Life

My heart breaks for what others have to endure in life. I know we are all where we are to be. I was to be born in America so I could adopt my children, have my husband, and raise my older kids. I know this, but my strength is weak when I hear or see what other people endure.

I have been to Ethiopia twice now. The first time was hard for reality. The second even harder. Then I read my dear friends blog this morning about her journey in Ethiopia. There has to be something we can do.

http://starbelliedsneaths.blogspot.com/

The other color blue...

I had such an awesome weekend this last week. I was blessed with not just one family member visiting but FOUR! My Aunt and Uncle flew up from Athens, Georgia last Thursday and my mommy and grandma came up Friday. We had such a busy weekend with dinners, apple and pumpkin picking, shopping, watching pictures, Ahnika's dedications, and lots and lots of visiting. It was so fun! My aunt and uncle are the coolest people ever. It was so awesome to get to know them and see Christ in them. My aunt went with me to bible study and my uncle went with my hubby for middle school youth group. Amazing. My mom made her wonderful apple crisp and applesauce and we ALL enjoyed it. She is such a great cook. They all spoiled us and loved on us. I just wish we all lived closer.



The kids continue to amaze me. Sophia has actually gone twice in the potty. She is so close to being potty trained! They constantly color - or as Sophia says "Blu! Blu!" We have pen marks, crayon marks and marker marks all over! Last night we were blessed with free tickets (did I tell you how much stuff my hubby wins off the radio) to go see Dan in Real Life. It was a good movie. Our 20 yr old watched all 4 little ones and did great. Only Ahnika has pen marks ALL over. :)



We celebrated Ahnika's "3 yr" birthday. We actually are changing her birthday so she is 6 months older, but I needed an excuse to get George to his surprise birthday party. It was fun and he was surprised.



Life continues on in busy-ville. George and Kev are heading to Florida next week to

visit with Malcom. I wish I could go, but finances just won't allow to buy 8 plane tickets. I pray he makes it here for Thanksgiving before going overseas. It has almost been a year since he left, but honestly it seems forever. I miss him very much and I am FINALLY seeing how my parents felt after I left. It is the hardest thing to say goodbye to your child as they grown. I want them to all live with us forever!

God continues to amaze me at His provisions for us. He is so awesome and I am grateful to serve Him. May His blessings and glory be in your lives, too.

Goofy guys at the best restaurant ever - The White House Grill. Mmmmmm! And Daddy playing with his girls.

Birthday party!

Ahnika's dedication. I was just a wee bit nervous.

She is so funny! She loved the apples and was proud of "my apple".

My uncle won the best bite picture.

George says "HI"

Ahnika is such a ham.

Gamma and Sophia after pumpkin picking.

Could I have anything more perfect?

How did God give me such wonderful blessings? Why me? Why do I get the priveledge to live in America, have an awesome (if not dirty) house, a great job, the most wonderful husband and 7+ a few extra kids? We talked about this in bible study on Monday night. My heart aches so often when I think about how I was picked to have this life. My boys were telling me a few days ago how they would watch people be buried. They are 6 and 7! Why did they have to watch their parents die and be buried.

Then I realize that God knows. He knows why I am where I am. I should be content with my life and cut out the "if onlys". I am such a worry stress case (ask my hubby, he would agree). I continually pray to release this worry. God has always provided my means and most importantly - my life. I cannot wait to get to Heaven and have the knowledge and understand of why life happened the way it did. For now I can hold to His knowledge and that He and He alone knows what is best. Rather than trusting my husband, kids or job to provide all I need, I have to remember He will - always.

Life has been crazy for us. I don't have much time for much more than playing with kids, cooking, cleaning and working. I love our life. It is so FUN! Ahnika is doing great. Her tantrums are so much less. She has moments of thinking it is not fair or whining, but she is doing great. Her and Sophia are priceless to watch.

The boys are hitting it hard at school. They continue to amaze me at how much they know! They are starting to read so well, and learn math, and time. They love school. We did get our first "bad choices" notice from the school counselor. Apparently Caleb pushed a little kid to far with teasing, the kid shoved him, Caleb's best friend shoved the other kid and then next thing you know - 8 kids in a kicking and hitting battle. Needless to say, they all lost recess the next day. Boys.

My Aunt and Uncle are coming in this week to visit and meet the kids. I haven't seen them in years and I am so excited. My mom and grandma are also coming up for the weekend! Yeah! We are going to go apple and pumpkin picking and eat lots of caramel apples.

Here are some pictures of our crazy kids. The one above was the girls (Sophia on the left) who HAD to wear their Ethiopian princess dresses. I was trying to pack to go to Montana, but we got side tracked.

Ahnika is such a little lover to Sophia. She is a great big sis. We were having a Spongue Bob puppet night.
Giovanni sporting his Ethiopian hat. Goofball.
Did I tell you they were crazy? The girls cannot seem to keep their shirts on. Sophia and Caleb are having an intense conversation on the phones. My sister-in-law got Ahnika the coolest little phone system for her birthday. They have fun.
Goofy and Crazy.