How Great Thou Art

by Steph // Tuesday, November 8, 2016 // Comments off

Ever since our pastor and four other men from our church many years ago in Illinois started a singing group, I have always enjoyed listening to all vocal bands.

A band that uses nothing but their voices.

SO incredible!

We have been listening to this group for a couple of years.

We have been listening to this song a lot this week.

But today. I find it SO appropriate for TODAY.

Try to listen without getting chills!

It is well with my soul.

Amen.

They have a beautiful new Christmas CD coming out!
I just ordered it for our home. It would make a great gift too!

Happy Birthday, Clyde Strength!!

by Steph // Monday, November 7, 2016 // Comments off

On Saturday, the cutest grand baby I ever did see turned one year old!

He gets cuter and more fun by the hour!

What joy he brings to our life!

After church yesterday we all headed to David and Kayla’s place to celebrate Clyde!

Kayla had a farm theme for Clyde’s birthday. It all was SO adorable!

It is November here in Wisconsin too. But it was 74 degrees yesterday! Crazy, but wonderful!!

It was nice to be able to be outside!

We enjoyed seeing family and friends and visiting the day away over a yummy lunch!

Clyde’s Daddy opened the presents for him! Clyde LOVED all his new toys!

I loved this BEAUTIFUL quilt that was made by Kayla’s friend, Hannah!!

Time for cup cakes! This was made especially for the birthday boy by Clyde’s other Grandma – and is the cutest cup cake! I need a pan like that!

Clyde wasn’t sure what to think of this giant cup cake! And a whole room full of people watching his every move! Once Kayla cut off a piece for him, he ate that piece all up!

Clyde Strength, you made me NaiNai! My love for you is SO deep! We are so glad God blessed us all with your birth! We love you to the moon and back!

Happy, Happy 1st Birthday, baby boy!!

Fun Facts Friday!!

by Steph // Friday, November 4, 2016 // Comments off

Why, hello Friday!

You have a way of sneaking up on us!

But we are glad you are here!

What a beautiful week we have had!

This weather, for November in Wisconsin, cannot be beat!

Here is a photo from Instagram stories….cause I just love it so much! Our sweet baby, who used to melt into a heap of a fit on the floor (which left us wondering what just happened), can now say “I no like the noise of the vacuum, Mommy! I stay out here and watch.” Not a moment goes by when I see these simple but HUGE things, that I do not stop and give praise to God – He has allowed Eliza SO much healing that it is beyond our wildest dreams for her!

These past weeks Eliza and I have made incredible strides in our relationship – not that it wasn’t good before, it just wasn’t at it’s best. It brings me back to those first weeks that she was in my arms – always wanting to be in my arms, making eye contact, and just being so happy and calm. She is talking like crazy these days, smiling, happy, and just seems SO “settled.” She is looking to me for ALL things, and even has been asking me to feed her her breakfast, which I LOVE to do. I am teary typing this! You all, these are answers to so many prayers, and so much purposeful work to help Eliza overcome. The journey is getting even sweeter, and the baggage is getting lighter.

We have had a fabulous week of school too!

There is a hashtag on Instagram right now – #wecouldhavemissedthis.

November is National Adoption Month, and many are sharing their blessings upon blessings with this hashtag.

If you are on Instagram, I encourage you to follow this hashtag and read the posts. They are that good.

I really, really reflected after seeing this hashtag about what we really truly could have missed – and it just took all the air out of my lungs.

As challenging as our adoptions have sometimes been, I seriously cannot even think about life without our precious Tate Owen and sweet baby Eliza Claire.

How could we possibly have ever lived without them?

There is such a NEED for children to be adopted.

There are over 140 million orphans in the world.

One in three people talk about adopting, but only 2% of them follow through.

I know not everyone will be called. But are you? Can you be a family for ONE child?

Not very many facts in this Fun Facts Friday post, but now you know where my heart is today.

Such a Beautiful Day!

by Steph // Thursday, November 3, 2016 // Comments off

The kiddos and I had lunch at Clyde’s place today!

We try to make a once a week lunch and play time with Kayla and Clyde.

Since it is only a seven minute drive down into the valley, we can visit for just a couple of hours and head back home for naps.

Today is SO beautiful! I cannot believe it is November and Thanksgiving is only three weeks away! It is SUPER warm here for this time of year.

The kids were begging to go to the park, which is right behind Clyde’s place, so we did!

Clyde LIGHTS UP when all his people are around! And he loves the park too!

There are several play areas in the park, so we checked out each one and then ran to the next one!

Eliza has had such a GREAT couple of weeks! Unbelievable, actually! Today, though, she was struggling a little. She hurt her mouth, lip and teeth in the barn Tuesday afternoon, and was not wanting to eat today because it is hurting. I think her empty belly was her biggest issue – but once we got her swinging, everything was ALL better!