Bittersweet

I am feeling a little bittersweet today. I am so excited about the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing that will take place tonight. To be honest, I have never really watched too much of the Olympics....but the fact that China is the host this year...I will be glued to the TV over the next 2 weeks. When we were in China in 2005, we picked up a few Olympic souvenirs...but not as many as I wish. I know things will be crazy over there, but I wish I was there to take it all in!! I wish I had soaked in more of the culture while we were there....but being a tourist and sightseeing was not really what I was there for....so I got into total "mommy mode" and took care of my China girl and was the videographer/photographer. I will relive it all through the magic of video. China is a very beautiful country with some of the most beautiful, gracious,
kind people. Everyone we met on our trip was so nice...we have not one complaint. I can't wait to return there and show my girl the country that we hold so close in our hearts.

On the other hand....I am somewhat sad today. Last night, Jason and I sat up and watched Larry King live and his interview with the Steven Curtis Chapman family as they discussed the loss of their China girl, Maria Sue. My heart hurts with them and it is so hard to watch as they talk about the events of May 21. Steven and Mary Beth held up really well, although you could see the pain on their face. I was very proud of their son, Will Franklin, who is dealing with his own personal loss as he feels so responsible. He is a very mature young man and I know that God is going to bring so much good out of this tragedy. I can't imagine what this family is going through each and every day. If you didn't get a chance to see the interview, here is a portion of the show...Steven Curtis Chapman on Larry King Live. Please continue to keep this family in your prayers. They still need uplighting and support as they continue to mourn. They are a wonderful family who have done so much for the adoption community and the children in China.

We miss you, Maria.....

9 years ago....

Today is a special day for Jason and I. It is our 9 year anniversary. 9 years ago today, I married the most wonderful man. He has become a wonderful husband and a fantastic, loving father. We met on this same day 10 years ago (through a blind date). Before the date was over, I knew he was the man I was going to marry. I had always heard that when you met "mr. right" you will know it....and for me that was so true. I remember so clearly....my mom was in bed when I got home on that Friday night, so I left her a note...."great guy, had a great time, I am going to marry him". And exactly 1 year later, marry him is what I did.

He is a man of God and he loves, takes care of and provides for his family. He sacrifices a lot so that I can stay home with our daughter. And I deeply appreciate that!

In celebration of our anniversary, we went to our favorite restaurant, The Melting Pot. I love this place!! Everything about it is wonderful....the cheese fondue, the salad, the meats, veggies and of course the chocolate fondue. Tonight we tried the Yin Yang chocolate...white chocolate and dark chocolate perfectly swirled together in the Yin Yang design/symbol. Yum, Yum!!

We left completely satisfied and stuffed. I only wish that we could afford to go there more than once a year.

As I think back on our 9 years together as husband and wife, there have been some hard times as well as good, fun times. But through it all, we have walked through it all together and have come out stronger for it.

I am blessed to have a husband who loves me and our daughter so much and a man who follows God and daily strives to walk closer to him.

Happy Anniversary, honey.....I love you!!

Muffins & Drama

Today Emma Grace & I made muffins to take to her gymnastics open house. It is not until Saturday, but tomorrow is our anniversary and we won't be home and Friday is my early shop day at Encores and More Consignment sale and then that night I am having a "Girls Night Out" slumber party with a bunch of friends. So...I made them today and just like my mother would do(Lord, help me)....I am going to freeze them until Saturday.

Emma Grace loves to help in the kitchen. She loves to watch Rachel Ray and Everyday Italian. Most of the time...when we are having "a good day", I don't mind her helping me.....lucky for her, today she saved the drama for after muffin baking.

She went down for a nap and apparently did not want to sleep. So long story short....after a few times of going in to talk to her....there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth.....and she just laid in her bed and cryed....this was after she had stripped her clothes off and thrown them across the room.

She finally calmed down and got up a little bit ago. She is so funny/sweet....she came in here and said, "Mommy, I am sorry for all that carryin' on in there earlier". She is always so good about apologizing...if I have done one thing right, it is teach her to be empathetic and apologize when she is wrong. So far, so good.

I am so glad that in my first post I made it clear that she really is a sweet, sweet girl....b/c on days like today....I am convinced one of us will not make it to her 4th birthday.

Denise ;)

Let's try this....

Well, here I go...trying something new and launching into something else to take up more of my time. Because as a mother of a 3 1/2 year old, you know I have so much spare time. Ha!

I struggled with a name for my blog and decided on "Song of My Heart". For none other than my sweet baby girl, Emma Grace. She most definitely is my song. She brings so much joy and happiness to my life. She is soon to be 4 years old and we have had her home for almost 3 years.

It is amazing when I stop and think of where we were just 4 short years ago. Yearning for a child so badly and trusting all of our desires in God's hands. I am not one to easily "let go and let God"....so to finally decide that we should let God handle all of the details was quite a feat. But once we let go of "our plans"....God took hold of the reins and we had such peace about our decision. Everything ran smoothly and in His time.

I don't know where you are at right now in your life, but don't try to do it alone. It may not be easy, but God does have a plan and His timing is always perfect!