March...sneaking this in on the last day!!

Here are some pictures from our trip to MS and others taken in March.

March was a good month for our family. I ran my first 5K on March 5th. It was the Thin Mint Sprint in Emporia, KS. A Girl Scouts fundraiser. My college roommate Jenny met me there and we ran it together. She was very kind and spent most of the run waiting on me to catch up! But I finished AND...it shouldn't be too hard to improve. So, my next 5K is in 2 days!!

Scott's D1 rugby team (kcblues.org) won big in Las Vegas in February, then won their first 3 games in March. The team is having a great season, but still have several tough weeks ahead! Go Blues Go!!!

Blake, Eli and I flew to Ocean Springs, MS for spring break. We met up with Scott's parents and visited lots of family there. Aunt Tootsie, Uncle Dave, Aunt Jenny, Cousins Jerry Lee, Stephanie (and Mark), Angela and Sarah Kate. Eli was a baby the last time we were all together. We went to the beach and the boys LOVED it. Eli didn't stem (flap his arms) at all the whole time he was sitting in the waves! We saw alligators and rode on an air boat. We ate at some really great restaurants. We mostly loved that everyday it was sunny and warm!! On the last night of our time in MS we hosted a St. Patrick's Day feast with corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots. It was delicious and we all enjoyed visiting with one another. The next morning we finished loading the car and started toward Sikeston, MO. We stayed the night at Aunt Susie and Uncle Buddy's house. Ben, Rhonda and Mallory came over from Kentucky and we got to visit with Micah too. Uncle Buddy fried chicken and Blake enjoyed 3 Houchins (sp) donuts for breakfast! We made great time to KC and met up with Scott for the last leg of our trip home. Pat and Emma decided that since they were so close to home they would just make there way back across the state to Holt's Summit. Everyone arrived home safely. It was a good trip! BTW...my capri pants fit!!

Now March is over and we are all anxiously awaiting the real arrival of spring...the spring with warm sunny days and NO MORE SNOW!! We all look forward to spending time outside.

From my May 2007 message:

5) The challenges we face in life are simply opportunities for us to have a closer relationship with the Lord. He wants us close to Him. We are going to go through the challenge…whatever it is. Don’t resist, don’t grit your teeth and struggle with the fact that you have to face this challenge. Go through it inviting God to be with you for every step. Remember the scripture… Matthew 11:29-30, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." I just imagine the Lord watching me drag all my stuff around in a wagon. He just shakes his head at me and says, “Amy! Put that down. Come over here and walk with me.”

This lesson has proven true over and over and over! The last several years have presented many challenges. I didn't like most of these challenges, but because I know this lesson to be true I knew there was a lesson to learn. There is always a lesson to learn. There is something the Lord wants us to learn through every challenge we experience. The big challenges and the little challenges. He is so good to prune us so we can bear fruit. We must stay close to Him though so he can direct our path. After all, He is the one who knows the way.

May you consider this universal lesson one of your own.

finally posting a February message...

I kept thinking, "I want to do a February post, but there is nothing really major to post." I have since decided that there is just too much going on and because the laundry isn't done, the house isn't clean, the dinner is cooked and the lunches aren't made I had better just start writing and see what happens. The lack of order in our home seems to be the way things are these days, so because I need to cross something off my 'to do' list I have decided to spend some time on this blog.

Blake and Eli are outside enjoying the last of our most beautiful day of 2011. The high in Kansas City today was 76! Perfect weather in my opinion. I, too, took advantage of the beautiful day. I met my friend Laurel and her daughter Anna at the Baker University track during lunch. I walked a lap, then ran 2. It was quite a chore. This really shouldn't be the case, I have been running for months. But the wind was so strong. It really felt like my legs were lead. I walked a few more laps, then gave it my all and ran another. I walked one more and called it good. Perhaps the wind can count as an incline. I read earlier today that a 1% incline equates to 10% more calories burned. I hope so...cause after my shower I pulled out some Capri pants to wear the rest of the day and was horrified that they didn't fit. After picking Blake up from the dentist I made a dash through the grocery store for fruits and veggies. Apparently the gluten free life isn't helping me from packing on the pounds...nor is all that running. Guess some calorie reduction is in order.

In other news...

Eli is doing well. After a few adjustments to his new braces they are no longer causing red marks on the inside of his feet. He does need to increase his hip strength, but the new PT is on it! She has a whole list of exercises (play and otherwise) for Eli to do with his paras at school and at home.

Blake did very well last semester in school, but missed his ALL As goal by one B. He is trying again to meet his goal this semester. He has one more grade to pull up and he will be there...at least for this quarter. We are blessed that he really likes school and we hope his habits of working hard and being successful continue.

Scott took the KC Blues to Las Vegas last weekend to play a team from NY called Old Blue. The KC Blues dominated with a 29-10 win! The season hasn't officially started yet, but hopefully this win is foreshadowing for a great spring...for the KC Blues and the Adamson household.

Valentine's Day

I received my Valentine's Day gifts a bit early. My monitor died after a recent frigid day's power outage AND I needed something new to wear to the rugby banquet. So, a new monitor and some cute pink tops/sweaters were purchased the week before Valentine's Day. Scott did get me wonderful cards and chocolate!

Blake received the DVD of 8 Seconds to replace the old VHS copy and the new Taylor Swift CD along with his favorite mints.

Eli received another interactive dinosaur to go with his Dinosaur Train collection.

Scott received his favorite peanut M&Ms (and a big white teddy bear from Blake) as well as the DVD of the John Wayne movie, The Cowboys. This was also to replace the VHS copy. We only have one TV with a VHS player, so now everyone is free to watch whatever movie at any TV.

We had meatloaf and mashed potatoes for dinner...hadn't had that in a LONG time. It was really good.

The next day (well actually, on Wednesday) I started removing all the remaining RED from our living room. Out with the red, in with the blues and greens! Let it SPRING!

I am looking forward to next weekend. My friend Jennifer Mead and I are heading to Wichita to visit friends (just riding together...we will go our seperate ways once we arrive in Wichita). Trudy and her girls are going to hang out with me for the day then we are meeting up with Jenny for dinner. I plan to stay with Jenny. She enthusiastically said, "Yes, and we can go running in the morning." I said, "What about church?" She replied, "Church doesn't start until 10:30." OK...I guess we are in training. Oh...I forgot to mention it. I am participating in my first 5K on March 5th with Jenny in Emporia. I just want to jog the whole thing...that is my goal. Jenny wants us to complete it in 30 minutes. Not likely, but I will keep doing the training schedule and see what happens!

Happy Birthday, EMMA! Have fun at the Magic Kingdom with Pat.

Happy Birthday, LILY! May all your wishes come true.

Guess I had better go make something for the kids to eat...I am eating spinach!

Here's the next exceprt from my 2007 message:

4) Through Eli I have a way to witness my faith to others. By sharing my experience I can share Christ. I had always wanted to know how I could witness my faith without it feeling uncomfortable or forced. Talking about my children is EASY. And through my walk with Christ I have become infused with Him. I can not separate any part of myself from my faith.

My niece Heather has come to this event in support of me and has agreed to share her God given talent with us. The first time I heard this song that she is about to sing was at the Revolve Tour (Women of Faith for teenage girls) in St. Louis. It was sung live by Natalie Grant. She told the story of the lyrics…but after hearing the song it certainly communicated beyond the story. The song is about grieving. It is about grieving the loss of a child, a spouse, a marriage or in my case…a dream. I learned that the feelings of loss that I felt were real and just. The picture I had painted of my life was significantly different that the true picture, but guess what…I am not the painter. My life is not my picture to paint. As much as I tried to stay strong, keep control and fight through with all the tenacity I could muster…I missed a step. The hurt was real and I needed to grieve. The Lord wanted me to rest in Him so that I could see the picture He had painted of my life. He is the artist and His picture is more beautiful than I can truly begin to imagine.

So as YOU listen to this song, think about your life and the lives of those you love. Perhaps there is someone you know who might be going through a situation such as mine. A situation where no one even knows that a loss was suffered.

Heather is certainly a beacon of inspiration. She has been through more challenges than most anyone I know, especially for being only 21 years old. Yet…she knows that it is only by the grace of God that she is here and she takes every opportunity to give Him the glory.

Held by Natalie Grant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-hJ87ApWtw

May you know what it is to be held by our loving, gracious and powerful lord and savior Jesus Christ. There is no better comfort than to rest in Him.

Here are today's picture of Blake and Eli...soaking up the last of the sunshine.

A snowy Wednesday

Blake and Eli in the snow on January 10th! We went out late in the afternoon to shovel the snow. It was Eli's first time to play in the snow. I think he will get more opportunities yet this year...it is snowing right now and isn't to stop until midnight.

Mouse (the cat) sleeping on the new sofa.

Mouse on Blake

Eli got his new braces (not shown) and we donated all his old braces. It is kinda hard to tell, but the first pair (on the left) are so tiny, especially when compared to his newest pair. Brad Oja asked if we wanted to keep Eli's first pair. I said, "Not if it means some little kid in a 3rd world country will have to do without. We have plenty of 'stuff' to keep." So, I took pictures!

Our new sofa...we love it.

It has been a while since I have written...I wish I were better at the updates. Christmas and New Years were great. Having time off to spend with my children was fantastic. My job that allows me to work from home (especially on snow days) is a real blessing.

Now it is time to reconnect with everything.

We bought a new sofa since my last post. It is fabulous. A Lane Sofa Sectional in soft brown corduroy type fabric. The ends recline, but you wouldn't know it from looking at it. The pulls are located between the arm and the cushion so you don't see them. Now we can all sit comfortably in the living room and hang out together...and we have almost every night since we made the purchase.

Victor's mom sent me an email and told me that it was OK to post Victor's blog link directly on my blog, so it is http://victorpauca.blogspot.com/. The Pauca's have launched VerbalVictor, perhaps you saw them on the news. If not, here is the clip from CNN http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2011/01/17/dnt.ipad.helps.boy.talk.WFMY?hpt=C2. I had to use the search field to find it…I searched ‘iPad helps boy talk’ and it popped right up. I am hopeful the app will be available on the Android Market soon since we just bought Eli the Samsung Galaxy Tablet for Christmas.

Eli and I received our ALCAT (food intolerance) test results last week. The 2nd time around is MUCH easier to adapt to than the initial test results. We each lost a few items to the severe and moderate intolerance lists, but we gained a few things back as well. It is fun to try new recipes and try to create things that taste good with limited options. We are still gluten free and are now both dairy free as well. It's a challenge and I like it. Now, let's just hope my waistline reflects the changes soon as well.

Here is the next excerpt from my 2007 message:

In preparation for tonight, many scriptures I read seemed to jump from the pages in confirmation that I am doing what the Lord is directing me to do. Philippians 4:9 says, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Please know that speaking to large groups is not common for me. I have never done anything like this in my life, but the God of peace is with me. He has brought me here and has given me the courage to be used as His tool.

My prayer, my hope, is that you will be blessed by what I am about to share.

OK…here we go.

1) EVERYONE has something to overcome in life. It might be physical, spiritual, emotional, or mental, but NO ONE is spared! Being aware of this about others certainly helps one to know that the reaction of the moment may have a lot more to do with the individual responding than the situation at hand.

Maybe there is something that has plagued you and kept you from becoming who God really wants you to be.

A lisp or speech impediment
A handicap – from birth or some type of accident
A learning disability
An alcoholic or drug addicted parent
An alcohol or drug addiction
The loss of innocence that manifested into a life of shame and depression
The death of a spouse, a parent, a child, a marriage, or in my case, a dream

2) Eli is here with us, created perfectly, for a very specific purpose. We all are. Recognizing that has helped me to better deal with all aspects of life.

I read this quote on an email I received from Angel Covers…an organization that supports orphanages all over the world. It says, “To have compassion isn’t the same thing as sympathy or pity. Pity will break your heart; compassion will open it." Didi Ananda Ruchira. That is what I want for my Eli. That is what I want for Blake. That is what I want for me. I don’t want pity. This ISN’T a horrible thing that has happened to our family. Though I do pray every night that the Lord will make Eli’s body and mind whole to match his spirit, I now THANK GOD for sending us Eli exactly the way He did…before Eli, though I was saved, I was BLIND…BUT NOW I can see much more clearly the plan God has for me. It isn’t about knowing my future, it is about knowing God.

(1/19/11: Wow...it is really surreal to read this message again. Now that we know Eli's diagnosis I have confirmation that the above is true. I know that I was truly walking with God during these years because how else could I know the above to be true if it weren't for Him showing me. What a blessing.)

3) Over the last few years I have had some good days and some bad days. Finally, I was able to pray for my joy to be restored. It has been. What I have come to realize is that being an encouragement to others brings me great joy.

I had always wondered what my spiritual gift was. I could arrange great gift baskets and I used that gift to create gift baskets for the mission’s conference at our church in the city. I could organize an event…but was that my gift? Now I know…and guess what…I didn’t make it up! The gift of encouragement is a real gift of the spirit…I looked it up.

Romans 12:3-8: For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Just the other day I realized that more happened at this point in my journey than I originally thought! This is when I truly became filled with the spirit. The fruits of the spirit were with me…peace, hope and joy, specifically. But I could also see patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…I was finally beginning to walk on purpose. God is so good. I am sure He was pleased that I was starting to see that His plan is better than my plan!

That's probably enough for now. Too much at one time and you will miss the message. At least that's how I am. I do much better with information in small doses...I have to let it sink in and become part of me.

Stay warm (for those of you dealing with the winter) and let me know your thoughts. I really enjoy reading the feedback I have received from many of you.

XOXO

Amy