Make a Smilebox slideshow

Zachary's Big Day

I was not the only one who was blessed the day God brought Andy in to my life, my son Zachary was blessed as well. Way before I was praying for a husband, Zachary was praying for a daddy. One that would live with us, love us, and take care of me. Zachary was so sweet when it was just the two of us, one Christmas he bought me a ring because he wanted me to have one like the other mommies did. Well, dear Zachary, your dreams came true. God sent us Andy! This past Wednesday our family was made official by the adoption of Zachary by Andy.

Thank you Lord for bringing Andy in to our lives. Our lives might be crazier together, blending 4 boys and 2 families, but our hearts are more full and happy!

Pray for Stellan

I follow MckMama on Twitter and she has asked us to pray for Stellan. Apparently he is having bouts of SVT again tonight and the previous nights. If you have been following her you already know its been a struggle lately and meds have been upped and monitors have been closely watched. Last I heard was that Dr. B wanted Stellan to be brought back in to the hospital but that she was going to try vagals maneuvers again first.

Sacred Marriage

I bought the book months ago and began reading it only to put it down and start another. I am very bad at halfway finishing books because I buy a couple at a time that look interesting. This book was very good and MckMama speaks so highly of it that I am determined to finish. Sadly because it was so long ago I started it I am going to have to lose the progress I made and start over. It is a very deep and at times confusing book, but then again it doesn't take much to confuse me. As a way to keep myself accountable, I am going to post interesting facts about the book a couple times a week, so if you could help but nudging me if I get off track and I would really appreciate it!

Well I am off to reading. I hope you look forward to learning with me!

Collin's Birthday Party

It seems kind of odd because Collin's Birthday was last month, but lets just say its been a bit crazy! Were weren't where we'd be living, whether or not the boys would be on summer break with Michelle, or if Andy would be out of town~ the funny thing is that God knew all along. So nice to think about that. That regardless what's going on around us and circumstantially to us, God is in control and omnipotent!

Anyways, we had a little family gathering to celebrate Collin turning 8. I for one am most excited to have almost ALL the boys out of car seats/booster seats. Woo-Hoo! Remy from next door, the newest member of our family, came over and so did the little boy across the street. We really didn't invite any kids this time. Its so much more expensive that way and with 4, it can be a whopper! Plus its hard to figure out who to invite, the whole class or just close friends? Can't afford the whole class but it seems rude the other way too. We have chosen to stick with family for now. We still take treats in to school so they can celebrate with friends. Eventually they will have a handful of really close friends and it will be easier to invite that way.

Seems I once again got off topic lol! I am a little sleepy seeing as it is almost midnight. I have became quite the night owl since summer, loving the boys sleeping in! Well we had cake, ice cream, and fun with family. Got some neat gifts and played with cousins outside.

Collin requested to have 3 golden retrievers and a husky on a skateboard.

Grandma Colleen makes cakes for the boys every year. I'd say she did a fabulous

job with this odd request.

The Starrett Clan

Eating the BEST cake ever! You haven't tasted cake until you've had Colleen's cake!

Alex, Ashton, Mallory, Zachary, Caleb, and Collin

No, Alex isn't wearing face paint, he had a run in with some concrete over the weekend, I'd say the rocks one this battle, poor Alex!

My epiphany

Well this post might seem a bit blunt. I am just sick and tired of trying for it to be all peachy and sun-shiny all the time. Is that how Jesus acted? Is that the overtone of the Bible? NO! Jesus got angry, he expressed many human emotions, the important part was how he reacted and behaved with those emotions. Some times life just stinks. Sometimes marriage isn't all that I thought it would be. Sometimes when I watch my lovey-dovey movies I get so upset because that is NOT the way real love is. Have you ever wondered why young teens girls have it all wrong when it comes to love, commitment, and relationships? Not me, look no farther than Hollywood and how they portray love and you begin to understand. Wow I am rambling. It has just been some crazy months and I have realized that I am holding a lot in and pretending on the outside that I am somehow this super mom that can do it all and nothing fazes her. Well its not true. My life is not at all like I pictured it to be. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband and I love what we have, and I know I am where God wants me to be but that doesn't mean it is easy. I pictured having 4-5 kiddos with my hubby, not step-parenting 3 and feeling so helpless in protecting them even though I am the main caregiver. In my dreamy picture of being a mom I never once fantasized my child saying "i want my real mom" when the are in trouble or upset. I have slowly realized that my vision and God's vision are different and for me to fulfill His purpose for my life I might just have to get a new pair of shoes lol! I mean the person I was, the role that I was filling before Andy is so different from the person I have to be now and the role that I am filling now. Its like I need a new pair of shoes, a different perspective. Know that old saying, you don't know how you'd react until you walk in their shoes for a day. Exactly true! Now I am having to do just that, walk in someone else's shoes. Walking in the shoes of the person God designed me to be and leaving the shoes of the person I chose on my own at the curb. This new role of mine might not be easy and there are days that I don't think I can do it anymore because I am tired and hurt, but I take it one day at a time and God is always there to pull me through and be my strength. I hope this new style of blogging is okay and I haven't scared you off. But there are many times that I am scared and I need advice or to talk but I don't know who to turn to. Sometimes I feel guilty for my feelings and feel ashamed to share. Other times I just hold it in because I am scared people will take it the wrong way and think I am not happy when I am. Anyways, we'll see how it goes.

Bonfire with Boys

We love s'mores at this house! In general I love fires. So cozy and toasty. Family time, yummy food, and fun. Couldn't get any better than this!

Wicked

There are not words to describe it. It was unbelievable! Humorous, Dramatic, Shocking, a little bit of everything but nothing that you'd expect. Its a gotta see!

Summer is here!

I am so excited to have time with the boys without the rush and bustle of school and bedtimes. I am desperately trying to find things to do that does not cost money, any ideas? We love the sprinkler parks but regular parks make me so dizzy with the heat. I am a sissy I know! The pool is always a blast but not free. Cool Creek Park has a lot of free activities to do as well. If any one wants to tag along, let me know!