The Big G Word

It is so easy to get upset at people. Talk about people. I can't believe what she was wearing. What she said. How she is acting. I can't believe she decided to do that. I can't believe she dresses her child in that.

All things I have heard, a lot, and some I have fallen into myself. Guilty.

For me, it's mainly getting upset at how people are acting, or what they are saying, or don't do or say.

It's easy to get upset and it's easy to judge. But what's not easy. Giving the big G word. 

Grace.

It is something we all want. But how easily and how often do we give it?

God has been opening Hubby and my hearts for the past few years on this subject. And really expanding it even more over the past year and months.

If someone does something, says something, acts a certain way, our first reaction should be why. What is the underlying reason that might be affecting them. Not I can't believe... and getting upset, talking meanly, harboring grudges. And that's coming from someone (achem... me) that gets hurt fairly easily. ;)

We want God to have grace on us, right? And he DOES. We want people to have grace on us. Maybe some do and others don't. But God *freely* gives it to us. Why can we not freely give it to others?

It shouldn't matter if others give us grace because we know what we are supposed to do. Give it, even if we don't receive it. Love. Like He unabashedly and unceasingly loves us. Unceasingly! We do not for a minute *deserve* that. (We don't *deserve* anything. As much as I want to say I deserve that bowl of Moosetracks ice cream or some time by myself to roam Target with a freshly brewed Peppermint Mocha {no whip no foam ;)})

If somebody does something to hurt, offend, or bug us... we first need to remember they are the good-willed friend (or family) we are siblings with in Him, or strangers that might not know Him or have ever heard the good news, or people you do know but might be going through a tough time.

It is easy to judge, but let's not. Let's give grace. 

Our course of action should be grace, prayer, and be kind to one another and build each other up. Everybody... every... body. Not just people you think are cool. Not just people you think you can get something from. Not just people dress "cool." (My yoga pants and I are obviously not included in this category ;)) I think some think they are doing this, but are not, maybe even unintentionally, and I'm sure I fit into that too.

Let's care more about people and less about what we think cool looks or sounds like. 

The power that could come from giving grace can be amazing. Not letting the devil get in the way of our love and acceptance of people and their (our) odd actions sometimes. ;) Where is our focus? On being cool, accepted, in the right clique, judging others.

He shows no prejudiced in giving grace, why would we? He doesn't divide us because He thinks some of us are more cool than others. He loves all.

Everybody is weird. We're all weird. I'm breaking it to you now, you're weird. ;)

We all have quirks. Some quirks worse than others. ;-) We all say things that we shouldn't say, do things we shouldn't or don't even mean to do. We know we have messed up and we hope that others are able to forgive us and give us grace. Very hope. ;)

Let's give grace. Forgive. Let's let it go or sweetly confront someone in love and let them know that something is bothering you. We should all want someone to tell us if we're done something to offend someone or we're just acting like goofballs. Strengthen one another. Give grace.

Who cares if someone is a name dropper, that just means they're excited about something. Who cares if someone talks about how great their kid is, that just means they are proud parents and that should make us smile. Who cares if someone spells a word wrong on social media, such a silly thing to make a big deal of. Who cares if someone is happy all the time, we should yearn to be more like that.

The devil sure doesn't want us to all be united and he will do anything and everything he can to break all of us up. He wants to put doubts in our minds about others, our mission, our life.

I can tell you that I have not felt very built up by a lot of friends lately. Actually quite the opposite.

I have struggled with seeing (and personally feeling) how so many girls negatively treat other ladies; ranging from through social media to even a couple pretty strong churches that we've been part of. Ladies are made to feel left out, unliked, and even made fun of for not being the loudest voice to talk over everyone to have their stories heard. It makes me so sad. I was even told by another sweet sweet mama that her self confidence skyrocketed when she left one of those churches. Honestly, I felt somewhat the same way. We have some new friends, who aren't Christians, that are more welcoming and inclusive than a large part of the believers we know. And they have a large strong group of long time friends and are so sweet to include us. I could stand to give out more grace in this area. When I am hurt, I retreat from that person. Withdraw. I don't even give hugs, and you know I'm a hugger. ;) I know it's not the right way to handle it and I'm working on it. I have, maaany times, felt judged for being nice or even overly nice to those who are not that nice to me, as if I am naive.

Being kind to those who are not very nice to you is not naive, it's what God calls us to do. 

It is hard sometimes but He gives us strength and gives us EVERYTHING. It is hard for me when I feel like I am trying hard in a friendship to be a good friend and it is not reciprocated. But I know there can be many reasons for that and Hubby sweetly reminds me to keep loving and being kind and having grace. And I know that I fail.

We want to give unlimited grace to others, just like He does for us all, and we hope that others have grace on our weird selves when we mess up too.

On our deathbeds, are we going to say we're glad that we judged people and harbored grudges. Or we would have wanted to give more grace and show more of His unfailing love. To everybody. It takes being intentional. Constantly. Woo, I know I need to do better.

I hope all of that came out ok. If not, please have grace on me. ;)

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

We are SINNERS and Christ died for us. Others may fail in our eyes and we're just going to sit and judge and not forgive them?

Ephesians 4:1-3 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Colossians 3:12-13 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Our Story - The Proposal

If you haven't switched over from Google Reader yet, you can Follow my blog with Bloglovin or Feedly :)

11 years ago on March 23, 2002 the man of my dreams proposed to me. {grin} And this is how it happened...

I love this story! ;)

We were hanging out, as usual, (and when we weren't together, we were talking on the phone, and being made fun of for it ;)), and Hubby asked if I wanted to go to his aunt and uncle's cabin down south in the mountains to hang out with some of his family and play games that Friday evening.

I love his family and it sounded like fun. I was in! And we just loved being together so definite yes. Now part of me might have thought something was a liiittle fishy, but I had also thought he might propose a couple times previously, so I wasn't about to start getting my hopes up again. ;) We were just going for a fun night, I convinced myself.

It was finally Friday March 23, 2002 and we drove on down a few hours to his aunt and uncle's cabin. (The first and only time we've been there!)

We pulled into the gravel driveway next to another car, and slowly we headed for the door. Hubby knew that car was supposed to be long gone by now, but I was in ignorant bliss and didn't know a thing. I thought I saw someone through the front door running into a room but I couldn't really make anything out.

Hubby opened the door for me (as always, a true gentleman) and I saw rose petals sprinkled from the door to a beautiful set table for two. {cue dropping jaw}

I couldn't begin to wipe the smile and giggle from my face and said, what is this??

He confessed that he had planned a dinner for us. Juuuust to have a special little time together. :)

He began walking me to a room, as he informed me there was a dress and entire outfit waiting on the bed for me to change into. It could have been a movie. {He had set it up with my mom, she had gathered a dress he mentioned, shoes, earrings, the whole ensemble} I was then instructed to wait in the room until he came to fetch me.

In the meantime! - As I was changing, Hubby was also to be changing but his cohorts in this evening endeavor were still in the cabin, when they were supposed to be long gone! Oh the moms, hehe. ;) They were to set everything up and begin the meal cooking to Hubby's specifications but since it took them longer to drive, they thought it would take us longer to drive too. Oh the moms. ;) So he was trying to hurry them out without me knowing, somehow a shoe flew out of the car and he had to run out and get it and then run back out because our moms' car got stuck in a ditch.

All the while, I was sitting of the edge of the bed, grinning from ear to ear. A beautiful outfit. Such a pretty table. Rose petals lining our walk. Just for a special evening. Remember no more inflated hopes here. ;)

Back to the story! So after he frantically got our moms and their car back on the gravel road, grabbed his shoe that was strewn from the car, he calmly came, knocked on the door, I softly said ready and he could probably hear my smile through the door, opened the door, took my hand, and guided me to a beautiful tiny table set for two.

There sat a boombox (we're so old ;)) set by the table that as he reached out to press play, told me he thought it would be fun to dance a little in between courses. (We love to dance together) And the songs, my favorites. Including Celine. Of course. :) After our first dance, Hubby went into the kitchen, as I sat unable to wipe the smile from my face, and brought in our first course. We munched on our salad, and talked, he was so calm.

We had barely finished our salad and he was ready to bring out the main course. ;) Hubby reached out his hand and we shared another dance, then took bites of our steak and sides (so yummy), and chatted some more. Hubby was still so smooth and calm. Almost too calm. ;) We had barely eaten half of our steak and Hubby quickly said, let's have dessert. Heheh! It still makes me giggle. What was he rushing for??

He cleared our plates and brought a couple pieces of a sweet cake to the table. It was a white frosted cake with a heart of sprinkles in the middle (my mom had made :)) and he had cut the heart out of the middle for each of us to share.

But before we took a scoop of cake on our forks, he said he had a letter to read me. He pulled a folded paper from his suit jacket pocket as I slightly raised my shoulders with a tilted head, and coyly smiled in wonderment. It was sweet. And romantic. Poetic. And beautiful. (He is such a good writer) Tears were streaming down my face as he got to the line that I would probably be crying at this point, at which point he looked up and we both laughed.

He finished reading this treasure, and began pulling a little box out of his pocket as he knelt down on one knee. (The box that he had stashed in the kitchen so I wouldn't feel it in his jacket pocket as we danced. He thought of everything :))

Through tears, smiles I didn't know could get so big, and giggling laughs, I said a big yes. We had a perfect hug and moment followed by one more dance and a few bites of cake before some of our families came back to spend the rest of the evening celebrating with us, and playing games.

It was a perfect evening. The silly things that almost gave it away in the beginning. The thoughtfulness of every detail. The rushing through dinner while still being so calm. The "mixed tape" cd and dancing. The celebrating with the family to which we'd be forever joined.

Perfect.

(And then came the almost year and a half engagement, that we would never, ever, recommend to anybody. ;-))

We were 21 and 22 and in so much love. And ALMOST 10 years later... Thirty... {muffled whisper} something ;) and even more in love than ever.

I just wish I had the pics from the evening and all of Hubby's instructions and diagrams for how to set everything up! :) But this was a pic from when I took Hubby out for dinner and dancing for his 21st birthday. ;)

Coming soon... more of Our Story.

Helicopter Tour

We've gotten to go on some great field trips with our homeschool co-op! Our most recent one, all of the littles (and parents :)) got a tour of an emergency evacuation helicopter at our local airport, and to hear from the pilot, medic, and nurse that fly the missions! We didn't go up in the helicopter and I don't think we would have even if they offered! ;)

It was really neat to not only see the little ones get to go into the helicopter but also hear interesting details about what these wonderful individuals do in saving lives in our area and surrounding states.

We thought it was going to be great weather and it ended up being freezing and windy that day! Luckily we had coats in the car, except for me, but my sweet Hubby let me wear his coat. :) I am so so thankful that Hubby always rearranges his schedule so he can come on all of the field trips. He is such an amazing Daddy.

Our little people are in the green coats and Hubby (in the gray sweatshirt) is holding HM. ;) It was SO cold! :)

{almost the whole group :)}

 
{The boys are excitedly waving a big military helicopter that flew by!}

 
{The pilot and medic telling us details about the helicopter and their missions} 

Time to go in! Little was brave and went in first!

 

Then we went inside and heard more information from the nurse, medic, and pilot. At the end they gave each of the littles a little pad of paper, pen, and chapstick with their logo on it; it was a fun favor takeaway. :) They were so proud. And HM loved it the most. She walks around with her little pad of paper and pen (oh dear! ;) we were a lil' more lax with #3 and pens... until she and her pen met the couch ;)) writing so intently with her little body bent down so close to the paper and her lil' head cocked in concentration, and then asking, "May you read it??" (the little words and phone number that are on it) Hehe, so cute!

Three days later...

We all proclaim...

He is risen!

We are so thankful for the freedom we have in Him.

We are so thankful for His joy, support, and unfailing love.

 
{Eskimo kisses!}

{Eskimo kisses with Daddy :)}

 

{in between a few of the pictures, as I was setting up for the next shot, sweet Daddy hugs were had :)}

I had to get a pic of the front and sweet bow on the back of HM's dress :)

 

We pray you feel the same joy, comfort, and deep love in Him. Happy happy Easter from all of us!

{another self-timer pic ;)}

All praise and glory to Him!

favorites

The first three favorites are from last month but we had to document them because we never want to forget the sweetness. :) It is so hard to pic a favorite because there are so many things but here they are, our/my favorites (because we're/I'm {self ;)} forced to pick just one for each ;)).

Littlest
Our favorite thing that Littlest does right now is: Hop up and down swinging both of her arms back and forth as she jumps with a big ole laughing smile on her face. It is just pure natural happy. :)

Little
Our  favorite thing that Little does is: When you ask him a question that he gets super excited about he squeals, "Yeees!" in the cutest way with the cutest inflection and when he adds raising his arms up to exclaim it with his hands too, oh the cuteness.

BabyBoy
Our favorite thing that BabyBoy does right now is: Explain something. Anything. When he gets excited or enthusiastic about something he just talks and talks and explains things in such a sweet excited way. :) And when he throws up his little arms and shakes his head at the same time, it is a very exciting story. :-)

 

Hubby

My favorite thing that Hubby does right now is: Oh it is hard to choose. I appreciate that he tells me, every day, that I am beautiful, in so many different ways. Every day. Even though I am very hard on myself, and might not want to accept his compliments, he doesn't quit telling me. Every day. All day. He's the sweetest.

Another Favorite of Mine Right Now 
Organizing! I have been organizing and reorganizing... everything! :) Our room, closets, every room, basement... everything. Our three little people keep growing at rapid speed and are growing out of everything so quickly. And HM is in the stage of almost skipping sizes. So, I have finally cleaned out their closets and dressers of clothing that is too small {insert sad face} and added additional hanging bars to the boys' closet so now everything is so much neater and easier to see and get to. Love it! Though I didn't realize it until a friend pointed it out many months back... I am full on nesting. :) Next, we are going to paint the babies' rooms and reorganize and rearrange their rooms. I cut, Hubby rolls, we are a tight team! :)

Adoption Update: March Waitlist Number

Hi fam and friends! Alrighty, here it is. Last month we were #18 on the waitlist.

Our March update is... we are still #18 on the waitlist.

Three months at #18. Five months with no referrals (little ones being matched with families).

With all of that said, we are joyful! We are thankful. No more sulking (well not as much ;-)).

Joyful because we know that God is in. control. We have seen him at work, we have seen him in every detail of our lives in the past, so we know that He still is. Mmm, it's comforting.

Thankful because we know that our agency is going to great lengths to make sure everything is being done the right way. Though they are approached by children's homes/orphanages and have referrals come across their desks, they do not just accept, partner with, or pass along, right away. They investigate, ask every question, collect every piece of paperwork, make sure everything is being done nothing but ethically, that each little's status is true, look out for the best of every single little one.

We are waiting. We are excited. We can't wait to meet our newest little one. But we sit back in God's timing. Whew. It can be tough, mainly because of the dramatically lengthened wait, but it's the place to be.

We are loving and enjoying each day with our little family and we are all looking forward to the day we are introduced to our new "baby girl"/little sister!!

{We hung these pics up seeeeveral months ago, last frame on the right, ready for our newest little :)}

Our rep said they are close to a referral, so we are praying they are able to match that sweet little one and more truly in need to follow. Thank you for praying with us! And walking with us!