so simple so wonderful

I'm changing it up a little today. I'm going to talk a little bit about my job. I have many jobs you've heard about, wife, mother, friend, sister etc, but I have another job too. I have the privaledge of working with some of the most special little people on the planet. Four days a week, I work as an occupational therapist in a school system. I work with students in grades k-5 who have special needs. Well today something wonderful happened.

A little boy colored for the 1st time. A few great co-workers and I have been brainstorming for weeks on how we can get this little guy to color. We've tried adapted utensils, adapted writing surfaces, velcro, even a wiffle ball, nothing worked.

Now, you may be thinking how is that wonderful, kids color all of the time, well this is a very special little boy and the reason coloring is hard for him is because he doesn't have thumbs. Try doing just about anything without thumbs, it's very challenging. I had Jonah try brushing his teeth without using his thumbs, he gave up after about 10 seconds.

We made a crazy marker holder out of the top of milk jug and he did it. He colored- red, orange and blue-- in case your interested. The louder I cheered the more he colored. You can imagine I did everything short of standing on my head to keep him coloring. So there you have it --coloring--something so simple yet so wonderful.

It was my miracle for the day. It helped remind me why I do what I do and why God has me where he has me. It reminded me to look for the small miracles and the big ones (like coloring) in every day. I hope you saw a miracle in your day, and if you didn't just look around, you probably just missed it.

Here are my 3 trick or treaters. We had 2 parties, a couple of hours of trick or treating with our friends and enough candy to last us the year! It was very fun night!

2 very cute neighbor boys in some star wars get up.

Taneah as Abby Cadabby using her magic want to put Daddy's shoes into her treat pumpkin:)

I can't wait to see what God does. . .

Our attempt to raise awareness about adoption and give families who are interested more information went well. My friend presented with her family beautifully and we had 3 families take our names and wanted more information about adding to their family through adoption.  God was faithful answered our prayers. We had several people who took brochures on how they can support adoption financially and overall I think people were encouraged. I know seeds were planted and I can't wait to see what God does next. I am very hopeful and excited to see God move through our church and our country to bring children who don't have a home into their forever families.

Thanks again for praying!

I need your help. . .

Hello, I'm not sure if anyone out there reads this silly ole blog anymore since I have not been keeping up with posting. Life happens- you know how it is. Posting on the blog just hasn't been priority. Anyway, today I need your help. I am asking you to pray for this weekend. This Sunday we are having a focus on adoption at our church. My friend and her family are sharing their adoption story and we are setting up a table in the entryway of the church for people to visit and learn more about adoption.

As you think about Sunday, can you please pray that God will bring at least 2 families forward to really consider adoption. Pray that people will set aside the fear, uncertainty and indifference and act on the nudging in their hearts to add to their family through adoption. Pray that the distractions of the day will be gone and God will be heard. We know our God is one of adoption, afterall he adopted us!

Now, that is a little more than one year after we got Taneah, God as ignited a new passion in my heart to spread the word about adoption. To help people understand about adoption, to be sensitive to its challenges, celebrate its blessings and more than anything help others grow closer to God through the miracle of adoption.

Thank you in advance for praying.

Pumpkin patch

We went to the pumpkin patch on Sunday. It was a beautiful day. We played with old friends. . .
met some new friends...

played giant connect 4

and smiled pretty for the camera. Taneah's favorite was feeding the horseys but I for some reason I couldn't get that pictures to load.

Carrying me.

September is a month of transition for us. Every one of us has to get into a new routine, get out of bed earlier, go to bed earlier, see each other a little less and just kind of figure how it all goes again. It is the longest and shortest month of the year for me. Although it is sometimes uncomfortable and certainly tiring, I am thankful for the change. It forces me to reach and cling to the God of the universe, the savior of my life and the one who helps me get through each day. This song has been carrying me this month. It is the perfect love song from God to me. Read the lyrics and click here listen to the music and pretend He's singing it to you. And then know that He means it.

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

And we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If his grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

Yeah, He loves us,

Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
sung by: The David Crowder Band
Written by John McMillan

Happy Birthday Sweet T!

One year ago tonight, I rocked my baby girl to sleep for the first time. I looked into her soulful coffee colored eyes and felt her fall asleep in my arms.

Tonight as I write I thank God for the little girl sleeping in her big sister's T-shirt.
I thank Him for her endless engery, her love of life and swimming
and the joy and craziness she has brought to our life.
I thank God that out of all the little girls in the world he chose Taneah to be my daughter!
Tonight we celebrated sweet Taneah being 2 years old.
(Actually we celebrated on Sunday and tonight)
We love you Taneah!