Project 366 {Week Five}

January 29: Front Yard Football

It was so warm out today, of course they had to be outdoors…in shorts, t-shirts and sleeveless dresses!

January 30: Nature Center

Another gorgeous day…today it was all things Nature Center, so much to see and learn there!

January 31: Happy Second Birthday Eddy

Two years ago this gorgeous heart throb was born and a few short weeks later, he became the bandaid for our hurting hearts when he became ours! We had the pick of the litter and I will say he is the best dog our family could have ever asked for! We all just love him to total bits. Also, he apparently didn’t remember his first birthday complete with a “cake” and party hat because poor thing thought he was in trouble when we put his two layer steak cake in front of him this year, lol!

February 1: Haylee & Robert

“What if life didn’t go as we had planned…

What if life was never supposed to go as we had planned…

What if our lives were always supposed to come together to bring God the most glory through a story only He could write…

What If…”

Two weeks and one day shy of two years ago, these beautiful babies moved from our home into their forever home with whom today became their forever family! Our hearts were shattered because we had planned to be their forever home and their forever family. We never intended to be a stepping stone…

The following is in part something I wrote to their sweet forever momma when I learned their adoption day was finally set in stone…

I was rooting for this day for them long before they were with us and I have quietly prayed for this day to come every day since they left us. I have processed a very complex range of emotions for the last two years and with time it's been easier to see God’s divine hand and now ultimately His Master Plan because although it didn't go the way we thought it would/were told it would and although our intentions were TO BE their forever...we see it now as God used us to be a final stepping stone TO their forever. I never planned to be used that way. I would have told God “NO!” and, in fact, thought I had taken all precautions and measures from the very beginning to ensure there would be no future loss, hurt or grief as that season of my life had already held so much of those things. I couldn't handle more heartache and loss at that point in time. But sometimes, I guess, you don't get a choice in how He chooses to use you. And guess what? l'd do it all the exact same again for them, if need be, to get them to this place of forever with this beautiful family! I am truly thrilled for these children I once called my own, I am thrilled for the opportunity to love them forever as family, I am thrilled to support this family of five in any way we are able in the future and I am so very thankful for a God who so beautifully worked all things for their good and His glory. He gave me a promise for these babies and myself when they first came to live with me… Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” This verse hangs on a large frame over our mantle. And my heart rejoices in how beautifully He has kept that promise.

February 2: Silly Seeley Turns Six

This little fiery spit-fire firecracker “baby” of ours just turned S-I-X today and boy did we have such a great time celebrating him! He is a super big Chiefs fan and I think he had the Happiest Birthday ever being celebrated with everything he wanted most! Gosh, I love this crazy, crazy kiddo! He is THE most fun, the most crazy, the most rambunctious, the most sweetest and the most loving little six year old boy in the world. He didn’t get his nickname “Bruiser” by accident…he goes into every day full throttle and makes me hold my breath always! He amazes me with his creative bright mind! 

Happy Birthday Seeley!!! 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡

P.S. Yes, I realize now that I am a crazy momma and sewed his Chiefs apron upside down and literally never once noticed until the day after his birthday while looking at a photo! I had a brain fart and honestly never even gave the pattern a single thought, so I guess I got lucky and cut mine out correctly.

February 3: Not My Circus But They Are My Monkeys

January 31: Football Fun In The Sun

I completely forgot to even pick up my camera once on February 4th, so I’ll use this extra set from January 31st as it’s placeholder! James has really been working on his kick and I’m pretty impressed with our Baby Butker!