Half a Dozen Halpins

Encouraged

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:02:00 +0000

(A friend of mine designed this graphic for me. Isn't it lovely?!)

Over the past month, I have been down in the dumps about our lengthy adoption. It is not going the way that I had planned. I have said before that I am sometimes at peace with it and sometimes I am in a battle. Right now, I am just working on fully trusting God with this. I am trying to believe that he has this. I am so thankful that in these times of trial, that God has placed the most amazing people in my life, shown me scripture that has pulled me through and given me hope.

** Joel's sermon last week was about the authority of God and it was clearly spoken directly to me. It is so easy to forget how big God is and how teeny tiny I really am. How could I not believe and trust him? He made the world by just speaking. He didn't ask me how to do it. I am not in charge and he is my authority and the authority of ALL things. So POWERFUL!

**Two of the songs in worship that week were so incredible. The words spoke directly to me.

God is Able

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

At your Name

I want to praise Him no matter what. There is no one like Him. Yaweh, Yaweh we love to shout your Name!!!!!!!

Listen to them. These Songs are AMAZING. I wake up to these songs. They remind me who He is and what He can do!

**I had the chance to meet my friend Carrie for lunch. It is such a blessing to have a friend who is also on the same journey. She understands. She is such an encouragement to me. She reminded me that it is a blessing that we have been called to adoption and to missions and that I should feel blessed and overwhelmed that he has called me to something so BIG. I walked away from our lunch encouraged and so humbled that God chose me to walk this path and to change lives for His kingdom. I have asked him over and over again (daily actually) to open my eyes and to break my heart and he has done just that. So thankful!

**BSF. Every week God speaks to me. This past week the title was "An Ideal Life". What do I define as an ideal life? More money? A cuter wardrobe? Luxury? Living the "American dream" by collecting more stuff? The principles of this week.

*A life of service to God requires humble submission to God's plan and God's people.

* For the Christian, the "ideal" life is not a life of ease but a life of service to God.

*A life of service to God requires dying to our life and living for Jesus Christ.

*A life of service to God requires following the spirit no matter what even into danger or death.

Acts 20:24

"I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

I must daily die to myself and live for Christ. I am here only to please God, not man. I am here to glorify His name and be obedient to Him. I am so encouraged and I am going to finish this race.

"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of god. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1

100th Day of School

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:10:00 +0000

6

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:14:00 +0000

donuts for breakfast. new birthday shirt by mommy. super fun day at school. mcdonald's for lunch at school with marlene, gigi, mommy and els. cupcakes for your class. new lego set and hot wheels track. happy birthday's sung by many. fuddrucker's for dinner with nonna, nonae, aunts, uncles and cousins. hot dog and fries. chocolate sheet cake and more happy birthdays. super fun candles that don't blow out easily. "this is the BEST birthday EVER" and "I had such a GREAT day". and that is how we roll when we are six.

TEN

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:50:00 +0000

Ten months of waiting. Waiting and waiting and waiting......and waiting.......

Thankful for His Word

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:33:00 +0000

This week has been BLAH!! It is crazy because last week was such a good week. My heart was content, I was at peace with the adoption, financially felt secure, had a plan. Then BAM! This week, not content, not at peace, not feeling secure and without a plan. I am upset that the adoption is taking so long with no end in site. NO END!! Mostly upset because there are 5 million orphans in Ethiopia and 78 orphanages and here we are... 1 1/2 years into the process and just at a stand still. My heart aches for our daughter. Then there is Uncle Sam...GRRRRRR!!!! Not a friend of mine!!!(he started it all) That is all I have to say there. Then, my work has taken a nose dive in patients and I am not feeling secure at all in my ability to work. Just not feeling it!!! I am beat down and tired! And God is saying....poor Erica, her pity party is so sad...HA HA..NOT!!!! That is why I am so thankful for His living word, His grace, the truth!

Satan has been at full force in my life this week. He loves to attack when you are feeling at peace and content. I recognized it right away. And this is what the word says "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." 2 thess 3:3. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.." 1 Peter 5:8 Satan was trying to devour me and for a moment, I was letting him. I was believing his lies and motives. He is a LIAR!! I need to not let my guard down. "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil." 1 thess 5:21. I need to put on the full armor of God EVERY SINGLE DAY. "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes". Ephesians 6:11

Today, I woke up and excited for a new day. I put on the full armor of God, and I am ready. I am trying to remember this "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1thess 5:18. I am thankful that his mercies are new every morning. "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23. How awesome is that!? He forgives me for my discontentment, my lack of faith, anger and bitterness. He has given me grace.

One last verse that I have found so powerful and I have held on to all week.
"The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"1 thess 5:24
It had a period in the bible, but I felt it deserved exclamation points. AMEN????!!!!! He's got this!

Now I just need to stand firm and believe it at all times!!!!!

Ahoy, Matey!

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:13:00 +0000

We had our 3 month check-up for Oliver's eyes. Three months ago he was diagnosed with amblyopia (aka lazy eye). With glasses, his right eye could see 20/40. Today, after only 3 months, he can see 20/30 with his glasses. I was so excited to see such a big improvement. But, the eye doctor wants to be more aggressive and to start patching the good eye to force his bad eye or "lazy eye" to work even harder. We have to patch his left eye (his good eye) after school until bedtime and all day on the weekends. At first, Oliver was very excited about wearing a patch like a pirate. After an hour, he was done with it. Lots of fits and crying. Being a pirate is fun, but not full time. I can't imagine walking around with everything looking blurry. I feel for him.

You can't really see here, but he has a band-aid like patch on his eye. We were trying something different to see if it would work better. The eye doctor also wants him to be doing eye stimulating activities with the patch on. She suggested word finds.??? He's five. He plays all day. So, we have been letting him play games on the computer more and playing angry birds a lot. Eye stimulating enough, right?

Day one and day two have not been fun, but it will get easier....I hope.

Poor Daisy!

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:52:00 +0000

About 6 months ago (around her one year birthday) Daisy had a really bad ear infection. I tried to treat it myself as I do with everything. No one gets to go to the doctor unless you are in serious need. But, my diagnosis and treatment for this girls ears was way off and I was making things worse. Finally, I asked Joel to take her to the vet and also for him to ask why it felt like her hips were clicking when she would sit. Being a NICU nurse, I know about hip dysplasia in infants and to look for the clicking, not in dogs. When he came home from the vet, he said he had bad news. It was her knees and she needed double knee surgery. UGH!!! Not good news for me. I am EL CHEAPO!!! But, what was the other option? She is the sweetest dog and had become a part of our family. So, we started saving for the knee surgery. We had the country surgeon option or the big city pet surgery center option. We decided the country surgeon option. Half the price!!! Kind of "Doc Hollywood" ish. Love that movie!!

So, today was the big day....knee surgery....WRONG!!! This little 13 lb. dog has hip dysplasia (this is very uncommon in small dogs). Her right hip was completely out of socket and had been that way. No wonder she didn't walk on it at all. The other hip will follow one day. I told Joel to ask them if we could forgo the x-rays since she obviously needed the surgery and why the x-rays (AGAIN, EL CHEAPO). So glad they did them. She had a femoral head and neck excision. Kind of interesting. Her body will make a pseudo hip joint. The vet said she had probably been in a lot of pain for a really long time. So sad! She has never acted like she was in pain.

So far, she is not a fan of the cone. She did not sit down all night long and stayed in one spot. I feel so bad for her, but I also don't want her to mess up the incision and have to take her back. So, 14 days with the cone it is. Sorry girl!!!

9 months

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 01:17:00 +0000

DTE 9 months

273.931649 days!! A really LONG TIME!!

Goodbye 2011...

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:44:00 +0000

Hello 2012.
I am so looking forward to this year. There is so much anticipation for the possibilities for this year. It is possible for us to become a family of 6 this year. I have so much hope for this. I may be traveling 3 times to Ethiopia this year. One time for sure. I got my "Welcome to the Team" letter from Ordinary Hero for my mission trip in June. I am excited, nervous, and did I say EXCITED!?! I cannot wait to go and serve.

These are in no particular order.

1. Lose weight (always on my goals list): I will be at weight watchers this week!! They have missed me. At least that is what the card says that they sent me in the mail. I have not missed them. I have enjoyed eating and stuffing my face with fudge, pizza, christmas cookies, green and red m&m's ...etc!

2. Drink water: I did not say more water because I NEVER drink water. All of my liquid intake comes from Diet Dr. Pepper. I know, so incredibly healthy.

3. Letting go of things that are not important. Enjoying everyday and moment I have with my children. I was talking to Joel the other night and realized that in just 5 years Clayton will be 14. 14!!!!! 5 years flies by these days. I need to enjoy him as much as I can as a child. They are only little once.

4. Being Content right where I am. Not complaining about my circumstances. Being Joyful right where God has me.
1 Timothy 6:6-8
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing be content with that.

5. Spending time laughing and playing with my kids and putting laundry and house cleaning lower on the priority list.

6. Figure out some sort of work out routine. SOMETHING!!

7. Journaling more. Everyday??

8. Take Vitamins

9. Live this verse out, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

10. Follow what I tell my kids every day. Do unto others as you would have them do to you. Matthew 7:12 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you you, for this sums up the Law of the prophets." This is a hard one. It is difficult not to treat people in the same way that they have treated me. I had to say this out loud to myself the other day because I was resisting being kind to someone because of they way they have treated me. An eye for an eye?? Jesus specifically says otherwise. I hope in 2012 to work on this one.

I was hoping to come up with 12 for 2012, but 10 was really hard.

Hope you have a blessed year!!

Singing His Heart Out

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:21:00 +0000

Happy 35th, Joel

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:29:00 +0000

Happy birthday to my Awesome husband!! the big 3-5!!! Yikes!

And, again...the picture taking is at an all time low. I did manage to take pictures of his yummy cake...

I made a chocolate chip cookie dough cake.

It has chocolate chip cookie dough in the filling of the cake.

We went to breakfast at IHOP with his mom and dad and then he went to the movies. That night, we actually got to have a date night. Marlene and Jimmy let all three boys spend the night. I was nice just to eat dinner in peace and quiet. Happy birthday, babe!

Christmas Day

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 17:17:00 +0000

Christmas day is CRAZY for us! Crazy in a good way! We go go go and go! Clayton woke us up at 6 am and so excited. Santa decided to wrap their presents this year just in case someone woke up really early to take a peek. Clayton got hogwarts castle legos and he was so so excited.

Santa brought Oliver the Samurai Castle. I think he is still half asleep here.

Here is the damage done.....

The boys got so many legos this year. Oliver was ready to get started. I could not believe how well he could build.

We let Elliot sleep as long as he wanted and he finally woke up at 9:30. We wanted him to be in a good mood the whole day! He had so much fun unwrapping his presents.

Santa ate his cookies and milk and even shared some with Toby (our elf)

Toby left a departing letter and we will see him again next year. We then sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and celebrated with some birthday cake for breakfast!

We were late to our next stop, Mimi and Gongi's house. They always prepare a yummy breakfast for us and spoil the kids! The kids spent most of their time outside running and shooting nerf guns. It was freezing outside, so I stayed in! Next stop, Gigi and Grandpa's house. There are so many cousins, so many sister/brother-in laws, aunts and uncles...etc. all crammed into this room. It is so fun to have such a big family! This is the only picture I took of the day! I had so much fun watching the boys this year that I just didn't take many pictures. Oh, well.

We are so blessed and have such wonderful family! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:53:00 +0000

This year, I hardly took any pictures. I was busy soaking everything in. All three boys had so much fun this year. We started of our day going to the Godparents. The bigs got their first lego sets of the season. Oliver got Mack and lightning McQueen and Clayton got a lego lighthouse. They wanted to put them together right away. We then headed over to my parents for a fun-filled evening. My parents are redoing their floors so we spent some time sitting on concrete!!

The boys got so many fun things. Clayton got a new camera and is wanting to start a blog so he can photograph and show his legos. Oliver got the lego police station that was number one on his list and Elliot got lots of thomas stuff and a little 4 wheeler that he will not go near (ha!). Thank you, Nonna and Nonae for such a fun day!

Silent Night, Holy Night

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 15:49:00 +0000

For unto us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

One down...

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 03:57:00 +0000

39 to go! I finally checked one thing of my 40 before 40 list. I got to be a part of a flash mob tonight!!!!!!!!!! It was a part of CPC's EOCE (eve of Christmas Eve) service. It was so much fun!

Milk Junkie

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:38:00 +0000

Not only has the tiny one learned to open the pantry, drag a chair over and get whatever his hearts desires, he has now learned to open the fridge and do the same. YIKES!!! I was in bed watching a movie and the boys were all watching a movie in their room when I hear Elliot grunting like he was carrying something heavy. He had carried the full gallon of milk all the way into my room. "Mo Milk, Mommy?" I had to laugh.... and had to take a picture. He was about to drop the milk, so this is the best I could get. Also note the shoes. He thinks he must sleep in shoes. Funny, funny boy!

PJ Party

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:20:00 +0000

We had a super fun PJ Pancake Party with the cousins.

Then we decorated cookies! Yum! Yum!

And I got to snuggle with tiny baby Charlotte for a couple hours. Love Her!!!

Unhappy tiny baby Charlotte.

Happy Baby Elliot!!!!

Halfway

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:45:00 +0000

I cannot believe the school year is halfway through. The boys have both learned so much this year. Their teachers are amazing and we feel so blessed.

I was helping with the kindergarten party, so I asked Joel to help with the 3rd grade party. I snuck a picture of him being the "room dad"! It was so much harder this year because I couldn't be at both parties.

Hebrews

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:20:00 +0000

I just finished a deep study on the book of Hebrews with BSF. It was incredible and the holy spirit really spoke to me through this book. I write all of my notes in the margin of my bible and my book of Hebrews is literally about to fall out (along with a few other great books) and I don't want to lose all the amazing things I have learned.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thought and attitudes of the heart.

4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and fine grace to help us in our time of need.

5:7 During the days of Jesus's life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death.

7:25 Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

10:10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all.

10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

12:1 Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

12:6 The Lord disciplines those he loves and punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline. God is treating you as sons.

12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire".

13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.

All of these verses have really worked on my heart. I have not been honoring God these past couple months. I have been focusing on trying to please man, not Him. I have been jealous and envious of material things. I have been impatient with my kids and husband. I have been whining to God about the wait for our little girl. I could add many other things to the list, but for now, I will stick with these things. I fall short. Jesus Christ came to this world as a tiny innocent baby for me and for you. He came so that we could be forgiven and have grace and his mercy. He suffered on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. All I have to do is come to him and sit at his throne of grace. What a wonderful place to be. I love knowing that as many times that I cry out to God and ask Him to change things, that Jesus did the same thing and he knows my heart. I need to run with perseverance for the race marked out for ME. Be obedient. I need to fix my eyes on Jesus and not on things of this earth. I need to be content with what I have and continually offer him a sacrifice of praise. It says "CONTINUALLY"!! I need to be joyful in the hardships because it means that he calls me his daughter. This study clearly revealed the attitudes of my heart and I am so thankful that His word is alive and active and I am thankful for his forgiveness! 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

2.5

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:34:00 +0000

I CAN. NOT believe that this tiny baby boy is 2 1/2. No WAY!! In denial!! He is such a sweet, sweet boy! He brings us so much joy! He pretty much just tags along and goes with the flow. We ask him to go do something and he says "okay" in the tiniest little voice. He loves EVERYTHING his brothers do. He wants to be with them at all times and cannot wait for them to come home from school. He loves Dora, Thomas, trains, cars, and lightning McQueen. He still carries around the easter basket lightning mcqueen full of cars. I love how his eyes light up with all the Christmas lights and trees. He loves breakfast bars and could eat a whole box in one sitting. Besides that his diet is pretty pitiful. He loves yogurt and chips and salsa. Super healthy! ha! And he LOVES milk. We hear "more milk" and "more bar" and "more sucker" all day long. He has learned to pull a chair over to the pantry and get whatever his heart desires. (NOTE to self...get a lock on that thing).He really has been trying new foods at dinner time. I do not make him a separate meal and he has been eating little bites of it. He still has chubby little baby hands, but has no baby belly and skinny little legs. He thinks he is at least five and loves going to the boys' school, he feels that highchairs and booster seats are for babies, he likes to climb in his carseat all by himself, he likes to sit on the potty fully clothed and claims he is going tee tee, he tells Clayton "no,Cayton, i watchin' Dorya" when he tries to change to another show. The other day, he was watching Phineas and Ferb with the bigs and I told him I wanted to change his diaper and he said "No, I watchin' Candace." So funny! Since we call Clayton "Clayton D." he thinks that Oliver also needs a D on the end of his name. "cayton d and ah-ver d". Love this BOY to pieces!

The 12 days of Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:23:00 +0000

Halpin Style!

Christmas Ornaments

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:56:00 +0000

I remember making Christmas ornaments as a kid and my mom still hangs those ornaments on her tree. The boys have a small tree in their room that is naked. It needed some love added to it, so we made some salt dough ornaments. I was FREE and FUN! Oliver is so much into art this year and he loves to paint. He spent hours making each ornament perfect.

Prairie Lights

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:10:00 +0000

I have been wanting to take the fam to see the Prairie Lights for several years now, but Christmas came and went and it never happened. This year, I was going to make it happen. I am so glad I did. This may be a new Christmas tradition. The kids loved it and I loved it. Nonna and Nonae came too.

The lights were amazing.

Half-way through, there is a holiday village where you can get out and grab some hot chocolate or cider and see Santa. They also have a laser show and a walk-through lighted forest. The boys loved the laser show. During the show, they had a snow machine that made the room look like snow was falling. It was really neat. The walk through forest was also pretty fun!

Before we headed out for the other half of the drive-through lights, we hit the merry-go-round.

This was Oliver's favorite part. A giant lit up tunnel. So pretty and fun!

If you have some time in the evenings before Christmas, put this on your list of things you must do! We had so much fun and the kids are asking when we get to go back. Oliver thinks we are going back next week.

8 months

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:02:00 +0000

The day slipped by me and kind of snuck up on me. We have been DTE for 8 months. We have been officially waiting for our baby girl for 8 LONG months and the wait continues. The hardest part about it now (since increasing our age request to 24 months) is that I am pretty confident she has been born. She is in Ethiopia and I am here. That makes it hard.

With Love, The Halpins

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:13:00 +0000

Merry Christmas!!!

This was the picture I wanted for my Christmas card, but for some reason online, it kept appearing blurry and I didn't want to risk spending money and it not turning out...bummer...but oh well...it is just a Christmas card.