a tapestry

i had this epiphany on our way back from vacation in florida this week. the kids were complaining why we had to move from there and they wanted to go back and michael and i were kind of agreeing with them that it sucked to leave.....

celebrating

the realization that i probably really don't want to go back and it wouldn't be the same if i did. that was an important time in our lives but with perspective i can see how god has moved in our own lives by leaving there. the palm tree representing that time is an important and beautiful part of our tapestry but our family specifically hasn't been called to make a portrait with a single image rather to weave a tapestry with beautiful images each having their special place but blending into another scene. i am anxious to see what will be added to the tapestry next.

michael's ministry

he is in st. joseph, missouri tonight in the midst of a weekend long interview. we are praying for clarity as to if this is a fit for our family and for that church. we are so open at this point and just want to serve and join god wherever it is that we can be used. i am realizing that i certainly have preferences about where i would love to live but what we really want is to see lives changed as ours has because of jesus and to be a part of what god is up to in the world--whatever corner he sees fit to use us. the place will be what we make of it and we could live in armpit, north dakota and if we have a happy marriage, are able to raise our kids as we feel god has instructed and can love people like jesus has loved us then it will be a great place.

don't get me wrong--we will still go to the beach and come to the mountains. we will probably appreciate and enjoy them more than we have living there!

if this isn't the one that is fine also. he has several more interviews upcoming-wisconsin, minnesota and austin, tx.

vacation renamed

they should not call a trip with 4 kids a vacation--at least not for the parents. it needs to be renamed something like parental supervised children's recreation--it is not a vacation. it is a joy to see the kids squeal at each wave and marvel that their mom is super cool because she finds shark's teeth. i wouldn't trade these memories. we got to celebrate tatiana's 5th year adoption date and brennan's 3rd birthday while we were at the beach. amazing milestones--more amazing that i am living to write about them.

real vacation

michael and i leave this saturday for our 10 year anniversary trip. now if this marriage making it isn't proof of a supernatural god i don't know what is. taking two totally selfish people put together with 4 kids in 3 years and that is the making of another chernobyl--where no one comes out alive. but we have made it and we are celebrating with a 9 day trip to california. we are getting tattoos in la, bike riding in carmel and ending up in san fran. i hope to sleep late, nap and read a lot while i am there while watching my husband smoke a cigar overlooking the ocean. don't look for any magnificent blog about all we did on our trip when we get back. it better be a really boring blog or the vacation sucked as far as i am concerned.

kid pics

the vacation, adoption celebration and birthday pics are downloaded and should be up here soon.

sweet summertime

today was officially the last day of school for harrison and all the others are out as well. i was really wishing i had a summer vacation instead of them! my sweet friend kasie then reminded me that we only have 18 total summers with them. if you figure harrison is already 6 and we missed the first summer with aleksandra and part of tatiana's first one we are on the countdown. i am excited now.

celebrating

my kids accomplishments. i think i was more excited with harrison's cheesy handmade kindergarten diploma than he was and tatiana came home with 3 completed workbooks and aleksandra and brennan's end of year program at mother's morning out made me cry. i can't believe how big they are getting and how much they are learning. harrison is reading like a champ and tatiana is starting to sound out words on her own. brennan yells out colors for everything and aleksandra is identifying the letters in her name and knows her friend mollie starts with an "m". who knew a little reading, writing and arithmatic could make a mom so proud.

better than all their academic achievement they are growing into funny, sweet, kind-hearted kids. their own unique personalities are really coming out and it is fun to watch.

don't get too comfortable

isn't that just our nature to want to be cozy and comfortable? you can bet that just when you get that way God will move--either figuratively or literally. we are feeling that. we have made a home in asheville that we are all comfortable in; friends and settled into life here....but wait--micheal is having much success with interviews and job searching everywhere but asheville. i would guess we will be moving again. you know as dreadful as the process of moving sounds, i am excited to see what is next for us. i finally feel like we are pursing god and not our own interests and i feel confident that will lead us to a more fruitful ministry and overall peace in our family.

pray for discernment for michael. he has made it past the initial interview phases and now is being asked to travel to meet some of these potential churches in person in the coming weeks. i am praying for clarity for him about where there is a fit.

missio dei

please continue to pray for the ministry here. while they are aware we are most likely moving on things are really happening here. we will continue to serve here and ask you to pray for them. there are several new couples/families joining us each week. we know our core group here doesn't want us to leave but we are praying these new folks will become invested and take ownership of the ministry to help further the outreach. this city is really in need of the uncommon love we believe best displays jesus.