HIV Isn't Spread Through

I got a great book that my friend Erin recommended some time ago and I just love this book and highly recommended for people to read especially for those who are in denial about HIV. Also this book is such an easy read. You don't have to be a doctor to understand.

The book is called 100 questions about HIV and AIDS by Joel Gallant, MD.

Back to my title, here it is:
HIV isn't spread through contact with saliva, urine, sweat, or feces, and contrary to popular belief, it is not transmitted by mosquitoes, exposure of body fluids to intact skin, holding hands, kissing, hugging, sharing drinking glasses or eating utensils, mutual masturbation, or having naughty thoughts. (sorry about the last two words but this doctor has a funny sense of humor at times).

Got to go, more little lessons about HIV another day.

Danica off to College again

My Danica. Sorry, the picture is a year old

Where did the 3 months go when Danica was home from college. I am so proud of her. She worked hard all summer long to make some extra cash. I actually had her living on a $100.00 per month while at college last year. But I guess she started to like her financial independence and now she even found a job at her college working at the financial department.

I look back now, a year ago, and she has had so much confusion if she was at the right college. Her story from last year was pretty amazing to tell. She had applied at 4 colleges and they all accepted her. Of course she applied only at an hour radius from our house. She loves being close to home. But she really wanted to chose between either the University of WA or Seattle Pacific University. For me it wasn't even a decision, I wanted her at SPU because I wanted her at a Christian College with low student numbers attending. But I wanted Danica to make her final choice. So last year when it came to decision making between the two colleges I told her she needed to go away and pray about it hard. So she proceeded to go the the beach and here is her story. She told me she prayed and prayed that God would lead her the way. Finally she said "God, if in the next 3 minutes a sea lion comes out of the water, I am meant to go to SPU. If nothing happens, I am meant to go to UWA. So basically the sea lion popped out of the water as soon as she turned her head and here was the decision where she needed to go. I still get chills when I think about Danica's story.

So her first half year at college she was really struggling, not in school but more with the people thinking she didn't fit in because of her being a minority. But a miracle happened after January of this year. She returned from her break and now she loves her college with all the people and everything it has to offer.

Since Kevin is a full time student we actually had to tell the school that we wouldn't be able to bring her back this year because it's private and way too expensive. So they re-locked at our finances and also on how much money we have been spending for the adoptions and they had great mercy on us cutting our bill in half for tuition this coming year. Praise God! That was a great blessing. Now I really believe with all my heart Danica is at the right college where she needs to be and is meant to be.

More about my Danica another day. I just got off in lalaland because I was thinking about her college.

28 days till Court

Every time I think about that I get sick to my stomach. 28 more days or 4 more weeks. We have almost made it. Well let's hope so anyway. I have seen too many stories about people not making court but it just has to happen. Having 2 children that are not related doesn't make it any easier because they have to hear 2 different cases. Although the time was flying by, it still seems so slow and forever away. I just miss these little ones so badly. I dream about them so much. I dream of holding them both in my arms for the very first time. I really hope that ones they have made court that the time flies by after that just because of packing and doing all these last minute things. The fact that I am traveling alone doesn't bother me at all. I just wanna be with my kids. I wish I could leave right now and I so would if I didn't have to work right now.

Any Suggestions?

This weekend we are moving our 20 year old Danica into the basement. Don't worry it's nice, its a daylight basement and she is really excited anyway. Plus she is going back to college soon. She will not be home very often but of course we feel like we still need to give her a room. And I like to keep all my little ones upstairs with me.

Anyway, I really need your advice. If you are reading my blog and have never left a comment, I would appreciate your advice too if you can relate to my question. My 2 kids from ET are a boy and a girl, both 4 years old, and I will have to put them in one room. Although I am not buying any furniture yet I was trying to get some ideas. The room is already painted yellow which I think is a neutral color. I was so set on getting a girly room and a boyish room but since I have to now set them up in one room I don't know what to do. I have to say I am a little disappointed. I know the kids really don't care but I do. I just want to set up something fun and inexpensive.

What would I do? What would you do?

My two very 2 sweet blogger friends Carolyn and Andrea have recently picked up their children from ET. I didn't get there permission to link their blog but I will just have to say something about them.... Before picking up their children they had to make some serious decisions if they still wanted to bring their children home or not per the agency. Without even blinking (I know they prayed and talked to their husband's about it) they made the decision to bring home those precious children anyway, no matter what. Just writing about this is making tears stream down my face. I have so much love and respect for these families I can't barely explain! They have just inspired me so much in my own journey. Having followed their blogs and watched the grace they have and love for their children is an understatement.

I am saying all of this because I am telling you that God has prepared me also to bring my two precious children home no matter what is wrong with them. Do you hear? No matter what. The day I signed the placement papers, those precious children were my children just like my 2 bio children. I will love them unconditionally. Even if they were healthy and have some deep anger issues, want to destroy my house, or beat me, whatever it is, bring it one, I am prepared. Once I have made a commitment that is it, through thick and thin. I will make this vow to my children today at this very moment.

CAMP

I had the privilege this weekend to meet some amazing families that have already brought their children home from ET. Since they have not given me permission or I rather didn't even ask to post their pictures, I will not.

The kids were off playing with their counselor's pretty much all day and the parents got to have free time most of the camp. But for me the best time was I got to talk to the wonderful women that I was able to meet just on their blogs.

My husband and another husband was just cracking up over me as I mentioned all their names and they just looked at me like I was crazy.

What was really the biggest highlight was that Kevin got to talk to some dads that he just admired and was able to get their side of the story on adoption and large families. He is really, really excited now.

If any of the ladies that I met at camp are reading this that I have met up with, I just have to tell you, you are so amazing and incredible and I wished we all lived closer together.

And one last thing, there was one kid that I absolutely adored. She was really good friends with my son B in ET and we just hit it off. Ask her mommy, right S.? I picture my little girl H. looking just like her frame wise.