a moment to worship.

I'm going to post the most recent song that has been taking my breath away. In fact, it happened just today in the car. I love these lyrics. Now, I'll admit that I love a lot of music. And mostly for the lyrics. God uses music in some major ways to speak to me and to focus me...which I've always assumed was pretty typical of most believers. That is until we discussed worship with our church small group. I learned that it may not be as typical as I thought. So many lyrics these days speak to my life. Personal stuff: trials, challenges, just (sometimes petty) earthly life stuff. But what I love about this song is that it's all about Him. It gets me excited! I hope to hear it on Sunday. It seems like a perfect celebratory song of Jesus and his ressurection, in my opinion. And one of my all time favorite scriptures when I think about the celebration of Jesus' death and ressurection...
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

I want to be close, close to Your side
So Heaven is real and death is a lie
I want to hear voices of angels above
Singing as one

Hallelujah, holy, holy
God Almighty, the great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, the great I AM

I want to be near, near to Your heart
Loving the world and hating the dark
I want to see dry bones living again
Singing as one

Hallelujah, holy, holy
God Almighty, the great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, the great I AM

The mountains shake before You. The demons run in fear
At the mention of the name King of Majesty
There is no power in hell
Or any who can stand
Before the power and the presence of the great I AM

 

Hallelujah, holy, holy
God Almighty, the great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, the great I AM

Orbeez Fun!

My long time friend Kristy, mentioned these fun little Orbeez for kids. When I read about them on her blog a while back, it seemed like something my boys would probably enjoy. But I just didn't realize how much. Yesterday morning we headed to Target just to get out of the house and I hunted down the Orbeez. I'm so glad I did! Holden pretty much played with them all afternoon. It didn't entertain Pax as long. He played with them for about an hour and then he was done. But Holden just loved these little things. Apparently, they will keep for about a week in a closed container in the fridge. So we can pull them out everyday to play with them again and again and again. And each little $6ish box came with several packages. I didn't realize that and I bought 2 boxes yesterday. So we will have an endless supply around our house for a while. So if you're looking for something a little different to stuff in Easter eggs this year for preschoolers, these tiny packets would be a perfect addition, in my opinion. Here are a few pictures from our fun.

They told me that this was my bubble gum and mint chocolate chip birthday cakes. Then they sang the happy birthday song to me and asked me to blow out my candles. :)

Holden made this "P" on his own. Then I helped him to make an "H". Yes, we went educational with these new little toys. :)

And just because one of them caved and decided to mix up the colors and it made the other brother so so happy to have both a little green and little pink in his stash. So they had a little sweet moment that I just happen to catch. There really is a whole lotta love between these two!

Spring Break 2013

This last week was spring break in our area. Now, not a whole lot changes at our house for spring break. This particular year, it meant that our regular Wednesday morning Bible study did not meet and the boys did not go to MDO on Thursday. It was nice to have a relaxing week with absolutely no schedule, not to mention the amazing weather that blew in. I didn't even use an alarm in the mornings. I just allowed the boys to wake me once they woke. Here is our spring break fun in pictures
On Monday we went to story time at our local library, which we do weekly. So this was nothing unusual. Monday was the last day before it really warmed up for us, so you notice the boys are still bundled up.

On Tuesday, we enjoyed the new warm weather and met Lauren and Cruz at the park. The boys rode their bikes along the trails as Lauren and I walked behind them, while she pushed Cruz in the stroller. This may have to become a regular thing as we enter this wonderful weather.

On Wednesday, we headed to the mall with my mom and did a little shopping. I hauled the boys around in their wagon and they did fabulous. I never venture to the mall with them by myself, but it was a fun day with my mom.

On Thursday the boys painted these beautiful masterpieces for the playroom. I tried to not interfere and just let them paint their canvases. Man, they love to paint!

On Friday, Jeremy was home from work. So we enjoyed the morning as a family at another nearby park.

Even though most of our weeks often look similar to this one since the boys are home with me and not yet doing school, the weather helped to make it a great kick off to spring. And it was actually really nice to not have to rush off anywhere...even though that only happens about twice a week. I hope the rest of you, wherever you are, are starting to enjoy some of this beautiful spring weather that is happening in Texas. Happy Spring! {Officially tomorrow!}

encouragement.

We are in this stage of waiting. Just the beginnings of it. And honestly, we could be in this stage for a very long time. But I haven't truly believed that would be the case. I can not know for certain what God is going to do this time. But He and I talk a lot. A whole lot. And I sure do ask for Him to reveal pieces of His plan. Sometimes I look for writing in the sky. I'm not joking. He did reveal part of his plan to us with Holden. And I'm honored by Holden's story. That God chose to speak to my often deaf and distracted ears and He grew my faith like never before. So I've been asking for that again. I'm in a very joyful and peaceful place right now. I'm thoroughly enjoying this time as a family of four. And I'm giving great effort to make my little ones feel extra special before a big transition takes place in our home. But I'm also eagerly awaiting, praying for and loving a baby I haven't yet met.
During this little phase, I've received some special encouragement that feels worth mentioning. Jeremy's granny sent us a card in the mail this week, where she inserted this poem she had come across:

Legacy of an Adopted Child

(Author Unknown)

Once there were two women

Who never knew each other.

One you do not remember,

The other you call mother.

Two different lives

Shaped to make yours one.

One became your guiding star,

The other became your sun.

The first gave you life

And the second taught you to live it.

The first gave you a need for love

And the second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality,

The other gave you a name.

One gave you a seed of talent,

The other gave you an aim.

One gave you emotions,

The other calmed your fears.

One saw your first sweet smile,

The other dried your tears.

One gave you up-

It was all that she could do.

The other prayed for a child

And God led her straight to you.

And now you ask me

Through your tears,

The age-old question

Through the years:

Heredity or environment

Which are you a product of?

Neither, my darling, neither.

Just two different kids of love.



I know this poem does not fit all adoption circumstances. But their were some special lines that really touched me. And it was just an encouragment that granny saw this, thought of us and then did something about it and sent it off in the mail to encourage and love us.

 

Also, in conversation with a sweet friend this week, she reminded me of the prize I have in my husband. Goodness, I tell him crazy things sometimes. Most recently, pertaining to our next child. I pour out my heart and I'm grateful he takes it all in without batting an eye. After 10 years of marriage and the different roads we have traveled together, he listens well when it matters the most, he trusts me often more than I trust myself and he supports and loves in a very natural way. Sometimes so naturally, that I could miss it as an act of love. And I almost did this weekend. We decided that it wouldn't be a bad idea to get down our infant carseat from the attic and have it cleaned up, just in case. So he got it down for me yesterday and then he went to run some errands. I had mentioned to Jeremy that I was going to go through our newborn boxes and pull out some things that could be used no matter the gender of #3. While he was out, I texted him and asked him to pick up some Dreft (baby laundry detergent) if he just happened to go into WalMart. After returning from errands, he laid the bottle of Dreft on the kitchen counter for me. And the thought crossed my mind: He got it. That's sweet. Today I asked what he thought when he received that text. His simple response was, "I just thought you wanted to wash some baby stuff." It seems crazy, people! Why would I be washing baby stuff when there is no end in sight to this wait!? We may not have this baby for a year, or more! And I'm already doing laundry for it! But goodness, he doesn't roll his eyes. He doesn't even question this area when I start prepping for something that I can't really determine or see right now. He just trusts in what I'm feeling and he supports me without questions. And that is a prize of a husband. It's also a huge source of encouragment to me right now.

 

And finally, a certain song has been a HUGE encouragement to me for the past month or more.

I Lift My Hands
Be still, there is a healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy, it is unfailing
His arms are a fortress for the weak
Let faith arise
Let faith arise
I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God, forever
Be still, there is a river
That flows from Calvary's tree
A fountain for the thirsty
Pure grace that washes over me
So let faith arise
Let faith arise
Open my eyes
Open my eyes
I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God
You are faithful, God, forever

Both Holden and Pax have a special song that I sang to them. God gave me their songs before they ever came home to us. During those middle of the night feedings, when we rocked in the dark, I often sang quietly in their ear. Baby #3 has a song and this one is it! It has already been such an encouragement and has almost felt like a promise from God as we begin our wait.

 

I know that was a doozy of a post. Those are just a few things floating around in my heart right now. I don't ever want to overlook the unique ways that God chooses to love and encourage me. Whether that is through a loving family member or a song on the radio. His words may not ever come clearly written in the sky, but I don't want to take for granted these more subtle gifts. 

More Pinterest Successes

Here are a few more recipes via Pinterest that I've tried out and loved. I just wanted to share these good ones with the rest of the world.
I made this recipe yesterday. It is sort of a copy cat recipe for Larabars. We LOVE larabars over here at our house. They have no preservatives and additives, just a few basic ingredients. And this little recipe was so easy, I may never buy Larabars again. The downfall to Larabars is that they seem pretty pricey, in my opinion. I can normally get them on sale anywhere from $1-1.25. Which seems a little steep for a single bar. But since they are so nutritionally sound, they have been worth the cost, in my own opinion. But I'm glad I can now cut back a little and make our own. Yesterday I used dried apricots. The next batch, I'll try something new.
This was dinner last night and we will be eating the leftovers tonight. Jeremy, Pax and I really liked it. Holden tolerated it. It got a little soupy once it baked in the oven, which we didn't love. And I even went through her lengthy method of pre-salting the zucchini and then wiping the slices down before layering them into the dish. But they still released more juices and it became a little soupy. We just used a straining spoon to dish up our portions onto our plates.
This one dish dinner was a huge hit with my family. And it was so so simple to prepare. The Italian seasoning added a great flavor. And later in the week, I cooked green beans as a side in the same way, with just butter and Italian seasoning. The whole family gobbled them up. This is going to be a regular in our dinner rotations.
These Tex-Mex meatballs were delicious. Just seeing them reminds me that I need to make them again. If I remember correctly, the little boys found them a little spicey. So next time I may need to make some for them that don't include the chopped jalapeno. If I remember correctly, I served them over cilantro-lime rice.

And if you're looking for something sweet...
My little boys call this recipe strawberry icecream. It is just frozen banana, strawberries, a little almond milk and a splash of vanilla. I'm not sure what I would do without my large food processor these days. It's been a recent purchase and now I use it weekly, for recipes such as this one.
This recipe was a sweet treat that I made and they tasted amazing! A little too amazing. I couldn't stay out of them. Luckily, they are somewhat healthified. But they taste pretty much like chocolate peanut butter cups. Yum!

And here are 2 of my new favorite smoothies:
Orange Smoothie
Green Smoothie with kale
I'm trying out a few more new dinner recipes this week. So eventually, the worthy ones will probably be posted here. Happy cooking! :)

Date Nights!

At the very last minute, Jeremy decided we should do individual date nights with the boys last Saturday. This is something we said that we wanted to start this year. And now fully into the adoption process, we really don't know how much longer we'll be just a family of 4. So we've got to take advantage of these opportunities. Right now it's easy to divide and conquer and get some QT with each boy during the same time slot, so it doesn't take away from family time or Jeremy and I's time together. So that's what we did last weekend.
Jeremy and Holden had the fancy date. Jeremy sacrificed some birthday money that he had saved and took Holden to the Monster Truck Show at Cowboys Stadium. My brother-in-law and nephews also went + 70,000 other people. Apparently it was alot of traffic and quite the crowd. Saturday morning Holden was feeling a little apprehensive about going and trying something new. He is also a little sensitive to loud noises. So Jeremy brought some ear plugs just in case. As soon as they got seated, Holden agreed that he wanted the ear plugs. And then he had a ball! Jeremy said he loved it and chatted Jeremy's ear off the entire time. He was asking tons of questions Jeremy couldn't answer and soaking up the experience. I'm so glad they had this time together.

Uncle Dan, Cameron, Holden and Carson

I really believe these boys are starting to favor one another, physically. Jeremy laughed when I told him that. But I'm serious. I learned about this in one of my psychology classes but didn't really expect it to happen to us. Though, when Pax was a baby, I thought he sort of looked like me. Jeremy laughed at my thoughts back then as well. But this picture confirms it for me. Look past the skin tone, don't they favor? Maybe not. Maybe Holden has just picked up on some of daddy's faces, smiles and mannerisms. I'm not sure. But I say they look a little bit similar. Mainly their smile in this picture. I know, I know, call me crazy.

 

Pax and I headed the opposite direction and had a quiet, but fun little evening in a small town just north of us. Lauren told us about this brand new, cool little candy/soda/icecream shop. So we headed there and had our sugar fix before dinner. I wasn't too excited about driving Jeremy's old truck and Pax riding in the front. It's a standard transmition, so I have to use 100% of my brain while driving. But my little Pax loved riding in the front seat and he anticipated the gear changing at all of the traffic lights. At one point, he asked to hold my hand :) ...which I couldn't do since I needed them both to drive. But it was pretty sweet having my little guy right there beside me in the front seat.  He thought he was such a big boy.

Some fun little questions/conversation starters I found through Pinterest! Here's the official link where they can be found. There are many categories to choose from.

I cut the questions apart and put them in this green bag (that he's holding in the picture below). On our date, he would pull out a question and I would read it. Then he would get to talk about it and try and answer it. I learned that he's pretty silly. Except really, I already knew that.

Fun little toy car.

He chose mint chocolate chip icecream because it's green, his favorite color. :)

It was a fun date night with my littlest guy.

Next date night, we'll switch it up. Pax and Jeremy will do something special while Holden and I do something a little more laid back. I underestimate the power of quality one-on-one time until I'm in the middle of it. And then before I know it, I'm feeling just as blessed, if not more, than the child I'm having the special time with. More date nights like these are definitely going to become a regular in this family.