Reflecting God's Glory

Bible study was so amazing today! Too many "nuggets" to share at once, but the one idea that touched me deep was how we are to reflect His glory to others. This is a rose from my newly planted bush and it was a beautiful thing to watch it become fulfilled. Slowly but surely it began to open...all at the perfect timing of God and now reflects His perfect love for all of us (but me especially) to see.

The Great Escape

We left the city and headed for the hills this weekend! It was great to be in the fresh air, and almost instantly the stress and emotional exhaustion seemed to disappear. The temps were cool and the campfire amazing! Ready to begin a new week...

Update to our stressful week

Thank you so much for all the prayers and love poured out on us this week. I wanted to take a few minutes to update you. First, the lawyer meeting last week went well and we are encouraged by our coure of action. We are meeting with another lawyer this morning to get a better idea of the family law side of things and then it is praying time as we decide to go forward. Second, Asjiah did go to a new foster home on Wed. afternoon. To make a very long story short, we realized she had some needs that we could no longer help with and she needed to move to a situation that serve those needs better. We still have her sister and I have to say it has been a much less stressful couple of days. We love her very much, so it was bittersweet to let her go, but we are trusting God to take good care of her. Plus, Ayana will still see her once a week at the visits with their Mom. And finally, I cannot remember who knows and doesn't know, but Nathan's Grandmother, Valerie lives here in Mesa. She was expericening some health issues and had major open heart surgey on Tues. morning. There are some pretty serious complications and she is not waking up or responding now 3 days post-op. They are speculating all kinds of things including the possiblilty of some brain damage due to being on bypass for so many hours. Please pray for her sister Tess who is the only "family" here at the moment. Valerie loves God and we pray that He would heal her, and at the very least help the doctors find some answers.

Blessings to all of you...happy Firday!

Munchies with Mom

Jacob's school had their annual Munchies with Mom this morning. Mom's and the students get to come into the school early and have donuts, muffins, juice and coffee. I decided to walk with Jacob since Shane was working from home and could be there with the other kids. I loved the walk. It was breezy and he talked and talked...a mothers dream. As we were half way to the school he reached out and held my hand. I could not help but think how much longer that gesture would be "ok" with him. I held on to his hand as tight as my heart could because I do not know when it will be the last time he wants to hold my hand. As my boy approaches 8 this summer it is these brief moments I do not want to miss out on in the craziness of our life. He is more than I ever hoped. My heart is over flowing with love today!

The hardest decision we have ever made

We have had a rollercoater of emotions over the last week or so. Between Nathan and the fight for custody and some major issues with our 4 yr old foster child, the emotional exhaustion has set in. We have discovered through much prayer, tears and disappointment that sometimes doing what is best for a particular child means letting go. We have learned our limitations and humbly fall on our face before God. We now understand why people do not get into foster care, because to let go feels like a part of you is leaving too. Please pray for Asjiah as she is about to embark on another major change in her life and we pray that God protects her sensitive heart during the transistion. Pray too for our family as the dynamics readjust and please pray for Shane and I as the overwhelming saddness is a heavy burden on our shoulders.

2yrs today with Nathan

Still can't believe it...time is always on fast forward. These two have a special bond, their love pours out from eachother. Today is also Nathan's brother's 5th birthday! We are going to Amazing Jake's for his party. Some much changed two years ago and yet I could not even imagine my life any different than it is today.

Peace and Tranquility

Who does not absolutely find such peace and tranquility in a clean house? While I cannot take full credit because I do have ladies come twice a month to do the deep, deep cleaning, I do have to go through piles, clean up the kid's rooms and put everything away as best I can. I LOVE my house when it sparkles. It gives me a sense of calm and quiet because piles are less, clutter is removed and almost every single thing is in its place, well for at least a couple hours anyway. See, it doesn't last long...not even one day, but that does not inhibit my mood at this very moment as I sit glancing from room to room, the smells of clean over take my senses and I smile! Ahhhhh, satisfaction!

Newest Member of our family

Meet Azul! He's the newest member of our family and mainly Jacob's dog. Jacob picked his man, Azul is blue in spanish (His favorite color). So far so good! The kids are all doing great with him, being very gentle.

CA Beach Play

Sea World

a quick trip to the beach before sunset

feeding the sting rays! samantha was too scared but jacob loved it
this was a tough day for samantha as she is very tired and didn't want to be in pictures, oh well!

this one is for you Mom! the penguins were amazing!

Legoland day 2

If you look really close that is my crazy hubby and son having a blast on the big roller coaster.


they have a cool new aquarium that just wet our appitites for Sea World!

Legoland

We have had a blast so far in Legoland! The kids did great with all the walking. We are so glad we waited until they got a little older before doing anything like this trip.

Rockin R Ranch

Samantha has begun Rodeo Week in school and it started today with a field trip to a local Dinner Theater and Ranch to learn all kinds of rodeo things.

Doing that roping thing pretty good.

" I know water is supposed to come out of here, but how?"

Mama said there will be days like these

What a beautiful couple of days! We spent much of Sunday and Monday outside in our own backyard chillin. Did a little bit of yard work and the kids found a new friend in the sandbox. Gotta love plan old dirty fun!