Last week we celebrated her forever family day and well after the pic of me and the kids I got a little snap happy...just look at what happens when I try to get a pic of the hubby with the kids....I love em!
Monday, December 5, 2011
4 Years
I say this every year, and will for the rest of my life, but it's hard to believe that it has already been 4 years since we held and kissed our sweet girl for the first time. She is our laughter and a true blessing to our family every single day.
Last week we celebrated her forever family day and well after the pic of me and the kids I got a little snap happy...just look at what happens when I try to get a pic of the hubby with the kids....I love em!
Last week we celebrated her forever family day and well after the pic of me and the kids I got a little snap happy...just look at what happens when I try to get a pic of the hubby with the kids....I love em!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
This Post is Special
It's special because it is National Orphan Awareness Month, and it's something I am pretty passionate about and we all should be passionate about. :)
I would like to share with you a glimpse into what I believe to be God’s heart for the orphan. Let’s start with a reading from Matthew.
Matthew 25: 31-40
31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy[a] angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
“Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to ME…”
Wow, Scripture is certainly a truth that is undeniable isn’t it?
In example, let me give you a statistic on the orphan and then apply it to the number of children just in my church family.
Every 2.2 seconds a child becomes an orphan.
In my church there are around 130 children from the ages of 0-18. So if every 2.2 seconds a child becomes an orphan that means in 4.77 minutes every single one of these children is now orphaned. In just four short minutes, they have lost their families, their home, most are starving, and they are on there own. These children, mine included, are now trying to survive by living in the streets. They are fighting just to live. It is so dangerous for them to sleep at night that they try to find safe places during the day so they can sleep for maybe 20 minutes. But let’s say maybe they are some fortunate enough to be placed in an orphanage that is extremely understaffed. So maybe now they have shelter and some food, but they spend there days confined to a crib, only to be touched when they need fed or changed. Picture a baby crying for someone to hold them and no one does so they begin to bang their heads against the crib just so they can feel something. Are you picturing your child there? It’s not hard for me to picture because my children have been there.
Every orphan represents misfortune, heartbreak, and tragedy. Can you imagine such brokeness at such young ages?? Can you imagine having death in your face every second of everyday, and then to face that without knowing about the love of our Jesus, without knowing what hope in him means for you and your life?
I know when many see our family they think adoption, and a lot of you know we are extremely passionate about adoption. I want to stress to you that we do not feel every Christian is called to adopt, but we know that every Christian is called to do something for the orphan to advocate for them and their families.
Russell Moore wrote an article called “Don’t Adopt!” Now don’t be fooled this article is not saying no one should adopt, but he his pointing out the difficulties in adopting. He quotes one of my favorite verses from James 1 verse 27 which states:
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Mr. Moore also says this: Adoption is about taking on risk as cross-bearing love.
Every orphan, every adoption comes wrapped up with some kind of hurt and it takes a sacrificial love like none other to adopt them into your family and give them love. Adoption changes your life plan and it is so worth it. Loving the orphan and helping provide for their needs will do the same thing for you, if adoption is not on your heart.
The adoption of my children is only a small glimpse into how it is for us Christians who are adopted by God into his family. We fail all the time and he takes us back every time.
My family has listened to what God purposed our family to do and we know he is asking for more from us. We have battled and continue to battle the spiritual warfare that comes along with adopting and caring for the orphan and we refuse to let Satan win. We have seen the faces of children suffering, and we have cared for the two the Lord planned for our family and we are working fervently for the others he has put on our hearts.
So I ask you today to open your heart to the orphans that are living without love and in fear every single day until they die.
You can’t be the hands and feet of Jesus unless you are right in there doing something and there are so many ways to do something.
If you are doing nothing I ask that you evaluate your silence.
Get on your knees and seek the Lord and his plans for you and the orphan.
Get involved in missions that you are able to and more importantly get your family involved. If the Lord has put it on your heart to adopt, then do it! You will be immeasurably blessed beyond anything you could ever imagine.
Lastly, if you don’t remember any of what I have written today I ask that you at least ask yourself this. Have I said YES to God and his plans for me and the orphan? Then get on your knees and ask God to reveal his plans for you, and His answer will change your life and more importantly bring Glory to
(and because they are cute and were once orphaned a pic of my babes.)
I would like to share with you a glimpse into what I believe to be God’s heart for the orphan. Let’s start with a reading from Matthew.
Matthew 25: 31-40
31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy[a] angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
“Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to ME…”
Wow, Scripture is certainly a truth that is undeniable isn’t it?
In example, let me give you a statistic on the orphan and then apply it to the number of children just in my church family.
Every 2.2 seconds a child becomes an orphan.
In my church there are around 130 children from the ages of 0-18. So if every 2.2 seconds a child becomes an orphan that means in 4.77 minutes every single one of these children is now orphaned. In just four short minutes, they have lost their families, their home, most are starving, and they are on there own. These children, mine included, are now trying to survive by living in the streets. They are fighting just to live. It is so dangerous for them to sleep at night that they try to find safe places during the day so they can sleep for maybe 20 minutes. But let’s say maybe they are some fortunate enough to be placed in an orphanage that is extremely understaffed. So maybe now they have shelter and some food, but they spend there days confined to a crib, only to be touched when they need fed or changed. Picture a baby crying for someone to hold them and no one does so they begin to bang their heads against the crib just so they can feel something. Are you picturing your child there? It’s not hard for me to picture because my children have been there.
Every orphan represents misfortune, heartbreak, and tragedy. Can you imagine such brokeness at such young ages?? Can you imagine having death in your face every second of everyday, and then to face that without knowing about the love of our Jesus, without knowing what hope in him means for you and your life?
I know when many see our family they think adoption, and a lot of you know we are extremely passionate about adoption. I want to stress to you that we do not feel every Christian is called to adopt, but we know that every Christian is called to do something for the orphan to advocate for them and their families.
Russell Moore wrote an article called “Don’t Adopt!” Now don’t be fooled this article is not saying no one should adopt, but he his pointing out the difficulties in adopting. He quotes one of my favorite verses from James 1 verse 27 which states:
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Mr. Moore also says this: Adoption is about taking on risk as cross-bearing love.
Every orphan, every adoption comes wrapped up with some kind of hurt and it takes a sacrificial love like none other to adopt them into your family and give them love. Adoption changes your life plan and it is so worth it. Loving the orphan and helping provide for their needs will do the same thing for you, if adoption is not on your heart.
The adoption of my children is only a small glimpse into how it is for us Christians who are adopted by God into his family. We fail all the time and he takes us back every time.
My family has listened to what God purposed our family to do and we know he is asking for more from us. We have battled and continue to battle the spiritual warfare that comes along with adopting and caring for the orphan and we refuse to let Satan win. We have seen the faces of children suffering, and we have cared for the two the Lord planned for our family and we are working fervently for the others he has put on our hearts.
So I ask you today to open your heart to the orphans that are living without love and in fear every single day until they die.
You can’t be the hands and feet of Jesus unless you are right in there doing something and there are so many ways to do something.
If you are doing nothing I ask that you evaluate your silence.
Get on your knees and seek the Lord and his plans for you and the orphan.
Get involved in missions that you are able to and more importantly get your family involved. If the Lord has put it on your heart to adopt, then do it! You will be immeasurably blessed beyond anything you could ever imagine.
Lastly, if you don’t remember any of what I have written today I ask that you at least ask yourself this. Have I said YES to God and his plans for me and the orphan? Then get on your knees and ask God to reveal his plans for you, and His answer will change your life and more importantly bring Glory to
(and because they are cute and were once orphaned a pic of my babes.)
Monday, October 31, 2011
Luvin' Fall and Snow White
As I said on FB, this pic is like a 1 in a million chance these days...everyone is smiling and looking at the camera! Leaf Fun!
This is the first year EJ has dressed up for Halloween, and it's because they had a party in her preschool. She was being camera shy this a.m., but she makes a pretty adorable snow white.
This is the first year EJ has dressed up for Halloween, and it's because they had a party in her preschool. She was being camera shy this a.m., but she makes a pretty adorable snow white.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Reflecting....
I can't even describe in word today all the emotions that go through me when I see these pictures....the first day I spent with both my babes. Blessed.
Nov. 2007
Sept. 2009
Nov. 2007
Sept. 2009
Monday, October 17, 2011
Fasten Your Seatbelts!
EJ has finally learned to drive, and she is crazy wicked at it... He He
We bought this beauty for next to nothing for her birthday in March. We had tried several times at the Grandparents to get her to drive it, but she wouldn't do it. So about a week ago we brought it home to soon put it away for the winter and this girl is driving all over the place like a pro! Who knew...anyways I thought I would share some of the cute pics...you know just in case you see these two driving down main street someday. :)
We bought this beauty for next to nothing for her birthday in March. We had tried several times at the Grandparents to get her to drive it, but she wouldn't do it. So about a week ago we brought it home to soon put it away for the winter and this girl is driving all over the place like a pro! Who knew...anyways I thought I would share some of the cute pics...you know just in case you see these two driving down main street someday. :)
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The impact of closed adoptions in Guatemala...Please watch
Most of you know that we were able to bring our daughter home from Guatemala a month before the country closed its doors to adoption in order to conform to the Hague Treaty...a treaty that the Guatemalan Government was not set up to support AT ALL.
Throughout the months of waiting to bring EJ home we knew that the country was on the verge of what happened in December of 2007 and we knew there was a great possibility that we would not bring our daughter home....
Our hearts still have hope to go back someday and adopt and even to serve.
This video lays out the truth and the impact of what is now happening to this beautiful countries children. I can't even explain what this does to my heart...the sadness the anger...but our hope is in the Lord. Please pray for Guatemala and it's children.
Throughout the months of waiting to bring EJ home we knew that the country was on the verge of what happened in December of 2007 and we knew there was a great possibility that we would not bring our daughter home....
Our hearts still have hope to go back someday and adopt and even to serve.
This video lays out the truth and the impact of what is now happening to this beautiful countries children. I can't even explain what this does to my heart...the sadness the anger...but our hope is in the Lord. Please pray for Guatemala and it's children.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Christmas Presents?
Go to our adoption blog for item details, but if you need any cool Christmas Presents there is still time to order. I will more than likely be placing my order on Thursday of this week. The Ugandan necklaces are AWESOME! Thanks, and God Bless!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Almost Done!
So I am almost done with my insane canning/freezing tour of duty; seriously whipped. I came upstairs from putting away everything we canned this weekend and I anounced to the hubby that I am a real geek because I just took pictures of the shelves and my freezer!
I am even more of a dork because I am now going to share them. :)
What I am hoping is that when things slow down a little, I can also start sharing recipes. Being a working Mom and even Moms who don't work life is crazy and it's nice to have easy recipes, and recipes that stretch.
Anyway, I am hoping to freeze pumpkin for the first time this year yet too.
On the shelves:
Tomato Juice, salsa, pickles, relish, pears, peaches, apple butter, and green beans.
In the freezer:
Pesto,Strawberries, pears, peaches(not in pic), apple sauce, corn, blueberries, and green beans (for soups and stews), strawberry, peach, and rhubarb jam.
I am even more of a dork because I am now going to share them. :)
What I am hoping is that when things slow down a little, I can also start sharing recipes. Being a working Mom and even Moms who don't work life is crazy and it's nice to have easy recipes, and recipes that stretch.
Anyway, I am hoping to freeze pumpkin for the first time this year yet too.
On the shelves:
Tomato Juice, salsa, pickles, relish, pears, peaches, apple butter, and green beans.
In the freezer:
Pesto,Strawberries, pears, peaches(not in pic), apple sauce, corn, blueberries, and green beans (for soups and stews), strawberry, peach, and rhubarb jam.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
1ST Day of Preschool
We switched EJ to a different preschool this year and I was a little nervous how she would do, but she did great! I cannot believe how much this girl has changed in a year. She makes us laugh all the time and is so fun. This is her new pose for pictures she likes to put her head up smile and look away from the camera. I am constantly telling her to look at me and smile...goofy girl. The last picture she is pointing out shiny Hello Kitty on her new sweatshirt Grandma surprised her with this morning.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Forever Family-2
This past weekend we celebrated Mo's 2 year forever family day (week). He kind of gets a week since I seem to have a hard time picking a day. Do I use the day I first held him or the day we were all together as a family. Doesn't really matter; what matters is we celebrated him.
He is just pure joy to our family. A perfect addition. He has come so far in two years, and I just cannot believe how fast they have flown. God's hand is on this child and he will be a great leader someday; I have no doubt.
We celebrated first thing in the morning with one of Mo's faves pancakes.
I was trying to capture the smile Mo had on his face below, but my ancient slow camera was only able to get this. :)
Showing Dad.
EJ helping out her brother. She really loves him and is very protective of him. It has been a beautiful thing to watch them bond. She's a little mother that is for sure.
He is just pure joy to our family. A perfect addition. He has come so far in two years, and I just cannot believe how fast they have flown. God's hand is on this child and he will be a great leader someday; I have no doubt.
We celebrated first thing in the morning with one of Mo's faves pancakes.
I was trying to capture the smile Mo had on his face below, but my ancient slow camera was only able to get this. :)
Showing Dad.
EJ helping out her brother. She really loves him and is very protective of him. It has been a beautiful thing to watch them bond. She's a little mother that is for sure.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Fair!
The County Fair has come and gone, and we packed it full of memories yet again. EJ was so excited when I told her it was time for the fair again. She literally has been talking about it since last year.
I will let the pics do most of the talking. Note the clothes. On Friday when we went it was almost 100 degrees real feel by the time we left at 11:30 and on Monday when we left the temperature was 57 degrees! Crazy! I will take the cooler weather over the heat any day!
So on Monday, per tradition, we met our friends for doughnuts first and foremost and the walking around next. We took the kids on literally two rides this year. The first, as pictured below, was the train. I had to ride with Mo and EJ sat beside a child she did not know; hence the chewing of her favorite puppy. Next, and I wish I had pictures, we went on the CRAZY BUS. Yes that's right folks, the crazy bus! It literally was CRAZY! Mr. Mo LOVED it! He laughed the entire time. EJ, well she cried the whole time; not kidding! She still says every so often to me that she is not going on that bus anymore. Poor sweetie.
I will let the pics do most of the talking. Note the clothes. On Friday when we went it was almost 100 degrees real feel by the time we left at 11:30 and on Monday when we left the temperature was 57 degrees! Crazy! I will take the cooler weather over the heat any day!
So on Monday, per tradition, we met our friends for doughnuts first and foremost and the walking around next. We took the kids on literally two rides this year. The first, as pictured below, was the train. I had to ride with Mo and EJ sat beside a child she did not know; hence the chewing of her favorite puppy. Next, and I wish I had pictures, we went on the CRAZY BUS. Yes that's right folks, the crazy bus! It literally was CRAZY! Mr. Mo LOVED it! He laughed the entire time. EJ, well she cried the whole time; not kidding! She still says every so often to me that she is not going on that bus anymore. Poor sweetie.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
I'm On the INSANE Tour!
That's right I am still on the insane "Carrie's Canning Tour" and am deliriously tired...but it's all worth it.
Before I get into that though...Have you thought about Christmas???? It's coming and over here on our Adoption BLOG I have some great stuff for you to get your loved ones. Gifts that give more than one, but 3 times... Check it out HERE.
So as I mentioned in the previous post we have been super busy canning and freezing, and for some reason this year I keep adding more. Last Friday my Mother and Grandmother graciously came over and helped me can 21 Quarts of peaches, and freeze 12 quart size bags with peaches too. (We love fruit smoothies in our house) Then between Saturday and Sunday the Hubby and I canned 64 pints of salsa. Yeah we eat a lot of salsa..... Canning it saves me tons of mula! Then last night I decided to try my hand at pickle relish with some free cucumbers my Grandma gave me. I have yet to taste it, but it sure looks good!
So what do the kids do while I am canning? They play in the dirty produce boxes...Cuties
Before I get into that though...Have you thought about Christmas???? It's coming and over here on our Adoption BLOG I have some great stuff for you to get your loved ones. Gifts that give more than one, but 3 times... Check it out HERE.
So as I mentioned in the previous post we have been super busy canning and freezing, and for some reason this year I keep adding more. Last Friday my Mother and Grandmother graciously came over and helped me can 21 Quarts of peaches, and freeze 12 quart size bags with peaches too. (We love fruit smoothies in our house) Then between Saturday and Sunday the Hubby and I canned 64 pints of salsa. Yeah we eat a lot of salsa..... Canning it saves me tons of mula! Then last night I decided to try my hand at pickle relish with some free cucumbers my Grandma gave me. I have yet to taste it, but it sure looks good!
So what do the kids do while I am canning? They play in the dirty produce boxes...Cuties
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Something Old, Blue, & New
Something Old....
Example: Not that long ago Mo tried to snatch the camera because he wants to play with it (naturally) and I still got a somewhat happy look out of him.
Then on Sunday the same thing happened; only he wasn't really happy. So this pic says for sure "Mom this is getting old!"
Something Blue....
My sweet precious PRINCESS EJ! EJ is very into princess all of a sudden, and she has a couple of her princess outfits on all at once...beautiful Guatemalan Princess
I am still trying to figure out where this girly side is coming from all of a sudden because she did not learn that from me... 4 SHUR!
Something New....
Pickles! Someone kindly gave us cucumbers grown for making pickles so I thought why not try canning pickles. Well, we liked them so much I have canned more the last 2 nights, and tried my hand at peach jam. YUMMO!
We are deep into the freezing/canning season right now so my nights and weekends are determined by fruits and veggies; OH BOY! It's so worth it though in the winter; really worth it. So far we have frozen blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, 2 bushel corn, and strawberry and peach jam. Right now I have a bushel and a half of peaches laying on my counter to be canned and frozen, then we move onto green beans, pears, apple sauce, tomato juice, and salsa! I think I may try apple butter this year too...
Anyway...here is a pic of my first 2 batches of pickles...aren't they pretty??? Yes, I love to look at the finished product and just beam at the prettiness of my own canned food...I think I must be getting old..... :)
Example: Not that long ago Mo tried to snatch the camera because he wants to play with it (naturally) and I still got a somewhat happy look out of him.
Then on Sunday the same thing happened; only he wasn't really happy. So this pic says for sure "Mom this is getting old!"
Something Blue....
My sweet precious PRINCESS EJ! EJ is very into princess all of a sudden, and she has a couple of her princess outfits on all at once...beautiful Guatemalan Princess
I am still trying to figure out where this girly side is coming from all of a sudden because she did not learn that from me... 4 SHUR!
Something New....
Pickles! Someone kindly gave us cucumbers grown for making pickles so I thought why not try canning pickles. Well, we liked them so much I have canned more the last 2 nights, and tried my hand at peach jam. YUMMO!
We are deep into the freezing/canning season right now so my nights and weekends are determined by fruits and veggies; OH BOY! It's so worth it though in the winter; really worth it. So far we have frozen blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, 2 bushel corn, and strawberry and peach jam. Right now I have a bushel and a half of peaches laying on my counter to be canned and frozen, then we move onto green beans, pears, apple sauce, tomato juice, and salsa! I think I may try apple butter this year too...
Anyway...here is a pic of my first 2 batches of pickles...aren't they pretty??? Yes, I love to look at the finished product and just beam at the prettiness of my own canned food...I think I must be getting old..... :)
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