Tonight Wyatt prayed for his friends Rivers and Wyndham.
Rivers is a sweet little girl he goes to church with. I led that prayer because Wyatt doesn't really understand what her needs are. I started to pray for Wyndham but Wyatt jumped in and took over and led the prayer for Wyndham:

Dear God,
Please be with Wyndham. If he is sick make him feel better. Help him to be with his mommy and daddy. In your name we pray, Amen.

I had never heard him pray like that, I was amazed and proud that my little boy is learning at a young age that he can take his worries to God and go to him in prayer.

I spend A LOT of time thinking about orphans. I read about them. I hear their stories. And I constantly think, How can I help them? Besides adoption I just haven't been able to figure out how I am going to make a difference. Currently we sponsor a orphan in China through Bring Me Hope. I want to do more than that. I follow a lot of blogs of people who have and are adopting. Somehow I came across a blog of a young girl who is 19 and how a mission trip to Kenya changed her life. It is such an inspiring story. She has lived there and ministered to orphans, she has baptized them, cared for them and "adopted" 150 kids that she is sending to school and providing their basic needs. How you ask? Well , that is where the problem lies, she needs 9 thousand dollars to support these children through the end of 2009. I actually find it amazing that you could support 150 children for 9 grand. She is asking for people to sponsor a child for 300 dollars, that would cover their expenses through 2009. I have never done anything like this through my blog but would you help me support these children? I will post the link to her blog. Read her story and become inspired. Help one of the millions of orphans out there. Make a difference in the life of one. www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com (if the link doesn't work just cut and paste). If you cannot support a child alone maybe go in with a friend, and if you can't do anything at all, Pray.

Ok I deleted the last two posts because I did not want to see them again. Looking back I was having a few particularly rough days and am so incredibly sick of studying that have let it get to me. No more. I've had a few good days and am moving on with gratitude for all I have to be tired for.


A few very exciting things happened for me today:

1. I purchased my Nursing Pin (this is sort of like getting a diploma for Nursing). It really helped it sink in that I am truly almost done!
2. I had a test today and made a very good grade! I like making good test grades so I don't have to study so hard for finals.
3. I got a new camera and lens for graduation (a little early, Thanks dear hubby!) I wish I had time to start learning all the info but I will take pictures on auto for now. Soon I will share some of the pictures I'm taking.

Ok, done bragging. I just want to share some positive things that have happened to me lately.

*disclaimer:this is not an original idea, i stole it from someone else*

Not me Monday

I did not bake cookies for the family and "eat just one".

I did not in a moment of weakness give in and get a puppy for the boys.

I did not show my neighbor my house in a complete mess.

I did not just spend 45 minutes outside staring at a puppy just to see it tinkle or poop.

I did not throw my keys at John and tell him to wait in the car because he was being impatient with our waiter.

I did not spend 3 hours on my computer "playing" when I was supposed to be studying.

I did not go to church Sun. night dressed as SuperNurse (how cheesy).

I did not hit my children's minister on the head with a rolled up piece of paper without thinking. (sorry Charlie)

I did not get annoyed at plans being made without me.

Wow I didn't think I had this many things for Not Me Monday, I better stop before I reveal too much more...

This is something Wyatt talks about a lot. Today he was talking about it and I asked him what he was going to do when he grows up. He looked up in the sky, thought a minute and said "drink coffee".

Yes, John and I finally gave in and got the boys a puppy. She is the best (so far). She is a Cairn Terrier and is 4 months old. Our next door neighbors got one last week and I actually fell in love with it and I am not a huge dog fan. I started doing research and decided this dog would be a fit for us! I called the breeder but whoa! they are not cheap. I told her I did not think my husband would spend that kind of money on a dog but that I would talk to him. I did but we never really decided when I got a phone call back from her. She said she had one older puppy left from a previous litter and she could be ours for a very reasonable price (compared to the younger, newer puppies). I told her to reserve the puppy for us and I would talk to my husband. Well the boys pitched in some cash and agreed to spend less at the fair in order to pay for the puppy. So I called her back and I went to Pageland to pick her up yesterday. An older puppy has actually been a blessing. Still young enough to make our own but old enough to walk on a collar and slept all night last night :0). She has only had one accident too! She has the cutest personality and we all have taken to loving her quickly. Well the only exception to that would be Mason who would not get off the couch last night unless you were holding him and if she came walking towards him he would scream. Today is much better he was walking around but kept one eye on her at all times just in case! All the other little pets we got were OK but this little puppy is just what we needed. I don't know what I was so afraid of. Of course I hope I am still this upbeat a few months from now....

One funny: Wyatt came to me last night with a odd look on his face, mouth open and was attempting to spit something out of it. I asked him what was wrong and he managed to tell me that he had "tried" the dog food and it was nasty. So we had to wash his mouth out. I don't think he will do that again. It actually had not occurred to me that one of the little guys would try to eat it.

We have a little something to share tomorrow. I was hoping to do it tonight but didn't get a picture. So tune in tomorrow-probally not until the evening. (and for anyone with there hopes up, it has nothing to do with our adoption process-sorry). I am excited though!

John's brother and his family at our house celebrating Mason's birthday.

His pack is almost is big as he is. I don't know how he is going to hike with this thing. It is pretty heavy!

I wasn't going to be one of those moms who let there kids watch TV in the car when only going 2 miles down the road.
I wasn't going to be one of those moms who let there child have cookies for breakfast.
I wasn't going to be one of those moms who didn't make her child do their homework because she was too tired to deal with it.
I wasn't going to be one of those moms who lets their child go to school in dirty clothes that do not match.
I wasn't going to be one of those moms who let their child watch too much TV some days so she could have peace and quiet and get something done.
I wasn't going to be one of those moms that let the kids fend for themselves for dinner.
I wasn't going to be one of those moms that doesn't make her kids make their beds.
I wasn't going to be that mom.
But some days I am.
And I am OK with that.

Wyatt and Mason are playing with potato heads, Wyatt makes one and brings it to me..

W: This is a swimmin' guy (holding up a potato head with googles and flip flops on)
M: That's cool.
W: He's a old swimmin' guy
M: Oh like daddy (I just wanted to see what he would say)
W: Yeah, daddy is dying.
M: Why is daddy dying?
W: (no response, just looks at me)
M: What makes people die?
W: I don't know, snakes?...(pause) and raccoons, they wear that mask.

I don't remember what I said after that.
Is it just me, or is this kid so funny...

The little boys were sitting at the table while I was sort of studying. They were coloring on blank paper. Wyatt started drawing a circle. Then he said:

W: I'm drawing naked guys
M: Oh, why are you drawing naked guys?
W: I like naked guys.
M: Oh.

Well he left me speechless. Should I be worried? I am hoping it is just because it is just too hard for him to draw clothes yet. I mean a circle with legs and arms sticking out is much easier, right?

Today our Baby Boy turns 2!
He is our hold me, hugging, easy to put to bed, loving little man!
He loves Elmo, music, coloring and playing with the big boys.
Happy Birthday Baby Boy, We love you!!!!