a lovely celebration

So I thought we were going to our friend's for dinner on our anniversary.... 

Zak and Shira invited us to dinner this week Wednesday as we've been trying to plan this for some time... and I didn't tell them it was our anniversary because I didn't want them to worry- it's almost impossible for us to find babysitters lately so I've basically stopped trying... 

So I'm at speech in the van with a sleeping Clayton and Lily is sitting in my lap singing songs in the front when David walks up- go take my car- you'll see instructions... 

I had a full hour to relax at the apartment and get ready!

 thankful to our friends the Orfs who watched our kids...

We ate at the most delicious restaurant in Detroit... a.maz.ing! 

It was called Cuisine. We shared everything and it was delicious. 

 After dinner we went to the 72nd floor of the Renaissance Center for drinks.

and then we took a nice walk on the water...

today is a special day....

It's our anniversary today. Our 9th anniversary. This is the last year of David's residency- a year full of promise and excitement. 

But before we look too far forward let's look back....

Nine years ago I married a teacher. He was an amazing teacher- full of patience, wisdom, and he made sure to enjoy the kids a lot! 

Right before we married he decided he wanted to become a doctor... and he has taken us on a wild adventure...

 

In Tucson we used to sit on our roof and watch the sunset. We'd climb up the ladder with drinks in hand and just sit for hours. 

After not much time of just the two of us we thought we'd take in some foster children... so we did... and our lives were changed drastically- my naivety collided into a reality of pain... the pain of knowing their stories- the pain of ever having loved such beautiful children... And all the while- David was an amazing father figure- showing his patience, kindness, and love. 

the great move...

this picture was taken in the summer of 2007- about 5 weeks before we moved to Michigan. We had recently dropped off H to live with her new foster family and were days from flying to Spain for 3 weeks. Though we're smiling, it was a very difficult season. 

My beloved country- Spain! what I'd give to be able to go there more frequently. We had the best time- we stayed in dingy hostels, ate off the streets, saw the most beautiful architecture in the world, my feet were dirty for weeks from the walking in flip flops- you'll never catch me traveling in sneakers. :) I'll never forget this trip. 

And then there were children...

Bentley John 

Clayton Matthew

Lillian Elizabeth 

(I learned by number 3 to ditch the terrible hospital gown. :) 

I think we've lived with others more than we've lived alone.... 

Micah, Scott, Kristen, Chris, and Leigh - combined living together for 4.5 years

plus a year with Steven

a year with Nate 

and 1.5 years with Karla and the boys

our time in Africa 

We've traveled all over the United States,

 been to at least 7 countries,

 lived in 6 houses, 

rescued countless animals, 

and been among some of the most loving people one could ever hope for. 

As we go into our 10th year I hope for more laughs, more love, and more peace than ever. 

Happy Anniversary my Love. 

Of late

1. Bentley got ahold of a marker recently and he decided Lillian needed a tattoo.... All over her face.

2. We went to a park on the river yesterday and had a blast!

3. Clayton asked to color too while we were driving yesterday so I looked in the rear view mirror and saw Bentley with a lipstick open. That required a pull over ;) (not pictured)

4. We are having a serious sewage/plumbing issue so I'm staying at my friend Lisa's (avoid buying a house at all cost!!!!!!)

the final bite

I have two little boys- so different, so unique.
The younger one- learning to talk. Repeating his desires over and over... and over again. Cereal, Mama. Cereal, Mama. Down, Mama. Down, Mama. I want that. I want that. Over and over... like the smooth sound of a beating dream it becomes faint background noise.
The older one- without words makes up for his lack of speech in actions. Already this morning I fished out an unopened letter from the toilet only because he was standing outside of the bathroom pointing- showing off with pride what he had done.
The younger begged relentlessly for a bite of Mama's oatmeal- his cereal had long been finished. I finally gave in to my wide eyed and smiling boy's request-just so long as he used kind, respectful words: Oatmeal, Mama, please. And after he joyously received what he so desperately wanted I scooped up the last bite of oatmeal onto my spoon and looked up-- and there was my older son- staring at me with his wide eyes and a giant goofy smile, tongue sticking out. And I know if had words he'd say something like- Me too Mama- I want a bite too!
And like any mother who enjoys satisfying her children's desires I gave him the final bite.

I am learning that releasing my final bites for the sake of my children is what parenting is all about. Releasing my selfish desires for my children's needs is key. From setting aside my phone while unanswered texts await me to rarely finding a moment alone... without children, laundry, a husband, dishes, chores- the things that forever beckon me. Giving up the music I have so loved over the years (music was used as a grounding when I was a child!) for the toddler songs- wheels on the bus and itsy bitsy spider play in my head. all. day.long. It's soccer and basketball and towers of blocks. It's naming colors and numbers and shapes and letters. It's exhausting and rewarding.

Yes, there was a time when sharing that final bite of oatmeal would have been unheard of. And now it's daily.

And it's all I ever wanted.

And it's Christ molding my heart to His.



1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Snow!!!

It is coming down fast!!! So Clayton, Lily and I are reading books by the fire and watching if come down. ;)