July and August... the rewind.

Blogging has definitely taken a back seat to waiting to go meet our boys and living life with our sweet Gabriel.  The day to day life of summer seemed long but it's hard to believe that it's already August and summer and it's beautiful weather is almost just a memory.  We made so many memories and are so excited to see what next summer hold for our family of 5!  FIVE!

But here's our summer in rewind...

Fourth of July at the Indians game followed by Fireworks.  Gabe's first!

Lots of baseball! 

A favorite pastime is stopping at playgrounds.  Close to our home or if we happen upon them while driving... Gabe loves a new place to play.

Meeting baby Anna, Gabe's newest cousin. 

Rocket launching in the front yard.

 Gabe's first Vacation Bible School!  He had so much fun and learned so much!

Golf Them Home fundraiser!

Splash park fun!

Multiple trips to the local fairs!

Pure cuteness.

Impromptu trips to an indoor water park.

The zoo with our besties.

Fun with Ethan at Dave and Busters!

Stopping at every "picture taker" we find.

Lake Erie Nature Center... Gabe's favorite exhibit is the bees.

Date night Tribe game with this handsome fellow.  And a short walk to see the world's largest outdoor chandelier.

Dancing in the rain.  There is always time to dance in the rain.  Always.

One of Gabe's birthday presents was a family pass to the aquarium and we were so excited to use it for the first time! 

Lots of time in Nonny and Papo's back yard. 

Children's Museum of Cleveland.  A fun and messy time of learning.  

 Babysitting baby Anna.  Gabe was a great help.

"the story is not over yet"

For the past two years I have had the privileged of going to the Created for Care conference in Atlanta. The mini sessions provided allow me to work on my skill set needed as an adoptive mom, the main sessions provided an opportunity for God to pour much needed refreshment into my soul and the camaraderie of being with like-hearted women; ones who know the song in my heart, sing it with me when I'm weary and dance alongside me when I'm rejoicing... well, that is just too precious for words.  

But this year, going to Atlanta seemed impossible.  That's where our story ended... where we left the one who would always hold part of our hearts behind.  Panic ensued when I waited to board the plane; how could I return to the place where my heart broke.  With encouragement from my fabulous husband and from friends who are all too familiar with the pain of loss, I boarded the plane, didn't create too much of a scene and the flight took off.  

On a side note, if you watch Friends you'll laugh with me.  I was completely envisioning a missing right phalange episode with how much my anxiety was overwhelming sure.  Surely the discreet airplane marshal was more than aware of my presence on that plane.  

But I made it to Atlanta and safely into the arms of friends who were waiting for me.  

This beautiful lodge was waiting for us.  You think adoption conference and think conference style hotel... but Created for Care treats us like royalty and brings us to this beautiful resort to refresh and reconnect.  

                                             

The extraordinary view I woke up to each morning.  Seriously who goes away for a conference and has such a beautiful view. 

                           

The company is definitely a highlight of the conference.  Some of the most amazingly faithful and beautiful women in my life gathered together at one place.  The Lord has surely blessed me with magnificent friends during this adoption journey.  

Thankful that God placed these beautiful roommates in my path this year. 

My friend Marlisa; shining light of God.  

Heather gets my heart and loves me still!  

Hope is our anchor.  This girl is amazing!

My soul sister, Jen! No words necessary.

Adoption mama's always wear each other's t-shirts.

Super amazing girls who's faithfulness encourages me every day.

I could write for hours the wisdom the speakers impressed on my life and the truths God pressed on my hearts during this weekend away.  Instead I'll share something that Beth Guckenburger shared her first night speaking: the story isn't over yet.  Just the day before as I arrived in Atlanta my mind was overwhelmed by the way our story ended here in Atlanta.  And while there will always be grief over losing our girl last July, our story didn't end there.  Even when we can't see, even when we can't feel it or fathom to believe it our story is continuing on.  It is being written in ways we can't even imagine; there will be highs, lows and chapters left unfinished. 

But it is not over.  

When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, the women were given no time to pack up their homes, their lives just moments to gather themselves and leave. 

But Miriam, she packed a tambourine.  

When the Pharaoh chased after them and they were greeted by the Red Sea, the story could have been over.  

But it wasn't.  

When the Red Sea parted and Moses led the Israelites across, Pharoah and his soldiers were close behind.  Safely on the other side, the walls of the sea fell back down and swept the Pharoah and his people away.  

The story could have been over then.  But it wasn't.  

Instead of being over, Miriam brought out her tambourine and began praising the Lord.  

Miriam brought her tambourine, not out of necessity but out of hope.

Hopeful expectation that the Lord would come through. 

And He does.

Every time. 

The story may not look the way you expected it.

But it's not over.

Not yet. 

So wait.  

Expectantly. 

Tambourines at the ready.

One More Day

One short day....

Just one more day until I hop on a plane to {slightly} warmer weather where I will be with these beautiful ladies.  Ladies who's hearts beat like mine; ladies who know the joy, loss, heartache and redemption adoption brings. 

I can not wait.  Let me repeat.  Can. Not Wait. 

This time together is going to be so good.  

Preparing our hearts to better love our children and our minds to better parent our children.  

We may be leaving our homes weary and worn but we will be returning renewed and strengthened.  

One Short Day from Wicked is playing in my mind as I type this... instead of the Emerald Village I'm singing about the Legacy Lodge.  

Eek!  So excited!

Be loved.

Beloved.

Be love.

Gabe's First Field Trip

We're planning on schooling Gabe at home.  It's something we've put a lot of thought and prayer into and for right now, it's what works best for our family.  Fortunately we were welcomed right into an area homeschooling group and this past Monday Gabe had his first official school field trip.  

Eeek!!  His first field trip! It's official.  Gabe's a big boy now! 

We went to a local fire station where we learned about fire safety, fire trucks and planning for an emergency.  I was pretty impressed by the fact we had more than the number of recommended smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in our house and our refrigerator already sports an escape plan (thank you home study requirements!).  We do need to work on the whole "stop (cover your eyes), drop and roll" aspect of fire safety but we'll get there.  

Gabe was excited about the fire trucks, a little unsure about sitting in the fire truck and in love with the firehouse dog, Siren.  Firemen Frank and Ryan even turned the lights and sirens on on the bucket truck.  Gabe said the lights were "so cool Mom" (yes, he calls me mom some times... where did my baby go?) but was happy when the siren was turned off.  

Gabe's first field trip.  

December 17, 2013.  

The beginning of a new phase of our sweet boy's life.  

Catching Up (picture overload post!)

Besides special events like turning four and visiting with the Cleveland Browns, we have been keeping busy with every day life.  A brief synopsis!

Lake Erie Science and Nature Center.  Climbing through trees.  Looking at animals.  Making fish faces.

We baked cookies.  Well, I baked and Gabe practiced his stirring techniques which resulted in our kitchen covered in flour.  But we had fun!

Lots of basketball on the front lawn.  And bubbles, chalk drawing and playing with the neighbors dog.

Gabe took a short trip to the moon for some weightless walking.

I fear The Cat in the Hat will never get old to Gabriel.  Matt and I can pretty much recite it in our sleep. 

Splash pad fun.  Crocker park.  The Metroparks.  If there is a splash pad, we will be there.  It's kind of like a Field of Dreams thing with the whole "if you build it they will come" minus the baseball...and the ghosts. 

Raspberry and blueberry jam making.  All organic ingredients resulting in super delicious jam.  I don't think I'd ever had blueberry jam before and I am in love with it.  In love, I tell you!  It's good on a sandwich, toast, crackers and in plain yogurt.  On a spoon out of the jar!

Above my stove.  "I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13.  Love that verse.

Building at Barnes and Noble.

Bounce house fun at Uncle Mark's BBQ

Spending lots of time with this sweet guy.  Eli and Gabe are definitely BFF's!  Gabe has shared his love of trains, dinosaurs and Toy Story with Eli.  Eli makes Gabe laugh a lot.  They're a great match.

More swim therapy.  Gabe has so much fun with Miss Keri and is loving learning how to swim.

Gabe spent a lot of time watching the construction crew work around our house.  This was his second favorite spot.  He could usually be found hiding behind the curtain on the front door watching the tractor and cement truck.

Life with this boy is phenomenal; it's full, it's lovely and it's ours.

 "Where there is love there is life"

 - Mahatma Gandhi