Wednesday, December 24, 2008

A Christmas Wish


With only a few hours to go until Christmas, I decided to take my friends advice and "chill-out". Instead of stressing, I have enjoyed the past few hours just spending time with my boys and making new Christmas memories with them. To name a few things, we have had fun baking cookies for Santa, visiting daddy at work, visiting with Great PawPaw, wrapping a few last minute gifts, and my favorite... making Peppermint Bark. Christopher so enjoyed crushing peppermints. He got to get some of his energy out by taking the bag outside and "beating the peppermints to pieces mommy". :) It was a lot of fun! He has sung Christmas carols all day long, and Caleb just thinks it is GREAT... He has danced and danced and danced. I'm sure tomorrow will be TONS of fun.... I can't wait!!!! Here's a wish to all my family and friends: I pray you all have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy Healthy New Year! God bless you all.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Thought provoking!


There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.'
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.
He asked her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.
Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'
This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.
Life Is a Gift
Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.
Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.
Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Handbag Planet

Check out www.handbagplanet.com. There getting ready to launch their new website and are giving away a free handbag every hour. Who can't use a new bag, and uhh.... FREE!!!!!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Reflections




Looking back over the last year, it is hard to believe all that God has accomplished in our lives. I can't believe our precious son will be one tomorrow! It seems just like yesterday we got a call that we had been "chosen". In only a matter of 3 days, we were in the delivery room, watching our beautiful son be born. God is soooo good! This has been a year of firsts for us... Trying to sell a house for the first time, sending our 4 yr. old to school for the first time, watching the baby smile, speak, walk, etc... for the first time,going through (AND BEATING) cancer with a parent for the first (and hopefully only) time. I'm reminded often to cherish the moment! How precious our two sons are, I so enjoy watching all they accomplish day after day. My greatest joy is truly that my children grow up loving and fearing God, being great men of God, teaching others how to be the same, loving each other, and their families, and did I mention LOVING THEIR MOMMY?! Every time one of them smiles and says "I love you mom" I just get chills... Does God really love me that much to grant me this much joy? He must, cause I assure you I am the world's happiest wife and mother!! I reflect on the joys and heartaches my husband and I have shared. I thank God for each and every one of them, cause they've brought us so close and we share a bond that no one can break! In the uncertain economic times we are experiencing, I am glad one thing is certain... God's love for us, that He will always take care of us, and that we can depend on HIM! I pray we never lose sight of that!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Creatures of Habit

It would appear I am a "Creature of Habit". The evidence is undeniable! Today, as I explained to my son (the oldest) that he should have done something differently, he replied "Well, mom, I'm just like you, I like to do it the same way every time". Ok, so there it is square between the eyes. Am I creating a monster? Hopefully, I am cultivating a love for order, organization, planning, etc... Don't get me wrong, I can certainly change gears midstream (having two active boys ensures that), but my passion is to do things systematically, the same way, and get the job done. Every night... eat dinner, take a bath, lay out clothes for school in the same place, take meds, brush teeth, head to bed, etc... Is that so bad? I mean routine... Isn't that what teaches them to remember to do things and to get in good habits? Somebody tell me if I'm wrong on this one!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

I've discovered the Joy of Morning


Ok, so all of you who know me, know "Sharon is not a morning person!". In fact, up until recently I didn't even do mornings. Even my children have been trained that to get up before 9:30am is just WRONG! Suddenly, without warning, life has changed (Maybe I blinked again). As I write this, it is 7:44am. I have a cup of steaming hot coffee, two kids awake (1 is still in bed), and I've already had my devotion. SCAREY!!!!! The morning air is crisp and cool, the birds are singing, and for once in my life I'm enjoying it! VERY STRANGE, but I think I like it. We'll see... Is it nap time yet????

Friday, August 29, 2008

I think I blinked!

According to a friend, evidently I blinked! It seems overnight, my little boy has grown up and gone off to school. He had so much fun his first day and didn't even seem to care that mom was a "basket case". He bee-bopped off to class and was gone before I could even say "Have a good day son". When I picked him up, I was pleasantly surprised (although I don't know why). He jumped in the car and said "Mom, I had a ball, I LOVE school!". Even so, on my second day of dropping him off I was weepy. When did he get so big? Sob sniff snob- I think I blinked!!! (going now to glue the eyes open- NO MORE BLINKING!).

Friday, August 15, 2008

A boy, boy!


Ok, so I have this meeting at church this afternoon. I'm planning my day, laying out clothes, etc.... I proceed to tell my oldest son that I would like him to wear what I pick out today, instead of his usual and he tells me..."Mommy, I don't want to be cute, I don't want to be handsome. I want to be a boy, boy! I want my spiderman shirt, my jeans, and my flip flops and that's it. None of this cute stuff". A boy, boy? Is that anything like a manly, man? How do they get this stuff so young? I don't exactly remember, but I think at 4 or 5 years old, I was more into playing and not what I looked like. Who knows? I try so hard to instill a sense of self esteem and self worth, but it seems society is beating me to it. I can only imagine if I had a girl. More power to you girl mommies!!! As you can see from the pics above and below, there was a time he let me dress him as Prince Charming (of course it was a costume party)and now we are on t-shirts, ripped jeans, and barefooted. Where has the time gone? Going now to lay out the spiderman shirt, jeans, and flip-flops. I'm not picking that battle today! LOL :)

How SWEEEETTTT!


How sweet it was as I was going to bed the other night (although sleep is always sweet). My two boys were having trouble falling asleep. Somehow, everyone ended up in bed with mommy. We were laying in bed, I was telling stories, singing songs, anything to bore them to sleep (err. lure them to sleep). I looked over and both boys were drifting off. Seems all they needed was each other! They were hooked arm in arm and rubbing each other's hands. HOW SWEEEEETTTT!!!! We prayed before we decided to have another child. We so wanted our children to be siblings who cared for each other, played together, etc.... Not constantly fight, bicker, etc... (Not that they never will, but as a whole, we wanted them to enjoy being siblings). We couldn't have been more blessed! Our oldest son absolutely adores our youngest and vice versa. They play all the time, giggle, wrestle, and always have a smile for each other first thing in the morning. I tried my best to take a picture of their little hands joined as they drifted off, but alas.... both boys know as soon as the camera comes out, they are to perform, so it was completely railroading my plans to get them to sleep. Instead, the pic attached above is just one of them sleeping side by side recently. They really are quite a pair and I'm incredibly blessed to be their mommy!

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Beth Moore

Ok, so who else has been keeping Beth Moore a secret? I "reluctantly" went to a simulcast weekend and had a ball!!!!!! I've heard how great she is, been invited to bible studies, etc.... But it was always "I just don't have time". From now on, I'll make time!!!!!! She is awesome and so easy to listen to. Even sick and on cold medication (which we all know makes us tired even though it says "non-drowsy") I could've listened the rest of the day! Her points really hit home and she definitely speaks an "inspired Word"! God is really using her in a mighty way! Going now to work on being "competently competent" (for those of you wondering, that's "fully equipped" but i like competently competent better!). Check out her blog- there's a link on my page- ENJOY!

Friday, August 1, 2008

Clean-up time!


Today our project was to get the outside looking better so we can put our house on the market. It's kind of a bitter sweet thing. We so need a bigger house, and I really can't wait, but this is the home we brought both boys home to. Christopher is so excited and the anticipation of having two (yes at least two) bathrooms is his favorite thing to talk about. Imagine nature calling two people at the same time and only one toilet- NOT FUN! Our home is "cozy" (that's a nice word for crammed full). I have tried so hard to keep it organized, but daily it looks like a toy box or the laundry basket exploded. As I said, today was our day to work OUTSIDE. James (our god-son) helped me scrub gutters (do you know how much grime gets on them in just a years time?), move toys out of the bushes, put the "pond" back in working order, haul off trimmed bushes, etc.... While Fred trimmed the bushes, cut down dead trees, cut the grass, edged the yard. It was a lot of work, but so worth it, our yard looks GREAT! Of course we still have LOTS to do, you know "esthetic" stuff- paint the numbers on the house, repaint the lighthouse, pin down those bricks that keep falling over (check out the (L) corner of the pic). But it feels so good to start accomplishing something! Thank you Lord for the energy to do it all and for my hubby some time off to help us out!

Monday, July 28, 2008

QUESTIONS!!!


How is it that my 4 1/2 yr old knows so much? Did we really teach him this all? It never fails... 11:39pm, mommy is drifting off to sleep (finally)and from out of nowhere I hear, "Mom, why did God create Hell?" Ok, now there's a deep question I want to answer in the midst of going into a deep sleep! I promise him, "honey, go to sleep and mommy will have a good answer for you in the morning". "But mom, I want to know now". CALGON TAKE ME AWAY!!!!! Just the night before, as I was rocking him, I asked "Son, please don't grow up so fast". His reply...."Mom, I'm not God, and I can't control that. If you don't get it, you might need to talk to Pastor Mike". NO HE DIDN't! Yeah, he really did. I have to get up early to get ahead of this one! What does this lead me to suspect about the baby--- He's already doing EVERYTHING his big brother does- I'm definitely in trouble!!!!

Saturday, July 12, 2008

It's Official!!!!

What a perfect day! Yesterday, July 11, 2008 was honestly one of the most perfect days I have ever experienced. After 9 months of anticipation, we headed off to court to finalize our son's adoption. We had family there, we had friends there, we had our amazing little boys there. PERFECT! Our judge was in such a jovial mood and he was so complimentary of our family, our values, our beliefs, etc... It was definitely not your normal "courthouse" experience. It was a HAPPY day. We are officially family forever and always! Our two boys will hopefully realize one day what this day meant for us. We love them so much, and we thank God daily for them. God blessed us with revealing "our purpose" to be these two precious boys parents. I can not fathom the love God must have for me, knowing it is so much more than I have for my sons. I can honestly say I could not love them more had they been flesh of my flesh... After court, our day was just "normal" (what exactly is normal?) up until family picture time and our big PARTY! Pictures were fun and I can't wait to share them. The party was as everything else in the day PERFECT! The people that came and shared with us were all there because they loved us and wanted to celebrate with us. They all love our sons. How much more could we possibly ask for? This journey that started July 1, 1992, when I met my amazing hubby, could not have gone in a more correct path than this. Is it over? Definitely not! The journey has just begun. The love, parenting, fun, adventures, memories are just starting. Really, they just got their official "green light" yesterday. Would I do it again? WITHOUT A DOUBT! Adoption has changed our lives forever. We are a family! We have two amazing beautiful sons whom I'm pretty sure love us just as much as we do them. Funny question- Judge Woods asked "do you feel your family has bonded". Um well.... As I looked out in the courtroom, there's my husband, holding our 4 1/2 year old whose playing with daddy's ear. On the other leg, our 9 month, both hands wrapped around the 4 1/2 year olds head, as he lickes on his nose- ummm.... YEAH, we've bonded! I love my family. I have an amazing husband, and two gorgeous sons! God must really love me!!!!!!!!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

A Mom's Prayer ( I finally get it!)

Seems like I have never prayed more in my life than since becoming a mother. Everything I now do, revolves around "Lord, take care of them". I never used to worry about taking long car trips, being in large crowds, being away from home for long periods of time, or anything like that. Now it seems like the least little thing evokes a prayer for my children. Now that's not a bad thing! I decided yesterday, I have to have a little more faith. After leaving on an afternoon outing with his Nonna, I suddenly had an unexplained fear that something was wrong with my precious 4 yr. old. I knew who he was with, supposedly where he was (they took a side trip, as Nonna's like to do), and when I would see him, but suddenly, my heart was gripped with fear for his safety. After several attempts on the cell phone, I resorted (which should have been my first response) to praying. My prayer was simple "Lord, he's in Your hands, protect him". An understanding of my mother's repeated cries that "I just can't sleep when your out late" or "I worry about you when your not home" suddenly hit me square between the eyes. Is that how she felt? EXACTLY! After my prayer, I had immediate peace. Of course, all was fine, and my little angel was having a ball with his Nonna. I am so thankful for the endless prayers my mom prayed for me, and I now am so much more understanding of the feelings she had. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to be a mother and for a loving Christian mom who taught me the importance of being a Godly example to my children. Help me be a the kind of Mom you want me to be and always trust You to take care of my little boys!

Friday, May 9, 2008

Don't Miss Out... Author Unknown

The man whispered, "God, speak to me"
and a meadowlark sang.
But, the man did not hear.

So the man yelled, "God, speak to me"
and the thunder rolled across the sky.
But, the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, "God, let me see you"
and a star shone brightly.
But, the man did not notice.

The man shouted, "God, show me a miracle!"
And a life was born.
But, the man did not see.

So, the man cried out in dispair, "Touch me God,
and let me know you are here!"
Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man....

But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.....



I came across this while looking back at the miracles God has performed in my life. Most recently with my mom's cancer, treatment, and recovery. God saved her! He allowed me find out what a wonderful mother I have and how strong and brave she is. Not in a way I would have planned (who plans on cancer)but nevertheless, our family was tested! It was HIS way of showing us a miracle. On the other hand, I live with 2 living, breathing miracles every single day. My sons are miracles! Infertility would not have been my "way" to see God, but again it was HIS way. What a blessing we would have missed had we not been able to adopt and raise these two beautiful boys. Failed adoption again was not my way, but HIS. Had both adoptions not fallen through, where would these two angels we love and call sons be? I refuse to imagine because God's miracle made it possible not to have to! If you're praying for a miracle, keep your eyes wide open. God moves in mysterious ways. His ways are not always our ways, but there by far the best way!!!!

Thursday, May 1, 2008

It's a family thing!

Well, it seems as a family, doing stuff together is important. Even something as insane as being sick together. Thus, we are all battling the same virus for the 2nd week in a row. My four year old just informed me that he caught it from his little brother. My hubby informs me that he was the culprit who brought the virus home. So where does that leave me? I'll tell you where.... Sick as can be. Sore throat, aches/pains, fever/chills, absolutely no energy, and TAKING CARE OF THE THREE OF THEM. It is 1:45am and I am awake with both boys. One with a headache (he just got 2 Tylenol) and one with an earache (3rd one in 4 weeks and he got Tylenol and numbing drops). Hubby's in bed watching the back of his eyelids as he drifts into the deep sleep of a Nyquil induced "coma". Mom, well she's just here. Ready to drift off, but waiting for the next "wail" of "mommy- this or that hurts". I really don't mind. It's all about being a mother. It's all about the lost sleep, healing the boo boo's, wiping the tears dry, and rocking them till they are comforted and asleep. I LOVE IT! Am I tired? Ridiculously, but that's ok. I'm a WIFE and MOMMY and I wouldn't trade that for ANYTHING! God has blessed me with three amazing "boys" and I love taking care of them. Now i'm going to go knock at least two of them out, so I can sleep (not really) and i'm gonna pass out for whatever part of 30 minutes I'm allowed to do so.....

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Now that's funny!

I had to get a good laugh out of my 4 yr. old tonight. A commercial came on about animal abuse, and as always he got really "sad" and left the room. I asked him, "honey, what bothers you about that". He said "Well mom (yes MOM) those animals have no home,they have nobody to take care of them, nobody to keep them warm. Some of them are sick. He shouted, Mommy (not mom) somebody should do something ! Well,I proceeded to tell my tenderhearted 4 yr. old, that's what they are doing with the commercial to get people to help. He thought about this a moment and then went into the bedroom and hugged our brown poodle and said "boppie we love you,we're not gonna make you live like that". I had to choke back a tear (sniff sniff). He was so sincere. Well later, he came into the bathroom and said well mom (yeah, the mom stuff again), you said Caleb was born up the street at the hospital, and I was born at the beach. I said "yes son, and when we go to the beach in June, we will pass your hospital you were born in". His eyes lit up as only his can, and he said "Could we take something to the nurses and say 'Thank you' for taking care of me so well, so i got a home and didn't have to live in cages like those animals" Now how precious is that- besides the fact that he cares about the animals, he wants to "reward" those who take care of them/him, etc... He is so tenderhearted! BUT..... It gets funnier. A few minutes later I heard him talking to Boppie. He said "Bop Bop- Where were you born?". I tell you if she'd answered, i'd be on the fourth floor now. Of couse she didn't, so he asked me. I told him probably a vet since she's a pur bred dog but maybe at someone's home. That's when he cracked me up and said "well mommy if we don't find out and don't tell them thank you, well, it's just a sin!". And with that, he walked into his room, got in his bed, and was done!

Monday, April 21, 2008

Friendships

God loves us through our friends, sometimes giving us a taste of His unconditional love for us:
(Prov 17:17 NRSV) A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.
(1 Sam 18:1 NRSV) When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

Today my devotion was on friendships. I stopped to think about my friends and decided I may possibly have the best in the world. I have a unique situation when it comes to friendships. First there's Daphene (more like a sister than a friend). We've been friends since 4'th grade. I was there when both her children were born, and she was the first to see my children after they were brought home. We have been through marriages together, divorce, loss of children, you name it- we've done it! I could never replace her!!!!! Then there's Rhonda. We too were friends in elementary, were in each others weddings, but we developed as the closest of friends, later in life (after 19). We serve together at church and I'm so thankful for her. Never thought in the days of "hanging out" in my backyard would we be where we are now. So grateful for her!
Then I have my "old" friends.(They really are old- LOL). These are people who were first my mom's friends and now mine. Some were mentors, some were youth directors, some were employers, ALL are loved!!! There are too many of them to name, but you know who you are (Lee Ann, Cathy, etc...) Funny to look back and see how they were "adults" to me and now we are such good friends! God not only used them in my life, he gave them to me as friends when I "grew up".
Then there are my friends at church. In my whole 36 years of life, I've only attended 4 churches and only 2 for long periods (Faith/Manchester for 15 years, and now West End for 8). My friends at West End are the best. Not only do we go to church together, but we serve together, worship together, grow together, and we are soooooo there for each other. I can't begin to fathom all the prayers that they put up for us and all the support they gave through both of our adoptions. I am truly blessed (Sheryl, Tammy P., Lynn, Denise, Carol, Jenny, well.... You know who u r):)
My friends in the church office (Kathy and Joyce) What would I do without their support? Not only church related issues, but personal issues as well as spiritual issues. You two are angels! I guess God knows who we need to keep us strong, to make us feel loved, who needs us, and how it all falls together. The last friend that I considered going down the role was my friend Martha. In a normal world, I would have gone into her store, bought and item and gone home. As it turned out, a discussion led to a life-long friendship that I cherish deeply. God literally placed me in her store just to meet her! I count myself immeasureably blessed to know that "God blesses us through our friends, sometimes giving us a taste of His unconditional love for us" Thank you my dear friends for blessing my life with your friendship. I love you all!
I hope i can always be the friend to you that you have been to me. God's example of friendship is a perfect model. "A friend loveth at all times"

Thursday, April 17, 2008

My very first blog

Today is my first attempt at blogging and keeping up with daily life. I start this on the heels of a trip to the amazing Memorial Hospital @ Chapel Hill (UNC) (where my mom was treated for cancer) and visiting with wonderful Christian friends and seeing a "pro" blogger. My intent for this is to keep up with my thoughts, my daily blessings, all the cute things my two sons do and to share experiences in my life that God can use to help others. Where to start? I have four of the greatest blessings in my life. One, my relationship with Jesus Christ, and my testimony of His love for us and how He's changed my life. Two, my absolutely amazing husband who has gone through so many things with me, and always remains constant and steadfast in his love for God, me, and our children. Three, my two beautiful sons. They were adopted and we waited for them for a long time. The love we have for them is unfathamoble. Hard for me to conceptualize that God loves them even more than we do! For anyone experiencing the "itch" to adopt, or is unable to have children, please feel free to view the links at the bottom. They were a great help for us in our process! AND....My fourth greatest blessing is my mother. She is the strongest person I know. She has battled so many obstacles in her life, yet she keeps persisting and sharing the love of God with everyone she meets. No matter what the situation, she can show you the positive and how God is using it to help her or someone else. I am truly blessed! I am looking forward to blogging on a regular basis and sharing even more blessings and of course, sharing all the events of daily life with 2 active boys!
*Walk with your eyes open, live a life examined; abide in Christ so that you can see with the eyes of Christ all the chances you have to change the world one obedient opportunity at a time.

Our Family

Our Family
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