Day 4 - my siblings

Or in my case, my sisters. That's right, no brothers! Wouldn't trade it for anything! Now that marriage has entered our house we are adding bros a little as we go but from the start it was all girls all the way.

**Disclaimer, I REALLY wanted to have pictures for this post and I will get there but it did not happen today. My baby (well just above the baby) sister is leaving for MO in the morning. She is headed to Camp Barnabas to minister with about 30 from her youth group. Everyone over the age of 15 is headed to be a buddy to a camper while anyone 15 and younger will be there for KP, clean up, set up and running games, etc. Super huge opportunity. For that reason I have been helping her get last minute stuff together today and have not had a chance to pull any pictures together. I will post some in this post when I pull them together this week.**

So, onto the sibs! First we have Meg. She is 7 years older than I and we're probably the most alike. As far as looks go we don't resemble each other AT ALL! It's kind of funny! For the most part our opinions, tastes, likes/dislikes, etc. will probably match. 6.5 years ago she added the first of the brothers. Since then she and her hubby have given me my most prized title I own! Aunt x 2! Beeto and Poco are amazing little boys that I just love! I literally can't get enough of them! In fact I am headed out to spend some time with all 4 of them next month! SO looking forward to it!

Next is Lina. She is 4 years older than I and we love to hang out when we can. Which these days it's a miracle to see her alone and not running around trying to get something ready for longer than 5 minutes! She works hard to do the best she can at her jobs and ministering to others! While Dad and Mom and the girls went to TN to see my sister and her fam and get ready for the baby she and I chilled together here! We hated being away from everyone but we had a blast just being us!

Just below me is Madalee! She 16 and encompasses everything that a sweet, God honoring 16 year old does. She is loud and spunky. She loves to be with people. She loves to know what is going on. She is up on the latest of everything. She loves to love on people. She's crazy! We are 5 years apart and she has finally reached that age where the age difference isn't as noticable and hanging out is a blast! Our most recent undertaking is girl blog that we will co-author. Looking forward to announcing it soon! Stay tuned!

Last but NOT least is the Bean. Her given name is practically irrelevant. She has been called Bean longer than she hasn't. She is the Bean. There really is no denying it! She is 10.5 and loves the color blue, animals, going around barefoot, and living in a body of water. She is quick to be your friend and will give you her right arm if she thought you needed it! Creative thinker, animal lover, and older sister mimicker! She is a mess! Cracks me up nearly every day!

I love to be near my family. There really is no place I would rather be. I like to go "hang" with my friends but I love to be with my family. I could go on and on about my sisters! I have the best!

Like I said, pictures will be coming! Promise! I have some good ones to put up! Just need to get them uploaded and pasted! Soon, promise!

Day 4 - My Parents

My parents are awesome.
They are.
There is not argument there!
My dad has worked hard to provide for us.
My mom works long to school us.


Here are some current favs on the parental units!

1. They have currently been married for 28 years, 11 months, 1 day, 7 hours, and 18 minutes. My mom often says that she is more in love with him now then the day she married him and it shows! An amazing example of a God-filled marriage!

2. They encourage my endeavours. My dad loves to accompany me in attending the Spanish church when he can. Both my mom and dad love when I have them over to the house. They help minister to them with food, fellowship, and ice cream.

3. They choose to put family first.

So there you have it! My parents!

Day 3 - My first Love

I don't have 1. I have two first loves. To this day they still hold my heart.

One gave me the gifts and abilities I have.
The other encourages me to use them.

One gave me life.
The other works hard to provide for me to maintain life.

One gave me forgiveness.
The the other showed me the way to accept it.

One is my Father.
The other is my daddy.

It may sound cliche.

Let it.

I don't really care.

But it is true. From the beginning My father and my Father have had my hearts. There have been times when I am certain it has been hard to "want" to be obedient. I would be lying if I said that I was jumping with joy e.v.e.r.y. time I was asked to obey or do something I don't/didn't want to do. But, I know that they both love me. There is not doubt about it. It is out of that love that I know I want to obey.

I will let you in on another secret. I have never been in a relationship before. Ever. Never has a boy captured my attention long or strong enough to take my heart. I thank both of my first loves for protecting me from that so far. Because of them I know that my desire, now as an adult, is for "the one" my daddy has been praying for and my Father has been preparing. They gave me a gift and I don't want to play with it. It is special and only meant for "the one."

My first loves have given me life, security, protection, guidance, forgiveness, love.

So there you have it. My first love...(s)! =D

Day 2 - Blog Name meaning

Life is a waiting game. Most everything you do involves waiting.

One of my favorite books is one by Dr. Suess, Oh the Places You'll Go.

I don't have a particular reason for why I like this book, I just do. But about half way through this is what you will read.


"You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place...

...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting."

The book goes on to talk about leaving this place and moving on. How it's not for you and you're better than that. Until recently I would have agreed, but God...

See, as a human we like to think we "know" what He knows. But my friends, He is so much wiser than we are.

I began doing a little digging to find out what He had to say about waiting. You know what I found? That He never classifies it as a "bad" thing.

Psalm 25:3
Psalm 25:21
Psalm 27:14
Psalm 33:20
Psalm 37:7
Psalm 37:9
Psalm 147:11
Psalm 139:5
Proverbs 20:22
Isaiah 25:9
Isaiah 40:31
Isaiah 49:23
Micah 7:7
Hebrews 6:15

By the way, this list is NOT in any way exhaustive. This is just an overview. It took me about 3 verses into to realize that waiting was not a bad thing. Waiting on the Father that is. I knew that was where my heart found peace and my mind ceased it's constant fretting. I didn't have to "worry" about the next or the process to next. Waiting on the Father was it. That was all He wanted me to do.

wait. on. Him.

Thus the meaning of this blog. God has shown me and brought me to and through so many amazing things. But, in this life it is constant waiting. Most would look at the title and instantaneously think that I'm waiting on my husband. While this is true, it it not what is being mentioned in my title. I am simply waiting on the Father and His timing in my life in ALL things!

30 day challenge - Day 1 Me

I have pasted a huge sticker on my shirt that proclaims the obvious! Slacker!

Oh I know it's been quiet here! In all fairness, life hasn't been quiet! Remember when I posted this? Well, if you don't, it's OK. I didn't either. I was trying to weed through some past posts to find some information on something and stumbled upon it.

Well, I still think it's a good idea...it's just been a good idea that's been neglected! =) So here we go! Let's see if I can get 30 days of good blogging under my belt. After all, 21 days makes a habit right?

Welcome to my blog!

I'm AH.

I am the 3rd of 5 girls Spread out over 17 years.

I turned 21 in February and some days I don't feel a day over 10! There are times when being an adult stinks. Like hospital bills, taxes, and insurance. But, I wouldn't trade where God has me for anything!

15 facts about me...let's see.

1. I do not like chocolate. I will sample some things that contain chocolate. There are a few things that contain chocolate that I do enjoy. But over all I am not a sweet fan. So my guy is going to have to try a little harder than a chocolate bar!

2. I do not like feet. Can't stand them. They are sweaty, stinky, and just all over gross. Don't put your feet on me and I will return the favor. =D

3. I don't like peanut butter.

4. I love most all fruits and vegetables.

5. I've been babysitting since I was 14 but I am not sure I would trust a 14 year old with my own children. Read that: there is no way a 14 year old outside of my sisters is watching my child unattended!

6. I've been to Mexico and Peru and traveled in or through about 20 states. I would really like to have seen every state and Continent from outside the airport at least once.

7. I am a Jane Austen fan. Not addict, just fan! Mr. Darcy and Colonel Brandon being my favorite characters.

8. I love being outside. Love it.

9. I have partial hearing loss from ear infections as a child but my doctor blamed it on being homeschooled...yes, that's what I thought too.

10. I played basketball and soccer in middle and high school.

11. I have never had a loan of any kind. Dave Ramsey nerd right here! Woot Woot! I have paid cash for both cars I own. 1 being a Honda Accord and the other being Toyota Rav 4. I don't like American cars!

12. I love every part of flying aside from the actual flying part. If all flying was, was take off and landing I'd be fine. But being in the air is so boring!

13. I hate having my sisters being more than 2 hours away. Short term trips are one thing but longer than that it drives me CRAZY! With my sister being in TN now I can't stand not being close!

14. I am not a writer. But I love to write. Hate that I'm bad at it!

15. I love my family. Love them.

Our God can!

If you haven't caught on now to the fact that adoption is a desire of my heart then you have been blind or you are just now stumbling upon this blog! Because of that, things like this make my heart ache!

Yes, this is the same little girl. When I first saw this picture I thought it was 2 different children. The precious baby on the left lived in the baby house in her country in Eastern Europe until recently when she turned 5. No longer can this sweet little girl reside in a baby home and had to be moved to a mental institution. The picture on the right shows the effects that places like a mental institution have on a human being.

I don't have all the details but head on over here to find them out!

God is moving!

Pass along the information!

Get the word out!

suitcases

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

There have been some things in my life that I have tried to hide. Carrying them around in suitcases, tucking in the pieces that slip out every now and then. We all do it. We all tuck and hide our "unmentionables" of life as if no one else has them either. How dare someone else see even the tiniest edge. Some become flustered and embarrassed. Others pull out humor to cover or gloss over things. A few shrink away or hide, fading into backgrounds to become "not really there."

We all journey through life packing in our suitcases until the weight would merit you a over-weight checked bag fee enough to cover 3 plane tickets! We shove and push. Squeezing things in left and right as if we have to carry them.

Our backs are bent over and in pain from the weight being drug behind them. Our hands are calloused and raw from lifting, pulling, and dragging the handles of our pasts. And yet we won't let go.

I don't know why. The extent of my knowledge on this subject ends there. It doesn't make sense to me that we value these packages enough to carry them through life. We attempt to run miles with suitcases that drag us down. Have you ever tried to run with suitcases?! Did it once through an airport to make my flight...wasn't pretty...not gonna happen again.

I heard this song for the first time a few days ago. I have never heard of her before until now and can't seem to point out anything else she's done. But, I love this song. I love the simplicity of it's meaning.

Please go here to hear the song! It is a good one! Scroll down to turn off my music!

Looking into this subject a little more, I realized there's a lot more there than simply dropping it and leaving it. In some instances it's more of a passing. In others it's a laying down. And still in a few it is a process of taking it out piece by piece to release the individual from the thing(s) that are entangling.

In several of my experiences they were things I needed to ask for forgiveness for. In others I just needed to tell someone to verbally speak my forgiveness of someone else. Forgiveness is freeing. It's the process of handing over, bag by bag, the pieces of luggage that slow us down.

But, it shouldn't end there. It CAN'T end there. You have to walk away from that moment and place. You can't return. It has to stay there you have to move on. If you're anything like me I thought I needed to grab a thing or two out of the bag as I walked away. That my past still had to be a part of future. What I didn't realize was that it already was. They were circumstances that occurred in my life. My Savior had taken these parts of my life and molded them into the person I was becoming. They were a part of me. They were not me. But they made up who I was in Christ and how I would serve as the body of Christ.

After the moments of acknowledging my suitcases, casting off my suitcases, and allowing the contents of my suitcases to become evident for the better in my life, I had to allow God to use the items in my suitcases for Him. He wanted to take these parts that He had worked into me and use them to reach someone else. He wanted to use my suitcases to empty someone else's.

Are you tripping over your suicases?

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Happy Birthday Poco!

It's been a long week having my parents gone. Just me and the girls most of the day which gets strange when I start talking to the 18 month old like she knows what I'm saying! =)

I have missed them TERRIBLY! Not only are they gone but they're all together! *sniff* *sniff* Envious doesn't really begin to describe it! I was talking to someone about them all being gone and they looked at me like I was crazy! "Don't you like being alone?" To be perfectly honest, yes. There are days when I want to go away for an hour. But not 3 weeks. Ever. I love my family and I desire that our desire never fades to long to be together.

Anyway, way off topic from the original thought. They've added one more reason to the mix of why I don't want to be home.

Meet my Poco who is exactly 17.5 hours old and has this aunt so very much wrapped already!

From this very proud aunt, here is my nephew! By the way...I have the cutest nephews!

Can't wait to meet you little man! I love you already! Being tu tia is my favorite thing right now!

So long monkey!

(Sorry these pictures are so grainy. They aren't on the camera, F*cebook, or files on the computer don't know why they are posting to blogger this way.)

Last week was our farewell to Monkey week! We spent the time doing things that Monkey wants to do. From tie dye shirts and cupcakes to swimming in the pool from early morning til nap time. Most anything Monkey wanted to do we did!

I first started with Monkey October 2009. I had just resigned from a higher stress position to take this job. Instantly I knew it was a perfect fit for both of us. For several months it was just me and my little man until Boo came along.

Here's some Monkey facts that I think are just too cute to forget!

1. He is totally in love with babies. He gets all excited and giddy around babies. This gentle and calm side comes over his 3 year old body as he rubs their leg or arms and gives them kisses on their heads. He did the same for Boo and now baby enjoyed Monkey's attention for several weeks!

2. He can't say several letters. Even at 3 he pronounces things wrong and it is SUPER cute. His c's sound like ch. He can't say L, W, or S. So a simple sentence like, "I like cupcakes" comes out like, "I yike chupchaketh."

3. The child would turn orange because he drank so much Tang and if it had been possible to "be what you eat" he would have been a mac 'n cheese noodle. He would eat mac 'n cheese all day, for every meal. As much as he loves the stuff he is also a terrific eater. I was able to give him anything and he would at least try it. Some favorites were, guadamole and tips (guacamole and chips), tocholate toast (toast with nutella), hummus and chwactos (hummus and crackers), dump sawad (dump salad), and there is probably more but we'll stop there.

He is a sweety and I will miss seeing him daily.

Last day with all 3 kiddos!

I am thankful that God called me to watch him. It has been an awesome training ground.

Life hasn't seemed to slow down now that he's gone though. I do, however, get an unexpected week off. The first week in July Boo and her sister are headed to the beach with family. So that whole week I will be able to do somethings I have been anxious to take care of. For most that might be sleeping in, taking it easy, and enjoying myself but much to my sister's dismay we are going to tackle crazy things like closets and under her bed! It will be a good week!

Another thing that changes things for the next few weeks. My nephew has decided to make his appearance before his due date. Don't really know when that will be but he is indeed on his way here. Mom, Dad, and Bean are headed to my sister's house Sunday a.m. at dark:30 Dad will only stay a week and then fly home. Mom and Bean will stay to help my sister out for a few weeks and then the rest of us will somehow make our way out there when she's ready to come home.

That's all for now! Thanks for reading!

Oh life!

I figured that it was about time to give an update of sorts. I have been posting sporadically and on varying topics without really landing on anything in particular. Life has been half-way crazy and my brain can't seem to keep up. I wake up on Saturday mornings and wonder what in the world happened to my week...and that keeps happening. I am waiting for time to slow down a little. Or maybe it's just life that needs to reduce enough for me to see what's actually happening!
My job has taken some serious twists and turns the last few weeks. Lots of ups and downs and it seems to have landed me in the same spot I was in to begin with. I have been watching 3 kids ages 2, 1, and 9 weeks. Yes, I'm insane. There is no need to ask. It has been a crazy, crazy few weeks having them all. I am still learning to balance my time and make sure all 3 are feeling attended and looked after. Call it real, on the job training! It's times like this I am longing for God to bring along my future so all my training can be put to the test! Until then I will continue to learn!

Anyway, the 2 year old will be heading to preschool come June (this is one thing that I am CONFIDENT will never appear in my future! Oh I hate that poor baby is being put in a glorified daycare for the purpose learning to "get along" with kids his age...UGH! That is a topic for another day.). Once that happens I will just have my girls. I am looking forward to just hanging with them this summer! I am not sure what we have planned but we will be playing!

Another fun event is the impending arrival of my Poco. My oldest sister is due on July 11th but we are all preparing (hoping) that he will come sooner. =) My mom is headed out there with the Bean in the beginning of July to stay in preparation for him. She is planning on staying until he decides to arrive. Since there is no telling when that will be she's just staying put. We are planning on going it alone for awhile. We are confident that things will go just fine while she is away but there is NO possible way on this earth that she will not be missed! I am thankful that mom is able to drop and go like this! I love the way my family works!

This summer is shaping up to be life as usual...haha! I am hearing a resounding, "are you crazy?" BUT, it is normal in most all other ways. Just working, hanging with El Camino, and playing with my family.

Working on some big blog posts coming soon! 10 things Tuesday is going to be a big one! Looking forward to pulling in some outside sources! If you are currently homeschooling, being home-schooled, or have been home-schooled please drop me a note! I am wanting to put together a list! Also working on a prayer post. I would love to hear from anyone with some specific requests.

Thanks for reading!

Now I leave you with some joy from my buddies M-F!

Aren't they the greatest!

Still waiting...