Cabo Cont'd

Too many to fit on the previous post...

CABO SAN LUCAS

Yes, we are still alive. Yes, our summer was busy. Yes, I have severly neglected my blog. Now...onto more important things.... :)

Michael and I were able to celebrate our ten year anniversary in beautiful Cabo San Lucas. We had a wonderful, wonderful time relaxing in the sun and enjoying one another's company. It was difficult to leave the boys while we were away, but it was a much needed time of refreshment and reconnecting. It didn't hurt that every direction we looked was like a postcard.

Enjoy!

Mother's Day and Church

I will admit...there were many years that I dreaded going to church on Mother's Day. At first it was because I longed to be a mother and despite our efforts, it wasn't happening. Watching all of the mother's recieve a flower when they came through the door or remaining in my seat while other glowing moms stood to be recognized was painful for me. It was a reminder of what I wanted so dearly.

After the twins were born, I still could not stand. I was finally a "mother" and gloriously happy about it. But as I went to church on each Mother's Day Sunday, I couldn't help but look around the room and see friends who I knew were still hurting like I once was. I'd see the face of my friend who had been trying for five years. I'd see the face of another friend who lost three babies. I'd see the face of a friend who had undergone several infertility treatments and still was without child. I couldn't stand because all of a sudden I didn't feel like I needed to be recognized publicly for a job that God graciously bestowed upon me.

Last Mother's Day that changed. I stood for the first time ever. Brady was just shy of two months old and I had a revelation in my heart. I must stand. Brady's birthmother chose me to parent and love Brady. I stood because I would honor his birthmother's sacrifice by doing so. This year, it was the same. I stood, thought of Brady's birthmom, and silently gave thanks for her love for our child.

We are at a new church this year. I wasn't sure how the whole Mother's Day thing would unfold during the service. The neatest thing happened. Our pastor to families prayed a prayer that I was so grateful for. He prayed for each of the mothers in the congregation. He prayed for their health, stamina, wisdom, etc. Then, he prayed for all of the women in the congregation who became mothers through the miracle of adoption. He thanked God for the birthmothers. He thanked God for the adoptive mothers who lovingly parent children that came to them in such a special way. Next, he prayed for all of the women who long to be mothers and are still waiting for God's plan to unfold for them. He prayed that they would have direction and hope and comfort. Afterwards, he prayed for the mothers in the congregation who have lost children. He prayed for their hurting hearts and peace to wash over them. Lastly, he prayed for those that have lost their mothers and recognized that all of these situations bring pain for some on this very special day.

For the first time in my life, I sat in it a church with a pastor who "got it." Someone who recognized that God's precious women are all in different stages of their journey of life. I was so appreciative, I went to this pastor after the service to personally thank him for his compassion. Today, I was blessed.

(I have to include that my boys did a great job making special gifts and cards for me. My hubby has been the picture of sweetness with my beautiful flowers and thoughtful gifts and servant heart. Honey, if you are reading this...I love you! I love sharing my life with you and I am grateful that together we are the parents of three beautiful boys!)

Adoption Talk

Okay, when Brady was a newborn I got comments and questions everywhere I went. Is he adopted? What race is he? Where did you get him? How much did he cost? Are you going to tell him he's adopted? (That one is personally my favorite question...I have to hold back the sarcasm! I mean, aside from the fact that his skin is darker, his eyes are darker and he looks nothing like us...I'm standing with Brady's five year old twin older brothers...I think they'll remember that Mommy's tummy never grew with this addition!) The list of questions could go on and on and really, I find them humorous and I don't take offense to curiosity for the most part. I love opportunities to educate others and show my children the beauty of how God built our family.

I can't even remember the last time that a stranger asked me a question that I found offensive until last week. Well, the question itself wasn't offensive...it was her "look." The saleslady in a local department store kept staring at me and then Brady and then me and then Brady. She got this weird expression on her face. She curled her upper lip up and scrunched her eyebrows together really oddly before raising them. Then in the strangest tone that will never do justice unless you heard it she asked, "Is he yours?" I smiled brightly and answered, "Yes, he is!" She got this strange look that I can't even begin to explain. Then, after about twenty seconds of looking oddly at the two of us she said with her face all contorted in an almost condescending tone, "Does he look like his dad then?" I was so proud of my quick wit! I said cheerfully, "He looks like his birthfather!" I smiled at her obvious confusion and let her chew on that for awhile while I walked away! :)

A Race to Remember

Michael after he finished the 1/2 Marathon
In front the the reflecting pool at the Memorial. Michael was explaining the bombing and the significance of the Memorial.
And Jesus Wept.
Each chair represents a person killed in the bombing. The large chairs represent each adult. The small chairs represent each child. Each chair has engraved on it the name of a person who was killed that day.

We had a wonderful, wonderful weekend with my longtime friend, Sally, in Oklahoma City a few weeks ago. We went up there to see their home, enjoy the fellowship of dear friends, and watch our hubbies run the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. They actually ran the half and did great!

This was a very special race for the city. It began and ended at the Oklahoma National Memorial which was built to remember the men, women and children whose lives were taken during the bombing of the Alfred P.Murrah Building on April 19,1995. I remember vividly watching the news coverage from my college apartment right after the bomb went off. Half of the building was gone. I remember the frantic faces of parents looking for their children in the daycare center located on the first floor of the building, knowing full well that that entire section of the building no longer existed. The image of the firefighter carrying the baby will forever be recognized as a symbol of the evil that took place that day.

What I realized during this annual marathon is that those images are still alive and well today in the hearts of those so closely touched by this needless tragedy. Family members and friends run or walk in memory of their loved one. Family members personally place medals around the necks of competetors when they cross the finish line. The chairs at the memorial symbolizing each person who died that day are covered with the medals and race numbers of those that ran in their honor. It is truly a sight to behold.

This memorial is so well done. There are two gates on each side of the reflecting pool. The East gate reads 9:01. It is the minute of peace before the attack. Everyone was going about their day. The West gate reads 9:03. It symbolizes the horror that took place after the 9:02 explosion. On the front of the memorial it reads, "We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity."

My favorite part of the memorial, though, is the statue placed across the street from it. Have you been there? If so, I know that you, too, will never forget that image. It is a statue of Jesus. His back is turned to the site, his head in his hands. It reads, "And Jesus Wept." It makes me teary even now. It was such an incredible teaching moment for our boys. They learned there that man is sinful. They learned there that bad things do happen to good people because of sin. They learned there that Jesus is a God who allows tragedy for some eternal purpose. They learned there that Jesus cares.

We hope to make this race an annual family tradition. I pray that each year our boys will be reminded of our need for a Savior.

MUST SEE!!!!

I have lots of things that I need to write about, but they all went out the window right after I watched this!!! You MUST watch this amazing woman on Britain's Got Talent. To watch Susan Boyle blow you away click here

BEAUTIFUL BOY!!!

Natalie has prayed for years for a baby sibling...it was so much fun to make her this shirt! She'll be a great big sis!
Already singing lullabies to Baby Cole!
Proud Papa! Cole Douglas was 19 inches long and 8 pounds 4 oz. SOOOO SWEET!
Thank you, Jesus! Can I take him home with me???

I am very thankful this week for the gracious hand of God at work in the lives of my dear friends. You know, there are some people in your life that you feel such compassion for, such empathy that you physically hurt when they hurt and physically feel elation when they do, too. It is a gift to have even one friend like this, where you feel like you are a part of them. I am blessed to have two.

My two closest friends have had a rough few years. Both have lost multiple children before they had the chance to hold them in their arms. After years of prayers for these two beautiful friends, I am overwhelmed by God's gracious gifts to them. Sally is pregnant and will find out if she will be painting the nursery pink or blue in a few short weeks. And my other dear friend, Blythe, delivered a beautiful, healthy baby boy on Thursday. Welcome to the world, precious Cole Douglas! We have longed for your arrival and rejoice with your Mommy and Daddy and sister over your life!