AMAZING GRACE

Have you ever been in a position where you are just sure if one more thing happens you will explode, and then that one more thing happens and God gives you the grace to walk through it. I am constantly amazed at the way He holds me up and finds ways to encourage me when the storms of life surround me. I am thankful that He does not ask me to withstand the storm in my own strength. Instead, he promises me that He is there with me in the midst of the storm. The peace and comfort that brings me holds me firm in my resolve to trust Him. He is ok with our questions, but He asks for us to step forward in blind obedience knowing He has it taken care of every need, and really have you ever tried to fix things on your own? What a mess! And the wasted energy, because eventually we wear down and ask for His help. Help He was offering the WHOLE time!

My advice then is to walk with Jesus offering unconditional obedience. Allow His grace to minister to you and then don't keep it to yourself... spread the love of Jesus to others... that's all he asks!

Hug A Little Morre

So here we are the first Monday of 2011 and I swear 2010 just flew by. It was a fairly lovely year. Temperatures were fairly mild, we adopted Taylor officially, Spud moved in with his auntie, we had the sweetest little 5 month old baby boy come stay with us... and then December hit!!!!!! Princess P's bios had been pushing for a Mexico placement (with her paternal aunt) for a couple of months. A judge put it off once, but they really kept pushing. On December 8th, we were in court again and the judge ruled the following day to place Princess P in Mexico. WHAT A HUGE BLOW!!!!!!! We never believed in a million years that the judge would rule this way, after all, she is an American citizen and Mexico is full of political and social unrest these days. Within 4 days of hearing the judges ruling we got more news sweet baby boy was going to be moving with his grandma... IN LIKE 5 DAYS. Talk about a double whammy!!!!!!!!! Once reality set in, and baby boy had gone to live with grandma, we had to come to terms with the fact that Princess P will most likely be leaving. The Holidays were tainted with our sorrow and we sort of forced out some "Christmas Spirit" for the sake of the kids. I was buying Christmas presents one day, the next I was taking Princess P in to have passport photos done and buying suitcases for her impending journey. No amount of Christmas music brought my spirits up. Each little hug seems more precious, and you don't want to miss a moment because you know time is short. The responsible parent in you is compelled to prepare for the inevitable while the mama bear wants to protect both Taylor and Princess P from what seems to be coming. But really, how do you ever prepare for this? So, for now we hug a little more and cling to the hope that God will intervene before her passport comes through and it's time for her to go.

Way Behind!!!!!!

Well folks I have disappeared on you for MONTHS and for that I am sorry. I plan to do some updating over the next week or so and will during that time, HOPEFULLY, get you all caught up on what has happened during the "dark period". Trust me a lot has been going on... A LOT!!!!!!

INTRODUCING>>>>>> Taylor James

On October 8th 2008, Taylor moved into our home and into our hearts. On May 10th 2010, he took our last name!!!!! There will be adoption pictures to come!!!!!!!

Bah~ Why Does Patience Have To Be A Fruit Of The Spirit?

My Grandma Ruthie used to say, "Patience is a virtue, catch it if you can, seldom in children, and never in a man." Well she had the kids down perfectly, but she was wrong when she said never in a man. I happen to be married to the most patient man in the world... NO REALLY IT'S TRUE! I on the other hand could stand to ask the Lord for some patience, but I'm afraid he'll give it to me.

The two big things that are working at me are my lack of perfection as a mom, and this constant waiting for Princess P's situation to stabilize. I am willing to offer myself some grace as I fall short of being the perfect mom (after all I have 3 small kids), but on the other matter it feels like an emotional roller coaster. The "powers that be" move so slowly and I find myself waiting less and less patiently. Now, the true POWER THAT IS already has things figured out, He just hasn't whispered His plan to me... hence my anxiety and impatience!!!! Do I trust Him????? Well Yes, but can't He fill me in and move a bit faster? All I know is that while I wait I find myself wanting to get in the mix... you know, there must be something I can do!!!!! I'm sure He needs my help... RIGHT! It would actually be an outward sign of my distrust in Almighty God, and an act of pure disobedience on my part to get involved. So, I must patiently wait and obey as He works knowing that He really does have it all under control and nothing I say or do will be of any worth. For now, and hopefully forever, we have Princess P and can love her with the heart Jesus has given us for her. We can pray for her future, and really that's a whole lot!!!!

House Projects And Mommy Guilt

We have been so busy lately doing house projects. We have remodeled our downstairs bathroom, and painted a large portion of our downstairs walls... yes, this would explain why I haven't exactly been current on my blogging. Now picture with me a 1,2, and 3 year old child in the room with a whole lot of paint... anyone but me feeling the tension creeping into your neck and shoulders? My remedy for this scenario was a whole lotta movies (against my better judgement- see prior post) and an itty-bitty living space (think genie on Aladdin) for over a week. My poor kids had to play in small confined areas for days and days. Don't get me wrong... my new bathroom and painted walls make me so happy, but we are only 1/2 way through the paint project and mommy guilt is keeping me from moving forward. I may have to compromise and allow 2 days a week for painting projects until the projects are done. I want to spend my summer outside with my kids rather than indoors painting, so I'd better busta move!!!!

Precious Moments

Let's start with a confession... I Love Magazines!!!! While laying in bed the other night I came across a little blurb about a family that tries to spend the occasional evening "unplugged". This means no computer or TV... you get the idea! They talked about how it promotes healthy interactions and all sorts of other benefits. Having a 1, 2, and 3 year old I rely on the TV for sanity even though we do not have cable. Putting in a movie = instant babysitter for when you have to make lunch/dinner or clean a bathroom really quick. I do not like or promote this idea, but it has become a necessary evil, UNFORTUNATELY! I decided to give the "unplugged" concept a short trial run last night and I am so glad I did!!!! Here's how it all went down... Jeff came home from work and the kids were still napping, so we seized the moment and hung out on the couch and chatted. The Princess was the first to wake up so I went and grabbed her and sat back on the couch with her and fed her some chips. Jeff and I continued chatting until "the Boyz" woke. This is typically when the TV goes on so I can make dinner... NOT TODAY!!!! I asked Jeff to bring down the portable CD player and got some VeggieTunes playing and the games began!!!! There was singing, dancing, and all sorts of general mayhem... FABULOUS!!!!! After dinner was done we brought out the Play-Dough and continued enjoying one another's company. Dessert was FF Cranberry-Orange Muffins (but the kids call them cupcakes). I had to run out for a meeting while they were in the oven, but I am satisfied knowing that for a few hours my kids and husband felt like the center of my universe. We only get these moments once we might as well cherish them!!!!!!!!