crayfish, anyone?

Sunday proved to be very eventful. We came home from church knowing that we had a showing on our house Monday morning. Our goal--to clean the garage (why does it always end up such a dump?). After lunch Anthony and I were sitting on our bed chatting about something (you know, sorting out all the problems in the world). Next thing we heard a very loud cracking sound. So I looked out the window.

"Uh, Honey, a tree has just fallen on your car."

Casually Anthony says, "Oh really, on top of my car?"

He comes over to look.

"Yip, Hon, it is seriously on top of your car and on the roof of the house too."

Panicked? No way. We knew exactly how it happened. The enemy...he had reared his ugly head again! Sometimes I really think he should try not be to so obvious. A fifteen minute crazy storm blows through, and the one tree that falls down just happens to be next to Anthony's car. Not an old tree, or one with beetles. No, a perfectly good, young tree.

I wonder when satan will get the message--he is messing with the wrong family! How dare he mess with God's chosen people! Doesn't he know by now that no weapon formed against us shall prosper? Doesn't he know that we are God's beloved--that our Father is more than able to fight any battle on our behalf? Doesn't he know that he will surely loose...every single time.

It's all just material stuff. Just things. We don't care about it--it has nothing to do with eternity. We'll just continue to store our treasures in heaven.



The Lord went before us. As soon as the storm passed, our amazing neighbor was on our roof repairing the four big holes the tree had made. By sundown it was done. He saved us so much money we would have had to pay for the deductible on our insurance. The Lord had our back--again.

You that love the Lord, hate evil: He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. Psalm 97:10

Never a dull moment, hey?

A couple of months ago we inherited two crayfish from our homeschool group. It was one of those times when mom was inclined to say "NO", but little faces in front of me pleaded begged to take the little creatures home. Naturally I gave in and two extra critters made their home in our sons bedroom. Joy!

Our oldest has diligently taken care of his new pets. A lesson in responsibility.

Yesterday Connor came running to find me, crayfish in hand.

"Mommy, there is something very wrong with my crayfish--look here mommy". He points to it's belly. A HUGE mass of little black things.

"Mommy, is she going to die?"

"Uh, no honey--that's what happens when a male crayfish and a female crayfish are in the same tank! Those are eggs." Eek!

There are seriously many, many of the little eggs. Oh my goodness--are we going to be taken over by tiny little crayfish? Or do crayfish eat some of their young (don't you just love the animal kingdom)? We have no idea. We actually don't even know if they are crayfish, or crawfish? Until recently I didn't even know there was such a thing as a crawfish--we don't breed those in the Southern Hemisphere.

I guess we'll just have to wait it out and see what happens when the eggs hatch.

Why oh why couldn't they have been puppies or cute little kittens? My kids laugh at me when I tell them crayfish are totally ugly. "But mommy, they're so cute". Um, that would be a no!

fun in the sun

My dear hubby loves photography. Having been in the fashion industry for so many years, he learned about photography in front of, and behind the camera. For years he has wanted a good camera. Just recently the desire of his heart became a reality--he got blessed with an amazing camera. Doesn't our God in heaven just love to bless us with every desire of our hearts? I love that about the Lord--He is so generous when He blesses us...exceedingly, abundantly MORE than we could ever imagine.

Today the kids and I dragged Daddy to the pool with us. It was the perfect opportunity for Anthony to try out his new camera.

Here are some photos of the most amazing blessings in my life.

Our little community pool has the best view.







































We totally laughed when we saw the pictures of Haven...like Daddy dearest, does this face tell you that I DO NOT LIKE THE SWIMMING POOL? The good news is that with every visit we make to the pool, she is learning that it really is okay.

A beautiful day spent with the one's I love the most in this world. How absolutely blessed I am.

more and more and more

It is so tough being a parent in 2009. Holey moley, I think back to when I was in high school in the 80's and I realize how easy we had things. Life seemed so much simpler then. My parents never had to deal with half of what we deal with today.

Drugs? Pretty much unheard of in my high school.

Abortion? Huh, what was that? If a teen happened to get pregnant, she either kept her baby, or gave it up for adoption. Those were the only two choices. Abortion was never even a consideration. How things have changed.

Going to school half naked (sorry, but that is how many teen girls dress these days)? Nope--never an option in my day.

Smoking? Eeeww--that was just nasty, and if you did it, well, it was just because you were trying to be cool.

Internet porn, or even bad magazines? Unheard of.

Magazine covers in the check out isles of grocery stores that make you wish none of your children could read (or even see)? No, never a problem.

I could go on and on.

Things are just different now, aren't they? And, sadly, things are getting worse every day. Heavens above, I shudder to even think about what it is going to be like when my children are raising their own children.

But here's the thing that is just bugging me. How do you raise children in this culture and in these times we live in when everything is about more, more, more and me, me, me?

We want more. We have to have more. We need more and more. We are absolutely living in a more society.

We never have enough. When we own a perfectly decent car, all of a sudden it becomes not good enough and we need a bigger one. Our house can never be large enough--it has to be bigger. Heck, we even eat way too much. We are constantly bombarded with advertisements that promise us a better life, a more comfortable life, an easier life--if we only had this or that product. It is just never enough, is it?

My concern is for my children. I don't like them growing up in a society that is so obsessed with having more, being more and doing more. Already I see my older kids falling into the trap, "Oh mom, can I please spend my pocket money on the newest bionicle that has just come out? It is so cool, mom. I really need it for my collection." Not to mention the fact that he already has a humongous box of the stuff sitting up in his room. Does he really need more? Does he not have enough? Surely there are better ways that he could spend his hard earned money (our kids have to do chores in order to get pocket money)? I know there are.

When did our culture become so obsessed with more? Those of you who have traveled or done missions to third world nations will agree with me here--the happiest, most content people in the world are those who have very little. They are so happy with what they do have. Their churches are truly the happiest places on earth. They sing and they rejoice with all their hearts--praising their God for His amazing provision in their lives. Yet, they have nothing. Isn't that amazing? So often we come to church whining because of our lack--when we actually have more than 80% of the worlds population. How far we have strayed.

I long for my children to know with absolute certainty that Jesus is more than enough! I long for them to know that serving Christ is not about having the latest cars or the fanciest house--but about serving Him with all their hearts, whether they are blessed with little, or much. I long for my children to not be of the world when it comes to consumerism, but to know that their God is more than able to meet every single need that they will ever have.

I find it so easy to be sucked into the ways of the world. Heavens, it is even in our churches. I listened to a pastor preaching on tv the other day. He has a huge church. Scripture was never mentioned! I felt like I was listening to a great motivational speaker teaching about how to live a prosperous life. It had nothing to do with the Word of God. Nothing. It was all about me, me me.

I'm praying. I'm trusting God with the hearts of my children. I am trusting Him for wisdom and guidance as we raise our blessings. May we always be mindful of the fact that the ways of the Lord are NOT the ways of the world. May our children get a revelation in their hearts early in their lives that Jesus is all they will ever need. That the things of the world will pass away...and they are just not worth it, they are so temporary. May they know that only Jesus can satisfy.

My Jesus...He is more than enough for me in this life. Nothing else will ever satisfy. I pray with all my heart that I can impart that truth into the hearts of my children, with the help of the Spirit.

Yes, it is tough being a parent in 2009. But with the help of our God and the gentle promptings of the Spirit, it is possible to raise a generation of children who are set apart from the ways of the world.


My God shall supply all (that means every single one of them!) your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:19

nothing but a princess

A mirror--one of my favorite things. Goggles. I see the kids wearing them at the pool--I wonder what I will look like with them on?

(Dang--the maid in this house is totally slacking off--I need to remind her to straighten the darn lamp)



Let me see--can I see through them? Let me try them on one eye first...



Actually, I think I look way cooler with them on top of my head. What do you think, Daddy?

I may not speak--but you sure can tell a lot about my personality by my sweet, sweet smile.



Do I look cool, Daddy?

Nothing but a princess, sweet girl.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have a very blessed day today, sweet friends. The God of the universe is on your side! He is more than able to carry any burden in your heart.

a sweet little blog award

What a glorious day in the Rockies today--on days like these you will usually find us at the pool--I just can't help it, I absolutely have to be in the sun.

I got blessed--with a sweet little blog award, that is. How fun! I have never got one before, so I was tickled pink that someone thought my blog was lovely. My bloggy friend Christy Rose passed the award on to me.





There are two rules to accepting the award...

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs.Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

So, sweet friends, here goes...the blessing is all mine to give away--so here are some blogs that I think are just absolutely lovely...

Hogar De Amor--Not a mom herself, BUT a mom to many, many children in baby homes she runs in Bolivia. Her faith and commitment touches me deeply.

Ladybugs and frogs--Not just a bloggy friend, but a real life friend too. We traveled together to China when we adopted our first daughter. The day we met I knew we would be friends forever!

God Given Passions--A new bloggy friend. A mommy on a mission to bring her precious son home from Eastern Europe. Her writing and sharing from the Word of God is beautiful.

Trusted With Much--I prayed for her daughter for a long time, trusting God would bring her a family. Then we met in blog world. Her faith is tangible--she is bringing home 2 of God's precious children.

Beyond The Horizon--A sweet bloggy friend with a heart and a passion for adoption. She has the most adorable children and is waiting to bring home their new son.

Splashing Glory--A missionary mommy living in Costa Rica. She loves Jesus, her family, and is bringing home 2 children from Ethiopia. She has a beautiful gift of writing.

Awaiting Kate--An adoptive mommy with a huge heart for orphans. I have been so touched reading her blog and the passion that she has to see ALL children in families.

No Greater Gift--What an incredible journey this mommy has walked. The road to their daughter waiting in the Ukraine has been a beautiful testimony of God's love. GO AND ENTER THE STUNNING GIVE-AWAY ON THEIR BLOG! HELP BRING RUSLANA HOME SOON.

Girly Girl Mommy--A new bloggy friend. God has given her such a desire to add to their family through the blessing of adoption--I can hardly wait to see how things unfold in her life.

Nations Around our Table--Bloggy friend and now friend in real life. Her family is such a huge inspiration. She knows what it means to surrender her life to her Father in heaven. Her children are all so sweet, and their mama gorgeous!

From Glory to Glory--A missionary mommy serving God with her family in Uganda. She writes from the heart and shares from God's Word with amazing wisdom. I have learned so much from this sweet friend. Her family is beautiful.

Treasures From Afar--I never know whether I will laugh or cry when she posts. An amazing mommy with ten blessings. She amazes me with the way she handles every task God gives her with such grace. I love following her journey.

Are We There Yet--This mommy has a HUGE heart for the children who wait. She inspires me with the things she shares. I know she would bring them all home, if she could.

Tony and Rett--The only mommy I know who has adopted twins from China. She has a beautiful ability to share her heart on her blog. I always feel like she is sitting right next to me as I read her posts.

Another Blessing on the Way--We adopted our daughters from the same orphanage in 2006. We traveled all the way to China together. It is such a joy to watch them take the same journey again--this time for their son.

These are just a few of the blogs I follow--and the moms who touch my heart daily with their writing.

for all the reasons I love you

My husband,

What did I ever do to deserve you? You're the one I dreamed of--the one I asked the Father for. You're the one I trusted Him with all my heart to show me. When I almost went down the wrong road and married the wrong man...when I cried out to God to show me if I was making the biggest mistake of my life---you walked in the door...just in the nick of time!

I love you for so many reasons, too many to mention. But here are just a few...

I love the way you love our children--you love each one passionately, as if they were the only one.

I love the way you lead and guide them in the TRUTH.

I love the way you always make time to play with them--no matter how busy you are.

I love the way you make our girls feel like princesses, our boys like mighty warriors.

I love the way you make it your nightly routine to tuck each child in bed, showering them with love and affection, and praying heartfelt prayers over them each and every night.

I love the way you make them laugh. Yeah, they think you're totally dorky when you dance and sing at the top of your voice, but they love it.

I love the way you nurture the strengths in each child.

I love the way our children cannot wait till Daddy comes home from work in the evenings.



You're an amazing husband.

You love me with a passion.

You long to see me fulfill every dream and desire God has placed in me--no matter how crazy it may seem.

You brighten my days when things seem a little crazy--you always point me to our Savior.

You honor me and respect me more than any man every has.

You still make me laugh till it hurts.

You're crazy and goofy--I get the biggest kick out of some of the things you do.

You're an amazing provider for our family. You work so hard to ensure that I can stay home with our children.

You feel my pain when I'm sad, and I know you'd do anything to take it away.

You are so surrendered to our God. Obedience to His will is everything to you. I love that about you. You inspire me to always seek the Kingdom of God before all else.

You love people with all your heart--unconditionally! You encourage me to do the same.

You still get my heart racing every time I look at you.



On this Fathers Day know that I love you more than words can say. How blessed I am that God chose to move you to the other side of the world thirteen years ago--so that we could meet.

Being married to you has been the most incredible adventure. You are the most amazing father and husband. What does God have in store for us next? I have no idea. But I do know that it is going to be good, because our Father in heaven is so amazing to us.

Know, on this special day, that your family honors you, respects you and cherishes you with all our hearts.

when friends get together

Blogging has been the most amazing journey for me. I have met so many incredible people along the way. My life has been so much richer because of the love so many of you have shown me and my family.

Yesterday one of my bloggy friends went from being a blog friend, to a real life friend. Shonni and I live in the same area. We got together in the gorgeous Rockies for a day out together. Isn't it funny how you can meet someone and feel like you have known them for years? I instantly felt like we were old friends.

Between us we had 14 little children running around. Such a beautiful sight.

So there we were--kids running, playing, having the best time. Moms talking non-stop. A few of the little ones wondered over to the water and started touching a fish that a couple fishing nearby had caught--an older couple fishing with their grandson. Shonni and I were oblivious to what was happening at the waters edge--we were too busy chatting. My oldest son, Connor, tried to tell the little ones to stop touching the people's fish. His sister was right in on the action. The kids stopped and moved on to the next activity.

Connor, being the sweetheart that he is, went over to the older couple to apologize for the kids touching their catch. Here is their conversation...

Connor: "I am so sorry the kids were playing with your fish, they won't do it anymore."

Old lady: "Well, maybe your teachers over there should be taking better control of you!"

That's right---ALL those children could surely never be all ours, could they?

We laughed until I thought I was going to cry! They totally thought we were a daycare. They were probably looking around the parking lot for the van that had the name of our daycare on it so that they could report those two slacker teachers.

Oh my word--way too funny.

We took a walk around the lake. What is it about water that just lures kids right in?


A few got their feet wet....



A few more joined them...



And a few more...



And a few more got brave...



Until eventually we had the whole lot of them in the water--wet from top to bottom. Little did the slacker teachers know that there was a sign at the entrance to the park that said 'no swimming allowed". Ooops! An honest mistake...really! Our first day together as friends, and we broke all the rules. We probably need a chaperone next time we play together {chuckle}.



Beautiful colors!



A beautiful day spent with beautiful friends. What a blessing to just be able to let children be children.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you all for the outpouring of love about Haven and her humongous breakthrough. There are no words to describe how much I appreciate your love and support as we journey this road--trusting God with all our hearts for a FULL HEALING for our precious little blessing.

You guys are the best!

breakthrough!

Wow, friends. I have to share something amazing that happened today. I know that so many of you have been praying for Haven for so many months. Many of you have journeyed with us since the day we brought her home.

Today we went swimming for the first time this summer--praise God for warmer weather. It was Haven's first time in a swimming pool. I knew she would be afraid, but like most new things she tries, she adjusts pretty quickly. So I took her in the water with me. She had her armbands on and a little round floatie around her waist. Of course she was afraid, but no tears--just a look that said, "are you serious, I have to get in here?"

After about 10 minutes of being right beside her, I took a step back to pull my wondering four year old closer to me in the water. I kept my eye on Haven, letting her know that I was right there. The next thing she reached out toward me with her hand....and said "ma-ma". Huh? I was shocked! Then she said it again, "ma-ma".

Oh my gosh, it is the first time she has EVER said anything like that. Now and then we can get her to imitate us (but it is hit and miss as to whether she will even try), but she NEVER voluntarily says anything...ever.

I was so excited. It was absolute music to my ears--to hear my daughter actually say a word. I was so tearful. Of course I could not get her to say it again--but she did it once, and that is good enough for me.

Such a tiny little baby step--but for our daughter who has been completely non-verbal for almost nine years, it is such a huge milestone.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, I am so grateful.

Rejoicing!

the ultimate mission

You want to know something about me? I MISS the mission field. I MISS Africa so much it hurts. My friend Shonni posted some pictures from her recent trip to Uganda. My heart broke. There is just something about Africa. The way the people worship and serve the Father is unbelievable, something hard to understand unless you have experienced it.

You all know that I am South African. I met an American missionary in South Africa, fell head over heals in love, learned quickly that there was so much more to God than I ever imagine...and the rest is history. I posted about our journey here. Anyway, I miss the mission field. I miss the life of serving God out on the field. I miss it with all my heart.

Needless to say, over the years that we have been living out of Africa we have begged, and I mean BEGGED, God to let us go back. On a few occasions we have been so desperate to go 'home' that we have taken things into our own hands and actively taken steps to go back. Every single time the Lord has brought our plans to a grinding halt. Ever experienced that? When you move full steam ahead with something (of course justifying all the way that it is a "God thing"), only to have it all just fall apart before your eyes?

As much as I miss Africa (the place as well as my precious friends and family), I am learning that God wants us to live in the here and now. Not in the tomorrows. Not in what may (or may not) be on the cards in the future. Only in the here and now. We have a precious friend who always reminds us that we are not here by some mistake--we are here because God has us here. We are here (in the USA) because the Almighty Father has a plan and a purpose in it all. What He does with us here is not my concern--being obedient to STAY is all that matters. Sometimes it is so much harder to stay. There is no place I would rather be than right in the center of His will for my life.

I'm learning something, sweet friends. The mission field will always be appealing to me. There is just something about it that gets under your skin. But, here's my reality--I AM on my mission field. This is my mission. Raising my children, right here in my own home, is my mission. It is what God has called me to do, equipped to me do and annointed me to do. How easy it is for me to want to do more, be more. How often I find myself taking my eyes off the purpose God has for my life.

I so often forget what an incredible call motherhood is. So often my heart and thoughts are somewhere else--not in my home, focused on the task He has given me. I don't mean just the daily caring of my children, but the amazing responsibility of sowing seed into their little lives. The mission is huge...enormous! The mission of ensuring that, by the time they leave my nest, they will be equipped with everything they need to serve the Lord for the rest of their lives. The huge responsibility of ensuring they will have the Word of God so buried in their hearts that they [hopefully] will never get caught up in the things of the world.

So here I am today, willing to serve the Father with all my heart in this, my mission field. No, I may not be in Africa--but I am right where He needs me to be. There will always be a pull to do more, to be more, to get involved in other things. But this is it--my mission. Serving my Father in heaven with everything that is within me--and doing it with a cheerful heart.

May we always be mindful of the high calling that motherhood is. Our society has made children out to be such a burden, so much hard work. I would be rich if I got paid every time someone made a comment about how I 'have my hands full' with a look that said 'you must be crazy, woman'. It drives me nuts. I would much rather choose to have my hands full, rather than empty. How blessed we mom's are. We have the awesome mission of raising the next generation--there can be no higher calling for me right now. This is my mission, and I am so content in it.

This is my Africa!

an urgent situation

I know many of you are adoptive moms, or moms who have adoption on your hearts. I know a few of you are longing to bring a child home--you're just waiting (for what probably feels like way too long). I know exactly how that feels. Many of us share a common interest here--the fatherless! We are passionate about the plight of orphans and would go to the ends of the earth to rescue every single one of them.

Being involved in the adoption community has been such a huge blessing for me. I have met the most amazing families. But, as most of you know and understand all too well, I see those who wait. Children who are desperate. Children who long for the embrace of a mommy and daddy. Children who have never experienced the love of a family. I tell you, it just about breaks my heart in two. I know you understand.

Every now and then I come across a child (or children) who are in a desperate situation. Those who are either living on borrowed time due to health issues, or those who have suffered unspeakable pain and suffering. These children bring me to my knees--begging God to rescue them.

Two weeks ago I heard of two such children. Two little girls. One is 4 years old, the other just 20 months. Both are virtual babies. They lie in cribs all day long--they hardly ever leave them. They never feel the warmth of the sun on the skin, or the cool breeze that blows through their hair. The four year old weighs only 15 pounds--how can that possibly be? She cannot even sit up alone. The effects of being confined to a crib all day long means that her growth and development are severely stunted. I'm sure she stopped growing a long time ago.

Here's the thing, friends. They need to be rescued--soon. The region in the Ukraine that they live in has put a policy in place where the locals are strongly encouraged to foster children. Their incentive to foster? $600 a month. That is a huge amount of money for these people. On paper it sounds like a great idea--get them out of the orphanages and into families. But for these children it is a disaster. The locals are rushing in and taking a child (much the same as we would go looking for a dog at the local shelter), only because of the money. Instead of spending the money on the children in their care, it unfortunately goes toward the next bottle of whiskey. Alcoholism is HUGE in this nation. There is no Home Study, no background checks--it is just a case of 'come and get a child'. How awful.

So, why the urgency? These two little ones are two of the Father's special children. They both have Down Syndrome. They are both fearfully and wonderfully made--the apple of His eye. They are both frail and extremely weak. If they leave the orphanage they will surely die. Isn't it sad that they are actually way better off in an orphanage than with a local family? My heart cannot comprehend it.

V and S are absolutely adorable. I wish I could post their pictures, but due to confidentiality I am unable to. They need to be rescued. So, I am appealing to my dear bloggy friends--if you (or someone you know) may be willing to open your hearts to one of these sweet little treasures, please let me know and I can put you in touch with the right person. This is a matter of urgency. Once a local comes and takes them away they can never be adopted again.

I am praying with everything that is within me. I am praying that a family will step forward really soon. I am trusting the Lord that He will keep them in that orphanage, that no-one will come and take them away until their parents get to them.

I know that V and S are just two out of millions and millions of orphans. I know that they all need homes so desperately. But, they are two that God chose to cross my path. They are two that have broken my heart in two. The least I can do is write about them here in the hopes that one of you may just be their family.

If you know of anyone who may be interested, please e-mail me at [email protected]

I would be so grateful if you would stand with me in trusting that God would bring a family soon. Trust with me that someone will hear the call of God and GO.

all in a hard days fishing

My boys love to go fishing. Me? Well, let's just say that their vegetarian mommy prays that all little trout swim for their lives. No, just kidding-- I do love to see their faces when they make a catch--I don't even force them throw them back in the water :)

I am convinced that Spring has completely missed the mountains this year. Oh my word--50 degrees is winter! We finally had a day when it hit 55 and we absolutely had to get out. We live a stunning part of the country, it really is gorgeous. So we headed to a nearby lake.


Okay DeeDee (that's what we call our little guy, it means "little brother" in Chinese--named by his first adopted sister), I'm sure this is right--do you think this is how we fish? You just dangle the fishing rod in the water, right?



Am I doing it right, mommy?



She's just smiling, DeeDee, this must be right.



Mmmm, maybe we should take some tips from the big guy--he's doing it a little differently to us.



Fishing is so much fun, mom--but then again, there is not much that I don't love doing. This girl just loves life!



Such a great little helper--always ready and willing to help the little ones out.



Okay, I'll give up on the fishing--do you think I look so much cuter when I wiggle my hips? Yip, I'll stick to what I do best.



A friendly little guy came to visit...



And then ran away...



Then he discovered we had food! He came a little closer...



And closer....



Until he was literally eating right out of my lap. (I know, I know--NEVER feed the wildlife...but he was just too darn cute. Hey, and they were organic chips--just what every chipmunk needs, right?)



Then he began eating them right out of our hands.



Look Haven, I caught a fish.



It's a fish, Haven, you don't have to be afraid, it won't hurt you.



Do you want to touch it, Haven? Don't worry, it's already dead--I promise it won't bite you.



The lazy man's way of fishing--throw the line in, and while you wait, take a nap. Oh, and make sure little brother is on high alert, just in case there is a bite!



We live in a beautiful area.






Snow on Pikes Peak.












Thank you, Lord Jesus for warm[ish] days, spent with the ones I treasure. How blessed I am.