The two phrases I hear the most...

"I need a nose blow!" and "Look at me, Mommy!" are the two phrases I hear the most during the day. The first may seem a little strange to an outsider, but S uses this phrase a lot when he's in trouble or upset about something. I think he does it to be reassured that we still love him enough to take care of him even though he did something wrong. While it is frustrating to be interrupted when I have goal in mind to get something done, I have to remember that I didn't become a stay at mom so that I could keep a clean house. Now I treasure those moments when they are calling for my attention.

Nurturing my boys has been a learning process for me. I did not start out a kid person to begin with, but God has definitely given me everything I've needed to care for you family. I've held a few jobs outside the home before my kids were born, but nothing has me depending on God as much as being a mommy. Whether its needing more patience, worry, or just strength to get through another day, He has always been there.

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Summer Time

Today was R's last day of music class. Soon we'll be in full swing summer mode where each week is different and there won't be much of a schedule until school starts in the fall. This summer will be especially crazy with the new baby boy coming at the end of June.

As much as it's going to be chaotic, I'm really looking forward to it. I'm getting to that point in my pregnancy where I really don't want to be busy and summer lends itself to staying home. My boys love their backyard and walks in the neighborhood (which really won't happen until the end of the summer). I also am excited about all the visits from family we have coming up.

I have a feeling that even though we don't have anything huge planned this summer is going to go by fast and we're going to enjoy every minute of it.

New Memory Verse - Jude 20-21

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."

The Alabama Tornadoes

I have to admit that I've been silent for the past two weeks because I really don't know what to say. I live in Northern Alabama so for the last week and a half I've been focusing on the tornadoes that hit our area. I thank God that our family was only affected by the power outages. We didn't lose our house and all of us are safe. Tim has been off work since that day because there is no power at his office. In a way it has been nice to have over a week of family time.

It has been hard watching the new lately because Alabama's devastation has already been wiped away by news of Bin Laden's death and the royal wedding. We still have lots of work to do to clear up the mess that the many tornadoes left behind.

Here is a link to how you can comfort kids who have been victims of the storms on 4/27. If you are in the Huntsville area contact me before Wednesday, May 11 and I will get the boxes to where they need to go.

Help Bring a Little Girl Home to Her Family

About six months ago, World Magazine did an entire issue on the concept of Calling. They had a wide variety of articles on people who have been called by God to certain vocations or to start a charitable foundation that helps a poor section of a community. Besides these kinds of pieces, they also did some on a Christian's calling to help those less fortunate.

The one that stood out to me the most was about the Rosenow family who were called by God to adopt 14 disabled children of various nationalities and ages. They lead a life that is very demanding financially, physically, and emotionally. The thing that stood out the most for me was how there was no way this family could have adopted this way of life unless the church community around them also felt called to support them in their lifestyle. To give you and idea, four churches have families that provide a meal a month which saves them $400 a month. Each of their adoptions were also paid for mostly by the Christian community that surrounds them.

This article really shifted my thinking about adoption. I always assumed that if a family is called to adopt it was their family business. Now I've come to realize that one of the ways for the Christian Church to practice "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless...to look after orphans..." (James 1:27) is to support families who are called to adopt. This means that not only should the adopting family sacrifice to provide a home for their orphan child, but the Christian community around them is also called to sacrifice their time, money, etc to help that family take care of their new child.

With all this in mind, a family in my Church, the Houser Family, came forward to announce they intended on adopting a little girl from the Ukraine. This family is called to bring an orphan into their family so now we need to help support them in it. She is four years old and in danger of being sent to a mental institution if she isn't adopted soon. They need your help. The family still has to raise about 20,000 dollars before they can get her. If you can donate Delta Skymiles, that will go a long way to reducing the costs of their travel. Also, they will be holding a yard sale on May 14th so if anyone in Huntsville has anything to donate, it would be much appreciated.

For information on how to help the Houser Family adopt their little girl please visit this website.

Good Friday

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

O sacred Head, now wounded with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded with thorns Thine only crown:
How pale Thou art with anguish, With sore abuse and scorn,
How does that visage languish, Which once was bright as morn!

What thou, my Lord, hast suffered Was all for sinners' gain:
Mine, mine was the transgression, But thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior: 'Tis I deserve thy place;
Look on me with Thy favor, Assist me with Thy grace.

What language shall I borrow To thank thee, dearest Friend,
For this, Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever, And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never Outlive my love to Thee. Amen.

Boys will be boys, part 2

Boys will be boys, part 2