For Realz

 Yep, you guessed it....we had to put them both in a toddler seat because someone was jealous, but I won't mention who?  :)  Can you believe that within a monthish these two will both be 2?  WOW!!  My twins are growing up....awwww......

 If you have a crazy dad- your hair might end up like this?  Hey, at least he wasn't worried about it :)  **Don't worry daddy finished it. 

 So for real...this is very clean compared to how my house usually looks....

Ummm......this hallway is a nightmare to get through to the boys' room and the downstairs bathroom.  If you visit- you may want to just go upstairs to use the bathroom :)  Today walking down to the lower level I had to step over toys.

So For Realz!  This is my life!

If you have some silly idea that I have it all ordered and under control- ummm....yeah....I am barely surviving getting back into our school routine.  It has sucked the wind out of my sails!  BUT, I do love some order to the day.  So we are getting there.  I am just real in that- if you walked into my home during our morning school time you would hear toddlers screeching, Michael playing with noisy toys, and my teaching in my pjs because that is REAL.

I was reminded the other night in conversation about an incident....here is another confession- One of our kiddos has issues wiping.  Yea- the brown stuff.  And it usually ends up in her underwear.  We told her if she can't wipe it is not a problem and we would help.  BUT instead she decided not a problem.  I will not wipe and leave the evidence in my underwear and stick it in a pile in the corner of our room behind the bunk beds where no one looks.  OH YES SHE DID!  All 23 pairs of underwear!!!!!!  I didn't even know she owned that many, but you know.  You shop for new underwear when the school "season" starts, and evidently she kept her old underwear too, and used some of Sarah's.  OYE!

Yep, there you have it a few real life moments in the Wright home.  It is real.  It is life.  And I wouldn't trade it for the whole world!

So come on......confess something, and make the rest of us feel more normal- Please :)

More about meme and an indoor surprise

 So just finished a meme.....and got tagged again....by Laurel over at Our Journey of Faith.  Since I was just tagged....I won't be tagging anyone, but will answer the questions just for fun :)

So we went to IKEA.......and got a fun toy, I mean something for the kids.  You will find out what it is as you scroll down and read. 

1.  What is your Favorite Dessert?  Soft, Big, Cookies!!!  Specifically Chocolate Crinkles- which is my recipe on the last post :)

 2.  What is your Favorite Book (not the Bible)?  Why?
I love several books.....which I have to say is strange considering I never really liked to read books that much as a young adult.  But I am loving Kisses for Katie- by Katie Davis.  Why?  Because she inspires me!!!  She is REAL about life and her faith!   


3.  What is your Favorite Book of the Bible? Why?  I Love the book of Acts....the early church, how we should live, I learn from it more and more!

 4.  When did you give your life to the Lord?  **answered in the last post :)


5.  What is your Favorite Childhood Memory?  Living on the farm- playing with the animals...we had pigs, cows, chickens, kittens, a dog- playing in the hay loft...looking for new kittens.  LOVED IT!!!!!! 

 6.  What is your Worst Childhood Memory?  Ummm....also last post :)


7.  What Character Traits make your Best Friend your Best Friend?  Christian, great listener, supportive, and faithful. 

8.  What do you see as Your Most Important Character Trait or Virtue?  ***8,9,10 all answered in last post :0

9.  What person in the Bible do you most relate to?

10. What Scripture Verse do you cling to in times of trouble?

 11.  List the 5 Top Defining Moments of your life.  1)  Giving my life to Christ, 2)  having cancer and surviving, 3)  Meeting and marrying my best friend, 4)  Camp - being a camper, being a counselor, and directing, 5) Each one of my children!  I know those are all "moments" but they are the biggest things in my life that have defined who I am in general. 

 Responses from the tagging in my last post:  Here is Jennifer's responses from Peterson Ponderings

 Soooo.....guess what else God has done for our family? 

 We haven't had professional photos taken of our family since we only had 5 kiddos.  he he he.....I mean that money was always put towards then next adoption :)  So we would set the camera on it's 3 legged stand and beg the kids to look at the camera.  Those who didn't look every time- daddy photoshopped!!!!!!!  So there you have it.  Some of our greatest photos of all the kids or our whole family - were photoshopped!!!  It's true!!!!

As far as photos of Jason and I....ummm.....well......let's see.....when Tracie Loux was helping us with our profile for this last adoption.  Let's just say she was asking about where our photos were???  Did you know we had to scrounge for ANY!  I mean we had some, but well....the kids are so cute, and we are not?  So we went through the last several years.  And found....maybe 3-4.  :)

So AGAIN God gave us a hook up :)  YEA GOD!!!!  My grandma's room at the nursing home happens to be across the hall from Alexis Marie's grandma's room.  So she had seen us there, and then we met again at church too!!!!  She said that she wanted to photograph our family right away, but thought we might think she was a big strange.  :)  (aren't we all!!!)

SOOOO this last Sunday- she took our pictures!!!!!!!!  Check out the facebook page or my page to see more.....and of course once we get even more pics- I will be posting them.  THANK YOU GOD for provision even in things that aren't necessary, but still a WONDERFUL BLESSING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

THANK YOU ALEXIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  YOUR TALENTS HAVE BLESSED OUR FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tagged in a MEME and now you get to find out....

The meme…
 
The (bendable) rules:
You must post these rules.
Each person must post 11 things about herself on his/her blog.
Answer the questions the “tagger” listed for you in her post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
You must choose 11 people to tag and link to them in the post.
Go to each blogger’s page and mention that you have tagged
him/her.

***First I want to admit to the world- I had no idea that is what it is even called! :)  Whew....now I do THANKS Debi!!!

 1. Word association. I say “tender”, you say ______________.
Loin...he he he....oh yea- tenderloin!  :)  Haven't had one in a long time, but I guess I am blogging while hungry ;)

2. What is the most important virtue you possess?
Compassion.  Let me tell you this is something that GOD grew in me.  Not something I just had.  Trust me, but I am sooo glad HE has grown this in me.

 3. Favorite song and why?
Here In This Moment by Bekah Shae  although.......I have to say I LOVE MUSIC so pretty much I have a million favorites!!

4. If you had to choose someone from the Bible that most closely represents you, who would it be?
 Some days Mary some days Martha.  Now if I could get it to equal out that would be GREAT!

5. A quote or inspirational verse that you turn to when times are tough.
Hebrews 12:1 is my favorite verse...."Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things unseen"   This verse used to be on a refrigerator magnet growing up and it always pops in my mind when I am really going off the edge.  It reminds me that God has everything planned for me and will get me through it- even when I feel it is all falling apart.  HE KNOWS THE UNSEEN!!! 

6. What is your favorite recipe?
Chocolate Crinkles- YUMMY!!!!!
4 unsweetened baking chocolate squares
1/2 cup veg oil
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup powdered sugar

Melt chocolate squares.  Mix chocolate, oil, and sugar.  Blend in eggs one at a time until well mixed.  Add vanilla.  Stir in flour, salt, and baking powder into mixture.
Chill several hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
Shape dough into balls and roll in the powdered sugar.
Bake in oven at 350 for 10-12 minutes.  DO NOT OVER BAKE :)  (Should still be a bit like gooey brownies)
Cool on a wire rack.  EAT THEM ALL- Or in our case make a double batch so you have enough to go around at least twice!

***He is a thumb sucker.....awwwww......

 7. Most dramatic childhood memory.
When I was 8 years old I had cancer.  It ripped my family's world apart!!!  It has shaped a lot of things in my life.  READ HERE.

8. (for a school throw-back question) If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?
Oh dear?  An Oak.  Just because I like them.  They are big trees and strong, and kids love to climb on them!

 9. If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
Easy take off all the pounds I have gained with moving and our last adoption.  I am totally an emotional eater :(  yikes!

**OK disclaimer about this picture....he ummm....does not like getting his hair cut :(  poor sweetie.  Don't worry as soon as daddy was done I whisked him up, cuddled, and gave him a bottle :)  Awww....the world was good again!!!!

10. Coffee? Iced, frozen, hot or not?
NOT- I don't do coffee of any kind.  Sorry.  MT DEW- is my poison.  Yes, I know.....

11. A moment in time that changed your life?
When I was 4 my parents took our family to hear an evangelist.  I saw him speak and just thought- he really really loves and is sooo excited about God.  I knew then I HAD TO HAVE HIM!  I accepted Christ and have been clinging to HIM ever since that moment!!!  THANK THE LORD!!!  AND NOW I KNOW WHY HE WAS SOOO EXCITED ABOUT GOD!!!  Thankful every day that I belong to HIM.  Oh and if it weren't for that moment.....I have NO idea how I would have survived the most dramatic childhood memory!

SO HERE ARE MY QUESTIONS:
1)  What is your greatest food weakness?
2)  What is your favorite activity?
3)  If I gave you $1,000 what would you donate it to?
4)  What is one dream you had that has changed since your childhood?
5)  What is your favorite book of the Bible?
6)  What is something you like to do by yourself?
7)  What would be your dream vacation- if you had any kind of money?
8)  What would you do with a whole day to yourself?
9)  What is the "worst" chore you have to do?  (or as my grandma wold say you get to do ;)
10)  Who is the person who has influenced your life the most?
11)  Why do you blog?

People I am tagging:
Melissa at fostering love, 
Kathy at Cassel Crew,
Lisa over at mountain top memories,
Kelly at minus one project,
Jennifer at Peterson Ponderings,
Jill at Camp Funk,
Anna at from the heart,
Chrissy at Injera and chocolate gravy,
Megan at living to welcome His least,
Jean over at there's no place like home,
and Shonni at nations around our table.

God Appointments!

 Awww....Abigail and Joanna hanging out doodling on the doodle board.  Cute!  Have I mentioned that I love the fact that our olders enjoy playing with the youngers?  Because I DO!!!  :)

 Ummm......mommy.....I can't see......

 Ok sweetie sorry- how's that?  he he he....Oh I LOVE the glasses!!!!!!!!  And I know he is probably thinking wow- did you know there is a whole other world to explore?  :)

 Joanna showing him her favorite button to push ;)

 Ummmm......mommy.....Joanna's messing with my toy.  Sorry sweetie- get used to it.  ;)  he he he.....

So just a note on some other amazing things Michael is doing- just because we are celebrating EVERYTHING!  He has shown great hand to hand transfer, mimicking your actions in play time, and following objects.  Again....he has not learned this in the last week, but we are still learning all about him.  What he can already do.  What we can do to help him improve body strength, coordination, etc.

So I have to stop and tell you some God Appointments that have happened that have totally made me SOOO EXCITED!

1) When my hubby flew out to meet us last week he saw someone he knew from church.  Now remember our church if you didn't know is over 5,000 people.  This person happens to be on the same flight?  ;)  They talk for a bit.  Jason introduces himself and explains where he is going.  This person happens to lead "Raising Incredible Kids" at our church!

As the plane boards.......they both wait.  As they call out each section....they are still waiting.  They finally compare tickets- yep you guessed it.  God sat them in the same row with someone in between.  So when they board they ask the person if they want an aisle row, and they talked the whole flight :).  Encouraging each other!!!  THANK YOU GOD!

Oh and just because God is cool like this.  They discovered that we both have daughters named Sarah who are 7..........that BOTH have Birthdays on May 5th!  :)  Very Cool!

2)  So as a part of starting the new foster care/adoption ministry at our church we are becoming life group leaders.  One of the steps is getting connected to a community leader (someone who overseas and encourages life group leaders etc.).  So Jason had a meeting set up at Applebee's with him yesterday.

Oh, and did I mention he is a doctor?  When Jason told him about Michael......he said well I happen to know personally the Pediatric Infectious Disease Doctor at University of South Florida- which is 20 min. up the road.  Ummmm......and I can hook you up!!!!  It only turns out that she has been doing leading HIV studies for as long as I have been out of college!  And she is the leading PID in FL!!!

Now.....going back to when we first found out we were matched with Michael.  My prayers became fervent over the fact that I didn't just want any doctors or therapists.  I wanted THE BEST for Michael's sake.  I wanted to give him the WORLD!  His first healing family moved specifically to give him excellent care and I wanted to make sure we were carrying this forward!  HE DESERVES IT :)  not that I am biased or anything.

Oh and did I mention that they have all the therapists there that can work together?  And she can make all the recommendations needed for him?  Ummmmm......THIS MAKES US HAPPY PARENTS!!!!!!!!!!!  PRAISE GOD!!!!!!  Michael- God has show HIS UNFAILING LOVE for you in BIG WAYS!!!!  Can't wait to see what HE is going to do!!!!

3) OK so you know how it is for us mommies who used to do this job or that, and we don't always talk about what it was we used to do well you know because we are full time mommies and we usually talk about that instead?  Ummm.....come to find out my good friend Melissa Dupuis......ummm...yeah she used to work with children who needed physical therapy.  Hello!!!  So she was giving me some activities to start with Michael in the mean time to help that core strength!  SOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!  :)

GOD APPOINTMENTS ROCK MY WORLD!  THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Serious prayers answered!!!!!!!!!!   

 My hubby bought me roses for Valentine's Day, and one for each of the girls.  You know we want our girls to remember how special they are so when they grow up they expect that of their future spouses.  It isn't about the roses, but about making sure they get the fact that they are loved, respected, and protected in our home and this is what they should look for in a husband.

Thank you baby- I LOVE YOU MORE THAN WORDS COULD EVER SAY!!!!!!!!!!! 

 So he he he......Joanna you are silly!  You never took a paci as a baby.  Believe me we tried!  And now since all the baby stuff came out again....you think this is a cool fashion statement?  You are crazy girl!  :)  And I am crazy about you!!!!  Fortunately....the pacifier go lost?  Oh well.  ;)

This is a bad picture as far as lighting, but here are my babes waiting on mommy to give them a bath after breakfast.  Look at the cute faces!!!  And the cute baby chub, smooth baby skin......surrounded by yumminess in this home!

Cleansing your HOUSE

 Look at this cuteness!!!!  So adorable.  If you ask Abigail how she feels about her new sibling- she says I LOVE HIM!  Music to my ears. 

 I love that my children have no problems welcoming in a new sibling.  We have walked this path so many times and sometimes we take it for granted, but our children all know that God has a plan for our family.  Sometimes it is hard, the wait isn't just hard for us, but for our kiddos.  The stories of why and how which we talk openly about are hard (of course age appropriately).  Each time is a new situation.  But our kiddos couldn't love Michael any more.....they snuggle with him, pick him up, play with him, sing to him, and they want to do it all, but a mommy and daddy have to be the main care givers too- after all he is my baby :). 

 Check out how he is sitting at our toddler table- oh man if you only knew how exciting this is!!!  I would like to point out that all of his skills have not been happening since he has been here- hello he has only been here a week today!  I am sooo excited because to be honest although K (his first healing mommy) told us a lot about him and gave us as many details as she could....we knew we would learn more about him as we saw him.  With the descriptions of him when he first came into care...yea....very very very different!  He is a new little man.  Michael has experienced healing in a wonderful home!  We are soo thankful!!! 

 As we get the privilege of knowing him more we see the new things he will be doing soon.  We will celebrate EVERYTHING!

So I wanted to post about this before we went to get our bundle of joy, but well some things happened and it didn't happen.  I wanted to do a post because I found it sooo helpful!!!!  It is from our church you can find out about our church here :)  This is a short snippet of notes from the sermon.  Make no mistake this is talking about your house, as well as your HOUSE- YOU.

Do you ever feel like you are sinking in your own skin or in your own home?  Feel like it is time to purge, but I am not just talking stored up junk physically- but spiritually!!!  Have you ever annointed your home?  Prayed over it, prayed over your family members, prayed over your job, prayed over your spouse, laid hands on each other, laid hands on your door frame, asking God to heal, bless, and purge all that is unclean?  Well.....if you haven't or you may think this sounds crazy...but I can promise you God wants to claim all you have and own for HIM!

Ask anyone who has gone through the spiritual battleground of adoption.  They can tell you that satan tries to attack all you have- including you, your health, your stuff.  Not just adoption!  Anytime we start saying yes to the Holy Spirit and no to the ways of the world we are confronted by the enemy.  This should be our reply!  Not just this- this is an outline of something, but really deeply crying out to God begging HIM to have control over us, our home, our stuff, and our entire lives!!

This weekend Pastor Greg is preaching on “How to Cleanse a Leprous House.” Part of his message gives several questions to ask yourself in order to identify your areas of need. Then he gives practical steps to take to clean the house - your life.

How to cleanse a leprous house

1. Purge:  personal/practical principles - Cleaning (soul cleaning)

    a. Have you compromised anywhere in your choice of friends or activities? (Ephesians 5:11; 1 Cor. 5:9)

    b. Do you maintain obedience to parents? (Romans 1:28-32; Proverbs 23:14)

    c. Do you participate in any lying, dishonesty or untruthfulness? (Col 3:9)

    d. Do you exercise or participate in impure joking or speech? (Eph.  4:31; Psalm 19:14)

    e. Do you sample or practice any known disobedience? (1 John 1:9)

    f. Have you given astrology or occult practices any place at all? (Acts 19:18-19)

    g. What about the pornographic or obscene? (Exodus 20:3)

2. Praise/Pray/Perform: as priests and priestesses- (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:9)

    a. In the bedrooms recite the blessings of restful sleep (Psalm 3:5, 4:8)

    b. In the bathroom declare the promises of health (Exodus 15:26)

    c. In the kitchen express the promises of provision and strength (Exodus 23:25)

    d. In the living room declare the decision to follow the Lord in unity and mutual submission (Joshua 24:15; Eph. 5:21-6:4)

    e. In the entry hall stand and pray the blessings of coming in and going out before the Lord (Deut. 28:6)

3. Covering: Come under God's Covering (1 Cor. 5:7-8)

AMEN!!!!  I think if everyone said I want- really want to grow closer to God.  I feel so far away.  This is a GREAT PLACE TO START!  HE WILL NEVER DISAPPOINT!

 Ok a few random pics.....this is a package we got in the mail today.  Why is it next to the Tampa phone book you ask?

 Yeah, because it is thicker than the phone book!  What is it???  Ummmm......well if you are a facebook friend you know......there was over 400 pages of fun time reading on our newest babe!  Some good reading in there......oye!  It saddened my heart to hear about his past before he came to K's family.  I knew about it....K told me about it.....and yet reading it.....made it real.  And I know that what grieves our hearts - must grieve God's heart even more!  So I am depending on God for strength to continue the healing process for Michael.   

Oh, and another random pic.....he he he....this is me cutting up some paper towel rolls for baby wipes :).  Yep, going through more now with 2 bums to clean up.  And it is pretty simple.  You cut a roll of paper towel in half- I use an electric knife, but you can use whatever works for you.  Oh and the paper towel has to be a good kind like bounty or Brawny- if you coupon you can find good deals!  Put it in a container with slits on the top- I just bought a cheap one - used duct tape so the edges weren't sharp, and voila!

You add- 2 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, 2 tablespoons of baby oil, and a squirt of baby soap if you want.  That's it!  It is cheap and works really easily.  We use this for home only, and carry store bought wipes when we go out or travel.  :)

Pray that you will take time today to really study the scriptures above and think about purging your heart, your home, and your activities.  It is time to start taking back our homes for GOD!  :)

How is it going? A post by Michael

 Well......we have been busy. 

 Exploring all the new toys!  Did you know that with 8 brothers and sisters I HAVE A TON of new toys as well as all my favorites that I still have!  This is awesome!

 I get to be a "twin" and it is pretty fun.  We do a lot together including sit on mommy and daddy's laps together....because we are cute like that!

 I got to meet GG, and she is really sweet!  I am her 23 great grandchild!  She thinks our family rocks- did you know she grew up with 11 brothers and sisters?  YEP! 

 OK so check out this cool skill....never mind the little baby spit up on the floor- that is not important, but the fact that I crawled on my own down this 1/2 step is awesome!  Did I mention I have also crawled up it too?  Yea....I've got some pretty amazing skills!!!

 And well....look at my eyes- you can just see my handsomeness.  Is that a word?  Anyway, doesn't matter what do I care?  :)

 Oh and I met "Aunt Jane" (she is really my mommy's aunt, and more like a grandma to me but she is cool).  Although I gave her this big yawn!

 I have been busy resting....because it takes rest to accomplish such cuteness and skills you know. 

 Here I am chillin' in the tub......

 With my twin sister! 

 She showed me baths aren't too bad.  I am not a huge fan, but I guess it is ok.  Joanna loves the bath. 

 This is seriously the perfect shirt because my mommy used to teach band!  Now I am in her band too ;)

 My big brother took this pic.....aww....I love my mommy....

 Look at us in the stroller that mommy K gave us!  Are we cute or what?  We had fun on our walk!

 OK so mommy set me up against this seat thing......

 Look at me go!!!  Oh yeah.....I held on for over a minute!!!!  ***Do not worry she was right there and would never let me fall!!!!!  Camera in one hand hand ready to catch me too!

 Watch this.....where am I going?

 Oh yeah....I am sooo cute!  crawling through the tunnel!

 And sister is cheering me on. 

 I have a great twin!  We are sooo adorable together.  Not that we have been told that or anything?  he he he he he.....only a million times in the past 5 days!

 Who is this handsome man with those cute glasses?  Oh yeah baby it is me!  I am a ladies man :)

And my sibs well- they are GREAT!  And that in a nutshell is how it has been going.  Mommy and daddy say I am doing great!  They are my cheerleaders, my smoochers, my huggers, and I am getting lots of love!!!  They say they can see that there are times I miss my first healing family, but they remind me how much they still love me and show me pictures of them.   I think I must be extremely special because I sure have a lot of people that LOVE ME A LOT!!!!!!  :)