Paperwork

I am buried under page after page of paperwork for our application to become foster or adoptive parents. Y'all, it is insane. Some of what I am filling out is just general information, much like a job application, but the majority of it are personal questions that really make me think. For example, "Who makes the decisions in your family?" my answer: JB, HB and the internet "Who typically wins arguments?" my answer: Not me, dadgummit! "What makes you angry?" my answer: Why do you ask?!
You get the picture? When I finish this stack of paperwork, I think I will throw myself a little party with a movie, popcorn and a real coke. Yurm.

Also, we have our last big round of training this weekend which is also part of our requirements to become foster or adoptive parents. 15 hours in one weekend of classes. In one room. No sleeping allowed. Powerpoint is involved. HELP!

Please don't hear me complaining about what we need to do. The children we hope to love on and help are more than worth any amount of paperwork or time in a classroom. We are thrilled at the prospect of caring for each little one the Lord sends our way.

Hope you all enjoy the weekend. Pray for the Lord to make the most of our time in training. Also, pray for us as our sweeties will be lovingly taken care of by the grandparents most of the weekend. We start to miss the little goobies after a few hours.

In fact, here's a picture of each baby just to remind you all of the cuteness.

Gramm, getting his hair cut by your truly...the blow pop is always a sufficient bribe:


Vivi:

Brook:

A fun Summer in Pictures

Fun times with Julie and JI...typical JI face. Hilarious.



The boy loves his cape. I made it for him on a whim one night while watching Father of the Bride 2. :)
All our babies love Nana and Grandpa and have tons of fun at their house.
Gramm and his gal pal, Emma, on our way to Suessical. It was G's first play. He liked it. Kind of.
Fourth of July....Daddy loves fireworks.
My niece does not.
And, the masking tape was rediscovered and shared with Jonas and Reese.
We also found that we really love pulling the mattress from Gramm's bed out into the living room and letting the babies go crazy on that thing. This activity saved us on sweltering days and it's something all three kiddos enjoy.



Daddy with baby on vacay.
More snow cones, naturally.
And sometimes I get to do something with other grown ups sans children! My bff and I got to spend a day together. Where did we go? A waterpark to lay out and then to lunch. Delirsh.
The babies love chocolate. Vivi:
Brook:
First time with crayons for the girls. They knew just what to do and then they got bored and ate crayons. Not good.

He's so handsome.
Trying to get the babies to kiss each other. So precious.
Me and my baby Brooklyn post bathtime.


Nana and Grandpa gave us their ice cream freezer. We've had a ton of fun making ice cream.
We went to pick peaches. The big boy loved it. The girls were indifferent.
This year marks 10 years since I graduated from high school. Went to my 10 year reunion and had a total blast.


Our little artist is very serious about coloring these days.

The girls have discovered Mr.Potatohead and love to wear his glasses. Vivi with the big bump on her head.
Brook, the goof troop.


Our first day of preschool. He's loving it!
First night of AWANA. Huge hit!

This song got me and it got me good.

My babydad and I along with a few of our favorite people (i.e. Lewie Clark, Ryan Seibert, BRENT JONES, Chris Coleman) went to a conference last April to share a little about discipleship. The conference was a huge blessing for us as it was made up of most of the leadership team of Crossworld Missions. The missionaries that were there were amazing. It was such a good experience to hear about their lives as missionaries, their families, life back in the states after serving abroad, etc. Our hearts were so full as a result of this trip. And, we all got our Lewie fix. A little inside track here, Lewie has discipled my husband for the past several years. He inspires JB to be the man God calls him to be. We pretty much think Lewie is the bomb dig. He loves people like no one else I have ever seen. Anyhow, the song. So, at this conference, one of the missionaries lead the group in this song. We sang it. I read the lyrics. I cried. Like a baby. Face in the hankie. Husband laughing at me. Crying like a baby.

For This I have Jesus by Graham Kendrick

For the joys and for the sorrows
The best and worst of times
For this moment, for tomorrow
For all that lies behind
Fears that crowd around me
For the failure of my plans
For the dreams of all I hope to be
The truth of what I am

For this I have Jesus
For this I have Jesus
For this I have Jesus, I have Jesus
(Repeat)

For the tears that flow in secret
In the broken times
For the moments of elation
Or the troubled mind
For all the disappointments
Or the sting of old regrets
All my prayers and longings
That seem unanswered yet

For the weakness of my body
The burdens of each day
For the nights of doubt and worry
When sleep has fled away
Needing reassurance
And the will to start again
A steely-eyed endurance
The strength to fight and win

Winner of The Middle Mom

It's Shaunna...girl, I'll be sending your book ASAP.