Known, And Called By Name

Now that you all know the good news about our little man, I can tell you some more details.

When we went to court on that Monday, we anticipated being there for the long haul. God, however, knew otherwise. No sooner had we warmed up the most uncomfortable benches known to man (seriously people, don't worry about your tax dollars being wasted in court house comfort) than the social worker came to us and asks us to step out into the hall.

This has never happened before, but I assumed it couldn't be a good thing. Once out of the ear shot of others, she looks at us and says,

"[Baby D's] birth parents called on Friday and said they want to relinquish."

Luke and I just stood there, in complete shock.

She continued, "So most likely today's case will be continued until they've had time to sign and then had their 7 days."

Still, shock.

We re-enter the court room and sit. We wait and wait and wait on the judge, who finally showed up 1.5 hours late.

Finally, I get (what I think) is our continued court date and we leave. (Later, I learn that it was, in fact, rescheduled sooner.) However, I'm still leery because I know that the birth parents still have to show up to sign the paperwork.

Finally, that following Wednesday (the 18th) the social worker calls and tells me that they have signed the relinquishment paperwork.

Luke and I decide not to tell many folks because birth parents have the option of "revoking" their relinquishment for 7 days. For 7 days I am busting at the seams. You see, I rock at keeping other people's secrets, but my own...NEVER.

So, last week when I was stressed to the max, it was all because (well, mostly because) I had not yet heard from the social worker to confirm that the birth parents had not revoked.

Now that he is legally free for adoption, the final paperwork and adoption could take only a few months to be complete...or as little as a couple weeks. It's really up to the government and how fast they want to push paper. We couldn't be happier!

Our sweet little boy,

In our hearts, you've been a Beaver since the first time we laid eyes on you. We knew we would always love you, no matter the outcome, from your first days at home.

Lucas and Ashlee were so excited to finally be the "big" brother and sister. They love you so very much.

Our friends and family have also loved you so very much, from day 1. News of your arrival traveled so fast, and immediately prayers for you were being heard by a gracious, powerful and loving Father in heaven. And, He heard them all.

Some folks prayed for you while they traveled to distant lands.

Some came from far away cities just to meet you.

And our friends right here, they loved you too, from the very start.

As the months passed you grew and grew, and so did our love for you. Somedays were a struggle, but not because YOU were a burden, but rather the emotions of understanding the situation, seeing the pain and knowing, one day, you will have to hear the truth. But, our precious one, God is so good.

You see He knew, before the world was ever formed, that you would be born. He knew that you would come into our home. He knew that we would love you so very much. He knew that you would leave your birth family and become a part of ours. And, as He reminded me so much in the very beginning, He still knows all the days before you. He knows His plans for you, my sweet son, and they are blessed and marvelous and filled with hope.

So your father and I pray that we will shepherd you in the ways of the Lord. We pray that you will grow to be a man who loves, obeys and follows God's call on your life. We hope that you will always know just how special you are, how much you are loved and how you help to complete our family. We pray that you will one day look back on your past with a tender heart and an understanding spirit. We pray that you will see the special purpose God has for you in our family.


Our precious baby boy, we are so blessed, honored and humbled that the God who created the heavens with His very hands, would choose us to be your forever family. As we prayed over you, the same God who named each and every star, also revealed to us the perfect name for you.

Aaron Thomas

You are loved, beyond measure, not only by our family, but by a God who formed and created you with His own holy hands.

Hope Lives.

I know that I need to announce Baby D's new name and show you the good pictures from our family picture session, but something much more pressing is on my heart, and I must share it with you.

Sometimes God brings events and people into your life that change you forever. Yesterday was one of those days for me. Our church had an event yesterday for the people in our community. Joy, hope, tears, passion and love are only a small sample of the emotions that I felt after leaving the building yesterday. I have been blessed and honored to begin new friendships and I pray, that the people we ministered to yesterday felt loved on, cared for and immensely blessed. Below is a news clip from a local station about what our church tried to offer to the community.





Over 24 hours after the "hoopla" of this event, I am seeing, more than ever, why I wrote a post, just over 6 months ago. However, what I can see now, even more clearly, is EXACTLY why I love these people that also call my church home. Over 300 volunteers turned out yesterday, not because we wanted personal glory or gain, but because we all know, very deeply, the One who has changed our lives forever. It is with Him in mind, that we offered ourselves, our possessions, our time and our hearts to a hurting group of people.

But what those people may never know, is exactly how much they touched us. They will never know or see the conversations that I had this morning with our youth and how those youth left that place feeling better about themselves.

They will never see or know of the conversations Luke and I have had about how we will never be the same. They may never know that I will think of them often and praise God for all of His creations. What an amazing church, but better yet, what an amazing community. Thank you Lord for giving me this blessing and for changing my life.

This is the original post I wrote on September 3, 2008. Although this post is getting rather long, I hope you will stay with it to the end. You're almost guaranteed a laugh!

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More Than Bricks

Dictionary.com defines church as "a building for public Christian worship" (plus about 14 other definitions).

However, I know that church isn't a building but rather the people who fill it. I am so incredibly blessed to attend and be a part of an amazing church. Initially, Luke and I were attracted to Rich Fork because of the former pastor. He had such a way of expressing deep Biblical truths but with an air of ease so that new believers (or even non-believers) could understand and seasoned believers felt challenged. When he announced that he was stepping down as pastor, my heart sank. He was the biggest reason we'd chosen that church. What if the new guy sucked?

Let me take you back to April of 2002. Luke had moved to North Carolina to start working for my step-dad as a traveling furniture rep. I was still in Arkansas, finishing up my senior year of college. On May 4, 2002 I graduated and loaded up everything I owned and moved. It was the best move of my life. I was engaged to a wonderful man and moving into a fresh start. Luke and I had started to meddle in scripture and prayer but I was, by no means, a believer.

We had regular pity parties because we had no friends in our new town. We spent a lot of time hanging out with my parents and their friends. They were great but they weren't our friends. We bought a house in June of 2002 and I moved in while Luke continued living with my parents (yes, that's right). We were married in December of 2002 and quickly found some friends that we loved to hang out with. However, due to some outside circumstances, we once again found ourselves friendless. That's when we aimlessly wandered into the doors of Rich Fork.

Luke and I met the Madisons in our Rich Fork 101 class sometime in the Spring of 2003. Little did we know that they would continue to be close confidants and a connection to the most amazing group of friends. They invited us to their Sunday School class and Luke and I quickly realized that we had found a group of people to fill the void of our college friendships. God was graciously providing. I gave my life to Christ and found that these people, these believers, were actually a lot like me. I was amazed.

Luke and I had just gotten settled and involved when our pastor announced he was leaving. We talked about whether or not we'd move churches, since, as I said before, he was a huge part of our love of Rich Fork. We decided that we liked our friends too much to leave so we'd just stick it out, for now. I don't remember ever praying out this decision...now I think that's funny, and scary.

It's so obvious to me now, how out of touch I was with the whole "church" scene. Clearly there was an obvious choice to succeed our former pastor. When they announced that the nomination committee had chosen Michael, I jumped to my feet and applauded. I remember thinking so clearly,

Wow! Why am I standing up? This is really exciting! Wow, I'm really yelling. Okay, calm down, calm down.

In the following weeks we voted, as a church body to have Michael as our senior pastor. When the ballot came to me, I thought

Wow, so this is how this works. Some people may not like this. There is a possibility that he may not be our pastor.

Then it hit me. Why am I here? What does this church offer that all the others don't. The answer was incredibly simple:

The People.

I could go anywhere else, to any other corner in our town and find God. The only place that could find my home, my church home, was with these people.

In the last 5 years, God has continued to confirm that for us. We have the most amazing group of believers that we humbly call our friends. They hold us accountable, challenge us and, most importantly, point us to God. Most of them are also pretty stinkin' hilarious.

If you look over to the right side of this page, you'll see a long list of bloggers, over half of which are friends of ours who call our church home as well. I love these people for so many, various reasons. The least of which is because of the building I met them in. This past spring, Luke and I ventured down to the youth area. It's a decision I will never regret making. Once more, God led us to amazing people. Youth I feel privileged to call friends.

Check out these videos and pics and you'll see, just as I do, exactly why I love these people and I feel incredibly blessed to call them friends. They are hilariously amazing, unconditionally loyal and, most incredibly, tolerant of my frequent mistakes. God has so richly blessed me. Oh, and in case you're wondering...that new pastor doesn't suck. ;)

Our first "new" friends. The Madisons and the Hanners. Nice 'stash Phil!! I'm about 1,000 lbs heavier and I think Sarah's about 16 yrs old in this pic. Wow, have we all changed!


Ringing in a new year. Nice helmet 'Tiney!


Dorf (if you don't know Dorf, google it)


Baby D and The Thompsons. Another example of God's perfect timing.


Birthday celebrations are much better with friends.

Our amazing friend Britt, aka "girlfriend" doin' her thang.





This is a video from almost a year ago. I tried to edit some of it b/c it was almost 8 minutes long. It might be the funniest thing I've seen in a while.

This was at our house last Saturday night. Yep, that's our Pastor Micheal (the one I mentioned above) racing Kevin K. I think he was having flashbacks to the Faster Pastor race.

Pictures Are Not Fun

What do you get when you get when you dress 5 kids, ages 4 and younger, in coordinating outfits, sit them all in a room and ask them to say "Cheese!" (oh, and it's also nearing dinner time)?

Look and see....

The results are pictures that will make us laugh for many, many, many years to come.

Better ones to follow...

Das Not Funny! Friday

Welcome to Das Not Funny! Friday. Here's what has happened with our family this week that cracked my junk up:

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Our church is gearing up for a HUGE event for the unemployed people in our community. One of the things we are asked to bring is 2 boxes of food. Since Elizabeth went with me to get the items from the shopping list, she was SUPER excited to also help me pack the boxes. As I am sorting through them I hear her behind me going,

"Ugh...ugh....uuuuuuugggghhh"

I turn and find her bench pressing 2 cans of whole kernal corn. Apparently corn makes for strong biceps. Funny...I find that it always ends up on my thighs.

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Elizabeth got a bag of Peanut M&Ms while on the shopping trip that I previously mentioned. As we got closer to our house, this is the conversation that we had.

Me: "Elizabeth, we are almost home. If you don't want to share those M&Ms with Bubbie and Sissy, you'd better finish them now."

Elizabeth: (with a mouth full of M&Ms) "Okay Mom. But there's just so many! I'll put some back in the bag and hide them when I get home."

Me: "OR you could share them..."

Elizabeth: "Okay Mom, because I have Jesus in my heart I will share them. Man, I sure have been the best today. But not Lucas, he's been mean."

Apparently there's a daily behavior ranking system amongst our children that I am unaware of.

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Lucas has learned the manly art of peeing in the great outdoors, and it is now his favorite activity. However, he has not learned discretion with his newest skill. From the shade of our back patio, I look into the middle of the yard to see my son dropping trou.

I jump into action and try to convince him that showing the neighbors his "wenis" is "not nice." However, he's not so sure that they don't wanna know all his business. I casually lead him over to the deck and make modesty sound fun by enticing him with the option of urinating on the leg of the deck. With a giggle, he takes aim and drenches the post. Ashlee, who's curiosity is at an all time high, squats down beside Lucas' stream and says,

"Bubbie, you pee pee?........Das alotta a pee pee, Bub."

I see a tiny finger extend, threatening to touch the now freshly sprayed deck.

"NO!" I shreak. "We don't touch pee pee. Shoooweeee!"

"Oh," she says. "Bubbie's pee pee is yucky?"

"Yes," I confirm.

With that, she takes her ENTIRE hand, wipes the post of the deck, then looks at me and smiles.

"Now, my hand dis yucky too?"

Yes dear, it sure is.

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Now it's YOUR turn. What did you see or hear this week that was incredibly funny? I started this blogapolooza so that I could chronicle all of the funny things that my kids say during the week. However, you don't have to have funny kids, or even kids at all, to participate!

Simply write your own Das Not Funny! Friday post and somewhere in it, link back here, to my post. Then, go down and type all your info into Mr. Linky.

It's super easy! If you'd like all of the "official rules" you can click here or if you'd like an easy shmeezy way to link your blog to mine, simply copy the stuff in the box below and paste it into your "Edit Html" tab in the same place where you write your posts.

It’s finally Friday! How many times this week did you hear or see something and think… <i>“Das Not Funny!”</i> but then realize that it <i>actually was</i> pretty funny? Well, such is the purpose of this blogapolooza known as <i>Das Not Funny! </i>Friday.
Check out <a href="http://themakingofmom.blogspot.com"> this blog </a> to see what else is not funny. Plus, by going <a href="http://themakingofmom.blogspot.com">over here</a> you can see who else has seen or heard something and thought <i>Das Not Funny!</i> then stifled a giggle or even laughed out loud! Come on, you know you wanna…

You can also pick up the Das Not Funny! Friday button over on my right sidebar if you'd like, but you certainly don't have to.

Happy Friday, folks! Now please...make me laugh!

Mr. Linky
(Please only enter your info if you have already published a Das Not Funny! Friday post. Thanks!)

Hey You! Guess What?

Hey you!

Do you know this man baby?

The man baby of mystery?

The one who we've not been allowed to show his whole face?

The one who's court date was continued to tomorrow?

Well guess what?

My mom's gonna cheat and show you this picture...

And this one too.

What's that you say?

She's breaking the rules?

You mean by doing this?

So this isn't allowed either?

Awww, fooey!
Well, guess what?

Know why he's so happy?

Because, he's now
legally free for adoption!
Actually, we're all pretty happy.
More details soon...

Drained

I just feel emotionally drained. Several things have attributed to this, none of them being things that I really have any control over.

First, MckMama's (Jennifer's) sweet baby Stellan is back and forth and back and forth from okay to bad, okay to bad. It's exhausting for me to watch it unfold, yet I feel so drawn, so called to pray moment by moment.

Second, my kids have been TERRIBLE today. I'm sure my uptightness isn't helping, but Lucas cried, almost non-stop for 2.5 hours this morning. I was attempting to do some school work with Elizabeth. I was so excited about schooling this morning because on Saturday I bought 2 workbooks at the dollar store, 1 for Lucas and 1 for Ashlee and I just knew they's be so thrilled to have "big kid" work to do. They could have cared less. Lucas sat in front of his workbook and screamed most of the morning.

Ashlee was in a terrible mood and had to be spanked several times, which is totally unlike her. And, during all of that Elizabeth is frustrated because she cannot read. It was more than I could take and I surely questioned why in the world I'd ever want to do this homeschooling thing on a regular basis.

Lastly, another situation has me completely riddled with anxiety. Hopefully, I will be able to share more with you about that later.

All that to say that today has been one of the most stressful days I've had in a very, very, very long time. And, I'm not handling it well, at all. I've lost my cool, yelled at my kids, said BAD BAD things in my mind (and maybe even some of it slipped out), and just been on the brink of tears all day long.

Surely tomorrow will be better. It HAS to be better.

Please God, hear my cries, resolve these areas of unrest. Heal sweet Stellan's heart and make my own be one that carries with it peace, rest and abiding joy.

Man Food, Guns and Fresh Kill

Special Time - n. (spe-shul time) - the act of Mommy and Daddy spending quality time with one of the "big kids" doing whatever the big kid wants to do.

Lucas' special time was, by far, the most interesting special time I've ever experienced with our children. On Saturday afternoon, I had purchased some flower bulbs and seeds at the dollar store. I just knew Lucas would want to play in the dirt and plant all the flowers in our very detestable flower bed.

No such luck.

Instead, Lucas' special time was all about being 150% boy.

You see, a few weeks ago it was Ashlee's turn for special time. What did Ashlee want to do? Bake a cake. There was no convincing her otherwise. So, we baked a cake.


But OH NO! Lucas wanted to have nothing to do with planting or baking or cleaning or such. Instead, he wanted to play "Fireman" which eventually evolved into the funniest, and probably most testosterone filled, evening I've had in a long, long time....er, ever (at least for the testosteroney part).

Warning: The quality of these pictures are TERRIBLE. Namely because a certain 9 month old, who shall remain nameless, pulled our camera off of the bar and now the LCD screen does not work. And, I suck at correctly focusing pictures with the viewfinder in low lighting (which you will see why such lighting was necessary in just a second).

Anyway, our evening began with Lucas wanting to play "Fireman." Very quickly that turned into "hunting" which then evolved into 2 make-up wearing RAMBO men fighting for their lives. I knew I would eventually use that Clinque "Cherry Apple Red" lipstick for something.

Taking aim

Mean faces

After both boys had their sights aligned and their shooting techniques perfected, they went on a hunting expedition.

Strategically placed throughout the house were "enemies" that they had to find and destroy. Such enemies could look sweet and cuddly, but don't let their costumes fool you.

This is a flesh eating polar bear. There used to be a person sitting in that chair. Luckily, my protectors stalked and killed him before he had a chance to sink his flesh ripping teeth into any of us.
Because of the fierceness of the "enemies" these boys had to perfect their army crawling. As you can see, perfection is in the eye of the beholder, er...crawler.

Lucas got smart and hitched a ride on the back of his wingman.

Then, they proceeded to obliterated all enemies. There was a brief moment of turmoil, which ended in Lucas saving Luke's life from Tigger the mean leopard (yes, we know he's tiger, but my kids are addicted to Tarzan right now). He still reminds Luke, as he gently pats underneath his father's chin,

"I swafed your wife dad."

To which Luke responds,

"Yes son, I know."

At the end of their hunting adventure was a prize kill of Vance the Dog. Apparently, underneath that pile-o-dog is a smell that makes grown men snarl. Lucas is obviously oblivious to the stank of fresh kill since he's such an avid hunter.

Our evening was capped off with the ultimate man food: Hot Wings. Naturally present was the ever constant staple of our dinner diet: Mac & Cheese.


So, if you're almost 3 year old son ever requests a "Princess Party" for his 3rd birthday, rest assured that it's nothing that a little fried meat, gun fire and fresh kill can't cure.

I'm still trying to figure out who had the best time, Luke or Lucas.

Yet, it's so hard to really be considered tough when you have a porcelain princess pig peeking over your shoulder.

Undie De-Bunchin' and Randomness

Thanks for the folks who made me feel special and played along yesterday. I loved reading your posts, and I even snorted at a couple.

I lost most of the links in my sidebar during The Great Blog Scare of 2009. So, don't get your panties in a bunch if yours was once listed, but now it is not. It's not that I don't like you, I simply couldn't remember everyone's off the top of my head. If I had yours listed and now I do not, just leave a comment and I'll hook you up.

Next week will be a BUSY week, but look for a new blog header sometime later in the week. It's gonna be a good one, with much more "Springy" colors. I'm hoping to update some pictures at some point too.

Warm weather is hopefully here to stay, since apparently cold weather makes us STAY sick. Now, we are passing around a hacking cough. Although we are not contagious, it's annoying that we have not been sickness free for most of the winter.

Tonight, we are having special time with Lucas, since both big girls have gone to MeMe and PawPaw's for the night. Be looking for that post later in the week, but I will caution you, it's gonna be dirty.

Das Not Funny! Friday - The Inaugural Post

Welcome to the inaugural post of Das Not Funny! Friday. I'm always sayin' I want to write down all the funny things my kids say (and do) during the week, aren't you? Well, now is our chance!

Why Das Not Funny!? Because, our kids are forever making us laugh, usually unintentionally. As we attempt to stifle our laughter, Ashlee (our Drama Queen) almost always looks at us, frowns and says Das not funny!

Oh my darling, bless your heart...it is so funny.

Won't you tell me the all the funny things you've heard or seen lately. It doesn't have to be just about your children (because not all of you have kids...or maybe your kids just aren't funny;-)).

You can check out the "official" rules by going to this post. But seriously, it's just not that complicated people. Simply write your own Das Not Funny! Friday post, then link it back here to my blog. You can either leave a comment in the comment section or type your info into Mr. Linky.

Of course, if you don't have a blog and you'd like to share your funnies, feel free to do so in the comment section.

Here we go! Happy Friday!

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On Wednesday night we were getting the big kids ready for bed when Lucas, out of nowhere, reached over and slapped Luke right across the face! Trying to prove a point, Luke slapped him back.

This went on for about 2 minutes. Finally, Lucas busted out into hysterical laughter and Luke's face began hurting. His point remains unproven.

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Apparently physical assault on my husband's head is becoming a favorite in our house. Why, just last night Luke was wrestling in the floor with all the kids and Elizabeth came at him like a spider monkey, punching him square in the jaw.

I'm enrolling them all in jujitsu next week. I'm thinking that will help, don't you?

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Yesterday, it was a beautiful day so we spent all day outside. I pulled Elizabeth's bike out of the storage shed, from behind the Christmas tree, where it had safely stored since last fall. She strapped up her helmet while I pushed her bike up the small hill in our backyard and onto the driveway.

We reviewed all biking procedures including how to pedal, turn and stop. Then, she was on her own. She began coasting down the slight slope of the driveway and she was so proud of herself.

Then, she began to pick up speed. In no time she was really flying, going full speed down the grassy "mountain" in our backyard. Her casual yells for help turn into death curling screams.

She's not stopping.

I throw off my flip flops and sprint after her (I use the term "sprint" loosely people), hoping to break her fall, or at least cushion it. I get to her just as she begins to tip, I grab her and think I'm in the clear, but her foot gets caught and we both fall and skid to a stop.

Naturally, she's wailing. I pick her up, brush the grass off both our knees and elbows and we begin the ascent up the hill. Elizabeth's still wailing, completely pitiful. However, she agrees to get back on the bike.

We strap back on her helmet and perch her back on the bicycle seat. I smile at her and say,

"I'm proud of you Elizabeth."

As serious as she can be, she looks up at me with big tears in her eyes and says, "But why? I fell down, remember?"

Yes, sweetie, I remember rolling through dog poop all in the name of motherhood.

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As I held Lucas this week before bedtime, I told him how he was about to be a big big boy and turn 3 years old soon. I asked him what kind of birthday party he wanted to have. With a big smirk on his face he looks at me and says,

"A princess party!"

Tonight, Luke is picking up the RAMBO series on his way home and it will be Lucas' night for special time.

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Okay...now it's your turn. Make me laugh people!

Mr. Linky is now closed. Thanks for playing!

The Great Blog Scare of 2009

So, I got all cocky and thought that I was an HTML guru. Turns out, I wasn't. Thanks to the delightful help of T E D over at the google help thingamabob (see, not so tech savvy am I?) The Great Blog Scare of 2009 is officially over (I pray).

Whew! I was seriously sick over it, which I'm sure says a lot about my obsession with my blog..but you know what...seriously people, Blogger is my BFF (you know, aside from actual people who breathe and all).

You may now resume your regularly scheduled lives. I will do the same shortly after I reinstall ALL of my right sidebar. Which reminds me of #2 from this post.

Oh, and T E D, thanks again. You are God's gift to the HTML blind, which would be me.

That's What I Get...

for trying to be "cool" and mess around with my sidebars. Somehow, I moved my right sidebar down below my footer. Can you help me?

I'm asking begging for someone who is HTML savvy to PLEASE help me move my right sidebar back where it belongs.

Hurry! My left sidebar is lonely!

Get Ready For...Das Not Funny! Friday

After this post, and all of your responses (both via the comments and in person/email), I thought to myself, "Self, that was fun." Plus, I'm always sayin' I want to write down all the funny things my kids say (and do) during the week. Which got me to thinking some more and led me to create something that I am so excited to share with you all! This Friday I will host my first ever...

Why Das Not Funny!? Because, our kids are forever making us laugh, usually unintentionally. As we attempt to stifle our laughter, Ashlee almost always looks at us, frowns and says Das not funny!

Oh my sweet Drama Queen, but it is...how funny it really is....

So, won't you join me? I'm giving you plenty of notice (for this week) and I'll even give you the rules in advance, so you can write down all those funny sayings that your kids (or whomever, because let's face it not all of us have kids and/or have funny kids 24/7) have said throughout the week that cracked you up. If you'd like an example of what I'm looking for, check out these posts.

So here you go...you know, the rules and all...

1) Write your own Das Not Funny! Friday post. If you don't have a blog, feel free to leave your funny moments right here, in the comment sections. Naturally, if you leave a comment, you can disregard #2 and #3.

2) In your post, mention Das Not Funny! Friday and link your blog back to mine. For a fool proof way to link to my blog, copy all of the HTML text in the box below and paste it into the "Edit Html" tab in your Compose Post mode.

If you'd like to use the button along with the text and links below (or even put it in your sidebar) you can copy the text in the box under the button (over there in my right sidebar) and paste it below the html below, once more in your "Edit Html" tab in your Compose Post mode. However, using the button is your choice. I only ask that you link back to me in some fashion.

It’s finally Friday! How many times this week did you hear or see something and think… <i>“Das Not Funny!”</i> but then realize that it <i>actually was</i> pretty funny? Well, such is the purpose of this blogapolooza known as <i>Das Not Funny! </i>Friday.
Check out <a href="http://themakingofmom.blogspot.com"> this blog </a> to see what else is not funny. Plus, by going <a href="http://themakingofmom.blogspot.com">over here</a> you can see who else has seen or heard something and thought <i>Das Not Funny!</i> then stifled a giggle or even laughed out loud! Come on, you know you wanna…

If you use the code in the above box, it will appear on your post as follows:

It’s finally Friday! How many times this week did you hear or see something and think… “Das Not Funny!” but then realize that it actually was pretty funny? Well, such is the purpose of this blogapolooza known as Das Not Funny! Friday.

Check out this blog to see what else is not funny. Plus, by going over here you can see who else has seen or heard something and thought Das Not Funny! then stifled a giggle or even laughed out loud! Come on, you know you wanna…

3) After you've written your post, come back and I'll have Mr. Linky set up (hopefully) and you can link to your own post right here, on my blog.

4) Go read other people's Das Not Funny! Friday posts (or comments) and laugh your face off!

So there you go. Start jotting down those funny things today so that on Friday you'll have whole post of comic relief for Das Not Funny! Friday.

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Finally, I gotta give mad props to Jen over at Jenieshell's Design Blog. She has amazing tutorials on her blog that helped me design my button and the text boxes with the HTML text inside. You rock, Jen!

Happy All Green Day!

About a week ago Elizabeth's preparations began. She and her PawPaw headed to Wal-mart to buy some flashing green rings. Sure, Paw Paw disgused his flashing green ring obsession with the premise of going for groceries, but Elizabeth and I know the truth. She also collected some other green things. All of this was in preparation for today, what Elizabeth calls, "All Green Day."

So, Happy "All Green Day" to you! I told Elizabeth that today was St. Patrick's Day, the day for her green stuff and she didn't seem phased. In fact, she's spent most of the day in her panties, which are not green. I've pinched her several times, but mostly just because she has such a cute booty.

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Last week, we went out to eat Japanese with my mom. Luke knows how to use chop sticks, I do not. Seeing Luke's talent, Elizabeth decided she wanted a try. Needless to say, she didn't quite get it. Luke offered her fork. She declined. My mom told her is was okay to use a fork if she was having a hard time. I even told her that I had no clue how to use chop sticks and that I had to use a fork. Finally, after showing her for the 4th time how to hold the chop sticks, Luke offered her a fork one more time. Apparently, that was the last straw. As clear as day, yet totally under her breath she says...

"Fork fork fork fork fork, everyone keeps giving me a fork. Take a fork Elizabeth. Have a fork Elizabeth. Try a fork. If I want a fork I'll get a fork, okay?"

Her hatred of American eating utensils is now a distant memory thanks to some minor therapy. I'm afraid the too-big-for-her-britches attitude is here to stay.

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After making muffins with the kids a while back, we were enjoying the fruits of our labor when I asked the kids,

"Hey! Who made these muffins?"

Lucas proudly announced, "God did!"

Gotta love it.

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Ashlee is pretty bossy. Actually, she's just a flat out copycat which means when I correct someone, she repeats me verbatim. After an especially long day where I had repeatedly told her that she was not allowed to boss her brother and sister around, I turned to her and asked,

"Ashlee, I've already told you that you're not a mommy yet. Who gets to tell others what to do?"

Ashlee replied, "God does."

She's right.

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Last week, I walked in on Elizabeth breastfeeding her baby Callie. If you don't know who Callie is, check out this post.

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For Christmas or Valentine's or some holiday, Luke's Aunt sent the kids a CD with a bunch of kids' song. We have learned several new songs including: Joshua and the Battle of Jericho, Zaccheaus, The B-I-B-L-E and a song called Praise Him! (which Elizabeth has alternately titled Everything That Has Breaf). This CD has become our theme music as we roll down the road in the Big Red Beast. I actually caught myself singing along the other day as I drove to the store, without the kids.

Recently we have started learning a new song, "Who Did Swallow Jonah?" The beginning goes a little something like....

Who did? Who did?
Who did? Who did?
Who did swallow, Jo, Jo, Jo, Jo...

Who did? Who did?
Who did? Who did?
Who did swallow, Jo, Jo, Jo, Jo...

Who did? Who did?
Who did? Who did?
Who did swallow, Jo, Jo, Jo, Jo...

Who did swallow Jonah down?

Well, being the musical genuises that my eldest children are, they LOVED this new song. After listening to it 4,924 times in a row I finally convinced them to listen to a few others, giving Jonah a break. Approximately 5 minutes later, I hear the following request from the back of the van...

"Pooted Mommy!"

"What?"

"Pooted!"

"Who pooted?"

"No. We wanna hear Pooted!"

"Excuse me?"

"Pooted swallow Jo, Jo, Jo, Jo!"

Crying and unable to drive, I turn it back to Pooted. (If you don't get it, sing the song above, outloud, in the loudest voice possible.)

Our only hope of having musically savvy kids lies with Baby D and Baby Girl.

Ongoing

Court was postponed until March 26th (I know I told some of you April 2nd, but apparently I was wrong). We will know more then.

Thanks for the prayers, we certainly felt them this morning. Our friends* who also were in court with us today had the joy of being the FIRST case called (which is such a HUGE blessing). Plus, they also received great news about their foster son's case. Everything was, most certainly, an answer to prayer.

I will update you all next week when I know more details.

*If you'd like to read more about our friends' adoption journey, check out this post to get access to her restricted blog.

Called Out

Thanks for the encouraging words and prayers you all have said on our behalf. I am so humbled. I confessed to my friend this morning that my heart hadn't really changed that much. Then, she asked me a question that took me back. She said,

"When this is all over and he's safely adopted, do you think you'll be able to pray for his parents then?"

She meant it with kindness and sincerity, but the truth is, she pointed out the ugliness that is gripping my heart over these people.

As I thought about her comment the rest of morning, I realized that she basically called me out. She made me realize that I'm being stupid and selfish and just mean. And although I can't say that I will approach Baby D's birth parents with love and kindness, I can say that I am now praying over them.

I am praying that they will find the goodness of the Savior. Right now, that's just about all I can pray.

Tomorrow, court starts at 9:30. From now until then, I will be a walking prayer. Praying to be at least willing to be made willing. Praying for peace. Praying for the ugly to find another home far far way from my heart.

My Totally Ticked Off Heart

On Monday we head back to court for Baby D. I cannot describe to you how ready I am to be there. Normally, court dates make me a nervous wreck. In fact, I usually dread court so much that I have trouble sleeping the few days beforehand. This time will be different. Although I'm sure my nerves will be a hoppin' on the drive there, I feel so confident about Monday's hearing.

Let me show you why. Here is Baby D's birth parents visitation record since February 1st, 2009. They are suppose to have one 2 hour visit a week. (It used to be two 2 hour visits a week, but since they canceled the majority of visits in January, DSS dropped them down to one visit a week. Clearly they were not phased.)

Feb 6th - had a visit. The Baby D's social worker "dropped" in (they are supervised by a different social worker, who is there the entire time) and found out that the birth parents had gotten 2 pet rabbits. Said rabbits were ON THE FLOOR LOOSE with my baby. They were given a voucher for a drug screening, but they never took the tests.

Feb 13th - canceled the visit because birth dad was sick
Feb 20th - canceled the visit because birth dad sick
Feb 27th - canceled the visit because birth mom was sick
March 6th - canceled the visit to "run errands"
March 13th - canceled the visit because of an "appointment"

In January, they saw him twice. They canceled all of the other visits because of sickness as well.

Also, neither of the birth parents have done ANYTHING in their case plan since November.

Before I begin my rant: Our good friends The Hauts will be in court with us on Monday for their case with their foster son who is 3 days older than Baby D. If you're in the prayin' mood, offer one up for them as well. If you just clicked on that link and realized that their blog is private, check out this post as to how you can get access. It's worth the effort, I promise.

So you see, I'm not all that stressed about court on Monday. Clearly, any judge that would NOT begin terminating their rights should be de-robed (Is that what you do? Maybe de-benched? Oh, you know what I mean.) I am doubting that the birth parents will even show up for court. However, it's the what if they show up that haunts me.

I just don't know how to interact with these people. I don't know how to stand there and pretend that I'm not completely ticked at them. I don't know how to love them. I don't want to know how to love them. They have NO CLUE that their son is crawling. They don't know how precious his new 2 toothed grin is because they have no clue that he even has two teeth. They've never spent a night holding him, rocking him and comforting him because he was sick or teething.

On top of all of those emotions, I am also ticked that they had the audacity to claim him on their taxes. Oh yeah...I'm not kidding. Luke and I have had to mail in a hard copy of our tax return WITH an appeal letter because these people thought it was a good idea to claim the child that they do not have in their home nor are they making efforts towards regainig.

Is it wrong of me to pray that they go to jail for tax fraud? It is? Crap, that's what I thought.

Basically, I know that I'm suppose to be all "love them like Jesus would love them" but the truth is, I don't wanna. I want them to suffer. I want them to hurt. I want them to understand just how much pain they will one day cause my son when he has to face the truth of their neglect. I don't want to pray for God to give me the ability to love them. I don't want to see their faces at all.

In fact, if I never see them again I'm okay.

But the truth is, I know that I'm not any better than they are. When I yelled at Ashlee today because she was taking so friggin' long to put on her pants, I sinned.

When I lost it with Baby Girl tonight because she would-not-stop-crying, I sinned.

When I allowed inappropriate words to dance through my head and then I uttered them under my breath, I sinned.

When I got ticked at Luke for no good reason then I allowed myself to stay ticked, I sinned.

I'm as hopeless as they are. I too deserve the hurt, the pain. I deserve to suffer.

I wish I could type out some eloquent prayer about how I want my heart to be transformed, but if I did I would be a hypocrite. I cannot sit here and pretend that I want my heart to change toward them because I don't. I cannot sit here and pray a prayer that is not real. I can't fake it and I won't. Although my mind knows that this is so, so selfish my heart isn't on board. My heart wants retaliation. My heart wants justice.

So this weekend, I will choose to busy myself with all things aside from prayerful mediation. I will choose to clean my house, wash dishes, wipe stinky butts and comfort crying kids. I will hang out with friends, laugh at my children and cuddle with my husband. My mind knows that I should be prayerfully anticipating Monday, but my heart refuses to follow. So, if you think of it and you feel led, pray for this heart of mine. It's full of anger and hurt and just a nastiness that I cannot shake. And while these feelings themselves are not entirely sinful, the refusal to lay them aside and ask my Lord for help...well, that is.

So there it is, my real emotion. The raw me. My real "totally ticked" heart is asking you NOT to pray for it. It's stupid and wrong and totally sinful but I mean really, you didn't think I was perfect anyway, now did you?

Authentic

Maybe you've noticed that my blogs lately have been a little superficial. Well, not today folks. I found a blog and I have to tell you that because of this post and a podcast sermon from this pastor I've been shaken up a little. Both dealt with authenticity. Both made me question why I believe what I believe and why I do what I do.

Let me start with the blog. I found this blog through a tweet. As I read her words, I clicked on another post that she had posted formerly (that first link up there). In that post, Lindsay the blog author said...

Because let's be honest. To be involved in church and call yourself a Christian in this day and age puts an awful lot of pressure on you to portray yourself as a perfect person. You shouldn't wear too much makeup. You shouldn't go to a bar and have martinis. You shouldn't curse. Your blog had better not have a tacky word in the header like ass; it should have hearts and flowers and blinkies on it, and Bible verses in the sidebar. You get major bonus points for living frugally and homeschooling and banning all radio in your house and car except the local Christian music station.


Ouch! Is that me? Am I this woman she is speaking of? I would hope that those of you who know me personally know how incredibly flawed I am. Those of you who see me, speak to me and really know me, well, you know that the imperfections follow me like a pile of stank. But what about others? What about the people who haphazardly come across my blog or meet me in public? Do they see me as fake? Am I less authentic with them because they just get a snapshot of my life?

Yes, I have Bible verses in my sidebar and even in my header. Yes, we homeschool our kids. Yes, I only listen to Christian music. I hardly ever wear make up and I try VERY hard not to use profanity. But "pressure to portray myself as perfect"? Hardly.

Do you want to know why I do the things I do? I hope so, because I'm going to tell you.

Do you want to know what drives me to put Bible verses on my sidebar and in my header? Because I'M SO FREAKIN' LOST. I seriously have no clue. I need constant reminders of what I am suppose to be striving for. I need the everyday glance at something that might, hopefully, ressonate within me, causing me to stop and remember my God. I need those Bible verses. Trust me, they are not there for YOUR benefit.

Do you want to know why I homeschool my kids? Although I am finding more and more reasons, the biggest is this: I'm a control freak by nature. When I taught public school, I always thought that all the other kids would have done better if they'd have been in my class. Egotistical much? Geesh. I don't think that anyone else could possibly educate my kids better than me. Not that I think I'm the smartest person alive, but I mean, I DO have a degree in Education. If the state says I'm good enough to educate kids, then why not just teach my own. And hey, at least if I screw them up I only have myself to blame.

Profanity? This is an ongoing battle for me. I am getting better, but I still have my days. And that doesn't mean that the words still don't come into my mind, I'm just better at controlling them. The reason I try not to curse? Because if I truly have a spirit living in me that is holy and blameless, how can I even attempt to portray that with f-bombs flying out and obliterating everything around them?

Why do I only listen to Christian music? Because it's all I can listen to. No, my car radio is not stuck on KLOVE. A friend of mine once said, "Songs remind me of people and times in my life...sort of like a soundtrack to my life."

I couldn't agree more. Music evokes emotion with in me. If I hear a song about being in love, I suddenly feel more love for my husband. If I hear a song about children and growing up, I cry thinking about my kids being grown. If I hear a song that takes me back to my college days, I remember the guy I was with, the way I felt about him and how hurt I was when he broke my heart. Those thoughts lead to other thoughts and eventually I am headed down a path that does not support strengthening my marriage...if you catch my drift. For me, music = memories. Some of those memories are safe, others are not. Because of the poor choices I made prior to my relationship with Luke, I cannot take the chance that I might hear a song and think of another man. My heart is not yet able and I doubt it will ever be.

Bars? Martinis? Personally I think that bars reek of cigarette smoke and I don't like martinis.

Too much makeup? Who has time for makeup? I'm lucky to shower everyday.

Lindsay said that women who seem to do/don't do all of these things fit into a "sorority", a sunny one. Please don't misunderstand, I'm not angry at Lindsay. In fact, I totally understand where she's coming from. I think her point is that sometimes, Christians seem less that totally authentic. Which takes me back to my original thought.

Am I authentic? Am I transparent? Do other people think that I am attempting to appear blameless and perfect because I claim to have Jesus?

I am not perfect and I pray that I am authentic. The truth is, because I am flawed and imperfect, it is exactly why I need Jesus, why I need him desperately. It is because of those times in my life when I was a free-spirited floozie and the days where f-bombs control my mind that I need Him so dramatically now.

I choose to surround myself with scripture, Christian music and other Christians not so that I can mask what I truly am, but so that I can strive for what I'll never be.

I can never claim righteousness because it is a quality that I will never hold. I pray that through my life and this blog that everyone would not see a woman who is faking perfection, but a broken girl, who wants so desperately to be seen as remarkable woman because of the One who holds her up and encompasses all perfection.

The Object Of His Affliction Affection

Baby D is officially mobile. It's just an army crawl, but don't let that fool you, he is plenty capable of getting to whatever or whomever he wants. Since he has discovered his new found ability, he has also tried pulling up several times. He has made it all the way to his feet twice. Holy moly, my-life-is-over.

Baby Girl is showing a few physical delays. Our wonderful pediatrician listened intently to my concerns at Baby Girl's 4 month well visit and we both agreed that some physical therapy is in order. Physical is ALL the therapy she needs right now since cognitively, she's ABOVE par. This little girl DOES-NOT-STOP-TALKING. However, unlike her brother she is not mobile and she cannot even roll over. Everything about his new ability and her lack-there-of makes her a sitting duck.

When Baby D gets free reign of the living room he always heads straight for the one thing that he loves most, his littlest sister. Yes, his love and unquenchable thirst for her is only surpassed by his love for the bottle. The moment he is allowed to "go" he goes straight to her. Sometimes Rarely can he be gentle and pleased with simple hand holding.


Often he is Hardly ever is he content to just sit and admire her beauty.

Instead, he offers her sweet, gentle hugs and soft kisses on her cheeks rough and aggressive eye gouging*, along with some serious attempts to remove her nose.


When he's lavished a heaping portion of his gentle love upon her had his way with her, he ever so sweetly navigates his way around her steamrolls right over her and seeks out his next object of affection, which as I type this just-so-happens to be one of Baby Girl's socks that he so gently ferociously pulled from her dainty little foot.

Gotta love big brothers...Baby Girl certainly does.

*No Baby Girls were harmed in the making of this post. In fact, she usually just looks at him, grins and then talks his ear off. I can't wait until I can understand what's she's saying...wait, maybe I CAN wait.