~Schulz Sightings~

You Make Beautiful Things...

2011-09-02T09:43:00.003-05:00

We've been home for 5 months with our precious Drew. God has made a beautiful thing right before our eyes, right in our home. He has transformed his precious child and transformed this family.

We have come over the hump in the last few weeks. Drew is sleeping, not cutting any teeth and generally so much happier. The big kids are in some form of school and we are getting into a routine. Drew actually went into the church nursery and stayed for the first time last week! A huge step!
I've registered again for this amazing retreat in January and can't wait! 450 spots filled in 9 hours.
I marvel at all He has done in this year. He has placed so many fatherless in homes!
Celebrate with me!!

Ecclesiastes 3:11
"He has made everything beautiful in its time.
Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart,
yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."

First Day

2011-08-24T21:01:00.000-05:00

We made it!! The first day of Kinder for my spunky little one was a success! Loved her teacher, loved her friends, loved PE, loved seeing Caroline in the halls, and loves that she doesn't have to go back again until Monday!

2nd grade...how did this happen??

The highlight of her day was her dance elective. We are in for a LOT of performances in the living room!

Preston and I enjoyed just being together with Drew. I didn't realize how much he talks!! Now that the girls were out of the house, I thought it was going to be quieter (they have QUITE a bit to say)

Holy Smokes, he didn't take a breath ALL day.

He also kept stealing my steak knives to "saw" things, like sticks and dirt, the house columns etc... Any ideas how to steer this in a better direction? My friend, Kristin's husband bought the boys a tool box with small "real" tools in it, hammer, saw, nails, screws... That seems brilliant to me.

I love Preston's little voice when he asks "MOM, will you come saw wood with me?"

"of course, sweetheart, let me grab a knife first."

Maine~Photos

2011-07-25T14:58:00.005-05:00

Every summer growing up we made the 4 day drive or long flight up to New England where my parents are from. My grandparents lived in a big old family home right on the beach in Maine.

Not bad digs! My parents now have the home so we can still go.

We have brought the children now 4 times. It is a blast to see them have fun on the same beach where I grew up. Caroline is our beach bunny so far. I was SOOO nervous treking everyone up, we haven't been doing very well with any travel as a family lately, but they did beautifully!! Drew seemed to get over his teething-crisis just in time to be the little show stopper for the week and actually slept!! We really needed this as a family and it was a great time of bonding for all of us.

Drew LOVED the beach!

Climbing the rocks on the Breakwater was a HUGE hit!

The kids thought they were climbing Everest.

My parents and grandmother. We had such a fun time just with them.

Welcome to Maine, Drew-man!!

Motherhood as Mission

2011-07-08T08:17:00.007-05:00

We are having a great summer, nothing much planned, but trying to be in the water as much as possible. We are gelling as a family very well, and Andy's work has been much lighter this summer!! Yeah!

That being said, the phrase "the days are long, but the years short" comes to mind. These summer days are VERY long. Drew is getting about 4 teeth at one time, so for the past 2 weeks, he has really just cried. most of the day. I'm trying to get on top of the pain with tylenol every 4, but he won't have anything to do with cold things to chew on to help. The other 3 are needing a lot of direction and "working out the kinks" of being together all the time. In short, at the end of many days I am afraid I am "crazy in the head" as I tell Andy. I am trying to be more planned and organized, and sometimes it works! Going a bit nuts though, feeling discouraged with disobedience, sassy talk, arguing and needing me constantly, and... the crying. I think if I can help Drew get his teeth and stop crying all day, I can focus better on the other 3 and not be so testy myself. Feeling weary and exhausted will pass, I know. Tis the season, right?

This article has encouraged me almost every day the past 2 weeks, I found it on the Desiring God site. I struggle with pretty much everything it talks about.

Motherhood as a Mission Field

June 16, 2011 | by: Rachel Jankovic | Category: Commentary

There is a good old saying, perhaps only said by my Grandfather, that distance adds intrigue. It is certainly true — just think back to anything that has ever been distant from you that is now near. Your driver’s license. Marriage. Children. Things that used to seem so fascinating, but as they draw near become less mystical and more, well, real.

This same principle certainly applies to mission fields too. The closer you get to home, the less intriguing the work of sacrifice seems. As someone once said, “Everyone wants to save the world, but no one wants to help Mom with the dishes.” When you are a mother at home with your children, the church is not clamoring for monthly ministry updates. When you talk to other believers, there is not any kind of awe about what you are sacrificing for the gospel. People are not pressing you for needs you might have, how they can pray for you. It does not feel intriguing, or glamorous. Your work is normal, because it is as close to home as you can possibly be. You have actually gone so far as to become home.

Home: The Headwaters of Mission

If you are a Christian woman who loves the Lord, the gospel is important to you. It is easy to become discouraged, thinking that the work you are doing does not matter much. If you were really doing something for Christ you would be out there, somewhere else, doing it. Even if you have a great perspective on your role in the kingdom, it is easy to lose sight of it in the mismatched socks, in the morning sickness, in the dirty dishes. It is easy to confuse intrigue with value, and begin viewing yourself as the least valuable part of the Church.

There are a number of ways in which mothers need to study their own roles, and begin to see them, not as boring and inconsequential, but as home, the headwaters of missions.

At the very heart of the gospel is sacrifice, and there is perhaps no occupation in the world so intrinsically sacrificial as motherhood. Motherhood is a wonderful opportunity to live the gospel. Jim Elliot famously said, “He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Motherhood provides you with an opportunity to lay down the things that you cannot keep on behalf of the people that you cannot lose. They are eternal souls, they are your children, they are your mission field.

Faith Makes the Small Offering Great

If you are like me, then you may be thinking “What did I ever give up for them? A desk job? Time at the gym? Extra spending money? My twenty- year- old figure? Some sleep?” Doesn’t seem like much when you put it next to the work of some of the great missionaries, people who gave their lives for the gospel.

Think about the feeding of the five thousand when the disciples went out and rounded up the food that was available. It wasn’t much. Some loaves. Some fish. Think of some woman pulling her fish out and handing it to one of the disciples. That had to have felt like a small offering. But the important thing about those loaves and those fishes was not how big they were when they were given, it was about whose hands they were given into. In the hands of the Lord, that offering was sufficient. It was more than sufficient. There were leftovers. Given in faith, even a small offering becomes great.

Look at your children in faith, and see how many people will be ministered to by your ministering to them. How many people will your children know in their lives? How many grandchildren are represented in the faces around your table now?

Gain What You Cannot Lose in Them

So, if mothers are strategically situated to impact missions so greatly, why do we see so little coming from it? I think the answer to this is quite simple: sin. Discontent, pettiness, selfishness, resentment. Christians often feel like the right thing to do is to be ashamed about what we have. We hear that quote of Jim Elliot’s and think that we ought to sell our homes and move to some place where they need the gospel.

But I’d like to challenge you to look at it differently. Giving up what you cannot keep does not mean giving up your home, or your job so you can go serve somewhere else. It is giving up yourself. Lay yourself down. Sacrifice yourself here, now. Cheerfully wipe the nose for the fiftieth time today. Make dinner again for the people who don’t like the green beans. Laugh when your plans are thwarted by a vomiting child. Lay yourself down for the people here with you, the people who annoy you, the people who get in your way, the people who take up so much of your time that you can’t read anymore. Rejoice in them. Sacrifice for them. Gain that which you cannot lose in them.

It is easy to think you have a heart for orphans on the other side of the world, but if you spend your time at home resenting the imposition your children are on you, you do not. You cannot have a heart for the gospel and a fussiness about your life at the same time. You will never make any difference there if you cannot be at peace here. You cannot have a heart for missions, but not for the people around you. A true love of the gospel overflows and overpowers. It will be in everything you do, however drab, however simple, however repetitive.

God loves the little offerings. Given in faith, that plate of PB&J’s will feed thousands. Given in faith, those presents on Christmas morning will bring delight to more children than you can count. Offered with thankfulness, your work at home is only the beginning. Your laundry pile, selflessly tackled daily, will be used in the hands of God to clothe many. Do not think that your work does not matter. In God’s hands, it will be broken, and broken, and broken again, until all who have need of it have eaten and are satisfied. And even then, there will be leftovers.

Rachel Jankovic is a wife, homemaker, and mother. She is the author of "Loving the Little Years" and blogs at Femina. Her husband is Luke, and they have five children: Evangeline (5), Daphne (4), Chloe (2), Titus (2), and Blaire (5 months).

...when the livin's easy!

2011-06-09T08:34:00.004-05:00

Summertime!

Happy Birthday Drew Moses!!

2011-06-01T21:50:00.001-05:00

"Lift up your eyes all around and see;

they all gather together, they come to you;

your sons shall come from far,

and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.

Then you shall see and be radiant;

your heart shall thrill and exult

because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you"

Isaiah 60:4-5

Referral picture from Home of Hope Orphanage:

You've come a long way baby!!

"...the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;

he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted...to comfort all who mourn...

that they may be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified"

Isaiah 61: 3

Thank you Lord, that you have comforted our abandoned and "placed the lonely in families",

we are so blessed because of your works!

Drew, you have lit up our family, you have brought such joy and are changing our hearts.

Happy one year birthday my son.

Wanted: summer playlist suggestions

2011-05-24T13:50:00.000-05:00

Not being the koolest kat on the block, I need some help putting together some music for the summer.
At the swim meet the other day, all of the kids were singing along to the songs put together by the DJ. Yes, DJ, at our swim meet. What we lack in speed, we make up in spunk!
I knew none of the songs, at least none from the 2000s, but they were really fun. So, what do we need to have jamming in the Schulz home this summer??

My Lucy: Off with the Old, on with the New

2011-05-20T21:26:00.003-05:00

With many tears I allowed my Lucy to graduate from preschool.

I wavered back and forth whether or not to do it.

Sonshine School has been the perfect place for her the past 3 years to make the sweetest friends, do art, chase boys and just be the nut she is. If we didn't have about 6 more years of Sonshine ahead of us I'd be a real mess! She is excited that she actually goes to school less next year than she did this year. Hey, I can relate. I wasn't exactly known for being IN school all 5 days of the week...

I can't tell you HOW many people have asked hesitently "so... how do you think LUCY is going to do at Veritas??" (our school where i teach her 3 days a week at home)

I really think she is going to LOVE it, it is right up her alley!

I also have trusty Caroline who has her on a phonogram and math program already.

Can you see her sweet face behind her hair?

Her BFF, Madren

Ms. Mary giving Lucy the award for "Confidence" after explaining how she is so "comfortable in her own skin" so true, so true :)

On with the new... Swim Team!!!

Apparently, She is In It To Win It.

Look at her checking out her competition, sizing her up. " i can take her, it's on".

I love that she is the only one in a black swim suit b/c she was too small for the team suit.

Holy cow! She flew to the other end and won her heat :) Who knew?

On to the backstroke, we're really serious about this now, pulling out the swim cap and stretching. I'd never actually seen her DO the backstroke when i signed her up for it, so, I was just hoping she could find the lane lines when she started to sink.

Check her out, she was amazing!!

"Yes, yes, I did, I won my race, on my back!!"

like I said, "in it to win it!" I'm proud of you Little Lu!!

Children of God

2011-05-17T15:35:00.003-05:00

oh, my dear heavens, I just watched this.
Since I'm the only one on the planet not on facebook, I missed this... stick with it to the end. Preston just watched and said "Jesus is holding MY Drew" :) (Mac does look a little like Jesus here)

One more reason we love Rwanda...

2011-05-11T22:13:00.000-05:00

My dear friend Natalie just sent this video to me. She works for ANLM in Austin and travels often to Rwanda. We were able to spend time at the center, go to church, and meet our sponsored kids a few weeks ago (see our slide shows to the right). The men and women of ANLM love and serve the children and women of Rwanda in amazing ways.
Watch, you won't be disappointed.

Meet Africa New Life! (slideshow) from Africa New Life Ministries on Vimeo.

In an unrelated note have ya'll bought the Seeds CDs for your kids?? You should. They are scripture put to rather catchy, non-annoying music. My kids love them. The verses go with each theme: Seeds of Faith, Seeds of Courage, Seeds of Encouragement...
They just put out Seeds of character, (you have to buy it on itunes). We are loving it!

Panning for Gold

2011-05-11T06:37:00.003-05:00

"The voice of the Lord is over the waters;

the God of glory thunders

the Lord over many waters.

The voice of the Lord is powerful;

the voice of the Lord is full of majesty."

Psalm:29:3

Andy sent me away Saturday. I had all morning to go where I pleased. alone. I went to the water. I needed to hear from the Lord. I was able to spend all morning in His Word. Filling, breathing into me. Kayaking down the river, feeling His presence, His voice. "I am with you, I will equip you for this that I have given you, these children are mine and I love them more than you do"

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me

and delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant" Psalm 34:4

After my little drama the other day, so many of you called/emailed/texted with scripture and encouragement. I felt so calmed and filled. Thank you.
I have loved the Christa Wells song "Panning for Gold" It is about going to scripture hungry, expectant, waiting for God to reveal the gold he has for you today.

"I go to the pages handed down and worn

I'm hearing the sages with the Truth on their tongues

Sifting beauty from the layers of ash

I'm tracing the universe with my fingers in the sand

I'm panning for gold, I'm panning for gold

Until I have all my heart can hold"

That is how he feeds me, His Word, truth. Not self-help or "processing" with others. Then her album goes into "Everything Moves But You" beautiful stuff!!

I was listening to a talk last night in the car, by Susan Hillis in which she also referenced panning for gold, in our children. How we are to wait and search, knowing that the gold is there, expecting it to shine through in time. Keep on panning, encourage them by voicing the gold you do see.

My Bible Study teacher, Marty, sent me this from Isaiah 40:11, it has been GREAT encouragement, I hope it is to you too:

"He will tend his flock like a shepherd;

he will gather the lambs in his arms;

he will carry them in his bosom,

and gently lead those that are with young."

His promise is to shepherd me as I shepherd my sheep. I take comfort in knowing that I am just a dumb sheep, needing to be helped when I get myself all flipped over!
love to you, my fellow shepherds and gold diggers~

In Which: The Wheels May Be Coming Off

2011-05-06T16:28:00.006-05:00

So, we're back into The House at Pooh Corner... Also, I just finished reading AnnE (thank you Liz) of Green Gables to the girls, so forgive me if I have a little melodrama:
As we've recovered from jetlag, introduced Drew into our family, and kept going with life, I've kept my head down and focused on what needs to get done. There is a lot to get done. Many balls are getting dropped.
Come to find out, 4 kids is a LOT of kids, especially when we are all home, all the time, homeschooling and cocooning and the like. Or we are at swim team and I am having a complete breakdown with all 4 in different directions at the lake and pool.

As Drew has bonded so well with us, he is needing us more and more, a good thing. He is healing, and that comes with much fussing in the middle of the night or when I leave the room. He wants/needs to be on me most of the time and is not a fan of napping longer than about 15 minutes. I love to have him on me and he starts clapping when I pull out the Ergo, did I mention he is 23 lbs?!!

I am struggling with my own inadequacies. Lucy and Preston are having a really hard time right now. LOTS of temper tantrums, sobbing in the middle of the night b/c "my tummy hurts", needing my full attention, and just blatant defiance and disobedience. They need me too, and lots of me.
Come to find out, there is only 1 of me.

Also, Andy is slammed at work right now, catching up from being gone and lots of other work related issues. That means LONG hours and travel. Neither of us has much for the other right now and we are empty, dry. Emotionally, spiritually, and physically exhausted. I really want to be GREAT mom, but too often try and do it out of my own capacity and fail miserably, spinning my little wheels all the while. I am not spending time in prayer and study and have realized, once again, how Christ is my absolute lifeline. Nothing else can fill me. Only he can equip me for this.
And, "this" in the grand scheme of things is pretty amazing!!
I am abundantly blessed, just a little over my head with my blessings, and their needs!

My head is spinning, my heart racing and inadequacies on display. So, there is my melodrama for the moment, forgive my focus on ME, and the fact this post probably makes no sense. I would put a great scripture at the bottom of this, but my mind is totally blank. maybe you have something for me?

kids + water

2011-05-04T10:18:00.000-05:00

Is there anything more fun?

Lucy X2

Trouble X2

love the shovel as an oar!

Have a happy day!

MAJOR Progress with Drew and mini-Jilians

2011-04-26T19:59:00.001-05:00

When we picked up Drew one month ago, at almost 10 months old, he could not roll over, sit up or bear ANY weight on his legs. Holding his head up was exhausting too!

Look at him now!!!

He loves the mirror in our closet.

I'm so proud of you Drew!!

hmmm....

The girls are just nuts for Jilian Michaels...

I laughed quite hard at the whole workout with black beans as weights

Drew had to check out the action and yell out motivation from the laundry basket.

Home of Hope Reunion and Schulz Easter Pic

2011-04-25T07:50:00.005-05:00

Marc and Kayan Simpio had a very fun Easter egg hunt Saturday where we were able to get all the Home of Hope kids in Austin\Temple together. All 5 of these little ones were in an orphanage together 6 months ago, and now they are Texans in families who adore them!! They were swapping stories about Sisters Theresa and Sebastian, and comparing TexMex to maize mush. They are also ready for the rest of their posse to join them. We've got a Birt, Honegger, Allen, Bower, and Scott soon to join this party!!

Drew, Aliyah, Elle, Alex and Roman~Welcome to a Texas Easter, ya'll!

My little brood. Please be impressed that they are all matching. Nana and Target came through at the last minute, saving Lucy from a pink smocked dress with puffed sleeves that she would rather not be caught dead in.

Passover in our home

2011-04-23T20:49:00.001-05:00

"I will open my mouth in a parable;

I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known

that our fathers have told us.

We will not hide them from their children, but tell them to the coming generation

the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children,

that the next generation might know them,

the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children,
so that they should set their hope in God"

Psalm 78: 2-7

It's Friday, but Sunday's Comin!

2011-04-22T10:07:00.003-05:00

Oh, how He loves us.

Karen Purvis on Adoption Expectations

2011-04-18T14:27:00.001-05:00

Insight 1: Explore Your Expectations from Tapestry on Vimeo.

I found this and 6 other videos of Purvis' on Andrea's blog. Her whole post is phenomenal!
I am soaking up all the wisdom I can right now. One thing that has been so much fun these last few weeks is having several of ya'll call or email me about adoption. I think this video is so good for the initial stages of those decisions. Enjoy!
~love~Emily

Just Because He's Cute

2011-04-16T21:37:00.001-05:00

Two Weeks Home and Already a Lake-Baby

2011-04-12T08:36:00.003-05:00

Well, I've made it two weeks with 4 kids. The first week was shaky at best.

Drew is doing great now, adjusting well to life in a home with a family. He gets A LOT of attention. The other 3 love him, and have a blast with him. He is sleeping most, if not all, the way through the night, which is fantastic! However, 20 minutes seems to be his idea of a nap, so he gets REALLY tired and fussy in the afternoon. He'll get it worked out. He is such a joyful little boy. He gets so excited to see Andy when he comes home from work or walks in a room. He seems to be bonding to us well, according to my VERY limited experience with this sort of thing.

In other news, Caroline had quite a collision during Soccer in P.E. and fell hard and broke her wrist. When she got in the car after school, she complained that her wrist hurt because she has "laid down her life for a soccer goal" and was proud of herself. Like any good mother, I did nothing until 2 days later when it was still swollen and she had made a sling for herself...
This has been almost as exciting as having a new brother! A new orange, waterproof cast that all her besties can sign and ask her over and over again what happened.

My sis in law Liz and brother Daniel brought their 5 month old Charlie over for a visit. They hit it off wonderfully, pawing at each other's faces :)

"Surfing" on the Kayak is the new favorite activity, almost as much fun as catching craw fish and singing "love songs" to it so that ALL of Lake Austin can hear.

Aunt Liz and Cousin Charlie

Drew LOVES the sand and the water on his feet. He just stares at all the trees, water, birds, boats. Everything is NEW for him.

These two are thick as thieves these days!

Elizabeth and Cousin Campbell were BIG helpers feeding Drew Cheerios. I think he was a little confused by this little girl with the big bow stuffing Os in his mouth.

Nana and Grampa came to meet Drew Saturday, he took to her easily and we were so glad to see them.

Drew is making great strides developmentally too, he is sitting up for long stretches and even pushes with his legs if on his tummy. He eats everything I give him, mostly avacado, sweet potato, banana and mango. We go to an Adoption Clinic in the next week to have him checked out head to toe by an Infectious Diseases Doc here at Dell Children's. He is ON me or very close all day, so my back is having a tough time.

Drew is a delight! We are hunkered down at home as a family right now and this is about the first time I've been on the computer in 2 weeks. I'm sorry to my friends who are texting/ emailing/calling. I will get my head above water soon and call!! I miss you!! 4 Kids under 8 is a lot of action and not much sitting down. I have had meals brought several times a week which is a HUGE blessing and great to have a conversation with someone over 8, too.
On another note, did ya'll know Christa Wells has a new album out- How Emptiness Sings? It is amazing, of course!!!
OK, I've got a full day of homeschool with Caroline today( a little catchup too!) better focus.
love,
Emily

Airport Arrival for Drew Moses!!

2011-03-31T11:20:00.005-05:00

It was a Glorious homecoming!
Did I mention hiring Kristin was one of the best decisions we made in this whole process?? What a treasure her gift is.

Home again, home again, jiggedy jig!!

2011-03-30T14:23:00.005-05:00

After possibly the longest 48 hours of my entire life, we set foot in the Austin Airport to friends and family (pictures to come later) in what was the sweetest homecoming ever.

Drew slept for about 5 of the 28 hour trip... I also found out that size 3 diapers are completely insufficient. To all of you I hugged in the airport, I am sorry.

We ran into some drama with the embassy in Nairobi Monday afternoon (scheduled to fly out Monday night). The woman there was NOT going to process our visas that day. She had NO intention of doing it, siting some "child clearance that had not happened in the States" hmmm...not likely. With our sheer diplomacy (stubbornness and begging), but really mostly desperate prayer, she relented, and 2 hours later walked out with our completed Visa packet. It was truly a miracle, one of MANY over the course of the previous 3 weeks.
Drew and I had a very good few days alone in Nairobi, we went to the Nairobi museum, out to eat, to visit Aliyah in the hospital, down to socialize with the hotel staff, and watched WAY too many Modern Family episodes for his tender age. I had a fantastic "supplier"(of movies), Simon, down on the street outside the hotel.

oh, it was a sweet time this morning. Drew loved Lucy and Preston, finding them hilarious.
Andy had the house spotless when we walked in last night! It now looks like a bomb went off. Drew was up and down in the night, but I had taken 2 Ambian and don't really remember it all. Good thing for Andy! Jet lag nausea is setting in this afternoon. So, I'll go. Preston and Lucy are in LOVE!

So am I.

Hitting a Snag

2011-03-24T03:11:00.001-05:00

It has all been trucking along fairly well until this point. There have been frustations and backwards steps these past two weeks, but ALL things considered, wonderful progress and going "according to schedule", whatever that is. Our plan was to pick up our Visa tomorrow and leave for Texas tomorrow night. We went for our second US Embassy appointment this morning, and we will not be traveling home until probably Tuesday night or Wednesday. The Adam Walsh screen has held us up. We knew that was a risk going into Nairobi.
For future families: I think if you give yourselves a full two weeks in Kigali, you will be able to initiate the AWscreen earlier and it will be ready by the time you sit for your Embassy apt. in Nairobi, and can get through Nairobi in 5 working days. We did not have what we needed, the travel letter and passport to initiate the AW earlier than we did, given that the Embassy in Kigali is only open Tues/Friday.

Andy and Caroline WILL be coming home tomorrow night. The kids need them and I think it will be good to have one of us over jet lag and settled into the house/kids before I come home jet lagged/exhausted and with new baby.
Caroline has grown and matured so much through this whole experience, I am so proud of her, but it is time for her to come HOME!!
Also, Laura and I will stay together with the two babies and in our hotel that will take care of us.

I will keep everyone posted when little Drew will make his debut, but it will NOT be Saturday night. We know there is purpose in this disappointment, and I am so disappointed! I am weary and want to come and see my babies and be in my house. now. I don't want to stay in Nairobi for 5 more days without my husband.

However, we praise God that He has gone before us in every step until now, and is in this situation too, fulfilling His purposes, so for that we give thanks.

"For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.

His heart is steady;

he will not be afraid"

Psalm 112: 6-7

SAFARI

2011-03-22T14:09:00.002-05:00

We headed out this morning about 6:30 to the Nairobi National Park. I had no idea what to expect. We had a driver with a van whose roof comes off and it was just the 4 of us for the day. We had such a fun time together spotting animals and watching in awe. This lion was the second we saw, close to the end of the day. He was sleeping, so our driver decided to wake him up... He drove the van right up to him, and up he popped! I was actually a little frightened as the lion seemed to crouch as we got closer. He was about 8 feet from the van. He was absolutely beautiful.

Well, hello there, king of the jungle

There were giraffes everywhere, you could see them from so far off eating from a tree. They seem so much larger than in the zoo.

Caroline had a blast spotting all the animals.

Water buffalo playing.

Am I black with white stripes or white with black stripes?

This pretty fellow supprised us, right next to the van!

We drive through the park two hours out, and then stoppd at a little "station" where we were told to get out to go see the crocs and hippos. On foot. For a mile...

hmmm...I was not so sure about this, but the guy with the gun assured us it would be great fun. I stayed close to him.

Alas, the hippos were sleeping underwater, and only a huge croc we could see the eyes of, but look at this beauty we stumbled onto. There were monkeys everywhere too and beautiful birds.

We stopped at a market afterwards, where this lovely Masai tribesman worked as the "security guard". I didn't know that the Masai tribe still was in existence (or maybe I really never knew of their existence), and are still nomads. He guards with a very sharp sword, and the spear Caroline is holding.

We rested this afternoon, and swam in the pool, during regular pool hours, but still during the businessmen's cocktail time. I don't have my suit here, but, Caroline made a 60 year old lady friend who played lots of games with her in the pool, lap races and wore her out.
Tonight, she lost the tooth she has been talking about for 3 months, so that was nice. Apparently, "Ms. Natalie (Green) says in Africa, when children lose their teeth, a 'tooth rat' comes and leaves money" She is very excited about the tooth rat coming tonight. I much prefer a fairy!
Goodnight. Love~Emily

You've come a long way, Baby!

2011-03-21T13:15:00.001-05:00

Here we are in Nairobi. Different digs than the orphanage for sure.
We had our medical appointment today, which I am happy to report went smooth, especially given that they told us they had nothing available all week. We showed up anyways and just asked to be added to the patient list. We arrived about 7:45 and were done by noon. It was fun to talk to many families attempting to immigrate to the US, great stories! I brought crayons, markers and paper. We had to wait a while for each stage, so I brought it out for all the kids and there were about 10 kids around a table happy for some sort of something to do!
According to the Doctor, Drew is a "confident, strong boy", I think that is code for "well fed". There were no issues that alerted her.

We came back to the hotel to nap and Drew cried for a good 3 hours straight :(
Then we went to the "mall" down the street. We had to get formula, water and red wine. Cover our bases.

We came back to the hotel, swanky by our standards, where we had promised Caroline she could swim in the rooftop pool. Now was her big chance, all that pent up energy. We went up and it seemed to be "serious" Kenyan businessmen's cocktail hour around the pool area. I couldn't deny her, so in she dove. She put on quite the mermaid extravaganza (quietly) much to their eventual entertainment. Then Andy came up with delivered pizza. Who brought in the Texas Hilbillies?
Everyone here in Nairobi has been wonderful. HUGE city, traffic like Houston. We are off to the Nairobi National Park tomorrow and hope to see some big animals. Our embassy appointments are Wednesday and Thursday, hope to pick up Visa Friday and head back to Texas Friday night. We sure miss everyone, especially our two little ones, Lucy and Preston!!!

Paper Chase Slide Show

2011-03-19T02:56:00.003-05:00

Monday and Tuesday involved LOTS of hurrying up to wait. We went back to the court to the 7 foot judge who was very kind and wants us to email him the picture of him :) There were many issues with the court ruling, and we had to have it redone about 4 times. We had to go to the notary's office, twice, and went to the MGEPROF office to write letters to request the travel letter. Tuesday we went bright and early to the immigration office, where we were turned away by the officer b/c he said our act of adoption handwriting looked like we changed the name. So, we had to find our POA, Peter, to get the original act of adoption, go back to the sector and have it re-stamped and fly back Mission Impossible style to immigration before it closed at 11. We made it in time and then I waited in the car with Drew for the next hour and a half so Andy could turn in the papers :)
Tuesday we were all set to pick up the travel letter and be able to keep him with us from then on. He had a cute little onesie on with his name on it and he went for a haircut! We went to the MTN center where they had a "salon". His hair was nice and fluffy, but splotchy!! Lots of time laying on his back turning his head side to side in the orphanage... Now it's gone but will grow in even. Steven, our driver, from Africa New Life, says he doesn't like it :)
All that to say that we were set to be done with the orphanage and have him leave with us forever, when we got a call that the minister would not be coming back and we would have to leave him there... A VERY sad night laying him back down in his old crib that they had to shuffle a baby out of. Everyone was crying and it was dark and raining. He started screaming when I had to leave him.

On the bright side, the next day, we got the travel form and he was able to say goodbye to the nuns who had cared for him since he was found at one month old and brought to them. I will forever be indebited to them and their faithful service and sacrifice.

Steven, our driver, has been wonderful. I don't know what we would do without him. He picks us up every morning and drives all over the hills of Kigali laughing hesitantly at our jokes and cutting up, the patience of Job, that man. We've learned a lot about Rwandan culture and asked him way too many questions about his personal life :) He has been a great friend to Caroline too.

Friday, we got our I600 (the golden ticket out of Rwanda) at the US Embassy , which was a suprisingly easy process after much build up and stress. We leave tomorrow for Nairobi. I will be sad to leave! The FOOD, friendly people, beauty and sweet families we have been with.

I am sitting here watching Caroline play soccar with the day-guard, Butro, at the Mears house. She has done amazingly well after a couple rough days, I am really proud of her. She has learned how to bargain at the market, interact and make friends with people who don't speak her language, eagerly eat foreign foods, show compassion at a deep level, be patient with LONG waits and survive jetlag well.
I think this will prove to be a pivotal experience for her.
That's all for now, I'll say "hello" from Nairobi tomorrow.
love~emily

A new day!

2011-03-17T02:34:00.001-05:00

Thank you for your prayers and emails today, they are so encouraging. After a couple frustrating and intense days, we were able to obtain the fully signed travel letter and took everything to the nuns. They took our papers and told us we could take the children away. They were thrilled to see them go to families, their countenance totally changed toward us after a couple days. It was a sweet day.

We did get a full tour of the orphanage. In the baby room there are 16 babies, the cribs are very short with matresses much shorter, which leaves a gap of about 8 inches. Caroline and I were able to go around to each crib, lay hands on the baby and pray over him/her. We prayed for protection, healing, and blessing. Also, that he would prepare them and all of you families who are adopting. Most of the babies will be adopted this year!! We saw the older toddler room/dormitory with about 30 tiny cribs. It is pretty chaotic! There is an outdoor washing area with about 15 big basins with water, and clotheslines. There are hundreds of cloth diapers to scrub. There are young women the nuns have taken in who work at the orphanage. They are the poorest of the poor and have nowhere else to go. They have no education and no family. The nuns love them and care for them. There is also a mentally handicapped wing for adults. That was hard, but love knowing that they, too, are cared for.

We got Drew home and sat with him outside, played with him on the floor and bed. He is eating really well, avacado and banana, a Schulz already. I can't believe how he has lit up, smiling, and clapping, kicking, rolling over, even sitting up a little on his own. MAJOR strides! Last week, he was so floppy, he barely moved the lower half of his body. Head very wobbly and no rolling over or sitting up. He was really zoned out, we were wondering what was going on up there... He is no so engaging and smiley. We scrubbed him down in the bath, got him ready for bed, and put him down in the pack in play for bed. He konked out immediately!! I was shocked. He may not stay that way overnight, but it is good for now. The Choys are here, Drew and Alyah are having their first play date :) We are babysitting for the Mear's kids and they are out.
Tomorrow, we get to rest a little, back to immigration, and we may even be able to go to the genocide memorial (not with Caroline). Maybe a "girls market day" that Caroline has been clammoring for.
The mood is much lighter and more fun. I've tried the sling, and Holly, I need some help!
We were able to chat with Lucy and Preston, they were at the Dallas Zoo with Nana and Grampa, and Aunt Marian, and cousin Austin. They sounded great! Having a fun spring break.

We were SO sad to see Kristin go home last night, we will really miss her companionship. We had such a great time together and she provided much comedic relief! Her pictures have been such a blessing to us, and I know for so many of you it helps to have tangible proof of where YOU will be in a few months. She has such a ministry through adoption photography, and such a pure heart. Kristin has one more slide show to post, but you will have to put up with my photos from here on out. That is it for now, so nice to have Drew sleeping with us!! Orphan no more.
love~Emily

Sunday in Africa

2011-03-14T16:03:00.001-05:00

Back to Africa New Life for church. We went to the "English" service, which was joyful. However, Steven, our driver assured us that there was much more dancing at the 11oclock service. We were brought up to the front of the service to introduce us and asked Andy to "share a word". which he did. Between the judge gig and the preacher gig, he may want to move here for the opportunity :)
We LOVED that Pastor Charles gave the congregation a charge to adopt and went on for 5 minutes about the beauty of adoption, encouraging them to do so locally.
We took Drew home to nap and gave him his first bath which was hilarious!
After dropping Drew off, we went to Zen "Oriental" restaurant. Highly Recommend!! All the kids ran around by the water fountain, we sat under the thatched roof tents and had cocktails and great food. We are really roughing it here in Africa.
love~Emily

Field Trip!

2011-03-13T13:57:00.004-05:00

Saturday was such a fun day!! We picked up Drew, this was our first time to take him off the orphanage grounds. He rode with us, possibly his first car ride ever. We went to African Bagel Company, a beautiful home and grounds filled with ex-pats eating bagels and coffee. ABC is run by Robin and Rich Smith where they serve amazing food (doughnuts). Robin disciples the women who work there and teaches them life skills.

We then went to Africa New Life where Saturday was sponsored child day. We have a couple sponsored kids, Jessica and Frank, that we got to meet and spend time with. That was SUCH a highlight. They seem to be doing really well and I was encouraged to see the tangible work ANLM is doing on the ground. We were able to bring them a few gifts and hug them and play with all the kids. Caroline was a hoot! She was surrounded by a zillion kids all wanting to ask her name, touch her hair and skin and stare at her. She LOVED it, all smiles. She loved meeting them and talking to them (but most speak Kynrwandaan) She was clearly a glowing white contrast to all the color!
Drew did great in the Ergo on Andy's back and slept the whole time we were there.
Andy was able to see Emmanuel, a 19 year old he met last year at ANLM and was able to sponsor this year through truck-driving school. He has done so well on his exams and now just has to pass the practical. He is so tender and I was thrilled to get to meet him after a year of hearing about him from Andy.

We came back to the house for naps and were able to get Drew on his belly and in a home. He really came alive!! We were thrilled to see him interact so well relationally and physically to be so active, clapping his hands and feet and cooing.
The Mears had some friends over for dinner, Jennifer and Dano Jakanovich. They have adopted 3, one from Rwanda, they are here with an NGO, and she volunteers at Home of Hope every Wednesday. She has an abundance of experience so I picked Jennifer's brain for three hours.

That is about all the news of note, it was a very fun and busy day. I'm sure Drew slept hard!! More stimulation than he may have had in his entire 9 month little life!! Enjoy the pictures~~ love~~ Emily

Every good and perfect gift...

2011-03-12T06:43:00.003-06:00

Today was our 11 year anniversary! We had NO idea when we married we would end up on this journey. The Lord has been so good to lead us to our 4th child in this way, and on this day.
I married a good man.

We went to see Drew at the orphanage, he was pretty sleepy! We only were able to spend time on the porch with him, but one of the sisters brought us into the baby room, to see where he has been the last 8.5 months. The Longhorn jersey, I put on Drew today, my father bought for me when he came to visit UT before we moved to Austin, 35 years ago. Each of my kids have worn it and it's fun to see Drew sporting our burnt orange, and with his size, he may be wearing lots more burnt orange :)

The sisters are incredible women! They work unbelievably hard. I am officially a wimp, as has been inferred to me that all American women are :) Rwandaan women are amazing, working all day with baby #5 strapped to their backs.

So, we went to Court with our attorney, Power of Attorney and the Choys. The judge was 7 feet tall. Our attorney, Fidele, was great and looked very snazzy in his robe! Andy got to play lawyer in the court, and thought he was pretty snazzy too! We went to Bourbon Coffee. again.
We went back to the orphanage to visit again where we were able to leave Drew in his crib. That was VERY hard. He cried, and I cried, I take comfort in knowing that he will soon be with us.

We had an amazing meal for dinner. Evelyn, the Mear's house helper cooked a full meal for us that was traditional Rwandaan food. Caroline is doing great! Today was a VERY long day for her and she was thrilled to be back at the house with her new best friends. We had movie night and everyone slept very well! Thank you all for the encouraging emails and comments, we love to know you all are with us in this!
Enjoy this snapshot of our day with Drew!

Meeting Drew Day 1~Enjoy!

2011-03-11T14:19:00.007-06:00

What a great day!

We met him!!!

2011-03-10T07:45:00.002-06:00

Good morning!!

We met little Drew Moses this morning. He is a doll! We've got a linebacker on our hands. He was so snuggly and fell asleep in my arms. Big eyes, not so much smiling yet. He'll warm up to us yet. Unfortunately, we could only visit him today and not take him out with us. Please pray for a miracle that we would be able to keep him this weekend. He actually started frowning and turned away from the nun when she came to take him away from me. The only time he frowned :) He took to us very easily and Caroline got lots of holding time in.

Kristin took a ton of pictures, they'll be on the blog when she can upload them. We are SO thankful to have her here with us!! I can't wait to see her pictures.

The meeting was such a sweet time!! We got to feed him his food, it looked like oatmeal. (Very thick). Loves to eat. He is definately going to need some physical therapy! He really can't sit up on his own and is pretty chunky, but won't weight bear on his legs at all. I need to get him in my care and really assess where he is developmentally. The nuns were very sweet and clearly knew him well, all calling him "Franc". I guess he came with the name Moises, but they had too many already, so they re-named him Francis? They were so joyful to meet us and know he was going to a family who wanted him and loved him already. We are going back to the orphanage to visit him again in about an hour.

Traveling was smooth but very long. Apparently, even Ambian can't make me sleep on a plane. Caroline only slept about 2 hours the entire 28 hour trip! She was such a trooper, but, completely delirious, almost drunk acting, it was pretty funny! She's back asleep now. We are staying with a sweet family, Lane and Anna Mears. Andy worked with Lane this fall in Austin, and he now works as an attorney for International Justice Mission in Kigali. I actually knew Anna from my A&M days. They are incredible hosts!! The house is just beautiful and they have 3 kids exactly the same ages as ours, so Caroline is really enjoying that.

BUT, all our bags made it and we had no delays.
Thank you all for praying so much, thank you for your texts and emails, we are feeling very covered, keep it up!
we'll keep you updated. Cute pictures coming soon!
love~Emily

Oh the Places You'll Go!

2011-03-08T08:19:00.000-06:00

"Congratulations,

Today is your day,

you're off to great places,

you're off and away"

We're off!! Keep you posted, look for pics Thursday night

Love~~Emily

My Lefties

2011-03-05T13:31:00.005-06:00

Please pray for me as I leave my precious "lefties" behind. (both left handed)

I am feeling anxious and fearful, all of a sudden, about leaving them for almost 3 weeks. They will be in very loving and capable hands, but still, we are not a family that is split up. ever.

Lucy was very emotional and crying most of the day yesterday.

I am having the kids memorize Joshua 1:9-

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid and do not be dismayed for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

I'll get you home!

2011-03-01T08:18:00.005-06:00

The little boy in the video is now home and in Lucy's Sunday School class :)

We leave in ONE week to bring our little guy home!!!

Recent Schulz Sightings

2011-02-22T07:37:00.006-06:00

Our house is just spinning in plans, supplies, and frantic activity!! We will probably travel to Kigali in about a week and a 1/2!!!

In other news, the Daddy Daughter Dance may be the highlight of Caroline's year. She fell in love with a dress with puffed sleeves and tulle at Costco. YIKES!! So, for $14.99, I indulged her in a dress to make my little "Anne Shirley" just tear up!

Speaking of tears... next year, Luc, next year. They have already discussed how they can both dance with Daddy, or one can dance with him and the other can do "spins" around him...

Andy is SUCH a great dad, coming home with roses for his date :)

not to be left out...

Sunday, I ran the Austin 1/2 marathon. This picture is awesome. I must be just excited about seeing Andy and the kids, but who runs like that? It looks like I overdosed on Prozac!

I ran with David and Grace Jamail who clearly made it entertaining!

Where are my running buddies?? I miss them!!

My rabid fans

More news on Rwanda to come soon!!

Whooo -Hooo, It's On!

2011-02-18T15:53:00.007-06:00

February 18th has been a monster day in the Schulz home!

We got our referral for an absolutely adorable 7 month old little guy from Rwanda.
I can't get over how precious he is already.
I'm pretty sure I can post his picture, so her he is:
ok, I was wrong, will post pic when we pass court :)

We go get him a few weeks, after we pass court.

Holy smokes, I was expecting an 18 month old toddler, we've got a BABY coming! Better bust out the little car seat, bumbo and Super Baby Food book. Off to Target!!

I LOVE that his name is Moise, French for "Moses". I was wanting something in his name to be prophetic, and we chose to use daddy's name as his first and his Rwandan name as a middle.

How providential!

What a great day!!

18months that we knew this was in the plan for our family, but, planned from the beginning of time by His maker.

El Roi and my son

2011-02-11T06:23:00.010-06:00

This past week the Lord was so good to clearly speak something to me I had not really paid much attention to before, but so crucial in our wait for our little Drew. Tuesday, reading in one of the most beautifully written books ever, A Thousand Gifts, Ann does an amazing job with the sovereignty of God in despair. She spoke of the story from Genesis 16 and 21 as Hagar once flees to the desert and once is sent there by Abraham. Hagar, an Egyptian slave, is in despair, impregnated by another woman's husband, God meets her there, comforts her and tells her to name her son Ishmael "the Lord hears". She names the well there, Beer-lahai-roi " the well of the God who sees", because "Truly, here, I have seen him who looks after me."

Thursday, I do my Precept study on the names of God and I start Chapter 4 "El Roi: the God who sees". Again, I study Hagar and Ishmael, now chapter 21 where Abe sends them to the desert with a bottle of water. Assuming the worst is coming, she puts her 12 year old son under a tree to die, "let me not look on the death of the child". As she wept, God heard Ishmael crying, came to her, and opened her eyes to a well of water, and "God was with the boy, and he grew up".

Friday, I traveled to Atlanta for this soul-filling retreat, Created for Care, with 250 adoptive moms. I was late. Plop down in my seat just in time for the phenomenal speaker, Susan Hillis, who says, "tonight we are going to talk about Hagar/Ishmael/the well..."

I just smiled. OK, Lord, I am listening.

Over the course of the weekend, He confirmed to me that adopting was his path for us, even as I felt at times completely overwhelmed by the information, wondering "what on earth are we doing?"

He gave me such a clear picture of Him, El Roi, seeing our son. God saw him when he was abandoned in a field, or at the orphanage gate, or behind a building. He saw, then protected and provided with a wonderful orphanage.

Even if his mom put him there assuming the worst, God was with him, and has a family for him. As he lays in his crib surrounded by 30 other babies all needing to be held, changed and fed at the same time, El Roi is there, he sees. His hedge of protection is around him now, even when I can't be.

God also broke my heart for the woman who unselfishly carried and delivered him. Chances are good, that, like Hagar, she was the victim of unjust circumstances, mistreatment, or abandonment herself. We will never know what those are, but clearly, despair had set in for her to abandon her son. I pray she, too, would be able to say,

"truly, here, I have seen Him who looks after me".

I pray protection and provision for her. I pray that she would know that,

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower;

the righteous run into it and are safe"

Proverbs 18:10

I hope that somehow, she will know that her son was seen by the Lord, and now has a family with 3 siblings and parents who know the mighty name of the Lord.

I've Met My Match

2011-01-28T14:08:00.008-06:00

If I have ever given you any parenting advice,

I'm sorry.

I have no idea what I am doing.

A certain 2 1/2 year old has me running like a water-boy.

Although VERY cute and lovable, he daily does things like:

egg the kitchen (not hard-boiled)

pour cups of water out all over the house

scale the pantry shelves

squeeze out all makeup

take my phone in the bath

throws books at the lights in the library trying to knock them out, after jumping off the tables

pour the fireplace ashes out in the living room

and... last week, slip out of the house, without anyone knowing,

and try to follow me to the gas station on foot.

He got very close. Finding him where he was is my scariest experience as a mother.

So, advice anyone?? (besides a "backpack leash")

He's the one I could hear "who IS that child's mother?" I am always there, but apparently too slow or, heaven forbid, doing something with my 2 other children.

I am really trying hard here, he never stops!

I mean... how could you really be mad when this guy eggs your kitchen??

He really is adorable, I'll even rent him out for a day to entertain you too!

Imago Dei

2011-01-20T10:13:00.008-06:00

From Dr. Tim Keller in response to Dr. Peter Singer from Princeton:

"If you don't believe in the image of God, what are you going to ground human rights in? You're going to ground it in capacities. If you can't protect the unborn you can't protect the newly born, you can't protect the mentally handicapped, you can't protect old people. It's a fact. It's logical. If you go back to the beginning of the Christian church, here's what you saw: they came into a Greco-Roman world that also grounded the idea of rights on capacities. Aristotle said that some races are too emotional, they couldn't reason because they didn't have the capacity for higher reason. They deserved to be slaves. And in the Greco-Roman world you had slavery, you had terrible poverty, you had lots of abortion, you had infanticide. It was perfectly legal…girl babies died of exposure. And you took the elderly and sick poor people and just let them die. And that was all legal; and it was done all the time."

Dr. Keller concluded:

"But the Christians came along and they believed in the Imago Dei. And because they believed in the image of God, from the beginning they were champions [of life] … they were totally against abortion, from the beginning. Because if you believe in the image of God you have to be… if human life is good, then nascent human life has got to be good. But they were also against infanticide. They were not one-issue people. They cared for the poor… They were champions of women; they were champions of orphans; they were champions of the weak; they were champions of the poor. And they were against abortion. And they put the rest of the culture to shame because of their belief in the sanctity of life."

"So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them."

Genesis 1:27

This week is Sanctity of Life Sunday. What if we put the "rest of the culture to shame" because of our belief in the Imago Dei?

One Thousand Gifts

2011-01-17T13:33:00.006-06:00

My one true New Year's Resolution is to cultivate a Thankful Spirit.

To be present in relationships, not distracted.
To watch my words.
To see the beautiful in the messes of life and house,
To grumble less over dirty carpet and lost shoes, sibling bickering and late husbands.
To talk less.
To spend more quiet early morning moments in thankfulness with my Savior.

To slow down.

No Objection!

2011-01-13T17:41:00.004-06:00

We're approved!

The Rwanda government apparently feels we are an A-OK family for one of their precious little boys.
We are thrilled! It is really going to happen, we will have 4 little kids running around!
I already took Caroline for her Passport pictures, I can't believe she, at 7, will be going to Africa to bring home a little brother!
Lucy has been telling anyone who will look at her.
Our family is all abuz right now with preparations. Bunk beds and pulling down boy clothes...

By far and away the best prep-work I will have, is going to this retreat, Created for Care, Feb 4-6th. All adoptive moms, some with major experience (zillions of kids). The speakers are going to be wonderful and the breakouts are perfect for preparation. More about that later...

For now, we are just so thankful to be over the MAJOR hurdle!

Thank you Rwanda, I can't wait to know you.

Lift up your eyes all around, and see;

they all gather together, they come to you;

your sons shall come from far,

and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.

Then you shall see and exult,

because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you"

Isaiah 60:4-5

Christmas Wrap-Up

2011-01-02T08:49:00.001-06:00

Christmas has come and gone once again.

This year it was different, though. The last few seasons I've landed on Jan 2 only to breathe a sigh of relief that I made it. I was tense and exhausted. Of course with three little kids with no real schedule for 3 weeks, some days were a struggle, but we tried really hard to not focus on the sibling fighting and normal frustrations and have thankful hearts. (I also kept running and taking my Vitamin B :)

This year we slowed down. We bought fewer presents for us and family, and did it all online. The kids got one Santa gift and then they "bought" a gift for everyone else in our family and got a great stocking.

We did an Advent gift for Jesus every week where we gave him a birthday gift via the "least of these". An inner city ministry, Glimmer of Hope water well... The girls started to enjoy this, a tradition I think we are going to love. Like a Secret Santa :)

My favorite part was doing our nightly Jesse Tree time with the girls. I made the Ann Voskamp devotional into a spiral bound book, glued the paper ornaments onto blocks of wood, painted some sticks white and put it in our entryway. Every night we counted down Christ's coming starting in Genesis, working our way to His birth. The girls really loved our time, we were able to be consistent because we put very little on the calendar.

We went to church in December with my parents, sister and brother in law. Felt right for Christmas.

Andy took Preston to the Fire Department-they rode in the engine, sprayed water everywhere.

We cut down our tree in Elgin with family

We went to dinner with good friends

I took the kids ice-skating

Yes, Lucy is scooping up the dirty ice and licking her hands.

You would NOT have believed Preston. He put on skates and marched out so confident. He LOVED it!!!

We went to Duncanville Christmas day to be with the Schulz family. 7 cousins, 2 more coming!

All in all it was a great season.

Now we fly in 2011 renewed and expectant that God is going to do great things!!

Jessica and Frank

2010-12-02T09:28:00.008-06:00

These are two of my favorite people with Lucy and Preston's sponsored kids, Jessica and Frank, in Rwanda. Natalie works with the amazing organization, Africa New Life, and Annabel is one of four girls in one of our favorite families. She also happens to be our favorite babysitter. She is remarkable. The whole Jamail family went to Rwanda with ANL over thanksgiving. I've heard amazing things.

We were able to send gifts over with them to give to Jessica (7) and Frank (5). Through ANL, they can go to an amazing school and have their needs cared for. They are precious. Lucy already has this picture printed, and by her bed :) This ministry is changing our hearts as a family, as well. Even Preston mentions Frank in his "prayers", and calls every African American boy he sees, "Frank". hmmm...

We get to go to the airport today to welcome the first Austin family home with their little guy from Rwanda!!!

The Trifecta

2010-11-20T10:42:00.002-06:00

The week started with our entire family getting a stomach virus,
then came a sinus infection,
and finally the FLU.

All in one week.

I've spent the better part of the last 4 days in the fetal position, never getting warm, but with fever, the kids just running around me. You should see the house!
It's been a rough one around here.
Next week will have to be better, it's Thanksgiving!!

We Wait

2010-11-17T06:54:00.012-06:00

Many of you have been very thoughtful to ask us about our

adoption lately. Although we are growing weary of waiting for something we thought would have already happened, we know in the big world of international adoption, setbacks and

prolonged waiting are the name of the game.

We do know they have hired two additional people in The Office to help with dossiers (files). The hope is that we will see results of their work soon!! We also know the Nuns at Hope of Hope orphanage are overworked and overrun with children. I ran across this post recently, by a woman who visited the orphanage. Although Andy went there in January, his account is slightly less descriptive!

This photographer who is in Kigali:

There are some moments in life where I feel so overwhelmed by an experience that I have a hard time putting it into words. I struggle to grasp all that it meant to me or all that I saw. Perhaps it's due to my visual nature and the fact that I feel more content telling my story through pictures than I do with words. However, you'll have to bare with me as I try to describe my experiences at the Home of Hope orphanage in Kigali, since I was unable to take any pictures inside the orphanage.

I thought I felt prepared before I entered the blue gates at the Home of Hope. Several families from my church have adopted children from the orphanage and they've described to me first hand the conditions these children live in. But it's one thing to hear it and another to see it yourself. We came in the afternoon, when the orphanage allows visitors to come play with the children or rock the little babies. Jana and Keli go on a regular basis to give the littlest ones massages, since they are mostly lying flat on their backs in their cribs all day long and suffer from stiffness and weak muscles. They also just need to be held and feel the touch of an actual person. It's not that the nurses do not hold them, but they are just overwhelmed. There are so many babies and only few workers to attend to their needs. It's impossible for each baby to receive the love and attention that they truly need.

The first time we came, we were bombarded by dozens of toddlers when we entered the gate. They came rushing up to us, all wanting to be held or touched. It was both adorable and heartbreaking at the same time. Here were these beautiful, precious children, all just wanting to be loved and shown attention. How could we pass them by to go hold the infants? I felt so torn. I wanted to love on each little kid in the orphanage, but we only were allowed to visit for one hour. But I couldn't resist their sweet, smiling faces so I picked up one child and more of them followed us inside. I eventually had to take the little guy back outside, because they were not allowed to come into the room with the infants. As I walked him back to the door, he started crying and my heart started ripping to shreds. I felt like the worst person in the world. But I knew that the babies were all in the other room needing just as much attention. There's just so many needs to be met and I already felt overwhelmed by it after being there less than 10 minutes.

They took us to a room with many cribs all lined up side by side. The first thing you notice when you enter is the smell. It's not quite like stepping into an outhouse but it's pretty close. Most of the children have on cloth diapers but they're not changed often enough. With 20 or so babies to a room, it's going to leave a smell. At the time we entered they were feeding the older babies and had them all either on the floor or in 2 larger cribs to the side of the room. Dinner consisted of bananas mashed up with eggs. Not exactly appealing to me but the babies didn't seem to care. They all just wanted to be fed. We waited for the nurses to bring us the littlest ones to have massages but held a few of the older ones until they did. I noticed that most all of them had flat heads and bald spots on the back of their heads. They are so accustomed to lying on their backs that their heads have conformed to that shape. Some of them had herniated belly buttons or distended stomachs due to malnourishment. The first little one they gave me was crying when they gave him to me. However, after just holding him close to me for a bit, he calmed down and became at ease with me. He wasn't eager for me to put him down after that when I tried to lay him on the table to massage his arms and legs and such. So I picked him back up and just held him until he fell asleep in my arms. It was the most precious feeling ever to know that I calmed this little guy down and he felt content enough to fall asleep as I held him. It gave my heart some peace.

Most of these children will not be adopted. The girls might grow up and come back to work there as a nurse, like many of the women working in the orphanage now. The men will be given a small plot of land to tend to once they reach a certain age. They'll have little education and little hope for a bright future. I felt this great desire to adopt 10 of them on the spot, but of course that was not possible, especially since right now adoptions are temporarily closed in Rwanda. I came back feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted from the first experience but I knew I had to go back again while I was there. I wish I could have gone back every day, but that wasn't possible. The second experience felt even more overwhelming than the first, as there was one moment where about 5-10 of the babies were all crying and I just didn't know who to hold and what to do. I can't imagine how the workers must feel on a daily basis.

I know that now, as I'm back in the states, all I can really do for these children is pray for them. I pray that their physical and emotional needs will be met. I pray they will all find a home and a family who will love and care for them. I pray they will grow up strong and receive a good education. I'm thankful for people like Jana and Keli who go there on a regular basis and do what they can to help. I'm thankful for all the families I know who have opened their homes and their hearts to adopt children from orphanages all around the world. I have a great respect and admiration for all of you. In all of this, I have to believe that God is working. It only took me a fraction of a second to fall in love with these children, but I know that God loved them before anyone else and will always love them. I put my hope in His love.

I'll never forget Home of Hope. I left a piece of my heart there."

It is hard knowing that our son, Drew, is waiting for us in one of those little blue metal cribs. Our family has a hole in it that we did not know existed until God changed our hearts, and created the hole.

On a happy note, we have our dear friend, Natalie in Rwanda right now with many, many Austinites, so we get to see pictures and hear updates. Check out her pictures of the Gorillas!!

Thank you for praying for and asking us about Drew, he'll be here in His perfect timing, until then we wait, and wait.

The Moabitess

2010-11-15T21:38:00.002-06:00

Caroline was Ruth for her history project this semester. She memorized her little speech and drew a picture of Ruth and Boaz making googly eyes at each other.

Sweet thing, other kids were Cleopatra and exotic Egyptians, but no, she knew that burlap, barley, and Boaz were it for her!
She was quite perfect for it being an old soul and a little romantic at heart!

I simply remember my favorite things...

2010-11-03T14:02:00.007-05:00

Singing this song to all three kids the other night in the guest bed at 2am, I did start thinking of some of my more recent favorite things. There was a thunderstorm. They do not do well with thunderstorms, and then it became a big slumber party for 2 hours. That has nothing whatsoever to do with the list below, but take it or leave it, I love these books and music right now:

Music: Christa Wells

She is unbelievable. She is a true songwriter (not that I really know music) but, I have listened to her album nonstop for about 3 weeks. Her songs, Weightless, A Thousand Things (which has me crying like a baby), Life Costs so Much, Fly, the tongue in cheek Don't call it Love...

Blog: Ann Voskamp

Yes, I know I am probably the last one alive to fall in love with Ann. Her words literally calm my soul. It sounds silly, I know, but there is something very special about her. She lives on a farm in Canada, with her farmer husband and 6 kids. She writes like noone else about gratitude, the holy in the mundane, every beautiful detail of our ordinary lives. Again, I have cried through several of her posts. Yes, I am taking my Vitamin B and fish oil to help with this!

God book for Preston: Read Aloud Bible Stories. I LOVE these for his age! They are simple and rich with big pictures. Sound Theologically and not silly, but sweet.

God book for Lucy: Leading Little Ones to God This book is organized in a fantastic way! We went through it with Caroline a couple years ago. It is really a Systematic Theology book for the 4-6 year old set. Right up my alley! It has 14 Sections with 6 readings in each. For example,

part 2: God is Very Great.

a. God is One God

b.God is Everywhere

c. God Knows all things...

The pictures are horribly outdated and the hymns I've never heard of. I would LOVE to re-do this book.

God book for Caroline: Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God. Bruce Ware is a Seminary prof, and brings all his depth to this book for kids. Andy usually reads this with Caroline. It is amazing!! Much more indepth than Lucy's book, but organized the same way, ie:

Section 3. Creator and Ruler of All

a. God rules the world he has made

b. God provides all good things in the World

c. God controls all Bad things in the World...

That's it for now. I haven't read anything for myself lately, any suggestions??

Run for the Water and NEW Cousin Charlie!

2010-11-02T13:17:00.012-05:00

Sunday Morning we had a first as a family. Caroline and Lucy ran their first race, the Run for the Water. I ran the 10 mile version with a couple girls I run with alot. Gilbert from Burundi is a bit of an Austin superstar. His running group, Gilbert's Gazelles, trains the same time I run at the lake at early-thirty on Saturday mornings. He has an unbelievable story of escaping the genocide in Burundi (same Hutu/Tutsi conflict as the Rwandan genocide) The race raised $ to send to his home village to build water wells. The girls loved the cause and running fast!

Lucy was slowing quite a bit, but heard me cheering for her, put her head down and sprinted to the finish :) The pink converse were lightning fast!

Megan and I stayed together the whole time. Beautiful race through Tarrytown.

Joanie and Eric-dynamo duo

In major family news, my brother Daniel, and sister in law Liz had their first baby Saturday night.

Charlie Preston Farrar.

He is beautiful!! We got to see and hold him briefly, but he's struggling with blood sugar levels. I don't have pics yet as he is in the NICU, but doing great and will be home soon. I'll post pics soon.

Congratulations Daniel and Liz, we LOVE you!!

Camping take 2: now we're talking!

2010-10-30T14:15:00.009-05:00

Tent? check.

Fire? check.

Lake? check.

Junk food? check.

Me, Lucy and Preston driving 1 mile back home to our own beds? check.

Go back in the morning with breakfast and coffee to enjoy the day? check.

Now, we're getting somewhere camping with toddlers. Call me a wimp.

(sorry for the excess of photos, it was such a pretty morning)

Boys and fire... there is nothing like the gleam in their eye. I was only burned once.

Tent for 2: dad and Caroline

Yes, blue gatorade and macaroni-and-cheese chips were on the menu, and lucy's face.

Lucy has named our grey heron friend, Clifford. We see him alot.

Oh, everyone loves each other so much more when they aren't jumped on or peed on in the middle of the night!

Disturb Us

2010-10-29T09:32:00.000-05:00

Disturb us, Lord, when

We are too pleased with ourselves,

When our dreams have come true

Because we dreamed too little,

When we arrived safely

Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when

with the abundance of things we possess

We have lost our thirst

For the waters of life;

Having fallen in love with life,

We have ceased to dream of eternity

And in our efforts to build a new earth,

We have allowed our vision

Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,

To venture on wilder seas

Where storms will show Your mastery;

Where losing sight of land,

We shall find the stars.

We ask you to push back

The horizons of our hopes;

And to push us into the future

In strength, courage, hope, and love.

This we ask in the name of our Captain,

Who is Jesus Christ.

-Sir Francis Drake, 1557 (written before departing England to circumnavigate the globe)

Chosen 1/2, we did it!!

2010-10-23T21:04:00.005-05:00

Andy and I ran the Chosen 1/2 Marathon this morning.

The race raised money for adoption. There were some of the sweetest families out to run and cheer on.
It was the most beautiful race!! It was in Gruene, we ran along the river with trees, bridges, and lots of hills... We were in the hill country, so, I guess that was bound to happen :)
We had a handful of friends run. I hope I can walk tomorrow, I can't really straighten my legs, did I mention the hills??
Yesterday, in the midst of racing around like a wild woman cleaning the house, laundry, transporting kids and packing everyone for the night away, I thought "you know what I REALLY need to do right now is make a running visor to show why I'm running..." So, I made this Africa with fabric with a little heart over Rwanda. I was so proud and showed Caroline, she says, "seriously, mom??" Andy said the Africa looked like it had a cancer on the left side. I ran in it anyways, oh, well :)
I didn't have my camera of course, but we had a great time and it was fun for Andy and I to run together to celebrate little Drew's life.

"Lift up you eyes all around, and see;

they gather together, they come to you;

your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.

Then you shall see and be radiant;

your heart shall thrill and exult,

because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you "

Isaiah 60:4-5

Thanks Aunt Liz...

2010-10-20T19:49:00.010-05:00

Wow... so, Aunt Liz gave the girls a whole make-up case the other day complete with lavender,electric blue and green eyeshadow! She is such a sweet aunt, but this was really to keep them from begging her to use her real MAC or whatever-fancy stuff she uses:) Persistent little lasses.

They LOVE it.

I took this picture to stall her for a minute so neighbor-Jack could run away from her with the eye-shadow brush.

All the while, Preston was squeezing out the entire tube of

hot pink princess toothpaste

and mashing it into the carpet of each stair and the wall.

Do you ever feel you have completely lost control??

Wanna get away?

2010-10-19T10:12:00.010-05:00

I just registered for this Created to Care retreat in February, outside Atlanta. It is a retreat put on by adoptive moms for adoptive moms, there are over 70 registered already.

The T shirt is cute too:) Call me crazy, but, I am NOT a real "retreat girl". I don't like vomiting my thoughts and feelings on random people in breakout small groups. yuk! So, I'm hoping that won't be the case, since I'll be alone :)

BUT, this looks amazing. I cannot wait to get our little guy from Rwanda and I love to glean from other moms who have gone before me. I got to meet Andrea and her sweet family at the Austin Adoption Conference a few weeks ago. She is dear, I've followed her blog for a few months since she got her little Isaac from Ethiopia. This time will equip me tremendously for when we welcome Drew to our family.

Lake Lanier Islands Resorts is outside Atlanta and we have a free Southwest flight. It looks gorgeous. Anyone want to come with me?

Fall Festival, Booker T Style

2010-10-15T15:15:00.006-05:00

Last week, our home group was a little more organized in our monthly time at Hope Street, we thought we'd do a "fall festival".

Hope Street is the ministry of some dear friends at a housing project on the East Side of town. They love, feed and teach the Word of God to about 60 kids every Thursday. We get to join them once a month, love, feed, and oh, learn from them. God is doing a mighty work in our hearts! It is a blast!
We put on a mini-fall festival with doughnut eating contests, "fishing", face painting, archery, pumpkin games, etc...

We are honored they allow us to love these children with them.

My children have such fun, and are being stretched in great ways.

Amanda and Holly cooked and served tons of kids. You guys rock!!

Preston got into the hair paint and shaving cream. Anyone surprised... anyone?

We pulled Kristin in to use her master painter skills

The Schulz girls taking on the doughnuts

Doughnut eating!!

Archery, right up Allen's alley !

Lucy asked if she could have her 6th bday at Booker T :) maybe so.

choosing to see

2010-10-08T10:19:00.004-05:00

As a high school Steven Curtis Chapman fan, I was eager to read his wife's new book, mostly because they love orphans. My youth group used his songs as the themes of any event, camp or retreat. I have vivid memories of the bright blue Tshirt with The Great Adventure on it singing at the top of my lungs "Saddle up your horses..."

I spent the majority of the last 24 hours reading this book, Choosing to See, by Mary Beth Chapman. It is one of the most precious, intimate, funny, heartbreaking books I've read. This girl's been through it! What a beautiful story she has to tell of God's redemption on so many levels.

Christianity doesn't deny the reality of suffering and evil.

...Our hope... is not based on the idea that we are going to be free of pain and suffering. Rather, it is based on the conviction that we will triumph over suffering.

Brennan Manning

I parked it in a chair on the driveway while Caroline hammered nails into random wood, Preston threw golf balls into the neighbors yard, and Lucy scaled the very high stone wall on the side of the house with her partner in crime, Jack, the neighbor. I just sat there sobbing.

Andy took the little ones for a run after dinner. I hadn't even made a proper dinner. Caroline offered to clean the kitchen so I could sit and read/cry. She even offered to get me a cup of coffee or diet coke, I said I was fine with my glass of wine. She brought me my stash of dark chocolate squares that I thought was hidden. Clearly, I was a mess.

Out of these ashes

Beauty will rise

And we will dance among the ruins

We will see it with our own eyes

out of these ashes

Beauty will rise

For we know joy is coming in the morning

In the morning

Beauty will rise

Steven Curtis Chapman

The Chapman's lost one of their daughters, Maria in a tragic car accident 2 years ago. Mary Beth chronicles her whole journey, very detailed, and not very wrapped up with a bow. They LOVE adoption and have done more to advocate for orphans than most in the US. I am so inspired by them. They have also raised amazing children. 5 more of them.

My best friend, Lisa told me I had to read it, she was right, and now you should too :)

Andy was reading Tom Davis' book Priceless, a novel about the sex trade in Russia. We were a barrel of laughs last night :(

OK, random post, Caroline is now teaching herself her math lesson, gotta go!

"pon" song

2010-09-28T12:03:00.004-05:00

Tucking in Preston last night, he curled up with his two bears and milk and asked me to "sing pon song mommy". We went round and round that I had no idea what song he was talking about. I thought he was saying farm, so I sang Old McDonald had a Farm... He stopped me in the middle of of "here a quack, there a quack" emphatically saying, "NO, PON SONG!", finally after much discussion I said "upon?" "Turn your eyes UPON Jesus?" (this is not usually in the rotation)

"YES!"

As I sang, he closed his eyes, hugged his bears and said "goodnight mommy".

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in his wonderful face

And the things of this earth

will grow strangely dim

In the light of his glory and grace

AMEN!

Thank you, Preston, for the reminder

The Donald

2010-09-24T13:39:00.003-05:00

Caroline and I spent the better part of the morning playing Monopoly.

That's kind of like Math, right? I got my clock cleaned and was taken to the bank. Real estate moguls Aunt Amanda and Uncle Daniel would be so proud. As she pumped her fist in the air, laughing viciously each time I landed on her "Boardwalk" with 2 houses, my vision of her being a kind, compassionate nurse went up in flames.

There's always Lucy...hmmm... maybe?

Walking well in the clothes I already own

2010-09-13T14:06:00.007-05:00

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and , if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." Colossians 3: 12-14

Working through my Covenant Study this morning I came across these verses. Because I am in covenant with God, He has put his robe, His identity, on me. As I learned, in the Old Testament, Prince Jonathan put his robe on David as a sign of their covenant, that came with all the benefits and responsibilities of royalty.

I am to "put off the old self with its practices and put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of it's creator" col 3:9-10. I am a new creation, I am to "walk as a child of light", being "renewed in the spirit of my mind, and to put on the new self" eph 5:8, 4:23

I was convicted today, reflecting the disaster that was our camping trip this weekend. There was so much crying, wet beds, arguing (kids with kids, Andy with kids, me with Andy), kids falling out of beds, no one sleeping...

I was the opposite of all the things listed above as my patience wore thin, I got angry easily and had no intention to forgive Andy until he apologized as I wanted him too. Finally, after 1.5 days, missed 50 yard line seats at the Longhorn game, and missed church we are all reconciled and back on track. Wow, thank you Lord for your perfect forgiveness and mercies that are new every morning!

On the other hand, Preston did catch his first fish, the smallest fish I have ever seen on a hook. Regardless, he won't be invited camping for a few years :)

Lord, help me to walk well in the clothes you have given me.

Team Tri

2010-09-07T10:55:00.008-05:00

Kathryn and Andy and Elizabeth (my sisters and b.i.l) did the Austin triathlon yesterday. They were awesome and really trained hard. Kathryn and Andy are still married despite the training :)

They raised $ for alzheimer's research, a disease that has hurt Andy's family. I am SO proud of them. I was supposed to train for it too, but I'm a loser, and didn't. We had a great time running around searching and cheering for them though.

(my) Andy and Caroline were on their bikes like little pages riding all over the place together trying to catch the three of them at all their events.

Still smiling :) It was about 120 degrees, or something.

What Elizabeth lacked in speed, she made up for in spirit and panache!! Loving the gloves :)

Inspired.

Great Job Team!!!

never say never

2010-08-16T15:15:00.007-05:00

I used to make fun of people who homeschooled. This is now my study.

(to be fair, we go to a University Model school, Veritas. They give me EVERYTHING I need and tell me what to do)

1st grade is knocking at our door and I've got my ancient history posters already on the wall. I've never been known as a perfectionist, but this room is about as close as I come. (minus the sadly under used treadmill.)
Pledge of Allegiance, 100s counting chart, math manipulatives basket, magnetic jumbo letters, homeschool english and math books, "bouquets of sharpened pencils" (name that movie?).

what more could any homeschool mom dream of?

This may be my favorite project of all time. I scanned in our favorite book covers or pictures and mounted them on burlap, spray painted some frames navy or white. viola!

My favorite children's book picture of all time from Blueberries for Sal.

Andy took all three kids to his parents for a fun weekend of swimming and cousins. I got to clean out the entire house, organize and prepare for the new year. This is my one shot all year. It will now be an annual August tradition!! right, andy?
I got the most amazing set of CDs at Costco, songs from Musicals. I had it blaring all weekend.

I'll sew a denim jumper for whoever can name the Musical :)

"I like to be in America

Okay by me in America

Everything free in America"

Our latest endeavor

2010-08-04T15:48:00.003-05:00

Andy has always had a vision of us living on the lake. He amazes me that when he sets his sights on something, he makes it happen. He definitely had some visionary help from a friend:)

So, now we have a lot on the lake that we'll build on next year. He and I are so different, it makes me laugh, and I am so blessed to have him. Growing up here in Austin has made me a bit partial to the water as well. It is dreamy on the water in the mornings.

Some may be a little concerned about us turning into lake rats...

All week we've been going down in the mornings. The big bass, turtles, grey heron, and mallards are already our friends. Uncle Daniel gave Caroline a fancy fishing pole named the "Lady Fish" which she baits with worms and take off the fish herself. It is quite a sight!

They are all looking and pointing at the bass at the end of the dock.

There are 4 pecan trees in a perfect kickball diamond. Lucy needs some work.

We've had many family kickball games already.

We were able to have a little birthday party for Caroline there.

Preston trying to kill the rainbow pinata

Sweet friend Samantha celebrating with Caroline

My sister Kathryn and brother Daniel with Preston and cousin Campbell.

That is a treehouse in the background.

I am looking forward to many, many big family gatherings, parties, relaxing with friends, and raising 4 kids romping around here. Thank you Andy for making this happen!!

Honey for a Child's Heart

2010-06-29T15:16:00.023-05:00

Books.

I love reading books to the kids. I love talking to you about what books you are reading to your children, or loved from your childhood.

It is frustrating though, if you don't know where to start, and you walk into B&N or the library.

We read old books, classic books, books with silver circles on them. I don't really mess with anything new.

I had two great conversations this weekend with other parents about what books they read to their kids. Mine are just a bit older than theirs, so they were asking for suggestions. I thought I would make a list of our favorites. We mostly read before naps and before bed. I also have baskets of books around the house.

These are mostly for children ages 2-7, as that is what I do right now.

Beatrix Potter- our favorites are Jemima Puddleduck, Benjamin Bunny, Mrs. Tittlemouse, Peter Rabbit, the Flopsy Bunnies, and, well, all the rest. Lucy, especially, adopted the English phrases and went around incorporating "straight-away" and "presently" into her very limited vocabulary as a 3 year old.

Madeline (all of them)-Ludwig Bemelmans

Robert McCloskey:

One Morning in Maine

Blueberries for Sal

A Time of Wonder

Make Way for Ducklings

Curious George -H.A.Rey

Where the Wild Things Are -Maurice Sendak

Amelia Bedelia -Peggy Parrish

Miss Nelson is Missing -Harry Allard

The Little Engine that Could -Watty Piper

Corduroy -Freeman

What I am really loving now is reading chapter books to the girls. I started when Caroline was about 3, our first big book was Little House in the Big Woods. Lucy on the other hand, started with Pipi Longstocking :) at about the same age. They LOVE listening every nap and night. Here are our favorites:

E.B.White:

Stuart Little

Charlotte's Web (I bet we've read them both 3 times. They are beautiful!)

Laura Ingalls Wilder:

Little House Series We've read all but Farmer Boy and The Long Winter

I could write a book on all I've learned from Ma. She's amazing!!

The Secret Garden -Frances Hodgson Burnett

Mr. Popper's Penguins -Atwater

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -Roald Dahl

Pippi Longstocking, Pippi and the South Seas, Pippi Goes on Board -Astrid Lindgren

The Chronicles of Narnia -CS Lewis

We are working our way through them this summer. We've read the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian, we are now in The Horse and His Boy. I have been suprised by how much the girls LOVE them!

An amazing resource is the book Honey for a Child's Heart. It has amazing book lists for different developmental ages. You have to have it!

Happy Reading!!

Love this post on The Importance of Reading to Your Child
What are your favorites?

Sidney Bristow training day at the Lake

2010-06-24T15:43:00.008-05:00

I've always wanted to be a covert spy, a la, Sidney Bristow from Alias. Or at least do something dangerous and exciting, for the greater good of the world.

I am not cut out for it, at all. Whatsoever.

I am a bit more like Goldie Hawn in Private Benjamin.

But, I have 2 daughters. They are in training.

As any self respecting boathouse roof has, there is a trapeze quite a ways out to fetch with a long pole and then you swing out and act a fool.

Like my brother, and do a pike and then a belly flop.

It's pretty high up, and as any mother would be, I was so proud when Caroline hopped up the stairs to fling herself off. She was a natural. CIA, here we come.

like I said, Private Benjamin.

You should have seen me in college playing Assassin, climbing through other people's apartment windows in the middle of the night to shoot them with a water gun. Mapping out my target's class schedule to get them on campus. Bizarre.

I could totally drop behind enemy lines, steal the secret plans and save our country.

Then send in this one to cover my back.

while this one watches out with her gun in the water, ready to swim back to shore through shark infested water, backstroke.

All safe. Preston, some drinks please!!

watch out ladies, OO7 is here

She's even got the stance

Andy wants no part of this, and, as usual, is tending to the real work.

Happy Father's Day.

Thanks for keeping us all actually safe, while we live in our dreamworld!

Trouble Turns Two

2010-06-07T15:16:00.005-05:00

Today is Preston's big day.

He is a different creature than the girls! (But then again, Lucy is TOTALLY different than Caroline.) I absolutely love raising him. He is NON-stop and ALL boy. He melts my heart!!

Birthday Suit and Boots

The higher he can get, the better. I knew I was in trouble when one of the first things he did after he started walking was pop the screens out downstairs and climb out onto the deck.

"cousin" Lily (and her crate) was a huge hit!

He's figured out how to get into the freezer and pull out the ice cream. I've found him all over the house hiding with Blue Bell...

Coloring his face with markers is his idea of a craft

Yesterday, I came down from working on the upstairs and found him sitting up here, FLOODING the kitchen with the faucet that extends, on full water. There was a LOT of water. This picture is 20 minutes later when I came back from putting the soaking towels in the laundry. He's speedy! I know when I hear "uh, oh" to come running!

You are a piece of work, Preston, I adore you!! Happy Birthday!

If my house were on fire...

2010-06-05T07:47:00.010-05:00

I would grab all these:

After I hoisted the kids out the window, of course.

For probably 18 or so years, I've written in journals, usually my prayers. It is hilarious to read my 19 year old angst over a boy or chemistry test or reliving my 22 year old decisions (including whether or not to date my husband) The seriousness, the drama!

Some day I will laugh at my current little breakdowns from sleep deprivation or children's tempers or feeling I have screwed them up for good by yelling or not disciplining every time they backtalk or letting them watch Breakfast at Tiffanys with me.

Confessions, confessions... Marriage quarrels, confusion with where God is taking us in city, children, relationships, ministry, church... It will all be so clear when I look back. I am so thankful we have Him to go to in prayer!

Most of all though, so many joys and praises. The peaks and valleys lived out in prayers are precious to me. Friends getting married, having babies after years of infertility, relationships reconciled, loved ones finding Christ, others receiving the grace to suffer well in trial, and on and on... Our current decision to adopt is a journey in prayer in itself.

I have scripture written all throughout. I treasure these because of how clearly the thread of God's faithfulness is shown. He has taken my immaturity, inadequacy and self-focus and changed me, growing me up in him.

"We lean to our own understanding, or we bank on service and do away with prayer, and consequently by succeeding in the external we fail in the eternal, because in the eternal we succeed only by prevailing prayer.”

Oswald Chamber

My principal (because she teaches me much more than she does Caroline) has been writing about both journaling and prayer. She wrote out some tips I thought were good:

Journaling Tips

Start. Even if you don’t know how, start small with a few words but do it faithfully – day after day. My first journals were merely a list of a few words.

Write legibly. As I read through old journals, I find such comfort in seeing all that God has done but I grow frustrated if the writing is difficult to decipher.

Title each page with a date and any significant events of the day. Make sure to mark a beginning date at the front of each journal and include an ending date when the journal is complete. Such a system will help you as you go back and search for specific information. My journals are precious memories of God’s faithfulness and a record of His personal hand on my family. Simple organization helps me find what I am looking for.

Include scripture and inspirations from books you read. Write down highlights from sermons. Use one side of the journal for prayers and the other side for notes OR use a different color of ink for prayer and another color for notes.

At the beginning of each journal record specific prayers you plan to diligently pray for. Be bold. Be clear. Be persistent. Prayer often does not align with our common sense but instead connects us with the supernatural power of God. Common sense has to do with our own human reasoning and all to often replaces prayer.

Write down your concerns about provision, health, etc. but include spiritual and character issues as well. Watch out what you pray for however. I earnestly prayed for patience a number of years ago and God answered my prayers by teaching me patience through testing it over and over and over. (My family jokingly tells me never to pray for patience again!)

Refrain from worrying about what others will think if they read your entries. It is between you and God. I warn my family that if they dare read my journals they will read the honest and open sentiments from my heart which are not always pretty. I have cried out to the Lord on behalf of my husband and children at times when I did not like how they are acting.

Practically in High School

2010-06-01T15:32:00.005-05:00

Caroline graduated from Kinder last week.

She has had such a great year! I have loved the flexibility we've had as a family while she learns what she is supposed to from school and myself. Doing Veritas was a stretch for me personally and I lived to tell about it :). 1st grade will be a big step in the fall. She made some great friends, had a wonderful teacher, and learned her 3Rs.

Mrs. Clement gave out character "rocks" to each child.

Caroline received "Servant Hearted", I was probably most proud of the things she said about Caroline's character than anything else!!

I LOVE the other moms at school!!! I am challenged by them, and noone seems to take themselves too seriously.

After graduation, they got to change into PJs and have a little party.

My mom was able to come, which made the day extra special for Caroline.

I'm proud of you Caroline!

wow, sweetheart, thank you...

2010-05-25T09:02:00.003-05:00

Caroline drew this in SUNDAY SCHOOL. (supposedly, I am in a tent and there are bed bugs, and that is what I am angry about...) likely story

10 minutes later, Lucy's sunday school teacher asks me "so... is Lucy your... challenging one?"

Preston has been crying or whining about 10 hours a day.

I admit, it's been a little rough around here at the end of the year. I've checked with a couple friends with small children hear the same report, "I'm losing my mind"

End of the year busyness, late bedtimes, less cooking real meals, and, mostly, less consistent discipline. I own it, it's my fault. I'm ready for summer!!

We are taking a little mini-family vacation this weekend. I am going to re-group, play with the kids without a schedule, plan for the summer, and start Schulz-family-boot-camp when we get back.

I'll post the "mommy is happy" picture next week!

Extended-Schulz Sightings

2010-05-17T11:56:00.006-05:00

The last few months we've had lots of activity in the extended Schulz family. Colbie and Nathaniel were born, Austin turned 1, Maddon, 3, Nathaniel baptized, Jon and Amanda here with him this weekend. It's really getting fun now!

5:45 AM

2010-04-29T21:53:00.008-05:00

This is my get-up time as of Jan 1, 2010. It may be changing my life. I bought a coffee maker with a timer to make coffee at 5:30, because I do not think straight without it. This time has become precious to me.
This is my only alone-time any time of any day of the week, which I desperately need. I have to recharge alone. If I don't start my day off in the Word and prayer, it can spiral down in a jiffy! I feel anxious, behind, and snappy.

I have completely changed my prayer life to be more intentional throughout the days of the week. I pray for my husband differently every day. I pray for each child more specifically on a certain day, also our little guy in a tiny crib in Rwanda.
I pray for extended family Tuesdays, the persecuted church/missionaries on Wed, our church on Thursdays, my friends and esp. dear friends who are single on Friday.

I only write this because it is SO helpful to me to hear from others what is working in different areas of their life. One friend just told me she laminated an index card with what she was praying for each day of the week and put it in her shower, and on her mirror for when she gets ready. genius. Another friend has a "prayer corner" at an intersection, and when she drives by, her kids call out from the back-seat what they want her to pray for that day.

I also do my Bible Study, which I love!
I was reminded this semester through my Precept-study how much I really do treasure the Word. Digging deep, although sometimes feels tedious at first, yields rich rewards.
I did I Peter this semester which kicked my tail in the conviction department. God gently refined me and tought me through this book in areas of testing/trials, submission, and living a holy life. As you can see, all areas I could use some work in. All that to say, my time in the morning provided enough time for the indepth study I needed to do to complete it.
So, that's all, just my morning routine that has changed my days.
Now I just need to get in shape!! baby steps, baby steps...

"With my whole heart i seek you;

let me not wander from your commandments!

i have stored up your word in my heart,

that I might not sin against you...

i will not forget your word.

Deal bountifully with your servant,

that i may live and keep your word.

Open my eyes, that i may behold

wondrous things out of your law...

your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Psalm 119

Quotes on Mothering

2010-04-09T06:59:00.010-05:00

I will not attempt to add to these wise people with (much) chatter, but these few quotes are incredibly encouraging to me in this delightful but challenging season with several young children.
I struggle with my own desires to do "big" (by my own standards) things for God, and know these kids can't be my "god". But, lets be honest, the incredible amount of time and energy it takes to really raise and disciple these children well is significant, often crowding out time for my own "ministry". How I conduct myself with these precious gifts matters greatly to the Lord.

"She [a mother] is handling never-dying souls. She's daily conducting heart surgery on eternal spirts whose forever destinies are influenced most profoundly by the hands that rock their cradles, wipe their noses, spank their fannies, open their Bibles, prepare their after-school snacks, and turn off their bedroom lights. Those motherly hands are molding characters which will become men and women who will turn the world upside down either for good or for evil. Not that's a job that counts. " - Mark Chanski, Womanly Dominion

On feeling overwhelmed:
"Inspirational historical models may provide a temporary enthusiasm, but a mother of dominion needs something more. Otherwise, the grueling day and night demands of crying infants, filthy bottoms, vomit-soaked blankets, strong-willed naughtiness, physical exhaustion, dull routine, deferred gratifications, lack of recognition, cultural criticism, and personal disillusionment will bring the work of her hands to a grinding halt.
There she sits, exhausted on the edge of her bed, her face in her hands, wondering, 'Where is the glory in this?' She needs something more empowering to keep her going.

She needs to gain and maintain the deep conviction of the glory, honor, and nobility of selfless service. This she finds at the foot of the cross, looking up to the One who earned for Himself, 'the name that is above every name' by emptying Himself, taking the form of a bond servant. There she beholds her Savior, who mopped up the damning vomit of her own sin with the precious sponge of His perfect life and atoning death. The love of Christ constrains and compels her to press on. The Spirit of Christ empowers her." Womanly Dominion, pg. 120

On feeling the need (or desire) to be busy, busy, busy outside the home:

"The season of young children is a time to refrain. Refrain from most outside activities, even church activities. Now is a time to be faithful in discipline...it's the springtime of mothering.Redeem the time, don't waste it." Sono Harris, mother to 7 (Josh, Alex, Brett)

"O, that God would give every mother a vision of the glory and splendor of the work that is given to her when a babe is placed in her bosom to be nursed and trained! Could she have but one glimpse into the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity; could she look into its soul to see its possibilities; could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, for the development of its life, and for its destiny--she would see that in all God's world there is no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers, and she would commit to no other's hand the sacred and holy trust given to her." --JR Miller

Lake Day

2010-04-06T09:33:00.005-05:00

Saturday, we got to go spend the day with dear friends we do not see near often enough. The Morris' invited us and the Brazeltons out to their lake house. The kids all love each other and we got to catch up and play around.

Mary and Melissa have both had a profound impact on my life, both discipling me in one way or another during our time in Houston. Same goes with Matt and West for Andy. We miss you! Thank you Morris' for a great day!!

Preston and his boats. I bet he said the word "boat" about 700 times.

Caroline, Melissa and Mark taking off.

There may be nothing I love more than being with my family on the water.

It is balm to my soul.

Preston's first jet-ski ride. Loved it.

This may have been the highlight of her 6 year old life. Will and Caroline rode the jet-ski near the boat where we were driving for an hour. just cruisin.

big time.

Mason.

AK, Rebecca and Lucy manning the front of the boat

West and Annie Kate driving us around.

Even I got to ski. I am still sore!

I love this, AK on West's shoulders on a Morris-made disc device.

I had great water, while Andy had the most choppy water I've seen on a lake (it isn't bad here), but he did great!

Melissa and Mark playing. She is such a fun mom! You too Mary, why do I have no pics of you?

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T18:37:00.007-05:00

What a fun day with family and extended family and new friends! We all went to church together and then, we hosted my sister/Taylor/Campbell and then my parents, my brother/Liz and her parents, grandparents and brother/Danielle.

The guys swapping lies.

Mrs. Lozier and Mom

Easter Morning Baskets.

Dad and Mr. Lozier filling easter eggs for the hunt and eating a LOT of candy themselves!

Cousin Campbell. She may be the best, most mellow baby I've ever met! It's too bad the enormous pink pouf-ball bow came out of her hair before the picture!

We also had my new friends to our church and lunch, Peter and Jing and daughter Cheryl, from China, we met through Craigslist. They are doctoral students at UT.

They bought my double jogger, and we have developed a wonderful friendship. I love it when the Lord's fingerprints are all over a relationship. They are seeking Christianity, coming from a Communist background and God has allowed me to be part of their journey.

Just an plug for making friends with international students: they have been in Austin for 4 years and had never been in an American home until a month ago, in ours. They had never hosted Americans in theirs until me and my children. They have NO American friends and they live a quarter mile from where my church meets. They are dear and generous and a joy to know.

Mom and Dad- making more friends with Internationals every time I turn around! My mom now teaches an english class on campus and my dad always has his grad students around and now they are leading a marriage class for International Students.

Lucy, Cheryl and Caroline, comparing eggs filled with candy.

It's Friday, but Sunday's Comin!

2010-04-02T16:02:00.002-05:00

Attempted Easter Pictures

2010-04-01T22:06:00.005-05:00

There is a plant nursery close to us that always has plastic flamingos out in the yard. They added big easter eggs and of course bluebonnets. I decided, being the brillant mother that I am to take Easter pictures today. So I dressed everyone and headed over. The girls were fine, but I forgot that large easter eggs are also in shape of balls that are fun to throw. I have not one picture of the 3 of them together.

Preston was a maniac.

His new LOVE in life is boats. Boats at the lake, boats in the bath, boats on his adorable clip on tie, and little plastic boats to carry around.

Carrying on quite a conversation with the flamingo.

We hadn't yet talked about how the blue bonnet is the sacred flower of Texas, not to be picked, punishable by jail :)

So, out of breath after all that and then a dirty diaper fiasco in chick-fila and him finding a marker in the car to color on his new duds, I stripped him down at home. I unloaded the car and looked out the window...

The Gift of an Ordinary Day

2010-03-31T11:53:00.010-05:00

This is just what I needed today. Perspective. I am still crying. (it's not sad)

My life is full of ordinary days. blessedly full.
As I learned last night in 1st Peter Bible Study, the sacrifice offering of thankfulness is truely just that, an offering to the Lord, a gift back to him, where he wants my heart to be daily.
As I train myself to be more and more thankful in the mundane, the ordinary, the pull-my-hair-out frustrating, the closer I grow to my Lord, and the more my heart changes.

I think we young moms would be wise to grasp the idea now. cherish these precious years, really cherish. be thankful.

OK, so the music is cheesy and clearly done in the 90's, (I think I saw my mom in the room) but give it 7 minutes.

Nothing Much

2010-03-21T16:33:00.004-05:00

Thursday we went to the Austin Nature Center. It is perfect for kids our age, a little water, a little sand, rocks for Preston to throw, trails, and pathetic animals.

Austin has such a guilt complex about caging animals. The zoo is filled with sad, neurotic furry creatures, pacing back and forth, or hobbling around on 3 legs, missing a wing, blind, albino... The nature center doesn't disappoint. Every little animal has a page of it's sob story, usually involving a man with a gun or car, or someone trying to raise the cute fox in the back yard. It's not exactly the tribute to the beauty of God's creation I loved to show the girls at the Houston Zoo, but whatever.

We did this for a LONG time. Back and forth, back and forth.

Watching the one-winged, one eyed owl.

We got a trampoline Thursday after the Nature Center. Andy drove the girls to San Antonio to pick it up and then assembled it that evening. It is my dream to own a trampoline, I personally LOVE to jump, flip and fall.

Pretty tuckered out, wearing the "thank you" t-shirt from the girls at Shady Grove.

I've decided to call it "The Nanny"

Saturday, the girls and Andy went to Dallas for the day for cousin Austin's 1 year birthday!

Could he be any cuter??

Day Trippin through Spring Break

2010-03-18T14:07:00.008-05:00

So Amity and Amanda and I loaded up 9 kids, 3 double joggers, and 3 bikes and headed to town lake and zilker to kick off Spring break. We decided to run/walk/crawl around the trail first (3 miles). Caroline kept asking "why don't you run as fast as Mrs. Bonneau?" little twirp.

Bike accidents and toddlers wanting to get out and run slowed us much more frequently than my 6 mile/min pace:)

I used to play on this fire engine at Zilker, and it probably went much like this. Barefoot and getting mom's attention from the highest place possible.

ALL Boy!!

Preston and Caroline Kickin it in the Keens on the train.

I love this man. He plays for the runners and train riders all the time.

Amanda and Maeve ready to depart.

It was hilarious sitting behind these three as they told stories, jokes and swapped

basic nonsense!

I made a rookie mom error the next day.

Raining, spring break... do not go to the Hoppin' house.

Day care "field trips", moms needing to get out of the house with cranky toddlers, very large bully kids out for spring break...

Knee to the face, does this look like fun? No, it was not.

I think hell may be full of Hoppin' Houses.

Yesterday we went swimming with friends (really, hot-tubbing) and today we went to the Austin Nature Center and Shady Grove for lunch. The girls are driving with Andy right now to pick up a trampoline (so I never have to go to a bouncy house again!)... Pictures later today.

Hope you are also having a great spring break!!

Peace Out!!

10 years

2010-03-15T16:30:00.008-05:00

Ten years ago I married this man. He has been the best gift in my life. He is one of the most considerate people I know, always one step ahead of me.

He actually wants to serve me, comfort me, encourage me, and challenge me.

God knew exactly what kind of man I needed to soften some of my rough edges.

I wish I had a digital picture from then, we looked fresh faced and energetic...

For our anniversary, he took me to the Lakeway Resort, 20 min. from our house. We went to a great dinner and then the next day enjoyed the quiet, books, he ran, I got a facial. Then he suprised me with a sunset sailboat ride. We left right out of the Lakeway Marina with a "captain" who taught us how to sail (I wasn't really paying attention to him, I had wine and cheese).

Thank you Andy, happy 10th aniversary!!

And thank you Kathryn and Liz for babysitting the circus at home!!

Whatever it is, I know what you're up too....

Some pictures from our balcony:

Everyday life Pics

2010-03-04T21:58:00.009-06:00

She is my little revolutionary. Now, I need to channel that in the right direction!

Oh, I adore this child!

Watching basketball with dad

Caroline and Maeve

Preston and Andrew

Lucy and Jack

Preston, Nana and Grampa

Baby Nathaniel born to Andy's older brother, Jon and Amanda. He is perfect!

God is FAITHFUL!

Just Vaccuuming.

Lucy's very best friends at school, Madren and Annie, on pajama day.

Austin Snow!!

Snow phonograms :) weird, I know...

I loved that Caroline was home for school on the snow day, again...

Preston would have NOTHING to do with the snow and hung out in the neighbors garage while the others had a ball

Snowball fights with Luke

Caroline made snow balls and poured syrup all over them. Yes, like Laura Ingalls in Big

Woods, or the Long Winter, Plum Creek, I get them mixed up. Did I mention we home school part time :) We're just going to be a little dorky. I'm OK with that!

Paper Pregnant!

2010-02-25T11:07:00.016-06:00

So, we've gone and really done it.

what fun to be pregnant!!

We mailed off our Dossier to DC and then it will go to Rwanda, where the fourth child in our family is waiting. A little boy, who was made for our family, is there, completely unaware that his life is about to change.
He has two sisters who will smother him with attention, love and harassment, and a brother close in age with whom to retaliate against them.

If you want to know EVERYTHING about our family, intercept our dossier! Hours and hours of research, mailing documents between states, letters written, visits to government agencies, extensive home study interviews, tax records, employer statements, family pictures...
Not using an agency certainly has it advantages, but navigating alone can be confusing!

Time Frame: we're expecting it to be about 6 months before we go pick him up from the same orphanage Andy visited a few weeks ago.

The Allen family worked like crazy, and caught up with us in paperwork in about 1/3 the time. Jennie is a bit of a whirling dirvish, and when she gets her mind set on something, watch out!! It was truely amazing to witness :) We are thrilled to have good friends to go with on this journey, and travel with to Rwanda. There are 3 other families coming right up behind us!

I think the Fed-ex guy questioned our competency to care for our own three kids much less add another one, as we spent hours making copies, looking confused while organizing, and spent 10 min. filling out the money orders. I often have the same concern!

So, here we are, paper pregnant.
We will wait with great expectation for what the Lord is about to do in our families. They will be forever changed. In a way we have NO idea what we are getting into, but we know without a shadow of a doubt that we are acting in obedience and trust that that is enough. We adopt this child with great joy!! We pray our passion for the rest of the world with be ignited as we establish a lasting relationship with Rwanda.

Isaiah 60:4-5

"Lift up your eyes all around, and see;

they all gather together, they come to you;

your sons shall come from far,

and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.

Then you shall see and be radiant;

your heart shall thrill and exult,

because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,"