Life Unexpected

I have little niece named Emma. She is three and a half and one of my most favorite people in the world. Emma is a trip...she provides constant entertainment and is a blast to be around. I have wondered in the past months how she will relate to a new little cousin of a different race, from a different country, when we finally get our little baby. My Mom called me today and shared with me this conversation she had with Emma, as she was buying something at a yard sale for our little child to be. Emma: Grammy, who are you buying that toy for? Grammy: Well, Emma, did you know that Auntie Ang and Uncle Nate and going to be getting a baby from another country? Emma: No (pause) Grammy: Yup, they are. But it will be awhile before the baby comes...maybe a year or more. And, when the baby comes, her skin might be dark. Emma: Oh (pause)....(thinking)...(pause)....Grammy, do you think when the baby comes Auntie Ang would let me come to her house and help the baby and teach the baby thin

My sister Kristen has been one of the biggest prayer warriors for Nate and I through this whole infertility and now adoption process. She is constantly praying for us and encouraging us and sent me these lyrics to a Ginny Owens song today: The pathway is broken And The signs are unclear And I don't know the reason why You brought me here But just because You love me the way that You do I'm gonna walk through the valley If You want me to Chorus: Cause I'm not who I was When I took my first step And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet so if all of these trials bring me closer to you Then I will walk through the fire If You want me to It may not be the way I would have chosen When you lead me through a world that's not my home But You never said it would be easy You only said I'd never go alone ya oh oh no So When the whole world turns against me And I'm all by myself And I can't hear You answer my cries for help I'll remembe

This week marked Nate and my 9 year wedding anniversary! I would have posted on the actual anniversary (June 9), but we were with about 50 teenagers for an Out of School Bash. We just spent the past three days in Williamsburg, VA (which we actually ran into more of our teenagers from our youth group while at Busch Gardens!), and had an awesome time. So, here I am, three days after the fact, blogging about our 9 years of marriage! Actually, I just wanted a chance to share with the world how amazingly blessed I am to be married to my husband, Nate. I was reminded in so many ways this week just how awesome Nate is. We spent the first day of our anniversary excursion at Virginia Beach, laying out in the sun and playing volleyball together. I love that Nate loves to be active and gives me a run for my money peppering (a volleyball term) on the beach! After the beach, we stumbled onto this little street fair thing that had tons of free samples, including free chic-fil-a sandwiches, wh

It's been awhile since I have posted, as one of my teens, Drake, so graciously reminded me this week! This past week I attended a high school graduation for some of the students that are a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes I work with at a local high school. I also spoke at the graduation banquet for our youth group this week, so my mind has been in the gear of what's important in life. One of the things that I think is most important is living life to the fullest. Not in a way that is meaningless, or careless, but living in a way that makes every moment count, living in a way where people matter, and living in way that you create memories that will last a life time. I love our life! Nate and I do some pretty crazy things together, we lead a pretty insanely busy life, but I have to say I love our life. I can not wait until this little baby arrives in our home and we get to introduce her to a world of "living life to the fullest." Just this past week,