Answers

I know that my vague statement about an upcoming change in our family has stirred up lots of rumors...so here it is...our big news - -

Should I say it? It really doesn't seem that big to most, but for me it is an answer to prayer! I have been faithfully praying for Glen to see the need for me to be a stay at home mom (probably about 4 weeks). The kids really need me; L's schoolwork is suffering; M is crying every time I leave or come home - all he wants is for me to hold him. They both have been wanting me to sleep with them... then there's Glen's exhausted look. So the other night, out of the blue, Glen tells me he wants me to quit my job at Macy's. He's been reading a book, Family Driven Faith, that has changed his perspective on my role at home. So last week, I turned in my notice and tomorrow, Saturday, will be my last day.

I know for a lot of you this doesn't seem big. Trust me; for my husband and kids, this is monumental news. I'm looking at it as an opportunity to minister to those closest to me - my husband and children. It's a time for me to return to regular scheduled blogging. Mostly, it is a time where I can focus more on the Lord and His plan for my life.

There are other changes to come for God always challenges us and grows us. What His future holds for us is in His hands - not ours. May He continue to guide and draw our family closer to Him.

Thankful Thursday - God's Leading

I am so thankful for God's leading in my life as well as Glen's. God is always teaching something new and wondrous. I love how He has recently moved our hearts for an upcoming change in our lives (once again). God is blessing and will continue to bless. I desire to remain faithful to His teaching and leading. He is an awesome God who exceeds words of praise! I can't share more about this until next week...stay tuned!

For more Thankful Thursday entries visit Iris at Grace Alone.

Birthday Pics

I haven't posted M's birthday pics on the blog - just Facebook. It was a grand time with Chuck E. Cheese, even though M was afraid of the large mouse. I am amazed everyday at how he grows and changes. His vocabulary is quite extensive and he never seems to stop talking. His favorite activities involve swords, guns (he calls them pows), and flying...He stopped liking the movie Cars and is now attached to Toy Story (both 1 and 2). M is your typical boy...

Two Weeks???

Has it really been more than two weeks since I last posted a blog entry? My job at Macy's has definitely taken over my life. I've not been keeping up on email, Facebook, the blog, etc. We won't even discuss the children, Glen, housework, laundry, etc... February is almost over (only 8 more days). None of my goals have been achieved. I'm always tired. In fact, it is after 11pm and I should be getting ready for bed - not reading blogs and status updates on Facebook. Tomorrow is Sunday. I am so excited to be going to church to hear my husband preach! I am excited to be in Family Bible Hour (Sunday School for the old school name). I am ecstatic to be having lunch with the New Members Class! It'll be an awesome time with the Lord and other believers. Catch up more with you later!

Thankful Thursday - Adoption

I am a truly blessed woman! I am always in awe of how God answers prayer! For those who don't know our adoption story, today is a three year milestone! My little man is three TODAY! I often think of his coming into our lives as a blessing for our faithfulness to God. Glen and I struggled for years with infertility, and sometimes still do. It was hard being in that barren land. We had always wanted to have children of our own. We also wanted to adopt - a big family was our dream. But man's dreams shatter and fall apart. It wasn't God's plan; it was ours. After seminary and settling in southern California, we began the adoption plan in earnest; we had looked into adoption many times before but never followed through. Eight months later we had our darling five year old little girl! Yes, we knew she had some emotional issues, but we weren't prepared for the months that followed. The rest of our lives had changed. Bonding as a family took a lot of time. Many times we were ready to give up on her and our dream of children. However, we never gave up at the same time. We stayed faithful. Then eight months later, we got the call that her little brother was born - another life changing call. Glen went to the hospital to collect our two day old son. Finally, I got to hold a baby of my own. We've had our struggles with adoption paperwork, etc. But I can say that today, both children are legally ours and life is enjoyable and blessed by the Lord!

Ephesians 3:20 & 21 - Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

And in closing, I am thankful for God's provision, for my husband, and children. Happy birthday, little man! Pictures to come later!

Visit Iris at Grace Alone for more Thankful Thursdays!

Happy Birthday!!!

It is amazing to me how many people share birthdays. I know the year only holds 365 days and everyone has to have a birthday. Logic tells me that you must share the day with others. Glen and I were amazed at how many of our family members share their birthdays. The fact that our daughter and I share the day helped to created the needed attachment. Glen shares his with a niece and M shares his with a cousin. These are not the only ones; each of Glen's two brothers and his sister share a day with someone in my family - two of my nephews and my brother.

Today would have been my brother's 61st birthday. He is being missed by many family members today. So, Happy Birthday, dear brother. I love you!

Glen's wonderful sister's birthday is today as well; I won't tell her age. Yesterday morning I was praying for Heather and thanking the Lord for such a wonderful sister. Most people don't get the opportunity to live with their in-laws before the wedding. I had the blessing of having Heather come live with me in Washington, DC, while she did an internship. It was a unique time for us to bond together as sisters before I married her brother. I am so thankful the Lord has blessed us with a great relationship. She is a tremendous woman who loves and fears God. May He richly bless her today! I love you, my dear, sweet sister! Happy Birthday! Here she is with nieces Kiersten and Courtney.