Author Archives: admin We pulled out our Thankful tree that we made in 2010 (after many years using brown kraft paper!) so it could be reused every year. For years I painted the tree on large brown kraft paper and covered a door with it–but I love reusing the same canvas tree with their sweet little handprints. I […]  Recovering from a really fun night with my crew. Seriously…could this kid be ANY STINKIN’ CUTER?! (AND…I KINDA made it in this picture…I can officially prove to my children I was in their childhood cause we all know momma is always the one behind the camera!) Oh my WORD. Just could gobble him RIGHT up. […] The Barbie Praise Party brought tears to my eyes and made me cry. That this little girl has been taught at such a young age how important it is to praise God so spoke to my heart and convicted me that I, too, need to remember every day to praise God for all the blessings He has given me. I notice so much more now all of the seemingly little blessings daily – a benefit of grief and heart sorrow. Thank you for sharing, Andrea. Hi there! Angie G told me about your blog and it’s so adorable. I think I maybe have run across it in the adoption blog world previously. I’m attending the created for care retreat in March and I’m so excited! That Barbie Praise Party was pretty sweet 😉 Look forward to reading more from you!  Today has been a good day. A day where our hearts connected. The “mama’s” spoken were filled with peace and joy. And as we prepare for our last and final home study to bring home another child through the miracle of adoption–I can’t help but reflect on the last 15 months home with our son. […] Beautifully written, Andrea. xo Thank you, Andrea =) home from church today with sickness, but still worshiping as i read a post like this. just before i read this, i was praying about what the lord has for our future re:adopting again. i was telling him that i just don’t know if i can do it. i fall so short day after day in the “easy” everyday ways i am called to die to myself. but reading your words, i was reminded that is is NOT about me. if he calls, he WILL equip…even this hopelessly selfish and impatient little momma. thanks for sharing your life and heart with us. it’s so beautiful. can’t believe i get to meet you in january!!! please let me know if there is anything you need. While I sit GLUED to your words and read them over and over, I am so in awe of your faith, love, patience, kindness and gentleness, Andrea. You are truly in His presence during these times and He holds your hand. I pray that He continues to hold your hand as you bring that precious little girl to your loving arms. God bless you today and always and God bless you, special little girl, as you wait for your mommy. Love you…. You have practically spoken my heart in words (way better than I would get it down on paper). It is hard, but so very beautiful, so amazing the love for us as children of God. We too are in the process the second time, and you said why so well. It has been hard and amazing…and He has called us again. We have learned from mistakes, grown immeasurably in our understanding, and learned to love unconditionally in a way we never knew existed. And to think it is only a glimpse of the love our Father has for us! I will think of your family and pray for you. I love the arranged marriage analogy–it’s right on! 🙂 Loved this. so beautiful, especially about our faithful God. Oh how I cannot wait to start our second adoption! Andrea- you have no idea…….oh my heart. I totally get it completely!! Sometimes I don’t put it into words as well. But it is there. So why adopt again? Easy…..it’s what we are called to do. We aren’t called to get comfortable. Although that would be great…..actually it wouldn’t because even through all the trials, the hard bits, I wouldn’t have grown nearly as much as I have…..and I wouldn’t get to see the growth in my kiddos- every tiny step!!!!! We too are adopting again 🙂 Special needs domestically!!! WE ARE BEYOND EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh you could have just written about the last 7 months with our son! We sit back now and just watch him and take in all of the little things. Instead of pushing away and screaming, he brings us books to read. Instead of crying, we hear “mee mee”. We feel so incredibly honored and blessed to be this sweet guy’s parents! Beautifully written, Andrea!!! Thank you for sharing with such truth and grace. How thoughtfilled ~ So, helpful,honest and dear. My promise to you and you family is I keep you in my prayers daily. You are building the Kingdom of God one child at a time and sharing your walk to encourage others. Blessings and Pax,m Yes! Can I “like” and say yes to ALL of this?1? So, so VERY hard and so, so VERY different…still wonderful and we are still doing it again too…for all of the very same reasons. Oh boy and the tantrums…Caleb stills has them too and they are such a challenge when out and about…although they have gotten better…there has been progress. I longed for him to look at me…to give me that feedback…I ached for it. It was many long months – but what I realized is that it makes it even sweeter…to see how far he has come – how much he has healed. Really…all of what you said abut Isaac could be Caleb…they sound so similar. Now at night after stories, Caleb will say, “Cuddle,”…and he wants to just sit in my lap and rock before he goes to sleep. Such an amazing and difficult journey and in it, God has shown me so much about myself and also his love for me…His adopted child… I love your heart, Andrea. Thank you.  I like to dress up the kids in coordinating dress up things for our Fall fun. I had some really fun ideas this year…it came down to a sports theme with Parker and Isaac as football players, Loo-bear as the cheerleader and Frankie baby as the ref OR the Wizard of Oz. Rico Suave came […] I am reading from my phone and verified the web address 3x to be sure this was really your blog. 🙂 Love the new look…and this must be babies name?! And your kids are adorable, inside and out!!! Adorable costumes. And LOVE your new blog look!  You gotta love our Frankie baby. You rarely get a smile out of him, but you can get anything out of him with a donut. He’s 2 going on 10–and he seriously thinks he can hang with Parker’s soccer team. And…he might be right. Frankie baby hasn’t missed a practice this year–in his 2 year […] Hilarious! The jersey just makes it that much cuter! I love your idea for the rules. If you can get crafty with 4 littles then I’m thinking there’s hope for me to paint a nativity scene for my yard before Christmas! Thank you for the inspiration! That is one of the neatest gift I’ve ever seen…makes me want to get started on one right away for my sisters Christmas presents. Thanks for sharing! Not been here for a while, so it was nice to catch up on things in your family. What a LOVELY idea for a present for your sister and a family heirloom to boot! |
|
by admin
Hi! First of all, I LOVE your blog, and have been reading it for a few weeks. Love the pics, stories, and craft ideas. CUTE family! I read your thankfulness post this morning directly after reading this post: http://www.thenollfamily.com/familyblog/2011/11/04/8-months-and-my-favorite-one-year-old/
Would you mind stopping by this sweet family’s blog for a moment and offering some encouragement? I loved what you said about God knowing the end of our stories! Right on!
Have a great day!
SO needed to hear those last words today! Thank you!!!!! I love that tree! I will definitely be making one for our family this year! We (as usual) have just oh so much to be thankful for! God is so good! I am so thankful for YOU too – I can’t wait to hug you in January!!! (cue tears) haha
Hi Andrea,
Love this!! I copied your idea last year and actually made them and gave them away to a few friends this year for Christmas. Thanks for the reminder to pull it out of storage 🙂
love the thankful tree…you need to sell them for people like me that don’t have the time or talent to make them(:
do you have a favorite kids advent calendar?
LOVE THIS!! Thank you for your inspiration! Love your tree 🙂
And your crazy photo shoot totally cracked me up!!!!!