A Before and After...

This is Isaac a few weeks before he got his braces on almost 2 1/2 years ago.

And here is Isaac the day before he was going to get his braces off.

And finally for the big reveal.....

One handsome young man if I do say so myself!!  And one down..probably 3 more to go! :)

What Every Mom Wants....

Well at least this mom was touched by it...

When Isaac called me from the Miami airport to say that they were safe back in the US from Haiti, he could hear in my voice - or lack there of - that I was sick.

When he and my dad showed up the next day Isaac handed me these. He said they were because he felt bad I was sick and because he was bringing me a ton of laundry to do from his trip!

Isn't that sweet?!

He is such a thoughtful kid and I am so blessed to be able to be his mom!

If you didn't see it earlier - please check out this link about another Isaac I know who is very sick and in need of prayer. There is a prayer meeting at our old church happening tonight at 6:30pm. Will you please join me at that time in lifting another mom's son up?

Thank you friends!

In Which I Give Up Control

In a few very short hours (3am to be exact) Isaac will be getting up and getting ready for his second trip to Haiti.  I am so very excited for this opportunity for him and so proud of him that he has a heart to go in the first place.

But this mama's heart is also feeling scared.

If you haven't guessed it yet I am kind of one of those people who likes to have control of their environment. (Just a little) ;)

When my kids are close, I have the illusion of being able to control what happens to them. But when they get on a plane and fly to 3 airports, across a body of water and into a foreign country(even if he is with family)...well my ability to control goes out the window.

And so I must offer him back to the One who gave him to me in the first place.

And trust....

I truly hope this is an amazing experience for Isaac. I want God to reach in and move his heart in a BIG way. Trips like these can provide such perspective and I hope that he comes back changed.

Just come back safely....there I said it.

That is probably the biggest fear that I have - even when I travel away myself....

But I know that I can't be living in fear - not for me or for Isaac. That isn't what God calls me to do.

Matthew 6:27 "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

So tonight I physically open my hands...and once again give up control.  The act of actually holding open my hands reminds me that I don't have the reins anymore. That I am offering them up to God and asking that He take control.

So tonight and for the next week I covet your prayers. Prayers for Isaac and my dad and the rest of the team travelling together. Prayers for the people of Haiti that they will have an opportunity to spend time with. Prayers that their hearts will be open to God's leading and that they all may feel His presence in all they have before them. And prayers for safe travels during their entire trip.

Communication will be sparce througout the week but as I get updates I will share them here.  Thank you for loving my family and supporting them in prayer. It means so much to me!!

Happy Birthday Isaac!

I can hardly believe that my firstborn son is 15 already!! Where did the time go and how can he possibly be that old when I haven't aged a bit! ;)

Isaac is a great kid. He is kind and considerate.  

He studies hard and does great in school.

He has always been a great big brother. All of the kids adore him.

He is funny and inquisitive.

When we had Isaac we had no idea what being a parent would be like.  We weren't prepared for our roles. But in spite of the downfalls we have had as parents - Isaac has exceeded our expectations.

He has grown and matured so much these past few years and I love looking at these older photos of him.

Dominic jokes now about where this other man in the house has come from....he certainly doesn't look like this innocent young man anymore! :)

Isaac we have been blessed by the past 15 years. You are an amazing son and we consider it an honor to be your parents! I can't wait to see what this year will bring for you!

Happy Birthday!

First Day of School

To say that I was anxious about today for the kids is an understatement. Since we took the leap of faith and moved this was one of the days that I was both looking forward to and worried about.

I knew that once school started the boys would hopefully meet some friends, but I also knew that starting out in a new district would be difficult.

Gabriel was all ready to start 2nd grade. He told me he was a little nervous though and wondered if anyone would talk to him.

Insert the sound of mom's breaking heart. I was absolutely crying once I got home from dropping him off. Lots and lots of prayers were said all day long for both of them.

It was around noon when I realized that Isaac would be having lunch soon and probably wouldn't have someone he "knew" to sit with.  I said more prayers then....I can't imagine starting high school and not recognizing anyone in your classes.

They are both very brave in my eyes. It takes courage to tread in unknown waters. To walk down crowded hallways and not recognize anyone. I am so proud of them both.

Gabriel said he had a great day. He didn't get in trouble(his words) and got to have a cheeseburger for lunch - Score! 

Isaac wasn't late for any of his classes and said that they have "real" food here for lunch...so that is a good thing! The worst part is probably that it seems like everyone else has someone that they know...which makes the whole high-school transition easier.

We will get there. Hopefully before long school and the people there will feel like "home" like the rest of Marshall does. Until then the prayers will continue to be sent up!

How was your "first day" experience? Or if you haven't had it yet...do you have fears/worries that I could pray about for you? God Bless friends!