Chicago

My man and I just got back from a week long trip to Chicago. It was amazing. For all the reasons as to why we’d drive 12 hours up to the windy city can be found here on this website -Soul City Church. We had a blast, made lots of memories and our kids looked ginormous (shocker – spelled that word right first time!) when we got back. I think they grew many many inches while we were gone. OH, and I don’t see how it was possible but the kids looked even more adorable and beautiful once we returned.

Here are a few pics from the trip. I am kicking myself for not taking more photos!

the weather is so devine!

Just love love love this weather! When we first moved in the mosquitos were so bad that the kids never enjoyed playing outside. Now that it has gotten cooler, those flying little pest have disappeared and the kids have ventured out and discovered a hidden make believe world in the woods by the creek. Today my grandmother came over to paint pumpkins with the kids. After lunch they wanted me to come into their house out in the woods. It was really tough navigating through the vines and over the creek but I made it. They have a library, bedrooms, bathroom, prison, kitchen, elevator and a church. #2 sits on a vine swing in the church and prays “about things, but I can’t remember what they are”. #3 sits on a log see-saw and prays, “about a bunch of stuff”. Then #1 prays about “moving back to C-town when we get done living in this new house.” I really love seeing my kids explore the outdoors. I LOVED playing in the woods growing up and it just gives me warm fuzzies to see them enjoy it too.

all about my girls

Most of Saturday was a girls day. First thing that morning we pushed big brother on my dad (he worked with him at his church’s clothes closet and had a great time) and we headed north to a friend’s ballerina birthday party. Later that afternoon I took the girls to a pumpkin patch. They were super adorable picking out each family member a pumpkin. Next we came home and planted pansies in their old rain boots. (I got this idea somewhere on line.) We put some of our chicken poop to use and mixed it in the soil for fertilizer. My heart was swelling watching them work as a team when planting the flowers. Then to warm up and get the dirt off they took an HOUR long bath washing each others hair and sharing tons of laughs. That night my parents brought our oldest back and we all cooked at our place. It was a great great day!

our Columbus day

My man’s parents have been in town for a few days.

We played Catan – LOVE this game!
Me and my man had a date night (thanks to the free babysitting)
Played the Wii. I will never forget my mother-in-law hula hooping on the Wii fit. She’s was GREAT!
Ate some fresh eggs (thanks to Ruby and Big Girl)
Introduced my in-laws to IKEA.
Ate a CPK
and … went to the GA Aquarium! WHOO HOOOOOO!

It was so nice. My favorite thing was “two finger” touching the rays and starfish.

Here are some terrible snapshots.

MeMe and Granddad – the kids already want to know when you can come visit again!

little bits of time

Crazy how quickly one super silly moment like this ….

turns into a super pouty, pitiful, feel sorry for me half hour.

And it was all b/c her sister playfully threw her beloved pirate purse and all her treasures got scatter about.

days and words to remember

Isn’t she lovely? I just love watching my kids grow – inside and out. They are constantly amazing me and I love spending my days with them.

Girls are out again. With Ruby finally laying they are now allowed to have field trips around the yard. I love looking out the windows and seeing their bushy butts up in the air as they peck around the yard for grubs.

So, my friend Carlos – who’s blog I don’t normally read – wrote this post today. I copied and pasted it b/c they are words I just don’t ever want to forget. They are the words that I have been unable to form that express the many things I have been pondering in my heart. Thanks Los.

Title: People Will Never Respect You Because Of What You’re ABOUT To Do

“My wife and I have thought about adopting for a while.”
“I’ve always wanted to write a book.”
“I think I might ask her out.”
“Yea, next time I go to a show I’ll sponsor a Compassion child.”
“You know, I’m gonna finally tell my boss to chill out and treat us with respect.”
“Dude! The church I’m planting is going to feed the homeless every Saturday morning.”
“That’s it. I’m seriously going to drop everything and become a photographer.”

These are just a few of the lines I remember from conversations I have been part of or overheard (yes, I’m a stalker) the past few weeks.
Dreams are fuel.
They fuel us to victory.
But most of the time they stay just that.
Dreams.
I lived most of my life “about” to do something.
Then one day Heather and I decided to stop living almost and start living all out.
Since that decision we have adopted our son Losiah, climbed the highest peak in North America, Jumped out of airplanes, been on a reality show, moved across the country, quit my job, signed a record deal, traveled to Uganda, co lived with 3 families, and so much more.
I honestly don’t share that to brag.
It might sound miserable to most of you.
We have had our share of suck.
If you read our blogs you know.
But we also realized that the American dream of white picket fences and a 9-5 isn’t our shtick.
And here is the harder truth.
It isn’t a lot of yours either.
You are living in the myth that stability = simply and safely existing.

Those statements up top usually end a few months later with financial, lack of time, fear, and man power excuses.
Here’s the truth.
There will NEVER be enough money, time, or help.
Heather and I spend at least one night a week looking at the checking account and crying then laughing then crying.
I could get a job at a church and play it safe.
That would not be a bad decision.
It would be a great decision.
It just would not be the RIGHT decision, right now.
Because right now God has called me to pour into the global church and when that season is over, it would be a blessing to work in the local church again.
Just not now.
And so we pray, fast, hustle, laugh, and cry.
And inside all of that, we live.

I’m willing to bet a lot of you are ready for an adventure.
So what is it?
What are you going to do this week to take that one step away from safety and towards calling?
Los