Good times.

I love NOLA homes.

.......And swamp touring with friends.

.......And I love great friends.

I love raw oysters, good food and beignets. Good times were found in NOLA.

New Orleans Again

This trip would not be possible without the volunteerism of my parents who are keeping my children and our wonderful and co-foster parent friends, Wayne and Lindsey. They already have 4 kids in their home and added our 2 to the mix this weekend. THANK YOU!! Someone told me last week, it takes a village to raise my family. I don't like this saying because it makes me think of Hillary Clinton, but I like it because it's so true in my extended "network". I have the best "Village". So many people who love me, pray for us and HELP us. THANK YOU.

This is our hotel- the Prytania Oak Hotel. It is very lovely. Hardwood floors, high ceilings, 4-poster bed. Very sweet.

We got here Thursday night. We found a nice restaurant, Houston's. Its a chain, but it was close and it was SO GOOD! Eric and I had ribs, Bradley had Prime Rib, and Kerri had rotisserie chicken. We went and let Bradley and Kerri experience Bourban street after dinner.

Friday started with breakfast at Elizabeth's and praline bacon. Yummy. Look at Kerri's stuffed French toast. We came to NOLA to eat, Elizabeth's did not fail. It was sssooo good. I'm being adventurous this weekend. I had fried chicken livers with pepper jelly. Not a fan of chicken livers, but it was good with the pepper jelly.

It was then off to the Quarter for people watching and shopping. There is soooo much to look at and sometimes participate in......

Bradley and Eric got to participate in a manic show yesterday. We are still trying to figure out how he did that?????

So much fun......we're eating, being merry, walking off calories and eating again. Lots of fun!

Life just got busier....

What was I thinking? Am I insane? Didn't I have the "already busy life" with two already busy little girls?!?!

So almost two years ago, God started preparing us to become foster parents. At first we said "there is this one child we want". God said no. Then we said "we just want to be relief parents. Help out those foster patents that are working so hard.". God said no. "we want all this paperwork and classes over with. Why can't DHS get their stuff together and get us open??". God said "not yet". Until about two weeks ago. And O MY. What were we thinking??

God didn't send us one child or two children. He sent us TWO babies. TWO! SIBLINGS. What was their mom thinking! That's just it she wasn't, but I digress.
This challenge from God has sent my world into a crazy topsy turvey whirl-spin. Not only did foster children/babies come into our life, we have had crazy work schedules, sickness and just plain ole life that was already going on. I think the devil likes to stir the pot, too, when your doing God's work.

I made this cake for Leah's birthday. With extra kids in my house.
Am I wore out? Am I looking a little ruff around the edges? Am I crazy? Crazier? YES. But does God ask us to do easy? Sometimes, but not always. Sometimes the things we need to do are very hard, but as Isaiah 55:8 says "My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways,". Many times this last two weeks I have asked, my friends and family have asked "what are you thinking?". I'm trying not to think. I'm trying to rely on God.