I didn't post for Christmas - too busy! So it's December 27, and if I'm lucky, Josh will sleep for a few more minutes and let me finish this post!
I am SO blessed. I've always been a "what-if" girl, building castles in the air of what might have been. At times it has caused me to lose sight of the blessings right in front of me.
God is encouraging me to focus on what's here - not on what was or could have been - but what is - and how glorious it is. Even the mundane things are blessings from His hand.
Life is full - Josh will be 3 and a half soon, and he is so full of life and energy. I am continually amazed by the things he says and does. He's growing a heart of gratitude - thanking people when they do things for him or give him things.
My job is good - most days, I still enjoy going to work! :) The political and economical environment have caused some stress and anxiety, but I am grateful to have a job, and know that God will see us through.
Chris & I celebrated 9 years of marriage - truly amazing, I think. There have been good times and bad times, but I'm grateful to God for him.
My focus in the new year will be on thankfulness and gratitude. It's one of the things that our pastor said helps keep the spirit of Christmas all year. Less complaining, more praise and thanks.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thanksgiving!
It's so hard for me to believe that 2011 is nearing its close. Thanksgiving is the official beginning of the holiday season, and before we know it, we'll be celebrating New Year 2012.
Our holiday started on Wednesday afternoon. We gathered all of our stuff, ourselves, and the dog in the car to head up to Mom and Dad's log home in the woods. The highlight of the drive up was definitely the BP potty stop, where Joshua saw 2 dead deer on top of a van. He wanted to pet them, but we decided to look instead. Then of course, we had to have a long conversation about why they were there and what would happen to them. He's looking forward to hunting with Grandpa Mike someday.
We got to New Lisbon in time for dinner, and Dad made his homemade reubens to celebrate, because it was also Mom's birthday. Josh got to watch some Dora and then went to bed. The rest of us stayed up for a while, but no one was up super late. Josh ended up spending a few hours in the big bed with mom because he was having trouble sleeping in his closet.
Thursday morning we enjoyed cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade while Josh played and the food was prepared. Josh also watched a Christmas episode of Curious George before the Packer Game started.
We shared dinner this year with my parents, my brother Paul, my Aunt Judy, my Grammie, and family friend Louise. It was a little bittersweet, as it was the first holiday without Grampie. We are very thankful that he is in heaven with Jesus and that we will see him again.
Josh took a bite of the turkey leg (tradition since his first Thanksgiving) and we enjoyed a wonderful meal - turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, various breads, cranberries, and deviled eggs.
After some nap time in the afternoon for most of us (not Josh of course!) we took a nice walk on a beautiful afternoon, and headed back for dessert. Josh decided to take his nap in the car on the way home instead.
We're home now, the little one is snuggled in his bed. I am so thankful for my life - trials, triumphs, tragedies, and tears all work together to refine and purify me. I am thankful for the Spirit of God living in me, which enables me to be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient(!), kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. I am NOT those things naturally, but with His help, I strive for them.
Our weekend is by no means over. On Saturday morning, we'll be heading up to Chris's parents' house to celebrate with them. We're looking forward to seeing everyone, and Joshua will love having his cousin there to play with.
Our holiday started on Wednesday afternoon. We gathered all of our stuff, ourselves, and the dog in the car to head up to Mom and Dad's log home in the woods. The highlight of the drive up was definitely the BP potty stop, where Joshua saw 2 dead deer on top of a van. He wanted to pet them, but we decided to look instead. Then of course, we had to have a long conversation about why they were there and what would happen to them. He's looking forward to hunting with Grandpa Mike someday.
We got to New Lisbon in time for dinner, and Dad made his homemade reubens to celebrate, because it was also Mom's birthday. Josh got to watch some Dora and then went to bed. The rest of us stayed up for a while, but no one was up super late. Josh ended up spending a few hours in the big bed with mom because he was having trouble sleeping in his closet.
Thursday morning we enjoyed cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade while Josh played and the food was prepared. Josh also watched a Christmas episode of Curious George before the Packer Game started.
We shared dinner this year with my parents, my brother Paul, my Aunt Judy, my Grammie, and family friend Louise. It was a little bittersweet, as it was the first holiday without Grampie. We are very thankful that he is in heaven with Jesus and that we will see him again.
Josh took a bite of the turkey leg (tradition since his first Thanksgiving) and we enjoyed a wonderful meal - turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, various breads, cranberries, and deviled eggs.
After some nap time in the afternoon for most of us (not Josh of course!) we took a nice walk on a beautiful afternoon, and headed back for dessert. Josh decided to take his nap in the car on the way home instead.
We're home now, the little one is snuggled in his bed. I am so thankful for my life - trials, triumphs, tragedies, and tears all work together to refine and purify me. I am thankful for the Spirit of God living in me, which enables me to be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient(!), kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. I am NOT those things naturally, but with His help, I strive for them.
Our weekend is by no means over. On Saturday morning, we'll be heading up to Chris's parents' house to celebrate with them. We're looking forward to seeing everyone, and Joshua will love having his cousin there to play with.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Grampie
My Grampie is going home to be with Jesus soon. The Alzheimers has taken its toll, and he is ready to go. I'm glad that Josh got to know him.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Coming Home Day
3 years ago I only worked for half a day. I left at noon, and came home to wait for a phone call from our Bethany social worker. It was the day of Joshua's birthmom's court hearing to terminate her parental rights. If all went as planned, we would be able to pick Joshua up that night and bring him home. It wasn't a guarantee, as not much had gone as planned with Joshua's adoption. He was in a wonderful foster home, but we all wanted him home where he belonged.
The call came about 2:00, and it was Josh's birthmom, who bravely called and told me we could come pick him up. We called our families, and packed up and drove about 90 minutes to Elkhorn. It was a very emotional afternoon. We had a placement ceremony at the foster home. Joshua's birthmom was able to sing to him and pray for him, and we prayed for her as well, and then she gave him to me. There was not a dry eye in the house - it was emotional for the foster family as well, who had spent the past 6 weeks bonding with him.
After the placement ceremony, we got him dressed and changed and loaded up in the car to come home. I tried feeding him a bottle on the way home, but it was hard because I couldn't get him out to burp him. We finally stopped at a gas station, and went inside. One of the clerks told me how cute MY baby was and asked how old he was. Such a simple question, but I almost started to cry...he was MINE.
When we got home, our parents and my brother were waiting to meet their new grandson and nephew. He was fussy (I think he'd just had it with all the attention). After being passed around and fed, we put him to bed...
So 3 years have passed...I could not even imagine back then the joy of being Joshua's mom. I could only guess at the wonderful, imaginative, loving little boy he would become, and the joy he would bring to our family. It was much easier to capture photos of him back then, but now he has such personality that capturing a photo is priceless. For comparison, him sleeping...
...and hamming it up for the camera...
Man do I love this kid...even when he's being a "trying" 3 year old...so many snuggles and loves and cuddles and sweetness. I'm looking forward to many more years!
The call came about 2:00, and it was Josh's birthmom, who bravely called and told me we could come pick him up. We called our families, and packed up and drove about 90 minutes to Elkhorn. It was a very emotional afternoon. We had a placement ceremony at the foster home. Joshua's birthmom was able to sing to him and pray for him, and we prayed for her as well, and then she gave him to me. There was not a dry eye in the house - it was emotional for the foster family as well, who had spent the past 6 weeks bonding with him.
After the placement ceremony, we got him dressed and changed and loaded up in the car to come home. I tried feeding him a bottle on the way home, but it was hard because I couldn't get him out to burp him. We finally stopped at a gas station, and went inside. One of the clerks told me how cute MY baby was and asked how old he was. Such a simple question, but I almost started to cry...he was MINE.
When we got home, our parents and my brother were waiting to meet their new grandson and nephew. He was fussy (I think he'd just had it with all the attention). After being passed around and fed, we put him to bed...
So 3 years have passed...I could not even imagine back then the joy of being Joshua's mom. I could only guess at the wonderful, imaginative, loving little boy he would become, and the joy he would bring to our family. It was much easier to capture photos of him back then, but now he has such personality that capturing a photo is priceless. For comparison, him sleeping...
...and hamming it up for the camera...
Man do I love this kid...even when he's being a "trying" 3 year old...so many snuggles and loves and cuddles and sweetness. I'm looking forward to many more years!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Being Responsible
We're on hold...mostly because of finances. My paycheck is seeing about a $250/month hit, even with some extra education under my belt. Wisconsin's Act 10 has resulted in teachers in most public school districts paying a portion of our retirement that was previously paid by our employers. Plus with increases in health insurance premiums, daycare, etc...we're taking a hit. So - we're doing the responsible thing and waiting a bit before continuing forward with adoption #2. We're looking into refinancing our house, although the application fees and closing costs can be a bit expensive as well. We trust God to bring us through and provide for our family.
In the meantime, we enjoy every moment we can get with Joshua. There isn't a feeling of incompleteness, just a contentment in having him around. This Saturday will be the 3rd anniversary of the day he came home to stay - one of the most joyous days of my life....I'll be blogging about it then.
In the meantime, we enjoy every moment we can get with Joshua. There isn't a feeling of incompleteness, just a contentment in having him around. This Saturday will be the 3rd anniversary of the day he came home to stay - one of the most joyous days of my life....I'll be blogging about it then.
Friday, August 5, 2011
5 Question Friday
1. Do you have siblings and are you close with them?
A younger brother - he's awesome. I see him about twice a month. I pray for him lots.
2. Would you rather be slightly UNDER weight or slightly OVER weight?
Slightly overweight - like to be comfortable
3. What's your favorite State Fair food to splurge on?
Don't really go to the fair with a 3 year old - but I like cheese curds...especially the fried ones...probably related to question #2.
4. What are your thoughts on your kid(s) going to school in a few weeks?
Josh will go back to daycare...I can hardly believe he's 3...but looking forward to seeing him in a new class, learning new things.
5. Pool or Ocean?
I like the ocean if it's calm, but I've had some bad experiences getting dragged on the bottom by big waves...so for relaxation, I like a pool, but oceans are beautiful.
A younger brother - he's awesome. I see him about twice a month. I pray for him lots.
2. Would you rather be slightly UNDER weight or slightly OVER weight?
Slightly overweight - like to be comfortable
3. What's your favorite State Fair food to splurge on?
Don't really go to the fair with a 3 year old - but I like cheese curds...especially the fried ones...probably related to question #2.
4. What are your thoughts on your kid(s) going to school in a few weeks?
Josh will go back to daycare...I can hardly believe he's 3...but looking forward to seeing him in a new class, learning new things.
5. Pool or Ocean?
I like the ocean if it's calm, but I've had some bad experiences getting dragged on the bottom by big waves...so for relaxation, I like a pool, but oceans are beautiful.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
