current happenings and coming soon!

You guys, today, I wanted to veer a bit from my typical posts and share some updates and announcements about what's going on - and what's coming up! I'll be talking about what's going on in our busy little family, and some exciting new projects I've been working on!

updates on the tribe.

• Some of my husband's family will be visiting from MN later this week. The kids are counting down the days until their grandparents and cousins arrive, and everyone is looking forward to taking some adventures together. Both the zoo and beach are on our agenda --- so we'll have some very happy - and tired! - kiddos! (Bring on the coffee!)
• As many of you know, one of our sons was recently diagnosed with seizures. We have a series of tests coming up over the next couple of weeks to get more information. I am grateful we have an awesome neurologist and live near one of the best children's hospitals in the world. This news came as a shock, and the subsequent series of tests and appointments has definitely added to the busy-ness! We'd welcome prayers for our son, and our family, as we navigate these new waters! 
• Husband is working the real estate market, and I am so proud of him! In his first couple of months, he has continued to surprise people by achieving things that typically take a new realtor much longer. We know it's God's favor, as he continues to put God first in his life and business. 
• We are talking and praying about what direction the  non-profit we founded is headed in. The Zoe Blanket Project has been on hiatus since our son came home last January. Recently though, we've felt the tug to get back to serving through that avenue, in some capacity. It looks like we'll be redirecting many of the outreaches to focus on adoption, foster, and orphan care - seems like a natural fit, doesn't it?! I'll be sharing more as we figure out where God is leading!

upcoming projects.

• King Kids' Everyday Adventures: The illustrator is doing a phenomenal job capturing the characters and making them come alive on the pages! Perhaps most exciting is that this book that follows a transracial, adoptive family, to be used to help fund adoptions! Keep your eye out for a page dedicated to this project - it's coming soon!
• Speaking Engagements: I am really excited to embark on this new adventure of speaking life, hope, and encouragement over those involved in adoption and foster care! If you are looking for someone to share honestly about how beautiful and hard this process is, I'd be honored to speak to your group!
  Later this month, I will be sharing at an adoption training on transracial adoption. While that is a closed, agency training, I'd like to invite you all to the Mid-Atlantic Orphan Care Summit on Saturday, April 29th! The morning session will be based on my book, Don't Waste Your Wait: Embracing the Journey of Bringing Your Child Home. In the afternoon, I will be tag-teaming with a friend and fellow adoptive mom, Raina Carwell. We'll be speaking to children's ministry leaders about how to support adoptive and foster families within our churches. If you are in the area, I would love to see you at the Summit!

• Free webinar!: Following the Summit, I will be holding a Webinar called, "Don't Waste Your Wait!" We will be talking about how to be good stewards of the wait God has blessed us with as adoptive families! Registration for the webinar is coming soon!
• Podcasts: Last week I was honored to be a guest on Amye M. Still's Sisterhood of Awesome Podcast! Tomorrow, I have the opportunity to talk with Rebekah of Hargraves Home and Hearth, about adoption and my book, Don't Waste Your Wait: Embracing the Journey of Bringing Your Child Home! 
• Preparing Your Heart and Home for Adoption or Foster Care E-Course: This 7-module course is being  designed to help prospective and new adoptive/foster families prepare practically, physically, spiritually, and emotionally to welcome a child into their hearts and home! The tentative launch date for the course is June 5th --- more information and an early bird special pricing coming soon!

• Q&A with the Quick Kids: Our oldest kiddos have agreed to answer questions related to adoption, siblings, and growing up in a transracial, large-ish family from their point of view! As mom, I reserve the right to refuse and/or censor questions - but will only alter their answers for protection of privacy. Feel free to leave your questions in the comments, or send them through my contact page!

busy, busy, busy!

God has really been leading through all of the things going on, to just dig into His Word and rest in His presence! Even in the midst of so much going on in our family, and our businesses, God is speaking to my heart to be still. Maybe you find yourself in a similar place - with lots of awesome things to keep you busy - but hungering more for Him than ever. It's kind of like carb-loading for a marathon (Which I admittedly have only ever read about! The marathon part, that is. I have happily carb loaded before! ;) ) When we need more stamina and energy for the race before us, we have to remember to stay fed and hydrated on the living Word, and living Water! 

Even with all that is "coming soon," it is imperative to find the beauty in the moments of here and now. So, here I am, finding that balance between working towards things God's given me to do, while fully embracing the moments of today - wiping noses and tushes, teaching 4 adventurous children their studies in 4 different ways, planning overnight hospital stays, and trying to keep our home and hearts clean! 

So, what are you up to, friends? Have I shared anything here you're excited to hear more about? Do you have any prayer requests today?