Caution...Busy Weekend Ahead

Heading into a busy weekend....again.  This time, it's not fun either!  I am taking a weekend class.  I will go Friday evening,8-5 on Saturday, and 1-5 on Sunday.  Bummer huh?  I wish I didn't have to, but I would much rather do that then go twice a week every week until December!  I am doing three of these classes, so I am only going 9 days total.  I think I made a good choice, just struggling with the fact that I am going to be worn out.  I really wish I could make it to Homecoming this Friday, but I won't be able to.  Praying our class lets out a bit early, but I DOUBT it! 

Since I really have nothing else to say really, I will leave you with a weekend post full of photos!  We enjoyed ONE last day at the pool celebrating my nephew's birthday!  It was a PERFECT day! 

LOVE.  These girls are AMAZING!

 This is our big boy Jack.  Wonder how I got him to pose?  I am holding a stick above the camera.  He will do anything, ANYTHING for a stick!

 Grabbed this shot for a challenge titled "school" and I LOVE what I got!  Shows my sweet girl ready to come home after a long day!

HAVE AN AWESOME WEEKEND!

Randy {my boy}

Randy absolutely crack me up with some of the things he says!  Randy has got to be one of the best kids at getting out of trouble.  He just knows how to do it with me!  Maybe not Daddy, but he does me!  He has so many expressions and I don't know if he is ever serious!

The other day, he was staying home with Randall.  Randall told him to get dressed.  Randy comes out in a green shirt and blue and orange shorts.  I tell Randy he doesn't match.  His reply- "It be alright Mom, it be alright."

Yesterday we are snuggled in the chair and he says, "Mommy, you have a bra?"  Since when did he know exactly what a bra was?

The other night Randall sent Randy to the fridge for a Pepsi.  The little turkey brought back three.  He said, "One for Sissy, one for Daddy, and one for me!  That sound good Dad?"  Randall told him as long as he got one for me, they could each enjoy a Pepsi!

He always has the silliest expressions.  It started as a baby!

Need I say more?  He's got his Mommy's heart.  That's for sure!

The transition...

We made it through two weeks of school.  Whew.  Wasn't sure we would, but we did.  I knew it would be tough, but to be honest, I think everyone is dealing with the transition pretty well.
Ruthie started 1st grade this year.  She moved from the Kindergarten Center to the Primary School which holds grades 1-3.  This was a big change for her.  She also went from riding the bus in the afternoon to riding it in the morning.  At first, I was a bit worried about it.  I would much rather take her to and from school, but it's just not smart to be honest.  We live about 10 miles from her school.  I work about 3 miles from my house.  So, I would be driving her to school (10 miles) and then back to work (7 miles) and then back to pick her up (another 10 miles) and then back home (the last 10 miles).  It just honestly didn't make sense. So, we decided to let her on in the morning so I am not rushed b/c I am one person who does NOT like to get up in the morning.  She doesn't seem to mind it too much.  I like her bus driver and I think he handles things well.  I think 1st grade will challenge her more.  I think Ruthie is super smart (and not just b/c she is my kid) but b/c she catches on well.  I am excited to watch her learn and grow.  She is reading to us every night and she is surprising us every time b/c she stretches her words out more and more.
Randy is going back to daycare.  I am super excited for him too b/c even though he resisted going, he is transitioning wayyyyy better than I imagined!  He isn't crying when I leave him and I love how they teach there.  He is going to learn so much.  I won't lie, I didn't do a lot of educational things with the kids this summer.  I gave their mind (and mine!) a break!
Being back at work, I am exhausted.  I love my job though.  I am truly blessed to have this job and work with the people I work with.  God has put me here for a reason and I think Him for that.  I miss my babies, but coming home to them makes me treasure them even more.
The transition has been a lot easier than I thought it would be.  I didn't cry too much!  There were a few shed tears, but what mom/school faculty is ready for summer to be over?! Now that schools here, it's football game time!  We enjoy going to the games.  It also means earlier bedtimes and less tv, so I happen to think that's a good thing.

Gonna leave you with a few fun photos from my sweet niece's birthday party!  It was a blast!

Wordless Wednesday {back to school}

Thinking ahead....

My heart is heavy and full of joy today.  I have so much on my mind, I feel as though I can't concentrate.  I keep thinking about what's ahead in our lives.  I know we are to live in the moment, but after reading another blog today, my mind can't seem to focus.  Let me explain....
I have a friend I used to work with.  She traveled to Honduras during Spring Break.  There she met a VERY precious little girl.  After meeting her, she knew right then, she wanted her.  See, this precious little girl is in an orphanage.  She is unwanted.  My friend and her family want her.  Their hearts are crying out to her.  They want to give her what she needs.  Not just what she wants, but what she needs.  She doesn't have a home, a family, someone to love her forever, or a good supply of food.  My friend just wants to give her her basic needs, plus MUCH more.  Things aren't moving along as they had hoped, there are some trials, but God is still moving.
This morning, I was reading my favorite blog.  Ashley Ann is truly an inspirational mother and wife.  She loves with all her heart and knows how to put it into words that make you wonder what you are doing with your life and are you really making a difference. She lets her kids be kids.  She's crafty and just full of joy! I love her blog.  This morning I was excited to read about her trip to China where she met her daughter.  Ashley has been on an adoption journey for a while.  She has known for many years she wanted to adopt.  Today, I finally got to see photos of her little one.  My how my heart leaped with joy.  She is absolutely gorgeous.  Her smile melted my heart.  The photos of her looking into Ashley's eyes and seeing her new dad hold her with tear-stained cheeks.....there are no words.  It just makes me sit back and wonder, "what am I doing?  Am I making a difference?"  I am not saying you have to adopt to make a difference.  But something is moving in my heart.  I can't explain it.  I don't know if it has to do with all the pregnant people around me, traveling to Honduras, or reading about these adoptions.  I just know God is moving in my heart.  He is telling me something.  I need to be still and listen.  Randall and I have both been led to foster.  And the odd thing is, I think we are both leaning towards the youth.  Most people would prefer younger ones.  For some reason we both see us with teenagers.  We both have agreed to look into it a lot more in about five years.  We want to be financially stable.  We are far from it.  We want to be able to support these kids on our own.  We have no idea what fostering involves, we just know we want to be a part of it.  I know that there are so many out there without a mother or father.  It breaks my heart to know they feel unloved.  Working with the youth, I see so many craving attention.  It burdens my heart b/c I want to give it to them, but they want their parents.  I want to make a difference.  I want to do what God is calling me to do.  I want to give love where love is needed.
I realize this is a lot of rambling, but I am posting b/c I want to ask for prayers.  Pray for our family as we open our hearts and allow God to guide us and show us what He wants.  Not what we want, but what He wants.

I'm Back! {Honduras Trip}

Whew....what an amazing trip I had!  It was such a blessing!  Let's just say there were a few kids who made me truly want to adopt and bring back home!  One brother and sister in particular!  They were well taken care of, but their sweet souls just made my heart ache for them b/c I want them!

I will start from the beginning!
On the way to the airport, it was POURING down rain.  We have prayed for rain all summer.  It finally hit so hard that we almost missed our flight.  Let's just say nothing was going to stop us.  Our flight was delayed a bit.  We were supposed to have fifty minutes in between our flights.  That quickly changed to twenty minutes.  We were running through the Houston airport.  I thought for sure we wouldn't make it.  We did thank goodness!  When we arrived in San Pedro Sula, a man accidently took off with my back pack which held my Kindle (way of communicating while down there) and many other things.  I take off running again and try to explain to him with hand motions that he had my back pack.  We get it figured out, but I was scared b/c here I was running through an airport with sawed off shotguns and I don't even speak their language!  Thank GOODNESS I got my bag back b/c as it turns out, only 3 people received their luggage.  Guess who did not? That's right- ME. I was so grateful to have some extra clothes in my carry on.
After we arrive we meet up with our AMAZING helpers, Manuel & Maira and the best Honduran driver- Louise!  They are absolutely the most helpful, loving people you will ever meet.  They take us out to eat at the Power Chicken.  YUMMO!  It was deliciouso!  Once we got to the hotel (about a 2.5 hour drive) we settled down in time for dinner.  Let's just say we were WIPED OUT!  The next three days we visisted two schools in the morning, ate lunch, and then we visited two schools in the afternoon.  Some even stuck around after school was over just to see us and hear God's Word!  I love the fact that we are allowed to share God's Word IN SCHOOL in Honduras.  If only that could happen again here.....  I think it's such an opportunity for me, b/c I work at a school.   I have to travel in order to bring God's Word to the public schools.....
All the schools had amazing children.  The boy I fell in love with was at the gate when we arrived.  He just smiled at me the whole time.  I kept my eyes out for him while we were there.  After we handed out the Shepherd Bags, we were able to enjoy some play time with them.  I played with him for a while and his sweet, gorgeous sister came up to me and I asked her if she was his sister.  She said yes, and I just wanted to scoop them up and go home!  They were so precious.  He hugged me many times and told me thank you.  He even kissed my cheek as we were leaving.  Needless to say, I left in tears.  I am so grateful for the little Spanish I know!
We were able to eat at a wonderful resturant and the other was so polite to us.  She did anything we needed her to.  She was one gorgeous woman too.  The mayor of Santa Barbara (where we went) even came along the first day and sent assistants the next few days.  She even paid for our spectacular hotel!
Before we hand out Shepherd Bags, our preacher preaches some and Manuel translates.  After, Manuel preaches some more.  Asks them to bow their heads, say a prayer, and then raise their hand if they meant it.  Seeing those precious glowing hands raised....there are no words.  Many souls more going to Heaven and when I get there, I can't wait to see their little faces!
The first time I went, I was a bit uneasy b/c all around me it felt evil.  I didn't feel safe where we went the first time in 2010.  This time, it was a whole different story.  We were accepted everywhere.  These people haven't had to experience the devil.  I am so happy God's seed was planted before the devil came.   Last time, I went to learn to put God first in my life.  I had put my family first and I knew that was wrong.  Leaving your children and trusting that God is protecting you all is a hard thing to do and I was so blessed.  I have God first in my life and I was able to relax and truly enjoy the country and their people!
We had some amazing people go with us.  Two special youth girls went.  What an experience!  They kept us on our toes and had us laughing until tears were running down our legs!  HAHA!  They are such precious souls and I think it is VERY important for younger generations to see poverty in true form and see what they have compared to others.
I am one blessed woman.  Now, to share some photos.......

Me and some kiddos on the first day, first school.  The one in the middle LOVED the camera!

 

Here is my boy....yes, I wish he was here with me now....

 

And here we are with his sister.  Isn't she breathtaking!?

 

Precious little saved souls I will one day see in Heaven!

 

Checking out what they received in their bags!

Two more days....

And I am leaving on a jet plane! :) I am beyond excited! I am headed to Honduras for five days to deliver Shepherd Bags to the schools of Honduras along with the most important- God's Word! I am going with an amazing group, so I soooo can not wait! It's going to be another life changing experience!

Here's Randall with one special girl!