So Full of Personality!

Graysen,

You are sooo full of personality these days!

Your perfect day includes dressing up, getting your hair done, painting your nails, choosing your own shoes and a hair bow, and singing the day away while playing with your imaginary tiger.

You adore all things girl. Purses, coloring, and Tinkerbell.

You are crazy about dance class and your Aunt Sissy.

You're quite the show off, but get very shy around people that you don't know. Nothing is better than having you snuggle up next to me, and wrap your hand around my finger.

I love you not because you're beautiful on the outside,
but because you're gorgeous on the inside.
Mom

These pictures were taken by Kelley at Life By Light. I can't count the number of hours she has spent capturing my children...thanks for this spur of the moment photo shoot Kel. You captured her essence perfectly!

M2 Video

How cool is it that my kids are featured on Mindy's newest video promoting her photography business?! She's seriously great, hop over to her blog and look at some of her work!

I Will Follow By Chris Tomlin

That is my prayer...

Can you tell something is stirring in me? I am so looking forward to my conference in February...I just know God is going to very obviously show me what we are to do. I can't put my finger on it, but I know God is working in me, and I am praying my husband's heart is being stirred in the same direction...


ps - remember to enter this giveaway...It's a great one!!!

Kids are Mean.

That's how I'm feeling right now.
Some kids are just plain mean.

Why? I don't know.
Do they see it modeled at home?
Do they hear their parents speaking harshly toward them or others?
Are they not valued so much that they feel that in their souls and take it out on others?
I don't know any of the answers.

I do know that days like today make me want to hug my kids close,
whisper reassurance that they are perfect in my eyes.
Remind them that God loves them even more than I do,
and He doesn't care what color their skin is,
how they speak,
or what their hair looks like.

I so badly want them to know that what really matters is their hearts.
What really matters is how they treat other people.
What really matters is how they love God and follow Him.

Pray with me that I will be able to raise children who value Him more than the world.
Pray with me that I will raise children who are soft spoken.
Pray with me that I will raise children who desire to live counter-culturally.

Thankfulness

I am going to get on my soap box just for a moment and say how sad I am that "Christmas" is already upon us. Because is Christmas really here? NO! The stores want you to think Christmas is here because they want you to shop. Boo. News flash: Christmas is not about shopping and presents. It's about Christ. It's a birthday celebration.

Also...what happened to Thanksgiving?! You know, that holiday we have at the end of November every year? Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday and it's already being overlooked and overshadowed! So sad. It's so very important that we spend time being Thankful. Not just once a year, but daily, hourly.

So...all of that being said, we are celebrating THANKSGIVING at our house. No Christmas will sneak in here until Thanksgiving is over.



I had a "Thankful Tree" made for our home this year. (Although I LOVE this Thankful Tree ...we might just do that next year!) Each day the kids tell us one thing they are thankful for that day and we add them to the tree. I am excited to see our tree "sprout". I think it serve as a good reminder to be thankful for everything that God has given us, and also serve as a visual reminder that when we are thankful to God, our relationship will grow, just as our tree is "sprouting fruits"!

Here is what they were each thankful for during the first week:

Hunter:
The Army and God
Freedom
Food
Monkey Bars
Daddy
Footballs
Chad

Blake:
School
French Fries
That God made us
That I will play football when I'm bigger
Riding motorcycles when I get big
Mommy kissing me
Mommy and Daddy giving us food

Silas:
Lunch
Chocolate Pudding
Ethiopia and America
God
Daddy coaching basketball
Chad playing football and us going to his last game
That I will play football when I'm 9

Graysen:
Cupcakes
Catcher (our outside cat)
Mac and Cheese
God and Jesus
Grammie
Grandma
Sissy

I also had these Thanksgiving placemats made for our table this month. You can print them off yourselves here. I had our laminated because I thought it would be fun to switch them up (there are two different designs) each night and use dry erase markers to mark the things we are most thankful for each night! Simple, but good reminders!


One more thing I'm thankful for are these pictures of my precious family! Thank you Mindy for taking them for us. I will treasure them forever, that is for sure. I can't wait to get the rest of them and share them on here!

While we're on the topic of thankfulness, I am also thankful for late night coffee dates with two long time friends who I don't see enough of. I'm thankful that I am able to trust them with my heart and that they will trust me with theirs. I am thankful that we can dream, and plan, and laugh together. Thanks girls...

One more, I promise, just one more today! I'm thankful for other families like this one (you know, the one I mentioned yesterday) who have a heart for adoption and will stop at nothing to raise the ransom to bring another child home! Go support them and enter their giveaway!

What are you thankful for?

Love Wins!

You all know how excited I am when I get the opportunity to help other adoptive parents bring their kiddos home...and today is no exception!

The Bricker family is fundraising to bring home a baby girl, whom they will name Zoey, from Ethiopia! They are even from the good old state of Missouri!!! She is having the most spectacular giveaway EVER on her blog this week! You can't believe the number of awesome things that are being given away...and so many! I would be thrilled to win any of the prizes available!! There are so many ways to get entries, you all should hop over to her blog and show her some support and love...and help raise the ransom for their precious new daughter!

You could also stop by her Etsy store and by purchasing something there! I'm trying to decide between a new baby doll for Graysen and aprons for all the kids for Christmas...hmmm...

Orphans

I just couldn't bring myself to write a post on Orphan Sunday. Some may think this is odd because of our obvious involvement with orphans. But I'm just so torn...

Yes, at one point two of my children were orphans.

But that is not their identity...I don't ever want them defined as "orphans".
I don't ever want them to feel like orphans.

Yet, I want them to remember.
I want them to have compassion for those who have to face the tragedy that they did.
I hope their hearts are not hardened from this event,
but softened.

They are two sons.
Two sons of their first family, two sons of ours, and most importantly, two sons of our Lord.

The day we met them they were expecting us.
They were nervous,
but they were not shy.

(Meeting Sintayehu and Bizayehu for the very first time.)

As other children, too many to count, gathered around to watch our first meeting,
They knew they finally had what all of the other children at Layla are still dreaming of.

A family. They were orphans no more.

(just 10 minutes after meeting)

They took bottles of water back to Layla with them each time we visited.
To share with the other kids.
They gave away their new bubbles, stickers, and balloons.
Because they understood.

Is our responsibility of caring for the orphans over because we brought two of them home?
Absolutely not.

So...
our quest continues.
To pray and seek where God would lead us next
in caring for the orphans and widows.

Where is He pulling your heart?

Ice Cream and God's Animals

...you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household. —Deuteronomy 26:11

I love being a mom. But what I love more than just being a mom, is being an intentional mom! We had all Saturday afternoon with no plans, so why not make the most of our free day?! As the kids put away their folded laundry I make preprations for an ice cream social! I had gone by Redbox earlier in the day and rented Disney's Oceans. I surprised the kids with fun ice cream toppings (all just found around my house) and we had a hay day!

Toppings included: fruit snacks, sprinkles, cookie dough, crushed Oreos, chocolate chips, M&M's, carmel sprinkles, moca sprinkles, chocolate syrup,and carmel syrup! Yum, yum.

The kids had such a good time putting their toppings on, seeing what toppings their siblings would choose, and encouraging each other to try new things!

We talked about how God makes everyone different, and how just like our ice cream, even though they (we) look different, we're all delicious!

Yummy! What could be better than this on a mid-morning Saturday?!

After we got done making our sundaes, we sat on a blanket in the living room and watched our movie. We were all amazed by the beautiful creatures that most of us had never seen before! We talked about whales, sharks, fish, sea lions, jelly fish, and dolphins. We talked about the importance of not littering and taking care of God's creations, both animals and people. After the movie we Googled how long the longest whale is and then we measured it out...they were amazed!

I couldn't have asked for a better Saturday afternoon with my kids. Thank you Lord for entrusting me with each of their lives. I'm doing my best...

I Refuse by Josh Wilson

I'm totally lovin' this song!



And have you seen a better shirt than this?


You can buy it here. I really want one!

This is what Josh Wilson has to say about writing this song:

We've just finished a new video, sharing the story of the Nashville flood that happened earlier this year, and how it served as an inspiration for my song, "I Refuse". The response to the flooding last May was unbelievable - the local churches served their neighbors, the local businesses served their neighbors - people from other states and other countries served perfect strangers. It was an incredible experience and I'm thankful to share a little of it with you.

Of course, as influenced as I was by the Nashville flood, it wasn't my only influence. There is need in every corner of this world, and God has called us to be His Hands and His Feet. I'm including some links of a few movements that I'm passionate about it, but encourage you to do your own research. If you're willing to refuse to do nothing, what do you choose to do?

http://www.crosspoint.tv - this is the church in Nashville that shared all the video and photographs with us. They have a flood fund that directly goes to flooded homeowners.

http://fathershouseghana.com/ - this is an orphanage in Ghana - they'll soon be rescuing 8 boys from slavery. We've chosen to donate some of the proceeds from our t-shirts sales to their work.

http://stopthenakedness.com/ - this apparel company is providing clothing for impoverished children

http://www.tinyhandsinternational.org/ - great organization that is fighting human trafficking

http://www.mercyministries.org/homepage/ - a great Nashville-based organization that provides hope and healing to young women

We are praying about God has called US do...are you?

One of my Pet Peeves

Son,

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people sing when they don't know the words. Please listen to me next time I say this to you in the car. I can't count the number of times I've told you this in the last 5 months, but for some reason you aren't taking note. Maybe God keeps erasing it from your brain to teach me patience and self control. I don't know, but it. drives. me. nuts.!!!!!

Full House, Full Heart!

I've been getting lots of comments from people lately on the size of our family when we're out and about. At first I was a bit concerned, wondering if my children were being ill behaved and drawing attention to us, but after some observation, I realize that it's just the size of our group of 5 or 6 (if Daddy's with us) that draws the attention. In the beginning I was so flustered by people's comments that I wasn't sure how to respond and usually just kind of chuckled awkwardly, but I've come up with kind of a "pat answer" now...

"Full house, full heart!"

I really do believe that, and yes, a full house also comes with some frustration, and loudness, there's nothing better than having us all together! I also laugh inside when people comment on how many children we have (remember...we only have 4!), because especially in the adoption world, there are some families who really ARE big...we're talking 20 children! We're NOTHING compared to that!

I have come up with (with the help of some fellow AAI moms) the top 5 reasons why it's great to have a "big" family!

5. You can field a whole team in the local pick-up soccer games (and win!) Or you very own band. Or your own event production team. The possibilities are endless!

4. You have a built-in awesome cheering section at family events such as band concerts, sports games, school plays, etc.

3. You can play all those fun classroom party games at home...again, and again, and again!

2. Joy, joy, joy. So much laughter.

1. Having a bigger family gives you a really good reasons to Get Rid of Clutter...more room for people, less room for stuff, stuff, stuff. (This principle can be applied to your actual house, and also to your heart!)

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!