Tales from Teunis Ranch: April 2011

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Alabama Beach Pics!!!

So glad I found this photographer. This was great fun and a tradition we can carry on every Spring Break now. We are so hopeful that next year, our little girl will be in the photos too!!!!!

~Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.~

~Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come.~

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?

~And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;his leaf also shall not wither;and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.~

~I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
marvelous are Thy works;and that my soul knoweth right well.

~But as for me and my house, we will serve The Lord.~

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Spring in Coming.............

We are thawing out here in Chicagoland. little buds are showing up on the trees and tulips will be popping any minute. We started Spring with a FABULOUS Spring Break trip down south where the roses are in full bloom!!!!

We stopped in

Nashville and The Grand Ole Opry on our way to Alabama to the Gulf coast. Oh how I love the south. Alabama is our new favorite spot for sure. If you ever cant find me....look south. I like to think of myself as a southern girl. I was born and raised in the south after all.....it was just southern California. In any case.....I loved the week of sunshine and surf. It was great to have Steve with us for a whole week too as he has been traveling so much lately.

It was much needed family time. We spent alot of time on the beach, went to the USS ALABAMA, did some shopping and of course made a visit or two to The Waffel House.

While we were away...our adoption agency went referral crazy and we went from #41 to #36 for an infant girl!!!! YAY. Still a ways to go, yes....but we will take it. 36 is my new favorite number!!!

Zack trying to catch his towel in the wind.

Rick and Zack looking for some waves

loving the sunshine!!

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Ricky is in full swing of the college search these days. This is a really exciting time for him and for me. I am so overjoyed to see the young man he has become. I remember so clearly that first moment, almost 18 years ago, when I held him for the first time and the feeling of complete joy and devoted love that just flooded me. I had dreamt my whole life of being a mommy and the moment I held my precious baby, I remember very vividly telling him that he is my very first dream come true. I am so proud of him and look forward to watching his dreams come true. He is a tender heart and a hard worker, a good friend and a fiercely loyal big brother, (sometimes just fierce, but you'll have to talk to talk to Zachary about that.) He is an exceptional young man who has a good head on his shoulders. He is kind and generous and compassionate. His smile lights up his whole face and his seriousness towards just about everything cracks me up daily. Just today he told me, 'Yeah Senior Year is probably gonna be fun', Almost like he had to give himself permission to enjoy it. He is the kind of kid I would want to know even if he wasn't mine. I have spent many years and countless hours praying for the wisdom to lead and direct this boy. I know for certain that the good in him is the God in him. I simply loved him and made choices that reflected that love. I am beyond thankful that God has designed Ricky's heart with a thirst for Him. He is an exceptional human being and it is an honor to be his mom.

Zachary is busy training up his mind and body for football season. He is starting a new school this year for high school and has joined their football team. I am in awe of the dedication he has put forth in this program. I really thought his might just be some passing interest and the hard work would eventually ware him out and he would rather spend his summer days doing other things. Nope. He is committed and focused and I am so proud of him. I am really excited to spend Friday nights under the lights. As I watch the effort he is putting out for football, I am so proud of the whole of who he is. Where Ricky is a pretty serious guy, Zachary is the complete opposite and he is definitely the life of the party. He is smart and kind and funny and he has a memory that baffles us. He can recall information that he was only exposed to briefly and recount situations EXACTLY. I know he is going to accomplish great things. He is someone who cares deeply for others and has such empathy and concern for others. He is intuitive and kind and happy. I think that is the thing about Zachary that really stands out, he is a happy soul. Whether he is whistling or making jabbers with his baby brother or laughing about some random thing that crosses his path, his joy fills the space he is in and then overflows to us all. I do get concerned that someone is going to come along and take advantage of his giving spirit and that life and situations will try to squash that joy in him, but I pray that God guards his heart mightily. There is a country song that has always reminded me so much of Zachary and how he is and who he is, Look Heart, No Hands. Its about embracing all of life and love and living Wide Open. Zachary has always been like a fresh breeze blowing through my life. He is full of life and he's loud. He is such a devoted person, to me and to his brothers and to whoever is lucky enough to know him. He is quick to defend those he loves and has no trouble fighting and standing up for whats right. Where he sometimes has to learn things the hard way, he is open to the lesson and that is the main idea isn't it? He loves The Lord has a big heart for serving Him. He has always been my little bundle of snuggles and rough and tumbles. He is a free spirit and a grounded Oak Tree all at the same time. His thoughtfulness is such a joy to me. He is always writing little notes or making drawings or giving to others in some way. He is one of the most giving people I have ever known. Im so grateful that of all of the choices in the world, God made me his mom.