Wordless Wednesday- A Walk in the Rain

Toddler Talk with Russell

Hey everyone!

I'm Russell. Russell the Elf. I'm staying at the Murphy's home this month. Keeping an eye on them for Santa. I was excited when I arrived because I recognized Rhiannon and Talon from Santa's "Nice" list. I was a little nervous. I have heard some stories from the other elves and well, they aren't so pretty. What a relief!

The Murphy's named me Russell my first night here. That wise guy dad picked my name. He's lucky I didn't send him straight to the Naughty list. I thought I would cut him some slack though. Rhiannon loves my name and well, I do this for the kids.

Since I will be here for a whole month, I thought it would be fun to take over Toddler Talk until I go back to the North Pole. It's a win/win in my book. This mom has her hands full and I have been wanting to give this blogging thing a whirl. It seems to be the new hot thing. All of the elves at the North Pole talk about their "lifestyle blogs", I'm a hip elf. Why shouldn't I have one too?

Enough about my hopes and dreams of being a big name blogger. I'll stick to guest posting here for now. While I'm running Toddler Talk, I am just gonna take you along on my adventures around the Murphy household. Maybe share some stories about what I see being an elf on a shelf over at their place.

The first morning I hid in pretty plain sight. I wanted to take it easy on the little ones, since it was their first time hunting for me. They found me pretty quickly. We packed up and headed to work.

 

Once we were there, it was chaos all day. I was shocked at how good those kids were in an office though. Especially Rhiannon. Sharing, playing quietly. An angel I'm sure. Talon had some fits but his sister reminded him that ... in here words "Russell gonna tell santa you naughty. No cars for you anymore!" He shaped up.

 Day 2: I brought back a note from Santa and hid to see Rhiannon's reaction.

Day 3:It was fairly warm out and I'm in this hot suit so, frankly, I needed a bath.

Day 4: Since it was a late night, I hide in the kids room, pretty plain sight stuff. The mom thought it was boring and didn't take my picture. I was a little hurt but hey Santa will get her back for it.

Day 5: I took a friend to the north pole with me. In elf life, that's kinda like bringing someone home to meet the parents. So I guess you could say its pretty serious.

So what have you all been up to? Share your toddler stories, will you?

Here we go...

It has been almost a year since we began REALLY talking and praying about adoption. Almost a year since we felt the call to go the route of Foster to Adopt. Almost a year since I have been fighting or ignoring the tug on my heart to do Foster care to adopt.

I thought maybe just maybe, I was hearing wrong. Okay, maybe I knew in my heart all along that this was God and just chose to pretend I was not sure. We all do that sometimes right? Right? I am not the only one am I?

.......

So after a year of playing the good ol' game of denial, I heard God loud and clear. In an audible voice. PS I am not crazy. Before I was saved, before I experienced a real life relationship with God, I thought people were crazy when they said they heard God. Not true. God actually speaks to us, if we are willing to listen.

Okay. I promise. That is my last tangent. Where was I even going with this?

Oh, yes, my conversation with God. I am calling it a conversation because I am a little embarrassed to call it what it was an argument. The "conversation" went something like this.

Major tug on heart once again. Stronger than ever. Telling ME that it is time to do foster/adopt. 

Me: "God, I can't. I think this is what you are telling me to do but I can't. I am too scared. I am not strong enough to lose a baby I love"

God: "You don't have to be. I AM. I am big enough and strong enough to get you through this. Remember your miscarriages? Remember how broken you were? Did I not pick you up and pull you out of that?"

Me: "That was different. When I lost my babies I knew they were going to you. They were safe in YOUR arms. I was okay with that"

God: "So will these babies. I will be with them. Whether they are with you or with their birth moms or another foster home. I will be with them"

Me: "I'm just not ready. Not yet. I will be. I trust you. I'm just not ready yet."

God: "You trust me? Then what are you waiting for? Drop your net and follow me."

Me: "My net?" ::Remembering the story of Simon (Peter) and Andrew:::

Looks like we will be doing Foster to Adopt.

At the beginning of the year we will start the process. We will be filing out paper work. We will be preparing our home. We will be getting ready to welcome hurting babies into our home.

We would love it if you would pray for us.

Pray for our hearts. That the fear of losing our babes will be minimal. Pray that every child we come in contact with would feel our love for them. That each one would be rescued from their pain. Pray for guidance. That we would know exactly where to go and what to do. Just pray.

I am getting excited about this journey. I am still scared. I want to rescue all of the motherless/abused/neglected/hurting babies. I want to sweep them up from the system and give them a forever home. I know that God is going to use us. Whether the first baby in our home stays forever or we take in 25 and they all must leave, I know He has a plan. I am scared but I am done letting that fear control me. I will follow God. I will have a new baby soon. I can't wait to meet them. Eeeek!

Keep praying. Come along on our journey with us and help us to pray and love on any and all of the children that come in our home.

Cyber Monday!!!

Hey everyone. Today is the last day of all of our blowout sales. I have been so excited about all of the support of my readers that I thought I would say thank you by adding another little perk. On top of these sales prices, anyone who purchases today will be receiving a free gift with purchase. 

 

Don't forget to enter your coupon codes at check out. Thank you all again. You are amazing. 

Click here to SHOP NOW!!!! 

Sale items: 
Artfolios
Bible Sleeves
Spry Rosettes

Thankful

Every year on Thanksgiving we reflect on what we are thankful for. This year has been full of ups and downs for our family. As a whole the year has been great. We are blessed more today than we were yesterday. It seems as though, no matter how much we go through, are days are filled with more love, friendship, faith and well blessings. We serve an amazing God that continues to pour out not only those blessings but promises of more.

This year, I am thankful for Family 

 

And for friends.

 

I am thankful for food on the table and a roof over our heads.

I am thankful for a husband who goes above and beyond to provide for our family.

I am thankful for babies who will snuggle me all day.

I am thankful for all of you.

I am thankful for so much. We have been shown favor and love. It is love that has given us all the things we are so grateful for. Love from eachother; to provide, protect, comfort, encourage. It is love from the Lord to provide these things, to protect us from any harm.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!-1John3:1

On a whole other note. Here is our ad for Cyber Monday! I know I am also thankful for savings :)

What We Wore and Small Biz Saturday

The last time we came to Oregon, I thought for sure that I would freeze to death. This year, thankfully, it was cooler in California. I was more prepped for the cold Oregon weather. Yesterday I was even able to leave the house in a thin long sleeved shirt. I felt like a real life Oregonian. I was proud.

My outfit:
Shirt: Old Navy

Tank: Anchor Blue

Jeans and flats: Target

Headband: Made by me

Rhiannon's Outfit:

EVERYTHING is Target. 

Oh yes, and don't let me forget the Small Business Saturday Sale:

Vacation, Black Friday and Toddler Talk

This week we are in Roseburg Oregon. Enjoying time with family, relaxing and just taking some time to ourselves. We arrived yesterday and are having a blast. As my husband put it, we "Enjoyed a wonderful day of absolutely nothing in-particular." So far we have done just that.


The kids have run around the house playing with our cousin/goddaughter. We have just enjoyed them. It is so important to do just that. Sit back and worry about nothing except playing with your kids. This time goes so fast. They grow up so quickly. Cliche, I know but still true. 


In the blink of an eye, Rhiannon has gone from newborn to 3. Even faster, Talon turned 1. I don't want to miss anything. So we are planning nothing this vacation. Just family and fun!


Wellll...except, we are doing Black Friday. Who could pass up Black Friday in Oregon. There is no sales tax. So on top of the sales, we get an extra 8% off. Woo Hoo!!!


On that note, you know, the Black Friday note. We are having a sale. A big one! Three products a day. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. Nine products total. Some up to 75% off. Huge!


Here is what's happening on Friday. Stop back tomorrow to see the next ad.

Also... please link up for Toddler Talk Tuesday, even though I was a bit of a lagger on it. :)