Seasons of Life

First, I wanted to share these pictures with you since I am not allowed to take little J to the barber. Derek feels this is something he should do (LOL)~ Anyway, I always get the cutest shots of him in the chair. I think Derek is trying to show that he is not being "man handled" at the barber shop. And, uhhhmmm, when they go- (the three of them- Derek and both J's) let's just say it is about a 2 hour process- but the big J believes that Mr. Jethro is the best barber this side of the Mississippi. I would have to agree- he gives a great cut to all my boys!

School starts tomorrow, and I am happy for the distraction. We will have one in high school, 2 in elementary school, and 1 in preschool! We have it all worked out, so know one should be left anywhere too long! We are still unsure on the other 2 boys, and we have turned that situation entirely over to God. Derek and I have had many emotions over this entire situation, but we both agree that God will be the ultimate decision maker, and we must trust that he will help us adjust to whatever the outcome may be. In church today we were talking about the difference a home could make for children- so true, and it makes me almost angry to think that J is going to have a great foundation to build a life, and his brothers may not have that same opportunity. That is what really bothers me if the truth be told. That J has siblings that are having decisions made by spiteful case workers that will effect them for the remainder of their life. It makes me sad. But, we rejoice in knowing "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" Proverbs 16:9

Have you ever thought about your season of life? I have thought about it a lot over the last two months. The awesome thing about life is that (to a point) it keeps right on going. And God tells us that he loves us as much today, as he did yesterday, and he does in the future. It's just awesome that all we have to do is ask, and God is there.

It was Promotion Sunday today, and one of our missionaries spoke to the kids. He told them one of my favorite scriptures "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11. That is just the beauty of the Bible. There are so many promises that God makes to us to flourish, to be safe, and know that we are taken care of. What a mighty God we Serve!

Have a great first week of school!

The last weekend of summer :-)

and our nephew comes to visit. Needless to say, B & M were really busy taking care of X. J has developed some very funny (and clever) smile. The bottom picture is his "football face".

J playing around on my laptop.... SCARY!

No, really mom... I didn't touch anything!

J wanted his picture taken eating breakfast... He is a total picture ham!

Exciting times when the big "J" brought home his helmet. The little "J" did not understand it was not for him... after all he wants to play "fuutball".

Just a few more random J pics... I promise.

We found Baby Tad when we were cleaning out M & B's room Friday. After a quick battery change he is getting another round of hugs and love.

So, when I went to check-on J at nap time he was giving Baby Tad a real work-out. If you have never experienced Baby Tad he is a great little educational buddy!

and now for the other J.... just like M hiding from the camera after church! Really... he just doesn't know that he is living in a camera loving house:-)

I start back to school tomorrow after a very richly blessed summer. While our house is not as clean as I would like it and all the little things that we wanted to get done around here didn't get done.. we are relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready for a great 2009 / 2010 school year!

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your hears, as working for the Lord,

NOT for men" (Colossians 3:23)

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength"

(Isaiah 40:31)

God is Good... All the Time... All the time, God is Good!

Really... is there anything better than a sleeping baby? Yes, I tell you there is.... Try two sleeping kids....

This was our house a few days ago after spending five hours at the pool. J & M came home, took quick showers and hit the sack.. Then the great afternoon thunderstorms came and they slept through everything. J is especially fond of his afternoon naps. He is sleeping right now!

It has been a very long and hard week. We are doing everything we can to be patient and wait on the outcome of J's brothers ( 4 years old and 8 months). This week it was almost like fighting with the devil over their care. It is a mess to say the least, with several problems that are certainly out of our control. Different counties, caseworkers, and lead agencies have caused some confusion, but we hold on to faith that those boys will end up where they are supposed to be. And we are asking God that that be with us! The frustration that we may be enduring now will just be a memory soon we hope. The state process is so long and little lives can just get lost in that system. It seems that some (not all, and certainly not the case with J) caseworkers attitudes leave a lot to be desired. And believe me, I do understand burn-out, but these sweet boys are just being tossed by the system when there is really some where they can land forever. We cannot say enough great things about the Guardian Ad Litems Office. They have really been a beacon of light for us and have calmed our fears and stood behind us in the journey. We can really just not say enough things about them.... I am sure they will know us well by the time this journey ends.

As for J.. he has had one very busy week as well. Again, I will spare you the details of my opinions of state operated insurance... He had a great first day at daycare. He actually did better than I thought and was a little upset when he had to leave before he finished his buggy ride. He will be there full-time Monday and that makes me a little sad too! He will be the only one not at school with us. Derek will take him, and we will pick him up. Today he had to go to the health department to get his shots... six of them mind you... um because why... we are not sure... and our practice was not certified to give shots ... so four hours later he is completely up-to-date. You can say a lot about the uninsured.. that is a road I hope we never have to walk. In October he will be on our insurance so all is well!

Both M & B have had a great summer. I think they are excited to get back into the swing of things. They have great teachers for next year, and this is M's last year in elementary school (sniff, sniff!) B is ready to see her friends, but I think they are most excited about dance.

The other "J" is busy with football practice everyday from 8-5. Even though he is in the 9th grade they are going to start him as a running back on varsity. Not my first pick, but Derek seems to be really excited about that. I frankly prefer basketball..... and I keep saying that over and over.

This is my last Friday off for the summer. I am recharged and excited about the new year and can't wait to see my friends on Monday. It will be a long week of getting ready.. but hey... what fun this year holds!

Off to enjoy a two more days at the pool and beach before reality sets back in... oh to dream about next summer and some great trips to plan.

Help Wanted.....

Room 138 at Beauclerc Elementary is asking for your help.... We need PTA memberships for our room (that will also help our school). Anyone can join, and you can buy as many memberships as you would like. They are $5.00-
You can mail your money to-

Mrs. Rowan and Mrs. Yadon Room 138

C/O Beauclerc Elementary

4555 Craven Road West

Jacksonville, FL 32256

We greatly appreciate any memberships you purchase.

We are trying to win a FREE pizza party for our CLASS.

The PTA is a great service organization at our school. They fund many programs around the school as well as provide great financial assistance to teachers for classroom materials , students, and needs of our families (glasses, turkeys, etc.).

Thank you in advance for your help!

Really... I held out 4 weeks... But Really

even I only have so much tolerance for the NO DANCING rule........ Not sure how tall B looks in this picture, but her legs look really long! They were taking a break from doing a little routine with J as the tapper.I mean in a house of three dancers do you think it is really possible? PLEASE....... the shoes came out Friday after dance camp... tap, ballet, and jazz. Of course tap is J's favorite too, just like his momma! He has been dancing all around the house with M & B much to his dad's chagrin LOL! Don't worry, he still gets his basketball time in as evidenced today when we were pulling into church and he starts clapping and saying basketball, basketball. More evidence that he has spent entirely too much time in a gym, and NOT in a dance studio!

And don't you know he has two built-in dance teachers that will show him all the moves. Even B had fun in some of my old shoes (and no those are not tap shoes, they were actually shoes for the can-can... remember Fat Boy Slim and 100 kicks LOL now!)
Excuse the blog..we are under construction, and I have to add a quick run to the grocery store between now and nine, so all my updates and additions will not be complete. I finally finished most of my school blog, but still need to work on derek's nets blog. Need to update schedules and such for the kids to post their games this year.

My short lens has been mailed off yet again, and my camera battery was dying, so the shots aren't the best, but you get the idea of our weekend around the house. I would have got the other J but he was at the mall with his friends. I will get them this week as we have a lot of outdoor activities planned since it is my last week of summer.

It has been a really great summer. We have learned a lot, traveled a lot, and visited with old and new friends. God has been really good to us- but then if you think about it, he always is. Still no word on the siblings. We have turned that over to God and know that whatever the outcome is (even if it is not what we want) that those two boys will end up where they are supposed to be. Although, I won't lie and say that we aren't praying for favor! YEAH GOD!

More to come later... there is going to be a revolt if I don't get to the grocery store soon!-

ps... check out these blogs

http://mysteryislandbartram.blogspot.com/ my friend Mrs. Plish is starting the year off at a brand new school.... thou shalt not covet.... thou shalt not covet

http://totalclam.blogspot.com/ our school blog.

It's quiet around here tonight!

Tonight, is the first time in a long time that just the five of us our here. Jasper went home for a few days to spend time with his mom and dad, and we are just hanging out. We have had some really bad storms lately, and have just kept close to the house. No housework has managed to get done though! That will come before we start back to school I am sure. see the blur... that is the lens because my nikon lens broke again! and oh my... is j's shirt too small already? the j-ster eats all the time, everything, all the time! (I am going to crop that cord out.. relax!)

who says this is an outside toy??? really, it fits perfectly in this house! too bad you can't see his basketball hoop too!

For the second time in five months my short Nikon lens is broke again... UGGGGHHHHH! It was not dropped, but has a gear lock issue. Derek is going to take it back tomorrow because I am not going to get upset (haha!). This is why I hate to spend lots of money on things that can break! So, I have to shoot with my larger lens, which is alright, but not for the little shots I take around here.

I have 15 days of summer left, and each one is going to be GREAT! We have been reading quite a few books (various authors, various topics) and spending some time inside because of all the storms. Our U14 team is in the play-off over at the PAL and we are so proud of them. We played them in the 15-17 league to "toughen" them up for AAU travel ball and they have played really well! All of them have improved their game.

I finished reading a book by Matthew Paul Turner called beatitude and it was really a great read. The book is based on Matthew 5- very easy read and very well written. Makes you aware of how we are given everything we need. I have a few more to finish up before we hit the library Wednesday. And then, I have made another list of books that I must read before returning to school.

We are looking forward to a great year, and should know about the other boys shortly! Until then we will remain prayerful and thankful for what we have received.