Start of the Soccer Season

It's soccer time!  Anni and Jeff had their 1st tournament this past weekend.  The girls (and coaches) did a great job!  They lost their 1st game by 1 and won their 2nd game by 4!  It was a HOT day, but everyone held in there really well.  It's going to be a great season! 
Go Palmetto United!

Anticipation

There is an anticipation of the unknown future. And so often it’s the very best thing that we never knew we wanted. God has a way of doing that…
I was so encouraged once again this morning by the book of Psalms. 
"From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint;  lead me to the rock that is higher than I."  Psalm 61:2
In times of uncertainty and anticipation - it is so incredible to know that there is a Rock who is higher than we are!  And no matter where we call out from and no matter how frail and faint we feel - He is right there ready to lead us by the hand to a place of His perspective - eveything always looks different from the top of the highest rock!

"Mom, she totally trusts me"...

When Anni got home this afternoon from her 1st day in 3rd grade - I asked her about her High and Low (the high-point of the day and the low-point of the day).  She told me her Low was that her assigned seat is right between 2 boys - yikes, 3rd grade-boy germs!  Her High was that she was able to control her talking during carpet time while she was sitting next to her "best friend" who happens to be in her class this year (finally!) and so now she knows her teacher, Ms. Massie, totally trusts her!  That is a definite High!
Let's see how the "controlling the talking" goes tomorrow!

First Day of School

The start of a new school year - a new beginning!  This morning we were ready to go early! (whoever decided that elementary school should start at 7:20, seriously needs to have their head checked)

I do have to say this year was a little different.  This was the first summer that I really didn't count down the days until school started.  I don't know why.  Maybe because my girls are getting older and really, for the most part, are 3 of the most "undemanding" kids ever.  Maybe because I really enjoyed our time this summer - doing puzzles, going to the movies, going to the beach and the pool,  spending time in MI, staying up late (eating popcorn) and sleeping in.  Maybe it's because each year I realize that we're that much closer to sending Abbi off to college (and then Averi and then Anni...)  I don't know, but I wasn't quite as ready as I normally am for summer to be over.  But it is...
I'll admit that I cried on the way home from work today because I feel the days getting shorter and shorter.  Anyways, tomorrow I'm sure I won't be quite so emotional.  Today - they were excited and so I'm excited for them - I'll be all smiles when they get home!

Once our eyes are opened we cannot pretend we do not know what to do.

Proverbs 24:12  If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not He who weighs the heart perceive it?  Does not He who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will He not repay man according to his work?
(Once our eyes are opened we cannot pretend we do not know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows we know and holds us responsible to act.)

I was challenged and also encouraged by this verse today.  God opens our eyes and once our eyes have been opened it's our responsiblity to act on what we see. 
Our eyes and hearts have been opened to adoption and we couldn't turn back now even if we wanted to. 
We know what to do.
I'm so thankful that God has opened our eyes and called us to follow Him on this journey.

What has He opened your eyes to?

Happy Birthday Abbi!

Happy 15th Birthday Abbi!  Wow.  15.  Amazing.  Years.  Old.

I love this girl!  Abbi is fun and laid back and has a smile that is simply infectious!  She's our first-born and we've definitely made our fair share of mistakes, but we've tried to hold her in open hands, realizing that she's an incredible gift, but she is ultimately God's.  We're reminded so often that our days of "parenting" Abbi are growing short and that always brings a little bit of sadness, but we're also so excited to see all she is becoming.  Our prayer for Abbi is that she'll continue to allow God to do big things in her life.  That her story will be one that brings incredible glory to God!
We love you kiddo!

Finished!

Just a quick update on our puzzle project - it's finished!! 
What a great way to spend 100-degree days!