experiencing Pigeon Forge

For us, there's no better way to celebrate ten years of marriage than a trip to the mountains, so this past week we headed east to Pigeon Forge!

Unlike last year when we were in Pigeon Forge, we did not spend the time in the car looking for "big trucks" or get excited when we spotted a bulldozer on a construction site.  The hotel elevator held little excitement for us and was nothing more than a way to avoid climbing flights of stairs.  The swimming pool wasn't a place where we noticed "annyas."  Macaroni and cheese was never eaten for breakfast, and we did not frequent the kid friendly "theme" park for toddlers simply to ride a train around in a circle more than twenty times.

But, this year we did all these things and more :0).  What a great time we had with our sweet Sam, experiencing one of our favorite places with him.  Life really is sweeter when it's experienced with through the eyes of a little one!

ten years ago today

Ten years ago our hearts and lives were joined as one in our little country church.  And, in those ten years, we've carved out our place in the world--made it through college and started "real jobs."  Went from being apartment dwellers to homeowners.  Acquired several furry roommates (some weighing as much or more than me).  Joined a church other than the ones we grew up in and began to walk out the truths we'd been taught our whole lives.  Celebrated life's victories together and grieved together during times of loss.  Answered God's call of adoption and traveled halfway around the world to bring our son home.  Grew a little older with the marks of time showing in the gray hairs and fine lines that are suddenly showing up.  Through it all, we drew closer to one another and to the One who knit our hearts together a decade ago.

My love, here's to us marking our first decade and to the many, many more that lay ahead of us!!  Happy Anniversary!!!

"I have found the one whom my soul loves." Song of Solomon 3:4

sam's money jars

When we were home a few weeks ago, my Aunt Maxine and Uncle Deloy gave Sam $10. Once we got back to TN , his little, train-obsessed self couldn't resist buying a choo-choo.  Now whenever Sam hears the word "money" or sees it, he starts saying, "Choo-choo?"

Always up for a teachable moment, today I taught Sam the two year old's version of what to do with money.  I didn't use fancy curriculum or books or a long drawn out speech.  I simply used some clip art, empty jars, and very basic vocabulary to teach him the three things we do with money:  give to church, save some, spend some on things like choo-choos.  Of course, I also gave him some money to put in his jars :).

At two years old, he doesn't know a penny from a quarter and a one dollar bill is the same as 'ole Ben Franklin, but that doesn't matter right now.  What matters is that we take every opportunity we're given to teach him what is right and true--a daunting task for sure but one that I know God is continually equipping us for!

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  Proverbs 22:6

to the best father we know

The day he became a father was a day over two years in the making.  A day that had seemed at times like it wasn't going to happen.  A day that required a flight half-way around the world.  A day containing excitement mixed with grief and trauma.  A day he fell in love with the little boy who stole his heart.  The day he became a father was a day that forever changed the way I look at him.

You've heard me say before that custody day was extremely difficult.  Sam was screaming; I was crying (and probably on the verge of screaming).  I remember looking at Jeremy as he stood there holding our hands, and he said in a very matter of fact voice, "It's going to get better."  In that moment of emotional meltdown, he provided exactly what I needed to hear--a confident, quiet faith that we were going to make it through. My respect and love for him grew exponentially in that moment.  Jeremy, thank you for being such an amazing father to our sweet boy!!!

If Sam could put the words together, I'm sure he would say something like, "Happy Father's Day!  Thank you for teaching me how to shoot my cowboy gun and for how to make huge balls of playdough that I can throw while mom's not looking.  Thank you for always making time to play choo-choos and blocks with me (You really are the Master Builder.)  And, thank you for teaching me how to catch a football and to say, "hut-hut."  Now I'm ready for college football!"

"The quality of a father can be seen in the goals, dreams, and aspirations he sets not only for himself but for his family."

three months home!

Three months ago, we arrived home with our sweet boy in tow.  The time has flown by!!
Here's where we are at three months home:
~Sam's vocabulary continues to increase at lightening speed.
~Speech is coming along and has really picked up in the last month and a half.  There are about 50 words that he uses spontaneously.  Most of these words are nouns and adjectives, so maybe right now he won't be seen as a great conversationalist ...but just wait until he learns more verbs ;).
~The nightmares that he suffered when we first brought him home are completely gone!  He sleeps through the night in his own bed.....(yet I still have dark circles under my eyes???)
~He continues to be a good eater and will try anything we put in front of him.  Lately, some of his favorite words to hear are "macaroni and cheese."
~Wearing different shoes is not a big deal anymore.  He chooses between his old, trusty black ones and the gray ones we bought him.  Apparently, his rubber boots are for when we go outside to play or feed the donkeys.  We tried to get him to wear them to town one day, but he said, "No. Shoes."
~He rides in the buggy at WalMart.  That may sound silly, but it was really a big deal at first.  We'd go to put him in it, and he would freak out--no thanks to people staring while he freaks out, so I'll just carry him.  It wasn't until he rode in a smaller buggy at the fabric store that he did so without freaking out.  Ever since then, he'll ride in the WalMart buggies, too--for which, my back is truly thankful.
~Potty training is underway!  Ever since we brought him home, we would have him stand at the potty and "tee-tee" in between diaper changes.  But, last Saturday, he started spending the afternoons and evenings in underwear.  I use a timer to help myself remember to make him go, and thankfully, it's working--the cool, Elmo potty seat also helped quite a bit ;).
~He continues to have a fondness for little blonde girls!  And, it just so happens that he can spot them everywhere.
~Finally, even after three months of parenting, I continue to learn something new everyday.  Parenting is not a job for the faint of heart, but it's the best job in the world!

For your continued prayers and encouragement, THANK YOU!  You bless my heart more than I can say.

 And, to the One who has blessed us with Sam, my heart is overwhelmed by Your gift.  May You be honored in the way we cherish and love him.

edible advice for sam

The list below is for a certain little black-haired boy...here's to hoping he'll follow it!

Things You Shouldn't Eat:

1.  Grass--the bright green color may be appealing and make you think it'll taste good, but don't be fooled.  There's a reason you don't see people eating salads made with the stuff.  Besides, grass is not on the list of vegetables that I feed you.

2.  Scraps of food set aside for Pepper--just because the food was on your plate the night before, this doesn't mean you still have a claim to it.  All food left on plates at the end of meals will be set aside for Pepper.  Knowing this, please, keep from sneaking bites of food scraps as we carry them to Pepper.

3.  Sidewalk Chalk--it's used to make lovely artwork on the concrete slab in our backyard and provides us with hours of entertainment.  However, it does not double as a handy snack to eat while outside and will only leave you feeling thirsty if you eat it.

4.  Butter by the spoonful--butter is so tasty and makes everything better when added to the pot, but it's not meant to be eaten alone.  Your waistline and arteries will thank me for this decades from now.

5.  Food off the floor--if you drop or *throw* food on the floor, you know by now that you'll have to pick it up.  When we tell you to pick it up, we don't mean eat it after getting it off the floor.  Pick it up and throw it in the trash or in Pepper's scrap bowl.  (We'll talk about the 5 Second Rule when you {and your immune system} are a little older...)

6.  Peanut Butter with a straw--eating peanut butter out of the jar makes for a much better snack than sidewalk chalk.  Eating peanut butter with a straw will get you no where and cause your hungry stomach to start wishing for anything to fill it, even chalk.  Save yourself some time and frustration by always using a spoon when eating peanut butter.

7.  Money--feeding your piggy bank coins you find around the house is great; putting a penny in your mouth is far, far, far from great.  Because I learned this lesson the hard way, I have a story that starts with, "When I was a little girl..." and I will make you listen to the telling of it until you wish you never found that penny if I catch you trying to eat money again.

As always, love your totally cool and awesome mama

the cat speaks

Sam,
Over the past couple of months, we've inched closer and closer to becoming friends.  You learning how to behave properly around cats has really helped this.  However, there are still some things standing in the way of true friendship.  I will lay them out as clearly as I can and wait for you to address the issues.
-My being soft and extra fluffy around the middle does not mean that I'm a pillow for you to lay on.  So, stick to those (useless) throw pillows your mama keeps on the couch if you want to lay your head down for a little siesta.
-I am 100% cat; there's not one ounce of me that resembles a rabbit.  That being said, please, stop comparing my ears to those of a rabbit.  It's offensive being compared to vermin such as rabbits.
-My tail is not for pulling and is completely and totally off limits.  Always, always remember this.
-It's a well known fact that cats sleep most of the day.  But, my 16 hours of napping are threatened when you take it upon yourself to wake me up whenever you see me sleeping.  You are not an alarm clock, so stop waking me up.  Let me sleep.
-Last but certainly not least, the faint stripes in my fur may resemble a train track to you; however, they are not train tracks!  Keep your trains, especially the motorized ones with the moving wheels, far from me and my striped fur.

Well, that's it--the issues standing in the way of our friendship.  It's your call, tiny human, as to what you want to do about them.

Sincerely,
Roux the Cat