Wordless Wednesday

(Wordless Wednesday Blog Fotofest!)

SNOW STORM!

AND....a Scooter!

My Valentine

Where do I begin my story of finding love. Well, I guess I will start by saying that growing up I thought I knew exactly what I wanted in a man. Thank the Lord that he doesn't always give us what we want...he gives us much better!
Saying that when I met Mark I was dating someone else. I was a freshman in college, and Mark was running a local coffee house every Friday night that I often attended. I thought Mark was an amazing man, but I NEVER thought of him as a man I could date or marry! Afterall, he is 14 years older than me! Well, my boyfriend broke up with me, which wrecked me. I didn't understand why God would allow it to happen, but again, thankfully the Lord wants what is best for his children. As a result of my break-up I really pressed into God and hung out with Godly and encouraging friends. As a result of that, I desperately wanted to be a part of a ministry and so I naturally started working with Mark's ministry "Passion for Him". "Passion for Him" was a group of people (high school and college students) that travelled and ministered to youth groups. I grew up in a wonderful church, and my dad was the pastor! I had such a great foundation laid which really helped me jump into a ministry role on Mark's team. Again, we both just really loved serving the Lord and didn't give eachother much thought other than that.

Move forward a few months and a group of us decided to go to see Star Wars in the theatre and I was going and Mark was going, as we had mutual friends and were friends ourselves. It is funny because that is when we both say we started thinking "hmmm" about eachother. I remember hoping he would sit next to me but couldn't figure out why I even cared. He obvioulsy thought the same way as sqeezed by everyone to get to the chair next to me. Our friendship continued for a while and we really got to know eachother and it was suprising to both of us that we were feeling more towards eachother. We knew we weren't the "normal" couple. We shared a lot on the phone and we continued to hang out with all our friends. I learned that Mark had gone through a lot of trials in his life and that he allowed the Lord to work on him instead of getting bitter. I loved that about him, because I knew people that allowed life's circumstances to get them bitter. I also knew that I never envisioned myself with an older man and was wondering how it would all work!
We had a lot of hurdles that I won't get into, we broke up a few times and layed down our relationship because it was just too hard at times due to the age difference among some other things. But, it always came back to the fact that we both loved eachother and knew that God could use us together as a couple.

(Mark speaking in Florida)
Mark proposed to me on September 15th, 2001 and we were married a year later. We had an amazing engagement. It was so fun and we laughed a lot, we spent time with family and friends and the anticipation of the wedding day was so exciting . I love Mark with all my heart. He is an amazing man of God, which is what I first saw in him so many years ago. It is funny because often times during our struggles dating I thought, why don't I just move on and date and marry someone that "looks" good to everyone else (we got a lot of raised eyebrows at first).

I am so glad I didn't. And, of course, we have our ups and downs...but we always say to eachother we wouldn't want to walk this road of life with anyone else!

Superbowl Party!

Cooped Up!

It has been so cold here...and so we haven't really gotten outside much. I almost always take K out at least once a day for a half an hour or so. He has been asking, and wanting to play in the snow, but I haven't wanted to brave the cold weather. Thankfully, it is supposed to warm up a bit this week! Anyway, this morning I decided to bring snow inside to him...I put it on his roller-coaster (which is a toy our neighbors have let us borrow, it is awesome...there is a cart you sit on and zoom down the two hills ...K LOVES it!). Anyways, he really enjoyed eating clean, white snow off the coaster!

I feel so cooped up , I can't imagine how K feels...so I am trying to do anything to make his days a bit more exciting! Do any of you have ideas for activities in the home (for a busy toddler!) during this long winter?

Yummy Snow!

MMMMM....

Check Out the roller-coaster...now imagine K on a cart thing and zooming down!! FUN!

Speech

Some of you may know that K has been evaluated twice for speech...at first, I was extremely concerned about him and his speech. I just knew he was behind. Anyways, both times, he didn't qualify for services....he tested behind, but not behind enough. Plus, he wasn't behind in any other area. He was tested by a Special Educator as well as a Speech Pathologist. They said that he either had to show major delays in speech or be behind in other areas, such as gross or fine motor skills, social skills and I can't remember what else they tested him in...and of course he didn't test behind, he did everything they asked! It was nerve racking, having other people critique his every move! Although, they were so great and after a few minutes put me right at ease. Anyways, saying all that, I can't believe how much K has learned in the last few weeks. He still struggles getting speech out, but he has such an understanding of language. Plus, he is trying so much more to talk which is awesome.
This week alone he all of a sudden says and recognizes several colors..."geen", "blue", "purple", "led"(red), "lellow", "ornge". (He already knew a few of those before this week, I guess). He has also shown great interest in letters...I think due to watching "Word World" on PBS. He recognizes and says "A, B, C, E, J, T, U, O". Because it has taken him so long to talk, I have often wondered how much he knew or understood...well, now I am learning and I am so excited. He has also started saying a few two word sentences...which is a big improvement for him. He says "shut door", "more please", "hi mommy" and many more combinations...my favorite thing that he says is "more olives please"! I know he is still a little behind, but I am so encouraged that he is making progress every day! God is good.
We have had a lot to figure out with K...in fact I went to his two year old well check and my pediatrician (who I love, by the way) said, "Congratulations, you made it through the infant and baby stages!". She knows what a challenge it has been at times..with allergies, asthma and eczema...oh and the lack of sleep for 1 and a half years! She also said that we were great parents and hopes we will be able to adopt again...as she loves to see children in good homes. That was nice to hear too! Sometimes, I think we all wonder how well we are actually doing as parents! She also said that he was the perfect size which is great because his diet is so limited. He basically lives off of fruit! And, she said in her opinion he will catch up in speech in no time. She thinks he is quite advanced in his gross and fine motor skills and that those things have developed first, before speech. So, again, God is so good. I am so thankful for his help along the way! Oh, and she was extremely happy we didn't do all those hearing tests ( I don't know if you rember when we thought he had hearing loss?). She says if he does have hearing loss that it is most likely minimal and he can test without being sedated in another year. So we are trusting we won't even have to do it!.
Anyways, just a little update on K!

Workin' Man

Cheese