I Will...

NOT

let any dirty clothes escape mommy!

I promise!

Even if I am enticed, I will guard them until you are ready to finish the laundry!

I take my job very seriously; however I may take a little nap until you come back.  This is a very tiring job!

HOME!! {Again}

Home is WONDERFUL!!

Why?

Yes, there are many things about our house that I love such as my hardwood floors or the curtains in the family room.

But, that is not what makes home wonderful.

No!

Home is wonderful because of those who live in our house.

A house is brick and wood but a home is created when love and laughter dwell inside!

Caleb and I have been gone from home quite a bit lately.  We were at Cincinnati Children's for three weeks as he had three surgeries during that time.  We were home for five days and had to go back to the hospital for six days.  When we got home Tuesday night the emotions of being home again were almost overwhelming.  Overwhelming in a very good way!

I came home to dinner on the table prepared by my older children, the house tidied by Abby and a sweet homemade card tucked under my dinner plate, signed by all my sweet children welcoming me HOME!

I spent the night enjoying laughing and listening to my children and catching up on things I had missed.

After the little ones were in bed I chatted more with my older ones, my teens.  I have said this before but I love my teens!!  My favorite time of the day is "tucking" them in at night.  But, it's not really tucking them in anymore.... we pray and chat and then when I leave their room they often follow me back downstairs for a drink of water and we chat some more.  I love our late night conversations and I cherish this time because, sadly, I know my time with my older teens in our home is dwindling.  I try to cherish each moment.

Then... when everyone was finally in bed Tuesday night I was able to crawl in my bed (a place I haven't slept in over a month) and chat with my sweet husband and rest in his arms.

Home... a wonderful, loving place filled with my mostest, favoritest people in the world!  Thank you Jesus for the blessing of family and allowing me to be a wife and mother!

Comfort Zone

You know...that place where all is good.  

Same routine,

 no surprises,

 you know what is coming,

 that kind of thing, life is comfortable.

However, God likes to stretch us, mold us and make us more useful.   The way in which God stretches me will be different than what He has planned for you.  He has a special plan for each of us.  How exciting!  When we are stretched, or at least when I am stretched I depend more on Him.  I can see how in my own strength I fall short.  When I am stretched I can see my ugly, sinful nature come to the surface and God uses these times to work on my heart.  The thing that always amazes me is in the midst of chaos and times when I am w-a-y beyond my comfort zone that is when I often have the most peace.  My God will NEVER forsake me.  It is during these times that He stretches me and I lean more on Him, dig into His word more and I grow closer to Him.  And the times I can't get into His word the verses I have memorized are a comfort to me.

The past few years God has certainly pulled me out of my comfort zone!  God only gives us what He knows we can handle at that moment in time.  Four years ago I would of never imagined how many times I would be sitting in doctor's office, therapy sessions, riding in ambulances and staying in hospitals.  However, I have learned if we are in God's will, doing what He has called us to do He will give us comfort and strength.  Some days I feel numb, too weak to carry on by myself yet He carries me through the day giving His grace freely.  His comfort zone is so much better than the safe comfort zone I make for myself.  In His comfort zone I grow closer to Him and experience His peace.  Special needs adoption is not always an easy path, but WOW what a wonderful path it is also.  These children are so much more than a label, they are sweet children whose first need is to be loved! 

I read a saying lately I loved: 

You can't hold on to faith if your hands are full of doubt, worry and fear.

Yes, God didn't just change my life; but, that of our children also and oh how blessed we are that we have been taken down this path.

Our home is richer, more full of laughter and fun and love because of the wonderful path God had planned for our family.  
Every moment of every day??  
NO, Some days are very hard!  
Overall?? 
Absolutely YES!!  
I am so glad He pulled me out of my comfort zone so that I could grow and He could bless us more.