The Young Family Farm »

…of the rest of your life.

Ever feel like that?

I remember when we had our first child. I remember looking at him…knowing that life would NEVER be the same. I forgot what life was like before him. Richard and I would go on date night and ask ourselves, “WHAT DID WE TALK ABOUT BEFORE HIM?? WHAT DID WE DO??”

Our lives were now changed. We were in love with one another of course–but we now shared something in common that before children we didn’t understand…a love of a child–a powerful love that is God-given that comes naturally that overwhelms your heart with every new expression and milestone. We wouldn’t remember what life was like before our sweet miracle because the transition was so amazing our minds couldn’t even get back over that wall of what life was like before…it was near to impossible–it was life-changing.

Here I sit–this morning–with my four little precious miracles. Isaac stuffing his face with his favorite Gorilla munch cereal. Frank with his crazy blond morning bed head. Parker and Laney–my Irish twins–cuddled up on the couch together still waking up. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without them. I can’t forget everything the Lord did for us to bring them each to us. And I can’t remember what life was like before them.

I sit here–wanting to embrace this morning. Because I have a feeling–this is something I might forget. In just a few hours, we’re all loading up to pick up Tetiyana from the airport. For the next 5 weeks this precious 15 year old girl from the Ukraine will live in our home and be a part of our family. We will overcome language barriers–some days with frustration and others with lots of laughter. I’ll be challenged to serve a teenager as I’m used to toddlers. Some days I’ll wonder why we didn’t do this earlier and others I’m sure I’ll want to hide in my closet and breath. But there are 2 things my heart is most certain of this morning…

1. My life is not my own.

I can’t live my life waking up each day saying, “What do *I* want to do today?!” That is not what I was made for. My life isn’t about planning grand adventures for ME. It’s not about ME being comfortable. It’s not about ME getting what I always wanted. Sure it could be about those things–but somethings within my soul won’t allow that question to be asked. I’m not righteous. I’m actual sinful. And I struggle daily with dying to that question. Every day–I WANT to ask that question. But in the morning, I lay there–and give that question back to the Lord. And before my feet hit the floor it is replaced in my heart. Some times with joy–some times with wrestling. “WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO THROUGH ME TODAY? WHAT CAN I DO FOR THE GLORY OF GOD?”

This summer is NOT about me. It’s not about doing what I want to do. It’s not about my kids. It’s not about anything we want. My prayer is that this summer we will learn in a deeper way about what it means to love. What it means to fall in love with someone who God loves. What it means to take risks together. What it means to be challenged to love. And while I haven’t a clue what we will do at the end of the 5 weeks–I have no doubt we will all be changed–and we won’t be okay with just blowing kisses good-bye and saying we will be pen pals. Loving orphans in their distress is about more than that–and I have a feeling we are going to fall in love with our sweet girl–and life for us…will never be the same. I won’t remember what life was like without her–whether we support her in the Ukraine or find a way to do more with bringing her here. I have no idea what the Lord will do or what He wants to do. My hands are open–thy will be done–because you know…it’s NOT about me. But about Him…about His glory…about others knowing Him…about living for the kingdom of God. Every single day–running the race hard and fast…because life is short–many are hurting and we were not made to stick our toes in the sand and just relax here. We were made for so much more than that.

And the second thing my heart is certain of this morning…

2. God’s plans for my life are so much better than my own.

…So much so…not only will you not wish for what it was before–you won’t even be able to remember what it was life before His wonderful adventure came into play.

As I sit here, I have a feeling I won’t remember what life was like before this afternoon. I know T will always be a part of our hearts and lives to some capacity. We are open to whatever the Lord wills. And while we sit back and think our lives are crazy, full, maxed out–His plans are always, always, always grandeur than we can imagine or plan for ourselves.

I won’t remember what it was like to just have 4 in my heart…to wake up and pray for these 4 precious ones and think about just them. I have a feeling that from now on my heart and mind will now be distracted by 5. And if the Lord leads this precious one to go back to live across the world–part of my heart will always be there and I will live my life differently fighting for her to make sure she is okay, protected and not falling into the awful, terrible things that most orphans aging out fall into. I’m not okay with it for any orphan–but this is about to upset this momma’s heart in a whole new way. I’m not okay with my heart being broken into pieces–and this morning I’m scared to death about what the Lord might do in our family and in the life of this precious one that we are about to meet. I lay down my fears and say, “Thy will be done!” and I will run hard and fast remembering that IT IS NOT ABOUT ME…my life is not my own.

If you think about it in the next 5 weeks–will you pray for our sweet girl and our family–and His will to be done. Pray the Lord shows us exactly what He wants us to do from here–but that we wouldn’t be consumed about the “after this” but also live in the now loving with His power and strength to the utmost.

I really believe the Lord is calling believers to step up and do more in the lives of orphans all over the world. He is asking us all to really grasp “It’s not about me” and “Thy will be done” in a new, real way—to kick the sand off our toes radically get involved in the lives of orphans. Trust me–there IS a time to sink your feet in the sand and relax…because as you run hard and fast for Jesus you will need to stop and rest and be restored. We just have to be cautious as believers to not get caught using the sand for the wrong reason. Because in some way–we are all called to run fast and hard and well. Some of us will grow our own families. Some of us will move across the world with our families. Some of us will help families financially that have these callings. Some of us will take the risk of giving our hearts away in foster care…over and over and over.

Jesus said in Matthew 18:5 “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” I want to live my life welcoming more of Jesus over and over and over…whatever that means. Because this life is not about anything else. And if I live for anything else–I’m not only missing the meaning of life—I’m missing the most grand, most amazing, most fulfilling, most exciting adventure any one could ever live. Jesus also said in Matthew 10:39 “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”

Following Christ will often look and feel foolish. Some things will have to be given up–but what you gain…oh my what you gain…is beyond words WORTH IT. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose” (Jim Elliot). How thankful I am for other believers who have challenged me–who have run this race that appears crazy following Jesus–and who wake up daily wrestling with “it’s not about me”. For those of you running…do not give up. It will be worth it. I promise. For those of you scared to death to run…Your Savior loves you with an everlasting love. He has an amazing, amazing, amazing adventure set aside just for you–for you to run well for His glory. It’s never to late to run…and it will be worth it. You don’t have to save the world…you just have to open your hands, take a deep breath and say, “I don’t want this to be about me. Use me for your glory. Let YOUR will be done in my life!”

Praying for you as you run…and excited to celebrate all that He will do!

Andrea

Seriously. I haven’t blogged in about a week. That SQUARE challenge has me so focused I guess I haven’t even thought about checking my email. BUT I had to update because SO MANY CRAZY and EXCITING things have happened THIS week. VERY thankful.

FIRST…we put a FOR SALE sign in our yard on WEDNESDAY NIGHT! On THURSDAY–we got our first phone call for a showing. The pictures weren’t even online YET so we didn’t expect to start getting phone calls. YIKES. It was ALSO Rico and my 9th wedding anniversary. SOOOO…we already had a babysitter lined up–BUT she had to babysit our kids at a friends house while a realtor showed our house.

We were RUNNING through our house on the way out picking up things–throwing it in laundry baskets. I shall never forget the scene to dinner for our 9th wedding anniversary…

“Where are we going?” you ask???

Your guess is as good as mine. We are thinking about farm life MAYBE…but all we know is we felt like we should do it–so we are. We will just need to close on August 3rd after T leaves. Talk about a crazy summer. Really praying if it’s the Lord’s will for us to move that someone will make an offer before she comes this week. HA! I know that’s crazy…but you never know;)

So…that’s first in what has happened in my last 6 days of not blogging:)

SECOND…I had a BIG doc appointment on FRIDAY. I have felt better for about 2 months but I wasn’t holding my breath as my last month’s tests showed that my body still had spirochetes (Lyme bacteria) wrecking havoc–although I felt great…they weren’t all completely gone…yet.

BUT–yesterday–I got more test results–and MOMMA IS 100% clear and jumping for JOY!. Many LLMDs do not believe you ever can be 100% clear of this, but I happen to go to an amazing doctor who has treated this many, many, many times and he has been able to successfully wipe spirochetes out of patients once and for all. I had been able to talk with many of them years after seeing my doctor and being well–and although much of the treatment was crazy and all out of pocket–it was 100% worth every bit. BECAUSE…I feel better than I have in YEARS!!!

I am going to write a MUCH longer blog post on this year of complete healing–but it will have to be another post–and probably a few parts. You guys didn’t see pictures of me in the fall because I looked…well ROUGH. I had lost most of my vision in my right eye–I was seeing eye specialists every few weeks…retina and cornea specialists…I was given so much medication and NOTHING helped. BECAUSE these doctors didn’t understand this was part of the disease I was fighting and they were just trying to treat it by itself. THIS is why you never saw pictures of me in the FALL…I could hardly open my right eye and I wore sunglasses where ever I went…I dreaded preschool pick up standing in line looking like a bus hit me–yellow skin as my liver was under some serious stress and swollen eyes…

Oh man. That was NORMAL for MONTHS for me. And that was just my eyes. My joints developed arthritis–my rheumatologist diagnosed me with Sjogren’s, lupus and fibromyalgia. I was able to do a lot of research and with the help of my eye specialists show my rheumatologist I didn’t have Sjogren’s. I had awful neurological problems–from brain fog, fatigue, insomnia, tingling in my hands and feet and memory problems. GI problems were awful–I couldn’t absorb nutrients–so I was losing weight (nearing 100 pounds in the Fall) and my hair started falling out. My infectious disease doc said you can’t get Lyme in Georgia–and maybe all of this was stress…and she wanted to know how my marriage was. I think they thought I was crazy and they refused to test me for Lymes (if you ever watch the documentary “Under Our Skin” you will understand the politics behind it all). Finally in October, my amazing homeopathic doc pinned it–spirochetes! It was Lyme. I went to get blood work and my T57 cells were tested and I scored 50 showing I had Lyme and it had developed into chronic Lyme. I was able to find out I didn’t have co-infections–and my treatment began.

AND ON FRIDAY–for the 1st time…I’m 100% clear!!!

And the most amazing part of all…is we COULD have continued our adoption to China…if we had wanted to. BUT with the way I felt–I knew I couldn’t. So–we put it on hold.

We would ALREADY be home with a little princess from China had I not gotten this–but instead what the enemy means for distruction–God means for GOOD. And next week–we will bring home a 15 year old princess from the Ukraine for 5 weeks. God redirected us and used a very hard time to do it. I learned to ask for help…I learned humility. I faced fear of being too sick to fully care for my littles–and trusted the Lord in new ways to provide. The Lord brought an amazing girl to us to help me care for my littles as I home schooled (another adventure He had called me to)–and she was here on the days I had all 4 with me as I really needed those extra hands with depleted energy. THIS WAS NOT EASY FOR ME TO ACCEPT NEEDING HELP…but it was good.

There was a time I couldn’t carry Frank or Isaac–for months. Yet I would watch this precious young girl do it beautifully and easily in my home. They would cry for me to pick them up–and I’d get on my knees…on their level…and explain mommy couldn’t do this…and I needed their help while I got stronger. And they were big boys–and saw me in a new light…loved me in a new light…and I am humbled and thankful…and blessed.

I know many others now through my journey that are where I was–and I know and understand your pain. It is real. It is hard for others to understand. I know your fears and your worries. Over and over again–I heard the Lord speak to my heart, “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.”. At one point I went the antibiotic route with a LLMD–but ultimately the Lord healed me through a holistic doctor who is also a believer. If you are in the middle of dealing with this disease–DO NOT GIVE UP. The Lord will lead and guide you if you trust Him to. He will guide you. And I really believe He can heal each and every one of you. All of our journeys may look SO different. Some of you may need to do the picc line, others oral long-term antibiotics and others holistic medicine. No matter where the Lord leads you–it will ultimately be HIM healing–so trust Him as He leads your footsteps. He is faithful.

My family, friends and my heart rejoices in what the Lord has done!!! Momma has been a different momma here lately. I told the Lord He was crazy when He led us to host a child this summer. I heard His whispers, “Trust me…“…so I’m not surprised the week before she comes I am 100% clear. Momma has been swimming laps. I’ve been chasing kids. I’ve been swinging them around–and throwing them in the air.

I want to live to the complete fullest.

(photographed just a few weeks before my clear bill of health! SO THANKFUL! Can’t you tell a different from that Fall picture?!)

I told Rich to jump on my back because I felt finally like my old self again! HOWEVER…I think he weighs more than the kids:)

So, so thankful for all the Lord has done this year…

And humbled that His hands of sweet grace have touched my body in a new way. Life will never be the same.

I want to share so much more–but I have a house to pick up for a showing in the morning. I have so much to say…so I’ll have to write a 2 part series about so much of what the Lord has taught me during this time. VERY thankful…for all of it.

For those of you who have been on this journey with us–praying for us…I want to humbly thank you. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for praying for me. Thank you for using any of your precious time to lift our family up during this past year. To those of you who have encouraged–so many of you sent words of encouragement when I needed it the most. Thank you. Blogs might be silly to some–but many of you have ministered to ME through mine–and if anyone has been ministered to back…then praise Him. Truly through your prayers you have been the body of Christ to me. Thank you. And please know I will forever consider it a privilege to pray for any of you should you ever have a need to be lifted up by another sister in Christ. In closing–all I can say–is you can trust Him. I’m not saying this just because I have seen His healing…but because I experienced His goodness and majesty in the thick of it…He really is good all the time.

Y’all pray for us as we get ready to welcome Tetyana this week! Her room is ALMOST ready…can’t wait to show you!

Blessings!

Andrea

This weekend–I got away with some of my dearest mommy friends. It was heavenly. We got away…we talked…we talked…and we talked some more. Getting together with dear friends and talking just to talk can some times even seem like rare thing in our culture of status updates, instagrams and emails. And keeping up with all of those–often has me distracted from completely giving 100% to the job I have been entrusted with–Job Mommy.

In one of our conversations, we were talking about how there are now studies done on behaviors that have been formed from habit of continuously checking Facebook status, emails and such from iPhones. There are counselors that are helping people refocus on relationships that often don’t get the attention they need–many times…because of these “square” devices: iPhones, iPads, Kindles, and laptops. My dear friend Amy Monroe (Tapestry Ministry/Empowered to Connect), gave an amazing talk at our first Created for Care retreat in 2011 about the “squares” that distract us from really being intentional with our relationships–which include TVs, DVDs and other media. I wish I could say that I never check “squares” when my littles ones are up and at ’em…but more often than not, I’m guilty of telling my littles as they try for my attention, “Hold on JUST A SEC…lemme send this REAL QUICK!”

This weekend as we were talking, I was sitting there thinking: Do I pick up my phone too much to check for updates? Am I engaging whole-heartedly with my children throughout the day without distraction from squares? When I need to do something, do I reach for squares to distract my children rather than teaching them patience in a more challenging and healthy way? And through out the weekend–as I’ve thought–as I’ve put my phone and squares completely away (almost–but I’m typing this now as I am checking email after my littles are asleep and the husband is reading)–I’ve seen this mom needs a challenge to put my priorities exactly where they should be.

Are you up for a 30 day SQUARE Summer Challenge?*** (stop reading now if you need to check your squares lots throughout the day to function)

As I was praying about this–I thought about how long I have had the desire to be a mommy. And this verse came to my mind…

Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ”

Are squares keeping me from doing my calling with all of my heart?? Are they in any way distracting me from giving 100% to those the Lord has put in my life? I can easily make excuses. I need to just unwind. I need to get ideas on Pinterest . (But who are we kidding–I don’t have time to make anything I see on Pinterest…but I MIGHT have some extra time IF…) I need to connect with the outside world because I stay at home and this is MY OUTLET. This is how I communicate with friends. The list can go on and on and on. I can justify anything. Trust me.

But then…I compare that picture up there–to this picture…

What if…what if I could pour in more love to them? What if I could have more time seeking the Lord and His will? What if I had fewer distractions from the world and more influence from scripture? What if instead of grabbing my phone when I got bored to check for updates–I grabbed crayons and sat with a little one who was at my feet…or when that was over…hopped in the car to go visit a friend…just to drop in for a few minutes to say hey (which might not ever happen in our crazy culture…but the flexibility of friends just dropping by–really is a lost art that I totally think should come back;).

I’m not even really sure how much my squares distract from REAL living…we don’t really watch TV at our house–but I know I’m distracted through my iPhone and Facebook. And I think this momma needs a 30 day SQUARE challenge to really gage if squares are keeping me from doing my job with my WHOLE heart.

Here’s the challenge…

The 30 Day SQUARE Challenge

1. Respond to SQUARE typing communication (texts and email) twice a day during a time that will not distract you from your husband or children. Never even think about looking at the phone when your husband is driving–UNLESS this is one of your twice a day checks. Instead, engage in conversation with your husband:). Be sure to let those who email and text you in order to communicate with you know about your 30 day challenge–and tell them they should call you for emergencies:).

2. I’m not a phone talker at all–but if you are…Limit your square verbal communication (home phone, cell phone, etc) to times you will not be missing opportunities to engage more deeply with your family. Sure chatting on the bench at the playground with a friend doesn’t take away from their fun maybe–but for the next 30 days–see what happens when you slide down with them too. If you have to catch up with a friend, consider inviting her to join you so you engage in real life too. (Not being a phone talker, I have seen what this does to relationships. To connect with me, we have to get together–and when you get together with friends instead of just catching up on the phone you really go deeper and so do your kids. It’s harder to coordinate–but I’m completely weirded out that cell phones are cancerous so I’m just not a cell talker at all. We don’t even have a cordless phone in our home–it’s 1 phone corded to the WALL. And it keeps me from being chatty Cathy…because I have to literally stand in ONE place to talk on it. I can’t multi-task with my kids and talk on the phone–I actually have to get off the phone to get the biscuits out of the oven. My friends all know this too and without my cell service at my house, I’ve got a little help there;).

3. Don’t use a SQUARE to distract your children more than once a week (even during the summer). Don’t give them games video games to play, movies, TV more than once a week TO DISTRACT them. Notice I used the word DISTRACT. If the video games, movies, or TV is bonding your relationship as a family, helping create healthy habits, and building their character–then your wise judgement can make an exception if the SQUARE does these things (but still limit it!) We don’t own video games, but I’m sure you could say they are connecting brothers to brothers–but just for 30 days see how family connects without these distractions. SURE they might get along better with them–but it isn’t real life or connecting. And if they lose it without them–if they pitch fits when you turn them off–then that is a sure sign the 30 day challenge might be a really good opportunity for them to learn to connect in new ways with family.

4. Challenge your nearest and dearest…to do a 30 day SQUARE challenge with you. Especially if it’s a dear friend that you just love communicating with through your SQUARE throughout the day.

5. Print off verses to remind you of your purpose in the SQUARE challenge. Put these veers and others that encourage you in your calling where you can see them. I almost called this challenge the Colossians challenge, but not all of it applied..but I guess you could say much of squares lead to the things discussed in that chapter.

Here are a few verses that I think will encourage me the next 30 days that I want to share with those of you considering joining this crazy momma in this challenge…

Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ”

Colossians 3:2, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Colossians 3:15-17, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

(Will you pray about taking this summer challenge with me?? Cause it’s always more fun to do a momma challenge with other mommas? I mean, YOU NEVER know where challenges like this might take you! My husband and I challenged ourselves to NO TV for the first 2 years of marriage—we still don’t watch it. Within 30 months after our marriage…we had 2 children. That’s beside the point, just an interesting fact.)

Take a bit to pray about this challenge–and if you are up for it–comment below…AND shoot me your email! I’d love to check in with you here and there to see how it’s going AND to hear at the end of the 30 days what you learned and how taking this challenge effected the relationships between you and others. I’m always scared of challenges–but thinking about my littles and my man… and investing in them–I think it’s a challenge that will be totally worth it!

Blessings!

Andrea

HE’S BACK!!! At 6:30am…his flight landed…and he is safely home.

Rico Suave is finally back from Africa…and I can jump for joy!

I’ve been counting down the days and hours with my kiddos, with my friends and even on my Facebook status…only I couldn’t say what I was counting down too–because no one…literally no one knew he was in Africa. He makes very few requests when it comes to my sharing–but this trip…and the nature of trip…he asked me not to share until he returns. AND HE IS BACK!!! 1. Rico Suave doesn’t like momma to announce she is home alone and 2. This trip just needed to be low key for certain reasons–really the safety of the travelers. They are back now–and I am thankful!!! And I am thankful to be married to a man who is passionate about orphan care and will fight for orphans and for our ministry to move forward for their sake no matter the cost. While I can’t share too many details, the Lord is good–He loves orphans and provides for their sake. When times of unsettlement happen, he will protect those and go before those who represent orphans and widows and see His cause to the finish. We are so thankful. And we are excited to see our ministry in Africa move forward and grow in new ways!

I will say I have never been unsure about an overseas trip until this particular one–and so many times this week I have thought about Jim Elliot’s quote. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” There are many things Rico Suave and this momma are praying about right now–and honestly–this quote is the one thing I keep reciting over and over again in my mind. Rich and I have been on SUCH a roller coaster since the day we met…we had to go through some intensive pre-marriage counseling as this crazy mom wasn’t convinced she was supposed to marry at all as I was certain I was buying a one way ticket to serve overseas–BUT if I was going to marry any one…Richard Maury Young, Jr was the beau I was certain it’d be. And when I left that one way ticket at the cross and trusted the Lord to lead Richard for us–by golly…we have been on a roller coaster more wild and exciting than any story I could have written myself. I have a feeling our next year looks crazier than any before–and I keep telling the Lord I am game for anything…and to please just lead Richard–cause I’m ready to follow.

In the mean time though–I need a breather! I’ll catch my breath with some R&R tonight as I get away with Angie Carlie, Kimberly Chalk and Laura McBrayer…the mommas in our couples small group. We’re having a slumber party–a much needed get away and home on Saturday–just in time to celebrate Father’s day. THEN–in just 12 short days we welcome our 15 year old princess here…I can’t WAIT.

Soooo—my friends always laugh at what happens to us and how much crazy we do when Rico is in Africa. And this past week or so–it brings our crazy to a whole new light…

In the last 8 days–we have…

…made 4 trips to the pool (do you know how crazy this is to take 4 kids 7 and under to a pool by yourself…okay…so the mom reading this with 15 children does it all the time…BUT 4 is crazy for me!)–only 2 of trips I consider being successful. ONE involved someone walking around the pool with my name on a white board telling me to please come to childcare and get a wild one. You can read the crazy here. Nice.

…taken 4 kids to Rich’s family reunion on Saturday–also successfully loaded up gobs of chairs, outdoor toys and the other things they requested our crew to bring (we had to leave after Laney got dragged through mud while holding on to Rosie’s leash)

…got a sitter for Saturday night so I could go to our babysitter’s wedding. Frankie baby decided to go with me at the LAST minute…tears flowing–I took him…but missed seeing the bride come down b/c toddler needed to go potty just as grandparents were being seated. Caused a small scene leaving…nice. Missed not having Rico there with me to laugh.

…successfully made it to church on Sunday with 4 kids in the rain. That was a miracle.

…gotten through 3 children running fevers. Laney’s hit Sunday night. THEN Monday night I was cleaning puke out of my hair, out of the rugs and wiping canteloupe chucks off the hardwoods (just keeping it real so you get the full picture) at 1am as Frankie baby tossed his cookies for the first time…all night long. Posted on Facebook I was desperate for Pedialyte, and at 9am when we all finally came down after a LONG night–several bags of Pedialyte were on my steps. (THANKFUL I didn’t have to drag 4 sick kids to the store that morning!)

…didn’t leave the house for DAYS because of sick ones. Ok–so normally if I’ve had a sick one I’ve gotten a breather or break when Rico came home. But not this week. Oh. My. GOODNESS. It was a LONG week.

…AND AFTER everyone was well…on Wednesday night–Frank and Laney had spend the night company. Sweet princess couldn’t sleep so I bribed her that I take her for doughnuts if she’s try to sleep–I couldn’t bare to wake everyone at 10:30pm and take them home. Doughnuts came in the morning from Dunkin’ Doughnuts as promised.

…Thought I’d go out strong–soooo–I took all the kids to the pool Thursday for a pool play date. Surprised I didn’t fall asleep in the pool lifeguarding my littles. THEN, we doubled our slumber party fun on Thursday night and Parker got to have 2 friends over to spend the night (I was even chosen for a team for Nerf gun wars…don’t mess with momma when she has a Nerf gun). So after our war, momma had a pizza party with 6 littles 7 and under…while she counted down the final hours to when Rico Suave would finally get home. Not one night of having someone come up to spend the night for extra hands…and thankfully we didn’t have to go the ER like I thought we might on Monday night.

…And some where in between we made 2 blackberry cobblers, 1 blackberry pie, cleaned out the van, altered a cheerleader uniform for cheer camp, entertained passerby’s with my blowing leaves (I’m out of control with that thing) and shaved Isaac’s hair…twice (it was so much fun I decided to give him a cleaner shave another night–I’m more out of control with the clippers).

FRIDAY IS HERE…and my man is FINALLY HOME!!! He is plum tired. I’m completely wiped! But momma is taking off. Don’t you worry though…my parents are coming up to help Rico Suave tonight so he’ll have extra hands…and can recover from the jet lag. I can’t wait to get the full details from his trip and share ways you can be praying for our ministry and what is ahead!

Sooooooo thankful he is home safe and sound!!! Blessings to you all this weekend!!!

XOXO!!!

Andrea