It is the Simplest Things

The day after Christmas, I went out to get some wrapping paper for next year. We totally wiped out our supply this year, and wrapping gifts for 8 people uses a lot of paper. So, I went out to get the deals.

You would have thought it was Christmas all over again for Isaiah. He played with those rolls for quite a while, "building my house," as he said it. He just got new toys for Christmas, but they did not compare to the fun of wrapping paper rolls. You gotta love it!

Isaiah in his "house" he built

"Building"

Another creation that stretched across our house

Spending Fast - Day 3 - Blessed My Heart

I didn't spend any money today, but that is not why I feel so blessed.

I shared with our kids last week about this spending fast. I told them what we were doing and why. I also told them that the money we saved would go towards our adoption debt. They asked a few questions. I told them they didn't have to do it, but I wanted them to understand why I was doing it.

Today, I went to get the girls their allowance. When I tried to give it to them, they said, "No, Mom, we are doing the spending fast. We want our allowance this month to go towards the adoption."

Wow!! They didn't have to do this, but they are choosing to. They each get $2 a week and this month has 5 Sundays. That is $20 total that the girls are giving towards the adoption of their brother and sister. I am overwhelmed by their sacrifice and sensitive hearts.

Thank you, Lord, for the reminder today that my work and efforts as a mom are not in vain. Thank you that these two young hearts are seeking you over the stuff in their lives.

I look forward to seeing what God does in their hearts this month through their sacrifices.

My Prayer Today

"Take a look into this heart of mine

Burn away all the doubt You find

Show me the secrets of Your heart and mind

Bring Your presence to me deep inside

I surrender"

-"I Surrender" by Fike and Dana

Spending Fast - Day 2

I went to the grocery today to pick up a few essentials: diapers, bread, etc. I spent a total of $16.70. I felt that was reasonable and forge forward to my next day.

I will say, I am surprised at how much the thought of eating out has hit me in the last 2 days. I don't feel like I normally eat out a whole lot, but in the last 2 days, the thought has crossed my mind several times, definitely more than usual. I think it is true that when you take something out of your life, you are reminded of it more than when it is easily accessible. I am proud to say that I have not given in to the temptation.

On another note, Isaiah is potty training. I mention this here because this will be a huge relief to my budget if it is successful. We will be able to go to pullups at nap and bedtime only as opposed to all day and night. We have been doing it off and on all of Christmas break, but have really gotten serious the last couple of days. We had a victory today that we have yet to experience. He initiated going to the bathroom on his own two times today. He has also had no accidents today so far will only 4o minutes to go until bedtime. I see my grocery budget getting less tight as I type!!! Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!

Goodbye, Christmas

Goodbye, Christmas tree

Goodbye, Decorations

Goodbye, Rudolph Sandwiches

Goodbye, Advent Calendar

Goodbye, Days spent wearing pajamas

Goodbye, Sleeping in

Goodbye, Spending money

Hello, Real Life (Rick goes back to work tomorrow and the kids go back to school on Tuesday.)

Now What?!?!

As I look at this new year, I wonder what God has in store for me and for our family. Last year was the most amazing year of my life and the most excruciating all at the same time. We went through an adoption process at mach speed. Much better than waiting for years, but very hard to manage emotionally, physically, spiritually, and financially. My body is feeling the effects of that. I have been sick since June. After many dr. visits and tests, it appears that my weight loss, nausea, fullness, etc. is a result of an allergic reaction aggravated by stress. I want to feel better.(Yes, Dr., I will just eliminate that stress from my life and it will be all better, thank you.)

We saw God do miracles last year. I could tell you all about them if you ever want to hear, but there are too many to recount here and they are too amazing to fully express in this form. I just need to say that I have never seen God work more clearly in my life. As a result, I am a different person than I was a year ago.

I spent the first 3 months of last year being the mom of 4 children in my home and fighting for my 2 children in Africa. The amount of paperwork, classes, appointments, phone calls, books and info I had to read, and money that we had to spend is beyond description. We spent 1 month of last year in Africa, apart from Lauren, Abby, and Sam all the while facing unbelievable circumstances. It was excruciatingly hard and overwhelming.

Upon arriving back in the U.S. on April 16th, we hit the ground running as a family of 8!! As Rick likes to say, "We are no longer just a family when we go out, we are a movement." You cannot miss us, and we will no longer be anonymous as we walk through life. I am okay with that. I signed up for that. I really enjoy the opportunity to share with others the story of our family.

These first 9 months with Isaiah and Laila have been really challenging. Don't get me wrong, the joy FAR outweighs the pain, but nothing great comes without a cost, and we have payed that cost this year. Our family has changed as well. I love to see my children interact with each other. Some of those interactions are quite explosive, but at the end of the day, they love each other and would do anything to defend and protect each other.

I have experienced a peace this Christmas like never before. I feel satisfied with my life and what God has done for me. Even in all of this, I am restless. Where do I go from here? How do I follow up a year like this year? What is next? Deep in my heart, I know that God is not finished with me and with our family. Honestly, I feel like this is only the beginning. I don't really have any resolutions this year. I call out to God and say,

"I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned in awe of the One who gave it all. I'll stand, my soul Lord to you surrendered. All I am is Yours."

Spending Fast - Day 1

I have discovered one day into this fast that it is really easy to do if you just stay home.

I think I will be staying home for the next month.

Check that one off my list. :)