It's Here !!

I received my ASC Appointment Notice in the mail today!!!!  Our appointment to have our biometrics (fingerprints) taken for immigration came today saying our appointment isn't set until July 17th. Boo Hoo, that is 24 days from now. I will be doing a walk-in on July 5th, to see if we can speed this up a little. I have been in constant prayer that the Lord will get me to China before Blossoms 7th birthday. If I shave off even one day to help speed this up I am going for it. I would go sooner but my son Matthew just boarded a cruise ship bound for Alaska today with his Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt and Uncle and will not return until July 3rd. I have heard through the yahoo groups that some people have been successful and others not so successful. I will pray that we will be one of the lucky ones.

So while I wait I will leave you with a few more pictures of Blossom.

I would also like to take this time to introduce my sister in law Diane and her husband Keith and children still living in the home Aaron, Nicolas, and Lilly. Diane will be traveling very very soon to China to bring home Bobby and Kylie. I am so excited for them and every time I think about it I wiggle and giggle inside. You can visit their Blog up top called Holsworth Haven. Click on the tab and you will go to her Blog. Here are a couple of pictures of their family and their little ones waiting for them in China.

Kylie 

Kylie 5th birthday 12/2011 last one without her forever family!

Robert (Bobby) 8 years old now. Named after my husband Bob. Diane's brother.

So it has been a great start to the weekend. Tomorrow I will sew all day. Every last one of my children will be out of the house for the entire day and I will have the place to myself! Ahh!

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers day Bob. I want to honor my late husband Bob on this very special day set aside to tell dads just how special they are. Who would have guessed that these two at the young age of 17 and both  still in high school would get one day get married and have four beautiful children? I mean really??? look at us.  We barley look old enough to check out a library book on our own.

Bob and I did get married at the age of 20 and enjoyed 14 years of marriage before the Lord called him home. Together we adopted our oldest son and had three more children together. Bob was an awesome husband and father to our children. Bob was a romantic kind of guy. An example of one of the many ways he showed me he cared was when he came home to visit during one of his internships. I knew he was coming home that day but was not sure when. The doorbell rang and when I answered it there was no one there. I looked down and on the step was a small pile of Heresy Kisses and a trail that lead away from it. I smiled and followed it around the corner and at the end was Bob with a bouquet of carnations for me. Bob did these acts of romance frequently throughout our marriage. Bob went to College later in life after we had all of our children.  Bob spent many nights studying in our room or at the library to become a Physical Therapist. On weekends instead of saying I need to have me time I have spent time all week studying he would take the time and spend it with the kids. He knew that me having the four children all day and into the evening can at times become exhausting. More times then I can count he would give me Saturday to go and shop or what ever I wanted to do. He in turn would take the children and take them on bike rides, play basketball with them or go down to the river in Sacramento. He would do a mad sweep through the house tackling any left over dishes, laundry, what ever needed tiding up and although (sorry) he was not what you would call a cook per say he would make us dinner to enjoy.

Bob had a heart for Jesus. He loved to spend time learning about what the Lord wanted for his life. I can remember him spending countless hours talking to my brother Gary or my friend Keri's husband Russell about what does this mean or what does that mean. I know Bob walks with Jesus in Heaven today this I am sure.

This is a glass picture I gave Bob one Fathers Day. I do not remember the year I gave it to him and I never knew how much the statement would be true so early in our life. It is a little fuzzy but this is what it says. If I could sit across the porch from God, I would thank Him for lending you to me. I do sit with Jesus and I have and still thank him for Bob. 

You know, one of the greatest complements my son Nathan has ever said about Bob and I relationships was this small conversation he had with a classmate one day at school. Nathan was talking with a fellow classmate whose parents were unfortunately in the middle of a separation. The classmate said to Nathan, "Nathan what did you do when your mom and dad would fight?" " I just can not stand it anymore." Nathan responded to the classmate with this. "I don't know my parent s never really fought." WOW !! 

Any way we are talking about Fathers Day. So here are some things that Bob did as a father that drove me insane at the time but I look back at them now and laugh and they are now great  memories. 1. He took the older two children out of school every now and again to just go watch a movie one on one. 2. He allowed the children to have ice cream right before dinner. Not often but it did occur once in a while. 3. He left Lego's laying around after building Lego monuments and I would step on them Ouch! 4. I am not sure how he did this maybe it's genetics or something but Bob never used a glass to drink water, he always just drank out of the faucet. Guess what? My youngest son Matthew does the exact same thing AUGGGGG!!

Yes, Bob was a fantastic husband and father. This day is one of those days that bring joy and sting to our hearts around the Bean home.  Below is the last Family portrait taken of us all together. It was taken  two years before his death. We miss you Bob and will always love you. You were a committed, loving and funny husband and father to our children.

Ladybug Blanket Drawing

I want to thank everyone who donated to the Ladybug blanket drawing. It brought in $150.00! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! The lucky winner is................................................................................

Here is the official ticket. Congratulations Kim. I will be sending the blanket in the mail tomorrow. Be on the lookout. Thanks again everyone.

Ladybug blanket

My sister in law Michelle crochet this beautiful ladybug blanket to help raise funds for Blossom.  I asked friends and family to donate for a chance to receive this beautiful blanket. I have decided to extend this offer out to my blog. Michelle spent over 50 hours making this blanket. Each ladybug was individually made and then crochet into the blanket. The blanket measures 39 inches x 39 inches. For a $5.00 donation you will have a chance to receive this beautiful blanket. This blanket can be given to a new mom as a shower gift or a new addition to the family through adoption.  What a wonderful story behind why it was made. I know this is short notice but the drawing will be held next Sunday the 17th at 6:00 p.m. PDT. Asking for prayer that there would be many participants.

Please use the chip in button on the right side for your donation. A donation of $5.00 will get one ticket and each additional ticket will be $3.00. There will be no charge for S&H. Please include name, address, and phone number  so I can get this out to you. Also if you can E-mail me and let me know you have purchased a ticket I will be able to get your name on the back of ticket. Sometimes Pay Pal is a few days behind and I want to make sure everyone who donates receives a chance. My E-mail is                

pamelabean@rocketmail.com

Thank you for your donation and your prayers for this short notice event. 

So excited to do this drawing!

I 800 dollars and more from your checking account paperwork has been sent FedEx!

I am soooooooo happy. After waiting for what seemed like eternity (hee hee I have know understanding of what eternity is like) I received 5 notarized copies of my home study in the mail yesterday. Last night I finished off the last signature on the I800A form and obsessively doubled check it for completeness. Today after work I headed out to the Postal Annex with everything in hand and sent it on it's way. I suppose at this moment it is at the Fresno Air Terminal waiting to board a FedEx plane to Alabama.
Wait a minute....................  I forgot I can track this little package, wait.....................................
O.K. I am  back. Here is what I found out, as of 6:20 p.m. my package is in Oakland CA. It is on the move and scheduled to be in Lifelines office at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow.

James 1:12

New International Version (NIV)

¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Happy Mothers Day 2012

Let me start by saying Happy Mothers Day to all of you mommy's out there. I lost my mother a few years ago and it is really tough during this day. I wish she were still here to hear all about Blossom and be able to travel this journey with me. Unfortunately this is not so. One day when we all meet together I know she will give little Missy a hug and kiss. I am sure there are no tears of sadness in Heaven but I wonder if there will be tears of joy. If so I am quite sure Grandma Dolly will shed a few. You see my mom was no stranger to children with special needs. I have an older brother who has profound developmental disabilities and CP. When my brother was born 50 years ago things were much different. Parents were encouraged and even told in some cases that these special needs children would be better off forgotten and parents should go on with their life. We as parents want what is best for our children. So you listen to the Dr. right? Although my brother only lived in the home until the age of 5 we as a family kept David in our lives. I remember so many times having the conversations with my mom about the sadness she felt about my brother. I tried over the years to reassure her that she did the best she could with the help that was available to her at that time. 50 years ago? Help? Lets just say it did not exist. Today my brother lives in one of the residential care homes that my two older children and I work for. He still to this day is very much a part of our family. So in honor of my mother I want to say, because of her willingness not to just forget about my brother and for letting him be part of our family I am who I am today. I love working with individuals who have special needs. My children are also so sensitive to the needs of this population. I think she would be proud of us as a family for bringing Blossom home and raising her as my daughter. I love you mom and I miss you.

So here we are another mothers day and what better way to celebrate the day then to have breakfast bought by your two older children, who yes get a paycheck and can say those two magic words "CHECK PLEASE"  Ooooh  how I love those words when I am not saying them! Hee Hee

I am so proud to be the mother of 5 wonderful children.

Nathan is the one who you go to if you need to just go have a great time at the spur of the moment.  He is always ready to go hang out. He loves to take in a movie, walk around the shopping mall or go to Star Bucks. He spontaneous. He has the latest event calendar ready for investigation by anyone looking for something to do.

Erica is the one you go to if you need to rely on someone. I have asked Erica so many times "can you...........?" and she does without hesitation. She is my planner. I love to come up with an idea and share it with her. She will take it further then I imagined. She always has your back. She is dependable and will always listen to me when I have to vent.

Matthew is the one you go to if you need a great big hug. He stands 6 feet tall and will just hug ya to death. He is the one I call on for tech help. If it's broke or I can't figure out how to either add it to something or take it away he is the one I call. His brain is a very scary place of figuring out how things tick.

Jessica is the one you go to if you need a place to get re-grounded. She has great integrity. If it's wrong she has no bones about telling you why. She will fight the good fight. Jessica will give you the good swift kick in the butt if you need it. She will let you be sad but she wont let you stay there for long. She has high standers for her life and it shows in her efforts.

And little miss Blossom. I have not met this little one in person but just seeing the spark in her eye and the determination on her face leads me to believe she is going to do big things with her life. I received these video's a few weeks ago. In the first video you can see she wants so desperately to communicate with my friend. It seems as though she is trying to say Hi. It is towards the end of the video but it seems clear that is what she is trying to do. In the second video one of the nannies is talking to Blossom. I do not understand what she is saying but Blossom thinks she is funny. Again she seems to be responding to what is being said to her.

So tiny. New clothes I sent last month. Size 3T and over another pair of pants.

Wearing the hat/ scarf combo that we are selling for fundraiser.

The Bean gang being silly on Mothers Day 2012

So there you have it. My 5 wonderful children who make being a mom wonderful. I am so proud of my children and all the effort they put forth to succeed at what they set out to do. Whether it is in school, work, or living for Jesus and following his commands  I was blessed 5 times. Yeah it's mothers day but without the kids it would just be any other day.

 HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!!!!

Psalm 139:13 For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb.

Friends Forever even through cancer

This is not my typical Blog entry and for that I am grateful. I dedicate this Blog entry to a very important person in my life. My best friend Keri. Keri and I have been close friends for over 25 years. For the last 11 1/2 years we have lived only 5 houses away from each other. Keri is the friend you want in your corner. She will sit and listen to whatever you have on your heart. She is not judging. Keri came through every time I needed her when my husband Bob passed away. She is a second mom to my children and they love her very much. Keri is so excited about Blossom coming home and can not wait to meet her. Here are just some of the many qualities that anyone who knows Keri will agree with. Keri is: loving, caring, giving, compassionate, funny, kind, gentle, patient, helper, loyal, generous, honest, independent, happy, she is a wife, a mom, a grandma, a sister, a daughter, an aunt, child of God, she is my best friend.

When Keri was born the Dr. said she would never make it to the age of 5. She did and continues to prove them wrong. Keri was dealt the hand of partial paralysis on the left side, legal blindness, and hydrocephalus at birth. Did this stop her? Nope, Keri met the challenges of growing up with a disability but never blamed God. She never said poor me. She just did what needed to be done and moved on. Keri finished schooling and married her one true love Russell, who she affectingly calls hunna bunna. Keri has two wonderful children and a young grand-baby boy.

On March 19, 2012 we both sat waiting in the E.R. waiting room for test results that had been taken earlier. When the nurse called us into a small room at the  back of the E.R. Keri said" this isn't good news." As we sat for what seemed like forever but really was just a few minutes, the Dr. came in and broke the news to her and I that she had some type of advanced cancer in her abdomen, lymph nodes and chest. You could have sliced the air with a knife. The Dr. began telling us that she would be admitted into the hospital and they would run test to see exactly what we were dealing with. He then asked if we had any questions and we just stared at him. We asked a few and then he left and we sat and cried in the little room.

The pastor from their church immediately drove to get Russell who had been with Keri the entire day at the E.R. but had to leave to speak at a speaking engagement. Russell left the engagement immediately not finishing to be with Keri.

Through many days of testing  the results were in,  Stage 4 ovarian cancer. Most people would have just thrown in the towel and been so angry at God. But not Keri she is truly sad and questions why but she said to me "you know,  I am not mad at God, I'm not really." What? Are you serious? I just looked at her in amazement. She continues to shock me even to this day.

This is my friend Keri

Here are a few snap shots of the last week. Learning to deal with the new normal.

Keri and her hunna bunna Russell

Hospital food yuck!

This is my niece Lilly who Keri has watched since she was 2 years old. Yep that is Blossoms cousin.

Back home now, this is what Keri thinks of what is going on

But together as a team we can handle it

Both of them together can handle it

These are pictures of the women at my church. This is the Tuesday night Bible study praying for Keri after learning about the cancer. Keri attends the Bible study with me and brings homemade brownies every Tuesday.

So on to the next item. If your a 15 year old kid who has had their life ripped apart by cancer in the form of loosing their daddy, effecting one aunt, both grandparents and now Keri their 2nd mom who makes them cookies when their 1st mom is to busy, what do you do to make a difference?

Of course you give away something that everyone takes for granite but cherishes everyday.

This is my daughter Jessica

Before

point of no return

13 inches!!!!!

after

Somewhere out there, there is a little girl who is going to feel like a princess again. Right here there is a 15 year old princess and a very proud mom.

So there it is, two very special people in my life. One who is going to be going through the battle of a lifetime and continues to stay strong in the Lord. An another special person who continues to amaze me by allowing another child who is fighting the battle of their life time to feel beautiful again. Thank you Lord for these special women I love them both.