I have inherited Your testimonies forever,
For they are the joy of my heart.
I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, even to the end.
Psalm 119: 111, 112

Monday, July 18, 2011

We're Approved!

I received a phone call today from the Director of the Ethiopia Program with Children's Hope International.  We're approved!  It's real and official.  Now the mountains of paperwork and hurrying up to wait begins.  I know God's hand is all over this.   


Sunday, June 12, 2011

Summer Swim Team Time - Go Rhyan!

Gabrielle and Rhyan enjoying their first ribbons of the summer.

Rhyan missed practice the morning they learned their dive start.  Call me biased, but I think she looks pretty good considering.

Rhyan, Jenna, Gabrielle, Addi

Spring Baseball for Ty

This spring was exciting for Ty!  It was his first season playing kid-pitch ball and really learning many true baseball rules.  We think his favorite thing about the season was learning how to steal.  How is it that throwing oneself to the ground and eating dirt is so thrilling? 

Paul coached.  I learned how to keep score...and ended up with that task every game.  Rhyan made a great, new friend.  It was a blast!  We also celebrated when the boys won the play offs and earned the title of "Champions".  They worked so hard and were so humble the entire season.  They truly deserved the #1 spot.


Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The Armor of God

So...it appears to us that the enemy is on the prowl.  Many of our dear friends and family members have been struck hard this season with flu, sinus infections, bronchitis, RSV, croup and more.  Our pastors wife and my sweet friend (also the worship leader at church) is in the hospital with a nasty kidney infection and kidney stones.  There is even the possibility of surgery.

I returned home from dance rehearsal this Sunday and went about my usual "reminders of the week's events and daily prayer needs" with the family as I bustled around the kitchen clearing items.  My most urgent request was to be in prayer against the forces of darkness and the power of the enemy, which of course holds nothing but a twig in the face of our Lord.  I told my kids to remember to be praying for God's Kingdom to be here with our friends and family and for His almighty power to rest upon all of us.  I said, "We need to pray for miraculous healing and remember this is a battle and God will win, as He always does."  Not 10 seconds had passed as I finished my mini-sermon, when Ty headed into his bedroom, obviously on a mission.  He came back out shortly, looking like this...

Ty wearing his "Armor of God"

Ty was ready to wage battle!  No worries that his armor consists of his baseball helmet and the belt for his dress slacks.  It's a good thing he really does know what the true armor of God consists of!  This was pretty darn funny, though.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Still settling...

Well, we are blessed to be in a comfy rental home close to both sets of grandparents and good friends.  We don't even need to change our shopping locations!  As comforting as it is to sort and organize our belongings, that sense of chaos still creeps in when I think of doing this moving thing all over again in a couple years.  Part of me says, "Can I just keep everything in this box so it's ready to go when we move out?"  I know.  Not very practical or realistic, but it sure would make life a bit simpler.  Instead, I'll lean on God's peace which absolutely surpasses all my understanding.  Resting in Him makes me smile.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:7

Monday, January 24, 2011

Ethiopian Adoption: Why Ethiopia?



Oh my.  If this doesn't tug at your heart, I'm not sure what will.  We look forward to the honor of giving one (or more) of these beautiful children a forever family.  How amazing is the love our Father lavishes on us!

Tyler Turns 9

I'm amazed at the truth...time does have wings!  How can it be that our baby boy is nine years old already?  As much as a I love each stage of their growth and development, and I love being able to communicate with my children who are actually little human beings, I also get nostalgic about their younger days.

We celebrated at the park this year.  It was a gorgeous 72 degree "winter" day, and everyone had a great time.  I love to see my kids playing and spending time with their friends.

We had to do the whole "blowing out the candles" thing twice.  Daddy forgot to video tape the first run-through.

Our Sweet Zaiden getting so big!

Of course, there had to be some tragedy at the party.  It's a good thing that there were engineers there.  The guys put their heads (and throwing arms) together to figure out a way to get the football to float back to the edge of the pond.  Pretty exciting stuff.  I think they all felt they wouldn't be missed if they didn't attend, but more than that...they were needed!  Thank God for quick-thinking daddies!

Casey, Hannah, Zaiden, Rhyan, Dyami, Trey, Isiah, Trevor, Wyatt, and Ty.


Nana surprises Ty with a kiss goodbye.