Leigh NEEDS...

I first saw this on Rachel's blog and thought it was hilarious! Simply "google" your "needs" by entering "your name needs". Here are some of my "best" needs:

1. Leigh needs a PonyBoy. (Well...I am originally from Tulsa and I did SO love "The Outsiders.")

2. Leigh needs money because he is getting married in June. (After twenty years, this would be a REAL shock for JB on so many levels!)

3. Leigh needs your prayers and support right now. (Seriously, I ALWAYS do!)

4. Leigh needs heart healing and anxiety-control. (OK...this is getting a little too personal...LOL!)

5. Leigh needs a mental emancipation. (Ouch!)

6. Leigh needs to get out more. (This is surely confirmation that I need to finish packing and hit-the-road!)

One last day of work and we are off. We'll have wireless at the beach house and I know I'll do some late-night blog checking...that is, after a little sun, some surf, a few of shrimps, and a Club Special or two! WooHoo!

Summer Memories

I miss summer...REAL summer...the summer of my youth. I miss NO responsibility, NO schedule...sleeping late...swimming ALL day...being really tan with gold streaks in my brown hair...riding bikes till my legs were ready to fall off....bottle rocket wars with my big brother at the lake...church camp...and a great vacation road trip.


Since WB is 7 (and a half) and forming lifetime memories, this year I've tried really hard to see that he has a great summer. One highlight is sure to be our upcoming beach vacation. We are so excited! (Three days till blast off!!!) But...(there's always a but...) for months, I've foolishly been telling myself we'd have a referral by the end of the summer and that appears unlikely, and it has made me a little melancholy today. I know it will happen...eventually...I just hate getting my hopes up.


HOWEVER, I want it noted that I am NOT whining...NOT whining one bit...I have a TON to be thankful for and I am truly blessed. In a week, JB and I will lay on our beach blanket, as WB hunts sand crabs by moonlight (with a flashlight supplement.) Then, we'll sit back, holding our little boy's hands, as we all "ooh" and "aah" at fireworks over the ocean. It's gonna be great...and my boy will remember it always.


And, next year there will be all kinds of little pink and purple stuff in another suitcase that gets packed into the car as we head out on another summer adventure. I LOVE summer and I can't wait to give my kids fabulous summer vacations and great summer memories. But, that boy of mine better never even think about shooting bottle rockets at his little sister!!

Vietnam Family Day 2007

At first, I was a little overwhelmed by this event. While I feel like I "know" many people through this blogging experience, it is SO different seeing them in person and initiating a conversation! We have so much in common, and yet, strangely, I didn't seem to know what to say. It was one of the few times in my life that I was actually a little shy...I regret that I didn't get to speak to everyone, but here are some of my personal highlights from the day:

• Tricia - helping me to start with Rachel and introduce myself!
• Dawn - hearing your Korea experience and seeing your excitement for your second adoption.
• Seeing so many beautiful families, especially those whose blogs I've followed.
• Erin - real talk about fears, bonding, and bringing home little sisters for big brothers.
• Seeing tears in the eyes of the "Sweet"est grandma as she told the story of realizing that God placed her grand baby on "the other side of the world...and then watching John Booth get up to get napkins for the weepy women.
• Seeing the Dillons again, after 20 years, and realizing that they didn't think I was a bad babysitter.

I really got a lot out of the day, much more that I expected. I think JB would say that I'm a worrier. While we are confident adoption is the right choice for us...I do worry a lot about bonding. Is this little girl gonna love me? Am I gonna love her? What if I don't feel "connected" right away? Speaking with those who have gone before, and realizing they had had similar fears, really helped me to feel more confident.

Jerry Dillon announced that there would be a Vietnam Heritage Camp beginning next year. I thrilled about that and I hope the Vietnam Family Day continues next year too. (Cause I should actually have a baby from Vietnam by then! WooHoo!!!) It is still gonna take a long time, but it IS gonna happen! And, I'm thankful to all the families that I saw today that reminded me of that....

It's Summer...You Know What That Means???

The Best of Reality TV...Big Brother!!

I can't wait! I don't know what it is about reality TV...what it is about Big Brother specifically, but I love it! I am a general reality addict...love the competition...love the microscope on human nature...love taking sides and guessing who will win. Love it all! Even though we'll be at the beach on vacation on July 5th, rest assured that I will not miss the premier.

Speaking of the summer and vacation...can't wait! We leave on the 30th for a quick 15 hour drive to Rosemary Beach, FL. We'll be traveling with our BF's and their 3 kids and my parents will be joining us for a few days. 4th of July at the beach...(and the first BB episode)...it just doesn't get any better!

No...wait...it does get better....MORE COMPLETED ADOPTIONS....

Best wishes to our Dillon families traveling TOMORROW! I can't wait to follow your blogs: Jessica, Erin, and Leslie.

To Blog Or Not To Blog...

that is the question. I probably write about five posts for every one that makes it to this blog. I continue to wonder why I do that...


Everyone that knows me, knows I have a LOT to say and no shortage of opinions. However, in this environment I make a concentrated effort to watch my phrasing and how I present information. This is an open forum and I welcome strangers. I'll try to treat them the same as I would if we were meeting in person. I'm not going to purposefully "call someone out" or say anything intended to offend. That isn't to say that my mouth doesn't get me in trouble sometimes, but I am always the first to apologize because I believe one can never be too gracious.


All too often I have to counsel employees on written communication, especially e-mail. I preach that readers don't have the benefit of seeing facial expression or hearing the tone of voice. I now notice, as a result of spending more time online in forums and reading blogs, how many people don't realize (or care) how they present themselves. I think that's a shame.


This is not to say that I will "hold my tongue" on my own blog--I'm writing it, I can say what I want--and that will likely include controversy at times. I read tons of blogs...TONS...many I love, some I like, lots I don't agree with, and a few that I think are slightly "off." However, if I don't agree or don't think the writer is stable, I certainly don't comment. What's the point? Online war? I just move on...


So...this is me....I'm about Peace, about getting along, and most importantly I'm about sharing this adoption experience with anyone that is interested...the good and bad. I've learned so much from others traveling this road and I'm so thankful for this environment.

So..these are my thoughts for today and I'm going to post them. If you don't like them, just move along. For there is something more interesting, more informative, more humorous, and vastly better written just around the corner....that's the beauty of blogland!

Peace.