Our God is SO awesome!!!!

Birthmom- Vilcianne Leon

Too cool for words: Our sweet Jude in bed.

Stephanie just hanging out looking gorgeous!

Our always thoughtful Stephanie sharing her snack with friends!

Surprise baby brother: Vilner Leon! Is he cute, or what??

It happened again... Jeremiah 29:11. For anyone that has not heard about this... every time we are about to receive news about the adoption Jer. 29:11 pops up out of the blue. We have had it sent to us in emails, have seen it on signs out in public, heard it in messages, on fliers slipped through our door, on the radio... always when we are not expecting it. Within about 24 hours (usually 1-2 hours) after me our my husband hear or see this verse we get news. Well, it came up while my husband was listening to the radio today and sure enough.... I got an email from a missionary that is staying at the orphanage telling us all sorts of things about the kids, but most surprising to us was a comment about how their biological Mother comes to see them in the orphanage frequently and brings their little brother to see them. LITTLE BROTHER? No one told us about a little brother! Although we thought their birthmom looked pregnant in a picture we had of her. We also received another email today from the same sweet missionary with the above great pictures. While my attitude has been bad today over the frustration of the wait it occured to me that it must be so much harder for Vicianne who must wonder everytime she sees her kids that it may be the last time. I'm greatful for that reason that we did not have a speedy adoption process (even if it is hard to wait). Her husband (their birthfather) died just a year ago and now she is having to say goodbye to 3 out of 4 of her children! I often ask for prayers for us during this adoption. Today I ask instead for prayers for this beautiful woman!

Joyfully, Angela

Alternate Medical Terms

TODAY'S JOKE:
Alternate Medical Terms
Benign: What you be after you be eight.
Artery: The study of paintings.
Bacteria: Back door to cafeteria.
Barium: What doctors do when patients die.
Cesarean Section: A neighborhood in Rome.
Cat Scan: Searching for kitty.
Cauterize: Made eye contact with her.
Colic: A sheep dog.
Coma: A punctuation mark.
D & C: Where Washington is.
Dilate: To live long.
Enema: Not a friend.
Fester: Quicker than someone else.
Fibula: A small lie.
Genital: Non-Jewish person.
G.I. Series: World Series of military baseball.
Hangnail: What you hang your coat on.
Impotent: Distinguished, well known.
Labor Pain: Getting hurt at work.
Medical Staff: A Doctor's cane.
Morbid: A higher offer than I bid.
Nitrates: Cheaper than day rates.
Node: Was aware of
Outpatient: A person who has fainted.
Pap Smear: A fatherhood test.
Pelvis: Second cousin to Elvis.
Post Operative: A letter carrier.
Recovery Room: Place to do upholstery.
Rectum: Darn near killed him.
Secretion: Hiding something.
Seizure: Roman emperor.
Tablet: A small table.
Terminal Illness: Getting sick at the Bus Station
Tumor: More than one.
Urine: Opposite of you're out.
Varicose: Near by/close by.
Vein: Conceited.

Hope this clears a few things up!

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE:
The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness. Psalm 41:3

TODAY'S KID JOKE:
What do you give a sick pig?

Oink-ment

Family Fun

No jokes today but I would like to share a couple ideas of fun things we like to do with our family. If you have any fun idea's for family time please email them to me to share. Thanks, Angela

Cookie cutter pancakes:

No ordinary pancakes in this house! They are usually filled with chocolate chips (family favorite) or on more creative days we make plain large pancakes and give our boys cookie cutters. They love to pick out different shapes to make their pancake bites. The gingerbread man has been a real favorite and they like to make a big deal over biting off his head (yes, I know we need therapy!). For Christmas or winter time shapes we sprinkle powdered sugar over the pancakes to make a snow scene.

Peanut Butter Playdough:
Our kids love this snack/toy!
How to make PB playdough,
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 cup of of powdered milk
This is not something you can mix well with a spoon. Get it in your hands and smush it again and again until it takes the form and texture of playdough. If it's a little dry add a tad of corn syrup, if it's too sticky add a little powdered milk.
I lay out wax paper on the table for them and give them a clump of PB playdough. They play with it for a long time making different shapes and then gobble it up when they are done. I haven't met a kid yet that didn't like it!

Sardines:

No, not more about food... the game. Last night our family spontaneously ended up playing sardines for hours. We turned out almost all the lights in the house and played the game kind of like a backwards hide and seek. When you find the person hiding you cram into their hiding spot with them- not letting the other players see or hear you doing so. By the end of the round all but one person is squeezed into the hiding place stifling giggles until the last person finds us all. We had a lot of fun and the kids just love it when Mom and Dad get in on the kid games and we had a lot of laughs as well!

Scrabble:

While I am a game fanatic I can't stand the game scrabble! Too much sitting there waiting for the other person to play and then when it's my turn to play I have to think (and we all know that's no game for me!). However, for those of you that do enjoy this torture of a game I just happen to have a list of the 10 highest scoring words: 1. Bezique 2. Cazique 3. Jazzily 4. Quartzy 5. Quetzal 6. Quizzed 7. Zephyrs 8. Zincify 9. Zinkify 10. Zythums.

Have some fun with your family today!

Sharing our personal joy again!

We got our monthly update photo and would like to share it with you all. We still have no new information on what's going on with the process. Please continue to pray for our kids! Thanks, Angela

Y2K

TODAY'S JOKE:
(November 1999, before the world ended in the Y2k Wars.)
Corporate has determined that there is no longer any need for network or software applications support. (See below)
The goal is to remove all computers from the desktop by December 1999.
Instead, everyone will be provided with an Etch-A-Sketch:
1. No Y2K problems
2. No technical glitches keeping work from being done.
3. No more wasted time reading and writing emails.

Frequently Asked Questions for Etch-A-Sketch Technical Support:
Q: My Etch-A-Sketch has all of these funny little lines all over the screen.
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: How do I turn my Etch-A-Sketch off?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: What's the shortcut for Undo?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: How do I create a New Document window?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: How do I set the background and foreground to the same color?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: What is the proper procedure for rebooting my Etch-A-Sketch?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: How do I delete a document on my Etch-A-Sketch?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: How do I save my Etch-A-Sketch document?
A: Don't shake it.

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE:
The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. Psalm 119:130

TODAY'S KID JOKE:
Where does a bee wait for public transportation?

At the buzz stop

It's the thought that counts

TODAY'S JOKE:
At a special school birthday party, a kindergarten teacher was receiving gifts from her pupils. The florist's son handed her a gift.
She shook it, held it overhead, and said, "I bet I know what it is, some flowers."
"That's right," the boy said, "but how did you know?""
Oh, just a wild guess," she said.
The next pupil was the daughter of the candy store owner.
The teacher held her gift overhead, shook it and said, "I bet I can guess what it is, a box of candy."
"That's right, but how did you know?" asked the girl.
"Oh, just a wild guess," the teacher said.
The next gift was from the son of the liquor store owner.
The teacher held it overhead, but it was leaking.
She touched a drop of the leakage with her finger and tasted it.
"Is it wine?" she asked.
"No," the boy replied, obviously delighted that he had stumped her.
The teacher touched another drop of the liquid and placed it to her tongue. "Champagne?" she asked.
"No," the clearly delighted boy answered."
I give up, what is it?"
The boy enthusiastically replied, "It's a puppy!"

TODAY'S BILBLE VERSE:
Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

TODAY'S KID JOKE:
How do short people like to travel?

In mini-vans

Bill Gates and the Genie

TODAY'S JOKE:
Bill Gates is at the beach when he discovers a bottle in the surf. Gates pulls out the cork and a Genie appears.
The Genie says, "I have been trapped for 100 years. As a reward you can make a wish."
Gates thinks about it as he carries the bottle back to his beach cottage. Once there, he goes to a bookshelf, pulls out an atlas and turns to a map of the Middle East. "This area has seen conflict and suffering for hundreds of years. What I wish for is peace in the Middle East."
The Genie replies, "I don't know ... I can do a lot, but this? Don't you have another wish?"
Bill Gates thinks and finally says, "Ok. The whole world hates Microsoft because we have conquered the software market and because Windows still crashes. I wish you would make everybody love us."
The Genie says, "Let me see that map again."

GREAT QUOTE:
If everybody else seems to be rubbing you the wrong way; maybe it's you that needs to get turned around!

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE:
Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. 2 John 1:6

TODAY'S KID JOKE:
How do you make the number one disappear?

You add a "g" to it and it's "gone"

True Love

Okay, yesterday I poked fun at my Dad (it's one of our ways of showing love), then today I watched online as he gave a message last night (valentines day). Now I would like to say in all seriousness that My Dad is not only the funniest of anyone I have ever known but he is certainly one of the wisest as well.

During Valentines Day people think and talk a lot about love and gifts. I encourage anyone that wants to know about REAL love and gifts greater then anything in a gift bag (yes, even better then the chocolates you got) to listen to this message about True Love: it will certainly have an impact on your heart and possibly change your life forever.

To hear of this love go to www.calvarychapelchico.com and from the main page click on Will Glaspie True Love (2/14)

I love you Dad! In an Agape kind of love that God has given me for you- one that will never end!

"HOPELESS" Romantic

Here it is... a picture of the "Hopelessly" Romantic. Now, this might sound like a good thing at first glance but then again the word Hopelessly isn't exactly a great word is it? My father is definatly the funniest man alive (if you ask me anyways). I have memories of sitting around the table as a family and my food getting cold because my Dad and brother would crack us up so much it was hard to eat! Today I would like to nominate my Dad into the romance hall of fame with these great examples (you are soon to understand my Mothers amazing since of humor to have Married this man!):

Nomination Example #1- It was my parent's anniversary. My Dad took my Mom to a card shop and told her to look around...pick out the card that she loved best...money's no object. My Mother (who is ALWAYS a good sport about everything) took her time reading many cards until she found one that she loved. She told my Dad that she found the one that she wanted and He said "Great, now go ahead and put it back". From how I recall the telling of the story...Dad figures she read the card so why would he need to buy it?! Seriously, He did NOT buy the card! Now to some this may seem crazy, but to our family it's a memorable story that we all laugh at and is so "my Dad".

Nomination Example #2- (you won't believe this but it's true!) My father is such a romantic man that when he was dating my Mom he would serenade her. Sounds sweet right? Well, here is the chorus of the song... you be the judge:

"I wouldn't take her to a dog fight, or any other place I've ever been.

I wouldn't take her to a dog fight, not even if she had a chance to win."

It's true I'm afraid. He really did sing that to her and she married him anyways! No wonder I'm as messed up as I am. There is a verse to that song my Dad would sing to me too when I was a teenager that is too painful for me to add on here (plus I have conveniently forgotten the words). My therapist suggested that I not discuss this with anyone!

So these are just a couple of examples of countless ways my father has cracked us up. He's always had a great joke, an encouraging word, lots of hugs and kisses for everyone in the family, He's NEVER met a stranger (even someone He's never met is a friend). My Mom and Dad are the most beautiful example of what a marriage can be when God is the main priority. They both have this amazing gift of laughter and love and I consider it a real honor that God would allow me to be their daughter!

Even after this life my Father wishes to continue to make others laugh. He has made my Mother promise that when He heads off to heaven that she would have this engraved on his headstone:

"I told you I was sick!"

After many years of insisting my Mother has agreed. I hope we have MANY MANY more years of my Dad's jokes and laughter here on earth. He is one of the greatest gifts this earth has ever received!

Dad- You have an opportunity to rebuttal or add to this in the comments area if you like.

Mom and Dad- You are two truly amazing people. I hope you had a wonderful day together today and I thank you for your example of what a fun and loving marriage looks like!

All my love, Angela

Casual Day

Today's joke is for my husband. The way he describes how many meetings, procedure outlines, etc. they do for every little detail always entertains me (I guess this is a good thing since he works at a Chemical Manufacturing plant!)

TODAY'S JOKE:
Casual Day
To: All Employees
Re: Casual Day
Memo No. 1: Effective immediately, the company is adopting Fridays as Casual Day so that employees may express their diversity.
Memo No. 2: Spandex and leather micro-miniskirts are not appropriate attire for Casual Day. Neither are string ties, rodeo belt buckles or moccasins.
Memo No. 3: Casual Day refers to dress only, not attitude. When planning Friday's wardrobe, remember image is a key to our success.
Memo No. 4: A seminar on how to dress for Casual Day will be held at 4 p.m. Friday in the cafeteria. Fashion show to follow. Attendance is mandatory.
Memo No. 5: As an outgrowth of Friday's seminar, the Committee On Committee's has appointed a 14-member Casual Day Task Force to prepare guidelines for proper dress.
Memo No. 6: The Casual Day Task Force has completed a 30-page manual. A copy of "Relaxing Dress Without Relaxing Company Standards" has been mailed to each employee. Please review the chapter "You Are What You Wear" and consult the "home casual" versus "business casual" checklist before leaving for work each Friday. If you have doubts about the appropriateness of an item of clothing, contact your CDTF representative before 7 a.m. on Friday.
Memo No. 7: Because of lack of participation, Casual Day has been discontinued, effective immediately.

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE:
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. John 15:12

TODAY'S KID JOKE:
Where do termites go for vacation?

Holly-wood.

Slogans

TODAY'S JOKE:

A professor was giving a lecture on company slogans in a college advertising and marketing class.
"Joe," he asked, "which company has the slogan, 'Come fly the friendly skies'?
"United." Joe answered.
"Brenda, can you tell me which company has the slogan, "Don't leave home without it?"
Brenda answered with the correct credit card company with no difficulty.
"Now John, Tell me who uses the slogan, 'Just do it'?"
John was quiet for a moment before answering, "Mom?"


TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE:
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:7, 8

TODAY'S KID JOKE:
What did the baseball glove say to the baseball?

Catch you later!

Sharing our personal joy again!!

Letter from Stephanie- this is the first time ever that we have heard from any of our children in Haiti. Here is our heart-melting letter from our daughter Stephanie. Please pray with us that she and her brother and sister will come home to us soon. Here is letter. It begins with a note from a very kind missionary that is allowing us to use her email to communicate!:

Here is the response from Stephanie. She is sitting beside me at the computer, her hair is braided in cornrows and she is wearing a funky little leopard-spottedshirt. She most of this letter herself and I asked her some questions to prompt her and give her an idea of what sorts of things you would like to know about. When I showed her the photo of the her brothers, she jumped and asked me "is it real?" I didn't know what she meant for a minute and then I realized she was talking about the dinosaur behind the boys. So cute! Where do you live in the States? Enjoy the letter,Kez
Dear Mom and Dad,It is a real pleasure to write you this letter. Howare you, my brothers and the whole family? I love youvery much. Thank you for the letter. I really appreciated it. Iam very happy to hear that you have converted (notefrom Kez- I'm not sure why she phrased it that way, but I can tell you that when I read the letter to her and I got to the part about your family being Christian, she gave this little wriggle of excitement and said Oh, good!) I love to eat peanut butter sandwiches; sometimes we eat it in the morning for breakfast, sometimes at night. I like to sing, and to draw. I like to play with Lovenie. I like to iron and wash clothes (!!). I go to school Monday through Friday, my school is in the same building as where we live. I live on the third floor and I have school on the second floor. Iwear a uniform to school it's blue and white checked. I like my uniform. Jude wears the same uniform but his has pants and mine is a skirt. I'm in first grade. We âre studying history, numbers,dictation, copying (to learn how to write). I don'tlike my teacher very much because she hits us too much when she is punishing us. My teacher teaches us in both French and creole. Could you send me your phone number? Lovenie loves you, Jude loves you, and I love you too. Do you know when you are going to come to Haiti? I pray for you every day.
Kisses,Your daughter, Stephanie.

School can be funny

I'm going to once again leave my usual post style to share something new. Today me and the boys were doing school and we picked up the book Where the Sidewalk Ends and it cracked us up. Here was one of our favorites:

Boa Constrictor:

Oh, I'm being eaten
By a boa constrictor
A boa constrictor
A boa constrictor
I'm being eaten by a boa Constrictor,
And I don't like it- one bit.

Well, what do you know?
It's nibblin' at my toe.
Oh, gee
It's up to my knee
Oh my,
It's up to my thigh.
Oh, fiddle,
It's up to my middle.
Oh, heck
It's up to my neck.
Oh, dread,
It's upmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmfffffffffffffff

Bumpy Landing (for my Dad the pilot)

TODAY'S JOKE:

An airliner experienced an unusually bumpy landing. After they had taxied to the terminal, the sheepish pilot took his regular station at the door, telling the passengers, "Thanks for flying with us."
In light of his bad landing, he was fully prepared to grin and bear it should anyone make a comment. But no one had, and the only passenger left coming down the aisle was a little old lady walking with a cane. She stopped at the door and turned to him. "Sonny, mind if I ask you a question?""Why no Ma'am, "said the pilot. "What is it?"The little old lady asked, "Were we shot down?"

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE:
How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7

TODAY'S KID JOKE:
What goes oh oh oh?

Santa walking backwards.

Ignorance and apathy

TODAY'S JOKE:
A university professor set an examination question in which he asked what is the difference between ignorance and apathy.
The professor had to give an A+ to a student who answered: I don't know and I don't care.


TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE:
I love you Lord, you are my strength! Psalm 18:1

TODAY'S KID JOKE:
Doctor, Doctor, I think I'm a bell!

Take these and if that doesn't help give me a ring.