Birth Dates

Sitting in the SDA office just over 7 months ago, we looked through close to a dozen profiles of children eligible for adoption. We asked questions about several of the children, but kept coming back to the picture of a little boy with brown hair and brown eyes, holding a toy tennis racket.

My first impression was that he looked mischievous (understatement!)...

We asked questions, and heard lots of information. Really, more information than I've ever heard on one SDA profile. Within that information, we'd learned that he was 5 years old, but not his birthdate.

In 2007, we asked for God to clearly lead us to our first child. He used a series of things to lead us to William - a couple of which were a picture of a little guy who looked like Zack's very own mini me, and learning that little guy's birth date. Turns out, he shared a birthday with his Uncle Josh (Zack's brother)!

So when we asked about this little one's birthday, we once again felt God was showing us our child. This time around, our child would share a birthday with his Aunt Kristy (my brother's wife, my sister, my dear friend since high school).

We started celebrating today and will continue throughout the weekend. Celebrating Daniel's birthday - his 6th chronologically speaking, but his first real celebration. We'll celebrate the life of our little spark plug full of energy and stubbornness; celebrate the progress that he's making; and celebrate the hand of God in this journey. And we'll thank God for using a birth date to give us that little extra nudge to find our son.

Happy Birthday Daniel!
and
Happy Birthday Kristy!

Three Days

Only three more days of having a 5-year-old in our house...

On Friday, Daniel will be 6 and we'll celebrate at home. On Saturday, he'll have what is likely his very first birthday party. Lots of excitement coming up this weekend, which means I should have some fun things to share next week!

So stay tuned!

He called for ME

Wednesday morning, just after 2 AM, we were awakened by the sound of crying. Not whimpering - fierce, almost hysterical crying. I got up and went into Daniel's room (both boys sleep in there - they don't like to be apart). He was sitting up in the top bunk, and was clearly upset.

I managed to get him down and carry him back to my room. He was trembling and couldn't seem to catch his breath for the deep sobs that kept coming. I sat on our bed and held him close, rocking him and rubbing his head and back.

I asked what was wrong. He tried to explain to us. He kept saying "I call for you Mommy, but you no come." I reminded him that I did come and he didn't have to be scared anymore.

Then I noticed he was burning up. (We finally figured out he wasn't feeling well, wasn't sleeping well, and was having some really bad dream.) So he slept with us - fitfully - for several hours.

He missed school yesterday and today because of the fever, but is thankfully doing much better today!

I never like for my kiddos to be sick, always wishing I could take it on myself. But I also know that tending to a sick child can be a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the parent-child relationship. This is especially critical for Daniel, as our bond with him has taken some extra effort.

So while I don't want my little man to be sick, I'm thankful that Zack & I both got the opportunity to love on him and show him that we'll always take care of him. I'm thankful that when he was scared, he called for Mommy. I'm thankful that he has a Mommy to take care of him when he's scared or feeling bad. And I'm thankful that God chose me to be Daniel's Mommy.

He lost his first tooth

Saturday was a big day for our little man. He lost his first tooth! Check out this video where explains things in his own little way...

Snow, Snow - Go away!

The boys are STILL out of school - 4 days and counting. We've all had a touch of cabin fever, so we ventured to the grocery store yesterday afternoon. Our cupboards were getting bare - but so were the grocery store shelves! We did manage to get a few things, though.

I'm back at work today, working limited hours due to the road conditions. I'll try to do a better update soon. But in the meantime, here are a few pictures I edited using picnik.com:

Moolala

This is a fairly new site that has discounts and deals everyday. The best part? You earn cash back on everything you buy - and on everything bought by those you refer to the program!  I figured it was worth a try - let me know if you've tried it and what you think.

If you'd like to try it, click this link: http://www.moolala.com/r/1TKU8ZR

America, Bunch of Snow!

All last week, the weather guys kept saying we were going to get snow and ice Sunday night. If you've ever lived in the south, you know how the weather people like to create a buzz. Zack is convinced it's a pact between meteorologists and the grocery stores to sell bread, milk, and eggs. (And why is it always bread, milk, and eggs? As I heard someone say recently - does everyone want to make french toast??)

So while we did prepare for the winter weather, we went into the evening with low expectations.

But for once, they did not disappoint. We ended up with probably 6 inches of snow!

It didn't start until almost 10:00 Sunday night. By 10:30, the ground was totally covered. By morning - WOW! The boys were totally excited. Daniel said, "Good grief! America bunch of snow!" (in disbelief because we've told them it doesn't snow much here)

Today was lots of putting on layers, going out, coming in, throwing wet clothes in the dryer, warming up around the fire, and doing it all again.

Here are a few pictures from our snow day (and as it turns out, we get another one tomorrow - weather isn't supposed to get much past freezing and the roads are a mess).

Thankful Thursday

7 things I'm thankful for:

• Sweet conversations, like this one: Daniel recently asked - "where is Jesus?" - and William responded with excitement, "He's everywhere - He's here in the room with us right now! You just can't see Him - but He's here!"
• A cute folder: I got it last night at Bible Study. It's covered in matroyshka dolls! As I was looking through the folders to choose one, it quickly caught my eye. And just as I started to touch it, my sweet friend/mentor Deanna came up & said "I think there's a folder in there that you'll really like!" So it's more than a folder. It means I have a friend who knows me well and cares about me. It means I've started back to ladies' bible study... and that means I'm getting an hour and a half every week to recharge my batteries with some pretty awesome ladies!
• Watching the boys play Just Dance - laughter IS good medicine
• The sound of Hip Hop Hymns coming from the boys' room at night
• Zack is getting involved with a praise & worship team again
• New friends at The Village
• I'm especially thankful for how God is moving in our family right now - it's making me anxious, expectant, scared, and excited!

What are you thankful for today?

Monetizing your blog

Just curious - if you have a blog, do you use AdSense to monetize it?

If so, how has that worked out for you? Does it seem secure? Is it worth the hassle?

2011 - A lot of changes in a year!

2010 was a year of growth & changes for the Dove's. Our family grew, and that growth brought about MAJOR changes. Some good, some difficult - but all a part of the story God has given us to share. And throughout all of it, God was - and continues to be! - with us. And for that we are so thankful.

We welcome 2011 with open arms, and with lots of hope & excitement.


For 2011, we have many goals, including:

1. Strive to live healthier lives (less eating out, more cooking at home, more physical activity)
2. Try to live more simplified lives (we were already seeing the need for this, but reading the book Radical really got us fired up)
3. Accept with excitement the fact that God is calling us to some changes in our lives
4. Focus on and learn how to share the stories God has given us - and more importantly - share HIS story!
5. Try not to sweat the small stuff (okay, this is more MY goal than a family goal - but wanted to put it out there as a reminder to myself!)
6. Focus less on us and more on Him

Praying that each of you finds renewal and blessings in this new year!



Our family, Christmas 2009

 

Our family, Christmas 2010