We've Moved!!!

We moved our blog http://maynardfamily.wordpress.com/
If you read my blog and would like the password please email me at jessica.maynard1973@yahoo.com and i will send you the password

Prayers are needed ---

Kelly from http://www.blogger.com/thebenshow.wordpress.com has asked that we all say a prayer tonigh at 8pm for Gina and Keith http://fiveinthehive.wordpress.com/. We are hoping that they will get the call soon with approved travel dates. You can click over on Kelly's blog and get more details. Let's all have a prayer for them tonight.

Daily Devotional from Jesus Calling

Try to see things more and more from My perspective. Let the Light of My Presense so fully fill your mind that you view the world through Me. When little things dont go as you had hoped, look to Me for Light heartedly and say, "Oh Well." This simple discipline can protect you from being burdened with an accumulation of petty cares and frustrations. If you practice this diligently, you will make a life changing discovery; you will realize the most of the things that worry you are not important. If you shrug them off immedialty and return your focus to Me, you will walk through your days with lighter steps and joyful heart. When serious problems come your way, you will have more reserves for dealing with them.

My friend Patricia sent this to me over the weekend. We've started calling issues in life "whatever bumps!!!" So I thought i would pass this devotion on to you.

Hope you have a great week!!

We’re going to have a NEWPHEW!!!

Yesterday Chad (my brother) and his wife Jessica found out that the little on is a boy!!! We went over to their house last night for a little celebration. We got to watch the DVD and he is so active. He likes to suck on two of his fingers and that’s too cute. The doctor said the baby weighs 14 oz right now. Jessica’s doing well with the pregnancy and everything is looking good. In January we will welcome Dallas Isaiah into this world.

I started my 2nd round of clomid yesterday. So please continue to pray for us. I’m trying so hard to stay positive and trust God. My biggest problem is patience. I’m not a patient person and I wish that I was. I told Ed last night that if God was waiting on me to be patient that It was going to take forever. I have to continue to work on being patient and to put all my trust in Him.

Hope everyone is having a good week—I just wanted to share my good news of the week.

Little Miss Hannah!!!

I was thinking about this on my way to work and I thought I would share. It’s was so sweet and cute, it brought tears and a smile to my face. One day last week when I picked Hannah up from school. She asked “When are we going to get my baby brother?” She sometimes just brings it up out of the blue. I said “Well maybe Daddy & Jecka might have a baby first before we get John Edward; we just have to pray and ask God.” She said “Okay, I’m going to pray right now-God please let Jecka have a baby in her stomach and God (big pause) please let it be a girl—Amen!!!”
It’s amazing how loving and sweet little kids can be.

Family Picture

I finally got the family picture from my SIL Jessica. It’s not the best picture of all of us but it works. We survived our first round of Clomid. The only side effect I had was a little hot flash now and then. So it wasn’t too bad at all. The other problem that I’ve had is I’ve gained a few pounds. Well let’s say 8 pounds in the past 2 months. I didn’t go last month to weight watchers because I knew I would have to pay. This Thursday I’m going back for my weigh and I’m going to deal with it. I’m blaming it on all the medicine that I’ve been taking. If you are a life time member at WW you don’t have to pay as long as you stay within 2 pounds of your goal weight. But you know I’m ready to be pregnant and gain 20 pounds. I’m praying daily for our little miracle. God listens to my prayers and if this is His plan it will happen.

Hope everyone has a great week.

Taking Time To Relax---

This is something we should all do. But, who does it!?! This past weekend we decided that was just what we were going to do. We stay on the go 90% of the time. Friday night we watched a movie at home. Saturday morning we slept till 9:00. That was a great feeling-For somereason I normally can't sleep past 7am. That night we went to diner at Macaroni Grill. It’s our favorite place to eat out. I normally try to eat a little healthy but this past weekend I decided I was eating just what I wanted and did not think twice about it. It was good and worth all of the calories. I was already bloated and felt pretty miserable from taking Prometrium. Its crazy how taking some medicines can make you just feel huge. Today I started on the Clomid. I’ve not taken this in a few years so I honestly can’t remember all/any of the side effects. I’m hoping that it won’t be too bad. The only thing I do remember is being hot-so I think I can deal with that. Oh, I forgot to mention while I was in the mood to eat just what I wanted-for desert we stopped at Cold Stone Creamery. I will say I did feel pretty miserable that night.

Nothing is happening with the adoption. We are still waiting until September 1st to get an official announcement. But there have been a few good things to happen for 2 families that I know of. Lauren and Jim are in Vietnam right now with their Son River. Also Gina and her family are close to bringing home their Sons.

Hope everyone is having a great week. Here is a picture of Eddie and I taken at my cousin Cara’s wedding.

So today we have been waiting on the list for a referral one year and 3 months. I never thought we would be in the predicament we are in today. With all the news that we’ve gotten since last Friday, I feel so discouraged and have no hope that we will bring our child home anytime soon. This past weekend was very hard for me. I was angry, sad, disgusted, bitter and very selfish. I basically had myself another pity party. This adoption is one of the hardest things I’ve ever dealt with. I know in the end (if we ever get there) will make all of the bad go away. I do pray for that day. We’ve have had 4 miscarriages in the past few years. I’ve said this before, this adoption has been harder that any miscarriage that I’ve had. When you finally got that test that says you’re pregnant, you are filled with happiness and tears of joy. When you start to loose the pregnancy you start to grieve for the loss of that child. We are once again in the process of grieving the loss of another child. I did not go to Church on Sunday because I knew my brother and his wife were announcing their pregnancy. I am happy for them but I just could not be happy at that moment. I did not want to pretend to be happy. At that moment I was ashamed for being so selfish but it was the way I felt. I do want to say this I am happy for them, I was just feeling sorry for myself that day. I do feel a whole lot better. I am still sad and still feel a void but I do hope that void will one day be replaced with my Son from Vietnam. I pray for all the families that are so close to having a referral. I immediately thought of my friend Melanie who has been waiting over 700 days. It has to be so hard but she still manages to be encouraging to others. She is an amazing woman.

We decided a couple of months ago to see another Fertility Specialist for a second opinion. With the first doctor we went through a whole bunch of testing. We did find out that I have one blocked fallopian tube. This decreases my chances of becoming pregnant. But one month I had 2 miscarriages in a row-so go figure. But they still could not determine why I kept miscarrying. That doctor told me that IVF was our only chance of staying pregnant and having a child. The new doctor has reviewed all of my records from previous doctor and has done more blood work. He found that I have extremely low folic acid in my body. He said this will contribute to a miscarriage because it causes the embryo not to develop. I left the doctor yesterday with several prescriptions. I’m taking a prescription for folic acid, over the counter folic acid, a low dosage aspirin and vitamins. Next month I start on Clomid and will start taking progesterone injections. The doctor will also do several ultra sounds through out the month. Next month I might be a bear with all of the hormones. I’ve been on Clomid before and it makes you very HOT!!!

We all know that everything happens for a reason. We are praying that we can have a child and we are still praying for our child in Vietnam. My heart still breaks for everyone and I do continue to pray for a good outcome for all of us.

A Few Pictures---

We had a really good time on our trip to St. George Island. It’s such a quiet and very relaxing place to go. It was nice to be with my family for a whole week. It’s probably been 5 years or so since we’ve been on a family vacation. There’s not a lot to do there but I think that’s what makes it so nice. I think there are two restaurants on the island and few little markets. We went to the grocery store in the next town and cooked and ate in every meal. We found probably over a 100 sand dollars. Josie, Grace and Hannah would all get so excited when they found one. It was a good time for all of us. I’m posting a few pictures that I took. My sister in law Jessica has the picture of the whole family. I will show that one once I get a copy of it. But here are a few of the girls. Hope everyone is having a great week and enjoying the summer. It’s gone by so fast this year. Hannah starts kindergarten at the end of this month. Gracie will be in 1st grade and Josie will be in 6th. They are growing up—I can’t wait to add a rowdy little boy to the bunch.

Vacation Time

We are all heading out to St. George Island in Florida. We've never been there but have heard that it's a good place to take kids. The beach is supposed to have big shells and lot of little sea turtles at night. All 10 of us are going for a little break. It will be nice to have the whole family together for a week.

There were 2 referrals last week and we had a few the week before. Things are starting to look a little more positive. We are all still praying that things continue on this note. I am not sure if we will get an update today or not since it's a holiday week. We are now at number 72 on the list.

Happy Father's Day

This has been a very fast few past weeks. We have been living with my parents for the past month waiting on our house to be finished. It’s now ready and we can finally move in. It’s not been bad at all living with my parents but it’s also nice to have your own space too. So this week we’ve been moving and getting ready for the girl’s dance recital on Saturday. They all look so sweet and precious in their costumes. It makes you realize that they are growing up way too fast.

We are now #74 on the list, we are slowly but surely making progress. I’m still keeping my hope and faith that we are going to bring our child home from Vietnam. I’ve been having dreams about him but in my dreams his name is Jack. Not sure what that means. Maybe we’ll have two and have a Jack and a John. That would be fun!!!

We also found out a couple of weeks that I’m going to be an Aunt again. My brother and his wife Jessica are expecting their fist child. Her due date is January 16th. I keep telling and teasing my brother that they will have a girl. He has this idea in his head that his child will be perfect. Oh-I think he has another thing coming.

I also wanted to take a minute to say Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers and soon to be fathers. Here are a few pictures of Eddie and Hannah. He’s a great Dad to her and he’s so good with our nieces Josie and Gracie and our nephew Jacob. I am so happy to have this man in my life. I’ve said it before but he’s my rock. He keeps me going when I have bad days. He’s our spiritual leader in our household and he helps me build my faith back up when I am down. I am blessed to have him in my life. He's also my best friend. I hope soon hone that we bring our son home.

Thanks for your support—

Thanks to everyone who picked up the phone this week and made those phone calls. We are truly humbled by all the support that we’ve been given.

NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT!!!

Today, JCICS did make their announcement for “A Child’s Right Campaign for Vietnam”. You will see on their web site specific instructions for contacting your local state representative. They even give you a link to finding your states contact information. It will take cooperation for all adoptive parents if this is going to work. Anyone can make the call – your friends, family members, you don’t have to be an adoptive parent to participate!
Please read through the entire announcement on their web site as it asks you to call on specific days as well as send an Email. You will also see that the recommendation of JCICS that when the new MOA is signed that they include in it that families would only be allowed to work with Hague accredited agencies. Please get the word out to everyone! We do feel that this is a very important initiative and is vital in the US signing a new agreement before September!!!!
I Here is the link to the JCICS web site where you can read about the Child’s Right Campaign.
http://www.jcics.org/Vietnam.htm

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform
He plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides up on the storm
Deep in unfathomable mines of never failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs, and works His gracious will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, the clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head,
His purpose will ripen fast, unfolding every hour
The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower
Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan His work in vain
God in His own interpreter, and He will make in plain

This is the song that we sang last night at Church. The song went with the lesson that was prepared. I really didn’t feel like going back to Church last night. This crazy weather has my sinuses all messed up. I am so glad that I went back last night. I feel like it was really meant for us. The heart of the lesson was when we ask God for things-that sometimes we wait longer to receive what we’ve asked for. Things just aren’t handed to us that would just be too simple. God wants to make sure we are ready to receive the blessings that he has prepared for us. I did take a lot from this lesson because I’ve been talking to God lately and asking for His help. We are considering doing a con-current adoption. We want to make sure the time is right and this is the path that we are supposed to take. I don’t want to make a decision right now because I feel like I would be making it all for the wrong reason. We do know that we will wait until we feel like the door is completely closed for Vietnam. Right now we don’t feel this way. There is still hope and we are willing to wait it out. If they tell us that the program will be shut for a while this is when we will start our con-current adoption. I pray daily that there will be a resolution to what is going on between the US and Vietnam. I pray daily for the families who are so close on the list to receive a referral before September 1st. I pray for the families who have been giving a referral and who are waiting to travel. I have met thru this blog some of the most encouraging ladies. I feel very blessed to have such an opportunity to meet each of you. I do believe that if God shuts this door another will be open. If that time does come-we will move on. Like the last verse of the song says-God is His own interpreter, and he will make in plain. When the time comes we will know His plan. I think the song says it well. The Bible verse associated with this hymn is Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches, the wisdom and the knowledge of God.

Let our voices be heard!!!!!

I know we all got the email from Nicky about Ethica. If you have not checked it you should. Here is the link http://www.ethicanet.org/item.php?recordid=vietnam&pagestyle=default
I know many of you have already sent letters in the past few months. We should all send them again. We have nothing to loose and everything to gain from it. Lately I've been posting a few quotes and verses from the Bible. Every morning on the way to work I pass a laundry mats billboard. So I will share this today. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

When you are down to nothing

God is up to something

Today I came across a Bible verse that I felt like I should share. After reading it a few times, I realized that we need to hear this over and over again. God's plan for us is bigger that we can ever imagine. The verse I'm speaking of is Jeremiah 29- 11 For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

My mind is so full right now. Im emotionally and physically exhausted. I’ve spent the entire weekend in tears. I know that’s it’s been a hard weekend for everyone. After a weekend of tears, praying and soul searching we have decided to wait this out. It really stinks that it may be September 1st before we have any answers. I can honestly say that I’m having a hard time right now. In my prayers this weekend I’ve asked God for strength, courage and faith. I’ve lost sight of it and I need it back. I want to believe again that we will bring our son home from Vietnam. My friend sent me an email this morning with some encouraging words. It’s from her daily devotional book-Jesus Calling. She suggested that I post somewhere so that I could be reminded of this daily. I do need this because I am week right now.

Come to me with empty hands and an open heart, ready to receive abundant blessings.
I know the depth and breath of your neediness. Your life has been difficult, draining you of your strength. Come to Me for nurtures. Let Me fill you with My presence: I in you, and you in Me. My power flows most freely into week ones aware of their need for Me. Faltering steps of dependence are not lack of faith: they are links to My presence.

Time

Time seems to have flown by this past year. It’s almost hard to believe that a year ago today, we were added to the waiting list. It’s amazing how times seems to have flown by, but then again, go by so slow. Not sure if that makes sense but it’s how I feel.

It is my prayer that things start to pick up in Vietnam. I pray for all of the children who are in the orphanages. There are so many children who need loving families. I pray that God will give us strength to get thru the hard days that we have. These past few weeks have been kind of emotional for me. I pray for the families waiting to travel and for everyone on the list.

I have tried not to read blogs too much lately. But, I have found that I do find encouragement from reading them. We all go thru the same emotions daily. So it’s nice to find comforting words, faith and perseverance from others. Thanks to everyone for sharing and giving me comfort. I also love seeing the traveling families.

I do have so many things right now to keep me busy. We are moving and I am such a pack rat. I didn’t really realize it until now. I really have my work cut out for me. Wish me luck—I have a hard time of letting go of things. Im trying to part with my first care bear, my first cabbage patch doll and my first Raggedy Anne and Andy dolls. I can’t pass them on to Hannah because she doesn’t really play with dolls too much. So I guess it’s time to let them go.

Quote for the day-

When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.”
-Unknown

Almost one year---

April 23, 2007 is the day that we were added to the list. I remember the day and remember being so happy and filled with excitement. I honestly felt that we would travel to bring our son home this year. I realized a few weeks ago that it was not going to be a possibility. Man, that was a hard day. That day was Tuesday, April 8th. I didn't know it at the time but our dossier was logged in that same day. So now thinking back I really had something to be thankful for that same day. For the days ahead I am going to try and remember that our son will come home. It may not be this year, but it will happen. Here is a little poem that I know we have all heard before but I wanted to post it again.

I haven't met you yet or seen your face,

but in my heart you hold a place.

My hope grows with each passing day,

even though you're miles away.

I know you're there waiting for me,

as I am here waiting to see,

the child God has sent from above,

to make me a mother and share all my love.

Karen Cooper

Cool News is......................

that our dossier made it to Vietnam and is currently in translation. They are suppose to let us know when it's been logged in. That's great news!!!!!!!

Update on April 9th--I just got an email that our dossier was logged in to the DIA in Hanoi, on April 8th.

Now we just sit back and wait for our child.