Twenty-two years ago, I didn’t have a clue how to say yes. For me, life was all about maintaining a well-organized home, driving a new minivan, enjoying the perks of being a stay-at-home mom, vacationing to beautiful places, and trying my best to make my children happy all. of. the. time.
I’ve always wanted to create a bucket list. I don’t have one, but my hubby does. For years, I’ve heard him say he wanted to play golf at Pebble Beach and then he could go on to the great golf course in the sky. Tomorrow, I get to join him on a business-fundraiser- bucket-list trip to Pebble Beach located on beautiful Monterey Peninsula.
Going into the summer, I thought knew what that plan was. I thought that I was supposed to get a full time job, make some money, and work until school started, but God had other plans for me, which He slowly began to reveal to me, one lighted step at a time. The very moment I chose to look to Him and asked for His help, He gently reaches down to me, lifts me off the ground, dusts me off, and reaffirms to me that He has an amazing plan for my life. Read more of Alexie’s story…
I’m making grilled turkey legs tonight for my family! I bought some turkey drumsticks and found this delicious recipe! I’m all about grilling in the summer and can’t wait to see how it turns out! I’m gluten-free, so I always make sure I can keep the ingredients gluten/wheat free. I didn’t have a white onion, so I used a red one. Hope your family enjoys this #easy recipe!
Summer is a special time for families to slow down and have fun together (and that means blogging too) This is our 1st summer in three years we are home in the US! I’m focusing my writing and projects on family, and if you’re like me, finding time to write (alone) is almost impossible to find! The kids keep me hopping, but I wouldn’t want it any other way!
My name is Alexie. My family sold me for sex trafficking, I endured severe sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, neglect, and abandonment by my own family. My family often took me to hotels and would sell me to people for sex. I was forced into pornography at a young age and the abuse happened by several family members on a weekly and often daily basis. This is my story …
As a little girl, I dreamt of two things when it came to adoption. First, I dreamt of one day adopting a child so I could offer this special gift to a child–just as I had received. And secondly, to one day see a picture of my birth mother (especially her hips—to see what I was up against!) After many years of waiting, the second dream of seeing my birth mother’s picture transpired last Sunday…
Growing up, I was constantly bombarded with the belief system that I needed to be normal. I learned early on going to school and watching my peers that normal is safe, normal is living in-a-box, normal is respected, acceptable, and rewarded. But, what happens when we don’t feel normal? What happens when our kids grow up feeling they are far from normal. You can’t live normal and live out a God-adventure.
I’d love to say our family game night is a crazy-free zone, but sometimes when we lose big we can learn the best lessons on cheering each other on to victory! Sharing a delish hamburger recipe shaped like a hot dog! This is a family fav. Loved watching my daughter, Hannah donating her locks to a really special cause–> check out the before and after pics. #pantenebeautifullengths
Foster care scared me to death! My first reaction was, “no, there is no way I can do that. I can’t love a child like my own and then say good-bye, I’d get way too attached.” Well, now three years and twenty-three children later God has shown me over and over that what He calls you to, He equips you for. “I” can’t do any of this, but He can do miraculous things when we say yes to His call. Read Laura’s amazing story…
For the past twenty years, I help with homework, cheer at soccer games, and make school lunches. I arrange hair appointments, attend school programs, sports activities, and dance recitals. I fiercely protect, encourage, challenge, and pray for their safety. I play board games, help a new driver drive, and send care packages to college. I meet with teachers, shop for new shoes, talk about their day. I listen to their music, dance to their music (much to their horror, and sing their music a little too loud. Every single day I am reminded how hard it is being a mom. {Happy Mother’s Day}
I have all three of my kids home this year for Mother’s Day! Last year, we were living in Nicaragua and I was missing my two bigs! They left for the states to spend time with family and left me a Spanish card and decorated the door of our casa with balloons. It was sweet and thoughtful, but having them here with me this year to spend time with, laugh hard with, kiss bunches, and give out endless hugs means the world to me.
As I was thinking about what I wanted to share this week, I couldn’t just pick one, so I decided to collect the top 10 favorite mom links I found to celebrate Mother’s Day with you from all over blog land.
The past week was packed full of so many crazy moments, I’m going to have to hit the pause button and rewind all the way back seven days to start from the beginning. Don’t you just love when you have a great week and can’t wait to share it with your friends…You! We packed the kids in the van and headed to Chicago for a six-day family road trip.
