learning to love well...

i constantly think about what i want to be when i grow up...

and i find that most often... my answers look alot like my children. 

as messed up, confused and frustrating as they can be...

i couldn't be more proud of them. 

we are one year and a half behind our last adoption 

and it is beginning to feel a little settled again. 

everyone (including me) is learning how to love one another...

in the way that speaks to them.

this kind of love can be overwhelming, because,

 it often doesn't feel normal and comes at a cost.

it is taxing, tiring and down right hard at times...

but it is worth it. 

the last few months have ran together...

in august... all eight went in 4 different directions.

patrick to back to birmingham southern

jordan preparing for her internship in guatemala

5 to private school

and one to public school:

 and skyler turned 15 and started driving:

then jordan and i traveled with a group to Haiti to love on the babies:

in september stephen turned 15:

 and jordan decided God was leading her to mississippi college after guatemala:

 

and now its october and emily just turned 13:

 and jordan leaves tomorrow for her internship!

in each and every situation and life circumstance...

loving has looked different. 

we haven't done it perfect, or in some cases even great,

however, we did do it!

we have loved the best we know how...

the only way we know how...

with time and presence...

laughter and tears...

joy and sorrow...

chocolate and caffeine...

hugs and kisses...

lots of counseling...

Holding onto to Jesus day by day! 

we still have lots to learn...

but we are willing students :)