The Cottage

Hi

Sorry it has been awhile: It has been a bit chaotic around here. I'll take time to explain in more detail at a later time. Just know that we are busy, happy, and walking with God every day. School has begun. I adore my hubby and kids. I am so blessed to be at the church that I am.

We went as a family to Fremont Lake. All of the pictures are on our other computer, but I'll share some that I have saved here. It was a remarkable week, certainly our favorite vacation of the year. Enjoy!

The boys never seemed to stay in one spot in their bed.

Love swimming with my guys!

Simon loved being in the water.

Noel did as well.

Uncle Koe let Garrison man the boat for awhile.

Can you believe the boy are tubing?!?

Uncle Ry caught fish and put them in the well so the kids could play with them. Poor fish.

Aunt Kate gave Noel her first manicure.

Off on an adventure!

My emotional week-end

I had the amazing opportunity to attend a conference by Beth Moore this week-end. Thank you Lord for blessing me in this way. I came back and told Gary that I felt like my heart had been massaged and stretched. There is so much for me to think about. I have so much farther to go in my journey with the Lord, and I'm so thankful that He is sticking with me. I'm changed again because of this week-end.

Before our conference, we met up with a group of ladies. I was there first, as is my custom, and I had a great conversation with my friend Tricia. She told me about some job issues/opportunities in her life. She made a comment that "God told me that. . ." I love that. I love the God talks to His own. I asked Gary later that night, how does God talk to you? I often feel the peace of God, I often feel like God uses others to talk with me, I hear God through His word. . . but I can't say I've heard God audibly. Perhaps you have. Maybe I'm not listening, or perhaps He is just choosing to communicate with me in other ways. I'll have to think and pray about that one.

Sunday's sermon was. . . wow. I continue to learn and grow in our church. I had several conversations with family members and friends about what we heard and learned. God really encouraged me. I also want to go and re-teach the story of Egypt to my Old Testament students. I'll gladly be a stone for God!

We had a family crisis of sorts this week-end in regards to my dad's addiction to prescription medication. My mom, siblings and my family are all safe and doing remarkably well. We are eager to see what God is going to do in our family. Needless to say, it has been rather emotional as well.

I've spent my week-end praying, thinking, and processing. I'm so very thankful that I'm a child of God, that I have no idea what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. How can others even function without the hand of the God? Oh, I'd be so very lost.

Today I'm tired, content, and heavier (I hate emotional eating!). I'm also sitting on the couch with the computer on my lap and a Diet Mountain Dew beside me during naptime. There are lots of household chores calling out to me, but for this afternoon, I'm going to ignore the call of the laundry, and bathroom, and carpets, and mudroom, and and and. . . . just be.

Motorcycle mama

After

Before

Hi.

My name is Shanda and I'm becoming a motorcycle mama. Gary and I used to ride on his bike a lot when we were dating. I was quite nervous about it, but did enjoy it. Plus, it gave me a great excuse to hang on to my guy.

The bike was stored for a few years. With the arrival of three kids, time for rides has been limited. This spring, the insurance went back on the bike. We needed another vehicle so that Gary can go early to church without my packing up all the kids. He helps out with the sound.

A few weeks ago we went on a double date. We took the motorcycle and I loved it. I know, I know. It is dangerous. I also want you to know that I trust my guy. I've been with him enough to see how he reacts in traffic and he is a great driver: very aware and very protective of me. I like that feeling.

So now, I'm getting a new motorcycle helmet! The one I'm wearing at the moment is the same on that my dad gave to me in high school when I started riding a moped. It has red sparkles, and although it is very stylish, it is in no way protective. My new black helmet with the orange stripe is on its way baby!

We went out last night again. A friend from church decided we needed a date, so she watched the kids and we reluctantly (yeah right) went out on the bike.

I look forward to many more: rides on the bike and dates with my guy.

P.S. This was written several weeks ago, but I wanted to wait for my new helmet to arrive. Alas, finally came yesterday, so I'm ready to rock-n-roll!

Gary's Birthday

Today is my honey's birthday.

Not only do I love him, I like him so much. He is indeed my best friend.

Bless God.

9 Months Old!

Our newborn is nine months old. Hard to believe how fast time flies? Do you remember this?

It was nine months ago today that Simon was officially declared to be ours. We actually received him nine months ago yesterday, but we had a 24 hour waiting period in which we could change our minds. Yeah right.

Let me tell you about all the things that our newest member is doing these days. We are so proud!

He is such a helper. He is the first of our kids to clear his spot, put away his toys, get our shoes for us when it is time to go. . . sometimes he helps too much!

He took swimming lessons for the first time and really enjoyed the water, just as long as he didn't have to go under!

The boy loves to be tickled! He laughs and laughs and laughs. I can't stop laughing when I hear it. He continues to ask for more and we need to stop so that he can breathe.

He is such a great fit for our family. His personality is much more laid back than Garrison and Noel, but he is standing up for himself more and more. We love it! I was secretly pleased when he hit Garrison for the first time. He is an administrator though. He loves to tell others what and how to do things. This can be amusing, or maybe not. :)

He does the potty dance. He doesn't like to break from life to go to the bathroom, but he does let us know he has to go by doing this sweet little dance. Rather than wait (otherwise it gets to the point of him crying!) we ask him to go. "Why?" "You tell me Simon." "I was dancing."

He takes a long time to get up in the morning, but when he finally arises, he runs out of the room and comes and finds either his mom and dad, ready for a big hug and kiss. He is a cuddler and gives great kisses. There will be some lucky lady someday, if she can get his butt out of bed on time!

When we go to one of his many doctor's appointments, he gets very nervous. He recently received five shots in one visit, so of course, this is at the forefront of his mind. We need to patiently answer his "Am I going to get shots?" questions every time he asks. The doctor, the nurses, the receptionist, the stranger on the stairs. . . they all need to answer it as well.

He is adjusting quite well to "American" food. His favorites are fruits and veggies. We have to limit the amount that he can have, otherwise he gets a little. . . gassy. There are very few things that he doesn't like: cheese and yogurt to name a couple. Dairy isn't his favorite.

Books books books. He doesn't know his letters yet, but boy does he love to have books read to him. He is constantly making comments about each page and asking questions.

He always wants to know all the details, wants to get a closer look, asks "why", and wants to try it by himself. He is a very curious boy.

He is getting taller in two ways. First, though he hasn't gained but one pound, he has grown about three inches. The other way in which he is taller is that he likes to announce it, as in "When I get taller I will get to chew gum." Yup. He is also planning on driving a truck, sleeping in the top bunk, getting the juice himself, going off the diving board, driving a dune buggy and a host of other things. It is his "go-to" phrase. He uses "When I am taller. . . " to either allow himself a privilege that he wants to do now but can't (ride a bike) or to excuse himself from doing something that he doesn't want to do (help set the table). I love it.

Sing sing sing. I could listen to him sing for a long time. When he came to us, he often sang, but sadly, we couldn't join in. His Chinese is gone now (oh how this is hard for me!), but his tune is the same, just with different words. When he sings his songs to Jesus. . . oh how my heart just wants to burst. He seems to really like music and do well. A few months ago, all the kids were called up to the front in church to sing a song. They clapped at various times during the song. One of our musicians came and found me after the service to tell me that Simon kept perfect time. We will certainly encourage him if this is his gift. He must take after me.

I could go on and on, but let me say that this is one very special boy. I bless God that he has been with us for nine months already. I look forward to many more "nine months" with him. Yup, there are challenges, both because he is adopted and because he is THREE. (Don't get me started!) We love our son and are so thankful that his birth parents decided to spare his life. I've given a couple of presentations in the past couple of months about our adoption experience. Each time I'm more amazed at how God worked in our lives. . . and in His. Thanks for your continued walk with us on this path.

Help me!

I thought I'd jazz up the page, you know, add something interesting, a picture perhaps, one that will get your attention, make you smil. . . .yup I did all of that.

I wanted to put this picture at the top. IT IS VERY BIG. Can't figure out how to make it smaller. Can't go over it. Can't go under it. Can't go through it. Gotta leave it until Gary gets his hands on it and can help me. :)

Not my type?

Last night I went on a great date with my honey for his birthday.

We went to an ourdoor rock/punk/very-loud-not-my-type-of-music concert. Let me tell you something: I love my guy!

Because I love my guy, I dug through some old bins of HIS clothes. Combat boots, choker with spikes that HE made, Five Iron Frenzy t-shirt, leather jacket. . . .he smiled. He thought it was hilarious. He even donned combat boots for the occasion.

I don't like being stared at--last night I was stared at. :) We even went to the fabric store like this. The amish woman wouldn't look at us. I met someone for the first time who had "heard all about you". She said to me, "I've seen pictures of you. I guess I thought you were more reserved."

We had an amazing time together sharing supper, sitting on the lawn listening to music, sitting on the shore of a lake talking, jumping to the music, riding the bike, and just being together.