Light, Light, Light up the Sky!

My new favorite song :-)

So October flew by- and now we are at the middle of November. It is finally getting cold! We have had our A/C off for the last six days- I think that is a record! We are gearing up for a big Thanksgiving at home, and then a great Christmas Season.

We have, as always, been busy and I think that helps sometimes. It is hard to believe that we are almost at the 1/2 way part of the second nine weeks! The Big J is turning 17 and getting a car! I don't know if I can wait either! That will be one less taxi driver I have to be! Although, the other day the Big J did say "I sure am going to miss you driving me around"- LOL!! to which I said, I can't wait to give you a driving / pick-up to-do list!

Doesn't this look like a senior picture? LOL- he is only a Sophomore, and this is our family photographer! But man, can she take great pictures!!

All the kids-

the player and the coach-

waiting for pictures.. and trying to say warm!

It was Christmas picture time in the park.. it just happened to be the coldest day yet! New Wolfson basketball gear! -

Chasing pigeons at the park in Riverside.

Last game of the season- WOO-HOO! No more Friday night lights :-( but, we're playing basketball! Even the little J is getting to try out basketball this year!

A winning smile, and a final game :-) Basketball starts Tuesday and I CAN'T WAIT!!!

so what do these two have in common? hmmmm.....

finally- a dinner guest with a smile!

Big Brother, Little Brother

Motion... Motion.... Motion -

Look who's 2!

Look who is turning 6 soon!

He looks just like the Little J when he was 2! It was like playing with the little J all over again.

Who me-- the little J's little brother...

Brothers - can we please stay together?

"It is futile to try and understand the reasoning behind our suffering as the book of Job teaches us. It is enough to know that God is in control, and that he is our refuge and strength in times of trouble. Like Job, we need to learn that God is not bound by our understanding or by our lack of it. His is free and subject to no will but His own. He does not owe us an explanation for His actions"- George W. Knight

It seems like so much sad news is being passed in my inner circle- and it is hard sometimes to understand that this is just temporal- The battles one of my friends is facing right now, seems daunting, and final. It makes me sad, - my heart breaks for her family as they watch their loved one in the fight of her life. It just seems so unfair at times that God's will takes away some of our best- and yet the reward of Heaven far surpasses anything here. When I talk to her she seems defeated, and yet she knows that God is waiting for her-

The struggles here sometimes can paralyze us. They seem so daunting- and yet at those times I feel that all our doubts magnify and Satan just pounces. It is hard to stay above water, and yet God is right there. When I was driving home the other day I thought man.. why am I struggling so- God is right there- waiting to take my hand, carry me if need be, and yet I chose to go it alone- It is a constant battle of the flesh- to honestly just trust him- and yet I think so many things he could fix in the snap of a finger- and really- the truth of that is that his ways and timing are perfect.

And then I look at the last 18 months we have been through. And it has been a long 18 months- and it continues. And more obstacles have been thrown in and yet we continue to have hope. We are steadfast in our efforts to reunite the little J and his siblings. The State of Florida's statues seem to agree- it is now just the movement that we are waiting on. It seems that we are making another turn for the good- and we remain hopeful that the Little J and his siblings will be reunited by the end of the year. It has been a process. But God is good, and the case is seeming to work itself out. We hate the fact that 2 little boys have been in foster care for 2 years when they have a home- The most frustrating part for us, seems to be that people who are supposed to protect children will not make a stand. We don't know if it's job security or just easier, but to us and the little J's siblings it is just plain frustrating. I will say that we have had an angel that has remained faithful to the Little J and his siblings since she became aware of the case. She has remained focused on doing what is right "by the brothers" and we thank God for her everyday. We know that God will work this out for the good of all three brothers.

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart

and with the full assurance faith brings,

having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience

and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold unswervingly to the

hope we profess,

for He who promised is

FAITHFUL.

Hebrews 10:22-23

Can't wait to put on Christmas music- but I will wait until the day after Thanksgiving!

Enjoy!