Staycation

Last week we took a much needed breather as a family.   The past 7 months have been wonderful but they've also been hard.  There has been stress on our marriage, on our kids, us as parents.   So, Chad took some days off of work and we just hung out.  We let the house go and everything else that weighs on us.   We just had fun!  It was so good and so refreshing.  We needed to just be together and enjoy each other.   We spent a couple of days just at home.  One day we went up to the aquarium.  It was a huge first for Christy and Moses.  Moses was terrified almost the entire time.  Christy was in awe and loved it!  It was really fun to watch her.  It's also cool to see her brothers get to show her new stuff.  We stayed until we had seen all the shows that we could see.  We took our time and walked through everything twice.  It's awesome being in a place like that and being able to point your kids to God's creativity.  I love seeing them ask questions and enjoying learning.  Ethan hung on every word and is so interested in learning about different animals.   

I'm so thankful we were able to take this time as a family right now.  Especially with holidays around the corner that tend to be a little stressful and a lot of running around for us.  

We are blessed!  I mean, look at these cute kids! :)

This shark exhibit was awesome.  The kids loved it!

The whole time we were waiting to spot Sally the Sea Turtle...we finally caught her just in time...I didn't have time to get a good pic though.

Veteran's Day

We got to participate in the Veteran's Day Parade again this year.  Chad, Ethan and Luke marched with the Cub Scouts.  Christy got to ride with the American Heritage Girls.  I was a slacker and took Moses and sat wtih some friends and watched from the sidelines.  I LOVED it.  I was moved to tears several times.  It really is a great parade.

Ashes and Beauty

I laid down to get little Moses to sleep for his nap.
He still needs me there to go to sleep.  Sometimes it wears me out, I'm ready for a break.   Sometimes I am able to  soak it up and know that it's such a special time of bonding between him and I.

I cradle him in close to me.  Sometimes he goes right to sleep and then I slip out.

Today...he was in one of those moods.   He loves to give kisses...it's the sweetest thing!

Grabbing the sides of my face, he pulls me in and gives a long, squishy kiss.

He plays with my eyelashes, sometimes almost pulling them out.

He plays with my lips, then squishes my face and snorts through his nose at how funny I look.

He smiles at me with that adorable grin and underbite.

The look in those sweet, black eyes...melts my heart.


Today, for some reason, tears started to flow.   I started to think of his "other mom".

My heart hurt for both of them.   She can't cradle him, kiss his chubby cheek, nuzzle him in close, sing songs to him to get him to sleep.   He is also missing out on her....her touch, her voice, smell.  

Man, it hurts.   Yes, adoption is beautiful and redemptive.  But, it only comes because of HUGE loss and heartbreak.   I am so thankful God blessed our home with these two beautiful children.  At the same time, I wish they didn't have to be so far away from Felisha.   They both look like her.  Christy has her raspy voice.   She loves to laugh and I have no doubt our kids get their big personalities from her.   I know a lot of people would say that adoption was God's "plan A".   But, I don't think so.   I think God brings beauty from ashes.  He can take something painful and heart wrenching and somehow make it beautiful.   He sets the lonely in families.  He comforts and restores.  He bottles the tears of the mother who did what she had to do.  He sees the sacrifice.  He bring justice.

Today is Orphan Sunday.

There are SO MANY children waiting.   So many.   Here and abroad.

However, there are also SO MANY vulnerable children in danger of becoming "orphans"....here and abroad.

There are SO MANY mothers who want to keep their children, but, don't know how they're going to be able to much longer.

There are so many great organizations helping in all of these areas.  We're praying about where God is leading us.   Please pray about what God would have you to do!   I know that orphan care is not the only ministry...there are so many important ones.  This is where God has burdened us at this point in our lives...if He has put orphan care on your heart...please respond!

HELP ONE NOW 

APPARENT PROJECT

WORLD VISION      (they have some awesome ways of keep families together)

SOLE REBELS  ( Something as simple as buying fair trade can help support mothers and fathers trying to keep their families together)

Making the Days Count

So...today we didn't do any "school"...but, we had a lot of fun! :)   

I used to take Ethan and Luke hiking almost once a week...even if it was a really short hike..we were up in the mountains.   Since March I've been in a fog of exhaustion.  Going from 2 to 4 was easier than I expected in some ways...and harder in others.  I've had a hard time doing any of the extra stuff we used to do.   I finally got the gumption to take the kiddos to the mountains before winter.  Christy has been begging, so we headed up there today.   They had fun running around and being wild.  It was a beautiful day.  I love my kids.  I'm so thankful that I get to be with them everyday.  Watching them melts my heart.   What precious gifts from God!   That's not to say it's always perfect...I don't want to be phony.  I really struggle sometimes...I've got a temper and a mouth that I wish I could lock and throw away the key to.   My kids argue and bicker better than most.  Hopefully, by God's grace ALONE...they will love Jesus with their whole hearts and serve Him alone.