Big Girl...or so she thinks

This little girl thinks it is great fun to pretend to talk on mommy's phone. She is hilarious! She loves to say "hi" and "bye" with a southern accent...like "hiaaa" and "bah". 

Pretty funny with Dad's hat too

Soccer Tourney in Flagstaff

 What a huge blessing it was to escape the heat and head up to Flagstaff for the weekend. The temps were heavenly. Jacob had a total of four games in the pines and played his little heart out. The competition was a bit miss matched but the boys really began working well together as a team as the weekend finished up. The coach had amazing encouragement for the boys and we look forward to many more games this fall.

And of course, the little ones play hard but then crash too. She fought sleep and Dad won the battle...sweet girl.

Happy 4th Birthday Sweetness!!!

Our precious girlie is 4 yrs old today!!! We were just chatting earlier this week about how Leah is about the age when Ayana came to us...crazy how much she has grown and changed. My sweet Grandma called her "full of life" and that is the best description of her spirit. She will talk and talk and talk, until I think she has used all her words for the day and she find more!!! She has the brightest smile and spirit that makes a room glow. We adore her! What a blessing to be given this amazing child. Happy, happy birthday precious! We love you!

Increasing the risk factors

We seem to always find ways to increase the risk factors in this family. This has been the case this month anyway. We were give a trampoline by one of Shane's co-workers and you would have thought the kids had seen a miracle. Well, in this house it kinda was. I have wanted one for a while now but Shane had resisted for fear of broken bones or broken heads. We purchased a net which will hopefully 'catch' any kiddos who get a little crazy. And so with a tramp now why not just jump right in to the world of motorcycles. Shane said he has always wanted one but graciously resisted since I have a close relative who passed away in an accident with a motorcycle. As I have gotten older, well and more mature, and well more trusting of God I decided to give in to his desires. He bought a street bike, a Buell, from our good friends and has been tinkering with it ever since. Last night Mr. Williams came over to give Shane some riding lessons and I have to say it did ease my nerves to see him do really well. So, watch out ER's, here come the Self's...well, hopefully not! ;-)

This is my brother in law and Jacob catching some serious air!

He has his "serious smile"" on...the one where he is concentrating but also having fun!!!

Cornrows with sponge culer ends

How about that for a mouth full...? I was feeling creative a couple of weeks back and saw this teen at Wal-mart with braids and the ends were these adorable spiral curls. I of course didn't have the guts to go up and ask how she did that but I did try to figure out a way to make it similar. I started withfresh, clean, conditioned hair. I parted it in half, sort of...her hair is a little short and so I wanted to make tight, small rows and it was easier to take the lower half and braid it seperatly from the top of her head.

Once I had all the rows done I wrapped the unbraided ends in sponge rollers.

Then I proceeded around her head until I was done.

She did great as she slept with them to make sure they dried. She didn't take any of the rollers out, which I was so sure she would. The next day the curls did not come out exactly how I wanted them to. I intended to have them lay down her head in a formed spiral but either the hair is too short or too thick, or I don't really know why. :-) Anyway, this was after sleeping on it one night and it was pretty fuzzy. She did swim that day so the curl came out but the next morning I used my ultra skinny curling iron and finally got the spiral I wanted. I did not however put any gel in it and those spirals were dead by the end of lunch.

Even though it didn't turn out exactly the way I hoped it was still pretty cute and she loved the softer curls on the ends. The whole look lasted about 2 wks and remarkably, her hair stayed very soft in smaller rows. So I am still learning new things with each new style.

A quick side note, I offered my hair services to our agency to possibly teach a hair class for other foster parents next year. YIKES!!! My hubby jumped up and said I would do great and that I have learned a tons of things. He is so sweet and supportive!! So, we will have to see what God does with that in 2011.



Peace...

At so many moments over this past year I have felt so far away from God. And that is wierd to say because I have seen Him work in many areas and have had those "that was totally God" moments but when my heart is heavy with concern for my loved ones is when I feel the furthest away. I am learning, sometimes minute by minute that I can not control what they do or do not do with their lives. The choices they make are just that, their choices, and while I do not agree, I can not control them either. Oh, so hard sometimes when my heart is breaking. My heart is breaking right now and while I do turn to God with my prayers, or let's be real here, my begging for Him to do SOMETHING. Tears fall from eyes as I hear His gentle words saying just give it all to me. Lord, I am trying...oh how I am trying. While visiting another blog they had this video posted.





I am daughter who hurts for her mother, but if all on this earth is gone I will have my Lord...because He is my Savior, my comforter, my Redeemer...I will rejoice in His love for me.

Happy Birthday 7th Samantha!

Our lovely daughter is 7 yrs old today...where does the time go? She is a bundle of energy and joy! She loves to perform, with ot with out anyone watching. She has a spirit for God and desires to learn more and more about Him. She loves playing her piano and singing. God has secial plans for her some day, no doubt about that! We love you Samantha!!

Peace

I ordered a new 365 daily devotional and was so comforted by the reading for yesterday I just had to share...it is called Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young and is written from the perspective of Jesus personally writing you a love note.

"Understanding will never bring you Peace. That's why I have instructed you to trust in Me, not in your understanding. Human beings have a voracious appetite for trying to figure things out, in order to gain a sense of mastery over their lives. But the world presents you with an endless series of problems. As soon as you master one set, another pops up to challenge you. The relief you had anticipated is short-lived. Soon your mind is gearing up again: searching for understanding (mastery), instead of searching Me (your Master).


The wisest of all men, Solomon, could never think his way through to Peace. His vast understanding resulted in feelings of futility, rather than in fulfillment. Finally, he lost his way and succumbed to the will of his wives by worshiping idols.


My Peace is not an elusive goal, hidden at the center of some complicated maze. Actually, you are always enveloped in Peace, which is inherent in My Presence. As you look to Me, you gain awareness of this precious Peace."




May you find true Peace in the arms of our Savior...blessings!