I Really Wish

I could staple my mouth shut.



Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Eph. 4:31).

Yeah, It's Going to Be Hard

to say goodbye.

Not Today

It turns out Alex was out of town trying to make money. We got a hold of him on Saturday. We now know his birthday! We went to the passport office this morning with our hopes up and heads held high. But today was not the day. Apparently we need the original motorized form from Ethiopia that Alex had signed. Thank God I know someone in Ethiopia right now on a mission trip. She will bring the original form back with her. Thank you Erica. If you get a chance stop by her blog and give her some love.

Race Against the Clock

What a crazy week or so. The ticker keeps ticking. Only 7 days before Gedese is legally suppose to leave, in reality a totally different story. Where did I leave off last time in this continuing drama that is my life?! Oh yeah, the government sent a letter after 4 MONTHS!!!!!! that they denied her visa extension and she has to leave within 30 days.

Well....

We went almost two weeks ago to try to get a passport for the baby...only to be told that dad(who is in Africa) needs to be there or have notarized a statement giving his permission for Christiana to apply for a passport. I explained dad lives in AFRICA! Apparently that doesn't count. He needs to be dead to be exempt. After a week I got Alex to go to the the embassy in Ethiopia get the paper signed and notarized, only to be turned down again because I don't have his birth date! Again I explained he was born in Africa and his birth date is probably after the second full moon following the harvest. I asked if I could make one up told I would go to jail. Then I called our senator to be told there's nothing they could do. Tried to call Alex to get legal birth date (no Gedese doesn't know it and that is another story) Alex then goes missing. We have tried for over a week, finally got a hold of family today after Gedese has been up 4 nights worrying that he is out of town possibly working. We now know he is not dead (insert sigh here) and now are waiting for his return to Addis. We called his mom who does not know his birth date either.(Don't ask) I have since then, thanks to Jenny (my girl! I love her, we traveled to Ethiopia to pick up our kids together, she also paid for Gedese's airplane ticket) have contacted an immigration attorney who can't help our situation, but at least provided insight. So what's now? We wait it out! Hope Alex shows up. Pray Gedese doesn't get deported and oh yeah, PRAY!

Gee, Thanks....I Guess.

As I was leaving the gym this morning, I was stopped by a lady at the front desk.

Lady: Can I tell you something? I mean this in the best way...but you're a freak of nature.
Me: That's a new one. Gee, Thanks. I guess.

She went on to explain herself. It actually was a compliment.

So there you have it. I'm a freak of nature.

CAUGHT!

In the act of brotherly love and war

I don't really care about who was sitting on who as much as the fact they were actually playing together!!!!! This is the first time they have really acted like brothers. Wahoooo!

Things I'll Miss Later in Life but....Drive me Nuts Now!

Sneaking off to the bathroom alone to do my business only ending up entertaining three toddlers at the same time.

Toys all over the house.

Taking an hour to clean all my windows and mirrors only to turn around and see little handprints all over them again.

Hearing "mom, mom, mom" over and over again.

Wondering where all the toilet paper went.

Reading Brown Bear Brown Bear over and over again.

The Wonder Pets.

The never ending quest searching for favorite blankets and luvies before bedtime.

Cleaning up the flood during bath time.

I know these days will be gone before I know it. I know there will be a time that instead of craving, "me time" to undo the bags under my eyes, I will be craving, "kid time" and the bags under my eyes will no longer matter ( because gravity will have won by that time anyway:)

I Love This Girl!

I love this girl!

It was Faith's 8th birthday today. She is my can-do girl. She is the official battery changer, critter catcher, toy fixer of the house who happens to love to wear pretty dresses. She has such a beautiful personality. Her enthusiasm and excitement for the simplest things (like candy:) is contagious.

We celebrated with grandparents at Chuck E Cheese.

Grandpa Coop and Xia

Diezel trying to sneak left over cake.

Faith and McKayley with her birthday present.

The crew. Sunday night is a great time to go to Chuckie's. We were 13 of the 20 people there.

Jace being the coolest 13 year old boy around dancing in front of the blue screen with Faith.

Flashback Friday

This is the first time I did a flashback Friday. I had so much fun digging through old pictures. I found pics from my circus days (another post all together), pics that at the time I felt,"old", but look at them now I see a little girl, pics from another life time. I haven't looked at these for years.
This Friday's theme is-

My Three Weddings!

Yes, I have been married THREE times! (To the same amazing man)

First wedding-We eloped. We got married in Las Vegas at the Little White Wedding Chapel. In hind sight I do NOT recommend this option. We were two little scared kids. Adam made a vow to stay pure before marriage and lets just say Vegas was our scape goat.
9months later Jace was born.



Second wedding was our originally planned first wedding. It happened 4 months after our Vegas wedding and yes I was beginning to show. It was a Renaissance Wedding. It was amazing! It was a potluck in the middle of a field. Cost us nothing. I was teaching at that time and all my kids were the wedding party. I also had a best man and maid of honor. Except for the fact I had just lost Jace's twin in utero and was basically ordered to bed rest-it was perfect. Unfortunately most of our family decided not to come. During our ceremony two hawks/eagles were circling over our heads.




Third wedding I was 7 months pregnant with McKayley. We wanted to finally get married under God and with our church family. It was so beautiful and again free! We had any members of church that wanted to renew their vows stand up with us. There was a couple that had many married for over 40 years renew that day. Our pastor and his family were some of our best friends and that made it so special to us.



Yes, I have been married three times. Each time it felt like the first time. I really pray God continues to put those two words in my heart every day,"I DO." But then again like everything it's a choice. A choice I freely make each and everyday. I choice I fight tooth and nail for....to be married to the most amazing man ever.

Another one

After helping Xia go potty-

Jace: There are three things I fear, parasites, centipedes and poop.

Toddler Revelations Today

6:00am- I hear clankity clank. After getting out of bed I see Princess Xia. She is dressed in full princess attire including plastic high heels and is dancing around having a grand time.

me: Xia(2), what are you doing? Everyone is asleep.
Xia: I a princess momma.
me: Well.. princesses are not allowed out of bed until 8:00am
Xia: Oh.
----------------------------

Driving in car-

Lukas(3): Mom when are Diezel and and Xia leaving?
Me: Leaving? umm..never.
Lukas: Oh.

------------------------------

While painting with water colors. The toddlers each had their own set of paints. Diezel kept taking Lukas and Xia's paint.

Diezel: MINE!
Me: Diezel everyone has their own.
Diezel: Oh

Thursday Thoughts

It is not my circumstances that vexes me as much as the depth of my faith.
For, if I truly believed God works everything out for His perfect glory then no amount of strife or turmoil should trouble me.

No matter what today holds or what tomorrow's challenges bring,
My heart should be at peace when my spirit is filled with faith.

It does not matter the size of my conflict as much as the size of my faith.

Lack of faith magnifies all. My problem maybe the size of an ant, but without faith it appears to be a mountain.

On the other hand when my faith is strong and I my problem is the size of a mountain, I just keep walking and take little notice of it and only see the path God has laid before me.

No Words

With so much being thrown my way, I am left without words to blog. I have faith that the tidal wave of challenges will go back to sea soon. Maybe then my words will find their way back to blogland, and maybe there will still be people around actually reading.

Until then....
Steffany

Peace and Blessing in the Eye of a Storm

As I look back at my posts lately, it's easy to recognize a common thread. Struggle. Yes, the last year or so has not been without hardship, stress and struggle. Even though I feel and appear to be constantly in the eye of the storm, I am at peace. I cannot help but to look around at the blessings that continue to flow in and around my life. I am truly happier than I have ever been..

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve his purpose.

Galatians 6:9
We must never get tired of doing good because if we don’t give up the struggle, we shall get our harvest at the proper time.

1 Peter 4:12-13
Dear friends, don't be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that this is going to happen to you. Instead, be really glad--because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his wonderful joy of sharing his glory in that coming day when it will be displayed.

So when you think of me and how I am doing, you will know the truth- As for me and my house we are dancing while serving the Lord:)


Blessings!
Steffany

DENIED

Gedese's application to extend Visa until March has been denied! We applied months ago and just now found out she has to leave within 30 days or face deportation.

Please pray it all comes together! We still need a passport and visa for Christiana!