I Saw What I Saw

My friend Kimberly posted this song on her blog. I love Sara Groves, but hadn't heard this song. If you have adopted or if you have even been out of the country on a mission trip or interacted with people who are less fortunate, this video will challenge you not to forget what those experiences have taught you.

On a lighter note... at the doctor's today a little kid asked me "Did you think you were going to have a black baby or a white baby?" I just laughed as his mother yanked him away and apologized profusely. I was thinking "Well, Samuel's brown and he's what I thought I was going to have :)!"

March Madness

We've had our own March Madness around here lately...

After days of spring weather, the end of last week the temps dropped and we had five-ish inches of snow on Saturday, that almost all melted the next day (I know, I live in Missouri, this is just how it is!).

Two weekends ago we had 14 students stay at our house for the weekend. It was definitely cozy! They were here as part of a student retreat with our church. College students were here as their leaders- we just hosted. It was fun to get to know the girls and help out. Samuel loved the attention. I have decided that I am officially getting older as it is harder to function on less sleep!

Samuel is now 19 months! He continues to be a lot of fun. Recent obsessions include cars and Elmo. Elmo is the only acceptable object that can stay in the crib with him. Yes, you heard it, the CRIB. He is napping and sleeping at night in his crib. No more sleep drives in the car for naptime! We've been home almost five months and we finally have conquered the sleeping issue (for the moment!!).

I've also fine tuned some of my mom skills lately including being able to shower in less time than it takes Samuel to eat a box of raisins (important skill in order to avoid closet shelves being emptied) and the ability to contort my arm in weird positions to hand food, toys, etc. over to the backseat while driving. Who knew these would be important skills?

And with respect to the actual basketball tournament- I'm killing my husband in our bracket :)!

Here are a couple of pictures of my latest adventure with Erick and Samuel. We went to feed the elk and buffalo at the state park by our house. They wouldn't come up to the fence as usual, but Samuel and Erick were persistent.

Do you live in St. Louis?

Hey all,

Our sweet friend, Erin Duggin, is an amazing photographer in St. Louis. She is doing a mini-shoot day to benefit Kairos School in Guatemala. This is the school I've talked about several times on here that was started by a family we got to know while in Guatemala. It's a high quality school for kids who can't afford education. Anyways- Erin is doing a photo shoot day in St. Louis and all of the proceeds go to the school. Looking for a way to help and need great pics of your fam? Here's your chance! Read this for more info. I had no idea Erin was doing this and just got all teary eyed when I read her blog this morning. It is so encouraging and inspiring to me to see people allowing God to break their hearts for kids and people they've never met and to take ACTION to help!

In other news... we are in initial discussion with our church about taking a mission trip to Guatemala in the next year to do construction projects at Mayra's school. Please pray that the details get worked out quickly and that people are called to travel with us.

This is a big week for me. I have been all emotional and weepy for days now. I think Jimmy is starting to worry about me. One year ago this Wednesday I got on a plane with my Mom and flew to Guatemala to be with Samuel... forever. No more visits, no more good-byes. March 18, 2008 started my almost 8 month stint in Guatemala. It's been quite a year and I am continually overwhelmed with the MIRACLE of Samuel becoming part of our family.

Here are some pictures from one year ago this week!

Can I just be honest for a minute? The past couple of weeks have been hard, too. I've been home for four months and should feel "settled", right? But I have had to make tough decisions about work and our family. After how the Lord provided so abundantly for us through the adoption, it should be easy to trust His provision as we make decisions about jobs and family, but I still struggle. With everyone in the media saying how "bad" the economy is, did it make sense to say NO to a perfectly good full time teaching job? I just am not ready to leave Samuelito full time and we think we can swing it financially another year. So now I'm praying my part time at the community college will continue or maybe even expand a little. In addition, Jimmy and I have been talking and praying a lot about how the Lord would want us to pursue growing our family... some challenging conversations (not because of Jimmy :), but because of the content!). I am holding on to John 14:27 that says "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." God is so good!