The Boys

Just a few pics of the boys. While they are a handful at times - of course - because they are two three-year olds, I absolutely LOVE having two little boys so close in age (6 months apart). They have so much fun together and I enjoy seeing the creative things they come up with together. Of course they continue to have spats (usually always instigated by Abram), but they are learning to play well together more and more and it is such a joy to me.

One of their favorite things to do these days is "push" daddy's car out of the driveway when he leaves for work.

 And then run back to the door with huge smiles on their faces (hard to see here). I love it!

Hanging out on the deck. 

 Playing "letters" in the bath tub.

Isaiah is doing so well. Man, has he come a long way. A few weeks ago, I ran across an old post from  December about Isaiah and was blown away by how far he has come. In light of the past month's struggles with the girls, I tend to forget how much I used to struggle with loving and parenting Isaiah. Jesus has done so much healing in his life. He is a pretty easy-going boy who loves to play, color, swim (he is a FISH!) and do everything else little boys like to do. He does SO WELL at using his words to get his needs met. He receives love and gives love well, too. He still struggles to have a personality of his own (easily copies what Abram says and does) at times and is sometimes too compliant so I know there is still some healing left to be done in him. Whenever I notice this "old"/"trauma" (whatever you want to call it) behavior circling back, I first get annoyed. But, then God always reminds me to pull him in closer with more nurture and affirmation, warm eye contact and cuddling and I kid you not, within less than a day he is a different, more connected child. The power of nurture for kids from hard places is so strong!

And Abram . . . well, he is a typical three-year old. He needs lots and lots of training and instruction and discipline right now, but he keeps all of us laughing most days and he STILL tries to be the boss and remind everyone he was here first - even though the kids have been home almost nine months now.

I Held a Miracle

I spent much of last week grieving with and for a friend from our church as she and her husband lost and buried their baby - a baby they were planning to adopt, but instead spent 62 hours with here on earth, alongside their baby's birth family. It is an absolutely gut-wrenching, beautiful story with the hand of God evident every step of the way. Amanda is just beginning to tell their story and you should read it in her own words on her blog. 


The fact that God has and is allowing me to walk alongside them in their joy and deep grief has been an astounding privilege. My life has been deeply impacted by what I've seen God do through my friends' lives. Getting to witness and even hold in my arms the tiny life of Miracle Renee Stevenson Cooper is something I will always treasure and never forget. 

War and Peace

As I was driving with my kids to "Crazy Park" (the fitting name my kids gave to the old Roosevelt school park in town) this morning, I was struck by the quote on the Veteran's Memorial on Grand Avenue - the memorial I've driven by a hundred times:

To be prepared for war, is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
(George Washington, from the First Annual Message to Congress, January 8, 1790...had to look that up!)

This quote struck me because it is very true of my own spiritual life. My heart is more at peace when I am prepared for war. When I am not prepared for war emotionally and spiritually and a battle breaks out, it catches me off guard and I am way more likely to worry, fear and not have peace. I am still learning to always be prepared for war.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:10-18