Happy Mother's Day!

I love being a mom, it's been a wonderful week!

On Friday I was honored by my Brogie boy at a Mother's Day Tea . . .

(Translation . . . she takes care of me then you give kisses.)

We moms were serenaded by the most precious group of

Kindergartners (about 100 in all), it was a joyful noise!

We were then served tea and cookies in their classrooms . . .

and showered with gifts-- like the card at the top,

and the classic plaster of paris golden handprint. Love it!

He was so proud!

"Mommy, was that your best presents you ever got?"

"Oh yes, Brogie, it was!"

Another beautiful card, from my Teddi girl.

(My children, working in separate classrooms, both drew me

with a large red nose. I think they think I'm a clown . . .

oh well, I think clowns make great mamas!)

My Teddi and her handprint gift . . .

another "best present I ever got".

Teddi overheard a friend and I earlier this week telling each other to have a Happy Mother's Day--to which my baby girl added, "I looooove Mother's Day!" Four little words. Four powerful little words coming from my daughter who waited three long years for a mama to call her own. They were heartmelting words to this mama.

My nest was blessed today, with four of my birds,

and my son-in-love bird here to spend the day with me!

I missed you Bryce Evan, my firstborn bird.

The Newlys gave me a sweet smelling candle, along with

some yummy apricot/peach jam-- perfect for spreading on a

beautiful loaf of their homemade bread!

My Brady boy brought flowers home late last night. They were waiting for me in the kitchen this morning when I woke up, along with a lovely Thank You card. For the full Brady affect though, you must see the picture below . . .

When I mentioned that I wanted to take a picture, and asked him if he would get my big glass vase down from its high storage spot he answered, "NO! They need to stay in that!" So, stay in that they did. That's my Brady, and that's why I love him so!

Lastly, I received a card from this boy, but not just any card. That would be waaaaay too normal for us, and besides, Bryce does not believe in conventional greetings.

Last year my Mother's Day card was a dog in a race car, it arrived in a brightly colored polka dot envelope. The card had a cute birthday message, which had been re-worded by my eldest, into an appropriate Mother's Day greeting. This year I received this . . . a dancing polar bear, with penguins as back up. It also plays music. Loud music.

"You can't touch this . . . do,do, do,do (bump, bump)do--do, do--do. Do, do, do, do (bump, bump), do--do, do--do."

But wait, there's more. Along with the creatively re-worded message, there are Dora stickers, wiggly eyes, and . . . if you look closely, you will see that the back of the card is covered in black fake fur. In Bryce's personal note he mentions that I might regret buying Brogan and Teddi crafting supplies--pointing out that these are the long term effects of said supplies. Regarding the fur, he writes, "I don't know why I thought the fur was needed, but it really adds a touch of class and luxury." Oh yes, it certainly does--the fuzziness also added a great element of surprise as I reached into the envelope to pull this masterpiece out!

He ends with, "Anyways, thanks for all the love, thanks for embracing my oddity (you still have a good decade of it left in Brogie!) Thanks for being supportive of my crazy job, thanks for the care packages, the prayers, 7 metric tons of Dr. Pepper in high school, sweet tea, hugs and arts and craft instructions." Love, Bryce

About embracing the oddity, and still having a good decade of it left in Brogie . . . my big boy's proudest moments are when their baby brother says or does something crazy to prove that their legacy will live on in our home! Do you see Brogan studying his brothers behavior in the photo above? Yep.

It's in the genes . . . no wonder my babies are drawing me with a clown nose! On that note, I will wish a happy Mother's Day to my own mama, and thank her for the most important family value she instilled in me, and my sister, and our two brothers.

Laughter.

Thanks Mom!

Happy Mother's Day to you Mom, and to my mother-in-law who happens to be the best mother-in-law in the world. To my step-mom, who has embraced our craziness, thank you. To my friend Rosemary, who is 78 and my BFF---thanks for being like a mama to me. To my sister, and my sister-in-laws--I love sharing motherhood with you! To my friends and my mentors, thank you for the many things you teach me.

Lastly to my bloggy friends--whether you are a mom of many, mom of some, mom of one, or perhaps longing to be a mom. Thank you for sharing my everyday life with me . . . the ups, the downs, and the in-betweens. Most of you I have never met face to face, yet there is an inexplicable bond that we have because we share life with one another. Thank you for your encouragement and wisdom. Thank you for sharing my laughter and my tears, thank you too, for sharing motherhood with me.

Blessings from my oh so very blessed nest ~

Tina

Happy Birthday to My Taylor!

My first baby girl turns twenty-two years old today. She arrived on a hot and humid Saturday afternoon, six days early, just in time to be the best Mother's Day present I ever received-- and she has been blessing me ever since!

My precious, not so little, nine pound, two ounce bundle of joy . . .

Born in Okinawa, Japan.

(I love, love, love that both of my girls were born in Asia!)

My shy, but silly little girl.

My sensitive, thoughtful, put others first, girl.

My, she's growing up way too fast, girl.

My graduated with honors in the Florida sands, girl.

My, baby is a bride, girl.

My soaring bird . . .

My girl has been a wife for nearly a year now, I knew she would do well, but I had no idea just how well. The Newlys run a tight ship. They made it a goal when the new year started, to live on a $10 per week grocery budget. Ten dollars . . . and they are doing it! With coupons and freebies, a lot of deal shopping, and simple eating, they are doing it-- sometimes with money left over! Every month they donate the equivalent of their grocery budget to a different charity supporting food or water. They share their experience on their blog, "The Adventures of Taylor and Frankie", in a Menu Mondays post each week. There is much to be learned from these Newlys!

If you will allow me to share (brag) just a bit more . . .

This is a glimpse into my girl's heart. It's her own birthday post, I borrowed it from her blog, justaylor. . .

My Birthday is coming up!!!

And all I've asked for is this...

Really, that's what I want.

Those of you who know me know that I don't need much. And you know that I don'twant for much. I really can't think of one thing that I need. A new hair dryer would be nice, because mine is a hand-me-down and slow, but it works just fine. Yeah, I like new shirts, but I have plenty right now. And I really don't even need Nerds Rope, but some people insist on buying me gifts. ;)

But those of you who know me and are likely to be buying me birthday gifts, well you know what I really want. Something I always want...

Clean water.

This means so much more to me than getting presents for my birthday.

Can you imagine the joy behind this picture?! I can't think of any birthday present that would make me happier than this little boy is...

Frankie and I have plans to build a well. He says this year. I say that's bold. But we know God can do big things. So we're working in lots of different ways to raise money to go towards the cost of a well. Receiving money for my birthday for this cause is exactly what is on my b'day list! :)

Is that more than enough to make a mama proud, or what?

To my sweet Birdie ~

You make my heart soar. The way you walk out your faith inspires me to do more, to try harder. I am honored to be your mama. Happy 22nd Birthday baby girl. I love you with all my heart! ~ Mom

Blessings from my nest ~

Tina

Almost Wordless Wednesday (and the Newly's giveaway)

{A ladybug friend }

{Grinner's grandest grin.}

~ Taylor and Frankie, a.k.a. The Newlys, are having a Mother's Day giveaway over on their sweet little blog. All you have to do for a chance to win is leave them a comment -- by clicking here! They will be so blessed if you stop by!

Blessings from our springtime nest ~

Tina

Twenty-six years today . . .

I've been married to my high school sweetheart, my hometown boy. My parachuting Pararescueman, who told me after three years of dating that he was joining the Air Force* to learn a foreign language and become a translator. Sounded safe enough. Will you marry me? Sure. Whatever. Twenty six parachuting, repelling, deploying, mountain climbing, scuba diving, flying all over the globe, years later. Here we are. In case you wonder, he never did learn a foreign language. How boring would that have been?

Ten moves, fourteen different "nests", three birds . . . and then another, one bird flown to follow in dad's footsteps, our China bird finally home, another bird married--and flown, and now another getting ready to fly . . .

Empty nest? No way. Crazy nest? Yes. Transitioning nest? Yes. True love? Yes. Wedded bliss? Not always. Hard work? Yes.

Worth it? Oh yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!

Twenty-six years of yeses!

I love you babe, with all my heart--and then some! (Big bunches, really big bunches.)

Blessings from our anniversary celebrating nest ~

Tina

Memorial Box Monday ~ The Lemonade Stand

It's time to share another story, and place another

treasure in our Memorial Box. For my full scoop

on what a Memorial Box is see this post, which

will also link you to my friend Linny's blog

-- where Memorial Box Monday got it's start!

Memorial Box Monday ~ The Lemonade Stand

We began Teddi's adoption in June of 2007, just one day after seeing her face in an email I had received from rainbowkids.com. We were in love! A couple of weeks into the paperchase Taylor decided that she and Brogie were going to do something that would help get us one step closer to China, and their waiting sister . . . they were going to have a lemonade stand.

I was a bit skeptical. The base house we were living in at the time, was off the beaten path. I wasn't sure how much "lemonade traffic" we would get. Still, we made a trip to the store for lemonade mix, some lemons, and some clear plastic cups. We came home and I mixed up two gallons of lemonade, while Taye carefully cut the lemons into wedges-- wanting each cup to have its own pretty garnish. We also made a nice big sign that read, "Help us bring our sister home from China!" (of course we graced it with a picture of Teddi's cuteness). My entrepreneur and her helper were ready to set up shop . . .

Still, I was concerned that getting customers was going to be a problem. My very optimistic nineteen year old told me not to worry-- she had a plan. She was going to load up a small table, two chairs, the lemonade, lemons, cups, ice, and sign, and her three year old brother, and find a spot to set up business. I wasn't even sure we were even allowed to do this on our military base, but I wasn't going to be the one to stop her. So they left, and I prayed (with my doubting little heart), "Lord, would you please make this successful, and bless Taylor's efforts."

Taye drove about three blocks from the house, to a grassy corner near one of the main intersections on base, and they set up shop. It was June in south Texas, it was noon, and it was HOT. It wasn't long before my cell phone rang, Taye's excited voice was on the other end, "Mom, people are stopping, they are giving us donations, one man just gave us a twenty!

The Lord was indeed blessing my babies efforts! About an hour later, I grabbed my camera, and a chair, and I headed for the corner where the kids had set up shop. I was going to go get myself some ice cold lemonade . . . and some pictures of my babies doing business. I got to the corner and parked, and Taye was just finishing loading up her truck. The lemonade was gone (as was my photo-op). They had just sold their last cup.

The salesman on a later date.

One daughter with serious faith.

One sweet, yet sweaty, three year old brother "helper".

A flock of thirsty (and generous) customers.

Two gallons of lemonade . . .

SOLD!

To the tune of . . . . . . .

$97.25 in one very blessed hour and fifteen minutes!

Sometimes God's generosity just blows me away!

I ran across the lemonade sign in the closet a few weeks after Teddi came home from China. I thought it would be fun to see our girl in person, holding the sign, that one year prior had held all of our hopes.

A lemonade dream come true. The Lord's provision. A sweet girl home forever.

Father, thank you that when my children came with childlike faith you blessed them so very generously. Thank you for the hearts of thirsty strangers, who blessed us, and played a precious part in bringing our Teddi girl home. Thank you for lemons, especially for the one (pretend of course) that will go into our Memorial Box, to remind us of Your unfailing goodness towards us!

He is good. Always!

Blessings from my nest ~

Tina

Beautiful Mess

In my perfectionist way of thinking--this is how my children's (the Littles) room should look. Just like the photo I took for our homestudy packet . . .

In reality, this is how my children's room more often looks. It is continually "under construction" with one project or another, of their own doing . . .

a new fort . . .

the inventory taking of their own personal "junk toy" totes . . .

tinkertoy creations, that of course must stay for days,

to be enjoyed (and tripped over).

Then there is the living room. One minute (and I do mean one minute) it's neat and orderly . . . but I turn my back and waaa laaa-- "the leaning tower of anything stackable" appears.

What?

Or a fort made out of a year or so worth of Highlights magazines . . .

Of course we can always transfer the Highlights magazines to the sunroom to make a drawbridge for the castle. It's the perfect addition to the pile of "hey, I want that" cardboard, pulled from the recycling bin.

Just steer clear of the pile of muddy clothes and shoes, as you build, guys!

Then there is the crafting table in the sunroom. My apologies for not having a photo so that you can ooh and ahh over its beauty. The table is an eternal mess -- interrupted only by things such as birthday parties, weddings, or special visits from company. (You know--occasions where we might actually need the extra tabletop to do something like . . . eat.)

I have been so stressed lately with trying to reach the housekeeping standard that I have set for myself. A standard that seems forever unattainable. A standard that I talk myself into believing everyone else can, and does, attain.

Amy G*rant has a new song out titled "Better Than A Hallelujah"--it's a beautiful song. The chorus says, "We pour out our miseries, God just hears a melody, Beautiful the mess we are, The honest cries of breaking hearts, Are better than a Hallelujah."

I had just dropped my two best mess makers off at school the other morning, when this song came on the radio. The Lord spoke two words to my weary heart as I listened to the chorus, "Beautiful mess." He continued . . . "The home you are stressing over. Comparing yourself over. Dreading dealing with. It's a beautiful mess. Beautiful because you have small children- gifts from me, to mess it up. Beautiful because there are things to make a mess with. Beautiful because you allow them to explore, and create, and be who I made them to be. Beautiful because I say it is."

Wow. Okay Lord. So after pondering this for a few days here's what I've come up with . . . I don't think what He is saying gives me a license to live in a constant mess, but it does cause me to look at the mess with different eyes. It also reminds me to stop comparing the state of my house to other people's houses.

I flipped my little daily calender a couple of days later, with this "mess" post already swimming around in my head. April 27th greeted me with some wise words from Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management. Isabella Mary Mason, universally known as Mrs. Beeton, wrote these wise words in 1861, at the wise old age of twenty five. (Have I ever mentioned how much I love Goo*gle?)

This is what the young Mrs. Beeton had to say about the way we should manage our homes . . .

"It ought, therefore, to enter into the domestic policy of every parent, to make her children feel that home is the happiest place in the world . . . this delicious home-feeling is one of the choicest gifts a parent can bestow."

A perfectly kept home screams, "Don't mess me up!" It screams, "Don't play here, don't play there, don't get that out!" In my opinion, it consumes hours, better yet days, that could be much better spent living life.

I'm still looking to find a happy place somewhere between beautiful mess, and organized and simplified mess. I think it's do-able. I am hearby laying down the unattainable standard of what I think my house needs to look like!

After all, the King and Queen of Mess, won't be little for long, and they deserve to live in a place that is the happiest place in the world . . . a place with that delicious home-feeling! I'm going to do my best . . .

Thank you Father for Your reminder of what is important in life. Thank you for your daily guidance in our lives. Please guide our steps--that we would not waste a moment on unnecessary tasks. Help us all to make our homes the happiest places in the world. In Jesus name, Amen.

Blessings from my messy, but deliciously homey, nest ~

Tina

Memorial Box Monday ~ The Nest

For a full scoop on MBM, see this post.

You can also visit Linny, creator of MBM,

@ A Place called Simplicity, here.

Memorial Box Monday ~ The Nest

In March of 2008 I began writing this blog. I thought and prayed, long and hard, about what its name should be. I wanted the name to be a reflection of who I am--and to glorify God . . .

I love birds, my mama loves birds, and her mama loved birds--it's in my genes. My grandma had a bird feeder directly attached to her living room picture window. She was constantly shushing us when birds arrived, so as not to scare them off. It was in my sweet grandma's living room that I found my love of birds.

My Taylor girl, now married, was my "Birdie" when she was growing up. It only made sense then, as we waited to bring Teddi home, that she would be my "little bird". My oldest bird, Bryce, had flown the nest a year before I began blogging. My life was in a time of transition . . . my nest was changing and growing . . . and blessed by the Lord, always. And so began this place of sharing my thoughts about the things that bless my nest . . .

When I began blogging we were nearing the end of a very long wait for our LOA, our Letter of Acceptance, from China. This was the last big hurdle we needed to jump, before we could fly to our little bird. At that time LOAs were coming in at an average of around 80 days or so. After taking care of a small glitch caused by the CCAA*-- because they thought we hadn't paid them, our long awaited LOA finally arrived on day 126. It was April 8th, and the Fed Ex Man was my hero that day! He was even gracious enough to smile for my camera (bet he didn't know he would get a second mention two years down the road)!

I know, I know, I said this post was about a nest--bear with me, I cannot tell a short story --you should know that by now! So . . . two hours after my hero made his most exciting delivery of the day, two other visitors showed up on my doorstep. Actually they showed up, just above my doorstep and they began to build . . .

a nest!

Of all of the many places they could have chosen to build their nest, Mr. & Mrs. Swallow had chosen the security of my front porch! I like to think that they knew my nest was blessed!

What a smile from the Lord-- on the very day that my really, really tough wait had ended. On the very day that brought us much, much closer to bringing our baby bird home. On that very day--He orchestrated a nest to be built!

The first nest attempt didn't go so well, and after several days of work, the dry dirt crumbled and fell. The Lord then sent rain (and with it, mud), and you have never seen two little birds work harder, and faster, than my Mr. and Mrs. Swallow.

In no time at all, their proud new abode was finished!

The picture above was taken on May 8th, Mother's Day--just five days before we left for China. Mrs. Swallow had since began the task of sitting on her eggs, and her Mister was never far off. Some nights they would even share the nest, snuggled up together. Perfect!

Our long awaited day, May 16th, 2008, finally arrived. The countdown read zero days. It was time to go to China!

We said goodbye to Mr. & Mrs. Swallow (well not really, but it sounds good),

and we left to get our own nest addition!

On May 30th, we arrived back home in San Antonio. We had our fifth bird!

And guess who else had their brand new babies?

Mr. & Mrs. Swallow . . .

five to be exact!

One . . . two . . . three . . . four . . . five!

Now how is that for God being in the details?

But there is more . . .

Last spring found me up to my neck in wedding preparations. It also found me teary at times, as I prepared my heart to let my second bird go. My "Birdie" girl was getting married, she was ready to soar. That is tough on a mama's heart.

Once again, the Lord would bring my feathered friends to share my busy days, and to reassure me. I could hear Him speak to my heart, "I know what you are going through . . . it's change, and it's hard. But it's new, and it's good."

You have nurtured . . .

and grown her . . .

and she's ready to fly . . . and fly she did!

I couldn't be any prouder of Bryce and Taylor, my two soaring birds.

That brings us to this spring . . .

I haven't shared this yet . . .

but my Brady boy is ready to fly. Oh yes he is. He has completed the last of his required homeschool credits, and is officially graduated. He leaves in three weeks for Spokane. He's going to share an apartment with Bryce, and spread his wings under the watchcare of his big brother.

Once again, my mama's heart is feeling that all too familiar ache. He was just a toddler . . . how can it be?

Guess who is sitting on the nest? Again.

Oh Lord, you are so good to reassure us when we need it, to give us signs that you are near-- if only we will watch. Thank you for allowing me the privilege to be the mama to five of the most precious birds. Thank you for giving me wisdom as I raise them, and the strength to let them fly when it's time. Thank you that no matter where they soar, You are there. Into our Memorial Box will go a tiny nest, as a reminder of Your perfect faithfulness.

Even the sparrow has found a home,

And the swallow a nest for herself,

Where she may lay her young--

Even Your alters, O Lord of hosts,

My King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;

They will be praising You.

Psalm 84:3-4

Blessings from my nest ~

Tina