tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13056967032483439832024-02-07T03:18:19.850-05:00Grown by AdoptionThis blog was started to chronicle our amazing journey to grow our family through adoption in India. It tells Micah's story. I will continue to share our story, now as a family of 6!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-64077888551786815442013-03-15T09:11:00.000-04:002013-03-15T09:11:04.446-04:00Kings and Queens<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Heard a song last week on the radio that I had not heard before. I'm sure that it has been out there for a while, but I just started hearing it on the radio. This could be in part that I rarely get to listen to the radio in my car because of my children fighting with each other, or all singing at the top of their lungs (and 4 different songs too sometimes), or, which is usually the case, they want to watch a movie. I did finally figure out how to move the sound away from the front and only to the back...this is after of year of me hearing movies blaring from the front of the van so that they could hear it clear in the back. Can't tell you how many movies I've heard, but never seen! Oh, well! <br />
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I love this song called "Kings and Queens" by Audio Adrenaline. Maybe it is resonating so much with my heart for adoption right now since I have friends in China this week picking up 2 special needs children they are adding to their family! If you've never heard it before, give it a listen!<br />
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<i>Little hands, shoeless feet, lonely eyes looking back at me</i></div>
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<i>Will we leave behind the innocent to brief</i></div>
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<i>On their own, on the run when their lives have only begun</i></div>
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<i>These could be our daughters and our sons</i></div>
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<i>And just like a drum I can hear their hearts beating</i></div>
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<i>I know my God won't let them be defeated</i></div>
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<i>Every child has a dream to belong and be loved</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Boys become kings, girls will be queens</i></div>
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<i>Wrapped in Your majesty</i></div>
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<i>When we love, when we love the least of these</i></div>
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<i>Then they will be brave and free</i></div>
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<i>Shout Your name in victory</i></div>
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<i>When we love, when we love the least of these</i></div>
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<i>When we love the least of these</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Break our hearts once again</i></div>
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<i>Help us to remember when</i></div>
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<i>We were only children hoping for a friend</i></div>
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<i>Won't you look around</i></div>
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<i>These are the lives that the world has forgotten</i></div>
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<i>Waiting for doors of our hearts and our homes to open</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>If not us, who will be like Jesus</i></div>
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<i>To the least of these</i></div>
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<i>If not us, tell me who will be like Jesus</i></div>
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<i>Like Jesus to the least of these</i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-73522946464945487742013-01-09T18:54:00.002-05:002013-01-09T18:54:32.640-05:00My Hero<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Before I had kids, I liked babies and that was about it. I even remember wondering what I would do once my own kids got out of the "baby" stage! I have to look back now and laugh a little at how crazy I was. The truth is, I have loved EVERY stage as my children have grown! I love watching them learn new things and grow! I love watching them venture out into independance and then see them come asking for advice! Of course my husband would probably say that is mostly because I love to "give" advice whether or not it was asked for. :)<br />
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I must say that one of my favorite stage is where Micah is now. He loves playing superhero, especially the Avengers! It has been Captain America everything for months, and then the day after Halloween, it has been Thor! All he wanted for Christmas was a real Thor hammer with lightning! This is actually the only gift I have ever driven to another city to purchase. I did not want him to be disappointed since his little heart was so set on it. We were not disappointed. He loved it (although a little disappointed that it did not make "real" lightning) and even took it to church the first Sunday!<br />
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There are a lot of things I love about Micah's little obsession right now. I love that he wants to be one of the good guys! I love that he thinks once he puts on the costume he is invincible and has superpowers. <br />
M: Mom, can you find some "real" bad guys?<br />
Me: Why do you want me to find real bad guys?<br />
M: So I can practice fighting them.<br />
Me: I don't think so. Bad guys scare me.<br />
M: Don't worry mom, I will protect you. I just need my costume and my shield!<br />
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It truely is priceless time, and although I have been exhausted this year, I realize I have been given a special gift in having this year alone with him while the other kids are in school. He is my little hero!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-73668793919429335042012-09-25T10:52:00.000-04:002012-09-25T10:52:40.119-04:00How Time Flies!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I truly feel like Micah has been part of our family since his birth. And actually, I guess he has been, even before he was born. Five years ago (yesterday), we filed our application to adopt from India. While he was still in his birth mother's tummy, God was preparing our family for him to join us!<br />
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Our application to adopt was filed September 24 and 1 year later, on the same date, we got the call for Micah's referral! Too cool! Many, many miracles happened (too many to recount here today) to make this possible. But looking back, we realize we were blessed beyond measure! At the time of Micah's referral, it seemed like a family was traveling every month to pick up their child, so we not only got to see a referral photo (below), but we got to see a current photo of him at 6 months old (above)! Those huge dark chocolate eyes, and pouty lips. Needless to say, I fell in love immidiately...and forever!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-47364279873535410502012-08-24T07:19:00.000-04:002012-08-24T07:19:30.340-04:00In the Waiting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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To me, these two signs perfectly represent what International adoption from India is like right now. And I'm not even in process! There are many who find themselves "in the waiting" right now with no certain or clear picture of what lies ahead of them on this journey. It is difficult for us, as we begin to talk about starting another adoption journey, to know exactly how to read these signs. Do we need to buckle our seat belts, and proceed toward India and the unknown with caution, or do we turn aside and begin to investigate another country? Right now, we have the liberty to make that decision. For those friends of ours, and those we don't know, I just wanted to share a word of encouragement that I came across this week.<br />
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Job, speaking from a place of total hopelessness and no control over his own life, speaks these words to his friends...<br />
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Job 9:4-11 (NLT)</div>
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For God is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever challenged him successfully?</div>
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"Without warning, he moves the mountains, overturning them in his anger.</div>
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He shakes the earth from it's place, and it's foundations tremble.</div>
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If he commands it, the sun won't rise and the stars won't shine.</div>
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He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea.</div>
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He made all the stars - the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the southern sky.</div>
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He does great things too marvelous to understand.</div>
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He performs countless miracles."</div>
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Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him.</div>
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When he moves by, I do not see him go.</div>
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I was reminded that God is always working for his children. We may not see what he is doing, but we can rest with confidence that he is actively moving and the God who places the sun and stars in their place, and holds the oceans at bay, can easily bring his children to their forever home! Nothing can stop him from working his purpose!</div>
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Psalms 37:7a</div>
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Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-84091660020628667402012-04-20T16:33:00.001-04:002012-04-20T16:33:20.217-04:00Easter Eggs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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One of my favorite little games that Micah plays, is a word game. It goes something like this.<br />
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Micah: Mom, you know how I love you?</div>
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Me: How much do you love me?</div>
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Micah: Ummmm...all the way to the ceiling!</div>
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Me: Wow, that's alot of love! You know how I love you?</div>
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Micah: How?</div>
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Me: All the way to India (or Colorado, or to Aunt Cheri's, or some other far off location)</div>
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Micah: You know how I love you?</div>
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Me: How much?</div>
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Micah: This tiny. (Here he gives me a big grin and holds up two little fingers close together)</div>
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Me: No way! It's this much! (This is when I open his arms wide and tickle him silly)</div>
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Today I was thinking about how I love this little game he plays, and how much it breaks my heart to think that he might ever question whether or not he was meant to be part of our family. I thought of the discussions we've had recently about the color of his skin. Then, for some reason, maybe because we just had Easter, I thought of eggs! I know it's not very theological, but it seems to fit. We are all the same on the inside...created in the image of a beautiful God. We have blood, bones, muscle, a heart and a soul. Our outsides, however, are very different. Our shells, have been painted and designed by a very creative God! And it's a marvelously wonderful thing that we are each unique! I hope all my children grow up believing this simple, fantastic truth!</div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-76981852360953014932012-02-14T11:48:00.003-05:002012-02-14T12:13:18.327-05:00Fearfully and Wonderfully Made!Well, it's happened. I did not expect it really till Kindergarten. All the books said that Kindergarten was about the time when kids would start to ask questions because of a sudden awareness brought on by comments from their school friends. Micah will turn 4 in a couple of weeks, and the questions have been coming this month like a whirlwind.<div><ul><li>Did you know I am brown?</li><li>Why am I brown?</li><li>I want to be white like you!</li><li>Am I dark or light?</li><li>Who was in your tummy?</li><li>Was I in your tummy?</li></ul><div>Micah knows his story...the story of how he came to be part of our family. He watches his homecoming video all the time, reads his "Micah's Story," book, etc. We talk all the time about how God designs families and He puts them together in all different kinds of ways. This particular vein of questioning, however, is new. </div><div><br /></div><div>One thing that has been so helpful, is that we are being intentional about finding friends who look like us! When he starts to question, I first remind Micah that God created him brown for a reason and that I LOVE his brown color. Then, we go over other families we know who are like us! I will say, "Remember Jake (Micah's new best friend) is brown and his mommy is white? And, Eli is brown and his brother is white! And our friend Suhas is brown and his wife, Abby, is white!" "Oh, yeah," he'll say with a grin, and that seems to satisfy him for the moment. Another big help to me has been Psalms 139. I remind him that God says he is "<i>fearfully and wonderfully made</i>," and that when God "<i>formed him in the womb</i>," He made him exactly like He wanted him and for a wonderful purpose! I am so honored that I get to be mommy to this wonderful, inquisitive little boy from India!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-75706219585921768992011-11-02T19:04:00.003-04:002011-11-02T19:42:02.860-04:00Managing MemoriesI am reading an excellant book by <a href="http://www.markbatterson.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff0000;">Mark Batterson</span></a>, called "Soul Print." In chapter 2 Mark talks about the importance of Lifesymbols in remembering important things from our past and how God was faithful in and through each experience. At one point he mentions...<div><br /></div><div>"<i>One of my earliest and strongest memories is the first time I rode a bike. Part of the reason the memory is so strong is because I've heard my parents tell the story so many times. And that is one of the jobs of parents. They manage their children's memories by the stories they tell, the keepsakes they save, and the pictures they take."</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>This made me stop to think about the memories I am helping to manage for all my children, but especially Micah's. We made him a memory book of "his story" of becoming part of our family and he loves to read it all the time. He even makes up "memories" of when he was a baby in India. However, I started to wonder if that was enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>This month is National Adoption Awareness Month, and we recently had an Adoption Awareness Sunday at our church. We invited speaker and author, <a href="http://www.tedkluck.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff0000;">Ted Kluck</span></a>, to come and speak. He is the author of the book, "Hello, I Love You," and it is the story of their adoption journey to their two boys from the Ukraine. Part of the book was bits and pieces of the journal letters he wrote to his first son during his adoption process. Their family had an extremely difficult adoption experience, but throughout the story was woven threads of joy and beauty in the process that he wanted to remember so that he could share these things with his sons as they got older. </div><div><br /></div><div>Of course I was reminded of my time in India as we traveled to bring Micah home. Our process was extremely smooth, but I had a very difficult time in the country and came back with some very negative feelings and little desire to go back. I was reminded by our dear caseworker that I needed to give it time, but I also needed to remember the good things about our time there and maybe even write them down. This would enable me to begin to look on my sons birth country with fondness and maybe even love as we shared the memories together as he grows and wants to know more of his story. </div><div><br /></div><div>This was a fantastic idea, and as the years begin to pass by since Micah's adoption experience, I find myself remembering more and more the good things over the difficult. I am taking the task seriously to manage Micah's memories and I hope that as he grows, the memories will fill him with joy and thanksgiving!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-81061847527081728342011-10-06T10:20:00.002-04:002011-10-06T10:28:36.002-04:00ChoicesLast night as I watched the news and heard about Steve Jobs passing away, I was saddened. I am not a "techy" person and do not understand any of it, but my husband is a Mac and I-phone user, so I am familiar with the contributions that Apple has made to our generation. :) <div><br /></div><div>What I did take away from the stories I heard last night was one in particular that made my heart smile. Steve Jobs was born to an unwed college student who chose to place him up for adoption instead of choosing abortion for her son. Maybe a seemingly insignigicant choice to her at the time, or maybe one that she agonized over. Whatever the case, she chose life, and that son literally changed our world and the way we communicate today!</div><div><br /></div><div>Just goes to show that EVERY choice that we make is significant! We might never see the results, or know the people it has affected, either negatively or poitively, but it has affected something or someone. Last night I was reminded that choosing to do things God's way just makes sense! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-35758973052828098342011-09-06T21:55:00.002-04:002011-09-06T22:26:21.388-04:00The Road Less Traveled<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUeD55koGXDBI3Ja9hx4B6t42G_AAzeULOTPrii9sIDjO76DjKyQr_GPdUJbRpU0CuElzuOqENsHaosFthO_9tN9du_tq173v4WKQrwwD4jhMrwVCZ4jDVPV2dQrnLw1JrW2nSRDHf_s/s1600/Trail.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUeD55koGXDBI3Ja9hx4B6t42G_AAzeULOTPrii9sIDjO76DjKyQr_GPdUJbRpU0CuElzuOqENsHaosFthO_9tN9du_tq173v4WKQrwwD4jhMrwVCZ4jDVPV2dQrnLw1JrW2nSRDHf_s/s320/Trail.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649432835872069506" /></a><i>Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--</i><div><i>I took the one less traveled by,</i></div><div><i>And that has made all the difference.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>I heard a comparison today between Robert Frost's poem, "The Road Not Taken," and the scripture in Matthew 7:13-14, which compares 2 gates. In the poem, the author chooses the path less traveled by and says that his choice made all the difference. In Matthew, Christ says, "<i>For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it</i>." The question was then asked of the comparison..."What path in your life have you followed that my have been the "path less traveled by?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, neither the poem nor the scripture is speaking about adoption specifically, but that is the first thing that came to my mind. Adoption is definitely the path less traveled by, and unfortunately, there are few who seem to enter this gate and experience the life and blessing that adoption brings. Adoption is a huge step of faith, and I am beginning to think that FAITH is the road less traveled by. It surely leads to LIFE, and without making the decision to step out in faith, we miss so much of God's blessing in our lives. I am sorry to say, there are not very many times I have stepped out in faith to follow where I feel God leading. It is easier to step out if you feel like it all works on paper, or if it is within your control, etc. But, by hesitating, or choosing the clearer path, we miss seeing and experiencing the MIRACLES of God! In our journey through life, I wish these experiences were the norm instead of just occasional occurances! </div><div><br /></div><div>What would life be like if we all "took the road less traveled by?" I think it would make "all the difference!"</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-20555985404639872512011-07-25T10:32:00.005-04:002011-07-25T11:33:50.072-04:00Children's Books<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9N0fKFP8xL30oi5shQ3h5lkZuJIlbOndsH1Im50BIcM78Ckq68WhRpG-qGmZk5vQd3l2CwWg2GBlL3B4_FriQDpz0RnPpmgAG3JWrYa056jeT1EEqXZzetQjONXvoqlSRO7AzJos1FQ/s1600/IMG_0366.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9N0fKFP8xL30oi5shQ3h5lkZuJIlbOndsH1Im50BIcM78Ckq68WhRpG-qGmZk5vQd3l2CwWg2GBlL3B4_FriQDpz0RnPpmgAG3JWrYa056jeT1EEqXZzetQjONXvoqlSRO7AzJos1FQ/s320/IMG_0366.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633306089207028146" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABlTq9dq201paQ6-lW21m09Xwl2UeX0xYl4YwifphiiYgi2aBIgwWaLMR9gIG8yL7EeFzGzEpk5YjQvLYlz5daMYOOXeqwI_SovWyZAUKchJQMK70KHo5N9uqtQQZMQYF1WqDllDa76c/s1600/IMG_0367.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABlTq9dq201paQ6-lW21m09Xwl2UeX0xYl4YwifphiiYgi2aBIgwWaLMR9gIG8yL7EeFzGzEpk5YjQvLYlz5daMYOOXeqwI_SovWyZAUKchJQMK70KHo5N9uqtQQZMQYF1WqDllDa76c/s320/IMG_0367.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633305976972066866" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamjEnj1L7XTylYA7rgfpUgS_4urdjobYBSl2HAbyydaq-pHQSUgv106Ok0SkQ0mdJgT2wflju-flAP4uGV-Fs1W4jWF3v15WvEt53VyI3y69NkS7OTmHW5UzIsbl8M25sRl_6NKo6B9g/s1600/IMG_0365.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamjEnj1L7XTylYA7rgfpUgS_4urdjobYBSl2HAbyydaq-pHQSUgv106Ok0SkQ0mdJgT2wflju-flAP4uGV-Fs1W4jWF3v15WvEt53VyI3y69NkS7OTmHW5UzIsbl8M25sRl_6NKo6B9g/s320/IMG_0365.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633305866610135618" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGCBkI1AQTksWEVG6wXVU5WDVDbpNd0z5cybFDXqkuo5JBuzB5v8tbzZ3Xs49rqrtKF_r0sB955tkXqODrJZajIWoQUdOhZLYCTto1NeqX-qfQzTANnbWrtK-tfzbPuMQ4BMa2MG6hCU/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGCBkI1AQTksWEVG6wXVU5WDVDbpNd0z5cybFDXqkuo5JBuzB5v8tbzZ3Xs49rqrtKF_r0sB955tkXqODrJZajIWoQUdOhZLYCTto1NeqX-qfQzTANnbWrtK-tfzbPuMQ4BMa2MG6hCU/s320/IMG_0364.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633305761537768834" /></a><br />My friend and fellow Dillon adoption mom, <a href="http://www.indiatoappleton.blogspot.com/">Nancy</a>, recently posted about a couple of adoption related children's books that she likes. They were "Bringing Asha Home" and "You're Not My Real Mother!" I am always looking for great children's books on adoption and India, so I am excited to check them out. Her post also gave me the idea to share a couple of the adoption and India related children's books that I have come across this year and added to my kids little library.<div><ol><li>"God Found Us You," by Lisa Tawn Bergren - A sweet, sweet book about an adoptive mom's wait for her little one to come home!</li><li>"Shaoey and Dot," by Mary Beth Chapman - A cute story about a chinese adoption.</li><li>"A Family for Jamie," by Suzanne Bloom - A great story about a couple wanting to start a family and how adoption brings that to pass!</li><li>"I is for India," by Prodeepta Das - Not an adoption story, but a great children's book that uses the alphabet to tell about India, it's people, and customs. It has beautiful pictures!</li></ol><div><div>My favorite book of all is the one we made for Micah. It's called "Micah's Story" and we had it printed right after we brought him home. You can make them at Shutterfly or Snapfish very easily and inexpensively. Micah's book starts off with pics of our family before adoption. Then we have pictures of David and me at the airport leaving for India. This is followed by pictures of Micah at different ages in the orphanage taken by other families and then the ones we took once we arrived. Then there are a few pictures of the city, traffic, us out shopping, at the hotel, etc., followed by pictures of us with Micah getting on the plane to come home. Finally we end with a photo of our entire family together at last at our home airport! Micah LOVES his book and wants to read it all the time! I am hoping to be able to make my other children books of their story too someday. I hope that they grow up to feel that each of us has our own unique story and that God has chosen to intertwine our stories into a beautiful book that will bring Him glory!</div><div><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-64667355688864543912011-06-25T15:10:00.004-04:002011-06-25T15:40:18.700-04:00New Friends!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnODd7xL8qUMuiRp1ulMWB4nWdDMVMhWb5_JS3SDkn-m7wN_OLLSYaPRmGg0pN69L3KEP-KMxGcg0GzTH1gfd-BHCteSw3dprPnJeQfNu4AlwQQHw5yXmlg6zL6qKMrUN-SLkvdh8Bby8/s1600/IMG_0311.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnODd7xL8qUMuiRp1ulMWB4nWdDMVMhWb5_JS3SDkn-m7wN_OLLSYaPRmGg0pN69L3KEP-KMxGcg0GzTH1gfd-BHCteSw3dprPnJeQfNu4AlwQQHw5yXmlg6zL6qKMrUN-SLkvdh8Bby8/s320/IMG_0311.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622237587353572514" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_dAV6EKtFRfYWbKV91coWW43yq2RsXB4w9rZJEwwePQF_te8N4PeDszMaJTLlP4Jm07daPV9HDmib7q9kToXZQQvchQqP0SYyixrsYxAaw8Te2rkqFoV9Wxh3QRUsQ6l8AwY7w2DKtI/s1600/IMG_0306.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_dAV6EKtFRfYWbKV91coWW43yq2RsXB4w9rZJEwwePQF_te8N4PeDszMaJTLlP4Jm07daPV9HDmib7q9kToXZQQvchQqP0SYyixrsYxAaw8Te2rkqFoV9Wxh3QRUsQ6l8AwY7w2DKtI/s320/IMG_0306.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622237452430675938" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqil4epGtmcs4oskHwUCMUPgm-cM4MWPx3-zzi61XNlntQcftPVppjLaq-IRRt6QHXujJjXTNqGulTtJ3wsrDtfg-PiT4K24TQ2EhdDEayIAu9zvhzb8f5TRDHXRxanqukVd9-GNmMPM/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqil4epGtmcs4oskHwUCMUPgm-cM4MWPx3-zzi61XNlntQcftPVppjLaq-IRRt6QHXujJjXTNqGulTtJ3wsrDtfg-PiT4K24TQ2EhdDEayIAu9zvhzb8f5TRDHXRxanqukVd9-GNmMPM/s320/IMG_0303.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622237274507259042" /></a>Yeah! Today we got to meet some new friends...Amy, Clint and Simeon! They came to town for a little get-away and we got to meet for the first time! Of course, I feel like I've know them forever! It was so amazing seeing Micah and Simeon together, knowing that just 2 short years ago, they were sharing a crib in the same orphanage in India! God is so good! Simeon is such a little social bug and he made fast friends with my girls right away. Micah had tons of questions about Simeon before we met, and after meeting pronounced, "I like Simeon!" I thank God for the friendships He has brought into our lives through adoption!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-6826976692437317772011-06-13T17:26:00.002-04:002011-06-13T17:49:07.419-04:00The Sound of MusicMy family loves to watch musicals, and one of our favorites is The Sound of Music! Today a quote from that movie has been running through my head..."When God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window!"<div><br /></div><div>Ever since Micah's adoption, I have thought in my heart that I would like to adopt again. I would like for Micah to have a sister from his birth country! My husband...not quite so sure. Actually, in the beginning he would say, "Woman you are crazy!" :) Now when I mention it, he just smiles and says, "One thing at a time, please!" I think God and I are wearing him down. LOL</div><div><br /></div><div>With all that has happened in our lives over the last 2 years, it has definitely not been the right time. Still, during this walk through our valley, I have begun to look at different adoption websites and their "waiting children" a little more closely. To be honest, I have actually made inquiries about 2 specific little girls at different times. The door was closed right away on one and just today, I heard that the door is probably being closed on the other. Although I feel a sadness, there is also a sense of peace.</div><div><br /></div><div>How is this possible? It is strange, but when we began our adoption with Micah, we had a list of three "musts" that we took to our adoption agency. One country was a fit, but right away God began closing the doors. So, I decided to compromise on our "musts" and choose another county that fit 2 out of the 3. That very next morning, before I could even call our caseworker, she e-mailed me and told me that the country I was looking at the night before had just closed it's doors. I just said, "Praise the Lord!" Her response was, "What? That is not usually the response that we get when we give bad news." I told her, "Our prayer from the beginning has been that God would lead. That He would open doors and close doors where we did not belong. He has just slammed this door in our face, so I know that He is answering our prayers in a personal way and that He is taking part in this adoption process!" Today I kind of feel the same way. I must admit that my heart was getting attached to this little girl, but it seems God is closing this door. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once again I hear a faint "sound of music" as I sense God acting on our behalf in ways that I yet cannot see. So, I will just be patient, enjoy my children, and watch closely for that open window!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-43846855037280975782011-05-08T15:47:00.002-04:002011-05-08T16:32:14.542-04:00Mother's Day 2011!I am a very proud mommy of 4 children! Nothing for me has ever been more exhausting or more rewarding! :) God has blessed me with 4 amazing little personalities!<div><ol><li>Hallie - My tender-hearted middle-schooler who loves school and LOVES to read! </li><li>Emma - My emotional fashionista who loves school and LOVES sports!</li><li>Nathan - My little man who is growing up too quickly, who LOVES Scooby Doo, spies, and super heros!</li><li>Micah - My baby boy who keeps me hopping 24 hours a day and who LOVES chocolate!</li></ol><div>This week one of my favorite radio stations was airing programs on adoption, moms, etc. On one of the programs about adoption, the speaker said something that really struck me. We often hear people say, "These are our children..., and this is our adopted son/daughter..." Now, as an adoptive mother, and for those other adoptive moms out there, we know that there is no difference in how we feel about our children, no matter how they got to us. I often forget that Micah was even adopted. He might as well have been born into our family, and in a way, I believe He was. When God created Micah in his mother's womb, He knew that Micah would come to join our family, and I believe he was created for that purpose!</div><div><br /></div><div>The speaker on this program, did not like the concept of saying, "this is my "adopted" son/daughter," as if that somehow defined who they are. He reminded the audience that "adopted" is a legal event that happened at one point in the past. After that, we are all just children! As believers, we have been adopted by God, at the point of our salvation, but after that, we are considered just "<i>children of God, and joint heirs with Jesus</i>!" <i>Romans 8:15-17</i> God does not see us any differently than His own son after that! Such an act of undeserved mercy and grace!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>So, today I reflect on God's grace and I thank Him for loaning me my children, whether by birth or adoption, to raise for a time, for His glory!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-13980273408073797712011-04-06T15:06:00.003-04:002011-04-06T15:17:41.840-04:00Three Years Old!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPtZoMBM5w-ObC-Id4ZJ3zf-4ZRBfx03ByM2MFdwFLIfReciF-BaaihGimYtt-55RHzem8uRGpFCFLiIffKAUq1qpqDb_HE1z2MsIXCCKThkjd70ymuJxeQo291TFDUiAlId1mvL3jHA/s1600/IMG_0191.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPtZoMBM5w-ObC-Id4ZJ3zf-4ZRBfx03ByM2MFdwFLIfReciF-BaaihGimYtt-55RHzem8uRGpFCFLiIffKAUq1qpqDb_HE1z2MsIXCCKThkjd70ymuJxeQo291TFDUiAlId1mvL3jHA/s320/IMG_0191.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592549537311147410" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lG57s7OwQxMzoOq35BbPmJAwcufUomB7NJ1ttrbBlDAQaSSyH5wC6OchR-A2x1HWrqZ99p_NMSTFio2FgsOc12QqjXy3ulXvFlhyphenhyphenJkpw0uu8XH88Wta839RvqTob_HPlVpwF1NIN1QA/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lG57s7OwQxMzoOq35BbPmJAwcufUomB7NJ1ttrbBlDAQaSSyH5wC6OchR-A2x1HWrqZ99p_NMSTFio2FgsOc12QqjXy3ulXvFlhyphenhyphenJkpw0uu8XH88Wta839RvqTob_HPlVpwF1NIN1QA/s320/IMG_0195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592549424267760226" /></a>It is hard for me to believe that my baby boy is 3 years old! He has grown so much in the last year...2 inches and 2 lbs! He talks all day long, loves his brother and sisters and is his mommy and daddy's "buddy!" His favorite activity right now is to sit with his daddy's i-phone and scan through the pictures and videos from Disney World! A Toy Story, or Stoy Story birthday as he calls it, was a must. He had been asking daily since Christmas, "My birfday next? My birfday coming up? I be three?" Almost every person he met got a personal invitation to his birthday party! His only request this year...walkie talkies! Of course, mommy came through! No gift I could ever give him, however, would compare with the gift that I received when God brought Micah into our family!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-4092074977635131972011-02-18T11:11:00.005-05:002011-02-18T11:47:29.870-05:00"Gotcha Day #2"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHnFSlKkcecDpcAgaJ18qfSX7_YIDi5jb2yXqEwkdoeZwS9cEbtEAlTWwNC8KTM4r1iK1L7XTsopQmBev4mTuecK440c7See8eaBTk9kFGBmxY2voKfWUt-ewmhl5tq9u7wx1A4XPtkE/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHnFSlKkcecDpcAgaJ18qfSX7_YIDi5jb2yXqEwkdoeZwS9cEbtEAlTWwNC8KTM4r1iK1L7XTsopQmBev4mTuecK440c7See8eaBTk9kFGBmxY2voKfWUt-ewmhl5tq9u7wx1A4XPtkE/s320/IMG_0181.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575067535730804114" /></a>It's hard for me to believe that tomorrow, February 19th, is "Gotcha Day #2!" Or, our 2nd "Forever Family Day," as we like to call it! It just seems like yesterday that we were in India picking Micah up. <div><br /></div><div>Last year I was very sick for Micah's Gotcha Day. I had just started chemo and could not do anything. My husband and my mother saved the day by cooking an Indian meal and decorating, and then, with David's parents in attendance, we celebrated Micah's entrance into our family. </div><div><br /></div><div>This year, my oldest daughter is going to be gone to a church youth retreat, so we have done small things to celebrate all weekend. Last night, I cooked Chicken Curry and Brown Rice and we all gathered in the boys room at bedtime to say a special prayer of thanks to God for how he fashioned our family and brought us all together. This morning it has just been Micah and me. We have watched Micah's homecoming video together, danced to music while we emptied the dishwasher, we have eaten leftover Chicken Curry, I have watched him blow bubbles with his gum (his new favorite trick) and I have listened to him play songs on his guitar! It has been a great morning!</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy 2nd "Forever Family Day" Micah, and welcome to the family...again! I would not trade you for the world!</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-57018629264929437592011-02-01T17:00:00.002-05:002011-02-01T17:18:03.427-05:00Coffee and AdoptionOne thing our adoption from India has given me is new friends. I have been able to communicate with women all over the United States and they have inspired and encouraged me before, during, and even after our adoption process. Most of these women are just names and pictures, but they have become a part of my life, forever, I hope! <div><br /></div><div>One of these new friends is Kristi. She and her husband are on their third adoption from India and they could use your help. If you like coffee, or if you know someone who does, please have them check out this coffee company that she talks about below. I hope you are able to help and enjoy the coffee!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-size: 11px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; font-weight: normal; "><span class="messageBody" style="line-height: 14px; "><div id="id_4d4882391df904a71222452" class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" style="display: inline; ">All of my Facebook friends...please help and spread the word! :) Jason and I are selling organic fair trade coffee to raise money for the last $3,500 of our adoption expenses for Ajay. $5 from each bag of coffee sold will go directly to Dillon Int'l, from the Just Love Coffee Company. Please spread the word, and post this on your s<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; ">tatus!!!!!<br />Go to: <a href="http://www.justlovecoffee.com/AjayArish" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: none; "><span>http://www.justlovecoffee.com/</span><wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: block; float: left; margin-left: -10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></span>AjayArish</a></span></div></span></h6><div class="mvm uiStreamAttachments clearfix" ft="{"type":"attach"}" style="display: block; zoom: 1; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><div class="UIImageBlock clearfix" style="display: block; zoom: 1; "><a class="external UIImageBlock_Image UIImageBlock_MED_Image" href="http://www.justlovecoffee.com/AjayArish" title="" target="_blank" ft="{"type":"media"}" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: none; float: left; margin-right: 10px; "><img class="img" src="http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=5a2b384e87c93ab83d2000eba586bf94&w=90&h=90&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.justlovecoffee.com%2Fuploads%2F1505_1.jpg" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; display: block; max-height: 90px; max-width: 90px; " /></a><div class="UIImageBlock_Content UIImageBlock_MED_Content fsm fwn fcg" style="display: table-cell; vertical-align: top; width: 10000px; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(128, 128, 128); "><div class="uiAttachmentTitle" style="word-wrap: break-word; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><strong><span><a href="http://www.justlovecoffee.com/AjayArish" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: none; ">JustLoveCoffee Store</a></span></strong></div><a href="http://www.justlovecoffee.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: none; ">www.justlovecoffee.com</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="mts uiAttachmentDesc" style="margin-top: 5px; word-wrap: break-word; color: rgb(128, 128, 128); "></div></div></div></div><form rel="async" class="commentable_item autoexpand_mode" method="post" action="http://www.facebook.com/ajax/ufi/modify.php" id="u756110_16" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><div class="UIImageBlock clearfix" style="display: block; zoom: 1; "></div></form></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-41631377520582833852011-01-28T21:16:00.002-05:002011-01-28T21:30:39.268-05:00Martian Child<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fkTa12O9cnAPoYANpoRzZrhSnIIbBA87ZTtlrx6p5Ds9Gl9Kpymdj4wnzsQ_BBbNhTaT-fUFV7l0O9Arx6QpYccm8DMiDSbVWuB4ilYwFeA6aDUX1jbSIBDfDLYHGT80y3GmnPI77bk/s1600/martian+dvd.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 115px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fkTa12O9cnAPoYANpoRzZrhSnIIbBA87ZTtlrx6p5Ds9Gl9Kpymdj4wnzsQ_BBbNhTaT-fUFV7l0O9Arx6QpYccm8DMiDSbVWuB4ilYwFeA6aDUX1jbSIBDfDLYHGT80y3GmnPI77bk/s320/martian+dvd.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567427338489077170" /></a>Tonight, as a family, we watched the movie "Martian Child" with John Cusack. I just want to say, "It is a wonderful movie about adoption!" We have had the movie forever and just never sat down to watch it. Needless to say, after adopting ourselves, we could not help but cry. One of our favorite lines from the movie comes when the main character's sister is trying to gently ask him if he is really ready for a child. He turns to her and says, "I know all the arguments about not bringing another child into this world, but what's wrong with loving one that is already here?" Awesome question! If you have never seen this movie, we highly recommend it to everyone!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-32592476521501051422011-01-17T10:52:00.008-05:002011-01-17T11:22:43.357-05:00Snow Days and Nicknames!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCbN0tf91TOgrCY8TAf7Yz6p6roUYb_DBoKWiDHwefzD13582DCvOTa0nzfNEcx1d57eY_-43Wo_xaOXcTow2I2FG1LK11wrcwlksvZZzk0CwIu_JxNzDGqqwhqy5I9bFKfU4bOArvUI/s1600/IMG_0572.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 149px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCbN0tf91TOgrCY8TAf7Yz6p6roUYb_DBoKWiDHwefzD13582DCvOTa0nzfNEcx1d57eY_-43Wo_xaOXcTow2I2FG1LK11wrcwlksvZZzk0CwIu_JxNzDGqqwhqy5I9bFKfU4bOArvUI/s200/IMG_0572.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563184608528674946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmDlNjHhjPMRHnJgUN1jW3YD7bmpJFXg9K84h2ULTv99ZpXjhyphenhyphennMovVBVmj4w7yFO24SCD2dUTa11xfWFdRmmqlKMVk8Hd9O9rp1NBcQGhbrNeFU3mpt0eJBY9cjTyWMBP9V1hXh3Hj4/s1600/IMG_0576.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmDlNjHhjPMRHnJgUN1jW3YD7bmpJFXg9K84h2ULTv99ZpXjhyphenhyphennMovVBVmj4w7yFO24SCD2dUTa11xfWFdRmmqlKMVk8Hd9O9rp1NBcQGhbrNeFU3mpt0eJBY9cjTyWMBP9V1hXh3Hj4/s200/IMG_0576.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563184498097727026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunO9580PXiabbv1_MgxqneAtUPPHRnJNMYnJ5PZ1_DGYYXfZ3myVBMDSUuo5ep3SVWecDPzamaj1hpcIq6Bu924TuVilXDAg-8kBTX5N6emnxPDHelV92Lv8P_oz6oCVeyNiU6Nea-_0/s1600/IMG_0732.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunO9580PXiabbv1_MgxqneAtUPPHRnJNMYnJ5PZ1_DGYYXfZ3myVBMDSUuo5ep3SVWecDPzamaj1hpcIq6Bu924TuVilXDAg-8kBTX5N6emnxPDHelV92Lv8P_oz6oCVeyNiU6Nea-_0/s200/IMG_0732.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563184316796057442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1h1CSU26rCMv0nAnH2m9hcoCJgWpS6OSzo18ajAKT1jMbo7z6o5fjrNrpMjGyZvipWET45x5eRUm6s74dPhah1VdHI_f7WFiEOvuhEVyuMM-ag3Sbh63b9EkLwEp4BMBgoCQnrEY7Eb8/s1600/IMG_0636.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 149px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1h1CSU26rCMv0nAnH2m9hcoCJgWpS6OSzo18ajAKT1jMbo7z6o5fjrNrpMjGyZvipWET45x5eRUm6s74dPhah1VdHI_f7WFiEOvuhEVyuMM-ag3Sbh63b9EkLwEp4BMBgoCQnrEY7Eb8/s200/IMG_0636.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563183992141165794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBucoL_HfdNtS7GC_YoMH7kn5PmiU4pNGOKMiEK-QVyNxgH5BwID20mtNPO8rLOzPR_vmQNPj8PKJYTCggH_bUHx_YKJYXgQ7EmO8lI9dY9o0lnCCcO82YHQoSAIp_D-Mv3DSf93GtAA/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBucoL_HfdNtS7GC_YoMH7kn5PmiU4pNGOKMiEK-QVyNxgH5BwID20mtNPO8rLOzPR_vmQNPj8PKJYTCggH_bUHx_YKJYXgQ7EmO8lI9dY9o0lnCCcO82YHQoSAIp_D-Mv3DSf93GtAA/s200/IMG_0714.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563183789514877602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkM5dUQOYnGkWNNBcC9Dvr7RP6GGA6z8p2Jt8Zi7AxOvlDpZPef4kcpsERpqCdu7iU2tH7sfnB-nPbDJRiWPjuJ8b2XOIMSMFm0DJu9WjZqWU88czZnFCDOHtAFSSR6wgwhKeGmKJ-ztI/s1600/IMG_0709.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkM5dUQOYnGkWNNBcC9Dvr7RP6GGA6z8p2Jt8Zi7AxOvlDpZPef4kcpsERpqCdu7iU2tH7sfnB-nPbDJRiWPjuJ8b2XOIMSMFm0DJu9WjZqWU88czZnFCDOHtAFSSR6wgwhKeGmKJ-ztI/s200/IMG_0709.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563183637204304274" /></a>I must admit that I was not looking forward to Christmas break ending. I love being home with my kids and having nowhere we have to be. However, time moves on, and we got everything ready and headed back to school. Three days later...enter snowstorm! We have been off of school again this entire week! Yeah! The kids have had so much fun as you can tell from the pictures. The snow came down fast and beautifully and if it were not for the bitter cold, the kids would have played outside for hours...except for Micah. He is not sure that he likes the cold. They tried to take him sledding, but soon he was headed back inside with a runny nose, cold toes and freezing fingers. :) He wanted his blanket and the fire turned on!<div><br /></div><div>All the kiddos have done very well about playing together inside too. We have literally been stuck as we could not get out of our subdivision. One of the funniest things to me is that they have come up with nicknames for each other. All day long I hear Micah calling for these mysterious people...and they come! I cannot help but laugh and I don't know where in the world they came up with the names. Emma is "momma," Hallie is "aunty Lou," Nathan is "Billy," and Micah is "Max." It is so funny at night to hear Micah telling them all "good night" using their nicknames. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I consider that this last week and the snow storm were a small gift to us, allowing us this extra time together uninterrupted! I guess I must come back to reality though since school will start back tomorrow. It will be back to just Micah and me during the day. I know he will miss his brothers and sisters. Today I am praising God for the blessing of our family!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-77154277864203520052010-12-28T17:02:00.006-05:002010-12-28T17:32:09.160-05:00Christmas Blessings!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5FqWlyRve39_WAIFNNsjuuRRC5SzuQIK10q_kIYKN_ydh1xp7KmTpMYFKNExwe1THikbM3zBIZt0JkD3k5WT381aU1w6CuDISfgEu1VxyiVxd2V8uV5_9o1eibxCRM_8fEBxywjTqnY/s1600/IMG_0070.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5FqWlyRve39_WAIFNNsjuuRRC5SzuQIK10q_kIYKN_ydh1xp7KmTpMYFKNExwe1THikbM3zBIZt0JkD3k5WT381aU1w6CuDISfgEu1VxyiVxd2V8uV5_9o1eibxCRM_8fEBxywjTqnY/s320/IMG_0070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555860309266227634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNP67AukjWiibxXCnmLIAZVfvtdhJZWS9AEo5LomEl6NIJm2CeS-NbcJtRwvvtYnPmrsaasyuly5ppE3Js_fnk97y-jgNddYdyVLodUZb69CIkepgJRZP7J9VAWKjlrvlKQqBMjqpsd5I/s1600/IMG_0068.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNP67AukjWiibxXCnmLIAZVfvtdhJZWS9AEo5LomEl6NIJm2CeS-NbcJtRwvvtYnPmrsaasyuly5ppE3Js_fnk97y-jgNddYdyVLodUZb69CIkepgJRZP7J9VAWKjlrvlKQqBMjqpsd5I/s320/IMG_0068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555860110023007874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWs7v9YM945m29T9mDFHYpg2kIzmGTgAACZp3F7Olx0YKqFmgXygXLq6XrnzbAFCs7E93iOGYHD2rJ0cmZMkSxYyfC_WCdUH1NHH4i5aJj06Wgo51NlmK2AMCz8JghzcaPwYG_a891Kk/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWs7v9YM945m29T9mDFHYpg2kIzmGTgAACZp3F7Olx0YKqFmgXygXLq6XrnzbAFCs7E93iOGYHD2rJ0cmZMkSxYyfC_WCdUH1NHH4i5aJj06Wgo51NlmK2AMCz8JghzcaPwYG_a891Kk/s320/IMG_0113.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555859038577993826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DjbO8KZp_OliRrePGWnGZoRftpfmnbPJGSYR76_y2v26XOfasv8BJsl2ADEpAaIefGQfPzsHZEI0m96dwU6jbQk7CElUJTndm6l8BSOrsQqiRd5e09kX-aKGHUxwCxn6plQpCCDN7q4/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DjbO8KZp_OliRrePGWnGZoRftpfmnbPJGSYR76_y2v26XOfasv8BJsl2ADEpAaIefGQfPzsHZEI0m96dwU6jbQk7CElUJTndm6l8BSOrsQqiRd5e09kX-aKGHUxwCxn6plQpCCDN7q4/s320/IMG_0112.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555858862076829362" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This Christmas has been a very special one for me for many reasons. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;">I'm almost to "1 year cancer free!" </li><li style="text-align: left;">I got the white Christmas I'd been dreaming of...with 3 inches of powdery white snow on Christmas day! </li><li style="text-align: left;">We had a blast watching Micah enjoy the first Christmas where he really knows what is going on! We had an awesome concert on Christmas morning when he opened his guitar...the only thing he had requested from Santa this year! </li><li style="text-align: left;">Today, we got to meet another Dillon family who is in process to adopt from India! Abby and Suhas were in town visiting family for the holidays and we got to meet for a 3 hour lunch! We had so much fun and I cannot wait to follow their journey and hopefully keep in touch through the years as our children grow!</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;">We feel so blessed and we are so grateful for the little gifts God sprinkles along our journey that make us stop and smile...things like snow, toy guitars, and new friendships!</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-40132206129214483952010-11-14T21:13:00.003-05:002010-11-14T21:25:57.328-05:00Just Because!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZleTdlrR2_UiOoI19MMEfw09RwNOTcAYnQSL-ZGrAsP7q8_mS3r3ZnOdkkLNM0ismyY4SHs0R1MzSJ-ONV7LoUl00JpYSLhKfrFO0TTS3u1UxbU90QX8hstFTuAbOaG_nF1w_rv5W60/s1600/007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZleTdlrR2_UiOoI19MMEfw09RwNOTcAYnQSL-ZGrAsP7q8_mS3r3ZnOdkkLNM0ismyY4SHs0R1MzSJ-ONV7LoUl00JpYSLhKfrFO0TTS3u1UxbU90QX8hstFTuAbOaG_nF1w_rv5W60/s320/007.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539594403170408658" /></a>This is Micah's newest school photo! I can't believe he is growing up so quickly. He will do something and I'll say, "Good job, baby!" Then he is quick to reply, "I not a baby, Mommy, I Micah!" So true. My Micah is growing and learning so quickly. He is potty trained, speaking in clear sentences, processing everything in site, and beginning to have his own opinions about everything and not afraid to express them. This week he informed me that he does not like jelly on his peanut butter sandwiches. "I no like jelly on my butter, Mommy." Ok, then. Peanut butter only it is. :) Another new thing that just started last week is the "why" question. We hear it frequently now. If he is not asking us "why," something is a certain way, he is turning the tables on us. He asks me, "Mommy do you know why?" Then I answer, "No, Micah. Why?" His answer is always...Because! That's a good enough answer for me. It condenses everything into one simple word. So, Micah. Do you know why I love you so much? Because!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-66207112642739483462010-10-15T08:44:00.004-04:002010-10-15T09:12:06.146-04:00Peaceful Sleep!?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQXKTSdJk9Q38zQUGL6ZgjVsHgdqcITHZcs__2K4R33SLNxVDw8FKuDOTX6WnQC4wJayr-t2K55gC3rn6hhpivhkJBf3N0ho_dmisqUbooiHAVzmpM3YZ62aM7VpU4c0zRtVBaGQEUK0/s1600/IMG_3264.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQXKTSdJk9Q38zQUGL6ZgjVsHgdqcITHZcs__2K4R33SLNxVDw8FKuDOTX6WnQC4wJayr-t2K55gC3rn6hhpivhkJBf3N0ho_dmisqUbooiHAVzmpM3YZ62aM7VpU4c0zRtVBaGQEUK0/s320/IMG_3264.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528253719654581426" /></a>Look at this precious little boy sleeping so peacefully! DON'T BE FOOLED! The only peaceful moments we have during the day is when he is sleeping! :) <div><br /></div><div>I posted a while back about all the things he has broken and mentioned how much those things are costing us to have fixed. Not that I'm keeping a list, but let me just tell you about just 1 day this week in the life of Micah...</div><div><br /></div><div>Monday night my husband was up till 2:00 a.m. grading papers since his grades were due Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m. At 2:00, he was putting everything in a pile to get it ready for school and noticed that his keys were missing. Micah had picked them up earlier in the evening and my husband had told him to put them back down. He did...apparently for the moment. David searched for the keys from 2:00 - 3:00 and then laid down for 1 hr. At 4:00 a.m. he woke me up to help him look. We looked from 4:00 - 7:00 a.m. when David had to call a student of his who lives on our street and ask for a ride to school. The problem? Our Saturn, which we just sold on Sunday, was sitting in the driveway with a dead battery from not having been driven in a while. The Venture was parked in the driveway in front of the garage, leaving me no way to access my Odyssey. Micah had lost our only set of keys to the Venture (David lost his set a year ago and we had never made another copy.) So...</div><div><br /></div><div>David took a half day off school and had another teacher drive him home. We had the Venture towed to the dealership to be re-keyed. We jumped off the Saturn and took it to have the radio fixed and the battery checked for the new owner. We then headed to the dealership to try to pick up the Venture. We then hurried home to pick up all the other kids from school, only to head back out to pick up the Saturn so that we could bring it home. I will not even say how much $ we spent on Tuesday. :) It's been 3 days and we have still not found the keys.</div><div><br /></div><div>Needless to say, I am looking forward to a very much needed vacation next week! It will give me some more time to enjoy this precious little bundle of joy named, Micah...with 4 other family members to help me!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-45718082998224280572010-10-01T10:38:00.002-04:002010-10-01T11:02:54.095-04:00Who Would Have Thought...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKr3xqQIUiek3XQfZb4_KJ7zQo3JYst3bqV8R02C5t_M7CL_c3knwhyRBSAEr3OulG0UYo6QbTkkK7CidJ1CMYpzQK_O-9dHwekULpaY40SKv94YwOwcT5dj-OQI964olJCZ5mJMonZE/s1600/IMG_3365.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKr3xqQIUiek3XQfZb4_KJ7zQo3JYst3bqV8R02C5t_M7CL_c3knwhyRBSAEr3OulG0UYo6QbTkkK7CidJ1CMYpzQK_O-9dHwekULpaY40SKv94YwOwcT5dj-OQI964olJCZ5mJMonZE/s320/IMG_3365.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523087479803992466" /></a>Two years ago today we accepted a referral for a little boy named, Utsab. Who would have ever thought how much he would change our lives for the better!<div><br /></div><div>This little boy is a great big package of amazing. :)</div><div><ul><li><b>Micah is so strong</b>! He can scale any object he sets his mind to. I find him on the top bunk, the washing machine, the bathroom sink, the living room picture window, etc. Nothing is to hard for him to climb, and if he can't work it with his arm strength and his little toes, he carries the step stool to aid him in his endeavor. At the park, a friend of ours was helping little kids "hang" from the monkey bars. Micah wanted to also, so he lifted him up. Micah immediately did a chin up. He's 2!</li><li><b>Micah is so silly!</b> He has just started playing pretend and I love it! He tries to cook me dinner and is always handing me imaginary money. When we go to leave the house, he puts on his "slip slops," picks up his imaginary tar (guitar) and trumpet and says he's ready to go. Of course, at the top of the stairs, he hands me the "tar" and says, "Too heavy, Mommy. You carry it." He has also started dancing around like a ballerina. He was saying, "See, Mommy, I'm a princess!" He is still dancing around, but at least now I have him saying that he's a "prince."</li><li><b>Micah is so smart!</b> He remembers everything we read and everybody we meet. He sings songs from our little pre-school program and can already pick out his shapes and some colors. He loves to talk on the phone and steals his dad's all the time. When his dad tries to take it away, Micah says, "I've got to check my e-mail!" We've been half-heartedly working on potty training for a while. Just waiting for a week where we can be consistent. However, this week he went "poo" on the potty! </li></ul><div>When we were waiting for a referral, we told the Lord that we could not choose. We prayed that He would let the child that He meant for our family be the first referral we received and we would accept. Micah's referral was miraculous in and of itself (read back posts if you'd like more details), and he is a perfect fit for our family. I am not surprised. I truly believe that as God created Micah in his mother's womb, He knew and created him for our family. Micah...you have forever changed our lives and we are grateful!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-32304716571712305672010-09-30T08:27:00.004-04:002010-09-30T09:37:33.825-04:00Adoption AwarenessAs we near November 7th, National Adoption Awareness Sunday, my thoughts are focused again on adoption. As an adoptive parent and adoption advocate, I am frustrated as to why so many families don't see the need for them to adopt. At the same time, to be fair, I remember the very real fears and uncertainties that the devil sent my way while we were in process, trying to get me to back out. I wish people could see their excuses for what they are, and see into God's heart for the fatherless. <div><ol><li><b>We are not comfortable with the thought of adoption</b>. The scriptures constantly confirm that we were not left on this earth to be comfortable. That is one of the biggest tools of the devil. If we get comfortable we lose the will to act. Adoption is not about our comfort. It's about the life of a child who will never have a family unless we are obedient. True faith requires action and true love requires sacrifice. John 3:16</li><li><b>We cannot afford to adopt.</b> This is also a lie of the devil and an affront to the provision of God. We are really saying, "God, this one is to big for You to provide for, so we cannot obey in this area." We can never be in debt to God and if we are acting upon His heart and His commands, He is willing and ready to provide. So many miracles are missed because we hold too much to our security in our money and we fail to trust God. Luke 12:13-34</li><li><b>We need to pray about adopting.</b> We don't need to pray about doing something God has already commanded. He says over and over again that caring for the orphan is what true religion looks like. Instead, ask God to open the doors where He desires and then step out where God leads! James 1:27</li><li><b>We are too old to adopt.</b> This excuse may be valid for some legally, but not in the eyes of God. He gives us so many options in scripture. He constantly speaks of taking care of the orphan or the fatherless, the stranger, and the widow. We already know that adoption requires leaving our comfort zone, making a sacrifice of time and money, and stepping out to actually do something. What could that look like?</li></ol><ul><li>Adopting an orphan is obvious, but what about "the fatherless?" That could be a single mother who needs some help, or even a military wife whose husband is overseas. How could you incorporate the family into yours? How could you help them meet their needs?</li><li>The stranger could be a homeless person, a neighbor you have not met, a foreign exchange student at the local college who has no family in this country. How could you meet their physical needs? Could you share your holidays with them?</li><li>Widows are everywhere...in your church, in a nursing home, on your street, etc. Do you know a widow with no family that cares for them? Can you adopt them into your family?</li></ul><div>I wish everyone could see that adoption is possible. Adopt a child, adopt a widow, adopt a stranger, adopt a family. It does not matter, just do it. But, remember that adoption is not comfortable and it will cost you something. To adopt us, Christ left His home and all His riches and gave up His very life. By choosing to obey and love, the blessings you and your family will receive will last into eternity! Matthew 25:31-46</div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-79014587661439502912010-09-22T21:46:00.002-04:002010-09-22T22:00:59.708-04:00Adoption FeverIt may sound crazy to some that after adopting 1 child, I am ready to adopt another. I guess you could say I have Adoption Fever! Once you have seen where your child could have been, and you have fallen in love with your child, and you see how close you could have come to missing the incredible, life-changing gift from God that adoption brings to your family, it is hard to not want to do it again with another child. <div><br /></div><div>People say that I am crazy...my husband included. :) I realize that I already have 4 children and I am currently going through treatments for breast cancer, but I just can't help myself. I realize the timing is not for right now, but I am holding out hope for the future. I realize that my children will not have everything other children have and they will not get to go everywhere and experience everything that other kids do, but somehow that is not important to me. My heart is elsewhere and I hope that my treasure, while meager here on earth, will be much greater in Heaven someday. If I follow God's heart, I am not worried about His ability to provide!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, that being said, right now God is whispering to my heart that He can help us to care for another child. I don't know what that might look like, or what the future holds for us, but I am waiting with anticipation to see what the Lord will do!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1305696703248343983.post-59362786098085516282010-09-05T09:40:00.002-04:002010-09-05T09:54:29.669-04:00Shoes for Orphan Souls<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1o0VxYMjriZAtH2lGoNaSwlw09I3AVMhFmE3UmiRbu687g84vNS1s-qX2mxN9wf7G-fFniAD86XNdxPW8owz73GNdR1hvRMFxdh7PKoYjtQuhOuC2UWslZpkBYZHDrbA4-kCy7l4UfY/s1600/shoes.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513427379613688914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 71px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1o0VxYMjriZAtH2lGoNaSwlw09I3AVMhFmE3UmiRbu687g84vNS1s-qX2mxN9wf7G-fFniAD86XNdxPW8owz73GNdR1hvRMFxdh7PKoYjtQuhOuC2UWslZpkBYZHDrbA4-kCy7l4UfY/s320/shoes.gif" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">This week at our church we are concluding our <a href="http://www.shoesfororphansouls.org/"><span style="color:#6633ff;">Shoes for Orphan Souls</span> </a>shoe drive. It is the first year we have acted as a host drop-off site for shoes. I am particularly excited about this ministry now that I know who they are! It is a ministry of <a href="http://www.buckner.org/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Buckner International</span></a>. Buckner was an adoption/humanitarian agency that recently joined forces and merged with <a href="http://www.dillonadopt.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Dillon International</span> </a>another adoption/humanitarian agency. Dillon is the adoption agency we used for our adoption! Now, Buckner is able to do all the humanitarian side and Dillon handles the adoption side. It makes both agencies able to do so much more! </span><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Please check out the links above. Especially the one for Shoes for Orphan Souls. Since 1999 they have distributed over 2 million pairs of shoes to orphans around the world, while at the same time sharing God's love with the children! What an awesome ministry! Check it out!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1