Weekend activities

My college roommate and her husband and little boy visited us this weekend. We took them to a Braves game Saturday night and to Stone Mountain last night. This was Lucas' 1st game that he's been old enough to remember and enjoy and he had a great time. He really loves baseball and, although I may be biased just a bit, is quite better at it than your average 5 1/2 year old! His new role model is Jeff Francouer, and with Joshua 1:9 on his batting glove, I don't mind a bit.

The laser show at Stone Mountain was spectacular as always. The downside? The 50+thousand other people who decided to go see it as well. Plus all the extra tourist traps they've added to the park have taken away from the environment that it used to have. (that's a blog for another day)
The 3 hour wait for it to start was a bit much for the kids, but they were as good as you could expect them to be.

Now if I could just get them to sleep early tonight to make up for the late night we had yesterday!

When did I grow up?

Last Thursday marked 31 years of my existence. I can't say that I was too excited. Last year, I hit 30 with great fervor. But, 31....well, it seems I've gone over the edge and won't ever be back.

I think it hit me when I remembered a doctor's visit that took place over a year ago. I had been for a sore throat or something very minor and the doctor said, "Let me give you my over 30 tip sheet" I tossed it aside making mention that I was not even 30 yet. Anyway, on the sheet were things to eat, exercises to do, annual tests/exams to be done.....things that I never would have thought should begin at 30. So, is that when your body starts breaking down? When it says, "enough. I've been holding up this long and can't do it anymore?"

In my mind I don't feel 31. I don't feel any different than I did in college. I don't feel old enough to have 4 kids and have been married for 7 years. But I am.

31 isn't old. It isn't even close to 50 or 60 or 70 (not that 50 is old, or 60 either....but you have to start somewhere!). But for some reason, it's been a tough birthday to want to celebrate.

No, I'm not in a state of depression. Just taking a journey back and wondering when I grew up.

What A Day!

Today has been quite a day for celebrating!

This morning at church, we had Ellie's dedication service. She, as usual, was very much the charmer and even reached out for our pastor (who she knows very well) to hold her.

Lucas was baptized this morning also. He made the decision to ask Christ into his life sometime last year, but has just now wanted to do the baptism. Our church allows fathers (who have a relationship with Christ) to baptize their sons, so Kyle got to have that privelege! It was so neat to see Lucas making that decision. We have prayed that God would turn our children's hearts towards Him and He has been so faithful in that.

We came home after church and had Ellie's birthday party. My parents, Kyle's parents, Kyle's brother and sister-in-law, and some close friends of ours and their 3 month old were here. Whew. I needed a bigger house.....bigger kitchen at least. I had to put Ellie in the bed for a nap while we were eating and then woke her up for presents/cake. She was NOT very happy about it, so we kinda rushed through it all. She loved the cake and wasn't hesitant at all. Even screamed when it was all gone because she wanted more! Little Miss Piggy!

Finally, Jacob has been tee-tee in the potty 3 times in a row now. Last night, this morning, and again at church. I got fed up yesterday and drew a line in the sand. I told him diapers were going in the trash and he could only wear one at night - that he could go all over the floor as long as he wanted to, but that he would be cleaning it up and changing himself. I'm not sure if that's what did it or not, but words cannot express how happy I am at this moment. I'm holding my breath to see if it continues, but we're definitely NOT going back to diapers!

What a day!

Happy 1st Birthday Eliana!

Since we've had blogs in 3 different places, we're in the process of combining them. Please bare with us as they'll probably be all out of order and not very pretty!

Today is (almost was since it's almost midnight!) Ellie's 1st birthday. Time has gone so fast. It literally seems like only a month ago that we brought her home. I thank God for leading us to our agency (For This Child), guiding our process quickly, and giving us such an angel baby (well, an angel most of the time!)

Eliana Elisabeth (born Daniela Desire) was hand picked by God for our family. I can't help but think of the sacrifice her birthmother made a year ago. How her heart must have been breaking to know that she would probably never see this child again. How much she has probably prayed that this child would be loved beyond measure. I wonder if she has thought about her today, if she remembers. But, how could she forget?

Ellie has gone through today just like any other day. I'm sure she remembers no one else except our family since she wasn't even 3 months old when I traveled to Guatemala to be with her. She doesn't know that thousands of miles away there is a woman who gave the most selfless sacrifice - her baby girl - for the love of her child. I hope that one day Ellie can grasp the concept. Being an adoptee myself, I know the questions and emotions that come with trying to sort through it all. But, I pray everyday that God gives us wisdom and words to tell her story in a way that brings Him glory.

DATE: 06/06/2006 03:17:05 PM
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Well, we made it back from Michigan Sunday night. After driving 1600 miles round trip (side trips included), I think I'll be ok with never getting back in the van with my kids again. The boys did ok. Noah said maybe 5 words the entire 2 day trip up and 2 day trip back home. Lucas got a little ansy, but that's to be expected. Jacob had one 'moment" that passed quickly.

Ellie, however.........well what can be said. We spent a large majority of the trip with the windows down to muffle the sound of her ear piercing shrieks and screams. Here's a tiny (emphasis on the word TINY) sampling of what we experienced for the part of our trip that required being in the van.

http://www.clipshack.com/Clip.aspx?key=C32DF66AD94635AE

(let me know if that works!)

And, yes, she is turned around front facing and no, she doesn't way 20 pounds and isn't a year old yet, but we were desperate to try anything!

We realized after renting a bike for Lucas to ride for the week that he had no experience riding up and down hills. His bike riding has been limited to riding in circles around our very flat cul-de-sac. He did, however, conquer his fear of riding down a very steep hill before the end of the week. The first day he tried it alone, he kept he brakes on and was barely moving. We could see his lips moving, though, and questioned him on what he was saying. He told us he was saying to himself "God gives me bravery, not fear." Words can't express the feeling of seeing the fruit from lessons that you've been fiercely trying to instill in your children.

We had a great time. The kids were exhausted when we got home as were Kyle and I, but we wouldn't trade the week for anything. There's something to be said for spending a week away from TV, cell phones, radio, computers, and just being with your family and listening to God. And God did teach us quite a bit. Maybe more on that at a later date. Right now, I'm still trying to unpack suitcases!

Here are a couple of pics from the week....

Lucas conquering his fear


The boys in the lake


Ellie in the lake

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DATE: 06/06/2006 02:49:44 PM

A few weeks ago, the hospital Kyle works for had their annual fundraising ball. He was required to go and I got to tag along as the "dutiful spouse." It wasn't our kind of thing AT ALL, but it was fun to get dressed up for the first time since we were married, I think! Here's a pic of the 2 of us.......this is as good as we get I suppose.


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DATE: 05/05/2006 08:15:59 PM
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BODY:
The past 2 nights, all 4 children have slept all night. That hasn't happened in.....let's see about 5 1/2 years. Praise God for sleep!
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