What a whirlwind this past week has been! It feels like forever since we’ve talked!

My surgery went great. Thank you so much for your prayers. I still have not felt a decrease in pain but we are hoping time will be the answer. Our family has been blessed beyond words with prayer and FOOD from our friends. Let me tell you, my girls can COOK! What fun it’s been listening to my husband go on and on…and on about what amazing cooks my friends are. To look at Ryan you would never know that 1. He eats like a horse and 2. the way to his heart is through his belly! I most definitely will have to step it up in the kitchen after these gourmet meals!

The adoption front has been quiet until Yesterday. Sara with America World emailed and let us know that our paperwork and initial payment had been received. Today, Adela the director of social services with AWAA, Texas emailed our home study paperwork. Whoa.

I assured my panicking self that we would take it one step at a time. One document at a time. One doctor visit at a time. There is so much required. I mean, things like pictures of the outside of your house, floor plan sketch, background checks, TB tests, reference letters…lots of stuff. I wish we could pause life while we work on all of this. Seems like it will be impossible to do both;)

While I was in surgery, Ryan spent his time creating a list of all the adoption expenses. I’m surprised he didn’t need to join me in recovery. He put an asterisk by what has already been paid. I will add a timeline and expense page to our menu bar and as we complete these steps and make payments I’ll update the page. I want to add a new progress tracker and instead of $35,000 being the goal, have several small ones as we journey through the process. Seems more doable, right?

I’ve felt an urgency to begin planning/executing the fundraisers. Do you ever get that, “we’re burning daylight”, feeling? I was forced to my bed this weekend so I spent my time planning and planning some more. My brain was definitely in overdrive. To the point where I began to panic…again. Maybe I heard God all wrong. Um, can I change my mind, take it all back? I’m tired, it’s just too much. I want to go back to when life was simple. EASY. When I was comfortable.

It was in that moment that I had a visual picture of my Savior. He was in the garden of Gethsemane with His head in His hands. He was in torment, crying out to His Father. He knew what His future held but He didn’t walk away. He didn’t give up or say never mind. He sacrificed His very life, He gave it all…for me, for you.

Here’s the reality: there is a living, breathing child out there. A child without a mommy to kiss away their pain, to hold them when they’re scared. Maybe without any hope at all. A child God has purposed for our family. If I give up now, I give up on that child, my child. So, I wont. I’ll keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Thank you, Jesus for being right there, always so quick to remind me: It was You who rescued me. It was You who came for me. It was You who adopted me into Your family. It is You who gives me hope.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ~Jesus~

John 14:18

 

Marriage Talk

For the past few years at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) we have had a “Favorite Things” meeting. Think Oprah but on a much smaller budget. Each mom has to wrap and bring the one thing she cannot live without. Well, this particular week was cRaZy at the Haus of Krause so when Friday rolled around I had completely forgotten about my “thing”. As I have already told you, my man is my most favorite thing and I most certainly was not going to give him away. I decided to sit down and quickly type up a few tips that work for us, things that help keep our marriage feeling new and solid. I printed it out, folded it neatly and taped it shut. This is exactly how it made it’s way to the table covered with 60+ of the most beautifully wrapped packages I had ever seen (most of us have degrees from Pinterest University). Needless to say, the folded piece of paper was the last one standing.

I can only imagine the things going through the mind of the poor, sweet MOP who was stuck with the neglected “thing”. I started to get really nervous. I just knew all 60+ of those women were feeling sorry for her. I jumped up feeling the need to explain why I had only brought that ugly sheet of paper and swearing that I had included a restaurant.com gift certificate!! I then proceeded to read the Marriage Tips out loud.

If you know anything about me, you know I am not shy, not in the least bit. I have absolutely no problem speaking or singing in front of huge crowds of people. BUT, that morning standing in front of those Pinterest Masters, I felt so ridiculous. Why hadn’t I remembered my FAVORITE THING!? Now, here I was with this last minute, silly SHEET OF PAPER.  Do you know my hands were even shaking as I read it! WHAT IN THE WORLD?? (Do you see what you women do to flakes like me;)  Funny thing happened though, they loved it! Several of them have been asking for a copy and my friend even asked if I would consider speaking on it (hilarious)…hmmm, maybe! 

So, in the spirit of Valentines Day, I though it would be fun to share my silly, last minute tips. It’s the very condensed version but you’ll get the point. Here’s to marriages everywhere, HAPPY HEART DAY, FRIENDS!

~Keepin’ It Real~

*Make him feel strong, capable, give him some affirmation! Encourage him, build him up, Tell him how devastatingly handsome he is, let him know he is your hero.

*Always cuddle, don’t let the distance grow between you when you sleep.

*RESPECT HIM

*Compliments of Steve Leavitt: Get under his umbrella, LET HIM LEAD!!

*Keep up your appearance! Look good for your man! Shave your legs, put on makeup, dress for him, make sure you look GOOD when he comes home, not because he expects it, but because you love him!

*ALWAYS be on his side especially in front of your children!

*Open Communication, be honest, tell him how you feel, don’t just say “Nothing” when he asks what’s wrong)

*Establish clear boundaries to safeguard your marriage!! Rules you refuse to break!

*Date each other. Carve out alone time, plan dates. Your children are important but the greatest gift you can give your children is a mommy and daddy who are still crazy in love!

*CHOOSE to love him, even when the butterflies aren’t there, when you’re not “feeling it”!

*Spend time in God’s Word! You can’t help but shine when you’ve been in His presence and there is nothing more beautiful on a woman!

*Pray for your husband, pray, pray, pray!!!! (Power of a Praying Wife is an excellent book)

*Keep your love life exciting (yes, THAT is EXACTLY what I mean)

*Jesus Christ is the glue that binds, HE holds our marriage together! As you both move towards Him, you will naturally grow closer to one another!

xoxo Happy Valentine’s Day xoxo

Brit