"Don't worry about she, I will always take care of she."

We went to the beach. Mama, Daddy, me, and the babies.. went to the beach. I was nervous about it. Not only because it was the first time taking them away, but Tim couldn't go due to work.. and to be honest.. I have never taken two babies anywhere for overnight! But of course mom and dad are the best ever.. and it was a wonderful trip. We were happy to come home though, all three of us really missed Tim! The boy (this is how I will refer to them just for privacy sake!).. anyway he is four. He loved the waves! We couldn't get him out of them! The girl is a little under two and she was not a fan! But she loved the sand! We had a really great time.

Tim went back to full time at work, and that is an answer to so many prayers. God is so good and takes such good care of us everyday. We are so blessed.

Tomorrow is the boy's birthday! We have a big day ahead! Today his sis was feeling fussy and crying a little and he said.. "Don't worry, I will share my birthday with you. Cake, ice cream, everything." Then he looked at me and said.. "Don't worry about she, I will always take of she." And my heart is at peace, because I really believe he will.

People keep asking if we are adjusted. And I smile and nod.. but I guess the truth is.. barely. What a change! But what a wonderful change :) Be patient with us, because it will probably be a long time before we are all totally adjusted.. but we are happy and we are healthy.. and tonight the boy thanked God for "going to church and food at church (it was fellowship day!)" so maybe we are making progress :)

Our pool is finally all clean and we should be swimming this week! YAY!

I should go now.. prayers as always please :)

Long Days.. Short Nights :)

We have offically made it nine days with the babies. Nine good days. We have gone swimming, and to the movies.. we have learned about church and God. It has been a whole new world for all of us :) Today was our hardest day yet.. a really hard afternoon.. but tonight things are better and we are turning the page.

I was talking to my old friend Ashley about the babies today at church. And I was telling her how we were not expecting to have any children placed with us for over a year.. and three days later we got the call. She said that is because we are on God's time. And that is exactly right. We are on God's time. Sometimes it is hard esp for me.. to let go of control. I like to handle things. I like to get things done.. and being on God's time reminds me there is someone so much more capable taking care of things for me. And at the end of the day.. we all like being taken care of..

I am going to sleep tonight very thankful. Thankful for Tim, and my family.. and the sweet babies asleep in the next room :) Goodnight!

How quickly things change :)

We were moving into our house on Friday. Tim, Dad, and Bert were making loads from the old house to the new house.. and I was painting the kitchen. It must of been about five o'clock and I was laughing at the paint in my hair.. when my cell phone rang. We didn't advertise that we were going to foster parent classes. We didn' t know how it would work out, we didn't know if they would ever send us babies.. we just kept reminding ourselves we were opening a door for God. And if He needed us He would use it. We finished our fostering classes on Tuesday, and were told it could be up to a year before we were needed. God had different plans. That phone call was DHR and they had two precious babies for us take. We didn't hesitate, we didn't make excuses about a half complete house. We just got things done. Tim and Dad put up beds, Bert went on a baby bed search.. and mom and I picked up and fed the children. And when I laid down that night was the first time I guess I took it all in. And so overnight, it is not about me anymore. It is not about Tim anymore. It is about two sweet babies and what we can do to make their lives happy and healthy. People keep walking up to me saying.. I could never do it. I would get too attached and they would be gone. And if you know me.. you know I will get attached too. But I guess I just know that God told us to help others. He didn't say that it might not be hard, He didn't say that I might not get my feelings hurt, or lose sleep at night. He just said help. And so that is what we decided to do. We decided not to make it about how we may feel when they go, or if they stay.. we decided to make it about what we can do right now to make things better. I hope I can remember that through the whole process. And I do covet your prayers. For me, and for Tim, and for the babies. And for my family who has already fallen in love to. I guess I just needed everyone to kind of know how I was feeling on the subject.. more later.

--Linds

How do you like..?

Since the week after I got married.. people have asked me the same question: "How do you like being married?". It is a sweet question, and most likely people just trying to make conversation. But sometimes.. I can't help but think how funny it would be if instead of my polite "its great, we love being married.." I said.. "Oh my goodness, terrible. Why did I do this? Why didn't you stop me?!?!" I am kidding.. I really do love being married... but I guess I am just a little tired of the question :)

And now that we have been married.. well I guess we are on our way to two years.. There is a newer question.. "When are you having a baby?!" I don't mind this question.. because I wonder it about some of my married friends occasionally.. but it is a kind of awkward question. I mean, I want to have babies.. but there are a few things we need to finish first.. ideally, we both want to finish our Master's first.. and we want to have our house in order.. and I guess we just want to have a little more "us" time first. I say this with the full understanding that God could have a totally different plan.. and I could have a baby sooner than I plan. And I would love that baby very much :) ..but for now.. it is not in our immediate plans.

We heard from the house today.. and we are now scheduled to close at 9am on Friday! Pretty major :) I am excited to say the least.. anyone who needs a realtor.. I definitely recommend Ms. Glenn Cooper.. she has been so wonderful.. and I am so thankful for her!

Also, one of Tim's best friends Justin is getting married Saturday and Tim is a groomsman.. so I am super excited about going to North Alabama and seeing justin marry his happily ever after :)

God Bless :)

Linds