"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.