Funny in a Sad Kind of Way

We had a big scare in our family a few weeks ago. Jody's dad had his second heart attack. Ironically, he has had both of his heart attacks (the first was 20 years ago) while running/training for mini-marathons. I know, that's crazy. Praise God, he is doing amazingly well. Hudson, however has been traumatized. Last week he was convinced that his heart stopped beating. This has continued on for several days now. I am not kidding when I say that 15 times a day he stops, checks his heartbeat and pulse, and then comes to tell me that it has stopped beating. The first several (I mean several) times I would set him down and explain that he is fine and I would help him feel the beat. Now, it is driving me nuts. In the middle of math, eating breakfast, going to bed, he panics about his heart beat. I now tell him, "Hudson, if it wasn't beating you would be dead." I realize that seems very insensitive. If he doesn't get past this we both are going to need some medical intervention!! Good thing he's so cute!

Straight to the Heart

I have been reading Francis Chan's "Crazy Love, Overwhelmed by a Relentless God". This is a fantastic book. I have it underlined all over the place. I read the following tonight, I actually read it over several times: ""People who are obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God's kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress." Here's some more...."Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives. Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control....Both worry and stress reek of arrogance. They declare our tendency to forget that we've been forgiven, that our lives here are brief, that we are headed to a place where we won't be lonely, afraid, or hurt ever again, and that in the context of God's strength, our problems are small, indeed."

Here's to a Great Week

We had our first full homeschool week. It was great!! Jody and I were talking yesterday and I told him that I feel like our lives have slowed down tremendously. I'm not spinning my wheels all day. I'm not exactly sure how I have added the extra responsibilities of homeschool and yet feel less "busy", but I am very thankful. We have been able to take the most productive part of the day and make it really count. Syd and Hudson have been eager to dig in and get their work done. Now Harper is a different story......not so eager to cooperate with her 2 1/2 year old tantrums, but we are working on it. I miss Carson tremendously. I believe our decision to send her on to 7th grade was a good one for now, but there is definitely something missing !! We'll see!! One year (one day for that matter) at a time....

What is she thinking??

Spring Break 09

It's been so long since I have been able to post some pictures that I am probably getting a little carried away!?

We tried a new camping spot this spring. We went to Prizer Point in Cadiz. It was nice. We had a great time. Lots of fishing and bike riding. Some stormy weather came along that cut our trip a little short (I didn't want to ride out a thunder/hail storm in a pop up), but we had a wonderful few days.

Sydney's 10!!

I can't believe she is 10! We had a great party!! We swam, ate homemade ice cream (Butterfinger of course.....her favorite) and lots of cake. Here are a few pics to capture the night!!

If you could only see my mailbox.....

If my silly cord worked and I could plug in my camera and show you the picture of my mailbox right now you would see that the flag is up, meaning that I need my mail lady to come and take the contents. Any other day this would be no big deal. Maybe some bills or a card. Today it is a VERY BIG DEAL!! The contents in my mailbox consist of an envelope addressed to All God's Children Adoption Agency. There is an adoption application in the packet, a $300 check, and two pictures of my family. I stood at my front door for several minutes before I turned the handle to walk down my sidewalk to the mailbox. Is this for real?? Are we really doing this?? Yes we are!!!

Before I started this post I paused to read the previous one. How could I have ever imagined what was to come in a few short weeks. Adoption is something that Jody and I have talked about over the past few years. You know those conversations you have in the car on your way home from a trip (when the kids are not clowning around of fussing). But over the past several months those conversations have become very real. They have turned from "what if" to "let's pray". I felt the restlessness, the longing, the aching fade away. We prayed that we would be allowed to be a part of something only God could do. That our hearts would change. That we would be conformed to His image. I told a dear friend last night (at the baseball park while we were dodging crazy foul ball and trying to watch our 2 year olds) that only God could allow this much uncertainty and yet total peace.

We decided several months ago that we wanted another child. We have had months of trying to conceive (which is very odd for us) and one miscarriage in the spring. As each month has gone by God confirmed our desire for more children. Just not in the way we first assumed. Doesn't that sound like Him?? But, I believe that if it had not been for these experiences we might not have gotten to the decision to adopt.

So, as of now, I see a trip to Africa in our future (unless He has other plans). We are being very open with our possibilities. We would love a son. Another little boy would be fantastic. But, I don't want to shut any doors. I have spent countless hours reading, blogging, praying, and reading more. Anything I can get my hands on regarding orphans in Africa, particularly Ethiopia and Rwanda.

Did you know that in Ethiopia:

1 in 3 people are HIV positive (with no access/education on American drugs that could save them)

1 in 10 children die before their 1st birthday

1 in 6 die before their 5th birthday

720,000 children have been orphaned due to AIDs

5 million orphans live in a country less than twice the size of Texas

My eyes have been opened to the terrible conditions, the effects of genocide, poverty, child prostitution/sex trade, HIV. As a Christian I can't turn away. I feel like I am just beginning to truly learn that my life is not my own. As we take this step, I feel like we are relinquishing all control and may never get it back?!?