I'd love to win this!

Needy Me

I was sharing with God a need I have this morning, something simple, but there nonetheless and I realized how many needs I have asked God for help with lately.
Immediately, I felt like that person in the small group or Bible study that has "yet another" prayer request. The one who often gets overlooked or seems to have too much going on and makes others feel like they take up much of the time by asking for so many requests.

But God doesn't look at us like the world does, he hears each needs, accepts us just the same, and he HELPS us, especially when we authentically come to him, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES or HOW MANY REQUESTS.
As I had this moment with God, maybe even a bit of an awakening, while unloading the dishwasher, I was overwhelmed once again by how awesome he is and how much he loves me and cares about even the smallest, simplest needs. Needs that I don't feel like sharing with others, secret needs between me and my Savior. He is just so good and I can't get over it!

There was so much freedom given to me by God's tender response that he doesn't get overloaded with my prayer requests. I had to take the kids to do pictures today about 30 minutes away and haven't been driving my car lately as the brakes are really bad and we're waiting on a new car, but I couldn't reschedule this appointment. On the way there, I simply asked God to get us there safely and to keep the brake light from coming on during our drive. I made it all the way there and back without that light coming on one time, not even a flicker. It was only on our way home from the second stop, about a mile away from home that the little light popped on and off, but that was it and I know God heard my need and helped us.

He is amazing and he wants us to come to him with our needs, whatever they are. When other people don't want to hear or take time to listen, he is there.

On our little drive today I was also feeling a bit isolated. Homeschooling has its major advantages, but at times it can be a bit isolating, even with our many activities. I was questioning my decision a bit again today, but more by giving it to God and asking him if we are doing the right thing. Not long after, I got a call from my best friend wanting to know if she could come over with the kids. He listens, he knows, he cares, he longs to show himself to us. He loves us!

Sassypants

There's a little girl who lives in our house. We call her Sassypants. Sassypants is bossy and stubborn and has enough attitude to fill a small country. She knows what she wants and she isn't afraid to say it. A brother approaches and takes her toy, she screams with shrill screams heard miles away. She climbs away to the top of the swingset, alone in her sassy world, unaffected by the swords and clammoring beneath her. She is sassy and wild and often joins the boys in their adventures, but when she's had enough, it's clear and she finds her own entertainment, often telling adults what to do or speaking her own imaginary language. She names her dolls names like "pail" or "Jenesay" or "Scottas".

I honestly have NO idea where this little girl came from, constantly wanting her nails painted, serving tea and cake and pancakes to each and every person that walks through our door, ordering a story to be read, twirling and spinning as music comes on, toppling over from dizziness.

No idea where she came from, but I LOVE her, every part of her, the scowls, the sass, the stink faces, the squeals of delight, the girl who hates to be tickled but loves to be hugged. I LOVE this girl. She is my daughter, my gift from the Lord, brought into our family by the miracle of adoption....and she's sure to tell you that, too "I came from Korea. I was adopted. My name's from Australia."

And really, she's not Sassypants afterall, she's my Addie.

Life with Cocoa

I never dreamed that having a dog would be even harder than having a baby. At least with a baby you can put a diaper on them. (Although, they do have diapers.) And babies smile and coo at you....YET we are so thankful for Cocoa, even if our carpet has been scarred for life and our nights more interrupted. She is sweet and will really be a great help for us with Tallinn soon. Already she has woken us up several times when Tallinn's blood sugar was low. She has been getting better during the daytime as well, but I think it's harder as there are so many more distractions. We have already taken her so many places...the beach, church, Trader Joe's, restaurants, and she's done remarkably well. If only she would behave this well at home. Kinda like when your kids are perfect for their teachers, but naughty at home.

Anyway, I don't get as much time to post these days, but here's our newest addition. We've also had a fabulous Japanese student living with us since September and she is a gift. We will be so sad when she has to go back to Japan, as we are with all of our special guests. So, this will be a mix of pictures.

a gift

tonight,
Tal said "I want you, mom" and needed me in a way that he hasn't in awhile.
He was cold,
getting out of the bath, wet, tired, and cold.
I wrapped around an extra towel, pulled him close,
and he gifted me with sweet smiles and then
eskimo kisses,
lots,
looking each other in the eyes,
giving eskimo kisses.

I helped him with his jammies,
brushed his teeth, and tucked him in.
It had been a long day, and he needed his mom to take care of him,
not encourage him to do it on his own,
not make it a teaching moment, just serve him
and be his mommy.

Now that he's five, these moments are few and far between, but tonight was one that I consider a gift.

Thank you, Jesus, for your good and perfect gifts!

Picture Parade...Continued

fourth of July








Lindsay and Joey's wedding



hiking at Ragged Point-picnic on the private beach

















road trip...fun stop in Solvang with friends, visit to the new Cambria house, hiking at Ragged point-some of my favorite pictures are here, beautiful path down to private beach for lunch, a family favorite hiking spot...wedding of some dear friends, finished with fourth of July with Ene, our little Koreans hung onto their American flags ALL day

Picture Parade

Okay,
Not nearly as much time as I'd like to post these days so I thought I'd do a big picture parade of the past few months of funness. Some highlights have been: a road trip through California with a camping stop at El Capitan Canyon, April's Wedding, our exchange student, Ene, from Spain who we loved so much and had a great time with, a trip with just me and the kids and my parents to the big new house in Cambria...
they'll come a little at a time