Merry CHRISTmas!

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

JOY in the moment!

As of tomorrow, December will be a very busy month for us.

Ummm, in addition to Christmas.

At 8 a.m. Kasidi is scheduled for injections.  This is slightly different from the prior injections given in June and September.

Like before, this should temporarily relieve the muscle spasticity in her hamstrings and heel cords.  The procedure in September did not work, so we are stepping it up a notch.  If we don't see results, it will lend to the notion that her spinal cord is tethered again.

In any case, 7 to 10 days after the injections she will begin four weeks of serial casting, which she handles like a pro.

We are praying there is no tether.

We are praying no surgery is necessary yet.

We are thankful for less invasive measures for now.

Within the next 8 weeks Kasidi will see the neurologist, the neurosurgeon, the orthotist and the orthopedic surgeon.

She will greet each with a high-five, walk for them, kick a ball for them, roll her eyes at them, and probably ask a few questions of them.

And she will astound them all!

She handles life with such grace and JOY!

She inspires me to do the same.

This Christmas is Different

This time last year all we had were anxious hearts, aching arms and a handful of pictures.

As I hung the stockings last week, I realized this is only the third Christmas in nine years that we haven't been waiting to bring one of our Treasures home.

God is so very faithful.  In times of waiting, and in times of content.

Khloie receiving the Christmas gifts we sent.

Today she is orphaned no more!  She is a daughter and a sister!

This year she will hear about Jesus, the one Reason we celebrate Christmas; she will be tucked in by her daddy and mommy, and she will play hide and seek with her brothers and sisters.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

John 14:18

Fill Their Stockings 2013!

Wanna give in a meaningful way (and have a chance at winning something to boot!) this year?  Check out Fill Their Stockings 2013 on Stefanie's blog!  Here's the post ~

It’s go time, y’all. Today we launch the first of three phenomenal giveaways – all to benefit orphans in China.

I can’t wait to share this first bundle of fun…

An iPad mini (when did electronics become so dang cute?!)

And so much gift-card-goodness.

Love every inch of this giveaway. Especially a few weeks before Christmas.

A little fine print: All the items in this post will be gifted to one winner, chosen at random from all the entries received on all three blogs – funds raised here will go to Lifeline’s Maoming Project, funds raised by Lisa will go to Half the Sky and funds raised by Diana will go to Pearl River Outreach.

Please see the notes below for all the details and a button to donate to Lifeline’s Maoming Project – funding foster care and school rooms for kindergarden, 1st grade, and 2nd grade orphans in Maoming, China.

And here we go…

*donated anonymously in honor of An Orphan’s Wish*

*$50 iTunes card donated by Sheri Winters and $50 iTunes card donated by Tiffany Johnson*
*Best Buy gift card donated by Joe and Jennifer from My Adoption Website*
*Amazon gift card donated by 2 China Babies*
*$50 Target card donated by Fire Blossom Candle Company and $50 Target card donated anonymously*

A few details on Fill Their Stockings:

- Lifeline will be blessed by any amount you would like to give to the Maoming Project. I do ask that you consider a minimum donation of $5; additional entries will be given for multiples of $5. You can also enter without donating, just leave your name, email and mailing address in a comment on this post. Please note, if you donate, you do not have to leave your address in a comment, we will have that information with your donation.

- To donate, simply use the button below and you’ll be directed to Lifeline’s donation page. Please choose “Fill Their Stockings” as the option for your donation. All funds go directly to Lifeline and will be used to support foster care and fund school rooms for kindergarden, 1st grade, and 2nd grade orphans in Maoming, China.

- You must have a shipping address in the US to win.

- This giveaway will end at 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, December 8th. The winner will be chosen at random and announced shortly thereafter. So be sure to check back soon – not only see if you’ve won, but to see what fabulous bundle o’ fun is going to be featured next.

*remember to select “Fill Their Stockings” in the comment section*

Thank you in advance for loving on some very special little ones this Christmas!

Now, what are you waiting for???

Hold Up; It's December!

Since I'm determined to send out Christmas cards this year, we had an impromptu photo shoot over Thanksgiving.

 You can bet there were outtakes.  Lots of outtakes.

 The most exciting news of all is that Kuyler and Caitlin are engaged!  We are so blessed to have Caitlin join our family!

 I love this picture of Kolton and Kenzie!  Thanks, Allie, for letting them ride.

 We enjoyed each other's company...and food.  Lots of food!

 My handsome guys!

 Hanging of the Green, the most beautiful service of the year!

 On the road to spend Sunday with Clayton's 9 siblings - what a blessing!

December will be a busy month for Kasidi Joy.  We have more tests, a procedure in the middle of the month, and if serial casting is necessary, it will begin right before Christmas.

And that's what's happened in the last five days.
More to come.
Next Sunday we have a youth concert to raise funds for Philippine relief.  Stay tuned for details...

The Faces of 4!

 Guess who had a birthday?
Little Miss Spunk!

We praise God for her life...and her personality.

Did I mention...

...her personality?

Kasidi Joy, we are so blessed to call you daughter and sister.  You've proven that nothing will hold you back.  God has great things in store for you, Joy!  Happy birthday, sweet Treasure!

Ruin Me!

Woe to me I am unclean 
A sinner found in Your presence 
I see you seated on Your throne 
Exalted, Your Glory surrounds You 

Pre-chorus 
Now the plans that I have made 
Fail to compare when I see your glory 

Chorus 
Ruin my life the plans I have made 
Ruin desires for my own selfish gain 
Destroy the idols that have taken Your place 
'Till its You alone I live for, 
You alone I live for. (repeat) 

Bridge 
Holy Holy is the Lord Almighty 
Holy is the Lord! 

Holy Holy is the Lord Almighty 
Holy is the Lord! 

Hurry Up...and Slow Down!

It's mid November, in case you're like me and have been too busy to stop and look at the calendar!

Our fall schedule has revolved around football, medical appointments, loads of homework, trying new soup recipes, attempting to keep the structure that wards off chaos, and looking for any opportunity to make everything fun.

I snagged a few of my favorite pix from my phone, and I wish they were all perfectly focused...but I usually have 1.2 nanoseconds to get the shot, good or not.  Nonetheless, they are great memories!

Biggest sister Kenzie with littlest sister Khloie 

Playoffs, Kolton Tee's last football game.

The Fan Klub!

What to do when Mom forgets the sticks for caramel apples?  Easy peasy, use chopsticks!

I love it when the kids get off the bus and say, "Ohhhh, Mom's making candles!"

Daddy makes everything fun, even Kasidi's physical therapy!

We have 3 more kiddos who can now see the chalkboard, thanks to glasses!

We rock early morning doctor appointments!

Sunday Kenzie sang a song that touched my heart so!  God has truly gifted her!  Shhh, don't tell her I posted it ~
(it's blurry for a few seconds in the beginning, probably my camera focusing with all the kiddos hanging on my arms)

What are you up to this fall?