What a Wonderful Man!

I have a wonderful Dad, a dad that has always been there for me through thick and then. My dad has taught me so many important things in life. How to be a hard worker, how to be a good friend, how to live and laugh, how to always pick yourself up when you fall down, and to help others up when they fall down, and most important how to love with all your heart. So finding a man to live up to my dad seemed impossible. But, I also have this other dad who always knows exactly what I need. My Heavenly Father!!! He not only provides me with comfort, unconditional love, wisdom, but mostly Grace. So when Brian and I started dating I knew very quickly that he was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. So I have been blessed to have 3 Father's in my life that have all made my life a blessed and happy one. Brian is so not an ordinary father to our beautiful children. He does things no other man, or father for that matter, would. He helps around the house, he does laundry, he goes to the grocery store, he cooks almost every night, he gives the kids baths, runs them to most all the sport functions, he helps with homework, he takes them to church every Sunday by himself. Brian loves them, and it shows in his actions not just his words. Brian is so loving and kind, and a great man of God. I am so thankful for all my blessings, and he is definitely one of them.

What have I been up to?

Here are some pics of things I've been up too..... Helping get my sister's new home decorated, finishing out the baseball season, and relaxing with the kids at the pool. Now I have also been working on my sister crystal's baby shower but I am waiting to post those pics (the theme is a surprise). Now next week I am on vacation from work, but I won't be sitting and relaxing. We are having a huge family yard sell as one of our China dream fundraisers and I am hoping we do great. I will be cleaning and de-cluttering our house from top to bottom. I am not looking forward to cleaning everyday, but I'm sure it will pay off in the end.

Mother's Day

I had an awesome Mother's Day, it started by getting called off from work. I was able to go to church, and Brother Darvie preached a sermon God must of known I needed. I always feel so special when I hear sermons on issues that lay heavy on my heart, it's almost as if God planned the entire thing just for me. The sermon was about a virtuous woman, a woman who first feared and loved God, then her family. She worked very hard making sure that she provided them with the things they needed. She always puts herself last, not on purpose, but just not even noticing she was doing it. Her heart was pure, not perfect, but filled with love of God and family. That's the way I want to be. It takes a lot of effort for me to try to be like her, because I'm selfish and I get tired sometimes, but I must keep working at it to get there.

After church we went to Brian's Mom's house and Harrison played her a song on his guitar, that's something she's been wanting him to do for sometime now. Then we visited with his grandma, and I got some good pics of the kids with her. Then after that we went down to the lake and let the little ones feed the ducks, and we looked at all the beautiful boats. Brian's eyes light up every time he thinks about a boat, he has wanted a new boat for our family for some time now. We can't afford one, especially now that we are trying to get Hadlee home. While we were walking back to the car Brian said "One day we will have one of those!" and I said "Just look at what you already have!" ( the three little ones were walking straight in front of us in a line) He said "I know." I love so many things about Brian, and one of them is that he works so hard to provide for our family, and he is a virtuous man. A man after God's own heart, and who holds mine in his hands. The best Mother's Day gift I will ever receive is being the Mother to that man's children. I love you Brian! -Jennifer-

Special prayers needed

Some of you may have heard me talk about a friend of mine I've met through an adoption blog. Stefanie is an amazing, God loving, free spirited mother of eleven children. Four biological, and seven adopted thanks to God's plan for her life. Two of these children haven't made it home safe to their forever family, and Stefanie and her husband have been working and praying like crazy to get the money needed and their LOA from China. The two precious daughters they plan on bringing home are Poppy, and Esther. this morning Stefanie announced that China called and informed her that her sweet little Esther has gone home to be with the Lord. This was devastating news, but through her faith she has found an incredible source of strength, and I admire her so much for the way in which she leans on God during such a difficult time. Please lift her family up in prayers. To learn more about her story you can go to http://nihaoyall.com/2011/05/shattered.html. Thanks, Jennifer

BSN Graduation

We did it!!!! We attended our pinning ceremony on Friday night, and Saturday we celebrated with our family. I am so glad that I decided to go back for my BSN, but I even more glad that I got to go on this journey with my MOM! It was hard and we had many bumps in the road, but we were determined to persevere. Now I feel like a weight has been lifted. At least until we start our Master's program this fall.

Very Busy Weekend

This weekend was full of activities and driving. Friday I joined some great friends for a scrapbooking night. I really needed to stay all weekend, but that's just not feasible. Then Saturday Haven had her first girlie birthday party, for her friend Mollie. They celebrated at Somerset Elite and all the kids seemed to have a fun time. Then Saturday afternoon I got to watch one of Hunter's 2 games. I haven't made it to many of his games because of class but now that I'm done I plan on seeing as many as I can. Then that night we drove to the Reds game, it's little league night so we took the little boys to see the pro's. Then today we drove all the way to Louisville to welcome my brother Justin home, then his flight was delayed for hours so we turned around and came straight back home. I'm exhausted and I have to work tomorrow so "good night everyone".

He's Alive!!!

Happy Easter to everyone! This is one of my favorite times of year, I am so blessed to have a Savior that is alive and working in my life everyday. Today I reflect back on memories from my childhood Easters, and how "full of happiness" they were. I knew that Easter meant so many things; coloring eggs, chocolate bunnies, the hunt for eggs, and a new Easter dress with pretty shoes to match. Now as an adult Easter means so much more; a "living" Savior, a new life in eternity, a promise to never be lonely, and so much more. I hope that Easter means this a so much more to you!!! -Jennifer-