blessed

The past couple of months have been eye opening, and although at times very difficult, it has also been the best times I have ever had. We have struggled as a family, and grown closer together. Our marriage has benefited greatly, and we know that God is the reason why. He determines every decision we make as a family, and are so excited for the next phase in our lives. After taking some time to pray, soul search, and grow...we have decided to resume our adoption process through foster care. I don't want to say too much about the number our ages or anything that we are going for, but it is a sibling group. We are getting more excited everyday, and I can't wait to start our home study. We have only told a few family members, and will begin telling more people close to us as the ball gets rolling. Prayers from anyone reading this would be so appreciated...the process can seem daunting at times, and I feel for every single child in foster care that is sleeping tonight without someone to call Mommy and Daddy.

On another note, Josh has started a new job and so far it's going great, we couldn't be happier about it. The kids are growing like weeds, I think Trent says a new word almost daily. That is wonderful but sad to me at the same time. He is my last baby, and the days of diapers, cuddles, naps, and slobbery baby kisses seem to be flying by. Kali has been growing into herself too, and I love it. Four is such a fun age. She is so independent and comfortable with who she is. We catch her singing her own made up songs all the time, I need to record some. Chandler is having a blast next door these days with his friends, and I love watching them all grow up together. He has been such a huge help around here, too. Who knew that once they turn six that they actually clean their room and help do chores willingly? My younger two could not have asked for a better big brother, he talks a lot about wanting to teach Trent to do things as he gets older, and is so sweet with Kali (most of the time!). I feel so blessed to have been given three amazing biological kids, and then have God call us to be blessed by adopting also!

We are still enjoying summer around here, although the heat has been killer. But at least that makes for a good tan. I volunteered Sunday at the kids' preschool program at Church, and I got to be in Kali's class! I was so excited and so was she. We had a really great time, I loved watching little four year olds sing their songs and have their own sermon. So cute. Hopefully this week flies by because I can't wait to spend much needed family time with Josh and the kids for July 4th. And of course get more of a tan. :)

Six years

Six years ago today I was nineteen, scared, unsure, happy, excited, anxious, in love. Telling my Dad that I was nervous to do this. He told me everything would be okay, that he was going to be there right next to me, holding my hand. He told me everyone felt the way I did at one point, but I was going to be fine. (I have to say he's the best father I could have asked for, love you Daddy!) We walked out of the bride room and around the corner. The huge doors were open, and there was Josh waiting for me, at a distance that seemed like a mile! I smiled for the photographer and walked down the aisle to my future husband.

I laugh now about how young we were, how little we knew and still know about life, love, ups and downs. But we did it, and I can say that I know without a doubt that it was one of the best decisions I have made. I love Josh more now than I did on that day. I am proud that we have been determined to make it work, no matter what happens. I loved my wedding, it was beautiful.

Chandler was 6 months old, almost to the day. I wanted to include him in the ceremony in a special way, so my mother in law and my dad made a "wagon" to ride down the aisle in, pulled by my Nana. That has to be one of my favorite parts.

We were looking through our wedding album today with the kids and Kali said "I wanna be in this book, Mommy!"

My Dad and I danced to "My Girl" by the Temptations. So fun.

We have been through so much, being together since we were 17. We have laughed together, cried together, and grown up together. I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else. Happy Anniversary Josh, I love you!

And thank you Mom and Dad for making our wedding day so special, we love y'all!

Just another frantic friday

7:00 am

Chandler: "Mom! Wake up, there's a frog in the house!"
Me: "A real frog, Chandler?"
Chandler: "Yes, he's by the bathroom, hurry!"

Sure enough, there was a toad, the same toad that happens to come on our porch every night. He looked like he was frozen from fear, I was surprised they hadn't killed him already. While letting him go, Kali was asking what we were doing with her pet.

7:30 am. Realized we ran out of eggs the other day and I need them to make muffins.

8:00 am. Get Trent out of bed, and he is screaming. He keeps screaming for almost thirty minutes. In time-out, and out. He swings his hand at Josh and Chandler says "He's got a good aim, huh dad?" I notice a huge hornet? yellow jacket? in my kitchen window. I do not mess with stinging bugs so I call Josh who has just walked out the door to come back and kill it. hahaha By this time I have told the older kids to get in the living room and stay there, the timer has just gone off on the oven, and my toddler is trying to make himself throw up whenever someone tries to talk to him. (Does anyone else know about this with angry toddlers?) Josh kills the bug, gives me a kiss and runs out the door (I don't blame him one bit).

9:00 am. Everyone is sitting quietly at the table eating their muffins, and now Trent is squealing happily in his highchair, mashing muffins into his mouth, smiling at everyone. The first load of dishes is done, and I can breathe. For some reason when mornings start out crazy around here, the rest of the day usually goes pretty good. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Fun times, fun times.

One more thing...

For Easter we got Chandler and Kali their own bibles, and I LOVE them! They give some really good tips/ideas to kids, and also help them better understand and relate to God's word. They really enjoy them. They are by Sheila Walsh, and this is Chandler's:

Sorry about the glare...Kali's is a Princess version of course :). So anyway, we were reading about Noah last night and Chandler's had a suggestion for kids to "build" an ark as Noah did, gather their (stuffed) animals, "lantern" (flashlight) and imagine living that way like Noah. So, that's exactly what we did this morning. They had a blast and are still in there playing. It's a nasty rainy day here, so I'm sure that's where they'll stay until lunch.

Thankful Thursday

We had such a great day yesterday. The kids played next door, I sat out on the porch while it rained (we really needed it), and then while Kali and Trent napped, Chandler and I made homemade play dough for him and their friends. Josh has been working a lot lately, so it's just me and the kids until pretty late, so it's nice to have fun things to do together. I am so glad that they are finally adjusted to being out of school every day, it's made my days much easier! This weekend is our wedding anniversary and Josh's birthday, and we get a night by ourselves.

God has been doing some really awesome things in our lives this week. It makes me wonder why I ever worry or get stressed, because in the end He ALWAYS provides. Money has been tight (to say the least) around here lately, and we had discussed selling either one of our vehicles, or our trailer, but we never did list them for sale. Two days ago a man came by our house after dinner and asked if we knew whose travel trailer was outside. Josh told him it was ours, and the man said he wanted to buy it! It was in pretty bad shape because it had a leak, but we made enough to catch up on some things! Praise God! It really reminded me to put ALL of my trust in Him, everything I have, and to stop worrying so much. He is always here, and for that I am beyond thankful. I'm off to make "vlewverry (how Kali says blueberry) muffins" with the kids. Have a great Thursday!

Summer

This is the first summer that I have three mobile kids, and they have been overflowing with energy. Naps are becoming a thing of the past, so I've been trying to find things to keep them busy so I don't have to hear "we're boooooored!!!"....and to make fun memories for them. :) We've been painting, running through sprinklers, slip n' slides, swimming, sidewalk chalk-ing the driveway, building pillow and blanket forts in the living room, and last week they had a shaving cream and silly string fight with their friends. It was so much fun!! I got the idea from Meg at Whatever.

It's been so hot here, I wish we had our own pool....maybe one day. For now I need to clean my house that has been neglected for the last two weeks. Ugh.