So tired of it....

I'm tired of it ... tired of seeing children without homes desiring the love of a mom and dad....

tired of seeing it and not taking action...

I am tired of the fact that the system is so screwed up and that its hurting these kids...

I am tired of people thinking its "weird" or "irresponsible" or just plain "stupid" to want to take in these kids because of the issues that may come along with them .... you know... alot of these kids don't have issues.

What exactly trumps taking in children who need a home?

Your family may not have children that all look the same, have the same color of skin, the same nationality... but isn't that what heaven will be like? Do we turn down the invitation to be part of God's family because we don't all look the same?

I love my husband's heart... the last couple nights we have read over profiles, looked over pictures and watched videos of children waiting.... Kyle has such a big heart... he tells me he wants to take in these children instead of another baby for our next child. He says he can't wait until we are a little older and can take in some teenagers who will soon age out of the system.

We read about a boy - 15 - who asked his social worker, if when/if he gets adopted will he get to keep his new parents even after he turns 18... are they his parents forever?

I look at these kids and some how rationalize taking in 15 to 20 kiddos ... Kyle is a little more realistic :) Realistic... but he still sees the need and knows we can act on it. I love that about him. I love that he falls in love with these kids and their hearts the way that I do. I love that it angers him that people don't do more. I love how when I wonder out loud why people spend thousands and thousands of dollars on material things (instead of investing that money into a child whose soul will last forever) he simply replies "I guess that is their priority". He doesn't say it in a judgmental way... but more in a sad way.

I read this and I thought of Kyle... :
When I look at the fathers in these (adoptive) families, I am struck by their courage. Adoptive moms assure me that adoption is rarely ever a man's idea. And it is almost always an idea born of a woman's pain. The sorrowful heart of a mother meets the sorrowful heart of a child and together they begin a new life. But how do they get to "together?" They become a family through the courageous actions of a man who sees the pain of his wife and listens to her as she tells him about the pain of the child. Rarely, do these women beg and plead. Rather, like Mary, they trust God. They pour out their hearts in prayer and God convicts their husbands. I am assured that this is not the case of weak, badgered men who cave to whining women. Rather, they are tender, brave men who recognize a mutual need and hear a distinct call.

My husband is a great father. I love his relationship with our daughters - the way he values them and the way that he is an example. I look forward to seeing him father our daughters as they grow, and seeing him father more children that God brings us.

Who knows if God will open doors and bring children this way into our family - I can't help but believe that he put this passion in my heart for nothing.

Did I mention that I love my husband and I love his heart for the fatherless?

We all have things we are passionate about right? My passion is kids - their joy, their innocence, their love of life - what they should have but what many don't have. I see children hurting - kids being abused, kids forgotten, kids ignored.... I see these children without families, without a mom and a dad - and I want to just hold them...let them know they are loved.

God is calling us to take care of the fatherless. It isn't suposed to be easy... and kids aren't suposed to be perfect. The kids God is calling us to take in are broken and hurting. You would be too if you have experienced what they have. Most people are pretty messed up and have had easy lives compared to them. People expect kids available for adoption to not have any issues - when adults (and kids in intact homes) haven't worked out the same issues.

Kyle and I have been so blessed. We have great families... we have never gone a day wondering if our parents loved us. We have never wondered where we would sleep that night... wondered if we had to move to another temporary foster home.

We have a support system - we have great families....and we want to give that to kids who have never experienced it.

My daughters are awesome - I can't imagine my life without them. It feels like Kinsey & Cali have always been a part of our lives... they make us so happy! Have you met my kids? They are pure joy! Kyle and I want to bring other kiddos into our family - show them what it means to be loved unconditionally... and have our lives enriched by them.

We are young, and just getting started on our family - but I am so pumped to see the life that God has in store for us.... and the children he will bring to our family.

Read this song:
Well I don’t know if you remember me or not
I’m one of the kids they brought in from the home
I was the red-haired boy in an old green flannel shirt
You may not have seen me – I was standing off aloneI
didn’t come and talk to you, ‘cause that’s never worked before
And you’ll prob’ly never see this letter anyway
But just in case there’s something you can do to help me out
I’ll ask you one more time

All I really want for ChristmasI s someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose - Shoulders to ride on if I win
There’s so much I could ask for
But there’s just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas is a family

Well I guess I should go ahead and tell you now
If it’s really true about that list you have
Somehow I always seem to end up in a fight
But I’m really trying hard not to be bad
But maybe if I had a brother or a dad to wrestle with
Well, maybe they could teach me how to get along
And from everything I’ve heard
Sounds like the greatest gift on earth would be a mom

All I really want for Christmas
Is someone who’ll be thereTo sing me “Happy Birthday”
For the next 100 years
And it’s OK if they’re not perfect
Well, even if they’re a little broken, that’s alright‘
Cause so am I

The Lemonade Stand Award

Kim at His Hands-His Feet nominated me for the Lemonade Stand award - which is for blogs showing great attitude and gratitude!!

I have been encouraged and inspired by Kim and her family's willingness to hear and follow where God leads them! Coming from a big family myself, I love hearing all about their experiences raising 9 kiddos (under nine years old - all through adoption!).
Thanks Kim!! :)

Here are my nominations - visit their blogs and be encouraged. These families seek to take in "the fatherless". Adoption is a blessing and it can change your life in such amazing ways. Don't fear it - embrace it :-)

His Hands His Feet

The Green Family

The Many Faces of KJ

Colors of Grace

Dreaming Big Dreams

Awesome Family Journey

Nomads In Life

The Adventures of Breagirl

Blessed by Three Miracles

Alison Bynum

Here are the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

All are welcome

Two weekends ago Kyle, Cali, Kinsey and I participated in our church's walk thru drama called The Bethlehem Marketplace. Kinsey helped grandpa (the shepherd) with the animals while Me, Kyle and Cali were Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. It was neat to be a aprt of it, but I received a little more than expected. We were standing next to "the manger" and as different people continued to come I felt emotionally overwhelmed as I thought to the very first Christmas and what it must have been like to lay my eyes on this baby, my Savior. God sent him - so helpless, so delicate, so vulnerable - to endure such pain in order to save us all from the the ugliness of our sins.

But that wasn't it - its WHO he came to save. As I stood there watching people come to see the baby, I was reminded of the simplicity of the gift offered. Everyone is welcome - the well educated and those who are not, the beautiful and the ugly, the woman who is depressed, the man who is an alcoholic, the woman who can't count the number of men she has given herself to or the man who suffers from seizures or who is mentally handicapped.

Parents were bringing their children and I thought of Jesus' love for children - their innocence and child like faith. There was a group of mentally challenged adults that walked thru, and one woman was just so excited to see "Jesus" and the angel. I couldn't help thinking of how God's plan for us to be with him is simple enough for her to understand because his son was sent special for HER. His love is a gift - his gift is offered to everyone. His gift can either be accepted or rejected - and to be undecided, is to decide. Those who don't know of his gift, need to be told.

No one will be sent away - everyone is welcome to come.

My beautiful girls :-)

Everyday I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful husband who is so selfless... a man who loves his family and his God ... a man who values integrity and doing what is right. I am blessed with two beautiful and healthy daughters ... who I love more than anything.

I am so blessed to be part of God's plan for their lives.

I absolutely *Love* being a mom :-)

My beautiful girl - such joy :-)

I think they are worn out :-)

Cali is getting BIG & Beautiful! :-)

Daddy & His Girls!

Mommy & her girls

A little family (Surprise!) shower
Daddy & Cali

She is a cutie :-)

Kinsey loves to hold her sister :-)