Giveaways!

I'm a little late with the information, but that seems pretty typical for me. So if you are ready to win some fun stuff for that special Christmas gift take a look at this great blog and all of the giveaways she has in store.  Hope we win!

Who is that?

That, little sister, is baby Jesus and the reason for the season! There isn't a black Friday sale that could compete with the excitement I'm experiencing around our house today. What a joy it is to explain for the first time why we really celebrate Christmas. Having all of my kids at home, helping to decorate for the greatest day of the year. It doesn't get much better than that!
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Spirit of Thanksgiving

If you frequently stop by my blog you will notice some changes.  I wanted to add our family photo, but the other background just didn't look well with it,  so I hope you like the look.  If not, stick around and if you know me very well, you know it probably won't last too long!  You may also notice the new song I added today.  Take a minute and really listen to the words and cherish the thought that HE is the one we can praise through the storms of life. 

Why on Earth would I add such a song when it is Thanksgiving?  I have come to realize that being thankful often takes work and effort.  The work and effort that are sometimes hard and take thought.  As Christians living in America, we are blessed beyond measure and want to be thankful, but when the storms of life come, thankfulness is easier said than done.  That's where we have to make a choice.  Are we going to let the storms of life steal our joy and thankfulness or are we going to praise HIM through the storm.

The storm clouds have moved our way recently, but I am CHOOSING to praise my heavenly Father, my refuge and strength, my very great reward.  He is MY miracle-working God and the ONE in whom I place my trust.  He is the reason I can celebrate Thanksgiving no matter what circumstances ever come my way.  I hope and pray you too will CHOOSE to be thankful, no matter what is happening around you.

These are some of the things that help me make the choice to be thankful:

A precious four year old, singing Jesus Loves Me...funny how she forgot the words and needed my help with, "they are weak, but He is strong." Yes, those were the words I needed to remember!

A beautiful, fun spirited, eleven year old who plays with her little sister when I am too tired!

Son's who love their momma even though they may not always show it,

and care enough about their little sister to make her feel special.

A husband that ADORES his family and places each of our interests before his own.

Then there are the words of encouragement from faithful friends and family that 

brighten my day at just the right moment.

Such moments can not be captured by a photo, but will forever be captured in the memory of my heart.  You are the ones that help me remember that no matter how hard the storm rages, 

I have more to be thankful for than any storm could ever blow away!

Praising Him for His promises!

"I have loved you with an everlasting love...This is what the Lord says:
"Restrain your voice from weeping
and your eyes from tears,
for your work will be rewarded,"
declares the Lord.
"They will return from the land of the enemy.
So there is hope for your future,"
declares the Lord.
"Your children will return to their own land. (Jeremiah 31:3,16-17)

Thank you Jesus that I
can cling to
YOUR word!

As a parent, I try to be careful what I say on my blog so as to keep some privacy, especially for my grown children. I can tell you though that the enemy is very much alive and trying to ruin what we have worked so hard to build into our families. However, my God is so much more powerful than any enemy and I am choosing to listen to His word! Would you please join me in praying that His word would be the words we hear and that we won't believe the lies of the enemy?
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

What will $500 buy?

At this time of year we all  start thinking about the many things we need to spend money on and the list seems to go on and on.  I know I could certainly use and extra $500 right now!  

More than that though, I can help bring another orphan home. 

 Please take a moment before 3:30 CST today and look at the blog of this wonderful family at 

One More Ladybug 

as they try to raise the funds to bring home this sweet little angel.  Not only could you win a $500  Walmart gift card to be delivered before Black Friday, but you could help a precious family give an orphan a forever home. So what are you waiting for, click on the link above and be blessed!

A birthday to remember

After having our post placement visit for our adoption and then "China school" we came 

home to a great time of family, friends, and birthday celebrations.  

You see, every since Lia came home, she has wanted to have a birthday party and be a Princess.  Tia had a birthday celebration a few weeks ago and Lia wanted to know when her birthday was.  She has never really had a birthday, more than just the cake and stuffed animal that we sent her last year.  I explained that my birthday was next, but I couldn't imagine her having to watch one more birthday celebration that wasn't for her.  So, considering the fact that I REALLY didn't want to draw too much attention to my birthday, and that is all she has dreamed of, I decided that we would just party together and that is just what we did! 

We had a Princess cake and cupcakes with plenty to spare!

There were 5 candles for her to blow out

and I didn't have to get out the fire extinquisher for all of mine!

We  had balloons in her favorite colors-

PINK and PURPLE

and lots of little Princesses to share our party

 

and a special gift that Daddy picked out just for his little Princess

which is of course where we spent the afternoon today;

riding the jeep in the beautiful fall leaves

 

While putting her to bed last night David asked her if she liked her jeep.  

She said yes, and asked,  "Why you bought it for me?"  In all his daddy wisdom

he told her we wanted her to have it for her special birthday.  

She said, "Why? Because I'm being good?" 

No, it's just because we love you and 

there are no conditions attached.  

Kinda a hard concept for a little girl.

Reminds me of the Love my Heavenly Father has for us.  

We may not be good, and I know I am NOT deserving, but He

LOVES me anyway and pours out His gifts to me.

Most of those gifts look like this:

  While we had Tia's friend over to visit I let her snap a few

family photos with all seven of us in the beautiful fall leaves 

while I actually had everyone at home. 

It may not be professional, but she is only 10 and I think she 

did a pretty good job.

So that, my friends, is hopefully a birthday celebration she will remember, 

and times that I will always cherish.

Orphan Sunday

 Please take just a minute and watch this great video in honor of Orphan Sunday.  Don't forget to turn off the great new song, "What if God's People Prayed," by Casting Crowns at the bottom of the page. 

Then turn the song back up, nice and loud, and tell me what you think! 


Why Love Orphans? from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.




 Why Love Orphans? from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.