October Visitors

My mom and dad came for a visit at the end of September/beginning of October.  They spent the first part of the week lounging by the pool on Vero Beach and texting me pictures of the amazing seafood they ate each night.  Mom and I had been wanting to check out the Chihuly Exhibit in St. Pete for quite some time and finally got the opportunity.

Visitors to the Chihuly collection aren't allowed to take pictures inside, but the statue outside was pretty cool.  We walked through the exhibit a couple of times and noticed something different each time.  Most of the glass was set upon a black mirror-like platform and when you looked down you could see the glass reflected which made it look almost like you were underwater.

We dined at Mar Vista on Longboat Key one night.  My parents have a friend who told them about this restaurant...it is a hidden gem.  We've gone twice-totally worth the drive!

The following weekend we drove back down to Anna Maria Island to visit with our friends Cory and Tanya and their little boys, Tucker and Finn.  The Sides family moved to NC last fall, and we have missed them!

We all got to watch a beautiful sunset...I just love living near the beach!

When we got back to their condo, we sang Happy Birthday and watched Tanya blow out her candles on her cake.  (I think Tucker looks like he is about to sneeze on the cake in this picture.)

One Year on Waiting List

Today marks ONE YEAR on the waiting list for our boys.  We did not think we would be waiting this long when we started the adoption process, but we believe that the extra waiting is for a reason yet to be revealed.  We have learned and grown so much as individuals and as a couple through the waiting period, and truly believe that God is using this time to prepare us for our future children and all that parenting them will entail.  We are relying on God to build our family in His perfect timing.  Every day is one step closer...

Psalm 127

Unless the Lord builds the house they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.  It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.  Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth.  How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.