Trying to catch up before CHRISTmas....

Halloween was awesome!! We had a fun time. Grammy and Jonathan went trick-or-treating with us. It was Mari, Zyia and Kylen's first time. FYI: If you ever adopt a child from another country where they don't eat that much candy....Halloween is not the time to give them a bunch. Apparently 5 pieces was too much for Zyia, so she got sick afterwards. But we still had a great time. We also celebrated my brother-in-law, Marks birthday with a Halloween party where we played Wii Dance.

We love Halloween. Over the years we have researched "Halloween" and the meaning. As most anything you can find good and bad in it. As for our family, We love it. While there is clearly no place in the Christian home for the "darker side" of Halloween, we've concluded there is a place in our family for some innocent fun. Kids love to dress up and pretend. Over the years, we’ve allowed the kids to get costumes and go trick-or-treating, while supervised, around the community. We enjoy carving pumpkins, decorating cupcakes........Costumes though around our house are a year round thing.

Orphan Sunday Plus 1 day

Couldn't make it to the computer yesterday for Orphan Sunday.

November is Adoption Month. Over the past few days I have read inspirational words about adoption. Seen several great moving videos that could or should soften many hearts. But as I sit here ready to blog about orphans, adoption etc. So many words I could say, but instead I will leave this....

A year and a half later

Homecoming Parade/ It takes a village.

We had a good time at the homecoming parade. Of course it was a "first" for the Mari, Zyia and Kylen. However the second we arrived, even in our small town there were cars everywhere. The kids in the parade throw candy...which ends up in the road, followed by other moving vehicles. Instant note to self: Do not come alone to the parade (alone..thats funny as I'm hardly ever alone), alone meaning the only adult. Lately Chris has been very busy at work. So I have taken the children several places "alone". Thank goodness the village stepped up today. From the time I got out of the car friends were everywhere to help. Which I felt so blessed and thankful.

Our Ethiopian Princesses

Bramari and Brazyia

Our Cup Runneth Over

Follow your Dream...That deep desire in your heart!

In Case You Ever Wonder...

Hello, you-

the one with that dream in your heart,
that idea on your mind,
that desire that just won't go away.

You wonder...can I do this?

You can do all things. (Philippians. 4:13)

You ask...do I have what it takes?

You've got all you need. (2 Peter 1:3)

You question...is who I am okay?

You're more than okay, you're His. (Psalm 139:14)

So go for it.
Dare to make that difference, take that step, follow that dream. God will go with you, and love will see you through.

Kisses in the wind

KISSES IN THE WIND (The Waiting Child's Lullabye)

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.
You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.

I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long.
But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...
Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.
I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.

Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.
But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.
And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.

--- © Pamela Durkota, written for Josh

Something here is wrong
There are children without homes
But we just move along to take care of our own
There's so much suffering just outside our door
A cry so deafening
We just can't ignore


To all the people who are fighting for the broken
All the people who keep holding on to love
All the people who reaching for the lonely
Keep changing the world


Take a look around
Before the sun goes out
What's lost can still be found
It's not too late now
It only takes one spark to make the fire burn
So reach inside your heart and let this be the start


You can see the suffering
How they gonna recover when
People just look over like they don't even notice that
Everyone is focusing
On ending all this hopelessness
You can change the world by changing who the world is hoping in


I see the sun coming up
It's a brighter day
Let's show the world that love is a better way
So lend a hand join the fight
'Cause time is ticking away