Christmas Weddings

This is the 3rd Christmas wedding in 6 years on my mom's side of the family. This time it was my cousin Kevin who got married on the the 20th. It was a beautiful wedding and a beautiful day and luckily I got some really nice pictures. And we're all a lot prettier than on the real Christmas since we were snowed in at the farm under a couple feet of snow.
What a fine looking family:)


Here is the official crew who was snowed in at the farm just a lot prettier than on Christmas when we didn't have any reason to even get out of our Pj's.

Lydie's new BFF my cousin's wife Jasmine. She was her little shadow the whole night of the wedding. She wasn't snowed in with us but I did hear she was snowed in at her own house.


Taneah's budding Alexis was snowed in in the western part of the state. They sure are cute!

Next time I will show you some pictures of our real Christmas:)

UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who prayed for baby Noah. I talked to our friends in GA and he got out of the hospital and was adopted the weekend before Christmas. God is good! Thanks for praying!

Christmas Princesses

I had the opportunity to have "girls weekend" this weekend. It just dawned on my last week that I have girls. I know you are all thinking I am crazy. Afterall, they are 5 and 2. As much as I celebrate my children's individualism, I guess I kind of think of all 3 of them as my kids. And I had a light bulb moment last week that yes, I have girls. Anyway, Aaron and Jonah went to the Vikings game with Aaron's parents and that left Sat and Sun to just the girls. Lydia made many plans, and my plan was to try my best to NOT have an agenda, and NOT try to get my things done and just BE with my girls.

Well, as I sit here and write to you I am happy to say it was a success. We played babies, and painted nails, made a trip to Claire's to buy some very fashionable fake glasses (that's my Lydia) , we had carpet picnics and slept under the Christmas tree, oh what a blessing it is to have girls. That's what I learned this weekend. I am a very blessed mommy and it makes me smile to think about how much I love them and how much they love each other.

Lydia and I had a deep conversation last night as we're lying under the Christmas tree that went something like this:

Mom:"Lydia what do you want to learn about when you get big?"
Lydia:"Well, the thing is. . .(her new favorite saying) I would like to learn about water, you know when we're in the water and Jonah can give me a piggyback ride in the water and I'm not heavy for him, how does that work?" "I'd like to learn about that."

Ok Lydia not at all what I was expecting, but cute nonetheless.

A little over a year ago I was posting about adjusting with TWO princesses in the house, today I am happy to write that TWO princesses belong in this house and I wouldn't have it any other way. Today was our little church program at church and I was so proud as the girls got up and sang, Taneah even did the actions. They were so cute and here is the proof.

"Come on ring those bells. . ."

I just couldn't resist, it's the classic, 2 year old who has to lift her dress up

My two Christmas princess

As I tucked Lydia in tonight, I thanked her for the fun weekend and asked her if she had fun. She smiled and said "Yeah, it was delicious!"

Update

I got a picture of Baby Noah this week. He's adorable. They are hoping that he will be out of the hospital by Christmas. Please continue to pray for healing for his little body and for a forever family for him.

And on to the weekend at my friends. We stayed up to late catching up on our lives, we ate too many Christmas cookies broke up a few kid fights and got to meet Baby Seth! What a sweetie. Here are some of the highlights.

Jonah wanted to be a "real" baker so my friend brought out these great aprons and we were set. He did such a great job reading the recipe cards and even figured out how to double to recipe. I love this baker boy.

Say Cheese!

Sweet baby Seth.

Prayer warriors wanted and a little randomness

*I recenty learned about a little baby who our friends in Georgia are taking care of. He has some medical needs and he needs a family. I know there are babies and kids orphaned every day all over the world, but for some reason, I can't get this one out of my mind. So if you think of it, pray for little Noah.

* Life is good here and I thank God everyday that I have been blessed with this family, this set of circumstances in this place in time.

* We are getting ready to visit some friends for the weekend, my oldest friend actually. Not that she is old but we've been friends since we were 5 and I"m thankful for her too.

* And just for some random cutness, here's a picture I took 2 nights ago.
I'm thankful for them too!

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!

1 year ago tomorrow. . .

One year ago tomorrow we got an e-mail about a little girl who needed a home. The details were not what we expected, the situation was not what we expected, but then again with adoption it seems it never is. We read the situation and then opened up this.

I remember thinking, oh what a sweet face, and look at those shoes!!! Could it be??? Could this be my daughter?? Could this be the face of the baby God had promised us???? My mind was racing as I looked at this little sweetie. Little did I know.. .


Today I give you this


Same sweet face and she's way more fun than we could have expected, she makes EVERY situation interesting, and yes she is my daughter. In every sense of the word she is my daughter. I couldn't have dreamed up a more beautiful, strong, charming little person to grace our family. But God knew. He always does and he knew exactly what he was doing when He placed Taneah in our family. I love you sweetie and I'm so glad I get to be your mommy!

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:4,5

Finally her 1st day

Well, miss Lydia finally had her first day of school today. She was suppose to go last week Thursday but woke up with a fever and stayed home both Thursday and Friday. By today she was ready! I was ready for her too, or so I thought...

We walked into her classroom found her cubby spot and coat hook. Her teacher met us at the door and gave her some instructions. She followed them just like the big girls she is. I told her it was time for me to go and she quickly gave me one of the fast squeeze hugs that said "I love you mom but I'm fine and need to get on with my day." I walked out and I was fine, really, I was. I was proud of her, I wasn't sappy, and really I didn't even think about it because after all we had been waiting 5 days for this, her first day of school. So we left and about half way down the hall way, Taneah stops looks up at me and says, "Want Lay-ah!" "Want Lay-ah!" She wanted her Lydia. All of a sudden it hit me I wanted Lydia too. I wanted my baby girl who seemed like it would be forever until she slept all night. I wanted my 2 yr old Lydia who used to throw such a fit she would pull her hair out. I wanted my 3 yr old Lydia who LOVEd dressing up like a princess and playing trucks at the same time, I wanted my baby girl!!!

All of the cliches of parenting started running through my mind, "time sure flies" "parenting is just one big lesson in letting go" "they don't stay babies forever" and on and on. But in that moment at my lip quivered and my eyes grew hot, I knew I just had to keep walking, away from my sweet Lydie's classroom. Afterall, I was leaving a stong, confident, beautiful, independant 5 year old. She was ready for kindergarten. And so after I made it to the van, kept reassuring Taneah that Lydia was in school and cried my eyes out all the way home, I decided I would be OK. And oh how blessed I am to get to be her mom, how blessed I am to get to watch her grow and learn and become the the girl God designed her to be.

I love you Lydiebug and can't wait to hear how your first day of school went!

Good Bye Summer

OK those of you who know me, know I hate when things come to an end. And even though I technically have a few more days of summer left, my 2nd grader and my main man start tomorrow, so as far as our house goes, summer is done. We took a little camping trip to finish out the summer and had some fun talks with the kids about what they liked best about summer and what they were looking forward to the most about school. Jonah is looking forward to math and gym. Good man.

This time of year I think a lot about where were at as a family where I'm at in my life and where I want to be. It's definetly our new year since we're all on the school calendar. I"ve been thinking about what my favorite things were about summer. I made a top 10 because I couldn't narrow it down to just 5 and they're not in any particular order. So here goes, good bye summer, thanks for the memories, we'll see you again next year.

-Watching Jonah play baseball.
-Watching Lyida play soccer
-Going camping at Maplewood State Park, watching Taneah catch her first fish and Jonah want to fish ALL day long, taking Lydia out in a canoe alone and seeing a beaver very close:)
-Walking on the beach at night
-Being in Atlanta again
-Taneah's Court Day! ( It was about as close a perfect day as I can think of )
-Going to the Beth Moore conference and being reminded and refocused on what God has for my life.
-Getting to know my nephews better. Now that they are little people and not babies anymore.
-Enjoying our neighbors and neighborhood.
-Watching my kids form deeper brother/sister bonds and get to know each other better.

Big fun in a little puddle.

I think these pictures speak for themselves. Just soaking up every last second of summer we have left.

Sand

I have a quick moment to jot down a thought or two. Today, I packed my kindergartener's school supplies in her brand new polk-a-dotted back pack. That in itself is enought to make me ponder...she's really old enough to go to school? It seems like yesterday she was throwing a 2 year old tantrum because she didn't get her way. Oh wait that was yesterday:) Anyway, yes my Liddy is goin to school next week!
The other thing is before I could pack the back pack I had to clean it out because we had used it on our vacation. I had to vacuum out the beach sand on the bottom. It seemed kind of symbolic as I sucked up each teeny, tiny piece of sand there went summer. Just like that. Gone. Goodbye summer and thanks for the memories.

Just a few pictures

Here are a few of our pictures from our vacation. It was such a fun time. As it finally feels like summer this week in ND it makes me miss the south and all the fun we had there. I would write more but we are trying to squeeze every once of summer for what it's worth and so that is why I'm so slow on getting pictures on here. Summer just takes priority to blogging these days:)

The ABC's of our vacation 2009

Our vacation isn't quite over yet but we were trying to make the time pass when we were driving today and so this is what we came up with.

A is for airplane and Atlanta
B is for beach
C is for crabs
D is for docks
E is for eels
F is for fish (lots of pretty ones)
G is for Georgia
H is for holes ( as in the ones the crabs live in and scurry to if you're not fast enough)
I is for Interstate
J is for jelly fish stings
K is for kites
L is for Lobster
M is for Miley Cyrus ( Yep we caught a quick glimpse)
N is for Northwoods golf course
O is for ocean
P is for palm trees and a pretty pier
Q is for quite a few alligators
R is for rivers
S is for sharks, stingray, sand and sunburn
T is for Tybee Island
U is for umbrellas
V is for vests as if life vests
W is for whale shark
X is for extras
Y is for y'all
Z is for ziti

I bet you can't wait for the pictures.

INTRODUCING. . .

Taneah Hope!!!

Today was the big day where Taneah was given our last name. The whole thing was fast and surreal. I can't tell you how good it feels to have it FINAL! Through the ups and downs and round and rounds adoption is a beautiful thing and I can't imagine our family without her!

Due to this great occasion we had to celebrate! It was a great party and a perfect day!

The incredible cake thanks to auntie Jessie. Don't worry Shannon we saved you a piece:)

The puppet show

The water slide!

Tubs of fun!

YEAH!!!

Frozen fudgepops, fireworks and fun

We had a sort of Norman Rockwell Feel to our 4th of July. The town we live in LOVES fireworks and everybody is Bar-B-Qing in thier front yards and having family and friends over. Even though Daddy was busy selling the fireworks we had a great time with the neighbors.
Jonah was Pat's ( our neighbor) right hand man when it came to lighting off the fireworks. Until the big stuff came out then he stayed seated closely to mom.
Yummy!

During the day the kids played in the little pool and ran in the slip and slide. T decided to take a little drink:) I love this shot it sort of captures summer to me.

"han"

This post is not so much about sharing something with you but recording something so I don't forget. Miss T ( Who by the way in a just a few short weeks will be introduced officially here) I just want it to be official:) Anyway, Miss T has a thing with hands. She loves to hold my hand. She holds my hand when she rides in her carseat and she needs to be comforted, we hold hands when we pray. Whenever she's having a hard time she looks up at me with those soulful, coffee colored eyes and says "han" "han" Tonight as I was rocking her to sleep she said "han mommy" I held her hands and she fell esleep.

I love that holding hands brings such comfort to her. What a sweetheart.
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
Psalm 73:23


***Note the beautiful moments captured on this post and the last one are thanks to my sweet sister in law Shannon. Check out more of her beautiful photos at Mirabella Photography. They are 2 different cites.

Lydiaisms

Oh my dear sweet Lydia, if it wasn't for her I would run out of "material" for this blog. Here are a few of her latest.

*Last week we were all in the van going somewhere and Miss T was sick of being in the carseat. Which seems to be her new thing. We think it's ironic since when we first got her we actually went for a drive to get her to sleep. Anyway, she is screaming and whining in the backseat and Aaron says, "Stop screaming! Noone likes a kid screaming in the backseat!" And Lydia pipes in "Yeah, not even God!"

*After soccer practice in the 83 degree heat last night, Lydia says ,"Oh no I"m wet here." As she is touching her temples. "And I'm wet here too!" Touching the other side. I said that's Ok it's sweat, it means you were working hard. Poor girl doesn't remember sweating since it's been 9 months since it was hot enought outside to sweat.

* And my favorite, recently we booked airplane tickets to go back to GA and visit the people who took care of T and have a family vacation. At supper, Jonah was asking all kind of questions about if we could stand on the airplane and where we were staying, and what it would be like. Lydia was listening very intently but not saying much. I was excitetly telling them what it would be like. After a few minutes, Lydia looked up very concerned and asked, "We still get to keep her, right." I assured her that we get to keep her and we are only going for a visit.

Oh how it warms my heart to think of how God has changed the relationship between the girls. Lydia has changed from being the frustrated dethroned princess of the house to being the protective, loving big sister. A role she was born for.

Camping

Nothing says camping fun like a campfire. And fun we had! This weekend God gave us some beautiful weather and we had a great time camping.


This is the honey hole where Jonah fished all morning and caught
this small mouth bass. He also caught a ton of other fish but this was the one he was most proud of.
T caught her first fish. She looks pretty serious here, but when she reeled it in she squealed like a
pig and kept saying "fiss" "fiss"
Camping is always more fun with some friends to catch caterpillers with and have picnics with.
There's something about sleeping under the stars and taking a kid out on a canoe that is good for my soul. I loved being outside all weekend and it was the perfect kickoff to summer.