Without Love... my reminder for the night

(For the curious... the answer to where we were is on the post below this one!)  :o)

I had just settled happily onto the couch for the evening, after a late night getting the kids tucked into bed and many trips back upstairs to tend to their various "needs".  After only a few minutes rest, Seth called out, yet again, from his upstairs bedroom.  "Mo-om, I want to tell you something.  Can you come here please?" 

I have to admit, I'm thankful he wasn't close enough to hear my pitiful sigh as I paused wearily at the bottom of the staircase before ascending to his room.  I had been really looking forward to some time to myself.  Ahh, there was that great parenting resource book I've been reading... or I was thinking about writing a family update post on our blog... and I was eager to do a little more adoption reasearch too... so many things I had my heart set on doing in my precious free time tonight.  And now my time was getting cut even shorter.

As I picked my tired feet up the flight of old stairs, I could feel a little twinge in my heart.  It wasn't too strong or too loud... it was that still, small voice I knew well.  And it was quietly calling for an attitude change. 
"Mmm hmm", I inwardly noded, understanding God's reminder to me.  It was my love for my children that drove me to invest in those other things in the first place.  ... Still, I entered Seth's room with an agenda of getting things taken care of, and then getting back downstairs as quickly as I could...

Forty-five minutes later I stood in Seth's doorway, telling him that I loved him and wishing him sweet dreams.  My expression was softer, and so was my heart.  Oh, yes, it had taken time, quite a bit of time.  And now I wouldn't be able to do all those "super important" things tonight.... But that was ok.  I had spent forty-five minutes with a little boy who just needed some reassuring.  When I entered, his sweet, tender heart was concerned about something, and he was sad to the point of tears.  He was happy now, smiling and laying peacefully close to sleep.  How thankful I was that I hadn't simply yelled up the stairs for him to quiet down and go to bed, as I had selfishly wanted to, without even checking to see if he had a legitimate issue or if he was mearly stalling for more awake time.  

After all, what good are my great parenting books, and blogging about the four of us, and the desire to expand our family through adoption if I'm reacting selfishly and without putting my love for them into action right now? 

Hmmm.  Not much good, I guess.

I'm glad for the reminder.  



"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains but have not love, I am nothing. 
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

~ 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

Yes, it was...

Arizona!  ;o)

We had debated going because of the craziness of packing and support raising, plus the usual church and family things going on... but we did go, and in the end it turned out to be just what we needed. :o)

We had a great time doing some hiking.  Here's Seth on the rock marking the "Heiroglyphics Trail".  Seth and Haddie and I only made it about half way, but it was pretty cool.

We went to a lake one night (Haddie kept calling it "The Grand Canyon" - hehe!).  Here's the four of us near the lake as the sun was setting, making things look even more beautiful.

"Kids, don't stick your hands by those holes or under any bushes."

The four of us went on an easy hike just outside the city we were staying in. 

The day and scenery were wonderful.

Seth at a park we all enjoyed.

"That's sharp.  You don't want to touch cactuses." ;o)

Steve and Haddie.

We did a little celebrating while we were out there, as it was Steve's birthday the day we came home.

Haddie and me.  Neat iron statues were everywhere in Fountain Hills, where we stayed.

The girls.  Myself, Tammy (you wouldn't guess she's seven months pregnant!), Jess, my mom, and Steph.

This was actually taken before we flew out (but I was having trouble with the order of pictures downloaded!).  Seth and Haddie thought the escelator at the air port was just amazing.  :o)  Hehe.

Thanks Mom and Dad.  We had a wonderful time!

We are thankful to have been given a little vacation!  

Can you guess where we are?  :o)