My Mother's Flowers

My door bell rang yesterday afternoon and when I went to the door (after climbing the jungle gym of dogs) there was a man standing there behind the largest bouquet of yellow roses and daisies!!! The man asked if I was Mrs. Ginsberg and told me that these were for me. It took two hands to even hold the vase. I thanked him and went inside (fighting the dogs and B cat to even get back in the door.

They were from my loving Mother.....

Why is it when you need love, a mother knows just how to give it. God is our Loving Father and His love is endless.....and one way He shows His love for us, His children, is through the love of a mother for her child.

These yellow roses have filled the house with a beautiful aroma and I had a great time last night taking pictures of them. (if you want to see more of the pictures, you can check out my blog.... http://www.brandylynnphotography.blogspot.com/) The dogs stare at them, and Bambam wants to eat the Babies Breath Flowers....I just see LOVE! I see a mother who knew she could not be here to hug me and hold me and tell me she understands my pain. So she showed me how she understands through the beauty of these flowers, God's beautiful creation.

Thank you my beautiful ma...it is with the wisdom you share with me about our Heavenly Father that encourages me to continue walking daily in this journey. You are God's handy work!

Summer is here!!!

So, last week I realized that I must live each day....not live my day waiting for tomorrow. God has not promised us tomorrow, but He has promised to be with me each and every day. "This is the day that the Lord has made."

Today is my birthday, and I could not of asked for a more beautiful day! The weather is a comfortable 75 degrees, the sky the perfect shade of blue (just like Neil's amazing eyes), the clouds white and puffy and a little pulled across the sky. The trees are full and green and the light breeze is allowing them to sway back and forth with the softest swish sound coming from them. The grass is tall and bright green and I want to roll in it! Summer is here!

My dogs are laying down at my feet and resting and enjoying this moment with me....but I can see it in their eyes that they are about to start fighting over the ball that is in the middle of them. My two boxer's are out of control....they keep me laughing!

Coby's facial hair is growing and filling in! I will post a picture this week. I didn't think it would grow so fast! My hair is continuing to get in my face and I am longing for the day KC will cut my hair. KC is my hair stylist and cut my hair for the first time when I was 13 and has been cutting my hair and my mom's way before!! AND she is in California....so I have to wait till I go back to visit family to get a hair cut!

Well, enjoy your day whatever you are doing and wherever you are! This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it!!!

Letting it grow....

OK....you know how athletes grow out their facial hair when they are in the FINALS or the World Series or the Stanly Cup Playoffs!!?? Well...Coby has decided to grow out his facial hair until we get the call for the court date. Personally, I like it, but we feel we are in the FINAL days before we get out court date and we are getting 'down and dirty.'

Some of you know that I decided that I was going to grow my hair out and not cut it until Neil comes home. Well, I have had short hair that I LOVED for many many years, and this long hair is driving me crazy. I have been growing it for over 2 years and I started with a very short 'boy' cut. We know that growing our hair is silly and it doesn't help little Neil get here any sooner. But Hey!! We don't have the opportunity to watch my belly grow for 9 months...so you can all watch my hair and Coby's facial hair grow.

Well, quick update on our last week. My last update was on Coby's birthday. We had a great day and we were coming home from his softball game that night, and we got a call that his Grandmother's brother died. So we decided to drive to his funeral the next day in Chicago. So we left late on Thursday (around 6pm) and arrived in Chicago at 4am!! (Yuck!) The weather was bad, a few road blocks and missing our off ramp added a few hours to our drive. 9am Friday morning was the funeral and then we spent the day with Coby's family who we love and always have a great time with. Even though it was a sad day that brought us together, we still had a wonderful time seeing everyone and answering all the questions about the adoption.

We drove back Saturday mid morning and listened to the US Open on our drive back, but made it in time to see Tiger's amazing last 3 holes!! Father's day, Coby had clients all day, but we enjoyed our evening with our friends at their house swimming, watching the US Open and eating pizza!! It was a nice day!

Well, we decided to call our agency this morning and ask what the update was because we have not heard anything in 3 weeks. They informed us that Russia has asked for ANOTHER document from us. I know you all just took a deep breath and said 'NO!!' That's how Coby and I felt. I guess they are asking this form from us and another family. So Coby and I are working on getting it together and will hope to send it off tomorrow. Russia informed us that once this document is received they can continue with getting a court date.

OK....let's all take a deep breath and think of the good that is in this! It is not news that Neil is sick, it is not a form that will cost us anything more then a few dollars and a drive to a few places to get it completed, it is only one form, not 12!!! And most importantly, God's plan of Neil coming home to us has not changed. He is still orchestrating this and protecting Neil and strengthening us in our trials. (I think I can see the muscles growing on my arms!!) My mother sent me an e-mail the other day and told me this that I want to share with you all...

Brandy, As Elisabeth Elliot says, "Many of our prayers are directed toward the quick & easy solution. LONG SUFFERING (I don't like that word) is sometimes the only means by which the greater glory of God will be served, and this is for the moment, invisible. WE MUST PERSIST IN FAITH. GOD has a splendid purpose. Believe in order to see it." II Cor. 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen ARE ETERNAL. Yes, my prayer is Lord give us this today.

Thank you mom for your encouragement and may God's words through you encourage all of you reading this!

Happy 35th Birthday Coby!!!!

I thought I might show you all some pictures of Coby this past year.....enjoy! Happy Birthday Ginsberg! You are now and forever my love and my friend! It is my pleasure to love you! My hope and prayer for you this coming year is that God will show you and lead you into His peace and hope! Yours Always..

The eternal golfer!

Family picture at the orphanage in March....little Neil's ear!

Coby and Andrey in October

Coby and Pebbles....they have a 'special' relationship!

Boys weekend!

CD Christmas Party...Coby wishes!! Jenny can you make it happen??

Coby and I in Colorado.....I am NOT that heavy!

Nashville airport waiting to go to Russia and finding out we are delayed...again!

Now waiting in Moscow airport...

Coby in Novo in 0 degree's

Coby is in Russia.....what more can I say about a real estate agent??

Coby letting me practice my picture taking on him.


Waiting for our flight in a hotel in Moscow. Coby can sleep anywhere!

At our couples baby shower.

Don't ask....

sister and brother! Dana and Coby

Coby and I at a Dana and Michael's wedding in Santa Monica

Coby's first picture with Andrey

Daddy..

Coby playing with Neil in the orphanage

Coby and I at his mom's 60th Birthday.

Coby and I in San Fransisco

Coby and I in San Fransisco with a San Diego jersey?

YES! That is Coby's size 14 foot on Pebbles!

What is that on Coby's face??

Coby and his nephew Wesley in San Diego

Coby his mom and I at her 60th Birthday last June!

Coby dancing (if you want to call it that) the Electric Slide!

Coby and his wonderful friends from the Bay Area...Jackie and Wendy

Happy Birthday Buddy!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Andrey...

Remember this face......remember the smile......remember the hope that came with the possibility of bring him home.....He turned 2 today!

We have not received an update on Andrey since we were in Russia this past March. We were told that he is back living at the orphanage. When we were there visiting Neil, Andrey was in the hospital because he was sick. We really don't know any more then that.

But I look at these pictures and I smile and remember our time with him. He was so tender, sweet, smiley, lovable and such a blessing to be with. Maybe today, being his birthday, you can ask God to continue protecting him and that it might be a special day for him. That just maybe today he might be held a little more, kissed a few extra times and hugged one more time before being put to bed tonight. He is a blessing and a little gift from God, that Coby and I.....and all of you....will never forget.

We love you Andrey...Happy Birthday!