Special Days

Sunday, April 6th, 2008, was a special day for our family. Samantha was dedicated and Jeffrey was baptized. Two events that are milestones, markers of our faith and our desire to live for Christ.

Yesterday, my husband was looking back through his journal. He discovered a very cool thing. Friday, April 6, 2007 was the day we accepted Samantha's referral. So, one year after choosing her as our daughter, we chose to formally give her back to God. To thank Him, publicly, for allowing us to be her parents. To acknowledge that we cannot raise her on our own wisdom, but will rely on God's wisdom to lead her and guide her. What an awesome God we serve!

Enjoy the pictures from our special day.

Blessings,


Isaiah 44:3-5 -- For I will give you abundant water to quench your thirst and to moisten your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children. They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank. Some will proudly claim, `I belong to the Lord.' Others will say, `I am a descendant of Jacob.' Some will write the Lord's name on their hands and will take the honored name of Israel as their own.

P.S. -- Samantha's outfit was a birthday gift from her foster family. Thanks to some altering by Nana, we were able to get the shirt over Samantha's head so she could wear it for her special day. Kayla, wanting to celebrate Samantha's heritage, chose to wear her Guatemalan dress as well.

Quizzing

Our final Genesis quiz-off was held on Saturday. We headed over the mountain to compete with all the churches in our district. Our team took 5th, nothing to be ashamed about! The last two years, Jeffrey has qualified for the regional competition as an alternate. He really wanted to qualify as an all-star this year. He got his wish! He missed only one of the forty questions asked. Kayla missed qualifying by just ONE question. We are so proud of her, as this is her first year quizzing at this level. We had a wonderful time.

We're looking forward to going to Point Loma in May for the regional quiz. Nathan is excited about seeing his Auntie Sarah and Uncle Mark and going to Disneyland.

Blessings,

Nathan

For some reason, I am just taken with this little guy lately. I love his positive outlook on life. His snuggles and cuddles. His precious little voice that tells me I'm the "best mommy in the whole wide woyld". (That's not a typo, that's how it sounds in his sweet little voice!). He's a bundle of energy, bouncing from one thing to another.

Rob was messing around with his camera and snapped these candid shots of Nathan. I love them. They show his personality. His craziness. His sweetness.

Often, I look at my children and wonder what plans God has in store for them. I beg for wisdom to direct them in the way they each should go. I plead for grace and mercy when I misdirect them and say things I shouldn't. I am in awe that God would allow me the opportunity to invest in the lives of His precious creations.

Blessings,



Psa 78:5 - 7 -- For he issued his decree to Jacob; he gave his law to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them- even the children not yet born- that they in turn might teach their children. So each generation can set its hope anew on God, remembering his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.

Keep Walking!

Samantha seems to be quickly mastering the art of walking! She's moved from the "Frankenstein" walk to some kind of high-knee-arms-out-for-balance walk! While she cannot yet stand up without assistance, she can turn a corner, stop and start again and will be running in no time! It's amazing the changes we see happening every time we turn around. What a precious gift she is!

Blessings,

FFF - Eyes

Today's foto theme is eyes. My children have the most beautiful eyes...Jeffrey's are a brilliant blue, Kayla's a deep green (like her Mama's), Nathan's are an amazing pale blue, and Samantha's eyes are often described as "captivating".



The love of I have for these precious children is often undescribable. How fortunate I am to be their Mommy!

Blessings,




Pro 20:12 -- Ears to hear and eyes to see--both are gifts from the LORD.