"Lord show me how to pray for my children. Help me to raise them Your way. And may Your will be done in their lives." 
Last year I read the book "The Power of a Praying Parent" by Stormie Omartian. A great book and wonderful tool to use to help in the area of covering our kids in prayer. Before reading the book, I found myself frustrated about this topic...feeling guilty for not taking the time and not knowing what to pray. I got a piece of advice from another mom with five kids. She assigns a day of the week for each child and prays throughout the day for that child. I tried that and it didn't work so well for me, with all the distractions of the day.
Stormie suggested making a list for each child. I did that last year and again at the beginning of this year. It was pretty cool to read last years list again and see how God answered.
I had forgotten how many times we were at the Dr. last year for Caedmon's chronic ear infections...every month it seemed and nothing helped. Now this past winter, neither of them has been to the Doctor for sickness. PTL! And Kaiya was also going through a phase where she didn't want to be left at a babysitter...especially overnight. At the time, it was so frustrating but now she does so well.
Here are the lists for this year:
Caedmon
- for a healthy understanding & acceptance of being adopted
- quick obedience to mom & dad and others in authority
- wisdom & patience for us as parents in the area of discipline
- that he would use his high-energy in a positive way
- purity in all areas -- what he sees, hears & does -- that we would provide a home that encourages purity
- protection from sickness, disease, injury, harm, kidnapping
- against past generational sins & bondage's carried down from birth parents and ourselves
- future & present friendships
-only positive influences, healthy relationships, that he would know how to work through conflicts, that he would be a faithful friend to others and have the blessing of many friendships
- As he starts school this Fall - a caring & loving teacher, his attention span & ability to focus & learn
- Temper tantrums - learning control when things don't go his way
- That we could encourage his gifts & talents
- Showing respect for elders - looking at and answering them when they talk to him
- His future spouse
- His relationship with the Lord and acceptance of Him into his life
- His relationship with family members - parents & siblings
Kaiya
- protection over her from danger, harm, sickness, disease, kidnapping
- past generational sins carried down from birth parents & ourselves
- Her future spouse
- Future friendships - only positive influences - that she could be a good role model to others as well - know how to handle conflicts in a positive way and have many friendships
- Potty training to the completion
- Quick obedience to mom & dad and others in authority over her
- Showing respect to elders and answering them when they talk to her
- Purity - what she sees, hears & does
- That she would have a healthy self-esteem and not feel like looks are the most important
- Healthy relationships with parents & siblings
- Healthy understanding and acceptance of her adoption
- A likable personality - gentle & loving spirit for others - compassion
- Future salvation
- Wisdom & patience for us as we discipline
Here's an excerpt from the book that I thought was good:
When things go wrong in our children's lives, we blame ourselves. We beat ourselves up for not being perfect parents. But it's not being a perfect parent that makes the difference in a child's life, because there are no perfect parents. None of us are perfect, so how can we be perfect parents? It's being a praying parent that makes the difference. And that's something we all can be.
Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children. Lamentations 2:19
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7
Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:13-14
Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:17-18
Happy Easter!
We're home again and I am very happy to be off the highway. I don't enjoy travelling very much but did enjoy the two Karen Kingsbury books I read to pass the time. The kids did as well as they could have for being strapped in their car seats for hours. We had to make a couple emergency potty stops and had a few emotional breakdowns, but besides the close calls with flying tires & cars almost pushing us off the road, everything went pretty well. Thank you Lord for answering our prayers & sending your angels to surround our van, keeping us safe & protected while travelling! 
We made it home around four on Sunday night and both Kevin and I had a burst of energy. We got everything unpacked and put away. I even did a couple loads of laundry. It sure helped my Monday go a lot smoother. We're back in the swing of things again, but the day after vacation is usually an adjustment for me. ..I loved having my husband with me 24/7 and having all the extra help with the kids...too bad he had to go back to work today.
These pictures are of our Easter egg hunt on the beach last week. Great memories! 
While in Florida I took 265 pictures...there is more to come on my blog. =)
It's been so nice vacationing with my family this week. It's so much more fun with a bigger group to hang out with and laugh with. I'm afraid the kids are a little spoiled now with all the extra attention from Grandma & Grandpa and all their cousins, but it's certainly been worth it. I've loved getting up early and walking the beach each morning with mom & dad. I've loved watching my children have a blast learning to swim better with their cousins. I've loved watching my dad play in the sand with my kids. I've loved seeing my pregnant sister each day and talking about the upcoming arrival of baby Emmi. I've loved this whole week!
And here's Princess Kaiya lounging on her chair because she doesn't want to get eaten by those beach spiders.
Easter Sunday was spent doing what we came to Florida to do...playing in the sun! 
That evening our cousins, Andy & Danielle, invited us over to be a part of their family Easter celebrations. Caedmon had a blast playing with their boys and we loved spending the evening with their family. Kevin's Grandpa & Grandma were there as well and it was great to see them again.
Even though Danielle and I rarely see each other, it feels like we can always pick right up where we left off. She's so fun & always great to talk to.
With the threat of a winter storm coming that day, we left our home town happily and didn't look back. My whole family joined us including my parents and sister's family. My nephew, Jake will turn 16 while we are there, so he brought along a couple friends. While driving through Kentucky, the temperatures climbed to the 70s. It was a beautiful day to be on the road and refreshing to see green grass and the Spring flowers blooming. We packed lunches and stopped for a picnic along the way.
Baby Chase came four weeks early at 6 pounds & 7 ounces, surprising everyone. His size reminded me so much of Kaiya when she was born. She was a tiny 6 pounds & 8 ounces. 
After having lunch with daddy & visiting Baby Chase, the kids and I ran a few errands. I decided we would wear our Spring jackets instead of the heavy winter coats and I'm so glad we did. With the sun shining in the van, it was actually kind of hot. We even rolled down the windows a little. Come on Spring, we're ready!
The kids did so great, running errands during their usual nap time. They fell asleep on the way home and slept in the van while I got all the groceries unloaded and put away. 
That's one proud stylin' Aunt!
Everyone was asked to bring a tie as a gift or as part of their gift that reminded them of Jake, then share a story about why they chose it. I gave him a red tie to remind him of the day that he broke my nose and made it bleed a lot. He was four (Caedmon's age) and our family was having a picnic at the Hurshtown Reservoir. Everyone was throwing rocks into the water, so he did the same except his (a really big one) hit me right on the nose instead of making it in the water. Kevin was standing right beside me thankfully and caught me in his arms before I collapsed into the water. There was a lot of bleeding and a broken & very swollen nose! I've given him a hard time since. =) 
A devotional challenge to the teens by Clint, Jake's Dad
Rylie dressed in one of Jake's suits
We're all very proud of you, Jake, and the man that you are becoming. You bring a lot of laughter & joy to our family. May you continue to be a shining light & positive influence to those around you! Happy 16th! We love you! 
