Mother's Day 2013

So thankful for the two who call me Mommy and the great privilege it is to spend each day with the...laughing, hugging, teaching, praying with them, encouraging them and helping them to be THE BEST!!!!

Thankful Mom spent Mother's Day with us!

Pre-School Graduation Day 2013

Our Pre-School Graduate, she's blossomed in so many ways this year!

So thankful H has had this year to learn of School, going two mornings a week!

I couldn't do anymore, K5 will definitely be an adjustment for all of us.

Good friends from homes where parents love Jesus!

One of H's dearest friends since birth!

Ms. S & Ms. R have been a true blessing in HVN's life. H loves deeply so its hard to move on from your very first teacher's other than Mommy.

Aunt Jane and the girls!

 

MaMa, my mom.

G-pa & Mammy, my dad and his wife.

Papa & GG. Rick's parents!

HVN's Pre-School Graduation 2013

 "Miss Neatness"   "Sweetest Spirit Award"   "Excellence in Writing, Music & Seatwork"

What a Gem.....

I'm not a mom who ask "Where did the time go?" I know as I've been here with her every step of the way, never choosing daycare. However, we chose two mornings a week of pre-k this year to encourage HVN in her abilities. My shy girl went in not speaking a word to anyone (as it made her tummy tickle) by November she was raising her hand, participating and going to the board to answer questions. It served the very purpose we prayed and set out for.

She's now learned to read and is on Abeka Book 4 for reading. We are beyond proud of her as she loves to learn.

So I can say. I know where the time went. It went by doing family activities, dinners together, play dates, MOPS, days at the park, reading to one another and library trips, cuddling rain, snow, sleet or shine. Our time was spent serving others by making cards, providing meals, visits to shut-ins and teaching my children to do life.

Our days at home were spent doing creative play, enjoying our yard, planting flowers, having friends over, making cookies and cakes to share, doing crafts, giggling, learning Bible verses, singing, dancing and on and on it goes.

I'm a blessed mom to have been able to work from home and still spend the days with my children.

I am forever indebted to the Lord for the great gift of Motherhood and all its brought to my life.

 

HVN was in a preschool of like faith and had precious teachers in Ms. R and Ms. S. She will miss them but I assured her we could still collect box tops for them and surprise them with a visit once in a while. That made her smile.

 



"You gave Life to Me"

This time of the year makes me reflect on so many details of my girls stories, but especially their birth Mother's...for "you gave life to them!" There are days I would love to hug you both, have coffee and tell you how precious and perfect "OUR" girls are!

This song reminds me of you, makes me honor you and forever hold you in high regard...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhqJYOYcnAU

 

 

Now that the girls are busier than ever its harder to keep this up but I'm committed to doing it at least a couple times a month.

 

Its hard to believe I signed a contract today for HVN's school, Kindergarten here we come. I have researched, visited, cried, talk to moms of all schooling options, cried more and still can't believe its time for school. I've told HVN the last almost five years at home with her and E have been the best time of my life, literally love being home with them. If I could keep them small and protected from the world I would. However, we know God's plan is for them to grow physically and in the Knowledge of Him. I pray they also grow in Wisdom and honor Him.

HVN is 40 lbs, size 5 and Girly through and through. She loves to dance and be pursued by Daddy but Im her favorite snuggle bug. She loves pink, dresses, princesses, reading to her sister and writing.

Her favorite foods are pizza, anything CHOCLATE and pancakes!

Her sweetest feature is that she loves deeply and each day has a hearts desire for us to do everything as a family. She hates to see anyone leave the house without us all together. I love that about her.

 

E is a fun little Firecracker. She never stops moving. I still have a couple years with E at home as she has a late birthday. E loves whatever we do...but her favorite thing is playing outside, climbing and copy catting her sister. She loves HVN and wants to do everything HVN does. When HVN is at school E plays alone well in her kitchen or doing puzzles.

She is 34 lbs in a size 4. She loves milk and whatever food we give her. She's not picky and will try anything. Her favorites are Chicken, fruit, cookies and carrots.

E has a great attitude on life, loves people and doesn't meet a stranger. She'll tell anyone about our day, home and what I talked on the phone about. Scary, but very TRUE.

I love that she is so positive, sweet spirited and welcoming, She shouldn't be with her past but God has healed her heart! We are grateful!

 

So, to you special Birth Moms...I love you and am so grateful for your Choice of Life for "Our" girls. I am so BLESSED by you in ways that can only be seen in our girls!

THANK YOU!

 

 



Sweet Peace

Have I shared with the world how precious my babies are? How special? How tender their hearts are?

Well, they are and I'm in love with them!!!

Today is a day we have prayed for. We've prayed for our response and for the girls hearts to be at peace.

Tonight, after our Bible story and God making us a family H ask: "Why did the woman who carried me in her belly give me to Mommy & Daddy?"

I'm thankful that I was not shocked, I did swallow a couple times to hold back my own tears. However, I shared the following:

"H, you are loved by an Almighty God, by the birth mother who carried you, by Mommy and Daddy and all who know you. It's that love that makes us a family.

There are all kinds of reasons why a woman decides she cannot be a parent to her baby. Your birth mother loved you so much to make the best plan for you and give you a family who could love and care for you. I am forever grateful to her for choosing life for you and choosing Mommy and Daddy as your parents. If you ever have any questions about her or adoption you can always ask Mommy and Daddy."

Now I ask that our friends pray for her peace. She's a very sharp 4 year old. She doesn't forget directions, people, events, statements, she recalls details from 2+ years ago, she loves deeply and hurts deeply when others hurt. Her heart is precious and sensitive to things of the Lord.

Please pray that our answer provides her with peace and gratefulness in who God has made her to be.

THANK YOU!

 

 

Easter Egg Hunt 2013

Each year our Pastor's Wife (Miss Dudy or Judy for adults) hosts an Easter Egg hunt for our staff kids. My girls love it and look forward to her different guest of honor. This year it was "Tiny" the bunny. She was anything but tiny.

The girls have so much fun with their friends here, some of those friends are more like siblings. Hunter is with Hope in the first picture, they've been best buds since they were babies. They don't recall life without one another.

We love this time of year. I especially have enjoyed watching my girls go through the Resurrection eggs a couple times a day retelling the story of the cross as they've learned it.

I pray their hearts are drawn to Jesus at an early age!

Happy Easter 2013