The Heart of it

It's so easy to get overwhelmed by life. It's so easy to forget. Yesterday I was grieved and unsettled and overwhelmed. But today God reminded me. Why I'm here, what's important, what I'm fighting for, what His heart is for. His heart is for so many things but one that he has shared with me is adoption.  It's seeing orphans in family. It's seeing people doing what they were created for.  It's seeing others come alive in Christ.
The first time God gave me a glimpse of his heart for orphans was when I was 20, that was 15 years ago.  I spent 6 weeks in an orphanage living and breathing the most beautiful children and people.  It was the first time I felt the deep love of God for myself and the fatherless.  
I left those 10 year old boys and ached for the families they would not have.
That was the beginning. I'm so amazed that I am still on this road and that all along the way God has been putting dreams in my heart that are coming true!
Adopting 2 kids, watching praying and waiting for others bringing orphans into family
Watching God use Roosters who cry hope, and then give that hope away
Building a family, giving me a voice
But there is a revival in my heart for more.
It's time

Crowns and Daughters

Being a mom is definitely the hardest thing I have done so far in my life, being a mom to a daughter has been even harder... if that's possible.  I am constantly humbled, always challenged, and most days richly rewarded in this role as mom.  It pushes me way past my limits and it is always teaching me something amazing about myself and the God that loves me deeply.
So today in honor of my daughter who is teaching me grace and mercy I post this birthday crown I made her a few weeks ago.

It is simple and anyone can make it with supplies around the house.

I first used thick scrapbook paper and measured the size I wanted, I hot glued lace onto it because I love to hot glue everything and I love to put lace on everything!
Then I made the paper flower by accordion folding an old book page, then attached a wire in middle and glued together the ends of the paper!

The black flower and lace flower I just made out of old material I had, using my glue gun to create the flower of course, you could attach a button, bead or any cute bobble you have laying around.
I absolutely love to create gifts for others, especially my kids.  They really only appreciate it for like 10 seconds before moving on to something else, but there is something really great about making something out of random things around my laundry room.

There she is, my little princess in her birthday crown

Art of the Ordinary take 1

I have been dreaming for months now about finally getting my blog back up.  After many failed attempts to bring it back to life, I am letting go and starting new.

This year I have been given courage from friends and my great hubs Dan, to do what I love.  To put myself out there, to dream and create.  God has put in Dan and I a few dreams that are starting to run together. You can see them starting to take shape at The Rooster Party and Love Orphans.

So this is the beginning, welcome to my spot where I will share my ordinary life and dreams which God has turned into art.