behind the lens - a 3 year old's perspective

ahh...life around here seems to be settling down a bit...

my mom is home from the hospital,

so while the scary part of the roller coaster

seems to be behind us, a new unexplored

section is being experienced as

she recovers at home, and we learn exactly

what level of care is needed.

thank you for your continued prayers!

on a much needed lighter note...

Gracie received her very own

camera for her birthday.

(ours kept coming up missing,

and would have dozens of random

pictures on it - hmmm...)

I thought I'd share some of her photographic

skills...enjoy, & keep her in mind

for your next big event!!

someone quickly figured out

the camera's special effects

the never-camera-shy big brother

her dream kitchen

abstract Erin

one of her favorite tv shows

Fred's big close-up

she calls this her

"washed out 70's polaroid photo

of my sister Ali"

she loves capturing her mama

in her pj's w/o makeup

she actually took this of herself,

and we think its lovely!

the birthday in pictures!

the troops bring breakfast to the birthday girl!

Quinn's gift - a lego rifle

("because you're studying the Civil war at your school")

Gracie couldn't wait for sissy's birthday!

we had lunch with our church family after the morning

service -someone was thrilled that there was face painting!

a girl can always use a new sassy purse in her wardrobe

so glad our friend Diane could share part of

Erin's special day with us!

fourteen is fabulous!!!

happy, happy birthday to our

beautiful, funny, talented,

compassionate, smart, creative

Spirit-filled girl!!!

new every morning

Lamentations 3:22-23

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

it’s been a long week here.

my mother has been in the hospital for over a week now
with diabetic related complications.
we are seeing steady, slow improvement, and we are so grateful for that.
we really felt like we were going to lose her last weekend.
it’s tough being spread so thin, and I know there
are many for whom this is a daily lifestyle.

splitting time between a hospital, caring for & watching
my precious mom suffer,
and being a wife & mommy is not easy.
let’s just say I’ve cried buckets of tears,
interceded like I never have before,
and seen the bottom of many starbucks cups lately!

my family is amazing – oddly enough, I wouldn’t trade the times
of prayer & intercession, and reminiscing that have
been shared w/ my parents,
my brother & sister –in-law, my sister, & their kids.

would you please keep my mom in your prayers – for a
grace-filled recovery, and for
wisdom for future care. our kids are starting
to show signs of stress as well. they’ve done great,
(Brian has been AMAZING)
but it’s hard for everyone when your
schedule is turned upside down, and stress
seems to be palpable in the air.

believe it or not, my nephew was admitted
to the same hospital as my mother yesterday,
and will be having surgery (kidney related) this afternoon.

Praising God Almighty for His new mercies EVERY day,
and for His healing power!

watching this video has been a huge bright spot for Brian and me.
we have always loved Third Day, and this song is very powerful -
please take the time to watch!

happy referral day!

2 years ago today we got "THE call".

we had been matched with a beautiful little girl

on the other side of the world.

the first time we saw

this face

we knew it was our Gracie girl!!

Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, Who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

I heart Wild Olive tees!!

The girls and I have loved our t-shirts

from THIS amazing company.

They are passionate about displaying God's Word

in such a creative way, and they also have big

hearts for various charities, one of which is

fundraising for adoptive families.

They are having a fabulous giveaway,

so go "get your verse on"

and check out Wild Olive Tees!!

randomness

Last week was downright busy...

Gracie had 2 appointments in Charlotte.

We'll see her surgeon again in April & schedule

her next surgery. He's very pleased w/ how her

palate is healing! Our main issue right now

is working with her on her speech.

(She's still receiving therapy twice a week.)

She's doing so much better, but gets so frustrated

when we can't understand her!

("I not say that Mommy!!!!")

Poor girlie is sick right now -

some kind of croup/cough thing that

she seems to get quite frequently.

(I'm wishing there were such a thing

as a coffee IV!!)

In all honesty, she's been so

healthy since her surgery last October-

we've been sooo grateful!

Brian went w/ the girls on the church youth group

ski trip last Friday. They had a blast -

sunburns, aches, pains & all!

Finally, the kids had no school yesterday,

so in honor of our national President's Day holiday we

slept in, ate a fabulous breakfast together,

did yard work, and made

THESE!

"Fabulous" is an understatement.

YUM!!!