tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2539314582721465642024-02-07T22:24:28.409-08:005 Kids 6 MonthsAn imperfect family following the will of a perfect God!Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-57808202288739115962016-11-28T10:09:00.001-08:002022-11-21T10:32:42.002-08:00Best of Facebook: November 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">11/8/2016: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/videos/10154291995088821/">Click here to see photo slideshow on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With all the stress I am seeing during this election let's lighten it up with some adorable pictures of our mama hen and her new babies!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />We were walking inside and a chicken was laying under our porch. I looked, shook my head, and yelled to one of the kids, "hey, come catch this chicken and put her back in the fence!" Just as I am setting down my keys ready to sit for a short moment I hear what sounds like a thousand feet come trampling in. I can feel myself beginning to boil over because they were disturbing my very momentary peace with their elephant stampede and obviously not catching a chicken like I asked. I took a deep breath and just as I was about to let out my tirade they interrupted, "MOM! MOM! MOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!! You have to come SEE!!! Don't ask, just COME!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />And it was. That chicken I was disgruntled with was also trying to get some peace away. But for different reasons than I. She wasn't wanting a selfish escape like me. No, under her puffed up feathers she was keeping, not one, not two but, eight tiny babies warm. While I was ready to scatter all my kids hearts in the cold by yelling in my selfish frustrations this hen was keeping all her babies warm and so close that all their little hearts and hers beat as one.<br /><br />I grabbed my camera and the kids and I all laid flat on our bellies in the dirt gathering close to capture in our memories the beauty of new life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">11/9/2016: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10154295407133821">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let's spend more time being light in the darkness and less time pointing out the fact that it is dark...<br /><br />We were all up far too late last night watching as polls come in. We woke up in a new day in the same world. We woke up with the same call to love our neighbor in a very immoral world run by immoral leaders.<br /><br />Our new president isn't going to personally free the oppressed, help the suffering and feed the hungry but we can. Sharing love, helping others and spreading the gospel of Jesus is our command. Let's focus more on being the light in darkness and less on pointing out the darkness.<br /><br />"If you extend your soul to the hungry<br />And satisfy the afflicted soul,<br />Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,<br />And your darkness shall be as the noonday.<br />The Lord will guide you continually,<br />And satisfy your soul in drought,<br />And strengthen your bones;<br />You shall be like a watered garden,<br />And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."<br />Isaiah 58:10-11</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">11/10/2016: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10154297966783821/?type=1&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had the opportunity to teach friends how to process a sheep their family raised. We spent hours skinning, cutting and grinding meat. We were able to pray over the preciousness of life, learn about the intricate anatomy God created and express great thankfulness for the meat He provided.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />It was a process that makes you express a multitude of emotions and one in which many of us are very disconnected with. Everytime it is a somber reminder that we are all created for a purpose. A purpose, not to live the "American dream" (focused on our own prosperity and what president will give us the most of it) but, to give up ourselves up to serve others.<br /><br />We all know the verse: <br />“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16<br /><br />And God in flesh being our example we are to be imitators of God: "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." Ephesians 5:1-2<br /><br />So our reminder: "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." 1 John 3:16</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">11/13/2016: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10154307639448821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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"Forgiveness looks wrong in the eye, it names wrong for what it is and feels the sting. Then it consciously acts "unfairly" in return. Anger is all about fairness. But forgiveness is mercifully unfair. You choose not to give back what seems fair, just or reasonable. <br /><br />Forgiveness does not ignore what's wrong. It does not excuse it. It does not pretend the person didn't really mean it. Instead, it recognizes that a debt is owed and it forgives the debt.<br /><br />Forgiveness means you don't get what you deserve. Because God is "unfair," we have hope. Instead of fairness, you get someone who is deadly serious about wrong but acts on your behalf in ways that are inconceivably unfair."<br />- Good and Angry by David Powlison, pg. 80, 81<br /><br />"The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;" Dan. 9:9<br /><br />"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace" Eph. 1:7<br /><br />"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">11/21/2016: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10154329620398821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Goodness, look at this little lady! Some days I just can't believe that my youngest baby is five. This morning I was going thru and donating lots of clothes when Maggie liked one of my knee-length skirts. So we quickly added a little elastic waist band to fit her and it turned out adorable!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">11/25/2016: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10154339450548821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuhDoAqr2x7j0hcG8VkBtqUk6hfPMjvOEhQpVfWCQZW-B9bmss8zgjDuvSsh-HMROe32T3gMzQsLzCxyu1JBl90ISJEH7LZ2iACPDcjPH-v_WDHWXiScuuKaDbhsazmAdIt55cmp3kXzz/s1600/15178063_10209994891882121_3561868785685734587_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuhDoAqr2x7j0hcG8VkBtqUk6hfPMjvOEhQpVfWCQZW-B9bmss8zgjDuvSsh-HMROe32T3gMzQsLzCxyu1JBl90ISJEH7LZ2iACPDcjPH-v_WDHWXiScuuKaDbhsazmAdIt55cmp3kXzz/s640/15178063_10209994891882121_3561868785685734587_n.jpg" width="628" /></a></div>
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So proud of our sweet AnnaBritt girl! When we first put her on Cherrio, our mini horse, she yelled, "off...off...OFF!" She was afraid, had no balance and would slip off from side to side as the horse walked. I would have to walk with her and hold her on to reassure her she could do it. <br /><br />Now she uses her feet in the stirrups to balance herself as the horse's natural sway tilts her body gently from side to side and she uses her hands to clasp the saddle horn and hold on as she rides. But best of all she loves it! Smiling, laughing and cheering all the way <img src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v6/f51/1/16/1f603.png" /> <img src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v6/f6c/1/16/2764.png" /> She don't let her Cerebral Palsy get her down!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">11/27/2016: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10154345082118821">Click to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Amen! Posted by my super friend with 15 kiddos (12 adopted)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">11/28/2016: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10154346785213821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />The last post we shared caused a little rift so let me see if I can clarify. Christians like to throw around the word "calling" like Jesus will audibly express His great call for your life one day. This misconception leaves many young Christians I talk to confused and often thinking they aren't "called to ministry" or the "missed their calling." When the Bible uses the word "called" it is almost always referring to God calling His people to Himself through salvation.<br /><br />Once we are saved we are no longer called but commanded to minister to fellow believers, to share the gospel and to love (in an active way by doing) all the people God created. Some Christians are not called to minister and share and love....we are ALL commanded to. How each of us uses the gifting God endowed us with will look different. Different not non-existent. For if our service to others is non-existent we are called, excuse me, commanded to examine ourselves! See 2 Peter 1:1-15<br /><br />The most unloving thing to do is to sit by and let our churches continue to flow at lukewarm temperatures. God says, "you were neither hot nor cold so I spit you out of my mouth." If there were no homeless people to be found on the streets, if every sick and lonely patient in the hospital or nursing home had a visitor, if hunger and thirst was not something people knew deeply, if babies and children were no longer languishing in overcrowded institutions and orphanages then this post would have no ground. Where are our churches?<br /><br />I will speak up. I see these little ones without mommies and daddies. Too many. I see these little ones growing up knowing more about hurt, pain and loss than about love, joy and gain. Too many. I see these little ones wondering why has God not loved me enough to send me a family. Too many.<br /><br />But many more are the Christians I see. Churches full with many mommies and daddies. Many who have a little joy to share, a little more love to share and an eternity of gain to share. Many I see could be a family for a little one....but many say they are not called.<br /><br />This is not a judgment declared. This is an observation proclaimed. We adopt, not because we were called, but because we were adopted. In other words, we actively love because we were actively loved.</span><br />
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Posted by Shannon</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-19416276323459786952016-06-30T08:00:00.000-07:002022-11-21T10:32:44.638-08:00Best of Facebook: June 2016<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>6/1/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153866649973821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB: </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We took a big leap 3 months ago. I have always had a dream of having a traveling petting zoo business so after becoming debt free we took a leap, got an LLC, became licensed and insured and put ourselves out there. God has blessed it beyond what we could have ever imagined!!! Here are two reviews we saw on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/redemptivelovefarm/">our FB page </a>today! <3<br /><br />"Amazing people! Lovely animals! Sweet kids! Can't wait to go back!"<br /><br />"We hired Redemptive Love Petting Zoo for a birthday party for our one year old and they were a complete hit with ALL ages! BEST birthday party! This family-run business is nothing short of amazing with their professionalism and genuine courtesy. I cannot speak highly enough of the children helping with this operation- they were so well spoken and knowledgeable and a pleasure to be around! The animals were all very friendly and responded well to the 25+ children we had there ages 1-14. Even the teens and adults enjoyed petting them. The horses were so friendly and a perfect addition for the easiest birthday party we have ever hosted! Thank you so much Redemptive Love! We will definitely be calling again, and would refer anyone with 100% confidence!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>6/3/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153870192773821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is an Italian documentary our family was featured in....you can kinda hear our voices (speaking in English) under the dubbed voices. It is a 30 minute documentary, we are filmed and interviewed from time: 13:25-16:54. To be honest I have no idea the way they spun the story because I don't speak Italian but I do know the title is "An American Scandal".....God can use anything.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.rsi.ch/la1/programmi/informazione/falo/tutti-i-servizi/Riadozioni-uno-scandalo-americano-7252766.html"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Click here to go to website with video</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">EDITED to add: Laura Mercier, who is awesome, took the time to translate our small segment, here is English translation:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Sometimes, second chance adoptions truly have a happy ending. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In this farm, on the periphery of Tallahassee, Florida, Shannon and Brian Carroll live with their 7 children adopted in the last 5 years. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For them, saving children in difficult situations, with a past of abandonment and failed adoptions, is a mission, a way to fulfill God’s will.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shannon: “If you’re trying to build a family through adoption, or if a couple can’t have children, you think “I want to adopt a little baby from China” but you discover quickly that things aren’t that simple. These children with a past of traumatic relationships or having grown up in orphanages don’t know how to act with a mom and dad. There never had any parents, they don’t come through the door telling you “Mom, I love you!”.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If we have children fill a void in ourselves, to be called parents, adoptions don’t work. But if we do it to fill their needs of love and attention, then that’s a way for those children to find healing.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Among the 7 Carroll children there is Samuel, 9 years old, his face scarred by a birthmark. Abandoned around 6 months by his parents, Sam spent his first 4 years in an orphanage in China. First he was adopted by a family in Michigan, who after 4 years, in 2014, decided to get rid of him. Abandoned again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sam: “One evening, Mom and Dad told me “Go to your room, we need to talk to you”. I thought who knows what they want, it can’t be anything serious. Then, I understood… You think, OK, I’ll be here for the rest of my life, and instead I discovered I needed to leave. I was tossed about from here to there so many times. How can I trust when they told me I was going to stay here forever? The only thing I can do is wait and see what’s going to happen.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shannon: “When he started living with us, Sam kept repeating: “Who knows, maybe my next family will be in Texas, or maybe in California” as if it was an exciting adventure. But one day he too will need a family, he will need to know that he is wanted. We had to explain this to him many times: Hey kid, whether you like it or not, this is the last stop! Now and in the future, it will always be us."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>6/4/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153872180783821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dr. Ware's wife once told me, "No good or generous impulse is from Satan, consider it from God and act on it regardless of how you feel."<br /><br />You know that prodding to pay for someone's meal even when you don't you have the money - from God<br /><br />The urge to call someone even when you don't have the time - from God<br /><br />The desire to love one of God's children and cure their orphan-ness by giving them a family - definitely from God (the last thing Satan wants is to see the orphan know their true Father)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>6/7/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153880534558821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB: </a></span></div>
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Who needs seven multicolored kids to get you attention when you have a goat in your purse! ;) I have entered a new phase of crazy...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>6/8/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/redemptivelovefarm/photos/a.1559887880998320.1073741825.1559695661017542/1639215833065524/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This mama thing is hard some days....in the stress of it all some mamas take a bath, some go out for a jog. Some mamas sniff oils, some take medications. Some mamas drink lots of coffee, some binge eat chocolate icecream. Some mamas hide in the closet and cry, some dance in the midst of the crazy.<br />Me...I hug a dog...or a pony...or a bunny....or a goat....or even a chicken.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />We all have our thing. Don't judge. :D<br />Keep on keeping on mamas!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>6/14/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153897063283821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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28 days had come and gone with no babies. 30 days had come and gone with no babies. 34 days had come and gone with no babies. We were about to move mama back in with the flock and discard all 12 eggs. But mama was sitting ever so faithfully, "oh, just let her keep sitting." A big thunderstorm had come through at one point causing rain water to fill her nest and we found all the eggs floating in the water. I knew in my heart at that point the eggs were no longer viable. But her faithfulness to sit on these, perceived dead, babies caused my heart to long with her, so we dried them and gave her a fresh nesting box, "okay, let her keep sitting." She refused to leave her nest. We would take food and water to her every morning and get a close enough for a whiff of a rotten egg smell. Mama duck would fluff up her feathers and hiss, this 15lb duck ready to defend her nest against a 150lb human, "If you insist on sitting, we are not taking your eggs mama duck, you just sit." <br /><br />Everyday we looked at this mama duck with a hopeless sigh but Mama duck knew better than us, for this very morning a fuzzy yellow baby greeted us. We don't know if any more will hatch but we do know that even if this is the only baby that hatches it has made all the patience and faithfulness of sitting in the heat and the rain worth it to this mama duck!<br /><br />What a lesson in not acting in haste yet just faithfully waiting on the Lord this morning! :D</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>6/16/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153902466523821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Follow-up to previous mama duck post: 10 out of the 12 eggs mama was sitting on were very rotten. She hatched out one more sweet yellow baby today and then we gave her two more eggs that were just starting to hatch in our incubator! <br /><br />So she hatched two bio + two adopted = four REAL ducklings ;) lol<br />And mama loves them all!!! <3</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>6/21/2016:</b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153914210428821/?type=3&theater"> Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />4 years ago this tiny dude became ours! I still remember the days leading up to his placement in our family! When the first sibling group of three came I, vainly, prayed that they would be cute, and terribly cute they were. When just 3 months later we were called for a baby girl and my very cute, big three were wearing me out I prayed that she would just sleep through the night! At 6 weeks old she she slept soundly through the night, but during the day she was a very collicky, fussy baby. So when just 6 months later we were called once more for a baby boy, I said yes through tears of exhaustion and prayed, "Lord, just let him smile."<br /><br />This baby was dropped off an hour after they called us with nothing but the dirty clothes he was wearing. The first couple days this baby sat quietly, no crying, no laughing, just would sit and watch. When baby girl cried (which was often) I would meet both babies needs. This quiet little boy who now was getting all his needs met before he could ask, yet before he came he had learned to stop crying because in his past his cries had been ignored.<br /><br />Something began to happen, this baby began to happily smile and laugh all the time! I would walk to the table carrying dinner, three whiny, pouty kids would complain, baby girl would be screaming because I was too slow getting the food to her and this baby boy would be smiling and clapping! He became my personal cheerleader in the drudgery of life chores! His tiny hands and huge tooth-less grin are forever etched in my mind as God's perfect blessing bestowed on me to drive me to continue on in love!<br /><br />I wanted to say no to number five, I was SO overwhelmed with four, but if I had I wouldn't have had that breath of fresh air, that tiny smile sent from Heaven that said, "you're doing good mom, keep going!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>6/22/16:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153917859403821">Click here to view link on FB:</a></span><br />
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DEBT FREEDOM!!!<br />I finally got around to telling our story going from $250,000 mortgage + two car loans + other small debt = $300,000 total debt to the freedom of not having to pay a mortgage, owning our cars and being debt free ($0 debt)!!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2016/06/a-story-only-god-could-write.html"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Click here to see blog post: "A Story Only God Could Write" </span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>6/26/16:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153138219433821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Memory from one year ago, I can still feel the deep feeling of frailty as I remember this time being separated from my family, sitting in the hospital by my sweet girl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">6/26/15 - Today marks 2 weeks since we loaded up Clifford, our big red Excursion, with 7 kiddos and a trailer full of medical supplies. We drove home embarking on a new journey, a new path that God had set before us with another gift buckled in behind me laughing with her new siblings. We spent the first day unpacking box after box and making room for another member of the family. It was a peaceful day with visitors bringing meals and Brittney quietly adjusting, exploring her new home and playing with all her new toys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />The calm before the storm.<br /><br />In the past we have had a honeymoon period with our behavioral/trauma roller coaster kids, usually a month long calm before the storm. This new medical roller coaster whipped us right up to the peak of the drop before we could even get our feet wet. In just 24 hours at 1am that 2nd night home we were awakened by vomitting and rushed to the ER. After a long night we were admitted due to Pancreatitis. Now even though her Pancreas levels are back to normal we are still going to be here in the hospital for an indefinite amount of time unitl her body gets back up to par. <br /><br />For 12 days I have sat by this little girl's bedside, comforted her, held her hand and let her know I am here for her. For 12 dats I have held dozens of vomit buckets, changed a truckload of yucky diapers, went 72 hours straight without sleep, lived out of a suitcase, and cried enough tears to fill a bathtub. At times it felt like this path dropped out from under us and I was falling. My human fraility, weakness and emotions have been deep these past 12 days.<br /><br />But God is still good and He is big, bigger than this hospital stay. God is still showing us His endless lovingkindness, grace and mercy. God's promises are shown more, not less, true in times of trouble and His supernatural peace can only be found in the midst of a storm. God is still on sovereignly on His throne and this temporary trial did not take Him by surprise. This is the path He paved for us. For. Our. Good! And this ship is staying course through the fiercest winds and rain.<br /><br />Although our family is in different cities, Brittney and I here 4 hours away in the hospital and Brian home with the kids playing the single parent game we are growing deeper in love with each other every day. This trial has deepened our understanding of what family truly means.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten." - Stitch :D </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Powerful words little, blue, alien man...powerful words.</span></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-58078571706557948232016-06-01T10:40:00.000-07:002016-06-22T14:14:35.878-07:00DEBT FREEDOM! A Story Only God Could Write! <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since our very first announcement of Plan Move and our debt-free journey back in May of 2013 we have been on a roller coaster of a ride. Now we can look back and see how God perfectly directed each and every step!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To think since then we have saved up and paid over $60,000 to own two properties, and adopted two children! Wow!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This post is the follow-up to point out the very hand of God throughout our debt-free journey....let's start at the beginning!</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In May 2013, "<a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-next-great-leap.html">The Next Great Leap</a>" we announced the blind leap of faith we were about to embark on. Destination: debt-freedom!</span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had already paid off all car, loan and credit card debt thanks to Dave Ramsey's snow-ball techniques before the kids joined us. Shortly after making them ours we made the decision that the kids needed one stay at home parent more than they needed the pretty house in a cookie-cutter neighborhood. We realized paying our $250,000 mortgage would be a long and uphill battle that, frankly, didn't have the energy for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So we outlined our plan, contacted our realtor and prepared for the journey ahead. We figured if living a year or two in our 300sqft motorhome at an RV park</span><span style="font-size: large;"> meant paying cash for whatever house we wanted then we were so there! And we were off, "Alright God lead us!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In August 2013, "<a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2013/08/do-you-ever-slow-down.html">Do You Ever Slow Down!?!</a>" everything was happening so fast!</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our house sold the moment we got the "for sale" sign in the ground before it was even listed. We sold all our stuff and prepared to move yet didn't quite know where but as fast as the house sold we found and purchased a 7 acre plot of raw land that was beautifully trashed. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We thought we could clear enough to temporarily park our motorhome on it while we saved up money to build....but God had other plans.... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In November 2013, "<a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2013/11/soare-you-moving-or-what.html">So...Are You Moving or What?</a>" we were working hard to get our land ready before Dec. 6th, the closing date on our house.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We found out that temporary housing permits restricted people from living in motorhomes in our county which put us in a bind...we have a month to get out of our house and we were now the owners of a 7 acre property but we couldn't live on it. What were we going to do and what was God up to!?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">November was also the month that God began tugging hard at our hearts making it clear that we needed to renew our homestudy again and be ready to open our home to another child...sounds crazy because at the time we didn't have a home! But God always knows and is in control. Read more here: "<a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2014/01/it-is-not-good-time_15.html">It is Not a Good Time</a>"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In early December just before we moved out we were made aware of a tiny trailer on 4 acres for sale, we made the decision to take out a very small loan and buy it with the plan to pay it off in one year. That same month we were matched with our son, Sam. If we had been set on our plan to move into our RV and set on not borrowing money we wouldn't have been able to bring our amazing Sam home! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In January 2014, "<a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2014/01/debt-free-here-we-come.html">Debt Free Here We Come</a>" we shared details and pictures of our new tiny home!</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This tiny house was nothing special, it was a lot of work and we were hesitant about getting into debt to get out of debt. But if we had been set on our plan to move into our RV and set on not borrowing money we wouldn't have been able to bring our amazing Sam home! God knew what He was doing for sure and we grew to love that tiny house!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In December 2014 exactly one year since moving into our tiny (now paid off) home we were felt a strong pull to move out to our original 7 acre raw property. How? We owned the land but we knew that building a home or buying a mobile home to move out there would mean taking out another loan....the whole point was to get out of debt so why such a strong pull, God?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In December 2014, "<a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2014/12/i-cant-bear-to-wake-up-kids-yet-even.html">Move in Progress</a>" as quickly as we thought about moving again it became a reality.</span> </h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After finding a realtor who sold repo mobile homes we only viewed a few before we found our new home. God worked out the miracle of interest-free financing quickly and now we had enough to buy the home, move it out to our property and put in water, electric and septic. The repayment plan for the loan was one year. Although not debt-free, we were moving again. It was happening. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In February 2015, "<a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2015/02/feels-like-mansion-before-and-after.html">Feels Like a Mansion</a>" we had finished all construction and repairs, were moved in and settled. </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As soon as we had hung up the last picture and began to take a breather we were contacted about a little girl, our Brittney. We can see now that if we had stayed in our tiny house another year as we saved up money to pay cash for this new home we wouldn't have been able to take her. Our tiny house could never become handicap accessible. We would have missed out on our sweet and joyful blessing that we have in Brittney!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In June 2015 we brought our sweet girl home!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In February 2016, one year after we moved into our current home we paid off our $20,000 loan! We were now mortgage-free!</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In May 2016 just three years after we announced our original debt free journey we paid off a couple more small debts and are now proud to announce that we are DEBT FREE!</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It certainly took some determination and focus but most of all it took the ability to be in tune with the Holy Spirits promptings and the readiness to trust God wherever He led us. We could have been debt free sooner. We could have chosen to not borrow another dime. But we just may have missed out on two great blessings if we had! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Now on to the journey of farming, self-sustainablity and starting our own family business...and who knows, maybe another blessing on the way! ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://redemptivelovellc.blogspot.com/">Click here to see our business, Redemptive Love Farm, page</a></span></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-47030864933383891952016-05-31T14:48:00.000-07:002022-11-21T10:32:46.672-08:00Best of Facebook: May 2016<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5/1/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/videos/10153797881223821/">Click here to see video on FB</a>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had an amazing surprise today! Make-A-Wish threw a huge surprise party to announce that they are sending Brittney and our whole family to Disney (and SeaWorld, NASA Space Center and Clearwater Marine Aquarium) for 7 days!!! We leave this week!!! :D</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5/2/2016:</b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153799076043821"> Click here to see article on FB:</a></span><br />
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Newspaper article with a few pictures of our fun surprise. We are getting ready and packing!</span><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2016/05/01/make--wish-gives-11-year-old-disney-vacation/83805370/">Click here to read full article on Tallahassee.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5/3/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/videos/10153802138358821/">Click here to see video on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Watch clips of Brittney's Make-A-Wish surprise party on this Fox News story.<br /><br />It is always interesting (by interesting I mean embarrassing) watching ourselves speak and finding out what bits and pieces they show and what was edited out. One thing is for sure, Disney or no Disney we LOVE our Britt-girl to the moon and back!!!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5/4/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153805189338821/?type=3">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Supposed to be packing but what is more important than feeling awesome in the place of dreams!?! <br />Dresses (from <a href="http://littledressupshop.com/">LittleDressUpShop.com</a>) came in today and the girls couldn't wait to get them on! Doesn't Britt look like the prettiest Princess Tiana you have ever seen!?! <br />The boys were excited to dress up too so we threw some costumes together, can you guess who/what they are?<br />Disney here we come!!!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5/9/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153815665233821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kids first time on Splash mountain. Every row of this photo, from the scared protector, the duck and cover, the faces of terror and the carefree kiss as we take yet another plunge together, makes this my absolute favorite photo from yesterday!!! <3 my family <3 Happy Mother's Day :D</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5/11/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153820030723821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mickey Mouse is Britt's favorite and yesterday this princess got to meet him!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5/12/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153033497323821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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Memory from 4 years ago yet a good reminder even for me!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With mother's day past us and all the cute pictures of perfect mommies with their smiling children beginning to become lower on our news feeds I wanted to share one of my favorite real mommy-hood photos.<br /><br />I have been a mom for 4 years or 47 months or 204 weeks or 1,430 days or 34,320 hours or 2,059,200 seconds. When you do the math, that is a long race, one that once begins it never ends. Some mamas are well-trained, prepped and ready for this race, others are thrown in barefoot and out of shape. But we all take part in this race, some run steadfast and steady, some sprint then fall but get back up to sprint again, some transfer their baton over to a more desirable athlete to take their place and some just plain give up.<br /><br />Us adoptive mamas, we have a big running career as we often have to run not only in our own places but in the places of other mamas that have handed their baton to us or given up in this race. Every child should have someone running on their behalf and even though we may not be athletes we can't bear to see a little one on the sidelines with no one running for them, so we, though we are tired, out of breath and calloused we say, "I will run for you too."<br /><br />Take heart, be encouraged mamas, keep running!<br /><br />"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5/12/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153822777633821">Click here to see all 13 photos on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The coolest thing that Give Kids The World and Disney partnered to do was give each Make-A-Wish family free photos at all 4 theme parks, not to mention a pass to get to the front of all the photo lines!<br /><br />We got over 300 professional photos at Disney plus hundreds more on my own camera. Here are a few of our favorites from Disney!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5/18/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153835665298821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 29 years I have had what feels like a lifetime of adventure. Spent 14 years being shaped as a child and 15 years as a working woman. I have spent 11 of the most amazing years married to my best friend and 5 of the most challenging (yet most rewarding) learning and growing as a new mom. We have spent over 8 hard-working years paying off over $300,000 in debt to be able to live in the debt freedom we currently reside. Then 2 long years ago we left our cozy city life to embark on a crazy journey to become farmers and quickly grew to love the country space and the menagerie of animals it brought with it! I am happy to say I am blessed with a great and powerful God, an amazing and serving husband, 7 sweet, fun, and outgoing kids, a paid off and very full house, 7 beautiful, green acres and over 100 furry and feathered friends to love. I am very blessed!!! <3</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5/20/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153840105743821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"When I grew up in the orphanage it was Christians who came an built nicer buildings. Christians who bought us beds, clothing and provided money monthly for food. It was a Christian, who wrote a letter in a shoebox, who first told me I was loved. It was the Christians who met all my physical and material needs in that orphanage."<br />"But it was also Christians who neglected my biggest need. Children in orphanages don't need more money, nicer buildings or better clothes. I am not an orphan because I lost my home or provisions. I am an orphan because I lost my parents. I needed a mom and a dad. I needed a family. Christians treated all my temporary symptoms of need but never cured my longterm disease of being orphan. I am still an orphan."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">-A quote by a 30yr old orphan who aged out of an orphanage where he lived his whole life, spoken at the CAFO Summit 2013, which God has put on the forefront of my mind this morning.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5/26/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153853183613821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am finally uploading vacation photos! Maybe I'll post them all on a couple blog posts soon! This was one of my favorites from Give Kids The World Village, they offered horse rides done by therapy horses twice weekly! So neat and Brittney really enjoyed it! :)</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5/30/2016</b>: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153861707858821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />"How do you know when you are meant to adopt? You just have a peace about it, right?"<br /><br />No, I throw up.<br />That sounds awful. I am a work in progress. I forget God's goodness, His faithfulness and His promises. People will often tell me that they are caring for a child that is difficult, is stretching them, and they are overwhelmed. "Shannon" they say, "I just don't have a peace about adopting this child." Now, I am not at all pretending to have the "peace of God" all figured out but from what I have experienced so far I have never felt "peace" in the ways I expected. <br /><br />Let me give you a glimpse into my deep imperfection, my lack of faith and my, just plain, sinfulness.<br /><br />We had been walking the path as foster parents for a year. We had been parenting (or more honestly, feeling like we were failing at parenting) five kids ages 6 weeks to 9 years old. We weren't aware at the time, but now we know that trauma kids are often times an emotional age MUCH younger than their biological age. On most days it felt like we were parenting five children (of emotional) ages 4 and under. See our 8 and 9 year olds couldn't bathe themselves, dress themselves, didn't know how to play, never had brushed their teeth, needed supervision for homework, meals, everything really, for their own safety and the safety of others.<br /><br />Traveling this path for a year had made me weary. Weary of crying, weary of losing myself, weary of missing time with my husband, weary of parenting. And smack in the middle of my physical and emotional weariness came a decision. Our 1st sibling group of three were coming up for adoption and we were given first choice. "Do you want to proceed with adopting them?" We thought this moment would be magical.<br /><br />This hurts to write but I didn't want to adopt them. I wanted my home back, my sanity back, my energy back, I wanted my life back. I had been suffering severe anxiety attacks, throwing up several times a week, not able to sleep. I told the Lord the long list of reasons I couldn't do it. I had no physical peace at all. And well-meaning Christian friends comforted me, "Shannon, don't do it unless there isn't a doubt in your mind these are supposed to be your kids. You have to have a peace about it." Ah, my way out. Lots of doubt. No peace.<br /><br />But my hubby ever so gently calmed me and reminded me that the Lord doesn't make mistakes. When we started this journey we committed to the Lord that, although our hearts were for seeing birth families reunified, if a child did come up for adoption in our home we would trust that the Lord chose that child for us and we could follow through and adopt them. We would trust that the Lord is true in His promises, that the children He placed with us would be a blessing to us and He would faithfully give us the strength and grace we needed for each day.<br /><br />My peace didn't come from inside my-imperfect-self but from choosing to trust in the Lord's perfect plan.<br /><br />Adoption day came and so did the chaos, bickering, and our Mirabel who refused to get out of bed. "I don't want to go!" She screamed. After much coaxing (and a few bribes) she got in the pretty dress we bought her for court but came out with a pillow case over her head. With futile pleadings we drove an hour away to court with pillow-case head in the back and me quietly sobbing in the front. See both of us were mourning losing parts of our own lives as we knew them. That little girl who walked through such loss and turmoil had learned that she could trust no one but herself. Gaining parents, through adoption, would mean having to extend trust to something that had hurt and failed her in the past. And me, through this year of attempting to pour out love into these kids with no return on my investment, I was feeling empty. I was having to let go of possessions, needs, time, hobbies, desires so I could meet the needs of these little ones. I was mourning the loss of the ease of my old life, not realizing the abundance God was planning for me in this new phase of life!<br /><br />As we pulled up to the courthouse I dried my tears and looked at my pillow-case covered girl. "Please take it off, I have something for you." As her red, puffy eyes were exposed I handed her a small box. Her eyes brightened as she saw a golden heart-shaped locket. Inside the locket was a picture of us on one side and a picture of her birth mom on the other. A tear quietly fell down her cheek. I knelt down beside her, "We knew this day would be hard on you. We wanted to get you something to show you that in no way are we replacing her. We want you to be free to love her. We are not wanting to take your history from you, we just love you and want to give you a future. It is okay to be sad about losing someone and happy about gaining a new family at the same time. That is what the word "bittersweet" signifies. We understand that today is bittersweet for you." She wiped the tears from her cheek and wrapped her tiny arms around my neck, "I love you, mommy." <br /><br />Four years ago today we walked into that courtroom as broken people and walked out as a family. If I had made a decision based on my human feelings I would have made the biggest mistake of my life. I would have let these three awesome kids go. I wouldn't have let God use them to further shape my faith and trust in ways I could have never imagined. I am crying thinking about what amazing kids I almost missed out on. Through the peace of knowing God is good and trusting in Him and not my own feelings, I gained three blessings that day that have changed my life forever! If you haven't meet these kids, let me be the first to tell you that they are just freaking awesome.</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-size: large;">Happy 4th Adoption Day my spunky, crazy-funny, helpful, happy, super-smart, energetic, hard-working, loving trio who I couldn't love more!!! <3</span><br /><br /><br /><br />Posted by Shannon</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-72136104146890943412016-04-30T15:06:00.000-07:002022-11-21T10:32:48.022-08:00Best of Facebook: April 2016<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/1/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153731064023821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In the process of updating our homestudy (we do so every year) and it asks for a "Statement regarding your motivation to adopt." Here is ours:<br /><br />We believe God cares deeply for the orphan and as Christians we are the hands and feet of God to show love and care for the least of these. We believe that every child deserves a safe family where they know they are loved regardless of their abilities, behavior, race, age, or history. We desire to make the least desirable children know that they are wanted and the hardest to place children know that they are deeply loved by us and their heavenly Father. We have built our family through the beautiful brokenness of adoption and wouldn’t have it any other way!<br /><br />We are not perfect but one thing we have proven in our family dynamic is we have the commitment to love children from hard places. We have parented difficult trauma-related behaviors, delinquency, disorders such as RAD, PTSD, ODD, ADHD, and Enuresis. We have also navigated parenting many medical needs including Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevus, atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS), Microcephaly, seizure disorder, Cerebral Palsy, vision impairment, global developmental delays, short gut syndrome, and GJ-tube dependency. We are willing to work with doctors, counselors and therapist to provide the best quality of life for any child God calls on us to welcome into our large family!<br /><br />:) What is your motivation?</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/2/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10153733267823821">Click here to see photo album on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLzOEXBbqga2f-yoKlFz3z0vw3R3kVrVnoCflHOfbcKKN32VBjoemqwNOUcw-PpRu0vIY54styKKNm2g9YycQDaG5yL50RRAOpobrmR3qNtd7VTUpUMxXggM-qkl8IBd2UNUEYPB4uugk/s1600/12957553_10153733269008821_811212263560809006_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLzOEXBbqga2f-yoKlFz3z0vw3R3kVrVnoCflHOfbcKKN32VBjoemqwNOUcw-PpRu0vIY54styKKNm2g9YycQDaG5yL50RRAOpobrmR3qNtd7VTUpUMxXggM-qkl8IBd2UNUEYPB4uugk/s640/12957553_10153733269008821_811212263560809006_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I used to work with Parks and Rec and my favorite time of year was helping put together our bi-annual parade float. Although I don't work there anymore I still have the opportunity to create props and costumes and now the kids get to participate too! We have so much fun being apart of these parades and, oh, the memories we make!!!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/3/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153734241368821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CAxGbd1BO48NeCSAWZFQ-8W9ZR68kyTu8zE0jDvwFfYIYMZRMJ6Z6wK-PR29eDukVkU0McP_ErB6tvEqDBiRW8ur1YJr7VRvNasWPA6iyqxQ5pAoGxqz2ZSj3-yAWLuAbT9Eguzpd-3_/s1600/baby+cow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CAxGbd1BO48NeCSAWZFQ-8W9ZR68kyTu8zE0jDvwFfYIYMZRMJ6Z6wK-PR29eDukVkU0McP_ErB6tvEqDBiRW8ur1YJr7VRvNasWPA6iyqxQ5pAoGxqz2ZSj3-yAWLuAbT9Eguzpd-3_/s640/baby+cow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We got a frantic call while out on a date tonight. "Mom! Mom! Are you on your way home soon!?!" <br />"No, we are still at dinner, why? What is going on?"<br />His voice was shaking, "Mom, Buttercream's in labor! The hooves...the hooves are out!!!"<br />I smiled and mouthed to Brian that our cow was having her baby, "Anthony that is great!"<br />His voice becomes more frantic and he is having a hard time catching his breath, "But mom! What do I do? Will you come home? What do I do?"<br />I want to laugh at his intense concern but instead I used a more serious tone, "Anthony, calm down. You have read every farm book we own, every book on cows from the library, every cow pregnancy article online and watched every cow birthing video on youtube. You are a fully trained cow midwife (midhusband?) so breath and you'll be fine. You can do it!"<br />I hear very controlled breathing in and out, "Okay, thanks mom. I can do this!"<br /><br />Not but a few minutes later, as we were heading home, we got a call that it was a boy! Brian and I arrived to all the children in their pajamas huddled around the birthing stall watching as mama licked her baby calf clean, cheering as baby stood on his own and took his wobbly first steps, and cherished in their heart the miracle of a new life on the farm! Welcome baby Cornbread!!!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/6/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brian.shannon.carroll/posts/10208003634141922">Click here to see video on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Port surgery 1/2: Today Brittney is having a new chest port put in and she is in a good mood! :)</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Brittney has been doing great since we have been home from the hospital! We have seen vast improvements since switching her to a real food diet, her cognitive abilities and speech have improved and her vocabulary has grown. We have also been able to wean her off ALL five of her daily meds!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />She is healthy and infection free so today she is having surgery to have a new chest port placed. Brittney has been a great blessing in our life! God is good and faithful!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/6/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brian.shannon.carroll/posts/10208003661542607">Click here to see video on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Port surgery 2/2: Today Brittney is having a new chest port put in and she is in a good mood! :)<br /><br />2nd video before Britt's port surgery. She is too cute! And so happy!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/6/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brian.shannon.carroll/posts/10208004227956767">Click here to see video on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Post-op: Brittney's Port surgery went well! She is a little "drunk" but is doing good, in great spirits considering, asking for food and to go home. :)</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/11/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153753788448821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gI5jydSnYMVMPH7PVmvpNHPtPQQ2qwPShEEamdOBTjpUmZPclYRuSUdrWIoQbTrS87y7DI-X4EcP45FdVlb2J3ShrmX_ciuNsF77uhwB9oYADTgi2sOaqBlrMUz4mJ1p1Jx3QTLm-EU/s1600/13001280_10153753788448821_8890291960535658115_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gI5jydSnYMVMPH7PVmvpNHPtPQQ2qwPShEEamdOBTjpUmZPclYRuSUdrWIoQbTrS87y7DI-X4EcP45FdVlb2J3ShrmX_ciuNsF77uhwB9oYADTgi2sOaqBlrMUz4mJ1p1Jx3QTLm-EU/s640/13001280_10153753788448821_8890291960535658115_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Mirabel has taken over milking Willow while I work on milking our new-in-milk cow, Buttercream. Twelve years old and she loves milking her goats and, now, a cow. You may think, that's cool, milking a cow, must be easy if a 12 year old can do it. But I didn't hand this chore over lightly. That creature weighs almost 1,000lbs and one kick could send you to the ER. It takes and calm, gentle, forgiving and very patient spirit to have a cow stand calmly for you while you squeeze and tug on her nether-regions! <br /><br />See I had to learn that kind of spirit, I had to beg God to give it to me after being kicked, swatted at with a urine-soaked tail and having the milk bucket knocked over. I had to forgive Willow, speak gently to her, move calmly around her, and show her love even when I felt like wringing her huge cow neck! <br /><br />But you see, Mirabel may be like her mama in a lot of ways, but in this case she is not. Willow took to her immediately, trusted her, and stood perfectly still right away. Sometimes the best lessons in this life don't come from books or college but from the heart of God's creation, children and from the creatures we least expect it to, like Willow the cow. :)</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/16/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153765716933821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DqGjM4Np6BXb8e2Uxa0VpnQqwi8_YOOs1McJwKBvOTFirATkErHFzEqchrKRw4-EgjflamhMxFXfaGIFi9PY8j9nQHyB1zBy9JkjzGR0PZ5sm4dHThzvvY13UfKugPG0qz1yfTt1JZ9x/s1600/12977098_10153765716933821_9107981268120497957_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DqGjM4Np6BXb8e2Uxa0VpnQqwi8_YOOs1McJwKBvOTFirATkErHFzEqchrKRw4-EgjflamhMxFXfaGIFi9PY8j9nQHyB1zBy9JkjzGR0PZ5sm4dHThzvvY13UfKugPG0qz1yfTt1JZ9x/s640/12977098_10153765716933821_9107981268120497957_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The kids reminded me that this is Brittney's first RV trip! Texas here we come! Can't wait for a week of camping, family-time, and fellowship!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/21/2016: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153776721173821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Many of you may know we were recently preparing to adopt a special needs boy from an adoption dissolution (disruption, divorce).<br /><br />We have always approached adoption the same, that we are are open and willing to walk whatever path God has for us. That means if we are approached to adopt a child we say yes and walk forward regardless of the challenges that may lie ahead. We trust the Lord will give us the grace and strength to endure and the patience to love any of His children. We aren't special or endowed with more patience, grace or strength than any other Christian. We are simply willing to trust God in the area of family planning and adoption. We renew our homestudy year after year not because we think we can handle more but because God is the caretaker of the orphans and we were adopted by Him. Therefore as the hands and feet of Jesus we care for the orphans and we adopt after our Father. We don't pray for God to "open the door to adoption," we feel He already has. We first pray we will trust Him as we walk forward through the open door and then we pray He will clearly close the door if this is not the child He has for our family. We see lots of closed doors. We see even more trust as our faith in our awesome God grows each time.<br /><br />With that said, although we were willing to adopt again and we were in process of making it happen, we were also praying the entire time that God would clearly shut that door by rising up a family in this child's home state to adopt him before our homestudy was completed. And praise God that is exactly what happened! A family has come forward for this little boy, in his home state and we couldn't be more excited. We are now praying for this child, his new family and whatever God may have in store for us (we are praying about embryo adoption, but that is a different story). :)</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/24/2016: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153782734993821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqS1k1WiYuQqKKsp6jikIIG4MxeRhvlY5ClLh0pTmytTH_dwOP3auluG6T6GMNbHzdtI1a5FzVqNFQmcwj1glrArmd4swXrh07op75IBjv5SQ8-MAzdrvxLWBknGbfMkL4zi_Oi1INlME/s1600/13015454_10153782734993821_5947317465886788465_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqS1k1WiYuQqKKsp6jikIIG4MxeRhvlY5ClLh0pTmytTH_dwOP3auluG6T6GMNbHzdtI1a5FzVqNFQmcwj1glrArmd4swXrh07op75IBjv5SQ8-MAzdrvxLWBknGbfMkL4zi_Oi1INlME/s640/13015454_10153782734993821_5947317465886788465_n.jpg" width="634" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are home! Our trip to Big Sandy, TX was sweet and quite inspiring, maybe I will find some time to write more detailed about it soon. But we are so glad to be back on the farm. I did miss it, even though we all thoroughly enjoyed the break!<br /><br />We drove home all day Saturday and I spent last night/this morning from 1am-8am in the ER with Brittney. Turns out it wasn't as severe as we originally thought just several small things piled on top of each other so she just was feeling no good. She has a mild cold, an awful yeast diaper rash and added inflammation due to becoming a little lady, a mild bladder infection and constipation (even though we had a bm every day). Rest, fluids, prescription cream, antibiotics and some Miralax and in a few days I am sure she will be up and feeling great again! :)<br /><br />When my expectations were to be hospitalized again this news is a blessing! Sometimes the difference between blessings and burdens is just in what lenses you choose to look at life through. With all this little girlie's challenges (and now womanhood, oh my!) I still wouldn't trade her for the world! She is God's gift and blessing to us! We are so undeserving!!!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/26/2016</b>: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153786440403821/?type=3">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMr1EEV_nL7i1IPAHRp-UsWC5ClhyphenhyphenI6OL0Ketstx3peSDKe20ksBxHdDsLD5Ewqj6IhfUrHHsuY5ymrOZDfEGFcXFGO-srBfr0RkNwj4N6SsbSb5iDmUMhPgHkQR-CbMI6vHMDjclt0rdO/s1600/13092107_10153786440403821_1830981004559828391_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMr1EEV_nL7i1IPAHRp-UsWC5ClhyphenhyphenI6OL0Ketstx3peSDKe20ksBxHdDsLD5Ewqj6IhfUrHHsuY5ymrOZDfEGFcXFGO-srBfr0RkNwj4N6SsbSb5iDmUMhPgHkQR-CbMI6vHMDjclt0rdO/s640/13092107_10153786440403821_1830981004559828391_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Worry happens when we assume responsibility for things that God never intended us to. The remedy for worry is trust. Worry won't heal my broken toe but trusting in God' goodness gives me a peace while it takes time to mend.<br /><br />"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7<br /><br />What are you worried about? Can you trust the Lord with that area of your life?<br /><br />P.S. Excuse my poorly manicured toes, I even thought maybe I should re-paint them before taking a pic (how vain) but real mommy-hood sometimes looks like dirty toes and chipped nail polish. ;)</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/26/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10208159105388606&set=a.1002862385076.910.1030328089&type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am contemplating locking myself in a closet for 24 hours! LOL :) </span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I feel like a comedy of errors! A couple weeks ago I schedule a wellness exam at my doctor as necessary to update our adoption homestudy. <br />So 2 days ago I take Britt to the ER and pick up a nasty cough, yesterday I break my toe, and today, IN THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE, I take a sip from my water bottle while holding my physical form and the paper perfectly slices my cornea!<br /><br />Ha! Life is never boring indeed....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/27/2016: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153788668488821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Britt-head is feeling so much better today! She is such an easy girl, seriously my easiest kid even with all her medical craziness, because her spirit is so sweet and joyful! She calls me over to show me all the toys she has been looking at sitting quietly on the couch. "Look mommy, toys, YAY!" Can't help but smile around this girl. We are seeing such a HUGE improvement in her mood, language, vocabulary and cognitive abilities since switching to her to an all-natural formula, <a href="http://functionalformularies.com/products/liquid-hope">Liquid Hope</a>. It is amazing to watch!<br /><br />Lots of good news today, my eye feels so much better, yesterday it felt like someone was rubbing a tree branch across it over and over. Ow! I don't have my vision completely back so I didn't feel comfortable driving, so a friend came by and picked up 3 big kids to go to the abortion clinic where we minister some Wednesday mornings. Then Anthony was picked up to help friends install gutters, lately because he is so smart and hard-working many friends and local farms hire him to help them out with building, yard and farm projects. And my favorite event is that Brian is off work today! It is beautiful out so we are all going to take a drive to an local fruit tree farm to plant the beginning of a fruit orchard on our property. God is good!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/29/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/redemptivelovefarm/photos/a.1563451790641929.1073741829.1559695661017542/1615587075428400/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mommy wars are real! Babies and kids don't come with manuals. Let us always season our words with grace, educate in private and encourage in public :)<br /><br />Our baby Pygmy goat, Boberry, staring in his very first meme! ;)</span><div>
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Posted by Shannon</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-86905428842431893592016-03-31T16:08:00.000-07:002022-11-21T10:32:49.103-08:00Best of Facebook: March 2016<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/2/2016</b>: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153632438293821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You guys are truly the best! We went back to the hospital today for our weekly check-up and were greeted by very excited nurses and staff who told us mail has poured in for Brittney! We left with 30+ letters and packages from CA, FL, GA, IL, KY, MD, MO, NC, NY, PA, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV and Germany!<br /><br />We have been so busy playing catch-up with laundry and on the farm, gearing up for our springtime garden and petting zoos booked every weekend! Brittney is home with us for 2-3 more weeks until her external PICC line is replaced with a new internal Chest Port. These thoughtful presents and stickers will keep her occupied while we continue our catch-up work. :) Thank you!!! Seriously, you people are awesome!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/16/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153671090938821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Visited the hospital today for Britt's weekly PICC line dressing change and we recieved more sticker mail from Australia (x2), Canada, FL, NC, OH, OR, and VA. Thank you so much! With Brittney's severe vision impairment she loves feeling the stickers on her fingers then on the paper! You have greatly blessed our girlie! Thank you!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/18/2016:</b> <a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2015/03/is-adoption-calling.html">Click here to see shared blog post:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We may not all be called to adoption but we are all called to sacrifice. A favorite post from a year ago!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"We definitely don’t feel we were audibly “called” by God to adopt children. We were called to follow God and sacrifice all for Him. As we surrendered we followed God where His heart is. His heart is with the poor, the needy and the orphaned, therefore that is where we followed Him. Are we “called?” Yes, called to love others as ourselves. We don’t want to be poor, hungry or without parents so why would we leave others in that condition? Did we always want to adopt? Absolutely not." Read more on the blog:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/19/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153680485853821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know I haven't posted a lot of just day to day stuff lately but here is Britt helping big sister weed a garden box today. When Britt came to us she wasn't fond of the outdoors, was terrified of dogs and didn't want anything to do with the farm animals. We can't blame her, she spent most of her life in hospital rooms and sterile medical foster homes being cared for by nurses.<br /><br />But now she adores our dog, Fez, rides ponies and look at her finally being a kid and getting her hands dirty!!! Makes my heart happy!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">3/23/2016:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153693663788821"> Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Memory from 4 years ago: <br />"As I sit here, filling out our foster care re-license packet for 2012 I am listening to Mulan playing in the background coupled with random bursts of laughter, crunching popcorn and the occasional "mom, did you hear that!?! that was so funny!" I take comfort that I could walk down the hallway and in either room gaze upon a precious sleeping baby. I rejoice at new-found memories today of playing 5 person softball in an empty field across from our house, running like my life depended on it and cheering until I was hoarse. How did I ever live without this!?! Looking at this packet makes tears well as I remember how last year I was so grieved with a deep longing and the pain of emptiness. God how good and sovereign You are, how you make us wait for Your perfect plan. This was worth waiting for!"<br /><br />Is there a longing in you to be a mommy? Are you in the waiting/paperwork time of your adoption? Trust in the Lord and He will give more freely and abundantly than you could have ever imagined!!!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/31/2016: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153726292728821/?type=3">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Mom there is a woman at our gate taking pictures!"<br />I was a mess and busy inside making a dozen costumes for the upcoming parade but I stopped and went out to greet this woman. She was having a big party and wanted us to bring our menagerie of animals, so she just stopped by due to our petting zoo sign out front. Just as I was finishing up a short tour of our farm one of the the kids ran outside to greet this stranger, now client....<br />"Um....who is that?"<br />I looked at my fully costumed child, "oh, that is just one of the Oompah-Loompahs that run our farm...."<br /><br />If you ever feel like a crazy person, don't worry, we have somehow out-crazied you for sure!!! :D</span><div>
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Posted by Shannon</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-66636746899060937542016-02-29T17:46:00.000-08:002022-11-21T10:32:50.818-08:00Best of Facebook: February 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="font-size: xx-large;">2/1/2016:</b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153572022558821/?type=3&theater" style="font-size: xx-large;">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></div>
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SO EXCITED! GI doctor just sent a prescription order for a formula made from REAL foods, called Liquid Hope!!! Why is this so exciting? Because this is the first time in 11 years my Britt girl will have something other than Corn Syrup and Soy oil as "nutrition" for her body! She will finally experience God's real, whole, natural, healthy, food and we can't wait to see how it benefits her mind and body!!! Picture is a comparison of ingredients from her old formula, Elecare Jr. and her NEW formula Liquid Hope!!! Can't wait!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/2/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153574013463821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Daddy, can this be my cow this time? I am big now, I can feed him, I promise!"<br />Our Ty-man is turning 5 years old this month and this time its his turn to raise his very own bottle baby calf. Meet Pibb, he is a 3 day old Jersey bull from a local dairy. Here we go again!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/3/2016:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153575897938821/?type=3&theater"> </a></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153575897938821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That moment when you are tucking everyone in to bed but something doesn't feel right. So you get your rain coat and go check on your baby calf and baby goat. Baby Pibb is dry and warm in the stable, mama goat, Zelda, is staying dry in her house but where is baby Holly!?! It is storming bad here with flood warnings all night. Tonight is not a good night for tiny Holly to be missing!<br /><br />Thirty long, wet minutes later I finally find a soaking wet baby goat in between a pile of pallets. Negligent mama Zelda got a good scolding and, needless to say, baby Holly is sleeping inside tonight! Oh the adventures I have with 7 kids and 50 animals!!!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/4/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153577363818821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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As we prepare our to speak on adoption during a conference break-out session this Saturday and invite another TV news crew, SwissTV, to film us this Sunday I am filling my heart with Scripture, reading through Adopted for Life by Moore again and looking through memories of our journey so far.<br /><br /><u>Here are three things I know:</u><br /><b>1.</b> Personally caring for orphans is not optional for Christians. God calls it pure and faultless religion because it is a living, physical picture of our spiritual adoption; although we were once orphaned through sin now we are adopted as sons (and daughters) by God, our Father, through Jesus Christ.<br /><b>2.</b> Adoption is just plain HARD! It is messy, lonely and confusing. It is full of unforeseen trials, tears and doubt. It stretches us until we have reached the absolute end of ourselves and come to a point of fully relying on God for super natural strength, patience and endurance to finish this race. <br /><b>3.</b> We would do it again and again because adoption has put us smack in the middle of God's will for us; which is that we would grow in sanctification (1 Thes. 4:3), be made perfect and complete through enduring trials (James 1:2-4) and through loving others our joy would be made full (John 15:10-12)!<br /><br />Adoption is necessary and difficult yet pure JOY!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/5/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153579391498821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">There are over 150 million orphans in our world today. If all the orphans in the world started their own country it would be among the top 10 countries with the largest population, having a larger population than even Russia.<br /><br />Christians, how great does the need have to become for us to finally act? Let us show the world our religion is true, in the way the bible calls pure and faultless, by caring for the orphan in their distress.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/7/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153583194128821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed having new friends from SwissTV out to film and interview today! Can't wait to see what they turn our chaos into! Our only prayer is that we bring our Father glory and through us viewers may see a glimpse of Jesus!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/12/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brian.shannon.carroll/posts/10207488547945089">Click here to see video on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">"I love you, mommy." I love this girl and thankful for every moment with her! We are in the hospital again, keep Britt in your prayers. God is in control.<br /><br />Yesterday when we noticed a sudden fever we rushed Britt to the ER. Due to the drug (Solaris) that she has infused to keep her life-threatening illness (aHUS) at bay she is more susceptible to deadly bacterial infections. We were all hoping her sudden fever of 104 was just from a normal cold, strep or even the flu. The hospital admitted us overnight as they waited for the blood cultures to come back. They were expecting all to be fine and Britt would be discharged today. Turns out the results are the worst case scenario, it came back that Britt does have a bacterial infection in her blood stream. But Brittney is a sweet, strong girl and is in good spirits. They have her on two strong antibiotics with the hopes to eradicate the infection quickly and that we will be able to stay at this local hospital and go home again in a week or so. Please pray for our Britt girl! we love her dearly!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/13/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153594396773821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Britt isn't feeling very good today. Although still her pleasant self she is more tired and doesn't want to do much other than sit and take care of her baby dolls. I caught a cold while here so I am happy to just enjoy our lazy Saturday together.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/13/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10152844107243821">Click here to see on post on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">What a perfectly timed FB memory to pop up today as I sit with my girly in the hospital so thankful we said yes to her a year ago! The overflowing joy she brings to our family far outweighs the small trials that accompany her care.<br /><br />Let me clarify for all of you who wonder and say, "Shannon, this special needs child you are considering adopting, she will take so much from your time, your schedule, your family and even your life! Why would you do that?"<br /><br />2/13/2015: Well friends, to be honest, this child cannot take those things from me because I gave those up a long time ago. I gave those up when I met a Man. A Man that looked upon me, in my wretched state, not as too much work, but as wanted. Not as too much time but as worthy of love. This Man willingly emptied Himself, gave up all His energy and even His own life to make me His child. To adopt me into His family, His kingdom, His inheritance and give me new life eternally.<br /><br />This life is no longer mine but Christ who lives in me. Isn't that the gospel? "And He (Jesus) was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it." Luke 9:23-24 (see also: Matt 10:39, 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 17:33).<br /><br />Did God not sustain me through taking in five kids at once? Did God not sustain me when saying yes to a little boy from MI? I cannot let my trust waver now! God has already proved Himself mighty in strength and God will certainly sustain me to parent this child as well!<br /><br />We believe that every child is worthy of love and a family regardless of their physical, mental, emotional or behavioral needs. By stepping out in faith by being open and willing to adopt again, we are simply practicing what we preach!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/13/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brian.shannon.carroll/posts/10207498001101412">Click here to see video on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Good news! Yesterday they took two separate blood samples on Brittney, one from her chest port again and one from Saphenous vein (in her thigh). While the chestport sample still came back positive for bacteria growth the thigh vein sample was negative! This means we caught the infection early enough that it wasn't able to spread to the blood stream! It is an isolated port infection from when her port was accessed for her infusion Thursday. Now we are just waiting to hear whether we will have to stay hospitalized while antibiotics are administered or we will be sent home with outpatient antibiotics.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/14/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brian.shannon.carroll/posts/10207504446502543">Click here to see video on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hospital day #3 Valentine's Day<br /><br />Brian and I had this weekend all planned. We had a sitter, hotel and were looking forward to an overnight trip kayaking with manatees. Finally a getaway we have been greatly looking forward to! Our weekend turned out much different than planned, chatting in a hospital room, eating cafeteria food and playing with our little girl.<br /><br />But this is love. Love lays aside our wants for the needs of others. Love stays by your side. Love makes you family. Love is from God. God is Love! We are happy to be right here in the middle of God's perfect plan on this Valentine's day, a day all about love.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/15/2016: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/brian.shannon.carroll/posts/10207511528839597">Click here to see video on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow we should hear whether we will have to finish IV antibiotics here in the hospital, be released to finish IV antibiotics with in-home nursing or be transferred to Shands hospital to have Brittney's chest port replaced. We are anticipating being hospitalized all week but we have already lined up care for our kids at home since Brian works Tue-Sat. Times like this show us what an amazing and supportive community of Christians we have surrounding us! Praise God our Britt is doing good and I thank Him daily for YOU!!!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/16/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brian.shannon.carroll/posts/10207519338074823">Click here to see video on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Brittney got to do crafts with the Child Life Specialist and Art therapist while I attended a 4-hour Skype training. Then we got to paint a hospital ceiling tile. Otherwise it's been a lazy day and I am quickly becoming antsy to go home. While appreciated the rest for the first couple days I am ready to be home. I want to pull up my muck boots, get my hands dirty and be back to my busy, crazy farm life surrounded by nonstop children and animal adventures!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/17/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brian.shannon.carroll/posts/10207526398651333">Click here to see video on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Brittney is doing good, just tired. There are volunteers and therapy students during the day and they have many fun activities but we are both are getting ready to be home. A little bad news today, the blood culture from 3 days ago came back positive for bacteria growth still. We can't go home until we have 3 consecutive negative blood cultures and they have to each be negative for 72 hours. So each positive culture sets us back several days and makes it more likely we will have to go through surgery to replace her chest port. We are still praying they can eradicate the infection in her port and we are thankful we have been able to stay local and not transfer to Shands!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/18/2016: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/brian.shannon.carroll/posts/10207533012936686">Click here to see video on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Brittney had an awful morning. We had some x-rays and tests and it looks like, even after 7 days of antibiotics, the infection is still present and growing. We will have surgery to remove her chest port tomorrow. They will put in a temporary central line then when the infection clears she will have another surgery to place a new chest port. Now we are just chilling and doing our favorite thing, playing with stickers!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/19/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153607470933821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Just as I want to throw a big, sloppy, loud, ugly mommy tantrum because we got the news we will have to stay hospitalized at least 2 more weeks my phone rings. Another long-distance mama calling me for an ear that just says, "I've been there! I hear you!" This is the third call this week from mamas struggling as they bear the tough weight of this fostercare journey.<br /><br />She encouraged me without knowing it. I shared our real with her and before I know it I am preaching to myself. About God's grace, His refining fire, and how He didn't make a mistake when He put you right where you are. God used that phone call to remind myself that during these most difficult times He is teaching me (or reminding me) how to rely and depend FULLY on Him. I am so flawed and far from perfect, for if I did have it all together I could point to myself but I don't, so I point to Jesus.<br /><br />Deep down I know why I am here. I would rather spend 100 days in the hospital with this girl than 1 day at home without her. I may not be able to keep her from having to stay in the hospital but I can make sure that she is never again in the hospital alone. God doesn't need to pour out His goodness on me, for He already has when He called me to be the mommy of my sweet Britt Britt!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/20/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153608637783821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
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So many of you were sweet enough to offer to send a card or stickers to our Britt girl to brighten her stay here at the hospital. Let's do it! Handmade construction paper cards are perfect, no need for store bought, and whatever sheet of stickers you have lying around will bring her joy! SHARE to spread the word to show some love to a precious little girl!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/23/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153615699258821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We gots our hairs did! I put lots of bright and happy beads in it to brighten up our hospital stay! We can certainly feel your prayers, this hospital stay doesn't feel nearly as hard emotionally as it could. And a huge thank you for our two packages of stickers today, one from Maryland and one from Las Vegas, Nevada! You guys are amazing!!!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/24/2016: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/brian.shannon.carroll/posts/10207578098143788">Click here to see video on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for your kindness and generous sticker gifts! You can see them all over Britt's legs! Lol! The doctor said she is doing well and surprised us by sending us home today!!! We have to come back in a few days for a check-up so no sticker deliveries will be missed but we can go home!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The doctor just came in and said we could go home today!!! We were expecting to camp out here until early March but they are working on discharge papers now! I am too excited!!!</span><div>
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Posted by Shannon</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-45417931685767768712016-01-31T12:48:00.000-08:002022-11-21T10:32:52.016-08:00Best of Facebook: January 2016<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1/1/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153511830073821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span><br />
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New Year's Resolution to de-clutter and stop resorting to yelling happened before New Year's this year. We have always taught our kids to pick up as they go and only have one toy bin out at a time but lately I have gotten lax and they have gotten messier. I purposed that, even though I wanted to, I wasn't going to go in their rooms and start yelling about the amazing piles of unsorted items that covered the floor. I quietly entered, "I hate that your rooms are always so messy. If you cannot get them cleaned in an hour I am going to help...with trash bags." When the hour was up and the rooms were still brimming with mess I continued quietly, "Bring everything in your room to the living room, they are going to kids that will love them and care for them and put them away correctly." Actually I didn't know who the toys would end up with but it sounded good at the time. I was upset, frustrated, tired of so much mess ALL THE TIME and I needed to hold to my word. Plus I may be a tad extra crabby this week.... <br /><br />Quickly all their junk was piled up in the living room. And I thought, maybe this wasn't the best idea....for 3 days I sorted through unorganized bins, toy boxes, and piles. We then sat everyone down and explained that honestly they didn't deserve anything back. They weren't taking care of their belongings. But we love them regardless of what they deserve so we asked them to list one thing they couldn't live without, two things they needed, and 10 things they wish they could be given an opportunity to take care of again. In tears some of them filled up their list, others just put 3-5 items down. One child said, I like my room so much better clean like it is, I don't want so many toys.<br /><br />They got to put everything they listed happily back in their room. Some stuff surprised me and I asked, "Are you sure you didn't want this or that, you have room left on your list? I thought you loved it." But they actually liked living in less clutter and didn't want most of it back, some stuff that I liked they begged me to just get rid of it. So we have sold off some stuff, donated tons and my kids are surprisingly super thankful! They have everything they want without the unwanted mess!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1/6/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153520879963821/?type=3">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">6 years infertile. God has done such a work in my heart this past year after writing that infertility post. Heck, He did an amazing work in my heart those five years to get to a place I could write about it without anger. Right now our church is booming with bellys, baby talk and shower planning and I am so thankful to be right there in it all! I am truly so thankful for tiny lives growing and the hearts preparing for the most important journey this life has to offer, to be called "mommy."<br /><br />While my desire to be pregnant hasn't faded my hurt and anger has. I will be okay if I one day say goodbye to this world without ever having felt a kick inside me. God has blessed me more abundantly than I could have ever imagined. My body could have never given me the amazingly, beautiful and inspiring children that I call mine! Our plans and designs don't always line up with God's but let me tell you firsthand that when you allow your desires to be shaped by God's you find yourself smack in the middle of a plan that is WAY better and deeper than your own ever could have been!</span><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2015/01/pregnant-mama-know-that-i-sorrowfully.html">Click here to see previous blog post on our infertility journey</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1/7/2016:</b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153523341333821/?type=3&theater"> Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tell me I am not the only one who has had my day interrupted by two 300lb pigs showing up like stray puppies! Sometimes I think to myself, Lord what on earth are you preparing me for through this!?! After hours herding them, containing them, knocking on dozens of doors, having the Sheriff come out we finally found the owner. After seeing our farm he said, "they'll be much happier here than my small pen." Welcome home Arnold and Sally! I am worn out! :) </span><i class="_lew" title="smile emoticon"><span aria-hidden="true" class="_4mcd" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0px; line-height: 18px;">:):D</span></i><br /><br /><b><br /></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1/9/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153527523528821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Remember on New Year's when I told you I got rid of all my kid's toys and you thought I was the meanest mom ever!?! Just for the record my kids have, not one but, FOUR ponies.... :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1/12/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153532762713821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">"I just wanna give up!"<br /><br />Us "trauma-mamas" have all been there! Breath, renew yourself in the Word of truth and remember that Jesus saw us in our filth and sin, in our anger and stubbornness and in our selfish desires but He pursued us anyway. He didn't just put up with our sins but He gave His life as a ransom to pay for them.<br /><br />His love for us was so deep it nailed Him to the cross. "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."(John 15:13)<br /><br />It is so HARD! I know, mama, but pursue these little ones like you were pursued, love these little ones like you were loved and lay down your life for them in imitation of our Lord Jesus Christ who laid down His life for us!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1/13/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153536219793821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let me tell you about some really bad timing. <br /><br />Two years ago we sold our big house in our beautiful neighborhood and ready to embark on a two year journey to get debt free. That meant living low (think tiny trailer in the country) so we could be freed from our bondage of debt for good. But then we were made aware of a boy in need of a new home. Bad timing. We can't adopt while we are moving and using every extra penny toward our debt. This would be a private $10,000 adoption. Bad timing. And look at his profile and all the listed "issues" like RAD, PTSD, ADHD...we are still working through some big issues with our other kiddos, how can we add another now? Bad timing.<br /><br />How quickly did we learn there is no such thing as bad timing with God. For He is the master conductor of only one symphony. Perfect timing. How I regret all my moments doubting God's plan and trusting my own. How thankful I am that God steered my faith and gave me the strength to say "yes" even when my feelings were weak.<br /><br />Two years ago we welcomed a 6th child into our home (<a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2014/01/it-is-not-good-time_15.html">It is Not a Good Time blog post</a>). I am so glad we did because my Sam-the-China-Man is something else and there would be such a big hole in our family if he wasn't here to fill it! He is quiet, humble, eager to please, super smart, generous and has a quick wit that can have you roll on the floor laughing. It is hard to think that Sam hasn't just always just been here. His transition period was subtle, he fit right in so quickly and his struggles never seemed more than just normal un-taught childish stuff (much less than the crazy, bizarre attachment stuff we had previously known). This kid is just fantastic, I mean, just look at them fine dance moves! </span><i class="_lew" title="smile emoticon"><span aria-hidden="true" class="_4mcd" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0px; line-height: 18px;">:)</span></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1/15/2016: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153538662083821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Memory from two years ago, Jan. 15th, 2014:<br /><br />"Sometimes I wonder how my life would be different if I were able to be pregnant. If I had 9 long months to plan for the arrival of a new baby. If I was given time to bond and love this child while they grew in my womb. I ponder what it would feel like to celebrate their coming arrival, to have new, gift-wrapped baby showers for my new and perfect blessing. I wonder if God would give me the treacherous and vomit-filled pregnancy to break me in to the reality of what it means to sacrifice your whole self for another. Or if I would have the wonderful, glowing, "I loved being pregnant" kind that would whisk me away to a land of rainbows and unicorns.<br /><br />Then I come back to my reality. I have never been asked about our new arrival based on the size of my belly or made aware another was on the way by peeing on a stick. I have never, previously, had more than 24 hours to plan for the arrival of a child. Ever since day one I have been a mother of over double the national average of children in a normal home. I have never been able to claim their coming on our insurance, and have had to navigate the art of fundraising.<br /><br />I sometimes mingle with the "grass is always greener" mentality and wish I fit in to the normal mommy talks about C-sections, epidurals and breast-feeding. I have never felt an unborn baby kick or been up all night with a newborn but I can show you the redemption of a delinquent and a runaway. I love my grass. It may not be new and fresh and green but it tells a story of redemption. It was thrown away but now it's wanted. It was walked on and neglected and abused but now it is loved and cherished and nurtured. I love the story God picked for me to live. The story of hurt, trials and loss that has morphed into the most glorious, redemptive love story.<br /><br />All adoption begins in loss, grief and pain. Our son is joining us in our joy through his hurt. Our son is gaining our heritage through his loss. Our son may not feel our love while he walks through his grief. My life may be different if I had been given the gift of pregnancy, I may have even ignored the command to "care for the orphan". I may not have been given the opportunity to suffer with those that suffer and to sacrifice my whole self for these 6 little broken ones. I might have missed God's amazing power and healing. I might, just might, have fit into the category of "normal"."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1/16/2016: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153541535758821/?type=3">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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Today was just AMAZING! God brought an army to us today. He must have big plans for our farm! Over 60 people from 3 different churches showed up to bless us by helping us clean up our 7 acre property. We serve an amazing God who can move mountains!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1/18/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153545493703821/?type=3">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are on a food journey with Brittney and she is doing SO good! Look at this girl who had a food aversion and NEVER took anything in via mouth is tasting and loving these GRITS!!!<br /><br />When Brittney came to us she was pump fed formula 24 hours a day via her J-tube (a feeding tube placed in the jejunum, bypassing the stomach and upper GI tract). Her pump would continuously pump 50ml, about 2tbsp, of formula directly into her intestines for her to digest all day. Working closely with her gastroenterologist and her dietitian, we have slowly, yet successfully, transitioned her to being fed via her G-tube (a tube placed through the abdominal wall directly into the stomach). <br /><br />Once we found she could handle food pumped directly into stomach we began a slow moving transition to increase the amount of food being pumped into her stomach while simultaneously decreasing the amount of time throughout the day it was being pumped in. Our halfway mark was achieved around Christmas when we were pumping 130mls, about a 1/2 cup, for only 10 hours a day. That means Brittney's body and GI tract could rest all night and she didn't have to be hooked up to her feed machine and tubes over night anymore! It also ended her BMs in a diaper over night and she is exclusively using the potty!!! Big win! <br /><br />Our goal that we are reaching toward is to transition her off her feeding pump all together and begin to make her blended meals from real, whole foods! We are so close and soon she will get 4 bolus feeds via her G-tube then we will begin another slow journey of introducing real foods to her stomach while continuing to let her experience the amazing sensation of tasting foods by mouth!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1/21/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153549757158821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Adopt anymore children since we last saw you here?" Said the nurse checking us into our appointment.<br />I laughed, "Nope, we were here only 3 months ago."<br />"And are you sure you're not pregnant? They say it always happens after you adopt!" She eyed me carefully.<br />I smiled, "not pregnant either."<br /><br />Yesterday we had a check-up with Brittney's nephrologist who is pretty far away, a 6-hour round trip drive. He said she looks good and her monthly bloodwork looks great. Happy news for sure!<br /><br />Brittney has a terminal illness that doctors say will one day take her life, yet it is amazing it hasn't already. When we got that call asking us to be Brittney's family one thing that stuck out was the case-worker saying that many families had met and loved Brittney but all of them said the same, "it will be too hard to love a child that will die." Oh, if they only knew what they were missing; how can you not love a child that will die? We will all die one day. We must think do we want to die with no family, alone in a hospital room or do we want to die surrounded by people who love us deeply. And Jesus said, "Do unto others as you would have done unto you." (Matt. 7:12 and Luke 6:31)<br /><br />This is what Brittney has: <br />"atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) is a rare, life-threatening, genetic disease that can damage vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, and brain. In patients with aHUS, blood clots form in small blood vessels throughout the body, a process known as systemic thrombotic microangiopathy, or TMA. The disease can occur at any age and can lead to potentially devastating consequences. In the past, even with management about 50% of all people with aHUS die, needed dialysis, or had damage to their kidneys within 1 year of being diagnosed. There is no cure, and it is a genetic, lifelong disease." from <a href="http://ahussource.com/">ahussource.com</a><br /><br />Her doctor is happy she is continuing to stay stable and is pleased that the very strong drug (Solaris or eculizumab) that she takes via her chest port every two weeks has kept the disease at bay for 4 years now. Every day is a blessing with this girl who is filled with the joy of life! Everytime I look at her I am so thankful we trusted God over our own fears. And Britt is clearly thankful that she is a well-loved daughter and very spoiled sister of a large family!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1/26/2016:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153559497833821/?type=3&theater"> </a></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153559497833821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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FB memory from 2 years ago today as we were preparing to travel to Michigan to adopt our Sam:<br />"What is it like to have a building excitement and growing body over nine long months? What is it like to explode in joy and ignite rejoicing all around you when your precious bundle makes their miraculous entrance into this world? What is it like to celebrate their coming arrival? What is it like to have things like baby showers, gifts and dedications? What is it like to have strangers and friends know just by looking at you that you are expecting another blessing? What is it like to feel their overwhelming excitement? What is it like to finally hold your new, perfect baby that shares your nose or your eyes? I don't know the answer to these questions.<br /><br />What is it like to know of a child hurting? What is it like to learn that their parents who experienced their amazing birth no longer want them? What is it like to have your heart break into a million pieces just by looking at a picture of this orphaned child? What is it like being chosen by God as the parent of this sad, grieving and confused little one? What is it like to want to take all their hurt away but know that you can't? To wish, if only, they could have been protected, wanted and loved? What is it like to be asked again and again about your new child's pain and struggles? To be reminded of their great loss during their very short time in this world? To be informed of how hard life will be for them and for you? What is it like to desire an unending love so deep it will wash over this child like an ocean? What is it like to cry when they’re not looking when they open up enough to express their past hurts? What is it like to walk with them in their grieving, in their anger and in their lack of trust? What is it like to pursue them when they push you away? What is it like to only know suffering? What is it like to see amazing redemption? What is it like to see them finally smile, laugh or play? What is it like to know there is no higher calling than committing your life to an unwavering love to this, once unlovable, little one? What is it like to adopt a child? This I know all too well.<br /><br />Turner will join our family in 2-3 weeks. I am not walking with a waddle and a belly but my heart is full and bursting. I wish it was all joy and excitement but my joy shares a seat with sorrow. Turner is losing so much and will be so confused. I can hear his questioning, "Why didn't they want me? Was it something I did?" We are expectantly planning his coming arrival, nesting even. We plan on leaving to travel Friday, Feb. 7th or Feb. 14th to bring home our new son. It won't look like all the pretty posts about sweet baby showers and cute newborn pictures but it will be a growing blessing for a family just the same. Turner, with all his baggage, his hurt and his rejection is still a BLESSING! To our new son, we cannot wait to meet you!"<br />(Picture was taken Dec. 2015 and shows what fun Sam has been!) :)</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1/30/2016:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153568014458821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have over 2 acres of bamboo we have been slowly cutting down. The kids have used it to make this little play house....pretty freaking cool! </span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1/31/2016:</b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10152815392753821"> Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful memory from 1 year ago when God was preparing our hearts to adopt our Brittney girl!</span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">*With great love, comes a greater risk of pain.<br /><br />Our lives have been opened up for comments, criticism, ridicule, but mainly for great encouragement! We have once again announced to the world that we are willing to walk down a road of adoption. Maybe for one who is healthy, maybe one who is sick. Maybe for one who is advanced, maybe one who is delayed. Maybe for one, maybe five.<br /><br />Sweet little old ladies say the funniest things when we break this news every year to our church, "So I hear you are thinking about adopting again?"<br />Me: "Yes ma'am, that is true."<br />"You are going to be like the little old woman who lived in a shoe she had so many kids she didn't know what to do." People listening in began to giggle.<br />Me: "Hopefully not the shoe part, but when I don't know what to do I must solely rely on God. That is where I want to stay."<br /><br />All I have to offer God and this child is my willingness. I am not the perfect wife. I am not a fantastic mother. I am not a great teacher. I can't ever get to the bottom of my to-do list. I stumble and fail much. I am not thinking of adopting again because I think I can handle it. I am not necessarily even ready. I want to adopt again because Jesus does. See adoption is bigger than just us. Through our adoption story runs a scarlet thread. A thread knotting our hearts for adoption to the One who adopted our hearts.<br /><br />By opening up the door to adoption, I am offering myself as a sacrifice to the One who sacrificed all to me. Emptying myself so I can be filled with His glory. I am simply saying, "Lord I am willing, if you choose, use me." So when my husband loves me fiercely, my children call me blessed and onlookers say, "you are amazing, how do you do it?" I can say, "It is not me, but the One who lives in me!"</span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-13192873193933665272015-12-31T12:06:00.000-08:002016-06-22T12:12:22.534-07:00Best of Facebook: December 2015<span style="font-size: x-large;">12/1/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153450108053821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Did you know Kid president was adopted? Shared an article:<a href="https://www.guideposts.org/comfort-hope/kid-presidents-path-to-awesome"> Kid President's Path to Awesome!</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">12/4/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153455543503821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am DONE! 40+ hours of a novice sewing with no pattern, just winging it with some flannel fabric, thread and a machine and I do believe they turned out pretty good! Now just to sew big yellow elf shoe covers....so correction, I guess I am super close to done....<br /><br />About a week ago my old boss asked if me and the kids could be on their float in the City's Winter Festival Parade held downtown tomorrow. Of course! Dressed as elves and reindeers? Absolutely! Could you make the costumes if we covered material? Sure, I said quickly sentencing myself to a week chained to my sewing machine, eating far too much chocolate icecream and beating my head against the wall. <br /><br />Well, it wasn't that bad....and they are pretty cute! ;)</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">12/5/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153457140078821/?type=3">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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We have been selling at a craft fair all day. The kids worked hard for weeks on making things to sell. Ty made one necklace out of big plastic multi-colored beads and asked if he could sell it for $5. "Sure, buddy, you can try!" I said secretly skeptical. After he got his nerve up to ask a passerby, "I made this myself, would you buy it for $5?" he endured his first rejection. His very tender heart was broken almost to the point of tears. I was getting up to suggest he lower his asking price to $1 or 50 cents. But as I was getting up he calmed down and asked the next stranger who passed by. She kneeled down, "just because you made it all by yourself I would love to buy it from you for $5." Tyman was beaming, "Thank you! I am going to buy a Christmas gift for my mom!" Melt. My. Mama. Heart!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">12/5/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10153460352488821">Click here to see photo album on FB:</a></span></div>
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Our kids were asked if they could attend our city's annual winter festival parade dressed as elves and reindeers on the parks and rec parade float. Of course! For a week (like 50+ hours) I sewed elf and reindeer costumes! These memories will last forever!!!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">12/6/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153458674163821/?type=3">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">During this busy shopping season don't forget to stop and hug someone!!! My tiny man with a huge heart asked if he could hug people. He wrote the sign himself and let me tell you the ladies are loving it!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><i class="_lew" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" title="wink emoticon"><i aria-hidden="true" class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_7f72ac" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v2/yx/r/pimRBh7B6ER.png"); background-position: 0px -442px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><span aria-hidden="true" class="_4mcd" style="font-size: 0px;">;)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">12/6/2015:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10153460352488821.1073741837.136241948820/10153460354588821/?type=3&theater"> Click here to see photo on FB:</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Brittney is enjoying herself while the parade is going!<br /><br />This is my favorite photo from the parade on Saturday night! I was almost in tears walking behind the float, hearing the cheers from the crowd, and watching this little girl light up and rock to the music.<br /><br />This little girl who was once cooped up in a hospital room but now she gets to experience life and live it to its fullest! This little girl who was once kept away from fun events due to her illnesses but now she is rocking out, not watching a parade but IN one! This little girl who was once hidden away in a medical foster home but now she is celebrated for her uniqueness and tremendous JOY she brings to everyone! Love you, my Britt Britt girl!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">12/8/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153462478308821/?type=3">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My hubby really, really, really LOVES me! Merry early Christmas to me!!!<br />Now my 2 teens are fighting over who gets my old Sony Cybershot camera....hmmm..</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"> </span><i class="_lew" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;" title="smile emoticon"><i aria-hidden="true" class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_5371b4" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v2/yx/r/pimRBh7B6ER.png"); background-position: 0px -340px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><span aria-hidden="true" class="_4mcd" style="font-size: 0px;">:)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">12/9/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153463388868821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB: </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We get a lot of hate. Yep, us, I know! ;) Called "fundie" and "crazy" and some things worse. That is okay. One of the biggest thing we read on the sites that bad-mouth us is that they can't get over our creepy age gap to see any good in us. Because my hubby is just plain awesome and the greatly unsung hero of our family I am going to tell you the story of our age gap here.<br /><br />My hubby did meet me when I was 14 but for three years I dated other young boys. The older college guys at work called me "jail bait" and often joked that I was only good for one thing. I had a pretty face but I was shy (I did go to public school, but my friends nicknamed me "mom" because I was always trying to keep people out of trouble). It was Brian that would bring me a lemon pie when I was crying in a booth after being made fun of again and encourage me that they don't know what they are saying. I don't believe it was to win any affections of mine, he was also dating 20-something year olds closer to his age. It wasn't creepy because he would do the same for a 80 year old woman or a 15 year old boy if he say them hurting. His goal in life is to see you smile. He has never been anything to anyone but the goofy, nice guy that purposes to make your day great. He was everyone's best friend. It wasn't just me. Brian eventually moved away and life went on. My new manager cared about only one person, himself, work wasn't fun anymore and the guys were still being guys. After getting out of a terrible relationship it was me who instigated a renewed friendship with Brian. I told him, "I need to find someone like you. Someone who is just plain kind." In my mind, though, I wanted Brian in the younger, hotter form. We both knew with me being 17 and him 28 that we were not compatible. Being long distance we purposed to ask each other 3 questions every day on AIM. Like where did your father work? or what is your favorite ice cream flavor? After a month we were running out of questions, we had asked almost 200 by that time. The more we found out about each other the more we looked forward to the next chat time. I remember distinctly standing in my kitchen doing the dishes when a thought the size of a brick hit me, "I don't need to find a guy like Brian. I need to allow myself to love Brian." <br /><br />We chose to overlook the age gap then and I am so thankful now. This man is still the same. He is a people-pleaser (yet I have made him say "no" more often) and he has made me friendlier. He is my laugh at the end of a hard day and teddy bear arms always waiting for any moment I need an embrace. And I wouldn't trade his big, comfy warmth for rock hard abs anyday! I haven't ever heard a co-worker say anything but he is an awesome guy to work with, he can make anything fun. And if you are a customer at his store Brian is the guy that you love yet you don't know his name, but he knows yours. Oh, and Brian doesn't get frustrated, like ever. Which is a breath of fresh air for me who has a pretty short fuse (God is slowly making it longer). He is the man that EVERYDAY, yes EVERYDAY, calls from work just to say, "I love you," see how I am doing, and tell me he misses me. He is the man who every day 7 kids rush to the door with ear-blistering squeals, "DADDY IS HOME!" <br /><br />God has helped us overcome so many other things, bigger than our age gap, in our life that are outside the boundaries of "societal norm" like adopting 5 kids at once, adopting kids that were outside our comfort zone, living with infertility, giving up our luxuries in life so we could flee from debt, live within our means and spend more time with our kids and now learning how to farm and raise our own produce and meat. One thing is for sure, I couldn't have been on this crazy ride, called life, without my bestie and partner in crime, even if he is ancient! ;)lol<br /><br />My Brian, babe, you will always be young and spry to me! </span><i class="_lew" title="grin emoticon"><span aria-hidden="true" class="_4mcd" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0px; line-height: 18px;">:D</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">12/15/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153468734223821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Memory from 4 years ago today:<br /><br />"I put some of the kid's gifts under the tree today and Yukehily (Mirabel age 8), wide-eyed, said "how do you wrap a gift?" I didn't have a quick response and paused, then little LulI put some of the kid's gifts under the tree today and Yukehily, wide-eyed, said "how do you wrap a gift?" I didn't have a quick response and paused, then little Lulu (Risa age 5) said "this is the first time we had wrapped presents!" There is so much I take for granted like giving or receiving a wrapped gift."<br /><br />"As I reflect on the past month it was a blur, I rushed through it, the prep, the work, the sickness, to get past the trials it held. I missed all the great moments sprinkled in the trials. I RESOLVE that I will be content in my trials so that the joy intertwined can shine through! I looked at our children's gleaming faces as they decorated our tree. This wasn't just a Christmas tree this was their 1st Christmas tree."<br /><br />Ah, I love FB memories! We had been parenting 4 hurting children for about 6 months. Another infant, Titus who is number 5, will arrive in a few days. The trials continued and still continue but I am so thankful God gave me the resolve to hold close to my heart the joy in the trials!<br /><br />Christmas is a heard season for kids from hard places. It is not you, mama. Keep loving, keep being firm, keep your heart open to the joy intertwined in the hard and snatch it out, hold it close and tuck it away!!! As the joy increases the hard has to shrink to make room for it so purpose to be joyful this season since in Christ your joy is complete!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">12/17/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153479366228821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On our way to a dress-up birthday party!!! Happy 5th birthday to our friend Jubileeah Joy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">12/18/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153479442853821/?type=3">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwl0a4-hp1ffNXLEMxzkv1EFJ7eOeFj4rsZcr2mo945GDgkq8sH8soZTAh62aiqe-akV14zIdo3Kd2QS0LPQo6RcfJqu6HHq4ERPUhtjizsy6GyfecmyE_3e6Y67dJaF49FnsaxI4KoWq/s1600/gas+station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwl0a4-hp1ffNXLEMxzkv1EFJ7eOeFj4rsZcr2mo945GDgkq8sH8soZTAh62aiqe-akV14zIdo3Kd2QS0LPQo6RcfJqu6HHq4ERPUhtjizsy6GyfecmyE_3e6Y67dJaF49FnsaxI4KoWq/s640/gas+station.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That time that you don't have enough gas to get home but you are also in a princess costume....LOL<br /><br />Life is short, keep your tank full and feel pretty! :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">12/19/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153483301628821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgJQXwg_XPfjjiXb_78dMQhoaeN2uL6xWLsdSln_U3reXwr0NwnaOZ9F_-aM404foUE3xQS0Sj0JBVUpKovJR6qMXAW7-ag3iN0Md-BsVwLOsIqCUPTUyE6Wja0i1BwiIgEkUSlLxzZsC/s1600/Risa+saddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgJQXwg_XPfjjiXb_78dMQhoaeN2uL6xWLsdSln_U3reXwr0NwnaOZ9F_-aM404foUE3xQS0Sj0JBVUpKovJR6qMXAW7-ag3iN0Md-BsVwLOsIqCUPTUyE6Wja0i1BwiIgEkUSlLxzZsC/s640/Risa+saddle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday we had such a sweet surprise. Brittney's Covenant Care team worked with another agency to adopt our family for Christmas and yesterday a van load of Christmas presents were lavished on our children. I have a ton of pictures of happy children going through their unexpected treasures but one moment topped it all. Risa's one request for Christmas was a saddle for her pony, Cherrio. I walked everyone into the room with their eyes closed and put them in front of the chair that held their unwrapped presents. Risa was so sweet and thankful for her new shoes and clothes and a teddy bear but as everyone settled they announced they had one more present, as Risa walked over we lifted a sheet covering a large stuffed horse with the most perfect saddle seated on it. "Oh! I might cry!" Risa gasped.<br /><br />Today she got to ride her pony for the first time like a real cowgirl with a saddle and reins! Then she gave pony rides to her siblings and some friends. Too sweet!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">12/27/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153502380088821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFHMzeQNh9qMkPttXY-h1qSeqbY_E9NgaRrAF4D5R1EdGOXfDHDXgWLgYX13AZGgKFoIN0dlwcG6mxTaoceGFthfyguEzjhm_YH2aIh1Urq4QK1nmueJfmfUUJ7NxbLcZ4GaWH9IM7Qle/s1600/936572_10153502380088821_4262269139467944857_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFHMzeQNh9qMkPttXY-h1qSeqbY_E9NgaRrAF4D5R1EdGOXfDHDXgWLgYX13AZGgKFoIN0dlwcG6mxTaoceGFthfyguEzjhm_YH2aIh1Urq4QK1nmueJfmfUUJ7NxbLcZ4GaWH9IM7Qle/s640/936572_10153502380088821_4262269139467944857_n.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
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This girl brings us so much joy! At church today she was prancing around giddy laughing hugging everybody. You may get a little drool on your shirt but no one can turn down a Brittney hug when she flashes this smile!!! :) <br /><br />Thank the Lord we said YES to this little girl! (PS, her dress is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/lularoe">#LulaRoe</a> dress we got her for Christmas! Isn't it just gorgeous on her!?!)</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">12/29/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10153505980858821">Click here to see photo album on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHLYDlSDpF0_9ZHfYO3PeI-BPVuDmNrs7pYkVo2mxIzKrXxvnzJhKbTXrYlQBrxgcjoDh6gBu53KMq1ClRcP9AQXmw6CPTcpH_XRcf6j3-FXNoyfnSTfyoke7ebCMNlLds0DfQqGF8qSG/s1600/IMG_3265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHLYDlSDpF0_9ZHfYO3PeI-BPVuDmNrs7pYkVo2mxIzKrXxvnzJhKbTXrYlQBrxgcjoDh6gBu53KMq1ClRcP9AQXmw6CPTcpH_XRcf6j3-FXNoyfnSTfyoke7ebCMNlLds0DfQqGF8qSG/s640/IMG_3265.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We love making pens and animal houses from old recycled materials! Here are some of our creations.<br /><br />Happy repurposing!!!</span><div>
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Posted by Shannon</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-22493902294718468372015-11-30T11:17:00.000-08:002016-06-22T11:17:26.087-07:00Best of Facebook: November 2015<span style="font-size: x-large;">11/1/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153400148633821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB </a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJios2ZIg5meqXIQG6MYRrK8Ra4s2R-bDhlJKkHJMqkREFa-GbzG6-J-Vtldy9FxrmpQ9e1oqcIKyjIY0o0DHrqoO7oWYF8ptGJsY1e9lvO36HOGU9VPsSkkgcovUiqT6zfJ4ceXPEy4OW/s1600/12182889_10153400148633821_2285304294652735091_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJios2ZIg5meqXIQG6MYRrK8Ra4s2R-bDhlJKkHJMqkREFa-GbzG6-J-Vtldy9FxrmpQ9e1oqcIKyjIY0o0DHrqoO7oWYF8ptGJsY1e9lvO36HOGU9VPsSkkgcovUiqT6zfJ4ceXPEy4OW/s640/12182889_10153400148633821_2285304294652735091_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Feeling like a real farmer this morning getting kicked by a cow!<br />We bought a beautiful Jersey heifer, Willow, who is currently in milk. This is only her second day on our farm and although she is adjusting well and tolerating me milking her she is easily spooked, ornery and stubborn. Sure brings all those bible verses to life where the Lord compares His people Israel to a stubborn heifer! As time goes on I'll get the hang of it and she'll get used to me. And my little helpers sure loved watching mommy milk a cow "like Ms. Ingalls" lol. Praise the Lord for over 2 gallons of fresh milk this morning! :)</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">11/7/2015:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153410130603821/?type=3&theater"> Click here to see photo on FB</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl2x73uSdeJ-UULl-HK9YO4nNCW_Hh4I1G-3F0X7jz3ySM6fOou9fckrLUaZoyXiuogZK6qCXY7CX-Z1vaqfPFPuNGRavtdarC9zEoLyl89P3BS-XyiS95sFqqUyhaRCAhQEMuIHrW55j/s1600/12191713_10153410130603821_6882131598733270260_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl2x73uSdeJ-UULl-HK9YO4nNCW_Hh4I1G-3F0X7jz3ySM6fOou9fckrLUaZoyXiuogZK6qCXY7CX-Z1vaqfPFPuNGRavtdarC9zEoLyl89P3BS-XyiS95sFqqUyhaRCAhQEMuIHrW55j/s640/12191713_10153410130603821_6882131598733270260_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Wow. What made you want to parent a special needs child!?!" Short answer is I didn't. I cried out to God begging Him to choose someone else more patient, more compassionate and more qualified.<br /><br />"God, some days are so hard already. Some days I feel so burdened. Why have you called me again to this road of adoption? Can't I back out and trust you will find a better parent for her? I don't feel qualified to parent a special needs child, Lord!"<br /><br />God calmed my stormy spirit and suddenly one quiet thought passed through my mind.<br /><br />"Have you forgotten that you know not what tomorrow may bring? Tomorrow one of your six healthy children could be involved in a life-threatening accident that could change their abilities and development forever. Tomorrow your womb may be opened to grow a child with severe disabilities. Tomorrow you could be the parent of a special needs child without an option to back out. You know what? You don't have to be qualified. For God is with you and He cares for the orphans. He will be your strength. He will lift your burdens. If you rely on Him alone He will give you rest. This child will not be a cause of burden for you but one of your biggest BLESSING!"<br /><br />Five months we have parented a sweet and endearing little girl; one month in the hospital, four months in our home and two months as our beloved daughter! This little girl has shown us and brought more joy into our home than we had before she came. We have watched in awe as she has made a huge impact on everyone she comes in contact with. Everyday as I help her fulfill her every daily activity I thank God for this opportunity to love her. Brittney is so easy to love because she gives far more love than she could ever receive! Anybody could have loved Brittney, she is awesome, but I am so thankful God chose us to be the recipients of His great LOVE through her!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">11/9/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153413531688821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">11/15/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153423885713821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhqMqVG-_QghZANDWEwYctr_kK91J1HdwaGISkwixuKh9PGstMcusJdTnVMcGovpT-0U27_LVSr5CWAdS9ePLNXQHCfkJI5bilazipjZNJm0mIVZGpnJWjIpAC25x9qu7EmsdpXMjof1R/s1600/12234886_10153423885713821_3989857150556246313_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhqMqVG-_QghZANDWEwYctr_kK91J1HdwaGISkwixuKh9PGstMcusJdTnVMcGovpT-0U27_LVSr5CWAdS9ePLNXQHCfkJI5bilazipjZNJm0mIVZGpnJWjIpAC25x9qu7EmsdpXMjof1R/s640/12234886_10153423885713821_3989857150556246313_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">11/22/2015:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153435454488821/?type=3"> Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEYE61QK5GlVX-MpbKnLbPdVSWZOWQ7t0FMeMd-Cy-le1cTfO41_12c3mzVw54S6jygtXESb90Qua52gjFbQ91YMnv3yZ_imKdrNOaj408Y6oInFRZskjOZ9YM32mxIhvJKxJewwPw27D/s1600/12241546_10153435454488821_1469708901107292880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEYE61QK5GlVX-MpbKnLbPdVSWZOWQ7t0FMeMd-Cy-le1cTfO41_12c3mzVw54S6jygtXESb90Qua52gjFbQ91YMnv3yZ_imKdrNOaj408Y6oInFRZskjOZ9YM32mxIhvJKxJewwPw27D/s640/12241546_10153435454488821_1469708901107292880_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today did not start out as a good day. I broke down into uncontrollable sobs as Brian came out to the stable to help me. Our poor cow got mastitis and is not feeling well. The past couple days have already been a fight to milk her and treat her infection (and no milk for us). But today as I was milking her painful udders our sweet dandy-cat jumped on her back and began kneading with her claws! Instantly I had a flailing 1000lb cow knocking into me and jumping over me. Thank God I was able to get out of the way unharmed but the terror of being trapped and trampled was enough to make my screams heard inside and as Brian came out I broke down in tears explaining what had happened.<br /><br />This past week has been busy busy making crafts for upcoming craft fairs. We have barely kept up on chores, laundry and all the other mundane household-running stuff. So today we spent the day catching up on much needed farm and house chores. It feels like a never ending job which is why it is sometimes so easy to put off since it will only get messy or dirty again.<br /><br />I had just opened the fridge to make lunch and thought, "goodness we haven't even bought a turkey yet to start the defrosting!" Sigh, add grocery shopping on our long to-do list. I was disrupted by a slamming door, "Mom someone is at our gate." As our unexpected visitor drove in we went out to greet her, she said she was here with a delivery. She said that one of our neighbors is a member of their church and felt so blessed by our kids that their church bought our family two turkeys and a box of goodies for Thanksgiving dinner! How unexpected!<br /><br />As if that wasn't enough for God to show His great provision in our lives we got a 2nd unexpected visitor tonight dropping off a decorated tree, lights, and a box of Christmas treats for the kids!<br /><br />After feeling like a failure this morning, ready to give up on this whole farming venture and thinking what a poorly organized mother I am, this was a beautiful and blessed end to the day. As if I could audibly hear, "I love you, you are doing fine," coming from heaven.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">11/28/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153445823213821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Busy isn't a strong enough word for how this season has felt. Don't get me wrong I am definitely thankful for a season of feeling busy compared to a dull alternative of sitting in a hospital. Yay for busy! With our season of craft fairs and holiday events as well as our normal family and farm stuff we have been holed up at home with non-stop projects. This season is no where near ending either. We have one week until we spend two full days at a Market Days (a local craft fair). As we were buying more beads to make more jewelry my old boss called and asked our family to be on the city's parade float in the annual Winter Festival parade.<br /><br />I used to work with the city's Special Events office. I loved that job. I seriously got paid to make parade floats. It was just awesome. I loved it! Anyway, so I am now spending every waking moment staring at my sewing machine until I have my crew of seven turned into the cutest elves and reindeer you ever saw!<br /><br />Oh, and did I tell you I have NO CLUE what I am doing. I don't have a pattern or any experience sewing. I am just winging it and re-doing a lot as I mess up then praying it turns out somewhat looking like I had hoped! I am quite pleased so far!<br /><br />I'll be able to breath after Saturday. But then we will have a week to play catch up on all the stuff I am not getting done before we head to Orlando. We have four very full days that include a speaking opportunity, a gifted day at Universal Studios, a wedding, visits with friends and a fun reunion! Busy is better than dull! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">11/30/2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153448483758821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB</a>: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is our morning spread. Usually from October 1st to December 1st quite a few colds have passed through our house, not to mention the ear infections, sinus infections and the flu! But this year I am so excited to announce that so far we have been sickness-free! I love when the weather begins to become cool and crisp but I also begin to dread the snotty noses, sore throats and coughs it brings with it. With my news feed being filled with mamas posting about their sick babies I wanted to share the secret to our success thus far.<br /><br />I am so thankful to God for the wisdom of our wellness doctor who instead of selling us the flu shot (which he said has not proven effective) or preparing for us to "need" antibiotics he prescribed that we load up on vitamin C and D to keep our immune system army ready for battle. Taking just a multivitamin doesn't cut it. In most multivitamins the average dose of vitamin C is 40mg and our doctor recommended 1000mg/day. The average dose of vitamin D is 400iu and our doctor recommended 2000-10,000iu/day. Back in August he tested my vitamin D levels and even though I was taking a daily multivitamin I was severely vitamin D deficient.<br /><br />Twice in the past two months a little one showed signs of a drippy nose starting or said their throat felt a little scratchy. That is when we whip out the Apple Cider Vinegar (the real stuff with the mother) and after 2-3 tablespoons throughout the day (mixed with warm water, honey and cinnamon) any and all signs of a cold coming on were gone! Quote from OrganicAuthority: "While it’s highly acidic, apple cider vinegar actually helps the body to keep pH levels balanced, which can help prevent colds and flu germs from getting cozy in your nose and chest. A properly alkalized body is unappealing to germs.<br />Most of us tend to run a bit more acidic, thanks to the standard American diet, so it’s no wonder we spend the winter months battling germs." (Google "flu season apple cider vinegar").<br /><br />Praise God for getting this far without any cold symptoms and praying for at least two more sick free weeks since we are way too busy currently to be down for a minute!</span></div>
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Posted by Shannon</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-46523332291008364232015-11-23T11:54:00.000-08:002015-11-30T11:55:07.364-08:00Free Bead Charm Patterns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">With the holidays fast approaching we have been hard at work crafting. Each big kid picked something to hand make. Some picked something that they were good at and some picked something they wanted to learn. </span></div>
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Sam is great at origami so he made tiny origami jewelry and Christmas tree ornaments. </h3>
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Mirabel made no-sew scarves out of recycled t-shirts, <a href="http://myblessedlife.net/2011/10/t-shirt-scarf-tutorial.html">click here for scarf craft ideas</a>. </h3>
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More pictures coming soon!<br />
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Anthony learned how to make duct tape wallets and other fun stuff out of duct tape. He was the one who made the most Christmas $$$ at our first craft fair! </h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I taught all the kids the art of beading and jewelry making. They started with making a simple pony bead gecko (<a href="http://www.beadiecritters.com/patternpages/beadgecko.htm">click here for easy gecko pattern</a>). Once they got the hang of the concept they then made lots of different patterns from <a href="http://beadiecritters.com/">Beadiecritters.com</a> with glass seeds beads and 28g wire instead of pony beads and cord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All the kids did an awesome job making jewelry. Even the boys, Anthony made the Jack Sparrow necklace and Sam made the gecko bracelet and panda earrings. Risa made the gecko and cow earrings and beaded all the necklaces that Mirabel and I made charms for. Mirabel and I made most of the charms for the earrings. Since some of the pony bead 2-D patterns were still a little too big even using tiny beads I tried to design my own 3-D patterns. I started with making miniture Disney Princesses. Since I think they turned out pretty cute I wanted to share the patterns I made for free here!</span></div>
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Snow White</h2>
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Belle from Beauty and the Beast</h2>
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Cinderella</h2>
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Ariel from the Little Mermaid</h2>
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Aurora from Sleeping Beauty</h2>
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Mulan</h2>
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Elsa and Anna from Frozen</h2>
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Merida from Brave</h2>
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Pictures coming soon...</div>
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Pocahontas</h2>
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Tiana from Princess and the Frog</h2>
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Pictures coming soon...</div>
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Rapunzel from Tangled</h2>
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Jasmine from Aladdin</h2>
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*BONUS* R2D2 and Yoda from Star Wars</h2>
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Posted by Shannon</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-49691151664743954062015-11-10T19:20:00.000-08:002015-11-11T08:26:48.557-08:00Joy in the Chaos <h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">a Fun Photo Shoot by <a href="http://www.emilygarrisonphotography.com/">Emily Garrison</a></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I cannot say enough good things to convince you that Emily Garrison was an absolute dream to work with! She was creative, fun and, oh, so patient! Bathing, preparing and dressing seven children for a photo shoot is a quite the feat itself but then add seven favorite animals also and well you can only imagine the chaos that could ensue.... ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But Emily....she managed to turn our chaos into beauty. Here is the photo shoot in its entirety. </span><br />
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Ah, we made it safe, on time, nobody's outfit got peed on during the drive and all the animals are cooperating relatively well...<br />
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A lovely day for a walk....or a parade! </div>
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Geez...I love this man!</div>
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And this crew is my heart! We didn't create this family....we were just willing to be God's canvas! The heart of God.<br />
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Doesn't it just all look picture perfect? During the above photos Maggie somehow managed to step in every ant pile in the park while we walked to different photo spots. Each time a screaming panic ensued. Poor little lady! The sun was blaring, we were all getting frazzled and sweaty, at least two kids got stepped on by the horse and Mirabel got peed on by her goat....<br />
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Life ain't always peachy but the chaos in this life doesn't ever have the right to steal our joy!<br />
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After a very full photo shoot our photographer surprised us with small whip cream pies. It was explained that we are to hold the pie....<br />
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taste the pie....<br />
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And smear some pie on the person closest to you's face.<br />
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But then free reign was given. Shove the pie, throw the pie, get messy....GO!<br />
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And as you can see Anthony was the primary target for such pie fighting goodness.<br />
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I just may be beginning to revel in my life of intense chaos yet even deeper joy!</div>
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Posted by Shannon<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>To God be the Glory</i></span></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-69669849026550074312015-10-31T09:09:00.000-07:002016-06-30T09:11:49.644-07:00Best of Facebook: October 2015<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>10/1/15:</b></span> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153350374078821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2013/10/what-does-bible-say-about-reactive.html" style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: start;">Click here to read blog post: "What Does the Bible Say About Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD?"</a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Two years ago I was desperate and finally beginning to open up about our biggest and hardest struggles with our children. It seemed like every time I became bold enough to share the most recent tantrum or incident we had in our home I was told by fellow moms, "Oh, they are just being a kid. This is just a stage they are going through. All kids do that." Finally our youth pastor and his wife sat down and listened to us and the desperateness in our tone. A few weeks later he presented us with this book, he had found it, read it and believed it would be very helpful to us.<br /><br />Now I had already read book after book, The Connected Child, The Whole-Brained Child, etc and read blog after blog. We had done years of counseling and therapy (including EDMR for a couple months which I do not hold a high opinion of). I was tired of bad news and hopelessness. I was skeptical that another book, another author could help me. BUT, this book was different and as I read it it didn't just give me more head knowledge and parenting tools but it fed my soul. It gave me a renewed view of my children. Not through my worn and weary, struggling to show love eyes but helped me view them through the eyes of Jesus who loves them unconditionally and sacrificially!<br /><br />This book did change our lives. So much so just months after reading this book God called us to adopt our Sam from an adoption disruption who was diagnosed with RAD. God had shown us so much of His healing power in so little time that we extended trust in Him once again as we pursued another. The healing in Sam was very evident very quickly. He is a walking testimony of the goodness of God and such a blessing to us!<br /><br />Just less than a year ago one of our children had an isolated incident that led to us having all of our children interviewed and and evaluated by two licensed therapists. I told them our past diagnoses of RAD, PTSD, ODD, ADHD and chronic enuresis. I told them briefly of the horrifying history of their lives before coming into our care. After hours in the office while they saw and spoke with each individual child they called me in the room. What they said to me had me in tears, "Ma'am, we have never met such smart, happy, focused, well-mannered and ATTACHED children as we have seen today. They have only been with you a short 3 years and they don't fit any of their previous diagnoses and whatever you are doing is amazing!"<br /><br />"But it isn't me, they are healing despite my failures, it is Jesus!"</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>10/2/15: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153352393628821">Click here to see article on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://drgrcevich.wordpress.com/2015/09/30/what-if-the-church-destroyed-the-foster-care-system-as-we-know-it/" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Click here to view article at Church for Every Child</span></a></div>
We often hear, "it takes a special person to raise someone else's children!" or "I could never do what you are doing." Well, I am not super-human for sure, most of the time I look around and wish I was as patient or loving or kind as so-and-so. So to be honest, if I can adopt and parent these kids ANYBODY can do it.<br /><br />When people ask how do you do it, I say "I am not, it's Jesus." Our human love will never be enough to heal these kids, our human therapies will never be enough to heal these kids but these things coupled with the love of Jesus is what HAS healed my kids! That is why it has to be the followers of Christ that step up to the plate and sacrifically lay down their lives to give these kids one! We, the church, and our church congregations have got to step up and love these kids, our neighbors.<br /><br />But love is not enough for the days after adoption. We must also be willing to become equipped in attachment parenting. Far too many adoptions are being disrupted (FL has a current disruption rate of 42%). We get emails and calls non-stop from some of these desperate families hanging on by a thread. Why? Because adoption is HARD. It is born in pain, grief, loss and sin. Adoption is a beautiful blessing but it is like a rose that takes time to grow from the ashes. What got us through isn't the skills we had to learn, the trainings we attended, the books we read or the therapies we sat through. What got us through and is getting us through is the unwavering commitment to love these kids regardless of their behavior. A commitment to pursue them as they push away from us with a supernatural love. Did we not run away from God, withhold our affections from Him, live our lives in a way that didn't please Him? But while we were in our sin He loved us so much He laid down His life for us. What pulls us through the hardest days is a deep desire, not to adopt or love, but a to be conformed into the likeness of Jesus by loving sinners the same way He did, with His very life.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>10/5/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10153356666303821">Click here to see photo album on FB:</a></span></div>
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Every year Brittney's school takes their special kids and their families to camp for 4 days. Brian wasn't able to come so me and these 7 kiddos attended and had lots of fun. Brittney's school bussed us to the FL Elks Youth camp where they put us up in air-conditioned cabins, fed us like kings and had tons of fun activities ready for us! The kids had lots of time in the pool, got to tie-dye shirts, participate in a ropes course, practice archery, ate lots of icecream and desserts, danced the night away and made smores at a bonfire! Here are some pics of our time.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>10/5/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153357636443821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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Three hours and some sore fingers but I am feeling pretty accomplished tonight! She kept looking in the mirror and saying "so pretty, so pretty!" She likes it so it was worth it! :)</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>10/13/15:</b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153370090218821/?type=3&theater"> Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2015/10/our-family-in-news.html"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Click here to see blog post with link to this interview</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed having France 2 TV out today for our interview. They were very kind and patient with us and the kids felt like little stars for sure being followed around by a huge camera. I could tell that the kids were also intrigued by their beautiful language and accents, maybe after Spanish class we will take up French. :)<br /><br />My favorite moment was due to English being their second language one asked, "Do you breed your animals?"<br />To which I said, "yes, we have bred some at times."<br />"Ah, so can we film you breeding the animals?"<br />"Um, well, if that is what you think would make good tv then I suppose...."<br />"Oh! I meant to say feed! Can we film you feeding the animals!" <br />"LOL, Yes! We feed all the animals everyday. We can film that." :)<br />We all got a good laugh at that one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>10/17/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153376771018821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />I came across a journal from 2012 that I had kept at the request of our counselor. Everyday it had a very short entry of what behaviors we dealt with that day. As I read through them I had forgotten some of the huge daily struggles we have worked through. I showed the journal to our big kids, "See this is why I was such a crazy mom when you first came, I didn't know how to deal with this kind of stuff." <br />Mirabel read it over, "Geez, I can't believe I did this stuff to you. We really were awful!"<br />"Yea, but you know what I was doing at the same time I was writing these daily journal entries?" <br />Mirabel smirked, "Crying and eating chocolate?"<br />"I suppose. At the same time that you were running away, hitting me, cussing me out and doing everything in your power to push me away I was getting fingerprinted and background checked and filling out mountains of paperwork to make you mine."<br /><br />Adoption is the living gospel. For it was me who was that little orphan girl running from the love of a Father. Yet even in my fighting and running He gave up everything, His only perfect Son, for a chance to adopt me as His own. I now love Him, because He first loved me (1 John 4:19). Our kids love us now because we chose to show them a glimpse of our Father's love.<br /><br />Adopt because you were adopted! Even when you don't "feel" it, love your kids because your Father loves you! Even though they push and push you away, pursue your kids because your Father pursued you! Even when it feels too hard to keep going, don't give up because your Father didn't give up on you! Even now, in this trial, in this struggle remember that He promises, if we love Him, He will work all things together for our good! (Rom. 8:28)</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>10/21/15: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153382759193821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A young stranger was walking up our long driveway, something small and white let out soft cries in his arms. I walked halfway out to greet him, "Is everything okay?" <br /><br />"Ma'am we had a goat and she just gave birth to this baby but she died right after. You have goats and we know you will take good care of her."<br /><br />As I held this tiny little life now entrusted in our care I was reminded of the verse in Prov 12:10 that says, "a righteous man has regard for the life of his animal..." I am so thankful for the reputation that God has granted us in our community. A reputation that no matter the species, breed or color, if they are in need of a family they can find one with open arms here.<br /><br />Welcome home baby Abba. I hope your place on our farm continually reminds us that God is "Abba, Father" to the orphan.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>10/24/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153387917628821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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This is our baby girl, Abba goat. Yes she is dressed as a pumpkin! .... Why? You ask? Because it is freaking adorable!!!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>10/25/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153389911258821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />"So you guys are in charge of all these kids?" asked a woman who greeted us as we visited a new church today.<br /><br />"I suppose we are in charge of them...we are a family, these are our children."<br /><br />We saw the pastor's eyes widen with curiosity as we came to the door to exit. The woman who greeted us earlier turned to the pastor, "They adopted ALL these kids! Seven!"<br /><br />The pastor shook our hands, "Well, you certainly have your hands full!"<br /><br />"Sir, we simply took the Bible quite literally when God said, 'pure and undefiled religion is to care for the orphan.'"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>10/27/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10153393029528821">Click here to see photo album on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We took part in a local homeschool geography fair tonight. We studied China and the kids were able to present what they learned. It was so neat, there were at least 20 other tables to visit and each child got a little passport to fill up with stickers and facts from each Country or State. Lots of tables even had food from their location to taste. We brought freshly cut bamboo from our own bamboo forest on our farm to give away!<br /><br />Since I have it all together we started this project at 11pm the night before it was due!!! Good thing the kids had been reading lots of library books on China for weeks and quickly cranked out some facts on a poster board! Anthony took charge of the board and table and the this morning I was quite surprised with how well they did all on their own so I spent 4 hours today creating and sewing costumes to bring our China table to life! God poured out His grace as always, we pulled it together and the kids had a blast!</span><i class="_lew" title="smile emoticon"><span aria-hidden="true" class="_4mcd" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; line-height: 19.32px;">:)</span></i><br /><br /><br /><br />Posted by Shannon</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-77990554940955067652015-10-22T23:00:00.000-07:002015-10-29T10:10:56.077-07:00Our Family in the News<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were two stories that were published and aired today</span>.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first was an article about Brittney and her amazing Guardian-ad-litem (GAL) who helped push for her to come home! The article, by Nancy Kinnally with the FL Bar Foundation, is well-written and sheds light on the deeper pieces of her story and eventually finding a forever family:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Brittney, 11, smiles broadly and extends her hand in greeting to welcome a visitor to her family’s Tallahassee farm, where she and her six siblings help care for a menagerie that includes dogs, cats, ponies, goats, chickens, rabbits, a donkey and a cow named Buttercream.<br /><br />Born prematurely and with a panoply of medical disorders that could shorten her lifespan, Brittney spent years in and out of Orlando hospitals and medical foster homes until Brian and Shannon got a phone call from a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter asking if they would consider adopting her. </i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>“We told her, ‘Yes, we would absolutely be interested in taking this little girl,’ because we believe that all life is valuable and that all children deserve a loving family, whether they are going to pass away, whether they have special needs, no matter what the issues are,” Shannon said. “We made a commitment to God a long time ago that if we were ever called to take a child we would consider that a call from Him.”.....</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the link to read the entire article</span>:</u></span> <br />
<a href="https://thefloridabarfoundation.org/a-long-legal-road-leads-to-a-permanent-home-for-brittney/"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A long legal road leads to a permanent home for Brittney</b></span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NpRhEOJpV715BymQnlZAo4Sfn-7n7IeYtp4egTWNkSn53RFwxIbwzYLlEpSKELQ1ViUFqUwE-kFhcKO0rcacZB2IeO_SXGPdH1zYX984Sd6ZJYLhmVNuF2cfaY1u_LaS_cBIAkECNg0U/s1600/12176010_10207926379667377_1207161276_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NpRhEOJpV715BymQnlZAo4Sfn-7n7IeYtp4egTWNkSn53RFwxIbwzYLlEpSKELQ1ViUFqUwE-kFhcKO0rcacZB2IeO_SXGPdH1zYX984Sd6ZJYLhmVNuF2cfaY1u_LaS_cBIAkECNg0U/s640/12176010_10207926379667377_1207161276_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The second was a 4 minute news segment, that aired on France2 TV. They inquired with us about their interest in covering a segment on American adoption disruptions since disrupting an adoption is not allowed in France. They traveled to us in FL from Washington D.C. to spend the afternoon filming our lives and interviewing Sam on his experience being adopted twice. We can't express what a sweet crew they were to work with, so natural and patient. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>"One of the more charming segments I've produced at France 2 Washington DC in a while. This one tells the story of Sam, a child from China who was adopted but then given up by his adoptive parents. Thank god he wasn't sent back to the orphanage in China, but taken in by Brian and Shannon in Florida, the 5 Kids 6 Months family. What you see here is love for children by other families who believe in third chances."</i></span> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">- Sabrina Buckwalter, producer at France2</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Here is link to watch the video news story:</u></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/etats-unis-des-petites-annonces-pour-readopter-un-enfant-deja-adopte-une-premiere-fois_1140359.html">États-Unis : des petites annonces pour réadopter un enfant déjà adopté une première fois</a></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since it is in French, it was made for France2 TV after all, below is the English translation of the video:</span><br />
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">ENGLISH TRANSLATION:</span></u></b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />"The little boy is only 10 years old and yet he already has a past saddled with pain and separation.<br />A birthmark deforms his face but that is a mere detail in comparison to all the suffering he's been through.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Sam has been through an orphanage in China and 2 adoptive families in the US.<br />18 months ago, his first adoptive parents decided to cede him to another couple. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Sam precisely recalls the shock he felt at the time:<br />SOT (Sam, readopted child): "2 days before I was taken they announced it to me, that I was going to have a new house, a new home.<br /><br />SOT (Valerie Astruc, Reporter) - How did you react?<br /><br />SOT (Sam, readopted child) - I was scared. They did not think that I was a nice child, but I still was attached to them."<br /><br />With his new parents, Sam often watches the home videos his previous family had left for him.<br />Images of apparent bliss, but the child had reactive attachments disorders at that times.<br />His first adoptive parents therefore decided to give Sam to another family.<br /><br />SOT (Shannon, Sam's 2nd adoptive mother): "It wasn't that they were neglectful by any means. But it was Sam's behavior, he behaved himself in a way that created a rift, there was a bond that was very hindered."<br /><br />The little boy has had to learn live with his new brothers and sisters, 6 in total, all adopted by Brian and Shannon, a devout couple who did<b> in the name of <u>Jesus</u>.</b><br /><br />Sam's first months in his new family were very testing:<br />SOT (Sam) : "When I first arrived, I'd get very angry. When I wouldn't get what I wouldn't get my way, I would shut down, and wouldn't talk.<br /><br />SOT (Shannon, Sam's 2nd adoptive mother) : - Yeah. Sometimes it'd be for hours, yeah. And then we in the family would start thinking, 'Well, what did we do, why are you so mad at us?'. But we understood that he had lost a lot."<br /><br />Adopted children that change parents, there exists hundreds in the United States. No specific number can be posited as the phenomenon is fairly recent.<br /><br />SOT (Valerie Astruc, Reporter) : "No federal law prohibits the transfer of an adopted children into a new family. A handful of states require that they go before a tribunal but in the majority of cases, the procedure is rather simple."<br /><br />On the internet, specialized agencies publish little blurbs drafted by adoptive parents that wish to separate themselves from their adoptive children. Beneath Landon's picture, 8 years old, this is what it reads:<br />"The arrival of this hyperactive child is not what we expected."<br /><br />Another face, another story, and another comment:<br />"Abby needs a house with parents that are calm and patient to help her."<br /><br />All these posts are perfectly legal and regulated.<br />This lawyer explains that a home study and backgrounds checks suffices to carry out the transfer of a child between 2 adoptive families, with no intervention from public authorities.<br /><br />SOT (Christine Thurman, Lawyer specialized in Family Affairs) : "What we're seeing is a trend for 2nd chance families. Apparently they'll want to take on someone with a level of confidentiality, they do not want people to know that there is a new child. After the first child [in the case of a first adoption] there's often a lot of celebration, and then the child just disappears."<br /><br />Once a child has changed homes, an agency that has been certified by social services comes to make sure that everything is in order.<br /><br />This couple has re-adopted this 8 year old girl.<br />Marian is the one who had linked the 2 families up, took care of the transfer procedures and now routinely makes sure the child is doing ok.<br /><br />SOT (Marian Huet, Director, Love & Hope, Adoptive Services) : "It's very safe."<br />This disruption from adoption practice remains fairly marginal . And apparently nobody seems to blame families for going back on their decision to adopt a given child.<br /><br />SOT (Vanessa Smith, 2nd adoptive mother) : "They get a child who is really "damaged" or "hurt", often from abroad and they don't know much about the child or the environment he grew up in."<br /><br />SOT (Marian Huet, Director, Love & Hope, Adoptive Services) : "It's better to have a re-adoption than staying in a home where it is not working. It's like being in a very bad marriage where people stay together for the wrong reasons."<br /><br />In the US, the number of readoptions is not limited. In other words, a child can change adoptive families several times, before he reaches the age of 18."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Posted by Shannon</span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-91274161717774138642015-09-30T09:46:00.000-07:002016-06-30T09:47:01.836-07:00Best of Facebook: September 2015<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>9/1/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153291765628821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span><br />
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I have been admiring all the cute "back to school" photos on my news feed so when we had the opportunity I had to take our own! Our homeschool co-op started back up today. Yay!!!<br /><br />Once a week 11 families (46 students) meet up at a church 2 blocks from our home. The kids get to divide up into age groups and enjoy their friends (and practice patience to those who are not yet friends) while the moms each teach a 30 min class in History, Geography, Literature, Science, Latin, Bible, Art and Music. Us home bound mamas also get some socializing in which is one key mommy-sanity-saver in my book :)<br /><br />The kids kept expressing how much they wanted everyone to meet Brittney at least once so I made the decision to keep her home today to attend our co-op with us and meet all our new and old friends. It was a little overwhelming for her as new places always are so I am sure she will be glad to be back at her school tomorrow in her small class of seven.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>9/4/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153297142483821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo of FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the mama of a little boy that melts my heart and causes it to overflow I have been watching all the racial wars in disgust. What if a white man pulls a gun on my son simply because the color of his skin not knowing that my son doesn't see color and loves both his white sister and brown sister fiercely! My son's life matters! What if a black man pulls a gun on me simply because of the color of my skin not knowing that I don't see color and love both my white kids and my brown kids as if they came from my body! My life matters! Fighting on either side of the race war is fighting with the very same weapons you are trying to fight against! Using hate to fight hate crimes is only going to cause more pain and more hate to spread. Try to fight with the only weapon that will conquer, LOVE, because love never fails!<br /><br />If a white officer treats a person, who happens to be black, wrongly then go to their police station and serve them, pray for them, pray with them, love them. Next time they see a black person your kindness will be what they see, love will conquer hate. If a black person treats a person, who happens to be a white officer, wrongly then go to their black community and serve them, pray for them, pray with them, love them. Next time they see an officer your kindness will be what they see. Love will conquer hate.<br /><br />We could also all use a lesson in obedience to authority. Citizens need to obey men and women put in uniform for our protection and justice. And people in uniform need to obey God, who is the ultimate authority and will be their judge. God commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves! Both black and white men and women are our American neighbors so love them and treat them how you would like to be treated!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/alllivesmatter?source=feed_text&story_id=10153297142483821">#ALLlivesmatter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/blacklivesmatter?source=feed_text&story_id=10153297142483821">#blacklivesmatter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/whitelivesmatter?source=feed_text&story_id=10153297142483821">#whitelivesmatter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/policelivesmatter?source=feed_text&story_id=10153297142483821">#policelivesmatter</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/supportblue?source=feed_text&story_id=10153297142483821">#supportblue</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/backtheblue?source=feed_text&story_id=10153297142483821">#backtheblue</a></span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>9/7/15: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153304140693821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let me tell you a story, a story of a simple birthday and how we so simply take them for granted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />About three months ago Brian and I were out on our weekly </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday date night. We ate at Firehouse and were talking and just plain enjoying each other when we overheard a young man who worked there talking to his co-workers. Some of the details in what he was saying sounded strikingly similar to the lives of our children. My interest was pricked but I wasn't going to mosy up the counter and be like, "Hey, I am a stranger, a stranger really good at eavesdropping, can you tell me your life story?" We continued our dinner until this same young man came to our table to take our trays. I gently nudged, "I couldn't help but overhear you talking, did you say 'when you lived at the group home'?"</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />This young man, let's call him Swag, he very eagerly sat down at our table with us and told us his whole story. He was so open and not ashamed of his past. He told us about life growing up in a boy's group home then aging out of the fostercare system when he was 18 because he was never adopted. In his group home years he struggled with anger and depression but a very faithful counselor helped bring out his God-given potential and helped him look on the bright side of life, showed him what his life could look like. That counselor also served this young man, with no parents, after aging out occurred. She helped him get his first job, took him shopping and celebrated his birthday with him. <br /><br />Sadness covered his face as he told us she had moved away this year and he missed her greatly, she was like the family he didn't have. He quickly gained his enthusiasm back and continued sharing about his life with us. God very clearly pricked my heart to give this young man our phone number and told him to call whenever he needed some "family time" like at Christmas or Thanksgiving or even a card on his birthday.<br /><br />We left the restaurant inspired by all this young man had overcome yet still had joy on his face. I turned to Brian, "I wish I had asked him his birthday." To which my husband, with the memory of an elephant, responded, "Babe, he said it when he told us his age, it is coming up on September 7th." I quickly saved the date in my phone calendar because with the memory of Dory the fish I knew it would slide off my radar by the time we got buckled into the car.<br /><br />Well, today was Swag's birthday, my handy little smart phone reminded me. Because I don't have my mommy act together most of the time I didn't bake him homemade cupcakes but a cake from Publix with "Happy Birthday Swag" sufficed. A balloon bouquet and a card from the Dollar Tree completed our little, simple birthday surprise. The kids were so excited as he lit up with surprise and hugged us over and over and over! <br /><br />It is surprising the love Jesus can grow in our hearts for a complete stranger so quickly. As our kids grow up and we age we hope to never retire from loving all of God's children. In our future we hope to become family for many young men and women at risk of aging out, no one should have to face this life alone! We love you Swag and wish you the best of birthdays!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>9/9/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153308509243821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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Enjoying a late night swim! We are in Orlando attending the DCF Child Protective Summit Conference. We were so blessed to be offered a free scholarship to stay and attend and boy are these country kids cute walking around the Ritz Carlton with their mouths gaping open, "Gee mom, this is sure fancy!" LOL<br /><br />And we are super looking forward to this Friday when we stand before a judge and make Brittney ours forever!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>9/11/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153311638198821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><3 Introducing Anna Brittney Carroll!!! <3<br /><br />Severe medical neglect brought her into fostercare 8 years ago but today ADOPTION changed her future forever!!! Adoption isn't second best. Adoption isn't plan B. Adoption is the very heart of God! We adopt because we were adopted!!!<br /><br />"In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved." Ephesians 1:5-6</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>9/14/15: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153320508278821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This morning a neighbor, who I didn't remember meeting, stopped by and dropped off a bag of sheets and a card signed by several members of our tiny community. The giftcard was overwhelmingly thoughtful and such a blessing of provision for us! They said it was "a thank you for what we bring to the neighborhood" but our neighbors bless us far more than we could ever return! Thank you ladies!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>9/16/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153324472208821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A special treat for six of our kiddos (our Britt is at her school) because this morning they all sat quietly and contentedly by themselves in a busy waiting room while I accompanied Brian during his doctor's appt. <br /><br />Three weeks ago we found a mass that was very concerning. After two weeks of monitoring by our doctor he wanted to rule out the possibility of cancer so he referred Brian to a specialist. Even though the possibility of cancer has been buzzing in our heads God had given us a sweet peace during that two week wait. Only last night did my anxiety break through causing me to worry what would I do if I lost my rock of a husband. God answered, "you'd have to continue to trust and rely on your rock of a Savior."<br /><br />Well, the specialist today gave us the news we had been praying to desperately for, the mass is absolutely nothing to worry about! Praise God! This experience has made us all think of our time together much more dear, reminded us to cherish every moment of our short time here and renewed us to live and serve Christ to the fullest with all our being!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>9/19/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10153331012633821">Click here to see photo album on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today was National <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/talklikeapirateday">#TalkLikeAPirateDay</a> so yesterday we spent about 4 hours whipping up some piratey costumes for my seven scallywags, I even made a parrot from old socks, felt and glue. We picked up Pirate Nanny and looted Krispy Kreme of their donut booty. Then we made a few stops and shared the wealth with some heros in our community, the fire department, the police department and, the unsung hero of this family, daddy!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>9/24/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153339691868821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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In the never ending drama saga that is our life we recently had a mama cat and three kitties dropped off on our farm. Today we brought them all to our vet for their spay/neuter surgeries before we find them homes or they live out their lives on our 7 acre homestead. Since the big kids are at band class and Britt is at school it was just me and my little helpers picking them up. Maggie and Ty were so excited to not be overshadowed by the big kids, they have their opportunity to show off what big helpers they could be. "Can we carry Cheddar, please mom?" I gave in, went over the importance of walking slow and not dropping the kitty then stepped back to put some trust in my little ones.<br /><br />We made it halfway through the vet office before an older customer grabbed the cat carrier out of their hands, "I'll help you to the car! At this rate it will take you forever and you don't want them to drop it." I looked down at two defeated little faces. "Yes, you are right, if I allow them to help it will take longer than if I did it myself and there is a small chance that they will drop it." I backed up and grabbed two lollipops off the jar at the front counter, "But my little ones here are such great helpers and they want to show me how big they are! I don't mind it taking longer, we aren't in a rush and they will do a great job, thank you for your offer, but I trust my little helpers to carry the kitty out to the car." Confused she put t he carrier back down and we slowly but surely made it safely out to the car. Two very proud smiles happily ate lollipops on the car ride home.<br /><br />As I watch these babies grow into big kids before my eyes I have learned I must not keep them from an opportunity to succeed and be praised due to a risk of failure. Time and time again they are ready and able to do far more than what I think they are capable of. They are growing up way too fast! :'(</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>9/27/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10152521939763821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A memory from one year ago today! "We love our adopted kids best when we choose to love their parents!"</span><div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today we attended a wedding. We sought counsel and over and over were advised not to attend. We were told it wasn't safe. People believed that it would be confusing. Brian and I prayed, as we usually do, that we would be open to God's direction even if it went against all human wisdom (there was a time we received the same negative counsel by well meaning Christians about accepting a 4th, 5th and 6th child into our family). <br /><br />After seeing the tears stream down her face and the joy she expressed at the sight of the blond 3 year old she gave birth to, God confirmed we had listened well. I am so thankful God grabbed ahold of my heart and led me courageously to attend Maggie's birthmom's wedding. I wasn't condoning her life choices but choosing to show her love and grace regardless of her behavior. God gave an overwhelming peace to my heart that no fear of man could shake. He had also orchestrated perfectly that in Maggie's "too big clothes bin" sat a beautiful flower girl dress that had been given to us when she was only an infant. It was too pretty to pass along before she could use it and when we dug it out it fit perfectly as if it was waiting there just for this moment!<br /><br />Adoption is a unique journey and at times confusing. This little girl that I have raised and adore was not grown in my body. I will forever share her with another mother. While that thought could consume some with sadness it reminds me that it isn't love being shared as in separated but shared as in combined. My baby girl is loved twice! And when I adopted this little girl, I was not just given a daughter to love, but her mother to love also! We love our adopted kids best when we choose to love their parents!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>9/27/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153344731613821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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The mooing outside my window was unrelenting. The cow would not be quiet. Although I have strep and am on quarantine and bedrest I snuck outside, "What Buttercream?" I asked as I pet the top of her head. "MOO!" She bellowed. I went into to fence and began massaging her head, neck and back. I had missed being outside at all yesterday due to my sickness and somebody wasn't happy about a missed massage. Then a nudge came from behind where three beautiful ponies were letting me know they were there and waiting for their turn. As I continued massaging each pony our herd of goats, Dolly the donkey, our two Pyrenees, 3 cats, our pigs and Bruce the goose were at my feet pushing ahead in line for their turn to be held, pet and loved on.<br /><br />It was beginning to rain as I finished up loving on each animal. "Mom, get inside you are going to get more sick!" Since I now smelled worse than a wet goat and my pajamas were covered dirt I took a long hot shower. Now I am snuggled up with an awesome book and some hot tea. As for the Buttercream, she is content and quiet.<br /><br />Thankful for a hubby that can take over when I am sick, but the cow says farmers don't get a day off. ;)</span><div>
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Posted by Shannon</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-39846417753508161682015-07-31T10:50:00.000-07:002016-06-30T10:53:56.351-07:00Best of Facebook: July 2015<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/4/15: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153162136688821'">Click here to see photo on FB: </a></span><br />
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Happy Independence Day! We fought to be independent from other nations so we could live openly dependent on God. We fought for our freedom to live so we could live as slaves of Christ!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/8/15:</b></span> <span style="font-size: x-large;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153169731448821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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Waiting for our discharge to take this pretty girl home from the hospital today! 30 days ago our path was shaken up and what we thought would be a joyful time bringing our new daughter home turned into sorrow when she was admitted into the hospital. We decided that we would stay firmly committed to loving her even though the future path seemed unclear and hazy. God taught us a deeper understanding of what "walking by faith and not sight" means and what love really looks like! Love is for better or for worse. Love is for richer or poorer. Love is in sickness and in health. Love doesn't see color, age, behavior or ability, it doesn't set up conditions. Love never fails!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/8/15: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153170463093821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the car and headed home!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/10/15</b>: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153173350118821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />First thing this morning as I was leaning over a sleeping Brittney pumping her meds into her G-tube and when her sleepy eyes opened I said, "Good morning, Brittney!" She stretched and her mouth curved into a big smile, "Your back!" I smiled because everytime I left her hospital room for coffee or food and returned I would announce, "I'm back, I am not leaving you Brittney."<br /><br />"Yes silly, of course I'm back, you live with us now, we are your family," I quietly reassured her. She smiled big, "Good morning!" But then the smile disappeared, "you have to go, mommy?" Mirabel popped up in her bed, "She just called you mommy!" What a piece of heavenly grace to start off the morning with. I am a mommy once again! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/11/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153176063523821/">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love sees NOT the different sizes, shapes or colors of our spots; LOVE sees our hearts! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/cowappreciationday?source=feed_text&story_id=10153176063523821">#CowAppreciationDay</a> Get your spots on Tuesday, July 14th, 2015!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/12/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153178329828821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 days left to get all spotted up! On Tuesday, July 14th if you go into any Chick-fil-A dressed as a cow head to toe you get a FREE meal, if you wear a cow print item of clothing or accessory you get a FREE entree!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/13/15:</b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153180595103821/?type=3&theater"> Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_l8Ejcn4aye5sg4UP0R-20pSAupngV6otjmbHEm4501LmSvAqlgxHH6qUp22LK4kcM6LsO_d_Wg4l4bh8StObPXpcciauYV9Op17A6jMXcZTrthQSVpk9ui_6jDJhfMurrQezm3yCEGW/s1600/11753722_10153180595103821_1343419491165220089_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_l8Ejcn4aye5sg4UP0R-20pSAupngV6otjmbHEm4501LmSvAqlgxHH6qUp22LK4kcM6LsO_d_Wg4l4bh8StObPXpcciauYV9Op17A6jMXcZTrthQSVpk9ui_6jDJhfMurrQezm3yCEGW/s640/11753722_10153180595103821_1343419491165220089_n.jpg" width="580" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 day left until <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/cowappreciationday">#CowAppreciationDay</a> Just a little late night humor!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/14/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153181150538821/?type=3">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylLxMYP_Rcg4_s_ApJyNMlod65Yx0u73bb7B9Rcfj36_SXbHL3KhxSV-FDk04GRS6YBYYOzM-kOmm4WrRqKA57DjbmXs7Trlg6WM-3IH54XjhyLTRtJz3k6KSCxAhzVbAUiDXwlSz1CpL/s1600/11698968_10153181150538821_1554023726577862756_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylLxMYP_Rcg4_s_ApJyNMlod65Yx0u73bb7B9Rcfj36_SXbHL3KhxSV-FDk04GRS6YBYYOzM-kOmm4WrRqKA57DjbmXs7Trlg6WM-3IH54XjhyLTRtJz3k6KSCxAhzVbAUiDXwlSz1CpL/s640/11698968_10153181150538821_1554023726577862756_o.jpg" width="552" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/14/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153181783758821">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK5wAyNBDp9Kvvavng5NmE4W9e3R0q7_elK3vAcmaHIOWOpvVLHgyDQz5sXwl6kU8HnhLPrEh4bwelFKnUpkBidan8qtMOm7A_vfFgX7H_LSS-yrsMSJI16hMyrikMd22X71uGrd3OIdt/s1600/11696545_10153181783758821_5129797921486776476_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK5wAyNBDp9Kvvavng5NmE4W9e3R0q7_elK3vAcmaHIOWOpvVLHgyDQz5sXwl6kU8HnhLPrEh4bwelFKnUpkBidan8qtMOm7A_vfFgX7H_LSS-yrsMSJI16hMyrikMd22X71uGrd3OIdt/s640/11696545_10153181783758821_5129797921486776476_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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Life is a classroom! This year we incorporated <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/cowappreciationday">#CowAppreciationDay</a> into our homeschool. Each child picked out a cow breed to study up on. They designed and sewed a costume that best pictured that breed, then on their sign they listed 2-5 fun facts about their cow breed! This is the result:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/14/15:</b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153181804918821/?type=3"> Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPq8gl-yIX54VEWaI0Go-wiEf3K91A1nh_vZywVbQ-h0FrxjWkzUItZQOh0O0OnDIRK3VFKYy6jDgFetfFJubrbwTeu1Nk71vESk4d1FfovnOo4r3fiHlh_3P354q-Rtx8Cg-Zc69a0sEH/s1600/11015331_10153181804918821_6340683325621829795_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPq8gl-yIX54VEWaI0Go-wiEf3K91A1nh_vZywVbQ-h0FrxjWkzUItZQOh0O0OnDIRK3VFKYy6jDgFetfFJubrbwTeu1Nk71vESk4d1FfovnOo4r3fiHlh_3P354q-Rtx8Cg-Zc69a0sEH/s640/11015331_10153181804918821_6340683325621829795_n.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/cowappreciationday">#CowAppreciationDay</a> Life is a classroom! Did you know if you bake PVC pipe in your oven at 350F for ~2 minutes you can bend it into any shape you desire? Then let it cool and it hardens again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/18/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153189646458821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48wHt6hS_3ffL5ZZlOczEtS-_oUZ8LqqEKN4V8idRbX-lGB9Box-8dN99hDcDLHUYO-0wLf6ejsfc3sJnCpr5z82ZafXbBcWk3iHfwsHNYQBFkF2OQCKPcTSXo_SEFBg4iohfVAUF-UYV/s1600/11752508_10153189646458821_5097310961077768050_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48wHt6hS_3ffL5ZZlOczEtS-_oUZ8LqqEKN4V8idRbX-lGB9Box-8dN99hDcDLHUYO-0wLf6ejsfc3sJnCpr5z82ZafXbBcWk3iHfwsHNYQBFkF2OQCKPcTSXo_SEFBg4iohfVAUF-UYV/s640/11752508_10153189646458821_5097310961077768050_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I selfishly cried, "God this won't cute baby diapers for a season this will be big, messy diapers forever." They said they didn't think she could be potty-trained, they had tried in the past and we shouldn't get our hopes up. I should have not doubted the goodness of God. When He gave Britt and I a long month of one on one time together in the hospital we tried over and over using the potty. There were days that gave me hope and days that I thought we would never get there. Potty-training is one of my great weaknesses, I really truly loathe it after just potty-training my twins. But we kept going believing that the "impossible" was possible. I am so excited to tell you that we have kept a dry pull-up on our own ALL week! We are such a big girl going potty and quite proud our our self!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/21/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153197127288821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Z2wwCGiVCMGV3IYRy8VzmNvTGxtSDg3sfnZry2laxZMbinFxIx7xJ_4p_mHn-MciRaWTVmIM10EHQtzxgjhK9P-h_wSmIJN_vxhamouBw9eSjcH3okZez3z_iy5Y9wh2xOI7r8Cl2VyH/s1600/11782356_10153197127288821_6329627664604748052_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Z2wwCGiVCMGV3IYRy8VzmNvTGxtSDg3sfnZry2laxZMbinFxIx7xJ_4p_mHn-MciRaWTVmIM10EHQtzxgjhK9P-h_wSmIJN_vxhamouBw9eSjcH3okZez3z_iy5Y9wh2xOI7r8Cl2VyH/s640/11782356_10153197127288821_6329627664604748052_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My hubby turned to me last night before we drifted off to sleep, "Babe, did you get a date night set up for us this week?" I smiled, "yes, sweetheart on Wednesday again." I felt his relief as he turned back over and fell asleep.<br /><br />Weekly date nights are SO important for couples especially parents of lots of kids. Even if it is only for an hour or two, even if it is just sending the kids to bed early so you can catch up on all the events, emotions and dilemmas of this week, even if it is just a trip to the grocery store together. Find time...MAKE time to love being with your spouse.<br /><br />The kids joke, any time they ask who my favorite is I always say, "daddy is." He is who I chose to love first and he is who I will always love more than my kids and I love these kids a TON! Our kids know more security and safety from seeing mom and dad so in love, sneaking kisses, dancing in the kitchen, sharing inside jokes, tickling, giggling, and still dating each other like young teens than they would if we spent every waking moment with them.<br /><br />So go ahead ask your spouse out on a date! What God put together let no man separate!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/26/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153208873963821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20TixkVWR-sLOASA4V0GvhNsSgTWFxCprJXT6ov93g38CBCHgDd5uXxYYo-n87C1ZK8_KDfR5cyJQaXbsnPFiTX5rAoRljtnZlu6grPNtPKsX7TJxqwANQ7e3rAOWn9cJZ2E0oN-L59gn/s1600/11754579_10153208873963821_6323012254144907186_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20TixkVWR-sLOASA4V0GvhNsSgTWFxCprJXT6ov93g38CBCHgDd5uXxYYo-n87C1ZK8_KDfR5cyJQaXbsnPFiTX5rAoRljtnZlu6grPNtPKsX7TJxqwANQ7e3rAOWn9cJZ2E0oN-L59gn/s640/11754579_10153208873963821_6323012254144907186_o.jpg" width="506" /></a></span></div>
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Happy 9th birthday Risa and 4th birthday Maggie! My girls who couldn't be more different share one very special day. Risa is my miniture girl that can charm any animal, is still as adorable as when she was 4 and first arrived at our doorstep, has more energy than all our kids combined and loves to laugh! Maggie is my little spit-fire full of sass, always looking for activity even if it is mischief, can't say no to a good snack, keeps us laughing with her witty little commentary on our life and has the sweetest smile that makes us fall even more in love with her than the day she was handed into my arms at just 6 weeks old!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/28/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153214185503821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7l9xICpgd7D6Fo-ol6XyCwGafCxHrbwfmraemL5phkaHxF07y5wG_XDuofHmsR-IcNIlIUlewSxxYc-DS4oZREAjigiBZZ_yqBTPKJYpvNDd8JngYkzuJyyDvGzYLueDR89bioGgGSwsa/s1600/11782339_10153214185503821_7573892379388019391_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7l9xICpgd7D6Fo-ol6XyCwGafCxHrbwfmraemL5phkaHxF07y5wG_XDuofHmsR-IcNIlIUlewSxxYc-DS4oZREAjigiBZZ_yqBTPKJYpvNDd8JngYkzuJyyDvGzYLueDR89bioGgGSwsa/s640/11782339_10153214185503821_7573892379388019391_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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I was talking to a newlywed recently about her fears of starting a family how she wanted to but had such a fear of the unknown and uncontrollable. I shared how I wanted zero children and we prevented for years then described the whirlwind of parenting that God threw us into and how hard that first couple of years adjusting was. I let my words tell her all the real and raw of our parenting journey. I didn't sugar coat it or give it a rosy tint.<br /><br />God pierced my heart. I forgot to point out the scarlet thread that holds all the real, raw and hard together. I should have said, "What I said was all true but I really want to encourage you to give your fears and control of that area of your life to God. I am so thankful we did. If we hadn't we wouldn't be where we are today. We wouldn't have seen the amazing grace that God promises lavished so overwhelmingly in our lives if we didn't trust Him past what we felt we could handle. We wouldn't have seen the powerful strength that God promises to give us if we hadn't come crashing at the end of our own. We wouldn't have felt the warm comfort of a seeing a little life changed before our eyes if we hadn't stepped out in to the uncomfortable. We wouldn't have felt the joy unspeakable when our little girl who spent her whole life without a family breaks out into uncontrollable and contagious laughter if we hadn't been willing to share in her sorrow. We wouldn't have seen Jesus if we hadn't been willing to care for Him through caring for the least of these."<br /><br />Step out and trust God even when you are afraid and unsure of the outcome. He promises to work all together for good to those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). The love and joy we get from caring for Brittney outweighs all my initial fears of taking on a child with as many needs and medical diagnoses that she has.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/31/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10153220379433821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-u6bC8QHD-8k_LmXcASc2tvyFSwTL1YSGrbAe8lLcnPBauh8-zNiDb3y2jY2NWGDyriYSCuzcPYpyFVuRIG5_mECVfdl9qLJSjrUtmZaJCUycV0IQQslwfup7OmpMV1yT58OG1cruffF/s1600/11826057_10153220379433821_5344180225283179210_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-u6bC8QHD-8k_LmXcASc2tvyFSwTL1YSGrbAe8lLcnPBauh8-zNiDb3y2jY2NWGDyriYSCuzcPYpyFVuRIG5_mECVfdl9qLJSjrUtmZaJCUycV0IQQslwfup7OmpMV1yT58OG1cruffF/s640/11826057_10153220379433821_5344180225283179210_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After a two hour doctor's appointment I came back out to the waiting room where I had left my seven kids. A crowd of women stared in awe and the receptionist called me over, "We watched your kids sit still, quietly read and nap for two hours while you were in your appointment! How on earth do you do it!?! I have two that drive me crazy! What is so different about you that you can be so young and have seven children sit perfectly in a doctor's office? Can I send my kids to you!?!"<br /><br />I smiled, "We seek to honor and glorify God with all we do, even sitting in a boring waiting room."<br /><br />The woman jumped up and with a shout of acclimation, "I knew you was a God fearing, church going woman! I could see Jesus all over you when you walked in!"<br /><br />The goal isn't that our kids simply behave in public, the goal is that they are a light to a dark world and to be the blessings that they are to the public around them who is convinced they should be limited due to their burdensome nature.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Posted by Shannon</span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-45148576570883155472015-05-23T07:45:00.000-07:002015-05-23T07:48:58.428-07:00Though You Feel Inadequate, Small or Weak, Do You Trust Me?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Today I am going to teach you to swim." Daddy says as he kneels down to meet his daughter's eyes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Oh daddy!?! But I am afraid I will drown and die for ever and ever if I even try to swim!" His daughter exclaimed as she threw herself into his arms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Can you trust me? Can you trust that I will catch you and hold your head above the waves so that you shall not drown and die forever and ever?" The corners of daddy's lips were curling into a smile before he repeated the last of his daughter's dramatic fate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daughter spoke softly before her lips grazed his cheek, "Yes daddy. I trust you." After some time had passed and they drove on and on daughter realized she did not recognize the surroundings passing by her window, "Daddy? I thought we would be going to the pool at the community center? Aren't you going to teach me to swim today?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Yes, but we aren't going to the pool. We are going to where the rocky ledge meets the ocean." Daddy pronounced without hesitation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daughter's imagination exploded as she painstakingly tried to remember this place her father spoke of, "I don't think I have been there before, daddy." Before daddy could answer they had arrived at the aforesaid rocky ledge and daughter's imaginations and fears revealed to be true. Daddy slowly navigated down the rocks and into the angry waters. He beckoned for daughter to come to the cliff's ledge and jump.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daughter looked down at her daddy's small, distant body below with his arms outstretched toward her but then her gaze was deterred as she caught glimpse of the jagged rocks one upon the other down, down, down where they were met with crashing, thundering waves violently thrashing about. Her daddy was in the midst of it all still calmly beckoning her to come. The daughter's eyes grew wide and her body stiff as fear gripped her every member and her lip began to quiver. "Daddy, I can't." She cried as loud as she could.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Do you trust me?" Daddy yelled over the ferocious beating of the waves. Daughter trusted her daddy with every ounce of her being. She loved him dearly and would follow him to the ends of the earth. So why this hesitation now? Why the lack of faith in her faithful daddy?Why the lack of trust in her never-promise-breaking father? Daughter quickly swallowed her emotions, informed her fears, closed her eyes and let her body leap off the rocks solid ledge and felt the wind and cool water splashing against her face as she fell down, down, down to the hurling waves below. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her father beamed proudly as he held his daughter's feather-light body above the water and coached her on breathing, kicking, staying afloat and all things swimming.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suddenly a gigantic wave ambushed them hiding them both under it's flood of water. Daughter gasped for air struggling for all her might. She finally felt her daddy's hands around her waist, "Daddy!!! I can't! This is too much for me and I thought you were gone."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Do you trust me? Daughter, even if you don't see me for a time, I am here. I will not leave you." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The light glazed over the clouds in a palate of red, yellow and orange. Before their long drive home daddy and daughter enjoyed the quiet, sparkling sunset. "Daddy, why didn't we just go to the pool where it is safe and fun and where I wouldn't be afraid?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Oh Daughter, this was all just a picture to point you to God. One day God, your heavenly Father, may call you to scary and turbulent waters and I want you to obey and trust Him with the same faith that you trust me, your earthly father. I want you to know that when you feel overwhelmed and struggling and when the waves seem to take you under and you can't see Him, He will still be there upholding you with His strong arm. When people see one who is weak and small swimming in these impossible waters they will see and glorify your powerful Father in heaven who is your help! Do not be afraid, dear daughter, for your God will never leave you or forsake you. Swim strong for Him in this life in the same way you swam for me today."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>This analogy or parable came to me as I sat in the bathroom late at night this past week, crying out to God to show me what I am to do.</strong></span> I was letting Him know how scared, weak and little I felt. How inadequate and ill-equipped I felt about doing what I felt He was asking me to do. He answered me quickly. I had to jump up and grab a pen and paper as a story poured out and filled a blank page. God was asking me to jump. </span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just jump. Think later. Ask later.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But now, just swallow my fear, extend trust, obey His still, small voice and jump. Jump I did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Okay God, I trust you to catch me."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An amazing peace came over me and this past weekend. Grace was utterly poured out over me and pumped through my veins! Tough days will come for sure but, for now, for this day, My grace is sufficient for you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>God confirmed so many of the teachings in my heart through our pastor's sermon this past Sunday.</strong></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Watch if you want to be encouraged and challenged.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a snippet:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Serving God is about to become joyful for one woman and painful for another..."I am a bondslave of the Lord," she says, "I am owned by Him, I have no life outside of Him." That's what it means to be a bondslave. Mary is acknowledging that that is her position before God and if this is what God has for me than that is what I will do. His will be done in my<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"> life. She does not question, she does not say, "I'll do it as long as it does not mess up my wedding plans." She doesn't say any of those things. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have to ask yourself, "Would I still serve God if He did that to my life all of a sudden? If there was some unexpected event that came into my life, would I still be a bondslave of God? Would I still be willing to say, Thy will be done? Or would I hold on to my agenda and say, "No God, I have to think about this one, God. As long as it fits in with my plans, yes, but if it doesn't I am most likely not willing to go along." I fear too many of us would have that perspective. As long as it is what I want. As long as all the circumstances are right. And all the questions are answered then I'll do what you want. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A bondslave does not think like that." -Pastor Rod Bunton</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luke 9:23 "And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the sermon keeps going and gets better! Set aside an hour and watch it :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Then just following that amazing sermon our church held a beautiful adoption shower to honor Brittney, who is soon to join our family!</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last Sunday our church, Grace Church, lavished their love and grace on our family through throwing a beautiful shower honoring our upcoming adoption of Brittney! She is already so loved by our church family that we cannot wait for her to join our family! I hope to share more pictures of the adoption shower later in a full blog post. Here is a little snippet of what I shared at the shower while telling more about Brittney and speaking about how God is working in our life through<span class="text_exposed_show"> this adoption: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"God has taught us a lot since that initial call in January where I shook with shock, "Lord, You wouldn't call us to parent a special needs child, would you?" I pleaded my case, "Lord, I don't fee worthy of the ones You already placed in our care, how can I rise up to care for one even more needy?" My lips kept our commitment as I uttered, "Yes, we will take her." but my heart raced, my thoughts presented excuse after excuse and my eyes opened the floodgates of worry. I am normal, made of flesh, weak and seeking the path of least resistance. But God had great grace and favor on me and, ever so gently, is teaching me, again, what His great and boundless love looks like.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love sees past our abilities or disabilities, but sees in us intrinsic value because we are made in the image of our Creator. Love sees past our blemished history, but sees our future hope as adopted heirs to a Father of an extraordinary inheritance. Love see not the challenges too difficult to overcome, but sees a great Savior that has overcome all difficulties and that has lovingly bestowed His perfect strength and grace upon us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God has turned that initial great fear into greater expectation. I stand here excited to tell you that this little girl is my future daughter. Despite her history of neglect God is writing her story of hope. Despite her languishing as an orphan in fostercare, God has not left her but has brought her a family. And despite her label as "unadoptable" she is wanted and dearly loved. Although, I would never wish another child to ever live through a story like Brittney's I do wish every child in her same plight had someone to rise up and say, "They are wanted and loved by God so we will love them and adopt them as our own!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Posted by Shannon</span><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia;">Soli Deo gloria - Glory to God alone</span></em> </div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-69905595875607878142015-05-03T19:23:00.002-07:002016-04-13T07:55:35.052-07:00How to Make the Most of a Week at Big Sandy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSO89PpgTyn8vhtzsvlHcvLdE21HZ4yf1UtV9x5tRev0jYLrHCywAKEuHFU9Juw5QObbK2FJ0s3S74Lbh9vSdsxbyfftlextwiolySY8oJwrdMIpyyW0HzpGyuS-G2KlxQ9GiqOQxrVypN/s1600/11188355_431286803711265_7686483355942692605_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSO89PpgTyn8vhtzsvlHcvLdE21HZ4yf1UtV9x5tRev0jYLrHCywAKEuHFU9Juw5QObbK2FJ0s3S74Lbh9vSdsxbyfftlextwiolySY8oJwrdMIpyyW0HzpGyuS-G2KlxQ9GiqOQxrVypN/s1600/11188355_431286803711265_7686483355942692605_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It has become a yearly event around here. Each year our kids count down the months, days and hours until the next Family Conference in Big Sandy, TX. We all adore relaxing at the campground, reuniting with old friends, making new friends, participating in the fun activities for the kids and the learning from the awesome speakers during the conference. We cannot say enough good things about it, our kids love it, we love it and we plan on going back every year, Lord willing! <a href="http://familyconferences.org/">Click here for Family Conference website</a></span><br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EioG-qD1QQQz0Ma6jMF0mCI0iYEBEEAfU4zklQaqAZKB-Js1u9Xoe5q6FWuoOZVFf-1M9t07NxACepj3YPlqT7koPr1n7mACQarWjINKW1aUJSWP4LLXoACH2CjZ7Sg3GYraRnZzyPtY/s1600/DSC00016.JPG" width="295" /> <img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4etOtrQY1R2Uf-xVpBijvOPi3tbxpWfM6OVujlbNsxICBZ9X1hMqxjBuzQKwngvjdncbnT-r9akS37ZT0LnTfkN2x8k7QXcPVGb-gBOMR26-kcIe2iRwkkhf1WF-um5vEeTmtmZMNCgmh/s1600/DSC00019.JPG" width="300" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Since I got SO many emails and FB messages this year asking me a ton of questions about the specifics of camping at this conference I will try to post more details on what to expect and some practical advice and tips. </span><br />
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<img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEeMwxXdwAeqObnCCLr5wNIjRH1DEUPoCX7Xvz6mfDMIQU5BDTBZ4jdgRSvNyShzuU5v2FZU6fI_5Bgb0lFPgVO6uzIvXh0I6e2ooS1LiU0FL1k4mgIEQCtLWDFgBAj0qWLfgViQqEWqI/s1600/DSC00002.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54RPUDpwC0r0ClguUIgdxWApJOgi3esGCBOTs0qmyljF57TwYLMWH8P0KyN1hBP4zdnxpnuXi0Jl_QdjIbnv_lfqQSBrc9SWQb3QBa9TLXHa4KVfcbiDHFQU1-USGyZnLWhLZ967Y04tQ/s1600/DSC00005.JPG" width="320" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>1. If at any way possible you can camp then do so!</strong></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The campground is so enjoyable and it is how you will meet the most people! Everyone we meet says that Big Sandy is SO much better than Nashville or Sacramento's conferences because of the campsite surrounding the conference center. Buy, rent or borrow a camper if you can or just tent camp. We know several families that tent camp every year and they are just plain awesome! There are also small (shed sized) cabins available or dorm rooms (hotel sized) available too. <a href="http://www.alertacademy.com/iaa/campsandconferences/housingfaq/">For more info on pricing or housing info click here.</a></span><br />
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0j3You03UcyLmCxAW4zKfD_EJsKE2KLsuufSR0PhZSL2P-Qwn9P327pbSeRo-16Zs_r4fBDzyByZeu1rgCeT2RCe-aq-oKtFsREKX7uP1cTcM88_nyvWMmdN5-PSFn5VNozHmzLZ5Dz4/s1600/DSC00007.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZqP4c3iYll-3oQiHp_nN7jwjL9AXdEQFH4kODC7BxZSPWhXfgVB9LhtSlGew5mSxh1vh9DFFFa1LTKMRF2zAJy3GWQcfOn8vE8BryRkBWI8LUz1vfDqEGvaC4RsG2ClFZEStpOabmNVZ/s1600/DSC00008.JPG" width="320" /><br />
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<img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEP7dHKjlbPbfLSi1a0pr-a4j7ThnFyQ-XYnnHnhQmGwfvInfMo_HULdekfnahZVt1Nf5xvEEOHZFOF1a8RCFBiVGYLaFNX1aRKi-nFE2iqAOlr5MuX2jsTmRzR6IR6QvYs-YRGz7_3QDK/s1600/Capture.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7dnaXswit2zx9USf3mM67OMdbRec6_ieRH1EkCp29cNZnAbfXq6FlAJhiTpyzi_qtT7oujUYGGUnKQw8_et3qFnZ6GMHxVO2BYM8RZQX3ooQ0bur-fKIFiaI9JWODf23gezmeJPO0GJE/s1600/campground+map.jpg" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEh51eo_zpAaBfUYxRj4ziw0Ud42cPqNPl0rTuFM5fWrzrZNX-k9J7weI4OYRy82R2-yj8YjNNf5sKI3mnShM0mAWRJT08lKHsNoJXQBxBL_HvgKo_EC3hULcXjjrR1CEdkUxpRygXtrY/s1600/DSC09976.JPG" width="320" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">2. Dress modest but don't freak out about a dress-code.</span></strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">T</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">here is not a strict dress-code and you will not be judged if you are a female wearing pants. You are camping so dress comfy but bring some nicer outfits for the 3 conference days. With that said, most women wear modest, dress-casual skirts and dresses, yet some wear floral print lace-necked dresses and some wear pants and t-shirts. Men wear pants or shorts to the knee and polos or t-shirts, some men main be in a dress shirt and slacks for conference days. There is a dress-code for some of the children's programs but those are clearly stated in the<a href="http://ati.iblp.org/ati/events/regionalconferences/"> conference guide</a>.</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcba9prTtE-Gnq4RSCuJg8TERqZzdKW6m9W54tE1khL4CTJkeHNn_LnWdh8hO0tg2rTKfLjkTXikEEv7v9ihL-txJTsG5c9vIlAX7EYfjj2y9xIFvq8CQ-sLWTcytMe1GouAabOJz6LIR/s1600/DSC09977.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIAp6M5TvUair22CzYbAaYcDQ80x_oORDJHiMAdA-DxUAYVvYal4jgTXgb5bTPDftGfAMFZClZ8Ki5mkfEDz4fjY_ukCp-v2aJcI1Opmg9gjwicD3D4H2gASYEZ29MUFe3isH9PBi81Dz/s1600/DSC00026.JPG" width="320" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>3. Pre-cooking and freezing is the way to go!</strong></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Although, daily meals are available for purchase at the conference center via their meal plan options. I always prepare and pre-cook all food so that while camping I am truly on vacation. I try to make crockpot meals for every dinner so that I am not inside the camper tied up with cooking but can be free to relax, play and fellowship with our kiddos and others on the campground. Just combine your ingredients in a bag, freeze it, then put it either defrosted or frozen in the crockpot the morning you need it.</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOF9nWSs1dZbaq7V8jvAn2LaB3lhFjwPmjm24Lj8S5WAUOtPn0UWm0IlFv0CpTstsbQaOj8VCzWDmu0oiPGmiNJZOay8GjVagOQhLSwB_i52PKFD_dSZ__BWiO3H67IQINUXRSAHQd7g_/s1600/DSC09983.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYA7qH0mLlZhyvRuyUFkaIcXsHG8bXtvHb2m_rghFoooH9IA9HoJD2gqZkLLn3HF74igp6g2RREAuOfwPn2jHuq7Oy32G5MW9mmwSdkCgd9sPLxmE_5J0j05SHiCvjp4vYOtLdpTeTWOZK/s1600/DSC09980.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<strong>Tip 1:</strong> Put smaller mason jars of condiments you need, like mayo so you aren't taking up fridge space with that wholesale gallon jug of mayo from Costco. Also, freeze your crockpot ingredients flat so you can stack them.<br />
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxcI55EGZonqYFIxkgJ7jQwuImlO4I-D3D50uvboTKOKPHA1rFien4ADKl2L5_5SVA6UxpNQMUHoREcksVjEFW6vCo_gNDI9CndcCFEbgnPxIm4IFpd7MigPzpKbD_PJlDeJ00jOZ9ptL/s1600/DSC09982.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRyC3grxpZgxT2IX42X_3bDZ-9xHtA9gKvGVWq_UhLaUOvevM_mS5mjvNZA6m2C6H0T3kJOo_E4IrzqQ7IZsCeskFXgTUW7mlpijlf2P70fw46wPJzrs_Ug8SLzqbCBQ7BKA4kOGc_0iW/s1600/Meal+List.jpg" width="300" /><br />
<strong>Tip 2:</strong> Write instructions on freezer bags and have a meal plan list to follow day to day.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh91OkUjihI2EwYeg3830DFn_m-LRrzajHaHmVrPE6Yt71FMsZs10QfBj8jmokzngZIdz019HDvrMs3O1GY8BOtJM4I5Wy5CCCys6FnAOQy_KP-SyQ9DdSpi1hHKvr5jb4YniVcAU854mR/s1600/DSC09830.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-A6JDHIb_4zVFxube39EsIlif9hAD8Xh-Z3MqTy0sVD-cl0BoroKeoYaAHHhaTcE-6boLeuYBrSAv1ZHaiCucnkVMQJQH6p3S__U0_Ou7FyuLq2SZIlSwZ6BJRDECsj59DlNquB7JAqN/s1600/DSC09919.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<strong>Tip 3:</strong> Pre-make sandwiches, like a thousand PB&Js, and put them back in bread sleeve and freeze them. Let them defrost in fridge the night before that way they will be ready for lunch time. Also, we made carrot coconut flour muffins ahead of time and froze them so we had healthy muffins for a quick breakfast item on the go!<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLpY1pFiQaKd8QBXYLhBcqitA4YXkWj-mCvPdTNqsIlduwX6ttwQo4k_yC3hVYVepftIdGEJVaY3GaihVErTHUE4xNbvAWofeayLOWmjL0bqT3GHo0mra_MGHv8FL865x_YlxHb1hdn4F/s1600/DSC00006.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEpnHKDFffiqoooIZVNavR94UttASYCBsdxbCwovmITZCp2kmj1IHJJ4BeuJnf3dhoEpm3Lh78GokBfRlraj-HpTbA8cIM-lmilDZ4RN2hOD70liHo-cMfMphntp3gNkHw6khGn5qGWes/s1600/DSC00014.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<strong>Tip 4:</strong> Bring LOTS of Smores ingredients as there will be a lot of campfire fun!<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BDNwE_31c736eYEwG4KWf_6px4XDnUJJ2EghkIaSyAoVOMpZhXcXYyEuUe5z7i2ILTRFTuu0HXIIeJto8-XqDCDtWHVDAjQcYc1Y6KLRe1vFw8gibf9hDyeu3UdkDzzv3QWMBeAxrAWq/s1600/DSC00017.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQg-KW5nF0sJVgUEU5blUbkteVl2qdwgRRzfBpi8A-MLDmgAFzwIeTMXelxTCniucuAWF31ZEKi6NLOBx0ezxyuw7c-SNOxl5LvW8cqHH4jWuf7-l90LVzIcDdZH3Zxe9Y1q0xNhFZmGQ/s1600/DSC09997.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong> 4. Prepare to have a TON of fun!!!</strong></span><br />
The conference itself is typically three very full days (Wed-Fri from 7am-10pm) with registration starting at 11am the Tuesday before and the first two speakers on Tuesday night from 6-9pm. The past three years we arrived at the campsite on Saturday morning after a 12-14 hour all-nighter drive. We can then relax, fish, canoe, bike, play, and fellowship all day Sat, Sun and Mon before the conference craze starts, then we usually leave anytime on Satuday following the conference. Next year we may arrive even earlier because the campground itself is just so much fun.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5d2Un9yy9ClAdNfI4t3pLGGHtQ8z2DwQKc4Z01tRvKoRjBH9usr7-QUl7bi1cyV6Wj0Y33qrfXHCls-hYcSjx3jNQzxMdEaRUQnXTtk8FmEirzYyrD_26nwlaXVFVJtEq6TmI5KE1RTYJ/s1600/DSC00009.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKyN6yOphgSFe5B64FxEiVM186TOtvRvinhWPcRxHyN__fVEkeaBGuxmPtsW3VELduwWCtoCp5tacfoShH_pOsFLHk3XCOaxmAKeml7gM3z8fhehiDBdasFzSbrc7JVEH2vRXiVLS5neB/s1600/DSC00001.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXH4SVzLZPrBaW1CmpbWgrBIyjkFYvOOnPJDs5xvh2H-eT3aNwT5v3ENCWfd3c5CDYi8Jun_G4loXMJwEA4JDYnBpX4cD6C98gsb0TjMWCdy7kSUHO4VfRjRmV7MU0Oba6W-k28InULO8S/s1600/DSC00024.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdezISoHWLftPVpdEOYLUe0yLAwX7SGdaOcqqhwI-YYEZOPyNSSsTVXDReNv3jWwLV3QG4kPHdbgecj6yXqFq68P-5_AHEg7lGvuhI1tMmmoL3i1YZNFcWT81U6f5LJDGJA8QC86YzTm9/s1600/DSC00055.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<b>Tip 1:</b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> If at all possible bring the kid's bikes. The kids typically spend the entire week on their bike! The campground is huge with many exciting adventures and bikes (or golf carts) help get where you wanna go faster. Walkie-Talkies to stay in touch with kiddos are a good idea too...as most days we only see our big kids at meal time ;)</span><br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxpQy_Sti76O-kFUmp4bhOHNwBrTVeeUaM-kNAC4MS1HQ8YVwDOQI_Dbtq_Z5MPxwXOo0kZnIHiUKpCH7wEyvTPI5qHkHFO8AJrM7VV-G_SzXI1CgJmoGB06lY0R6nku2XI_37EgVn8JA/s1600/DSC00054.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhst3NL5iVMant6vzBXLOL4JZkoQh33Ei6B3Hj8QhsEo8jk8alYmWwdHZ9LDGkNyH8jkJQBW4N35LajpkEsuXlMZ8NaINwFmZ0Y4rj841Gf7uU3nDQf46t-klMHJ9-2vfYNQEC52WcyAi__/s1600/DSC00012.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1o1ls4hf2LlAIaEesq1_ekrpCHEMIb62Y3buGP1zErZ9tRxJR8pt5Ti6CJj85pu-PVompwuajbgND-M8Vuq9NnjfeqDxkV7Otss5vXpKvTCgZDErBG63W0sYlc5MjXfnBDuMnMbnkUe-o/s1600/DSC00057.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRbwUvP6YHc7wakY2qcoqBn6hZBq04NxYr4zSwkDNEM6BUjnBA0yUEjGSRFIMQ2vIN-T5oYeET1xghXXmVNkM6ciwE3VBmbZrN2qEFuNIrjlGWIb2aShK9O2F6AXP-hUKT-e0jSmUIpxT/s1600/DSC00025.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<strong>Tip 2:</strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Don't try to see all the speakers, pick your favorites or ask someone who the speakers that are worth not missing are. All the speakers are great and you can go see them all but you will wear yourself out (we know, we did the first year!). We usually skip the 2pm-4pm sessions somedays just to catch a nap!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcP2BMMl8G9bWSKl7GPbazPM_AMN4jfiwXFce9sJGT3mQdjBMm3WGlvw4xqOrN_O3dWMlePhaJsVuMWjvz5qL_Pq0K_X_kZZB7FFr6gof0aIFhmRPTtOkyseb2vAfRe-DIZkALOp0DMVS/s1600/DSC00011.JPG" width="287" /> <img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7XBBPhEN5OaAarNcXro5xSQIVQp9LJGYEQNGhtwd2TOheclMsT0u6p188LZWH4MK8sOJV-vLB4XyT8r3b3moeJp9JbYz4WRQk1RyjckW9UCSdbWoPisc2RXy7tSGAEyQBUonWvR9zqzm/s1600/DSC00018.JPG" width="300" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span><strong>Tip 3:</strong> Prepare to make lots of friends! Print out business card sized family pictures to hand out to new friends. We also printed our email and phone number on ours this year and the kids handed out all 60 to their friends. They write their address on the back so their friend can write them as penpals the entire year until the next family conference!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Our Family Testimony Video</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once our week of fun had come to a close we left earliy on Saturday so we could make it back to our church by Sunday morning. Our church had asked us to give our family testimony as well as sharing more about our new daughter, Brittany. Here is the video of Brian sharing at our church on Sunday, April 26th, 2015:</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lMqBgCAbvCs/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lMqBgCAbvCs?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also, after three years of prayer we finally took the plunge and applied as members so we can begin Wisdom Books as our homeschool curriculum. We received our box of member goodies at the conference and have already begun this week with Wisdom Book 1. We LOVE it so far! It truly is a curriculum with a firm biblical foundation and yet such a deep and rich study of God's creation and order, through language arts, math, history, geography, science, law and medicine! We are excited to see what each new Wisdom Book will bring!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJz_z2UKzFoSVj56RE4wvCAdOTLUyGOqgif08x60d0auxB8CLMrfpoZhtMcyzrVZAkklodLwgJPZKMqsKGse32CqPIboD-Iqy3bSu3smZ8ROvcDqD9ydGown_zIpK_217WRg7e7aKvY2cQ/s1600/DSC00059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJz_z2UKzFoSVj56RE4wvCAdOTLUyGOqgif08x60d0auxB8CLMrfpoZhtMcyzrVZAkklodLwgJPZKMqsKGse32CqPIboD-Iqy3bSu3smZ8ROvcDqD9ydGown_zIpK_217WRg7e7aKvY2cQ/s400/DSC00059.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Here are posts from our past two years:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-week-in-big-sandy-tx-with-duggars.html">Big Sandy Family Conference 2013</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2014/04/fun-and-fellowship-in-big-sandy-texas.html">Big Sandy Family Conference 2014</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Posted by Shannon</span><br />
<em><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia";">Soli Deo gloria - Glory to God alone</span></em></span> </o:p><br />
</div>
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-->Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-77870553901103325372015-04-30T18:58:00.000-07:002016-06-30T19:00:51.930-07:00Best of Facebook: April 2015<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/7/15:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10152960603188821"> </a></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10152960603188821">Click here to see post on FB: </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have Brittany for our first unsupervised visit! Yay!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/13/15:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10152973028993821"> Click here to see photos on FB:</a></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWJdgHdR5QaG4RptN3MIHfIbLBJwaUYcUsvMbyo4y4fCpLUsREo1I_kEO1vKtB2ioR7-Xw9R_H94vPXNce3mp81whQX1IsL7-j_Fzi4w659xCvyHPMa-H-kuIMdfCmBg-4nH6mUgmp5_x/s1600/10468636_10152973025833821_3051394226449917520_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWJdgHdR5QaG4RptN3MIHfIbLBJwaUYcUsvMbyo4y4fCpLUsREo1I_kEO1vKtB2ioR7-Xw9R_H94vPXNce3mp81whQX1IsL7-j_Fzi4w659xCvyHPMa-H-kuIMdfCmBg-4nH6mUgmp5_x/s640/10468636_10152973025833821_3051394226449917520_n.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our week of packing begins today! We will be packing our entire RV for 8 people and cooking and freezing a weeks worth of meals so it can be a true vacation for mom too ;) By Saturday we hope to be on our way to Big Sandy, TX for our yearly family camp and conference! The kids are beyond giddy with excitement and super motivated to be helpful so we can leave as soon as possible!<br /><br />Busy has been the theme of our life lately. I'll use just last week as an example. Sunday we cooked a big Easter lunch and had an amazing Easter Sunday with several friends, which longer than the planned lunch and included a nerf gun war, Super Smash Bros tournament, dinner, long conversation and a movie. Monday we packed quickly, dropped off our puppies and kids at two faraway friend's houses and drove to Orlando to see Brittany, Tuesday it was just Brian and I but a full day of doctor appt, medical trainings and visiting with our daughter-to-be, Wednesday I prepped a powerpoint during the car ride home and rolled into town just in time to pick up kids and puppies and host our 4-H group for a class about fostering orphaned animals and bottle feeding puppies. Thursday after our weekly bible study we caught up on some farm chores and I took my biggest girl to the "life-saver dinner" where she was honored by raising over $2500 for our local Women's Pregnancy Center. Friday we finished some fencing, built some garden trellises, and built two whelping pens for our two very pregnant piggies to give birth in peace. Saturday finished it off by having old friends over so we could teach them how to butcher their own chickens (at their request) and we attended FSU's Kids Brain Fair where we had a great time learning all about how God designed our amazing brains to work! Add to this week meals, daily chores, school, farming, gardening and bottle feeding puppies every 4 hours!<br /><br />I like the term "full" instead of "busy." We haven't intentionally filled up our schedule but we often find ourselves in a spot where important, memorable events pile themselves up all in the same week or even day! We try to prioritize our lives with people first. If someone calls and says, "Hey, we would love to come by today and visit" or "Can you guys come to help us build a fence this week?" or "Are you available to watch my kids for a couple hours?" then we will always postpone our farm projects, cleaning or even homeschooling to make time for the most important things in life, people!<br /><br />There are no interruptions to our plans, just God ordained plans that we are made aware of, so we put our own plans on hold for His. Now if I can remember to not hold my plans for this week so tightly-fisted and view every interruption as an invitation to participate in God's perfect plan and put my own on hold!</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/16/15: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10152980146968821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kiddos had their last day of our weekly homeschool co-op on Tuesday. The end of the year presentation was very cute showing off much of what they learned throughout the year in Latin, Literature, Bible, History, Science, and Music/Art.<br /><br />With our homeschool co-op, 4-H, Awana and bible study all taking breaks for the summer we are looking forward to a slower season (Lord willing!).<br /><br />The past two days have been filled with tremendous amounts of list making, directing, cooking, packing, and cleaning. We take off tomorrow night for Big Sandy, TX for our annual family camp and conference. All our meals are cooked and frozen and most all of our stuff is packed away in the RV. Just some last minute preparations and shopping trip left. If I can get through tomorrow without coming unglued that would be a miracle!</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/17/15: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10152982749673821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are finally on the road headed to Big Sandy, TX for a week of camping and fellowship! Our goal was to be on the road by 6pm tonight, well we took this picture as we loaded up at 5pm, an hour ahead of schedule. That is pretty good. Especially since we were out for 6 hours this morning finishing up last minute errands, at a total of 12 different stops, then 3 more hours of last minute prep and packing and we were still out ahead of schedule. And best part!?! I didn't come unglued once today, no yelling, no anxiety, no freak-out mode. Preparing for large trips with a large family typically sends me over the edge pretty easily, God is definitely at work, thank you for your prayers! :)<br /><br />That isn't the end of the story. We took this cute pic, pulled out of our driveway and were happily cruising along. Brian turned to me and said, "Hon, we forgot to pray just before we left for our traveling." I wish we would have pulled over that moment, "We are about to stop at this gas station to fill up on gas and fill our propane tank, we will pray then." The excited chatter from the kids was bubbling over and the little ones ansy-ness from sitting in a car all day was beginning to become a distraction. Just 30 miles down the interstate we stopped for gas, then filled our propane tank then made sure our grey water tanks were emptied. That is when we noticed we had some major problems. Problem 1, our fridge wasn't turning back on. We had 4-6 hours before we would lose a week's worth of meals and preparation. Problem 2, both our batteries died and our RV wouldn't start. We called our roadside service, It would be $190 to send someone out to diagnose the problem.<br /><br />"Babe, what did we not do?" We all unloaded and surrounded the front of the RV, laying our hands on the battery, "God we are so sorry we didn't come to You first. Please forgive us. Lord, we are taking this trip to deepen our love and faith in You, please help us."<br />We opened our eyes and saw a young college student at the next gas pump, "You need a jump?" Oh, yes!!! The moment those jumper cables were on our RV started right up and the fridge turned on. After a two hour delay we are back in business and this time we will keep prayer closer to our hearts. :)</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/29/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10153010511533821">Click here to see article on FB:</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were recently tagged in a friend's post on supporting adoptive parents and we wanted to continue the conversation here.<br /><br />"I was speaking to an adoptive family recently and they said, "EVERYONE is called to support adoption. You may not personally be able to adopt right now, but you are still called to support adoption. And you do that by supporting the families that have (or are working to) adopted now." Yes, YOU!<br /><br />Christian or not, you are responsible to support those in our community who have gathered the courage to bring new children into their home. But how? Well, this article is a starting point.<br /><br />And maybe some of my adoptive/foster family friends could chime in on how we can best support you."-Jen Brown<br /><br />This article has some great and practical ideas. Our church was kind enough to think of throwing a shower for Brittany this time around. While our other children have never had a shower thrown on their behalf our church and community always brought us meals and material needs within those first weeks home.</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.conqueredbylove.org/How-to-support-adoptive-families.html">Click here to see article: How to Support Adoptive Families</a></span></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-81538920921647794252015-03-31T18:42:00.000-07:002016-06-30T18:46:11.154-07:00Best of Facebook: March 2015<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/1/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10152878874033821">Click here to see video on FB:</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">AMEN x20!!!! This is such an overlooked subject when dealing with the church and adoption. Praise God for a little more light shed on this subject. Please watch and share if you have or know someone who has adopted! It is a lonely road parenting RAD especially when you don't know what RAD is or why this child you love dearly hates you!<br /><br />We watch Wretched often although Todd (the show host) drives me crazy sometimes with his antics. I do not believe that Todd is saying that 100% of children have RAD, I think he is saying that potentially you can adopt a child with 100% RAD. Not only did our first 3 have RAD to varying degrees but last year we specifically adopted a child diagnosed with RAD from an adoption disruption. RAD behaviors are REAL! Yet let me point out that Jesus can heal and release the bondage of even RAD!!!<br /><br />The hardest part of adoption and RAD is loving a child that does not reciprocate any form of love, but isn’t that the gospel! Jesus loved us, a people that did not reciprocate His love yet He filed for our adoption anyway! We then love Him because He first loved us! That is the story of RAD, we as parents get to live on the front lines of the gospel and sacrifice our lives and love with sometimes no reward. We do have hope even with RAD, we have Jesus. Also, the best biblical resource we have found for parenting children with these symptoms is “Parenting the Difficult Child” by Linda Rice.</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://wretchednetwork.wordpress.com/2015/02/27/reactive-attachment-disorder-you-need-to-know-that-most-adoptive-parents-are-dealing-with-this/">Click here to see video on Wretched, "Reactive Attachment Disorder: You need to know that most adoptive parents are dealing with this."</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/4/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10152884146513821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Let me present an adoption scenario: Twins are born, mom decides that she isnt ready for this and begins looking for an adoption plan for her babies. She needs an immediate family for these 6 week old baby boy twins. Question, would you be willing to adopt them?<br /><br />I do believe that most of you are so willing to adopt that you are about to comment or message me to ask if this is real. But are you ready to appear in front of an attorney and adopt today? In an hour? In your willingness to adopt did you prepare for adoption ahead of time? Have you completed your adoption homestudy? If God has laid adoption on your heart, if at any point in your walk you have said, "I would love to adopt one day" then step out in faith and get prepared! God could call on you at any moment. You could talk to a woman tomorrow at the grocery store or hear a need from a friend. There may not be time to say, "I am willing but give me 3 months to get my homestudy completed." Adoption needs tend to be immediate and almost never are you going to have 9 months to prepare! I you are not ready you may miss out on a unique opportunity to be surprisingly blessed!<br /><br />Willingness is great, but are you prepared to say "I am ready. Lord, send me," with homestudy in hand, if you were offered twins today?</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/5/15: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10153331009168821">Click here to see photos on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just got home very late from dancing the night away! We were invited to a English Country Dance event with a purpose to fundraise money to help our friend Dima, an orphan from Ukraine who came here on a medical visa, apply for Asylum to stay in the country! So today we spent 2 hours of last minute thrift store shopping in hopes of finding some old english costumes. After prayer, three thrift stores and $25 our goal was accomplished! We loved learning so many old dances including our new favorite, the Virginia Reel. Here are some pictures of our fun!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/6/15:</b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10152889476923821/?type=3&theater"> Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let me tell you a story of blessings!<br /><br />Our tax return just came in (woohoo!) and we have budgeted all the money to fulfill our final needs for our new home. One of those budgeted needs was an AC/heat system. The house is set up for central air but the AC system was old and broken when we bought the house. We budgeted $1500 for a good, used one and called an AC guy that a good friend recommended. He came out discussed our budget, looked over everything and said he would call with a quote. His call later that day blew me away!<br /><br />Now let me set the stage a little bit. That morning we got a late start, it was a plain old rough morning. It was 10:30am by the time we finally got farm chores done and breakfast on the table. Here I am in a old t-shirt and had kinda skipped the hair brushing and make-up in my usual morning routine when the scheduled AC guy shows up. He was just here to do get a quick quote for a paid job so I let it go that I appeared so unorganized and frazzled. He left after about 30min of gathering all the information he needed to write up a quote and promised to call later. Around 3pm the same day the phone rang.<br /><br />"Mrs. Carroll this is _____, the AC guy. I wanted to let you know that I have never met a sweet and well-mannered bunch of kids as your own. I was so thoroughly impressed with your home and felt an overwhelming peace of God while I was there. The presence of Holy Spirit is so evident all over your home and family. I could barely make it out your driveway without tears streaming down my face. Because of the amazing work you guys are doing I want to donate a AC/heating system, all new duct work, the wiring and installation. You will have the whole package and won't pay a thing. I want to do this for your family. God has been so good to my business and my family and He has placed it on my heart to bless yours. You have other places that budgeted money can be well spent I am sure!<br /><br />When I picked up my jaw off the floor and wiped away tears I called my hubby and fell in awe of our amazing God who is so big and so evidently seen through our weaknesses, flaws and imperfections!<br /><br />Today, four guys for six hours worked hard and fully installed and set up our brand new system! God is good all the time, all the time God is GOOD!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/12/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10152902592978821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our garden is done! Seeds planted and baby seedlings are a sprouting. It took a lot of work for 3 days straight but we will see what God does as we venture to grow our own produce. It is as big as our house at 2000sqft! A huge thank you to my hubby for tilling the land, it was way harder than one would imagine with all the roots and compacted soil. A shout out to my awesome kiddos, Anthony who cut down every tree that made our garden boxes and Mirabel, Risa and Sam who moved trees and raked and spread lots of old hay! Yay!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/19/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10152918137653821">Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our visit to Orlando to see Brittany this past Mon-Wed went part very well and part frustrating. Due to some hiccups we didn't get to participate in all the stuff we planned on, like our CMS medical training or a visit with her school nurse and teacher. But we did get to be a part of a doctor's visit with Brittany and speak with her doctor at length about her aHUS condition. She was all smiles once we were out of the hospital and talking in the parking lot. We also were able to see her later that day briefly at her foster parent's house.<br /><br />Brittany was much more interactive and talkative and again smiled up a storm around the kids. Little Maggie is so sweet around her. Maggie gently placed her hand on Brittany's leg, "We have yours bed for you in ours room. You will live with us. You can play with my Minnie Mouse kitchen." As we were leaving and promised to come back, Brittany reached out and grabbed my hand with both of hers, she held tight and began repeating, "I want you to stay, I want you to stay." To say the least, it was very hard to leave. The kids already love her and talk about her all the time. We are working on our schedule and budget for the next time we can travel and visit with her. Next visit we should be able to do an overnight visit with her in Orlando.<br /><br />We have such a wonderful host family in Orlando to stay with and have so much fun visiting even when frustrations arise. Also it has been a blessing to see my family more often and for them to get to know the kiddos, who are pretty fun and awesome!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/20/15:</b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10152920969253821"> Click here to see article on FB:</a></span></div>
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Our guest post "with open arms" about adoption disruption was published yesterday on the blog "No Hands But Ours."<br /><br />It is about the little known world of adoption disruption. Adoption disruption is a real dilemma in our culture, even in our churches. There are orphaned and children waiting to made family have their adoptions disrupted or dissolved daily. It is a much bigger reality than any of us wish to admit or recognize. Our culture is one of shallow commitments, we see that through the stats on our nation's divorce rate. And to think married people fell in love and both willingly chose each other for life. Often when adopting a child it feels more like an arranged marriage, one in which only one party is making a commitment to love. First comes commitment, then comes adoption then, sometimes much later, comes the moment when we fall in love.<br /><br />"Attachment takes both parties. A child struggling with attachment needs us, as the parent, to show them a love that they cannot resist. A love that says, “I am going to love you no matter what you do or say to me!” A love that says, “I am going to be here for you whether you want me to be or not, because I love you!” A love that says, “I am not going to let you hurt yourself, me or others because you mean too much to me!” A love that has nothing to do with how we, as parents, feel. We are not toddlers controlled by emotions, but adults who can and must control our emotions.<br /><br />These children need a love that isn’t a passing warm feeling, but an unwavering commitment. A love that is a daily choice, sometimes a daily battle, but these kids are worth the battle. A love that cannot be shaken by the hard behaviors born in their history of loss and rejection. A love that does not fade or diminish when it is not reciprocated. A love that does not look like any other “love” this world tries to sell us." - Me ;)<br /><br />Read whole post here:</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.nohandsbutours.com/2015/03/19/with-open-arms/">Click here to see article on No Hands But Ours blog</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/24/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10152930041368821">Click here to see photos on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Easter Egg Hunt at the FL Governor's Mansion. So glad we were invited again this year as the kids look forward to this event every year!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/31/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10152944989803821">Click here to see photos on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is where a bleeding heart will you! ;) Sunday night we went to pick up a rescue Great Pyrenees girl who had been living under a shed and needed a home. Apparently she had 6 little puppies who were very sick and we knew they needed to see a vet right away. Mama was sick too and all her milk had dried up, now we have an unexpected $200 vet bill and 6 three-week old puppies that we are bottle feeding.<br /><br />But aren't they ADORABLE!!! And mama is sweet as pie and is more of a blessing to us then we are to her! Some things in life are about making it a priority to do what is right, not what we have time or money for. Good thing I have some awesome kiddos to help with constant feedings and God's amazing strength to continue to add to our life of busy chaos!</span><div>
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Posted by Shannon</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-66697750300466942652015-03-20T09:33:00.003-07:002015-03-20T09:33:38.018-07:00With Open Arms: Adopting From DisruptionYesterday an awesome blog, <a href="http://www.nohandsbutours.com/">"No Hands But Ours"</a> published a guest post we wrote on adoption disruption. <br />
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"We have no secret recipe for healing. But we do have a commitment to love these kids the way Jesus loves us. And when we fail and just cannot muster up the strength or feeling to show that love, Jesus supernaturally loves them through us. My goal as mom isn’t for my kids to love me, but for them to love Jesus who is real and lives in me!"- Me </blockquote>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">To see post click here:</span> </span><a href="http://www.nohandsbutours.com/2015/03/19/with-open-arms/"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"with open arms: adopting from disruption"</span></a><br />
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Posted by Shannon<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia;">Soli Deo gloria - Glory to God alone</span></em></span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-56952507974211021662015-03-18T10:08:00.003-07:002015-03-18T11:13:56.593-07:00Is Adoption a Calling?We dreamed of our future family. Our perfectly planned two child family. One boy and one girl, in that order. Well, maybe a third, but only if we didn’t get our two genders on the first two tries. We had our two baby names picked out. One boy and one girl. We were already following the American Dream step by step. Nice apartment as newlyweds. Two brand new cars. Then a big mortgage on a big beautiful house. Add in our credit cards, beautiful financed furniture, stylish, new clothing that we never had time to wear because we were always working in our uniforms, nice dinners out every other night and big, expensive vacations. Isn’t two kids, a 50 hour work week, a truck load of debt and a life of living far above our means the normal American Dream? We were normal. We were happy.<br />
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But then we were hit by a whirlwind. We were pursued and our hearts were captured. The desire to live a life of the American Dream was torn from our minds and replaced with a new desire. A desire to lose our lives. A desire to give up our lives to serve. A desire to serve others until the end of our lives. A desire to please, honor and obey the One who laid down His life as a ransom for ours. A desire to be willing to be used in any way that He would chose to use us to further His kingdom and for His glory.<br />
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<em>"Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”</em> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A28&version=NASB">Matthew 20:28</a> </blockquote>
We gave our perfect future family to God. We asked God to choose for us how many children we would have and asked Him to build our family in any way He chose, through birth or adoption. We put our life spent chasing the American Dream on the altar. We sold our cars and bought ones we could afford with cash. We sold our house and bought one we could afford with cash. We gave up one income so we could best care for the blessings God gave to us through adoption. We live within our means and by God’s provision through tight budgeting, growing and raising much of our own food, buying used clothing, items and furniture from second hand and thrift stores. God changed all aspects of our dreams, our desires, and our lives.<br />
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<em>“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present you bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” </em><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A1-2&version=NASB">Romans 12:1-2</a></blockquote>
When we are born again we truly are new creatures. We serve a new King, in a new community. We are no longer part of this world but aliens from a distant land just passing through. While we are here we serve our King through serving others. But how do we know our calling? How do we know God’s will for this new life? <br />
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<em>“For this is the will of God, your sanctification;” </em><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+4%3A3a&version=NASB">1 Thessalonians 4:3a</a></blockquote>
When God saved us we were instantly justified. We were forgiven, washed clean and made new creatures in Christ. Our justification was like standing in front of the judge as Christ petitioned to adopt us as His own. We were adopted in that moment. Justification says “you are My child,” sanctification says “now live like you are My child.” Sanctification is the life long process of our lives becoming more and more like Christ. One of my favorite verses is <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1%3A6-9&version=NASB">1 Peter 1:6-9</a> where God compares this process of the testing and building of our faith to that of a blacksmith as he plunges the gray stone into the fire. As the flames lick this stone slowly the dross melts away into the heat and revealed is a brilliant, shimmering yellow malleable liquid that we call gold. That is us. What a picture. But do we step in the fire willingly? Do we kick and scream and fight when it gets too hot? Are we keeping our eyes glued to our future hope? To Jesus who is more precious than gold and whose image we are conforming to?<br />
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Sanctification hurts. It is like being thrust into fire. It burns. But sanctification comes with a great promise! That we will one day be as precious and shining as gold. A promise that one day we will see glorification. A day when we will be finished, given and new imperishable body and taken to our permanent, eternal home. Oh, how there are days I am so homesick and long earnestly for that day. Lord, Your will be done, Your kingdom come.<br />
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<em>“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to becomes conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”</em> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+8%3A28-31&version=NASB">Romans 8:28-31</a></blockquote>
As we walk through this Christian life, as we walk through our sanctification God will continue to work on us by putting His Word into our mind (“cognition”). He will then plant seeds of “conviction” that will one day bear the fruit of “affection.” Terms were taken from <a href="http://www.gty.org/blog/B120913/the-steps-of-biblical-sanctification">this article, The Steps of Biblical Sanctificaion by John MacArthur.</a><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">To turn this post to our heart for adoption</span></strong>, let me say that as we allowed God’s Word to sink deep into our hearts our cognition of God’s character deepened. We see that God loves and cares for the orphan. Because we are being conformed to Jesus’ likeness we therefore will also love and care for the orphan. We see that God created all humans in His image and put an intrinsic value on every child regardless of their physical, emotional or mental capabilities. We value life, all life, because God does. We truly believe that God will place this same cognition in the minds of all His people at some point in their sanctification. That cognition is the seed that grows into a plant of conviction. Because God values all life and loves the orphan we grow a conviction as God’s people to step up and put those words into action. <br />
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That conviction will come in many ways but often is in the form of adoption. Everyone we talk to about our family always says something like, “we have thought about adoption one day.” I have never met a Christian that didn’t mention their personal love for adoption. Because, we believe, God has written His love for adoption on all of our hearts when He adopted us. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This may rub some wrong but we do not believe that adoption itself is a “calling” from God. </span><br />
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What!?! <br />
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If God picked and chose certain Christians to adopt then I am the last qualified for this calling of taking care of His children! I love clean, quiet, order and normal. I am introverted and really don’t like attention or touch. I am not a very fun or huggy or soft, motherly natured type person. I am all business and structure, a “let’s get her done” kind of gal. I am more equipped to climb a corporate ladder than kiss boo-boos and counsel young hearts. Did I hear the call of God wrong? Maybe He meant for me to lead a Christian business from behind a computer in my quiet of my childless house.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>God doesn’t call the equipped, but I promise He equips who He calls!</em></strong></span> <br />
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We definitely don’t feel we were audibly “called” by God to adopt children. We were called to follow God and sacrifice all for Him. As we surrendered we followed God where His heart is. His heart is with the poor, the needy and the orphaned, therefore that is where we followed Him. Are we “called?” Yes, called to love others as ourselves. We don’t want to be poor, hungry or without parents so why would we leave others in that condition? Did we always want to adopt? Absolutely not. We wanted what we viewed as the easy road, birth children. But we had that still, small voice, that passing thought that said, “we will adopt one day because we were adopted.” Slowly, as we stepped out in faith and willingly obeyed that conviction deep in our hearts. God grew that conviction into a tree that bore fruit of affection for adoption, that affection turned “one day” into TODAY. God today we will adopt. We won’t make them who you love suffer any longer as orphans. We will take on Your heart for the orphan and cure their plight today. We surrendered our lives when we submitted, just as Isaiah the prophet did before us (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+6%3A8&version=NASB">Isaiah 6:8</a>), “Here we are Lord, send us.” In that surrender God did an amazing work tilling our hearts, changing our desires and equipping us for this road of adoption He “called” us to.<br />
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This past week we tilled up a 2000sqft area that will prayerfully be a plentiful garden. Brian did most of the tilling as it was quite the difficult task. A small but powerful machine with rotating blades designed to dig deep into the hard earth and make it soft and ready for seeds. Our dirt was compacted and hard after having much heavy machinery drive on it while moving our mobile home onto the property. The tiller had its work cut out for it. It took several rounds going over and over the hard soil. Each time the tiller passed over an area of dirt it dug deeper and deeper cutting up huge roots and digging up large rocks and stone that couldn’t be seen on the surface. Slowly the soil began flowing freely and easily through the blades as it stirred a black living substance that will miraculously grow our food. Holding onto that tiller as it fought and leaped against the hard ground it gave me a picture of my own heart. A hard heart that God forced His perfect tiller over. He tore through the surface of selfishness and continues to dig deep, cut roots of anger and bitterness and throw out stones of pride. Until more of my soil begins to resemble that perfect, rich and soft magic that will grow great fruit for Him. What a picture Jesus paints in the parable of the soils in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13&version=NASB">Matthew 13.</a><br />
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We are told all the time how AMAZING we are. How awesome what we are doing is. How great it is that we “found” our calling in this life. I cannot tell you how incorrect this is! We are the furthest people from amazing. We don’t always walk willingly or immediately. We don’t always want to follow the convictions God puts in our hearts. Why? Because this road is hard, tiring and at times lonely. We are human, weak and fearful. We don’t feel ready or equipped when we take the leap of faith and say, “yes” once again. We walk in faith (<em>“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”</em> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=heb+11%3A1&version=NASB">Hebrews 11:1</a>) and then pray and pray that God would give us an affection for this conviction. He always does. Each time He calls us again to this road of adoption through conviction He always grows that affection within us later. So even when we are scared to walk this road again we can remember that God has proven faithful in the past. He will grow in us that affection if we will walk in faith <span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">now</span>. <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Do we feel supernaturally "called" as adoptive parents? </strong></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>No, this is just the way the universal "call to sacrifice" has played out in our personal life</strong></em>.</span></span><br />
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Let me leave you with this quote that is stuck deep in my heart. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong>“No generous impulse is from Satan. All good and generous impulses are from God!”</strong> </em>- <span style="font-size: small;">Jodi Ware, wife of Bruce Ware from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary</span></span></blockquote>
Satan isn’t out there tempting people to care for the orphan. He is against all things good and holy. He wants you to give you 1000 reasons why you can’t possibly be called to do God’s will. <br />
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If you have ever thought that adoption would be something you could see yourself doing one day then maybe, just maybe <em>YOU</em> have been “called” by God.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Posted by Shannon</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia;">Soli Deo gloria - Glory to God alone</span></em></span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-60431760267984527042015-02-28T22:10:00.002-08:002015-02-28T22:25:38.927-08:00Home Sweet Home! Before and After Home Photos Part Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The world of home improvement is not an easy one to reside in but it is SO worth it when the work is done! We are greatly enjoying the fruits of our labor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2015/02/feels-like-mansion-before-and-after.html">Click here to see our previous post "Before and After Home Photos Part One"</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong><u>Here is the second half of before and after photos of our new home!</u></strong></span></div>
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In the boy's room there were only plywood floors with carpet tacks along walls. After much effort pulling all of them up we laid down wood laminate which we scored free off of Craigslist!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_rzO2WCLuwWjc7r_nv8D8yplsBl6quZrPzSFE0bktCY7W7q-vuJ27m-fQf6iHLz2Ngmmu9SAYJRO73pckEO5pgYzBrARFsrreWe26YfGJ5ZsKZdjxdw0jYbraUuwOdoDZUU8zrXoXwGo/s1600/Boys+room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_rzO2WCLuwWjc7r_nv8D8yplsBl6quZrPzSFE0bktCY7W7q-vuJ27m-fQf6iHLz2Ngmmu9SAYJRO73pckEO5pgYzBrARFsrreWe26YfGJ5ZsKZdjxdw0jYbraUuwOdoDZUU8zrXoXwGo/s1600/Boys+room+2.jpg" height="274" width="640" /></a></div>
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A pipe must have burst previously and they ripped through the wall to get to it. After installing all new plumbing materials we bought a new sheet of drywall and painted the entire room. </div>
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In the closet we just water sealed then painted the plywood floor. The boys are thrilled with their room and the space compared to our last home! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1inP4DDtXyiP8AMogNWSJXCYR6QS4qp510wBOY6y62ZxTstOhVJ2O1kKxQ0tZzV-Jas3-z-00d6fvZ8i9Ze-w6KbD7JZjAMytwg1aPBYlRh3ZoB0ZzNQD1-RChjIyhMKT8zwAm7ub98hy/s1600/DSC09461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1inP4DDtXyiP8AMogNWSJXCYR6QS4qp510wBOY6y62ZxTstOhVJ2O1kKxQ0tZzV-Jas3-z-00d6fvZ8i9Ze-w6KbD7JZjAMytwg1aPBYlRh3ZoB0ZzNQD1-RChjIyhMKT8zwAm7ub98hy/s1600/DSC09461.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Oh, and that painting in the boy's room, here is a close up. I painted that for them and it turned out better than I had planned :)</div>
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The girl's room did not have any painting done and the ceramic tile was already there. They had a new window installed and a couple of tiles needed to be replaced. </div>
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This bottom bunk is where Brittany will sleep!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiqlboCmNTqrKB8E_aLHwz6P_eOBzYF9tpIZHWIJXfc532iqXnF6jPNyM4Hidxsmh3EOsUKMaAIhsyIpnlzwfA72DLdurORbqMzqtxQnO2RgNiIVomBhfgRVza1jwL5PqW0JYe7AqmU_8/s1600/Girls+closet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiqlboCmNTqrKB8E_aLHwz6P_eOBzYF9tpIZHWIJXfc532iqXnF6jPNyM4Hidxsmh3EOsUKMaAIhsyIpnlzwfA72DLdurORbqMzqtxQnO2RgNiIVomBhfgRVza1jwL5PqW0JYe7AqmU_8/s1600/Girls+closet.jpg" height="298" width="640" /></a></div>
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We just painted the girl's closet floor after bleaching it and water sealing the plywood.</div>
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The wooden set of bunkbeds was donated to us the day before we received the call for Brittany! God knows our needs before we do!</div>
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The bathrooms were just plain gross when we first saw the house. Nothing that baking soda, bleach and some elbow grease couldn't take care of!</div>
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The tile in this room was peel and stick laminate and was shifting and peeling up. We carefully removed all the tile and this is what we used in the kitchen for flooring.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFzqZqGQtlhswn1pqHDUfdlv8qk10h1n_rGyf1H38DTRj_5jFkqYj5xEZg0NStAA3xfqvpfp2TOyJgDv0DtDjhMmc4w-G01n15ThC1R9Wqwdw-8ougvUnTQ4k5sO9EQQZhB-3z_BRtTNA/s1600/Parents+room+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFzqZqGQtlhswn1pqHDUfdlv8qk10h1n_rGyf1H38DTRj_5jFkqYj5xEZg0NStAA3xfqvpfp2TOyJgDv0DtDjhMmc4w-G01n15ThC1R9Wqwdw-8ougvUnTQ4k5sO9EQQZhB-3z_BRtTNA/s1600/Parents+room+3.jpg" height="240" width="640" /></a></div>
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The table was our dining room table when we were first married. It is 10 years old. Last year it stayed in a shed that ended up flooding and we had to toss 75% of what was in there. The table was covered in mold and I couldn't save parts of it but after some sanding, water sealing and painting it created our own little private nook to sit and talk over coffee.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFTJFibn_GZRnRVMwOcTPy9-lqdSOe598B3m0ITBUrjy-yTvo-ZS2liG1caCGCfs3wZPaI_fwK1X3UMBpuqgjIqrKxzg-s0II42C0u-aj9PQ87eKcETP4QbBj-Ujm-b_uYlPcW9TBZesW/s1600/Parents+room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFTJFibn_GZRnRVMwOcTPy9-lqdSOe598B3m0ITBUrjy-yTvo-ZS2liG1caCGCfs3wZPaI_fwK1X3UMBpuqgjIqrKxzg-s0II42C0u-aj9PQ87eKcETP4QbBj-Ujm-b_uYlPcW9TBZesW/s1600/Parents+room+2.jpg" height="246" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once the tile was pulled up and reused we put down more free wood laminate we scored free off of Craigslist!</div>
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This is our HUGE master bathroom and I LOVE it!</div>
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Two sinks, my favorite! That necklace holder is just a piece of painted wood with small nails hammered in it to hang jewelry on.</div>
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The shower took some scrubbing but the toilet was not salvageable and we had to replace it. Our friends at Mr. Rooter were a huge blessing to us in so many ways!</div>
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The tub is just amazing and yes we use it often! We plan on doing a tile mosaic around the tub some day soon. We have the tile and supplies, just gotta break that tile and get on it.</div>
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We are thankful for this extra storage space for tools, paint, Christmas decorations, etc. Without a shed or garage this closet is a tremendous blessing.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">God has already answered a huge prayer of ours. We prayed that this home would be a place of much fellowship and a revolving door for many visitors. God has certainly used this home already, even in the very short time we have been in it and in all it's unfinished projects. We have had nonstop visitors, at least two a week, even though we live quite a drive from town out in the sticks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We even were able to host an amazing family from Wisconsin just this past weekend. The <a href="http://faithfulsoldier.com/fssoe/?page_id=308">Storms family </a>was such a blessing to us and it was a great joy to offer up our home and our RV for 10 strangers to sleep in. While they were here we were able to learn of and attend an <a href="http://abolishhumanabortion.com/">Abolish Human Abortion</a> conference here in our town. It was very enlightening and rekindled a simmering fire within us for the sanctity of human life and the great need for the church to rise up and become serious about defending the poor, the weak, the orphan and the widow whatever the cost.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March is here already. We have plans this month to get seeds in the ground for our garden, fence in the remainder of our 7 acre property and begin growing pasture grass for the animals and get wheelchair ramps built onto our house for Brittany's arrival! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is a 6 minute video that we made to show a small snippet of our daily lives:</span> </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/Qc2GWx77c64/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Qc2GWx77c64?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God is so good to us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Posted by Shannon</span></span></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-65890065461660543232015-02-28T09:14:00.000-08:002016-06-30T18:21:22.628-07:00Best of Facebook: February 2015<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/5/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10152824334783821">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx0S3e08OFmDMA_cLgw0XEqFn1k-Hj5sAlxy0zQ4C8-YP5CC0ffNiNrSja4CXG3guFRJf7X86XodrQ91TOu_S2N9BFFvn3D9CUE9El2srhUj3VVw7l6_EoPXjMg44WXmOcN7Oa-DwgoCt/s1600/10959700_10152824308973821_4780836085624518785_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx0S3e08OFmDMA_cLgw0XEqFn1k-Hj5sAlxy0zQ4C8-YP5CC0ffNiNrSja4CXG3guFRJf7X86XodrQ91TOu_S2N9BFFvn3D9CUE9El2srhUj3VVw7l6_EoPXjMg44WXmOcN7Oa-DwgoCt/s640/10959700_10152824308973821_4780836085624518785_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." - Martin Luther King, Jr.<br /><br />It's midnight. I have reorganized our schedule and chore charts once again to make them as efficient as possible! Is planning, organizing and scheduling just super fun or is it something else? Is this what they call "nesting?" This unsettled, let's get organized, let's get cleaned, there is someone coming frenzy inside of me! Although I can't share pee stick announcement photos, adorable sonogram photos or bathroom-mirror-camera shots of my growing belly, there is still something growing and stirring within me.<br /><br />I think of her name constantly. And I get strange feelings when I've loaded up the car that I am missing someone...and a wheelchair. I look over to the empty spot at the table that she soon will fill and imagine that smile from the picture. I daydream constantly about what life will be like when she is here. As we all gather on the couch for family worship, I wonder for just a moment, "Where is Brittany?" As quickly as the thought flitted in my mind I remember she isn't here yet. This is adoption pregnancy, it doesn't last as long but is just as real!<br /><br />Peace and excitement are replacing fear and anxiety. God has been organizing every detail from the huge (we need wheelchair ramps on our house asap) needs to the I-didn't-know-I-needed-this needs. He is leaving us no room to doubt that this is His good and perfect will. So we continue to move forward in trust!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/12/15: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10152841369773821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmJCmbKdDAWe0V9_xgbezpIsD4YeoM5ajOQN7MBtuMDBAoPedzHiu-TU_WoQAH-e_FRIDOzUO2L_nRW1h2qI5H-5GRwA-rdzSxHjInDvRrnr3fWQIAk2qbbodKOx9HFDrioEaTX0_O5Ln/s1600/10959425_10152841369773821_1595957931320426345_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmJCmbKdDAWe0V9_xgbezpIsD4YeoM5ajOQN7MBtuMDBAoPedzHiu-TU_WoQAH-e_FRIDOzUO2L_nRW1h2qI5H-5GRwA-rdzSxHjInDvRrnr3fWQIAk2qbbodKOx9HFDrioEaTX0_O5Ln/s640/10959425_10152841369773821_1595957931320426345_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A man walked up to our table while we were enjoying our Chick-fil-A (especcially my free iced coffee) and said, "What you need is more kids!"<br />I look over, "Oh, yes Sir, we have already placed our order, they are on the way!"<br />He had himself quite the belly laugh then suddenly stopped, his face quickly fell very serious, "No really, you actually have more children on the way!?!"<br />I smiled and held back laughter, his facial reaction was priceless, "Yes Sir, we actually do have one more on the way!"<br /><br />How can you look at this adorable view everyday and not want more!?! :D</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/13/15:</b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10152844107243821"> Click here to see post on FB:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let me clarify for all of you who wonder and say, "Shannon, this special needs child you are considering adopting, she will take so much from your time, your schedule, your family and even your life! Why would you do that?"<br /><br />Well friends, to be honest, this child cannot take those things from me because I gave those up a long time ago. I gave those up when I met a Man. A Man that looked upon me, in my wretched state, not as too much work, but as wanted. Not as too much time but as worthy of love. This Man willingly emptied Himself, gave up all His energy and even His own life to make me His child. To adopt me into His family, His kingdom, His inheritance and give me new life eternally.<br /><br />This life is no longer mine but Christ who lives in me. Isn't that the gospel? "And He (Jesus) was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it." Luke 9:23-24 (see also: Matt 10:39, 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 17:33).<br /><br />Did God not sustain me through taking in five kids at once? Did God not sustain me when saying yes to a little boy from MI? I cannot let my trust waver now! God has already proved Himself mighty in strength and God will certainly sustain me to parent this child as well!<br /><br />We believe that every child is worthy of love and a family regardless of their physical, mental, emotional or behavioral needs. By stepping out in faith by being open and willing to adopt again, we are simply practicing what we preach!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/15/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/photos/a.10151741386518821.1073741828.136241948820/10152847673578821/?type=3&theater">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRpdRizTfHvvr4rZaimjLhy5jZAAwDhJt-Dhd070ftK6nVYiuK2wiaGhJhAEQGWmh2w9-tx0fze6O_qc0UMeVusbk2ww4_hBESFDiyGis5RYOvTyncQrLC7Apd3y21g3YvVXXjRgoRXvm/s1600/11010503_10152847673578821_4898687181356469328_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRpdRizTfHvvr4rZaimjLhy5jZAAwDhJt-Dhd070ftK6nVYiuK2wiaGhJhAEQGWmh2w9-tx0fze6O_qc0UMeVusbk2ww4_hBESFDiyGis5RYOvTyncQrLC7Apd3y21g3YvVXXjRgoRXvm/s640/11010503_10152847673578821_4898687181356469328_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We can't wait to meet you Brittany! On our way to Orlando now. We will attend a staffing at 11am tomorrow then at 1pm we will be visiting Brittany in her foster home!</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/22/15: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10152862606288821">Click here to see photo on FB:</a></span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Qc2GWx77c64/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qc2GWx77c64?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a 6 minute look into our day to day life. We filmed bits and pieces of our life over 3 days and I made this cute little video. Editing videos is kinda my alternative stress relief hobby to painting.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/25/15:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/5Kids6Months/posts/10152869151118821">Click here to see photos on FB:</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajYdZaLKqIwnAVxUWuuWlXJ1Jl8YJ0YtRiYC-rdsrqqdBrFRIROpQlri8a79xcZXfikddvgVg7ypzdPWdc6UsKlt6ivjEZZPRfA3z9F2hC3C7gZk_EfxW07rS25059V03NFHcoYb-Zy8g/s1600/11025791_10152869139658821_1646327713492888945_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajYdZaLKqIwnAVxUWuuWlXJ1Jl8YJ0YtRiYC-rdsrqqdBrFRIROpQlri8a79xcZXfikddvgVg7ypzdPWdc6UsKlt6ivjEZZPRfA3z9F2hC3C7gZk_EfxW07rS25059V03NFHcoYb-Zy8g/s640/11025791_10152869139658821_1646327713492888945_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We celebrated two birthdays this week! Titus turned 4 on 2/22 and our Sam turned 9 today, 2/25! Saturday both boys spent the night at Nanny's house and baked like 10 cakes! Then after church Sunday we had a fun day of lunch, cake and badmitten at Nanny's house. Today I surprised Sam with a painting I have been working on. I can't believe Sam has been with us a whole year and my baby Tyman is all growed up!<br /><br />Click here for Titus' story: <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2F5kids6months.blogspot.com%2Fp%2Ftitus.html&h=-AQGlt1JnAQFnwbb4L53HyOb5xtxh0s6sHQ_7daNHjAMbYg&enc=AZMUjwprRZVzXaKyl8xHz4SPZmc1pakPL7zcx8nV8A19RE5voRbpKMyMUvtCMiLKdXqsW-CV7J0cNRfSw4Xpa7mtXKukbQiBRrzA3h1b6EvDLP8deofVWQgrx2yCFJqf-zN2l-1OyxJO_CZu-IYpe_O6ykARVB5hCIcvKkiZZmzBihZtkJ-TLmq7b5EO4Y0Ks3EPQrTLmFEWZrPu-xF01NOC&s=1">http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/p/titus.html</a><br />Click here for Sam's story: <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2F5kids6months.blogspot.com%2Fp%2Fsamuels-story.html&h=SAQE_5qnNAQHluLkR6PG4oFvl5PiwGhq5DZ_DP9zF3n73Xw&enc=AZO8SahCw-a38xV9bKERXBFYHzoWW0gFdZwlzPKumxWAr0tZOAuJvvEXogt_duIf6-NWGayaXaYc6xsPSFhOt-FzyLee08T2TyT3uwLWrEk6ix58DkUaBymjUAY4MPvTjoVDCkwFO78vDQPdQ_G0CqaWuomJwIxJrwfogUajcuGS1bXM-GhRJbC1_a8km3knK9ZalCmda1QJVUP6Sdb6bmnm&s=1">http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/p/samuels-story.html</a></span><div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018706203209534977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253931458272146564.post-38142342222077916682015-02-09T20:46:00.000-08:002016-02-17T09:36:30.844-08:00Feels Like A Mansion! Before and After Home Photos Part One<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are home! At least we know this is where God has us for hopefully a LONG while because moving just plain stinks! We have been on an up and down financial roller coaster for years. It feels like we are nearing the end of this ride with debt freedom in sight! We are SO close and finally relaxing from a month of very intense labor!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQY-e18A5AHbN7vSgncva1ETNLCvuNJIhS-nJYKN4WhblXgZd71ZZJt5ID14bghD3MLmSc3XtWntxmX6uBi27vD8nvWMB25YuAddqVvHeEBt36kK_wzz4FHrdsOhnDwsGiIMuCUkd0V7BZ/s1600/10924800_10204778994527947_2440961667361849252_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQY-e18A5AHbN7vSgncva1ETNLCvuNJIhS-nJYKN4WhblXgZd71ZZJt5ID14bghD3MLmSc3XtWntxmX6uBi27vD8nvWMB25YuAddqVvHeEBt36kK_wzz4FHrdsOhnDwsGiIMuCUkd0V7BZ/s1600/10924800_10204778994527947_2440961667361849252_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To recap, in June 2013 we put our big, beautiful $260,000 mortgaged house up for sale and purchased a raw 7 acre property. Then in Dec. 2013 our house sold more quickly than planned and God orchestrated details that resulted in us moving into a 600sqft trailer on 4 acres. </span><a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2014/01/debt-free-here-we-come.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Click here for more about that story: Debt Free Here We Come!</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Surprisingly we fell in love with that tiny home and were quite content our year there (although we are putting it up for sale shortly). Now we have just finished moving again!</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To recap on our most recent move, we found and bought a foreclosure/repo 1904sqft doublewide mobile home for $11,500. We had it moved to our paid off 7 acre property for $6000. Permiting ended up costing $2000 and septic installation was $4000. Thankfully we our electric and water were hooked up by the county for free! We moved in Christmas Eve and shortly after Brian's awesome brother flew in to help us with the load of repairs. </span><a href="http://5kids6months.blogspot.com/2014/12/i-cant-bear-to-wake-up-kids-yet-even.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Click here for more details on our move: Move in Progress.</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> This move has held blessing after blessing as we see God care for our every need and desire!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After tons of work moving our family and farm, now we are all settled in and loving it!</span> </div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ppRpQ8eQcMqI1H3yIeIvagsBD-EZwr9ep2gqYF8EtgIfhS9HVtmDgYxrHcjNcAiNGZ-tLkoAfUZa9ux9qF4ESZQnPgNRBf05SkmmxY52oZr0fCe43KIZ2oyctNbY8ugLPYgKeRv1qu_h/s1600/1473043_10204770375352473_1952801672816340682_n.jpg" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tcIQRmenO-jHXoDiXd10bqXA7pbcc0bBSCjCArJVh48ExSm3O_EPa5YBhsvE7aqdE9s6o4K20Qvq03cCqVdvTGXCcIJ7SV21HTnRR6DMOqttLU7GLLujcA7faKovSWY1mnHlWuGGP4jw/s1600/1743718_10204778032783904_2504550099523377630_n.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><u>Now for the first half of before and after photos of our new home!</u></strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qYf8xBNYtHEC5Zj48lJ3mSk1teio5NXV74KjxOC22YFTiYvbOJRnSSlDk_iJ6Z3cHT32NpAcxvQfU6TJdilh78mTaalGPYhJo5k52lA6ZdKDOSAzXy-6B6Vxfd-mK2clRWpZ61g8w36w/s1600/View+from+front+door+ba.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qYf8xBNYtHEC5Zj48lJ3mSk1teio5NXV74KjxOC22YFTiYvbOJRnSSlDk_iJ6Z3cHT32NpAcxvQfU6TJdilh78mTaalGPYhJo5k52lA6ZdKDOSAzXy-6B6Vxfd-mK2clRWpZ61g8w36w/s1600/View+from+front+door+ba.PNG" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is from the front door. This floor was horribly stained and this room smelled heavily of cat pee, yuck! After lots of cleaning, sanding and sealing we were able to install this beautiful new floor which was donated to our family from Flooring USA!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can really see just how bad the floor was from this angle. This 400sqft dining/living room is HUGE compared to our previous tiny 600sqft house! How how I have missed having a couch and a living room. I still cannot believe it is mine!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sKr7u0ly2b36wu6_i90-VtcpBaExG9osnEEvirlostFsMDxg9s9i5bekJRuZmGB64Zim4aaAavHinJmYSCWrSUKC4cW02PCFIqduV0NFoZXJHTunlJwvZmjO1thxirjMXbyAzMxZ3CfI/s1600/DSC09364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sKr7u0ly2b36wu6_i90-VtcpBaExG9osnEEvirlostFsMDxg9s9i5bekJRuZmGB64Zim4aaAavHinJmYSCWrSUKC4cW02PCFIqduV0NFoZXJHTunlJwvZmjO1thxirjMXbyAzMxZ3CfI/s1600/DSC09364.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our dining/school room, the table and hutch were given to us by Nanny Diane and the hutch is full of homeschool and craft supplies. The bulletin board and cork board-turned felt board were from thrift stores.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our living/tv room, all the stuff in here was from four local thrift stores in town. The huge reclining, sleeper sofa sectional was $150, the tv stand was $25, the coffee table was $15, the awesome picture was $10 and dresser to hide all our kids books, cds and dvds was free on the side of the road! That is $200 for everything! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From the living/dining room you enter the kitchen. We ripped up the peeling sheet laminate and were able to replace it with peel and stick laminate tile that we carefully pulled up from the master bedroom.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is this seriously my kitchen!?! I mean really, did you see the blog post showing our tiny house's kitchen? I am in love!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I just love the kitchen island! I can move around without stepping on all the little people that surround me! That black dishwasher in the before picture had a mouse nest bigger than a watermelon inside and smelled awful. I wasn't even going to try to clean it! The very moment we opened it up and saw the nasty surprise inside my phone dinged with a text message. It was from a friend saying their neighbor was needing to get rid of a working dishwasher since they were upgrading to stainless steel applicances and she asked if we needed it. God knows our needs before we do!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdylpodHQUsNepSjNxKDA7mxLZ1_YY8D6x6FzbeVW5niFw4iSNvQg1QXjarTw14WhANboX5svKwBODLzdmhMOb2apL8LE4p1uwtUzVE0k4W1NmBViz94H2TG5KPZlp0v1C7QaZYgoBOeL/s1600/Kitchen+3+ba.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdylpodHQUsNepSjNxKDA7mxLZ1_YY8D6x6FzbeVW5niFw4iSNvQg1QXjarTw14WhANboX5svKwBODLzdmhMOb2apL8LE4p1uwtUzVE0k4W1NmBViz94H2TG5KPZlp0v1C7QaZYgoBOeL/s1600/Kitchen+3+ba.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another amazing "God provides" story right here. We needed a fridge. Brian had the perfect fridge picked out, a double door, freezer drawer, stainless steel fridge, but there was no way it was going to happen with the $2000 price tag. I convinced him to settle temporarily for a cheap, used one until we saved the money. We went by our favorite thrift store for appliances and lo and behold the EXACT make and model fridge he wanted was there for only $600. It was as if God picked it up and dropped it there the moment we walked in. Just amazing!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqULDDxmybRyg83E3BlW4tHLlE9mKfeuP1pUxv_bqXdnNQc7zljgPsPA8DWcGRnGo9MgFK4oBDoQwIUnwoVEgHnPPB5Khuct9SpwVmP6ZqvYpksef16ZMt0eW6BlVvcBHHUTtJ54rT49wn/s1600/Kitchen+4+ba.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqULDDxmybRyg83E3BlW4tHLlE9mKfeuP1pUxv_bqXdnNQc7zljgPsPA8DWcGRnGo9MgFK4oBDoQwIUnwoVEgHnPPB5Khuct9SpwVmP6ZqvYpksef16ZMt0eW6BlVvcBHHUTtJ54rT49wn/s1600/Kitchen+4+ba.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I just love this tile counter top. Maggie and Ty can almost always be found at those barstools while I am cooking in the kitchen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Okay now if you didn't hear me the first time, I have SO missed having a living room and now I have, not one but, two! This is what the kid's call the "adult living room." I call it the fireplace room. :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlZxGk0HCbab0o5zZjA_jOTfY4bZwMeQk5fjQiWTrdYn-YONQgJE04pQP58NUsRM0GWAvc2OYY9lPTC7gaDapfxwPuaIZslAcPLibc4ztQ_ojJ6DCHvYErm6DtwSo6TsZCEeRCv3dY4FM/s1600/fireplace+ba.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlZxGk0HCbab0o5zZjA_jOTfY4bZwMeQk5fjQiWTrdYn-YONQgJE04pQP58NUsRM0GWAvc2OYY9lPTC7gaDapfxwPuaIZslAcPLibc4ztQ_ojJ6DCHvYErm6DtwSo6TsZCEeRCv3dY4FM/s1600/fireplace+ba.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are pretty excited about the fireplace! It is a working wood burning fireplace and we have never had one before.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggt-rV1szoxJdqWINZy2F-rayqhDi6U-SEumvfzvuMR3zE0bP1bnDdRQTHAq_QSsfNBmyfPjqoNurJ1cFPBbZpK9tYISdZrG_e2GEKPb5qq-NSoev-4kAnmfTjsFHgk3tzoTISe8sN_5Da/s1600/DSC09357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggt-rV1szoxJdqWINZy2F-rayqhDi6U-SEumvfzvuMR3zE0bP1bnDdRQTHAq_QSsfNBmyfPjqoNurJ1cFPBbZpK9tYISdZrG_e2GEKPb5qq-NSoev-4kAnmfTjsFHgk3tzoTISe8sN_5Da/s1600/DSC09357.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So you know you want to hear more about God's amazing provision! Every piece of furniture in this room, the piano, the sleeper loveseat, the papasan chair, the four swivel rockers, and the five barstools, were FREE! Some from local thrift stores that know and love our family, some from friends and others from the side of the road. The rug Nanny gave us and the picture was from my parents ages ago. Oh, and here is a close up of our colorful schedule there on the wall next to our bedroom door. I got the idea from this book </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Managers-Their-Homes-Scheduling-Homeschool/dp/0966910702"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Managers of Their Homes</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and a trashed dry erase board.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnWLOJn-J4Zvpg1Wdk_l4yIQNMJDwukAo8c6fiNGyu4mNJHFlTnbg2kCyuwoBXl4saOiLRztUrdSPkhPCPAe6gVXuvRyu2MHFEJSOwMswOJSN2TSwF6l-B4OfglhXNi6prU0ZFOFfBE5J/s1600/DSC09369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnWLOJn-J4Zvpg1Wdk_l4yIQNMJDwukAo8c6fiNGyu4mNJHFlTnbg2kCyuwoBXl4saOiLRztUrdSPkhPCPAe6gVXuvRyu2MHFEJSOwMswOJSN2TSwF6l-B4OfglhXNi6prU0ZFOFfBE5J/s1600/DSC09369.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last room I have to share today is our laundry/mud room. There is also an enterance door here and this is where we mainly enter, kick off our farm boots, hang up our rain coats and throw dirty clothes straight into the washer. This is also were we store our animal feed and outdoor equipment in bins since we don't have an outdoor shed. It is nice having a real laundry room opposed to the washer and dryer next to the fridge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><em>Part two is coming soon and will include bedroom and bathroom photos!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>In other news</u></strong></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since we are settled in and loving our new home, we thought it was a good time to get our adoption homestudy updated (as it expired just before our move in Dec. 2014). Let me remind you we committed long ago as new Christians that we would put family planning in God's hands. We committed to do nothing to prevent or promote pregnancy and the same goes for adoption. While we don't prevent adoption by not renewing our homestudy and not being available, we don't promote it either. We do not actively seek children to adopt. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As soon as we scheduled our adoption social worker to come our for a home visit we received a call from a case worker in Orlando with </span><a href="https://www.davethomasfoundation.org/what-we-do/wendys-wonderful-kids/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wendy's Wonderful Kids</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. She wanted to match us with a little girl, Brittany, that has spent 8 years in foster care with developmental delays and asked if we would be interested. We committed long ago at the beginning of the journey that we would say yes to any call we received about a child. We would consider the call not from a man but from God.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://www.adoptuskids.org/_app/child/view.aspx?id=54342"><span style="font-size: large;">Picture from Brittany's online profile at adoptuskids.org, click here for her full profile.</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, of course, we said yes. Honestly, with much fear at first. But God is quickly turning that fear into great excitement! We are just about done with all the checklist items for our adoption homestudy to be complete, 23 page application filled out - check! And signiture page Notarized - check! Four character reference forms handed out to friends - check! Dr. physicals for Brian and I - check! Home visit completed- check!<span class="text_exposed_show"> Fingerprints done- check! Kid's physicals scheduled</span> - check! This coming Sunday and Monday we will be driving to Orlando, FL to meet Brittany for the first time and attend a staffing with all her fostercare, adoption, medical and therapy professionals present so we can better grasp what her needs are and learn how to best care for her. The same way we have made a commitment to love our kids, before they came, and regardless of their abilities, health, race or behavior, so have we already committed our hearts to love Brittany regardless of the challenges! But that is a blog post for later :)</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Posted by Shannon</span></div>
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<em><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia";">Soli Deo gloria - Glory to God alone</span></em></div>
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