Amazement

God works in such wondrous ways...
He is the ultimate example for perfect 'parenting,'
He lets us test our limits; maybe even being the Force that pushes us to our limits,
Let's us doubt Him,
Love's us even when we are mad mad at Him
He gives us the time and space to grow and FAIL,
But in the end is forever protective of us!!!

I have been witness to this over the past year in so many capacities of my life.  I am a child of God, I know this... and as I reflect over the past year, words CAN NOT describe how GRATEFUL I am, how BLESSED I am to be loved by our Lord.

Today is April 20.... and I am acknowledging ALL of my blessings today!!!  I am silently shouting THANK YOU to the Lord for taking a few things away!!  He is forever loving and protective!

I hand all my worries to him!

"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord." Psalm 112:7

Gigi

incredibly sweet,

strong willed,

a snuggler,

extremely artistic and detailed,

a fashionista,

SMART,

talkative,

quick witted- FUNNY 

(we call them Gigi-isms and I could easily write a book with them.)

loving,

free spirited,

sometimes shy...

Gianna is a brilliant little girl.  She truly brightens my EVERY day...  Our conversations are fun, easy and very best-friend like.  I can only hope and pray that our relationship continues to flourish and our bond as Mother-Daughter continues to grow strong.

Gigi- Mommy loves you so very much.  I love that you love pigs, especially Peppa.  I love how girlie you are yet at the same time LOVE to get dirty and run with the boys.  You are definitely the most "Italian" in the family, you would eat pasta for every meal if I would allow it.  You are super special, loved, and growing too, too fast!  

Have a wonderful, happy, healthy year my sweet girl!  Enjoy being 4!!!

PRAY

to start, I owe Gigi her Birthday post....I have not forgotten about it!

life is so busy, no excuse....

but do not worry, I am being reminded in many different ways to slow down.

and all I can say is thank you Lord for all of your wondrous works in my life!

.....................

but, I am blogging today because I owe this to my son.

he is such a strong boy with an amazingly beautiful soul.

I am being reminded not to take him for granted.

reminded in different ways that even though he is growing quickly, he still is a young child.

a young child requiring love and nurture every moment he's awake. (all kids deserve this)

............................

Garyn hasn't had the easiest life when it comes to good health.  He has battled through ALOT.  And we are struggling again with a few more health concerns... so this morning he was watching a Max Lucado movie titled "God is Always with Me."  Hermie wrote the word Pray on his hand to help him to remember to pray and as a reminder that God is always with us.  After the show, Garyn wanted to write the word Pray on his hand.  So we did, he was so excited to see it on his hand; proud of his hand. He looked at it and talked about it the entire way to school.

Tonight as we went to bed, I asked him about his hand and to see if it helped him through his day....much to my surprise, he BURSTED into tears.  He said two friends at school during circle time laughed at him because of what was written on his hand.

We talked for awhile about the situation and different ways he could have handle it (if he wanted to say something)....and in typical AMAZING, STRONG fashion, Garyn said, "Mom, I want to put it on my hand again tomorrow.  It helped me today."

I LOVE GARYN MATTHEW SANFORD!!!!  He NEVER ceases to amaze me!  God has gave me this beautiful boy for a reason....THANK YOU!

My comfort

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; 
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths For His Name's sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;
For you are with me;
Your rod and Your staff - they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, You anoint my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life. And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord My whole life long.
[Psalm 23:1-6; NRSV] 

Adoption Update....

probably another year or more of waiting.

maybe at some point I will elaborate.

heavy heart.

i. am. sad.

Adoption Update....

I wish I could give all the details....

But I do not have permission.
What I can say is this....
We are moving in the right direction!!!!

It could be possible that we have a referral in a few weeks...
and then again....it could be a few more months.

The past three Fridays have brought us high hopes that the Ethiopian program is moving, referrals are being approved, and our agency is sharing all good news every Friday!!

So, if we get any more 'big' news on Fridays, I will be sure to share....

Wouldn't a referral, our baby(ies) be the most wonderful birthday present ever???

A girl can wish, right???

Until our next Friday update....
Ciao!

Time Change...

Really?
don't get me wrong...
i love the fact that when it's warm, sunny, and SUMMER, the sun shines all day and long into the evening...
but that is because SCHOOL IS OUT!
last night went like this:
"but Mom, it's still light out, we can't go to bed now..."
so...i made up a story that went like this...
"there once was a man who wanted to confuse,
so he made the sun shine at night and sleep in the morn,
it made perfect sense to him but for all others it made none..."

This morning....
the kids were tired, it was still black outside...
so our story continued like this...
"who is this man that wanted to confuse?
we are not sure....so our house ruled
to find him and shake him right...
the sun rises in the morn and sleeps in the evening...."
this silly man has it ALL wrong says our 4 and 6 year old!

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME... UGH!