GIVING THANKS and THANKSGIVING

I forgot about these pictures so I thought I would post them. My friend, Deanna, took these when she was in town. I love these pictures... thanks Deanna!

I give thanks for FAMILY! (see post below where I talk about my sweet JESUS).

I adore my husband and the best friend and love he is in my life!


I am thankful for each child and their unique personality.

THANKSGIVING DAY 2008.

What a sweet time (in fact, we are still here right now). We had Thanksgiving with our dear friends, the Stevens.

Ted making the gravy.

Elizabeth and Clark... Such a precious couple.

All this good food made in the ....

THANK YOU CLARK AND ELIZABETH FOR THE YUMMY FOOD! What a treat!

Girls with their dolls...

I got a new lens a while back and decided to practice on some of the kids. I am gonna add other pictures to my photography blog.

This dude loves the play ground.

I COULD GOBBLE HIM UP!

THANKFUL...

No pictures. Sorry. I haven't had the camera out much lately (only for photo shoots).

I am thankful for this song by Steven Curtis Chapman named YOURS. Have you heard it? It moves me each time I listen to the lyrics.
I recently found (I am sure I am a little behind) that he wrote a new verse to the song after the loss of his precious daughter, Maria.

Here is the new verse...

I’ve walked the valley of death’s shadow
So deep and dark that I could barely breathe
I’ve had to let go of more than I could bear
And questioned everything that I believe
But still even here in this great darkness
A comfort and hope come breaking through
As I can say in life or death
God we belong to you.

Isn't it just like God to put a song in our hearts during such tragedy.
MOST OF ALL THIS THANKSGIVING I AM THANKFUL TO BE A CHILD OF GOD. He doesn't promise us easy times. In fact, Jesus tells us in this world, we will have trouble. BUT GOD GIVES US BEAUTY FROM ASHES! He puts a song in our hearts!
WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE SERVE! I AM SO THANKFUL FOR HIM!!!!

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for my family...
my precious mom and dad who are in heaven. my heart will always long for them...
I am so thankful for the husband the Lord has given to me. I feel so unworthy so many days.
and I am so very thankful for the precious babies he has given to me.
This is Abel's first thanksgiving with our family. WHAT A GIFT!

FATHER... EVERYTHING IS YOURS!
REJOICE WITH ME! and if you don't know THE GREAT I AM, THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, THE ALPHA AND OMEGA, THE PRICE OF PEACE, THE SAVIOR!! ... ask HIM TO SHOW HIMSELF TO YOU. HE IS FAITHFUL.... so very faithful!

Retreat Fun!

We had our Women's Retreat this weekend. It was a lot of fun. We grew in relationship with one another through the opening of the WORD, meeting in triads (groups of 3), and having LOADS OF FUN. I wish I would have taken more pictures but I was too busy listening, talking, Karaoking, dancing, doing hair, laughing SO HARD, etc.
On Saturday we got some free time and I did GLAMOUR SHOTS. It was so funny! It was not a planned event. It started with me just curling my friend, Christy's hair. Then I decided to make her look like Deb from Napoleon Dynamite. I was crackin' up. Then I decided to make it a mini glamour shot. (none of the fancy make-up). We found Peggy's scarf to add the "Glamour" effect. OH MY! What fun!

My second victim ... I mean client.... ROBIN.

This reminds me of the Dreamsicle Angels I collected in the 90s.

Laughter is one of my favorite things in life!

This is my crazy friend, Emile. How about this shot... We were trying to do "high school senior" pictures with the rose. But she decided to go for the CRAZY STALKER in high school look.

If you ever meet Emile, ask her to tell you her most embarrassing moment story. You will laugh so hard, you'll cry!

And while you are having Emile tell you her Embarassing story from 8th grade... have her tell you the jungle juice story too.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNY! I'll never forget your dance moves! YOU CRAZY GIRL YOU!

Me and my homie...

Who has the best NANNIES in the WORLD? WE DO WE DO!

Nanny Beck and Nanny Gwen... you guys are the best aunts in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD! Thank you so much for coming and loving on the kids! and us too! From the crafts, to the gifts for the kids, to the cooking... ALL OF IT WAS SUCH A GIFT TO OUR FAMILY! Thank you!!

WE LOVE YOU BOTH SOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!

The A Team

Our baby isn't a baby any more!

How did 8 years already pass since she came into our lives? It's gone WAY TOO FAST!

Avery's party was so sweet this year. She had her "girly themed" party. Last year and this year we have done a "mock slumber party". The girls come in their PJs and we do fun things like we'd do at a slumber party but it's a "NOT SO" SLEEP OVER (as I call it).
Last year and this year I put my hair skills to work and did hair. It's like a mini Libby Lu in our basement. The girls got their hair done, did crafts, made necklaces and bracelets. GIRLS JUST WANTA HAVE FUN.... and we did!

OUR GIRLS. LOVE THOSE A TEAM GIRLS!
Here is everyone after their "up-dos".

Ted is leading them through the pinata. It was a Hannah Montana Guitar.

Daddy is always so funny... I love this picture of Avery laughing at him (below).

This year Avery is in school (co-op) so she has a class full (well just 7 total) of little girls. It was so fun to meet them and get to put faces with the names I always hear about.

Avery had the cutest cake. Again, thanks to Granny Charlotte who buys the cakes for our kids. It is SUCH a blessing and always fun to see what they look like. This one had all "girly" stuff on it. It was perfect!

Avery received so many fun gifts! Our craft closet is STOCKED!

Avery...

Where do we begin? You are DELIGHTFUL. We are so proud of who you are becoming. Here are 8 things your dad and I love about you..

1. Your servants heart. You truly do love to serve (you got that from your dad!)

2. The love you have for others... It amazes us how things touch you deeply. You have such a compassionate heart and it is beautiful.

3. YOUR FAITH. It amazes us that you ask such deep questions at such a young age. We can not wait to see what the LORD has for you! You are always quick to pray about a situation. What a gift the LORD has given you.

4. Your creativity. We love to see what you will create next!

5. Your love for adventure. Your dad delighted in reading Narnia to you and I delighted in hearing the gasps and sounds you would make as he read it.

6. You are such a nurturer. We enjoy watching the LOVE you have for your brothers and sister and what care you give to each of them.

7. Your love for detail. When a story is told... you want ALL the details ... and as your mom, I LOVE THAT! It's such a sweet, genuine curiosity.

8. Your love for singing. We always know if there is music on... YOU ARE SINGING! And the best part is the performance that goes with it!

We adore you!

Love,

Mom and Dad

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!

This BUNDLE of LOVE turned one just over a week ago...

This picture (Above) is when we met our son... Feb 18th in Ethiopia. The picture (below) is a picture we looked at for weeks before going to meet him in person. HOW SWEET ARE THOSE EYES!

WELL... Here is our SON NOW! He is ONE YEAR OLD! Happy Birthday SWEET Abel!

I love that when we sang to him he started singing too. Can you see his mouth open? He is singing. I still sing Happy Birthday to him to see him do this. It's adorable.

FUN TIMES... opening gifts.

His buddy MAYA was here to celebrate. She's the older woman in his life.... She turned ONE a month before Abel did. They actually had their first "fight" (haha) while she was here. I want to forever remembers Maya's "mad" face. It's SO CUTE ... OH MY! Abel took her lunch box and she was not having it.

This picture was taken as she was leaving. We didn't really have a full out photo shoot of the two of them. I just snapped a few.

Abel...

We are THRILLED to have you in our lives. We are crazy about you. Each one of us love you so much and could not IMAGINE our lives without you. We are humbled and honored that the Lord chose you for us and us for you. Before the foundation of the world... all your days were ordained before ONE OF THEM came to be (Psalm 139)... HE KNEW that you would be a part of our family. He knew you would bare our name. It thrills our SOULS to have you as our son. We adore you...

Love, Mom and Dad

Abel started walking the week of his birthday. He is taking steps all over the place. It's still not his main mode of transportation but he can do it! He loves to eat. We love to watch! It's so much fun to see him try new foods. He is doing the sign language for "more" and "all done". He is CRAZY about his momma... and it thrills me to pieces. He always wants me. I was beyond thrilled when he cried when I left him in child care at our co-op. Attachment is such a gift. I am thrilled that he feels attached to us... we are VERY attached to him! The older kids beg to see him in the morning ... each day it's like Christmas when we go to get him out of the crib. What a gift has been given to all of us in this precious boy. We are grateful!!! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Birthday Week... OUR BOY IS 6!

Birthday week has been over now for a week! I am still catching my breath. I feel like I forgot someone (to invite) or something (for each party)... but it is all done. It was a sweet week... to celebrate each one of these precious children the LORD has given us! THANK YOU FATHER for these gifts that you have entrusted us with.

Because this is how I scrapbook, I wanted to share about each birthday party!

Aidan's party was a huge hit! I am so thankful for Ted's creativity! He put together a treasure hunt for the party. We put out "little treasure" all along the way. The kids had a great time. It was a super hero, treasure hunt party... with a Transformer cake (thanks GRANNY!) and Starwars napkins and plates. Aidan dressed as Iron Man... Talk about MIXED THEMES... THE MORE THE MERRIER! All his favorites in ONE PARTY!

Aidan here are six things we JUST LOVE about you!

1. Your joy... you always have a smile on your face and it's CONTAGIOUS!

2. YOUR LOVE FOR LIFE! You truly find joy in everything!

3. Your love for your family. You are such an encouragement to us... even at the young age of six.. you seem to tell me (mom) "You're beautiful" at the sweetest times. OR you are professing your love for us when we don't ask ... it blesses us so much!

4. Your desire to be a HERO... You are a great brother to your sisters! Your relationship with each one of them is life giving. You also are a encouragement to Abel. How blessed they all are to call you brother.

5. Your persistence in life... whether it's how hard you are playing a game, how much you get into a video game OR how many times you ask for apple juice until you have it in your hand... you are persistent and we dig that about you! (even though at times it is challenging :-)

6. Anyone who meets you says what a gentle spirit you have. You are ALL BOY and yet, you have such a loving way about you.

We have loved reflecting on your precious life! We look forward to this next year and what it holds! LET'S HAVE A BLAST TOGETHER! WE ADORE YOU!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Birthday week is over...

This is the order that the BIRTHDAYS went (not the celebrating... just the birthdays).





Avery's was MONDAY

Abel's was WEDNESDAY
And Aidan's was FRIDAY

Ted and I have 4 children and 3 of them have birthdays IN ONE WEEK... not just one week but in 5 days!

FUN TIMES (tired mom)

YOU turned my MOURNING INTO DANCING!

This is birthday week here at our house. As most of you know, Abel was born on the 5th anniversary of my mom's death. Today is HIS FIRST BIRTHDAY! I can not believe it. TIME FLIES! Today marks such sadness and JOY! Last year, before Abel was born, the Lord laid on my heart that He would bring beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.) He lead me to the verse as I was at a retreat last Fall. The date this took place was November 3rd.

The picture I saw while reading that verse was my parent's grave with a flower blooming on top of their burial site. My beauty for ashes... Little did I know, our precious Abel would be born two days later on the exact anniversary of my mom's death. THE FLOWER... THE BEAUTY FROM ASHES!


In that same time, knowing that we were adopting an orphan, I was able to thank God that I knew in a SMALL (very small) way what it felt like to be orphaned. Though I was 25 when my dad died and 27 when my mom died, I still longed for them and knew that they were not coming back. I began to THANK GOD for this gift of knowing a small part of my son's heart... even though I had no idea who he was or when he'd be OURS.

WELL... HE IS SUCH A HUGE PART OF OUR LIVES! Here he is with a picture of my mom and dad next to him.

Who's birthday is today? MINE!

ALSO CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK.... Our precious AVERY. She turned 8 on Monday. I wanted to post that day but things have been moving faster than I can! We will be celebrating her birthday this coming weekend.

AND... ALSO CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK... Our brave and noble knight, AIDAN! He will be 6 on Friday and we celebrated his birthday this past weekend.

I use to to say that my joy sandwiched my sorrow. Avery's birthday being the 3rd and Aidan's the 7th and then my mom's death occurring on the 5th. WELL... HE HAS GIVEN ME A GARMENT OF PRAISE INSTEAD OF A SPIRIT OF DESPAIR. We are celebrating today!! WHAT GOD HAS DONE! He has taken my mom home and given us NEW LIFE to celebrate.

Just wanted to share this JOY with you! May you FIND HOPE in the midst of your sorrow! We serve a MIGHTY GOD!

I Pity the Fool Who Doesn't Vote for this Woman ...

Mr. T and Sarah Palin

Hey... I'll get every vote I can... even if it's a COW... MOOOOVE ON OVER OBAMA.

We had our 2nd Annual Fall Festival in our driveway. It was SO MUCH FUN. The Stu from our church (youth ministry) sponsored the event. We reach out to our neighborhood and share the INCREDIBLE NEWS of JESUS. It was such a sweet time! My friend Robin posted lots of fun pictures on her blog.

This is what I was going for....

This is what I got...

Maybe next year we'll have this... (Thanks Tory)

Aidan was IRON MAN
Addie was Jasmine.Avery was Mulan.
I am going to try to post some more pictures later. I have so many from this night. FUN TIMES... had by ALL THE NEIGHBORHOOD!