Happily Ever After...

~Ryan left us a week ago today... Good news is that one week is behind us, bad news is that we miss him like crazy!!! We we thrilled to actually be able to speak with him briefly yesterday, which lifted all our spirits!  ~Greg started his new job on Monday. After over 2 years working from home, he now has a 3 hour commute each day. We are SO THANKFUL for his new job, but the adjustments to not having Daddy home every day have been hard on us all.  We are used to morning snuggles with Daddy, lunch with Daddy, and if he was just working on his computer, he'd work in the playroom so he was in on the action. We have gone from that, to having him leave at 6:30 AM and hoping he will be home at 6:30 PM. ~ In addition to missing him like crazy, I miss all the conveniences of having him home. I could run to the store while the girls napped, I could meet a friend for coffee and leave them at home if his schedule was light. He would wrap up his day and run errands with me. We had an afternoo...

Aria wanted to make darn sure that Gianna wouldn't forget how much younger she is- so she made her this lovely crown... I'll give her an "A" for effort.

Our family is close.  Very close.  Insanely close.  So when one of us is missing, we all feel the loss deeply.  For the next 7 weeks, one of us will be missing...  As I have mentioned before, our son is headed to East Asia with a team to *help* the locals there. We are thrilled. We are proud. We are excited for him. We are also feeling the hole that his departure makes... Tonight we said our tearful goodbye. I can always count on Justin to bring a little humor to the situation. There's always time to giggle one last time with your sister. Oh, I love the two babies of my bunch! I didn't want to let him go. I know he is in the center of God's will. I WANT him there, and that takes him to Asia... I just miss him so.... . Savoring the last snuggle. Can you see him capture this moment in time? Brothers. Best friends. Lost without the other. My fabulous four. If you think of it, would you pray for my son and his team of 20? I know they would covet your prayers as they travel and ...

Psalm 97:12  "Be glad in the LORD, you righteous ones, And give thanks to His holy name." ~I am thankful that the Lord is preparing for my son to leave this weekend for his trip to minister in Asia. The Lord provided ALL the funds he needed, in a very short amount of time. The stories of those who have been prompted to give to him to support his trip is awe-inspiring. Friends of ours, who don't know our son well, totally broke college kids who gave sacrificially, and some college kids in TX who have never met my son, but heard through a friend and sent him money too. With GOD, all things are possible!!!  I know if God can provide the money, he can protect and keep him safe, and He can comfort this Momma's heart while I miss him like crazy!!! ~I am thankful that my husband was offered a position yesterday. He has been unemployed for just 3 short weeks, and God provided this position, "in this economy" that will more than meet our needs. We are humbled and tha...

It's just SO SAD that poor Bentley came to a family that just doesn't love him.. Sniff...Look how neglected he is. Even Daddy wants NOTHING to do with him... Look how lonely he looks... Can you see the depression in his face?  Is he begging Gianna for attention? How sad. I'm sure he just HATES the comfy lego palace that Aria made for him in the school room. Yup, all the signs are there... Unloved, unwanted, neglected. Poor Guy. What will he do???

Gianna came bouncing into the room this morning, and in her most exuberant voice declared: "HAPPY VALENTIMES DAY MOMMY!!!" Could it get any better???                                My son's FB status topped the list: "Happy Mothers Day Mom! The board of directors (ryan and I) have decided to re-sign you to another year of motherhood. Keep up the good work!" I love my life :)

A few days ago, we were privileged to watch Lynn Marie who has just come home a short time ago from China. Her daddy has been really sick in the hospital, so I know they would appreciate your prayers. When you are at the Cl@xton house, must. have. piggies. Aren't those three girls adorable???? Is it me, or does " three girls " have a ring to it? Not a big fan of me putting her down for a photo shoot.  Okay, I'll pick you right back up cutie! Her momma came to get her and swore she was looking rather Cl@xton. Is it the piggies or does she look a bit like Aria? I held her. And held her some more. And watch her nap- for BOTH naps. And savored the juicy deliciousness of Lynn Marie. And tried to release my inner "I need a baby" self. And since there is no more babies in my future, for now, or until I FINALLY get a grand baby- please feel free to drop off Lynn Marie ANY TIME so I can get my fix.

Two years ago today,  tiny sweet girl was placed in my arms. I cannot honestly remember our family without her with us. She is sweet, incredibly sensitive, brave beyond belief and a tad spicy, just to keep us on our toes!  Not a day goes by that we don't bow in gratitude for the blessing she is to our family.  Click here to see how much she has grown these last two years. Wearing her gotcha day outfit and looking at the book we sent her of our family while she was waiting for us in China.  Holding a picture of her and her foster mother. This photo was sewn into her shirt over her heart, but we didn't find it until after we got home. Oh, how I hope we can meet this woman some day and thank her for caring for our baby girl for 13 months! Sitting next to her referral photo, where if you look closely, you can see that it is the same shirt she wore when she was handed to us 5 months later. "Ummm, Mommy?!? It's a bit drafty in these pants." They don't call 'em ...

An instant connection... He was licking her hand... "Can I have him Daddy?" Saying goodbye to the breeder. The wall behind us is the ribbons his parents have won. His mother is a National Champion and his dad is currently being trained to go to the Westminster Dog show.     He is royalty :) To me.