Crazy Love

God's love for his people is mind-blowing crazy. This kind of love has no rivalry or competitor. The love of God is outrageous, the way he loves us is CRAZY! It's so insanely passionate and wild, it's a concept like no other. It's madness!! It's unmatched, it's unstoppable, it's "the loftiest idea in literature" it's indescribable, its unimaginable! It makes my heart race to think about the small surface of love that I know about Him.

Gods love is wildly awesome and radical.

People who emulate this kind of love are very easy to pick out and notice.
It doesn't take very long to notice them either, because there is something just different about these kinds of people.

They are humble people, giving people, loving people, and most of the time all around awesome people.

Their love, and their stories are always contagious.

I am lucky to know people with just this sort of wild love.

This is my friend Nicole and her husband Daniel. 

<----(Seriously, is this the 

cutest picture ever?!)

We met earlier this year during our adoption journeys and become friends very quickly. Though we have never met in person, I honestly consider her to be a very close friend of mine. I cherish our friendship and conversations, and she still talks to me even though I am literally the WORST TEXTER ever known to man-kind.

She is pretty amazing. She has helped me through some rough times, as well as celebrated with me during some really happy times. She is such a gift to my life! I love this girl!! 

They have been home from Uganda with their THREE children, yes you saw that right, THREE since December. She was my main contact and source of information on Esther during the times we were apart, and I will forever be thankful for that!!!!

 <--Talk about cuties!!!

So, now Nicole is the lucky and blessed mom of these six, yes SIX, crazy cool kids that she never stops talking about.

She is one of those people who was just meant to be a mom. 

As if she wasn't awesome enough, their family has decided they aren't complete yet. 

A boy named "Wilson" (this is just his alias name) has been on their hearts for months now, and they couldn't "shake" him off. So, they have decided with the huge love in their hearts to adopt,

AGAIN!! 

(WHAT! ARE YOU KIDDING ME! 7 kids?! I need a nap just thinking about that!)

No, but seriously, this family loves to love, and has a lot of love to give. It really doesn't surprise me at all that they are adopting again, that's just who they are. People full to the brim with love. 

This is "Wilson."

This adoption is expected to go quickly. "Wilson" happens to be HIV + and because of this would likely still be waiting for a family if Nicole and her posse didn't commit to taking him.

As you guys remember, adoption is EXPENSIVE! They are still recovering from the first adoption expenses (imagine our expenses...times 3!!) but they trust God and believe all of the pieces will fall together where they need to.

I'm telling you guys, this family has a whole bunch of HUGE hearts!! 

I made this video for her to share with people, and I hope you enjoy! 

For more information about HIV parenting, Nicole has suggested these resources:

http://projecthopeful.org/

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jennifer-fulwiler/8-surprising-facts-about-adopting-hiv-kids

http://www.aidsbeacon.com/news/2009/10/08/aids-and-adoption-part-two-adopting-an-hiv-positive-child/

And if you would like to support his family, visit HERE

I will keep you all posted on their journey as well =)

Thanks guys, much love to you all! 

I Don't Just Sit Around Eating BonBons All Day....hmm Where IS The Chocolate?

So seriously, what on earth have I been doing? My mom used to say growing up that being a stay at home mom was more than eating Bonbons and watching soap operas, and she is right. I feel like I do so much more than that right now (though a day of soap operas and chocolate really doesn't sound disgusting to me at this point).

My house is never clean, the laundry is never done, my to-do list seems to grow rather than shrink and there just aren't ever enough hours in the day.

But we are happy.

God showed up in a BIG way during our 7 weeks in Africa, and I can't wait to tell you all about it....when I have an extra 3 seconds. For right now, I will have to let pictures of our family suffice.

Lets just say life is hard, easy, happy, and crazy right now. Our Essie is home forever and we (okay God) ended the race God gave us!

Like I said, I will be back to blogging about orphans, and adoption, and chocolate sometime in the near future. But for the non Facebook users out there, here is a our story in a photo recap!

I am not even sure how this is possible, but we have been home for OVER A MONTH! WHAT! Where has the time gone?

Waiting to meet Sissy.

First seconds meeting daddy.

Safe in Dads arms.

Besties. 

I love this place. Seriously.

On a tour of the Bugandan palace.

Grocery store.

Beautiful Lake Victoria. Also the source of the Nile.

Our dear friends.

The skies in Uganda are unreal. 

On an afternoon stroll.

The Nile. It's as awesome as you think and then some.

Boating around! 

Boda Boda.

Home for Christmas! Okay, that's true. But we had Christmas round 2 in March! 

Arcade time.

First trip to the Library.

First time playing in the snow. 

Home for Easter, FOR REAL!

Snuggling. 

These two are ALWAYS dressing up.

Baby girl got that right! LOVE makes a family.

Can I give you all a hug! Seriously, we would NOT BE HOME WITHOUT YOU! EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU! God moved some SERIOUS mountains during our time in Africa, and we are forever changed because of it. I just can't wait to tell you all about it, but its 1:30 and I haven't showered yet. So for the sake of my children and husband I better leave you hanging for a little bit longer.

For those local to the area, we are giving a summary of our journey on April 22nd 2013 at Living Stones Reno at 445 S Virginia St  Reno, NV 89501 at 6:30 pm. We will be providing pizza, anyone and EVERYONE is welcome to come! We REALLY hope to see you guys there! 

MUCH, MUCH love to you all!

-TeJay, Ashleigh, Eva and Esther 

Home forever as a family March 9th 2013th. 

GOTCHA!