pure sweetness!

Jossalyn and her good buddy Lawson. They are 2 weeks apart and love playing together already ;)! This picture was just too sweet not to share!

the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
Job 1:21

This verse is brought to mind regularly regarding the loss of our son and the adoption of our daughter.

This morning before church, when all was still STILL in my home, I was thanking God for what He has done for us. During this conversation, so to speak, I felt a strong urge to go and get my calendar. I was all of a sudden reminded that on Jossalyn's paperwork, it states that she was an estimated "38 weeker". Although we don't know this exactly, based on the information given by her birth mother as well as her "stats", this was her gestational age. So, I immediately began to count backwards. Based on this information, Jossalyn's date of conception is roughly the week of May 1st. The exact same week that my son's heart stopped beating inside my womb, my daughter's began beating in someone elses. I had chills. I have them now as I tell the story.
God doesn't do things on accident.
He knows no coincidence.
Who knows, maybe he gave her life at the exact same moment, Jordan's was taken.

Blessed be the name of the Lord

The Redwoods

On my way home from the gym this morning I heard a grief counselor, Dwight Bain, on K-Love. He was talking about the recent disasters caused by the tornadoes. He used an analogy that I loved. I can't remember it exactly but he referenced giant redwoods.

They are huge, massive trees. Some towering over 300 feet tall. Yet, their roots are only about 5 feet deep. How is that they do not topple over? The roots of the trees are intertwined. They don't fall because they have the strength of each other helping them to stand. As I was listening to this, I immediately began to think of the many situations over the years that I have been a part of a "root system" such as this. Where Christians come together to help each other stand when they just don't think they have the strength to stand alone. Some of these situations were not my own directly but I was able to play a part, while some were my own and so many others helped me. I am so grateful for the "roots" in my life. What a blessing to be a part of such a wonderful body of Christ.

Already??

Accountable Kids

With 3 boys close in age, it's a constant battle over who will do what when, who will go first, who did it the best, etc. So, our family decided to give Accountable Kids a try in our home (and outside for that matter!) and we LOVE it!

When we first received our box, the boys couldn't wait to open it and find the board with their names! They each chose a color and painted away! Of course Mommy had to help with the smaller details ;)! None of them could quite understand why Jossalyn doesn't have one yet!

They immediately wanted all the details on the program and wanted to start it that minute! We had our first family meeting to give them all the details! They were on board right away...whew!

The boys actually enjoy doing their chores now. They are able to remember what needs to be done without me or Daddy-O saying it over and over again and best of all I don't feel like I have to constantly go behind them! YAY!

As reminders, we adapted a little bit for outings. The boys will wear silly bands on their arms. These can be given or taken away as tickets at home. I was afraid I would forget and wanted them to have immediate gratification or consequences!

They look forward to earning special dates with myself of Daddy-O. I began seeing better behavior right away. We are excited to have started this program in our home and look forward to the fun and freedom it will bring!

I would definitely give this program 5 stars! If you would like more information, click here.

Mother's Day 2011

Mother's Day this year was very special to me. Very special and bittersweet at the same time. To look at where I was last Mother's Day and this year, to be standing in front of my loving church family with Daddy-O and the kids for Jossalyn's baby dedication was just wonderful.

Re-Postable Post

I got my Blog2Print Book today...LOVE IT! I am so glad I finally did it. I got the first 3 years worth and I will now make one each year! I was flipping through and found this poem I wrote a few years ago on Mother's Day so I thought I would re-post. I pray you all have a wonderful Mother's Day and just enjoy every second with your children...no matter where you are or where they are!

I cook
I clean
I read books
Wipe butts
And noses
Get dirty looks
Play cars
Play Wii
Hold hands
Give hugs
Love kisses
And noozles
I even squash bugs
To T-ball
To B-ball
To birthday parties we go
To the palladium to watch a picture show
To "chickalay" to play
Or get ice cream when it's hot
Or maybe a trip to the Dollar Spot!
I teach
I learn
I experience
I play
I LOVE my children more and more each day
My profession is the best
and with that I'll agree
I get "paid" each time I hear the word
MOMMY!
Happy Mother's Day!

This Mother's Day, I am excited that Jossalyn will be dedicated at church! If any of you would like to come to LCC's 9am service, we would love to have you!

May 2, 2011

We decided to surprise the boys with a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge to mark the one year anniversary of losing sweet Jordan. We thought this would be a good way to celebrate how far we have come as a family and keep everyone (me especially) in good spirits during this time.
The boys were EXTREMELY surprised. We told them we were going to Ikea for the day. Which was not a lie, we did go to Ikea but just for a quick trip :). Our first problem came Sunday morning when Jaxon, who was aware of the anniversary, decided he needed to stay at Nana's with his little sister. He wanted to be with her and he didn't want to leave her for a silly trip to Ikea. After some coaxing, he decided he would come along with us. We had a wonderful 2 days there (although we ALL missed Jossalyn TREMENDOUSLY).




We came home and went to Jordan's grave where the boys wanted to release balloons. Everyone wrote a message on a balloon and we let them go. It was a peaceful moment we all enjoyed. It amazes me beyond words when I think how far we have all come since last year. So much has changed. It's all so bittersweet. You go through something like losing a child and you feel like you will be sad forever. You feel like you will never experience happiness again. You feel like you will never be the same. The only true statement here is that you will never be the same. I have changed in more ways than I ever imagined and I am so grateful for those changes. The Lord has taught me so much about me, about others, about life. Praise Him!
I still miss Jordan like crazy. How can I not. He is my son. But I can rest in the fact that we will one day be reunited in a glorious heaven.



Wounds will heal
Scars will remain
Gentle reminders
Of the pain

Joy now fills those
Wounds so deep
Lessons from our Lord
We'll continue to reap