the here + now

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5435827/?claim=zbvsje5bdx8">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a> Sometimes I like to share tidbits from a sermon I listen to. This is one I want to share. When we first decided we were not going to get a lawyer or go through a private agency to adopt but foster care, the opposition started. To be honest, and not cover up and thing I was pissed. Yep. No, I'm sorry just plain angry does not convey how I felt. I was hurt. And a bit confused. Isn't it amazing though that God doesn't leave us when opposition does come. With God, my husband and my best friend I was reminded how important this mission is, that this isn't just something to do for the moment, but a mission He planned for us long ago. A mission specific for Doug, me, Olivia, Alex & Addison. Opposition happens. It's not that these people were trying to hurt us with their words. But sometimes if we are not careful we allow Satan to use us. - -

I've realized something about myself. Something I'm not so happy with but glad I know now. When I'm in the trenches of motherhood. Lets take toddler teething for example..... I will try my hardest. Try from my own strength to manage. To get through it. My strength + coffee. Instead of Jesus + grace. Most times when I am in a battle, the motherhood battle I don't pray.  I don't cry out to Jesus. I put my big girl panties on and seize the moment. Reminding myself I can do this. That I am her mother . That I will miss her this little. When really I should be praying, clinging to God desperately to help me see through the mess. Because at the end of the day, my own strength is completely drained. My big girl panties are just not enough. I must cling to Jesus. Because only HE is enough. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness

Friends. Cuddling. Cartoons. Good food. And a very pitiful teething toddler. All in all in was a good weekend with my beautiful family.

The books Tales of the Defended Ones  and  Kids Devotions If we were having coffee what would you tell me? I'm linking up with  Alyssa

Sure, guess I'll do a Tell Me Tuesday this week.  This week I want to know what makes you happy? Those little gifts? Ways others can speak to your love languages? My list would be: ~Coffee --- oh how I love my coffee. Like so much!  ~Chocolate, cupcakes, cheesecake, smores So I love my sweets, what can I say, I am a woman! ~Clorox Wipes I'm sorry all natural cleaning people. I love them. So much. I won't clean my bathrooms with anything besides them. Yes, I know odd, but if you gave me clorox wipes I would be a happy lady! ~Hand written letters I love them. I love those from the heart letters. I wouldn't consider myself old fashion, I just love the heart of it. ~Talking without distraction Ok. I may never walk up to a stranger and start talking. Sometimes I won't even walk up to people I know and start a conversation. I tend to be very shy at first but once I get to know you and don't feel so uncomfortable, girl I can tal

This weekend was FULL. In a totally and completely good way. My house is a complete wreck and I am ok with that. I am not stressed because I was busy and spent some amazing time with amazing people Friday night & Saturday I went to my church for a women's conference, more about that at the bottom. Saturday afternoon was filled with painting & baking. The laundry room was getting a makeover. That room, ok it's more like a closet, but it's mine and I get to do with it whatever I want. If you don't know me that means PINK!!  My mother in law was doing the trimming because I can't walk, write or paint a straight line to save my life. I'm in LOVE! Like seriously. And this picture does not do it justice. I love just opening the door and seeing it -- it makes me so happy. I can't wait to start decorating this little space. Baking. I baked 4 dozen cookies. I've been wanting to bake for a few months. But I can

Sorry my phone is full of beautiful photos of littles and ran out of space so my video cut off at the end...but you get the picture! Water, Water, Water!!! If we were having coffee what beauty products would you tell me about? {I'm heading to Home Depot with miss Addie Boo -- we're buying PINK paint!} I'm linking up with  Alyssa

Today is the Influential Women Blog Link up. If you are a part of the Influence Network -- get on it!!! Honestly at first I didn't think I would link up, me, influential?! I don't think so. But I am. God uses me daily and will continue to use me.  - - - - - - - - -  Three Things About Myself: 1. I love Taco Night. If you already know me personally you would know this about me. But seriously I love it! And let me tell you I can put some tacos back. Our best friends and us have actually started Taco Tuesday so on Tuesdays we make tacos. Now we're just at a point of trying to make it a healthier Taco Tuesday. 2. I love music so much. I love to dance. I love to sing. I love to be surrounded by music. If you stop by my house there's a 95% chance you will hear music being played. I love Pandora because I can just put on whatever station for the mood I'm in.  Current favorite Pandora stations: Kari Jobe (I don't think that'll ever change), Jerem

Two weeks ago I received paperwork from school, like every other day.  But this paperwork Alex & Liv were excited about. They were going to have a moon walk at school. They were so excited about making space hats out of milk cartons.  Of course the walks were on separate days, some days I loathe having them in separate classes. Olivia's was scheduled a week after. A few days later new paperwork came from Alex's class that their walk was changed. In my head Olivia's was still after Alex's. But only in my head was it true. Yesterday I was informed of the truth I was the only one in class without a space helmet. Talk about crush. I failed Olivia. I made her feel left out. I made her feel like she didn't belong. It broke me. I didn't want to even think about it, even though Alex wouldn't dare let me forget.  We still needed to make Alex's space helmet.  And we made Olivia's hat too. I may have failed her Monday. But not today.

So this whole analog weekend that The Tiny Twig came up with went perfect. At first I was going to "try" but knew I would fail. Late Friday night I decided I wasn't just going to try, I was going to do it. But of course I could not discontinue pictures. It was wonderful being disconnected...more on that at the end of this post. We have been doing a series at church called 52 days, it's about Nehemiah. Yesterday was about influence. Pastor Joe talked about Jesus' life and how he came into His influence, the steps, anyone should take, especially if you want people to follow Jesus. The video is  HERE  if you want to watch it.  Briefly for those who can't or don't want to watch it these were the steps Joe talked about in regards to Jesus' life: 1. Baptism --- Breath the last breathe of your old life, then have the first breath of new life (Matt 3:13) 2. Braving the wilderness --- ISOLATE. Spend time along with God. You

I don't want to be in this van with him. Where is my mom? Where is he taking me? I just want my mom. And my brothers, where are they? He smells. I really hate him. Why do I have to be here? I don't know these people. Why are those adult so loud? I'm scared. The other morning the Lord reminded me how it felt. How it felt to be with someone I didn't like. To be taken to a house of people I didn't know. To remember the fear I felt with my mom not being there. And He gently let me know THAT is how foster children feel. {{My experience was not a foster care experience, but a psycho ex stepdad experience}}