AWANA Derby!!

Mrs. Peggy watching over the activities! She works so hard for the kids
and we appreciate her so much!

Stephen patiently waiting for the races to start!

Silas' truck...Camo striped number 13

Stephen's Rollback Truck, with a Matchbox car as an accessory
 (Silas was the designer of both cars!)

Stephen, Connor, Silas and Briely

Mr. Jeff was the starter!

Stephen, Will, and Preston with their trophies

Silly boy....he is such a hoot!

Showing off his trophy to Pastor Chris

Hugging on Mrs. Becky

All the winners with their trophies!

The boys enjoyed participating in this year's AWANA derby. Silas designed both cars and Uncle Tommy (my brother) was gracious enough to cut the designs out, but Silas did all of the sanding, painting, and wheel attachments. Stephen came in 3rd place for his age group for speed. Silas didn't win a trophy, but he was only a little sad. We reminded him that he worked on both cars, so it was a victory for him too!

"I stand corrected!"

Isn't it so hard to admit when we are wrong? I recently had a situation happen where I had my motives questioned and it was a very hurtful time. In the same way, I know that I myself often question people's motives, what drives them to act and behave as they do. That is judgement, pure and simple, and we all do it at one time or another, some even camp out there and stay a while. Lord I pray I never become one of those people! I've been studying the book of James for about 6 weeks now. I am proud to be part of a church that reaches out to the community: we have over 200 women from 30 different churches doing this Beth Moore study, "Mercy Triumphs" together. This study can cut you right to the core. Good ole James, brother of Jesus (half brother, technically) does NOT mince words, he tells it like it is! I really appreciate that about him, even when it hurts! Right off the bat, James says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." Wow. I know when I go through trials, the last thing I want to do is count it as joy, but that is exactly what God's word says we should do. There have been many trials I've faced, many that have been condensed into one very stressful year. Count it as joy, well I'm working on that one--daily.
I love that I can stay home with the boys now, even on the days that we have when nothing seems to go right. I love that they are getting to spend more time working on their relationship with one another, and I get more time to mother them. We have great conversations, too. Whether it is while we are doing schoolwork, or loading in the car to go to Costco, we have ongoing dialogue with each other all day long. Yesterday, Stephen asked me "What does 'stand corrected' mean momma?" Of course I had to think of how to best explain that in 5 year old terms, so I said, "Well, it means that someone might tell you something and you don't really believe them. Then later, you find out that they were right. Then you can say to them, 'I stand corrected', and it's like saying you were wrong." Of course in my mind I'm thinking, "Where in the world did he hear that? TV, I guess?" Anyway, he asked again later and I said pretty much the same thing again, I suppose he wanted a clear understanding for some reason. I do love his inquisitive nature! I went out to dinner with my adoptive mom's group last night and the boys were still up when I got home (very late!). Scott told me how he couldn't believe what Stephen had said. They were watching Wipeout, and Stephen said that no one would make it over the balls. Somehow, one contestant made it without falling off...to which Stephen replied, "I stand corrected!". Oh how gracious God is to allow us to see that the time we spend with our children is not wasted, that they learn so much from us through simple conversations. My prayer is that I will be that kind of person that will be quick to admit when I am wrong and say, "I stand corrected!"

Who? What? Where? When? How? WHY?

That's me. I ask A LOT of questions. Just ask my husband, he will tell you all about it. When we were dating, he would say, "The next thing you're gonna ask is 'Why is the sky blue?'". I don't know why I have been given this questioning nature, but I have. I think that it is a nature that many women share. I tend to talk to the Lord a lot. And myself. Out loud. My boys will ask me, "Who are you talking to momma?". It is a hard thing not knowing the "why" sometimes, but I must remember that God knows. I believe everything does happen for a reason, but that reason is not known in the moment, it usually takes a lot of hindsight to see even a glimpse of it. I didn't know how I was going to make it through my mom's sickness and death, but I did. I didn't know Scott's brother would pass away the same day as my mom. I couldn't imagine how we would cope with a double loss, but we did. I didn't know what to do about my dad being so distraught over losing my mom. I didn't know he would take such drastic measures to be with her sooner than he should have, but he did. I don't know why he thought he couldn't go on. I don't know when the loss will get easier. I think I'm better than a year ago, but maybe I'm not. I know that I have peace that can only come from God, the kind of peace that the Bible talks about, that transcends all understanding. There is no way I could function otherwise. There are some questions I hear answered through a quiet whisper to my soul. Ones like "Why must I go through this?"...and He answers "Because you cannot become who I need you to be without these trials." Or this one, "Lord you know the desires of my heart, why do you not answer my prayers?" He answers, "The time has not yet come....My timing is perfect".  I thank the Lord that he does give me answers, I just have to remember that it might not be the answer I want to hear. I can go to His word and find comforting verses in times of trails and tribulations, knowing that He speaks to me and I must be careful to pray His will for my life.

One question I have learned the answer to: Why was I never able to get pregnant? Because He called me to be a mom through adoption! I would not change a thing. I have been blessed with the two most amazing boys! Yes, hindsight IS 20/20!!

As an ongoing battle to become a better daughter of the Lord, I ask Him daily to help me be less inquisitive (okay, I'll just say it...NOSY)....and accept things as they are without trying to analyze everything....and as a bonus, my husband will be a happy man!

I will make an effort to practice my motto daily:

 "It is what it is, and it's gonna be what it's gonna be."

Friends, remind me of that when I ask a dumb question....

A Winter Get Away...for a day!

The boys and I did our home school on Sunday night so that we could have a day to PLAY! I found out we could get into Ray's Splash Planet in downtown Charlotte for really cheap on Monday. They have Toddler Meet and Greet Days a couple of times a month. Stephen actually qualifies because he is 5! Most people look at me strange when I tell them his age....he can easily pass for a 7 year old. So, momma got in free, Stephen was $3, and Silas was $6. It would normally be $20, and I am on a "save all the money we can" kick because, well, we NEED to be!

Momentary brotherly love...

The Vortex...the boys loved the fast swirling water and stayed in there a majority of the time!

Look who's chillin' in the lazy river!

And this is what I did while they splashed! Loving the new Beth Moore study of the book of James! So far I have memorized verses 1-9 in Chapter 1, and I am hoping to make it through at least the whole first chapter...



Between Then and Now...

So, as you can tell, I've gotten behind again! Here is a quick recap of what we've been doing since I last updated the blog...

We participated in our Home School Co-op Presentation Night

Both of the boys were in a short play that told about the life of Jesus from birth to resurrection

Silas was the inattentive Statue of Liberty on the end!

We had Christmas Eve brunch at our niece Kristen and her husband Trey's house 

The cousins--Silas, Stephen, Taylor & Josh

 We left brunch and went to Freedom Park

(Yes, the weather was THAT nice!)

 We left cookies and milk out for Santa...

The aspiring chef got his very own waffle maker

Both boys enjoyed unwrapping some "shared" gifts from mommy and daddy

We had Christmas at Grandma's with the cousins

The Mario addiction got fed a little more...

 And finally, we started UPWARD basketball at our church, Lee Park Baptist...more pictures on that later!

Our Stephen's very first game....look at that BIG #11!!!

Christmas Town USA

On Monday night we made our annual trek to McAdenville, also known as Christmas Town USA. Leah and baby Kinsley came with us, along with Leah's brothers, Caleb and Clay. They didn't last long, Kinsley had other ideas about the way things should be! On the way home, we stopped to eat at The Dragon Buffet, making this our tradition for three years running. When we were coming out, I had a flashback to last year, calling Mom to let her know where we were. We always had to let her know when we were out and about so she would be sure to worry about us!!! I surely do miss my parents, but I know they are rejoicing with Jesus---their first Christmas in Heaven!

They came from afar bearing gifts....

Yesterday was our Christmas visit with Stephen's birth family. They had to come from three different parts of NC ranging from 2-5 hours, and they came with gifts! One rather LARGE gift, one that was very well received by the boys....

Wait for it....wait for it....

 

Surprise!!!!!!!!

 

It's a TRAMPOLINE!

N and her Dad "Grandpa S" hint: Stephen is named after him....

Let the fun begin!!!

Silas was the MAN...he pulled and tugged and got most of the springs in by himself!

First jump....didn't want to wait on the net to be put on....

More jumping fun to be had....

Thanks Grandma B!!

N with her gift the boys picked out....a UNC Tarheels pillow pet! WIth a house full of Duke Blue Devil fans, this was a VERY big sacrifice to even purchase....when Scott paid for it, he said he was like Superman buying Kryptonite! Ha!! He is SO funny, isn't he? N loved it, so it was all worth it!

It was well after dark when they finished installing the net and it looks like it's going to be a rainy day today, so I will have to add pictures of the finished product later! The boys are going to have a ball....