Blizzard 2009!

I've Been Keeping A Secret

There's something that I haven't told very many people. It's something big and I've kept it quiet for just about as long as I possibly can.
I just don't think I can hide it any longer. Besides, sooner or later everyone is going to find out, and I figured you should all hear it from me first.

There's this special someone that I just can't get off my mind.

I think about him pretty much all the time!

Thoughts and images of him bring huge smiles to my face!

Oh how I long to hold him in my arms...

...to whisper "I love you" in his ear...

...to smother him with kisses.

It's more than I can bear!

I have thought about it long and hard and I have come to only one conclusion...


I have to make him mine.


My son, that is!!!

I would like to introduce you to my son...


...Isaac Anthony Lawler. It has quite a nice ring to it doesn't it?

We were awarded an adoption decree on Tuesday December 15th and are awaiting the visa. We hope to travel to Ghana in January to bring him home (if all goes well). Please pray that we will be able to bring Isaac home soon!

Best Field Trip Ever

One of the moms in our homeschool co-op group organized a field trip to GAiN (Global Aid Network) where we spent the greater part of the day preparing bags of school supplies to be shipped to MANY children in Africa. We also had a tour of the warehouse while we were there and learned of the many ongoing projects GAiN does to aid huge numbers of people around the world in a variety of ways.

We all had such a fun day. In fact, as we were leaving, I heard all of the children agree that it was "The best field trip ever!" This holiday season, the kids in our co-op group learned just how very true it is that "It is better to give than to receive."

Here are some pictures of our day and our tour which will give you a glimpse of some of the many wonderful things GAiN is doing in the name of the Lord.

Large amounts of clothing and quilts can be condensed into bails for easier shipping.




Johnny, Noah, and Mayra preparing bags of school supplies to be shipped to children in Africa.


Large amounts of clothing and quilts can be condensed into bails for easier shipping.


These Gospel Aprons have different colors of fabric representing the various parts of the Gospel message. There are cards in each pocket which tell the Gospel message. The aprons will be used by caregivers in orphanages to share the Gospel with the children.


These are Gospel Bracelets (again, the colors represent the various parts of the Gospel message).


HUGE boxes filled with packets of seeds, ready to be shipped.

Manna Packs ready to be shipped (these are going to Zimbabwe). Each box contains thousands of Manna Packs, which are packets of rice and soy with preparation instructions printed on the outside (each Manna Pack can feed 6 people).

GAiN is such an amazing organization and there are so many ways that individuals can get involved...
making no sew quilts for orphans
donating needed items
knitting hats and blankets
financial donations
volunteering at the warehouse
you can even have parties there (all of your guests can do a volunteer project like preparing bags of school supplies)- my kids said they would LOVE to do this!

Please check out the GAiN website for many ways to get involved.

Four Fun Days With Nanny

Starting a New Tradition

One tradition that my mom and dad had for years was making a cookie house for our family Christmas party. This year, my kids decided that they wanted to invite Nanny down to stay for a few days in hopes of starting a new tradition of making a cookie church with her.

We ate way too many candies, ate way too many cookies, and had way too much fun!

Here are some pictures of our Cookie Church.











First Snow of the Season

We also received out first snow of the season while Nanny was here. Which somehow made her visit even more festive.

There is no snow like the first snow of the season.
Wouldn't you agree?
The kids were so excited that they ran out immediately in their pjs (which we were of course still in...well past noon) and whatever else they could throw on (including Nanny's sweater and Daddy's shoes).







Fun Outing
Ever since we moved to Lancaster I have been wanting to go to Ten Thousand Villages (which is an awesome Fair Trade retailer). I decided to take my mom (while she was visiting) and the kids.

It turned out to be even better than I expected. They were having a children's shopping day that we didn't even know about.

They had tables set up with items all under $20 and children could buy gifts for parents, siblings, grandparents, etc. and then have them gift wrapped for free.

They even had free hot chocolate (which they ran out of by the time we got there - more on that later) and yummy trail mix.

The kids had so much fun shopping for each other in secret (as my mom and I took turns sneaking them around the store). And they really put a lot of thought into what their siblings would like. It was so sweet and a lot of fun! I think this will have to be a tradition too (can you tell that I am all about traditions?...I just love them...I am such a sap that way).

Here is a picture of Mayra putting the wrapped presents from Ten Thousand Villages under the tree.



An Added Outing

Okay so remember I mentioned Ten Thousand Villages had run out of hot chocolate. Well, I have a chocolate LOVER in my house. Johnny has very often been heard saying "I can't help it. I have a chocolate temptation." (Just a side - He gets that from his mom - SHHH)

Anyway, he was really looking forward to that hot chocolate. And who could blame him with the first snow falling...the gift buying...the present wrapping...hot chocolate almost had to come next.

So, we made an extra trip to a new store that just opened up in our area. It is called Haute Chocolate Cafe. They have close to 20 types of hot chocolate on their menu...and tons of other yummy treats as well.

We all enjoyed some yummy hot chocolate while we watched the snow fall.



Wrap-Up

And how do you wrap up such a festive day?

Well, you build a snowman with your Nanny of course.





We truly enjoyed your visit Nanny! Thanks for being such a fun grandmother!

Crayola Factory Fun!

Filled With Thanksgiving!

I am filled with Thanksgiving and so incredibly blessed. The most precious gifts that the Lord has blessed my life with are a personal relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and these precious, precious blessings right here:















My heart is filled with thanksgiving!
My cup overflows!!! (Psalm 23:5)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

God's Personal Touch

Please click on the link below to read an incredibly powerful story of the intimacy of God. He is not at all a distant God, but ever-present especially in the amazing works of His hands which surround us every single day and in the lives of those who love Him.

http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/2009/11/permission-to-hope.html