Our little boy is 9!

Happy 9th Birthday Justus!!!

Justus had his birthday this last week and he turned 9! I can't believe that I am a mother of a nine yr. old. Justus is the best! I am so proud of this guy. He has the biggest heart that is always concerned about others. Justus loves his sports; he always has. I remember when he was almost two when he would throw a ball up in the air with one hand and hit the bat with the other. Justus's other favorite pastime is fishing with his Dad and Grandpa. He asks everyday if he can go fishing. He is actually pretty good at this too. This summer he has just loved putting the crab pots down in the marina to see how many he can catch. Not only has he caught crab, but he caught a dogfish the other day. Another name for dogfish is SHARK! Yep, he put his little fishing rod in the marina and said he got something. When it got closer to the top, we realized he caught a 2ft. dogfish! Unbelievable! The day before, we were at a picnic and he walked up to us to show us the garter snack he caught. He is all boy! I am so thankful for his smile, his heart, and who God has made him to be. Happy Birthday Justus!

Tell Two

Back when Daron and I were dating, we talked about how someday we would like to adopt. At the time we were thinking domestically, but then over the years our heartstrings were pulled by all of the orphans that were affected by HIV over in Africa. Since then, we have talked and prayed about adopting an orphan that was affected by HIV, but living without it. When we started getting into the adoption process last year, I was, and still am, so ignorant and uneducated on how far medication has come for those with HIV. I didn't realize that those with HIV could go on to live a "normal" life without ever even developing AIDS. I didn't even know you could adopt an HIV+ child, but I was wrong. It is amazing how far the medical world has come.



Through the blogging and adoption world, I have learned a lot about this much more manageable disease, than I ever realized. One blogger has encouraged everyone who reads her blog to "Tell Two" people about HIV. Please read Erin's blog. She is the HIV coordinator for AAI and an amazing mom to 11 kids! Another great blog to educate ourselves on HIV is From HIV to Home. I hope you can take a few minutes to read and help erase some of the stigma that has been attached to HIV in the past and make it a memory!

Patience

“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.”
- Psalm 40:1

This is the verse that the children of our church are being encouraged to memorize this week. Over the summer, they are challenged to memorize one verse and recite it to their parents, Pastor Daron, or their house church. After the kids have memorized 4, they are invited to an ice cream party. Then, after 10, they get to go to Chuck E. Cheese together! Can you tell the kids picked out the reward system? It has been really fun hearing the different kids call Daron or come up to him and recite the verses. The first week, a 4yr. old was the first one to do it(Go Alyssa!) Mary, my mother-in-law, gets our email updates in MN and has also been memorizing the verses. She calls every week and leaves the verse on the answering machine. She said she wants to go to Chuck E. Cheese! LOL! Knowing her, she really will plan a trip to come out then; not one to miss a party!

This verse has meant alot to me as well. As you know, we have been "waiting patiently" for God's timing to show itself to us in regards to our adoption. There are many thoughts that go through my head with this, but mostly I daily remind myself not to worry. Because....if I am worrying, I am not waiting patiently. God has His timing worked out for us just perfectly and I can't manipulate it; or at least not without causing more damage. I know that God hears my cries. I know that in my heart and my head. Some days though, I need to proclaim this as my theme song/Psalm to get me through the day.

Scenic Beach

Here is a photo from our church picnic at Scenic Beach State Park. This was taken by one of our local newspapers, The Kitsap Sun, and my friend Linda sent it to me. Isn't it gorgeous there? Linda and Greta are standing on the rocks to the left, along with others from Alive.

This is one of the reasons I fell in love with the Pacific Northwest!

Happy July 1st!

It has been awhile since I have posted, so I thought I better start July off with a post to try and get some momentum in the beginning of the month. June was super busy for us, as I am sure the rest of you too, so I didn't feel like I had time to sit down at the computer too much.

As a recap, we had the delightful trip to Yosemite that you all read about, as well as the end of school with classroom musicals and ballet recitals.

The two older kids went to camp for a couple of nights at Cascades and had a blast with some friends from church! The kids got to stay in this train camp in the background. All the train cars slept 10 and had their own bathrooms included. Notice Mt. Rainier in the background. Picture perfect!

Cascades is an amazing camp that is affiliated with our church. I worked at one of the sister camps, Covenant Harbor for 8 summers! It made such a difference in my life and I pray that the kids have a similar experience.

Last week we also took one of the sunny days to enjoy a boat ride on my parents boat, the Nordic Dawg! We took the ferry to Seattle to pick up the boat after a tune-up, picked up my Grandma at her residence (Covenant Shores) on Mercer Island, and took her over for lunch at the marina in Kirkland. Then we trolled along Bellevue and Mercer Island checking out all the amazing homes on the water, Bill Gates's included.

This weekend I got to go to a Women of Faith Conference in the Seattle for the day. There were a handful of us from church and we got to hear some amazing speakers and artists perform. My favorite time was when the artist, Natalie Grant, performed- she was moving!

Sunday we had our annual church picnic at Scenic Beach State Park in Seabeck. It was so gorgeous there with the scenery and the weather! We had a blast picnicing, tossing balloons, playing in the water, etc. I had to leave a little early though, which I felt a little guilty about.

The guilt quickly evaporated when I got to my destination: Zootunes concert! A couple of friends and I traveled into Seattle (two times in one weekend!) for an Indigo Girls concert! It was being held on the Woodland Park Zoo lawn (hence, Zootunes), so we got to bring in a picnic and chill while listening to some amazing tunes!

I really had such an amazing June with family and friends! I look forward to July!