"Fireproof"

Dave and I had a date night on Friday to go see the new movie Fireproof . It was awesome and we really enjoyed it! This new movie, from the creators of Facing the Giants, is an action-packed love story about a firefighter, his wife ... and a marriage worth rescuing! I encourage you to get a sitter, plan a date night and go!!!

The movie featured this amazing song that gave me chills when I heard it for the first time...it fits perfectly with my "Waiting" post from the other day. It could apply to so many areas of our lives!!

Waiting...

So, I haven't posted any adoption news lately, simply because there hasn't been any...we are just waiting. Waiting for a baby that needs our home, our family and our love. To be honest the past few weeks have been very hard and a bit of an emotional roller coaster. I have found myself being very impatient, struggling with my flesh and just wishing that we had our baby right now. However it was just the other day during my devotions that God really whacked me on the head and said "Why are you being so selfish, Jen??? This is something I have called you to do, I have already chosen this child that will one day become yours, and you will wait until it is my timing for you to meet him or her, not yours"...

I then realized that God is not the least bit surprised at this wait, but in fact he expected it...and every day that we wait is not without purpose. It's a day spent praying for this baby, praying for its birthmother and the life-changing choice she is going to make. I know that when the day comes when we meet this precious baby face-to-face, then all the waiting will make sense. So for now we wait...and pray...

Crazy Weekend!!

Yesterday we celebrated Nathan's 10th birthday!! I'm still trying to swallow the fact that I have a ten year old!!!

Presents... he has been asking for the game "Risk" for about a year now... him and Dave are downstairs playing it now...they tried to explain it to me but I am clueless...
Webkinz Panda... :)
I started this things a few years ago of taking pictures of my kids on their birthdays holding up as many fingers as the year they are turning, this is my last year to take one for Nathan...he has run out of fingers... sniffle, sniffle!! I am so blessed to have this guy in my life! He makes being a Mom awesome!!

We took the day off school and went bowling, to the mall, and out for dinner! A great day!

After dinner we came home for a homemade ice cream cake!

Saturday was a jam packed day! Nathan had his first soccer game at 8 AM. We have an awesome team this year!! They won 14-0!!

Looking a little tired hear after all that birthday fun!! Can anyone explain how someones hair can get this messy playing soccer???

I spent the rest of the day at parties.....in the morning, a surprise 40th birthday party for my dear friend Kelly (forgot to take the camera in for that one)... then in the afternoon I helped with a baby shower for my good friend Susan. They are adopting from Ethiopia and headed to get their sweet baby boy next month (If I know her as well as I think I do, she'll have shower pics up on her blog by the end of the weekend)!

Tortilla Soup Recipe

Just for you, Kim...
2 cans diced tomatoes
3 cans chicken broth
1 lb. ground beef, drained
1 can tomato sauce
1 pkg. taco seasoning

Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Stir well. Bring to a boil, then let simmer 15 minutes. Serve hot over tortilla chips and put grated cheese and sour cream on top. So easy and goood!!

SURPRISE!!!

We threw a surprise 10th birthday party for Nathan today! We pulled it off and he didn't suspect a thing (which is amazing since we are pretty tight knit bunch). His "real" birthday isn't until Friday. Dave took him golfing while Em and I got things ready and his friends arrived.

He was totally shocked...actually he looked a little scared at first!





The weather was hot enough for all the boys to swim! 8 wild boys in our little pool...too funny!!

A ferocious game of water volleyball!

No party is complete without a pinata!

Presents... he got lots of legos, games, a Veggie Tales CD, Narnia toys and a Target gift cards...very cool!

7 things...

At the beginning of our family devotions tonight Dave asked each of us to say 7 things we don't like... Here are our answers...

Emily
1. clothes that feel funny
2. bugs
3. the dark
4. cream cheese
5. peppers
6. the Clue DVD game
7. wet grass
Nathan
1. most vegetables (Mom does not like that answer!)
2. shots
3. losing at games
4. going to bed early
5. being thirsty
6. the dentist
7. hurting myself
Dave
1. people who talk on their cell phones while driving
2. cutting the grass
3. disobedient dogs (has he met our dog???)
4. baggy pants
5. too small shirts
6. eating dinner late
7. sweating
Jen
1. selfish people
2. swiss cheese
3. mushrooms
4. mildew
5. pimples
6. a messy garage
7. clutter

We were all wondering where this was going until we read from Proverbs 6:16-19 "These are six things the Lord hates, seven are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers." WHOA...kind of makes my "hate" list seem silly, doesn't it??? I'm convicted at how insignificant my "hate" list is and how I need to think deeper about these things the Lord hates and get them out of my heart.

faking fall...

It's been dreary and raining for the past two days here, and while it doesn't feel like fall yet it seemed like a good day to put out some fall decor...




Now I just need to make a trip to the Yankee Candle outlet to find that perfect fall-smelling candle...

Still feelin' like summer!!

September 8 and it was still a balmy 91 degrees here today!! After lunch, we finished up our school day and went for a swim in the pool... gotta love these long, warm southern summers!!


They say cooler weather is coming soon...I'll believe it when I feel it. I must admit though I am ready to turn the AC off, burn a pumpkin candle, and make a pot of tortilla soup!

McCain on Adoption...

While I don't intend on turning my blog into a political discussion I did read this from another blog this morning and found it interesting. Of his seven children, four are biological and three have been adopted...just something to think about!!

http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/95b18512-d5b6-456e-90a2-12028d71df58.htm

Weekend Wrapup!!

Hope you enjoyed your long weekend!! I know we did... Here are a few random photos of our weekend...

On Saturday morning we headed to the Farmers Market to stock up on our fruits and veggies...we try to go to the wholesale part where you can split cases with other people. It can be a bit crowded and overwhelming but it's worth it in the long run! We got 1/2 a bushel of apples, 3 bunches asparagus, 6 lbs carrots, 6 ears corn, bunch of bananas, 8 squash, bunch of cilantro, 6 tomatoes, 3 jalapenos, and 1/2 bushel of peaches...all for a whopping $ 17.00!!

Here's Em in her room playing with her babies... she's getting antsy for the real thing... (me too!!)
Nathan building some legos...

The kids and I made 3 batches of homemade salsa with some of our farmers market goodies.
I made them corn on the cob with dinner, I normally refuse to make it since corn doesn't count as a "real" vegetable in my book...but they begged for it at the market so I caved. Em ate 3 ears!! I'm not sure where she put it all in her tiny body!!
Since we had no school on Monday, the kids got to have a sleepover with their Grandma and Paw Paw Sunday night after church! They had a great time!! Dave and I enjoyed some alone time and spent Labor Day "laboring" and cleaning out the garage! Isn't it great to be old and happily married that you don't need a fancy date out somewhere to enjoy time with your hubby?!?!?