Tuesday, October 28, 2008



One week from today we elect the next President of the United States.

I lay awake last night- not watching the Titans game, but praying for our country and this election. I had wondered whether I wanted to post on my blog about the presidential election and all the controversy that comes with it. Then, I thought- I want to shout it to the hills that I AM FOR GOD and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that GOD IS NOT FOR THIS.

I can not carry on in my happy place and think “hey it’s going to all be alright” or “I know God is in control”. You know what - God is in control but He also is waiting on us- waiting on us to act, to call out for Him, to seek Him. Waiting on us to turn from our complacency and wicked ways. Waiting for us to stand up for what we believe in!

Folks, this is a big deal. Never has an election been this big a deal. We have a candidate running that is ok with abortions and especially live birth abortions (that is an abortion so late in pregnancy that the baby can live for several hours and is just left to die). Click here to listen http://www.americaschoicenow.com/ . A candidate whose stance on the American flag has been questioned. A candidate that may have accepted money from our enemies in the Middle East to fund his campaign (it is not ok to let other countries decide our next president by sending millions of dollars to the candidate of its choice). A candidate that is having a hard time producing a legal US Birth Certificate. A candidate that does not believe in or agree with Christian values.

We can not be ok with this. This is not what we believe in. No matter republican or democrat- this is not the way for our country.

What is this country coming to? There has been a gradual decline in Christian morals and values over the past few decades. We just seem to accept, without question, more and more. We must stop this downward spiral. We must take our country back. Now is the time to stand up for what we believe in. Now is the time to call on God, live for Him, and change our ways.

Please commit to praying for our nation and this election. I believe life as we know it depends on it.

I could go on and on - but it won’t do any good. The good will only be done if we pray and seek God.

2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Monday, October 27, 2008

on and on...

Our celebrating continues...
meet my "supers" ! happy early halloween! we had a blast at pumkinfest this weekend. this really is one of my fave events. hardly enough time trick or treating for all the socializing going on. and too bad we had to cut it short for soccer games. but oh the fun!!!!

up next...we met up with a scarecrow and 6ft witch at Sonya and Drason's annual pumpkin carving contest. thanks for another great party guys! can you guess who my supers are hanging out with?



we have never left the annual event without a prize. seriously- last minute joe usually pulls thru with a pumpkin carving win every year. but, nope, not this year. this year- our Brax came thru for us- winning the apple-bobbing contest. his prize- a starbucks card- which he very much intends to use- getting his hot chocolate!


briley's favorite part of the day she claims is painting and carving her own pumpkin! yes- all by herself.


this week continues the fall celebration - 3 parties and the actual trick or treating (which i am still unsure where will be done???)




on a side note- today this sweet girl excitedly took her very first Lord's Supper. she was soooo excited. and yes, i sooo cried. i can not explain what an amazing experience it was. i am overwhelmed with joy.








Friday, October 24, 2008

We finally made it to a pumpkin patch this year. We went with Braxton's school. Sadly, our sweet Sissy Bear was not there with us to climb amongst the pumpkins- which, believe it or not, we did get in trouble for:( Oh well, Thank goodness I had already snapped my pics!



A big howling thanks to Will and Caroiline for having a fall party (with costumes - of course)! Here's a few of the gang posing in costume...
Introducing...Cowboy Cy, Hairball Colby, Pumpkin Will, Spiderman Brax, Mummy Barron, Livi the Lion, and Little Daisy Gracey.

On a side note- today The Bear is 13 months old and today he took (on several occasions) 5 + steps!!!! Look out great big world - here he comes! Yea!
13 months will be the age that all 3 of my kiddos started walking. Kind of weird that they've done almost everything at the same time (from 1st teeth to sitting to walking).


There's more pumpkin festivites this weekend- and we are ready to celebrate!



Monday, October 20, 2008

what a break

We've been here...
we actually got a decent family pic. yea!


all our boys (Barron, Cy, Colby, Alexander, Noah, Braxton)

Briley was super excited to actually have a girl on the trip. She and Sarah were like 2 peas in a pod. I saw what it will be like in years to come when she wants to bring a friend.

2 littlest buddies did pretty well in the sand



i can't believe these guys can take a stroll on the beach (the bear still requires some help)


not so sure about the waves coming in on him :(


................................................................................................


We celebrated fall break with a trip to one of my favorite places- the beach! My crew, Tiff's crew, and our Dr friend, Karl, and his crew (who happened to have kiddos the ages of ours) bombarded the beach house! Once more- we charged the shores with more little people than big ones. Swimming, snorkeling, sand castles, seafood, outlet shopping, juggling kiddos, game playin', boogie boarding, the list could go on... Fun times were had by all.

Monday, October 13, 2008

trees

around here... we love climbing trees! The best climber award goes to Braxton. He has no fear!







And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Eph 3:17-19





On a side note- Joey met our Presidential candidates Friday nite. 3 weeks until election day!

Monday, October 6, 2008

it is official...we are adopting from Ethiopia!



Why you ask? Here's why. After Vietnam closed Joey and I committed to pray and pray and pray. Asking God to lead us where He wanted us. Where was the greatest need? We want to give a child a home, unconditional love, a family, and just a chance at life.
Here is what I found one day. Here is why I cried and said this is the place. This is where we are needed...
Why Adopt From Ethiopia You Ask?
One in ten children die before their first birthday• One in six children die before their fifth birthday• 44% of the population of Ethiopia is under 15 years old• 60% of children in Ethiopia are stunted because of malnutrition• The median age in Ethiopia is 17.8 years• 1.5 million people are infected with AIDS (6th highest in the world)• 720,000 children have been orphaned by AIDS alone, and there are 4.6 million orphans in Ethiopia.• Per capita, Ethiopia receives less aid than any country in Africa• In the 90s the population (3%) grew faster than food production (2.2%)• Drought struck the country from 2000-2002 (first year no crops, second year no seeds, third year no animals)• Half the children in Ethiopia will never attend school. 88% will never attend secondary school.• Coffee prices (Ethiopia’s only major export) fell 40-60% from 1998-2002.• Ethiopia’s doctor to children ratio is 1 to 24,000.
I told Joey- if this were happening in a place closer to home. I'd never stand back and let little children suffer. I'd take in 2,3,4...Just because it is across the ocean is no excuse. Just because their skin is a different color is no excuse. God has called us to "look after orphans" James 1:27. He has called us to "not shut our ears to the cry of the poor" Proverbs 21:13. He has called us to "love our neighbor as ourself" Matthew 22:39. And I must say the Lord is loudly calling Joey and I on this amazing journey to our daughter. I can only imagine what God has in store for us on this adventure.
Please keep us in your prayers as Adoption is a long, hard road!
We are in the paper chase process right now! Gathering documents we need. Completing adoption education courses. Updating our home study. Filing a change of country with the USCIS. Wow! It is a monstrous mountain of work that I can't wait to conquer! Then, it is the wait! My guess is that by early 2010 our baby girl will be home with us!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

guess

Some guesses to keep you on your toes...


guess where you can find us every Saturday this fall?


guess who came to visit Briley again tonite?
(hint- check out the glow-in-the-dark tooth that is peeking out from under her pillow!)

guess what my sweet sister Hayley is having? you can post your guess here hayleyj@wcs.edu! (it's hard knowing a secret- but very fun:) !)

Oh, Happy Guessing!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

toughest yet

this guy is my toughest yet.
why? you ask.
unless, you don't see us often - you can guess why.
he has lots of opinions. LOUD OPINIONS.

my 3rd child is a yeller, a squalker, a shriller. whatever you call it- it is loud and it gets immediate attention from me and the entire restaurant or mall or store.

he doesn't do it all the time. he doesn't do it just when he's mad or sad or displeased or happy.
HE JUST DOES IT.

i think to get attention. to be heard in this wild and crazy world of ours.
but, geez... it must stop.

he is learning to talk. he is learning to communicate. and screams can not be apart of it.

i have struggled so much with it. it is a first for me. i thought i was a pro at the ole mom thing then, what? something different?

my kids are supposed to be sweet angels! he he!
no, he is an angel- just the devil gets a hold of him sometimes.

anyways, i am on the road to squashing this behavior as much as possible with a 1 yr old.
consistancy, consistancy. i know it is key.

but man, this lady looked at me like i was crazy for swatting my baby's leg at TJ MAXX today. would she rather go deaf?

oh well, like i said i am struggling.

having 3 kids and 3 different needs all the time can be a challenge. life never stops.
and i love it and i want to do it right.

one sweet friend suggested a squirt bottle- spritzing the face when the scream occurred. great idea i thought- but, can you imagine that in TJ MAXX? still, i think it's generally a good idea. one that truly gets the point across.

beyond the vocalization this little man has- he also has determination. see a goal- go for it no matter the consequences. wow, and he's only 1. i have a long road ahead of me. i actually shed a few tears tonite over the situation.

who was that mom and fussy kid in the mall tonight?- if you were wondering? it was me. i never ever want to be that mom. how humbling. my kid pitched a fit and i spanked him. we did this more than once and then left. (though, not soon enough) p.s. sorry to my friends there with us tonite. i am hard core working on our issues. but, geez louise, why did we have to start at 1?

so my friends, hang with me. i will make this pass.
and any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

...but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. Proverbs 14:24

oh, and the pic above- celebrates promotion to a forward facing big boy carseat. yeah!