Thanksgiving reflections.....sort of.

The weirdest thing that happened this Thanksgiving was that my daughter got bit by a goat. Yeah, a goat.

For the first time, I was the designated meat cooker for the McGinnis side of the family's Thanksgiving feast. I think my ham was rather tasty, if I do say so myself. Glazing it was the most fun! I might just have to do it again next year.

I always enjoy hanging out at my in-laws house. I feel so relaxed every time I visit. Their furniture is very comfortable. Oh, and my brother-in-law makes me laugh.

I missed seeing my own brother and sister-in-law by 15 minutes. He and his wife only had a day to see both sides of the family, and....we were a little late. So, instead of embracing them and sitting down to converse, we called each other on our cell phones to determine exactly what spot of the highway we would pass one another so we could flash our lights and wave. I felt the love radiate from their Yukon across the median. That was a mighty fine wave!

When at Mom's, it's tradition that my sister and I gather all the recyclables in the house and take them to the sorting center. Antibacterial wipes are a staple in my car.

Shopping at the consignment store (with my mom and sister) brings me more joy than shopping for new clothes. It might have something to do with recycling.

Abigail slept with me both nights we were away. It was nice to snuggle with her, even if she was missing the hair and snoring fits.

I started to cut Mitch's hair with the clippers while away but his hair was so thick that I couldn't get it to cut past the front half of the top of his scalp. He had to done a baseball cap and journey to the nearest GREAT CLIPS to take care of the damage I caused. He looks handsome, mind you.

I am already disgusted at all the Christmas advertisements and commercials.

I managed to only take one day's worth of photos while at Mom's house. Unbelievable. The pictures will be posted soon.....when I get back to Mom's house to get them off her desktop! Duh.

It's 1:30 AM and I really should be in bed so my body and mind will be in a worshipful mode for church. So, goodnight!

My mother & her grands

A simple photo meant the world to my mom.

Sara Groves new release

My favorite solo artist, Sara Groves, has just released her newest album, Fireflies and Songs. Amazing! Just reading about the album made me hunger to buy it on Amazon (for $5!). It's the best purchase I've made this week! (hee hee)

...Even the unsuspecting listener will relate as the songs on this album unfold. It doesn't take long to realize that a profoundly personal look at who Sara is and where she is in life includes a vivid invitation into her most important relationships. As early as Fireflies' second song, "From This One Place," you'll pray with Sara as the melancholy beauty of her voice and ivory keys call out to God in response to tangible and recurring anxiety. The flowing, moody "Eyes Wide Open," meanwhile, is both confessional and declarative as Sara begins, "I’ve got layers of lies that I don’t even know about yet," and concludes, "When the lights come up on this town/When the thing goes down/... I wanna be telling the truth." And her marriage? The gently pleading "It's Me" is at once stark and reassuring as it paints a personal picture of the often polar push and pull couples experience as they pursue genuine relationship.

...while Sara is the first to confirm Fireflies & Songs is the "most her" musically, it's also the singer's most candid recording. "I tried not to teach on this album," she explains. "And I'm a natural-born teacher. I turn everything into a lesson--for myself, for the people around me. That's how I process my life, that's how I learn. But I wanted Fireflies & Songs to feel more like friends and I are talking at Don Pablo's over nachos and cheese. I'm trying to be more confessional, and I hope these songs encourage other people to live confessionally."

Gobble*Gobble - Happy Thanksgiving!

Advent workshop

Our sons' school celebrated Advent last Sunday after the church service and it was really quite special. I felt so undeserving to sit, watch, and listen to my children sing praises to the Lord Almighty. My prayer for my children is that they will know the Christmas season as a time when God sent his perfect son in the flesh to live on Earth, dwell among us, feel compassion toward us, and later willing die for us so that we wouldn't have to live as slaves to our sin. That's Christmas to me.

Glory to God in the highest!

He thinks he made IT happen

10 Things to Remember When Your Child is Disobedient

It's fall/Thanksgiving break which means that I'm at home everyday (thank you, Lord) with my three children. Because there's no time apart from each other there have been more arguments than usual, creating many more moments to attack their hearts with the Truth.

Ruth Simons reminded me of the gospel this morning...and I ALWAYS need reminding.

1. You disobey the Lord…and He is the perfect Father.

2. His kindness leads us to repentance.

3. God disciplines those He loves.

4. Your child’s disobedience does not measure your value any more than his obedience showcases your achievement.

5. Your child’s disobedience teaches you dependence on God.

6. And sometimes it’s more than dependence He’s after, it’s complete desperation for Him.

7. Your child is clearly a sinner, and needs to hear the truth of the Gospel, and see it lived out through you.

8. Times of correction serve to remind, or establish within your child, his own sense of need for a Savior.

9. It’s not good behavior you really desire…you want his heart.

10. Your child is a person, not a project.

Wordless Wednesday

End of soccer

Soccer season has come to an end and now it's time to take a break (yeah!). This was Andrew's second season while it was Luke's first. We think Andrew enjoyed soccer much more this year than last....and you could tell as you watched him play. He never stopped running the entire game and he scored MANY goals over their eight game schedule. When he scored, he would always lower his head and smile to the ground as he listened to the crowd clap and cheer for the team. I think he might have found his niche. I'm still in awe over how good he is on the field. But, more than his ability to learn and perform the game, I'm more proud when I see him help another, teammate or not, stand up after a hard fall. He'll even disregard the play of ball to make sure the fallen is on their feet and ready to play.

NOTE: Please know that I'm not comparing my children....only seeing their sweet differences.

Luke acquired the nickname of "soccer landscaper" during the season. Instead of being aggressive and going after the ball, he spent most of his time picking the weeds, kicking the dirt, poking the ant mounds, and looking up at planes as they took off and landed at the nearby airport. When we cheered for him and yelled his name, he would take off running - in any direction! He kept a great attitude about it all, despite that he spent much of his time never touching the ball.

Pictures that break my heart

These pictures make me even more eager to get our final adoption papers turned in!

Pumpkin sprouts

No matter what the instructions say, we always disregard them when planting seeds around the house. We took the seeds out of our pumpkin a few weeks ago and the boys decided to plant them outside in random patches of dirt. Below are the only sprouts I could find from their seed planting adventure...aren't they purty? The boys have had a blast watching the sprouts grow larger each day. Enjoy!

*giggle*giggle*

Those who know me well know that I am not a huge fan of the telephone. However, I stayed on the phone longer than usual this afternoon listening to a hilarious recording.

Thanks, Becky and Megan, for passing this giggle along.

"Need a little smile? Just call the Nestle Crunch Hotline at 1-800-295-0051. When you are asked if you want to continue in English or Spanish, just wait quietly for about 10 seconds and you will smile. Promise! (if you comment on this after listening, don't give away the surprise...) keep going and press 4 it gets even better..."

Dream Child?

During our state mandated adoption training class tonight, one of the instructors asked, "What does your dream child look like?". Some people were very open and specific about the child they saw in their head. When it came our turn I honestly answered that I hadn't imagined such details in my head. Seriously! Gosh, we just want to be parents to the parentless. I've never thought about what our possible adoptive child might look like, especially since we are open to any gender and any race.

However, there are some things that have crossed my mind and lips when thinking/talking about the wide range of children God has created who need loving homes to call their own:

1. If we were given the honor of mothering a child of color, I would have a few practical things to learn, such as braiding. My next door neighbor is African-American and I have often reminded her that if the Lord brings us a black daughter then we are going to have to celebrate with a hair-education class!

2. Luke tells me everyday that he wants Abigail to have a sister so she won't have to sleep in her room alone. He likes sharing a room with Andrew and feels safe having another breathing relative within eyesight at night. He desires Abigail to have that same comfort.

3. After the meeting late last night when I picked up Abigail from a friend's house, she looked around the empty van and said to me, "Where's my baby sister?".

4. Luke has told me that he wants to nickname his future sibling "Mickey Mouse". I told him that, although it's a cute name, the child God brings to our family will probably already have a name.

5. Andrew is desperately trying to get the fifth (empty) chair at our dining table to hold another McGinnis member. We are praying along with him!

6. Last night at the meeting, we were given a book of pictures and bios of children that are waiting for a family. It broke my heart that most of them were preteens and teenagers. Will these children ever know Christ? Will they ever be held by their mother? Will they ever be shown the wonders of a faithful and committed earthly father? If only the paperwork chase would move faster.....

7. Missy's words have spoken my heart. Missy adopted internationally while we are adopting domestically. Either way, this is also my response when I'm asked this question:

Q: Why do you want to adopt?

A: The short answer: We want more children. There are children who want parents. Voila.

The long answer: God placed a love of adoption on both of our hearts before we ever met..... We are blessed, honored and humbled to mimic our Father in this manner: to choose a child who is not of us, to call him or her our own, and make him or her our beloved heir - in the same way that the Lord did for us via the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.

There are 147 million orphans in the world. That number makes me weep. I would mother all of them if I could. I can't. But I can mother at least one.

7. November is National Adoption month....will you pray with us? (Desiring God)


Psalm 68:5
Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.

Galatians 4:6-7
And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Wordless Wednesday

Saying "bye" for now

The Wilsons have been members of our church for 27 years. Just a few short months ago, they announced that they would be moving from our city to live closer to their family in the Atlanta area. We are thrilled that they will be able to now see their grandchildren more often, receive visits from their own children regularly, and get a new place to live....but our church family is sad to see them go. It will really feel "weird" not to have this sweet, dedicated, godly couple in our presence every week.

We love you Emma and AT! You are a wonderful example of devotion to our Father. It's seen in your love for him and in your love for each other. Wow.....married for over 50 years, too!

Baby shower for Danielle

Danielle (and Joe) is pregnant with her first child and is due in just a few months. Our church family had fun celebrating with her and her extended family tonight. Isn't Danielle just radiant? Joe's not bad either.

Best friends....they are a hoot when together. Wild women!

College friends from NGCSU.

Admirers of the funeral fan.

Still up

Yeah, that's right....I'm blogging at 1:13 AM. Wanna know why? My baby girl has decided that she no longer wants to sleep more than five hours at a time (I feel your pain, Becky).

Happy teary video

Get ready to cry....this is amazing.

Update on Luke: dentist

We took Luke to the dentist again.
Nitrous oxide up the nostrils did send
But nothing was accomplished...again.
*Sigh* Husband and I are at our wits end.

Crafting and words to ponder

It rained ALL DAY today. The boys were restless as they are used to being able to run and play outside in the afternoons. They kept themselves entertained by watching a movie, playing with their cars and trains, competing in a game of Memory, and getting crafty with Bingo markers.

They each said two things today that really struck my heart:

Andrew: Mom, even though it's raining, every day is a pretty day because God made it.

Luke: Mama, I know all the Fruits of the Spirit. Wanna hear them? They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Thanks, Andrew, for reminding me of God's goodness. It's in the rain today that he nourished the earth and gave me rest.

Thanks, Luke, for listening to God's Word and hiding it in your heart. Your little ears surely hear what we speak and read!

35th birthday

Thanks to my precious little ones and to my fantastic husband, I had a great 35th birthday celebration. Mitch gave me three hours to myself on Saturday night...and it was glorious - don't laugh at how I spent it....grocery shopping at Target & Wal-Mart! I was ALONE, people! A-L-O-N-E!!! Ahhhhhhh..........

Jesus ever abiding friend
My soul's rest and journey's end
Blameless one who erased my sin
For eternity
Comfort through my deepest pain
Love that sees beyond my shame
Christ the sweetest dearest name
That my heart has ever known

-Keith Getty

She likes chicken

Mom, I think you should take this photo with you on your next trip to Mississippi when you visit "Chicken Bone" hill / church.

Founder's Day at Callaway

Today was Founder's Day at Callaway Gardens (meaning: Mr. Callaway's birthday). Every year this is a FREE ADMISSION day so our family spent the afternoon and early evening hours walking around Callaway picking up spiders, watching butterflies, skipping rocks, running on trails, spotting vegetables in the garden, feeding the fish and ducks, hunting for chipmunks (and a snake *ugh*), identifying plants and trees, and laughing together.

7 Quick Takes

I've been uninspired to blog lately. This cooler weather is enticing the kids outside so I'm happily busy watching them play. You would think I'd take my camera outside with me but I often forget since I'm usually busy throwing a football with Andrew, hitting the baseball with Luke, and pushing Abigail around in her little car. So, I'll make this post short, random, and quick.

1. I've had my cell phone for three years and it's been good to me. It's survived many drops until this past week. The front LCD screen broke and it suddenly changed the way I used my phone. Seeing that it was past due for a free upgrade, Mitch and I made a trip to the Verizon store where I got a totally different phone. I've been pleased with it thus far. Maybe it will last me another three years.

2. At the breakfast table this morning, I asked Luke if he slept well last night. He responded by saying yes and then proceeded to tell me about a dream he'd had. He said he dreamed of three happy carrots sitting on his plate and how he decided to make them taste better by sprinkling them with cereal and honey. Hmmmmmm....interesting. Maybe he'll be a chef one day. I just hope his recipes improve.
3. I've been visiting my dentist one to two times a month for what seems like the past year. I only have one visit left, though! It will be nice to go back to just booking appointments for annual cleanings. Then again, there is a lot of Halloween candy still left in the house.


4. I'm a little partial to the New Balance brand. They make my feet feel yummy good. I remember the actual trip that Mitch and I took to a popular shoe store in our city of Birmingham, AL, to take advantage of a Buy One Get One free sale on New Balance tennis shoes. That trip took place in the year 2000. I've been wearing those shoes for the past nine years (not everyday, of course), even when they should have been replaced well into their second year. The soles have finally fallen off and we decided it was definitely time for another pair (ya think?). Thank goodness for Marshall's. They had New Balance tennis shoes on sale for $35! Happy birthday to me!
5. I brush my teeth at Mitch's sink in the bathroom. I don't know why but it's the only part of my morning and evening hygiene routine that I don't do at my own sink. Oh yeah, and I think I've already posted that I am not to be touched when I'm brushing my teeth. Mitch has learned this but my eyes remind him if I sense he's forgotten.

6. Where did October go?

7. Are you happy now, Elaine?.....that wasn't so short afterall.