A Mother's Heart for China

It's been a long time...

2011-10-24T22:40:00.000-04:00

Here I am again. It has been a really long time. I guess A Mothers Heart for China was dormat. But not anymore. Why??? Because God knocked and we answered. Has God been knocking at your door lately? If you stop and listen you might hear your miracle. Here is ours. OMG, I want to hold her! She is five and ours. We are calling her Lux because you might not see it yet, but I see LIGHT in her eyes. Light that God intended us to see. Years ago I was done adopting. Just because I was out of money. The economy is bad in Indiana. Our family has seen ruin to greatness to ruin to greatness. I asked God why and he clearly answered PRIDE. I get it. So we adopted two kids because we wanted to and now we will adopt our 4th because God told us to. Our third adoption was a lot about God as well. You know we can do alot without God and he will let us. But Lux, she is ALL from God. And I cannot wait to hold her, kiss her, give her a first baby doll, put her in the most fabulous Matilda Jande dress ever and watch her be the little sister Audra has always wanted.

Another day I will tell the whole story. The story of Lux and how God gave her to us but for now, I will tell you God has made it more then possible for this little girl to have a family that will love her enough for 10 families. Pray for our little Lux, I will go get her shortly!

Many of $$$ Later...

2011-04-26T22:40:00.000-04:00

Before

And after...

Words cannot express how beautiful this girl is, inside and out!

Nine Months!

2011-04-26T22:12:00.001-04:00

Kale turns 7

Yummy, the kids loved the cake!

I don't know what Jeff is doing, but isn't he a cutie?

Nine months? That is exactly how long it has been since I posted here. Facebook has all but replaced blogging for me. Today is Kale's birthday and I had to post because this is A Mothers Heart for China! Today Kale turned 7 and I turned a little sad. Sad the time is passing so fast and knowing just how fast, by watching my oldest boy prepare to leave home and start college. These are sad but happy times, sad because childhoods are passing me by and happy because my children are blossoming into their own stories. I have so much to share. So much to catch up on from the last nine months. So, I will start with Kales birthday picture and fill in the past blanks over the next few days. Bryan is now a Butler Bulldog and not just a student but also one of their elite football players! Makayla won a gold medal for singing in state this year and had her braces taken off yesterday! Karras has gone from barely reading and understanding to making straight A's! Kale is 7 and their childhood is eluding me. Jayden, my China Princess will be 7 next week and I will most likely cry a little.

Jayspeak

2010-07-25T02:34:00.002-04:00

Me-Jayden why do you call me NOM?
Jayden-Do you want me to call you Kim?

Mothers Day Weekend

2010-05-10T19:14:00.003-04:00

This weekend was more then fun. Saturday night was Bryan's Junior Prom. I am posting the one pic of him and Mackenzie that I loved the most. But I took 483 pictures that night! So I uploaded them onto Facebook. You can find them ALL there if you are interested. Bryan looked so handsome and Mackenzie is absolutely beautiful! Then Sunday I woke to breakfast, a beautiful planter and a card. A card signed by 5 great kids! And one awesome husband. He isn't always awesome and whoever blogs that their husband is ALWAYS awesome is lying. But this weekend the whole thing was awesome! Me and Makayla went to lunch and then shopped all afternoon. The only part I hate about buying Makayla clothes is that I am too big to wear any of them. I hope you all had a great weekend and got to enjoy it all with your family.

BIRTHDAY BASH

2010-05-07T10:17:00.004-04:00

Two weekends ago we went to a surprise 50th Birthday Party for our dear friend Debbie. We have a great time! That is about all I can say legally, but I can let the pictures speak for themselves! Enjoy!

Things kids say...

2010-05-07T10:06:00.001-04:00

Jayden-How do Mommies get milk in here? (pointing to her chest)
Jeff-Kim, can you come here for a minute? Hahahah

Preparing for Easter Dinner

2010-04-29T14:22:00.006-04:00

I am in love...

Uh, are you crazy???

Very creative Karras!

Ahh, he loves his sister.

Makayla and Sarah stuffing eggs...

Sonny and Bryan at Easter Dinner

Let's pray, this is my little prayer warrior!

Ummm, I hate that I am dieting on Atkins...

Me, Mommy...

Cherry Pie!

Sarah helping to make to pies.

Tea Party and other randomness...

2010-04-29T13:55:00.007-04:00

That smile makes you say yes, always

Isn't she a doll? Love the legs crossed.

Dirty face needed the bath.

Her very first Tea Party...

These two didn't want to attend...

Too cute!

Strong!

???

Daddy long limbs

Love this pic!

Super busy....

2010-04-28T22:37:00.003-04:00

Hi friends!

I am super busy with work, but I promise that this weekend I will have tons of new stuff to read about and look at. I need to post about 3 birthday parties, The Pierce's Going Green (this involves one Worm Wrangler (me) and my new worm farm and 5,000 worms!), my new diet results, funny pictures, and so on. So I will be back this weekend with lot's to share!

xoxo, Kim

Unanswered Prayers...

2010-04-21T22:55:00.003-04:00

Same kid, same smile, same heart.

Only 15 years later he is smarter and wiser about life. He has learned a lesson, one he will always remember. I hate it that my children have to learn life lessons that hurt.

I want and try so hard to detour that pain before it ever comes close to them. But the fact of life is that they are going to be hurt and disappointed in life and all I can do is keep praying and telling them how much Jesus (and me) loves them. When my children hurt physically or emotionally I think of how God must of have felt as Jesus was taunted, lied about, made fun of, heckled, spat on and then hung to die. Oh the tears I shed for my childrens hurt hearts and oh the tears God must have shed for his baby Jesus. Bryan is 17, almost a man and still I shed tears for his pain. But like God, today I get to smile! Bryan has realized un-answered prayers are sometimes good ones and like Jesus, today Bryan has left that tomb and is FREE. Thank you Lord for our lessons and thank you for holding us while you show us that un-answered prayers are sometimes the best ones.

I love you Bryan for everything you ARE and for everything you ARE NOT! You could never make me prouder then I am of you today~Love, Mom

I give up

2010-04-19T23:20:00.003-04:00

HOMESCHOOLING, love it and leavin it. This year we home schooled a 10 year old for 4 months and two 5 year olds for 7 months. Hats off to you homeschoolers! I should feel like a failure I know, but I am a realist and I need to be honest and say I want to stop. I think we have had lot's of fun and we will continue until the end of May but really, I am over it. My kids can read. That's good right? We have read so much this year. I followed the Charolette Mason approach and love it and believe in it 100%. I just need more structure and I want to teach my children more structure then I am creating. I actually have a summer school plan too, but it is more fun then organized plan. My kids love the homeschooling, but they also love public school. I know public school has it's downfalls, but so do I. So this year we will enroll in public school and pray that God leads their steps. .So now I am trying to get a plan put together for school in August and sending 5 kids off to school on 3 different schedules, with me working and Jeff working nights. Makes my eyes roll thinking about it. So today I am waving the white flag and giving a shout out to all home schooling parents out there. YOU really are saintly people who are dedicated to your families. I will be praying for you. It is really interesting how the Lord leads me around. I am that person who doesn't get it until I live it. I am not overflowing with compassion but oddly enough I will pray and pray for others with an unlimited amount of compassion. I know it sounds like an oxymoron. Many years ago at least 15 years ago I read a book about intercessory prayer and it changed my life. So now I use my experiences to pray for others I can relate too. Such as parents waiting in the surgery at Riley for their children, children and adults of divorce, soldiers, teenage years, family relationships, finances, careers, health and so on. So I really mean it when I say I will pray for you homeschoolers, you are really the heroes with no parades to honor you.

Conversation in my back yard

2010-04-16T09:04:00.002-04:00

Indian children raised right are brought up to put education first like Chinese children. So I have lot's of conversations with the Indian girls on my block (of which I love dearly each one of them). Here is a conversation this week between Tina and Jayden:

Tina (14 year old India girl) "Jayden, one day the browns will rule the world"
Jayden (5 year old Chinese girl) "No, the Asians will stop them"
Tina "Man she's smart, I wish I was Asian now".

Jayden-"Mom, Tina said black hair means smart and blonde hair means bossy. Mom, your not that bossy".

She deserves more

2010-04-14T23:47:00.002-04:00

What makes hurting people hurt people?

Never say never

2010-03-15T00:05:00.003-04:00

Today in church the sermon was about never saying never. I hate, yes hate to hear someone say "you never....". Whatever your filler is. Because no one can "never" measure up. And so I have learned in what is becoming my long life (as I approach 40) that saying never is just setting yourself up to fail. I learned after some embarrassing times that when I say never, I always eat those words. You know what I mean. "I would never say that, get a divorce, act like her, look like that, wear that, talk like that, feel like that, and so on." EVERYTHING I have ever passed judgement about has come full cirle to me and shown me I am so clueless. And even though I am not proud of this "NEVER" problem going around, I find some comfort in Peter.

Simon Peter was in Jesus' inner circle. He was like a brother or best friend to Jesus. He saw Jesus perform miracles and he heard Jesus speak. Okay, I think if I saw Jesus heal the blind, feed the hungry and calm the storm I WOULD NEVER DENY HIM! But that is what Peter did. And that is exactly what I do everytime I act or speak in a way not becoming to the Lord. Think about it. Peter walked next to Jesus. Picture it, Jesus is sitting next to you right now and you look over and he just healed a blind guy. Would you really deny knowing him? Of course not, we would NEVER do that! So why did Peter? Because when we say never, God says "really? Let me see about that." God tells us in his word to test him and we will find him to be true. I think he is sincere in his invitation to test him, but I don't need to. I know he means it. I just think on Peter.

HOW could he deny Jesus. He KNEW him personally. How could he? I am so less compared to Peter. So if Peter denied him what is the chance I will too? As I think of this I realize I deny Jesus everyday that I do the opposite of what I should. I wonder, have I offended the Holy Spirit or denied him? I am thankful that God knows my heart. He knows that when I say never that I am fallible and I have mis-spoken. I am glad that God knows my heart and is merciful enough to extend to me a second, third, and fourth chances. Funny how our friends say NEVER and we want judgement but we say NEVER and we want mercy. I will try to NEVER say NEVER and when my friends say NEVER I will remember Peter and forgive them.

Sarah

2010-03-10T11:35:00.002-05:00

Lot's of you have asked me about Sarah lately. This is an older picture but one I never posted online (I don't think anyway). I cannot hear from Sarah. Her new family would prefer we didn't communicate. I understand this. Bringing an older child into your home is some work. And then to add the past is alot harder. So even though I don't talk to Sarah, I get updates about her often. And then today I got an email. It was an email that made me smile so bright first thing in the morning. One of Sarahs teachers from her new school saw my blog and emailed me about Sarah. She teaches music and Sarah is in her class. Of course, she loves Sarah! Not hard to believe EVERYONE loves Sarah. Her teacher said Sarah is wonderful in her class and doing great. This makes my heart thump really fast! Oh how I pray for Sarah. Oh how I hope she goes far beyond her biggest dreams. So there is your update! Sarah is doing great and thriving where she is. We think about and talk about Sarah everyday. For the Mothers Day last year Jeff and the kids gave me a necklace. It holds my birthstone and had 6 stones. One for each child. I put that necklace on yesterday and Jayden noticed immediately. She started with the first stone and named all of my children. And yip, you guessed it. She named Sarah and never skipped a beat. My kids will always consider Sarah a sister and I will always consider her a daughter. WE LOVE YOU SARAH!!!

2010-03-03T19:19:00.002-05:00

Can you believe it is March? I am so looking forward to spring. Our house is busting to get out, grill, run, ride bikes and play. I love the fire burning but enough is enough already. I am ready for some sunshine and warm.

Things are hopping around here as usual. Karras went back to public school. He asked to go back and it is really working for him this time around. He loves school and his classmates. His language is progressing everyday and he is really a joy. Jeff asked me the other day how I am so good at picking the right children for our family. I don't think I'm good but I know God is. Karras as well as Kale and Jayden are as perfect for us as they could be. What a blessing they are!

Bryan was in a weight lifting competition last weekend and did very well. I went to watch for the first time and it was fun but smelly. Bryan lifts like 500lbs.! Crazy, I know. These boys look in pain going through their lifting and the chiropractor bill agrees! But I absolutely love spending time with Bryan and his friends. I am including a picture of the day but I uploaded all of them to FB, so check there.

Makayla is getting taller and more beautiful everyday. She loves everyday and lives it to the fullest. I am envious of her. She is so wonderful.

Kale and Jayden are growing up so fast. I looked the other day and Kale is all grown up. He is a little boy now, not a toddler. The hours fly by. Homeschooling is fun and laid back. We love to read. Pretty soon we will start reading the Hobbit and that will lead us into the summer.

My most favorite interest is my social work. I work with the foster care system in Indianapolis (volunteer) as a GAL. That means Guardian at Litem. I represent and advocate for minor children in court that have become CHINS. This means Children in Need of Services. I have my most trying case going on right now. IF I turn on my laptop these days it is to type emergency reports and homestudies. I have a case that involves multiple children with a history I cannot relate to. I look at my own children and pray and wish my CHINS didn't really endure their truth. It hurts my heart and my stomach. It is that bad. Tomorrow night I will watch another visit and make a decision. Should these kids every see their mother again? So I will keep praying for wisdom and advocate for these children when no else has in their young lives.

Well here are some pics. the green haired guy is Renato. Jayden loves to draw and she drew his picture the other day in school.

Have a great week and enjoy the warm weather coming this weekend. If you can't find us, we will be on the back patio grilling!

xoxo

Seating arrangments for the wedding...

2010-02-10T23:00:00.002-05:00

Okay, Jayden is my five year old daughter. She has had one true love her whole long life of 5 years. From the moment she saw him she has loved a boy named Stafan. She hasn't seen him in months and still she dreams about him and their wedding day. As I stepped in the school room I noticed her drawing. She is drawing her wedding to Stafan and the Minister in front with all of the guests sitting in the pews. Her brother and friend Marin are standing to the right as their witnesses. Without sounding like a freaky mom. I really think it is possible these two children brought from China to Plainfield might one day marry. Jayden told me very specifically, she doesn't just love Stafan, she is in love with him. Watch the mailbox for your wedding invitation.

Daddy is gone

2010-02-10T00:18:00.004-05:00

Daddy is away on vacation so two little Asian people have found there way into my room and my bed. The best time of my life is right now. One darling little boy at one side holding onto my arm like he needs it to sleep. Maybe he does. And then there is this little princess at the end of the bed getting as close to me as she can and in fact our two pulses could be counted as one. Physcially one might think we need each other to sustain life, actually we do. Without these kids...all five of them I couldn't live my life.

My life has never felt more perfect then this very moment. Smelling my babies right out of the bath, hearing them snore so softly and feeling them cling to me, knowing with their whole hearts I need them as much as they need me. Life is wonderful.

I GIVE UP

2010-02-08T12:16:00.003-05:00

SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!! I just downloaded TONS OF GREAT PICTURES and hit a wrong button and deleted them!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you blog you know that takes freakin forever. DONE. I am sending my pics to FB. Go there for some great pics.

I hate blogger.com and my laptop more then I hate the dentist.

Okay, one pic...my fave. Makayla took this picture for class at school. The topic is angle. I LOVE it!

My choice...

2010-01-22T01:26:00.004-05:00

This has been a hard few weeks. My surgery and Kale's surgery has taken a toll on our whole family. We are tired and healing. But still life goes on. We have to work, school, live and laugh. So some days seem longer then others but we are always thankful for the days.

Home schooling these days are seeming harder. I read the group posts and I am seeing this is common for lot's of us home schoolers. I think the weahter is guilty of making us feel cooped up. So I have been looking for alternatives. You know when you "think" you know something to be true and then God confirms it through a few others? That happened today. So I know we are on the right track with what we are doing. The kids are so happy and seem to live, laugh and love so tremendously. So I think we are on the right track.

I went to the doctore today. The migraines become too much to handle. After a long appt. and several tests the doctor is sure I am in menopause. I wouldn't care if I didn't have the side effects. So tomorrow I start bio~identical hormone therapy. And the doc assures me I will see great improvment within a week. I CANNOT WAIT! So...as if my head didn't hurt enough when I swiped my debit card to pay my co-pay the card was declined, WHAT??? I made her swipe it three times and finally the response was "contact the issuer". That is not good.

I called the back while standing at the desk of the doctor. Sarah at the bank says "have you charged 55 debits today totaling $*,***.00?" UM, NO I HAVEN'T!!! In the last two days someone stole my credit card # and had a hay day on my account. So...off to the bank in the morning to sort that out. Why can't people just work?

Oh, one last promising bit of news...the doc feels confident that my weight is directly related to a medical issue I have! Yes, I am excited about that. Because it can be fixed. So I haven't lost a single pound, but I am getting ready too!

***My choice DOES NOT change His purpose*** and neither does yours!

Praying for Haiti

2010-01-21T00:01:00.002-05:00

Me~You know Jeff, there are planes headed to Indiana loaded with Haiti orphans in need of homes.

Jeff~Really?

Me~Yes, and when they arrive they need adoptive families.

Jeff~Really?

Me~Yeah, and the are asking for families who already have home studys completed and can begin the adoption process immediately.

Jeff~Really?

Me~Yeah, and they are asking for families who meet this criteria to send in an email to let them know if you can help by adopting now.

Jeff~Really?

Me~(now I am not speaking, just looking sheepishly at Jeff)

Jeff~Email the agency and tell them we will adopt.

Me~REALLY???

Today we prayed and made the decision that we would adopt again, this time from Haiti. As it turns out the response to the need was so great all of the children coming have families waiting for them. So we may not adopt again. BUT, if the need arises again we are available. I have felt a tug at my heart and prayed since the earthquake that these children would be taken care of. I believe that God is doing just that. Only those who have adopted can realize the miracle of these children coming here who are not paper ready. The Lord is moving his hand. I was excited at Jeff's response but I am not disappointed at the conclusion. This is all in Gods hands and I really want it to be his timing and most perfect placement. I will continue to pray and if we are to adopt again, God will provide!

Keep praying for Haiti. YES, you can send money...but more importantly pray! There is power in prayer and if we all join in prayer, all will be in Gods hands.

Esther...

2010-01-14T00:40:00.003-05:00

Have you ever read and studied the book of Esther? I recently read a bible study on Esther and then tonight I read the book of Esther in the bible again. I really like Esther. I like her because she was bold, brave, without hesitation, smart, wise, calm, patient and was willing to die for her people. Wouldn't you like to have all or just some of these traits? I want all of them. I can find so much right about Eshter to aspire to.

Esther was orphaned when both her parents died. Her uncle adopted her and raised her as his own. Esther was plucked from her common life and brought to the Kings court. Esther spent a whole 10 months preparing to be beautiful in front of the King. Somedays I feel too lazy to spend 10 minutes in front of the mirror for my husband. This is wrong thinking on my part.

Then after she was made Queen and had everything any woman in that time could want or need she still insisted on saving her people. She fasted and prayed and then proceded to persuade the King to revoke his order to kill ALL Jewish people. But in order to save her people she had to out herself first and then have the faith that the Lord would see her through this time. How many times have you or I sacrificed ourselves literally to save another? See...she's just great! Well you know the story...the King revoked the order and the Jewish people were spared. All because of Esther's bravery.

I pray that I will be brave like Esther.

Living...

2010-01-12T23:35:00.002-05:00

My parents and the Bible tell us not to be jealous of others. I try not to. Sometimes (just sometimes) I do find myself invious of someones something...house, car, weight, hair, family etc. But I always catch myself and I am always thankful that God is providing those things for my friends and family. HOWEVER, I AM INVIOUS OF BETH MOORE. I LOVE HER!!! I want what she has. I want the power she has in her. I want the faith she has in her. I want the joy that she exudes. The GREAT news is...me and you can have it! All of these things and more are available from the Holy Spirit. Jesus sent back the SAME Holy Spirit for Beth Moore that he sent back for me and you!!!

Today was the first day of the bible study given by Beth Moore that I am attending. Oh, how I wish it was already Tuesday again. Or that Beth would give class everyday of the week. She literally spoke wisdom and encouragment into me today via the Holy Spirit. I knew she was talking only to me and the other 50 women had just shown up for the coffee. Do you know how that is? Have you heard a word from God and knew it was meant just for you? Today two words stand out to me...LIVE/BEYOND. And that is my plan. I plan to live beyond. Today I joined the gym, worked out twice!, ate fat free all day, did not drink soda and completed the first four chapters of my online class.

Last year was a hard one. For a lot of us I know. I hadn't seen hard times like it in many years. It could have broke me, it could still be haunting me but my God is so much bigger then that! This is a New Year in a new home, new car, new classes, new schedule, new friends and new relationships with old friends, new health strategy, new energized work schedule...JUST NEW! Can you smell it? The new smell? I can and it is so sweet.

Well I have to hit the hay, that 7:30 workout will come bright and early. Let's remember in prayer those affected by the earthquake in Haiti and surrounding areas today. No matter where you are family feels the same and today families were broken. Please keep the people and the situation in your prayers.

LIVE LIFE BEYOND! MY NEW MANTRA!!! THANK YOU BETH!!!!

Yea, two new followers of 2010 in 2010

2010-01-07T20:05:00.003-05:00

So after my post I have two commitments from friends to workout with me. Ironically, both of them are stick people. They are the skinniest people I know. I won't judge. I remember when I was the skinniest person I knew and still asked my Mom if I looked fat! I wish I could be that fat size 2 again real soon. Jeff joined the gym today too. Only problem he plans to workout at 4am. Whatever, see you when you get back home...please bring me a Latte.

So Jenn and Lynn are in for fitness. I am excited, more people to talk to while we are all bouncing. We will go to class MWF (for security purposes I cannot give out the location, LOL...my friends get that). So class 3x a week and we should walk the other days. We are busy SAHM's so I don't know if we have time for walking...we'll see.

Still, as of today no Mickey D's coke. I love that Coke and want one right now very bad. But I refuse to give in. I did drink a diet today and didn't really like it. But liking was what got me fat so I am trying new a plan. I did eat pizza for dinner. The key is I only ate 2 pieces.. Last week I would have eaten 5! So small steps for mankind.

In an effort to get it all together I re-joined Fly Lady. http://www.flylady.net/ If you need to be scheduled with cleaning and or declutter your home and life go and see her. I don't suffer from clutter but I need daily reminders to do stuff and she sends daily emails to remind me. I like that.

Because surgeries set me back during Christmas I have a Valentine plan. It is still cold enough for hot chocolate in February. So my plan for neighbors, friends and family is to dip spoons in chocolate and wrap in clear wrap for gifts to my lovelies! I have some really cute ideas for the spoons. I thought this would be fun for teachers gifts too. You use and it is gone! Great Gifts that disappear after use. If you are liking the idea let me know and I will dip with ya!

Day 7 missing Coke...

New Year...New plan...

2010-01-06T00:18:00.002-05:00

So with the help of a lovely friend Tara I have a new plan. When I was younger I was always thin and fit. I was very active and in high school played every sport girls were allowed to play except softball. Then I became a Mom and unfortunately a very stressed divorcee.

So I have learned alot about myself in 2009. My stress level was way too high and because of that I don't gain weight, I just don't lose any. Well, my girl Tara who is so awesome about being fit started a blog www.20tenin20ten.blogspot.com and I have agreed to commit. I would like to share with you my weight but I am not that brave. Let's just say too much or simply FAT! But not anymore. One of my steps is to tell friends about this change so I am posting here publically.

You all know how I feel about McDonalds Coke, a love affair really. Well I ended that affair on the 31st. I haven't seen Coke since then. Am I hurt? Oh yes...I am hurting inside and out. But I have replaced that relationship with Isolate Whey Protein shake, banana, peanut butter and soy milk. I haven't fried, added sugar or ate white bread. My challenge to myself is to wear a bikini this summer to the public pool. So here I am, calling myself out publically!

And from this change of plans comes another HUGE change and plan. Me and my bestie are designing a very specific clothing line. We have the ideas planned and we are working on the trademark as we speak. Once that is in place, we will be debuting the new line for you all! I think I see a fashion show in the future!

20 ten in 20 ten~or bust!

Some days...

2010-01-03T21:21:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday to my oldest baby, I love you more today then the minute you were born!

Some days go really well for me, others not so much. Actually, that is only in my mind. Actually EVERYDAY goes great for me. I wake up to great family, a job that takes care of us, friends and the relief that I know God is always with me and sometimes carrying me. I look around at all things I didn't complete to "start my new year" right. But then I look around and see how much actually did start perfectly right. I hear the kids laughing, I hear my husband flipping the channels, I hear the furnace running, I hear the frig humming, I hear my son texting and hear the dog dreaming.

Now think about 13 hours ahead. Babies are crying laying in cribs with no mattress, children are hungry because there is not enough food, it is cold because there are no heaters, food is sparse, friends are limited and Mommys don't exist. That is an orphanage in China. That is what my children knew before they new me/us.

I think about this every single day. I really do. I have been on several mission trips and I am painfully aware of the over abundance I live. Too much. Too much food, clothes, house, heat, car, hot water, entertainment, TOO MUCH.

What I am lacking is faith. Not in the Lord. He has proven himself to me so personally I could never doubt him or lose faith in him. I don't have faith in myself. So this year I am determined to be faithful to myself and family and friends. When I say YES I will mean it. When I saw I WILL you can count on me. I promise to try ang give my all to be faithful. Todays' sermon stepped on my toes. I liked it. I needed to hear and be reminded that being wishy washy is a bad as doing nothing. And sometimes before I realize it, I am being lazy forgetfull and unorganized. BUT not this year, I am signed up for Tuesday bible study, workout class with my best buddy, my calender is planned as one can plan. Most of all I plan to be a great friend. I plan to be the kind of friend I would like to have. I plan to smile, give hugs, send notes. Just let people know that I love them and appreciate them. So many times I wait on the Lord, and sometimes we should. But the Bible says that faith without works is dead. I will no longer be dead. I pray that our year is so abumdent that our friends, family and foes will know Jesus is on the thrown.

Happy New Year~Love to friends and family.

Happy New Year!!!

2010-01-01T07:44:00.002-05:00

Wow, 2010 is here! What a year 2009 was! We had exchange students, we adopted again, we moved, we changed jobs, we had surgeries, we made new friends and we had fun. Most of all we were always aware that God is/blessing us everyday! The kids had a wonderful year too! Bryan had a wonderful season of football, Makayla started highschool, Karras journeyed all the way from China home, Kale and Jayden started Kindergarten! EVERYBODY had an exciting 2009. I am most excited about 2010. So excited that as I type this I haven't gone to bed yet. I think I am so anxious for all the new beginnings I cannot sleep.

Jeff has began a new career, I start school next week, we are homeschooling the younger ones and we have vacations coming up along with mini trips to celebrate birthdays...there is just so much to look forward to. Most of all Kale and I have our good health after our surgeries and I am so thankful for good reports for us both.

I pray you have a blessed and fun 2010 for yourselves. I hope if you have been selfish that you try to be selfless. I hope if you have been bitter that find happiness. I hope if you have been mad that you get glad. I hope most of all that if you have regrets you don't repeat them. I hope if you have kids, you love them. I hope if you have a job, you do it great! I hope you treat your friends like family and your family like friends. I HOPE YOU KNOW LOVE THIS YEAR!

Hugs and kisses from the Pierces~and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Almost...

2009-12-23T22:42:00.003-05:00

All I heard today, all day was that Christmas is almost here. Two more days I kept saying. I have three little ones chomping at the bit for Santa to visit. In order for Santa to make a successful stop, Daddy needs to get out the tool box. We have some items to put together and lot's of batteries to put in. I cannot wait to post pictures of Christmas morning.

Tomorrow night we will attend church and then have dinner with friends. We are making cinnamon rolls tomorrow night, putting on matching pj's and watching Polar Express. Then Daddy will read a special book and it is bedtime.

What I love most about Christmas morning besides the thought of Jesus is the smiles, smell of rolls baking, coffee brewing and the fireplace crackling. This Christmas will be no different. The squeals will fill up the house and all day long we will play.

This is Karras' first Christmas. He barely understands. But he is catching on quickly. I asked him what kind of toys he likes and his answer was "I don't know, I never had any". That breaks me heart. A nine year old little boy who doesn't know what he likes. So Santa will bring a little of everything and for the first time Karras will have his own "stuff".

God bless you all and may you have a fun filled holiday and enjoy your family and friends~ Kim

For her...it was all worth it

2009-12-23T00:18:00.005-05:00

Divorce does not equal bravery

2009-12-21T21:00:00.006-05:00

I do not hail from a broken home. I come from a dysfunctional home. My parents were married when I was growing up but were not happy. I think the broken home could have been better for all of us. I am afraid that I have two divorces well at least my first one because I never saw a marriage modeled that could succeed. With that being said...

I witnessed my first divorce when I was 17. Not mine, my parents. It was horrible. It hurt. This was a defining moment in my life that unfortunately later in life made me braver then I wish I had been. My parents went through a very bad divorce and even at 17 I suffered in several different ways. It changed who I was. It changed what I would become. I won't share in great detail about their divorce, that is their story. But I will tell you that this family destruction forced me into adulthood that I was not ready for and...put me in a situation that would lay the path for my future.

I met my first husband when I was 17 years old. I have NEVER regretted any part of our relationship. Well, yes I have. I am sorry for the years we fought. I am sorry mostly for Bryan, he is the one who always suffered. But I have never wished I didn't marry or know him. He is a good man in his fiber, like so many of us he lost his way awhile too and again Bryan suffered. Our marriage was tumultuous. That was my fault. I think because I was watching my parents bitter divorce while trying to navigate a new marriage to him. I failed him that way. And there were ways he failed me too. I don't want to talk about them or focus on them. I want to focus on what I could have done differently and better that may have saved that marriage.

Neither of us had parents with a spiritual belief that would encourage us to seek the Lord and let him guide us. I remember praying and asking God to be with us. But frankly, neither of us willingly walked with God. We were young and dumb. But we were in love. We both had to attend a counseling session during our divorce separate of one another. The counselor asked me if I would have married him again. I answered yes. I loved him. Of course I would have done it again. What I didn't know was the counselor asked him the same question. And when I read the counselors report I saw his answer. He answered yes, as I had. He would marry me again too. I knew then our marriage had failed but it had not been a waste.

The waste came with his new wife. All I will say is this. She abused my son. Physically and mentally and verbally and his dad allowed her to do it. In addition my ex-inlaw family knew this woman was abusing my son and did nothing to protect him. They also allowed it. I am proud of my son that he forgives his family. You see I consider them as guilty as the abuser. So that my friend is what I caused to happen with my divorce. I caused a lady who was a stranger to my son to come into his life and abuse him. I didn't allow it like they did, but without the divorce would she have ever known my son??? NO.

That is my cross to bear. I am thankful my son has the spirit of Christ in him and can frogive me for my part. I do not forgive an abuser or the ones who protect one. The worst thing this women did was abuse my son. But she was also a cancer to my relationship to my ex-husband. She strained our relationship and all but destroyed it. And for what? Now she is gone too. I praise God she is gone. But for 10 years that minion reaked havoc in mine and Bryan's life. She really is made of evil. And the oddity is that my ex-husband never was, so I don't know how he found and stayed with her for 10 years.

I praise God that he carried me and Bryan through the Evil Lynn years. Now Bryan has a great relationship with his dad and I have an okay one. We are moving right along and mending what had been broken. Friends, if your husband isn't abusing you or having and affair especially if you have children. PRAY. Pray hard and ask God to heal your hearts and your marriage. With the Holy Spirit you and your husband can come out of anything. Try it for the safety and happiness of your children. My son is happy and sees his dad a lot. But it is not the same. And I never realized that I was trading 1/2 of my child away. I traded every other holiday, games, weeks, pizza nights, Sunday church, and lot's more. Don't trade if you don't have too.

Watching my parents un-marriage and horrible divorce gave me the bravery to walk away from my marriage without ever looking back when I thought it was fruitless. I thought I was doing the right brave move to leave before twenty bad years had passed and I had wasted our lives with a fruitless marriage. Had I been less brave maybe I would have stayed and mended my family and saved my son from a lifetime of heartache. I wish I hadn't been so brave.

Dr. Phil asks...

2009-12-21T19:22:00.002-05:00

Dr. Phil sometimes asks his guests to do an activity where they tell him about their 7 or 10 most defining moments in life. That is what I have been thinking about lately and what I want to to share here on my blog. I may have 7 or 70, I don't know yet. I just know I have some really defining moments or times in my life that clearly shaped who I am today. So over the next few posts of my random thoughts and ideas I will be sharing these defining times. What I hope is that someone else can relate and find comfort knowing they are never alone. Someone always shares our stories, even if that person is only Jesus.

Recently a couple of posts were left on my blog that were anonymous and not polite. They weren't really anonymous to me. I know who wrote them. I took them away because my daughter Makayla reads my blog and when she saw them it upset her. But I would like to address the writer. If my posts offend you, don't read them. This is my blog. I share with friends and family. I am sure that you poster are neither a friend or family member. Your posts suggested I blame others for things in my life. I don't. I chose what paths to take and I also taught people how to treat me. I allowed the things that occurred to effect me and my life. I did it, no one else. Here is what I know for sure. God put you in my life then to make me who I am today. I am careful, cautious, guarded, smarter, wiser, keener, empathetic, sympathetic, courageous, bold, daring and a role model to my daughters that a person should never possess you or treat you like a disposable thing. So I am okay with my past transgressions and sometimes grateful for my past. If I were to be ashamed of myself that would say that I am ashamed of what God is doing in me...and I'm not.

My next topic will be divorce. I know something about divorce. I have been through three, my children have been through them, my husband has been through them and I think I can speak about divorce and tell you something you may not know. I wondered for a long time how and why I got myself to the point of divorce twice. And then I had the opportunity to speak to several young people wanting divorce and I was able to share with them what is never what it seems it will be. So...if I can help others in the way I needed help and couldn't find a helper I am glad I have a testimony. So I will be addressing the topic of divorce and you readers will most likely see more anonymous posts.

Kale is home!

2009-12-21T15:51:00.004-05:00

Kale before and after surgery

Kale resting in the chair last night. So perfect.

Today Kale came home from Riley Hospital. He is doing exceptionally well. I am very proud of him. He was a trooper, never complained or cried from any pain. A very brave boy.

As I sat in the surgery waiting room I was consumed with sadness. I was very nervous about Kale's surgery, but all along we knew we would come home by tomorrow. I couldn't help but over hear a mother on her cell phone crying and telling someone that agressive cancer was found in her child. The child was in surgery to try to remove all of the tumor possible and then 30 days of intense Chemo. Of course she was hysterical and crying.

All of the sudden my life problems seemed so small and insignificant. All of the sudden the Lord checked my soul and what should be important. All of the sudden I was thankful for my 5 noisey, rowdy, sometimes lazy, sometimes mouthy WONDERFUL children. All of the sudden I was ashamed. I was ashamed that I was stressing over shopping for toys, planning the perfect holiday meal, cleaning the house perfectly, baking the best candy and taking our lives for granted.

Please remember these families in your prayers this holiday season. We came home today, many families didn't and won't get to. My heart aches for the children, mothers and fathers. Oh, please pray God would be with them and the Holy Spirit will bring them comfort.

One week out~

2009-12-14T21:00:00.004-05:00

I am one week out of surgery and the pain meds have run out. I wish I felt a little bit better, but I guess I could be feeling a little bit worse. Glass half full, right??? Last week is a blur and I am so thankful to friends who came to the house and dropped off meals and just visited. That was nice. It was nice that people took care of my family when I couldn't. Thanks to you all.

Well as Christmas sneaks up I am realizing like so many other years before I am behind in all things I should do and must do. So this week I will summon the energy to complete it all as if that were my plan all along. Friday Kale, our youngest son will have his final surgery for his medical issues. We have waited years for this moment to come and I hope that it is all I have hoped for. I hope that it redefines his life and all things are great for him. Please keep Kale in your prayers. It should be a short hospital stay with no complications.

Our homeschool Christmas lapbooks have been delayed since I am not feeling the best but as soon as we complete them I will be posting pictures of them and the happy faces that create them.

Make it a great week and enjoy your family and friends...Love, Kim~

Homeschool=Happiness

2009-12-10T09:40:00.003-05:00

Well several weeks into homeschooling and we have survived! The kids love it and honestly, I love it too! This week has been like having a substitute (Daddy) so with lots of Christmas pages to work on and fun stuff they are enjoying my time off.

The first couple of weeks were based on creation and if you ask Jayden I think she can tell you what day God created the seeds. I am finding that I like the cirriculum I purchased but it is always being tweaked. With that being said, I am not sure I will buy it next year, I think I can do my own. So we studied creation and come Monday we will be starting our Christmas Lapbook. I know there is a professional term for a lapbook but I don't know it. It is like a book report on a poster board. I know the kids will love doing them.

We will learn about the holiday, the symbols and there meanings and so on. I know Jesus is the reason for the season but there is also history there to learn. So we will do that through a lapbook for each child. Then after the new year we start a new unit, The Sun/The Son. I think we will breeze through this program. Of course Karras is more advanced besides his language but Kale and Jayden seem to be going through it fast too.

This weekend Jeff and the boys are headed to Chicago while us girls (me and Jayden most likely) will be at home baking cookies for gift giving. So with the Christmas carols blasting, fireplace lit and cookies baking in the oven I will be smiling from ear to ear thankful to be here enjoying my family this holiday season!

Friends...

2009-12-10T00:34:00.002-05:00

My first topic is friends.

Now I already know that I will get flack about this post. I know because I already stirred the pot back in May cuz I labeled someone a best friend and it hurt others feelings. I didn't mean to hurt anyone. You know at my age I am just thankful for friends that have been around for years and because I don't have 100's of friends I consider these girls or guys my "best" friends. I have a select few friends that know me intimately and I know I can trust them with anything. ~or so I thought.

I have best friends who adopt from China and with these friends we share this unique journey to grow our families.

I have best friends who I went to high school with and we share secrets that our kids cannot ever find out about. But these girls don't "get" adoption.

I have a best friend for the last 33 years and she knows my deepest secret in my world. Which in time will be revealed on this blog as I shed my past.

I have best friends I stamp with. We meet together and stamp and have fun we love each other.

I have a best friend that I don't see a lot, but our minds are almost one. We can say anything and never fear judgement.

I have a best friend who only understands one faucet of my life and she helps me through that valley when I come to it.

I have all of these different best friends because I love them all with my whole heart. Not all of these women know each other. Like children, I love them all equally but differently.

I suppose if I were a one dimensional person I would only have one "best" friend. But I am not one sided. I am so multi sided, maybe you could call it multiple personality!

So what happens when you offend your best friend? She tells you to straighten your sh*t up right? Well not mine. My punishment comes in the way of snub me in town, talk bad about me to other women, tell her kids to remove me from their Facebook and when the chance arrives humiliate me in public for sport.

So what should I do? PRUNE OR WAIT FOR FRUIT? Pruning would be the easiest, but that also means cutting off a family relationship of many years. I hate that saying that some friends are for a season. I can't imagine loving someone like a sister to just realize it was for a season only.

I will pray about this and see how I should explain to my five year old children that friends are only for a season.

Bewildered~

My New Years resolution

2009-12-09T23:51:00.002-05:00

My resolution this upcoming year is a big one for me. I plan to do something different from years past and probably shock some people along the way.

For the year 2010 it will be a year of truth, yeilding fruit and pruning when needed. I plan to share family stories and secrets that many will not want made public. But these stories include me and I am tired of carrying the baggage for everyone else. I am tired of being blamed for places I never went to or things I didnt say or think.

This will be a year of revelation and resolution. I intend to purge all of the negative from my head, heart, house, and anywhere else I see it creep it's ugly head at. I plan to detox my life and home in an effort to give my family 100% of my very best. I plan to be the best God follower, best wife, best mommy, best friend, best aunt, best cousin, best sister, best daughter, best whatever my God needs me to be.

But to make room for new discipline means we have to reveal and irradicate the old sin from my past. For the privacy of some I will slightly be changing names.

Something happened and changed inside of me on my 37th birthday. I feel the need to live real and true. I am put off by the plastics, the mean girls, the fakers, the back biters. I want real relationships with other mothers and families that love us in Walmart clothes or Gap clothes. I want trasparency. I want people to look at me and know exactly what I am about. I want people to see that I love children, I love friends, I love holidays, I love to make up holidays to be with my friends.

With or without you, I will be a better everything. You know who you are and that this is directed towards you. You led me this far and if you feel like your journey with me is over then thank you for all you have done. If you feel your journey still has a way to go with me, then I will wait humbly for you to reach out. As always, God is in control!

My love to all of you, K~

More then I thought...

2009-12-09T22:20:00.004-05:00

Monday I had a hysterectomy.

It was scheduled because of cancer detected early and it has all been reseolved. My surgery lasted a little longer then planned but other then that every part of it was text book. I rested plenty on Monday and Tuesday and today I am feeling like tomorrow will be my last day laying in bed.

But as I have laid here I have been thinking about this event. What does it mean that my female organs have been removed? Well obviously it means no more periods. And it means I can no longer give birth. Having adopted my last three children you would assume I don't care. But I think I do. I think the finality of it bothers me. I don't think I want a baby but maybe I will. And now I don't have that choice. It bothers me.

When my second child was born I had one boy and one girl. I opted for a tubal ligation because like Elin Woods I thought my life was perfect. My life was actually the opposite of perfect. I just didn't know it at the time. While my tubes were being burned closed for the purpose of no future use my ex-husbands girlfriend was planning the birth of her first child with him as well. If I had know about the girlfriend and the baby maybe I would not have chosen that tubal ligation. But for whatever reason my ex-husband didn't feel like he needed to tell me about his pregnant girlfriend.

Years later after being married to Jeff we decided to have a baby and that ligation was reversed. That baby girl didn't make it through that pregnancy. I barely did. Losing her in the way it happened permantently damaged my reproductive organs. All going back to the first ligation. But then a graceful God stepped in and showed me a new revised plan for my life. And I was given three more children through adoption by God himself.

Okay, so I will never bear anymore children and that is probably because of one persons lie and deciet but I will still mother many children because of one persons love and compassion.

Thank you Lord for my full quiver, no matter how you fill it!

Family~

2009-11-12T12:04:00.001-05:00

Family~

Family is forever. Like it or not. They are forever. So it would seem…

Too quickly like a snap of the finger or the feel of a short breeze, they are gone.

But sometimes family will not love you no matter how much you want them too. I am learning that I cannot make them love me. I won’t apologize for what God has created me to be.

I am a daughter. Just wishing it could be easy.

I am a wife. Never good enough but always trying my best.

I am a Mom. My greatest accomplishment to date.

I am a older sister. Praying for great things for the younger ones.

I am an aunt. But I don’t know my niece or nephew.

I am a friend. I care, cry and pray for friends and they never know it.

I am kind, sometimes gullible. I don’t see the alterior motives until it is too late.

I am loving, sometimes too open. I have had my heart broken, and had to send my wounded soul to a quiet place where it could just cry alone and try to heal. It has never fully healed yet.

I am loud. My kids know when I am rooting for them!

I am forward, sometimes forceful. This trait has protected my children’s safety more then one time.

I am passionate. I will fight for it if I think it is right.

I am fierce. I am not tame.

I am sad.

All of the things my family hates about me God means for me to use for his great purpose.

So today my promise to God, family, friends and the world is to use these traits and Glorify what HE has done for me, brought me through and where HE is sending me.

Disruption

2009-11-03T14:44:00.000-05:00

Disruption~

The word alone doesn’t sound so bad. Only three syllables. And honestly we all experience disruption any given day. My disruption usually comes in the form of a five year old asking for the next bit of entertainment. Whether you are a mother or a CEO for a Fortune 500 company you will have daily disruptions. But in the adoption world this word is much bigger, deeper and more emotional.

In the adoption world a disruption implies a failed adoption. I don’t know anyone who has disrupted an adoption until now. I am the disruptor. I am living through a failed adoption, along with my family and the child we cannot adopt. We had a 14 year old girl with our family for the last 8 months and recently that process has been disrupted and she was placed in respa care.

Her name is Sarah. She is beautiful in appearance and spirit. But a long time ago someone I will never know broke her. And our family and love was not enough to mend her broken life. She came to us when she was 13 years old. She was so unschooled about so many things. She had little to no manners, self esteem, trust or love. But over the last 8 months I saw those things changing. Sarah did implement manners, her self esteem escalated, her trust never prevailed but her love would shine through now and then. About the 6th month mark she began to change.

I don’t know what caused her changes. Was it her time to leave or so she thought? We were not her first home or family, we were her 7th home total in her short 13 years. Was it the newest adoption to our family? We brought home a nine year old boy from China that Sarah didn’t particularly interact well with. Was it the pain? Sarah always said she felt like it would hurt her mother Linda if she loved us. Was it fear? Did Sarah fear that being a part of our family would mean she was no longer Linda’s daughter. Was it anger? Did we love her in a way she could finally understand that Linda never would? I don’t know. I know that in the end Sarah left. She took a piece of my heart with her. Sarah is and will always be my daughter. I will always know where she is and how she is and I hope one day that my doorbell rings and when I open the door Sarah will be standing there smiling back at me. I hope that our love was enough to carry Sarah wherever she goes next. I hope she always knows…I love her.

Kim~

Sidenote-without sharing personal information about Sarah, it was medically recommended that Sarah live somewhere else for the safety of our smaller children.

A whole month...

2009-10-06T21:39:00.004-04:00

Okay, a month has passed since I said I would blog and post pics. I did put a lot of pics on FB. FB let's me download hundreds at a time while blogger won't do that many. So I am here with a little update. I warn you some is happy some not so much. Gloss over any you don't want to read about.

We started our summer fun and fancy not knowing my job loss on 10/1 would be huge financailly to our family. We had a fun summer mostly relaxing I guess. I am glad I didn't know about my job until the end of summer, otherwise I would have been miserable. So I lost my job.

But I started with Remax this month and I am stoked. I am looking forward to the change and I may have another opportunity along with that job. So I am looking up and staying positive.

I have had some personal medical struggles lately. I praise God they are not life threatening, because found early. Please ladies, DO NOT PUT OFF YOUR GYNO APPT. IT IS IMPORTANT! If you have a family you owe this visit to them!

We adopted Sarah last spring and that has brought lot's of different turns to our family. I don't know how one child can bear and carry so much hurt each day. While frustrating to me sometimes, Sarah is a hero in her own right. I love her so much, I wish she would let us all love her more. She just turned 14 and had a wonderful celebration with a custom NCIS cake made by Sugar Mamas in Mooresville. If you are local...you cannot go wrong ordering from them. She is doing well in school all A's and B's.

Then Jeff traveled to China in July to bring home Karras. We planned to name him Corbin, but that changed. He is KARRAS now and the name fits him well. He is speaking better, he is very good in math, loveable, kind, funny and a blessing. I hope he knows how much he is loved and how often I prayed for him to be mine.

Jeff as usual played golf all summer. He didn't win his club tournament and was saddened until he got home. This family won't let anyone sulk long. Too many laughs and love. We moved and Jeff LOVES THE NEW HOUSE AND NEIGHBORS. We are not blessed with a great extended family so we are so thankful for these type of people and neighbors!

Bryan is a grown man. Wow, I remember trying to get him to walk and now I try to keep him home. What a proud mom I am. He is friendly and has so many friends. He really likes everybody and they seem to like him. I find pride in that fact. Bryan is from a broken home and my BIGGEST fear was that my kids would hate me and theirs lives for my mistakes. But Bryan has prevailed and is A FINE YOUNG MAN!!! Oh yea, he is a really kick a** football player too!

Makayla is so beautiful. She just turned 14 and UGH, I try to keep these boys at bay but it is hard. She just lights up the room with her smile. And she is witty like me (per her dad) but he has a different name for her comments. Ones I can't share on here. But yes, she is like me...I like that! She could be like her Dad, but I divorced him so if those are the choices, I choose me. :) I got her birthday cake at Sugar Mamas too. It was a 3 dimensional purse. OMG! AWESOME!

Kale.
1. smiley
2. happy
3. loving
4. playful
5. precious
These things describe this boy. He came to my bed around 3ish this morning and asked "can I cuddle with you?" So he did and as he drifted back to sleep he whispered " I love you mommy, so much." My heart is a mush pit when he is around.

Jayden...where do I begin? I don't know because I wouldn't know where to stop. Per her, she hated the way I did her bangs today...um she is 5 years old. She has two boyfriends and one best friend. She told me I am not that best friend. I pretended that hurt my feelings and she quickly added "but you are my mom and that is better." Yes it is. She is so precious. I have said it before, Jayden WILL change the face of this world. She WILL make a difference and you all WILL say I knew that girl when...

So in a nutshell, job loss, move to different neighborhood, two new kids, living life and PRAISING GOD EVERYDAY FOR ALL OF IT!

Not long ago I prayed my knees would not fail me in a valley and I was gently reminded that even if they do...HE will be there to carry me. Thank you Shannon for reminding me of that. Sometimes I rely too much on me and not enough on HIM.

xoxo, K~

And one more thing...check my FB for the updated pictures, I am too tired to sort them and upload them to blogger. Thank you!

Here comes an update

2009-09-02T08:05:00.002-04:00

Hi Girlies!

Summer has wrapped up and we are living somewhat of a schedule. I have lot's to catch up on...two new children...one exchange student left...moving...job change...yea I know it's a lot.

I will be back in a couple of days with some pictures and updates. Check back at the end of the week and if you want to friend me on Face Book I have lot's of pictures there as well.

TTFN, K~

The End...

2009-06-05T09:51:00.005-04:00

On Sunday May 31st Capt. Alan Jones II passed away. Alan is my best friends husband. He was 40 years old and his passing was unexpected. He left behind Teri, Aaron, Brandon and Little Alan. His passing has changed all lives close to Teri. For me it is the closest experience to losing my own Jeff. And to say I am changed is an understatement. I have been forced to look into my own self and my own life. After talking with Jeff we have decided to make HUGE changes in our lives. Some will be apparent to others and some will not. But today, things are changing. One of the changes is our family blog...today is the last entry. This hobby takes a lot of time from me when I do it. And that time I need to use somewhere else. I am still going to read my favorites..but I am going back to scrapbooking, picture developing and those things my kids can actually hold when it matters the most. So farewell internet friends. Below is the sign off that we heard Wednesday as we sat in front of Alan's police station. Alan was on duty when he passed and therefore never signed off until Wednesday. Here it is...and...Jeff travels on July 19th to bring home little Corbin...please remember them in prayer.

Below is the transcript of the Final Radio Call that was made during my dad's funeral today on 6/3. Please read the text aloud to fully bring out the impact. For those who are unfamiliar with the police department, 10-42 means that he has logged out of duty (and usually means they are heading home). Speedway 101 was his unit number; below is the text....

All units stand by: Speedway 101 is requesting 10-42. On May 31, 2009, Sergeant Alan Jones answered his final call. Unit one-zero-one, you have served the community, the town, and your fellow officers. You've been strong, you've been dedicated, and now, all too soon you have been taken from us.Control to Unit one-zero-one, Sergeant Alan Jones, sir, your assignment is complete. Sergeant Jones you are indeed cleared for 10-42. Thank you sir for your service. Attention all units, Sergeant Alan Jones, unit one-zero-one, is 10-42. He has gone home for the final time.God Speed Alan Jones.Presented to the Family of Sergeant Alan Frank Jones II. Died on Active Duty May 31, 2009....

Been on vacation???? NO

2009-05-21T22:48:00.003-04:00

Hey everyone!

A couple of my buddies have emailed me asking if we are okay because I hadn't posted lately. I didn't realize it had been this long. Life has been a bit hectic around here. My teens are giving me a run for my money, my little ones are talking a mile a minute and some days I glance up and it is time for bed. So tonight for a minute the laundry is put away, work is typed and I sat down here to say hi. We are staying home for the holiday weekend and grilling out. My friend invited us over to swim, and I think I will take her up on that offer!

Renato attended his senior prom with Kaylee. She is a nice girl. And I saw some of what the girls wear to prom these days and I was impressed by her dress. I will add a pic of them before prom that night.

I hit a quick yard sale today. I had passed it 10 times today and finally pulled in around 7ish pm. GUESS WHAT??? I bought a dresser for $1. Yip, that is not a typo....$1. It will take some work but well worth it. It is smaller then normal so I think I will use it for Jayden so she can get her clothes in and out. So this weekend I have to paint 2 dressers. One is for Corbin.

I am posting a picture of Kale. This picture represents our home. If a 5 year old thinks it's loud, how do you think I feel? God sure has blessed us with so many children and they continue to bless me daily while trying me at the same time.

I will post pictures from our holiday...until then enjoy this one....it is funny!

xoxo, K~

A long day

2009-05-09T01:44:00.002-04:00

Today has been a long, stressful BIG headache day for me. I griped to my closest girlfriend and she listened.

She took my side.

I cried to my closest aunt and she listened.

She took my side.

And then I communed with my closest God and he listened.

He took my side.

I feel so blessed to know I have friends and family that love me and even if I might be wrong, they agree with me and love me unconditionally. My friends remind me I am not crazy, just mommied to the point of frazzilness.

When I was a little kid my parents were best friends with the neighbors across the street and us kids grew up best friends. There is a piece of that life permanently woven into my heart and history. Well now I have a best friend next door to me. Oh and I like her husband too! :) And I adore her kids. Meanwhile, she adores my kids too. That makes for happy mommies and happy families!

This Sunday I will celebrate being a mother to more kids then I have ever had. I will be thankful as a mother for more kids then I have ever had. I will be thinking of Corbin not yet here and praying he knows he has a mommy that loves him so much. I will be thanking my mother for influencing me and forming who I am and most importantly who I am not.

I always stand astounded by my friends who are mothers. Some have more kids then me and others far less. But no matter the size of the family, the house, cars or bank account, we all share our passion for our children.

During this time in history where money and jobs are lost daily. Mothers are dying every minute. I am so thankful for a small cookout and swimming party on Mothers Day with my own Mommy and the greatest Mommy I know next door.

HAPPY MOM DAY! WE ALL DESERVE ONE EACH YEAR!

Love and kisses K~

Homeschooling???

2009-05-07T12:12:00.002-04:00

Okay, I know some of you will roll your eyes (Sandy), shake your head (Jen), tell me I am crazy (Becki) and encourage me (Ruthie). But I would like to hear what you think. I have been thinking, praying, thinking, praying and praying some more. I have felt led for a long time to homeschool Kale and Jayden and now probably Corbin. I have been reading everything I can find on the subject and I cannot find any reason not to, except I do work equivalent to full time in real estate. Here is the deal. We are moving, still the same town but a differenent elementary school then we have lived for 10 years. We are moving to a 5 acre farm adjacent to a game preserve. That sentence alone has so many home schooling lessons and oppurtunities. Will you tell me what you think. You can reserve "you are crazy" I know that. But what program have you used, what do you like or dislike? I found a Bible based program that would work for all three kids at the same time. Same lesson ideas...different levels. I have a couple of more months to decide but I think we are staying home for schooling. What do you think?

Easter 2009

2009-05-04T14:05:00.001-04:00

I love this little girl

2009-05-02T00:21:00.003-04:00

This is my cousin, Jovey. And OMG, I love her so much. She is the cutest freakin thang!!!

I heart Nester

2009-05-01T23:27:00.003-04:00

You all know I heart Nester at the Nesting Place (http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/). She does tons of give aways...I have never tried to win, but today she won my heart with this little quaint line of dishes. You have to visit Nester and see for yourself. Maybe you could win? If I win, I will have you over to my house for some sweet tea and cookies! Promise. ;)

EVER

2009-05-01T23:06:00.004-04:00

Hey Friends, Family in real life and My Blog Family,

Everytime I post a prayer request, I know at least two of you are joining me in prayer. Cause I see mountains move and God's hand move. Today I have a very dire prayer request for our family, Corbin, other adoptive families and orphans. Due to the outbreak of the Swine Flu families on the same travel schedule as us have been told our trips could be delayed 3-5 months! My first concern is for the safety and well being of all humans. But I know God can just think it and this epidemic can disappear. As you all know May marks one year we have been chasing paperwork to get Corbin. We were told we would go middle June and now this delay. I can't help but think Corbin assumes this is not real and we are not coming...ever.
Please join me in prayer that this issue will be resolved without anymore illness or death and that we can go get Corbin in June as planned.

Now let me remind you all of your powerful prayers.

#1 I asked you all to pray Jeff would agree to adopt again after Kale (that was Corbin)-answered
#2 I asked you all to pray that finances would find their way to fund this adoption-answered
#3 I asked you all to pray that the Hague paperwork would flow easily-answered
#4 I asked you all to pray Sarah would find her way to our family-answered
#5 Now I ask you all to pray Corbin will come home sooner then later, I need him and he needs us! HIS FOREVER FAMILY.

Also, please say a special prayer for my friend Lee Ann and her waiting daugher Hope. They sould be traveling soon as well. And Lee Ann has waited 3 years! Have a blessed weekend and when I have some more chores done I have some other fun news to post.

I have never asked this, but if you visit this post and agree to pray with me, would you leave me a comment so that I know the prayer chain is growing? Thank you so much. Tonight I am standing by Isaiah 65:24.

My love to you all! K~

A Hole in ONE!!!

2009-04-27T23:30:00.003-04:00

4.23.2009-My husband Jeff punched a 6 iron from 165 yards into a pretty good wind, two hops and into the hole! It was on the third hole at Twin Bridges in Danville.

I wasn't there but I have a picture of the event in my mind. Here's what I imagine...

LOA arrived LAST week, I am behind!

2009-04-27T22:56:00.000-04:00

We received our LOA (Letter of Approval from China) last week. This was the last documentation we needed to start on our final phase to adopt Corbin. It looks like Jeff will travel to China in June. He will only stay the minimum to do the paperwork but that will still be 10-14 days. I will post pictures as he emails them to me from China. Please keep Corbin in your prayers, he has been knowing about us and waiting for us for one year. I hope he still believes we are coming, very soon. This is the most updated photo from last week. Almost there...

REJECTED

2009-03-30T16:02:00.000-04:00

I hate, abhor and cannot stand that word. In my lifetime I have been rejected, I have rejected others and no matter where you stand it hurts. As most of you know I have a heart for the orphans in China. Well all orphans, but I feel my heart tug to Asia. The day I identified Corbin his file was to be sent back to China as REJECTED. I have no idea...but God led me to search the definiation of THAT word. Here it is: re·ject
re·ject·ed, re·ject·ing, re·jects
To refuse to accept, submit to, believe, or make use of.
To refuse to consider or grant; deny.
To refuse to recognize or give affection to (a person).
To discard as defective or useless; throw away.

I knew in that moment why God had shown me this definition. Because that day Corbin would be rejected. However, God moved his hand and led us right to this little man. And so Corbin is our son. I ask you to pray for Corbin today. Several months ago I asked you to pray for "Sarah". That is her real name, but at the time you didn't know who or what you were praying for. Sarah needed a family and we needed her. We were not sure she would ever arrive here, but she has. Thank you for your prayers. They were answered. Would you now please pray for Corbin and for God to move his hand that Corbin would come home in HIS time and manner.

God Bless, Kim

SURPRISE!!!

2009-03-17T14:09:00.001-04:00

Friends and Family,

Today is an exciting day for the Pierce Family! Today I would like to introduce to you Sarah. Sarah is our daughter adopted last week. We are so happy this journey has finally come to an end. We have been trying since Thanksgiving to get Sarah and through lot’s of paperwork and government details it has finally come to pass and we are so blessed.

Sarah is 13 years old (2 weeks older then Makayla). Sarah is beautiful! She is smart and great at sports. We have prayed for Sarah for months and finally God moved his hand and here she is! I wish I could put on paper Sarah’s personality. Let me just say…she has a BIG ONE! I prayed that Sarah would “fit in” quickly and just like that…I can’t remember last week before her. We/I love her so much! I can’t wait for all of you to meet her. Sarah will be and has been such a blessing to our family!

Our love,

The Pierce Family

March 17, 2009

18th Birthday!

2009-02-23T18:37:00.000-05:00

I asked Renato what he would like for his birthday and he wanted to see Cirque de Soliel. It was a fun show, but very busy to the eyes. Renato LOVED it.

So then we decided to go the the Japenese steak house. Renato has NEVER been and...to say the least...he LOVED it. Of course the cook was Asian, presumeably Japanese. After a few bites of rice Jayden blurts out "your a good cooker JAPANESE". Well after I cleared my throat and put my eyes back in my head we all had a good laugh including the "cooker". The Chef was so nice and funny. He let Renato prepare some of our food. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Have a great week, K~

Birthday cake Japanese style

Jayden loves the umbrellas

My plate AFTER I finished eating, imagine how much food WAS there

Byran is ALWAYS laughing

Good job Renato

You caught the flying shrimp

Ahhh, too bad Kelsey

Bryan caught his too

BIG fire

Renato cooking

Flying rice

okay, get ready

I heart Japanese food

Renato throwing the egg

Egg thrower

egg thrower

Good job cooker!

Renato thinks Jayden is funny

Too funny

I think Kale is funny

The Japanese cooker

Good Food

Soup

Bryan is always happy

Kale figuring out the umbrella

I don't know what this is

Renato and Kelsey

Jayden made Renato a birthday card

Me and my guy

Renato and Kelsay

Faces of Angels

2009-02-23T17:54:00.000-05:00

This weeks challenge is B & W. I hope I did Mr. Linky "right" but if not at least I get to show my little buddies...at their quietest.

Chinese New Year 2009

2009-02-20T17:06:00.001-05:00

Birthday Party of the Year

2009-02-20T16:06:00.001-05:00

What love looks like

2009-02-20T15:55:00.000-05:00

If you were wondering what love looks like...here you go...now you know. K~

2009 Football Banquet

2009-02-15T23:39:00.001-05:00

You haven't seen Jovey lately...

2009-02-15T21:29:00.001-05:00

Jovey's mommy updated her pictures recently and this was my favorite. I will get to see this little sweetie in a few weeks and I am so excited to nuzzle her! Doesn't she have the most beautiful eyes you have ever seen???

This a cool illusion...

2009-02-12T10:10:00.000-05:00

Please use this link and let's pray

2009-02-11T20:55:00.000-05:00

Red Envelope

2009-02-11T16:40:00.001-05:00

While I am not the creator of this idea, I will support it. And if your heart leads you to do the same here is the information.

Subject: Red Envelopes for the Unborn

Dear Friends and Intercessors:
This afternoon I was praying about a number of things, and my mind began to wander. I was deeply distressed at the symbolic actions that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions, permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for contraception. I have been involved in the pro-life movement for nearly 20 years, and it pained my heart to see a man and a political party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54% of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer be legal.

As I was praying, I believe that God gave me an interesting idea.
Out in the garage I have a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear.

Here is what I would like you to do:

Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington , D.C.

On the back, write the following message.

This envelope represents one child who died in abortion.
It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception.

Put it in the mail, and send it. Then forward this email to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president.

We should all try to mail them on the same day so they arrive within a day or two of each other and be even more of a visual at the White House. With Valentine's Day coming up, red envelopes should be easy to come by too. Say we all mail them on the weekend of Feb 28-March 1st.
That gives us almost month to pass the word as far and wide as we can. Of course, you can send a red envelope anytime you want, but getting lots at once is great too.

Where does Jesus live?

2009-02-11T12:13:00.000-05:00

Please pray

2009-02-10T10:05:00.000-05:00

This is my sweet beautiful friend Laura. I wish I had a better picture but I was in a hurry to post this and didn't want to look longer. Here is Laura lighting candles for a friends birthday at my house. This picture depcits Laura perfectly. She is a doer for others ALWAYS! I just love and adore. Plus we both share a passion for children. Last night Lauras dad died suddenly and trajacally. Laura who is a Godly women really needs your prayers today and in the coming days. Please remember her, it would mean so much to me. Thank you all.

2009-02-09T12:36:00.000-05:00

We are entering Week 5 of the iHeartFaces competition. I have had the funnest time looking through photos and remembering all of the funny and good times. Here a funny one of Jayden from the summer. I can't wait for winter to end!

2009-02-08T23:15:00.000-05:00

P.U.S.H

Pray Until Something Happens

Since the first day you did those things, your words were heard. I have come to give you an answer. But the prince of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then Michael came to help me. He is one of the leaders of the Angels. He helped me win the battle over the king of Persia.

Daniel 10:12

Friends, this bible verse is one of my utmost favorites. It reminds me to keep praying until something happens. Too often in our fast food, microwave, drive thru marriages too rushed lives we don't have patience to wait on God. We learn from this verse that the enemy who has come to lie, steal and destroy also attempts to deflect our prayers from reaching Heaven. It took the Angels 21 days to carry Daniels prayer to Heaven. What if Daniel had given up? What if Daniel never "prayed it through". Today friends be diligent in your prayer, trust God to answer and begin to praise Him for granting our requests.

May God bless you all this week!

Please continue to pray for Tuesday's family...

2009-02-03T10:26:00.000-05:00

iHeartFaces

2009-02-02T11:24:00.000-05:00

I love this photo because you just know how happy he really is just from those little eyes sparkling!

Pictures as promised...

2009-01-29T10:53:00.001-05:00

Bryan shoveling the drive way or as Renato said, he is shaving the drive way.

Lot's of snow

Renato shaving the snow too!

How COOL is Renato?

Kale and Jayden...they are in there somewhere

Renato's 1st snowman

Renato and Nate
Toby and Brutus

Bye for now...enjoy the winter wonderland!

Random Thursday posting

2009-01-29T10:26:00.000-05:00

This is the closest I came to stepping out the front door yesterday. We had so much snow. The kids all played outside. And when I find the disk with the kids pictures I will post them. The roads are still bad here and hard to travel on. Some schools canceled but not Plainfield, are you kidding??

Tomorrow is the BIG day! Bryan will have his drivers license and I will Never see the inside of a grocery store again. This is why I birthed children. (not really, but I am still excited). Keep Bryan in your safety prayers. He is a great responsible driver. I do not worry about him.

Would you join me in prayer?

2009-01-28T22:15:00.000-05:00

I am not a liberty to give the full story right now. But I would ask that you join me in praying for Sarah. I promise the story will be posted, but for right now I need you to pray that Sarah will be exactly where God wants her to be. For those of you who have adopted, when you give your heart to a child before ever meeting them...you love them as if they had been with you all their life. Sarah is already loved and I am praying that she knows this and finds her home soon.

See you soon Sarah!

2009-01-08T22:11:00.000-05:00

This is an older picture, but I never tire of seeing it. What a sweetie. Please remember Kale in your prayers, we will head to Riley next week to see if he is ready for his FINAL surgery.

2009-01-08T22:07:00.000-05:00

G~Gods

R~riches

A~at

C~Christs

E~exspense

THINK PINK

2009-01-01T18:58:00.000-05:00

Hi ladies,

After thinking about it I have decided to stop selling Mary Kay. I love Mk but life is taking some different turns this next year and I have to scale down in all areas. I love the product but I do have to keep a minimum order and sometimes that is hard to do. I either have to up sells or retire. And with so many other things happening, retiring from MK is my solution to one question!

So I will be placing one LAST ORDER. If you need or want anything email me by Sunday night and I will place your order on Monday. Thanks, have a great 2009!

Happy New Year with family and friends

2009-01-01T16:40:00.001-05:00

The days after Christmas

2009-01-01T16:16:00.001-05:00

Christmas Eve 2008 dinner and gift giving

2009-01-01T15:52:00.001-05:00

Santa is coming soon!

2009-01-01T15:13:00.001-05:00

Gift exchange at our house

2009-01-01T14:34:00.001-05:00

Kale and Jayden school Christmas Party 2008

2009-01-01T14:26:00.001-05:00

Bryan's "Black Thunder" has a gas leak!

2008-12-08T00:41:00.001-05:00

Halloween 2008 with the Allens

2008-12-08T00:38:00.001-05:00

Plainfield Quaker Football-2008

2008-12-08T00:34:00.001-05:00

FTIA Gala-08

2008-12-08T00:31:00.001-05:00

Hot Dog Roast with friends

2008-12-08T00:25:00.001-05:00

The Pilgrams meet the Indians-2008

2008-12-08T00:22:00.001-05:00

Today we met baby Jovey and she is wonderful!!!

2008-12-08T00:17:00.001-05:00

Bryan's Truck has a gas leak!!!

2008-12-07T19:27:00.001-05:00

TAGGED

2008-12-05T07:07:00.000-05:00

Okay I was tagged a couple of months ago and failed to cooperate. Things have settled a bit and so I am keeping up my end of my most recent tag. Here is the requirements.

The Rules:
1. Grab the nearest book
2. Open it to page 56
3. Find the 5th sentence
4.Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with instructions
5. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book or the most intellectual - Pick the CLOSEST.

So here the closest book and what it says...

KELLER & KELLER

WWW.2KELLER.COM

WE MEAN BUSINESS

INJURY ATTORNEYS SINCE 1936

317-926-1111

This cracks me up...

So now I am tagging the next three...

http://reallybadhairday.blogspot.com/

http://www.sawyerandrew.blogspot.com/

http://www.sammynmick.com/

Oh yea, I don't know how to do those linky things so you are gettin old school links today! Have fun and see you all soon, like tonight at Mexican!

As promised Turkey Day pics...

2008-12-04T01:19:00.000-05:00

Turkey Day was so fun and relaxing. I cooked and baked all day and loved every minute of it. Then with friends and family in tow we headed to neighbors house for dinner. I say neighbor lightly because we are much closer then that. We love them! Debi and I made so much food that after about 20 of us had dipped in, it still looked untouched. Here are the pics from the day!

Jayden trying to wake up

no time for Lenny

I added this pic of Renato because I know it will make him roll his eyes

hmmmm, what did you say

the first pilgram

the second pilgram

the two indians

Makayla and Jess

the cookers..me and Deb

Kay and Cath helping cook

A Mother's Tear...

2008-12-03T09:47:00.000-05:00

A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?"

"Because I'm a woman," she told him.

"I don't understand," he said.

His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will."

Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?"

"All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.

The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.

Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why do women cry so easily?"

God said: "When I made the woman she had to be special, I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, Yet gentle enough to give comfort, I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children, I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining, I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly, I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart, I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly, And finally, I gave her a tear to shed".

"This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed. That tear holds more then men could understand. If a man was to shed her tear it would look enormous. For a woman's tear is full of unconditional love, power, sacrifice, beauty, pain and compassion. All ten fold of what a Man is able to feel. And that is my son, why I made her as close to being Supernatural. She's my gift to the world she's an Angel on Earth. Love her and praise her for there will be no other here on Earth that will Love you like I do then your Mother.

"You see my son," said God, "The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides."

~To my friends,
Remember in these days ahead that our children bring us tears but after the hurt is the joy!

Love always, K~

One snowflake has melted...

2008-12-03T07:40:00.000-05:00

Today one snow flake has melted. Sam (student from Korea) has left our home and is staying in an interim home until leaving for Korea in a couple of weeks. It has been an interesting 4 months for our family and household. I have traveled out of the country so I thought I knew about other cultures. Ummm, no I didn't. I have learned A LOT! Sam is happy to be heading back home with his family and I am happy for him. I wish him all the luck and Godspeed in the future!

A different holiday!

2008-11-25T14:44:00.000-05:00

This year we are doing Thanksgiving a little different~well not this different.

Well I can't wait to post pics from our holiday we have something really fun and special planned for Turkey day. We plan to share our day with family AND friends. Let me just say this...each family will represent a side. Do you think my family will represent the Pilgrams or the Indians?

Leave me a note and tell me which you think. :)

FRIENDSHIP

2008-11-24T21:50:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,

Lately, I suppose because of the time of the year I have been thinking of friendship. I have had the best and worst friends. I have been the best and worst friend.

Some friends have left my life with no explanation and it haunted me for awhile. But what I learned from a very specific ex-friend is that sometimes God removes people from your life with no explanation because he knows they WILL hurt you very soon. I had a friend that from the exterior seemed like the dearest, sweetest and most sincere person. And then as her life spiraled downward and fell apart she said something to me that as long as I live will never forget. It was the most hurtful thing ANYONE ANYWHERE has ever uttered to me. I still see that person now and then and she acts like she isn't that person but the fact is...she is. She is a mean person. And God removed her from me just in time. Here is a poem I recevied lately and it pretty much says just that!

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, This person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, Things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, Love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Whatever friend you are, be your best!

GIFT CARD CRASH!

2008-11-23T17:26:00.000-05:00

I wanted to give everyone a heads up that if you tend to give gift cards around the holidays, you need to be careful that the cards will be honored after the holidays. Stores that are planning to close after Christmas are still selling the cards through the holidays even though the cards will be worthless January 1.

Below is a partial list of stores that you need to be cautious about.
Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)
Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide closing
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150 stores nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down specialty stores
J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots)
Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbots)
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.
Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ ( New Brunswick )
Macys to close 9 stores after January
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Galley Closing all stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
Sprint/Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Loews to close down some stores
Dillard's to close some stores

I so now know the validity to all of these stores closing, but your safer to stay away from gift cards this year!

Have a great short week! K~

2008-11-19T12:25:00.000-05:00

Man I think this kid is adorable, this is little Jovey...isn't she the most precious!

2008-11-19T12:18:00.000-05:00

Another picture of Corbin. I have several to post so I will post more when I have more time.

Love you all!

2008-11-19T12:06:00.000-05:00

Like so many other people our family struggles with daily stress, finances, hard decisions and lifetime consequences. Sometimes I ask myself why did God place me here at this moment? The past couple of weeks I have been asking myself a really tough question and praying for an answer from God. Today I got an email from a friend and it said..

To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did. When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.

So today if you are unsure or unsteady trust in God to give back to you what has been taken away. Hold out your empty hands with nothing to offer but your praise and see what God has for you.