Sweet Life in the City

We moved into this brand new house in February of 2007. It was such a neat idea that we were the very first family to move into this house. Samuel was only 2 years old and it was perfect for our family of 3. We had also decided that we would be starting the adoption process again shortly after we got settled, so it was exciting to plan for the future of our growing family. We moved in on a cold February 1st and we had friends and youth group kids help transport our stuff in several loads to and from our houses. By the end of the night it had started to snow and we woke up the next morning to a blanket of fresh snow on the ground. Later that month we sat at our kitchen table making plans and filling out paperwork to adopt a little girl from Guatemala. We would later change our mind and proceed to adopt from Korea, but I believe that love that was planted in my heart for Guatemala only made my connection with Karlita and the other girls so strong. It was in this house that I experienced ...

I have actually been too exhausted to blog the past few days and I have not taken one single picture. Friday I did a bunch of packing in the morning but I was getting overwhelmed with all the boxes and clutter packing up was causing in my house. If you have been to my house clutter does not exist. It drives me crazy! Anyway, Friday afternoon I took the kids to see the new Ice Age movie. It was super cute and it gave me a few hours to just relax while they enjoyed their selves. Saturday I woke up to see a black marker mark on the wall in the living room. I knew whoever did it was an accident, but nobody would admit to it. I got it mostly off, but while I was vacuuming I noticed two spots on the carpet. Once again "Not Me" was the answer from all three kids. I interrogated each child together and then separately. Samuel and Emma break pretty easily when it comes to thing like this but they both were insistent that they did not do it. Chloe was holding her ground pretty good, bu...

We had originally planned to leave last Sunday for Memphis, but we decided to go on to Memphis on Saturday. We stayed with my cousins Saturday and Sunday night. We usually see this side of the family at Labor Day, but we got to see spend this past weekend with them and we had so much fun! We were able to go to church with them on Sunday and then spent some time swimming Sunday afternoon. Momday we headed to downtown Memphis to attend a few days of the FWB National Convention. We only stayed two days, but it was great to see so many people that we have known through the years. It was also great to see some that have made such an impact on our lives. It was a great boost as we are drawing closer to our move. We got back Tuesday afternoon and then we had TWO showings Tuesday night of our house. We have several that were wanting to pursue buying the house but are not able to get financing at this time:( There are a few options of letting someone lease to own our house, so I think we are go...

We have gotten into a habit around our house. It is called being lazy! It has been raining or cloudy every morning this week and the kids and us have slept in every morning. Jeremy has gotten up when the kids woke up and I have slept until 9:30 most mornings. It has been nice, but it has set tone for the rest of the day. I have then been taking a 2 hour nap every day and staying up until 12 or 1 am and then the cycle starts again. I think I am ready for a life of routine again. I know in a few months I will be wanting a break again, but I am ready to be working. I did get a few things packed the past few days. I got all of my Grandma's China and other precious breakables packed up. I miss her so much! It added a lot of emotions to my packing. I am hoping in the near future I can get a small china cabinet to display her things. Other than packing we have just stayed in during the day. The kids have gone to VBS all week and last night I had about three hours completely by myself:) Th...

2 " Do not conform  to the pattern of this world,  but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing  and perfect will." Romans 12:2 This verse in Romans has been my verse for the past few days. It is amazing the thoughts that go through your mind every second! I know that my worrying and anxiety about the future starts in the things I think might happen. The planner in me wants to think everything out and get the plan set, but in this case I have to turn over the plans to the only One that knows what is in store for us. I spoke with the dad from that nanny position. They really, really liked me (in his words:) so I am planning on working August 3rd to make sure it is a position that I want to do. I am pretty confident that is where I will be working this year. We are finally getting a good amount of rain. It started to rain last night and has continued to rain on and off since. We were in desper...

" In October 2006, she felt her body got changed and she took a test to confirm her pregnancy and she told him (the birth father). Time went by not knowing of what to do as the two were too young. One day they had a quarrel over a trivial thing and soon she tried to call him but he did not answer. A few days after, she was cut off from him. She searched for him through a friend. But she could not find him. In the meantime her sister noticed that she got bigger and took her to the hospital. They confirmed that she was 7 months along. She entered a shelter for unmarried mothers to get help. And she delivered this child later." When we received Sam and Emma's information about the days leading up to their birth I was not as emotionally attached to the words printed on the referral papers. I guess the connection with the birth mother was already there because of Samuel, but reading her account of being pregnant with Chloe broke my heart. You can read through her words that sh...

Tonight we had our last birthday party in this house. My living room was full of those who have loved us and have been the closest to us these past 8 years. My BABY girl is turning 5 tomorrow. It has been an emotional night. I held it together during the party, even when those around me where letting the tears fall, but as my house is getting quiet the emotions are building up. I will, however, share that for another night. Chloe told me a few months ago that she wanted an owl party. I did not know that she liked owls, but that is what she wanted. Since I love owls I was excited to do her party in owls. The problem, I could not find any owl birthday stuff. A few weeks ago when I was in IL I found some owls plates, balloons, and napkins at a party store. A few days ago I found the cutest owl stuff at Wal-Mart. I tool one of the napkins to a friend that owns a bakery in town and she made the cake. The cake was adorable and beyond what I thought it would be. I made BBQ and just had chips ...