Addie Singing

When you are pregnant and expecting new life into your home, it's hard to imagine who they will be and what they will be like. One of the things I was hoping for, besides loving Jesus with her whole heart and being healthy, was that she would love music. Well, Addie loves music and she is already learning to worship through music. It always thrills me to hear her praise the Lord with song, and even see her lift her hands in praise. I thought I would share a little bit of our morning praise with all of you . . .

Get Smart

Don't worry, I am not going to start reviewing movies on my blog. I do have to say, go see "Get Smart." It is one of the cleanest and funniest movies that I have seen in years. Last night, I saw the movie again for the second time with Justin and several couples. We had so much fun. We all sat and laughed together, and then laughed together again outside the theater. I never saw the "Get Smart" TV show, a little before my time, but I'm wondering if I should find it on Nick at Nite. If you are looking for a purely funny movie, and tired of seeing all the crude humor, go see "Get Smart."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PK7RSEzP9Q

Adoption Book

Well, Justin and I have been talking about adoption for a year and a half. It's been a long road for us. It will be 3 years this week that we had our first miscarriage followed in 3 months by our ectopic pregnancy which led to all the other problems. I wonder some times if I will ever stop wondering about the children we lost. I know some people believe you will see your unborn children in heaven. I'm not sure if the Bible really talks about it. Somehow for me it's easier to believe the life was never meant to be, and that's why God takes it. Believing the child is supposed to be with us and is not, just makes me feel loss to my very core. It seems like after a miscarriage you are just trying as hard as you can to be pregnant again to fill the void.

Although we are still hoping God blesses us again with another biological child, we've decide to move forward with adoption. My pastor Mark said something which has really resonated with me as we talked with him about our situation. "It will have to be more about the child to be adopted than about your desire to have a child." We need to stop focusing on what we want and remember there are children all over the world who have no parents. Unless we do something, the orphans in our world go without parents. We went to an adoption conference in April from America World Adoptions and it was great. I'll never forget what one of the women said. Their family had 4 biological children, and 5 adopted internationally. The woman went with her older biological daughter to work in the orphanages in China and they fell in love with a special needs little girl. On the plane ride home, the daughter said to her mother, "You know we have to go get her." The woman responded, "I have 8 children! I am too old to be a mother again!." The daughter replied, "What do you think she'd rather have, Old Mom or No Mom?" It pierced my heart.

I've been working on our adoption book, late into the night, the last few nights. It's funny how seeing all the pictures of those we love, and things we've done makes you count your blessings. I am blessed beyond measure, and even through all the hurt, I know He is there whether I like it or not.

Happy Birthday Justin!

Justin celebrated his 33rd birthday yesterday!

We had a very fun day playing his new Wii and going to dinner with friends.

Every birthday I think, I could not love Justin any more than I do right now. Sure we have had hard times, with each other, and just life. I have to say, there is no one else I can imagine sharing this journey with. He is not only my best friend, but he is also the one who sees the worst in me and still loves me. He is my rock, and he keeps me sane and laughing. Through all of these last 10 1/2 years of marriage, we've only learned to love each other more. I thank God for bringing Justin to Belmont for one semester so we could fall in love for a lifetime. I look forward to many more birthdays with him! Justin, you are my world, and I love you.

I'm still alive. . .

We were in Knoxville this past weekend to visit Justin's family and so I could sing in a wedding. The wedding was Sarah Bolinger and Matt Brooks, and it was a beautiful ceremony. It made me feel old. Sarah was in 8th grade when I met her 10 years ago, and was a part of the student ministry at Grace Baptist Church. It was my first real job after college, and Justin and I were married 3 months when I started in March of 1998. I was one of the student ministers and I loved every minute of it. It was a wonderful time for Justin and I, and the wedding was so great because we got to see all those from Grace who are so dear to us. Wayne and Sherry were some of our closest friends from Grace, and it was an honor to sing in their daughter's wedding. Wayne and Sherry taught us so much about life, marriage, and raising teenagers. It was a wonderful night, and it was even more special to share those we love with Addie.

Addie loved spending time with her cousins before and after the wedding. Growing up, we never spent much time with my 2 first cousins. They were an army family and lived in so many places, we never really got many holidays or other special times with them. I'm so thankful Addie knows and loves her cousins. We had a great time swimming, seeing movies, and just being together. As we unpack all the bags and I start the loads and loads of laundry, I will remind myself it was a great weekend. . .

Funny.

Check out my friend, Greg Adkins blog and his new video from his church "Real Men of Jesus." It made me laugh.

http://www.gregadkins.typepad.com/

Summer Cold and Missing Justin

Every summer since I have lived in Tennessee, I have gotten a horrible sinus infection. I hate the way sinus infections drain my energy, clog my head, and just make me feel terrible. It's bad enough to have a sinus infection at all, but I think summer is the worst! Not only that you can't breathe, but you are miserably hot and can't breathe. At least in the winter you can step outside and the cool air helps you breathe more deeply. Not so, in summer.

Thankfully, this is the week I was going to spend with my parents in KY. Addie will be attending their VBS, and I will be able to recover with help. So, really I couldn't have picked a better time to be sick! This leads me to the missing Justin part. Before Justin, I really could just pick up and leave, travel and enjoy myself. I have a little separation anxiety, but mostly I just miss Justin. I love him so much that sometimes I ache for him. Justin is my best friend, and I really enjoy being with him. I really don't like to be away from him at all, and this time it will be a long time away. Maybe it's because we spent 2 years prior to marriage in long distance, but I think it's more just Justin. He's a great husband, father, partner, and so much fun. Life is just better when he's around. I guess the 50 phone calls a day will have to be enough. . .