A note from my daughter…

Today after our Jesse Tree devotional, my oldest daughter asked me if I still had my blog.  When I said yes, she quickly asked if she could post something today.  I have to admit that I am cautious in how I respond to some questions (especially with my children), not wanting to get stuck in some agreement that I can’t back out of.  I told her she could write something and then I would see about posting it.  She quickly started working.  I have to admit I am a humbled.  I am proudly posting it today, just as she wrote it…

December 19 2012 

I am Anastasia and I am 11 years old.  Last year for Christmas we each got one present.  But this year my mom came to me and asked “Anastasia this year for Christmas, as a family, I think we will do something different. What if we gave instead of receive?  To show others Gods love.”  I was so excited.  Because to see someone smile because I made a difference means more to me than getting a toy that I will soon forget about.  A toy can not change my life but someone else can.  Small things leave big impressions.  I can do something as small as giving a hug and the smile I will remember.  Sometimes I think we get too carried away in buying Christmas presents and seeing Santa that we forget the real meaning of Christmas.  God has given us the best present ever, eternal life. This gift will last forever.  When I am struggling and having a bad day I can call on Him.  If you don’t know Jesus and you want to know him just say this prayer with meaning lets pray    “Dear Jesus thank you for your gift.  Thank you for dying for me.  Forgive me of my sins.  Make me who you want me to be.  I believe in you. Please change my life and thank you for making me a new person, amen.” God loves you and I pray He will bless you.  Merry Christmas!

 

She has pretty big plans for changing the world.  I think she might just do it!

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A Transformed Christmas

When I think about the name God gave me for my company over 10 years ago, I marvel at how appropriate it is even today.  It seems He continually “Amazingly Transforms” so many areas of my life and home.  The latest transformation is in how we are celebrating Christmas this year.  I am so excited about it and already feel the relief of peace that it is bringing.  This year there won’t be any pressures in the area of gift giving because we are choosing to only give gifts to Him this Christmas.  I know it sounds like a radical approach and yet it is already becoming the best Christmas we have ever experienced.  “How do we give gifts to Christ?” you might ask.  It is simple really.  According to Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus says…

³⁵ For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. ³⁶ I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

³⁷ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? ³⁹ When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

⁴⁰ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

We have already begun this journey and it has been so special.  Just tonight, one simple act brought joy to others as well as to us.  I loaded up the car with the five kids and our family friend from Kenya and we went to the neighborhood nursing home.  My older daughters invited to sing with the children’s choir from church and I decided it would be fun to bring the little ones along for the ride.  After the kids finished singing and headed to eat pizza with their friends, the three little ones and I stayed behind to visit a few residents.

I simply pulled them in their wagon up and down the halls and stopped to greet anyone who might be in their room.  The little ones had so much fun looking to see if someone was there and then would wave and smile.  This simple gesture brought the most beautiful smiles to their faces and ours alike.  I left thinking to myself, “Why have I waited so long to bring my children?”   This gift was only a small sacrifice of time but the value was priceless!

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Where has the summer gone?

I am so thankful for my camera.  Without it, I’m not sure I would have remembered everything that occurred this summer!

Here is a pictorial glimpse of our whirlwind summer:

First Ballet Recital

Oompah Loompah in the local summer Children’s Musical Theater performance of Willie Wonka

So fun and so proud!

Fun with New York Cousins

Water sprinkler fun and

an occasional sip from a bird bath.

(Yes, I did run for the camera instead of wash him up right away.  I figured the damage had already been done.  Might as well laugh, right? )

There is oh so much more to share!

How did you enjoy your summer?

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Happy Birthday Little Man!

One year ago today this little man was born…

and then something happened,

He GREW!

He is such an adventurous, sweet boy!  And he loves playing outside and eating… sticks and

and flowers and

lots of leaves and

an occasional cheerio!

Happy Birthday my beautiful son!  Looking forward to celebrating you all day!

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A Beautiful Gift

Today marks my oldest daughter’s 10th birthday. Yes you read that correctly TEN!!! I can hardly believe how quickly the time has flown by. As I reflect on the past 7 years, I am so grateful. God fulfilled my dream for a child in such a beautiful way. I look forward to watching her flourish into the amazing young lady God dreamed her to be.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

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Amazingly Transformed Again

Just this evening as we decided to take a walk as a family, my neighbor walked up and in the conversation said to me…”I miss seeing your decorating articles in the paper”.  I shared with him how I have written so many things in my head and then pointed to my children and said…”These sweet little ones are why I never have time to write my thoughts down”.

You see, as of this Monday afternoon I became the mother of FIVE!  Yes you read that correctly.  Three of which are 1 year and under. 🙂

About 14 years ago when my husband and I started trying to have a family we never dreamed that in the years between our 15th and 16th wedding anniversary we would add 3 sweet babies to our ever growing tribe.  It really is an AMAZING story that I hope I can remember in a few years when I actually have time to write out our adventure.  I believe it would make a great book and who knows, I might just have the opportunity to write it.

But for now, I wanted to let all of you my dear and faithful friends meet the 5 special reasons that my life has been abundantly transformed and why I haven’t been transforming too many spaces lately.

Beginning with my beautiful firstborn:

She is such a great help to me with the babies.  I can’t believe how grown up she has become.

Next there is my full of laughter second born:

She is always willing to give a helping hand and so loves her baby brother and sisters.

Then there is my oldest “baby”, my sweet one year old (not able to provide picture at this time).  This happy girl brings a smile to everyone she meets.

My handsome and completely loveable son:

He is growing way too fast (4 months old already) and seems so grown up next to his little sister.

And last but not least our tiniest member who joined us on Monday and is now 5 day old (not able to share a picture at this time).  She shares a birthday with her 1 year old sister.  Such a treasure!

So by now your mind is probably spinning with questions most of which I hope to be able to answer one day but for the obvious ones…

“Have you lost your minds?”  Yes, probably.

“Are you getting any sleep?” At times 🙂

“Is taking on so many babies in a short time worth it?”  Absolutely.  We are AMAZINGLY BLESSED!

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It’s A Boy!

Oh how I have wanted to post for some time.  My mind is flooded with so many details to share, but finding time to record them is a totally different matter.  Thankfully I have a burst of energy and everyone is asleep at the present so I thought I would at least take a few moments to introduce the newest addition to our quickly growing family!

Let me present my sweet little boy…John Adrian!

He made his grand appearance on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at around 10:15 pm.  He was 9 lbs, 4.5ozs and 21.5 inches long!  

Our First Glimpse!

My first thought when I heard how big he was…”He must be meant for me!  He was almost as big as I was when I was born!”. 🙂

He is so beautiful!  He has dark hair and blue eyes like his daddy.  God couldn’t have given us a more perfect surprise present!

And if you are wondering about his big sisters…

They are extremely proud!

And me…

Well, I’m pretty much in heaven. 🙂

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Our Latest Adventure

It is amazing how one little phone call can turn your world upside down in an instant.  We certainly know this from experience.  A week ago Tuesday, we received one such call.

It had been a long day with the kids at homeschool co-op.  My husband was out of town and I was looking forward to a quiet evening at home and putting my three sweet little girls to bed early.  We were finishing up dinner and expecting a friend to stop by for a visit when the phone rang.

Many times I will answer the phone…”Amazing Transformations, this is Jennifer” when I don’t recognize the name on the caller id.  This particular night I simply said “hello”.  The sweet voice then asked…”Is this Travis or Jennifer?”  I said…”This is Jennifer.” and then the life changing conversation began!

This timid young girl began telling me that I didn’t know her but that she had been working with CPO (Crisis Pregnancy Outreach) and that she was expecting a baby boy that she decided to place for adoption.  And then she said…“and I picked you to adopt my child.”

My response…”oh, oh, OH!”  (I was a little slow catching on! :))  “When is the baby due?”

“March 30th”

And then I began babbling non-stop.  I guess I needed to process this conversation and the poor girl had to endure my rattling on.

What makes this such an amazing call (besides the fact that it was COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED) was that just the weekend before I thought to myself…”I need to write my mentor an email and ask her to send me our family profile book back.  Our book has been with CPO for 2 years now and obviously it wasn’t God’s plan for us to adopt from this ministry.”  Well, I never got the email written and three days later I received this call!

Normally, when a family works with CPO a mentor will contact the family and set up an appointment with the birth mom to meet and decide if everyone wants to proceed.  Apparently this time, the birth mom was certain of her decision and wanted to call us herself.  Boy was she brave! 🙂

After a week I have begun to get used to the idea that we are about to have a newborn in the house again.  It really is crazy isn’t it?!  Two babies 8 months apart!  God really does have a sense of humor…and I am glad!

We have had the opportunity to meet the birth mom and she is BEAUTIFUL!  I can’t wait to introduce you to my son and his birth mom!  We are going to have an open adoption and I am so thankful.  The birth mom has already expressed that she would like to see him as much as we would allow her to.  I am thinking that having two sweet babies to hold will offer lots of opportunities for her to come and see our family! 🙂

The girls can’t wait to welcome a little brother!

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Happy Birthday Sunshine!

Today our sweet Hailey turned 8 years old!

She brings such indescribable joy to our family!

And boy does she love sweets!

Happy 8th Birthday Hailey!

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Hailey’s Comments – Nov 30, 2010

Last Wednesday we were heading to my in-laws for Thanksgiving.  I’m not sure if the long car ride made Hailey delirious or what, but as we neared her grandma’s house I heard Hailey say…
“I can hear the ocean in here!”

When I looked back, I saw a sweet girl smiling with her Quik Trip drink and straw sticking in her ear. 🙂

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