Gotta Love Homeschooling!

I remember years ago when Andrew and I used to make fun of homeschoolers. Saying stuff like 'people are so weird', 'why keep their kids in a bubble' , etc. and now we are finishing up our first year of homeschooling Javier and Jojo some too! God is so sweet, isn't He? He gently humbles us. After much prayer we just felt it was best for all of us. At times it was challenging, I'm not going to lie, but overall it was great. And most importantly it was God's will. We have still been homeschooling throughout the summer, kinda' :) We've also started memorizing scripture, not just Javier and I but Josiah too. I was recently reminded that when Jesus was tempted by Satan the way he fought back was with Scripture. Andrew and I's heart is to equip the boys in every way possible, first and foremost in God's Word. Josiah knows 'God is Love' 1 Jn.4:16 (in Spanish and English), Javier's verse is 'But godliness with contentment is great gain' 1Tim. 6:6. That pretty much sums up our homeschooling year, God has taught me that there is no better way to live than having a content heart. I am content with being Andrew's helper, a stay at home mom, a teacher, a home keeper, a cheerleader, a disciplinary, a woman after God's heart. Content means satisfied.

Pretty Toes with a Purpose

That was the title I gave to my email I sent out in May. After brainstorming on ways to save money for our Home Study I asked Andrew what he thought about me doing nails. As most of you know I am a Licence Nail Tech, but since we have the boys right now...working full-time is not an option for us. Soo...I sent this email out to friends at church and around the neighborhood. We were BLOWN away with the response and generosity of everyone. Less than 6 weeks after sending out the email we raised the $800 for our Home Study for our Adoption!!! Praise God :) Our study was done the 1st of July, the Friday before I had three appointments...and by the end of that day I completed all the money. God's timing is PERFECT! Not close, but perfect...now I just need to keep reminding myself of that when I see the endless pile of paperwork on my desk. Please keep us in your prayers. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who supported us in this, you know who you are!

Marlin you're missed

A year ago today I got a call from my mom crying telling me my sweet friend had passed away. Marlin was like a sister to me, we grew up together, our moms are best friends. She was another daughter to my mom as well. Marlin called me every birthday, Mother's Day and Christmas (she didn't miss one). She was hard-working, sweet, and enjoyed life to the fullest! In memory of her I ran 5 miles early this morning (I know that doesn't seem like much but it kicked my butt)! Anyways, I cried some, prayed lots, and thought about how I could make sense of losing someone I loved so much. I have learned to not take the ones I love for granted. I have learned to take pictures no matter how I look or feel. I have learned to enjoy life right this minute, where I am at not wait to enjoy it. And though I cannot understand losing such a wonderful person at the age of 28, I can understand that God is BIG and full of HOPE when everything seems HOPEless. On Monday, June 30th, Mary (Marlin's big sister, my other sister) gave birth to a sweet baby girl Marlin Isabel Tyson! I will end by sharing a verse that God consoled me with and I was able to share at Marlin's Memorial a year ago:

'TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON, A TIME FOR EVERY PURPOSE UNDER HEAVEN...I KNOW THAT NOTHING IS BETTER FOR THEM THAN TO REJOICE, AND TO DO GOOD IN THEIR LIVES, AND ALSO THAT EVERY MAN SHOULD EAT AND DRINK AND ENJOY THE GOOD OF ALL HIS LABOR-IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD' ~Eccl. 3:1 &12-13