Slide Time

This is what Grace woke up to today after her nap! She loves slides. We can play with it inside or outside. After our first week in TX being super hot....we are glad for the functionality of the slide. Grace does not like swings. I do not know if she feels like she is out of control or what. As soon as we put her in a swing or we hold her on a swing, she starts crying and wants to get down.

One thing I would love for Grace to learn at a young age is that we have control of nothing as much as we like to think we do. God has all control and authority. As believers we are called to trust and believe His Word. My prayer is that Grace sees her mom as a woman who lives out her faith and belief in God through her actions, words and lifestyle. "what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe according to the working of His mighty power." Ephesians 1:19


Today Eric preached in John 6:60-71. One of the last verses of the text in verse 69 Simon Peter says "We have come to believe and know that you are the Christ the Son of the living God." In the verses before 69, Jesus asks his disciples some tough questions and He asks us tough questions too. He does remind them from verse 65 that He is the initiator of life, sustainer of life, author of life and He is sovereign over life. May Grace see in Eric and I that our lives reflect more than just we believe in God but that we know Him!

Blessed by our Friends

We have been blessed by our creative friends who have expressed their love for us in some parting gifts. One of our friends threw a "Going Away" party and thoughtfully made a cake all about TX and might I add the cake was delicious, I think it was 5-6 layers of yumminess! She also made little TX state cut-outs chocolate chip cookies.
Our other friend who I personally think is a creative genius...gave us this adorable decorative cow hide box with a TX star, farewell Yeehaw card, bandanna and all you can see is the "E" but there is every letter of our last name - EVJE that we can hang and decorate when we find a home.
Our FBCB family threw us a going away reception. Eric and I were blessed by cards, gift cards, love gifts, home-made cards from the kids (those were Eric's favorite), food and encouragement from so many. We can not thank you enough for you love, support and prayers. We have so many incredible friendships from FBCB I know that will not be hindered from mileage. God has been so good to us and we praise Him for it! To all our friends you always have an open standing invitation to come visit us any time in TX!

Everything Happens For A Reason

Today I had some alone shopping time, I went into Hobby Lobby and could not find what I was looking for so I decided to check out Queen of Hearts (those of you who are not local, antique and shabby chic finds). I have found a couple of gem pieces but other times will not fnd a thing. As I was looking around I came across the book below "Learning to Pray for Children." The book is fabric and has 6 different prayers and each page has a little girl with curly hair. As I was flipping through it I thought what  great book for Grace and decided to buy it. Then I..........................................................................................

flipped to the back cover! This book belongs to "Hannah Grace." I about fell to the floor and thought I was seeing things. My assumption was this book was intended for my Hannah Grace too! I love that the back cover has a picture of a mother and daughter praying...mom's hair dirty blond (like mine) and the little girl dark curly hair (like my Hannah Grace). Coincidence, I think not!

Guess Who's 15 months?!

Grace giving the carousel a thumbs up!

Staying Alive!



Don't mess with my goldfish.

 

Grace on the run...hard to catch her standing still these days!

 

Rare moment...relaxing on the couch!



Enjoying Barney



My favorite! Cheese!





Making An Impression

About two weeks ago we went to one of our favorite places - Little Mulberry Park. Eric took off to the bike trails. Grace and I went for a jog with the help of the BEST jogging stroller (The Bob)....I call it jogging these days. Back in high school and college I competitively ran cross country. After Eric's bike ride and my jog, we head to the playground for Grace's enjoyment!

As I was jogging, a lady was jogging towards us and she motioned for me to stop. When I stopped she said. "I know your daughter." I know I must have looked at her like she was crazy. You see I had never seen this woman before and was quite puzzled. She asked, "was your daughter at the Lifeway store a couple of weeks ago with her grandmother?" I thought for a second...yes, she was. My mom was in town and kept Grace for the weekend and mentioned they went to Lifeway on one of their outings. Our park friend says, "I ran into your mom and your baby a couple of times at Lifeway and she was so friendly and sweet. Every time I passed them she would wave and smile at me." Then our park friends says, "her name is Faith or Grace?" I said, "sounds like you did meet my daughter and her name is Grace." I thanked her for her kind words and we both we back to jogging.

I had to sit back in amazement of once again our precious Hannah Grace making an impression on others by her warm engaging smile and sweet hi when she comes into contact with others. Grace rarely meets a stranger. What struck me about the depth of her impression was that we were not taking a casual stroll in the park...our park friend saw her and at first glance in the middle of a run noticed her and stopped me.

 How we pray Grace will continue to greet others with a smile and genuine love and concern. Our prayer is that she is drawn to the Savior at a young age and understands the hope of her calling (There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling. Eph 4:4). When others ask her why she is the way she is, Grace boldly shares her spiritual adoption in Christ. We thank the Lord for the favor He has bestowed on our gift - Hannah Grace.

Our Little All Star

Is this not the cutest thing you've seen or heard?

Perfect Love

Here is a link to the blog post written by our adoption caseworker. She is referencing our family and I wanted to share it with our followers. Can't wait to see how our Hannah Grace adoption story continues to unfold!
http://flsadoption.blogspot.com/2011/02/perfect-love.html

A Couple of Snapshots of our Sweet Pea!

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

We sang this great hymn this past Sunday at church. For the past couple of years whenever I hear this song or we sing at church I can not contain myself and the tears start rolling. Why you might ask? I believe this hymn has been for lack of better words is our family's (Eric, Heidi and Grace and before Grace, Eric & Heidi) motto. God has been so faithful to our family the past 6 1/2 years even when we chose not to see His faithfulness. He was and is and will be FAITHFUL! I see His faithfulness in miracles we witnessed, in brokeness, in challenges, in spiritual growth, in break-through, in God ordained friendships, in adoption, in our personal passions, in our daily needs, in our extended family, in our prayer life and the list goes on....I am sure you were wanting an update on Grace or a picture, I will post one soon. This blog has served not only to brag on God's goodness and faithfulness to us through adoption but has some how served to be therapeutic for me. Thanks for listening!


Great is thy faithfulness, O God my father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou for ever will be

Great is thy faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed thy hand hath provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me

Great is thy faithfulness
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love

Great is thy faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed thy hand hath provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me

Great is thy faithfulness
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

Great is thy faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness
All I have needed thy hand hath provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me