The Young Family Farm »

August 18, 2010

Meet the Dockery Family… (and a DOUBLE give away!)

Earlier this month I had the pleasure to “meet” Abby, another adopting mommy, when she commented on my blog. Something grabbed my attention and we started cooresponding. THEN, the Holy Spirit must have just laid on my heart to LEARN MORE…so I started asking questions–and I am SO glad I did!!! I want to introduce YOU to this incredible family! The Dockery’s have TWO beautiful girls and they are adopting from ETHIOPIA!!!

Here is momma Abby with her beautiful girls…

And of course their daddy…Pete Dockery with his cutie patootie…

Now get THIS…Pete has been serving with casasporcristo.org since 2001 when he first went on a mission trip and knew he was called to serve in Mexico. He had worked with his dad doing construction his entire life + loved Jesus + wanted to serve him…so this ministry and opportunity was perfect for him. (Ok…I just have to say from a practical connection–I love how he was doing construction with his daddy like Jesus…just had to chime that in;). They BOTH went to Atlanta Christian College but went seperate ways to serve before getting married. Ole Pete was doing his deal in MEXICO—Abby was in West Africa serving in a medical clinic. THEN she came back to the states and wedding bells RANG!

NOW…they serve in Mexico and live in El Paso just 5 minutes from the crazy border. They bring teams (from all over the US, Canada, and even England this year!) across the border and Pete leads them on the build homes. It only takes a few days a lot of hard work to give a family that lives in a card board or pallet house a sturdy beautiful home that will last for years. Their daughters both go across the border with them and “help” build. they have been going to Mexico since they were days old. They spend the night in churches in Mexico with the teams that come. Their ministry ALSO builds homes in Acuna, Mexico…and they are very passionate about God’s work here and about bringing hope and a tangible expression of God’s love to people that sometimes feel forgotten and hopeless. The homes are free to all applicants they simply have to own the land. A team of mexican pastors help them receive applications and also do follow-up/evangelism with us after the home is built. AS YOU KNOW…Juarez has been a city with a lot of violence (Richard thinks IT’S SO COOL THEY ARE DOING THIS…TALK ABOUT LIVING ON THE EDGE FOR JESUS!)…and the media has scared a lot of teams from coming down to build. They normally do about 400 homes a year, and this year are hoping for half that. WHAT AN AMAZING MINISTRY…AND AN AMAZING FAMILY…SERVING RADICALLY FOR CHRIST!

I have to confess–it only took one conversation with our tile guy to talk me away from ministry in Mexico. He completely had me freaked out. SO…I’m sad to say that I think I’m one of the people who would be scared away!!! SO…this family really inspires me to trust Jesus WHEREVER He leads and to TRUST HIM!!!!

OK…so THIS is where it gets even MORE fun! THEY ARE CALLED TO ADOPT FROM ETHIOPIA! Picture this…Ethiopian cutie–eating enchiladas and doing ministry building homes with his AMERICAN FAMILY! Are you smiling yet?! Don’t you just love how God creates families and chooses for us to do His work?!

NOW…this family is in ministry–and when they were called to adopt–I know they scratched their heads as the cost of adoption is as you know quite high and crazy. YET…they stepped out in faith and are choosing to TRUST GOD to provide!!! I am a FIRM believer that God often uses US–the body of Christ–to often be the vessels of provisions…ESPECIALLY to missionaries!!! SOOOO…this family who is boldly following and trusting God is fundraising!!!

Let me say this–THEY DID NOT ASK ME TO POST THIS! BUT…I believe God did! AND…I want to be obedient.

Will you PRAY about helping support this family???

Will you PRAY…you don’t have to immediately act…in FACT I know the Dockery’s wouldn’t want you to. Would you just join me and PRAY how you could support them?

If you feel led to give…there are a few ways.

1). They are selling incredible t-shirts. You can make a donation on their website (right hand side) and buy one of their AWESOME t-shirts. SERIOUSLY–they are my new favorite. (They come in grey too!) Pray about even donating MORE than what they suggest for a t-shirt…and BLESSING THEIR SOCKS OFF!!! Pray about it—and then sit back and watch their beautiful story unfold…and be blessed by it!

2) Abby and I were brainstorming last week…and decided she’d do a GIVE away…so head over to her blog and join the give away by doing 1 of 3 things (OR ALL 3!) to WIN a t-shirt.

3) Did you do one of the 3 things on Abby’s blog?! Just leave a comment on mine letting me know you did (shared on FB…not a booker??? Then you can even share via email!…shared on your blog? signed up to follow their blog??) Leave me a comment and I’ll draw a name TOO on FRIDAY…and I’ll buy a shirt to the name FRANK DRAWS;) and I’ll buy a shirt feartured on Abby’s blog and have her ship it TO YOU! SO…TWO chances to win:)

I have just been SO encouraged by this family’s love of Christ and their faithfulness to follow Him ANY WHERE and DO ANYTHING! I just couldn’t help but share it with you and give you the opportunity to do the same!

(P.S. Sorry for any misspellings or typos in this blog…the big kids are at school, Frank is at the playground with a sweet sitter and Isaac is napping…and I’m SUPPOSED to be getting my shower for the day! BUT this was priority…now if I’m fast enough I just might get a shower too;). It’s the little things in life that can make your day;)

Have a great Wednesday! And please say a prayer for ITY at 1pm on Friday if you think about it as we go in for ultrasounds for his kidneys. Thank you!!!

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keightdukes - August 18, 2010 - 11:16 am

yes! love the dockerys in real and bloggy life! thank you so much for spreading the word even further about them! what you wrote is so cool. i am gonna buy shirts for our family no matter what, but would love to win one too. i posted at our blog all about this fam. thank yoU!

Andrea - August 18, 2010 - 11:22 am

What an awesome family! I love the shirt!

Mandy - August 18, 2010 - 11:33 am

🙂 Awww! They are sooo cute! I am now a follower, I blogged about it at http://www.campbellfamilypartyof3.com and I FB it:)

Sarah Hurst - August 18, 2010 - 11:47 am

i just became a follower of “texas petes” i think its wonderful what they’re doing and that they’re adopting from ethiopia!! and i absolutely love following along on your blog learning more about what its like to have an adopted child. i think you’re fantastic!

Sara - August 18, 2010 - 11:53 am

I’m a new follower to their blog and yours, too!

Amy - August 18, 2010 - 12:21 pm

Love your heart in this, Andrea!! What a great idea. I couldn’t resist the t-shirt to add to my collection and I just put it on my blog, too! If I win on eof the tees I can;t wai tot give it away and share the love!!
Grace to you, Amy

julie@Flitterbugs - August 18, 2010 - 1:56 pm

Love that shirt! You have no idea how much you may be blessing this family’s adoption fund by your wonderful post! So glad to get to now be a wee little part of their peanuts journey home:)

Kelly Jo - August 18, 2010 - 1:59 pm

i am now a follower of their blog and i also blogged about it!!

Erica - August 18, 2010 - 2:53 pm

EEEEEEEE I love those shirts!!!

Lara - August 18, 2010 - 3:22 pm

I love these shirts! I just entered on her blog!

Becca Harley - August 18, 2010 - 3:34 pm

love your heart! and the shirts! and a new blog to follow! this momma definitely needed some happiness today:)

Meredith - August 18, 2010 - 3:47 pm

I just signed up to follow their blog. I love the shirts! I also will be praying for sweet Isaac on Friday.

Sallee Couch - August 18, 2010 - 6:12 pm

love the shirts… Solomon (our 3yr old Ethiopian love) thinks the post office gives shirts away!! and everytime I go to pick up fabric for POPPY DIPS! he asks it they sent a shirt for him!! So needless to say, I bought him one… but would love to win another 🙂 so I’m following their journey blog and of course read yours’ every single day 🙂
blessings, Sallee

Christy - August 18, 2010 - 6:19 pm

Signed up to follow their blog – such cool shirts! I will pray for Isaac too!

April - August 18, 2010 - 6:54 pm

Hi Angela..I have been reading your blog for awhile now..since before you got Isaac…and I am loving it. He’s adorable..and I love the name…my baby brother is also named Isaac. I would love to ask you more questions about adopting. I am from Canada:)

Megan - August 18, 2010 - 7:53 pm

Have I mentioned how amazing I think you are??? Thank you for the link, I look forward to following thier blog. I am now a follower and I FBed their giveaway!

april - August 18, 2010 - 10:05 pm

thanks for introducing us to this family! How amazing and love their t-shirt design!

Kameron Shadrick - August 19, 2010 - 10:38 am

LOVE this family! Thanks for sharing. We just got 3 t-shirts – can’t wait to see what God does in there lives and who He has planned for them.
Also LOVE your blog – I’m a daily reader.
Blessings,
Kameron

Angie Elliott - August 20, 2010 - 9:13 am

I posted about your friends on facebook. What an amazing family serving and following Christ! and LOVE the shirts.

And the T-SHIRT give away for the Dockery family T IS…drum roll please… » Babe of my Heart - August 20, 2010 - 10:32 am

[…] night awake–Frankie-baby and I decided it was TIME to draw to see which of my commenters from THIS post wins a free t-shirt! SO we got ready—I wrote out ALL the commenter names…PLUS we […]

And the T-SHIRT give away for the Dockery family T IS…drum roll please… » Babe of my Heart - August 20, 2010 - 10:32 am

August 17, 2010

Who are we kidding?!

Seriously…at OUR house…is there EVER REALLY a “last day” for summer?!

So…YES it is a Tuesday night.

YES…that means it is a school night.

BUT…recreaction and outdoor activity is important as it helps get some energy out…and of course it can always provide family bonding.

Of course—BEFORE we got started Richard laid the ground rules.

1. NO one, I mean, NO one—come near baby Isaac.

2. Do not intentionally hit someone in the face.

3. Throw as hard as you can…and run as fast as you can.

And then…READY, SET…WATER BALLOON FIGHT!

After the balloons were all gone–there was quite a bit of water in the bucket from the busted balloons. I was proud of Parker for being a quick thinker–and he did exactly what I would have done. He initiated daddy for being the best balloon thrower by dumping it on him…and we all thought it was hysterical!

It’s all about work hard and play hard at our house. And we even set the camera up on a chair and put it on the timer to get a quick family shot. Only you can’t get 2 one-year-olds to look at a camera that no one is standing behind;)…but still…all of us together…

And while we were filling the balloons, Rich was kind enough to grab the camera and capture one of me and my Frankie-baby…

AND SPEAKING OF FRANKIE-BABY….he was eyeing me today when I was fixing Isaac’s hair–something I do a lot of (having fun with his curls!). AND Frank added a NEW WORD to his vocabulary. I don’t EVEN put GEL in Isaac’s hair, but Frank said, “Gel me” and point to HIS hair. HILARIOUS! So…I did:)He thought it was GREAT!

And I did a not so great job on Isaac’s hair today. I was having a little too much fun and put TOO MUCH curling custard in it…and it turned Soul Glow…This picture doesn’t even show the true amount…but it started DRIPPING and I had to get a towel out to dry it some. BUT by the end of the night…it was just right:).

And while I was on a hair kick—I whipped these out after the kids were in bed for the princess…Wanna know a funny fact about me? I started making hairbows in the 6th grade. I’d sell them at church on Wednesday nights and take orders! Yep–I’m the second born child. The little entrepeneur. I’ve had a sewing business in my 20’s after teaching…it went from kids clothes to curtains. Hated it. THEN…I started a photography business which I LOVED…but I loved my kids more and got too busy so I quit all together! NOW…I just have fun making clothes, bows, things for our home…and of course taking pictures of our children! So…there ya go;). A little extra:)

Have a great night—and praying tonight our little guy will sleep!!! Tomorrow’s post may stay up all week as I’m sharing about an AMAZING family and how YOU can join me in encouraging and supporting them!!!

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Elle J - August 17, 2010 - 11:36 pm

Great family photo!!! Missed reading while I was away, but I think I might just be caught up now. =)

kristi johnson - August 17, 2010 - 11:51 pm

ok, so you need to start making me some bows..we’ll call them the Lucy lane bows..and I’ll advertise and you make them and we’ll sell them and raise money for famlies adopting…come on…great idea..huh?? 🙂 kj

Andrea - August 18, 2010 - 12:01 am

We had out the water guns and slip & slide tonight at our house. Too much fun! = ) There only little once!

Christy - August 18, 2010 - 7:03 am

Can you do a post on how to make bows??? I’ve been wanting to but haven’t figured it out yet! YOurs are perfect!

julie@Flitterbugs - August 18, 2010 - 8:36 am

Kristie….if you do that I’ll send you a huge heap of bows you can sell off to give to an adopting family. I was making bows to match my dresses….but stopped that to jus tdo sewing. Now I have a HUGE stash of fun bows I need to do something with!

amber - August 18, 2010 - 8:56 am

loving your summer fun. and can i just say at the risk of sounding a bit creepy, your kids dimples are to die for! hope you ALL slept well :O)

Kim - August 18, 2010 - 10:18 am

Love the last day of summer shots!
Bows?! Is there anything you can’t do?
:o)

August 16, 2010

Isaac update…and ANOTHER tooth!

Ok…like I have time to update my blog TWICE in one day–but this blog is serving as my scrapbook, babybook, you name it–all wrapped up in one when it goes from blog-to-print. SO…I have to get these two things in:). IF you haven’t seen Parker and Laney’s FIRST day of school…oh you just MUST go see Lou-bear and P-man all geared up in the post below:).

First…an Isaac update…<a href=”http://www.babeofmyheart.com/?attachment_id=3874″ rel=”attachment wp-att-3874″>He is HAPPY:). So…when we got his referral he was smiling–and that was all we knew. He is still smiling:)

We have begun physical therapy for his hypotonia and low muscle strength. He came home with little or no muscles—and a REALLY big belly. He has been home just six weeks but in that time he has started sitting independently AND rolling over. He now rolls over by himself easily…as of this weekend:). It was a struggle before (and that big belly didn’t help). He is no wear near crawling and his arms still are quite limp. He offers no support when you pick him up so you have to grasp tightly around his rib cage in order to pick him up–and I have to tell others how to hold him or it is really awkward and he’ll slip right through your arms. He has gained weight well (too well!) and is up to 22 pounds. A butterball!

We will soon also add feeding therapy and occupational therapy to our list. If you put small objects in front of him, he can wave them over–but most of the time not successfully pick them up. Those of you with 6 month olds know this is something that is easy for your baby–but requires lots of tries and concentration for our little guy. Every waking moment we are downstairs playing with objects and practicing transferring objects and grasping things. Our fine motor growth is slower than our gross motor—BUT there IS progress!

Feeding therapy…that is ahead also. Give Isaac any baby food with a slight amount of texture–and breakfast, lunch and dinner will be in your lap. He is able to eat stage 1 and 2 baby foods, but unable to eat stage 3. Gerber Puffs…you don’t want to try it. I’ve had a few people thought it’d work for them…so they gave him a gerber puff…and I doubt they will try that again;). I have no idea what we’ll do in feeding therapy b/c I haven’t been yet…but I’m hopeful he’ll make progress.

And finally his sleep…he is now just wanting to eat once in the middle of the night. We have worked hard to make this happen as he was wanting to at 3 times just 6 weeks ago. We want to show him that food is plenty and he will always be provided for–but at the same time we don’t want his belly getting too much bigger which will make therapy harder. People ask me all the time why his belly is so big. Whether it was from malnutrition or being fed too much at the orphanage too fast…I don’t know–but we’ve done every test known to doctors here, and no red flags–so we’re hopeful in time that will go down too. I joke that it’s not helping his gross or fine motor skills…he’s like a 9 month pregnant woman trying to roll over;).

Just for fun–we decided to remeasure ourselves last night…the night before school started. (Some of you may remember when we started the tradition here on Christmas! SO…I guess we now measure everyone on Christmas day and on the first day of school;). It was fun to have Isaac in the mix last night…and he really isn’t TOO far off where Frankie-baby was at 1 year!HOWEVER…check out how Frankie-baby has grown since Christmas Eve…And Lou-bear has jumped up too…and Parker has creeped a bit…And just so you know–I was the same height;). Had to check:).

AND THEN…ANOTHER TOOTH TONIGHT from Parker-T! So…while last night was NOT the night…it was hanging by a thread tonight and Parker now has a double toothless grin!Last Thursday when the toothfairy visiting him, she wrote him a note just like she used to do for mommy when she was a little girl (I’ll never forget this sweet memory growing up!) Here is Parker showing off his first piece of stationary from the toothfairy…He keeps it on his dresser and is so proud of it!A little birdy told me that she is not leaving dollars tonight but KWACHA! Can you BELIEVE that?! Apparently–because he stalled pulling that tooth all night, she got our home added to her iternary at the LAST minute. From what I know–her last call was in Beijing…the currency counter was closed…so tonight she has to leave him KWACHA that we’ll have to exchange one day ourselves. Next time, we’ll have to pull our tooth a little earlier in the night I guess;).

Hope you all have a great Tuesday!!!

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Lara - August 16, 2010 - 11:46 pm

So glad to hear Isaac is doing so well!!

kristi johnson - August 17, 2010 - 12:41 am

too cute…love the note idea from the TF..will have to steal that idea 🙂 kj

Kim - August 17, 2010 - 4:37 am

Another priceless update. Know you I have walked these very same steps … from hypotonia to PT, OT, feeding therapy, baby sign language classes, and then speech therapy. God’s visible hand guided us every step of the way. Trusting you will meet Him there too in new and powerful ways!
Love & Blessings,
Kim

Shannon - August 17, 2010 - 5:26 am

You’ll gain alot from the ‘tongue’ therapy, which is what I called it. Teg was older- but textures were…. tricky… but it didn’t take long to start seeing improvement. Keep up the therapies in all their glory.. it’s hard… but worth it!

Rebecca Harley - August 17, 2010 - 8:25 am

Andrea – our Jadon had/has many of the same issues that ITY is dealing with – feeding therapy helped immensely- all slow but steady progress. He often still gags at the site of something new – and he is almost 6:). we had 7 hours of therapy a week up until last year – ot, pt, feeding and speech – what a blessing those therapists were and how our lives have changed! WE are all praying for you – I know how difficult the journey is from a momma’s perspective. If you ever need a cyber hug:) or to ask what worked for us – I am here. Love you dear friend

Andrea - August 17, 2010 - 12:36 pm

It is great to hear that he is doing so well. What a great momma you are! And the Lord is so faithful!

Bobi Bobbitt - August 18, 2010 - 12:01 pm

Hey Andrea! What kind of camera do you have? I have a Nikon D40 and the lens just broke so I need to order a new one, is there a lens you would recommend that would fit my Nikon where I could get the professional looking pics like you take! (:
I LOVE the ones you took a few days ago of Frank by the window! Just beautiful! I love photographing my kids but I am not a professional and would love a camera or a new lens that would make my pics look better! Also, I want to start a family blog, do you have any advice for that?? Hope you are having a great wednesday!!! Bobi

August 16, 2010

Here’s to a new school year!

Oh…here I sit–in a quiet house (until noon time carpool that is;). Babies sleeping…the older two at school. And my heart–overfloweth. Psalm 45:1 says…my heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King. Last night, marked our last night of summer. Daddy took the kids to a movie…mommy went with the babies to the craft store (yes…I’m BAAAAA-AAACK!)…we got out the baby pools and enjoyed the breeze (FINALLY A BREEZE!) as they played (and while mommy stuffed extra carseats in the van for the first day of school carpool!). After playtime, dinner time and bath time…the babies were all snuggled in their cribs and it was time to read to the older ones…”The Night Before…”

It was so sweet to sit back as they talked about the book and DREAMED of their first day of school TOGETHER (one of the joys of having Irish twins…and I have TWO sets of Irish twins!) They laughed and even loved one one another…and of course Parker-bug got silly.
I tried to convince Parker to pull his OTHER bottom lose tooth! Think it MIGHT be ready;)?!
It was a “no go”…it is SO ready…he just isn’t ready yet…

Then–our morning came–and it was time to go to the PreK and K! EVERY summer I get on a kick of trying to convince my hubby to homeschool (I just think it would be SO MUCH FUN!) THEN…I go to our Christian School–which I am convinced is the most amazing Christian school in Atlanta (there are some FABULOUS schools here–but this one just melts my heart for its Christ-like influence and AUTHENTIC LOVE of the kids there.) I am convinced…it is the BEST kept secret and for you homeschoolers who always try to convince me I just HAVE to homeschool—I promise if this school ever shuts down I’ll totally homeschool;). One year at a time–and for now this is the right choice for our family…I just love it!:) We are just digging our school, and I feel like we are so fortunate and blessed to have found it along with the other families there…
And Laney has talked about this moment and this hug from Ms.Milton for over a YEAR now…

Mommies and daddies are always invited to chapel–and Richard and I got a sitter for Frank and Issac, Rich and me joined the older two for a bit of fun and worship…here is Laney bug waiting on worship to beginYep. Chapel time can get crazy! These two teachers busted out Toby Mac to get the kids HYPED. (Now…you KNOW I’ll be homeschooling Isaac and Frank this year and I’ll totally be busting out stuff like this in the morning;) thanks to our rockin’ school’s inspiration! HILARIOUS…
THEN…it was time to dedicate our year to the Lord and put our trust in Him for what is to come. Psalm 28:7 says,
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,And with my song I will praise Him.” There is nothing sweeter than singing praises with your family and other families you have done life with to start the year off…We spotted Mrs.Teston (the principal!) breaking it down to a little P&W! There is just something about starting your CHILD’S SCHOOL YEAR worshiping alongside their TEACHERS, your kid’s FRIENDS, THEIR PARENTS…and shamelessly waving your hands and big circle O’s to the words…all those fun songs with hand motions! Isaac and I got caught by the school photographer breaking it down too;). What a JOY to raise our family here!!! Can you tell we love our school family?!
And THEN there were the good-byes! The kids were SO excited…BUT MOMMY was, I confess, a bit sad BUT just for 1 second…BECAUSE HOW CAN I BE SAD when my kids are being left in such sweet hands?!Can you tell I didn’t get much sleep last night with Isaac Temesgan in the room?! Oh a mother’s love!I am SO excited for all the NEW families at our school! I saw quite a handful at the PTF – Parent/Teacher Fellowship (love that they call it fellowship b/c we are a family:). I know they have no idea what they are in for this year…and I know they are going to be surprised and so thankful as the year goes on. Richard called me on my cell as he drove to work and I was scooting home to say, “I love it there!!!” and I agreed. What a way to start our day and our school year. Too bad Frank and Isaac are SO LOUD and crazy…or else we just might be at chapel all year long!!! Can’t WAIT to see Isaac and Frank boogieing down with us one day! Is this REALLY my life?! Some times I want to PINCH myself…I feel like I just might be dreaming!!!

Each day, things are becoming easier with Isaac Temesgen and NO SLEEP…and we ARE finding our new normal. LIFE IS SWEETER NOW FOR US–THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN! Yes, my date night this weekend consisted of hanging with my hubby as we reorganized toys from a crazy weekend…but we both agree that this is better than we ever imagined and we are so thankful. I am just so humbled that the Lord would love us so much to allow us to grow our family through adoption. We have grown closer to Him, closer in our marriage (have a good day if you are reading this honey!), closer as a family, closer to our friends…closer to an AMAZING network of other adopting families…and even closer to a group of sweet blog readers who have shared life with us (you know who you are!) in the process. I love my blog readers who email me and check in!!! SO SWEET! SERIOUSLY, some times I sit back and think, “Why us?!” He chose us to grow our family, be a part of what He is doing across the world…and I feel in MANY ways–THIS is JUST the beginning!!! I am just so thankful!!! And my heart overfloweth!!!

P.S. I have some absolutely AMAZING and EXCITING things to share with you all this week!!! Speaking of precious families I have met via the blog world–I had a blog reader shoot me an email not long ago and I have had the JOY of getting to know them a bit. PRECIOUS. You MUST know them too:). On Wednesday–I’m going to introduce you to one incredible family living out the gospel in crazy ways…and share an incredible opportunity to love them as they are following the Lord any where and in any thing!!! I am just so thankful to get to meet so many amazing families—and I’m so thankful to be a PART of the GREAT COMMISSION in what they are doing! Praying some of you will join me!

My encouragement to YOU today—is be obedient and follow the Lord as He lays things specifically on your heart. Do not worry what the world says or thinks. Decide this day who you want to please and live for. Will it be the world? Will it be your family? Will it be your friends? OR–will it be the LORD? Remember when you FOLLOW Him–many will think you are crazy…(most will!!!)…many will disagree (even those you love!!!)…and you will have a million reasons NOT to follow…while the Lord offers mainly JUST ONE: Because it will bring Him glory. What is the Lord calling you to do today? Are you unsure of what to do? Ask yourself THIS question: Will it bring Him glory if you follow? HIS PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE IS GREATER THAN ANY PLAN YOU COULD CREATE. Fight the good fight…um–the WORD says that! Fight? EEK! That means it won’t be easy. BUT, He will be your strength through it!

Man oh man, what a morning in chapel with my kids will do to my heart! How He encourages and uplifts!!!Wishing you a wonderful Monday!!!

XOXO,

Andrea

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julie@Flitterbugs - August 16, 2010 - 3:19 pm

Laney is her knee socks and Mary Jane’s is probably the cutest.thing.ever. May have to implement uniforms in our homeschool this year:) So glad you love your school……I went to a wonderful Christian school, and was so blessed to be a part of it!

Makenzie - August 16, 2010 - 7:37 pm

I needed to hear those words of encouragement! Thank you so much! By the way I met a man named Temesgen today 🙂

april - August 16, 2010 - 7:45 pm

oh your children are so cute! forgive me but what are irish twins? my guess are they were just within a year or so of eachother? either way they are both so beautiful and photograph so well! I loved their little outfits especially her little dress and socks…so precious! :0) so glad you guys found a great school!

amber - August 16, 2010 - 10:32 pm

You have blessed me beyond measure tonight. You, my dear lady, have just been used in a mighty way. You have spoken to my spirit and I have quoted you in my blog because your/HIS words spoke straight to my spirit in such a divinely timed way. It never ceases to amaze me how God can use this modern technology we have to uplift his saints and to see His will be done! Thank you for speaking without reserve. Many blessing for you in return I pray in Jesus Name!

Debb - August 16, 2010 - 11:22 pm

WOW! You make me want to move to where you live, so that my “somday soon” kiddos can have a school like that to attend! :o) WOW! What it must do to your heart to know that the hours spent away from you are with such amazingly wonderful God-filled people! Praise God! I agree with Amber. You ARE being used in a mighty way! Keep up the writing, as you inspire each reader in our own individualized way! :o) I am enjoying getting to know you, your heart for God, and your family via this wonderful world of blogging! (I think I am now an addict! Ha!) Blessings to you and yours ~

abby - August 16, 2010 - 11:59 pm

what a blessing to have such a wonderful school for your irish twins! thank you for being such an encouragement to all of us!

marci - August 18, 2010 - 12:34 pm

Cathcing up on the faily and sweet baby Isaac ! Gracious …you all are the best . Lovin’ always lovin’ hearing your heart procaim our mighty Savior’s love even in the mundane like organizing a play/toy closet. St.Pius is back in full force and I am waylayed in everything that I normally do…this was a treat to see the pictures and read…I can not wait to meet you one day. I would love to have you speak to my STFrancis Circle this year but, it seems next year would be better for your family. I know you are balancing by God’s grace all that you do ! I keep you in my prayers and thoughts daiy. Pax,M

August 15, 2010

CELEBRATE!

Those of you who have gotten to know us–know that the Young’s are always looking for a reason to celebrate! Life is just too short…SO this weekend we are celebrating the LAST weekend of summer…for US the last weekend before school is officially in season. Laney will start preK on Monday (WAAA!) and Parker will start kindergarten on Monday (super WAAA!)…and although they just go from 8-12 to a Christian school around the corner–I am still grieving that I’ll miss them 4 hours a day! Ok, so I have to turn my mourning to dancing and INSTEAD celebrate the last official weekend of summer for our family!

It started on Friday morning with mommy’s love language…KRISPY CREME! (Yes, IKEA cinnamon buns are my 2nd love language…you can have more than one you know;)

Don’t you think Frank should be Krispy Creme’s billboard mascot?!

On a SIDE note–you must know that I spotted a kindred spirit and my new VBFF sitting in Krispy Creme with her husband. This old lady–probably in her 80’s–was enjoying her Krispy Creme donut Friday morning with her hubby all while WEARING a Krispy Creme hat. Mark my word, if those donuts don’t take me down early, then that will be me in 50 years!

Ok…you just have to see a few more of Frankie-baby…

Can I just say how much I love this kid?!

NEXT…we had some precious church friends over who we know because I literally spotted Angie with Silas in our church halls last summer just after they brought him home from Ethiopia (which I’m thankful she didn’t think I was nuts…or maybe she did;)! We have since become friends and we have children close in age (Her Savannah is in 1st grade so she was at school!) So–Savannha and Parker are close in age, Addie and Laney are the SAME age, Frank and Silas are the the SAME age…and then there is Isaac. No worries about Isaac needing a bud–because the Carleys have been on the waitlist for another little one from Ethiopia since the end of 2009—so it won’t be long before Isaac has a little buddy too!

HOW CUTE ARE THEY?!

Oh MY. Is Isaac Temesgen’s belly seriously touching the cushion in that picture?! And Silas Carley has a personality that will CRACK you up!!! He is SO funny! And as you can see Isaac Temesgen is turning into a little butterball! What is so INCREDIBLE about seeing these two boys THRIVE is they were BOTH severely malnourished at before and at referral. They were both nursed back to health…and they now both go to the same church and are doing WELL! SO AMAZING IS GOD’S CARE AND LOVE FOR THEM!!! I have like 18 pictures you just have to see–so instead of overwhelming my blog page and making you scroll down over and over…I thought it would be more fun to show them all in 30 seconds to music;) SO…here goes…(turn off music up top and click on center below to start the slideshow!)

I am so thankful to have another family in our church and close by who have hearts for little ones, big families and adoption. And what a BLESSING to have all of our children so close in age!!!

Last but not least for Friday—a little science lesson for you about spiders. Did you know spiders are not insects but arachnids. They eat insects:). And if you go out on our front porch right now…you’ll see four of these bad boys…

When the Carleys were leaving, Silas decided to check one out a little too close and made him jump. BUT no worries. Because although this spider is BIG–it is harmless to humans. It’s a simple black and yellow garden spider. His favorite food is moths and flies. AND the one pictured above is a MALE. Male garden spiders always make a zigzag formation just below the center of their web. You can usually also find the lady spider close by in her own web which is typically TWICE the size of the male spider. Just a little FYI to get your brains up and ready for school ahead!

Alright folks…THAT was just Friday! I can’t wait to share Saturday where we celebrated the end of summer with our VBFFs the DENTONS! We had water craziness in our backyard and it was so much fun. Now…I have to run–all FOUR are NAPPING at the same time…but today is the OFFICIAL last day for us…and I do believe there are 2 kiddos that need to be stirred in a bit. They are being treated to a movie and ICE CREAM! Then…home again, home again, jiggity jig…where we’ll be laying out school clothes, praying for our first day and reading “The night before kindergarten…”

Hope you all had a GREAT weekend!!! I’ll be sharing our Saturday fun on Monday while I’m crying over coffee at my two older ones being in school. I have a sitter lined up for Frank so Richard and I can both sit with them in morning chapel and wish them well on their first day together!!! Oh my babies are growing up!!! Oh I can’t think about it any longer!!!! Compose yourself Andrea. Okay. More pictures to come:)

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angie - August 15, 2010 - 2:41 pm

these pictures are BEAUTIFUL…as usual 🙂

oh.my.goodness. i sat here with tears in my eyes watching the little video. all the kids’ faces are PRICELESS and then there is my little wiggly wild man. LOVE IT!!!

thanks for capturing these moments, andrea!
can’t wait to capture so many more with the littles while the big kids are at school!

Erica - August 15, 2010 - 3:04 pm

Gorgeous pictures. Can’t wait to meet you someday. Love those Carley’s yes we do!!!

april - August 15, 2010 - 3:16 pm

oh i love the pics and love how you celebrate stuff like that! I want to do the same! i just love the way you take pics! Is your room that white and beautiful or is that effects? also i just giggled when I read your comment about Isaac’s belly touching the cushion…that is WAY TOO CUTE! :0)

admin - August 15, 2010 - 3:35 pm

Oh April, this momma doesn’t have time for effects…so that room is really that WHITE! It is the ONE place in my house that stays white! How? I have no idea…but it has so far:). The kids say, “The white room!!! Quick get out of here!” So funny!

Heather Nordstrom - August 15, 2010 - 10:15 pm

Oh, how I wish we had a Krispy Kreme close by! After living in Georgia for almost 9 years we came to LOVE them. Now living in NE, the closest one is 90 mi. away. 🙁 Our kids LOVE your children and like to watch the videos of Isaac over & over (eating green beans, the popsicle..) When I say – come look at the pics of Frank – they immed. know who I mean!
Heather Nordstrom

Julie Bennett - August 15, 2010 - 10:20 pm

Love the pictures! Andrea, I always look forward to seeing your posts. I love how you make the most of each day and truly enjoy these times with your kids. They grow so quickly! My oldest just turned 20! Not sure how that happened so quickly. It’s sad to have her off to school (in CA and we live in OH), but know that she is in God’s will. Continue enjoying and thanking God for the blessing of each day!
Julie

Lara - August 15, 2010 - 11:00 pm

Those Ethiopian babes are just about the yummiest thing I’ve ever seen! And Frank with the donut is hilarious. You must save those for his first date. Or wedding slide show. Good luck, Mama! I’m sending one off to preschool soon, so I’ll probably be crying in my coffee too!

Jenni - August 16, 2010 - 12:20 am

Andrea! I just love your blog! The pics are too cute and that sweet little Frank. . . I could eat him up! Hope you are doing well. Jenni (1in17)

Kim - August 16, 2010 - 1:44 am

WOW! What a blessing to have the family of friends from church. I love how God provides.
And your photos make me want to enroll in a photography class NOW!
What gorgeous shots!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim

Ashley - August 16, 2010 - 11:51 am

loved the spider lesson…see, you are a natural homeschooler! =)

yesterday while out 2 lunch after church i spotted a family that had a couple little adopted loves and i went up to the mom. i told her we are adopting from ethiopia and she invited me to an ethiopian adoption support group here!! i didn’t even know it existed. so glad i ran into her!

Jennifer - August 16, 2010 - 4:21 pm

So sad Krispy Kreme went out of business near us! Probably better for my waistline. So makes me want a KK and a Mild and Mellow coffee (think that is what it was called…it’s been too long)! My mouth is watering!!! Love the pictures!!!!!! Thanks for chatting Sat.!
Jen

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Welcome to my blog!

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Who are we kidding?!

Isaac update…and ANOTHER tooth!

Here’s to a new school year!

CELEBRATE!

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