3333.3 Miles (part 2)

I emailed Josh and asked him if there was anything he wanted me to do or any place he wanted me to go while I was there. The one thing he requested I do was to go to open mike on Monday night. I wanted to see him sing in public, so I was so thankful that I was invited to go. Open mike was held at
The Buttonwood Tree in Middletown.

It is definitely an artsy type place with people that stretch me way beyond my comfort zone.  I am glad I went. I think every town should have a place similar to this.

I impatiently awaited Josh's turn to perform. I watched the others that were there, trying to saturate myself into Josh's life. His mom was sitting next to me. She has been his number on cheerleader all of his life and his best friend. I sat pondering my life decision to give him up for adoption and wondered how different his life would have been if I hadn't. I wondered if I would have had what he needed in his life, sadly I realized that would not have, that is why I gave him up. Floods of emotions hit me sitting in that little room with the eclecticnesss of the life and people that were in it.

Isaiah had requested Josh to wear his spy glasses while he performed on the stage that night. Uncle Josh gladly did so just for the joy of his nephew. Thanks Josh!

I watched Josh wear these goggles and realized that this is one way that we are different.  I don't think I would have ever had the courage to do that. To make myself looks so independent of anyone else. I think that I prefer to be in the crowd without any one's eyes on me at all.

I am reminded of a picture Joann sent me of Josh when he was maybe four years old. He has a toy guitar in his hands and he is standing in front of a toy mic singing. It must be his comfort zone.

 Kara spent the most time with Josh, when he was available. 

I had to catch myself from feeling sorry for myself. I am an adult woman. I was the one that chose to give Josh up, I should not be hurt because I can't spend the time with him I want to. It was after all... the result of my own decision. I will have to live with it.  I was able to get a balance somewhere in my thoughts and hopefully I did not cause any issue in the house for anyone. I found the easiest way to deal with it was to go take a shower and cry while I was in the shower and then go to bed.

I thought all the way home about what I was feeling, all 3,333.3 miles. I don't normally put much weight on my feelings as they do seem to change quite often. I did however know that I needed to ponder my thoughts and and figure out where I think I  stand in this equation of Josh's  and my relationship.

From what I observed, I believe his relationship with his siblings is his priority. This is to be expected, as he has a mom and dad. I don't think he really needs me in his life. I will make it a point to stay in the back ground. I am doing what I can to not post on his f.b. but just on occasion. I will not initiate a chat with him when I see him online.  I am hoping that giving him this space, he will not feel crowded by me.

A few weeks before we went to CT, I was so excited to get to hear him sing on the radio. He had posted the station and time of his performance on his f.b. I found it online and bookmarked it. I could hardly wait to hear him! He played and sung live for one hour on the radio. My heart was beaming with so much pride. It was wonderful hearing him. It wasn't until after we got to CT, that I realized that maybe I had crossed a line of privacy there. It was not my place to be beaming with pride. It was his parents, and they indeed were. I don't think they know, that I had heard him that night.

He is coming to Texas in October. I am very happy that he is coming. I am preparing my heart to not be disappointed when his time is divided among my five children. As an adult I see that this is the most important thing to him.I am so thankful that my children are being healed from this life long hurt that has been in their hearts.I pray that Josh is too.


As a birth mother, I want to have him all to myself. Before this trip, I had planned on a trip back up there later in the fall. That would have allowed  just the two of us could have some alone time. Hindsight says not to do this, I don't think that will happen for quite a while...or if ever.  I will have to find my peace in my belief that the Lord put him on this earth for Rick and Joann. 

I am not entitled to anything more than what he is willing to give me.
That in essence, what he got from me.

3333.3 Miles!

We had driven to Poughkeepsie to pick up my grandson, arrived there at 2:30 in the morning. I tried sleeping once we got there, I don't really recall sleeping. I remember waking up several times during the 4 hours I laid on the couch. Then we were up and at em headed to CT by 8 in the morning. Monday morning rush hour between NY and CT is not fun! We managed to get lost in downtown Hartford and finding ourselves in the wrong part of town. It wasn't too scary, but I was very happy to get back to the right part of town. We met a fellow Etsian in the Hartford area, went shopping for a little while and then went to lunch. The food was very good, I believe the restaurant was called Friendlys. The butterflies in my stomach did not allow me to eat very much. After saying goodbye to Janette and her sweet granddaughter,....and well almost hitting her car backing out.... we headed to our next location! Josh's house!

When we first arrived, Rick, Josh's dad was the only one home. It was great just to see him and get to visit with him face to face after 21 years. This is the man I put my trust into to raise the child I had birthed but could not raise. I still feel like I made the right decision. He has been a father, and a rock to Josh, a very steady anchor. That is what I was wanting for that precious child, but not ever having experienced that in a man before, I did not know how to put that into words while I was searching for adoptive parents. I don't think I could have found anyone that fit that bill better than Rick.

Joann and Josh came in about 30 minutes later. I was the lst one up to get a hug and kiss! I had forgotten how tall Josh was... or maybe I just don't realize how short I am. He, Micah and Jordan are now right at the same height. Wow...

Joann, has such a generous spirit. I spent more alone time with her than I did anyone else. The time was so precious to me. I wish I had known her better, but for her to be Josh's mom, I certainly didn't need to. I do hope our friendship grows not at Josh's mom and birth mom, but as woman to woman. My mind still is boggled at times about how faithful God was to have put Josh in Rick and Joann's life. They have been what God intended them to be, Josh's parents, his family.

Kara had bought Isaiah some Spy Glasses when we were shopping earlier in the day. Isaiah was smitten with them. We almost could not keep them off of him with the exception of the time he lent them to his "Uncle Josh". As you see in the picture, Josh dutifully wore them like all good uncles would even in public! Josh took time to give Isaiah his first guitar lessons. I have this on video, but could not get it to upload, so here is a picture.

I need to find some lost pictures, so I will diligently search for them and follow up with a closing post on the trip asap!
 

Home! Sweet Home!!

We drove/rode 3333 miles in 5 days. Whew! I am glad that is behind us. I have spent the last 3 days resting.

We (Kara and I) made it to Poughkeepsie early Monday morning after a traffic jam due to 300 linear feet of road construction in PA. Wow!! and 11 p.m. traffic jam! I think I will stick with those we find here in Texas.

We finally made it our first destination Monday morning about 2:30! I thought that as tired as I was, I would be able to crash and sleep. Wrong!! There was no A.C.! Just fans to stir the air. It of course wasn't extremely hot at night. I guess the sheer excitement of getting to see my grandson after two years and has become a little scholar! He just finished lst grade, and is reading 4 syllable words. Wow! He also is telling time accurately!! Wooo hooo!! Did I mention how brilliant he is??

We got back on the road , headed to Connecticut at 8 a.m.  Kara has sworn off ever driving there again.
It was abit scary at times, but I truly think that it had to do with our exhaustion more than anything else.

I don't think she had slept but maybe 4 hours since we left Texas on Saturday afternoon.

 We were able to meet with a dear sister in the Lord and her precious granddaughter for lunch. That was an extra special treat to me. My heart is entwined with hers.

We got back on the road after lunch and made it to Josh's home about an hour later. It was wonderful seeing him in his home setting with his parents. We stayed there Monday night and Tuesday night. Then as promised by Kara... we were back on the road by Wednesday morning @6.

The roads seemed longer coming home. I did finally get to drive for a while... all the way across Arkansas.

Then Kara took the reigns again and drove 90 miles in one hour to get us home. All I knew to do was pray we would get home safely... and thankfully we did!

What is coming to Hampton House(very) Soon!!

Check out this link to see some of the items that I will have in the shoppe soon!
http://www.virtualjewelrycatalog.com/

You will need to choose the catalogue, click and then turn the pages.
They will not be available until the end middle to the end of July.
I am so excited!

How sweet it is!!

Caleb Michel Hood aka BabyHood.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

...baby is sleeping. He got his first bath today. :o)

Caleb's First Night Home / May 31, 2010

It is good to have them home....

Caleb Michel

aka BabyHood!

I can hardly wait to hold him for the first time!

Finally!

Chelsea graduated yesterday. I had promised to take her to "our special place" for an early lunch so I could get back to the shoppe and get it opened for the day. It is about a 30 minute drive from our little town. We headed out about 11:15 with Haleigh , my second daughter in coming with us. Haleigh had never been invited on one of our (Chelsea & my) mamma/daughter outings. We have been going there since Chelsea was in Kindergarten. Here is a link to their site http://www.puddinhill.com/ . Once we had eaten our Chicken Salad sandwiches we divided a Chocolate Eruption Cake between the three of us. It was absolutely divine! I was so glad to get to share the calories instead of hoarding them all. :o)

They have the most wonderful fruitcake in the world. Now, I say that with great prejudice, as I HATE fruitcake...that is all but Mary of Puddin Hill's.

There is always free help yourself samples of the flavors. That is a must thing to do when you first walk in, even before you order your meal. They also have samples of their chocolates, dips and salsas but nothing beats the fruit cake.

As we were getting ready to leave Chelsea requested we go on into the town to hunt for her a pair of shoes for graduation. I did not realize having a new pair of shoes was so VERY important for graduation. As I listened to her talk, my heart decided that I did not need to get back to our little town to open shoppe. It decided I needed to take this time with Chelsea and Haleigh and treasure it whole heartily. So we went to the mall and I think we  hit every retail store there was that had shoes. We were not able to find some she like that would fit her feet comfortably, as they are swollen underneath her 9 months pregnant body. As we searched the last store for shoes a decision was made to not buy shoes but to buy another new dress to go with a pair of flats that Haleigh had just bought this week...sooooo back to the lst store we went to at the other end of the mall. I have always heard walking was good for encouraging labor to set in... this did come to mind as we headed back to the other end of the mall.

This is one of the dresses we came home with. She said she felt like a butterfly in it. That made my heart smile, she indeed looked, airy, fun, and delightful in it!

Congratulations my darling! You made it all the way through! I am so proud of you!!

You are going to be a wonderful mommy!

Encouragement

God won't take a bad habit or an inappropriate lifestyle from you because He didn't give it to you. He will affirm your decision and strengthen your efforts when you start taking positive steps to rid yourself of the negative influences, the wrong attitudes, or the poor choices that are threatening your potential.

Imperfections

Sometimes I just sit in utter amazement at the actions of other people. I find myself judging their actions without giving them the consideration of being human. I shake my head in disbelief and assure myself
of the fact that I would never do anything that thoughtless.

....and then I am reminded of the time that
I felt my whole life was a mistake. I found myself apologizing to God one more time for being so imperfect.
As I set there in utter disgust at myself for my mess up... I heard in my spirit... Angela, I know every imperfection that is in you, I made you that way. It is in those imperfections that you learn who I AM and that I AM always with you. It is in those imperfections that I AM made big in you. It is in those imperfections
that you allow me to work what needs to be worked in you.

I do not believe that I know all of my imperfections. I believe that I am aware of the ones that God wants to be put on the spiritual operating table at this time. It is my decision which one(s) I will recognize as a dire emergency and realize that unless I willingly get under the surgeon's scalpel, I will continue to have this abscess of deathly behavior that will cause a spiritual stench beyond description in words.

Sooooo to all of those I have set in judgement of, I am so very sorry. I will focus on myself and my own shortcomings and not yours. I will pray for you grace and mercy and will offer them up instead of my selfish, self-centered attitudes.

Aprons... a walk down memory lane...

 

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath,because she only

had a few,it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along

with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out
dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-

hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out

the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees, or peaches,
or pecans.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron

could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew

it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served
so many purposes.

Why did Jesus fold the napkin?

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this....

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.

The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stopped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.

Was that important? Absolutely!

Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.

The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every

Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.

The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished..

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.
The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, "I'm finished.."
But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because..........

The folded napkin meant,
"I'm coming back!"

The Original Chex® Party Mix

3 cups Corn Chex® cereal

3 cups Rice Chex® cereal

3 cups Wheat Chex® cereal

1 cup mixed nuts

1 cup bite-size pretzels

1 cup garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular-size bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces

6 tablespoons butter or margarine

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder



The original recipe includes Corn Chex®, Rice Chex® and Wheat Chex®. You can mix and match to suit your taste—just use a total of 9 cups of cereal.


1. In large microwavable bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside. In small microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 40 seconds or until melted. Stir in seasonings. Pour over cereal mixture; stir until evenly coated.

2. Microwave uncovered on High 5 to 6 minutes, thoroughly stirring every 2 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool. Store in airtight container.

Oven Directions Heat oven to 250°F. In large bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside. In ungreased large roasting pan, melt butter in oven. Stir in seasonings. Gradually stir in cereal mixture until evenly coated. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container.

A Carrot, An Egg and A Cup of Coffee

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee (we all fall into one of these categories)



You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.



A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.



Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.



In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.



Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."



"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.



Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.



Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"



Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water.



Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.



"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?



Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?



Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?



Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.



When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER

By Maya Angelou



'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ

That a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'



When I say.... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean living,'

I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'



When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.



When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.



When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.



When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.



When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain...

I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.



When I say..... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,

I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

LETTING GO

author unknown

To let go doesn't mean to stop caring, It means I can't do it for someone else.

To let go is not to cut myself off, it's the realization that I can't control another.

To let go is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences. God can use those as I trust him!

To let go is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands -- it's in God's.

To let go is not to try to change or blame another, I can only change myself.

To let go is not to care for, but to care about.

To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive.

To let go is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being. Learning from our own mistakes is often God's way of working to grow us.

To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to effect their own outcomes.

To let go is not to be protective, it is to permit another to face reality.

To let go is not to deny, but to accept.

To let go is not to nag, scold or argue, but to search out my own shortcomings and to correct them.

To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes and to cherish the moment.

To let go is not to criticize and regulate anyone but to try to become what I dream I can be -- and to ask the Lord what he desires for me.

To let go is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.

To let go is to fear less and love more.

These are Instructions on how to let go...Perhaps it is letting go of a rebellious child, or a burden of sorrow, losing a loved one or learning to live with a heartache we are struggling to let go of. Read this over...Study it...Pray over it ... and you will find that letting go of your load will release a peace within you which will allow your spirit to soar...to be free...to completely give it to God...and let a work be done within you where the need is anyway.

Free Christmas Gifts!

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An Updated and Younger Me

I was blessed with youth tonight!
Thanks so much to http://www.etsy.com/shop/bluecitrusart

I could tell you what she did but instead, I will just let you
look and appreciate my youthfulness!

Thanks so much Irene! You have blessed me!... and made
my heart smile and my wrinkles disappear!

Before:

After:

Decisions! Decisions!

I HATE having my picture taken, but I need to do a press release
this week announcing my graduation from Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology.

I know it will be good for the business for me to do this, plus I have many
wonderful customers who have gone through this whole time of schooling with me
awaiting my graduation. It will be a easy way for them to know I have completed
what I set out to do.

So, do you have a preference as to which pic I should use??

#1
#2
#3
#4
Please leave me a comment and let me know which one you think looks
the best.



This last one is of me kissing the photographer! My #2 daughter, Haleigh!
Thanks Honey!