Oh how time flies! I can't believe all that has happened in just a few short months. I hope you all enjoyed the Disney post. I am trying to get caught up today on the things that have been happening here. So we went to Disney, at the beginning of Sep., I've had lots of photo shoots, praise the Lord! We got a new puppy, Aztec. Shawn's belated birthday present. I got to go to AZ to photograph a wonderful wedding of two very special people. We have had done many things to get ready and celebrate fall. Parent teacher conference, which mostly went great, I have such smart, hard working little men!! And now we just closed out thanksgiving. Which was full of surprises and blessings. Which is a little of what I want to write about today. As all of you know, whether you have been through it or not, that divorce is so hard, on everyone! But we have such a great God that works all things out for good and in his timing. Well during our thanksgiving we really got to see the Lord work in such huge ways. Some things have been going on with Andrea, we don't know what, but she has mentioned that things are happening in her life. So daily we have been praying for her and just laying it all before the Lord and contrary to her most usual attitude about things, she is being loving and gracious and full of love and encouragement for the boys. She asked what our plans were for Thursday and Friday of thanksgiving. So we let her know that we were having thanksgiving on Thursday nothing really on Friday. And invited her to join us for our thanksgiving, fully expecting her to pass on the offer, but she graciously accepted. Which blew our socks off. We love this women and just want to see her grow in the Lord and have a changed life, so to have her come here and just share the day with our family was a huge deal both for her and the boys and us. So she showed up with a gift and pie and a smile and great attitude(even though I am sure she felt unsure of what the day would hold, the same as we did, everyone was holding their breath for a bit). And we had the best thanksgiving that we have ever had. We did find out later that she had no where to go and was really blessed and excited that we asked her to join us. So though divorce is so hard, there is healing and people can come together and you can, even if hurt, bestow blessing on other people, the people who have hurt you deeper than you could have ever imagined. But God calls us to really love even our enemy's because he loves them just the same as us, and wants to draw near to them the same as he does to us. So I am honored that a women who not too long ago, hated me, and my husband hated, was able to come and join us for food, fun, laughter and that my boys got the best thanksgiving ever because they were surrounded with so many that love them with their whole hearts and I know it is a thanksgiving none of us will forgot, and really a day of thanking the Lord for his work in our hearts everyday. And I pray that this is a start to a whole new relationship between all of this, and that Andrea knows with her whole heart that we love her, want her in the boys lives, and that she is welcome here day or night for any celebration, for any day that she needs a family. I know this is all a bit jumbled, it is so hard for me at times to express what my heart is feeling about a situation. But I hoped you followed along at least a little and that first and for most you see how important it is to love, open your heart up, show Jesus in every little thing, and change people lives with the love and knowledge of Jesus!!

Disney

Yeah!! Our first family vacation!! We have saved and planned for about 6 months and the day finally arrived. We were so lucky and blessed to take this trip with our best friends (Scott and Yvonne Brown) and with mom. The boys loved every minute of the adventure!! It was such a joy to wake up every morning with a full fun filled day planned and all of the boys asking what great things we got to do that day. Below are some of my favorite pictures from the trip. Enjoy!! We can't wait to go back and are already planning a trip in about 4 years. And one big shout out for Disney and the guest assistance pass. Our family could not have done Disney without this great pass that they provide for families of those with special needs. We got to jump all of the lines and received first rate service and help no matter where we went. A blessing that does not even have words. John would never had made it through the week. But thanks to this benefit we flew through Disney with ease and had tons of laughs! The best vacation hands down!! Check out all of our pictures on flickr!!