You just never know who's reading!

Before I post what I want to say, I want to remind you to please pray specifically for two sweet angels that are in surgery this morning.

Teddi Winder, who happens to be the precious daughter of my dear friend Tina at One Blessed Nest. Teddi is in surgery this morning having her palate repaired. Please pray that all go well and that her palate remain intact without any fistulas forming.

UPDATE ON TEDDI! "Teddi came through her surgery well. They were able to close her palate completely. She's been sedated most of the day and is cranky while awake. Thanks for all your prayers! Please pray for a restful night and that we get to come home tomorrow."

And of course, continued prayers for Susannah, who is also in surgery this morning. Again, Susannah's blog is HERE. Also, be sure to read today's post! It's definitely a "God thing"!

UPDATE ON SUSANNAH! PRAISE GOD SHE IS OUT OF SURGERY AND ALL WENT WELL!!!

Now onto my title post, You Just Never Know Who's Reading!

This morning I awoke to a message in my email that stated that someone had left me a comment on my Guestbook. I was quite excited because although I receive emails and comments on my blog all the time, most people don't bother with the Guestbook anymore.

This message was extra special though. It was from Jan Beazely. Remember Jan Beazely? She is the remarkable author of the book The Strength of Mercy that I am giving away! I feel so blessed and humbled that my little blog was read (even if by chance) by someone who has helped so many. Since my Guestbook is public, I have posted below her entry.

Thank you again Jan for taking the time to write. You are a faithful servant doing God's work and it is so very evident by the blessings in your life that you have shared with so many.

Dear Ohilda!

It's around three in the morning Portland Time and I couldn't sleep. So I started scrolling through blessing blogs and websites since I am going to be designing and doing one for AGCI called Small Blessings! named after our magazine and our gift store. As I was scrolling down your blog all of a sudden there's The Strength of Mercy staring back at me. I couldn't believe it! It took me back now almost 18 years ago when our own story was unfolding. Looking back I am always encouraged and pray that other families will be inspired by our story to pursue God's heart toward building their own families. Thank you for sharing my book with those on your blog! Hannah will be 18 in December, can you believe it! She ultimately became the first of almost 2500 children now home from all over the world. Hope all is well with you, watch for the new blog site addition. We'll be sending out an announcement when its up and running!!! Blessings to your wonderful family and to all !

Blessings!!

Jan Beazely

Not Me Monday

The author of My Charming Kids started something that I've found is hilarious and quite a few of my bloggy friends are doing. Could it be the fact that women all over blog world are being totally honest with what they occasionally do, and it sometimes reminds me of me? No...that couldn't be. Not me.

I did not sweet talk Scott, after he worked all day, into making dinner so that I could spend the evening reading my favorite blogs, only to fall asleep after a full tummy. Nope...not me. A good wife doesn't do that.

I would never call out to AJ "Wait. I'll be right there." for about 10 minutes after he woke up from his nap, just so I could finish watching Miami Animal Police in peace. No worries! It wasn't me! I'm an attentive, loving Mama.

I did not walk out the front door to get the mail and walk right back in when I saw my nosy neighbor standing outside. Furthermore, I certainly did not peek out the window hoping she didn't see me and come over to chat. That would be mean....and I'm not mean. Am I? No...umm....no, not me.

I did not tell the telemarketer that called this morning that Mrs. Bombardier won't be in until this evening and that I was the babysitter. I would never do that. Those telemarketers work hard for their money, and that just wouldn't be right. Definitely not me!

I did not sit in front of the computer this morning, eating Doritos and drinking a Coke while looking up Weight Watchers meetings. I'm serious about the diet I told Scott I'm starting and I would never do that!

Finally....a date!

After almost a year to the day of OUR visit, Anna Grace will be having her syndactyly surgery at Shriner's Hospital in Tampa.

I have to chuckle at God's sense of humor though. After my ranting on a previous post that I was going to vote early to be done with the elections, the only day available that she could have surgery without having to wait until the next month is November 4th!

I'm praying hard that this surgery be the breaking point that we need so that she fully understands and accepts me as her Mama. Our little girl has indeed come a long way, but those attachment monsters have yet to cease to rear their ugly heads. The past 3 weeks have been non-stop. One night I was so exhausted and resigned to the fact that this was going to be my/our life forever that I completely broke down. I haven't done that in months.

At times it's so hard that I feel like I can't deal with it anymore. It's exhausting. I have to keep reminding myself that I can do all things through God that strengthens me. And although we've been through a year that the baby steps have added up to big steps, it's so difficult to stay focused on that. I know I don't have to explain to those of you that are going through the same issues how it drains every ounce of your being. I digress.

Going back to the surgery. We have a pre-surgical appointment on October 21, and then we need to head up there on November 3rd, in order to be at the hospital by 6:30 a.m. I'm not sure of the details of the length of the surgery or what exactly they will be doing. I will post when I know more. Of course, I will also post as the date approaches asking for prayers for my baby girl. I think I will be having to stay with her alone up there. Scott will be going for the surgery, but do to a new job and the kids' school days, it will be almost impossible for him to be there the entire length of the stay.

Again, I feel like I don't know if I'll be able to handle it all 24/7 alone, but I am looking at it as if God had made all the arrangements and that she will indeed see that I am there for her through her pain and confusion, without ever leaving her side. They did inform me that they have "cottage rooms" for the parents to stay at during the night, but I told them that I would be by her side the entire time, so a room is not necessary. That'll even include meals since they work similar to the hospital where Kai had his surgery and they bring 1 parent up a meal with the child's meal. Hence, no reason to leave her side.

I pray daily that not only her surgery go perfectly, but that her little heart be healed at the same time. That she no longer see herself as a stranger in our family unit. Don't get me wrong, she laughs, plays and is involved in all that we do as a family, but it is still all at our request. Never does she "join in on the fun" without standing back and watching to see if she is invited to play with Scott, Amanda or myself. It's very sad.

She is still receiving speech 2 times per week and her communication is much better, but I do know that there are many times that she doesn't completely understand what we are saying or she doesn't know how to express her feelings. We are working hard on both.

Oh...lastly! I am impressed at the number of responses (and lurkers) that have commented for the giveaway. Thank you! If you haven't signed up yet, you have until this Friday at midnight. I will videotape Anna Grace drawing the winning name on Saturday morning and post it right away!

That's it for now. I have lots of cute pictures to share and will be doing so soon, so please be sure to check back.