oh how we've waited

Back in 08 when we felt a calling toward adoption in Africa, never did I think that we would still be waiting in 2013!  God's plan is the best though and we now have a face to go with the dream.  I just love his sweet smile and his kissable checks and lips and it's just become really hard to wait!  They say it could take up to a year and they say we could not end up with this adorable little guy.  It's a little hard to take in.  I often sit and wonder what he is doing and if he's had enough food and if he's sick and who has held him today?  It's hard to start to love someone and have the risk of losing them.  But this is the journey God has led us too so I'm going to walk this road of hard & just trust.

America the beautiful

America the beautiful by swirling featuring a scoop neck tank

Pedro Lourenco scoop neck tank / Quiksilver baggy shorts / Vanessa Plaid Woven Shirt / Amrita Singh jewelry / Linea Pelle Collection button jewelry / Feather jewelry

casual afternoon

casual afternoon by swirling featuring dark rinse jeans

Topshop knit top, $76
Bassike scoopneck tee, $109
Abercrombie & Fitch dark rinse jeans, $62
TOMS flat heel shoes, $54
Elliott Lucca genuine leather handbag, $198
3 stone ring
Post earrings, $42
Linen shawl, $20

my favorite tradition

For 11 years now we have been visiting the "Mall Santa" and it has been so fun to look back over the years and see how our family has grown and watching these 3 grow. Hoping I can still sucker them into going when they are in their teen years.  I think they owe it to their mom!! ;)

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Crazy life needs a craft

Can anyone ever say..."{Life} isn't crazy?" Maybe they or you can...however, this time of year seems just a bit crazier than most. But since it's been like FOREVER since I've been on this blog I thought I'd put up a fun little holiday craft I found in this darling little Christmas book. Hope it brings a little cheer to you today!! (and ps:sorry for the picture quality, I took it with my camera phone)

{Gumdrop Wreath}

What you'll need: a plastic craft foam wreath, masking tape, wire, wooden picks, gumdrops, and ribbon. Simple right!?! Quantities will of course depend on the size of wreath you chose. To begin: wrap masking tape around the top of the wreath to reinforce the wreath for hanging.  Wrap wire around the wreath over tape, bending the wire into a hanging loop. Break wooden picks in half, inserting the broken ends into gumdrops. Cover the top and sides of wreath with gumdrops. Tie a bow at the top to hid the wire.  I think this is a perfect kids craft and hey, if you eat of few gumdrops in the process that's just a benefit! Happy crafting!!

saw this on a blog...it was just what I needed

It takes pride to be anxious. I am not wise enough to know how my life should go.
~ Tim Keller

In the light of the last few days this quote has given me some much needed peace!

Take II

Well day 2 turned out a whole lot better! I think working with a thicker fabric really helped the over all look. Anyhow it was fun to get my sewing machine out and actually be able to thread it!! Yippee! Can't wait to try something new again!! :) And my 9 year old liked it so much she wants me to make her one as well!!

the results...

So...I had a lot of fun trying this new project even though the results were less than stellar! But I shall try try again! And remember this is what I was going for.

Happy creating!

The need to create

So lately I've been feeling like I need to get a little more creative! I found this amazing blog and I'm going to attempt to make these Adorable boy hats...we shall see how they come out!! :) My sewing experience is pretty limited and consists of 7th & 8th grade Home Ec. This should be fun! :)

wait...I did make a quilt one year. {with the supervision of my mother and sister in law} :)

bags with a cause

My sweet friend Becky and her husband Mark are in the process of changing their lives! They are adopting a baby from Ethiopia!! To help raise money the are selling these adorable grocery bags!! Check them out and help change a life!

Cali trip 09

my excited boy waiting to get on a plane to Cali

having fun at the beach

my sweet son

sea world was amazing

the girls with my awesome mom

we spent a great night with daddy in down town disney

love this picture

my other dear grandma

my dear grams and cute cousin Katie with my kiddos

hanging out with grandpa Terry

my little beach man

my brother Ty and my dad

Playgroup With A Purpose!

So while on one of my many blog reading days, I can across this awesome blog about putting play dates and charity work together. I was super inspired and have started one here in COS. You can check out the blog to find out all the great info! http://pwapcos.blogspot.com/"

where have I been?

It's really hard to believe it's March already and even harder for me to believe that this is the first post I'm doing for the new year! I'm a little behind to say the least! We've had some exciting firsts around here. Jada learned how to ride her bike and she lost her first tooth all before she turned 5!! We were so proud and excited for her! It's really hard to believe she'll be starting kindergarten this fall!

Mackenzy is doing great in first grade and learning so much! She really is beyond her age in maturity and helps me more than a first grader probably should. I'm really so thankful for her and her sweet and loving spirit.

Maddox is living up to the term "terrible two's" these days...letting us all know very loudly when he's not happy about something. He does keep us laughing though and we are encouraged that he will grow out of this stage and that we will keep directing him on that path. We both tried very hard to turn our heads and not laugh when Maddox told Adam "stop it stupid daddy" We were both like "what the heck??," guess that's what happens when you have two older sisters that probably throw that word around every now and then.

Adam has a job! Praise the Lord and even better he just interviewed with a company he really likes. So we are waiting to see if this is the path God takes us down.

I'm still praying and waiting to be able to start the adoption process. I felt really encouraged yesterday talking to another friend who is getting ready to bring two kids home from Africa! I've also decided to start a group for moms and kids called Playground With A Purpose. This was not my idea at all, but I found it on another blog site and thought would an awesome idea. They are just a group of moms who get together for a playgroup and pick a charity to give to! I love that idea!!

So lots of things have been happening around here and I'm excited to see what's next!

feeling Blah!

Today and many days before are feeling very blah to me...I'm really trying to figure God out here (probably my first mistake) trying to make sense of this life right now. It all seems very impossible right now. I'm just frustrated!

But on a happier note Adam and I get to go see Toby Mac and Reliant K in concert tonight...thanks to my wonderful sister in law, Amanda. She works for Way FM and scored us some free tickets! So That should be fun...something to take my mind off what is.

Today

Today doesn't feel as bad as yesterday...I think I'm in the numb phase. Plus Adam is gone hunting for the weekend, so I don't have to look at that weary face of his. I really hope he is able to relax and blow off some stress. I know that God is in control(I keep repeating this statement over and over in my head!) and He will provide for us! I'm really trying to leave the "why" phase behind me. He truly sees all and I only see a tiny portion. And even in our hopelessness yesterday, God's goodness was triumphant as Adam received a call from another pharma company who was interested in him.


This is today...

Wondering why??

Why does life happen the way you don't want?
Why did my husband go through 4 interviews for one job?
Why did we receive the great news that he got the job?
Why did we have just enough money to pay this month's mortgage?
Why did yesterday the "perfect" job disappear?
Why do things seem perfect and then get changed?
Why do I trust so little?

So thankful

My dear husband got himself a job!!! We are so relieved and grateful to our God. He has been more faithful to us during this hard time then I even realized. We are also so thankful to all our friends and family who have been there to support us and pray with us.

Adam starts the 14th and I can't wait!!

I voted!!

Today's the day. Will it be Obama or McCain??

The voting experience was great: only took about 15min

Got the cool sticker that I wore all day, even though my husband thought I was a big dork. Don't care! I voted!

Birthday boys

The two most important men in my life shared a birthday today. How awesome it was to give my husband a little boy two years ago to the day on his birthday. Won't be topped not now not ever! Love you boys!

and yes...they both have black marks on their faces! : ) It's Halloween you know!

all about Maddox

My sweet little boy turned 2 today! How can this be I ask myself!? But he is sooo TWO!

1. He's VERY independent

2. He can throw one good stomping fit

3. He sleeps in a big boy bed

4. His favorite words are, NO! NOPE! MINE!

5. He can tell me he loves me and hit me at the same time

6. He's all about the motorcycles and trucks!

Having a little boy after two girls has been such a BIG difference, but we are so blessed to have this fun loving strong willed little boy in our lives. Happy birthday my sweet boy!