A New Chapter...

When I reflect on the past year, I am amazed at how much my life has changed in 12 short months. Since last May, I have become a mother, bought a house, and taught 3rd grade for the first time. I learned how to do my taxes, mow my own grass and raise a sometimes-stubborn toddler (I'm still learning!) I'm not sure how I've come out alive! Actually, I know for certain that it has been God's mercy and divine blessing in my life that has provided for me and protected me throughout this year.

With all these changes, I began to pray about my future. I want to honor the Lord as Cooper and I become a "forever family". I want to please God with where I work, how I spend my time, and how I grow as a believer. I felt led to pray about the possibility of moving closer to my family in The Woodlands (near Houston). As I prayed, I was reminded of the promise I made to the Lord when I decided to adopt Cooper. Knowing his need for a dad (and my current lack of a husband) I committed to place Cooper in a position to have meaningful relationships with godly men. I know he will need those role models in order to become a godly man himself someday. The men I think of first are my dad and my brother, Colin. God began to confirm in my heart that a move to Houston was the best plan for Cooper and I.

So, we're moving.

It is such a bittersweet decision. I'm thankful that I will live closer to my mom and dad, who I am very close to. I am thankful that Cooper will grow up with his grandparents as a part of his life. But I am also very sad to be leaving Fort Worth, which has become my home over the last 8 years. I truly can call this place "home". I'll miss Kincaids hamburgers, TCU home games, and walks down the Trinity Trails. More than anything, I will miss the important relationships that I've developed over the years - especially one of my dearest friends, Sarabeth.

But I know God is faithful!

Praise God for His faithfulness thus far in our journey - I've already found a job as a 3rd grade teacher at a wonderful school in The Woodlands. My new principal is a believer and I'm eager to begin in August. Also, the adoption process is moving steadily and I have high hopes that we will be "official" within in a month! (Don't worry, you'll get an invitation!)

If you feel led to, continue to pray for our needs. Our house will go on the market next week and I am praying for the perfect buyer and a well-timed sale. Please also pray for expedience in the adoption case. We would love for it to be finalized before summer hits so that we can travel freely back and forth between FW and Houston.

I'll keep you posted as we take more steps in this new chapter of our lives. I'm excited to see what the Lord has planned for Cooper and me. I am confident that in the coming year, we will be challenged to draw closer to our Savior - what a wonderful place to be!

Greene Girls Getaway

A reunion of the Greene House girls was long overdue, so Sarabeth, Ashley and I planned to meet for a day of shopping in Canton. We were sad that Lauren couldn't join us this time, but the other three "Greene Girls" had a blast! It was a looooong day of shopping, but the time together was priceless.

We each found some pretty good deals - my favorite purchase was a metal sculpture of a horned frog for my dad (and I have to admit that I got one for myself too!) It now proudly sits on my desk. Go frogs!
As you can probably gather from the photos, we didn't entirely think through how were were going to carry these fabulous purchases... ALL DAY! No carts, no strollers, just biceps! : ) We were exhausted! Ashley got an adorable sign with some scripture on it for their house and SB found a little end table for their living area. And the prize-winning item of the day was...... Sara's "teacup-on-a-stick" (AKA: birdfeeder for her mother-in-law). Awesome.

I am so very thankful for the friendships that God cultivated in our lives during the time we lived in the Greene House. Ashley, Sarabeth, Lauren and I maintain a strong friendship that I pray will last for our lifetimes. They are precious friends who support me and encourage me to walk more closely with the Lord. What a gift!I really look forward to spending special time together as often as we can - hopefully another Greene Girls Reunion will be coming soon!
P.S. - A really special THANK YOU to my parents for keeping Cooper for me while I was in Canton. The girls weekend would have been a lot different if it weren't for their generous offer to take care of my little one! You're the best, Mom and Dad! : )

Baby Bookworm

I just love to see Cooper become interested in reading... you know me! He has recently started to love everything about trains and I have capitalized on the opportunity to read him books about things he loves. So Blue Train, Green Train it is!

He looks like such a little man these days - he insists on sitting on the couch next to me when he reads. He flips the pages the correct way (from left to right) and even recognizes when the book is upside down. I'm impressed!

Check out his little feet crossed at the ankles! Ha!

A Day with Thomas the Train

Our Sweet Friend, Dylan

Please join us in prayer for our dear friends, Shannon and Blake Peebles. They have had their foster son, Dylan, for nearly a year and they are currently preparing for his final hearing that will determine whether he will return to his birth father or be able to be adopted. Shannon and Blake are fellow Lena Pope Home foster parents and we're actually neighbors!They live less than a mile away and it has been fun to have friends in the same "foster care" boat. We've enjoyed playing together with the boys - visiting the zoo and the aquarium. Shannon and I have been blessed to pray and talk often - it is so comforting to know that someone else can understand the circumstances you face with having a precious foster son.

Dylan has been a part of the Peebles family since he was just a few months old. He is their only child and is a blessing to everyone who knows him. We gathered at the Peebles home to pray for the final hearing. The date has been set for April 16th. If you feel moved to pray for their family, please ask for God's favor in this situation and that He would provide peace for the Peebles regardless of the judge's decision.
Cooper is not your "hugs and kisses" kind of guy, but he just adores Dylan! He initiates hugs and practically knocks his little friend over trying to show him love. Precious! I think the Lord has blessed Cooper with such a dear friend.
A good-bye hug and kiss!
(We reminded ourselves that kisses would only be okay for another few years... by the time late pre-school hits, we'll just be sticking to hugs!) But for now, these little moments are just priceless!

Benbrook Park

With the spring weather being so beautiful, Cooper and I try to spend as much time as possible outside. One of our favorite spots is the park in Benbrook. They have an anazing wooden structure that kids can explore for hours! Cooper feels like such a big kid when he can climb and chase through the tunnels and towers. I saw him wanting to do things without Mommy's help for the first time... so sad for me! He really is growing up and becoming independent!

Cooper loves to attempt the things that he notices big kids playing on. This yellow "thing" looked daunting, even to me!
"I think I can do it!"
"Nope... I need help, Mom!" (This is him doing the sign for 'help')