A Camping We Will Go!

Ah.... the woods...

There's just something about the woods, about getting away into a forest and smelling the smoke of a campfire. It's all the better when enjoyed with great friends and good food!

Ben and I were working on our rather large, unexciting "to do" list this past Saturday, when our friends, Eric and Kristie Arendale, called and invited us to join their family at Cumberland Mountain State Park - about an hour away. After weighing our "to do" list, which involved spraying thistles and folding laundy, among other things, we decided to drop everything and pack up! We've been talking about taking Ava camping, and both of us have great memories of camping growing up. We're so glad we dropped everything and went on an adventure!

We arrived at the park Saturday evening, set up camp, and came home the following afternoon. It was a short, spur-of-the-moment trip, but we had a great time! We hope to go back again this summer or fall and enjoy the lake and maybe take our bikes to ride. Here's a few photos of our adventure. Today, it's back to thistles and laundry... :) I just know I can find joy in doing those things!

The kids - Sam and Sera Arendale and Miss Ava enjoying snacks together.



Ava and Sera sharing some time together. I feel sure these two will be big buddies someday!



Enjoying our campfire that night. Ben, Ava and I are sleeping in the tent beside the airstream. The Arendales bought this airstream not too long ago and have been working hard to get it ready for it's maiden camping trip! It's a sweet set up!

After we went to bed, Ben and I woke up to noises outside our tent - like a rattling sound. We both said, "Do you hear that?", and we guessed it was raccoons. After a few minutes of listening and realizing we BOTH had to go to the bathroom, we heard a crash! It was the lid to the garbage can. So you can imagine us poking our heads out of tent and looking for raccoons on our way to the bathroom! We were armed with a mini flashlight. Thankfully, we didn't encounter him our way to the bath house. I bet he was watching us, though, because we heard him rattling the can again when we crawled back in our tent.



The next morning - we took a short walk/stroller ride around the campsites before we headed home.



I love this picture of Sera looking out of the camper!



Eric, Kristie, Sam and Sera Arendale - our friends of many years! We've been through a lot together, and we're so thankful for their friendship.



Our families together!

The Big Top!

** Update ** My blog list is back on track if you were following Bring the Rain, the Kapic Family, or Mary Beth Chapman. Also, I'm experimenting with different backgrounds right now until I find one that really fits well. I got tired of the blue one, and I'm trying some new things. :) We just got home from camping with the Arendales, and I'll post some pics soon. I SO need to bathe before I do anything! Happy Sunday!



After being home for a few weeks, we're gearing up to travel again - for a much needed rest and relaxation time at the beach! Next weekend, we're headed to Edisto Beach with my family. In preparation, I've been thinking about all of the baby things we'll need to take. I ordered a beach tent cabana for us from One Step Ahead, and when it arrived yesterday, we decided to go ahead and pop it open! Ava's had so much fun lifting the flaps and finding any small area around it she can crawl around. We're looking forward to taking it with us!

The Details

After yet another frantic pace this morning, I found myself, again, depleted - utterly. Realizing how depleted I felt, I wondered how long it had been since I had had a conversation - with Jesus - about the condition of my heart - about my restless spirit - about the details.

I poured some coffee, curled up in the midst of Ava's toys in the floor and decided to read one of my favorite books, Streams in the Desert. It's been weeks since I picked it up because of my hurried, labored pace. My bookmark was on May 16th. Ugh. It's the 28th. I've mentioned this little book before. It is like a breath of fresh air when I read it, because it reminds me of God's truth and His peace, which I'd like to say that I'm constantly tapped in to on any given day. But, the truth is, I get depleted, by the world, by the noise, by my own and other's expectations, and this or that starts becoming an idol- something that begins to take the place of the Lord - something I focus on WAY too much.

Lately, the idol for me has been, gulp, order.

If you've ever seen that old thriller, Sleeping With the Enemy, there'a a scene when Julia Roberts opens her kitchen cabinets and all of the cans are perfectly in order and sequenced. That's how she knew her ex-husband who was a pyscho was in the house. That scene freaked me out and still does! That kind of order would drive me insane. Still, I find myself trying to get all of my "cans" in my life in perfect order.

I've mentioned perfection before, and likely, these are buddy idols. I laugh out loud just writing that word, order, because order is certainly something that's not fully attainable - no matter how much I strive to attain it! I felt all out of whack this morning, and just poured out my heart to the Lord. He says to bring Him our burdens, cast our cares upon Him and that His yoke is light. Well, mine has been heavy, and I know that something is off when I feel that. It seems so trivial compared to North Korean threats, homelessness in India because of the storms there and global economic crises, but God DOES care about the trivial in my life - not just the BIG things. So, I said, "Ok. Here's all of the things I'm struggling with today, Lord. I feel like I can't get on top of it all. I'm going to give these feelings of struggle to you, drink my coffee (caffeinated) and move forward with my day." So I did. No lightening bolts or immediate order happened in my household, just a perspective change - replacing my idol of order and pesky perfection with the Lord and His priorities for my day - not mine.

I then went in to check my e-mail. I signed up for forty days of e-mail encouragement from Christian recording artists who share their hope in Christ related to their every day lives and struggles, and today, this is what I read. It was so good,so right on the money, that I thought I'd post it. It's about feelings...those things we all have.

This is from one of the members of Take 6.

"From that point on I literally had to believe what God said, in spite of how I felt. My depressive side always told me through my feelings, “You’re not going to overcome this. You can’t deal with this, you can’t overcome.” But God doesn’t work in the realm of feeling. Faith always steps outside of the realm of feeling, and belief is always outside of feeling.

If you really believe, you can know that God says it and God will determine how to work it out. So now I go to bed every night knowing for a fact that “God will make me complete, steady, strong, and firm. God has already told me I’m going to make it through. Now I’ve got to believe."

Good word for ME today! Maybe for you, too? I have to trust that He will make me complete, steady, strong and firm through my struggles and in the midst of them and not on my timetable. Praise the Lord that He isn't finished with me yet! I've got a long way to go!

Love to all as we're on this journey together,

Emily
(now on my second cup of coffee!)

Back With Lots of Pictures!

Hi, everyone!

I'm back today with loads of pics! Our schedule has cleared just this week after a VERY busy month. Never before have we had a busier May as a family! That's why I've been asbent from posting as much as I normally do.

In the midst of the craziness, I have desperately been trying to find time to be still and rest. That's easier said than done, but I'm trying. Simplify and be still are on my agenda today.

In the midst of all of the traveling and celebrating and reuniting, we did find time to go outside and play, plant vegetables and just hang out. Here are a few pictures from the events of this month! If you're just tuning in and don't see captions, I'm busy putting those on! Keep checking back.

When we returned from Indiana, Mom and I celebrated Mother's Day together with a special lunch at Miss Lily's Cafe in Townsend, known as the peaceful side of the Smokies. If you live around here, you have to go! It's SO good!



Such a restful time...complete with lemon bars and raspberry bars for dessert!



We've been child proofing the house and making it safe these last few weeks. We have a total of four gates, and we're moving on to drawer safety and fireplace safety soon. Little Ava is pulling up and crawling like a pro! This is Ben doing what he thinks Ava will be doing. ha!



My youngest cousin, Katie, on the far right, graduated from high school this month! Congratulations, Katie. We're so proud of you!



I met up with one of my dearest childhood and high school friends after graduation. She and I roomed together in a little apartment after college, and she was a bridesmaid in my wedding. She has a gentle spirit, a giving heart, and is one of the most authentic and loyal friend I have! I love you, Treva. Her children are Zoe and Sam - both cutie pies.



On a blustery, chilly Sunday, we ventured up to Seven Islands, where my Dad's side of the family is from to decorate the graves, remember loved ones, and catch up with cousins of my Dad. I love this little church. It's VERY old, and has old-timey wooden pews and floors. Here I am giving Ava a bottle by the window.



Perry was my grandmother's last name. She had four brothers and most are buried here along with their parents. It's a beautiful cemetery by the river.



Gardening! One of my favorite pasttimes when I HAVE the time! I grew spinach this year, harvested it, cooked it, pureed it, and fed it to Ava yesterday! I'd like to say that I do that every day, but alas, we also have jars in the pantry for on the go feedings. I have been buying carrots and sweet potatoes in bulk and making her food! We're saving quite a bit by doing that when you consider that 4 oz can cost anywhere from .44 to .74!



Many times, when Daddy comes home from work, he can find me and Ava in the yard somewhere. Welcome home, Daddy!



Oh, and I told you a few posts back that I'm growing potatoes in a garbage can! Well, here they are. I think I outsmarted those pesky potato beetles this year. Kathy, I see garbage cans in your future in Ireland - home of the potato!



These are the Stingrays, the orginal team minus Donna Allen, who was preparing for her daughter's wedding the next day, and the new team. We've been through SO much together as a team, 911, the death of a precious student and our dear TA, Janet Weigand, and many other things. They are my "family" as well, and I love them all dearly.



Debbie Carter and I - soul sisters and kindred spirits. Debbie took early retirement this year, and this was a bittersweet day for all of us. She was an amazing teacher who the Lord used to teach and encourage countless children. I love you, Debbie! I can't tell you how many times when I was going throug infertility treatments and miscarriages that my door swung upon at MIS with her saying, "I'm praying for you, girl. The Lord has a plan for you. He has a plan. I just know He does." And boy, did He ever! Bless you, Debbie.



Ava eating and playing with spinach and sweet potatoes! Yummy!

Surprise Movement!

I'm still trying to wake up and wake Ava up and thought I'd check the rumour queen site for China that I go to frequently that tracks China referral dates. I had to blink a few times this morning when I read March 14th. They have been stuck on only 2 or 3 days worth of processing for months now, and now it says March 14th! That's 6days worth of processing since last month. This is wonderful news for so many families waiting for their referral!! For us, Ava needs to be one year old before we get our referral for Maia. That date is August 21st. We're still trusting in the One who is faithful to bring Maia home to her forever family. So many people have asked if we're still adopting a little girl from China, if we're still moving forward. People have remembered that it's been years and are wondering if we've lost heart. Still pursuing Maia Grace?

Yes.

Still.

Until she's safely home.

The Giant Sucker

Good morning! I feel like I should say long time no see!

May has been unbelievably busy! I don't twitter yet on my blog, but if I did, I would tell you that Ava is napping and that I'm eating LIFE cereal at the computer and trying to shoo Lucy away from my bowl while trying to post pictures and post! I'm trying to get my ducks in a row today. Seriously. There are so many of them! Jenn, you know what I'm saying! I'm almost afraid to make a list in fear that I'll freak out! :)

We had a great and very busy weekend last weekend. My youngest cousin, Katie, graduated from high school on Saturday, (Whoohoo!) and my Dad had a cousin family reunion on Decoration Day which was Sunday. This coming weekend, we're gearing up for a graduation/double birthday party on Saturday and a welcome to our neighborhood party for our new neighbors on Sunday! I say all this just to let you know that I am trying so hard to get caught up with one of my favorite pasttimes - the blog! We are sorting through pictures, and I have so many that I want to post! My goal is to post every two days or so to get you caught up.

I'll start with Ava's 8 month old pictures that Tamyra Parks did for us at the end of April. I just picked them up yesterday, and they are so fun! The giant rainbow sucker came from Cracker Barrel. Between shots, I got to munch on it after repeately running into Tamyra's house to rinse it off from grass and dirt. Can I just tell you that I had completely forgotten how amazing one of those is! Keep me away from Cracker Barrel!

When Ava wasn't eating the sucker, she was eating grass or a pinecone. I hear nature is good for her! Enjoy the pics. Ava Faith will be nine months on Thursday the 21st!

Needless to say, we had STICKY everywhere!



This is my favorite picture of Ava. I would title it JOY. She just lights up when she smiles.



This is Ben's favorite. Sitting pretty...



Yum, I found a pinecone, and they're not taking it away from me!



Tamyra painted a tire blue and orange and put Ava in the middle of it for this shot.

I Love My Zwieback Toast!

My Mom told me that when I was little she used to give me zwieback toast to munch on. I had never heard of that, and we discovered recently that they still make it! Ava absolutely loves it! She's practicing feeding herself now, and this has become a favorite. You can see she enjoys it! She can hardly eat it because she gets so excited!