Life Lately

Things have been kind of crazy lately-- 

no normal routine for us. 

I'll give you the short and simple version: 

-Have you ever had a double ear infection for over a month? I have. 

Here's to hope the third round of antibiotics is where it's at. 

-Adoption paperwork schmaperwork. It's basically all a blur at this point. 

-Hollyn went on a day trip with my mom last week to see Jake and the Neverland Pirates

 (and all of his friends apparently) on stage. 

Note: If she tells you she likes cotton candy, she's lying. 

- The new Noonday Collection line launches tomorrow, and I'm all kinds of excited about it. 

-Nothing says HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY like a giant box of peppermint coffee flavored K-cups, am I right or am I right?

-Road trip planning is my favorite, and the girls and I are gearing up to head South in just a few weeks. 

-Speaking of road trip, we have something big in the works. More to come on this soon, but let's just say the girls and I will be anything but bored this Summer. 

Here's to hoping your Monday is all kinds of fabulous and filled with hot chocolate, a movie that makes you laugh out loud, and snuggling with the ones you love. 

Feed their tummies.

I have been so amazed throughout our adoption process at the ways God has worked to connect me to others with a little one in Congo. But, I can honestly say that no one has blessed me more than my friend and mentor Jenny. Jenny's daughter came home this past summer, but Jenny's heart is still yearning to do more for the children in the DRC.
And I'm so glad it is. 

Jenny and her husband are the founders of Feed Their Tummies, a program that works to provide food for orphaned children in the Congo. 

And a little over a month ago, Jenny brought tears to my eyes when she suggested providing food for Emily's orphanage while I was in country. 

I cried happy tears that day,
but I cried so many more on the day we were able to deliver the food to those most precious babies. 

I have to be honest and say that food is something I often take for granted.

I've never gone to bed hungry or known that heartache. 

But, I see food differently now. 

Food is life-giving in so many ways. 

A warm meal is good for the body and soul. 

Food brings comfort. 

Food heals wounds. 

Food helps us grow. 

Food refreshes us. 

Food gives us energy. 

Food creates hope. 

And these babies can't grow without it.

Having access to good nutrition-giving foods can literally change their lives.....

and save them. 

Want to get involved with Feed Their Tummies? 

Please do. 

Visit their website, learn more, donate, and change the life of a child in the DRC. 

Thank you.

I've been home a little over a week, 

and yet I still don't feel ready to share all that in my head and on my heart. 

Some things I want to keep within our family, 

and other things-- well, I'm still searching for the words. 

But, one thing I'm completely ready to say is thank you.

I asked on Facebook for people to donate formula, cloth diapers, and other supplies to the orphanage. 

The response was overwhelmingly wonderful. 

Nothing blesses me more than to see people blessing others. 

Nothing. 

I was so thankful to get to help deliver the donations to the orphanage. 

I felt like we were delivering pounds and pounds of hope and life and love to these precious babies. 

I can say without a doubt that these donations are LITERALLY changing the lives

of these children. 

Lord willing, these orphans will all have families one day soon. 

But for today, we, the body of Christ, are their family. 

And being able to see the smiles on their faces and sleep tonight knowing that 

they will have diapers and medical supplies and formula today

 is a moment I will 

never forget. 

Thank you to all who gave. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you.