My Favorite Things

One of my all time favorite musicals is Sound of Music. I love the music, the dialog, the history. One of her songs that she sings is when she is sad. Well, today I turned 34. I have a hard time believing that I keep getting older, but it is true. I have accomplished one more year. I am thankful for this year, but to be honest it has been tough.

So, today I want to sing about my favorite things to remind myself of my blessings. Now, normally birthdays aren't tough for me. However, this particular birthday is the first time I didn't get a phone call after midnight from my Momma. I miss her and would love to hear her sing Happy Birthday in her scruffy voice.

Here it goes...my favorite things/memories....

*The day I met the love of my life-11 years ago today!
*The day I married Mark Allen. My favorite part was doing the Lord's Supper together.
*Seeing the double pink line for 5 pregnancies. (I included the one I miscarried.)
*I love smelling the cabinet with spices.
*I love the feeling of a newborn baby sleeping on your chest.
*I love the feeling of holding for the first time my four boys.
*I love the sparkle in Mark's eyes when he talks about the Cowboys.
*I love the phone calls from my sister as she travels home from school.
*I love the feeling of a one year old hugging me and giving me kisses!
*I love watching my boys play daily together and arguing less.
*I love getting up early and eating breakfast and then going back to bed.
*I love talking with my brother on facebook and seeing his life unfold through his pictures!
*I love eating great, amazing food that my hubby prepares for me.
*I love spending time with my family and talking about the funny things we've done.
*I love watching old family movies.
*I love talking with my boys.
*I love taking walks!
*I love accomplishing my tasks and MARKING them off.
*I love homeschooling my boys!
*I love watching Veggie Tales!
*I love that my boys want me to be Princess Leia.
*I love and love my family.
*I love my times alone with God while the skies are still dark.
*I love singing Praise music.
*I love buying little girl gifts for my friends and family.
*I love watching believers be baptized!
*I love getting emails from friends!
*I love blogging!
*I love that Mark, Kaleb, Joshua, Stephen, and Micah love me too!

Basically, I guess we could say that I love my life. I love the God of all creation that gave me the bountiful blessings of my husband and my four boys. I am thankful for the hardships and for the fun times~both have been used to sharpen my skills as a Child of the King.

Thanks for letting me share my loves. I pray that you are as loved as I am.
"Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ. And now let the weak say I am strong and let the poor say I am rich for what the Lord as done-give thanks." Praise song from the 90"s.

I hope you enjoy the photo of my sweet family!

Kid Updates

I just wanted to let you know a few fun things that have gone on around our home the past few days.

Joshua can ride his bike and stand up and pump. Big accomplishment for a 'need to control all situations' kinda child.

Joshua has also lost 3 teeth in the past 2 months. He looks absolutely adorable. I will send pictures soon!

Kaleb has been practicing Christmas music for our family celebration. Christmas is on the brain and we haven't even bought our pumpkin yet!

Kaleb has also written some pretty comical creative writing entries. I plan to share soon!

Stephen is a hoot! He always smiles even when he is angry! He decided that he has 'absolutely nothing to do' if his brothers are busy with school. He just sits on the grounds and pout. Oh, how he loves his brothers entertaining him.

He also has begun to talk clearly--Praise God! You can understand everything he says as long as it is short. 'Transformers' still gives me a deep belly giggle.

Micah has wrapped both Mark and I around his fingers. He gets away with so much more than ever should be allowed. He gives the best hugs and kisses. Plus, he is not stingy with any of it.

Micah has also taken 3 steps by himself between Mark and me. He took one step as he was standing against the couch. However, my clapping has discouraged any more progress.

Mark and I....well we haven't done anything too amazing or fun. However, we are getting pretty good at playing Mario Cart with the boys. Joshua and I fight for last place while Mark and Kaleb fight for first. Oh the fun...

Adoption Update

Just in case you are wondering about our friends who have been in the process of adoption....

We received word last night that "Its a GIRL!"

I was so elated that I could not go to sleep.

Last week as I heard the news, I knew what was required. My heart was breaking for our friends. I cried out to God several times a day for my friends and this special baby. I prayed harder for this issue than I have for most things. In most cases, after a time of prayer, I feel released to praise God for His answer. Not in this particular case....I felt the pressure to pray heavily for all parts of this adoption.

It was great to see my prayers answered. I realized something greater than myself was at stake. This baby is a true miracle. We, as Christians, had to fight for Baby Kate to be put in the right home and we won the battle. God is gracious, but he doesn't give you something you want when He knows it is not the best. So, we trusted God for our answers and comfort and received more than we could ever wish. Thank You Abba!

On a side note...

A lesson God has been teaching me is perseverance. My friends taught me how to persevere and let God do His will. They began down this road several years ago through heartache, but they never quit. They got discouraged and sad, but never quit. They had their eyes on the goal and kept focused on the prize. I definitely could use a healthy dose of perseverance in my own life. What a testimony of God's grace and power coming forth in humble hearts.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12

A New Thing

Up until this summer, Mark and I have always had dial up Internet. When we moved, we decided to upgrade our Internet. Wow! What a difference it makes. I am doing things I would never have done on dial up. This blog is one of those things. I absolutely enjoy myself here.

I also joined facebook. I have been in touch with friends that I haven't seen in a decade or so. It is a true tool that God has used to encourage me greatly.

So, if you are in facebook, look me up I am in need of friends and would love to stay in touch with you.

Well, not much time to do to discuss the ins and outs of parenting and living this life to its fullest.


However.....

I just want to go on the record....I hate folding and hanging up laundry. I love sorting and washing and drying. It gives me a charge.

Folding and hanging up probably doesn't like me either....

Enjoy your day....

Follow Me

I have added a new gadget to my blog. I was amazed to see how many people have hit my profile. I only thought a handful of people read this thing. So, I am gonna try something new. I wanted to get a glimpse of who is following my journey with my super HEROES! So, if you want to be known as a Follower, you can subscribe to it and your pretty picture or your anonymous picture will be on my blog.

Scroll down on the blog and it is the last thing on the right.

It may be something I take off, but for now I think it will be delightful.

Enjoy!
~Super Momma~

Adoption-Part 2

Joshua is my no non-sense kid. He is your bottom line kinda of guy. No frills just the honest, blunt truth. In fact, he is known as the 'police man' in our family. You just can't get a way with anything around him.

So, yesterday we were eating lunch. He said, "Hey Mom, when is that lady gonna come and give us a baby girl?"

After a chuckle, I replied as sweetly as I could. "Joshua, I don't think a real lady is gonna come and give us her baby. I was using that story to make a point. Your best bet to getting a baby sister is to ask Jesus."

Joshua's reply, "Mom that takes too long."

"Yes, it does take awhile, but a sweet baby is well worth the wait."

After our conversations, everyone (Kaleb and Stephen) pipped in and said that they were ready for a little girl. From their lips to God's ears. I think I could use a little pink in my blue house. Don't the boys need a damsel in distress to rescue?

{Just to let you know....If God decides to bless our family with a small bundle some day, I don't really care if it is a boy or a girl. Both are a true blessing and loads of fun.}

The Gift of Adoption

This past week we have had interesting conversations around the dinner table. Some great friends have been in the process of adopting a child. We found out Monday that they were chosen by a birth mother; however, the mother was wishy washy to say the least. Well, Mark and I believe in the power of prayer and decided that this issue needed to be covered in prayer. So, as we talked with our boys about the importance of praying for our friends, Kaleb was noticeably upset. So, we asked what was on his heart.

He explained how he didn't want anyone to loose their children. It was wrong to take the child from their mom. We have tried many times to explain that not all parents are like his parents. We went through the list of people we know are adopted. Some of which are in our family. We explained the benefit for the child and the families that adopt.

He understood how the child was blessed to be adopted, but the birth parent's loss broke his heart. We have had this talk before. Mark and I had the privilege of being houseparents for several boys for about 2 1/2 years. Kaleb didn't understand then either. He could not comprehend why parents would leave their children.

He doesn't understand abuse or neglect. He doesn't understand going without a meal. He doesn't understand parents choosing not to be parents. He doesn't understand parents who are selfish.

At the close of the conversation, I asked Kaleb a practical question. I asked him what he would do if someone came up to our house and asked us to raise their baby girl? He laughed and smiled at me and said, " Mom that is a dumb question. I would take her in a heart beat."

So, maybe we should look at adoption through his eyes. He sees adoption as a gift from the birth parents. He sees adoption as a privilege.

Through this gift of adoption, I am privilege to be the sister of an adopted baby (picture is of my sister and myself). I am privilege to be the second cousin of an adopted baby. I am privilege to be a friend of one who has been adopted. I am privilege to be apart of several families that have enlarged their family through the gift of adoption. But most important I am privileged to be adopted also by the High King, the Creator, the Alpha and Omega, my Abba. .

"In love, He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will..." Eph.1:5 emphasis is mine.

Wow! It feels great to be a gift. You and I were created for God's pleasure. We bring joy to our King just like our children bring joy to us.

Hopefully, you have joined God's family through the adoption of His Son Jesus Christ. If not, respond in the comment section and I would be blessed to carry on a conversation with you that would bring real change...a change you can truly believe in.

He Chose Us

I am blessed to have the best husband in the world.

Since he is in training, he is not able to take off and go to doctor appointments with us. Well several weeks ago we were told that he would be able to attend two important appointments. Last Thursday he was told that going with us would be a bad idea because they were going to complete more work than they initially planned. However, he was given an option that would potentially put us out two more weeks not to mention the mess it would make in our next move. He had a complete peace to go with us and knew he was suppose to choose family over work.

Well, we were blessed. God works through many circumstances. He even works through electricity being out in a computer dependent job. Needless to say not much work was completed on Friday.

It feels great to be chosen by the One who created this world. For He is living and active among us and cares about the simple things in life.