My heartbeat........

is for orphan children overseas! I was just sitting here on the couch watching college football with Scott. On College Gameday this morning, they highlighted Tim Tebow and his life outside of football. (For those of you who MAY not know, he is the quarterback at Florida.) I had NO IDEA what kind of a guy he was. He was born in the Philippines. His mom and dad are missionaries there. He travels all over the place speaking and giving his testimony around different states. Over spring break he flew to the Philippines to work in a local orphanage. It was amazing to watch the video! There were so many children around him. He said that God blessed him with a talent and he wants to do everything he can to give back and glorify God with his popularity.

WOW! I love my VOLS, but I may just have to root for Tebow this year!!!

It reminded me of why Scott and I adopted JP in the first place. Yes, we have missionary friends in Guatemala, but we both felt God's call to help out..even if in one little life. I cry each time I hear of the orphanages around the world that are having to turn children away because they have no room! Is it not our responsibility to care for these helpless children and babies?? (James 1:27) You know, I've mentioned here before the MANY comments we, as adoptive mothers, get about having children. Such as, " don't you want your OWN kids?" "Can you not have children?", "I could never love someone elses child the way I love my own.." BLAH, BLAH, BLAH! Unfortunately those people may never understand....ME on the other hand, God has called me to mother His babies who have not been blessed with the care of their natural mother. And I am honored and thankful for that calling in my life! Scott and I are D.E.F.I.N.I.T.E.L.Y not ready for another baby, but I do pray that God blesses our life down the road with another orphan!

It is truly my heartbeat!

BIG CHANGE

Well, yesterday (Tuesday) was my last day at my job! I have worked at the school for 10 years. I cannot believe I actually resigned! I was offered a job in the public school system in an autistic classroom with 3rd through 5th graders. Basically, I now have the WHOLE ENTIRE SUMMER off!!!! WooHoo!!

I started today in the classroom. I loved it! It was really different from what I have been used to. I have never worked with this age group before. It will definitely be a challenge! I am very excited!

I will post pics of JP as soon as I get through these first few weeks of school. It's been pretty hectic......

Belated Birthday Pics

Aunt Rose bought me my 1st set of Lego Blocks I opened up a green tractor truck from Uncle Doug and Aunt Sandra

I LOVE climbing up and down the ladderNot sure what silly face daddy is making
Mary E. and Taylor

Baby Peyton loves the water

JP looks good in his daddy's clothes!

Tired after a long afternoon on the lake......

I have more to post from the weekend we were at the lake with Terry and Shannon, but this was one picture I thought was precious....JP LOVES his Mary Elizabeth! Thank you for putting up w/ my randomness! I have so many photos and not enough time (w/o you know who on my lap) to post them. My computer takes 4-ever to upload to blogger.

I also have to give a quick SHOUT-OUT to my sister-n-law....Amy is pregnant! We are all excited and looking forward to welcoming another little addition to the family in April! Congratulations Amy!

Photo Shoot w/ JP and MacKenzie

A little bit of birthday....

COMPLETELY out of order. I cannot seem to post these in the order that they took place....sorry! Can I plead insomnia?!

JP and daddy waiting for their turn to see Chuck E. himself. JP wearing his birthday medal.

Opening presents...
The table before we trashed it!
Ki Ki enjoying the ride. This was her first time at C.E.C.
Daddy letting JP press all the buttons...it's all he wanted to do!

On the way home dazed and sleepy, but holding his most prized possessions....the Doodlebop characters from his GaGa!

Sliding down the slide with Miriam and the Doodlebops. (We went to church with Miriam, her sister, Meredith and their mommy. They were both adopted from Vietnam. She is JP's future wife...sorry girls!)

Opening his Doodlebops.

I have a lot of pictures from both of his birthday parties. I will have to post them a little at a time. Here are a few from Chuck E. Cheese on Friday night. He had an absolute blast! He followed the HUGE Chuck E. Cheese character around the entire room trying to give him five and hugs. He was a little doll!

Brand new toddler bed for my brand new 2 year old!

Well, I finally gave in and allowed Scott to buy JP a racecar toddler bed. He was not a huge fan of the crib anyway! So....I guess my little man is growing up! Now, we'll see if he actually sleeps in it!

Few party pics from tonight (Sat.) To Be Continued.....

Yea! Daddy...the higher, the better! I love me some Mary Elizabeth.....
Jamie (aka Bubba) played in the pool with me so mommy could rest! Thanks, Bubba!

WOW! I am exhausted! It's very late, so I am going to be quick..... We had 3 birthday parties this weekend. Chuck E. Cheese was last night (Fri), Kenzie had a Pump It Up party this morning (Sat) and we had another pool party for JP tonight. We are all pooped. Needless to say, JP had slept very well this weekend! Yippee!



Here are a few pics from tonight, I will add more tomorrow from all of the parties. I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far! Good night!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY!!

Today is my baby's birthday!!! I am heading to Sam's to buy his birthday cakes. Yes, I did say cakeS....our family/friend list is pretty big, so we have split the birthday party in half!! Tonight is CHUCK E. CHEESE!! WooHoo! Tomorrow night is swimming at Nanny and Papa's! We are very excited. Last year, if you remember, Scott was in the hospital for his 1st birthday. So, this is his first real party...I cannot wait! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET BOY!! We love you!