They’re all over the place, I tell you. I’m flabbergasted at the way God orchestrates some of the tiniest, craziest details in our lives. How in the world??

Oh, I love Him!

Lots to share, but for now, heading up to bed to read a book for a bit then hit the hay.

If you wanted to watch the Early Show Saturday and didn’t get to, our friend David Hutchison made a You Tube clip for us. Thanks, David!

And friends, your prayers?? Were amazing. We felt them from the tops of our heads to the tips of our toes. THANK YOU.

Praise You, Jesus!

We spent most of our day hanging with baby (and grown-up) animals at our hometown Columbus Zoo. Be. Still. My. Heart.

Baby bonobo.

Baby snow leopard.

Baby elephant (Beco).

More pics from our Behind-the-Scenes Tour coming soon! For now, I’m praising, thanking, blessing our awesome God for loving me through today in the form of His Word, His Spirit, and His people.

Bless His holy name!!

Feeling a bit overcome. With emotion. With fatigue. With a sense of whoa-slow-down-I-wasn’t-ready-for-all-this!

First off–thank you, Jesus. I don’t know why you’re doing this, but I’m trusting you. For all of it. Every detail. Right down to choosing what clothes (I know, I know–jewel tones!) we’ll wear on TV (CBS Early Show Saturday 7:40 am!!). Wow. Zers.

I’m having trouble scraping together the words for this post. I was flipping through our zoo pics tonight and came across this one. I can’t quite explain it, but I feel like this guy can relate to me.

Anyway.

I’m going to let some of my awesome friends share with you tonight (today), because I’m honestly at about 14% of my normal word capacity. (see, that sentence didn’t even make sense!)

Here’s our Pastor Mike and what he had to say about this thing God’s doing. I cannot tell you what our church has meant to us this past year. LOVE those people to bits and little pieces!

Here’s my hubby Gabe and some of his really cool insights. And a quote from his blog–”Praying that nobody will become more famous than God through all of this.” AMEN!

And here are a few more Zoo Party Pics from my friend Jen. Thanks, Jen!

Prayer Request:

We need wisdom. Discernment. When to say yes, when to say no. How to navigate this stuff. How to pay our bills when we don’t have a spare moment to sit down and earn any money. How to handle staying in a $350/night hotel in NYC (compliments of CBS) when you can’t afford to fix the handle on your toilet at home. (Just bein’ real.) Can we afford to gallivant around the world telling our story for free? And if not, can we justify accepting money to share what God has done?

These questions are much too deep for 12:30 a.m.

I know one thing. We needed a specific amount of money tonight, and “out of the blue,” my friend Nadia sent me a facebook message saying she wanted to advertise on our site. Totally God. Takes care of us RIGHT. ON. TIME.

Overflowing with gratefulness tonight. Off to catch up on some sleep (hopefully). Behind-the-scenes Tour at the Columbus Zoo tomorrow!! Then heading to NYC early Friday morning! (Weren’t we just there??)

Love you, friends! We don’t think for a second that we could do ANY of this without you!

Well. I can honestly say I have NEVER had a day like today. No words for the craziness (somebody told me google has 350+ stories about 52 Zoos). If you were keeping up on facebook or twitter, I almost feel like I owe you an apology. And if you weren’t and want all the juicy details now, I owe you an apology too, because I don’t have the oomph to go through it all again.

I’m just sorry all across the board.

If you care about all the news stories and radio interviews and such, click on the links above to follow us in Social Network World.

When I’m too tired to think, I default to Zoo Reviews. Here’s #41, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, also known as our first of 11-Zoos-in-15-Days from July 10-24.

Now every time I see a pic of us in front of a zoo sign, I’m going to think about the article that said “the Taviano family claims to hit 52 Zoos in 52 Weeks.”

I posted another pic of this little jaguar a couple days ago. I could’ve eaten him, he was so cute! And in a week (ish) we’re going to take a little trip back to the Akron Zoo (Zoo #2 on our Tour) because they have THREE four-month-old jaguar cubs. I’m hoping to bring one home with me.

Okay, whoever (wink) designed this stunning creature is a GENIUS.

I’ve got a thing for waterfalls.

Awww… look at the cute, sleepy little polar bear.

Two bird pics in one post. What has come over me?

I thought this was a fun view of P. Bear.

The enormous Desert Dome is way impressive. Too bad I’m mad at the desert (how hard is it to install a gas pump out there, really?). And too bad there’s not a single animal in the desert that I even like. A bit.

I think this beauty is a leopard. I have no idea what the difference is between a leopard and a jaguar. Usually I just instinctively “know.” So if this isn’t a leopard, I must just instinctively “not know.”

And that’s the zoo in a nutshell. Lots more to come in El Booko. Thanks for all your prayers, friends! For wisdom, strength, courage, provision and grace as we navigate our way through the wonderful world of Zoo Aftermath. Love you guys!

More pics as promised. But first, many items of business.

1.) I’m not sure how many e-mails/facebook messages I got today (Monday) from those of you who RSVP’d to come to the party but then couldn’t make it. You were all so sweet and apologetic and even gushing. I felt AWFUL! Like you came to my blog this morning for a happy update–and WHAM! You felt like you just got reprimanded. I am so sorry. Yes, I was bummed that so many people couldn’t come, but NO, I wasn’t upset with anyone!! Remember–I gave it all to God and counted my blessings and focused on what DID happen–and wow. So many of you had such sad stories too–lots of vomit and really tough family issues, even a miscarriage. I’m so sorry and prayed for each of you today! Let’s do another party when the book comes out–whaddya say??

2.) Sorry about all the drama tonight with the Fox News thing (if you were on twitter or facebook). Here’s the scoop. I got an e-mail this evening from a gal at Fox News who works with Shepard Smith. She asked for permission to show pictures of us and have Shepard briefly share our story. (Whoa.) Then someone else from the show called and asked if we could do a live interview via satellite tomorrow (Tuesday). We got bumped from Monday night’s show (cash for clunkers and all that), and we’ll find out tomorrow a.m. if Tuesday afternoon is a go. Wowzers. You can friend me on facebook or follow me on twitter for real-time updates.

3.) And don’t worry about the potential national news coverage going to our heads. Fat chance. We had an awful night. The girls were bickering and fighting–even hurting each other. I was trying to read a Bible story before they went to bed. They were being disobedient. I lost it. Threw one of their dolls across the room. Yelled. Wow. A very low, low moment. Took me awhile to even want to ask their forgiveness. By that time they were already asleep. Tried to wake them up. Will have to wait for morning. Praise the Lord for His mercy and grace. Really wish I didn’t need it so often.

4.) Stacy McKay from 104.9 The River (Columbus, OH) just messaged me to let me know they posted a link to this morning’s interview. Here it is if you’re not already SICK TO DEATH of this 52 Zoos story.

My wonderful in-laws. Thank you, Tug, Angie, Rock, Janelle, Morgan, Reese and Tanner for helping make our day so special!

This girl is a true friend. Her hubby was working and she single-mommed it with 3 little boys and a gigundo giraffe cake. Love you, Jamie!

If you can’t read Shan’s shirt, it says, “I love GABE.” The whole fam–Shan, Jen, Noah and Titus all sported homemade 52 Zoos tees–so awesome! You guys rock!!

Our friends, The Jared Mahone Band. They made the party what it was. Old TV theme songs. Saying our names backwards. Gettin’ our groove on. How Great Thou Art. Thanks so much, guys!

My cousin Brian stuffing his face. He, Christy, Emmett and baby-in-the-womb made the trip from Indy. Love you guys! Brian won a $25 gift card to Marie’s Candies that my friend Rebecca donated. Speaking of Rebecca (one of my bestest friends from high school), I didn’t get a pic of me and her and her darling son Cooper. I get to see her again Friday though! Love you, Becs!

Our friend Kary (and Keegan and Isabel). Kary’s wife Kelly is due any second with a baby girl, so Kary brought the kiddos out for a smashing good time. Kary writes books too and is always so supportive of everything we do. Thanks, man!

I’m not sure what the rest of this week will hold blog-wise. I have a bazillion zoo posts to do, a book (or 2) to write, a grandma to visit, a behind-the-scenes tour at the Columbus Zoo (!!), a baby shower, and soccer starts up. All in the next 4 days! Yow-zers. (well, I think it’s safe to say the book won’t be done by then)

Thanks again for everything–all of you! I plan to properly thank you somehow some way. Love and hugs and smooches for your Tuesday!