Our Defensive Tackle

A year ago, I was not so thrilled Tim wanted to play tackle football. Bones can be broken, ankles sprained and heads crushed in a sport like that. However, I knew I had to let him "try it out." I knew I had to let him see if he liked the sport.

Tim needed to learn for himself how demanding this commitment would be. He needed to see for himself how much personal time of his would be taken up by playing on the team. Every night practice, Saturday or Sunday afternoon games and no time for friends meant something completely new to Tim. Our son loved time with his friends. He loved doing whatever he wanted when he wanted. Being a part of a rigid athletic schedule which demanded 100% attendance was not something Tim was familiar with - not at all.

So, we let our boy try it out. We signed him up for junior tackle football here in town. Even though Tim was the least beat mean, aggressive or tough, we let him give it a go...

The season ended with Tim getting awarded the "most improved player" of the season. He had a blast! From the moment football camp began in July until the end of the season mid-October, he loved every second of it! The drive, the will, the determination beamed through our boy as he learned the sport of football and became a starting lineman for the team.

We could not have been more proud of Tim's commitment to the football season, the team and the coaches. He stepped up and did what he needed to do to and enjoyed every second of it.

As fans of the sport, we had a great time, as well. The games were fun and we enjoyed cheering all the boys on throughout the season. Although I still cringe when Tim takes a hit, charges a tackle or twists a knee, it was so much fun to see our #80 play! We so look forward to next July and Hubs Football!

Leaf Jumpin'

Living on a 3 acre wooded lot means LOTS OF LEAVES this time of year! The kids get so excited when they see the change of colors. They know it means there will be an abundance of fallen leaves to rake into piles. Nothing is more fun than jumpin' into one of those piles!

A Lil' Bit of Fall

Tim and Meg seemed to be over visiting the apple orchard and pumpkin patch - for now anyway. So, Mike and I ventured out with Kate to grab some apple cider donuts and caramel apples last Sunday. It was a beautiful day with sunshine and a cool breeze.

At least our Katie is still "into" some of the fun fall traditions.

It's Over...

Summer

Is

Definitely

Over!

Well, maybe not for Tim...

It Hurts

As I look through past posts, I notice our little Daniel is missing from many entries. As a mama, I feel bad. I feel as if I sort of neglect him. As if I favor the other children. It makes it look like maybe I love him less… None of this is true. As a matter of fact, Daniel has such a very special place in my heart ~ one which is difficult to share, but one that is so, so deep!

When I discovered my lack of writing about our sweet boy, I wanted to know what was keeping me from sharing about him, telling his story or asking my readers to pray for him, too? It was an easy answer to find but a harder one to share. It comes down to this ~ I miss Daniel more than I can possibly explain. More than I can possibly share. More than I truly want to admit. It hurts to miss him. It hurts to share it. And, it most certainly hurts to admit it.

Daniel is such special little boy. He comes with a very special story most of us will never truly understand or comprehend. For a little boy in Haiti, his story is pretty typical. This fact does not make it any less sad.

It was Daniel’s story that drew me to him. His story forced me to listen. When I listened, my heart cried. My heart cried and opened up. It opened up wide. As I held this little boy in my arms and heard his story, my heart broke. My heart broke for him. My heart broke because of his story. It was because of the story and the sweet little boy I knew I wanted to be his mama. I wanted to be his mama and help change his sad story into one full of happiness. I wanted to help write this sweet, little boy’s story. I wanted to add chapters to his story. I wanted to add good chapters – chapters of love, chapters of happiness, chapters of a forever family.

Daniel’s story is what makes me miss him. His story makes me miss him deeply! I am so ready to help write the next chapter of his life. I am ready to help make great changes and loving opportunities for such a special boy. I have been ready to do this for a very long time. I am ready.

It is not time for Daniel to come home to begin this new chapter. It will happen. It will happen when the time is right. I am truly okay with this. I am okay waiting. However, waiting does not make it hurt any less ~ especially if I think about it. If I think about all he could be doing, all I could be doing and all we could be doing together as a family - it hurts.

Daniel’s story will be a difficult one to turn around. However, I am ready to help turn it around. I am ready to hold him, rock him and hug him endlessly. I am ready to make him smile, make him laugh and make him happy. I am ready to tell him I love him every day; I am ready to make him feel loved every day. I want him to know he can be happy and feel this love every day. Wanting this hurts.

It hurts to think about all I can be giving Daniel if he were here. It hurts to think about all I want to give Daniel when he is here. It hurts thinking about his story and wanting to change how it plays out. It hurts thinking about when I learned about his story and what he went through. Since it hurts, I try not to think about it. I try to put it aside. I don’t think about it and I don’t worry. I try to remain positive. I think about all the wonderful opportunities and growing he is doing at the orphanage. I think about all the blessings he is receiving living at Angel House. I think about all the blessings we receive going through this adoption process.

I don’t write about Daniel often. I know why I do not write about him. I don’t write about him because I miss him. It is also okay to miss him. It is okay to want him home. I just wish it didn’t hurt so much.

Keep Praying!

Our prayers are working ~ Kate's tumor is shrinking. Please, please keep praying for this sweet little girl!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate

Dude!

Happy 4th Birthday!

Disney World

We spent a week in Disney World in June. It was the kids first trip there. They had been to Disneyland, but never down to Florida's park. We had more than a fabulous time for 9 days. Fun, laughs and chillin' with Mickey.

Timbo * Timberoni * Timster * TJ * Timeika * Timerthy

He's a nut! I call him “Goober.” Cross between a geek and booger maybe? Not even sure where I got that nickname from, but it fits him perfectly.
There are so many times in a day when he cracks me up. His jokes. His one-liners. His sarcasm. I just love his sense of humor.
The past few months have been so much fun! I am truly enjoying the “kid” my son is turning into to right now. He laughs, he jokes, and he enjoys life. He is out to have a good time and wants to have fun. I have always thought Tim was a pretty cool kid. He has a very caring and loving side to him. He loves his family and admires his friends. He takes pride in what he does and wants to succeed. He wants to know what’s going on in the world and loves to learn. He has a very strong faith and cares deeply about God. All around, he is a terrific person.
Tim makes my heart swell. His admiration for life, his sensitivity towards others and his high standards brought upon by his belief in the Lord’s Word. I love him more each day. I couldn’t be more proud of him today!
I am having a blast being his mom. He makes it easy. He makes it fun. He is such a Goober!

Two Years Ago

Two years ago we took a big leap of faith. We heard a calling from the Lord, and we answered it.

Mike and I committed to this calling. We committed to adopt Jonathan.

So much has happened in the past two years. Our lives have forever changed.

We pray each day for Jonathan's health. We pray for his orphanage and caregivers.

.

Thank you, Lord, for calling us. Thank you for hearing our prayers.

We praise You, God, for placing Jonathan in our lives. We praise You for forever changing us two years ago.