Visiting WAGI today!

When I think about Christmas and all that is wrapped up into this one day of celebration.

Life.

Sacrifice.

Commitment.

Favor.

I am not only overwhelmed that God himself chose to take human-form in the greatest redemption plan ever..

But I am also humbled by the excruciating commitment of Mary and Joseph. The heart-wrenching uncertainty Mary must have faced before sharing the news with Joseph. The confusion and heartbreak of Joseph which was ultimately replaced by compelling commitment and love.

The threads of adoption interwoven into the very fabric of our salvation.

Our adoption into the Kingdom.

Joseph's adoption of Jesus.

It fills me with gratitude...

Today? I'm over at We Are Grafted In talking more about that!  Go show me some love and check it out!!
(And if you're visiting for WAGI, Welcome! I hope you stick around a while!) :)

Don't forget about the awesome Giveaway that ends today! Go HERE to make your donations before midnight tonight and Stay Tuned!

Winner will be announced tomorrow!! Yay!

Our Birthday Boy!

Don't you LOVE our family pics? If you live in NWA, please contact my friend @ Heartfelt!

Letters to my Son: You turned 5 on me.

Dearest Marvel,

You have this amazing capacity to brighten the world around you in a way few of us have.  I've had friends ask me "Is he always as happy as he looks in pictures?" and the answer is, "Yes, most of the time!"  You're a child full of happiness and joy and love and I am always in awe of how different you are today than you were in those first days we met at The Big House.  I can only imagine that somehow you were trying to protect the person you were and the walls were built to keep your joy and happiness safe for a while.

When I think of all the things you are and all the things I see you becoming, I am constantly overwhelmed with this feeling that I am so completely undeserving. You have this amazing moral compass and desire to do the right thing.  You strive to be kind and good. You hate getting in trouble (who doesn't) or hearing that you didn't do something as well as we know you can.  You rarely forget anything we say and often times you'll come up to me with your "better" try and I have to dig in my brain a little to remember what it was you didn't do as well the first time!

You have a passion for music that rivals your daddy's. We are so lucky to have met people who know where this love comes from and I am often brought to tears thinking that there are people looking down on you from Heaven enjoying every minute of your songs.  We love them here, too.  I love to hear you sing songs and the fact that you will sing anywhere (even the grocery store) and I am confident that you bring joy to every person who passes us!

I can remember being so worried that a boy of 4 1/2 would probably be out of the cuddle with Mommy phase of life but I am so blessed to have you! Because you are the kind of kid who reaches out to hold hands, jumps in for "family hugs", and wants to cuddle to fall asleep each night. One night as we were getting you ready for bed, you said you wanted to cuddle with Mommy afterwards and when I asked you "why?", you said "because....because I LOVE Mommy."   That moment will be forever engraved on my heart.

I am torn as a Mother...wanting to hold on to these first moments forever. Knowing that with each day you grow up a little more...becoming more and more independent and I know that the time will eventually come when spending time with Mommy might feel more like punishment than fun.  And yet, at the same time, I can see glimpses of the person God is creating in you. The kindness. The joy. The desire to do right.  How fully you work to be good at something (swimming and soccer come to mind). And my goodness, you are SO smart! I don't want to miss a single moment of that either...of you growing up and becoming the Man of God you were destined to become!  I am so blessed to be your Mommy and I love you so much more than I could ever put in words.

I love you Telleck to the Moon,

Mommy.

Heartfelt by Trinity Ridge

Party Planning...

Check out Heartfelt by Trinity Ridge for all your photography needs: Especially you, NWA!

The M-man turns the big 0-5 this weekend..

I have my sweet "Where has the time gone..LOL" post coming soon.

It will probably blow your mind and force you to submit me for Mom of the Year (or not)

But today? I'm making my list and checking it twice:

Cake mix

Food coloring

White Chocolate flavoring

Cupcake liners

Superhero scrapbook paper for Cupcake wrappers

Picks for cupcake toppers

Sprinkles

Mini waterbottles

Tape. Lots of tape.

Tablecloths

Streamers

Plates

Forks

Those cute little mini ice-cream thingys

My Party Pants.

That about covers it ;-)

Don't forget! Your $5 (or more) donations get you entered into our Awesome Basket of Kitchen Love Giveaway! Only 14 days left!

31 Families of Hope!

Today you can find me over at Reaching Hearts for their "31 Families of HOPE" series as I talk a little about our adoption journey!

 
If you are joining us from 31 Nuggets, Welcome!!!  Feel free to look around and while you're here please check out our Giveaway going on right now and consider partnering with us as we journey to our next child...and if that isn't incentive enough? The prize isn't too bad either ;-)