Our crazy road trip

1 Crazy Mom
+ 1 Crazy Aunt
+ 4 kiddos
_____________
1 Crazy Road Trip!

Kara and I loaded up the kids and headed to Indiana for one of Chad's football games! It was a 7 hour (driving time) trip, and I hadn't taken the twins any farther than STL! We weren't sure what to expect, but it was a great trip!

Kara cleared our TomTom right in the middle of Indianapolis! Yikes!!


Follow that truck!!!!

Megan loaned us her dual DVD player for the trip...it was a life savor!

Eight hours later, we were there! So much fun to jump on hotel beds!!!

One quick group shot before we head down to the pool!!!!

Look at these twinkies with their hair up the same. Too stinkin' cute.

The boys loved the pool. It was only 3.5 feet deep all over, so I didn't have to worry about a thing!

Graysen and I perfered the hot tub though...

Ice cream in bed, what's better than that?!

Yea! Chad got to come visit after a run through in the parking lot...
Chad got to meet Bill Rasmussen, the founder of ESPN...how awesome is that?!

The visitors bleachers were kind of a joke. We were right on the sideline and there was no way to see over the team to watch the game. The kids and I hung out in the car eating lunch or in the parking lot playing for most of the game! Here we are toward the end, watching from the fence.

Bless Graysen's heart. She was so worn out on the way home she crashed...mid coloring session!

I am so glad that we took the trip. I feel much more confident that I can take them by myself next time on a long car trip. They did great, and I'm looking forward to our next opportunity (probably not until next May when we travel to Michigan to have a one year reunion with our Ethiopian travel buddies and a first meeting with this wonderful family!)

Are you like Bartimaeus?

This story from Mark (10:46-52) was recently preached at my church and I fell in love with it!

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”⁴⁸ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”⁴⁹ Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” ⁵⁰ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.⁵¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”⁵² “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

The pastor suggested that there were 5 reasons this miracle happened.

1. Persistence. Bartimaeus wasn't going to let ANYONE or anything keep him from catching Jesus' attention. He called out over and over, even when others rebuked him and tried to quiet him. He was persistent.

2. IMMEDIATELY following Jesus' call. When Jesus called for Bartimaeus, he threw his cloak aside and jumped to his feet. He didn't say, "okay Jesus, hold on, let me get my coat and take my time getting up and walking to you". He didn't wait for the crowd to disperse, he left all his personal belongs behind and immediately went to Jesus!

3.Conciseness. Bartimaeus knew exactly what he was requesting from Jesus. He didn't beat around the bush, he wasn't vague in his request. It was specific, "Rabbi, I want to see".

4. Knowing and acknowledging who Jesus was. Bartimaeus knew exactly who Jesus was; "Son of David". Even though he could not see Jesus, he had heard, and had faith through knowledge that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah.

5. Gratitude. Bartimaeus was grateful for the sight that Jesus gave him. He didn't take his blessing and then head back to his hometown. He "followed Jesus along the road." He praised Jesus and thought enough of Him to follow Him, listening to His teachings.

How persistent are we in our seeking of Jesus?
Do we let other things or people slow us or quiet us?
Do we stop at NOTHING to get to Jesus?

When was the last time you IMMEDIATELY jumped when Jesus called you?
Have you ever dropped everything to do what Jesus asks?
Or do you ask Him to wait...
wait until you get a better job, wait until your kids are grown?

When you talk to Jesus do you have a specific request?
Or do you speak generally to Jesus, as if he were an acquaintance?
Are you open and honest enough with Him to tell him the nitty gritty?
The specifics of your life...
Without the specifics can we really see any miracles worked?
Do we recognize the miracles when we haven't asked specifically?

Do we really know and acknowledge who Jesus is?
Do we truly believe without seeing?

Are we grateful?
Grateful enough to continue to pursue Him and listen to His teachings?

I know I've got some work to do. I want to be more like Bartimaeus.

Pumpkin Carving, Family Style!

Pumpkin carving took place on the Thursday night before Halloween. Kara, Chad, and Grammie came over to help! I pretty much just took pictures...but hey, someone's got to document it, right?!


Blake, helping Gray clean her pumpkin out (like he was a pro...)

"Carve the smile like this Sissy!"

Aunt Sissy helping Gray carve her smile (as demonstrated above)...
The kids took a break to enjoy some Halloween cupcakes we made.

Grammie carving Hunter's pumpkin. He chose an awesome cat!

Blake couldn't get enough of looking at the pumpkin lit up! I took this with the flash on, so you can't see that it's lit, but it is, and he just stayed down on his hands and knees like that in shock! Too cute.
This is the first picture that I have captured that really shows Silas' happy smile and laugh. He is so handsome!
The kids with their pumpkins all lit up...

I had to take one with the flash too!

Here's to hoping for many more years of fun pumpkin carving at the Redburn Home!

Halloween 2010

Welcome to my Toy Story family!

Woody: Hunter, age 6

The Toy Solider: Blake, age 6

Jessie: Graysen, age 2

Buzz Lightyear: Silas, age 6

The whole Toy Story crew!

This year we are going to "celebrate" Halloween on the 29th. The boys have Halloween Parties and the Elementary School parade that day, then the High School is doing their Trunk or Treat (inside!) that evening. We'll also go Trick or Treating at my Aunt Kim's house, Grammie's house, and Aunt Sissy's house. The 31st is Sunday and we'll dress up and hand out candy at home that night. Not sure we'll too many Trick or Treaters, but we'll be ready just in case!

We live in a neighborhood...and ride horses.

Our neighbor has two horses. (Yes, we live right in the middle of town.) She is kind enough to give my kids rides...like all the time!

See, the middle of town!

...and yes, my kids play outside in their costumes that are too small for them...like everyday.

Pumpkin Patch 2010

A few weekends ago we went on our annual trip to the pumpkin patch! I was very excited about this year because it was Blake and Silas' first experience with pumpkins, AND it is the first time in 6 (yes SIX) years that Lincoln has been available to go with us! Nick, Britt, and the girls, Mom, Kara, and the six of us loaded up and headed out to a new Pumpkin Patch in STJ. It was small, but cute for their first year!

Here is an overload of pictures:

Look at these brothers. You all just have no idea what this does for my heart.

Mommy and Daddy. Still in love...

Nick and Silas...they were matching! Silas has been crazy about Nick since the first day he met him.

Ah, the crazy Redburn six. I love us.

Lincoln...at the pumpkin patch! Am I seeing things?!

Grammie and her first two grandkids.

She picked out her pumpkin, and then found this gord...it was love at first sight. She couldn't have cared less about her pumpkin after that.

Out in the pumpkin field

Ah, my African Prince.

The most important part of a pumpkin patch is that they actually have fields with pumpkins growing. I just can't deal with those places that have them all picked and lined up for you to choose from. I'm a pumpkin patch snob.
The rule was you have to carry your own pumpkin...

These two are the best. They are my life savors and support no matter what.

(Okay, the little one is pretty great too...)

When Lincoln ordered nine hot dogs the people weren't real sure what to think...hey, we've got big eaters!

Jesus Bring the Rain

In December 2002 my Dad walked out on our family. It was by far the most pain I had ever felt, but through it I came to know Jesus more. Jesus, Bring the Rain.

In April 2005 I miscarried my second baby. The pain was intense, but through it Jesus showed me how to love my husband and son more. Jesus, Bring the Rain.

In February 2006 my daughter died. I was literally in the depths of despair, but through it I saw the Body of Christ work in ways I had never seen before. Jesus, Bring the Rain.

Over the last six years I have learned that marriage is challengeing...and it takes hard work. But through it, I have come to understand more of the relationship Jesus wants with me. Jesus, Bring the Rain.

In March 2010 my grandma died. She was such a light in my life, but through it, I have been able to teach my children more about the gift of life that Jesus has offered us. Jesus, Bring the Rain.

In May 2010 we adopted two six year old boys...and I thought I knew hard before! But, through it, my eyes have been opened to what breaks Jesus' heart, and I am grateful. Jesus, Bring the Rain.




God if faithful...even when there is rain. His love never changes!

This is the day that the Lord has made

Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Today I am thankful for:

• lots of dirty dishes. I'm being serious. It means that there are lots of mouths eating in our home and that we have the food to feed them. This brings such joy to my heart. I've always loved hosting and feeding people. I always go overboard with food!
• living at the end of a long street lined with trees. I love how full they are in the summer time, how beautiful they are in the fall, and how the snow and ice hangs from them in the winter.
• a husband who has a heart that breaks for the same things mine does. I'm so grateful that we can talk about those things that are heavy on our hearts and I know without a doubt that we are on the same page.
  
• Graysen falling asleep in my arms. I love feeling her twist my hair and hearing her breathing even out. I love how warm she gets right before she falls asleep and how limp she goes in my arms...trusting me completely.
  
• my small group. I belong to a group of people who love each other and support one another. We can share our struggles without fear of judgment.
  
• God teaching me how to intentionally love my newest sons. He is teaching me everyday that love is a verb and that I can only make the decision to love them unconditionally with His help each and every day. Every morning I wake and pray "God, please let me love my children today to the best of my ability and show them You through me. Please give me patience, grace, and compassion to extend to those I meet today."
• other adoptive mommies who I can share my honest experiences and feelings with. They don't judge me, and know just what to say to lighten my stress for the day.
  

Quiet Time

This is what my quiet time looks like:

mixed in between that morning's breakfast, and dirty dishes.

I was reading scripture to the kids as they were eating their breakfast,
filling them up with The Word
as well as cheerios and captain crunch...
Preparing them to face the day away from me and the safety of our home.

I often times read as I load the dishwasher.
Is that weird?

Sorry about having to see the messiness that is my house.
I try to remind myself that God doesn't care how messy my house is...
as long as my life isn't messy as well.
As long as my relationships aren't messy.

I guess it doesn't really matter, right?
Isn't that how God wants us to include Him?
In the every day, minute to minute stuff of our lives,
right in the middle of the dirty dishes.