Was it this hot when I was a kid?

I love summer and the heat! Really.....I love being home and sitting in the sun for a while each day. I will admit however, that as I age....I realize my skin does not enjoy the sun as much as I do. I am now beginning to see these glorious dark spots on my face. The telling signs of days gone by that were filled with baby-oil and iodine days. Maybe some butter occasionally while laying out on the roof or the hot drive way back in the day! Oh well....glad I get a new body when I get to heaven. Hope that includes the skin too! LOL

Anyway, as I was saying, I love summer days. I remember playing outside all day long and my mom hollering for us to come in! Those were the best. We didn't stay inside all day because there was 'nothing' to do inside. All the fun....was outside with our pals. The ADVENTURE was outside. What does a parent do when their kids do not want to find the adventure? Seriously. Its my own opinion that we must make them find joy in 'the adventure' and do something different. Turn off the TVs for a day. For a week. Whatever - just get them off the couch. Make your teenager play battleship with you. We've had some great conversations that come out of nowhere just because the time is there. Or you could allow them a couple of choices. The choices I offered my 17 year old this week was do you want to do something fun outside with your brothers or do you want to do more yard work for me? Either way....its totally your decision is what I told him. I was delighted when he chose the play with your brothers option. They've ended up playing Nerf, shooting the paintball guns and eventually ended up at the $1 movie theater that night. It was a good day.

When we take time to do something that involves participation with another person and not just computer/Xbox/TV interaction we get relational. And that is a good thing. Speaking of being relational and unplugging from the computer, I recently got back from a great trip to St. Maartin with my husband and our Aunt, Uncle and Cousin. It was a dream vacation for sure! Here are a few pictures from our week. Just a few - I'm going to try and post a new slide show for the front page of my blog that should have more!

This is me and Kevin at Sunset Bar & Grill watching the planes come in...



This is a group shot after one of our adventures driving the back roads. Steve told us this was Robert Redford's House...I need to google to check out the facts. I'll let you know what I find! LOL


This is Orient Beach. A favorite shot - and the beach really was this pretty.


Like I said...only a few shots but some of our favs. Though it was hot on the island, there was a perfect breeze pretty much 24/7 every day. It was glorious. Maybe if I moved to St. Maartin my kids would find more adventure each day because of that perfect breeze. Its worth a shot. I mean, do what you got to do right? Ha! Well, I guess my other option is to keep the battleship game out and find more creative, manipulative ways to convince my kids to spend time together. Actually....that sounds like more fun anyway.

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Adeline Grace Johnson is here!

Ok...well she's not here as in the USA, but she is in her mother's arms now. We praise God for this little girl. She is a beautiful wide eyed little girl and I hear she is curious about everything....especially her mom's necklace. I can only imagine the sweetness in the moment that they gave that little girl to Kelly. I wish I could have been there. Wow! Kelly seems to be adapting amazingly quick, Ken holding her is joy and Alec....looks like the best big brother in the world. Seriously....what a protector he is going to be! Here are some pictures of the Gotcha Day in China. However, click here for Kelly's blog where you can read about their sweet journey and see more precious pictures.

First Family Photo



First Bath...so cute!


I love how God's timing is perfect. When we wait.....he says "hang on...it will be worth it". They waited 3 years and 3 months to the day for this little girl. Last year, I remember the waiting feeling very long for them. In fact....it was around the summer of last year. We all wondered when it would finally get here...their call about an adoption referral and travel date. When they finally got the call this spring, the birth date of the baby stunned them both. Adeline Grace was born on Kelly's birthday during the summer. God knew the day...the time...he was not worried...he knew it was happening and it was in his hands. How sweet to know that when they were wishing and hoping....God allowed Addie to be born on Kelly's birthday and he chose Addie specifically for Kelly, Ken and Alec. I imagine him literally thinking - This baby is for Kelly she's waited a while for you little one, let's give her the best birthday present ever today. You. We'll tell her in just a bit....but she'll always know, that I was thinking of her and her desires to be a mom.

Now, those are my thoughts and they may seem odd. But the God I know and love....is crazy about us. He wants to shower us with joy and gifts. He loves us that much. He is a good, good God.

I love this passage from Matthew speaking about seeking for God....and finding him. There is a reference to God's ability to give good gifts. Why is it sometimes so hard for us to grasp that God loves us sooo much that he will delight in doing good for us. Better than we can imagine. I mean, if we think we give good things to our children.....if that is our measure - God's ability is so much more than that. So much greater! I know I've seen that first hand in my own life. I am so thankful.

Matthew 7: 7-12

7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets

My family is in China!!!

Many of you have been praying for Ken, Kelly, Alec and their wait for adopting a sweet baby girl. Well...they are in China now and will get to hold their baby girl tomorrow morning. I wanted to thank you for lifting them up in prayer, but also show you a few pics from their trip so far! Please visit my Sister-in-laws blog for daily updates.

All I know is that tomorrow morning, I will log on and see my niece, Addie Grace for the first time with her family. I cannot wait!!!!!!

Here are some great pictures of their sight seeing while in Bejing, China.

Ken and Kelly at the Great Wall


My nephew climbing the Great Wall. What an experience for him!



This is a picture of their family at the top! Wow!!!