Rejoicing at the Airport

It's 11:20 and I'm wide awake.  I just had the privilege of participating in one of the most amazing and touching experiences.  Along with friends and family, I got to catch the first glimpse of Tim, Anna, Ben and Paige arrive, in the lobby of RDU.  Anna held Paige, while Tim walked behind with Ben.  Sweet Ty was crouched between his grandpa's legs sucking his thumb, taking it all in.  For the very first time, Ben and Paige were meeting their brother, their grandparents, their cousins, aunts and uncles, and so many friends who have prayed for them.  Only days before they had called an orphanage their home, and now they were being passed from one set of adoring arms to the next.  Tonight they will arrive at their own home and see their own beds (for everyone's sake, I pray they will sleep in these beds tonight :)).  Tomorrow and the next day and the next and . . ., they will wake up in the same home and be loved and cared for by parents who love and adore them.  Adoption is truly amazing.  And the Lord foresaw all of this.  Praise be to God for His good gifts and His sovereignty.      

God's Word Transforming Me

"When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done.  Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him.  He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing".  Luke 9 10-11.

The Lord has used this verse this week to teach me.  I'm feeling a bit worn out and desirous of a retreat.  As a result, this verse has really spoken to me.  Oh, alas, how selfish I am. . .always thinking of numero uno first.  Here Jesus wanted to withdraw, but what happened, people followed him. . .and what did he do. . .he WELCOMED them, SPOKE to them about the kingdom of God, and HEALED them.  Wow.  Very humbling.  I am learning that I am called to minister regardless of my state and feelings.  The calling of God in my life is so much greater than me.  "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it".  Matthew 16:25

A Trip to the Creamery

On Tuesday, we made a trip to Jullian, NC to visit a real creamery with our homeschool group.  It was awesome. . .except for the extreme wind.

Of course we did lots of mooing.  We even stopped the car in the middle of the road to talk to a llama across the fence.

This is the 7 day old calf we got to pet and feed a bottle to.  He was SO cute.  If your fingers got anywhere close to his lips, he started sucking them, thinking he would get some milk.  Maddie and Ry both experienced this.

Check out my cow girl, milking the teats of this cow (okay, it's not real, but I'm not sure I would want her on the underside of a real cow).

After a fun hay ride, feeding a calf, milking a pretend cow, visiting the milking parlor, and singing with a rooster, guess what the Wells' children's favorite part of the field trip was.  The ice cream at the end.  We all got a cupful of fresh, birthday cake ice cream.  Oh was it yummy.  However, to really enjoy it, we had to eat it inside the minivan, as the wind made the outside temperature feel like it was in the 40's!

And for the first time ever, I longed for a GPS (I should have called Christy :)).  Getting lost in the middle of no where is NO fun!

Oh, and we laughed and laughed and laughed at the Australian sheep dog that was "herding" us on the hay ride (oh no. . does this mean, I'm really a dog person because I'm reporting this).  He was running ahead of the tractor that pulled us and laying in the road, waiting until he almost got run over, to run ahead of us again.  Madeline, Ryan and I laughed and laughed that this.

An Egg Hunt at Bond Park in Cary

On Saturday we joined hundreds of other folks at Bond Park for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Overall, I think Ryan had the best "situation".  He was in the 3 and under age group.  As you can imagine, with a sea of toddlers surrounding him, Ry dominated.  Eventually, multiple eggs poured out of his basket each time he put a new one in.  You go boy! :)

Since Ry's hunt started before Maddie's, Daddy was able to coach Madeline on her hunt.  He knew that the Marshmallow eggs were the best and cheered her on to pick up many more of these eggs than the plastic eggs that contained only tootsie rolls or caramels.  I love Matt's enthusiasm and his desire to do ALL things with excellence.

Daddy and his chickies.

An exuberant Madeline before the race.  Since we had time to kill, Maddie and I collected sparkly rocks from the ball field. . .recently, every time I put on a pair of pants I am usually overwhelmed by the bulge in my pocket.  My pocket is usually filled with "sparkly" rocks that Madeline has collected on our daily outings.  So funny and fun!  Of course, she considers these rocks true jewels.  I love it.

Our Tarheels. . .and that dog

The longer I'm a dog owner, the more I realize that I'm NOT a dog person.  However, look at this dog.  How can one not love him???  He loves his family and loves just chilling with us. . .when he's not running circles with crazies, chewing up things, and . . .

Mommy scored big on Saturday.  UNC jerseys on clearance at Kohl's.  Now Daddy's on the search for one for himself and Mommy.  Oh, I love this picture.  So Maddie and Ry.  Madeline pouring out love and tenderness upon her brother and Ry accepting it in a tender, yet manly way.  

What are you guys whispering about?  They were so excited to get these jersey's.  Ryan has asked to wear his every day since the purchase.  Madeline, of course, mostly loves that she and Ryan are "twins".  I've tried to explain the true definition of twins to her, but oh well, she loves thinking that she and her brother are twins, and I think it's cute.

A different perspective

Guess who hijacked the camera?  I actually love these pictures.  It's so fun to see what Maddie sees.