Guard your heart

Judson is mimicking ALL that we do right now.

He claps when we do, laughs when we do, he even copies James' duck voice.

He's watching us, learning how to behave and respond.

That's pretty cool.

The truth is, I can read a million parenting books, seek advice from other experienced mothers,  but if my heart is not in a good place, my actions will reflect that, and my kids will model after me.

My kids aren't only learning from me when I am intentionally teaching them a lesson.

They are learning from me always. 

And that starts with my heart.  

So I am praying that this week my heart will be filled with the hope and love and Christ and that it will overflow from within me to others. 

"I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance."

Ephesians 1:18

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

Proverbs 4:23

November 4th ...Orphan Sunday

On November 4th this year...I will be turning 30! 

That's so weird!!

But, more importantly, on November 4th this year thousands of churches across the nation will be speaking on God's heart for the orphan and how we can be a part of that.

Now, I know that not everyone is asked to adopt.

Many of us are.

Some are called to reach the fatherless in different ways. 

That is between you and the Lord.

Here is what I do know...
There is nothing greater in space or time than the love of God for human kind.

We rest in that love daily.

These little ones without a family are included in that.

ESPECIALLY! 

Are we being the hands and feet of Christ when it comes to orphan care? 

I liked this video because it reminds us that orphan care is not about us.

In fact, I often shy away when talking about this topic because I NEVER want anyone to think more of me or my family for having adopted a child.

I cringe when people tell me how wonderful it was of us to adopt.  

It's about the gospel of Christ and it's a response to what he's done for us.

It's about children in need.

And it's about the Father's love for them.  

I pray that this little video touches your heart.

Dad says, school can wait

My teacher friends and family may not like that much.

I was watching a playoff game the other night when the camera zoomed in on a little boy holding a sign that read,

Dad says, school can wait.

He was missing a day of school to witness something special.

Something he will surely never forget. 

I distinctly remember missing a day of school when the All Star Game was in San Diego.  

Just my Dad and I went and I will always remember it.  

I love reminders like this.

I love to remember that it's ok to skip therapy so that Ava can ride her bike and fly her kite.

I love remembering that it's ok to pick up a dinner b/c I'm playing with the kids rather than cooking.

Dinner will always need to be cooked

Surely, laundary will alway need to be done.

My kids wont be kids forever. 

Pumpkins

We had a very pumpkinie weekend.

On Friday night Ava was DYING to go to the pumpkin patch.

She was asking over and over and over again.

We (I) kind of told her that we would without consulting Daddy and it ended up getting too late before I knew it. 

So we searched for a pumpkin patch that was open at night and found one!  

Our new thing will be going to the pumpkin patch at nighttime.  

It was so much more fun and festive than picking out a pumpkin during the day when it's 95 degrees outside.

I think that the night ended up being so much fun b/c it was spontaneous and we totally didn't know that this particular patch was so cool.

It surprised us!  

 

Ava was so happy!  Judson was not too sure. 

Girl loves to swing.

 Someday soon Juddy boy.

 They even had a little station to pan for gold. 

Ava got some pretty sweet treasures out of that $8 activity.

We fed some little piggies.  

Jud was so afraid of them when they oinked.

He preferred the goats.  

Even gave them a wave.

The next day we went to a pumpkin themed first birthday party for some of our best friends little girl.

It was adorable.

Then we carved and chomped on some yummy pumpkin seeds.

Yes, it was a very pumpkinie weekend indeed.

FALL

Since it's raining today and I am wearing jeans, I thought it was time for a fall post!

My very very favorite time of year!

Some random ramblings about fall... 

I really am kind of a crazy person about clutter.  

I don't like it.

So, decorating for different seasons can sometimes stress me out.  

This year, I decided to use Ava's art to jazz up the house.  

She is a beautiful artist and I love displaying her fall art around the house this time of year.  

 And then I got a million tiny zebra and white pumpkins and threw the fall wreath on the door. 

Done. 

Cozy and fallish and not too much clutter :-)

Dressing a little boy is obviously not as much fun as dressing a little girl, BUT, I have found some adorable clothes for fall and I am having fun dressing Judson in cute little vests and jackets.

I also love little sweaters for Ava. 

 

 Fall means, school pictures!  Ava had school pictures yesterday and the photographer got this little photo of Jud man.

Wish he was smiling but OMGoodness...eyes!!!!

Happy Fall!

A New Week

Last week I got a big fat "F" in my parenting.

I was impatient and easily overwhelmed.  

I am thankful that his mercies are new every morning and that I have a fresh week.  

Each and every day is such a gift.

Time is such a gift.

I'm praying that I will soak in all God's goodness in my days rather than wishing the days would go by quickly.

So far so good.

I'm sitting here tickling little baby feet and watching him eat his snack.  

Taking time to reflect rather than frantically cleaning while he is occupied. 

Despite me and my poor attitude last week, there were laughs, good moments and sweet smiles...

 

Juddy in his baseball PJs in honor of the playoffs. 

A very exiting time in our house.

Ava has picked up interest in her bike again.

FUN!

Couldn't resist this little onesie at Target.  

Ava helping lead worship at school.

Someone likes the swing!

And someone loves her boy!

My pretty, sweet girl being adorable in this new dress that her Aunt Bea got her for her b-day.

My heart and soul.

I like hubby's new glasses.

And I like him...A LOT.

"When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see him there
Who made an end of all my sin."

I am actually embracing this Monday morning.  

Ready to do this week right.

Thankful for God's grace.

Our Story

Most of you who know us, know the story of Ava's adoption.

I've told it many times and each time I do, I feel something different.

Sometimes I feel happy...giddy at how it all turned out.

Sometimes I feel sad...tramatized by all we went through.

Last night we had dinner at our pastor's home with his family (BTW they are amazing and we are so blessed to be a part of this church body)

And, after telling them our adoption story, I felt thankful...completely overwhelmed with gratitude.

As we shared with them about what our expectations were when we began our adoption, and how those changed DRASTICALLY, I felt extremely thankful that God didn't listen to us.

That he took the box we put him in and busted it wide open!  

That he gave us a child we never would have signed up for on paper but who is so much more

than we could ever have dared to ask or imagine!

It is wonderful to see God's grace in our unanswered prayers.

We are so thankful that he intervened, pushed us aside and allowed us the opportunity to parent this child.

And this child too

We are so thankful