Georgia, Sweet Georgia

Coffee...lots of coffee...long hours...

My time in Georgia kept me ever so busy with three beautiful young ladies and their Grandfather. We rapidly became like family with the feeling we had known each other, always, but had missed some stories here and there.

Our week was filled with normal activities like "homework, cheer practice, school pictures,

dinners at home and smoothies at night". Quite naturally, Reed and I fell into the rhythm of this life, caring for the girls; it seemed too easy. 

 I nearly held my breath, waiting for something to go wrong, waiting for a hiccup. 

Ahh. It came. The nightly routine after cheer practice was thrown off schedule by 2 hours with a late but wonderful dinner at home and so the meltdowns began.

It was comical even in the midst as we ran up and down the stairs consoling one, praying with another and carrying a sobbing little girl up two flights of stairs and back to bed.  (ouch...someone was out of shape)

The disruption continued long into the next day until school was dismissed for Labor Day Weekend . Vacation begins!

The girls made a  Bucket List  of  "fun things to do" and we tried to accomplish all we could to make their time special while Mom and Dad were out of the country.

Friday night started with a Mexican dinner at  Cheeky's, a restaurant we found listed in the GPS. Little did we know it would lead us on an adventure to a nearby town giving me my first glimpse of  the beauty surrounding us. We traveled through the winding hills of GA on the night of the rare "Blue Moon" whose light shone through the evergreens creating unforgettable, magical images in my mind.

It could not have been more beautiful.

A favorite night for all, it was so delightful, we began the quest for another town on Saturday night.

The road to Roswell was memorable (thank you girls...) but the real surprise and charm of this sweet town is in the historical district. There, the streets are lined with adorable little restaurants and people enjoying one another's company. The weather was perfect for out-door dining but we took these starving girls indoors to Pasti's whose old world charm called for all the table manners the girls could muster. As we looked over this exceptional menu, they were given wise counsel from their Grandfather and it provided a timely reminder on how a woman should be treated by a man. I'll not forget that conversation...it was Priceless.

For the grownups Pasti's provided a taste of  fine French cuisine with leg of lamb as our main course. A gracious and lovely evening for me; indeed, a rare treat. It was a comfortable quiet night with sleepy girls in the back seat as we head  home. Once again we drive under a full moon peaking over the evergreens, illuminating the dark night. 

Sunday was church at Browns Bridge Community Church with Pastor Andy Stanley. 

Oh! It is an awesome church and I highly recommend their pod casts.

Our fun things included jumping on the trampoline together, head stand practice, bubble baths for the girls, making homemade lemonade and smoothies, among other things.....

Monday we took four girls shopping at The Avenues where they went out 2 x 2 while Reed and I enjoyed 

coffee in Barnes & Noble. An early dinner at Ichiban's  for Japanese and then it's back home to get on schedule after a wonderful Labor Day Weekend.

Homecoming!!!

The whole reason I am here in GA is to help care for the older sisters while B&C finalize the adoption on two more little girls.

The day finally arrives and after cleaning house and making "Welcome Home" signs we head for the airport to pick up the family. After weeks away the parents return and bring with them Dasha and Leanna, the new sisters. 

What a joy to be here and witness this moment; the first glimpse of them coming down the hall.

 I've walked alongside B since this was merely a thought.

Like, "Really? Is God calling us to international adoption?" 

Yes, He was and I couldn't think of a more loving family to bring these 2 girls to. 

I marvel that when they were born in the Ukraine, God had picked out a family in the U.S. who would rescue them and raise them in a Christian home where they are surrounded by His name.

We all enjoyed a few days of  family bonding with the littles but

with their arrival comes the retirement of  Reed and Zanetta, the"Fifth String" babysitters. 

What a great time we (Dadushka & Nana) had "doing life" with the girls and being with the whole family. Unforgettable moments...

Truly I am thankful for them all.

Hearts Knit Together

Years ago our church had a women's retreat at a ranch a few hours away. I became friends with this dear family who ran the retreat center. We were both going through huge life changes and the unknown lay ahead. Our days have taken us down many roads and wound them back together.
As my friends have embarked on a new journey, it is my great honor to walk alongside them and serve if only a short amount of time. The new road is the adoption of two sweet Ukrainian girls. This brings the total girl population in their family to five under the age of 14. God would see fit to take me to Georgia to keep the three biological children while awaiting the return of parents and new sisters. How wonderful to spend time with this sweet family!

Mary Mary

Mary Mary quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

I'm so excited. Since we moved to town almost 5 years ago, I haven't grown one thing.

Well, last year I got one tomato. One.

This Easter I had my neighbor over for lunch. His mother had passed and he was alone.

A couple of days later he came to till my yard and help my garden spot.

I credit him for much of this.

I can't wait to get busy with the tomatoes. The sqaush put out lovely blooms but no good produce.

They don't like wet feet and I think I got them too wet. I'm just excited to have something growing.

Beautiful blooms made by my Father, He waters & warms them.

I have found great joy.

Life Abounds

There's "Life on Margaret". 

So many changes, so many challenges, hurts, joys.

Most importantly, there's Life.

We stick by eachother on our street. We carry eachother's load. We have changes coming and

what will become of the family ties that we've created between us?

We're pretty much like what a church should look like and that bond

is stronger than some because it's the Jesus blood that creates this bond.

It's everlasting and through eternity.

Yes, there's Life on Margaret.

Remarkable, really, the way the Lord speaks when you go before Him. Today's OYB reading that jumped at me was: Judges 6:14 Then the Lord turned to him (Gideon) and said, Go with the strength you have and rescue Israel from the Midianites.  I am sending you!

WOW!

I'm not rescuing Israel but this speaks strongly. It says, this day has been prepared. I've lined everyone up to be there. (Says God) You are equipped, ready and it's time; "I am sending you!"

What is the Lord telling you to do? He's speaking; are you listening? Do you know His voice or has it been so long that you weren't sure Who that was? Are you so close that you know the sound of His whisper? He's speaking to you.

{{ 112 }} Weddings & Anniversaries

We've seen our friends' wedding but this week brought the 2nd anniversary of Nate and Jennifer.

It was a sweet setting in West Tx. up on a hill over looking the Hill Country.

As we corporately sang worship songs Nathan turned his head to see his parents.

It was one of the sweetest moments I've been priveledged to witness. He wanted to see 

everyone. It was a moment shared with our family who is so close. I saw the man who had chosen his bride but I saw that little boy that I babysat, who my own daughter adored and he adored her. The one who always had time to play with my boys, his cousins.

I saw the years fly backwards and lurch forward in a brief glance.

Happy Anniversary as you serve our country in Germany. We miss you greatly.

    

{{ 111 }} Trio

Not the greatest picture of us but we are sweet friends celebrating C & A.

 It gives a nice shot of the reception. What about these fluffy little

dresses that make you look 20 lbs. heavier?  LOL 

{{ 110 }} Weddings

My dearest friends...how wonderful that Rick was Best Man. It gave Sherry and I time for breakfast and a good visit. So sad that they are moving yet further away. Weddings bring everyone together for fun. Thankful we are for weddings and friends.

{{ 109 }} Laughing Too Much

Fun friends....BJ (Grandma to the Groom) looks like she's had a few but she's really just posing after we've laughed so much. With these ladies I can litterally laugh til I cry. Now, why is Sherry loaded down holding all my stuff? Time to go home...

{{ 106 }} Fooling Around

Don't let them fool you in this not so candid shot.
They're holding the cake just out of my camera's range. I kept hearing, "Don't show the cake."

{{ 105 }} Weddings

These dear ladies have been friends forever.

What a pleasure to catch this candid moment at the reception

of Mother of the Bride, my cousin and a friend.

And when life has serious changes what do you do?

Eat chocolate cake of course!

{{ 104 }} Leaving

The Happy Couple leaves.

Bubbles are so much fun.

{{ 102 }} C&A

Friends fell in love....

Friends married.

{{ 98 }} Prom

They are so cute all dressed up. I have to laugh when I see hair bands on both their arms...

now isn't that a great addition to prom?

{{ 97 }} Prom

The lovely Daylon and my son, Jansen.

Prom 2011 NLHS

{{ 96 }} Teens

Have I mentioned lately how blessed I am?  One such night was this one....I quietly listened to the conversations of my son and two friends as they cooked steaks, listened to country music and just hung out. Once the food was done I heard them offer thanks to the Father for their meal. No adults to remind them to pray at dinner, they just did.  : )

{{ 88 }} Ilayna Joy

There's a new girl in town and "on Margaret". Witnessed my first home birth and I must say my friend did a great job.

{{ 86 }} It Begins

Labor begins. A home birth surrounded by family.

How precious to pray with your mom.

We have the new neighbor on her way.

{{ 83 }} The End

Sometimes the end reunites old friends such as in the photo. The next week I got a call from one of our Congressmen. He had saved a letter I wrote years ago recalling a memory. Most of his friends are "gone" and he is 87. He was looking for Daddy and asking about how he was getting along.

{{ 75 }} Breaking

"Life breaks and falls apart...But we know... He will leave nothing unredeemed! "

{{ 60 }} MATS

I attended my first MATS. This is me with hardly any sleep because we had a hotel. I just don't sleep well when away from home. 

Awarded my "Director" pin, I still love learning

everything I can about this business. 

Training by Mark and Chris, 

lunch with Aurora & Chris. Once again, lots 

of wonderful people.