A day filled with park fun and shopping!

The kids are loving the hotel park.. It has something for every age... Lily loves the slides and the adventures houses, Michael loves the basketball hoop and spaceships placed throughout the jungle gym, and Kayden just loves the fresh air... They run, giggle, climb, and make friends..... Boy, do they make friends.... I love that about them, they make friends everywhere they go! Just a simple smile and they are off running, playing tag, and bonding with others around them.. It makes my heart smile to see the kids interacting with others. Watching other people see my kids the way that I do; as the awesome kids that they are! They are flexible, resiliant, understanding, loving, patient ( most of the time ), and of course amazing.. They joy they bring only multiplies in times of chaos.. It makes me realize that they teach me as much as I teach them.... That they smile at a simple joys, not overcompensation.. That they thrive off happiness... To be a child again, that is what I desire....... Here are a few of their giggles.....


Cheese!!!!

Weeeeeeee.......Lily at the bottom of the slide......

Lily.... mid-slide.... she loves this......

Tired.... so tired in fact, she could sleep standing up!

Kayden loving the fresh air....

Lilyann planning in the fun tree houses.

Kayden enjoying his DS at the park... Only Kayden would love this!!!

Kayden and Michael.... you can't really see Michael, thats because he refused to be seen... Only Michael!!!

Rainy day, restless bodies, renewed spirits...

Today is gloomy and dreary... The rain falls, the fog stays low, and the kids grow restless. Amidst all of this, my spirits lift. I received an email from my friend Jen yesterday, reminding me of a few the promises the Lord has given. Not just to me, but to all who believe. Promises to carry, empower , love.... the list went on. My favorite promise was to renew. To renew MY strength. Little ole me? Supermom! In need of a renewal? As the hotel grows smaller, and the childrens patience wearing, I read on. Isaiah 40:28-31 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is an everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understandings no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power to the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grown faint." What an awesome promise to cling to. To simply be reminded that His understandings NO ONE can fathom... I keep finding myself trying to figure Him out. To figure out His plan for my life. He is Mighty, He is Holy, and He has everything under control. I simply need to let go.. To stop wondering when our stuff will arrive, stop worrying if the kids are going to fit in, stop wondering if I will find friends... He was promised to renew me... The only strength I need is Him... His strength, His guidance, His peace..... I need to cling to the promise that he has prepared a way for me. That He has gone before me, shielded my path, and hand picked people that will come my way.. People that will impact me, and people whom I can impact. People who are lost and seeking, and people who will incourage my walk, when I am seeking.. I hope in Him...
The kids getting restless in the hotel room.. They are eager to go puddle jumping!

The view from the room.. You can see how foggy it is by simply comparing this picture with the next... This picture was taken today and the next was taken yesterday.

Yesterday... You can see the city of Seoul in the background.

If I can't have Boldly Going, I'll settle for Starbucks!

I thought this was pretty cool... my first Starbucks receipt in Korea......

Our adventure away from comfort!

Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Praise God!


Well.... This trip to Korea didn't start last week, or even last month, it started years ago, when Mike and I decide to follow Christ... To follow Him wherever He would lead, to follow Him out of my comfort zone and into His plan for my family.... We know the old saying " wherever the Army sends us", but for us, we know that God is so involved in our everyday life, that He ordained this decision, and so, we follow Him! That choice lead us here! To sad goodbyes, heartache of loneliness, and a yearning for peace that only He can provide... The choice leads us to our knees! To the only place that I feel comforted when I am so far stretched from home! I cry when I think of friendships that I desire to reach out to, friendships that were left but not lost. Friendships that build stronger with distance, for prayer builds and does not seperate...I long for many things.. A place to call home; a place to lay my children down at night, a place where THEY feel settled. I long for a peace that surpasses understanding... I pray for it, and I wait expectantly, for I know He will answer!

















Amy and me.. Our "See you later" moment!


















Aunt Debbie with Michael and Lily


















Mr. Brock and Michael ( his favorite Sunday school teacher)


















All the ladies who have loved and raised my kids... Hillcrest Baptist church nursery!! I love you all!


















Having a ball jumping on the mattresses... the only things left in the house...

















Michael... sound asleep...

















Lilybug, snooping around


















Miss Allison, came to say goodbye at the hotel.. I love you girl!!!


















Kayden and Grace spinning Michael and Jake around... The only fun thing to do in a hotel!
















Taking a break!

















Michael drawing on the 14 hour plane ride!

















Kayden, as happy as could be with his new DS...

















On our layover in Chicago...


















Sweet boy!


























Trying to wheel Lily into our room from the second room.... the only way to get her to sleep was to have a seperate room for her to go down in.... then Mike had to wheel her over to our room... Sweet baby!



















In Yongsan, Korea... Our first destination...

















Beautiful!!


















The boys running free in the gardens
























Kayden at the park outside our hotel


















Michael playing in the park at the hotel in Korea

Lily was a hit to the tourists and the natives...

Really.... they love her!

Little Bit!

Dinner with friends

Kayden and Nate


Lily

Braden

Michael

Nate

Last night, we had a few friends over for playtime and dinner. Nate and Braden are a few of Michael and Kayden's favorites, so time with them is always on their list of things to do. We were blessed to get to spend the evening with them and have their mom join us for dinner. Amanda has been one of the greatest friends to me while I have been here in Alabama. A true mild and meek spirit, ( which I so desperately desire to obtain) a beautiful heart, and a love for the Lord that shines through her smile. She blesses me each time we are together and her gentle voice is always uplifting and encouraging. Everyday I am with her, she brightens my day and brings me to my knees with thankfulness to the Lord for bringing such an amazing friend into my life. A wonderful example to me of what Christ looks like... She lives, breathes, and shows the love of God to all who come near her! Thank you Jesus for blessing me with a friend and true example of what I should strive to be more like! Here are a few of the pictures I shot while our kiddos were playing!

The joy of laughter!

Today was a busy day. With the loss of an hour and the need for sleep, my house was in rare form, especially not in the shape that I would usually allow for visitors. That is if you call 14 children and 8 women visitors. The kids had a great time playing with their friends, and all the friends enjoyed taking every toy out of its original home and finding new places to house them. It was a fun time all around. Tons of coffee, muffins, angel food cake, and laughter; plus a few tantrums... It just wouldn't be the same with out them! Hope you all enjoy the pictures of the sweet children!! Happy Monday everyone!

My fabulous Michael's.... Plural!

My Angel


Rainboot kind of day..

What he does with the bubbles.. At least he has clean hands!

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles!

His imagination running wild!

I love my Michael and I love my new camera that my sweet hubby, Michael, got for me! I have had a rough couple of days with Michael being in Arizonia, so needless to say, a nice afternoon with bubbles and friends, was just what the doctor ordered! Mike and I headed out early in the morning for a little R&R. He blew soap and I shot a picture of every opportunity that came my way! It was nice to get outside and feel the cool breeze, soak up some sun, and giggle with my little man! it was much needed! Here are a few pictures from my outting outside... I just love me some Michael!