Where did you see Him this week?

What a crazy week it has been in the world!  First, the horrific bombing in Boston.  In a place where hard work and perseverance is celebrated with a finish line of victory and triumph, the enemy misplaced all of that with choas, destruction and loss.  Surely, however, he didn't think about how the spirit of Love is always bigger.  The stories of beauty and the kindness of strangers has prevailed in the news.  God always gets the glory!  His Love always wins!

Next, the tragic blast in West, Texas.  This one hit way too close to home for me.  In college, I may or may not have dated someone who is from that very small sleepy town and spent more than my desired weekends looking at cotton fields, checking for aphids and riding around in a red pick up truck with a few stops at the Czech bakery just for fun.  Of course, those weekends wouldn't be complete without the softball tournaments at the Knights of Columbus Hall that included their fare share of Keg's - followed up by Sunday Mass to forgive all those sins.  Small towns are funny places I learned - places that are like today's version of "Cheers" ... where everyone really does know your name.  In any case, this week was a week of wondering over many people who touched my life during that time including that gentleman who now is married, with children and still calls West/Abbott home.  Since I don't make it a point to keep up with old flames, I can only pray that the Lord protected he and his family, extended family and the many friends that I once called mine.  But, alas, once again - in the midst of such tragedy, the beauty of God's goodness has been seen in the stories that are continuing to unfold.  Even in the loss ... He is there.
Love always wins!

Add to my week, I was down with the most awful stomach bug.  Literally, that little booger took me out of the game.  Stuck right between those two events ... what made for one depressing week.
My little highlight, my amazing husband who took care of my kids, fed everyone, did laundry and made sure I got what I needed.  He even went to the store for chicken noodle soup ... bless his heart.    The store ... Not his favorite chore.   God is too sweet to give me such a love.  See!! Love always wins!

As I drove down the highway of 281 today, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the beauty of bright yellow wild flowers that overtook the median of the road.  Literally a burst of color that only could be created and perfectly displayed by a God who knows that in the ugliness of the world ... he still wants us to know of his beauty.
I so wanted to stop and take a picture of those flowers, but the image in my mind has gotten me to think of the other beautiful images he has given me throughout this week.

Indeed, love always does win!  I have so much beauty around me.  Here's just a few of some sweet and beautiful moments of my week.  What about you?   Where did you see his fingerprints and beautiful displays by his hand?

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.  Ecclesiastes 3:11

It's a Wrap!

Watching a Baby's First Christmas ... at just days away from 5 years old is perhaps one of the biggest blessings of adopting an older child.  I mean, seriously, every first through a child's eyes is incredible - but when those eyes are old enough to not remembering having it before - it will blow your socks off.

For weeks we had so many questions that I wanted to poke my eyes out question after question about Christmas.   Spotting the first tree "inside" that he thought was "on fire" at Costco should have given me a clue that we would have many laughs and much confusion of all the lights, decorations and Jesus's "birfday" to come.

I still don't think he "Gets it".  I mean, the day AFTER Christmas he awoke asking if it was time again to "open presents".  Did I mention that Zebene is the modern day version of Pavlov's Dog - only you don't have to keep repeating the whistle - after only one time - it's time to repeat.   That would be great if it worked for peeing in the toilet, putting away his toys or listening to instruction.  I don't know why Pavlov seems to be so selective.  Anyways ....

As I stood in the shower on Christmas Eve, it dawned on me that my boy had NEVER opened a gift.  We had talked of presents and gifts and he had seen me put colorful wrapped things under the tree,  but he had not one clue that inside each of those brightly wrapped packages was a toy or something fun to be discovered.  So as the water washed over my face - panic began to break out.  We were heading to Christmas Eve at Nana's ... the chaos of all mega chaos after our church service.  6 nephews and nieces and too many adults smashed together in one living room with presents and paper flying everywhere was not my idea of seeing my brand new son open his first gift.  And well - selfishly - I also didn't want to share that moment.  Hhhh mmm ... I am totally selfish like that.   Too bad.  I jumped out of the shower and peeked my half naked body out the door (outside door I might add) to let my hubby and kids know that it was time to come in and get this show on the road.  We were opening a gift BEFORE we left AND we'd also be making time for a few pictures by the trees.  Insert here the roll of their eyes and a big yawn reply.  Too bad again, call it my Christmas gift to me!  Anyways, I succeeded in getting a few shots of that first unwrapping of the gift and a few pictures of my kids all dressed up.  Unfortunately, the hubbs didn't realize that you have to focus the lens when he attempted to get one of me with my kids ... see what I mean.

Did I just make you feel like you needed new glasses?

Oh well - so much for the pic with Momma and her babes.  At least I got a few of the babes.

It was only after all 4 of the kids had piled into the car that I realized that hubbs hadn't focused ANY of the pics of me with my kids.  But, alas, their was one last ranger who hadn't yet made it into the safety of the car so I snatched him up for a Momma pic.  Lucky boy - it was my Christmas gift!

It's amazing what that focus will do

Here is a little peak at that first gift unwrapping.  Please note, poor lighting, poor focus again.

Does his eyes look crossed to you??  HAHA

Wait?  What?  That's all - Pajamas?

I know, and all that fuss for a pair of silly PJ's.  Poor kid - he also didn't know that the traditional Christmas Eve gift is a new pair of .... insert drum roll please .... PJ's!

Then came Christmas Eve service - only it was a Monday and Z was sure that we had just been to church the day before.  HAHA.
I love these next pics.  I had taken in my camera to church as I didn't want to leave it in the car during the service - You know, all those thieves at churches - snicker!  As we sang Silent Night and lit our candles, there became this beautiful moment - one I just had to get through the lens.  Me likey!

Then we headed to Nana's for heartburn and headaches a quick bite (because you have to eat quick when 10 kids are pawning after you to open gifts) and unwrapping of gifts.  We also always listen to Papa or one of the Daddy's read the story of Jesus's birth from Luke.  You know, that's the short version - just a few paragraphs too long for the little kids to listen to.  This year, Z told me he didn't have to listen to Uncle John as he said "He not talking Zebene".  Apparently, when amidst a group  the rules of listening don't apply and Z is invisible.   Don't worry, I am praying for his teacher!  We also sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and eat cupcakes that have each been filled with one of the nativity items.  If you get Jesus in your cake - your a winner!  HAHA.  I'm laughing at my own self here, I mean, we seriously put Jesus inside the batter of our cake and everyone digs around their cupcakes to see if they win the dollar that year by getting the gold Jesus in their teeth.  The things you do for kids!  Are we white trash?  This year, Z wasn't so sure about singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.  He was a tad bit confused ....

What in the world are they doing???  This picture CRACKS ME UP!  Yes, we are that crazy in America!

But all is well, he got the ass  Donkey in his cupcake

Seriously, a Christmas miracle.  Nana and Papa and all TEN of their grandkids looking and SMILING at the Camera at ONE time!

Two of my nephews and my cutie son

Then we headed home to put the kids in bed and finish our own Christmas preparations.  Here is my itty bitty tree in my new house.  It looked like a Charlie Brown tree at 6ft tall with our 20 plus foot ceilings.  HAHA.    The night before the chaos of the unwrapping and messes ... and please, someone tell me why it look so yellow?

Christmas morning.

Everyone with their sleepy eyes, with their Christmas PJ's and stockings.

But, really, all Maliah wanted for Christmas was her three  THREE front teeth she lost the week of Christmas.

Everyone got quite a loot between us, my parents and the in-laws.  After 3 Christmas celebrations, Z woke up the next morning and asked if it was time to open presents.  HAHA.  He has asked every day since if it is Christmas.  Poor kid.  

And because we could no longer stomach seeing him dressed up like this ...

He got a big box of dress up clothes for BOYS - including a police man and a Roman Knight!  Whew!!  This is more like it!  

He also LOVES talking about all the animals from "Af-ree-kuh".  So, appropriately he did tell Granny he wanted a Zebra, a Lion, a Giraffe and an Elephant-e for Christmas when asked.   In his stocking did appear his Christmas wish ... Yes, they do come true - even IF you don't know what Christmas IS!  

And here's a few more fun Christmas pics.  I have too many to choose from and too many I love.  I will add a few more just for my own enjoyment.  

Ah, aren't we cute ....

This is more like us!

Aunt Susie - as crazy as my four kids!

My whimsical beauty and her new crazy shoes.

And last but not least .... our Christmas gift!

Oh wait .... maybe Aunt Susie is actually the gift!

That's it folks .... That. Is. A. Wrap!  

That's it - in a nutshell.

I seemed to have lost my self in the midst of these ...

And have neglected all things "Blog" for the entire summer!  I have done a lousy job documenting the madness of our life and failed to post some precious and memorable moments along the way.  I miss you, my bloggie friends, oh how I miss you!

Through an abbreviated stream of photos, I thought I'd re-cap that absolute craziness of our life right now - or at least the highlights of a few of them.  It seems with 4 kids, the camera is out less often as my hands are always full with with something or someone.

I started May with attending the Christian Alliance for Orphans Conference in California (CAFO).  I also had a Visiting Orphans Board Meeting that followed.  4 days away ... I never knew how much I'd need these 4 days with all the chaos to come!

Yes, that would be Francis Chan speaking!

Of course, an adoption favorite!  SCC played the last night

May then brought a slew of end of the school year activities

- We learned that Maliah was born to be on the stage at a Kinder performance ...

 Field Day for all 3 ... in ONE day!  

Meanwhile, Z and I were at the hospital being admitted for an eye infection that would keep us for 2 nights and 3 days ...

That stay was the same weekend as Dakota's 10th birthday AND a baseball tournament.  Praise God for Grandparents!

Dakota celebrated a girls day with her bestie and Momma!  

And School Awards for all 3 ...

And Canyon being chosen to be a part of the Comal ISD Gifted and Talented Showcase where he represented his WWII project and video on "The Power of WWII on it's people".

And the Last day of School Carnival 

Which also meant the last day of Elementary School for my sweet Canyon.  He's officially a middle schooler and I am officially OLD!

Oh ... and in the middle of all of this, we were trying to sell our house

To which we did as soon as it hit June

That led us to put an offer on a house and begin the process of moving.  We are, as I write, getting ready to close and begin doing re-model work on our new house.  Packing away and getting prepared to live officially in the "Hill Country" which leaves me with views like this ... Yeah, that will be my backyard.  *sigh*.  I'm thinking as I look through my chaos, this will be a nice retreat.

The beginning of June brought a visit from my dearest friend in the world - Cindy! Maliah was THRILLED to see Libby and it was super fun to introduce Gracie and Z.

These girls have known each other longer than we have known them.  Both from  Xuwen, their is a crazy special bond.

June would also not be complete without another dance recital by my blue eyed beauty.  This year, she was in 3 dances ...

And the State Championship baseball Tournament for Canyon led us to a weekend in Round Rock, Texas where the Angels fought hard to make it to the Championship game.  3 games in a row on a hot Sunday (after 2 the day before) led them to the final game ... they lost, but they fought hard and taking 2nd isn't too shabby.

And of course, June brought Canyon's 12th birthday.  He had a day of Fiesta Texas with a buddy and chose for his Family birthday dinner - a night to the "Trough" at "Golden Corral".  HAHA.

June also brought a special day at Schlitterbaughn when my nephew, Rhett, (age 16) came through for the day from Oklahoma.  

And June/July was filled with Lemonade Stands on the corner with all the neighborhood kids ...

And this week (July) has brought the beginning of our yearly TbarM camp experiences.  Dakota and Canyon were dropped off for what we have figured out is their 5th camp year.

Here the kids are getting dropped off.  TbarM would not be complete without some of our dearest friends, the Wilburn's.  Caden and Canyon have been friends since Canyon was 22 months.  Dakota and Kennedy, since birth.  

Drop off is WILD!  While Daddy goes with Canyon to get him set up in his bunk, I take care of Dakota.

When we are done dropping off the girls, we usually head to the boys cabin to give our final hugs.  This year, we officially missed the window (apparently).  My boy is a middle schooler ... and this is the last thing I saw of his drop off.  HAHA.

So - what's a girl to do?  Head out, grab "The Little's" and burry my sorrows in them and ice cream!

And of course, July wouldn't be complete without Maliah getting her own TbarM camp experience.  She went off to day camp for the first time today.

So July will end with us closing and selling our old house, closing on a new house, having re-model work done, packing and moving and oh - retrieving kids from camp.  

Perhaps come August, I'll find the time again to blog.  Perhaps?  Do stop back by ... I am also working to have my blog "made over" soon.   One more thing on the "to do" list.