We Are Here! We Are Here! We Are Here!!!

What is there to say after 8-9 months of blogging absence.  Clearly anyone who read my blog in years gone by has moved on.  I am sure my mom will still be interested.:)

So, here goes Gramma!

A Faith Filled Family Retrospective

 Here is my beautiful Elsie.  She is sixteen and has her Driver's License!!!  What a blessing that license is.  And because she is the oldest, she is incredibly responsible.  I know, I shouldn't put that kind of pressure on her.  She is amazing.  She is about to complete her Junior year in a Running Start program at a local Community College.  She loves her classes and can't wait to move on to real college:) where she will pursue a degree in ASL.  Signing is her passion!  Her hands are always moving when she talks.  At first we thought it was cute and now we are not so sure, since none of us are as fluent as she is.
She recently began helping in a ministry at our church where she signs to a little guy who is seven.  She thought it was funny to sign the story of the plagues that God helped Moses bring against the Egyptians.  She said, "Mom, there aren't different signs for all the bugs.  I just kept signing that God brought more bugs, and more bugs."  Her new little friend thought that was quite funny.
Her favorite part of her week is hanging out with her group of six, 3 and 4 year olds at Cubbies.  She has loved investing in their lives.  Her leader says that she could teach the grown up leaders a thing or two about how to wrangle preschoolers.
My favorite part of parenting Elsie is watching her mature into a beautiful young woman and finding a true kindred spirit.

Aren't these the most adorable tootsies you have ever seen?

I can't explain my love for these feet.  The little brown toes... 

how they used to fit perfectly in my hand...

Precious!

 Little Buddy is six and a half years old.  He is super smart in SO many ways!  He has been a part of my life for over three years and I am overwhelmed by my love for this precious boy.
Little Buddy has needed more of me than I ever anticipated.  He is teaching me what it means to love like Christ.  He is showing me how deep hurts can go and leave you broken in ways that it seems you can't be repaired.  But God gave him a Mommy and Daddy who are super good friends with the greatest healer ever.  If you think of my little boy with the adorable tootsies and piercing brown eyes, please pray for him.
I have seen God's plan for my little guy and I am waiting in anticipation for His work to break forth and shine brightly in his life.
My favorite part of this picture is that I did not pose him at all.  He sat down and knew exactly how to give the camera his best.  Maybe a modeling career is in his future.:)

Bookworm is ten!!  Can't say how much I like this kid!  I know we all love our kids, but Bookworm is just plain fun!  He is all boy, but not.  He loves to tell jokes and make bodily noises.. ewww!  He is also a great friend and tender to ridicule and always willing to help as long as it has nothing to do with chores.:)  We call him our own Encyclopedia Brown.  He spends countless hours reading and is happy to expound interesting facts to anyone who will listen.  Well, interesting to him anyway.
He loves sports and has perfected "crack the egg" on the trampoline.
One of the things that I LOVE about him is that he talks to me.  I have his heart and he trusts me with all of his stuff.  I have seen his heart ache for his little brother.  He prays like a warrior that God would heal the broken parts.  God is creating a strong man who will be more compassionate than most because of the life God has given him.

What can I say about my 8 year old, little miss Sunshine?  She is a miracle walking around.  I mentioned brokenness before...  I know we are all broken people, but my littlest ones have had a very tough beginning.  This little girl leaves me in awe almost every day.  She is learning daily about family and God's love and what is really looks like to trust someone and how to be a true friend, and she is listening and trying all of it!  Sunshine is finally LIVING!  She is loving being a little girl and not needing to be in control of everything.  She tells me often that she is so glad she gave up trying to be in charge, because it is more fun just being a kid.
Thank you God for healing her heart!  Please keep her in your prayers as she continues to trust and grow in God's beautiful grace.

 Sweet Pea is twelve and well on her way to young lady status.  I have seen many things awaken in this precious girl this year.  She has developed an incredible passion to share her love for God with others.  It is so strong that she believes God might be calling her into some sort of ministry for Him.  She is a wonderful friend and has been the most amazing encourager to me.  Life at our house has been challenging... there are days when I am worn.  She takes time to write a letter and leave it on my pillow or in my purse.  Most of her notes remind me that God is bigger than whatever is going on and that He loves me.  I am sure I was not even 10% that sensitive to others needs at twelve.  She is beautiful on the inside and out.  She is still very easy going, but has also gained big sister status which comes with some opinions.  She and I are having a lot of fun sharing a journal.  She writes me a note and leaves it on my night stand and then I write back and return it when she isn't looking.  Such a good way to see into her precious heart.

 Before you think I have allowed my 15 year old Cate go absolutely crazy with make up...

take a look at these photos

Cate is the reason I took all of these pictures today.  A mom at our home school co-op is so talented at face painting.  It only took her a few minutes to paint her face.  I had to get some shots of her beautiful work.  Cate had so much fun being all glammed up!

The paint almost makes her look like she is blooming.  And that would be a wonderful description of my second daughter.  She takes on life with passion and can get bored with the every day things like biology.  This year she has learned that life is full of fun and the mundane for a reason and that there is a place for both.  I love to watch how she loves on people and makes everyone in the room feel like they fit.  She has learned that being beautiful can look like many things.  Beauty can be seen in the face of a 3 year old, a job well done, a humble heart and any other place that you allow God to lead you.

This girl has so much potential and she is so excited to see where it will take her.  What an amazing time in life... when the whole world waits before you to see what mark you will leave on it.

God, please protect my beautiful flower and lead her in your ways.

There it is mom.  A little more about us with a few great pictures.  I hope it won't be nine months before I get back to blogging.  I miss it.

Many Blessings,

Sweet Momma

Fall Pics

There is an elementary school that I drive by every day that has amazing maple trees.  

Every year I tell the kids that we should go take pictures there. 

 After living here for fifteen years I finally did it this week.

Stand-Up Dad gave me an amazing DSLR camera for Christmas last year.

I have been learning how to use it and even took a class this past summer.

These pictures are not retouched yet.  I am hoping to give Photoshop a try very soon.

I am sure you will agree that the trees are beautiful!

The kids are quite precious as well!

Happy Fall!  I love this time of year!

Sweet Momma

Anticipation...

Have you ever been in a place where you were anticipating something?  A new job?  The birth of a baby?  Referral for adoption?  A special vacation?  That thing that you are waiting for can take up much of your thought life.  As you prepare for it you plan and think through what it will be like.  Depending on what it is, you might even spend money to purchase things for it.  It can be very exciting to be in that place of anticipation.

Last month Stand-Up Dad and I sent our kids on a scavenger hunt around our house.  They searched for clues and figured out Daddy's silly rhymes.  The end result was the very happy news that our family would be traveling to "The Happiest Place on Earth" in a few weeks.

The mood in our house changed that day.  There was excitement in the air!  Our talk was filled with Mickey Mouse and the new "Cars Land" at California Adventure and all the planning that goes with a trip such as this.  The girls wanted to make matching outfits.  The littlest were trying to understand where they were going to sleep all of those nights.  Each day as we prepared, the excitement grew.

When the days before the trip dwindled down to just a few, I didn't know if I could survive the enthusiasm that was soaring through my house like sunlight.  I have always believed that the experience of anticipating an event is part of the enjoyment of it.  

This whole experience of anticipation of our trip to Disneyland caused me to pause and look at other things in my life that I anticipate.  I might anticipate my first cup of coffee in the morning, a change of season, date night with Stand-Up Dad, coffee with a friend (yes, more coffee!:) or the next big event of the week.

All of these things are fine.  But do they last?  Once I have had my coffee, that anticipation is over.  I might have received a new energy for my day, but it is temporary.

Even our amazing trip to "The Happiest Place on Earth" was temporary.  We will have the memories of that trip for our lifetime and that is all.

What if I anticipated my time with Jesus every morning with the same excitement?  What if I spent my thought life preparing for our time together?  What if I looked forward to my home in heaven like our trip to Disneyland?  

 I love spending time with Jesus in prayer and study.  But I want to anticipate my time with him.  I want to seek him with my whole heart and carry the truths that he shares throughout the day like the warmth and joy that sunshine brings.  Time spent with Jesus  only grows my relationship with him.  Nothing is wasted.  There is only the opportunity to be more like him.  It is not temporary, but eternal.


Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

We had a wonderful time together at Disneyland.  But "The Happiest Place on Earth" can't compare to the joy that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ.

As the season changes to Fall and I anticipate the colors it will bring, I am FULL of anticipation for the things that God will show me as I seek Him.

Sweet Momma

Another Birthday for Sunshine and Little Buddy!

Birthdays at our house are full of tradition.  We make the birthday child's favorite breakfast, lunch and dinner.  There will surely be balloons and streamers and crazy "Happy Birthday" messages on the bathroom mirror.  We even blow up balloons, one for each year, and put them in their room while they are sleeping so they wake up to balloons that number their new age.

I love birthdays!  I love to celebrate this wonderful milestone with fun themed birthday parties and homemade cakes with princess bodies sticking out the top or a big Lego cake.

Birthdays for kids from hard places are not easy.  We all enjoy being celebrated.  But for these little ones, the ideas and expectations of the celebration are often too much to handle.  Our two littles have their birthdays one day apart.  Sunshine is first and the next day is Little Buddy.

Their first year home we tried for simple celebrations with family. We tried to keep it low key.  It went ok.  Their expectation was bigger than life.  So they were both disappointed with what actually happened.

Last year we tried again.  I planned a low key day.  I learned to discuss what was going to happen on their day with the child.  That way they would know what to expect and what not to expect.

For each child I scheduled a special date in the middle of the day with mom.  We had family over for dessert and shot silly string at the cousins.  It was fun, but their hearts were so torn on each others special day.  When it was Sunshine's day, Little Buddy was mad that it wasn't his day and the next day on his day, Sunshine was mad that it wasn't her day.

It was difficult to handle these emotions while still celebrating the birthday child. 

As their birthdays approached this year, I began to feel anxious.  I wanted to celebrate them without the chance of the emotions and expectations getting in the way.  I also wanted to throw a party that was a bit bigger with friends and family.  I knew they both wanted to have a "friend" party.

So here is what I did and it was GREAT!  I threw a surprise party for both of them the week before their birthdays.  They each have a rest time in the afternoon.  That gave us some time to put up the streamers and balloons and such.

When I brought them downstairs and told them the news they were so excited!  They put on special clothes and waited by the door to see who was coming!  It was so much fun!

 Stand-Up Dad with Little Buddy and Sunshine. 

 I love Little Buddy's green teeth!  Good frosting!:)

The party was simple and just perfect for them.  We ate dinner with family and friends and competed in an obstacle course (a family favorite.)  We had a pinata full of candy and water balloon fights.

 After cake and ice cream they opened presents and played with their friends.  They laughed and giggled and got celebrated for the wonderful kids that they are!  Everyone deserves that!
Little Buddy is growing so fast!  He is six years old and super smart!  He loves to play with his big brother.  He is becoming a master lego builder and is super fast on his scooter!  He has SO much love in his wee little heart that he shares daily.  He brings so much joy to our home!

My little Sunshine is eight!  This has been a big year of growth for her.  Not only in her body, but in her ability to trust us!  She is so beautiful!  Her greatest desire is to be a mommy some day with one hundred babies.  I can't wait to hug and kiss them all!:)
Sunshine is happiest when she is helping or playing with Sweet Pea.  I am beyond grateful to God that He chose to bring these precious children into our home.  I told them the other day that I couldn't imagine my life without them in it.  I really can't.

The lesson I have learned over the last three years of birthdays is... traditions are wonderful, but to celebrate children from hard places you might have to think out of the box.  The day might look different than the tradition and that is ok.  Actually it can turn out perfectly!

Sweet Momma:)

The Greatest Treasure

Today I spent a good chunk of time listening to my oldest daughter quote the entire book of Hebrews and 1st and 2nd Peter from memory.  Word for word!

She is a Bible Quizzer and is trying out for the team that will go to the Bible Quizzing International Competition this summer.  She is required to quote all of the material tomorrow evening to be qualified as a potential team member.  She has spent hours memorizing this material and I am in awe!

She doesn't really understand what a treasure she has.  I mean, I think she knows how important it is to memorize and she gets that God's word is a powerful tool, but in her fifteen years she doesn't yet understand how this treasure will rescue her in the future.  She is mature beyond her years, but hasn't experienced too much life yet, thankfully.

I sat there listening to her rattle off this truth like she was breathing and I wanted to cry.  It overwhelmed me.  The truth she was speaking about was speaking to me and meeting my need for today.  The truths that she has placed to memory in her heart were a precious balm to my weary heart.

1 Peter 4:12-13
¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 


This piece of scripture has been sustaining me for awhile.  There are many days that I feel like something strange is happening to me.  I don't understand some of the things that are going on in my house and I don't know what to do except to fall on my knees in prayer.


It is as if I have no reference point for some of these situations.  They are completely beyond me.  Obviously they are not beyond God.  Praise His Name!!!


So I kneel and pray for God's glory to be revealed.  I kneel and thank Him in advance for what He is going to do in the hearts and minds of my children and I beg for wisdom and patience to take me through the process.  I look forward to the day will I will be overjoyed as His glory is revealed in my home!


Then I hear this truth from my daughter's mouth and I am reminded...


1 Peter 5:6-7
 ⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.


What a gift God offers to me.  As I humble myself and ask for His help he promises to take His big mighty hand and lift me out of this difficulty. 


And... he cares for me.


That's so good.  


I am so thankful for the Bible and the truths that it holds.  And I am beyond proud and thankful that of all the things that my daughter could spend her time doing, she has chosen to hide this precious treasure in her heart!


Sweet Momma

The Best of Friends!

One of the greatest gifts in life is a true friend.  

I spent last weekend with two of the best.  There are really not words to describe what these two ladies mean to me, but I will try.

 When I met them, over 12 years ago, we only had three children between us.  Two of them were mine.
Over these past twelve years we have each added children to our families.  Between us there is now 17 children!  Eight have come home through adoption and the other nine, the old fashioned way.

I met Alice before God had started to fill her nest.  I thought she already had a whole brood.  She just oozed maternal instincts.  The truth is her first born was born a world away in China.  I had the privilege of praying for this precious one and watching her parenting begin with an adorable little girl who she met at 10 months old.

I truly believe that the seed of adoption was planted in my heart as I watched their family grow through adoption.

Sandra also began her family through adoption.  Her first daughter came from Korea.  She quickly added a son from Korea as well.

These two ladies are amazing mothers.  They are close to Christ and follow His lead in all that they do. They have been such encouragers to me on the hard days of life.  We have laughed through so many struggles with toddlers and potty training.  We have prayed for one another and cried when God gave and then took away.

It is so wonderful to have someone there in your season of life that knows you and will speak truth into your life, even if you don't want to hear it.:)

Our children have grown up together.  Many of our best childhood memories involve the kiddos from these two families.  I adore each one of them as if they were my own.

These two ladies have definitely filled the role of support system and adoption therapists since we brought our two home from Ethiopia.  I am so thankful for their wisdom, support and encouragement through the first months.  There are so many issues that occur within adoption that are very different from parenting a birth child.  It is so wonderful to be able to pick up the phone and talk to someone who "gets it."  There is no way to explain what their support has meant to me.

For the past ten years Alice has lived five minutes from my house.

Four months ago a job change took her to a new town four hours away.  I miss her!
Yes, she is still a phone call away, but it is not the same.

She and her family recently moved into a new house.  Sandra and I decided to take a weekend to go and visit Alice and her family.  We each took two of our children to surprise her kids for the weekend.

We had a wonderful time catching up and talking until late, like we always do.

I thank God for these ladies and their families.  They are such a gift to me.  I feel blessed beyond measure!!

Here are 10 of our 17 kids!

I hope they stay friends till they are old and turning gray like me!:)

Sweet Momma

Another Birthday for Our Cate!

On the 16th of this month we celebrated 14 years with our Cate!  

I am so thankful for Cate!  Of all of our children, she is the most like me.  At times this has caused some frustration on both of our parts.=)  But what I am finding, as she is growing up, is that I understand where she is coming from and usually know how to help if it is needed.

Cate should be called Joy, because that is what she brings to our lives.  She fills up the room with warmth when she enters it.  She is always up to try something new and can find "fun" in any situation.

She has always loved color and has taken on an affinity for anything that sparkles.  The more glitter, the better!  It's no surprise to me that she loves things that sparkle.  She is bright and bold and sparkles from the inside out!

It has been a blessing to watch her mature over this past year.  She is growing into a woman who loves God and deeply cares about others.

Her greatest challenge is Algebra.  Maybe if I put some glitter on the pages of her book it will become more appealing.=)  Algebra is teaching her that a lot of things in life are HARD and well worth working for.

My favorite memories this year with Cate are the times that she and I sit down and work through our Bible study together.  It is a quiet time where we each are able to share our hearts.

Happy Birthday Cate!  Know that you are loved and cherished by all who know you!

Sweet Momma