Sorry it has been so long. I dont even have any pictures to post right now.
So we finished all of our foster care classes and paperwork. We had a referral before our house was officially open! Weve had her since friday night. I cannot begin to say how hard this is. Its like nothing Ive ever done before. Shes 4 and Ill just nickname her Dora the Explorer. We will just say that I am putting all of our training to use. We didnt even get the typical honeymoon period. I know her injuries and emotions will heal with time. Please pray or us. And please, please pray for Dora.

3rd Grade

No words needed...except yes, we bought it.

Home Grown...

Chammomile
I only have a few cups of tea worth so far but Im just so happy that I grew it myself. And my first ever tomato plants actually now have tomatoes on them. Im so excited!

Billy

Billy is our newest family member.
Billy likes to eat.
Billy likes to cry.
Billy likes to dump his water.
Billy likes to climb the side of a 90 degree hillside in our backyard.
And get tangled up in a big huge hornets nest.
And run from his owner for 30 minutes.
Meet Billy.

Its the little things...

Like having another vehicle. The Lord really blessed us with this van. We went from new small cars to used back to new. Our budget climbed by about 10 thousand. Yikes. We decided to step out in faith not knowing what our foster situation will be like.

We are almost done with our homestudy and have completed all (I hope) of the paperwork.  Our classes wont start until late September and they will conclude in early October. We are making lists of thing needed.
Crib
Bunk Beds?
Extra pillows
Mattress covers
Car seats
Not to mention clothes, diapers, sippy cups and toys.
Im sure the list is never ending but we look forward to it. The Lord has really blessed us with a hope that we will have a ministry with these children. To be an example of a semi normal functioning family and to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Our summer is flowing along nicely. Liberty just finished up a fun week at VBS at a church we are visiting. We just had all new ducts and an air conditioner installed last week. Oh the beauty of not sweating. Our van was a nice summer surprise but quickly shut down any plans we may have had that cost over $5.  And Im starting on the hunt for homeschool curriculum. I will have a third grader on my hands this year. One whose learning style is so opposite from me.  Such a challenge. At least she has developed a love for reading. Now I dont feel so guilty when Im sitting down reading because she's right next to me.

Fishin

The best little fisherwoman in the village.

It has been awhile since my last update. Ive not really been in the blogging mood. On top of that my laptop finally bit the dust. And I wasnt prepared at all.
We started the foster care process. We have done a ton of paperwork and had 2 home visits with one to go. We have 6 classes to take in september and then we will be all set. We've even started car shopping. Our one car family just cant exist anymore. We're looking at vans.
Other than that we're trying to survive without air conditioning. We are having one installed on the 8th. Praise the Lord. We are going camping next week so we wont be any worse off. Soon we can stop shouting over the trillion fans.
Keep us in your prayers please.

Recon

Still the biggest baby around

Proud Daddy

Weve seen the last one graduate!

Father's Day 2013

Last Monday I received a phone call about a little one year old boy who needed a home.  It was a weird and difficult situation with a lot of risk of getting hurt.  We immediately said yes.  For 3 days we had a son in our hearts.  And then, on the 4th day, he was taken away.  The risks won out and the hurt set in. 
It doesn't seem like a long time and you certainly wouldn't think we could get so attached.  But in those 3 days, we brought him into our lives.  Even if it was only in thought.  We made plans with him in mind and we adjusted the plans we had made for the future to include him.  We envisioned him as part of our family. 
We are now left to deal with the hurt of not knowing him.  And wondering where he will end up. 
We believe that God had His hand in this.  Of course we don't know why He chose to bring this situation to us in the way that He did.  As much as the loss hurts, we trust Him.
This week has given me a new outlook on being a foster parent.  Maybe that is what I needed.  We have our first home study visit next week and I can't wait.  I can't wait to use our home for precious children as a soft place to land. 
Yesterday was my birthday.  Today is Mother's Day.  I thought both days would have me in another state meeting a little blonde-headed boy.  I'm having a rough time and could use some prayer.
Would you please pray for us that we can use this to glorify the Lord?

Spring is Here

I started this post last Saturday.  I was interrupted and didn't get a chance to finish it.  It was sent to the draft folder.  I wanted to post it today because it is a good update.  Since Saturday (well, Monday) we have been faced with a situation in our lives that needs a lot of prayer.  Would you cover us?  I should be able to give more details within 7-10 days.  We would appreciate your prayers.  Specifically for wisdom, direction and protection.  Thank you.
ps.  I will try really hard to get more pictures on here soon.   




 By that title you would think I had great pictures of flowers and blossoming trees.  Not really.  I've been very lazy with the camera lately.  I did get some shots on my phone, but I need to figure out how to post those pictures.

Of course I say spring is here and right now it's 50 degrees.  We've had some really warm weather.  It came a few weeks ago after we got about 6 inches of snow.  It was lovely.

We are trying to finish up Liberty's 2nd grade year.  It's been a good year.  Very educational for both of us.  I found out that I'm not that disciplined.  It's fine for now because she's so young, but I'd better step it up the older she gets.

She finished her 2nd year of ballet last Wednesday.  She loves it and she has an incredible teacher.  She is about to finish up her first swim lesson.  She loves that too and we will probably put her in Level 2 for the summer.

I don't know why it matters but I am a week shy of turning 33.

We are pursuing foster care.  I sent off our application yesterday.  I don't know how to feel about this.  It was not in our plan to do foster care.  I have come face to face with my pride and hidden motives.  I'm sure it's just the beginning of seeing the ugly in me.  Caring for a child that isn't yours is never easy, be it international adoption or foster care.  I'm a little scared that I don't have it in me.  I'm scared that it will be too hard and I'll fail.  Please pray for us.

Walk for Life 2013

Hi Everyone!

 

This morning, on a whim, I decided to join the Walk for Life that benefits a new Pregnancy Resource Center close to our house.  It is by sponsorship only and obviously, I'd love to raise money for this cause.  If you can, please donate.  If not, please pray for this ministry.  We live in a town that has two major colleges, both with very liberal reputations.  

 

Thank you so much!

Walk for Life 2013

Spin Off...

If you haven't noticed I have peppered this blog with some things that have nothing to do with our family.  Mainly is it what I am interested in or some of my opinions.  I have decided to start another blog that will focus on my interests and not so much family events.  I think I'm going to try to stay as anonymous as possible so I won't be putting any pictures on there where you can identify me or my family.  The reason for this is that I have some opinions (to put it lightly) about certain issues we are facing in our country today and I'd like to put them out there but stay private.  On the other hand, I will also be talking about things I'm interested in at the moment.  You never know what it is going to be with me.  Currently I'm interested in natural skin care, herbs, and raw honey.  I am also satisfying at interest in concealed weapon carry.  That is one of the main reasons I am creating a new blog.  This interest in concealed carry is about to become a full out passion.  I can feel it coming and I'd rather not mix that with family happenings.  Besides, I'm tired of Darrell rolling his eyes when I blog about digging up dandelions for tea. So....if you are interested in reading ramblings of things that have nothing in common, please email me at dcmatthews00@gmail.com and I will forward the web address (when I think of it) to you.  Please just remember to help me keep it anonymous.
Thanks so much!! 

Win Some Tea!

I've been reading a blog lately and learning about herbs.  Its called Deep Roots at Home.  A lovely woman writes about things she has learned along the way.  She is having a give-a-way this week and you can win some tea!  Just go to her website and enter.  You can win 3 different types of herbal teas from the Bulk Herb Store.
Good Luck!

Random...

Thoughts for today with some oldies but goodies pictures..
.

The thought that March is 2 days away makes my heart sing.  But then I always remember that I'm in Virginia and spring isn't that close.



The time changes in a few weeks.  Our home sits between two hills.  Literally.  The amount of sun we see is limited.  So when the time changes and the sun hangs out a little longer over the hill then I plan on pulling up a blanket and laying on the floor in the sunshine.
 

We are planning a garden.  I have been doing a lot of internet search on medicinal herbs.  Come spring, I will be out pulling up dandilions for tea. I am also planting Chamomile so I can have an unlimited supply of nighttime tea.

Recon is doing wonderfully.  He still picks on Maggie, but he is growing and learning.  He is so smart, too.  I have to say that I knew he would shed.  I didn't think I would have to vacuum my entire house every single day with a swiffer in the evenings.  We have dog hair everywhere.  I think I have it under control, but it still makes me squirm.
 


Darrell is doing well at work.  He has a new position again.  He transferred to the electrical dept.  He will be taking some classes and is considered an apprentice for 2 years.  After that he will be an industrial electrician and that will be very good job security.

With Liberty being 8, I always think that I only have 10 more years left with her.  It makes me sad that she's growing so fast.  In 10 years I will only be 42.  What will I do with myself????

If anyone has any warm weather soon, please send it our way.  I don't ever think I can last another day ofcold.

The Adoption Update

I just wanted to update some of you who are interested on our adoption.  This has been a hard few months emotionally and financially.  I feel like we've waited so long (over 3 years now) since we decided we wanted to adopt.  I felt like we were at a point that we could start a home study.  It seemed like every time we scrounged some money to start we would need something else.  Expensive necessities.  Do you know what it feels like to have to spend that money on an unexpected expense?

**Now, I just want to stop here and say that any money that has been donated through our Chip In is tucked securely away.  It will ONLY be used for our adoption.  And a heartfelt thank you to those who have donated.**

But it just seems like a resounding WAIT from the Lord.  Is it His time?  I don't know.  Why does it seem like the money we try and save has to be used?  Would it be better to use that money or our credit card?  I feel like the Lord would not want us in debt and He allows these things to come about.  So I remember the saying that our timing is not God's timing.  My heart needs to rest and wait until He opens a door.  The scary thing is that His door might not be a door I want to walk through.  Perhaps that is why He is asking us to wait.  Because He needs more time to mold our hearts to His will.  I know that there are options running through my head that I have painfully avoided in the past.  Options like Foster Care.  I have always said I would never do foster care.  Notice that word NEVER.  That's always a pretty good indication that someday it will happen.  Will we do foster care?  I don't know.  If that is the only way God will bring me more children and if it's the only way we can help the orphan, then I guess we will.

Please pray for us.  Our hearts are so open to hurting children that it is confusing as to why we are just sitting here.  We need wisdom and lots of it.

Snow

We waited for snow forever this winter.  Now, if I don't see another snowflake again I will be ok.
Here are just a few pictures of some recent snows. It sure is beautiful but I found out the hard way that if a good snow is predicted I need to prepare for a power outage.  That means clean as much as possible, laundry, dishes and everything else that takes power.  Also find a way to get buckets of water so we can flush.  We do have a generator but to lug that thing out and spend a fortune on gas is a pain.  Not to mention Darrell is so strung out at even the thought of someone stealing it, it is worth it to just sit in the cold. 

Marine Corps Family

Last week we had the pleasure of visiting Parris Island, South Carolina again.  There is something so special about being on base.  I guess because Darrell has told me story after story of his fond times of boot camp.  We enjoy driving around seeking out new recruits so we can sit in our car and laugh and laugh and laugh.  Poor recruits.  It was a quick trip since we were only able to make it for graduation day but still fun.

                                    
 Happy smiles quickly turned to tears.  The sheer emotion pouring out of these two was hard to watch. 

 And just for fun we had to get a follow up shot to the one we got 4 or 5 years ago.  The joke is that we will be back in 10 years for her graduation and get the final picture.  We do have another chance to come back soon but Jacob is refusing soo...

And just for fun, lets take a trip down memory lane...