Refreshed in Five

As many moms know, most days there just aren't enough hours to get everything done.  The other day, I was making a cup of iced tea with plans to take 5 just for me, when on my kitchen counter I noticed a magazine.  On the cover surrounded with some adorable kids' pictures, was the writing:

All you need to:

de-stress your schedule

wipe out stains and clutter

simplify dinnertime

have more fun!

What?

All this in just ONE magazine issue?

Where have you been all of my life...all those days I was stressed running here and there, cleaning house, lamenting another dinner to be made and longing for some fun?

I am sure this magazine had some great tips and one day, when we return home from dropping Carson at college, I'll read it.

But until then, I think I'll take my five minutes, and pull a tip from the ONE book that has all the answers.  

Staying home, caring and schooling little (and not-so-little) ones can and is exhausting.  I am not complaining, really, because this is where and what I want to be doing.  I'm thrilled to have five children and thankful to have the opportunity to educate their minds and sheperd their hearts.   There are many ways the world gives us to re-energize, boost our happiness and find meaning in our day to day lives.

Be wise with your time--I tell myself.  And I urge you to do the same.  Our children don't need to hear about loving, compassion, grace, forgiveness, joy, hope....they need to see it.   They need to watch it in action as it interacts with the world.

Moms--take your five minutes.  

Spend it wisely, refreshingly.

de-stress your schedule:  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1Peter 5:7   Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

wipe out stains and clutter:  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.  Titus 3:5  (stains)  Jesus himself said,"It is more blessed to give than to receive."  Acts 20:35  (clutter)

simplify dinnertime:  Keep falsehood and lies far from me;  give me neither poverty or riches, but give me only my daily bread.  Proverbs 30:8

have more fun!:  ...I have come that they may have abundant life and have it to the full.  John 10:10

Now, speaking from experience, when I take my 5 with Him, I'm amazed how much longer my baby sleeps and how sweetly my older children get along.  How graciously He extends my 5 to 15 so I can be refreshed and ready for the next 24!

The newest baby bird in our nest

Last summer I did a post on my, then,  two baby birds.  To sum it up, whenever I started to cut a watermelon, they would flock over with their mouths opened for me to drop in a piece or two.  Here are some of the pictures from that post.

(You can read/see the post here.)

Well, the other day, as I was slicing up a watermelon, the girls came over with their mouths wide open. In walked our newest baby bird, who doesn't miss a beat and never wants to be left out of the action.  He stood right in front of Lindsey and opened up.  I laughed out loud.  Little man had no idea what or why they were doing it, but he joined right in! :)

Have I mentioned the joy and laughter that he has brought into our home?

Adoption support day

In response to Pat Robertson's ridiculous adoption comments, I propose that everyone who disagrees with his statements show their support of adoption by making at least one purchase from Minus 1 Project store, www.gotloveadopt.com, this Wednesday.

Spread the word!

(Super smart move by Chick Fil A, so I thought we would give it a try... ;)

And that is all, as some of you have asked, you will get as to my thoughts on Mr. Robertson's comments.   I think it was obvious that it was his personal feelings and not the feelings of our Heavenly Father toward the fatherless.  Just a shame that he has such a large platform and broad spectrum of followers that he has the opportunity to influence.

To "Gotcha Day" celebrate or not...

There is no such thing in God's economy as an "adopted child", only a child who was adopted into the family.  "Adopted" defines how you came into the household, but it doesn't define you as some other sort of family member.

~Russell Moore, author of Adopted for Life, 10 yrs after the book.

Read the entire article HERE.

I've been thinking about the idea of Gotcha Day celebrations.  I have read many a blog post on this remembrance.  Some call it Forever Family Day or Meetcha Day and I've seen many different ways families celebrate it.  

In the past, we have celebrated the day we met Lindsey with a family day of sorts.  Retelling our journey to her, looking at pictures and video, celebrating with a nice(r) dinner and fun dessert.  This year she seemed a bit more reserved about her "gotcha day".  We are just beginning to navigate some new waters as our family grows older and matures.

I know each child is different and each family, as well.  The above quote got me thinking and praying about the "adopted" celebration.  Does it put too much focus on the child that was adopted as being different from the other family members?   I'd love to hear your thoughts and your family's traditions of that day.

I don't want anyone to be critical or judgmental and want all commenters to be respectful of each family's decision.

So...to "gotcha day" celebrate or not.  What's your thought?

When art reflects life...

I took this picture of my three youngest several weeks ago because I thought their choice of fashion was so funny.  The girls got dressed and then got Carson dressed.  Apparently the style for that day was stripes and plaid.

I kept looking back at that picture after it was on the computer.  There was just something funny familiar about it.  I couldn't quite figure it out until the other day when I noticed this picture hanging on the girls' bedroom wall.

I had taken a picture of it and shared it on the blog earlier this year before Carson was home.   It reminded me of all the pictures the girls drew and all the conversations we had with them about Carson after we received his referral.

I just smile to remember how much this little brother was loved long before he was here to pose for photographs.  And I am so thankful for the ease of which our dynamic duo morphed into the terrific trio!

A Bagel in the Face

Forget Pie in the face.

While Lindsey was trying to give Carson a bite of her bagel, he knocked it up and it actually stuck to his face.  When she peeled it off, he was left with a cream cheese face!

Funny thing was he wasn't bothered a bit and just wanted another bite!

Thanks for all the fun guesses.
Shecki G.--you're the winner!  (email me, takva73@gmail.com, with your size and address)

Thanks for playing along!

We are hoping to place our second order of the girly "got love?" light pink t-shirt by the end of this week.  If you were wanting to order, now's the time!

(Available in youth XS-adult 5XL)

Guess the Mess GiVeAwAy

It has been a few months,  I think, since we did a give away here.  So just for fun leave me a guess (comment) as to what you think Carson has all over his sweet face.  Only one guess and I'll put together all the correct ones and draw a name to win a FREE (-1) t-shirt.

Guess the Mess:

Bring on the guesses and I'll post the winning name on Monday.

Have a great weekend.

Adopt on! 

Six

Lindsey turned 6 this week.  In so many ways it feels like just last week we were in China learning all about her.  I hope one day she will understand how her birth changed me.  Contrary to what people tell me (and I always reply with), I did not change her destiny.  She has changed mine.  God used her to open my eyes to much more than what I had felt or seen before.

On her birthday night she chose to have a family volleyball game and to bike to a neighborhood playground.  I'm pretty sure all my other children would have picked a movie night. :)

Love. my. girl!