New Traditions

I loved Easter Egg Hunts growing up!  There was something kind of magical about running around and finding that brightly colored egg hidden in the inside of a tree or underneath a porch or chair cushion.  Then, not only did you find the egg, but you usually popped it open to see what kind of gem was inside--hopefully chocolate!  Now, I know this isn't the real reason we celebrate Easter.  Believe me, I'm one of those people pushing the whole "Remember the reason for the season!" saying.  But, I wanted Ryan to experience this magic while learning the true meaning behind this very important holiday.

I decided I wanted to have an Easter party and egg hunt for our friends and hopefully make it an annual thing.  I planned it for weeks and stalked out the cutest ideas on Pinterest until I finally reeled it in and went with just a few of the things I'd pinned. ;)  Maybe next year (behind Josh's back!) I can go a little more overboard!

One thing that was very important to me was that the younger kids didn't lose sight of why we were celebrating together.  So, I stuffed 60 eggs with candy, jelly beans, and a various Bible verses to help them understand why Jesus died on the cross.  It was for US--and that is something we should never, ever forget.

Here are just a few pics from our fun afternoon.  The chilly weather didn't get in the way of a great time.  I can't wait to do it again next year!

Bunny Butt cookies--what did I DO before Pinterest?!?

I cannot get OVER how big my sweet girl looks here! :(

I could kiss Liam's sweet cheeks all day!

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Brotherly Love :)

The Straits!

The Roscoes!  I think Blair was kind of over it at this point ;)

Besties with their babies

Happy Easter, from our family to yours!  HE is risen and every day we should thank HIM for saving us.

Sweet Surprises

Let me start by saying this isn't a post to brag.  I'm not trying to boast nor do I think I'm above anyone because of the content in this post.  I'm sharing this for a couple of reasons:
1)  This blog is a way for me to (try) document my life and the important people and events in it.
2)  I hope this story will help at least one person see it doesn't matter how big or how small you serve God and those around you--it's ALL meaningful to Him.
3)  I would love to start a nonprofit one day and this may be the very basis of the idea behind a future endeavor.  I never want to forget WHY I started this.

I got an idea a few months ago at church.  I'd been struggling with how to serve and be a "light" to others.  I felt I had no special talents or that I couldn't do anything that would make a difference.  It finally hit me.  I don't have to be the greatest at many things or the best at just one thing--that's not important to God.  What's important is that we help others through Him, so He receives the glory.  If all of us could lead just ONE PERSON to God, imagine the impact that would have!

I like to bake but I had never considered myself a "baker."  At least, not one that would stand out.  I decided to shut off the negative voice in my head and give it a go.  I wanted to bake birthday cakes for students at my school who might not receive one otherwise.  I drafted a permission slip for families to sign, shared my plan with the principal and, with her consent and encouragement, spoke to the staff and Sweet Surprises was underway!

I went to Michael's like 5 times in one week for cake decorating supplies.  I watched YouTube videos and pinned like nobody's business.  Within a week I had my first cake request.  I stayed up until midnight baking and tinting icing and piping out various designs until I decided on the one I wanted to use.  I smiled through the entire process, imagining that sweet student's face the following day.

                                                                  My first "ombre" cake.

The cake turned out great (personal opinion, not professional).  The teacher feedback was very positive and the students even said it was, "too pretty to eat."  While all of these things made me very happy, a feeling of reward shouldn't be the reason behind this idea.  As I baked the cake, I prayed somehow this child would know that God loved her.  That no matter what her life had been like or would be like, she had a heavenly father who loved her and whose birthday would forever be a special, important day to him.  HE would never forget her birthday or not care about that day, for that day was a day one of His children came into the world.

I don't know that these children will think about God when they receive their cake.  And, because of the way public school systems run, I can't talk about God to them or tell them how much He loves them.  I can pray for them and I do.  I hope you'll pray for these kiddos, too.  I also hope this story will help you realize no matter WHAT you do, you have the ability to share the grace and love of God with another.  It's not the size of the offering, it's the reason behind the offering.

                                                                     Serious face.

One of my favorite parts and the last thing I do--write this note to the students and tape it to the cake box so they read it first before digging in.

The Big ONE!

A little over two months later, but who's keeping track?  We celebrated Ryan Michelle's 1st birthday in August.  It was hot.  VERY hot.  And sticky.  And totally magical and I wouldn't have had it any other way!

In the months leading up to the "Big One," I had put a little too much stress on myself thinking about where to have the party, how many people to invite, what foods to provide, etc.  I worried with decorations and what outfit she'd wear.  Once it was decided we'd have the party at our house, that added a new level of stress.  I spent all week before her birthday cleaning every nook and cranny of our house only to realize no one cared what our house looked like and my "no shoes in the house" rule went out the window within the first five guests' arrival.  

About ten minutes into the party, I finally got it.  This day wasn't about gifts or food or matching plates and napkins.  It wasn't about cute tissue paper puffs or an outfit that coordinated with the colors of her party.  It wasn't about clean lines in the carpet or all the food coming out of the oven at the perfect time. 

It was a celebration of one amazing year of life.  It was a celebration of this beautiful, smart, wild little girl who came into our lives and has forever changed us.  She's changed my mind, heart, and the way I look at the world.  It was a wonderful and perfect day filled with family and friends and I am so glad I "got it" in time to enjoy the moment.  

Two hours flew by and before I knew it, we were saying our goodbyes at the door and left with a messy house and plenty of cleaning to do.  I've never been so happy and satisfied to have the mess that I had that day.

Thank you, Lord, for our sweet little miracle and ALL the future messes she will hopefully create. :)

Ryan's adorable 1st birthday sign and the BEST book about adoption ever!

A look back over the last 11 months :)

It's too pretty to eat, so we'll just hug it out.

A picture--and moment--I never want to forget...

Happy, happy birthday sweet boo.  We love you so much more than any party could ever show!

2 Years and Celebrating

Our second anniversary was last Saturday.  We had promised each other we weren't going to do gifts, so we decided on a card.  I didn't really think we'd end up doing much of anything that day or night because Josh has been very busy flipping a house.  A couple days before, he told me he had a sitter lined up for Saturday night and I needed to be ready by 5.  I LOVE surprises!  Josh can't ever hold things in but he did a good job of keeping his plan to himself. :)

We left Ryan in the wonderful care of two of Josh's aunts, his grandmother, and his god-daughter.  They were all laughing and having a ball when we walked out the door, which made me feel so at ease leaving her all evening.  Josh warned me that the surprise was "nothing big" but something he thought I'd enjoy.

We ate at Bar Louie on our very first date, and the Lexington location has since gone out of business.  I was so disappointed when it closed!  So, he took me to the one in Newport at Newport on the Levee.  On the way to the restaurant, we listened to a playlist he'd created of all the songs that were special to us in some way or songs that reminded me of him.  The very first one--the one he'd burned onto a CD a  year ago and left in my car for me--was by Lee Brice.  It's called "A Woman Like You."  I immediately got all teary-eyed.  Man, this boy is something special.

After a great meal, we went to Gameworks and acted like we were 10.  I crushed him at Air Hockey (wink, wink) and we drove Harleys and Hummers very recklessly.  I almost got sucked into Skee Ball but realized there was nothing I truly wanted to buy with the thousands of tickets that come out of the machines. ;)

No, we didn't go to some fancy, white tablecloth restaurant and spend $150 on our meal but we had a blast.  His thoughtful date night was planned with love and there's not anywhere else I would've rather been.

I know I've said it before, but I've made many mistakes in my life.  I spent many years being a person I never thought I'd be making all sorts of bad decision, mistakes, and taking the wrong path.  I thank God every SINGLE day for bringing Josh to me and for him helping me to become the person I always wanted to be, the person who was deep down inside but just didn't know how to find the light.  We don't always get what we deserve and I definitely am not getting what I deserve---Josh is SO much more than I've ever deserved.  And I'm so very happy he's mine.

What a stud!

Not exactly motorcycle appropriate attire.

I had to drive the Hummer b/c Josh's legs wouldn't fit to touch the gas pedal!

A Daddy First

We had another first this past weekend, but it wasn't something that was a "first" for Ryan.  It was a first for Josh--his very first Father's Day.  We started the day off at Southland Christian, then just hung out around the house and went to my parent's to cook out that evening.  It was great to spend the day as a family, but the most wonderful part was seeing Josh with Ryan.  I knew what an amazing man God had blessed me with literally from our first date, but to see him as a father makes me look at him in a new light.  He's taken so many life experiences--the good and bad--and used them to help him become a terrific father.  I just know his mom is smiling down at him and beaming at a what an incredible man and father he's become.  His wonderful grandmother and aunts and uncle raised him well and now he gets to pass on all he's learned to our sweet blessing.  God is good.  ALL THE TIME! :)

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of my two sweeties together.  Just looking at how big she's gotten makes me teary as I type.

Principal certification sure is exhausting!

First family photo session--Daddy's girl in the making. :)

Ryan was so tiny!  Her little legs didn't even fill out the onesie.  The teacher in Daddy wanted to get her off to a good start!

Day 1--when it all began.  Look at his face.  100% smitten, as every Daddy should be.

What THIS Mother's Day Means to Me

What better time to make my blogging return than on THIS special day?!?!  Today is a day of celebrations.  I celebrate my own mother, who has been our family's rock for as long as I can remember.  She is the picture of joy.  Storm clouds in the distance on our beach vacation, you say?  "Oh, it will pass.  We will just watch a movie then we will have all afternoon to hang out on the beach."  A crush isn't interested in you?  "He's silly anyway--who wouldn't want a gorgeous gal like you?!"  A broken arm on the first day of summer break?  "We will just decorate your cast and make it really pretty and wrap it in a trash bag when you go swimming.  It will be off in NO time, kiddo!"  The ever-present, glass 3/4 full optimist and I love every square inch of her.  She's held my hand through thick and thin, supported my dad during his health issues with diabetes and heart disease, and encouraged my brother as he got older and the job market got smaller.  She is my biggest fan, constant supporter, and the kindest, most loving, loyal, and supportive person I know.  For some reason, God chose her to be mine. :)

I celebrate Josh's mother, whose life was taken in a senseless robbery a month before his 2nd birthday.  What a man he has turned out to be.  I know she is looking down on him just beaming with pride and admiration and her heart is filled with love for the little boy she once knew who has turned into an amazing man, teacher, friend, husband, and father.  How I wish they could have had more time together.  Who knows why these things happen?  Only God, and as tough as it may seem, it isn't for us to question.  It makes me smile to think of the day they will be reunited again and have all of eternity to catch up with one another.

I celebrate Josh's grandmother, who took him in the day his mother died and never left his side.  She raised him to be the wonderful person he is today and always shared her strong Christian beliefs, guiding him to continue on the right path.  She raised five children of her own and has already had to bury two of them.  She has seen more than a fair share of heartache, but life isn't about fairness.  She continues to look to God and has never turned from Him, even in her darkest times.  She is someone to admire and aspire to be like and I'm so thankful to have her in my life.

And today I also celebrate me.  Today is a day I thought I might never get to celebrate.  I distinctly remember the tears flowing on this day last year, then feeling shallow and selfish because I had made such an important day into something about myself and what my life was missing.  When my angel was sent to me last August, my whole world changed.  And now, on this day every year, I have someone who will say, "Happy Mother's Day" to me.  I can't wait for the paint-splattered cards with the barely legible handwriting as a child all the way to the sappy card she will give me one day (after many mother-daughter fights) telling me she loves me and thanking me for what I've done for her.  I know there will be disagreements, arguments, tantrums, and disappointments on the road ahead but you know what?  After so, so many prayers, I get to travel that road.  And I get to travel it with Ryan Michelle, Josh, and God.  I can't imagine three better companions.

2013: An Incredible Year in Review

The tag line on my Twitter profile says, "The best is yet to come."  It was 2012 and written soon after Josh and I got married, and that's exactly how I felt at the time.  I thought it was only the beginning.  Although I was 31 years old, I felt my life had really, truly started.  I was excited about the future.  I had NO IDEA just how very good the near future would be.  So, here it is--a small summary of a year of amazing highs and one very sad low.

In February, Josh and I had serious conversations with our families and after receiving overwhelming support, we went forward with the adoption process.  The month of Feb. was spent completing our Home Study at warp speed.  The first week of March, we received notice that our profile was online and ready to go---now all we had to was wait.  Easier said than done!

I spent the spring in complete stress mode, and not because of the adoption.  While waiting for Ryan did weigh on my mind, I was loaded down with National Board certification.  I submitted my portfolio at the end of May and took the test in June after countless tears and a 5 pound weight loss.  It felt amazing, even though I wouldn't know the results until Thanksgiving.  Josh felt relieved because he didn't have to through with filing for divorce.  Just kidding--but I'm pretty sure the thought entered his mind!  Josh trucked away at graduate school (for the second time) to become a principal.

In the summer, he began building his side business, Lynch's Home Solutions.  It took off like crazy and he stopped working part-time at Lowe's to fulfill a personal dream.  He had so many offers he could barely keep up, but he made some great contacts and created some awesome living spaces.  Exhibit A below--the before and after shots of a good friend's kitchen:

Along with finishing my National Board portfolio, I also finished graduate school in the summer and received my Master's degree.  I made a wonderful new friend through Southland and she and I had an awesome weekly Bible study throughout the summer.  Josh and I kept busy, hung out with friends, and even bought a boat.  We loved having the summer off work, especially since I was headed back to the 4th grade classroom in the fall and felt a much needed break ahead of time was necessary.

On July 9, the call came from the adoption agency and our world turned upside down.  The next 6 weeks were spent designing the nursery, registering for gifts, praying, praying, praying, and of course worrying.  I think the worrying was mainly me, but I'm sure Josh got a little nervous a time or two. :)

We went to Missouri to meet Ryan's birth mom and go to an ultrasound in mid-July, and that's when it became crazy real.  There she was--our little girl--right there on the screen!

Ryan Michelle Lynch was born on August 24 and of course, if you read this blog regularly, you know that story well.  The fall has been wonderful and taking time off work to spend with our little girl was priceless.

Two weeks later, my cousin Sarah had her second beautiful daughter, Caroline.  We hope she and Ryan will grow up to be great friends just like we did!

Meeting and snuggling for the first time.

Proud mamas

In October, Josh and I were baptized at Southland and my life has been forever changed.  We had so many family members and wonderful friends there to support us and it's a day I'll never forget.

Thanksgiving and Christmas with a little one brought a whole new meaning to the world "joyful."  I know it will be even more special as the years go by and Ryan can learn the meanings of why we have certain holidays.

Thanksgiving with cousin Stella.

Too much turkey!

Our first Christmas morning as a family of three.

2nd annual Opera House outing with our fabulous grandmothers--LOVE them!

Of all the incredible, wonderful things God blessed us with in 2013, one very sad event occurred.  My sweet Penny girl passed away the week before Christmas.  She had been with me for almost 7 years--I adopted her from a boxer rescue when she was 3.  She was the wildest, craziest dog I'd ever met, with the biggest heart.  I still get teary just typing this as I think of all the unconditional love she's shown me over the years.  She was with me when I needed her most, and I like to think she really needed me, too.  She will always be my first baby.

I wanted very much for Ryan and Penny to be big buddies.

Always by my side.

Goofballs

My sweet P

I am so thankful for the ups and even the downs.  The bad times make us that much more thankful for the good times, and I'm still learning to thank God in all circumstances.  2013 was a memorable one and I can only imagine what 2014 will bring.  I'm holding on and ready to enjoy the ride even if it's gets bumpy from time to time!