Stewartgirls

Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Dills Christmas Time

Papaw Time!

Ivy loves to play the piano at Memaw's! Hayley joined in this time!

Opening presents on Christmas morning!

A buggie! The perfect size! Hayley loves this!

Look at those pajamas! Thanks Memaw!

Playing in a box. The perfect toy!

Thank you Memaw, Papaw and Sharon. We love all our gifts. We love you! Wish we had gotten more pictures with Memaw and Sharon. Memaw was cooking breakfast and Sharon was chasing the girls and the cat!

Praise God for Hayley!

This is a picture from a year ago....Dec. 19th, 2011. At the courthouse when we got the official papers!

December 19^th is a VERY special day for our family. It is the day that we received Hayley’s official adoption papers. Hayley was our daughter from the moment that we heard about her but I still remember the Amazing feeling that I had when Brent, Hayley and I walked out of the court house with those papers. Hayley has added so much joy to our family. God has used Hayley to increase our faith, better our prayer life, magnify our love for our Savior, reveal again and again how selfish we are and how desperately we need Jesus. Yes! Seeing our need for our savior is a good thing!

Three weeks ago, Brent, Ivy and I went to Kentucky to look for a house. We allowed Hayley to stay with Nana. While we were away from her, we missed her and our family didn’t feel complete. Brent and I both commented that we really were so thankful that she is a part of our family. We were both so homesick and knew in our hearts that one of the biggest reasons was because Hayley wasn’t with us.

God truly has given me a heart for adoption. Brent and I are praying that if God want’s us to adopt again that He will show us. We desire for our family and friends to adopt. We desire for our church family to be full of the desire to adopt.

Sweet Girl!

We had planned a time of prayer and thanksgiving on the night of Hayley's adoption day. BUT, Ivy had the stomach bug. We didn't want to share the sickness so we canceled the party. A few family members "insisted" that they see and hug on Hayley.

Can you see Hayley's smile? This is how she gets whatever she wants from her Papaw!!!

Memaw made a banna pudding. It was so good. We went to Memaw and Papaws celebrated with Memaw, Papaw and Sharon.

Aunt Shesha has prayed for Hayley since the day that she heard about her. Alicia has been so supportive in praying for us throughout our journey. God has worked in Alicia to encourage me and help me. Alicia came by on Hayley's adoption day and brought Hayley a precious letter that she had written for her and a cabbage patch doll. Hayley loves babies and this doll is special because it comes with adoption papers for Hayley to "adopt" her doll!

Thank you God for allowing us to receive this precious gift straight from your hands! Thank you for working out every detail. Thank you for knowing exactly what we need. Thank you for Hayley. She truly is our unexpected gift from you. She is a joy! She is more than I have words to express!

Hayley Beth...I love you through and through!...Mommy

Monday, December 31, 2012

A few good books.....

Big Truths for Little Kids by Susan Hunt and Richie Hunt was a great introduction for our whole family of the Catechism. We enjoyed reading the fictional stories and talking about the truths taught. I do recommend this book. There are a few things toward the end of the book that my wonderful husband said, “I’m not a 100% sure about that!” but those of you who know him know that He thinks a lot! He did say it was a good book! He read the whole book with Ivy. This is a good one!

Lauren and Matt gave this book to Ivy for Christmas. It's called Talents by Irene Howat. We just read about Anne Lawson. We like it! We can tell you more in a couple of days!

Ivy got God's Names by Sally Michael for Christmas. She has already learned four of God's names. I love this book. It is so good! Brent loves this book. Look for this one! Ask for it for a birthday present!

Jesus Calling Bible Storybook by Sarah Young. I love the adult version of Jesus Calling. God really has used it in my life. I saw this kids version at Sams. It's good. My favorite kids bible is still the Jesus Story Book bible but this is one is good too. The pictures are great.

Ivy and I really enjoyed reading Tabitha’s Travels: A Family Story for Advent. This was an awesome fiction story about the daughter of a shepherd who is taking his family to his birthplace. It is full of adventure. Each chapter leaves you longing to continue reading. I mean it was so hard to put it down each night. Ivy begged me to keep reading and because I loved it so much I often did! At the end of each chapter, the author had great devotionals and tied every adventure back to Jesus and the reason He came, died and rose again. Each devotional was convicting and made me really want to worship my great King! It truly is one of my most favorite books. You have to get this book. I had to stop a lot and explain some things that were a little “deep” but I like stretching Ivy’s brain and in the process stretching my brain!

Thank you God for books!!!!!! Even board books are good! Thanks God! What a gift!

If I had millions of dollars, I would buy all my family and friends one of these books. God has used Comforts from the Cross by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick to convict, encourage, get me in the word and then to worship! It's good!