11 Years Ago

 

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.      1 Corinthians 2:9

On Saturday, SB and I celebrated our 11th anniversary.  It was a beautiful day here...picture perfect - just like it was 11 years ago. We got married on Thanksgiving weekend.  So this already packed weekend, is really packed, but how appropriate that it be a time for reflecting on our blessings.  And I am one blessed woman.  I have a wonderful marriage to a wonderful guy.  He is my biggest blessing!

We had a beautiful wedding day.  Everything went pretty much according to plan.  I did start to worry when the woman doing my hair, make-up and nails were taking an extremely long time.  She kept telling me...don't worry, they can't start without you...and I was late to my wedding, and it's no big deal.  Needless to say, I wasn't late, but I didn't have time to breathe before showtime.

I didn't see SB that day until I started walking down the aisle at 5 p.m.  I believe those moments are just divine.  We also received and served communion at our wedding.  It took a long time, but it was a special way for us to share our first meal together.  It was also very special to serve our family and friends.

     

 

Since we were married the day before the start of Advent, we enjoyed having the Chrismon tree as a beautiful decoration.  Boy, we look so young....well you may not be able to tell from photo that I took of a photo.  It's pretty grainy.

 

We planned all of our wedding together except for one detail...the car.  SB wanted to surprise me with our transportation from the church to the reception site.  I really didn't know what it was, but I knew it was sooo cool.  It was a 1963 Rolls Royce.  I really felt like a princess, and I know SB thought he was a stud in that car.

 

I loved our cake, and it was delicious.  It is simple yet elegant, but what makes it so special is the cake topper.  It is the same cake topper that SB's parents used, and they have been happily married for over 40 years.  It is still around, and I hope one of my kiddos will want to use it too.

 

This is our 1st dance.  It was to Allison Krauss - When You Say Nothing At All.  SB is not big dancer, but he danced the whole night with me and of course...my mom, my friends, my aunt, my granny....And I know he did all of that for me.  He wanted our day to be what I imagined.

 

Just us having fun watching other people having fun!

After the reception, we arrived at our hotel in our Rolls Royce got up to our room...where's my bag?  We weren't heading out for our honeymoon for several more days, so we packed light.  But, I didn't have my overnight bag.  After frantically calling around and 1 1/2 hour later, there is a knock at the door.  It is the doorman with a garbage bag filled full of stuff.  Yes, garbage bag, and no, it's not a prank.  My Aunt and Grandmother had rushed to the local Wal-mart and picked me up some essentials, shampoo & conditioner, toothbrush, etc...  They had dropped the garbage bag off at the front desk.  So we started off in a 1963 Rolls Royce and ended up having a garbage bag delivered to our room.  We laughed so hard!

Fast forward 11 years, and being married is still a blessing.  That girl 11 years ago never dreamed that she would have all that she ever wanted.  Never dreamed that she would have 2 beautiful girls. Never dreamed that she would be able to stay at home with her kiddos.  Never dreamed that she could love a child that she doesn't even know half way around the world.   Never dreamed that her husband would be her best friend.  Never dreamed that her husband and her could still laugh with one another after 11 years. 

We celebrated our anniversary with dinner...Can you believe we have been married for 11 years?  Can you believe we have an almost 7 year old? Can you believe that we are going to Africa to pick up our son next year?  Can you believe how God has blessed us?

 

Christmas Decorating

 

The day after Thanksgiving is reserved for decorating.  We have always tried to squeeze in the decorating the weekend after Thanksgivng, but this year, we put it on the calendar, so we could enjoy the whole day together.  Of course, we needed matching pjs, and we stayed in them ALL day.  It was great!!!  I think we started a tradition!

 

Me and my girls...They were pretty excited that Mom was in on the pjs.  Next year, we'll have to get some for the boys :)

  

While SB and I unloaded the CHRISTmas decorations, the girls spent some quality (haha) time looking over their new animal braclets that Nanny got them for Thanksgiving.  Animal bracelets have taken over in our neck of the woods.  (They're rubberbands shaped like animals, objects, etc. that the kiddos wear as bracelets and they trade them.  For example, AB traded BB a dolphin for a cat.)

   

SB's carrying one of our many boxes down from the attic.  We have so many decorations.  But we really don't put out that much...just our favorites.

 

 

BB is putting together one of our nativity sets.

   

AB is putting together some reindeer decorations.  Friends of the family made these for SB when he was younger...timeless.

 

For lunch, the girls make their favorite...pizza.  Afterall, it is family fun day :)

 

What would CHRISTmas decorating be without having bunches of lights to detangle and fix.  Luckily SB loves the challenge of getting them all working.  It is him vs. the lights!

 

Next comes my favorite part....

 

...getting out and sorting all of our ornaments.  I LOVE THIS!!!  Almost all of our ornaments have a story or are from a loved one.  It is so fun to go through them all and remember who gave it to us or where we got it.  Of course, we go through EACH one and they ALL have particular boxes or are marked in some way.  What is amazing is that the girls love this part too!  They put all the ornaments in piles - AB, Family or BB.  It reminds me of how blessed we are!!

 

After I put on all the fragile sentimental ornaments (up high), AB picks out her Hello Kitty ornament from BB last year to be the first ornament that she puts on the tree.

  

BB picks out her Barbie ornament from AB last year to be her 1st ornament to put on the tree.  They have such a great time doing this and are so excited over every ornament :)

 

Lastly, SB puts on the angel.

 

We hope you all have a blessed day!!!

Next year we'll be celebrating with Little Boy Bonner!!

Pillow Talk

 
Laying with AB in bed after lights out.......

Mom:  You are sooo special.  You are the best 6 year old in the whole world.  I'm soooo glad you are my daughter.

AB:  You have a big head.

Can't you just feel the love?!?

Thanksgiving Program

 

When I started out blogging, I wasn't too sure about it.  Now, I love it!  It is an easy way to scrapbook!

On Friday, BB's preschool had their annual Thanksgiving program.  The kiddos were either pilgrams, turkeys or indians.  They sang songs and did a little dancing.  Who knew that square dancing could be that cute.  That morning she said that she wasn't going to wear the costume, but she turned into an adorable pilgram.

   

   

After the program, we had a Thanksgiving feast.  All of the families bring something to share.

 

BB was very happy that Papa was able to be there.

Waiting

 
Wait - to stay, to serve, or attend to, to patiently anticipate

I will not get caught up in the numbers!  I am just going to enjoy the process!  I'm going to sit back and just enjoy God's plan!  It's all in his perfect timing!

Well, we got our monthly call on Wednesday evening...#15.  What? We only moved up 2 measly spots in 4 weeks.  We had #10 or #11 in our heads, so #15 was unimpressive to say the least.  I mean it could be months before we get a referral.  We'd been told earlier that we could get a referral in possibly 2 months due to our age perimeters.  We were a little disappointed.  And, I found myself letting the devil into this process by worrying...why is it taking longer, why is the new administration needing more time between court and travel, could the process shut down before we get our son...  I mean, I have a child over there.  I am a mom of three. 
 
Now, I've had a few days to gain perspective...#15 is good...very good!  And, I rejoice in #15!  That is 2 spots closer to "The Referral".  I refuse to let the devil into this process by worrying.  I know that everything is in God's perfect timing.  So, I start this week off enjoying God's plan and waiting...
  
waiting - to stay right where I am until God's calls me elsewhere...
waiting - to serve right where I am....
waiting - to attend to my children and my husband that are right here with me right now...
waiting - to patiently anticipate "The Referral"...
  
And, I can joyfully wait, because I know..."that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28
 

A Child of God

 

the family

AB, cousin I and BB

 

Today family came over for lunch to help us remember AB's baptism.  Since she was baptized when she was 6 months old, this is a good way to help her remember that day until she accepts Jesus as her Savior.  It also helps us remember our committment to her on her faith journey.  It is her special day, and she LOVES it! We pull out the baptism video, and she watches it, and we talk about it. 

  

If she knows this, doesn't everything else fall into place...

 

 Grandma & Grandpa (aka Gobbie & Papa) got her this to hang in her room. She purchased this from my friend Betsy's booth the other day where the proceeds went toward adoption expenses.  Later, AB told Dad this fact.  She was proud that her gift was helping bring little brother home.  Gobbie also wrote her a song about being a child of God.  AB went over to her house after the party to hear Gobbie play it for her on her harp.  AB was mesmorized.

 

Along with some other gifts, she also got a new big girl Bible.  I spent several hours at the bookstore picking out just the right one for her.  It was worth it.  She was so proud of her very own Bible complete with her name imprinted on it.  After everyone left, I showed her all the features.  She wanted me to tell her a book of the Bible, and then she would guess if it was Old or New Testament.  (We'll have to work on this, but I was just so thrilled that she wanted to know.)  She was also excited about the "Treasures" sprinkled throughout.  They were memorization verses.  She wanted me to pick one, and she was going to try to memorize it.  How cool is that! 

Yes, the Bible even comes in purple.

 

This is how I found her when I went in her room to get one last peek.  Yes, that is her new Bible beside her, and I couldn't resist getting a picture.  I wonder...What plans does God have for your life?

  

Dear God, I pray for AB.  I pray that she always knows that she is a precious child of God, and that you have chosen her and that she has a calling on her life.  I pray that she know and fulfills her calling with passion and has a heart to love you above anything or anyone else.  I pray that her relationship with you grows as she grows.  In your Holy, Precious Name I pray.  Amen!

 

One Blessing After Another

 

From the fullness of his grace, we have all received one blessing after another.........John 1:16

I must say that I feel so blessed and humbled by all the support of our friends!  Today, my daughter's school had a "shopapalooza".  Basically vendors rent a table at our church to sell their products for a day.  The table fee goes straight to my daughter's school, and the vendors get to keep all of their money. 

Well, my great friend, Betsy offered to donate all of her proceeds from her table to charity (some goes to a family shelter in which our Sunday School class is trying to sponsor a family & the other goes towards our adoption.)  This is not her full-time job.  This is something that she did in addition to everything she already has on her plate with 2 kiddos and work.  (She's an ICU nurse.)  I am totally blown away by her support.  I mean, she could have totally used her profits and skipped a nursing shift or paid for Christmas.  She is such a beautiful person outside and inside.  She is such a blessing!

 

I also had many friends who stopped by Betsy's table to purchase something to help us on our journey. It was a wonderful day!

 

Betsy and me

    
I also have to mention my great friend Holly.  Not only has she been so supportive with her words, but she also had a house show last month, in which she asked all of the vendors to donate some of their proceeds to our adoption.  I was totally blown away.  I never asked her to do this...she just did it and handed me a check.  That is soooo the person she is.  She never does anything half way.  She sees a need, and she just goes for it!  Everyone needs a Holly in their life!  I'm so blessed to have her as my friend!!!  (side note: She is also one of the best cooks I know.  I have the joy of carpooling with her, so I often time get to be her test taster!  It's a perk!)
   

Me and Holly

 

The 147 Million Orphans were also at the shopapalooza.  They use their products to raise awareness of the world orphan crisis and to support Amazima Ministries (Uganda orphans & poor).  They are such an inspiration and a blessing!  I love their shirts!  Not only do they send a message and go towards feeding a child, but they also look good. Check out their website at 147millionorphans.com.

Me and Gwen

Gwen is one of the founders.  She is an inspiration to all those around her.  You can't help but to feel empowered when you are around her. 

 

...one blessing after another...