Catching Up

Wow!!  So much has happened since I last posted.  We have received our visas!  This is the necessary papers to work in New Zealand for 3 years.  I never doubted God that we would receive them but we sure did feel a sense of relief when they were in our hands.  Currently, we are visiting friends and family saying "see you later".  Not really goodbyes, as we will always be connected by the heart.  As I type this, I am sitting in my mom's living room.  I have enjoyed every minute of the time we've had here.  I think Mom and I might do some scrapbooking later today.  Since all my scrapbook things are on their way to New Zealand, I haven't had the chance to do anything for over a month.  Boy do I miss it!!  It will be really good not only today but when I can get back into daily creating.

10 days till we leave for New Zealand!!!!  Next time I post, it will be in the single digits.  WOW!!
Cheers!  : )

You're my favorite!

Ten years ago, I was celebrating my first mother's day.  I am so thankful to God for blessing me with my boys.  Each one of them has a special spot in my heart.  Many times over the years, I have told each of them "you know, you're my favorite."  Now when I tell them, they respond with a roll of the eyes, "I know Mom.  You say that to all of us."  Quite true!  They are my favorites!  : )  Thanks Boys for making me a Mom.  YOUR mom!

Taking the first step

Tonight we had a cookout with two of our neighbors.  Our boys have been running over to either house after school to play for months now or inviting the neighbor kids over to play here.  They have develped a sweet friendship with those kids.  Although our kids have that great friendship, us parents haven't gotten together other than just here and there to say hello or gather a kid up.  So tonight, we sat around and just shared in life.  As we were ending our evening, we said "why didn't we do this earlier, when we would have time to do it again?"  "Its about taking the first step" said Julie.

The first step.  We all have those moments.  When we step out of our comfort zones and make a move.  Most of the time, we find out that stepping out wasn't as hard as we imagined it to be.  And many times, it ends up being something enjoyable.  This was certainly the case tonight.  For our children, taking the first step was easy.  Running and playing and sharing life just comes naturally for them.  For these neighbors, I am truly thankful.  Not only have they welcomed my boys into their homes countless times, but they have welcomed them into their hearts.  It is because of these neighbor kids (and parents!) that we will be seeking a home in a neighborhood with kids.

So thank you Neighbors!!  Thank you for taking the first step.  Because you have stepped out, I now have the determination to step out to my neighbors in New Zealand.  Thank YOU!!

Cheers!
Lydia
Just a few other notes......
*its now 27 days
*we are getting a thunderstorm as I type
*Aden is still sleeping in his slippers!  : )

Days to Remember

I love this picture.  This is my in-laws and my boys.  We have lived with my in-laws for almost a year now as we work our way to New Zealand.  We've had our ups and downs but I would have to say we have developed a special bond that we didn't have before.  These are days to remember.

30 Days!!!

I can hardly believe that we will be in New Zealand in 30 days!!!  THIRTY!!!  Wow!  These next few weeks are going to go FAST!  I can already feel the wind in my hair!  
Bryce and I are in St. Louis meeting with our team.  I am excited to spend the weekend with these great friends and do a little sight seeing.  I'll post some pics next time.  Hope you have a good weekend!  And to you scrappy followers, Happy National Scrapbooking Day!  : )
Cheers!

Aden's Slippers

Yesterday I bought Aden new slippers. He has been wearing his Bob the Builder ones that he got for his second birthday. He is now 6 1/2! His toes have been crammed in there all scrunched up. I found these new slippers on the clearance isle at Walmart. I thought that they would be big on him and perfect by the time we got to New Zealand for winter. I was wrong. He only has about 1/2 an inch left in them! My how that child is growing. Not only did he love them, he hadn't taken them off since he got them. This morning he woke up with them on, at breakfast with them on, and was even going to walk out the door for the bus with them on. He did do a quick shoe change for school but my guess is when he gets home, the slippers go back on. I love that he just loves them so. Warm and cozy, just like my love for him.

Cheers!

God's Quilt

Sunday as we were sitting in church, Aden made a very observant comment. We had a free Sunday so we visited a church in Topeka that we had never been to before. Aden chose to stay with us during the church service so we let him pick where we sat. His pick? The balcony! As we were waiting for the service to begin, he commented that it looked like a quilt down below us. He was so right! The colors that everyone was wearing, the different hair colors and styles, all combined it did look like a quilt. I'm not a quilter. Ok, I did do each of the boys an embrodery block quilt for when they were born, but that's about it. I do know that when making a quilt special care goes into picking the material, cutting it into pieces, and putting it together.

Aden's comment got me to thinking. God has hand picked us just like a quilter would. He has lovingly ran his hands over our make up, our "material" if you will. He has taken the time to bind us together. This makes me think of the song that goes like this....bind us together Lord, bind us together. Bind us together with cords that cannot be broken. Bind us together, Lord, bind us together. Bind us together with love. I am thankful that not only has God hand picked me, but that He bound me together with great family, friends, and Christians. And all with a loving hand. May God's love bind you with someone this week. May that love cover you like a beautiful quilt.