Fall Happenings

Well, we took Eden trick-or-treating for the first time on Halloween and she definitely got the hang of it. Then, the next day we took a trip to the Atlanta Zoo to see the Giant Panda bears. They were incredible!!! When we were looking at them Eden yelled, "Hey Panda bear, I'm from China, too!" It was so funny. I don't have long to post right now so I'm going to give you a couple of photos. Love you all!

Here is our little "lucky" Ladybug from China.

Eden in front of the Panda habitat in Atlanta.

Aren't these animals amazing? Did you know all Pandas in the USA are leased from the Chinese government?

The rest of these photos are some that my friend took of Eden and me to give to Gene for our anniversary present. On Nov. 6th we celebrated 4 years of marriage. I am so grateful for my husband. He is such a wonderful father and partner. We went to see "Fireproof" for our date and it was a great movie...I highly recommend it! These photos were taken in a community down the road from us called Mount Laurel. Isn't it beatiful?




That's all I have time for today. Our adoption agency (Lifeline) is having their annual fundraiser banquet next Thursday night. I hope to see some of you blogging buddies there! Our pastor, David Platt, is the keynote speaker. He is amazing to listen to because of his passion for God and His Word. Hope to see some of you! Have a great weekend enjoying what's important...not housework, PEOPLE!!!!

These Boots

Okay, so my mom went to Oklahoma a few weeks ago and brought Eden back some hot pink real, live cowboy boots. Check out the pics...

What a fun age! What a terrible age! Do you get what I'm saying? She can be so precious one moment and so disobedient and selfish the next. I get so frustrated, thinking, what am I doing wrong? People say, "She's just 2, that's part of it." I know that is true is some sense, but at the same time, it still grieves my heart when I see her selfishness rear it's ugly head. I want to scream, "Don't you know how precious you are? Quit acting like that!!!"

It's in these moments of frustration that God usually quietly reminds my heart that I often am that selfish 2-year-old, too. One minute, I'm obedient. The next, I'm screaming, "MINE! NO!" Oh how it must grieve His heart. How He must want to scream, "Don't you know how precious you are? Quit acting like that!!!" He is so faithful to discipline me with a firm but loving hand when I need it (quite often I must admit). Thankfully, He makes no excuses for me. He loves me too much for that.

So, even though she's "only 2," and she looks precious in her cowboy boots, I know I have to choose to do the hard thing and make no excuses for her sinful nature. I must discipline her with a loving and firm hand (or spoon:0). It's just so hard when she looks so cute!!! I think it's even harder for Gene...she knows how to "work" her daddy. Last night he took her to Chick-Fil-A while I had Bible study and as they were leaving I pulled her aside and said, "Eden, please obey your daddy." Sometimes it's funny to watch her work her magic on him. He just can't resist her cuteness. But, after spending a few hours alone with her sometimes I'll notice him becoming more firm with her. I'll think, "Yeah, it's not so cute now, is it?" He'll look so harried and exhausted and I just chuckle. He's such a good daddy.

Well, that's all for now. Hope all of you are doing well. Oh, and I'm happy to report that Eden has slept through the night several times in the last week. What an answer to prayer!