In The Book I Read We Are All Adopted

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. Isaiah 43:5

This is the scripture that is hanging just outside Miles' bedroom door that my friend hand-painted for me. This is the scripture that got me through many sleepless nights. This is the scripture that re-assured me when I would have doubts about God's will for my life. This is the scripture I kept reciting in my head when I would become anxious on the long flight to Korea. This is "My Scripture."

It is so amazing to me that we question things so much. We always need to know why. I have learned a very important lesson through our adoption journey and that is I do not need to know why I just need to do!!! There is no point in spending fruitless hours questioning things or asking why or why not. God always has a MUCH better plan for us than we could ever come up with on our own. We just have to be open to his will and listen to that "still small voice."

Miles is the perfect son for us. No, I am not by any means saying he is perfect but he is the perfect fit for us. He is ridiculously funny and onery. He makes me laugh countless times each day. He also is VERY VERY VERY hard-headed which is a blessing and a curse all in one. My friend gave me the book about strong-willed children and if I can survive his younger years he will be an awesome adult HAHA! He is extremely persistent and will not give up on something until he figures it out. He could probably be a lobbyist. He would lobby for a cause until he was blue in the face. He would pressure people to see things his way!! He is also obsessed with feet. I hate to admit it but I am obsessed with feet. I love pedicures/paintings/new shoes and socks-the whole works and so does he. He loves to be outside and we do too. He is such a joy and has brought such a richness to our lives. I hope we have done the same for him.

As Christians, we are commanded to care for the orphans and widows. There are about 140 million orphans in the world today in great need. I hope by sharing our journey we will lead other families to consider adoption.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!!!

So what have we been up to during these long wintery days???? 1) We have been building with the sofa cushions and climbing on the step stool no less than 50 times per day!!! 2) We have been watching lots of DVDs (Barney and Sesame Street are the favorites!!) 3) We have read lots of books!!! 4) We have played outside and taken turns scooping snow!!! 5) We have laughed hysterically at Winston and how he tunnels and rolls in the snow!!! 6) We have counted our blessings and are very grateful for a warm house to live in because there are many who are not so fortunate. Hope everyone is staying warm and not getting too much cabin fever!!!!

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

Well-I have already broken my new year's resolution. It has been several days since I have blogged and I am a little disappointed in myself. I guess you could say I have been in a bit of a funk. It is cold outside and I just want to hibernate and sleep. I think I have bear tendencies indeed. Not to mention we have all been crummy feeling with colds/allergies/runny noses/raspy throats/coughs etc... I stayed home Monday since Miles was not feeling well and Tuesday we had a good old fashioned SNOW DAY!!!! Clinic was cancelled due to the weather so the office was closed. Miles got to finally try out his new boots and snow bibs complete with his nordic braided hat!! He wasn't out long but MAN HE HAD FUN!!!! Our whole neighborhood was covered in a beautiful blanket of snow as you can see looking out our front door.

Winston has always loved the snow and he still does even though he is an elderly little canine. I get soooooo tickled at him trudging and tunneling through the snow like a little plow. His belly drags the ground and he doesn't want to come back inside. He likes to roll and make snow angels. Pure entertainment!!!

We have a great hill for sledding behind our house so the neighbors tried to get Miles to go down with them on the discs but he just squealed and wanted to watch!!! I bet next winter he will partake!!! Hope everyone is staying warm and safe. I will try to be more diligent about my blogging and pictures. Hopefully my hibernating will end in a couple of months with the spring thaw HAHA!

My Two Favorite Guys!!!

It's All Fun And Games!!!

I enjoyed Christmas this year with my whole family immediate family. Because of work schedules we did not get to celebrate until the day after Christmas but it didn't matter as long as we were all together!!!! There was lots of laughing and stupidity as usual but I wouldn't have it any other way!!!

First Day At Miss Leslie's Daycare

Today Miles started at a new daycare. He has been through so many changes in his short little life that I was a little worried. Well, apparently I wasted my time fretting because he seemed to have had a ball. He did not want to leave and she told me he had a GREAT day!! He took a 1 1/2 hour nap on his little cot and ate a good lunch. She said he was a very good boy which is music to this mama's ears. Praise God for a good first day!! I think he is going to fit in great!!! Daddy and I are very proud of you Miles for your good report. We love you bunches!!!

Sunday Happenings

Today was pretty low key at our house. We spent most of the day playing with Miles. He loves to have a task so we give him little jobs around the house. Today he helped Mike with the laundry. Actually he loves for Mike to carry him downstairs on the laundry basket where he then proceeds to help him sort clothes. We hand them to him piece by piece and he likes to be the one to put them in the machine or dryer. Then we let him push the buttons!!! Very exciting for him and he is getting an early training lesson on how to be a helpful spouse in the future. He also helped me take down the Christmas decorations. I usually dread this but I am in the mood to purge and de-clutter so I am actually kind of excited in a weird way. Ready to get the house back in order.

We ended our day by going to visit the Shipers family. Brody and Miles had not seen each other for a few weeks so they needed some cousin time. We always enjoy our visits with them and Brody has an awesome kitchen set so once again another training lesson on cooking and being a helpful spouse. Some young lady will "Thank Me" someday. We are starting a new routine tomorrow with a new daycare so hoping for a positive day.

Today I am thankful for my ability to read because there are many people who sadly cannot. Miles is really getting into books and I savor this time with him. Hope you all have a good week.

Happy New Year!!!!!

Wishing everyone a wonderful 2011. I always seem to make resolutions even though they are hard to keep. My main one this year is to TRY and blog everyday. This is my way of "scrapbooking" for my family right now and I think it will be neat for our family to look back on our journey.

I also want to simplify things. How much "stuff" do I really need???? Too much is overwhelming for me and causes undo stress so I am striving for more simplicity.

I also want to list something each day I am thankful for. Today I am thankful for a warm home. So many homeless people and families who lost their homes in the tornadoes this weekend that this was the first thing to come to mind today!!

Miles has extreme bedhead but man do I love his bedhead. I love how sweet he looks first thing in the morning!!!

Much health and joy to you all this year from our family to yours!!!! We ate our blackeyed peas and cornbread today for our "lucky" start to the year. Everything but our collard greens because we really aren't that fond of them but maybe I just don't fix them properly. Oh well-who needs wealth anyway right HAHA!!