Just plain "cool"!

Not much spiritual food here today...just had to share this pic...Last weekend we went to the Indy Air Show. It was hot, humid and a muddy mess. BUT, one thing is for sure...there is something really cool about having the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly right over your head! The amount of power/speed these jets have is amazing!! Not to mention the abilities of the pilots!! Good show guys!

Lessons Never-Ceasing

One of the things that I love about being a parent is the way that God uses my children to constantly mold ME...as I seek to raise godly children, the Lord uses my children over and over again to TEACH ME lessons of unconditional love, forgiveness/grace, patience, persistence, discipline (the list goes on and on). I am constantly humbled and reminded of my dependence on my heavenly Father to give me wisdom and guidance and encouragement each day.

At times I feel overwhelmed at the "vision" of the mother I want to be (and reazlize how far I have to go!)...and frustrated at the mistakes I continually make with my kids. I pray that the Lord uses all of my parenting successes AND failures to mold each of my children into joyful, loving, dedicated servants for His kingdom...with a passion for the Lord that exceeds even my own....oh, how that is my heart's desire!!

OH......and the pictures????
Ha!
I came across the top one (of Brock and Erica) recently and laughed at those mohawks!! So this morning I tried to "mohawk" Micah's hair to get a similar picture....and realized that today's LESSON might just be this: curly hair does not mohawk as high!!! I love those curls...and those sweet sweet smiles!!!

"PROUD" to be called a "copy cat"

Monday in my office, I had a mom tell me that she was sure she had seen my kids at the Children's Musuem a couple of weeks ago. I told her that we were there a couple of weeks ago, and I was there too, and that I was sorry I did not see her. She asked if my son was wearing a Colt's jersey, and I confirmed it...then she said this: "Your son was being so sweet to your daughter. They were in the Science Works exhibit and he was helping her do something. I was thinking that I hope my kids treat each other like that when they get older."

Well, as any good mom of 9 and 12 year old siblings would do...I (in a fairly surprised tone) said "REALLY??" And she went on to give me some more details. Well, my heart was about to bust with joy and pride...then I remembered Stacy's post from a couple of days ago...and the post that she referred to on the "Three for Thee" blog. So, I decided to make a purposeful change myself. That evening when I was telling Brock and Erica about what this sweet woman had said about them, I made a real point to discuss how proud God must have been of them, and how glad I was to see them treating each other the way the Lord desires them to...that I was so happy to hear how they were being obedient to the Lord in their actions toward one another.

If you haven't checked out those 2 posts, you really should. As a (often very proud) parent, it has given me lots of food for thought...and motivation for change.


Striving each day (and thankful for other "striving moms", too!!),
Michelle

Catching up--Part 3: Done with that plan!

Ok...I confess....I do not want to play "catch-up" any longer.

I started to post about our weekend in "Amish-land"...and I how I yearn for the Amish lifestyle.
Nope.
Then I started to post about Grandma's birthday...and how I need to be more faithful about visiting her in the nursing home.
Nope.
Then I was going to post about the Third Day concert...and how their music seems to bring me into the presence of the Lord (second only to Rich Mullins' music)...and what a blessing to go with three girlfriends on a moment's notice.
Nope.

I think the problem is...I don't want to play catch up anymore. So, I won't. Who wants to live in the past, right???

So, fresh start...but not tonight. After all that waffling back and forth, I am tired. If you are looking for a good read, may I suggest checking out my sweet friend, Stacy's, blog....they have been posting some great stuff lately (as usual)...the link is right over there to the right!

Tomorrow...something "current"....

Catching up--Part 2: The County Fair

At this rate...I may never get "caught up"!! =)
The County 4-H Fair followed right on the heels of Stacy's visit! This was the first year for both Brock and Erica to be in 4-H!

Brock completed a self-determined project. He chose to do a "farm scene" and did a GREAT job!!! He loves to carpet farm in his room and all over the house...so he chose to make a project out of that. He did a little research on some of the John Deere equipment that he had, and make a "life-like" scene of a farm during harvest! He worked hard, and was proud of the final result (and we were proud of him!)

Erica did cake decorating and goats. Her cake turned out very cute, and she learned of neat cake decorating techniques in the process. She has become the family cake decorator. She also showed the 2 goats (Patches and Tin Can) that she has been taking care of for the past several months. This was her first time in "the show ring"...but, she was so calm and did an awesome job!

It was fun for the kids to "show" during the fair...but the real fun for us, as parents, was watching them learn some new things and work hard to do their "personal best". I was hesitant about adding to the commitments of summer (and still have some other reservations about the whole 4-H scene), but I am very thankful for how this first year of 4-H turned out for both of them.

Oh, and by the way, Micah had a blast at the fair getting to meet everyone!! So fun!!

Catching up-- Part 1: Special visitors from "the West"!!

I have some serious "catching up" to do...and I want to start right here!!!

Mid-july (oh my, has it really been that long ago???) our family was SO blessed to have Stacy and her family visit our home for a whole week!! We first met Stacy and Mark just over a year ago, when we traveled to Guatemala for our first trip to see Isaac. Stacy and I had chatted on line and on the phone a couple of times...but when I first met her face to face in Houston on our way to Guatemala...I just loved her instantly! Our friendship has grown (obviously) over the past year...and I am so blessed to count Stacy as one of my dearest friends!!!

It seemed crazy to some, to think that they would fly all the way across the country to stay a week with people they had only seen face to face for a handful of hours in a foreign country (or for us to host them, for that matter) BUT, I am forever grateful at their willingness to come and stay with us, eat, hang out with us, eat, meet our friends and family, eat, play games, and eat. The week was an amazing blessing to me (and my family), and my heart was so heavy when they left!

If you have never visited Stacy's blog, go NOW! Each time I visit...I am encouraged, challenged, enlightened or entertained!!

Stacy, you are a great blessing to me and my family! Through our rough adoption journey, you held my arms up when I couldn't any longer...and you gave me sips of cold water when the marathon was getting so long!! I have come to love and respect you so much...as a friend, a wife, a mother, a keeper-of-the-house...and above all, as a child of God, striving to serve Him faithfully in all you do!!! God has blessed my life in an amazing way through the gift of your friendship!

A sweet blessing!

I am overdue for an update on Micah...so, here goes!
Micah continues to adjust so well, although I almost feel funny saying that, because really he just seemed "adjusted" from the beginning. We are loving the whole scene...diapers, bottles, stroller, carseat, babyproofing, laughing at just about anything cute he does...really, it has been such a joy so far! The biggest adjustment has been figuring out when mama is supposed to find computer time (obviously I am still sorting that one out)!

Our sweet Micah has even managed to make it to the Chilren's Museum (like the glasses a friend found in the gift shop?? he will not appreciate this pic when he is 16, will he??) and a movie...and both were super enjoyable...OK, confession, I picked a movie time that I was certain I could get him asleep in...and it worked like a charm!

Brock and Erica continued to be captivated by their new baby brother...earlier today we just all sat on the couch cuddling him and laughing at all his expressions!

New developments in the past week: He has learned to get from his tummy to sitting and back to his tummy again, he is REALLY finding his voice, he has definitely learned what the word "no" means, and he is self-feeding some finger foods! It has been a big week, for sure!!

OK... I have probably gone on too much already....

We continue to marvel at the path and circumstances that God used to bring Micah into our lives, into our family!! Although the journey was long, we are so filled with joy at where God's road has brought us!!

Invisible post??

Yesterday I posted on "the first day of school"....but it is not showing up on my computer....yet, I have one comment on it??? Can anyone see it? Can you see this?? Go figure....I "get back to blogging" and I have a tech. problem!

First Day of School!!

We can't remember which started first..."First Day of School Cake" or "Last Day of School Cake"!! But, it really makes no difference...both are firmly established in our household!! The kids know that when they get home, there will be yummy cake (Cheerios for Micah this year) and a mom who is very anxious to eat it with them while we chat about the day. This year was no exception...the first day of school, with all its ups and downs, has passed....and soon we will slip into the routine again!

I pray that Brock and Erica will show Christ's love to their classmates and their peers, that they will make wise choices, that they will recognize and resist every one of Satan's tricks, that they will grow Christlike maturity and that they will be willing (and wanting) to stand out from their peers as they stand firm in their faith.

In our morning devotion, we talked this morning about choices...about the many choices, both big and small, that await them throughout this year. We read part of Joshua 24...including verse 15...and they were reminded that many of their peers may choose this year to follow "little g gods"...but as for our house, we will serve the LORD!!

Back to blogging....really???

I cannot believe what a blog-slacker I have been! And I cannot believe that some of you are still so faithful to check in each day, even though so many "post-less" days have passed!!

Tomorrow is the first day of school for Brock and Erica...so I plan to post about that.
Then...an update on Micah (who is doing GREAT!! by the way)
Then...I have a series of "catching up" posts to share...

There certainly has been no shortage of things to post about...but a definite shortage of time and motivation to do it.

Please don't give up on this blog yet...!!!!! =)

What joy!!

Just a few more pictures, as promised...Even as I look at these pictures, I am in awe of how the Lord has blessed our family..."Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your many mercies!!"

For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD;
I sing for joy at the works of you hands.
Psalm 92:4

"How are things going with Micah??"

I think this is question we have been asked most frequently in the last 2 weeks....well, things are going great...like...

• Happy boy!! He smiles and laughs so much (especially at big brother and big sister). He seems so content, and for that we are very thankful! I have to give glory to God for this (and huge thanks to Chad, too!) ...while we were waiting for Micah to come home, Chad CONSISTENTLY prayed for Micah's little heart to be prepared to become part of our family. While I was busy praying for timing (mostly "please, Lord, let it be soon"!!) Chad seemed more focused on praying for everyone's transition...and the Lord has answered his prayers in a mighty way! The "transition" has gone very smoothly!

• Good sleeper!! I am not kidding...he has slept through the night (9:30 pm to 7:30-8:00-ish am) every single night and is pretty good about his naps, too. Maybe Chad was busy praying for this, too?????
  

• Social butterfly!! Micah has adjusted very well to meeting our family and friends. He enjoyed his time at the county 4-H fair last week, meeting lots of new people. He has been learning to wave "hi" ...and passes out lots and lots of smiles!

I could go on and on...we are having a great time meshing Micah into our family. We are so thankful for the Lord's hand in all of this...and all praise goes to Him alone!

I will post more pictures in the next day or two...promise!!

OK.....We are back to blogging!!!

Yikes! What happened?? It is like we fell off the face of the earth!?!?! (or have been super busy??) Thank you for checking in...and I promise to get back to the blogging scene! Here are some things that I need to blog about SOON (so check back in, would ya'??)

- Update on Micah (he is doing so well...and I will post pics, of course!)
-Special visitors! (Stacy and her family came all the way from Washington state for a week!!)
-The fair! (fair week is wrapping up...and I have the report and pictures of B & E with their projuects!!)

So....I will get busy blogging, and TRY to get consistent again...but at this exact moment, I am off to make some dinner!!

You would think we had a new baby or something.....

I can not believe that a week has flown by and I have not posted much at all!! We are trying to settle into the new routine...and things are going very well...it seems, though, that the 2 things that have really suffered are my quiet times in the Word (yikes!!!) and my time online! So.....hopefully we will settle into a new routine and I will be back to faithful blog-posting!!

Things are going very well...Micah is spoiling us with his sleeping...9:30 pm to 7:30-8:00 am...I hope he keeps that schedule!! =) He is such a happy baby, and seems to do just fine with all sorts of new people (family and friends, etc.) so we are feeling very blessed! He is healthy and eating well!

OK...I will try for some pictures tomorrow. Brock accidently ran over the high-speed internet line with the lawn mower (that was a tangled mess!!) so we are back to dial-up for now and posting pictures takes SO SO SO SO long.

Time flies while we are having FUN!!!

I can not believe that I have not posted for 3 days! If time really does fly when you are having fun, then that explains it...because we are having a blast!!

Micah continues to be adjusting very well. He is eating great, sleeping great, and entertaining all of his visitors!! We have had a wonderful last couple of days...with visits from friends and family...and lots of "lazy" hang out time just for us, too!! (Pics: The plate on the kitchen counter proclaims our happy news, Micah gets a kiss from Papaw, Dean's hat was a big hit!, Micah with his Leedy cousins, Micah sweet talks "Aunt Dona" already!!)

It is hard to remember, now, just how trying the last year has been. As I walked by Micah's door tonight, and peeked in at him sound asleep in his crib, I just had this overwhelming feeling of peace...like the ten ton truck on my chest had been lifted. I think it is really just now all sinking in...but each time I have thought that over the past week, it just seems to get even better!!!

Lord, through all of this, I pray that YOUR light will shine brightly...we are so grateful, and so humbled by your blessings in the life of our family. We praise you, and we thank you tonight...our hearts are very full!

God is so GOOD!!

top: Micah on the plane from Guatemala to Atlanta
next: Micah asleep in his crib for the first time!!
next: Cute, clean, happy baby!
bottom: Play time AT HOME!!!

God is good....all the time!
The journey to bring Micah home...from beginning to end... has been one of the most amazingly emotional experiences of our lives!! There have been so many ups and downs...it is hard to process it all. But, through it all...the good and the "bad"....God has been so faithful to us! God is good...not just today, as I sit here with Micah safe and sound, asleep in his crib....but God is good ALL the time. His plan is perfect, even when we can see the point of it all. I am thankful beyond words for God's blessings...especially on this day!!!

We arrived home on schedule...Friday night at 11:00 pm. Micah was wonderful the whole trip...what a great traveler!! We were met at the airport by Gummie, Nana, and Paps. Happy Homecoming, baby!! Micah was tucked into his crib a little after midnight and slept until almost 8 a.m.! Good boy!

We have had a wonderful first day at home! Micah seemed to enjoy meeting some of our good friends AND spending some time with Papaw, Gummie, Paps and Nana. After all the prayers and petitions...Micah is here in the flesh!! And we are so thankful!

We continue to be so grateful for our family and friends, as well!! Thank you for sharing this journey with us!

A full day!

As Erica shared, we went to the Guatemala City Zoo this morning! It is actually a fairly big and very nice zoo...with lots of fun animals! Everyone was feeling good for the adventure, and I am so glad we went!!

After lunch, Brock and Erica were off to the pool while Micah slept!

Micah had a great day (with one small...well, really quite large exception!) He was feeling much better and ate much better! As you can see from the picture, he was really enjoying his dinner! And now we know that he was enjoying it TOO much! Shortly after dinner, we went to knock on the door of another family that just arrived today to take home their 2 daughters...we were excited to meet them in person (I have gotten to know her on the listserve). We knocked on the door...and I am SO SO SO glad that they did not answer...because about 5 seconds later Micah "exploded" everything he had just eaten! My goodness it was a mess!! He had a quick bath and was even smiling and cuddly after all of that...then he was off to sleep!

Other than that little episode, we had a GREAT last day in Guatemala. Memories that we will never forget, I am sure!!! God blessed us EXCEEDINGLY on this trip, and we are so grateful! My heart is very full tonight!!

As we prepare to come home tomorrow...I am so excited to see everyone! And for everyone to meet our new precious son/brother!! But there is definitely a heaviness about leaving, too. To know that we are taking Micah away from his homeland, away from the only home/people he has known so far, and so far away from his birthmom. I do not take lightly the "magnitude" of it all! But, yet, I am so VERY anxious to connect Micah with life that God has chosen for him!

Well...this is probably it until we arrive home in Indiana tomorrow night! Our flight gets in at 11-something...so who knows what type of shape we will be in by then! I know it will be an exhausting day for all of us! (and Chad and I are definitely taking an extra couple of changes of clothes in our carry-on..."just in case" we have a repeat episode of tonight!!)

It has been fun blogging this week! Fun to fell connected with family and friends! And it has been so encouraging to read all the comments!! Keep checking back....we will try to share lots about how the transition goes.....and through it all, may the Lord be lifted HIGH!!

A fun trip to the zoo!!

The day is off to a great start! Micah was great AND Brock was feeling great!!!
We went to the zoo and saw lots of beautiful and strange (strange out numbered beautiful)
animals. Micah, I would say did not like it that much(he was a sleep) . Mom and I thought
the animals were very close to us. So close that we thought the CATS could have run and
jumped over a ditch and a slanted fence.
From:Erica
A.K.A Up Down

We think we are on the mend!

Everyone seems to be feeling better this morning! An answered prayer!! Thank you, Lord, for that!! Micah slept very well last night (best night yet! 9:00-5:00 without a single peep!) We may be headed off to the zoo here in a little bit...pictures later!!!!

It was bound to happen....

Earlier in the day, we were worried about how Micah was feeling. This evening, he seemed to turn the corner. He is still not eating great at all, but was much more smiley again!

Brock and Erica swam ALL day...they have made some friends (another adoptive family with kids about same age...I will let them share that later) and loved hanging out at the pool with them! Chad and I took turns early in the day, but by afternoon, Micah was at the pool with us. He even went for another swim and definitely LOVED it again.

But then there is the rest of the story...

Tonight Brock was complaining of a stomach ache (can we all say "uh-oh"??) and then got sick...and I mean really, really sick! He is alseep now, and we are praying that by morning EVERYONE is feeling much better!

Please be praying for us tonight and tomorrow. We REALLY want Guatemala to end on a good note for everyone!!! Maybe this is the Lord's way of making sure we REALLY want to come home soon, right??? We are certainly getting anxious to see everyone!

The pictures are obviously of the "high points" of the day...there are NO pictures of the low points!! =)