Just Some Notes

• It seems that one of my posts from last Christmas has gone viral on Pinterest.  So, that's cool.  I've had over 8000 pageveiws on this blog in the last few days.  That is WAY above my normal 200-300/day I get.  It's funny, really, how social media works isn't it?  I did NOTHING to promote that post or the contents of it, but somehow someone found it and now all these people keep pinning it.  You can go look at it yourself HERE.

•  I've started running again and it feels great to get good exercise and GASP, about 30 minutes of time to myself:).  However, of course there is always a downside.  I have horrible horrible heel pain known as plantar fasciitis and it has flared it's ugly little head because of my running. Lovely.   I will press on though because this is the only way I lose weight. 

•  So, the election didn't turn out like I had hoped...but Jesus is still King thank goodness.  Also, I had to keep reminding myself that my citizenship is in heaven not here on earth.  Ultimately no matter who is in office I can trust the One who holds the world in the palm of His hands.  That is such great hope even when it seems our nation is going in a downward spiral politically, economically, and culturally.  I do think this election requires us, as believers, to pray more and be called to think critically about how to reach across the barriers that so divide our great country.   

•  Ellie Kate can read!!!  Samuel is loving to read!!!  Exciting times in the life of our kids.  I am sooooo thankful that we switched schools this year as it has been the best decision for us.  Samuel is thriving in school really for the first time.  Hard to believe how much the school you go to can make such a big difference.

•  I designed and ordered our Christmas card this week.  I kept it very simple.  Hope it turns out ok (I'm always nervous about that).  Makes me so glad to have that out of the way!!! 

• I am obsessed with Downton Abbey!  I am admittedly late to the game, but I watched season 1 in just a few days and season 2 in a week.  For awhile there, I was thinking with a British Accent.  And how awesome would it be to have a Lady's Maid?  I for one, would love a personal assistant to help get me ready for the day, make my bed, serve me meals, etc. etc.  Anyone else on the bandwagon? 

• I temporarily became insane and planned two birthday parties for last weekend!  They went great, but I am so spent from the planing and the execution that I haven't had the energy to go through the pics.  And then there's the fact that I do have 4 children and there was also a major election.   Some day soon I will get through the pics and post them.  

• This month is a month of thankfulness and I truly am just amazed at God's goodness.  I have so much to be thankful for.   

FOUR!

Today this pretty princess is four years old!!! 

Happy Birthday to our precious Abigail Marie.  The last four years with you have been pure joy!  You are truly a very sweet girl and always have been.  Generally, you are obedient and aim to please.  You are laid back, shy, quiet, cuddly, and oh so yummy.   Your cheeks still get kissed a million times a day!  

In the last year you have grown and matured a ton although we still have battles over changing clothes a lot, and pitching fits over certain things.  You have learned the art of pushing your big sister's buttons and enjoy doing that from time to time.  But really, you and Ellie Kate are best friends and I love to watch your sisterly relationship.  You are learning to write your name and all your letters and want to read so bad just like Ellie Kate.  You were slower to want to learn these things than her, but I have a feeling you just might figure out how to read and sound out letters right along with her this year.  You are very smart!!! 

You are a delight Abigail and I am so thankful for God giving us you!

Your birth on November 6, 2008 was such an answer to prayer.  You were our first natural baby.  One that came after the pain of a miscarriage.  We named you Abigail because in a sense it meant JOY.  You have fully lived up to your name, precious girl.  

From birth until now...

Just for fun, HERE is Ellie Kate's 4 year old post in the same shirt. 

Orphan Sunday

I absolutely love that November is adoption awareness month and that today was Orphan Sunday because November is always a special time in our family.  It was in November of 2005 that God led us to Ukraine to choose a very special little boy to be ours forever.  On November 3, 2005, we officially decided that a 3 year old orphan with a heart defect would be our son. 

Right after we brought Samuel home December 2005

 
And thus began a journey that has meant more to Jeff and I than almost anything else in our lives.  Adoption is beautiful.  It so closely mimics our spiritual adoptions and we got to be a part of that in adopting Samuel into our family.  Has it been easy?  NOPE!  But it's our story and it's Samuel's story and I pray that he will always know how truly loved he is.  I also pray that his earthly adoption will always be a reminder of the greater adoption he has through Christ.

Jeff had the opportunity to preach about the blessings of adoption today at our church.  It was a very moving service and we are so thankful that we are part of a body who recognizes that we as believers need to be involved in some way in orphan care.  In fact, just because Jeff and I have already adopted does not mean we stop there.  We are praying and seeking ways to be involved in the love and care of the fatherless.  WHY?  Because of our own spiritual adoptions.  Because it is commanded in scripture.

Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:13-17)

Finally, I love this from one of my favorite bloggers/writers/authors, Jen Hatmaker . I couldn't say it any better myself.  I hope you will join me in praying for the fatherless and pleading with the Lord on their behalf as well as asking the Father how we can be involved in caring for the orphan.

"Anything worth fighting for is worth fighting through, and adoption is one of them. I can hardly think of something closer to God’s character, who is the “Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy.” Certainly, we are his difficult children who spaz out and pull away and manipulate and struggle. We distrust His good love and sabotage our blessings, imagining our shame disqualifies us or that God couldn’t possibly be faithful to such orphans.

But He is. We are loved with an everlasting love, and it is enough to overwhelm our own fear and shame and humanity. In adoption, God is enough for us all. He can overcome our children’s grief. He can overshadow our own inadequacies. He can sweep up our families in a beautiful story of redemption and hope and healing. If you are afraid of adoption, trying to stiff-arm the call, God is the courage you don’t have. If you are waiting, suffering with longing for your child, God is the determination you need. If you are in the early days of chaos, God is the peace you and your child hunger for. If your family feels lost, He is the stability everyone is looking for. If you are working hard on healing, digging deep with your child, God is every ounce of the hope and restoration and safety and grace.

In Him, you can do this.  He is enough for us all."

 

Our Halloween

We had a fun day for Halloween 2012.  As usual, it was packed full of activities and chaos! 

Because we are crazy busy this time of year, we actually didn't carve our pumpkin until yesterday at 3:30 when Jeff came home early to do just that:). 

In case you can't tell, the girls both had suckers from school...it was a day full of candy that's for sure!

We printed off a template online and Jeff went to work!

Samuel's favorite part of this activity is getting into the seeds and gooey pumpkin:).  It's right up his sensory seeking personality!  He sorted through it all so we could roast the seeds.

Good job Daddy!!! 

And here is the crew all ready for trick or treating!!!

Samuel: ninja

Anna Mitchel: pumpkin

Abigail: Ariel/Little Mermaid

Ellie Kate: bumble bee

We had a great time in our new neighborhood at a block party with lots of yummy food and then 45 minutes of trick or treating and LOTS of candy!!!!

Ten!

I am so thankful for this kid!  Happy 10th Birthday to my Samuel.  This day always tends to be a tad bittersweet for me.  I didn't give birth to him and his first three birthdays were without us.  I would give ANYTHING to erase that part of his story.  To have known him at birth, to have rocked him and nurtured him as a baby.  To erase the hard dark places he lived through those three years.  And yet, God in His grace and mercy has allowed Jeff and I to be a part of the last 7 birthdays.  What a blessing to have Samuel in our family and be our son.  We love him so much and had such fun celebrating him today in the midst of school, homework, and daily life!  He's a special boy and we are glad he is ours to celebrate! 

 

9 Months Old

 

Anna Mitchell today you are 9 months old! 

As you can see, these little monthly pictures are about impossible now. 

I don't even know how I managed to get this one, but you were not digging it that's for sure:). 

You are one busy and wild girl! 

After the blanket didn't work so well, we went outside to get a few pictures.  You absolutely love being outside! 

Anna Mitchell you weight 18 lbs 1 oz and are 27 inches long.  Both of those are right about 50%.  You are absolutely perfect.  

Oh, little girl you have just stolen all of our hearts.  You are a mess though.  A big big mess.  You are into everything and all over the place and wear me out...but I get such a kick out of you.  You have a big personality too! 

You still just have 2 teeth, but the four on top are very close to coming in I think.  

You love animals and go crazy when you see our cat or any dog in the neighborhood.  It's really funny.  You start waving your hands and kicking your legs and making loud noises because you are so excited.  

This month, you've really begun to imitate and copy us more so you are learning to wave and clap and make lots of sounds with your mouth.  It's so adorable. 

I think you are the cutest and funniest baby in the world and I'm so glad you are mine. 

Even though you are a wild girl, you are actually pretty go with the flow which is nice since you sort of have to be:).  You have never had a set schedule since you are the 4th child and that doesn't seem to bother you too much.  If we are home, you take great naps and you have always been a great night time sleeper (my easiest yet).  If we are out, you cat nap in the car and seem no worse for the wear.  I'm so thankful you are easy going! 

Annie, you are very friendly and happy.  People comment on it all the time.  I think you think everyone loves you and wants to talk to you (and mostly that's true)! 

Look at how you've grown!  I can't believe we are so far into your first year! 

You are a treasure, sweet baby girl!

 

Family Photos

We've never had professional photos done of our family.  Before I got my camera and learned to take decent pictures, Jeff's sister (who is a great photographer) took our family pics.  It is a huge blessing to have not had to pay money for so many years on good pictures!

Lately, I had been getting the itch though for someone professional to take our pictures.  To capture our family in this moment in time.  I don't ever want to forget what our family looked like in this chaotic stage!  So, I got to work selling random things on ebay and on the facebook garage sale site for our town.  Then I cashed in on some credit card points to have enough money to pay for our session.  I am soooo glad we did this and will treasure these photos forever!  The photographer was great and it was nice to watch someone else take pictures of my children:).  These are just the teasers that she put up on facebook.  I can't wait for the full gallery!