Hallelujah!!!

When we had had Halle home with us for only a short time...a month or so...our dear friend Carrie shared with me that she had been praying that day and God had laid Halle on her heart. So...she began to pray for her....and God gave her the word "Halle"lujah. How cool is that? Our heart rejoices and sings everyday over our dear, silly (I say that truthfully, ask anyone who spends extended amounts of time with her) beautiful daughter. We praised our Jesus with many "Halle"lujahs since she came to our house. About a month ago Aaron's dear Great Uncle Merle sent us and e-mail and he enclosed this: "We recognize that the word "halle" is what the Jews sang when they went up to ZION>>>the Holy City of Jerusalem! Praise the Lord.! Hallelujah!" How cool is that? When we picked the name Halle Grace it was one we both agreed on, thank goodness, Aaron had nixed about 6 others on my list. We never even thought about the significance....all I can say is HALLELUJAH!!!!

On my heart

Over the last few days I have been thinking about a few things....and these three ladies specifically have been on my heart: Kim, Megan & Kristin.  They all are three single and all three love the Lord Jesus.  I have committed to praying for them everyday.  You see....I was once there.  I was a single gal in my late twenties wanting nothing more then to find a man to spend the rest of my life with.  I had dated some guys in my early twenties and late teens...two specifically I thought I would marry...sorry Kyle & Luke...I don't think you'll ever read this, but...if you do...I still care about both of you and without the experiences I had because of you two I would not be the woman I am today.  You see I believe God had a hand in both of those relationships.  The circumstances evolving from them taught me to be the woman I am now.  Isn't that crazy?  Well, not really.  HE knew...knew what would happen.  I look back now and say WOW....God...you are AMAZING!!  Kyle ended up married to a sweet, sweet girl I went to high school with and I love her...she is PERFECT for him.  In fact, we go camping with their family every year.  Luke married Kim and had FIVE count them....FIVE girls....I do not know Kim or Luke's FIVE girls...they live in Texas.  But...I have heard from friends that Kim is perfect for him.  I think of me and my infertility....how would that have been???  Hmmmm......God knew, see???  Through both of those relationships I learned not to let a man, except Jesus, rule my life.  You see, my identity is not found in Aaron, it's found in my Jesus!!!  That is one of the sweetest things Aaron has ever said to me early on in our dating relationship.  I had worked so hard to let Jesus rule my life...and to give my relationships to HIM.  When Aaron and I married on December 5, 2003 we each married "God's Best".  That's right...we waited...but, oh my, was that hard.  We waited, sometimes, not patiently, for the ONE God had for us.  I'm praying that Kim, Megan & Kristin will find God's very best....SOON!!  Because, you'll find him when you least expect it...sometimes, like me...when you had given up.  Will you pick someone in your life to pray for everyday??  Join me......

Fresh Fruit Trifle

This is what I made for Easter dinner at my Auntie Gail & Uncle Gary's. It's a favorite among the family....you can see why! So...I thought I'd share the recipe with you all!

2 8 oz pkgs cream cheese, very soft (light kind is fine, but not fat-free)

2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup sour cream (I use light)

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 to 1 tsp almond extract (I use 1 tsp)

1/2 pint whipping cream, whipped with 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp almond extract and 1 Tbsp granulated sugar

1 angel food cake (make your own or just buy one from the grocery store) torn into pieces

Cream together cream cheese and powdered sugar until very smooth. Add sour cream and extracts, then fold in the whipped cream mixture. Fold gently until smooth, trying not to lose the volume. Next, fold in the angel food cake pieces, then layer in the clear glass trifle bowl with your choice of sweetened fruit. Be sure to drain the juices off the fruit quite well so the trifle does not become a puddle of juices.

ENJOY!!!!

Go Girl!!

Seriously....I found this on another blog and had to share!  Can you even believe this?  This would really come in handy...I am NOT a pee in the woods kinda girl...that being said..I'm not sure I could use this DEVICE??  What will they think of next???

Black History Month

February was Black History month.  As I was scrolling through our channel guide I became interested in two movies on Lifetime in honor of this month.  I'm usually careful of movies on this channel.  They are sometimes really silly and fluffy and sometimes not very clean!! But...these two looked very good.  And...with a daughter who is black I am trying to educate myself.  The first movie was about a young black girl about 18 or so....who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Her boyfriend was in a gang and shot someone only to hand her the gun and take off running.  She ended up in a youth detention center for "loving her man".  The movie was about the track team they formed from young girls in the detention center.  The team was mixed...whites, blacks, hispanics...they had to learn to put their hate aside and work together as a team.  I thought of a class we had taken before adopting Halle.  How people will judge your children by their race....if they're black they could end up like this girl, maybe be good at sports, have rhythm and so on.  This girl was judged because of her race. Her story was portrayed well and I highly recommend that movie.  Though, I can't remember the name of it now!  Sorry!  The other movie I watched was "America".  Rose O'Donnell was in this one.  And I remember the name, phew!  America was a black teen who had been in foster care for most of his life.  His mother left him and his two brothers when they were probably 5-9 yrs old!  They were separated from each other and sent to separate foster homes, America was sexually abused, drank alcohol and was a VERY confused boy!  He ended up in a group home type of place where Rosie O'Donnell was the counselor, after he had attempted suicide.  I'm glad to say his story had a happy ending.  But, all of this made me think...of Halle.  She was rescued from all of this because her birth mom chose adoption for her.  This isn't to say she might not have hard times...don't we all?  Aaron and I will do our very best to raise her without that fear she may have.  We will be there for her and, most importantly, so will our Jesus!  He is the rock that sees us through......I encourage you to watch some of these movies and maybe get just a glimpse into other races.....it will getting you thinking...it will encourage you...and maybe, you'll want to help others!!!