I know God has such great things planned for this boy. As Garrison would say, "I can feel it in my feathers!".
~Random Thoughts by Jewels~ A little about being a wife and mom, a little about adoption, a little about cooking, a little about Jesus, a little about this city girl going country and a lot of random thoughts!
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
First Day of Second Grade
This is just a quick post to capture Garrison's first day of 2nd grade! I cannot believe how fast time has gone.
I know God has such great things planned for this boy. As Garrison would say, "I can feel it in my feathers!".
I know God has such great things planned for this boy. As Garrison would say, "I can feel it in my feathers!".
Somebody Tell Them
I am loving this City Harbor Song, "Somebody Tell Them"!
Chorus:
Somebody tell him that the lost are saved
Somebody tell him that his debt has been paid
Let him know that love is calling out his name
Somebody tell him that he's a child of the king
And there's an end to the suffering
And hope that never fades
Through grace that's made a way
Do you ever look in someone's eyes and just see how lost they are? This song makes me think about those people. It makes me think about the kids who act out just because they don't get love or attention at home. And the teenage girls who feel like they have to dress a certain way or succumb to the pressure of having sex just to be accepted. And the pregnant mothers who are so completely torn about whether or not to have an abortion. And those who have been overtaken by a life of addiction. And the children who have been molested and don't understand what they did to deserve it. And the women and children who feel imprisoned in a home with domestic violence. And the men who feel like they have to hurt women and children to be heard or have some sort of power.
I realize that telling someone about God isn't going to change their life circumstances. But it plants a seed. And listening to them plants a seed. And reserving judgment on them plants a seed. And inviting them to church plants a seed. And loving them plants a seed.
Romans 8:28 tells us that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. I believe that. I believe it because I have witnessed it. I believe it because I have lived it.
I'm learning that the only way to show people the way to Jesus is through love.
~Jewels*
Chorus:
Somebody tell him that the lost are saved
Somebody tell him that his debt has been paid
Let him know that love is calling out his name
Somebody tell him that he's a child of the king
And there's an end to the suffering
And hope that never fades
Through grace that's made a way
Do you ever look in someone's eyes and just see how lost they are? This song makes me think about those people. It makes me think about the kids who act out just because they don't get love or attention at home. And the teenage girls who feel like they have to dress a certain way or succumb to the pressure of having sex just to be accepted. And the pregnant mothers who are so completely torn about whether or not to have an abortion. And those who have been overtaken by a life of addiction. And the children who have been molested and don't understand what they did to deserve it. And the women and children who feel imprisoned in a home with domestic violence. And the men who feel like they have to hurt women and children to be heard or have some sort of power.
I realize that telling someone about God isn't going to change their life circumstances. But it plants a seed. And listening to them plants a seed. And reserving judgment on them plants a seed. And inviting them to church plants a seed. And loving them plants a seed.
Romans 8:28 tells us that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. I believe that. I believe it because I have witnessed it. I believe it because I have lived it.
I'm learning that the only way to show people the way to Jesus is through love.
~Jewels*
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Port Aransas 2013
What a fun, relaxing, sometimes exhausting and not quite enough sleep vacation!
We took off last Thursday afternoon for Austin to stay with my cousin for the night. We thought breaking up the trip would help the boys with the long car ride. Can you tell I was pretty excited for vacation?
I LOVED seeing my cousin and her new house but the traffic/construction/rain getting to Austin wasn't too fun. Who closes down an entire highway at 8 pm for construction?!
Good thing the hubbs found a way around the construction! We were so happy to finally get to my cousin's house. I would love to say the boys slept great but I'll just say Garrison did. Ethan was up crying around 3 am and again at 6 am. That boy can sleep through dogs barking, Garrison playing and Garrett yelling at the tv during baseball season at home but he does not do well when we travel. :/ I was so happy my cousin got up early with me to visit and hang out.
Ethan sure wanted to get in their pool! Too bad it wasn't quite ready yet.
He settled for some snuggle time with Elisabeth!
After some breakfast (ridiculously good breakfast tacos from a taco truck up the street) we were on our way to Port A! And this sight sure was refreshing since we were in a hurry to get to the beach!
We finally made it to the house! I wasn't too worried about getting us a house right on the beach because in Port A you can drive your car right up to the shore line if you want. Talk about perfect for the kids, especially those that are still in the napping stages. Our beach house was really close to town and still only a couple blocks for the beach. It really was such a great beach house!
Kristin and the kiddos arrived on Sunday afternoon. I think the big boys were super excited to see each other. KiKi came fully prepared with toys and games (unlike her little sister). Headbands!
Later that night after all the kids were in bed the grown ups stayed up to have a game night. Everything was going great until we heard Ethan screaming upstairs. This did not seem to abnormal but when I got him up to bring him downstairs I quickly realized this was not a normal cry. He was screeching and writhing around in pain. My little boy has always had tummy issues but this time it was really bad. So bad in fact that we decided to go ahead and take him to the ER (prune juice and Mirilax just weren't doing the trick). The nearest urgent care place was way too far so we hopped the ferry in the middle of the night and went to a not so modern hospital... where we waited, and waited, and waited! I could go on and on and but I'll just leave you with this picture. Daddy did a good job blowing up this surgical glove to keep little E entertained.
The poor baby didn't even doze off until around 2:30 am. They took an x-ray and surprise, surprise...the little guy was full of shit (pun intended)! Did they give him an enema like we wanted? Nope. Just instructions on where to get one and how to do it ourselves the next day...awesome!
After about three hours of sleep for me and a trip to the pharmacy with my dad I had to follow doctor's orders. With the help of KiKi, Grammy and Papa (to whom I am forever grateful) we gave our hopefully last ever enemas to this unsuspecting little boy. I will spare you the details but let me tell you those things WORK! (And they are still working well into this week!)
Let me tell you, I do not do well on little sleep. And that was reconfirmed on Monday when I tried so hard to make it through the day completely exhausted. I did it but I'm pretty sure I slept harder than I ever have that next night. (Thankfully Ethan slept 9 hours straight! Praise the Lord!)
Some of my favorite beach pictures from Tuesday.
Here are some pictures my mom sent me of their day adventure with the big boys. They rented a golf cart and tooled around town. Snow cones for the boys of course!
Thankfully Garrett works with a guy who used to live in Corpus and he told us a great way to go back. Not only was it a beautiful scenic drive but we avoided I-35, thank goodness!
I really am a beach girl! I can't wait until we can afford to move to a coastal town and just enjoy it every single day! Until then I will just try and remember this view!
~Jewels*
We took off last Thursday afternoon for Austin to stay with my cousin for the night. We thought breaking up the trip would help the boys with the long car ride. Can you tell I was pretty excited for vacation?
I LOVED seeing my cousin and her new house but the traffic/construction/rain getting to Austin wasn't too fun. Who closes down an entire highway at 8 pm for construction?!
Good thing the hubbs found a way around the construction! We were so happy to finally get to my cousin's house. I would love to say the boys slept great but I'll just say Garrison did. Ethan was up crying around 3 am and again at 6 am. That boy can sleep through dogs barking, Garrison playing and Garrett yelling at the tv during baseball season at home but he does not do well when we travel. :/ I was so happy my cousin got up early with me to visit and hang out.
Ethan sure wanted to get in their pool! Too bad it wasn't quite ready yet.
Upstairs deck
Grammy got some quality time in with her boys right away!
We made it down to the beach and I was a happy girl! I think the boys were pretty happy too!
Garrison was ready to boogie!
I just loved this sign in the bathroom!
Dad and Garrett couldn't wait to test out the grill, aka drink beer and smoke cigars, while cooking! :)
The next day we went to a little shop in town with a HUGE shark out front. The boys loved it!
It scared the pants off E! :)
Papa enjoying some time with the boys back at the beach house.
The next day at the beach was just as fun! Here are some of my favorite pictures!
Kristin and the kiddos arrived on Sunday afternoon. I think the big boys were super excited to see each other. KiKi came fully prepared with toys and games (unlike her little sister). Headbands!
Later that night after all the kids were in bed the grown ups stayed up to have a game night. Everything was going great until we heard Ethan screaming upstairs. This did not seem to abnormal but when I got him up to bring him downstairs I quickly realized this was not a normal cry. He was screeching and writhing around in pain. My little boy has always had tummy issues but this time it was really bad. So bad in fact that we decided to go ahead and take him to the ER (prune juice and Mirilax just weren't doing the trick). The nearest urgent care place was way too far so we hopped the ferry in the middle of the night and went to a not so modern hospital... where we waited, and waited, and waited! I could go on and on and but I'll just leave you with this picture. Daddy did a good job blowing up this surgical glove to keep little E entertained.
The poor baby didn't even doze off until around 2:30 am. They took an x-ray and surprise, surprise...the little guy was full of shit (pun intended)! Did they give him an enema like we wanted? Nope. Just instructions on where to get one and how to do it ourselves the next day...awesome!
After about three hours of sleep for me and a trip to the pharmacy with my dad I had to follow doctor's orders. With the help of KiKi, Grammy and Papa (to whom I am forever grateful) we gave our hopefully last ever enemas to this unsuspecting little boy. I will spare you the details but let me tell you those things WORK! (And they are still working well into this week!)
Ethan all snuggled up with Will. So sweet!
A little outside fun on Monday night before dinner.
Sweet Big Bro!
This is pretty much how Ethan was the whole trip. I think the only words we heard from him were, "NO!", "Stop it!" or "Let Go!". HA!
This is seriously my all time favorite picture and it needs no caption!
Ethan: "Now she's a hoss!"
Garrison was a pro on the skim board!
Gorgeous sunset on our only night out to dinner. Just beautiful!
Here are some pictures my mom sent me of their day adventure with the big boys. They rented a golf cart and tooled around town. Snow cones for the boys of course!
Thankfully Garrett works with a guy who used to live in Corpus and he told us a great way to go back. Not only was it a beautiful scenic drive but we avoided I-35, thank goodness!
Ferry ride
We stopped for lunch in Le Grange. You know you're in a small town when your drink is served in a mason jar...that's what I'm talkin' about!
Me and the boys at the Veterans Memorial. It was so cool, surrounded with all the military flags.
Daddy and the boys
I think someone was tuckered out. This is definitely a picture worthy of the slide show for his wedding one day! :)
Just a little reading on the way home! :)
I really am a beach girl! I can't wait until we can afford to move to a coastal town and just enjoy it every single day! Until then I will just try and remember this view!
~Jewels*
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