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.