My Kids are SO Weird!

Brady and AnnaClaire have a dental appointment this afternoon. AnnaClaire has asked about 2000 times if we can go yet. I keep telling her that their appointment isn't until 4:00 to which she says 'Awww, I want to go to the dentist!' Ryan had his appointment on Tuesday and Allie went with us. All she wanted to know was how come Ryan got to go to the dentist and she didn't AND when was it going to be her turn. Weird I tell you!

Something Amazing Happened

:)

The other night after dinner we were clearing the table and Jeff pointed at the trashcan and mouthed something I didn't understand. I flipped up the lid and there it was-Cameron's cup (see The Experiment post). I looked over and Cameron was standing by the counter. I asked him if he had thrown out the cup and-as hard as it is to believe-it was him. Whoa! After only 11 days! I told him that we had intended to decorate it for the holidays. He told me no worries because he had several more in his bedroom. :eyeroll:

Both Hands Foundation

What an awesome idea!
http://bothhandsfoundation.org/

The Experiment

Cameron works at a fast food restaurant and every night when he comes home from work he brings home a drink. The cups usually sit in his room until I make him throw them out. On Halloween he set his cup on the bar in the kitchen. I told Jeff that I am not touching that darn cup and we will see how long it sits there. We are on day 9. I am thinking of getting some Thanksgiving stickers and letting the little ones decorate it. We'll probably need some Christmas stickers as well. Sigh.

This is so moving!

Click-Orphan Sunday Video

At the end when it says 'You need them even more' the tears were streaming because it's so true. We need these children!

Orphan Sunday

November is National Adoption Month and today is Orphan Sunday. For obvious reasons, adoption is very close to my heart. I remember when God first start to place adoption on my heart. It seemed like such a big undertaking. No way could *I* adopt a child. What about the paperwork, the homestudy, the money? And then there was Jeff. He thought I was certifiable. We had three wonderful kids already. Why mess with things? But God kept pressing on. Over time I realized that adoption was truly His plan for us. Eventually Jeff realized it too. Sometimes you just have to let go and take that leap of faith. It was still a scary thing but once we were sure God was in it, it seemed like something we could really do. We are both so thankful that we took that leap of faith because the blessings around here a plentiful. Many people comment about the number of kids we have and I understand that it's not for everyone-but it is for us. We enjoy the craziness, the closeness and the love of a big family. I know that God doesn't call us all to adopt but He does call us to care for the orphan. If you are considering adoption, I am happy to talk with you about any aspect-the good, the bad and the ugly. Even if adoption isn't for you, please think about what you might do for the 147 million children in the world who will go to bed tonight without a mother or a father. There are so many ways that we can help and I do believe that we can make a difference in their lives.

Just look at these happy faces:)

4th of July

Summer 2009 Lake Pictures

Help Bring Relief to Children in Southeast Asia

The devastating typhoon floods in SE Asia have affected some of Holt’s care centers. The children were evacuated and are safe from danger, but the care facilities providing shelter and warmth to these children are now in desperate need of repairs, food and supplies.

Holt has been in contact with our partner agencies in the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam, and we are prepared to assist in the relief efforts to ensure the children in Holt’s care are protected and well cared for in the aftermath of this terrible tragedy.

“The care centers are in need of infants clothes and milk,” said Kaisahang Buhay Foundation Executive Director Rosario Dela Rosa. “Our daycare center is located very near the Marikina River which overflowed and flooded all the neighboring villages. A new roof, chairs, tables and cabinets are also needed.”

Well Hello There:)

I have had several people ask me why I no longer blog. There were several reasons I stopped blogging, none really important though so I figured maybe I should try to give it a go again.

We are all doing well. I am not sure what has changed since the last time I posted because I can't remember. Cameron is now a Sophomore at ETSU and is still living at home. Brandon is a Senior in high school with plans to attend UT next year. Ryan is a Freshman and I swear he's growing an inch each day. Allie is in 1st grade and AnnaClaire and Brady are both in 4 year old preschool. AnnaClaire goes 5 days a week and Brady goes 3 days a week and to speech the other two. They are at the same school but in separate classes. We put our house on the market a year ago September but had no luck. We recently took it off the market for the time being. Maybe we will try again in the spring.

I'll try to add some pictures (including one of Brady's new haircut courtesy of himself) in the next few days.