Heat Relief

With our basement inspection completed and our refinancing paperwork signed, we were READY TO RELAX!

So, since the heat has been in the 90s with high humidity, we headed to the pool to relax and to introduce Quinn to the fun of swimming.

Quinn started out being pretty hesitant, just wanting to dangle her feet from the edge, and by the time we left 2 hours later, I could barely get her out of the kiddie pool! 

I think we will be spending alot of time at the pool this summer.

Here's what we've been up to!

I know that it's been 2 weeks since I've posted- we have been so insanely busy that there has been little time for creative outlets like blogging!

I shouldn't be surprised that I'm so behind on things like gardening and housework- in the past 4 weeks, we've managed to fit in a confirmation/baptism celebration for Luke and Quinn, Fathers Day, Rodeo Bible Camp, BB camp, 2 Vacation Bible Schools that I've volunteered with, prepared for the County Horse Show, and finished the basement to complete our construction home refinancing. (which we signed today- whew!)  Throw in a few doctors appts, meals and laundry,and a 2 and 3 yo that are into everything, and it's no wonder that my lists just aren't getting completed!!  (And all of you A-type personalities know how that goes!!  An incompleted list is like nails on a chalkboard to people like me...)

Still playing catch-up, so I'll just fill in with pictures of all the fun and work we've been enjoying this month~

Lani, Bri, me, and Quinn at Rodeo Bible Camp

Bri and Dyamond doing barrels at Rodeo Bible Camp

Sonlight VBS in Sioux Falls

Bri running the poles at Turner County Horse Show



                                  

                             Camille riding Brownie in Stock Seat class at County Horse Show

    

Our Saviors VBS in Viborg

                                       

So here's to the calm that comes with completing a busy schedule, reaching some important goals, and coming out on the other side with our sense of humour still intact!



Our two little renegades!  Don't they just look like trouble ?!







He Answers

  2 years ago, I was struggling with the realization that our hopeful plans for adopting two of our foster children were not going to become reality.

 Suddenly, the mother that was scheduled to be deported back to Ethiopia because of her criminal history and who had previously been labeled as "unfit" to parent by DSS was going to get her two children back.  The two children that I had raised, fed, taught, played with, comforted, parented and loved over the past year.

I wanted to lay on the floor and kick like a toddler, screaming "It's not Faaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrrrrr!"

Not very noble, I know.

Because all of us foster parents "are saints" and this is "such a noble calling." (eyes rolling)

Whatever.

So with my emotions rolling and my hope for providing a home to children who need one at an all-time low, I turned to prayer.  (although I did start out with a bit of an attitude!)

'Lord, several years ago, you placed the burden of the orphan on my heart.  I read about all the little girls in China being abandoned, left at roadsides and in trash bins, and it broke my heart.  I wanted to hop on a plane and rescue those little ones who had no value there.  But YOU know they have value.  I had a dream of wanting to save at least one of those little souls and show them how very important they are."

And you said "Follow Me."

So we began the grueling personal invasion of our life that is the adoption process, doing endless paperwork and jumping through hoops to show that we are worthy.  And there were days when we thought we would never be done with the red tape.

And You gave us the strength and tenacity to continue.

And then the wait for approvals and verifications took longer than expected, and all we could think of was a little one, sitting alone in an orphanage, and the image broke our heart.

You you whispered  "Have faith."

And when we used up the funds in our savings account, and cashed in IRAs, and there was a part of us that wanted to cling to that which offered financial security, and you reminded us that money in itself is a false sense of security.

And you promised that you will always provide for us.

And when we got the referral of a little girl with spina bifida, and a medical file that offered us more questions than answers, and the consulting doctor said it was risky, and yet, we knew that we needed to have faith that this was Our Daughter, so we said "Yes"

And you said "Trust Me."

And we did.  And the reward was more than we had ever imagined.

So last weekend, when Quinn was baptized and dedicated to God, everything came full circle.

And it felt as if we were saying "Thank You." 

 And I'm pretty sure I heard God say "You're welcome".  :-)

Isaiah 41:13 "For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand;  it is I who say to  you ,"Fear not, for I will help you."

A little multi-tasking~

What does a busy mom do when she has to fit in a Confirmation celebration and a Baptism celebration into an already packed schedule, and visiting relatives also have limited travel opportunities?

You slap both names on the cake and call it good :-)

And Bless our pastor for making it all work!  He is such a good guy.

Pastor Steve giving Luke a noogie.

The Confirmants seem to be kind of happy about the whole thing...

And since we were all cleaned up and smelling good, we took some family pictures...
  (minus Travis and Brad, who couldn't make it)

It seemed like such a perfect pairing-Quinn getting baptized and starting out on her faith journey, and Luke confirming his belief and becoming an adult in the church.


Kinda makes your heart full:-)

Quinn with her godparents-Kent and Sara Klawonn. And you should see the cute little doll in that box that they brought her!!  The adorable little dress Quinn is wearing is compliments of Auntie Gayle and the gold necklace was from Grandma Lee- the kid's only 2 and she has her own fashion team.

God's Blessings to you both, Luke and Quinn!!

 Love you both so much~
  Mom  xxoo

Frugal Friday

Spring isn't just the season of love.....

Tis also the season of Rummaging!!

This was the haul we scored at the Irene City Wide Rummage Sale- it included 2 new winter coats, a trike, safety gate, gamechair, new aquarium in the box, and several bags of very nice clothes for our troop.

With our kids sprouting like proverbial "weeds", getting a whole bag of clothes for each of them for pocket change is almost a religious experience for this mom.

And by golly, they are learning to be frugal in the process!  More than once I heard my kids either say that something was still marked too high, or they mentioned that they "really didn't need" that item- yah kids!!

The fight against overspending and materialism continues....