Some pictures from a July hike

 

Sky said lets take a Nature Picture.

Just so everyone knows this is Skyler's tree chair

He wanted to keep it... Um, No

Beautiful

It took an hour, but we made it to the top.

 

Funny pic

We rested for awhile,

it was wonderful and peaceful. 

 

 

 

Indian Seats is the name of this place.

 

 Where shall I go from your Spirit?

Or where shall I flee from your presence?

If I ascend to heaven, you are there!

If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 

 

If I say, "Surly the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,"

even the darkness is not dark to you;

the night is bright as the day,

for darkness is as light with you.

 

~ Psalm 139:7-12

 

 

When you are wanting/searching for God this verse is comforting. But, when or if you are running from God this is a constant reminder of you holding onto your sin.

 

There was a time I thought I'll do what I want and just deal with what ever happens, how foolish was I. Just as my eight year old cannot see how unchanged habits he has now, can become a major character flaw as an adult. I did not fully understand what I was getting into. I ran from God for a time. I did not cling to him and what I knew about him. I was hurt and felt like I was done, yet he was still there.  I resented him being there at first. I knew I was going to places I should not because I wanted to run away. Then when I wanted out, I felt trapped, I was a prisoner in my own bondage (sin)....I had put myself there and I knew I deserved this pain. I would cry out to God asking him to help me break away and he did provide a way out.  God made a way for a friend from Maryland to come all the way down to Panama City, Florida on a mission trip. He was yelling "Free Pancakes" on the side of the road. I pulled over, we got pancakes and as soon as we sat down he said "What happened to you, you are not the same?" We talked, prayed and he invited me to come to their worship meetings. This was exactly what I needed, at that point I was free. I know that this isn't always the case, but it was for me. 

God was in the darkness with me even though I had chosen to go there. How gracious, loving and awesome is the LORD God, our heavenly Father. If you are searching for him He is there.


 

2014 Fall Update

I haven't written in a while for several reasons. It's not that I don't have a lot to say. It is because a lot of what I want to say, I need to keep in my head... several issues going on.  :)

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools pour out folly. ~ Proverbs 15:1

That said we had started the process of adopting again and all of these emotions have come flooding back. From what I've heard it is similar to those who have kids in school and now are thinking of having another baby....the cute, lovable baby but there is late night crying, diaper changing, feeding and no sleep. I now know all of the issues that can come with adopting, well, almost all the issues. And, we are still working on some of those deep issues. My fear is not just a little regression on Skylers part, but a full blown back to where he started kind of regression. Yes he is that dramatic. Positive note is I do still have ear plugs and am more prepared than before.

My fears aside, Scott and I know we are supposed to more forward for these next kiddos or kid. We have had to start all over again, with a new agency and it is just as frustrating this time around as it was last time. Not only are we doing all the test, fingerprints, background checks, oh the mountain of paperwork, but we also have to have CPS background checks from each state we have lived in. Are you kidding me? We know why we have to do all of this, but it is insane at the same time. So for now I feel like a circus animal...I've jumped through all of the hoops and now your setting the hoops on Fire, and off we go again...Jumping. And by the way you are not supposed to get frustrated or upset.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
~ Romans 12:12

So here is my thing: I am not a "good person" because I'm adopting. I am only a "good person" because God adopted me into His family.
I would not be adopting if I had not been changed by Jesus Christ's love for me. As frustrating as the adoption process is, as hard as it is when you have the kiddo, there is no way I could do it successfully with out God, JC (Jesus Christ) and the HS (Holy Spirit). You could said I was nice and a "good person" before, but I did not know God's unconditional love, or what it meant. God's love is so much more than our understanding of love, even more than a parent feels for their child.
Yes there are times my love totally fails, but thankfully I can tap into God's unconditional love. If I am willing to put my feelings aside and let God lead, then I can have unconditional love for another person. That is when others will notice a difference in you, because it isn't you, it is God.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

In you (God) the orphan finds mercy. ~ Hosea 14:3b

We had a full summer, lots of family visits, a karate tournament and some family trips.

Skyler started third grade and his teacher just graduated last year from Georgia. He said he had to wear a Gator shirt his first day of school. Lol

Skyler is mostly excited about the thought of more kiddos, but every once in a while he has all of the "What if" questions like, "What if I have a brother and he wants to talk to me and I want to read?". So we talked about a few of them, but they didn't seem to be stopping. So I said, "Well why not just enjoy being the only kid for now and we'll deal with everything else when we do have more kids." Thankfully this clicked with him and stopped the what if questions for now.


 

Easter & 3 year Anniversary

As always the year is flying by.

We ended up going to Panama City for Easter. Scott's dad was having surgery and Aunt Michelle and Coz. Ethan were visiting from Texas. Very short, productive and good visit. Here are some pictures.

On the way to Florida

Um no beard for me

Baby face beard

 

Easter, Scott stayed with Pop

 

He was so excited, he actually has three baskets



Family at First Baptist Church of Panama City, FL

Ethan and Skyler

Great Grandpa and Skyler

Skyler & I

Ethan, Skyler and Michelle

Hugs good bye

Awe sweet hugs

 

 

Saying good bye to PopPop

 

Going back the same way we came, Ha

 

Ice Cream tulips were blooming when we came home

 

We had a night Easter Egg hunt with our Newlywed Class

Skyler was the Bunny in training

 

 

We are all so excited that we hit our Three year Anniversary of Got-cha Day. It was last Sunday and we went to a Braves game to celebrate. We had a lot of fun, but it was hot in the stadium. Skyler and Scott went fishing after we got back. Scott bought crickets and even though they are harder to get on the hook, Skyler informed me "the fish like them a lot more".

 Here are some pictures from the game.

First Family Photo ~ 2011

This was about 8 am, we were all so tired!

 

Beautiful day, and Super bright

We had great seats, Skyler even got a ball

 

Skyler loved the bear

 

 

 

We ate first, nice view of the field

 

Not so good for pictures

 

 

Supposed to help with the glare... HA

 

Watching and getting ready to run to the dugout

 

The best way to get a photo...up close and personal  :0)

hot but happy, so cute

 



Skyler has been such a blessing to us and our family. We cannot imagine our family without him. We are looking forward to the summer and what God is going to do next. Jehova Jireh, has provided a son for us, that already had mannerisms of both Scott and I. It is mind boggiling.

 

The name Jehova Jireh, The LORD will provide, comes from

Genesis 22:14 ~ So Abraham call the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day. "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided." 

 

 

Wood Workers Club

A few months ago, Skyler started receiving little packages in the mail from GGpa (Great Grandpa). Skyler was super excited to get mail. We saved the first one for his Birthday. So he opened it and was intrigued about building his own turbo racer. As we started opening the kit, he was not to happy about all of the pieces and was over whelmed. So the first one was super dooper slow in putting it together. But well worth it! I forgot to take pictures while we were building, but here are some from painting.
 

Concentrating

Mom distracted by Spring time

Painting some more

Dad showing him how to wind it up

 

 

Ha Ha you can see he has lost another tooth!

We had fun with the turbo racer.

 

At first we broke the rubber band, then it just didn't work. We had some friends come over and they fixed the propeller, yay! Now it Zooms across the road.

 

 

The next one was a helicopter. This one we worked together, but Skyler did a lot more of the work.

 

We started outside

Then, moved into the garage, it was super windy

 

He was excited, it sort of looks like a helicopter

Putting the propellers together

Finished. It doesn't really fly, but it is

hanging from his ceiling in his room.

 

 

So the last one came in the mail, a Marshmallow Launcher. This one I asked him if he thought he could do it all by himself. He said yes, but was still not confident. Once I reassured him he could do it and it was ok if he messed up, he went outside and did it.  :0)

 

Supervisor Vern checking it all out

Painting, he was happy it was all One color

So this launches all sorts of stuff

not just marshmallows.. ha!!

 

He did a great job and only needed help with one crooked nail and a washer. He said "I can't wait to see what comes next!"  I am so proud of him and also excited to see what comes next.

 

 

I love to build, make, or change things from one purpose to another. God does all of this all around us. He built the earth, stars, animals, us and much more. It all starts in

 

Genesis 1:1 ~ In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

 

We can still see God the Creator, Elohim, skills today. Even through out my life he has changed me from a mean, self-centered, chameleon type of person to a much more pleasant, real version of myself. I have to say I was a willing participant, it was, and is, not always easy and I am still being changed.

 

Why do I always bring up God? He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die, and raise up from death for me, my sins and anyone who is willing to submit them self to Him. I could not make it with out Him and it doesn't make since but I am free by submitting to God's will. I am forgiven, I can come to him myself, I am forever grateful. I love His creations and just about everything can point back to Him one way or another.

 

If you are wondering here are some scriptures to go along with the above paragraph. I use a English Standard Version bible, just in case you were wondering.

 

1 Timothy 2:5-6 ~ For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

 

Romans 8:7 ~ For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law, indeed, it cannot.

 

Galatians 3:13 ~ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us - for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree".

 

Ephesians 2:13-19 ~ 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

 

Romans 5:1 ~ Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Hebrews 9:15 ~ Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

 

 

 

 

Only One Life ~ by C.T. Studd

I love this poem it tugs at my heart strings. 

Only One Life

By: C.T. Studd

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, "Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call,
I know I'll say "twas worth it all";
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

1 Corinthians 13:13 ~ But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

No matter how small, what we do in love for Christ can make an impact.

2nd Snow & 8th Birthday

We had a second snow and I think Skyler has had two weeks off because of the snow/ice. My weather app says it is supposed to snow tomorrow also...What?? I don't think I can take it, lol.

Skyler was more prepared for this second one, although it was more ice/slush than snow. He could make snowballs (more Ice ball than snowball), the bad thing is when he did hit me, it really hurt. He is not so gentle when throwing objects. He was also able to make "My own snowman", very cute.

Loved he could pick it up in chunks

Sky's own Snowman

Family Snowman

They moved because

"It's to hard to throw Up Hill!" Lol

Trying to get Dad

Then Sky would back up, Ha.

Yes it is a boy snowman

Snowman a few days later

 

8th Birthday

Very excited about Red & Black cleats,

Not GA inspired...just saying

This was not what he thought...this is the

What is this thing look

Shawn White!!!

Thanks Regular G-ma ~ SO Excited!!

Thank you GG-pa and GG-ma,

he loved it!

 "We can paint it however We want!"

Our neighbors are so sweet and gave him some goodies too. He loved the Superhero shield and boxing glove 

We checked him out of school for

Birthday Lunch. We went to"Stake & Shakes"

He chose a sundae for dessert.

 

He loved it.

We went out for dinner. First time trying

calamari. "It doesn't taste like anything, I guess I like it" lol. We planned on going to church after, but dinner took longer than we thought.

Skyler asked for ~ "Make a chocolate cake, cut a hole in it...I don't know what to do with that..you eat it or give it to Vern...then, can you put vanilla and chocolate ice cream in the hole?"



Finished product...ice cream melted a little,

but not bad.

 

 

Skyler has had some of the same behavior issues at school off and on since kindergarten. He knows it is wrong, he can control himself, he just wants to do what he wants. I told him you are like the saying "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink". He laughed and said I'm not a horse. After explaining what it meant, he just looked at me with the smirk face...you got me kind of look.

This verse kept popping in my head

~ "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD." Isaiah 55:8

One of the things Sky and I have in common is we are stubborn. How many times in my life have I decided I know better than God (my Father)..ignored what I know God wants me to do..wrestled with a verse because it caused my spirit pain...didn't deal with a sin because I just didn't want to acknowledge it...or if that person hadn't of ___ I would not have ____?

It can be maddening when you know what will help your child to have a fulfilling (fun) life in the long run and they refuse. I don't want Sky to be the kid always sitting by the teacher, the only one with a behavior chart in his class, sitting at the silent table. I pray, hope and rejoice when I see any glimmer of change {and there has been many other changes :0) }. I cannot comprehend how much more God rejoices when we begin to willingly surrender to Him. When we come to Him and ask for His thoughts, His guidance and wisdom.

 

I have learned a lot about people, situations and life through out my short life. Skyler is not flesh of my flesh, that does not matter, I love him. Skyler has been such a great teacher of God's love for me...for all of Us as His children.