My T/Th Smile...

You know how it is with certain girlfriends...you don't see them or hear from them for like a month (or more) and then you bump into them while shopping or watching your son play football. Your time apart doesn't matter because you get it...life gets crazy. No hard feelings. You jump right into conversation and the two of you never miss a beat. 


Well...so it goes with this blog. 


There was a family vacation to the beach. Then there was everything that goes along with getting ready for school to start while enjoying the last days of summer break. And then we actually went back to school and a routine...and a full calendar. And on top of all that...I can't stop thinking about my time in Ethiopia.


So the blog got neglected. (Again.) But there's no sense dwelling on it, my friend. I'm just going to get right back to it and we'll never miss a beat. 


So here goes...

Can I tell you how much I love Tuesdays and Thursdays? No. I can't. At least not with words. So see if you can tell by smile on my face...

Me and my T/Th smile!

I took that picture of myself right after dropping my younger kiddos off at preschool. (And right before a much needed haircut.) For the first time in three and a half years, I have a couple of days to myself each week. And, yes, that makes me smile from ear to ear. 

Why?

Because this mama can get a lot done without little ones in tow. Like doctor appointments and errands and meal planning and grocery shopping and vacuuming and cleaning out the fridge and making important phone calls and ironing and straightening up the house and going to the bathroom without an audience!

And all the while, my kids are playing and learning and being loved on by the sweet, gifted women who teach them. They love school!

Then 2:00 rolls around and I pick them up. Soon after that, the bus brings Joshua home from school. And my T/Th smile is gone...replaced by an even BIGGER smile. Because when I have some time to get all of that stuff done, there's more time for things like...coloring and reading and cuddling and playing and tickling and laughing and fun trips to the library and the park.

And that makes all of us smile.

21 Summers...

On Sunday, Kyle and I took the kids to the lake to celebrate Independence Day with my mom and dad.

It was a wonderful day.

At the house, we played cards and watched movies. The kids climbed up and down the bunk beds no less than 100 times. Once we were on the water, we enjoyed a boat ride, tubing and a relaxing swim in a quiet cove.

And at the end of the day, so much fun had been had that we decided to stay the night and enjoy it all again the next day.

{Tubing}

{Cooling off in the cove}

{Searching for treasures on the shore}

 

While we were on the water Monday afternoon, I thought to myself...

My parents bought this boat when I was 13.

I've soaked up  21 summers of sunshine right here.
Swam in these very waters more times than I could count.

And I remembered so clearly the days that I sat in the back seats with my feet propped up on the side wondering what life held for me.
A husband? A family?

There on the water with my husband and children, all those years behind me seemed to have passed like mere moments.

Once again I was amazed at how quickly life moves from one season to the next. Gone before we know it.

What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

James 4:14

And it made me want to...
snuggle my babies
kiss my husband
thank my parents
visit my grandmother
laugh with my friends
not just read, but know my Bible
lift my hands in praise to my Heavenly Father
honor Him
bring Him glory
serve Him
go where He sends me
love His people
tell them about Him, His love, His Son
and not waste another moment of this precious life!

Only one life, 'twill soon be past.
Only what's done for Christ will last.
-C.T. Studd

One of those days...just rambling

At a little before 8:00 last night...yeah, just about bedtime for the children...we loaded into the mini-van my swagger wagon and headed north  for one of our favorite summer treats...snow cones.

Have you seen the swagger wagon video? It is hil.ar.i.ous! And, for me, it never gets old.
I have an Odyssey, but I've got to give props to Toyota on this one. Check it.

You're laughing, aren't you? And you can relate, huh? 

I know. Me too.

Back to the snow cones...

But first a quick plug here...Firehouse Snow Cones just off the square in Celina, TX has the very best snow cones in the whole wide world. My recommendation? The Jack Jack. It's three flavors of sugary delight...cotton candy topped with wedding cake topped with strawberry.  Yumyumyumyumyum.

So we're on our way to cups full of empty calories and sugar highs when I realize that I have no cash. This is no surprise because I never ever ever have cash in my wallet. I don't even remember how I functioned before the invention of the debit card. My poor kids think anything and everything can be purchased with "that card thingy". Ugghhh...Dave Ramsey would be so disappointed in me.

Anyway...you know what else? We're always low on milk at our house...which was again the case last night. No matter how many gallons I buy...I feel like I'm always saying, "Better stop at the store. We need milk for the kids' breakfast." I'm telling you...these kids of mine go through it!

So lucky for us...CVS came to our town a couple of years ago. Which is so convenient because with the swipe of a debit card you can get grossly overpriced milk and up to thirty dollars cash back!

Which is exactly what I did.

About half an hour after we first left, we were finally on our way. At one point during the drive, I ran my  tongue over my teeth. Felt a little fuzzy. And I thought...Did I brush my teeth today? Sheesh! What had me so busy that I completely skipped basic oral hygiene? 

And for the life of me I couldn't remember.

So it was one of those days.
Not a bad one. Just the kind that leaves you with fuzzy teeth and not a single memory of what happened throughout the day.

{Evan wearing his Spiderman t-shirt while eating a Spiderman flavored snow cone. Which makes him look like he's either been punched in the mouth or a very young member of the Cullen family.}

{Olivia enjoying a Barbie flavored snow cone while perfecting her eye roll. Give me strength.}

I have no picture of Joshua eating his Sour Apple snow cone because there were older kids around and he was having one of those "I'm-too-cool-to-let-my-mom-take-a-picture-of-me" kind of days. Whatever.

{And here it is...my swagger wagon's empty seat. Every time I get in the driver's seat, I look back at it and imagine another pink car seat, an Ethiopian princess and sweet sisters giggling as we drive along.}

On film...Father's Day 2011

When it was time for Kyle to open his Father's Day gift and cards yesterday, I pulled out the Flip. So glad I did. Kyle and I watched the video late last night. We laughed.until.we.cried.

It's just a family video. But Hollywood has nothing on this group.

Kyle is the handsome leading man

...and he goes all "Jim Halpert" with his funny glances toward the camera.

Olivia plays the part of the Drama Queen...any surprise there?

Joshua plays the part of the Peacekeeper when he gives in to the drama queen.

Mommy provides the sound effects...that snorting sound is me trying to hold in laughter!

Buster plays the part of the cute but unnecessary dog.

Evan is that heart-warming character that finds the strength and determination to get through a difficult situation...in this case opening an envelope.

There's scandal and awkward humor...Mommy gave Daddy a card that says "You're pretty hot for being a dad."

Joshua provides more sound effects...screaming "Happy Father's Day!"

And since no Hollywood film seems to be complete without a little violence...Joshua and Evan provide a kick to the gut and a solid punch at the very end.

Summer

Joshua has been out of school since June 3rd. That means we have had 11 full days of summer and let me tell you...we have enjoyed every minute of it!

There have been late nights and quiet, sleepy mornings.  Three trips to the movies (Summer Movie Club at a local theater makes this possible...50 cents a ticket!). Long afternoons swimming at Grandma and Peepaw's pool. Snow Cones. Family games of kickball in our cul-de-sac and fun with sidewalk chalk. A get-every-book-you-want trip to the library. And many nights (6 to be precise) bleedin' blue, cheering on our Dallas Mavericks!

Oh, summer time...how I love you!

{My bathing beauty...enjoying a snack poolside}

{My little Mavs maniacs...off to church on Sunday morning}

{An evening swim...why bathe them when you can chlorinate them?}

And this mama's been doing some reading too.

I read this book...

And now I'm reading this book...

Not exactly your typical summer reads. But challenging. Convicting. Inspiring. And, in my opinion, two books that every follower of Christ should read. But before you read Radical Together, you must read Radical by the same author-David Platt. Okay, so not two but three books every believer should read!

Over the next month, I'm going to enjoy more summer fun. And, thanks to grandparents, hubby and I are going to enjoy some date nights. Oooooo la la! 

And then...I'm going to Ethiopia. No, this trip is not related to the adoption. But it has everything to do with what God started in our lives one year ago this month. He stirred our hearts and created in us a desire to care for orphans...specifically those in Ethiopia. Funny thing is...even as we surrendered to God's plan to adopt, Kyle and I made some of our own. We thought we'd adopt and then do missions someday. But our ways are not His ways (Isaiah 55:8) and here I go! I can't wait to share more as I prepare for the trip and then after I'm home.

And one more thing on the agenda for this summer...blogging. I keep neglecting this little blog of mine and hubby is not happy about it! Apparently he really enjoys signing on and reading about this life of ours. So in an effort to keep my biggest fan happy and maintain my role of submissive wife...I will get back to blogging!

So how about you? Whatcha been doin'? Whatcha been reading? Got big plans for the summer? Do tell. 

Days & Years

Sometimes I find myself overwhelmed by the responsibilities of being a mother and a wife and a homemaker. I let myself get so caught up in the work that I miss the wonder of it all.

At these times, I'm so grateful to be reminded that... 

Although the days may be long,

 {dishes}

{laundry}

{ironing}

{activities}

{messes}

{more messes}

{car line}

the years are short.

{May 2006}

{May 2011}

The only thing missing around here...

is me!

It has been four weeks since my last post. Wow.

To those of you who have sent emails asking if everything is okay...

No need to worry. All is well.

I'm not sure that I can explain my absence, but I'll give it a try.

First...we've been busy. It seems like this time of year is the craziest for our family's calendar. Lots of birthdays and baseball. Choir practice and concerts for the boys. Easter. Mother's Day Tea with Evan and Olivia's preschool classes. A family day a Six Flags. And as the school year comes to an end...it's only going to get busier!

As for the adoption...I haven't posted anything about it because there's just nothing new to report. Our dossier is where it needs to be in Ethiopia. We know approximately how many families are ahead of us for the age we have requested. But we have no idea when our referral will come...or when we'll travel...or when we'll bring our little girl home. And for the first time since this journey began, I have such peace. Although I may not know the timeline going forward, I know my God's timing is absolutely perfect. So I've let go of my expectations and I've quit speculating. When the time is right, He will bring her home.

And finally...a few weeks ago, I received the official guide for my July mission trip to Ethiopia. As I read through the information late one night, I got scared. I don't mean nervous scared. I mean terrified scared. I tried to write about my fears, but it was impossible to put into words what was so confusing in my heart. How could I have such peace about the adoption and, at the same time, be consumed with fear about the mission trip? After many, many tearful prayers (and a couple conversations with a dear friend), I'm in a much better place. More on that to come.

It's almost midnight and this mama needs some sleep! So I'm signing off, but I'll be back here...soon!

exhale...

I can't really describe the relief that came when we submitted our dossier last week. Its as though I held my breath for seven months and then all of the sudden I was able to exhale.

It feels good.

You know what else feels good?

{Watching this little boy step up to bat}

{Listening to this little girl giggle}

{Riding bikes}

{Celebrating another lost tooth...and a freckled nose courtesy of the spring sun}

{Unexpected surprises...tickets to the Rangers game on a school night}

{Listening to my boys cheer as Josh Hamilton approaches the batters box}

{Family}

The makings of a very good day...

Here are some things that made this day a very, very good day...

It was warm and sunny. I think spring is here!

Kyle and the boys enjoyed a "boys' day"...full of fishing, playing catch and shooting their very own Red Ryder BB gun. Both Joshua and Evan have declared that today was "the best day".

I cleaned out the fridge.

Olivia had her first play date away from home.

I started studying the book of Isaiah.

After her play date, Olivia and I enjoyed some girl time shopping for summer sandals. I chose something neutral. She chose hot pink with a giant flower. She won.

And I started making summer travel plans. 

Can you guess where I'm going? I'll give you a few hints...

I'll need this...

{source}

Getting to my destination will require a LONG ride in one of these...

{source}

It will be hard, but I'll be leaving these sweet little ones behind...

and spending a lot of time with precious little ones like these...

{source}

I know, I know...my hints practically gave it away!

I'm going on a mission trip to Ethiopia where I'll visit, serve and love orphans!! There are still a few details to be worked out, but I submitted my application today and I'm trusting that God will take care of everything.

And that's all I've got for tonight. I'm going to end this very good day with a very good night's sleep!

seven

Dear Sweet Joshua,

How blessed I am to be your mommy!

As we celebrate your birthday, I find myself caught between two very different emotions...longing to stop time, to keep you little and longing to see the man that you will become.

I love you! I am proud of you! 

You are smart and funny and handsome as can be. You love to read, build with Legos and play sports. You are kind to others and have compassion for "the least of these". You are full of energy and questions. What I love most about you is your love for Jesus!

He has a plan for you...a plan to bless you and to use you for His kingdom. Follow hard after Him, precious son! Hide His word in your heart and keep His commands. Mommy can't wait to see what He has in store for you!

All my love,

Mommy

 Welcome to the world, precious boy!

You're 1...enjoying your first beach vacation.

 And now you're 2...and a big brother!

Age 3...our Christmas Cowboy! 

4...and a big brother again!

A preschool graduate at age 5!

You're 6...and on a mission for Him!

7 and oh so big!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy!!

{source}

Happy Birthday, Kyle! 

I can't imagine this journey, this life with anyone other than you! 

Thank you for loving us, for providing for us, for following God and for leading us.

You are loved, appreciated and admired.

I hope your birthday...and the entire year ahead...are full of God's greatest blessings!

I love you!

xoxo

Funny!

My kiddos kept me laughing today!

Here are some funny conversations that I was lucky enough to overhear...

Evan: Olivia, don't do that!!

Olivia: Why not?

Evan: Because...it's against the logs!

Here's another one...

Joshua: I can't believe my birthday is almost here.

Evan: Yeah...you're six and a half.

Joshua: No, I'm not! I'm six and three pennies!!!

And then there's Hurricane Olivia! She tore a path of destruction through this house like none I've ever seen. Every time I picked something up, she got five more things out. I had to laugh about it...because otherwise I may have cried!

Here she is with every pillow in the house...

Doesn't she look comfy?

And here is another one of her messes...

Why play with one toy when you can play with them all, right?

Evidence...

My phone holds a lot of information...important numbers and a full calendar. Thanks to the camera, it also holds evidence!

Evidence that someone likes to play with mommy's phone.

Evidence that someone almost got in BIG trouble playing with mommy's phone!

 Evidence of a fun trip to Target with two of my favorite people.

Evidence of some brotherly fun...a sleepover in Joshua's room.

 

Evidence of beautiful weather and good times at the park with cousin Kendall.

 

And evidence that they're growing up way too fast!