Last Days of High School

May 14-18, 2012 ~ Seth's last week of HIGH SCHOOL....YIKES! 

This came way to fast!  It is so weird how fast those last 4 years of school go by.  I can remember each freshman year (Brandon, Jordan, & Seth) and how much I thoroughly enjoyed everything they were involved in, and their friends.  I guess that is a part of what makes it go by so fast.  BUT, I guess I get to do it all over again with Jedidiah & Desi!  I just pray for the energy level of me to be the same!

Senior Awards Night

AP Honors Math Award!!!

Last Band Concert

He did Dance Team for Senior Year! 

Ms Boone we LOVE you & will MISS YOU!

Senior Cruise!!!

Shirts OFF now!

Carol Argo & "LEECH BABY" :-)



Lincoln Church Celebrates the Graduates!
Ethan, Haley, Seth & Jesse (he had to work)





Seth getting anointed and prayed for by Carol, & Jack & Karen Fitzgerald.
They have all watched Seth grow from infancy & have been very important as some of the people that have Sown into Seth's life Spiritually!

 So glad you had fun Seth & did what your brothers Brandon & Jordan told you to do...."MAKE THE MOST OF THIS TIME"!

Seth's Senior Band Trip to DISNEY!!!

Seth's Senior Prom!!!

So MUCH!!!!

WOW...half way into August and the days have been so busy! I feel like I hit the ground running every day. And it has been like that since the end of July. But aaaah...we are starting to slow down a little now (at least I am believing that).

The end of July took us from the fair straight into the busy days of August. On August 3rd, our 7th year of Brandon living in his eternal home waiting for us brought some emotions bubbling up a bit harder this year than in years past. BUT it is GOOD! We had a fun day at a drum corp show in West Chester, and it was so fun laughing and spending the day with some of my favorite guys. The "little"s stayed the night with my parents...and apparently they got started on a special project (more on that).

Then on 8/5...of all weeks to have to be at AI DuPont hospital, I had to take JD up for his post op appointment. And YES...that was very hard! BUT GOD!

8/9 was JD's actual appointment for the tubes to be placed in his ears. Steve prayed us through that, and just when I really thought I was going to "loose it"...the "silly juice" that they gave JD made him silly x's 10! We were laughing so hard at him we had tears running down our cheeks. So yes...even in that...BUT GOD!

Then the very next day on 8/10 I went away for the BEAUTIFUL ONE conference that my sweet husband blesses me with every year. I am so overjoyed to have a husband that shares my heart and the direction that God wants to lead us as a family. That he is able to take the time to be the one there for our children, and has learned how to do his little princess's hair! And I am so thankful for my mom that helped him out when things got a little hectic, and then they could all have a yummy dinner at her house! I am SURE Steve liked that as well! (smile)

And then my sweet husband and good friend Chuck (Laurie's husband, and Hannah's dad) had a most wonderful meal prepared for my friend Laurie, Hannah, and myself when we got home on Saturday evening! And THANKS to CHUCK...I found out my husband could cook A LOT more than SOUP! So you know what that means! haha.

And then there was Monday, 15, August 2011. The "Little's" are now a FOREVER part of our family. It was our ADOPTION DAY!!! It seems so surreal but yet purposed all at the same time. We have a new son...Jedidiah Joel Hastings, and daughter....Desi Michele Hastings. WOW...we truly know that Brandon had MORE THAN a vision for our family when this thought entered his heart and mind 8 years ago. And we fully believe that God surely let him see his new sister and brother. We are so amazed and humbled by all of God's faithfulness in our continual journey of life. As i sit her typing this, I am reminded that LOVE ALWAYS WINS!
Thank you God for LOVING US THIS MUCH!

Love,
Steve, Dawn, ^I^Brandon^I^, Jordan, Seth, Joel, & Desi Hastings

Am I still doing this?

Still been "surfing this tide"...on and off. Some days are really fun, such as Homecoming, Hayrides, Apples with Carmel, Bonfires, Football games, visits from College, and all of the outdoor fall fun. And then there are those days, that it can be really hard to get "excited" about "surfing still".

Ah...but I keep pressing on towards the goal...I AM that work in progress, my life is, my marriage is, and the parent I am is. The two little ones continue to grow and thrive, and they definitely help with keeping us (me) moving. SMILE

Ending with a scripture:
...and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the god of my life. ~ Psalm 42:8







Beautiful ~ Makes me think of Brandon

Yummy!!!



Friends since babies!


Brothers


A Kiss from Momma of course!

Summer Weekend

Friday, was just one of those favorite July days of mine....very warm and humid. My only thing with humid days (cause I won't complain) is my hair......becomes VERY curly and frizzy. But oh well....I will pay that price. (SMILE)

Friday night Steve and I had steamed shrimp and other goodies outside on the patio (I LOVE to eat outside), Seth was away as usual to his "other home" ~ friends....and Jordan and his friend Keith joined us for the yummy outside dinner. It was fun catching up with Keith, and the laughing and talking around the table is always fun.



.



Saturday...my kind of day again..although the humidity had subsided some, it was a perfect reading on the deck by the pool afternoon. AND the water in pool was just right! Later that night Steve, Seth, and my self joined my in-laws for a LOOOOOOONG...but FUN Shorebirds Baseball Game. Of course the stadium food, and fireworks (YOU KNOW I LOVE MY FIREWORKS) at the end were the best thing about the night along with good company. Another FUN summer night

Church on Sunday = AWESOME, 2 parties and hanging out with a lot of people I LOVE, and long into the evening visits outside. Summer is where my heart is.

It always has been, and at one time I thought that would be gone forever. Summer is my most FAVORITE time of the year, but is also falls into the most difficult time of our lives. 5 years ago during this time, we were desperately begging, praying, clinging, and hoping for the earthly life of our precious Brandon. I always felt like it was another cruel injustice that I had to have my son pass away during what was such a favorite time of mine and our family. But each year gets better, and God has continued to show up and heal our hearts. And I can say now....my son got to transition from his earthly home, onto his ETERNAL HOME and look upon the face of his Saviour...during our favorite time. He is just waiting for us now. Don't get me wrong....I still have "those days", and really wish things were different. But God, family & friends have helped us on this road that we continue to travel. And I can also say....my LOVE of Summer has been returned, and I really like to think that when it is my day, and Brandon and Jesus are there to meet me, SUMMER will be a little piece of MY Heaven, but with GOOD HAIR DAYS! :-o
THANK YOU GOD!!! I LOVE YOU!!!

Psalm 34:18 ~ The Message
If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath

Hitting The Road

We are gearing up to hit the road early tomorrow morning and head south for my sister Katie's Wedding! So Excited! Also, because the weather here has been lousy for almost 2 weeks straight of rain and only slight warm weather. Today feels like early April with rainy and cool temps. I am looking forward to the warmer weather. I think wedding day is supposed to be sunny and 90! Yaaay! So when we get back....there will be many wedding photo's and fun to post!

Leaving with a Scripture:

Genesis 2:24 ~ The Message

The Man said, "Finally! Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh! Name her Woman for she
was made from Man." Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his
wife. They become one flesh.

Beautiful Day ~ Beautiful Night

The sunshine and warm weather truly brought me "back to life" yesterday. The bright yellow sun, warm humid air, and the smells of pre-summer/late spring. Even the the fresh laundry on the clothes line brings me to life.

AND...Steve and I got to go for a quick motorcycle ride (those who know me...know I do not ride unless it is at least 80 degrees in the evening). After a very fun ride (tried to figure out how to take our photo silhouetted by the sun while riding, but decided I'd wait on that one), came home, made dinner AND cheesecake and had a relaxing dinner outside. SO FUN!

Then a quick trip to my sister's house to pick up some plants, and do a little visiting...back home, more laundry, a quick ping pong match in the garage between Seth-Jordan, Steve-Jordan, Steve-Josh. And then...10:30! Realizing how much fun could be had, and how much can be accomplished by turning off the tv...hmm...think that will be a new plan.

I LOVE SUMMER, life was just about perfect.....just about. But God is GOOD, and he LOVES ME!

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11 ~ The Message

Photo Tag Meme

My "blogland" friend Karen who lives out near Jordan (only for a little bit longer though - Jordan will be heading back east soon) tagged me in a photo meme. This photo is the 4th photo in the 4th folder on my pc. It is during a "woodbadge ceremony" this past winter. My brother Allan presented my stepfather Eric his woodbadge. This is quite an honor! And oh yeah...both of them are Eagle Scouts. And Allan's son Zach is finalizing his Eagle project paperwork, and my son Seth is about to start his Eagle project. An added bit on this....my stepfather Eric was my brother Allan's scout leader back when Allan was 13...that is how my parents met. They dated 2 months and then got married!!! And have been married for 28 years now. He has been such a wonderful stepfather and grandfather....I LOVE him so much, and PRAISE GOD for him, and how he put up with 3 teenagers when he married my mom!

Now the rules are:
1) Go to the 4th folder in your computer where you store your pictures.
2) Pick the 4th picture in that folder.
3) Explain the picture.
4) Tag 4 people to do the same.
ENJOY!!!

I tag: Tonya,Susan,Carla,Heather

Ps ~ forgive me...I can not figure out how to directly link other blogs into my post..help anyone???? :-(

BEAUTIFUL & FUN weekend

There is just so much to be smiling about :-)!!!

First, Steve & I are praying intently on what is in this envelope, and about to jump in with both feet! God has confirmed so many times, that I think he may be wanting to say..."Dawn...just how many times do you want me to confirm this already "! But he is so gentle and so patient, and his timing is the correct timing! Yaaay for that!

Second...Steve & I had a personal "Sozo" ~ greek ~ restore, to make whole, heal. And WOW...God really did some MAJOR work on me! And showed me some things, and confirmed others (one had to do with the envelope), and he also just showed me just how much he loves me. And seriously....anyone and everyone who reads this...I WANT THAT FOR YOU & SO DOES GOD! :-)

More stuff....my neice Brooke had her senior prom...so of course you know what that means...LOTS of pictures! This is my Brookie Cookie, who by the way was also crowned PROM QUEEN!Cousins, Brooke & MY SETH!


Then while taking Seth to a friends (that boy never stays home) we got to take the Chevelle out and DRIVE IT FAST! Oh YEAH! So much FUN


And then the weekend was capped of on Sunday with AWESOME PRAISE & WORSHIP ~ that my Seth was playing the drums on, and then a wonderful Bridal Brunch for my sister Katie who is getting married in June. It was so much fun getting to spend time with all of my sisters (Susan,Katie, & Linda) family, and celebrate my sister Katie
(she was the flower girl at my wedding) I just love her so much

So all in all....GREAT weekend and GREAT weather...for those who know me, you know I LOVE LOVE LOVE the hot weather! :-O. And we are on the countdown for when Jordan comes home from Seattle...just about 5 weeks!

Happy Daughter of the KING, Happy Mom, Happy Aunt, Happy Sister, Happy Wife = HAPPY LIFE