Yet another blessed weekend! Truly it was wonderful, none of us...except S who wanted to see the boy.. wanted to come home.
The weekend in review.
Friday:
We weren't in a real hurry to get on the road as it usually only takes about 5 hours to get there and we didn't want to run into morning traffic. It turned out to be a blessing that we left roughly the same time my parents did because we had a little van issue. We stopped about 1/2 way to potty and stretch. I took N in to the store to potty and when I came out D was not a happy man.
The van would not start.
After finding an auto parts store and figuring out what wasn't the problem we found that an ignition fuse blew. It was an easy fix and we were on the road. I was praising God that we had met with my parents and that they were able to get us to and from the auto store. Our 5 hour trip took 8 hours. The boys were great though so there is a real blessing as well.
We arrived and had a lovely dinner then just wound down from the long ride. The boys went to sleep quickly so D and I explored the 3rd floor where we were sleeping. It's really an attic but it's finished into several rooms. We were in the hall where there are many treasures. We found a bible from 1818, a medical book from 1855 and various other fun things. I think they have every National Geographic ever printed as well. We found an old Louieville Slugger and found out my great grandfather played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. There were old pictures and clothing items. It was like finding treasures. There was a mirror frame that belonged to my great-great-great grandmother. D asked my grandfather for it and plans to clean it up and make it into a picture collage.
Saturday: Dawned rainy so we had a leisurely breakfast then the boys explored the house. They played with my aunt as my grandmother watched and smiled.
The rain passed so we took the boys up to the local elementary school to play on playground and get out of the house for a bit.
The afternoon brought lunch and then sunny skies so while the older crowd took naps we took the kids into the Gettysburg battlefield. The boys weren't so much concerned with the facts of the war as they were climbing on the canons and the rocks. We went up to Big and Little Round Top and climbed all over the place. N has no fear what so ever. I think he's going to be my kid that puts on a cape and tries to fly off the roof...lol I think he would have flown off the rocks if we had let him. E on the other hand, not so much. He wasn't pleased with going anywhere near the edges. That sure made mommy feel much more comfortable. It was a very windy day, I was half afraid N would blow off a rock some where.
We went back to the house tired and happy. D was then put to work with my dad and grandfather putting in some pavers for a walk way. N and E were great little helpers, although we had to tell them often that they were better helpers digging further up the path than right under foot. ;o) We gave them some measuring tapes and off they went to measure the yard. Perhaps they will follow daddy's lead and work in construction?
Dinner was next with seafood risotto. My dad's recipe. N and daddy weren't fan's. E chowed down... all of it with seconds to follow. He really has such a great taste palate. There's not much he won't eat. We had water melon for dessert and then it was time for bed. The boys were out I think as their heads hit the pillow.
D, S and I played a game called "Fact or Crap" with the rest of the family. The fun part was having my grandparents, who weren't playing, answer the questions and help the player who was up at the time. ;o) They are so cute!
Sunday: D slept in so I went to church with my mom, dad and my grandfather. I sat between my dad and grandfather, as we sang hymns I would just close my eyes and listen. God always uses music to speak to me. It's my favorite way of praising him, and standing there listening to my dad and grandfather sing to Him just made me cry each time. The sermon message was about being in the boat together with other Christians. And how we are all in this world together, how Christ never promised a life of ease but that He would always be there with us. It was a good morning.
The rest of the morning was spent playing outside with the boys. We had fun collecting things that had fallen from the trees and kicking the soccer ball around. My grandparent's home sits on more than an acre of land so there is alot of room to run. E and I went on a 'tour' of the yard with my grandfather. He's a master gardener so there are trees of all kinds, flowers, and of course his garden. E and I followed him around as he told us what every thing was. E had a bucket that he would collect things in. He picked up fallen apples, a new carrot that pap pap (what the kids call him instead of great grandpa) picked for him, a bulb of garlic, some oyster shells, a piece of fern and other various items. He wasn't so much interested in what they were called as he was in collecting them. He had fun showing off his treasures when we got back to the house. I think the best treasure was walking around with my grandfather and listening to him speak about the pride and joy he has in his work.
We had some lunch and then watched my grandmother open her birthday presents as well as the dads open their fathers day items and then on the road we went. The trip home was much less eventful.
It was such a bitter sweet trip. I am so very aware of the blessing it is to still have my grandparents alive, but it was hard to see my grandmother looking so frail and little. She was only 4' 11" at her tallest, but she's now only about 4' 5". She was tired often, but in good spirits. The boys were so good with her, and she loved to just sit and watch all the happenings. Many times I would see my grandparents sitting next to each other holding hands or squeezing the other's shoulder and just smile at each other in love and sweet private communication. It was a beautiful gift to witness.
We are hoping to get back up there a couple of more times this summer.
I will post pictures of our time together later...currently my camera and computer are not playing nice with each other.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Going on a trip and random updates...
We are heading out in the morning to visit my most handsome, just had a birthday, grandfater and his bride of 67 years. My grandmother's birthday is on the 23rd so we are going to visit them this weekend and celebrate. I can't wait!
The boys haven't been up to their house yet. It's huge and the land around it is huge as well. There's a creek and quiet and good food and love... oh I am looking forward to sharing that with my boys! I have such wonderful memories of exploring the house and the yard finding all kinds of fun things to keep me busy. My grandfather is a master gardener so we will be eating fresh produce all weekend. yum!
Z and his friends will be manning the house while we are gone. Now if he were a different child I would have been worried when he asked me what the rules were for having people over. I told him 'Don't trash the house, don't do anything illegal, don't eat ALL the food, and if it breaks you are responsible'. To which he replied "Concerning illegal, are we talking by American or British standards?" I told him he was a smart boy he could figure it out...lol I know he will be fine, and I am sure they will have fun playing house.
S had her first driving lesson last night! Daddy took her up to the local elementary school to drive around. They only came precariously close to an object onceand both she and daddy were smiling when they got out of the car. She was asking to go back out an hour later. oh.... having a driving teen .... pray for us. ;o)
The boys have been having a tough week or so. N has been having some pretty big tantrums again and E has started being defiant. I am hoping it's a stage. They are both getting pretty mouthy as well. We are working on respect although neither seem to care so much.
The economy has forced our hand and we will no longer have our Manny. Since S will be home we are going to have her watch the boys during the day. Not something she's thrilled about but we are going to work out a schedule and try to get friends to come over and play or take the boys out for fun. I think they also need to have others to play with other than themselves. They tend to drive each other crazy. ;o)
If any of you have ideas for daily schedules I would welcome the suggestions.
Both boys need structure and I think it will help them to have a schedule daily. As well as help S keep things in better order.
Have a great weekend every one.
Blessings
The boys haven't been up to their house yet. It's huge and the land around it is huge as well. There's a creek and quiet and good food and love... oh I am looking forward to sharing that with my boys! I have such wonderful memories of exploring the house and the yard finding all kinds of fun things to keep me busy. My grandfather is a master gardener so we will be eating fresh produce all weekend. yum!
Z and his friends will be manning the house while we are gone. Now if he were a different child I would have been worried when he asked me what the rules were for having people over. I told him 'Don't trash the house, don't do anything illegal, don't eat ALL the food, and if it breaks you are responsible'. To which he replied "Concerning illegal, are we talking by American or British standards?" I told him he was a smart boy he could figure it out...lol I know he will be fine, and I am sure they will have fun playing house.
S had her first driving lesson last night! Daddy took her up to the local elementary school to drive around. They only came precariously close to an object onceand both she and daddy were smiling when they got out of the car. She was asking to go back out an hour later. oh.... having a driving teen .... pray for us. ;o)
The boys have been having a tough week or so. N has been having some pretty big tantrums again and E has started being defiant. I am hoping it's a stage. They are both getting pretty mouthy as well. We are working on respect although neither seem to care so much.
The economy has forced our hand and we will no longer have our Manny. Since S will be home we are going to have her watch the boys during the day. Not something she's thrilled about but we are going to work out a schedule and try to get friends to come over and play or take the boys out for fun. I think they also need to have others to play with other than themselves. They tend to drive each other crazy. ;o)
If any of you have ideas for daily schedules I would welcome the suggestions.
Both boys need structure and I think it will help them to have a schedule daily. As well as help S keep things in better order.
Have a great weekend every one.
Blessings
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Reading again...
I have been reading like crazy lately...obviously from my recent posts. ;o) But I am actually finishing the books this time. I am notorious for starting books and not finishing them, but I have really found some great ones lately and enjoy sharing them.
Actually Erin told me about this one, it's called Jantsen's Gift by Pam Cope with Aimee Molloy. It's a relatively new book, just came out in 2009.
I cried on and off through the whole book. I don't say that to turn you off of it, but there is so much sad and great stuff going on that you just can't help but be touched.
It's a true story about Pam who lost her 17 yr old son Jantsen suddenly to an undiagnosed heart issue, and how she grieved, then turned that loss into a life filled with saving the lost.
As I was reading it I just wanted to be her! Not the losing the son part, I think I cried most through that.... but all that she does, from riding on the back of a moped on the streets of Vietnam, to the brothels in Cambodia to Lake Volta in Ghana.
I was reminded for about the millionth time that there is need every where... so much need! I just wanted to get on a plane and travel with her. I wanted to shake my fist at the injustice and rejoice in the triumphs.
She started a foundation called Touch a Life Kids.
Reading this book has helped me to refocus, or recommit myself to the plan I feel God has for me in Ethiopia. I never strayed but after reading Scared and then this book I was beginning to feel overwhelmed by the amount and size of need in the world. One of the things Pam Cope says in the book a couple of times was that the need and the sheer volume of effort it takes to make even some of the smallest changes, had her wanting to curl into a ball and forget it all. I have felt that was as well. I am not sure how reading this clarified it for me, but I have been able to see that God chooses people. He has a plan, he knows what needs to be done and who He needs to get it done. Not every one can be passionate about the same thing or nothing would change. We all have passion, we all have a gift and I love when God shows us what it is. I could jump on a plane to Ghana, or Vietnam, or Cambodia and fall in love and want to work there too... but would it give me the same passionate yearning I feel for Ethiopia? Maybe. I don't think so though.
I feel like Ethiopia...it's children, it's wounded, it's HIV/AIDS victims... those are the people that keep me up at night. Those are the people that make me have to put my ipod on Il Divo's Christmas CD and block out the noise in my head so that I can get some sleep.
There are others that are passionate about abortion, foster care, rights of unborn children, HIV+ orphans, adoption, parental rights, child trafficking... so many people, so many needs and God has put people in place for just those purposes.
I have been focusing my efforts on our trip next year. We have partnered with YWAM Ethiopia to go on this trip to Addis Ababa and Adama. We are setting up information sessions with the church to let them know what we are doing. I have been typing up agenda's, covenants, contracts, calendars and reading all the info sent by Mark, the pastor we will be travelling with. I am SO excited about this trip and it's possibilities. It's not until April and I feel like time is creeping and flying by as we speak. I am excited but scared out of my mind...I am working on trusting God's guidance and His wisdom. He's already taught me a ton! ;o)
If you get a chance read this book...who know's what God will do with your heart. Thank you Erin, love you.
Actually Erin told me about this one, it's called Jantsen's Gift by Pam Cope with Aimee Molloy. It's a relatively new book, just came out in 2009.
I cried on and off through the whole book. I don't say that to turn you off of it, but there is so much sad and great stuff going on that you just can't help but be touched.
It's a true story about Pam who lost her 17 yr old son Jantsen suddenly to an undiagnosed heart issue, and how she grieved, then turned that loss into a life filled with saving the lost.
As I was reading it I just wanted to be her! Not the losing the son part, I think I cried most through that.... but all that she does, from riding on the back of a moped on the streets of Vietnam, to the brothels in Cambodia to Lake Volta in Ghana.
I was reminded for about the millionth time that there is need every where... so much need! I just wanted to get on a plane and travel with her. I wanted to shake my fist at the injustice and rejoice in the triumphs.
She started a foundation called Touch a Life Kids.
Reading this book has helped me to refocus, or recommit myself to the plan I feel God has for me in Ethiopia. I never strayed but after reading Scared and then this book I was beginning to feel overwhelmed by the amount and size of need in the world. One of the things Pam Cope says in the book a couple of times was that the need and the sheer volume of effort it takes to make even some of the smallest changes, had her wanting to curl into a ball and forget it all. I have felt that was as well. I am not sure how reading this clarified it for me, but I have been able to see that God chooses people. He has a plan, he knows what needs to be done and who He needs to get it done. Not every one can be passionate about the same thing or nothing would change. We all have passion, we all have a gift and I love when God shows us what it is. I could jump on a plane to Ghana, or Vietnam, or Cambodia and fall in love and want to work there too... but would it give me the same passionate yearning I feel for Ethiopia? Maybe. I don't think so though.
I feel like Ethiopia...it's children, it's wounded, it's HIV/AIDS victims... those are the people that keep me up at night. Those are the people that make me have to put my ipod on Il Divo's Christmas CD and block out the noise in my head so that I can get some sleep.
There are others that are passionate about abortion, foster care, rights of unborn children, HIV+ orphans, adoption, parental rights, child trafficking... so many people, so many needs and God has put people in place for just those purposes.
I have been focusing my efforts on our trip next year. We have partnered with YWAM Ethiopia to go on this trip to Addis Ababa and Adama. We are setting up information sessions with the church to let them know what we are doing. I have been typing up agenda's, covenants, contracts, calendars and reading all the info sent by Mark, the pastor we will be travelling with. I am SO excited about this trip and it's possibilities. It's not until April and I feel like time is creeping and flying by as we speak. I am excited but scared out of my mind...I am working on trusting God's guidance and His wisdom. He's already taught me a ton! ;o)
If you get a chance read this book...who know's what God will do with your heart. Thank you Erin, love you.
He's officially ours.....again!!!
I have in my hot little hand the official RE-adoption papers for E.
In international adoption if a child comes home on a certain Visa you have to do what's called a re-adoption here in the states to make it official. So that's what we did. There are a few more steps such as getting his new birth certificate, that's not really a birth certificate because it doesn't change where he was born, it's just U.S. issued, and getting a certificate of citizenship.
It's really pretty anti-climatic as he's been ours since the day he was placed in our arms. The lawyer was all excited when she called to tell us that she had the papers in her hand (here in VA you don't get a court date it's all done without having to visit). I think she was disappointed that I wasn't as excited as she was. It's not that I am not excited but this was just a formality. It's not like there was any chance that it wouldn't go through. We have jumped through all of those hoops...lol
The really good thing though is that they changed E's DOB back to what it was supposed to be. So he will be turning 4 yrs old next week. YAY!!! That's a HUGE praise!
Now I get to go to all the Dr's, to the hospital, the insurance company, and social security to get his DOB changed. Joy!..not
The paper work seems to never end. ;o)
In international adoption if a child comes home on a certain Visa you have to do what's called a re-adoption here in the states to make it official. So that's what we did. There are a few more steps such as getting his new birth certificate, that's not really a birth certificate because it doesn't change where he was born, it's just U.S. issued, and getting a certificate of citizenship.
It's really pretty anti-climatic as he's been ours since the day he was placed in our arms. The lawyer was all excited when she called to tell us that she had the papers in her hand (here in VA you don't get a court date it's all done without having to visit). I think she was disappointed that I wasn't as excited as she was. It's not that I am not excited but this was just a formality. It's not like there was any chance that it wouldn't go through. We have jumped through all of those hoops...lol
The really good thing though is that they changed E's DOB back to what it was supposed to be. So he will be turning 4 yrs old next week. YAY!!! That's a HUGE praise!
Now I get to go to all the Dr's, to the hospital, the insurance company, and social security to get his DOB changed. Joy!..not
The paper work seems to never end. ;o)
Monday, June 15, 2009
Weekend pics...
The weekend that was...
N and E on their bikes, N hauling butt and E paddling to catch up. Yes N's bike is too small for him. We actually bought him a new one off of craigslist the next day. ;o)
E jammin on his Harley.
N making goofy faces
ok, I will let you catch up....
The look of determination... now that's the look of a Harley driver.
Revive on stage.
S had the camera. It's her and the boy.
The guys from Revive after the show. Really nice guys.
This is where Mac brought his daughter, on the left and Ty's daughter on the right out on stage to sing. They were having SO much fun and were so cute.
Look I have my arm around Mac Powell. Gotta love it!
Yep have to include one with me and weird faces, truly I have to work on that huh? SO not flattering!
N and E on their bikes, N hauling butt and E paddling to catch up. Yes N's bike is too small for him. We actually bought him a new one off of craigslist the next day. ;o)
E jammin on his Harley.
N making goofy faces
ok, I will let you catch up....
The look of determination... now that's the look of a Harley driver.
Revive on stage.
S had the camera. It's her and the boy.
The guys from Revive after the show. Really nice guys.
This is where Mac brought his daughter, on the left and Ty's daughter on the right out on stage to sing. They were having SO much fun and were so cute.
Look I have my arm around Mac Powell. Gotta love it!
Yep have to include one with me and weird faces, truly I have to work on that huh? SO not flattering!
Day of rest..
sheesh...lol I have to come to work to rest some...lol
Friday night D and went out to a local Italian restaurant with another couple. We had a great time eating, talking and laughing. It was a wonderful way to end our day in celebration.
Saturday dawned warm and sunny. I did some inside cleaning then took the boys outside to play. They played I mowed the yard. Then the 3 of us washed my van. They are great little cleaners. ;o) They have such fun in the water and suds. It promptly poured the rest of the afternoon.
D was out with S for a momentous occasion! She now has her drivers permit! YIKES if you live in the area watch out! Now we just have to get her to chill with the questions on when she can drive places.
Since it was pouring rain in the afternoon we didn't go to the picnic that was to be held by our HS agency. Turns out they still had it though, we are bummed we missed it. The boys and I popped popcorn, snuggled on the couch and watch a movie. Daddy was napping on the couch trying to catch up on some sleep after working both days and nights all week. He was a tired puppy.
Sunday dawned warm and muggy. We had planned a trip to Busch Gardens again, we went early to ride some of the rides and then met with our KLove crew to work the concert of the day. It was Revive, Need to Breathe and Third Day! Third Day is our favorite! We did get to talk some with the guys from Revive. They were great guys, very nice! We didn't get to watch them on stage but heard them and they sounded really great! I am going to go buy a CD.
Since Friday was our anniversary we talked them into letting us back stage to meet Third Day. I have some fun pictures from that, I will post them later. I got to hug all the guys since they were coming my way down the line...lol One of my favorite parts about their part of the concert, other than we got to watch the whole thing, was that Mac and Ty had their daughters along. They brought them up to sing part of a song and then they were sitting to the side on stage. They were probably about 10 and 7 respectively. It was so cute to watch them watch their dads and sing with all the songs. You know they were diggin it! ;o)
We really are enjoying working with KLove on these events. Not only because of the bands we have gotten to see and talk to, but because of the other people we get to talk to. KLove really is an awesome ministry on the radio. It's fun to talk to all the people who tell us how it effected their lives. All the little kids who come running up to say they listen to it every day. Or the little boy who listens to it to go to sleep at night. We've made some new friends and are just really enjoying talking to the people.
We didn't get home until late last night so I am bushed!
We are taking the boys and S out of town this coming weekend to visit my grandparents in PA. I am really looking forward to spending the weekend with family.
Happy Monday ya'll!
Friday night D and went out to a local Italian restaurant with another couple. We had a great time eating, talking and laughing. It was a wonderful way to end our day in celebration.
Saturday dawned warm and sunny. I did some inside cleaning then took the boys outside to play. They played I mowed the yard. Then the 3 of us washed my van. They are great little cleaners. ;o) They have such fun in the water and suds. It promptly poured the rest of the afternoon.
D was out with S for a momentous occasion! She now has her drivers permit! YIKES if you live in the area watch out! Now we just have to get her to chill with the questions on when she can drive places.
Since it was pouring rain in the afternoon we didn't go to the picnic that was to be held by our HS agency. Turns out they still had it though, we are bummed we missed it. The boys and I popped popcorn, snuggled on the couch and watch a movie. Daddy was napping on the couch trying to catch up on some sleep after working both days and nights all week. He was a tired puppy.
Sunday dawned warm and muggy. We had planned a trip to Busch Gardens again, we went early to ride some of the rides and then met with our KLove crew to work the concert of the day. It was Revive, Need to Breathe and Third Day! Third Day is our favorite! We did get to talk some with the guys from Revive. They were great guys, very nice! We didn't get to watch them on stage but heard them and they sounded really great! I am going to go buy a CD.
Since Friday was our anniversary we talked them into letting us back stage to meet Third Day. I have some fun pictures from that, I will post them later. I got to hug all the guys since they were coming my way down the line...lol One of my favorite parts about their part of the concert, other than we got to watch the whole thing, was that Mac and Ty had their daughters along. They brought them up to sing part of a song and then they were sitting to the side on stage. They were probably about 10 and 7 respectively. It was so cute to watch them watch their dads and sing with all the songs. You know they were diggin it! ;o)
We really are enjoying working with KLove on these events. Not only because of the bands we have gotten to see and talk to, but because of the other people we get to talk to. KLove really is an awesome ministry on the radio. It's fun to talk to all the people who tell us how it effected their lives. All the little kids who come running up to say they listen to it every day. Or the little boy who listens to it to go to sleep at night. We've made some new friends and are just really enjoying talking to the people.
We didn't get home until late last night so I am bushed!
We are taking the boys and S out of town this coming weekend to visit my grandparents in PA. I am really looking forward to spending the weekend with family.
Happy Monday ya'll!
Friday, June 12, 2009
16 Years
Today my sexy honey and I have been married for 16 yrs!Good Grief! Who would have thunk it?! Certainly not anyone we knew when we got married.
We had known each other all of 6 months the day we got married, and we met in a bar on dollar pitcher night...lol
God is amazing in the way He works things out. Neither of us could have imagined where He was going to take us back then. Of course back then we also weren't interested in Him or what He had to say. I am SOOOOO glad HE cared about us though.
He gave me a man that is perfect for me. He loves me...which I think is the most amazing part of it all...lol Cause I am not always so lovable. He gives me pretty much anything I want... but he knows when to put his foot down and let me know when I am being unreasonable. Like every time I tell him it's time for another dog, I really want another female in the house. Or when I am looking at waiting children and share their pictures with him, he reminds me that it's not time yet.
He cooks and cleans and washes dishes and windows. He takes care of the kids and helps take them to Dr appts. His heart is huge! Sometimes I get jealous at how much he likes to help others...lol He doesn't know any strangers, he will talk to anyone and usually he is trying to get them to smile. ;o)
We never end a conversation without saying "I Love you".
Happy Anniversary honey, I love you!
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