THIRTYONE

I am 31 today!
This has been an AWESOME birthday. I think usually birthday's are hit or miss for me depending on my expectations... this year was a BIG HIT!!!
My morning started off with my hubby helping me get the kids ready for the day.
THEN... my mom came over and CLEANED the WHOLE house spotless! Whoo Hoo!
Then I went out and met my precious girlfriend for a birthday lunch at Te Kei's.
After the kids woke up from their naps the weather was perfect! We played in the backyard and cleaned up the backporch.
When Adam came home from work he told me that we were going out to dinner. Two times out in one day! He gave me a few options... I chose Villa Ravenna in the Farm Shopping Center- YUMMO and great ambiance. Here is our birthday self-pic.
He got some smooches for my presents: A replacement c.d. of Memories of a Geisha- one of my favorites that broke, Peony in Love by Lisa See- an author I love and a giftcard for a massage. Adam's parents and my dad gave some cash for cloths and such. I mean was I spoiled or what- a goooooooood birthday!
There was a huge mirror in the waiting area. We took all kinds of funny and silly pictures. This one made us laugh SO hard. Can you see why???
Check out Adam's HORNS! Here we are laughing at his little devil self.
My mom's birthday is in 2 days and she asked for some earrings. I LOVE making earrings (one of many things I have learned from the Perryman family) so I got to work. Fifteen earrings later her gift was complete! I wrapped a cereal box with pretty paper and cut slits for the earrings to slide through- Love you mommy!
Lots has changed since I was 30. It is amazing how much can change in such a short amount of time. Here are just a few...

We traveled to Vietnam and now have a son.
Started a US domestic process for more kiddos.
Gained friends and lost friends.
More serious about the Lord.
Intentional about working on my behaviors.

Oh man, I could seriously flood a boring list here.
But most of all I am very grateful for LIFE. That I am healthy, loved and whole. God shows me everyday that I cannot *cannot* do anything, a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g, without HIM. If you think you can, you amaze me, but I cannot. I cannot think, parent, drive, fly, be still, be brave, love or be at peace without my Jesus.

"For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water." Revelation 7:17

A BLOG AWARD!

A BLOG AWARD!

1. Recognize who sent the award to you and add a link to their page
2. Tell 10 things about yourself
3. Award fellow bloggers

Amanda and I have known each other for over 10 years now. She has a precious family and is an amazing woman. It is my honor to call her my friend. Thank you for the award!

1. I have lots of weird pet peeves, most no one knows. Here is one: Like why some mom’s do not use the diaper to wipe some of the poop off their baby’s bottom before they use wipes? I don’t get that? Why use 100 wipes really…

2. I used to be VERY regimented in the shower. First do this, then this, then that. Always the same. Then I lived with a roommate who told me she took a different shower every day. Now I do too- its so liberating. Wild- I know.

3. I am constantly working on things. I work on things on the outside… like paintings, sewing, crafts with my kids, etc and working on things on the inside like anxiety, anger, irritability and bitterness on the inside every day.

4. I love every color, I mean LOVE, like some colors make me want to scream with joy. But I rarely like purple. I do not own any purple item in my home or wardrobe. And guess what, my daughters favorite color right now is purple.

5. I only liked cooking after a few years of marriage. Adam loves to cook, along with every member of his family, now I think it is the best gift God ever created. A good meal cannot, cannot be beat!

6. I love being a multi-cultural family. I have heard the WORST comments and yet have had the most beautiful comments from strangers, family and friends. I truly think that adoption is a special gift and I cannot believe that our family was chosen to experience its awesomeness.

7. This is my third year being a stay at home mom. I have days I LOVE it. I just look at my kids and go crazy for them. But when they are having a bad day… uhhh, I dream of being elsewhere. Badmommy!

8. I am rarely complimented on my appearance. If I am complimented it is always my eyebrows. I have been stopped many times over by strangers asking me how I do them. Other than that it is usually a comment about my name or something I have made.

9. Adam and I have everything in common and yet are SOOO completely different. Don’t know how it works sometimes but God knew the man for me. Although I will say we did not come in the “package” either of us ever expected for a future spouse. (Looks, job, personality)

10. I have LOTS of dreams. Both at night and those I want to accomplish. God speaks to me through my dreams, its really amazing when things foretold come to pass. And I have a list of dreams I would like to see happen someday, to name a few: live in Vietnam, write a book, speak to 1,000’s of women, raise kids to love Jesus, see the blind set free and have a pixy short blonde haircut.

Well that is off the top of my head. I am sure I could actually sit and think about this for awhile, but there is no time to stop and think! Just write and publish! 

As for others: Hummm. I actually check a lot of blogs so this is hard. I'll tell you what: If you check my blog, you get an award!
Leave me a comment and I will check up on 10 fun things about you.

Natasha

My Week In Prose

Monday we pampered a precious friend
Along with her 4 day old baby the stork just flew in
Then lunch with a girlfriend talking about adoption
We both agree it is the greatest option

Tuesday little girl was off to school
Where she is praised for following the golden rule
I went off to make homemade baklava
With my sweet friend named Talksalotta

Oh by Wed we were all emotional and down
Family time was spent playing hookie around town
Life can be hard when we spend no time on our knees
Oh my word my dog has FLEES

Thursday Parents As Teachers stopped by
Talking discipline, games and milestones oh my
Then I spent the afternoon cutting and sewing
Their Halloween costumes will be quite a showing

Friday was a Wal-Mart trip
I wanted to beat the cart guy with a whip
Then off to dance, the post office and making dinner
The semi-homemade pizza was a super winner

Saturday is our final DHS adoption training
The gift of a new child we will be gaining
So thankful for our faithful babysitter
No, I have yet to use the program twitter

Sunday no doubt church will be a blessin
Lunch, naps and our Vietnamese lesson
A family birthday party we will be attending
New mercies for the next week God will be lending


Looking forward to some craft updates!
Have a great weekend,

Natasha