Girl Scout Volunteer Appreciation Week!

I know I'm bombarding this blog with causes... and what not.. but what can I say... April is a pretty stinkin' awesome Month!!!  I mean besides my own birthday it is full of some awareness, appreciation, and causes I totally am in line with...

This week along with being National Infertility Awareness Week... is.... Volunteer Appreciation Week for Girl Scouts.

Thank You!

I know some think of Girl Scouts as just another extra curricular activity... some parents even see it as a cheap babysitting service ;) ... but to me it's a little more than that.  I believe if you ask the girls they would tell you the same.

Girl Scouts is a safe family like environment... it's where the girls can share how they feel and learn who they are.  As Daisies- they are just getting to know each other and their selves and getting used to Girl Scouts in general.  As my Daisies grow and bridge up to Brownies and fly up to Juniors they will grow in character and confidence and be challenged in so many ways.  Here is a great article on some of our goals as leaders!

10 Ways to Grow a Girl Scout

Over the last two years of being a leader I have had around 30 girls... some went up to Brownies, some dropped out, some are second year Daisies, and some are new Daisies....two are my daughters..

As an "adult", I use that word loosely, I look back at Girl Scouting as a kid and I have a lot of good memories with my own mom.  So thank you to all the past, present, and future volunteers... and thank you mom for helping my own Girl Scouting legacy.

Awareness... Cause #2

National Infertility Awareness Week!

Infertility Awareness

It is only fitting that by God's design we meet our Intended Parents on the first day of National Infertility Awareness Week.... It is April 22-April 28.  Wear orange to support the cause!

Most of us know what infertility is... or assume we know.  It is a disease of the reproductive system.  It's diagnosed after a couple has had one year of unprotected sex trying to conceive, multiple miscarriages in a woman under 35, or 6 mo. of trying to conceive after the age of 35.  30% of cases are from female infertility, 30% are from male infertility, 20%-30% are unknown origin, and 10% are from both partners being infertile.

Infertility effects approximately 10% of the population.  That being said- I am NOT one of the 10% obviously.

But just because it doesn't effect me doesn't mean I'm not affected by it.  Did you catch that????

I feel this guilt when I hear of these loving deserving parents that LONG for a family of their own... when I didn't have to try for mine.  I feel for them... I have what they are missing.

Please check out this AMAZING blog post....  No foot too small

As this is posted, (I scheduled it for 2 pm Sunday April 22) we are meeting our intended parents for the first time.  The meeting is scheduled for 2 pm in Chicago... I am meeting a couple who suffers with infertility.  A couple who longs for all those things and so much more.  A couple who wants what I have, a couple that I can help...  A couple who is going to open their hearts and are willing to take a chance on me.  I can't wait to share more of our meeting but for now... be in prayer for those waiting, for those longing, for those whose hearts ache when they see a mother and her baby, for those who see a father pushing her daughter on a swing and want that.

April Causes....

The first Awareness cause near and dear to my heart this month is...

The Month of the Military Child
(During the Reagan administration April became the official month of the military child)


I started this blog several times this month and stopped...   Any time I research or read articles like these it brings some emotions up.  As a military wife this is a CHOICE I make.  Sure, Joe and I were together BEFORE he enlisted in the Marine Corps but I had a choice... I chose this lifestyle and continue to choose it.  As a child you do not choose your parents.  There is no choice in this matter...  and when your daddy or mommy leaves on deployment or for schooling and training that leaves a gaping hole in your heart.  There are so many births without fathers there to cut the cord, first steps unseen, first words unheard, first days of school missed, holidays with a tinge of sorrow, birthdays, even deaths without a parent there by their side.  They face frequent moves, instability, and so much more just being a military child.  Since 2001 more than TWO MILLION children have faced the deployment of a military parent.  Two million!  Wow...  Some of those two million children have parents that don't return from that deployment either.  Military children are our unsung heroes in the War on Terror.

Personally, I have seen the effects of the military lifestyle in my own children.  BayLeigh was born while Joe was deployed (the picture to the right is the first glimpse Joe had of her- and that was at least a week to two weeks AFTER she was born)... at 6 mo. old he returned and she had to figure out who he was.  Likewise when Emery was 1 mo. old he deployed again, BayLeigh was a year and a half when he left.  Upon returning, BayLeigh reverted from her potty training (she was potty trained and then the move and transition made her revert back..)  Emery was 7 or 8 mo and had to figure out who he was.  Ollie had her first birthday and first steps and words while Joe was on his third deployment.  BayLeigh started and completed her first year of grade school (Kindergarten) and Emery had her training wheels removed and her preschool graduation.  Charley was born while he was gone.  (Her picture is below- Joe got to see that pretty quickly after she was born, internet communications were a lot better on his third deployment)

A year of night terrors and nightmares of Joe not coming home, getting shot, blown up, etc. plagued Emery.  At least HALF of the nights of Joe's deployments she was up and in tears or waking up with a scream.  Fears, separation anxiety, nightmares those are just a few of the effects of our lifestyle for our children.  But there is also pride, admiration, and this bond that is amazing.  My children had to grow up a little quicker than some.  BayLeigh had to help out a LOT more than any 6 year old should have to.  She was in with the school counselor once a week for her special time.  Her time to vent, to share her fears and concerns, and to just have some male attention.  She acted out and got angry to the point she needed a defusing method.  Her emotions were a roller coaster...

Those are just things we have personally dealt with.  Anyway, I could go on and on in this area of our life... but I just love them for their strength.  So this is a shout out to all the military children past and present and future.  There is some WONDERFUL information for caregivers, parents, kids, teens, and teachers at this link:  NCTSN

ALSO- there is an AMAZING organization called Our Military Kids who helps fund activities for kids of deployed servicemembers.  While Joe was gone the girls had their dance classes and piano lessons fully funded by Our Military Kids!  They understand how important it is for a child to focus on something else, keep busy, and have an outlet for their emotions while their parent is deployed.  If you want to support a military family this is an AMAZING place to start.  Check it out!

Thanks for listening to my heart on this awareness.

Star

10 and a half years ago... on a cold cold windy blustery night.... four little kittens were born. Joe got to witness their birth and I remember him calling me up very concerned that the mother was eating that gross stuff (the afterbirth...) I remember reassuring him that it was normal... and being so excited listening to the progress. Shortly after we named these kittens... Well the kittens officially became ours a few months later... Star had fluffy calico fur with a beige patch over her eye. She looked a lot like her sister Chloe but we could tell them apart easily... that's what happens when they are your kids.

As Seniors in High School we had these four cats... they went several places with us... moved a gazillion times... and through it all we stayed a family.

Tonight we said good-bye to Star. She has had health issues that in the past she has over come but they always eventually come back. This time it was just too much. In 2005 she had a blood transfusion and she rebounded great. The other day she had another one, but I think her organs just gave out on her this time. The vet clinic did an amazing job with her... and I am very greatful for all they have done.

I am very thankful that she passed away in my arms... I was able to look at her and recognize what was going on (she went downhill fast) and finally tell her it was ok to let go, that she fought really hard and that we love her but she could let go. I sat and petted her a few days before and talked to her about her momma, and what she looked like... in case she went to meet her soon. I also explained to her that my Grandpa Marvin is an animal person and he would most definatly be waiting for her for me. Grandpa loved me and I think he is willing to do that for me :) So I explained all that to her and let her know it was time... and then she slipped away.

I am so thankful for the years we had with her... the guilt of not realizing what was happening or the I should have done this... should have done that... should have spent more time... those are getting to me... but I know that's just the Enemy trying to weigh on me and pull me down. She knows she is loved.... My wonderfully soft, beautiful green eyed cat... with your sweet soft meow and purring until the very end.... I will miss scratching underneath your chin and along your cheek

You will be missed Star, I love you always and forever.

Super Cute 31

So I got my 31 bags in... I bought them for swimming.

I got a blue dotted organizer for coaching and what not...and then this beautifully big bag that I can bring to swim meets to carry towels and caps and goggles... check it out!

Jealous!?

Fridge Verse or Piercing Wound

Sharing another great read... man, this one is good...

Author Randy Alcorn touches on the frequently converging issues of money and trust.

"Sometimes more is to be learned from the passages of Scripture we avoid or skim over than those we underline or post on our refrigerator. The Bible contains an arsenal of such verses on the subject of money and possessions, and they just keep firing away at us. The more we allow ourselves to grapple with these unsettling passages, the more we are pierced.

Our only options, it seems, are to let Christ wound us until he accomplishes what he wishes, or to avoid his words and his gaze and his presence altogether by staying away from his Word. The latter option is easier in the short run. But no true disciple can really be content with it.

By now some readers are long gone and others who remain are uncomfortable. I must admit that I share your discomfort. You may even be thinking, 'I'd rather not deal with these issues. I'm content doing what I'm doing.' But are you really content? Are any of us who know Christ, who have his Spirit within, really content when we haven't fully considered his words? When we haven't completely opened ourselves to what he has for us?

Comfortable, perhaps. Complacent, certainly. But not content. I, for one, hate to live with that nagging feeling deep inside that when Jesus called people to follow him he had more in mind than I'm experiencing. I don't want to miss out on what he has for me. If he has really touched your life, I don't think you do either.

For all these sobering implications, I must quickly add that for me the process of discovering God's will about money and possessions, rather than being burdensome, has been tremendously liberating. My own growth and enlightenment in financial stewardship has closely paralleled my overall spiritual growth. In fact, it has propelled it. I have learned more about faith, trust, grace, commitment, and God's provision in this arena than in any other.

Amazing isn't it??? Very convicting... but good stuff he said there.... and so very, very true!

So... maybe John 3:16 shouldn't be that fridge verse, our clutch phrase... maybe it should be something more like:

Isaiah 23:9 The Lord Almighty planned it, to bring down her pride in all her splendor and to humble all who are renowned on the earth.

In other words... bring us to our knees at His feet.... for we must examine our lives and remember that all true accomplishment comes from our Creator. We have no reason for pride in ourselves it separates us from our God.... so, in all our pride and glory cripple us... bring us to our knees until we understand we NEED Him... yeah it hurts.. its a wound, but a LOVING wound indeed. His LOVE, His MERCY, His GRACE His FAITHFULNESS... for He is so giving and so generous that our heart can only burst and can't contain our desire to be like Him..

March!?

say WHAT?! it's really March!?

What does March bring???

March brings:

National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness-
Some of you may know... Joe's dad has MS as well as a few others that we know. Please help raise awareness by sharing this link : http://www.msfocus.org/ Pray for those plagued by this disease... for healing, for pain relief, for His comfort, for finances and their employment/work due to pain and hardship.

NEW EMPLOYMENT-
Next week I will be attending a two day class and begin learning the in's and out's of insurance sales. I will then have to test a few weeks later and hopefully come out a licensed insurance agent! So keep that in mind ;)

NO SWIMMING-
WOW!? Say what?! Ok.. not exactly NO... but no swim practice for the Seahorses. I will however be helping out here and there with the Junior high swim team... and giving private swim lessons to a special little buddy of mine- Emma. We will also hold our Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet... lol ok did I say no swimming!?

Cookie Sales will WRAP up
PTL on that one...

Their Bundle Our Joy- www.theirbundleourjoy.blogspot.com
We are praying for a March match.. that God moves into the heart of an amazingly deserving couple and we are matched and are able to bring life into their world together.

DR SUESS!?-
http://www.seussville.com/
The Lorax has been my ALL TIME favorite book by Dr. Suess... (Wacky Wednesday is a close second). I love it's message and I was thrilled to find out that they were making it into a big movie (there is a another movie.. but you know what I mean)

Lysa TerKeurst

Loved her blog post today... had to share...

http://lysaterkeurst.com/2012/03/god-im-a-little-mad-and-a-lot-confused/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LysaTerkeurst+%28Lysa+TerKeurst%29

Thursday, March 1

God, I’m a little mad and a lot confused


If you are here from my Encouragement for Today devotion, welcome.
Kick your shoes off and get ready to get gut honest.

When God doesn’t seem to be answering our prayers it can be hard. Sometimes, down right awful. One minute I’m determined to trust God. In the next, I feel myself slipping. The “why” questions tumble in so hard. My heart hurts. My eyes leak. And in those raw moments I just feel a little mad and a lot confused.

Ever been there?

I don’t want to oversimplify what to do in these times. I know from the prayer requests you’ve been leaving in the comments this week, many of you are facing really tough issues. Situations where the answers aren’t easy or clear cut. But I have discovered a few things that help me when God seems silent…

* Press in to God when you want to pull away.
When I really want to hear from God but He seems silent, I sometimes find I want to disengage from my normal spiritual activities. Skip church. Put my Bible on my shelf. And let more and more time lapse between prayers. But the Bible says we will find God if we seek Him with all our heart. Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” All my heart includes the parts that are broken. Bring it all to God. He can handle your honesty and will respond. But we have to position ourselves to go where truth is. Go to church. Listen to praise music. Read verses. Memorize verses. And keep talking to God.

* Praise God out loud when you want to get lost in complaints.
In the midst of what you’re facing, find simple things for which to praise God. I don’t mean thank Him for the hard stuff. I mean thank Him for the other simple, good things still in the midst. A child’s laugh. A bush that blooms. The warmth of a blanket. The gift of this breath and then the next. Psalm 40:3 reminds me God will give me a new song when I make praise the habit of my heart and mouth. “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD.”

* Put yourself in the company of truth.
That friend that speaks truth? Listen to her. Stay connected to her. Let her speak truth into your life even when you’re tired of hearing it. Stand in the shadow of her faith when you feel your own faith is weak. Let her lead you back to God time and time again. Proverbs 12:26, “One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor…”

It’s okay to feel a little mad and a lot confused. Our God is big enough to handle our honest feelings. But don’t let your feelings lead you away from God or away from His truth. Press into Him. Praise Him. And put yourself in the company of truth.

As you stay with God in these ways, you will become ready to receive His answer when it comes.

Ob Portu

I am really getting into the shorter devotionals- the 21 day devotionals. They are packed with more content in the day... but are shorter in overall time length. I am currently enjoying this one about Unquestionable Character, check it out:

http://preview.youversion.com/reading-plans/151-unquestionable-character

Anyway, Stole this from my devotional today... good stuff though

Pastor and generosity consultant Brian Kluth makes this point in a brief
discussion of the etymology of the English word opportunity:

Hundreds of years ago when people lived near the oceans the word
opportunity was coined.

It came from the time when ships needed to wait until
the tide was in before heading out to sea, otherwise the ship would run aground.

In the Latin language, the words 'ob portu' describe the perfect moment when
time and tide converged for a ship to get underway.

Into every person's life come some God-ordained opportunities.

You'll know it's the right time when an urgent, life changing need - something that has
eternal significant value - converges with your ability. At just the right
moment, urgency and ability come together. And at that exact moment, you have
the opportunity to fulfill a divine purpose God intended for you.



I need to make the most of the opportunities God is sending my way. I need to be ready for that moment, that perfect moment for my ship to sail.

What about those mistakes? Those journeys were I take off too early.. too late... the ship may get tossed around a little, scratched from rocks or shore, but the lessons are learned and taken to heart. God has been whispering to me about His next journey for me... I am so excited for Ob Portu... I am so ready for His blessing.

TAG

Tag I'm It! I was surprised to see my name tagged over on my friend Kim's blog and not only surprised but annoyed lol... but I am one who participates soooo here it goes...
and I don't have 11 blogging friends SO if you see this and you have a blog ... then you are it ... aha and if you do have a blog start following me darn it... duh!

The Rules:
You must post the rules
Post 11 fun facts about yourself
Answer the 11 questions that the tagger posted for you;
then create 11 questions to ask the people you've tagged
Tag 11 people and link them in your postLet them know you have tagged them!

My 11 Fun Facts
I once said I wanted to have 10 kids... and I wanted four-5 of my own and then adopt all different nationalities... I'm pretty sure Angelina Jolie overheard my discussion with Joe about this in high school.... now that I have kids of my own... I still think about it and maybe if we had more income I would consider it. I think it's very admirable of families to welcome more into their home.

I am super addicted to Fruit Ninja- I had a 706 the other night which is AWESOME.... (it's xbox 360 kinect)

Everyone and their brother had told me I should write a book... it's kinda getting annoying. Thinking about writing a book about how annoying it really is ;)

I was pretty athletic growing up. I enjoyed and participated in almost all the sports offered: swimming, softball, track, volleyball, basketball... I'd go golfing with my dad and boyfriend.. etc. I would always play sports at recess (football, kick ball, knock out) and in PE when we had free time I would always play dodge ball with the boys... but when it came to bowling. I absolutely hated it... and sucked at it. It was one of those things I never enjoyed because I wasn't good at it and I am uber competitive. SO... now I bowl as a substitute in a bowling league and every stinking night that I have to bowl I get a little nervous... and it bothers me that I suck ... I am gradually getting better but I still suck.

I always wanted a brother! I never got one... and I have 4 girls... how odd is that. But I always wanted one :(

I love reading... I could read all the time if I had the time... which I don't... but I get addicted to it where I cant't stop and won't stop... Pretty sure I got that from my mom and Bay got it from me.

I am seriously addicted to tv series on netflix.
I think the first one I rewatched was Grey's Anatomy EVERY episode... then Son's of Anarchy... then Gossip Girl... I got half way through Felicity I may go back to it...now One Tree Hill... when 1TH is done I might go to Dawson's Creek not sure tho but it's an ADDICTION (ridiculous) I know...

I also love sunflower seeds... something I could eat forever and ever and ever and live on a deserted island with. No doubt...

I am young at heart with an old soul... that's the best way I could describe myself...

I absolutely love working with kids... it's weird because I never would have considered myself a kid person but I love the feeling I get when I know I helped shape some kids life. Again I was NEVER a kid person.... it's weird just thinking about it for me.

I love bubble baths.... but I never get to take them anymore... they are usually a pregnancy must have like 2-3 times a day when I was pregnant!


Answering my questions from Kim:

1) You have just been given a very large sum of money (we're talking millions)... what do you do with it? I would pay off all my debts... I would secure my children had enough money to last them (and invest that) then I would give the rest away to deserving charities and churches! (definatly fund our own Morrison Crossroads building)
2)If you could change careers and be anything (without having to go through training, education, etc.), what would you do? Definatly a veterinarian oooh or a midwife
3)What is the best vacation you've ever been on? San Diego! Went there BY MYSELF :) when Joe was graduating from bootcamp. I went there about 4 days before his family got there. I got to tour the city and learn how to surf... it was so freeing

4) What is your favorite movie? P.S. I love you....

5) If you could have dinner with three people, who would you choose and why? Haha... that sounds like a college essay question, doesn't it? Is this Dead or Alive? ok so if they can be dead or alive... of course Jesus, my grandfather (just one more time), and Amanda Beard
6) What's is the most favorite thing (or outfit) you've ever worn? I used to love my promise ring from Joe that I got in high school

7) What is your most vivid childhood memory? Anything involving swim meets or softball tournaments... I always remember what I did where and how well I did it.
8) If an actress was to play you in a movie, who would it be? ooooh Julia Stiles... very sarcastic
9) What is the best thing that you know how to cook or bake? Chelsea Chicken
10) What are three things on your bucket list? I would love to swim with dolphins.... go to Disneyworld.... do a backpacking trip when I'm in my 40's
11) Do you have a go-to Starbucks order? If so, what is it? If not, what is your guilty pleasure? Grande Caramel Macchiato (I can't spell it but I can say it)





Now my questions:

1) If you had to watch one kids movie non-stop for the rest of your life what would it be...

2) What's the soundtrack to your life like? (name a few songs that would be on it)

3) What is one thing you want me to know about you?

4) What is your favorite word and why?

5) If you could be anything in the world what would you be.... (family, money, education not in the picture)

6) What is your favorite childhood memory?

7) If you could eat dinner with three people (alive or dead) who would they be?

8) Who was the most influential person in your life?

9) If you had to kareoke what would your song be?

10) What's your favorite meal?

Let's not get tired of doing what is good

Galatians 6:9: "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up" (NLT)."

A LOT of people ask me... how do you have the energy to do all the things you do??? Or... don't you have enough on your plate????

Well.. yah. I do have enough on my plate. BUT... there's never TOO much, and what's enough anyway?!

I am 27..
I am a military wife to the heart
I am a Christian Woman
I am a mom to four beautiful girls
I am the Girl Scout leader to a Daisy troop of 21 amazing girls
I am the Head Coach to a swim team of 35 awesome swimmers
I am a Crave leader to a mass of pretty remarkable kids
I am planning our class reunion of 10 years (what ten?!)
I am a surrogate mother in waiting... patiently waiting
I am a leader at our church and assist in several areas (basically wherever needed and when)
I am a child of God.... and with Him I am able to do anything

To be honest... I am going through a FUNK... a season in my life where I am being a luke-warm Christian. Every DAY I have a choice to live for Him or live for me... and I've been choosing the wrong option. Now I'm not being a crappy person, I'm not doing horrible things... don't get me wrong I'm being a good person- just not a GOOD GODLY PERSON. I am not putting God first, I am not putting my relationship with Him above all, I am not living for Him... I am not taking the time I need... I'm giving it away to other things. All of them are good things, but not good enough.

Every day we have that choice- do we give our time to God or to worldly things. Do I choose to seek and pursue Him and live my life for Him or not? I have been doing horribly for the last maybe two months. I KNOW is the worst part... I KNOW He wants me... I am His child and he is waiting for me. This is how the past two months have kinda been going I mean not really but this is sorta what it's been like.

I wake up and God is there
"Good Morning... do you have a moment to talk?"
and I rub my eyes and look at the clock and say.... "Not now.. I have to get the girls up and make sure they don't have any homework and have their lunches and ugh! sounds like Ollie is up already wonder what she has gotten into... can you wait until they are off to school??? That'd be great..." and I'm off and running and God is standing there... waiting
they go off to school...
"Now do you have a moment to talk, there are a few things I need to..."
before He can finish, I interrupt.
"I have a newsletter to write for the swim club, there is Girl Scouts tonight that I have to finish planning the meeting for... let me just get those two things done.. get the little girls fed and dressed and ready for their day.."
But... He is there pursuing me and I am off on another thing...
I get done with my to do list or as much as I want to... and it's lunch time
"Really God... I have to feed the little girls and spend some time loving on them and playing... during nap time... I will talk to you during nap time.."
Naptime comes... and instead of taking the time for Him I take time for me... I am on facebook... oh sure I am doing stuff for girl scouts and swim club and myself.... but I am NOT doing it for Him..
and then the little girls are up, and we are playing, and we are out the door to swim practice and then it's home after swim practice and supper needs to be cooked or girls off to dance or something and then I have my husband home...
by the time I know it it's 9:30 and everyone is in bed and I am in bed sitting there thinking where has my day gone... and God calls
"Your day is almost done.. there is still something I need.."
Yawn.... "I know... I know... but I really am tired... I have a lot on my mind I just want to watch a show and fall asleep God...."
2:00 in the morning He's waking me up....

I am pushing HIM off.. who am I to say not now.... who am I to say I don't have time or energy... really. He sent His only son to the cross for my stupidity and selfishness..

I don't have time NOT to give it to Him. I can't afford to... I NEED Him in my life and I need His strength and energy. The past weekend I was really convicted. I mean I KNEW this... I was convicted of this but not doing anything about it... every day I would feel it in my heart and be lazy. EVERY day for the past month or so. What am I stupid? yes I am but He loves me anyway! What a crazy love that is.

I am back. I am back and my focus is back on God. Every day I try to live for him... some days I fail MISERABLY. Some days better than others... every day I have a choice to make. I can choose to put Him first... or myself. Putting my time with Him back at the beginning of my day- giving Him the BEST of me... before I'm tired and weary... I make that choice daily. He loves me on the days I do my best.. .He loves me on the days I do my worst.

anyway... back to Galatians...


So let's not get tired of doing what is good.... (or right, or meaningful, or inspirational, or influential, or beautiful) At just the right time we will reap the harvest (I will REACH that kid who is struggling, I will PROVIDE a safe relationship to that kid who doesn't have one, I will IMPACT that one life that needed it on that one day when all is lost)

Just one soul? If I could save just one soul than all my time is not wasted.... if I can impact and help shape the characters of our youth, build their courage and confidence... yup that's worth it not crazy....

God is going to bless me... As I continue to pursuit Him and put Him first through my days and continue to love like the perfect example Jesus Christ showed us, then God is going to bless me. Maybe not in the ways some would like.. but He is going to bless me by letting me witness transformation in our youth...

I love my swimmers and my daisies... I love their little personalities, I love with my back turned out of all 50-60 of those kids I can tell you who said what at the sound and volume of their voice. I love watching them GROW... in skill, courage, confidence, and socially. I love watching girls that at the beginning of the Fall season wouldn't do a sitting dive into the pool now do a start off the starting blocks... I love watching kids who say I can't do that! do it... and amaze themselves in the process. I love watching those shy Daisies blossom into girls who stand boldly in front of 40-50 people and give a presentation they thought of all by themselves. I love watching our youth accept Christ into their hearts and lives... I love getting to hear their stories and drama and I love just being a friend to them.

If you ask me... I'm already reaping! and yes I may be short of energy on some days. I may feel a little ragged or like the world is spinning so quickly around me that if I don't sit down for one moment I might fall..... but those days are few and far between.. the reward is totally worth it.

My kids love our busy lifestyle- they are given the choice to participate in whatever they want to participate in because I want to give them a chance to find their place in this world.

Another Happy Birthday :)

Emery... she is how old what?! What?! yah... 6... CRAAAAZY

Check out her post here: Back when she was turning FOUR! http://homewiththebrewers.blogspot.com/2010/01/4-years-what-happy-birthday-emery.html

We had a ton of little girls over to my parents for a movie party... they wore pajamas... watched a movie... and ate a TON of junk food... :)

Love you my crazy fashionista full of attitude!

Happy Birthday!

Joe turned 28th!!! And to celebrate the day- he went to work... like a 28 year old.... and stayed up 25 hours total!!!! WOW... We laughed because this is probably the only time besides when deployed.... that he has done that and NOT been partying! He went to work and got off at 11 and went back in at 7 pm until 7 am!!! Plowing the roads... my hero ;)

Anyway Happy Birthday honey... you are downstairs sleeping as I type this! I'll try to keep the crazy Ollie monster away as long as possible :) hehe...

Joyful Noises

sitting at my computer in the dining room...

I can hear...
birds tweeting over the bird food outside while the snow is falling and they are all fighting for a peck
Y is for Yo-Yo, Y Y Y... Z is for Zebra, Z Z Z... Ollie is playing with a toy in the living room
The muffled sound of Charley's breathing/snoring... she is asleep in the playpen behind me.
The annoying meow of my cat Sebastien as he tries to talk to me...

I do not hear...
my own bird tweeting... during the middle of the night, our canary died. It may have been too chilly?? I'm not sure.. but it is kind of sad... I guess I will look into get another one or pair this spring... and try to find a place that is warmer for the winter! RIP Garfunkle... aka Funky Fresh

Their Bundle, Our Joy

http://theirbundleourjoy.blogspot.com/

Check it out- newest blog.... :) I'll be updating the journey through there!

Waiting.....

Waiting.....
"MO.... MO....... MOOOOORE"
- Ollie is frantically throwing her hands together yelling MO!!! and then rubbing her chest in a circle -
She is trying to say More and sign More please. This has been a long time coming... we waited and waited for her to talk. She wouldn't speak... Now she is speaking some, but doing it loudly!
We waited and waited and now we wonder... why?! haha..

She has may leaps and bounds of improvement since her speech and development testing. She has been going to speech therapy twice a week and can officially say OR sign: more, please, sorry, thank you, blue, purple, bubble, wow, whoa, Dada, mama... and lots of animal sounds.

Charley just turned 1 and the day before her birthday she started saying bye- bye.... which is a lot sooner than Ollie spoke. Everyone has their own timing.

In life we spend so much time waiting. It starts from the beginning, some people wait for the "right one". We wait for our wedding day.... when that perfect woman or man becomes yours forever!!!!

or we wait for the miracle of life to occur (others, like us have no problem with that!). Then you wait 9 long months for the bundle of joy to arrive. Or you wait for the ultrasound to find out if it's a girl or a boy.

Or like a little kid waiting for SANTA to visit!!!!

Or faithful pups waiting for their Master to come home!

I've waited those 9 months to become a mom... I waited as a newlywed for my husband to come home from Iraq seven long months... I waited as a mom of two for my husband to return again! I waited yet AGAIN a year for my husband to return... I'm pretty sure I have this waiting thing down... yet again our family is waiting on something...... drum roll please!

We've been praying and working and waiting on something for awhile now... and I'm going to announce it here for those who don't know.... we've been waiting on confirmation of plans to become surrogates. Yes, after being pregnant four times already... I'm willing to farm out my body so another couple can experience parenthood.... so they can experience that miracle of life we talked about earlier. It's something we've toyed around with for awhile... it came back into our life almost right after Charley was born... the process has been a longer one. I thought for sure it wasn't in the plans for us but things have worked out in God's perfect timing. We began the process back in the Fall by a phone interview. We had to locate all of the medical records needed (3 different hospitals... lol). With Joe's insurance and new job we were waiting on what insurance I would be covered by.... and now with Joe starting work on the 17th a phone call today from the agency was just what I needed to confirm where we are at. In the next few weeks I have to go in to Chicago for a few tests.. it's making it more real in our minds!

For those of you new to the surrogacy progress.. I would carry someone elses fertilized embryo in my body... we have specific people we are looking for, just like there are prospective parents out there searching for a specific surrogate. Each side has a say in who they want carrying for them or who they want to carry for. How many they want to carry, etc.... Right now we are just beginning the process.... that hurry up and wait process!!!

We are used to that, military life and all. All it is... is Hurry up and Wait!!!

My body is a temple... my body is not my own. If it is not my own than I want to worship God with my body... I want to volunteer it in any way I can! I want to let someone else experience the wonderful years I have had as a parent. If tomorrow isn't guaranteed, then I want to do everything I can do today to help someone else out!

Just asking for prayers in this waiting process.... whatever it looks like and God's perfect timing!

Crazy...

Today marks the first day of Girl Scout Cookie Sales... it is a crazy time of my life. Between order taking for my own kids... and then the orders of 20 OTHER little Daisies... keeping money straight, inputting them in the computer to make whole boxes, our gift of caring project for the Children's Hospital. We also have a powderpuff pinewood derby this month for Girl Scouts, and will be doing cookie booths at the end of February and March. Along with that, for swimming, we have another day of stroke clinics for swimming, and a few more swim meets to train for. BayLeigh's basketball season started a few weeks ago, so she has practices and gets to play a few games for that. Joe begins his NEW job (Praise the LORD!) this week/next week! Both older girls begin dance again this month after a month off.

YUP welcome to the silly silo... Some days I feel like I am swirling and whirling around and the floor drops out from under me.... good thing I am sucked to the walls!