Daddy Game Night

Ok, so all your husbands are great, but I think mine is AWESOME! He loves to play with the kids almost more than his garage time. He made them a priority again last night and they played Life. It does a mother's heart good to hear the laughter of her children and husband playing...so special! I snapped a photo of course to blog about how much I love the kind of Dad my husband is.

Honey, if you read this...I love you!

Cookie Face

Nathan enjoyed a Girl Scout Thin Mint this afternoon...looks like a mini clown face huh?

Jacob's Class "Picnic with Parents"

Oh so good...chocolate cupcake!

My handsome boys...

We had a memorable day with our kindergartener..."Picnic with Parents" day! We went to the school to watch them sing 10 fun and cute songs then out to the playground to have a picnic. Jacob was glowing as he sang and had the biggest smile when he saw us come in. He has come such a long way in the past two years. He is secure, confident and a treasure. Hard to believe there is only 4 weeks left and he will be a first grader! Where did my baby go? He is such a blessing!The pictures are from the picnic and the movie clip is a short snipit from the "Pizza Hut" song.

ROCK Stars!

Food inspiration

So, we have these fabulous friends who cook amazing food...we all know them as the Burleson's. Well, Men's Retreat weekend I went over for dinner and Adam made fabulous homemade pizza...deep dish and regular. Mmmmm...so good, I have been craving it ever since. I decided to try it myself...not too bad if I say so myself. I had a wonderful helper and we enjoyed good food! AND I get left overs for lunch today...what could be more perfect!

But God...

I just had to share about a great weekend I experienced. On Sat. me and several of our women from church went to the Woman to Woman conference at North Phx Baptist Church. Desiring obedience to God's path, and after 5 years of service, I have recently left my "duties" on our Women's Board. It has been an interesting couple of weeks with God trying to understand His plan and maintaining an undivided heart. Because this conference was a planned leadership training for our women I did struggle with my purpose there, BUT oh God knew exactly what I was there for. Determined to go with an open mind, available to what God had for me there I listened intently to what He was going to tell me. He did not let me down, in fact out of the 300 women or so, He had the speaker speaking only to me! (At least that is what it felt like) Lysa TerKeurst is one of the founders of Proverbs 31 Ministries and has an amazing story. Aside from her testimony and journey to God, she and her husband journeyed a path that sounds oddly familiar. Several years back, maybe 2004, she took her three daughters to a concert by the Liberian Boys Choir. 12 young boys sang with conviction and joy despite unimaginable circumstances in their lives. To make a very long story short, Liberia has been in turmoil for years, leaving behind 25,000 orphans in the wake. A pastor wanted to get their story out to the world and created this choir to tour the US. As Lysa listened God spoke to her and told her two of those boys were hers. She of course tells the story with much more humor and emotion that I could ever do. She went on to talk about the time she shared the idea of adoption with her husband. They had a hard time believing this is what God wanted, weighed pros and cons and finally after many, many confirmations from God, decided to pursue adoption of these two teenage boys. WOW! Her story hit a spot in my heart that created overwhelming emotions. I knew exactly what she was talking about...saying YES to God and His plan. As she continued her story of faithful obedience I was more and more emotional. As I was still feeling sad about leaving women's ministry, she began to talk about how once the boys came so many things she was used to needed to change. She could not go on as many speaking engagements and had to slow down her writing. Her faithfulness to these boys and God inspired her to understand greater what purpose she and they may have one day in the world. God does not doing something for nothing. Who know, these boys could grow up, return to Liberia and free that country. Or, go on telling their personal story all over the world, spreading the word of God in places undetermined! So, as I gathered my emotions and processed this experience I realized that yes, I would be giving up something I love deeply, BUT GOD.....has bigger plans, a better knowledge of Him, and unimaginable plans ahead for me...for us. We are to be faithful to touch the hearts of the ones He gives us, even for a short time, and HE will multiply our efforts indefinitely! I cannot do this experience justice just with words, but I was transformed right there...my heart no longer divided with what I wanted vs. what God wanted...I am on this path full steam ahead! I pray everyone experiences God in ways that bring them closer and closer to a fuller understanding of Him! May God's peace fill your hearts today!

ER on call?

Ok, so do any of you wonder why I keep the ER on my speed dial? This is what I catch my husband and children doing this afternoon. Shane got a big box in the mail today and proceeded to use it until is was destroyed. It was rather cute to watch the kids scream in excitment. Nathan however was not a fan, he was being sensitive and did not want to see them get hurt.

A few moments to reflect...

Well, it has been one week since our first foster placements went back to their Mom. So many of you have been supportive through all of this, and we feel your love. These sweet kids came to us on jan 22nd and wow was it an adventure. We had no idea how tired that many kids would make us, but after a few weeks and hiring a maid service we adjusted well. During all our training the state really hits home the idea of reunification with parents as the number one priority and we agree with that concept, however the relization of returning children to a situation we feel is not ideal is a hard thing to swallow. Having said that, my bible study this semester has been great is affirming what God is calling us to. He has asked us to care for His children for a time. He is faithful to provide for them and we trust He is taking care of these kids long after they leave us. If we truly love God, than being obiedient to His call is exciting. No one said this would be easy and we know now just how hard it can and will be. We have had to make several adjustments in our lives...give up some things we love, and embracing other things that are new. Our attitude about God's call has not waivered even in the face of disappointment, and we know the path is one filled with excitment over what God is doing in us, our family and outside our home. We are "on fire" for God and anxiously await the next kids He has set apart for our home. So, we will look ahead to see where God is going next and join Him in the adventure. Many blessings and peace to you all!

Are they related to Goofy?

Nathan "yelling" at the camera...but in a happy voice! (Do you see all those teeth? 4 molars all at once this week!)

There are no words for this face...does that big mouth take after her Mom? Oh, can't help but laugh at this...

Both Nathan and Samantha were is goofy moods yesterday. They both really put on a show for the camera. It is amazing for me to see these pictures and wonder away in my head at how the time has flown by. They both were playing around on the floor so sweetly so I just had to snap a few photos...then they got really silly as you can see.

"When I am done, I AM DONE!"

Is there something wrong with this picture? Ummmm....YES! I left the kitchen for just a moment and when I came back here he was. Can you believe it! He sat there saying "all done" as best he could but I needed to grab the camera. He did get a stern talking to, a "love" tap on the bum, and then taken down. I guess I have to buckle him every time now.