A snapshot into what her future held...

A snapshot into what her future held...
Zhukovka, Russia

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Happy Hearts Day!

What can I say... we have our normal ups and downs, like any other family, but overall, we have HAPPY HEARTS!


Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's weekend with your families!

Galatians 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brothers.  
Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh but through love, serve one another.

 

Friday, August 2, 2013

Honest Friday.

When I look at our blog... what was set up to document our adoption journey a little over two years ago now, I immediately want to turn away.  I don't want to see the cover page photo, or the title, and I don't want to even believe all that we went through to get our daughter home.

I think it's partly because she is so much a part of us now, so much a fixture in our home, so much... loved.  It's like she wasn't even adopted.

And she feels the same.  Amazing how God can shape hearts so quickly. 

She doesn't like to talk about the adoption, she doesn't believe herself now that she came from Russia, and in her heart of hearts, I believe she just wants to move on and never look back.  So why dwell on the past?  Why write about it.  Well... I don't know. 

There is a part of me that never wants to forget how we became world travelers!  Three times in one year!  I never want to forget the strength I found, within, when I was kept over there, by myself, for 21 days on the last trip.  And I promised God I would never forget what I saw, if He would just get us out of there.

So, what's that balance?  That's what I'm trying to work through.  Our daughter is SO not a part of anything we saw over there... now.  She is a new person... redeemed.

Photos from a recent fashion show at the fair...

 
Gorgeous. Confident. 
 
Redeemed.
 
So as for the blog... I don't know the direction we'll take it.  But it's exciting to think about the next journey God has planned.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Happy 14th Birthday!

It was our Karis' second birthday party... EVER.
 
 
She requested a PINK party...
 
And had to have... PINK hair!!!


And really great friends!
  

 
And presents...

 
And cake!!!

 
And singing...

 
And LOTS of laughter!!!



 
Happy 14th sweet girl!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Sports Banquet

We've always felt that it's important that our kids are growing:  spiritually, academically, socially,  and... physically.
 
That's why we usually say "ok" when our kids express an interest in sports.
 
Kids learn valuable skills through sports... like how to work on a team.
 
They get lots of good exercise.
 
They build confidence.
 
We are blessed to have a great sports program, at our school.
 
Last night, the athletes were awarded...
 
 
This was Karis' volleyball team.
 
Volleyball is the sport she truly loves.

 
Congrats, Karis!!!

 
Next, came Evan's basketball team.
 
Congrats Evan!!!
 
Evan, by the way, got A LOT of cheers from the ladies in the audience. Yikes!!!
 
 
Then, Karis was awarded her basketball trophy...
 



Yay Karis (again!) !!!
 


 
Until next year...
 
 
Hooray for sports!
 
 
I Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or... whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
 



Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Planting Seeds

Evan plants watermelon seeds...
 
 
Karis plants cucumber seeds...
 
 
Karrigan plants sunflower seeds...

 
 
DONE!
 
Now we have to wait...
 
And be patient...
 
Who knew planting seeds could teach virtues? Patience is a big one in our home.
 
But we can do it!
 
And excitedly!

 
James 5:7
 
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.    
 



Saturday, April 6, 2013

Worthy is the Lamb

 

The next day John sees Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.
 

HOPE, new LIFE, new BEGINNINGS!
 


 
HAPPY SPRING!

Happy Easter!

Easter Blessings!
 
 
Beautiful sisters!
 
 
The Easter Bunny brought each of the kids LOTS of candy and one present each....
 
Karis got some perfume...
 
 
Evan got a gift card to the Game Stop...

 
Karrigan (look at that wonder and excitement!) got an Easter Barbie!

 
That silly Easter Bunny left baskets in the shower!!!

 
Coloring eggs the night before Easter...

 
Mom's bunny coconut cake and Peeps cupcakes for Easter Sunday dessert...
 
 
We LOVE Easter!
 
HOPE, new life, new beginnings...
 
He has RISEN!!!
 
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
 
1 Peter 1:3
 

Bryansk Home

Bryansk Home
My two favorite colors together seem to be common in Bryansk homes.