On the Run

There has been a lot going on around here lately--that's my excuse for getting behind in blogging yet again.  I have several posts started which I will try to finish up one of these days, but for now, I'll give you a quick peek into our life the last couple weeks or so.

• We got to help my brother and his family move into their new-to-them house.  It is just an adorable house for them and Marcy has (as usual) fixed it up to be a cozy and lovely home.  We couldn't be happier for them or prouder of them for managing their God-given resources wisely and being able to purchase a house.
• Tyrell turned three!!  I can't believe how fast time is going--he is simply not a baby anymore!  He chose to wear his jammies all day on his birthday and picked sausage, eggs, and coffeecake for lunch, and country fried steak for supper.  We got him a cowboy hat and holsters with two pistols for his birthday because he likes a Tom and Jerry scene where Tom "shoots two guns at the same time, pyou, pyou."  He talks a mile a minute, responds to every comment with "why?", and doesn't walk anywhere--he just runs.  He is such a joy and blessing!

 

• We were blessed to attend eight days of a two-week conference-style Bible study and stay with some special friends in Kansas City.  Two of my favorite lessons included one about raising teenagers and another overviewing the book of Ecclesiastes.  The latter study inspired me to dig into this book with my teenagers this Fall and we are really looking forward to it.  Our time with our friends was also quite uplifting as we not only have fun together, but we also enjoy meaningful conversation into the night (between Alan's yawns).  Tyrell has even been asking if we can go back to their house the last couple days!
• We have also been scrambling to update our home study (paperwork, paperwork, paperwork!) after receiving a second email searching for a family for two young boys.  After much prayer and deliberation, we decided to take the steps the government deems necessary in order to again open our home and hearts to children who need a family.  We don't know that we will get our home study updated before a home is found for these particular boys, but we will just see.  That's how our adoption journeys tend to start--the Lord opens our hearts, we step out in faith and obedience, and then we watch to see what He does.
• Briana and Destry also flew to Florida, all by themselves, for a TeenPact alumni event.  They were met at the airport by some friends we met at church while in Florida to adopt Tyrell three years ago and were able to spend the night with them and attend church services before our friends drove them to the camp.  This experience, as usual, brought my big kids home more independent, more thoughtful, and more committed to serving the Lord in whatever arenas their life takes them.  This season of giving my children wings is a time of growth for them and mama both.

• In the midst of all this, we have been meeting weekly with six other couples to discuss our reading of Equipped to Love written by Norm Wakefield.  This has been a wonderful time as we each are evaluating ourselves, learning to love more like God loves, and especially opening our hearts to one another and building relationships.  We will probably be meeting three more weeks before we finish up.
• We also got to meet up with Easton's birthmother last week.  It's always so nice to get to spend some time with our children's families of origin as it's an opportunity to learn more about our child, to identify genetic characteristics he shares with those who share his blood.  I think his first mom also enjoyed seeing how much he has grown, how much we love him, and how happy he is.  They had a nice time visiting, playing games and enjoying pizza together.

That pretty well catches up the last couple weeks.  In the next week I anticipate lots of gardening and canning of fruits and vegetables, as well as planning for school.  Then too, the big kids will perform a skit at the Iowa State Fair, we are hosting an ice cream social and planning meeting for our homeschool group Monday night, and hosting a teen Bible study Saturday night.

Where did I ever get the idea that summertime is a time of rest and recharging?  :)