Mountains

Does it get any better than this?  This is from our back porch.  I never thought in a million years that I would have a view like this on a daily basis for over a year now.  I love it.  But I will gladly trade the view if that means I will be living in my own home and out of the "fishbowl" of the valley we live in now. 

I call it a fishbowl because we could have any number of eyeballs on us at any time.

Our apartment is directly across from the church.  We have another three church families that live in and around the church.  This doesn't include a staff member that lives on the side of that mountain and is very fond of his binoculars.  

The best things in life aren't free.  And this view certainly does come with a price!

It is called privacy and one day soon we will have that privacy.  

More pictures

 Because there aren't really any new words to write.  The house is getting there.  Still teaching. The monotony of everyday is wearing us thin.  The only thing to report is that I turned 32.  I like this time of year because there is only 11 1/2 years between me and Darrell.

Long sleeves in May?  You bet!  One of the things I love about Virginia is that there are some days when you can wear long sleeves and enjoy hot coffee even in the summer months. 








This is Darrell's favorite ride at Dollywood. 

 Daddy and Liberty had to ride most rides together since Mommy has a weak stomach for kiddy rides.

                                                                         On the trolly

Here are some pictures of the house.  I know they must look the same, but there really has been changes.  That pipe is where the kitchen is going to be.  Just beyond that is the master bedroom.  We had to add that recently when we found out we couldn't use the two rooms we were previously going to use as bedrooms.  Our new master bedroom was actually part of the big room and was previously going to be our kitchen.  We just moved everything out a bit.  Beyond our room is a small room and the laundry room.  The good news is that the bank wanted to loan us more money to finish up.  And we will be able to use those other two rooms after all since we will have the money to do a special kind of insulation that met the code.  So now instead of Liberty having that small back bedroom she will have a huge room and the other side room will now be a formal dining room.  The only downside is that we added our master bedroom and bathroom unnecessarily.  It just takes up more of the living space when we really didn't need it.  But that is just looking under God's tapestry in our life.  I believe that if we were to look from above in a year or so we will find out that adding another bedroom will increase our chances of adopting two children at once.  Only God knows the outcome of little stressful things.  I had a feeling it would turn out for good and I pray I was right. 

 This is the new electrical service that Darrell put in.  He passed the inspection!  He is so smart when it comes to things like that.  He worked so hard and this is a big accomplishment!

 It started looking really good when the electrical and plumbing was completed.  It almost feels like home now.

 This is the new hallway that was made when we framed out our master bedroom.  I wanted a hallway so bad for some reason and new it would be impossible.  In a few short months that hallway will be filled with pictures.  To the left is our bedroom.  To the right is the new dining room and further to the right will be Liberty's big bedroom.  I joke with Darrell that we will be able to fit at least 4 sets of bunk beds in her room.  We can turn it into a dorm for all of our girls!!

 The bank was nice enough to loan us more money to finish up.  Praise the Lord!!!  We get that money on Friday.  Then we get new windows, doors, insulation, sheetrock, paint, and floors.  It really should only be a matter of months now.  Seriously this time.  I really mean it!

Just a few pics

I actually had my camera with me the other day. I decided I needed to get a few pictures of the family. You can see that these are very exciting pictures. but at least you know we are still living and breathing.





And on top of that, of all days to have my camera...

I present to you......

My dream car.....

James 1:27

Ever wonder how you can put James 1:27 into practice? Lets talk about the orphan side of that verse.

Well, there are several ways. But I warn you! Searching out a way to live James 1:27 will make you responsible.

1. Know an adoptive family? Support them. Pray for them. Hold a fundraiser for their adoption. And please don't question their sanity.

2. Go! Actually find a group that supports an orphanage and go visit them! Hold them! Hug them! Be the hands and feet of Jesus in their lives!

3. Shop meaningfully. Find a website that supports orphans or adoptive families and buy their products. They make cute gifts and they will change a life.

4. Read this post. These are not "photo-shopped."
This is real life in a real orphanage. This woman's blog is a perfect place to start learning about the least of these. She knows. She has been there. She heard the call and walked right into the perfect will of God. And while you are there please click on the links to her other posts. Like this one, or this one, and please read this one.

Jenny...this is for you!

A new post! After 5 months!

We've got our first snow of the year, so I thought this would give me a great excuse to come back here and update everyone.

First! Here is my baby, who is 7 going on 17. And my adorable husband who won't smile to save his life! This Im sure is a side effect of the Marine Corps. Its part of the brainwashing.
So next we have snow. These pictures are from today, so you are really getting a recent update!
Liberty has been waiting to try out her new sled.



This picture didn't turn out. But if it were actually daylight you would see that we are up to almost 7 inches. This makes me happy.

Our house still isn't finished. I know. Maybe that is why I have not wanted to update. Because I keep saying the same things like "Our house still isn't finished." You can only say that so many times before it gets super boring. Darrell is working hard though and its coming along. We do keep getting one delay after another. I feel this is the work of the enemy. Satan knows that when we move in we can move forward with our plans to adopt. Is it any wonder that we are 10 months into this and still not done? Please pray for this to happen quickly.

In other news, we have decided to home school next year. Liberty and I are both excited. She absolutely loves her class and teacher this year, but things will change for next year. As for me, my class is going great. I love teaching. It is truly one of the hardest things I've ever done. Plus I teach 2 grades. The Lord has taught me a lot about relying on Him when things just seem impossible. I have grown as a person and as a Christian from having this teaching position. But I will gladly pass this along to someone with a little more knowledge and experience.

The Lord is still at work in us. We are being stretched and taught more than we ever thought possible. God is preparing us for great things to come. We don't know what that is, but we are truly doing a lot of growing and soul-searching. We are seeking truth and wisdom like never before. Please pray for us as we feel we are in a super natural battle. Its always hard to see the other side when your in the midst of it.

I do hope to be able to have some different updates here in a few months. And I am going to try really, really, really hard to at least post some pictures here and there. And Jenny, you need to hold me accountable!

I will leave you with one last picture that is still on my camera. This was Christmas at my parent's house. It was so nice. And no, all those presents are not Liberty's. Unfortunately for her, she is having to share things with her new 2 year old aunt. It will be good practice for sharing with her little sister someday. And this child needs all the practice she can get!

School is In!

We've been busy, busy, busy with school starting this year! Im teaching third and fourth grades and it is wearing me out! Liberty is loving 1st grade. She is learning cursive and its better than mine!
Here are some pictures from things that have been going on lately.



My new sister!!! Her name is Olivia and she is 2 years old. My parents adopted her this past weekend and we got to be there for the ceremony. Her shirt says Got Love? Adopt. I have a friend who sells these among other items with the slogan and if you'd like to have one please visit her site. She is raising money for her own adoption. www.gotloveadopt.com

This is my amazing nephew Lleighton. He's 2 also. Isn't he a doll?

Our house still looks like this. We do have a new septic. We are getting a new roof and windows hopefully in the next week. Not especially exiting, but we are getting somewhere.
All dressed up for Chapel Day.
First day of school.
Sunrise from my dining room table.

More Ballet Pictures

I'm not sure how I missed these photos from her recital.