The good-byes have begun.

Our move to Canada is quickly approaching and the time to leave our friends and family in TN is almost here. Today was our last Sunday at our church. I kept telling friends that I would like to see them later in the week so I wouldn't have to say goodbye. I'm procrastinating.

Right now, I have very mixed emotions. I'm so glad to have Tim home and for the six weeks of being apart to be behind us. I'm excited about the new adventures we will have as a family and to see how God is going to grow and challenge us. Yet, I am nervous about moving where I know no one. I'm overwhelmed at the thought of unpacking and getting set up in our new house with three little children. I am sad to leave our friends and family that we have enjoyed sharing day-to-day life with for the past five years.

As Perpy reminded me this weekend, life is always changing. Nothing ever stays the same, so I know I need to embrace this new chapter in our lives.

Thanks for your prayers and for your friendships. God has given me some amazing friends here in TN and I will miss you all.

The movers are coming on Wednesday and we will be leaving Nashville on Saturday. We're are going to the Great Wolf Lodge over the weekend to have a little get-away before the unpacking begins at the beginning of next week. So, the next time I post I will probably be writing from Canada.

Bye, y'all!! It's been fun, eh?

Happy Birthday, Graham!!

It's celebration time at our house. Graham turned six today and is finishing up his year in Kindergarten, and Tim came home from Toronto. We are happy!!His teacher gave him this crown to wear all day at school since he was the birthday boy.

We enjoyed a birthday dinner together as a family. It was the first time in over six weeks that Tim has been home on a weeknight. We are all so happy to have him here.

Canadian Experience as a "Single" Guy

This is Tim writing from Canada. For those that do not know, I have been working in Canada since the 1st of April. Thankfully, our time apart is growing to a close. I will be headed back to TN on Wednesday to celebrate Graham's birthday and get the family ready to start our Canadian experience together. It took about 3 days being here by myself to learn that I am not cut out for single life. :)

I am living in our rental house with nothing but a mattress, dresser, and chair. As a result, I have finished a couple of books and mostly worked way too much. I am finishing up a "Counterfeit Gods" by Tim Keller now. There is a quote in the book at the beginning of chapter four that resonated in my heart and honestly scared me a bit. . .

"I have an iron will, and all of my will has always been to conquer some horrible feeling of inadequacy. . . . I push past one spell of it and discover myself as a special human being and then I get to another stage and think I'm mediocre and uninteresting . . . Again and again. My drive in life is from this horrible fear of being mediocre. And that's always pushing me, pushing me. Because even though I've become Somebody, I still have to prove that I'm Somebody. My struggle has never ended and it probably never will."

As I read the quote I had to admit to myself that part of me really resonated with this potent paragraph of lucidity provided by Madonna of all people. The title of chapter four is "The Seduction of Success." Why is it that we need validation from others and why doesn't the weight of our heavenly father's validation crush the desire for earthly validation? I have always identified with one description of Mary the mother of Jesus as an ordinary girl the Lord used in extraordinary ways. Sometimes Ordinary is just what we need to be, but it is just awfully hard for me to be content being Ordinary.

This Canadian opportunity is yet another example of the Lord's allowing me to combine my passion for cars with my career. I have the opportunity to be the Nissan/Infinti Product Planning Senior manager for the country of Canada for the next couple of years.

For some unknown reason, the Lord has richly blessed me in every area of my life. I had amazing parents and a father whose love, while not perfect, was very intentional and sacrificial. It is a steep extample to follow. There are not adjectives descriptive enough to describe what a blessing my wife is. She has been a partner and my chief supporter in the many adventures my career has taken us - Grad school, Michigan, TN, Canada . . . . As if those blessings were not enough, my sons and now my daughter are simply joys. I don't know what the Lord has planned for my life, but I want to live it for him wherever that takes us.

Oh, may I rejoice in the good times and also when the tough times come. Let my love for the Lord not be contingent upon my blessings. All I have is his - may I live with a loose grip on my possessions and career. May I not be "too easily pleased."

Now, I have to go clean up the house before Jo gets here . . . . she won't be pleased with the popcorn bag in the sink.


"We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like and ignorant child who wants to go on making mid pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

A Little Photo Shoot

Our adoption agency creates a calendar every year using pictures of the adorable children they've helped to place in homes. They ask families to send in pics and they choose the cutest ones. I've been enjoying my calendar all year and am hoping to see my sweetheart's face on next year's calendar. Mommy and daughter had a photo shoot today. Can you help me choose which one I should enter? I actually get to send in five pictures and I'm going to use some that I have from earlier in the year.

Mother's Day Thoughts

Yesterday, Wesley kept saying to me, "Happy Smother's Day, Mommy!" I thought he was pretty close to the truth in his statement. Sometimes mothering feels very much like smothering. It's okay though. If I have to be smothered at times, I couldn't pick three more precious kids to do it to me. :) I know there will be a day when I miss being smothered by them.

And, now, for some comic relief...Daddy had a little too much fun with Lidiyanna's hair in the bathtub. Our little girlie has some hair!!

A Cozy Little Home

On the steps of our deck in the backyard, a blue jay has made a nest for her four eggs. We found the nest last week, and for four days in a row, she laid one egg each day. We are excited to watch the baby birds hatch and see how the mommy takes care of them. We can stand on our deck and look down below at the nest. God's creation is truly amazing.

Happy Easter!!

Friends from Ethiopia

Larkin with our kids

We met Larkin's mommy in Ethiopia when we were there for court, and we traveled again the same week for embassy. She lives within an hour of us so we get to see them every now and then. My boys love playing with Larkin.

Lidiyanna and Ella

Ella's mommy, Leigh ann, and I quickly became friends through Yahoo groups as we were waiting for our referrals. We both found out about our daughters on the same day and hoped we would meet in Ethiopia for court. At first, it looked like we would not because Ella's court date was not going to be until after courts resumed after the rainy season. Then, at the last minute, Leigh ann found out they made court on the last day before the closing, and we did get to meet in Ethiopia in August. We later spent another week together in Ethiopia in September when we were back for embassy and to bring our daughters home.

The bond between adopted families is amazing and to have spent a week together (we shared a suite) in Ethiopia with our daughters truly bonded our families. Our precious girls were born in the same region of Ethiopia and were taken to the same orphanage within days of each other. Then, America World brought them to the transition home at the same time. I say they were each other's first friends. We hope we can get the two girls together periodically in the years to come.

The Creek

Something magical occurs in the creek behind our home. Sticky mud on a flat rock becomes a decadent chocolate pie. An ordinary stick turns into a fishing pole able to catch even the smartest fish. An overturned rock reveals an elaborate home for the the juiciest worms one has ever seen.

The warm weather and running water in the creek draws my boys out back where their imaginations take off, and together they explore and have adventures that I could never create for them. As they enter this make-believe world, they miraculously cease all arguing and work together to build their fort, catch their fish, or transport rocks from one place to the next.

This week, I have been in love with the creek behind our home. It has offered my family a sanctuary where two little boys get lost in hours of play. Who needs a TV or toys when you have mud, water, and the companionship of your brother. Yes, my laundry may have increased but so has the peace in my little world.

Welcome back, Spring! We missed you.

Spring Break in Texas

Our kids with their cousins, Hayley and Davis, enjoying the marine life at a children's aquarium in Dallas.

We took Lidiyanna on her first road trip last week to visit family in Texas. She is an amazing traveling and never even made a peep in the backseat (the secret is her magic blanket). We visited my family in Tyler and then headed to Dallas to visit Tim's sister and her family. All of the kids had a great time together!

Lidiyanna and her cousin, Hayley

Graham and Davis

I love these smiles!!

Tyler's azaleas were looking so beautiful!

practicing her walk in my mom's backyard

I think it's so cute how she walk with her hands in the air.

My mom and Sam took us to the zoo on a beautiful, warm Saturday.

Baby Steps

Tonight while we were at our church community group, Lidiyanna took her first steps. It was so exciting!! I had gone in to the room where all the kids are during the adult prayer time. The teachers told me she had been trying to take some steps. So, as I was down on the floor with her, I helped her gain her balance and off she went. She went from taking no steps to taking four or five over and over again. All the kids gathered around and cheered her on. I told Graham to get his daddy, and shortly after, all the adults filed in to watch. It was such a fun moment, and it was so neat that this group who has supported us from the very beginning was able to be there and celebrate with us. Of course, Lidiyanna just ate up the attention. There's no stopping this girl now!!

Speaking of baby steps, Tim and I passed over the baby steps and jumped in with both feet towards our move to Toronto this past weekend. We traveled to the big city to look for a house. Fortunately, my mom and Tim's mom were able to come to our home to take care of the kids. (Thanks, Nana and Perpy!! You did a fantastic job!)

We spent four full days looking at tons of houses within the city of Toronto and in a suburb to the west called Oakville. It was a bit overwhelming, but in the end, we found a house we both liked. It's in Oakville and is in walking distance to an elementary school.

One thing I learned about Toronto that I really like is the diverse population. Standing in a movie theater one night, I heard four different languages as people passed by. You can eat just about any type of food from all over the world. The city is so multicultural, and I think our family will fit right in to that environment.

I wasn't too crazy about the weather. It was cold and snowy and it's the beginning of March. Despite the frigid temps, many people walk everywhere and the children go out everyday to play on the playground at school. Unlike Nashville, the city doesn't come to a halt when it snows, and the Canadians like the great outdoors no matter what the temperature.

Right now, I'm feeling positive about the move, but I've definitely had my moments of doubt. I feel God has been encouraging me to take things one day at a time and to give him an attitude of trust and thankfulness.

Baby steps, eh?

Thank you!

Wesley: "Thank you, Mommy, for going on a plane to Africa to get Lidiyanna."

Mommy: "Well, we should thank God because He's the one that brought her to us."

Wesley: "Really? You didn't go a plane? God did?"

Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Shakin' Things Up

Just as everything in our home has started to feel settled, God is shaking things up. We've lived here almost five years (the longest we've lived somewhere since we've been married). Lidiyanna is home with us and things feel comfortable and safe. I like my neighborhood, my church, my friends, and my life. Yet, God is leading us to another place.

On Valentine's Day, Tim came home and told me Nissan had made a rather nice offer for him to take a position in Toronto, Canada. The good news...it would only be two years, and it would mean a promotion. The bad news...we would have to leave our friends and family and move to a place I've never been.

At first, I was not happy about the idea. Tim had mentioned the possibility several weeks before and I adamantly told him I did not want to talk about it. Every time he brought it up, I told him I was not talking about it, and on Valentine's night, I really did not want to talk about it. So, I told Tim I would pray about it, and Nissan would have to wait a few more days to have an answer.

Isn't it interesting how God works? Looking back, I can see how God's hand had been preparing my heart for this move. Last fall, there was a possibility that Nissan would send us to LA for a year. I think God used that to open my mind to a short-term assignment. The weekend before Valentine's, Tim and I participated in a marriage conference at our church. We talked about Tim's leadership in our home and about how I love how adventuresome he is. He has taken me on journeys I would have never done alone, and it seems that he's about to lead me on another one. God used that marriage conference to get my attitude in our marriage ready to follow.

So, here we are about to move again. This time it's not as hard. It's not permanent. The time in Toronto has a time frame, and we will be returning to our home here in Tennessee in two years. I keep thinking, "I can do it for two years, right?"

A good thing is we don't have to sell our house. There's a small chance we might, or we could rent it while we are gone. Nissan will help to provide a service to manage it for us. Tim and I are traveling to Toronto this weekend to find a house to rent and to look at schools. We will all be moving as a family at the end of May after Graham finishes Kindergarten.

So many unknowns swirl around in our heads during this time. Tim's to-do list is a mile long, and I feel concerned about finding a good school, church, and new friends. Last Sunday, we sang a beautiful hymn that was written in 1752. The words encouraged and soothed my anxious heart. I know the next two years will have new experiences and adventures that will be fun and exciting. I also know we will have lonely times that God will use to draw us closer to Himself. As He always has in our lives, He will continue to be faithful.

Be still, my soul! the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul! thy best, thy heavenly Friend.
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul! thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul! the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul! when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Lidiyanna is one!

On Sunday, my little girl turned one. What a sweet and special blessing she has been to our family over the past year! She's only been home with us for five months, but it seems like she's always been a part of our family.

She's crawling and cruising and getting very close to walking. She's eating more table food and doing great with a sippy cup now. She continues to be Little Miss Social with her charismatic personality and irresistible charm.

We had a little family celebration for her over the weekend. She devoured her cupcake, and I think she's going to share our love of sweets.

Several times, throughout the weekend, I thought about her family in Ethiopia. I continue to grieve for the loss they have experienced, and I was especially mindful of it on her birthday.

I continue to be amazed at the love her brothers have for her. The other day Wesley was talking about how he prayed for her when she was in Ethiopia. Graham said he wanted to take her to his boys' night out at school where you are to bring your "favorite" girl. They both possess a very protective and fierce love for her.

I continue to be humbled and in awe of the gift God has given us in Lidiyanna. A few Sundays ago, we dedicated her to the Lord in our church. The first picture in this post is from that morning.

Winter

Just wanted to give a little update about what's been going on with us this winter season. We've had lots of snow and snow days, so the boys have loved playing outside and being together. Graham and Wesley are getting much better at happily playing together which in turn makes their momma very happy.

Lidiyanna has been moving like a storm around our house. Right after our trip to Disney at the end of December, she learned how to crawl. Not only does she crawl but she loves to pull up on things and cruise around the furniture. I thought she was never going to start moving and now you can't stop her. It's so fun to watch her go and she loves the independence that crawling brings. Don't you just love her little pigtails? Her hair is getting long enough now although it's tricky to get her to stay still while I fix her hair. Sometimes, her pigtails end up a little crooked, but I still think they are adorable.

Wesley is doing great. He's been enjoying building train tracks and has recovered quite nicely from his head injury. We see no permanent damage that has resulted. :)

Graham has been enjoying more time at home during the snow days, but he's happy to go to school as well. I got to help in his classroom last week and was thankful to see his joyful, friendly spirit.

Last year, we had so much fun watching the birds in our backyard eat from our homemade birdfeeder. It's been fun to watch it again this year, and Tim has gotten some great shots of the birds.

Nissan Off-Road Day

The Gang from Tim's office took some of the Nissan Trucks Off-Road.

The Xterra is Graham and Wesley's Favorite.

Our Ethiopian Buddies

While we were in Ethiopia on our first trip for the court date back in August, we met a really great couple. Mike and Neiva were there at the same time as us to meet their son, Colton. We met our children for the very first time together, spent every day going to the transition home to visit our kids together, and went through the long morning at court together. It was a week that bonded us in a deep friendship because we experienced some life changing events together.

We were very sad to find out we would not be traveling with them in September for the embassy date. We decided then that sometime later we would all get together after we had all our children at home. They live in the Canton, OH area, so we thought we would meet somewhere around Cincinnati. After having trouble finding a place to stay, we decided they would come to our house for a weekend of fun with six kids.

It turned out to be so much fun. I was so excited for Colton and Lidiyanna to see each other again (especially since we've already decided they will get married someday), to remember our experiences in Ethiopia, and to talk about how things have been since we've been home with our kids.

All six of the kids did very well together and quickly became buddies. It was a weekend we hope to repeat many times over the future.

Colton and Lidiyanna

It's interesting how different they look even though they are both from Ethiopia. Lidiyanna is from the Southern part of the country and Colton is from the northern region of Ethiopia.

our attempt to get all six kids looking at the camera

We got a few babysitters to watch the kids so we could enjoy a dinner out. It was wonderful!!

hittin' it off at Jump Zone

Sydney and Lidiyanna with their cute little pigtails