Adoptions of Grace, Faith, & Anna

A week or two ago I was putting on my make-up, while watching the morning news.  I saw a story that still has me reeling and I had to share my thoughts and ponderings.

 “Bigger, Fuller Butts are IN” 

 Seriously?!  While my first thought should have been one of  ’excitement’, because this would mean my butt is ‘IN’, I was left shocked and dumb-founded.  They went through several celebs that are ‘leading’ the bigger butt thing, and stated that it was one of the Kardashian (sp?) sisters that has given us “permission” to flaunt our larger, fuller dairy-air. Permission?!  I had no idea what a rebel I was!  I’ve been sporting my larger, fuller dairy-air for quite some time now- I should actually be named the ‘pioneer’ of the ‘Big Butt’ revolution!  While they showed us how to get that ‘fuller’ look through some exercises; I have a much better, easier workout.  It’s called “The Cheesecake Factory”.  Right now my favorite is the new ‘Red Velvet’ cheesecake. It works wonders for BOTH the butt and thighs.  If this is not you cup of cheesecake, do not fear, apparently they sell ‘butt enhancer’ garments so you can have ‘instant’ fullness.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!! 

 I went downstairs and asked Austin if he had heard of this.  He said he has heard about the butt enhancing garments.  I asked him if there was a ‘butt’ style that was ‘in-style’ for guys, to which he laughed and replied “No, our butts are what they are.” At that moment I kinda wished I were a guy so my butt could just “be what it is” and nothing more.

 We women do this to ourselves…WHY?!  Why can’t we simply be what we are…fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)  After all, we were created in God’s own image. Genesis (1:27)  And, out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen us to be His treasured possession. (Deuteronomy 14:2) AND, we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18) Oh- and keep in mind that: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting: but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs (31:30) 

We were fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s own image, and are His treasured possessions who reflect His glory!  And amazingly, we are being transformed in to His likeness with ever-increasing glory! 

 But, unfortunately we are bombarded with media that tells us what we should be, and how we should look in order to be valued and desirable.  And with the technology of today, our kids have a much bigger challenge with this than we ever did growing up.  They need to hear the truth. 

Arthur, Austin, Lillie, Anna, Grace, and Faith you were fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s own image, and are His treasured possessions who reflect His glory!  And amazingly, you are being transformed in to His likeness with ever-increasing glory! 

We had a fabulous vacation!  But are back to reality.   I will give you a few highlights of our trip.

Of course we boated!

And we swam.

Hmmm, those darn cell phones!!!

We played games.

We got to learn about, and see butterflies!  (Notice the “Big Kids” did not go to the Butterfly Show- their loss!)

We had some team-work.

A little rub-a-dub-tub…

And a few laughs with my best friend in the whold world!!!

Yes, it’s been so busy I am behind on posting.  I’ll give you a few short highlights of our July.

Best buddies! 

Making ice cream with Grandpa Carl.

Lillie was in the State Choir this summer- the concert was fabulous but we forgot the camera, so crummy cell phone pics had to do!

Lillie and Alex riding Tandem

Girls feeding JD’s fish before swim lessons- where they are swimming like fish!

Having ice cream with the Grandpa Ivan and Grandma Mary Lou.

What is more fun than watching Daddy work on the deck?  Not much, I guess!

I promise to post more later!

Almost forgot!  We had our 6 month post placement done and it is off to China tomorrow!  Yeah!  Almost done with adoption paperwork!

Lillie is off to her choir thing, the girls and I saw our first movie at the movie theatre, and Austin got his wisdom teeth pulled.   He was very ‘feisty’ waking up…  

Over the past 6 months, Anna has pointed out things that the girls have, that she does not have.  One of her biggest issues has been the girls’ piggy banks.  Anna has continually asked for her own piggy bank- just like Lillie’s, Grace’s and Faith’s.  The piggy banks have been a gift from Aunt Jenny and Uncle Dennis.  I tried searching for them with no luck, but got a tip that they could be found at the craft store.  Aunt Jenny helped us figure out what paint pens to use, and here we finally have matching piggy banks!  Yeah!!!  There is peace in the house- or is there…?  Grace happened to notice that Anna’s piggy bank is a bit larger than the others….  Now, the concern is, that Anna has more room in her piggy bank for money.  Will we ever find PEACE?!

We all have moments that we stop in our tracks and say, “WOW”, and have to ponder them for a while.  This was my “WOW” moment.  We went Father’s Day shopping and the girls were looking through cards.  As I was watching over their shoulders, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion over the fact that; at 6 years old, Anna was picking out her first Father’s Day card.  Let that sink in.  6 years without a father.  Let me rephrase that.  6 years without an earthly father.  Praise the Lord, that whether or not she knew it, she had a Heavenly Father watching over her those first 6 years.  But this year, she has both!    

Please forgive the fact that Faith is holding a card with a mug of beer- we did not purchase that one, I steered her towards a better choice!