Home Study Paperwork Completed

Our home visit went really well.  Jennifer, the lady from the adoption agency, stayed for nearly three hours.  The visit was pleasant and unstressful (is that a word?).  She asked all kinds of questions like, "How were you disciplined growing up and how does that compare or contrast with the way you approach discipline with your children now?  How do you handle stress?  What was the most traumatic experience in your childhood?  Do you have a good support network of family and friends who are geographically close?  What was your relationship to your parents like growing up, and what is your relationship to them like now?"  These are just a few of many.  All in all, it was kind of fun answering some of these questions.  Some questions were quite thought provoking, but there weren't any that Neil and I had never discussed.  That made it easier, for sure!

Next step: the agency will write their report and begin finding matches of children for our family.   Neil and I have already been online looking at various children's profiles.  I am SO glad we have an agency working with us this time!

Adoption Update!

Our home visit with the agency is on Sunday at 2:30!  Wooo-hooo!  That is the last of the "paperwork"!  Next step: matching a child with our family.  Total awesome-ness!

Ahhh...the Holidays are Here

Yesterday the school bus pulled up to the curb in front of our house.  The door opened and my two little gentlemen stepped down the three stairs and off the bus.  Their bus driver waived to me.  "Have a great weekend!" she said.

Thanksgiving is one day away.  We have a busier than usual holiday planned this year.  With our family living on the far north side an we living on the far south side of the country, family get-togethers and visits are far and few between.  However, this year we have been invited to feast with friends here in Texas for Thanksgiving, and we will be flying back to Wisconsin for Christmas.  All this to say, my mind is quite possibly "busier" than what is typical.

This morning my alarm went off at 5:50am.  Ten minutes left to snooze.  The boys' bus arrives at 6:45 to pick them up for school each day.  Sigh...5:54am.  Six minutes left.  Pray quickly...I've got to...so much to accomplish today.  Last day of school before the Thanksgiving holiday.  And who are we kidding?  Once Thanksgiving hits, Christmas becomes a blur and we are already into a new year!  6:08am.  I must have fallen asleep and slept through my alarm!  Grrr...OK, here we go!  Get the boys up. Noah is dragging, and Judah is such a grumpy bear!  Go to the bathroom. Judah is like a rag doll as I try to get him dressed.  "C'mon, work with me, Judah."  Left to get himself dressed with as little help as possible, we would be here until 9am!   Get them dressed.  Feed them breakfast.  Make their lunches.  Give Judah his seizure medication.  That's always a battle.  Get their socks and shoes on.  6:44am.  Bus is running late.  That's alright.  It will give me time to catch my breath.  Neil is in San Antonio, so I fly solo three days a weeks.  I miss him when he is gone.  6:46am.  Whew!  We made it!  I am waiting outside for the bus with Judah, and Noah is waiting upstairs as he playing with my cell phone.

Waiting.  6:48am.  Not usually this late, but sometimes it happens.  As I am sitting on the stoop with Judah on my lap waiting for the school bus to come, I am reviewing my "to do" list for the day.  Make a pumpkin cake roll for tomorrow, clean the carpets and upholstery, finish the laundry, and tie up any loose ends for Camp Grace, a Christmas event for families who have children with special needs.  Fortunately, there is a small team of us working on Camp Grace.  I love it!  6:55am.  Where is their bus?!

Then it dawns on me...

Yesterday the bus driver said, "have a good weekend".  I thought she was taking an extra day off and someone else would take her place today.  It's happened before.  Today is Wednesday...oh, boy.  I quickly left Judah sitting on the stoop in front and ran inside the house to check the school calendar.  Another big sigh.  Sure enough...

Yep! The holidays are here...beginning today!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

"Wait a Minute...What am I Doing?!"

We have all had moments when we find ourselves saying "Aha! I think I understand now!"  Then there are those moments in life when we survey our circumstances, stop, declare, and ask, "Wait a minute!  What am I doing?!" 

When Neil and I were dating, we went to Six Flags Great America in Chicago where there was a ride appropriately called "The Dare Devil".  This is a free fall swing from 12.5 stories (150 feet) in the air.  I always loved the rush!  I had been cliff jumping off a forty foot ledge into the water at Devil's Lake in WI.  I had done mountain climbing and repelling the bluffs in British Columbia, Canada, and white water rafting in Calgary, Alberta. This ride greatly appealed to my sense of adventure! 

After being briefed of our instructions from the ride instructor, Neil and I were strapped in to a sort of "body sling" and began our 150 foot ascent.  We reviewed our instructions together on our way up.  "When the instructor says, 'Three-two-one...Fly', Neil pulls the cord, and we will free fall straight down.  OK, got it."  Once we hit about the 75 foot mark, the people below began looking a little too small for my comfort.  100 feet...and I had my "Wait a minute...what are we doing?" moment.  That is when Neil began to have a little fun with me. 

"I sure hope this thing works", he said with a half serious look on his face.  I looked at him with a questioning look.  125 feet and counting...

"I mean, do I pull this cord?  Or was it this one?"  I tried to stay cool, but I am sure my face all too readily revealed my concern.  150 feet.  We stopped.  Pause.  Then the instructor's voice came over the loud speaker.  "OK, Neil, 3-2-1...(another dramatic pause, and then...) FLY!"  Neil pulled the cord.  I am pretty sure I screamed.  I have to be honest, though, after that first swing through, I was loving it!  As the swing slowed down and by the time we got our feet back on the ground, I was ready for more!  A little too expensive for a second trip up and back, but the first one was definitely worth the thrill!

Since then, I have had a few of those "wait a minute...what am I doing" moments in life.  I've noticed that they usually come during times when I look around at the circumstances in life and feel I have no idea what I have gotten myself into. 

I am reminded of Peter who wanted to believe that it was really Jesus walking on the water towards him and his buddies in the boat in the middle of a storm.  Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, if that is really You, then tell me to come to You on the water."  Jesus said, "Come, Peter".  And Peter stood up in the boat.  He didn't think twice.  He stepped out onto the water and began walking towards Jesus.  (Matthew 14:22-31)

Who knows how far he really got before he realized what he was actually doing.  I think often we picture Peter about five to ten steps out on the water before he realized the gravity of his situation.  However, I wonder if he was a good fifty or a hundred feet out before he had a reality check, so to speak.  I wonder this because in my life, it seems God waits until I am in completely in over my head before my "reality check" hits me full in the face.  Once I am so far, there is no going back, leaving me with only two options: stop and sink or trust God for the outcome and keep moving forward.  I'm just speculating, but I kind of think Peter was out there a ways before he realized where he was and what he was doing.  He really couldn't pull a "Scooby-Doo", turn around and run back to the boat.  It was sink or look to the One who called him out there and keep moving forward. 

Peter was doing just fine...and then he had his moment, his "wait a minute; what am I doing" moment.  He said, "Lord, save me!"  He really didn't need saving.  He was already doing what he was called to do in that moment, which, in fact, was a miracle, but it all seemed quite normal until he looked around. 

The other night, I was lying down on our loveseat facing the wall with our family pictures.  The reality of my life began to settle into my mind.  I could see myself married, but having two kids?  Being a mom?  For some strange reason, that all of a sudden, that felt weird.  Then to top that, we have two children with special needs.  OK, that sunk a little deeper.  Then I began to think...we live in Texas...working with special needs...helping out on various teams in our church...reaching out to families and other churches...working and networking with respected organizations and ministries to further the Gospel...and adoption?!

In my past, I have been honoured to work with so many ministries, but they have all been short term -- a couple years here, a few years there.  Now, eight years into child rearing, there is NO going back!  I am in this for the long haul!  I had my "Wait a minute! What am I doing?" moment right there on the loveseat, and I flashed back to the few minutes of being hoisted up 12.5 stories in the air and those 30 seconds of panicky feelings in my chest right before Neil was told to pull the cord and "fly". 

I remembered when Neil pulled that cord, I screamed half way down, but once I realized I was safe in the midst of that free fall, I truly felt as though I was flying!  Once Peter realized he was safe in Jesus' arms, although Jesus asked him why he doubted, did his heart soar at what Jesus had called him to do?  I wonder if in that moment, Peter began to understand the contrast between how the calling of God in our lives supersedes the limitations that this life mandates.  We can see how the gravity of that truth seemed to sink into Peter's heart as we follow the rest of his life.  There is no need for fear, just obedience.  We can walk forward confidently trusting God for the ability to carry out His calling in our lives regardless of the circumstances.  Philippians 1:6 says,

"I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it out to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

And there, finally, is my "aha" moment.

Update on the Adoption Process

Only a background check is left to do!  Woo-hoo!  This could actually take a couple of months to get back, but, hey, we are almost there...finally.  This second time around in getting our home study done has really been a challenge.  We have been much busier this year, and this time, the home study has required more paperwork from us than our last one.  To be completely honest, sometimes the motivation isn't there, either.  I love my family the way it is.  Why change what I love already?  The answer to that question is simple: we will be changing what we love for something we will love even more!  On that note, we are seeing the light at the end of this tunnel and, personally, I am nervous and excited all at once.  I am nervous about the changes that will take place in our family and home, but I am excited to see how God is going to bless it all! 

Getting a Grip

One of the things I am beginning to grasp a little bit is regarding persecution.  Frankly, I always figured that we Americans really don't have a clue when it comes to persecution, but I am rethinking that now.  True, we are not beaten and whipped or starved and kept in little cages or forced into labour, but we are persecuted. 

God was speaking to Moses regarding laws of holiness in Leviticus 19.  Verse 18 says "Do not take  revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD."  In Matthew 19:19 Jesus was quoting a few of the ten commandments from Exodus 20 as He was conversing with the rich young ruler regarding what he must do to get to heaven (note that this is not Jesus complete answer to the young man in this passage).  Verse 19, as quoted, says "Honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself."   Galatians 5 is all about the freedom of the Christian and what it is to live freely in Christ.  Paul was writing to the church in Galatia pertaining to everyday Christan living being based on freedom from the law of sin and living by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Verses 13-15 says, "For you are called to freedom, brothers; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.  For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement; 'Love your neighbor as yourself'.  But if you bite and devour one another, watch out or you will be consumed by one another."  (HCSB)

If (when) my neighbor decides to treat me or a family member like a stray dog who keeps messing on the lawn and my response is anything less than Christ-like, the situation is nothing more than one of life's pains in the...(ahem) "hind quarters".  Even if the situation escalates for whatever reason, if my reaction is towards satisfaction of my offended self, whether truly justified or not, it is still just two "neighbors" spatting.  On the other hand, if my response to my neighbor is one that wordlessly preaches the Gospel of Christ, and if he is a believer, I can trust the Holy Spirit to move my neighbor's heart towards Him, and I have then encouraged a brother, or sister, in Christ to draw closer to Him.  Contrarily, if my neighbor is not a believer, he will have the chance to see Christ through my actions and responses.  If the situation escalates because I am choosing to respond "Christ" to him, that would be persecution.  That doesn't mean that I allow anyone to speak into my life or the life of a family member any way he chooses.  I need to stand for what is right and protect my children from people who do not speak "life words" into my children's lives.  Granted, both of my sons will need to know how to respond on their own at some point, but right now, being at such a vulnerable age, I need to protect them as much as possible.  I can also trust God to protect my children (and me or my husband) when I am unable and to bridle my tongue when appropriate, and give me the correct words  -and tone!-  when necessary. 

I wonder how many situations I have demanded justice by getting in the last cutting word instead of choosing to wait and trust the Holy Spirit for my response.  And if the situation escalates or continues because I have put myself in the back seat (or the trunk, as too often is the need in my case) and allowed the Holy Spirit to take over, then it truly is Christ being persecuted and not me. 
 

The other thing I am beginning to understand a little better is that because nothing happens without God's permission, I need to trust Him for everything that happens with His permission.  If He (and He does) wants me to draw closer to Him, then these types of circumstances are not to be perceived as just one of life's hardships or "trials", but as opportunities for me to learn to trust Him.  These are times when I must step back and listen to what He would have me say and/or do before I put in my two cents worth, or two dollars, for that matter.  Is what I have to say really so important?  Will I be speaking "life" into my neighbor as I vent my displeasure at how I or a family member is treated?  Will I be adding to my neighbor's mood and fueling that fire, or will I be sparking embers of the love and truth of Christ to him? 
 

Yep, I am seeing a darker place in my heart.  I am much less angry in many situations, but I am still rolling my eyes a LOT.  I am sorry and ashamed to admit it.  During these moments, I see that I am "in the wrong".  Now, I see that I am not just "in the wrong" with my anger.  I see a dark, ugly place in my heart.  The word "putrid" comes to mind.  Green and slimy, not like a cute little frog, but "icky".  That begins to sum up how my heart looks. I have been asking God to change my heart; show me what He sees. Sometimes it is against my will to want to see what He sees, but I want my will to change to the will of His heart.  That is my prayer.   That is where I am now.  A much better place, but...sigh, what can I say?  I am still rolling my eyes!  I wonder is Jesus ever rolled His eyes...bet He did when someone told a stupid joke!

"Water, Water, Everywhere, and Not a Drop to Drink!"

Last night around 7:45, Neil and I were upstairs overseeing Judah's bath time (that can take two people and about eight bath sheets), and Noah was downstairs playing on the laptop. Neil figured he would go downstairs and check on Noah to make sure he was doing OK. I was leisurely getting ready for bed, throwing on a big comfy shirt and stripping down to my underwear to watch Judah from underneath my snuggie-soft down throw on our bed. Judah had just jumped out of the tub when I heard a frantic plea from the floor below, "Babe! I need your help! Hurry! Quick!" Throwing on a pair of sweats, I raced passed Judah who was making his way down the stairs soaking wet and stark naked.

The first scene I saw was Noah still playing on the laptop as calm as could be. "Couldn't be too bad", I thought. "No one seems wounded, although Neil doesn't usually sound that panicky..." Then I saw the scene of mayhem. It would have been a little more comical had not the weight of the situation hit me in the stomach like a cement cylinder block hurling from a seven story building. While Judah was streaking in front of an open patio door, I saw Neil feverishly bailing water from a sewage geyser springing from the commode in the powder room. I saw at least a two inch puddle soaking into the carpet between the powder room and kitchen. Let me tell you, seeing an actual puddle of sewage on white carpet will do something to your stomach...something having to do with a cylinder block and a seven story building.

Anyway, all my thoughts went out the door along with Judah as I assessed the situation, which took all of two seconds, to see where I could jump in. Then I realized Judah had left the building. Retrieving the little unclothed urchin from his favourite habitat and locking the door behind me, I quickly began running the Bissell vacuum, sucking up as much water as it would take. Neil had already turned off the water to the toilet. It was still gushing sewage and it was all Neil could do to keep up with the overflow. After several times of sucking and emptying water and sewer, I realized Judah was still enjoying life in the buff. I quickly dressed him, and got on the phone with the home owners insurance company.

"Well, ma'am, usually at this point in the evening, we would tell you that we will have someone out tomorrow to assess the situation."

"Excuse me", I queried. "I don't think you understand. My husband is bailing buckets of water and sewage from the toilet to our back yard, and he is barely able to keep up. The water has been turned of and IT'S NOT STOPPING! To clarify, are you telling me that we should just continue bailing until someone finds our house some time tomorrow?"

"I see your point, ma'am, and I am very sorry to hear about your situation." I wondered if their have to take an "empathy class" to get this job. She sounded like she was reading a script. Then she continued, "I will dispatch someone out to your house tonight, ma'am."

"Thank you", I said, "about how long do you think it will take before someone is able to get to us?"

"I will call dispatch, and if you don't hear from us within the next 1 - 2 hours, call us back." Click.

"Hey, that's great," I thought, "Thanks."

Next, I called the plumbing company directly. Forget the insurance company. I got on the phone again, and called the plumbing company directly. I was pleased that I didn't have to go through the 10 minute ordeal of what language to use or any other "all-about-me" questions. An operator immediately picked up on the other end. Yes, they could help us. It would cost $120 to send someone out to just assess the problem, but we were desperate. How long? Ahh, yes. "We might be able to have someone out there in an hour, but I can't guarantee it."

"No, of course not", I mused. We hung up.

My phone rang, and it was the first gentleman I called right before the insurance company and with whom I had left a message. He is self-employed, does a great job, and is very fairly priced. Michael Martinez. He lives on the "very south side of Austin", as he describes it. I answered my phone and explained the situation. Michael was out to our house in 45 minutes. I cancelled the other two dispatches. Michael worked for two hours snakeing our PVC pipe from outside, pulling up tons of mud. Not good. It was obviously a cracked pipe. Rats.

On the upside, Neil took a vacation day, which he needed, anyway. I get to sit here at home with my sweetie, waiting for our service request that our landlord called in to be met. Sigh. It's not so bad, really. CVS and Wag-a-Bag are just around the corner, and the boys can wear pull-ups today. Our house is beginning to smell like sewer, but there is always air freshener. Go, Glade and Febreeze!

Because the ground is so dry, one of the main water lines from Stillwater Lake broke, so our area, along with a few other local communities, are prohibited from turning water on outside. Police are even patrolling and fining people up to $2000 for running any water outside. I came to the conclusion a while back, but this turn of events just confirmed my thoughts. Water bills are a luxury...not the ones from water damage, but the regular ones that come every month letting you know that you have the ability to turn on the sink or use the toilet. :-)

Today I went upstairs to set Noah up with his music, and I found him with my black camera. He had erased the pictures I had taken (fortunately, there weren't too terribly many). He knew right away that I was upset. I raised my voice and said, "Noah!" Immediately, he began crying and sat down on our bed. Through his tears he said, "I'm sorry". Instantly, my heart melted and right away I felt badly for yelling his name. I sat down and cuddled him and accepted his apology and told him I forgave him. I apologized to him for yelling his name. Then I reassured him that although I like my pictures, I love him much more and that he is much more important to me than the pictures on my camera.

We snuggled for awhile, and I kissed him all over his little red, tear stained face. This was a huge moment for both of us, a break through moment for so many reasons. Both of my sons have never really responded appropriately to emotions before, especially Noah.

This is very common for someone who has autism. They don't understand emotional cues from other people. Noah could see another child crying and he, many times, would laugh. He doesn't laugh to be mean or spiteful; he just hasn't been able to switch gears from playing. He hasn't been able to understand or identify when someone is sad, angry or happy.

Most kids would say to a parent, "Why is that boy crying?" When a person cries, that is the child's cue that there is "unhappiness". Also, usually, a child can express whether she is happy, sad, or angry. My boys have not been able to do this either. I have NEVER seen Noah grasp this concept...until today.

I rarely yell at my sons. What's point? The only thing that changes is the volume of my voice, and let's face it, to any child that could be entertaining all on it's own! Usually when I am angry or upset, my voice get lower, softer, and more stern in tone. I have to admit, sometimes you can hear the frustration in my voice, too! This time I reacted instead of responding, and I raised my voice.

This time, for the first time, Noah responded appropriately to my tone with crying. HUGE for him! To boot, he even sat down on the bed instead of continuing to think we were engaging in play, and he said (WITHOUT BEING PROMPTED!), "I'm sorry". It takes a LOT if understanding to read emotional cues, put the cues together with the words, and translate the communication. It takes a LOT to know the appropriate response, find the words, and then respond with feeling.

Today I saw my son who never used to cry (except when touched or when his "safety routine" was interrupted), who never use to respond to his name, react, whatsoever, to stimulus in his environment...today I saw him FULLY engage life with understanding.

My heart was moved from hardened frustration to melting hot tears. My little 8 year old boy and I just had a conversation that hit all levels: verbally (both receptively and expressively), emotionally (identifying and responding), and relationally (apologizing and accepting forgiveness from each other) as we snuggled basking in each other's love.

I wonder how often it takes me to respond appropriately to God's correction. Do I laugh and continue playing? Am I insensitive to His tone? Do I understand the gravity of the situation? Do I react impulsively or do I respond thoughtfully with the truth of His Word in my heart?

Learning to Lean

I think this is a season of "leaning". Let me explain.

Sometimes I hear people say, "Don't worry; God will never give you more than you can handle." Usually, I just want to...well, I'm sure you understand. Truth be told, I know God will never give me more than I can handle. However, I know He is not up in heaven sitting on His throne saying to Himself (or the angels), "I know Becky can handle this one, so I will just put it on her plate in front of her". The fact is He will never give me more than I can handle, not because I "got the stuff" to deal with it, but because He is able. That is FACT.

I was talking to my health coach today and she told me that I need to make sure I take time to rest. (Hmmm...sounds sort of like something my sweet hubby constantly tells me.) As I listened to her finish her little lecture to me, which really was more of a pep talk, I had to ask..."So, what is "rest"? I mean, I know what it is, but what does it look like for me, I wonder?"

After we hung up our phones, feeling motivated to "rest", I decided to go for a walk that lasted an hour and a half. When I came back, I jumped into the jeep, drove to the gas station, and bought two drumstick ice-cream cones, one for now and one for later, both for me, of course! Once I sat down with my creamy, crunchy treat in hand, I began to think (not that my brain ever actually turns off) about what is on my proverbial plate. Let's see...looking at making a house purchase (God willing), transitioning Judah to a different classroom program at a different school (this requires the ultimate "meeting of the minds" at an ARD), home schooling Noah over the summer, choosing and prepping a daily routine and curriculum this coming year in order to home school Noah the following year, and that is saying nothing about filling out more paperwork for the adoption process. Granted, not all of this takes place over the next week, but still, it is a little daunting when I begin to think about actually doing it. Pathways, Camp Grace, Vacation Bible School, women's Bible study, community group, Sunday school (actually, that's on Neil's proverbial plate) are all on the side, as it were. What was that? Cleaning the house and making meals? Yes, I do know what that is. I'm not entirely sure how, but I'm aware that those things do get done (I need to give my hubby props on helping out here, too.)

All that to say, if I had to handle all this on my own, I think I would retreat to a nice, quiet place, like a convent, and live out the rest of my days there. OK, not really, but you get my point. Often I find myself feeling overwhelmed, sometimes a little fearful, often times scatter-brained, and just plain willing myself through the day. This is obviously not a state of being that reflects a calm, quiet spirit choosing to rest on the Holy Spirit in the midst of a storm. So, that's where I am learning to lean. Lean in close. What is God telling me? What is in His heart for me to hear, to learn right now. Leaning in quietly, listening...not just for a moment, but for this season, however long it may last.

Aaahhhh...so that's what it means for me to rest. Situations have not changed. Circumstances and appointments are still present and on the docket. But my heart is beating calmly to a steady rhythm. My attention is on the God who is omnipotent and able to do all things. Whew! It's so nice to be able to rest in the midst of life's chaos and even disappointments! It's so nice to have the peace that all is going to go well regardless of how it happens, and it's not because I've got the stuff to make it work or overcome it all. It's because He is able.

It's a season for leaning. I guess, really, it never goes out of season.

Adoption Process Update

Well, it has been awhile since I have updated you on the adoption process. There is not a lot to report except that we are now using an agency to help us in the process. The private agent that initially helped us with our home study was wonderful and did an awesome job. In fact, she came highly recommended by some friends of ours who are also pursuing adoption. However, because our friends were pursuing an international adoption, the process proved to be a little different from a domestic adoption.

For the past several months, Neil and I have been browsing online looking at various adoption agencies throughout the United States. We have made several inquiries and have either received no response at all or a very late response telling us the child we inquired about has already been placed. So, after much prayer and conversation, Neil and I decided to utilize the assistance offered through a local agency. This means we need to start the home study process over again. So, at this point, we have paid for the home study again, and we have most of our paper work filled out and ready to be sent.

What I have learned through this last nine months is this: God has called Neil and me to be obedient through giving us the desire to adopt and then to follow through with that desire no matter how difficult the process proves to be. When Neil and I were struggling to pay for the home study the first time around, God sent some dear friends (out of the blue, I might add) to help pay for the study. My friend just walked up behind me one day and handed me a check and said "keep and open mind and don't say 'no' ". In the envelope was a check to cover the whole home study process. It was through their obedience and generosity that God provided the opportunity for further obedience on our part. If we go as far as we can go in an area where God has called us, He will provide for all our needs to take us the distance. Upon realizing that we were not getting very far with finding our third son, and that we would need to pay for another home study, we prayed about how to pursue God's will in this area of our lives. God has provided, in perfect timing, the ability to be able to invest our finances and ourselves into a second home study. Although I am a little nervous, I am so excited to see how God will bless and continue to lead our family.

Those are my thoughts. :-)

The Best Valentine's Gift

The best valentine I've received was yesterday. My seven-year-old, Noah, who is not feeling well, came downstairs and sat on the loveseat adjacent from me. He looked at me and said these words, "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love you soooooo much." The best....EVER!!!