Making a Will

Ok, so I got online today and decided to look up wills. I know this is kind of random, but I have my reasons. One of the students at my school lost his dad yesterday very unexpectedly (another blog altogether!). Unfortunately, this dad was young and did not have a will in place which means his son is now a ward of the state (mom is not an option). This really scared me. I didnt have anything but a verbal agreement in place if I were to pass suddenly. Obviously, my husband would be first in line but if the unthinkable happened......well....I just knew I needed to make a will of some sort. Some girls at school told me that I could just write my own will and have two witnesses, making it legally binding. I was not sure so I decided to check it out online. I found a place called "written legacy". They ask you a bunch of questions and then write your will according to your state laws for a very affordable fee. I was a little apprehensive, but I decided to try it. I filled out all of the information and am expecting my will to arrive within the next couple of days. This all made me very happy....my children are now provided for upon my passing. Kinda morbid, right?

Just go here to do your will: http://www.legacywriter.com/ :)

My Wonderful Family

Here are two of my favorite people....plus my Kahlua.

JJ's favorite new hobby is shoes....doesnt he look stylish?

"Cheeeeeese....." JJ LOVES his spaggetti!

A wakeup call that breaks my heart!

Last night on the news, I closely followed the story of a lost two year old boy who wondered out of his backyard. My son is eighteen months old, and this story hit too close to home. I prayed and prayed and prayed that this boy would be found safe, but he was found today in a river near his house. This is not my child, yet my heart breaks for this mother and the rest of the family. I cannot even imagine losing one of my children in such a way. The scariest thing is that I allow my children (4 and 18mo.) to play outside without me. I have a very small backyard and it is fenced in. Also, I can see them play from my backdoor, and I always leave the screen door open so that I can hear them too. I check quite often....but you know what? I am sure this other mother who lost her child would say the same thing. She is probably tearing herself apart (as I would be) for that one moment that she ran into the house. I hope she understands that all parents allow a certain amount of independence as their children get older with the full understanding that something could happen. We have to do this, to give our children the space that they need to grow up and be themselves. I keep reminding myself of this though, after this news story, I want to lock them inside and never turn my back on them. The fact is that it is not humanly possible for me to keep these children of mine safe without the help of my Lord. It is ultimately Him that tells us when it is ok to start letting go, promises us that He is in control, and watches out for our children, His too, that we love so much. The hard part is trusting Him. I know that the Lord could choose to call my children home earlier than I would prefer. I also know that He would help me to cope. However, I cannot even for a minute imagine life without them. I have to pray that they will be safe, that God will allow me to keep them and help them grow until I am old and gray. I have to continue on as we do day to day. I have to stay strong for my family and not let my fears overcome me. I have to let my children grow and become independent. I have to let them make their own choices and learn their own lessons. After this wake up call, I am very tempted to do the opposite. To become the overprotective, overbearing mother that children rebel against when they are grown. However, I wont do this becuase I love my children. I love them so much that I have to give them to God.

Yesterday, we took our first trip to the park. Both JJ and Miracle had a ton of fun as you can see from the pictures. It was a beautful day!

Miracle enjoyed the jungle gym and making sure that mommy noticed all of her daring stunts:)

JJ enjoyed swinging. Daddy swings him really high which makes mommy very nervous...but JJ loved it anyway!

JJ got all tuckered out and ready to go after about an hour of play. We had so much fun. Both kids slept very well last night:) Unfortunately, we had to deal with the wonderful time change which could make for a long week. Both of my children LOVE their sleep...and I am not looking forward to the repercussions of changing their schedules!

These are my two little blessings! When we were first married, I began working at The Meyer Center for Special Children. A few weeks into my new teaching job, I kept seeing this beautiful little girl in the classroom under mine. I often wondered about her and finally decided to get some more information from her teacher. "What is her diagnosis?" I finally asked one day. "Just delayed...want to adopt her?" I was completely thrown off guard and immediately started thinking. That day on my way home, I called my husband and told him that we HAD to adopt this little girl. He was slightly hesitant until he met her....she ran right up to him and gave him a big hug. Like any 'daddy', he was sold! We immediately contacted DSS and started the adoption process. About 6 months later, we decided to get pregnant thinking it would be good to have two children close together. We assumed we would get Miracle placed with us months before the baby was born so we never worried. Little did we know, God had better plans for us! We ended up needing to buy a house and the adoption process lagged on and on. We moved into our new house in May, JJ was born on October 15th, and Miracle came to live with us on November 2nd. Looking back, I dont know how we did it. God worked everything out though, and a year later we are SO happy! Miracle adjusted right way, and her and JJ are now best buds. She is happy to introduce everyone to her brother, JJ! We could not have asked for two better kids. Who would have thought I would move from Michigan to South Carolina, start a new job, get married, meet and adopt my daughter, and have my son all within a year? Its been a crazy road, but I wouldnt take any of it back:) We have an amazing God whose plans go above and beyond that which we can comprehend!

The Splan Clan

My family is my life:) I have two beautiful children and truly enjoy being a mother. Miracle is four and in school. JJ is fifteen months old and is loving life as a little boy. My husband, Josh, is a carpenter and a wonderful man. We have a wonderful life...and cant wait to see what God has for us in the future!