Adoption Gift

This was a fast, cheap, & precious gift for my family. Walgreens had a coupon for a free 8 x10 collage print. I took some of the pictures that I had from "T" and his first year of life in our family. He had a very eventful first year of life in our family. I graduated, we went to the St. Louis Zoo/Arch, he had is 1st birthday, he became a Uncle, and the list goes on. We all love and adore him, he is a joy and I am so grateful God gave him to us.

I purchased a frame at Wal-Mart for $3 and released when got home it was matted for a 4 x 6. I just left the mat in the back of the frame.

I printed this for FREE at Walgreens.

Adoption Day

Today my family adopted Travis Lorenzo! We are so excited to have him in our life. He came to my family at three days old as a foster child. There is now five boys that are a huge part of my heart, I can't imagine life without any of them. Travis is just the most adorable 13 month old boy ever, and yes I am biases. I wish I could have gone to be apart of the day, but a ten hour trip there and back would be much right now. I have already seen pics and heard about the day. I am so happy for my family that he is officially ours. God is so good.

48¢ Christmas Wreath

I went to Goodwill Store to see if I could find any bargains. On my adventure, I found this cute Christmas wreath. I could not find the price tag, until I went to the register. After some searching we found it was marked for 96¢ (see it now? I moved it on the front for proof), however it was 1/2 off Christmas items so I paid 48¢ I might add a little something-something. Anyway, I had to share because I just love a great deal! 

Pumpkin's (because that's how I roll).

I saw similar pumpkins on a few different blogs a few months ago. The day went to get the things to make them, I shared the idea with my mom. She said that her ladies group also did them and they turned out great. 


I did them before Halloween but I am just now getting around to posting this. You can find the directions here and believe it or not they are made with toilet paper rolls!


I found the brown charger plate on clearance at Target for $2 and the white doily's at the Dollar Tree for $1. 

Hallelujah!

I am back!

Well, I am back to the blog world. Life has been crazy to say the least. I am trying to use this outlit once again to say whatever, whenever, and to whomever is reading it. In this last year since my post God has shown me so much. I have learned a ton about women and babies, about loving the unloveable. Did I get it right, not every time, yet I am still learning and growing. My leadership is rising and my flesh is decreasing. I have witness a child being born into this world in April 2010, it was the most incredible thing ever. 


Last year my family was blessed with a foster child who will be adopted very soon. He is a joy in my life along the many miles between us. I graduated from college in May! Whoot whoo it was one of the best days of my life. HANDS DOWN. I became a Aunt a few weeks ago, to Thomas James. 


Life has been very good to me. I have had time on my hands and trying to be very productive with my creative side and trying to get things organized. I am also back working hard on getting healthy. I took a challenge on Facebook of a friend who is doing a 10 lb Holiday Weight Loss Challenge. So, as of three weeks I have lost 7 lbs. I am ALMOST there and it is not even Thanksgiving! I am pressing on. God is good ALL the time God is good.

It is "OK" to be single

I had an interesting conversation with a young 11 year old girl about my singleness. My family has two new foster girls living with them. Yesterday, was the first day that I was able to meet the girls. I went to surprise my family in MO. It was a short day trip for a family get together and I was in the glad I went! Later in the afternoon we were sitting around having some "girl time" and my cousin April was telling a story. When the story was done "H" asked my cousin if she was talking about her boyfriend, she said no that was her husband. Then "H" asked me if I had a boyfriend, I informed her "no, I did not have a boyfriend" she said "are you married" and I informed her "no, I am not married". She looked at me funny and said "it sure must be lonely" and I thought this would be a great teaching opportunity to share that you do not have to have a boyfriend or married. I begain to share with "H" that I was not lonely and started to tell her about my job and what I do, so I am single with a purpose. I could tell that she didnt seem to care...so I then told her that I was "ok" and she quickly told me that "you are not ok". 

While I know that I am “ok” regardless of what an 11 year old who has known me for just a few hours thinks….it made me sad. I think of how young girls (and big girls) believe that a man will make someone not lonely. It is not that I do not desire to be with my soul-mate and best friend. I have and will continue to pray for him. I believe that God will answer the desires of my heart with that being one. Do I dream and think of my future husband, abso(stinking)lutely! Do I think of my perfect wedding day, oh yes! Just ask my mom or Josie with my random thoughts or ideas. When family or friends of mine get married or have babies, or remarried or have more babies.....and I wait for mine. I think of random Holidays and dream of my own family, etc etc. Yes, I am happy for them I am not bitter and pray that I will never become bitter about others...I would just not be honest if I did not say there is a little some thing it does to me.

I am just not going to settle for anyone but GOD’S PERFECT BEST and I refuse to do the leg work or take advantage of E-harmony free communication weekend. I am not going to switch to a new church or go to the bars like I was once give amazing advise...uggh. Nor am I thinking of being like Paul and being single forever...hello! 

I believe when you are 100% complete and satisfied with who you are in Christ, is when you know you are not lonely. I know of many married people who are lonely and have each other. I had a friend one time explain to me that she understood my desires she said it is just like wanting a baby, new job, or other circumstances. We all have desires and being “single” doesn’t mean less or that God is not working on those prayers.

You see for me, it has been a journey. I have had my heart broken over and over again, because I selfishly believed in relationships that were not true or what they seemed to be. I gave my heart away so many times that I thought it would never be fixed or healed. However, it has been restored and for now it is reserved for the only man in my life, for now...

I am finally embracing my singleness. I am a part of a ministry that I would NOT get to be a part of in the role as a Housemother, if I were married. I do not feel my role will be forever but for now this is what God has called and set me apart for to do. I trust in the Lord as I serve Him. Today marks the 1 year anniversary that I said yes to full time ministry. The impact of being in full time ministry is a reminder that God will also restore broken dreams. 

It is "ok" to be single, to dream, and have HOPE that God will answer prayers.