Happy Fourth!

We sure enjoyed our Fourth of July this year.  My parents were in town this year and were able to join in on the New Braunfels festivities.  From the parade down to the fireworks, we had a blast with our family and friends.  What a sweet time it is every year.

Strength in Him

It's been a few months since I've written in this blog.  Between work, two kids, adding a foster child, and life, I haven't had a chance to get in here.  Needless to say, its been busy, and this gets placed on the back burner.  The spring was a busy time.  We started a new semester, Nick and I took a trip to Boston, we were placed with our first foster child the week after, and the rest was a bit of a blur.

We started this process of fostering last year, and in March finally checked all the boxes and became officially certified.  Just a couple of short weeks later we were placed with our first foster child. The month and a half that followed was trying.  With no time off to adjust to the big change, life got crazy, and we were in definite survival mode.  I found myself questioning everything, but I can say that in that time, I became so aware of my inabilities, and so aware of God's total ability.  He has grown me in these past few months beyond what I thought capable, through this sweet child.  I thought we would be the ones changing his life, but I'm realizing that this calling was more for me, than for him.  I don't know what lies ahead for us.  We love him, I can say that.  The kids included.  They have taken him in like he's always been here and love him completely.  I know our desire is for him to stay, but at this point, it's far from certain.  The thought of losing him is more than I can bear right now, so I pray that he stays, but that if it's not His plan, that I would trust Him and that He would make me strong.  

Soccer Star

Mady played soccer again this Spring and this season she walked away scoring three goals!  Talk about an excited mom and dad.  You would have thought she was scoring a goal at the Olympics the way we were yelling!  She may have no interest in ballet pirouettes, but she is one cute soccer girl in all her gear.  She really improved from the last season too.  She had the same coach as last season and such a sweet team.  We are looking forward to a new season in the fall!

Slow down

Big month for our girl.  She registered for kindergarten, turned five, and as of today, ended her time in preschool.  I couldn't be more proud of the girl she is growing up to be, and I couldn't be more of a mess.  It feels like such an end to a chapter of her life as our baby.  She was our first, and our guinea pig.  I fell in love with her the minute I found out I was pregnant, and it's only grown since then.  I had no idea what I was doing when I became her mom, but we learned and figured it out together, and still are.

She teaches me more than I teach her.  She has shown me true love these past couple of months with our foster baby.  The love she has for him an shows him, from day one, both amazes me and makes my heart swell.  Talk about unconditional love.  As always she is strong-willed, determined, smart, sensitive, and funny.  Right now, she wants to be a doctor because she wants to help people feel better, babies and adults.  Before that it was a firefighter because she wanted to save people from fires.  She wants to be the super hero who helps everyone, and it's just part of who she is.

Her love language is definitely quality time.  We had a busy, stressful last month and a half.  This past weekend Nick was off and we made it all about the family,  We did fun things around town, nothing crazy, and the whole weekend she kept saying how much she loved spending time with us and how much she loved this weekend.  She loves family time, and I just want to soak it all in.

I told Nick the other day that I wish I could go back to when she was a baby for just one day and hold that chubby little thing.  Unfortunately, I can't, but my girl is ready to tackle kindergarten and I can't wait to watch her do it.  Mady, I want you to know that you are one of our greatest treasures.  You push me, but in the best way, and I am so blessed to be your mom and have the chance to watch you grow.  Your love for God, the conversations we have about Him, and your desire to learn more about Him is so sweet, and I can't wait to see what He has in store for you.  You are so loved baby girl, and will always have the biggest fan club in me and your dad.

Hanging with the cousins

The cousins came in town for a weekend, and they had such a great time.  They are growing up way too fast, and we are going to be adding another sweet addition to the group next month!  I always love watching them when they're together.

Owen is not a huge fan of pictures, if you couldn't tell.

Christmas

After the high from Disney, we were able to relax at home for Christmas.  After that we traveled back to see the grandparents and had a sweet time celebrating with them.  It is my favorite time of year.

He gets it.

Christmas

After the high from Disney, we were able to relax at home for Christmas.  After that we traveled back to see the grandparents and had a sweet time celebrating with them.  It is my favorite time of year.

He gets it.