Emotions

Well this is aweful. Sorry it's been so long since I've updated. I'm on Facebook a lot so my blogging life has taken quite the hit. I need to get better at this, I'll just add it to my to-do list...thanks for understanding!

Now that both babies are asleep and I have time to digest some thoughts, I'm realizing how emotional this past month has been for our family. With my dad having crazy things happen with his job, Phil and Amber having ups and downs with the adoption of Silas, and discipline issues with Reagan coming up, it's been rough! But we know God is sovereign in all things and He's not surprised by our family troubles.

You could pray for peace as Phil and Amber wait on a second court date. The Ethiopian courts usually close during rainy season and we're praying they remain open so families waiting to get their sons and daughters through adoption aren't held up even more. (Also, a good friend of the family, the Zeunes, are going to get their son, Mathios, in 8 days. Mathios hasn't been on the greatest eating-streak since he's joined the transition home and the Zeunes could use prayer as they prepare to travel, meet, and parent little Mathios in only 8 days!)

There's a lot more to share but I'm tired and since I've promised to be better at updating my blog, I can share it in a few days! :)

Spring Pics

This Spring (almost Summer) has been so great! God has blessed us with wonderful weather and we've enjoyed being outside A LOT! Mom and Dad had a pool put in last Fall and now that the weather is oh-so-warm, we're visiting their pool about 4 times a week. Mom, Dad, and Becca have put up with me and the kids and we're thankful for their hospitality, food, and pool! Below are pics of Jason and Reagan playing at a park, Memorial day fun with our cousins from Columbus, a visit from Aunt Maggie, and a summer night in Grammy and Pops' back yard. And some of the best news of the Spring (which unfortunately we can't post pics of, yet) is the news that Phil and Amber got their referral and are waiting for their seven month old son to join them from Ethiopia! Once he's officially their baby I'll post pics of him and let you know his name and all that. Praise the Lord for growing our family!

Fantastic Recipe

Here's a recipe that's delicious! Get ready, tastebuds.

Grilled Lime Chicken
Prep: 15 min. + marinating
Grill: 10 min.

1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
6 Tbsp. olive oil
3 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley OR 1 Tbsp. dried parsley
3 Tbsp. grated lime peel
1-1/2 tsp. minced garlic
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. dried thyme
3/4 tsp. marjoram
3/4 tsp. pepper
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

In a small bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. Pour 1/3 cup marinade into a large resealable plastic bag OR tupperware container with lid. Seal and turn to coat; refrigerate for up to one hour. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade.

Drain and discard marinade. Grill chicken, covered over medium heat for 5-8 minutes per side. Baste occasionally with remaining marinade.

**to get the most lime juice, microwave limes for 30 seconds before slicing in half and squeezing. A juicer (electric or hand) is helpful but not necessary.

Springy Wingys

Spring is finally here! With all the wonderful weather lately we've had lots of trips to the park behind Grammy and Pops' house. Swinging is one of Reagan's favorite things to do. She'll ask if she can go on the, "WEE!" Then she'll ask for the "sly?" (slide). There's lots of fun to be had these days. And Gideon is really growing up, too! This morning he reached out and grabbed the toy cow that's attached to his jungle gym mat. Definitely a first and worthy of posting. Thanks, Lord, for a wonderful family and two kids who are growing up too fast.

Recent Pics

Jason is 32!

My handsome husband turned 32 yesterday! We had a wonderful day celebrating...here's what went down: Every Thursday Jason spends the majority of his day at Dayton Christian since it's chapel day. (If you didn't know this already, Jason is working part-time at DC to coordinate chapels and do some counseling for male students.) And since Dayton Christian is on Spring break, Jason didn't have to go in to DC yesterday. He requested to sleep in on his bday and he certainly did! He wanted to watch an episode of The West Wing and then go for a jog. He needed to work at Apex for a few hours and have a couple meetings, so afterwards we met up and got straight to celebrating! Spontaneity was the word of the day! We decided it would be fun to just do whatever we wanted...the kids were with my parents, I had extra milk for Gideon all ready to go so we could be gone for a while. And we were runnin' round town like we did when we were dating and had not a care in the world. Jason thought it would be fun to go to BW3s for an appetizer, the tastiness of Southwest Dippers is indescribable. Then we went to Chipotle for dinner, his steak fajita burrito was quite the sight! And then we went to UDF for his favorite thing lately, a rootbeer float. Then back to my parent's house to get the kids! Reagan was a tired little lady but was still fun to play and talk with. And Gideon looked at Jason for a long time, just staring away at his great daddy. When we came home and the kids were asleep, we ended the day with another episode of The West Wing. It was a fun day, I know he enjoyed it. And the best part is he got what he's been asking for for over a year now. His very own UFC zip up hoodie. Happy Birthday, J! You're a hot 32.

My cutie pie

Reagan is always into something these days. She loves to talk up a storm if someone's around to listen or not. Being a big sister is right up her alley, too! So in honor of my first-born being so grown-up and such a helper to me since Gideon's arrival, here is a blog of pics which feature only her. (I'm trying to upload a video but I can't get anything to work properly.)