Our Family Vacation

Last week, we took a little vacation to the beach in Florida. It was a nice break from reality. Graham and Wesley had a good time at the beach and with each other. It did rain a little but not enough to stop us from having lots of time on the beach.

On the way home, we stopped to visit my Uncle Joe and Aunt Mary in Andulsia, AL where my mom grew up. Uncle Joe raises horses and grows pine trees on the family farm, so Graham and Wesley had fun seeing the farm. Uncle Joe showing Graham the tractor

Graham took this picture of the horses.

Uncle Joe telling Tim and Wesley about the horses

Just a few pictures from the beach...

Wesley didn't want to get too close to the ocean but he loved playing in the sand.

Our little photographer, Graham, took this shot of us.

Wesley and I were walking out to the beach to meet Graham and Tim.

Graham and Tim made lots of creations with the shovels in the sand.

sweet boy

The boys thought it was fun to float their toys around the pool on the boogie boards.

Wesley can't leave home without his beloved tractor.

I love this shot.

Graham was much more adventurous in the ocean this year.

A nice shopping area with restaurants and this great fountain were close to the beach where we stayed. We made lots of great memories and can't wait to go back.

Rain or Shine

We are so thankful for our friends that put in many hours of hard work to make the sale a success.

We were amazed at the number and generousity of donations.

The night before the sale, the garage was overflowing.

Despite a little rain, the yard sale was a success. The biggest blessing of the day was feeling the love of our friends who showed their support by helping with the sale and coming out to shop in the sale. It was a day full of emotions: humility, gratitude, exhaustion, and feeling so loved.

Thank you!!

Yard Sale Tomorrow-Hopefully!

Some thoughtful friends from church have planned and organized a yard sale to benefit our adoption. It is scheduled for tomorrow, and many hours of hard work have been put into this sale. Please pray that it doesn't rain in the morning.

We are overwhelmed by the generousity and love of so many people in the area that have donated items for the sale, and we are so thankful for our friends who are making it all happen. It is a true labor of love and our hearts will always be grateful.

If you are in the area, please come by the sale. It will take place in Chenoweth subdivision off of Concord Road from 7am until 2pm. The address is 9489 Ashford Place.

I'll let you know how it goes. We have already been so blessed just seeing everyone come together for this sale.

Without his love, where would I be?

From the warm day in May when Tim placed the ring on my finger, I have never had any ounce of doubt that he was the man God had for me to marry. A few years earlier though, I said goodbye to him thinking I was to marry someone called into missions. Now, looking back it makes me smile. For now my eyes are opened and as the story of our family is unraveling, I can see how perfectly God created him for me.

If this adoption had been my idea, it would not be happening this soon. My husband was the one that was ready to adopt long before I was. He has been the one to spend many, many hours working on paperwork. He has been the one to email our social worker each week, to set goals for each week, and to write a letter asking for support from our friends and family. He has been a rock, and I’ve been shifting sand.

Several times, I’ve questioned him, “Are we doing the right thing? Are you sure about this?” His answer is always firm, always certain.

And, so, I smile…I smile thinking of God’s amazing ways. He, even more than Tim, is always firm, always certain, always right. In His infinite wisdom, He perfectly and creatively paired us together. He knew I would need someone to share the same passions and dreams for our family. He knew I would need a partner to share the Gospel to our friends, our neighbors, and most of all, our children.

Don’t you think Tim is a missionary? Aren't we all really "called" to missions, to spreading the good news of the Gospel near and far? Don’t you think I really did marry someone pursuing a life of missions? I married someone who has a heart for the lost, a heart for the fatherless, and a heart for those in need.

No, he’s not always perfect, and I’m glad. Every time he messes up, I’m reminded of the One who is perfect, the only One who can truly meet my needs.

I’m so thankful for Tim, and I’m so thankful God knew what He was doing when He put us together over 10 years ago.

Our Truck Boy

Wesley has always loved trucks, cars, and any other motorized vehicles. He makes his daddy proud! One of his first words was "tractor". He couldn't say ball or other simple words but he said "tractor" over and over again.

He made us laugh the other day. I took the boys to meet Tim for dinner at Moe's. When we arrived in the parking lot, Tim was already waiting there in a Titan-the big Nissan truck. I got Wesley out of the car, and he ran around to where the truck was. He looked at the truck, got a huge grin on his face, and said, "Tite...Liiiiike!" It was kind of one of those things that you probably had to be there to hear his voice inflection and see the look on his face, but Tim and I are still talking about it and laughing.

As Wesley's cousin, Drew, would say, "You funny, Wesley, you funny." (Right, Nana?)

While I was gone...

While I was lounging around the pool, going out to eat, and doing lots of chatting with my girlfriends a few weeks ago in Charlottesville, this is what my boys were doing. Does it surprise you? Tim sent me these pictures for the blog. If there are any men that read my blog, enjoy!