Buckey and Bup !

John Matthews new words are Buckey for Blankie and Bup for cup !

I love this stage, when they are learning to talk. I love when they repeat everything you say to them.

Adopted for life

In case you are interested in adopting or you know someone who is , there is a great book out there called ," Adopted for life " by Russell D Moore. Matt and I picked this book up the week it came out and I could not put it down. It was so exciting to read a book that discussed everything I felt inside.

This man and his wife struggled with infertility issues and they adopted internationally. He is a very intellectual man and yet he allows the reader to see into his daddy's heart.

He covers a variety of issues that face the person who is considering adoption.

He also paints a beautiful picture of our adoption as our Father has chosen us and how he lovingly brings us into His family.

He discusses how adoption is the gospel ! Of course , I am a fan of adoption. I truly get the picture of what has happened in my home and what GOD has done in my life. It humbles me greatly !!

He also covers the role of the church and this got me thinking. Thinking about all the famous people who have gone to other countries to adopt kids. I was thinking about the guy who started the campaign to send computers to third world countries. TOMS shoes , so cool ! Are any of these people believers? WHAT ARE WE DOING ? I can tell you what some of my friends are doing; I have friends who support a local crisis pregnancy center, I have friends who serves at a homeless shelter regularly, I know believers who are trying to get licensed to be foster to adopt parents, I have friends who have now adopted their second biracial baby. We (people who know Jesus ) need to take His word to heart when He says true religion is to care for the orphans and the widows.

I also believe with the Haiti crisis, there will be many opportunities for believers to show their faith to the world . There were 380,000 orphans in Haiti , there is no telling when the dust settles how many more there will be.

I do see God moving in the hearts of His people and they are moving to action and it is amazing! I love hearing stories of people opening their hearts and checkbooks to the people of Haiti.

Anyway, pick up this book for yourself, or for anyone you know who is interested in adopting. It is good stuff !!

Snow Fun !

It was so fun to have a couple of crazy snow days here ! The kids had a great time playing and having snowball fights. It actually snowed on Ethan's birthday and that was a special day for him !


For a few days it did not seem like we lived in Texas. Now the snow has melted and we have a mud pit in our back yard and that seems more like it .

3 BIRTHDAYS IN 4 WEEKS !

If it seems like all I blog about is birthdays, your right ! I have this span from January to February where more than half of my kids birthdays land.

Ethan just turned 7 years old ! I cannot believe it ! He is such a precious sensitive kid. He is so passionate for the Lord , I cannot imagine what God has for him one day. He is one of the most creative kids I have. He is a builder and artist and an inventor. He love to serve others and is very patient with his siblings, especially the younger ones !

We are so blessed to have him as a son ! We love you Ethan !

Where did my little girl go ?

Grace just turned 12 years old ! Wow ! She has grown up so fast! I cannot believe she is 12 and almost a teenager.

Because I know she reads this , I wanted to tell her how blessed we are to have her as our daughter.

Grace Elizabeth,

I could never have realized 12 years ago that I would have a child like you ! Your heart is amazing ! I love your passion for God's children and especially Africa. I love your passion for serving your family. You are an amazing blessing! One day you will be an outstanding mama. I am excited to see where the Lord takes you in this life.

Your devotion to our Lord is amazing. You spend most of your free time seeking Him and getting to know Him better. I am so proud of your knowledge of the Bible, I pray you will always have that fervor for His word. I pray that you will always want to obey Him and serve Him. I pray He will always be first in your life.

I love you precious girl, I would not make it through most days without having you with me !

All my love,

Mom