What a day!!

Well, February 19th, Molly became a Fleming, legally!! It was a whirlwind process which didn't leave a whole lot of room for tears, but believe me there were some!! That morning, en route to the courthouse, my mind wondered back to May 23rd 2007. I couldn't help, but cry when thinking how far we'd come. We had finally arrived to the point that we had longed for and tears just kept flowing. The day was WONDERFUL and MEMORABLE!!!!!
We arrived to the courthouse early (as you can imagine) ready to get the show on the road. We had lots of friends/family where were there to support us. It was wonderful!!! Many heartfelt thanks to those who shared our special day with us! We gathered in the Judge's chambers where our attorney asked us several questions. For one, if we were sure we wanted to do this? HUH??? Was he kidding!? He also confirmed that the legal document the judge was about to sign made us legally Molly's parents with the same rights as if she were born to us. He then asked me to recant how Molly came to us in the beginning. I stumbled my way thru the beginning, but decided to keep it short and sweet only telling of our first 48 hours with her in TC Thompson's and then bringing her home as our foster daughter on 5/25/07. Mark was asked to verify our employment and introduce our "peeps" that had come to witness the event! :)
Then with the swift hand of the judge's signature, he announced "it's done!" I remember thinking that's it? We're done? FINALLY?? And so we were, The Fleming Family. It was such a wonderful sigh of relief and thankfulness!! After signing the paperwork, we were off to our fun-filled, first day as the official Fleming family!!
We took Molly to the Aquarium. We knew she'd love it and we were right!! She LOVED the penguin (or as Molly says Ping-gan) exhibit!! I think that was her favorite! Next were all the fish (esp sharks), and then the turtles/frogs! Speaking of turtles, I have a wonderful picture of Molly as she is checking out some of the giant turtles "wrestling" as Mark puts in the background. I didn't realize what they were REALLY doing at the time I snapped the photo... then I hear Molly ask "WHAS AT?" (What's that for those of you who don't speak .. Molly) That's when I took a closer look and Mark explained the "wrestling" .....LOL
We were at the Aquarium for over two hours and had a blast!!! Then Molly napped and we went home to relax and ended up watching Madagascar!!! LOVE THAT MOVIE!! Can't wait to see part two!
Needless to say, we are SO thankful and blessed and I just can't say it enough. We finally have the child Mark and I have always longed for. Everyone has told us several times that they respect us for fostering and we are such a blessing to Molly. I really see her as the blessing. She has taught us so much about ourselves and the kind of people and role models we want to be for her. We are truly thankful for the answered prayers and God's many blessings that he has brought to our lives.
Many thanks to everyone for those prayers and supporting us in our journey. We love you.

Love,
The Fleming Family
Mark, Amy, & Molly

Mark's Day to Remember.....

Mark has been employed with Krystal Corp since July 2005. In July 2007, he received his long awaited promotion to POS Administrator. He has worked very hard to tackle this challenging job ever since. Mark LOVES his job, but there is always that something extra when you get a well deserved "pat on the back" or as Krystal calls it ... the "Atta Boy!" He has had SEVERAL high profile projects since Oct/ November 2008 that he has eagerly tackled, wrestled, and at times vehemently cursed, but eventually successfully completed. WAY TO GO, HONEY! :)



Every so often (every quarter, I believe) Krystal Co offers a "Lunch w/ Fred" (this would be Fred Exum - Krystal's President and CEO -- oohhh ahhhhh -- yeah I know! Pretty cool I think!). Sometimes, "Fred" brings in a guest speaker and much to Mark's surprise this quarter the guest speaker would be none other than, HERSCHEL WALKER. Now I like football, but had it not been for Mark I wouldn't have known who that is. Herschel Walker played college football for the University of Georgia, but it was his time as a running back for the Dallas Cowboys that Mark recalls. He joined the Cowboys for two pro-bowl seasons in 1987-1988. Anyway to say the least, Mark was ecstatic! Who wouldn't be? It'd be like me getting to meet Def Leppard (oh yes, I was, am, and will always be a fan... LOL)

So Mark makes his way to the luncheon on Wednesday and it gets under way with the company wide recognition of the "Atta Boy" ceremony for those employees that have unfailing proved their worth. And, on this already special day, who is recognized as Krystal's employee of the quarter?? None other than yours truly, Mark Fleming. OH YEAH!! (long over due if you ask me, but of course, I am a little biased!)

Finally after the recognition, the lunch, and the speeches, it was the time Mark had been waiting for. With a football he'd purchased the night before, he took his place in line to meet and request Herschel Walker's autograph. AS IF the day couldn't get any better or end on a higher note, Mark approached Mr. Walker and greeted Mark by name. You see Mr. Walker had remember Mark's name from his recognition of the Atta Boy.... I am sorry, but that's FREAKIN AWESOME! :)

So as you can see this post is very appropriately titled, because Wednesday, February 11th was a day that Mark will always remember.

I love you, Mark! Glad it was a wonderful, unforgetable day for you. You deserved it!!

ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BLDG!

This was too funny not to blog about. Not that I can really say much as I was sworn to secrecy, but I can only say the picture speaks for itself!

Love ya!

Getting started..

Well, I'll be darned. Looks like we may have just successfully entered the "blogging" world! :) I don't know how good we will be at this, but guess we won't know if we don't try.

Welcome to Focus on the Flemings:

Mark - Husband to Amy and Daddy to Molly.
Amy - Wife to Mark and Mommy to Molly.
Molly - Daughter to Mark & Amy

As for the name, Focus on the Flemings, although it sounds selfish... it's really quite innocent. You've heard of "Focus on the Family" with James Dobson? Well I thought it to be very fitting. Especially come February 19, 2009 - that's exactly what we'll be. The Fleming Family. We will be adopting Molly (our foster daughter) We are SO excited and overjoyed. Most of you already know this news, Jennifer (my best friend) posted it on her blog and I have been calling and emailing EVERYONE to tell them our WONDERFUL news.

I know it seems like Molly IS our daughter, because we've certainly felt that way for a long time. I think Mark and I have known it in our hearts all along. Anyone who knows me knows how I believe that the good Lord gives us "signs" to lead us on our journey. (At least - that's how I look at it). With tremendous love and support from family & friends, we kept the faith, our prayers have been answered and we're almost there. Soon we'll be introducing everyone to our daughter, Molly. I cannot tell you how BLESSED we feel. For the last 20 months, although the waiting has tried our patience, we cannot tell you how much love has filled our home. It has been WONDERFUL!!!

Well this is the end of our first official blog. We will do our best to keep this up to date with the coming adoptions and photos.

Love,
Mark, Amy, & Molly