BEAUTIFUL

It has been the most beautiful fall ever! I'm thinking it's because we had a lot of rain this summer, but I'm not sure. I took this picture with my camera, just trying to capture the colors. I'm glad I did, because it's been rainy and windy for the last few days and the leaves are falling off the trees. I love living on the Lane.

THANKFUL

All Region

Our girls always stand out in their red dresses at All Region! Erin loves to sing and although she had a rough day during tryouts she still made the Mixed Choir and got to enjoy the day at All Region clinic at Russellville. More importantly, she qualified to try out for All State choir next semester. I love this girl, and I love it when she sings.

Dinner with Pretty Girls

Saturday, after 2 of Sheridan's soccer games in Bryant and Hot Springs, Richard dropped me off in Russellville where Katelyn was spending the weekend with Lauren. Erin was at All Region Choir at the High School, so we went out for dinner and then went to her concert. Katelyn dropped me off at home on her way back to the Hill. It was so fun to eat and laugh with these girls. Arie came with us too. I've got to say, you can get a lot of attention when you're out with 3 beautiful blond college girls, even eating breakfast food at Cracker Barrel!

In the middle of the meal Ryan face-timed us at the table. Talk about awesome technology. He was standing on the field at the Razorback game and just wanted to let us know he was thinking of us, even though he was in the middle of a huge event!

GREAT READ

At the end of my life, or at least when all my children have left our home, I want to be able to say that I did the best I could raising them to be God followers with good character. I don't have to be known as a great parent, but I do want to have been faithful. Before Richard married me he told me he wanted lots of kids, I told him if we had them, they were going to be friends. I didn't know what that would entail or how to do it but God did.  He put us in the Mississippi delta, in a small church, at lunch with a young couple, whose 2 year old's behavior blew us away. We asked them what they knew, they shared the curriculum/ministry with us and it has made ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

Sometimes we were misunderstood, but always great blessings when we were consistent. I AM SO THANKFUL. Combining this guidance with the raising we both received in Christian homes has been such a blessing for us.

The mentors we have in this ministry have written a book that is awesome. I have just read and underlined most of it. Whatever we did with our first three has been forgotten a little with S, but I'm making ground this year and making sure we have covered what I have missed. I'm also excited to be able to use this info with the children who will be coming in our home. What a difference an informed, prepared parent makes! I know that has been true in my life and I've never been so thankful for godly parents who have come before me and have shared their wisdom.

The book is available at Amazon, but also at their bookstore http://momsnotes.com/OrderingResources.aspx?CategoryID=35.

ADOPTION UPDATE...praying.

OK...it feels like we're moving now. We offered to go to our case worker's office to pick up files that they can disclose on a sibling group we are considering. We chose the siblings from a picture on the Arkansas Heart Gallery. There are over 700 pages of reading on these children.

We have some questions about one of the children, and have forwarded them on to our case worker, who will forward them on to the kids' caseworker.

The dynamics could be changing around here. I'm just not sure what to think about it. I'm praying for clarity from the Lord on this. Choosing children from pictures and numbers isn't very precious, but reading about them in foster care for almost 3 years is. One of my specific prayer requests has been that they were in loving and safe homes. I still don't know this answer to this, but from the paperwork we've read, and the fact they've lived in the same home almost as long as they've been in care, I will assume that is the case. PTL.

The next step, if we choose to, would be to begin meeting them in their home town, a few visits at McDonalds...or a park, or whatever. And then it would progress from there.

Praying. Praying. Praying.

Fall Happiness

Things that make me smile:
1) A pumpkin covered in paint.
2)  Full flower boxes. The marigolds were planted by my neighbor during my last event. She knew I love color and she wanted to do something for me. Sheridan and I added deep purple petunias. They are beautiful.
3) My mom and husband...and me photo bombing from last weekend.