Triumph and Mickey Mouse

There have been many changes in our family over the past year.  Some are expected and although bittersweet, are part of children growing up and finding their way.  Some were unexpected and those are the ones that truly define your character.  It has been many months of growing, changing, accepting and letting life move on.  Thanksgiving was our first big Holiday we spent as a redefined family unit.  Anticipating the void that may have been there, I decided what better way to celebrate the holiday of giving thanks than in the wonderful world of Mickey Mouse.  Me and the 5 kids made the journey to Disneyworld for a few days.  This was my first family trip that I planned, paid for and lead my children as a single parent.  I was understandably nervous but what transpired was something amazing.  I witnessed my older children ban together and step in and up to help me where and when they saw I needed it.  We were a cohesive team - a family that is healing and through tough times binds together.  I witnessed sweet moments of love and endearment between the bigs and littles that I have not seen before.  This trip had a different tone to it - one that was fluid, open, happy and carefree.  We all felt it!  Triumph!

Through difficult times I have been triumphant and this was a milestone for me.  This triumph was more than just about making a trip to see Mickey Mouse, it was about the many months of praying for my family, rising up from the hurt, dealing with tough issues, dealing with the grief and finding a "new normal" - an abundant life that GOD promises.  Its been a journey and I am so thankful that I have raised and am raising such compassionate and loving children.

Rising up from the Ashes

November is one of my favorite months and not for the reason most people would think.  November is National Adoption Awareness Month.  Several years ago, in the blink of an eye, GOD put the call of Adoption on my heart and forever in my life.  For me, adoption was not just a way to expand my family but a true calling from GOD to "take up the cause of the orphan."

I was inspired this morning during worship at church.  As we sang "Glorious Ruins", I realized that my girls and all other adopted children with their forever families have Risen up from the Ashes. The ashes from which they were innocently born into, the tragedies that are their stories.  They have overcome and are victorious!  As I think about the lyrics of this beautiful praise and worship song and how it so applies to the lives of my precious baby girls and other adoptive children around the world, I realize that  those same biblical principles apply to my life, to your life, to everyone's life.  We all face tragedies and have "ruins" in our lives.  We suffer addictions, grief, illnesses and divorce.  But GOD promises that He will be there to raise us up, to heal our hurts, let our souls find refuge with him and renew our spirit and our lives.  Beauty from ashes….

And as I rejoice in my victory and the victory of my girls, I am deeply burdened for all the orphans still in existence all over the world.  I pray that we hear their silent cries - their cries for someone to love them, someone to hold them and for a forever family.  I pray that people in my community and those that read my blog will see this as a call to action.  A call for them to open their hearts to what GOD is calling them to do "for the least of these"….  Is Adoption for everyone - no,  But everyone can do something for Adoption - whether it be donating to an orphanage, becoming a foster family, praying for orphans and for adoptive families or helping to bring awareness to orphan needs.

I want to leave you with the video of the acoustical version of the song.  Be blessed, Be Moved, Be Transformed into what GOD calls you to be….



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lfm2pkCggxw

Grace and Mercy

1. 
   

   I have taken a long unexpected hiatus from my blog.  As we all know life can sometimes get in the way of taking the time needed to nurture a blog. 2015 has been filled with challenges of many kinds but I think the most important take away, we as a family have, is Grace and Mercy.  When reflecting on the many circumstances, happenings and challenges of 2015, I can see GOD's hands of grace and mercy, bestowing blessing and forgiveness upon our lives.

   
   

   Lizzy finished her final chapter of high school and after careful thought and consideration chose a college and not just any college, Baylor University.  It was with a very heavy heart that I closed that chapter with her and sent her off to find the life GOD has planned for her.  I was extremely blessed to have had the time to focus on her and all of the senior activities that come with graduation and beyond.  This summer we celebrated her accomplishments in high school, her scholarships to college and took quality time with each other to acknowledge that special bond and bring a proper close to that time in our lives as well as look forward to the future.  There were tears this summer as Lizzy put her heart and soul into Baylor Cheerleader tryouts and did not make the team.  Although her heart was broken, she was able to see that when GOD closes a door he always opens one that is better.  It was a teachable moment for both of us, learning to trust that GOD knows whats best for us and that sometimes HE does not give us what our heart desires.   Lizzy has made the transition to college life seamlessly.  She is getting into the groove of her classes, made new friends and is getting involved, as she was chosen to be part of the Freshman Class Community organization.  It is a humbling thing to see the doors GOD is opening for her and her to realize that HE always provides.
   

   

   
   

   
   

   Maddie worked extremely hard all school year and finished 1st grade on target.  As I have said before she is a driven and tenacious little girl.  Although more challenges lie ahead academically for her, she looks at those challenges with a spirit of determination to overcome.  And although she cannot articulate that determination, if you ever meet her, you know its there.  Maddie made the decision to follow in her brother and sisters footsteps and attend Camp Champions summer camp.  She was gone for 2 weeks (and would have stayed for the third week had it not been booked up) and absolutely loved the camp experience, as I knew she would.  It was a time for her to step outside of her comfort zone, gain some self esteem (which Camp Champions is the best at doing) and find her inner champion.  As a camper some of the monumental activities that they do even as young as Maddie is the Lake Swim or in Maddie case a 1 kilometer pool swim.  Its really not about the fastest time or best technique or even about swimming, its about teaching them to overcome their fears, finding their determination and finishing - never giving up.  In true Maddie form, she delivered and delivered well - being the first girl and 2nd all around finisher in the pool swim.  The heart of a champion!!!!  We have started second grade with more confidence than we had the year before which has helped propel her to reading and math levels that we didn't think we would see until the end of the school year.  What an amazing little girl and with all of her qualities I have described she is still a very tender soul, in tune with other peoples feelings.  I know GOD has big plans for Maddie and I am so glad he has chosen me to come along for the ride as her Mother.
   
   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   Mia is 4 now and is such a handful.  Her vocabulary has expanded exponentially.  She is full of sass and personality.  Out of all of my children she has broken the mold.  She is all girl and loves all things that bling, shine and sparkle.  She loves make-up, jewelry and high heel shoes.  I can only imagine the drama that will come with her homecomings and proms.  She has started Pre-K 4 and is doing well in her class and giving the teacher a run for her money.  Mia tends to not take things too seriously and likes to joke and although we have seen some progress with her skills they are now beginning to lag a little behind the class, leaving us unsure as to what to contribute it to - a learning issue or personality.  And as we make the necessary adjustments we pray that she will adjust to the rigors of the classroom and find a learning method that works for her.
   
   

   

   
   

   Christopher is becoming a man, turning 21 this year and has continued his work on campus and is laying a foundation for his future career.  The film club he founded on campus won a prestigious Addy award, both locally and on a regional level, for an advertisement series they did on the Girls Rugby Team.  The advertisement/videos were creative and insightful.  He is very talented and is using the Gifts God gave him and not taking them for granted.  This was the first summer that he did not come home which made me sad knowing that those times have ended, that he is becoming a man and will be leaving the nest for real!!!  He secured an internship which turned into a paying summer job as a production assistant for the upcoming Hollywood film - USS Indianapolis starring Nicholas Cage.  What an amazing experience for him and how amazing that GOD opened that door for him. He has started his senior year at Springhill and he is ever so focused on finishing his senior project, graduating and moving on into his career.  I pray that GOD will bless him with the wisdom and knowledge to know what his next move should be for his life.  I also pray that in the pursuit of success (whatever Christopher defines that as) that he doesn't forget what the abundance of life is (family), to always do something that he is passionate about and never forget to "give back" or "pay it forward".  He has such a kind spirit, I pray that the world does not taint or corrupt that authentic quality about him.  One thing I must mention is that with all of what has happened this year, he has been my hero, stepping up to be a positive male influence in the lives of all of his sisters.  Taking the role as leader alongside of me and for this I am ever so grateful and in awe of his compassion and maturity.

   
   

   

   Keith and I finished our 22 year marriage this year and have moved into a co-parent relationship. Although this has been the hardest thing for me to deal with this year amongst the many other changes happening in our family, I have trusted GOD each step of the way.  I have a wonderful family, great friends and some amazing children that have rallied around me to lift me up.  Life goes on and I am learning that sometimes GOD needs to remix your life - remove people that hinder your growth in the Lord so that you can reach your full potential that GOD has for you.  So at the beginning of my post I referenced Grace and Mercy and I have reflected on those 2 words and their meanings:
   
   Grace is the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. Mercy is Compassion or forgiveness
   
   WOW - I know that I have the unmerited favor of GOD - I look around me and see it through all the blessings he has bestowed upon me this year.  And some things did not look like blessings but through prayer and time I have realized that they were.  Mercy - God is so forgiving of me and compassionate towards those that he loves.  I see GOD's mercy manifest itself in me being able to extend forgiveness and be compassionate to others.  I am excited about what 2016 has in store for me and my children and what GOD will reveal to me while I walk the walk of life with him by my side.  Amazing things to come…….

A legacy…..

My blog is normally a place where I journal about my kids but even though I have not posted in quite a while I felt the need to write about an amazing experience I had today.  In a setting that is normally reserved for tears and mourning (although that did occur) we celebrated the life of my Uncle Bobby Breaux as he left this earth for bigger and better things.  He was the 5th child out of 7 that my grandmother had.  He was raised without a father and very poor.  Knowing my grandmother the way I did, he was the closest in personality to her of all her children (she was an amazing soul - but that is for another post).  My Uncle Bobby accomplished many things in his lifetime, but one thing stood out today as we looked back over the 78 years he was on this earth - He committed his life to being a good son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle to our family.

In today's society we see the perpetual decline of standards, morals and values.  The sanctity of family is lost to many of our upcoming generations.  My Uncle was not one that walked with the grain.  He was a strong Family man, one that committed himself to loving his wife and raising his children in an intact family.  He committed himself to being a champion for his children, no matter their choices or circumstances.  He loved each one unconditionally.  As his children grew and grandchildren came into his life, that same philosophy rang true for each of them, as well as for his sister and brothers, nieces and nephews.

I witnessed each of his 5 grandchildren eloquently speak about their grandfather.  A man who championed each one, was their constant cheerleader to the them and about them to the family.  He encouraged them and was there with them helping as he could each step of the way on their journey of life.  He was a man that valued education, although he was born of a mother who had little more than an 8th grade education.  He encouraged his children and grandchildren to be educated, to make a difference and to be the best person they could be.  He spent quality time with each and every one of his loved ones.  He valued his connection with his family and never took for granted one moment in his family's lives.  The common thread in all of their speeches today, was that he reminded them to never forget about your family - that IT is the most important thing.  That is the legacy he leaves this world - a legacy of strong family values.

How refreshing in this day to find a man who still valued family.  A man who did not take for granted the moments with family (that are seemingly unimportant in the grand scheme of every day life) but are the abundance of life, and he knew it, he lived it.  My grandmother valued those same things and as the old saying goes, the apple did not fall very far from the tree.

Tonight as all of my kids are under my roof  and I hear the littles playing with the big kids, I know that I am blessed.  Blessed beyond belief to have a loving extended family of cousins, aunts, uncles, a wonderful mom and dad that I could not live without, an amazingly supportive sister and 4 beautiful and amazing children who add joy to every moment in my life.  I wouldn't give up one moment with my family for anything in the world.  I'm proud to be a part of this amazing legacy called the Breaux family…  I pray for my cousins as they grieve the loss of a wonderful man.  I know I will see him in heaven again one day - what is bound together on earth is bound in heaven…..