We're Here and so is Summer!

It's Michlyn...

I know that I rarely post anymore, but that's about to change. It's been a good 10 days since my mom or I have posted. We do have a few posts floating around in our heads (or at least I do) and we will be posting soon.

Our last day of school was May 24th, so Summer has arrived at our house! Superdad is being REALLY super this week, and decided to take the week off to finish up some projects! YAY!

Despite some car break-downs, unexpected illness, and rushing to soccer 4 nights a week we're hanging in there. Just like a blogger friend said. "Even after school is out, summer holds a different kind of crazy."

Thanks for stopping by, and still reading! We love comments from anyone!

Blessings,
~Michlyn

Project Finally Complete

You can go view this post to read the back story of this.

The project is finally completed

I like to call this our "goodwill wall". 

Both the sign and the leaf structure with the candles it in are from Goodwill. I think we scored each piece for $1.99. The picture frames we found in a box some where, and my mom said she's had them for many years. We then added black&white pictures. One of the kids, our dog Hattie, and the picture from a home-made card my mom received.

We all love how it turned out! :)

Blessings,

~Michlyn

Sunday Snapshot {Our Angel Baby}

15 days ago, our angel baby Laura Grace turned 8 years old!

I can't believe it... I remember the day she was born, already sleeping safe in the arms of Jesus. :)

We didn't make it out to visit her and bring her "presents" until Mothers' Day.

Her headstone looked so pretty after all the pinwheels, flowers, the balloon, and her "ducky" were all out there. We've brought it to her every single year. 

Love you baby girl! Give Jesus a big ole' hug from us!

To see more Sunday Snapshots visit Stefanie's blog!

wordless wednesday

E=14

One Year Old ... Peanut

Celebrating 14 with friends :)

Sleepover

Night games

Movie

Sno Cones

Brownies & Ice Cream

Bowling

Food

And Lots of Laughs!

Our Beautiful E!!!!

Our second born daughter turned 14.

She's such a blessing to all her know her.

She knows how to laugh with life ... and helps us do the same.

E is a fun little sister and big sister too.

She makes you feel loved & important when your with her.

Her sense of humor is like no other ... You can't help but smile when she's around.

Our family became "brighter" the day she was born!

Happy 14th Birthday!!!!

Love You Sunshine,

Momma & Your Family

xoxoxo

Part 2: Hope... in brokenness

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once upon a time a scared little girl on the other side of the world lost everything.

Years later,  God would collide our worlds into "FAMILY"

Together, we would face the brokenness that had become our life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finding HOPE in the brokenness of this world, however, takes much patience & perserverance.

Seeing the effects loss & hurt has on our youngest daughter is heart breaking.

Adoption is one of the hardest things I've ever been a part of...

T. has lost through death, poverty, seperation & abandonment.

She lost the ability to be a "child", an innocent child protected from the bad things around her.

She knows fear &  uncertainty!

The trauma has equipped her with the need to take care of herself.

And has convinced her no one is trustworthy!

She has built a wall,  a strong coarse wall!

When I come too close to those "protected" places, I am met with painful abbrasions - like your  body connecting with a rough, pitted, unfamiliar surface... it stings :(

T is guarded... I am pushed back & rejected!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

T. is a surviver ... a God given strength that most definitely aided in her becoming my daughter.

When she's in survival, I find  myself struggling to be the mom to T. that I know how to be.

The available & familiar love I have for my children is NOT received by T, it's not even what she needs at this time.

T is unable to accept love-like I long to give to her :(

So I am striving to learn a new way to love T.

(and I will ... slow but sure)

Different from what I know, but better for both of us.

~LOVE is giving our child what she can receive~

It's not about me!

It's about becoming who God created me to be, despite how I thought it would look.

And letting God love T through me.

 Once again, I'm holding ever so tightly to God's promises of HOPE.

"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

It's not an accident I am T's momma... I believe it's all part of His divine plans for my life - For each one of our lives :)

His plan to give us HOPE and a future!

God's plans for us promise to be greater than anything we could dream of for ourselves.

He knit this FAMILY together for His glory!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A sweet friend reminded me just today,

"God chose you, out of millions of other momma's, to be her one and only. And God doesn't make mistakes. He will refine you and grow you, while He heals her."

T has lost much, all that once felt safe and familiar.

Today, we pray for HOPE to fill her heart!

For trust to be restored.

We pray for wisdom & guidance as we walk this blessed & difficult journey... For redemption!

Moment by Moment!!!!

Clinging to HOPE,

Becky

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Resource: Hope Connections / www.tohavehope.com

wordless wednesday

Hope

Many of you know we have a baby girl in heaven...

At 20 weeks gesitional, our angel baby was diagnosed with a birth defect, incompatible with life.

The time between Laura's diagnosis and her birth was a precious gift from God.

We grieved the "life" we pictured with our fourth child in it, here on earth.

We began planning for a celebration of her life, albeit too short.

And though it was our deepest desire to carry our sweet baby full term, it was not to be.

Laura was a mover & a shaker... One of my most active babes... Another gift from her Creator.

But one Sunday morning in May, I was unable to get her to dance like she did.

Later that day, we were informed Laura Grace's heart had stopped.

She was safe in the arms of Jesus before I held her mine.

After 17 hours of labor, our tiny & beautiful baby girl was born sleeping.

Perfect in the eyes of God and ours!

Laura Grace, though she never took a breath, will live forever in our hearts & minds.

Amidst all the sorrow, pain & grieve of losing our baby girl,

we had HOPE, still do!

We rejoice knowing we'll see & hold our tiny daughter/sister again.

Our Laura Grace has never known the hurt or sadness this world sometimes brings,

just LOVE & JOY, in the presence of her Father in heaven.

Dear Sweet Laura Grace,

Happy 8th Birthay ... There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you.

As God's angels sing happy birthday to you in heaven, we celebrate you and the family we've become due to the honor of being your family, here on earth!

I love you baby girl and dream of a day in heaven,

with your arms wrapped around my neck, hearing you say, "Hi Mommy!"

Together forever with our Savior & King! 

Momma loves & misses you, Sweetie!

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; ... your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAURA GRACE!!!!