"These are the Moments" Mondays

The laundry is piled high.

The dishes are covering every inch of our counter space.

Titus is sleeping in our master bathroom.

We can't seem to conquer actually going to bed at bedtime. (at least our kids)

I'm exhausted, but I really should be tackling something, anything really, off my never ending to do list.

I haven't figured out the ideal morning schedule that gets us joyfully out the door with hair done, teeth brushed, and Scripture read....without the phrase. "We are going to be late..."

I'm overwhelmed with cupcake orders and trying to still cook healthy budget friendly meals for my family. Did I mention the dishes?

People don't understand how we would consider another child at our current income level.

These are the moments.... I doubt.

Satan has found a whisper that becomes a refrain when I'm at the end of myself.

Lord, can we really do this? Can I manage one more little person's needs?

Today I'm barely managing adjusting to Grace & Faith's new school schedule...DOUBT.

Fund raising ideas began but wait unfinished...DOUBT.

Waiting for our house to sell...DOUBT.

Trying to keep Titus from becoming a regular on the poison control hotline...DOUBT.

Trying not to leave my husband with what is leftover of me at the end of the day...DOUBT.

And yet when I read the Word and listen to the whisper of another who is much greater I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is what God has called us to. I pray for our child. I wait for our child. And if it takes dishes & laundry piled high, if it takes time for our house to sell and the funds to come, if I have to give up more of myself than ever before than that is a sacrifice worth making. Because when I stop and think about a child who needs a family I know that for a child somewhere we are that family.

These are the moments... I know that God is in this adoption and He will make a way when there seems to be no way.

Titus' "Big Boy" Crib

The girls recently broke the window in their room- AGH! So, we decided it was time for Faith's bed to be moved away from their windows. In order for that to happen we really needed the crib out of their room. Since we are still uncertain when we want to put Titus in with them (we are holding out as long as we possibly can) we decided to see if the crib would fit in the bathroom. It surprising did so Titus finally got to sleep in a real bed. (20 months thats not too late, right?) We aren't sure how long he will make it in a crib either since Grace was already in a bed at this point but by our third child we have learned to leave him there as long as possible. So, until he climbs out he staying put in his "room" in his new crib. He was less than thrilled with the transition, but adjusted quickly.

I love how his eyes totally capture how uncertain he feels about his new bed.
And now we won't have to lie to him someday and tell him of course he slept in the super special family heir loom crib that Grandpa Rick designed and built out of wood from Great Grandpa Don & Grandma Kay's walnut grove. We can confidently say, "Remember, when you slept in it in the BATHROOM, how can you forget that?" ;)

Birthday Camping

One of Faith's requests for her birthday was to go camping again. Since her and Wyatt both have October birthdays we thought a camping outing would be a great way to celebrate together. We ended up opting for back yard camping since Micah (4 months) is still a bit little for the real deal. It was a lot of fun and the weather was amazingly warm.

We made hot dogs over the fire and took advantage of a having an oven close and made cheesey potatoes.
Our set up. Paul & Karen have a lot behind their garage so we had lots of space.

Karen's creative "cake" for blowing out candles.

Faith opening her gift. The flashlight got used immediately.

Titus eating a smore with daddy, marshmallow was everywhere.

All the kids went to bed at a somewhat decent hour and even made it all night in their tents. I woke up with a migraine and was thankful to be able to crawl into the house and sleep it off on the couch. But, by morning I was feeling much better and everyone was excited to enjoy doughnuts (another birthday tradition). Happy Birthday Wyatt and Faith. Welcome to the world of age four.

A Visit to Pop-o & Mom-o

One of the biggest challenges of Grace going to school has been adjusting our social calendar. We did a lot of fun stuff during the week and that no longer works. Grace hates when she misses out. So I'm trying to find a balance between us staying at home 24/7 and her dreading going to school. One of the things we have been wanting to do is a visit to see Pop-o and Mom-o (my grandparents). Grace had a day off for teacher work day so we thought that was the perfect day to go and the weather was very cooperative. It was a gorgeous day. So, we had to start our day at the park.

Only in Bowen can you play at the park and watch the activity at the local grain elevator.
Titus played for awhile but couldn't help going back to the van to "drive."


Faith loved the super tall slide. Grace, however, is afraid of heights and wouldn't go near it.
Love this pic of Titus.
After the park we went back to Popo and Momo's house. My aunt and I worked on getting out their fall decorations. While we were busy with this project Titus managed to find a tray full of grease on the counter and pulled it off flinging grease all over himself and the floor. Yuck, what a mess! I had brought lunch in the crock pot and Aunt Di Di brought yummy treats and apples with carmel dip. We had a great visit over lunch. The kids enjoyed playing, watching PBS, and "cooking." They love to drag out dishes and utensils and cook all sorts of food for tasting. The only thing that would have made the day better is if Kara and the girls could have come. We miss meeting up with them at Popo & Momo's for play dates.
I am so thankful for a day off of school to spend with all three of my kiddos and family.