And it's 2013..... :)

I haven't been a great blogger recently.  I'm sorry if you read this only and you're not on facebook because it wouldn't keep you very up to speed if this is all you were relying on:).  But, I thought that, with the new year, I should write a blog post!
Just to recap- the boys are all doing great!  Temesgen is learning a ton and he's a smart boy- the things we learn about in math only take him one time to hear and then he's got it.  And if, by that last sentence, you think I started homeschooling- uh, no.... :).  I just do a lot of things with him at home after school and on weekends and breaks too.  Coming in as a 10 year old in 3rd grade is different than coming in as a kindergartner like Abuzaid did- he has a lot of ground to make up and I know he wants to feel a little more like his classmates and brothers in terms of ability.  And when you have a former teacher as a mom, you just sometimes have to do things like that:).
Next week, we start basketball season with all 5 boys playing this winter.  They are all excited!  I was blessed by the man who organizes the Upward league and he got all 5 of mine on teams that practice only on either Mondays or Thursdays so we only have 2 nights per week that are b-ball nights- very thankful for that!  Temesgen and Landon will be on the same team, but every one else has their own team. 
So things are moving right along with our family.  Temesgen has been home for 6 months now and life is good.
I've been thinking a lot about 2013 and the goals that I have for this year.  I really can think of only one main goal to have- if I can attain it, everything else will fall into place.  That goal is to live intentionally for God- being ready to move when He says 'move' and following Him wherever He asks me to go and doing whatever He asks me to do.  I've learned that the easiest way to do this is to just listen.  When I get that feeling in my gut- it's time to do something.  Sometimes it's too easy to push those feelings aside and say it doesn't make sense or it seems too hard.  But if I've learned anything from my experiences in the last few years, it's that when I'm choosing to follow Him, even if it's different than what the world would think is what I should do, it's the right place to be.  God gives us ONE life and we have no idea how short or long that one life will be.  If we waste time saying things like, "When my finances look different.... ", or "If we had a bigger house or car.... ", or "That seems out of my comfort zone....", we can miss the hugest blessings!  I have NO idea what will happen with our family in 2013.  I can't guarantee one more day on this earth for any of us.  But what I can do is live in a way that glorifies Him for the time I'm here and pray that my whole family will make an impact in His kingdom.  What will that look like in 2013?  I feel like He's already nudged me about one thing (I'll let you all know if it happens) and I'm praying that He'll keep nudging me and I'll keep listening.  My friend, Julie, posted this on FB the other day and I just loved it so I thought I'd share it here:
Giving more, surrendering more, risking more, living more radically for Him. 2013 should be an awesome year!!
"Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last"
(C.T. Studd)

Happy 2013 everyone!!

I will post some new pics in a separate post:).