We give thanks...

So much to be thankful for, as always. Here's my top 3 this week...

1) We are thankful for a successful fundraiser for Kairos Christian School! Last Friday we had almost 200 people in attendance for a dinner and auction that raised over $15,000 after expenses. I've never really been involved with a fundraiser like this before and was humbled by the response of people willing to help, come, donate. Thank you all! The evening was a blur for me, but the result was more than I could have ever imagined- God is good like that. He continues to be in the business of surprises and blessings. Here are a few pics from the evening- not great quality...

Sarah, Lee Anne and me- we were half of the planning team- didn't get a picture of our whole team together... we weren't in the same place together all night!


Mayra Garcia and Mr. Danilo (principal of Kairos) speaking about the school



Mayra, Mr. Danilo and a few cute kiddos...


2) I am thankful for eight years of marriage! We didn't do anything too crazy to celebrate, but we have a couple of traditions like writing lists of why we love each other that we've managed to continue. We did go out for dinner tonight and my hubby "made" me banana bread which is a favorite from my Guatemala days. I think the thing I appreciate most about our marriage recently is how we work well as a team- recognizing each other's strengths/weaknesses and tackling parenting, decisions, etc. together. I think I'll keep him around :).

3) I am thankful for motherhood. I'm not saying I'm great at it, but I really LOVE it. While en route to play at Paradise Park at 7 on a Friday night, someone recently asked me if I really enjoyed spending my weekends that way. I sincerely answered that it is FUN to hang out with Samuel and we have great friends who are spending their Friday nights the same way! I think for awhile I thought about what I was "missing out on" by being a mom, but now I can't imagine what I would be missing out on if I weren't! Despite being terrified at the thought of giving birth, I'm getting excited to meet Baby Boy #2 (10 more weeks!).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Homecoming Day!

I'm a day late, but yesterday marked our second anniversary of coming home from Guatemala with Samuel! It was fitting that Jimmy returned home from Guatemala on Saturday. From the stories I've heard so far, sounds like it was a great trip! We didn't do the best job of celebrating Samuel's "gotcha" or "homecoming" day. Our intent was to read his adoption story book and do something as a fam. We didn't get the book read, but it was a good day. He did proudly wear the "Guatever" t-shirt that Jimmy brought home for him. The other day he said to me unprompted "I'm your son. You're my mommy." I said "Yes, that's right." And this time of year I think I'll always appreciate that fact even more. I also find myself thinking about his birth mom more around this time, praying for her, thanking God for her. I wonder if she thinks of Samuel and how she is doing.

When I reflect on two years ago, now I can see how much Samuel has changed our lives. Not just the obvious stuff like the JOY of having him, the parenting, the change of schedule, etc., but in the passion for orphans, for Guatemala and for trying to live more simply (still have a ways to go there...). Since saying "Ok, God, let's go!" with the adoption, it seems like He has continued to put more faith challenges in our path. I am thankful for Samuel and our adoption experience for challenging us to live with bigger faith. I have to say it's been the best, most satisfying two year period in my walk with the Lord and in my marriage.

One last thing....
We are in the final week before the fundraiser for Kairos- the school in Guatemala. It's a week from Friday (the 19th!). I feel like everyone who knows us is going to be ready for us to stop asking for help/participation with all things Guatemala! I promise we will back off after the 19th! Our last day to sell tickets is this Sunday and we've honestly sold less than what we'd hoped for at this point, so we're hoping for a last minute surge in sales! Want to come? :)

Happy Monday... what's left of it!

3 links and my worst parenting moment of the week...

My blog needs a makeover... as do several other aspects of my life, like the baby's room that has piles of clothes and boxes scattered about... but we'll get to that eventually!

I keep running into articles in all kinds of publications about foster care and adoption. I thought I'd share a couple... the first is from the local KC Parent magazine and it talks about Drumm Farm. The other is from Focus on the Family's Thriving Family magazine and shares several adoption stories.

My hubby comes home tomorrow from Guatemala- yea! From the random 5 minute conversations we've had this week, it sounds like it has been a good trip. If you haven't read any of the blog entries, click HERE and take a look! Samuel and I have done ok on our week at home alone, although he's been out of sorts. I had one of those "I thought this only happens in the movies" moments with him at the dr.'s office this week. I try to avoid taking him with my to my dr.'s appointments for obvious reasons, but it was inevitable. He was cranky to begin with, but when the nurse called me in before he deemed playtime with the waiting room toys to be over, he had a meltdown. Not just tears, but yelling and running. Not his typical style. So as I'm in the bathroom leaving the standard urine sample (TMI, sorry), he is opening the door and trying to escape. As I'm weighing in, he takes off down the hall with two nurses chasing him. Did I mention he's still crying and screaming? At one point, I had the doctor and two nurses all trying to calm him down. I was embarrassed and almost in tears. Two trains and a sucker later, and the kid calmed down. I've never been seen so quickly, so it wasn't all bad, but I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Good thing he's so stinking cute. So Jimmy, come home soon!

And a couple of pics to leave you with... Halloween at church with Sam's buddy, Luke...


Photo shoot with Jessica Horton... I'll have more pics later, but she posted a few from our time with her on Tuesday. I think Samuel looks so grown up!!