Two Months of Silence Update

Our summers are so busy that when I've had a spare second I haven't had the brain capacity to update my blog. I know I should. I've got lots of fun pictures of fun summer adventures, but I've had little desire to actually upload and caption them. So here's a brief update on life since mid-May when I last posted. Please bare with almost two months of pictures! 

This is my handsome big, boy! 

Aunt Sassie & Uncle Len bought a boat. They named it "The Fiesta" and we got to out on her first spin. 

We went to Falls Creek! Tucker stayed from Saturday thru Wednesday night. His Granna came that evening and kid napped him away. He did GREAT! He played with his "bid tids" all day and slept with them in the bunks at night. He really exceeded everyones expectations and the kids loved having him around and playing with him. A few asked if they could take him to go pick up girls for Icee dates, but his mom wasn't quite ready for that. Maybe next year? 

We've spent lots of time with our "bid tids" This is Rachel and she is so great!

We took the Leadership Team to Falls Creek the weekend before everyone else arrived and had a great time! The water pillow I found on Pinerst was a HUGE hit!

I contributed 9 inches of my hair to the 68 inches our youth group donated to Locks of  Love. These people haven't had a hair cut in a whole year! Super proud of these kids!

It's been so hot, so we have swan a lot! My little fishy is doing so good. 

Granna's pool is smaller, but Scooter the puppy gets to swim with us so it's still pretty fun.

Cousins swimming!

And if the sprinkler is running for the lawn Tucker likes to capitalize on that and get wet. This fella loves water!

We went to the lake with Aunt Sassie, Aunt Chelsie, and cousins Emrie, Kagan & Gracie.

Tuck had his first ride on the tube. He loved it!

He also enjoyed the rocky beach while the girls swam.

Elk City has a great park with a train, carousel & mini golf course. Tuck's favorite is the train. 

Emrie came for a visit so we had to show her all the W-OK had to offer.

Sweet smiles on the carousal. 

Fun in the moon bounce.

Add in a little time on the swings and this boy is set.

We are having a great and SUPER busy summer. We have everything ready for adoption #2 and we leave for Zambia, Africa in ONE WEEK! As soon as we get back from that trip our profile will go active and we will begin anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby #2! 

Please pray for both of these things. Pray for God's will to be done in Zambia and with our next child. Pray for my heart as I leave this first boy for 12 days. (Gulp!) Pray that we would encourage, grow, travel safely, remain healthy & that the Father's name would be glorified as we spend some time at New Day Orphanage in Choma, Zambia. 

Pray for our second Birth Mom as she carries our baby and makes huge decisions for its future. Pray for funds to be provided to cover our adoption expenses. Pray that we may be an encouragement to our next set of birth parents and for us as we make the huge transition lies ahead. Pray for patience, grace, and the constant knowledge that our God is sovereign and will bring the exact baby into our family at the exact right time, regardless of our worry or efforts.

Our First Dip

We are blessed to have lots of sweet people involved in our ministry. We truly have some of the very best! One of our family's has a great pool and they always lets us come swim. Tucker and I plan to spend many afternoons there this summer. We went for our first dip in the pool this week and T-Money LOVED it! We were there for almost three hours and he would've stayed all day. Here are some pictures of him and Caleb having a great time in the water. Caleb is going to be a senior in the fall and we think he's great! He is going to Zambia with Chris and I in July. He's a super special kid that is crazy about Tuck. We're so thankful our boy is loved so much by so many!

And we heart Caleb too! 

Anxieties

I've heard from my friends that when you're pregnant you have weird dreams, anxieties and fears. For me, the same is true with adoption. They're just different and totally beyond my control! Which adds a whole other level of nervousness. We have our home study this Tuesday and so maybe that's why I'm thinking so much about these things, I don't know. But I wanted to get some of the things that are weighing on my heart off my chest so to speak. 

-- I'm worried about MY plan not working out. Typical, but unhealthy and unlikely. I know.

-- Timing. It's so hard to not know when a baby may arrive and what will be going on in our life around that time. I know with most second children most people try to help their first child achieve different goals before baby arrives. No such luxury with adoption or for Tuck.

-- Safety/health. Not being able to control what is going into our birth mom's body or our baby is nerve wracking! I don't know if she is exposing herself to unhealthy things or if she's eating enough or going to the doctor or taking her prenatal vitamins. All of this is out of my control. I had a friend who I stayed the night with that is preggo and she got sick almost immediately after taking her prenatal vitamins. It's her first baby and she was concerned about whether or not she should take more vitamins or not. I explained I didn't think it was that big of a deal to miss one day because so many babies go without for much, much longer. Just different perspectives.

-- It's hard to trust someone else to love your baby as much as you do. If anyone does, their Birth Mom certainly does, but still its hard. Not knowing her or her situation. My control freak nature really pushes against so much about this process. It's good for me, but difficult none the less.

-- I'm starting to wonder how long we'll wait for Baby 2. Tucker was SO fast and I know that it won't be the same this time, but I also hope we don't have wait for a super long time. I'm not a good waiter. And I'm already having to wait eight months before we're even being considered. I really enjoyed the three week "pregnancy" we had last time.

-- I also hope that we get to be there for the birth again. I know that we had the IDEAL labor, delivery and hospital experience with K and Tucker. I mean we were front row, center the whole time. It was so special and I want that with our second child as well. Amazing bonding experience for Chris and I with our Birth Mom and with Tucker.

-- I pray so often for our Birth Mom. For safety, support, wisdom, clarity, bravery, well being, wise choices for her and the baby, peace and the list goes on and on. I hope that she is loved by many and is receiving lots of support and affirmation from those around her. K didn't have that luxury, and I've always wished that for her.

I can't think of anything else at the moment. But I'm so anxious to meet our fourth family member and get to love that sweet baby. Just today Chris and I were talking about how big Tucker is getting. He is a little boy now, not a baby. I told Chris that's why I needed another baby to cuddle. Dear Baby 2, HURRY!!! Love your Momma.

The Class of 2012

The hardest part about youth ministry is that you have to invest your whole heart. You HAVE to invest your life into teenagers or it doesn't work. It's a requirement. It's also a risky bet because teenagers are not always dependable or wise. Sometimes your heart gets trampled and hurt, but other times you get to be a player in the story of a student who could change the world. You make sacrifices and walk through difficult situations and watch them make choices. Sometimes right and sometimes wrong. The wrong ones sting and the right ones make you beam with pride for the part you played in their lives. Every class is different. Some are big some are small. Some are sweet and easy, others test your patience and try your nerves. May is a sweet month of mixed emotions where you see your kids walk across a stage and life is different. Some you know they're ready for the next step and others you see lots of untapped potential. Some times the bystanders are ready and other times we're not.

When we moved to Sayre almost four years ago this year's group of seniors were freshman. They attached quickly to us and we attached and invested quickly in them. Among that bunch were three girls who have sewed themselves into the fabric of my heart. I needed to feel a connection when we arrived and they welcomed me with open arms. Maybe it was just because I would come to school and pick them up for lunch before they could drive, I don't know. But like it or not they were stuck with me.

I've walked with them through arguments with parents and each other. I've watched as their hearts were broken by boys who didn't deserve them. I've beamed with pride as they have succeeded in sports, FFA, band, leadership team at church and most of all, as they have led others to Jesus. I've been honored to carry their secrets and their sorrows, their hurts and happinesses. And tonight they will walk across a stage and into the next chapter of life where youth minister's wives don't live.
It has been my honor to love these three young ladies. They are each so different, but they all exemplify who I hope my own children grow to be in different ways.

Summer is my missions lover. She went to London in 2010 and is going to Alaska and Zambia this summer. She is bold in her witness. She has used her own story to encourage younger girls in our ministry. She shows them that they can change and overcome any reputation a small town may give them. She is dependable, responsible and a learner. I've seen her grow from a quiet girl who was afraid to stand up for what she believed in to a young lady who is honest about her faith and walks with grace among her peers. I'm so proud of her and I know OSU will be better for her presence on campus.

Nikki. Oh Nikki. When I moved to town I had no idea who this girl was going to be. I watched as she stood at a crossroads in life and took some winding roads. She's been over her share of rough times, but she is faithful and honest. She wears her heart and her struggles on her sleeve and I so appreciate that about her. I can't wait to see the woman she grows into! She is an amazing athlete and has been such an example to the younger girls on her teams of how important hard work, dedication and practice are. I pray that the Lord will be close to her and allow her to see herself how He see's her. Shes beautiful and funny and talented and precious. I hope that SWOSU allows her the perfect environment to keep growing and to keep learning who she is because she's pretty great!

Sawyer is a girl after my own heart. She loves things to be organized and neat. Folders, tabs, color coding and school supplies all make her as happy as they make me. She is one of those kids who has defied the odds. Her parents aren't believers and have never encouraged her to be in church, but she was anyway. Sawyer is a leader where ever she goes. She gets things done and done well. Her drive, work ethic, brains and smile will take her far. She loves people so well. It's a joy to watch. I have loved watching this shy girl who wanted to blend into the crowd become a young lady who can't help but stand out. She is wonderful! I hope her time in college allows her continued growth, success and happiness. I know that she will make her presence known at SWOSU. I'm so proud of all she has done and will do.

On top of all of these accalades they LOVE my baby and he loves them! We all went to one last lunch this week and he showed off for all three of them the entire afternoon! He knows all of their names and loves them deeply. I'm not sure he'll know what to do without them either!

All three of these girls will walk away from SHS tonight with countless friends, proud teachers and even prouder parents. They will walk away from our youth group in August with a very big piece of my heart. They will always be the first thing that made Sayre feel like home to me. I'm forever grateful and honored to have been a spectator and cheerleader for the past four years of their lives. I'm so proud of each of them and I truly hope their lives are filled to the brim with blessings upon blessings. May they continue to grow into the woman God has planned for them to be and know that I'm always just a phone call away. You three make ministry worth the risk and sacrifice! Thank you!!!

Bricktown Canal & OKC Zoo

We set out on a beautiful May morning to go to the zoo. On the way up we discovered via Facebook that over 35 schools were also visiting the OKC Zoo on field trips. So we had to think fast of something else to keep our favorite four year old happy & that could occupy a couple of hours so the field trips could clear out a little. We opted for Bricktown. I'm so proud of what Oklahoma City has done to downtown! It's looks great and there are things to do all the time. 

We got a free trolly ride from our free parking spot at Bass Pro to the Canal Rides.

Look at my cute boys. I just love em a whole lot.

Pretty Ladies.

Chris and I opted out of the canal ride and went on a mini date to the 'Peake to look at Thunder gear. Emrie was SUPER excited to take this picutre!

Fun was had by all!

Finally to the Zoo!

I mean really! These sunglasses melt my heart every time he wears them!

SUPER fun day with Granna, Aunt Sassie & Tucker's "best friend" Emrie. So thankful for my family and my husband! Sweet memories and good laughs!

Little Drummer Boys

The highlight of Tucker's Sunday is getting to play the drums. It's a challenge some mornings to get him around the sanctuary to the nursery without him wanting to detour to his instrument of choice. Our church praise band's drummer also happens to be a very special freshman in our ministry. He is so sweet and patient with Tuck every week to watch him and allow him to mess with his kit. 

"Sef" (aka Seth) and our little drummer.

He really does fairly well. He can repeat a beat if he really wants to. So maybe we will have a drummer in our family.

I hope he always loves music and it becomes apart of his life. For now it's just pretty cute to watch him bang around and be so proud of himself when he makes loud noises. 

Just a Swingin'

This spring one of Tucker's very favorite things to do is to swing. Last fall he could take it or leave it but now he asks for it. Really any swing will do: baby, tire swing, porch, big kid swing. He's not picky. Tucker Gordon loves them all!

My sweet Papa pushing Tuck 

Emrie and Tucker with their Great Papa swinging on the swing set my dad built for my sister's and I when we were kids. 

One of my favorite pictures lately. Pardon his lack of pants and PJ top. This is how we do it in the country!

Also excuse my lack of make up/shower. It was one of those days.

Here we are at Tucker's Great Great Grandma Smith's house. She will turn 100 years old this October and we are so blessed to still have her around. He LOVED the swing from the moment we walked up that's all he wanted to do.