The weatherman called for a winter storm.

They canceled schools across the state.

They said go get your essentials at the grocery store.

They said it's gonna be a big one.

Did I listen?

No

Were they right?

Yes

So here we sit in our food deprived house living on mac and cheese and sandwiches for the weekend because I didn't go grocery shopping when I should have.

But to my defense they said these exact same words two weeks ago and they didn't get it right then so I thought they weren't going to get it right now.

Lesson learned - sometimes the weatherman does know what he is talking about.

To Tyler's delight we got snow and ice. The snow made it pretty around here and the ice made the sledding fantastic! We discovered a new hill thanks to a neighbor and we wore it out. I even was dared to go down it and to prove I could, I did. The unfortunate part was that the sled hit a piece of ice that then hit my back which in turn made me FLY off of the sled and roll down the hill head over feet. The boys all got a good laugh and I got a war wound.

Tyler couldn't wait to get outside and have a snowball fight. He didn't have the patience to actually pack the snowball so he had more of a snow fight.

Our first hill we found - it was ok but not all that the second hill was. I didn't take my camera to the second hill but I sure wish I had! Video camera would have been even better!We had a friend over for the fun and they attempted to go down together. You would think that they would get tired of ending up like this but no - that is what made it so fun.

Boys.

So as of Sunday afternoon we are still stuck in the house. Tyler probably won't have school tomorrow but we will have work so we will have to brave the icy streets for the first time. It isn't us I am afraid of - it's all of the crazy people in TN that just don't have a clue how to drive in it.

Tradition

Tonight we did something we do every year.....visit the Opryland Hotel.

It is awesome!!!

We got there just in time for the water show.

It is just like when the fireworks show is done to music on the fourth of July - only this is the Christmas story with Christmas music done to a water display.

Again - Awesome!!!

The water was so high in the air we had to lean back to see it!

How would you like to have that Christmas tree in your living room!!!

Tyler would.....hee hee

This is the closest we will get to a white Christmas here in Tennessee.....it will just have to do.

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord"

Luke 2:11

Is He enough?

I have always wondered why God would place the desire in my heart so strong to have children and then not let me have them naturally. Anyone else struggle with something like that?

I am just realizing that the desire to have children has been stronger than my desire for a relationship with Him. That is where I have been going wrong. God wants us to have the desires of our hearts but not at the expense of loving Him. What good is it for Him to spoil us? We see with our own eyes what it does to our children - they become ungrateful, selfish, self centered little terrors. Why would I think that just because I want children that He would just give them to me? Selfishness. I have turned into that spoiled, selfish brat that I tried not to raise myself!

My last post was a bit of venting but really it was just me throwing a tantrum. I was reminded last night by my dear friend that it is NOT in my timing but His. We do not know what His plans are for us but He isn't surprised by any of it.

I have been feeling the doors closing all around us about this adoption. I just felt like we were pushing something through that we wanted and not really taking the time to see what He wanted. I have all but given up hope of adding to our family. Some days I am ok and then others it just brings me to tears. I know it won't happen again like it did the first time - that was a miracle. I just know that there are so many children right here in this country that need homes. They need mommies and daddies that wont hurt them. They need love.

Today we got another call from the social worker. This time it was for a potential placement. Right now I am just praying that the right family be found for this little boy. It may not end up being us and that is ok as long as he gets a forever family - soon. Everyday that passes is another that he is an orphan and that breaks my heart more than anything. So if you are reading this just stop and pray right now that this little boy will get his forever family soon.

Right now I am working on making God enough because I know without Him nothing is possible.

Mad and Confused!

I'm Mad.

I got that call today from the social worker. Just to let us know that we need to be less restrictive on what we are willing to do.

Excuse me? You want me to be less restrictive?

I already said that I don't expect a baby,
I already said that gender doesn't matter,
I already said that race is not an issue.

But I am still too picky?

HELLO! It's like we are standing with our arms open wide and no body is paying attention!

We decided that we have to protect our family so we are refusing to take emergency placements. These are children that have just been taken out of their homes. The only reason is because we have an 8 year old that we HAVE to protect. We don't know what issues these children have and we are not willing to risk bringing something into our home that will harm our one and only child. For this we are being too picky? I don't think so - for this we are being good parents! Just what the foster system says they need. Right?

Keep praying for us. We are feeling very defeated right now and just don't see any positive things happening for this adoption process. We are going to stick to our guns and not give in to pressures that will potentially harm our family. We feel like we are doing the right thing but we don't want to miss the chance for more children.

Silence

I have nothing to report about our adoption other than I have left three messages this week with our social worker and have yet to hear back from him. I am really trying not to be discouraged. Really. Trying. Hard. Some days you just want some news you know? Any sort of news. The silence is what I don't like.

Over the last few weeks I have been doing Beth Moore's "A Heart Like His" Bible study. In this I have learned that just because He calls us to do something doesn't mean He is going to make the path smooth. He may make a few bumps along the way. The silence is my bump.

During this time of silence some good news from my friend came. They have decided to adopt too! They are going to be adopting internationally and need a little help. I have posted a button to the right that will link you to their blog where you can read about how they came to the decision to adopt. You can also see some Christmas Card designs that she has created for you to purchase. Go check it out!

I am praying that my silence isn't going to last much longer. The holiday's are coming and I was really hoping that we would have a house full of children this year. I have to be a better listener!

halloween 2009

I know they are late but here are our pictures from this year!

I am not a big fan of the skeleton - however it isn't Spiderman so I caved.

The blood I could do without but apparently it is what makes this costume so cool.

Boys.

We had to take the mask off so we didn't scare our sweet little cousin Tinkerbell.....

who insisted on holding hands with Tyler all the way to our destination.

So cute!

We went around to our local church's that had different events - this one was a trunk or treat with different games.

They were trying to find a needle in a haystack - this took a while!

We had a great time going out trick or treating then we went back home and attempted to start a bonfire with wet wood. Wet wood don't burn. So instead we went inside and watched football - some college team was playing - can't remember who - something about orange?

Anyway - it was a great time with family!

Once in a lifetime....

We had a very rare treat at our Thunder practice this week.

Mike Smithson

He is a former major league baseball pitcher and he came to give the team some instruction on how to throw a ball correctly.

He played with the Rangers, Twins and Red Sox back in the 80's.

He is now the athletic director for one of our surrounding counties.

It. Was. Awesome.

He went over the basics - because sometimes you just need to go back to these every once in a while. He showed them the best way to hold the ball to make it go straight.

He watched as they played long toss.....

Then he did individual instruction for each player.

It's all about the mechanics.

Tyler has great mechanics - Mike said so.

Tyler's only problem is his release. He doesn't always release in the same spot so his balls are not always strikes.

What did Mike say about this?

"With mechanics like that why are you throwing strikes? Throw me a strike right now."

And he did. Not once, not twice but three in a row.

Hopefully we can carry that onto the field in our next game.

Now I think this was the moment that Charlie had been waiting for ever since he knew Mike was coming.....just to meet him.

He turned into that little boy all over again. The one holding the baseball card waiting for an autograph. It was funny to see Charlie so enamoured with a baseball player!

Had to get my actual 8 year old in a picture too!

Mike brought something with him that they may never get to hold again.....his world series ring that he won while playing for the Twins. It was huge! I am not sure Tyler even realized what he has on his finger right there - but it could probably pay for our house.

Then every little boys dream - an autographed baseball card!

A great practice with a great player....