Just because I am thankful, I love him, and I really like this song!

Lately, I have become more and more aware that all of the changes in our lives and God's work in our family have made mine and Jeff's marriage so much stronger and richer and better than it has ever been. Don't get me wrong, we still get irritated with one another and yes, we even argue sometimes.  We don't agree on everything, and I am sure some days he gets tired of listening to me, the talker! But as we have followed God to places we never thought we would go, our love for Him has grown deeper and He has given us love for one another that is focused on giving rather than receiving.  I have seen God grow Jeff in some amazing ways over the past few years, and I am thankful for a husband and father who loves Jesus Christ first. There were years of our marriage that things were far from good--we always loved each other, but it wasn't the kind of love that we have now.  It was a "give me" and "I need" love rather than "what do you need" and "what can I give you" love. We both made some big mistakes and hurt one another deeply. I am so thankful that God restored us, and gave us what we never had before. He opened my eyes to my wrong attitudes and selfish heart, and I am so grateful that He was working in Jeff's heart at the same time!


So, just because I love my husband and appreciate with all my heart the father and husband he is. And because I see God's heart for the orphan in him when he says "Yes" over and over to adopting again and tons of kids (yes, we are praying and considering adopting again soon)! And because of a million other reasons that I could share but won't bore you to death by sharing, I wanted to publicly praise God for what He has done in our lives. We are not perfect people, so our marriage is not perfect. But I am excited every day to share life's journey with the man who God gave me as my husband! The lyrics to the song below are a great expression of how I feel about sharing life with him, and how many of you probably feel about your spouses. 
Even if you have heard it, it's worth listening to again!

"'Cause we bear the light of the Son of Man, so there's nothing left to fear. So, I'll walk with you in the shadowlands 'til the shadows disappear. He promised not to leave us and His promises are true. So, in the face of all this chaos, baby I can dance with you. So, let's go dancing in the minefields..."

Loving and Learning,

Celebrating you...

Anderson,
On your first birthday, we gathered with Gran and Papa and Grandmama and Grandaddy, Daddy bought you a '1' candle, we sang happy birthday, and Alex and Aerin blew out your candle for you. We then watched a short film on Thailand, and prayed hard because you were literally across the globe and we could not hold you or tell you how much you are loved! We hoped and prayed that you would be home by your 2nd birthday, but we knew that you were being held by your Father in Heaven even before we could hold you, tell you how much we loved you, and watch you make a mess with your birthday cake! Here's an excerpt from my blog post on that day:

"Happy Birthday, Anderson. One day, I will sit down and tell you the story of how we celebrated and loved you before you even knew us, and I will tell you that God has done the same since before your life began."

1 year old - Thailand

March 21, 2009 - brother and sister blowing out your candle

Now, you are 3 years old and it is hard to believe how much has changed since the day we first held you in our arms and the day we brought you home. We celebrate your life today, we celebrate God's work in and through your life. And we thank God for all He has done to change our family by allowing us to adopt you. You are funny, sweet, strong, and a true miracle. So, on your 3rd birthday, we celebrate again and this time, you get to blow out the candles and make a mess with the cake! Every time I look at you, God reminds me that His way is perfect, even when it seems radical or impossible, even when I try to do things my way. Happy Birthday, sweet boy! We are so thankful that you are home and so excited to see what God has in store for you in your 4th year!

3 years old - March 21, 2011 - Powdered Donut Birthday Breakfast


"I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:9-10


Loving and Learning,