God had a Plan!

Proverbs 8:22 says, "God sovereignly made me—the first, the basic— before he did anything else. I was brought into being a long time ago, well before Earth got its start. I arrived on the scene before Ocean, yes, even before Springs and Rivers and Lakes. Before Mountains were sculpted and Hills took shape, I was already there, newborn; Long before God stretched out Earth's Horizons, and tended to the minute details of Soil and Weather, And set Sky firmly in place, I was there. When he mapped and gave borders to wild Ocean, built the vast vault of Heaven, and installed the fountains that fed Ocean, When he drew a boundary for Sea, posted a sign that said no trespassing, And then staked out Earth's Foundations, I was right there with him, making sure everything fit. Day after day I was there, with my joyful applause, always enjoying his company, Delighted with the world of things and creatures, happily celebrating the human family."

Do you get it? Before He did anything else, He thought of YOU. What an awesome thought. With all of the attention that the new movie ORPHAN is getting - to me, it could be an awesome...perhaps Christian families around the world will wake up to the call that is listed in James 1:27 says, "Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world."

Moreover, were we not adopted? Ephesians 1:3-6 says, "How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son."

Thank you God, for choosing me. Choosing me to be an example of exactly what you did for me...for I too, was an orphan and you adopted me. Thank you for helping Chris and I raise these wonderful children to serve you - for without you...I am nothing. Thank you for helping us be an example to others that you too have called to the purpose of adoption.

The Garden of Life

This is my hibiscus plant, I have 3, planted on the side of my house. The first year I planted them, there really wasn't much activity. I went out there nearly every day, to see if I saw anything...just a glimpse of a bloom, but there wasn't a single one. I had expectations for these plants the day I planted them...and it simply wasn't happening.

Had I dug deep enough? Was it getting enough water? Was I doing everything that I needed to do to provide it all that it needed to survive and be all that it was suppose to be?

The next year, I saw some improvement, some growth - and the blooms, were incredible. Only lasting for one day, they are magnificent! Nearly 8 inches in width - the blooms are either all the way open wide or not at all. But that year, I saw that the answers to the questions a year before were yes!

Such is life...you know we do all that we can - all that we know to do - but we don't always see the proof until months or years later.

Much like flowers....are children. They are a gift from God, but for a mere moment. You have just a small period of time to make sure that the soil is right, that you are feeding them and nurturing them enough for them to grow. Grow up and be great men and women of God, Godly parents, etc.

I know that as a mom to five children, I am doing all that I know to do, in my heart. I am raising them to love God first and foremost. To follow His commandments. I am learning not to go out and look every single day to see the improvement - to see signs of success...because it may not be there. My expectations? I have high expectations for my children, but it may take years to see the blooms - to see that what we are doing to feed and water them and do what God has called us as parents to do...is working. Until then, I need to know and trust in Him. Knowing that His word never fails - but it accomplishes everything it says it will.

My ultimate prayer for my children:

Ephesians 3:16-20 (NLT)
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Used Cows for Sale

For many years, we've past this sign...to the point that on family trips...it became the 'I spy" of the long haul to Bowling Green, Tennessee or Mississippi. With each passing both going north and south - we have laughed and talked about fact that number one: we need to get a picture and number two: What is a "USED" cow?

So on this trip, it happened, we pulled off the side of Interstate 65 and snapped a pic. We still don't know exactly what a "USED" cow is...but perhaps now that we have the phone number, we can conjure up the nerve to call and ask. :P

Reminiscing...

Dana, Grant & Aiden Dethy

So today, we spent some time at the Northside Christian 'Blue's, Cruise & BBQ'. It was fantastic - live jazz bands, great food that was inexpensive for a family of 7. Combine that with family and friends and you have a great afternoon. Boy was it hot!!


While there - I took this picture. It's a picture of my five children and Grant, the oldest son of my friend Dana Ebere-Dethy. Dana and I were high school friends. On the way home, I was caught up reminiscing of high school, our fun times psychology class, lunch room cackles - and how quickly time has past and our lives changed. Here we are now, a little older, wiser (maybe) but still friends, and raising our children. When we were in class - taking those ridiculous tests in psychology - we weren't thinking that 21 years later we would be doing things with our children...but I am loving every single minute of it. I value friendship and those that I know beyond a doubt God brought into and back into my life!

Fun, Food, Family.....Father's Day 2009

Ethan announced when he 'gets a bunch of kids'...what he will make them wear or not wear depending on the weather. I said, "get a bunch of kids? what do you mean by that?" He said, "You know when somebody gives me a bunch of kids..." Like I was a total moron. The I put it all together..."Do you mean that you are going to adopt children Ethan?" He said, "Yeah, it's fun...don't you think it's fun mom?" I laughed and said, "It sure is buddy!" It totally made my day...could God be putting it in his heart? Maybe...

There was something really special about this Father's Day...though I am not quite sure I can put my finger on it, as to why. We had a wonderful day full of fun, food, family - but especially love. I couldn't help but think about our heavenly father - and as much as we love our dad's and they love us...oh, how much more God loves and cares for us!

It all got started in the car ride over to see my parents, when the kids were in the back talking about heaven and how we know that it's real - - a pretty deep conversation followed - never thought I would have the conversation with my 6 to 9 year olds. But God was there and he gave Chris and I the exact words to say.... to Him be the praise!

You can't ask for much more of a better day than that!!

There's nothing like hot summer days poolside. We go every weekend that we can and some days in the evening after work.

We I was a kid, I loved going to the pool, lathering myself up with canola oil and baking in the hot sun...literally.

Now being a mom - I enjoy the pool even more. Racing the kids down the slides, being the time keeper for how long they can stay under water and just hearing them laugh as they create their own games, like 'dolphins, whales and sea otters".

"I'm not that smart!"

So, this morning we were driving down the road and Chris and I hear Ethan proclaim loudly and with a slight tone of anger, "I'm not that smart!". Chris immediately said, "Yes, you are smart Ethan, who told you that you weren't smart?" Ethan replied, "No one.....me!" We both were attempting to build his confidence when he again proclaimed, "I don't know what 1,000 + 8 is!" So after we explained the answer, CiCi quietly asked, "Am I smart?" Quicky and sharply Ethan said, "Yes, CiCi you are smart...spell red!" We laughed and laughed it totally made our morning!

"I'm not that smart!"

So we are driving along and Chris and I hear Ethan proclaim with relentless assertiveness, "I'm not that smart!"

It's been some time since my last blog - but you know - life happens. With school, work, church and all of the other stuff in between - it just fell

Toofless

Wow - it's has been some time since my last blog update - but between work, school and now my exercise routine that gets me up at 4:00 AM...it's been just a little busy.

Lots going on at the Coleman house though...and teeth are falling out left and right. In the last month...between CiCi and Ethan - they have lost 5 teeth and Sakiya has lost 2. Needless to say, the economy has had an impact even on the 'tooth fairy' - teeth used to fetch an easy $1 - but now it's 50 cents.

School is beginning to wrap up yet another year - and there are pros as well as cons. The kids have lost the excitement that comes with homework....believe it or not they were excited through January to have it...and quite frankly I have had my fill of signing, proof reading and correcting homework. With the number of books I have read this year....I need an award!

Until the next time....

Chillaxin with satifaction!

Nothing like chillaxin on a gloomy Saturday - where the temperature has dropped nearly 12 degrees in the passed 5 hours. It was 45 at 7:00 AM and now 33!?!?

So - we sit back still - play a little Wii - a little Xbox 360 - and what the heck - why not a little PS3...no shortage of entertainment in THIS aboad. And while we are at it...lets get in a short nap before heading to church.

Hope your say is full of chillaxin and satisfaction too!!

Until next blog....peace!

Vomit, Vomit everywhere

I will have to say that the past three weeks have been the most vomit-filled weeks of my entire life! I guess with five children going to the ultimate cesspool or what is otherwise known as "school" - it's hard to avoid this time of year. Even so, we have prevailed.

As of today - we are fever, vomit, diarreha, aching, cough, snotty-nosed with children home from school-free!

I've decided to take a trip to Whole Foods, Rainbow Blossom or GNC and find a natural vitamin to put our entire family on and then go to Sams and see if I can buy it in BULK. I will let you know how that little investigation turns out.

Until next blog -have a wonderful day!!

The Coleman's have entered the building!

Hello World! This is the first of what we hope to be a regularly updated (at least weekly) blog site that will allow you to glimpse inside the walls of our home and hearts. We have a wonderful family that has been brought together by God himself...and Chris and I are so honored and humbled to have been chosen...so with that I say, "The Coleman's have entered the building!"

Funny enough, that is exactly what I feel is proclaimed from the proverbial mountain top or loud speaker anytime me and my family enter a local restaurant, neighborhood grocery store or any other public building. Having a family of seven, we can no longer "slip in quietly" even when we try. :)

What's even funnier is the look of "Are they all yours?" as we come though the door - no words, the look says it all - to which I smile and reply, "yes, they are all mine." Thinking that I have some sort of mind reading power...the next thing I hear is "Well, your children are beautiful". I can't help but giggle....I mean - they see Chris, me and then the line of children that never seems to end....