Like we always knew each other......

Michael felt a heavy burden several months ago to find his sisters.  His dad remarried when he was young and they had 2 girls.  When he was young and visited his dad he would see them alot but they were very young at the time.  His dad remarried again and he never knew what ever happened to them. Around the beginning of the year, he felt a strong conviction to find out how his sisters were doing.  In his career he sees alot of times what can happen to children who grow up without a father figure in their life and he was very concerned about what happened to them.

He began by finding their mother. He wrote a letter and wasn't sure if he would ever get a response.  He was just following what he felt God leading him to do.  It wasn't long till he did get a response.  He eventually was able to talk to his sisters by email and began building a relationship with them by email. He cares so much about them.  We met their mother for dinner one evening and I just fell in love with her.  I sat there and listened to her.  What a testimony.  She is such a wonderful mom who loved those girls so much.  Michael was blessed with a loving mother too who made enormous sacrifices for him and his brother.  Even though all four of these children did not have a father in their lives, God gave them all super moms.

Anyways, a couple weeks ago we finally met.  I was so excited to meet them.  They are beautiful young ladies.  I do not know if it is OK with them to say their names on here.  They told me pictures were OK but I will not say their names unless they tell me it is OK.  One of his sisters has 3 little girls who my kids instantly bonded with.  She is married to a wonderful man who feels God leading him into the ministry and will actually begin preaching at a church very soon.  His youngest sister is a teacher. She is very pretty and sweet.  I was worried that it would feel awkward for us since Michael hasn't seen them in 20 years but it was like we always knew each other. I can't wait to get together with them again soon.

It is so amazing how God works if we just allow ourselves to be His instrument.  I am so proud of Michael for following God and letting God work through this whole process.  I am so tickled to have 2 more sister-in-laws and 3 more nieces.  Love you all!

Pics from VBS

On the ferris wheel

Here are some pics from our VBS this year.  We had alot of fun!

M being a soldier in story time.

Emma and her BFF who came with us to VBS this year.

Riding the swings.

We will all be there.....

Where is it we will all be?  That would be....HEAVEN.  Our sweet little M gave his heart to Jesus on June 3rd.  He had been asking lots of questions and that night after the service at church he told his daddy that he wanted to talk to the preachers about getting saved.  They went up there and he gave his heart to Jesus.  He has a precious heart and I know God has big plans for him.  I am so thankful to know that we will all be together with Jesus one day.

Pool Party!!

E had some friends over to celebrate the end of school the last week of school.  They swam, went to a school dance, swam some more and had a sleep over.  These girls were awesome!  I am so glad she has such good friends.

Pictures to tell our story

Ok, to say I have been busy lately is a serious understatement.  I want to keep up with my blog but after working all day, getting kids homework done, supper and cleaning done, blogging gets put on the back burner.  I know my life may not seem as exciting as other blogs I read but we are busy.  I am just going to put some pictures to share of what has been going on lately.

M dressed up on rock star day at his preschool.

Having a good time on a nearby playground.

E dressed up for '80's day at school.

This is my good looking M at my brother's wedding.

E and my new sister-in-law, Nikki.

The whole wedding party.  Very beautiful wedding!

My brother & M.

My dad dancing with the kids.

The kids with their own lemonade stand.  It was a cute idea but when you live 1/2 mile off the road you don't have alot of business.  They are so funny with the things they come up with.

Camping in the front yard.

M loves turtles.  Everytime we find one in the yard he wants to keep it.  Here is his turtle he named Walter.  He cried when he had to put him back where he was found. Sweet, sweet boy.

Went with E on field trip to Tuttle State Forest.

M graduated from preschool. Can not believe he is going to kindergarten in August.  My baby is growing up!

Well, hope the pictures show a little of what we have been up to.  We went on our first youth retreat last weekend and had a lot of fun but also got to see God at work which was what a retreat is all about. We have our pool open now so we are a popular place to come right now.  We are only popular in the summer. Lol!  Also, Michael has reconnected with his half sisters and their mom.  We are meeting everyone in a couple weeks and I cannot wait to meet them all.  We met Tammy, Michael's former step mother about a month ago and she is a precious, godly lady.  I loved her as soon as I met her and I know I will love his sisters too. Can't wait to see them!  Well, will try to blog sooner next time.

The Rest of the Story....

OK, I know it has been a while but I wanted to tell those of you who do not know how things turned out with E.  We had her MRI done.  When we went back for the results they said they saw something and needed to do another one with contrast dye.  The doctor was talking about neoplasms and all this stuff and I finally said "What are you looking for?".  He pulled me to the side and said the T word. Tumor.  I panicked.  I lost it but tried to keep it together around the kids.  My parents came over & tried to keep me positive.  Of course, I looked things up online and panicked even more.  The doctors office scheduled to do the MRI a week later!  OK, you got me all worried and now you expect me to sit a week and wait and then wait another couple days for the results.

Well, after making the appointment, I got home and thought about it and the more I thought the more mad I got so I left a message begging the doctors office to see if anything sooner was available.  The next day I got a call and the doctors office said they could do the MRI at the hospital the next day.  I said when can I get the results and they told me the same day!  Praise the Lord!  Of course, I was still scared out of my mind.  This is my baby girl!

The night before the MRI I was praying and spending time in God's Word.  He spoke to my heart and told me that when E was born, we dedicated her before the Lord and in front of our family, friends & church.  During that service, we trusted the Lord with E and He reminded me that He was in control and that He loves her more than I ever could.  He gave me the most amazing peace!  It seemed like every devotion I got on my phone the next morning was just for me.  God was reassuring me that He was in control and through this, no matter what the result, He would be glorified.

I took her to the MRI.  I couldn't stay with her so I sat in the waiting room and my mother in law came and waited with me.  If you are wondering, Michael called to keep check on us but he was scheduled to be in a class for his work and could not get out of it.  She did great during the MRI.  They said she did better than most adults.  Afterwards we hung out till it was time to go get the results.  I must say I did not eat too much that day.  My great aunt met me at the doctors office to be there for support.  I have such an awesome support system.  I am so blessed.  The doctor came in and said he had 3 radiologist look at the results and they all said that she seemed to have a stress fracture that has tried to heal but seemed to keep being re-injured.  Praise the Lord!!!!!!  So E had to go without playing in almost anyway and just taking it easy for 4 weeks.  They took her backpack away and required a rolling bag instead.

At her 4 week checkup she was feeling great and ready to get on her bike.  The doctor released her and said she still can't wear a backpack but she is healing up great!  We are so blessed! God has really been trying to get my attention this year.  It seems like I am being attacked in so many ways.  Through this God has shown me so much.  He has shown me not to be so serious all the time about the house being perfect and everything being done but to enjoy the precious time I have with them.  I am blessed to have such beautiful healthy children and I thank God for His hand upon our family.  After E's appointment we took her to a local church playground that she absolutely loves to go to.  It was her first time being able to play like a kid again.  We are thankful!

Art Show

E was chosen as one of 12 students from her school to participate in an art show at the Hickory Museum of Art on Thursday night.   We went to a reception in all of the students honor and all of the art is hanging in the museum.  Her artwork was to honor the custodian at her school.

She did a super job and all of the students artwork is on display this entire month at the art museum.  We are so proud of her!