! Tumaini was pretty big and strong for just one month old, and very cute. I got to hold him awhile. His face and expressions are a lot like Tess Tess's. I love babies! If I ever got fired from work (not much danger since I've just reached 7 years with SSA!), I'd want to be in a preschool nursery. And if I didn't work, I think it would be super cool to be the "interim" home for the newborns being placed into adoptive homes.

Speaking of babies, my "adopted nephew" Sonny is turning a year old tomorrow. Unbelievable. I still visit him and give his parents a night to go to the gym or Home Depot, etc. most Tuesday evenings. I sure had fun shopping for his birthday gifts! Ben worries that I won't be able to control myself when we have our own kids.... I LOVE buying baby stuff. And many thanks to Amie who, since Sonny's birthday party concludes with an optional Zoo visit, is actually responsible for getting my Ben to go to the zoo with me. (My Ben as opposed to Amie's Ben... if you aren't sure about the distinction, just ask Callie Johnson and she'll explain!)

So, in light of all of this children banter, guess I better get to the two real reasons I sat down at my computer.... Midtown's 4th Quarter child care schedule and to finish up my half of the "informal application" (read initial screening) for domestic adoption. Yep, that's the route we've choosen. Still going to the infertility doctor in about 3 weeks, but depending on our prognosis, that might be our last step down that road....

Let me know how YOU are, and how I might be praying for you. May God Bless You and Keep You Always!

ADOPTION MEETING

Ben and I went to our first Adoption meeting tonight. (The second is tomorrow night. Tonight was about domestic infant adoption and tomorrow will be about international adoption.) Anyway, to my surprise, my husband came out of the meeting and said "lets adopt a baby, honey". Ok, so I hoped he'd be excited and I know he does want to have children - otherwise we wouldn't have been "trying" for so long- but it seemed a faster decision than usual for him. He NEVER decides anything after just one meeting or introduction. He likes to research, analyze, consider all the options, think about it, lull on it, THEN decide. So, while we are still going tomorrow night and are open to what God calls us to, we might just have found our plan..... rather, God's plan for us. (-: At least after eating dinner together tonight, we felt more peace about "all the options" than we have in a while. Adopt a caucasion baby first, then for our second foster or adopt a biracial or minority. No final decisions here, and we'd have to be approved first, but just a leaning in a direction..... Anyway, please keep praying that we'll follow His direction, and be clear about what that direction is for us! (-:

It's a heat wave, y'all!

The high today was listed as 99. I am so thankful for air conditioning.

Mom came over for a few hours today and helped me de-clutter some. She also dusted my blinds and washed my windows while I got out the drill and fixed some cabinet shelves and hung a towel rod in my laundry room. (need a place for my swim suit and towel to dry now that I'm going to LA Fitness!) Anyway, Moms are great. 'Specially mine.

I had my second acupuncture treatment today. I feel so much more healthy and energetic. I'm technically going for infertility, but he's trying to get my yin in balance with my yang. This imbalance has been known to cause depression, so I think it's helping with that, too. I'm also supposed to drink herbal tea - individually formulated for my personal needs- several times a day. Unfortunately, that tea is actually bunches of chinese herbs boiled in water and then strained out. What's left is the "tea" which tastes just awful. Thankfully, it's OK for me to add lemon and honey!

I had to call in sick last Wednesday. Guess I had a virus. All I know is that even with just eating plain foods like pretzels, sierra mist, and peanut butter on bread for THREE DAYS, my digestive track was all messed up. My co-workers were convinced I was pregnant! Unfortunately, as I understand it, that's not possible if you've just been on your period and you haven't ovulated yet. Now, if I start drinking that Chinese "tea" again and my digestive system gets all messed up again, I'll know it wasn't a virus...

Speaking of work, I'm proud to say that after almost 7 years at Social Security, I was given my first Award on Friday. They are sort of like small bonuses and are recognition for good employees.

Ben went to Ft. Lauderdale Thursday and is flying home as I write. He had a company wide meeting for his work. I've really missed him, which isn't really like me. Ben used to call me "Independent Jen"! Hope he'll feel up to going to the movies with me tonight. He's my favorite movie buddy!

Hope things are going well with you!

It's in the Valleys I Grow // Accepting the Unacceptable

Sometimes life seems hard to bear

Full of sorrow, trouble and woe,

It's then I have to remember

That it's in the valleys I grow.



If I always stayed on the mountain top

And never experienced pain,

I would never appreciate God's love,

And would be living in vain.



I have so much to learn,

And my growth is very slow,

Sometimes I need the mountain tops,

But it's in the valleys I grow.



I do not always understand

Why things happen as they do,

But I am very sure of one thing ...

My Lord will see me through.


My little valleys are nothing

When I picture Christ on the cross

He went through the valley of death;

His victory was Satan's loss.


Forgive me Lord, for complaining

When I'm feeling so very low,

Just give me a gentle reminder

That it's in the valleys I grow.


Continue to strengthen me Lord,

And use my life each day,

To share your love with others

And help them find their way.


Thank you for valleys Lord,

For this one thing I know ...

The mountain tops are glorious,

But it's in the valleys I grow!


~ Jane Eggleston ~



****************************

I am pretty sure I've seen this before, but today I found this in a book I'm reading, and I really like it. It being both the poem and the book, actually. I'm doing better in the last few days. Not sure why. Could be the talks two weeks ago and today with my counselor Tiffany, could be time has passed, could be a realization that loved ones are precious and not to be taken for granted (please pray for my friend Heather and her family, btw), might be that I started exercising, might be all the prayers my friends have lifted up for me (I'm so very grateful for those), and might be the acupuncture I tried for the first time last Saturday. Doesn't really matter, though. The why, that is. I feel less burdened and overall happier at the moment. Thanks, God.



I found a neat website through Bethany Christian Services. Their infertility ministry is called Stepping Stones. The book I am reading is called "When the Cradle is Empty" and I am enjoying it. Perhaps it's helping me not feel so alone, perhaps the Christian perspective is simply uplifting.



Tiffany today helped me see that one of the biggest things I need to work on at the moment is "Accepting the unacceptable". Some things just are the way they are. So are some people. And no matter how wrong I think it is or they are, nothing I do, say, or pray will likely change it.



Sometimes something unacceptable just needs a great idea and it can become not only acceptable but valuable. Sometimes, though, it needs to be left as is. I think change can be very good, but sometimes my vision of what is "right" or "best" isn't shared by those around me. Sometimes it's not yet the time for change. And sometimes, while I do believe that God answers all prayer, the answer might be "not yet" or "yes, but in my way and time" or, simply, "no".

Is assuming that God will answer in they way we want or expect short changing His sovereignty? Or is it like asking advice from a friend but when they don't give the advice you want, ignoring the advice? In my head, I know and trust that God knows best, has an awesome plan, and wants what is best for me. He's a loving Father.

Sometimes, though, even though my head gets it, my heart lags a bit behind. I guess some would call that the flesh. Some might call it lack of faith. Some might say it's a childlike faith. I think it's God's way of teaching me more about Him and more about how I can strengthen my relationship with Him. Eventually my faith gets stronger from being in those valleys.... and eventually, it truly helps my compassion and being able to love others.

But while down in those valleys, it's like my cell phone lost it's reception. So even pushing the send button doesn't help me reach that phone number. But, gosh, once I finally get reception, it's a clear call and I'm really glad to reach the one I'm calling!

Here's a link to Bethany Christian Services : http://www.bethany.org/

Here's a link to Stepping Stones : http://www.bethany.org/step

Those darn cats!

Ok, so I was finally a good Mom and cleaned out the litter box last night. Litter-ally (lol) gave them all new litter and threw out the old. Ok, almost threw out. I left it double bagged in the office planning to ask Ben to take it out (it's really heavy) and didn't remember to even tell him it was there. So when I asked for his help tonight, he said Um, honey, I think they got into it... WHAT? They had fabulous clean litter two feet away. Every cat's dream. Oh, guess they thought it was fun to claw at the plastic and watch it tear.... so, guess it's time to get it into yet another bag and then pull out the vacuumm...

One of these days, I'll post some pictures from our trip out west....

Thanks for your prayers... I'm feeling a bit better today. Even felt up to cooking dinner for my honey. And I finished the schedules for our growing Children's Ministry... What a BLESSING! We have 19 volunteers!!!!

I NEED PRAYER

THAT'S RIGHT, I NEED PRAYER. And if you saw me this weekend, I apologize for not being friendly. Truth is, I didn't want to leave the house at all, but did so knowing it's supposed to be best for me. I just feel like I've got nothing good in my life right now, and about 6 tons of stuff on my shoulders. Not as hopeless as I have been in the past, but I'm not real joyful either. I'll spare you the details, but here's the run down--

*my parents and sister and I are in a very strained place right now- and apparently I am the only one who feels better if we talk through things (in other words, we'll just pretend nothings wrong... that's what we always do)
*my counselor informs me that I have lots of anger towards my father- gee, you think?
*Midtown's Children's Ministry is trying to grow just a little and I feel like everything I try to get moving on hits a wall- is that spiritual attack or me not really hearing God's plan like I thought or just burned out volunteers? I dunno. BTW, Please pray for that Ministry and our Midtown kids.
*work has been so busy that even though I've got Friday scheduled off, I am planning on going in anyway and I still don't feel I'll be able to "Catch up"
*Ben's looking for a job change and sort of expects his current job to cut back the people in his position soon, yet we don't want him to just jump at the first job he finds, either
*got tested for food allergies and it isn't the problem-- guessing it's IBS-- in which case, no reason to see a doctor about it
*got my darn period again, not to mention a bill for some of Ben's tests that was over $1000 and he's got a non-covered Urologist appointment in the morning... infertility pretty much sucks. And sometimes it's even harder when there are adorable children all over.....

So, how much of this is over reaction, depression, spiritual warfare because I'm trying to follow God's plan for Midtown's Children, or just my constant battle against negative thoughts? I guess time will tell. I'm trying to pray and trust God. But some days I just feel pissed that I'm in this dark place. AGAIN.

What's up with the Atlanta Greenwalds....

Hello!


Yesterday Ben asked me when the last week I actually worked all five days was. Wasn't sure, so I looked it up. Last Friday of a 5 day week? March 19. Next Monday of a 5 day week? July 9. Working for the government and taking advantage of vacation, holidays, and a CWS schedule? Priceless! Just for the record, two of those weeks my one day off were sick days, so I was NOT out gallivanting around, but home in bed and/or at the doctor.... and a lot of those CWS days and some of the vacation days I had lots of appointments. But what a gift to be able to fit all that in and still be working full time with plenty of leave remaining! (-:


Ben and I have an incredible vacation coming up. We're leaving Tues June 12 and returning Thurs June 21. Paula is getting married in Glacier National Park on June 14, so that's what got us started... We're headed to Glacier National Park in Montana for several days and then Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming for several more. We'll fly to Spokane, WA and rent a car to drive all over and then fly out of Salt Lake City, Utah. We've not been on such a long vacation before, so we're looking forward to it. Our honeymoon was cut short because I was new in my job and in training, so we are really excited.


Ben got a new Nikon D-50 Camera for his birthday (It will be "from" my parents, but I let him go ahead and get it before we went on vacation... his birthday is while we're gone). I moaned and groaned saying we didn't need a new camera until we had children, but I actually LOVE this camera. It feels like a "real" camera and it makes a super cool camera sound when it takes pictures... probably the shutter or something technical, but all I know is it makes ME feel like a REAL photographer, which I definitely am NOT. We'll have lots more pictures to post soon., but here are two I took. They are of my immediate family, of course.... Ben emailed these to me after saving them on his computer, so they aren't as high a quality as they originally were, but you'll get the idea...

Ben, my "Honey Bunches"

Lucy and Baxter, my baby kitties.....

I went through some really yucky depression from late March to early May, but I am happy to say my Psychiatrist increased my meds just a tad and I got myself back into counseling, and things are going just fine now. Thanks so much for your prayers during that time. It means so very much and really does help! Ben, btw, is an amazing husband and is more than I deserve- especially during my down times. Can you believe we recently celebrated our 2nd anniversary?


My Mom and my Aunt Pam are driving my Mom's old car from Atlanta to Oregon in a few weeks. Mom got a Lexus for her birthday. It's pretty neat and has that Satellite Navigation and NO KEY! We're excited to see Aunt Pam for a few days before they leave.

My Dad's friend Sandy will soon begin a new job in Atlanta, and is moving here from England in a few months. She's got four kids ranging from 6yrs to 18yrs, so I'm planning on having a new extended family! She's visited several times before, and I e-mail with her occasionally, so we're excited! She'll be here shopping for houses at the end of June.

I have cousins in Missouri. Lynn and her family are going to Hilton Head in early July, so I think we'll get to see them when they have an Atlanta layover. Very neat! Haven't seen them in a very long time.

We went to a new fertility doctor last week. We like her tons more than the previous practice we went to. Her name is Dr. Hasty, and she is a Davidson grad and went to Emory Med School. It was fun to find out that her daughter is currently a sophomore at Davidson, and her brother was the Chaplain while I was there! Anyway, her bedside manner is wonderful, and our visit left us feeling more hopeful than we have in the past. She suggested Ben take a Male Fertility Supplement- anyone ever hear of Conception XR?, that I get started on Glucophage (Metformin) for PCOS, and that Ben go to a Fertility Urologist. I also must lose about 20 lbs to be able to do any fertility treatments, but she assures me that I can do it and it shouldn't be too difficult with the help of Metformin, cutting carbs a bit, and adding some walking. What a nice change to feel encouraged rather than blamed or condemned. I've already cut out all soda and sweet tea, and decided to change my morning coffee to half-caff. I'm also trying to choose fruit instead of fries at lunch. I have to go get one more blood test, which might be after we return, and then I can start the Glucophage.

I have had three or four people say to me, "oh, have you thought about Acupuncture?" in the last month, so it cracked me up to see a flier about it at Dr. Hasty's office and get a referral sheet of acupuncture doctors. Deane gets it for headaches and says it's wonderful, and my sister actually gets it for her Agility Dogs, so I figure at least it will get some endorphins flowing which will help reduce fertility stress and at best it might just help us get pregnant! (-: I will look into that when we return from vacation. (-:

Jen's Prayer List.... lift these people up, too, will you? Deane and Erika who are in chaos amongst moving a family of 6 into a new house that isn't quite finished and for which Deane is the builder.... Paula and Daniel who get married next week.... James and Andrea.... Sandy who is working out a move from England to Atlanta with four children.... VBS at Midtown... new Elementary Age Sunday School Class at Midtown.... Ben and his quest for which career God wants for him, and, finally, that Ben and I would continue to follow God's leading and be patient for His plan to unfold regarding our family.

May God Bless You and Keep You Always,

Jen