WE HAVE WORDS!

It's official.

Miles is talking.

Well, talking might be a bit of an exaggeration.

Miles is saying words.

Sign language is still our main form of communication, but he is adding new sounds/words every week.

We are struggling big time with behavior stuff, but for today, we are celebrating the little things. The baby steps. We are celebrating the gift of words!

:: Miles eating an ah-po ::

THE 'FRO

Miles' hair is crazy so we finally caved in and got it cut.

It was time.

I was in complete denial, but it really needed to be done.

His ends were getting dry and knotted real easy, making getting ready in the mornings a bit of a nightmare. So, in an effort to make it healthier, we cut it.

I really did not think he would do good.

I had braced myself for the worst.

So, my super fabulous hair girl came in before the salon opened to cut down on noise and we armed ourselves with a bag full of candy, toys, books, and electronics. Turns out, all we needed was a lollipop. Well, two to be exact.

:: All picked out and ready to go ::

:: Miles getting his hair cut like a big boy ::

:: Two lollipops later, all done ::

CHRISTMAS BAND CONCERT

Alex is in the 6th grade band this year at school. I was surprised when he told me he wanted to try band because he's never been into music, but he loves it. It's his favorite class.

He plays the trombone and actually really good.

I now know more about the trombone than I thought I ever would.

I found one at a flea market, had a couple of dints removed from the slide, and it has turned out to be a nice starter instrument for him (for a fraction of the cost). I love flea markets!

The Christmas Band Concert was tonight and the students did a great job!

:: Alex getting his music ready ::

:: Alex introducing the 2nd song ::

:: The brass section ::

READ THESE POSTS IF...

...you are praying about adoption or foster care.

...you are in the process of adopting.

...you have adopted.

Seriously, you have to read them.

They are so good!

• Don't Adopt! by Russell Moore, author of 'Adopted for Life'
• Adoption is about taking on risk... by John Knight
• After the Airport by Jen Hatmaker

LOVE IS A CHOICE

I am married to the most amazing man in the world.

I don't deserve him.

But I am better because of him.

He lives out Jesus to me.

He's not perfect.

But he is quick to extend grace, love and forgiveness.

He knows my flaws and my shortcomings and loves me anyway.

He forgives when I don't deserve it.

He's quick to say sorry, even when it's my fault.

And he doesn't hold a grudge.

Who does that?

My man, that's who.

By choosing to love me as Christ loved the church, Jesus shines.

Which makes me want to be more like Jesus to him.

Which makes me better. And our marriage better.

All because he made a choice.

I am so blessed to have a man who is willing to lead.

He leads gently.

By example.

After we got married, he told me that if I leave him he's going with me.

I thought it was funny.

He makes me laugh.

But 15 years later,

I am surprised at the security that statement has brought me.

Because I know they aren't empty words.

He means it.

The statement comes from a place of insecurity for him, but God has used it in our marriage to get us to the place to not only say we are all in, but to live it. To choose it. To fight for it.

So, good, bad, or ugly,

'till death do us part' is the only way we are getting out of this marriage.

And I love that.

Today isn't special.

It isn't the day we met, our first date or our anniversary.

It's just a Monday.

And today, we choose love.

THE HAIR...

I love Miles' hair.

LOVE IT!

But it is Crazy with a capital C!

Fixing Miles' hair in the mornings is usually a battle, so when days come around where I can put it off until after his nap I jump at the chance.  He has serious bed head so it helps to only have to fix it once.

Even though putting it off until later in the day is an option (an option that we only take when we don't have to leave the house), his hair MUST be done everyday.  If not, it is a tangled mess the next day.  Not only do we have to get the knots out, but we also have to empty it of any stored food.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Miles uses his big beautiful curly hair as food storage.

Not by accident.

On purpose.

It's not hard to see the food if it's a potato chip, like the picture below, but when it's something like chocolate cheerios, it could be a couple of days before we find them.  And that may have actually happened, but I would be too embarrassed to tell you if it did :)

SOMEONE GOT A TIN GRIN TODAY...