Head on over here to check out twelve hymns my wonderful husband recorded on piano for my birthday in April. Most of them were done on the first take! And he doesn't even look at music when he plays. Talk about talented.
I had prayed when I was single that the Lord might bless me with a husband who could play the piano and guitar, and I've often thought how kind it is of God to have answered my prayer. My husband's musical talent brings such joy to our home, and the best part is that his primary goal in using his gifts is to give glory back to the Giver of all good gifts.
Hope you enjoy sharing some of his work with us! The kids and I are listening to them again this morning...
June 29, 2010
June 27, 2010
June 26, 2010
Fund Raising Can Be Fun!
Tony and Jenn Sutton are good friends of ours, and they're in the process of adopting a baby from Ethiopia too. We had a fund raising car wash at our church for them today, and it was a huge success...and a blast! We were able to have some great conversations with people from the community and the Lord blessed Tony and Jenn with awesome donations by the end of the afternoon. Here are some pics from the day.
It's such a blessing to be part of a church that loves orphans, loves our community, and loves one another. We are so thankful to be sharing life and serving God together!
June 25, 2010
Adopting Older Children
I've been drawn more and more to stories about families who adopt older children, and families who have lots of children. Hubby and I have spoken lately about how wonderful it is that God has given us a common desire to have a large family and to adopt older children as our kids near that age group.
I came across a blog on our adoption agency's client website of a family with eight children, one biological and the rest adopted from the foster care system and various countries. One of the children they adopted most recently is a girl from Ethiopia. Through the adoption process they thought she was 10 years old. When she arrived in their home, she let them know that she was actually 13. The orphanage she came from reduces children's ages on paper so that they seem more adoptable to Americans. I think this is terrible! Of course it's wrong for the orphanage to be deceitful. But it's embarrassing on our part that they feel the need to do so.
We did adopt babies, and we're thrilled that we're experiencing the joy of raising them from infancy. We thought this would be wise since we hadn't been parents before. But children would be no less ours if we adopted them at age 13, or 15 or 17. Orphans all need families, no matter how old they are. In fact, there is something even more beautiful and exciting to me when a family adopts an older child. These are children who have been waiting and hoping for years, and are longing for parents to love them and take them in as their own. And these are children for whom time is running out. Most orphans don't have good options waiting for them once they "graduate" from the orphanage.
I know God will call each family to what is right for them. I pray that in that process He will provide for orphans too!
I came across a blog on our adoption agency's client website of a family with eight children, one biological and the rest adopted from the foster care system and various countries. One of the children they adopted most recently is a girl from Ethiopia. Through the adoption process they thought she was 10 years old. When she arrived in their home, she let them know that she was actually 13. The orphanage she came from reduces children's ages on paper so that they seem more adoptable to Americans. I think this is terrible! Of course it's wrong for the orphanage to be deceitful. But it's embarrassing on our part that they feel the need to do so.
We did adopt babies, and we're thrilled that we're experiencing the joy of raising them from infancy. We thought this would be wise since we hadn't been parents before. But children would be no less ours if we adopted them at age 13, or 15 or 17. Orphans all need families, no matter how old they are. In fact, there is something even more beautiful and exciting to me when a family adopts an older child. These are children who have been waiting and hoping for years, and are longing for parents to love them and take them in as their own. And these are children for whom time is running out. Most orphans don't have good options waiting for them once they "graduate" from the orphanage.
I know God will call each family to what is right for them. I pray that in that process He will provide for orphans too!
June 22, 2010
Adventures of a Mom of Two
It's been fun to figure out ways to manage things with two babies. Here's a glimpse into what we do. Any tips are appreciated!
I usually feed the babies a couple of times a day by myself. I wasn't sure how this was going to work out, but it's actually been fine. When they used to take only bottles, I'd put them in a seat and swing right next to each other and hold up the bottles for both of them at the same time. The first one to get in the seat before we started eating got a little impatient while he or she was waiting, but we're working on patience anyway (a necessary thing when you're a "twin").
Now that they're eating rice cereal I put them in high chairs next to each other and take turns feeding one mouth at a time. It's actually helped with building patience! It is messier and slower, but very cute...
If I need to do a quick trip to the store with the kids, I'll use the double stroller (which stays stored in the back of our minivan). If I have to do a big trip to the grocery store with them, I'll put one baby in a car seat in the front of the grocery cart and wear the other baby in a sling. It works really well! I love it because I have eye contact with both babies and can interact with them a lot of the time we're shopping.
The kids are so close in age that we keep them on the same eat/wake/sleep schedule as each other. That makes mommy's life a lot easier and more predictable. I love having two babies!
I usually feed the babies a couple of times a day by myself. I wasn't sure how this was going to work out, but it's actually been fine. When they used to take only bottles, I'd put them in a seat and swing right next to each other and hold up the bottles for both of them at the same time. The first one to get in the seat before we started eating got a little impatient while he or she was waiting, but we're working on patience anyway (a necessary thing when you're a "twin").
Now that they're eating rice cereal I put them in high chairs next to each other and take turns feeding one mouth at a time. It's actually helped with building patience! It is messier and slower, but very cute...
If I need to do a quick trip to the store with the kids, I'll use the double stroller (which stays stored in the back of our minivan). If I have to do a big trip to the grocery store with them, I'll put one baby in a car seat in the front of the grocery cart and wear the other baby in a sling. It works really well! I love it because I have eye contact with both babies and can interact with them a lot of the time we're shopping.
The kids are so close in age that we keep them on the same eat/wake/sleep schedule as each other. That makes mommy's life a lot easier and more predictable. I love having two babies!
June 20, 2010
Happy Father's Day
My sweet husband, it's been such a joy to see you be a dad. I always knew you'd be excellent at it.
Thank you for working hard so that I can stay home with our kids. Thank you for leading our home in godliness and integrity. Thank you for loving Jesus even more than you love us. It's because you love Jesus that you're such a great husband and dad.
Happy {first} Father's Day!
Thank you for working hard so that I can stay home with our kids. Thank you for leading our home in godliness and integrity. Thank you for loving Jesus even more than you love us. It's because you love Jesus that you're such a great husband and dad.
Happy {first} Father's Day!
June 17, 2010
Mercy Toward the Afflicted
Sometimes I forget how different our children's lives would have been if God had not intervened and placed them in our family. In many ways, things just seem normal -- they're our kids.
I read a blog the other day about a girl who was just adopted with her siblings from Ethiopia. At some point while she was still there she had received a blow to the back of the head that caused her to fall and break her two front teeth. Apparently she had been running away from someone or something. Her momma shares her heart in a moving way...
Oh Lord, as Psalm 82 says, "Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Arise, O God, judge the earth; for You shall inherit all the nations!"
I read a blog the other day about a girl who was just adopted with her siblings from Ethiopia. At some point while she was still there she had received a blow to the back of the head that caused her to fall and break her two front teeth. Apparently she had been running away from someone or something. Her momma shares her heart in a moving way...
I mentioned before that our kids have begun sharing some of what happened to them in Ethiopia. To say that I'm horrified is a huge understatement. It's their story to tell, but without a doubt, it needs to be shared at some point because they represent millions that are still destitute---- and even the word destitute doesn't do their past justice.
Everything that we were led to pray for them during our wait had a specific purpose in the physical sense. For example, when we were praying for chains to be broken, I never once envisioned that those were literal chains-- I was wrong.
When we received sad pictures of them and I was worried--- there were many well meaning remarks from friends saying, "That is just their normal. They don't know any different." They were saying this to comfort me, but I knew that wasn't true then and for sure know it now.
Suffering, hurting, starving, abused children know that they are suffering, hurting, starving and abused with no one looking out for them or defending them. Everyone they are supposed to be able to trust turns on them at any given moment and they live in a state of terror. When they first began speaking about their life they would say, "Scared Mama, everything scary! Always scared!"
We continually marvel that they are even here---and with the stories they have begun to share with us it is a miracle 4 times over that they are even alive. Their hearts -- and mine--break for the ones left behind.
Oh Lord, as Psalm 82 says, "Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Arise, O God, judge the earth; for You shall inherit all the nations!"
June 12, 2010
Family Photo Shoot
A few highlights from our photo shoot with Patrick and Hannah Schreiener. We're SO thrilled with how they came out!! Thank you so much, guys!
June 10, 2010
Bezawit Wondimu
Our baby girl's birth mom has been on my heart lately. We don't know much about her birth father or our baby boy's birth parents. But we met Bezawit Wondimu, and her name has been etched on my heart ever since.
I wonder if you would pray for her today. We know some of her pain and struggle, and I pray that the Bible she has would encourage her and give her hope in Christ.
I wonder if you would pray for her today. We know some of her pain and struggle, and I pray that the Bible she has would encourage her and give her hope in Christ.
June 7, 2010
6 Months Old
Sweet baby girl turned 6 months old a few weeks ago. Here's a picture of her on her half birthday!
And here's our little man on his 6 month birthday!
God, thank You for preserving the lives of our son and daughter, for rescuing them from desperate situations. They are a blessing beyond what we deserve, and they have enriched our lives immeasurably. We wouldn't trade them for 10 biological children!
And here's our little man on his 6 month birthday!
God, thank You for preserving the lives of our son and daughter, for rescuing them from desperate situations. They are a blessing beyond what we deserve, and they have enriched our lives immeasurably. We wouldn't trade them for 10 biological children!
June 4, 2010
Favorite Toy
A big thanks to my cousins, Kerry and Nancy, for the Playskool 2-in-1 Tummy Time Gym (along with MANY other toys and clothes they've shared with us). Our kids love it!
June 2, 2010
Zoo and Pool
Here's a post for grandpa, who is missing a fun visit with all three of his grandchildren. We're missing you too!
At the zoo
First time at the pool
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