... the hunger for a faith that assures

You have led me to the sadness

I have carried this pain

on a back bruised, nearly broken

I'm crying out to You

I will sing of Your mercy

that leads me through valleys of sorrow

to rivers of joy

when death, like a gypsy

comes to steal what I love

I will still look to the heavens

I will still seek your face

but I fear You aren't listening

because there are no words

just the stillness

and the hunger

for a faith that assures

I will sing of Your mercy

that leads me through valleys of sorrow

to rivers of joy

alleluia, alleluia

alleluia, alleluia

while we wait for rescue

with our eyes tightly shut

face to the ground using our hands

to cover the fatal cut

though the pain is an ocean

tossing us around, around, around

You have calmed greater waters

higher mountains have come down

I will sing of Your mercy

that leads me through valleys of sorrow

to rivers of joy

I will sing of Your mercy
that leads me through valleys of sorrow

to rivers of joy
alleluia, alleluia

alleluia, alleluia

Birthdays Times FOUR

I apologize for taking so long to make a blog post. So many have asked how we are doing as most check on our blog for updates. I have definitely been in a funk. I am not feeling "bloggy" lately and to be honest, I don't know if I will continue this blog.

Our adoption is coming along. There were some issues right after we signed on with our first agency and we decided to pull out. (No fault of the agency whatsoever. In fact, they were wonderful.) We have signed on with another agency and are now waiting for a referral.

How am I doing? Well, I am doing okay. I am still having hard days and hard moments, but for the most part, I am doing okay. I think my biggest issue is fear. Fear that what's left of my heart will be destroyed beyond repair. I know that's not possible with God, but I can't help but humanly feel that way.

God is my refuge, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:10

Aubrey's 10th birthday was on February 23. Finally two-digits!!! The big "One-Oh." She had lots of fun. Daddy took her to the rodeo for a special date and then she got to have a "Webkins" slumber party the following week. Between the rodeo, her actual birthday, and her slumber party; I think her birthday lasted two-whole weeks. It's still so hard to believe that she's my baby girl. It feel like yesterday that I brought her home from the hospital; all six pounds of her.

Daddy and Aubrey on their way to the National PBR Rodeo.

Two new WEBKINS!!!

Webkins Cake


Aubrey and a few of her friends along with Shay and Sammy.





My birthday was on March 2. I won't say how old I am. I'll let you all guess. My kids and husband, made is special, like they always do.

Mom with her eyes closed.

Mom with her eyes closed... again.

Josi's birthday would have been on March 5. Josi would have turned six years old. I did have the pleasure of spending her last birthday with her in Guatemala. We had a big party with a pinata that was bigger than me! She loved every minute of it. Here is a video clip of that memorable day.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I do have a lot of video of Josi while she was in the bathtub. That was the only time she came out of her shell with me. She understood what was going on and who I was, but still she was very shy with me.

Haley's 12th birthday was on March 18. We had a small celebration at home. She received what she asked for, which was an ipod. She did pay for half of it. Besides the fact that she has grown like a weed this year, (her shoe size is now bigger than mine!) Haley is becoming such a beautiful young lady both inside and out.

Shay is really catching on to this whole 'birthday business.' After celebrating two birthdays in February, and three birthdays in March, this kid knows whats going on and how to sing it. Of course he knows that after the song is time to eat cake.

Great pic of Haley and the boys.

Haley and 'the ipod'