Why?

I know it is all over the news and many blogs. But, my heart breaks for Steven Curtis Chapman and his family. His youngest daughter, Maria (adopted from China) was killed in a tragic accident at their home on Wednesday. Of course, I don't know SCC, but I have definitely been touched by his music over the years. In fact, one of his songs was played at our wedding. I am also amazed by his love for children and his support and advocacy of adoption.

The thought of losing a child bewilders me. The God that created this universe gives and takes away. But, I don't think I can grasp losing one of my sweet babies. C's heart, K's eyes and charm, F's eager approach to life, K Bel's tender love...all of these things are things that I assume are mine forever. Our kids are given to us for a season, and we don't know how long that season will be. Hug them a little tighter and for a little longer today. And please pray for the Chapman family...that God's peace and grace will cover them.

Here is the chorus of Steven Curtis Chapman's recent song, "Cinderella":

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms

Cause I know something the prince never knew

Oh I will dance with Cinderella

I don't wanna miss even one song,

Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone.

Happy Birthday Little F...

Two years ago today, I received a call from our caseworker at the foster agency. "We have a baby that needs a home" she said. I think I might have said yes without even calling Hubs first. We had been asking the agency for a baby for a long time. I received that call on a Monday, and on Thursday, I met up with the director of our agency to pick her up. I haven't stopped chasing her since. (Those are some cookies from her ice cream party)

I have always asked God for a baby with curly hair...F definitely has that. I have always said that we might need a little spunk in our house....F definitely has that. Hubs has always wanted a Daddy's girl....F definitely IS that. Our family needed someone who is not afraid to tell us what she thinks....F definitely is that. We needed someone who walks through a room saying, 'hi guys, how are you, good.' even when there is noone in the room...F definitely is that. F is definitely not a child anything like the rest of the kids in our house, but she is our child. I often look at her and wonder what the future holds...not just for our family, but for her as an individual.

Today F is two years old. I am thankful that she is a part of our family...she really is one of us. God has given us a gift. Some days, I don't deserve her. I am still learning how to handle her the best way that I can. But, I love her and I hope she feels loved.

So, happy birthday F...you really do win my heart day by day!!! I love you...

A sleepover...

Generally speaking, I have not had very many opportunities to be gone overnight from my family. In fact, we have been involved in our Sunday school class for 5 1/2 years, and I have not done any women's retreats or conferences, etc. Tonight I am going out on a limb. When Hubs gets home, I am hitting the road to a friends' house where lots of Sunday school girls are having a retreat/sleepover. I told C earlier that I wasn't sure if I was going because we had so much going on. He said, "Mommy you really should go." I went, "hmmm." And he said, "You know you wouldn't want to miss out on all the fun." So, off I go. My little man is right. I wouldn't want to miss out on all the fun.

Ya'll have a great weekend.

Happy Mother's Day...

I gave C a book for Christmas that is called 'I Love You More', by Laura Duksta. It is awesome. Tonight when I was reading it to the kids before bed, it really hit me how blessed I am to have a mom that is unreal. She is one of my very best friends. Somehow, it seems, that she always had time for me, she always had a perfectly clean house, dinner was always cooked and cleaned up, laundry done (practically before you had a chance to even take your clothes off), and more love than you can imagine. She set her expectations high and her tolerance for disrespect low. She whopped me on the hiny when I was naughty, but hugged me and told me she loved me almost immediately after. She is an amazing wife, mom, nana, sister, daughter, Christ follower, and friend.

Here is a little glimpse of the book that I was reading tonight...Mom, I do love you more!! :)

"I love you higher than the highest swing ever swung. I love you sweeter than the sweetest song ever sung. I love you longer than the longest lollipop ever lasted. I love you louder than the loudest rocket ship ever blasted. I love you taller than the tallest giraffe ever grown. I love you more, so much more than you've ever known."

Some people cannot talk about their mother in law the way that I can. Over the years, I have grown so much closer to her than I really thought was possible. Don't get me wrong...we had some years of warming up and learning each other's quirks (mostly mine, I am sure). But that time was well spent and well worth the wait. Talk about a woman of God...she has an incredible faith. I am thankful for the son that she raised and the character that she molded in him. I am inspired by her independence, loyalty, humor, and positive outlook. I am blessed that, even though she is my mother in law, she is one of my closest friends. Grammy, I don't have a quote for you, but you are loved and respected by many. And I am blessed to call you....mommy in law.

I hope everyone had a Happy Mother's day. We had a great weekend, with Faithy's 2nd birthday party. More on that later.

At your service...

Yesterday Hubs was out of school, so we all spent the day together. We kept C and K home from preschool because...well...playing with Daddy is fun. And no one wants to miss that. We even got to go to the 'ice cream store' for a little snack. Lots of fun. We were sitting in the living room playing restaurant. The kids were preparing meals for us. C went to Hubs and said, 'What would you like sir'? Hubs said, 'I would like a tall carmel macchiato.' C said, 'Ok, and what would you like to drink'? (Hubs looked at me and smiled). Hubs said, 'Hmmm...I think I will have sweet tea.' C said, 'Ok, with sugar or no sugar'? Hubs held it together without laughing and said, 'sugar please'.

Just a few minutes ago C said, 'Mommy, I know how haircuts happen'. He got a haircut yesterday, so it makes sense that this is on his mind. So I said, 'Oh yeah? How?' and he replied, 'The people use those tools to vacuum your hair off '. Haha. I love that kid. And I promise he really is very smart...