Poland...

Quick update...Will and Casey have arrived safely in Poland. They should be meeting my niece tomorrow. I cannot wait to see pics and get an update. They cannot share any info. On social media, but let me tell you she is beautiful!

I have some pics to post but am on the iPad and I'm petty technology illiterate. Some friends of ours who are adopting from Ethiopia had an amazingly well priced photo shoot fundraiser that we participated in. So glad we did. Although I have missed Melissa not taking our pics this fall. Next year when our budget is different we will be back on routine.

The kids are doing well, Heath is talking like crazy. Hudson's latest obsession is bow hunting, and Hollynn is the biggest animal lover there is.

Jason is working a job where he gets up at 2:30 a.m.  But he of course is off early and I think it's good for our family. We have actually had supper together as a family consistently since he started!  We turned down a ministry opportunity in North Alabama, that I'm not going to lie, I absolutely loved. I have had a really hard time knowing we aren't going. Large Free Will Baptist church, contemporary (I know!), sound sound preaching, I could go on and on, but I know it's best for our family to stay here right now. We need to replenish and focus on our little family.

We are in fun month at the barn and then will start our winter break.  I am really hoping that the barn gets completed in 2014. A girl can dream, right?

LOTS of changes

I wish I had some Halloween pics to accompany this post but I am on Casey's computer.

We have had quite a few changes going on in our lives here lately.  The biggest being that Jason resigned as youth pastor of Friendship on Oct. 1st so his last day was the 31st.  There were several reasons for us doing so and it boils down to this is what was best for our family.  This was not a rash decision but one that we spent months praying over and making sure we were doing what the Lord was wanting us to do.  We are still confident it was the right thing.  Friendship has been very kind to us through this process and we are very thankful.

We have moved back to the farm, as in, with my Dad.  So right now it's quite crazy and entertaining I'm sure.  Our family of 5 are here, Will and Casey are here while their house is being finished up, and of course my Dad with his posse of dogs.  There are boxes and bins everywhere b/c I don't want to do much unpacking until we know our next move.

Speaking of our next move, we would really appreciate your prayers.  We have some HUGE decisions to make and we need all the discernment and wisdom we can get.

On a different note, Heath is doing EXCELLENT with potty training.  I thought he was going to be the death of me there for a few minutes.  Hudson was so easy to potty train, Hollynn potty trained herself, and Heath, well, he beats to his own drum.  It took a while but he has been accident free for days now and I am so close to not having any children in diapers!!!!!

One last thing, just because I am so excited...tonight we are going to a dinner where George Dennehy (look him up if you have a few min.) is speaking and Mercy Me is playing.  It's a formal thing so I have my dress, one of my students sister is doing my hair, and I'm even going to shave my legs (ha!).  The dinner is for One Less Ministries who I hope to start doing some volunteer work for.  We've had it on the calendar since the summer so needless to say I am pretty pumped for it to finally be here.

Oh, and how can I forget, the best Dad in the worlds birthday is tomorrow!  Happy Birthday Hoss!!  I pinned a quote that goes something like this..."The only thing better than having you as my Dad is my children having you as their Grandfather."  And that, my friends, gets an Amen from me!

Won't Be Shaken...

Had to share...

As our normal morning routine, when the kids get up I am usually sitting on the couch checking e-mails, devo., etc.  It takes me several minutes to get moving in the a.m., okay, a little more than several.  Hollynn usually crawls up in my lap and hangs out with me until Heath wakes up.

This morning she climbed up, laid her head down.  Then she raised up, looked at me, and in the sweetest 2 year old voice she sang out, "We won't be shaken!"  Then she laid back down without another word for some time. 

And all I could do was take a deep breath and think...sometimes you need a Word, and sometimes it comes from your 2 year old!

We Won't Be Shaken by Building 429:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BJhOgb-unI

Beach!

We had a fabulous time at the beach.  We went to our favorite spot, right by Rosemary Beach and there were very few people which is what I was hoping for :)  The kids LOVED the beach.  It was Hollynn and Heath's first time to see the ocean.  Heath would get his feet wet but spent most of the time playing in the sand while the other two bounced back and forth from sand to boogie boarding and just playing in the waves.  We had some great, much needed family time and I especially enjoyed getting to lounge around during nap time and just chill with everyone and not having anything on the schedule. 

 "Now can we do a funny face picture?"

 Check out that hair flopping as he is running!  ha!

 I'm pretty sure this one was not posed, and it was so cute that I had to get Heath on it for the one below.

Gotcha'

 

        365 days.  Man to man defense to a zone, how else are you going to guard 3 vs. 2?  Three trips across the ocean and finally those sweet cheeks were mine to kiss whenever I wanted.  Cuddly yet aggressive.  Whiny yet sweeter than honey.  Holds his own.  Could sleep for days.  Always has his shoes on the wrong feet.  Eats like a grown man.  Content.  Loves to hug and gives random kisses on my cheeks.  Passionate, whether it's about the "helicopper" in the sky or the toy he thinks he's entitled to just b/c he wants it...no matter who has it.  Follower.  Mama's boy.  Future football player.  Linebacker.  Adorable.  Yes, that sums it up, my adorable little linebacker. 

       He presses my buttons one minute and then tugs at my heart strings the next.  He drives me crazy sometimes but I'm absolutely crazy over him.  Hollynn would be lost without him, they are inseparable.  It never fails when I go out in public someone tells me, "You've got your hands full" and wants to know how far apart they are.  I'm afraid they think I'm nuts, and well, I am but not b/c our family added 3 kids in 5 years (although some days that may be why I'm nuts ;)  So, yes, when you see me in Kroger with 2 in the car attached to the front, one in the buggy, and I'm refereeing while checking to see if I have a coupon so I can add to my overflowing cart of groceries.  Why yes, my hands are full.  Full of lots of love, full of lots of fun and giggles, full of lots of tender moments (did I mention my washing machine is also always full?), and full of lots of Jesus b/c He's the only way we do this thing.

     Happy Gotcha' Day to our Heath James, who God moved mountains for just to place in my arms.  So glad I get to wrap them around him every day.      

  

Mother's Day/Graduation

 So Jason went all out earlier this year and I just have to document it.  He's not known for his gifting qualities and thankfully gifts are not my love language ;)  But this past Mother's Day he made me this card and on the inside are some cute answers the kids had about me.  My fa. are the fact that they they think I weigh 7 and 2 pounds! ha!

 He also made the prayer cards that Heath is holding below.  Mr. Pinterest he is :)

 We had some yummy cupcakes for Jason's birthday...

 Jordan (above)  MacKenzie (below)

And these two girls graduated back in May.  Both of them I taught for over 10 years so these past two weeks of sending them off has been so emotional for me.  I feel like I helped raise them and were sending my own two off.  Like I seriously cried several times.  I have told them I plan on sitting on the front rows of their weddings!  I love them both dearly.  What am I going to do in 2 years when I have 4 graduating and going of off to college at the same time, all of whom I will have also taught for years.  Geeze, I'm getting so mushy in my old age. 

Where have we been?

 Now my Granny loves all my kids, no doubt, but this little boy is her little cuddle bug.  She loves when he crawls up in her lap and hugs on her (who doesn't, right?).  And he is so content just chillin' with her.

 Aunt "Tish"

 Playing with Meme's glasses.

 All of the Head cousins are now married.  Tyler and Andi married in June, we love her!  The wedding was awesome and there may or may not have been a FWB pastor's wife on the dance floor ;)

I've missed documenting so much, the summer has been busy but not so much in a crazy hectic busy that my life seemed to have gotten to (although there was still some of that).  I feel like this summer has been a fun busy.  Lots of swimming, we've been to venture river water park, Holiday World, play days with friends, etc.  There are still a few things on our summer fun list that we haven't gotten to yet and even though school is starting back, summer's not over yet!  Quick update on everyone...
Jason will be attending Vol State this fall, getting one step closer to getting his B.A. degree.  Hopefully this year at Vol State and another year at Welch (FWB Bible College) and it will be done.  He just took a week off of work this past week and it was a very refreshing time, and might I say that he deserved it. 

I am preparing for school to start this coming Monday.  And looking at 5 loads of clothes that need to be folded (and I'm thinking there is another in the dryer).  I just joined a women's Bible study that will meet on Tuesday's and to say I'm pumped is an understatement. 

Hudson turned 6 on Wed. (will have a separate post about this...hopefully before he turns 7, Ha!).  He starts 1st grade on Monday.  Took 3 week of swim lessons this summer and is quite the little fish.  He started soccer this week and I might be just a tad excited about this ;)  Okay, I'm pumped...unless the games are early in the morning!

Hollynn is also a little fish and has recently started swimming all by herself.  She learned how to float on her back in swim lessons and when she was jumping off the diving board for fun and then coming up and floating on her back, I knew we had to do more.  Let's just way, when this girl is determined, not much is going to stand in her way.  She is also very into playing with her baby dolls.  One in particular goes everywhere with us.

Heath turned 2 in July (again, separate post coming soon).  So I am in the 3 month stage of having 2 children the same age.  He is finally starting to find his own way instead of just doing anything and everything his brother and sister do.  I think he would eat me out of house and home if I let him.  His vocabulary is so much better and although he can come close to saying Hollynn, he won't do it.  He calls her wah-wah and it cracks me up.  And Hudson is Hudsy. 

Off to soccer practice...

Bragging Moment...

Warning:  prepare to hear from a bragging mom...

I've always thought Hudson was very smart and I tell people that as a kindergartener he read on a 2nd grade level, but that was just me guessing.  So he was just tested with two tests and he reads on a beginner 4th grade level!!  So I'm just having a super huge proud Mommy moment.  I knew I would have to test him b/c I will be purchasing schooling materials soon and a lot of the materials I purchased last year that were Kindergarten and 1st grade we didn't use.  So now I will start looking into homeschooling material for his 1st grade year.

Catching up...

 Our little pirate!  We went to a 5k run for One Less Ministries a little while back and the kids all loved having their face painted.  Hudson requested a dragon, he's on a dragon kick here lately...

 I tried saving these differently but I still can't figure out why when I upload them to blogger they turn them sideways.  I have googled and read and am still clueless, if anyone can help me I would appreciate it, I'm not very tech savvy.

I have several posts going in my head so hopefully I can update a few times over the next couple of weeks but ya'll know how I am!

We are in the midst of busyness.  We start VBS tonight and the kids are so pumped, it's the first thing Hudson said when he woke up this a.m.  Jason has been up to his eye balls in VBS, camp, and preparing for our mission trip.  He spent a week at Cumberland Camp being the evangelist and I'm pretty sure he had as much fun as the campers.  He has another week of camp in Illinois that he is looking forward to.  We will also be off to Chicago for a mission trip one week this summer. 

We were able to get away to Knoxville for a short trip for my cousin Tyler's wedding.  It was good to get away even if it was only for a day and we had a BLAST!  I love weddings and this one was too much fun!

Jason and I celebrated 10 years of marriage on the 6th, he was at camp so it wasn't until this past weekend we got to go out on a date and celebrate.  We went to a swanky restaurant called 360 Bistro but thankfully I had a groupon :)  and we went to the movies.  I'm not too good at picking out movies I've decided. 

My goal this year has been to slow down and not commit to too much stuff.  So far I feel like I've done an okay job at this.  Life does seem busy but I don't feel like I'm drowning and I have been planning one fun thing per week for the kids to do this summer.  We have been to a bounce place and swimming several times (Hudson can swim on his own underwater now :)   I have lots of stuff on our list that I know they are going to love! 

Online Auction Sneak Peak

It starts Sunday and here is the final list...it's long, but you can do it...

2 containers of Advocare Spark Energy Drink
Pat Summitt signed book and basketball
4 horseback riding lessons from me :)
30 min. massage from Tammy Walker
Headbands for girls big and small
Candle and Scarf set
12" Stainless Steel Pampered Chef Skillet (I'm drooling over this one)
1 year Ashland City Times Subscription
Adoption Picture custom made
T-shirt, jewelry, coffee cup
Gray/White Chevron blanket (this one just excites me!)
Custom made with your color of choice and white chevron blanket
Red Velevet Cake by Hazel Head
Pound Cake by Joyce Attebery
2 Cakes by Allison Shored (birthday, for a shower, etc.)
2 Movie Buckets
JoAnn's Gift Card
Matilda Jane sz. 6 girls dress
Melissa Lewis Photography Session
Sycamore Golf
Highland Rim Golf
Eastland Green Golf course
Several different cool crafts
Specialty Package by Kelsey's Cakes
AMC Theater gift card
Chalkadoodle
Avon Gift Basket
Mary Kay Gift Basket
Maria Latham Photography Session
Tracie Jones hair cut, wash, style, and biolage products
1 month southern gymnastics
Dozen cupcakes from Brown Sugar Cake Room
Several Book sets for kids and adults
Gift Certificates to Robert Head's BBQ
Gift certificate to El Alteno
FIT Bootcamp
Bioloage Hair Product basket
Longaberger Products
LOTS of brand new 31 Items
2 Brand New Vera Bradley purses and 1 coach purse
Bitsy Bands
Scentsy pot and scent
3 dozen choc. chip cookies
Tupperware bowl set
brand new jacket from co-op
PV Mill gift certificate $50
Handmade Jewelry

Whew, you did it!  Each item will have a picture, description, retail value, and link (if applicable).  See a product you are interested in but you are not on fb?  Just e-mail me lindsey@treasure2farm.com and I will tell you how to get your bid in.  Please go to fb and join...                                                 https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourproofadoption/ 
And please pray with us that this fundraiser is a HUGE success and pushes Will and Casey through this big hurdle!  I have learned that once there paperwork is in the wait for a referral is between 1-6 months!!!  That's not long people!!  We (yes, I said we) could have a referral this year!  THIS YEAR!!

My Babies...

Aren't they sweet!  I cannot figure out how to get some of these pics to stop turning sideways, but you can still see her cuteness no matter which way she's turned.

I had a fantastic Mother's Day with the sweetest gifts ever.  I am going to take pics of them and hopefully have another blog post this week. 
We are getting into that busy stage and Jason will be heading to church camps soon. 
I have had to move Heath to 2T's, which pretty much just breaks my heart, he's getting so big, so fast.  I'm thinking he's going to be my little football player!   He is talking up a storm.  His favorite thing to do right now is to yell at the top of his lungs, "Maaaammmaaaa, HOLD ME!"
We celebrated Hudson's kindergarten graduation at The Depot, (his choice).  While he is is super smart, he also has a super smart mouth, which we are trying to put a stop to.  He's still my sweet little man, though!
Hollynn is in a really sweet stage and loves giving me kisses on my nose.  Only I can tuck her into bed and I have to tightly tuck her in tight while saying, "Snug, as a bug, in a rug!"   

Preach!

I had to share this quote, "We care for orphans not because we are rescuers, but because we are the rescued."

Online Auction

We are working on an online auction for Will and Casey's adoption.  They need about $4,000 more to finish their dossier and be put on the waiting list in Poland.  We are expecting much more, but here are some of the items that we have so far...
1 Month Riding Lessons
Handmade Baby, Girl, $ Adult Headbands & Hair Ties
30 min. Massage
Hazel Head's Red Velvet Cake :)
Pat Head Summitt signed Basketball and Latest Book
Homeade soy candle and scarf
Pampered Chef items
Ashland City Times Subscription
1 hour photo session for 4-6 people & c.d. by Melissa Lewis
Matilda Jane Dress, brand new
Movie Bucket
Movie Theater gift card
Jo Anne's gift card
Advocare Products
Avon Basket
Maria Latham Photography Session with 20 edited pics on c.d.
Mary Kay Basket
31 Products
Handmade jewelry
Pound Cake
Gray/White Chevron Afghan
Chevron Afghan to be custom made to your 2 colors
1 month gymnastics at Southern gymnastics
18 holes for 4 people at Sycamore Golf Course
18 holes for 2 people at Eastland Green Golf Course
Don Ponchos gift card
Subway Gift card
custom made adoption canvas
AND MORE!!!
and there is definitely more to come.

We need this to be a HUGE fundraiser so please get on fb and look up
Online Auction for Davis Adoption and click to be added.  Please add anyone that you would like.
We hope to have the auction started in 3 weeks or so, so right now we need your help getting the word out!

Please e-mail me if you have any questions or have a hard time with facebook.  lindsey@treasure2farm.com

Easter Day

 They didn't last long, but her first curl with curling iron.  I hope her hair does like mine and Casey's and gets curly!  Ours did when we were in 5th grade.

 It is so hard to get a pic of a 5, 2, and 1 year old looking at you much less smiling, but they were having a blast after church so I had to post several of them.

We made resurrection rolls, which were so cool and tasty.  Hollynn was so into the story of them, I was very impressed.  The marshmallow represents Jesus then you roll it in butter (oils on his body) then cinn. and sugar (spices) then wrap in the crescent roll (linen), close the crescent up really tight like they sealed the tomb.  Then when they make the marshmallow melts and so when you open them up, it's like the empty tomb!  This will definitely be an Easter tradition!

Easter Egg Hunt

 First french braid!

 Heath's first Easter egg hunt event!  He enjoyed all the games.

 Mini Michael Jordan with her tongue hanging out!  But look, she made it :)

Geeeze mom, hurry and take my pic!  It was nasty outside so the hunt was inside and it was a room packed full so I just couldn't get any good pics, but they definitely enjoyed the candy!!