Framing of our house!!!...and Mother's day pics:)

We drove out to the house this past weekend and the frame for all our walls is up! Exciting to see some more progress. Next they should be framing up the roof I believe. Here is the 3 boys sort of in front of B and D's bedroom. The boys lookin cute in their hard hats of course:)

                              View from the street.

 Ok on to Mother's day pics.....here is me and all 3 of my babies!

                        My babies daddy and I ;)

Here is the boys playing with Mason's old hot wheels at Grammy's house.

Oh, and here is Breyton giving rolly polly's a ride on the semi trucks....I know they were thrilled!

Our exciting announcement:)

Where do I even begin....

Obviously I finally got to share our AWESOME WONDERFUL news that I'm pregnant! I kept debating when to share our news after our appt last week....decided the time was right for us because it's silly to expect something bad to happen and I can't contain the joy anyways:) We are so very excited and thankful to God for this new blessing. Let's just say I really didn't expect to find out I was pregnant one week before baby D was to officially be with us. I guess I don't dream big enough:)

I truly felt that D was such a blessing to our family and didn't think we'd get doubly blessed by having two new additions to our family this year.

We had my first appt On Feb 28th and to finally have an appoinment go well after 2 devestating losses and waiting so long was an emotional and beautiful thing! We got to see this little ones heart beating away and everything looked good. Thank you Lord!!!

This announcement may help explain the rather quick decision to get started building a house because this apartment was being outgrown more quickly than anticipated! For some reason it's still true that we always do big life changes in clusters lol. When we had Breyton we were about to become new parents, Mason quit his old job and started police academy, we were buying our first home, and moving away from family for the first time ever.

Then last time I was pregnant we were selling our first home, trying to pack, and condense ourselves into an apartment.

Now with this pregnancy we are in the middle of foster care and hopefully adoption, while we were trying to find land and build our forever home....which if things stay on schedule we should be moving into our new home about 4-6 weeks before baby is due! Hoping for once I may get to decorate a nursery BEFORE having the baby lol.

I'll post more about everything as it progresses:) I still sometimes have to just let the news sink in...thankful for my beautiful life. For now we a truly so excited for all that is to come this year and I'm so thankful for my God who heals our wounds, provides, and blesses abundantly.



 Oh, and a side note.....

We had court today for baby D and whether we get to adopt him is still unknown and may be for another 6 months or more:/ That is a whole other post, but I know God has a plan no matter how scary the situation may seem.....I just really pray everyday for His will....and that God's plan is for D to be with us forever... because the potential heartbreak seems unbearable. I know He will see us through whatever lies ahead!




   Our crazy annoucment pic....it was super windy....but it about sums up life right now:)

Maybe a little discontent can be holy?

God has really been working on me lately about being content and grateful in all circumstances. I'm not just talking about the big things, but the everyday little grumblings... Because I think those little things are a big thing to God and have a big effect on the state of our heart and attitude.

I mean even on our vacation in beautiful Cancun I had to try not to grumble when the first 2 days it poured rain ALL day and on the way home we missed our flight and were delayed...I mean how ridiculous to choose to gripe about details that weren't going the way I planned instead of focusing on the million things that were going right?

Like for starters hey we are all still breathing, right?

Also my answered prayer that Breyton did good on the flights and didn't scream( I mean we were even complimented by strangers on his behavior the 1st flight). Or that we all arrived safely and had the opportunity to soak in the amazingly gorgeous view of one of Gods masterpieces! The water could not have been bluer or more beautiful.

I mean really if Mason and I had more than 3 beautiful days of sunshine I can only imagine the sunburn we could have had to endure:)

I want my children to grow up seeing a mom who can see God in any circumstance good or bad...big or small.

Though their will always be something to gripe about I want to choose to grumble less, especially in front of these precious little 'sponges' (aka toddlers) that soak in everything we do...so when we are running late, when its so dang windy(like today!!), when our food order is incorrect, when I can't find the keys yet again, when everyone and everything is on my nerves I can ask God to help me glorify him in that moment.

I happened to read this in my daily devotional the other day as God always sends the perfect one to my email the day I need to read it--seriously true story:)

"We live in a world with more choices and opportunities for distraction than any other. Our environment is success driven and goal oriented as we constantly reach for "more." However, this constant strife often leads to weariness and discontent. So, we often work harder to find a little piece of contentment. However, there is a problem with this battle. This earth is not our home. We cannot-should not-ever be completely content here. I believe the Spirit fills us with a holy discontent. Any happiness here is a shadow of the glory to be revealed in Christ. Therefore, let us not neglect the things of God and store up riches in heaven. One day, maybe with a phone call, the things of this world will be taken from us. But our work for the Lord and our treasures in heaven will endure for eternity. "

I believe what the writer is saying is that God can give us a sense of peace and contentment only found in Him, but as for the things of this world we will never be content and it will never ever ever EVER be 'enough'.

 I like the idea that this is 'holy discontent' and that it will serve as a reminder that this earth is not our home. We endure this race for the end prize that awaits us in heaven.

Because this apartment (nor future bigger home) will never stay organized, the dishes and laundry are never caught up, and all the clothes and possessions will never satisfy.

After all don't we usually hear those with the most money or possessions often are the least happy or satisfied? I can actually believe it. Sometimes I find myself driving by the crazy huge mansions in Edmond and actually feel sorry for those living in it. Not that a 4,000+ sq ft house is in and of itself a sin....but I'm fooling myself if I think our next house or even my dream house would make us content.

Love how this anonymous person said it:)- "I'm just like that, spiritually. My world is so small, my vision so limited, my depravity so complete. I often don't see things from God's perspective, making me proud and boastful of my paltry possessions, unable or uninterested in seeing the potential of what I could have. I'm comparing houses while God has a mansion waiting for me."

I want to spend my time filling myself up with the One who will satisfy and spend less time thinking about our next big purchase or complaining about ordinary daily tasks or annoyances that will never go away until we are truly Home.

~


Here we are soaked with rain the 1st day and focusing on keeping smiles on our faces! And by the way we were blessed with an amazing trip despite a few minor hiccups:)

Random pics of B:)

 

Random pics from the past few weeks:)


Breyton was so tired the other night when we got home at 10:30 that he got in bed and fell asleep in this position while the light was still on and I was in the other room. This never happens, so I had to take a pic of course.

 

 

Painting letters for an "Art" wall in his room

                                                    

                                                                 He loves to do crafts:)

                            Our very non-fancy 'DIY' art display for all of B's beautiful creations!
                                                        He is very proud of it though:)

 

 

                             He told me he was getting all his cars and trucks ready for a rally lol.

                                                  At the science museum with a buddy:)

            A super tall(and fast) slide the boys went down all by themselves. I shouldn't be suprised.

                          Passed out in the carseat...this is also a very rare occasion now:(

                                         Helping make rice krispy treats! He loves to 'cook'.

 

I have sooo much to say about our foster care situation and so many pictures to share of our *soon to be* first foster placement...BUT I cant really share any of it for now, so this is what happens. It's good to have a post every now and again that has no purpose I suppose! lol

What adoption is to me.

Big things have been happening. Mostly VERY exciting things for my little family, but reactions others have had are disappointing to me. I also believe they are disappointing to Christ. I've had too much on my heart and mind to even write lately. I couldn't quite figure out how to put everything I'm feeling into words.

I'm writing this to hopefully clarify where we stand and why we will not be moved.

There are those in our lives who are misunderstanding what adoption is and why we want to be a part of it. Apparently some think we are adopting just because we want to. And they may even think this is a bad decision. That somehow we may ruin our lives. There within lies the problem....

We are adopting because God calls us to. Period.

No ones opinion will change that. Very thorough thought, prayer, and research went into every step of this decision. Short term and LONG term. It is happening, so you might as well get on board or at least move out of the way.

As much as I hate that not everyone shares the same joy we have I can not bare the thought of being anywhere but in the center of God's will. My 'need' for acceptance from others pales greatly in comparison to my view on God's opinion of me. Yes, there are a lot of potentially 'scary' outcomes with the adoption process. It will be hard....but there will be joy. There will be hurt...but there will be healing.

What adoption is to me: Being blessed with a child and a gift of life that we do not deserve. Along with the responsibility to love, nurture, guide, and discipline precious little lives with the wisdom God alone gives. There is pain in adoption, especially for the child, because at the root of it there was rejection....that's what can make the ending so much more beautiful.

What adoption is not to me: finding a cute, loving, and perfect child who will be forever grateful for the 'sacrifice' I made for them.

There is no perfect child.

It's definitely not about how they look on the outside and how they will make your family look...it's about who they are and what they need. All children are looking for someone who will meet there most basic needs and needing someone to love them unconditionally. They all deserve that-no matter their skin color, gender, age, or health.

Adoption allows us to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. All involved are equally blessed for the family receiving a precious addition and for the child receiving the gift of a family. I have no doubt that my family will forever be changed by what is in store. Breyton's life will forever be different. To have our eyes opened in ways we can not undo and to experience first hand what God is capable of when we open the book of our lives and allow Him to script every page.

Honestly because of that I have a joy that can not be stifled by negative comments.

Because adoption is redemption, it's healing, it's beautiful, it's love.

Disclaimer: I do want to give credit for all the wonderful people we do have around us! So many have supported us every step of the way. I am so very grateful for each and every one of you. There is no fear where the will of God takes you and many know that is the best place for us to be!

Christmas 2012

 

Another blessed Christmas has came and gone. Breyton is more fun to watch each year and love the pure joy on his face throughout each experience of the season....from the Christmas music, the lights, decorating the tree, putting out the manger scene, singing happy birthday to Jesus, and family get togethers.

 

Thankful for this season, what it truly means, and for the family I have to share it with!

 

 

 

 My parents and their grandkids

                                     My sis-in-law Brittany, my mom, myself, and my aunt Deb

                                                   My mom, my niece Brooklynn, and I

 

My parents and I

                                                             My mom being silly:)

                                                       Brooklynn opening a present!

                                                           My dad and my brother

                                                          Breyton and Brooklynn

                                                     Breyton admiring the Christmas tree

                                                               
                                                                  Sweet Breyton

 

 Mason and Breyton on Christmas Eve

 

 

<3

Another chapter closed...excited for new begginings!

We close on the house at 10 am tomorrow! After many 'closing' delays we are excited it's here.

Of course we procrastinated on having house cleared out till the week of....so we FINALLY got everything completely out of every nook and cranny in our house. We have worked on it every single weekend since we 'moved' out October 1st.

It. was. never. ending.

Let's just say by this past Monday/Tuesday (which is our weekend) we were completely sick of everything. I just wanted to give it all away or throw it away depending. Obviously we can't need it since we've lived 2 months without it, right?!

Anyways, I was getting a fairly sour attititude towards it all after our second long drive to Shawnee to take a load down there for storage. Then God always has a way of putting you back in your place:) and making you look at the glass half full.  I was in the car alone for the hour drive down and a bunch of non-'coincidence' things happened. Pretty cool how one can go into the car grumbling about wasting yet another entire day moving 'junk'....then shortly after come out praising God that we have been blessed with sooo much 'junk' that we have to move and that our house sold so quickly that we had a deadline to get it all out by.

As usual God is good. End of story. :)

Oh, and here are a few last pics (thankfully) my neighbor suggested we should take!

 This is us as we said our final good-bye to our first house..(.not sure if I should put a sad face or happy face here lol). It's bittersweet. Leaning more towards sweet though:)

Empty living room....

Closing and walking away from our pretty blue door for the last time!

Also, a quick update: We did start our training for DHS foster care certification this morning. It's a 9 week program and then we are done! I always hear people say this and it's true....crazy how the devil tries to throw a bunch of things at you when you are trying to accomplish a work that God has called you to. First day of class and it was one of those mornings where almost everything went wrong and then after sitting in our 3+ hour class we are welcomed with a parking ticket when we come out. Ya know what though it wasn't really all that discouraging...in fact in many ways I'm more sure than ever that we are doing what we are supposed to be doing.

After all I'm becoming more and more aware anything that God calls you to is not easy, but the biggest blessings usually come through the hardest of trials! So bring it.

Updates on life.

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind. We are moved into the new apartment. I should say our stuff is here....being unpacked or organized is a different story:) Crazy to think this time 4 weeks ago we had zero plans of selling our house any time real soon much less moving to an apartment, but here we are! Even though its been less than a week I really think we like living in the apartments. Downsizing is always a little rough and going from a house in the country to an apartment is an adjustment as well. However, I really think those are the only two 'cons'. I'm loving being closer to town. It takes me less than 2 minutes to go to the grocery store and about 5 min to get to Hobby Lobby:) Plus, there is a nice park less than a mile away for Breyton. I could go on and on about the 'pros' in my opinion so given a little time here we really feel like this was a good decision.

This past week was hectic trying to live out of boxes from Fri-Mon then trying to get moved on Monday evening(it got delayed) and then get ready for a house 'showing' on Tuesday. It would have been impossible without the help of some really important family and friends. Truly so grateful for them!

 Now the big deal breaker is how quickly our house sells. We have had several calls and one 'showing' over the past 2 weeks...but no offers or anything serious yet. I'm really not too concerned about it we have prayed long and hard so I know God already has a plan....waiting for it to unfold is the harder part.


On to other updates:
The road to adoption is....rather stalled. Not on our part so much, but on DHS's part. I've heard rumors about how they tend to operate, but experiencing it first hand is a tad bit more frustrating. We definitely have a 'bum' case worker and that's the nice way of putting it! Our original home study was scheduled for August 31st...to which she never showed or called to say she wasn't coming. Then I basically haven't been able to talk with her since. I've been trying to be in touch with just the local DHS office and the head lady instead, but mostly you get transferred, etc and no one calls you back. EVER.

Ok sorry for all the negative, but needed to get that off my chest. I have the feeling by the time something ever gets going they are going to make us redo a lot of our paperwork or exams because it's been so long. I really trust God and his timing so I'm not always so frustrated about it all it's just disappointing how you get the run around. Anyways, I'm going down there in person this coming week so hopefully soon I'll have more positive updates on how the process is going. I do realize with being in the apartment and a smaller space that it may limit what we can do as far as foster care to adoption right now, yet I'd like to keep the process going because I know it will still be awhile before we are 'certified', etc. Somehow despite all these unexpected changes I really feel a peace about our decisions and I'm just listening to where God is leading.

 3 quotes I found recently that I keep where I can read them often:

 “Faith isn’t the ability to believe or see long and far into the misty future. It’s simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step.”

 “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

"Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time."

All in all...(setbacks, frustrations, tears, disappointments, all the unknown, included) I can excited for where God is taking our lives because he promises it's better than I could have ever dreamed.

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us," Ephesians 3:20

You lead, I'll follow.......

Let me start off by saying God is so good!

Just crazy inexplicably good.

A few weeks ago we started the process(aka lots of paperwork, patience, and prayer) to adopt.

I didn't think I'd be saying the words 'we're adopting..now' for at least another 4-6 years. Yet here we are so indescribably EXCITED for what God has in store. It's so amazing to look back at the past year and realize how God has woven together such an amazing plan...every moment that hurt so much was part of a bigger plan I couldn't fathom. I can so clearly see now how the 'valley's' we've been through have prepared our hearts for the path He is charting ahead.
This past year I believe was a 'test' from satan so to speak to see if I'd let the doubts, hurt, and fears to win or if I'd let each moment to draw me closer to my Savior than ever before. That's where I stand now with a faith and peace that I couldn't have developed else wise. I know God is working everything together for the good of those who love him.

I. know. It.

I can't possibly explain everything that has gone in our lives for this complete change of heart. We are not adopting now because of infertility because that's not the case...we are adopting because there is a need and God has given us the abilities to be a part of his work by loving on children who need unconditional love. Just like the love He himself bestows on us.

To do the work Christ has called us to do regardless of how crazy it may seem to some. We are tired of waiting to do what Gods asks us to do....  I've realized that is a lie and trap straight from the enemy to keep God's children off course. God doesn't need 'perfect conditions' he just needs willing hearts. Yes we are only 24 and there will be people who don't understand or may make judgements based on the world's standard. I don't care though. I just want to be exactly where Jesus tells me to be.

I want to be all in.

I'm far from it still, but with every step of obedience I want to be that much closer.

Really there's sooo much I have to say about adoption and what got us to this point, but maybe I'll have a chance to spill more of my heart in future blog posts. For now I wanted to announce (so to speak) our wonderful news.... because I feel like months(hopefully not years) down the road when we have a new addition to our family everyone won't be wondering when in the world that happened. Adoption and pregnancy really do share a lot of similarities. The moment you really decide your adopting and start the process is kind of like the positive pregnancy test. You are overwhelmed with emotions including joy, fear, and excitement! Then you can't help but think of the child who will be yours...I'm already wondering who he/she will be, what they will look, etc. Just like in conception God already has our child/children picked out and He knows every detail.

Then comes the patience and waiting to meet and hold your child.

So that's where we are just waiting and praying not knowing what the future holds, but knowing WHO holds the future.

We are not naive to the possibly difficult road ahead, but currently too busy rejoicing in our new path God is directing!

~P.S.~

I've been reading a blog (louxfamilyblog.com), where they talk about their 10 adoptions...the good and the bad. I highly recommend visiting their blog if you need any conviction to live out James 1:27. Here's an excerpt from a post while they where in the midst of adopting a special needs child:


"I was thinking, “Man, adopting this little boy has been so much work. This is exhausting, expensive, uncomfortable … and it doesn’t feel very rewarding right now.” What am I doing in some little Soviet car in the dark, in the middle of rural Ukraine in frozen December, as the driver dodges cats and potholes? What if Dimitri doesn’t improve at all? What if we get “nothing” out of this? … Ahhh, there it was; that dark, fallen, unreedemed, selfish human love, rooted in the tree of the knowledge of “good and evil”. The love the Greeks called “erao” love. The love where we treat someone as precious and treasured for what we can get out of it. This is unlike “agapeo” love, the God kind of love that treats someone as treasured and precious for their good, not for my good. It’s when I love a person in order to meet their needs, having no expectation of them meeting any of my needs. At a whole new level, God is working His kind of love into my weak heart, and He’s using little Dimitri to do it.

My friends, adoption is redemption. It’s costly, exhausting, expensive, and outrageous. Buying back lives costs so much. When God set out to redeem us, it killed Him. And when He redeems us, we can’t even really appreciate or comprehend it, just like Dimitri will never comprehend or fully appreciate what is about to happen to him … but … he will live in the fruit of it. As his Daddy, I will never expect him to understand all of this or even to thank me. I just want to watch him live in the benefits of my love and experience the joys of being an heir in my family. This is how our heavenly “Papa” feels towards us."

10 random facts about he and I

I saw a similar idea on a blog not to long ago and thought I'd give it a go myself!


1)We both have a major sweet tooth. It gets us in to trouble. We pretty much can't make a 'trip' to town without having to get ice cream!

2)We argue about who has to cuddle who at night....yes it's weird....but I prefer to sleep on my right side and he prefers his left.

3) Both enjoy going to the gun range and can make a pretty fun date night out of shooting targets.

4)We pretty much always enjoy each others company no matter what we are doing. One of our favorite past times is watching movies together during our in home date nights.

5)We are both pretty goofy and it works well together. I think Breyton has no chance of being a 'serious' type.

6) We both love the ocean. A bucket list item is definitely to swim with sharks. We may possibly be in a cage while they swim around us hehe, but either way it's on the list.

7) We've never had cable or satelite in our 5 years of marriage, yet have never been bored. Just recently we upgraded from rabbit ears to having netflix.

8) Sort of old fashioned in our roles in marriage. I don't think its on purpose just the way it works out. He does most of the yard work and I do the cooking, laundry, etc.

9) We went kindergarten through 12th grade together. Even were 'married' once in 1st grade in the presidential play as Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln.

10) Despite going K-12th we never were a couple in school years. However we went on ONE date and junior prom together, but never amounted to much.......until end of summer after senior year. Obviously things went well from there because 6 years later we are still going stronger than ever.:)

                                      Heres us in 1st grade as Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln:

And now:

Our mid-week 'weekends'

Wednesday's are always a whirlwind of a day! Sitting here typing this as I sit down for pretty much the first time today....My hubby is at school and my child is in bed, so it's a little bit of me time. As busy as they are Tuesday/Wednesday are actually my favorite days of the week! It's Masons weekend, therefore mine as well, and we go down to stay with our parents pretty much every 'weekend' equaling date night for us and grandparents time for B.....its a win/win =D. We are pretty lucky to have such awesome grandparents for our little man, so that we can feel free to leave him with them for a night out knowing its a home away from home for B. Tuesdays are a night at my parents and Wednesdays are a day at Mason's parents both always filled with good home cooked food(that I didn't have to cook definitely a major plus) and fun. B loves my parents 'farm' constantly chatting about the horses,cows, and tractors...... then Masons parents have a pool which B absolutley loves swimming, he has no fear of the pool, wanting to jump off the diving board and splash the whole time. By the time we drive home he is usually pretty wiped out and so are we!
Last night after Mason and I got back from a movie I ended up staying up way too late chatting with my mom as usual and then of course got an early start to the day when B woke us all up raring to go! So I really should just be going to bed early tonight, but like to wind down and enjoy my quiet time. Must say I dont look forward to Mason being gone to class all evening every week, but try to make the most of it.....B and I enjoyed an evening outside ending with a walk in this perfect weather.

And as always a few pics of B....these first 2 will prob be some blackmail pics someday:)

                                     Those would be my underwear all around his neck(yes they are
                                            clean!) Not sure what posessed him to do this,
                                    but i was busy cooking when he came out of my closet like this..
                                                             made me laugh though!

                                     
                             Him in my high heels in my closet lol...Mason would not be proud:

                     
                                                      Doing a somersault in the living room

                                                 A squished face as mom hugs too tight=D

Early morning...

I swear ever since B was born he's had a sixth sense about knowing days I could sleep in and days I had to get going early.....point being he ONLY sleeps in late on the days Im already up early and the few days my dear hubby is not coming home early from work to wake me, B makes sure we r still up at the crack of dawn! Past two nights he went to bed at the same exact time, but yesterday when i was babysitting another child at 7am he slept till 9 and today I'm sleeping hes wakes up at 6:15am. I really shouldnt be suprised anymore by this but he was pretty cute and cuddly this morning, so always seems to make up for it.:)
Few pics of him waiting sleepily for breakfast at the bar (he refuses to sit in his highchair so that was given up few months ago!)

Mr. Independent...

  Well B is loving this being able to get out of bed on his own...and im not minding it. This morning I was still laying in bed and I heard him get up, so I decided to wait and see what he does on his own. Quietly hear his little feet shuffling into the kitchen and and few toys moving around. Then hear the pantry door open. So I get up and walk in there to find him wearing his rain boots and sitting there eating a bag of cereal.....guess he thinks hes going to get 'dressed' and feed himself breakfast on his own lol.....and of course a pic:)

Just another step away from being a baby....

This week my onery little B started climbing out of his crib which has been something I was hoping wouldnt happen for awhile! We've had troubles with his sleep from day 1 and took till he was about a year old to get them sorted out and things had been going fairly smoothly since then, so I was afraid of what would happen with this new found freedom. Last Thursday we just went for it and converted his crib to a toddler bed and suprisingly its been going good! Of course lucky Mason was gone the first 2 nights of the transition leaving me alone to figure it out. It took longer to get him to bed first few nights but it's getting better with each passing day. I dreaded this transition, but now im glad its over and proud of how well my 'big boy' is doing with it!

Just jumping into it......

Im usually not into writing much so this blog seems out of character for me....... but seeing as how life is flying by sooo quickly I decided i needed a way look back on all these special times! Right now is such a fun and busy(as always will be) time in our lives as we've started a family and are watching are little boy grow up wanting time to slow down but also looking forward to so much. This will just be sort of a diary of my life and cant wait to get started.....so im just jumping into it!