15

this guy is 15.  so many feelings about this.  immensely thankful his first mama gave him life.  remembering her on this dear boy's birthday.  

what a journey it's been.  so thankful God has been in it from day one.  His footprints are all over the path that brought Hudson to today.    

and it wouldn't be a birthday if his dear father didn't torment him a bit while he slept.  same stuff, different day, different kid.  and then the picture made it's way to our family snapchat.  because it's how Jeff shows his love....i guess... :)

love you more than you could ever know, Huddy!

how even??

ummm...this is how Jeff found Alemayehu the other night...we turned the light on to take the picture.  side note- he likes to sleep in all those clothes, just like his dad...weirdo.  

seriously, how does one even sleep in this position??

little fella

we are transitioning yet again in our home.  the sweetest little fella has come back to share space with us, for a time.  we love this little soul.  our previous attachment runs quite deep.  we are adjusting while he adjusts, and our adjustment pales in comparison to his.  still, he is strong, resilient and sooo very brave...he really is a bit of a superhero. 

please pray for this little fella and his dear family alongside us.  i so believe in the power of prayer.  pray that steps will move quickly for him to secure a bright future of love and stability, however that looks.  pray for patched-up hearts and hope-filled spirits with lots of tangible supports to be known and shown to all parties involved.  God...work and move and have your way, i pray...

the game

that rare occasion when sweet tickets fall into your lap and you head to an NFL game with your dad and two sons.  

so fun for them.  not enough pictures, but i guess they were caught up in the moment. :)

the cutest throwback

Jeff sent me this video the other day.  i can't get enough of it.  i cannot believe the cuteness of the themes in this short prayer.  dear AJ has grown up so much, but some things haven't changed.  he still remains on a constant quest for fun.  like when one thing finishes he's immediately calculating what comes next...he also still loves his dad, a lot.   

what a treasure.  and so stinkin' cute.

when Elsa pays you a visit...

time stands still...

Miss Z. was lost in the moment, completely oblivious to the group of people in the kitchen observing and taking pictures.

hugs and goodbyes at the door

for Miss Z., this half hour was quite literally magical.  i wish i could post the video of the two of them dancing and singing together.  it was the most beautiful gift Elsa could have given of her time and crazy talents and super caring heart~ and the magical way she took Miss Z. into the world of Frozen and princesses...

soooo wonderful!

come and gone

Christmas has come and gone...it was a really nice break with family and friends and the real meaning of Christmas serving to anchor all the celebrations. first~ my immediate family~ that time when the house was full with all our kids together under one roof.  soooo good to see the oldest two girls and connect and laugh and be together...extended family connections too when there was non-hurried time to visit with siblings, cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews over delicious treats and games and puzzles~ all within the atmosphere of Christmas.  it was also great to see friends from far and near.  and of course i loved having Jeffrey off for a nice long (but never long enough) string of days with time to watch movies, tackle the super long to-do list, and not have to wake to the early "crack of dawn" alarm....so good.  a gift in itself.



i loved those parts...and i'm so glad i can mention them here.  because honestly, when the treasures are unwrapped and the pretty paper is ripped off and discarded, and the Christmas music i love fades away, and the tree needles begin to drop, and the decorations are back in storage~ it's these parts of Christmas that i wish to hold on to.  

I saw this quote i love by Howard Thurman~ 

"when the song of the angels is stilled.  

when the star in the sky is gone.  

when the shepherds are back with their flock.  

the work of Christmas begins: 

to find the lost. 

to heal the broken.  

to feed the hungry.  

to bring peace among brothers."

isn't that so true??  all summed up by that humble scene in Bethlehem...

miss Z. was completed taken by Baby Jesus in the live nativity we visited, as well as our own little manger complete with a baby of its own on Christmas morning.  she had so many simple and adorable questions.  she wrapped and unwrapped the baby, and cuddled him while she played~ quite literally, she adored him.  it was a bit of a spiritual application i mulled over for awhile.  beautiful on many levels...

so much to be thankful for...
Christmas 2019