Around here...

Things have been good around here. I haven't blogged much b/c we've been busy bees. We've been really enjoying spending time together intentionally, not out of guilt or duty but purely b/c we all really like each other:) The boys and I are 3/4 of the way through Pilgrim's Progress and thoroughly enjoying it. We have a devo time at meal time and it's always a really special time. Cameron and I haven't missed a day yet in our Bible reading. I'm not saying any of this stuff to brag on me but to brag on HIM. It's definitely with His help that we've been able to enjoy each other and relax in the here and now. Where are we in our adoption process? We are now NUMBER..... (and forgive all the pics, they are all iPhone pics:)

that's number 43, in case you couldn't tell;)

What does that mean? Well, we are #43 on the referral list. Soooo.. 42 folks ahead of us to get a referral before we find out who Joleigh is. We've asked for 6 months to 2.5 years. There were 16 referrals in Feb, 18 in March and so far only 8 in April so it's anybody's guess at how long we'll be waiting.

We took the kids to The Wonder Place AND Chucke Cheese the other day and Piper

fell in love with "the Bear". We tried to tell her it was a mouse and she kept saying, "No, it's not, it's a bear"

Can collecting is going GREAT! We've raised over $1400 in just about 5 months. We have a new way of crushing cans, too... The Wallace Monster Highlander Rally:) the kids LOVE it!

We went to the park yesterday after dinner and Andrew used

some mad skills to climb the tree:)

... and that's about it. We've just been having fun enjoying each other and learning more about HIM. 27 school days until summertime:) VERY excited about that.. my special education due process paperwork is about to be the death of me. Well, maybe it will be proctoring EOC test but one or the other will surely send me to an insane asylum.

Bling for a Cause...

Okay I KNOW you need some new jewelry! Good news for you, we are having a Premier Designs Jewelry party this Tuesday night! Our consultant is being VERY gracious and giving a large percentage of the proceeds to our adoption. We are also having a Gold party the same night. If you have some old gold jewelry you know you'll never wear again, bring it for cash! How fun is that?! This consultant is also giving us a percentage of all jewelry she buys. So you can come make money, spend money and help bring a little girl to her forever home. Did I mention I'm going to have door prizes?

For those of you who don't live on this side of the blog world or have other plans Tuesday, shoot me an email and I'll send you a mini catalog to order from! There's also a special going on where if you spend $50, you can buy anything in the magazine for 50% off. I'm seeing a lot of GREAT Mother's Day gifts!

Still waiting...

We're still # 51 but I'm really hoping that changes this week. We've got some news from our agency regarding an orphanage they worked with that has now been revoked of their license b/c conditions were not suitable for children. Soooo that means less orphanages to work with which means probably less referrals for a bit.
Our Intentional parenting make over is going GREAT:). We finished the Bible study about Samson last week and the kids really enjoyed it and I truly think they learned a lot. This is the website I'm using to get some of my Bible studies for the kids. Tonight we begin the series of God's Green Thumb. The boys and I are also reading Little Pilgrim's Progress in the evenings and it's been a really neat time for us. I'm so proud b/c we've read a total of 10 books since August (Narnia Series and Ralph the Mouse series;0). That may not be a big deal for you but I was NOT a reader growing up. God graciously let me teach elementary last year and gave me a desire to help my kids develop a love of reading. I want them to enjoy stories, instead of playing video games, etc. And they do! They LOVE when we read. Parker gets our book ready every night. They listen perfectly, b/c they know mommy won't read if they don't. They ask questions that give me wonderful opportunities to teach to their heart. I've already bought a whole series of Little House on the Prairie books from ebay ready to read to Piper and Joleigh:).
So that's pretty much what's been going on around here. Life has been good. Cam is still looking for a job but LOVING his time home with the kids. We know it's a gift from above. God has been so good to us!

Intentional Parenting

I have had a hard time finding time to sit down and blog lately BUT I do take time to read blogs that God has blessed me with finding. He has sharpened me SO much this past year through ladies I've never met. Sometimes I get a little sad because they don't live around me and then I think... we'll meet someday in the Promise land!!
So although I don't have tons of time to share what is on my heart, I MUST point you to words that will encourage you!! You really have to take a few minutes and read this post. It's good, good stuff!! I try to parent intentionally but I do find I waste WAY too much time on things that are not important. Thank you Andrea for constantly being an encouragement!