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Buds, Bikes and BFs:)

BUDS…

Last week we had a fun little playdate with some of our buds. We had a little picnic with the Owens Family and I just love how our kids all have little friends when we hang with their family…

Here is everyone minus one of the Owens crew…

Shelly and I were chatting and we looked on the back porch to see that her littlest one had climbed in a chair to be closer to her sidekick. They were out there just chatting (babytalking!) away and of course I had to grab a picture of the sweetness!

SERIOUSLY…are they NOT the cutest things?!

BIKES…

Today marked our annual bike race!!! Every year, the kiddos enter in our quaint little town’s bike race. And folks–they take this pretty seriously. P-man was full speed ahead!

Not sure what happened to Loo-bear…but she is NOT a fan of the spotlight or crowds–so she all of the sudden forgot how to ride her bike. BUT no fear–because Daddy-O was near! And Frankie baby opted for a much easier mode of transportation…

And what was ITY doing you ask? Well–he was entertaining the crowd like this momma has NEVER seen!!! This boy is usually shy and timid in crowds!!! We went to the finish line complete with stages, LOUD DJ announcers and music, radio stations blaring songs, and people EVERY WHERE. I thought for sure he’d want me to hold him close like most crowded, new situations. BUT NOPE. He would walk in front of the crowd and then start shaking his little bottom to the music, waving to people and batting those big eye lashes. I was literally stopped over and over with folks commenting on his little personality. SUCH A MESS!

When he would see a new person walking his way…he would do THIS…

AND then he’d strut his stuff!

SO…either the boy is over his crowd-phobia or he just digs DJs and bike races. You guys would have CRACKED up! When the music would play, he’d boogie and throw his hands on the sidewalk with his bottom in the air. NOT sure who showed him that move–but it was pretty funny stuff!!!

And finally BFs…

I met my bestfriend when I was in the 7th grade and tonight us girlies got together to celebrate her 3rd baby which is due mid-June…and I’m SOOOOO excited to have another girl in our lives!!! So many of us go way back–and I’m so thankful for all of the memories we share together! There’s just something about dear girlfriends that stick with you through the ups and downs of life…that celebrate moments with you…and are there for you no matter what…

And last but not least—I was out in our flower garden with Loo-bear creating a bouque for her room–and I couldn’t help but smile remembering that I planted this flower bed to calm my nerves while we waited for a referral of our son. What a beautiful reminder of God’s hand on our lives…

As we picked the flowers–Loo-bear was so distracted by the thorns. Have you ever wondered why roses have thorns? Why something so beautiful often begins with hurt? The scientific answer is that God gave roses the most stong scent of most any plant or flower. They were created with a scent to attract insects, but they also attract herbivores. The thorns actually PROTECT the flower from herbivores so they can thrive and stay out of harms way.

Consider the roses in your life—the things that ended up TRULY making your life what it is…you know–the things in your life that make you hold your breath with thanksgiving. Many times…these things started with thorns. There was hurt. It didn’t make sense. But without those things–the flower may have never bloomed…or fully bloomed into what God intended it to be. I think it’s pretty cool that God led me to plant a rose garden of all things while I waited not so patiently for my son. There were many tears…and even some times doubt if this was really God’s plan for our life.

But–OH how every thorn was worth it.

Smelling the fragrance of roses will now remind me of God’s perfect will. And they also remind me that if we stay close to Christ and His calling on our lives–then our lives will be the aroma of Christ to the world. And to God. I love this verse in 2 Corinthians 2:15 “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.” While we live in fallen, dark world–He is the light of the world–and as we cling to Him our lives will be a breath of fresh air to those who are sisters and brothers in Christ…and who He is calling to Himself through the Holy Spirit.

May you each have a blessed week. Finally…it’s time for Post 5!!! It’s coming tomorrow:)

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Kim - May 2, 2011 - 5:19 am

“B”eautiful post. Love those shots of ITY and all of his personality shining thru. And the reminder about protective “thorns” in our lives.
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim

Christy - May 2, 2011 - 6:22 am

So beautiful – your words and those flowers! Is Laney riding her bike with no training wheels? WOW! And can’t wait for post five! 🙂

Meredith - May 2, 2011 - 11:14 am

What a sweet post! I needed this today, because I am really feeling the thorns of waiting on our little one and the roses seem so far away.

Alison - May 2, 2011 - 2:57 pm

Beautiful roses! And LOVE all the cute pics of the kids! Looks like it was a great weekend! 🙂

Debb - May 2, 2011 - 7:17 pm

Oh, how this post speaks to me today. Amidst the thorns of our own sweet adoption, I look forward to the roses. It feels as though every time we should be close to a referral, the wait gets extended. Ugh. I love how you remind me that many beautiful things begin with hurtful things. Trusting that God’s timing is perfect……and that He is building us a fragrant rose garden in life as we wait! Blessings, girl…….