Full Circle

Homework time

2012-01-06T05:34:00.001-06:00

This is what homework time looked like at our house yesterday. Bless her heart she was just wore out.

Welcome back Sara!

2012-01-05T07:01:00.001-06:00

I'm feeling much more like the self I like to be. The self who sees the possibilities instead of feeling so down and out. I can attribute this return to several factors but in the end it is all because of Him, my creator, my provider the very lover of my soul who set all those factors into place. So thank you Lord. I trust you Jesus and welcome back Sara Beth! Forever HIS, SB

INCREDIBLE DAY!

2012-01-03T23:29:00.000-06:00

Today was an AMAZIMG day!!!!! I want to start over so I don't forget a moment. It is really something when you begin to realize that your dreams are becoming reality and that is what is unfolding before me right now. I am int he moment when my dreams are becoming my reality. All I have ever wanted to do is to work with people who have special needs and since about 1994 when I watched a

hi ho(hugo), hi ho (hugo) It's back to work I go!

2012-01-01T20:45:00.000-06:00

Here we go ..... Tomorrow's the day we return to school. I have tons of new ideas! I am so excited! We have a new principal and I am ecstatic. I love change. I get really excited about moving forward and I know that is what we are doing here. Moving forward! Will you pray for me in the way I provide Speech Therapy to my students. They are an extraordinary bunch with extraordinary needs and quite

2012 is here ... like it or not!

2012-01-01T01:26:00.000-06:00

I feel like I have just dug my old dusty journal up from the box packed away in the back of the closet. If you are just happening upon my blog you will notice the sporatic entry dates. I have not been so good about regular posting .... but I want to be better. I used to do the same thing with notebooks. I would write in one for a couple of weeks and then open another. I don't want to spread my

Single Parenthood is synonomys with ....

2011-11-05T22:01:00.002-05:00

Lonliness ..... I have to say this is my number one battle.... the feeling of loneliness. Most days I can cover it up.Most days I can pretend it doesn't exist. Most days I can act like others don't know. Today ... is not one of those days. I HATE this feeling. I HATE that most days I am so tired and overwhelmed I am no fun to be around. I HATE the fact that my kids are obnoxious and argue with

So I'm guessing Africa is out of the question ....

2011-10-24T19:12:00.001-05:00

For years I have dreamed of going to Africa. I have pondered what it would be like to sit and hold babies in orphanages. Babies who need more than the others, babies who look different and feed different. Babies with special needs. What would it be like to walk through villages built in garbage dumps. What would it be like to shop in the open air markets to barter for my basic needs. I have

Friday Letters

2011-08-12T22:30:00.000-05:00

Getting back to the reason I started this blog. I want to record our history for my children. I want them to look back over this blog and remember our life ... our love for one another. I have a sad sad memory and I have forgoten many things about my own childhood, I just don't want them to cherish the memories, the gifts of their lives. So I have found a great great website/blog.

Drawn

2011-07-29T09:00:00.001-05:00

Have you ever been totally smitten with a place you have never been? Have you ever searched and searched the internet for just tidbits of information, any information about that place. Have you stared long and hard at pictures trying to imagine yourself in them? Call me weird but I am DRAWN to Africa, completly and whole heartedly SMITTEN. I don't know why, I just don't get it. It is not

WOW

2011-07-28T16:14:00.000-05:00

God is sooooo good. Woke up today and got on the scale to find I have lost another 2 lbs. Total lost is 22 lbs! You can keep track in the sidebar where I willl also be posting my goals. I am noticing a distinct difference in the way my clothing is fitting. Mostly how my shirts are fitting. I have not gone done a size but I am able to wear shirts that are not stretch nits and they slide right

This fat girl RAN!!!!!!

2011-07-21T23:28:00.000-05:00

This was my facebook status posted just a couple of hours ago. Why would I post that? Because I am simply AHHHHMAZED! I wanted this! I even tried to envision it. I didn't know this is how it would look, or this is how it would feel. I am going to get really honest here. Let me say I am posting this #1 because I want to remember where I started and #2 if my store will encourage just one person to

Ahhhhmazed by God

2011-07-14T23:36:00.001-05:00

What direct selling company begins and ends their season reveal with praise and worship? What direct selling company awards it's consultants efforts with incredibly generous free amenities? What direct selling company is so focused on God that their business is really more about the people than about the product they sell? THIRTY ONE GIFTS .... that's who. I knew God had great things in store for

{Pondering} End of the year reflections

2011-06-27T20:40:00.000-05:00

What is it about this time of year that causes me to reflect on my life ... past, present and future. Do you ever look at where you stand now and in disbelief ask no one in particular "how did I get here?" I mean literally I blinked and now I am a middle aged, overweight, gray haired (well if it weren't for Clairol anyway) single mom - How on earth did I get here? This certainly is not the life I

Surrendering the Fight

2011-06-21T12:03:00.000-05:00

And so it was time once again to fight, to battle the beast within. The beast that taunts and teases with every morsel of food I lay eyes on, every cooking meal I smell, every bite I take. The beast that taunts me and twists every thought about food, assuring me this last bite of cake will make all my worries dissapear, this hamburger will make it all better. The beast comes in quietly like a

2011-05-30T18:47:00.000-05:00

Dear ZC, Today I have watched you rope broomsticks, barrel race and lovingly lead all your stuffed horses from one room to another by your homemade lead ropes. I heard you Sahel with excitement when you created a saddle with a saddle horn and designed a place to tie your horses to so they didn't run away. Today I have loved watching you play,I mean really play. I was beginning to think you had

Taking off hats

2011-04-20T10:24:00.000-05:00

Like so many woman in our society, the number of hats I wear on a daily basis is growing by leaps and bounds. On any given day I put on and take off hats labeled with mom, daughter, friend, sister, aunt, speech pathologist, AAC specislist,employee,disciplinarian, nurturer, chauffeur, bank teller,house keeper, time manager, supervisor, nurse ..... And the list goes on. For many reasons I am often

Making a blog comeback ....

2011-02-18T23:33:00.000-06:00

I type that as if I once had a readership of 5000 .... Maybe and it's a big stretch here but maybe 5. I do haveto say to those 5 ... you are LOVED and oh so appreciated. Thank you for taking the time out to visit my little place of the cyber world. I am trying to develop some habits, some regularly scheduled actions. Blogging is one of them. So just to catch us all up on what has been going on

Bringing Ian Home!

2011-01-03T09:33:00.004-06:00

Grab This! Glory to God! He is giving me such a great opportunity and I want to give you the chance to be involved as well! Long story short, many of you remember my plans to bring home a beautiful little boy we had grown to love and given the name Eli. You probably also remember that due to circumstances beyond my control I was not able to complete that adoption and my heart was broken. God is

2011 ... where to start

2011-01-01T09:44:00.000-06:00

Wow, is all I can say. Each day goes by faster than the one before. That is how it seems anyway. I am going to post a more official "goals for 2011" post soon enough but I wanted to share with you something that happened to me the other day. Just a few days ago both Ethan and Miss M spent the night out. Zoe Claire and I were late coming home from a friends house and she fell asleep in the back

Tradition and Faith ...

2010-12-25T00:45:00.000-06:00

As I type the word "tradition" Funny how one word can stir up so much with in me. The word tradition first brings to mind the movie Fiddler on the Roof and Tevye dancing through the streets singing about the traditions of the Jewish culture being broken by his own daughters. That picture/thought brings to mind my father. My father was a man of his own. He wanted to love tradition but never kept

Idols .... do you have any?

2010-11-22T13:57:00.000-06:00

The first commandment found in Exodus 10 ... "You shall have no other gods before me." I happen to think it is pretty significant that we place God first in our lives .... so significant He made it the first commandment! I created us to worship Him to fellowship with Him, to rely on Him, to adore Him, to trust Him ... He created us so He could have fellowship with us! He loves us so much He

FAT AND FAITHFUL ....

2010-11-20T11:41:00.000-06:00

So I am not going to try really hard to be eloquent with my words .... not even going to try. I am going to be open and honest, spill my heart and what I believe God is revealing to me about being fat and the behaviors it took to get here and takes to keep me here. Those behaviors are a result of a broken relationship with Christ. There I said it. By broken I don't mean no relationship at all,

I am MORE!

2010-10-16T13:18:00.000-05:00

Ok, so on 10/06/2010 I celebrated my 39th birthday and the statement which resonated through my head over and over is .... "your life is a train wreck" a self induced train wreck mind you but a train wreck all the same. Don't get me wrong, I realize there is a great deal of good in my life. I have 3 beautiful children who are in themselves an incredible gift from my heavenly Father, I have an

The last of my 30's

2010-10-12T19:46:00.003-05:00

****NOTE**** I AM NOT SURE WHY THIS DIDN'T GET POSTED. IT WAS WRITTEN 10/12 Well, last week I celebrated my 39th birthday. That is right I have now embarked on the last year in my 30's .... WEIRD! I guess at this point in my life it is normal to reflect on things, take some time and regroup, figure out what the Lord wants me to do with the next few years. I can tell you one thing ... my heart

What do I know ....

2010-09-22T21:38:00.000-05:00

this song says it ALL!

Longings of the Heart ....

2010-09-19T22:44:00.000-05:00

My heart longs to hold you. to whisper sweet mommy nothings in your ear. to watch you grow and rock you to sleep. These are the things for which my heart longs My heart longs to hold you to skip a beat with your every breath to giggle until we cry to sing sweet lullabies These are the things for which my heart longs. My heart longs to hold you to soothe away your fears to wipe away your

My sweet Madison.

2010-07-29T09:04:00.000-05:00

"For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?" Esther 4:14 Madison's dreams of going to Master's commission are truly a reality! I am not sure if I never thought this day would come or if I

1

2010-07-28T10:36:00.003-05:00

2. What does it look like to serve God in all He has planned for you when you have spent your entire life living for yourself? I mean how do I answer God's call, the desires He has placed in my heart when I am living out the consequences of my own selfish actions? For instance. My heart screams to do several things for the Lord. It longs to travel the world as a missionary and share the love

The touble with being a "Do It Yourselfer"

2010-07-28T10:21:00.000-05:00

by all appearances being a DIY'r would be a great gift, something anyone would want. To be able to figure out how to make and fix things all on your own and I have to say if it was JUST the belief that I could fix the chair, or make that dress I just saw in a magazine for $250 ... it would indeed be a great quality to possess. I must admit though .... it doesn't end with crafts or recipes, that

SAY YES!

2010-07-27T15:00:00.001-05:00

WATCH THIS VIDEO IT WILL ONLY TAKE A FEW MOMENTS AND MAY CHANGE YOUR ENTIRE LIFE! WHAT WILL YOUR RESPONSE BE ?!

how does He do that? seriously...

2010-07-26T23:54:00.002-05:00

*** CAUTION THE FOLLOWING POST CONTAINS A DESCRIPTIVE LANGUAGE OF A REAL PARENTING MOMENT! NO SUGAR COATING! As I write this it is 10:40 pm and i am writing on my phone as i lay in bed. i just had a rant and rave episode after i find that ds has fallen asleep in my bed while watching tv. Not only has he fallen asleep, he has pushed everything off my bed and onto the floor. Great, more of a

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

2010-07-25T08:30:00.000-05:00

1. Thong or Granny Panties? Hmmmm, I don't think anyone really wants to know the answer to this questions so.... I'll keep it to myself :) 2. If you see a guy with his fly down, do you tell him? Only if I already know him, otherwise I turn my head and look in the other direction. Well, and really if I know him but his wife is present, I tell her so she can break the news to him gently. 3.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

2010-07-18T07:32:00.000-05:00

The Questions~ 1. If you had to choose a country to live in besides USA (or the country you live in), which would it be? HMMMM Currently I am a little obsessed with Africa .... I want to be a part of a solution ... does that make sense. I want to do something bigger than myself and be involved in GREAT works of God! Things are happening in Africa. So today i think that would be it. 2.

FAITH ... YOU EITHER HAVE IT OR YOU DON'T

2010-07-16T23:55:00.000-05:00

Madison received her "OFFICIAL" acceptance letter from Masters Commission this week. It really stunk that she was not here to enjoy the celebration. She was in DC working her little fingers to the bone. As I read through the packet of information it became very clear very quickly that she needs $1000 this week. Now you all know I am a single mom, I have 3 kids, I do not have $1000 just lying

WHY THIS HEART GOD?!

2010-07-16T01:32:00.000-05:00

Last night our church congregation met for corporate prayer. As usual it was an intimate gathering of a handful of people and it is such a blessing to join forces with them as we enter into God's presence with praise and worship followed by making our petitions known to HIM. ... yeah yeah as if He didn't already know. So after prayer my pastor reminds me that it is God who has given me a heart

My heart is heavy but NOT defeated ....

2010-07-10T00:29:00.000-05:00

I am so stinking grateful for a creator who loves me more than I could know. Grateful for a creator who knows me better then I know myself. Grateful for a creator who is gentle and kind ... a creator who pays attention to EVERY SINGLE DETAIL! Grateful for a creator who is able and willing to move mountains for those who simply ask in accordance with His will. I am grateful on this day that my

WHIRLWIND .....

2010-07-05T00:58:00.000-05:00

There is an old saying I have heard ... when Satan can't get you to work for him, he'll make you BUSY (buried under Satan's yoke)and that is how I feel. I was so excited about the summer. I was excited to spend some great time with my kids, getting Miss M prepared to go off to school. I was excited to prepared some therapy materials I had some ideas for, excited to enjoy being a mom, sister and

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

2010-07-05T00:23:00.000-05:00

The questions.. 1. What do you look forward to the most on the 4th of July? FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FUN! 2. Are you a hugger? NO 3. What is your favorite BBQ'd food? I LOVE SAUSAGE! OHHH WE HAD SOME TODAY ... IT WAS SCRUMPTIOUS! 4. Do you like to watch parades? SMALL TOWN PARADES ... I DON'T LIKE BIG CROWDS 5. Who has stinkier farts..boys or girls? UMMM BOYS FOR SURE! 6. Vampires or Werewolves?

THAT day ....

2010-06-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

Today is the day the people in my house try their hardest to forget .... It doesn't seem to matter how hard I try I always feel the same way ..... For as long as I can remember my relationship with my father was rockey at best. I always felt judged and loved for my performance instead of who I was. By the time I was in my late teens/early 20's I had been "disowned" more times than I could count

WOW!

2010-06-17T23:58:00.000-05:00

It's really a simple word with a BIG meaning ... it's all I got right now. I had a 31 party tonight and for those of you who have never been to one of my 31 parties the Lord really uses them to share the plight of orphans with people who may not otherwise know. Tonight was INCREDIBLE!!! I can't even share it yet because I cannot fully process everything that was spoken over myself and my family.

THE ASSIGNMENT SHOULD THEY CHOOSE TO TAKE IT ....

2010-06-15T06:00:00.003-05:00

Ok, let me first say that I know this guy is pretty controversial and with that said let me also note that I have never heard of him before this video. With those things said let me also say .... This video CONVICTS my heart in such a way that makes me want to MOVE! By move I don't mean my physical location I mean TO DO SOMETHING! So ... the assignment. I showed my children this video and I am

Have you heard about ... BABY BE BLESSED dolls?

2010-06-14T11:22:00.001-05:00

If you have a daughter or grand daughter or a special little girl in your life you will FOR SURE want to check them out. They are hosting a giveaway today so it's a GREAT day to bop on over and give it a look see! I promise you will FALL IN LOVE ... and in the event that you don't (you will realize how silly that comment is once you go look at the site but just in case) Enter the giveaway anyway

Thought I would try something new ... {getting to know you Sunday}

2010-06-14T00:47:00.000-05:00

1. If you could have one of Superman's, powers which one would you want? Superhuman strength..Flight..Superhuman speed..X-Ray vision..etc Superhuman Speed 2. The best thing I ever won is....? Concert tickets to see Steven Curtis Chapman and The News Boys. I was newly divorced, a single mom and I needed that night out sooo bad. 3. Have you ever skyped with a bloggy friend? Nope ... anyone

splattered and scattered and blowin in the wind ....

2010-06-13T22:13:00.006-05:00

That is about how everything in my heart feels right now .... splattered and scattered ... I added the blowin in the wind for effect, creative dontcha think? Gosh where to even start? I knew it would hit me, just wasn't sure when ... it hit. As I said before Eli's region has closed to single parent adoption. After a little research it appears that most of the international world has closed to

What He told me ....

2010-06-12T20:08:00.000-05:00

So I mentioned that our corporate prayer time was incredible this past Wednesday night. We meet as a group to come together and pray for our community, our country, issues which affect us and our families. We hold tight to Matthew 18:19 - 20 19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or

Ok, so I know I WAS headed to bed

2010-06-11T00:15:00.000-05:00

And I actually climbed in, read a chapter in Francis Chan's "Crazy Love" and then got the best phone call from Miss M. I have not stopped to blog about yesterday, or last night rather because I have not fully processed it but I have to say that God is proving Himself faithful. Miss M sounds so different, so grown up, so alive. She is fulfilling the call God her Father has placed on her life. I

CHA CHA CHA CHANGES ....

2010-06-10T22:14:00.000-05:00

OBVIOUSLY THE BLOG IS GOING THROUGH SOME CHANGES. I HAVE WANTED AN UPDATE FOR SOMETIME NOW AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD A PROFESSIONAL DO SOOOOO I AM PLAYING WITH THE BLOGGER DESIGN TOOLS. YEAH YEAH THIS IS NOT OVER .... NOT LIKING THIS LAYOUT BUT NEED TO GET SLEEP AND THEN START OVER TOMORROW. PEACE AND BLESSINGS SB

Somehow I thought it'd be better than THIS!

2010-06-09T15:12:00.000-05:00

So summer vacation .... My first summer vacation since being a kid in school myself .... I had built it up, I was looking forward to productive yet relaxed days. I had mapped out days during which I would accomplish many of the tasks I don't have time for during the school year. I LONG to be creative again. Using the gifts God has given me to work with my hands truly feeds my spirit! It is so

Candy Coated Shells are NOT always good ...

2010-05-29T13:32:00.000-05:00

no matter what color they are. Ok... I will be transparent here, after all it is my blog. I am about to speak from the very depths of me. Writing of something that is difficult for me and ties into everything I am. The Lord recently showed me something kind of startling about myself. Something I have done FOREVER and never really realized it. Recently I have felt so very far away from Him.

spinning and brutal honesty ....

2010-05-22T22:16:00.000-05:00

The last few weeks of school are upon us and I must admit I had NO idea just what that would mean for my first year in the public school system. For those of us in Special Ed, the name of the game is IEP .... and I will tell you the game is NOT fun. I have 40+ on my caseload. Of those on my caseload I am completely responsible for about half of those IEP's and for the remainder I must write

silent treatment

2010-05-08T19:34:00.000-05:00

The house is quiet ... oh so quiet and after a "working Saturday" I thought I would take a few moments to write. I have for the most part kept pretty quiet lately in part because I have been so busy and when I get overwhelmed I turn inward. When I feel like I am spinning because there is so much expected of me I find it best to take a deep breath, pull the covers over my head until there is time

THESE THINGS I KNOW ....

2010-04-19T20:27:00.000-05:00

ABOUT ME 1. I love the Lord God with all my heart, soul and mind 2. I sometimes slip up and don't act like it. 3. I want desperately to be a great servant of the Lord that he might say "well done my good and faithful servant" on the day I meet him face to face in heaven and he welcomes me in. 4. I trust that my salvation is complete through the life, death and resurrection of my Lord and

Brain dump ... part 2

2010-04-17T21:32:00.000-05:00

Dear Madison, I watched you last night from a far as you boldly went before the Lord's throne. I watched you as you invited Him in, as you worshiped Him and pledged your undying love. I watched you as you nervously tried to take in all that was happening around you, excited about this new road the Lord is leading you on and still uncertain of your own role it it. I watched you and I could hardly

Ding, ding ding

2010-04-16T18:01:00.000-05:00

That is the alarm sounding to let me know i have reached full capacity. My head is full and if I have to think of much more it just may explode! Now what to do ... blog it all in one or spread it out over a few days .... hmmmm Well, this has been some kind of week! Really SOME KIND OF WEEK! #1 As I am sure you have all heard Russia has halted international adoptions with the US. It is my

I have NO excuse!

2010-04-10T13:28:00.000-05:00

I want what this guy's got! Watch the whole video ... you won't be the same!

Today we Celebrate YOU

2010-04-01T08:00:00.004-05:00

Today is "Eli's" 4th birthday. If you are an orphan with special needs in Russia it is nothing to celebrate. Four years old is the day "they", "the powers that be" consider you old enough to be moved out of your baby home, the only home you've ever known into an institution. More likely than not, if you are an orphan in Russia the day which marks your birth is just like any other day with a big

Mommy, Was that God?

2010-03-30T23:20:00.000-05:00

The other day my sister calls me and says .... "So today on the way home we pulled off the interstate and were sitting at the end of the ramp. There was a man who was clearly in need and we had some food in the car so I rolled down the window gave it to him. He thanked me and I rolled my window back up. It wasn't very long and from the back seat Macie (she is my 3 year old niece) says "Mommy

FOCUS!

2010-03-23T22:17:00.000-05:00

Focus is such a funny thing ... it seems that where ever it falls is what is magnified. For instance ... if you cut your finger, do ever notice that it doesn't really hurt until you look at and if i stare at it, it seems to be the only thing that matters. The same is true for other areas of our life. If I am on a diet and all I can think about is the food i can't have then the chocolate cake

Mustard Seed Faith ...

2010-03-19T22:45:00.000-05:00

So tomorrow is the James 1:27 "fundraiser". This has been a very difficult road for me. I have had some really tough days and some even tougher nights. I have called out to my Abba Father and wondered ... if indeed you don't leave or forsake me why oh why then do I feel so alone. I have questioned my faith, seriously searched and wondered if I indeed missed something in all of this "adoption talk

The call

2010-03-15T06:15:00.000-05:00

Take a look at this video. I let it play all the way through once while I was busy doing something else and then watched it so i would not have worry with the constant buffering. It won't take long I promise and YOU won't be sorry i can assure you!

Who's battle is it anyway?

2010-03-14T22:01:00.000-05:00

So lately I am feeling like I am in the war of my life. I feel like i am nose to nose and toe to toe with the enemy. I feel as though I am so close I can smell the stench on his breath and feel the heat that radiates from his bones. I know I am packed down with artillery, every possible weapon you could imagine yet too week to even fire the gun and even more unsure of how to load it. I imagine a

VISIONARY ....

2010-03-13T23:14:00.000-06:00

Someone recently referred to me as a visionary. I really had to think about that word. I had to mull it over and decide what it meant for me. So like any good school girl I started with the dictionary 1 a : of the nature of a vision : illusory b : incapable of being realized or achieved : utopian c : existing only in imagination : unreal 2 a : able or likely to see visions b : disposed to

1 week away ....

2010-03-13T22:17:00.000-06:00

So the James 1:27 fundraiser is just 1 week away. Next Saturday we will be giving of our time and effort to make some general repairs and do some clean up to a widowers home. Mr. J as i will refer to him here lost his wife last year. She was a beautiful woman and took good care of him. He unfortunately suffered a significant injury before her death and is unable to get around and do the things

JAMES 1:27 FUNDRAISER!

2010-03-06T23:55:00.000-06:00

James 1:27"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" What is it? Often times when you hear about fundraisers or people getting together to raise awareness to a problem you hear about people walking around a track, or a jump rope-a-thon, you hear about benefit

MORE ALIKE THAN DIFFERENT

2010-03-01T19:54:00.000-06:00

This picture is of two of my most favorite people in the whole wid world. My Bff's son Jonah and my youngest daughter Zoe Claire. We were just playing around setting up lighting and camera settings and i snapped this picture. When i opened it, it took my breath away and this is what it says to me .... When i look at this picture i think You have Down Syndrome .... so what! You have dark skin ...

A simple math lesson ....

2010-02-21T20:57:00.001-06:00

ok so I was thinking .... If 5 people i told about Eli donated just $5 towards bringing him home and THEY told 5 people who donated just $5 and they told 5 people who donated just $5 and thenthey told 5 people who in turn donated $5 and they told 5 people who donated $5 That would equal be = to 5 to the 5th power (if we all remember our exponent rules That would = 15,625 people which would

Winter Jam update #2

2010-02-19T16:07:00.003-06:00

This would be the second update from out day in line at Winter Jam ... Enjoy!

DO YOU KNOW WHATS AT STAKE?!

2010-02-18T21:02:00.001-06:00

DO YOU KNOW? I MEAN DO YOU REALLY GET IT? DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS NOT ABOUT ADDING TO MY FAMILY, MAKING IT BIGGER, SAYING I HAVE 4 CHILDREN .... IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME EXCEPT .... I SUBMIT! IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH GOD! IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE FACT TAHT A LITTLE BOYS LIFE IS AT STAKE, HIS FUTURE. BECAUSE YOU SEE THE REPERCUSSIONS OF HIM REMAINING IN R*SSIA MEAN HE WILL

Invisibility

2010-02-17T22:20:00.000-06:00

Before you read this remember this blog is to help remember OUR life, the way it is today .... the truth, nothing hidden, nothing made up. This is how i am feeling today. This too will pass, I am sure of it! See through ... unnoticed .... without trace .... sometimes I long to feel this way, usually right after something stupid has passed my lips and is traveling quickly through space and time

WE MADE THE NEWS !!!

2010-02-16T09:02:00.000-06:00

You can find it HERE

2010-02-14T21:50:00.005-06:00

2010 Winter jam! FIRST IN LINE! I can't even tell you how many years i have been going to winter jam. Over and over I go and over and over I end up in the nose bleed section. Last year I waited in line for about 3 hours and still got seats in the nosebleed section. When it was announced taht winter jam 2010 would be on a Friday I knew there was NO HOPE for good seats. Well, that was until the

Beautiful Blood

2010-02-08T21:13:00.002-06:00

Earlier today my sister insisted I "you tube" this song. Oh my goodness, it really spoke to my heart. As i listened to the words and watched the images the Lord really stirred some things inside of me.I would love to hear your thoughts on it!

Pity Party ....

2010-02-05T22:52:00.001-06:00

Yesterday's post was pretttty pitiful if I do say so myself! Sorry folks for the slip ;) It's been a rough week. The event I planned at work was GREAT! It just took alot out of me. I am exhausted and my body is sure showing the signs of being run into the ground. It will all be fine, recover just takes a little longer when you are this close to 40 years old. YIKES .... I can't even believe I

Days like this ....

2010-02-04T18:18:00.001-06:00

Days like this are the ones I long for a life mate, someone who knows me better than I know myself. Someone who would say, here sit a while put your feet up oh and I'll fetch some lotion and rub them for you just after I make sure the children are taken care of. These are the days I long to spill all the exciting things happening in my life out on the table with the one God has handpicked for me.

{thoughts and things} defining moments

2010-02-01T20:49:00.001-06:00

Defining Moments ... I am sure you have them too. You know those moments in life when EVERYTHING is REAL! I don't mean just kind like yeah this is my life real I mean like YEAH THIS IS MY 3D LIFE KINDA REAL! This weekend past I was incredibly blessed. It all started on Wednesday night when we picked up our "DMC girls" (Decatur Masters Commission) The DMC was here to minister at a youth ralley

2010-01-24T22:43:00.001-06:00

Hi all! This beautiful baby girl is MINDY! In just a few short days Mindy will be turning 4 years old. If you have been around my blog long enough, you know what it means to turn 4 years old in a Russian orphanage and have Down Syndrome. It is NOT your "typical" birthday celebration. Instead it is the day you become immediately eligible to be moved from the baby home, from the only

{THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS} Lessons to be learned!

2010-01-19T09:00:00.001-06:00

Yesterday in church at The Refuge, our pastor did a wonderful job on the lesson/sermon. For the most part it came from 2 Chronicles 20 which describes how king Jehoshaphat defeated Moab and Ammon. As my friend BABY BL (inside nick name :) don't you wish you knew ;)) would say " wha had happened was ..... King Jehoshaphat was a little worried along with all his people. Moab and Ammon were on

{fundraising} James 1:27 fundraiser

2010-01-17T23:36:00.000-06:00

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27 I passed out the invitations today. The invitations to be involved in Team Schultz 2010! I am excited. We have selected the recipient of the teams hard work and of coarse this year the benefactor of the

{THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS} Too Harsh?

2010-01-16T17:52:00.001-06:00

Ok, so I reread this post and it occured to me .... I may sound like a big fat meanie, a wayyy to bossy big sister, know it all neighbor kind of girl. I don't think I was too harsh .... but just maybe ..... oh I don't know! What do you think? Oh wait ... I MAY not want you to answer that. Having this information is like walking around with a 5 ton weight on my shoulders, or an explosive device

{THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS} Passion

2010-01-15T19:45:00.000-06:00

EEEKKKK .... Hold up, Stop right there .... before we go any further let's just clear it up now. I am NOT talking about the hot steamy kind! That would be for talk on another blog, probably one I don't read :) Main Entry: pas·sion·ate 1 a : easily aroused to anger b : filled with anger : angry 2 a : capable of, affected by, or expressing intense feeling b : enthusiastic, ardent 3 : swayed by or

{THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS} Zoe's artwork

2010-01-12T22:45:00.001-06:00

The other day Ethan and I ran to the store, the girls stayed here at the house. When I came home this is what ZC had spent her time doing. She has drawn a picture of Eli in a crib with a little night light and blanket and as you can see hovering over him are two angels, hearts so he knows we love him and some crosses. I am once again amazed with my children, mostly amazed at God! I am so

{FAMILY LIFE} 12 YEARS OLD

2010-01-10T21:14:00.001-06:00

You know it doesn't seem to matter how hard we try to slow it down or even stop it .. time just keeps on marching by. Every year we all get 365 days older, gain a bit more maturity, hopefully grow in the Lord and achieve some milestones. And if you are a parent you know how difficult and exhilarating it is all at the same time to watch your children growing. Today my dear sweet boy (yeah he

{2010 Go for the GOALS Report Card} #1

2010-01-09T14:00:00.002-06:00

So how is it going? Here is the rundown! One week into the new year and i feel like our family is moving forward in some very important areas! UPDATES in orange My goals for 2010 1. memorize 2 scripture versus/week almost finished with the 2nd scripture this week I memorized Matthew 4:4 and Hebrews 4:12 2. project 365 - 1 pic/day in an effort to grow more as a photographer, focus my creativity

{THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS} today

2010-01-09T00:07:00.000-06:00

The kids and I have been sick for 2 days now ... and when I say sick I mean SICK!!!! We experienced new levels of grossness this week and I will leave it at that. We have spent the last two days all couped (is that a word cause I am getting the red line with no spelling correction suggested) up and tonight the kids were feeling well enough and asked if we could rent a movie. As you can imagine it

{A NEW JOURNEY ON A ROAD WELL TRAVELED} weigh in day

2010-01-08T14:12:00.000-06:00

Wow! This was a doozy ... I started this leg of the journey on Dec 1, made a determination in my heart to move forward and attack the burden I have lived with all of my life. With the help, prayers and encouragement of some incredible sister's in Christ this new journey hasn't been anywhere close to what i have experienced in the past. So are you curious yet, do you wanna know what the results

{Single Mom Chronicles} Oh what fun!

2010-01-08T00:03:00.000-06:00

House full of sick folks, including me .... yuck!

{announcement} Knitted Hearts jewelry

2010-01-02T01:25:00.003-06:00

I am soooo excited about this announcement. I believe creativity is directly from the Lord. He gives me ideas at really weird times. Like when I am in the shower, or driving down the road and cannot write it down. This idea came during a very intense time with Him. During a time I was handing him all my fears, hopes and dreams. During a time He was reminding me over and over that ALL things are

Welcome 2010

2010-01-01T02:29:00.004-06:00

Ok ... so this is NOT the announcement I will be making today! Just in case you were wondering ... instead i wanted to post my thoughts about the new year. These are thoughts about what I am believing to see happen in the new year, what I am committing to do in an effort to grow more in the Lord. The other announcement will be coming later :) Promise! My goals for 2010 1. memorize 2 scripture

{thoughts and things} why do i do this to myself?

2009-12-30T23:10:00.000-06:00

I am a ponderer. I mull over things, look for more information, I am visual so I want pics Yes, definately a ponderer. I have been asked on more than one occasion why I look at the pics of orphans if it makes me sad. Why do i seek out information on their poor living conditions and watch you tube videos if it only makes me cry .... I didn't quite understand what that quality was in me that pushed

{Announcement}

2009-12-30T09:19:00.000-06:00

I am soooo excited to be introducing you all to something on Friday. Sorry I have been so quiet. I am busily getting prepared for Friday's post. You won't want to miss this .... really you won't! Write it on your calander, set you alarms on your cell phone, post your post it's ... just remember to come back and see. OHHHH and if you really DON'T want to miss it, become a follower of the blog.

Redemption : Posted by Derek Loux 12/12/08

2009-12-24T23:30:00.000-06:00

Recently the adoption community lost a champion. Truly from all i have read of him in his own writings and from what others have said about him Derek Loux could be considered a "hero" for orphans. Derek seems to have lived out what he believed ... he "walked" his "talk" Derek truly understood the heart of God where orphans and adoption are concerned and he and his wife Renee went to great lengths

{Christmas Eve}All I really want ....

2009-12-24T11:22:00.000-06:00

Again today as I go about my "day before Christmas duties" I am trying hard to push the heaviness in my heart aside. Don't get me wrong ... I am full of JOY and in AWE of the fact that a Savior ... THE savior Jesus Christ was born to rescue me from my sin, He came that i would not have to experience separation from my Father in Heaven, He came so that I could have a personal, real relationship

{BABY BOY SCHULTZ} Aching arms, aching heart!

2009-12-23T23:08:00.000-06:00

I sit this evening thinking of a little boy across the word. It is 8:00 am Dec 24, 2009 in his part of Russia. I sit wondering if he will in anyway experience the wonders of Christmas morning tomorrow. Will anyone read him the Christmas story? Will anyone have just the smallest of special gifts for him and for just a moment i know the answer is most likely ... no. This most precious little boy

{A NEW JOURNEY ON A ROAD WELL TRAVELED} 9 cupcakes

2009-12-23T13:18:00.000-06:00

That is right folks .... 9 ... NINE... neueve' (not sure if I spelled that correctly) NOOOOO I didn't EAT 9 cupcakes ..... hold on to your hats .... cause I THREW AWAY 9 cupcakes, 9 perfectly good, smellin' yummy, chocolate cupcakes!Why you ask? Well, I will start from the beginning. If you have followed this blog for just a couple of weeks you know I was called to a fast for a brief period of

WOW!

2009-12-18T23:57:00.000-06:00

I am amazed ... simply put .... AMAZED! God really just knocks my socks off somedays. it blows my mind that He, the maker of all the world, the time keeper, the "big guy upstairs" cares about lil ole me. I mean really, doesn't He have a MILLION other things to do other than to whisper so gently and sweetly to me all day long. Man, i wish I had His skills ... surely then my laundry wouldn't pile

{GLORY TO GOD} HALFWAY

2009-12-15T20:08:00.000-06:00

I have purposely held back from posting anything personal since Friday (the beginning of my fast.) Typically I would not post that I was fasting but there is something really powerful in laying down a basic need like food. The submission and sacrifice brings me to a place like I have never known. Quite honestly, I am a large woman, I not only enjoy food but I have used it for years to fill a void

URGENT PLEA

2009-12-12T10:47:00.000-06:00

As hard as this is to post I know it is in "Ian's" best interest .... as well as the others! I am NOT giving up HOPE .... I just don't want to be a hindrance to him finding a forever family either.URGENT PLEA!Please Grab This Button!