Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful for the words of people. God spoke to me today in a very powerful way through someone I don't know. I found my way to A Place Called Simplicity today, and the words there brought me up short, and took me to my knees. I am thankful that the author of this was obedient and wrote what she did. I am thankful to the person who linked to this. I am thankful that the Lord spoke to me today and I was listening.

I am also thankful that Kate and Will are feeling better.

Boogie Boarding Dudes

On Saturday at the beach, Doug and Matt spent a good deal of time boogie boarding. Those who know my husband will understand that this was a big deal - he's not a super strong swimmer and while he is in good shape, he's not an athlete by nature. However, I think he may have finally found his sport!

(Doug is actually in this picture - you can see his board in the upper right corner!)

A Match Made in Heaven

I have to take a break from the birthday celebration update to celebrate a much more important occasion - our wedding anniversary. Doug and I got married 7 years ago. We had a great wedding - filled with love & the Lord. While it was a wonderful day, the days since then have just gotten better and better!

Doug was an answer to prayer in my life - I had just become a Christian but wasn't being obedient in trying to be equally yoked. God used a mutual friend to introduce us (on a blind date no less) - who didn't know either of us was a believer. God intervened into our lives and brought us together; I am so grateful and pray that our marriage and our life together would be one that would glorify His greatness.

I love you babe and can't think of a better way to spend my life than being your wife.

The birthday Celebration continues...

On Saturday, my actual birthday, I got to plan my day

The perfect day according to Karen...

...the morning at the beach with our best friends..

...a massage in the afternoon by myself...

...and dinner out with above friends!

(there are some great pictures of Matt and Doug boogie boarding that deserve their own post - stay tuned!)

Before we went out to dinner - the kids gave me y birthday present.....

then it was off to PF Chang's for some great food -

a great birthday without a doubt!

A Birthday Celebration

The birthday celebration for me started out early this year. Although my birthday wasn't till Saturday, I got my first present on Friday morning when we receive an email from our adoption case manager that our documents for Katie's adoption were on their way to China! (Yes - we have decided on a name - Katherine..to be called Katie). The process of getting the required paperwork to China involved 13 documents - including the official approval from the US Government. Every document needed to be notarized - every notary signature needed to be certified by the County Recorder, every county seal needed to be authenticated by the Secretary of State of California and every state seal needed to be authenticate by the Chinese Consulate! It is an arduous process - but one designed to protect these children form being trafficked. It is a relief to have it out of my hands and into someone else's - all the while trying to remember that it truly is in His hands - hte one that holds Katie close to Him while she waits for us.

After that great beginning, it was off to the beach with some Lucky Mommy's for some fun! Gracie and Ryan met us there (we missed Kailee & Mia!) - and Destiney and the kids joined us too. A highlight of the day was that Matt was here too (we haven;t seen that much of him this summer - now that's he a full fledge high schooler - he's got a pretty full social schedule!). Becky simply adores her big brother - and she loved having him there with us!

Gracie got a hold of Paloma's goggles & thought she was the bomb (which she was!)

Vincent was innocent & listened to the big kids....

Then everybody got into the act with Paloma as the "victim"!

Evidence that a good time was had by all!

There was so much cool stuff for my birthday that I've had to split it into several posts....more to follow!

Wordless Wednesday

Grace Bubbles

Luci Swindoll calls those little moments that we know God is granting us favor is situations when we certainly don't deserve it "grace bubbles" - little reminders that the Father above loves us and wants to shower us with undeserved grace. Today - I experienced an abundance of those grace bubbles.

Today, our dossier (the documents that China needs to approve our adoption of the next little Yingling) did the tour of southern California- on the wings of angels clearly! First, we started at the AAA to take advantage of the free notary services that we have as premium members - saved about $200 (grace bubble #1)! Then, it was off to the county office for the notary certification....but we only had to go down the street as a couple of months ago, they opened a branch location a mile form the house (grace bubble #2). After that, Becky and I loaded up the dossier and headed to LA for the Secretary of State certification - and there was no traffic (grace bubble #3) - normally this 24 miles takes an hour or so - less than 30 minutes today!

After only 10 minute wait, we had the Secretary of State seals - and off to lunch with hubby (grace bubble #4). Then - up to the Chinese Consulate. Becky fell asleep on the way there during the paltry 10 minute ride (sleeping baby = grace bubble#5) - and I found a parking space after only the first circle around the block (#6).

After bundling a sleeping toddler into her stroller - and collecting all the snacks & toys that might be needed should the baby wake & the wait be long - we headed to the building - where the door read "hours 9 am-2 pm" - a quick look at the phone revealed a time of 1:58!! Yikes!! Up the elevator - into the room -take the ticket - with a time stamp of 1:59 (bubble #7). We were the last ticket for the day!

After a 2 hour wait - we were the last number called - it was our turn. I had everything in order...until they asked me for "the letter from your agency" - what was that???? After 10 minutes of trying to find out what they were looking for - I pushed all the paperwork I had through the window in desperation. The clerk pulled out the PA - and said "this is it" (Grace bubble #8). I just needed a copy of that & my driver's license - they had a copy machine & I had the quarters - but only because the parking meter was broken & I had just thrown the handful of quarters intended for the meter into the diaper bag (#9). Got the receipt - be back on Wednesday - down to the car - and no parking ticket at the broken meter (#10).

God surely granted this undeserving servant favor today and showered us with grace bubbles all day long - praise the Lord!! Some might call it luck - but I know that it is only through God's grace that this task got accomplished today - and I am thankful and grateful beyond words for the bubble shower that I received today!