Where does the time go?

To say that I'm a blog slacker is a huge understatement!! I really hope to do a better job at this thing...

Father's day has come and gone, yet I cannot pass up the opportunity to say what a wonderful dad Jeff is to our kids. He has the biggest heart I've ever seen. His love is so obvious, and he is so great with them! I love watching how can go from wrestling with Bryan or head-banging with him to dancing "like a prince" with Ellie all dressed up in her princess costumes. Yet he does it every day. and he does it well.

Jeff, you are my hero. I love how you father our kids. I love that our Heavenly Father is your role model of the dad you want to be. I love how you lead us spiritually every day. You rock in every way! I love you!!



On a different note, yesterday was "Healing Day" in our home. 4 years ago, God healed Bryan from a year long struggle with horrible stomach issues that led to 6 surgeries in 11 months. I cannot begin to say how grateful I am to look at him, healthy and strong and full of life. Thank you God for healing our son, for giving his energy back, his smile back. Thank you for the joy of being able to watch him grow into the young man he now is.


Bryan, it is a joy to watch you live. I don't take a single day for granted with you, and I pray you don't either! YOU are a blessing, inside and out, and words could never express how grateful I am that you are healthy again.


Finally, it's just 4 weeks (from today) until we leave for Ethiopia! Oh, I'm getting so excited!!! More to come on that!

Mother's Day 2011

This is why I celebrate. Thank you God for entrusting these two to me. This is my greatest calling.


My children are such a blessing to me. They bring me such pride and joy, and it is a complete honor to raise them in the ways of the Lord. I don't know why God chose me, but I'm oh so glad He did!! They give me reason to celebrate today and every day.

I can't let this day pass without acknowledging the beautiful lady in Ethiopia that made the ultimate sacrifice that ultimately allowed me the privilege of being a mom to Ellie. Tigist, you are a hero to me. You've taught me what it means to love your child unconditionally, to love enough that you would sacrifice being able to watch her grow. You've given me an incredible gift, and my words will never say enough of how much I appreciate you.

renewal...

Today I took part in the Lord's supper at church. I sat there, holding the bread that represented His body, broken for me, and I was struck with just how much He loves me.

He loves you too, my friend.

This song has been playing in my mind all day, and it speaks what my heart is feeling.

You Are For Me
So faithful, so constant
So loving and so true
So powerful in all You do.
You fill me, You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to You.

chorus:
I know that You are for me
I know that You are for me
I know that You will never
Forsake me in my weakness
I know that You have come now
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me of who You are.

So patient, so gracious
So merciful and true
So wonderful in all You do
You fill me, You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to You.
(Repeat chorus)

More than anything in this world, I want to be like my Jesus. And I realize that means sacrifice, even to death. It scares me to think of that kind of commitment, but I'm all in. I don't want to be casual about my walk with God. I'm sold out. I want the fullness of God, the freaky side of God. And I want Him to have all of me... the secret parts I hope no one knows about, the loud and boisterous parts as well. I'm His.

May I never forget what He has done for me. And as He is breaking my heart for the things that break His, may I live in such a way that brings glory to Him alone.

He is for me. What else could I possibly hope for?

Happy 15th Bryan!

15 years ago tonight, I went to bed thinking of you, but surely not expecting to see your face so soon. There were no contractions to warn us of your coming...yet here you came nonetheless. You've been full of surprises from the very start! I should have known when you came on Leap Day that you were always going to be full of surprises!

My first glimpse of you was of your tiny foot. That's it; just 5 little toes and that chubby foot, and I was head over heels in love. (My oh my, how things have changed! It's not tiny anymore!!) I didn't even know yet that you were a boy. I just knew you were my baby, and that was enough.

It's always been enough. I loved you then, and I love you now, just because you're my son. And that is a beautiful thing.

I'm proud of you Bryan. I see in you a young man who is learning what the world is about, and more importantly who is learning what God is about. I see you working out your faith for yourself, and I'm glad you are. I pray it becomes more real every day, and that you live it out loud always.

I love your laugh, your quirky sense of humor. I love your eclectic style, your charm, your wit. I love your talent. I love that you are your own person, not worried about being just like everyone else around you.

For 15 years, I've watched you grow. It has been my complete joy to be your mom. I love you so much, and I'll always be your biggest fan! You bring joy to my heart every single day... even when you mess up or have to be taken to the ER (again!). You are exactly what I had dreamed of in a son, and my life is richer because of you.

Happy 15th Birthday Bryan! I love you so much!

Love,
Mom~~~

Who Needs Gifts??

He's my Valentine today

And every other day of the year as well.

He's my best friend
And so much more.

Just look at him....
What's not to love?

I love you Jeff... today and every day of my life! I don't need a gift when I have you....

yes, it's for real

I'm sometimes amazed at the questions I'm asked about adoption. I don't really get angry anymore (I did at first, admittedly). Now, more and more, I'm just saddened by it all. Ignorance really isn't bliss, is it? So, I'd like to set the record straight on one thing- once and for all, just in case any of you were wondering.

Ellie is my REAL daughter.

No, I did not give birth to her. She did not come from my womb. She doesn't have my genes or my blood flowing through her veins. If she were in need of blood, I might not be able to give it to her. Her DNA does not match my own.

HOWEVER...

The Creator of the Universe carved out a master plan that placed her in my arms. She is a spunky at 4 as her brother was. She has the same gleam in her eye when she laughs as her daddy does. She has never met a stranger, also like her daddy. She has a free and boisterous laugh like I do. She loves all things girly, just like this momma does. She has a heart for people like I do, and she sees the good in others easily like her daddy. She is creative and mischief as well- just like her brother.

I didn't have to give birth to her physically to birth a love for her. My bond with her is the same as my bond with Bryan. His took 9 months of pregnancy to develop; hers took time once she was home with us. I am not disappointed that I didn't have her naturally. She is our gift, and we are thrilled at that. We didn't adopt to replace the 4 babies that we lost to miscarriage. Ellie is no replacement for anything. She is simply our daughter.

When God places a love in you for someone, it doesn't have to make sense. I love her. That's all there is to it. I'm blessed beyond measure at the two children God has entrusted to me. I believe He perfectly orchestrated this family, and I will do my very best to honor Him at this most precious work of mothering them.

Whew....glad I got that off my chest. Now, I've got some kiddos to love on!

Intentional Marriage

For several months now, I've felt the need to pray fervently for the health and safety of my marriage. Some of this is because I've watched the marriages of several around me struggle, and I don't want to allow Satan to get a foothold in my own. Some of this is simply because it's an absolute honor to pray for Jeff and our marriage.

When we took vows, 17 1/2 years ago now, we promised to always put God first, then each other second. And what I'm realizing is that in order to fulfill those vows in today's world, you have to be willing to have what I call an "intentional marriage".

What I mean by that is this: purposely sacrificing my needs for his, purposely making what I know he will prefer for dinner when I know he's had a long day- even when it's not what I had originally planned, purposely getting Ellie and Bryan involved in some activity or chore before he gets home from work so that he can have time to himself for a few minutes- especially when I know it's been a long day, purposely carving out time to pray for Jeff, his ministry and his leadership in our family. I'm not always good at this; please don't think that. But I do always try. I value my marriage, and I'm willing to do the intentional things to keep it healthy and vibrant.

One thing that Jeff and I have been better about is intentional time together. This afternoon, we will be heading out of Richmond for 2 nights of alone time. The rules are as follows: no schedules, no alarm clocks, and no talk about the kids. Simple.

And we're good at it :)

I love my husband. I love my kids too, but let's face it... without my husband, I woudln't have the blessings of those two kiddos. I will always put him first, submit to him (because that's biblical ladies, and he is doing his part in that biblical equation too) , and honor him. And I'll ALWAYS be willing to get away for a couple of nights to celebrate this gift of marriage that God has given us!

So... go get your spouse. Get out your calendars, and carve out some intentional time for your marriage as well. I promise it will be worth it!

PS. Special thanks to my incredible mother-in-love for taking care of our kids so we can do this getaway! Love you Joann!