Happy "Adia" day!

I can't believe that ONE YEAR ago today our precious girl was placed in our arms. It has been a year rich in so many ways, hard in many ways, but full of the Lord, His grace and tender mercy. We love you Adia-leigh and thank God for you everyday!


Side Note: Can you view my blog OK? Whenever I view it, its all messed up!

The dreaded "Night Terrors"

Do you see that most precious smile? I have missed it so much and don't know what has happened. Just wanted to see if anyone else has dealt with Night Terrors. We have had Adia on a pretty good sleep pattern (with a few minor bumps here and there)for many months. Three weeks ago she stopped sleeping through the night and has been completely freaking out at nap/bed time. The last two nights I can officially say she is having Night Terrors. Last night was the absolute worst, my heart was crushed for her as she was trembling in my arms and acted like she didn't know me. It was awful!!!!!!!! Any advice would be helpful and please pray for both of us. Words can't even describe the fear I saw in her face and all I know is that my heart has never been more crushed.

June...Oh, how I've longed for you!

June, if I can just make it to June. I said this a lot over the last several months with a few other things that I won't mention. These last 6-months may go down in history as the days in life that kicked my trash around the block and back. Having 3 kids at home by myself for 6-months was not my ideal situation. I have learned a thing or two about myself and it has not all been good. All, I can say is that I am thankful for God's grace and that his mercies are new every morning. There have been many a night that all I could say was "We will start over tomorrow." :)

I have learned that being loved by my 3-little's is one of the most rewarding things life has offered me.

I have learned that adoption can be extremely hard work but so rewarding and beautiful.

I have witnessed first hand that their is NO difference between the intensity with which a parent loves an adopted child and a home-grown child.

I have learned that a brief time away is vitally essential to my state of being more now then ever before.

I have learned that my house will still hold up whether it is clean or dirty. ( I must of had a good builder ;)

I have learned how much I really love to be at home and not running my children everywhere for everything.

I have learned that an extra NF/SF Mocha can solve many a problem. A few nice trips to the beach can do the same thing.

I have learned that their continues to be a strong desire for more schooling...so guess what? I start in the fall and couldn't be more excited.

I have learned I need my husband. I don't just love him, or want him around, or enjoy his company (though all those things are true)...I NEED HIM! I need his support, his help with kids, his input, his humor, his presence and participation in our lives. The last 6-months Eric has worked out of town M-F and it has been hard. Yes, we were very thankful for the work but that still did not make the day to day any easier. We have been blessed with such great friends and family who helped out. Thank you for saving the little bit of sanity I had left.

and now its JUNE!!!! This means that Eric will be coming home in about 3-weeks. We are so excited to have him home.

AND, this brings me to the next phase of this journey called life. It has been a dream of Eric's for quite sometime to own his own business. It has never felt like a good time but we feel confident that the time is now. You are probably thinking that we are crazy to take this step of faith in this economy, we really feel at peace and hopeful about this decision. We are excited to see how God can use us and want to be open to his plan. He continues to refine us everyday and we have lots of questions but are trusting that God has something in store for us.

This change comes with a ton of emotion (insert crying) as Eric is leaving a company that he has loved as his own for 10 years. We are forever grateful to Shannon and Gina for allowing Eric this opportunity and most importantly for the friendship that has developed over the years. We love you both so much!

Please remember us in your prayers. We have no doubt this change will come with stress and anxiety until Eric is established. We are up for the challenge!

We are continually reminded that we live a beautiful life. We are blessed. We are loved and oh so happy to have a few lazy summer days as a family of 5 coming soon.