So many things

So many things. 

I’ve taken on way too much in life these days.  Most evenings I am just spent and the mornings come so fast that I wonder how I can back the clock up and get my night back.

Today, Dave and I head to Charlotte to get fingerprinted for our 1600-A form.  It’s still not filed.  We attempted to file it back in July but we were told at the time that we needed to re-do our home study since it was more than 6 months old.  That will be finished next week so off to get the fingerprints.  Just another small step in this LONG PROCESS.

Three Adoptive families from Maranatha have all in the past few weeks and this week gone to visit their precious children.  I’m missing Frankie BIG TIME this month.  It’s been a hard “missing him” month.  I feel guilty for not being able to go more often.  With each family it’s always different and for us we are doing what we can do but I still feel guilty that I’m letting him down.  Looking forward to taking Dave to  Haiti for the first time this November to see his son.

I also leave today to stay in Charlotte for the weekend for the Ramblin Rose Tri with 17 other ladies.  My friend Courtney has been heading this whole thing up.  I’m pretty nervous about race day…. because I have done little training in the swim and bike portion.  I don’t race swim… never have but I think I’ll still make it.  I’ve done a few trials.  I’m just going to go and have lots of FUN.  No pressure.  Run the race and have a blast while doing it. I’m not too worried (just a little) about surviving the tri since my friend Wendy and I are training for a half at the end of October.  Last week we logged 16 miles of training for the week.  This week has been an off week since we are prepping for the tri but next Saturday we hit 7 as our long run. Slowly getting there.  Still wonder what I’m thinking about doing a half again.

Tennis… well I am wondering when you throw the racket in?  I love playing but when it comes to our league matches I’m awful.  I’ve been playing 5-8 hrs a week on average and still feel so far behind the other ladies ranked at what I am.  I love playing… I hate playing bad…. oh the joys of getting back into the game…. many days I think I need to throw in the racket… the racket from 1999. 

PTO- WOW, did not realize I was taking on another “job”.  It’s been a blessing getting to know people at Emma’s school and feeling like I’m helping out.  But what an amazing amount of work that often comes with lots of communication barriers .  I’m finally getting the hang of things in accounting world and most of this week was spent opening hundreds of fundraising packets.  You know the crap that gets sent home for your kids to sell?  The good news about it is that we have made some great money to help fund some extra things at the school this year.  That pumps me up!  But still never thought about the person having to organize that whole things… yuck.

HOA – Cookout that was planned for last weekend was rained out (of course… it’s always rains when you plan something) and is now rescheduled for next weekend.  Lots of planning and details to confirm.  I love our neighborhood and the families here.  Glad to help make opportunities for our lives to intersect.  But always something to do…

Wayfarer – So busy trying to fit my part-time schedule work into my new part part time schedule work.  It’s a hard time but like our camp theme last year… Wayfarer is on the Verge of greatness.  I’m a little biassed… but from the glimpses that I get, I get so pumped about this next year for Wayfarer and the heart of what we do… that is becoming defined.  Wow, do I really get to ride this ride?  I’m glad I’m tall enough. Ha!

Dave – Well hopefully we’ll talk today.  (smiles)  He went to the South Carolina game last night and at 1AM before heading to bed I called his phone only to be annoyed… It’s dead.  Had not heard from him since the afternoon… Called his dad’s phone who then picked up and asked to speak to my husband.  “Babe, why did you not call me?  I was getting worried.. I had not heard from you all day?” His reply… “my phone died”  my reply  ” did you not think to use one of the other 3 phones in the car with you to check in with your dear worried wife?” ANd thus we know the answer to that one.  .  The joys of being married. LOL

The kids – I love my kids more than I can imagine.  They are the best kids ever….. assuming your kids are too.  We had an amazing day yesterday.  They bring so much joy to my life.  So much joy.  Kisses before bed and kisses and good mornings in the morning.  And lately the sweetest dreams for me about Frankie in Haiti.  I love Frankie dreams where I dream of just a normal day together with all of us.

I think I missed so many other bullet points.

So Many things….

A Frankie Update!

We just got an update last week on Frankie.  I’ve been thankful for a busy season in life right now because it takes my mind off the waiting and knowing there is nothing we can do but wait….

Aaron Ivey just wrote a great post last week on why adoptions in Haiti take so long.  He and his wife Jamie are adopting two children Amos and Story from Haiti.  Check it out his post here you are wondering why all the waiting…. 

Here are the latest pictures of Frankie  and some Frankie news…..

And at a “movie night” with some of his friends…

and news from the people that love him so much……
We resumed our nightly routine with the children a week ago Monday.  During English Camp we were unable to maintain the nighttime routine because of our responsibilities with volunteers, dinner, and preparations for the following day’s responsibilities.  However, all of the children and nannies participated during the first hour of English Camp.  Our first hour consisted of calisthenics, singing – praise and worship songs, silly songs, camp songs – a Bible memory verse, and a Bible story – which was nearly always acted out.  The children loved it, and so did the nannies.  I was especially glad that they participated because I knew that they were still being spiritually fed.

I have been very impressed with Frankie’s development over the summer. When we had our last night time routines before English Camp started, he was still needing to be held nearly the whole time (if he wasn’t he was all over the place).  He would watch and enjoy our songs and stories, but did not participate very much.  Since we have resumed our nighttime routine Frankie has completely amazed me.  He will sit near me, sing most of the songs, and does all of the motions to the songs – he is attentive and obviously understanding everything.  His attention span has grown considerably!  Frankie repeats everything – in both English and Kreyol.  He also understands both languages.

Frankie loves his vitamins, loves to eat, loves to play, and is generally a very happy boy!

Worst run ever….

I had the worst run I”ve ever had today.  It was awful.  I’m running a half again in Greenville on Oct 31 and a few weeks ago I committed to a friend to train and do it.  Today I’m wondering what the Bleep I was thinking.  I have no clue why it was so hard.  I’ve been doing my runs this week and today was my long run.  The goal today was , 6 miles.  The reality… 3 hard miles and walked it in.  Not sure if it was the hunters that scared me on my route..(um, deer season is already here???) Something about men with guns and running a road through an open field did not sit really well… but that really had nothing to do with the miserable run.  I seriously cried, yelled and then finally said I’m done.  I can’t do it.  And thus the walking began.

During my walking it in time I had a lot of time to think.  Why was today so different?  I will chalk it up to a bad run for sure and I think those days come just for no reason at all.  But I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that I was doing it alone.  The short runs… no big deal heading out on my own but the long ones… If I’m alone then a lot of who I am is just ready to quit when things get hard.

I think that is why I and Dave and I choose to do lots of things in our life with people.  I mean sure we can do things on our own but where is the fun in that and to be honest I think we would quite half the time.

Adoption – It’s so dang hard.  And I’m pissed it’s hard.  And we have so much to be grateful for on this journey.  We have friends… 2 families who started the adoption process through Haiti the same time we did.  They still are not in the system and it makes me so mad.  It seems so unfair.  My heart breaks for them.  It’s tough all around.  I hate hearing stories of the long processes and hold ups but it’s sharing that journey that keeps us going.  I don’t feel alone at all in this process.  I’m so thankful for the people I get to watch and learn journey through all of this.  The good and the bad… it keeps us going.  It makes life richer. The run it doable because we don’t go at it alone

Ministry – Reflecting on our lives and our daily jobs… I’m so thankful we don’t have to go at it alone.  If it were just Dave and I out there trying to pull off any part of what we do.. well I’m afraid we would have quit long ago and Wayfarer would have failed miserably.  I can’t even begin to explain the joy it is to walk with people together through good times and through bad times… through ups and downs and transitions.  To rub shoulders and give and sweat on mission together. … and cheer one on when they head down another road.   It’s not often easy and It’s hard and many times I want to throw in the towel but then I get to look at other people in the face and see them believe in what we are doing and be determined and the hard times pass and I know we’ll make it and make impact.  But the run it doable because we don’t go at it alone.

Life -  It’s crazy how you’ll be going along and everything seems to fine and then without warning life throws you a curve ball and you feel like you just got taken out of the game.  Life.  It’s so rich and yet so complex.  Life, People, Family, Values, Finances, Beliefs, Politics,  Health, Friendships.  Sometimes my head hurts just thinking of all the twists and turns things can take at any random time.  I’ve wanted to give up many times on many things…. but once again,  the run it doable because we don’t go at it alone.  Just when I think I’m alone, I’m reminded that I’m not.

Next time I’ll be sure to avoid running alone on a long run.  Could not be helped today… my partner in crime was out-of-pocket.  But at least it was a good time for me today to reflect on the need of having people journey with me in life…. For me, it’s much needed.  I don’t ever want to go at it alone.

last day…

Our last full day at the beach today….  It happens every year.  Dave and I look at each other and really wonder how the time went by so fast…  These three girls are begging to get out in the sun for their last day.

The last day also means one more day till we have to go home and pick up where we left off.  Not that it’s a bad thing but we do walk right back into all the things we were able to put on hold for a week.  It’s been nice to detox.  To not think and just be.  Wouldn’t it be great if we could all do that more often?  I think Dave and I could stay here a whole month.

A time to relax

I think it takes a few days for anyone to finally relax.  I think I woke up this morning feeling ..”ok, I think I am officially relaxed.”  I think it hit Dave as well.  I mean how can you not relax when this painting is waiting for you out of every window…

It’s so different with the kids this year.  Izzie is so much more independant and because of that I find myself not having to constantly be with her and directing her.  I mean I can take a book down to the beach and actually read it while the girls play and play and play…. 

Each evening mom has been doing a craft with the kids.  They are now at the age where they really appreciate it.  Last night they made hermit crabs and read the story A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle.  They painted shells for their crabs and have been carrying them around all morning…

 

And last night Dave did himself in.  His mission was to let me experience the best cut of meat I’ve ever had.  Dave and I love a good meal.  We are that couple who keeps an envelope in our dresser drawer and through the year we put extra cash in it as our fun money… for times such as these.  He took me to Ruth’s Chris last night.  I’ve never been there.  And I will say it was the best steak I’ve ever had.  In some ways Dave just ruined me.  I will never be able to eat meat at any other place and think it was great.  I mean it was that good.  If you ever can make a trip there I suggest that you do, or maybe not.  I can’t believe it took Dave 10 years to take me there.  I’m still thinking about it this morning.  What an experience.

Rest.  Everyone needs it.  I’m thankful we are getting it.  It was and has been a much needed.  Tonight it our favorite night.  It’s Captain Hook night.  A tradition that started 4 years ago.  We all head for Pizza at this great pizza place, then we play the captain hook putt putt course (it gets pretty competitive) and then we stop at a local ice cream dive on the way home for some fabulous home made ice cream.  Can’t wait.

Just finished my second cup of coffee and am getting ready to head to the beach.  Happy Tuesday to you all.

It’s the little things that bring such joy

It’s a Sunday morning worship time with family as we journey to the ocean together and cast our rocks as far as we can out to the ocean which symbolizes the releasing of things we need to give to God… (And notice my great grandfather looking up to the condo on the 12th floor to my great grandmother who could not make the walk to the beach… he threw her rocks for her…)

It’s little girls playing in sand for hours on a beautiful overcast day… the perfect beach day.

Touching fish…. (the kids, not me!)

And making starfish…

It’s the little things that bring much joy…..

The need to Vacate

Warning… Alarms going off…mass confusion all around…alarms still sounding…  Our family looks at each other and all agree, It’s time to VACATE the house.  To stop dead in our tracks… leave all the “stuff” that is going on in our lives right now at the door and head East to “not think and play way too much!”

And vacate we have.  We left yesterday for our favorite September Location… aka.. Myrtle Beach.  And it could not have come at a better time.  We are in much need of a vacation.  And the best part is that my whole family is here under one roof…  my parents, my sister and her family, my grandparents… oh fun.

We found out last night that there will be a new face here next year.  My sister is preggers with her second child and they informed us that next year we will have a BOY added to this crazy clan.  We are thrilled!  A boy.  And better yet, a wonderful cousin for Frankie who won’t have to be surrounded by girls all the time! 

The girls are beyond themselves to be at the beach.  At 6:30 am we already have boat riders waiting on the adults to wake up and take them down to the beach.

not to mention the night before and trying to get them to go to bed…

I must say as much as this is a total peace of family vacation togetherness… There is not a moment that goes by that I do not think of our son Frankie…  I long for him to one day be able to share these times together with his family.  He will, would it not be great if he was here next year?  Oh how I wish that was possible.  I was watching some children playing on the beach yesterday and all I could think about was seeing him playing as well.  With his sisters and his family.  Someday, when he is here with us he’ll look forward to this week just as much as we all do!

Awake.

What a season we are in right now.  The good news is that I’m sleeping.  (without the help of Advil PM) That was not the case a month back.  Sleeping restful enough to the point where I am each morning being stirred awake early ready to start my day.  Ready to take on “this day”   As like Matthew 6:34 is binding itself to who I am.  “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  So I wake to start today and make the most of it that I possibly can.  It’s something that stirrs me awake.

Don’t worry.  Sorry to pun that again.  But don’t want you to think it’s bad here.  It’s not.  So when I share that I don’t want you all to think our lives are falling a part.  We are however in a midst of change and challenge.  But not the kind of journey that you dread taking.  It’s actually exciting, thrilling, and dare I say planned? When we look back I truly believe it will be marked as a milestone in our families journey.  A milestone to the things we give our lives to.

I just went part part time a while back but am SO BUSY.  Possibly too busy but that is ok.  I don’t like to sit around and so I’ve filled “my time” with things that I’m passionate about.  Playing tennis and crossing paths with people.  Serving on the PTO board and crossing paths with people..  Running with people and crossing paths with people, getting projects together for our HOA and crossing paths with people.

I’m thankful that living out God’s Kingdom looks so different in all of us.  And I’m so thankful that when He created us he did not create us as clones.  That we all have a unique relationship with Him.  There is a reason that my heart beats for certain things… there is a reason that yours does as well.  Wanna take a guess at what some of mine are?  If you read my blog for any length you’ll probably find woven together passions for family, Wayfarer, adoption, community, Haiti, tennis, running, children in need, my children.  And for this mom of three you better believe that I start each new day with all those things mentioned engraved on who I am and it radically effects each step I take.  Some-days I fail miserably.. other days  = success and the can’t believe that happened today moments.

And here is another thing.  I don’t expect other people to be passionate about the exact things I am and vice versa.  I believe we serve a God who births great passion and mission into people’s lives.  I love rubbing shoulders with other people and seeing their Kingdom work lived out.  It’s so inspiring.  I often run into people who have similiar desires as I do and we join the journey together for a while and encourage eachother and then sometimes I run into people that have way different passions than me but I get to learn from them and rub shoulders with them as well and encourage them on their Kingdom work as I continue mine.  It’s really a great dance.  Sometimes it’s perfect and sometimes we fumble and step on toes in the process but to learn the dance of advancing God’s Kingdom is something I would never trade. 

Kim, where are you going with all of this?  I really have no clue… just trying to articulate what’s been on my heart.  That is probably a good thing or bad thing.  I do know this,  I won’t stop sharing my life and the things I am learning. … even in the midst of some real obstacles that we are right now facing and the ones that we know are coming.  I’m not perfect and sometimes being my friend or knowing me can be messy but I can’t not share about the things I am learning.

Is the economy bad?  Yes.  Will that effect non profits? Yes.  Does that mean our family may have to do some shifting as we take on a new year? Yes. Will that call us to have to make different decisions with the use of our resources and time? Yes.  Do we worry? Well the answer should be No, but of course I do worry…. my mind tells me to worry ….  But our hearts tell us we should not and for that reason alone is why I believe I get stirred awake ready to take on a great day…. because at the end of the day nothing else matters but the fact that you are doing with your life what you are supposed to do.

Dave (who has now joined the FB and Twitter revoluion LOL) had a status update the other day that really hit me hard.  Provision: sometimes its moving into the Promised Land. Other times it’s walking through deserts with shoes and clothes that don’t wear out–both are miraculous works of God (Deut.

We are and will continue to pray for the miraculous work of God in our lives.  And we really do TRUST God and his Provision for our family.  After all… we sit here and know we are extremely blessed beyond measure.  Too much so. 

Me and this Guy…. what a road….Let your KINGDOM COME!   (if you see Dave in this picture and chuckle… it’s because you know us well and know why I would not post any other picture but this one.)