Falling behind and catching up

Hey friends....sorry we have not been posting much lately. Let me catch you up on what's been happening around here. We will be away from the computer for the next few days as well on a mission trip but will be back refreshed and ready on Monday!

• Today in about 2 hours, I am driving to the airport to pick up 3 of my online life group ladies and they are staying with me tonight and tomorrow.
  

• Tomorrow, I am dropping off the boys with my parents and B and I (and my life group ladies) are going on a micro-mission with our church. We are working on a boys home for kids with incarcerated parents. We will be doing some cleaning up, minor repairs, and just getting the place ready for summer. (I'm sure we will post all about that next week!) There are several other Internet Campus attenders coming to the mission as well.
  

• Then Sunday, we return for Lifestock which is an annual event at Lifechurch.tv. It is held at a local amusement park. We all wear Lifestock shirts and it's so fun to feel like Lifechurch.tv has invaded the place! In the evening, there is a concert and HUGE baptism. I remember just sitting and crying a couple of years ago while watching the baptisms. I am still in awe that we get to be a part of such a move of God!

• Monday, my online friends fly home and we get back to schedule :(
  

• Also- yesterday we had our 2nd home study meeting. Things are progressing more quickly than we had originally thought. There is a possibility that we will get to go to the July "DHS adoption party" where the kids awaiting adoption and the prospective adoptive parents get to meet and hang out in a casual setting. We are anxiously awaiting this adoption. Got a *little* nervous yesterday when I realized we have NO baby stuff and we might be getting a little one. I know God will provide for us! Be looking for us to have a shower this fall...hee hee. We are thinking this will occur before the end of the year! Our family could be growing in just a few short months! Please join us in prayer about this exciting and life-changing transition :) We will keep you posted for sure as you are on this journey with us!

THANK YOU so much for reading! It means so much that people out there care about us and that we have unique relationships with all of you:)

Memorial Day, Mimi's, and Mario Kart...

...what a great combination :)

Mimi's Cafe for brunch (yummy!)


Mario Kart on the Wii

We had a great discussion during our meal about what Memorial Day is and how we can honor our troops. The boys were very curious. I love that they are growing up and we can have meaningful discussions and they "get it"!.

We Remember our troops who have fought for us in the past, and those that are fighting for us now. THANK YOU!

Friday follow-up #4

Quick update on our household.....

• Brandon is speaking this weekend on the IC- be sure to tune in. I am on part of the video- very self conscious about it, but B promised it turned out great :)
• The boys get out of school on Tuesday- can't wait!
• No plans for Memorial except family time- looking forward to it. Got any special plans for the holiday?
  
• Our long time babysitter and friend leaves for Mexico on Monday- WE LOVE YOU, BECCA!
• We had the first part of our home study done today- 2 more meetings and TONS of paperwork and it will be complete:)
  
• Thank you to all the "well-wishers" for our Anniversary- we had a fun night! Went to Ted's (mexican food) with the kids and then went to the library. Tonight we went out to Tao Cafe (yummy!) and then went to see Indiana Jones on our last 2 free movie passes. It's been a week of celebrating this year.

Have a GREAT weekend and be safe!!

Questions (pt. 4)

(more lighthearted today:)

Night owl or early riser? Baths or showers? Cold drinking water or room temp. water? Dine in or carry out? Chocolate or vanilla? Spend or save? Comedy or Drama? Clean or messy? What's the scoop on YOU?

Questions (pt. 3)

How do you handle hurt? What are your coping mechanisms?

Questions (pt 2)

Is "self discovery" selfish?

Happy Anniversary!!!

Today is our 13th anniversary. We were married in May 1995. Seems like we have known each other our entire lives but also seems like yesterday when we met. We have so much life to live together still! I wanted to post a poem that Brandon wrote me back in the beginning. Todays entry will be long- but good!

A little back story- Brandon and I were pretty close friends in college. He had asked me out and I had told him I only wanted to be friends. I then went and found another boyfriend. The new boyfriend and I broke up for the summer while I was back home and Brandon and I met up one night for dinner. He told me that he loved me that night. Shows you how close of friends we were, huh? He also said he could not wait on me forever, so he wanted me to choose him or the "boyfriend" whom I was still talking with and planned to get back with.

I chose "the boyfriend". Right to Brandon's face, I said "I choose him.". Wow- still feel bad about that one, but I had a ton of growing up to do! Over a year later "the boyfriend" broke up with me because he felt I had feelings for Brandon I needed to explore and that I wasn't giving him my all.

He was right. Brandon had a part of my heart from the beginning. I just didn't know it until someone else spelled it out for me. I think I was so scared of my feelings that I wanted to deny they were there. That's an entirely different post.

Here is a poem written by my sweet husband back in 1993:

"Set it Free" by Brandon C. Donaldson (1993). For: Christi Noel, the love I never want to let go of again.

When I was young and love was new, it seemed to me too hard
Once I thought the love was true, the love would break my heart

The words of one wise man echoed in my ears
The words were hard to hear, but I listened through my tears

He said "If true love you think you have, then put it to the test.
Set it free, do not hold on, and hope for the very best"

"If that love comes back to you, then true love was always there
Hold her close, do not let go and show her how much you care"

Time went by and a new love I found, so special and so sweet.
Love came quickly. I was not prepared. She knocked me off my feet.

Her eyes were deep and beautiful, and words cannot describe
the many things I felt for her when I looked inside

Her smile and laugh were genuine, more love I have never felt
with the touch of her tender hands, my entire body would melt

How could this be so perfect? I knew she was the one.
Then in my mind, I heard the words that I knew must be done.

"If true love you think you have, then put it to the test,
set her free, do not hold on, and hope for the very best"

"If that love comes back to you, then true love was always there.
Hold her close, don't let go, and show her how much you care"

Slowly I released my love and watched her go away.
As I watched her helplessly, my heart began to pray.

Hope was strong and stayed awhile, but time slowly passed
As her happiness grew again, I felt we could not last.

I tried to forget my love for her, but in my heart it did stay
The hope, yet small, was still there just waiting for the day.

The day it seemed all hope was gone, my love came back to me
That man's words contained more wisdom that I could ever see.

Because of what he told me then, I knew the love was true.
During the time I waited for her, the love only grew

Now my love has come back to me I know true love is there
I'll hold her close, never let go, and always show her how much I care.


HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

Questions

Does insecurity stem from fear ,or pride, or both?

THANK YOU!

Just opened my e-mail and found an Amazon certificate for $40 for our anniversary from "Me". So, I'm racking my brain trying to figure out who it's from, and humbled at the same time. THANK YOU so much to whomever blessed our family like that. We appreciate it so much! May God bless you as you have blessed us!

Friday follow-up #3

Is it Friday again? Crazy how fast the week goes!....

• We are planning on going to see "Narnia: Prince Caspian" tomorrow with the boys on our AMC gift card. Can't wait. This is one movie the boys have been anticipating more than us. UPDATE: We saw it on Saturday and all LOVED it! It was a great family day:)
  
• B and I shot some video footage yesterday (compliments of Mr. Kevin Ely) to be shown in week 2 of Fanatic at church. Brandon is so used to the camera that it's like second nature. I, on the other hand, get silly and giggly when I'm nervous. Fortunately, Kevin is a great editor!
• Bought the boys new swimsuits yesterday- yah! They only have 6 more days of school- I absolutely LOVE summertime. This is a time of year I truly am thankful that I get to stay home with my boys and enjoy every day of the summer.
• Brandon is addicted to "Planet Earth". We rented the DVDs from the local library and they really are spectacular. Have you seen any of it?
  
• Our anniversary is next week, I'll have to post more about that later.
• We have a mission trip at the end of the month that I will be posting about as well.

What are you up to? Read any good books lately? Seen any good movies you'd like to recommend? (pretty sure you know by now we are movie junkies).

Exciting news for bargain shoppers!

I have started a blog all about saving money, being frugal, where to find deals, some things I have learned along the way, etc. Check it out

The blog you are reading right now will stay the same. (hopefully we can lure Brandon out of his cave to post more though!). We will still be talking about ministry, family, etc. The other blog is for people with a bargain hunter/frugal mentality.

I've been wanting to do this for a while so finally did. (As if I truly need 2 blogs to keep up with!)

We are so out of practice...

(Disclaimer: I probably should ask if you've had breakfast yet before looking at this picture!)


We babysat for some friends the other night. We were so happy to be able to watch their sweet precious little baby. He's awesome.

About 10 minutes after he drank his bottle, this happened (see picture above) . We laughed so hard. Then I HAD to grab the camera to document. Brandon was holding the little guy up while I cleaned. I have such a weak stomach but didn't dry heave once (yah for me!)

It's been a long time since we've had to clean up a blowout on a little one. Thanks John and Bre, we needed a refresher course!

Burnout

Ministry- it is challenging, humbling, a huge responsibility, rewarding....it can also be very tiring and demanding.

Lon talked about burnout on his blog. Here are 4 things he quoted, from a book he just read, that might help you stay away from burnout.

1. I am not invincible. I can get sick, sin, and weary. 2. I am not immortal. I am going to die. 3. I am not indispensable. The kingdom keeps going without me. 4. I am not an island. I need friends around me.

Out of those 4, I personally struggle with #3 and #4. Brandon struggles with #1 and #4.

Also, here is a great article from Relevant magazine talking about "burn out" in a different way.

Are you feeling "burned out"? Do you struggle with a certain area? How do you overcome burnout? What are your warning signs of burnout?

Goobers

NO, not the candy. The "urban dictionary" says a goober is a stupid person, airhead, slow, a kindhearted, rather oblivious goofball, a term of endearment. Not sure how calling someone an airhead is a term of endearment, but anyways....

Last night we had a "tif" between the boys. Well, actually it was a full blow kick from one boy to the other in the stomach in front of a neighbor we were meeting for the first time. Can you say embarrassing?

We brought them both inside to talk it over and figure out consequences. Merrick decided it would be a good idea (and we agreed) to make up a sheet of his own ground rules that he should read in the mornings. They included things like obey, use positive words, etc. He did a great job. Ethan wanted to join in. He made his own little rule that was supposed to say "I want to be good!". Instead it said:

"I want to be goob"

Simple mistake of making a b instead of a d. We all turned into 5 yr. olds ourselves and started calling each other "goobs" all night. We even said "Goob night" instead of good night. Every time there was a chance to say good, we said goob. Doesn't take much to make us laugh around here I guess. See- it is a term of endearment!

It made a serious situation turn into a lighthearted one. I love my goober family :)

Mothers

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Isn't it funny how most of us think our mom is the best mom ever? I mean she can cook things a certain way. She knows just want to do when we are down or not feeling well. There's just something to be said about being a mom.

I have been a mom since 2000. The strange thing is that I still feel like a little kid. My boys look at me like I looked at my mom and it's very humbling. I love being a mom.

Let your mom know how special she is today. (For whatever reason!) She is the only mom you have so make her feel like she IS the best one!!

Is your mom a good cook? What favorite memories do you have of your mom while growing up? Do you get to see your mom often?

Friday follow-up #2

Whew- still lots going on here at the Donaldson house.....

• Had a date night last night and saw "Iron Man". ( It was Brandon's choice). We actually both really liked it! Robert Downey Jr. did an excellent job.
• We finish up our adoption classes tomorrow. Now we have to get ready for the home study. (which could happen as late as July). This week they are supposed to bring in a teen panel from the OK DHS program. We're looking forward to it.
• This weekend we have graduations, Mother's Day, and birthdays. Lot's of holidays :)
• Booked our flights and house in Seattle. Can't wait for this trip!!
• Looking forward to the Survivor Finale- Go Amanda!!
• Survived some scary tornado warnings last night. I don't remember having this many in a Spring season before. Hmmm....

What have you been up to? Weekend plans? How are you?

Relationships (pt. 4)

The spiritual relationship

Ok- that title sounds weird but I'm not sure how to label a relationship with God. Brandon and I both have personal relationships with Christ and we experience that in a different way. I will let him share about his :)

For me- my "salvation" started with rules and regulations. I was the do-gooder type. Then I transitioned to more of a grace relationship where I realized I don't have to be perfect. I try to keep a balance in between those. I think I am called to obey and do what's right, but God still loves me either way. Sometimes, in certain seasons, I tend to lean more towards one side or the other.This is a relationship that I am challenged to put more time into. Honestly, I know that I should spend more time with God to cultivate this relationship. That sounds so generic or rigid but that's the truth. I can write about marriage and friendships all day but honestly this is one relationship that I am still growing in.

Are you a Christian? What does your relationship with Christ look like? Are you more of a rule follower or are you more comfortable with your actions? When have you felt closest to God? When have you felt most distant? Do you see God as a best friend? or more of a Father?

Relationships (pt. 3)

The marriage relationship

Brandon and I have been married for 13 years this month! I would say we have had quite an adventure so far. We are best friends where we share everything with one another and also have a ton of fun. We also have the *uh hum* romantic stuff:) I would have to say that B is more than I ever pictured him to be. In fact, he blew those expectations out of the water!

Brandon and I always say/hear that Marriage is the most challenging relationship, but it's also the most rewarding!!

Are you married? Are you and your spouse best friends? In a growing season? If you are not married, what do you picture your future spouse/marriage to be like? If you are married, did you picture the life you have now- or a different life? Are you in a "challenging" stage or a "rewarding" stage? What's the best marriage "advice" you have been given?

Relationships (pt. 2)

The "friendship" relationship

Do you have close friends? Are you a "one close friend" kind of person or a "the more the merrier" kind of person? What's the longest amount of time you have had the same friend? Brag on your friends for a bit.

Talk about siblings....

These two are just precious! Amanda took these pics and did an amazing job!! We are going to be in big trouble in about 10 years with the ladies. Told you my boys were adorable!! Check out other wedding pics on Amanda's website at : www.eikonart.net.

Relationships

The Sibling Relationship

In our adoption training, they mentioned that the longest relationship we will have in our lifetime is our sibling relationship. We grow up with siblings, and they usually outlast our parents life span.

I'm the baby of the family. I have an older sister and brother.

Brandon is the "middle" child. He has one older brother and one younger brother.

We are very close to our siblings. For me, it's more so my sister than brother. We talk several times a day. Brandon and his brothers would do anything for one another. They love each other unconditionally.

So- my question is...do you have siblings? What birth order are you? Are you close with your siblings? What are some ways you stay in touch with one another?

Friday follow-up

Hello Friends! Can you believe we are in the month of May? Our boys have their official last day of school on the 27th (couldn't they have just had us stop on Friday instead of one day after Memorial day??). We can't wait for SUMMER!

We just got the boys signed up for swim lessons. They have been looking forward to this for several months. Ethan actually was "waitlisted" so is it wrong to pray that some kid drops out? He's #2 on the list and needs the lessons more than Merrick who is taking the intermediate class!

Week 4 of adoption training. We are almost finished! We have enjoyed the classes immensely but do miss Saturdays with the family :) It's going to be quite a process (but not as extensive as International).

Someone gave us a TV yesterday! We were so giddy last night watching LOST! It's a much better quality TV than our previous one. It's amazing how much a difference 5 inches of screen makes :) We were thanking God for providing for us on even the stuff we want and not just the stuff we need. It is hard accepting things that people give to you though, isn't it?

We are starting to get college graduation announcements in the mail.....wish our "youth kids" didn't ever have to grow up!

God's been shaking us up a bit lately- yes we have big hearts and want to do so much for the glory of God, but are finding that even though we want to do things (but don't do them), it's not the same. The intention is great, but the action would be even better.Just realizing that we can't do it all and aren't supposed to.. Do you struggle with this at all? Wanting to do too much and then ending up not doing anything really? Most posts coming up on that! Still kind of processing through it...

Lots going on but we like it like that! So- what's been going on with you and your family lately? Any weekend plans? Any thoughts on the stuff I mentioned above?

THANKS FOR READING!!

Reckless faith #4

Another incredible story of faith. Check out the video below about Gaby's story:



We may not know what to do- but God always knows the right way and the right answer!