Into a mother's heart

I believe that who I am today as a wife, mother and woman of God has a lot to do with my little angel, Madilynn Marie.  Although I only held her briefly and I never knew her well...the loss of her little life has shaped who I am today.  Her little life made a big impact on many.

Eight years ago Madilynn came into the world and was taken up to be with Jesus.  Each year on her birthday we like to have a balloon release, sing happy birthday, and eat cupcakes.

I like to spend some time by myself looking through the memory box my dad made for me.  Some of the things that we keep inside of it are cards and letters that were given to us, the little outfit that she wore, pictures of her, toys that were bought for her and some other little trinkets.

This year Madilynn's birthday happens to fall on Orphan Sunday.  I think that is so neat seeing as though we are about to embark on a journey where we will have the privilege to care for a little orphan girl!  I can't say that if God would have blessed us with another little girl after Madilynn that we would be starting this journey.

Since loosing Madilynn I have prayed that the Lord would bless me with another little princess.  Don't get me wrong, I love my little boys, but my heart longs for a little girl.

Once we have finished all of the requirements to be licensed foster parents we will wait upon the Lord to deliver a little princess.  He may choose to give us a little girl that just needs a mom and dad for a little while, or one that needs us to be her forever family.  Only God knows the journey we are about to begin.

Eight years ago today I didn't even know if I would ever be able to have a child of my own.  God has blessed us with 3 beautiful, healthy boys.  I fully trust Him to be faithful and answer my prayers.

I am not sad today.  My little angel is in heaven.  She never had to experience pain and suffering.  Someday I will get to hold her again and she can tell me all about the fun I've missed!

Happy eighth birthday Madi.  We love you and miss you.

Halloween 2012

We started off our Halloween celebration by going to Riverglen Church for Trunk or Treat.  There were about 35-40 families that decorated their trunks of their cars and handed out treats to the kids. 

 It was a really fun way to trick or treat.

 

Joshie the monkey

Caleb the lion.





Casey the elephant



Caleb is a loving lion

The Buntrock Zoo

Uncle Andy was an angry bird at Trunk or Treat.

Digging  M&M's out of the toilet!

Vegetales theme

Casey's favorite trunk.  You had to reach through the spider web to get your treat.

Joshie didn't care about the trunk but he sure liked the treats!

I thought this one was clever.

Scoping out the loot.

Time for a sugar high

How much can this monkey fit in his little mouth?

 On Halloween night was did some Trick or Treating around the neighborhood.  When I put Joshua's costume on it was as if he knew what was coming next....treats!

 

Happy Halloween!

Halloween fun at the ZOO

Casey was off of school today and the weather was perfect so we went to our favorite place...the ZOO!    There were a lot of fun Halloween decorations throughout the ZOO.  The boys enjoyed finding fun Jack-O-lanterns.  Some had things carved into them and others were painted. These were our favorites.  

The spider web was one of the coolest decorations we saw.  

It was so nice to spend the morning with all 3 of my little men.  

I have missed my big boys and I think they have missed each other as well.  

 Casey was all about the bats today.  They give me the creeps, but the boys think they are cool.

 We always end our trip with a ride on the train.  The wait is always a lesson in patience for the boys.

Looking forward to spending the day with all 4 of my men tomorrow!  

Fall

The weather this fall has been beautiful.  I love those days when we can open the windows and enjoy the fresh air.   One thing I have learned as a mom of 3 boys, if I can get them outside to burn off some energy my day will be a little less crazy.  Here are some pictures from the past several weeks of the boys burning energy and enjoying autumn.    

Caleb really enjoys digging and building in the sand.

Joshie loves that he can climb up and go down the slide all by himself.

Joshua at the top of one of the big boy slides at Frame Park.

I love the looks this boy gives me.

Who me?

I love to tickle this boy.

We were checking out the pumpkin goop.

Joshua loves to play with the mini pumpkins.

My helper

Melts my heart.  

Mischievous Caleb 

Finally, a picture of my big boy!  He misses a lot of the fun while he's at school.
Shh , don't tell him!

My 3 monkeys!

Joshua loves to play peek a boo around the tree.

What a cutie pie.